Sandy Browne, Mon August 1st 2011 2:02am
Newsletter - August 2011
=EDITOR'S NOTES=
Welcome to the August 2011 issue of the FNN Newsletter. The features included are:
IN THE SPOTLIGHT - A series of interviews focusing on each of the Fleet's simulations, this month the USS Bismarck.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS - How well do you really know your Trek?
ARTICLE - Pilot Grades
BOOK REVIEW - TOS: #54 A Flag Full of Stars
SPECIAL - Every month this section will bring you a link to a comics, a video, an article or a website.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome at
fnn.sixth-fleet.com
RAdm. Sandy Browne
Adm. Kreg Asay
Co-Editors, FNN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=IN THE SPOTLIGHT=
Interview conducted for FNN by Sandy Browne
Today we give you the USS Bismarck, a simulation created in Tango Fleet, through the words of GM James Slattery (also currently Fleet Deputy CinC), aka Commodore Paul Shepherd, CO.
FNN: Who is the man behind Commodore Paul Shepherd?
James: Lol, Well I'm not really sure what to say, I'm a university student here in Canada, eh ;) and have been with Sixth Fleet and its predecessor Tango since 2005. Tango was my first venture into RPGing and simming, after having stumbled across the USS Cambrian's website. I've always had an interested in sci-fi and especially Star Trek, I still remember watching first run TNG with my dad back in the day.
FNN: According to your biography on Memory Zeta, you have been a GM for now 5 years, of the USS Bismarck-B and now USS Bismarck-C. How did the role unfold for you? Does inspiration still run high?
James: Admittedly I was sort of thrust into Command, a lot sooner then I ever imagined. I joined the Bismarck as Chief Intelligence Officer as Lieutenant Alex Kane. However I quickly found myself as acting CO in only a few months, and without a chance to really spend time as an XO I found myself learning a lot of the ins and outs on the fly. However over the last several years with the help of an amazing crew and several great XOs I think the Bismarck has definitely earned its place as one of the veteran sims in the fleet, and hope it endures long past my tenure in command. As for the inspiration, recent events in the simming world have been hard on us, just like everyone, but with a great crew, and several veterans who've been with us for years we always seem to find a way through and to have some really great missions.
FNN: The USS Bismarck has a long history from Tango Fleet to Sixth Fleet. Are some parts and pieces of this history still present in the current sim’s background or has the Bismarck-C become its own entity?
James: I strongly believe in keeping the history of a game, thousands of hours of creative work have gone into our sims in and out of character over the years. This history provides a rich background to draw on, and I try to keep this with the sim. Even if it's just a small thing like keeping old characters as NPCs and having old crew mates drop in as flag officers and the like.
FNN: What is your gameverse currently, do you have any specific developments in mind?
James: We are currently in the main sixth fleet verse, located in a region called the Pacifica Expanse, on the far side of Cardassian space. As for specific developments, I guess people will just have to join us to see ;) but were are currently getting into what will hopefully be a multimission arc centreing around some mysterious pirates, and we have a few other things up our sleves.
FNN: The USS Bismarck-C is a Sovereign-class starship. What do you like most about this class, as a GM and player?
James: I think the Sovereign Class offers a lot of options, it can carry out most types of mission and offers the big shiny capital ship type feel. It also lets you kind of just run with things and roll with the punches to keep going with a mission. Granted it does have its draw backs, it can be nice sometimes to play something smaller with a more intimate feel.
FNN: Thank you for your sitting “in the spotlight”. FNN is looking forward to hearing more about the adventures of the USS Bismarck in monthly news!
James: Thanks for having me.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=TRIVIA QUESTIONS=
Trivia is composed of 5 questions. Everyone is invited to send their answers to the Editors, and those who get the most correct will be mentioned in the next issue (along with the answers)!
