[CODA] USS Ascendant

Hello all,

I wanted to share the ship featured in our series... I hope you like it!

Ascendant-class versatile frigate
PRODUCTION DATA:
Origin: United Federation of Planets
Class and Type: Ascendant-class versatile frigate
Year Launched: 2371

HULL DATA:
Structure: 30
Size/Decks: 5/8
Length/Beam/Height: 200x80x50 meters
Complement: 42

OPERATIONAL DATA:
Transporters: 2/2/2
Atmospheric Capability: Yes
Tractor Beam: 1 fv
Sensor System: Class 4 (+4/E)
Operations System: Class 4 (E)
Life Support: Class 4 (E)

PROPULSION DATA:
Impulse System: Class 8 (.92c) (E)
Warp System: Class 7 (7/8/9) (C)

TACTICAL DATA:
Pulse phaser arrays
Penetration: 4/4/4/0/0 (C)
Quantum torpedoes
Penetration: 5/5/5/5/5 (C)
Deflector Shields: Class 5 (C)
Protection/Threshold: 15/3

MISCELLANEOUS DATA:
Maneuver Modifiers: C +0, H +2, T +2

----- TRAITS -----

Edges:

Library Computer Access and Retrieval System Incarnation - Holocybernetic Intelligence Matrix Mark I
This is to the LCARS system what the holographic doctor is to medecine. The LCARS Incarnation (nicknamed "Carsi") is the embodiement of the computer systems. The ship is fully equipped with holoemitters; Carsi can interact with the crew using its holographic incarnation or on monitors. Basically, she's like Andromeda's AI, only her freedom is more limited and she has a lot to learn about the human nature.

Flaws:

Limited coordination
The ship only has the following departments: helm, science, ops / engineering, tactical, medecine. Carsi executes all routine monitoring and tasks.

Vulnerable system (ops)
Intricate system (ops) x2
This refers to the sensitivity of Carsi's systems.

(For the new flaws, see http://forum.trek-rpg.net/showthread...&threadid=5625 )

Visual Description:
Take a look at
http://rpg.lionelkw.com/ascendant.jpg
(Yes, it's based on a Nova pic :D)

Background:
Following the breakthrough of the holodoctor, and feeling that smaller versatile ships like the Interpid would be useful, admiral Terence Ogby of Starfleet Command launched the Ascendant project: a medium-range frigate designed for a variety of tasks, from military infiltration to light exploration; it is the testbed for the LCARS Incarnation matrix, designed to increase computer response time and solution finding. The ship inaugurates a new command structure, with the Command branch reduced to the bare minimum. There are no CO or XO - decisions in action are taken by the highest ranking officer, and in downtime, taken in full staff meetings.
The project is widely debated, because of the power given on humans to an AI, and of the command structure some people view as heretic.

Notes:
This is the ship used since the middle of our 6th season, from our ep 6x02, "Ascendancy". The PCs were chosen because of their initiative qualities, and their abilities to act on their own, so as to dismantle the Grey drug traffic that plagues the UFP.

Well, I hope you like it and the concept. Comments welcome! :D

All I can say is.... are you psychic? That's exactley the sort of ship I've been planning for my crew! Right down to the Nova- like look and the interactive computer (Thus avoiding the problem of telling a player 'You see X on your screen' or 'the console tells you Y').

However, I would say that your pic is much, much, much better then mine.... do you mind if I use it just to show the players?

Mark.

Hi Pathstrider! Thanks for the nice comments!! :D Looks like I passed my Telepathy roll :)

Please feel free to use the material in your campaign! I'm glad you like it and proud that you want to use it :D

I did the full listing of the crew as well. When I have time I'll upload it.

I love that ship :D :D

I think she's the best one starfleet never done

thank you mr kw

and I m very proud to serve on her

for all GM: i think a "custom" ship is the dream of all strpg players :D


;)

Carsi ... nice name and nice idea...
Do you get your players cracking up a sexual inuendo jokes about her?
Is she going to try to lern to do things as the doctor did?

For the sexual jokes I think it will be difficult because our pilot who is THE sex-symbol of the game fells disgust by being attracted by an hologram. But there perhaps will be a great love story between CARSI and our new bajoran chief engineer
who knows ...

For the other aspect, CARSI is able to learn as the doctor in VOYAGER do. And if it's not a priority of all the crew it's one of mine.

It's one of the missions of the ascendant : lead CARSI in his evolution.

And it gives some very interesting scenes of role play
:D

Thanks for the feedback Polanski :)

I think Cdr. Loryk summed it up quite well... I might add that Carsi is able to learn just like the doctor, but she has better manners. However he also has her own tempers - duty is of utmost importance to her and has the priority - just like any good officer ;). She doesn't stand any tampering with her systems or anything.

