The moment the fuel entered the main tank, and all ten reactors were activated, the shipyard shook slightly as all of its systems went online.
Andrew, Aelita, Nairin, and Runir were present in the command center when the installation reached its full power.
The work efficiency and tempo increased right before their eyes as the predicted time for the new batch of ships fell from three days to 28 hours.
At the same time, all the options that were blocked became available and the progress bar of activating AI moved for the first time since they activated the shipyard.
-Boss, this is incredible.
One of the aliens crewing the shipyard said while looking at all the options that were just unlocked.
-Welcome Lord Andrew.
A voice came from the speakers at the same time.
-How can I be of service?
It asked.
Andrew immediately figured out that it was the shipyard's AI speaking.
-First of all, you can drop the Lord's title, my name will suffice.
The human said.
-Acknowledged.
-As for your services, first, get yourself up to speed on events that happened since I arrived in the system.
-As you wish.
The AI said before it went quiet for a few seconds.
-Task completed.
The voice came back a moment later.
-Taking the current state of things, I prepared some suggestions for your review.
Additionally, I would like to propose replacing the current droids in the fleet as well as the battle droids with the newest models as soon as possible, to boost the territory's defensive capabilities.
-How long would it take to replace the droids?
Andrew asked, worried that his fleet might get grounded for too long.
-With current resources and by recycling the older model droids, the replacement process will last about 12 hours.
The AI answered, shocking everyone as there were a few thousand droids in the fleet at the moment, not to mention the battle droids.
-I agree to replace the old droids, but do it in batches, since we can't have the whole fleet grounded at once.
Andrew agreed after thinking about it for a moment.
-What other suggestions do you have for me?
He asked, curious about what the AI had come up with.
-With your permission, I would like to begin constructing five tug ships, for the fleet.
This would allow us to bring the damaged vessels to the shipyard for repairs, even if their FTLD is offline.
At the same time, I would like to propose to build at least two tankers, capable of collecting the fuel as well as refueling ships in space.
The AI said, shocking everyone and making Andrew want to kick himself for forgetting about the support ships for the fleet.
-Do it, and add five resupply ships to the list as well.
The human didn't even need to think about it as these vessels were too important to the fleet.
He could barely believe that he had forgotten about the support and focused entirely on the warships.
-The building process has begun.
The AI stated.
-My next suggestion is to transfer the main command center of the territory to this installation.
The reason being that this shipyard is the most heavily armed and shielded structure in the territory at the moment and it possesses the most advanced command and communications facilities.
If you wish, the space station you reside on currently can be connected to this installation, granting you access to it at any time.
-This will require some time to think about it, so let's leave it as it is for the moment.
Aelita said.
She was reluctant to leave the station that was her home for quite some time now.
-Yes, we will discuss it later and then decide.
Andrew agreed with her.
-As you wish.
The AI said.
-My last suggestion for now is to start designing new ships.
The ones currently being produced or repaired are all basic models with some limited changes that are mainly aesthetic.
-We'll get on that as soon as we can.
Andrew answered.
-I almost forgot.
Can you create a shipboard AI for the destroyer currently in dock?
He asked.
-I can, but I suggest looking at the AI database first.
It should be unlocked now.
The AI said.
At the same time on the main screen a file opened containing a list of hundreds if not thousands of AI's available to be installed in the ship.
Shocking everyone once again.
They had no idea that there was a database of AI to choose from.
-Runir, start choosing your AI.
Andrew said, looking at the long list.
-Are you kidding me right now?
The fleet commander said scrolling through the list of available AI.
-Even reading through this list will take me at least a week.
She added.
-Then you better get to it.
Tarina said over the comms, her voice filled with amusement at her friend's predicament.
-There is no need to read through the list, the easiest and fastest way to get the desired AI is to fill in the requirements in the search engine.
The shipyard's AI said helpfully.
-Thank you…
What should we call you?
Runir asked.
-I have no name and my technical designation is too long to use as one.
-Can I give you a name?
Andrew asked.
He had forgotten to even ask about it earlier.
-Yes, as the owner of this installation, you have the power to assign a designation for me.
-Then how about we call you Vulcan?
Andrew asked.
-The Roman version of Hephaistos a god of forge and fire.
He explained the meaning of the name.
-I think it's fitting.
Aelita commented when she heard this description.
-I am no god, but my function is crafting, so I think it would fit me.
The AI said a moment later.
-Then from now on your name is Vulcan.
Andrew decided.
-Acknowledged, I am Vulcan.
The AI said, with a hint of happiness in its electronic voice.
They talked for a long time since they had a lot more matters to discuss and decide on.
During this conversation, Andrew learned that no matter if they decided to connect the station to the shipyard, he or Aelita would need to stay on board as Vulcan only answered to them, and no one else.
Other than that, they also learned that it was not necessary to gather the whole amount of resources needed to build a ship as any vessel could be built in stages, freeing up the resources for other tasks.
However, the most significant information was about the AI list as it not only contained the shipboard AI for the warships, but also many others, designed to perform various tasks.
From the administrative roles, through the medical, research, training, diplomatic, and many other types ending on the warship AI designed to control a super dreadnought.
There was a full spectrum, which Andrew welcomed with open arms as this would help his territory a lot.
The biggest weakness of Andrew's territory was the lack of personnel and with AI this weakness could be minimized by a lot.
Andrew also learned that he was not the first owner of this shipyard as it previously belonged to someone else in another universe, but the previous owner died without naming a successor and there was no co-owner.
So the shipyard was cleared out and placed back into the crystal box to await its new owner.
This was not even the first time it happened, but it was always the same scenario.