[snip]

It took the Starfleet design bureau almost five years of design and construction before the first five Independance class frigates came out of the assembly yards around Earth, with another three ready for commissioning should the need arise. Built around the 21st century idea of the United States Navy’s littoral combat ship, the Independence took many of the same cues of these multi-role frigates from history. The intent was to build a small, fast, maneuverable and relatively inexpensive ship that could be easily reconfigured for a variety of different roles should the need arise. This would range from system patrols, to scientific surveys, anti-pirate/raider action ships, and service as a logistics transport.

I don’t mean to be a downer here, but the Navy’s LCS is kind of a dubious project. It’s kinda too small to be useful for most of the missions it needs to do now, and I think they’re looking at cutting it, so I think that stating this as the basis of this design might look really silly in a few years.

== I’ll do a little rewrite then for the next draft

[snip]

The Independence Class Frigate was designed from the ground up to be rugged, dependable, and functional for its missions. Starfleet decided to accelerate the construction of the Independence-class by reusing structural designs from previous vessels, but with new materials. The forward section has exactly the same shape and structural outline as the upper-fore of the old Daedalus-class starship from a century prior. The rearward sections of the ship are shaped as rectangular platforms which then connect seamlessly as one unit into a half dome shaped saucer. Projecting upwards at the rear of the ship, on short V shaped pylons are the ship’s two warp nacelles.

Wait… I thought the Daedalus has a sphere on the front not a half dome or a saucer?

== This could read better, the idea is that the front quarter of the saucer is a quarter dome shape. I’ll rework it for the next draft

[snip]

The Independence class makes use of the 150 sensor palettes arranged across the ship in clusters of four. The ship’s circular navigational deflector is located on decks 7 and 8 in a square shaped inset. These together make up the standard TOS-Type-5 sensor system. It has a short range scan of 2 light years and a high range scan of 6.5 light years. Through the application of high power emissions diodes, the sensor array can be utilised as a jamming system to prevent enemy vessels from sending or receiving transmissions. Effective jamming range for this system at full power is 100,000km. It should be noted that affecting this jamming system also prevents the jamming vessel from utilising their own communications systems.

I think “high power emissions diodes” should read “high power emission diodes” or “high-power emission diodes.”

I also think the bit about scanning range could be written better. Something like “It has a high-resolution scan range of 2 light years and a low resolution scan range of 6.5 light years.” I think we use language like that elsewhere.

== I’ll rework this thanks!

Computer and Network Systems

The Independence Class Frigate is equipped with a single duotronic computer mounted vertically on the rear sections of decks 2 and 3. Any requests from the library computer must be issued through the main Computer Room and any portable information must be copied to recorder tapes. The only information terminals capable of accessing the library computer without passing through the computer room are those in the Captain’s Quarters, the Main Conference Lounge, Main Engineering, the Science Labs, Sickbay and the Bridge.

Does it matter if it’s mounted vertically or horizontally? Or like, it’s vertically in that it goes through the deck or something?

== No it doesnt matter, but it gives a description if anyone goes there in character i guess

I don’t know if this limitation on accessing the computer makes sense. I mean, it makes sense to want to have better computer access in some places rather than others. But I dunno.

== It was more to keep in line with what TOS showed on screen, discounting Disco

What does it mean “passing through” and “issued through”? Does that mean I need to walk down there and get a tape?

== Not you personally but an NE would, again its based on things similar to TOS

Warp Propulsion Systems

The Independence Class Frigate is equipped with the Class V warp core system. It has a maximum Cochrane output of 615, with a standard cruising speed of TOS-Warp 5, a maximum sustainable speed of TOS-Warp 7, a maximum speed for 12 hours of TOS-Warp 8, and an emergency speed for 2 hours of TOS-Warp 8.5.

Do we actually write “TOS-Warp” in the spec? Can’t we say “Warp” or “Warp Factor 7 on the cochrane scale”? Or something?

== Yep we do its to differentiate between the warp scales!

[snip]

Finally, the class was one of the last to be equipped with a hull polarization system that strengthens the ship’s hull by nearly 100% above normal. In an emergency of shield failure, it also has a maximum energy dissipation rate of 54,750 kilowatts.

Why does it have this system?

