@Nix I do have one question: In your plan description you said the ad-hoc Phaser kits would take too long to be useful. Is that because you don't expect us to be doing evacuation work 4 turns from now, so arming the freighters would be unnecessary at that point?
A rather uncomfortable thought: Crew experience boni have a pretty big mechanical impact in this game. If the Inflictor could compose a dream team based on the best skills of all assimilated crews and replicate that across all ships that would seriously suck. Yet another potential way for the situation to already be doomed.
While this may be a possibility (it explains how the Biophage knows how to operate Federation equipment)... I'm of the opinion that little beastly beast is only simply smart with its "body", and gains just as much intellect from its "food" as we do with our cheese burgers.
It's just that the Biophage can ALSO take said cheeseburger and stick it on its forehead... and minutes later you can hear the "Mooo!" from the cow-like parts it has re-purposed from the beef patty (and as a part of itself, the 'phage obviously knows how to 'operate' the cow's mouth... or the radio... or the warp drive...).
We simply don't know, one way or another. Let's not panic until the research is done?
@Nix I do have one question: In your plan description you said the ad-hoc Phaser kits would take too long to be useful. Is that because you don't expect us to be doing evacuation work 4 turns from now, so arming the freighters would be unnecessary at that point?
I expect in 4 months time either the threat is on its way to being entirely dealt with, any colonies that aren't evacuated have been eaten, or the thing's already at the Core worlds and we're fucked, one of the three.
While this may be a possibility (it explains how the Biophage knows how to operate Federation equipment)... I'm of the opinion that little beastly beast is only simply smart with its "body", and gains just as much intellect from its "food" as we do with our cheese burgers.
It's just that the Biophage can ALSO take said cheeseburger and stick it on its forehead... and minutes later you can hear the "Mooo!" from the cow-like parts it has re-purposed from the beef patty (and as a part of itself, the 'phage obviously knows how to 'operate' the cow's mouth... or the radio... or the warp drive...).
We simply don't know, one way or another. Let's not panic until the research is done?
Depends, I think your description is correct mostly especially if this is more or less a direct copy of the beast. Also better pray that the beast doesn't ever come into contact with the borg or we're in deeeeeep shit.
@Nix I do have one question: In your plan description you said the ad-hoc Phaser kits would take too long to be useful. Is that because you don't expect us to be doing evacuation work 4 turns from now, so arming the freighters would be unnecessary at that point?
Exactly.
Evacuation should be mostly done in 3 months, completely done in 4.
Liath V and scuttling Arcori III shipyards this month, Cygnus Sigma I and scuttling Liath V shipyards next month, Larssen II and the first half of the science outposts in two months, the other half in three months.
Nash ka'Sharren blinks as the motes of exotic energy flutter and disperse around her, leaving her on a Romulan transport pad. She gives the area a quick look-around. It is her first time on a Romulan vessel after all. Well, at least as far as the Romulans know; there was that incident at Canbor VI... Everything in the room is a shade of dark green. Nash supposes it ought to be a comforting colour, but something about the shade lends everything almost as much menace as the blood-red and cold steel of Klingon designs.
The officer behind the transporter controls eyes the Starfleet captain suspiciously, and when the doors to the transporter open to admit a security officer, his look is no less suspicious.
"Captain ka'Sharren, you are early for the meeting," the security officer says in clipped tones.
"Commander Velin asked me to come aboard early for a discussion," replies Nash.
"I was not informed of this," replies the security officer. "Wait here." He steps outside, but returns swiftly. "It seems you are right, but you are early even for that."
Nash shrugs at that. "Commander Velin just said come early."
A dark and probing look comes over the security officer, and Nash bites back comments about over-paranoid Romulans. "Very well," the Romulan says. "Follow me."
