Forlorn Hope Bridge
The bridge is a technological marvel, built in circles. From there, one can benefit from a stunning view of the whole prow and the surrounding void by large Gothic arches. Enclosed between by powerful cogitator units, the bridge is a giant astronomical clock. The ground is transparent to allow anyone to see automatons and the perpetual motion of gears. Banners, ex voto and censers are hung or float in the air.
The first circle shows the day, according to both the administrative and traditional calendar, as well as the saint of the day. The second circle consists of twelve pits, surrounding a central core. Each of the twelve pits is devoted to managing one aspect of the ship, but also symbolizes a month in the year of the traditional calendar, and a sign of the zodiac. In order, starting from the prow:
- TIMONIS: the helm.
- NAVIGATIO: Navigation & Cartography. It is linked directly to the Navis Blister through a tunnel.
- ASTROPATHICA: long distance communications, but also in charge of the hexagrammatic protections on the hull, and the Geller Field, as well as Witch hunting on board.
- AUGURARIUM: Etherics, Augers, Vox & Sensors.
- AERONAUTICA: The control tower and liaison with Forlorn Hope Attack crafts. It is these officers that are in charge of the reckless small craft pilots.
- MEDICAE: in charge of health, both mental and physical. From this post also works in secret the Master of Whispers and its propagandists.
- ENGINARII: Engineering. The first access to the Main Cogitator and the Realm of the Mechanicus.
- COMMISSARIATUS: Commissariat & Stewardship. In charge of supplies, inventory, and human resources.
- COMMERCIA: Business & passengers. They are the ones who look after the needs of passengers, and also the underlings of the High Factotum, managing the Rogue Trader’s assets.
- FIDES: Faith. In charge of the Morale on board, they ensure that His Creed is worshipped adequately in every corner of the Ship.
- ARMATA: Security & Tactics. They control sergeants-at-arms, ship provosts & armsmen, boarding troops, and any army carried on board.
- ORDINANTIA: Strategy & Ordnances. The very brain of the ship in a battle, calculating & plotting moves & broadsides of the ship’s weapons.
The main tower centre stands at the center of the twelve pits. At the top lies the main Astronomical clocks. It indicates Terra’s ecliptics, the moon fullness, sunrise and sunset, and more prosaically the hour on board. A secondary dial showing signs of the zodiac is moving upon it, and includes the command post for the Lord Captain’s retinue. there are also many holo projectors, allowing to project pictures and information in the very air above the whole bridge?
The Captain throne sits directly on the needle indicating the hour and the sun position. The First Officer throne sits on the needle indicating the state of the Moon. The Axis is hollow, allowing the rogue trader to climb to his command throne, an to access directly to the Profit Express.
To have a better idea of how it looks like, you have the schematic at the beginning of this section. for the colors and how the bridge move, it looks like this :
the functions of the astronomical clock
how it moves
