SF-LOVERS Digest V6 #110
ucbvax!sf-lovers
Reply-To: SF-LOVERS at SRI-CSL
To: SF-LOVERS@SRI-CSL
SF-LOVERS Digest Saturday, 18 Dec 1982 Volume 6 : Issue 110
Today's Topics:
Books - Brunner's THE SHEEP LOOK UP
T.V. - "The Invaders"
Misc - explosive decompression, Star Trek crosses Known Space
Movies - Fantastic Voyage, SW/TESB/ROTJ
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 1982 21:45:18 EST (Wednesday)
From: David Mankins <dm at BBN-RSM>
Subject: The Sheep Look Up, by John Brunner
I just finished "The Sheep Look Up" by John Brunner (having read
"Stand on Zanzibar" earlier this year). It is a pessimistic, although
not exactly depressing, novel about the effects of pollution. It is
set in the early eighties and describes a polluted world in which the
Mediterranean, Baltic, and Caspian have suffered the same fate as Lake
Erie in the 60s, where you can only see a blue sky from the windows of
airplanes, and where the rain is so laced with insecticides and
defoliants (weed-killers) that gardens wither and die. In short, it
describes the world James Watt, Ann Gorsuch, and Ronald ("Prexy")
Reagan would like us to have. A world in which the entire United
States is a Love Canal.
Indeed, Brunner depicts a President of the United States who is always
going somewhere on vacation, and who is continually making ignorant
remarks to the press about events, leading me to suspect that Brunner
modeled the character on Ronald Reagan. Though I suppose most
Presidents look this way from across the Atlantic, Ronald Reagan just
more so.
I say the book is not depressing for a pair of reasons. One reason is
that here it is the 1980s, and things really aren't as bad as he
describes, and probably aren't going to get quite that bad (although
try listening to the news describe the dieldrin contamination in
Missouri, and Love Canal, and PCB contamination in Michigan without
thinking about this book). The other reason is that it ends on a
hopeful note.
Actually, its REALLY depressing if you end up considering the way it
ends as being a hopeful note.
It is written in much the same collage style as "Stand on Zanzibar."
If you liked that novel, you should like this one, too. "Zanzibar"
seemed "louder" than "Sheep"--I suspect Brunner uses fewer capital
letters in the latter novel.
It is more than just similarities in style that link the two novels.
In addition to being about environmental concerns ("Zanzibar" is about
over-population, "Sheep" about pollution), both novels have prophets
who are honored, but ignored. Both prophets (Clyde Mulligan in
"Zanzibar" and Austin Train in "Sheep") spend some years wandering in
the desert after they've achieved fame. Both return to the limelight
to tell us how much worse things have become.
------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 1982 1304-EST
From: Mike First <FIRST at NLM-MCS>
Subject: "Invaders" TV series query
Remember the TV series "The Invaders"? It is rarely mentioned on this
list although I remember it as being quite good. Was it really good
or is it just that I was much younger when it was aired (and is RARELY
syndicated). One possible explanation for its relative lack of
success is the fundamentally depressing nature of its theme.
Essentially from week to week, our hero never achieved his goal (i.e.
convincing the world that invaders had already landed) nor did he make
even minor progress--whenever he would succeed in the beginning of an
episode to convince some people of the truth, they would be destroyed
or otherwise incapacitated by the end. Not very satisfying for the
mass audience. QUERY: Did the series have a planned ending (i.e. did
it end by having David Vincent convince the world that the invaders
are here) or did it die out abruptly due to cancellation (a la "Time
Tunnel", "Lost in Space", etc.) Also, is there some sort of episode
guide available? Did any prominent sci-fi writers have anything to do
with it?
--Michael (FIRST@NLM-MCS)
------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 82 21:12:32-EST (Wed)
From: Ron Natalie <ron@BRL>
Subject: MCP's and Who's Who.
Someone was complaining about SF being the last haven of the MCP's.
But, if the Master Control Programs don't belong to Science Fiction,
where else can they go?
In the last series of the Tom Baker Dr. Who shows, there was this
planet who were beaming equations out into deep space to restore order
because the entropy level was getting too high. Anybody have any
scientific or mythological feelings about this? I also saw someone
putting down the New Who on the list because he had question marks on
his shirt collars. Look closly at Baker, he has them too.
