Nicolas de Nicolay Deck H

Deck H

1. 5-ston Workpod Garage
2. Airlock
3. Workpod Maintenance Shop
4. Circulation Space. Ceiling Iris Valve to G7
5. Auxiliary Bridge. Ceiling Iris Valve to G13

Nicolas de Nicolay Deck G

Deck G

1. Forward Airlock
2. Boat Maintenance Shop
3. Circulation Space
4. Corridor
5. Fresher
6. Hydroponics Room. Used to supplement Life Support System and fresh foods, including fauxflesh vitals.
7. Circulation Space. Stored Vacc Suits. Service Lift connects Deck B thorugh G.
8. Hydroponics Room. Used to supplement Life Support System and fresh foods, including fauxflesh vitals.
9. Robot Garage
10. Auxiliary life Support System
11. Fresher
12. Auxiliary Computer. Primarily only used by Auxiliary Bridge when it is in use.
13. Auxiliary Security Station. Normally not staffed.
14. Access to Multi Mission Modular Scout Airlock coupling.
15. Access corridor to Port Multi Mission Scout
16. Access corridor to Starboard Multi Mission Scout

Nicolas de Nicolay Deck F

Deck F

1. Module Maintenance stores.
2. Module Access corridor. Windows on port side overlook Stealth Cutter hanger.
3. Module Access corridor access room.
4. Stores
5. Stores
6. Stores
7. Stores
8. Exercise Room
9. Fire/Damage Control center. Rack of vacc Suits and fire fighting equipment. Display screen for Damage Control systems control.
10. Circulation Space. Service Lift connects Deck B thorugh G.
11. Exercise Room
12. Stores
13. Stores
14. Stores
15. Fresher
16. Stores
17. Main Drive Room. Contains Ventral Unit of the balanced MS&S Msy-7L Low Emissions Reactionless Drive.

Nicolas de Nicolay Deck E

Deck E

1. Lower Astrogation. Access to sensor system hardware. Iris Valve allows access from E2.
2. Local Missile Control. Backup control for Heavy Missile Launches. Lift connects Decks B through E.
3. Access Corridor to Stealth Modular Cutter
4. Fresher
5. Drone Ready Locker. Can feed Drones to Heavy Launcher.
6. Electronics Stores. Raw materials for Electronics Fabrication Shop.
7. Galley
8. Stateroom
9. Electronics Fabrication Shop.
10. Stateroom
11. Main Level Survey Information Center. Stair-ladder access to SIC upper level. Contains holo projection platform, large wall holo screen, probe control stations and survey sensor control stations.
12. Vehicle Bay. Contains 5-ston Workpods and 48-ston Grav Lifter used to move modules from storage to Scout Craft and Cutter.
13. Personnel airlock. 13a ready area contains rack of vacc suits and controls for airlock.
14. Cargo Hold. Contains consumable materials for long endurance voyage.
15. Corridor. Lift shaft connects Decks B through E.
16. Fresher
17. Stateroom. This 4 berth stateroom is one of four specified for passenger occupancy. Doubles as brig and has full surveillance monitoring (unlike regular staterooms.)
18. Stateroom. This 4 berth stateroom is one of four specified for passenger occupancy. Doubles as brig and has full surveillance monitoring (unlike regular staterooms.)
19. Stateroom. This 4 berth stateroom is one of four specified for passenger occupancy. Doubles as brig and has full surveillance monitoring (unlike regular staterooms.)
20. Passenger Galley
21. Stateroom. This 4 berth stateroom is one of four specified for passenger occupancy. Doubles as brig and has full surveillance monitoring (unlike regular staterooms.)
22. Refrigerated storeroom for food consumables.
23. Refrigerated storeroom for food consumables.
24. Storeroom
25. Stores Corridor
26. Stores
27. Robot Garage
28. Circulation Space. Service Lift connects Deck B thorugh G.
29. Fresher
30. Main Life Support System
31. Machine Shop. 31a is a parts and raw material storeroom.
32. Main Jump Drive Room.

