Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!akgua!sb1!mb2c!uofm-cv!cosivax!dep From: dep@cosivax.UUCP (David E. Pugh) Newsgroups: net.startrek Subject: A new ST II question Message-ID: <137@cosivax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 15-Mar-84 19:45:29 EST Article-I.D.: cosivax.137 Posted: Thu Mar 15 19:45:29 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Mar-84 08:08:30 EST Lines: 28Here's a question for everyone who likes to second guess starfleet command: What is the purpose of the Prefix code used to drop the Reliant's shields during the first encounter with the Enterprise ? The only explanation (that in the event of a mutiny/rebellion/etc., the good guys could use the prefix code to capture a rogue ship easily), has a few problems. First, you would expect knowledge of the code (or even its existence) to be kept secret (so the bad guys wouldn't change the code, as Spock implied they could). If so, then why did the Enterprise have access to another ship's prefix code. It the time, the Enterprise was a training vessel, not a fleet command vessel. I doubt Starfleet would have transmitted anything as valuable as the code, or that Kirk would carry it with him. Second, since no starfleet vessel have ever mutinied (I seem to recall Spock saying this during one episode), and during a rebellion you would expect some of the bad guys to have knowledge of the code, it seems to be of little use (save for saving overage admirals). And it does represent a large danger...if a klingon learned it during a battle, scratch one Federation starship. Any ideas ? --David Pugh (uofm-cv!cosivax!dep)