-Ron
------------------------------
Date: 16 December 1982 01:45-PST (Thursday)
From: Allan M. Schiffman <Schiffman at SRI-KL>
Subject: More explosive decompression: SFL V6 #99
From: "ISHTAR::FELDMAN c/o" <DEC-SFL at DEC-Marlboro>
Date: 30-NOV-1982 09:51
Subj: explosive decompression.
...
Finding a vacum chamber at your friendly local highschool or
college science lab, and observing a beaker of water in it
would help you understand.
...
Wouldn't the experiment be more appropriate if the water is in a
sealed plastic bag?
You might want to trap as little air as possible, and leave some slack
in the bag. Even better if the "plastic" was some kind of
gas-permeable membrane.
-Allan
------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 82 20:56:41-EST (Wed)
From: Ron Natalie <ron@BRL>
Subject: Fantastic Voyage and Star Trek.
About the Sixty Gallon Drum of Water injected into the guy... You
will remember watching the "radar" picture of the needle while the
submarine was carefully (lest it fall out on the floor) driven to as
close to the end as possible. This was done to prevent as much water
as possible from entering the guy. Something that was left out of the
movie however (but was explained by the book) is what happened when
this large metallic submarine that they abandoned in the guys brain
regained normal size (you'll remember that they exitted through the
eye without it). In the book, one of them drags the partially
decomposed thing out with him before it gets too big.
As for those who have been second guessing James T. Kirk about the use
of the Shuttlecraft and the Transporter in emergency situations: You
may submit your applications to the acadamy for mthe next term.
-Ron
------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 1982 1056-EST
From: Stephen R Balzac <LS.SRB at MIT-EECS at MIT-MC>
Subject: Vader death count
Which is more evil: killing someone with your own hands, or
hiring someone else to do your dirty work for you? Besides, Vader
does appear to be into torture, which a number of people seem to have
overlooked.
------------------------------
Date: 13 Dec 82 13:02:42-PST (Mon)
From: decvax!decwrl!sun!megatest!fortune!dsd!atd!avsdS.steve at
From: Ucb-C70
Subject: re: light saber
how about simply believing Obi Wan when he said that the light saber
was a more elegant weapon for a more civilized time? It seems
throughout history that the hand weapon is usually replaced by the
"NEW and IMPROVED" versions of projectile weapons as they are
developed( the long bow by the cross-bow, the Springfield by the M-1,
etc...).
Current military customs usually provide for the wearing of the dress
sword only on special occasions. How practicle would a sword (or even
a light saber) be in stopping an opponent at 50 yards?
I would appear that Darth Vader took on Obi Wan as a matter of pride.
The sensible thing to do would have been to stay back and lay waste to
the corridor, including Obi Wan, with a suitable weapon. That,
however, never seems to happen (the bad guys never take the easy way
out--they like to gloat!).
How to obtain a new light saber? Check out the local antique gun
shoppe. I'm sure someone's grandfather had one at one time but it
outlived it's usefulness and was traded-in for something more
appropriate. (you gots to look at realities (?)). If not, well, the
plans coulden't have all been lost. (After all, it was THE WEAPON of
the Jedi for a thousand generations!!!). Just run down tho the local
smithy.l
Besides, if you can still get battries for it, there must be some,
somewhere.
If you gots to get caught up in the story, you gots to start believing
more and stop putting in so much sweats over the unessential.
------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 82 13:19:29-PST (Wed)
From: decvax!ittvax!neiman at Ucb-C70
Subject: Re: Food for thought...........TESB, the "other, etc.
The other day, I saw TESB for the second time. The scene in which
Darth Vader wards off Han's blaster fire using the force answered one
of those questions which had been bothering me since I saw Star Wars
for the first time, to wit, how can our heros stroll through barrages
of enemy fire without getting even singed while the Imperial Troopers
fall right and left. Obviously the force (as well as the necessity
for character continuity) protects them and redirects enemy fire.
And I thought that the guys in white armor were just incredibly bad
shots...
DanN
------------------------------
Date: 14 Dec 82 12:02:10-PST (Tue)
From: harpo!ihnp4!ixn5c!inuxc!pur-ee!CSvax.Pucc-H.Physics.els at
From: Ucb-C70
Subject: Re: Food for thought...........TESB, the "other, etc.
