Where did the Enterprise A come from?

[Amos]

As for the Enterprise-A, we really haven't got a clue. I got the distinct impression, though, that the A was a brand new ship. Otherwise why would it be having so many problems?

Okay... hear me out on my little thought exercise.

Maybe the problems with the ship weren’t technical. Maybe the problems were due to causes a bit more difficult to fix, perhaps even impossible to fix. Maybe it really was Yorktown. Maybe after her encounter with the whale probe, the makeshift solar sail didn’t work out for her brave crew and all 400+ perished in space.

After Yorktown had been hauled back to spacedock, Starfleet set about refitting her. Those plans quickly unraveled as engineering crews were seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. They’d lose tools and other equipment only to find them later in locations that person had never been. In other instances the equipment just didn’t work. After several weeks, most engineers refused to even set foot on “the ship of the damned”. In addition to the engineers, many officers passed up commanding the the ship, even at the risk to their own careers.

Months pass and to much public fanfare the legendary crew of Enterprise are tried before the Federation council where the crew are recognized as heroes. Kirk was also rewarded with the command of a starship. Of course he was demoted from Admiral to Captain, but it was argued that the demotion too may have been a reward.

While the Federation president and council felt that Kirk deserved to command a starship again, it may be that Starfleet Command did not. After considerable political pressure was exerted on SF brass by the Federation governing body, they finally decided to give Kirk a ship... the ship of the damned... the ghost ship... Yorktown.

For the brass, it was a win-win. They had a captain that nobody in SFC really wanted to have a ship and a ship that nobody in SFC wanted to captain. There was some concern that Kirk too would pass up the command, so the brass sweetened the deal; Renaming the ship to USS Enterprise.

 

[Colonel Midnight]

Perhaps the Yorktown was ‘pre-refit’ During its encounter with the Whale Probe, then while during the refit the decision was made to rename her to 1701-A? Granted, it took the ‘old’ Enterprise 18 months to go through the refit, but by the time of TVH, perhaps Starfleet has its act together (mostly).

Renaming an in-service ship is always seen as kind of bad luck... YMMV, of course.

Cheers,
-CM-

 

[BillJ]

Perhaps the Yorktown was ‘pre-refit’ During its encounter with the Whale Probe...

When we see the captain talking, he is clearly on a refit bridge, IIRC. It was 2286, fifteen years after the Enterprise had been updated, not sure Starfleet would've kept a technologically deficient ship in service that long afterward.

 

[Dukhat]

http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/tvhhd/tvhhd0223.jpg

This is the best view we get of the Yorktown's captain. We can't make out much of the background, or if he's even on the bridge.

Regardless, I'm of the opinion that the Enterprise-A was simply an old TMP Connie that was scheduled to be decommissioned in a few years anyway, and Starfleet just gave it to Kirk as a reward. But I don't think it was the Yorktown.

 

[UssGlenn]

Perhaps the Yorktown was ‘pre-refit’ During its encounter with the Whale Probe, then while during the refit the decision was made to rename her to 1701-A? Granted, it took the ‘old’ Enterprise 18 months to go through the refit, but by the time of TVH, perhaps Starfleet has its act together (mostly).

I'm not quite on board with this theory, but a point in it's favor is that internally, the 1701A may be closer to an original Constitution Class than the 1701 Refit. The Shuttlebay being the "same" on the inside (real world set compromises taken into account). we also only get the smallest glimpse of Engineering, so it could look however we want. That all is to say, it could have taken less time to refit.

 

[Cobalt Frost]

Okay... hear me out on my little thought exercise.

Maybe the problems with the ship weren’t technical. Maybe the problems were due to causes a bit more difficult to fix, perhaps even impossible to fix. Maybe it really was Yorktown. Maybe after her encounter with the whale probe, the makeshift solar sail didn’t work out for her brave crew and all 400+ perished in space.

After Yorktown had been hauled back to spacedock, Starfleet set about refitting her. Those plans quickly unraveled as engineering crews were seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. They’d lose tools and other equipment only to find them later in locations that person had never been. In other instances the equipment just didn’t work. After several weeks, most engineers refused to even set foot on “the ship of the damned”. In addition to the engineers, many officers passed up commanding the the ship, even at the risk to their own careers.

Months pass and to much public fanfare the legendary crew of Enterprise are tried before the Federation council where the crew are recognized as heroes. Kirk was also rewarded with the command of a starship. Of course he was demoted from Admiral to Captain, but it was argued that the demotion too may have been a reward.

While the Federation president and council felt that Kirk deserved to command a starship again, it may be that Starfleet Command did not. After considerable political pressure was exerted on SF brass by the Federation governing body, they finally decided to give Kirk a ship... the ship of the damned... the ghost ship... Yorktown.

For the brass, it was a win-win. They had a captain that nobody in SFC really wanted to have a ship and a ship that nobody in SFC wanted to captain. There was some concern that Kirk too would pass up the command, so the brass sweetened the deal; Renaming the ship to USS Enterprise.

