(RAR) SD.Net aboard the Enterprise-D

[FaxModem1]

A few weeks before the events of Generations, but long after the events of 'All Good Things', everyone from SD.Net who posts in this thread appears on an empty Enterprise-D, sitting in orbit of, let's say, Berengaria VII. The crew and all civilians have disappeared, but their belongings have remained.

Can SD.Net prevent us all from dying from a warp core breach? What do we do with our new Enterprise-D? How do we affect the timeline? How many will die in the ongoing firefights for dominance of the ship?

[DaveJB]

I presume this scenario includes us being granted the technical knowledge of how to operate and maintain a Galaxy-class starship? Otherwise it's difficult to see any other end than either someone blowing up the ship by hitting the wrong button, life support eventually fritzing out due to an important part failing, or a bunch of Ferengi happening on this untrained bunch of doofuses trying to operate a Galaxy-class starship and successfully carrying out the plan they failed to execute in "Rascals."

Even if we do figure out how to work the ship, and regardless of how the events of Generations play out, it's going to have much bigger implications for the future. Thanks to Picard being magicked out of existence it means that at best, two years later the Borg would cause much more damage before eventually being destroyed (which would likely lead to the Federation eventually being steamrollered in the Dominion War) and at worst the Borg would conquer Earth without even having to bother with time travel.

[Zwinmar]

First thing, get the com systems working (by asking the computer) and contact Starfleet Command, they should have a ship heading out, and second, find the arms locker because the villian/s of the week is going to show up.

[Connor MacLeod]

How many of us actually have the knowledge and skills to run a starship? Putting 'random sci fi board/fans' in a random setting only works out if there's a chance for us to survive and if you can get people to cooperate.

[Dave]

Assuming we have computer access and can read the ships library, we can probably move the ship, limp somewhere and prevent it from exploding. We have enough sci-fi nerds and engineers on here to figure that out, and probably enough realists to keep things under control and not decide to run off and start a war.

Priority would probably be to contact Starfleet and get a real crew out here, then a few of us who know their timeline can predict the future while the rest of us either go civilian or enlist in Starfleet. (I'll stay civilian, thanks, though perhaps do consulting for Starfleet.)

[Carinthium]

For myself, once I was sure there were 'competent' (none of us really would be) people who had the situation under control my first stop would be the Holodeck. Even ignoring peverse possibilities, possession of a Holodeck is useful enough to qualify as an interesting RAR in itself for all the sheer possibilities- though being very careful not to do anything dangerous (last thing we need is the Holodeck breaking down...).

As for afterwards, should check the safety rates on non-Enterprise holodecks (I'm guessing very safe, since they're still in use), then retire into civilian uselessness. I don't know enough about the future to be much of a compliment to the many nerds here, and although relative to a median person in the RL modern West (as opposed to a median SD.net poster) I've got a lot to boast about that doesn't remain true in the Federation.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

I suspect that, unless we've been magically gifted with command codes, or we've somehow abducted Patrick Stewart or Brent Spiner to imitate Captain Picard for us; the only thing the ship's computer will let us touch are the replicators and the other "creature-comfort" features. So we sit there, in our comfy prison, until the Federation colony we're orbiting decides that having an obviously-derelict Galaxy-class starship sitting in orbit around their planet is a very dangerous thing indeed and calls Starfleet.

[Batman]

I don't know about that. The only things that require codes every time they use it are the self destruct, locked door overrides, and acessing systems that have deliberately been locked down. Day-to-day operations such as generally using the computer, moving the ship or even firing weapons seem to require either no codes at all or only require them to be used once offscreen to unlock those functions for a length of time (duty shift rotations being a likely time for something like that). Given the ease with which pretty much everybody can access vital ship functions it doesn't seem to use biometric identification to prevent unauthorized use so the computer isn't likely to go 'No, you're not Geordi, so you're NOT going to eject the Warp core (which never worked anyway)' leave alone blocking us from doing less vital things. If the ship is left unlocked as per the crew's dissapearing acting happening sometime during an underway shift, we should at least be able to get the computer to tell us how to operate the basic ship function and/or take us to the nearest starbase.

