Path to 2409: 2386

[nhamlett]

The new openness on Romulus has made it much easier for the Federation to get news about what is happening on that world, but not all of it is favorable for the long-term stability of the region.

Ambassador Spock reports that the Romulan Mining Guild has finished a multi-year study of Remus and has presented its findings to the Romulan Senate. The guild reports that the planet has been seriously overmined, and recommends that to avoid a Praxis situation that the Reman operations should be shut down and mining operations should be moved to more distant areas of space. The guild spreads their operations across the Empire, settling hundreds of miners and their families on space stations and colonies light years away from Romulus.

Check it out! (http://www.startrekonline.com/node/216)

[TruthSeer]

Awesome update.


On behalf of the Founders, Odo meets with Lamat’Ukan, First of the Jem’Hadar in the Alpha Quadrant. Odo asks the Jem’Hadar to return to the Gamma Quadrant with him, but Lamat’Ukan rejects Odo as a false god. “You wear the shape of our gods, but you do not have their spirit,” Lamat’Ukan is reported to have said. “You are corrupted by your … taste for the life of a solid. To follow you would be to sacrifice our souls. There would be no victory under your banner. Without victory, there is no life.”


Gives me a lot of hope that any Dominion faction won't be "Federationized" by Odo.

[abergy32]

Its seems like this is the start of the takeover by the Klingons over the Gorn. Great update

[phifur]

I love it :D

[Arachnidus]

:0


:0



:0

Yes, it's entirely necessary. And I'm shocked in the best way possible.

[UnleashMayhem]

First thing I have to say is....Captain Data! Finally he is resurrected. i mean it was obviously leading up to it but I expected it to take a little longer. I really hope us fans can consider the story of this game close to canon after release, because the parallels between Data and Spock just make so much sense.
And saying Remus could be the next Praxis is similar in drawing parallels with the past, all this stuff with the Romulans is vastly more complex but nonetheless like the Klingons in STVI

[abergy32]

Too bad about the uniforms though I really liked those gray uniforms.

[Manx]

Good old Rom. He always puts a smile on my face :)

[JPJappic]

Really starting to look like Cryptic may be following in the footsteps of the Countdown comic books. If they do in fact go through with the destruction of Romulus... I wonder if the Remans will be a welcoming sort to the Romulans on Crateris.

The whole thing with the Cardassians is also really great. I'm really hoping they become part of the Federation. It's the only way they'll regain some form of identity. They have much to offer the Feds.

[UnleashMayhem]

Too bad about the uniforms though I really liked those gray uniforms.

Well that had to didn't they, if they were going to put ST 30 years in the future they needed to show it in many different ways. But I have to admit, I will miss the grays. :(

[knightofhyrule730]

Data is reborn

Cardassians are on their way to the Federation

Romulans are still acting crazy

Klingons about to eat the Gorns for breakfast

Sela....interesting.

new Uniforms!


I LOVE IT! Go Cryptic

[RogueEnterprise]

Any way to get these posts illustrated, whenever it makes sense? I came to the little paragraph about the new uniforms especially and was like... OK that's great! .... but what do they look like?

Otherwise, looks really interesting! Glad to see Data back, and in the captain's seat of the Enterprise-E. Can't see him as an admiral though, especially assuming he makes it to the native time of STO. I hope to see him commanding a fleet from the bridge of a ship in the game. =)

*Edit* Also, if any powers that be are reading this... are these uniforms they just upgraded to in 2386 the same uniforms as Starfleet is wearing in game... or will there be another Starfleet uniform upgrade before 2409? They do like to switch up the uniforms every decade or two...

[UnleashMayhem]

I imagine these are the uniforms seen in all the current screenshots, it makes sense to only have one uniform change if this entire catch-up story goes unillustrated.

[SelorKiith]

I really wonder if Cryptic takes more of the Countdown Comics and the new film... and I'm really anxious about hearing more of it :D

[Rusulka]

allow Sela and her supporters to accept permanent exile instead of death.

Taris maintains a low profile during the troubles, putting many of her responsibilities in the hands of General Tebok. Late in 2386, she informs Donatra that she is going to take her ship to Levaeri V to investigate claims that a blade believed to be the Sword of the Raptor Star has been recovered. The ancient sword, reputed to be one of the swords created by Vulcan swordsmith S’harien and taken into exile by S’task, is a revered artifact of the Sundering.

Hmm, permanent exile to where I wonder, and just as one of the S'harien swords from the Sundering is discovered. Could there be another bid for an Emperess in the making, such a tangled web the Rihannsu do weave. Their progress will be watched with keen interest.

[CaptXpendable]

Rom charges each protester ten slips of latnium for mass assembly without a proper permit. To get a permit to protest, Rom charges a bar of latnium. Proceeds are used to fund the educational system.
BWAAAA-HAA-HAA-HAA-HAA-HAA!!!!!!
Brilliant!
:D

[Veglargh]

In my opinion that was the best path to 2409 yet, it has a great deal of information. Thank you Cryptic.

[Dext]

This was a good one keep up the good work. Captain Data for the win!!!!!

[Silverspar]

First thing I have to say is....Captain Data! Finally he is resurrected. i mean it was obviously leading up to it but I expected it to take a little longer. I really hope us fans can consider the story of this game close to canon after release, because the parallels between Data and Spock just make so much sense.
And saying Remus could be the next Praxis is similar in drawing parallels with the past, all this stuff with the Romulans is vastly more complex but nonetheless like the Klingons in STVI

Obviously you didn't read the 2385 update. He was resurrected there, and it was well known he was going to be resurrected by anyone who has read the prequel comics for the new Star Trek movie. :p

That being said, great update, now I am going to have to sit back and reflect on how the Crusader's timeline will be updated.

[wareve]

So this is why things have been so quiet lately. Its as if someone was talking consistently, then thay breathed in for a short while, then shouted at the top of there lungs. (this metaphor implys that cryptics updates to the site are someone talking if you dont get that.)

Allso. Great post. Every time one of these comes up I feel like a another step is taken twards the release date (or atleast the beta.) After all. About 2-4 of these come out a month and there is a fineite number of years between nemisis and the game. And that number is decreseing rather rapidly.

[Zooguy]

In my opinion that was the best path to 2409 yet, it has a great deal of information. Thank you Cryptic.

Agreed. I also really liked the info on the Gorn, though I hope the war ends with the Gorn not just being a conquered people, but being slightly more willing members of the Empire, like maybe their worlds become client members.

[AaronH]

I have to say, up untill now, they have just kinda been hohum for me. But I absolutely loved this update.

I have been promoting an independent Jem'Hadar faction operating in the Alpha/Beta quadrant pretty much since STOs inception, and I am really jazzed to see that they might just be going that route.

I am glad they are focusing on Rom on Feringinar, and I am finding the way they are handling that to be hilarious. Really good stuff.

Data as captain of the enterprise: Meh. Don't really like it I think.

Gorn/Klingons: Looking foreward to seeing more, but at this point it is just kinda there, neither interesting or boring, it just is.

Agreed. I also really liked the info on the Gorn, though I hope the war ends with the Gorn not just being a conquered people, but being slightly more willing members of the Empire, like maybe their worlds become client members.

Might be cool if the klingons and gorn wind up in a huge war, where there borders become less clearly defined untill both start to recognize the other as having those characteristics that their culture respects, and finally the two settle their differences with the borders pretty much being nonexistant and an unofficial unified state forms.

[Silverspar]

So this is why things have been so quiet lately. Its as if someone was talking consistently, then thay breathed in for a short while, then shouted at the top of there lungs. (this metaphor implys that cryptics updates to the site are someone talking if you dont get that.)

Allso. Great post. Every time one of these comes up I feel like a another step is taken twards the release date (or atleast the beta.) After all. About 2-4 of these come out a month and there is a fineite number of years between nemisis and the game. And that number is decreseing rather rapidly.

Actually I believe the updates are taking so long because of the new movie since there is a tie in at the beginning that starts in 2387 according to the prequel comics.

[Nasedo]

woot thanks awen

it was an Awesome Read!!

[ivan50265]

Good upfate I'm glad to see the other big stakeholders getting mentioned namely The Gorn, Ferengi, and The Dominion. Keep stirring the pot Crytic.

[Coldsteel6d]

That was a long one and it was great. Don't know about the whole Cardassian part though. Voluntarily giving up their military? Not sure I can buy that. Yea looks like they will go Fed but if it were me I wouldn't give up my defensive forces. Not until I was in the Federation.

[Jar-Hamel_Shran]

Actually I believe the updates are taking so long because of the new movie since there is a tie in at the beginning that starts in 2387 according to the prequel comics.



Good point, and reason for Cryptic to drag their feet some on the updates, so if STO has a tie into the Movie, which would make sense, then of course we all have to go see the movie to get a taste of what's a head for STO.


Great update btw.

[jagerbolt]

Great update! Always love to read these.

[Voyager24]

Interesting, glad to know Data is back, and along with Picard and a few others. Also I was very excited to read that the Enterprise-E is back.

[Silverspar]

Good point, and reason for Cryptic to drag their feet some on the updates, so if STO has a tie into the Movie, which would make sense, then of course we all have to go see the movie to get a taste of what's a head for STO.


Great update btw.

Well, it's more to the point that they don't want to spoil anything, and of course, probably want to see what happens first if they are not privy to any special info about the movie. Finally, Jack himself stated that the movies and TV series are canon law, thus Cryptic will have to do their best to make sure the timeline corresponds to what the movie and prequel comics state.

[Sarile]

I wonder if the new Data is an upgrade of the Borg?

Great read! Thanks

Live Long and Prosper

[whatinblueblazes]

I'm thrilled to see the Enterprise-E back in action with Data in command -- as well as the simmering conflict between the Gorn and the Klingons. I do wonder what will become of our friends the Romulans, however...

[JPJappic]

That was a long one and it was great. Don't know about the whole Cardassian part though. Voluntarily giving up their military? Not sure I can buy that. Yea looks like they will go Fed but if it were me I wouldn't give up my defensive forces. Not until I was in the Federation.

What defensive forces? They probably have hardly any officers left... hardly any serviceable starships left. They are probably ripe for the picking.

I'm an avid Cardassian fan and I have to say that this is probably the best choice for them at least until they can stand on their own two feet. It's all about biding time.

[Jonathan_Beecher]

Kick butt awesome!! :D

I enjoyed this update and found it interesting that Rom popped up too.

Some interesting points:
Fed and Cardassian alliance? I sure didn't see that one coming.

Odo popping up was cool

Taris I find interesting. Now I haven't read the comic books yet, Taris was a Romulan Subcommander who attacked the Enterprise-D. That is according to Memory Alpha (Link: http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Taris)

My guess is that she is up to something due to the line of her keeping a low profile.


Overall an awesome update! :D

[Trekkie]

I get more excited for the game with each subsequent timeline update, and the direction that the storyline is taking never ceases to amaze me with the different twists that I never would have imagined. I definitely cannot wait to actually be a part of the universe described in these timeline updates!

[doam]

Simply amazing. Great job whoever wrote this one. :p

[Rekkert]

Great, they mention the Romulan Mining Guild, their problem with Remans, Decalithium and Data as captain of the Enterprise, glad to see that they keep in contact with Bad Robot.:D So... will the next Path To 2409 update have all the info from the Countdown comics? I hope it does.

