Bellerophon: TNG

So, inspired by this game, I'm thinking of running a late TNG-era successor. Talking to magicbox, I got a sense of what people want out of a Trek game.

The new Bellerophon is a Nebula-class vessel with extensive internal refits assigned to special diplomatic and exploration duty. After the collapse or weakening of most Federation rivals (victory in the Dominion War, the Romulan Coup and the collapse of 1/6th of the Borg's transwarp infrastructure), the Federation's chief diplomatic concern is to avoid the appearance of coercive hegemony. Thus, while Sovereign-class vessels continue to support traditional multipurpose roles and showcase the Federation's technological excellence, the Bellerophon exists to demonstrate that the Federation is a responsible member of a plural galactic polity.

Here are some of The Bellerophon-C's refit features:

1) The entire vessel is fitted with holoemitters to support photonic life and to create backup versions of control interfaces (so-called "HoloCARS" systems). Federation EPCs (Emancipated Photonic Citizens) are encouraged to serve aboard the Bellerophon. Advanced holodeck features that were standard in previous vessels are not forbidden to conform to the Federation's laws on emergent AI.

2) Primary power uses subspace transport relays, preventing dangerous feedback from EPS and biogel conduit systems -- exploding consoles are nonexistent. EPS is still available as a 100% effective backup.

3) The Bellerophon-C's saucer section is a primarily civilian installation called the Interspecies Contact Section -- a mobile diplomatic and cultural community with its own civilian authority. Removing most tactical equipment and weapons allows the ICS to support 2000 humanoids comfortably. Several compartments have been merged into the so-called Gallery section. The drawback is that unlike previous Nebula and Galaxy designs, the Bellerophon's saucer section is a definite liability in combat and *must* be detached to ensure reliable performance.

4) Consequently, the saucer section and engineering/combat section are also designed for extended periods of separation. The ICS often serves as a small outpost while the drive section conductions its own missions.



Bellerophon-C dedication ceremony. The original Miranda-class Bellerophon can be seen, along with the Oberth-class vessel used to transport ICS diplomatic personnel to the refitted ship.

The Intrepid-class Bellerophon-B is not present, having been salvaged for the USS Voyager's post-return refit. Note that the Bellerophon-C is built on partial salvage from the Bellerophon-A, which was lost at Wolf-359. Nevertheless, they are not considered to be the same vessel in Starfleet nomenclature.



Swords Into Plowshares before it was transported to its current location in the center of the ICS Gallery. This reproduction of the Earth original is nadion-etched out of duranium salvaged from the Nebula-A and represents the Bellerophon's mission: to forge peace from the remnants of war.

Bellerophon: TNG

So, inspired by this game, I'm thinking of running a late TNG-era successor. Talking to magicbox, I got a sense of what people want out of a Trek game.

The new Bellerophon is a Nebula-class vessel with extensive internal refits assigned to special diplomatic and exploration duty. After the collapse or weakening of most Federation rivals (victory in the Dominion War, the Romulan Coup and the collapse of 1/6th of the Borg's transwarp infrastructure), the Federation's chief diplomatic concern is to avoid the appearance of coercive hegemony. Thus, while Sovereign-class vessels continue to support traditional multipurpose roles and showcase the Federation's technological excellence, the Bellerophon exists to demonstrate that the Federation is a responsible member of a plural galactic polity.

Here are some of The Bellerophon-C's refit features:

1) The entire vessel is fitted with holoemitters to support photonic life and to create backup versions of control interfaces (so-called "HoloCARS" systems). Federation EPCs (Emancipated Photonic Citizens) are encouraged to serve aboard the Bellerophon. Advanced holodeck features that were standard in previous vessels are not forbidden to conform to the Federation's laws on emergent AI.

2) Primary power uses subspace transport relays, preventing dangerous feedback from EPS and biogel conduit systems -- exploding consoles are nonexistent. EPS is still available as a 100% effective backup.

3) The Bellerophon-C's saucer section is a primarily civilian installation called the Interspecies Contact Section -- a mobile diplomatic and cultural community with its own civilian authority. Removing most tactical equipment and weapons allows the ICS to support 2000 humanoids comfortably. Several compartments have been merged into the so-called Gallery section. The drawback is that unlike previous Nebula and Galaxy designs, the Bellerophon's saucer section is a definite liability in combat and *must* be detached to ensure reliable performance.

4) Consequently, the saucer section and engineering/combat section are also designed for extended periods of separation. The ICS often serves as a small outpost while the drive section conductions its own missions.



Bellerophon-C dedication ceremony. The original Miranda-class Bellerophon can be seen, along with the Oberth-class vessel used to transport ICS diplomatic personnel to the refitted ship.

The Intrepid-class Bellerophon-B is not present, having been salvaged for the USS Voyager's post-return refit. Note that the Bellerophon-C is built on partial salvage from the Bellerophon-A, which was lost at Wolf-359. Nevertheless, they are not considered to be the same vessel in Starfleet nomenclature.



