Bump to keep this on page 1, and to give Smirk some ideas for the overdue new LC.
"Slavers"
One of your officers is missing after failing to return from shore leave. Research determines that Orion slavers kidnapped xir and are headed for enemy space. How do you respond, and how does the kidnapped officer react?
"Cooperation"
Rumors of a possible return of the Khitomer Accords abound after the cessation of active Federation-Klingon hostilities and the Undine actions at the Solanae and Jenolan spheres. However, on the fringes of known space and in the hotly-contested border systems, peace seems a fever dream.
When a skirmish between your ship and an enemy vessel is interrupted by an Undine bioship attacking a nearby planet, you and your counterpart from the other faction put aside your differences and fight the filthy qa'meH'quv! Today is a good day to die!
Do you win? Why are the Undine targeting the planet? When it is all over, do you resume hostilities or depart in peace? Do you and your counterpart fight and chafe against each other, or do you develop an amount of mutual respect?
How does your crew celebrate First Contact Day? If you're a Klingon, how did you spend your Honor Day? Did you get some drinks at Quark's while on an extended mission to the Cardassian border? Did you fly back to Earth or Qo'noS to see the flagship? Or did you spend your holiday fighting for honor and glory, killing the Undine qah'meH'quv?
Bumpy bumpy bump. Plus a slightly tongue-in-cheek idea.
"Sheer Boredom".
Your ship is stuck on a perfectly ordinary patrol mission in which absolutely nothing at all has happened. The tension is metaphorically killing you, and the crew is stupendously bored out of their skulls.
Homefront - Your ship and crew have been ordered back to the home planet of your captain (or other member of the crew) to confront a situation that has changed things drastically there.
Common Ground - Your Captain finds themselves in a situation where they are forced to work alongside a sworn enemy to survive.
Life or Death - Your Captain is forced to make a life or death decision for someone else. Explore the moral quandaries and complications that this decision could lead to.
Darkest Moment: James T. Kirk and Khan, Jean-Luc and Locutus at Wolf 359, Janeway and her alliance with the Borg. Every captain has fallen into the deepest shadows when brains and brawn could no longer cut it, where your captain had to compromise their spotless record. It would forever mark them with a black spot, a choice that will haunt your captain until they die, where they had to make their worst decision or ally with their greatest enemy. Write your captains darkest hour, their greatest mistake, their Darkest Moment.
Possible Spoiler LC suggestion ahead.. be wary ye who doth not wantith to be spoiled...
Cooper: The most despised man in the universe, next to Q at least, and your Captain happened to get sucker punched in the metaphorical gut when he was revealed to be an Undine Infiltrator. Of course with the Undine now invading the Solanae Sphere, you have been tasked to go on a raid into Fluidic Space to retrieve Prisoners of War, the men and women who were infiltrated and replaced by Undine. Of course you didn't expect to find one Doctor Eric Cooper among the survivors, as scared and scarred by the Undine as the others. How does your Captain react to the appearance of Cooper? What does he/she do upon reuniting with Cooper? Will you all survive to return to normal space alive?
The infamous no-win scenario. This test defeats almost every Starfleet cadet, as it's designed to be unwinnable - it's "a test of character". Jim Kirk did it by reprogramming the simulator to make it possible to rescue the ship. Another cadet managed to stay in the simulator for over ten hours, finally losing to a pair of Birds of Prey.
What happened when your cadet took the test? Did they give up after one try? Did they try some unusual, possibly unique, tactics in an effort to win the no-win game? How did they handle their inevitable defeat? Or did they locate some brand-new exploit or cheat, never tried before?
(Remember that the test can vary from one person to another; the only constant is the Kobayashi Maru. And any cheats that worked once before have been fixed...)
I still remember this episode from when I was a child and I would think it would be interesting to "revisit" it.
Layers of Evil
While investigating reports of suspicious activity, you come to find out that the source of the activity came from Varga II, a planet rendered off-limits after the Enterprise-D's disastrous trip in 2364. Even more, it seems that whoever is down there is seeking out Armus, the immortal creature who slew the D's first security chief, Natasha Yar. Who would want to utilize such an evil creature and would you be willing to tresspass onto a planet to make sure that no one gets away?
"Your Captain has recently returned from a Federation lecture about the importance of genealogy. After hearing about other people's ancestors, you decide to do a little digging of your own. What do you find? Any interesting characters? A lost war hero or an infamous black sheep? Write a log detailing your search or write the personal chronicle of the ancestor, from their perspective."
"The Tuvix Phenomenon"
"During the seven year journey of the U.S.S. Voyager, a transporter accident resulted in two of it's senor officers to merge into one being. Now, it appears through some mishap, the same thing has happened again to your captain and a member of your bridge! Write a log about the experience. Who is the new being? Do they take more after your captain or the bridge officer? How do you remedy the situation?"
