Vesha’s Team 6 finished their designs for shielding and defenses rather early and had essentially come up with a three-foot-thick array of shielding that could wrap around any shape or any size. The shielding could be fitted inside each of the drive and core chambers, outside the interior and exterior walls for maximum ability to withstand and buffet anything the Universe or worse could throw at the spacecraft. It was also designed so that no matter how malevolent, sophisticated or both any threat could be, every potential room in the spacecraft would be within its own complex system of walls and shielding and would serve as an escape pod with its own Q-Drive, and thus would be additionally protected from any entities that could be thrown at it. Malinda Jefferson, Melissa Asher, Rebecca Knight, and Matzu Kashi were the science team’s leadership personnel, and each of them had the experience, the wisdom, and the creativity of geniuses, in droves. They ensured that the shielding could be integrated with every other aspect of each spacecraft, such that this would lend to such a sophisticated system, that it would be alive and sentient. The spacecraft would be aware of self-preservation, the Universal Ethics of shared well-being, longevity, health, and clarity of mind of every living being within it.
To begin with, there was the bullet-proof inner wall that would carry, mend, and protect every aspect of the internal infrastructure. The first layer of shielding would be woven within every other layer such that the material on each spacecraft would carry the electrical or synaptic, the plumbing or arterial, the climate control or internal and external pores, and the corporeal and networking arrays, and each with integrated sensors that would allow optimum safety, aesthetic, security, defensive, ambient, and living aspects to increase the quality of life for all occupants within the interior of the spacecraft, as well as the spacecraft itself. The first layer and subsequent layers were so advanced and sophisticated that they would render the spacecraft lifelike, to the degree that it was so cutting-edge and with the ability to defend itself, that when integrated with the subsystems linked into a single AI, the spacecraft would essentially awaken, tamed, sentient, and full of purpose, the type of purpose that was filled with the desire to preserve life. The innermost area of each wall consisted of a dense and living, yet effective and aesthetic, white and glowing fibrous molecular jam—a viscous material made of epoxy, Kevlar, and several other highly flexible, yet strong materials, to include carbon-titanium nanofibers and diamond nano-threads.
Each IMC spacecraft’s outer shielding would have seven layers, to include the inner walls, with a quality such that each layer would be integrated, exposed, and interwoven atom-by-atom, molecule-by-molecule, and done so in such a way as to allow for constant repairs and upgrades by shielding-dedicated nanos that were integrated with the spacecraft AI subsystems, and as such, the shielding would self-repair as needed for maximum defense.
The second layer was a plasma-lattice shielding with billions of microscopic impact points and a tiny and integrated latch work that would allow the shielding to be embroidered to the internal walls of the spacecraft and woven throughout each subsequent layer. If any object were lobbed, thrown, or came tumbling toward any command spacecraft, it would be disintegrated instantly, with no fear had by the occupants, since the internal and exposed walls were encoded and integrated with the AI’s subsystems, and thus set up to protect all identified allies, non-hostile entities, as well as any chartered or coordinated contacts with layer two.
The third layer consisted of a lattice of high energy laser beams, woven from the inner walls through each layer of shielding with a sophisticated system of microscopic living mirrors, with billions of crisscrossing rays that could vaporize any object passing through. Each layer was woven into and through the next, allowing for the full ability of each to be applied as necessary depending on each situation that could be dealt with, since these crisscrossing rays were also controlled by the AI’s subsystems, and could be manually controlled by the Command Crew. With the foresight of Eliza and the perfectionism of Vesha, as well as the genius of each member and their crews of Team 6, each spacecraft could weather the Universe and the most advanced within it. The spacecraft could easily barrel through an asteroid, a planet, or even a star, and it, as well as its occupants, would survive unscathed and intact. Preservation of life, of course, was always the goal, so navigation systems were an integral part to the defenses.
