Merchant-class Starship: Celestial Aisles

The Celestial Aisles is a specialized Merchant-class starship, built into a variant of the Polaris-class Ultra Carrier, used by the Mining Guild for showcasing products, and conducting trade. It serves as a mobile store, combining commerce and advanced technology.

In the late stages of YE 46, with the development of the Mining Guild's Dominion-class command ship, the MG.S.S Imperium, Astrid Kurosaki, CEO of the Mining Guild, shifted her focus toward building relationships with other Factions in the Kikyo Sector and beyond. Realizing that diplomatic efforts through her corporate diplomat, Alice Sursilvan, would take time and careful strategy, Astrid opted for a more immediate and influential approach: marketing.

During a key board meeting, Astrid proposed an ambitious plan to the board of directors, and her twin sister, Aeta Kurosaki, and Lady Nyx Pine, Royal Representative and both co-founders of the Thinker’s Group, a design team responsible for the Mining Guild’s technological innovations. She tasked them with redesigning the Polaris-class Ultra Carrier into a new Merchant-class marketing starship—a massive 20,000-meter-long vessel to serve as a mobile store and showcase for the Guild's technology, particularly their starships. This ship, the Celestial Aisles, would be capable of traveling across the sector and beyond, offering a tangible experience of the Guild’s advancements to potential clients and allies.

Additionally, understanding the logistical challenges of staffing and deploying personnel across numerous planets and stations, Astrid requested the development of specialized advertisement drones called Echosails. These drones would be dispatched from the starship to promote the Mining Guild’s products and brand, effectively extending their marketing reach even where physical representatives couldn't be present. This dual approach—through the mobile starship and the autonomous drones—would allow the Mining Guild to establish a foothold in new territories while diplomatic negotiations slowly unfolded.

The Celestial Aisles offers a unique combination of commerce, technology, and marketing innovation, making it a special asset for the Mining Guild.

The Celestial Aisles excels in two key specializations, each enhancing the Mining Guild's outreach and influence:

The ship's primary function is to serve as a traveling marketplace and showroom, bringing the Mining Guild's technology, particularly starships, to potential clients across the sector and beyond. It allows customers to interact with products in real-time, fostering stronger engagement. By docking at space stations or orbiting key planets, the Celestial Aisles can showcase Mining Guild innovations through interactive demos, live events, and trade exhibitions.

The ship deploys Echosails drones, autonomous marketing units that extend the Guild’s advertising reach without requiring human personnel. These drones can be sent to planets, stations, or remote areas, spreading promotional materials, displaying holographic advertisements, and engaging local populations with the Mining Guild's brand. This allows the Guild to penetrate markets where physical presence is impractical, ensuring its influence spreads far beyond the ship's immediate location.

These two specializations ensure that the Celestial Aisles maximizes both direct and remote marketing efforts, strengthening its role as a versatile and impactful asset.

The Celestial Aisles is an awe-inspiring starship, stretching a massive 20,000 meters in length. Its design is sleek yet formidable, with a streamlined hull crafted from a mix of gleaming alloy and reinforced plating that gives it a polished, reflective sheen. The exterior features expansive false windowed sections that reveal the luxury and high-tech showrooms within, glowing softly with the ship’s ambient lighting.

Large, sweeping wings extend from its midsection, housing the Echosails drones in specialized launch bays, giving the ship an elegant, almost manta ray-like silhouette when viewed from afar. Along the sides of the ship, holographic displays pulse with vibrant marketing imagery, highlighting the latest Mining Guild starships, mining equipment, and advanced technology.

The ship's command bridge, located at the top center, is encased in an opaque dome, providing commanding views of space and its surroundings. Its hull is adorned with the Mining Guild's insignia, boldly marking its corporate allegiance. Massive propulsion engines at the rear radiate a soft, blue energy, giving the vessel a quiet but powerful presence as it moves through space. The entire ship is an impressive blend of elegance and technological might, designed to capture attention wherever it travels.

General notes about ship stats and performance

General notes about armor stats and performance

• Crew: 500,000 operators are recommended, 5,000 are required.
• Maximum Capacity: There are accommodations for 600,000 people.
• About 700,000 people can fit aboard in an emergency, but the ship would be extremely cramped.