Previous Answers:
1- Kira
2- Hydrogen
3- Yuta
4- Jev (one of the Ullians)
5- Gul Dukat
Correct submissions:
*Capt. Reese Savage of the USS Lancelot (4.5/5) - half point for #3
This month's Questions:
1. What class was the USS Stargazer?
2. What was the name of the snake-god on Gamma Trianguli VI?
3. What prevents the alternate "Year of Hell" timeline for USS Voyager?
4. What High School did Geordi LaForge attend?
5. Who created the EMH?
Submit your answers by emailing the editors at:
fnn@sixth-fleet.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=ARTICLE=
What do you mean I can't fly that? by K. Asay
Many of the episodes of Star Trek have mentioned 'pilot rating' or 'pilot grades', but just what does it mean? Most likely the writers likely just threw it in because it 'sounded good' - just like so many other items that have since become the stuff of fascination and/or trivia for fans. Things like ships that only appear once (such as the Prometheus class or the Nacelle control room), or a 'technical term' that is actually inaccurate (such as Scotty saying that Ion drive is better than warp drive).
Going by 'modern' standards, pilots are given licenses to fly certain types of craft. In the USA the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has 6 categories: Student, Sport pilot, Recreational, Private pilot, Commercial, and Airline Transport pilot. Each has different requirements to earn it, and limits what kinds of aircraft the holder is able to operate.
So, how do we translate "pilot license" into a Star Trek 'Pilot Grade'? After all we're talking massive ships that fly at many times the speed of light! In short, we can take the same 6 categories; use a bit of creative license, plug in various sizes/types of "spacecraft" and presto - we have the makings of giving your CONN Officer a pilot's rating. Naturally, each progression in grade allows the holder to operate larger and more powerful vessels.
Grade 1 - Trainee
May operate: Small atmospheric craft (small planes), small utility craft (workbee)
Grade 2 - Small Sublight
May operate: Small shuttles, passenger transports, Medium atmospheric craft (commercial shuttles/flitters)
Grade 3 - Sublight
May operate: Any sublight vessel, all atmospheric craft
Grade 4 - Low warp
May operate: Small interstellar ships (under 100 Meters), Freighters, warp-capable small shuttles, short range fighters
Grade 5 - Medium warp
May operate: Long range shuttles, all fighters, Medium interstellar ships (100-400 Meters)
Grade 6 - High warp
May operate: Large interstellar ships
To earn the various grades, the person must go through various steps of course, including training with a 'master pilot' (one who holds the grade or higher than the one sought), pass a written test on aeronautical / astrogational knowledge, demonstrate 'practical' knowledge - ability to fly most of the vessels allowed by the new grade (by simulator if actual ships aren't available). Be certified by a doctor as 'fit for flight'.
While there is always a risk of danger when flying, at grades 1 & 2 the risk is generally low since the types of vessels are normally used in well-known areas (between planets or a planet & base). At grade 3 pilots must begin to demonstrate that they can perform evasive maneuvers - in case their craft is put in danger ranging from 'natural' cause (asteroids), to alien (enemy fire). Thus with each step the tests get more difficult.
Most new Federation Citizens would be able to get a Grade 1 rating as easy as it is to get a driver's license today. Star Fleet Academy graduates should have at least a Grade 2 or 3 rating depending on their department, but only those specializing in Flight Control (CONN) can manage to reach Grade 6. Most Enlisted Personnel can get a Grade 1, 2 or 3 rating during their basic training, a few (specialists in CONN) can earn a Grade 4, but beyond that the enlistee would need to advance 'on the job'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=BOOK REVIEWS=
TOS: #54 A Flag Full of Stars
(description from cover)
It has been eighteen months since the Starship Enterprise completed her historic five-year mission and her legendary crew has separated, taking new assignments that span the galaxy.
On Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk has married and started a new life as the Chief of Starfleet operations where he is overseeing the refit of his beloved ship, now commanded by a new Captain -- Willard Decker. Kirk's only tie to his former crewmates is his Chief of Staff, a young Lieutenant Commander named Kevin Riley.
