The result of three years of design, research, and reverse engineering, The Dawnbreaker II is the successor to the earliest prototype of a Hybridized Singularity Cannon, developed on an adapted template and scaled up using a Magnetic Rail Accelerator design, which had been stripped and modified with a focusing lens array, and utilizing a photonic resonance barrier-protected power generator, specifically designed to draw energy from the rare alien objects, known as Nomad Power Cells. Due to the volatility and lack of safety mechanisms, the Dawnbreaker I was incredibly unstable, and had detonated due to an accidental initiation of the firing sequence on board an Oasis Liner, where it was being built. This resulted in the destruction of most of the weapon’s structure, due to an unaligned focusing lens. The firing mechanism however, remained largely in tact, and was recovered. Modifications were made to the original design, decreasing it’s size and power draw, which remained a difficult task, due to it’s current source being from an unpredictable piece of alien technology on an even more unstable operating platform. This was the first, and is still the last issue that the Dawnbreaker II faces.
The energy prerequisites for the singularity projector far exceed the luminosity of entire solar systems, or even small solar clusters. The use of the gun therefore exceeds the ability of human methods of energy transference within the plank length, a capability far in excess of any foreseeable human innovation for the next century. An alternative was found in the non-einsteinian properties of Azurite gas, and its ability to formulate seemingly boundlessly dense electron shells in defiance of the locality principle. The Azurite generators powering both the space-time singularity projector and the vessel’s supra-shield form an entirely separate power system to that utilized for the vessel’s basic functions, partly due to the thermodynamically impossible heat-sink stress continuous generator operation would create. The majority of the ship’s basic systems are powered by five sub-scale proton-proton based fusion reactors, distributed throughout the hull to create multiple redundancy and to minimize tactical fail points. The ship can lose three fifths of its total power output and still operate all of its systems at optimal operational capacity - one of the myriad of reasons why the Tartarus remains incredibly difficult to incapacitate or destroy.
The vessel superstructure takes up a very large amount of space, severely restricting the number of Sirian drydocks even capable of handling the vessel. Large conventional shipyards may be capable of constructing one hull segment at a time, but the complete warship will be inned of its own gantry. Even more pressing is the vast quantity of exotic materials required for her construction, including molybdenum, iridium, boron nitride, diamond, carbon nanofibres, astatine, lanathium intercalation compounds, neodymium, azurite gas, nomad power cell components, xeno-organic biosillicone and some of the most advanced quantum computers known to terrestrial science. Beyond her vast structural mass, the construction of a Tartarus juggernaut and her obscenely byzantine primary armament is an endeavor that can only be achieved of the cooperation of multiple contributing agencies - it is highly unlikely that the battlegroup will be able to attempt her from their own resources alone.
Azurite Generator
The structure is composed of multiple chambers, the reactor chamber in the center, the reactor chamber is layered with an iridium embedded with High-Temperature Alloys to endure high levels of radiation, with Azurite coated on top of the Iridium layers to absorb the energy. The Azurite also provides a means of capturing excess energy, the energy being transferred to another local point in the generator using a process of chemical conduction. The gathered energy would be absorbed into a secondary absorbent layer, the energy is then directed in a flow grid, transferring to an energy conversion unit to conduct the energy levels to a safer level ensure it doesn't overload, supplying the pressurizer and the turbines. Excess energy moves on to the internal power cache, where it goes to assist in powering the magnetic shielding in the core.
These containers are a vital function to the catalyst reactor, as the Azurite inside them provides a safer and easier way of protecting the internal components from exterior sources - disallowing damage to the core. It allows for direct implantation to the very center of the reactor, channeling the energy and plasma to one focused point. Fusion reactions occur within the main chamber, the source being alien Power Cells - as previous tests conducted, they can act as a sturdy catalyst and power-source provided if it done in the right conditions. Magnetic Superconductors are also made use of, to ensure the energy flow is easily manipulated in the main power lines. The outputted particle transfers are carefully guided along the control rods to another chamber, where the atom 'cracking' process happens, generating masses of amount of energy for transfer, the energy is then split down a main power grid, transferring to a containment unit, to distribute the output safely, feeding it through multiple channels. Some issues with the studies involve: Overheating issues in the excess energy produced - the excess energy is also used to assist in keeping the device powered, circling back to the main core.
