Keon watched the sensors, his mind processing the energy dissipation, frequency interference and decay. He continued the test to the next sequence. The emitter shifted again, targeting the steel and carbon alloy plates. The steel cracked with a sharp, high-pitched whine, while the carbon alloy buckled, releasing a plume of acrid, dark smoke as its molecular bonds surrendered to the harmonic pressure and resonance.
"Target: UACA." Keon then continued looking at Tier 3 alloys.
Six needles vibrated this time, creating a dense, localized wave of pressure and resonance. The target plate rippled, the material resisting for nearly half a minute before it finally gave way, crumbling into a fine, inert alloy dust.
"Target: ACA." He recorded the details and moved to the next target.
The seventh needle joined the previous six and started vibrating at a completely different frequency. Seven unique frequencies converged, harmonizing to dismantle the structure of the ACA alloy instantly.
Finally, Keon prepared for the ultimate test. "Target: UALC."
He activated all eight needles, funneling the full destructive output into a single, combined frequency. The UALC... the current strongest alloy in his possession... held firm, its structural integrity resisting the onslaught for a full minute. Then, at the one-minute and ten-second mark, the material succumbed. The alloy shattered, not into chunks, but into a swirling cloud of fine, grey powder.
Keon’s gaze deepened, his lenses zooming in to record the wreckage: some plates shattered, some molten, others reduced to mere dust and fine powder.
‘It took me five full years to develop this weapon, the sonic emitter.’ Keon thought, the realization settling into his core with a cold, logical weight. ‘Now, I feel some sense of security for the next sixth phase of elimination.’
He observed the diagnostic data, his gaze flashing as he scrolled through the variables. Beside him, a holographic projection displayed schematics for even more complex emitters: nine, ten, and twelve needles, each designed for higher output.
‘For now, eight needles are sufficient, I don't have the means to exceed it for now.’ He concluded. ‘The limitation is clear.’
These frequency emitters, while undeniably destructive, were also highly inefficient. They consumed an unimaginable amount of energy, and the calibration time... the necessity of "matching" the frequency to an unknown object or element before the effect could take hold... was a tactical liability. In a real combat scenario, he did not have the luxury of time to search for a resonance.
‘I have to work on a universal dynamic frequency,’ he decided, his mind already beginning to map out the theoretical possibility of a broad-spectrum harmonic. ‘A frequency that will almost affect everything, without the need for individual matching.’
‘The limitations of the sonic emitter are clear,’ Keon internally logged, the data on harmonic decay and energy consumption archiving into his long-term strategic database. ‘It is a surgical tool, not a kinetic solution. For Phase 6, I require a broader application of power.’
With a sharp, dismissive wave of his synthetic hand, the holographic schematic of the eight-needle sonic array dissolved. In its place, the control room air shimmered, projecting the complex, multifaceted blueprints of his next priority: deep-space propulsion.
Keon observed the new projection. It displayed six distinct thruster models, accompanied by a volumetric breakdown of four primary fuel types. He focused on the thrusters he had utilized during his initial expansion: the standard plasma drives relying on Xenon, Krypton, and Argon, augmented by Tier 1 Yellow, Tier 2 Green, and Tier 3 Blue magic crystals. They had served their purpose during the planetary colonization phase, but they were obsolete for his next objective... interstellar transit.
He shifted his attention to the three newest blueprints, the culmination of his post-upgrade research. These were the next generation of propulsion, designed to break the limitations of his planetary cradle. He analyzed the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Thruster (VASIMT) and the Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPDT) Thruster Drive. Individually, they were impressive, but the breakthrough lay in their integration. By combining the strengths of both, he had created the Unified Co-Axial Dual-Mode Propulsion thruster... the UCADMP.
Unlike the noble gases that required logistical chains and limited stockpiles, this new architecture thruster drive utilized hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. It was the only choice for a civilization intending to traverse the void. Keon skimmed through the details one last time before initiating the live-fire test protocols.
…
Thrusters Blueprints
[Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Thruster (VASIMT)] (TIER 3)
Core Structure: An electrodeless, multi-stage plasma accelerator utilizing a centralized Quartz-Sheathed Helicon Chamber wrapped in low-frequency RF induction coils for initial gas breakdown. The partially ionized hydrogen plasma is channeled into a secondary Ion Cyclotron Heating (ICH) Accelerator, where high-frequency radio-wave antennas inject targeted energy, inflating plasma temperatures to multi-million Kelvin thresholds. The entire flow path is structurally isolated from physical contact via an array of Liquid-Helium Cooled Superconducting Magnetic Rings, culminating in a dynamic Magnetic-Memory Nozzle that compresses and focuses the exhaust plume.
