[center][img]https://www.wired.com/images_blogs/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/30/picture_10.jpg[/img]
[b]THE STATE OF EMPIRE, 2387[/b][/center]

[b][center][color=DC143C][h1]STAR TREK: THE NEW ORDER[/h1]
[url=https://discord.gg/6pHZuw][h3]DISCORD[/h3][/url][/color][/center][/b]


Peace reigns in the Quadrant. A triumphant Federation has destroyed the mortal enemy of Freedom, the Dominion, and sent it back across the wormhole from where it came, and now stands as the predominant power in the region. Their century-long enemy, the hardfought foe of Cardassia, has been brought to heel and, with an allied - cynics might say puppet - government, they are no longer a thorn on the side of Starfleet. Relations with the Klingon Empire, disregarding the usual border disputes and brazen acts of individual privateers, have never been higher. Even the Romulan Empire, shrouded behind the veil of the Neutral Zone, has been making overtures of peace and reconciliation. Optimistic scholars say that reunification with Vulcan is possible within a generation. And all of this is to the direct benefit of the Federation, which in the wake of the Dominion War has swelled to a size never seen before. In other words, the Federation stands unchallenged in its corner of the Galaxy. It seems that the Eternal Peace, which billions of men and women gave their lives for in dozens of star systems and fleet actions, was a dream that was worth fighting for. It is now not only a dream, but a reality made possible by their sacrifice. Post-War prosperity rings in good times throughout the Federation, as Starfleet returns to its normal mission of exploration after being on war footing for almost ten years. It seems that life, after such chaos and destruction, is finally returning to normal.

But it is soon all about to change.

Disjointed and oft contradictory reports begin flooding the listening posts along the Neutral Zone, the officers manning the post not used to such activity from the usually secretive and paranoid Empire. Not much is able to be made out of the chaotic transmissions, except visions of an Apocalypse drawing near. As more reports fly in, the picture comes into focus. The worst fears of Starfleet are confirmed when a Romulan Warbird decloaks on the Federation side of the Neutral Zone, asking for asylum for their crew:

Romulus has been destroyed, and the Romulan Empire is disintegrating by the minute. 

The various client states and slave races once kept in check by the military might of the Emperor are unleashed upon the dying Empire. The Remans, not having tasted independence since Man discovered fire on Earth, raise up the standards of their ancient Kingdom. But there are many claimants to the Obsidian Throne, each with their own men to draw upon. The Nausicaans, the Vronnuks, the Troknai, and the thousand other slave races once subject to oppressive Romulan rule too raise their banners in rebellion, but only time will tell if their struggle for independence will succeed.

The Romulan Government, having been decapitated by the loss of Romulus, scrambles to find itself in the swirling mess of the Empire. A Provisional Council, set up along Federation ideals of representative democracy - or at least a Romulan conception of it - is formed and quickly finds itself in contact with the Federation, seeking aid in the coming civil strife. Elsewhere, warlords with their squadrons roam the Empire, a headless army without a leader or a mission. They tear through star systems, looking for purpose but finding only loot and bloodshed. Rumors roll throughout the remnants of the Romulan Star Navy that, somewhere deep in Imperial space, the Empire continues on with a relative of the last Emperor on the throne, and is preparing itself for the restoration of the Empire.

It is clear to all the powers in the region that the vacuum caused by the destabilization of the Empire can only mean one thing. War is coming. The Klingons mobilize their military forces and begin sending punitive expeditions into the fractured and weakened Imperium, exacting revenge for crimes done onto their people. Squadrons of birds-of-prey and cruisers fly from their bases, bloodlust in their eyes as they descend upon the defenseless Romulan colonies. 

Frantically, the 12th Fleet - normally kept in reserve for anti-piracy operations, is deployed to the Neutral Zone to deal with the incoming refugee crisis and, ostensibly, to keep the peace. One of these ships, practically rushed out of the drydock, is the USS [i]Vigilance[/i], an aged Ambassador-class starship in drydock for extended repairs. The crew is picked from those on temporary duty assignment and, with a brief shakedown cruise to the Neutral Zone the only thing to prepare them, are sent out to enforce the Federation's ideals of Freedom, Democracy, and Liberty.