• Notable Crew

• Length: 20,000 meters
• Width: 10,000 meters
• Height: 9,000 meters
• Decks: 1800 decks (5 meters high)

• Continuum Distortion Drive: 10,000 light-years per hour
• Hyperspace Fold Drive: 50 light-years per fold
• Sublight Engines: 0.2c (20% of the speed of light)
• Range: 2 years without resupply/refueling
• Lifespan: 50 years
• Refit Cycle: Every 5 years

Tier: 14, Medium Capital Ship hull, tier 12 shields

Here’s a chart outlining what is on each deck of the Celestial Aisles, organized by function:

The command bridge of the Celestial Aisles is an exact replica of the Polaris-class Ultra Carrier’s bridge, featuring identical systems for navigation, communications, and operational control.

As a variant of the Polaris class, the celestial Aisles has some of the same Airlock placement on the ship.

The Sales Deck, as the name suggests, is the core area where the Celestial Aisles fulfills its role as a Merchant-class starship. This deck is specifically designed to handle all aspects of sales and trade, making it a critical hub for the ship's commercial operations.

The deck features numerous sales offices, transaction terminals, and product display areas where clients can browse, inquire, and purchase a wide range of Mining Guild products, from advanced starships to high-tech mining equipment. Interactive holographic interfaces allow potential buyers to explore detailed specifications, view live demonstrations, and even customize their orders in real time.

In addition to the main sales floor, the deck also houses private negotiation suites for high-value clients and corporate partners, where exclusive deals and contracts can be discussed in a secure, comfortable setting. Sales personnel, equipped with the latest marketing data and product knowledge, are on hand to assist clients, ensuring that the ship functions smoothly as a traveling marketplace.

Given its importance, the Sales Deck is the heart of the ship's mission, driving the Mining Guild's expansion efforts by promoting and selling its technology to customers across the galaxy.

The Executive Lounge on the Celestial Aisles is an exclusive space, designed to facilitate informal meetings between high-profile clients and the ship’s marketing division personnel. Located in place of the original lounge on the Polaris-class Ultra Carrier, it has been reimagined with a more luxurious and refined atmosphere, tailored to accommodate the ship’s focus on commerce and networking.

The lounge features elegant, high-end décor, with a blend of modern and classic design elements. Plush seating areas are arranged to encourage casual conversations and spontaneous meetups, while ensuring comfort and privacy. Rich materials like polished wood, leather, and soft fabrics create a warm and inviting space, making it ideal for relaxed discussions and negotiations.

Ambient lighting in the lounge is carefully calibrated to be easy on the eyes, creating a soothing environment for long conversations. The room temperature is kept at a level that is comfortable for a wide variety of species, ensuring that all guests can relax without distraction. Subtle scent diffusers are often used to enhance the ambiance, offering fragrances that promote calmness and focus.

The Executive Lounge also includes a well-stocked bar serving a selection of beverages from across the galaxy, along with light refreshments, adding to its appeal as a social hub. Clients and personnel alike are encouraged to use the lounge to build rapport, strengthen business relationships, and share ideas in an informal setting that balances luxury with professionalism.

While the Executive Lounge caters to informal networking and casual conversations, the Private Meeting Rooms are reserved for more formal, focused discussions between clients and the Mining Guild's marketing division personnel. These rooms provide an intimate, professional environment where clients can engage in detailed negotiations regarding their specific needs and preferences for the ships they are interested in purchasing.

Each meeting room is equipped with advanced holographic projectors, allowing clients to view 3D models of the available starships in real time. These models can be rotated, zoomed in on, and customized according to the client’s specifications, giving them the ability to visualize their desired changes, such as color schemes, exterior modifications, or even interior layout adjustments. Although the base structure of the ships for sale may retain their original design, clients have the flexibility to personalize elements like hull color, insignias, and additional features, ensuring that the final product aligns with their unique aesthetic and functional preferences.

