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From: goun@elmer.DEC (Roger H. Goun)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Re: A new ST II question
Message-ID: <6330@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 20-Mar-84 10:31:05 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.6330
Posted: Tue Mar 20 10:31:05 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 21-Mar-84 02:37:26 EST
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 44



I have another explanation for the existence of the prefix code.  Assume
that the way Kirk used it in STII (to order Reliant to lower her shields) 
was not the purpose for which it was designed.

I can wave my hands and imagine any number of silly reasons to be able to
send commands to another ship's computer: shuttlecraft takeoffs and
landings, handshaking with unmanned data probes, automatic beamups using
the communicator emergency signal, etc.  I don't think anyone anticipated
that it could be used to lower another ship's shields in battle until Kirk
thought of it to save his skin.

Evidence:

- It's a silly thing for Star Fleet Command to leave lying around once they
  knew it was possible.  Therefore, no one had thought of it previously.

- Saavik didn't know about it, as shown by the exchange (from memory; not
  the exact words):

  Kirk:  "Spock, punch up the data for Reliant's command console."

  Saavik:  "Reliant's command...?"

  Kirk:  "You have to learn why things work on a starship..."

  ...

  Saavik (confused): "I don't understand."

Saavik, though she lacks the experience to make creative decisions in tight
situations, is strong in her knowledge of "proper" procedures.  Since she
always goes "by the book," she would have known that a starship can be
taken in this way if it was documented anywhere.

					-- Roger Goun

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