Stroud leads you back up two decks, through a few storage holds and workshop spaces, and finally to a long walkway just inside the hull. Portholes every few yards light the passageway. Equally spaced along the hallway are hatches that can be closed to prevent the spread of fire during battle. To the right is a hatch in the floor, which Stroud opens via a recessed handle.

Yeah let's check out them guns.

Inside is a short ladder into a spherical room made of high strength safety glass reinforced with steel bands. Four machine guns are mounted, with the rear end protected from the elements by a rubber seal around the opening. The operator's station is a heavily padded seat with heavy restraints and a joystick in front and pedals on the floor. Various dials and switches are within arms reach.

“Here's one of the ball turrets for anti-aircraft point defense. Four fifty caliber machine guns in a box formation, with a one hundred eighty degree range of fire. Combined rate of fire is forty eight hundred rounds per minute.”

Barnes gestures forward down the passageway.

“There's three more, one at the bow and two in the same fore and aft positions on the port side.”

>>31626984
Rocket battery next, isn't it?

>>31626984
That reminds me, how many fighter planes does the ship carry?

Glad to see this quest is continuing.

>>31627067
Small frigate, so only two. We'll see them in a moment.

You continue forward along the passageway. At the midpoint, there is another hatch in the wall. Barnes opens the door to a room shaped like a cylinder tipped on its side. A gun is mounted on a geared carriage that can rotate to aim the gun forward or downward. Racks of shells are at the ready along the walls. Barnes speaks up as you enter.

“This is the Number Two three inch turret. Designed for attacking land or naval targets from above. Though it is fairly low caliber, the high rate of fire makes up for it in its intended role.”

>>31627067
A frigate (which is a VERY variable ship class over the years) might not be big enough to be a carrier.
Especially if you consider it's being captained by a Lt. Commander

>>31627121
I stand corrected

>>31627194
Well, we are royalty. Probably not a bog-standard ship.

Moving forward, you reach a room at the very bow of the ship. The room is filled with racks of rockets, six to a rack, rather like a revolver. The racks are on tracks that can be pulled into position at two firing ports.

"Here is the rocket room Cap'n," Stroud says. "A trained crew can fire off an entire rack in two minutes. And we practice here to keep it that way. Perhaps when we get out in the air we can give a demonstration eh? Anyway, the rockets go in the firing ports, get sealed up and fired. They're really only good at spittin' distance as they really can't be aimed to good. But boy when they hit they hit Cap'n."

You recall demonstrations and practice from the academy. An old ship was towed out, and the demonstrating vessel closed within range and let off a salvo. The shaped charge warheads tore through the old tub like cheap cloth and she broke in two before falling to the earth ablaze.

"I have seen their effectiveness, Chief Stroud. I'm glad to have them, and a well trained crew to boot."

Finally, after climbing up a few more decks, you step out into the morning sunshine on the wooden weatherdeck of the Comet. rising above you is the superstructure, housing the bridge, wardroom, and communication areas, as well as the officers' quarters. As you head aft you come alongside one of the turrets of the main battery. The barrel is just over fifteen feel long, and currently stowed level across the deck just above head height. As Stroud begins his explanation, Barnes opens a small panel on the rear of the turret and pulls out a voice powered telephone handset and begins speaking quietly into it.

"The Mark 11 Five inch dual purpose naval gun" Stroud says as he pats the side. Effective to fifteen thousand yards with a forward spotter. Can penetrate five inches of hardened steel at close range. It can also fire nearly straight up if some bugger were to get the drop on us, so to speak. This is the number two gun, number one is forward of the superstructure."

At this point Barnes has hung up the phone and returned.

"Captain, I just made a call, and another of the senior officers has just come aboard. She will be along shortly. Lets head further aft to meet her."

>>31627715
Hmm, another?

>>31627715
Yes lets (voice powered telephone?)

>>31627715
Or we could tell her to meet us on the bridge. We're in charge here aren't we?

>>31627874
Let's be respectful and meet her.

