So, cut to 6 teams (assuming worst-case of no rp gained from exploration - yields 65 rp for next turn) or 8 teams (assuming average rp gains per turn - 45+38=83rp for next turn)? Maybe split the difference and cut to 7 teams? Up to you what to vote for...
Ad-hoc venting of the Electro-Plasma System into infected areas is a viable counter to an ongoing Biophage infection, yes, although by and large the systems as currently designed are intended to avoid such venting. But it can be arranged.
The EPS Conduits aren't supposed to vent into compartments? What nonsense is this, next you'll be trying to convince us that the bridge consoles aren't built with sticks of dynamite in them.
@OneirosTheWriter do the resource increasing techs also count for mining colonies? i.e. does doing the mineral technology line increase the output of existing mining colonies as well as increase future colonies and straight rewards?
Captain Nash Ka'Sharren sits in the Enterprise's conference room, looking out the bank of windows that line the conference room, and watching the sparkling patterns of crisscrossing lights that cover the Orion capital's night side. It looks delicate and beautiful from orbit.
Thanks to a visit as an Ensign, she knows better.
The Andorian officer listens to her senior officers hash out the details of their diplomatic visit to Alukk, with Commander Ajam reading from a PADD, "Beta Shift has the highest ratings from our latest drills, so with the Captain's permission I've informed those officers that their sections will have the option of taking a twenty four hour leave. Alpha, Delta, and Gamma shifts will have the option afterwards in that order."
The Andorian Captain nods. "Have you distributed the currency awareness bulletins to them as well?"
"Yes, Ma'am, as well as Energy Crédit vouchers and corporate ID cards"
Nash holds back a grimace. Currency, corporate IDs... it's such a bother. Capital based economies are so annoying to deal with… "Thank you, Commander." Nash turns back to face the conference table, her senior staff arrayed along its sides before her, "Lieutenant Leaniss, have we heard back from the Orion Executive Council yet?"
Senator Leaniss, now Starfleet Lieutenant Leaniss, shifts slightly in her seat, still adjusting to the flow of Starfleet life. "Well, Captain the Executive Council has invited you and your Staff to a pre-meeting tour of Alukk's highlights, then an informal gathering afterwards." She consults her PADD again. "The meeting itself is to confirm the agenda for the next week, as well as officially receiving the current draft version of the trade agreements and discussion thereof."
Doctor Asurva leans forward. "The real work is going to happen at the 'Informal meeting' afterwards." The Orion woman smiles and shrugs, "Business on Alukk is conducted as much on personality and who you know as anything else."
Leaniss raises an eyebrow. "That's true in a lot of places, Doctor?"
"Well yes." The Doctor struggles for the right words. "There's a higher level of self interest and cronyism than you find in the Federation." She bobs her head, faintly embarrassed, "The older Matriarchs and Executives that operate at the level of the Executive Council are ruthless about maintaining their own personal power, even at the expense of others." She shrugs again, "At their level acquiring money for the sake of acquiring money is common… and it's often seen as a way for them to 'keep score.' Wealth determines a person's value to society."
Commander Ajam shakes her head. "I'm glad Earth has grown out of that mentality"
Doctor Asurva closes her eyes for a moment. "Commander, there are many things to recommend in their system when power hasn't been distributed so unevenly. Though I do agree with you. Just… Just keep in mind that Orion culture can be rewarding, yet dangerous to the unwary."
The Captain nods, her face very serious. "She's right. Believe me, there's a lot to like and a lot to dislike about Orion. Just be careful, being in Starfleet doesn't always protect you." She looks around the room, and in particular at Lieutenant Leaniss. This will be the Amarki woman's first footsteps on the soil of a foreign world.
-------------------
The Enterprise's away team materialises on the transporter pad, and Captain Ka'Sharren takes a look around the wide open park that the transporter pad is centered in, looking for their liaisons from the Orion Executive Co-operation and Development Council.
Two red-haired Orion women wearing nearly identical well tailored business suits step forward, smiling.
The slightly taller one with a slightly blue coloured suit opens her arms wide in greeting, "Captain Ka'Sharren, Lieutenant Commander Mrr'Shan, Senator Leaniss, Doctor Asurva..." She pauses for a moment trying to recognize the last member of the Away Team. "...Ensign. Ah, Greetings!" She does a slight bow. "I am Vice-President Lavana Molhane of Molhane Energy and Savings, Public Relations Department! The council has sent me to liaise with you and make your stay on Alukk as comfortable as possible"
The other liaison, with a golden scarf wrapped around her neck also smiles at the group. "I am… her... colleague, Leticia Madurai, Vice-President of Consumer Relations with Madurai Music and Manufacturing."