That is a FANTASTIC story setup. I'd love to write it, unless you have plans...

 

[Dukhat]

While the Federation president and council felt that Kirk deserved to command a starship again, it may be that Starfleet Command did not. After considerable political pressure was exerted on SF brass by the Federation governing body, they finally decided to give Kirk a ship... the ship of the damned... the ghost ship... Yorktown.

I find this scenario hard to swallow. First of all, Kirk and his crew just saved the entire planet. Rather than being spiteful of Kirk, Starfleet should be kissing his ass. And even if they gave him the Yorktown knowing that all those people died, wouldn't Kirk be privy to that? He and the rest of the crew act like they have no idea why the Enterprise is behaving the way it is. And at no point does anyone suspect that it is the result of ghosts. This is Star Trek, not the X-Files.

 

[David cgc]

I find this scenario hard to swallow. First of all, Kirk and his crew just saved the entire planet. Rather than being spiteful of Kirk, Starfleet should be kissing his ass. And even if they gave him the Yorktown knowing that all those people died, wouldn't Kirk be privy to that? He and the rest of the crew act like they have no idea why the Enterprise is behaving the way it is. And at no point does anyone suspect that it is the result of ghosts. This is Star Trek, not the X-Files.

Less than half a year earlier Kirk's dead best friend possessed his alive best friend. Going back a bit further, Scotty was framed for murder by a serial-killer ghost who'd possessed a local nerd. Star Trek is absolutely the X-Files.

 

[dupersuper]

Less than half a year earlier Kirk's dead best friend possessed his alive best friend. Going back a bit further, Scotty was framed for murder by a serial-killer ghost who'd possessed a local nerd. Star Trek is absolutely the X-Files.

Not a ghost: an alien. It may make for the same story, but Star Trek - as pseudo as its science generally is - does have a decidedly scientific viewpoint.

 

[Dukhat]

Less than half a year earlier Kirk's dead best friend possessed his alive best friend. Going back a bit further, Scotty was framed for murder by a serial-killer ghost who'd possessed a local nerd. Star Trek is absolutely the X-Files.

Except nowhere in TFF was it ever implied that the ship’s malfunctions were the work of ghosts, aliens, gremlins, or whatnot. Like @BillJ said, it completely smacked of a computer virus.

 

[cardinal biggles]

http://movies.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/tvhhd/tvhhd0223.jpg

This is the best view we get of the Yorktown's captain. We can't make out much of the background, or if he's even on the bridge.

The displays behind him look like the same displays we see on the Saratoga bridge, but colored with red gels to suggest the ship being on emergency power. I'm not sure if that was Mike Okuda's work, or if he only worked on the graphics for the Enterprise-A in that film.

 

[Amos]

That is a FANTASTIC story setup. I'd love to write it, unless you have plans...

Please... be my guest

 

[Amos]

...Rather than being spiteful of Kirk, Starfleet should be kissing his ass.

This sentinment seems debatable. Excluding the novels, comics, etc... we only know of two missions given to Kirk by Starfleet command after the whale probe incident.

There's Nimbus III, a backwater world that the galaxy seemed to have forgotten about. Despite the hostage situation, the Romulans and Klingons never bothered to officially send anyone. Klaa only went because he thought he could gain some "street cred" by killing Kirk. Based on the response from other galactic powers, this doesn't seem like a mission a government would send a legendary, highly decorated Starfleet commander on, yet they send Kirk.

Then there's the Klingon peace talks after the explosion of Praxis. Starfleet brass sends Kirk with the full intent that he will be the patsy for assisinating the Klingon chancellor and be sentenced to death. Now of course instead of an execution, Kirk was sent to a prision, something I suspect the Starfleet conspirators didn't expect. And, yeah, sure, there were "rescue plans", but I suspect the conspirators knew that the UFP president wouldn't go through with it and create a diplomatic incident that could lead to an all out war.

In both cases, Kirk and crew come out on top and save they day, but it's due to their own resourcefullness and not because of Starfleet command.

I suspect this is true of any century; The military doesn't like anyone stepping on their peepee. Not only did Kirk step on it in TSFS (and other instances), he did a full on Riverdance on it.

 

[jackoverfull]

Wasn’t causing a full scale war exactly the conspirators’ objective? I remember colonel West going so far as saying “we can kick them back to the Stone Age” or something like that on the extended cut.

 

[Amos]

Wasn’t causing a full scale war exactly the conspirators’ objective? I remember colonel West going so far as saying “we can kick them back to the Stone Age” or something like that on the extended cut.

Yes, for the Klingon and Starfleet conspriators, but I don't believe that was the objective of the UFP president or even the Federation council at the time. I think the Federation was hoping for a peaceful resolution and considered any act of war a last resort. I believe the conspirators hoped the initial assination would push the Klingons to war, but when that didn't work, they decided to rinse and repeat at Khitomer.