Another thing I forgot to mention....
When speaking about the dark side of the Force, Yoda says
something to the effect that once the dark side takes over, you are
forever in its sway.
That would tend to rule out a turnabout by Vader. Does anyone
remember the exact quote??
els[Eric Strobel]
pur-ee!pur-phy!els
------------------------------
Date: 14 Dec 82 20:52:26-PST (Tue)
From: decvax!utzoo!watmath!bstempleton at Ucb-C70
Subject: Re: Vader death count
There are many death counts greater than those of Vader and Tarkin.
For example, the Vogons in The Hitch Hiker's Guide ttG destroy Earth
and no doubt many other planets. We're also told of whole planets
destroyed in games of galactic Billiards.
Many grandiose stories outdo even this. Consider the tally against
Boskone by the Kinison clan.
I think top billing goes to good old Nathan Brazil, however. Anybody
got a case that can top him?
------------------------------
Date: 14 Dec 82 12:32:49-PST (Tue)
From: harpo!ihnp4!ixlpc!tomoc at Ucb-C70
Subject: The Emperor
I caught Empire the other night and did remember at the end to see who
played the Emperor. I can`t remmember his name, but I know it was NOT
Alec Guiness! However, as noted before, Obi Wan and the Emperor did
look strikingly alike. I think some people have come up with some
very interesting ideas about him, Vader, etc. but I`m just going to
wait for ROTJ to find out who`s who.
Tom O`Connor
ixlpc!tomoc
------------------------------
Date: 14 December 1982 00:06 est
From: Schauble.Multics at MIT-MULTICS
Subject: StarTrek crosses Known Space
One of the animated Star Trek episodes, titled "Slaver Weapon", is
virtually identical to the Larry Niven story "The Soft Weapon". This
is not surprising, since Niven did the script for that episode. This
episode caused all of Star Treks history to be re-written to include
Kzin, Slavers, and so on. I am told that anti-gravity for Star Trek
was discovered because of a flying belt found in a stasis box.
The following is a combined chronology for that universe. It is taken
from another bboard, but attributed to NEXUS magazine.
Y1 First contact between Humans and neighbors.
Y4 Federation formed.
Y32 Federation sub-light CL in service.
Y33 Romulan Warbird in service.
Y34 Gorn sub-light battleship in service.
Y36 First Gorn-Romulan War begins.
Y38 Lyran-Klingon War begins; no details known.
Y39 Gorns lose first Gorn-Romulan War at Gorn-Shima.
Y40 First Federation-Romulan War begins. Lyrans attack what they
believe is a Klingon mining colony. The outpost is, instead,
from the Hydrans, and not previously known to the Lyrans.
Thus begins the first Lyran-Hydran War.
Y42 Lyran-Klingon War ends when several Lyran clans abandon the
war to protect their homes from the Hydrans. Lyrans are
forced to accept an unfavorable settlement.
Y43 Lyrans defeat Hydran invasion, but reach negotiated settlement
rather than continue the war. First Lyran-Hydran War ends.
Y45 Cruiser design introduced by Federation.
Y46 First Federation-Romulan War ends with ceasefire.
Y48 First Lyran-Kzinti War begins.
Y50 First Klingo-Kzinti War begins.
Y56 First Lyran-Kzinti War ends.
Y62 Federation launches first warp-powered cruiser.
Klingons launch first warp-powered D6.
Second Gorn-Romulan War begins.
Y63 Kzinti's develop warp power. Federation begins converting
thirty old-style sub-light cruisers to warp power.
Y65 Hydrans develop warp power. By a fortuitous chance,
the current sub-light ships adapt very well to warp
power. Conversion of these ships begins. Federation
CA, DD, SC in service. Klingon D6, F5, E4 in service.
Kzinti CS, CL, FF in service. Drone I in service.
Y66 Gorns develop warp power. Gorns could use this advantage to
destroy the Romulans, but choose to fight defensively.
Incidents along Hydran-Klingon border. Klingons want
settlement rights on oxy-nitrogen planets in Hydran
territory; Hydrans want same rights on methane worlds in
Klingon space.
