Why did Starfleet put Ransom in command of such a crappy ship?

[ED-209]

Ranson is shown as extremely capable (IMO), it's stated he is an accomplised diplomat and on screen he almost beats Janeway in a ship thats far inferior to his opponent, this shows tactical ability aswell as diplomatic ability. If I remember rightly it was also stated that he eluded a ship in a Nebula for days till the pursuer eventually gave up - more evidence of strategic thinking.

So my question is why did Starfleet put such a man in command of what's essentially an Oberth upgrade? Putting him in the same grade as Esteban (mr I need to contact Starfleet before I scratch my own arse). Surely he'd be better place on one of the higher class ships - or atleast use him tactically and give him a Defiant/Akira etc.

Thoughts?

 

[valkyrie013]

He might have asked?
Maybe he wanted a nice and quite command that he can concentrate on some science, something like Janeway where she was a science officer then command..
and the ship was brand new, all latest stuff so it would be a choice command.
People get burned out on patrol ships, or some other type of border ship, so he may have rotated to a science command for a few years, the go back? who knows.

 

[somebuddyX]

Well I disagree with the idea that the Equinox was a crappy ship. It held out in the DQ for 5 years against all kinds of nasty crap, obviously the Krowtonan Guard but presumably other antagonists if they were running into races at the same Voyager was or even half that, hell even a quarter. Picard was obviously a good commander in order to get the Enterprise-D but before that he'd been commanding the Stargazer a ship that might have been eighty years old at that point.
I think there's nothing wrong with the Nova-class' specialty just being a good science vessel. Like the Defiant being a good warship there's bound to be things that the Nova's could do really well that a Defiant would be unable. Having a smaller crew might also have been desirable for Ransom but also it may not have been up to him.
I reckon few starship captains get to choose the ships they command. Like Riker with the Aries and Melbourne Starfleet makes them an offer and they can accept it but I don't think people go around picking and choosing the ships they'd really want because they'd simply be unavailable.

 

[Soong-type Android]

I liked the Equinox. It was cool looking.

 

[TimeIsAPredator]

I liked the Equinox. It was cool looking.

I like it too. And as someone mentioned the Oberth earlier I do think it has a similar limited ability functional look which suits is purpose.

Also was there ever a technical reason given for why VOY era ships have exposed sections?

 

[flandry84]

Perhaps they recognised the weakness in the man and assigned him to a rather underpowered research vessel.
Equinox had a rather high scumbag quotient.

 

[Go-Captain]

He may have been seen as a diplomat at large above all else, so they gave him a small ship to get him around and trouble shoot diplomatic troubles. Or his background could have been like Janeways, scientific, so he was placed on a scientific ship. Or he was an underachiever of sorts and only showed his true abilities once pressed into it.

 

[CommanderTrip]

I like it too. And as someone mentioned the Oberth earlier I do think it has a similar limited ability functional look which suits is purpose.

Also was there ever a technical reason given for why VOY era ships have exposed sections?

I think those are part of the sensor systems IIRC, something to that effect.

 

[Angry Fanboy]

...he eluded a ship in a Nebula for days till the pursuer eventually gave up - more evidence of strategic thinking.

I'm not convinced that hiding for so long that your opponent gets bored and goes home is the strategic brilliance you think it is.

 

[Angry Fanboy]

Also was there ever a technical reason given for why VOY era ships have exposed sections?

Those exposed sections are the ships' main sensor arrays I believe.

 

[DEWLine]

The Equinox was a top of the line research vessel. The then-modern heir to the sorts of work that Oberths did. No one anticipated the intervention of the Caretaker. Or the consequences of Ransom's picking a different route away from the Ocampa's system.

 

[Timewalker]

I'm not convinced that hiding for so long that your opponent gets bored and goes home is the strategic brilliance you think it is.

Why not, if it works? Not every situation requires killing.

 

[Angry Fanboy]

Why not, if it works? Not every situation requires killing.

Where on Earth did I say every situation required killing?

 

[Locutus of Bored]

When Ransom took the Kobayashi Maru test, he tried to harvest the Kobayashi Maru crew for energy to enhance the shields to survive, so Starfleet said "let's give this guy a survey ship. Nothing too dangerous."

Seriously though, Janeway said he excelled at planetary surveying and first contact missions, so maybe that was exactly the type of ship and mission he wanted. Once the duck blind missions are over and you need someone to make formal first contact, he's your guy. You'd want a less intimidating ship if you have determined the planet is peaceful.

Plus, the Nova Class is no slouch. It held up under extraordinary conditions on the far side of the galaxy and still gave Voyager a run for its money.

 

[NewHeavensNewEarth]

It must have been a decent ship to survive on its own while taking on enemies who made the Kazon look like nothing, losing a significant number of their crew in the process. And they did plenty of damage to Voyager, so I don't think it would be a lame ship to captain.

 

[TimeIsAPredator]

I think those are part of the sensor systems IIRC, something to that effect.

Its Voyager so I assume they are quantum sensors

 

[TimeIsAPredator]

Seriously though, Janeway said he excelled at planetary surveying and first contact missions

Christ did she really say that about a man who turned a first contact species into space fuel

 

[Nyotarules]

Christ did she really say that about a man who turned a first contact species into space fuel

Janeway made a few dodgy decisions herself...hello Tuvix

 

[Timewalker]

Where on Earth did I say every situation required killing?

It's implied in your view that hiding long enough for the enemy to get bored and give up isn't good strategy.

On the contrary, it's excellent strategy that tends to keep your ship intact and your crew alive. It works very well for some species of animals so they survive to produce the next generation of their species.

Christ did she really say that about a man who turned a first contact species into space fuel

I assume she meant his previous missions.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Christ did she really say that about a man who turned a first contact species into space fuel

It was before she knew he was murdering the aliens for fuel.