[The_Sisko]

On Stardate 63976.74, the Cardassians sign a new treaty, in which they agree not to field a military or wage war. In exchange, the Federation agrees to provide aid to rebuild Cardassian cities and protection in the event of an invasion of Cardassian space.

Aw man, the Cardies got Japanese'd.

[Gizmo]

Another awesome update!

Those silly silly Rommies are still having a go at each other hey? lol.
I never thought I`d see the day the Cardassians needing federation protection but it is nice to see them starting to smooth things over and reconcile with the Bajorans.

Always nice to hear about whats going on with Rom. lol.
He`s making a great Grand Nagus if you ask me. ;)
I`m so glad that Data is BACK!!! Its great to see that he`s back up and running. Captaining the Enterprise and everything.

So who wrote this one up Awen?
Thanks again!

[curtst]

Another great update, a long one too! Can't wait for more.

[The_Sisko]

What defensive forces? They probably have hardly any officers left... hardly any serviceable starships left. They are probably ripe for the picking.

I'm an avid Cardassian fan and I have to say that this is probably the best choice for them at least until they can stand on their own two feet. It's all about biding time.

I've always felt that having a race just join the Federation leads to that race's dilution, the exact opposite of how you expressed it.

It seem to me that the damage to Cardassia during the Dominion War is always greatly over exaggerated. For example, people always say that the Cardassian race was almost wiped out by the Dominion when, in fact, "merely" 800 million were killed on Cardassia Prime. Also, there were lots of Cardassian ships and officers that defected to the Alpha Quadrant forces during the final battle.

Now, what it seems to me that Cryptic is doing is they are drawing parallels between Imperial Japan and the Cardassian Union as ruled by the Central Command. Both were highly militaristic societies, basically ruled by their militaries, both lost their respective wars, both had to accept the dissolution of their militaries and defence from those who defeated them.

This doesn't mean the Cardassians would become part of the Federation, but close allies who depend on the Federation for defence, much like Japan now is to the United States.

But, I hope the Cardassian Union rises again, and the Cardassians do get their military back. Maybe this can be caused by the Federation asking the Cardassians to commit men and ships to a war with the Klingons, or some other power, much the same way Japan is getting to be more militaristic again because of American pressure for them to help out in Iraq.

[LunaticFringer]

Nice to see the whole Data/B4 thing finally cleared up. :)

I guess the entire conflict with the Romulans is making more sense now as well. As is the apparent Gorn integration into the Klingon Empire.

The future is looking good. :cool:

[Voorhees]

Great update. Glad to see the enterprise finally finished and data in command of it. Very good choice as captain of the enterprise could not ask for a better successor of picard.

[solarnova]

Too bad about the uniforms though I really liked those gray uniforms.

I hear ya, those are my favorite uniforms. They should remain through to 2409 :)

[KirksOtherSon]

These "Path to ..." updates are probably my favorite aspect of the run-up to the game's launch.

Not everything is precisely as I would've had it, but this doesn't matter in the least. The stories are wide-ranging, interesting, and always manage to surprise.

This all bodes very well for the future of Star Trek Online.

Thanks all,

KOS

[Marritza_Nador]

I do not accept this, for the Cardassians to ally with a faction which includes the Bajorans. Not in 2386, probably not even 406. The hatred is too deep and the fact of having Federation and those Bajorans on our planets occupying everything and dictating how we live....I see a military takeover before this timeline is over. The Cardassians will not allow a Federation puppet government to survive.

[Flatfingers]

These updates are some of the best "lore" writing I have ever seen for any game.

Period, full stop.

In the latest batch, I found several items in particular that made me grin:

In retaliation for the death of Tal’aura, the Tal Shiar begins a campaign of assaults on the noble houses, arresting dozens of nobles and seizing their assets. Sela pushes back against the persecution of some of her major supporters, and sways the Senate to drastically cut funding to the Tal Shiar.
...
On Stardate 63446.41, an explosion destroys Rehaek’s home on the outskirts of Ki Baratan.
...
Two hours after the explosion, Tal Shiar forces storm Sela’s townhouse in Ki Baratan and take her and her personal guard into custody for the murder of Rehaek. In a secret trial held days later, Sela is sentenced to death for the crime. At the last minute, Donatra intervenes. She argues that the evidence is not overwhelming, and pressures Chulan to allow Sela and her supporters to accept permanent exile instead of death.

Oh, my. It is unwise to annoy the Tal Shiar.

Of course, Sela, the Tal Shiar, and Romulans in general being as sneaky as they are, I wouldn't be surprised if this whole thing (including the murder of Rehaek's family and possibly Rehaek himself) had been cooked up jointly by the Tal Shiar and Sela working together. Perhaps this is merely a pretext for thinning out the noble houses (and acquiring their considerable assets) to smooth the way for Sela to supplant Donatra.

Or perhaps matters are exactly as they seem.

With the Romulans. And Sela.

Riiiiiiiight.

On Stardate 63894.06, the refit of the Enterprise-E is completed and the ship, helmed by Captain Data, leaves the Utopia Planitia shipyards.

:eek: x 3:

1. "Captain" Data? He's considered now to have sufficiently human judgement to be granted the burden of command that goes with that rank?

2. "Refit" of the Sovereign-class flagship of Starfleet? To what? a diplomatic barge?

3. And "Captain" Data was assigned command of this ship?

Another update by Starfleet is its uniforms. Starfleet completes a redesign of the uniform code, and by the end of the year all of its officers are wearing the new designs.

Another decade, another uniform redesign. Apparently this is what Starfleet spends Federation money on when it's convinced that peace has broken out permanently....

(Nicely done, Kestrel! :D)

In addition to working to curb the rising hostilities between the Klingons and the Gorn, Federation diplomats are hard at work crafting a new pact between the Federation and the Cardassians. On Stardate 63976.74, the Cardassians sign a new treaty, in which they agree not to field a military or wage war. In exchange, the Federation agrees to provide aid to rebuild Cardassian cities and protection in the event of an invasion of Cardassian space. In response to the landmark agreement, the Bajoran coalition drops its request to prosecute Cardassians for war crimes. Many among the Bajorans and Cardassians hope that someday relations between them will be normalized.

So... Treaty of Versailles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Versailles), then?

We know how well that turned out when a charismatic figure came along, promising to restore the rightful powers and possessions wrongfully taken from them.

That could never happen on Cardassia Prime, could it...?

...

All in all, another fantastic "Path" update.

Great stuff!

--Flatfingers

[lokan]

Great, they mention the Romulan Mining Guild, their problem with Remans, Decalithium and Data as captain of the Enterprise, glad to see that they keep in contact with Bad Robot.:D So... will the next Path To 2409 update have all the info from the Countdown comics? I hope it does.

I really hope they don't intend to inflict the nonsense of the comics and movie on us.

If nothing else I'd think the would be Romulan players would be sad to find out they don't exist due to the Superultramegagigadoom Nova of death and ultra doom from the comics. :p :rolleyes:

[eNDIE]

Aw man, the Cardies got Japanese'd.

My thought to when i read that:)

[Vicelance]

This is the best path to update yet. Like how we get information on all the players in the alpha quadrant in this one even the Dominion.

We are starting to see more of the conflict between the Gorn and Klingons though I wonder when we get a picture of an adult Gorn?

Roms the greatest Ferengi ever, taxing protestors to pay for what they are protesting against, pure genius.:D

[nagash303]

very interresting. Romulans as usual killing themselves ... :rolleyes: thats no big news there lol elections are so time intense ...

Best part was bout the Ferengi this time. Since when is Rom Grand Nagus :confused: must have totaly missed this in DS9. I remember Roms son Nog beeing a captain in DS9 "the Visitor". Probably first Ferengi star fleet captain, but with alternate time line thing. Rom will do just fine.

Data is back. I wont ask questions on that one. hated it when he died. I thought "What regiseur let him die? I dont like him" :D just to show his mortality ...

Gorns are a good 2 meters tall and strong too. An honorfull battle. Martok wont listen to Worf no way!

edit:

Breens are mising?

[Varrangian]

Good stuff, thanks....

For those concerned about the return of Data and his ascendancy to Capt. the Enterprise... you can't blame Cryptic for that. From my understanding of the Countdown comics (I've not gotten my hands on them) this is a "canon" thing.

[lokan]

Good stuff, thanks....

For those concerned about the return of Data and his ascendancy to Capt. the Enterprise... you can't blame Cryptic for that. From my understanding of the Countdown comics (I've not gotten my hands on them) this is a "canon" thing.


It's my understanding that the comics are only 'canon' relative to the movie. So it would appear that STO is set in the alternate universe of the new film. Sadly.

[Silverspar]

very interresting. Romulans as usual killing themselves ... :rolleyes: thats no big news there lol elections are so time intense ...

Best part was bout the Ferengi this time. Since when is Rom Grand Nagus :confused: must have totaly missed this in DS9. I remember Roms son Nog beeing a captain in DS9 "the Visitor". Probably first Ferengi star fleet captain, but with alternate time line thing. Rom will do just fine.

Data is back. I wont ask questions on that one. hated it when he died. I thought "What regiseur let him die? I dont like him" :D just to show his mortality ...

Gorns are a good 2 meters tall and strong too. An honorfull battle. Martok wont listen to Worf no way!

edit:

Breens are mising?

Yea, you did totally miss it. Rom was made Grand Nagus towards the end of DS9.

And Data was killed off because Brent Spiner made that decision so I guess you hate Data.

Furthermore, Data was resurrected in 2385, and it's following the canon already established for te new movie.

[Varrangian]

It's my understanding that the comics are only 'canon' relative to the movie. So it would appear that STO is set in the alternate universe of the new film. Sadly.

That is not how I understand it. You see the Movie involves time travel, but the alternate timeline would only occur when Nero travels back. Anything happening in the time of Picard and them is still the original timeline and "canon".

[Silverspar]

It's my understanding that the comics are only 'canon' relative to the movie. So it would appear that STO is set in the alternate universe of the new film. Sadly.

You would be wrong. Flat out. Since the comics take place in 2387, also since you've never seen the movie, I find it hard for you to make any sound judgment about said movie before having actually seen it. STO is following the canon timeline but STO would never, ever be canon to begin with.

[EremiticWolf]

Great read........would really like to see what the "upgraded" Enterprise-E would look like. See if it looks like the NX-91001 or not.

[Silverspar]

Great read........would really like to see what the "upgraded" Enterprise-E would look like. See if it looks like the NX-91001 or not.

Go look at the Star Trek: Countdown prequel comic for the upcoming new movie. That should tell you.

Found a pic here (http://trekmovie.com/images/comics/countdown2_7-8.jpg). Enterprise looks the same, though Data appears to be wearing the STO uniform which would be sound ;)

[Dominion1971]

Lovin it.. LOVIN IT!! Keep pushing folks..

[EremiticWolf]

Go look at the Star Trek: Countdown prequel comic for the upcoming new movie. That should tell you.

Found a pic here (http://trekmovie.com/startrek/images/comics/countdown2_7-8.jpg). Enterprise looks the same, though Data appears to be wearing the STO uniform which would be sound ;)

Thank you sir, much appreciated!

Seen the ship and a place I can buy the electronic version of the comics. :D

[John]

great update gorn and klingon stuff alway's a + hope to see more about what is happening with odo next few stories

[Fernos]

Awesome as always thanks guys.

