SD.net Starfleet (RAR!)

[Solauren]

I just crunched the numbers using the Member list, and ignoring Banned users (I also went throught the Parting Shots forum). I couldn't remove inactive users because I can't see 'last post date'.

Anyway, we get the following results:

Jem'ha'dar Attack Ships: 983
Defiant Class Ships: 210 (254 total)
Interpid Class Ships: 104
Galaxy/D'deridex: 118
Sovereign with 2 Defiants: 22

This is a MASSIVE fleet by Star Trek standards. Those Jem'ha'dar attack ships alone are probably enough to do serious damage to any of the major powers.

[CDiehl]

The first thing I'd do is try to organize a government for our fleet to represent. To hold on to what we have, as well as what we may eventually acquire, we'd better have something to show the galaxy we're not some bunch of troublemaking anarchists. Once we have a government and an organized military, I'd suggest we gather together all the tech we have from all the different kinds of ships we have in the fleet, and try to incorporate them into a set of new designs unique to ourselves.

I'd propose that those members who plan to use their ships for piracy consider that the rest of us will be defending their maintenance facilities. If they start picking fights with other governments, either we're all getting dragged into those fights, or we're going to have to cut you loose to protect us and ours. I'd rather not have to throw good ships and crews to the dogs because of stupid decisions, but I don't want to be forced into a war because someone else had to get us into trouble.

While I know all this makes me seem like a stick in the mud, I think my idea makes sense. In this set of circumstances, we've been handed a whole world to defend and build along with all our families. To me, creating a new world is a more exciting adventure than playing at being space pirates.

[Samuel]

How the heck are we going to support the fleet? We have too many ships for such a small resource base.

[DarkSilver]

As i'm one of the Defiantes.....

The ship is a good, agile lil ship, but it's designed to support the bigger ships for anything but cursory stuff (except for fighting...their built to fight).

I stay out of the eventuly civil war (I will lurk there as I do here), and await a chance to do something worthwhile besides get involved in the infighting.

If no civil war breaks out, then I assist as best as I can with the Fleet, as long as it doesn't violate my ethics.

[JGregory32]

According to the numbers provided we probably have the largest fleet in the star trek galaxy, unfortunetly its weighted towards Jem'hadar attack ships. Anybody from the outside looking in is going to say that is an invasion fleet and start pushing panic buttons.
In other words we can be the most polite folks around and the other powers are going to be attacking us anyway becasue leaving us alone is NOT an option.
Course this all assumes a level of compatence that is seldom seen in the Trek universe.

[Crazedwraith]

If we're put in as the OP says at 2370, that's 2nd season DS9. No-one has even seen a Jem Hadar Attack ship yet. So although the strange design may raise eyebrows, its not going get everyone to gun for us.

Also its well before the movies, so our possession of advanced starfleet prototypes like the Defiant and Soveriegn will raise more eyebrows.

[The Romulan Republic]

I would just like to say a word of caution and point out that such a fleet is by no means invinsible. The Federation is supposed to have 12,000 ships, and deployed hundreds at once during the Dominion War. The Dominion itself had about 30,000 ships threatening the Federation and its allies, and if they're not here yet, it doesn't mean they won't show up eventually. In short, you folks should not make the mistake of assuming we have unrivaled military might.

Also, our production base is a hell of a lot smaller, so in a long war with a major power we'd be screwed by attrition.

[Solauren]

It's safe to assume, with the presence of D'derdrix class ships, we have access to Cloaking Technology. We'd be able to hide the fleet very well.

We also have some knowledge of coming events. We could send a squadron of Warbirds to where Voyager is going to get sucked into the Delta Quadrant in a few years (2 is it not?) and have them capture the Caretaker's Array.

However, staying with our current assets...

There are probably a few lesser, hostile, isolationist states we could take over without anyone knowing or caring about to shore up our resource base.

[The Romulan Republic]

It's safe to assume, with the presence of D'derdrix class ships, we have access to Cloaking Technology. We'd be able to hide the fleet very well.

