To Boldly Go... (a Starfleet quest)

Muer'ci · Nov 10, 2016

OneirosTheWriter said:
You see, this is why I use sensors rather than my face when it comes to finding out what is in the dark and unwholesome places of the galaxy

Bless.

Briefvoice · Nov 10, 2016

OneirosTheWriter said:
Captain's Log, USS Cheron, Stardate 23289.6

We have conducted a diplomatic mission to an Apiatan colony world that is in a dispute with the high queens on Apinae. The colony seemed to be embracing some manner of ascetic way of life, and using this to justify not paying mandated contributions to the homeworld. With tensions beginning to boil, we were asked to step in and help resolve the matter. In doing so, we discovered the technology-free way of life was a total sham, with the planet liberally featuring modern technology, and a number of very spoiled Queens.

[+10 rp]

Nice to see the Cheron solving things as usual, but was that really a research point reward? Doesn't seem to have anything to do with science.

Captain's Log, USS Sarek, Stardate 23290.9

Engineering is back in our hands, and we have captured an Yrillian vessel. Interrogation of the leader of this group of pirates leads me to believe that they are associated with the Orion Syndicate. Apparently this ruse was intended to work on cargo ships plying the routes near Dawiar, where losses may be excused as Dawiar action. The idea that they would encounter an Excelsior had not been accounted for.

Damn Syndicate.

Nix · Nov 10, 2016

Quite a lot of rp this turn, might want to use a few more generic teams. I think we should use as many as we can and still be able to guarantee activating all 19 regular teams next year?

AKuz · Nov 10, 2016

This was a prime update.

Nix · Nov 10, 2016

We are going to have 243 rp, enough for 30 teams. If we activate 26 teams we will have 35 rp left, with our current fixed income of 110 rp, the Caitians joining and the Gaeni and Orions quite possibly starting integration we are reasonably likely to reach the 152rp needed for our regular 19 teams next year even without any events. So 26 teams, 19 regular and 7 generic, should be quite safe.

My research plan draft already includes generic teams for Shipboard Computing and Klingon Research, for the additional 5 generic teams I would look at Explorer Combat, Explorer Science, Escort Engineering, Escort Science and Romulan Research to make good use of our admiral boni. Alternatively we could put two of them on Offensive/Defensive doctrines, if we can agree on which ones to pick.

This is of course assuming generic teams benefit from admiral boni, but that seems reasonably safe.

Shard · Nov 10, 2016

But Generic tech teams just seem like a waste of RP.

It's literally +1, as opposed to +4 or 6 that we normally get.

Except maybe for research areas that are nearly done..

Nix · Nov 10, 2016

Shard said:
But Generic tech teams just seem like a waste of RP.

It's literally +1, as opposed to +4 or 6 that we normally get.

It would be a waste if we had a better use for rp, but we don't. We don't have enough spare pp to buy teams fast enough to keep pace with our rp. Letting our rp pile up unused would be a waste. And with admiral boni it should be +3 or +4 anyway.

UbeOne · Nov 10, 2016

OneirosTheWriter said:
Captain's Log, USS Miracht, Stardate 23289.8

Giant.

Echo-locating.

Crystal.

Spiders.

You see, this is why I use sensors rather than my face when it comes to finding out what is in the dark and unwholesome places of the galaxy. There is one large nest in this mine site, and we are working on a safe orbital firing solution that will allow us to bore through the nest without damaging much else.

Work faster! T'Lorel would have been able to do so immediately.

Artemis1992 · Nov 10, 2016

UbeOne said:
Work faster! T'Lorel would have been able to do so immediately.

That one would have been a job for both our Vulcan explorers. Geology and Orbital Bombardement combine their forces for an easy win here.

UbeOne · Nov 10, 2016

OneirosTheWriter said:
Captain's Log, USS Enterprise, Stardate 23289.9

Massive EM storms, the same ones that give our orbit-based investigations so much trouble, have disabled our shuttle on approach. Our pilot brought us in as gracefully as he could, and we are all intact. Unfortunately, we have now been found by the locals.

