series idea

[Nuclear Fridge]

On the holodeck thing; the technology appeared to be very new with the commissioning of the Enterprise-D, so the setting of the scenario would have to be 2360s onward. Also you'd have to come up with some type of malfunction with the holodeck, as the characters are suppose to have perception filters that keep them in character.

Valid point that. In 'Encounter at Farpoint', Riker seemed a bit taken aback at the holodeck when he enters it to look for Data. Almost like he was thinking, "Well, I've seen the pre-release reports on how this stuff works, but... wow..."

Having the holo-technology so new would go some way to explaining why it was forever going on the "safeties off-line, we're now in mortal danger" malfunction route. Though it'd beg the question why they'd keep using the system after so many potentially-fatal glitches crop up...

[The Tatterdemalion King]

Having the holo-technology so new would go some way to explaining why it was forever going on the "safeties off-line, we're now in mortal danger" malfunction route. Though it'd beg the question why they'd keep using the system after so many potentially-fatal glitches crop up...

They hurl themselves into an airless void and power it by holding tin cans around the most explosive force they can conceive of, then pester every alien they meet even though they have the possibility of being salt vampires, superpowerful reality-warping children, or capable of trapping you forever in an prison of illusion. Considering what a Starfleet officer's day job is like, a couple holograms with revolvers seems somewhat tame.

[JALU3]

So the players have created a newly promoted security Lt. (j.g.), an engineer Senior Chief, and a one tour science Ens. One player has not yet created their character, but said they'd want to play a command character. Given this, and the 2367 start year, what class ship would work well as a small border patrol cutter which say a Lieutenant could command?
I was looking at a modified Sydney-class or similar vessel (say size 3 or 4). What I was thinking was since the game is set to begin in February 2367, about a month after the Battle of Wolf 359, under Commander Shelby, Starfleet will look to recover from the loss of a massive number of ships in the core of the Federation. As such, mid to higher end vessels may have reassigned core-ward, while lesser quality or formerly mothballed vessels would be reassigned to what are at that time more "quiet" areas of the Federation.

[JALU3]

So first game went well.
Have a Half Human/Half Vulcan (Human dominant and raised) Lieutenant as Commanding Officer
A Texan Human Lieutenant (j.g.) Executive/Chief Security/Chief Tactical Officer
A former enlisted Human Ensign CONN
A Human Lieutenant (j.g.) Chief Engineer
A Human Lieutenant (j.g.) Chief Science Officer

It started off slow, but as the people around the table got to see how each other played, the group started along the process of becoming a working group. Their new ship was commissioned, escorted a group of colonist, encountered a mine, repaired some damage, avoided a mine, and investigated a derelict Talarian freighter.

If you are playing this game don't click on this

 

Now on the derelict they found some sensor readings that showed that the derelict was attacked by Cardassians. But I am think for a curve ball that the readings are false plants by the actual attackers. As the game is set in the area rim ward of Talarian Republic, and core word of the Galen sector, and have had the players get nervous about the Cardassians during the colonial escort I am thinking if they don't roll to find that the data is false, that it may set them up to confront Cardassians who they think are responsible for doing something that they haven't done.

Unfortunately someone who was lent my books for the character build meeting didn't show up, and he hasn't responded to any of my emails. So I may have lost my books TNG Core book, and Players Guide . Does anyone know where I can get PDFs for those two or somewhere else where I can purchase the books? One ray of hope is that I know he's a SCPO in the Navy, and have his name. So if I can find his command, if it comes to it, I can lobby them for him to return the books.

[JALU3]

So I was thinking, the game is set in an area of space that isn't under Federation jurisdiction, and non-Federation ships can do as they please (to the limits of what their culture allows). So I was thinking based on the of War on the Worlds, but instead of it being a radio drama, what if a Federation starship witnesses raiders, attacking a pre-warp species? If it is a non-starfleet vessel what possible options are available to the crew? If it is a Starfleet ship, due they have a duty to respond? Sit back and watch the attack? Hail and give a very stern statement of their disagreement and walk away?

