CaptainSDavies

Updated: Added Simulation Awards section.

cheese

“I stab at thee”

Davies’ Logs

0510.12

Let’s face it, there aren’t a whole lot of comparisons that can be made between Captain Ahab and Captain Davies, other than perhaps the titles in front of their respective names. Nevertheless, Davies felt a little bit like Captain Ahab and his famed pursuit of the white whale. The Agincourt, treading through the endless depths of space, following the purposed wanderings of a mysterious vessel. The Romulan vessel remaining far enough ahead of the Agincourt for its self-preservation, yet close enough to taunt the Agincourt with its very existence. It almost felt storybook.

Davies could sense from his crew a certain anxiety. Usually the predator has a clear advantage over its prey. In this case, however, there were enough unknowns to render that advantage null. The few facts they did know, seemed almost to tip the balance in favor of the prey. The only advantage that Davies could conceive was the fact that the prey’s own nature could eventually work to the Agincourt’s advantage. Davies hoped that the prey’s own desire to survive would cause them to make tactical errors and cloud their rational capacities.

Still, Davies, like Captain Ahab, knew not to underestimate its foe. If he had learned anything in his first few months as Commanding Officer of the Agincourt, is that there are many competent leaders and tacticians, all with their unique abilities and command style. Davies was well aware how Moby Dick ended, which was all the more reason he knew that he needed to be sharp, like a harpoon.

I stab at thee.

To: Lt.jg JoN's, USS Agincourt, NCC-81762

From: Lt. Commander Pierce Matilda, Starfleet Command

RE: Romulan Vessel

Dear Kansas,

Here is the information your requested:

Name: RSE Potentia

Registry: Unclear

Class: Norexan Mark I Warbird

Type: Warbird - Cruiser/Stealth Scout

Unit Run: Total number classified

Commissioned: 2378-PRESENT

Dimensions:

§ Length : 603.5 m

§ Beam : 911.4 m

§ Height : 94 m

§ Decks : 24

Mass: 4,150,000 Metric Tons

Crew: 700 officers/enlisted

Armament:

§ 10 x Class 25 pulse disruptor cannons, total output 113,000 TeraWatts

§ 2 x Class Y disruptor cannons, total output 100,000 TeraWatts

§ 6 x S4 photon torpedo tube + 500 torpedoes

Defense Systems:

§ Redundant High capacity Reflective shield system, total capacity 7,500,000 TeraJoules

§ Heavy Duranium/Tritanium Double hull plus 12 cm Ablative Armor.

§ High level Structural Integrity Field

§ Propulsion / Power Systems

§ Warp Propulsion and main power provided by an advanced Quantum Singularity Reactor.

Main reactor supplemented by 3 high output fusion reactors, can also supplement auxiliary power.

§ Impulse power provided by two multi-vectored impulse engines powered by two fusion reactors encased within engine housing.

§ Maneuverability provided by a series of eight surface mounted retro-thrusters pods [4 retro-thrusters per pod] and a series of ten embedded RCS thruster quads

§ Warp Speeds

(TNG scale)

§ Normal Cruise : 8

§ Maximum Cruise : 9.3

§ Maximum Rated : 9.99 for 12 hours.

§ Strength Indices

(Galaxy class = 1,000)

§ Beam Firepower: 3,000

§ Torpedo Firepower: 3,000

§ Weapon Range and Accuracy: 2,500

§ Shield Strength: 2,778

§ Hull Armor: 2,200

§ Speed: 4,500

§ Combat Maneuverability : 4,500

§ Overall Strength Index: 3200

§ Diplomatic Capability: Grade II

§ Expected Hull Life 120 years

§ Refit Cycle

Minor : 5 year

Standard : 15 years

Major : 30 years

Communication with the Romulan government has been liimited due to the political chaos that has ensued. We have little to no information that you are alone in the pursuit of this vessel. Please proceed with caution.

