I know that the deltas are representative of the whole fleet, but I personally would not mind the Exeter, Antares, or Constellation logos getting similar treatment.Strange New Worlds
Simple.
Elegant.
Perfect.
What is your favorite uniform badge?
- Thread starter The Rock
- Start date
Actually IIRC, of those only Exeter was specifically an error per se as the Antares logo represented a different (branch of) service that we haven't seen since (roughly analogous to the Merchant Marine, which could also be why they wear the older uniforms) since and the Constellation logo was supposed to be Decker's personal insignia as a "commodore on field assignment" (I headcanon that as either a "US Navy-style" commodore or the old Royal Navy Commodore Second Class, ie a captain who could act as a commodore as needed rather than a "starburst" commodore who were actually assigned a billet appropriate to that rank/title) and the rest of his crew would have worn the usual delta badge.
Makes sense, but I always did like the variation and would welcome seeing more.
That's a theory but there's no evidence that was what it was intended to be.
Naturally not, but I think seeing them in metal rather than patch form would be fun regardless of the intention. I have always appreciated the idea (regardless of what was intended) that the 12 constitutions had their own assignment insignia. Obvious that has changed but it's a longstanding personal love that I enjoy.
Believe me, as someone who covered sheets of school scratch paper with designs for other starships' badges in the pre-movie era, I agree 100%. As far as I was concerned, every ship had its own insignia. Whatever the intent and execution was in TOS, I've missed that kind of detail and texture since.
Ok, I concur as well.
When did that change?
Exactly during what part of the ST franchise did that start to change?
TNG, TMP Movie?
Well, there is a memo running around out there were the insignia on the Exeter (Someone more in the know will correct me if I'm wrong) that all Starfleet was to have the delta, not just the Enterprise crew, which was brought up in "Court Martial" since Kirk gets heckled by Starfleet officers wearing the delta, and it would be odd for subordinates to be giving their captain a hard time like that. So, the intent, regardless of execution, was for that badge to be emblematic of Starfleet, vs. the Merchant Services of the Antares, and a different insignia, or Starfleet Command or starbase personnel with their own badge.
So it started to change even in TOS but was more firmly codified in TMP.
Yep - here's the original memo:
And here is an article on startrek.com on the subject: The Starfleet Insignia Explained (startrek.com)
And here is an article on startrek.com on the subject: The Starfleet Insignia Explained (startrek.com)
The article makes an unsupported conclusion about what the Matt Decker badge was intended to be. Since it was not mentioned in any known primary documents, the original intent for the Decker/Constellation insignia can't be definitively stated.
https://www.startrek.com/article/starfleet-insignia-explained
the official line is that, at that time, Decker was the only flag officer in permanent command of a starship, so his insignia was unique. Works for me.
But that's not the same as saying that one knows the intent of the people making the decisions at the time.
I guess it does to the author of the article who's making claims about intent.
As for intent, I'm more interested in the intent of the original artists.
Which is a point I've made frequently in the past about this and other costume/prop/set design decisions. As time marches on, talented individuals sadly pass from existence, without having told anyone why something was done a certain way (if they can remember). All we have left is hypothetical to fill in the blanks. When a theory is put forward that generally supports what is known, it tends to enter into "soft canon" territory until something better comes along.
It's time to revisit our previous discussions on this topic...
I do love these Starfleet Delta discussions. Here are some previous discussions.
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/divisions-insignia-uniforms-and-assignment-patches.204505/
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/original-12-constitution-class-ships.259462/
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/starfleet-starship-insignia-was-all-supposed-to-be-the-same.235939/
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/crazily-shaped-assignment-patches.229381/
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/starfleet-command-insignia.200788/
I do love these Starfleet Delta discussions. Here are some previous discussions.
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/divisions-insignia-uniforms-and-assignment-patches.204505/
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/original-12-constitution-class-ships.259462/
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/starfleet-starship-insignia-was-all-supposed-to-be-the-same.235939/
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/crazily-shaped-assignment-patches.229381/
https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/starfleet-command-insignia.200788/
Yeah. Did Justman simply overlook that Decker had a different badge, so should have put out the memo after “The Doomsday Machine”? Or was it a specific decision to give Decker a “commodore badge” and Exeter’s insignia the actual mistake? Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll ever know, unless someone finds Theiss’s notes or something.
