ISBA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
New THUDDD Competition Announced
A syndicate of leading corporations offering goods and services to the exceedingly wealthy, in conjunction with the Imperial Ship Builders Association (ISBA), announces a new THUDDD ship-design competition. The winning entrant in this competition, and perhaps other entrants as well, will receive lucrative contracts to produce limited runs of their vessels over the coming decade; these vessels will serve in *highly* visible roles, and could potentially provide a good deal of free publicity for the firms involved.
The vessel to be produced is a yacht, 300-500 dt, atmosphere-capable, minimum performance J2/M1, only minimal weaponry (or none at all). This is intended as a toy for the wealthy, or as a vessel of state for political or corporate leaders.
The limit for this descriptive section is 2000 words. I had considered accepting graphical deckplans and other images, but in the end decided this would leave out those without the tools or skill to create them. However, you may embed links to such in the text of your entry, and I will make the links into operational HTML hyperlinks.
Also, in the interests of fostering right-brain-oriented entries to this THUDDD, I have provided a sample 400 dt yacht with no description, which others are free to borrow, rename, possibly modify, and detail. Note that there is a more-than-ample cargo volume on my sample vessel, much of which could easily be reallocated to other uses in derived designs.
| Name | Manufacturer | Designer | Design System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sluce - Class Yacht | Kosher Shipyards | Giovanni Giovanni@bellatlantic.net | FF&S |
| Ludwig - Class Pleasure Yacht | Phobos Yards | Sebastien Normandin luckyj@microtec.net | (Unspecified) |
| Rising Star | Goodenuf Construction Company | Peter H. Brenton brenton@psfc.mit.edu | SSDS (SAL) |
| Imelda - Class Yacht | Famille Spofulam Yards | Roderick Darroch Elliott rellio@po-box.mcgill.ca | SSDS (beta pdf) |
| Xanadu 3 - Class Yacht | Earneau and Hao Tse, Ltd | Bill Ernoehazy blackwilliam@hotmail.com | QSDS 1.5 + HTOH |
| Roswell - Class Yacht (type P-300YL) | Phoenix Corp. | Andrew Moffatt-Vallance a.vallance@netaccess.co.nz | QSDS 1.5 |
Tons: 500 tons (disk AF) Volume: 7000 m^3 Cost: 213.527
Crew: 5 High pass: 10
Cargo: 1400 m^3 Controls: D.L. W/bridge TL:12
Size: Small
Atmospheric speed: 5300KPH Safe NOE: 160
Crew Detail: 1 pilot, 1 astrogator, 1 sensors, 1 engineer, 1 steward/chef
Design data
Mass Volume Power Price S.A.
Disk AF Hull,500DT,AV30,SD 852.4 43.714 14.3207
Internal Structure 65.57 4.3714 .91799
Jump Drive, Jump 3 840 280 84 93.333
Jump fuel, for 3 parsec jump 98 1400 .049
Controlls, dynamic linked .07 7 .5 .75
Work Stations (4), bridge .8 56 .006
Imaging EMS .001 .001 .1 .25
Terrain-Following Avionics .03 .1 .03 .014 .3
IGS Nav aid .001 .001 .01 .025
Computers (9) standard type 14.4 72 3.6 27
Laser comunicator, Range=AU1000 .1 .05 .3 .18 1
Radio Comunicator, R=AU1000 .2 .1 20 .15 200
Active EMS sensor, R=KM300,000 11 5.5 27.5 11 11
Passive EMS sensor, R=KM120,000 3 1.5 .15 3
Passive EMS antena 1.5 1.5 1.5 30
Nuclear Damper Screen, KM30,000 75 75 15 1.95 7.5
Large cargo hatches (4) .08 80
Cargo Storage space 1400
Fuel bladderas, hold 1400 m^3 70 70 .14
Fusion Reactor (MW624) 1248 312 62.4
1 year of fusion fuel (Lhyd) 6.552 93.6 .00328
Heplar thrusters (10720 TT) 53.6 53.6 536 .536 53.6
Heplar fuel (30 G hours) 93.8 1340 .0469
Life suport 29.46 29.456 .3682 1.841
Art. Grav, 3 G compensation 73.64 36.82 18.41 1.841
Small Staterooms (5) 10 140 .0025 .2
Large staterooms (10) 40 560 .01 1
Low Birth (for 24) 12 168 .006 .3
Air locks (5) 1 15 .005 .025
=======================================
Totals 3599.8 6165.3 621.99 213.377 416.73
New to the industry, Kosher Shipyards hopes to build a long line of
followers by offering products geared toward the more demanding
consumer. In our first model, the Sluce yacht, we offer a solidly
constructed craft, built on solid engineering. It hosts a certain
amount of versatility in respect to travel, while still being properly
refined. Join us, will you, on a tour of the Sluce, a proper
gentelman's transport.
