FNN Edition 9

From Federation Space - Official Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Star Fleet News

Star Fleet Headlines

CINC Pays Surprise Visit to Star Fleet Academy Holiday Party

MOLLIE MATTS
Managing Editor
Stardate 20901.01

SAN FRANCISCO, Earth - Star Fleet’s Commander-in-Chief, Fleet Admiral Rasmus Benestad, has made an unscheduled visit to Star Fleet Academy’s campus to attend the annual holiday party. The reason for the visit is unclear at this time, but we will keep you updated.

Insurgency on Acamar Grows

MOLLIE MATTS
Managing Editor
Stardate 20901.01

ACAMAR - Despite a Federation troop withdrawal from the Acamar system and the local government cooperating with the Romulans, there is evidence of a growing insurgency against the occupation.

Over the past several weeks, there has been a significant draw-down and redeployment of Romulan troops to other sectors as Star Fleet has stepped up its attacks along the Romulan border. The Acamarian military has taken over much of the responsibility of mopping-up the insurgency.

Sources close to the resistance movement have told FNN that the insurgency groups are using the decreased troop levels to their advantage. They have begun attacking more targets and claim to be winning over support of much of the general public.

Still, the better-equipped and well-trained Romulan military has the Acamar system in a stranglehold, and it will probably take more than an undermanned resistance movement to drive them from Federation space.

Treaty with Democratic Romulan Republic Possible

MOLLIE MATTS
Managing Editor
Stardate 20901.01

ECURAI – After much speculation, FNN has confirmed through several sources that the Federation and the newly-formed Democratic Romulan Republic are very close to formalizing an alliance.

The unnamed sources, from high levels of both governments, have revealed that a treaty between the Alpha Quadrant superpower and the fledgling secessor is imminent. The formal alliance could involve several significant benefits for both governments including, military cooperation, trade negotiations, humanitarian aid, and an officer exchange program.

The sources also indicated that the deal was initially negotiated by a Star Fleet flag officer, which corresponds to other unconfirmed reports that two of Star Fleet’s flagships were involved with negotiations with the Mirak Star League and the Klingon Empire.

FedSpace News

FedSpace Headlines

Message from the President

JONATHAN BECKETT
President
Stardate 20901.01

As we celebrate our 9th anniversary and move into our 10th year, I’d like to take a few minutes to discuss a few topics:

First, I’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year and a Happy 9th Anniversary!

Positional Appointments:

I’d like to congratulate the following members:

Sub-Commander V’Tana appointed the OPFOR Group Commander. She’s done an outstanding job spinning up the RIS Shadowhawk and I can’t think of anyone better to lead the OPFOR into the future.

Lt[JG] ch’Thane has been appointed the Site Historian and is tasked with documenting our history. If you’re an old timer on the site and she starts rattling off some questions your way, please take the time to answer her. She’s trying to fill some gaps in our history/preserve our heritage. She’ll also be harassing the CO’s about their log entries.

I’d like to ask for a volunteer to become the site’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) The PRO will be responsible for advertising Federation Space on other sites. Candidates should be fairly web savvy (Not afraid to explore the web) and have a working knowledge or be willing to learn how to use our wiki. Simply send me an email expressing your desire to hold the position. Be aware, however it’s likely I’ll get several applications and I’ll only be choosing one person to fill the slot.

Constitutional/Rule Changes:

Effective immediately, we are instituting the following constitutional/rule changes:

Players may play two rated characters under the following provisions:

  • One character must have achieved the rank of Lieutenant or the OPFOR equivalent before a second character is started.
  • The member must declare one character as their main character and the other as their alternative (Alt) character.
  • Only a main character can occupy a command billet. (First Officer and above)
  • Main and Alt characters may fill positions on either Federation or OPFOR ships.
  • Main and Alt characters will not serve on the same ship.
  • The restriction defining OPFOR characters as Alts only is hereby lifted.
  • As an example of what’s possible with this rule change, you may play: 1 Federation character or 1 OPFOR character or 1 Federation and 1 OPFOR or 2 Federation or 2 OPFOR characters.
  • Star Fleet Academy will be redesignated on the site as simply “The Academy” and will train new recruits from the Federation, Romulan or Klingon navies. (New players may now play OPFOR characters)
  • Naming conventions for Alt characters will mirror the established guidelines with the following exceptions:
    • 1) The account name will contain the prefix “alt-“. So if Beckett were my alt, my account name would be alt-beckett.
    • 2) Group Commanders may create an Alt character without using the alt prefix. I can preserve post counts and things like that so if a current main is declared an Alt, you’re not going to lose anything.