== It was meant to show the lineage of age of the system and I thought it would be a nice touch. Also I think there was something in Disco about it being on some ships yet in the first season either way it seemed a good fit for the spec

[snip]

The Independence class’s bridge is located on the central area of deck 1 in a circle shaped inset. At the center of the room is the Captain’s chair that sits on a 5 inch raised platform from the floor while the rest of the bridge stations are sunken below. Ahead of them is the Helm and Navigator seats and consoles. To the port side of the bridge are two engineering focused stations, while to port are two scientific related stations. Directly behind the ship’s captain seat is the ship’s comm station. Access to the bridge is obtained by a single turbolift to port of the comm’s officer or to starboard by an emergency Jeffries Tube access hatch. Forward of the helm and navigation stations is the ship’s rectangular view screen. Although there is no designated seat for the First Officer, as he is traditionally a Department Head himself, it is assumed that he will be manning one of the duty stations located throughout the Bridge

The Engineering and the Science stations are both described as being “to port.” I suggest the Science Stations should be on the starboard side.

== Good catch I missed that!

Auxiliary Control

The Independence class’s auxiliary control is located on the central area of deck 7. This area is laid out just like the main bridge except it only has one of each engineering and science related stations. It is manned during yellow and red alerts at all times by secondary staff officers in case of main bridge loss.

That’s actually kind of a grand layout for auxiliary control, isn’t it? It was kind of a tiny, tiny room on the show.

== Maybe, but it also has to play nice for people playing in the spec at least having a station if needed its still pretty small I think

Conference Room

The Independence’s conference room is located on deck 3 to the forward port areas along the outer hull edge with a pair of oval shaped windows. It has seating room for up to six people around a fold up and adjustable table. Along the aft quarter of the wall is a 30 inch briefing and communication screen.

Do we want a big screen? I mean, the dinky future TV thing at the center of the table is a thing we’ve had appear already in posts.

I’d also like one of those computer consoles on the briefing table, because we’ve RPed one of those already.

== I’ll tweak this for next draft

Brig

Located on deck 5 to starboard is the ship’s brig, it can hold up to 3 occupants if needed. The cell’s utilise a series of two recessed force field generators which deliver a painful, but relatively harmless shock to anyone who touches the field while it is active. When activated, the generators slide into place and glow with a soft yellow light. Feeding of the brig occupants is processed by an air pushed delivery tube from outside ensuring no direct access between the cell occupant and watch officer. A single shared waste dispenser with a lower body covering for semi-privacy is also present

“Painful, but relatively harmless” is kinda contradictory. “Painful, but non-lethal” might be better?

== Noted

“Air pushed delibery tube”… like… the same thing they use in the galley?

== No think more like those air tubes in a bank with a canister

[snip]

The scientific, medical and engineering labs of the Independence class span the central areas of decks 9 through 12. Each grouping of labs for both the science and engineering departments, contain 10 dedicated duotronic computer cells for lab processing and faster archival storage to the main computer system. The labs also contain basic 2-D holographic projection systems for object analysis and study.

What’s a “2-D holographic projection”? Usually, if it’s holographic in the Trek universe, it’s 3-D.

== This is in reference to early Disco where we had a sorta 2D projection (or maybe it was 3d? I gotta go back to check) Either way I’ll check on this for the next draft

[snip]

On Deck 9 are the hydroponics, botany, agronomy, zoology, animal anatomical/physiological labs. The Chief Science Officer’s office is also located here
On Deck 10 are the geology, hydrology, volcanology and meteorology labs.
On Deck 11 are the chemistry and their assorted sub-disciplines, general physics, astrophysics, astronomy, cosmology, and stellar cartography labs. The last of which extends down to the port side of deck 12.
On Deck 12 are the mechanical science, computer science, robotics labs and the access point for the stellar cartography lab.

This is a little over the top, isn’t it? To have all of these highly specialized labs? This is supposed to be a smaller ship. Plus, some of these fields are really just synonyms for each other…

== Hmm good point I’ll tweak this some for next draft

[snip]

There are a total of 3 transporters designed in use by the Independence Class. There are two standard six pad transporters, one on deck 3 one on deck 10. In addition, there is then a single ten pad emergency transporter on deck 8. Ranges of the standard transporters are 30,000km, while that of the emergency transporter is 11,250km. Full transport takes 15 seconds, start to finish. The emergency transporters take 11 seconds start to finish. The emergency one is, by design, outbound transport only.

This is a bit of an anachronistic capability isn’t it? Didn’t the Constitution class have exactly one transporter?

== Per memory alpha USS Enterprise NCC-1701 Constitution-class starships, such at the Enterprise, had at least four transporter rooms. (TAS: “Mudd’s Passion”) so nope!

