Yeah, it doesn't get used much, but when it does it rocks. It's also used a little in the Breen FE series. in Cold Comfort one of the Breen prisoners will address you by race... sometimes, depending on what your race is. Such as: "What are you looking at, Romulan?" That particular dialog doesn't seem to go for all races though, for example: Lib Borg Romulans get the default version that doesn't mention the player's race. But it's a nice feature to see. Now if only the Vulcan daily mission "Ancestral Sin" could be re-written to use this.
Oh, yes, and the Ferengi guy is invisible in the cutscenes.
^^^
Yep, that started happening after the latest patch they applied before this past weekend. He was there in the cutscene when S9 initially launched. Guess a bit got flipped and STO QA missed it. :eek:;)
Formerly known as Armsman from June 2008 to June 20, 2012 PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
The problem is, if we accept the speeds as stated on screen, the whole concept of the show falls apart. If Enterprise NX-01 could reach Qo'noS in 5 days, let's say the Enterprise-D can do it in 3 (and that's probably being generous). That means Geordi got that ship up to a sustained cruising speed of 13,991c to cover 115 ly in three days. At that speed, you could traverse the diameter of the galaxy (about 100,000 ly) in about 7.15 years. That makes Voyager's trip home in a mere 7 years fairly unremarkable, especially considering Voyager was supposed to be a lot faster than Enterprise. ST:ID has the AU Enterprise making it there and back inside a day. Those must be some ample nacelles!
Qo'noS is traditionally placed near Omega Leonis, roughly 112 LY from Earth, so the ~115 LY measure I was using from Nemecek's map seems reasonable. While various dialogue sometimes confuses its location, such as it often being referred to as an Alpha Quadrant location when in fact it's in Beta, this is the most likely place for it. On screen maps have held up this approximate location.
So, we're kind of screwed. Either the ships are too slow for the plots of the stories to work, or the ships are so fast that the galaxy winds up too small for the premise. It's something I wish they'd either paid more attention to, or simply remained vague about where our ships were in relation to their destinations so we'd never have exact numbers to worry about. In the case of this particular STO FE, a brief view of our ships entering transwarp would've sidestepped this entire debate.
Hey, don't forget the TNG Finale: "All Good Things":
- In the 'past' era from the TNG Season 1 pilot; while at ESD Picard is ordered to abandon his visit to 'Farpoint Station' (so named because it is at the furthest point of 'known' Federation space); but he ignores that order, proceeds all the way to the point where he expected to encounter 'Q' (and if you look back at the actual first season TNG pilot - from on screen dialogue, said point is 55 minutes or so FROM Farpoint station); and when 'Q' isn't there he then is able to fly from that point, all the way to the Romulan Neutral Zone; and further into the Devron system to see the anti-time anomaly.
^^^
We're not talking weeks here, at most its 'hours' or a day. So, yeah, ships in Star Trek from the TOS to the TNG era (and even in the JJ Abrams films) have always traveled at 'the speed of plot.':eek::D;) <<-- So yeah, nothing new that ships in an STO mission follow that same paradigm.
Formerly known as Armsman from June 2008 to June 20, 2012 PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
IMO Surface Tension
+ STO world story progress - finally 2410
+ cutscenes with our own ship
+ romulan trying learn vulcan how to dance in the klingon's Great Hall
+ 6 members of Klingon High Council vaporized (how many coucilmans left?)
+ ESD 2.0 destroyed
+ Ferengi and Xindi ambassador
+ of Egg jumped chick (Undine)
+ J'mpok's speech
- Iconian old design (only color change), this one looks like combination of little grey man with spriggan who stole Angelina Jolie's lips (lucky that the Iconian does not have her TRIBBLE), i expected something original
- Koren's annoying madness
At least STO can semi-justify it with the network of transwarp conduits we've built. For all we know, we got to Qo'nos by taking the gate to Gamma Orionis and then back to Omega Leonis. Yeah, it's a stretch, but whatever.
At least STO can semi-justify it with the network of transwarp conduits we've built. For all we know, we got to Qo'nos by taking the gate to Gamma Orionis and then back to Omega Leonis. Yeah, it's a stretch, but whatever.
Or gating directly from Earth to Qo'nos. Both locations have transwarp gates. It just that the KDF doesn't normally let Feds use theirs.
Or gating directly from Earth to Qo'nos. Both locations have transwarp gates. It just that the KDF doesn't normally let Feds use theirs.