[Snrcbpco]

Very well done.
YAY Data!! Lol Data as captain!
WOOT Worf!
Awesome Spock!

Love the irony of the Ferengi situation
it'll be fun to see what happens with Gorns
I'd like to see a table/chart of the new uniforms in an update. so we all know what everything looks like uniform wise

[Drunk1n]

Well done once again - look forward to another soon.

--Zott

P.S. Thought I would toss a screen shot of a possible new uniform - New Uniforms? (http://uploads.startrekonline.com/screen_sto_0016.jpg)

[Dogbertious]

Hmm. So, it would seem that we have Jem'Hadar still in the Alpha Quadrant. More importantly, they are defying orders to return to the Gamma Quadrant. I think it is safe to assume that they will be acting as NPCs, and as mission antagonists in the wilder regions of space.

[Azurian]

Yeah, it was good. But the one thing that I DO NOT like, is with Worf. How in the world did he get together wtih Grilka? I don't recall any novels putting them together.

It's like whoever written it, just threw them together out of the blue! :mad:

[Aethelstan]

Have to agree this is the best one yet.

Really hope the Klingon-Gorn war doesn't end in total conquest of the Gorn as someone said earlier, they just seem far too determined fighters to give up like that, let alone serve in the klingon defence force (and I doubt the klingon's would accept a conquered people into their fleet anyway).

Hopefully the Gorn will fight so hard the klingon's will have a 'hang on...they're just like us' moment ;)

[Rivaris]

thats was some good reading!

so rom made grand naguss i wonder if in next chapter we will find out if quark still runs the bar in Ds9

[Traveller]

awsome read. SO is Cardasia becoming part of the Federation u think?

[TwAgIssmuDe]

Great update cryptic, Rom realy made me laugh:)

[Sevenblade]

Aw man, the Cardies got Japanese'd.

I've always felt that having a race just join the Federation leads to that race's dilution, the exact opposite of how you expressed it.

It seem to me that the damage to Cardassia during the Dominion War is always greatly over exaggerated. For example, people always say that the Cardassian race was almost wiped out by the Dominion when, in fact, "merely" 800 million were killed on Cardassia Prime. Also, there were lots of Cardassian ships and officers that defected to the Alpha Quadrant forces during the final battle.

Now, what it seems to me that Cryptic is doing is they are drawing parallels between Imperial Japan and the Cardassian Union as ruled by the Central Command. Both were highly militaristic societies, basically ruled by their militaries, both lost their respective wars, both had to accept the dissolution of their militaries and defence from those who defeated them.

This doesn't mean the Cardassians would become part of the Federation, but close allies who depend on the Federation for defence, much like Japan now is to the United States.

But, I hope the Cardassian Union rises again, and the Cardassians do get their military back. Maybe this can be caused by the Federation asking the Cardassians to commit men and ships to a war with the Klingons, or some other power, much the same way Japan is getting to be more militaristic again because of American pressure for them to help out in Iraq.


This is almost exactly the impression I got, as well. Reminded me remarkably of the interactions with Japan after the second World War, though I could also see some of the parallels Flatfingers drew between the Treaty of Versailles and the Path actions. I'd say it's closer to the former, though. It's an interesting approach to dealing with the Cardassians. While they obviously aren't going to count out such big factions and fan favorites as the Cardassians or Romulans, I get the feeling Cryptic is trying to downplay both factions to believably put them somewhat on the backburner (in relative terms) for Alpha/Beta Quadrant politics. Basically, they're trying to eventually steer towards a Klingon/Federation focus, which is obviously the focus of the main conflict in the setting of STO.

It seems Cryptic's going to shunt them to the sidelines with the almost protectorate status being set up the Cardassians and the splintering of Romulan politics, combined with the foreshadowing of their own Praxis-like event (or flat out destruction of Romulus, if this follows the Countdowns. I dearly hope not. The Countdowns are making me dislike the look of the new movie much more than any re-imagining of Kirk and everything else. Wiping out the Romulan empire is a terrible idea, IMO).
Luckily, though, I don't think they're going to completely dilute them into other, bigger factions. I could see the Cardassians still remaining a sovereign power, separate from the Federation, but somewhat more dependent, especially in military matters. The Romulans seem to be set up to have the tables turned on them, where their world may be destroyed, and they'll be forced to beg the Remans to let them in.
In the meantime, though, it'd be interesting if people who want to be Romulan will have decide where their loyalties lie within the Empire when it finally comes out in expansion or whatever.

Romulan politics is so convoluted, I almost had to make a freakin' flow chart just to keep a track of names, let alone sides.

So let's see if I got this straight;

Starting with Nemesis:

-Shinzon uses Tal'Aura as an ally to irradiate the Senate
-Donatra also allies with Shinzon and the Remans, giving him the military might needed to control the empire
-Donatra changes her mind to battle and finish off Shinzon.
-Events occur in Titan: Taking Wing (won't say to avoid spoilers and since it's somewhat divergent from the Path)

2379-2380
-With Shinzon dead, power is split between Tal'Aura and her lackey, Tomalak, and Donatra and her semi-peers Commander Suran and Admiral Braeg.
-Braeg is executed, and Remans led by Xiomek demand more rights

2381
-Xiomek allies with the Unification movement to gain more standing in the Romulan's eyes.
-Donatra breaks free of the Empire, becomes Empress of Imperial Romulan State

2382
-Tomalak, as Tal'Aura's proconsul and head of the military, appoints Admiral Taris below him
-Tal'Aura gives herself control over the Senate, becoming close to Empress in all but name. Stacking the senate annoys the noble houses, especially the Line of Tellus, containing future Praetor Chulan

2383
-Tal'Aura expands her powers further, angering the noble houses even more, especially with her ability to grant or remove noble titles
-Admiral Taris defects from Tomalak's command, joining Donatra

2384
-Tomalak, disgraced, retires on Romulus, paving the way for Sela to replace him as proconsul
-Taris is sent by Donatra to negotiate with the Empire
-Tal'Aura found dead in her quarters, investigated by Tal Shiar
-Donatra denies accusations and recalls Taris
-Sela blames Remans and Unificationists

2385
-Sela becomes temporary executive by succession. Ironically reversing Tal'Aura's strategy, she replaces the Senate with members of the noble houses, trying to garner support from them, including the Line of Tellus (Chulan)
-She is not backed by military, Donatra, or Rehaek and the Tal Shiar
-Romulan Star Empire and Imperial Romulan State unified again, Donatra retains most military power
-Rumors of Sela's involvement in Tal'Aura's assassination and Donatra's refusal to support her cost Sela the Praetorship. Chulan of Tellus becomes the new, weakly supported middle ground the opposing factions can barely agree on as Praetor.
-Donatra gains friends among the Remans, something Sela opposes, but Chulan is too intimidated to stop her.
-Popular support for Donatra allows the Remans to gain citizenship and Xiomek to hold a Senate seat.

2386
-Romulan Mining Guild presents the Senate with its findings stating that Remus is almost at a Praxis-like state. It recommends it be put in charge of all off-world mining. Xiomek blocks this action in the Senate.
-Skirmishes break out between Mining Guild ships and Reman ships in outskirts of Empire
-Xiomek proposes to the Senate that the Remans deserve a continent on Romulus (nice little reference to Taking Wing, there)
-Donatra, Rehaek, and Chulan instead give the Remans Crateris to live on
-Rehaek concludes the Tal Shiar investigation of Tal'Aura's assassination, blaming a coalition of noble houses (understandable, given how she antagonized them), but refuses to share evidence of this with Sela or Donatra
-Tal Shiar leads a vendetta against the noble houses. Sela responds to the attacks on her supporters by asking the Senate to cut the Tal Shiar's budget
-Donatra remains in the middle ground, deferring to Praetor Chulan, who remains as ineffectual as usual
-Rehaek's house is bombed, leaving his dead family and servants, but not his body, though some think the bomb could have vaporized him
-Sela is blamed for the crime, and the Tal Shiar arrest her and conduct a secret trial, condemning her to death. Donatra steps in and convinces Chulan to allow Sela and her supporters to accept permananent exile
-Taris gives her responsibilities to General Tebok and goes on a search to retrieve the Sword of the Raptor Star


So what the hell do we get out of all of this? Looks like the factions are as following:

Tal'Aura - dead, possibly killed by antagonized noble houses, or the also angry Tal Shiar, who are acting suspicious about the investigation
Tomalak - retired, not likely to hear of again

vs.

Donatra - smartly remaining neutral, quietly backing Praetor Chulan while wielding her military power when it suits her
Braeg - Dead, executed by Tal'Aura for trying to incite populist rebellion
Suran - unknown, but killed by Donatra in the Titan novels
Taris - motives unknown, but generally loyal to Donatra. defector from Tal'Aura, potentially become a populist hero if she finds the Sword of Raptor Sun?
Xiomek - allied to Donatra, probably grateful for her support, leads Reman faction to get their own, more hospitable world

-Somewhat tied to-

Unificationists - Spock, main goal to "wage peace" and reunite Romulus & Vulcan. Support Reman rights

and Remans - led by Xiomek, somewhat hostile to Romulan Mining Guild during relocation from Remus

vs.

Sela - Tal'Aura's proconsul, had much to gain from her assassination, attempted to gain power in opposite method of Tal'Aura, but probably not the actual killer. In Permanent Exile with Supporters. Potentially returning rogue Romulan faction?
Romulan Noble Houses - hated Tal'Aura, could have killed her, as Tal Shiar claims, prefer Sela because of her reversal of Tal'Aura's Senate policy

vs.

Rehaek - Tal Shiar Director, clearly opposed to Sela and also Tal'Aura. Suspiciously secretive about Tal'Aura investigation assassination. Presumed dead after bombing by unknown faction (Possibly faked to go into hiding and orchestrate behind scenes?)
Tal Shiar - vendetta against Sela and the noble houses, who they blame for Tal'Aura's assassination (Ironic, as they couldn't stand her, either)


Romulans in game are gonna have a headache over who to support. And we've still got 23 years of development left to go :eek:!

Not sure what I think of Captain Data. I guess Cryptic's arm is kinda twisted there, by the new Countdowns and the new movie, but eh, whatever. I'm mostly ok with him having the Enterprise, but I think they should have gone more into the rest of his crew. Who's the XO? With everyone pretty much gone, we don't really know any members of the Enterprise bridge crew anymore, or even any of the crew.

Oh, and did anyone else remember Odo's encounter with Laas in a previous update? If the Rogue Jem'hadar aren't willing to accept Odo as a legitimate Founder, I have a feeling that perhaps Laas might control them if he ever encounters them. Something to look out for.

[Duckdee]

Comic spoilers everywhere! When's the TPB out..?

Edit - Pre-ordered! Don't do another update this month, kthxbai :p

[0wl]

Good old Rom. He always puts a smile on my face :)

I actually once met him, great guy!

This update is somewhat more chaotical than the others, not sure what to think eventhough i am thrilled to hear the names 'o Spock and Data!

[Qugie]

Nice Read :) and YAY for DATA!

[Loekii]

Agreed. I also really liked the info on the Gorn, though I hope the war ends with the Gorn not just being a conquered people, but being slightly more willing members of the Empire, like maybe their worlds become client members.

