Starbase 315
Sector Rimward-Nine-Five HQ
Sector CO: Rear Admiral Alanna Nechayev
Station CO: Commodore Seymour
A spacedock+logistics hub for the Federation's expansion into the neighboring sectors, as well as the colonies here, Starbase 315 has kept an upgrade pace due to the nearby First Federation, as well as Da Vinci, Scorpio Theta, and Cascadian systems, which are either vague threats, potent powers, or major economic drivers of the Federation.
Military Rating: Good
Logistics Rating: Good
Civilian Rating: OK
JAG Attache: Captain Halloran
Personnel: 15000
Attached Ship: USS Kiribati, New Orleans-class Frigate.
So, just as a bit of headsup, I've gone through and formatted the Mechanics post. I've also removed bits I wasn't using in practice, and added in the way I'm currently handling combat.
But here's the major add that's come up this mission:
Promotions and Personnel Retainment
One of the primary duties of any Starfleet Commanding Officer is to improve their officers. Eventually, they'll want their own ships, too. As such, holding on to qualified personnel becomes a challenge once they reach the ranks of Commander or Captain.
That said, characters may opt to decline the promotion, or are in tracks where being a Commander is fine - for example, your Chief Medical Officer can be a Commander just fine as she's a non line officer.
Starfleet Personnel will, however, force you to make a politics roll (Command) to retain officers past a certain point, and will continue to do so every mission after. This should be kept in mind when promoting to Commander and beyond for most positions. A Captain, or Fleet Captain, however, can argue for at least one Commander for XO, and a Fleet Captain often serves as a task force flagship, where Commanders may opt to go for seasoning in command roles before going to XO or CO.
Note, if you let the Captain be promoted to a Commodore, you will be the flag ship of an admiral or on a station.
Each rank has a minimum standard, and minimum time requirements.
Upon review:
I started writing this, and realized.. it's really going to be pretty bad.
The JAG option is much more negative than the others - it's not as balanced. The problem is this:
[ ] Go with Seymour and Nechayev. It'll keep your direct commanders happy, but their method will cause waves in Command. But it'd lead to more fair treatment in Starfleet. It just takes one person, after all. (-Political Rep)(May cause concerns with the Federation Assembly and Council)
- Causes some issues in Starfleet which will increase some DCs and really just resets some progress
- Increases a negative trait ("Unknown Name" -> "Unpopular Name")
- Will come up in episodes as a plot point
[ ] Go with Whately. It'll upset your direct commanders, but he knows how to move behind the scenes. The cause will not be aided by causing waves so soon after the War, you think. (-Political Rep)(Expect your direct commanders to be unhelpful)
As above, except there's less likely to be a plot point. You would get a bit of a covert mission as a way to pay his thanks off.
[ ] Go with JAG. Everyone will be neutral, and it's unlikely to lead to change, but you'll know exactly how to get Nadeshiko to Lieutenant Commander. (Nadeshiko can be promoted next episode end with Wentian)
- Negative morale
- Creates a negative trait ("Injured by the Past")
- Will just kick this down the road
- It's very much not what the characters want, really, and I apologize if I didn't make this clear in the narrative.
[ ] Go to the Federation Assembly. Your rep is friendly to the cause of equality and equity (and you know this personally, from your shared youth), and the rep for Scorpio Theta is the rep for Cascadia. You *will* annoy Command. (--Political Rep) (... Nechayev will understand, but very few others will.) [This will make one of your negative traits worse, but give you a positive trait as well.]
- Negative/Positive trait, trait becomes more negative. ("Unknown Name" -> "Deeply Unpopular Name" and "To Stand Up For Right" )
- Expect the difficulty of any Politics roll to double (unless it's something Nechayev wants, who agrees with your point of view about addressing systemic issues of Starfleet with it's civilian oversight, especially when it's a case of Starfleet failing to live up to its own stated ethos.)
You can stick with the vote if you want. But I wanted to spell it out because, to be honest, you may want to change it knowing all this.