"How the Mighty have Fallen"
"While investigating strange extra-dimensional anomalies, you are surprised when a bright flash of light washes over the ship. Everyone is blinded momentarily. For a second, all seems normal. Then hundreds of nude bodies appear all over the ship falling from nowhere. One body in particular appears on the bridge...Q! It seems that something or someone has ousted the entire Continuum from their realm and into ours. Who could do such a thing? And how do you plan on helping the Q regain their realm? And for God's sake, could someone get these people some pants?!"
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
Your local devilishly handsome alien deity has decided to test your crew...by kidnapping the Captain. How does your crew react to Q's 3 "Totally Original" challenges, and does the Captain get bored and rescue xirself while xir crew struggles?
"A routine away mission has turned up dangerous revelations. One of your crewmen has been revealed to be an Undine agent in disguise. Worst still, it was disguised as one of the long term members. Someone you all trusted and cared for. Starfleet/Defense Force/Romulan Central Command is livid at this major breach of security and are demanding the captain execute or interrogate the traitor. But the Undine claims it meant no real harm. It asks for forgiveness and points out that it had been aboard for a long while. Diagnostics of the ship show no signs of sabotage in their career and it claims it had not divulged any secrets to the Undine. It pleads for it's life. What does your captain do? How much can you trust someone who has lied for so long? Write a log about the investigation and your captain's actions. Can you justify how you handled the situation?"
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
Anyone have any Mirror Universe ideas? Might be interesting to see some of those potential plot points.
Mirror Challenges, you say? OKAY!
"The Grass is Much Greener"
"It was the perfect plan! During an excursion to the mirror universe, you successfully swapped places with your annoying counterpart and have infiltrated their starship. Now, as they are aboard your vessel in stasis, you are free to sabotage the ship and open portals to your universe! All you have left to do is-wait, what's this? The First Officer wants to have a lunch meeting? Your First Officer hates you with all their life. The ship's helm's man is inviting you to play cards? Must be a trick to assassinate you. Or is it? As you spend more time aboard this vessel, you discover how...nice it is! No having to worry about assassination plots, no battle rations for every meal, no having to report to those hard asses at HQ. This universe is paradise! But the Terran universe is expecting you to complete the mission. What do you do? Can you really turn your back on your home reality?"
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
"With the threat of the Undine now at the forefront of everyone's minds, it has finally happened. The Earth-Qo'noS Accord has been reached. As of this moment, the Federation and Klingons are at peace....for now. Write a log about the aftermath and how your captain deals with the newfound comrades."
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
"When the Bough Breaks"-- Your Captain confronts another commander who has violated the Prime Directive (or Klingon honour code, or the ideals of the Romulan Republic, etc). Write about how your captain confronts this renegade. Bonus points if you manage to write out a full, ideological debate between the two.
"Mutiny"-- some of your crew members, for whatever reason, are attempting a takeover of your ship. Write about this mutiny, its reasons, and how your captain deals with it.
As for anything pertaining to Season 9, I think the whole "Surface Tension" mission would be great fodder for a major collab.
"Hard Facts" - "In the course of your current mission, the transporter has mysteriously brought up a strange object that appears to be a rock, even though none was around the Landing Party when it beamed back to the ship. Analysis of the object is very difficult as it seems to reflect all active sensors away from itself. Is it a life form, or just a rare mineral sample? How can you find out? Was the appearance of the object an intentional event, or just clumsy fingerwork on the part of the Transporter Operator? Write a Captain's Log describing your analysis of the object, and the result of this incident."
"The Green Fields" - "Enroute to your next destination, your ship has encountered an alien probe with a data library on the world it originated from. That world is an agricultural paradise, able to grow just about any crop known and with the surface area of a gas giant. Alone, this planet could feed an entire Sector of your people, a particularly fortuitous discovery given that four worlds in your Sector are facing famine conditions as the result of a nearby nova destabilizing their own ecosystems. However, it is also clear the natives are a pre-warp civilization eager to meet with races beyond their world. Write a Captain's Log recording your decision as to the disposition of this information."
"Out in the Cold" - "When you decided to join the Landing Party to do a quick survey of ruins on an arctic planet discovered in your patrol route, you didn't think it would turn into an extended stay. The hostile ships that came at your ship forced it to retreat, and the last communication you received indicated they were heading out of the system with the entire enemy force in pursuit. Now, you and those with you must survive in the bitter cold. Write a Captain's Log detailing the time spent on the ice planet and the eventual outcome of your efforts."
Because I can't stop the inspiration train, another LC!
"Nibiru"
"Planet X. The Ten Planet. Nibiru. Throughout Earth's history, the tale of a mythical ten planatoid has both intrigued and confounded scientists for eons. The rumors of the mysterious "Grey Aliens" has been connected to the legend as well. According to Vulcan research, Klingon folk lore and many other ancient myths from across the quadrants, the Greys were considered to be a phantom race, a myth. But with so many mentions across thousands of cultures all across all four quadrants, the evidence that the Greys existed is staggering, and with it comes proof that Nibiru exists. Soon, the planets of the Sol, Qu'onoS and New Romulus systems will all align at the exact same time. Three gateways will open into one single dimensional anomaly. The path to Nibiru. Starfleet, the KDF and Romulus Command all want to investigate this lost world. Your mission: Orbit Nibiru, make contact with the Greys and, if need be, prevent the cataclysmic event Nibiru's appearance is said to bring. You have 24 hours before the planets fall out of alignment and close the dimensional anomaly. But be careful, Captains. The Greys were so secretive not even the Iconians had concrete knowledge of them. Anything that could hide from Iconians cannot be good news. It's almost here. The planets are aligned. Nibiru...is coming."
