Drooling Iguana wrote:
Due to damage incurred during the battle, the Enterprise-D's internal security systems (forcefields, etc) are offline, as are their transporters. However, since they forgot to put fresh explosives in the bridge consoles that morning, all of the crew are still alive.
Will the MACOs be able to overcome their numerical disadvantage and take the ship, or will the gold-shirts prevail?
One thing I noticed about the MACOs (which is incredibly obvious) is that unlike a 24th century security team, the MACOs actually "check their sixes". A MACO element always has a person guarding the rear, just like a modern group of soldiers. the MACOs are also moving quickly and finding as much cover as possible.
On the contrary, a Starfleet security team will march right towards an intruder without any overage of the rear or attempts to find decent cover. How many times have we seen a group of redshirts just run right up to an intruder and get knocked out by weapons fire since they weren't smart enough to find decent cover
before engaging the enemy.
MACO weapons are clearly superior to Starfleet weapons as well. MACO weapons are meant to be fired from the shoulder which makes for better aiming as opposed to the Starfleet rifles that are fired from the hip. The ergonomics are clearly more efficient for a number of reasons. The pulse rifle appears to be more sturdy than a Starfleet rifle as well.
Of course the MACOs have their stun grenades which provide instant knockouts and clearing if they happen to be pinned down. The proper use of the stun grenade could effectively knock out Starfleet security personell and allow the MACOs further adavnce owards their target (likely the bridge or engineering). I should hope that the MACOs are smart enough to throw a flashbang in every time they open a door for safety's sake.
So, here is a textbook asessment of both forces according to Sun Tzu's guidelines:
(1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?
To get a good answer here, we would have to know why the two ships are engaging each other.
However since the Enterprise D is on the defending side, I doubt there would be as much dissention amongst their crew as there would be on the NX01 for officers who would likely disagree with the NX01 attacking.
(2) Which of the two generals has most ability?
It depends on who we are comparing. Are we comparing Major Hayes to Worf/Yar? Archer to Picard? Major Hayes was educated at West Point, specifically to fight alien species in extraterrestrial and shipborne environments. I don't know too much about Worf or Yar's tactical training, but they are clearly competent. But I will say that Worf is more concerned with his hnor than the security of the ship and redshirts under his command are lost quickly. The same cannot be said for Hayes. The advantage goes to Hayes here.
(3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
The 1701D has the homefield advantage, but I can't say that it can be defended well due to it's design as a luxury ship. The scenario involves all of the defensive mechanisms of the ship being down, so the Enterprise will be dependant on security teams. The layout of the Enterprise was made for easy navigation and comfortable movement, not for defense, so the MACOs just really need to move quickly and adpat quickly to master the "terrain". Another advantage for the MACOs.
4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
I haven't seen the MACOs get punished for anything other than having a fistfight. Starfleet has less strict procedures for insubordination. The MACOs are quick to follow orders without question. The Redshirts may be able to do the same, but the MACOs 1) don't get shot as often and 2) are more effective.
(5) Which army is stronger?
I've already explained the advantage goes to the MACOs for superior tactics and weapons.
(6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
In Starfleet, we note that every crew emeber has been to Starfleet ACademy. Apparently, they don't accept GEDs in Starfleet. I don't know about the MACOs and their education standards. But thee is adifference. The MACOs are a trained
combat force. Starfleet Security is just a police force.
Again, the advantage goes to the MACOs
(7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
This, I haven't observed enough to come to a conclusion.
In all, the MACOs have gotten five out of the six applicable guidelines. Number seven was a draw since I didn't have enough observations to answer.
Clearly the advantage goes to the MACOs
Howedar wrote:How many MACOs are there? If there were more than, say, two squads then I'd give it to them, assuming they can somehow divine the layout of the E-D.
There are approximately 27 MACOs according to an estimate made by Lee from Phasers.net. The estimation was based on the fact that Enterprise would be removing a third of the crew for the MACOs.
)
Not good for the last season of the show.
