Post by jenmorgan on Oct 28, 2006 10:02:36 GMT -5
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OCTOBER 22, 2006 ____ STARDATE: 63808.21
ƒÑƒnUnited Forces Weekly Newsletter ƒÑ
Est. 2/1/05
Volume 1 issue 24
Members no charge
Non members 1/2 silver pressed lat.
Simulations
Live Sims
Sundays
USS Expedition NCC 76227
CO Capt. Edward Dean, XO Cdr Vanessa A Lucifel
Nova Class
8:00 P.M. EST, 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, 5:00 P.M. Pacific time zones
Needed crew: All assistant postings
Marines and Fighter pilots.
USS Crazy Horse NCC 97142-A
CO Captain J Zander
Sovereign Class
11:00 P.M. Eastern, 10:00 P.M. Central, 9:00 P.M., and 8:00 P.M. Pacific time.
Needed crew: All assistant postings
Marines and Fighter pilots.
Mondays
USS New York NCC 71868
CO Captain Eviess Radaik XO Lt Colonel Magus Stevenson
Galaxy class
10:00 P.M. Eastern, 9:00 P.M. Central, 8:00 P.M. Mountain, and 7:00 P.M. Pacific time.
Needed crew: All assistant postings
Marines and Fighter pilots.
Tuesdays
USS Aryes NCC 81204
Captain Sowren-Hunter Tirina CO Commander T'Lar
Sovereign Class
10:00 P.M. Eastern, 7:30 P.M. Central, 6:30 P.M. Mountain, and 5:30 P.M. Pacific time.
Needed crew: CSCI,
Marines and fighter pilots.
Wednesdays
101st Marine Pathfinders
Marine dedicated ground simulation.
CO Lt Colonel Keith Fox XO Thyra Mopak
10:00 P.M. Eastern, 9:00 P.M. Central, 8:00 P.M. Mountain, and 7:00 P.M. Pacific.
Needed crew: Marines and Fighter pilots.
Thursday
USS London UFMV-53786-B
Excalibur Class
CO Colonel A Zander
Needed crew: All assistant positions, Marines.
10:00 P.M. Eastern, 9:00 P.M. Central, 8:00 P.M. Mountain, and 7:00 P.M. Pacific.
Fridays
USS Pegasus UFMV 25347
Marine Battle cruiser/carrier Kennedy Class.
CO Field Marshall J. Weslynes XO Colonel Hook
10:00 P.M. Eastern, 9:00 P.M. Central, 8:00 P.M. Mountain, and 7:00 P.M. Pacific.
Needed crew: Marines and fighter pilots versatile officer
Saturdays
USS Frontier NCC 11385
Titan Class
CO Admiral Charan Taylar XO Rear Admiral Kenneth M Basal
10:00 P.M. Eastern, 9:00 P.M. Central, 8:00 P.M. Mountain, and 7:00 P.M. Pacific.
Needed crew: All assistant positions. Marines and Fighter Pilots.
Board simulations
USS Tarawa UFMV 70251
Yankee Class
CO Colonel Thomas Allen
Needed crew: Marines and Fighter pilots
All crew and ship activity takes place on the boards it is suggested that the crew check in daily to see if their character needs to post
USS Terrasect NCC 70000
Terrasect class
ACO Captain Crio Ijoula
Needed crew: Marines and Fighter pilots
All crew and ship activity takes place on the boards it is suggested that the crew check in daily to see if their character needs to post
Around the Fleet
USS Expedition NCC 76227
The Expedition is successful returning the Aryes back to it¡¦s own timeline. Unfortunately, Ensign Jaran brought down a Ketrian Escort that didn¡¦t make them any happy. Marine Captain Aidair was instrumental in using her pet cat as an escape ploy, as the Expedition made it back to Starbase 234,
USS Crazy Horse NCC 97142-A
The Crazy Horse is under attack by 2 apparently Oberth Class starships, They successfully destroy one, and the other high tails it out. But the Crazy Horse pursues to find out who are their attackers.
