# Topic:
# Note
# Reply
#
Message posted on Stardate 06101.2 at 0253 hours
Posted by Fleet Captain Bob Hillis (Director of Pie).
Okay, let's see if I can further explain the matter in less harsh terms.
In my conversations with Sarah and Larry, I was led to believe I had no choice but to change classes. And yes, I made it clear I would step down if forced to do so. Since edict documentation existed to support my way of thinking, I chose not to change classes of ship.
Several of you have sent me email and IM's applauding my stance. For that I am grateful. I sometimes have a difficult time articulating what I am thinking, but at least a few people caught on.
I have a little analogy that might help the rest of you understand how I feel about this:
Imagine you are aboard Voyager... Captain Janeway, even. You have recently begun to be able to contact Starfleet and things are looking up. One day, you get a lengthy data transmission from Starfleet. Much to your surprise, you look at it and find that it is a replacement EMH. Starfleet is ordering you to erase your good doctor, and replace it with the geeky Andy Dick version.
How do you feel? You feel like you are being told you must erase a valued friend because THEY think it's a good idea. But, THEY don't serve on Voyager. THEY don't know how much the Robert Picardo version means to you. And frankly, THEY don't care. THEY think it's just a program... something insignificant.
So, what would Janeway do? She wouldn't say, "yeah, great idea!" She would fight for her good doctor.
As the Captain of a ship, even in STF, shouldn't I have a bit of passion about my ship and crew? If I didn't, why even log in?
Columbus has some great design features that most other ships lack. We have a petting zoo, the home of Ralf the Llama. We have an Imperial Throne room that we used in our last sim. And we have a gladiator arena, which will host a birthday party in a few days. Last, and far from least, is the Sffina Kataana. "Little Ship" in Hebrew, the Sffina Kataana deploys like a captain's yacht, but it's much much more. The Little Ship itself has gained a reputation for being quite hard to pilot and gets plenty of use. Our new helmsman is about to begin training as we speak.
The design elements were there, but WE made it workable. WE used our imaginations to make Columbus a great role playing area. When you have all that, SSSF seems like a distant echo, kinda like Charlie Brown's teacher.
If you understand what I mean by this, then you know I HAD to stir the pudding. I couldn't just let it go... and I didn't.
-Bob
This page was auto-generated on Stardate 06101.3 at 1544 hours