Entertainment & Welfare
In addition to its crew, the Ardent has the theoretical capacity to comfortably house up to 9,000 additional passengers – though to do so would require the expansion of the habitation cylinders and attendant conversion of much of the agricultural biome and other common areas into housing. The number of non-crew passengers onboard on most voyages is usually in the double digits: these consist of visiting dignitaries, functionaries, and scientists, who are housed in the modules most appropriate to their reason for travelling aboard the Ardent. This is generally an ambassador’s suite in the DIPLO module, if no other assignment is suggested.
The crew quarters are contained within the two habitation cylinders within the Ardent’s thorax. Each of these is made up of “pods”, self-contained modular cabins that provide all basic amenities for the person to which they have been assigned, and which may be further customised at the crewmember’s request: for example, crewmates that wish to cohabitate may apply to have their pods moved into adjoining positions and combined into a single larger living space. The rotundas connecting these pods are common areas, which contain communal dining areas, FABREP stations, T/OM terminals, and entertainment facilities.
Screens are provided throughout the ship for the display of mission-critical transmissions. In private pods and designated relaxation areas, these screens are free for crewmembers to use as they see fit: the T/OM-assisted data archives aboard the ship contain a vast repertoire of visual entertainment media from across the galaxy, and impromptu festivals to share in a fellow crewmate’s culture are both common and encouraged. Crewmates of varying rank and role intermingle, a choice designed to prevent class divides from forming between the different strata of the crew.
Outside of these team-building social events, the Diplo division module is the hub of the ship’s nightlife. Eateries, dancehalls and omni-sensory theatre venues are located along the module’s promenades, befitting its primary function as a diplomatic venue. One restaurant and its bar stand out particularly in the eyes of crew and guests alike – the Pyrosome, a traditional-style Omdua establishment with two notable traits: the quality of its breathable concoctions, or “cocktrails”, and the fact that none of its food is produced via FABREP. (The flavour of replicated carbohydrates and proteins can be underwhelming for those used to natural fare, which drives many crewmembers to inventive and occasionally alarming condiment combinations.)
In general, the facilities aboard the Ardent are distinctly adequate. The toilets work, the floors are clean, the food filling and plentiful. What makes it come alive – that motivates the crew beyond their mission is the same as on any other outpost, township or vessel in the Alliance: the people, and what they share and take part in together.