As you first spot the Sluce winging its way in for the spaceport's runway, you are struck by the sleek appearance of its flowing swept wing design. As they taper out from the sleek stretched disk hull, the trailing edges of the wingtips extend well beyond the rear of the body. While it rolls to a stop on the tie down ramp It's flowingly grained metallic body seems to float effortlessly along the ground.
As you enter the Sluce you are taken aback to find yourself on a glass encased fly bridge in the very belly of the craft. The entire interior of the bridge is worked in obsidian panels and teak trim with the seating encased in supple butter soft tan leather. The crew stand there, alert in all black uniforms with silver pinstriping, ready to meet you as you enter. It is here also, that you realize the windows of the craft are photo reactive. You next work your way up the stainless steel circular staircase to the passenger quarters. As you look down the long stained Hardwood floor of the corridor you notice five dark mahogany doors on each side and a stairway leading down at the rear. In the other direction is a stairwell leading up, widening as it goes.
Your guide beckons you to enter one of the staterooms and you follow his suggestion. Inside the entire room is covered in solid tiger stripe maple panels over an inch thick each. The floor is covered in a single custom hand woven persian rug imported directly from the Solemani. As you peer into the private bath you discover the entire room to be carved from a single block of green marble with the fixtures of solid titanium almost seamlessly threaded into place.
Your guide next beckons you up onto the promenade. You ask him what the doors to the rear are for and he waves it off saying, "Crew quarters, no more." As you proceed up the sprawling stair case and onto the promenade you realize that you stand atop a giant fish tank spanning the entire floor. As you look in you see an amazing assortment of exotic fish swimming along. You next notice the bar off to your right, formed in blued steel and black leather to match the rest of the furniture that surrounds you. Above lies the roof of the ship, all glass and now tuned black as welder's visor.
Your guide leads you next through a steel door next to the bar and down a short hardwood stair case to the dining chamber. The oak hardwood that made up the stairs now lies out before you to form an oval room. The walls, upholstered in dark maroon leather, stretch half way up to meet the domed ceiling. It hovers majestically above you, layered with ceder slates and crossed with polished brass beams coming into a single point from which an ornate brass chandelier hangs. Below the chandelier is an extraordinary maple table with seating for twenty. Next to the table stands Peire, your chef in his spotless white suite.
As you make your way to the sales office with the guide he mentions some of the nicer amenities of the ship in case they hadn't caught your eye. He talks about the stainless steel lined cargo bay for easy cleaning and how the state room's entertainment facilities are fitted directly into the ship's internal structure to maximize free space. He also mentions the cigar humidor's included in each stateroom and the built in galley wine rack, as well as the ceder lined closets.
Tons: 300 Std (Closed Structure) Volume: 4200m^3 Cost: 98.415MCr
Crew: 5 High/Mid Pass: 10/0 Low: 0
Cargo: ~15 Std Controls: Std Civ (High-auto) (Bridge)
TL: 11
8 Size Rating J-2 Jump Drive (840 Std/Pc Fuel)
O Fire Control Rating 1-G Maneuver (T-plates)
1 Lt. Laser (72kj) 1.6 Power Plant (250 Mw)
840 Fuel (Scoop n/a , Refine n/a)
Sandcaster (24 Cans)
1x HangarFacility (Ship's Boat) A1 P2 J0 Sensors
0 Armor, 8 Structure
Crew Detail: 1 Command, 1 Engineer, 1 Pilot, 1 Navigator, 1 Steward.
300 ton Closed Structure
Not Streamlined
1-G Acceleration
No Armor
Jump-2
TL-11 Thruster Plates provide 3000 tonnes of thrust (1-G)
TL-11 (72mj) L.Laser
TL-11 Sandcaster
Standard Civilian Controls (Dynamic, High-Automation)
Sick Bay/Kitchen
Internal Hangar (30-ton Spacious)
TL-11 250 Mw Power Plant
Bridge (3 workstations)
6 Small Staterooms
10 Large Staterooms
Assembled by the small Martian ship construction cooperative known as
Phobos Yards, this custom designed pleasure yacht is a one of a kind
original initially designed as a mobile home and office for the Marquis of
Melanor. The hull of the ship is a small iron-based asteroid recovered
from the nearby main belt in the Terran system. Perhaps the most
interesting feature of the ship are the rooms and corridors where the
original rough, irregular surfaces of the asteroid have been preserved.
This was intentional and designed to evoke the dungeon-like feel of the
strange and mysterious underground passages beneath the Terran Mad Ludwig's
famous castle, which captured the Marquis' imagination when he first saw
them. Hence the name of the ship class. The following areas have not been
left "natural," for obvious reasons: Bridge, Engineering Deck, Cargo Hold,
Sick Bay, Hangar, Crew Staterooms, and most access areas. The remainder of
the ship, which includes most passageways, all the Staterooms, and the
special custom rooms detailed below, are of tunneled out iron rock. Control
panels, lights, fixtures, and other interfaces are tastefully set into the
rock walls, and blend into the surroundings to heighten the effect.