Or, at least, that is what they believe. For the dawn of a New Galactic Order is peaking over the Milky Way Horizon, and it can be stopped by no man.

[b][center][color=DC143C][h2]House Rules[/h2][/color][/center][/b]

[list]
[*] All normal rules apply. Should be pretty obvious.
[*] No godmodding. If you need to control a character for whatever reason, pass it by the roleplayer before you do so. 
[*] Posts should be done within a good timeframe. I realize that we're all probably busy IRL (I know I am) but make sure you can keep up with the whole thing. 
[*] Posts should be at least two paragraphs in length, and contain a good amount of detail for other players to work with. I'm not concerned with the length so much as the quality. Consider this RP a "High Casual."
[*] Please contribute as much to the plot as you want to. I have a general concept of where I want the plot to go, but I am always game for RPers to add to the direction - or to totally change it. This story, while pointing to a direction, is kind of like a "pick your own course" book. Nothing is set in stone.
[/list]

[b][center][color=DC143C][h2]Setting the Stage[/h2][/color][/center][/b]

This roleplay begins roughly a week after the destruction of Romulus, as depicted in the first reboot Star Trek movie. The Federation is the dominant power, by a significant margin, in the wake of its dual victory over the Dominion and Cardassia. Much has changed in the culture of Starfleet and the Federation due to the wars of chaotic war and strife, but things are beginning to look bright until this terrible tragedy occurs that, for better and for worse, totally reorients the balance of power in this troubled region of space.

We are the Command Staff of the USS [i]Vigilance[/i], which I will detail its service record in its own "character sheet" below. She is an older class ship, rushed out of the drydocks to take part in this operation. This will be the first time most of these characters will have served together, and it will be the first time they are ever aboard this vessel. The [i]Vigilance[/i] is being deployed on a peacekeeping mission in Romulan space closest to the Federation and Klingon border zones. Most of this region of space is uncharted by the Federation and thus this roleplay will feature both the exploration part of Star Trek, and greater political overtones as well. 

I am changing a lot of things in this roleplay in regards to Starfleet's structure as a military organization. For the sake of the RP, pretend as though this was always the case, and that Starfleet always had enlisted personnel and such. I suppose it is my biggest gripe and I intend to totally change it up. Under the hider below is the rank structure of Starfleet personnel E-1 through E-9:

[hider=Rank Structure]
E-1: Crewman Recruit
E-2: Crewman Apprentice
E-3: Crewman[sup]1[/sup]

E-4: Petty Officer Third Class 
E-5: Petty Officer Second Class
E-6: Petty Officer First Class[sup]2[/sup]

E-7: Chief Petty Officer
E-8: Senior Chief Petty Officer
E-9: Master Chief Petty Officer[sup]3[/sup]

A rank insignia chart is displayed here[sup]4[/sup]:
[img]https://i.imgur.com/XMBKYPc.png[/img]

1: Until rated, E-1 through E-3 are referred to by their rank, or more simply just "Crewman."
2: Petty Officers are customarily referred to using their rates: "Machinist's Mate, First Class" or "MM1"
3: At E-9, Master Chiefs can take on more administrative roles as a Command Master Chief, Fleet Master Chief, Force Master Chief, and in a special case, Master Chief Petty Officer of Starfleet.
4: Taken from Memory Beta. It was the best I could find. For the sake of our RP, the General Wear (no insignia) will be E-1, and the second "Provisional Crewman" will be E-2 and E-3.[/hider]

Another thing that I will be altering is the uniforms. We can pretend as though Starfleet, true to its traditions rooted in the United States Navy, is altering its uniforms again for all servicemen. This time it's a total shuffle in regards to learning lessons in the Dominion War. In the hiders below, I will link these uniforms and their intended usage. This is mainly for your own visualization and to ease my discomfort on the idea of Starfleet personnel working pretty much their entire time in service uniforms. I mean, who does maintenance in a service uniform?

