There In The Stars

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"Here we go Honey." Alric said as the tram came to a stop.

The car screeched to a halt, the door opening to reveal...absolutely no one inside. He glanced down at Myra who was giving him a rather broad grin.

"Alright." He said as they stepped inside. "Take whatever seat you want."

For a second Myra looked around, and then she dashed right towards the front of the tram car, running and taking a seat on one of the plush cushions that was arranged there right in front of the big viewport. Alric hobbled after her.

"Best seat in the house, eh?" Receiving an emphatic nod in answer.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"If I recall correctly by what I read in the Black Codex, wasn't that Starkiller project destroyed?" Danger followed up, setting her cup of caf down. Aeri replied with a nod, "Yes. The details are a bit murky as the Black Codex only provides a general overview of the events, but it appears that during a conflict with the Resistance, the Starkiller project was destroyed."

Here came the grave part.

"By the very same energy siphoning system that would fuel it, correct?"

Another curt nod. "Yes."

"We sent several expeditions to the Unknown regions to find any remnants of the former First Order, but we were only able to find out bits and pieces here and there. What we did come to find out is that this Starkiller project was able to fire a planet-shattering beam through hyperspace that could destroy an entire solar system."

Danger's lips thinned.

"Not exactly what I'm aiming for Aeri."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

The tram began to move not a few seconds later. It was slow at first, then the slight buzz of inertial dampeners began to sound out as they moved faster and faster. The tram rushed off through the spine of the station, shifting and quickly moving through an interconnected network of tunnel until finally...they popped onto the outside of Artemis station.

There was a slight rush of air around them, and then the galaxy was on display for them.

Myra looked up and marveled at the stars, the nearby nebulas, everything that she could take in. Alric watched her for a time, and then quickly began to point at things through the window, his eyes slowly following several of the stars. "That's Tatooines, mommy's home."

He recognized the star pattern from where they were.

"That over there is the Bilin Nebula." He pointed towards a more bright spot. "And that's Daddy's home."

He pointed towards a dark patch of the sky, Myra giving him a confused look. "It's too far away to see."

She giggled.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"So tell me how our harvester is not going to destroy entire solar systems Aeri?" A deep sigh fell from the Queen of Trade's lips. This was the tricky part, being able to use the technology for good rather than for malicious means.

"Well, from what we can gather, our researchers say that we haven't quite perfected the method, but they are able to work the theory enough for it to work in low amounts."

A gesture allowed Aeri to continue.

"From what we wer eable to discern, the primary weapon ran on a type of dark energy called "quintessence": the Zeltron elaborated, part of this Danger already knew, but she let the woman continue anyways, "It is a rather ubiquitous in the universe and some say that it offered practically an unlimited power source to the First Order. "

Danger gave Aeri a hard look.

"Rumored, but not verified beyond what had been seen with the Starkiller project."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"].

"That one is Mustafar." Alric continued naming star systems as they traveled down teh spine of Artemis station, the tram taking a rather scenic route.

This had been done on purpose of course.

Construction had focused on making Artemis station more than just a corporate fantasy, but rather something...beautiful. Something utterly unique. Vanir Technologies had designed this place to be a reflection of the companies that it would house. "The Ennnnntiiiiiiiiiiire planet is made of Lava and rock."

He told Myra.

"Never stops flowing!" She got bug eyes again.

"That's where Daddy got some of the metal for Mommy's ring." He explained to Myra, the little girl obviously knowing what ring he was talking about. "It was incredibly expensive."

Myra gave an emphatic nod, though obviously not really understanding money yet.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"So what DO we know?" the woman brought her cup of caf back up to her lips. It was a rather long prep talk, but she knew that the Researchers would appreciate it. Not just because it also made it easier for her to follow the development of the technology

"From what we have found, the original Starkiller project used a star as a power source." They had no schematics to work off from. This had been gleaned from old databanks and underground trading from several different planets in the Unknown regions. Like pieces of a puzzle, they were brought together to make a picture; an imperfect one, but an image just the same. They could work and move forward from an image.

"Basically, an array of collectors on one side of the planet would gather dark energy in stages," A small hologram was brought up for Dangers review. This was all guess work, nothing on the Starkiller project itself, but more how Mara Tibx and Pharmatech R&D theorized it had worked.