The Ludwig is a pleasure craft, wholly unsuited for travel in frontier environments. To begin with it is unstreamlined, and has no facilities for fuel scooping or purification. Access to a type A or B starport with refined fuel is almost a necessity. This serves the purposes of the ship's owner ideally, since he has no intention of using the vessel as anything other than a mobile base from which to entertain and conduct his business. Being a noble, his business rarely takes him out of the established spacelanes. For planetside landings, the Yacht carries in its spacious hangar a well appointed 30-ton Ship's Boat that sees to the Marquis' needs quite well. The ship is unarmored, and only very lightly armed with a light laser (fore) and sandcaster (aft). It has been designed using TL-11 technology, so that it can be repaired and maintained on the Marquis' home planet.
There are two main features of the ship which stand out from regular vessels, and they are described below:
The entire ship is decorated with splendid reproductions of Terran Baroque and Rococo furniture and art. The Dining Hall features an ornate dining table w/high backed chairs which seats up to 15 people comfortably. The Louis XIV style is dominant, but other items are also present. Mirrors and artwork decorate many of the rough-hewn walls, making the effect a most astonishing one. Sconces w/ flickering florescent flames adorn the walls of many passageways. The main stateroom features an ornate four poster bed and matching dresser made of cherry.
There is a well appointed kitchen for serving special meals. (Design note: This is in lieu of the Sick Bay, which is little more than a workstation, automated medical assistant and medicine cabinet.) Needless to say, the crew are well taken care of and serve the Marquis with unquestioned loyalty.
Finally, when not in use, the cargo bay can be converted into a small fencing venue, complete w/ spectator's seats and automated judging/scoring system.
Tons: 500 std (SL Dome/Disc) Volume: 7,000 m^3 Cost: 411.600 MCr (372.440 MCr)
Crew: 13/13 (/HighAuto) Psgrs Hi/Med: 8/0 Low: 0
Cargo: 30.0 std Controls: Civilian Std (/Bridge)
TL: 12
8 Size Rating 2 Jump Drive ( 50 std/pc fuel )
3 Maneuver (Thruster, 375 Mw /No CG)
2xLaser Emitters (+4) 1/1-0-0-0 2 Power Plant Rating (2x250Mw)
1xLaser Battery (+4) 1/2-1-0-0 105 Fuel
1 Sandcaster (30 cans)
0 Nuclear Damper
0 Meson Screen
0 Black Globe
A1 P2 J0 Sensors
10 Armor, 14 Structure
1xSick Bay ( 8 std ) 1xPool (12x8x3.5m) (35 std)
1xDining Salon (12x7x3m) (18 std) 1xRecreation Room (12x8x3.5m) (35 std)
1xExtra Large Kitchen (adds 40m^3) (3 std) 1xHot Tub (4x4x3.5m) (4 std)
1xMinimal Hangar (40 std craft)
1xVehicle Bay (12 std craft)
Crew Details: 1 cmd, 2 mvr, 1 elc, 4 gun, 0 scr, 1 eng, 0 mtn, 0 crf,
0 trp, 0 sci, 3 stw, 0 brk, 1 med
A standard 40 ton Pinnace is included in the price and adds MCr 20 (From T4 Rulebook).
Passengers sometimes choose to travel double occupancy, so theoretically the passenger capacity is 16.
Options and appointment packages to be specified by buyer - an example of the class is given here. Price includes approx. Mcr 8 to construct and equip the Dining Salon, Kitchen, Rec. Room, Pool and Hot Tub chamber. There's also a few tons left over (40m^3 or so) which has been put to widening passeges, adding decorated alcoves, and generally making life more comfortable on board for the passengers.
Gentleperson,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding our luxury charter craft. Currently we have available several vessels of the _Eastern Star_ Class luxury Yacht built by the Goodenuf Construction Company of Sylea. The vessel which seems to fit your schedule is the _Rising Star_, a 500 ton luxury liner. I have appended a description below. Please contact me soon with your intentions since the liner's schedule must be set well in advance to assure our low prices.
Speaking of prices, the _Rising Star_ is available, fully crewed, for a cost of Mcr 1 for each two weeks (Four week minimum, round trip required). There is a strict list of available destinations due to potential problems outside Cleon's Imperium, but any destination within the Imperium which has no travel restriction is quite acceptable.
The forward section of the vessel's hull reveals the now-famous Dining Salon observation windows on the lower half of the hull, with the Ship's bridge occupying a small bulge on the upper half. Two light laser turrets are mounted port and starboard of the center section on the upper hull towards the aft of the vessel, while the main armament, a single heavy laser emitter, is mounted flush with the dorsal hull in the center so as not to interfere with the ship's landing operations.
Hull sections taper to either side of the main portion of the hull, acting as atmospheric control surfaces and giving the ship a streamlined look. A long tapering aft hull section contains drives and the 40 ton ship's boat hangar. An additional hangar for a vehicle of up to 12 tons is available for Guest's vehicles and can accommodate either ground or grav vehicles (A luxury speeder is also available for an additional fee). A 35 ton cargo bay with a ventral loading hatch is available for guest use, and can also accommodate vehicles.
