CRI Engineers Know No Tears 2

[Alva Calvarona]

Everyone is at work getting the shipyards up and running with all the new Imperial assets. Our predictions show that we'll still be somewhat behind the major companies on the galactic stage even with these additions to our existing procedures. Mostly due to the fact the yards are ground based on Crina's surface rather than hanging in high orbit where gravity isn't much of an issue to fight. Nonetheless if the Imperials want an orbital shipyard they're not moving the existing ones, so they ought to quit complaining as much as they do and focus on getting everything here properly set up.

After all, we also need to get together a new design purely Crinan in development and construction. I don't think we'll necessarily have one drawn up and out of the docks by the time the mission to Rodica is concluded, but we can at least have things started. Everyone has been diverted to getting the berths, assembly lines, and even on site transportation updated with the modern technology the Imperials insist on implementing. The wenches, cranes, and on droids on site have also all been receiving similar treatment.

I think we'll cut out the weakness in our vessels once we're done with these updates, I feel a bit cheated we got handed the information though instead of realizing it ourselves.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

I have to admit, I really am liking the sections of the new transit system in place. Let's me reach my office a whole ten minutes ahead of schedule, might be able to get even more time to work on projects once the rest is finished. Been hearing a lot of good news about the rest of the improvements being made to the premises as well. A lot of the dock teams are becoming fast fans to the more powerful cranes. They say they lift parts up much quicker and look like they handle wear much better. Same goes for the wenches and droids, everyone seems to be enjoying our flourishing advantages here. Makes some people wonder if anything will improve in the technology of everyday life. . . . .a little worried this may provide rebels with a new angle to call for overthrowing the Royalists content with the world as it is.

Still, that's a political and security issue, not any problem of mine. I just have to make sure all our engineers are getting up to spec on modern algorithms and formulas to continue the improvement of essential systems on our starships. . . . .well that and get a basic blueprint written up soon for the destroyer analog the Princess wanted completed. Having considered what we've already produced with the carrier and what would compliment it and also serve as a excellent operations vessel, I think I have just the design in mind.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

Progress on the construction of the new assembly lines and transit systems and the like has been going smoothly, though I've begun to notice it less and less as I delve into the work on this design. As amazing as everything is, I think it pales in comparison to what we will end up creating by using these new tools. To be quite honest I've taken the liberty of going back to the books on the Noble Battleship design we used as our main warship prior to Imperial intervention. Its basis makes a nice starting point for the new Crinan design. As most of our works will be integrated to the Imperial system we've been keeping our own designs separate and identified as Crinan, I despise the lack of creative naming though I understand the need to keep the standards set.

Now then using the Imperial formulas I think we can make the new design a monster of a combat craft. Specifically I want this vessel to be backed up with long range guns as the Imperials call them. Our power distribution ratios could never get the ranges on our own guns like what I'm looking at now. I think unlike the Noble Class it will have a distinct lack of missile weaponry, but then if we simply bring the Noble class back to modern code we can likely have it fill the role of missile frigate for the Imperials, though I have the feeling if we let it feel old still they'll leave it to our navy.

I'll have to run this by the other departments within the week and get their input in. I think I'll have the blueprints up for the Imperials to approve soon.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

Well its turned out far different from what I originally designed, but one can still tell its a work purely Crinan in design. One might also still be able to see the resemblance it bears to our old Noble class battleships, well frigates technically going by the Imperials Anaxes War College System. Actually having heard of this Anaxes and Carida I wonder how the Cosmina and St. Tiberius Academies here on Crina stand up to their education levels. . . .well that's unimportant. What does matter for the moment is that we've successfully drawn out what the ship looks like and how the systems will be threaded through its bulk and distributed. The engineers over in reactor studies also helped to determine the powering requirements for the weapon systems I wanted to implement, its rather taxing, but we managed to get it working, though compared to the carrier the hanger space will be smaller.

The Imperials seemed to like it as well. They were rather pleased with the number of long range weapons on it, though by the sounds of it they also have their own long range attack craft in preparation, though its more dedicated and less versatile. There's bonuses to that, but it normally requires a whole fleet to be specialized to cover each others weaknesses. I don't think I can get behind the idea of that sort of practice for a navy, but I'm not about to tell the Imperials what to do about their own designs. I just need to worry about what will have a Crinan name attached to it.

Like this ship. Now that it has been cleared for construction we just need to put one together and see how the design goes. Most of the berths are up and running with the new systems the Imperials added to the yards so we can test out our new efficiency and production process too.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

The new Imperial procedures with their parts has indeed made an improvement in the construction process, though our own handling methods also improve the state of things since we know how to work the yards in atmosphere. The only real question now is when we will get the first Crinan Destroyer completed. Even the dock workers in the berths are excited to be working on this project, though the Imperials question the naming of the ship as a Destroyer when its only a large cruiser in length. Well I'd like to point out to them how we've never built a ship this large before and its doubtful we'll be comfortable building anything much bigger, so for us this will be a Destroyer.

I'm really proud of the array of defensive emplacements on the ship in addition to the long range guns. Missile Bombardment and Bombing runs by snub fighters shouldn't be a problem for this ship at all. In fact my only real concern is that it will run into problems with small corvettes in its blind spot, an oversight in the design really, but necessary to make the long range guns able to have their field of fire. Well perhaps not, but unlike Imperial ships this Crinan Destroyer won't have the fault of its guns being unable to hit ships trying to sneak around below. I just hope that matters in the long run.

