Tactical Report

[will_marx 0]

Marx sat at the desk in his quarters, a cup of Oolong sitting next to him. Ranko and Shampoo were with the kids on the Holodeck, so he had an ample opportunity to right up his report. “Computer,” he said, “activate classified network access. Security classification level Secret.”

 

“Standing by,” the computer replied. Marx pulled out the keyboard and began typing.

 

______________________________________________________________

 

USS ARCADIA, NCC-1742-E

TACTICAL DEPARTMENT

 

SUBJECT: ELASIAN NAVAL STRENGTH ASSESSMENT AND THREAT POTENTIAL TO USS ARCADIA

SECURITY LEVEL: CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFICATION: SECRET

 

 

[1]Based on information received from sources within the Federation, the Elasian Navy is on a level consistent with most Alpha and Beta Quadrant spacefaring powers, an equivalent being possibly the Ferengi Alliance. As such, should any Elasian vessels have defected to the rebels, there is the distinct possibility of the Arcadia encountering one or more classes of these vessels in combat operations.
[2]There are currently five classes of combatant in service with the Elasian navy: the Akan-class Scout, the Sangura-class Interceptor, Sharakl-class light/medium cruiser, Vorchan-class medium cruiser, and the Soltok-class battleship. Table 1 has a comparison chart with equivalent Starfleet classes. It should be noted that all Elasian vessels are capable of deploying energy mines, which will make attacks from astern very difficult. These vessels are also armed with disruptors, plasma cannons, torpedo tubes, and/or phasers, making them highly capable against current or proposed Starfleet designs.
[3]There is no information, through either Starfleet Intelligence or the Federation Ambassador to Elasia regarding status of vessels that may have defected to the rebels. However, a source reliable to the Federation has indicated that the captains of the Soltok-class battleships are loyal to the Throne. It is recommended that that information be taken with a grain of salt.

 

Table 1: Comparison between Elasian and comparable Federation ships

 

 

SHIP CLASSES:

 

ELASIAN / FEDERATION

 

AKAN-CLASS SCOUT / HERMES OR INTREPID-CLASS SCOUT

 

SANGURA-CLASS INTERCEPTOR/ MIRANDA-CLASS HEAVY FRIGATE

 

VORCHAN-CLASS WARCRUISER / EXCELSIOR OR AMBASSADOR-CLASS CRUISER

 

SHARAKL-CLASS CRUISER / DEFIANT-CLASS ESCORT

 

SOLTOK-CLASS BATTLESHIP / ANTIETAM-CLASS BATTLESHIP/CARRIER

 

[4]The potential for the Arcadia to encounter any of these vessels flying rebel colors is highly likely. Unless the Elasian Navy has reset their IFF codes, there is the potential for the rebel forces to utilize their loyalist IFF codes in attacking commercial shipping, similar to IKM and DKM raider tactics in the early to mid part of the 20th Century. ((AN: IKM/DKM: Imperial Kriegsmarine, Deutsche Kriegsmarine)) There is the additional possibility that rebel ship captains using these IFF codes may also attack Troyian naval and merchant vessels as well as Starfleet or Federation vessels transiting through Elasian space, forcing the Elasian government to fight a multiple front war, while isolating them from their allies.

 

THREAT ASSESSMENT AND TACTICAL RECOMMENDATION

 

The potential for the Arcadia to be involved in combat operations is highly likely, given our vessel’s current assignment. It would be equally likely that a rebel vessel could approach the Arcadia, under Elasian flag, and then open fire, damaging or crippling this ship before shields could be raised.

 

It is the Tactical Officer’s recommendation that at no time shields are lowered unless absolutely necessary, General Order 7 be in effect, and that the ship is set to Condition One at all times, until clearing the Elasian border by a minimum of twelve parsecs.

 

 

 

Signed:

 

 

William J. Marx, LT. Tactical

Tactical Officer

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Marx looked at the report he’d written. It wasn’t exactly a work for the ages, but he hoped that it’d get through to the command staff that the Arcadia was, as usual, going in harm’s way. It occurred to the father of three that someone in Starfleet seemed to think that they were expendable, and the next few days would be some of the longest days they had coming.

 

Draining his cup of tea, he sent the recommendation to the Senior Staff, and hoped that they had the common sense to prevent the ship from becoming a widow maker. Marx logged out of the secure network just as the door to his quarters opened, and his wives came in, with the kids. He smiled at them and asked “So, how was your day?”