The fourth layer consisted of a fine mesh of carbon-titanium nanotubes woven, layered, and embroidered from the inner walls through each layer to the outermost portion of the external shielding for the augmented strength of each aspect of spacecraft defense, with an additional diamond-nano-thread woven five atoms thick into a lattice that could repel most any object. Every weave of every layer was integrated with spacecraft nanos and the AI’s subsystems, for immediate repair.
The fifth layer contained photo-chromatic shielding lightly spun around each spacecraft shell that would deflect and absorb laser beams or any form of radiation, woven in and throughout each layer of shielding. As with each layer, this layer was also integrated into a variety of highly sophisticated processors which interfaced with the spacecraft AI through its multitude of subsystems, the Twelve Database Moons, and the Virtual Universe, with a manual control interface available to the spacecraft commander or the vice commander. If the command spacecraft’s system needed more energy, it would absorb what was needed, if it didn’t need the radiation it would be deflected at a safe and coordinated angle toward the nearest star, thus avoiding harm to anyone.
The sixth layer of the shielding contained a meta-material shielding of room temperature superconductors, which allowed the spacecraft to levitate by creating either a monopole, dipole, or multi-pole adjustment to whatever environment it would be in—defying gravity’s effects and capable of deflecting anything thrown its way. Each of these layers could be mended in microseconds through the AI’s subsystems, and had algorithms built into its own control systems that would complement and not hinder the effects of the other layers, and should any layer be attacked by a hostile entity of virtually anything, the spacecraft and their occupants would be able to continue on un-weathered or undamaged. The spacecraft AI, the spacecraft commander, the Vice commander, the lead spacecraft HBCI, or designated command crew could control the power neurologically for external upgrades, adjustments, or to simply walk along the exterior of the spacecraft without harm, as setup and coordinated through their neural identification to ensure no one on the outer shell would die on contact accidentally or in any other manner.
Finally, the outermost or seventh layer of shielding would consist of a microscopic lattice that was integrated into the interior wall and throughout the other layers of shielding, which would consist of an invisible impact-proof overlay, a command activated system of billions of miniature cameras, sensors, omnidirectional retinal, optical, and frequency scanners, a high-powered laser grid system with laser tech and undetectable screen pixilation. This was likewise linked to the spacecraft AI’s subsystems, and with this interwoven layer, the spacecraft would be able to see omnidirectionally, travel, or be stationary and unseen by any sensor array. It could essentially render the spacecraft invisible, providing an onlooker or sensory transceiver the emissions similar to those that would be there if the spacecraft or its allies were never there. This shield array could also choose any color, array of colors, or an array of designs and reflections, or even local overlays as needed, desired, or wanted. When Team 6 shared their proposal with Vesha in the Virtual Universe, even she was giddy, moved, and impressed. Malinda Jefferson, Melissa Asher, Rebecca Knight, and Matzu Kashi certainly aimed to please, and that they did.
Teams 3, 4, and 5, or Scarlett Hart, Yon Forall, and Anastasia Renée and their teams coordinated with the drive, navigation, and shielding teams and worked on all aspects of the internal environmental systems of the spacecraft together. To begin with, they developed a separate system of fusion cores that could be networked throughout the spacecraft, with each individual system
of cores capable of powering the entire system on its own, but for intergalactic travel they believed high redundancy, efficiency, and capability could never be enough, and as such each spacecraft would glide through space as smooth as butter and turn on a dime. Each of the internal fusion cores could also power the AI’s subsystems, the AI itself, the spacecraft drives, the navigation systems, the shielding, each one all on their own. Networked together, each command spacecraft was redundantly, yet if it was even possible, they were phenomenally more impenetrable, tight, capable, alive, hospitable to its occupants, and could buffet against anything hostile or deemed a risk to the safety and security of the spacecraft, its crew, mission, and cargo.