Initial reactions are mixed. I'm not sure if I'm to be crowned as a goddess or burned as a witch. It may be both.

OneirosTheWriter said:
Captain's Log, USS Enterprise, Stardate 23291.1

That was a narrow escape. We were to be sacrificed to appease the "gods" who send the Ion Storms. Thankfully, a beautiful priestess helped us escape, giving us the chance to prove that their "gods" were, in fact, renegade Orions!

Which, incidentally, saves me from an awkward Prime Directive talk.

This was a close call. Nobody likes Prime Directive breaches.

Void Stalker · Nov 10, 2016

Yeah and as pointed out our base income plus leftover with generic is enough to run all our regular teams next year even without any event boosts (which there should be some). A bit sad, only 5 PP out of that log and it was a bit more sedate. Hoping for relation boosts also Yrillian raiders working for the Syndicate... even better that we have chosen to crack down on them now

aeqnai · Nov 10, 2016

The Yrillians really aren't selling the whole 'we should be part of the UFP' thing to me right now. Neither are the Orions, for that matter.

OneirosTheWriter · Nov 10, 2016

I'm thinking of going for a system whereby generic teams will eventually graduate into normal tech teams with 10xp, and their specialities will depend on what they were used on most and second-most.

Have a set of no more than five-to-ten available generic teams at any time and you can basically train up the tech teams that you will need in the future.

Nix · Nov 10, 2016

OneirosTheWriter said:
I'm thinking of going for a system whereby generic teams will eventually graduate into normal tech teams with 10xp, and their specialities will depend on what they were used on most and second-most.

Have a set of no more than five-to-ten available generic teams at any time and you can basically train up the tech teams that you will need in the future.

Sounds good, if you don't mind the extra bookkeeping.I'll try to not use the same generic team for more than 2 different specializations in any plans I make to keep things as simple as possible.

UberJJK · Nov 10, 2016

OneirosTheWriter said:
We are helping out the scientists who are a little reluctant to travel in the contested frontier without support. Earlier scans revealed a pre-industrial age civilisation residing on a Class M world not far rim-ward of Indoria. Our sensor crews have accomplished much of the work, but there are some areas the scientist are very keen to explore that are emitting naturally sensor-resistant waves. When they requested use of a shuttle to access these areas, I decided I could do with a good wilderness stroll myself, and will be joining them.

Those poor, poor scientists. Nash just guaranteed something bad would happen to them.
-

Captain's Log, USS Sarek, Stardate 23287.4

Our assignment to map out the wide array of mineral bearing worlds between Qloath and Lecarre has stumbled across an unexpected find in the form of an abandoned Yrillian Escort. This is, of course, very far from Ethur II or any Yrillian colony world, raising many questions about how and why this ship has come to arrive here.

Straak: "Dammit! There isn't suppose to be anyone out here! Just me, my ship, and some beautiful rocks. Why can I never study rocks in peace!?"

Captain's Log, USS Miracht, Stardate 23288.3

The Rigellian mining colony of Calcis Minor, a barren and lifeless world, is reporting a number of missing workers deep in their mining tunnels, where their sensors are having trouble penetrating. It is an old and well-developed mine that has recently opened a number of new winds. The map is bewildering.

My plan is to use our spares to set up a much more advanced ground-based sensor amplifier rather than actually beam an away team into that mess, even though the foreman is furiously screaming to get him back on schedule.

Thur: "Hm. Old mine, a veritable labyrinth of passageways, and workers suddenly start disappearing after they open up a new section. Break out the sensors boys and girls we've got an angry rock monster down there."

Captain Thur; He is the craziest of all the Explorer Captains because he is sane and yet still wanted the job.

Captain's Log, USS Kumari, Stardate 23288.4 - Captain Erzath zh'Darlyth

I have encountered and confronted a Cardassian ship that was tracing along the edge of Federation space. After a brief stalemate, it apparently has picked up the Challorn en route to reinforce us and turned to flee. To be thorough, we pursued it out of the local area.

