On television, the Enterprise would solve this by mocking up a fake Excelsior, convincing the Sydraxians they had successfully blown it up, and then negotiating for peace honor having been satisfied.

:whistle:
Or Michael Thuir would sacrifice himself, his crew, and his ship in the interests of future peace.

Or did I get the plot of Yesterday's Enterprise wrong?
 
Intel Rotation Proposal - Back of the Envelope Version.

Klingons
Romulans
Cardassians

Yrillians
Kadeshi
Sotaw
Bajorians
Gretarians
Dawiar
Lecarrens
Sydraxians

Diplomatic Posture Report
Fleet Strength Report
Ship Analysis Report: <Write in Ship to try to get profile>
Shipyard Activity Report for: <Write in Power to get current build details and possibly resource levels> (Not available for Klingons or Romulans as of last option)

We have currently 6 options. Two Cardassian, one Romulan, and three free.

I'm going to propose three standing topics of interest for any given power.
Diplomatic Posture (DP)
Fleet Strength (FS)
The newest ship type (NST)

So. Cardassians alternate.
Odd Year:
Cardassian: Diplomatic Posture, Shipyard Activity
Even Year:
Cardassian: Fleet Strength Report, Something of interest here, or their newest ship as applicable
We probably only really need a Shipyard activity report every four years, so that's another half slot to try and figure out what the Obsidian Order is up to I guess.

Romulans rotate
Year One:
Romulan: Diplomatic Posture
Year Two:
Romulan: Fleet Strength Report
Year Three:
Romulan: Something of interest here, or their newest ship as applicable

Klingons rotate, but offset from the Romulans
Year One:
Klingon: Something of interest here, or their newest ship as applicable
Year Two:
Klingon: Diplomatic Posture
Year Three:
Klingon: Fleet Strength Report

If we don't have an ongoing emergency, I'd like to work down the minor powers list with the same questions for both of the remaining slots.
 
Can someone omake out the mock Excelsior idea? It sound hilarious. Especially if it worked.
 
Reasons behind the march to war between the Klingon Empire and Romulan Star Empire

Okay, this was not worth two intel reports IMO. Stuff we already suspected, but even worse, it's information that's not really actionable on next year.

We need to stop voting for two reports for basically the same info for something that isn't urgent for next year.

Most of what we know comes from our few contacts in Gretaria, who interact with the Sydraxians. We have recently learned that, unfortunately, the Sydraxians have begun extracting tribute in the form of shipbuilding materials from the Gretarians.

Yeah, things seem to happen to guys that we ignore, both Sydraxian and Gretarian it seems.

We shouldn't have voted for a Rigel push this year, when they would've very likely become full members without pushes by next year anyway. Would've freed up a diplo push on Gretarians.

Over the last year, the Diplomatic Posture of the Cardassians has been deeply confused. Before the Kadak-Tor incident they were very active. We were seeing increasing signs that there is an affiliate relationship between the Cardassians and Yrililans, while Bajor is on the cusp. However, after the Kadak-Tor's disappearance, outward focus from the Cardassian Union effectively stopped dead in the water. In fact, entreaties from their known clients, such as the Dawiar or Lecarre, have gone unanswered. This state of affairs cannot last, of course, but for the moment it would be fair to say the Cardassians do not have a diplomatic posture.

A really good time to take advantage of this. But still a bit iffy on Bajor.

If we didn't have Kadeshi to spend a last chance diplo push on, I'd be tempted to swap that for Bajor.

The Sydraxians operate two types of ship - one is an escort called a Hasque which we consider to be broadly similar to a Centaur or Centaur-A in terms of performance. The other is a Kalindrax, which is a heavy-weight cruiser, sort of like a more well-rounded, faster Jaldun-class that masses about 1.8mt.

Stat line estimates:

Hasque - between Centaur & Centaur-A, assuming a bit more combat-oriented than science/presence-oriented:
C3 S2 H2 L3 P2 D3

Kalindrax - well-rounded & faster Jaldun:
C4 S4 H4 L4 P4 D5

After going through and adding impact/cost to my ledger, I have a 2310 YTD Impact of 33 with a Cost of 24. Cumulative is 60 (not counting Syndicate resilience).

Aww, we lost the free +5 impact in Q3 :(

33 impact and 24 cost matches my records as well, when including +18 annual and excluding that +5 impact.
 
That doesn't quite explain it though.

In TOS, the Klingons and Tomulans were near peers to the Federation, maybe a little stronger. Between TOS and TNG, the Federation went through a period of explosive growth, adding hundreds of inhabited worlds and many (hundreds?) members specieses.

Yet, in TNG, the Klingon and tomulan Empires are still peers of the Federation. In fact, in Yesterday's Enterprise, in an alternate reality, the Klingons were on the cusp of defeating the Federation.

