Summary of Events Stardate 0209.10

Summary of Events
Stardate 0209.10

TNG Era:

There have been no further communications from Ambassador Endara Khan onboard the USS Exeter, in orbit of Oblissa Three. She had stated that she didn't expect to receive a response from the Kazon-Oglamar in less than a week, maybe two. In the meantime, she remains in almost continuous meetings with First Maje Jabin of the Kazon-Ogla.

The USS Guadalcanal detected a Romulan Warbird in orbit of Oshionian Six. It is engaged in combat operations with the warbird, and will attempt to download all data from the enemy computer core.

The USS Arizona remains on station in the Archanis Sector, watching for any further marauding Klingons. The USS Archer has been ordered to join the Arizona, but is not due to arrive for four days.

TOS Era:

There has been no further communication from the USS Xerxes. Based on it's latest communique, Captain Lionidas expected to be at Archer Four by now, investigating loss of contact with the outpost there. There has also been no contact with nearby automated outpost MZ-5.

ENT Era:

Challenger NX-07 left Starbase Five on a long range mission to attempt to chart the full extent of Romulan-claimed space. This mission is expected to last for at least several months. While the advanced starship would be useful on an increasingly dangerous front, it is also one of few starships deemed capable of operating on its own for extended hazardous duty. Captain Carpenter advised Admiral Coto that he would continue to communicate with Earth forces as long as it was deemed safe.

Command College

"What Are Your Orders, Captain?"

"Enemy Action" Resolution

Captain Lionidas is surprised to see the Federation outpost at Archer Four to be devoid of Klingons and seemingly at peace. However, as the USS Xerxes approaches the planet, he finds that they cannot make contact with the outpost. Further investigation of the surrounding area reveals that the Klingons have built a device nearby that is whiting-out all sensors and communications. That outpost is in an uncharted star system just inside Klingon space. While he is relieved that the Klingons haven't attacked Archer, Captain Lionidas believes that they will at some point. He now must decide what to do about the jamming device. He can either:

A: Destroy the outpost immediately and summon assistance from Federation space (simultaneously alerting the Klingons to your presence), or:

B: Find some way to work past the jammer. This would take more time, but would be less likely to bring an immediate attack.

Captain Lionidas determined that discretion was the better part of valor. While destroying the jammer would have enabled immediate communications and sensors, it also most likely would have brought an immediate Klingon attack. Working closely with science and engineering teams on the Archer Four outpost, Lionidas is confident that he'll be able to work around the jammer, bringing Federation reinforcements without alerting the Klingons.

Members who chose this solution:
Kapact
Kate

(Ent Era) "The Enemy of My Enemy"

The Challenger NX-07, patrolling what they believe is unclaimed space, drops out of warp in an uncharted system. They are immediately faced with an unusual sight. Two Klingon Birds of Prey are locked in a pitched battle with a ship of unknown configuration. The alien ship is twice the size of the Klingon ships (as well as the Challenger), and is overwhelming the Klingons with a combination of laser weapons, antimatter warheads, and chemical-propelled missiles. Captain Carpenter can see that the Klingons are in danger of being destroyed in minutes, but also recognizes the inherent danger in intervening in Klingon matters, no matter his good intentions. On the other hand, he doesn't want to stand by while anyone is being attacked. Knowing that all three ships will have noted his arrival in the area, he has to make a quick decision. He must:

A: Come to the aid of the Klingons. Willingness to join them in battle might impress the Klingons, but would endanger the Challenger and make an enemy of the unknown ship. He should also consider that Klingons rarely appreciate aliens coming to their aid. Or...

B: He could warp out of the area, hoping that both sides are too busy with each other to care about Challenger. This seems the safer alternative, but both sides could take offense at the lack of assistance.

(Moderator's Note: There are no predetermined right or  wrong answers. The most popular solution will give the players who chose it a "Command College Point". Ten of those equal an experience point.)

Choose A or B, or a third course of action, and write a brief explanation

Captain's Log

(From last week)

"...make do with visual scanners..."

(Again, I used the random planetary mission tables to spice this up)

Class H Desert
Age: 4-10 billion years
Diameter: 8,000-10,000 km
Location: Hot Zone/Ecosphere/Cold Zone
Surface: Hot and arid, little or no surface water
Atmosphere: May contain heavy gases and metal vapors
Life forms: Drought- and radiation-resistant plants, animal life
Example: Rigel XII, Tau Cygna V

9) The Q entity causes mischief on the surface of the planet and in orbit.

(TOS era)

USS Constellation. Constitution Class Starship.

"We entered orbit around the fifth planet in the Tau Cygna system on a general survey mission. As soon as we started running detailed surface scans, science officer Masada reported strange readings from what is supposed to be a desert planet. We detected readings from all over the planet of five distinct environments, ranging from desert, at the polar regions, to frozen wastelands in the equatorial regions. There was even a large area in the northern hemisphere bathed in thick clouds of methane. I decided that a planet this unusual was worth sending out multiple shuttles to investigate."

"Reports from the surface did little to broaden our understanding of this planet. Rather than find some strange but measurable, quantifiable explanation, we found nothing but an average hot, barely habitable H-type desert planet. Needless to say, I ordered the shuttles to do a complete survey. And considering the fact that our sensors were proving to be completely unreliable here, they were to make do with visual scanners for all information. It made for a less than complete though more reliable survey."

"As it turned out, Tau Cygna Five had one more curve to throw at us. As we began to pull away from the planet, our sensor readings finally presented us with an accurate picture of an H Class planet. Out of curiosity, I went to the observation lounge to get a look at the planet visually. The bright yellow disc suddenly took on an unmistakably red shade, with a bright blue upper-case 'Q' superimposed on the atmosphere."

Commodore Decker considered his log for a moment, imagining the reaction it would get from the Admiralty. "Computer, delete last sentence."

For Next Week:

(Expand the following into a log entry of at least 100 words. Members post answers to the yahoogroup or the 'comment' feature on the blogsite. Lurkers feel free to leave comments on the blogsite)

"...break the laws of physics..."


Developer's Notes

As I'm playing the second round of orbital combat, I continue to learn and tweak, and sometimes I think I'll never finish it. Be that as it may, here are some lessons learned so far:

Batteries are there for a reason. The USS Guadalcanal used batteries for emergency warp to pull out of range before the Decius could destroy it. The Decius had charged up its plasma torpedo and was decloaking when the Guadalcanal accelerated coming around the planet. The Guadalcanal used the Decius's vulnerable decloaking moment to let fly with phasers and photons. At the same time, it used up one of six batteries to add a burst of speed to get out of range before the Decius could return fire. That required (and I seriously debated) changing the rules which stated that a ship using emergency warp couldn't do anything else in the same turn. The rule will now read that a ship using emergency warp cannot fire any weapons on the next turn. This wasn't to stop the Guadalcanal from being destroyed. This was so that a ship could use emergency warp in an offensive manner. Otherwise it would be an impractical, last ditch tactic.

I am going to employ a tractor beam in this combat operation. It is a part of the ship, and any decent captain will find a way to use every tool at his disposal. The rules for tractor beams should be pretty easy. Use points to allocate 1 to 5 points to tractor power. Your opponent can either cloak, if he has a cloak, to break sensor lock, or apply 1 to 5 points to repel. A tie in the tractor lock goes to the one repelling. Battery power can add one point each to tractor or repel power.

Attractive an idea as it may be, overflying to attack is a risky and dangerous tactic. Odds are your opponent has the same advantage of a point blank attack as you do. If you must overfly attack, make sure that your enemy cannot return fire and/or you can get out of range before he can.

Unlike most torpedoes, plasmas move slow enough to result in a pursuit situation. That makes it necessary to track launched plasmas on the text map.