>>31627845
( Voice powered telephones have been common on ships for decades; they need no power to operate. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound-powered_telephone )

As you come aft the deck opens up to a flat area dominated by a crane on the port side and a steam catapult on the the left. An airplane is sitting ready on the catapult. It is an older biplane model, an Albatross, lightly armed with a forward machine gun and a rear facing machine gun on a pintle behind the observer's seat. A woman in coveralls is on a stepladder, poking at a panel on the Albatross. Barnes calls out to her.

"Lieutenant, if you would come down, the Captain is here on an inspection."

The woman turns, a sweat slicked lock of hair pasted across one greasy cheek.

"Morning ma'am, I'll be down in a moment."

She turns back to the panel, reaching inside and fiddling with something.

What is your response?

>>31627913
From my understanding, she is below us. If we were on equal standing, it would be respectful to meet her, but since she's not, I don't see an issue with requesting the first-mate to have her meet you at your command center, the bridge.

>>31628123
We are the captain of the ship, so we are highest-ranking person on board.

>>31628119
We'll wait for her. She's a pilot I assume?

>>31628119
That's cool, I learned a thing

Make a mental note of the Lt's behaviour
Wait patiently (she may be doing something delicate to the plane)
When she comes down inquire her position (Is she or 2nd in command or is she in charge of the planes?).

>>31628456
(She's in charge of the planes and mechanics, as we'll see in a minute.)

After a few minutes of fiddling, the Lieutenant shuts the panel and comes down off the ladder. With a better look at her she is short, as pilots often are, with messy black hair held up in a clip, her coveralls unbuttoned so as to see her undershirt, and generally unkempt. She comes before you and salutes (somewhat sloppily), making her report.

"Second Lieutenant Marjorie Rackman, pilot and commander of the air wing on the Comet, such as it is. Ummm... I oversee the two Albatross observation planes and the other two pilots, as well as the mechanics and ordnance technicians. Ten people all told."

How do you respond to her lack of decorum and discipline?

(Discuss amongst yourselves a bit, I have to eat dinner. I promise I won't take two hours again)

Rolled 3

>>31628694
We should reprimand her, but not too harshly. Discipline is important, but so is not looking like an ass on your first day
Basically give her a talking to and shake our finger at her

>>31628694
Well she's been doing maintenance so her appearance naturally can be excused. She however did make her superior officer wait, and seems to be lacking in proper military manners. A reprimand is in order, but should we make it in public, or call her to our office later?

Rolled 3

>>31628794
Well are we actually going to punish her or just give her a lecture on proper military procedure? If the former, it should be public so people know the consequences, if the later, it should be private so we aren't wasting everyone else's time

>>31628854
Let's do the latter. We cannot be certain her previous CO expected proper military bearing, so we had ought to make our expectations clear.

>>31628854
The latter should be enough for now, so we'll do it in private - and we expect her to be properly dressed for that. The other officers present should be able to guess why we are calling her in, especially if this is her typical decorum.

We also need to remember to mention that she knew we were coming aboard today, but she chose to do maintenance.

>>31628854
I'd say the latter.
A public dressing down on the first day sends the wrong impression

>>31628969
Choosing to do maintenance is not the important matter here. Rather, being unresponsive to her commanding officer is. Being properly garbed and presentable is an issue only for a shore inspection or a formal event.

"In my office at sixteen hundred hours (or whatever is a good time), lieutenant Rackman, dressed sharp. Now to the bridge, if you may, lieutenant Barnes."

>>31629154
The ship is at the naval yard, getting a new captain and she is one of the most senior officers aboard.

She should at least be semi-formal

>>31629154
>Rather, being unresponsive to her commanding officer is.
This is the real issue here, not what she's wearing.

>>31629161
You give Rackman a good look up and down. She is obviously competent, but her decorum leaves a lot to be desired. You hope that the rest of her crew isn't quite so sloppy. You choose your words carefully.

"Lieutenant Rackman, If you would, I would like to see you in my office in a three hours time for a brief meeting, sharp dress if you please." Dismissed. Now then, Barnes if you would, lead on to the bridge please."

Rackman senses your displeasure, and straightens up a bit, giving a better salute.

"Aye, ma'am, three hours from now."