Swords Into Plowshares before it was transported to its current location in the center of the ICS Gallery. This reproduction of the Earth original is nadion-etched out of duranium salvaged from the Nebula-A and represents the Bellerophon's mission: to forge peace from the remnants of war.

(no subject)

Salient Illustrations

Bellerophon Operations Bridge

Bellerophon Mission Bridge (Drive Section)

Uniforms

Hazard Dress

New Type 1 "Cricket" Phaser

New Type 2 "Dolphin" Phaser

Type 3 Phaser Rifle

Plasma Toroid Projector "Riot Gun" Phaser Mod

Isomagnetic Disintegrator

TR-116 Projectile Rifle

EVA Rifle

New Treknobabble

Contact Navigation Protocol: This is why everybody chooses the same "up" direction. This is a basic diplomatic gesture between most humanoid species and has been adopted by nonhumanoids who interact with them.

Force Escalation Protocols: All major powers have ridiculously powerful weapons, up to and including trilithium devices capable of destroying stars. Virtually all species follow similar FEPs to prevent mutual annihilation, and some powers have formalized this with treaties. FEPs prescribe minimum effective force in a given situation. For instance, even though hand phasers are capable of disintegrating large aqueducts and rock faces, the rational response would be to counter with weapons capable of more intense long range destruction, starting the chain of escalation. The appropriate FEP is to keep phasers on lower settings during ground engagements to avoid needless destruction. Species and powers who do not adhere to an FEP are usually destroyed. Biogenic weapons are sometimes used as a way of getting around FEP customs, which is why treaties often focus on controlling them.

Federation Command Ethics: In the late 24th Century there's no such thing as an "expendable crew member" (well, in the *game* there is . . .). The high level of training afforded Federation personnel means that even low grade officers are capable of assuming command duties. Thus, it is considered ethical for command personnel themselves to engage in away missions instead of sending others to answer for their decisions first. One exception is the captain, as he holds ship command codes, special security clearances and is vital to ship's morale.

(no subject)

Salient Illustrations

Bellerophon Operations Bridge

Bellerophon Mission Bridge (Drive Section)

Uniforms

Hazard Dress

New Type 1 "Cricket" Phaser

New Type 2 "Dolphin" Phaser

Type 3 Phaser Rifle

Plasma Toroid Projector "Riot Gun" Phaser Mod

Isomagnetic Disintegrator

TR-116 Projectile Rifle

EVA Rifle

New Treknobabble

Contact Navigation Protocol: This is why everybody chooses the same "up" direction. This is a basic diplomatic gesture between most humanoid species and has been adopted by nonhumanoids who interact with them.

Force Escalation Protocols: All major powers have ridiculously powerful weapons, up to and including trilithium devices capable of destroying stars. Virtually all species follow similar FEPs to prevent mutual annihilation, and some powers have formalized this with treaties. FEPs prescribe minimum effective force in a given situation. For instance, even though hand phasers are capable of disintegrating large aqueducts and rock faces, the rational response would be to counter with weapons capable of more intense long range destruction, starting the chain of escalation. The appropriate FEP is to keep phasers on lower settings during ground engagements to avoid needless destruction. Species and powers who do not adhere to an FEP are usually destroyed. Biogenic weapons are sometimes used as a way of getting around FEP customs, which is why treaties often focus on controlling them.

Federation Command Ethics: In the late 24th Century there's no such thing as an "expendable crew member" (well, in the *game* there is . . .). The high level of training afforded Federation personnel means that even low grade officers are capable of assuming command duties. Thus, it is considered ethical for command personnel themselves to engage in away missions instead of sending others to answer for their decisions first. One exception is the captain, as he holds ship command codes, special security clearances and is vital to ship's morale.

Bellerophon: TNG -- last bit

Tech the tech tech!

It occurs to me that TNG-style babble comes down to three things:

Rule-Breakers: Detecting a cloaked ship, transporting through shields, etc. These have to be things that can't be duplicated in the future.

Fixits: This is when some kind of bullshit fixes a problem or creates a new capability that solves a problem in the episode. *Some* of these can't be duplicated. Others might eventually turn into a real advance.

Buffs: These make an existing capability better. These can't be duplicated consistently, but might eventually convert themselves into a future improvement.

Bellerophon: TNG -- last bit

Tech the tech tech!

It occurs to me that TNG-style babble comes down to three things:

Rule-Breakers: Detecting a cloaked ship, transporting through shields, etc. These have to be things that can't be duplicated in the future.

Fixits: This is when some kind of bullshit fixes a problem or creates a new capability that solves a problem in the episode. *Some* of these can't be duplicated. Others might eventually turn into a real advance.

Buffs: These make an existing capability better. These can't be duplicated consistently, but might eventually convert themselves into a future improvement.