Y67 Lyrans develop warp power.
Y68 Gorns win second Gorn-Romulan War. Lyran CA, CL, DD, FF in
service. Second Lyran-Hydran War begins.
Y69 Gorn CA, CL, DD in service.
Y71 Federation forms the United Star Fleet. Member planets begin
disbanding their "national" fleets. Second Lyran-Hydran War
ends when improved Hydran weapons give them a decisive
advantage over the Lyrans.
Y72 Federation Tug, Cargo Pod, Starliner, Police, GS cruiser in
service. Klingon-Hydran "incident."
Y73 Hydrans attack Klingons. They do not have a formal alliance
with the Kzintis (who are still at war with the Klingons),
but are considered as co-belligerants. Klingons are
hard-pressed to fight a war on two fronts. A new Hydran
weapon gives the Klingons much concern.
Y74 Freighters and Q-ships generally available, except to
Romulans.
Y75 Badly outnumbered Klingon fleet defending the Hydran
Frontier is decisively defeated by the Hydrans.
Klingons agree to a peace settlement granting the
Hydrans trade concessions, and allowing them to
colonize several methane-atmosphere planets within
Klingon Empire. Kzintis howl with rage because Hydrans
will not continue the war. Klingons purchase much war
material (at rediculously inflated prices) from Hydrans
and turn on Kzintis.
Y77 Drone II, IV, V in service from this date.
Y82 First Klingo-Kzinti War ends. Klingons capture three
key planets.
Y83 Federation CC in service. Tholians first encounter by the
Klingons. First of several vicious border wars lasts two
years. PC in service. Klingon D7, F-5S, E3, G2 in service.
Klingon Tug-B, Cargo, Power Boost, Transport pod in service.
Kzinti Scout in service. Drone III in service.
Y84 Klingons, having defeated Kzintis, attack Hydrans. This is
known as the "Second Klingo-Hydran War" to Federation
Historians, as the "War of Retribution" to the Klingons, and
as the "War of Infamy" to the Hydrans. Lyrans attack
collapsing Hydran border and capture several planets, but are
not formal allies of Klingons at this point. This is the
Third Lyran-Hydran War.
Y87 Klingons smash Hydran fleet. Hydran colonies are destroyed.
Many attrocities are committed by the Klingons. All Hydran
ships larger than police frigates are destroyed, and the
Hydran Kingdom is reduced to a client of the Klingons. The
Klingons established governors on Hydran planets. Due to the
difference in atmospheres, however, these governors are never
really able to control the populace and usually rule from
orbiting satellites. These satellites have powerful weapons
aimed at the planet below, but are poorly defended against
attack from space.
Y88 First Federation-Kzinti War begins as Kzintis attack. Second
Lyran-Klingon War begins as arguments develop over division
of the Hydran Empire. In the confusion, the Hydran colonies
of Altroth, Minxitith, and Krooth have not been noticed or
occupied by the Klingons. These colonies were established by
major merchant guilds of the Hydran Kingdom, and the later
power of the Guilds stems from this period. The Guilds
maintain the monarchy through Prince S'Lenthna, the last heir
of Hydraxan IX. The Prince is a virtual puppet (the Guilds
hold the real power), but his presence is important in
rallying the Hydrans.
Y89 Kzintis makes gains, capturing several planets.
Romulans attack Tholians, but abandon the "First
Romulan-Tholian War" in less than a year.
Y90 Third Gorn-Romulan War begins with Romulan attack. Gorn Fleet
Tug, Cargo, and Transport Pods, Starliner, in service. Civil
wars in the Hydran "lost colonies", as Prince S'Lenthna tries
to break the power of the Guilds.
Y91 Klingons begin conversion of D6 class, increasing engine power
from 24 to 30. All are converted by Y93. Klingons and
Lyrans settle their differences by negotiation. The Klingons
are anxious to do so because they plan to attack Tholia.
Federation begins counter-offensive to regain territory
occupied by the Kzintis.
Y92 The Great Klingo-Tholian War begins. First Federation-Kzinti
War ends, with border re-established in the original location.
Y93 Extended range drones available.
Y95 Kzinti Fleet Tug, Pods (C, LSD, T), in service.
Y96 Third Gorn-Romulan War ends.
