USS Robinette - SIM Guide

Introduction
��� This document is a guide to playing aboard USS Robinette - the information contained here will prove useful to players regardless of their experience.� Before beginning play, you should take the time to read this document through thereby smoothing the gaming experience for all involved.
��� Readers should know that the rules and regulations here are not designed arbitrarily, but rather are based on the experiences of the authors in other games.� Further, they are malleable and any feedback is welcome to Garen Varless, Webmaster of the USS Robinette, or Admiral Benmtley.�

Defining the SIM
��� A SIM (simulation) such as USS Robinette is a method by which we, as players, take on the role of characters in the universe of the 24th century as depicted by the Star Trek television series.� Through an e-mail listserver and the strength of our collective imagination, we make an attempt at bringing the Star Trek universe to life.
��� Players, such as yourself, create fictional characters and describe their actions by way of e-mail. Just like on a 'real' Starfleet vessel, there is a Captain, a First Officer, Department Heads, chain of command and the like. All new players start out as Ensigns, and as they prove themselves, they will be promoted to higher rank and be given more authority.
��� Unlike many other games of the genre, the US Robinette allows players a great deal of flexibility in their writing.� Typically, the emphasis is placed on character development.
The main plot is the central theme, if you will, of the story going on aboard the station - think of it as an episode of the television series. Your character reacts to situations put forth by the executive and commanding officers just as a Star Trek officer would on television. While the main plot line is controlled by the commanding and executive officers, everyone is welcome to contribute secondary and sub-plots.� These are what make the game interesting for everyone involved ��� While the CO and XO do have a plot in mind for the game, the outcome truly is up to you, the player! The way you choose to overcome an attack by the Borg, a hostile Cardassian Nano-Virus or any other situation is up to the crew of the ship, not the command staff. While we are always around to gently guide the crew, we never decide on on only one possible outcome for the main plotline.

Departments
�� Your character, while aboard the USS Robinette, will serve in one of a number of departments, each responsible for one aspect of the station's operation.� Each department also has a Chief who directs officers under his command and reports directly to the Executive Officer.� Junior officers (those who are not Department Chiefs or command staff) should report to their respective Department Heads - this maintains the chain of command.� The departments are described as follows.
�� Command includes the Captain, First Officer and Second Officer (usually, the Chief of Operations). The officers are responsible for maintaining order and discipline, as well as making all of the hard choice decisions aboard the ship. Officers in the command program can be distinguished with a red turtleneck.
��� Safety and order is an essential to any starship. Security Officers are responsible for keeping diplomats safe, ridding the ship of threats and occasionally working at tactical. Security officers must be tough as their job is one of the most demanding. The head of the Department is the Chief of Security. The Chief Tactical Officer manages personnel assigned specifically to man the bridge tactical station, and also functions as the Assistant Chief of Security. Security personal harness a gold turtleneck.
��� Mental fitness and health is vitally important when you have many officers directing others and in some cases these orders could mean the difference in lives, and peace vs. war. Counselors are officers trained to help the crew overcome their anxieties and mental problems so they can perform their duties with a clear mind.� Counselors usually wear a blue turtleneck. Typically, Counseling is a division of the Medical department.� The Head of the division is referred to as the Ship's Counselor and is responsible to the Chief Medical Officer.
��� Operations officers also known as Ops personnel are responsible for most functions on the ship. Administration, supply, transporter operations, shuttle operations, computer operations, stellar cartography and helm are just some of the functions assigned to Operations. The head of the department is the Chief of Operations. The Chief of Conn supervises all helm, stellar cartography and shuttle operations, and is also the Assistant Chief of Operations.� Ops personnel can be seen wearing a yellow turtleneck.
��� The physical health of the crew is vital for a starship to function. The medical staff, whether doctors, nurses, or cadets; are ready to handle any crisis that may head into Sickbay. Our Medical Department is responsible for diagnosing diseases, common illnesses, performing necessary surgery, and repairing cuts, scrapes, and bruises. This is another demanding job, only for the dedicated, as lives may be at stake. The senior doctor on board is the Chief Medical Officer. Second in command is the Head Nurse. The medical staff is adorned with a blue turtleneck.
The Engineering staff makes sure the warp core is operational and that power is regulated efficiently throughout the ship. They know their starship inside and out. Most are ready for any problems that commonly arrive with the warp core. Engineers know by heart the physics introduced by famous physicists; Sir Isaac Newton and Zephram Cochrane just to name a few. Each is well versed in warp theory. The head of the department is known as the Chief Engineering Officer. Engineers are found wearing gold turtlenecks.
��� Science officers spend a great deal of time in the science labs. Whenever an anomaly arises in space or something strange goes on during an away team mission, these officers are on hand to research and find the problem. These scientists are always kept up to date with the latest in scientific breakthroughs and are on constant research. The senior Science officer is known as the Chief Science Officer. These essential officers wear the blue turtleneck.

Rules & Regulations
��� All players must post at least twice per week.� Further, posts that require a reply should include an OOC remark at the bottom of the text indicating those who need to respond quickly.� Joint posts (those written by two or more characters off-list and posted when complete) are acceptable and should be marked as such so all characters can be credited.� Minimal use of other players characters is acceptable, please use your own best judgement here. Posts should be written in 3rd person past for clarity, just as one might write a novel. Length should be three paragraphs, minimum - if you can only write less than this wihtout another character, try doing a joint post.�� Leave is always granted as long as the Captain or First Officer are informed prior to departure.�
��� Remember, all posting guidelines are minimums only - you should feel encouraged to post more often.� Also, it is the player's responsibility to keep involved in the plot line.� Feel free to write yourself in: don't always wait for the GM or someone else to do it for you.� In all things, the Captain and Executive Officer have the final say and debate with them should not take place on the list.� If you have problems, please do not hesitate to e-mail the command staff privately so as to make the game more enjoyable for everyone.