[+5 pp, no escalation occurs]

Huh. I'm guessing there was a chance for the war to escalate right there if we'd rolled badly. Lucky the Challorn rolled high enough on it's Defense roll that it showed up in time to scary the Cardies away.

Captain's Log, USS Miracht, Stardate 23288.7

The foreman continues to argue with me about the time it is taken.

I'll admit that I probably shouldn't have lost my temper, but in the end, I took one of my security officers' phaser rifle, handed it to the foreman and then shoved him into the elevator basket that leads down into the mines. Not only have I not heard any further complaints, I haven't even seen the foreman since he ran back out of the elevator screaming.

Damn Thuir, you really are the only sane man in the Explorer Corps.

Thur: "You want me to risk my life and the lives of my men just because these delays are messing up your schedule? Well then; if it's so damn urgent here's a phaser rifle, go fight the damn rock monsters yourself! Meanwhile I will stay up here and come up with a plan that doesn't involve running around the monster's lair getting picked off one by one!"

Captain's Log, USS S'harien, Stardate 23289.4

While leading an away party to a Class M potential colony world we entered a deep jungle area via light vehicle. While collecting samples, we were happened upon by a reptillian, bipedal megafaunus. It attacked and killed Ensign Calloway before we realised the danger, using enormous jaws and teeth. My best estimate of size was six meters in height, twelve in length.

...That's a Space Tyrannosaurus Rex. It's twice as tall (6m vs. 3m) but other then that it's basically Space!T-Rex.

Captain's Log, USS Cheron, Stardate 23289.6

We have conducted a diplomatic mission to an Apiatan colony world that is in a dispute with the high queens on Apinae. The colony seemed to be embracing some manner of ascetic way of life, and using this to justify not paying mandated contributions to the homeworld. With tensions beginning to boil, we were asked to step in and help resolve the matter. In doing so, we discovered the technology-free way of life was a total sham, with the planet liberally featuring modern technology, and a number of very spoiled Queens.

[+10 rp]

This really doesn't feel like an RP situation. Influence or maybe Political Will sure but I don't see how we'd get RP out of this.

Captain's Log, USS Miracht, Stardate 23289.8

Giant.

Echo-locating.

Crystal.

Spiders.

Thur: "Ha! You all doubted me! Said 'There's no such thing as rock monsters!' and 'The Captain's gone crazy!' but I was right!"

You see, this is why I use sensors rather than my face when it comes to finding out what is in the dark and unwholesome places of the galaxy.

...if we ever get the opportunity Thuir should be the new head of the Explorer Corps. He would make sensible policies like this mandatory. I suppose he'd also be great at the Academy to try and spread his common sense to the masses.

There is one large nest in this mine site, and we are working on a safe orbital firing solution that will allow us to bore through the nest without damaging much else.

Ah, the T'Lorel Maneuver. I approve!

Captain's Log, USS S'harien, Stardate 23290.1

We are being hunted through the jungle. Our vehicle has been unfortunately disabled, leaving us facing a jungle with many such reptiles in it on foot. We are attempting to coordinate with the S'harien in orbit, but need to reach high-ground to do so. High-ground that we believe may be the nesting ground of this reptile.

This would make for a pretty good episode. It's not often you see Sci-Fi characters have to deal with being hunted by dinosaurs, outside of shows that are about dinosaurs anyway.

The security officer on the bridge and myself subdued three, however, the Yrillians have captured main engineering.

And once again we see how badass Straak is when someone gets between him and his rocks. An entire bridge full of people and the only the security officer was fast enough to take down a Yrillian before Straak finished off all three.

Security is preparing to take back engineering. I would have used transporters to send them back to a point in space approximately around their ship, however after arriving they have activated transport inhibitors.

...