Y101 Hydran civil wars intensify. Much of Minxitith rendered
uninhabitable.
Y102 Klingons abandon war against Tholians.
Y103 Second Klingo-Kzinti War begins.
Y104 Kzinti Drone Frigate in service.
Y106 Kzintis win second Klingo-Kzinti War, regain planets.
Y109 Second Lyran-Kzinti War begins when a Kzinti CS destroys a Lyran
exploration ship. The Lyrans claim a moral outrage over the
attack, but ignore the fact that their "exploration ship" was
exploring Kzinti territory for new colony sites.
Y110 First Federation-Klingon War.
Y111 First Federation-Klingon War ends inconclusively.
Y113 Federation completes the disbanding of the "national" fleets as
the Federation Star Fleet is completed. Sixteen Orion ships and
9,000 skilled crewmen mutiny and disappear.
Y114 Second Lyran-Kzinti War ends. Klingo-Tholian "incident."
Y115 Federation Battle Pod in service.
Y117 Orion CR, DR, Slaver, LR observed in operation.
Y119 Klingon Battle Pod and Tug-A in service.
Y120 Fourth Gorn-Romulan War begins.
Y121 Gorn Monitor Pod in service. Klingo-Tholian "incident." Kzinti
Battle Pod in service.
Y123 Third Klingo-Kzinti War begins.
Y125 Fourth Gorn-Romulan War ends. Gorns have claimed some
territory. Lyrans attack Kzintis with part of their fleet,
taking advantage of the concurrent Klingo-Kzinti War. This
is the Third Lyran-Kzinti War.
Y128 Hydran civil wars end as Prince S'Lenthna abdicates in favor of
his grandson. Under-age, all of the boy-king's regents are
heads of Guild houses.
Y129 Hydran "lost colonies" begin preparations for restoration of the
kingdom. Technology is acquired from unknown foreign
sources, later said to be Kzinti or perhaps Orion. The great
22nd century journalist Rod N. Berry suggest that the Orions
were operating under a contract with the Federation G.I.A.
Y131 Third Klingo-Kzinti War ends, with inconclusive results.
Y132 First Orion CA sopotted during this year. Hydran agents begin
infiltrating the Klingon-occupied planets of the kingdom.
Y133 Gatling Phaser developed by Hydrans.
Y134 Hydran Ranger, Lancer, Scout/Hunter in service in the "lost
colonies."
Y135 Hydrans from the lost colonies under King Hydraxan XI attack the
Klingon satellites over the Hydran planets. In a swift
campaign lasting only a few weeks, the Hydran Kingdom is
restored. The personal popularity of Hydraxan XI makes him
"unacceptable" to the guilds, and he dies under mysterious
circumstances. While Hydraxan XII ascends the throne, the
guilds solidify their power.
Y136 Second Federation-Kzinti War begins as Kzintis attack border
stations.
Y137 Third Klingo-Hydran War begins when Hydrans attack Klingons.
Y139 Klingo-Tholian Incident.
Y141 Third Klingo-Hydran War ends. Hydrans have gained no territory,
but have regained their self-respect. For reasons that remain
obscure, four new kings take the throne in less than one year.
The last, Hydraxan XVI, manages to hold power for two years.
Y142 Second Federation-Kzinti War ends with no change in border.
Y143 Brief Fourth Lyran-Hydran War begins and ends as Hydrans
recapture two planets from Lyrans. Lyrans are unable to
devote full attention due to troubles on Kzinti border, and
agree to ceasefire.
Y144 Fourth Lyran-Kzinti War begins.
Y145 Kzinti renegades (members of a neo-samaurai cult) raid Allen's
Planet, slaughtering all 3,000 colonists, and kidnapping a human
infant named William S. Gerard. "The Marquis" (the Kzinti noble
in charge of the border) captures and executes the renegades to
preserve peace on the border.
Y146 Hydran "civil war" begins, but all combat will take place within
the palace over the next five years.
Y147 Tholian Cruiser in service.
Y149 Klingo-Tholian Incident.
Y150 First Orion Salvage Cruiser spotted in operation this year.
Y152 Hydraxan XXIII ("The Great") ascends the throne, which he will
hold for almost two decades.