Internal accommodations justify the reputation of the vehicle class. Each passenger stateroom suite has two rooms, a bedchamber and parlor. The bedchambers are draped in rich fabrics from different sections of the Imperium, covering the walls and ceiling and giving the illusion that guests are in some noble mansion, rather than traveling through space. Oversized canopy beds are made up fresh daily (or more often if you wish). Deep-stained hardwoods make up the dressers, bedframe, and other furniture, while elegant flagstones and beautiful handmade rugs cover the floors.
A stone fireplace adorns each parlor, along with large comfortable chairs and divans in a styles from Vilani times. The fireplace gives off a gentle warmth and flickering light of real flame, but requires no manual feeding. A wet bar gives instant access to whatever snack or beverage the guest wishes to have on hand, while a fully stocked bar and kitchen is available at all times in the main dining salon. Access terminals are ingeniously hidden until needed for work. A large oaken table is set against one wall which can be employed as work surface or dinner table if the guest takes meals in.
We hope, though, that the guests will attend dinner in the main Dining Salon each night. Our expert Chef prepares an incredible meal each evening in his well appointed kitchen. The room in which this meal is served makes all occasions special. Up to 17 ebony high backed chairs (one for each passenger assuming double occupancy staterooms plus one for the Captain) can be set around the solid Obsidian table, on which the gleaming blue stylized tableware positively sparkles, and the solid crystalline glasses gleam with an inner light. the room is paneled with rare vlandian deep-rose quartz, and a gentle golden light is emitted from frosted-glass sconce fixtures around the room, as well as the electric blue crystalline chandelier overhead.
Backlit glass cabinets along one wall of the room display the ships service; bowls of rare crystal, plates and flatware of different new and ancient style in materials that make the most jaded visitors gawk, serving dishes of the finest silver, rare liquors and fine vintage wines from all over the Imperium and beyond are displayed for your appreciation.
What draws the eyes however, especially in orbit, is the wall of glass that makes up the front wall of the salon. Polarized crystal viewports look out on whatever vista is presently displayed, and can be conveniently blacked out in jumpspace or during a burningly bright reentry. The windows angle from your feet outward, giving a falling sensation any who stand by the glass. The view is broken only by narrow structural supports, necessary for safety reasons. Generally dinner is served by the light of the stars or the light reflected off the orb of whatever planet lies below. When this light enters the salon, the chandelier fractures it into a million beams which throw ever-changing beautiful patterns on the walls and ceiling of the chamber.
When not dining, guests can still be entertained and kept in shape in the 12 meter by 6 meter exercise pool. In exercise pool mode a constantly adjusting current is maintained to keep the swimmer in place as she or he completes their desired distance swim. It can even be adjusted so that when the swimmer reaches the end of the 12 meter length of the pool they have actually swum a simulated Olympic sized pool length. At its deepest end, the pool is 2 meters deep.
Near the pool is a hot tub, the relaxing heated tub provides a gentle means of easing muscles overworked in the exercise room just to starboard, and has the option of operating in zero gravity with a breathing apparatus, an experience that has to be felt to be believed. Aquatic scenes decorate the ceramic interior of the tub, hand painted and custom made for the ship.
The aforementioned exercise room has many standard high tech resistance and weightlifting equipment, and a small games court which can be configured for a number of games (Some take the entire exercise room, and other equipment is stowed when used for this purpose). Gravity is fully adjustable, so those incredible slam dunks are now easy, no matter what shape you are in. And if you want a real workout, add 30% to the gravity and see how hard roto-ball can really be. This double height room is the mirror image of the pool section, and is at the same level as the bottom of the pool, but on the opposite side of the ship.
A fully stocked sick bay staffed by a full time doctor is on board to meet any medical need. In addition we have spared no expense in making sure our passengers are delivered safely. Three laser and a defensive sandcaster are carried, and at 3G acceleration, there is only a very small likelihood that our well trained gunners would have anything to shoot at. Sensors, communications and other equipment are all state-of-the-art Imperial technology, not backwater imitations. Our components are manufactured for us to exacting specifications, not "cookie cutter" standard components which have been outsourced to who-knows-where. You will meet and get to know your captain during your journey, so you can be confident about how the ship is being handled. A full staff of 6 stewards and a chef see to your every need.
We hope you will join us as we cruise among the stars of the Imperium!
Obviously this ship is built for ambiance, not to make money (not the usual way, anyway).
Glean what you can from the text regarding shape and layout. I envision a shape like a flattened horseshoe crab, with drive sections to either side of the ship's boat hangar, which sort of overhangs the stern cargo hatch. The reference to "atmospheric control surfaces" was more fanciful than factual since the vessel is streamlined only, not an airframe. The shape I envision does, however, somewhat resemble a flying wing.