Given that all previous and subsequent commodores of the era did wear a different badge to regular starship personnel, I'm inclined to favour the notion that Decker not wearing the delta would be an exception to the policy in any case.
Whether he should have been wearing the "starburst" insignia otherwise worn by commodores and the occasional admiral during the period or, whether as the startrek.com article suggests, he has an assignment that justifies a different insignia is less clear.
Whether he should have been wearing the "starburst" insignia otherwise worn by commodores and the occasional admiral during the period or, whether as the startrek.com article suggests, he has an assignment that justifies a different insignia is less clear.
It was called "April's Enterprise". Set in the 2240s and follows the Enterprise's first missions under Robert April
Ranks based on the two pilots (with some slight fudging)
The ship. I incorporated some ENT features into it once that show came out
Uniforms. Again a mix of the pilots and ENT.
The Crew
CAPTAIN ROBERT APRIL- April was born on the New Tasmania Colony. New Tasmania is rich in dilithium and April’s family worked in the mines hoping to strike it rich. At seventeen April signed up with Starfleet as a means to escape the colony and after fourteen years had risen to the rank of chief petty officer. While April was serving aboard the USS Apollo, the ship’s commander was injured and the senior officers were killed during a skirmish with a Klingon vessel. The captain gave Chief April a battlefield promotion to lieutenant and placed him in command. April defeated the Klingons and got the ship to safety. Afterwards April was sent to Officer’s Candidate School and received a commission. As an officer, April served on a variety of ships, eventually commanding the USS Sequoia, his last assignment before the Enterprise.
April is the first officer to command a Starship who did not graduate from the Academy. His command style is a bit unorthodox by Academy standards. He’s a very hands on type of commander, preferring to be in the middle of the action and forging one on one relationships with his crew. If there’s a problem he’s more likely to roll up his sleeves and pitch in rather than stand around delegating. Not being an Academy man, he’s not part of the “old boy network” and many of his fellow officers view him as an outsider.
COMMANDER HIRO NOGURA- Nogura is the ship's First Officer. His family can trace their history of military service back to Japanese samurai warriors. His grandmother was a member of Starfleet Academy’s first graduating class in 2165. His mother and father are former Starfleet officers and currently serve in the governments of the Federation and Earth. They look upon Starfleet as a stepping stone to a political career and have groomed Hiro for a future in government. He is torn between doing what his family wants or following his own desires and staying in Starfleet.
Nogura is a by the book officer, who is at times shocked by April’s unorthodox decision making. April values his advice, even if he doesn't always follow it. A workaholic, Nogura takes great pride in a well-run ship and a highly competent crew. The crew see him as tough but fair. Nogura is skilled in diplomacy and is a regular landing party member. He was born on Starbase 4, but was raised in Paris, France on Earth.
LT. COMMANDER ZLEV- Zlev, an Andorian, is the ship’s tactical/security officer. He served with April aboard the Sequoia and was April’s first choice as First Officer, but was overruled by Starfleet Command. He also serves as the ship’s second officer. A member of the Andorian warrior caste, Zlev is an expert in the martial arts and master of weapons ranging from a sling shot to a laser cannon. He is also an accomplished poet and musician. Slender and soft spoken, he is often underestimated by opponents unfamiliar with Andorians.
Like all Andorians Zlev was part of a group called a triad, the other two members of his triad were, killed leaving Zlev alone. This is what prompted Zlev to join Starfleet.
LT. COMMANDER SAHAR GOLDMAN- Goldman is head of the science department and serves as Science Officer and Ship’s Surgeon. A child prodigy, Goldman graduated medical school at the age of sixteen and went on to earn degrees in physics, biology, astronomy, psychology and chemistry. Finding life on Earth unchallenging she enrolled in Starfleet Academy, hoping that the exploration of space would fulfill her needs. She has thrived in the environment of Starfleet, where she can use her skills and knowledge at their utmost levels. An expert in xenobiology, she is a member of all first contact landing parties. She has assumed a mentoring role with Lt. Garcia, with whom she feels a certain empathy and Ensign Llewellyn who needs to focus her boundless energy. April values her vast scientific knowledge, though they often clash on a personal level. Goldman was born in the Middle East on Earth and is primarily of Ethiopian/Israeli decent. Her ancestors immigrated to Israel in the late 20th Century and were believed to be a “lost tribe”.