Well fuck new plan then
[x] Go to the Federation Assembly. Your rep is friendly to the cause of equality and equity (and you know this personally, from your shared youth), and the rep for Scorpio Theta is the rep for Cascadia. You *will* annoy Command. (--Political Rep) (... Nechayev will understand, but very few others will.) [This will make one of your negative traits worse, but give you a positive trait as well.]
- Negative/Positive trait, trait becomes more negative. ("Unknown Name" -> "Deeply Unpopular Name" and "To Stand Up For Right" )
- Expect the difficulty of any Politics roll to double (unless it's something Nechayev wants, who agrees with your point of view about addressing systemic issues of Starfleet with it's civilian oversight, especially when it's a case of Starfleet failing to live up to its own stated ethos.)
- [x] Walk the ship, get to know your crew
- [x] Pick up a hobby [Singing]
Let's be fucking blunt with them. If it's going to be like this then might as well go all in and yes,politics will fucking try to screw with us but we will get a positive trait. Let's hope it's as good as it says because I can't stand this hypocrisy.
Going forward, I'm going to spend some extra time on the options, as well as making it clearer. I apologize for my inability to explain it clearly causing this.
Going forward, I'm going to spend some extra time on the options, as well as making it clearer. I apologize for my inability to explain it clearly causing this.
Nah it's fine. Well to be honest I did expect some consequences with [] Go with JAG but holy crap it was not worth it.Going with Whatley is meh and Seymour and Nechayev just upped the downsides.
[X] Go to the Federation Assembly. Your rep is friendly to the cause of equality and equity (and you know this personally, from your shared youth), and the rep for Scorpio Theta is the rep for Cascadia. You *will* annoy Command. (--Political Rep) (... Nechayev will understand, but very few others will.)
- [x] Walk the ship, get to know your crew
- [x] Pick up a hobby [Singing]
You spend the night thinking about it, and then.. finally, come to the conclusion that you were best off addressing this properly.
The Federation Assembly, which often worked to debate and process the bills and directives that the Council would vote on and the Federation President would implement.
It was also the body that had civilian oversight of Starfleet, as much as the CinC only really dealt with the Council.
And what worried you wasn't just Yanagashira. It was the people who followed. It was the others, if that memo was to be believed.
And, honestly, you felt betrayed too. When you had saw the system Pacifica operated on for idols.. you had joined Starfleet, which treated all as equal, and advanced based on what you did and could do.
And asking Admirals, who were part of it, to deal with it.. well, it's possible they could, but it wouldn't be well lasting, and too tempting to horse-trade. This was a violation of the policy set forth by the Assembly.
So, you spend some time contacting your Representative, Achria Dalria. You two had actually been members of an idol group for a while, except they were favored by High Society, and played that into a political career. You're a bit surprised when you're soon directed to them. They smile in greeting.
"Commander Parhai. I have to expect, after you left Pacifica in a huff, I didn't expect to see you again. I'm glad to see Starfleet agrees with you."
You smile, a bit genuinely. Dalria had always been someone you felt comfortable talking to, and the two of you had been in the same dramas, too. "It does. I admit, I've been.. reluctant to talk to people back home. I hear rumours you may be in the nomination progress for Council seat sometime this decade?"
Dalria nods. "It's seriously an honor. And I would be too, in your shoes. I'll send you Ekiat's details, she's been busy trying to get a more musical scene set up across several sectors, but I think she'd be delighted to talk to you. What can I help you with?"
You begin to explain, and Dalria's face clouds over. Pacifica had a very neutral opinion on genetically enhanced people and Dalria, personally, disliked this kind of prejudice. They had been the most upset over what had happened to you, after all.
"Are you going to fight t- of course you are." They click their tongue. "You really should learn to fight for yourself more. You should have gotten more decorations in that last stand you led."
You gently shake your head. "I was okay with it. I was more satisfied fighting for my crew. In any case, she wanted to fight for the others in her shoes, and I couldn't shame that."
Dalria nods, and getting the rep for Cascadia - Kiona Thomas, and she rapidly agrees to it. "Yanagashira is the most decorated Starfleet officer that, broadly, genetically augmented humans have currently, Commander." She looks askance at your probing look.
