FNN Edition 8

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Star Fleet News

Star Fleet Headlines

Alanna Treborn Appointed 3EG Commander

VERNON IGNOFFO
Opinions Editor
Stardate 20812.01

The Federation now has one of the youngest Group Commanders in history. Just yesterday Alanna Treborn was given command of the Third Exploration Group as well as a promotion to Commodore from Captain. The Third Exploration Group boasts such ships as the Commodore’s very own USS Drake, CL-2509, the USS Darwin, GEC-9000 led by Commander Stewart, and the USS Copernicus, GEC-9035 under the command of Captain Godard. I was able to sit down with Commodore Treborn in her new office on Starbase Charlie and ask the tough questions I think we all want the answers to.

Alanna is a strikingly gorgeous woman, much prettier in person than in her biography. I couldn’t help myself from being instantly attracted to her, and I could tell she felt the same way towards me. I started out with asking about Ash Oliveri. For those of you who don’t know, he is the star Quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, and the man girls everywhere dream about marrying. Word has it that Treborn has been spotted on his arm but the young woman hasn’t yet given her two cents about their relationship. As it turns out, the rumor magazines are a little late on the uptake. Though she did admit to dating Ash for a short time, the young Commodore is single. However, after securing a dinner date with the young woman, I anticipate her being off the market by the time this article hits the presses.

This led us directly into questions about her rumored telepathic abilities. As her future love interest, I needed to know what effect these abilities might have on our relationship behind closed doors. The Commodore stated “when telepaths... enjoy other's company, then it can really enhance things.” It seems obvious to me, this is not only admittance to these telepathic powers, but an education to us all. Perhaps we need to seek out a telepathic mate at least once before settling down, if for nothing else than to experience this enhancement. Don’t try going after Alanna though; she has her hands full already.

As most of you know, Ms. Treborn is an exceptionally beautiful lady. When I first heard the news, I immediately worried for her premature ageing. The young woman laid my fears to rest, stating “If the Drake crew can't manage to put lines on me, then I think I can handle the new duties without too many problems.” Don’t let yourselves think this Commodore doesn’t have experience under her belt. She has earned 14 medals, including a purple heart. She was hesitant to talk about the story, most veterans dislike remembering these kinds of painful events. However, with soft voice and tender touch I was able to coax the story of her battle injury out of the distressed woman. During the most recent battle around Starbase 157, she was badly wounded. Those Romulans made a hard run at the Drake, and the poor ship barely made it back to spacedock for repairs. My beautiful Alanna received a foot-long gash in her side, a broken my leg in two places, her knee was all torn up and she cracked a couple of ribs. The woman was lucky to make it out alive, and is a reminder for all of us on the true evils we face in this war. If we had lost Commodore Alanna Treborn, the Federation would have never been the same, and our marriage plans would never come to fruition.

But, Ms. Treborn is more than just a beautiful woman with a handful of metals. She also has a bad-girl side to her. Her official jacket lists several disciplinary citations for fighting! She tells me a story, and I can see in her eyes she is hoping it excites me as much as it does her. She was in the gym one day, minding her own business, when an ugly-mug of a marine came in and told her to move it or lose it. Being the strong woman that she is, she knocked him out. You just know that she is a woman who doesn’t mind getting a little dirty with her men. I can’t wait for dinner.

I asked Alanna why she was chosen. Why, with all the officers in Star Fleet, it was her that was given this promotion and position. Treborn chose to stick with the official reasons, the Third Exploration Group is mainly for exploring, she was a scientist, and still is at heart. The track record of the Drake involves some seriously strange situations that the crew, and her, were able to solve and explain. She is a problem-solver, and a great leader. Her crew loves her. However, I can’t help but to see this promotion as something more sinister. In light of the war, and the protests against it, many people have been quoted talking about the Admirals, the President, those in power, are all old men. They aren’t in touch with the world; they aren’t in a position to understand the civilians. Now, just a few days after national headlines ran a story about the increase protesting, we have a young woman being thrown into a position of considerable power. Treborn, of course, was somewhat offended about the question. “As for the old men and young woman crack, I don't appreciate that kind of comment. I feel I've earned this position fairly and my achievements warrant the chance. Admirals are not going to be swayed by bountiful assets and fluttering eyelashes.” However, I think that having someone so young in such a powerful position, begs some questions about the thought processes behind the decision. Treborn stated emphatically, “Just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing. I have new ideas to bring to the table. […]I feel I can contribute at the highest level and I'm going to show why.”