LT. CHRISTOPHER PIKE- Pike is the ship’s helmsman and is one of a new breed of officers who admire April and other “wild card” commanders. He is a protégé of April's, who feels he will make an excellent senior officer-if he can learn to trust his instincts. His abilities and devotion to duty has earned the respect of Nogura and Zlev. Moqs treats him and most junior officers like he was fresh out of the academy. Pike is willing to risk his life to safe guard the captain, the ship or a fellow crew member, but is not foolhardy. Focused on his career, he is oblivious to the fact that many crew members find him attractive, including Lt. Garcia and Ensign Llewyllen. Pike was born in the town of Mojave on Earth.
CHIEF MOQS- Moqs is from Tellar and is April’s oldest friend. They have served together on various ships, including the Apollo and the Sequoia. The senior chief in engineering, Moqs pretty much runs the department for the Engineering Officer, who prefers administrative type duties. One of the positions Moqs has held in his long career in Starfleet was a drill instructor at Starfleet’s boot camp for enlisted personnel at Parris Island. He runs his department like a boot camp and many crew members view temporary duty in engineering as something to be avoided.
LIEUTENANT j.g. MARGARET “Maggie” GARCIA- Garcia is in charge of communications and operations (comm/ops) for the ship. Tall and muscular she tends to stand out in a crowd, but is actually very shy.. Her ancestors were the genetically enhanced “supermen” who started the Eugenics Wars. She is smarter, faster and stronger than the average human, but she tries to hide this by acting clumsy and being quiet. Maggie is part of a program, headed by Dr. Goldman, to integrate Eugenics with main stream humans. Like many Eugenics, Maggie takes drugs to control the various psychosis caused by enhancement. Dr. Goldman feels a certain empathy with Maggie and was instrumental in getting her assigned to the Enterprise. Zlev is impressed by Maggie’s physical abilities and keeps trying to recruit her into security. He is puzzled by the negative reactions humans have towards Eugenics. His people have always practiced a form of eugenics. Her roommate is Ensign Llwellyn, who is constantly trying to “bring her out of her shell”. April finds the presence of a Eugenic in his crew to be unsettling. His ancestors, like most humans, suffered greatly at the hands of the Eugenics during the war. Garcia, like many women on board has a crush on Pike. Pike views her as a highly competent fellow officer.
Garcia was born in Mexico on Earth. She is or will become “Number One” from the TOS pilot “The Cage”.
ENSIGN GUINEVERE “Lou” LLWELLYN- Llwellyn is the ship’s navigation officer. Fresh out of the Academy, the Enterprise is her first assignment. She is outgoing, enthusiastic and eager to please. She is in awe of Captain April and has a crush on Pike. Curious about non-human cultures she often crosses the line of tactfulness with Zlev, Moqs and other aliens on board. April, Nogura and Goldman are trying to focus her energy. A "Starfleet brat", Llwellyn was born in space and has lived on various colony worlds, starbases and alien planets. Her four years at the academy were the longest time she has spent on one planet. Her mother is an admiral, currently assigned to Starfleet Headquarters.
Aliens
ANDORIANS- Of the races currently part of the Federation, the Andorians are seen as the most non-human. This is due to their insectiod rather than mammalian evolution. The Andorians are ruled by a matriarchy, but their females are rarely seen by off-worlders. Male Andorians are raised in large groups and each group is divided into sub-groups of three called triads. The triads are closer than brothers and each member is trained to be a warrior. Each triad is also trained in other skills. They might be doctors, scientists, poets, chefs or countless other professions. Upon maturity each triad is bonded to a female Andorian and enters into her service as a warrior and in whatever secondary skill they have trained in. An Andorian woman’s wealth and power is judged by the number of triads she has bonded with. In Andor’s past great wars were fought between rival matriarchs, with millions of triads sacrificing their lives. This deference to females has caused problems with Andorians serving in Starfleet who are in units commanded by females. The government on Andor is the Matriarchal Council, headed by the Grand Matriarch.
Though slender in appearance and soft spoken, Andorians posses great strength and their bodies are covered with a tough exoskeleton that protects them from most physical harm. Andorians have a high regard for poetry and music. Most of their history is told in epic poems and song, which are memorized and performed by triads trained in those arts.