Only if both Federation and Empire networks are connected in one. And I doubt that Klingons would do such thing (it open fast way just to the heart of Empire) even for an ally. In their way of thinking today ally can be tomorrow enemy.
Only if both Federation and Empire networks are connected in one. And I doubt that Klingons would do such thing (it open fast way just to the heart of Empire) even for an ally. In their way of thinking today ally can be tomorrow enemy.
Yeah but if your homeworld is under attack on a massive scale by such a deadly enemy as the Undine you might make an exception for letting the Federation use it, I would.
Point is that you rather don't have any way to prevent anyone who you don't like from exiting transwarp gate in your home system, you can only block it from entering gate. Same as it work at toll motorways, moment you enter network by passing gates you can exit it with any other gate you want.
That's why Feds and Empire rather have two independents networks, rather than one common, with transit points in two near systems at border which can be protected by proper fleet and stationary defense system. Similarly to Jack Campbell's Hipernet in "The Lost Fleet" book series.
Point is that you rather don't have any way to prevent anyone who you don't like from exiting transwarp gate in your home system, you can only block it from entering gate. Same as it work at toll motorways, moment you enter network by passing gates you can exit it with any other gate you want.
That's why Feds and Empire rather have two independents networks, rather than one common, with transit points in two near systems at border which can be protected by proper fleet and stationary defense system. Similarly to Jack Campbell's Hipernet in "The Lost Fleet" book series.
This all assumes we know how transwarp gates and conduits work, which...well, we don't.
Even the shows have been inconsistent with this, without explanation.
Borg cubes have been shown to form their own transwarp conduits without a gateway (and the Enterprise-D was able to re-open it). But Borg also maintain permanent gateway structures for some reason. There's never been an explanation provided, so why this might be is anybody's guess.
So, we really don't know if...
A) Any faction could prevent another from using its transwarp gates. At any rate, the Federation and KDF share the Gamma Orionis gate, which means that there is at least one point at which the networks are connected, if you subscribe to the "separate networks" theory.
Starfleet ships could simply form their own transwarp conduits without a gate, and exit in Qo'noS orbit on their own.
...talking to players is like being a mall Santa. Everyone immediately wants to tell you all of the things they want, and you are absolutely powerless to deliver 99% of them.
With lack of any evidence, my head canon tells me -
"The KDF has a transwarp gate at Qo'nos. It is restricted by a complex security system that requires authorization and codes to activate.
When an Undine Planet Killer is about to destroy Qo'nos, the KDF suddenly finds it very convenient to share the codes with allies so they can be saved, seeing as those codes can be changed afterwords."
Again, no evidence, but it makes so much silly, simple sense that I can't help but think of it this way.
Edit: Which would also explain how the Bortasqu' and Lisset make it back to ESD as quickly as they do. Of course we have access to our transwarp gate, so we just pop in. How did they get all the way there from the Jenolan Dyson Sphere if we didn't allow them to use our gate?
I once again match my character. Behold the power of PINK!
Fleet Admiral Space Orphidian Possiblities Wizard
The problem is, if we accept the speeds as stated on screen, the whole concept of the show falls apart. If Enterprise NX-01 could reach Qo'noS in 5 days, let's say the Enterprise-D can do it in 3 (and that's probably being generous). That means Geordi got that ship up to a sustained cruising speed of 13,991c to cover 115 ly in three days. At that speed, you could traverse the diameter of the galaxy (about 100,000 ly) in about 7.15 years. That makes Voyager's trip home in a mere 7 years fairly unremarkable, especially considering Voyager was supposed to be a lot faster than Enterprise. ST:ID has the AU Enterprise making it there and back inside a day. Those must be some ample nacelles!
Qo'noS is traditionally placed near Omega Leonis, roughly 112 LY from Earth, so the ~115 LY measure I was using from Nemecek's map seems reasonable. While various dialogue sometimes confuses its location, such as it often being referred to as an Alpha Quadrant location when in fact it's in Beta, this is the most likely place for it. On screen maps have held up this approximate location.
So, we're kind of screwed. Either the ships are too slow for the plots of the stories to work, or the ships are so fast that the galaxy winds up too small for the premise. It's something I wish they'd either paid more attention to, or simply remained vague about where our ships were in relation to their destinations so we'd never have exact numbers to worry about. In the case of this particular STO FE, a brief view of our ships entering transwarp would've sidestepped this entire debate.
One part of this I want to bring up and if it sounds like an apology for Voyager, sorry in advance.