[Ronin84]

If the raiders are of extra terrestrial origin then the pre-warp culture has already been exposed and if I was sitting in the center seat I would be warning off the raiders AND lending as much aid as I could...I wouldn't fire upon the raiders unless fired upon myself.

I would note any objections and let the chips fall...rendering aid would seem to live up to the ideals of those that came before me in command.

Just my 2 cents!

[The Tatterdemalion King]

Neither species in War of the Worlds has warp technology. The invaders also have significant technical and biological limitations—they can't even digest their own food! Their technology is obviously some sort of relic from a more industrialized age (as, hey, they don't even wear a spacesuit to keep germs out) and their planet is only habitable with extensive terraforming—their choice is move or die. And if the target planet's equivalent of the insular, decrepit monarchies which ruled Europe at this time get ahold of the invaders' technology when they inevitably die, the coming world war will probably render this new planet just the same kind of wasteland...

[JALU3]

Neither species in War of the Worlds has warp technology.

So would one space faring, non-warp level species was attacking non-warp level species (who may or may not be space faring), does the Prime Directive still apply to Starfleet vessels? Also what responsibility would a Starfleet vessel have to come to the aid of a damaged non-warp level species vessel (in this combat scenario or outside of it)?

[The Tatterdemalion King]

So would one space faring, non-warp level species was attacking non-warp level species (who may or may not be space faring), does the Prime Directive still apply to Starfleet vessels?

Yes.

Also what responsibility would a Starfleet vessel have to come to the aid of a damaged non-warp level species vessel (in this combat scenario or outside of it)?

I'd say that's where you start the scenario.

[Tricky]

For a little inspiration, I'd say re-watch the TOS episode A Private Little War. Kirk wants to help the natives of a planet where Klingons are mucking about with one faction of the people there, so he ends up giving them slightly better technology to keep the balance of power. Not exactly the situation you have set up, but it has similar themes.

[JALU3]