[Ahriman238]

Well, First we need to divide into parties, one goes up to the bridge to make sure we aren't flying towards a black hole of something, one goes to Engineering to see if we're going to blow up. Hopefully Starfleet has big flashing red "stop Warp Core Breach" icons on those touchscreen consoles, or the only thing they can do is tell us all we're screwed. At which point we'll have a fun time trying to figure out the shuttles/transporters and probably all die anyway trying to escape. One party, has to have trustworthy people, will obtain phasers so nobody seizes them all and declares himself king. They should probably then check the brig, then sweep the ship to make sure there are no prisoners, alien monsters or boarders. Remember, the buddy system may sound stupid, but it's a hell of a lot better than crawling into a dark tube alone, and for the love of Valen, actually call the first time something bad or suspicious happens. The Bridge party should try and access navigation and logs to confirm we're somewhere it's safe to call for help (would suck to be in the middle of the Neutral Zone and announce our presence.)

Everybody else, find the schoolroom with the easy to use voice and touch-screen computers that can hopefully explain the most basic rudiments of starship operations. Replicate food and sit on our duffs chatting about getting home, how cool it is to have all of us in a room together and the funny foods we can replicate til Starfleet shows.

[PREDATOR490]

Go to the Sickbay, activate the EMH. Best shot at getting someone with rank authority and he can potentially assist you elsewhere remotely. He should have the knowledge to activate the comm system to request starfleet assistance.

Alternatively, go to the holodeck and look for training programs complete with holographic characters to teach. If you are really good, tell the computer to make holographic versions of the previous crew that instruct you what to do.

Didnt this work for Geordi with the creator of the E-D ?

[Batman]

Um-the E-D didn't have an EMH (or if it did, nobody ever used or even mentioned it).

[Skylon]

If it did it was added shortly before the ships destruction. The EMH was presented as being something new to starships on Voyager. Voyager itself seemed to be a test-bed for some new technology. Voyager's first season is set the same calendar year as Star Trek: Generations ("Caretaker" takes place probably a few months after). It depends how long it took Starfleet to implement widespread use of the EMH. Its not totally unlikely since, based on the change to the bridge layout between "All Good Things" and "Generations", the ship must have undergone some sort of mini-refit.

EDIT: According to Memory Alpha, Generations took place halfway through Voyager's first season, based on the Stardates. I always assumed Voyager was set afterwards based on when Generations premiered (Fall of '94) and Voyager first aired (January 1995).

[Ahriman238]

The holodeck plan is still good though.

[Batman]

Also, why would the EMH know beans about operating ship functions that don't pertain to its duties? The one on VOY did thanks to being treated like just another crew member and learning those things over time. Why would it be part of the basic programming?
And the people creating those holodeck programs knew everything the holocharacters did/had access to the information they did. If we've got that there's no need for the holocharacters to begin with. If we don't the holocharacters we can actually create are moderately useless.

[aussiemuscle308]

Um-the E-D didn't have an EMH (or if it did, nobody ever used or even mentioned it).

wasn't First Contact the first mention of it being on the E-D? Crusher- "I swore i'd never use this thing...computer, activate EMH"

i doubt a room full of star trek nerds and geeks would get very far, but we'd have a better chance than twilight fans.

[Batman]

Um-the E-D was sort of blown to kingdom come in Generations. The one from First Contact was the Enterprise E.

[Solauren]

Step #0 - Expect Q to show up at any minute once I hit Step #2, and complain I'm not fun.

The Second I realise where the hell I am
Step #1 - "Computer, who is the ranking officer on ship?"
Computer; No Stafleet personelle are present
Step #2 - "Computer, send an encrypted message to the nearest Starbase, using the most secure encryption employeed by the Federation. Message reads: Starship Enterprise currently unmanned. Replaced by civlians from alternate universe with early 21st centuary knowledge. Requesting IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. Transmit with our co-ordinates."

Possible: Starfleet computers seem to be reasonably intelligent. Hopefully, at this point, it will enter some kind of lock down mode. If I'm really lucky, since I sent the distress call, it will grant me control, and I'll lock everything down. I'll then beam you all into the Holodeck running a Ressa simulation.

Step #3 - When Starfleet shows up, sit in whatever their truth-verification technology is, verify this wasn't my fault or idea, and then explain a few things to them. i.e The coming Borg attack, the Dominion, the Breen, etc.

Step #4 - Also, tell them to send a large task force to the Briar Patch to look for the Val Jean when it disappears, so they can secure the Caretaker array. 4 Galaxy Class starships and a squadron of Defiants, all fully stocked and with extra torpedoes, should hold off the Kazon nicely. Control the Caretaker array, and when the Dominion and/or Borg invades, just sweep them into a convient star or Black hole.