Reaching a speed and being able to sustain it. Most vehicles do not run at their flat out rate, but at a slower 'cruising' speed. This is generally speaking the more efficient rate vs engine wear and fuel consumption.
So if the Enterprise decides to go to warp 9 or 'Maximum' warp (I use that phrase because Picard often would not give a number if he was in a hurry and just say Maximum.) It may get from the Neutral zone to Earth in short order. But her engines now need some TLC and a top off of deuterium.
Just a thought on these things. I do think the warp speeds are speed of plot. But there is some rational behind some of it to be comfortable with.
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
Point is that you rather don't have any way to prevent anyone who you don't like from exiting transwarp gate in your home system, you can only block it from entering gate. Same as it work at toll motorways, moment you enter network by passing gates you can exit it with any other gate you want.
That's why Feds and Empire rather have two independents networks, rather than one common, with transit points in two near systems at border which can be protected by proper fleet and stationary defense system. Similarly to Jack Campbell's Hipernet in "The Lost Fleet" book series.
Reminder: One mission in the Romulan arc for Feds is to Mine the exits of at least one of their gates so the Romulans can't use it, but the Federation still can.
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
Which would also explain how the Bortasqu' and Lisset make it back to ESD as quickly as they do. Of course we have access to our transwarp gate, so we just pop in. How did they get all the way there from the Jenolan Dyson Sphere if we didn't allow them to use our gate?
How quickly did they make it to Earth? All we know is that they arrived after the Undine began their attack...which makes sense, since they were following the Undine who arrived in the Jenolan Sphere.
Here's my shot at putting together a timeline of events without resorting to transwarp or quantum slipstream:
Day 1: The Undine breach the Jenolan Sphere and head through the gateway to the Solanae Sphere. The combined forces of the Federation, Klingon Empire, and Romulan Republic follow. Upon exiting the Solanae Sphere in the Tau Dewa sector block, the Undine split into multiple groups - the Alliance only detects the one headed for Sol, but other Undine ships head for various targets within Federation space. A large Undine fleet heads, undetected, to Qo'noS.
Approximately Day 2: The Undine arrive at Sol and attack ESD. The Allied fleet arrives shortly after and begins to fight back. The Undine launch simultaneous attacks on a number of other Federation outposts, stretching Starfleet to its limits.
Approximately Day 3: Let's assume the battle for ESD took a while, and is only now wrapping up. The main Undine fleet attacks Qo'noS; the KDF begins a lengthy battle for their homeworld. The Allied fleet at Earth receives word of this and begins the journey to Qo'noS.
Approximately Day 5: The Allied fleet arrives at Qo'noS and helps finish off the Undine.
Now, this is all based on the assumption that if the NX-01 can travel from Earth to Qo'noS in 5 days, the ships of 2410 should be able to do it in 2. It requires the Klingons to be able to hold their own for a couple of days before help arrives, but I don't think that's unreasonable - as far as we know, they didn't have to deal with attacks on multiple fronts the way the Federation did.
...talking to players is like being a mall Santa. Everyone immediately wants to tell you all of the things they want, and you are absolutely powerless to deliver 99% of them.
How quickly did they make it to Earth? All we know is that they arrived after the Undine began their attack...which makes sense, since they were following the Undine who arrived in the Jenolan Sphere.
Here's my shot at putting together a timeline of events without resorting to transwarp or quantum slipstream:
Day 1: The Undine breach the Jenolan Sphere and head through the gateway to the Solanae Sphere. The combined forces of the Federation, Klingon Empire, and Romulan Republic follow. Upon exiting the Solanae Sphere in the Tau Dewa sector block, the Undine split into multiple groups - the Alliance only detects the one headed for Sol, but other Undine ships head for various targets within Federation space. A large Undine fleet heads, undetected, to Qo'noS.
Approximately Day 2: The Undine arrive at Sol and attack ESD. The Allied fleet arrives shortly after and begins to fight back. The Undine launch simultaneous attacks on a number of other Federation outposts, stretching Starfleet to its limits.
Approximately Day 3: Let's assume the battle for ESD took a while, and is only now wrapping up. The main Undine fleet attacks Qo'noS; the KDF begins a lengthy battle for their homeworld. The Allied fleet at Earth receives word of this and begins the journey to Qo'noS.
Approximately Day 5: The Allied fleet arrives at Qo'noS and helps finish off the Undine.
