Post by Commander Christian Hughes on Apr 26, 2011 10:24:55 GMT -5
Delta One: A Guide
When the Orion discovered the Portal Wormhole into the Delta Quadrant, used by the Rathren to get into the Alpha Quadrant, the Federation started the "Bridgehead Project", inventing a new method of constructing a space station so that it would be compact enough to be sent in parts through the wormhole. The new station, designated Deep Space Station Delta One or Delta One for short, was constructed in orbit of the planet Wendaln near Rathren space and the wormhole, with the consent of the Rathren Grand Circle.
The station is a pioneering project: functioning as a new diplomatic and trade hub and Starfleet base of operations in the Delta Quadrant, Delta One is a small station with a big task. Where the Orion, Starfleet's only large ship in the Quadrant, is on continued exploration duty, more detailed research and diplomatic affairs are conducted aboard Delta One.
With its modular design, Delta One cannot support as large a crew complement initially, and as an outpost, it faces the same challenges as ships in the Delta Quadrant: to collect its own resources largely. With no Starfleet presence in the Delta Quadrant beyond the Orion, it is also difficult to defend, but the Rathren have agreed to defend the station should it be necessary and the Station can separate the living modules from Operations and bring them through safety should that be necessary.
1. Specifications
Maximum Capacity: Variable, according to modules. Currently at 2500 people.
Crew Complement: around 250 (more to be assigned once station grows)
Defensive systems: deflector shield generators throughout the Station.
Weapons systems: phasers and torpedo arrays (photon and quantum)
Propulsion: Impulse engines throughout the station, able to be operated separately for the centre modules and the habitat ring.
2. Station Layout
Delta One is unique in design, being constructed out of several modular parts so as to be able to use the Portal Wormhole - not large enough for a ship to go through - for its construction. The core of the station is made up out of several cylindrical and conical modules placed on top of another. This core part contains Ops (the Command Centre), the Science Labs, Engineering and the Shuttlebay. Attached to the central modules are two rings: the inner hosts the Promenade and is directly attached to the core modules, while the outer contains the living areas and is connected to the main part of the Station by corridors, accessible via the Promenade. This outer ring can be used to evacuate the station, as it is able to be separated from it and contains an emergency operations centre where a part of the crew can bring the civilians to safety. Lower down the Station's cylinders are two docking arms, which the crew refer to as "piers".
2.1. Command Modules
The upper-most Command module contains Ops and the offices of the Command Officers are located directly below it in the same module, while the top of the station - the Observation Lounge - is the standard meeting place for its briefings, with a spectacular view out into space. Ops is a round chamber, dominated by a table/console in the centre, around which the Commander, the XO and 2 more officers are seated. Around this central command centre are the stations for security, operations, science and engineering. On the lower level of the Command module there are quarters for the necessary crew members in the event of an emergency separation, which are not as comfortable as the ones in the ring. Officers also occasionally use these when working overtime.
The module directly below Ops contains the Science Labs, spatious places to conduct various experiments, use sensors and keep various records. Below that is Engineering, the core of the Station, containing its core systems and all diagnostic functions. The lowest of the core modules is the Runabout Bay, where the station's runabouts and shuttlecraft are stored.
2.2. Promenade
The Promenade is actually a disc-sized module situated between the Ops and Science Labs module. The edges are a large street (hence the name "Promenade" with various entertainment facilities and shops among the edges, while the centre is taken up by the Infirmary, larger facilities (such as the Common Room, which is an open space used for common events, and two holodecks), all accessible by the Promenade, which consists of two levels: the ground level and a first floor, which consists of walkways accessible by staircases like seen on Deep Space Nine. There's a lot of glass on the Promenade, allowing a great view into space.
The station's bar - the Portal Inn - is more of a pub, and it looks like the future equivalent of a 20th century English pub, with a cosy atmosphere, a bar and several seating areas. It is a favourite location for many officers to unwind over a synthoholic pint, and also serves rather good pub food, with some original touches.
The Common Room is a large open space decorated with works of art. It serves as an informal meeting place for crew members and civilians, who share common meals and attend communal activities there, such as the occasional theatre performance. It is equipped with several replicators, but the Station's chef operates a kitchen nearby, from where food is served.
The Security Offices are also located off the Promenade. They house offices for the Chief of Security and the shift of Security Officers currently watching the Promenade, which they are able to monitor from the office. The brig is located within the security complex.
The Infirmary, accessible from both the Promenade itself and by turbolift from the Central Modules, contains a spacious operation chamber, offices for the Chief Medical Officer. It is also where the Station Counsellor keeps his office. The operation chamber and offices constitutes the inner part of the Infirmary, whereas the outer ring is a unit used as a waiting room and Accident and Emergency unit where people come to the medics to treat minor injuries. From the CMO's Office, there is a staircase to his Emergency Quarters in the Command Module.
The shops and facilities on the Promenade are many and varied - see for yourself what it is all about and visit it. For inquiries about opening a shop or facility on the Promenade not described in this guide, contact Commander Ashbury by PM.
2.3. Piers
The Docking Modules, colloquially referred to as "Piers" are currently two in number. They extend from the Engineering area of the Station's cylinders, and have multiple airlocks where ships can dock. The two piers are referred to as "Alpha Pier" and "Beta Pier", and the Airlocks are numberred. Commander Ashbury has not been happy with this, though, and he is of a mind to conduct a naming contest to give them more imaginative names.
The Piers are connected directly with the Promenade by turbolifts.
2.4. Habitation Modules
The outer ring of the station, connected by walkways and a few turbolifts to the rest of the Station, contains the quarters of civilians and crew. Unlike on a starship, there are no shared quarters because many of the crew have their families on board. There is a difference in comfort though, with the Senior Staff's quarters being a little bit more spatious and comfortable than those of other crew members. All quarters are equipped with standard Starfleet issue furniture, but their inhabitants are free to decorate them as they wish.
In the circular module, currently consisting of three decks but with ability to add more levels later on, there are also an emergency medical post which can be used as a sickbay in the event of an emergency separation and three more holodecks above eachother, one on each deck.
In the event of an emergency, the Habitation Ring can be released from the rest of the Station. To give it maneouverability, it is outfitted with separately operated impulse engines, operated from an Emergency Operations centred located in the ring. That way, the civilians can be evacuated from the Station while part of the crew complement faces the danger in the central modules.
2.5. Other locations
The Station is also equipped with an Arboretum. The Arboretum is located in a module located near the bottom of the Promenade. The Station's Arboretum is a pleasant park that serves a recreational, an agricultural and a scientific purpose. For this purpose, it is accessible by turbolift from the Promenade and by doors from the Science Modules. One part of the Arboretum module is "Station Green", a lush grass field used to play games and made to look like a park. Other areas are used for growing crops to save on replicator power and some contain exotic plants from Earth and across the Galaxy.
3. Station Equipment
3.1. Runabouts
The Station currently has two runabouts, based on the schematics of the Delta Flier designed in a new class known as the Flier-class runabout. These two runabouts are symbolically named USS Janeway and USS Chakotay for the Captain and First Officer of Voyager, and were baptised in their presence. They offer the normal amount of space for a runabout and are equipped for middle-distance missions in the Delta Quadrant.
3.2. Shuttlecraft
The Station currently has 3 shuttles used for repairs to the Station and short-range missions. Based on the Alpha Flier-class also used by the Orion, these three shuttles are named after friendly species encountered in the Delta Quadrant, among them the USS Ocampa and the USS Thalaxian.