The pool and rec room each occupy 490 m^3 I would be interested to hear if anyone thinks this is insufficient. The hot tub is between the two and occupies 22m^3. It should also have an airlock, but the design does not include one. The dining salon occupies 252m^3 at the bow of the vessel. It should be considered a serious vulnerability in battle. I added 40m^3 to the Kitchen, theorizing that most shipboard galleys are tiny efficient little affairs unworthy of the attention of a chef.
Gunners double as stewards (wouldn't the passengers love to hear that?) when not gunning. 3 stewards are also on the crew and are full time. They will all be able to cook, but one is the master chef (no extra salary is figured into the cost though). The doctor is also employed as a passenger liaison, and the Captain is expected to dine with the passengers.
A standard (but well furnished) 40 ton pinnace is docked in a hangar on the aft dorsal portion of the craft. Forward of and beside this are crew quarters, with the bridge at the bow of the upper deck. To the right and left of this central "spine" are the oversized rec room and pool, with the hot tub room beneath the spine. Beneath the Bridge itself is the dining salon. Outboard, in front of, and behind the 'big' rooms are the passenger staterooms which often have one square meter observation ports when possible.
Each passenger stateroom is actually one large stateroom and one small stateroom. They are either single or double occupancy, as desired by passenger.
This vessel costs almost 400,000 credits per week to operate (including mortgage)! Obviously this expense is either going to be paid by a very rich owner, or some profitable run must be found where the passengers pay 50,000 per week (single occupancy) for transportation, and the ship runs full all the time. I had the idea of a luxury charter service. This allows rich nobles to travel in style without actually buying a vessel. Rather than paying passage (and being unable to control what riffraff occupies the other staterooms), they rent the whole vessel by the month. In any case, low operating cost is obviously not a priority.
Tons: 500 Std (A/F Saucer) Volume: 7000 m^3 Cost: 305 MCr
Crew: 14 High/Mid Pass: 9 Low: 0
Cargo: 20 Std Controls: TL-12 Hi auto (Bridge) TL: 12
08 Size 03 Jump Drive (150 Std/Pc Fuel)
04 Maneuver (T-plate, 20,000 Tons Thrust)
01x 95 Mj Civ. Laser (0) 1/1-0-0-0 2.4 Power Plant (1x 600Mw)
150 Fuel (Scoop 40, Refine 8.3)
00 Meson Screen (0 Mw)
01 Sandcasters (30 Cans)
01x Spacious Hangar (20 td launch) 00 Nuclear Damper
A4 P4 J0 Sensors (0 Stealth/Cloak)
10 Armor, 22 Structure
Crew Detail: 02 Command, 02 Sensors, 02 Gunners, 02 Engineer, 03 Steward,
02 Flight Deck
Notes: Vessel is equipped with sickbay.
News Item, Imperial Yacht Club Newsletter, IY 16-322:
Recently, I was given the opportunity of touring the first production model of Famille Spofulam's latest yacht offering. Greeted by Hengabar Spofulam at Famille Spofulam's orbital HQ, I was treated to the usual Spofulam wet bar and buffet before being ushered onto the antiseptic floor of Production Line #3 to tour the prototype, which is to be used as a corporate yacht by FSY.
This reporter's first reaction upon viewing FSY's latest, sitting incongrously next to the hulking black form of a Bludgeon-class patrol cruiser, was: "It's a baby Caligula!". Indeed, the Imelda-class yacht (named after an ancient Terran queen renowned for her love of luxury and lavish tastes) is outwardly very similar to FSY's well-known 1000-ton megayacht; it has an airframe saucer hull with prominent vertical stabilizers evoking early space-age Terran ground craft styling, in default hull colour settings of hot pink and chrome. Although the Imelda is somewhat sleeker than the Caligula, the family resemblance is pronounced.
The Imelda's performance and specifications are pure Spofulam; 4G T-plate maneuver drives, a 3-parsec jump drive, a hull stressed to 10G's for atmospheric operations and heavy armour are what we've come to expect from Hengabar's boys and girls. The only exception is the rather prosaic 95 Mj laser/sandcaster armament suite. Scoops, a purification plant and a hangar for a 20-ton launch reflect the Spofulam concern for spaceworthiness and functionality; the Imelda is capable of more than just the Highport to Highport run. In general, this is a fast, long-ranged and capable craft.
While the exterior and performance specs are fairly standard for a Spofulam vessel. the interior decor reflects a new departure from FSY's trademark blond wood and indirect lighting motif. Rather than striving for simplicity, maximum ergonomic efficiency, and richness of material, FSY's interior designers have gone for all-out opulence in the newly popular Restoration style; an ornate fusion of First and Second Imperium motifs expressed in Sylean materials. The result, the product of months of work by noted designer Chonpohl Ghohltyeh, is stunning: the panelling is of burled green Lartsa-wood, with obsidian tile floors inlaid with green and white nephrite. Fixtures are crafted of Iridium-plated gold engraved with both Imperial Sunbursts and Ziru Sirkaa and Rule of Man heraldry, and the furnishings are upholstered in the finest butter-soft Noggah skin, dyed to match the panelling. Ghohltyeh's services are available for those wishing to create their own decors, albeit for an additional fee.