So we had our second gaming session at Game Empire, and we left off with 2/3rds of the PC exploring a derelict Talarian freighter and the other 1/3rd monitoring what was going on from their ship, the Tutuila. At the end of the last game they found a cargo manifest for 200 "head", the freighter had hull breaches caused by Klingon boarding pods, and the crew and one Herdarian (custom species (like space cows)(since the sector is just north of Grazer where I have it set I thought it made sense, they have space goats, so why not space cows)) were found dead in the powerless, air less hulk. One thing that they were able to get were sensor readings off the damaged computer, showing a Cardassian scout, and a Cardassian freighter in the distance.
As the game started they continued their search, two ion trails (one leading to Herdarian space, and the other leading towards Talarian space) were found that were a day old, and the damage appeared to be a couple days old. The damage was determined to be from lasers and rockets, which didn't match with the sensor readings, and the sensor readings were found to be decent but potentially suspect.
The captain, a PC, was about to throw her hands in the air, place a beacon, and request a recovery ship to pick up the hulk and to carry out their initial mission of scouting a route of a colony ship they had previously escorted from Terra Nova to Galen colony. Off-screen Talarians had finally found a Talarian freighter that was heading towards Herdarian space, and were going to intercept the ship. About this time, the Captain decided to tow the hulk herself to Galen colony, and allow the diplomats sort out the mess she had found; at that point a distress signal was received from the Talarian freighter, but the message was from a Herdarian.
Leaving the hulk, responding to the distress signal they went at maximum warp at red alert. Long range sensors revealed a former Federation Saladin Class (ex-USS Omaha (yes Omaha steaks was my inspiration for that)), which had been donated to the Herdarians, was racing towards to the Talarian freighter (I used the stats for the colony ship in the Marqui sourcebook) which was engaged with three Talarian warships (I used mateo's stats for them). Since the Tutuila was faster then the ex-Omaha, at maximum warp, she'll get there an hour before Herdarian destroyer.
They jump out of warp at maximum phaser range, and are immediately hailed by the closest Talarian Warship (III). The freighter's impulse engines are badly damaged, shields all but gone, and other damage. One of the Talarian warships's shields were half depleted and the others were untouched (I had them in that hour trying to only disable the Herdarians (hoping to recover the ship)). The PC Captain firmly requested that the Talarian's stand down, and the Talarians responded by saying that it was not Federation business and that they were combating piracy and for the Tutuila to leave. The Captain, seeing the Herdarian as Federation protected species (although that agreement had ended before the start of the game due to corrupt Federation agents (think the BIA agent in Fort Apache)), and seeing a duty to defend the weak (having seen a stuffed teddy cow in the hulk during the previous story), and especially due to the knowledge that Herdarians (although a sentient species) were known to be an ingredient for several recipes (not known to the PCs, the Herdarians were breed in their centuries long captivity into three different sub-species), the PC captain didn't back down, and set full impulse to the freighter, which was limping towards Herdarian space. With two of the three Talarian warships firing on the freighter, the Tutuila fired upon the Talarian Warship (I) with the least shields, passing the ship that had hailed them.
The Talarians continued to fire upon the freighter, with the closest Talarian ship firing up the Tutuila. Reaching the freighter, they extended their shields around the freighter, and had determined the shield frequency of one of the Warships (II), and began to fire upon those assailing the freighter. Over the course of battle although technologically inferior the numbers and tanacity of the Talarians reduced the Tutuila to no forward shields, damaged personnel transported, EPS, Plasma Injectors, Navigational Deflectors, and breached the hull of the shuttlebay. The Talarians had stopped focusing on the freighter and took multiple actions to get to point blank range (within 10km) and focus fire upon the Tutuila. Warship (I) had its forward shields off line, was rammed (by use of tractor beaming Warship (III) into it, and had its reaction control system and rocket launcher taken offline; Warship (II) having been reduced to under 25% structure points, having lost ability to warp, began to retreat; Warship (III) had its fore shields greatly reduced and received some structural damage from being used as a club, but was better for wear.
At the end of game, the PC Captain was thinking of hailing Starfleet for assistance, as they did not inform Starfleet of the hulk, or that they were responding to the distress call. Off screen the distress call was also received by a ship that I have not yet told the PCs that the Tutuila is to relieve from patrolling the Herdarian sector (where the game is set in), the USS Lakota (the other Starfleet vessel in the sector) had received the distress signal as well, but was at maximum warp as further away (by time of travel) then the ex-Omaha. I will roll to see if the Lakota hails them, informing them of their location.

[JALU3]

So we meet up again to complete the battle at Game Empire in San Diego, and the battle resumed where we left off. The Herdarians, although badly damaged, contributed to its defense in even the little way they could, but were struck by a Talarian rocket, and lost what shields it had and had their communications knocked out.
The Tutuila fought valiantly, causing more damage upon the two Talarians whom were still left in the battle. The science officer picked up a transmission from the Talarian warship which was leaving as quickly as it could on impulse, which was later determined to be a call for assistance with sensor data showing the Tutuila assisting the Herdarian captured Talarian freighter.
Valiantly they continued to fight, but two more Talarian rockets slammed into the already crippled freighter, as it was no more. Some 40 Herdarians made it to ten life pods and were able to make it off alive; this was out of some 200+ souls.
Seeing the freighter destroyed, the Talarians began to disengage, however before the Captain could order the Tutuila to stand down, the Tactical Officer fired upon one of the Talarian warships, which caused them to reengage.
While the Tutuila was angling for a better ship the Talarians began beaming the surviving Herdarians on to their ship (through their shields). Seeing this the Tutuila attempted to get in between the Talarians and the life pods, but in doing so accidentally hit two of the life pods, killing four of the Surviving Herdarians.
The Talarians, having beamed aboard the remaining survivors, warped out of the area of battle, leaving the Tutuila with only minor hull damaged, but with its main personnel transporter offline, a hull breach at its cargo bay, damaged EPS and unable to go to warp due to their PIS being offline. Estimated time of repairs were three days in spacedock, much longer there in space.
The Lakota, having also responded to the Herdarian distress call (but further away and thus not able to make it to the freighter in time), messaged the Tutuila, informing them that assistance was en route.
With their charge destroyed, not having saved a single Herdarian, the Captain walked off the bridge, dejected. Being half-Vulcan, half-Human, and only recently given her first command, the weight of command weighed upon her.

