(I'm working on my response, but I gotta give it some thought...)
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Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
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The one about ORBITAL FUCKING BOMBARDMENT.
-------------------- "The French have a saying: 'mise en place'—keep everything in its fucking place!"
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You might as well have told us to just answer everyone else's responses, Shik!
quote:Posted by Neutrino 123: Some kid gets bitten by a rare insect, and due to the characteristics of the insects venom, and falls quite ill for several days. When Qiao hears of this, he orders all insects of this variety cleared from the area. Unfortunately, biologists report that the insect�s range is confined to the small area around the colony. The science facilities of the India [or insert ship around Sobchak�s planet here] are needed to eliminate the bugs. However, the captain of the India asks for instructions on how to proceed. What do you do?
Starfleet will not be a part of such radical terraforming. Regardless, the only ships orbiting Sobchak's are the Brandywine (a Belleau Wood carrier) and the Shaitan (an Asmodeus corvette), and they have zero science facilities. So nyah!
quote:Posted by HerbShrump: The colony on Sobchak�s planet is in the midst of a severe crisis. Food supplies are drastically limited and certain key technological components/tools were lost all due to the attack by the Raiders before arriving at Sobchak�s planet. To complicate the matter further, the colony is being overran by large burrowing reptillian creatures (think of a monitor lizard the size of a baby elephant). These creatures have a near pack-like or herd mentality. They weren�t believed to be any danger to the colony and it�s suspected that something has changed to cause these animals to periodically go on violent destructive campaigns through the settlement. No deaths have been reported by several colonists have been injured. Mr. Qiao is demading the immediate eradication of the species, and so are a number of the colonists. Others are fighting this sentiment based on moral, ethical grounds and the Prime Directive. How can the colony be adequately protected without eliminating the animals and still placating Mr. Qiao?
Step one: find out what's pissing off these animals. I assume they're not making a colony under our colony, because there's no way the Federation planners would be that stupid. It's probably something electronic or subspace-based. Step two: see if there's a way to keep them away without driving them into a frenzy. Step three: remind Mr. Qiao that Federation laws expressly forbid the hunting of any species to extinction. Defensive action is the only permissible course for now. And I will make a personal threat if he goes against that.
== Part 6B ==
Huh. Didn't see that one coming. I'll have to categorically deny everything, of course, but at this stage I don't think there's much that I can do against the General's accusations. I'll simply have to resort to the usual refrain: what would the Federation gain from such a deception? Attacking an outpost in legally-recognized Klingon territory that the Federation has relinquished all claim to (or so I presume) gains us nothing. It doesn't even disrupt the Klingons' operations to expand to Sobchak's Planet, which has been the apparent goal of the raiders so far. I'll also point out that the recent raid on our convoy was launched with Klingon-made cloaking devices, which could easily have been provided by the Empire to fight a proxy war. However, I recognize that there's a strong likelihood of theft, and I'll also add a bit of deft flattery and point out that the Klingons rarely stoop to such tactics, so I know they aren't responsible for the attacks against Federation forces.
== Part 6C ==
Shik: What's the status of the Brandywine and the Shaitan? Destroyed, driven off, or holding outside (or even inside) the blockade line?
At this stage the Klingons have made the first overt violation of the Organian Peace Treaty. I'll shift what forces I have � my Avenger and Predator destroyer squadrons � closer towards Sobchak's to launch a relief mission if deemed necessary. I'll have to talk Plis'Qen down from his high horse, though, because there's no way I want to launch an offensive against the entrenched Klingon forces unless absolutely necessary.
In the mean time, assuming that the Shaitan is still operational, I'll instruct them to make light, nonoffensive exploratory probes of the Klingon blockade, try to determine weakness, establish communication with the surface, and try to set a pattern that we can exploit later.
== Part 6D == Existing Fleet
USS Saratoga (NCC-1867), Miranda class
USS Orion (NCC-1981), Polaris class
USS Scorpio (NCC-1984), Polaris class
USS Skua (NCC-1396), Kestrel class
USS Dazzler (NCC-D120), Avenger class
USS Reporter (NCC-D159), Avenger class
USS Buccaneer (NCC-D218), Predator class
USS Spanker (NCC-D279), Predator class
USS Shaitan (NCC-D423), Asmodeus class
USS Michtlantecuhtli (NCC-D414), Asmodeus class
USS Brandywine (NCC-1559), Belleau Wood class
USS Gobi (NCC-DT23), Sahara class
Yow! That's a bigger fleet than I was expecting... not that I'm going to refuse it, of course! I intend to make good use of this. And of course I'm going to draft Neulovimy.
