USS Knight Encyclopedia

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What follows is a brief explanation of some of the terms found elsewhere in the USS Knight website.

Ai

An ancient caste of warrior-assassins. Little is known about them. Encountered during the Aebrynnis mission.

Aden

A Deltan, formerly Chief CONN Officer on the Knight, who perished in 2376, during a secret mission to the Venn system. More information may be found in his Personnel File.

Allied Electronic Simulations (AES)

A group of people who love playing e-mail role-playing games. They provide several services to the various member sim groups, such as list-serves and discussion forums. In return, the Knight is required to do certain things, such as maintain the AES logo on its website and submit regular reports. AES also has sims in the Star Wars genre, as well as fantasy and other sims.

Alt. Knight

This was the longtime subplot in which the ISS (Imperial Star Ship) Knight, of the Empire of Terra and a puppet United Federation of Planets, explored and stole from various timespaces, in order to acquire the weapons needed for a war against the mad Emperor of Terra. The ISS Knight was commanded by Captain "Stardust" James, with XO Cdr. (actually Admiral) Yanek of Romulus, and with Admiral and Imperial Grand Inquisitor Bridger, during the mission. The ship eventually came to 'our' universe, raided and destroyed Starbase 40 for tactical and scientific information, and then exchanged their captain for Knight XO Commander Dusty James. The ruse was eventually discovered, and the James's were switched back. The Alt. Knight returned to her own dimension, after some unorthodox activity, including transfers of several persons.

Ash II

An elf, the grandson of Ash I, born nearly a hundred years after the First Mage War. He was trained as a successor to Ash I, with a sacred duty to preserve the knowledge of the Return, and to find the saviors against the Second Dark. Ash had retired from storytelling and was alone on an island when the Child of Light returned to Aebrynnis, with only his adopted Great Wolf, Lost, to keep him company. He is about 300 years old.

Athos, Gillian

A Terran, currently Marine CO and Second Officer on the Knight, and leader of the Striker Company. More information may be found in her Personnel File.

Auberge Subclass of Syndney Class Cruiser

The Auberge is called by some a 'chopped short' version of the Syndney class light supply cruiser. Instead of a full stardrive hull, the after part of the small Syndney class command saucer is tightly coupled to a small and rather stubby four-nacelle drive section. No crew are quartered in that section, only Main Engineering and service spaces. The Auberge class carries a crew of 32-40 persons, and only five officers, in the positions of Command/Tactical (LCdr), XO/Engineering (Lt.) Operations (Lt. (j.g)), and two Ensigns of the Watch. The ship is intended to carry small and precious cargoes and data, and small contingents of staff (up to 40, in 15 double and 10 single, cramped accomodations), moving between Starfleet assignments. Most Auberge class ships are assigned to either the Starfleet Departments of Personnel, or to the Communication Branch, where they serve as dispatch ships. A limited number of these vessels serve as diplomatic corps, intelligence courier, and admiralty staff transport. The Auberge is about half as well armed as a Defiant-class starship, has only one Class 9 shuttlecraft, and a high maximum warp capability in the recent systems upgrades.

Battle of the Fisher King

A battle which took place between the SS Fisher King, a Q-Ship in disguise, and the combined forces of the USS Knight and several First Federation vessels. It was a fairly horrific battle, with large casulties on both sides. Even with the Neutron Cannon in their armaments, the Fisher King was destroyed by the combined forces of the Knight and the FF vessels. ("The Merchant Menace").

Blues, Vortex

While the Knight was slowly returning to their own space using the Aebrynnian Lunar Vortex, the crew became somewhat bored and restless, and started engaging in various hijinks, practical jokes, and shenanigans.

Braxton, Captain Benjamin

Former Commanding Officer of the Knight, killed during an attack by the First Federation. He was a well-liked and respected leader, who served as an inspiration to his crew. His XO, Commander Howell Bridger, succeeded him as CO of the Knight. His service record was impressive, and his leadership skills truly amazing. The ship's lounge was re-named the Braxton Lounge in his honor.

Braxton Lounge

Located on Deck 10, a popular place for the Knight crew to gather and socialize over drinks and dinner. Named in honor of former Knight CO CaptainBenjamin Braxton.

Bridger, Commodore Howell

Former Commanding Officer of the USS Knight, and current CO of the Knight One Squadron, succeeding Captain Benjamin Braxton. More information may be found in his Personnel file.

Bridger Maneuver (Bridger Nacelle Toss)

During a battle several centuries ago, Howell Bridger knew he would lose a space battle unless drastic measures were taken. He therefore rigged his warp nacelles to separate from his ship under special circumstances. In the middle of battle, he literally 'tossed nacelles' into the enemy ships, destroying them. He was seriously injured, and his other crewmates were killed. Bridger has executed a similar maneuver four other times. The last time, a Gorn general was in the crew and is the only other person known to have survived the maneuver.