Lieutenant Leaniss, smiles and steps forward to return Molhane's bow. "It is just Lieutenant Leaniss now, less presumptuous that way, don't you think? Ms Molhane?"
The Executive smiles back. "Of course, Lieutenant." She continues to smile and fishes a set of cards from her pocket. "As well, on behalf of Molhane Energy and Savings, and as token of goodwill, I would like to present you with these Energy Credit vouchers. Good at all major retailers affiliated with the ECDC." she holds them out and continues to smile, "Just look for the blue star!" she adds cheerily, as Madurai gives her a side-eye.
Doctor Asurva smiles. "Thank you but no thank you, Ms Molhane, Starfleet Guidelines prevent us from accepting gratuities!"
Madurai's smile turns into a sincere smirk and she pats her own pocket absently.
The Molhane Executive smiles slightly tighter, and continues just as cheerily as before. "Ah, that is fair, though I do hope you appreciate the spirit of the gesture!"
Lieutenant Leaniss steps off the PADD, looking around at the enormously tall buildings surrounding the small park, and the the sunlight glinting off the glass the structures seem to be made out of. She turns back to their hosts, "Of course! I always appreciate acts of sincere gratitude."
The Orion Executive continues to smile, "If you would like, we do have a carefully crafted itinerary, designed to showcase the best of Alukk.." She gestures at the well kept streets and gleaming buildings, inviting the Starfleet Officers to follow her. "We have a stop at Blue Star Gardens, home of the Tenacious Tennamous, then a leisurely lunch-"
Madurai cuts in smoothly, "Taking in the splendour of the city from Suncity towers, the restaurant on the hundred and fiftieth floor is one of the highest rated in the Golden Bloom Group!"
The Andorian Captain cuts both off. "Appreciated, Ms Molhane, Ms Madurai, I really do appreciate the suggestions," she lies, "But we'd hoped for a more… self-guided tour"
"That's... fine…" says the Spindial Executive, smiling over gritted teeth, "Whatever strikes your fancy on your visit to Alukk, we of the ECDC are eager to make your stay a happy one!"
------------------------------
"Wait, the Senator shot someone?" says Ensign Wolfe, head and only member of Enterprise's Xenology and Political Science team, meeting with the Away team in the Enterprise's transporter room, PADD in hand. Commander Ajam next to him looks not quite as shocked.
"It was just a light stun." Lieutenant Leaniss looks slightly defensive. "That slave peddler wouldn't leave us alone!"
"Contrrract holderrr for Generrrationally Indenturrrred Worrrkerrrrs," corrects Lieutenant Commander Mrr'Shan, leaning heavily on her Andorian Captain, focusing hard on her words and slipping into a heavy Caitian accent.
Captain Ka'Sharren is more sober, having spend the entire visit dodging drinks: from street vendors, offers during the talks, and at the afterparties. Yes, afterparties plural, Nash supposes that she isn't that surprised, it would have been a diplomatic slight to turn down any one of the company's' invitations.
Lieutenant Leaniss and Doctor Asurva have one of the Federation diplomats hanging heavily between them, the Federation representative only fitfully awake. "I am sorry Ensign, we will give you a debriefing later, but Representative Northwind should probably be put under medical supervision."
Leaniss smiles. "A lot of Diplomacy happened after the meeting," she chuckles. "And if we were any amount of successful the trade terms should be better tomorrow. Northwind might not remember, but we gave a good impression to that Blue Star rep. Drunk her right under the table," she says over her shoulder as she and the greenskinned doctor carefully maneuver their fallen colleague out of the transporter room.
Ka'Sharren pats Mrr'shan on the shoulder as her friend tries to make her way out the door after them. "Ensign Wolfe. Could you please see that the Lieutenant-Commander makes it to her quarters safely?"
The Human Ensign sighs and looks down at his PADD, he can brief his superiors on everything he learned talking to the understaffed and overworked Orion men serving as "Executive Assistants" later, "Yes ma'am."
Mrr'shan gives a heavy blink to Ka'Sharren as the Ensign slips one of her arms around his shoulders. "See you tomorrrrrow, Nashhhhhh," she says happily as the doors whoosh shut, thankfully quieting the Caitian's attempt to sing.
"Sorry about that Commander. The Orion executives seem to play as hard as they work. Very high stress environment." Ka'Sharren shrugs, "How are the crew doing?"