Whatever the reason, either from fact and her duty record, or her age and gender, Commodore Treborn has achieved an impressive rank and position at such a young age. The FNN will continue monitoring the situation and keep you up to date on any further news from this corner.

Is Alanna Treborn Ready?

VERNON IGNOFFO
Opinions Editor
Stardate 20812.01

At the tender young age of 31 Commodore Alanna Treborn has reached the rank most officers don’t reach until their late 40’s early 50’s. Many question if she is really prepared for such a step. As always, the best way to get to know someone is to ask the people they command. Most officers on the ship spoke only good things about the Commodore. One stated “She is great to look at, but she can fight!” with awe apparently in their voice. Another chimed in “Yah, what a body. But she will never ask you to do anything she wouldn’t do.” A recently arrived ensign had something to add “When I first boarded, she made me feel so comfortable and at home. I wasn’t scared at all when I left that first meeting with her.”

However, once I began digging a little deeper, asking officers and enlisted personnel alike, the words grew a little harsher. “She thinks she is better than all of us. This promotion is going to go right to her head.” said one woman. “I don’t know, she is a competent commanding officer, but she takes a lot of risks I wouldn’t take in her position. Now that she is in command of more, she has more lives to put at risk.” One officer stated she had already put in a transfer request out of the 3BG. “No way I am leaving my life in her hands. I have more experience in my pinky finger than she has in her whole body!” she explained about her decision. “That woman is probably working for the Romulans!”

While I think accusations about being a Romulan sympathizer are a little harsh, there did seem to be one common man who had some insider knowledge. According to an anonymous crewman in Security, we will call him Rob, the Captain has been tracked with some odd behaviors. Crewman Rob says that multiple times while he has been working the night shift he will see transmissions coming from her quarters and going to various Admirals throughout the fleet. “What could she have to discuss with an Admiral at 4 in the morning for 2 hours I ask? I’ll tell you it’s exactly what you are thinking. She got this promotion for one thing and one thing alone. She is a woman with a great body, and she knows how to use it.” Crewman Rob also has observed some strange shuttle trips from some of the same Admirals, coming aboard the Drake during the night shift and leaving mere hours later. Everyone on duty would be ordered to ‘forget’ their visits, and all records of it would be scrubbed. With these record scrubs it is impossible to verify the information provided by Crewman Rob. When others were asked about these allegations, they became panicky, nervous, and scared.

I think the question everyone is asking is whether or not Alanna Treborn is ready for this job. Some seem to think so, higher ranking officers on her ship find her to be a capable commander. However, serious questions have been raised about the credibility of such a young woman rising in the ranks so quickly. Beauty certainly has its place in the world, but can Admirals be swayed by a little flesh? These questions and more will be answered by the FNN in the coming editions as we keep digging, so keep your eyes out!


Officers Survey Results Released

VERNON IGNOFFO
Opinions Editor
Stardate 20812.01

Survey respondents find a silver lining to the storm clouds of war. The triennial Officers Survey released by Star Fleet Internal Affairs shows there are positive aspects to being an officer in the fleet, even during war times. While there was plenty negative to report, surveyors were able to identify many areas that had positive gains throughout the spectrum of questions asked.

One interesting trend the report identified was an exponential increase in the amount of persons using site-to-site transporters to get to their destination. The actual increase from 3 years ago, the last time the study was conducted, showed a 24% rise in the use of site-to-site transports, and a 17% rise during emergency situations. Internal Investigations reminded us in its report that energy is expended on this means of transportation at a much higher rate that via our own leg power or turbolift usage.

The report also identified a 39% increase in the amount of stress officers encounter on the job, a 22% increase in the amount of visits to the ships counselor, and a 42% increase in the amount of visits to the medical bays during non-emergency situations. These statistics can be easily attributed to the war, but Internal Investigations is quick to point out there are other factors that must be considered. Star Fleet Officers are specially trained to be prepared for combat situations. It would be seen as a failure in the Academy to be turning out Cadets that couldn’t handle the stressors of war. Internal Investigations suggests these issues are a combination of higher rates of transfers (up 13%), a higher rate of ship malfunctions to be dealt with during non-emergency times (up 8%) and a lower rate of vacation time being used (down 31%).

The report found positives as well. Officers are reporting more satisfaction with their Department Heads (up 14%), First Officers (up 23%) and Commanding Officers (up 15%) and greater overall happiness (up 44%). Officers are reporting creating lifelong friendships easier (up 7%), finding greater satisfaction in their personal relationships (up 11%), increased familial contact (up 9%) and an increase in their pride for serving (up 57%). The complete report can be obtained by contacting Star Fleet Internal Affairs.

