No real reason to retire them unless we hit a crew shortage or start failing things because they're around. As far as I know, there's no penalty to having more ships around (save for the combat cap which is a long ways away.) Do we get salvage resources from them? Maybe 25 or 50% refund for retiring a ship instead of it getting blown to pieces? I'm trying to remember if there is any incentive to retire a ship other than crew shortage. We always need more hulls after all.
No, they'll be around for a long, long time to come, not doing anything in particular.
They'll just linger there, like ghosts, watching as newer and better ships outclass them, catching events they could pass but were too slow to reach them, always a day late and a dollar short, wishing they could be more than they are, praying for the day some enemy ship comes along and put them out of their misery, because Starfleet can't afford to lose ships.
No real reason to retire them unless we hit a crew shortage or start failing things because they're around. As far as I know, there's no penalty to having more ships around (save for the combat cap which is a long ways away.) Do we get salvage resources from them? Maybe 25 or 50% refund for retiring a ship instead of it getting blown to pieces? I'm trying to remember if there is any incentive to retire a ship other than crew shortage. We always need more hulls after all.
No, they'll be around for a long, long time to come, not doing anything in particular.
They'll just linger there, like ghosts, watching as newer and better ships outclass them, catching events they could pass but were too slow to reach them, always a day late and a dollar short, wishing they could be more than they are, praying for the day some enemy ship comes along and put them out of their misery, because Starfleet can't afford to lose ships.
Until the Cardassian War finally comes and goes and our threat level plummets (supposedly), our combat cap is unlikely to be a factor behind retiring older ships.
There is eventually going to be a point that it's simply more advantageous to mothball an older ship to help build and crew a newer one, and it depends a lot on the circumstances. Like, our blooded and eventually veteran Constellations are probably going to stick around for a long while, just like the venerable last Constitution-A, Cheron.
There is one way we can postpone the scrapping of completely outdated vessel: we're going to have new affiliates and allies that are behind the tech curve and could use a helping hand of sorts.
Remember how we contributed our older ship designs (Constitution-B, Constellation-A, Oberth, and Patroller-A) to the Tauni a couple years ago? Well, the Gretarians and Lamarck are likely going become our next "low-tech" affiliates within a decade. The Lamarck, especially. They're not going to say no if we offer them our outdated yet functional ships at a huge discount (possibly even "free" for some other benefit like diplo points).
If I can argue for handing Oberths to Intelligence I suppose I can agree with handing Constellations or Mirandas to 300+ level allies. If we don't have immediate pressing need for them.
We're going to need more non UP 3 mt berths purely for refits by the second half of the 2320s.
Something like 22 Excelsior As and 15 Ambys updated with Phaser Arrays and Isolinear computers will require plenty of berth space even if its just for a year
That is why we are trying to increase the 2mt capacity, with the new tech they can refit 2.4mt vessels like the Excelsior-B. The refits will also be competing against new Amby builds and new Heavy Cruiser builds.
I'm pleased to say that we're coming to a close over here at Task Force Aqua. Over this quarter and the next we should have all our leads wrapped up and be in time for Christmas.
Unless we're running out of crew to put into new ships and need to take them from existing ones, is there any reason not to just keep the Constellations and Oberths as a third ship in core sectors?
That is the exact reason we will likely end up decommissioning ships, As the new Ambassadors are crewed by EC crew, we will have to re-staff the Excelsiors with non-EC crew, and once that pool is empty, decommision older ships and move the crew to the new heavy cruisers, cruisers and frigates being produced.
Decommissioning does not necessarily mean scrapping and taking the 50% refund, if our stock piles are large enough to cope with the existing ship building program we could instead be donating them to affiliates and members to be used in a time of crisis. It is for this reason we might end up making a EOL (End of Life) refit option for obsolete classes, even if starfleet never uses them.
If I can argue for handing Oberths to Intelligence I suppose I can agree with handing Constellations or Mirandas to 300+ level allies. If we don't have immediate pressing need for them.
The use of "Home by Christmas" in an ironic sense is a 2220s meme and Zaardmani is nothing if not a 2220s superfan and era appropriate meme afficianado.
In ten years of Academy upgrades it may not be an issue. Trying to peer ten years into the future and deduce specific numbers is a fool's game. Even five years is getting pretty shaky with the tendency of damage to accumulate and crises to pop up.
