Æther Marine Section
All decks below the hanger deck are the environs of the Æther Marines. The marines are a very distinct group aboard RÆF vessels as they are recruited from Her Majesties Army but serve with the Navy. There is a vast division and rivalry between the two services. Marines serve three specific functions onboard ships of the Royal Æther Fleet. The first is shipboard security where they police the crew, enforce regulations and defend against shipboard intruders. The second is landing party security where they are charged with the safety of away mission members. Acting as combat boarding parties is their most specialized task. In combat if the Dauntless is able to cripple or disable an enemy ship the marines are literally fired from ports in the ship's hull toward the enemy vessel where they grapple the enemy ship, cling to the hull and penetrate the interior to take control.
The marine section of the ship shows the differences between the two arms of the military. The decor changes dramatically on decks 11 and 12 presenting an undeniable military flare. Insignia and battle flags are present along with names of their honored dead engraved into the bulkheads and walls. The adornment conveys a rich military tradition and pride of service.
The marine section is laid out in similar fashion to a regimental base. The HQ included the commander's office and the regimental clerk's area and the war room where a battle simulator can project combat information. Medical facilities separate from the ships Sickbay is found her to contend with the injuries of hard physical training and combat triage. The vehicle deck is also used as the marshal square for parade, calisthenics and training exercises. It has also been known to act as a cricket or rugby field in off duty hours. The boarding tubes are located against the outer hull next to the fitting stations where the marines don their æther suits and gird themselves for battle.
All the marines sleep in a common barracks. Only the non commissioned officers rate private rooms. The marines' mess although open to all marines is very customized to the regimental heritage. Only outside of the marine decks are the marines able to relax their military bearing. The main galley may include a corner relegated to off duty marines.
Underneath the deck plating of the vehicle deck is a honeycomb of stasis chambers, which hold half the shipboard compliment of marines. These chambers also act as temporary interments for marines killed in action for the long voyage home. Whether filled with the living or the dead the decking is always treated with a hallowed reverence.
The only other area of note in the marine's section is the ship's brig. The marines are charged with the incarceration of any convicted crewmember or enemy of the crown. The brig is not a pleasant location. Unlike many other portions of the ship there is no accommodation for rank or position. No creature comforts are include here and although escape is not impossible, most escape attempts have tended to be lethal or at the very least injurious to those who have tried.