A determined adversary can simply attack our base, forcing us to engage.

We also have some knowledge of coming events. We could send a squadron of Warbirds to where Voyager is going to get sucked into the Delta Quadrant in a few years (2 is it not?) and have them capture the Caretaker's Array.

I doubt the Caretaker will fall for that. But point taken.

However, staying with our current assets...

There are probably a few lesser, hostile, isolationist states we could take over without anyone knowing or caring about to shore up our resource base.

Or we could sell tech/information to the big players. We have advanced ships, and forknowledge.

As for me, in all honesty I'm leaning toward disbanding my crew, selling my knowledge and my ship to a local faction, and either living the good life or purchasing an explorer (anything from say, a Runabout, up to perhaps a ship like the Equinox). I'll probably strike out on my own, and leave you folks to your war. But aside from the inevitable in-fighting, you folks are going to be in a lot of trouble if you underestimate the odds.

[Samuel]

I would just like to say a word of caution and point out that such a fleet is by no means invinsible. The Federation is supposed to have 12,000 ships, and deployed hundreds at once during the Dominion War. The Dominion itself had about 30,000 ships threatening the Federation and its allies, and if they're not here yet, it doesn't mean they won't show up eventually. In short, you folks should not make the mistake of assuming we have unrivaled military might.

Also, our production base is a hell of a lot smaller, so in a long war with a major power we'd be screwed by attrition.

Source? We only see fleets in the hundreds during the Dominion War.

A determined adversary can simply attack our base, forcing us to engage.

He is referring to being concealed, not avoiding combat.

[Crazedwraith]

We also have some knowledge of coming events. We could send a squadron of Warbirds to where Voyager is going to get sucked into the Delta Quadrant in a few years (2 is it not?) and have them capture the Caretaker's Array.

And where is that exactly? ll we know from Caretaker is that its somewhere in the Badlands. Guess what? The Badlands is a pretty big place and not somewhere we want to just trawl around randomly, given the ship killing plasma storms and lack of sensors.

[The Romulan Republic]

I would just like to say a word of caution and point out that such a fleet is by no means invinsible. The Federation is supposed to have 12,000 ships, and deployed hundreds at once during the Dominion War. The Dominion itself had about 30,000 ships threatening the Federation and its allies, and if they're not here yet, it doesn't mean they won't show up eventually. In short, you folks should not make the mistake of assuming we have unrivaled military might.

Also, our production base is a hell of a lot smaller, so in a long war with a major power we'd be screwed by attrition.

Source? We only see fleets in the hundreds during the Dominion War.

A determined adversary can simply attack our base, forcing us to engage.

He is referring to being concealed, not avoiding combat.

I don't know where the 30,000 number came from, but I've seen it frequently used discussions on SDN in the past. I'll retract it for now until I have a source.

Regarding the cloaks, my point is that in a war you're still screwed, since you can conceal yourselves only until you actually engage, which you will have to do if your territory is invaded. At which point numbers will determine the outcome.

[Coyote]

Remember, according to the OP we'll be in the area close to DS9 and Bajor. And it is known that Bajor has some extrasystem colonies, but a very weak navy-- a patch-togethe rmilitia of mostly non-warp or slow-warp ships. I bet they'd be willing to make a deal. We get access to the Bajoran System resource base in exchange for protection. We'd still have to find more support, but that will certainly take a lot of the sting out.

It'll also up-end local politics. Bajor's independence movement will be strenghtened; they won't feel the need to lean on the Federation for protection. We can steer things towards indepenence, maybe even get the Starfleet crew out of DS9 and make it a Bajoran station in full, and since it'll be our navy giveng them the strength to do it, we de facto reap the benefits of the wormhole.

[avatarxprime]

I would just like to say a word of caution and point out that such a fleet is by no means invinsible. The Federation is supposed to have 12,000 ships, and deployed hundreds at once during the Dominion War. The Dominion itself had about 30,000 ships threatening the Federation and its allies, and if they're not here yet, it doesn't mean they won't show up eventually. In short, you folks should not make the mistake of assuming we have unrivaled military might.

