Sarah McKillup's elog

6.4.2045. I have taken a job in the Experimental Engineering Group aboard Thaumas I. I wish to leave a chronicle of my efforts, so I have created this elog. I will be working on devices designed to give off no electromagnetic emissions, in anticipation of complications such devices could pose in the face of an enemy capable of detecting such emissions better than we are able to conceal them. This will mean a departure from electronic technology, and a return to mechanical design and engineering paradigms. To this end, I have commenced studying clockwork mechanics for the first time in many years.

6.6.2045. Walter Lewis has agreed to participate in psychotronic experiments aimed at enhancing his natural abilities. Walter is able to cognitively pull mass through higher dimensions at macroscopic scales. In effect, he is able to move between points in space without taking a path through the lower three dimensions. His ability in no way interacts with the temporal dimension of spacetime thus, while his movement appears instantaneous, it is not. The trip through the fifth and sixth dimensions takes 5.6704 picoseconds. This time never varies, regardless of the distance between his departure and arrival points in observable spacetime. The biochemical trigger for the trip takes an additional 78.664 milliseconds. I do not believe there is a way to speed the trip time, though the biochemical trigger time can be reduced through Yurua-14 enhancements.

Lewis's ability is limited in the total distance he can travel. He cannot jump more than 10 yards through space. If supplemented with Yurua-12, he can jump as much as 500 yards. I believe that with an appropriate psychotronic device, such as a helmet insert or even a neural implant, Lewis will be able to make jumps up to 500 miles if both Yurua-12 and a helmet were used in conjunction. It may also be possible to design larger devices to be housed in Thaumas facilities that would amplify his abilities to the point that he can move a sufficient distance to go between the facilities.

At present, the only method of powering psychotronic prototypes is electronic. I will try to merge clockwork technology with the psychotronic devices to render them undetectable.

6.7.2045. I have successfully engineered a micro-flywheel prototype from a hyperdense ferromagnetic ceramic composite. The wheel can be suspended in a vacuum chamber with an osmium inner wall lining. I believe that a layer of iron applied externally to the osmium inner wall in an appropriate fashion will prevent any magnetic fields from leaking out of the housing of the vacuum chamber.

6.8.2045. The micro-flywheel prototype is a success, though there is room for further miniaturization. I have successfully achieved a spinup speed of 0.45c. If I can achieve a spinup speed of 0.8c or greater, then subsequent frictional energy with helium gas should be sufficient to create a fusible plasma. Tiny amounts of helium introduced into the flywheel's vacuum chamber should absorb enough kinetic energy to achieve this. Lead shielding around the vacuum encasement, and ferromagnetic containment and funneling of the energy produced should power all of a vessel's systems. If the design can be micronized significantly, it can be put to use in portable devices.

6.9.2045. It has come to my attention that several persons who wished to join the volunteer defense forces were unable to pass Halon's cadet entrance swim test. I will henceforth be giving swim lessons at the C-2 recreation pool on deck 11. Beginner classes will be at 7:00 p.m., and intermediate classes will be held at 8:00 p.m. Furthermore, I have created a supplementary VR swim tutor, available at Mediabay 6.

6.10.2045. Mads Larsen in Machine Shop 2 has proven to be exceptional in both speed and competence. He helped me manufacture a prototype hyperdense lead flywheel storage device. We have dubbed it the superflywheel. An array of wheels will be housed externally to the micro-flywheel vacuum chamber, and will store energy released from fusion nano-bursts. These wheels will, in turn, power all of a vessel's mechanical systems. In effect, it is a mechanical battery. We have begun basic design work on an amphibious submersible. The submersible will be coated with the same sea mineral composite of which the Thaumas stations are built. It will be similarly indistinguishable from the ocean floor when scanned from above the water.

6.12.2045. Walter Lewis asked me if it would be possible to place a psychotronic device within a medium of spandex, presumably so that it can be woven into a form-fitting suit. I think it can. In fact, I believe psychotronics could ultimately be placed within Bioplas, which can itself can be designed to function similarly to spandex. Bioplas, however, is in short supply. The first generation of psychotronics will almost certainly have to be made of aluminum and copper. If we are able to fabricate more bioplas aboard Thaumas I, the next generation of psychotronics can likely comprise a pseudo-neurological form of bioplas.

6.13.2045. Eight people showed up for the beginner class, and six showed up for the intermediate class. I believe most of the beginners will be able to pass the Halon cadet entrance swim test within a month, and that a few of the intermediate swimmers already have the ability to pass it. Their confidence will be sufficiently boosted to attempt it within a week or two.

6.14.2045. Harold Tran has announced a submersion date of 7.5.2045. The Thaumas stations will be submerged and brought to the seafloor, where they will remain indefinitely. Azimuth scientists predicted an arrival date for the extraterrestrials of 8.10.2045 with a three week margin of error. I will attempt to build at least one mechanical amphibious submersible for export to Thaumas II prior to this date. Progress on the MAS has been slower than I had hoped. I have newfound respect for the tradition of Swiss watchmaking. An entirely mechanical powertrain and power storage system for an amphibious vehicle has proven inordinately complicated. I anticipate many sleepless nights ahead.

6.15.2045. Most people have been spending as much time outdoors as possible. The ensuing period of submersion is intimidating to everyone except the Halon personnel for whom this is not unusual. I have been unable to get outside as much as I would like. Amateur astronomer and former Azimuth solar engineer, Enrique Velasquez, has been hosting observation sessions every night at 9:00 p.m. at the western palm grove on the breakwater. I went tonight, and saw first-hand several of the 32 identified green stars of conquered systems. The farthest is situated some 1,480 lightyears from Earth, indicating these extragalactic conquerers began their incursion in our home galaxy at least as early as the time of the Byzantine Empire. 19 of the identified green stars are solar-type stars. The rest are red dwarves.

When we submerge the station, the entire facility will be sealed. All systems will be powered down to minimal lighting and life support. No wireless communication will be permitted, and all surveillance equipment will be shut down. We believe that no EM emissions will leak out of the station when we are operating at that level.

6.16.2045. An improvised explosive device detonated in my lab today. It was triggered by a motion sensor, and exploded when I opened a certain cabinet. Luckily, I was unharmed, but my lab was ruined. My work on the MAS has been set back at least a week. The bomber had an EM redirector, and was unable to be identified from any facility recordings; he was effectively invisible to the cameras. Harold Tran has decided to relocate me to a laboratory in an undisclosed location and take me out of the Experimental Engineering Group. I will be working alone again and sending designs through the pneumatubes to mechanics. I do not mind working alone; I did it for years when employed at Azimuth. Ronnie Coleman heard about the incident and insisted that he be allowed to resume his role as my personal bodyguard. He has been serving as a personal firearms safety instructor on board the station since his arrival in March. I agreed. He will return to service by my side.