Please be patient as we put the above rules into effect. There may be a little confusion in the beginning with some established characters now becoming alts. Some folks have already declared they would rather play an OPFOR character as their main. Just bare with us as we work through the logistics. Please keep your CO informed of your character’s main/alt status.

OPFOR Changes

The rule change above means OPFOR characters no longer have to play second fiddle to a Star Fleet character; they are full and equal partners. New members may choose to play an OPFOR character in lieu of a Star Fleet character.

As I stated above, Commander V’Tana will now become the OPFOR’s Group Commander. She will preside over the Shadowhawk, and our new OPFOR ship, the Klingon Battlecruiser, “Dreamslayer”. Applications to play on our first Klingon ship may be sent to Sub-Commander V’Tana.

3rd Group Changes

It’s been an up and down year for the 3rd EG. We’ve seen some crew departures and enough drama to go around. I don’t like shutting ships down, but in this instance, it just makes sense. To the dedicated 3rd Groupers, hang in there! Things will bounce back—the above 2 character rule change may help out. Thank you for your continued patience!

Donations

I will soon be setting up a Paypal donation link somewhere on the site. If you wish to make a donation to the site, please do so. However, making a donation is not required, nor will making a donation entitle you to any special treatment or consideration for positions/promotions. In short, donate because you enjoy the game and want to help out financially.

I have been loath to put a donation button up because I didn’t want people to think they had to donate to play or advance through the game. However, I’m the sole financial provider for my family and I'm in the military. In short, I don’t make a lot of money and could use some help keeping the site going, financially.

Money donated will be applied to the operating costs (i.e., Hosting, domain names, software licenses, etc.) Examples of software used with approx price in US dollars in parenthesis; Discusware Bulletin Board Software **What we play the game on** ($150), MS Expression Web/Dreamweaver CS4 **Web Page Authoring ** ($299/$199), Adobe Photoshop **Most of our graphics are made with this** ($600). Money used to purchase software will be reported on the site.

In the event that donations exceed the basic operating expenses, the funds will be kept in a separate account specifically set up for the site and applied towards next year's expenses, renewals, etc.

I will not be making posts/sending you emails asking for donations. I will only remind everyone about donations on/around January 1st of each year, which is our site anniversary. In short, you won’t be spammed with donation requests. I’m still working out the logistics of the donate button, but I should be able to accept multiple currencies. Thanks in advance to those of you that opt to make donations.

The Future

Within the first quarter of this year, we should be wrapping up the Romulan war. I had thought we’d probably roll right into another site-wide war plot, but I’ve decided against that. We’re going to take a look at doing something a little bit different…maybe try to ramp up some suspense and play on some uncertainties with the goal of placing you into morally ambiguous positions. Is that vague enough? :P Stay tuned.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that runs things behind the scenes. If you know someone that helps out, take the time to say thanks to them. It’s not easy keeping this place running sometimes. From GM’s to AI’s to Administrators, it takes a lot of work to make sure everyone else is having fun. In short, thanks to everyone that busts their butts to make this site what it is.

Annual Awards, normally posted here will now be posted in this month’s newsletter. I’d like to take a moment to extend a personal thanks to the two Presidential Award winners, V’Tana (Sevala) and Tregelen. Both have been putting a lot of work to make this site better. V’Tana on the OPFOR project and Tregelen on the FSWiki. Thanks for your hard work.

Should anyone else want to wish to help out, just drop me an email.

I look forward to whatever 2009 brings us. Happy New Years to everyone.

Yearly Award Winners 2008

JONATHAN BECKETT
President
Stardate 20901.01

Below are the award winners and nominee's for this year's awards. The winner will occupy the first slot and the number in parenthesis are the number of votes received. I've listed this to demonstrate just how close some of these votes were. Congratulations to the winners and to the nominee's. When I get some time, I'll make some banners you guys can put on your bio's.