However, unlike any other AIs or cybernetic entities (Data, the Doctor, 7o9) she has no desire to become human - that would be pointless: she's a starship and she's perfectly fine with that. However she wants to be considered as a member of the crew just like anyone else (which, of course, may imply some quest on the nature of humanity).

That doesn't mean she may not develop some more human traits over the course of the game - Carsi has been in space for less than a year, and there is still room for plenty of development - we'll see how the Crew reacts to her.

She pertains to the Command branch and has a say in every decision just like any senior officer.

Only our hotshot pilot has some problems with her being a very attractive woman (yes, she is just like Lexa Doig), but so far, nobody has really tackled sentimental domains or sexual jokes. I believe it's a bit early for that and the players seem to recall always she's an AI (picture this: a beautiful woman comes you way and says "Hello lieutenant, how are you today? I'm glad to hear that. Could you take a look at my starboard plasma transfer conduit? I'm detecting a slight imbalance in the warp field. My thanks. Have a good day". It's also kind of weird to see her access the LCARS panels merely by nodding at them. As Loryk says, the roleplaying possibilites for crew interactions scenes are endless and really interesting :D).

BTW, so far, only Cdr. Loryk has really taken true steps to incorporate her more into the missions and make her feel at ease.

Very interesting...

I must admit I am not much for AIs in my ST Campaign, for I like to make it more of a war drama with adventure, intrigue and exploration included.

Saying that I have nothing against them, they just do not exist on that level in my timeline and my starfleet.

I always wondered why all women AI are so ... perfectly good looking. I must admit that I really like the way that Cortana was show in Halo (XBox Game).

Imagine a holo projection of a female form, about 1:5 scale of real human. The body as such composed out of magenta or violet data streams (think Matrix data streams) that are constantly flowing. Of course with fully developed facial features and anatomicaly correct form (just wihtout the details).

I might (with your permission) create a holo program with Carsi as a sort of data/library assistant. Something that my players may interact in holodeck when doing research and development work... but I must admit this is how far I would go myself.

Saying that, in my campaign the Starfleet R&D is working on holo projections for tactical situations. Bascily a holoprojected 3d display that lays out a tactical situation for the commanding officer, linked via neural interface so when the officer looks on the object in the display the system delivers relevant data (such as location, speed, distace, vector of movement ect)...

It is rumored that the new Sovereign Class (basicly second generation) will have that fit in and the design is about 2 years away (the campaign takes place 8 years after the Dominion War)

Kind Regards
Daniel

Hmm... War drama? You wouldn't happen to have campaign logs posted somewhere...? When we get to the Dominion War (if the players don't screw the timeline, which they may very well do...) I'll be looking for all adventures and ideas possible in a war setting, and if you would be ready to spare some, I'd be interested...

Thanks for the description of Cortana... Seems nice ;) It's true we always female AIs, male AIs being generally evil or really alien...

As for AIs, well it had struck me for a time that while Starfleet is able to design incredible AIs like the doctor, the LCARS in itself is incredibly dumb. So I wondered what the next evolution might be... I thought "holo-AI", then later I saw Andromeda... and found what I wanted. We switched over to the Ascendant when the Crew expressed a liking to flee the responsibilities implied by a Galaxy-class starship.

Please adapt Carsi to your setting as you see fit. I have edited and mixed some screenshots from Trek and Andromeda, you may find them useful, you can see them here:

Carsi on screen with an LCARS console, as seen on the right of the bridge
http://rpg.lionelkw.com/carsi.jpg
Carsi appearing on the main viewscreen
http://rpg.lionelkw.com/carsi_viewscreen.jpg
Starfleet introductory file to the LCARS-I project and the USS Ascendant
http://rpg.lionelkw.com/lcarsi_file.jpg

Your tactical simulation is a nice idea... A new Sovereign? Will you post somewhere what it looks like and the specs?

Love the pictures ...

[puts the captain's hat on]

As captain Polanski would say upon seeing Carsi...
"Lady, you are on my bridge, therefore I expect you to comply to my dressing code ... so ... go and get dressed..."

[takes off the captain's hat]

I just might use picture no2, to help them imagine their new LCARS support system. Then XO will probably report the unusual rise of interest in LCARS system usage and research...

I wonder why :)

Kind Regards
Daniel

Glad you like'em :D Please let me know how the players react, what they think when you incorporate the idea in your games!

Well, if Cdr. Loryk was to tell her something like that, I believe she'd first point out the reason for her outfit and then, if he insists, answer something like: "Yes sir. Operation will take three seconds. Accessing specs" zoof "Operation completed. Is that what you had in mind?" :D

In fact, her dressing is more relaxed than the other officers, just like the counselor's, so as to make everybody more at ease with her (just like for the counselor ;)). She's supposed to have stylized okudagrams all other her suit... :D

Counselor?
This is an Intelligence Vessel ... we do not have a counselor ... yet :)

Ha, we don't either, but that's... for the comparison :);)

Quote:

---

Originally posted by KillerWhale

Your tactical simulation is a nice idea... A new Sovereign? Will you post somewhere what it looks like and the specs?

