Ascendancy Class -- Main Bridge

The designing of the Ascendancy-class Flagship's bridge was a work of passion; undertaken by Taisho Ketsurui-Motoyoshi Katsuko herself. Katsuko had already designed the bridges of the Takumi-Class Expeditionary Command Cruiser, Hummingbird-class Colony Ship and lead the “D” refit to the Chiharu-class Flagship's bridge; so the Ascendancy's bridge would prove to be the culmination of all her designs.

The bridge is a tear drop shape, giving it a smooth flowing appearance. Its high arched ceilings and spacious interior provide a regal yet comfortable atmosphere. The design focus's on the command platform with most stations set facing the commander's centrally located chair to allow for a more direct interaction between command and crew.

All stations have:

• Have removable panels providing access to systems for repair, refit or maintenance.
• Have hookups for portable aether power units.
• Have secondary links that bypass ONSLAUGHT-LEVEL NOVACORP AI to provide manual operation of systems.

Have small storage drawers for:

• Tool kits
• Peacekeeper Pocket Medikit (1)
• Mugen Armories E1 Energy Pistol (1)

Raised 0.8m off the main deck the Command Platform provides commanding officers a view of the entire bridge. The platform has two distinct areas; the forward command chair area and two stations set in the aft section. The platform is accessible by a set of stairs in the rear that come up between the two stations.

Raised slightly off the platform is the command chair, the chair is padded leather with a high sturdy back and is equipped with SPINE to facilitate interaction between the commander and ONSLAUGHT-LEVEL NOVACORP AI. The chair itself can swivel three hundred and sixty degrees to allow the officer to face in any direction. Volumetric projection emitters inset within the platform and ceiling allow for easy visual interaction and communications. The base of the chair is designed with several interlocking shock absorbers and can be removed from the platform. Beneath the command chair a ladder leading down provides access to the main bridge maintenance and equipment room. It can also serve as an escape route should the bridge be compromised.

The chairs sitting left and right of the command chair are also equipped with SPINE providing access for the Executive officer and one other senior officer.

Left station behind command chairs.

The Operations officer is one of the most highly skilled officers on the ship. From this station through SPINE and console interaction the Chief or duty operations officer preforms the following duties:

• Manage power allocation to various systems.
• Coordinate the dispatch and operational priority lists of damage control teams.
• Complete diagnostics and other interaction with ONSLAUGHT-LEVEL NOVACORP AI.
• Provide senior officers with up to date ship systems status information.

• Manage shipboard equipment allocation.
• Manage mission priorities.
• Manage shuttle and power armor usage and remote control if required.

• Prioritize production lists for Production Bays.
• Coordinate with Launch Bays on Power Armor and vehicle maintenance.
• Coordinate personnel and other resource scheduling.

Right station behind command chairs.

Security requires that Bakufu leadership ranked Taisa and above must have protection when serving aboard starships. So this station provides a close proximity to the generally high ranking officials serving on this class of ship. The assigned Blackcoat can also preform the following duties:

• Coordinate on board security personnel.
• Dispatch security teams and utilize on board weapons systems to eliminate intruders.
• Communicate with BSIA Headquarters.
• Plan and execute intelligence operations.

Below Command Chair, Center

Has volumetric projection system to create maps and overlays required for plotting navigation solutions. NAV Officer is responsible for:

• Coordinating with Starship Pilots to execute navigation solutions.
• Coordinating with Command Staff to plan navigation solutions.
• Coordinate with Stellar Cartography for the latest Star Maps.
• Plotting navigation solutions.

Directly below platform left side

Typical chair and console combination; chair has SPINE interface. One of the most critical stations on the bridge. Tactical Station Duties include:

• Management of ship to ship weapons inventory.
• ONSLAUGHT-LEVEL NOVACORP AI assisted targeting and firing solutions.
• Operation and manipulation of defensive and offensive systems.
• Operation and manipulation of sensor systems in coordination with Operations station.
• Coordination with BSIA station for internal security.

Directly below platform right side

FCIS station is the link between the main bridge and the Flight Control bridge. The FCIS Officer is responsible for:

• Coordination with Flight Control Bridge for Power Armor mission priorities.
• Acts as a link between the Flight Control Bridge and Commanding Officers.
• Acts as a link between Bridge and Power Armor Wing Leaders.

Forward of NAV Station-Central Right and Left

Starship pilots are responsible for executing maneuvers and navigation solutions. Duties specifically are:

• Coordination with ONSLAUGHT-LEVEL NOVACORP AI for automated flight operations.
• Manual flight operations in STL and FTL modes.
• Coordination with NAV station for Navigation solutions.
• Secondary monitor to Engineering.

Just forward of Starship Pilot Stations–Center

The bridge science station is utilized mostly for real-time sensor data relay to commanding officers. The bridge science officer preforms the following duties:

• Short-range and Long-range sensor application.
• High priority environmental system management.
• Assists tactical, and navigation stations by providing sensor data.

Triangular bank of stations

Possibly the most active stations on the bridge. Fairly straight forward purpose, but the lifeline of the ship, communications officers are responsible for:

• High priority ship-to-ship communications.
• High priority internal communications.
• High priority ship to command communications.

Located behind the command platform, two inwards facing banks of stations are devoted to on board and off ship logistics coordination. The stations are responsible for the coordination of movement and inventory of personnel, supplies and equipment. Generally on such a high profile ship they are responsible for fleet-wide duties and report directly to the Operations Officer.

Five lifts provide access to the bridge. All lift shafts are equipped with:

• Ladders for auxiliary access.
• Connections to maintenance conduits.

Can be sealed off using:

• Forcefield-Nested Isolation Doors

Access can be gained via maintenance tunnel beneath the command chair. The tunnel leading down is round and has a single ladder secured to one side. Dark gray panels cover various electronic cables and utilities running through the tunnel. Approximately 3 meters down is the equipment bay, which is roughly half the size of the bridge above it, and accessible to two other maintenance tunnels that connect to the rest of the ship.

The Equipment Bay has polished glossy black floors and flat gray and light blue walls. Clear blue transparent doors cover several equipment storage alcoves.

• Each tunnel access can be sealed by Forcefield-Nested Isolation Doors.

Storage for critical supplies to repair damage to the ship.

• Portable Aether Generators (6)
• Tool Kits (10)
• Hull Patch Kits (Including two Mini-Yamataium Armor Regenerative Drones) (5)
• Power Cables
• Flashlights (15)
• Cutting and Welding Equipment
• Star Army Environmental Suit, Type 28 (AMES) (15)

• WickedArms TA-13 Medical Kit (50)
• Assorted Star Army Field Rations, Type 29 (100)
• Manual Pump Water Holding Tanks 10 gal each. (2)
• Water bottles (32 oz) for transporting water. (15)
• Blankets (15)

• Blackcoat 'Shroud' Suit (5) (For Blackcoat use only!)

Control station for the ACS system.

An auxiliary backup in case the ONSLAUGHT-LEVEL NOVACORP AI system is damaged, malfunctioning, or deactivated. When the ACS is activated, the computer systems are rebooted in ACS mode, and begin managing vital systems of the ship: Environmental, Power Systems, Propulsion, and Defensive Systems.