A trip through a maze of emerald corridors follows, broken up by a long turbolift trip. By time that they arrive at their destination, Nash is beginning to wonder if the good Commander is showing off the size of the Heavy Warbird, which has slightly more mass behind it than the Excelsiors. Even if the Excelsior is still a better designed, more balanced ship. And really, cloaks are just ways to get into more trouble, and space already provides plenty of those.
The security officer stops by a door marked Exercise Room and hit an intercom button beside it. "Commander, the Federation Captain is here." The door opens moments later and the security officer ushers you within.
Inside Nash finds a room that appears rather out of place, with wooden walls and a firm but springy matting underneath. It takes her a few moments to realise that there was holographic technology at play, and wonders if this is something the Xyrillians sold to the Romulans. There were moves afoot in the Federation to be able to make something much more comprehensive in the future, but this seems pretty close to state of the art. It doesn't have the proper smell, but the look and feel is just like a training hall, high in the mountains away from civilisation.
Commander Velin and another Romulan officer that Nash doesn't recognise are present, the normal grey patterned uniforms eschewed for sleeveless green shirts and loosely fitted pants. A ceremonial looking sword is held by each woman. Velin has a thin sheen of sweat as she stretches, then turns to her comrade. "That will be all, Sub-Commander, return to your duties."
"Yes, Commander."
Nash steps aside to allow the officer to depart, then cocks an eyebrow at the Commander.
"That is an almost Romulan looking gesture," muses Velin. "Many would doubt that civilisation can truly be taught, but I guess you're full of surprises."
"Romulan civilised? No fear of that, Commander," replies Nash. "I could spend my whole life dedicated to it and still not end up half as paranoid as that."
Velin smirks at that and points to a sword resting on a rack. "They're holographic," she says, and demonstrates by striking her palm with the edge of her own weapon. A loud 'brrzt' sound echoes in the room.
Nash laughs as she pulls the weapon from the rack. "I should warn you, Commander, as an Andorian I practice for Ushaan. You may find me a far more dangerous opponent than you expected."
A human would have missed it, but Nash is just able to discern a muttered, "I already have," from Commander Velin.
"So what did you want me here to discuss?" asks Nash as she places the sword back on the wrack and strips off the cumbersome overcoat of her uniform, leaving her with a white undershirt.
"After the debacle at Ithrid II, my warbird and your Type-E are the only battlecruisers-"
"Explorers."
"-in the fleet," continues Velin. "I want to make sure we're on the same page."
Nash steps out onto the practice mat, taking a few swings to get the feel for the weapon. "As far as I understand it, the Enterprise is here to use its sensors for early-warning. Wow, you actually feel the weight behind this sword."
"Clever use of force fields and transporter technology," says Velin offhandedly. "And we may need your phasers now that we've lost the Admiral's disruptors a lot more."
"We'll do our part in a fight." Nash grins wickedly as she settles into a stance. "No one can say that any Enterprise would ever run from a scrap."
The two ship masters come together in a blaze of steel, the sound of the weapons coming through pure and sweet. The weapons tie up in a bind and Velin's leg crashes through behind Nash, who tumbles to the mat. A desperate roll backwards spares her a quick end to the fight, Velin's weapon thrusting into the mat where Nash landed. The two foes begin to circle warily after that.
"The new Admiral is considering using the Enterprise as a flagship," says Velin. "Access to the sensors and quicker coordination with Starfleet."
Nash snorts. A Romulan Admiral on her bridge? That'll be the day. "I may have to run that one through Starfleet Command, there are regulations there."
"You can't reach Admiral without a keen sense of duty."
"More like a lucky streak."
Velin's brow raises again. "If luck is all it takes, your promotion should come through any day now."
"Hey, my ship runs on skill and talented junior officers, not luck," protests Nash. "Well, maybe a bit of luck, too, but..."
Nash abruptly slashes in on the attack, nearly catching Velin off-guard. But in a four-blow exchange the buzzer sounds when Velin's strike catches her across the wrist. "Damnation," mutters Nash as she steps back.
