7. FACING THE UNEXPECTED

There are seven types of emergency situations during which normal ship operations and schedule may be suspended. The Command Triad has the authority to assume direct control of the Leviathan during these situations should it be deemed necessary. These situations are as follows: dangerous natural phenomena, damage control operations, emergency evacuation of the ship, combat operations, search and rescue operations, encounters with a new alien race, and unexpected scientific discovery.

7.1 Batten Down the Hatches

The Leviathan attempts to stay clear of most dangerous natural phenomena but there are occasions where such phenomena appears suddenly or must be approached for closer study. On these occasions an emergency situation may be declared with visitors being confined to Zone B/Visitor Section. Some examples of such phenomena include plasma/ion storms, space-time disturbances, and high gravity anomalies. During study of dangerous phenomena, an emergency situation will usually be lifted once it has been determined that damage to the ship is not imminent.

7.2 Controlling Damage

An emergency situation will almost always be declared when the Leviathan suffers damage whether it be accidental or intentional. Visitors are expected to stay put while damage control teams work to repair the worst of the damage unless directed to do otherwise by a crew member or a robot. Visitors in a damaged part of the ship should call for help if possible. Visitors are reminded that the sentient computer monitors all public areas of the ship and that a non-sentient system monitors all living quarters.

Lounges will be used as first-aid stations if there are many injured personnel. Visitors with minor injuries will be directed to the nearest lounge for treatment if this situation arises. Visitors will be assisted by security personnel and other crew members in vacating damaged areas of the ship and getting medical attention when necessary during emergency situations. Visitors are expected to help the security personnel, rescue teams, medical teams, and damage control teams by following their orders immediately, exactly, and without question.

Visitors should be aware of the survival equipment lockers which are located throughout the ship including every living quarters. These lockers are marked with a distinctive logo which they and their children should learn to immediately recognize. The access panels for survival equipment lockers are usually located near the deck. Each locker contains breathing gear, fire extinguishers, food and water rations, medical kits, and other emergency supplies. Each locker is inspected regularly to replace old rations and make sure all survival gear is in good working condition. Visitors should familiarize themselves with the locations of the survival equipment lockers in their quarters as soon as they arrive aboard. Single cabins have two such lockers, double cabins have three, and family cabins have four.

There are three very hazardous situations which can occur when the ship is damaged : loss of artificial gravity, loss of atmosphere, and fire. Visitors should know how to deal with each of these situations should they arise.

Loss of artificial gravity may not seem serious, but it is. If a visitor experiences loss of gravity the first thing she or he should do is try to stay calm. Visitors with children nearby should determine their exact location. Heat sources, water sources, and ventilation grills can be particularly dangerous. Visitors in their quarters should stay there if possible and turn off such items as heat lamps, cooking devices, and water faucets. They should also see that ventilation grills do not get blocked by floating objects. Visitors can use the wall mounted vacuum-cleaning equipment in their quarters to suck up liquids and small debris. Visitors needing immediate assistance should alert either the sentient computer or the non-sentient monitoring system. Visitors in large open areas such as the garden bays or hangar bays should attempt to reach a wall or ceiling where handholds are placed at regular intervals. Visitors stranded in mid-air and unable to maneuver should stay calm until assistance arrives. A ship wide announcement will be made when artificial gravity can be restored after which the gravity will slowly increase until 1G is reached.

Loss of atmosphere is a situation that can become very dangerous very quickly. The Leviathan's life support systems can compensate for small leaks but large leaks and sudden hull violations are harder to deal with. When the sentient computer or the non-sentient monitoring system detects a hull breach, all compartments and corridors near the damaged area are sealed off immediately to stop loss of atmosphere and rescue teams are sent immediately to look for survivors. Little can be done to save individuals unfortunate enough to be at the site of the rupture but others in nearby areas can increase their chances of survival. Visitors who find themselves trapped in such a sealed off compartment or corridor should hear an announcement and/or see flashing lights warning them of their precarious situation. They should attempt to stay calm and look for a survival equipment locker where they will find breathing gear along with other emergency supplies. Visitors with children should first put on their own breathing gear before assisting their children. Once all trapped personnel have breathing gear they should attempt to contact help. If they succeed in contacting help, they will receive instructions in what to do next. Otherwise, they should attempt to stay as calm as possible until rescue teams arrive.