Y154 Second Federation-Romulan War begins.
Y155 Treaty of Pelione re-establishes the Neutral Zone, and ends the
second Federation-Romulan War. Ensign Phillip Kosnett graduates
from Star Fleet Academy. Ensign Ardak Kumerian graduates from
Deep Space Fleet Academy. Fourth Lyran-Kzinti War ends. Orions
destroy border station K4.
Y156 Second Federation-Klingon War begins. War ends the same year,
with the Organian treaty. Orions destroy a Kzinti border
station. Kzinti-Hydran Treaty signed. Each pledges to
attack the Klingons and Lyrans if the other is attacked by
them. The Klingons and Lyrans sign a joint defensive treaty
six weeks later. Many Lyran clans oppose this treaty,
resulting in a sporadic civil war.
Y157 Gorn-Federation "war" starts as the result of a small incident.
Both fleets mobilize, but no actual fighting takes place.
The "war" ends only six weeks later with signing of the
Treaty of Algoran. Treaty of Friendship signed. Fifth
Lyran-Hydran War begins. Lyran civil war ends abruptly. ECM
and scrambling drones available.
Y158 Fourth Klingo-Kzinti War begins. Citing their treaty, the
Hydrans almost immediately launch an attack against the
Klingon border squadrons. The Lyrans join the Klingons in
fighting both Hydrans and Kzintis. The Federation, anxious
to reduce the threat to their security posed by the Klingons,
shifts fleet units to the Klingon border, and discusses with
Organians the possibility of limited action by the Federation
to restore the "Balance of Power." This is, however, a "hoax"
(the Federation would never consider military power as a
solution to the problem), intended to influence the Klingons
to negotiate an immediate settlement to end the war. The
plan backfires.
Y159 Klingon-Romulan Treaty of Smarba signed. Klingons begin
supplying advanced technology to the Romulans, allowing
experimental conversion of six Warbirds to War Eagles. These
increase pressure on Federation Border. Federation transfers
elements of the Star Fleet from the Klingon to the Romulan
border. This allows Klingons to transfer ships to fight
Kzintis. Federation attempts to use the "threat of force" as
a substitute for simple force has failed, and resulted in a
dangerous situation that may eventually destroy the
Federation.
Y160 First KR and KF5R ships transferred to Romulans, in service next
year. Phillip Kosnett becomes captain of the Heavy Cruiser
Kongo.
Y161 Kzintis introduce attack shuttle. Federation-Klingon "Hostage
Incident." Romulans acquire freighters and Q-ships.
Y162 Kongo converted to Command Cruiser. "The Marquis" sends William
Gerard home in a Fighter-Shuttle. Fifth Lyran-Hydran War ends.
The Bezwell Index episode. Romulans begin regular conversion of
Warbird ships to War Eagle class, at the rate of two per year.
Fourth Klingo-Kzinti War ends with inconclusive results.
Y163 Klingo-Tholian Incident. Kongo conveys delegates to conference
that will organize anit-pirate forces. Orions attack ship and
try to stop conference.
Y164 Romulan Pelican and Falcon in service. Kongo enters time warp
and returns.
Y165 Kzintis launch first carrier.
Y166 Series of incidents on Klingo-Kzinti border (undeclared war).
Kumerian destroys Kzinti shuttle squadron #26, and is
promoted to command the D6 "Destruction." Klingon D6
"Devastator" operates as experimental semi-carrier. Conducts
several raids on Kzinti frontier to test fighters. William
Gerard graduates from Star Fleet Academy. Orion Pirates
attack Zeta Omicron station. First encounter with an
Andromedan. Kzinti CV, CVL, and CVE in service.
Federation-Kzinti articles of agreement.
Y167 Kzintis introduce improved fighter (can guide its own Drones).
Kumerian, now in command of the "Tholian Frontier Harrassment
Squadron", makes a "demonstration" attack against Tholians.
Y168 Federation and Klingons introduce Dreadnoughts. Chaff pods
available. Klingon CV(T) and Hanger Pod in service. First
General War begins when war erupts on the Lyran-Kzinti border.
This is firt known as the Fifth Lyran-Kzinti War, but rapidly
escalates.