"It's not that I follow her career - but it's that it's become a bit of a volleyball between pro and anti Starfleet forces in my party on Cascadia. I'll have to work on spin, but.." She looks at you, seriously. "You're about to become very unpopular with Starfleet Command."
You snort. "I already am. But more importantly, I refuse to do nothing. The oversight of Starfleet is in the Assembly, and this is likely a systemtic issue."
She nods. "Trust me, we're on it. Especially once we found out that Starfleet's inconstant defense may have been policy towards Cascadia and the Scorpio Theta systems." Those systems boasted a good system defense force, and part of it is that Starfleet rarely posted detachments in the area. The closest starbase, Starbase 315, was three weeks away at high warp, and policy in border systems was every 11 days apart as a warning line to have at least a detachment and outpost.
You knew this, because at one point in the war, you had to reinforce Cascadia, and were very nonplussed at this. Likely, they had thought it was far enough in the rear. From what you understood, Cascadian Station was being built, focusing on repairs, and civilian and military docking.
They nod, and promise to intiate action.
About twelve hours later, Nechayev pulls you in, and while Seymour is visibly upset, she nods at you.
"I can't blame you for taking it to the Assembly." She says, briskly, and Seymour is startled a bit. Nechayev smiles thinly. "We answer to the Assembly, but more importantly, asking us to investigate ourselves.. well. It sometimes works. But your name is ash now, Parhai. I want you to know that."
"Yes ma'am. I knew it coming in."
[Trait changes: "Unknown Name" to "Deeply Unpopular Name"; gain Trait "To Stand Up For Right" (Command +1d)]
"Well. As much as you're now going to be a headache, I think it's good you're leaving Federation space. Like Captain Picard, you're an incredible headache, but I want to tell you something I think you should hear. Your sevice to the Federation has been exemplary. In this, you continue."
You blink. A compliment? A *compliment*?
"Y-yes. Thank you, ma'am."
"I'll be running your promotion requests from now on, Commander Parhai. Dismissed."
That.. well.
You spend the next few days talking to your crew. Their morale seems to have only gone up on hearing why you went to the Assembly. Who wouldn't like a commanding officer who would go to bat for a member of their crew to the point of tanking their own career?
[Morale now +2d]
Still, some older chiefs were polite but distant, given your past.
You actually spend some time also singing again. You even get invited to a karaoke event with the senior staff, and -
"Come on, " Wentian laughs, slightly buzzed. "I've got one that you probably saw. The Plum Detective and the College Mystic's ending song, a duet of an Ancient Earth song."
You had starred in it, and it had been very popular on Pacifica. It was set in Ancient Earth, just before World War Three. And, you think with a bit of a smile, every time anyone thought that, a history profressor somewhere found themselves irrationally angry.
Still.. well, hopefully Wentian didn't remember you. The two of you start singing it. It was originally a song set from to the other, but it had been adopted into a duet for the drama. Wentian had a decent voice, but it was no match for yours. But it wouldn't have been. You were a professionally trained singer, and produced by an idol agency until they had turned on you, on behalf of the Familes of Pacfiica.
You had sung now and then, but you forgot the rush of it, the joy of singing, and you promise to yourself to keep up. Wentian, though, definitely recognized you now.
[Trait unlocked: Background: Former Idol Forced Out]
".." She blinks. "Were you Starlight Tangerine, of the Stellar Fruits?"
... that name. You hated that name. "Yes, once." You acknolweged. Your departure had actually resulted on Dalria and Ekiat quitting on the spot, and the idol agency facing a massive manager resignation. It had spiraled into a scandal when many realized that it was done by many of the powerful on Pacifica, and it was why you were distinctly not welcome there.
Not, you thought, you had any desire to return.
"..You just disappeared to join Starfleet?!"
".. that wasn't why, but it's close enough." You say, shortly, and she gets the hint. The others look like they want to comment, but pick up on your bad mood and remain quiet about it. They'll probably do their research. You'll have to deal with this for a few-
"Commander, the USS Fires of Antares has sent a message for us to join up in the rear. We'll be on detached overwatch."
.... They couldn't even ju-
You keep your irritation out of your face and voice. "Acknowledged. Proceed as directed."