The Private Meeting Rooms are designed with comfort and confidentiality in mind, featuring soundproof walls, high-quality furnishings, and customizable lighting to match the mood of the negotiation. This creates a conducive environment for serious discussions, where both parties can focus on the finer details of the transaction, such as pricing, customization options, and delivery timelines.

Additionally, these rooms often include access to live feeds from the Sales Deck, allowing clients to observe ongoing product demonstrations or check on the status of their orders without leaving the room. This combination of privacy, high-tech customization tools, and professional atmosphere makes the Private Meeting Rooms ideal for formal negotiations, ensuring that clients receive the personalized attention and service needed to finalize their deals with confidence.

The Diplomatic Negotiation Chambers aboard the Celestial Aisles are specially designed spaces where crucial discussions take place, particularly during first contact scenarios when the ship enters the territory of other factions. These rooms are built to project an air of professionalism, mutual respect, and cooperation, serving as the front line for establishing diplomatic relations with foreign governments, military forces, or other influential entities in the sector.

Upon entering the Diplomatic Negotiation Chambers, visitors are greeted by the prominent display of the Mining Guild’s insignia alongside the insignia or flag of the faction the ship is engaging with at the time. These symbols are projected on large screens, reflecting the ship’s respect for the sovereignty and identity of the faction it is meeting with. This careful blend of symbolism helps set a tone of mutual recognition and fosters an environment conducive to positive dialogue.

The Diplomatic Negotiation Chambers are most often used when military responders or official envoys from the faction the Celestial Aisles visits come aboard to ensure the intentions of the ship are peaceful and commerce-oriented. In these chambers, the Mining Guild’s representatives can clearly articulate the purpose of the ship, explain its mission as a mobile marketing and sales vessel, and address any concerns regarding its presence in the faction’s territory. These conversations are pivotal for de-escalating any potential tension and establishing trust.

Advanced communication systems are integrated into the chambers, allowing direct video conferencing with the Mining Guild’s high-ranking executives, including the corporate diplomat, Alice Sursilvan. Through these secure, real-time video feeds, Alice and other executives can engage in diplomatic talks, even if they are not physically aboard the ship. This allows for the Guild’s top decision-makers to be involved in high-stakes negotiations from remote locations, ensuring that every diplomatic situation is handled with the utmost care and precision.

The Diplomatic Negotiation Chambers are equipped with comfortable seating arrangements, holographic displays for data sharing, and real-time translation services to ensure smooth communication with alien species or representatives from diverse cultural backgrounds. The space is carefully controlled for temperature and lighting, designed to accommodate a variety of species with different biological needs, ensuring that all parties feel comfortable and respected during the negotiations.

Certain sections of the original Polaris-class Ultra Carrier were converted into Sales Offices, essential hubs where clients finalize their starship purchases and complete all transactional details. These offices serve as the final stop in the customer journey aboard the Celestial Aisles, providing a streamlined, efficient space for clients to consult with sales representatives, customize their orders, and handle any last-minute adjustments before closing the deal.

Each Sales Office is designed to facilitate direct, one-on-one interactions between customers and the Mining Guild’s sales team. After the initial consultations in the Private Meeting Rooms, clients move to these offices for a more transactional and administrative phase of the process. Here, they can review the detailed specifications of their orders—whether they involve a newly purchased starship or a customized Mining Guild product—ensuring that every aspect meets their requirements before the sale is completed.

The Sales Offices are equipped with advanced holographic interfaces, allowing clients to make last-minute changes to their starship orders. Whether adjusting color schemes, finalizing interior layouts, or upgrading specific features like propulsion systems or weapons loadouts, customers have the ability to tailor their purchases down to the smallest detail. The sales representatives, highly knowledgeable in the Guild’s extensive product offerings, provide guidance throughout this process, helping clients understand the full range of customization options available.

Once all modifications have been made, the Sales Offices are also where the final transactions are processed. Advanced financial systems ensure that all payments, contracts, and delivery schedules are handled smoothly and securely. Whether the payment involves standard credits, barter arrangements, or complex corporate agreements, the Sales Offices are equipped to handle every aspect of the transaction, ensuring that the client leaves with full confidence in their purchase.

