Enterpise-B Era Series

[mactavish]

While never truly a fan of the original <i>Star Trek</i> series, I must grudgingly admit that I did like the whole "What happened after Kirk sucked the pipe?" idea. I think that this would make an excellent setting for a Series (ala <i>Star Trek: Adventures of Captain Sulu</i>).

What would you think are the features of this era? Angry Klingons making overtures for peace? Cagy Romulans that have withdrawn to their own space (when did that supposedly happen, anyway?)? <i>Excelsior</i>-class vessels cruising the spacelanes (and what other ships, for that matter?)?

When did some of the TNG technologies/features (i.e. pin communicators rather than handhelds, the "new" Warp scale, tricorders that don't look like 1960s tape recorders, replicators, holodecks, dustbuster-like non-pistol phasers, etc.) actually become available? When did they become standard on Federation starships?

What did the uniforms look like (I think I already know this, but its worth asking)? What about department colors?

What races/planets were members of the UFP c.2280-2300? Who were the "bad guys"?

What were the major galactopolitical events that took place during this era? What wars were fought? What is canon for this period?

Thanks in advance.

mactavish out.

[Dan Stack]

Mac,

This is one of the eras I'd love to try a game out for a number of reasons. I'll try to combine explaining my reasons with answers to your questions.

I can think of several features of the era. First off, I still think it is part of the era of "cowboy diplomacy" - starship captains still have a ton of discretion, ships are still often the only ship in the quadrant. I also believe that exploration opportunities would be excellent in such a timeframe, as the focus of the Federation during the late 23rd century was largely on the Klingon border.

With that said, there are still some excellent opportunities to use the Klingons as adversaries. Not so much the government as a whole, but rather elements of it - admirals and generals who begin smuggling weapons to terrorists, splinter groups, rogue houses, etc. - lots of Klingons who wouldn't accept the treaty with the Federation. Indeed, the Klingon Empire could be more dangerous to those on the borders than before, as at least before it was a known entity.

Romulans would, I suspect, get even more paranoid, feeling themselves boxed in. I would suggest they would do all they could to destabalize the Empire, perhaps going so far as to raid the borders of the Empire, which are no doubt rather vulnerable.

As for more advance technological features... I suspect replicators are a little ways off still - we are given the impression that the holodeck is somewhat new in "Encounter at Farpoint" and in many ways that relies on holodeck technology.

For phasers, the crew of Enterprise-C were still using those seen in Star Trek:TMP and Star Trek II.

For communicators, the crew of Enterprise-C had the same insignia as seen in ST II-VI, but they used them as communicator badges, so you may be ok introducing them.

For uniforms, we know that the maroon uniforms last at least into the 2340's, but at some point the turtleneck undershirts are replaced by crew-neck undershirts (see Ensign Picard in "Tapestry" - I believe that takes place in the 2320's).


For uniforms, check out:
http://home.arcor.de/spike730/starfl.../2278-2350.htm
For examples of late 23rd/early-mid 24th century characters I'd refer to the following sources:
Star Trek V
Star Trek VI
Generations (First Half)
TNG: "Tapestry" (shows Ensign Picard in the 2320's)
TNG: "Family" (brief seen with Jack Crusher, interestingly he has a maroon uniform but a TNG-era combadge)
TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise" (2340's technology and uniforms)
VGR: "Flashback" (Tuvok aboard Excelsior - a few contradictions with Star Trek VI)

[Thierry]

I agree this was always my favortie time frame, I have been reading alot of older books about this area. Its great Capt. have almost unlimited discretion there is alot to discover and the Klingon and Romulans are still around to use as antaganist.

[Dan Stack]

A few other random thoughts....

While the Excelsior-class should become the new ship of choice, we know the Miranda makes it into the Dominion War period, so it would still be around. Oberth and Constellation would also be in service. I'd suggest having the Constitution-class still be in service as well, much as the US still had battleships in service through the Gulf War.

You've also got the possibility of 1st contact with the Cardassians - it is never specified when this happens and I doubt it ever will be specified - unless "Enterprise" does so, which I find unlikely.

[Lt Cmdr Matt]

Actually they made first contact with the Cardassians in 2335

Check page 217 in the Player's Guide.