The task force jumps to warp.
While they talked to you the bare minimum, you noted there were a few conferences you were just told about, reading the minutes. The flip side, you suppose, is that they couldn't second guess you and Yanagashira discussing drills, executing them, and coming up with ways to deal with the fact you were basically on guard duty.
The target system, a quartenary star system, had no habitable planets, no notable minerals, and was pretty much left alone. Emerging from warp, you saw a crude base, and five Galor-class ships, and three pirate ships. Each launched into immedate alpha strikes, countered by the fleet's alpha strike.
You, meanwhile, launched the new probes, and tied them into the fleet network, providing them with enhanced targetting information. You were far enough way you'd need to get into range, but you spotted something you, personally, expected.
Rkfna Faianr was trying to get away in a fast ship. He had waited until the main fleet action, and the fighters from the Fires of Antares were fully committed in acting as detterants to mass firing against the Galor-classes.
And if Captain Lnerelo had been less of a jerk, it might have even worked. But it didn't.
"Yanagashira, prepare to fire. Shoot to disable. Talonis, engage in pursuit. Hail them, and direct them to surrender."
Rkfna began to fire as the Creiwry set off in pursuit.
Yanagashira also returned fire.
[Rkfna: 90 SP 30 HP]
[Yanagashira [Phaser] -> Rkfna: 11d vs 8d; 10 successes, 2 Bonus Effect vs 5 successes]
[Hit: 5 success, damage *1.2 for this weapon => 68 SP 8 HP]
[Yanagashira [Torpeado] -> Rkfna: 10d vs 8d; : 9 successes, 1 Bonus Effect vs 8 successes]
[Hit: 1 success, damage *1.1 for this weapon => 48 SP 1 HP]
The ship is pretty disabled, but still has shields, and therefore, still has weapons.
[Rkfna [Phaser] -> Creiwry: 7d vs 10d; 2 succcesses vs 7; Missed]
[Rkfna [Torpeado] -> Creiwry: 6d vs 10d; 2 succeses vs 7; Missed]
Talonis easily sidestepped the blows,allowing Yanagashira to recalibrate her weapons, and she fires again.
[Yanagashira [Phaser] -> Rkfna: 10d (-1d shield only damage) vs 8d; 6 successes vs 5; Hit by 1 success]
[30 SP 1 HP]
[Yanagashira [Torpeado] -> Rkfna: 9d (-1d shield only damage) vs 8d; 4 successes vs. 4; Sharpshooter converts this to a Hit,Hit]
[12 SP 1 HP]
In the background, you can spot the fleets exchange fire, but thankfully, Rkfna's engines were offline. But you couldn't keep this up forever. You'll have to redirect your attention to the base soon.
[Rkfna [Phaser] -> Creiwry: 7d vs 10d; 4 successes vs 6; Missed]
[Rkfna [Torpeado] -> Creiwry: 6d vs 10d; 5 successes vs 6; Missed]
[Yanagashira [Phaser] -> Rkfna: 10d (-1d shield only damage) vs 8d; 6 successes vs 4 success, 1 Negative Effect] [Dmg 1.25*]
[0 SP 1 HP, Weapons Disabled.]
You disable the ship, and promptly beam everyone to your brig, which had staff on hand to discourage suicides or breakouts, then set course back to the fleet action. You note the Galors are keeping the ships well away from the base, which is unleashing attacks that were.. well, going to overwhelm them.
Which is why your attack on the base devastates it, as Yanagashira targets weapons and power systems first over the next five minutes. The Galor-class ships remaining turn to interdict you, and that gives the fleet an opening to pound them, turning the tide of battle. A half hour later, and various teams were boarding the base and ships and taking data.
You were largely just taking backup data and some of the prisoners who needed medical help, though. You wouldn't get the pride of a prize ship, and you were OK with that.
But the investigation of the data revealed something, and you don't know if Captain Lnerelo is aware.
There was a second base, where a Gul was in charge. Most of the Cardassians on the ship committed suicide rather than be captured, but you had a few heavily sedated and on suicide watch now. This might give you actual information, as the data you have was nothing you didn't already know, excluding a few follow ups for Federation Security. What worried you was the reports of attack bases for nearby colonies, and an indication of a timeline.