Velin's face splits into a predatory grin. "You'll need more than luck here."
"Heh. So, are we just going to camp here in Alepsis II orbit? It is the last Romulan colony in the quarantine zone, after all," asks Nash. "I appreciate the peace and quiet we've had last month, but I'm pretty sure we can't simply rest."
"That's undecided. We'd like to evacuate here, too, but if the Federation can keep their evacuation plans ongoing, soon we can have our Vulcan kin in Solitude, plus the million colonists of Alepsis II as the last places to defend, then we can sweep up along the Neutral Zone and burn the Inflictor away." After a moment, Velin shrugs. "Or our scouting forces can turn up the Inflictor early and we go counter attack. This constant defence is unbecoming."
With that the Commander attacks again, thrusting in a blow only barely turned aside. They bind after another exchange, and Velin again tries to sweep Nash, but the Andorian hooks her foe's foot and grabs a hold of her shirt. Falling backwards, she throws the Commander across the room. Nash is on her feet and lunging as Velin scrambles to regain her footing. A loud buzzer sounds again, the holographic sword sweeping right through Velin's neck, leaving no external mark. Velin looks up with wide, startled eyes.
The door opens to readmit the Sub-Commander from earlier, now back in uniform. "Commander, it's time to prepare for the ... uh..."
Nash grins at the startled Sub-Commander and walks to the weapon rack. "Don't underestimate Andorians." She then feels the lightest of breezes, and then a tap as Velin's lays the flat of her sword on Nash's shoulder.
"Point. And don't turn your back on an armed Romulan."
"Point."
Velin sighs and walks past Nash to place her weapon the rack. "Computer, End Simulation. Can't believe you decapitated me."
"Hey, there's a club for people who have lost to the Enterprise and its captains but can't believe it," informs Nash as she stretches. "It's called the Beta Quadrant, and it meets at the bar."
Velin picks the weapon up off the rack again. "Actually, one more round. I'm going to make you eat those words."
Nash just grins.
====
Romulans scouting Neutral Zone Area 2.
Quarantine Fleet has taken position in orbit around the remaining colony world, Alepsis II.
Damaged Heavy Warbird is set for 12 months repair.
Romulan High Command currently debating whether to go through with a very difficult evacuation order for the colony.
I expect in 4 months time either the threat is on its way to being entirely dealt with, any colonies that aren't evacuated have been eaten, or the thing's already at the Core worlds and we're fucked, one of the three.
Exactly.
Evacuation should be mostly done in 3 months, completely done in 4.
Liath V and scuttling Arcori III shipyards this month, Cygnus Sigma I and scuttling Liath V shipyards next month, Larssen II and the first half of the science outposts in two months, the other half in three months.
Depends, I think your description is correct mostly especially if this is more or less a direct copy of the beast. Also better pray that the beast doesn't ever come into contact with the borg or we're in deeeeeep shit.
....
Borg: We are the Borg. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile
Biophage: We HUNGER...
Borg: Resistance... is... futile
Biophage: Your bodies... will... be mine...
Nash ka'Sharren *looking at the Borg/Warbird hybrid*: So, you want to take a bet on who wins the assimilation war?
Vitalia Yukiko Kahurangi: ... I think-
Nash: Please sir. That was rhetorical. I'm trying hard not to think of an answer. ANY answer.
Vitalia: .... yes, let's not.
So you know, I live in the Eastern time zone of the United States. Probably a lot of people on this board live in the United States, given that it's an English-speaking board and the prevalence of the US on the internet.
The reason I bring that up is that the vote was dropped at 3am my time, when I was soundly asleep. Your post locking the vote came at 7am, four hours later. I and anyone else in a similar time zone have almost no chance of altering any consensus if you're going to drop votes at that time and keep the voting open for such a short period. I think it's a bad idea to let a Romulan admiral and his entire security staff romp all over our newest ship design, for example, but now I don't get to make that argument. I might or might not agree with Nix on their other priorities... I haven't even gotten around to looking at the options.
