To: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe
CC: Starfleet Corps of Engineers

Admiral,

It was with great interest that I read your proposals for Project M.A.D.A.M. (forwarded on to me by my Chief of Engineering). While I certainly have no objections to playing a support role in fleet actions, indeed, many of my crew are skilled in providing such support for just these occasions, my interest in this project is entirely based on the possibilities of what could be achieved outside of war time with such a vessel. Such a ship would be ideally suited to deep space exploration and colonization efforts.

Have you considered approaching this project with a modular design in mind? Being able to outfit such a vessel with processing and production facilities instead of medical and engineering would be a great asset in providing support for fledgling colonies.

Please, I implore you, if Project M.A.D.A.M. goes ahead and these ships are put into production, I beg that you consider allowing me to serve on one.

Sincerely,
Cmdr Miranda Bort,
Commanding Officer of the U.S.S Lovelace

From: Captain Kim Sharp
To: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe

Admiral,

It is with great relief that I read your reply. I certainly hope to see such a ship in the field one day.

My best wishes to you and your staff.

Captain Kimberly A. Sharp
Commanding Officer
USS Johnston

To: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe
From: Vice Admiral Kiikii Hseii
CC: Starfleet Corp of Engineers

Perhaps the solution to you defense problem would be to employ a Separation sequence like those used on the Galaxy and derivative designs. The engineering and medical facilities could be dropped off of say a warp capable saucer design. A junior officer command the support section (also warp capable) which can then provide support via a phaser turret, and perhaps provide support in a manner you suggested, while the saucer’s captain commands the ‘battle’ portion of the vessel to defend the support section. This section could be made maneuverable enough to provide useful firepower in the form of either heavy or normal cannons, in addition to normal beam weapons. A sort of Escort/Cruiser hybrid similar to the Galaxy-X.

(Game Translation: The ship divides and the captain commands a fast escort-like saucer that can mount beams, turrets, or cannons, but not torpedoes like the original author suggested. The support section mounts a turret, and can perhaps employ engineering team 1 and transfer shield strength 1 to its captains vessel and other ships. It could be argued to drop the turret in favor of tractor beam 1, but I wouldn’t recommend it. As for the ship, it would have 2 sets of warp drive. One on the support ship (pylon mounted probably), and something imbedded like a defiant on the battle saucer. I think Cryptic could make this work)

To: Commander Miranda Bort
From: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe
CC: Starfleet Corp of Engineers

Commander Bort your suggestion has merit. In fact, the advanced engineering and medical labs can be esaily retooled to serve a variety of purposes including efforst such as those you have suggested.

On a personal note it please me to hear of your eagerness to serve on one. Should such a ship be built I will do whatever is within my power to assure your placement on one, perhaps even as her Captain.

Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe

To: Vice Admiral Kiikii Hseii
From: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe
CC: Starfleet Corp of Engineers

Admiral, your suggestion has merit. In fact, it was one of the first ones we considered. The logistics of the seperation soon became complicated beyond reason. The seperation would render the overall power of each section below Starfleet standards and put the vessel at extreme risk. However, this ship has built in docking ports for a small Defiant class type personal escort. However, with resources stretched so thin it seemed inadvisable to produce this ship as well as a Defiant class escort for eech ship. At this time we are considering many alternatives. We may in fact, return to a seperation type system should certain power and sturctural problems be solved.

On a further note since these communications are being monitored by so many of my fellow officers we have dabbled with the idea of 360 degree phaser beam turrets as a means of defense. However, we are having technical issues with the design. Should any of you or your engineers have a solution to this problem please don't heisistate to contact me.

Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe

To: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe
From: Photonic Technology Insitute
CC: Cryptic Design Division, Starfleet Corps of Engineers

Regarding the Photonic Decoy System,

We find it a more achievable, and ultimately more effective procedure for the emitters to simulate a single duplicate vessel which initially "spawns" overlaping the base ship. This decoy then moves independently of the projecting vessel using proven AI combat algorithms, causing the two to appear to split appart as they pursue seperate manuvers. The decoy would be armed with only cosmetic weapons - giving the appearance of firing beams at attacker but delivering little or no actual damage. The MADAM's limited weapon slots could serve to enhance this ruse - this implementation of photonic decoy technology would share the MADAM's lack of kinetic-kill weaponry.

Under ideal circumstances, 50% of all hostile target locks would randomly be transfered to the decoy at the time of activation, making it imposible for attacker to be (initially) certain they are firing on the projector or the decoy. Only careful observation of the ship's behavior after that would allow astute enemy captains to select the "correct" target to engage.

I hope these limitation and advantages of the system we currently have under test will meet with your aproval in your fascinating attempt to expand Federation tactical doctrine.

To: Photonic Technology Insitute
From: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe
CC: Starfleet Corp of Engineers

Having reviewed your recent communique and enclosed shcematics I find you have hit upon an elegant solution. In truth we had been having problels with the multiple decoy emitters. I have already begun the process of incorporating your designs into the final plans.

Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe

From: Lieutenant Vaihuu e'Hvalli
To: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe
CC: Starfleet Corps of Engineers

Admiral,

I have looked over your proposed design, and I much approve of the idea. In fact, I would be interested in commanding such a vessel if it becomes a reality.


Sincerely,

Lieutenant Vaihuu e'Hvalli
Commanding Officer
USS Audacious

To: Lieutenant Vaihuu e'Hvalli
From: Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe

Lieutenant Vailhuu e'Hvalli I recieved your communique and appreciate your support. Should this ship become a reality I will certainlty encourge Starfllet to keep you in mind as a potential commander.

Vice Admiral Jonathon Stipe