"Which would then end up redirecting it to the planetary core. We beliee this is where it was held in place by the natural magnetic field of the planet. Some say that even perhaps an artificial containment field maintained by the machinery the First Order had installed within the crust."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

It went on like that for a little bit more. Alric telling Myra one story or another, showing her planets that she would probably visit eventually. It was a good thing, a nice thing. Perhaps she'd go the way of Rose and become a cartographer.

Alric would like that.

Something safe. He frowned for a moment, briefly thinking about Lisette and what had happened before slowly shaking his head. "Somewhere over there is Coruscant. It's the biggest planet in the galaxy!"

Myra nodded, having heard of it before.

"There's over a trillion people living there." She looked at him, not quite understanding what a 'trillion' was just yet. "A lot of people. You'd hate it."

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head just as the tram arrived in the station.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"I hear a 'However' in there Aeri." Danger was no fool. She could read it on the Zeltron.

Aeri took a deep breath, "However --"

Another layer bloomed upon the hologram," We can only assume that the planetary magnetic field would not be enough to contain the amount of energy that the weapon required, so it makes sense that a thermal oscillator would be required." That Danger could understand. A thermal oscillator would generate an oscillating containment field which could allow the installation to expend considerably less energy at containing the dark energy than would be required using a steady containment field.

"In essence, this massive construct was powered by the stars." Aeri explained. "Until it extinguished it completely."

A long pause came after.

"So how will our own Dark Energy Harvesters work and how can we make sure that whatever befell the starkiller project not happen to us?"

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric immediately lead Myra of the tram, or she lead him, he wasn't really all too sure which one it was. She was excited, that much was clear.

In the distance he could hear the sound of ratcheting and drilling, the cornerstone of construction work. Alric made sure to steer Myra way from that, not because of the strangers, but because taking a small child into a construction zone was never a good idea. "That way, Honey."

He said pointing to the left.

"We want to go towards the viewing area." That was the section that overlooked the docking bridges, where most of the Star Destroyers and larger ships would be located when the station was done. For now it was all cargo freighters. "Look at the ships."

Myra nodded and continued on.

He had to tug on her just a bit, slow her down so she didn't tucker out half-way through the day. "Take it easy little lady. We have all the time in the world."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"The theory is sound." Aeri began, ensuring that Danger understood this. Afterall, their prototype Dark Energy harvester also converted it into quintessence. This very station had a reactor that would be fueled by the very same energy discussed, abliet at a lower level.

"What had made the Starkiller project a superweapon was that it utilized Kyber technology." Danger was no stranger to the marvel of Kyber crystals. They were an energy source as well as a crystal greatly favored by all manner of Force users alike. Nothing but a bunch of hocus pocus to her.

"What we have done is create a Dark Energy harvester that would harvest residual Dark energy and convert it into quintessence at an energy output not much different than what most are more familiar with; SunForges. A method to mine the energy of the sun and convert it into a renewable energy. Really, not much different than the automated factory we bought from Judah Dashiell not long ago. "

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Myra began to slow down as they reached the viewing area.

This had been one of first areas of the station that had actually been completed, mostly because the belief was that everyone needed a place to rest and relax. The Viewing area was that place, or was supposed to be. There were a dozen restaurants, or would be, a massive open seating area, benches, and plenty of water fountains. "Let's head over to the window."

He told Myra.

"We can see the ships from over there." His daughter slipped free from his grasp and rushed through the large viewing area, running across the room towards the massive window at the other end.

There was a slight thunk as she moved against the glass, squishing her face against it so that she could see the ships.

Alric winced slightly, though Myra seemed to be perfectly okay so he said nothing.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"What is the difference?"

"The difference being that we can get a higher output of energy by streamlining the use of Kyber crystals." A few flicks and swishes and Aeri displayed what exactly she meant.

"We have found a few deposits of Kyber crystals here, here, and here." three planets bloomed into sight. Some were familiar to Danger. Others were not.

"We have mines on these two planets that we have used on the prototype harvester." Danger gave another nod.

"After testing, it has been confirmed that the harvester is viable -- but it powers on par with the standard antimater and hyper matter generator."

"That's to be expected, we don't have the perfected schematics."

"Exactly, more research, development, and testing can potentially increase production. What makes this a more favorable option is that by utilizing Dark energy and refining it into quintessence, we are looking at a renewable source of energy that can be free carbon print."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

There were more than a few ships docked, though like Alric had assumed they were all cargo freighters. Most of them were massive in size, bigger than some Star Destroyers. Myra of course didn't particularly care if a ship was made for war or for transporting pigeons. A ship was a ship, and she liked ships. "That's a good one."