Mr. Spofulam led me in through the hangar, as the passenger airlocks were not yet fully completed. The hangar is situated right aft, between the two vertical stabilizers. At the moment empty, the hangar is designed to accomodate an Imperial-standard 20td launch, with space enough to permit maximum ease of on-board service. After a perfunctory explanation of the hangar facilities, I was led forward, detouring through the somewhat smaller (20td) cargo hold, into the working areas of the ship, on the lower deck.
The lower deck is laid out in a rather simple manner; right aft is the hangar, which connects to the cargo hold as well as to the central engineering area. A rather nice touch in the hangar area is the large and luxuriously appointed passenger grav shaft leading directly up to the main corridor on the passenger deck; this permits passengers to disembark in style and proceed to the passenger areas without having to tour through the working areas of the ship.
Forward of the cargo bay lies the engineering spaces; the J-3 Famille Spofulams Subsystems Jump Drive hulks immaculately in the center in a large compartment, where the two engineering workstations are situated. Access hatches to the spaces containing the twin 10,000 ton-rated Spofulam Gravitics maneuver drives (mounted aft, outboard of the vertical stabilizers) are situated at the rear of the jump drive compartment. Likewise, access hatches for the 600Mw Zhunastu Fusion Systems power plant (to portside of the jump drive compartment), and purification plant (to starboard of the jump drive compartment) radiate from the jump drive compartment.
Forward of the jump drive compartment is an access hatch leading to a compartment holding a grav shaft to the passenger areas, and connecting to the sickbay and 5-workstation bridge. From here on, Ghohltyeh's hand became evident; the decor changed from workmanlike Spofulam engineering-area industrial chic to Restoration-style splendour; the sickbay is as much of a work of the desinger's creative mind as it is one of medical engineering. Like the sickbay, the bridge has Lartsa-wood panelling on all non-instrument surfaces, and is laid out around a massive owner's chair, with power swivel, an endless range of adjustments, a refreshment center in one arm and a comm/computer panel in the other, and upholstered in what must have been the hides of the softest baby Noggahs.
Returning to the grav shaft in the hangar, Mr Spofulam led me up to the passenger deck. The grav shaft opens up onto a luxuriously-appointed corridor leading forwards. Discreet panels at the aftermost end of the main corridor lead to the crew quarters and galley and stewarding areas. The accomodations are luxurious, even for the crew; all crew save gunners and the two junior stewards have large staterooms to themselves. While not up to the standard of accomodation of the passenger areas, not even the most work-to-rule member of the Spacers Guild could find anything to complain of here: the staterooms are all done in traditional Spofulam blond wood and indirect lighting. After a brief tour of the crew areas, which connect to engineering via twin grav shafts to port and starboard, I was led back into the main corridor and into the passenger areas.
The double-width doors at the end of the corridor open inwards, to the tune of Famille Spofulam's corporate anthem, to reveal an immense (300M^3) oval lounge divided into dining, recreational, and lounging areas by artfully placed and shaped planters filled with a variety of Terran, Sylean, and Vilani vegetation. The Imelda's passenger areas are centered around this space: eight staterooms are provided for the comfort of the owner's guests, five of which are standard 4td large staterooms, and three of which FSY has termed "MegaStaterooms"; vast and opulent 150M^3 spaces containing every possible amenity.
Even these are beggared by the master's stateroom, which at 216 M^3, or 15 displacement tons, is quite simply immense, with huge panoramic viewports set in the ceiling. The furnishings are of course quite spectacular; a large canopied bed, sunken coversation pit, immense wet bar carved from a simple lump of black jade, and amazingly, a fireplace crowned with an actual working ancient Terran "Lava Lamp", one of only four known to be in existence. However, these are all minor details compared to the Imelda's most noteworthy feature; 66M^3 of the master's stateroom are taken up by what has to be the single most gigantic 'fresher ever installed on a private vessel, situated dead forwards. Resembling more a tropical greenhouse than it does a sanitation facility, it holds a hot tub, a sauna, and several large planters filled with a variety of Sylean, Terran, and Vilani tropical plants. Terran bats and parrots and other exotic flying life forms fly from plant to plant, their cries echoing pleasantly from the walls. Most remarkable, however, is the massive alabaster-and-Iridium toilet, situated at the very front of the vessel, facing huge panoramic windows dead forwards.
FSY expects to begin semi-custom production of the Imelda-class early next year, at the rate of "one or two" a year.
Tons: 400 Td (Cylinder S) Volume: 5600 m3 Cost: 119.7 MCr**
Crew: 15 Hi/Md P: 10 Low P: 0
Cargo: 38 Td Controls: Std/Bridge TL: 12
Size: 8 3 Jump (30% x ship disp/Pc Fuel)
3G Maneuver (T-plate)
Weapons None 2.1 Power Plant (2 200 MW + 1 20 MW)
125 Td Fuel (scoops, TL12 plant refines 10 Td fuel/hr)
0 Meson Screen
0 Sandcasters
0 Nuclear Damper
A2 P3 J0 Sensors (0 Stealth/Cloak)
20 Armor 12 Structure
61 Length (m)
Crew: 15 (2 elec 2 engr 2 mnvr 2 craft 2 cmd 4 stwd 1 medic;
ship's captain has single small stateroom, medic stays in a
small room just off sickbay, all others are in double-occupancy
small staterooms.)