Now, this is all based on the assumption that if the NX-01 can travel from Earth to Qo'noS in 5 days, the ships of 2410 should be able to do it in 2. It requires the Klingons to be able to hold their own for a couple of days before help arrives, but I don't think that's unreasonable - as far as we know, they didn't have to deal with attacks on multiple fronts the way the Federation did.
Interesting but misses at the later of day three and into day five.
At the wrapping up of ESD Tuvok lifts the information that these attacks are diversions to pull most of the defenders away from Qo'nos. Immediately you signal Koren and go to your ship to hightail it to the main battle. The battle over Qo'nos is not as severe as the force actually seems a hair weaker than we saw at ESD. Also the fighting seems to have only begun a few short hours before our arrival. Postulate: the undine of this attack force went in a round about way to avoid early detection. Also the ships here may seem less and a hair weaker. But that is because they are here to make the gate way the planet killer needs to come in and handle things.
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
But that is because they are here to make the gate way the planet killer needs to come in and handle things.
That theory works, too.
Based on the dialogue in the episode, though, I don't remember anything that specifies that the battle for Qo'noS has only been going on for a few hours when the player arrives.
If it had been going on for a couple of days while the player, Voyager, and the Boras'que were in transit, it could help explain (A) why there are fewer Undine ships than you might expect, considering Qo'noS was the "real" target, and (B) why Koren is so angry about the lack of support - the KDF has been taking heavy losses for a couple of days.
Regardless, my real point was that the timeline of the episode can be as flexible as your own personal head-canon wants it to be. There's nothing in the episode itself that provides any information of any sort.
This is directly comparable to any number of Star Trek movies and TV episodes which glossed over the travel time to cut to the action.
...talking to players is like being a mall Santa. Everyone immediately wants to tell you all of the things they want, and you are absolutely powerless to deliver 99% of them.
Based on the dialogue in the episode, though, I don't remember anything that specifies that the battle for Qo'noS has only been going on for a few hours when the player arrives.
If it had been going on for a couple of days while the player, Voyager, and the Boras'que were in transit, it could help explain (A) why there are fewer Undine ships than you might expect, considering Qo'noS was the "real" target, and (B) why Koren is so angry about the lack of support - the KDF has been taking heavy losses for a couple of days.
Regardless, my real point was that the timeline of the episode can be as flexible as your own personal head-canon wants it to be. There's nothing in the episode itself that provides any information of any sort.
This is directly comparable to any number of Star Trek movies and TV episodes which glossed over the travel time to cut to the action.
I wish to agree with you, then see a point or two to bring up and discuss.
I thought Koren went to Qo'nos the same time as Tuvok and the PC? Or did she leave as you beamed down? If she left then she has hours to a day ahead of you.
How does neither ship know more reinforcements are really on the way? No one could signal you so when Koren asks you can respond with something along the lines of.
"Enterprise has gathered a squadron and will be here by startime xyz."
IE you know she is coming with friends and you are not dropping empty sounding promises.
Aaand I am gonna go play this again as it was fun and over analyzing it is making it seem sad instead. Enjoy!
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
Definitely loved the new FE! It really did have a feel of a movie!
One thing though, after the battle at Qo'nos and everyone is in the Great Hall did anyone launch any discoballs? Seeing Tuvok, Worf, and Admiral Quinn cut a rug was quite priceless indeed:D!
I thought Koren went to Qo'nos the same time as Tuvok and the PC? Or did she leave as you beamed down? If she left then she has hours to a day ahead of you.
Hmm, I thought she stuck around while we were running around on ESD, and travelled to Qo'noS with us. Did your replay support that? Otherwise, yeah I could see her heading to Qo'noS a few hours ahead of us, after we beamed down. At least the captain of the Leiset has the line of dialogue about being called back to New Romulus, explaining why she's a no-show at Qo'noS until later.
How does neither ship know more reinforcements are really on the way? No one could signal you so when Koren asks you can respond with something along the lines of.
"Enterprise has gathered a squadron and will be here by startime xyz."
IE you know she is coming with friends and you are not dropping empty sounding promises.
Well you see, the Undine set up anti-tachyon signal repeaters at strategic locations throughout the quadrant, causing interstellar communications to be extremely unreliable. Or something. :P
It makes me laugh every time when Shon shows up with a total of three other ships, and acts as if it's going to make some sort of huge difference. I would have expected something closer to the size of the task force in Operation Gamma!
...talking to players is like being a mall Santa. Everyone immediately wants to tell you all of the things they want, and you are absolutely powerless to deliver 99% of them.