Best CO = Grant (11), Wueste (9), Daher(5)
Best FO = Wong (11), Yvette (10), Fitchel (6)
Best DH = Santiago (11), Sevala (10), Vaughn (7)
Best Jr Officer = ch'Thane (11), Tucker (10), Rice (5)
Best PC = Wueste (13), Grant (5), Sevala (5)
Best NPC = T'Kir (13), Dreggs (7), Jones (4)
Best Writer = Sevala (9), ch'Thane (7), Grant (7)
Most Improved = Kaiser (10), Tucker (7), Fitzalan-Howard (6)
Best Subplot = Tie Enterprise Terrorist Event (12), SFIS (12)
Best GM = GM-33 (10), GM-13 (9), GM-42 (6)
Best AI = Taylor (10), Halpert (7), Temnit (4)

President's Award = Tregelen and V'Tana

20 Questions

Lieutenant Kiron Hunter
VERNON IGNOFFO
Opinions Editor
Stardate 20901.01

This month we get to learn more about Hunter Vibbert, currently playing Lieutenant Kiron Hunter on the USS Gettysburg.

Age, Sex, Location?
I’m 19 years old, a male and from Indiana

When did you start playing on FedSpace?
I first came to Federation Space in March of 2007. I’ve been on the site ever since, having a great time.

What brought you to FedSpace?
I think it was coincidence really. I don’t remember what I was searching for, but up popped Federation Space. I was interested—the description looked interesting, and the rest, as they say, is history

Tell me a little about the process of developing your character.
When I was thinking about developing Kiron when I joined, I wanted to create a character that was too smart for his own good—and he knew it. More or less I developed Kiron off of that template and then injected a few qualities to show that he possessed capabilities to actually get along with people.

What surprises have happened that caused your characters to develop differently then you had envisioned?
I would say that Kiron has developed differently since the change between his former, and forced upon Chief Engineer—Isaac Bohr(ing), and Chris Eaglestone. The two differences in his attitude to his superiors—and actually being able to get along with one of them was a big change.

I also vaguely remember getting a dagger chucked at Kiron’s head from Captain Torgh—nothing to change the attitude like a death threat from a Klingon.

Do you think it is easier or more difficult to play someone who is based on yourself?
I think as long as you have a creative idea about how you want your character to be, it doesn’t really matter. I find it a little easier to play someone who in temperament is sort of like myself—but not too much. Mostly though I think that if you have an idea and some way to make your character dynamic and engaging it isn’t much easier or harder to put yourself in a different mindset to write as that character would think.

What makes a good Ship/Station?
Well I have only been on one ship, and from what I hear—or am propagandized to believe it is the best ship, I’ll give it a go. I think that a good ship should have a mesh of character that have the ability to work together, and at the same time disagree/argue.

It’s like a family—things aren’t always hunky-dory in family life, and I think for a good ship it should be the same way—it allows for character development and new situations that characters can be put in and hopefully, most important some comic relief on the ship.

That’s the most important thing I think. Everyone on the ship needs to have fun every time they post—even if they don’t manage to get something done. If they’re not having fun—I think apart from the tears that brings to my eyes—it shows. Having fun is definitely the single most important thing to make a good ship.

What activities outside of your main PC do you partake in on FedSpace?
Apart from Kiron-ing it up, I also am an AI, and I recently took up GM-ing

What do you see as some goals for the future of your character?
Thinking ahead? Kiron doesn’t do that! Seriously though. At one point I think I wanted Kiron to be driven, but I think that time has passed. So as for goals on ship. Kiron is going to try to have a good time, annoy his senior officers as much as humanly possible without getting a court martial, and try to create useless pieces of equipment that do absolutely nothing constructive. As for character relationship—I guess we’ll see—I think it’s more fun to fly by the seat of my pants for in game developments.

If you could choose, what Trek species would you be?
Does Q count? If not an omnipotent super being, I think that I would be a joined Trill. I really like knowing things—and the combined knowledge of eons upon eons is positively intoxicating.

So far, what is your favorite part about being a member of FedSpace?
I really like the creative outlet that FedSpace provides. It is really nice to be able to sit down and escape, so to speak, into the FedSpace world. Besides all of the people I’ve met on here are really nice. Couldn’t ask for a better gig.

If you were President for a day, what would you change?
If I was president for a day, there’s not much I would change. I would like to see more race ships like the one we have done with the Romulans, such as the Klingons? I really think that the idea with the Romulan ship was a very cool idea. It would be great to get even more going. Otherwise, there’s not much else as far as I’m concerned. I’m pretty happy with how the site is—kudos president! If you could name your own ship, what would you name it? Hmm… I think I would name my ship—this is really lame and gives away that I am a science major, but I would name it the Phlogiston. I think the name—apart from sounding really cool, kind of shows the whole philosophy of the Federation—even though the theory of Phlogiston was wrong, it was the attempt at discovery that made the difference.

