[Generator]

Well after spending more time checking out the MSD and deck layouts that Eagle provided, I realize that I had completely missed the shuttlebay on Deck 10 of the Saucer section, in addition to the one on Decks 15-17 of the Engineering section.

It would probably make sense that one of those two bays was devoted to the fighter craft, and the other was Shuttles and Flyers (for what my 2 latinum is worth, I'd figure the one on Decks 15-17 was for the fighters). While the deck plans we're seeing are of a pre-refit Sovereign, if the shuttlebays were expanded for additional flight operations, I'd expect the Ares to get a little bit more "bulge" to her curves.

Or the additional space could just be lampshaded away, which I am also perfectly fine with.

[Vox]

Agreed, I'd say it makes sense for the fighters to have their own bay too, considering what they do in comparison to regular shuttles and flyers. The one on Decks 15-17 would be great, we could say it's multi-leveled for all 8 craft.

As for the extra space what if it's a workshop so that they can build and replace any parts they need without needing to bother Engineering, especially when they get banged up in combat. Like maybe they have a dedicated replicator system or something purely for squadron use considering how much action they say over the regular shuttles, something like that?

[Generator]

Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if the aft hangar bay had its own dedicated replicator system. There were workshop areas noted on the layout (somewhere, I forget exactly where), and I'd bet that's the late 24th century equivalent of a machine shop, no?

EDIT: a side note to this discussion of the fighter bay. Eagle, if memory serves, at one point you implied a picture of the Ares' fighters was forthcoming a la your previous (and outstanding) work on the shuttles and the Ares herself. Is that still in the pipeline? In my head I've just been using the Peregrine-class as a placeholder.

[Vox]

That's what I was thinking, it would make sense after all.

[Silynn]

To add another voice, I think the fighters should have their own hanger bay. Not only for ease of specialized and centralized repair and maintenance, but for security reasons as well. Basically, separated from the 'regular' shuttle traffic and operations.

For the pirate attack idea, and this is just an idea to give everyone involved with the fighter operations... I kind of see the ARES arrive on the edge of X system where Y cardassian colony is located. From there, it deploys some probes, does some scans, *and* launches some fighter patrols to sweep sectors identified or flagged by sensors/science as 'items of interest'.

It could be the first planned mission order for the fighters. "Upon arrival in X system, launch recon patrols and sweep sectors identified by Tactical." (which includes the inputs from Science and Ops).

The fighter pilots can go through their gear-up, pre-flight and launch stuff (queue Top Gun Anthem song) and go to town in their writing. The Science guys can do their science wizardry and jargon talk regarding an 'anomalies' detected. Tactical coordinating everything. Just all around a lot of stuff to potentially write about.

[Scarlett]

Someone say Danger Zone?!

[Generator]

True fact: I have never actually watched Top Gun. I just sort of missed it when it came out in the theater, then in college it was playing in somebody's room, and I got bored and left, and then once Hot Shots came out, honestly, there seemed little point in going back to watch the original, y'know?

As a result, this is basically my mental response to that song.

EDIT (to actually be on-topic): Silynn, that sounds good, but putting it on that time frame makes it more likely that it's Jim's first mission after the promotion, instead of being what earns him the promotion. Fine either way, I'm just thinking out loud to keep things straight.

[Scarlett]

Gen, there is nothing wrong with that version *fist bump* ... but you should watch the movie anyway

[KaiserKirk]

Hey everyone, I think we have an AWOL crewman!

My (CMO Angus's) Assistant Nurse, Bugsy6 hasn't posted for over four weeks. Her last post was when the majority of the crew were still arriving at DS9. I have been trying to contact her but to no avail.

[Silynn]

True fact: I have never actually watched Top Gun. I just sort of missed it when it came out in the theater, then in college it was playing in somebody's room, and I got bored and left, and then once Hot Shots came out, honestly, there seemed little point in going back to watch the original, y'know?

As a result, this is basically my mental response to that song.

EDIT (to actually be on-topic): Silynn, that sounds good, but putting it on that time frame makes it more likely that it's Jim's first mission after the promotion, instead of being what earns him the promotion. Fine either way, I'm just thinking out loud to keep things straight.

THIS isn't exactly Top Gun's opening (it's Macross) *but* it mirrors the original Top Gun opening (which is all you need to see to get excited).

Hot Shots was a mis-mash of a bunch of movies, but yeah, totally understand there. It, Top Gun original, was on cable last weekend. Watching it again, it is a bit dated but still has some great moments.

On Topic, however the timeframe works, I'm sure the promotion and writing will be enjoyable to read.

Edit: THIS is for Scarlett!

[Scarlett]

Silynn = <3

[Vox]

So with the fact that the fighter bay and machine shop/repair area takes up the same space over 3 decks. I was thinking would it make sense if the Machine Shop/repair section was a more open room, like say how Engineering on the Enterprise D and Voyager was an open multi-levelled room and took up decks 15 and 16, with say a window that overlooked the actual bay where the fighters are kept and launched from on Deck 17 below it?

They could each have their own landing pad to launch from that could be raised into the machine shop/repair area if they need extensive repairs if needed or is that too much? What do we think?

[Generator]

Vox, that's kind of what I was getting from the deck layouts Eagle posted, so I'd say we go with that.

Small question: as regards "supporting cast" NPCs, in this case the other fighter pilots. Should I just come up with quick "name and rank" for the other seven pilots and leave it at that?

[Asteropax]

Small question: as regards "supporting cast" NPCs, in this case the other fighter pilots. Should I just come up with quick "name and rank" for the other seven pilots and leave it at that?

That would be a good idea. A lot of us have been coming up with names and ranks for other character's we've made up, with some we interact with and others who'll just be background characters. Looking back to the various Star Trek series, the characters you have a fair amount of interaction with would be like reoccurring characters and the rest make guest appearances.

[Generator]

Fair nuff. I'll start building out the squadron, and make another post to Jim's thread in Ship Database, including these guys.