I agree that it would be better to take on our troubles one at a time, but I'm going to make a caveat... three ships will be detached from the fleet to take station in the outer reaches of the Sobchak's system. A Pyotr Velikiy, a Chandley, and an Avenger will join the Brandywine and the Shaitan while the rest of the fleet takes on the raiders. Let the Klingons know we're taking the blockade seriously and have firepower waiting, but that we're going after the real threat instead.
The raiders are the real threat, because (1) they're more aggressive and unpredictable, unrestrained by any treaty and fighting a covert offensive, and (2) they could easily attack our flank as we take on the Klingon blockade.
The plan is relatively simple... destroyers will take up silent station (operating in pairs if possible) at key positions outside the system, about 0.25-ly out from the primary. Once they're set up, three frigates will make a light probe of the system, to see what kind of trouble they can stir up. They will not heavily engage, but make it appear they weren't expecting the kind of resistance I'm really expecting. The main goal is to gather information as to defense locations and ship types and number. After that, the main fleet � the cruisers and frigates (all quite maneuverable and not vulnerable like the India � will assault the system on a full search-and-destroy mission. The destroyers will be tasked with intercepting any ships attempting to flee the system, while we blast their base and defenses to rubble.
== Part 6E ==
This is an unfortunate move, but I fail to see how this is considered Federation space if it's a neutral convoy heading between their planet and the Penxi. All I'll do is send a stiff warning to Plis'Qen that he's treading dangerously close to open warfare; as there's no Federation agreement with the victims of this assault, we have no just cause. But we won't take these attacks lying down, and we're not going to let him push further.
== Part 6F ==
Morons. They've effectively declared war on the Klingons, given them cause to invade the whole fucking sector! And for what? 55% casualties. I'll send their governments a nice "wish you were here" letter, and suggest they beef up their planetary defenses, since the Klingons may come calling while I'm doing my job. Oh wait, they don't HAVE any planetary defenses now, half of them have been blown up!
...Fortunately, my aide will talk me down from this rash action, and I refrain from sending the message.
== Part 6G ==
Okay, so I've lost the Shaitan, which was destroyed covering the Brandywine's escape; the latter's commander wisely ordered withdrawal once it was clear that there was no chance of a real defense, which was pretty much the minute the Penxi showed up.
At this point, what we critically need is intelligence. We're effectively in a state of war with the Penxi now, and we need information. I'm going to dispatch three reconnaissance-in-force missions into the closest regions of Penxi space, each composed of a frigate and two destroyers. Their orders are to avoid direct combat at all costs, but to gather information about the size, location, and disposition of the Penxi military. If weak targets of opportunity can be attacked, they can be... but only if they do not slow down the mission or jeopardize the safety of the squadron. It's a recon first, cavalry raid second.
The goal of this is to (1) show the Penxi we're not taking this lying down, and hopefully make them think twice about any further attacks, (2) get vital information about the interior of their space, which is now fair game, and (3) hopefully divert some enemy forces from offensive operations for defensive stations instead.
The strike against the raider outpost (by now it's pretty obvious that the raiders and the Penxi are one and the same) is put on hold, because a Federation colony has been taken. Plus, Sobchak's Planet will serve as a useful launching point for raids further into the Penxi Optimus.
Oh, and I'll send a polite little "told ya so" note to General Plis'Qen.
== Part 6H ==
Not much I can do here. No chance of infiltrating the system given my forces and the enemy's strength, and we're not ready for a full assault yet.
Concerning the Klingon raid, it's typical... they've bloodied the Penxi's noses, but not much more. Though hopefully, they've achieved the same thing my recon forces will; force the Penxi to pull back their forces for better defense. (I'd be able to react better to the Klingon losses if I knew how big their fleet was to begin with.)
== Part 6I ==
This ups the ante. It's not just about territory, it's about resources and people. They know they can't hold the planet against both their enemies, so they're sacking the whole damn place instead. I was wrong, Mr. Qiao isn't wasn't the lowest form of scum imaginable; at least he had limits to his theories.
