Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 345 The Old Captain (Ninth Update)

After a period of concentrated technical research, the Federation's team of engineers and scientists, led by Scott and Spock, successfully designed a prototype of a practical ship repair system.

This system was officially named the "Directed Reconfiguration System".

The system's working logic is clear and rigorous, but it has a key limitation.

It is not a universal solution, but rather an optimized design specifically for a particular starship (such as the new Enterprise) or a particular type of starship.

During the system initialization phase, technicians will use ultra-high precision scanning equipment to refine the complete structural blueprint of the target starship in its intact state down to the molecular level, and store it as a reference data in the system's core database.

The system is activated when a part of the starship is damaged and needs repair.

Specialized scanners deployed at critical structural points on the starship or carried by engineers will perform in-depth scans of the damaged areas to obtain data on their current damage status.

Subsequently, the system will perform a high-speed and accurate comparison between this "damage blueprint" and the "intact blueprint" stored in the database. The algorithm will quickly locate the specific location and extent of molecular bond breakage, material loss, or structural deformation.

The next step is the specific application of federal material recombination technology.

The system will generate a highly focused energy field that precisely covers the damaged area.

The energy field first executes the "decomposition" command, safely breaking down damaged molecular structures that can no longer function into basic particles or energy.

Immediately afterwards, the system initiated the "reconstruction" procedure, calling upon the ship's stored general raw materials and energy, and strictly following the molecular arrangement and structure defined in the "intact blueprint," reconstructing layer by layer and molecule by molecule in the "blank" areas created by the decomposition.

This process is not a reversal of time, but rather an extremely precise "microscopic demolition and instant reconstruction".

It can effectively repair hull cracks, replace burned lines, and even rebuild parts of non-core hull structures.

Preliminary tests conducted in a laboratory setting on simulated starship hull fragments and internal piping assemblies were successful.

The system successfully repaired the preset damage, and the repaired part met the original design standards in terms of both strength and function.

Based on these encouraging results, the Federation decided to conduct the next stage of combat-ready testing.

An engineering prototype of a "directional reconfiguration system" was officially installed on the new Enterprise NCC-1701-A, which was undergoing final outfitting.

It will undergo long-term operational evaluation on this starship, which incorporates many new technologies, to test its reliability, repair speed, and energy-matter consumption efficiency in real space environments and under different damage modes.

Chen Yu is closely monitoring this development.

While this system is far from achieving the miraculous efficiency of the STC's automatic repair, which ignores the degree of damage and completes the repair almost instantaneously, it represents a real starting point—expanding the Federation's material recombination technology from "manufacturing" and "transferring" to the crucial field of "repair."

This is of obvious logistical significance for his planned flagship, which requires long-term independent operation.
-
With the installation and initial integration testing of the directional reconfiguration system completed, the construction of the new Enterprise NCC-1701-A has officially come to an end.

The magnificent hull has taken shape, gleaming with the cold luster unique to ceramic steel and refined gold. Most of the intricate internal pipelines and systems are also in place, with only the final outfitting, interior decoration, and final integration of the entire ship's systems remaining.

This starship, embodying the Federation's latest technology and even incorporating some extraterrestrial intelligence, rests quietly in the dock, like a colossal beast about to awaken, awaiting its moment to cleave through the cosmos. The Federation places high hopes on this new ship, inheriting its legendary name; it is not only a powerful tool for exploring the unknown but also a symbol of the Federation's technological prowess and spirit of cooperation.

Of all those who were paying attention, James T. Kirk had the most complex and fervent feelings.

Upon learning that the new Enterprise was nearing completion, Kirk submitted a formal application directly to Starfleet High Command—requesting to resign from his staff position at Fleet Headquarters in order to resume his role as captain of the Enterprise.

This application sparked considerable discussion within the command center.

Kirk was no longer the young captain he once was. He had risen to the rank of general thanks to his distinguished military achievements and seniority, and by convention, he should have remained at headquarters to assume a higher-level command or advisory position.

However, Kirk's reasons were equally compelling and personal: the old Enterprise had become an orbital museum, a place where his past glories and pains were etched together; while this new Enterprise represented the future and a new beginning.

He longed to return to the bridge, to the position he knew best and where he could best utilize his talents, to personally steer this new ship that carried hope and memories, and to continue his unfinished exploration.

His old friends understood his feelings.

McCoy muttered privately, "That stubborn fool," but there was no real opposition in his eyes.

Spock, however, analyzed it from a logical perspective: "The combination of Captain Kirk and the name Enterprise has itself become a highly positive symbol. Its stability and success rate have been proven by history."

In situations where there are unknown variables in a new system, placing the most experienced commander in charge is the most efficient choice.

Ultimately, what convinced the command leadership was not only Kirk's personal will and legendary status, but also practical considerations.

The new Enterprise incorporates many unprecedented technologies—an eighth-level warp drive, Steady Crystal, Void Shield, Directional Reconfiguration System, and a structure reinforced with terracotta and adamantite.

The ship itself is a massive, flying experimental platform, far more complex and potentially risky than any currently operational starship.

Entrusting it to any other captain would inevitably cause some anxiety.

Kirk not only possesses unparalleled deep space experience and crisis management capabilities, but also participated in the entire Genesis event and Earth rescue operation, witnessing and even personally experiencing the birth of many of the technologies involved. His understanding and connection to the ship is unmatched by any other candidate.

After careful consideration, Starfleet Command finally approved Kirk's application.

Upon hearing the news, Kirk's face lit up with a relieved yet expectant smile.

The old captain is about to embark on a new voyage, and this time, his flagship will be more powerful and mysterious than any he has ever sailed.

Everyone sensed that the new Enterprise's maiden voyage would once again write a legendary chapter.

Chen Yu was pleased with this outcome. An experienced and cooperative commander would undoubtedly be able to better unleash the full potential of this fusion technology starship and provide a more reliable platform for his various technology verifications.

(End of this chapter)