From: mbrubake@ketone.ecn.purdue.edu (Admiral)
Subject: Re: The Official Dorm-Rec Review of "Chain of Command -1" (spoilers)
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 16:04:22 GMT

In article <BzADJJ.D89@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> myempire@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Matt J. Martin) writes:
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>  As far as the implications of this episode are concerned, this should prove,
>beyond a doubt, that Star Fleet is a military organization.  Not a very good
>one, but military nonetheless.  Of course, the tree huggers out there who
>happen to like startrek will remain unconvinced, but who cares.  Proof is 
>proof.
>

This in itself is not proof. The structure of Star Trek is that Star Fleet
in "controlled" for the most part by the Federation Council. It was
clearly shown in this episode that some within Star Fleet's ranks are
corrupt. The Federation will not declare war unless it is absolutely
necessary. 

>  This episode wasn't perfect, however.  We sincerly question the logic of
>Star Fleet high command sending three of its most decorated and honored
>officers into a suicide mission.  First of all, we highly doubt that they
>are the three most qualified people, in all of Star Fleet, for this mission.
>Surely Star Fleet must have some specially trained Marines somewhere who are
>up to the task (the appearance of Colonel West in STVI gives credance to this
>theory)  Second of all, even if you could prove that Picard, Crusher, and 
>Worf are the most qualified, it makes much more sense to send peons on 
>a suicide mission.  If peons are captured, you can always deny your affiliation
>with them and no one really cares.  If Picard is captured, you won't be able
>to keep the mission secret.  Sooner or later some big-wig diplomat will
>notice his absence and bam, intersteller incident.  Covert operations and
>famous people simply don't mix.
>

This is another point to certain individuals in Star Fleet who are corrupt.
1. Why would you replace Picard with someone who has NO knowledge of a 
   Galaxy Class Starship. His knowledge of Cardassian strengths and
   weaknesses would make for a good Special Ambassador. There are very
   few people who know the ins and outs of a Galaxy Class and they are all
   on the Enterprise. 

2. You are correct in saying that the special forces would be more adept
   for this mission. However, this was a ploy to capture Captain Picard.

>  One among our ranks did suggest the interesting hypothesis that some corrupt
>admiral wanted Picard to get captured, and therefore set him up for an ambush.
>But if this is the case, we're afraid its an old story.
>

Both Captain Jerrico and the Vice-Admiral are corrupt. This was easily seen
in their Code-2 message near the end of the episode. 

He said to the effect: 'One way or another our friends have done it.'

Meaning whether Picard and company was captured, the signal has stopped.

To which she replies: 'And what about our other friends, I do wish to
		       see them again.'

The key word is OTHER, meaning their mutually friends the Cardassians.

Additionally, from "The Wounded," Stardate 44429.6 (Jan 28, 1991).
Captain Maxwell informs us that the Cardassians are rearming for war.
Picard doesn't agree with the way Maxwell goes about proving it, but
also does not dismiss him.

From "Ensign Ro," Stardate 45076.3 (October 7, 1991). Admiral Kennelly
(whether corrupt or not) does not allow the Enterprise to protect
the Bajorian ship. We then learn that the Cardassians staged the raids
on the Federation colonies in an attempt to enlist the aid of the
Federation in eliminating the Bajorans. This episode itself laid the
groundwork for the new series Deep Space Nine.

>  ##########################################################################   
>  ##   /   ##      The members of Dorm-Rec, from  MyEmpire:      ##   /   ## 
>  ##  //   ########################################################  //   ## 
>  ## ///// ##      Matt J. Martin, Mike Halter, Brian Sager      ## ///// ##
>  ##   //  ##          Dave Robledo,  and Mike Monahan           ##   //  ##
>  ##   /   ##           myempire@mentor.cc.purdue.edu            ##   /   ##
>  ##########################################################################
>

####################################################################
# Admiral Mark D. Brubaker                mbrubake@ecn.purdue.edu  #
# Chief of Starfleet Operations                                    #
# Earth, Sol, UFP                                                  #
# "Let's make sure that history never forgets the name Enterprise" #
####################################################################
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current