To: Commander Yuy: Earth Sphere Armed Forces Lunar Taskforce; Apollo Wing
Subject: Virginia Class Battleship "ESSS Firesword" systems report
Commander Yuy, as part of our standard preparational procedures for the launch of a vessel, we send the CO a formal report of any experimental or non-standard systems that are included in his ship. In the case of the ESSS Firesword, there are several such systems. Of these systems, The Singularity Drive, the Shifter Cores and the EH Cannon are the ones that most warrant a thorough explanation.
Singularity Drive:
This is the heart of your ship's propulsion system. It is, in layman's terms, a black hole. Shielded from the rest of the ship by a graviton shield that prevents the powerful gravity of the dead star from destroying the ship. However, the drive is worthless unless the ship is equipped with Shifter Cores.
Shifter Core(s):
To convert the gravitational power of the singularity to motive energy, a series of units, called Shifter Core Units, or SCU's, channel the containment field to the outside of the ship. This system works by producing an event horizon, the edge of a black hole's gravity well, around the ship. The ship will try to "fall into" the well, but the well moves with the ship, producing a form of gravity wave for the ship to ride on.
When stationary the field is closed to the outside, so there is no danger of support craft being accidentally sucked into the singularity.
EH (Event Horizon) Cannon:
Of all the systems associated with the singularity drive, this is the most dangerous. Consisting of a system of SCU's that create an open tunnel to the singularity, the EH Cannon is the ultimate final solution. Any thing in front of the ship, including planets, will be drawn into the black hole. However, the open gravity field will curl back onto the ship if the weapon is fired continuously for more than five point zero seconds. This would result in the destruction of the Vessel, as well as the surrounding star system.
Fail Safe Systems:
The motive systems, the singularity drive in particular are backed by numerous failsafe systems. The S Drive and emergency containment SCU's are housed in a self contained unit that may be ejected if the need arises. Motive SCU's may be disconnected from the drive if they become damaged or otherwise inoperable. The EH Cannon can also be disconnected, and, if the need arises, removed.
Singularity Nullification:
A final note, if the SCU fields are reversed, the Singularity will dissociate itself into inert gases that can be easily expelled. Once nullified, you cannot reestablish the black hole. Therefore please do not nullify it without ample reason.
Jonathan C. Halmacher: Chief Engineer; Anaheim Labs, Lunar Shipyards.