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Description
His ship, like all spacefaring cruisers, carried an ablation shield on its nose. Artisans on Earth had designed the gold-plated cone to look like a bald eagle with its wings reared back as if about to snatch its prey with its outstretched talons. The artisans who had designed the shield had taken great care to ensure that every detail was perfect. The eagle's beak was sharp and fierce, its eyes bright and alert, and its talons razor-sharp and deadly. Even the feathers were carefully crafted. Officially it symbolized of the pioneering spirit that drove the United States to conquer the solar system.

Jon thought it was gaudy and unsightly.

But it was a vital component of the ship's defense system, protecting it from the hazards of space travel. As the ship hurtled through the cosmos, the shield absorbed the heat and energy generated by the friction of the ship's passage through the thin interstellar medium. The shield's layers were designed to burn away slowly, like the layers of an onion. Replacing the shield was a delicate and dangerous operation, requiring a team of repair drones to remove the old shield and install a new one.

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Enterprise looked like a dagger against the backdrop of space. She was conical, tampering toward the bow where a thicket of sensors and translight projector were contained. Behind it was the engine module housing the fusion engine. She was the third of her class, sister to the union’s Magellan and Bonaventure.

But she was the first American starship. A real bonafide starship. And he was her commanding officer.

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As Enterprise continued its journey, its golden eagle shining in the light of distant stars, the crew looked out at the vast expanse of space and marveled at the wonders they had seen. They knew that there were still many mysteries to be uncovered, many dangers to be faced, but they were ready for whatever lay ahead.

Description
His ship, like all spacefaring cruisers, carried an ablation shield on its nose. Artisans on Earth had designed the gold-plated cone to look like a bald eagle with its wings reared back as if about to snatch its prey with its outstretched talons. The artisans who had designed the shield had taken great care to ensure that every detail was perfect. The eagle's beak was sharp and fierce, its eyes bright and alert, and its talons razor-sharp and deadly. Even the feathers were carefully crafted. Officially it symbolized of the pioneering spirit that drove the United States to conquer the solar system.

Jon thought it was gaudy and unsightly.

But it was a vital component of the ship's defense system, protecting it from the hazards of space travel. As the ship hurtled through the cosmos, the shield absorbed the heat and energy generated by the friction of the ship's passage through the thin interstellar medium. The shield's layers were designed to burn away slowly, like the layers of an onion. Replacing the shield was a delicate and dangerous operation, requiring a team of repair drones to remove the old shield and install a new one.

--- --- ---
--- --- ---

Enterprise looked like a dagger against the backdrop of space. She was conical, tampering toward the bow where a thicket of sensors and translight projector were contained. Behind it was the engine module housing the fusion engine. She was the third of her class, sister to the union’s Magellan and Bonaventure.

But she was the first American starship. A real bonafide starship. And he was her commanding officer.

--- --- ---
--- --- ---

As Enterprise continued its journey, its golden eagle shining in the light of distant stars, the crew looked out at the vast expanse of space and marveled at the wonders they had seen. They knew that there were still many mysteries to be uncovered, many dangers to be faced, but they were ready for whatever lay ahead.