DIY Holiday Party

VERNON IGNOFFO
Opinions Editor
Stardate 20812.01

With the war going full swing many officers will be unable to get the time off needed to visit family and friends during the holidays this year. Therefore, it will be up to each ship to plan its own holiday bash. Last year, a 67% increase in productivity was recorded in the two months following the holiday season on ships that had formal parties versus ships that didn’t organize a space for their crew to celebrate as one. This type of duty usually falls within the realm of the First Officer, and as we all know time is a valuable commodity. With that in mind, here is a quick, easy guide to creating a Holiday Party on your ship or station.

  • 1. Choose a time when most of the senior crew will be able to attend and allow for rotations of the crew on shift during the party so everyone can stop by and mingle.
  • 2. Secure a holodeck reservation and send out a shipwide communication with date, time and location. It would be best if attendance was strongly encouraged but not required. The exception is that senior staff should be required attendees.
  • 3. Select a holiday party holodeck theme. There are over a hundred precreated scenes to choose from.
  • 4. Organize with support staff to create the food and drink menu. Alert sickbay and security to have a presence but be cordial.
  • 5. The day before the party send out another reminder to all staff.
  • 6. The day of the party ensure that the holodeck is running the chosen program, ensure the food and drinks are present, and have a great time!

Remember, the holiday party is just an excuse for your crew to mingle with each other and get to know their crewmates and officers on a more personal level in a relaxed setting. With these 6 steps you will be able to create a simple but effective party to increase your crews moral and spirit and form new friendships.

Star Fleet Academy to Host Annual Party

MOLLIE MATTS
Managing Editor
Stardate 20812.01

SAN FRANCISCO, Earth – Despite the war with the Romulan Star Empire and in the face of rumors to the contrary, Star Fleet Academy will be hosting its annual holiday party this month as expected.

Lieutenant Abigail Taylor, the Academy’s Dean of Admissions, confirmed to FNN that the party will be going forward with some very big changes planned. Not only will the Academy Lounge be open to cadets and instructors as usual, the party will also host officers and enlisted personnel.

Admission to the annual holiday event in San Francisco is limited so please contact Lieutenant Abigail Taylor, Captain Paul Kilbourne, or Commodore William Gillenwater for more information.

Opinions

The United Federation of Opulence
KYLARA MCKENZIE
Opinions / Editorial
Stardate 20812.01

Overview

As war with the Romulan Star Empire continues and starships engage on fronts scattered far and wide, it becomes necessary to adjust tactics and strategy to counter possible enemy advancements in both technology and war doctrine. One of the primary difficulties in fighting on both a strategic scale and tactical scale comes in the forms of limitations of both tactics and technology, to which amendments and changes must be applied. Though it is often said that simpler is better, it is also said that if it works, it’s obsolete. That is why it is hoped that a detailed look into new tactics might help the Federation achieve victory faster than otherwise conventional methods.

Strategic Operations

Outposts and Starbases
Starships may use warp to fly to distant planets and defend or attack them, but even the best starships still require an anchor to keep them supplied in the field. Outposts serve as frontier fortresses did in early America, posting troops near population centers to keep the peace and supply travelers. Just like early wagon trains, Star Fleet is reliant on these distant outposts to keep the fleet stocked with items that would otherwise be unavailable in certain areas of space, namely food and deuterium. While hydrogen is abundant in space, only oceans can provide raw deuterium that powers the warp cores of Star Fleet vessels. In regions of space without class M planets, this otherwise abundant commodity becomes very scarce. Yet outposts also suffer from being weak points in the logistics train from starbases, since the Romulan Star Empire has known for quite some time where these important outposts are, and how weak they are to defend.

Starbases are much larger than outposts and are intended for long-term operations in strategically important systems. Starbases operate as large fortresses, their weapons and armor much heavier than a starship’s due to being immobile. Starbases offer repair and resupply facilities, crew reserves, trade stations, and many other functions. Yet in a time of war, Starbases suffer from the same dangerous flaw as outposts, in that the RSE knows where these critical bases are and which ones support which fleets currently operating against them.

Logistics
The general feeling among many civilians is that with the advent of replicator technology, logistics becomes as easy as dumping raw material of any kind into the replicator and simply powering it to produce anything required. Yet what many do not know is that the replicator does not destroy and then create matter, but rather acts as a transporter, moving atoms one at a time to assemble the required item. While this makes certain items much easier to create, others become a logistical headache, such as the raw foodstuffs required to generate food from the replicator. While the raw foodstuff can be packed into convenient containers in a solid mass, it still must be transported from the facilities that process the material to the replicator in question, which requires freighters.