Nicolas de Nicolay Deck D

Deck D

1. Upper Astrogation. Access to Sensor Systems. No access from this deck.
2. Local Launcher control for Probe Launcher and Missile Launchers.
3. Long Range Probe Sensor packages and Stealth Surveillance Drones
4. Heavy Missile Launcher
5. Upper Level Survey Information Center. Stair-ladder access to SIC main level.
6. Probe magazine. Contains both Long Range and Short Range Probes, access to 6 breech loaded probe launchers and equipment to install modular sensor packages into the respective probes.
7. Armory. Contains bull-pup 4 mm guass weapons with 20 mm gauss grenade/shot attachment, conventional, guass and snub pistols.
8. Stateroom
9. Stateroom
10. Upper Vehicle Bay. See E12.
11. Upper Module Loading Bay. Loading Bay is used to move cargo into modules via the Vehicle Bay.
12. Embarked Craft Office. Coordination of module storage and movement. Vehicle maintenance schedules and logistics. EVA equipment and vehicles.
13. Stateroom. Large four occupant version. Typically for lower ranked scouts.
14. Observation Deck. Large window looks down on Vehicle Bay.
15. Stateroom. Large four occupant version.
16. Stateroom. Large four occupant version.
17. Common Room Lounge and eating area. Smart computer interface table with holo-projection capability. Lift shaft connects Decks B through E. 
18. Stateroom. Large four occupant version.
19. Stateroom. Large four occupant version.
20. Fresher
21. Stateroom. Large four occupant version.
22. Normally Unoccupied stateroom which has the capability to be transformed into low passage berths. Used for medical overflow and emergency medical suspension.
23. Main Sickbay. 23a is an operating theater.
24. Medical Stores. Normally locked. Can be opened by the ship's surgeon and medical techs.
25. Circulation space. Contains emergency grav stretcher. Service Lift connects Deck B thorugh G.
26. Secondary Computer Room. Backup for Main Computer. Automatically comes on line if main unit fails.
27. Robot Garage.
28. Fresher
29. Lower Main Drive. Contains Dorsal Unit of the balanced MS&S Msy-7L Low Emissions Reactionless Drive and main fusion power plant.

Nicolas de Nicolay Deck C

Deck C

1. Main Fire Control. Upgraded to run the latest GTL-12 targeting software as well as active defense software. Each station can control either turrets or the hull mounted missile launchers. Turrets Z(Dorsal) & C(Ventral) have local controls which allow a local gunner to takeover if both Fire Control Centers are damaged.
2. Morgue. Four suits of Scout Expedition Dress for use by the Security Service. Can be used with the 700 mm Launchers and Drop Packs to perform an orbital insertion or ship-to-ship assault. Launchers can be activated from local panels or from either Fire Control Stations or Bridges. Launch Tubes can be used as a 1-person airlock for anyone in a skinsuit or vacc suit. Lift Shaft connects Decks B through E
3. Fresher
4. Electronics Shop.  Ready use replacement of plug-and-play components of ship's electronics systems.
5. Robot Garage.
6. Corridor. Lift connects Decks B through E.
7. Emergency Aid Station. Normally only staffed at Alert Stations.
8. Stateroom
9. Corridor. Ceiling Access to B.
10. Master's Stateroom. Contains Full Access computer terminal & holo-projector.
11. Stateroom
12. Fresher
13. Stateroom
14. Stateroom
15. Common Room. Lounge and eating area. Smart computer interface table with holo-projection capability. Lift shaft connects Decks B through E. Service Lift down corridor connects Deck B thorugh G.
16. Stateroom
17. Stateroom
18. Stateroom
19. Stateroom
20. Galley.
21. Stateroom
22. Robot Garage
23. Overlay Machine. A device provided by the Intelligence Branch, the device requires three compartments marked 23, 23a & 23b on the deckplan. The door Adaptapanel bioscanner will allow access only to authorized individuals. The area access is restricted to the ship's surgeon, commander, and executive officer.
24. Fresher
25. Machinery Store. Contains parts for "hotel" systems, staterooms, galleys, lifts, hatches and iris valves. 
26. Upper main Drive Room. Control station and Hatch down to D29.

