Star Fleet Battles
Term Paper
Where the wild things ain't.
- Jeff D. Conrad, USS Wisconsin (Stardate 2006.07.30)
Intelligence reports from the Tholian Holdfast suggest that Tholian captains are excellent monster hunters. Since the arrival of the 312th Battle Fleet (R7.60), monsters have been hunted without discretion using the tactics described here. There are even reports of using these tactics to herd monsters toward the Klingon Tholian Border Harassment Squadron (R7.1). The web caster (E12.0) is a primary reason for success of Tholian tactics against monsters. These tactics use free-standing web (E12.22) in several ways: 1) limit the movement of a monster; 2) create a situation where the Tholian may fire but the monster cannot, 3) lure monsters away from planets or other targets.
The first tactic is successful against monsters with predictable movement. The Planet Killer (SM1.0), and the Sunsnake (SM5.0), are both examples of creatures whose movement patterns are predictable. Monsters follow a preset path to their target, causing them to get caught in stratigically-placed web. The more time that they spend stuck in the web allows the Tholians to analyze and/or destroy the creature. Though the electro-magnetic interference (SM1.45) prohibits firing directly at the creatures from beyong 60,000km, it is possible to still create free-standing web in their path.
The second tactic is used when the Tholian has closed within the monster's attack range. By placing free-standing web between the Tholian and the monster, the monster is prohibited from firing direct-fire weapons at the Tholian (G10.61). Meanwhile, the Tholians may collect information with labs, or use (G10.62) to fire phasers with impunity at the monster.
The third tactic uses the spirit of the killdeer to pull the monster away from its target, and lure it into web. Some monsters have a pursuit mode, where they will veer away from their primary objective and chase a ship. By activating this mode, the Tholian lures the monster to then, then sets up a string of web in the path of both units. The Tholian can pass through and ignore the web in terms of movement as per (G10.53), but the monster will get stuck or slowed. By repeating this procedure, the monster will get further and further away from its objective. This is especially critical if the monster is already near its target.
Web caster tactics may not work against intelligent monsters such as the Space Dragon (SM7.0), or with monsters who have gotten stuck in webs before, and learned their lesson. As with all wild creatures, their exact behavior is not likely to be predictable in any given situation. But it does appear that the Tholians can use their web technology to at least maintain the upper hand when dealing with monsters. It may be possible in a dire situation to recruit a mercenary force of Tholians who would allow their scarce resources to be recruited for hire to help defeat or slow-down a monstrous foe heading through Federation territory.