The Vulcan mind melt

[Summer Solstice]

The Defiant had a crew of 50, about one-third of Voyager's. It required dual authorization.

The Defiant needs a two-person aurhorization, and it has 1/3 of the crew and it's 1/3 the size. (5 decks vs. the 15 decks of Voyager.)

So that explanation doesn't work.

In which episode? If it was after Voyager launched, maybe they realised two-person authorisation was important.

 

[UssGlenn]

Since Janeway's original first officer was dead, perhaps regulations allow for single authorization until another first officer is assigned, and provisional officers don't count.

 

[Oddish]

Since Janeway's original first officer was dead, perhaps regulations allow for single authorization until another first officer is assigned, and provisional officers don't count.

Then I would think a ranking non-provisional officer would be needed to provide the second authorization. Tuvok would have done fine.

And in any case, Voyager's computers presumably recognized Chakotay as first officer. So, it's well within the realm of possibility that the autodestruct would work for him as well.

 

[fireproof78]

Then I would think a ranking non-provisional officer would be needed to provide the second authorization. Tuvok would have done fine.

And in any case, Voyager's computers presumably recognized Chakotay as first officer. So, it's well within the realm of possibility that the autodestruct would work for him as well.

Indeed. Since a ship needs a chain of command, even with provisional officers, who need to be able to move up and down with it.

I know Janeway told death to take a hike but she still needs a chain of command. Chakotay should be eligible, and if not then Tuvok as security chief/second officer.

 

[Oddish]

Of course, the real reason is this: Voyager has dual-activated autodestruct just like any other ship... but it doesn't matter, because Kathryn Janeway is the Chuck Norris of Star Trek. If she tells the ship to blow up, it blows up.

 

[Farscape One]

In which episode? If it was after Voyager launched, maybe they realised two-person authorisation was important.

"THE ADVERSARY", DS9 season 3 finale, which was during VGR's first season.

However, the Defiant was assigned to DS9 months before Voyager began her mission into the Badlands.

Plus, the Defiant was pulled out of mothballs before that.

 

[fireproof78]

Of course, the real reason is this: Voyager has dual-activated autodestruct just like any other ship... but it doesn't matter, because Kathryn Janeway is the Chuck Norris of Star Trek. If she tells the ship to blow up, it blows up.

Even the little Fraiser cast skit references this with Janeway.

 

[Oddish]

Even the little Fraiser cast skit references this with Janeway.

It wasn't a pet, it was a date.

 

[Ragitsu]

- Seven years later -

STARFLEET BOARD OF INQUIRY: "Next: the 'Two-key authorization for the self-destruct system'. Did you never think to turn it back on?"
JANEWAY: "Between dodging the Kazon, the Vidiians, the Malon...the Borg...no, I guess it slipped my mind."

*Restrained chuckling from the spectators*

 

[Oddish]

It's possible she did at some point in Seasons 3-7... I think the self-destruct sequence was activated twice in Season 2, but never again.

 

[Akiraprise]

I got the impression in NEM, when Picard tried to activate the self-destruct, that it wasn't going to take more than his authorization to do it. His defeated tone of voice and the looks of the other crew seemed to imply it was a done deal.

 

[at Quark's]

I think they should implement a point system. CO gets 10 points, XO gets 7 points, lower commanders get 5 points and so all the way down to ensigns 1 point. Then you have to get a point total of 15 to activate autodestruct. So captain +XO will do, or three high officers without CO and XO will do, or 15 ensigns all agreeing (when their seniors are incapacitated) will do.

Janeway probably got 'awesomeness bonus points' awarded to her by the computer, so that she alone was worth (at least) 15 points. Or she hacked the system to get them, I wouldn't put it past her.

I consider it a problem with the same source as those endless torpedoes: careless writing, and not bothering with thinking things through and giving an explanation.

 

[Oddish]

Janeway probably got 'awesomeness bonus points' awarded to her by the computer, so that she alone was worth (at least) 15 points. Or she hacked the system to get them, I wouldn't put it past her.

The latter is certainly possible. Janeway did show herself capable of subterfuge.

I consider it a problem with the same source as those endless torpedoes: careless writing, and not bothering with thinking things through and giving an explanation.

One of the things that hurt Voyager worst as a show.

And am I the only one who thinks "Vulcan mind melt" sounds like a selection at a Trek-themed restaurant?

 

[at Quark's]

And am I the only one who thinks "Vulcan mind melt" sounds like a selection at a Trek-themed restaurant?

No, I have the same association. But I didn't have it in earlier years. I suppose it has come with the popularity of those 'cheese melts'.

 

[Ragitsu]

And am I the only one who thinks "Vulcan mind melt" sounds like a selection at a Trek-themed restaurant?

Odd minds think alike. Now, would (should?) the base sandwich be vegetarian or not?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Since Janeway's original first officer was dead, perhaps regulations allow for single authorization until another first officer is assigned, and provisional officers don't count.

Wouldn't Tuvok qualify, since he is the next non-provisional officer in line?

And am I the only one who thinks "Vulcan mind melt" sounds like a selection at a Trek-themed restaurant?

It sounds like Scanners.

 

[Oddish]

Wouldn't Tuvok qualify, since he is the next non-provisional officer in line?

Definitely. And only a couple lines needed to be added: after Janeway arms the self-destruct sequence, the computer says "Additional command authorization required." Then, Tuvok says: "computer, confirm self-destruct, authorization Tuvok zeta six four seven" or some such thing.

 

[Sumire]

But then we wouldn’t have so much to theorize about. All the joy we get from creating No Prize explanations, gone!

 

[at Quark's]

These authorisation codes are so short that anyone in the room can just remember them by hearing them a single time. And you don't exactly need 24th century technology to synthesize the Captain's voice. And this really seems to be all that is needed, at least the computer accepted Data's commands as Picard's in Brothers when he spoke with his voice.

So I suppose in reality, just about anyone could initiate such an autodestruct sequence if (s)he really wanted to.

 

[Ragitsu]

Sensors for the self-destruct system could also require A) a warm body and B) a valid genetic sequence. Admittedly, both may still be inadequate, but all four standards - code, voice signature, living being, DNA - are better than only two criterion.