What was it about star trek that made you like it?
It was the utopia I think, although when I started watching I was young enough not to know what a utopia was. I think now though, what still draws me to ST is that it is showing that everyone CAN get along if they just try. Even the extremes, such as the Klingons or the Romulans can come together and work for the greater good of everyone.

Who is(are) your favorite character(s)?
Hands Down—Data, 7 of 9, and Q. Data is my favorite because of his quest for humanity, but at the same time he has fun on the way. Q is just plain fun—screwing with the Ship—it’s like my dream job. 7 of 9 is also really dynamically interesting, you think that she is going to go one way and she ends up going another opposite way—really she is just the Data of voyager.

What piece of StarTrek Technology would you most like to see today?
Transporters. 4 words: It’s cold in Indiana

What do you spend your time outside of FedSpace doing?
For right now I spend my time studying, going to class, and studying. Normally though I do enjoy a good book, not to particular on what, and being outside in the spring through fall. I also play the oboe and periodically I am learning how to play the guitar.

If you could have any super power what would it be?
I would love to be able to fly. I really think it would be one of the coolest sensations in the world if I was able to fly… besides how cool would that look?

What person would you most like to meet in real life?
I would like to meet my CE; he seems like a really cool guy.

What character would you most like to meet in real life?
I would personally like to meet the defunked Captain Torgh, I think that it could be a very interesting encounter.

If there was something you would want everyone to know about you, what would that be?
I’ve covered quite a bit about FedSpace here, but I’m always willing for subplots—given my frenzied studying doesn’t intervene it’s ugly head, hit me up and we should post something!

Thanks to Hunter 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.

Opinions

Communication is Key
VERNON IGNOFFO
Opinions Editor
Stardate 20901.01

Communication is one of the most important facets of interacting with each other. When communication breaks down all kinds of problems can surface. One of the reasons FedSpace is such a good community is the ability to communicate with each other effectively. An example of this is the thread that asks for messenger information so that we may meet others from around the world to build friendships. Another example of this is the recent vote on the new profile formatting. It is obvious that FedSpace encourages communication between its members both for fun and for important matters.

One area that can suffer with communication is online. It is easy to misunderstand the meaning of something without inflection and non-verbal communication signals. In role-playing it is especially important to ensure that those reading your post can understand what you are trying to get across. Thoughts are imperative in this arena, allowing others to get a glimpse into what your character is thinking in each situation. Another important tool is explaining your character’s non-verbal body language.

Star Trek News

Movie News

Bridging the Gap?
RACHEL CHRISTIE
Editor-in-Chief
Stardate 20901.01

Since confirmation that the new Trek film would be focused on The Original Series and its characters, there has been a buzz regarding how JJ Abrams and his team would make the film fit into what we currently know as Trek canon. Would it be a redo, or would they find a way to fit it in with canon?

The new movie will actually take place more or less in context of what we already know.

In attempts to bridge the gap between where The Next Generation films leave off and this one comes in, the team that worked on the new film has developed a new Star Trek comic titled Star Trek: Countdown.

According to Mike Johnson, a write who works for a production company owned by Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the comic will try to bridge the gap and make sense of where this new film fits in Trek canon. Speaking to TrekMovie.com, Johnson says, “But literally, it is in the sense that the comic is the missing part of the story between the end of “Star Trek: Nemesis” and the new film... I think fans are going to be pleasantly surprised by the story that starts in #1 and how we introduce Nero. “Star Trek: Countdown” #1 is the issue that sets the stage, and after that the action and drama will steadily increase throughout the series, culminating in a cliffhanger that can only be resolved by a big fat summer blockbuster movie.”

Star Trek: Countdown releases this month. The Star Trek movie hits theatres May 8th, 2009.


Quote of the Month

Little Green Men
"We're helpless! We're harmless! We just want to sell you things!"

  • Quark

From DS9, Season 4 Episode 8, Little Green Men

Trivia

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!

This Month’s Questions

Question 8: Identify this species.

1. How many people were aboard the Enterprise when Pike was captain?
3. On what planet did B'Elanna Torres grow up?
4. In Wrath of Khan, what kind of ship was the Kobayashi Maru?
5. Where is Star Fleet Headquarters located?
6. Who was William Riker's captain prior to Picard?
7. How many planets are in the Talos star group?
8. Identify the species pictures on the right.
9. Who sponsored Chakotay's entrance to Star Fleet Academy?
10. Which Star Fleet captain did Kang once face in the Azure Nebula?