Bridger, Howell Bridger

A holodeck simulation written by one of the designers of the computer systems aboard the USS Knight, and revised by Nathan Stirling during the time that he was temporarily insane. In the sim, Captain Bridger emulates the 20th-century romantic figure James Bond, with various female crewmembers posing as the famous "Bond Women." During the first appearance of this simulation, it had been modified to make the simulated Bridger attempt to assassinate the real Bridger. (It is rumored that several of the crew who do not appreciate Captain Bridger still use the program for this purpose. Simulated, of course.)

Bulldowski, Decon

A Terran, currently Marine Platoon Leader on the Knight. More information may be found in his Personnel File.

Calsanni, Entor

A Trill, former Chief of Operations on the Knight. More information may be found in his Personnel File.

Camera Obscura

From http://www.grand-illusions.com/vermeer/vermeer1.htm--
Very little is known about Vermeer's life, and his methods of working. He had no students or apprentices, and he left no records. But many people have speculated that he might have used some sort of optical device to help him create his paintings, possibly a device called a Camera obscura, the forerunner of the modern camera. Literally 'darkened room' a Camera obscura is a box which has a lens on the front. A portable Camera obscura can have a ground glass screen onto which the image from the lens is thrown. Or a Camera obscura can be big enough for the observer to be inside it.
Russ: In the context of the Knight, the USS Camera Obscura is officially a 'courier' ship, and is on long term assignment from Personnel Division to Intelligence Division. In fact, all persons on the ship are normally Intelligence officers, analysts, or civilian consultants. Such ships can be thought of as the focusing 'lens' of the intelligence community. Hence, my use of the term as a starship name.

Carson Creek, USS

Federation runabout, Danube class, registry number unknown, listed with SI Psychological Warfare Division of Starfleet Intelligence. It was commanded by Lieutenant Comander Rejah Bherran until it's demise in early 2376 due to a Warp core overload.

CERS or Counseling, Educational and Recreational Services

This is an actual division of Starfleet (though not canon Trek), formed in the 2340s, to fill what had sometimes been seen as a low priority posting. But with the formation of the Ships Counselor officer track, the new division turned out to be a fine way to consoldating these programs into an important ship and starbase branch. Usually, the lead Counselor also runs this division, though that can vary. On some starships, the unit can be rather large. On the USS Knight, it was particularly large due to the long term mission the Knight was built for. Even now it is large, since the ship often carries guests, trainees, special units, and diplomats. Usually among other duties, the CERS director is charged with the safety of all civilian personnel on a ship, including any family members not in Starfleet, and any any dependent children.

Clarisse

The Witch of the Winding Path on Aebrynnis is a rumor, and a legend. The last such witch rose to prominence 100 years ago, and was killed when she directly challenged the Council. But others have taken her mantle, suggesting that the Council must look beyond their current stories and myths, and find the truth underlying magic in the world. The last of these, Clarisse Fontaka, an appentice to the Council, made her own plans for discovering knowledge the Council kept from others. For this she was cast out, and is prevented from ever approaching the Council again, by strong magics. It is rumored that the girl, left in a deep wilderness far away, survived and has started a cult that serves the Dark Sorceror. But none who have tried to discover the truth behind this rumor have ever returned.

Counseling, Educational, and Recreational Services (CERS)

This is the correct name for the unit that most people call Counseling on a starship. It encompasses the counseling, career planning, training, education, child care, non-medical rehabilitation, physical fitness, skills management, stewards, and specialized entertainment services aboard a ship. In some small ships the department may not exist, and these services are simply split among those best able to handle them. On the Knight the department is extensive, and operates the 'best crew lounge in the Fleet' (the Braxton Lounge).

Division of Psychological Warfare, Starfleet Intelligence Operations

(See also Starfleet Departments) This division was created in 2303, in order to act as a counter-propaganda service element, under the name Division of Counterpropaganda. During the 2320s, it was subsumed as a special operation under the Starfleet PsyOps group. However, the entry of telepathic races into the mainstream of UFP culture, and the potentials of psi abuse, made Operations decide to separate the special unit for purposes of working on special missions related to both counter-propaganda and counter psi acitivity, in 2350. In 2360, Admiral M. B. M'Benga became the director of this unit, which he re-named from Mentatics and Security Services to Psychological Warfare. M'Benga expanded the role of the unit to cover many types of specialized intelligence activities requiring use of mentatics, psionics, and psychological warfare principals. It has a number of legitimate and funded initiatives, and has access to special unmarked appropriations.

Duck

(Michael Smith). Code name for the leader of one of the groups of terrorists that attacked the Knight while at Spacedock. ("Knight's Crossed") It is believed that one of his men turned traitor on him, however this has no been substantiated. His current location is unknown at the present time.