I'm going to assume that the Federation Council has been informed; I'm going to send an ultimatum informing the Penxi that they've entered into hostilities against the Federation, and that if they don't pull back immediately, we will not rest until their military has been dismantled and their government humbled.
== Part 6J ==
At this point, I can afford to be gracious... we both want the same thing. Plis'Qen's request will be granted without any snide comments. (And technically, and CAN'T afford NOT to be gracious, because pissing him off will make cooperation difficult. Even if I was right, the Penxi went to enormous trouble to hide their agenda. Plis'Qen was simply blinded by the bigger enemy, whom he assumed was responsible.) All available resources will be provided. I will invite the General to meet with me ASAP. And I'll tell him exactly what I commented on here.
quote:Told you it was going to be big.
Big? You call this big? I survived the Driian Blitzkreig in Sector Beta, orchestrated by the evil Admiral Timo! This is not big!
(Kidding, kidding...)
-------------------- “Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha
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Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343
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What's the status of the Brandywine and the Shaitan? Destroyed, driven off, or holding outside (or even inside) the blockade line?
Well, you answered that for yourself. I will allot you this: Brandywine limped back to K-10, but she's at ...um...45% capacity.
At this stage the Klingons have made the first overt violation of the Organian Peace Treaty.
Yes...& no. It's not an ACTIVELY hostile action. Yet.
Big? You call this big?
Well, the setup is.
-------------------- "The French have a saying: 'mise en place'—keep everything in its fucking place!"
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Yeah, I knew the Brandywine took some hits; I meant to indicate that there was some combat even though they bugged out right away. I just had to assume, from the wording of your later question with the Penxi assault, that you weren't actually having the Klingons attack outright in establishing the blockade. So the ships were still there. And it's obvious that, whether inside or outside the blockade, that would've been abandoned when the Penxi attacked.
Ahh... the power of Logic!
As for the "first overt violation," I'm referring to in this sector only. Should'a been more clear.
-------------------- “Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha
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quote:A civilian survey party, exploring the territory around the colony on foot, encounters a small Klingon scouting party, also on foot. A few shots are exchanged between the two sides, but in the dense, forested foliage, it doesn't seem as if anyone hit anything (on either side). Depending on your colony's location and distance from the Klingon settlement, this could either be an inevitable occurrence from proximity or a sinister indication of greater movements by the Klingons. React accordingly. (Oh, and regardless, Mr. Qiao is screaming bloody murder again and demanding the formation of an anti-Klingon posse with a "shoot first, ask questions never" policy. Does this actually seem like a good idea?)
The colony is on the freaking other side of the planet! I specifically requested the colony be placed as far away from the Klingons to avoid this very incident. Sheesh, what are the Klingons doing, trying to start a war?
All survey parties are to be kept within a 5 hour walk from the colony. All survey parties are to be escorted by armed Starfleet personnel. We immediately contact General Plis'Quin and the Klingon governor and demand an explaination for this unprovoked incursion into Federation territory. We aren't on their side of the planet, mind you. The Klingons are on our side. This has got to stop.
At the same time, someone will need to keep Mr Qiao in line or he's liable to start a war. We'll give him the fools errand of coming up with defensive strategies for the Colony in case of a Klingon assault. Under no circumstances, however, are the civilian colonists to be traipsing around armed.
quote:Some kid gets bitten by a rare insect, and due to the characteristics of the insects venom, and falls quite ill for several days. When Qiao hears of this, he orders all insects of this variety cleared from the area. Unfortunately, biologists report that the insect�s range is confined to the small area around the colony. The science facilities of the India [or insert ship around Sobchak�s planet here] are needed to eliminate the bugs. However, the captain of the India asks for instructions on how to proceed. What do you do?
The insects will not be destroyed. We'll study them, find a solution, possibly relocate the insects, but not destroy them. Surely this can't be the only spot on the entire planet, or the entire continent for that matter, where these insects are.
I hate to divert the Alacrity from patrol to study this problem. If it is possible, we'll tow the India into orbit and let them handle the situation. She may have been damaged beyond repair, but I bet we can still use her as an orbital lab. We'll do that. The hulk of the India will be towed to Sobchak's Planet, where repairs will be made to make the India a functional space station for colony support. The lab space will be set aside to study the problem. We'll either find a repelant, a cure/vaccine for the venom or decide on moving the insect colony.
