Engineering - Cold-Start Sequence

Engineering - Cold-Start Sequence is a Training Module available to players in Tech Demo 2 and Tech Demo 3. The aim of the modules it to teach the player how to safely start a Magellan class starship's Fusion Reactor and supply power to the rest of the ship. It primarily takes place in the Reactor Room, Cryogenic Storage and Maintenance Tunnels on F and G Decks, although a final task takes the player up to the Bridge on A Deck.

Synopsis

The player begins the module in the F Deck Aft Corridor of a Magellan-class starship. They are contacted by AVA, who explains the module's objectives in bringing the ships power online. AVA explains that the ship is in a Cold and Dark State, where there is no power provided to the ship's systems, and that she has activated the player's torch to help them see where they're going.

AVA directs the player to the Reactor Room, where they are shown that the main Fusion Reactor and other systems are without power. They are then shown to the Startup Distributors, where their function is explained and how they act as a separate supply for the ship. The player then connects the four quadrants on F and G Decks to the capacitors, providing emergency lighting. AVA then instructs them to turn their torch off with T and directs them back to the Reactor Room.

The player is next directed to the Fusion Reactor Controls panel, where they learn about each segment and their functions. AVA asks them to switch the Reactor to Startup Mode so they can begin the process, then to activate the vacuum pump to get it to the correct pressure level.

Whilst this process takes place, the player is guided to the Cryogenic Storage room. AVA explains the supply process, each of the resources (Helium, Heilum-3 and Deuterium) and their functions in the reactor. AVA guides the player to a position behind the tanks, where they activate the tanks' Cryo Coolers and open the valves in order to supply their needed components. The player is then guided back to the inner area of the room, where they are instructed to open the output valves and power on the supply's pumps.

With this process complete, the player is guided back to the Reactor Room. They are instructed to open the supply valves, providing the reactor with its needed components. AVA directs the player back to the Reactor Controls, where are told to activate the Field Coils and wait for the reactor to reach its optimum temperature. Once both are completed, AVA tells the player to initiate the Fusion Reactor, thus bringing it online. With power down at 10%, they are asked to bring it up to 100% so that the systems can be provided with the necessary power. As they do so, AVA warns them that they can bring it up beyond that threshold, though doing so will cause damage if continued for long periods and this may cause an uncontrolled shutdown.

With the reactor now online and at full operational capacity, the power supply process is ready to begin. AVA instructs the player to put it in Supply Mode, then guides them to the Output Distributor. AVA explains that the panel distributes the power to each of the ships main systems (FTL Systems, Shield System, Weapons System, and Sub-Light Propulsion), but also directs it to the Main Battery Distributor for other systems. The player then must connect all five breakers on the panel to continue the process. AVA then guides them to the Main Battery Distributor, explaining it directs power to the Battery Arrays around F Deck. The player is then instructed to connect each of the breakers so that the battery arrays can begin charging.

AVA guides the player to Port Battery Room 1. Inside, they begin a visual inspection of the arrays whilst being told how they function and provide power to each quadrant. AVA directs the player to Port Battery Array 4, where they have the interface explained. They are then directed to Port Battery Aggregator 1 in the Maintenance Tunnels, where AVA explains their function. The player then must connect the Aggregator to the Deck Distributor, then travel around the tunnels to connect the other Aggregators to the panels. Once completed, they are guided back to the Reactor Room.

Inside, AVA guides the player to the Forward Deck Distributor panel, where she explains its functions and how each quadrant is separated for redundancy. The player is then asked to connect the Distributor to each of the deck breakers and complete it for the Starboard, Aft and Port quadrants. The player then directed to the G Deck Forward Distributor, where they are instructed to switch the power supply from the Startup Capacitors to the Deck Distributor. They then must complete it on the other panels for G and F Deck in the four quadrants. With this done, the power is now supplied to the ship.

AVA has one last final task for the player and begins guiding them up to the Bridge on A Deck. They are shown that the lights and hardware in the room are still deactivated, so must bring it online. AVA directs the player to the A Deck Distributor panel, where they're asked to connect the breakers for the lights and hardware. With these brought online, the module is complete. AVA thanks the player for completing it and signs off. From here, the player can stay to either begin exploring the galaxy or complete another training module.

Development

Initially in original releases of Tech Demo 2 in Dev Builds 0.223, Engineering - Cold-Start Sequence was presented on the Training Modules menu, but was inaccessible; however, it was completed for Dev Build 0.224. AVA currently refers to the A Deck Distributor as the Engineering Alcove, as it serves as a placeholder for the station in current builds.