In ten years of Academy upgrades it may not be an issue. Trying to peer ten years into the future and deduce specific numbers is a fool's game. Even five years is getting pretty shaky with the tendency of damage to accumulate and crises to pop up.
Your wrong bout that IIRC. The thing is that we haven't had many crisis's pop up. Its been relatively peaceful in game for the most part. We have had periods of peace interspaced with one crisis or another but almost never at the same time. The first big crisis was the Biophage and the last one was the GBZ offensive. Hayant for all her tech and ships wasn't a big threat and we had her contained for the most part. Our only problem was keeping her inside the federation borders and away from our enemies that we didn't want getting a hold of her technology which as you might remember is 50 years ahead of ours and that might change soon depending on what we salvage from the wreckage of her ships and whatever we might find in the depots.
6 General
[x][REPORT] GBZ: Determine what projects other factions are up to
[x][REPORT] Strengths/weaknesses of Imelak bio-technology
[x][REPORT] Status/Progress of Klingon-Romulan War
[x][REPORT] Hishmeri Septs Diplomatic Posture Report
[x][REPORT] Klingon Diplomatic Posture Report
[x][REPORT] Imelak Fleet Strength Report
Starfleet Intelligence Report
2320.Q4
Suspected Force on Romulan Border:
None
All ships removed
Suspected Force on Klingon Border:
2 K'tinga
2 Klingon Bird of Prey
0 Klingon Bird of Prey Mk 2
No changes
Suspected Force on Cardassian Frontier:
3 Jaldun-class destroyers operating within the frontier unit on a regular basis. Not believed to be hostile.
CDF Chunat
CDF Ronagot
CDF Karnack
1 Science Escort is also operating within the frontier.
CDF Parok
Intel believes CDF Trager was detached for refit.
Strengths/weaknesses of Imelak bio-technology
Separate report will arrive shortly.
Cardassian Ship Analysis - Kapit Courier Frigate
We don't know much about the Kapit frigate, and are reliant mostly on information from a single source, codenamed 'Pivot.' Frankly, I don't know how much we can trust 'Pivot', but signals intercepts have provided extremely limited intelligence on the Kapit, so they're all we've got.
According to 'Pivot', the Kapit began life as a design study to turn the failed Takaaki Courier design into a worthwhile ship; this soon shifted to a clean-sheet design, with the emphasis put on reaction capability and warp speed. The design was locked down for final development before 45 Gabriel; nonetheless, the scout/skirmish frigate designs of the Amarki and Starfleet caught Cardassian attention even before that battle.
That said, the Kapit, in its courier configuration, appears to have primarily a skirmish role in battle; signals intercepts show deliveries of modern impulse engines, nacelles, and warp cores to Trangot, which we believe to be the primary shipyard producing Kapits. (Or, at least, courier-configuration Kapits). Those same signals intercepts show only civilian-grade long-range sensors, thoroughly inadequate if this configuration was intended for a scout role.
'Pivot' appears to have only limited knowledge of the Tolkor; instead, we are getting most of our information from intercepts on Dylaarian signal traffic, as Cardassia appears to have licensed the design to the Dylaarians.
The Tolkor is built on a bigger frame than the Lorgot that preceded it, though it is still limited in size by Cardassian shipbuilding capacity. Tactical capabilities are provided by long-range superheavy phaser banks and torpedo tubes, similar to but more advanced than those of the Takaaki Destroyer. Sensor capability is at best marginally improved over the Lorgot; clearly, this is intended to operate in conjunction with supporting Jaldun IIs and scout frigates. Protective capability is superior to the Kaldar II, but command facilities appear little better, and reaction capability is similarly modest for a ship of this size.
The Tolkor's role in Cardassian doctrine is unknown. We surmise that it may be serving as a kind of 'super-linebacker', providing heavier firepower than even the Kaldar II. That said, given that the Cardassians have licensed the design, it is possible that they do not intend to build many themselves.
Intercepted Cardassian military transmissions cracked by the Icebreaker unit detailing analysis of Imelak capabilities have done most of our homework for us. However, we have done our best to confirm with long-range scans tuned to Imelak warp signatures. Innovations at the Masscenchenxinet Institute of Science in tachyon resolution gain at these extreme distances have allowed us a clearer view of ship activity than ever before.