One other thing I've never bothered with in combat is system repair. In the case of orbital combat, when ships move out of Line Of Site (L.O.S.), this is an important tool, which you can use in moments of quiet. Again, any decent commander will use every tool to complete their objective. The L.O.S. issue will come back up once the Guadalcanal starts to beam over boarding parties. Before I get to that point, I need to revisit the STD's to make sure I've determined how many defenders each class of ship has. And speaking of STD'S, I need to go back through them and make sure they are up to date.


How Much Star Trek Can You Handle?
Fantasy Trek. Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com

Summary of Events Stardate 0902.04

Summary of Events
Stardate 0209.04

TNG Era:

The latest communique from Ambassador Endara Khan aboard the USS Exeter, in orbit of Oblissa Three stated that an accommodation had been reached to employ a Talaxian trader to carry a proposal from the Kazon-Ogla First Maje to nearby Kazon Oglamar space, inviting the Oglamar First Maje to a peace conference. As a peace gesture, the Talaxian will present one of the protein resequencers provided by the USS Guadalcanal. It is hoped that the gift of the resequencer will overcome a history of mistrust and outright hostility between Talaxians, humans, and the Kazon sects.

In orbit of Oshionian Six, the USS Guadalcanal reports detecting latent quantum fluctuations in the planet's electromagnetic field. This may have been caused by a spacecraft using an artificial singularity drive, such as those employed by the Romulan Star Empire. Away teams have been recalled, and the ship is on yellow alert.

Following the destruction of four Woden Class freighters in the Archanis Sector, the USS Arizona received a distress signal from a nearby convoy. It arrived in time to catch a Klingon heavy cruiser attacking the convoy. Two freighters had been destroyed, and the Klingon was targeting a third. A combination of long range fire from the Arizona and defensive fire overwhelmed the Klingon. It was  disabled, but self-destructed before it could be captured. A manned shuttle launched by the battlecruiser was captured intact. It is unknown what effect the incident will have on rumored negotiations currently underway.

TOS Era:

The USS Xerxes destroyed a Klingon Battlecruiser and escaped the Pheben system undamaged. From there it was due to cross back into Federation space and investigate the lack of communications from the Archer system. It has not been heard from since.

Command College

"What Are Your Orders, Captain?"

"Coincidence" Resolution

The USS Xerxes has almost completed its dangerous passage through Klingon space. But first it must face a deadly challenge in the Pheben system. Another privateer attacked as soon as the Xerxes dropped out of warp, and was just as easily dealt with as the last. But as it exploded, a massive energy well appeared, preventing the Xerxes from going to warp. Sensors showed that the privateer had been using an experimental artificial singularity drive that could be responsible for the gravity well. This would not be outside the realm of possibility for a private vessel that uses technology from a multitude of sources and governments. But this time, a Klingon D-7 Class Heavy Cruiser appeared almost immediately. Captain Lionidas has no choice but to attack the D-7 and warp away to safety. The question facing him is whether or not the privateer with the artificial singularity drive was sent in his path as a deliberate sacrifice in order to hold him in the Pheben system. If it was, then he expects a larger task force to follow him to the Archer system, which already shows signs of trouble with the Klingons. If that is the case, he'll need to change course and lead the enemy away from the beleaguered outpost. If, on the other hand, the privateer was not a pawn sent by the Klingons, then he must get to Archer as quickly as possible. Assuming he can destroy the D-7 battlecruiser, Captain Lionidas has to make a decision without waiting to see who, if anyone, shows up next. He must either:

A: Distract any pursuit by setting course for the nearby binary Narendra system. If there is a task force on his trail, he might be able to elude them in the radiation shadow between the two stars. If there isn't, he'll take an extra day to get to Archer, where every second may cost lives Or...

B: Take a chance that the encounter in the Pheben system was a coincidence (which is possible), and go directly to Archer, which went silent several weeks ago.

In either case, Captain Lionidas must assume that the Klingons know he is headed for Archer. He can only hope to retain some element of surprise by anticipating the Klingons' moves and staying one jump ahead of them.

Captain Lionidas defeated the D-7 with a combination of plasma torpedoes and phasers, and set course for the Narendra system, reasoning that one more day would probably mean little to the outpost that had already been silent for more than a week. But to further confuse any possible pursuers, he altered course before reaching Narendra, cutting across empty space and making a beeline for the Federation border. In this way, he hoped, any defenders diverted to intercept him at Narendra might be momentarily thrown off. As it turned out, he met no further opposition on his way to the border.

"Enemy Action"

Captain Lionidas is surprised to see the Federation outpost at Archer Four to be devoid of Klingons and seemingly at peace. However, as the USS Xerxes approaches the planet, he finds that they cannot make contact with the outpost. Further investigation of the surrounding area reveals that the Klingons have built a device nearby that is whiting-out all sensors and communications. That outpost is in an uncharted star system just inside Klingon space. While he is relieved that the Klingons haven't attacked Archer, Captain Lionidas believes that they will at some point. He now must decide what to do about the jamming device. He can either:

A: Destroy the outpost immediately and summon assistance from Federation space (simultaneously alerting the Klingons to your presence), or:

B: Find some way to work past the jammer. This would take more time, but would be less likely to bring an immediate attack.

(Moderator's Note: There are no predetermined right or wrong answers. The most popular solution will give the players who chose it a "Command College Point". Ten of those equal an experience point.)

Choose A or B, or a third course of action, and write a brief explanation


Captain's Log

(From last week)

"There's only one way to know for sure."

(Again, I used the random planetary mission tables to spice this up)

Class M
Age: 3-10 billion years
Diameter: 10,000-15,000 km
Location: Ecosphere
Surface: Surface water abundant; if water covers more than 80%, planet is considered Class-O or Class-P

Atmosphere: Nitrogen, oxygen, trace elements
Life forms: Extensive vegetation, animal life, humanoids
Example: Earth, Vulcan, Cardassia Prime

10) You encounter an incredibly advanced civilization (optionally, there might be a primitive society existing side by side with them).

Captain Sam Carpenter
Challenger NX-07

Captain's Starlog, November Fifth, 2158.
We are headed for a system known to the Vulcans as Tzenketh, investigating signals received from a long range interplanetary probe launched in the last decade of the 20th Century. Even though the probe was launched almost a hundred and fifty years ago, it is still almost inconceivable that such a primitive liquid-fueled device could have gotten so far so fast. Indeed, if a Vulcan scout ship hadn't been surveying an adjacent system, we never would have known. The problem, and the main reason Starfleet sent us out this far, is that the signal that the Vulcans received indicated that the onboard computer had completed it's data dump. Our new non-interference directive requires that an Earth ship personally investigate any possibility of contamination of any alien culture by Earth technology. Even if that technology is more than a hundred years old. Once we get to Tzenketh, we can start to formulate a  theory to explain how the probe got out so far, and find out who downloaded the data it held.

Supplementary Starlog, November Twenty-First, 2158.
The Tzenketh system consists of twelve planets, with three in a temperate zone, referred to as the ecosphere in our starcharts. While we've come to understand that life can exist in even the most exotic locations, I was convinced that the probe had to have set down on one of the three Class M planets. A concentrated scan confirmed that. The furthest out of the three planets we scanned was still transmitting the signal that the Vulcans had picked up. From orbit, we detected signs of a what seemed to be a fairly advanced (more so than us in ways) if isolated community, based on visual and other scans, but one that for some reason hadn't begun to develop spaceflight, in close proximity to a much more primitive culture, roughly equivalent to Earth at the end of 19th Century that experimenting with crude ballistic projectile technology. Unfortunately our probe was very close to (and being studied by) both cultures. It seems as if we're too late to prevent some degree of cultural contamination.