Moving the insect colony to the Klingon settlement looks very favorable to me.
quote:Two weeks after Part 1, raiders attack a Klingon outpost world and escape through the Ul'Chek Nebula. In his usual after-action bluster, General Plis'Qen again accuses the Federation of using the raiders to circumvent the Organian sanction on direct hostilities. This time, however, he has what he declares is incontrovertable proof: an image of USS Nernst firing upon & destroying a B'rel.
After laughing in the Klingon's face for even suggesting that we'd use a science vessel as an assault ship, we'll counter that the Klingons seem to be heavily involved in all of this, seeing how we've proven that these raiders are using Klingon tech and that we already reported the Nernst missing.
After much bluster, we'll calm down and try to approach this rationally. Obviously these raiders are using our equipment against us and each other. Isn't it about time we stopped bickering and combined forces to end this problem?
quote:Four days after Plis'qen's angry communique, the Klingon force at Sobchak's Planet as detailed in Q2 initiates a blockade of the planet. Planetary operations are unaffected (that is to say, the UFP colony is left alone), but no Federation vessel will be allowed to leave or enter the local space.
Sheesh, they attack our colonists, now are blockading the planet? It looks like they want to go to war. We'll demand the Klingons remove the blockade or Starfleet will send in capital ships. This situation is drastically spiraling out of control toward warfare. While we don't want that and will do everything we can to keep peace, we will not stand for Klingons to occupy or enslave our citizens.
We'll try diplomatic channels, but I will keep requesting additional reinforcements from Starfleet.
quote:# Four days after Plis'qen's angry communique, the Klingon force at Sobchak's Planet as detailed in Q2 initiates a blockade of the planet. Planetary operations are unaffected (that is to say, the UFP colony is left alone), but no Federation vessel will be allowed to leave or enter the local space.
# Starfleet Command has finally listened to your constant gripes & prompted by the blockade (which has not been challenged yet), a fleet of 25 starships makes starfall at K-10 five days after the blockade begins.
TF 614 is commanded by Commodore Ayla Hage, commanding Essex. She reports to your office on K-10 & the two of you confer along with your respective staffs as to the current state of affairs. The general assesment is that the combined forces could go after the raider base noted in Q5, pt. 1 and the Klingon blockade simultaneously but that a consecutive full-fleet appraoch would be better for victory than a concurrent partail-fleet action. So what's first: the raider base or the blockade? Explain your reasons and any possible complications that may arise from a plan you might put together. Assume that all vessels have been refitted to TMP-era cosmetics & standards. Also, USS Neulovimy (NCC-1945) from Q5, pt. 1 has completed repairs & may be drafted into your local fleet temporarily.
About freaking time.
We'll go after the raider base first. I really don't want to go to war with the Klingons. They haven't harmed our colony (yet) and hopefully by attacking the raiders, the Klingons will see we've been truthful about this whole situation. Besides, the Klingons can just reinforce their people as easily as we can, so fighting the Klingons head to head won't be easy. Attacking the raiders, however, should be a much simpler assignment.
quote:Two days after TF 614's arrival, a small Klingon force comprised of 3 B'rel-class birds-of-prey and a single D-10 cruiser attack a small trade fleet retuning from Penxi space. The small convoy belongs to the lesser race that opened ties with the Penxi Optimus in Q4, pt. 4. The Klingons disable the vessels, board them, & seize the cargos along with any information on the Penxi contained within the computers. While the race involved is not a Federation member, the raid was conducted in what generally ammounts to Federation space
We will lodge official complaint and protest about conducting military actions within our territory, but we'll leave it alone. What else are we going to do? Our patrols will be increased with direct orders to confront and warn the Klingons when encountered on our side of the border, but to avoid engagement if possible.
quote:Two hours after the raid, Sector Guard vessels responding to the distress call sent by the aliens encounter & engage the Klingon party. They incur substantial losses, enough where approximately 55% of the Guard's entire force is now decimated.
