The world as I see it

With the ESR/HSC updated with the new restart parameters it is time to test them out. I put my helmet back on and secure it to the suit collar. Reaching down I turn the life support pack on from standby. “Computer. Command. Switch to backup power, Override Code: Charley Zero Nine” I hear the Command and Control circuit breakers click over to the Battery Bus as the computer responds “Done.” “Computer. Command. Begin Restart Protocol Alpha One.” “Commencing Ship Shutdown for Fusion Restart. Propulsion: off-line, Communication: off-line, Navigation: off-line, Life Support: off-line. All major ships systems are idle. Ship ready for restart attempt.” Again I scan the status board to confirm the computer's report and as expected all the systems are off-line. For a second time 'today' I press the Green Button. The computer begins its running status report: “Fission Reactor coming on-line.” That's right, I had to shut it down when I did the programming. “Fission Reactor ...

“Loading Emergency Restart System Development Tools” The main screen comes to life as a tactile keyboard folds out of the console. The ERS/HSC is an embedded micro-controller with five basic sections. The first is the processor itself with 128 bit address bus. Second is two terabytes of RAM to run all the applications. Third is the System ROM which holds the core Real Time Operating System code base. This is used to keep all the various operations in check. Fourth is the Programmable ROM, or re-writable permanent memory. There are four sets of these, one pair each for the ERS and the HSC and their parameters. This will allow for the update of the parameters without having to worry about accidentally changing the working code in that specific sub-system. The final section is the Input/Output controller that handles the simple user interface and all control and monitoring of the ship's power and drive systems. This window will show you the expected power utilization curves ba...

“So what else does this book say about fusion reactor restart failure?” I open the manual up to where I was and continue reading. Since you are reading this, the restart must have failed. If you have not done so already, ask the computer to run an analysis of the restart attempt and suggest improvements. There are many factors in starting or restarting a fusion reactor. Among them is fuel temperature, magnetic containment field density and size, impulse frequency, charge and angle of impact. These factors have been parameterized in the ERS and can be modified with the development tools on the main computer. When the analysis is complete have the computer bring up the development tools with the command “Invoke ERS Development” The syntax of this command is different from any others to help prevent accidental activation of this tool suite since it could damage the systems beyond your ability to repair them if used improperly. As with the reset protocol you will need the override cod...