[snip]

There is a medium sized gymnasium located on the lower aft section of Deck 8. It is equipped with a sparring ring for boxing/wrestling/fencing or other forms of hand to hand combat, and cardiovascular and weights machinery to keep the crew in peak physical condition. Should the situation arise, the Gymnasium’s equipment can be easily stored, thus opening up the room’s area to be used as an auditorium or act as an auxiliary storage room or stage area for theatre performances. At any given time, the gymnasium can comfortably contain 20 people, though in theatre configuration it can easily handle 40.

I like the fact that this ship has a gymnasium exactly like this.

== Thanks a thought I wanted to bring up, what does you/Nick/anyone consider the idea of merging the Gym with the lounge? To reflect the small nature where the Gym/Lounge swap places on a rotating use through shifts?

Galley/Crew Lounge

The ship’s Galley and crew lounge is located on the forward section of deck 9. It has a pair of small but appreciable viewing windows out into space. The room also contains seating for up to 10 people at a time, though more could be made with appropriate table and chairs removed.

Although capable of reproducing a variety of food selections, the Independence Class is equipped with both a food synthesizer system, and a fully functioning Galley. Food stuffs for the Galley are stored in two separate fully compartmentalized pantries, each compartment is equipped with their own stasis field generators to preserve freshness. This provides something of an alternative to the standard cubed nutritional supplements offered by the food synthesizer system.

The food synthesizer system is a matter resequencer system connected to the waste reclamation system. The matter resequencer recycles biological waste materials into simple protein and sucrose compounds in taste similar to meat/dairy/vegetable byproducts such as ground beef, fish or poultry, cheeses, fruit juices and preserves but in appearance simple multicoloured cubes. Although highly efficient, the re-sequencer is incapable of creating food stuffs with a complex layered formation as found in a turkey leg (with fat, bone and skin attached to the meat), or the fibrous consistency of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Galley prepared or processed synthesized food stuffs are distributed via a computer controlled network of food dispensers. Any materials left over from the meal such as the dinner ware, or undigested food stuffs placed back into the dispenser are automatically recycled into the waste reclamation system. Each dispenser consists of a closed circuit micro transporter mounted as an enclosed wall unit in specified areas throughout the ship. These areas include: the crew lounge, the Captain’s, XO’s, and VIP’s quarters, Main Engineering, and the ship’s Sickbay.

This microtransporter thing is a little over the top, isn’t it? I mean, there are whole plots of TOS where people deliver food to Kirk or Spock’s quarters.

== There are, you are right, I’ll remove that bit

Command Staff/VIP Quarters

Located in a half ring around deck 3 along the forward areas are the ship’s commanding officer, and executive officer quarters. Along deck 4 in a half ring is the ship’s 10 VIP and department head quarters. The ship’s commanding officer and 10 VIP quarters have the largest quarter setup with a bathroom which contains a whirlpool bath, shower, and a bedroom large enough for a walk-in closet, a full sized bed, and a large work/entertainment station. The Executive officer has a similar layout but minus the whirlpool path. While the Department heads have twin sized sleep bed areas. Only the Captain, Executive Officer, and VIP. quarters are outfitted with food dispensers. All others must either order from the ship’s galley or go to the ship’s crew lounge.

The dispensers seem excessive.

== I’ll remove them

[snip]

SHIPS OF THE CLASS

Ships of the Independence class are named, barring the first ship of the class, after Continental Navy naval frigates of the age of sail.

USS Independence - NCC 1600
USS Alliance - NCC 1601
USS Bonhomme Richard - NCC 1602
USS Boston - NCC 1603
USS Bourbon - NCC 1604

Bourbon?

== If you look up continental naval frigates of the age of sail this was one such name yes, so it fits the naming scheme

The following ships are NPC ships and can be reused as needed.

USS Bricole - NCC 1605
USS Confederacy - NCC 1605
USS Congress - NCC 1606

I don’t really like any of these names. I don’t know what a Bricole is, Confederacy is very much not in vogue at the present, and I don’t like Congress.

== Again they’re fitting in line with the age of sail naming.

Conclusion

The Independence class are small, rugged, multi-role frigates capable of many duties of larger cruiser designs at half the cost and build time. Capable and functional, though not the prettiest, they will likely be in use for many years to come.

Submitted: 5/19/2020

I like the concept, and it’s pretty well executed. But some parts of it are a bit grander than what they’re supposed to be, I think. I’m looking forward to the next iteration.

Joe

== Thanks Joe I’ll take into consideration your points of view and edit where I can for the next draft

Robert Archer