USS New York NCC 71868
The New York returns to Romulus with their prisoners, after their successful mission.
USS Aryes NCC 81204
The Aryes continues to answer a distress call sent from the Breen neutral zone. They find a freighter under attack, and quickly dispatch of their attackers. But not for long, as questions of what the freighter is doing here a abound.
101st Marine Pathfinders
The 101st has set up a base camp on Dreon and has begun to restore the civil peace.
USS London-A UFMV-53786-B
The London is attacked by a pair of Romulan warbirds, as her fighters are captured, and their pilots held for interrogation. Colonel Zander, looking for some aid call on the assistance of Captain Radaik, and the USS New York. There is little she can do, as 1st Lt Morgan begins to be interrogated.
USS Pegasus UFMV 25347
The Pegasus, and Terrasect pick up the Admirals signal, and begin their daring rescue. But the appearance of 2 Ktarnian Cruisers put the two ships in battle mode, except they attack space station pride. The Admiral is rescued, but millions of Ktarnian die in the carnage left from the destruction of the space station.
USS Frontier NCC 11385
The Frontier prepares the supplies for Avirexians, until they are approached by a Tholian scoutship. They claim that the Frontier has intruded into their territory, and begin to fire on them.
Board Sims
USS Tarawa UFMV 70251
The Tarawa ljust finished the Testing grounds with flying colors.The ship works on a shift rotation We are off shift now heading back toward SB
USS Terrasect NCC 70000
The Pegasus, and Terrasect pick up the Admirals signal, and begin their daring rescue. But the appearance of 2 Ktarnian Cruisers put the two ships in battle mode, except they attack space station pride. The Admiral is rescued, but millions of Ktarnian die in the carnage left from the destruction of the space station.
Promotions
Crio Ijoula was promoted to the Rank of Commodore and Assistant Director of the UF Academy.
From the Desk of the Editor.
By Michelle Greene
Greetings to all:
Those who have been following the Adventures of Michelle Greene know my beloved laptop (piece of junk) has succumbed to damage. It has been a long 6 weeks without a computer, but as always, my better half had a plan.
I went from a 40GB piece of crap, tom a 160MB monster, all built by Candice (with a slight problem loading windows). The combination of my new computer and Candice¡¦s upgrades give us a combination of 480GB, as well as a more stable platform for the newsletter, that wiped out her old 20GB C drive.
Well over this time, we have been getting everything set up on our computers; most of this issue was written 3 weeks ago. We plan to finish our 40th Anniversary motif. This week we explore Voyager, and its perils in the Delta Quadrant. If one thing I loved about Voyager, it was the fact that there was a Woman in command, a concept that was scoffed on in 1964 by NBC.
There is a lot of catch up in this issue so be patient, there will be numerous mistakes. Hopefully they won¡¦t be out, and out blunders.
The Guild joins the Board.
By Cdr Vanessa Ann Lucifel
How many times we sat and watch a pathetic episode of Star Trek, and you said ¡§I could of wrote something better then that slop¡¨. Let face it, as trekkers, we¡¦re our own worse enemies, but we now have an area to direct this positive/negative energy.
The Writers Guild thread was added to the Board for that reason. To write that hidden episode you have locked up in your head. Express those ideas that you have inside, and show the members, as well as guest that you can make a Star Trek novel.
Already at least one member has shown his creativity. The Writers Guild is an excellent way to also start possible Story lines. So those who have a zeal for writing, and a good keyboard, the Writers Guild awaits you. P.S. Holo novels need not apply, sorry Doctor.
Welcome to the United Forces Writing Guild!
Greetings Everyone!
I wanted to let everyone know about a new feature being added to the United Forces Website. It is an extension of the "Writer's Guild" on the message boards. It is a place where people can join to show off and showcase their writing talents.
Please feel free to visit there through the main site or through the URL fanfiction.stunitedforces.com . You will have to create a penname to post stories.