 

[UssGlenn]

Wasn’t causing a full scale war exactly the conspirators’ objective? I remember colonel West going so far as saying “we can kick them back to the Stone Age” or something like that on the extended cut.

That's a good point, after Kirk surrendering (contrary to the conspirators predictions) prevents war from breaking out immediately, I could totally see the rescue being plan B to provoke the Klingons. I assume pinning the Assassination at Kithomer on the Klingons was plan C? That makes more sense in the extended cut when you find out it's Col. West in disguise.

 

[jackoverfull]

From how I see it the main reason the conspirators wanted Kirk there was that they expected him to return fire once fired upon, starting the war, they sure didn’t expect him to give himself up to the Klingon.

 

[BillJ]

Wasn’t causing a full scale war exactly the conspirators’ objective? I remember colonel West going so far as saying “we can kick them back to the Stone Age” or something like that on the extended cut.

Clean their chronometers.

 

[Cobalt Frost]

Please... be my guest

Right on! May not be Yorktown to Ent-A, but there's a great idea for a story there.

 

[Dukhat]

There's Nimbus III, a backwater world that the galaxy seemed to have forgotten about. Despite the hostage situation, the Romulans and Klingons never bothered to officially send anyone. Klaa only went because he thought he could gain some "street cred" by killing Kirk. Based on the response from other galactic powers, this doesn't seem like a mission a government would send a legendary, highly decorated Starfleet commander on, yet they send Kirk.

Here's the thing with that: I find it very hard to take such a poorly written script at face value for any kind of 'evidence' Starfleet was pissed off at Kirk. Here's the relevant quotes:

ADMIRAL BOB: I apologize for cancelling shore leave but look, we have a dangerous situation out on Nimbus Three.
KIRK: On 'The Planet of Galactic Peace?'
ADMIRAL BOB: The same. From what we can make out, a terrorist force has captured the only settlement and they've taken hostages. The Klingon, the Romulan and the Federation consuls. Now I know Enterprise is not exactly up to specs...
KIRK: With all due respect, the Enterprise is a disaster. There must be other ships in the Quadrant.
ADMIRAL BOB: Other ships, yes, but no experienced commanders. Captain, ...I need Jim Kirk. Your orders are to proceed to Nimbus Three, assess the situation and avoid confrontation if possible. Above all, however, all get those hostages back safely.
KIRK: Have the Klingons responded?
ADMIRAL BOB: No, but you can bet they will.
KIRK: Understood. Kirk out. Plot course to Nimbus Three, Mister Sulu.

So let's assume that Starfleet sent Kirk on this mission to try to intentionally get him killed (which is already a preposterous scenario, but I'm willing to play devil's advocate here.) Admiral Bob specifically wants Kirk to lead the mission, and Kirk states that his ship is not up to the task. So...why didn't either Bob or Kirk suggest just having Kirk transfer to a ship that was better suited to the task? The Excelsior was literally sitting right next to the Enterprise-A. Why didn't Kirk just take command of that ship? Also, this is a rescue mission into dangerous territory. Even if Admiral Bob had a hard-on for giving Kirk the mission, why didn't he send along a commando infiltration unit to do the actual rescue? Why, instead, does Admiral Bob allow Kirk to just use a bunch of senior citizens for such a delicate task? And why does Kirk just accept all this without batting an eye? And no experienced commanders? What happened to Captain Styles? Why would he not have been an 'experienced commander?'

The bottom line is that there is no logical reason for Kirk, his crew, or his disabled ship to take part in this mission, and yet with almost miniscule resistance, Kirk willingly does so, without questioning the logic of those orders. So neither Starfleet nor Kirk is acting at all rationally.

Then there's the Klingon peace talks after the explosion of Praxis. Starfleet brass sends Kirk with the full intent that he will be the patsy for assassinating the Klingon chancellor and be sentenced to death. Now of course instead of an execution, Kirk was sent to a prison, something I suspect the Starfleet conspirators didn't expect. And, yeah, sure, there were "rescue plans", but I suspect the conspirators knew that the UFP president wouldn't go through with it and create a diplomatic incident that could lead to an all out war.

First of all, it wasn't Starfleet's idea to send Kirk on the mission; it was Spock's, without Kirk's knowledge. And second, the conspirators' intent was to prevent the peace treaty, not to specifically make Kirk a patsy. If Starfleet had instead chosen, say, the aforementioned Captain Styles for the mission, then it would have been Styles and his ship that would have been framed, not Kirk.

I suspect this is true of any century; The military doesn't like anyone stepping on their peepee. Not only did Kirk step on it in TSFS (and other instances), he did a full on Riverdance on it.

And yet he also saved Earth, and presumably, the families of all those Starfleet commanders. So I don't see Starfleet being too pissed off at him.