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Kendall wrote: Unfortunatley it is canon, in a couple episodes they mention the whale tanks. Those dolphins must be pretty bored in the tank, I can't imagine it would be very big.

It's canon?
Damn, and here I thought I'd found an idea that even the UFP wasn't stupid enough to implement.

But the facilities to house these creatures would be massive. It'd take millions of gallons of water just to support them, and then you'd need specialised medical facilities to look after them. That must take up a substantial amount of the E-D's internal space.
Not to mention the fact that there's no reason to have them there at all. What could they possibly do that humans, or another Federation race, couldn't?
Gah, why is it that every time I find out something new about the E-D it makes the whole thing even dumber?

You could argue that if the Dolphines wanted into Starfleet they would have to be accepted or it is discrimination. And there may very well be other aquatic species in the Federation so it wouldnt just be for them.

Teaos wrote:You could argue that if the Dolphines wanted into Starfleet they would have to be accepted or it is discrimination. And there may very well be other aquatic species in the Federation so it wouldnt just be for them.

Fine, let them into Starfleet. Just don't let them serve on ships on the grounds that the requisite accomodation and medical support isn't available.

What ship could support them if not the biggest one in the fleet?

Teaos wrote:What ship could support them if not the biggest one in the fleet?

None - that's my point.

Discrimination.

Then put them on ships specificaly designed with aquatic species in mind. Don't shove them on a ship without the proper facilities to care for them.

I wonder what happened to them in Generations when the stardrive section blew up? I'd imagine that's the part of the ship they'd be in, and they can't exactly move them to the saucer section....

According to that non canon book Graham quoted they can move semi easily with the use of a bubble of water held in a forcefield.

Really they would not take a HUGE amount of space. Looking at the size of the quarters in the GCS I'd say they would be the same as anyone else.

Are you forgetting the Orcas? I think they'd be a bit big to go through a coridoor.

Teaos wrote:Discrimination.

It's also discriminatory to ban, say, Thalidomide sufferers from serving in the armed forces. That doesn't mean it isn't entirely justified.

As I said it is perfectly possible to let them serve with only a bit of extra effort envolved to accomidate them. And sicne they seem to be very capable crew members it would be unjust to not let them in.

Teaos wrote:Discrimination.

Not quite, it's not discrimination if the facilities that they require are unavailable or impractable. Woman were not permitted on the old Oberon class subs we had because there were not seperate facilities for their bunks and washrooms. Now they are on subs with the new Victoria class coming into service.

Same deal with the dolphins, their tank would take a large amount of room as they need to actually exercise. They could serve on a large starbase though or a ground installation instead though, like the millions of other fleet personnel.

An 'extra bit of effort'? Yeah, I suppose if you consider a couple millon gallons of water, specific areas of the ship devoted to them and having dedicated specialists on board to look after them to be 'an extra bit of effort'.

Teaos wrote:As I said it is perfectly possible to let them serve with only a bit of extra effort envolved to accomidate them. And sicne they seem to be very capable crew members it would be unjust to not let them in.

Capable based on what? We've never seen them do anything. And think of the extra mass putting a large tank of water on the E-D is going to add.

An 'extra bit of effort'? Yeah, I suppose if you consider a couple millon gallons of water, specific areas of the ship devoted to them and having dedicated specialists on board to look after them to be 'an extra bit of effort'.

Their quarters can be flooded but who gives a shit. Its the same size. And as the example said they can move around with out "special areas" A bubble of water held in a field. Basically a enviroment suit.

And they are capable since they were given a roll on the capital ship and there never seemed to be a problem with the part they ran.