News Report from Galileo

Posted on 02 Mar 2013 @ 11:07am by
Edited on on 02 Mar 2013 @ 7:11pm

1,506 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, Mess Hall
Timeline: MD 3 1820

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Exploring the unknown. Boldly going where few have been before. Starfleet has played many roles in the development of the galaxy and Federation as a whole. Often Starfleet's role has been defined by its more militaristic approach to galactic events. Wars with the Klingons. War with the Romulans. War with the Cardassians. War with the Dominion. Often overlooked are the less aggressive roles of Starfleet - humanitarian support and relief, even to former bitter allies such as the Cardassians and Romulans.
Most overlooked, however, seems to be the original dream for a fleet of starships. When Zephrym Cochrane first completed his warp drive engine it was during a time when Earth was on the decline. They had just come out of several devastating wars and - indeed - much of Earth was still sectarian in violence and politics. The warp flight of Zephrym Cochrane changed that. Earth changed. Soon to be gone were the days of fighting and factions. Terrans had met extraterrestrial beings for the first time. With the aid of their new Vulcan allies, Earth began to dream again. The dream?
Exploring a new ocean, not one made of water but one of space with distant stars as new lands to be discovered. Starfleet was born out of that dream. Starfleet was born to explore.
In the conflicts born out of the formation of the Federation and natural consequence of any exploration, it's quickly forgotten that Starfleet is one of the premiere institutes of scientific knowledge, training and, yes, discovery. Maybe it's a dream deferred, but the dream of exploration never left Starfleet or its people. It's a dream that's very much alive and a reality.
I'm Jools Fenta and over the next several weeks I'll be a part of that dream to explore. Aboard this ship, the Galileo a nova class Starfleet vessel that's not just send out to explore, it's made for exploration. As a science vessel, in fact as Starfleet's flagship science vessel, the Galileo is currently enroute to an exciting new discovery.
Reports of the discovery of a new star system, the Rojar system, have been widespread over the last few weeks. This exciting discovery of exploration is the focus of the Galileo and its crew. The crew of the Galileo will be the first known humanoids to explore this gas giant and over eighty six moons. Over the course of two weeks, the Galileo crew will try to analyze, detect, catalogue and solve the mysteries that will surely present themselves once they enter the Rojar system.
This is an exciting time for Starfleet and the Federation. The end of conflicts with the Borg has reopened vast regions of space once too dangerous for the Federation to explore. But that's come to an end. The end of the Star Empire and treaties with the Klingons and Cardassians allow Starfleet to stop fighting and dream once again. The end of hostilities with the Dominion has allowed Starfleet to focus its gaze into the distance and wonder what it'll find.
What will we find in the Rojar system? Nobody is sure. The quick probes launched only returned a star system similar to Earth's own Sol star. A Super S gas giant planet that is so massive it has attracted 86 known satellites, several of which are thought to be Class M environments. The gas giant, designated Rojar II inhabits the so called 'Cinderella' zone of the star's orbit. The Cinderella Zone is said to be the habitable zone that is 'just right' for the development of life as it's currently known. Could there be new life in the Rojar system? We don't know, but the potential is there. What forms will that life take? What new anthropological discoveries can be made? What new psychological breakthroughs will be uncovered by studying this new life? Where are they at in their scientific development or are they constrained by dogmatic religious obstacles to new thoughts, new ideas and new theories? Will Starfleet be welcomed among them as friends, heralded as the precursor of their gods, or will they be considered the enemy and new attempts at destruction?
What new medicines may be made from discoveries in the Rojar system? Will scientific breakthroughs be forthcoming from some fascinating new discovery? What resources may be found here and how long will they last? Is there the possibility of new elements that could end the need for the volatile matter/antimatter fuel used for warp engines? Some are already laughing at speculation of rivers of latinum, but is that really so farfetched?
Nobody really knows what will be found in the Rojar system. The crew of the galaxy class Venture did a probe survey of this system which gave some ideas, but nothing concrete. It's the job of the Galileo to provide, well not answers, but a direction to focus all the questions. No, the Galileo can't discover everything there is to know about the Rojar system in the two weeks they'll be there, but they'll be able to give a very good start on defining which questions need to be asked first.
And I'll be there along with veteran journalist Raifi Zaren, currently known for his award-winning work on detailing the Romulan crisis. We'll bring you discoveries as they're made. We'll talk with those here on the Galileo making those discoveries. We're going to bring all this to you and give you a glimpse of what it's like to be on the other side of Starfleet. We're taking you back to where Starfleet was born and the mission for which they set out - to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and, maybe, new civilizations. To boldly go where no sentient has gone before.
You'll see those discoveries as their made and you're in luck, because we'll have experts right on hand to help explain those discoveries, or at least to help determine the beginning of the questions they raise. I'll be among the first in the galaxy to step foot on a new planet and you'll be there right alongside me, seeing these strange moons and worlds as we 'beam down' on 'away missions'. You'll see the men and women of Starfleet from a new perspective. Not gritty warriors beleaguered by yet another battle - but the inquisitive, bright eyed geniuses that try to understand the galaxy. Starfleet's scientific and exploratory roles may be often overlooked, but they're as accredited as the Vulcan Science Academy or the Trill Science Commission or even the Daystrom Institute.
I'll be living among and talking with the crew and bringing you their stories - the triumphs and heartbreak of exploration. You'll be here right alongside me for all of it. I'll bring you the stories of how they work - the professional dedication to bringing just a slice of that Starfleet dream of exploration to life - as well as they play. The crew of the Galileo is as diverse as you could wish - from high school students earning credit as a 'scientist's mate' to one of the cutest Starfleet crewmembers you're ever likely to meet - just don't get on his wrong side! A ship as mixed and diverse as any you'll ever find - from people finding second chances and redemption for past mistakes to members of species once considered enemies of Starfleet. Even activated clones and former Marines.
Many know about life among such great ships as the galaxy class cruisers or the defiant class warships, but what is life really like on a nova class science vessel? You'll find out as we explore the ship and the people on it. How they work, how they play and...yes, even their movie nights like tonight! Behind me you'll see the ship's Mess, set up as a viewing station for crew that want to watch the ship come into the Rojar system. It's also a social gathering place throughout their tours. It's just one of the many ways in which the crew find camaraderie, romance and a second family among the stars. Just a place to go to unwind while they're part of that dream of exploration.
It may be a small ship of just over a hundred crew, but the stories they have to tell are legion. I'll bring you all of those that I can. You'll be here for it all.
We are expected to arrive in the Rojar system in just a few short hours. Soon we'll be only the second Starfleet vessel to have explored this far into this sector of space, and soon enough, we'll be the first to have gone as far as we will.
Stay tuned to the Federation News Network for updates and be a part of the dream to explore this wide galaxy. Join us and boldly go where no viewer has gone before.

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