The catalyst: Two power cells. A depleted one, used as a depleted material, and an active cell, using the other one as a fusion source, as it's depleted state has a more unstable isotope structure, enabling it to act as a catalyst. The cells are almost unpredictable, rare, and can pose a risk from side effects. A secondary catalyst that was proposed was neutronic protocells, but it would be less efficient than using the power cells. Time is a constraint, however. Getting the components constructed takes a long time, especially if it's required to be in a certain complex shape.
Propulsion
The ideal reference of the Tartarus' engine system was that of the Libertonian XV-Series or Bretonian PT-Series. However, due to the unavailability of the required model and size of the engines needed to render the Tartarus mobile, a solution was needed. Weeks of research in to Dilithium crystal fusion engines had begun to show promising results, until the cost of such came in to light and was deemed too much to handle. Thus, future designs of the AXI-A-577 are now planned on an increased scale.
Lightrider Wrote:
PROJECT: “LIGHTRIDER” PROPULSION SYSTEM - AXI-A-577 MODIFIED IONSTREAM-MK2 PROTOTYPE
SHOWING DATA. . .
The main process of the project occurs within Sector E-B. Displaying information.
Spare Power Cells are being contained within the Vault as a backup measure.
-Tests reveal that the emission rate is optimized by 245%
-The Cell Chamber is charged up through a focused beam, and an injector infuses the cell with nanoids - manipulating the energy patterns.
-Energy production is up by 350% - enough to power the entirety of the vessel.
-During the initial test runs, there were two incidents that involved energy failures - these were overcome by applying an enhanced energy suppression field, overcharging it, and adding an additional two layers around the core.
Sensors
The Tartarus sensor arrays are a miracle of situational area control, or an intelligence nightmare, depending on which side of the hull you’re on. Operationally, the sensors behave in a comparably enough manner to the Libertonian-built Spyglass sensor array to aid crew adaptation from ships equipped spyglass variant ELINT gear. However, the Erebus FTL subatomic radar system vastly differs from its ideological predecessor in both its core physics and engineering precepts. The exact operation of the Erebus array is closely guarded by the few groups who possess the scattering of blueprints that exist, but the devices appear to emit no discernible EM waves, making radar interception impossible to all current signal intelligence operations. Instead, the Erebus appears to bombard the surrounding system with directed streams of FTL muon neutrinos, measuring in-system mass, radiant particles and in system energy transference by charting inconsistencies in the Pontecorvo–Maki–Nakagawa–Sakata matrix. Such technology is incredibly sophisticated and requires significant VI processing power to decipher the output data, but permits any ship the Erebus array is mounted on massive battlefield oversight, reducing the need to fragment a super-battleship’s airwing into sub-scale scouting parties. Any ship the Erebus is mounted on can provide sufficient AWACS capabilities to accurately chart hostile warships from across the system’s plane, providing they are not cloaked. However, the vast energy requirements of the array severely restrict its use to only the most sophisticated of spaceships or space stations - combatants so immobile that without the vast area control abilities the Erebus permits, would prove inflexible on the modern battlefield.
Artificial Intelligence
The Tactical Command and Control Assistant Artificial intelligence - or ‘CHARON’ as it is commonly referred to, is a human-made and heavily restricted AI program based off of coding derived from the ERIDIAN unit on board the Eidolon Wraith, to replace the unstable and overly-personified 5T1NG-R4Y unit which had been previously planned for use on board the Tartarus. Boasting additional processing power due to the expanded server nodes dotted throughout the ship, and improved main hub in the central superstructure, Charon lacks any full control over the ship, beyond administrative assistance of the Virtual Intelligence software commonly found at the various work-stations and consoles to assist existing crew members in their tasks. However, in the event of a catastrophic system failure, or near destruction, Charon is programmed as well as instructed to take full control of the vessel under the ‘River Styx’ protocol - an elaborately coded set of contingencies to both minimize damage to core systems, prevent destruction, capture and even infestation. The protocol is also allotted the necessary subroutines to guide the vessel and any remaining crew-members to safety, and ensure survival of itself and its home.
The 'CHARON' unit also upholds a complex set of automated security protocols, the system using the coding associated to these procedures to perform various independent background checks on personnel depending on the assigned threat level on the ship, as well as infractions or detection of malicious activity. In the event that the ship is compromised and a hostile entity is attempting to either sabotage or procure technology aboard the vessel, there is a ten second reboot period to backup all the data from processor nodes and then a ship-wide blackout, followed by a disruption of all systems on the ship, in short a non-lethal and virtually undetectable E.M.P wave is released, rendering any remotely controlled explosive devices along with foreign data drives actively siphoning intelligence useless. The ship is then put into a state of lock-down, giving no exceptions to any personnel on-board until members of ship security or Davara can either detain or eliminate the hostile entities.