They went the other way.

The Klingons expanded up to Cardassia and in the other direction from the Federation, and the Romulans expanded deep into the Beta Quadrant.
 
Thinking the Unthinkable

A quiet restaurant

Valentina Sousa was feeling introspective. She had long ago noticed that above a certain level all Starfleet officers tended to have some special skill or unusual specialty. Something to help them stand out from the crowd of already talented officers. It had taken her a long time to realize what hers was, she didn't hate playing politics. She had assumed for the longest time that grumbling about politics was just something one did, but it wasn't until she had made commodore that she realized that her enjoyment of the games of power was unusual. Sometimes she wondered what it said about her as an officer that her greatest skill was she could schmooze slightly longer and better than most, then again ,she mused as she watched Corlin Korielis make a beeline for her booth, sometimes that what was needed.

"Why hello admiral, fancy meeting you here."

"Yes, what are the odds? please, sit, it's been too long since we've had a chance to chat." A bit of theater, technically she hadn't expected him. Then again she didn't make a habit of eating at the only restaurant with sound damping booths and automated waiters at the same time each week for the food. She didn't comment on the briefcase Corlin set on the table as he sat down.

"So how have things been at the shipyards?"

"Busy as always, I don't' think were going to have an empty berth for the next decade."

"It's the nature of fleets to never be done. If you're not building new ships you're replacing old ones."

"True enough, though I can't imagine you're here to talk about how hard my job is."

Corlin smiled, "well everyone can stand to have their burdens acknowledged from time to time, though there is something I would like to talk to you about."

"Of course, I always have time for the esteemed members of the council."

"I'm not sure if you've noticed, but Starfleet has become the de facto ship designers for the federation. While members can and to an extent do, maintain their own designs, the vast majority of ships built in the federation are Starfleet designs."

"I'm not sure I see the problem councilor, Starfleet hardly designs poor ships" Sousa let just a little bit of her irritation slip into her voice. She took insults to her work somewhat personally.

"The problem admiral is that the home fleets are militaries, and Starfleet ultimately is not. a typical Starfleet vessel is a miracle of engineering, but by design, none of them are cost-effective combatants."

"You're asking me to build warships."

"No, I'm asking you to design warships. For the stated purpose of enabling the home fleets to better guard their people against raiders and pirates."

"Corlin , Starfleet is not going to get in the middle of a fight between you and Stesk. Especially after the fiasco that was the last admiral. "

"I'm not asking you to. I understand how Starfleet pushing a hawk idea would look to the pacifists, which is why this idea has Somo's name on it."

"The development party? why would they want to build warships?"

"Because a stronger home fleet means safer home sectors, the sheer number of Orion pirates coming out of the woodwork has a lot of people concerned, not to mention the loss of that freighter to Sydraxian raiders. They don't like the idea of having to up gun Starfleet to deal with pirates. Not when the problem can be solved cheaper by strengthening the home fleets, and frankly I think we can both agree Starfleet ships are over built for convoy duty. "

"So you've sold someone in the expansionist party on this lunacy as well then."

Corlin just smiled. "I can't say I have, but I think certain members would be pleased by anything that freed up Starfleet ships to keep pushing the final frontier."

"If you have all this support why come to me? It sounds like you have the clout to force the issue."

"Because this is borderline heresy, and no one want's to be seen backing it unless it's sure to pass. I can have more than enough votes to get it through the council, but only if people think it can."

"And a counselor isn't enough for that on their own. You want an assurance Starfleet will go to bat for this."

"Exactly, and while Vitalia has a perfectly understandable allergy to hawks, if she were to contact Somo and let her know she's willing to back her little plan then she'd be able to push this. "

"And just how ambitious is this plan? I can't imagine they would be interested in building battleships."

"I was hoping you would ask." Tals popped open his case and pulled out a datapad, before sliding it across the table.

"So far it's mostly requirements and concept designs, but I'm sure you can get the gist of it's intended use."

Sous began looking over the pad, she noted that technically nothing on the requirements was explicit this was a warship, but the only way to meet the required armament on budgets was if it was nothing but a warp coil wrapped in engines and guns. Just enough cover for a politician to claim they had simply been ignorant of the realities of ship building. But she had to admit, The watchman class wasn't the worst idea she'd seen for a starship.

"Hrmph, shield requirements are too low, and with the specified cost limits that's where some of the compromises would have to be made. I'm assuming you're going to want us to help with the actual requirements?"

"Oh I'm sure Somo would be willing to work with Starfleet to hash out the fine details, thought it would defeat the purpose of the idea if it got too expensive."

"I'm sure it would, but this does raise the question. It sounds like your bending over backward to make sure you're not seen as the main one pushing this idea, so what do you get out of this?"