Facilities: 10 large staterooms, deluxe fittings, for guests
1 bed sickbay
Min Hgr for: 1 x 20Td Ships's boat
1 X 10Td airraft
**(custom interiors and fittings can raise the cost considerably,
depending on the buyer's desires and budget)
Space is full of utterly beautiful sights...Xanadu... a star yacht like no other, blending graceful, sweeping lines, the newest jumpdrive technology, and unparalleled elegance in interior design.
and now, you can own one of them.
Xanadu... a ship that catches the eye as you first board her, and your heart after you've sailed aboard her.
You enter her through huge, spacious locks port and starboard for'ard, specially designed for this class, which allow you to enter in comfort and grace, unlike the conventional cramped passenger locks of most run-of-the-mill vessels. Before you is the foyer, leading into the heart of luxury. Each Xanadu's internal appointments and decor are custom tailored to your esthetic; whether you love Erte or Yishmanaggu, Yoshinagu or Kinsolving, Wright or Hepplewight, the furnishings and fittings will be carefully crafted by artisans who will meet your every desire in the finest materials.
From the foyer, your guests can go fore or aft, port or starboard. Whichever stateroom they choose, they will have luxurious furnishings, an outer stateroom with gorgeous views of space, and nearness to all the necessities of luxury travel. Stewards' spaces, stowage, wine racks, humidors, all these amenities have been placed in the centerline of the ship, to ensure that none of your friends need endure the indignity of an inner cabin.
Your party will dine, socialize, and marvel forward... at the Grand Lounge, a gracious space 3 times the size of the grandest stateroom, whose forward face is a sweeping expanse of specially reinforced, transparent superdense hullplate. Your in-system parties can truly be held among the stars aboard Xanadu. (Jumpspace need hold no terrors; all ports aboard a Xanadu have an inner liquid-crystal sandwich layer, which can opaque the ports and provide any number of "views" when the outside is aesthetically unpleasant.)
Your short-range travel needs await you amidships. Gleaming, spotless hangar bays can be found past guests' spaces, holding a specially designed ship's boat and air raft/skimmer, both of which have hulllines which evoke and echo those of the Xanadu. (Their basic cost is included in the purchase price.) The interior fittings are, like all the accomodations for your friends, custom designed to be reflections of your taste. Your souvenirs and sporting needs can be offloaded diectly into the cargo bay, aft of the hangar spaces. Your ship's crew spaces are conveniently located just sternwards of the cargo bay, so you can be sure that help with those bulky items is but a comm call away. (High-order automation interlinkages keep crewing at a minimum, so you and your guests can travel in greater comfort, room, and luxury.)
If desired, our architects at E and HT will be pleased to discuss your personal needs for further customization of the Xanadu. More guests, at a lower jumpdrive rating? Perhaps some defensive capacity, in case you have...special security needs? Our staff loves a challenge... the challenge of meeting your needs, then exceeding your dreams.
Xanadu... the Fast Yacht from Earneau and Hao Tse.
You deserve yours.
Tons: 300dT (Disk S) Volume: 4200m^3 Cost: Mcr 93.3
Crew: 12 High/Mid Psg: 8/14 Low: 10
Cargo: 25.4dT Controls: TL 12 civ TL: 12
8 Size 2 Jump Drive (30dt Fuel/Parsec)
Laser Battery (0) 2-0-0-0 1G Maneuver (T-Plate, 84Mw)
1.67 Power Plant (5 x 50Mw)
Fuel 62.4dT (S120, R3)
0 Meson Screen
1 Sandcaster (30)
1 20dt Launch port 0 Nuclear Damper
20dT Cramped Hanger A2 P3 J0 Sensors
(no craft standard) 20 Armour 12 Structure
Crew: 1 Engineer, 1 Electronics, 2 Maneuver, 1 Gunnery, 1 Screens,
5 Steward, 1 Command
The P-300YL is fitted with a standard MCI 9000b/12 jump drive giving it a range of 2 parsecs and carries 60 tons of jump fuel internally. The P-300YL is fully streamlined permitting atmospheric operations and is capable of wilderness refueling from gas giants or local oceans; and it's onboard Mitre VML(ter) fuel purification plant permits a full load fuel to be processed in 20 hours 50 minutes (at a throughput rate of 3 tons per hour). In system maneuver is provided by six MCI TG62-a gravitic thruster units. Each unit provides up to 700 tons thrust giving a sustained acceleration of 1G. Power for these and other onboard systems is provided by a set of five coupled Simmens EG-Q27/i 50Mw fusion reactors. The 2500 Kg of L-Hyd fuel dedicated to the reactors provides for up to one year's continuous operation.