"Critics who say that the optimistic utopia Star Trek depicted is now outmoded forget the cultural context that gave birth to it: Star Trek was not a manifestation of optimism when optimism was easy. Star Trek declared a hope for a future that nobody stuck in the present could believe in. For all our struggles today, we haven’t outgrown the need for stories like Star Trek. We need tales of optimism, of heroes, of courage and goodness now as much as we’ve ever needed them." -Thomas Marrone
Hmm, I thought she stuck around while we were running around on ESD, and travelled to Qo'noS with us. Did your replay support that? Otherwise, yeah I could see her heading to Qo'noS a few hours ahead of us, after we beamed down. At least the captain of the Leiset has the line of dialogue about being called back to New Romulus, explaining why she's a no-show at Qo'noS until later.
Well you see, the Undine set up anti-tachyon signal repeaters at strategic locations throughout the quadrant, causing interstellar communications to be extremely unreliable. Or something. :P
It makes me laugh every time when Shon shows up with a total of three other ships, and acts as if it's going to make some sort of huge difference. I would have expected something closer to the size of the task force in Operation Gamma!
I love overanalyzing things, when it's just for fun. I hope it's not actually detracting from your experience!
I have replayed a few times now. I can't decide which felt better. Using a Connie or my shuttle. Connie flying with the fleet in the beginning got a big smile from me like she may have been the smallest thing there, but by god she will have respect. And letting Tuvok and Koren argue to go blow away a few undine ships made her even more the sweet spot of the run(s).
Going as a shuttle you had to know where to look to spot the dot in the beginning flight scenes.
And as a shuttle proved that the ships scale to what you are flying as a delta flyer using a ToS blue shuttle phaser could take down shields just fine.
Koren never makes mention of leaving early. And the last thing you do before beaming to your ship is call her on your communicator. So presumably she was with you as you flew from ESD to Qo'nos. Which of course makes her ire at only two ships more ridiculous since even she did not gather anyone else.
And, no, I love to analyze things too. But when things get so critical that you wonder why you liked something at all. It is time to step back and either walk from the discussion or remind yourself why. I chose the reminder.
From the "Previously on Star Trek: Online" to the trench run things were very fun.
The go speak with all ambassadors felt like the beginning of the diplomacy meeting at DS9 right before the Jem'hadar showed up. (Thankfully you did not need to convince any of them to support anything before the inevitable attack.) Though the errands of sit people down, add cameras, or scan the displayed tech so we get something out of this felt contrived to just spend a few extra minutes. Though I did love the 'diplomatic' way to get the cardassian ambassador to stop arguing.
Skipping the fights and going to the final meeting.
No one took a pot shot at the Iconian that just attacked and apparently killed six council members? No one? And your actions during all of this is to stand there checking your nails till she leaves then run around the podium to say. "What was that?"
Seriously I do not think anyone here doesn't know what she was at least pretending to be. (For all we know that was a suit of armour and that is a human or the like in there.)
Back to praise. J'mpock praising the kdf player for being one of the greatest warriors of their generation. Excellent. His grudging, "You fight well. . . For a romulan/ member of Starfleet." So arrogantly Klingon I had to smile
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
Recently finished it (waited until I got fleet consoles for my ship) and I really enjoyed it, especially seeing my ship in cut scenes. The ground combat was not that bad, the interuptions were acceptable for the sake of story, providing cover for Captain Shon was confusing at first but I was fine with it after a few seconds, and the ending wwas over the top but I liked it and will play it again.
I've done this mission so many times I have all the prizes for all 3 sides. Still you can't even collect all the loot with the intermission breaks letting us know they're have arrived. Mission is long one but fun to do so many times.
There are 5 hidden Undine on the station. Best you check all those laying around playing dead. I've tried this on all 3x Fed, Rom and KDF. Seems to play different on all 3. Fed is interesting. You'll notice all the Undine will after one main guy. If you don't take them out in time.
KDF battle is really interesting with the Undine. In all fun to play and watch.. Alway's good to practice your space battles prior though. Those skills will come in handy.
Recently finished it (waited until I got fleet consoles for my ship) and I really enjoyed it, especially seeing my ship in cut scenes. The ground combat was not that bad, the interuptions were acceptable for the sake of story, providing cover for Captain Shon was confusing at first but I was fine with it after a few seconds, and the ending wwas over the top but I liked it and will play it again.
If you keep on firing your main guns at the Planet Killer in the cut scenes you'll see your ship firing still all the way to the end.
