Oh, Anazonda, please never leave the sto forums.


Consider it in the way that Star Trek has always been nautical. They've usually been more similar to this style, where two large ships pull alongside each other and start blasting each other. And in the sea, there is an up and a down. I'm not saying for a second its realistic, its just how Star trek has tended to be done, with exception from small, light craft like the Defiant or fighters.
Even in Star Wars, the large ships all face off against each other. In fact, in episode 3, all the ships pull alongside each other and start blasting each other with cannons. Its largely done because its easier to comprehend as it is a perspective that is easier to relate to.