But Kirk's new, quiet life changes when he meets a scientist named G'dath who is on the brink of perhaps the greatest scientific discovery in a century. G'dath's invention could mean tremendous strides in Federation technology, or -- in the wrong hands -- the subjugation of countless worlds.
When Klingon agents capture this new technology, Admiral Kirk and Lt. Commander Riley are all that stands between peace and devastation for the entire Federation.
==== Review =======
Set in the time just before ST:I (The Motion Picture), it serves to fill in some of the missing data for that time period. There is very little information regarding any of the other Enterprise crew, just a few lines thrown in regarding Chekov and Sulu. Uhura and Scotty are still on the Enterprise with Decker; we learn that McCoy has 'retired' to Georgia and hasn't contacted Kirk in years, and of course Spock returned to Vulcan to purge his human half.
This book had several 'inspirational' moments; the 'upgraded' USS Enterprise's saucer section lifting off into orbit and docking with the engineering hull, the 1970's era Space Shuttle Enterprise finally reaching space, and a several moving passages about the 1969 moon landing. All of those serve to raise an otherwise drab story into something worth reading.
I would have liked to find out more about Spock, McCoy and the other crew beyond the few mentions, but of course that could have been in the author's mind for future books. We may never know on that count.
The 'main' story however is full of eyebrow raising elements. I can willingly suspend my disbelief on a Klingon living as an immigrant in New York - and people's reaction to him. However his "invention", which has only a fragmentary description of what it actually does is the weakest element of the whole tale - and unfortunately it's a key element for that plot to work. It is the only part of this story which prevents it from being a perfect 5 in my opinion
Rating: 3.5 Photon Torpedoes!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=SPECIAL=
I think we ALL would want this house!
http://www.cracked.com/video_17435_the-coolest-house-in-neighborhood-and-maybe-galaxy.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=EPILOGUE=
We hope you enjoy this issue. To submit articles, or suggestions for articles please contact the Editors at: fnn@sixth-fleet.com
Happy Simming!
-FNN Editors
Welcome to the August 2011 issue of the FNN Newsletter. The features included are:
IN THE SPOTLIGHT - A series of interviews focusing on each of the Fleet's simulations, this month the USS Bismarck.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS - How well do you really know your Trek?
ARTICLE - Pilot Grades
BOOK REVIEW - TOS: #54 A Flag Full of Stars
SPECIAL - Every month this section will bring you a link to a comics, a video, an article or a website.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome at
fnn.sixth-fleet.com
RAdm. Sandy Browne
Adm. Kreg Asay
Co-Editors, FNN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=IN THE SPOTLIGHT=
Interview conducted for FNN by Sandy Browne
Today we give you the USS Bismarck, a simulation created in Tango Fleet, through the words of GM James Slattery (also currently Fleet Deputy CinC), aka Commodore Paul Shepherd, CO.
FNN: Who is the man behind Commodore Paul Shepherd?
James: Lol, Well I'm not really sure what to say, I'm a university student here in Canada, eh ;) and have been with Sixth Fleet and its predecessor Tango since 2005. Tango was my first venture into RPGing and simming, after having stumbled across the USS Cambrian's website. I've always had an interested in sci-fi and especially Star Trek, I still remember watching first run TNG with my dad back in the day.
FNN: According to your biography on Memory Zeta, you have been a GM for now 5 years, of the USS Bismarck-B and now USS Bismarck-C. How did the role unfold for you? Does inspiration still run high?
James: Admittedly I was sort of thrust into Command, a lot sooner then I ever imagined. I joined the Bismarck as Chief Intelligence Officer as Lieutenant Alex Kane. However I quickly found myself as acting CO in only a few months, and without a chance to really spend time as an XO I found myself learning a lot of the ins and outs on the fly. However over the last several years with the help of an amazing crew and several great XOs I think the Bismarck has definitely earned its place as one of the veteran sims in the fleet, and hope it endures long past my tenure in command. As for the inspiration, recent events in the simming world have been hard on us, just like everyone, but with a great crew, and several veterans who've been with us for years we always seem to find a way through and to have some really great missions.