[hider=Starfleet Working Uniform]
[img]https://i.redd.it/u08botdkqre31.jpg[/img]
(note: pretend as if it says "Starfleet" instead of US Coast Guard!)

The Starfleet Working Uniform (SWU) is a two-piece uniform, the blouse being stitched with servicemember's surname (or name of use, if surname is not customary) on the right breast and "Starfleet" stitched on the left. If the servicemember is an officer or senior-enlisted (E-7 through E-9) the lettering is gold, and for lower-enlisted the lettering is white. The trousers are stitched in the same format on the top of the right rear trouser pocket, and the trousers themselves are worn with a rigger's belt - black for lower enlisted and khaki for senior enlisted and officers. The rank insignia of the wearer will be stitched onto the rank tab on the center of the chest. 

The proscribed cover for the SWU is a blue eight-point cover, a solid blue cover with the Great Seal of the Federation directly on the front, worn by both enlisted and officers. Covers will not be worn while on board a Starfleet vessel or orbital/deep space starbase, but will be worn while outdoors. The cover can be altered to the Starfleet Combat Helmet (SCH), Cold Weather Ushanka, or other climate-related proscribed uniform items per CO's discretion.

A colored band, running down the side seams of the blouse and trousers, will denote the department of the servicemember wearing the uniform. A communications badge is to be worn on left chest, under the Starfleet tape. An all-weather parka is authorized to be worn with the SWU, as are other climate-related proscribed uniform items. Black non-slick boots will be worn with this uniform, the toes polished and blackened.

The SWU is to be worn while on an active duty status during working hours or while underway, as per command instruction. The SWU is not authorized as a liberty uniform, and it is not permitted to leave a Starfleet installation while wearing the SWU unless given orders to do so.[/hider]

[hider=Starfleet Service Uniform]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/sGzRtCA.jpg[/img]

The Starfleet Service Uniform is a two-piece uniform, worn as a blouse-trouser-and-undershirt set, with the undershirt denoting the servicemember's department. The rank insignia will be displayed on the left side of the undershirt's collar, with the communications badge to be worn on the left chest. The SSU is permitted to be worn without the blouse at CO's discretion. 

The proscribed cover for the SSU for lower-enlisted is a black garrison cap, with the wearer's rank insignia on the left side. For chiefs, a black combination cap is to be worn, with the Starfleet insignia on the center of the cover. For officers, the cover is the same as chiefs with the inclusion of "scrambled eggs" on the brim, denoting a junior, senior, or flag officer. The cover may be altered to the Cold Weather Ushanka, or other climate-related proscribed uniform items per CO's discretion.

An all-weather parka, trenchcoat, and peacoat are authorized for wear with the SSU, as well as other climate-related proscribed items per situational discretion. The SSU will be worn with black dress shoes, polished and shined.

The SSU is to be worn while on an active duty status during working hours or while underway, per CO's discretion. The SSU is an authorized liberty uniform and personnel are permitted to wear it while in an off-duty status.[/hider]

[hider=Dress Uniform]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/qH9iLn5.jpg[/img]
(Note: Replace "Admiral, Captain, Officer" with: "Officers, Senior Enlisted, Junior Enlisted")

The Dress Uniform is a three-piece uniform worn during special events such as ceremonies, Starfleet Balls, marriages, and while conducting official business in the name of the Federation and Starfleet, and also as a liberty uniform. On the left chest a communications badge is to be worn and on the rest chest the servicemember's medals and ribbons will be displayed. While wearing the Service Dress Uniform, one will only wear the ribbons, and while wearing the Full Dress, one will wear both medals and ribbons. In the event of wearing the Full Dress variant, the wearer will place the ribbons above the combadge on the left side. The wearer's rank insignia will be displayed on the right collar.