Our signal intercepts indicated the existence of at least one more ship type, known as the Host class. We know at least one exists due to the discussion around it, but have been unable to secure hard numbers. Either the Cardassians lack complete information about this class as well, or are keeping information about it incredibly secure.
At least 3 Breeder-class Capital Ship
~12 Jockey-class Frigate
At least 1 Host-class
Klingon Fleet Strength Report
Resources put to signal intercepts from both Romulan and Klingon sources, as well as placing informants with free traders through Solitude, have allowed us to put together an estimate of Klingon Fleet numbers.
~4 Tar'chak Capital Ship
~2 K'Vort Cruiser
~40 K'Tinga Cruiser
~50 Advanced Bird of Prey
~35 Bird of Prey
The K'Vort has been developed as a response to the gap in capabilities between the K'Tinga and the new Tar'chak capital ships in production. While the Tar'chak shows a clear design lineage with the K'Tinga class, the K'Vort's lineage recalls more the Raptor style. Unlike the Birds of Prey that the K'Vort is designed to assist, the K'Vort focuses on all-area firepower, designed to cover the flanks of assault and quickly responding to Romulan Warbirds decloaking in ambush.
The Hishmeri diplomatic posture is defined by nothing so much as the Independance of the Septs and their Majestic leaders, and by the personal initiative of individual clan leaders.
Individual Hishmeri Captains have been eager to hire out their services to the highest bidder on a ship by ship basis, usually for mercenary work, even notably working with Klingon renegades on one occasion. More infrequently, hey have also been known to hire out their vessels in a cargo carrying capacity.
So far, to our knowledge, the only larger Sept-Level work has so far been the alliance between a particularly aggressive Sept and Hayant, and since the defeat of Hayant and Salnas's own victories against the Hishmeri that particular Majestic has been messily replaced.
Analysis of current trends suggest that if the Hishmeri regain a taste for large scale great power alliances, they would make excellent auxiliaries to the Klingon fleet, if the Klingons were so inclined to reach out to certain adventure-minded Septs.
Larger, species-wide, goals and objectives are usually set by the "Perfect," the military leader of the Hishmeri as a whole. Currently the Perfect's policy seems to be aimed towards solidifying her hold on the Septs after her recent accession to her position and as far as we can tell she has yet to take a position on foreign policy that would override that of individual Septs and clans.
Additionally, Brosmen freedman have informed us that part of the Hishmeri's presence in this area of space is the pursuit of their "Jinn" enemies who they have historically perused and attacked mercilessly.
Overall the whole of the Septs, as of this time, cannot be said to have a set diplomatic posture.
-
Horizon Diplomatic Posture Report
All's quiet on the coreward front.
Worryingly quiet.
Indications are that the Harmony have completed their diplomatic recalibration.
While they try not show it, our own diplomatic and social expertise has triggered a shake up in the Foreign Relations Directorate with it being reformed into the Diplomatic Outreach and Galactic Hospitality Directorates. Both are currently in the middle of a massive draw up of diplomatic resources, with major retraining and educational programs underway in both the Peacekeeping and Diplomatic Outreach Directorates that specifically have lessons learned from the Federation Diplomatic Service in mind.
The coming months and years should see a massive surge in diplomatic efforts on the part of the Harmony as they bring these new resources to bear on their Spin and Rimward frontiers.
The Harmony are falling back from their blanket attempts to sow discord in our own members and close affiliates and moving to implement a longer term plan. Current analysis indicates that while they are not giving up on outreach to our Coreward members and allies, Horizon is refocusing on the smaller states that lie between us.
While we do not have the full picture of their charm offensive, we can confirm the following:
In Licori space we find ourselves in the awkward position of supporting the nobility against Horizon missionary efforts with the poorer classes and slaves.
In the Outer Space Alliance, the Harmony are focusing their current efforts in setting up subsidized trade links with the OSA's small business community.
In Felis space the Harmony is undermining the traditionally more powerful Parliament of Corporations by treating directly with the League Senate on economic matters and winning goodwill with the political class.
As far as the Bolians go, the Diplomatic Outreach Directorate is scrambling to take advantage of the Bolians first tentative steps away from isolationism.