I was thinking the Gorn, Orions, and Nausicans might be 'conquered' and then conscripted into the Klingon military, much like Alexander the Great did in his march eastward.

[bradley1701]

Awesome! It is great to see how this story is really starting to take shape leading up to when STO will take place. Great work!

[apexearth]

poor poor romulans. I have a hard time feeling sorry for them!

[SenshiBat]

The Consolidation of Romulan Power is not to be taken lightly at all. .
Here's Why.

The Greatest protection Vulcan had was the Fractured Romulan Efforts..

Their economic trade resource food supplies were all as a result of which old Camp of Dissenting voices held them.

Years of maneuver and Co Opting by Pretext has the main players in the Power void left by the Sorry Shinzon affair. Shows their real spots.

Donatra sways in the wind of whom ever had power she could use until she had enough of her own.
First She flirts with Shinzon and acts as her Admirals Aide De Camp to Spy on him.
Then curries Favour with the Nave in the Romulan ways Picard.. and betrays Shinzon the usurper
whom allies with the second class to her ilk. Remus and all the while plays the public high ground game..
Knowing the inner circles resentment of Sela's ploys in the past.

Key rivals she needs to shame into loosing face Sela .only Half Romulan and not of Noble Blood line.
Tal'aura Noble but poor at selecting Capable Romulans to Govern an Empire Allows Sela too much power
Scape Goats Tomelack for leading a fleet of second class Romulans picked for loyalty over skill at command.
Anointed Sela as Pro-Council Blind to her ambitions..

The Tal'Shair: acted on the Leadership Command Counsel to balance the good of the Empire against all enemies foreign and domestic.. Ride out the Shinzon Purges and play footsie with Sela to gain Vulcan..

Until their Admiral in Charge decides he wants power and Crosses the Rubicon.. trying to discredit Sela.. cannot prove or reveal sources to Frame anyone publicly.. Does not expect the counter attack.. Fool..

Donatra MAneuvers and manipulates pre-existing rivalries like the Fire Witch in the Court of the Crimson King.. or wife in the Classic "Throne of Blood" Samurai movie.

Exiles the Remains by giving them a new home..
Knowing Sela has loyal followers only when she could bribe them or scare them with her power.. that treat
nullified.. for open military conflict.. she still guards against the Knifes in the Night. But She is sure Sela does not have 47 Loyal Samurai to pay her back moves on to Discredit the Tal'shair.

The Rivals expend valuable resources trumping each other..
She decloaks and swoops in to "Save" the Empire..

The Klingon's are Busy with the Gorn the Federation with Peace love and understanding..everyone.
Buying Her Throne time to reorganize with her Professional fleet cadre and the Nobles she prefer having sorted out the chaff of Houses left by her rivals chaos..

She now is the Hero that feeds defends restores Romulan Virtues to the people.. pride to the Fleet..
gains the resources held in black budget by the Tal'Shair..

Her next goal would be to use the Tal'Shair to arrange a pretext Flashpoint betwixt the Federation and Klingon Empires.. And Dance while Qo'noS Burns.

I am a Sword Saint .. I could never allow another the joy of drawing that Soul of a Warrior for political gain
as a Klingon would truly enjoy the Sword of .Kahless .
Excuse me I must preform the Changling Blood Test on the Crew...

Jolan Tru..

Rihannsu Senzon Batavious Reporting..

[Ozymandias]

"Late in 2386, she informs Donatra that she is going to take her ship to Levaeri V to investigate claims that a blade believed to be the Sword of the Raptor Star has been recovered. The ancient sword, reputed to be one of the swords created by Vulcan swordsmith S’harien and taken into exile by S’task, is a revered artifact of the Sundering. "

...they're... they're using Diane Duane's Rihannsu novels...

*SOBS FOR JOY*
*FAINT*
*THUD*

[Levry]

I love the story development this MMO is doing.

[Koth7]

All hail the glorious Klingon victory on Gila 6!

The Gorn belong in the swamps, not on starships, they are barbarian kuuve and require a good leash.

[Davies82]

Really enjoyed reading the new timeline update, good to see Data is now back in the fold with starfleet and being made captain of the newly refitted Enterprise E.

Keep up the good work guys, can't wait for the next installment.

[Youkilis]

Too bad about the uniforms though I really liked those gray uniforms.


I agree, the gray uniforms were second only to the red Movie uniforms. And the most believable!

All in all though, a good read. Someone's really putting the effort in.

[IG_Slayer]

Awesome update.





Gives me a lot of hope that any Dominion faction won't be "Federationized" by Odo.

Glad to finally have the Dominion mentioned!!!:D

[reco88]

I think they are going in the direction of the Countdown comics. Which is fine with me, they were a great read. If anyone wants more of a look at the STO uniforms to be used, read the comics! Pretty cool looking

They are also spreading out all the romulan resources in this post as i think they do anticipate the destruction of Romulus. Very interesting indeed.

The bigger question here is now is the time where Nero is sent back in time to become the bad guy in the new star trek movie.... so obviously he doesn't succeed in his mission of killing kirk or whatever.... or does he?!
Could be sent to an alternate time line that has no influence on this one because obviously the federation still exists in the STO realm... oh dear. I'm concerned and excited about the new movie indeed.

[IG_Slayer]

Hmm. So, it would seem that we have Jem'Hadar still in the Alpha Quadrant. More importantly, they are defying orders to return to the Gamma Quadrant. I think it is safe to assume that they will be acting as NPCs, and as mission antagonists in the wilder regions of space.

or that could be Cryptics way of setting of for the post game release Dominion addition

[k.mpok]

It looks like the next generation of new Noble Houses/noble warriors of the Klingon Empire will be the ones that stem from the early wars with Gorn. Can't wait to see how/if there is any major war/conflict with Gorn.

Very interesting and a good update.

[Doug3575]

Great update!

[Kestrel]

I'm glad everyone likes it. :)

[KirksOtherSon]

It's my understanding that the comics are only 'canon' relative to the movie. So it would appear that STO is set in the alternate universe of the new film. Sadly.

I don't want to get into spolers, but it's important to note that Cryptic intentionally worked with the movie folks to tie STO into the _pre-movie_ story.

Again avoiding spoilers, the movie may well start out as a part of the existing 40-year Trek timeline (the same as STO) but the movie may exist in its own separate timeline by film's end. There may well be a "branching off".

And that's all I can say,

KOS

[KirksOtherSon]

These updates are some of the best "lore" writing I have ever seen for any game.

Period, full stop.

I agree, absolutely!

KOS

[Powerhelm]

I'm curious, how much of these backstories are you guys actually responsible for and how much was pre-determined or otherwise had to be worked in to your ideas due to the movie script??

Essentially I'm asking if Paramount wrote the story and your publishing it because it does seem you're revealing tidbits that aren't too far removed from the tidbits being revealed in the Movie Prequel comic which is meant to drum up interest in the new film...is this viral-cross-promotional marketing at it's finest?

[chulo]

After reading this i really think you guys should be making the next Star Trek movie.

[SenshiBat]

I'm glad everyone likes it. :)

What not to love something in it for every one but poor EMH...

I never wanted to work for Sela as a Romulan in Vulcan sheep's clothing anyway..
My Family safe from her train wreak. I will spend the weekend in celebration.. By Taking my old Sparrowhawk Cruiser to the Ferengi Detailers..

--------------------------------------------------------

Awen+IA Fan Sentai...
-------------------------------------------
Sentai (戦隊) is a Japanese language word for a military unit and may be literally translated as "squadron", "task force", "group" or "wing". The terms "regiment" and "flotilla", while sometimes used as translations of Sentai, are also used to refer to larger formations.

Pan Galactic Consortium, Romulan Fleet Squadron Commodore.... Ronin Legion.

[The_Sisko]

Of course, Sela, the Tal Shiar, and Romulans in general being as sneaky as they are, I wouldn't be surprised if this whole thing (including the murder of Rehaek's family and possibly Rehaek himself) had been cooked up jointly by the Tal Shiar and Sela working together. Perhaps this is merely a pretext for thinning out the noble houses (and acquiring their considerable assets) to smooth the way for Sela to supplant Donatra.

Or perhaps matters are exactly as they seem.

With the Romulans. And Sela.

Riiiiiiiight.

Now that you mention it, I really, really wouldn't put it past them. I bet it's a big elaborate plot (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/XanatosGambit).

[phoenix123]

Very nice, i enjoy it entirely. I like where the story is going.

[phoenix123]

Can the Cryptic team consider the following:

Star Trek Legacy, the PC game, has its last missions happen around 2390, which is now.

It happens where the Vulcan, T'Urrel who is now the borg queen, has the final confrontation with Picard and the Enterprise-E first at DS9 where Picard meets up with 2 Klingon fleets and a Romulan Fleet and they fight out with the Vulcan, and she escapes. They meet up again with her a few hours later and she hides in a Polaric Energy Jet where she opens up a Transwarp Conduit and brings around 20 borg ships through, and then part of Star Fleet arrives, and there is a big battle, where they finally dislodge T'Urrel from the Jet using a megaton pulse to disrupt the flow. They then destroy her and the remaining borg forces.

I think this should be a part of the correct update, and I think it would be cool to somehow be able to incorporate the research of Polaric Ion Energy and the Megaton Pulses in the game.

Just wondering if this could happen.

im sure many of you have played this game, but it its a big enough part to include

So please consider this.:D

[Flatfingers]

This is almost exactly the impression I got, as well. Reminded me remarkably of the interactions with Japan after the second World War, though I could also see some of the parallels Flatfingers drew between the Treaty of Versailles and the Path actions. I'd say it's closer to the former, though. It's an interesting approach to dealing with the Cardassians. While they obviously aren't going to count out such big factions and fan favorites as the Cardassians or Romulans, I get the feeling Cryptic is trying to downplay both factions to believably put them somewhat on the backburner (in relative terms) for Alpha/Beta Quadrant politics. Basically, they're trying to eventually steer towards a Klingon/Federation focus, which is obviously the focus of the main conflict in the setting of STO.

I can see how the demilitarization aspect of the new Federation-Cardassian treaty will remind people of Japanese policy after WW II.

However, there are several reasons why I suspect the F-C treaty has more in common with the Treaty of Versailles:

1. Japanese demilitarization was the product of being forced to accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration (http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/c06.html), rather than signing a treaty as did post-WWI Germany.

2. Perhaps as a result of learning their lesson after the Treaty of Versaiiles treated post-WWI Germany rather shabbily, occupied Japan after WWII was administered sensibly for the most part, and serious cash for rebuilding physical and social infrastructure was provided to Japan that the Germany of the 1920s never saw. The Treaty that left Germany to fend for itself seems closer to the F-C treaty as described than to the occupation-with-rebuilding support that Japan experienced.

3. Japan, despite rearming over the years, has remained peaceful since the end of WWII. (Whether that lasts, with North Korea firing missiles over their heads, remains to be seen.) Germany, as we know, did not remain peaceful after WWI ended. This seems more likely to be the scenario created for the Cardassians since a more militaristic posture, although obviously not a matter for smiles in our real world, would make for better gameplay in a computer game like Star Trek Online.

All that said, the point that the Federation-Klingon conflict is likely to be given center stage is a good one. Still, what about the notion that a charismatic leader could appear on Cardassia Prime to claim that the Federation hosed them, stirring up nativist sentiment again? If I were writing a future history, the potential parallel of some silver-tongued Cardiassian in the 2400s with a certain corporal and failed artist of the 1920s and '30s might be too hard to ignore....