Final Mission Starlog, November Thirtieth, 2158.
This mission, that I felt excited about at first, has ended up rather ugly because it was only half completed. In order to minimize our effect on these people, we needed to retrieve the probe without making any sort of contact. Because we weren't able to even beam down until some sort of conflict arose between the two Tzenkethi cultures, momentarily pulling their teams away from the probe. So while we did retrieve the probe and limit the damage done, we are faced with the knowledge that this earth probe has no doubt introduced the idea of spaceflight to these warring people, and may have helped to advance the state of conflict on this remote world. How much damage have we inadvertantly done to this planet, and its future? There's only one way to know for sure. We'll have to watch them closely. I've heard people start to describe our first contact with the Klingons as disastrous, and that has been cited as a reason for our non-interference directive. Hopefully we won't add the Tzenkethi to the list of disastrous first contacts.




For Next Week:


(Expand the following into a log entry of at least 100 words. Members post answers to the yahoogroup or the 'comment' feature on the blogsite. Lurkers feel free to leave comments on the blogsite)

"...make do with visual scanners..."


Developer's Notes

I completed the second run of the convoy raid scenario, and I'm getting ready for another orbital combat run. I've revamped and (hopefully) improved the heavy combat log template. Here it is:

A) Roll []
A) Helm: Position/Movement[ , /Speed]/[Course]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields/Cloak/Tractor: [ECM/ECCM()+retained][Reinforce shields()+retained]Cloak[]Tractor[pts]
A) Tactical: Target[] Target Bearing[] Fire weapons [(x)+(x)]
A) Auxiliary Craft: Shuttle[ , /Speed]/[Course] Target[] Target Bearing[] Fire weapons [(x)]/(Fighter[ , /Speed]/[Course] Target[] Target Bearing[] Fire weapons [(x)]

B) Roll []
B) Helm: Position/Movement[ , /Speed]/[Course]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields/Cloak/Tractor: [ECM/ECCM()+retained][Reinforce shields()+retained]Cloak[]Tractor[pts]
B) Tactical: Target[] Target Bearing[] Fire weapons [(x)+(x)]
B) Auxiliary Craft: Shuttle[ , /Speed]/[Course] Target[] Target Bearing[] Fire weapons [(x)]/(Fighter[ , /Speed]/[Course] Target[] Target Bearing[] Fire weapons [(x)]

Results:
Damage to A:
Damage to B:

As you can see, I've added a line for auxiliary craft (fighters, shuttle, etc), and labelled the lines according to task. "Helm", "Countermeasures/Reinforce shields/Cloak/Tractor", "Tactical", and "Auxiliary Craft".

The helm section includes 'course' which will help make it work in orbital combat. I'm thinking about adding a 'mark' notation to the 'course' notation, to add a third dimension. For example, a course notation of 000 mark 180 would mean due north on the galactic plane (or due north on the current map), and a complete flip based on an imaginary horizontal line running through the center of your ship. So your ship is still moving 'northward', but it has essentially flipped so that it's flying backwards. You might (more realistically) set course 'mark 45' to just angle up. That might protect your forward shields or target your opponent's dorsal (top) shields. I'll test that before I add it to the template.

The Countermeasures section now includes templates for shield reinforcement, cloak, and tractors. Tractor rules should be worked out this week. And of course, just because it says 'cloak' that doesn't mean every ship can cloak. I just wanted a 'one size fits all' template that comes with a spot for everything anyone might have.

I've moved all of the target info to the tactical section. Included in that section is target bearing. For example, if the 'B Aft' is directly facing the 'A Fore', then A would show this in the helm and tactical sections: Helm: Position/Movement[ 3,3/Speed5]/[Course 180 mark 000]. Tactical: Target[B Aft] Target Bearing[000]. That shows that the target (B Aft) is directly in front of (mark 000) A. That sounds complicated, but should make it easier to keep track of shield facings in a 3D environment. Hopefully :) . This is also the kind of micromanagement that would only appeal to heavy combat fans, and would normally be handled easily by a computer program that I don't know how to write. If it's too much of a pain I won't bother. Also, note the "(x)" in the 'fire  weapons' bracket. That is there to accommodate the dice roll or allocation times the muliplier. I'm also envisioning a 'special weapons' section for Lyran ESG's, Hydran Hellbores, Tholian Webs, Borg assimilators and cutting beams, etc., but that is way in the future. Xindi weapons will have to come first for the "Enterprise: Xindi" expansion pack. How about a Star Wars expansion pack.... anybody? Anybody?

The Auxiliary Craft section (for shuttles, fighters, and other small ship-launched craft) has much the same info for helm and tactical, but it's a bit condensed, and obviously doesn't include countermeasures. Position, speed, course, target, target bearing, and fire weapons. Everything that a pilot would need.

Damage section will include any auxiliary craft. Shuttles can sustain 15 points of damage. Fighters can sustain 20. And damage is still noted cumulatively.



How Much Star Trek Can You Handle?
Fantasy Trek. Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com

Results of Second Convoy Raid

Here are the combat logs and final map from my second run at the convoy raid. The Klingon heavy cruiser was doing fine until, at halfway across the map (based on a 50/50 chance dice roll) a Fed heavy cruiser showed up. The Klingon had already taken a bit of damage from the four freighters, and the long range and fire-every-turn phasers of the Fed CA overwhelmed it. I think the two heavy cruisers would have been pretty evenly matched without the damage done by four freighters with defensive phasers, and the shuttle played a big part in combat. It should be easy to adapt shuttle rules for fighters, and the carrier can then truly enter the picture. I'm also thinking of coming back to multilevel play, using convoys and carriers to establish line of sight and project power, with a carrier battle group on a sector-sized map (of, say, one major system and four or five smaller systems, and maybe an asteroid field or nebula as an obstacle). In fact, that could play into the storyline with a carrier battle group being assigned to clear a hostile corridor, or protect a base being established in border territory. The important thing is to balance the combat play with the storyline.

Just a note on the combat logs. It all looks a bit crazy, but it's all about movement, position, target, range, and dice roll. They take the place of a computer program by precisely mapping out and tracking the activity of everything on the map. I'd simplify it, but I think that precision, and the game itself would suffer at that point. I actually don't think that there is anything in the combat log that isn't self-explanatory. Ritta, would you mind looking through them and raising any questions? If you want. You don't have to. It's just that I'm afraid that it just makes sense to me because I made it up.... Thanks :)

Kapact



A) Roll [9]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [1,1/Speed1]/[Target/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

B) Roll [4]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [ 1,3 /Speed 1]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

C) Roll [11]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 3,3 /Speed 1]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

D) Roll [12]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 3,1 /Speed 1]/[Target /Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

E) Roll [2]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [ 1,17 /Speed 3]/[Target /Dest ,B ]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

Result
Damage to A:
Damage to B:
Damage to C:
Damage to D:
Damage to E:


A) Roll [13]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 2,1 /Speed]/[Target/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

B) Roll [10]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [ 2,3 /Speed ]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [10(5)ECM/]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

C) Roll [10]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 4,3 /Speed ]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

D) Roll [14]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 4,1 /Speed ]/[Target /Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

E) Roll [10]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [ 1,14 /Speed3 ]/[Target B]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [8(4)ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [ / Launch shuttle x(1,14)]

Result
Damage to A:
Damage to B:
Damage to C:
Damage to D:
Damage to E:


A) Roll [10]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 3,1 /Speed1]/[Target/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

B) Roll [10]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [ 3,3 /Speed1]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [5ECM/10(5)ECM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

C) Roll [11]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 5,3 /Speed1 ]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

D) Roll [14]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 5,1 /Speed1 ]/[Target B/Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

E) Roll [5]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [ 1,11 /Speed 3]/[Target B/Range 9 ]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [4ECCM/2(1)ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [dis missed/pho hit 5(X2)/shuttle x(1,12)speed2]