I appreciate that you want to keep the quest moving fast, and that's great, but if you keep a vote open only 4 hours than only people who are awake and available in that 4 hour block get to vote. If you don't view it as an especially crucial vote, then I guess no big, but please try to keep a long voting period open for anything with real long term consequences.
So you know, I live in the Eastern time zone of the United States. Probably a lot of people on this board live in the United States, given that it's an English-speaking board and the prevalence of the US on the internet.
The reason I bring that up is that the vote was dropped at 3am my time, when I was soundly asleep. Your post locking the vote came at 7am, four hours later. I and anyone else in a similar time zone have almost no chance of altering any consensus if you're going to drop votes at that time and keep the voting open for such a short period. I think it's a bad idea to let a Romulan admiral and his entire security staff romp all over our newest ship design, for example, but now I don't get to make that argument. I might or might not agree with Nix on their other priorities... I haven't even gotten around to looking at the options.
I appreciate that you want to keep the quest moving fast, and that's great, but if you keep a vote open only 4 hours than only people who are awake and available in that 4 hour block get to vote. If you don't view it as an especially crucial vote, then I guess no big, but please try to keep a long voting period open for anything with real long term consequences.
Making my report as required, Admiral Kahurangi. After the irregularities of the previous month's evacuation effort, I can report that this month's effort has been peaceful. The evacuation of Liath V was undertaken by the Starfleet Medical Command with a number of cargo ships and Starfleet Hospital Ships. A total of 49,213 colonists survived the early attack on the colony, and these colonists are now settling in to Machado IV.
We encountered no attacks from the Biophage during this period. However, Starfleet Tactical's team of scouts delivered news that an inhabited world had been located, already consumed by the Biophage. Best estimates show the world to have been a colony world of a species we have not yet encountered, with ten thousand inhabitants living in biodomes. It is difficult to ascertain precisely what level of technological development they were at. However, debris found it orbit matches that of the escort-class vessels that attacked at Kiterunner last month. Ergo, we may assume they are a warp-capable culture if, indeed, they still exist.
I led a task force consisting of Sarek, Kumari, Challorn, and two Centaurs, and arrived to investigate the planet. From our investigations, the planet was infected two months ago, seemingly from orbit. The world was held for as long as was practicable, and allowed further research to be undertaken. A canister of Electro-Plasma was dropped on one site to test its efficacy against the Biophage, and proved satisfactory.
Our Betazoid attachments were transferred to the Centaur-class escorts and sent lower into the atmosphere to experiment. They received ineffective fire from functional surface batteries, which were neutralised by phaser fire from the Sarek. The Empaths reported debilitating sensations the closer they came to the infected Biomass. They report that the thoughts and minds of those consumed live on in a collective whole. They were able to determine that the homeworld of this species was not in this Area, but in Area 2, though they are not sure where. The experience of such a jumbled hive mind is apparently deeply unpleasant.
We encountered in orbit the debris of one ship that we believe was struck by the infection beam weapon of the Biophage's major units. The Vulcan Science Academy detachment was able to study this debris before it was sterilised, and drew some conclusions as to its mechanism.
With regards to the incident with Captain Michael O'Hara of the USS Excelsior. While I regret the necessity of the action, I maintain it was the correct action, as borne out by the fact that the infected craft did, in fact, escape. However, as has been suggested to me, this is an inefficient time to air such concerns, and I will refrain from revisiting them until the conclusion of this state of emergency.
Efforts to continue the mobilisation of the Federation's resources are bearing fruit. We have a number of task forces already under way and under your control, and we expect to be able to raise two more soon. The Andorians are closest to the scene and are providing much of the opening contribution, plus Starfleet's own assets. A list of new teams will be sent to you shortly.