Holy shit! Straak is cold, like even by Vulcan standards he's got ice for blood. His first reaction wasn't "beam them directly into the brig" it was "beam them into the cold vacuum of deep space". That is straight up murder! Sure they are pirates and all but you wouldn't expect a Starfleet Captain, especially an Explorer Captain, to jump straight to killing over imprisonment.

If nothing else, the crew is becoming proficient at anti-intruder drills.

It's at this point you remember this is the second time in just six months that intruders have transported aboard the Sarek.

Captain's Log, USS S'harien, Stardate 23290.8

I hold grave concerns regarding this world's suitability for colonisation.

This reptilian megafauna would pose a grave threat to any colonist.

...oh Saavik. After an entire day of being chased through the jungle by Space!Dinosaurs your first thought is "This might not be a good place to establish a colony".

Thankfully, we have been able to return to our ship. After coordinating with the S'harien, they have used diffuse phaser blasts to clear-fell a section of jungle. After reaching this area, we have been able to beam out, though not being the great beast made one last attempt at eating us.

Yeah this was definitely the Jurrassic Park episode.

Captain's Log, USS Sarek, Stardate 23290.9

Engineering is back in our hands, and we have captured an Yrillian vessel. Interrogation of the leader of this group of pirates leads me to believe that they are associated with the Orion Syndicate. Apparently this ruse was intended to work on cargo ships plying the routes near Dawiar, where losses may be excused as Dawiar action. The idea that they would encounter an Excelsior had not been accounted for.

This is just more evidence in favor of the argument to try and cripple, if outright destruction is not possible, the Orion Syndicate.

Captain's Log, USS Enterprise, Stardate 23291.1

That was a narrow escape. We were to be sacrificed to appease the "gods" who send the Ion Storms. Thankfully, a beautiful priestess helped us escape, giving us the chance to prove that their "gods" were, in fact, renegade Orions!

Which, incidentally, saves me from an awkward Prime Directive talk.

...oh Nash.

Void Stalker · Nov 10, 2016

aeqnai said:
The Yrillians really aren't selling the whole 'we should be part of the UFP' thing to me right now. Neither are the Orions, for that matter.

You're judging them on the worst elements not on the average person. if anything it's more reason for us to go after The Syndicate

Nix · Nov 10, 2016

The next vote is probably going to be new Intelligence head along with intel priorities. I'm thinking:

Write-in: Romulan attitude towards Federation and future relationship.
Write-in: Locations of Cardassian worlds.
Shipyard Activity Report for: Cardassians
Cardassian Diplomatic Posture Report (how they change their approach after the Caitian-Dawiar war ends should be interesting)
Sydraxian Diplomatic Posture Report
Sydraxian Fleet Strength Report
Gretarian Diplomatic Posture Report

Cardassian diplomatic posture would be the only repeat, everything else probably doesn't need to be checked every year.

Leila Hann · Nov 10, 2016

Is it just me, or does every planet the Rigellians land on have horrible monsters on it?

UberJJK · Nov 10, 2016

Nix said:
The next vote is probably going to be new Intelligence head along with intel priorities. I'm thinking:

Since we're going after the Orion Syndicate wouldn't it make sense to ask for more info on them? I mean we just received an object lesson on just what happens if you tangle with them without sufficient information.

Void Stalker · Nov 10, 2016

UberJJK said:
Since we're going after the Orion Syndicate wouldn't it make sense to ask for more info on them? I mean we just received an object lesson on just what happens if you tangle with them without sufficient information.

So much this need at least one action on syndicate intel

Nix · Nov 10, 2016

UberJJK said:
Since we're going after the Orion Syndicate wouldn't it make sense to ask for more info on them? I mean we just received an object lesson on just what happens if you tangle with them without sufficient information.

Void Stalker said:
So much this need at least one action on syndicate intel

Are they a valid target for reports like that? If yes then sure.

pheonix89 · Nov 10, 2016

@UberJJK
Those guys Straak was going to kill via transporters were pirates working for a criminal syndicate pseudostate in the pay of a hostile power. Pirates are hostis humanis generis. Ununformed combatants have very few rights. Denied deniable assets have no rights. He had PLENTY of legal cover to do that in combat.

tryrar · Nov 10, 2016

OneirosTheWriter said:
Also, vote closed! Tally please?

