With a flash, the Spacedock returns from the alternate universe it was taken into by the beings known only as "Parents." However, it does not return alone, for along with the station comes a Romulan craft--the:
The Science Vessel's uses:
Let's Hear it for Range--and That Blank Staff Box: The Science Vessel has the all-important Range 8 that separates the mission-completers from..."The Rest." Range 8 allows superb mobility on planet-heavy spacelines, and is also useful on space-dominated spacelines. Also handy in a mission-completion deck is the blank staffing requirement box--making the Science Vessel difficult to stall, indeed.
Ar-ma-da! Ar-ma-da!: The Science Vessel may have an educational name, but the proud little ship is really all about war. With non-existent crew requirements (except that there be *someone* aboard) and shields the equal of a K'Vort, the Science Vessel has the capacity to demolish other ships when in large groups. Just add a few Science Vessels, stir in a few opposing vessels, add Bynar's Weapons Enhancement for spice, and flambé for a spectacular effect! Superb for Patrolling the Neutral Zone!
However, even the Science Vessel's strengths can become its weaknesses...
That Pretty Green Border: Although the Science Vessel has the attributes of an armada vessel, it has a distinct problem in its rules of engagement. Although the Romulans can attack most affiliations, they cannot attack other Romulans without the "motivation" of the Tal Shiar. Even then, however, there is a problem--there are only two Tal Shiar, and with each of them aboard a Science Vessel, that is only a total Weapons of 10. Although 10 is sufficient to damage most ships, it lacks the great advantage of the armada--the single-volley annihilation of any given target. Hence, the Science Vessel has uncomfortable limits on its armada-ing capabilities.
"Raise Shields!" "Do What?": The Science Vessel's Range makes it handy for mission-completion--but its shields are a tremendous weakness here. With the Borg a growing factor, the Klingons resurgent, and BaH! looming on the horizon, low Shielding is constantly becoming a greater and greater concern. This is an even greater problem when combined with...
A Lack of Frills: Unlike the warbirds, the Science Vessel lacks a cloaking device. Although cloaking was, in the past, relatively unimportant, with the growing number of threats becoming invisible is more and more important. The lack of a tractor beam (the other piece of standard equipment on a D'Deridex) is not as critical, but the inability to tow Garbage Scows could become an additional problem in a mission-completion strategy.
Final Analysis: If Decius is the tuxedo of the Romulan fleet, then the Science Vessel is the sweatshirt. Although it lacks frills, the Science Vessel can serve as both a mission-completion vessel and an armada vessel, with only minimal support from additional personnel (unlike the Decius with three staffing requirements, making it totally inappropriate for armada duty). Although overshadowed by the larger D'Deridexes, the Science Vessel is definitely worth consideration, if only as a backup ship to rescue stuck crews in a mission-completion deck.
Next week: The Spacedock enters a war-torn universe to conduct a bow-to-stern examination of the U.S.S. Enterpirse-C (at the request of Terix).
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