Sincerely,

Lieutenant Commander Pierce Matilda

Starfleet Command

spray

Briefing: The USS Agincourt continues its hot pursuit of the Romulan vessel, but must first transfer injured and non-Starfleet personnel. The Agincourt is about 15 minutes away from a rendezvous with the USS Dark Sparrow.

I'll be there!

Double cream, double sugar, from Tim Horton's. Mmm.. Timmy's. :rolleyes:

::thumbs down::

Tim Horton's bought out Bess Eaton in New England a couple years ago...far inferior products.

::hands K'Vorlag some Tums:: A good antacid always cures one of agressive tendencies.

Double Dog Dare Ya

May 18, 2397

Federation Council Erupts

Questions loom whether the legislative body can act without executive leadership

Located less than a hundred miles away from what is being called a terrorist attack on the VDC, the Federation Council had an explosion of its own. Called together in an emergency special session, the Council unanimously voted to condemn the violent acts of aggression. Their unanimity, however, ended with that resolution.

The normally quiet Councilman, Sikar Telchax of Coridan proposed that the Federation ought to aggressively pursue the Romulan government for information on the attack on the VDC. Betazed Councilman Rixlana Ovience countered the resolution that the Federation should wait for more evidence before insinuating guilt. The Earth representative, Craig Handermann, then urged the Council to not be reactionary and to wait for the actions of President Swaggart.

Despite the attempts of Ovience and Handermann to calm the Council, nevertheless, other members continued to point fingers at the Romulan government. At one point an unidentified staff member yelled from the gallery, “The green-bloods are traitors,” causing near hysteria. It was clear to any attending the proceedings that the Council seemed to be facing discomfort from President Swaggart’s apparent lack of action.

With President Swaggart recovering from unspecified injuries and Vice President Trevon Kanary refusing to speak to the press, there is an air in France of frustrated uncertainty. Councilmen looked bewildered as pressure from not only their home planets, but also from foreign governments, such as the Klingon Empire, pressed them for answers.

“With all that we’ve been through these past fifty years, it seems we were not prepared for what happened yesterday,” spoke a Council official speaking anonymously. “Sometimes it’s a wonder how this republic even survives. Don’t let anyone fool you, we don’t have the answers at this point.”

The one entity that seems to be mobilizing the most is Starfleet. Immediately after the attack on VDC, Starfleet officers sponteaneously organized a rescue effort. Also, reports indicated that several vessels in attendance were immediately dispatched on important missions. These vessels include the USS Harrisonburg, USS Colt, USS Dominion, and the recently built USS Agincourt.

The Universal Press contributed to this report.

love

From: Admiral Erik Gaffney, Starfleet Head Quarters

To: Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Robair, Acting Commanding Officer

RE: Immediate Orders, Priority One.

<<Note: This communiqué is received three hours after the explosion reported at the VDC>>

Lieutenant Commander Robair,

Starfleet Intelligence, in its initial investigation on the attack carried out on the Versailles Diplomatic Center, has discovered that just prior to the attack a Romulan vessel was cleared to break orbit. Transcripts indicated that the Commanding Officer of the Romulan vessel told Starfleet Flight Operations that an urgent situation on Romulus that required immediate departure. Given the nature of the event on Earth and in effort to maintain fragile ties, the vessel was cleared.

Unfortunately, sensor logs indicate that the course laid out by the Romulan vessel were not towards Romulan space, but rather quite the opposite. We have determined that the vessel’s course places them near 0967 mark 25, the southwest corner of the Federation. It is your orders to pursue this vessel and should you find it, promptly disable and take into custody on the grounds that the vessel has violated the military protocols established within the Versailles Treaty.

We will update you with any additional information that we might come across. Recall the rest of your crew and get underway as soon as possible.

Godspeed,

Admiral Erik Gaffney

Starfleet Head Quarters

Well two things:

1. Bush has never been fiscally conservative, a primary complaint of most of his base (which includes me).

2. I don't remember reading that Nasa's budget was going to increase more than it normally does, just that it was diverting its funds towards this project.

Actually,

 

I don't support the Moon Mission at the moment. While a lot of great things have came out of the space program, and I am sure would come out of this one, its more an Issue "can we pay for this" with out making some major sacrafices in other areas such as education.

