Around the circular conference table in the Central Command Hall, the atmosphere was solemn.
A massive holographic projection hovered at the center of the table, displaying a complete topographical view of Haven alongside a three-dimensional model of the star system surrounding the main base.
Osiris sat at the head of the table, flanked on both sides by technical and administrative heads from the base's key departments. Dr. Hanson was also present, a data pad detailing ecological resource utilization spread open before her.
The summary of the prior operational phase and the review of the second-phase surface construction projects had just concluded.
Now, the projection shifted, focusing on a pre-designated coordinate point in Haven's near-space orbit.
Intricate structural schematics began to rotate, disassemble, and reassemble, ultimately presenting a conceptual rendering of a massive orbital installation equipped with multiple slipways and assembly arms.
"Next, we will review the core project of the second phase: the construction plan for the Orbital Integrated Shipyard." Osiris's voice broke the brief silence. His fingers tapped lightly on the control panel as dense lists of technical parameters and resource requirements appeared alongside the conceptual rendering.
"Based on our analysis of the current strategic environment within the sector, our resource investment efficiency, and potential adversaries, the shipyard's construction specifications and product positioning have been established," Osiris stated with calm clarity. "We will not, nor do we need to, replicate ship designs of excessively bloated specifications at this location."
He brought up a set of comparison metrics.
On one side were the rough outlines of colossal capital ships resembling mobile mountain ranges, their length scale indicators easily blowing past five kilometers and a thousand kilometers; on the other side were rough models of vessels commonly seen in the Koprulu Sector—Terran battlecruisers, Protoss carriers, and Zerg Leviathans—showing a stark difference in physical volume.
"The construction and maintenance of such gargantuan vessels demand the full resource strain of a highly developed sector, alongside matching battlefield environments and targets. Haven currently lacks this production capacity. Furthermore, barring Zerg Leviathans and a tiny handful of Protoss flagships, the Koprulu Sector lacks conventional targets of equivalent scale. Blindly pursuing sheer size represents a misallocation of resources."
The projection shifted once more, focusing on several relatively "smaller" warship designs.
One was a sleek, slightly elongated frigate blueprint measuring roughly two to three kilometers in length; another was a sturdier, heavily armed destroyer design; the final one looked intimately familiar to a few technician representatives present who had originally hailed from the Hyperion.
It was clearly the baseline structural frame of a battlecruiser, but its lines had been optimized, critical structural points reinforced, and internal modular slots marked that differed significantly from traditional designs.
"Therefore, the initial construction priority of the orbital shipyard will focus on these three warship classes," Osiris gestured toward the blueprints. "The first is the frigate class—high mobility, ideal for fleet escort, reconnaissance patrols, and rapid response. The second is the destroyer class, focusing on firepower projection and area anti-air capabilities, serving as an effective force against small-to-medium fleet groups. As for the third category—"
He enlarged the design schematic of the modified battlecruiser.
"This is an upgraded cruiser design scheme based on the baseline Terran battlecruiser frame acquired during previous technical exchanges, fully integrated and reinforced. It enhances armor over critical zones, improves energy transfer efficiency, and leaves modular interfaces capable of adapting specific proprietary weapon systems and shield technologies. Its size and firepower place it firmly as a backbone force among Terran vessels in the Koprulu Sector. It can effectively carry out the vast majority of combat missions, while its construction and maintenance demands remain within our current capabilities to realize step by step."
Dr. Hanson noticed that when Osiris mentioned "previous technical exchanges," his tone did not flicker in the slightest.
Recalling Osiris's interactions with Swann aboard the Hyperion, she understood instantly.
That foundational blueprint was likely the result of that encounter.
Osiris's modifications had undeniably elevated it to a whole new level.
"Design schematics, material bills, and manufacturing process workflows are fully prepared," Osiris continued. "The construction of the orbital shipyard will proceed in three phases.
Phase One: Complete the core shipyard frame, basic assembly platforms, and habitation support modules, aiming to achieve maintenance capabilities for small-to-medium vessels and construction capabilities for frigate-class ships within one hundred twenty standard days.
Phase Two: Expand slipway scale and establish heavy component manufacturing workshops, aiming to initiate destroyer and cruiser construction within one hundred eighty days following Phase One completion.
Phase Three: Plan further expansions or specialized drydocks depending on sector dynamics and node development."
He pulled up the resource allocation table, the numbers causing Dr. Hanson to internally gasp.
Tens of thousands of tons of specialized alloys, massive quantities of mineral crystals and refined high-energy gas derivatives, complex electronic components—this would siphon off over thirty percent of Haven's current surface industrial output, while severely testing orbital prefabrication and transport capacity.
"This construction project will vastly bolster the strategic autonomy and projection capability of the Haven Node, transforming it from a passively defended base into a regional pivot point endowed with true power projection," Osiris concluded, his gaze sweeping over the attendees. "Surface industrial capacity must undergo corresponding adjustments and expansions to secure material supply lines. Regarding human resources, beyond the base's existing engineering echelons and newborn labor units, we must select and train personnel from the native population who possess potential for precision manufacturing, electronic engineering, and exo-atmospheric operations."
The meeting transitioned into detailed operational assignments.
Dr. Hanson's directives were relatively clear: her team needed to continue tapping local resources, specifically seeking biosynthesis pathways that could replace or supplement certain specialized minerals, while ensuring the stable operation of the Biological Template Optimization Center to provide ongoing support for growing labor demands.
Simultaneously, as the primary coordinator for native human affairs, she needed to participate in the upcoming selection and training programs for skilled technical workers.
The conference spanned several hours.
By the time Dr. Hanson left the command hall, her brain felt heavy and swollen.
Orbital shipyards, novel warships, production capacity adjustments, workforce training—every single agenda item carried massive ramifications.
She looked up at the sky. During the day, the massive structures in orbit were invisible, as was the shipyard that existed only on blueprint paper. Yet she felt as though she could already sense Haven's orbital space being claimed by new stars of steel.
The new appointments were officially published across the base management network.
Dr. Hanson—whose official title was now "Director General of Native Human Affairs Coordination and Lead of Biological Resource Research"—found that people in internal communications and informal settings increasingly used a far more simplified title.
This title brought more than mere nominal prestige.
She was granted a larger office within the administrative sector, equipped with higher-level data access clearances and direct channels to Osiris and the department heads of the base.
Her scope of responsibility was explicitly defined: comprehensive oversight of non-company native human residential sector management, internal affairs coordination, general education and skill training planning, alongside integration with other base departments for labor allocation, material distribution, and research collaboration.
At the same time, she continued to lead the expanded biological research department, remaining responsible for local ecology, technical support for the Biological Template Optimization Center, and specialized projects like the Zerg infestation reversal samples.