The Starship Showrooms aboard the Celestial Aisles are expansive, utilizing the original carrier’s hangar bays to display the starships the Mining Guild intends to sell. This vast, open hall serves as a spectacular showcase for the Mining Guild’s fleet, designed to leave a lasting impression on potential buyers. The showroom offers an immersive experience, combining physical starships with high-tech visuals and interactive elements, making it the perfect stage for demonstrating the capabilities and aesthetics of the Guild’s starships.

Upon entering the showroom, visitors are greeted by an impressive array of starships, arranged strategically across the floor. The Stork-class Personnel Transport, positioned on landing pads, stand ready for live viewing and interaction. These mid-sized vessels are designed for transporting personnel efficiently and comfortably, making them a key product in the Guild’s offerings.

Larger ships, such as the Dragon-class Mobile Refinery and the Magpie-class Industrial Cargo Freighter, are displayed prominently on docking clamps, elevated over what would traditionally be a massive pit leading into space. In the original Polaris-class Ultra Carrier, this area would provide direct access to the vacuum of space for starship deployment. However, on the Celestial Aisles, this void has been cleverly transformed. Instead of the open pit, holographic displays and vibrant screens fill the space, casting colorful light patterns and visually stunning backdrops behind the ships. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the display but also creates an atmosphere of innovation and technology.

In front of each starship, interactive holographic display areas allow visitors to engage with detailed information about the ships. These holograms provide specs, features, and even performance statistics, giving potential buyers a thorough understanding of the starship’s capabilities. Clients can interact with these displays to explore various configurations, upgrade options, and see how the ships perform in different environments. The immersive nature of the displays allows for a fully customizable exploration of the vessels on offer.

While the Stork-class Personnel Transport is available for physical tours, the larger Dragon-class and Magpie-class ships are not as accessible due to their size and specialized nature. To overcome this limitation, a dedicated chamber within the showroom houses Virtual Tour Pods. These pods are equipped with advanced virtual reality systems that allow prospective buyers to experience detailed virtual tours of these larger ships. Inside the pod, clients can walk through the corridors of the Dragon-class Mobile Refinery, inspect its massive processing equipment, or explore the industrial cargo holds of the Magpie-class Shuttle as if they were physically aboard the vessel. These virtual tours are immersive and interactive, providing an accurate sense of scale and functionality without the need for a physical tour.

The Starship Showrooms blend physical starship displays with advanced technology to create an engaging and visually striking experience, giving potential buyers not only the chance to inspect the Mining Guild’s fleet up close but also the opportunity to customize and explore ships in ways that would not be possible in traditional shipyards. This unique combination of real-world and virtual interactions sets the showroom apart, making it a central feature of the Celestial Aisles and a key driver of the ship’s marketing and sales success.

The Technology Exhibit section of the Celestial Aisles is located on a level above the starship showroom and serves as a showcase for the Mining Guild's technology. This area is dedicated to displaying some of the Guild's most advanced and innovative tools, equipment, and systems, providing potential clients with a hands-on experience of the technology that powers their operations. It combines physical models with holographic displays and detailed explanations, making it a prime location for clients interested in mining tech and industrial solutions.

One of the central attractions in the exhibit is the Mineral Scanner display. This handheld device is a vital tool for miners, allowing them to scan and locate valuable minerals²⁾ during mining operations. The display features both the handheld version and holographic images of the larger starship-integrated version, demonstrating the versatility of the scanner. Visitors can interact with the holographic interface to learn more about its features, its use in the field, and its pricing. The accompanying display provides an in-depth explanation of how the scanner works and showcases real-world applications, such as in planetary mining operations.

Nearby, the exhibit highlights another key piece of Mining Guild technology: the RECORM Bots. These remotely controlled robotic bodies are used by miners to perform dangerous or labor-intensive tasks without exposing personnel to risk. The display features a kneeling Recorm Bot, its clawed hands resting on its knees in a pose reminiscent of martial arts students, symbolizing its readiness and precision. Behind the bot, a holographic display illustrates the process of operators entering control pods and remotely piloting the Recorm Bots, showcasing their capabilities in various hazardous environments. The display also shows the ANT Power Armor, which miners wear while controlling the bots, giving visitors a full understanding of how the Recorm system integrates with the Guild’s mining operations. The ANT Power Armor is also displayed in its original configuration, allowing customers to appreciate its design and protective features.