Nicolas de Nicolay Deck B

Deck B

1. Bridge. Updated to GTL-12. Contains a 3D Map table as well as a holo-station used as a repeater from the Survey Information Center
2. Fresher
3. Circulation Space Drop shaft to C9
4. Bridge Galley
5. Main Computer
6. Master's Day Cabin.
7. Security Office. Contains monitoring console for accesses and secure doors, viewscreens for security visual pickups throughout the ship and a weapon's rack. Normally staffed 24/7.
8. Stateroom
9. Common Room. Lounge and eating area. Smart computer interface table with holo-projection capability. Lift shaft connects Decks B through E.
10. Stateroom
11. Stateroom
12. Stateroom
13. Stateroom
14. Galley
15. Stateroom
16. Robot Garage
17. Fresher
18. Main Service Lift Shaft. Connects Decks B through G.
19. Stateroom
20. Fuel processing center. Also contains backup J-Drive.

As a fairly large command the NdN uses a more bureaucratic organizational structure than smaller scout units. The vessel's Master is a Scout Commander. A Senior Administrator acts as command first officer. Crew includes a Security Detachment commanded by a First Lieutenant from the Security Branch.

Nicolas de Nicolay Deck A

Deck A

1. Hanger for modified 10-dton Zhodani Shebzhinij-class Launch.
2. Aft-EVA Ready Room. Contains racks of Vacc Suits.
3. Aft Airlock
4. Vacc Suit repair. 
5. Aft Fire Control. Backup for C1 Main Fire Control. 

Cylinder quadrant doors open for Launch. They may be cranked open manually in the event of a power failure.

Aft Airlock uses a pair of mechanically interlocked manual hatches. Doors are normally electronically locked and have telltales which are monitored by the Security Office and the Bridge. An external Adaptapanel will allow access to authorized crew members by releasing the electronic locks and allow the wheel to be used to open the hatch. It will not disable the telltales.

Nicolas de Nicolay refit configuration

In 1114 the Nicolas de Nicolay was transferred from the Special Phenomenon Investigation Branch to the External Mapping Branch of the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service. The vessel was slated for a mission with the Intelligence Branch based upon, at that time, still compartmented classified orders from Capital. The NdN was received in Scout Spacedock Unit Three of the Magash Shipbuilding and Spacedock (MS&S) Yard in the Sabine Sector on 107-1114. 
Originally built at GTL-10 many systems were upgraded to GTL-12. This required extensive rewiring of both power and control systems. The entire Command, Control, Communications, & Computer (C4) Systems were replaced.  Sensor systems were fully upgraded as part of this effort. Additional classified mission specific special equipment was also installed.

All Leviathan-Class ships are divided into 8 longitudinal decks. In rather broad description they are:

1. Deck A lifeboat hangar & Aft Fire control
2. Deck B Bridge and officer quarters
3. Deck C Main Fire Control and quarters
4. Deck D Quarters and upper Cargo Hold
5. Deck E Workshops & Cargo Hold main level
6. Deck F boat hanger upper
7. Deck G boat hangar main level
8. Deck H Auxiliary Bridge & Lifeboat Hanger

As can be seen the original class was built to military specs, with an Auxiliary Bridge and Main and Auxiliary  Central Fire Control. This was done based upon the extraterritorial nature of the Leviathan's operational area.

Modifications to the Nicolas de Nicolay called for extensive modifications to the the D, E, F & G decks to allow for the storage of three modular cutter modules, as well as a Sirigerkhe-class Stealth Cutter. The existing Survey modules were updated to GTL12. Fire Control was upgraded to GTL-12. The two missile launchers on Deck C were replace. The port launcher with six probe launch systems capable of firing both long range and short range probes, as well as deploying Stealth Surveillance Drones. The starboard launcher with a standard Heavy Missile Launcher containing a magazine of 10 500 mm  missiles. The launchers on Deck D were also replaced with standard Heavy Missile Launchers. The intention was to place a number of Electronic Warfare Drones, as well as a mixture of Standard Heavy Missiles containing HEAT (High-Explosive Armor-Tapping), Nuclear and X-ray Laser warheads. The latter are not typically carried on IISS vessels and were procured through the Imperial Navy.

