Retractable pods for maneuvering and emergency propulsion

Would the battleship's additional propulsion pods retract or remain exposed and create drag?

They would retract, emerging for low-speed maneuvering or as emergency get-home propulsion if primary pods were lost.

Leaving additional thrusters exposed would create drag. The proposal therefore uses retractable pods, especially for the spare units. They could be deployed to improve handling at low speed. If primary units were lost, those spare pods would also provide propulsion to get the ship home.