Regarding the ESD revamp. I wonder if they will then revamp this episode in a year or so so that you have boarded the new ESD, that has been damaged. Just wondering because for new captains starting on the new ESD, it won't make much sense to see the ruined old ESD.
It was nice enough, but very predictable and cliched...
A world to defend
A city to protect
innocents to save
"Why?" They ask "they hate you"
We're heroes it's what we do.
*patiently waiting on Paragon City*
I had to take the time to shoot some sunshine at those responsible for this arc. That was some of the most satisfying MMO content I've ever experienced. It leveraged the MMO genres ability to tell long-term stories to produce one hell of a satisfying climax. It was also the least glitchy of any FE I've enjoyed to date so there's that too.
Far too many high-points for me to go in to here. And besides, many others have already stated better than I could anyway, all the really cool/nice touches.
Comments
My character Tsin'xing
^^^
Yep, that started happening after the latest patch they applied before this past weekend. He was there in the cutscene when S9 initially launched. Guess a bit got flipped and STO QA missed it. :eek:;)
PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
Hey, don't forget the TNG Finale: "All Good Things":
- In the 'past' era from the TNG Season 1 pilot; while at ESD Picard is ordered to abandon his visit to 'Farpoint Station' (so named because it is at the furthest point of 'known' Federation space); but he ignores that order, proceeds all the way to the point where he expected to encounter 'Q' (and if you look back at the actual first season TNG pilot - from on screen dialogue, said point is 55 minutes or so FROM Farpoint station); and when 'Q' isn't there he then is able to fly from that point, all the way to the Romulan Neutral Zone; and further into the Devron system to see the anti-time anomaly.
^^^
We're not talking weeks here, at most its 'hours' or a day. So, yeah, ships in Star Trek from the TOS to the TNG era (and even in the JJ Abrams films) have always traveled at 'the speed of plot.':eek::D;) <<-- So yeah, nothing new that ships in an STO mission follow that same paradigm.
PWE ARC Drone says: "Your STO forum community as you have known it is ended...Display names are irrelevant...Any further sense of community is irrelevant...Resistance is futile...You will be assimilated..."
+ STO world story progress - finally 2410
+ cutscenes with our own ship
+ romulan trying learn vulcan how to dance in the klingon's Great Hall
+ 6 members of Klingon High Council vaporized (how many coucilmans left?)
+ ESD 2.0 destroyed
+ Ferengi and Xindi ambassador
+ of Egg jumped chick (Undine)
+ J'mpok's speech
- Iconian old design (only color change), this one looks like combination of little grey man with spriggan who stole Angelina Jolie's lips (lucky that the Iconian does not have her TRIBBLE), i expected something original
- Koren's annoying madness
result: second best episode in STO (1. Mind Game)
My character Tsin'xing
Only if both Federation and Empire networks are connected in one. And I doubt that Klingons would do such thing (it open fast way just to the heart of Empire) even for an ally. In their way of thinking today ally can be tomorrow enemy.
Yeah but if your homeworld is under attack on a massive scale by such a deadly enemy as the Undine you might make an exception for letting the Federation use it, I would.
That's why Feds and Empire rather have two independents networks, rather than one common, with transit points in two near systems at border which can be protected by proper fleet and stationary defense system. Similarly to Jack Campbell's Hipernet in "The Lost Fleet" book series.
This all assumes we know how transwarp gates and conduits work, which...well, we don't.
Even the shows have been inconsistent with this, without explanation.
Borg cubes have been shown to form their own transwarp conduits without a gateway (and the Enterprise-D was able to re-open it). But Borg also maintain permanent gateway structures for some reason. There's never been an explanation provided, so why this might be is anybody's guess.
So, we really don't know if...
A) Any faction could prevent another from using its transwarp gates. At any rate, the Federation and KDF share the Gamma Orionis gate, which means that there is at least one point at which the networks are connected, if you subscribe to the "separate networks" theory.
"The KDF has a transwarp gate at Qo'nos. It is restricted by a complex security system that requires authorization and codes to activate.
When an Undine Planet Killer is about to destroy Qo'nos, the KDF suddenly finds it very convenient to share the codes with allies so they can be saved, seeing as those codes can be changed afterwords."
Again, no evidence, but it makes so much silly, simple sense that I can't help but think of it this way.
Edit: Which would also explain how the Bortasqu' and Lisset make it back to ESD as quickly as they do. Of course we have access to our transwarp gate, so we just pop in. How did they get all the way there from the Jenolan Dyson Sphere if we didn't allow them to use our gate?