Hull modifications and a brand new high tech coating was used to upgrade the vessel to Basic Stealth. Modification to multiple systems allowed upgrading Emission Masking to Radical.

Additional tankage was installed to allow the upgraded GTL-12 Jump-3 Drive to utilize its full range with two 100-dton Kiigemda-class Multi Mission Scouts in their external cradles. The reserve GTL-10 J-2 backup Jump Drive was retained for emergency use. Both the Main and Backup Maneuver Drive were replaced by a GTL-12 two unit balanced MS&S Msy-7L Low Emissions Reactionless Drive. This gives the fully loaded vessel a top acceleration of 5 Gs. Without the embarked Multi Mission Scouts the ship's acceleration is limited by it's 6G compensators.

Nicolas de Nicolay Original Confirguration

As initially fitted out the IGS Nicolas de Nicolay (CNS-2005) was designed to conduct spacial phenomena investigations for the Imperial Grand Survey branch of the Imperial Interstellar Scout service. The vessel is a variant of the Leviathan-Class Merchant Cruiser (GTL10) built by Blisten Yards to designs specified by Baraccai Technum, built at Glisten especially for this purpose. The Leviathan Merchant Cruisers were built to cruise independently in undeveloped trade areas, primarily in the Imperial Border regions. They were never designed to be primarily cargo haulers, as their rather limited cargo carrying capacity of 70 dtons makes evident. They were intended to open new markets, carrying sample trade goods in and  potential imports out.

 The  Nicolas de Nicolay and her sister ship IGS Bartholomeu Dias (CNS-2023) were designed with special sensor systems and laboratories in place of the 70 dtons of cargo space of the Merchant Cruisers. Aft, between the fuel pods the vessels had couplings to allow the carriage of two 100 dton Type S Scouts, typically the GTL10 Sulieman-Class Scouts. The standard Leviathan-Class vessels carried a 100-dton shuttle and a 40-dton pinnace. The IGS vessels replaced the shuttle with a second pinnace and used the extra hangar space for a Mobile Exploration Base and an air/raft. Two additional air/rafts are carried aboard the coupled scouts. Two 20-dton Lifeboats completed the embarked craft inventory.
All Variants of the Leviathan-Class were armed with non-standard 700-mm missile tubes. This is the same caliber as the standard drop capsule, and the Leviathans used modified Drop Capsules as emergency personnel escape capsules. Using sabots standard 250-mm missiles could be used, but the system was basically a breech loaded single shot affair, requiring crew to manually reload missiles between firings. Standard turret load out for the six turrets were two 250-MJ Lasers and a Sandcaster in each turret. Due to their primary operating theater outside the Imperium the vessels incorporated modest stealth and modest emission cloaking.

Mission Brief

CLASSIFIED 
EYES ONLY
Imperial Interstellar Scout Service
Intelligence Branch

cc External Mapping Branch, Regina

Warning this brief contains information on sources and methods and is not authorized for release to individuals with clearances below compartmented level 8.