As Barnes leads you up the stairs to the bridge, Stroud excuses himself, as you are now moving out of his area of expertise and he has duties to attend to to make ready to leave port tomorrow. Barnes opens the door to the bridge at the top of the stairs.

The bridge is a long room. The front windows wrap around in a semicircle to provide maximum visibility. There is a raised 'T' shaped island in the middle where the bridge officers have their seats and stations. The lower part below the raised island is full of communication equipment, both shipboard and radio, damage and fire control stations, and so forth. The helm is at the very front, along with several high power binoculars on swivels. While still in port, a lone petty officer mans a communications desk, and another sits bored in a chair by the helm at the front windows. Otherwise only a few technicians are making system checks and small repairs. As you walk in, the half dozing petty officer springs out of her chair and stands ramrod straight.

"CAPTAIN ON THE BRIDGE!" She barks, and the other crewmen jump from their stations and tasks to attention.

>>31629999
Return the salute
>As you were people

Take a look at your command station

>>31629999

(My apologies, I messed up, the officer in the chair by the helm was supposed to be an ensign, not a petty officer)

You give a wry smile to Barnes.

"Now this is more like it. As you were, everyone."

All except the petty officers return to their tasks. The communications officer comes up onto the island and salutes alongside the ensign, who speaks up, still ramrod straight.

"Ma'am! Ensign Alena Dunn reporting! This is Communications Petty Officer Second Class Barger."

Barger straightens "Good day, Ma'am!"

"At ease ensign, petty officer. Make your report."

Dunn's "at ease" is barely perceptible.

Ma'am! The Comet is in shipshape condition! Minor adjustments are nearly complete! We will be ready to shove out tomorrow as scheduled! Ma'am!"

>>31629999
Yeah let's have a look, how does this ship measure up? So far everything's been satisfactory, it seems (excepting a certain flight officer).

>>31630097
"Very good Ensign, I will take a look around the bridge and then leave you to your duties."

"Ma'am!"

Nodding to Dunn and Barger, you stroll to your command chair. It's big and cushy, leather upholstered and speaks to your rank. You sit down trying it on for size.

What do you want to know about the bridge and command station?

>>31630307
How modern is the thing? Since we've been trained for this I suppose we're more or less familiar with all the bridge's systems?

Rolled 7

>>31630307
How big is the crew when in flight? Is our First Officer on board already?

>>31630239
Everything seems to be fine on the bridge.

Either formally take command of the ship by taking the captain's chair and making an announcement to all hands, or continue the tour, whichever seems more appropriate.

Next stop: our quarters

>>31626860
Man, I would drum my baton raw on that unnecessary ballast - I mean, YAY NAVY!

>>31630442
SKY navy.

>>31630442
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw

>>31630387
Its not the most modern, nor is it an ancient bucket. Most of the systems are upgraded (such as the aforementioned voice powered phone) and the fire director mechanical computers are almost as good as the newest issue ones.

>>31630417
Normal complement of about 180, give or take, plus a small platoon of twenty five marines for security and boarding operations. There are four senior officers, three lieutenants (Yourself, Barnes the first officer, and Rackman the air wing commander.) and Ensign Dunn. Below them are eight Chief Petty Officers.

>>31630499
Somehow I guessed what video that was without opening it, I must be psychic

>>31630727
While on paper you are officially in command, tradition dictates that you not "take command" until you are formally brought aboard and the ship launched for its cruise.

>>31630432
Speaking of psychics...

Barnes leans over as you inspect your command station.

"Captain, there is one matter you really must attend to... regarding the Sensor. You really must go meet her. Tomorrow will not be appropriate with the pomp of the launch..."

>>31630854
Alright then, let's go

>>31630854
"Thank you for reminding us, lieutenant. Let us go see her."

>>31630854
(What's the deal with the sensor?)

"Of course. Lead the way lieutenant"

>>31630902
>>31630898

Barnes leads you down the stairs into the interior of the superstructure. You go down several flights until you are just below the main deck. Here the stairs end in a narrow hatch. Guarded by two green coated marines who snap to attention as you approach but say nothing. The hatch is emblazoned with a large red painted sign.

