At the height of the Terran Commonwealth, centuries ago, there had been a network of planets, bound together under a common government on Earth. Seemingly alone in the universe, we forged an empire - democratically governed, but an empire all the same. Hundreds of worlds were exploited for the benefit of their new inhabitants, exploited for the benefit of Earth. And through it all ran an armada of starships made possible by the invention of faster than light propulsion.
But then the Systems War came and tore apart that empire and those wonderful vessels. And in the void that followed that war, the aliens came and swept mankind from the stars. No more was there a commonwealth of hundreds of worlds. Now there were hundreds of worlds living in their own isolated darkness, any attempt to fight back, to return to the stars, to take out our rage on our fellow man, ruthlessly suppressed by the aliens.
For two hundred years, we have lived in their shadow, their spire taunting us from the middle of Asia. For two hundred years, we, the people of Earth, have lived as slaves. For two hundred years, the Commonwealth government have bowed their heads to the aliens.
But today we are taking the first step to changing that. We are launching a vessel again. We are returning to the stars. We are fighting back.
-Director Anwar Said, Deronda launch address
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The Deronda is a small vessel. At the time of the Systems War, she would have been on the verge of obsolescence, perhaps a light escort for merchant shipping. She was not made for comfort. But these were the only schematics known to survive the aliens. And she is your home now, gleaming steel carbont plating and all.
The ship has four decks, plus the bridge, to serve a total crew of 43. Rumor has it that the ship will not run with even that many for her shakedown cruise, though. In shape, she looks like a bird with wings outstretched.
The bridge is the nerve center of the ship, placed at the bird's head, cramped and filled with controls and displays of every description. In the middle of it all sits the captain, Ramjay Anish, surrounded by the bridge crew manning weapons, science consoles, and engineering readouts. Near the main screen is a bronze plaque, and on the plaque words can be seen to read: "The free ship Deronda, launched 7 August 197 New Calendar. We shall brave the stars for the betterment of all humankind."
Deck 1 is the top of the ship, spread across both wings and the body of the bird. It serves as the armory, shooting range, and supply storage, under the control of quartermaster Gunnery Sergeant Eli Quint. Quint is a large bear of a man, brawny and red-faced, from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA.
Deck 2 serves as crew quarters. There are also a canteen, gym, and assembly room in the event the crew needs to gather.
Deck 3 is home to engineering and the main computer systems, under chief engineer Lieutenant Commander Docila Santos, a Peruvian woman from Cusco. Santos is quick-witted and kind, her face no stranger to laugh lines.
Deck 4 is larger than the others and serves as the hangar bay for the ship's two shuttles that brought you on board. Deronda's limited manufacturing ability is found here as well. The hangar is overseen by a deck officer and an enlisted assistant, changing regularly. Because the hangar is very cold, this tends to be unpopular duty.
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Your quarters are small and sparse, with a narrow bed, footlocker, bathroom, and a desk with chair. Nothing here to write home about, but maybe it could be spruced up a bit.
You have an hour before the captain will address the crew in the assembly room, at 1600 sharp.