TELLARITES - Tellarites love to argue, or so most other Federation members like to think. They are very blunt and speak their minds, with little thought for the consequences. This can make negotiations with them very difficult. A very proud people, they feel the Tellarite civilization to be superior to all others. Family is very important and monogamy is the common practice. Archly conservative, they are wary of new ideas. Joining the Federation was a controversial decision and many Tellarites are still opposed to Federation membership. Their government is based on the democratic republic model. Debate is a popular pastime. Prior to the founding of the Federation, Tellar and Andor fought a long bitter war and distrust still exists between the two worlds.
ORION PIRATES- The Orions are a criminal organization, not an alien race. The first Orion pirates were from Rigel V and are physiologically very similar to Vulcans, and like the Romulans, may be an off shoot of that race. The pirates terrorized the Rigel system for centuries and with the invention of warp drive spread their criminal organization throughout the galaxy. Most of the illegal activity in two quadrants can be traced to the Orion organization. While Rigelians still dominate the organization, all sentient species are welcome. The typical crew of an Orion ship may include Rigellians, Terrans, Klingons and countless other species. Federation Intelligence believes, but cannot prove, that the Orions control the governments of Rigel V, Rigel II and Rigel VII. Many independent space stations are fronts for Orion smuggling and slavery operations. Orion captains and their ships are known for their boldness—often attacking ships, space stations and even planets who are seemingly their superior. Their ships are very deceiving. What externally looks like a merchant ship may actually posses the fire power to take on a starship and the speed to out run it.
RIGELLIANS- The Rigel System is one of the most populated areas of the Federation. It contains four planets that support sentient life and one planet rich in dilithium crystals. As stated above Rigel V is the homeworld of the first Orion Pirates and it’s inhabitants may be related to the Vulcans. Rigel V is well known for it’s vast merchant fleets and opulent lifestyle, which detractors attribute to the Orion Pirates. Rigel II is known for its gaming and entertainment facilities. Most of these are owned by wealthy merchants from Rigel V. Rigel IV is a colony of Rigel V and the source of political unrest. The inhabitants wish to be recognized as an independent world. Rigel VII was used as a prison for the Rigel System for many centuries. Over one hundred years ago the prisoners rioted and took over the planet. Society there has regressed to a medieval level and the planet is under strict quarantine by the Rigellian government. Rigel IX is a barely habitable planet at the edge of the system. Rich in dilithium, the planet is home to hundreds of miners hoping to make their fortunes.
Native born Rigellians look like Vulcans but lack their telepathic skills and devotion to logic. They tend to enjoy life and are a boisterous, loud people who love fine food, fine clothes and other trappings of wealth. Like the Orions, the Rigellians readily welcome off-worlders into their society and many have migrated there, attracted by the opulent life style.
Characters & Aliens from other Star Trek Shows
Most of the characters from the other Trek shows would be too young to appear in this series as anything other than children or time travelers. Kirk would be around ten years old and Spock would be about thirteen at the time this series takes place. McCoy and Scotty would be in their early twenties, but I'm not sure that having other actors playing adult, although younger, versions of these characters would be accepted by fans. Sarek and Amanda are also possibilities, but again would the fans accept other actors in these roles? Of course the characters from Next Generation, DS9 and Voyager would not haven been born yet.
Using the Klingons would probably be problematic, since we would have to face the question of the different appearances of the original series Klingons and the Movies/Next Generation Klingons. Though I suppose the TOS Klingons could be ignored or just never mentioned. The Romulans were still incommunicado at this time, but Romulans disguised as Vulcans or Rigellians might be used. At this time, the Cardassians, the Bajorans and Ferengi live in an area of space that had not yet been explored by the Federation. It is unlikely that the Enterprise would run across them. The Trill seem to have been around since the Federation's founding so an appearance by a member of that species would not be out of line. Betazed also seems to be a Federation member of long standing
And there you have it
It was called "April's Enterprise". Set in the 2240s and follows the Enterprise's first missions under Robert April
Ranks based on the two pilots (with some slight fudging)
The ship. I incorporated some ENT features into it once that show came out
Uniforms. Again a mix of the pilots and ENT.
...
Nice.
Maybe by this time, terrestrial human eyes have evolved to the point where the command and operations colors are readily discernible!
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