Klaxes Directorate: 3000 - 3005 Research Turn
RESEARCH AREA: PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS
HIGH PRIORITY RESEARCH (+1 Research Option, all Subfields)
Subspace Physics:
Subspace Director: Chaktr Xartaxes (You!)
Trait: Maniacal (+2 Research Options, Dangerous Technologies Unmarked)
COMPLETED: THE WARP DRIVE
The first successful manned jump has been made. A month ago, the thousand-ton Carcina returned from a three-day mission to Proxima Jaxus A. All four crew members report no deleterious effects from the time spent in Warp. The names of Commander Xaxah Kertas, Pilot Hakras Tach, Physicist Aletas Chitaka, and Engineer Raktal Chitaka will go down in history as the first Klaxes to orbit an alien star.
There is still much to be done. We cannot be certain that Warp transition does not have some more long-term effect on Klaxes physiology, as null-gee conditions originally posed to shell density. The Warp Drive we possess is bulky, slow, and inefficient, and the details of its operation are not wholly understood.
Nonetheless, you are confident that the data acquired from the multiple unmanned test flights will allow your teams (Teams! Plural!) to make further breakthroughs.
Module Unlocked: Mk 1. Warp Drive
Size: 50
Efficiency: 1 Size Reaction Mass/Light Year
Speed: 7 Hours/Light Year
Maximum single-jump distance: 10 LY
PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
[ ][Subspace] Subspace Streamlining:
Initial data indicates that Subspace behaves far more like some form of viscous fluid than a hard vacuum. As such, relatively minor modifications to the shape of the projected Warp bubble might significantly increase the speed and efficiency of your drives.
When completed, increases reaction-mass efficiency of the Warp Drive and increases its speed.
[ ][Subspace] Drive Miniaturization:
The Warp Drive taken on the Jaxus mission weighs and masses a frankly inconvenient amount. The vast majority of the craft built around it was mere infrastructure for this overweight engine. There is no theoretical reason that the reaction could not be contained in a much smaller area: miniaturization has simply taken a backseat to reliability and safety up until now.
Reduces the size requirements of the Warp Drive. A required technology towards the construction of smaller jumpship classes.
[ ][Subspace] Subspace Field Harmonics:
The subspace bubble generated by the current Warp Drive barely extends far enough to contain the Drive and the crew of four. Your researchers believe larger bubbles may be stabilized using the patterns of constructive and destructive interference on the bubble's surface.
Increases subspace bubble integrity. A required technology towards the construction of larger jumpship classes.
[ ][Subspace] Clean Reaction:
Your current drive reaction works well enough, but it produces a slew of exotic radiation that damages the Klaxes body if not shielded against. Some of your researchers have a theoretical alternate synthesis that would not produce these harmful particles, but it has yet to be tested beyond simulations.
When completed, allows removal of drive shielding, and eliminates the possibility of crew death or injury by Warp Drive shielding failure.
[ ][Subspace] Subspace Aetherdynamics:
You still know next to nothing about the behaviour of warpstuff. Many of your researchers are proposing a battery of experimental warp dives to more fully understand its characteristics.
This research has no obvious practical application yet, but understanding how subspace works will undoubtably be crucial in the long term. You can't build a plane if you don't understand the properties of air.
[ ][Subspace] Subspace Heat Dissipation:
The subspace bubble created by the Warp Drive is essentially a self-contained pocket universe: nothing can get in or out. This protects the ship inside from the ridiculous speeds of Warp, but comes with its own drawbacks: over the course of a long jump, the crew's own body heat slowly accumulates, eventually growing hot enough to boil them alive. If you're going to extend the jump range, your team needs to find a way to dissipate heat while in subspace.
When completed, increases maximum jump range.
[ ][Subspace] Subspace Sensors:
While sensor readings from Warp dives are enough to provide for our research right now, in the long term we need more continuous observations of Subspace. Could there be a way to examine Subspace without entering it?
When completed, unlocks the Basic Subspace Sensors module, as well as a Telescope upgrade project.
Computing:
Computational Director: Kalthas Jagta
Trait: Driven (+1 Research Option)
COMPLETED: SUBSPACE NAVIGATION
The creation of the Warp Drive is impressive, yes, but much of the credit should be given to the mathematicians and computer scientists who rendered slipspace dives controllable. The navigational supercomputer aboard the Jumpship is almost as much of a wonder as the physics-breaking Drive itself.
Module Unlocked: Mk. 1 Jumpship Computer
10 Space
Allows plotting of single point-to-point jumps through Subspace.
Minimum jump distance: 3 LY
Requires a Commander or Pilot on crew to operate.
May be used for any number of jumps.
PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
[ ][Computing] Warpslip Hardening:
When jumpships enter Warp, there is a strong electromagnetic pulse. This has so far forced us to do all our unmanned testing within range of radio contact, as the ship's navigational systems must be powered down for the jump to Warp. However, a purpose-built fibre-optic system could allow us to create truly autonomous jumpships.
When completed, unlocks the Mk. 1 Jumpdrone Computer module.
[ ][Computing] Neural Networks:
Taking ideas from the work of the geneticists, some of our computer scientists have suggested that computer systems could be evolved rather than built. This could result in an entirely new form of computation... if it pans out.
No known practical application at this time.
[ ][Computing] Quantum Computing:
The possibility of quantum computing has been a dream for some time, both for its cryptanalysis and fast-search applications. A true quantum computer could simulate quantum processes far more quickly, as well as make the handling of large volumes of data much more feasible. Now, some of our computer scientists believe that the long-standing decoherence issue can be resolved using similar processes to those that stabilize the Warp Drive's subspace bubble.
When completed, unlocks the Quantum Computing polity benefit and the Mk 1. Quantum Jump Computer module.
[ ][Computing] Theoretical Biocomputation:
The Klaxes brain remains capable of feats beyond our fastest supercomputers, reacting with adaptability beyond the reach of our most advanced machines. Rather than trying to emulate its functions in code, perhaps we should try to build biological computers? What advantages would they have? How could you program one?
Unlocks the Practical Biocomputation Genetics/Computation joint project.
[ ][Computing] Fault-Tolerant Algorithms:
System security and uptime are all-consuming concerns for the majority of system administrators, and the rigours of space travel have only increased the need for stable and reliable computers. The development of more advanced error recovery algorithms would help everyone sleep a little easier.
When completed, unlocks the Fault-Tolerant Algorithms species benefit.
[ ][Computing] Mini-Jump Computation:
As of yet, the extremely high speeds involved in Warp have prevented us from using the Warp Drive as a conventional engine. Adequate accuracy can only be ensured over a truly staggering distance. However, more advanced algorithms might allow us to use the Warp Drive for shorter hops.
When completed, reduces the Minimum Jump Distance of our warp drives.
RESEARCH AREA: BIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY
HIGH PRIORITY RESEARCH (+1 Research Options, all subfields)
Genetics & Medicine:
Geneticist-Director: Ralkta Vashtex
Trait: Maniacal. (+2 Research Options, Dangerous Technologies Unmarked)
COMPLETED: FAST GENEFIXES
The ability to radically modify the genome of a living, adult Klaxes has been demonstrated for the first time. It's now a matter of a few months to test a new genefix, rather than a decade of waiting for the spawn to mature. If the Warp Drive hadn't been invented three months ago, this would have been the greatest discovery ever made by the Klaxes. As it is, the geneticists are a bit put out.
Species Benefit: Fast Gene Patches (All Klaxes gain +2 Cutspawn, +2 Hardshell)
PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
[ ][Genetics] Form Switching:
Currently, Klaxes are restricted to that Form they were born in - but with the invention of fast genefixes, this could change. The modifications are of course much more extensive than the basic genetic patches thus far implemented, but the concept is proven.
When completed, allows taking of the Form Switch action by any Klaxes with access to a modern hospital.
[ ][Genetics] Subspace Pathology:
Does Warp have long-term negative effects? We don't know. Before we get all excited about exploring new worlds, perhaps it's best to make sure our crews won't all drop dead after twenty years from warpsickness.
No known practical applications, but will help our crews sleep better.
[ ][Genetics] Hyperspecialization:
The rapid testing cycles afforded by the new patching methods are driving some scientists into the risky territory of Klaxes enhancement once again. They believe that even more effective stable Forms may exist, and that we have learned enough to move on from this time of sober consolidation.
When completed, grants more advanced versions of the four base Forms.
[ ][Genetics] Radiation Hardening:
The topic of cosmic radiation has reached even to the geneticists, who, using their discipline as a hammer, have proposed not preventing the crew from being irradiated, but rather genefixing the crew so they don't mind.
When completed, grants the Radiation Hardened trait to Klaxes spacecraft crews, allowing them to ignore the effects of exotic particles.
[ ][Genetics] Non-Invasive Genefixes:
The new gene patches are a significant breakthrough, but their originators aren't satisfied. They believe they can make their procedures far less invasive, drastically reducing recovery time. What now requires a week-long hospital stay could one day become an afternoon at a clinic.
When completed, grants the Realtime Modification species benefit.
[ ][Genetics] Form Efficiency:
As we arrive at a new age of long-distance exploration, some scientists are calling for the creation of an entirely new Form, specialized for long-term missions where space is limited and resource efficiency is crucial. We have the technology, but such a task is not to be undertaken lightly: each Form plays a social role as well as a practical one.