Also, our production base is a hell of a lot smaller, so in a long war with a major power we'd be screwed by attrition.

Source? We only see fleets in the hundreds during the Dominion War.

A determined adversary can simply attack our base, forcing us to engage.

He is referring to being concealed, not avoiding combat.

I don't know where the 30,000 number came from, but I've seen it frequently used discussions on SDN in the past. I'll retract it for now until I have a source.

Regarding the cloaks, my point is that in a war you're still screwed, since you can conceal yourselves only until you actually engage, which you will have to do if your territory is invaded. At which point numbers will determine the outcome.

The 30,000 number for the Dominion comes from a battle the Klingons had, but it wasn't just the Dominion it was the combined Dominion-Breen-Cardassian fleet that numbered that high. In the episode there are stated to be 1,500 Klingon ships defending the front line and they were met by the Dominion Alliance fleet that outnumbered them 20-to-1.

[Crazedwraith]

Remember, according to the OP we'll be in the area close to DS9 and Bajor. And it is known that Bajor has some extrasystem colonies, but a very weak navy-- a patch-togethe rmilitia of mostly non-warp or slow-warp ships. I bet they'd be willing to make a deal. We get access to the Bajoran System resource base in exchange for protection. We'd still have to find more support, but that will certainly take a lot of the sting out.

It'll also up-end local politics. Bajor's independence movement will be strenghtened; they won't feel the need to lean on the Federation for protection. We can steer things towards indepenence, maybe even get the Starfleet crew out of DS9 and make it a Bajoran station in full, and since it'll be our navy giveng them the strength to do it, we de facto reap the benefits of the wormhole.

Interfering with Bajor is going to bring us to the Federation's notice very quickly. Which is a problem for us because they're going to want to ask us some very difficult questions about how we've got vast numbers of their staships, mostly of designs they haven't yet put in production.

[Solauren]

We also have some knowledge of coming events. We could send a squadron of Warbirds to where Voyager is going to get sucked into the Delta Quadrant in a few years (2 is it not?) and have them capture the Caretaker's Array.

And where is that exactly? ll we know from Caretaker is that its somewhere in the Badlands. Guess what? The Badlands is a pretty big place and not somewhere we want to just trawl around randomly, given the ship killing plasma storms and lack of sensors.

Have the Warbirds hang out until Voyager shows up, then follow Voyager at close ranger under Cloak.

[Coyote]

Interfering with Bajor is going to bring us to the Federation's notice very quickly. Which is a problem for us because they're going to want to ask us some very difficult questions about how we've got vast numbers of their staships, mostly of designs they haven't yet put in production.

Yeah, but between us and the Dominion and the Cardassians... and trying to appear appeasing the Bajorans, they'll ask nicely before picking yet another fight with a 2000+ ship power. And, if we already have Bajor agreeing with us, there won't be too much more that the Federation can do without alienating the Bajorans, whom they want to court.

I'd be perfectly willing to sign an agreement with the Federation, of some sort, if it calms them down. But if someone like Picard or Sisko (likely candidates) show up demanding to know where we got the ships, all we really have to do is shrug and say "Ask Q", and they'll be like, "Fuck, him again? Crap." Then we negotiate a very reasonable settlement with the Feds about access and use of the Wormhole, maybe even allow joint patrols and stuff.

I can be quite reasonable. We'll hook in with, let's say... Bajor, and we'll re-occupy Empak Nor as well. Let the Feds know we'll help them in case of trouble with the Dominion and they'd probably play ball (some might even be happy with a strong and independent Bajor; it's not like the Bajorans have been entirely easy to get along with from the Fed pointof view).