Vote Tally : Sci-Fi - To Boldly Go... (a Starfleet quest) | Page 464 | Sufficient Velocity
##### NetTally 1.7.4
Task: COUNCIL
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Rid Ourselves of the Syndicate
No. of Votes: 21
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Mix and Match to Fix and Dispatch
-[X] Request new Tech Team to be added to your Ship Design Bureau, 20pp [Starbase Design/Starship Construction]
-[X] Request expansion of Ana Font Shipyard, 10pp (4 turns, gain 1 new 1m t berth) [Can take multiple times, +5pp per subsequent build]
No. of Votes: 5

Plan: ◈Mix and Match to Fix and Dispatch
Algalon
Muramasa
Night_stalker
pbluekan
SynchronizedWritersBlock

[X][COUNCIL] Plan Boop
-[X] Request Ongoing Budget increase 25pp (Roll for success)
-[X] Request Allocation for an Excelsior's resources, one-off-infusion of an Excelsior's cost, 20pp
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on Seyek, 10pp
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on Bajorans, 10pp
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on Dawiar, 10pp
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on Qloath, 10pp
-[X] Request new Tech Team to be added to your Ship Design Bureau, 20pp [Starbase Design/Starship Construction]
-[X] Request Academy Expansion, 35pp (Gain +.5 Officers/Enlisted/Techs throughput)
-[X] Request a Starbase in the CBZ, 20pp (18 with discount)
No. of Votes: 3

Plan: ◈Boop
AKuz
anon_user
Iron Wolf

[X][COUNCIL] Plan Budget Increase
-[X] Request Ongoing Budget increase 25pp (Roll for success)
-[X] Request Allocation for an Excelsior's resources, one-off-infusion of an Excelsior's cost, 20pp
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on Sayek, 10pp
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on Bajorans, 10pp
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on Dawiar, 10pp
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on Qloath, 10pp
-[X] Request new Tech Team to be added to your Ship Design Bureau, 20pp [Starbase Design/Starship Construction]
-[X] Attempt to muster support for large scale action against the Orion Syndicate, 35pp (Anti-Syndicate actions will occur each turn in Amarkia, Caitian, and Andor Sectors)
No. of Votes: 2

Plan: ◈Budget Increase
AlphaDelta
wootius

[X][COUNCIL] Plan Border Diplomacy
-[X] Request Allocation for an Excelsior's resources, one-off-infusion of an Excelsior's cost, 20pp
-[X] Request Academy Expansion, 35pp (Gain +.5 Officers/Enlisted/Techs throughput)
-[X] NEW Attempt to muster support for large scale action against the Orion Syndicate, 35pp (Anti-Syndicate actions will occur each turn in Amarkia, Caitian, and Andor Sectors)
-[X] Request new Tech Team to be added to your Ship Design Bureau, 20pp [Starbase Design/Starship Construction]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (One affiliate or prospective race will undergo accelerate diplomacy) : Seyek
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (One affiliate or prospective race will undergo accelerate diplomacy) : Qloath
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (One affiliate or prospective race will undergo accelerate diplomacy) : Bajorans
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (One affiliate or prospective race will undergo accelerate diplomacy) : Dawiar
No. of Votes: 2