Singularity Cannon - Dawnbreaker
A recovered piece of alien matter which had remarkably retained a level of function despite the ‘rot’ effect beginning to take place, the Dawnbreaker II was constructed on a modified adapted template designed off of existing templates for smaller weaponry. Reconstructing the theory on a large scale. However, the energy inefficiency of existing templates proved to be problematic when converting the weapon to its new power supply - Azurite generators. Thus, another solution was found using a similar energy retaining technology - Azurite gas. The modified template, firing mechanism and chamber were linked together and had undergone significant preliminary and general scans to develop a thesis on operational capacity of the weapon.
At full power capacity, a micro-singularity is generated for exactly two-point-three seconds, before the evaporation effect is enacted, causing the singularity to disperse and explode due to quantum effects. In principle, black holes "evaporate" by a process now referred to as Hawking radiation in which elementary particles - photons, electrons, quarks, gluons, etcetera - are emitted instantly. The calculations behind this show that the smaller the size of the black hole, the faster the evaporation rate, resulting in a sudden burst of particles as the micro black hole suddenly explodes within the allotted time frame since opening. In familiar three-dimensional gravity, the minimum energy of a microscopic black hole is 10/19 electronvolts, which would have to be condensed into a region on the order of the Planck length. It is estimated that to collide two particles to within a distance of a Planck length, they must be accelerated at speeds exceeding the speed of light. This is where the original Dawnbreaker I Magnetic Accelerator Rail (Particle Accelerator) comes in to play, to ensure a significant amount of magnetic force is applied to keep the particles on track and focused at the designated target. The targeting system is an advanced LIDAR array, using a designator with VI assistance to verify range and target distance for safety of the vessel and weapon.
The firing mechanism generates enough energy and projects it along the Accelerator rail sufficiently enough that the escape velocity from the barrel in which it is concentrated exceeds the speed of light. This causes the Schwarzschild radius - R=2GM/c2, where G is the gravitational constant, c is the speed of light, and M the mass of the black hole. The general calculations are retained as private knowledge and unavailable. In addition, the release of the energy from the firing chamber generates a sound effect - or 'boom' as it's described, which during the increase of velocity along the barrel as the energy projectile increases the level of energy generated, is emitted at a frequency of or near 215 Decibels. This effect requires deck workers in the general vicinity of the hanger to use earplugs, and the rooms around the firing chamber to be vacant, due to the potential to cause severe internal trauma to the human body.
Weapon Systems
In retrospect, automated systems have been more cost efficient in both the use of electronic resources and manpower. The Tartarus incorporates the use of standardized targeting software which has been calibrated and modified to accomodate weaponry of all kinds, and to safely interact with their individual VI assistants and the unique power core of the hulking vessel. Primarily focusing on a lesser LIDAR targeting system to the main cannon, allowing for easy tracking of hostile targets, and point-defense for fast-moving strike craft. Each turret platform is managed by an individual Virtual Intelligence unit, which directly interacts with the ship's CIC and the 'CHARON' unit, for total cooperation and control of the weaponry. A firing solution is prepped and programmed, and the turrets react within a fraction of a second.
Needing additional range to accommodate its size, the Tartarus' Primary Batteries are AR-101 "Arclight" Battleship turrets. Eight, to be precise, covering the entirety of the superstructure at key points to provide a clear line of fire from almost all angles for anti-capital ship fire. The main cannons are high-velocity and devastating to any who are unlucky enough to find themselves within their firing range.
In addition, the hulking vessel is significantly lacking in area denial weaponry, often needing escorts, yet that doesn't prevent it from being able to defend its self. The Tartarus puts over a dozen AR-102 "Lastlight Mk II" Turrets to use throughout the entirety of the vessel's superstructure for point defense purposes and anti-strikecraft support.
Bridge & CIC
The nerve-center of the Dawnbreaker is composed of two connected decks, both divided to handle the offensive and defensive duties of the ship in complete harmony, but also independence. Weaponry and defensive systems that may be simplistic in nature an operated by CHARON may instead be operated manually by personnel on either section of the bridge, in the event that the Artificial Intelligence that governs the core systems of the ship is compromised or temporarily taken out of service. The bridge and all its key components are situated at the exact center of the ship, the location aiding in allowing personnel to move quickly to all sections of the ship as well as making it highly defensible in the event of a siege on-board the vessel.