FNN: The USS Bismarck has a long history from Tango Fleet to Sixth Fleet. Are some parts and pieces of this history still present in the current sim’s background or has the Bismarck-C become its own entity?
James: I strongly believe in keeping the history of a game, thousands of hours of creative work have gone into our sims in and out of character over the years. This history provides a rich background to draw on, and I try to keep this with the sim. Even if it's just a small thing like keeping old characters as NPCs and having old crew mates drop in as flag officers and the like.
FNN: What is your gameverse currently, do you have any specific developments in mind?
James: We are currently in the main sixth fleet verse, located in a region called the Pacifica Expanse, on the far side of Cardassian space. As for specific developments, I guess people will just have to join us to see ;) but were are currently getting into what will hopefully be a multimission arc centreing around some mysterious pirates, and we have a few other things up our sleves.
FNN: The USS Bismarck-C is a Sovereign-class starship. What do you like most about this class, as a GM and player?
James: I think the Sovereign Class offers a lot of options, it can carry out most types of mission and offers the big shiny capital ship type feel. It also lets you kind of just run with things and roll with the punches to keep going with a mission. Granted it does have its draw backs, it can be nice sometimes to play something smaller with a more intimate feel.
FNN: Thank you for your sitting “in the spotlight”. FNN is looking forward to hearing more about the adventures of the USS Bismarck in monthly news!
James: Thanks for having me.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=TRIVIA QUESTIONS=
Trivia is composed of 5 questions. Everyone is invited to send their answers to the Editors, and those who get the most correct will be mentioned in the next issue (along with the answers)!
Previous Answers:
1- Kira
2- Hydrogen
3- Yuta
4- Jev (one of the Ullians)
5- Gul Dukat
Correct submissions:
*Capt. Reese Savage of the USS Lancelot (4.5/5) - half point for #3
This month's Questions:
1. What class was the USS Stargazer?
2. What was the name of the snake-god on Gamma Trianguli VI?
3. What prevents the alternate "Year of Hell" timeline for USS Voyager?
4. What High School did Geordi LaForge attend?
5. Who created the EMH?
Submit your answers by emailing the editors at:
fnn@sixth-fleet.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=ARTICLE=
What do you mean I can't fly that? by K. Asay
Many of the episodes of Star Trek have mentioned 'pilot rating' or 'pilot grades', but just what does it mean? Most likely the writers likely just threw it in because it 'sounded good' - just like so many other items that have since become the stuff of fascination and/or trivia for fans. Things like ships that only appear once (such as the Prometheus class or the Nacelle control room), or a 'technical term' that is actually inaccurate (such as Scotty saying that Ion drive is better than warp drive).
Going by 'modern' standards, pilots are given licenses to fly certain types of craft. In the USA the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has 6 categories: Student, Sport pilot, Recreational, Private pilot, Commercial, and Airline Transport pilot. Each has different requirements to earn it, and limits what kinds of aircraft the holder is able to operate.
So, how do we translate "pilot license" into a Star Trek 'Pilot Grade'? After all we're talking massive ships that fly at many times the speed of light! In short, we can take the same 6 categories; use a bit of creative license, plug in various sizes/types of "spacecraft" and presto - we have the makings of giving your CONN Officer a pilot's rating. Naturally, each progression in grade allows the holder to operate larger and more powerful vessels.