Can't wait to see where Kestrel takes all this. :)

--Flatfingers

[Mjoellnir]

Can the Cryptic team consider the following:

Star Trek Legacy, the PC game, has its last missions happen around 2390, which is now.

It happens where the Vulcan, T'Urrel who is now the borg queen, has the final confrontation with Picard and the Enterprise-E first at DS9 where Picard meets up with 2 Klingon fleets and a Romulan Fleet and they fight out with the Vulcan, and she escapes. They meet up again with her a few hours later and she hides in a Polaric Energy Jet where she opens up a Transwarp Conduit and brings around 20 borg ships through, and then part of Star Fleet arrives, and there is a big battle, where they finally dislodge T'Urrel from the Jet using a megaton pulse to disrupt the flow. They then destroy her and the remaining borg forces.

I think this should be a part of the correct update, and I think it would be cool to somehow be able to incorporate the research of Polaric Ion Energy and the Megaton Pulses in the game.

Just wondering if this could happen.

im sure many of you have played this game, but it its a big enough part to include

So please consider this.:D

Sorry, but that sounds similarly terrible as adding Star Trek Armada.:D The only Star Trek game I know of that wouldn't add something ugly is Starfleet Academy.

I like the update, even though I'd rather had Worf and Ba'el, but the universe rarely develops the way we want it to, so that's allright.
I think it's a bit odd that Data got promoted straight from lieutenant-commander to captain. Sure, he was supposed to be promoted to commander right after Nemesis, but he never did acutally serve as one. However I can accept that since it seems that he was constantly ignored when it came to promotions (3 years ensign, 12 as lieutenant (unknown how long j.g. and how long full) and 11 as a lieutenant-commander).
I'm terribly sorry for the little daughter of the Tal Shiar leader ( I hate violence against children), but I somehow have the sneaky suspicion that he planted the bomb himself and got beamed out before the detonation. Sela doesn't get anything for being in exile, and she would have been probably killed if Donatra hadn't intervened. The Tal Shiar is the only one who profits from the whole thing.

[tallguy86]

I'm enjoying these histories. Especailly getting the information about Romulans who were once just the nearly faceless enemy across the neutral zone. I'm looking forward to future installments.

[Captain_Intrepid]

The wonderful thing about transporter technology, is that it's useful for extracting someone just before a destructive blast, don't you think?

It's interesting the number of power plays that are being made on Romulus, from the Remens being relocated (rather than allowing them to settle on Romulus) to Sela being exiled.


I'm glad Data is back, though is there no sympathy for B4? Sure, it was a prototype, but at least they could have downloaded his matrix into a new body (heck, Data could have become his surrogate father).


I like Rom's style :)

[CherryTerri]

Agreed. I also really liked the info on the Gorn, though I hope the war ends with the Gorn not just being a conquered people, but being slightly more willing members of the Empire, like maybe their worlds become client members.

Hm, that we will have to see, as none of the names/info given on the part of the Gorn were found anywhere ...

The Gorn Hegemony is mourning the death of King Xrathis. His son, Crown Prince Slathis, ascends to the throne. One of his first acts is to re-enforce their border with the Klingons. Several skirmishes are reported between the two powers.

The Klingons respond to the buildup by the Gorn by sending more ships of their own to the border. The standoff escalates into open conflict on Stardate 63504.74, when a Klingon fleet bombards the Gorn colony on Gila VI. Klingon troops land on the planet two days later, and after a ****** battle with Gorn defenders they succeed in taking the planet.

This makes me wonder ... did the King die of natural causes? Was the Crown Prince/someone involved? Were the Klingons? ... and where the heck is Gila VI?

[FrankieDoo]

Fascinating! Very interesting!

[Qnaz]

The Klingons respond to the buildup by the Gorn by sending more ships of their own to the border. The standoff escalates into open conflict on Stardate 63504.74, when a Klingon fleet bombards the Gorn colony on Gila VI. Klingon troops land on the planet two days later, and after a ****** battle with Gorn defenders they succeed in taking the planet.

Sounds like an excellent Conquest! The Empire should make plans to continue down the list: Orions, Nausicaans...the federation heh, then the Galaxy!

I am a bit disappointed in Worf asking for peace. Either his time in the federation or him tying the knot has made him a little soft, but then again several Klingons have always made that comment to him. He'll have a big decision when the lines are drawn...

This B-4 thing will come back to bite the Federation. Using a former tool of espionage and giving him Command of the Flagship sounds like a dangerous gamble. I think emotional attachments might be betraying some of Starfleet's better thoughts for security no?

[0wl]

This makes me wonder ... did the King die of natural causes? Was the Crown Prince/someone involved? Were the Klingons? ... and where the heck is Gila VI?

What do you think?! :rolleyes:

If i were you i'd take another look at your so called "allies"!

[Jray132f]

nice it looks like things are really heating up cool update

[Rusty0918]

OK. Here's something we should note here regarding STO and JJ's "Star Trek" movie.

Given what I know, at the end of those comics, both Spock and Nero get pulled into a black hole. And often in sci-fi realms (including Trek) - they could have not only been sent back in time but into an alternate reality already, which wouldn't infringe on ours. (Highlight text for spoilers)

[Inquizitor]

While I enjoyed this Update I'm kinda getting tired of trudgeing through 5 or 6 pragraphs about a race that won't even be the focus of the game at launch. I am interested in what is becoming of the ROmulans but come on. You are putting more detail into them than the federation and klingons combined.

[AaronH]

While I enjoyed this Update I'm kinda getting tired of trudgeing through 5 or 6 pragraphs about a race that won't even be the focus of the game at launch. I am interested in what is becoming of the ROmulans but come on. You are putting more detail into them than the federation and klingons combined.

What makes you think the Romulans won't be major players at launch? Just because they won't be player factions doesn't mean they won't have a presence. And keep in mind, it is still early in the series, they have what, 30 years of time to cover?

[ronaldheld]

It looks as if more conflicts will be occuring as time progresses.

[CherryTerri]

What do you think?! :rolleyes:

If i were you i'd take another look at your so called "allies"!

Heh, well I have to see first how Cryptic sets up the reason behind the alliance.

I'm just diappointed there is no solid facts behind the names/place used for Gorn tidbit here. It would be nice to know about it.

[Inquizitor]

What makes you think the Romulans won't be major players at launch? Just because they won't be player factions doesn't mean they won't have a presence. And keep in mind, it is still early in the series, they have what, 30 years of time to cover?


I didn't say they wouldn't have a presence. I imagine the Dominion. Hirogin, Kazon, Talaxians, Cardassian, Borg, and (insert one of many other powers at play in the Star trek universe here) will also have a presence but I'm getting tired of the finer points of Romulan politics when the focus of the game is going to be the Klingon and Federation wars. Heck we have yet to hear a word on Orions and Nausicans.

BTW

2409 - 2386 =/= 30

Try 13

[CaptXpendable]

BTW

2409 - 2386 =/= 30

Try 13
Personally, I'll go with 23.
:p

[Inquizitor]

Personally, I'll go with 23.
:p

meh. So I can't do math anymore than that joker. That's what I get for not leaving it at the =/= statement like I was planning on doing and quickly running the number in my head.

[Rusty0918]

Folks, a lot can happen in 23 years. I bet there will be some other major changes on the way too.

[Scorpster]

Keep up the nice work ! Looking forward to next Path to: //

[Majicman182]

seems like a "story line" ...but fans wanna see same ole stuff with Roms and Cards in their own uniforms with their own ships. Not under the Federation or Klingons. :eek: That's like saying the Borg joined the federation lol

[nick_proud80]

This is a bit of a kick in the teeth for th Romulans isn't it? Lol. First they are plunged into political crisis, and then they re suffering depletion of resources. Meanwhile the Klingons up their offensive against the Gorn, and the Federation takes on the responsibility of looking after the Cardassians despite Seven of Nine's suggerstions that they should continue preparing for a Borg invasion, which makes me think that most of the major powers have left themselves open to a greater threat. I like how the STO team has shifted the balance of power in the Alpha Quadrant Also, Data getting the Enterprise? Nice :)

[CaptainQuirk]

Data as captain of the enterprise: Meh. Don't really like it I think.

It actually makes the most sense. I mean think about it. Would it be justice for anyone other than a familiar Enterprise crew member to be put in command of the Enterprise? In real life, maybe. But in terms of Star Trek storytelling, I would want to see a character I know and like to be promoted to the role.

Now that Data is himself again, It is apropriate that he be the one. Having served all those years under Picard, always observing and learning what it means to be a Starship captain, and with emotional awareness to lend itself to the moral and ethical choices already facilitated by Data's own programming, He now has balanced the "human equation".

Even before the emotion chip, we have seen Data successfully in command. We have also seen him successfully cary out diplomatic missions. Also, as an impartial individual, we have seen him give advice to others that, while lacking in emotional understanding, is not always unsound.

He's also the only TNG character that has not already been given something important to do.

I'm wondering if Brent Spiner would do the voice of Data for the game.

[Loekii]

Sounds like an excellent Conquest! The Empire should make plans to continue down the list: Orions, Nausicaans...the federation heh, then the Galaxy!


The thing is that Orion is located pretty deep inside fed territory. I think Orion is pretty close to Earth, even. Or is there really not a 'canon' map?

So I am curious how they will end up aligned with the Klingons.

[Loekii]

While I enjoyed this Update I'm kinda getting tired of trudgeing through 5 or 6 pragraphs about a race that won't even be the focus of the game at launch. I am interested in what is becoming of the ROmulans but come on. You are putting more detail into them than the federation and klingons combined.

At launch, I believe that the Romulans will be one of the major sources for content. They will most likely be the PvE Antagonist to both Fed and Klingo Players.

So it appears that Cryptic is setting the stage with many avenues of Romulan based content (mulitple Romulan Factions/Groups, various plot lines, etc).

[Sevenblade]

The thing is that Orion is located pretty deep inside fed territory. I think Orion is pretty close to Earth, even. Or is there really not a 'canon' map?

So I am curious how they will end up aligned with the Klingons.

Very true, though I think the point of the Syndicate is that they're very decentralized, and can run as a pirate organization through anyone's space relatively below the radar. Helps them conduct black market trade and the like without getting caught easily. So they probably gave up using Orion as the homeworld a long time ago, probably when it was inducted into the Federation sometime after Kirk, but before Picard.

[MichaelAngelus]

Only 23 more years to go before we can see real action.

[jbarker82]

Pretty good update Kestrel. The Romulan troubles just keep getting worse but I hope they aren't wiped out completely like some people are saying. Star Trek without the Romulans wouldn't be the same.

I really hope the Cardassians don't come to rely on the Federation too much. I guess I could see the two factions becoming allies but Cardassian people are too proud to just let themselves be ruled or absorbed into the Federation. The beating that Cardassia took at the end of the Dominion war was a bad one but not as bad as many seem to think. The Cardassian Union must have held a large amount of territory say, 10-20 star systems at least? 800 million from that is a blow but not too bad a blow. The only problem is that it was the homeworld that took the brunt of it.

I really hope the Cardassians regain their independance soon. 23 years is a long time so I guess we'll see.