 

This is mostly because we have two huge price tags coming up for Iraq and now Katrina, so can we really afford to invest the 104 Billion that NASA "estimates" it's going to cost, when at least for the next few years, we're going to be strapped for cash. So sending people to the moon really isn't something that we *need*.

 

Just my two cents.

:P I agree.

Glad to hear you're ok! We missed you.

And you were requesting a name change? What about Sim Summit or Sim Summit '06? (Acronym S.S.- or if you wanted to get really cheesy, name the thing Universal Sim Summit and have the acronym be U.S.S. ::grin:: )

I know Chicago's been tossed around, so I thought I might as well post this.

Star Trek 40th Anniversary

September 8-10, 2006

Chicago, IL Area

by Creation Entertainment

“This Present Darkness”

Davies’ Logs

May 17, 2397

0509.17

Simeon was thankful to see familiar faces. His Chief Engineer was with him along with Ensign Murray, recently returned from a tour of duty on Pax Primus. Dr. Levy was nearby attending the unconscious President Swaggart. The comfort, however, was short lived.

A short distance away one of the interior overhangs crumbled, dropped, and smashed into the ground. The screams of those coming to the momentary realization that their lives were ending were drowned out by the deafening roar of the structure pummeling everything in its path and finally striking the ground.

A thick oily black smoke aimlessly oozed through the air and the walls of fire were beginning to crash like waves indiscriminately onto what had not yet been charred. The shouts of orders turned into moans of despair, screams of agony, as if the VDC had become the entrance to hell itself. Simeon, having seen a glimpse of the exit shortly before the collapse near him, could now only walk, like a blind man, with his arms outstretched.

“Javin…Desdemona!” Simeon cried out, but no one answered him. It was then Simeon realized that he must try to get out, no matter what the physical cost. Summoning what courage he had to spare, Simeon began to move faster toward what he judged as the exit. The jagged edges of rubble and the uneven floor made worse by the remains of those already dead caused him to stumble and sometimes fall, but each time he rose and moved forward, determined.

After what seemed like eons, Simeon began to see daylight, a sight that spurred him on even more. He had reached the lobby, the main corridor, and he felt almost free when it happened. If he had not glanced up, Simeon probably would not have survived. What he noticed was the imminent collapse of a large portion of the lobby ceiling.

In a moment of panic, he dove under another fallen piece of structure, thus hoping to preserve him from the brunt of the collapsing ceiling. The gap was barely small enough to fit his entire body, nevertheless, he was able to cover his head and pull his legs close, somewhat resembling the fetal position.

As he had suspected, the ceiling would fall. It fell with such a tremendous force that the structure he had used for protection had to give way, pinning Simeon to the ground. The force of the weight caused him to grimace, and for a moment he thought he might be able to move. After a few moments, the harsh reality set in…he was trapped.

Pure Nerd

56 % Nerd, 17% Geek, 21% Dork

For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.

A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.

A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.

You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd.

The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful.

Congratulations!

Can we acknowledge that there may be differences that are so fundamental that they cannot be reconciled in an online discussion? If we can't agree on fundamentals, then we're hopeless to agree on the details.

I agree to disagree and thank those for a spirited and well articulated debate. It is always good to test what we believe. :(

It's an accepted Scienitific fact that at some point with in the next 10-15 years (some estimates have it sooner) that we will have a resource shortage in petroleum. Our economy tied so heavily to Petroleum that when that happens, the economy will take a heavy hit.

 

Ignoring the logical fallacy, I think you've demonstrated the weakness of social science. I bet you that I can produce for you a "study" that says something to the complete opposite. It's only an "accepted scientific fact" if you were presupposed to believe that we've reached our peak in oil. I can counter that it's a "proven scientific fact" that there is enough oil in the ANWR to support our entire economy for the next five decades.

And see this is my problem with social science. I can manipulate my study to counter yours and call it "scientific fact."