See, that's what happens when you play with the big boys. We appreciate the Sector Guard, but strongly urge/order them to fall back and reinforce sector defense. Starfleet has given us plenty of ships now, we'll hold the border. The border is now a no-fly zone and should remain clear of all civilian/non-Starfleet craft. Any Sector Guard violating the no-fly-zone will have their ship boarded and seized and their crews detained.
quote:# Three days after the attack, the Penxi Optimus launches an all-out attack against Sobchak's Planet. Three of their Lancaster equivalent vessels, one of the Siegfried equivalents, and 75 of the smaller ships conduct the attack. The Klingon blockade force in orbit takes up the defense of the entire planet (if you have any vessels in orbit, assume that they, too, joined in) but is quickly overwhelmed by the fierceness of the Penxi strike. Several ships are destroyed, most are crippled, and Penxi troops begin ladning in both Klingon & Federation settlements.
# Communications with Sobchak's Planet go dark a few hours after the attack. One week after the strike & occupation, no word has been received from either Governors Qiao or Valg.
# About the same time (that 1-week span), the large Klingon force spotted in Q5, pt. 4 decloaks around the Penxi Optimus homeworld (I'll leave the potential jokes open here) and begins orbitally bombarding it. Small raider-types effect a vigorous defense of the planet and bloody the Klingons' nose; 3 vessels are destroyed, 5 are crippled.
The time for the battle is now. Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!
We'll immediately contact the Klingons and inform them of this decision. The enemy of my enemy is my ally. It's apparent we have a common enemy. Let's join forces and settle this once and for all.
We'll begin our assault on the raider base. They seem to be scatted at the moment between Sobchak's planet and the Penxi homeworld. After the Raider base falls, we'll request the Klingons send ground reinforcements to occupy and hold this position, while our ships will proceed to the Penxi homeworld and aid in the battle there.
quote:Two days after the Klingon retaliation, a smuggled report from the Federation colony on Sobchak's Planet reaches you. Short & urgent, the sender states that the Penxi are stripping the colony & planet of all natural resources. The populace is being utilized as slave labor regardless of age, gender, or infirmity, & there have been several deaths from overwork or punishment already. Among the first deaths was DSU Qiao, who was shot in the head point blank by a blaster-wielding trooper afater an indigant & blustery protest of treatment. There is no word as to how the Klingon settlement is faring.
Radio Free Sobchak's is now on the air. We'll send encouragment to the people on Sobchak's planet. Be strong, be brave. We're coming for you.
quote:One day after the report is received, the large Klingon force decloaks off K-10 & hails the station. General Plis'Qen is embarked aboard one of the K't'ingas & he formally requests repair, resupply, & rest at the station as per his rights under the Organian Peace Treaty. He also asks for a moment of YOUR time, alone.
Klingon repairs are granted top priority. Bloodwine, Romulan Ale, Kentucky Whiskey and Russian Vodka for everyone. Have the General escorted to my office at once.
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Hmm. The sector seems to have gotten stuck in some kind of temporal anomaly. It feels like months have passed, yet the calendar tells me that barely a couple of days have gone by!
I must remind my operations officer to consult the nearest Federation time beacon more frequently...
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Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
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Been busy. Pinched at lab & to be honest...no one seems to care anymore.
-------------------- "The French have a saying: 'mise en place'—keep everything in its fucking place!"
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The first thing to spring to mind reading your response was Luke Skywalker wistfully commenting to Princess Leia, "I care..."
I'm such a geek...
-------------------- “Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha
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Hey, I'll be the first in line to say that doing these things can be quite a task. However, I'll also wsay that it's ultimately rewarding in the end. Stay the course! Let them! Take the shields offline and recharge the emitters - that'll bring them up to full power!
posted
So, what's happened? The Klingons hit Starfleet Command with one of those wacky stasis field weapons, or something?
In other news, my strategic operations officer finally got off his lazy ass and sent me a tactical update for the various incidents in the sector...
-------------------- “Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha
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Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343
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(Still busy, no Mac yet, working on project, no scanner access, no graphics software, no time to think, worrying about money, hoping iPod is only mostly dead & not all dead)
-------------------- "The French have a saying: 'mise en place'—keep everything in its fucking place!"
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S'okay, just wondering if it'd been forgotten. I just might start my own in the mean time, if that's okay. (Though it'll probably be a couple weeks, 'cause I've got only a few notes at the moment, and I'd want more material ready.)
Anyone have a preference, between politics and tactics?
-------------------- “Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha
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Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343
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Go ahead. Maybe playing will get me going on finishing.
-------------------- "The French have a saying: 'mise en place'—keep everything in its fucking place!"
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