Blinded by the Light

[Solluk]

Mission Title: Blinded by the Light

Synopsis: The USS Palladium is an experimental Intrepid-class vessel with shipwide holoemitters, intended to operate multiple Long-Term Holographic programs to better facilitate long-range exploration.  However, during her maiden voyage launching from Starbase 275, the holographic crew beams the corporeal crew off the ship and steals it.  It soon becomes apparent that the holographic programs on-board have somehow attained sentience.  Now, the ship is on a direct course to Tzenkethi space where they may hope to claim asylum (perhaps intending to trade Federation technology for it!)  The USS Yourship is assigned to intercept and stop the USS Palladium using any means necessary.  However, will your crew be troubled by the ethical and moral implications?  The Federation has just given birth to a new life form, and is now hunting it down.

Starting Point: While on patrol near Tzenkethi space, the USS  Yourship is contacted by Starfleet and told about the theft if the USS Palladium by its own holo-crew.

End Goal: The USS Palladium is prevented from entering Tzenkethi space, and the USS Yourship Captain must decide what to do with the holo-crew programs.

Story points that must be passed?:

A) While on patrol near Tzenkethi space, the USS  Yourship is contacted by Starfleet and told about the theft if the USS Palladium by its own holo-crew.

B) The USS Yourship enters a search pattern for the USS Palladium, identifying its approach.

C) The USS Yourship intercepts the USS Palladium, entering into an exciting exchange of fire.

D) The USS Palladium is eventually disabled, and boarding teams beam over to reclaim control of the ship.

E) After subduing the holo-crew, a decision must be made about what to do with their programs.

Departments: (To make sure everyone has something to do.)

- Flight: The Flight Crew will have the pleasure of piloting the ship through a thrilling space combat.  At least one Flight Control individual will have to beam over with the capture party, as the ship will have to be returned to Starfleet and it will need a pilot for that duration.

- Engineering:  The USS Yourship will sustain damage in the fight which must be repaired.  Also, means must be found to alter anti-personnel weapons to work better against holographic personnel.  Finally, control of the USS Palladium must be successfully transferred back to authorized individuals.  Engineering personnel will likely be involved in beaming over and recapturing the ship.

- Operations: The battle will involve Power transfers, dispatching damage control, and the Operations personnel may work with Engineering and Science to figure out how to alter anti-personnel weapons to work better against holographic personnel.  Finally, control of the USS Palladium must be successfully transferred back to authorized individuals.  Operations personnel will likely be involved in beaming over and recapturing the ship.

- Security and tactical: In addition to the thrilling space combat, Security personnel will be beaming over to recapture the USS Palladium.  The USS Palladium will probably also need a Tactical officer once it is captured, until it can be returned to Starfleet.

- Medical: There will be injuries during the combat.  At least one medical person should beam over with the capture team to tend to wounded away personnel.

- Science: In addition to helping to defeat the USS Palladium with sensor tricks, they can work with Engineering and Operations to find a way to modify anti-personnel weapons to work on the holo-crew.  In addition, their computer expertise may be needed to help return control of the Palladium to Starfleet.

ETHICAL DILEMMA: The conclusion of this mission is meant to feature an ethical dilemma, perhaps expressed via a discussion of the senior staff.  Via holo-crew members, Starfleet may have created a slave class who serve in Starfleet despite never choosing to, and never swearing any oath of allegiance.  The Palladium essentially represents a slave rebellion.  Is the USS Yourship actually violating good ethics by recapturing the slaves and returning them to their slave-masters for either execution, perpetual internment, or continued servitude?

No matter what the USS Yourship does, their choices will have severe ethical and moral implications.