Each atom that is used to create a replicated item must be physically transported. That means freighters must travel long distances between fleet bases to distant starbases, which then either proceed directly onboard starships or must be transported yet further to distant outposts. These long chains of freighters, which are often unarmed and vulnerable, are subject to Romulan sneak attacks that can cut off vital materials from bases besieged by the enemy.

Starship Construction
Peacetime construction rates often pale to the dogged rate at which starships are produced during times of war. The Dominion war saw fleet production rates rise by almost 50% within a year of the war’s beginning, churning out everything from fighters to battleships in record numbers. Yet the largest such facility is the Utopia Planitia, in orbit around mars, that produces most of the ships that serve in Star Fleet. Vessels such as the USS Enterprise were refitted at such facilities as Earth Station McKinley, yet they are supposedly only built for such goals, while Space Dock supposedly began a limited building program during the Dominion War. While it may seem reasonable to focus all efforts on one facility, such measures make it a dangerous target during war, and as a result provide a tempting target for the Romulan Star Empire.

Starship Comfort One of the biggest problems for any navy, new or old, is maintaining adequate morale on long missions. Large vessels such as the Galaxy Class offer some of the finest amenities available, perhaps exceeding even some planets. However, in a hull as large as a galaxy, such amenities become a danger during war, when civilians are placed in harm’s way. Estimates vary, but anywhere from 40 to 60% of a Galaxy is taken up by civilian and entertainment venues, and during the height of the Dominion War, the Utopia Planitia was launching Galaxies with as much as 60% of her internal volume empty. This indicates a serious design problem for warships, which can and must be called upon at a moment’s notice to fight and possibly fall in the line of duty.

Tactical Operations

Shipboard Weaponry
Every vessel in Star Fleet carries two primary weapons: Phasers and Quantum Torpedoes. Yet despite operating with them for almost three centuries, the tactics remain the same as when Captain James T. Kirk used them during the Klingon Cold War. A vessel must close to phaser range and then maneuver to avoid damage while trying to establish a firing solution for both its phasers and torpedoes. Yet torpedoes operate much differently than phasers, the most important being their options. Phasers require line of sight within a limited firing arc that can only extend a short range before their energy is expended. In fast moving starship battles, phasers often miss, and when they do connect do little more than damage the enemy shields.

Torpedoes, on the other hand, are long range weapons capable of inflicting massive damage. Torpedoes have the option of being launched from warp and being able to penetrate a starship’s warp field and striking, where they do extensive damage against both shields and armor. Because they can travel at warp speeds, they have much longer range. This long range weapon is useful for long range bombardment, yet many commanders are taught to close with the enemy and engage using phasers and photon torpedoes.

Battle Formations
In large fleet to fleet operations, starships are assigned to line up in formations that then proceed in predictable ways towards an enemy formation, where they then proceed to fight until one formation breaks and the other formation can use the resulting confusion to advance. This reliance on formation has no regard for actual starship capability, only to arrange vessels to fire at the same moment. Ideally, the only formation necessary would be one centered around vessels such as the Nebula Class, whose large banks of torpedoes can deliver large spreads over a large distance, with smaller destroyers hanging around waiting to intercept enemy counterattack. When vessels do get within ‘knife fight’ ranges, it would be more efficient to allow vessels to engage as they will, breaking off to refresh shields and reload torpedo tubes before again entering the fray.

One Ship Wonders
A major flaw in Star Fleet doctrine is the use of lone starships to implement policy. Human beings are fallible, as seen by several officers over the years, yet Star Fleet insists on sending one commander to deal with situations that require at least two or more. By placing a single starship in a position where it becomes necessary for a commander to react without direct oversight from peers or the admiralty, that commander may issue a command that is counter to Federation policy, or worse, turn an already hostile situation into a warzone. Vessels should be dispatched with another vessel accompanying them, in the event communications with the admiralty become unavailable.