Damn, I am really good at almost apocalypse stories.
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
The Iconians have attacked, as described in LC 61. And they have won. They and their servitors destroyed entire star systems, wiping out all Milky Way resistance in a matter of hours. In the last minutes of your homeworld, as Iconian planet killers emerged from subspace and powered up, your ship was sent on a desperate mission to travel back in time and save the galaxy.
You must convince someone, anyone, of the threat posed by the Iconians, and help them develop anti-Iconian weaponry, engage in a preemptive strike, or otherwise take the fight to the demons of air and darkness before it's too late.
Everything is at stake. Can you and your crew pull through?
Another LC! But we should save this one for LC 100.
"Nexus"
"2410. The year when everything changes. The Nexus has reopened and your Captain has disappeared within. Your crew has followed into the Nexus and discovered that, while only moments passed outside, your captain has spent one hundred years in the Nexus in their own paradise. Write a log about how your captain spent that century in the Nexus. What was their paradise like? Who was there? Does your captain even want to leave?"
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
Really looking forward for #63... They always seem to run late when I'm itching to write.
But in the meantime, some ideas...
*Daily Grind*
Throughout the day, you and your senior staff manage dozens of duty officer assignments of varying difficulties both on and off the ship. For the most part, your crew preforms these tasks admirably without your input. But what happens when an assignment goes wrong and you must take personal action to aid/help your duty officers?
*Imposter*
Your ship has been called to a research outpost, where a group of scientists are observing a pre-warp culture in strict adherence to the Prime Directive. The lead scientists show you surveillance footage of an exact duplicate of yourself living amongst the populace. Is this an Undine plot, temporal event, dimensional hiccup, or the weirdest coincidence in history? How do you get to the bottom of this without violating Starfleet General Order 1?
*Red Shirt Diaries*
On your way to the bridge one morning, you share the turbolift with a low ranking officer who works in the lower decks. You share a brief exchange as you exit the turbolift. Write a personal log from the perspective of officer, sharing their impressions of the Captain, the senior staff, and the ship they serve on.
*Legacy*
As your ship prepares for war, a fresh batch of cadets has come aboard, including a descendant of a legendary Starfleet/KDF officer. On their first day, they track you down in a corridor to talk. Are they an entitled punk sheltered by their family name? or a noble cadet determined to make their own name in the Galaxy? How does your Captain deal with this new officer? Are they a kindred spirit, or do they need a swift introduction to the real world?
This one might be too canon-busting to be useful, but Ive been watching old eps lately, and have been wondering where these worlds ended up.
*Epilogue*
Throughout its history, Starfleet has visited thousands of worlds, and while some become Federation members or resource worlds, others seem to slip through the cracks. With the Undine influence creeping through the quadrant, command has ordered you to visit a planet first explored by your favourite Starfleet crew. What has happened since their visit, and how do they fit into the Galaxy now?
For example:
Did anyone ever settle on Archer's Planet?
What happened to the androids of Mudd's planet?
Are the people of Malcor III finally ready for first contact?
After several weeks/months/years (?) in space/on assignment, you and your crew have found time for some well-earned shore leave. But as you try to relax on your chosen planet or with your favorite holodeck program, you notice something is amiss, and perhaps your vacation will have to wait.
Pretty much inspired by any of the episodes on Risa, and "A Fistfull Of Datas".
You're just a machine. And machines can be broken.
o I know this is cheap of me, but I reallllllllly don't want to sift through all 26 pages to see if my idea has already been posted, I got it from watching the TNG Episode 'The Last Outpost', so here it goes:
Portal 63:
"I shall sleep, until needed again..." With these words, Portal 63, the last of the Tkon guardians, let the Enterprise-D go, and was recorded in the history books for future generations o learn of the long extinct, enigmatic Tkon, who lived long before even the Iconians were around. Now the Federation Science Council, now jointly working with it's respective Romulan and Klingon Counterparts has tasked your ship with revisiting Delphi Ardu IV, in hopes of getting valuable galactic, historical data, possibly about other outposts, that might aide in the cold war between the Alliance and the Iconian Empire. Perhaps your captain found some interesting tidbit of history, or maybe you were hindered by Iconian Servitors before you could find crucial information. Write what your captain found when talking to Portal 63, or what kept you from reaching the planet, and hindered your research.
****
There, rewatched The last outpost, and had to get this one out.
