"Main Engineering, on deck 13, is a different world than anywhere else on the Apache.  I started my career in the engineering section of an Excelsior Class Refit, the USS Delphyne, and I can tell you first hand, if you never serve in Engineering, then you only know half the ship."

"More often than not, we really take the folks down here for granted. After all, the Captain likes to think he is in command of the ship.  But those of us who have served here know, its the Engineers that run her.  They tell when we can go, when we can't, and when we are in trouble. It's probably the single most important job on the ship."

"Oops, I see we are just about out of time.  I better get you up to the Shuttle Bay before your shuttle leaves without you ...."

Main Engineering also serves as a backup control center in the event of failure of the Main Bridge and the Battle Bridge. Workstations at this location can be reconfigured to emulate Conn, Ops, Tactical, and other command operations. This is a desirable site for such functions because of its protected location within the Engineering section and its proximity to key warp propulsion system components. Optical data network hardlines provide protected backup communications to other major systems.

Principal control consoles available to the engineering staff in Main Engineering include:

Master systems display: This large tabletop display panel permits duty engineers to gain an overall understand- ing of the "health" of the spacecraft. This display incorporates two small workstations that permit individual engineers to perform specific tasks, leaving the larger displays for the remaining staff. This console can be configured for limited flight control functions in emergency situations.

Warp propulsion systems status display: This wall display incorporates a schematic of the warp propulsion system and shows performance of all key system elements.

Impulse propulsion systems status display: This wall display incorporates a schematic of the impulse propulsion system and shows performance of all key system elements.

Master situation monitor: This large wall display features a cutaway of the starship, showing the location of key systems and hardware, highlighting any elements that are currently experiencing any condition out of nominal. This display also incorporates two sets of user controls to permit use of this station for troubleshooting.

Chief Engineer's office: This control room includes smaller-scale repeater versions of most key displays in Main Engineering, as well as workstations for the Chief Engineer and two assistants. It also includes emergency control stations, and the primary isolinear control chip panels for Main Engineering. This office is located immediately adjacent to the matter/antimatter reaction assembly. A reinforced optical window permits the Chief Engineer to directly observe the visible reaction patterns within the core without the need for sensor display.

Duty engineer's console: Adjacent to the Chief Engineer's office is a smaller workstation available for the use of the duty engineer. This console incorporates master systems display repeater panels.

This facility is located immediately adjacent to the matter/antimatter reaction chamber. For safety reasons, two section isolation doors are available to protect the Main Engineering control center from the matter/antimatter reaction core chamber in case of serious malfunction or plasma breach. These isolation doors can be triggered automatically. Further protection is provided by a system of containment forcefields which can be activated in the event of a warp core breach or similar contingency.

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