Close to the Recorm Bot display is a showcase for the Moltek Mole Drones. These biomechanical drones, designed for subterranean exploration and excavation, resemble mechanical moles and are used in situations where precision and adaptability are key. Their sleek, organic design and advanced tunneling systems make them ideal for mining in difficult or delicate environments. The display offers a detailed breakdown of their features, showing how the combination of biological and mechanical components gives them superior flexibility and durability in underground operations.

Another key feature of the exhibit is the Hercules-class Exosuit, a massive power armor suit primarily used by the Mining Guild’s Engineering Corps. The exosuit is designed to enhance the strength and endurance of its wearer, allowing engineers to perform heavy-duty tasks in hostile or extreme conditions. The exhibit showcases the exosuit in its full configuration, giving visitors a sense of its scale and power. Alongside the physical display, holographic demonstrations show the exosuit in action, performing tasks such as repairing starships, operating heavy machinery, and working in hazardous environments.

Interestingly, one notable absence from the exhibit is the The Defender Series. These combat-oriented robots, while important in the Mining Guild’s security operations, are not displayed in the technology section. Their exclusion suggests that the Technology Exhibit is focused more on mining, engineering, and industrial applications rather than military technology.

The Product Launch Theater is one of the premier venues aboard the Celestial Aisles, specifically designed for the Mining Guild to unveil and promote its latest products. Whether the product is advanced technology, like advanced mining tools or starship components, or more consumer-oriented items, such as branded apparel, board, or trading cards, this theater serves as the stage for grand reveals and announcements. The theater is built to accommodate a large audience, with ample seating for visitors who attend the launches in person, making it an ideal space for high-profile events.

The theater features advanced holographic display systems that allow the Mining Guild to present new products in stunning detail, using immersive visuals and dynamic animations to showcase the features and functions of their latest innovations. Whether unveiling a new starship model, demonstrating the capabilities of a high-tech gadget, or introducing a new line of merchandise, the holographic displays create an engaging and interactive experience for the audience. The stage is equipped with multiple screens and emitters that can project detailed 3D models of the products, offering a complete view from every angle.

In addition to its physical audience, the Product Launch Theater is also equipped with special holographic emitters that allow for remote participation. Viewers from distant systems can tune in and watch the product launches as holographic projections, making it feel as though they are attending the event in person. This feature is crucial for reaching clients and media representatives from across the sector and beyond, expanding the reach of the Mining Guild’s announcements to a galactic scale. These remote viewers can also interact with the presentation, asking questions or requesting closer looks at specific product features.

The theater also functions as a key location for the Mining Guild to report on Mining Guild News, keeping attendees informed about recent developments, upcoming projects, and new ventures within the Guild. These updates are often interwoven with product launches, allowing the Guild to build excitement around its latest achievements and reinforce its reputation as a leader in mining and technology.

An essential part of the Product Launch Theater is the Media Broadcast Center, located within the same area. This center serves as the hub for live broadcasts, media interviews, and press releases. Journalists, reporters, and influencers can use the Media Broadcast Center to capture the event and broadcast it to their respective networks, ensuring maximum exposure for the Mining Guild’s announcements. The center is equipped with Standard communication systems, allowing for seamless live streaming to news outlets, social media platforms, and corporate partners across the galaxy.

In a section of the Celestial Aisles reserved exclusively for the crew, lies the Echosails Drone Launch Bay, the central hub for the Mining Guild's advertisement drones. These drones, known as Echosails, are a critical part of the Guild’s marketing strategy, designed to spread promotional messages and showcase products across various star systems. When not actively deployed, the drones rest in this bay, partially deactivated and plugged into specialized ports for recharging. This ensures they are fully powered and ready for their next mission at any time.