Please Select two new Teams (Line voting, top two vote getters win)
[ ][NEW] Andorian Orbit Guard Runabouts - Combat (Recon) Team
[ ][NEW] Starfleet Academy Red Squad Runabouts - Combat (Recon) team
[ ][NEW] Shorc Xurth Resource Combine (Tellar Prime) - Industry (Heavy) Team
[ ][NEW] North America Productivity Commission (Earth) - Industry (Heavy) Team
[ ][NEW] Cheleb-Kor Industrial Centre (Vulcan) - Industry (Heavy) Team
[ ][NEW] Dhara Heavy Industry Park (Andoria) - Industry (Heavy) Team
[ ][NEW] 40 Eridani A Ship Design Detachment - Research (Ships) Team
[ ][NEW] Federation Diplomatic Service - External Diplomacy
[ ][NEW] Councillor Stesk - External Diplomacy
[ ][NEW] Andorian Civil Service - Internal Diplomacy Team
[ ][NEW] Tellarite Work Crew - Civil Engineering Team
[ ][NEW] United Earth Station Service - Civil Engineering Team
[ ][NEW] Andorian Blue Hand - Civil Engineering (Medical) Team
End Report
Starfleet Shipyard Operations Report
All three Oberths have been commissioned into service in a lamentably foreshortened ceremony. Although unavoidable in the current state of emergency, Vice Admiral Sousa had keenly wished for a more prominent launching ceremony to show case so much scientific capacity joining Starfleet. She does suggest that one of them could even be attached to Commodore T'Faer's RBZ fleet, where although a direct combat liability, their powerful sensors may help free up an Excelsior for combat duty.
[ ][OBERTH] Assign an Oberth
[ ][OBERTH] Leave them for safer space
Starfleet Engineering Command Report
Engineers completed a pair of crucial objectives over the last month. First the Tellarite Mining Expedition, though smarting from the loss of one of their cargo ships in orbit around Arcori III, returned to that world. There they used powerful charges to destroy the shipyard to prevent its possible capture and misuse by the enemy. On the more constructive side of the fence, the team from Andoria travelled to Solitude Outpost and began to process of improving the weapons and sensors on that platform. Starfleet's own Engineers are still at work around Machado IV setting up an outpost with powerful sensor arrays, and say that they will be ready during the next month.
Starfleet Medical Command Report
Ulith III Biophage General Research Rush
The general research on the Biophage has revealed many new results, which has been provided to the Infectious Diseases team to further their work. The access provided by Commodore T'Faer has led to advancements, and a more comprehensive understanding of the Biophage's infection beam. Further, the efforts of reviewing the Dunwich IV record has revealed its own, disturbing, secrets. This has been confirmed by the experiences of the Betazoid empaths. Effectively, the Biophage subsumes the memories and personalities of all those that it consumes. They all live on in a hideous sort of half-life. Paraphrasing the Vulcan report, of course. Dunwich IV maintained faked communications to hide its infected status in large part because of the Biophage's ability to take over these details. In some cases this even extended into fooling distant family members into believing kin on Dunwich IV were still alive. This does, however, also explain how the organism has the technical know-how to operate starships. Let us pray that shipyard engineers are not also consumed.
As a conclusion, beware trusting communications with sources that may be infected.
10 / 10 Perform full analysis of the properties of the Biophage. 20 / 20 Fully Examine the Dunwich IV colony site and review the gigaquads of sensor data pulled in. 10 / 10 Assess Biophage Infection Beam Properties [+5 from Examination of Debris at Birkeed III]
10 / 10 Assess Biophage Technical Repurposing Abilities
Biophage Vaccine Research Rush
We have discovered a number of mechanisms for safely disposing of the Biophage samples, though they all require technologies that would not have been available to the Romulans at the time they were investigating this organism. More importantly however, we have what we believe in the prelude to a vaccine! There is a substance that will substantially reduce the infection and reconstruction rate of the Biophage on organic materials. The reconstruction still occurs, but this much reduced rate is one that we believe we can improve to a total resistence with more work.