This fusion core system also provided automated and sensory-driven environmental aspects to ensure each passenger or crew member was optimally comfortable based on the neuronal activity of each mind in the neurological regions that registered and amplified peace, relaxation, innovation, vigor, and anything necessary to adjust the environment for activities based on mission, relaxation, or need for clarity. Many other adjustments that were complexed and available to each crewmember, afforded an individual environment, isolated or shared as desired, to avoid obnoxious boredom, nerve-wracking repetitive noise, or nausea.
Within each spacecraft, there would be twelve main living sectors capable of providing all aspects of luxury and necessity for one-hundred crewmembers and their families per sector. The twelve living sectors surrounded a series of small forested and jungle areas, which in-turn surrounded a lake with waterfalls and a ring-shaped beach at its outer edge near the center of the first level of the spacecraft. The living area’s forest, jungle, and lake had a series of beaches, and benches with a beautiful aerodynamic clear shielding solar dome overhead that provided a captivating view of the Cosmos, as well as an array in the center and around the dome that emulated the home-world Sun, its rise and set, as well as the seasonal and night-time skies.
Within the forest, jungle, and lake there were sentient creatures of every sort, and each of them was linked neurologically for communication between themselves, the spacecraft, and fully read-in humans. Every bird, animal, insect, or water creature imaginable would be on-board and had volunteered to be there in order to assist humanity in any way needed to be muses or help in any other way they could. Together, they provided music to the forests, jungles, and beaches, in ways that settled hearts, animated curiosities, and amplified ingenuity. As always, there were even more redundant internal systems, each with a series of F, A, Q, and G-Drives that would allow for waves, surfing, and structural integrity and containment. The systems for containment were set up in redundant ways to ensure no spillage would occur into any other area of the spacecraft and were integrated into the lifecycle for purification with natural probiotic and antibiotic health and interdependence, and mineral balancing systems for water, plants, animals, and crewmembers.
There was no predation; clean meats were always available, and as such each creature played an important role in the overall goals of each command spacecraft mission, which was defined as, “to help achieve advancement in civilization, the kind that affords the preservation of life, health, well-being, and clarity of mind.” This included bringing life to all desolate locations throughout each of the twelve zones throughout the observable Universe relative to Earth and finding ways to stabilize an enjoyably life-giving quality of environment within them. Once Observation Posts or Intergalactic Headquarters were set up with living areas similar to the twenty-thousand tech cities and were ready for population, jump gates would be installed and colonization from the home planet would begin. Thus, the environment of each location throughout each spacecraft complemented each aspect of the other areas and provided Earth-based civilization a more promising future.
“Heal, don’t harm. Yet, be strong with the clearness of mind, be very capable, and be properly prepared if healing does not work and as such, if lives are at risk, do what needs to be done to protect life, longevity, and an environment conducive to innovation and preservation of a noble and mighty legacy.” This was the motto shared during the development of the first command spacecraft.
Each sector of one-hundred living quarters was designed to have a unique array of eateries with the finest of chefs, cooks, and confectionary professionals. As Teams 3, 4, and 5 worked together, they wove in spacecraft-integrated redundancies and systems that would leave the spacecraft as a sentient and complementary being, and as such it would provide everything necessary to have fully operational entertainment centers galore, gyms, convention centers, laboratories, innovation centers, training and education centers, and daycare facilities. Each one of the living quarters was designed to accommodate families with a series of rooms replete with all of the luxuries associated with a top-notch luxury penthouse suite. In each suite there were kitchens, bathrooms, sauna tubs, extended king beds, every amenity wanted or needed was provided in advance. Computer and private entertainment rooms with enough biopods for each family and their visitors, and more were available as needed and requested. These biopods were multifunctional, and as such, they could interface with the Virtual Universe, be used for every medical, educational, correctional, or entertainment need, and they were even retrofitted to become small traveling escape pods, designed to jump to a safe location with all needed items available for survival on Earth.
