Encounter at Cestus III

by Edward L. Crisler

As anyone who reads the tac-list knows I a big fan of the Gorn race. I have felt that something was missing from SFB due to the fact that in many ways the Gorns have been overlooked. So to help resolve this I have begun to develop some background material and scenarios that are based on the Gorn. Here you have the first of these.

In this scenario I am attempting to recreate the situation seen in the origional series episode, The Areana. The Enterprise ( a Fed CA) has been sent to investigate the sudden disappearance of any communications from a small colony on the edge of Fed space. Upon arrival, Kirk and company discover that the colony has been totally destroyed.

From the Gorn viewpoint things were a little different. The Gorns had sent a ship (Gorn CL) to examine a world they had survied recently and judge if it was suitable for colonization. Upon arrival at the system the Gorns discovered humanoids had begun to build a colony there. Fearing that these humanoids were Romulans, building a military outpost the Gorn CL attacked and destroyed the colony. The CL realized that a distress signal had been sent and hid behind the planets moon to see what ships the Romulans would send.

When the Enterprise arrived the Gorns were confused. The captain of the Gorn ship believed this to be a prototype of a new Romulan warship. He decided that by attacking he would accomplish one of two things. He would either destroy the prototype and setback the Romulan project or gather information about this new ship and escape with it to the Gorn Space Command.

Map Setup This battle is fought on a fixed map. In the center of the map is one class M planet (Cestus III). 15 hexes from the class M planet is a small moon. The Fed CA is placed on the map in a hex next to the class M, this represent the fact that the CA is in orbit. The Gorn CL is placed within one hex of the moon, on the side opposite of the CA. The CL is hidding behind the moon. Ship's Setup Both ships begin at speed 1, this reflects the fact that they start in orbit. The Gorn CL is at WS III, and the Fed CA is at WS II. The Fed ship has a legendary Captain but he is currently on the planets surface.

The Fed may not fire any weapons until one impulse after the Gorn ship fires. This rule is voided if the Gorn ship approaches closer than 5 hexes before firing. The Fed may not use or begin to prepare a WW until the Gorn has fired a Plasma. (This reflects the fact that the CA has no idea what it is facing.) Use the standard Victory conditions from the book to determine the victory. The Gorn may disengage by leaving the map off the east eadge, the Fed off the west edge.

Historical Outcome The Fed cruiser suffered only light damage. The Gorn suffered far worse and chose to disengage, trying to run for home. The CL did make it home and reported this encounter to Gorn Space Command. Their response is another scenario.