Will discuss the topics of the fist ship's name and how to test it soon.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

Crina's Tears is what they're naming the first vessel. Some Imperial made the joke about it and a bunch of stubborn coots from processing decided to stick with it just to roll with the punch. Seems dumb if you ask me, as outside that room no one else would really know about one outsiders joke about things. Now everyone will and it might spark less than loyal thoughts after seeing it and thinking the Imperials are throwing weight around and mocking the populace. The Princess won't be pleased by old fools thinking their smart like that. Only causes trouble in the end. Still, I personally like it for its poetic nature.

The Tears could refer to the rain of capital gun fire from the ship as it brings opposing vessels to their metaphorical knees. So I like it, despite what old proud blowhards have to say. Though I guess I should have quieted them down more as the man in charge per say. Hopefully their actions won't reflect too poorly on me. I finally thought everyone was getting along too with all the excitement with the Imperials new parts for the yards increasing efficiency and our own work methods with a ground based shipyard impressing the Imperials who are used to orbital stations.

​Well I guess there wasn't much to discuss work wise this time. The first ship will be finished soon, we'll see how the tests and calibrations go not long after.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

So the first ship was completed today, Crina's Tears rose from the construction berths with a wonderful tune to its engines. The Imperials say it has a nice gentle thrum to it that's different from the typical baby cries most ships have once first leaving the docks. Same thing with the carrier they mentioned upon reflection too. Perhaps it has something to do with the construction being in atmosphere? Or maybe we have some influence in the process ourselves that we simply haven't picked up on. Regardless it was interesting to note, it poses a nice background experiment to conduct as we continue developing new ships and they leave the yards.

We'll begin testing tomorrow, so we'll throw a few old Noble Class ships out there empty as target practice. Someone made a joke the Imperials or Royals might put arrested rebels in them, heck maybe they should I wouldn't know politics or proper judicial procedure for traitors. Either way the ships will be torn asunder and we'll see just how effective our new design is.

Speaking about the Noble Class though, we were given approval to bump them up to modern standards as well though. Seeing as it would be nothing too special I won't go into detail, but its nice to see another old design get some care too. The old Venerable class got some attention, I think that's because the Imperials see them as invasion craft though. The thought of a swarm of those landing planet side is a bit terrifying.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

It was . . . .beautiful!

I felt like I was getting to watch my child take her steps for the first time again. Having this level of advancement in ship design, on a ship I drew up the blueprints for, is simply just an awe inspiring and humbling honor. When it comes to the history books I think I'll be in there with the greats like Crina, Tiberius, heck even Nicoleta made it in them! I'll be known as the man who developed Crina's most iconic and powerful warship. I've taken back any complaints I've had about the Imperials showing up, without them I wouldn't have had the resources or the methods to bring this work to light in such a glorious state.

The long range guns shredded both Noble class frigates before they got in range, though considering they're still pre-imperial designed they are weaker than what the Destroyer will be up against. Nonetheless they did get missiles off at max range, which were subsequently picked off by the point-defense systems. Watching the linked defensive emplacements track and destroy each missile was a treat. I'm thoroughly pleased with the end result of this project and I think the Princess will be as well when she returns.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

The Imperials had to bring up some complaints of course. They wondered why the hyperdrive readings are showing that the ship's main and backup hyperdrive are slower than average for a military ship. Well that's simple. . . .its taking a lot of power to run a bunch of heavy long range turbolasers and ion cannons!! They then complained about the point of a backup since it would speed up the main by not having it take up space in the systems. Which is true, but if the main one is targeted or malfunctions or is sabotaged then I wouldn't want to be stranded in enemy territory waiting for it to be fixed. Their complaints are beginning to wear on my nerves.

The gall to call the ship ungraceful too was shameful. Sure its slower than the carrier, but its no more less maneuverable than it is, their complaint is completely invalid! Its a big ship and requires precision rather than full on velocity to get its job done, especially with long range weaponry. I mean they even ran a mock simulation with it against their Victory II. The Victory II outpaced it, but it outgunned their ship by far so I think its clear where the winner stands. Especially since this is neither a patrol nor a pursuit vessel. Its meant purely for combat whether for assault or defense it not going to hunt down enemies. That's what the Merciless Star Frigate and Extinguisher Corvettes are for.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio

 

[Alva Calvarona]

​The Princess returned today. She was quite pleased at the work on the Destroyer in her absence. The design met her expectations and then some. She's also pleased we've improved the yards and been adding space, she hopes we can further expand the construction berths so that the docks can handle what the Imperials classify a Star Destroyer as our next big project. To be frank I'm excited by the prospect of a larger vessel, we could have a lot more options on handling its layout and systems, but at the same time I think ships that big and bigger will be a hindrance to any fleet because of their slow nature and the logistical drawbacks they'd have on a fleet.

Nevertheless it hardly matters to me what the Imperials do with their resources. All that matters now is that I've further ingrained myself in the Princess's good graces. Hopefully this means I will have a lot more to do with Crina's prospective future, whatever that may be. I'd love to continue designing Crinan ships and see them become their own force. I hate to see us tied down to another faction's reputation, but that sort of decision is for the Royals to determine.

I wonder how Crina would see the world now? Or Nicoleta after outsider influence did touch us. . . . or even that old legend St. Tiberius, what would he think?

Personally I don't know what to think. I'm just pleased my work was appreciated.

-CRI Chief Engineer Alberio