"We are a kind of Deutsch. We are a kind of Deutsch. Let's Let's send the bombers again, to Germany let's send the bombers again. Let's send the bombers again, to Germany let's send the bombers again." I hum while nodding my head in rhythm with the song. Damn, but when I recalled it, it stuck in my head.

  A knock on the wall near me startled me. "What are you humming?" Anibeli said with the scarab on her shoulder.

  "Uh, just a simple song. It is of no importance. Ahem. Now, what can I do for you?"

  "Ah, well... it's two things. First, I'm sorry for ignoring you, both when I had my childish hissy fit and when you gave me rousy. Second, I wanted to know what you needed.

  Rousy? She named it Rousy? "Ah, well, I wanted to show you something. Ahem, here." I say. I twist and head to the holo table. A few seconds later, I bring up the perspective Rapter class Heavy Destroyer. I also pull up a Cobra for comparison.

  "I may or may not have a bit of a hobby now. While I still wish for my flowers and stone, this will do. This is the first thing my tinkering has birthed." I say.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  "...flowers and rocks? No, never mind. Let us see what you have..." She mutters.

  She begins manipulating the holo, and after a while, she turns to me. "Well, I can see where your getting at. Better thrust, more armor, and more..."

  "Why turreted guns? Why not fixed?" She asked. "And the locations. One gun amidship, one under the prow?"

  "For better pursuing fire and the ability to fire backwards. To keep one gun I play while retreating from a foe seems necessary as this ship isn't meant for prolonged engagement. It is a hit and run vessel." I say.

  "Ok, I'm getting the idea better... So, for the torpedoes..."

  "6 single use tubes, yes. the idea is to fire 6 at once, if necessary, pull away, then return to a spot to reload. And while I say single use, I just mean that it will take external assistance. We could reload them I battle if we set up a supply point behind the lines of battle." I say.

  "So. I see your idea fully now. It's hood. Not something the navy would use for a few reasons, but honestly I can think of some systems that would buy this as a planetary defense ship. You have the ability to blitz a larger ship and launch your torpedoes before running. Hell, merchant fleets might like this... Overall, you made quite the nasty skirmisher." She said.

  "But, it's not perfect. Observe here. With your modifications, it is a rather cramped ship. Not a large problem if your always going to or are always near a port. It is notable still. And she is power hungry. It needs more power generation. Perhaps a reactor like a Havoc? Hmmm. May I borrow this?" She asks.

  "Yes. It's not like I'm using it. But yes, I saw the reactor issue. It's why I didn't mess with the void shields. But yes. Please, take it. Thank you for your input." I say.

  "No problem." She said, fiddling with the holo table.

  I decided to leave her to whatever she was doing. Besides, I wanted to think on what she had said, and how to improve my hobby.