Galvanize the Rock

[Taeli Raaf]

Hosrel system

An inhospitable rock of a world, Hosrel XI had once played host to an old Centrality naval base that was charged with developing a system called shield camouflage. However, following the collapse of the original Galactic Empire, the base had been abandoned and left to the savage predators on the world's surface.

Located way off the beaten hyperspace lanes in the Centrality region, the location had been deemed perfect for another refinement facility for Sianium, a much larger one than existed on Galidraan because of the remote location. To further protect the facility, Aurora Industries had constructed the facility deep underground and employed sensor negating technology in case an unknown force entered the system. The Hosrel facility had also been charged with beginning development on the next part of Project Galvani, on top of keeping production of Sianium blaster cells coming.

"Today marks the day we begin the droid phase of Project Galvani," Chief Gyr was saying over holocall from Galidraan. "It will require larger amounts of Sianium, but the power aspects can not be denied. With Taris secured now, the supply should increase dramatically."

"We won't fail," Chief Ujoi said in the gravely tones of the Mon Calamari. "Updates will be sent as we go about the process."

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Going about the design phase for the new power cells for the droid division, Ujoi made sure at least part of his staff was working on developing the blaster and weapon cells needed for the weapons division. Using that as a base for his design, the Mon Cal was not sure how well they could be converted into something for a droid.

For one, they were much too small of course. Size would be a slight problem ... unless they worked on something that could be designed to be used both individually and in larger clumps for use in larger droids. He had heard the rumors of what was currently being worked on in the droid division, something quite powerful, but they were having trouble with power.

They would also need to account for the instability of the Sianium in the design and find some way to lessen that problem as having droid power cells exploding was not exactly a good thing. Ujoi would need to approach the problem from a different angle than the blaster cell then. It was a good idea for a base, but ultimately, he had to reject the notion and pursue other ideas.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

As Ujoi thought about it some, he realized what the root of the problem was. The current refinement process, while perfectly okay for the weapon cells, created the instability that made it useless for droids or anything else that they might want to use the Sianium for that required more stable power sources.

Chief Ujoi quickly contacted Chief Gyr about the possibilities and they started to hash out a new refinement process. Rather than using a particle accelerator and exciter to energize the Sianium, Ujoi theorized the same result could be achieved in another manner that would create a more stable, and yet equally powerful energy source.

Going through different types of power cells, Ujoi started to gravitate towards the idea of a cryogenic hybrid cell with Sianium. Cryogenic cells were used in the old X-wings and Y-wings, along with some construction droid models. As a hybrid design, the cryogenic properties might be able to stabilize the Sianium enough. Testing was going to be needed, simulations run, but it was certainly worth exploring.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Running the simulations himself, Ujoi became more convinced than ever that his decision to make a hybrid cryogenic cell was the way to go. The cryogenic state of the Sianium kept the molecules calmer than normal, while not robbing it of any of its energy properties. Once a charge was run through the frozen substance, it created a more sustainable and stable energy flow.

At least, that was according to his models. Practical applications might be slightly different, but Chief Ujoi was confident in his theory. Tasking some of his team to start working on a prototype based on his design, he continued to run tests while development began. His design also would allow the multiple cells to work in tandem to power larger droid models, but he needed to make sure these cells were not too large.

Sianium was such a wonderful material, and Ujoi began to wonder on what other applications the material could be used for. Best to leave those thoughts for another day though, he needed to focus on the task at hand. All the while, the facility on Hosrel continued to develop more and more Sianium cells and expand deeper into the planet's crust.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

"So the first prototype is ready for testing, Chief Ujoi," the engineer in charge of the build said. "While we were working on it, the team ran their own simulation and results seemed to agree with the data you extrapolated yourself. Plenty of energy, and a more stable build. Perhaps we should design a smaller model for use by the weapons division as well?"

"To what end?" Ujoi asked in his gravely tones.

"The current cells are all well and good, but they wouldn't work as well for something like a raingun or mass accelerator," the engineer replied. "Something more stable and less prone to blowing up would be needed."

"I'll pass that along to Chief Gyr," Ujoi answered. "For now, let's begin the tests on the new hybrid cell."

With that, he sent a message to Gyr about the idea while the team prepared the testing chamber for the hybrid.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

"Here goes nothing," Ujoi grumbled as the scientists and engineers cleared the testing room. Nodding, the observation team activated the cell and the droid body that had been cobbled together for the experiment. A few second ticked by ... and then the droid whirred to life and started to trundle around the test room.