[The Romulan Republic]

Remember, according to the OP we'll be in the area close to DS9 and Bajor. And it is known that Bajor has some extrasystem colonies, but a very weak navy-- a patch-togethe rmilitia of mostly non-warp or slow-warp ships. I bet they'd be willing to make a deal. We get access to the Bajoran System resource base in exchange for protection. We'd still have to find more support, but that will certainly take a lot of the sting out.

It would be good to hold Bajor given the strategic control of the wormhole, but the domestic terrorism and constant Cardassian interference will be annoying. At that point you might as well just declare war on Cardassia and take over the weakest of the major empires, though I doubt we have ground forces for an occupation.

I'd also point out that the Federation will not take kindly to involvement at Bajor. So you've put yourself at odds with at least two major powers, inherrited a lot of domestic conflict, and placed yourself on the front lines of the invasion once contact with the Dominion occurs. Oh yes, and since the profits watch over Bajor and have chosen a Federation officer as their prophet, you now have God-like beings against you as well, most likely.

It'll also up-end local politics. Bajor's independence movement will be strenghtened; they won't feel the need to lean on the Federation for protection. We can steer things towards indepenence, maybe even get the Starfleet crew out of DS9 and make it a Bajoran station in full, and since it'll be our navy giveng them the strength to do it, we de facto reap the benefits of the wormhole.

Bajor's independence movement will likely attack your forces. They will resent foreign involvement. And congratulations: you're now target number one for the Cardassians, Dominion, and Federation.

[Ender]

Band together with the rest of the Mess to 1) protect ourselves from the rest of you and 2) hunt down those of you who would not be responsible with this kind of power and take it away from you. After the initial orgy of violence that would occur, we'd likely be the strongest force left standing and would bring the remainder in line.

[Sidewinder]

Is it okay if I trade my Intrepid class explorer for something with more endurance, i.e., ability to take punishment and ability to operate for long periods without refuel/resupply?

If not, I'm selling the damn thing and using the money to... I dunno... buy a farm on Risa, grow poppy and marijuana, and sell recreational drugs to whoever wants to have some fun.

[FireNexus]

Well, given the timeframe I'd probably try to convince others to join me in attempting to close the bajoran wormhole, preferrably while everyone else thinks it was the maquis. That thing is a potential danger that needs to go. After that, I'd probably try to hide out

[The Romulan Republic]

Well, given the timeframe I'd probably try to convince others to join me in attempting to close the bajoran wormhole, preferrably while everyone else thinks it was the maquis. That thing is a potential danger that needs to go. After that, I'd probably try to hide out

Wouldn't that probably end one of two ways: the genocidal killing of non-combatants (the Prophets), or said Prophets stopping your attack and possibly doing something very nasty in return? At the least, you'll get ever religious Bajoran wanting your head.

Besides, the wormhole opens up the Gamma Quadrant. Isn't that worth the risk?

[Samuel]

Band together with the rest of the Mess to 1) protect ourselves from the rest of you and 2) hunt down those of you who would not be responsible with this kind of power and take it away from you. After the initial orgy of violence that would occur, we'd likely be the strongest force left standing and would bring the remainder in line.

Does incompetance get me demoted to private or does my political reliability to the fleet let me keep my post (or scotted to a desk)? Because going from captain to private isn't something you'd like to have on your fleet record.

The 30,000 number for the Dominion comes from a battle the Klingons had, but it wasn't just the Dominion it was the combined Dominion-Breen-Cardassian fleet that numbered that high. In the episode there are stated to be 1,500 Klingon ships defending the front line and they were met by the Dominion Alliance fleet that outnumbered them 20-to-1.

How many were real ships and how many were simply fighters? Heck, how many were light ships?

[Lord Relvenous]

I'd definately be laying low for a little while so as to not be raided by a larger member looking for supplies, men, or naval power. Next move would be to get in contact with the Mess, as while I'm not a member of the armed forces, I'd trust those with miltary training to run an organized force, and also to be more even-keeled and interested in stability and survivability, not hookers and blow.

[tim31]

Captain Tim Watters??

With a Defiant-class starship?

This can only end one way.