Result
Damage to A:
Damage to B: 5/15 star shields
Damage to C:
Damage to D:
Damage to E:


A) Roll [7]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 4,1 /Speed 1]/[Target/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

B) Roll [8]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [ 4,3 /Speed 1]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM 8(4)]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

C) Roll [12]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 6,3 /Speed 1]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

D) Roll [5]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 6,1 /Speed ]/[Target /Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

E) Roll [8]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [ 1,8 /Speed 3]/[Target B/Range 6 ]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECCM 6(3)]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [shuttle x(1,10)speed2]

Result
Damage to A:
Damage to B: 5/15 star shield
Damage to C:
Damage to D:
Damage to E:


A) Roll [12]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 5,1 /Speed 1]/[Target/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

B) Roll [14]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [ 5,3 /Speed 1]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [4ECM/14(7) ECM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

C) Roll [13]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 7,3 /Speed 1]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

D) Roll [11]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 7,1 /Speed 1]/[Target /Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

E) Roll [8]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [ 1,5 /Speed 3]/[Target B /Range 5]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [3ECCM/6(3)ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [pho2(X4)shuttlex(1,8)speed2]

Result
Damage to A:
Damage to B: 8/15 star shield
Damage to C:
Damage to D:
Damage to E:

A) Roll [10]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 6,1 /Speed1]/[Target/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

B) Roll [7]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [ 6,3 /Speed ]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [7(3)ECM/ECCM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

C) Roll [12]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 8,3 /Speed ]/[Target /Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

D) Roll [10]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 8,1 /Speed ]/[Target /Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons []

E) Roll [8]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [2,3 /Speed 3]/[Target B /Range 4]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [dis3(x4)shuttlex(1,6)speed2 def. Phas 5(x.5)]

Result
Damage to A:
Damage to B: 11/15 aft shields 8/15 aft shields
Damage to C:
Damage to D:
Damage to E:

A) Roll [14]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 7,1 /Speed1]/[Target E range 2/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas 1(x3)]

B) Roll [14]
B) Reaction Movement/Position [ 7,3 /Speed ]/[Target E range 2/Dest 21,3 ]
B) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [13(6)ECM/ECCM]
B) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas 2(x3)]

C) Roll [8]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 9,3 /Speed ]/[Target E range 4/Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas 6(x1)]

D) Roll [11]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 9,1 /Speed ]/[Target E range 4/Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas 3(x1)]

E) Roll [7]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [5,3 /Speed 3]/[Target B /Range 3]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [6(3)ECM/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [pho 8(x5)shuttlex(1,6)speed2 def phas (1x1)]

Result
Damage to A:
Damage to B: 29 pts 15/15 aft shields 8/15 aft shields 2/2 aft hull Freighter B destroyed
Damage to C:
Damage to D:
Damage to E: 6/27 port shields 9/28 fore shields

A) Roll [8]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 8,1 /Speed1]/[Target E range /Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [6(3)ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (2x3)E Port]

C) Roll [10]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 10,3 /Speed ]/[Target E range /Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [8(4)ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (1x3) E Forward]

D) Roll [7]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 10,1 /Speed ]/[Target E range /Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [6(3)ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (1x3)E Forward]

E) Roll [12]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [7,3 /Speed 3]/[Target  /Range ]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [6(3)Renforce Forward/6(3)Reinforce Port]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [(x)shuttlex(4,4)speed2 def phas (1x4)A Aft]

Result
Damage to A: 4/15 Aft shields
Damage to C:
Damage to D:
Damage to E: 9/27 port shields 12/28 fore shields

A) Roll [8]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 9,1 /Speed1]/[Target E range 4 /Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [6(3)ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (4x1)E Port]

C) Roll [5]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 11,3 /Speed ]/[Target E range 2 /Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [4(2)ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (1x3) E Forward]

D) Roll [5]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 11,1 /Speed ]/[Target E range 4/Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [4(2)ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (6x1)E Port]

E) Roll [9]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [10,5 /Speed 3]/[Target C Starboard/Range 4]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce8(4) Port/ECM/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [photon(4x4)shuttlex(6,4)speed2 target A Aft range 3 def phas (2x2)]

Result
Damage to A: 1/15 Aft shields
Damage to C: 14/15 Starboard shields
Damage to D:
Damage to E: 18/27 port shields 12/28 fore shields

A) Roll [10]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 10,1 /Speed1]/[Target E range 5/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [()ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (6x.5) 3 E Port ]

C) Roll [12]
C) Reaction Movement/Position [ 12,3 /Speed ]/[Target E range 3/Dest 21,3 ]
C) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [()ECM/ECCM]
C) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (3x2) 6 E Port]

D) Roll [9]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 12,1 /Speed ]/[Target E range 5/Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [()ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (1x.5) 0 E Port]

E) Roll [7]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [13,5 /Speed 2]/[Target C Starboard/Range 3]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce /ECM6(3)/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [(dis6x8)shuttlex(8,6)speed2 target C Aft range 4  def phas (4x)]

Result
Damage to A: 1/15 Aft shields
Damage to C: Destroyed
Damage to D:
Damage to E: 24/27 port shields 12/28 fore shields

A) Roll [5]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 11,1 /Speed1]/[Target Shuttle x range3 /Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [4(2)ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (6x2) ]

D) Roll [10]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 13,1 /Speed 1]/[Target E Aft range 2/Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [8(4)ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (4x3)]

E) Roll [5]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [15,3 /Speed ]/[Target D Fore/Range 2]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce /ECM4(2)/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [photon(6x2)shuttlex(10,4)speed2 target A range3  def phas (4x2)]

F) Roll [5]
F) Reaction Movement/Position [1,12 /Speed 5]/[Target /Range ]
F) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce /ECM()/ECCM]
F) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [(x)shuttlez(,)speed target range (x)]

Result
Damage to A: 1/15 Aft shields
Damage to x: 12/15
Damage to D: 8/15 Fore shields
Damage to E: 24/27 port shields 12/28 fore shields 10/21 Aft shields
Damage to F:

A) Roll [5]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 12,1 /Speed1]/[Target Shuttle x range 1/Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [4(2)ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (4x4) ]

D) Roll [5]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 14,1 /Speed1]/[Target E Aft range3 /Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [()ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (5x2)]

E) Roll [7]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [17,1 /Speed ]/[Target D Fore/Range ]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce /ECM6(3)/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [(x)shuttlex(12,2)speed2 target A starboard range 1 def phas (6x4)]

F) Roll [10]
F) Reaction Movement/Position [6,7 /Speed 5]/[Target shuttlex/Range6 ]
F) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce /ECM8(4)/ECCM]
F) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [(2x4)shuttlez(,)speed target range (x)]



Result
Damage to A: 1/15 Aft shields 15/15 starboard shields 1/1 starboard hull 2/2 warp 1/1 impulse 2/2 sensors 1/1 bridge
Damage to x: destroyed
Damage to D: 8/15 Fore shields
Damage to E: 24/27 port shields 12/28 fore shields 17/21 Aft shields
Damage to F:

A) Roll [5]
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 12,1 /Speed1]/[Target  range /Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [()ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (x)]

D) Roll [5]
D) Reaction Movement/Position [ 15,1 /Speed1]/[Target E Aft range 4/Dest 21,1 ]
D) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [4(2)ECM/ECCM]
D) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (6x1)]

E) Roll [8]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [19,4 /Speed ]/[Target D Fore/Range 4 ]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce starboard 6(3)/ECM()/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [dis (6x4)photons(6x4)Launch shuttle y19,5]

F) Roll [10]
F) Reaction Movement/Position [6,7 /Speed 5]/[Target E starboard/Range 8 ]
F) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce /ECM()/ECCM]
F) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [phasers (9x2)/photons(6x2)shuttlez(,)speed target range (x)]