Looking forward to seeing what happens with the Klingon - Gorn tensions and how that will be explained. When are we going to see the Gorn pictures that Zinc promised us?

It's good to see Rom proving he does have the lobes for business ;)

Can't wait for the next one now Kestrel! :D

[indelible]

The next Path to 2409 will see the back story that outlines the premise for the upcoming movie enter into the mix. It'll be released at the beginning of May to coincide with the release of the movie.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Countdown

The entire storyline will destabilise the Romulan Star Epire potentially leading to its downfall and an alliance with the Federation. It's even likely that some Romulan worlds may join the Federation. All that I know if that after the events of the Star Trek movie, The Romulans won't be in a position to wage any wars with anyone and with the Klingons not exactly their friends, they may well turn to the Federation. This may be the catalyst for the conflict between the Federation and the Klingons.

[pyriel32]

I can see how the demilitarization aspect of the new Federation-Cardassian treaty will remind people of Japanese policy after WW II.

However, there are several reasons why I suspect the F-C treaty has more in common with the Treaty of Versailles:

1. Japanese demilitarization was the product of being forced to accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration (http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/c06.html), rather than signing a treaty as did post-WWI Germany.

2. Perhaps as a result of learning their lesson after the Treaty of Versaiiles treated post-WWI Germany rather shabbily, occupied Japan after WWII was administered sensibly for the most part, and serious cash for rebuilding physical and social infrastructure was provided to Japan that the Germany of the 1920s never saw. The Treaty that left Germany to fend for itself seems closer to the F-C treaty as described than to the occupation-with-rebuilding support that Japan experienced.

3. Japan, despite rearming over the years, has remained peaceful since the end of WWII. (Whether that lasts, with North Korea firing missiles over their heads, remains to be seen.) Germany, as we know, did not remain peaceful after WWI ended. This seems more likely to be the scenario created for the Cardassians since a more militaristic posture, although obviously not a matter for smiles in our real world, would make for better gameplay in a computer game like Star Trek Online.

All that said, the point that the Federation-Klingon conflict is likely to be given center stage is a good one. Still, what about the notion that a charismatic leader could appear on Cardassia Prime to claim that the Federation hosed them, stirring up nativist sentiment again? If I were writing a future history, the potential parallel of some silver-tongued Cardiassian in the 2400s with a certain corporal and failed artist of the 1920s and '30s might be too hard to ignore....

Can't wait to see where Kestrel takes all this. :)

--Flatfingers

My god this has to be one of the most intelligent post I have ever read on here.

[phifur]

Cool story :)

[Loekii]

Very true, though I think the point of the Syndicate is that they're very decentralized, and can run as a pirate organization through anyone's space relatively below the radar. Helps them conduct black market trade and the like without getting caught easily. So they probably gave up using Orion as the homeworld a long time ago, probably when it was inducted into the Federation sometime after Kirk, but before Picard.

I had always envisioned the 'Syndicate' as an NPC criminal faction, and that the 'Klingon/Orions' player faction would be the Planet Orion and its inhabitants.

[0wl]

I agree the "Orions" should be an independant faction not allied to the Klingon Empire!

[Varrangian]

The thing is that Orion is located pretty deep inside fed territory. I think Orion is pretty close to Earth, even. Or is there really not a 'canon' map?

So I am curious how they will end up aligned with the Klingons.

As far as I'm aware there really is not a canon map. Partly because there is a great deal of disagreement about where many of these "Empires" are.

As for the Gorn, Orions and Nausicans. I have to be honest I doubt these groups will end up working with or in the Klingon Empire as conquered subjects. I just don't buy Klingons fighting along side a people the conquered.

[ronaldheld]

How many factions do people want to see at startup?

[Manx]

How many factions do people want to see at startup?

Two, since that's what they've been saying all along. If they changed such a major part of the game at this stage of development I would probably take it as a sign that something was very wrong.

[Loekii]

I agree the "Orions" should be an independent faction not allied to the Klingon Empire!

I can see the planet Orion becoming 'part' of the Klingon Empire. Again, I see it similar to the Mongols and Alexander the Great, who both I believe absorbed soldiers into their armies from the lands he conquered.

I want to see an independent NPC Criminal faction for the Orion Syndicate -- separate from even the 'Planet Orion'.

Speaking for myself, I see the 'Path' storylines for the development of the Klingon Faction in STO, to be rather important -- mainly because it can be seen as such a far step outside canon. I hope that is where Kestrel hits her 'Home-run' with her Path Fiction. I think it will probably one of the Path Lines that will face the most scrutiny and opposition.

Back to the 'Path' subjects, I am happy to see that Events in the ST:Countdown series are being mirrored in STO -- rather than STO branching off in a different direction. I think it was a good creative choice and will help keep STO in line with Canon for the most part. Kudos to whomever made that decision.

[Kira88yamato]

"Thank you Awen. Great. I loved reading it. Captain Data of the Enterprise E. Nice ring to it."

[Varrangian]

I can see the planet Orion becoming 'part' of the Klingon Empire. Again, I see it similar to the Mongols and Alexander the Great, who both I believe absorbed soldiers into their armies from the lands he conquered.

I want to see an independent NPC Criminal faction for the Orion Syndicate -- separate from even the 'Planet Orion'.

Back to the 'Path' subjects, I am happy to see that Events in the ST:Countdown series are being mirrored in STO -- rather than STO branching off in a different direction. I think it was a good creative choice and will help keep STO in line with Canon for the most part. Kudos to whomever made that decision.

Having just read the countdown TPB this morning I have to think that some of the comic is not only setting up events for the movies, but explaining some of the things we learned about the future in "All Good Things"

As much as people talk about this movie as a reboot and destroying Trek canon, I can't help but wonder if they actually took All Good Things as a jump off point.

[Loekii]

I don't think I ever saw that episode (not a big fan of TNG). However, that could very well be the case.

[Jray132f]

Are You Kiding Tng Is The Best Captain Picard Is Way Better Than Kirk Or Archer

[defiantboy81]

Having just read the countdown TPB this morning I have to think that some of the comic is not only setting up events for the movies, but explaining some of the things we learned about the future in "All Good Things"

As much as people talk about this movie as a reboot and destroying Trek canon, I can't help but wonder if they actually took All Good Things as a jump off point.

The thing is, that "All Good Things" was only a POSSIBLE future, and an alternative past, created by the Q Continuum, much of which could not happen anyway (the Ent-D having been destroyed, etc).

[Temtavia]

I simply couldnt wait for the game any longer so I have started playing EVE online. If STO is as good as Eve then we shall have a very good game. In Eve space feels huge and looks stunningly beautiful so I hope that crypic achieves a similar thing with STO with the added bonus that we shall be able to run about on planets and meet alien races.

Tem

[Varrangian]

The thing is, that "All Good Things" was only a POSSIBLE future, and an alternative past, created by the Q Continuum, much of which could not happen anyway (the Ent-D having been destroyed, etc).

Actually from what I can tell the anomaly in "All Good Things" was the only thing Q created.

[Loekii]

Actually from what I can tell the anomaly in "All Good Things" was the only thing Q created.

Any ideas when it may air again, and on what channel?

[edit] Found this on Sci Fi network:

05/07/2009 - 11:30 PM STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - ALL GOOD THINGS . . . - PART 1
05/07/2009 - 12:30 AM STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - ALL GOOD THINGS . . . - PART 2

[Varrangian]

Any ideas when it may air again, and on what channel?

[edit] Found this on Sci Fi network:

05/07/2009 - 11:30 PM STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - ALL GOOD THINGS . . . - PART 1
05/07/2009 - 12:30 AM STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION - ALL GOOD THINGS . . . - PART 2


Yeah I haven't had a chance to watch it in a while (I've got it on DVD), but it has started to dawn on me that maybe the assumption that the entire episode is an alternate time line created, but Q is wrong...

[Sevenblade]

I had always envisioned the 'Syndicate' as an NPC criminal faction, and that the 'Klingon/Orions' player faction would be the Planet Orion and its inhabitants.

Nah. The Syndicate is actually pretty divergent from the Orion species now, as a fair number of civilians still exist. Not to mention, the Syndicate isn't really even that dominated by the Orions now. They've got plenty of other members of other species. But the information we've been given so far is that the Klingons have allied with the Syndicate, the actual criminal organization, not Orion proper, which I believe is either in or surrounded by Federation territory. So it doesn't really make sense for the Kilngons to fight their way through Federation territory to reach an ally as small as that, especially since the majority of their operations are not on the planet Orion itself.

[MajorD]

Really starting to look like Cryptic may be following in the footsteps of the Countdown comic books. If they do in fact go through with the destruction of Romulus... I wonder if the Remans will be a welcoming sort to the Romulans on Crateris.
That would be tremendously out of character. They aught to lord it over the Romuluans, going who's the slave now! Realistically, there should be time to evacuate worlds that will be effected by the super nova and move colonies outside the 50 light year radius of destruction that a normal super nova has. A simple nova on the other hand would effect only the star system where the nova happens.

[MajorD]

Oops, posted too fast.

The three last paragraphs struck me as really odd.
On Ferenginar, protests rock the capital for two days after Grand Nagus Rom uses tax proceeds to start free schools. Many Ferengi see the free education as an assault on traditional values, and the demonstrations continue until Rom charges each protester ten slips of latnium for mass assembly without a proper permit. To get a permit to protest, Rom charges a bar of latnium. Proceeds are used to fund the educational system.

In addition to working to curb the rising hostilities between the Klingons and the Gorn, Federation diplomats are hard at work crafting a new pact between the Federation and the Cardassians. On Stardate 63976.74, the Cardassians sign a new treaty, in which they agree not to field a military or wage war. In exchange, the Federation agrees to provide aid to rebuild Cardassian cities and protection in the event of an invasion of Cardassian space. In response to the landmark agreement, the Bajoran coalition drops its request to prosecute Cardassians for war crimes. Many among the Bajorans and Cardassians hope that someday relations between them will be normalized.

On behalf of the Founders, Odo meets with Lamat’Ukan, First of the Jem’Hadar in the Alpha Quadrant. Odo asks the Jem’Hadar to return to the Gamma Quadrant with him, but Lamat’Ukan rejects Odo as a false god. “You wear the shape of our gods, but you do not have their spirit,” Lamat’Ukan is reported to have said. “You are corrupted by your … taste for the life of a solid. To follow you would be to sacrifice our souls. There would be no victory under your banner. Without victory, there is no life.”

This makes Rom seem a little despotic, since he's charging for the right to peaceably assemble. That fits the Ferengi stereotype, but it doesn't fit Rom, in that he supposed to be horrible at business, yet charging to protest, and using the money to fund that which the protests are against is strategically genius. However, Rom is supposed to only be technologically intelligent. However, in small groups, it sounds like it would be cheaper to pay the fine, instead of pay for a protest permit, a bar being worth more than a few slips of latinum.

Also, do the Ferengi even pay taxes, I'm pretty sure they don't. I think they pay for government services directly and through those prayer station things where you drop a slip of platinum every time you pass one.