You send the data forth, but before you go to confirm the send, a thought hits you.
Should you make a recommendation?
Do you..
[ ] Suggest splitting up the fleet into four, one for the base, and the other three for the attack bases
[ ] Request orders as part of the data
[ ] Other: Write-in
Scheduled vote count started by KNakamura on Feb 23, 2024 at 3:11 AM, finished with 30 posts and 3 votes.
[X] Go to the Federation Assembly. Your rep is friendly to the cause of equality and equity (and you know this personally, from your shared youth), and the rep for Scorpio Theta is the rep for Cascadia. You *will* annoy Command. (--Political Rep) (... Nechayev will understand, but very few others will.)
- [x] Walk the ship, get to know your crew
- [x] Pick up a hobby [Singing]
[x] Go with JAG. Everyone will be neutral, and it's unlikely to lead to change, but you'll know exactly how to get Nadeshiko to Lieutenant Commander. (Nadeshiko can be promoted next episode end with Wentian)
- [x] Walk the ship, get to know your crew
- [x] Pick up a hobby [Singing]
That positive trait is underwhelming as hell. I almost thought It wasn't worth it. Well almost not worth. We got to speak our voice and we got more about our background
Traits are kept vague so that they can be worked in by both you in writeups and me as plot devices. That's also because I model them after FATE. Anyway, sheet update early tomorrow.
Idol Show for First Contact Diplomacy, with Capitain being only one who can show that Federation are civilized people, worth doing cultural exchange with.
You decide that you've made enough waves, thank you, and don't need Captain Lnereo to make it worse.
You regret that choice almost immediately. There were 3 against the primary target, 2 against the next 2 bases.. and just you alone against the last.
Still, orders are orders. You set course for Anadolu (WASP-52) immediately.
The next day, you arrive. Anadolu had been surveyed by probe in the late 22nd century, and you knew it had a Hot Jupiter orbiting a K-class star, and three nearly burnt cinders of rocky worlds. Strangely, it had no asteroids, no Oort Cloud, no Kuiper Belt, which had led the survey crew to mark it as empty and useless, and move on.
When you arrive, you find they weren't wrong, but there was a hasty anchorage there, tied by what you suspect was an old K-7 that had been sold to civilian usage. And Dalirath and Kenni were advising you leave immediately, without bothering to engage the two Hibiki-class ships there.
What none of them had noticed, or likely thought was going to be an immediate usage, is that the material boiled off the planet closest to the star was beginning to settle on the star, and both of them were of the strong opinion that there was going to be an immediate red-flash.
You knew the Cardassians were many things, but dumb wasn't one of them. You'd be unsurprised if they weren't going to use that to destroy their anchorage and leave no traces behind when they launched their attack. That said, you have to negate them somehow.
Yanagashira suggests a frontal attack at the outermost world, and simply sitting there until they attack. This lets you control the time and method of battle, but the red-flash can happen at any time.
Dalirath is even more direct: leave. They've been made, and you can sit in deep space and wait for them to make their move.
Janeway points out you'll need to defeat them, and advises trading the risk of the red-flash to attack now so you can probably leave sooner.
Do you go with
[ ] Yanagashira: provoke and linger at Anadolu-i
[ ] Dalirath: wait in deep space
[ ] Janeway: attack!
In the mean time, you have some options to prepare the ship, as well.
[ ] Wentian: remodulate shields, and boost power to it and the SIF. (Engineering check vs 5 successes. Zh'viathon assists)
[ ] Dalirath: Use the deflector to emit a shell of stabilized tetryon radiation to you enough time to escape the suddendly expanding star's photosphere if you get stuck. [Science check vs 6 successes, Kenni assists]
[ ]Talonis: Keep the warp systems ready (-1d to combat) but no warmup time and can jump immeidately to warp. [3 succeses, Janeway assists]
(Voting ends in 24 hours, since this is a short update)
Scheduled vote count started by KNakamura on Feb 25, 2024 at 6:28 PM, finished with 2 posts and 2 votes.