Fleet Admiral Space Orphidian Possiblities Wizard
One part of this I want to bring up and if it sounds like an apology for Voyager, sorry in advance.
Reaching a speed and being able to sustain it. Most vehicles do not run at their flat out rate, but at a slower 'cruising' speed. This is generally speaking the more efficient rate vs engine wear and fuel consumption.
So if the Enterprise decides to go to warp 9 or 'Maximum' warp (I use that phrase because Picard often would not give a number if he was in a hurry and just say Maximum.) It may get from the Neutral zone to Earth in short order. But her engines now need some TLC and a top off of deuterium.
Just a thought on these things. I do think the warp speeds are speed of plot. But there is some rational behind some of it to be comfortable with.
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
Reminder: One mission in the Romulan arc for Feds is to Mine the exits of at least one of their gates so the Romulans can't use it, but the Federation still can.
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
How quickly did they make it to Earth? All we know is that they arrived after the Undine began their attack...which makes sense, since they were following the Undine who arrived in the Jenolan Sphere.
Here's my shot at putting together a timeline of events without resorting to transwarp or quantum slipstream:
Day 1: The Undine breach the Jenolan Sphere and head through the gateway to the Solanae Sphere. The combined forces of the Federation, Klingon Empire, and Romulan Republic follow. Upon exiting the Solanae Sphere in the Tau Dewa sector block, the Undine split into multiple groups - the Alliance only detects the one headed for Sol, but other Undine ships head for various targets within Federation space. A large Undine fleet heads, undetected, to Qo'noS.
Approximately Day 2: The Undine arrive at Sol and attack ESD. The Allied fleet arrives shortly after and begins to fight back. The Undine launch simultaneous attacks on a number of other Federation outposts, stretching Starfleet to its limits.
Approximately Day 3: Let's assume the battle for ESD took a while, and is only now wrapping up. The main Undine fleet attacks Qo'noS; the KDF begins a lengthy battle for their homeworld. The Allied fleet at Earth receives word of this and begins the journey to Qo'noS.
Approximately Day 5: The Allied fleet arrives at Qo'noS and helps finish off the Undine.
Now, this is all based on the assumption that if the NX-01 can travel from Earth to Qo'noS in 5 days, the ships of 2410 should be able to do it in 2. It requires the Klingons to be able to hold their own for a couple of days before help arrives, but I don't think that's unreasonable - as far as we know, they didn't have to deal with attacks on multiple fronts the way the Federation did.
Interesting but misses at the later of day three and into day five.
At the wrapping up of ESD Tuvok lifts the information that these attacks are diversions to pull most of the defenders away from Qo'nos. Immediately you signal Koren and go to your ship to hightail it to the main battle. The battle over Qo'nos is not as severe as the force actually seems a hair weaker than we saw at ESD. Also the fighting seems to have only begun a few short hours before our arrival. Postulate: the undine of this attack force went in a round about way to avoid early detection. Also the ships here may seem less and a hair weaker. But that is because they are here to make the gate way the planet killer needs to come in and handle things.
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
That theory works, too.
Based on the dialogue in the episode, though, I don't remember anything that specifies that the battle for Qo'noS has only been going on for a few hours when the player arrives.
If it had been going on for a couple of days while the player, Voyager, and the Boras'que were in transit, it could help explain (A) why there are fewer Undine ships than you might expect, considering Qo'noS was the "real" target, and (B) why Koren is so angry about the lack of support - the KDF has been taking heavy losses for a couple of days.
Regardless, my real point was that the timeline of the episode can be as flexible as your own personal head-canon wants it to be. There's nothing in the episode itself that provides any information of any sort.
This is directly comparable to any number of Star Trek movies and TV episodes which glossed over the travel time to cut to the action.
I wish to agree with you, then see a point or two to bring up and discuss.
I thought Koren went to Qo'nos the same time as Tuvok and the PC? Or did she leave as you beamed down? If she left then she has hours to a day ahead of you.
How does neither ship know more reinforcements are really on the way? No one could signal you so when Koren asks you can respond with something along the lines of.
"Enterprise has gathered a squadron and will be here by startime xyz."
IE you know she is coming with friends and you are not dropping empty sounding promises.
Aaand I am gonna go play this again as it was fun and over analyzing it is making it seem sad instead. Enjoy!