While on a mission to check out a Romulan colony in disputed space, you and your crew have to help the colonists (who are most insistent about not wanting to move) protect themselves from savage pirates, Orion slavers, Tal Shiar goons, and nasty wildlife. Due to the current galactic situation, backup is not forthcoming for any convenient amount of time.
Was watching "The Motion Picture" last night, because, sadly, I've never watched it before, and decided to create this LC:
Life In Motion:
Life goes on and is ever changing and adapting. Because of you many deeds in behalf of your Governement (Fed/KDF/Rom), the Q have selected your ship to be the protector of a new life form, while it has it's mortal body, and is in transition to become the next galactic entity. How did it go, was the entity protected, or did some other force interfere. Was the entity really one of your newer crewman before they were revealed to be in hiding, or did they even know they would metamorphosis into this new being? Write your captains experience on the discovery of this newest life form!
I just bought myself an Odyssey Operations starship. I replaced my Noble class that I have been using for three episode arcs, including the recent season opener. It made me think about all the great starships that have been replaced at one time or another, like the Enterprise D or the original Defiant. So, it inspired this LC.
"One Fine Vessel"
"She's been with you since the beginning. She's been tuned up, modified, upgraded and even had major work done all over her body. She's been your friend for years. She is your starship. Your home. Your weapon. Your best friend.
And now she's gone.
Whether blown apart by Tal Shiar operatives, ripped to shreds by Undine planet killers or even sacrificing herself to stop an Iconian invasion force, your starship is now completely destroyed. As such, your faction has agreed to give you a new one. As you begin shopping for new items to put in your new ready room, you can't help but reminisce about the old ship. Your first day as her captain. The tough scraps. The near deaths. The new discoveries. Write a log about a memorable moment with that ship. Write about her final hours. Write about the new ship and how it feels to be given a whole new vessel."
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
In addition to the standing proposal I and a few others in this thread have supported, for a Kobayashi Maru-themed challenge, here is another possibility.
"The Lives of...[Insert Name Here]"
You have been called to conduct your zhian'tara or participate in the zhian'tara of a crew member, family member, or friend from your past. Who will be accompanying you on this journey? Who will embody each host? What are their personalities like and their pasts? How have their successes and their struggles shaped the person you are, or that you know, today?
I think this challenge offers a lot of latitude since it can be a player captain or BOFF, or someone of their close acquaintance. There should also be plenty of ways to approach this prompt and structure the story, multiple emphases available. If you like this idea, please speak up to show your support!
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-) Proudly F2P.Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
"Kirk. Khan. Janeway. The Borg Queen. Sisko. Dukat.
In the course of a person's lifetime, many people enter their live. The wife you love. The brothers you care for. The friends you cherish. But sometimes, you meet an individual. This individual who, at first fight with you, dislikes you. That disdain soon turns to hatred as you clash the second time. The hatred becomes loathing the third time around. After the fourth encounter, this individual wants nothing more than your destruction. They want to destroy your sanity. They want to break your body. They want to annihilate your very honor and duty and innocence. They kidnap your loved ones and torture them simply because they know you will come rescue them. They obliterate worlds because the inhabitants have helped you in the past. They destroy your ship because they want you to suffer as they have suffered. They are your nemesis and they are out for you. Write a log about your captain's nemesis. How did this all start? What deplorable actions have they done to you and your crew? How far would your captain go to end this once and for all? Remember: A nemesis does not have to kill you in order to break you."
"A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP"
Your away team beams up from a relatively relaxing mission investigating a new archaeological site with a fascinating alien artifact in a bag. Everything seems normal at first, but then the inconsistencies start to crop up...
Maybe your executive assistant has a hairdo that xe previously could not stand. Maybe the ship's semi-official chef can actually cook now, instead of just burning salads. You and your companions from the trip to the planet begin to get suspicious as the memory errors rack up. Maybe a high-ranking Admiral is a different gender. An old enemy is in a position of power, or a deceased friend is still alive. Something is seriously wrong, and you don't know who you can trust.
What happened, why are your memories inconsistent with "reality", and how do you fix this mess?
"Kirk. Khan. Janeway. The Borg Queen. Sisko. Dukat.
In the course of a person's lifetime, many people enter their live. The wife you love. The brothers you care for. The friends you cherish. But sometimes, you meet an individual. This individual who, at first fight with you, dislikes you. That disdain soon turns to hatred as you clash the second time. The hatred becomes loathing the third time around. After the fourth encounter, this individual wants nothing more than your destruction. They want to destroy your sanity. They want to break your body. They want to annihilate your very honor and duty and innocence. They kidnap your loved ones and torture them simply because they know you will come rescue them. They obliterate worlds because the inhabitants have helped you in the past. They destroy your ship because they want you to suffer as they have suffered. They are your nemesis and they are out for you. Write a log about your captain's nemesis. How did this all start? What deplorable actions have they done to you and your crew? How far would your captain go to end this once and for all? Remember: A nemesis does not have to kill you in order to break you."
Yyyyyyyyyeah, I'm not going to do that one.