Result
Damage to A: 1/15 Aft shields 15/15 starboard shields 1/1 starboard hull 2/2 warp 1/1 impulse 2/2 sensors 1/1 bridge
Damage to D: destroyed
Damage to E: 24/27 port shields 12/28 fore shields 21/21 Aft shields 2/2 aft hull 23/27 starboard shields
Damage to F:


A) Roll []
A) Reaction Movement/Position [ 12,1 /Speed1]/[Target  range /Dest 21,1 ]
A) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [()ECM/ECCM]
A) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [def phas (x)]

E) Roll [10]
E) Reaction Movement/Position [, /Speed 3]/[Target D Fore/Range  ]
E) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce Fore 10(5)/ECM()/ECCM]
E) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [ (x)photons(x)shuttle y19,4 speed 2 target F fore defensive phasers (6x2)]

F) Roll [9]
F) Reaction Movement/Position [16,2 /Speed 5]/[Target E Fore/Range 5 ]
F) Countermeasures/Reinforce shields [Reinforce /ECM()/ECCM]
F) Target Selection (General or Specific) Fire weapons [phasers (9x5)/photons(x) launch shuttlez 16,2 speed 2 target shuttle y range 3 (1x2)]

Result
Damage to A: 1/15 Aft shields 15.15 starboard shields 1/1 starboard hull 2/2 warp 1/1 impulse 2/2 sensors 1/1 bridge
Damage to E: 24/27 port shields 28/28 fore shields 21/21 Aft shields 2/2 aft hull 23/27 starboard shields 4/4 fore hull 2/2 fire control 1/1 bridge 1/1 aux bridge 3/4 Armor 2/2 Cloak 1/2 Disruptors 1/1 sensors 2/2 Impulse 2/2 Shuttle Bays 4/4 batteries 4/4 warp 1/2 photons
Damage to F: 12/21 Fore shields
Damage to y: 2/15
Damage to z:

Convoy successfully disrupted, with loss of three out of four freighters. Attacking ship self-destructed to avoid capture. Enemy shuttle captured.



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How Much Star Trek Can You Handle?
Fantasy Trek. Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com

Summary of Events Stardate 0109.28

Summary of Events
Stardate 0109.28

TNG Era:

The diplomatic mission of Ambassador Endara Khan is currently stationary in the Oblissa system, on board the USS Exeter, and escorted by a Kazon-Ogla Predator Class warship. Kazon-Ogla First Maje Jabin, onboard the warship is assisting the Ambassador in reaching out to Kazon-Oglamar forces in adjacent systems. While there is a long history of mistrust and enmity between the Kazon sects, Ambassador Khan is confident that the shared origins and history of the Kazon will provide the basis for unity, and that a united Kazon people can be a strong partner for the Federation in the volatile Delta Quadrant.


The USS Guadalcanal arrived in Oshionian Six and reports detecting no ships in the area. Captain Murphy has ordered a thorough survey of the planet.

Admiral Nogulich, commanding Starbase Lighthouse in the Durandal system, is hosting a Vulcan diplomatic delegation. The Admiral refused to confirm or deny speculation that the delegation was the first step in an effort to defuse the diplomatic crisis with the Klingon Empire.

The Heavy Cruiser USS Arizona reports evidence that four Woden Class freighters, including the SS Antares were destroyed in the Archanis sector. Examination of hull fragments indicate that Klingon photon torpedoes and packet disruptors were used. The Arizona is remaining on station to attempt to track the attacking vessel or vessels.

There has been no communications from the IKV Sword of Kahless, dispatched to investigate the disappearance of the IKS LIng'taH and dIng'patlh.

TOS Era:

The USS Xerxes destroyed a Klingon privateer ship and a G'Koon Class frigate in the Beta Lankal system. There have been no further communications reported from the Xerxes. It is due to reach the Pheben system in less than a day, and cross into Federation space the next day.


Command College

"What Are Your Orders, Captain?"

"Happenstance" Resolution

The next system standing between Captain Lionidas and the USS Xerxes, Beta Lankal has no defense platform, but it also has no convenient solar radiation shadow. What it does have is a large number of private and pseudo-private craft using the system to conduct unofficial, and according to Klingon leadership, unsanctioned activity. One such vessel, a privateer roughly equivalent to a Klingon G'K'oon Class frigate, immediately attacks the Xerxes with phaser-type beam weapons. The Xerxes, with its superior weaponry and shields easily defeats the privateer, but not before an indecipherable signal is transmitted. This time Captain Lionidas knows that his passage has been reported. He doesn't doubt that the privateer alerted Klingon forces to the presence of a Federation starship, and he has no qualms about leaving escape pods adrift. However, just before he can warp out of the system, two G'K'oon Class frigates appear from two different directions. Realizing that help could not have shown up that quickly, Captain Lionidas nonetheless has a serious fight on his hands this time, and his choice is a simple tactical challenge. The Xerxes has been fitted with an experimental plasma torpedo launcher that has just one drawback. The weapon draws so much energy in a single overwhelming attack that the Xerxes will be nearly helpless for several minutes before it can launch another. So while it may be preferable to:

A: lead one enemy away from the other in order to take on one ship at a time, this strategy leaves the other ship free to outflank the Xerxes or escape to bring in reinforcements. The other alternative:

B: engaging both ships simultaneously keeps both ships occupied, but risks the Xerxes being overwhelmed by superior forces.

Captain Lionidas decided to maximize his ship's strength while minimizing its weakness. He knew that the experimental plasma torpedo launcher could easily overwhelm the defenses of a single frigate while leaving him vulnerable to attack from the second frigate. He used a combination of light phaser attacks and hit and run tactics to lure one ship into a high-speed pursuit. Once both ships were out of range of the second frigate, he destroyed his opponent. By the time the surviving frigate had caught up, the Xerxes was able to warp out of the area.

"Coincidence"

The USS Xerxes has almost completed its dangerous passage through Klingon space. But first it must face a deadly challenge in the Pheben system. Another privateer attacked as soon as the Xerxes dropped out of warp, and was just as easily dealt with as the last. But as it exploded, a massive energy well appeared, preventing the Xerxes from going to warp. Sensors showed that the privateer had been using an experimental artificial singularity that could be responsible for the gravity well. This would not be outside the realm of possibility for a private vessel that uses technology from a multitude of sources and governments. But this time, a Klingon D-7 Class Heavy Cruiser appeared almost immediately. Captain Lionidas has no choice but to attack the D-7 and warp away to safety. The question facing him is whether or not the privateer with the artificial singularity drive was sent in his path as a deliberate sacrifice in order to hold him in the Pheben system. If it was, then he expects a larger task force to follow him to the Archer system, which already shows signs of trouble with the Klingons. If that is the case, he'll need to change course and lead the enemy away from the beleaguered outpost. If, on the other hand, the privateer was not a pawn sent by the Klingons, then he must get to Archer as quickly as possible. Assuming he can destroy the D-7 battlecruiser, Captain Lionidas has to make a decision without waiting to see who, if anyone, shows up next. He must either:

A: Distract any pursuit by setting course for the nearby binary Narendra system. If there is a task force on his trail, he might be able to elude them in the radiation shadow between the two stars. If there isn't, he'll take an extra day to get to Archer, where every second may cost lives Or...

B: Take a chance that the encounter in the Pheben system was a coincidence (which is possible), and go directly to Archer, which went silent several weeks ago.

In either case, Captain Lionidas must assume that the Klingons know he is headed for Archer. He can only hope to retain some element of surprise by anticipating the Klingons' moves and staying one jump ahead of them.

(Moderator's Note: There are no predetermined right or wrong answers. The most popular solution will give the players who chose it a "Command College Point". Ten of those equal an experience point.)

