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 in
preparation
for a possible crisis situation, it is a shipwide alert
and it prepares personnel for a possible 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
situations.
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 people happy, cause when you spot something broke,
theses are the people 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.