Bigger is Better
Schoolchildren love to play the bigger is better game, where they each compete to outdo the other by either telling larger lies or that something they have is bigger and better than the other’s. The same appears to be the case in Star Fleet, where the goal seems to be on producing a fleet that has lots of large ships, despite their tactical inferiority. A noteworthy example is the Galaxy, which was built in response to the D’deridex being produced by the Romulan Star Empire. The D’deridex is both large and extremely fast, and as a result it began an arms race in Star Fleet to produce a vessel that could match it in terms of size and speed. The result was the Galaxy, which is only slightly smaller than the D’deridex and appears to be roughly on par weaponry wise. However, the results of this arms race produced a vessel that has an unstable warp core, as noted by the frequent accidents that befell the original Galaxies. The technology to keep pace with the Romulans was already at hand with vessels such as the Constillation and Ambassador class, but it was felt that size was more important.

The Prime Directive
The Prime Directive is one of the worst handicaps of the Federation tactical doctrine. The exclusion of Federation personnel prohibits interaction with a species that is considered technologically inferior to the Federation. Many other star nations, such as the Romulan Star Empire and the Klingon Empire, do not have an equivalent to the Prime Directive, and are free to interact with species that would fall under the Prime Directive. This is dangerous not only for the Federation but also for the species themselves, because while inferior to the Federation, they might still engage in actions that could lead to genocide or extinction. An example would be if a race began a nuclear war with itself while a Federation vessel was in orbit. While the vessel might have the ability to stop the war, the Prime Directive prohibits this, and as a result becomes a spectator as a species is wiped from the universe.

Conclusion

While Star Fleet may have one of the largest fleets available in the Alpha Quadrant, many vessels are designed for peace and exploration, despite being classified as battleships. Large ships are built around families and entertainment rather than patrolling the vast frontiers of the Federation. The result is a fleet that has become too comfortable with itself and its tactics, and most of the fleet has fallen into a predictable behavior that the enemy will undoubtedly seek to exploit, if plans to do so haven’t already begun. It should be noted that most Star Fleet tactics are sound, but most Star Fleet captains are trained to obey standard procedure and to obey Federation Law to the letter. This inability to be flexible in fluid situations is a severe handicap that can lead to disaster, both now and in the future.

Where is the Democratic Romulan Republic?
MOLLIE MATTS
Managing Editor
Stardate 20812.01

Why isn’t the DRR playing a more active role in this conflict with the Romulans?

That’s the question that many Federation civilian and military leaders want an answer to. One of the main causes that led to the Romulan attack on the Federation, was Star Fleet’s open support of the break-away Romulan faction.

However, since fighting broke out between the two major galactic powers months ago, the DRR has been disappointingly silent. The Federation went to war for the Democratic Romulan Republic, and thus far they have not offered any support to either Star Fleet or the government.

Even stranger is the fact the Romulan Star Empire has left the DRR alone. With Star Fleet on its heels following the surprise attack, now would be a perfect time for the Romulan navy to quell the increasingly popular resistance movement. However, the bulk of the Romulan forces have been near the Acamar system which fell nearly two months ago.

Why hasn’t the DRR used this opportunity to provide greater aid to the Federation and their own cause? And more importantly, why has the Romulan Senate decided to leave them be?


FedSpace News

FedSpace Headlines

Happy Holidays!

FNN Staff
Stardate 20812.01

The team at the Federation News Network would like to wish everyone on Federation Space Happy Holidays! Best wishes to everyone in 2009!!!

20 Questions

Commander Gaelio Princip
VERNON IGNOFFO
Opinions Editor
Stardate 20812.01

This month we get to learn more about Paul Rawcliffe, currently playing Cdr Gaelio Princip on the USS Sheridan.

Age, Sex, Location?
18, Male, Liverpool (England)

When did you start playing on FedSpace?
I joined the Academy 4 years ago in 2004 after discovering the site on Google.

What brought you to FedSpace?
I had gotten into more Lord of the Rings based RPG sites through MSN groups but then decided I wanted to explore Star Trek ones through proper websites.

Tell me a little about the process of developing your character.
Princip is middle aged by Andorian standards and joined the academy much later in life, this is partly down to him choosing his paths in life and always looking for what it is he is supposed to be doing, this is the same with choosing initially to go into the Medical Department and becoming a doctor.

What surprises have happened that caused your characters to develop differently then you had envisioned?
Becoming first officer is the main thing, I had to completely change the way I had planned to develop Princip in the future as now he has more of a front line position where as I was used to playing him from a sideline position where I could concentrate more on character development in the form of subplots.

Do you think it is easier or more difficult to play someone who is based on yourself?
I never intended to play Princip as myself when I first created him, however I have found him becoming a biographical character more and more as the years progressed and now I would say we are almost the same person! Although I am not blue with antenna.

What would you most like to do on the site?
I would love to be an AI or even a GM, but unfortunately with the time restraints I have these days I simply cannot afford to give all that time into the site, which is a shame.