No matter where anyone would go, their job, or their title, they would be respected, protected, treated with dignity, and appreciated for their efforts, and for being who they were. For anyone on-board, whether optimized or natural, whether tough as nails or affable, there would be a full-on around the clock medical staff of the highest caliber trained on every aspect of physiology and neurology to provide optimum services to anyone, including those who chose to stay natural; they could also be healed by the healing and diplomatic Sky-Model HBCI, since there would be twenty-four on-board each command spacecraft.
There were escape pods to account for each person on the spacecraft, and more, depending on visitors, potential spacecraft damage or any subsequent need to abort the mission if all options to save the spacecraft had failed. Each suite also had a ‘sky view’ of any type imaginable, call-in catering, disc jockeying, etc. as desired. Romance was encouraged so long as all parties involved used the laws of consent. Each of these areas was located within the living quarters at the top level of a command spacecraft. Finally, every room had a jump gate to travel to other sectors of the spacecraft and even to any other command spacecraft, and while on leave, crewmembers were given the authorization to jump to any planetoid with any jump gate, all as coordinated.
The portion of the spacecraft where the command center was located, happened to be aerodynamic in appearance from the exterior, and located at the front of each command spacecraft. A person could walk there from other locations in the spacecraft by heading first to the second level. Anyone who would behold it would have found that it was awe-inspiring, both in function and in aesthetic. There were plenty of spacious, lush, aesthetic, individually climate-controlled seats, with first-class dining services available and integrated within the digital displays of the seating of the command center, for each of the different capacities.
These capacities of responsibility within the command center crew served many purposes. Among the ranking personnel were the IMC Command Spacecraft Zonal Commander (IMC/SZC), the IMC Command Spacecraft Zonal Vice Commander (IMC/SZVC), the four Navigation Officers (NAV), the four Electronic Warfare Officers (EWOs), the sixteen Weapons Systems Officers (WSOs), the sixteen Gun Control Officers (GCOs), the four sets of the various Camera Control Officers to include Optical (O-CCO), Infrared (I-CCO), Ultraviolet (U-CCO), Microwave (M-CCO), Gamma (G-CCO), and Special Signals Officers (SS-CCO); there was the Spaceborne Mission Supervisor (SMS), the two Spaceborne Analysts (SA), the four Datalink Operators (DLO), the twenty Linguistic Warrant Officers (LWO), the ten Astrobiology Officers (ABO), all within the Command center, and finally the eighty Spaceborne Systems E
ngineers (SSEs) spread throughout the major control-points of the spacecraft, with ten of those seats within the Command center. Finally, in the third level of the spacecraft main body, the twenty Environmental Science Officers (ESOs) would work directly with the SZC, the lead HBCI, and the spacecraft itself for the environmental health, protection, and safety of the occupants, the spacecraft, and all items and systems both on-board and as pertained to the overall mission. All told, each spacecraft required a cadre of two-hundred-six personnel to run and maintain the mission in terms of science, security, and safety, and many positions were necessary for terms of redundancy. In each of the spacecraft sectors, personnel were equally numbered; two sectors housed eighteen command center personnel each, and the other ten sectors provided domicile for seventeen apiece, along with family, significant others, extended or nuclear.
Ultimately, each spacecraft could fulfill all of the mission aspects with a single AI, which it had, along with redundant backup systems for it. An AI was a social being, notwithstanding, each AI was robustly capable of autonomously running the entire spacecraft, constantly running repairs and doing upgrades as programmed, and it would only be commissioned to run everything when the crew was off-duty. Otherwise, it would work in tangent with everyone, working or off-duty. This included the ability to allow for no-longer-than forty-hour workweeks for each crew member, and as such, the AI would take over when crew members were off-duty or on leave. This also meant that the AI would be providing every aspect of their safety for one-hundred-twenty-eight hours each week per command center position, not including the two months of leave per year. Fortunately, those two months would always be properly coordinated to where the command spacecraft would be within a safe zone, so an AI would solely be monitoring the environmental and situational sensors and alert all crewmembers if anything extraordinary came up that would compromise the security of the spacecraft.
Further than Before- Pathway to the Stars Page 71