Fire aboard the ship is perhaps the most feared hazardous situation. When the sentient computer or the non-sentient monitoring system detects a fire, all compartments and corridors nearby will be immediately sealed off and a fire-extinguishing foam will be sprayed in an attempt to put out the fire. Rescue teams will then be sent to the affected area to rescue survivors and continue fighting the fire if necessary. Visitors in an area where a fire breaks out should attempt to vacate the area immediately. If they are in or near their quarters at the time they should not attempt to rescue personal possessions. Visitors trapped near a fire should try to access the nearest survival equipment locker for breathing gear and fire extinguishers. Visitors are reminded that the biggest danger from fire is inhaling smoke and that acquiring breathing gear should be their first priority. They should stay close to the floor and seal off sources of smoke if possible. Visitors with access to a survival equipment locker can attempt to activate the fire-extinguishing foam sprayers for their immediate area using the controls located in the locker. The foam is non-toxic and will cause no long term health problems. Visitors should try to keep calm until rescue teams arrive.

Visitors may be confined to Zone B/Visitor Section after the emergency situation has passed while repairs are being made. Such periods of confinement usually last for only a few days at most.

7.3 To the Lifeboats!

An emergency situation will always be declared if an entire section of the Leviathan is badly damaged or if portions of most sections are damaged. Depending upon the extent of damage the ship has suffered, one of three courses of action will be taken: evacuation of the damaged areas of one or more sections of the ship, separation of the ship into smaller components, or evacuation of the entire vessel.

Extensive damage to just one section of the ship or damage to portions of several sections usually will result in evacuation of the affected areas only. Visitors or crew members displaced from their quarters will be housed in spare quarters if possible or share quarters with other visitors or crew members if necessary. Every effort will be made to keep family members together. Small pets of visitors or crew members may have to be put into stasis until repairs can be made. Resident aliens whose quarters are damaged may be transported off the vessel if substitute quarters cannot be provided promptly. Visitors should be aware that the Leviathan has extensive stores and fabrication facilities allowing quick repair of most types of damage.

Occasions can arise when damage to a ship section or portions of several sections is severe enough to threaten the survival of the entire vessel. In this case the ship will separate into four smaller components. Component 1 consists of Zones A, B, and C, Component 2 consists of Zone D, Component 3 consists of Zones E and F, and Component 4 consists of Zone G (see Illustration 33). When possible, Components 2, 3, and 4 will remain connected. Each Component is self-sustaining and capable of defending itself. Components 1, 2, and 4 have sublight propulsion systems and Component 3 is outfitted with emergency sublight propulsion units located aft of the main cargo holds. Component 4 is capable of warp-jump travel and can be connected directly to Component 1 if Component 3 is damaged beyond repair or otherwise not capable of withstanding warp-jump travel. Component 2 is the only component capable of landing on planetary surfaces. Components 1 and 3 are both capable of sustaining the entire ship's complement if necessary. Visitors are to remain in Component 1 during ship separation operations if at all possible. Components damaged beyond repair may be abandoned.

Should enough of the Leviathan be damaged to threaten the survival of the remaining crew and visitors, evacuation of the entire ship will be necessary. The Leviathan is outfitted with nineteen large lifeboats, seventeen for humans and Sentrob, and two for resident aliens. Visitors should familiarize themselves with the locations of all lifeboats. Most horizontal branch corridors end at a lifeboat station. The seventeen lifeboats for humans and Sentrob can each accommodate up to one hundred seventy five humans and carry emergency rations, medical supplies, and other survival gear. Each lifeboat has its own space energy absorber array and sublight propulsion units and is capable of landing on planetary surfaces. Each lifeboat has a crew of four: pilot, navigator, engineer, and medic. A lifeboat can sustain a full load of people for thirty days before resupply, buying precious time for rescue forces to arrive.

All visitors will receive basic instruction in evacuation operations and must participate in the practice drills held regularly. During evacuation operations visitors must obey the orders of crew members and robots directing them. When the evacuation signal sounds, visitors should report to the lifeboat station nearest them unless informed otherwise. Visitors in Zone F should report to the hangar bay. Visitors should be aware that life aboard a lifeboat is austere and that all those aboard must be willing to work together to ensure their collective survival.

All available smallcraft and small starships are launched as part of evacuation operations. Priority is given to getting the most amount of emergency supplies off the vessel as possible. If Component 2 (Zone D/ Command Section) survives, it will disconnect from the rest of the ship to direct the evacuation and lead the surviving lifeboats, smallcraft, and small starships to safety. Should Component 2 not be salvageable, one of the small starships or smallcraft will be designated as the command post. After the Leviathan is fully evacuated, all craft will assemble into formation and begin traveling at sublight speed towards the nearest star system while awaiting rescue. If possible, one of the small starships will be sent to hasten rescue operations.