With D'trel it'd get waaaaaaaay too grimdark horror way too fast.
And Three doesn't bother with letting enemies develop into nemeses. She just guts 'em first chance she gets.
After the most recent Jenolan Accords, the Federation, KDF, and Romulan Republic have entered into a tense, but established, peaceable relationship. Federation and KDF forces have opened their once closed borders, letting enemies-turned-allies across their borders once again, and allowing more open discussions between all three galactic powers.
Of course not all are happy with the peaceable relations between these powers, and one such agent of discord has gone rogue. A Section 31 operative has gone renegade, targeting Romulan, Klingon, and even Federation vessels, labeling them all as enemies, either as Undine traitors or Iconian pawns. Your Captain has been targeted next, labeled as the Iconian's greatest puppet, the one who was always there at the right time, and the wrong time. They know all you strengths, and all your weaknesses. How will your captain handle it this time?
Comments
Jim Kirk wanted to live up to the legacy of his father, George Samuel Kirk.
Jean-Luc Picard used to look into the starry skies over his family's vineyard, and dream.
Ben Sisko was driven by a destiny he didn't understand, and fought for years when it was finally revealed to him.
What led your captain to join Starfleet? And what drove him/her/it to the center seat?
"Slavers"
One of your officers is missing after failing to return from shore leave. Research determines that Orion slavers kidnapped xir and are headed for enemy space. How do you respond, and how does the kidnapped officer react?
"Cooperation"
Rumors of a possible return of the Khitomer Accords abound after the cessation of active Federation-Klingon hostilities and the Undine actions at the Solanae and Jenolan spheres. However, on the fringes of known space and in the hotly-contested border systems, peace seems a fever dream.
When a skirmish between your ship and an enemy vessel is interrupted by an Undine bioship attacking a nearby planet, you and your counterpart from the other faction put aside your differences and fight the filthy qa'meH'quv! Today is a good day to die!
Do you win? Why are the Undine targeting the planet? When it is all over, do you resume hostilities or depart in peace? Do you and your counterpart fight and chafe against each other, or do you develop an amount of mutual respect?
If so, I hope that he gets better.
"First Contact Day"
How does your crew celebrate First Contact Day? If you're a Klingon, how did you spend your Honor Day? Did you get some drinks at Quark's while on an extended mission to the Cardassian border? Did you fly back to Earth or Qo'noS to see the flagship? Or did you spend your holiday fighting for honor and glory, killing the Undine qah'meH'quv?
"Sheer Boredom".
Your ship is stuck on a perfectly ordinary patrol mission in which absolutely nothing at all has happened. The tension is metaphorically killing you, and the crew is stupendously bored out of their skulls.
How do you deal with this crippling boredom?
Common Ground - Your Captain finds themselves in a situation where they are forced to work alongside a sworn enemy to survive.
Life or Death - Your Captain is forced to make a life or death decision for someone else. Explore the moral quandaries and complications that this decision could lead to.
Possible Spoiler LC suggestion ahead.. be wary ye who doth not wantith to be spoiled...
Cooper: The most despised man in the universe, next to Q at least, and your Captain happened to get sucker punched in the metaphorical gut when he was revealed to be an Undine Infiltrator. Of course with the Undine now invading the Solanae Sphere, you have been tasked to go on a raid into Fluidic Space to retrieve Prisoners of War, the men and women who were infiltrated and replaced by Undine. Of course you didn't expect to find one Doctor Eric Cooper among the survivors, as scared and scarred by the Undine as the others. How does your Captain react to the appearance of Cooper? What does he/she do upon reuniting with Cooper? Will you all survive to return to normal space alive?
The Kobayashi Maru
The infamous no-win scenario. This test defeats almost every Starfleet cadet, as it's designed to be unwinnable - it's "a test of character". Jim Kirk did it by reprogramming the simulator to make it possible to rescue the ship. Another cadet managed to stay in the simulator for over ten hours, finally losing to a pair of Birds of Prey.
What happened when your cadet took the test? Did they give up after one try? Did they try some unusual, possibly unique, tactics in an effort to win the no-win game? How did they handle their inevitable defeat? Or did they locate some brand-new exploit or cheat, never tried before?
(Remember that the test can vary from one person to another; the only constant is the Kobayashi Maru. And any cheats that worked once before have been fixed...)
Layers of Evil
While investigating reports of suspicious activity, you come to find out that the source of the activity came from Varga II, a planet rendered off-limits after the Enterprise-D's disastrous trip in 2364. Even more, it seems that whoever is down there is seeking out Armus, the immortal creature who slew the D's first security chief, Natasha Yar. Who would want to utilize such an evil creature and would you be willing to tresspass onto a planet to make sure that no one gets away?
"History Lesson"
"Your Captain has recently returned from a Federation lecture about the importance of genealogy. After hearing about other people's ancestors, you decide to do a little digging of your own. What do you find? Any interesting characters? A lost war hero or an infamous black sheep? Write a log detailing your search or write the personal chronicle of the ancestor, from their perspective."
