=/\= 0.2.1 Main Bridge

Created by on Sun Oct 4th, 2015 @ 4:04am

General Overview:

Primary operational control of the Advanced Heavy Cruiser line is provided by the Main Bridge, located at the top of the primary hull. It is located on Deck 1. The Main Bridge directly supervises all primary mission operations (with the exception of the Flight bay and assorted craft) and coordinates all departmental activities.

The Main Bridge is a highly restricted area; only Beta-Two security clearance personnel (Officers with the Rank of Ensign or Higher) and authorized bridge personnel are allowed on the bridge. All bridge officers have access to a small armory on the bridge that carries both type II and type II phasers.

The Main Bridge is an ejectable module, allowing for a wider variety in mission parameters.

Layout:

The new primary Bridge configuration is a simplified version of the Intrepid Class configuration, though due to the age of the Excelsior class, bridge configurations can vary from vessel to vessel. Starships constructed, or reconstructed, following the Fleet Modernization Program may also have vastly different interior and exterior appearances.

Featuring an ovoid layout typical of most Federation starships, the standard Advanced Heavy Cruiser line Bridge sports some of the most advanced technology and command-capabilities.

Rearmost, the Bridge is served by a large bank of consoles and data-readout screens. Centre of that area is the Master Systems Display. From the MSD, all of the crew can get a compressed view of the ship and major systems for on-the-fly analysis. Control consoles flank the MSD on either side, running everything from incoming sensor data, to communications and auxiliary systems control.

Starboard of the information centre, just past the starboard side turbolift, is the Chief Tactical Officer’s console. Behind the forward-facing console is a larger area, with bigger displays and additional control infrastructure. This area is maintained mostly for internal security and manned by the Chief Tactical Officer’s assistant or similar. In typical configuration, the Chief Tactical Officer is in primary control of external security and weapons systems with the sister console configured for more sensor work and management of internal security. Tactical console usage is extremely limited; only Beta-2 Tactical clearance personnel can use it, and the user must input special codes to even get access to the massive amounts of computer links that give tactical nearly limitless information at the ship's disposal. For full access, the console's security subsystem can run a battery of scans on the user, including thermal, biological, retinal, and vocal tests. If all of these are passed, full access to the ship's offensive and defensive systems is made available.

Across from the tactical kiosk is the Operations Manager’s post. From there, he or she has access to and/or control over ship’s internal systems, power flow, sensor data, communications, and transporter control. As one of the most important positions at any one time, the Operations kiosk is always manned.

The two turbolifts on the bridge can handle normal transit around the ship. Also, an emergency ladder connects the bridge to Deck Three. Forward of the upper ship operations areas are doorways on port and starboard sides of the bridge. To port, access to the briefing room is provided. Inside is a large table for seating a minimum of eight officers, as well as displays, and a large set of viewports for vista. Starboard access leads to the Captain’s Ready Room. As the captain’s personal office, many command decisions are made there instead of the bridge.

Directly forward of the command area and sunken down by two steps is the Conn. From this position, the Flight Control Officer serves as helmsman and navigator for the Advanced Heavy Cruiser. The Conn has access to a wide array of ship systems, including Engineering data as the Chief Flight Control Officer often serves as a bridge liaison to Engineering.

To the right of the Conn sits the Chief Engineer. Though far better served in Main Engineering, the Engineer is often needed on the bridge to provide analysis and control ‘on site’, as it were. This location is manned by a single officer, with wraparound consoles and access to almost all ship controls. . Typical configuration keeps a scaled down version of the master systems display keyed to display problems visually, as well as dedicated screens showing the status of the warp drive and structural integrity systems.

Directly opposite sits the Chief Science Officer in a similar console. It has access to all science, navigational, sensor, and communications systems. It can be configured to operate in tandem with other consoles, although security links and all other non-science data are restricted to the main console.

Centre of the bridge is the command chairs – one each for the Captain and First Officer. The first officer’s chair is on the left, when facing forward, and includes screens for reviewing ship status reports on the fly. On the right, is the Captain’s chair. Both face the view screen directly behind the unified Helm. There is additional seating in the form of two benches to the side of both the XO and CO. This is usually used as mission specialist seating.