[mactavish]

There is a comic book in which Sarek marries Perrin and there is a great deal of intrigue as the newly-discovered Cardassians try to disrupt a First Contact led by Sarek. I think that its called "Enter the Wolves" or something along those lines.

The date given in the Player's Book seems about right to me, but there is no reason that the PCs in this era (2280-2300) can't find themselves in conflict with the Cardassians without really knowing who they are.

I really like Dan's suggestions regarding the Klingon border situation, and I also like to imagine the Romulans growing ever more paranoid as the UFP and the Klingon Empire form closer ties.

And speaking of Romulans, what the heck did they dress like at this time? Wasn't there a <i>Voyager</i> episode with a early 24th century Romulan scientist? It seems to me that he wore all black, but I could be mistaken. Is there actually canon material for the Romulans c.2300?

mactavish out.

[agdiv]

That Romulan in the Voyager episode was Dr Telek Remor, and he visited Voyager through a "temporal-micro wormhole" with a 20 year displacement

Meaning:
Voyager- 2370's
Dr Telek Remor- 2350's



BTW, very good episode, though I can't remember it's actual name right now.

[Lancer]

Originally posted by mactavish
And speaking of Romulans, what the heck did they dress like at this time? Wasn't there a <i>Voyager</i> episode with a early 24th century Romulan scientist? It seems to me that he wore all black, but I could be mistaken. Is there actually canon material for the Romulans c.2300?

Maybe there are some Romulans in ST VI at the end during the scenes at the Kitomer (sp.?) conference. I don't have that movie on tape so I can't check myself, but it could be a good starting point.

[PGoodman13]

There's at least one Romulan meeting with the Federation President after Kirk and McCoy are arrested in ST6.

[agdiv]

Originally posted by Lancer


Maybe there are some Romulans in ST VI at the end during the scenes at the Kitomer (sp.?) conference. I don't have that movie on tape so I can't check myself, but it could be a good starting point.

There was a Romulan ambassador there that was involved in the conspiracy to sabatoge the peace talks.

[Doug Burke]

Originally posted by agdiv
BTW, very good episode, though I can't remember it's actual name right now.

It was "Eye of the Needle"

[Dan Stack]

I don't know if I'll use it, but Mac's idea inspired me to post an alternate possible Icarus game. Scroll down to the second series profile on this thread to check it out: http://forum.trek-rpg.net/showthread...&threadid=4831

[First of Two]

Okay, some 'official' or 'deduced' events following Kirk's "Death" in 2294

2295 - USS Jenolen disappears.
2300 - The Klingons complete their eradication of the Tribble threat.
2308 - The Cardassians claim the Bajoran system.
2309 - The first rumors concerning "The Ferengi" begin to hit Federation ears.
2311 - The Tomed Incident. The Treaty of Algeron.
2328 - Cardassian Union annexes and occupies Bajor.

There's more, but much of it is non-canon, like incidents from the books.

[Dan Stack]

One possible issue with such a game is a lack big bad rival. Not that Romulans aren't a problem... However, the Neutral Zone separates the two powers. The advantage to the Klingons is they fought over disputed space with the Federation, making encounters with them more likley than with Romulans. Similarly, in the Next Generation period, there is the Cardassian Union to fulfill a similar role. The [i]Enterprise-B[/b] era would seem to lack such an adversary. I suppose one could use the Gorn, but they don't quite seem right for such a role...

[PGoodman13]

Use the Klingons. Use Starfleet. You think for a second that there aren't still factions on both sides who want to undo the Khitomer Accords? The internal pressures on both sides should be enough to fuel dozens of adventures.

You think the High Command is going to go quietly into that good night and return to the traditional ways (and give up their power) without a fight? The crew of a Federation starship could be enlisted, in the interests of peace on both sides, to guard Chancellor Azetbur against an assassination attempt, or to transport her to a conference in a show of good faith.

A Klingon security garrison might be asked, also in the interests of mutual peace and good will, to guard a Federation outpost that's short-handed and in a newly-opened smuggling lane.

But big baddies? Look no further than our ridge-headed neighbors, Dan. Just because we signed a treaty with them doesn't make them any less of a threat.