"The Tuvix Phenomenon"
"During the seven year journey of the U.S.S. Voyager, a transporter accident resulted in two of it's senor officers to merge into one being. Now, it appears through some mishap, the same thing has happened again to your captain and a member of your bridge! Write a log about the experience. Who is the new being? Do they take more after your captain or the bridge officer? How do you remedy the situation?"
"How the Mighty have Fallen"
"While investigating strange extra-dimensional anomalies, you are surprised when a bright flash of light washes over the ship. Everyone is blinded momentarily. For a second, all seems normal. Then hundreds of nude bodies appear all over the ship falling from nowhere. One body in particular appears on the bridge...Q! It seems that something or someone has ousted the entire Continuum from their realm and into ours. Who could do such a thing? And how do you plan on helping the Q regain their realm? And for God's sake, could someone get these people some pants?!"
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
Q's back. And gleeful about it.
Your local devilishly handsome alien deity has decided to test your crew...by kidnapping the Captain. How does your crew react to Q's 3 "Totally Original" challenges, and does the Captain get bored and rescue xirself while xir crew struggles?
"Infiltrator"
"A routine away mission has turned up dangerous revelations. One of your crewmen has been revealed to be an Undine agent in disguise. Worst still, it was disguised as one of the long term members. Someone you all trusted and cared for. Starfleet/Defense Force/Romulan Central Command is livid at this major breach of security and are demanding the captain execute or interrogate the traitor. But the Undine claims it meant no real harm. It asks for forgiveness and points out that it had been aboard for a long while. Diagnostics of the ship show no signs of sabotage in their career and it claims it had not divulged any secrets to the Undine. It pleads for it's life. What does your captain do? How much can you trust someone who has lied for so long? Write a log about the investigation and your captain's actions. Can you justify how you handled the situation?"
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
Mirror Challenges, you say? OKAY!
"The Grass is Much Greener"
"It was the perfect plan! During an excursion to the mirror universe, you successfully swapped places with your annoying counterpart and have infiltrated their starship. Now, as they are aboard your vessel in stasis, you are free to sabotage the ship and open portals to your universe! All you have left to do is-wait, what's this? The First Officer wants to have a lunch meeting? Your First Officer hates you with all their life. The ship's helm's man is inviting you to play cards? Must be a trick to assassinate you. Or is it? As you spend more time aboard this vessel, you discover how...nice it is! No having to worry about assassination plots, no battle rations for every meal, no having to report to those hard asses at HQ. This universe is paradise! But the Terran universe is expecting you to complete the mission. What do you do? Can you really turn your back on your home reality?"
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
"Armistice"
"With the threat of the Undine now at the forefront of everyone's minds, it has finally happened. The Earth-Qo'noS Accord has been reached. As of this moment, the Federation and Klingons are at peace....for now. Write a log about the aftermath and how your captain deals with the newfound comrades."
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
"Undine Armageddon".
Very simply, write your Captain's journey through the Surface Tension FE, in the style of LC 54.
(I'll admit that I just want to write Three and D'trel kicking some Iconian and Undine rear, but still...)
"When the Bough Breaks"-- Your Captain confronts another commander who has violated the Prime Directive (or Klingon honour code, or the ideals of the Romulan Republic, etc). Write about how your captain confronts this renegade. Bonus points if you manage to write out a full, ideological debate between the two.
"Mutiny"-- some of your crew members, for whatever reason, are attempting a takeover of your ship. Write about this mutiny, its reasons, and how your captain deals with it.
As for anything pertaining to Season 9, I think the whole "Surface Tension" mission would be great fodder for a major collab.
"Hard Facts" - "In the course of your current mission, the transporter has mysteriously brought up a strange object that appears to be a rock, even though none was around the Landing Party when it beamed back to the ship. Analysis of the object is very difficult as it seems to reflect all active sensors away from itself. Is it a life form, or just a rare mineral sample? How can you find out? Was the appearance of the object an intentional event, or just clumsy fingerwork on the part of the Transporter Operator? Write a Captain's Log describing your analysis of the object, and the result of this incident."
"The Green Fields" - "Enroute to your next destination, your ship has encountered an alien probe with a data library on the world it originated from. That world is an agricultural paradise, able to grow just about any crop known and with the surface area of a gas giant. Alone, this planet could feed an entire Sector of your people, a particularly fortuitous discovery given that four worlds in your Sector are facing famine conditions as the result of a nearby nova destabilizing their own ecosystems. However, it is also clear the natives are a pre-warp civilization eager to meet with races beyond their world. Write a Captain's Log recording your decision as to the disposition of this information."
"Out in the Cold" - "When you decided to join the Landing Party to do a quick survey of ruins on an arctic planet discovered in your patrol route, you didn't think it would turn into an extended stay. The hostile ships that came at your ship forced it to retreat, and the last communication you received indicated they were heading out of the system with the entire enemy force in pursuit. Now, you and those with you must survive in the bitter cold. Write a Captain's Log detailing the time spent on the ice planet and the eventual outcome of your efforts."