HUMIT (Human Intelligent) sources have reported a high level of Zhodani activity in the coreward regions of the Consulate. This activity has been verified by Longbow II sources. INI analysis discounts the level of coreward penetration. The Iridium Throne disagrees.
The IISS has been directed to send several expeditions through Consulate or Expanse space to discover the extent of Zhodani Consulate Exploration. This expedition, codename Pathways, will utilize the IGS Nicolas de Nicolay (CNS-2005), a Leviathan-class Merchant Cruiser.
The Nicolas de Nicolay (NdN) was constructed at the Blistein Yards at Glisten (Glisten). The vessel was laid down in 1092 and completed its commissioning flight in 1096. It was initially assigned to the Special Phenomena Investigation Branch of the Imperial Grand Survey. In 1116 it completed a 2 year overhaul at the Magash Shipbuilding and Spacedock facility at Magash (Sabine).  As part of its overhaul the NdN was extensively refit for duty with the External Mapping Branch. Upgrades include modernization of many of its systems to (G)TL-12. It has been provided with a larger (G)TL-12 jump drive and main engines, larger fuel tanks to allow extended range while carrying two new Kiigemda-class Multi Mission Scouts. (In its original configuration the de Nicolay carried two Sulieman Scouts which reduced its jump radius due to the extra 200 dton load.) The pinnaces and one of the 10-dton launches previously carried have been replaced by a Sirigerkhe-class Stealth Cutter. Including the cutter modules carried by the two scouts and cutter the vessel can embark 6 stealth variant modules.
A refurbished Zhodani 20-ton ship's boat will replace the NdN's remaining second lifeboat. The ship's boat has been refurbished to provide a craft more capable of being able to covertly approach Consulate worlds. Details on the Nicolas de Nicolay will follow in subsequent briefings.

Expedition Outline
The purpose of the expedition is to gather intelligence, map coreward systems, including Consulate expedition waystations, and attempt to determine the scope of Zhodani influence without becoming entangled with the Consulate government or intelligence services. The ship should avoid interaction with Consulate forces. Once in system every effort should be made to map the system without contact with any Zhodani forces present. Refueling should be done at a remote Gas Giant (GG) or in one of the belts (from ice asteroids.) If necessary, and if contact with Zhodani is deemed low risk, planetary ocean refueling may be conducted.
Contact with resident species and governments is permitted, provided that a certain amount of discretion is utilized (hence the Zhodani ship's boat.)

The Meeting

The Scout Leader sat uncomfortably in the lounge. The luxurious appointments in the cutter module bespoke an inhabitant of extremely high station. The bulkheads were of the finest supercompressed wood. The upholstery of the rarest sofset leather. The huscarles who had shone him in had worn a dark uniform devoid of crest or unit patch.

The Lady descended first, followed by the Aslan. The scout leader stood, he knew nobility when he saw it. The woman’s face was indistinct, as though seen through mist. Some kind of holo projector, he thought. She wore an expensive knockoff of an IISS Court Dress Uniform with stylized Senior Scout Leader rank markings.

“Sit,” The male said. “I am Baron Black. The Duchess Esmareld welcomes you.”

“Scout Leader,” the woman said in a voice heavy with the inflection of court Anglic. “We trust you realize the sensitivity of this matter.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“There must be no mistakes. Our intelligence sources from inside the Consulate claim that they have penetrated much farther into the core region than we thought possible. We must have verification.”

“Our ability to place our own agents in the Zhodani government is quite limited,” the baron added. 

“We must send a deep reconnaissance mission through the Consulate and into the area beyond. We need a courier to travel to the frontier and organize the expeditions. This is too important to be sent by XBoat traffic or diplomatic pouch."

Leviathan Class Scout Cruiser

This adventure is for a group of retired or active duty scouts. The Beyond Zhodane title is a nod to the classic Traveller adventure Expedition to Zhodane from Adventure Book 6. The purpose of the adventure is to investigate the Zhodani expeditions to the coreward area beyond the Consulate, for the Imperial government.
HUMIT (Human Intelligence) sources have reported a level of activity that, quite frankly, Imperial Naval Intelligence (INI) analysts discount as unbelievable. The Iridium Throne, through other intelligence gathering methods, has come to believe that the Imperial Naval Intelligence analysis is wrong. It has been decided that another method of verification must be used.
The Imperial Interstellar Scout Service (IISS) has been directed to send several expeditions through the Consulate to attempt to discover the extent of the exploration that has occurred. All of the expeditions are based on stealth, in one form or another. This expedition will use the IISS Nicolas de Nicolay, a Leviathan-class Merchant Cruiser vessel assigned to the Imperial Grand Survey Branch.

Future posts will describe the briefing details of the expedition.. They will also describe the Nicolas de Nicolay in detail, along with an array of equipment used by the IISS.