"WARNING. SENSITIVE AREA. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL WITH PROPER CLEARANCE ONLY. VIOLATION IS AN OFFENSE UNDER MILITARY JUSTICE CODE 11B SUBSECTION 3"

Barnes stops just behind you and shuffles his feet a bit. He seems uneasy.

"Ma'am, I have proper clearance of course but... well... The Sensor makes me uneasy, and besides she asked to see you personally. If it is alright, I will wait here."

>>31631150
Very well then, we'll go in alone. I don't think we heard the Sensor's rank by the way.

>>31631150
"That's fine, I'll head in alone"

>>31631214
Sensor is probably her Title and her rank, if I had to guess

>>31631150
"Really Lieutenant *roll eyes* Very well"

>>31631214
Giving your assent, you open the door and enter, then close the door behind with a bang. The first thing you notice about the narrow hallway you are in is that it is nothing like any other part of the ship. It is richly wood paneled, the floor polished to a sheen, the light diffuse and a bit dim. The second thing you notice is that it is nearly silent. Hidden behind the paneling are thick sound insulating walls that block out almost all mechanical noise. The only thing you hear is your own footsteps. As you walk down the hallway, you think of everything you know about Sensors.

The Sensors have been around a long, long time. They were originally ascetics, cloistered in small enclaves. They have powers no one can explain, yet are undeniable. They can sense things from far away. Approaching storms. Approaching enemies. Sometimes a vague glimpse of the future. They have always been revered and respected, and often feared to some degree. They have an uncanny power to know exactly what it is you don't want anyone else to know. Aboard a ship, it is the Sensors job to warn the crew of any possible danger that is beyond the range of their telescopes. The reason for their cloistering was twofold: the noise of a ship can break their concentration, and they are so valuable a resource that physical access to them is limited to only the most trusted officers.

>>31631460
So, a weaponized seer. Nice.

>>31631460
You come to another door, this one a normal, though ornate, wooden door as opposed to a hatchway. You raise your hand to knock, but a clear voice calls to you.

"Enter, Princess."

You push open the door, and a room opens up before you. It is paneled and lit much like the hallway. An ornate desk sits in the corner to your right, where a young man in a simple grey robe and trousers sits, a microphone in front of him. He is poring over a thick leatherbound tome, and he barely acknowledges your presence. Upon a thick, luxurious woven carpet in the middle of the floor, sit two figures. One, a young woman in garb similar to the young man, the other wearing brightly colored flowing robes of a more ornate cut. As you step forward both turn. The younger woman, a girl really, nods to you silently. The older woman, probably in her late thirties, speaks in the same clear voice you heard before entering.

"Welcome, Princess. Please sit, if you would like."

>>31631460
Hmm.
Makes sense that people don't like being near them.
We will have to be strong and confident (given that this sensor knows anything we don't want known)
And of course she must be aware that she is just another member of the crew at the end of the day.

Meet her, and be careful that she gives you the respect the Captain deserves

>>31631816
A warning: Respect is a two way street.

I think I might leave it here for now folks. I am getting kind of tired and its getting hard for me to write properly. I hope you all are enjoying it so far, I know there's a lot of info dumping right now but promise as soon as we get the ship underway there will be a lot of fun stuff. I might run another thread tomorrow, so follow @CapnAlice on twitter for updates.

For now, any general questions concerns ideas or requests?

>>31631903
Certainly

However when we launch we will be second after god, and much closer (my personal favourite description of a Captain)

The Sensor is to be respected like any other crew member.

Let us sit and talk for a brief moment (unless I'm late with this response)

>>31632118
Dang, missed it. Well it was a good read at least. Hope I catch the next one live.

>>31632118
Just a bit of curiosity about ship-to-ship combat. What does it tend to entail? Long range artillery fire? Close range slug-fest? Boarding-party heavy? Also, what are we expecting this tour to be? blockade? soloing? raiding?

>>31633557
For the moment, Naruna is at peace, but every empire has enemies... For the moment, it will probably be solo patrol duty.

Ship to ship usually ends up being pretty close range, due to lack of radar, and boardings are fairly common. One common tactic is to get below a ship and try to fire upward into the belly, or above and downward through the deck. Its also a great honor (and moneymaker) to claim a prize of war.