Just a few ideas for consideration.
"Nibiru"
"Planet X. The Ten Planet. Nibiru. Throughout Earth's history, the tale of a mythical ten planatoid has both intrigued and confounded scientists for eons. The rumors of the mysterious "Grey Aliens" has been connected to the legend as well. According to Vulcan research, Klingon folk lore and many other ancient myths from across the quadrants, the Greys were considered to be a phantom race, a myth. But with so many mentions across thousands of cultures all across all four quadrants, the evidence that the Greys existed is staggering, and with it comes proof that Nibiru exists. Soon, the planets of the Sol, Qu'onoS and New Romulus systems will all align at the exact same time. Three gateways will open into one single dimensional anomaly. The path to Nibiru. Starfleet, the KDF and Romulus Command all want to investigate this lost world. Your mission: Orbit Nibiru, make contact with the Greys and, if need be, prevent the cataclysmic event Nibiru's appearance is said to bring. You have 24 hours before the planets fall out of alignment and close the dimensional anomaly. But be careful, Captains. The Greys were so secretive not even the Iconians had concrete knowledge of them. Anything that could hide from Iconians cannot be good news. It's almost here. The planets are aligned. Nibiru...is coming."
Damn, I am really good at almost apocalypse stories.
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
The Iconians have attacked, as described in LC 61. And they have won. They and their servitors destroyed entire star systems, wiping out all Milky Way resistance in a matter of hours. In the last minutes of your homeworld, as Iconian planet killers emerged from subspace and powered up, your ship was sent on a desperate mission to travel back in time and save the galaxy.
You must convince someone, anyone, of the threat posed by the Iconians, and help them develop anti-Iconian weaponry, engage in a preemptive strike, or otherwise take the fight to the demons of air and darkness before it's too late.
Everything is at stake. Can you and your crew pull through?
"Nexus"
"2410. The year when everything changes. The Nexus has reopened and your Captain has disappeared within. Your crew has followed into the Nexus and discovered that, while only moments passed outside, your captain has spent one hundred years in the Nexus in their own paradise. Write a log about how your captain spent that century in the Nexus. What was their paradise like? Who was there? Does your captain even want to leave?"
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
But in the meantime, some ideas...
*Daily Grind*
Throughout the day, you and your senior staff manage dozens of duty officer assignments of varying difficulties both on and off the ship. For the most part, your crew preforms these tasks admirably without your input. But what happens when an assignment goes wrong and you must take personal action to aid/help your duty officers?
*Imposter*
Your ship has been called to a research outpost, where a group of scientists are observing a pre-warp culture in strict adherence to the Prime Directive. The lead scientists show you surveillance footage of an exact duplicate of yourself living amongst the populace. Is this an Undine plot, temporal event, dimensional hiccup, or the weirdest coincidence in history? How do you get to the bottom of this without violating Starfleet General Order 1?
*Red Shirt Diaries*
On your way to the bridge one morning, you share the turbolift with a low ranking officer who works in the lower decks. You share a brief exchange as you exit the turbolift. Write a personal log from the perspective of officer, sharing their impressions of the Captain, the senior staff, and the ship they serve on.
*Legacy*
As your ship prepares for war, a fresh batch of cadets has come aboard, including a descendant of a legendary Starfleet/KDF officer. On their first day, they track you down in a corridor to talk. Are they an entitled punk sheltered by their family name? or a noble cadet determined to make their own name in the Galaxy? How does your Captain deal with this new officer? Are they a kindred spirit, or do they need a swift introduction to the real world?
This one might be too canon-busting to be useful, but Ive been watching old eps lately, and have been wondering where these worlds ended up.
*Epilogue*
Throughout its history, Starfleet has visited thousands of worlds, and while some become Federation members or resource worlds, others seem to slip through the cracks. With the Undine influence creeping through the quadrant, command has ordered you to visit a planet first explored by your favourite Starfleet crew. What has happened since their visit, and how do they fit into the Galaxy now?
For example:
Did anyone ever settle on Archer's Planet?
What happened to the androids of Mudd's planet?
Are the people of Malcor III finally ready for first contact?
"Downtime" (no, not that sort of Downtime :P)
After several weeks/months/years (?) in space/on assignment, you and your crew have found time for some well-earned shore leave. But as you try to relax on your chosen planet or with your favorite holodeck program, you notice something is amiss, and perhaps your vacation will have to wait.
Pretty much inspired by any of the episodes on Risa, and "A Fistfull Of Datas".
Portal 63:
"I shall sleep, until needed again..." With these words, Portal 63, the last of the Tkon guardians, let the Enterprise-D go, and was recorded in the history books for future generations o learn of the long extinct, enigmatic Tkon, who lived long before even the Iconians were around. Now the Federation Science Council, now jointly working with it's respective Romulan and Klingon Counterparts has tasked your ship with revisiting Delphi Ardu IV, in hopes of getting valuable galactic, historical data, possibly about other outposts, that might aide in the cold war between the Alliance and the Iconian Empire. Perhaps your captain found some interesting tidbit of history, or maybe you were hindered by Iconian Servitors before you could find crucial information. Write what your captain found when talking to Portal 63, or what kept you from reaching the planet, and hindered your research.