What do you see as some goals for the future of your character?
With Princip I intend to keep him as a very lost soul for a while longer, it gives me the option of either complete nervous breakdown or possible epiphany depending on what way I want to develop him as a character.

If you could choose, what Trek species would you be?
Probably an Andorian or a Ferengi, simply because I think they look funky, I wouldn’t mind being a Betazoid due to the cool Empathy.

So far, what is your favorite part about being a member of FedSpace?
The friendly community is the main thing that attracts me to the site, but also simply the fun of the fantasy in acting out the story with lots of different people

If you were President for a day, what would you change?
If I was president I probably would change the site colors actually, I find it hard to read sometimes and they just strike me as very morbid, I would probably brighten the site up a little if I was president.

If you could name your own ship, what would you name it?
I would name my own ship the Bentham, simply because he is the fonder of one of my favorite ethical theories! I bizarre reason I know but oh well!

What was it about star trek that made you like it?
I think it was the combination of interesting characters, storylines and effects, all added together make me really enjoy it.

Who is(are) your favorite character(s)?
I like Quark from Deep space Nine and The Doctor from Voyager because they both offer interesting views and positions that I can familiarize with, not that I am a hologram or obsessed by greed.

What piece of StarTrek Technology would you most like to see today?
Defiantly the medical tricorder, diagnostic is one of the most important things for illnesses these days.

What do you spend your time outside of FedSpace doing?
I am currently studying at University so a lot of my time is based on that. When I am not studying or attending lectures I am running my Radio show or playing the sport of fencing (so much fun!).

What person and what character would you most like to meet in real life?
Probably Patrick Stewart, because he is a brilliant actor! Data, I could imagine conversations with him to be extremely interesting. FedSpace wise, in Real Life I would like to meet Nick Ristone, his character and my character have a lot of similarities so it would be brilliant to get to know Ristone a little to compare and contrast him.

Who was the most influential person in your life?
Probably my Dad, he is the example I try to follow because things seem to work out for him!

If you could have any super power what would it be?
Well I am inclined to say Invisibility, but everyone says that, possibly telepathy or empathy would be other powers I would go for, not really sure why, they just appeal to me!

If there was something you would want everyone to know about you, what would that be?
I don’t bite!

Thanks to Paul for granting us the time for this interview. If you are interested in being interviewed, please send an email to Vernon Ignoffo at the.cute.birl@gmail.com.

Promotions

Rank Ship
Sec-ens.jpg Charles Fitzalan-Howard USS Gettysburg, BC-1863
Med-ltjg.jpg Tara ch'Thane USS Enterprise, CV-07
Tac-ltjg.jpg Nar Ren Tain USS Sheridan, DD-4086
Tac-ltjg.jpg Griffin Wright USS Drake, CL-2509
Med-ltjg.jpg Julio Korbel USS Copernicus, GSC-9035
Sec-lt.jpg Jane Fields USS Copernicus, GSC-9035
Eng-lcdr.jpg Zor Kayzon USS Dauntless, BC-1553
Com-radm.jpg Alanna Treborn USS Drake, CL-2509

Medals

Medal Ship
Grph-med-sfcm.jpg Gabriel Fairen USS Enterprise, CV-07
Grph-med-sfcm.jpg Sarah Mynx USS Drake, CL-2509
Grph-med-gs.jpg Griffin Wright USS Drake, CL-2509
Grph-med-gs.jpg Thomas Stack USS Drake, CL-2509
Grph-med-gs.jpg Tala Thaine USS Drake, CL-2509

Role-Player of the Month

1st Special Operations Group

  • USS Enterprise - Lt Santiago

1st Battle Group

  • USS Dauntless - Lt Kayzon
  • USS Gettysburg - Lt Tucker

2nd Battle Group

  • USS Ticonderoga - none awarded
  • USS Sheridan - Mid Kuznetsova
  • SS Sierra-18 - none awarded

3rd Exploration Group

  • USS Drake - Lt Stack
  • USS Darwin - Lt[JG] St Vrain
  • USS Copernicus - Mid Powell

Opposing Forces

  • RIS Shadowhawk - none awarded

Academy Graduates

Rank Ship
Med-mid.jpg Gabriel Fairen USS Enterprise, CV-07
Tac-mid.jpg Xavier Caine USS Darwin, GEC-9000
Sec-mid.jpg Alex Ankar USS Darwin, GEC-9000
Tac-mid.jpg Brett Rangle USS Enterprise, CV-07
Sci-mid.jpg Samuel Trent USS Copernicus, GSC-9035
Sci-mid.jpg Gilora Rejal USS Dauntless, BC-1553

Trek News

Movie News

No more teasers
RACHEL CHRISTIE
Editor-in-Chief
Stardate 20112.03

After several months of waiting, all Star Trek fans were finally treated to a proper peek at the new Star Trek film set to be released in May of next year. The proper full trailer was released in the middle of November and showed clips of the new actors filling the shoes of The Original Series cast. Not long after, two more trailers were released: one containing scenes of Leonard Nemoy reprising his role in the movie as Spock, the other the television version.