[JALU3]

Another game today, which was nearly as exciting as the previous one, but I think the players were happy that it wasn't.
The Engineer was very busy leading her small department making repairs. She spent the majority of game knee deep in rolls getting this ship back to working order. {I think outside of her general interaction with the other characters, I believe I am having a problem utilizing her role. I think she can see how she is vital to the ships operations, the primary time when she's heavily engaged is repairing what others break, or ensuring that the ship is operating smoothly (as she dual hats as the OiC/Division Head of the Operations Department). So what else can the character get into in her role as Chief Engineer that might make the experience more fulfilling for the player? }
While the ship was busy making repairs the Herdonian Saladin-class destroyer came to the Tutuila, and stayed with her until the Federation arrive to assist, as their crews were only trained to repair up to mid 23rd century tech, and had no knowledge of how a new Federation (new for 2367 that is) ship's systems may need to be repaired. During the time while the Herdonian ship was there it began collecting their dead, and then left the hulk of the Talarian freighter, to go to the other derelict Talarian freighter found in an earlier by the Tutuila.
When the Federation Excelsior-class ship Lakota, commanded by Captain Macias (brother of Macias of future marquis fame) with LTCMdr Benteen as XO, arrived they began to assist with repairs. The assistance of the additional repair times quickened the repairs greatly, with one of four systems being repaired within two hours of the Lakota arriving. The Tutuila's captain spoke to Captain Macias, and explained how her shipped was damaged; her response from the Captain and XO of the Lakota were mixed, with one being more understanding than the other. The Tutuila's captain was invited to the Lakota to dine with Captain Macias, and the Tutuila continued repairs.
Due to the less then stellar flying the helm officers were sent to the holodeck to train for more advance flight situations (such as combat), and the science officer assisted with repairs.
A slower game, but the PCs needed it.

[JALU3]

Another game day, the Tutuila has made its repairs and received new orders to take up sector patrol. They traveled the ten light years to the system which they will be using as their base of operations, and during that time had the opportunity to interdict raiders operating just beyond Federation space, some raiding non-Federation merchants, others raiding other raiders. The Captain decided it was not her place to get in between raiders attacking raiders, or to not come to the aid of the freighter who did not issue a distress call, and completed the aforementioned travel. Some game days are just slow like that I guess.

[JALU3]

So, after the holiday season, due to other conflicts that have come up in some of the players lives, our RP group has been cut in half to three (a husband & wife, and my wife). We're gaming again next Sunday and yesterdays game was more of a R&R day. The ship finally came off patrolling the border they've been charged with watching and made it to what will be their home port system. That system coreward of the Grazer system.
They meet with the colonial administrator, Federation diplomatic envoy, and local militia commander. Player characters of people who've left us were reassigned, and replaced with npcs (however those npcs are all Crewman 3rd classes (read as Seaman Recruits)) of larger number (4:1 ratio roughly). The crew got to enjoy some R&R with a crewmember enjoying their drink a little to much and the Captain and XO characters getting involved. The Captain enjoyed some Risan hospitality, and the ship received its new task when it was voluntoled that they've been given a task by the Diplomatic Corps. The game ended early as the players didn't want to start with this new mission until the next game.