The P-300YL is fitted with a Matsui ASC-12bis integrated avionics, sensor and communication package. This provides civilian standard avionics, along with improved civilian standard sensors and communications. The ASC-12bis allows for any individual component to be removed and replaced should the need arise. The ASC-12bis features advanced avionics exceeding all civil aerospace regulations; AEMS and PEMS sensors; 30,000 km range radio; and a 1000AU range tight beam maser communicator. The advanced electronics of the P-300YL removes the need for a dedicated bridge.
Given the nature of the likely persons to be carried, the P-300YL comes with a standard Phoenix PL(C)-2 laser turret and a Phoenix PS(C)-7 sandcaster turret; allowing for adequate self defence in the case of hostile encounters.
The P-300YL is fitted with a hanger for the transport and launching of auxilary craft. However no craft are included with the design, allowing for the client to choose craft to meet their individual requirements. The hanger itself can carry any standard spacecraft or vehicle up to 20dT. Routine maintaince and repairs can be conducted so long as the total displacement of carried craft does not exceed 10 tons. It is envisaged this this hanger will primarily be used for the transport of vehicles for the use on the worlds visited.
The standard crew list for the P-300YL is as follows:
Captain
Purser
Pilot
Astrogator
Engineer
Electronics operator
Chef
Laser gunner
Sandcaster gunner
3 stewards
The Captain and Purser are provided with large staterooms as befitting their
status, whilst the remaining crew members are provided with comfortable small
staterooms for the individual use. A 10 ton dedicated cargo area is also
provided and if neccessary this can be augmented from the space allocated for
customisation (up to a total of 25.4 tons). The remainder of the ship is
given over to the needs and comfort of it's passengers.
Particular attention has been paid to asthesetic considerations throughout the P-300YL. The P-300YL's interior may be customised to the clients individual tastes. Several standard options are available (Pre-industrial Terran sailing ship, mid-Vilani classical, Sylean minimalist, Kuriish Modern etc.) and Phoenix has entered into a contract with Vierani of Ginna for the commission of individual designs to suit the needs of any client. Exotic natural fittings are used throughout the P-300YL such as panelling from the Taragi Tree of Daer Map, Crympolin leather upholstery, Bakerlight Turtle door fittings, Limbern Crystal chandoliers, Xustonwood flooring etc.
The main personnel entry point to the P-300YL has been deliberately designed to be restrictive and cramped, opening on to a wide spacious corridor lined with artworks specially commissioned from leading artists such as Dev Anraki, Zonto u'Quer and Shariik Shankirlii (to name but a few), so as to create a dramatic contrast upon boarding. This corridor leads on to the formal reception area. This is designed as a classical library/study, with a small bar for the preperation of light refreshments for guests.
Running off the reception area is a promanade. One side of this is fitted with broad windows allowing dramatic vistas of the vastness of space or local scenary (if the P-300YL is grounded). During jump these windows are shuttered by holographic screens, shielding occupants from exposure to jump space. A prominant feature of the promanade is a diverse collection of flora from the far corners of the Imperium.
Both the promanade connects to the main recreation area of the P-300YL. This is tasteful designed and decorated (to the clients specifications) to allow for a wide variety of recreational pursuits. This area is ideal for entertaining guests in a formal or informal setting. It connects to both the formal dinning room and the fully equiped modern kitchen, allowing the host to hand over the running of social functions to the Purser and therefore freeing his or her mind from such distracting and tedious details. If it is required the partition between the recreation area and dinning room can be removed to allow for major functions.
For their comfort passengers and guests are provided with individual accommodations. The P-300YL is fitted with six standard large staterooms and two larger double sized staterooms for the use of the owner and prominent guests. These staterooms are all individually designed and decorated by Vierani of Ginna and no two staterooms on any P-300YL will be alike. Again clients may select from a wide range of standard themes or specify a custom theme to suit their individual tastes. All staterooms (as well as the kitchen and Captain and Purser's staterooms) are connected by a pnuematic tube message system in addition to a descreet emergency intercom.
In addition to these accommodations, no less than fourteen small staterooms are provided adjacent to the crew quarters for the accomodation of the valets maids, chauffers etc. of the passengers and guests. Further to this the P-300YL has ten low berths to allow for the transport of equestrian and sporting animals.
To allow for individual clients requirements, 15.5 tons of space has been set aside for customisation. This space can be utilised to provide anything from additional accommodations, a formal ballroom, laboratories for clients to pursue academic interests, trophy rooms for safari's, or anything else the client might desire. (Please discuss your individual requirements with your local Phoenix represenative).
The P-300YL comes with the modest price tag of Mcr 93.3 (including MCr 3.75 for fittings and the suchlike), and requires 42 weeks to build.
URL: http://www.cinenet.net/users/cberry/thuddd5.html
Last modified: Thursday, 01-Jan-98 19:12:45 PST
Author: Craig Berry
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