"I get to go to sleep knowing the citizens of the federation are safer than when I woke up, and that the men and woman of the home fleets won't be called to war riding in ships designed for peace."

"And the hawks set the precedent that Starfleet can keep the home fleets warship designs up to date."

"Is that such a bad thing? Having a core of dedicated warships as a reserve could make the difference between survival and annihilation some day, and we both know that the council would never let Starfleet be the one to build those warships."

"Nor should they, still I will admit I find the idea of the home fleets being better suited to filling a role we aren't is appealing. I make no promises but I'll float the idea past Vitalia."

"That's all I can ask, thank you for your time."

And with that Corlin left, leaving the datapad on the watchmen class behind.



requested omake reward: a snake pit option to design a dedicated sub explorer warship for use by home fleets.

edit: due to my lacking knowledge of the relative ship building stats between us and others, I have removed reference to specific class.
 
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Exacting shipbuilding materials from the Gretarians? Those bastards! Only a power devoid of morality or compassion would make a diplomatic arrangement with a weaker species and have them send shipbuilding materials for the constuction of their own warfleets. How can they-

(aide whispers in Briefvoice's ear) The Caldonians, you say? The.... the Gaeni, the Orions, the Apinae, the Indorians, the Rigellians, the... the Risans?

Well, I mean... that's different. They're doing it voluntarily.
If you wanted to go Full Neoliberal Economics you could say our gains in materials from Affiliates comes from more efficient distribution of resources and overall increases in productivity due to free trade. :V
 
Thinking the Unthinkable

A quite restaurant

Valentina Sousa was feeling introspective. she had long ago noticed that above a certain level all Starfleet officers tended to have some special skill or unusual specialty. Something to help them stand out from the crowd of already talented officers. It had taken her a long time to realize what hers was, she didn't hate playing politics. She had assumed for the longest time that grumbling about politics was just something one did, but it wasn't until she had made commodore that she realized that her enjoyment of the games of power was unusual. Sometimes she wondered what it said about her as an officer that her greatest skill was she could schmooze slightly longer and better than most, then again ,she mused as she watched Tales Har make a beeline for her booth, sometimes that what was needed.

"why hello admiral, fancy meeting you here."

"yes, what are the odds? please, sit, it's been too long since we've had a chance to chat." a bit of theater, technically she hadn't expected him. Then again she didn't make a habit of eating at the only restaurant with sound damping booths and automated waiters at the same time each week for the food. She didn't comment on the briefcase Tales set on the table as he sat down.

"so how have things been at the shipyards?"

"busy as always, I don't' think were going to have an empty berth for the next decade."

"it's the nature of fleets to never be done. If you're not building new ships you're replacing old ones."

"true enough, though I can't imagine you're here to talk about how hard my job is."

Tales smiled, "well everyone can stand to have their burdens acknowledged from time to time, though there is something I would like to talk to you about"

"of corse, I always have time for the esteemed members of the councils"

"I'm not sure if you've noticed, but Starfleet has become the defacto ship designers for the federation. While members can and to an extent do maintain their own designs, the vast majority of ships built in the federation are Starfleet designs."

"I'm not sure I see the problem councilor, Starfleet hardly designs poor ships" sousa let just a little bit of her irritation slip into her voice. she took insults to her work somewhat personally.

"the problem admiral is that the home fleets are militaries, and Starfleet ultimately is not. A typical Starfleet vessel is a miracle of engineering, but by design, none of them are cost-effective combatants."

"You're asking me to build warships."

"No, I'm asking you to design warships. For the stated purpose of enabling the home fleets to better guard their people aginst raiders and pirates."

"Tales, Starfleet is not going to get in the middle of a fight between you and Stesk. Especially after the fiasco that was the last admiral. "

"I'm not asking you to. I understand how Starfleet pushing a hawk idea would look to the pacifists, which is why this idea has Somos's name on it."

"The development party? why would they want to build warships?"

"Because a stronger home fleet means safer home sectors, the sheer number of Orion pirates coming out of the woodwork has a lot of people concerned, not to mention the loss of that freighter to Sydraxian raiders. They don't like the idea of having to up gun Starfleet to deal with pirates. Not when the problem can be solved cheaper by strengthening the home fleets, and frankly I think we can both agree Starfleet ships are over built for convoy duty. "

"so you've sold someone in the expansionist party on this lunacy as well then."

Tales just smiled "I can't say I have, but I think certain members would be pleased by anything that freed up Starfleet ships to keep pushing the final frontier."

"If you have all this support why come to me? It sounds like you have the clout to force the issue."

"Because this is borderline heresy, and no one want's to be seen backing it unless it's sure to pass. I can have more than enough votes to get it through the council, but only if people think it can."