[Ahriman238]

You mean the Badlands. And I think Voyager. And why precisely would the Caretaker allow a heavily armed task force to hang around his planet with his people when he's dying?

[avatarxprime]

A few weeks before the events of Generations, but long after the events of 'All Good Things',

EDIT: According to Memory Alpha, Generations took place halfway through Voyager's first season, based on the Stardates. I always assumed Voyager was set afterwards based on when Generations premiered (Fall of '94) and Voyager first aired (January 1995).

Based on the above, isn't doing anything with the Caretaker array already taken off the board? Janeway should have already blown the thing up by the time we all enter into the universe.

[biostem]

Go to the Sickbay, activate the EMH. Best shot at getting someone with rank authority and he can potentially assist you elsewhere remotely. He should have the knowledge to activate the comm system to request starfleet assistance.

Alternatively, go to the holodeck and look for training programs complete with holographic characters to teach. If you are really good, tell the computer to make holographic versions of the previous crew that instruct you what to do.

Didnt this work for Geordi with the creator of the E-D ?

Yeah... the second idea seems like a solid plan. Assuming we had some higher level of access, I'd also instruct the computer to send alerts whenever anything entered sensor range. I'd also want to get an operations manual on a PADD and get myself a hand phaser.

Beyond that, do fast scans of the ship to check for other lifeforms and setup alerts if any system should get near operational limits. I'd also prep a shuttle to be able to leave at a moment's notice, (just in case), and make sure all escape pods were in good working order.

Another priority would be to locate emergency supplies, (like rations and portable generators). It'd also be nice to learn how to use a dermal regenerator and hypospray. I'd also want to find a few of those emergency door-openers.

It might also be a good idea to have the computer power down non-essential systems - so if we're using one holodeck for learning how to operate the ship, perhaps we should request the computer power-down the others just in case.

Oh.. and like another person said, make sure we're not flying toward a blackhole and that our orbit/course is stable w/ no imminent collisions.

[Batman]

Using a hypospray is dead easy. The real question is what does thestuff it's loaded with do. I doubt all that many of us can tell from memory what anetrizine, benjisidrine or hyronalin and so on are for, leave alone what are the proper dosages for what situation.
And I don't think we have to worry overly much about conserving energy. The ship is in a (hopefully stable) orbit so neither drive system is operational, which should eliminate the major energy hogs right there, and weapons, shields, and the swiss army knife navigational deflector are also off.
Also, this is the Enterprise D. Chances are if anything goes so catastrophically wrong you need to use the shuttles and escape pods, what makes you think you'll live long enough to get there? We're talking about a ship whose Warp Core ejection AND shutdown mechanisms have a 100% failure rate

[biostem]

Using a hypospray is dead easy. The real question is what does thestuff it's loaded with do. I doubt all that many of us can tell from memory what anetrizine, benjisidrine or hyronalin and so on are for, leave alone what are the proper dosages for what situation.
And I don't think we have to worry overly much about conserving energy. The ship is in a (hopefully stable) orbit so neither drive system is operational, which should eliminate the major energy hogs right there, and weapons, shields, and the swiss army knife navigational deflector are also off.
Also, this is the Enterprise D. Chances are if anything goes so catastrophically wrong you need to use the shuttles and escape pods, what makes you think you'll live long enough to get there? We're talking about a ship whose Warp Core ejection AND shutdown mechanisms have a 100% failure rate

You're right on most accounts... but if one of us is diabetic, being able to fill a hyposray and set it to administer the proper dosage of insulin would be a lifesaver, (since none of us are able to a perform whatever procedure they probably have to cure it). It might also be useful to keep one w/ a low to moderate dose of some painkiller or some other stimulant in case we have to stay awake for long periods of time.

I also don't think it'd be a bad idea to prep some evacuation measures. I'd also like to see if, perhaps, a PADD could be used to help navigate the ship's decks...

[biostem]

Duplicate post... ignore.

[Batman]

Assuming they still use insulin (I don't know one way or the other). Given that McCoy had pills that could regrow a kidney back in the late 23rd century, it's entirely possible they've managed to cure diabetes for keeps and no longer carry insulin because nobody suffers from it anymore, or carry something vastly more effective. As I said, operating a hypospray is trivial-far more important to figure out what the stuff in them does.

[ryacko]

Even if they had insulin, injecting too much could still kill you.