Grade 1 - Trainee
May operate: Small atmospheric craft (small planes), small utility craft (workbee)
Grade 2 - Small Sublight
May operate: Small shuttles, passenger transports, Medium atmospheric craft (commercial shuttles/flitters)
Grade 3 - Sublight
May operate: Any sublight vessel, all atmospheric craft
Grade 4 - Low warp
May operate: Small interstellar ships (under 100 Meters), Freighters, warp-capable small shuttles, short range fighters
Grade 5 - Medium warp
May operate: Long range shuttles, all fighters, Medium interstellar ships (100-400 Meters)
Grade 6 - High warp
May operate: Large interstellar ships
To earn the various grades, the person must go through various steps of course, including training with a 'master pilot' (one who holds the grade or higher than the one sought), pass a written test on aeronautical / astrogational knowledge, demonstrate 'practical' knowledge - ability to fly most of the vessels allowed by the new grade (by simulator if actual ships aren't available). Be certified by a doctor as 'fit for flight'.
While there is always a risk of danger when flying, at grades 1 & 2 the risk is generally low since the types of vessels are normally used in well-known areas (between planets or a planet & base). At grade 3 pilots must begin to demonstrate that they can perform evasive maneuvers - in case their craft is put in danger ranging from 'natural' cause (asteroids), to alien (enemy fire). Thus with each step the tests get more difficult.
Most new Federation Citizens would be able to get a Grade 1 rating as easy as it is to get a driver's license today. Star Fleet Academy graduates should have at least a Grade 2 or 3 rating depending on their department, but only those specializing in Flight Control (CONN) can manage to reach Grade 6. Most Enlisted Personnel can get a Grade 1, 2 or 3 rating during their basic training, a few (specialists in CONN) can earn a Grade 4, but beyond that the enlistee would need to advance 'on the job'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=BOOK REVIEWS=
TOS: #54 A Flag Full of Stars
(description from cover)
It has been eighteen months since the Starship Enterprise completed her historic five-year mission and her legendary crew has separated, taking new assignments that span the galaxy.
On Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk has married and started a new life as the Chief of Starfleet operations where he is overseeing the refit of his beloved ship, now commanded by a new Captain -- Willard Decker. Kirk's only tie to his former crewmates is his Chief of Staff, a young Lieutenant Commander named Kevin Riley.
But Kirk's new, quiet life changes when he meets a scientist named G'dath who is on the brink of perhaps the greatest scientific discovery in a century. G'dath's invention could mean tremendous strides in Federation technology, or -- in the wrong hands -- the subjugation of countless worlds.
When Klingon agents capture this new technology, Admiral Kirk and Lt. Commander Riley are all that stands between peace and devastation for the entire Federation.
==== Review =======
Set in the time just before ST:I (The Motion Picture), it serves to fill in some of the missing data for that time period. There is very little information regarding any of the other Enterprise crew, just a few lines thrown in regarding Chekov and Sulu. Uhura and Scotty are still on the Enterprise with Decker; we learn that McCoy has 'retired' to Georgia and hasn't contacted Kirk in years, and of course Spock returned to Vulcan to purge his human half.
This book had several 'inspirational' moments; the 'upgraded' USS Enterprise's saucer section lifting off into orbit and docking with the engineering hull, the 1970's era Space Shuttle Enterprise finally reaching space, and a several moving passages about the 1969 moon landing. All of those serve to raise an otherwise drab story into something worth reading.
I would have liked to find out more about Spock, McCoy and the other crew beyond the few mentions, but of course that could have been in the author's mind for future books. We may never know on that count.
The 'main' story however is full of eyebrow raising elements. I can willingly suspend my disbelief on a Klingon living as an immigrant in New York - and people's reaction to him. However his "invention", which has only a fragmentary description of what it actually does is the weakest element of the whole tale - and unfortunately it's a key element for that plot to work. It is the only part of this story which prevents it from being a perfect 5 in my opinion
Rating: 3.5 Photon Torpedoes!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=SPECIAL=
I think we ALL would want this house!
http://www.cracked.com/video_17435_the-coolest-house-in-neighborhood-and-maybe-galaxy.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------
=EPILOGUE=
We hope you enjoy this issue. To submit articles, or suggestions for articles please contact the Editors at: fnn@sixth-fleet.com
Happy Simming!
-FNN Editors