However, the action of making free schools puts the focus on what is wrong with Ferengi society where no one in Ferengi society thinks anything is wrong at all, and where no problem was ever pointed out. Rom was made Grand Negus because he has no concern for Ferengi traditions. The major issue that Rom should have handled was the rights of women in Ferengi society. They have next to no rights and power. It is in fact what leads to him becoming Grand Negus. Ferengi women aren't allowed to leave Ferenginar, they aren't allowed to own businesses, nor have their own money, and they are forbidden from wearing clothes, not just by taboo, but I think by law. That one issue, of equal rights for females would be enough to fill Rom's entire career as Grand Nagus.


The Cardassians agreeing not to field a military strikes me as completely inconsistent with all previous characterization and historical logic. Even the Japanese weren't prevented form having a military, they were limited to a defense force, a military with no power projection ability. While the Germans were previously prevented from having anything and resorted to secret construction and research. It also strikes me as odd that such a humongous change would occur in such a short time. It's the Cardassians going from not trusting the Federation enough to allow them to provide aid, to trusting the Federation enough that the Cardassians are willing to put their lives into the hands of Starfleet without any alternate recourse after all their recent history has been about the ability to sustain themselves. It's if instead of the Cardassians finally seeing the Federation as friends, the Cardassians have completely given up, they're finally truly broken.


I find it difficult to believe any Jem'Hadar could make and stick by the rationalization that Odo isn't a real changeling, considering the strength of their genetic conditioning. The reasoning also seems highly flawed, first, because Odo has been accepted by the Founders and is therefore supported by them, secondly, because to even be able to question a single Founder would require the ability to question them all. That makes the Jem'Hadar's explanation of why he is refusing Odo's orders a lie, one I think no Founder would believe. It puts the guy in the same sort of place as that one Jem'Hadar who was immune to the needs of Ketracel-white. Also, it's not that Victory is life, but that they assume their life is over when entering battle, until they finally achieve victory, so that reasoning is also flawed. Finally, such a revolt would require these Jem'Hadar capture a Ketracel-white manufacturing facility, which wasn't mentioned.

[CaptXpendable]

The DS9 finale showed that Rom was more than "technologicly intellegent", he understood the business reforms that the previous Grand Nagus was making in ways that Quark didn't. In fact the show had over time shown that Rom was much smarter than Quark gave him credit for, he just needed the chance find his own way out from under his brothers shadow.

He's just showing that he knows how to use the system to change the system, and given the Farengi mindset, they probably respect him more now for finding a new source of revenue.

[Tylor_Liles]

all right!!!!!!!!!!!!

Capt. Data!!! he can outlive everyone so there is no reason why he won't be in the game.
the orion's should be seperate from the klingons.(orion=thief,no honor)(klingon=honored warrior)

make remus explode suddenly an parts of it destroy the capitol on romulus and the rest form a ring around romulus.

make that happen. what will LaForge do? USS ENTERPRISE-E XO? that would be cool.
WHO GETS THE BIG E IN STO?

Captain Tylor Liles
USS EARHART NCC-16020

[Mjoellnir]

Actually from what I can tell the anomaly in "All Good Things" was the only thing Q created.

No, no Q didn't. Picard did. The anomaly was created by the three scans in different timeframes. But those were only made because Q made Picard jump through time.;)

[0wl]

I want to see an independent NPC Criminal faction for the Orion Syndicate -- separate from even the 'Planet Orion'

That's what i meant! ;)

[Loekii]

Nah. The Syndicate is actually pretty divergent from the Orion species now, as a fair number of civilians still exist. Not to mention, the Syndicate isn't really even that dominated by the Orions now. They've got plenty of other members of other species. But the information we've been given so far is that the Klingons have allied with the Syndicate, the actual criminal organization, not Orion proper, which I believe is either in or surrounded by Federation territory. So it doesn't really make sense for the Kilngons to fight their way through Federation territory to reach an ally as small as that, especially since the majority of their operations are not on the planet Orion itself.

That is what I am saying about the Syndicate being seperate from 'Orion', so to speak.

I think that in the STO map, Orion (and Nausica) will be located next to the Klingon Border, so that their 'union' with the Klingons does not require some strange branching deep into Fed Space.

Unless there is some Bizzare space anomaly that relocates Naussica and Orion (the nova from 'countdown' or something). Who knows besides Cryptic.

[Varrangian]

No, no Q didn't. Picard did. The anomaly was created by the three scans in different timeframes. But those were only made because Q made Picard jump through time.;)

Therefore Q created it.

[Sevenblade]

That is what I am saying about the Syndicate being seperate from 'Orion', so to speak.

I think that in the STO map, Orion (and Nausica) will be located next to the Klingon Border, so that their 'union' with the Klingons does not require some strange branching deep into Fed Space.

Unless there is some Bizzare space anomaly that relocates Naussica and Orion (the nova from 'countdown' or something). Who knows besides Cryptic.

Not necessarily, since it seems the Syndicate has moved beyond using Orion as the main base. They don't need it for the Klingons to ally/annex it. To me, it makes plenty of sense to have Orion be a Federation world while the Syndicate just relocates to Klingon space, or at least the border between the two factions.

But yeah, they'll definitely be a separate entity from Orion, the Federation world.

Plus, take a look at this (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/Silverspar/Art/starchart1.jpg). It's the most accurate Trek map I've seen yet, and the locations of major locations on most maps is makes this meet a pretty good standard. Orion's almost always placed somewhere in the middle of Federation territory, with Nausicaa a bit closer to the Klingon border. I guess we'll have to see. The Klingons are being pretty aggressive; perhaps they blitz across the border and take adjacent Federation territories, which allows them to be close to the Syndicate and the Nausicaans.

[0wl]

That map is amazing as well as it is huge! :cool:

[ChristopherNFtl]

Good old Rom. He always puts a smile on my face :)

True, Rom is the only one with the lobes to try and pull that stunt off! :cool:

[SirReginaldo]

Rom has been extremely underestimated in the past of star trek and it is funny to see how far he has gone... I cant wait to see this game come to fruition:D

[Loekii]

Not necessarily, since it seems the Syndicate has moved beyond using Orion as the main base. They don't need it for the Klingons to ally/annex it. To me, it makes plenty of sense to have Orion be a Federation world while the Syndicate just relocates to Klingon space, or at least the border between the two factions.

But yeah, they'll definitely be a separate entity from Orion, the Federation world.

Plus, take a look at this (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/Silverspar/Art/starchart1.jpg). It's the most accurate Trek map I've seen yet, and the locations of major locations on most maps is makes this meet a pretty good standard. Orion's almost always placed somewhere in the middle of Federation territory, with Nausicaa a bit closer to the Klingon border. I guess we'll have to see. The Klingons are being pretty aggressive; perhaps they blitz across the border and take adjacent Federation territories, which allows them to be close to the Syndicate and the Nausicaans.

I would prefer the Orion Syndicate (aka the Syndicate) to be an NPC Pirate faction, and not be tied to the federation nor the Klingons.

As for the Mapping, if there is not really a canon map, and Orion's location has not been established in Canon, STO could simply place the planet close enough to the Klingon Border to make sense.

[Varrangian]

As for the Mapping, if there is not really a canon map, and Orion's location has not been established in Canon, STO could simply place the planet close enough to the Klingon Border to make sense.

I have a feeling the STO map will be as close as we've come to a canon Trek map.

[Loekii]

I have a feeling the STO map will be as close as we've come to a canon Trek map.

I would hope they try to keep it as close to cannon as possible.

However, if Orion's location was never really specified in the Series or the movies, I think we might see STO move it closer to the Klingon border, to back up their connection to the Klingon Faction in STO.

[Sevenblade]

I would hope they try to keep it as close to cannon as possible.

However, if Orion's location was never really specified in the Series or the movies, I think we might see STO move it closer to the Klingon border, to back up their connection to the Klingon Faction in STO.

I don't think it was ever explicitly stated where it was, at least not in canon. Though I do think they heavily implied it was a Federation world, or at least within Federation territory. The only thing we really have on the Syndicate is that they operate on the Borderland (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Borderland) of Federation and Klingon territory, so it makes sense that they could easily ally with the Klingons without them having to annex anything or even place Orion near the Klingon border.

You can see the Borderland on the map I showed earlier (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/Silverspar/Art/starchart1.jpg), where both Suliban and Son'a are.

[CaptXpendable]

You can see the Borderland on the map I showed earlier (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/Silverspar/Art/starchart1.jpg), where both Suliban and Son'a are.
One thing I'd like to see, though I honestly don't hold out much hope, is for the game to actually get the immense scale of the galaxy right. If the game map is anything like that map (and I would be stunned if that was the case), it puts the Pleadies cluster at the farthest edge of Federation space.

The Pleadies cluster is marked M45 on this map (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Nearest_Nebulae_and_Star_clusters.gif) of our local arm of the galaxy (our sun is on the center crosshair).

[Loekii]

I don't think it was ever explicitly stated where it was, at least not in canon. Though I do think they heavily implied it was a Federation world, or at least within Federation territory. The only thing we really have on the Syndicate is that they operate on the Borderland (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Borderland) of Federation and Klingon territory, so it makes sense that they could easily ally with the Klingons without them having to annex anything or even place Orion near the Klingon border.

You can see the Borderland on the map I showed earlier (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/Silverspar/Art/starchart1.jpg), where both Suliban and Son'a are.

I like the idea of moving both Nausicaa and Orion into the Borderlands, and then having Klingons 'annex' the Borderlands in the PATH articles.

Again, the Syndicate should never align themselves with either the Feds nor the Klingons.

The Orions in the Klingon Faction should simply be residents of Orion, the planet, and not members of the Syndicate.

[Sevenblade]

One thing I'd like to see, though I honestly don't hold out much hope, is for the game to actually get the immense scale of the galaxy right. If the game map is anything like that map (and I would be stunned if that was the case), it puts the Pleadies cluster at the farthest edge of Federation space.

The Pleadies cluster is marked M45 on this map (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Nearest_Nebulae_and_Star_clusters.gif) of our local arm of the galaxy (our sun is on the center crosshair).


Yeah, not something I really expect to happen either. It'd be really nice if they actually matched up the Star Trek universe with our current knowledge of the galaxy, but I'm sure some inaccuracies have already made their way into canon by now, with just a few slipups by writers that made it into the show. To tell you the truth, with as vast and developed (and contradictory) universe as the one created by the Star Trek shows, I'd be happy even with a map most people could agree on of just the Star Trek galaxy. Getting it to match our own would just be a nice, unlikely bonus.

[Sevenblade]

I like the idea of moving both Nausicaa and Orion into the Borderlands, and then having Klingons 'annex' the Borderlands in the PATH articles.

Again, the Syndicate should never align themselves with either the Feds nor the Klingons.

The Orions in the Klingon Faction should simply be residents of Orion, the planet, and not members of the Syndicate.


I like the idea of annexing the Borderlands, especially if Nausicaa is close enough, especially since the Borderlands seem neutral enough to begin with.

And while yeah, normally I'd like to see the Syndicate remain a neutral organization that still only values it's own interests without taking sides, I can still see a way to make it work. Perhaps the Syndicate found they were hampered by the Federation doing a better job of policing their territory, so they sided with the Klingons due to a more similar aggressive nature, and provide military support for being able to run their operations in Klingon space while the Klingons turn a blind eye to their Mafia-like activities.

However, to keep their tendency to be neutral and only go for things that benefit them, as the game is released and the story progresses, perhaps we could find hints of the Syndicate trying to play both sides of the field, benefit from both factions in the war. It'd make some interesting politics, and would creating some interesting shifting of loyalties that players would have to deal with and decide where they want to stand on that.


