franchise-star-trek-tng-technical-manual1

11.6 TACTICAL POLICIES11.6 TACTICAL POLICIESStarfleet draws proudly upon the traditions of the naviesof many worlds, most notably those of Earth. We honor ourdistinguished forebears in many ceremonial aspects of ourservice, yet there is a fundamental difference between Starfleetand those ancient military organizations. Those sailorsof old saw themselves as warriors. It is undeniably true thatpreparedness for battle is an important part of our mission, butwe of Starfleet see ourselves foremost as explorers anddiplomats. This may seem a tenuous distinction, yet it has adramatic influence on the way we deal with potential conflicts.When the soldiers of old pursued peace, the very nature oftheir organizations emphasized the option of using forcewhen conflicts became difficult. That option had an inexorableway of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.Today, peace is no easier than it was in ages past.Conflicts are real, and tensions can escalate at a moment'snotice between adversaries who command awesome destructiveforces. Yet we have finally learned a bitter lessonfrom our past: When we regard force as a primary option, thatoption will be exercised. Starfleet's charter, framed some twocenturies ago after the brutal Romulan Wars, is based on asolemn commitment that force is not to be regarded as anoption in interstellar relations unless all other options havebeen exhausted.RULES OF ENGAGEMENTAlthough starships are fully equipped with sophisticatedweaponry and defenses, Starfleet teaches its people to useevery means at their disposal to anticipate and defuse potentialconflict before the need for force arises. This, accordingto Federation mandate, is Starfleet's primary mode of conflictresolution. Starfleet's rules of engagement are firmly basedon these principles. Due to the extended range of Starfleet'stheater of operations, it is not uncommon for starships to bebeyond realtime communications range of Starfleet Command.This means a starship captain often has broaddiscretionary powers in interpreting applicable Federationand Starfleet policies. The details of these rules are classifiedbut the basics are as follows.A starship is regarded as an instrument of policy for theUnited Federation of Planets and its member nations. Assuch, its officers and crew are expected to exhaust everyoption before resorting to the use of force in conflict resolution.More important, Federation policy requires constant vigilanceto anticipate potential conflicts and to take steps to avert themlong before they escalate into armed combat.Perhaps the most dangerous conflict scenario is that ofthe unknown, technically sophisticated Threat force. Thisrefers to a confrontation with a spacecraft or weapons systemfrom an unknown culture whose spacefaring and/or weaponscapability is estimated to be similar or superior to our own. Insuch cases, the lack of knowledge about the Threat force is asevere handicap in effective conflict resolution and in tacticalplanning. Complicating matters further, such conflicts areoften First Contact scenarios, meaning cultural and sociologicanalysis data are likely to be inadequate, yet further increasingthe import of the contact in terms of future relationshipswith the Federation. For these reasons, Starfleet requirescultural and technologic assessment during all First Contactscenarios, even those that occur during combat situations indeep space. Rules of engagement further require that adequateprecaution be taken to avoid exposure of the ship andits crew or Federation interests to unnecessary risk, evenwhen a potential Threat force has not specifically demonstrateda hostile intent. There are, however, specific diplomaticconditions under which the starship will be consideredexpendable.More common than the unknown adversary is conflictwith a known, technically sophisticated Threat force. Thisrefers to confrontation with a spacecraft or weapons systemfrom a culture with which contact has already been made, andwhose spacefaring and/or weapons capability is similar orsuperiortoourown, even if the specific spacecraft or weaponssystem is of an unknown type. In such cases, tactical planninghas the advantage of at least some cultural and technologicbackground of the Threat force, and the ship's captain willhave detailed briefings of Federation policies toward theThreat force. In general, starships are not permitted to fire firstagainst any Threat force, and any response to provocationmust be measured and in proportion to such provocation.Here again, Starfleet requires adequate precaution be takento avoid excessive risk to the ship or other Federation interests.Much more limiting are conflicts with spacebome Threatforces estimated to be substantially inferior in terms of weaponssystems and spaceflight potential. Here again, the use ofcultural and technologic assessment is of crucial importance.Prime Directive considerations may severely restrict tacticaloptions to measured responses designed to reduce a Threatforce's ability to endanger the starship or third parties. Typically,this means limited strikes to disable weapons or propulsionsystems only. Rules of engagement prohibit thedestruction of such spacecraft except in extreme cases whereFederation interests, third parties, or the starship itself are inimmediate jeopardy.Even more difficult are conflicts in which a Starfleetvessel or the Federation itself is considered to be a third party.Such scenarios include civil and intrasystem conflicts orterrorist situations. In evaluating such cases, due care mustbetaken to avoid interference in purely local affairs. Still, thereare occasionally situations where strategic or humanitarianconsiderations will require intervention. Starfleet personnelare expected to closely observe Prime Directive considerationsin such cases.