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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: 28



    Here'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)