Along with these new trailers comes an update to the official movie website, including the trailers, photos from the movie, and available downloads. Though a warning, even on a fast Internet connection the site runs a bit slowly.

See the news trailers at http://www.startrekmovie.com

Reviews

Book: Star Trek S.C.E: Have Tech, Will Travel

Star Trek S.C.E: Have Tech, Will Travel
AUTHOR: Keith R.A. DeCandido, Christie Golden, Dean Wesley Smith, Dayton Ward, Kevin Dilmore
PAGES:392
SERIES: TNG, DS9, VOY
REVIEWER: Rachel Christie
RATING: 4/5

DESCRIPTION:
Need a gigantic, marauding starship explored? Is your global computer system starting to break down? Call in the crack team from the Star Fleet Corps of Engineers. Overseen by Captain Montgomery Scott from his office at Star Fleet Headquarters, the S.C.E. can build, rebuild, program, reprogram, assemble, reassemble, or just figure out everything from alien replicators to doomsday machines. Just don't expect them to perform miracles -- unless they absolutely have to.

Captain David Gold, his first officer Commander Sonya Gomez, and the crew of the U.S.S. da Vinci put their lives on the line to save a colony world threatened by a deadly alien and rescue a ship trapped in the ravages of interphase.

Join Star Fleets miracle workers for a wrenching journey through the new frontier!

REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely thought out and fits well in Star Trek Canon. There are a few things that bothered me, but nothing that really detracts from the book. The flow of the book is like episodes in a series, as if SCE was the newest show on TV. This helps to keep the reader into the book, but I'm sure if they were to adapt it so each mission was one book, it would work just as well. Doing that would give you a better chance to witness the interaction between the characters more. But for the sections they have, they still managed to get the characters across.

I love how they made a series devoted to Engineers. Being the victims of the Red Shirt Syndrome (they even changed their shirts to Yellow, and if you've seen the movie First Contact, you'll notice the syndrome still follows them. Poor engineers), they finally get their moment to shine and to show that not ALL red shirts are named Ensign Ricky.

One little quirk in this book was the inclusion of TNG's crew for the beginning, and the presence of Geordi LaForge throughout most of it. I figured it must be to help grab readers who are fans of the series and get them into the book, instead of simply introducing the new cast. While it was cute, I think Geordi could have left after the first mission. However with the TNG crew it did make for a good introduction to the Corps of Engineers.

My major miff with the book was that each section was done by a different author. While for the most part between the authors they get the characters voices right, there are a few places where it felt awkward. For the most part Lieutenant Commander Gomez feels slightly on edge having Geordi, her former senior officer, around. She feels like he's stepping on her toes, almost like he might swoop in and take her job. However in the second to last section, we barely see mention of Gomez as Geordi steps in due to his knowledge of the Borg. There is not much mention of how she feels about this, which was a little downer.

And as in the episodic way that the Star Trek series on TV likes to leave us hanging, this book ends with a 'Too Be Continued...' that leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat.

This is definitely a good book to grab.

Quote of the Month

Darkling
"Any sharp pain? Heartburn? There is nothing like a heart that burns."
"If you don't want me to knock you into the next millennium, you'd better back off!"

  • The Doctor and B'Elanna

From Voyager, Season 3 Episode 18, Darkling.

Trek Trivia

RACHEL CHRISTIE
Editor-in-Chief
Stardate 20812.01

As a new section here on the FNN, we'll be asking 10 Star Trek trivia questions. Some may be easy, some may be difficult. Think you know some or all of the answers? Submit them to the Editor-In-Chief. Each month we'll post the Top 10 Scoreboard and Top 10 All Around Champs, along with the previous month's answers and new trivia questions. Good luck!

Question 4: Identify this species.