The Drone Maintenance Hangars, located within the launch bay, are specifically designed for servicing these drones. These hangars are equipped with advanced tools and stations where technicians clean and repair any damage the drones might sustain during their operations. The drones occasionally encounter hostile elements, such as criminal groups or competitors, who may try to sabotage their functions. Whether they’ve suffered damage from environmental hazards or from intentional interference, the maintenance crew ensures the drones are always restored to full operational status. The cleaning process is meticulous, removing any dust, debris, or contaminants picked up during long journeys in space or on planets, while any damaged components are replaced with precision.

Adjacent to the launch bay is the Remote Operations Center, where a dedicated team of personnel monitors the progress of each deployed drone. From here, they control the drones’ routes, track their movements across star systems, and ensure that their advertisement campaigns are running smoothly. The center is equipped with real-time monitoring systems that allow operators to watch the Echosails as they broadcast the Mining Guild’s marketing materials. If any updates or changes to the ads are required—such as product updates, price adjustments, or special promotions—the team can remotely upload new content to the drones instantly. This capability ensures that the advertisements remain relevant and effective, no matter where the drones are operating.

The Echosails Drone Launch Bay plays a vital role in the Guild’s overall marketing strategy, ensuring that their messages reach the widest possible audience across the Kikyo Sector and beyond. By maintaining a fleet of durable, adaptable advertisement drones, the Guild is able to promote its brand and products far and wide, effectively making the Echosails a mobile, persistent form of advertisement that can operate independently across vast distances. The combination of maintenance facilities and remote control capabilities ensures that the Guild's advertisements are always current, well-maintained, and strategically deployed to maximize visibility.

The Cargo and Supply Hold aboard the Celestial Aisles is an expansive, industrial-scale warehouse, designed to store a wide variety of goods and materials essential to the ship’s mission as a Merchant-class marketing starship. This vast space is divided into two main areas: one dedicated to the storage of Trade Goods and the other serving as a Starship Component Depot.

In the Trade Goods section, the Mining Guild stores a variety of commodities and merchandise, including mining equipment, technological products, and other items intended for sale or distribution to clients across the Kikyo Sector and beyond. This area is built to accommodate large quantities of stock, allowing the Celestial Aisles to function as a mobile trade hub. Whether it's valuable minerals, refined metals, or other industrial materials, this section ensures that the Guild can meet the needs of its clients no matter where the ship is located.

The adjacent Starship Component Depot is equally impressive in scale, housing everything from small repair kits to massive starship engines and other components. This depot supports the Guild’s ability to fulfill custom starship orders quickly and efficiently. When a client finalizes an order, whether it's a customized starship or a significant upgrade to their existing fleet, the Celestial Aisles can pull the necessary parts directly from its on-board depot and begin the assembly process. The depot includes everything from high-tech navigation systems and weaponry to hull plating and propulsion units, ensuring that all aspects of starship production are covered.

Managing such a massive inventory requires technology, which is where the Logistics and Inventory Control system comes into play. This advanced system is designed to track every item stored within the Cargo and Supply Hold with extreme precision. Using a network of sensors, automated scanners, and real-time data feeds, the system constantly monitors the warehouse's contents, updating the crew on the status of every item. The system alerts the crew if stock levels are low or if certain components are running out, ensuring that they are always prepared to meet demand.

Additionally, the Logistics and Inventory Control system streamlines the loading and unloading process. When goods or components are being transferred in or out of the hold, the system automatically records the transactions, maintaining an up-to-date log of all inventory movements. This ensures that the Guild has full transparency over what is stored, sold, or shipped, significantly reducing the chances of mismanagement or shortages. The crew can access this information through a central control hub, allowing them to coordinate deliveries, resupply efforts, or custom orders with ease.

With its massive capacity and inventory management, the Cargo and Supply Hold plays a critical role in the Celestial Aisles' ability to serve as a traveling marketplace, offering clients everything from raw materials to fully outfitted starships. This space ensures that the ship can operate for extended periods without needing to return to a central base, making it a self-sufficient trade vessel capable of operating in distant star systems while always remaining prepared for the next deal.