The proscribed cover for the Dress Uniform for lower enlisted is a white service cap, known traditionally as a "dixie cup." For chiefs, a black combination cap is to be worn, with the Starfleet insignia on the center of the cover. For officers, the cover is the same as chiefs with the inclusion of "scrambled eggs" on the brim, denoting a junior, senior, or flag officer. 

An all-weather parka, trenchcoat, and peacoat are authorized for wear with the SSU, as well as other climate-related proscribed items per situational discretion. The Dress Uniform will be worn with black dress shoes, polished and shined.[/hider]

[hider=Starfleet Combat Uniform]
[img]https://www.dhresource.com/600x600/f2/albu/g6/M00/F6/27/rBVaSFt3mxCAZEm0AAD8DEwhdig885.jpg[/img]

The Starfleet Combat Uniform (SCU) is issued to Security Personnel for planetary missions and for watchstanding while on a starbase or underway aboard a vessel. The SCU is worn with a black eight-point cover, the SCH, a Cold-Weather Ushanka, or another climate-related uniform item as per situation. The SCU has variants for climate types and, upon the need for it, the appropriate variant will be issued to servicemembers for proper wear. Black or coyote brown boots are authorized for wear with the SCU.

The SCU is to be worn only in a duty status and is not an authorized liberty uniform.[/hider]

A final piece of the puzzle is the main character of this story, the ship herself. Below, in the hider, I've taken the liberty of writing up a partial story of our faithful old ship:


[hider=The Vigilance][img]https://i.imgur.com/s6r2268.jpg[/img]
[b]USS VIGILANCE
NCC-56912
"No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation."[/b]

[i][u]Dimensions:[/u]
Length:
524.256 meters
Width:
283.006 meters
Height:
101.955 meters
Mass:
3,710,000 metric tons

[u]Specifications:[/u]
Decks:
33
Crew:
700
Top Speed:
Warp 9.4
Armaments:
10 type-IX phaser arrays, 2 photon torpedo launchers
Defences:
Ablative Hull
Deflector shields
Auxiliary craft:
Four Shuttlecraft
[/i]

The USS [i]Vigilance[/i], an Ambassador-class heavy cruiser, was once one of the most powerful ships in Starfleet. Her illustrious career saw her deployed to Sector 562 during the Federation-Cardassian War, where she took part in numerous planetary invasion operations as well a convoy interdiction. For her part during the Fleet Action of Stardate 44538, she earned the Battle Efficiency Award for singlehandedly destroying twenty munitions-laden supply ships headed to the front.

When, in 2370, the Treaty of Yle-Oy was signed, the [i]Vigilance[/i] was moved into a reserve capacity. She was assigned to the Orion Belt, patrolling that lawless portion of Federation space, and it is where she remained for ten years. Crews came and went through her hallowed P-Ways, each doing their best to keep the peace in that violent sector. She was, briefly, deployed to Betazed during the Dominion War but did not see much action. The decades-old ship was considered a liability, and kept in a primarily defensive posture, guarding convoys moving through secured space.

It is here, sometime in 2380, that the service record of the ship disappears from Starfleet records. She doesn't appear again until 2385, when she was towed into the Rigellian Fleet Yards with her electronic systems completely fried, her engines wrecked, and in need of critical repair. She sat at the mothball fleet in the yards, awaiting decommissioning, until an order came down in 2386 to begin repairing and retrofitting her. The [i]Vigilance[/i], given new life, was given the order not a second too soon, for just as the repairs were completed, orders came down from Starfleet Command for her to be immediately recrewed and sent to deal with the rapidly unfolding situation in Romulus.[/hider]

I'll allow [@Gunther] some discretion and allow him to figure out what he'd like to do for the Starfleet Marine Corps, since he'll be taking charge of that. Once he gets it all sorted, I will also post in a hider here.

I know that was probably a lot of information for you guys but it's all in the interest of world building, so one can better acclimate to the idea that Starfleet is indeed a military organization. Other than that, I suppose my main break from the normal Trek story-telling will be the tone. This will be a bit darker, while still perhaps optimistic. I simply intend to tell a realistic tale here, and hope that you can all join in.