Aside: You already know my position on "Progressive Reforms" and their merits. Once again, if I wallow in social science I can produce you studies on how 1. They were the best thing ever to happen to America and 2. They were the worst thing ever to happen to America.

-----------

"Ask any political scientest or economist." On the left or on the right? Because I'll get a different opinion on either side.

The more that the market is allowed to function uninhibited, the more all citizens will benefit. That's my belief, and I'm sticking to it. :(

Now, let's say the mandated price increase was gradual. It would give you a chance to (1) slowly raise prices to compensate for the higher oil prices and (2) invest in better technologies, while giving the auto makers a chance to build more fuel efficient vehicles for their next few years' product lines. As I said before, the transition away from oil can be managed to have a less drastic effect on the economy than suddenly finding that there is simply insufficient supply, which is what will happen when peak-oil is reached. If the transition isn't managed, exactly what you said will happen, it will just be much, much worse because there won't be any time left to build alternatives.

I just don't see where that's happened in history- a need for the government to step in and coerce businesses to change- and seeing a positive economic growth as a result.

Such an action would be unprecedented.

Then let's talk about morals.

 

 

If peak oil is reached before a viable alternative is available, people will suffer.

 

Peak oil is upon us, and as matters now stand, no such alternative exists. Even where alternatives are being developed, as with fuel, they are not yet ready nor do they have the infrastructure to support national, let alone world-wide, substitution for oil. In other areas, we lack even the beginning of an alternative. Consider, for a moment, the number of items surrounding you that are made of plastic. Recyclable? Yes. Efficiently? Not at present. And as long as the cost of new petroleum remains low, there is no motivation to improve the recycling process in order to increase the amount of post-consumer material that goes into new goods. How about petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers? How about medicines?

 

Research takes time. Developing and deploying an infrastructure to support mass production and/or distribution takes more. Yet while petrolium prices are low and are kept low by governments intervening for the sake of the market, that market cannot support the development of alternatives. By the time shortages force the price of oil up despite all the pressures to the contrary, there will likely be insufficient time to develop all that is necessary in order to replace it.

 

The consequences of which are far more severe than paying triple digits at the pump. Starvation, disease, the collapse of all our computer-based industries -- including banking -- these are the consequences of peak oil.

 

We have the ability to accelerate the technological process, thereby preventing suffering and death. Are we not morally obligated to do so?

It's hard for me to draft a legitimate response because of your underlying presmises that:

1. We've reached a peak in oil.

2. The government can buffer a transition better than private entities.

Again I will reiterate, if businesses do not react to changes (be it supply or demand) then they cannot stay in business. It's not as if one day Texaco/Mobil is going to discover "Gosh we've run out of oil, what are we going to do?" If Texaco/Mobil wants to stay in business then if there becomes a sustained oil shortage, are they not in a better position and do they not have a greater motivation to implement alternative methods? It's well known that the government is always several steps behind the private sector due to the fact that the government is not motivated by profit or staying in business.

I would speculate (as you have) that if the government tried to "accelerate the technological process" the result would be legitimate businesses being forced out of the market, higher prices for all consumers on all goods, a drastic reduction in the strength of the dollar, and more jobs lost than created.

My two cents.

MISSION BRIEFING

May 17, 2397

Having just returned from the Ball, the Agincourt crew has but one more diplomatic assignment. Select personnel from the Federation, the Klingon Empire and, Romulan empire will be in attendance of the second anniversary of the signing of Versailles.

Security and Marines will be helping with security of the event, as every person in attendance will be screened upon entry to the main auditorium of the VDC. The rest of the personnel will be seated in the main gallery to watch the proceedings.

Order of Ceremony.

Presentation of Colors

Procession of Distinguished Leaders

Remarks by Admiral Myles Puckett and introduction of Keynote Speaker.

Keynote Speaker's Address: President William Swaggart, United Federation of Planets.

Alliance Update: Vice Admiral Miguel De Los Santos, United Federation of Planets

Solidarity Presentation

Closing Remarks: General Kurdok, Klingon Empire.

Recessional