You are the Captain... 02

[Trek Writers Room]

Every week, I will present a challenging situation that you, as a Starfleet captain, might have to deal with. If you like, keep track of your answers. Over time, your command style will be revealed.

Today's question:

Starfleet has offered you a new posting to captain a Vesta-class multi-mission explorer, which will begin a new five-year mission in deep space. Your full complement will be over 1,200 men, women, and children. Due to the length of the mission, the massive starship has been outfitted to accommodate crew member families with children. Are you the type of captain who would be comfortable with children on board and the additional responsibilities for their safety, possibly affecting your decision-making process?

Do you accept this commission or remain in your current assignment?

 

[NCC-73515]

Depends entirely on what the current assignment is

 

[Will_Carter]

Assumption: Current assignment is either command or XO of a ship I am reasonably happy with? I assume this is the case because they would not promote someone from... say... serving as 'commander' of a five man communications outpost to a 12000 person billet, doubly so when it has civvies on board.

Under that assumption? I would cite personal discomfort at the idea of directly putting civilians into potential harm's way as I do not trust my judgement would adiquitely account for their welfare for the assignment's duration.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Take the promotion. I'm gonna trust Starfleet knows who I am and what I can do. Plus I can rise to the occasion.

 

[FredH]

I’m kind of surprised Starfleet would allow us to choose on that basis. My impression was that any Starfleet ship in the TNG era might have at least the occasional family aboard, even if not as many as a Galaxy-class.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

I would spend time in prayer and thoughtful consideration before saying yes or no. If the adults onboard are willing to accept the responsibility of their postings and taking their families with them, fully informed and understanding, I can live with that. It'll hurt if and when I lose anyone, but I hope we'd all grieve and heal together.

If I did accept, I would want to review safety procedures, including evacuation protocols, and consult with engineers to make whatever internal alterations might make the ship safer for everyone. I would also hope that others with prior experience in such things would make up my senior staff.

If someone else is better for the job, and I know that for a fact, I would be honored but encourage them to take it.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I’m kind of surprised Starfleet would allow us to choose on that basis. My impression was that any Starfleet ship in the TNG era might have at least the occasional family aboard, even if not as many as a Galaxy-class.

It's called "the Riker". You can turn it down if you don't the the carpet color.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I wasn't aware Vesta-class ships had that large a crew. I thought they topped out at like 700-800.

Me, I probably wouldn't take the job. I'm not a huge fan of having families on starships. It's just too dangerous. What happens if you're attacked?

I mean, how many hundreds of families got wiped out when the Jem'Hadar rammed the Odyssey?

 

[Nerys Myk]

I prefer the Vespa class with crew of two.

 

[The Wormhole]

I mean, how many hundreds of families got wiped out when the Jem'Hadar rammed the Odyssey?

None. Keogh said all non-essential personnel were offloaded at DS9 before the Odyssey left for the Gamma Quadrant. Presumably civilians and children were included among the "non-essential personnel."

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

None. Keogh said all non-essential personnel were offloaded at DS9 before the Odyssey left for the Gamma Quadrant. Presumably civilians and children were included among the "non-essential personnel."

They were lucky.

Sometimes the enemy won't give you that kind of time.

I mean, what if that had happened during the thick of the Dominion War? It's not as if the Jem'Hadar would have given the Odyssey the chance to offload the civilians.

And we did see a fair amount of other Galaxy-class ships take part in the war. What about them? How many families died THERE?

 

[The Wormhole]

For all we know families were removed from the ships when the war began. At the very least, we can be certain they would have been offloaded before going into the major battles, given ships always spent such lengthy time lingering at either DS9 or Starbase 375 before going to the major engagements.

 

[kkt]

I don't think the children on the ship would be a problem. Keep them off the bridge, out of engineering, and out of trouble, and everything should be fine. I have some problems with being away from home for five years, though. I have family who wouldn't be coming along who I'd miss.

 

[Will_Carter]

And we did see a fair amount of other Galaxy-class ships take part in the war. What about them? How many families died THERE?

Initially? Probably a lot. Once the galaxy wings started showing up and war refits happened? likely exceptionally few.

 

[The Wormhole]

I have some problems with being away from home for five years,

The idea that the ships are away for multiple years has never actually been reflected onscreen. Even on TOS we've seen multiple visits to Federation core world such as Vulcan and even Earth. And I'm not sure they ever ventured very far outside Federation borders on TNG.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I don't think the children on the ship would be a problem. Keep them off the bridge, out of engineering, and out of trouble, and everything should be fine.

Until an enemy fleet comes calling. Then there's NO place on the ship they'd be safe.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Families on a Starship was never the brightest of ideas.

 

[The Wormhole]

The original purpose of saucer separation was to keep the families safe during battle.

Granted, that was forgotten rather quickly.

 

[Nerys Myk]

The original purpose of saucer separation was to keep the families safe during battle.

Granted, that was forgotten rather quickly.

They did the FX in the pilot, so I assume that was so it could be reused. But...

 

[kkt]

The idea that the ships are away for multiple years has never actually been reflected onscreen. Even on TOS we've seen multiple visits to Federation core world such as Vulcan and even Earth. And I'm not sure they ever ventured very far outside Federation borders on TNG.

TOS Enterprise I don't think visited Earth of their time, just in the past. And for the purposes of this question, what do they need explorers within Federation space for?