Current trend analysis shows that the Federation's Coreward frontier is shaping up to be a diplomatic freefire zone. Interestingly Horizon's diplomatic focus has been on groups the Federation typically appeals to. It is likely an attempt to stymie the Diplomatic Service by gaining support and goodwill among our typical grassroot sources of support.
-
Romulan Shipbuilding Report
Please be advised that the collapse of the Romulan frontline in multiple locations has made the following list very speculative.
While precise numbers are difficult to obtain, we have found that it is relatively straightforward to get a handle on the war, as both sides have shown an interest in boasting about their successes. By corroborating with signal intercepts, we are able to track progress relatively well.
============
Iberius Front
Combatants
Heavy Forces - Heavy action
A devastating offensive launched with strategic surprise collapsed the Romulan fleet, sending them fleeing in disarray. Before the situation could be retrieved, the Klingons had further overrun the Levoc, Rator, and Sanan Opek systems. They were rebuffed only at the battle of Nereid IV, the last major obstacle before Romulus. Near-suicidal counter-attacks and heroic sacrifices were required to halt the sudden Klingon tide.
Key Objectives Romulus - Capital world of the Romulan Star Empire - Now suffering heavy raiding
Nereid IV - A small outpost world that now serves as the last line before Romulus Sanan Opek - A minor colony on the approach to Romulus, most noteworthy for good sensor clarity to other logistics lanes
Rator III - Small shipyard overrun by Klingons
The Levoc System - A minor colony world with an outpost and a weapons production facility supporting Iberius Fleet Yards - Devastated by Klingon Wolf Packs
The Iberius System - A Major Romulan World, with one of the largest shipyards outside of Romulus
The Vinum Starbase - The Gateway to the Iberius system, a tough obstacle
The Ginok Pah System - A heavily reinforced outpost protecting Tholinium mines
The Hadab System - The Starbase that controls the shipping lanes back to Qon'os
Momentum Major Klingon Empire Advantage
Paskan Front
Combatants
Heavy Romulan Counter Offensive
A renewed assault by the Romulans saw Alixros retaken, the fortifications and minefields cleared at a heavy price. Their abrupt assault caught the Klingon forces marshalling at Path'loq off-guard, effectively serving as a spoiling attack. The ensuing major Klingon offensive was held back for a long time. However, the system was impossible to hold, as shortly after the system was secured, news arrived of the complete collapse of the other two Fronts. With so many resources then stripped away, the Romulans had to fall back to Mothidium.
Major Objectives Ivix - A sparsely inhabited colony, but a major fleet hub. Formerly a key industrial site.
Pompara - One of the major worlds, has been raided on a couple occasions
Mothidum - A minor colony with strong outposts, hub of the Paskan Front for the Romulans Alixros - Originally a major Romulan colony, now captured by the Klingons, and the Romulans place a high priority on retaking it - Retaken by Romulans but unable to be held as the Iberius Front collapsed Path'loq - A Klingon system with civilian shipyards
Momentum Romulan Star Empire Advantage
Blood Gate Front
Combatants
Heavy Forces - With the masking presence of the nebula, it is easy for cloaked ships to cause mayhem, executing ambush and counter ambush
No tactical withdrawal was possible during this year, as the next Klingon assault cut clean through the Ocutis starbase and more systems besides. The Romulan fleets were put to flight, with the Klingons chasing closely.
Major Objectives Atraka Outpost - A fallback position, further to the tailwards edge Terix II - A small shipyard system, now overrun.
Old Red Eye - A system with a distinctive star, home to a research colony.
Jarok's Beacon - Inhabited only by a Tal Shiar facility and a small logistical hub. The Tal Shiar facility was heavily damaged in a raid.
Ocutis Starbase - The last major stronghold left in the sector, which must be held - Now damaged by raids.
Aniak System - A former Romulan Research colony, now destroyed, which the Romulans have now recaptured - Then re-recaptured
The Latch - A key system near the centre of the nebula that offers the best sensor vectors on the rest of the nebula
Beta Kornak - The hub of Klingon activity at the base of the nebula
Momentum Major Klingon Advantage
Frontier
Only a few raiders could be spared, but those Romulan ships that did take to the Frontiers to cut deep into the heart of the Klingon Empire fought with boldness and desperation. Their pressure on the Klingon industrial base caused a collapse in output, seemingly the only thing keeping them in the game.