When completed, unlocks Journeyform.
[ ][Genetics] Hybrid Vigor:
With the vast resources poured into the pure Forms over the past few decades, the topic of Hybrid Klaxes has somewhat fallen by the wayside. Some geneticists would like to investigate this less-explored territory.
No known practical application at this time.
Sociology & Political Science:
Political Sponsor: Alkata Varashta
Trait: Innovative (Higher chance to draw rare technologies.)
No technology researched last turn.
PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
[ ][Social] Form-Based Education: (RARE)
Different Klaxes Forms are shaped differently. Different Klaxes Forms think differently. Why should they all be educated the same way? With more targeted educations, they can learn to get the most out of their specialized Forms.
Grants the "Form-Based Education" polity benefit.
[ ][Social] First Contact Protocols:
If and when we encounter aliens, let's make sure our crews are prepared for the eventuality. Give them training to produce a simple, coherent, sensible message.
Reduces chance of "incidents" during First Contact Events.
[ ][Social] Interstellar War Doctrine:
If we end up having to fight an interstellar war, we ought to have an idea of how to go about it. The pointy bit of the ship goes in first, right?
When completed, grants the "Interstellar War Doctrine" polity benefit.
[ ][Social] Jumpcrew Integration Training
It's important that we crew our Warp vessels with only the best and brightest, but even more important that our crews work together seamlessly. Through rigorous group training and trust exercises, we can make crews more than the sum of their parts.
Unlocks Team Traits for jumpships with 3 or more Crew.
RESEARCH AREA: ENGINEERING
LOW PRIORITY RESEARCH (-1 Research Options, all subfields)
Industry & Materials Science:
Metallurgist-Director: Relta Archaktal
Trait: Meticulous (Reduced risk when researching Dangerous Technologies.)
COMPLETED: WARP SHIELDING
The current Warp Drive leaks radiation like a sieve. Until the physics shellheads fix that, it's up to us lowly engineers to keep it from killing everything in a five block radius.
Unlocked Component: Drive Shielding
Size 10
Prevents Warp Drive radiation from killing the crew.
PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
[ ][Industry] Nanotube Extrusion:
If we could create long enough filaments of carbon nanotubes, their incredible tensile strength could make constructions of astonishing scale possible.
When completed, unlocks the "Space Elevator" Industrial Project.
[ ][Industry] Fuel Refinement:
We need better ways to turn exotic rocks into Warp juice. Maybe if we squished them harder?
Reduces the amount of Raw Materials required to make one unit of Reaction Mass.
[ ][Industry] Robotic Assembly Lines:
Now, I know this may come as a shock, but there are some things robots still do better than Klaxes. Yes, even with all the genetic mods. You still need to breathe, don't you? Thought so. Factories are one of those things.
Reduces the amount of Raw Materials required to make one unit of Modules. A required technology towards more advanced robotics.
Void Engineering:
Director of Void Studies: Kaltanash Drekxa
Trait: Driven (+1 Research Options)
COMPLETED: ADVANCED ORBITAL LOGISTICS
The development of the first true Jumpship required a truly staggering amount of specialized materials to be boosted into orbit and then assembled there. It was a logistical nightmare, comparable to the establishment of our first orbital colony. Entirely new forms of traffic coordination and project management had to be invented in order to make it even remotely feasible. These lessons will undoubtably prove crucial going forward.
Jumpship Class Unlocked: Destroyer
Module Capacity: 150 Size
PROSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
[ ][Void] Orbital Shipyards:
The experimental assembly yards of the Clawpair habitat will not suffice in the long term. We need to develop proper orbital shipyards if we are ever going to have a jumpship navy.
When completed, unlocks the "Orbital Shipyard" Habitat improvement. A required technology towards larger ship classes.
[ ][Void] Asteroid Mining:
One of the largest bottlenecks to orbital industry right now is getting things up out of their gravity wells. Why not develop techniques to find ore that isn't at the bottom of a deep hole?
When completed, unlocks the Mining Subsystems ship module, and reveals Raw Materials deposits in explored systems.
[ ][Void] Interstellar Logistics:
Though we have yet to establish any extrasolar colonies, we will inevitably colonize other stars eventually. We should probably figure out how interstellar trade works before we have a thousand tons of asteroid to relocate.
When completed, grants habitats an Out-System Export Cap of 50. A required technology towards colony ships.
[ ][Void] Spaceship Hardpoints:
We have no idea what could be out there in the darkness. It just might be a good idea to figure out how to mount weapons to our jumpships.
Unlocks the Mk. 1 Mass Drivers spaceship module. A required technology towards more advanced ship weapons systems.
Bonus Research:
[ ][SCIENCE!!]: Research any one additional option.