Choose A or B, or a third course of action, and write a brief explanation


Captain's Log

(From last week)

"There are only five of them left."

(As before, I rolled for a random planetary mission. Below are the planetary classification and random planetary mission I got. Then you'll see my creative solution)

Class R Rogue
Age: 2-10 billion years
Diameter: 4,000-15,000 km
Location: Interstellar space, cometary halos
Surface: May be temperate due to geothermal venting
Atmosphere: Primarily volcanic outgassing
Life forms: Non-photosynthetic plants, animal life
Example: Dakala

14) Members of the crew start to act very strangely when you enter orbit.

(TNG era)

"There are only five of them left."

"Thank goodness," Captain Murphy sighed. "Adjust orbital track for optimum beaming." Then he tapped the log record button on the arm of his command chair. "The USS Guadalcanal encountered a rogue planet, classified as X3AA by Starfleet Stellar Cartography, in the Sarpeidon Nebula, and entered a standard orbit. That was the last time standard came into the equation. As soon as readings started to come in, a dozen random crewmembers began to exhibit paranoid tendencies. Before we had a chance to restrain them they had assembled in four different transporter rooms and beamed down to the planet. Four security squads beamed down to the four locations, only to find that our people had attached themselves to biomechanical devices built into the surface of the planet. At the time, it was impossible to assess the potential danger posed to our people by removing them, so we beamed down a science team and scanned the interior of the planet. We found that the planet was actually a biomechanical device itself." Murphy paused, reflecting on the wonder of a planet-sized creature.

"The planet had been controlled at four equidistant points, by biological components who interacted on a psychic level to coordinate the navigation of the planet. Unfortunately, some element within the Sarpeidon nebula must have proven deadly to those navigation lifeforms, and the planet lost its navigation system. We believe that the planet then somehow reached out mental fingertips and found us. After our people had been connected for several hours, the science teams discovered that new indigenous lifeforms had developed to take over navigational duty, and our people were disconnected without harm. Now it's just a matter of beaming them back up. Pause log recording. Report, lieutenant."

"That's the last of them, Captain."

"And the planet?"

"It seems to making a controlled course change."

"Thank you. Resume recording. Rogue planet X3AA has grown itself a new set of navigators, and we are happy to resume our course." 


For Next Week:

"There's only one way to know for sure."

(Expand the following into a log entry of at least 100 words. Members post answers to the yahoogroup or the 'comment' feature on the blogsite. Lurkers feel free to leave comments on the blogsite)



How Much Star Trek Can You Handle?
Fantasy Trek. Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com

Summary of Events Stardate 0109.20

Summary of Events
Stardate 0109.20

TNG Era:

The USS Exeter, carrying Federation Ambassador Endara Khan and escorted by a Kazon-Ogla Predator Class Warship arrived in the Oblissa system, the first of Voyager's charted waypoints. Several Talaxian commercial ships made polite inquiries as well as offers of trade that the Exeter declined. Captain Reggie Farrell's report noted the assistance rendered by Talaxians according to the Voyager's logs, but she also took into account the mutual antipathy between the Talaxians and the Kazon in choosing to decline trade and assistance from the Talaxians. No other ships were encountered during the journey, and Ambassador Khan was able to spend most of her time in consultation with First Maje Jabin. She reports a good understanding and working relationship.

The USS Guadalcanal reports it is less than a day away from Oshionian Six. Long range scans show no ships detected on its course, although Captain Murphy notes that they would not detect a cloaked vessel at that range.

Starbase Lighthouse, monitoring the artificial wormhole in the Durandal system, has detected no passage of unauthorized ships through the wormhole. Admiral Nogulich reports a dramatic decrease in private and commercial traffic.

No further communications have been received from the Archanis sector following the apparent destruction of the Woden Class freighter SS Antares. The Heavy Cruiser USS Arizona has been dispatched to  investigate.

The IKV Sword of Kahless has been ordered to investigate the disappearance of the IKS LIng'taH, as well as the IKS dIng'patlh

TOS Era:

The USS Xerxes encountered a privateer vessel in the Klingon Beta Lankal system. The vessel made no attempt to communicate with the Xerxes, but opened fire with beam/energy weapons immediately. The Xerxes defeated the privateer, but was then attacked by two Klingon G'K'oon Class frigates.

Command College

"What Are Your Orders, Captain?"

"Detected?" Resolution

Upon entering the binary Mempa system, sensors on the USS Xerxes detected a defense platform emerging from the radiation zone between the two stars. Another lightning-fast decision is thrust upon Captain Lionidas. He cannot know that the defense platform didn't detect their arrival and automatically report them. It's sensors may have been obscured by the radiation, but they can't afford to stay long enough to scan the platform. They can either:

A: Destroy the platform immediately. If they destroy it, the Klingons will know someone has been there. Whether or not the Klingons will know who destroyed it will remain a mystery. The other choice is to:

B: Quickly jump back into warp and hope that the platform didn't detect them. If the platform detected them, they can expect pursuit. If it didn't, they might get away clean.

Captain Lionidas decided that the risk presented by destroying the platform was greater. Quickly warping out of the system presented the only possibility of leaving the system completely undetected. While intense solar radiation made it impossible to scan the platform, no transmissions were detected while the Xerxes was in system. If the platform did detect the Xerxes and report it, pursuit would result quickly.

"Happenstance"

The next system standing between Captain Lionidas and the USS Xerxes, Beta Lankal has no defense platform, but it also has no convenient solar radiation shadow. What it does have is a large number of private and pseudo-private craft using the system to conduct unofficial, and according to Klingon leadership, unsanctioned activity. One such vessel, a privateer roughly equivalent to a Klingon G'K'oon Class frigate, immediately attacks the Xerxes with phaser-type beam weapons. The Xerxes, with its superior weaponry and shields easily defeats the privateer, but not before an indecipherable signal is transmitted. This time Captain Lionidas knows that his passage has been reported. He doesn't doubt that the privateer alerted Klingon forces to the presence of a Federation starship, and he has no qualms about leaving escape pods adrift. However, just before he can warp out of the system, two G'K'oon Class frigates appear from two different directions. Realizing that help could not have shown up that quickly, Captain Lionidas nonetheless has a serious fight on his hands this time, and his choice is a simple tactical challenge. The Xerxes has been fitted with an experimental plasma torpedo launcher that has just one drawback. The weapon draws so much energy in a single overwhelming attack that the Xerxes will be nearly helpless for several minutes before it can launch another. So while it may be preferable to:

A: lead one enemy away from the other in order to take on one ship at a time, this strategy leaves the other ship free to outflank the Xerxes or escape to bring in reinforcements. The other alternative:

B: engaging both ships simultaneously keeps both ships occupied, but risks the Xerxes being overwhelmed by superior forces.

(Moderator's Note: There are no predetermined right or wrong answers. The most popular solution will give the players who chose it a "Command College Point". Ten of those equal an experience point.)

Choose A or B, or a third course of action, and write a brief explanation


Captain's Log

(From last week)

"Whatever it is, contact in six seconds."

(Again, I rolled for a random planetary mission. It handed me an interesting challenge. Below are the planetary classification and random planetary mission I got. Then you'll see my creative solution)

Class I Gas Supergiant
Age: 2-10 billion years
Diameter: 140,000-10 million km
Location: Cold Zone
Surface: Tenuous, comprised of gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen compounds; radiates heat
Atmosphere: Zones vary in temperature, pressure and composition; water vapor may be present
Life forms: Unknown
Example: Q'tahL

10) You encounter an incredibly advanced civilization (optionally, there might be a primitive society existing side by side with them).

