To Love-Ru: Beyond Infinity

by NAp51

King Gid grows increasingly dissatisfied with Rito's grooming to become his successor. Finally, he sets the ultimate mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and civilizations, to boldly go where no anime nerd has gone before!

3. Message From Engineering

A Message From Engineering

Stardate: 21-130514.20

This is Tearju Lunatique.

We are preparing for the Journey to Planet Deviluke. As our destination is 15 lightyears away, our time of arrival would be about three days from now. As the leading expert in transwarp technology, I will serve as Chief engineer. This position requires advanced knowledge of physics, and it entails the monitoring and maintenance of the warp core. This device is the beating heart of the starship Astroboy. Normally, it generates all the power necessary to keep the craft running. Its true ability truly shines, when we go into faster-than-light travel. The power of the warp core creates a bubble by warping the fabric of spacetime ahead of the ship. I believe that in Earth's terminology; this technology would be known as an Alcubierre drive.

As was agreed among the crew members, we would keep time as it would run on Earth.

All recordings are time-stamped with the stardate system, including all previous recordings. The first two digits represent the decade and year by Earth's reckoning. From left to right, the first 2 pairs of numbers are the century and year in which the recordings were made. Following that would be six digits, representing the year, month, and day. Finally, the last pair of digits, beyond the decimal point, represents the hour of the day on a 24-hour clock. For example, this message was recorded on 21-130514.20. meaning that we recorded it in the 13th year of the 21st century and on May 14th at 8 PM.

The date of our departure would serve as our frame of reference, and all previous and subsequent documentation shall be used. With this system, one can easily identify when any recordings in this ship were made. This improves record keeping, should anyone wish to understand the events happening in the past.

Additionally, this arrangement would prove beneficial, especially to the mental health of our human crew members. It's unknown how interstellar and faster-than-light travel would affect the human condition. Therefore, it was crucial to keep stress levels low. Dr. Ryoko will serve as chief medical officer and monitor the humans throughout the voyage.

Perhaps a better timekeeping system will be used in the future, but for now, we have what we have.