Plan: ◈Border Diplomacy
UberJJK
Yorick's Skull

[X][COUNCIL] Plan Suffocate Syndicate and Startup MWCO
-[X] Request Allocation for an Excelsior's resources, one-off-infusion of an Excelsior's cost, 20pp
-[X] Request Academy Expansion, 35pp (Gain +.5 Officers/Enlisted/Techs throughput)
-[X] NEW Attempt to muster support for large scale action against the Orion Syndicate, 35pp (Anti-Syndicate actions will occur each turn in Amarkia, Caitian, and Andor Sectors)
--[X] The Yukikaze to be assigned to anti-Syndicate actions for the duration in whatever sector they happen in.
-[X] Add a Member World Coordination Office under Shipyard Ops, 30pp (allow cooperation with member worlds on ship-building priorities as part of Shipyard Ops turn phase)
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (One affiliate or prospective race will undergo accelerate diplomacy) : Seyek
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (One affiliate or prospective race will undergo accelerate diplomacy) : Yrillians
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (One affiliate or prospective race will undergo accelerate diplomacy) : Bajorans
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (One affiliate or prospective race will undergo accelerate diplomacy) : Dawiar
No. of Votes: 1

Plan: ◈Suffocate Syndicate and Startup MWCO
lbmaian

[X][COUNCIL] Expansion and diplomacy
No. of Votes: 1

Erandil

[X][COUNCIL] Keep Our Admiral
No. of Votes: 1

Winged One

——————————————————————————————————————————————Task: INTEL
[X][INTEL] Accept the Resignation (+5pp)
No. of Votes: 31
[X][INTEL] Decline the Resignation (-25pp)
No. of Votes: 7

Artemis1992
Algalon
Muramasa
Night_stalker
pbluekan
SynchronizedWritersBlock
Winged One

——————————————————————————————————————————————Task: REPAIR
[X][REPAIR] Gaeni Manufacturing Coop (+5pp, Gaeni closely study the Excelsior design)
-[X] Delay/cancel a Connie-B in Q4 as necessary to avoid a resource shortfall
No. of Votes: 19

Briefvoice
aeqnai
dacsan
Derek58
Gear
Gingganz
Jrin
lbmaian
MS-21H 'Hawke'
Nervos Belli
Nix
pheonix89
Random Member
Shard
Simon_Jester
SuperSonicSound
tryrar
Void Stalker
Yeangst

[X][REPAIR] Cancel the planned Constitution-B Build in Utopia Planitia Berth-C (3mt berth) and repair the Courageous there.
No. of Votes: 11

Muer'ci
Algalon
anon_user
DarknessSmiles
Iron Wolf
Muramasa
Night_stalker
pbluekan
SynchronizedWritersBlock
UberJJK
Winged One

[X][REPAIR] Gaeni Manufacturing Coop (+5pp, Gaeni closely study the Excelsior design)
No. of Votes: 5

Erandil
HearthBorn
Leila Hann
Sightsear
Yorick's Skull

[X][REPAIR] Utopia Planitia
-[X] Cancel a Constitution-B
No. of Votes: 2

AlphaDelta
wootius

Total No. of Voters: 41

Leila Hann · Nov 10, 2016

pheonix89 said:
@UberJJK
Those guys Straak was going to kill via transporters were pirates working for a criminal syndicate pseudostate in the pay of a hostile power. Pirates are hostis humanis generis. Ununformed combatants have very few rights. Denied deniable assets have no rights. He had PLENTY of legal cover to do that in combat.

What I'm worried about is that the Syndicate is not only recruiting Yrillians from well outside of Orion space, but they're even conquering pre-industrial worlds. These guys are bigger and more organized than we thought.

Void Stalker · Nov 10, 2016

So I was looking and anti syndicate operations have events in andor, amarkia, and caitan sectors. caitan is an affiliate so forces in the RBZ , cbz, andor, tellarite , and amarkia sectors can respond. looking at our forces andor and amarkia only have constellations and Miranda's, not the type of ship I want responding. I propose we deploy the yukikaze to one of those two.

Then once the Centaur-A being constructed finished I would want 1 to tellar, amarkia and andor sectors. yukikaze would then be moved to the CBZ.

Also the excelsior finishing next year split them between andor and amarkia

To Boldly Go... (a Starfleet quest)

Been Better

One and Many

Daydreaming CPU

Daydreaming CPU

Nerdy Homu

Cabal Core Commander

Wants to be Seven Of Nine