(TOS era)

USS Star League, NCC 2101. Commodore Stewart recording. What began as a simple planetary survey of a gas supergiant in the Epsilon Aenar system has turned into a unique rescue operation. The survey ship USS Maine was mapping the Epsilon Aenar system when an impulse manifold blew, dropping the ship into a perilous orbit around the gaseous seventh planet in the system. The survey ship was still relatively safe until a chance meteor passed by and struck the damaged ship. From that point, the immense gravitational pull began to draw the ship down. A distress signal was received by a nearby Starfleet Monitor Station and retransmitted to Starbase 16. The Star League was docked at Starbase 16, receiving crew transfers and computer upgrades, and left immediately for Epsilon Aenar.

Upon arrival, we located the Maine's flight recorder spinning in an unstable orbit, as well as debris indicating that the ship had been slowly pulled apart by the tremendous gravitational forces exerted by the Class I gas supergiant. After beaming the recorder aboard, we scanned its exterior, which showed signs of actually coming up through the atmosphere. Intensive scans of the planet's thick atmosphere revealed a wake left behind the recorder as a chemical rocket blasted it upward, confirming the scans. Furthermore, the flight recorder seemed to indicate that a large part of the ship, including the bridge and engineering survived to penetrate the outer atmosphere and gaseous hydrogen surface. The voice of Captain Holden can be heard clearly as the ship passed through the surface, stating "Whatever it is, contact in six seconds." Sensor scans from the Maine at that point were sketchy, but seemed to read a large energy source in their path. At this point the Maine's propulsion systems were inoperative. It was in a slow-motion freefall. At that point, the flight recorder was ejected. Since that happened, almost twenty-four hours ago, there have been no matter/antimatter explosions beneath the surface of the planet, leading me to believe that the Maine still may be intact down there. I see no choice but to attempt a rescue. Fortunately, the Star League is a Mark X Federation Class Dreadnought. This is the kind of mission that this ship was built for.

Captain's Log, Supplemental Entry: Captain of Engineering Brahms transferred surplus warp power into forward shields and the structural integrity field to bring us through the atmosphere of Epsilon Aenar VII. At two kilometers above the surface, our sensors detected an energetic plasma field in place below the surface. Gas supergiants can be strange things, but an energetic plasma field does not naturally occur within the body of one. There was no doubt that the field is what Captain Holden was talking about when he said "Whatever it is, contact in six seconds." We pushed the Star League through the gaseous surface, and at three kilometers below the surfacd, found the saucer and engineering hull of the Maine intact, and contained within a second field. Scans showed 36 lifeforms on board out of a crew complement of 87. We were unable to communicate through the plasma field, but we did detect a life force existing in the plasma field. It wouldn't be the first energy-beings ever discovered, but as far as I know, it's the first found living inside a gas giant. Within seconds, the field enveloping the Maine had grown to surround us as well, and we found ourselves being pulled back through the atmosphere and into space. Moments later, the plasma field had plunged back into the soupy planet without communicating with us.

We are obviously happy that there were survivors from the Maine, and it is always a bonus to meet an intriguing new lifeform. But I will admit to being humbled. These energetic plasma lifeforms were quite capable of rescuing the Maine without our help, and in fact they picked up the massive Star League and pushed it into orbit without apparent difficulty. It is disquieting to discover that what we call a dreadnought doesn't impress every creature that it encounters.



For Next Week:

(Expand the following into a log entry of at least 100 words. Members post answers to the yahoogroup or the 'comment' feature on the blogsite. Lurkers feel free to leave comments on the blogsite)

"There are only five of them left."


How Much Star Trek Can You Handle?
Fantasy Trek. Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com

Summary of Events Stardate 0109.14

Summary of Events
Stardate 0109.14

TNG Era:

The USS Exeter has left the Ocampa homeworld, setting course for Kazon-Oglamar space. It is a journey that can take several weeks. Accompanying the Exeter is a Predator Class Kazon Warship. Due to the length of the journey, and the lack of detailed starcharts for the region, the Exeter will follow waypoints established by USS Voyager, and add to the few locations already known. Ambassador Endara Khan will attempt to begin negotiations between the Federation, Ogla, and Oglamar parties, despite the potential risk.

The USS Guadalcanal is due to arrive at Oshionian Six in three days where it will resume its investigation of artificial planets as well as possible Romulan involvement.

An automated distress signal, coming from the Archanis sector, signalled the imminent destruction of a Woden Class freighter, the SS Antares. There was no indication of the attacker, but based on the location, speculation points to Klingon forces.

There are no further reports of secret meetings between Federation and Klingon envoys.

TOS Era:

USS Xerxes reports that it has resumed course for the Archer system, but a warp imbalance forced it to drop to sublight in the Mempa system.

Command College

"What Are Your Orders, Captain?"

"Forward or Back?" Resolution

Considering the imposition of the Organian Peace Treaty, and the unpredictability of its effect on his ship, Captain Lionidas has been given a great deal of latitude regarding the ongoing status of his mission. The colony in the Archer system has yet to be heard from, and despite assurances from the Organians, Starfleet is still concerned that the Klingons could be occupying it. The Xerxes has been given this simple choice:

A: Continue on to Archer, risking a greater concentration of Klingon forces but with the advantage of already having crossed deeply into Klingon space, or:

B: Return to Federation space while the peace holds and the ship can travel in relative safely. A larger ship would be assigned to make the perilous trip to Archer. This might also allow for a diplomatic effort that could resolve the situation without further risk of hostilities.

Captain Lionidas doesn't have to think too long. The journey through Klingon space will take four days, but it was preferable to spending two days going back, just to force another starship make the same perilous journey. And aside from that, Captain Lionidas was not the kind of officer to pass on a dangerous job to someone else.

(Moderator's Note: There are no predetermined right or wrong answers. The most popular solution will give the players who chose it a "Command College Point". Ten of those equal an experience point.)

"Detected?"

Upon entering the binary Mempa system, sensors on the USS Xerxes detected a defense platform emerging from the radiation zone between the two stars. Another lightning-fast decision is thrust upon Captain Lionidas. He cannot know that the defense platform didn't detect their arrival and automatically report them. It's sensors may have been obscured by the radiation, but they can't afford to stay long enough to scan the platform. They can either:

A: Destroy the platform immediately. If they destroy it, the Klingons will know someone has been there. Whether or not the Klingons will know who destroyed it will remain a mystery. The other choice is to:

B: Quickly jump back into warp and hope that the platform didn't detect them. If the platform detected them, they can expect pursuit. If it didn't, they might get away clean.

Choose A or B, or a third course of action, and write a brief explanation


Captain's Log

(From last week)

"We're hoping the log will provide some answers"

(Note: I decided to make things a little more interesting this week by incorporating the random planetary mission exercise into the 'Captain's Log' portion of the Command College. A 4d6 roll gave the planetary classification of:

Class N Reducing
Age: 3-10 billion years
Diameter: 10,000-15,000 km
Location: Ecosphere
Surface: High surface temperarure due to greenhouse effect; water exists only as vapor
Atmosphere: Extremely dense, carbon dioxide and sulfides
Life forms: Unknown
Example: Venus

A 3d6 roll gave me this random planetary mission:

15) The landing party finds itself back (seemingly) on it's homeworld. (Earth, Qo'noS, or whatever). But according to sensors on the ship, they're still where they were before.