"And a counselor isn't enough for that on their own. You want an assurance Starfleet will go to bat for this."

"Exactly, and while Vitalia has a perfectly understandable allergy to hawks, if she were to contact Somos and let them know she's willing to back her little plan then she'd be able to push this. "

"And just how ambitious is this plan? I can't imagine they would be interested in building battleships"

"I was hoping you would ask." Tals popped open his case and pulled out a datapad, before sliding it across the table.

"so far it's mostly requirements and concept designs, but I'm sure you can get the gist of it's intended use"

sous began looking over the pad, she noted that technically nothing on the requirements was explicit this was a warship, but the only way to meet the required armament on budgets be if it was nothing but a warp coil wrapped in engines and guns. Just enough cover for a politician to claim they had simply been ignorant of the realities of ship building. But she had to admit, The watchman class wasn't the worst idea she'd seen for an escort.

"hrmph, shield requirements are too low, and with the specified cost limits that's where some of the compromises would have to be made. I'm assuming you're going to want us to help with the actual requirements?"

"oh I'm sure Somos would be willing to work with Starfleet to hash out the fine details, thought it would defeat the purpose of the idea if it got too expensive."

"I'm sure it would, but this does raise the question. It sounds like your bending over backward to make sure you're not seen as the main one pushing this idea, so what do you get out of this?"

"I get to go to sleep knowing the citizens of the federation are safer than when I woke up, and that the men and woman of the home fleets won't be called to war riding in ships designed for peace."

"And the hawks set the precedent that Starfleet can keep the home fleets warship designs up to date."

"Is that such a bad thing? Having a core of dedicated warships as a reserve could make the difference between survival and annihilation some day, and we both know that the council would never let Starfleet be the one to build those warships."

"Nor should they, still I will admit I find the idea of the home fleets being better suited to filling a role we aren't is appealing. I make no promises but I'll float the idea past Vitalia."

"That's all I can ask, thank you for your time."

and with that Tales left, leaving the datapad on the watchmen class behind.




requested omake reward: a snake pit option to design a dedicated warship escort for use by home fleets.

Could you clean up things like the capitalisation? I'll threadmark it if so.

If you wanted to go Full Neoliberal Economics you could say our gains in materials from Affiliates comes from more efficient distribution of resources and overall increases in productivity due to free trade. :V

Tbh, I've always thought of it as trade in bottleneck minerals allowing more efficient use of resources :3
 
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Intel Rotation Proposal - Back of the Envelope Version.

I think this is a good general framework.

There are always going to be exceptions, and the way things have been (and probably will continue being), there's been some urgent issue cropping up every year that needs intel.

In this case, it was probably the Syndicate, and we kinda failed on that in terms of intel.

We have currently 6 options. Two Cardassian, one Romulan, and three free.

For the next year(s) while the anti-Syndicate effort continues, one of those free ones is earmarked for ongoing Syndicate intel status reports.

In about 3 years (with a bit of luck), we'll get another Cardassian intel report slot, and if we dedicate a 3-skill team to Klingon research, we'll also get a dedicated Klingon intel report slot in 3 years.
 
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We do have a few tissue paper Constitution hulls... A pair of them may be about the same honor redeemed as one Excelsior.
*stuffs inflatable decoy targets back in box*
That's... almost workable.
It certainly solves the problem of having anyone look around on the Starfleet Shipwiki, count the number of commissioned Excelsiors and the number in service and noticing that none of them seem to have exploded.
What, tow a couple of old Connie hulls over that way and let them get blown up? Or would we need to fake enough to look like a fight? Without losing those all so important crew ...
Apparently they're looking for doing us damage equivalent to an Explorer. We might be able to match that without killing people, with a cost in hull.
Maybe?
 
I think this is a good general framework. There are always going to be exceptions, and the way things have been (and probably will continue being), there's been some urgent issue cropping up every year that needs intel.

In this case, it was probably the Syndicate, and we kinda failed on that in terms of intel.

For the next year(s) while the anti-Syndicate effort continues, one of those free ones is earmarked for ongoing Syndicate intel status reports.

In about 3 years (with a bit a luck), we'll get another Cardassian intel report slot, and if we dedicate a 3-skill team to Klingon research, we'll get also get a dedicated Klingon intel report slot in 3 years.
Part of the proposed rotation is to try and notice those issues before they grow too large. I really do want that dedicated Klingon slot.
I have no real idea what we'll ask for with three Cardassian slots. I only care so much about what the Guls and Legates of Cardassia are having for breakfast.
Romulans: The Federation did what? Are they learning from us?

:V
Romulan Praetor : *sniffle* I almost feel proud. Now, infiltrate them some more. They'll need help getting through the rough patches at the beginning.
 
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