"Energy output is astounding, Chief Ujoi," an observing scientist said, looking up from his display. "We're calculating three times the energy output of current droid power cells, we're having to limit and loop the power back to make sure the droid doesn't overload. We didn't fully calculate how much power the Sianium could generate, even in the cryo hybrid cell."

"Good, very good," Ujoi said. Data continued to be streamed, testing done. They needed to check for signs of instability, push the cell to its limits next. "Switch to second setting and keep ramping up the power of the cell. I want to see how much it will take to make it unstable."

 

[Taeli Raaf]

It took several more settings, and having to hook the droid up to other systems for the energy overflow, before the cell became unstable. When it did, the reaction wasn't quite what he expected. The cell cracked and the energy exploded outwards in a chilly eruption not dissimilar to CryoBan grenades. An interesting effect, but potentially just as lethal to anyone nearby as a normal explosion.

Cleaning the room, he ordered several more cells made while they went over the data. With the necessary readings on how much it would take to overload an individual cell, and concluding that unless a droid took a hit to the power core, they were reasonably safe for use. He still had no idea what an EMP might do ... possibly just disable as normal.

Typing up his latest report to both Gyr and upper management, he added that testing would begin soon on two cells working in tandem, then three, then four, and so on until they reached a sufficient target zone.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

"So what is your guess on stability and output with two cells working in sync with one another?" Ujoi's right hand man, a Snivvian named Thoracir, asked. Ujoi had specifically requested he come to the site and help with the project, although Gyr had some reservations about the small scientist. Ujoi wouldn't hear anything against him, even though there were whispers the Snivvian was involved in something shady. The man was quite good at science and Ujoi had quickly brought him up to speed.

"Working together, we can dial back the power settings on the individual cells for the same output and twice the stability of energy flow," Ujoi said. "We've been working on it for a few days before you arrived, but I wanted your input on the designs to see if there was any way to streamline them further."

"I can take a look," Thoracir said, nodding.

In the testing chamber, the cells continued to be studied and Ujoi watched them ... and didn't see the look of greed on the Snivvian's face. These could go for so much more ... maybe even the Sith would pay for the technology!

 

[Taeli Raaf]

"So we have determined that, working in tandem, the cells have a high output and stability can be maintained as we don't need to strain each individual cell for the necessary output," Ujoi was saying to holographic images of Jaxson, Gyr, and Taeli. Miss Raaf looked upset about something, but she was still present and observant.

"Sounds to me that they would be perfect for the project on Saleucami," she said. "The team there was having problems with powering their project as standard cells weren't getting the needed or wanted output."

"I agree, do they have a designation yet?" Jaxson asked.

"We've taken to calling them Si-Cryo Hybrid Cells," Ujoi responded. "As I'm sure Gyr forwarded to you, they might be useful for development as blaster based weapons as well, cryo weapons, and so on. Quite powerful and more stable than the normal..."

A security alert began blaring through the facility, klaxons going off.

"What is that sound?" Gyr asked.

"We have a security breach in the cell holding room," the security captain said, coming into the room. "Scientist Thoracir has disappeared ... along with one of the cells. We're sealing the facility and deploying interdictors."

"Find him, we'll discuss this poor choice of judgment later Chief Ujoi," Taeli said, clearly not amused by the risk to the project.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

It didn't take long to find the Snivvian, trying to undo the lockdown in the furthest hanger bay of the facility. Grunting with frustration, he kept trying his code but nothing was working. Bloody Aurora security had sealed off everything, and he really needed to get this cell out. There was a profit to be made here, oh yes, so much profit.

"That's far enough, Thoracir," a harsh voice said, freezing the Snivvian in place. They had found him so quickly. "Even if you got the hanger open, itnerdictors and fighter patrols are in system now. The entire planetary system is under lockdown."

"I was just taking the cell back to my own lab for further testing," he tried to lie ... and was met by stun bolt for his troubles. The security men quickly placed him in stun cuffs and hauled him off to holding. Ujoi sighed as he watched his former friend get dragged through the hallways. One security man handed the cell back to Ujoi, but there was a coldness about it.

It was hit fault the project had faced exposure like this. Anywhere the Snivvian went, he would have sold the cell and the refinement facility's location to the highest bidder.

Hours later, Ujoi was finishing his resignation letter to upper management, requesting he be reassigned to another portion of the company. A day after that, he left the facility and Gyr placed his own second in command in charge of the Hosrel facility and the creation of the hybrid cells. Ujoi would be shunted aside into the research lab on Tatooine to work on the exoskeleton projects.