OPERATIONS HANDBOOK
A person
wishing for an Operations (OPS) position must be well rounded, flexible, and
prepared for any situations that may arise. OPS is like a taskmaster, who
coordinates the actions of various other ship's departments. This is why it
is said that the pulse of a starship runs through the Operations Station.
You, as OPS, literally have your finger on that pulse.
Now we can cover the technical systems that you can't work with, with the
exception of the computer and power restraints:
Specialized Tactical Systems (phasers, torps, cannons, cloaks, and shields
TAC handled)
Specialized Helm Systems (thrusters, impulse and propulsion systems)
engineering tasks that need manual operation (replacing/realigning crystals
and such)
medical Quarantine systems are off limits and have their own short term
emergency power systems (you can de-activate them but you'd be torn a strip
by your CO AND your medical Chief)
Security Brig systems are the same as medical don't use up that reserve
unless you have no choice or are ordered to (and even then be sure to check
with med and Sec if their empty then there is no problem. If they're in use
then question the COs orders)
So that leaves (everything else, not forgetting that you will be kept busy
by your CO so keep in the plot of the SIM): - Transporter, replicators and
holodeck systems (same general area) Main Deflector and Sensor Arrays
Starbase gangways/loading connections and computer umbilicals Emergency
evacuation systems (lifeboats) Shuttlebays, bay doors, shuttlecraft medical
facilities, using spare cargo bays (mainly done for medical
emergencies/drills)
Diagnostics:
The Ops Manager's best friend, when anything happens there's a diagnostic
you can run, even if nothing is happening, if you aren't doing much, run a
diagnostic! There are 5 main levels of
"Level 5 Diagnostic" which is completely automated and takes seconds to
complete, the computer runs quick tests to insure whatever you're running
the diagnostic on is working. Data is run through the main computer to your
terminal.
"Level 4 Diagnostic" similar to Level 5, except that it may take a little
longer, instead of just checking that things are OK, the Computer will make
a more in depth check of whatever you running it on.
"Level 3 Diagnostic" this is a half-automated process that requires manual
intervention and testing, if you're at your console then you'll need to
dispatch an eng team unless your diagnosing your own console!
"Level 2 Diagnostic" this is a thorough component check with a little
computer assistance.
"Level 1 Diagnostic" The engineer's nightmare! This usually means taking
something out of
operation so you can take it apart! The computer is not involved.
"Yellow alert" Usually invoked inpreperation for a possable crisis
situation, it is a shipwide alert and it prepares personel for a possable
red alert. Yellow Alert - you HAVE to watch the level 4 diagnostics and
report any oddities, and remember to shut down any leisure activities even
for civilians unless the CO specifically asks for a silent yellow alert.
Also terminate anything that may be happening that may increase the chance
of accident of damage to crew or ship. This includes knocking extensive
holodeck programs off, and insuring that all of the ships systems are ready
to respond to ANY situation. Mission Operations will take his post and
another level 4 on EVERYTHING and a level 5 on the lifeboats and
environmentals.
"Red Alert" Red Alert is invoked during states of emergency that may
endanger the vessel or the crew, impending emergencies, or combat sutuations.
This is crunch time, everything is checked and double checked, anything can
happen and often does!
engineering - This is you band of helpers, when you can't fix something from
where you are sitting these are the trouble shooters and fixers, it is your
best interests to keep these ppl happy, cos when you spot something broke,
thses are the ppl you will have to ask to fix it.
Tactical - Outside of red alert this person has the same right to your
resources as everyone else, however in a Red Alert situation you must be
able to give them all they need to to their job! **IMPORTANT** During a Red
Alert You must treat give them as much priority as your CO/XO, outside of
Red Alert, you are not bound to that.