As always, have fun!
Fleet Admiral James Harsting
STAR TREK: Encounters
Available for the PlayStation 2 Console
Game Review by Crio Ijoula
Hey all you PlayStation 2 console gamers. A new game came out on the 10th of October called Star Trek: Encounters. I have to tell you, this is one extremely, extremely HARD game, but if you truly love a good challenge, and have oodles of time on your hands (believe me, you'll need it for when you get blown up many times), give it a try.
The controls are really weird, and a pain in the butt to get used to, but once you get that, you're in semi-good shape.
You do get to play through all 5 major series of Star Trek, beginning with ENTERPRISE, and you work your way up. I'm currently on the first mission on VOYAGER, and I think at the rate I'm going, I'll be stuck there for a long time, because it is so insanely difficult. There is a final set of missions under the category of SOVEREIGN.
As a bit of a special treat, William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk) does some narration for the opening mission briefings.
As you progress through the game, there are a whole bunch of unlockables for the SKIRMISH mode and multiplayer aspects, primarily being new ships and battle areas.
You also get to pick up "Character Cards" which enhance your ship's capabilities a little bit. These cards come in the form of the actual main Star Trek characters from each respective series. They come in the following departments: Captain, Science, Engineering, Tactical, and Medical. You can find these kinda hidden in the missions. You'll recognize them by the TOS style uniform insignia display.
As a case in point, I personally have picked up the following character cards during my run through the missions:
=ENTERPRISE=
Captain:
Jonathan Archer
Science:
T'Pol
Engineering:
Charles Tucker III
Tactical:
Malcolm Reed
Medical:
Dr. Phlox
=STAR TREK=
Captain:
James T. Kirk
Science:
Spock
Engineering:
Montgomery Scott
Tactical:
Hikaru Sulu
Medical:
Dr. Leonard H. McCoy
=THE NEXT GENERATION=
Captain:
Jean-Luc Picard
Science:
Data
Engineering:
Geordi LaForge
Tactical:
Lt. Worf
Medical:
-----
(I need to get this one)
=DEEP SPACE NINE=
Captain:
Benjamin Sisko
Science:
Jadzia Dax
Engineering:
Miles O'Brien
Tactical:
Lt. Cmdr. Worf
Medical:
Dr. Julian Bashir
As of this point, I haven't found any of the Voyager ones, and I need to go back and get the one for Dr. Crusher.
The various eras for Encounters, in order, are:
ENTERPRISE
THE ORIGINAL SERIES
THE NEXT GENERATION
DEEP SPACE NINE
VOYAGER
SOVEREIGN
The problem that some gamers may find is that you are forced to play through the missions IN ORDER, rather than being able to pick whatever mission you'd like to start in. Once you beat missions, however, you can replay them at will, to collect items or increase your rank standings for that particular mission.
There is some variation from the original plot lines for the episodes, but I assure you, the levels are challenging. As I'm not familiar with the Sovereign campaign, I can't speculate with any real accuracy for this report. As an extra treat, there's a mission specifically set in the events of Star Trek III: The Search For Spock called "Battle At Genesis". However, you do not destroy the Enterprise in the mission.
I will try to get through this game and update you on more information from the stages as I get to them. For those interested, at the time I picked it up, it was only $15 at Wal-Mart, which was quite a surprise to me.
Star Trek 40th Anniversary
STAR TREK
VOYAGER
USS Voyager
By CDR Vanessa Lucifel
"Ever since my first day on the job as a Starfleet Captain, I swore I'd never let myself get caught in one of these Godforsaken paradoxes. The past is the future, the future is the past, and it all gives me a headache." Those words best describe 7 years of misadventures in the Delta Quadrant as the USS Voyager faced a 70,000 Light year journey home.