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
One thing though, after the battle at Qo'nos and everyone is in the Great Hall did anyone launch any discoballs? Seeing Tuvok, Worf, and Admiral Quinn cut a rug was quite priceless indeed:D!
VADM Malinda Leisha Ketchem, Federation Ambassador, U.S.S. Orlando;)
Hmm, I thought she stuck around while we were running around on ESD, and travelled to Qo'noS with us. Did your replay support that? Otherwise, yeah I could see her heading to Qo'noS a few hours ahead of us, after we beamed down. At least the captain of the Leiset has the line of dialogue about being called back to New Romulus, explaining why she's a no-show at Qo'noS until later.
Well you see, the Undine set up anti-tachyon signal repeaters at strategic locations throughout the quadrant, causing interstellar communications to be extremely unreliable. Or something. :P
It makes me laugh every time when Shon shows up with a total of three other ships, and acts as if it's going to make some sort of huge difference. I would have expected something closer to the size of the task force in Operation Gamma!
I love overanalyzing things, when it's just for fun. I hope it's not actually detracting from your experience!
I counted no less than five Typhoon-class battleships. More than enough to turn the tide against that Undine fleet.
"Critics who say that the optimistic utopia Star Trek depicted is now outmoded forget the cultural context that gave birth to it: Star Trek was not a manifestation of optimism when optimism was easy. Star Trek declared a hope for a future that nobody stuck in the present could believe in. For all our struggles today, we haven’t outgrown the need for stories like Star Trek. We need tales of optimism, of heroes, of courage and goodness now as much as we’ve ever needed them."
-Thomas Marrone
I have replayed a few times now. I can't decide which felt better. Using a Connie or my shuttle. Connie flying with the fleet in the beginning got a big smile from me like she may have been the smallest thing there, but by god she will have respect. And letting Tuvok and Koren argue to go blow away a few undine ships made her even more the sweet spot of the run(s).
Going as a shuttle you had to know where to look to spot the dot in the beginning flight scenes.
And as a shuttle proved that the ships scale to what you are flying as a delta flyer using a ToS blue shuttle phaser could take down shields just fine.
Koren never makes mention of leaving early. And the last thing you do before beaming to your ship is call her on your communicator. So presumably she was with you as you flew from ESD to Qo'nos. Which of course makes her ire at only two ships more ridiculous since even she did not gather anyone else.
And, no, I love to analyze things too. But when things get so critical that you wonder why you liked something at all. It is time to step back and either walk from the discussion or remind yourself why. I chose the reminder.
From the "Previously on Star Trek: Online" to the trench run things were very fun.
The go speak with all ambassadors felt like the beginning of the diplomacy meeting at DS9 right before the Jem'hadar showed up. (Thankfully you did not need to convince any of them to support anything before the inevitable attack.) Though the errands of sit people down, add cameras, or scan the displayed tech so we get something out of this felt contrived to just spend a few extra minutes. Though I did love the 'diplomatic' way to get the cardassian ambassador to stop arguing.
Skipping the fights and going to the final meeting.
No one took a pot shot at the Iconian that just attacked and apparently killed six council members? No one? And your actions during all of this is to stand there checking your nails till she leaves then run around the podium to say. "What was that?"
Seriously I do not think anyone here doesn't know what she was at least pretending to be. (For all we know that was a suit of armour and that is a human or the like in there.)
Back to praise. J'mpock praising the kdf player for being one of the greatest warriors of their generation. Excellent. His grudging, "You fight well. . . For a romulan/ member of Starfleet." So arrogantly Klingon I had to smile
Originally Posted by pwlaughingtrendy
Network engineers are not ship designers.
Nor should they be. Their ships would look weird.
There are 5 hidden Undine on the station. Best you check all those laying around playing dead. I've tried this on all 3x Fed, Rom and KDF. Seems to play different on all 3. Fed is interesting. You'll notice all the Undine will after one main guy. If you don't take them out in time.
KDF battle is really interesting with the Undine. In all fun to play and watch.. Alway's good to practice your space battles prior though. Those skills will come in handy.
Time will only tell!
If you keep on firing your main guns at the Planet Killer in the cut scenes you'll see your ship firing still all the way to the end.
Time will only tell!
A city to protect
innocents to save
"Why?" They ask "they hate you"
We're heroes it's what we do.
*patiently waiting on Paragon City*
Far too many high-points for me to go in to here. And besides, many others have already stated better than I could anyway, all the really cool/nice touches.
Fantastic job! Keep up the good work!