Everything we had prepared has now effectively been scrapped. The situation for both the Romulans and the Klingons is extremely fluid. A governmental collapse has struck in Romulan space, with an interim government formed from the Senate minority. The Continuing Committee likewise has resigned. We are still attempting to ascertain as to the status of the traditional Tal Shiar representative, but this is very difficult in the current flux.
Klingon attempts to broker a peace have begun on some level, but, again, the situation is in complete flux. Their own government is teetering, with a wave of assassinations and usurpations radically changing the mix. There is in fact a strong suspicion among the Intel community, and Starfleet Tactical, that this was a final roll of the dice for the Klingons, who are now utterly played out.
The Federation Diplomatic Service and the Council are directing all of their attention now towards this matter, and are exploring every avenue to broker a peace between the factions before we find ourselves facing a worst-case scenario of complete fragmentation of two major polities.
-
ISC Diplomatic Posture Report
Unsurprisingly for a very cautious people, the Padani have made little change in their strategic and diplomatic posture since last year's report.
The Padani have made some inroads with the Shanpurr, appreciating their philosophical alignment on the issue of the Prime Directive. However, the relationship is multifaceted and overall remains distant. The Padani find the Shanpurr unacceptably inquisitive and overbearing, and think we are being very reckless in allowing them to visit our homeworld in such numbers. Shanpurr society placing a high value on openness, or using soft power to convince others to be open, does not play well with the Padani.
GBZ: Determine what projects other factions are up to
The Dylaarians have completed a starbase, and are continuing to develop their corner of the GBZ according to their own time table. However, they are also beginning to respond to Padani overtures. We believe a potential diplomatic backchannel may be opening for us.
The Konen are focused on setting up productive mining centres more than anything else. It is believed that they are primarily relying on their fleet for support.
The Goshawnar appear largely focused on keeping our GBZ Fleet occupied with raiding and skirmishing.
The Cardassians are, we believe, still preparing for an assault on the Enio subsector, but are concerned about ensuring sufficient force is available.
Shipyard Operations Command Update
Completed:
USS Discovery, Excelsior-A-class Explorer (Starfleet Build Order NCC-2027) @ 40 Eridani A Fleet Yards Berth A
USS Zarayet, Excelsior-A-class Explorer (Starfleet Build Order NCC-2028) @ 40 Eridani A Fleet Yards Berth B
USS Aurora, Centaur-A-class Frigate (Starfleet Build Order NCC-2132) @ Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards Berth 3
USS Yuudachi, Centaur-A-class Frigate (Starfleet Build Order NCC-2133) @ Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards Berth 3
USS Summerstorm, Centaur-A-class Frigate (Starfleet Build Order NCC-2134) @ Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards Berth 3
Commenced:
Refit to Centaur-B of USS Aurora, Centaur-A-class Frigate (Starfleet Build Order NCC-2132) @ Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards Berth 3
Refit to Centaur-B of USS Yuudachi, Centaur-A-class Frigate (Starfleet Build Order NCC-2133) @ Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards Berth 3
Refit to Centaur-B of USS Summerstorm, Centaur-A-class Frigate (Starfleet Build Order NCC-2134) @ Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards Berth 3
Repair:
Drawing Crews:
Unnamed Ambassador-class Explorer (Starfleet Build Order NX-3901) @ Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards Berth B
7 Officer, 7 Enlisted, 6 Technician
[ ][SHIP1NAME] Name
[ ][SHIP1CREW] Standard
[ ][SHIP1CREW] Explorer Corps
Unnamed Ambassador-class Explorer (Starfleet Build Order NX-3902) @ Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards Berth D
7 Officer, 7 Enlisted, 6 Technician
[ ][SHIP2NAME] Name
[ ][SHIP2CREW] Standard
[ ][SHIP2CREW] Explorer Corps
Things are not going well for the Klingons and Romulans. The Klingons are played out and probably on the verge of suing for peace and the romulans are on the verge of complete surrender.
[X][SHIP1NAME] USS Ambassador
[X][SHIP1CREW] Explorer Corps
[X][SHIP2NAME] USS Enterprise
[X][SHIP2CREW] Explorer Corps
Hmm I really hope our brokering of peace between Romulans and Klingons does not distract us from Goshawnar raids and the Cardassians build up to retake Enio subsector.
We really need an operation to weaken Cardassians further and to stop any more raids from Goshawnar.