This is what I wrote for it:

(Remember, the statement I had to expand on was: "We're hoping the log will provide some answers")

(ENT era)

"Captain's Starlog. October Fifth, 2166. Challenger, NX-07. Captain Sam Carpenter in command. While investigating an uncharted planet in the Hekaras system, we were surprised to discover a planet that presented us with a series of inexplicable mysteries. Upon achieving orbit, we noted the planet's strong resemblance to the planet Venus, including a high surface temperarure due to greenhouse effect; water existing only as vapor, and an extremely dense atmosphere, consisting mainly of carbon dioxide and sulfides. That wasn't too surprising, considering its proximity to the local sun. But we received an automated signal using Morse code. This warranted suiting up in environmental suits and investigating in a shuttlepod. Upon landing on the planet, we found circumstances that quite frankly didn't match what we detected from orbit. Surface scans showed an abundance of water and terrestrial plant and animal life, as well as perfectly breathable air. Further investigation, including a high-altitude fly-over revealed a pattern of continents exactly matching those on Earth. None of us recall any such dramatic change during the descent to the surface, and the shuttlepod's sensor logs seem to be unreadable.

A scan of the pollution content in the atmosphere, as well as an examination of star positions after nightfall seemed to indicate that we were on Earth in our present time, despite the absence of any humanoid habitation or technology. We found no evidence of artificial satellites or lunar colonies that should be abundant. For all intents and purposes, we were alone, on Earth on the date October Fifth, 2166, while Challenger remained in orbit still scanning a planet much like Venus, along with the lifesigns of everyone in the landing party. As for the source of the Morse Code signal, we found no device capable of sending such a signal, nor evidence that it had ever been there. The only anomalous reading was what my science officer tells me is a chroniton signature. Time travel. In any case, we returned to Challenger, leaving behind what still appears to be a planet indistinguishable from Venus, with an automated Morse Code signal still transmitting. The sensor log from the shuttle has been uploaded to the main computer for analysis. We're hoping the log will provide some answers.

For Next Week:

(Expand the following into a log entry of at least 100 words. Members post answers to the yahoogroup or the 'comment' feature on the blogsite. Lurkers feel free to leave comments on the blogsite)

"Whatever it is, contact in six seconds."


What is Fantasy Trek?
Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com

Summary of Events Stardate 0109.04

Summary of Events
Stardate 0109.04

TNG Era:

Ambassador Endara Khan reports that negotiations with the Kazon Ogla Sect continue to go well, but she admits to being concerned about the next step in her diplomatic initiative. Geographically, the Kazon Oglamar and Kazon Relora are closest to the Kazon Ogla, and the different sects are bitter rivals. That rivalry was intensified when, in late 2372, a peace conference organized by the Starship Voyager and a race known as the Trabe turned out to be trap set by the Trabe. The attempt served to further divide the Kazon sects. First Maje Jabin is reportedly skeptical about chances for an alliance. The delicate diplomatic task will no doubt be affected by the presence of the USS Exeter.

In the meantime, the USS Guadalcanal has set course to return to Oshionian Six, the site of its battle with the RIS Praex, to investigate strange discoveries in the region. It is expected to arrive on-site within the next week.

There have been so far no direct reprecussions from the destruction of a reportedly rogue Klingon Vorcha class battlecruiser during an unprovoked attack on a Federation convoy, and there have been no further reports of clashes between Federation and Klingon forces. There are unconfirmed reports that a Klingon special envoy is preparing to meet with a highly-placed Federation diplomat at an undisclosed location. Federation and Klingon sources have refused to comment on the reports. Independent reports from behind Klingon lines continue to hint at widespread pirate activity in Klingon frontiers as well as political infighting in the High Council. Starfleet monitor stations adjacent to the Romulan neutral zone show a continued decrease in all normal comm traffic from within Romulan space.

TOS Era:

After a long silence, the USS Xerxes reports that it became stranded in the Morska Sector for more than a week following the imposition of the Organian Peace Treaty. After its systems finally came back on line, it traveled to the Rura Penthe system, where it encountered a derelict Klingon battlecruiser. Scans showed that the ship was adrift, with systems damaged and faint life signs. While acknowledging the potential diplomatic advantage of attempting to rescue the Klingons, Captain Lionidas reasoned that the chance of precipitating a conflict by beaming over was too great, given the combat profile of his fast (penetration) class cruiser and the volatile nature of the stranded and untrusting Klingons.

Klingon Defense Force officials report the apparent disappearance of the battlecruiser LIng'taH.

Command College

What Are Your Orders, Captain?

"Crippled Enemy" Resolution:

In the mid twenty-third century, the Fast (Penetration) Cruiser USS Xerxes found itself behind Klingon lines and cut off. When hostilities broke out between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, centering around the planet Organia, the Xerxes was ordered to cross Klingon territory to reinforce the outpost in the Archer system. Days later, when opposing fleets were immobilized and a peace treaty imposed, the Xerxes was cut off. Trapped and alone in the remote Rura Penthe system, the Xerxes comes upon a derelict Klingon warship. Scans indicate that the crew is alive, but systems are failing. Captain Lionidas sees two obvious choices. He can either:

A: Trust in the imposed terms of the Organian Peace Treaty and beam over. If his engineers can repair the warship's failing systems, it could help to strengthen the peace. Or he can...

B: Take advantage of the warship's distress to escape the area and either proceed to Archer or return to base.

Captain Lionidas determined that the potential risk of a Federation combat vessel boarding a distressed Klingon warship in a remote location in Klingon space, days after the imposition of an unwanted peace treaty was too great, considering the likelihood of a rescue ship on the way and the possibility of more Klingon ships arriving on the scene before the Xerxes could withdraw.

(Moderator's Note: There are no predetermined right or wrong answers. The most popular solution will give the players who chose it a "Command College Point". Ten of those equal an experience point. Think of it as a correspondence course while onboard ship.)

"Forward or Back?"

Considering the imposition of the Organian Peace Treaty, and the unpredictability of its effect on his ship, Captain Lionidas has been given a great deal of latitude regarding the ongoing status of his mission. The colony in the Archer system has yet to be heard from, and despite assurances from the Organians, Starfleet is still concerned that the Klingons could be occupying it. The Xerxes has been given this simple choice:

A: Continue on to Archer, risking a greater concentration of Klingon forces but with the advantage of already having crossed deeply into Klingon space, or:

B: Return to Federation space while the peace holds and the ship can travel in relative safely. A larger ship would be assigned to make the perilous trip to Archer. This might also allow for a diplomatic effort that could resolve the situation without further risk of hostilities.

Choose A or B, or a third course of action and write a brief explanation.


"Captain's Log"

(From Last Week)

"This is the first time that such a weapon had been used by such a ship."

(TOS era)

"Warship Log. IKS Goltlh'. Captain K'vak recording. I am recording this message in the hope of relaying vital intelligence to the Empire. Our assault on the new Excelsior Class heavy battlecruiser has ended disastrously. I can only hope that our honorable combat will earn us berths on a ship in the Black Fleet. We crossed over into a poorly defended section of the Federation border in order to test reports that the hated, interfering Organians have truly disappeared, and approached the massive ship under cloak. We followed standard procedures and made our first attack at point blank range. The monster's shields turned away our first volley, and we withdrew at maximum speed. Phaser fire and photon torpedoes almost disabled us, but I chose to make another pass at the Excelsior before considering withdrawing. Before we could recloak at a safe range, however, the heavy battlecruiser launched a plasma torpedo that smashed through our shields and began to buckle our hull. Before they went out, our sensors determined that the torpedo originated from Gorn technology. This is the first time that such a weapon had been used by such a ship, and hints at an alliance between the reptiles and the Federation. If this is true, we face a grave threat. I can only hope that this warning reaches Imperial Intelligence in time to do some good. Our ship is losing hull integrity, and I have just seconds to send this transmission. Repeating. Warship Log. IKS Goltlh'. Captain K'vak recording. I am--"

(Expand the following into a log entry of at least 100 words. Members post answers to the yahoogroup or the 'comment' feature on the blogsite. Lurkers feel free to leave comments on the blogsite)

"We're hoping the log will provide some answers"


Kapact

What is Fantasy Trek?
Not Just a Game. It's a Star Trek Experience
http://fantasytrek.blogspot.com