Starfield:Engineering Lab Computer (Lab 2)

Engineering Lab Computer
Editor ID	LC043_SY03_LabTerminal02
Location	SY-920 (map)
Related Quest	The Best There Is: Steal the prototype ComSpike from a classified UC research station.

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Dr. Gustav Ames' Computer
Project Proposal: XNN	Overview ---------------------------------------------------- The question of whether alien life is intelligent is a difficult question to ponder, without first asking what we mean by the word, "intelligence." After all, there is often a human-centric bias when we attempt to classify one species as smarter than the other. For example, we tend to view plants as less intelligent than animals because they lack a central nervous system, when in fact Mycorrhizal fungi have long developed sophisticated networks where plants transfer nutrients and minerals to each other without a centralized command center. We often hold the same view of machine intelligence versus biological alternatives. We rely on ship computer algorithms to dispense energy efficiently, the same way the brain directs our limbs. Yet in my study of xenofungal networks (XNN), I've learned there is a better way. Rather than centralize ship control, if a collective intelligence can be used to direct ship power it could increase speed and efficiency by a factor of 2. Potential Military Applications ---------------------------------------------------- Faster computation in milliseconds can be the difference between victory and defeat in battle. Ships low on fuel reserves will be able to grav jump further when in distress. Financial boon from patents, if determined strategically safe to share, could provide additional funding for all departments. Potential Civilian Applications ---------------------------------------------------- Conservation of fuel and less dependency of mining additional reserves would benefit all mankind, not just the UC.
Project Suspension: XNN	From: Commander Natara Subject: Re - Project XNN Date: 03/05/2330 I warned the department that cuts would be coming with Commander Woods' dismissal. And after conferring with MAST, I am recommending we suspend this project effective immediately. Your research into Xenoneural Networks is interesting, Dr. Ames, but in order for me to justify funding anything that involves alien organisms, we need to be able to pitch some kind of military application to the higher ups. To have it appear as if we are violating the Treaty of Narion, without producing any actual weapons would be a foolish endeavor. However, my main concern is the budget. Along with the ComSpike, this was one of Commander Woods' pet projects, and he seemed to have a heavy influence in several areas that I believe are outside his purview. I'm not making an accusation, I understand he had junior engineers serve as his liaison for much of this, and that is being investigated by my team. Let me be clear when I say I am not singling you out. More casualties should be expected, and I will send a message out to the entire team soon.
Project Archangel	From: Dr. Sandra Ram Subject: Project Archangel Date: 03/05/2330 Hey, I'm sorry to hear about the suspension of Project XNN. It was bold and ambitious, as all your work is! But since you're now free, I was wondering if you might consider bringing that big, bold way of thinking to our project instead? I know the team has been trying to design a ship that will take full advantage of our pilots' flying prowess. And with the recent accidents, we could all use a pick me up. That's why I've drawn up this supplementary proposal to alter the engine and the fuel of the latest prototype. Historically, we've sought lighter elements. Hydrogen as a property is 57 times lighter than gaseous vapors, and 14 times lighter than air! It's odorless, and non-corrosive. Liquid hydrogen, combined with oxidizers, was basically the go to fuel in old school space exploration. And yeah, more modern engines have done the opposite, going with the weightier, gravitational warping to bend space-time. So we made the switch from Hydrogen fuel to Helium, which is also way less flammable and requires less venting. It's the preferred choice in powering grav drives. Now, I've always been a contrarian -- mom always said so, anyway, so maybe this is all just foolish speculation. But I wonder if a shift back to hydrogen based fuel may be worth exploring? Given the crystallization process on other planets can enrich chemical properties in different ways and reduce hydrogen's more volatile tendencies, maybe we need to explore the possibilities of a hydrogen based grav drive? I don't know, just a thought, but one that's been rattling around in my brain for a hot minute now. So after I dot my i's and cross my t's, I'm thinking of pitching the idea to Dr. Vogel next week, but I would love to hear your feedback on the idea first.
Budget Cuts	From: Commander Natara Subject: Budget Cuts Date: 04/28/2330 Once more, I am sending a reminder to all departments that we are doing extensive budget cuts as part of the internal audit into Commander Woods' tenure here. Most existing projects will be allowed to continue provided a realistic roadmap to completion has been submitted. Going forward, all new projects will have much stricter requirements for approval. A checklist for meeting this criteria will be supplied as part of your weekly briefings.