Good thing she didn¡¦t say that early, otherwise I would have tuned out most of it. Yet the third modern incarnation of Star Trek was pretty much Lost in Space. No Dr Smith, and Robots in this, instead we had Seska, and then Emergency Medical Hologram. Seriously, it was an Adventure worth watching.
First impressions were kind of comparative to DS9, but like always if you watch, anything is possible. From it fiery 2 hour premiere that saw the destruction of the first way home, and the beginning of its 7 season odyssey. Over that time we would see:
10. Chakotay has good luck with women: 6
9. Harry dies or almost dies: 7
8. Seven has severe problems with her Borg implants: 9
7. Harry has bad luck with women: 10
6. A "drive-of-the-week" is more or less successfully tested: 11
5. Seven has a decisive advantage because of her Borg implants: 11
4. Aliens temporarily seize control of the ship: 11
3. An opportunity to get home is wasted: 13
2. Things or persons from the Alpha Quadrant are encountered: 17
1. Voyager is attacked: 58
Although certain adversaries were paramount in Voyager, and Seska was meaner then the Borg Queen if you ask me. Beware of Cardassians with wrinkled noses, among the other 59 hostile alien races; Seska had zeal to handle Captain Janeway, and her crew. Yet her brief spotlight gave way to a myriad of others. New Technologies, and other propulsion methods, aliens with a vendetta, these federation types stirred up a lot of trouble.
The Crew of the Voyager has been chased from almost every imagined reason, assimilation, relics, or organs. Yet only 33 crewmembers perished out of 141, not bad. Through it all, Janeway kept her heard together. Her crew would become legends (except to Trekkers), as each light year they explore in the Delta Quadrant held a new surprise.
In the end though, the two members along for the ride, Neelix and Kes, would never make it to the Alpha Quadrant. They would pick up another in the form of a one Human Borg Annika Hansen, more commonly known as 7 of 9. Of all the interesting yet curious members of this crew is not a life form at all. The Emergency Medical Hologram was probably the most ingenious as far as characters. With the ability to learn, and independent thought, he became a sentient being. Yet still the argument was, this is a lot for a Hologram, somewhat farfetched, but a little treknobabble can handle that. Add a Mobile emitter, and now we have a mobile Doctor, that can Sing, Command, go on Away Missions, and love as well? We¡¦ll get back to that later.
Other then futuristic devices, the Crew had developed numerous ways to go faster, the faster than the speed of light. Most of them failed, but when the advice of Tom Paris to come up with a better shuttle to handle the dangers of the Delta Quadrant, he and Tuvok came up with the Delta Flyer. This unique shuttle would become the backbone of Voyagers shuttle missions. Add some borg technology, and we got a sweet speedster that makes a Mustang look like a Golf cart.
I could go on, and on, but heck, I need to go to sleep sometime. This week we celebrate the Crew of the USS Voyager. If one thing I always wished we found out in the last episode, what happened to the crew when they got back?
Star Trek 40th Anniversary
Starship Database
INTREPID CLASS
By Ensign Ariel Wrenn
Type : Light Explorer / Scout
Unit Run : NCC 74705 USS Bellerophon - Active
NCC 74600 USS Intrepid - Active
NCC 74656 USS Voyager- Active
NCC 2113A USS Alliance- Destroyed
Plus 47 others built in total. 15 have been lost in all. The class remains in production.
Commissioned : 2371- present
Dimensions : Length : 343 m
Beam : 133 m
Height : 66 m
Decks : 15
Mass : 700,000 metric tons
Crew : 141
Armament : 13 x Type VIII phaser arrays, total output 10,000 Terawatts
5 x Standard photon torpedo tube with 38 rounds
Defense Systems : Standard shield system, total capacity 729,000 TeraJoules
Standard Duranium/Tritanium Single hull.
Standard level Structural Integrity Field
Warp Speeds
(TNG scale) : Normal Cruise: 8
Maximum Cruise: 9.975
Maximum Rated: 9.985 for 1 hours.