10 / 10 Perform full analysis of the properties of the Biophage.
15 / 20 Sample Bio-laboratory Containment Procedures 20 / 20 Sterilisation Procedures
30 / 30 Vaccine Development I [+5 from Completion of Sterilisation Procedures] [+10 from Completion of Biophage General Research]
0 / ?? Vaccine Development II
14 / 20 Structural Integrity Field Modifications I
Starfleet Tactical Command Report
Admiral, this month Starfleet Tactical has begun another scouting assignment within the Neutral Zone, taking in Area 3. We have located a colony world of an unknown species but, regrettably, not before the Biophage. Commodore T'Faer can no doubt provide the full story there. In other news, our special tactics team is taking on further research in directly combating the Biophage in the field, while T'Faer worked to improve our responses to cloaked suicide shuttles.
Biophage Combat Research Rush
Our Special Tactics Team has continued to explore options for more effectively combating the effects of the Biophage. The suggestions of using EPS conduit venting into infected spaces has been developed into a workable doctrine, and is now available, complete with an instruction set for ship Engineers to follow to enable to system without causing permanent damage. It must be remembered, however, we cannot protect crew in sections where this is deployed, so all Captains are advised it is a desperation move only.
20 / 20 Develop EPS Venting Protocols [+5 for Actions at Birkeed III]
17 / 20 Romulan Combat Footage Analysis
16 / 20 Phaser Firebreaks (to slow spread of biophage on a planet)
13 / 20 Rapid Beam-out (Save crews while minimising the risk of conveying the infection)
[Ships will now have a save against Infection short of Warp Core Breaches - however losses among crew will be sustained - Save is, on a d6, 5+ for Escorts, 4+ for Cruisers, 3+ for Explorers]
Suicide Shuttle Countermeasures
8 / 15 Shuttle Cloak Sensor Pattern Analysis (+1 to Science when attempting to spot inbound shuttles) [+4 from Combat Experience]
13 / 15 Mutual Support Formation (+1 to Combat when attempting to intercept inbound shuttles) [+4 from Combat Experience]
8 / 30 Tachyon Burst Sweep (+1 to Science when attempting to spot inbound cloaked vessels) [+4 from Combat Experience]
4 / 20 Shield Harmonics Modifications (+1 to Shield when attempting to withstand a hit)
USS Enterprise Report
We have continued to hold position around Alepsis II. The presence of a shipyard capable of producing Birds of Prey, with 1.2 million colonists, has the Admiral very hesitant about deploying afield. However, scouting into Area 2 has apparently been encountering resistance, and after the destruction of two scout craft has been abandoned. I am told that we will be preparing a reconnaissance in force into this area next month to determine what is present. Clearly there is something present that the Biophage would prefer we not have. When we do, the Admiral will set up on our auxiliary bridge, but not before. He hasn't asked, and I haven't offered, to allow him to move his flag here full time. I have been working carefully with my security officer to limit our exposure during this time, and will ensure security personnel are present, both for their security and our security, as well as a technical expert to ensure no foul play occurs to the computer system.
I have warned the Admiral outright that any suspected Tal Shiar agent is to be left behind, because if I suspect anyone they're going to be teleported only halfway home.
Beyond that, I have done my level best to keep up our diplomatic relations with the Romulans. I am sure you would be most proud if you were here, Admiral. I have learned many fascinating things about Romulans and their culture. I don't know about any kind of lasting friendship, but I do harbour great hopes that this time of crisis can give birth to a defrosting of relations, and an understanding.
Beyond that, I have done my level best to keep up our diplomatic relations with the Romulans. I am sure you would be most proud if you were here, Admiral. I have learned many fascinating things about Romulans and their culture. I don't know about any kind of lasting friendship, but I do harbour great hopes that this time of crisis can give birth to a defrosting of relations, and an understanding.