Y169 Klingons join Lyrans and declare war on Kzintis. Hydrans attack
both Klingons and Lyrans. William Gerard serves as an
"observer" with the Kzinti fleet. Tholian Black Widow and
Dreadnought in service. The "Cutlass Episode." The Klingon
D6 Destruction, commanded by Ardak Kumerian, raids Sherman's
planet. Warp-powered version of Romulan Warhawk in service.
Kzinti Space Control Ship in service. Klingons begin
construction of B-10 Battlewagon "Invincible."
Y170 Klingon D6 Battlecruiser "Destruction" mutinies, and is interned
at Federation Starbase 16. Returned to Klingons next year.
Klingons are outraged that the Federation dismantled the
Ubitron Interface Module. Klingons want to declare war on
Federation, but are restrained by the Organians. Kumerian,
captain of the Destruction, is demoted in disgrace. His son
Kollos graduates from Deep Space Academy, but is refused a
naval commission. He transfers to the Security (Police)
Forces. Klingon CV(T) "Berzerker" lost in combat
(circumstances unknown). Kzinti Hangar Pod in service.
Romulan Condor in service. Orion CVL spotted operating.
Lyran Lion DN in service. Hydran Paladin, Dragoon, Knight,
Cuirassier, in service.
Y171 The Organians disappear. Several races are blamed for this, but
none know the true situation. Klingons declare war on
Federation and attack Federation outposts. Federation CV,
DE, CLE enter service. Three carrier groups formed. Gorn DN
in service.
Y172 Federation responds to Klingon attack with raids by new
carriers. Federation fleets are sent to assist the Kzintis,
and a Federation expedition (Operation Hydra) unsuccessfully
attempts to penetrate Klingon space to reach Hydra.
Y173 Hard-pressed by the Federation, the Klingons convince the
Romulans to attack. The Romulans declare war on the
Federation and launch a massive attack.
Y174 Gorns Join Federation. First General war has now reached
virtually complete escalation. Grand Alliance
(Gorn-Federation-Kzinti) fleets battle
Romulan-Klingon-Lyrans. Hydrans have co-belligerant status
with Grand Alliance, but are not formal allies. Orions begin
operating against the Grand Alliance, using unprecedented
numbers of ships. Responding to a Peace initiative from the
Kzintis, the Admiral Kang sets out on it most excitin voyage.
Y176 Klingons and Romulans attempt massive operation to destroy
Tholians. Hard-pressed, the Tholians join the Grand
Alliance, but will not allow Federation ships into their
territory.
Y177 Desperately besieged, the Tholians agree to let ships of their
allies enter the Holdfast, but only those of the Gorns and
Kzintis (since they would not pose as much of a later
threat). Ardak Kumerian restored to rank as Captain of D6
"Destruction."
Y178 Lyrans introduce Psuedo-Fighters.
Y179 Klingons begin operating Pseudo-Fighters. Two flotillas are
formed: 700th (LDSF personnel) and 701st (ISF personnel).
Kollos Kumerian's 701st Gunboat Flotilla ("The Bounty
Hunters") begins a reign of terror that destroys 135 Kzinti
fighters in a year and a half. Ardak Kumerian promoted to
commodore.
Y180 Hydrans and Orions begin operation Psuedo-Fighters. Three
Federation DN's converted to DN+.
Y181 Federation CV "MacArthur" crashes into Romulan capitol during
"Operation Remus." Kzintis begins operating Psuedo-Fighters,
and add Pseudo-Fighters to their Space Control Ship
Dreadnoughts. Gorns, Romulans, and Tholians begin operating
Pseudo-Fighters. Ardak Kumerian promoted to Admiral. Phil
Kosnett promoted to Commodore.
Y182 Operation "Cavalry." Gorn fleet units transfer to Klingon
frontier for major assault in cooperation with Kzinti and
Federation units.
Y183 Repeated carrier battles between Federation/Kzinti and Klingon
forces. Federation CV "Napoleon" heavily damaged and out of
the war.
Y184 Pleiades Turkey Shoot, "Cracker Jack" Radey saves the fleet.
Y185 Organians return and halt the war. They offer no explanation
for their absence, but express hope that the "Lower Empires"
(as they call the othes) have "learned the futility of war."
------------------------------
End of SF-LOVERS Digest
***********************