The Engineering Section of the starship closely mirrors that of its predecessor, containing key areas for the life support systems, power core, propulsion, and other essential systems needed for the ship's operation.

The Crew Quarters closely resemble the design of the original Polaris-class Ultra Carrier, with one key difference: they have been made more accessible for crew members, such as the helms officer, who require the use of a hover chair for mobility. Aside from this modification, the Quarters, Communal Dining Area, and the Recreation and Fitness Area are identical to those on the Polaris-class Ultra Carrier.

The Medical Bay like the original, is filled with Auto-Docs.

As a unique enhancement to the original design, the Celestial Aisles features an expansive Wellness Center, offering a variety of services dedicated to relaxation, health, and overall well-being. This facility is designed to cater to both the crew and visiting clients, ensuring that everyone on board has access to spaces that promote physical and mental rejuvenation.

The Wellness Center includes a range of amenities, such as luxurious spa rooms, offering treatments like massages, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy, all tailored to help alleviate the stress of long space voyages. There are also meditation and relaxation areas, equipped with ambient lighting and soothing soundscapes, providing the perfect environment for mental unwinding.

In addition to these services, the Wellness Center features a fully equipped gym and fitness area for those looking to maintain or improve their physical health. This space includes advanced exercise equipment, along with personal trainers who can design personalized fitness regimens. For a more communal approach, group wellness classes, such as yoga, pilates, and stretching exercises, are regularly held to encourage a balanced lifestyle among the crew and visitors.

The center also includes recovery rooms designed to accelerate healing and rehabilitation from physical strain or injury, utilizing medical equipment to aid in recovery. This makes the Wellness Center not only a place of relaxation but also an essential resource for keeping crew members and clients in peak condition.

For clients who need to stay aboard the Celestial Aisles, whether for business travel with the crew or other extended purposes, the ship offers a luxurious and well-equipped Client Accommodation Section. This area is specifically designed to provide high-level comfort and convenience, catering to the needs of a wide variety of guests, from corporate clients to visiting diplomats.

At the heart of this section are the VIP Guest Suites, which provide the highest standard of luxury. These suites are spacious and elegantly designed, featuring premium furnishings, plush bedding, and private living areas. Each suite is outfitted with modern amenities such as personalized climate controls, entertainment systems, and private en-suite bathrooms with luxurious fixtures. Guests staying in the VIP Guest Suites also have access to exclusive services, such as private dining options and priority access to the ship's wellness center and other facilities.

For visiting dignitaries or high-ranking officials, the Ambassador Quarters offer a more formal level of accommodation. These quarters are tailored to meet the specific needs of ambassadors and diplomatic personnel, with enhanced security features and additional privacy to allow for confidential meetings or discussions. The Ambassador Quarters include private conference rooms, communication suites for secure transmissions, and additional support from dedicated staff members to ensure that diplomatic guests have everything they need during their stay.

To further enhance the experience, the Personal Concierge Stations are located throughout the Client Accommodation Section. These concierge services provide personalized assistance to guests, ensuring that all of their requests and needs are promptly addressed. Whether arranging special meals, organizing transportation, scheduling meetings, or handling other logistics, the Personal Concierge Stations are staffed with highly trained personnel who are committed to delivering exceptional service. Each guest has a direct line to their assigned concierge, who is available around the clock to accommodate any requests.

The Hangar Bays of the Celestial Aisles play a vital role as the main entry and logistics hubs for the ship, designed to manage the flow of shuttles, cargo, and starship transactions. These expansive bays are meticulously organized to handle multiple functions, ensuring that both crew and clients experience seamless and efficient operations.

The first section of the Hangar Bays consists of Shuttle Docking Stations, which serve as the primary entry points for visiting clients, dignitaries, and other personnel arriving on board. These docking stations are equipped with advanced automated systems to guide shuttles in safely, and feature rapid-deployment airlocks to allow for smooth and secure boarding or disembarkation. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by dedicated staff members who assist with their luggage and guide them through the ship’s welcoming areas, offering a refined and hospitable first impression.

