"Miles, I think the engine matrix design could still be revised."
"The engine matrix? But the current plan is already optimized for efficiency."
"No, you overlooked the main engine's spacetime curvature frequency modulation. Your Leviathan must have undergone at least one major refit. I can tell that when it was first built, it definitely wasn't designed specifically for interstellar jumps..."
As Reed spoke, he raised a hand and summoned a structural projection of the Leviathan.
"Here, here, and here. Your three primary propulsion cores were clearly originally intended for conventional sublight travel, while the later spatial deflection modules were layered directly on top. Although you solved the compatibility issue through an independent control system, the two systems are still competing for energy allocation..."
"I wouldn't call it competition." Miles frowned. "Aurora adjusts the power output in real time."
"Aurora?" Reed paused.
"Hello, Mr. Richards."
Aurora's voice sounded at just the right moment.
"Your AI assistant?" Reed muttered.
For scientists at their level, powerful artificial intelligence was nothing unusual. Reed himself even had an intelligent robotic butler at home named Herbie.
"Yes." Miles nodded. "Aurora is my assistant and my family. She is always with me."
"But there doesn't seem to be anyone else here." Reed looked around. "You use one AI to control every system?"
"Aurora can create split-off programs to assist with work," Miles answered. "The corporation I left on Earth in another world is also managed with assistance from Aurora's split subprograms. They are much less intelligent, but they are basically sufficient."
"And the rest of the work is handed over to autonomous engineering robots, right?" Reed continued.
"As you can see." Miles waved a hand.
"All right, then there's another issue." Reed continued. "Why does your spatial deflection module still retain an independent inertial compensation system?"
"Spatial