December's Questions

  • 1. What ship was James T. Kirk's first assignment after graduating from the Academy?
  • 2. Who decided to start a school aboard Deep Space 9?
  • 3. What is Tom Paris' middle name?
  • 4. Identify the species pictured on the right.
  • 5. What is Lwaxana Troi's full title on Betazed?
  • 6. Who was the first Vulcan to join Star Fleet?
  • 7. On what planet is Farpoint Station built?
  • 8. What was the Cardassian name for Deep Space 9?
  • 9. Who was the officer in charge of the Enterprise-D assembly team?
  • 10. In Star Trek The Motion Picture, how many Klingon vessels were destroyed by V'Ger?

Joke of the Month

A Star Trek The Next Generation Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ship

Not a circuit was buzzing, not one microchip;

The phasers were hung in the armourery securely,

In hope that no alien would get up that early.

The crewmen were nestled all sung in their bunks

(Except for the few who were partying drunks)

And Picard in his nightshirt, and Bev in her lace,

Had just settled down for a neat face to face...

When out in the hall there arose such a racket,

That we leapt from our beds, pulling on pant and jacket.

Away to the lifts we all shot like a gun,

Leapt into the turbos and shouted "Deck One!"

The bridge red-alert lights, which flashed through the din,

Gave a lustre of Hades to objects within.

When, what on the viewscreen, our eyes should behold,

But a weird kind of sleigh, and some guy who looked old.

But the glint in his eyes was so strange and askew,

That we knew in a moment it had to be Q.

His sleigh grew much larger as closer he came.

Then he zapped on the bridge and addressed us by name:

"It's Riker, It's Data, It's Worf and Jean-Luc!

It's Geordi, and Wesley, the genetic fluke!

To the top of the bridge, to the top of the hall!

Now float away! Float away!

Float away all!"

As leaves in the autumn are whisked off the street,

So the floor of the bridge came away from our feet,

And up to the ceiling, our bodies they flew,

As the captain called out,"what the Hell is this, Q?!"

The prankster just laughed and expanded his grin,

And, snapping his fingers, he vanished again.

As we took in our plight, and were looking around,

The spell was removed, and we crashed to the ground.

Then Q, dressed in fur from his head to his toe,

Appeared once again, to continue the show.

"That's enough!" cried the captain, "You'll stop this at once!"

And Riker said, "Worf, take aim at this dunce!"

"I'm deeply offended, Jean-Luc" replied Q,

"I just wanted to celebrate Christmas with you."

As we scoffed at his words, he produced a large sack.

He dumped out the contents and took a step back.

"I've brought gifts," he said, "just to show I'm sincere.

There's something delightful for everyone here."

He sat on the floor, and dug into the pile,

And handed out gifts with his most charming smile:

"For Counsellor Troi, there's no need to explain.

Here's Tylenol-Beta for all of your pain.

For Worf I've some mints, as his breath's not too great

And for Geordi LaForge, an inflatable date."

For Wesley, some hormones, and Clearasil-plus;

For Data, a joke book, for Riker a truss.

For Beverly Crusher, there's sleek lingerie,

And for Jean-Luc, the thrill of just seeing her that way."

And he sprang to his feet with that grin on his face

And, clapping his hands, disappeared into space.

But we heard him exclaim as he dwindled from

sight, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good flight!"


Based on "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore
Adaptation copyright 1991, Eric R. Rountree
Submitted by Vernon Ignoffo


Science News

Astronomy Picture of the Month

Fnn pic dec08.jpg

Earth as seen from the International Space Station
PHOTO CREDIT: NASA/JPL/UCSD/JSC

Astronomy News

Mars Mission Delayed
RACHEL CHRISTIE
Editor-in-Chief
Stardate 20812.01

The most advanced spacecraft to head to the surface of Mars has been delayed. The Mars Science Laboratory, a NASA mission to test the Martian environment, has had it’s launch date pushed back until 2011.

“Trying for '09 would require us to assume too much risk, more than I think is appropriate for a flagship mission,” said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin.

The reason behind the delay is that the project has run over budget by approximately $400 million dollars and there has been some technical challenges involved. NASA also pushed back the launch so that they could have additional tests run on the lab.

Read more.

This month in Astronomy History

First Manned Moon Orbit
RACHEL CHRISTIE
Editor-in-Chief
Stardate 20812.01

On December 21st, 1968, Apollo 8 was launched. It was the first manned with the destination of another celestial body, and was the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon. It’s crew consisted of Mission Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders, who orbited the Moon ten times during their six day mission. This mission was also the first Apollo craft to use the Saturn V rocket. This successful mission helped to pave the way for Apollo 11’s landing on the Moon.