Adjacent to the shuttle docking area is the Cargo Loading Zone, a specialized section of the hangar designed to handle the logistical needs of the ship. This area is where trade goods, supplies, and starship components are offloaded or loaded, utilizing heavy-duty cranes, conveyor systems, and automated loaders to efficiently manage the massive volume of cargo that passes through the Celestial Aisles. The Cargo Loading Zone is directly connected to the ship’s Cargo and Supply Hold, ensuring a smooth transition of goods between the hangar and the storage areas. This section is critical for maintaining the ship’s role as a mobile marketplace, enabling the quick movement of trade goods for clients and the restocking of ship supplies during missions.

Further inside the Hangar Bays, the Client Receiving Bays are dedicated to clients who have completed the purchase of starships. These bays are specialized to handle the delivery and final inspection of custom-built or pre-ordered starships. Once a client has made their selection, their newly acquired vessel is prepared in these bays, outfitted with any final modifications or finishing touches requested. The Client Receiving Bays are equipped with all the necessary facilities to ensure the starships are ready for deployment, including refueling stations, diagnostic terminals, and maintenance crews who conduct final checks.

These receiving bays also feature VIP Viewing Areas, where clients can observe the final preparations of their starship before taking ownership. These viewing platforms are designed to offer a luxurious and transparent experience, allowing clients to watch as their new ships undergo final testing and certification. From this point, the client may either take immediate possession of their starship for personal use or arrange for its delivery to their desired destination via the Mining Guild's logistics fleet.

As a variant of the Polaris-class Ultra Carrier, the ship’s systems share several key features, including the armored hull, integrated systems, computer and electronics including AI, sensor array, communications , life support, emergency systems, power and propulsion, as well as shields and weapon systems.

As a starship of the Mining Guild, the Celestial Aisles is connected to the Mining Guild's Network, providing a virtual space where crew members can socialize and communicate with each other. This digital hub allows crew members to hang out, chat, and interact in a relaxed, virtual environment whenever they choose.

The Celestial Aisles boasts an extensive and diverse vehicle complement, ensuring it is well-equipped for a wide range of operational and defense needs. From transport shuttles to advanced drones and highly capable attack fighters, the ship maintains a robust fleet to support its commercial, logistical, and security functions.

The first element of this complement is the Shuttle Fleet, which plays a vital role in day-to-day operations. These shuttles are used for transporting clients, crew, and cargo to and from various planetary locations, space stations, and other vessels. The fleet includes various models suited for different purposes, such as luxury shuttles for VIP clients, cargo transports for loading and offloading goods, and multipurpose personnel shuttles to facilitate the movement of crew members and operational staff. Each shuttle is equipped with navigation systems and comfortable accommodations to ensure smooth and efficient transit for all aboard.

A distinctive feature of the Celestial Aisles is its vast Echosails Drone Compliment, consisting of thousands of specialized advertising drones. These blue drones are an essential part of the ship's marketing and promotional strategy, designed to spread advertisements and promotional material across multiple star systems. Each Echosails drone is equipped with holographic projectors, which display vibrant advertisements and promotional content showcasing the Mining Guild's latest technologies, starships, and other products. These drones are capable of autonomous operation and can be dispatched far ahead of the ship to generate interest in the guild's offerings before the Celestial Aisles even arrives in a system. The drones maintain a constant presence in the vicinity of planets, space stations, and major space traffic routes, ensuring the Mining Guild’s presence is highly visible throughout the sector.

To protect the ship and its valuable cargo, the Celestial Aisles is also equipped with a formidable Escort Fighters composed of Starbreaker AI Attack Fighters. These autonomous combat fighters are highly advanced, piloted by artificial intelligence, which allows for rapid response and precise maneuvers during combat situations. The Starbreaker fighters are armed with advanced weaponry and advanced targeting systems, enabling them to neutralize threats to the Celestial Aisles with extreme efficiency. Whether defending against piracy, hostile factions, or rogue elements in space, these AI-controlled fighters are always ready to engage and protect the ship from any potential danger.

Charaa created this article on 2024/10/04 20:48.

• Art by Charaa using Copilot

This was approved by Andrew on 2024/11/04. ³⁾.