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Helios

Sunspot Lounges

The Akira-Class vessels make novel use of space to facilitate social areas for almost 500 crew members with limited space. Several large open plan messes combined with passing place style corridor lounges (taking advantage of lessons learnt with the Galaxy class) allows Helios to make use of normally wasted space. Nestled on the port and starboard trailing edge of Helios' deck 8, the twin sunspot lounges are one of the ship's more subdued and intimate social spaces.

Fitted with a number of private booths and sofas, the low lighting and ambient music that spills forth from hidden speakers gives the lounges a more intimate feel for evenings of quiet gatherings and rendezvous. The twin lounges feature a number of privacy considerations such as inbuilt replicators in the booth's tables, holographic dividers and an all holographic bar and waiting staff. The focal point of each booth is a large aft quarter facing window giving unobstructed views out into space, which more than once has caused a subtle course correction to maximise a romantic vista.

The Orrery

Situated in the enclosed centre of Helios' flight deck, the Orrery is the command centre of the ships' flight wing and Heliades squadron. A modification of the redundant auxilary bridge, the Orrery takes advantage of the room's command and control systems aswell as the direct connection to the ships computer and sensor sytems to manage the airspace around Helios. With a number of dedicated stations for the management of Helios' vast shuttle bays and a live link to the main bridge, the Orrery acts as a CIC during combat but also provides vital operational support during humanitarian and transport missions.

With Helios' recent return to non-combat duties with Task Force 47 and the Fourth Fleets return to a more scientific mission brief, the Orrery has recieved a permenant contingent of science officers into the duty roster. These scientists provide support to the divisions's exploratory efforts, utilising the ship's huge number of auxilary craft to extend the reach of the ship's sensors, directing their efforts to survery systems with suprising speed.

Diplomatic centre, (removed from Helios)

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NOT IN USE

The Pynx

The Pynx is a state of the art diplomatic and conference centre located in the refitted 'battle module' of Helios, an attempt at Starfleet Command to highlight the peaceful intentions of the new age of exploration. At the cost of some of its torpedo capabilities the module has seen the addition of a large complex of diplomatic suites, each modelled after famous diplomats, a number of multi-function conference and meeting places in addition to a cadre of talented officers from the Federation Diplomatic corps. Throughout the complex holographic generators and advanced environmental systems are able to adapt the suites to cater for a wide variety of needs, allowing diplomatic meetings, conferences and summits to take place aboard the vessel, surrounded by glorious views of the cosmos at every turn.

At the centre of the complex is the main offices of the Diplomatic detachment and the high capacity transporter that connects the module with the rest of the vessel. Travel to and from the module is generally free to all crew-members of any rank, as the suites & multi-function rooms are often used as practice rooms and bookable spaces for the wide variety of shipboard activates.

Hypatia Suite

Situated at the rear of the module, the Hypatia suite's focal point is a set of expansive windows fitted with hand crafted glass from Tellar Prime; the home of many of Starfleet's greatest diplomats, providing an inspiring, unobstructed vista of the galaxy. Named in honour of the pioneering ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician of Earth, the Hypatia suite seeks to inspire whilst presenting a sobering reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of the universe.

Kor Suite

Inspired by the dramatic statement architecture of the Klingon Hill Council chambers, the Kor suite is perfect for channelling the particular spirit of Klingon Diplomacy. Named after the famed Dahar Master and diplomat who served the Empire for over a century, the Kor suite is part conference room, part amphitheatre, with specialist acoustics designed by the renowned Ferengi composer Jeere Goold; a perfect stage for entertaining and facilitating more private discussions.

In keeping with Captain Tanek's insistence that all facilities are multi-use outside of mission operations , the various music and live performance groups of Helios have made the Kor suite their home away from home, making use of it's particularly beneficial acoustic design. The additional musical underscore has become a permanent feature of the Agora, much to the pleasure of the Diplomatic Corps.

Soval Suite

The Soval Suite aboard USS Helios, showcasing the holographic abilities of the diplomatic suite.

Named after the famed Vulcan diplomat and Ambassador to the burgeoning United Earth in the 22nd Century, the Soval suite models itself after the open meeting places of Vulcan where philosophers, scientists and ley persons met to discuss the topics of the day. In this suite the holographic capabilities of The Pynx are used to full effect with the warm, dry environment seeming to disappear into the distance, instilling the peace and calm of the Vulcan homeworld into all discussions.

When not in use for Mission Operations this suite also hosts the twice-weekly meeting of the vessel's hot yoga and meditation group, as well as being the venue for the monthly stargazing club whose bring and share BBQ has become a staple in the ship's calendar.