The integrated command environment, or ICE, is a replacement of the traditional CiC and bridge on a military starship. Given the low effectiveness and vulnerability of a bridge (windows are not necessary nor are they structurally sound) and the communication problems with the disconnect of the CiC to make command descisions quickly and have a ship respond in action with low latency, the ICE was created to address these issues. The ICE is kept in the center of all USI ships, and is heavily protected, allowing the ship take massive damage and still remain functional. All USI ships also have a secondary ICE that is smaller in case of problems with the primary ICE.