---

Nothing ground breaking, basicly a Sovereign with same look and feel but with some armour plating and updated systems and hardware. Basicly it will be about 20 years after the initial one left the space dock so it is a time to refit the design ...

When it comes to that I might post the stats...

Kind Regards
Daniel

I know it's bad form, but I'm just bumping this thread so it doesn't die as some people manifested some interest in it :)

Very nice design... I wonder how come I missed it the first time around ?? :(

Anyways, I really like the fact that while it is 'modern' and something new you didn't go overboard with it. We have a very good example here of well-balanced designing. It would be really neat if you'd update it with the 'Starship' parts. Lastly, I like the "carsi" idea, it gives the design "personality".

Thanks Snake! I'm very glad the design seems sound to you :)

There's indeed an updated version of the design coming up - it will be in ESO. This one was only the prototype; after a refit, the class will be launched (if the players act well :) )

I'll post the refit starship pic and specs tomorrow (gotta go to bed) ;)

Bonne nuit!

Merci beaucoup :D

You know this whole LCARSI thing is brilliant and opens up a lot of opportunities after about 2377 after the return of Voyager.

The EMH would be supplemented with the EMH V2, V3 and V4 etc.
The ECH would be introduced fleetwide.

Then they could develop and EEH (Emergency Engineering Hologram) that could remain in Engineering even after an emergency that resulted in Engineering had been evacuated.

And then you could also have LCARSI which isn't emergency based and is always present. She/he would be supplemented in emergency situations by the other holograms.

But LCARSI itself and the others could also open up adventure possibilities regarding the growing issue of holographic/AI rights which Star Trek always touched on (TNG's "Ship in a Bottle", "Elementary My Dear Data" etc) but never really kind of picked up and ran with proper (and never concluded either) in Voy's "Author Author".

My GM brain is working overtime now.

Wow, brilliant I dunno, after all I just got inspiration from Andromeda ;)

But yes! The AI reaching towards sentience is the issue I've been wanting to develop there - mainly, try my hand with a different angle at the problems tackled mostly with Data and the EMH. In my game, Carsi has yet another approach of sentience: she is the ship in the truest meaning of the word. Although appearing under the guise of a charming and seducing young woman, many details are unsettling. For instance, the fact that she only has to glance at LCARS panels to operate them; that when she's accessing the sensors, her look is distant etc...

In my game, Carsi (and the LCARS-I line) does not aspire at being a human, taking her apart from Data and the EMH - she wants to be a good Starfleet officer, which is different. She wants to learn concepts like humor, art, but not as a quest to humanity - rather as a quest towards completeness. Which does not present some independent, maybe rash behaviour (in the case of the AI Magellanic) She's a passionate learner (after all, she's an exploration ship).

Here is the ESO write up for the class (minus spoilers for my game):

http://rpg.lionelkw.com/ascendant_refit_small.jpg

Starfleet ascendant-class
Light Explorer, Commissioned: 2372

HULL DATA
Structure: 35 (5 ablative armor)
Size/Decks: 6/12
Length/Height/Beam: 303/89/72
Complement: 62

Tactical DATA
Phasers: Type X Pulse (x3/C)
Penetration: 5/3/3/0/0
Torpedo Launchers: Mk 95 DF (x1/C)
Quantum Penetration: 5/5/5/5/5
Deflector Shield: FSR (E)
Protection/Threshold: 17/4

Propulsion DATA
Impulse System: FIG-7 (.95c) (E)
Warp System: LF-50 Mod.1 (9/9.5/9.99) (E)

Operational DATA
Atmosphere Capable: Yes
Cargo Units: 60
Life Support: Class 4 (E)
Operations System: Class 4 (E)
Sensor System: Class 4 (+4/E)
Separation System: No
Shuttlebay: 1 a
Shuttlecraft: 6 Size worth
Tractor beams: 1 fv, 1 ad
Transporters: 6 standard, 6 emergency

Miscellaneous DATA
Maneuver Modifiers: +2 C, +0 H, +2 T
Traits: Ablative Armor, Intricate System (Operations), Pulse Upgrade, Sentient Computer, Vulnerable System (Operations)

Mission
Originally a test-bed for the LCARS-I system, the Ascendant-class is a rather small, fast, maneuverable and efficient explorer designed for a wide variety of mission profiles, scientific thanks to the cutting-edge sentient computer, as well as tactical with its outstanding capabilities. In many ways, the Ascendant-class combines the best of two popular designs, the Intrepid-class and the Defiant-class.