****
There, rewatched The last outpost, and had to get this one out.
While on a mission to check out a Romulan colony in disputed space, you and your crew have to help the colonists (who are most insistent about not wanting to move) protect themselves from savage pirates, Orion slavers, Tal Shiar goons, and nasty wildlife. Due to the current galactic situation, backup is not forthcoming for any convenient amount of time.
How do you get out of this mess?
Life In Motion:
Life goes on and is ever changing and adapting. Because of you many deeds in behalf of your Governement (Fed/KDF/Rom), the Q have selected your ship to be the protector of a new life form, while it has it's mortal body, and is in transition to become the next galactic entity. How did it go, was the entity protected, or did some other force interfere. Was the entity really one of your newer crewman before they were revealed to be in hiding, or did they even know they would metamorphosis into this new being? Write your captains experience on the discovery of this newest life form!
"One Fine Vessel"
"She's been with you since the beginning. She's been tuned up, modified, upgraded and even had major work done all over her body. She's been your friend for years. She is your starship. Your home. Your weapon. Your best friend.
And now she's gone.
Whether blown apart by Tal Shiar operatives, ripped to shreds by Undine planet killers or even sacrificing herself to stop an Iconian invasion force, your starship is now completely destroyed. As such, your faction has agreed to give you a new one. As you begin shopping for new items to put in your new ready room, you can't help but reminisce about the old ship. Your first day as her captain. The tough scraps. The near deaths. The new discoveries. Write a log about a memorable moment with that ship. Write about her final hours. Write about the new ship and how it feels to be given a whole new vessel."
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
"The Lives of...[Insert Name Here]"
You have been called to conduct your zhian'tara or participate in the zhian'tara of a crew member, family member, or friend from your past. Who will be accompanying you on this journey? Who will embody each host? What are their personalities like and their pasts? How have their successes and their struggles shaped the person you are, or that you know, today?
I think this challenge offers a lot of latitude since it can be a player captain or BOFF, or someone of their close acquaintance. There should also be plenty of ways to approach this prompt and structure the story, multiple emphases available. If you like this idea, please speak up to show your support!
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-)
Proudly F2P. Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
"Kirk. Khan. Janeway. The Borg Queen. Sisko. Dukat.
In the course of a person's lifetime, many people enter their live. The wife you love. The brothers you care for. The friends you cherish. But sometimes, you meet an individual. This individual who, at first fight with you, dislikes you. That disdain soon turns to hatred as you clash the second time. The hatred becomes loathing the third time around. After the fourth encounter, this individual wants nothing more than your destruction. They want to destroy your sanity. They want to break your body. They want to annihilate your very honor and duty and innocence. They kidnap your loved ones and torture them simply because they know you will come rescue them. They obliterate worlds because the inhabitants have helped you in the past. They destroy your ship because they want you to suffer as they have suffered. They are your nemesis and they are out for you. Write a log about your captain's nemesis. How did this all start? What deplorable actions have they done to you and your crew? How far would your captain go to end this once and for all? Remember: A nemesis does not have to kill you in order to break you."
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
Your away team beams up from a relatively relaxing mission investigating a new archaeological site with a fascinating alien artifact in a bag. Everything seems normal at first, but then the inconsistencies start to crop up...
Maybe your executive assistant has a hairdo that xe previously could not stand. Maybe the ship's semi-official chef can actually cook now, instead of just burning salads. You and your companions from the trip to the planet begin to get suspicious as the memory errors rack up. Maybe a high-ranking Admiral is a different gender. An old enemy is in a position of power, or a deceased friend is still alive. Something is seriously wrong, and you don't know who you can trust.
What happened, why are your memories inconsistent with "reality", and how do you fix this mess?
Yyyyyyyyyeah, I'm not going to do that one.
With D'trel it'd get waaaaaaaay too grimdark horror way too fast.
And Three doesn't bother with letting enemies develop into nemeses. She just guts 'em first chance she gets.
"There's Always Some Strings Attached":
After the most recent Jenolan Accords, the Federation, KDF, and Romulan Republic have entered into a tense, but established, peaceable relationship. Federation and KDF forces have opened their once closed borders, letting enemies-turned-allies across their borders once again, and allowing more open discussions between all three galactic powers.
Of course not all are happy with the peaceable relations between these powers, and one such agent of discord has gone rogue. A Section 31 operative has gone renegade, targeting Romulan, Klingon, and even Federation vessels, labeling them all as enemies, either as Undine traitors or Iconian pawns. Your Captain has been targeted next, labeled as the Iconian's greatest puppet, the one who was always there at the right time, and the wrong time. They know all you strengths, and all your weaknesses. How will your captain handle it this time?