"Three emergency beam outs, ten Paid Extraditions from Security and Justice Syndicate custody, three from Alukk Private Security, and twenty-three requests for reimbursement from businesses." She smiles. "All in all a fairly quiet night, comparatively."
1000 words of the Corporate Reps subtly arguing and undercutting each other, and trying to bribe our officers
Captain Ka'Sharren's tale about the time she /literally/ had to sell the shirt off of her back to make it back to her ship in time (Moral of the Story: GRIP YOUR STARFLEET ID WITH BOTH HANDS, AND WATCH YOUR ENERGY CREDITS...no matter how pretty she is)
A drunken Lt-Cmdr Mrr'Shan Sexually harassing Ensign Wolfe.
and more!
Science vote:
[x] anon_user.
The Office of Naval Architecture seems to have their heads on straight!
I'm trying to figure out if it's Star Trek's fault or my fault that my first reaction to Orion women in "finely tailored business suits" was "one piece or two piece suit?"
I'm trying to figure out if it's Star Trek's fault or my fault that my first reaction to "finely tailored business suit" was "one piece or two piece suit?"
Is it wrong that even when you quote "finely tailored business suit" I'm still picturing them in what would be considered scandalous on most public beaches?
[x] 8 Teams
-[x] Starfleet Medical - Ulithi Biophage Research & Investigation
-[x] Daystrom Institute - Computing
-[x] Spock - Xenopsychology
-[x] Vulcan Science Academy - Sensors
-[x] Starfleet Science Academy - Communications
-[x] Starfleet Tactical Command - Foreign Analysis (Romulan Research)
-[x] Andorian Academy - Shields
-[x] Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems - Warp Technology
I agree with this one, we bank 10 RP plus have an income of 35 so we will have 45 + whatever we get from exploration. And it is unlikely to be as much as this year.
Ad-hoc venting of the Electro-Plasma System into infected areas is a viable counter to an ongoing Biophage infection, yes, although by and large the systems as currently designed are intended to avoid such venting. But it can be arranged.
Does the biophage need actual organic matter to do it's thing? IE, does it have the same weakness to drones and AI weapons the original beast has?
[x] 8 Teams
-[x] Starfleet Medical - Ulithi Biophage Research & Investigation
-[x] Daystrom Institute - Computing
-[x] Spock - Xenopsychology
-[x] Vulcan Science Academy - Sensors
-[x] Starfleet Science Academy - Communications
-[x] Starfleet Tactical Command - Foreign Analysis (Romulan Research)
-[x] Andorian Academy - Shields
-[x] Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems - Warp Technology
Guaranteed upgrades:
Computing: Targeting computer and Ship OS.
Xenopsych: Universal Translator:
Bioplague: Contact Klingons and Contact Romulans
Possible Upgrades:
Computing: All
Sensors: Enhanced Sensors:
Comms: Fleet Comms
Bioplague: All but full analysis.
Xenopsych: All
So I went into seclusion tonight and wrote three and-a-half ficlets. You've already seen one, and the other two completed ones should be spaced out over the next couple of days once they've been proofread by my "team" of semi-permanent proofreaders/ bad-idea-detectors. So prepare your bodies for "Enterprise-B senior staff moments #1" and "Ragnarok" coming soon to this literal, actual thread!
More or less. Uh, unfortunately, drones and AI weapons are ... not the strong points of the UFP, or their merry fellow travellers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
Okay, the Federation is probably not a fan of AI's, but drones (which can be helpful to explorers, for example) may be doable. We just need a research team...
More or less. Uh, unfortunately, drones and AI weapons are ... not the strong points of the UFP, or their merry fellow travellers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
Clearly we have to create an autonomous and self-replicating AI and give it blueprints of all our ships, industrial machines and weapons to combat that virus!
But yeah, as I said before this is really firing my muse up. I think the main thing is that the canon and the writing prompts give me a nice sandbox to play in that isn't too constrictive, and gives me focus, as well as a designated start and end point, which is something that I find occasionally paralyzes me in my fic (I mean I've got to do like, long term plotting and foreshadow shit there, so that's a lot of work). Of course It also sort of makes me push against my weak points a bit too; there is a lot of stuff that I cut for not making sense or being boring, like at least as many words as you've read from me, I've outright dumped instead of merely salvaging.
More or less. Uh, unfortunately, drones and AI weapons are ... not the strong points of the UFP, or their merry fellow travellers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
At the very least a completely physically isolated research facility that's only interacted with via remote-control drones should be safeish from outbreaks and not risk losing any researchers.
At the very least a completely physically isolated research facility that's only interacted with via remote-control drones should be safeish from outbreaks and not risk losing any researchers.