Properties: Zero physical internal engine wear, infinite operational lifecycle, and the unique ability to dynamically scale exhaust velocity against thrust density by modulating RF antenna resonance frequencies.
Application: The foundational drive for long-range interplanetary cruising, high-efficiency deep-space cargo hauling, and autonomous system-wide transit.
[Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster (MPDT)] (TIER 3)
Core Structure: A brute-force electromagnetic torch drive featuring a massive, central Tungsten-Thorium Cathode Core nested coaxially within an outer Cylindrical Refractory Anode Ring. High-volume hydrogen propellant is forcefully driven through an injection manifold directly into a continuous, megawatt-level electrical arc bridged across the electrodes. The immense current loop generates a self-induced, crushing Lorentz-Force Magnetic Pinch, which physically compresses the ionized hydrogen plasma along the central axis and violently ejects it from the open thruster face.
Properties: Extreme instantaneous thrust density, high volumetric efficiency, and the capacity to convert raw nuclear reactor electrical output directly into high-velocity kinetic momentum.
Application: Gravity-well breakouts, high-tonnage combat maneuvers, tactical acceleration surges, and aggressive planetary orbital insertion.
[Unified Co-Axial Dual-Mode Propulsion Assembly (UCADMP)] (TIER 4)
Core Structure: A supreme, multi-layered engine house that nests an inner MPD-12 Cathode Core directly ahead of a wide-bore VASIMR-9 Helicon/ICH Heating Tunnel. The propellant infrastructure utilizes an Intelligent Manifold Splitter capable of routing hydrogen fuel to either system or blending them simultaneously. The entire hybrid assembly is encased within a structural shield of Aetherial Composite Alloy (ACA) for absolute thermal containment and relies on an advanced Cryogenic Radiator Bus to prevent superconducting magnetic coil quench during high-heat MPD boost phases.
Properties: Dual-spectrum operational profiles (Instantaneous High-Thrust vs. Infinite Low-Thrust High-Speed Cruise), single-propellant optimization, and comprehensive shielding against external energy feedback.
Application: The primary propulsion drive for next-generation military dreadnoughts, capital ships requiring both tactical maneuvering and interstellar transit speeds, and heavy deep-space exploration flagships.
…
‘This is indeed a tier 4 thruster. Also, unlike before, I don't need any magic crystals now. Theoretically, this hybrid drive will allow my spacecraft to reach hundred to thousand kilometers per second, or even ten thousand in the future. It is enough for my next space transit.’ Keon analyzed the blueprint of the hybrid propulsion system with clinical precision before issuing a direct directive: "Initiate the test protocol."
He shifted his gaze back through the reinforced observation window, anchoring his attention on the testing floor.
Whir!
The chamber mechanisms activated smoothly; the previously deployed sonic emitters receded into the floor as a newly materialized, spheroid-shaped thruster rose into position. A fuel conduit descended from the upper level, interlocking securely with the thruster's primary injection port. Simultaneously, Keon's neural nexus delivered real-time telemetry confirming that the highly compressed hydrogen propellant was stable and primed for execution. As the testing bay's side walls parted to reveal immense exhaust tunnels and massive ventilation fans designed to purge thermal plasma, Keon evaluated the control parameters on the holographic interface and triggered the ignition sequence.
The hybrid engine immediately hummed, discharging a needle-thin, brilliant white-blue plasma flare with a subtle orange fringe. Keon gradually intensified the fuel mixture, causing the localized plasma discharge to become significantly more dense as the blue core completely transitioned into a vibrant orange coloration. Simultaneously, the instrumentation display registered an operational impulse of one thousand per second.
‘Thousand impulse? It's almost ten kilometers per second.’ Keon noted internally, continuing to scale up the propellant flow. Under his continuous adjustments, the plasma exhaust fully converted into a deep orange jet. However, as the impulse reached ten thousand two hundred, Keon abruptly cut the feed after noticing that the thermal tolerances of several internal engine components were rapidly approaching their critical destruction threshold.
‘Only a hundred kilometers per second. I thought it would allow my units to travel at a thousand or ten thousand, but it turns out to be contrary to my expectations. Should I start working on the Bussard Ramjet or Laser push sails?’ Keon pondered, referencing the theoretical deep-space mechanisms outlined by terrestrial scientists in his past life. He quickly dismissed the thought: ‘No, I don't have enough time to research and adopt these technologies; they require a whole infrastructure at the level of a solar system. Also, adoption of these technologies requires unimaginable energy. Anyway, I have already researched nuclear fission and fusion technology in these five years; after successfully implementing them, I will think about it. For now, this hybrid is enough for the exploration of this SS1.’
...
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