He pointed to the far end of the docks. "Daddy's company makes it."

Myra glanced up at him and he smiled.

"It can carry a lot." She nodded, and then looked over towards the other end of the dock yards, pointing out another ship and tapping on Alric's leg to grab his attention. "That's...hmm."

He scooted a bit to the side to get a better look. "That's made by the Corellians. They usually make smaller ships, but sometimes make big ones. Remember that picture book? The story about the 'Millenium Falcon'? The Corellians made that ship."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"What are some failsafes? What can prevent the harvestor or a reactor powered by this from potentially exploding?"

Aeri's lips thinned.

"There is no guarantee, but the same could be said for anti matter reactors and even hypermatter reactors. We have placed a few key safety measures to ensure that the risks are lowered."

Well that was something at least.

"We use three thermal oscillators to help regulate the heat," Aeri explained, " We have also installed an internal fail safe that will prevent the collection of Darkmatter once it has reached the specified levels it requires to begin the quintessence conversion. If it goes beyond this limit, the entire system will shut down and go through a mandatory twenty four hour cooling period."

"This cooling period is necessary so as to lower the chances of any volatile explosions. However, this also means that it is one of the reasons why the energy output is comparatively low."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"].

"See that one." He pointed to a starship at the end of the dock. "That's my favorite."

He nudged her slightly so that she would turn her head. "Daddy's company makes that too."

She looked up at him with an inquisitive look.

"I like how it looks." A shrug rolled over his shoulders and Myra nodded slightly, agreeing with him, though it probably wasn't her favorite. He smiled down at his daughter, then slowly backed up from the viewport. He looked around for a moment and spotted a chair. "be right back honey."

He left Myra alone for a second, retrieving the small metal chair and putting it in front of the virewport. Myra gave him an odd look in response. "I'm old, honey."

It was the only explanation he needed.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

That summarized it pretty well. Another nod from the Queen of Trade.

"So what are the costs?"

Danger didn't even have to wait for Aeri to speak before she held up a hand. "Okay, better phrasing, just how long are we looking at for production?"

"Since this is relatively new technology and taking into consideration the resource required to build the Dark Energy harvester, we are looking at approximately a three month cycle per harvester. Another two months for the building of the generator. That's how long it took to build the ones for this very station."

Right.

"However, our team is positive that with more research, they may be able to cut that time in half and have it produce energy at a more efficient and effective way -- allowing us a higher energy output."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"].

As Alric made himself comfortable in the chair, Myra kept up with her sightseeing. The little girl was more than happy to simply stand there and watch the starships come and go all day, peering at the smaller ones and marveling at the huge freighters that came in to dock nearby. They were there for fifteen minutes, Alric staying quiet or sometimes pointing out a particular ship for his daughter to see. Eventually though Myra grew tired of watching and joined her father.

"Up you go." He said as he scooped Myra up and placed her into his lap.

She smiled up at him.

"So how do you like the station?" She waited a moment, then gave him a thumbs up. Alric grinned. "There's still a lot more to see."

He told her. "A lot more."

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"But like always, at a higher cost." It would take a number of credits to build, maintain, and service this Dark Energy Harvester, all for the same output of energy as your standard antimatter and hypermatter reactor. However, it was a stepping stone. Danger hadn't come into this expecting everything to be easy and just peachy.

"So we are looking at a limited amount of use."

Aeri added, "Yes... and any larger installations would need to have their employees trained for any potential mishap."

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"So." He began to ask her, knowing that he would never actually get an 'answer' so to speak. "Where do you want to go now?

She made a face. They had a plan of course...but plans could be changed. If she didn't want to go to the park they didn't have to go. There were more things to see on the station, way more than anyone could ever actually get to in fact. "We can go to the park."

He told her.

"We couuuuuuuuld go to the control center." Myra perked up slightly at that. "We could go to the....arcade!"

There were several on the stations. "Whatever you want, we won't tell mommy."

He gave her a wink.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"I see."

So that was the briefing. The knowledge that what would power this vast space station was still barely out of the protype state. There were risks, yes, but definately rewards. If they were able to harness quintessence in a manner that can provide reusable energy without a carbon footprint and do so relatively cheaply with a harvester; then it was the sort of investment Danger wanted to see developed and grow.

"Our next meeting we will be going through and personally inspecting the harvester and the generator. Mister Kuhn and Myra are more than welcomed to come along."

"That's okay -- too last minute anyways. They went to explore the station by themselves."