The C.I.C room situated at the far end of the lower bridge houses a holographic display of the vast and complex sensor grid operated by the ship, displaying all tactical and navigational information that might be required by the pertinent crew attending the station. CHARON is also allowed connectivity to this holographic display, allowing review of complicated data analysis and research. The C.I.C mainframe which is housed separately from the data nodes used to feed CHARON, may relay data to strike wings and PDA's of personnel on-board, allowing for threat analysis, patrol and even scout duties to be arranged and the dispatch handled at a moment's notice, without the Commanding Officer needing to move from their location whatsoever.
Hangar
While originally not intended to house such, the Hangar of the Tartarus was modified to double as a vehicle bay for the use of AMU's and other armored ground warfare vehicles. In addition, the bay was expanded with a rotating scaffolding for easy storage and access of strike craft of all varieties - HF-V Prosecutors, BWX-F1A Bayonets, and AP-12400 Moray craft are the select choice for interdiction, interception, and fire support. However, the hangar is capable of launching and containing a significantly wider variety of craft due to the size and modular ability it possesses. With sufficient space for up to twenty-four strike craft in comparison to the previous, measly six, the Hangar is fit for duty and operations in mass.
That doesn't exclude the hangar of difficulties. The addition of the rotating storage has proven problematic, and it is often prone to jamming, preventing the use of additional craft on the field. The maintenance of such tends to take several minutes, as the hangar was never meant to house such a mechanical feature.
While no specific time frame can be given, it's estimated that the vessel is required to be constructed in sections before assembly due to the size. No location is currently available. The project is required to be built in phases, starting with general structure, internals, external systems, and finally weaponry. Further details will be provided upon completion.
Project Status: STOPPED Current Phase: Blueprint
Material list
Superstructure Section A
Basic Alloy - 30,000 units - 0 delivered
Industrial Materials - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Super Alloy - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Titanium - 10,000 units - 0 delivered
Superstructure Section B
Basic Alloy - 30,000 units - 0 delivered
Industrial Materials - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Super Alloy - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Titanium - 10,000 units - 0 delivered
Cannon structure
Basic Alloy - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Ablative Armor Plating - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
High Temperature Alloy - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Magnetic Superconductors - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Super Alloy - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Titanium - 10,000 units - 0 delivered
Iridium - 10,000 units - 0 delivered
Azurite Reactors
Beryllium - 10,000 units - 0 delivered
Azurite Gas - 10,000 units - 0 delivered
Cryocubes - 10,000 units - 0 delivered
Industrial Materials - 4,000 units - 0 delivered
Iridium - 4,000 units - 0 delivered
Azurite A6 - 1,500 units - 0 delivered
Nomad Power Cell - 6 units - 0 delivered
AXI-A-557 Lightrider Engines
Engine Components - 15,000 units - 0 delivered
High Temperature Alloy - 15,000 units - 0 delivered
Iridium - 15,000 units - 0 delivered
Azurite Gas - 10,000 units - 0 delivered
Industrial Materials - 4,000 units - 0 delivered
Super Alloy - 4,000 units - 0 delivered
Azurite A6 - 1,500 units - 0 delivered
Crew Quarters
Basic Alloy - 8,000 units - 0 delivered
Consumer Goods - 8,000 units - 0 delivered
Industrial Materials - 6,000 units - 0 delivered
Luxury Consumer Goods - 6,000 units - 0 delivered
Hangar Bay
Basic Alloy - 7,000 units - 0 delivered
Industrial Materials - 7,000 units - 0 delivered
Super Alloy - 7,000 units - 0 delivered
General internals
Basic Alloy - 6,000 units - 0 delivered
Industrial Materials - 6,000 units - 0 delivered
Super Alloy - 6,000 units - 0 delivered
Central Network Hub
Industrial Materials - 6,000 units - 0 delivered
Nano-Capacitors - 15,000 units - 0 delivered
Optical Chips - 15,000 units - 0 delivered
Optronics - 15,000 units - 0 delivered
Quantum Multiplexors - 15,000 units - 0 delivered
Reactive Armor Plating
Ablative Armor Plating - 40,000 units - 0 delivered
Titanium - 20,000 units - 0 delivered
Industrial Materials - 12,000 units - 0 delivered