7.4 Fighting for Our Lives

Combat operations are rare but they do occur. An emergency situation will always be declared if the Leviathan is attacked by unfriendly forces. An emergency situation will also be declared if there is an internal disturbance aboard the ship such as acts of terrorism or hostage taking.

For their own safety, visitors will be confined to their quarters if the vessel enters a situation where combat is considered likely. Should visitors need to be relocated during combat operations to maintain their safety, security personnel and other crew members will guide them from their quarters to the new location.

The Leviathan will separate into components prior to combat operations if the Command Triad determines that this would enhance the visitors' chances of survival. Usually this would entail separating only Component 1 (Zones A, B, and C) from the rest of the ship to seek safety, accompanied by the ship's gunboats and gunship for added protection if possible.

Visitors should be aware that the Leviathan is one of the Human Commonwealth's best armed and armored starships with the most advanced weaponry and defensive systems available to humanity at this time. Furthermore, visitors need to realize that as a Star Guard Network vessel, the Leviathan can be called at any time to defend any ship, installation, or star system under Star Guard Network protection. However, this also means that should the Leviathan fall under attack, other Star Guard Network vessels will be immediately summoned to its aid. The very existence of the Star Guard Network has done much to deter the occurrence of space combat in the portion of the galaxy under its protection.

Should the Leviathan be boarded by hostile forces, the security personnel will do everything in their power to thwart the attack. If necessary, the ship will separate into its components or visitors will be evacuated in the lifeboats in an attempt to secure their safety.

Internal disturbances such as terrorist acts will be dealt with swiftly and forcefully. Security personnel are empowered to take immediate action to suppress any beings engaging in such acts. Should such a situation arise, first the area of the ship where the acts take place will be sealed off. Then all visitors and child crew members will be evacuated from the area in danger if possible. Finally, security personnel will attempt to save any hostages and arrest the terrorists. Security personnel are authorized to use deadly force if necessary. Surviving terrorists will usually be put into stasis as soon as possible for transport to rehabilitation facilities. Any visitors found assisting a terrorist will be held in the security facility until it has been determined whether they were forced to act against their will. Visitors who willingly assisted a terrorist will be held in the security facility until transport off the vessel can be arranged.

Visitors should be aware that all areas of the ship are equipped with anti-terrorism devices under control of the sentient computer. The first such device is an anesthetizing gas which will render humans and many resident aliens unconscious in a short period of time. This gas has no long term health effects. The second such device is a sonic siren which will also bring unconsciousness but does result in some ear damage. Other measures that can be taken include modifying the gravity or temperature of a compartment or corridor to hinder a terrorist. As a last resort, the atmosphere of a compartment or corridor occupied by a terrorist can be evacuated. Visitors must realize that while all attempts will be made to rescue hostages, the safety of the ship is paramount. Visitors can take comfort in the fact that such terrorism situations are very rare.

Internal disturbances not resulting in terrorists acts are usually some form of protest engaged in by a group expressing their point of view. Even though shipboard society is based on the recognition that diversity is to be treasured and that tolerance between those holding differing belief systems is expected, there are occasional unfortunate incidents. A group or individual offended by the words or acts of another group or individual, usually of differing belief systems, may hold a protest in one of the public areas of the ship. A protest may also address some aspect of shipboard society that a group or individual finds offensive. If such a protest is non-violent and does not affect smooth running of the vessel, it will be tolerated for a period of time. If the protest becomes violent or abusive of others, an emergency situation may be declared and the protesters will be dispersed by security personnel with help from the non-lethal anti-terrorism devices if necessary. A group or individual with complaints against another group or individual is encouraged to speak with a Starship Advisor about the incident instead of holding a protest. Often one or more Starship Advisors can bring about a reconciliation between those involved in the incident eliminating the need for a protest. If necessary, both parties involved in the incident will be called to appear before the Starship Council. Usually the Starship Council will suggest that both parties participate in the inter-belief system discussion group which meets regularly to address the differences which lead to interpersonal misunderstandings and conflict. Visitors who repeatedly engage in protests may be confined to quarters for the duration of their stay aboard the Leviathan.

