Chapter 22: Problems And Solutions

Over the next three days, while he was waiting for the rich scions to finish their processing with FDII, Daniel was spending and upgrading both the Armor and Shield Generator Components.

With the bonus of delivering most of the missing ice, the magistrate payed him with 550,000 GC's.

He blew almost all of it on the upgrades, both of which took a whole day.

With a Level 3 Shield Generator and Level 4 Armor, he would be able to upgrade to Light Cruiser Rank much quicker and much safer.

Daniel was sort of mad at himself for spending so much, but he justified it to himself with one simple argument.

According to his observations, each level corresponded with a Ship Classification Upgrade.

Level 1 had been equal to a Corvette's Modules, Level 2 was equal to Destroyer, and Light Cruiser was destined to be equal to Level 3.

With Level 3 Shield Generators, the Venator was now mildly equal to a Light Cruiser commissioned by either the Federation or the Empire.

With Level 4 Armor, he was now, theoretically, stronger compared to a Light Cruiser.

As long as he used his Weapon Systems with at least a marginally tactical mindset, he would be able to destroy a Light Cruiser over a long engagement.

The next problem was that Light Cruisers were traditionally deployed in squadron strength, always being accompanied by at least three other Light Cruisers, and perhaps a compliment of Destroyers as well.

Daniel was unable to rely on destroying a Light Cruiser because of these conditions, so he was slowly resigning himself to making use of his Harvest Drones to mine significantly valuable ores in the surrounding systems.

After he sold those ores, only then would he purchase the needed Components to Upgrade his ship.

The problem with that plan was that the other three modules necessary for a Ship Classification upgrade were the Sauveterre Engine, the Hovarth Drive, and the Reactor.

The first two, while expensive, were simple to source, especially since the System could highlight the cheapest options on the Trade Net.

However, the Reactor would be nearly impossible.

Only a few registered manufacturers are able to legally make Reactor Components, and all of them were in the Core of the Federation.

Daniel was sort of annoyed with the System for making the Upgrade Conditions so expensive, but when asked, the System, who now spoke using the same voice as SAI for some reason, said that he was unable to learn those reasons.

On Day three of sitting in the System Station docks, Daniel was beginning to go a bit stir crazy.

He was unable to leave until he got a report from Ms. Velcom about the children he'd rescued, and he was unable to purchase more Components without more GC.

Finally, fed up with the waiting, Daniel decided to ask the System.

"System, are you able to suggest possible options to help me obtain Module Components?"

[Commander, this Unit is able to offer possible options.]

Daniel sighed.

"Ok, do you HAVE any such options?"

[Commander, the Avatar is able to adapt to all manner of conditions to optimize it's capabilities, so it is suggested that you explore Component options in the Trade Net to discover new Modules compatible with the Avatar.]

For a moment, Daniel was confused.

Since his...pairing... with the Star Ship Avatar, he'd had the same Modules.

Only when needing to house the hostages discovered at the Grackle Pirate Base, did the Venator evolve to include a [Residences] module.

A moment later, it clicked.

According to the "Ark Protocol Override" message, the Avatar already had other modules available to be installed, and he only needed to fulfill certain conditions to have them added.

Daniel was silent for a while, considering all of the modules that he knew about, trying to figure out which ones would be useful to him at the moment.

When he was in Command of the Heavy Cruiser Varsell, he'd had access to all of the Modules the Avatar had, except for the [Drone Command] and the [Residences].

There were specialized war ships commissioned by both the Empire and the Federation, including planetary assault transports, system guard ships, boarding ships, and Drone Carriers.

A sudden epiphany made Daniel question the System one more time.

"System, is the Venator able to have a Marine Compliment?"

[Yes, Commander.]

"Which components do I need."

[Mobile Drone Charging Station, Personnel Weapon Systems, Boarding Armor, Salvaging Lasers, AI Suites, and Speaker Systems.]

"Can I afford all of these?"

[Yes, Commander. These Components are meant for Marines and Salvaging Parties, and are all relatively small and inexpensive, relative to Warship Modules.]

No shit.

Daniel had spent all 500,000 GC's from the bounty reward on Armor and Shield Generator Components, leaving him with only 50,000.

However, since he only had to purchase one of each of the suggested modules, it was only going to cost 20,000 GC's.

Once he'd purchased the necessary modules, he was informed that the AI Suite was going to arrive in the Jal System in four days, extending his stay here.

While he was being annoyed at the evidently slow delivery speeds of a freighter, a notification popped into his field of view.

[Ding]

[Commander, Mariah Velcom has issued a comms request.]

"Accept."

A moment later, the older woman, head of the local FDII Office, appeared.;

"Commander, we have completed our processing of the hostages. Two of the them, Dylan and Velmeria Brosoth, were revealed to be the children of Admiral Brosoth."

Daniel's 3D face didn't flinch.

"Alright, but why does that matter to me?"

"Apologies, I should have been more clear. Admiral Brosoth is the Sector Commander, and he is on his way to the Jal System to thank you personally."

Daniel's 3D face still didn't move, impressing the FDII officer.

However, the actual reaction of Daniel was that of hero worship.

Sector Commanders were the navy officers in charge of one of the Federation's 10 sectors.

Admiral Brosoth had earned that rank through distinguished service during the last Federation-Empire War 200 years ago.

He was responsible for defending the strategic 8th Sector, the border the Federation shared with the Empire.

Only war heroes who distinguished themselves in fleet action were promoted to Sector Commander, reporting directly to the CNO.

"Commander?"

Daniel had been staring for two minutes straight, and Velcom was getting worried she'd broke him.

She was aware of the effect Sector Commanders had on regular ship Commanders, and hearing that one would be visiting them personally would cause most people to experience the brain equivalent of a short-circuit.

"Sorry, I was just surprised.

Do you know when he will arrive?"

Daniel's voice sounded calm, but really he was freaking out.

After getting over the awe, he'd realized that Admiral Brosoth was going to want to meet him in person, something he was unable to do.

"He is scheduled to arrive in one week."

"Thank you. Apologies, but I need to go and prepare."

Not giving Velcom a chance to respond, Daniel cut the connection.