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Deck Thirteen was alive with activity as people moved with quick efficiency between the Fighters. Across the bay Webster saw the Chief Engineer, Commander Ed Seaman talking with his brain child, Crewman Collin Wahlund. Wahlund had recently joined 'Fleet but had worked for years in the private sector as part of starship design. His wife JoAnna was one of the crew that has been kidnapped. She had joined through the academy and he enlisted after Wolf 359. Webster could understand that after the Borg attack, few people on earth were content to be civilains. He waved a hello to them and they walked over to where he was standing.
"Sir, we just heard the captains announcment, is it true our people are still alive?" asked Wahlund.
"Yes, and the captain wants to know the status on the Fighters, we maybe be needing them." Webster replied.
Ed handed him a PADD and said “We’ve been able to upgrade the hull armor, the shields and we think we can squeeze a little more power out of this baby if we don’t use the environmental controls but put the pilots into environmental suites instead.”
“What about the weapons upgrades?” asked Webster.
“That’s what we wanted to talk to you about sir. If we remove the co-pilots station and environmental controls completely we can put in a third torpedo launcher and have enough room for ten torpedoes instead of the normal six.” Said Wahlund with a machiavellian grin. “We also have been able to increase the strength of the phasers 25%, and have improved maneuverability by 32%.”
“Excellent work. However I do have my concerns about sending these out with only one person and no environmental controls. Have you ever tried to pilot anything wearing only an evac suit?” asked Webster.
“Actually sir, I have reconfigured the command console with a larger display to accommodate for the bulkiness of the suit, and we have a simulator set up on holodeck two. We’d like you to give it a test flight before you make your final report to the captain.” Said Wahlund.
“And the onboard computer has been reconfigured to monitor the bio signs of the pilot, if they are injured or knocked unconscious the ship will automatically return to the Saint George. So as long as we don’t use the fighters for more than short range, the evac suits are set up with four hours of life support.” Said Seaman.
“I’ll get suited up and give it a run.” Said Webster
Webster handed Stratton a PADD.
“Are you okay Tom, you look a little flushed?” asked Stratton.
“Fine, Sir. I just took a simulator run on the new fighter modifications before turning in my report. … It was very exhilarating.” Said Webster.
Stratton read the following:
Ships Specs for the Peregrine Class Fighters
Accommodation: Two, Pilot and Operations Manager
Dimensions: Length, 30 m; beam, 29.5 m; height, 9 m.
Mass: 270 metric tonnes.
Performance: Normal Cruise, Warp 4; Max Speed, Warp 5.1
Armaments: Two type-V pulse phaser canons; two torpedo launchers
Modifications
Addition of Hull Armor
Shield strength increased 15%
Phaser strength increased 25%
Maneuverability increased 32%
Recommended modifications
Remove copilot position to allow for third torpedo launcher and four extra torpedoes. Have pilot in environmental suite to allow for the removal of all environmental controls to increase power to defensive systems. Computer console has been modified to allow for larger display. Onboard computer has been set up to monitor the bio signs of the pilot, if they are injured or knocked unconscious the ship will automatically return to the Saint George.
. Stratton looked up at Webster and nodded. “Impressive upgrades, but I also want all the pilots to wear emergency locator bands incase we need to beam them out. Let Seaman and his team know that I'll need to have these changes completed before we reach the Nottarts Nebula." Said Stratton, "You also have my permission to remove the pilots from their normal duty to start flying test runs in the simulator."
“Yes sir, you can count on the Ice Warriors.” Replied Webster.
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