We aboard the Leviathan are very proud of our shipboard society. In these times when the Sentrob are struggling to take their rightful place alongside humans, and the followers of the well established Radiant Faith and Humanicist Philosophy are being challenged to accept the existence of the relatively new and growing Pansentia Way, the shipboard society of the Leviathan has become a model of cooperation and goodwill. The Leviathan has had the least number of protests of any human starship serving in the Star Guard Network. Visitors are requested to help us to maintain peace aboard our vessel, a peace that benefits us all as well as offers plentiful opportunities to meet, get to know, and hopefully befriend those different from ourselves.

7.5 Lending a Helping Hand

The Leviathan as one of the human starships serving in the Star Guard Network is occasionally called upon to engage in search and rescue operations for ships in distress and disaster relief operations for installations in need. During these operations an emergency situation may be declared. Once the Leviathan has arrived at the site of the ship or installation in distress, visitors may be confined to Zone B/ Visitor Section and Zone C/Garden Section. The length of the period of confinement will depend upon the severity of the rescue operation. There may be occasions where visitors will be asked to help out especially if rescue teams are short handed. Visitors would most likely be requested to help comfort survivors and share their quarters with survivors should spare quarters not be available. Visitors with special knowledge or experience with disaster situations will be encouraged to lend more involved assistance for the duration of the rescue operations.

Visitors should be aware that crew members are expected to share their quarters with survivors and that requests for visitors to share their quarters means there is a real need. If necessary, lounges will be converted to temporary lodging for survivors for the duration of rescue operations. The Leviathan's life support systems can safely accommodate up to forty-five hundred humans for long term transport. In an emergency situation, the ship can handle up to nine thousand humans but only for about thirty days.

Visitors with special needs may request transport off the Leviathan if an extended rescue operation is imminent. Such requests should be made to your Shipboard Guide and must be approved by the Starship Council. Visitors should be aware that rescue operations, while infrequent, do happen.

As one of the fastest human starships, the Leviathan will often be the first ship on the scene during a rescue operation. If the situation is more than the Leviathan can handle, the Leviathan would stay on the scene in an attempt to stabilize the situation until the specialized rescue vessels of the Star Guard Network can arrive. Once they arrive the decision would be made whether the Leviathan should stay to lead the operation or leave the scene once the rescue vessels are able to take over.

7.6 Unexpected Encounters

Perhaps one of the most exciting events that can be experienced while traveling aboard a starship such as the Leviathan is encountering a sentient race previously unknown to humanity. As a Star Guard Network vessel, the Leviathan is authorized to initiate contact on behalf of the Network with any ships of unknown origin. When such a circumstance arises, an emergency situation will always be declared.

Visitors will be confined to Zone B/Visitor Section and Zone C/ Garden Section during first contact operations. Depending on the situation, this restriction may be relaxed after a short period of time. If a lengthy exchange of information between the crew members of the Leviathan and the previously unknown race operating the other vessel becomes necessary, visitors may request transport off the Leviathan to their destination. Such requests should be made to your Shipboard Guides and must be approved by the Starship Council.

Visitors should be aware that first contact operations in deep space are rare occurrences and thus are extremely important to the Star Guard Network. Visitors are expected to be as cooperative as possible and are requested to accept any inconveniences such operations may cause graciously. The often delicate nature of the initial communications with the unknown ship may require a temporary communications blackout of all other transmissions from the Leviathan. This means visitors will not be able to place calls to other destinations until the blackout has been lifted.

On occasion, the Leviathan will be sent by the Star Guard Network to a planet or installation occupied by a sentient race to initiate first physical contact operations. In this situation, communications with that race usually has been in progress for some time. When the Leviathan is ordered to divert from its scheduled course to perform this kind of first contact procedure, visitors will be offered transport off the vessel as soon as another Star Guard Network ship can rendezvous with the Leviathan. Due to the delicate and usually prolonged nature of physical first contact operations, visitors often will have no choice but to accept transport off the Leviathan.

7.7 On the Edge of Discovery

The final kind of circumstance which may result in declaration of an emergency situation is unexpected scientific discovery. Such discoveries can range from encountering a previously unknown natural phenomena to running across a derelict spacecraft to finding the remains of an unknown civilization in an previously unexplored star system.

If an emergency situation is declared due to such a discovery, visitors will be confined to Zone B/Visitor Section and Zone C/Garden Section until the extent of danger to them and the ship can be determined. Usually the period of confinement is short. If a prolonged scientific investigation is deemed necessary, visitors may request transport off the Leviathan. Such requests should be made to your Shipboard Guides and must be approved by the Starship Council. Visitors with special skills or experiences may be requested to assist in extensive survey operations. Unexpected scientific discovery is what attracts many people to serve in the Star Guard Network.

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