Strength Indices :
(Galaxy class = 1,000) Beam Firepower : 200
Torpedo Firepower : 625
Weapon Range and Accuracy : 440
Shield Strength : 270
Hull Armor : 50
Speed : 3,526
Combat Maneuverability : 9,100
Overall Strength Index : 591
Diplomatic Capability : 3
Expected Hull Life : 80
Refit Cycle : Minor : 1 year
Standard : 5 years
Major : 20 years
Notes: Starfleet's shipbuilding policy of the last century has emphasized ever larger, more capable designs capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions within a single hull, often simultaneously. However, this has led to a gradual fall in the numbers of vessels which can be fielded - where the Excelsior class numbers well over a hundred, the Ambassadors were limited to a production run of twenty six, and the Galaxy class was limited to six ships initially, though this has since been expanded. While the exploration capacity of these classes is still sufficient to meet the tasks demanded of them, the lack of numbers has led to a certain restriction in flexibility. Losses among the Galaxy class have also emphasized that placing "all the eggs in one basket" is not necessarily the wisest choice.
The Intrepid design was fielded partly to correct this situation. The design requirement, issued in 2358, called for a vessel in the 360 meter range with a volume some 15% that of a Galaxy class. Although the limited size meant that the vessel would have much lower overall capabilities than the Galaxy class, this was to be in some part offset by the use of the latest technology. The computer system would be amongst the most advanced model in service; the increased automation this afforded combined with a new generation of sensor equipment would allow the Intrepid class almost 30% of the scanning and analysis capabilities of a Galaxy class starship. A top cruise speed some three times that of the Galaxy would further enhance the vessel's exploration capabilities.
Diplomatic functions would be more problematic - hosting such functions requires supporting large numbers of extra personnel, and the Intrepid class simply would not have the room for this. Her diplomatic capabilities are therefore limited to relatively small events generally involving Federation negotiations with a single party.
The Intrepid's combat role was also somewhat limited by her size; unable to carry large numbers of torpedoes or high power phaser banks, Starfleet settled on a scouting and support mission for the ship. Fitted out with Type VIII phaser arrays and single fire torpedo tubes, the Intrepid would be capable of engaging vessels the size of a Bird of Prey one-on-one. Her high speed and maneuverability combined with the advanced sensor system would also make her a perfect platform to conduct long range reconnaissance missions ahead of fleet operations. Within a major fleet battle the Intrepid would also act in support of larger ships, harrying enemy fleet units and drawing fire away from larger Federation ships.
Development of the intrepid class went relatively smoothly in the early and mid stages, but a major problem arose in 2370 with the discovery that the energy emissions of standard warp drives caused considerable cumulative damage to the structure of subspace. Starfleet called for all designs then in progress to be modified to eliminate this effect, and it was decided to use the Intrepid class as a test bed for this technology. After some experimentation it was found that the effect could be avoided by using a warp field with a much elongated Z-axis, combined with complex warp field modulation and the utilization of new materials during the manufacture of warp coils. This has led to the ships saucer section having the forward ellipse now becoming common on Federation designs. The new warp field configuration did lead to a 15% reduction in the speed of the Intrepid class across all flight regimes, bringing the top cruise speed down from Warp 9.99 to Warp 9.975, and the maximum rated speed from Warp 9.992 to Warp 9.985.
The program suffered a serious setback when the USS Voyager, second in the class, was apparently lost on her first mission. Building was suspended on the class while the designs were subjected to intense scrutiny; after a year without results the Intrepid project was resumed. It was subsequently discovered that Voyager was in fact displaced to the other side of the Galaxy by an alien technology. After struggling to return home for nearly seven years, Voyager finally made it back to Earth via a Borg transwarp conduit.
One feature unique to the Intrepid class among Federation Starships of this size is the ability to land on a planetary surface. This feature has been incorporated after several incidents in which transporters and shuttle craft have been unable to operate through exotic environmental conditions during evacuations or other surface related operations.
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Daystrom Institute