However, I disagree with making the planet Orion near the border, and having the Klingons annex that. Most Orions that remain on the homeworld would be willing participants in the Federation, and not really share the same philosophy as the Klingons or even their criminal brethren in the Syndicate. After all, we've heard of the Orion Free Traders (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Orion_Free_Traders), so not every Orion or even a majority are pirates. Homeworlders seem to actually be the opposite, in fact, which is why the Syndicate operates offworld, to better hide it's activities from the generally Federation-law accepting average Orions.

[Loekii]

The problem with Orion being 'Neutral' is that they have already stated that the Orions will not be Feds, but will be Klingon Faction -- an actual race option for Klingon players.

[copyrights]

I was really hoping the Cardassians would be independent and still a major power. Although thats still a possibility I suppose. However, it sounds like they are about to join the Federation. Who knows what could happen in the next few years.

[djnattyd]

Also, do the Ferengi even pay taxes, I'm pretty sure they don't. I think they pay for government services directly and through those prayer station things where you drop a slip of platinum every time you pass one.

Brunt turned up at DS9 and told Quark that the Nagus had impossed taxes on Ferenginar

[Sevenblade]

The problem with Orion being 'Neutral' is that they have already stated that the Orions will not be Feds, but will be Klingon Faction -- an actual race option for Klingon players.


Good point, I didn't even think of that. Maybe they could say that Orion Federation citizens are refusing to join Starfleet to avoid fighting their own kind?

[Youkilis]

Good point, I didn't even think of that. Maybe they could say that Orion Federation citizens are refusing to join Starfleet to avoid fighting their own kind?


Naaaaaaaagh!

[Azurian]

Not necessarily, since it seems the Syndicate has moved beyond using Orion as the main base. They don't need it for the Klingons to ally/annex it. To me, it makes plenty of sense to have Orion be a Federation world while the Syndicate just relocates to Klingon space, or at least the border between the two factions.

But yeah, they'll definitely be a separate entity from Orion, the Federation world.

Plus, take a look at this (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg294/Silverspar/Art/starchart1.jpg). It's the most accurate Trek map I've seen yet, and the locations of major locations on most maps is makes this meet a pretty good standard. Orion's almost always placed somewhere in the middle of Federation territory, with Nausicaa a bit closer to the Klingon border. I guess we'll have to see. The Klingons are being pretty aggressive; perhaps they blitz across the border and take adjacent Federation territories, which allows them to be close to the Syndicate and the Nausicaans.

I would not use that fan-made map as a "legit" source.

It's some fan that incorrectly added a bunch of stuff to Geoffrey Mandel's work from the Star Trek: Star Charts (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Star_Trek:_Star_Charts), in which stuff was arbitarily added or altered. For instance they moved the Sheliak to an illogical location (since Deneb is on the other side of the Federation). And Xindi Space being in a completely wrong location.

FYI, The Plieades Star Cluster isn't in the correct location. It's "SE" of Sol, not "SW" of Sol. ;)

EDIT: Also noticed on the Map there are a Couple of Non Canonical worlds that were totally fan-made. And not mentioned on TV, the Movies, the Comics, nor the Novels.

[Sevenblade]

I would not use that fan-made map as a "legit" source.

It's someone that added a bunch of stuff to Geoffrey Mandel's work from the Star Trek: Star Charts (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Star_Trek:_Star_Charts) Book, in which stuff was arbitarily added or altered (like the Sheliak being in the completely illogical location, since Deneb is on the other side of the Federation). And Xindi Space being in a completely wrong location.

Just using it as an example. You're right about the problems with it, but then you can pick apart something about almost every map made of the Star Trek universe, even the most official ones. Plus, it works for the most part with my point, as Orion tends to be in relatively the same spot on all the maps I've seen yet.

[Azurian]

Just using it as an example. You're right about the problems with it, but then you can pick apart something about almost every map made of the Star Trek universe, even the most official ones. Plus, it works for the most part with my point, as Orion tends to be in relatively the same spot on all the maps I've seen yet.

I agree. Inspite of it's wonders, there has been many loopholes when it comes to Star Trek. And it's no different when it comes to starmaps, because they constantly changed from source to source.

Originally, Gene Roddenberry pretty much arbitarily created worlds and since then, some canonical worlds like Vulcan were assigned real star locations. Which is why there is many inconsitancies, because people are mixing fictional star systems with real star systems.

I talked to Geoffery Mandel himself about the maps and he told me that this was as true to real life as possible in matching real star systems with canonical worlds. And obviously some locations have to be fudged or exagerated a little.

Hell, I've talked to people at JPL about this map and they were genuinely impressed, because nobody even went to any length to make a Real Star Chart of the Star Systems beyond 50 Light Years.



However, the fanmade map that you linked, well it was someone "improveding" on Mandel's Star Trek map is just randomly adding stuff without real research. It's more like "this is where it should be, because I know Star Trek". :p

[Sevenblade]

I agree. Inspite of it's wonders, there has been many loopholes when it comes to Star Trek. And it's no different when it comes to starmaps, because they constantly changed from source to source.

Originally, Gene Roddenberry pretty much arbitarily created worlds and since then, some canonical worlds like Vulcan were assigned real star locations. Which is why there is many inconsitancies, because people are mixing fictional star systems with real star systems.

I talked to Geoffery Mandel himself about the maps and he told me that this was as true to real life as possible in matching real star systems with canonical worlds. And obviously some locations have to be fudged or exagerated a little.

Hell, I've talked to people at JPL about this map and they were genuinely impressed, because nobody even went to any length to make a Real Star Chart of the Star Systems beyond 50 Light Years.



However, the fanmade map that you linked, well it was someone "improveding" on Mandel's Star Trek map is just randomly adding stuff without real research. It's more like "this is where it should be, because I know Star Trek". :p


Heh, yeah, I think Alpha Centauri might be the only system that's actually where it's supposed to be, just because it'd be hard to screw that one up :o

It's interesting though, how they tried to put core worlds that are staples of canon, like Vulcan at plausible real-life locations. I guess Vulcan is supposed to be at 40 Eridani after Gene conferred with some NASA scientists on a likely location, and it later got confirmed when ENT place Vulcan 16 light years away from Earth, the same as 40 Eridani.

But yeah, I don't doubt that the map I put up wasn't matched with real-life stellar placements. In fact, I think whoever did it realized that reconciling Trek's stellar cartography with it's own contradictions, before you even factor in real-life stars, is almost an impossible task. Heck, ENT screwed up in just the first episode by making Qo'nos closer than most Federation planets! So just trying to navigate the contradictory maze of Trek canon was probably the intent of whoever made that map. Maybe Cryptic will be able to also meet the bonus of not only making their map as accurate as possible for Trek, but in relation to actual stars, as well. One can only hope :)

[CaptXpendable]

While I certainly don't expect 100% percent accuracy, I do hope Cryptic will at least try to be more accurate than most fan made maps.

I remember my early childhood disappointment with the original Starfleet Technical Manual when I figured out that, based on the size of the map in it and the warp factors given, the Enterprise couldn't have gotten to all the places it did in a lifetime, let alone five years.

[Loekii]

I would not use that fan-made map as a "legit" source.

It's some fan that incorrectly added a bunch of stuff to Geoffrey Mandel's work from the Star Trek: Star Charts (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Star_Trek:_Star_Charts), in which stuff was arbitarily added or altered. For instance they moved the Sheliak to an illogical location (since Deneb is on the other side of the Federation). And Xindi Space being in a completely wrong location.

FYI, The Plieades Star Cluster isn't in the correct location. It's "SE" of Sol, not "SW" of Sol. ;)

EDIT: Also noticed on the Map there are a Couple of Non Canonical worlds that were totally fan-made. And not mentioned on TV, the Movies, the Comics, nor the Novels.

So the questions for STO are:

Where does Canon Place the Planet Orion?
Where does Canon place Naussica?


If there really is no references in Canon, then I think both should be placed close to the klingon boarder to be Annexed in a Path Article, imo.

[Sevenblade]

While I certainly don't expect 100% percent accuracy, I do hope Cryptic will at least try to be more accurate than most fan made maps.

I remember my early childhood disappointment with the original Starfleet Technical Manual when I figured out that, based on the size of the map in it and the warp factors given, the Enterprise couldn't have gotten to all the places it did in a lifetime, let alone five years.

Heh, well that's not just a problem with placement of the systems, but also that the writers have always been pretty inconsistent with exactly how fast warp speeds are. The only series that was even close to consistent on how fast you travel at certain warp speeds was Voyager, simply because we saw them travel over a long area at a standard cruising speed.

[PaperBackHero]

Ah yes . Where is this , and where is that. So the bigger question is when will the necessary maps come out to show needed locations.:rolleyes:

[Ozymandias]

Heh, well that's not just a problem with placement of the systems, but also that the writers have always been pretty inconsistent with exactly how fast warp speeds are. The only series that was even close to consistent on how fast you travel at certain warp speeds was Voyager, simply because we saw them travel over a long area at a standard cruising speed.

:) I've wondered that myself, since some locations on maps are sometimes so far out that there shouldn't be any way our intrepid heroes could make it there (Galactic Barrier, anyone?) but I think Joss Wheldon said it best concerning ship-speeds in 'Firefly' and 'Serenity' - a starship travels at the speed of plot.

[ronaldheld]

Do we know who was the first one to say,"a starship travels at the speed of plot"?

[CaptXpendable]

J. Michael Straczynski when asked how fast a White Star travels.

[Nador_Ekoor]

I never thought I`d see the day the Cardassians needing federation protection but it is nice to see them starting to smooth things over and reconcile with the Bajorans.

Just because the Cardassians are dependant on the Federation at this time, doesn't mean that we in anyway like or even reconcile with those Bajorans. It will take a lot longer than 40 years to fix this hatred.


Now, I want everyone to remember that something similar happened before regarding two squabbling species and ended up both joining the Federation...............Andorian/Vulcan wars. So it is conceivable that both Cardassians and Bajorans will both be in the Federation....but there wont be Cardassian/Bajoran officers sharing the same bridge for a while. How many times do you see Andorians and Vulcans sharing a bridge??

[defiantboy81]

....but there wont be Cardassian/Bajoran officers sharing the same bridge for a while. How many times do you see Andorians and Vulcans sharing a bridge??

How often did you see any Andorian in a TNG-era show?

[Sevenblade]

:) I've wondered that myself, since some locations on maps are sometimes so far out that there shouldn't be any way our intrepid heroes could make it there (Galactic Barrier, anyone?) but I think Joss Wheldon said it best concerning ship-speeds in 'Firefly' and 'Serenity' - a starship travels at the speed of plot.

Exactly. ENT and TOS are the worst at being inconsistent with distances, but then TOS was never meant to create a whole, continuous universe that fans like us would be analyzing with the equivalent of an electron microscope years later. In TOS, the Enterprise regularly travels the radius of the galaxy no problem. ENT even placed Qo'nos within a few light years of Earth if you look at travel time in just the first episode. But yeah, it's definitely determined by the writers and what plot they want to use, figures be damned.

The plot drive is far faster than warp, slipstream, or transwarp ;)

[Endow]

This update was very cool. The new Data coming back, Nagus Rom making free education, it is a very good read.