Features
The Ascendant-class features a new and unique system: the Library Computer Access and Retrieval System Incarnation, shortened as “LCARS-I”. This artifical and sentient personality, initially developed by young engineering genius Benjamin Sandeker, provides users with a friendly interface able to understand complex commands and reconfigure ship functionalities on the fly. The artificial intelligence is able to learn from its interactions with the crew and from its experiences; it takes care silently of most routine tasks aboard the ship. As the ship is fully fitted with holographic emitters, the AI manifests itself physically under the form of a holographic character – generally a young woman. The AI tends to be considered as a crew member like any other by the crew rather than like a computer program; moreover, each ship of the class has a different AI, with a different avatar, and different personalities. The downside is that the system is quite vulnerable and very complex to repair.
The Ascendant-class is fully equipped for scientific missions, as shows its atmospheric capabilities and Class 4 sensor systems. The shuttlebay, situated at the rear, allows the deployment of auxiliary craft.
The class also boasts superb tactical capabilities based on recent technologies, such as the ablative armor or the FSR shield grid, which equips upgraded Galaxy-class starships. The Ascendant-class is also equipped with pulse phasers and quantum torpedo launchers.
The class is also faster than most ships of its size, thanks to the brand new LF-50 Mod.1 warp drive which can sustain warp 9.5 as its maximum normal cruise speed; the FIG-7 impulse drive allows Ascendant-class startships to outrun even fighters.

Background
Developed first as a prototype in 2370 under the direction of admiral Terrence Ogby, the Ascendant-class was designed as a prototype frigate. Ethical debates raged over the Federation Council and the Advance Starfleet Design Bureau: it was considerable unreasonable and unethical to give so much power to an artificial intelligence over a starship, when personality routines have been deliberately kept out of LCARS systems for years. As a result, many limitations to the AI’s power have been introduced, in order to keep it as an assistant to the captain, not the other way round.
Many shortcomings appeared during the two years of testing that followed: the LCARS-I system was too much trouble to repair, too vulnerable for the benefits added. However, upon an encounter with the android NRX, the AI (nicknamed “Carsi”) was considerably upgraded, to the point that the personalities of LCARS-I systems made them almost undistinguishable from real people. Yet, the LCARS-I system was totally integrated to the starship’s mainframe as a consequence, so that, really, the AI is the ship and considers itself as such.
The ASDB got back to the drawing board, and with the help of cdr. Loryk, ltn. cdr. Page, ltn cdr. Yvok, ltn. cdr. Sandeker, ltn. Kera Doyt and ltn. Faren Antos – the senior offifcers of the original U.S.S. Ascendant – the ship was refitted. The Ascendant-class was approved and production began with a group of three ships, setting the convention that all further ships would bear a name in two parts, one of them being the name of the AI. All three AIs developed much different personalities under the tutelage of Carsi, and as complex and efficient as the first one, making effectively four different beings.
During the Hydra Case, the Ascendant-class proved a very efficient design, both for long-range exploration and combat. The Dominion War put a halt to the development of the class, as the assembling of such a ship, due to the LCARS-I system, is very complex and time-consuming. However the Ascendant-class vessels illustrated themselves in coordinating wings of much larger ships, thanks to the advanced capabilities of the AI’s.
The production will very likely resume as the need for medium and long-range exploration increases again with the return of peace.

Ships In Service

U.S.S. Ascendant (NCC-76620)
Prototype launched in 2370; underwent heavy refit (2372) before class validation; thwarted the Hydra Project (2373) (R20, Famous) (AI name: Carsi)

U.S.S. Maffei Tenebrant (NCC-77284)
Coordinated the third wing assault during the Second Battle of Betazed (2375) (AI name: Maffei)

U.S.S. Pax Magellanic (NCC-77283)
Most independent and voluntary AI to date; disappeared under mysterious circumstances during the First Battle of Betazed (2374) (AI name: Magellanic)

U.S.S. Phœnix Rising (NCC-77285)
Less independent AI to date; participated as back-up during the final attack on Cardassia (2375) (AI name: Phœnix)

Can you tell us more how your players handled with the original Carsi??

Hey I was reading through this, and am doing something quite similar for my own campaign, so I figured I'd ask a question. I'm having difficulty building my own ship. This ship is being outfitted with an experimental quantum slipstream drive, thanks to Voyager's return. :) I'm intending it to explore past the normal border of the known galaxy. In my mind, I would think such a ship would be a large Heavy Explorer, size 9 or size 10 since its entire purpose would be to explore far from UFP space without support or backup. However, part of my mind is reflexively pulling away from such a "twinked-out" design. What do you guys think? Would they build an entirely new ship to house the new computer and drive system, or woudl they refit an existing class, like a Sovereign, with this system? Or should I just say to hell with it, and use the Ascendant-class? :)