Constitution or Enterprise class?

[James Wright]

Sometime ago someone asked a question about the Constitution or Enterprise class!?(I couldn't find it!)
If the Enterprise seen in TWOK was the lead ship of a new class how did Khan know where to hit the Enterprise with phasers to disable the ship?
Remember in TOS he read up on the Enterprise while in sickbay.

JDW

 

[Wingsley]

The refit E changed alot from the TOS E, but the fundamentals are the same. Besides, with Checkov and Terrell, etc. under the influence of Khan's pets (a very cheesey plot device, BTW) Khan and his gang had full access to Reliant's computers and technology, no doubt giving them access to military information about Federation starships.

 

[Unicron]

Yep. I believe the original thread you're looking for is in the movies forum.

 

[Timo]

The refit E changed alot from the TOS E, but the fundamentals are the same.

Although, interestingly, "where to hit to disable main power" would seem to be one of those things that changed completely in the refit.

I'd think Khan got the specs of Kirk's ship from Terrell and his databanks just prior to the attack, rather than relying on vague memories of what he had seen or read in "Space Seed". It probably came as a mighty surprise to Khan that Kirk was still flying the Enterprise. Hell, it must have come as a total surprise to Terrell and the rest of Starfleet that Kirk was still flying the Enterprise, as the Admiral's presence there was due to an apparently impromptu training cruise! I guess Khan simply was a quick study, finding out the weak points of the enemy during those few hours between Carol's call for emergency (in which Kirk would have identified his ship) and the battle.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[James Wright]

Remember, in TOS episode Khan asked Kirk if he could read the technical manual of the Enterprise, if I remember correctly.

JDW

 

[MarianLH]

The novelization attributes it to that scene in "Space Seed", but I think Timo's suggestion makes more sense.


Marian

 

[James Wright]

Why would a Miranda class starship have the specs of a Constitution class starship in its' databanks? I can see there being information on the Miranda & the disposition of Starfleet, there might be something in the ship's library computer about the Constitution but not the entire tech manual.


JDW

 

[Brian]

The refit E changed alot from the TOS E, but the fundamentals are the same.

Although, interestingly, "where to hit to disable main power" would seem to be one of those things that changed completely in the refit.

Why? Did they move Main Engineering in the refit?

 

[Wingsley]

Why would a Miranda class starship have the specs of a Constitution class starship in its' databanks? I can see there being information on the Miranda & the disposition of Starfleet, there might be something in the ship's library computer about the Constitution but not the entire tech manual.

JDW

Why not?

Relaint would not need detailed specs, but likely would have general plans. After all, what would a Miranda-class starship crew do if they came upon a disabled Connie whose crew needed assistance/rescue?

 

[Brian]

Why would a Miranda class starship have the specs of a Constitution class starship in its' databanks?

The same reason a Constitution class starship would have the command codes for the Reliant in its databanks. Because the plot demanded it.

 

[James Wright]

What would happen if someone who knew computers hacked into any starship's main computer, granted the info would probably be in a protected database but what would happen if that database was breached? Command codes for all Federation starships would be accessable, not to mention self destruct codes!

JDW

 

[Nedersong]

Actually the original dedication plaque says "Starship Class".

 

[Wingsley]

What would happen if someone who knew computers hacked into any starship's main computer, granted the info would probably be in a protected database but what would happen if that database was breached? Command codes for all Federation starships would be accessable, not to mention self destruct codes!

JDW

You're forgetting one thing: the self-destruct requires voice-recognition to access, in addition to the codes, and can likely not be activated remotely.

 

[Plecostomus]

Kirk had access to the command codes because of his rank. You never know when you might need to take complete control of a ship for whatever reason.

As for knowing where to attack, simply scan the target and aim for the parts emitting large amounts of energy.

Compound this with the fact there would be detailed information in the technical manuals aboard the Relient on how ships are laid out and stuff like that. Khan knew where to hit them and how hard to disable the ship utterly.

I have no doubt he was aiming to disable once he knew Kirk was aboard... Kahn had to feed his ego and show off to Kirk. There is no doubt in my mind he could have done much much more damage to the Enterprise in that first attack had he wanted to but he was actually holding back.

 

[Unicron]

The Mirror Universe Saga by DC Comics actually had such a scenario, with the crew's counterparts from the MU attempting to invade our universe.

 

[James Wright]

In TOS Khan askes if he could read the tech manuals of the Enterprise. Wouldn't some of the info be top secret thus restricted to non starfleet personnel?

JDW

 

[Wingsley]

So the library computer would automatically display only the declassified parts.

Lest we forget: everyone underestimated Khan. I wouldn't be surprised if they thought this relic from Earth's barbaric past couldn't understand what he was reading.

 

[ParticleMan]

Kirk had access to the command codes because of his rank. You never know when you might need to take complete control of a ship for whatever reason.

As for knowing where to attack, simply scan the target and aim for the parts emitting large amounts of energy.

Compound this with the fact there would be detailed information in the technical manuals aboard the Relient on how ships are laid out and stuff like that. Khan knew where to hit them and how hard to disable the ship utterly.

I have no doubt he was aiming to disable once he knew Kirk was aboard... Kahn had to feed his ego and show off to Kirk. There is no doubt in my mind he could have done much much more damage to the Enterprise in that first attack had he wanted to but he was actually holding back.

Wasn't Kirk the Chief of Operations for Starfleet in TWOK? I don't remember exactly what Admiral Kirk's job was, but if he were in that position or something similar, it would stand to reason again that he would be able to personally take control of another starship.

 

[Mark_Nguyen]

I figured that if the tactical vulnerabilites of a starship were not accessible on Reliant, Khan hit what he did simply because he knew what to look for. From his experience with the Enterprise in the past, he'd know perhaps that the phasers or the torpedoes or the warp energizers gave off certain kinds of energy signatures, which he could take advantage of. We've seen countless examples of someone ordering their tactical officer to disable engines, weapons, shields, etc., often on brand-new alien ships they'd nevevr seen before. Khan's a smart guy - I figure he and his motley crew would have been able to do the same thing.

Mark

 

[Brian]

Kirk had access to the command codes because of his rank. You never know when you might need to take complete control of a ship for whatever reason.

Wasn't Kirk the Chief of Operations for Starfleet in TWOK? I don't remember exactly what Admiral Kirk's job was, but if he were in that position or something similar, it would stand to reason again that he would be able to personally take control of another starship.

Except for the fact that it wasn't Kirk who pulled up the codes. :/

On the other question.. I don't think Kirk was COO in TWOK. In TSFS, which takes place immediately afterwards, he goes and talks to Admiral Morrow about taking the Enterprise back out, and Morrow says, "I am the Chief of Operations, Starfleet," or something like that, doesn't he? Or am I misremembering. Does he actually say, "YOU are COO" as in don't throw it all away on this insane notion?