I think everyone is actually missing something here. Let me go grab a quote from the first part of Project Protector:
The competition itself will be judged based on three metrics: cost, tactical ability, and utility. The top-scoring design in each category will gain three points, while the bottom-scoring design will gain one. Each included utility function is worth one point, for a maximum of five. In the event of a tie, the design with the lowest cost will win. The cost is self-explanatory, folding both civilian and military spending into one metric. The tactical ability will be rated based on the main armament, which cannot include torpedoes. Utilities being sought are shuttles, transporters, tractor beams, and cargo.
Specifically, in the original post introducing us to Project Protector, there is zero mention of the brig (In the specific specifications of the contest). Now, there's an argument that we
need a brig, and one that we don't. I actually, to a point, don't think we need a dedicated brig, though realistically it should be included because, well, it's a police/CG cutter. Let me explain through the use of another quote from the QM.
No, what you need to do is pick features that will synergize or cover for each other and exclude others. The Tellaries have an inspection ship, the Denobulans a pursuit ship. Both have strengths and weaknesses, capability gaps that can be exploited to take the prize. What is Earth offering?
So, essentially, the QM has all but flat out stated that taking all 5 options is going to be actively detrimental to us. What we need, as stated by
the QM, is Design Synergy. Thus, we have to break down the five options into things that have exceptional synergy... or do the thing both do better than the other does.
With that in mind, honestly, my thought is that we just... do what the Telleries and the Denobulans did better than either of them did... which we do simply via virtue of a single nacelle Type 3 for the latter, and by including the correct utilities, to an extent we do for the former. Thus, I would propose that we take a Brig, Tractor Beam, Cargo Bay, and, if we absolutely must, a fourth choice, which should realistically simply be the Transporter.
I'm not really proposing a plan since if I recall correctly it's already been proposed, and thus would be redundant to propose again.
glad we are on the same wave length.
