Battle bridge

File:Battlebridge 2364.jpg

Battle bridge, 2364.

File:Battlebridge 2367.jpg

Battle bridge, 2367.

The battle bridge is an auxiliary control center located on Galaxy class starships. Since vessels of that class are designed to separate as a routine measure, duplicates of key systems are needed throughout both hulls, including command areas. Located on Deck 8 of the secondary hull (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I"), this bridge duplicates most of the stations and functions of the main bridge, such as a viewscreen, the captain's chair, conn, ops, and tactical, but places emphasis on piloting, support, and defensive operations. The main bridge and battle bridge are connected by a dedicated emergency turbolift (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") which can be accessed from other decks as well. (TNG: "Heart of Glory") The battle bridge can also be entered by standard turbolift (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") or through a corridor on Deck 8. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I") A small captain's ready room is located on the port side of the bridge, although it is much smaller than the one off the main bridge and lacks a window. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint") Although the battle bridge could potentially be used to control the entire docked ship in the event of damage to the main bridge, usually command was rerouted to Main Engineering. (TNG: "Brothers")

To keep in tune with changing technologies, the battle bridge is modular like the main bridge. The Enterprise-D had at least two different battle bridges installed during its lifetime. The version launched with the ship had the captain's chair in the center, with conn and ops to the front of the captain and tactical behind. Two duty stations were located at the back of the bridge, on the port and starboard rear walls. The tactical and rear stations were separated by turbolifts; the standard turbolift on the port side, and the emergency turbolift on the starboard. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint," "The Arsenal of Freedom") By the time of the second Borg incursion in 2367, the battle bridge was slightly modified. The tactical position behind the captain had been moved to the port station, replaced by expanded information displays. The turbolift alcoves at the back of the bridge were also gone, possibly moved elsewhere. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II")

Enterprise-D primary school science fair winner Patterson Supera hoped to see the battle bridge as part of the tour conducted by Captain Jean-Luc Picard in 2368, but was disappointed to learn that the most exciting areas on the tour were hydroponics and astrophysics. After Patterson and two other children showed exceptional bravery during a crisis after the Enterprise-D hit several quantum filaments, Picard decided to take the group on a revised tour, starting with the battle bridge. (TNG: "Disaster")

See also: Auxiliary Control Center

Background

Conceptual sketch for the Battle bridge by Andrew Probert.

The battle bridge was only actually seen in three episodes: TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint," "The Arsenal of Freedom" and "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II" although the set was redressed for use as the bridge of other ships and miscellaneous rooms multiple times. The set was built as the refit Enterprise bridge for Star Trek: Phase II, which later became Star Trek: The Motion Picture. This set was the Enterprise bridge in the three following motion pictures, until, like most of the motion picture sets, it was remodeled into the Enterprise-D sets for Star Trek: The Next Generation in order to cut costs. By the second season of TNG, the set was modified to such a point that only the original structure remained, explaining the battle bridge's updated look in TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II" and necessitating a new bridge for the Enterprise-A in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. We can also assume that the Enterprise NCC-1701-E's secondary hull had a battle bridge.