December's Answers

Here are the answers for December-2008's questions.

Question Four: Vhnori

1. What ship was James T. Kirk's first assignment after graduating from the Academy?

  • USS Farragut

2. Who decided to start a school aboard Deep Space 9?

  • Keiko O'Brien

3. What is Tom Paris' middle name?

  • Eugene

4. Identify the species pictured on the right.

5. What is Lwaxana Troi's full title on Betazed?

  • Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed

6. Who was the first Vulcan to join Star Fleet?

  • Earth Star Fleet: T'Pol
  • Federation Star Fleet: Spock

7. On what planet is Farpoint Station built?

  • Deneb IV

8. What was the Cardassian name for Deep Space 9?

  • Terok Nor

9. Who was the officer in charge of the Enterprise-D assembly team?

  • Orfil Quinteros

10. In Star Trek The Motion Picture, how many Klingon vessels were destroyed by V'Ger?

  • Three

December-2008's Top 10

Since we only had two players brave enough to answer the questions, this is top 2.

1. Macleod, Laura
2. Daher, Joseph

All Around Champs

1. Macleod, Laura
2. Daher, Joseph

Joke of the Month

10 Things That Never Happen In Star Trek
VERNON IGNOFFO
Opinions Editor
Stardate 20901.01

  • The ship runs into a mysterious energy field of a type that it has encountered several times before
  • The ship goes to check up on a remote outpost of scientists, who are all perfectly all right.
  • The crew of the ship is struck by a strange alien plague, for which the cure is found in the well-stocked sick-bay.
  • A power surge on the Bridge is rapidly and correctly diagnosed as a faulty capacitor by the highly-trained and competent engineering staff.
  • A power surge on the Bridge is fails to electrocute the user of a computer panel, due to a highly sophisticated 24th century surge protection feature called a 'fuse'.
  • The ship ferries an alien VIP from one place to another without serious incident.
  • Somebody takes out a shuttle and it doesn't explode or crash.
  • A major Star Fleet emergency breaks out near the ship, but fortunately some other ships in the area are able to deal with it to everyone's satisfaction.
  • The Captain has to make a difficult decision about a less advanced people which is made a great deal easier by the Star Fleet Prime Directive.
  • An unknown ensign beams down as part of an away team and lives to tell the tale.


Science News

Astronomy Pic of the Month

Jan09-fnn.jpg

The Hubble Space Telescopes catches Ganymede peeking out from behind Jupiter.

Source: NASA, ESA, and E. Karkoschka (University of Arizona)

Astronomy News

International Year of Astronomy
RACHEL CHRISTIE
Editor-in-Chief
Stardate 20901.01

Before anyone could boldly go out into the universe to explore strange new worlds and discover new civilizations in Star Trek, before we could send rovers to Mars, and before we could land on the Moon, somebody had to look up at the night sky and realise how much was out there. Humans have been recording their astronomical observations for as long as recorded history.

In 1609, Galileo Galilei first turned his a telescope up to the sky. He saw distant stars, moons around Jupiter, and mountains on the Moon, not to mention the crescent phases of Venus and dark spots on the Sun.

Four hundred years after Galileo pointed his telescope to the sky, nations around the world are celebrating everything Astronomy with the International Year of Astronomy. Declared by the United Nations, the International Year of Astronomy hopes to “help citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day- and night-time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discovery.”

The IYA will have eleven main events planned throughout the year, to help encourage people around the world to discover astronomy. Some of these events include100 Hours of Astronomy, Cosmic Diary, She is an Astronomer, and the Galileo Teacher Training Program.

In order to find events happening near you, check out the <a href=http://www.astronomy2009.org/>International Year of Astronomy 2009</a> website.

This month in Astronomy History

Explorer 1
RACHEL CHRISTIE
Editor-in-Chief
Stardate 20901.01

On January 31st, 1958, the United States launches its first satellite, Explorer 1. This satellite was launched by the US Army on a Jupiter-C rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and was launched largely in response to the Soviet Union’s successful launch of Sputnik. Containing several different scientific instruments, Explorer 1 was the first satellite to detect the Van Allen Radiation Belt, a ring of energetic charge particles which surround the Earth and are held in place by the planet’s magnetic field.