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fandomhigh2007-02-13 03:45 pm
harringtongreen.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2007-02-13 03:45 pm
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Advanced Tactics, Tuesday, 7th Period
As the students entered the Dangershop today, they once again found themselves along a pier. This time, however, the various ships docked alongside were an aircraft carrier, a fast attack submarine, and a ballistic missile submarine. On the pier beside the aircraft carrier, chairs had been set up, as well as the usual table with the sign-in sheet and afternoon snacks. Honor hovered near the front of the seating section, clad today in her Grayson uniform, with Nimitz curled up in her arms. As the time for class approached, Nimitz hopped down, making himself at home in one of the extra chairs.
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen,” she said, beginning class, “over the past few weeks, we’ve looked at the Age of Sail and the Age of Steam. Today, we move into the nuclear age.
“After World War II, it became apparent that nuclear power was an untapped resource – not just for weaponry, but also for propulsion and the generation of electricity. On both counts, it relied on the very basic steam engine, similar in nature to what you should have seen last week. The major difference is that, rather than coal, a nuclear reaction is used to provide heat. Can anyone hazard a guess as to why, strategically, the addition of nuclear propulsion might be important? How might the introduction of nuclear power have changed tactical operations as well?”
She let the discussion run a bit, then returned to the lecture. “The ships and boats surrounding us,” she continued, “are all vintage twentieth-century. The one on the end is a model of the Virginia-class attack submarine, manufactured for the United States Navy. The first Virginia-class was commissioned in 2004.
“The rather large boat in front of it is a Russian-built Typhoon-class ballistic missile submarine. While not the most advanced of Soviet designs, it was certainly the largest, coming in at the approximate size of a World War II aircraft carrier. She was armed with 20 missiles, and was first commissioned in 1981.
“And last, but certainly not least, is the USS Nimitz, a nuclear-powered supercarrier, commissioned in 1975. It is, by all accounts, a floating city when at sea. You will find various aircraft on her deck, as well as an armament of conventional weaponry.
“As with the previous introductions, the minicomps have been programmed with identification markers for the various ships. Pick one and familiarize yourself with it.” Honor smiled. “Or as much as you can in the time remaining. Your homework will be to find as much information as you can about your vessel of choice. I’d like two pages for next week.
“Now, get aboard and, for Tester’s Sake, be careful!”
She didn’t care to mention the first time aboard the Virginia, when she had struck her own head against a passageway. As close as they were to her own ships, they weren’t anywhere near as roomy!
[OCD threads coming up.]
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen,” she said, beginning class, “over the past few weeks, we’ve looked at the Age of Sail and the Age of Steam. Today, we move into the nuclear age.
“After World War II, it became apparent that nuclear power was an untapped resource – not just for weaponry, but also for propulsion and the generation of electricity. On both counts, it relied on the very basic steam engine, similar in nature to what you should have seen last week. The major difference is that, rather than coal, a nuclear reaction is used to provide heat. Can anyone hazard a guess as to why, strategically, the addition of nuclear propulsion might be important? How might the introduction of nuclear power have changed tactical operations as well?”
She let the discussion run a bit, then returned to the lecture. “The ships and boats surrounding us,” she continued, “are all vintage twentieth-century. The one on the end is a model of the Virginia-class attack submarine, manufactured for the United States Navy. The first Virginia-class was commissioned in 2004.
“The rather large boat in front of it is a Russian-built Typhoon-class ballistic missile submarine. While not the most advanced of Soviet designs, it was certainly the largest, coming in at the approximate size of a World War II aircraft carrier. She was armed with 20 missiles, and was first commissioned in 1981.
“And last, but certainly not least, is the USS Nimitz, a nuclear-powered supercarrier, commissioned in 1975. It is, by all accounts, a floating city when at sea. You will find various aircraft on her deck, as well as an armament of conventional weaponry.
“As with the previous introductions, the minicomps have been programmed with identification markers for the various ships. Pick one and familiarize yourself with it.” Honor smiled. “Or as much as you can in the time remaining. Your homework will be to find as much information as you can about your vessel of choice. I’d like two pages for next week.
“Now, get aboard and, for Tester’s Sake, be careful!”
She didn’t care to mention the first time aboard the Virginia, when she had struck her own head against a passageway. As close as they were to her own ships, they weren’t anywhere near as roomy!
[OCD threads coming up.]
Re: Discussion