The Edge of Midnight

The author is saddened to hear of the Death of Admiral Pavel Chekov (2245-2366). Admiral Chekov was a longstanding supporter of Dr Devenish's academic career, and conducted several interviews with him across his career. He is survived by one son, the United Earth Councillor Anton Chekov.

His memoir, "A Russian Invention", was a vital introduction to the Starfleet of the 23rd century.

"There are some who say Mr Spock and I beat the odds on Organia. We didn't beat the odds. We didn't have a chance. The Organians raided the game." – James Kirk

So what is a historian to make of the Organians? Some have their own conclusions.

USS Intrepid is attacked in the Argelian Approaches, 24th June 2267. Klingon deep penetration vessels caused panic throughout the Four Day's War: many of these ships remained trapped in Federation space after the armistice, causing a press sensation and a severe headache for Starfleet.

The LP-8 "Clanulsta" Long Range Patrol Craft. The last in a long line of failed small patrol and attack craft, the Clanulsta would see service with Starfleet, Memberworld defences forces and neutral star fleets from the late 2250s until the end of the 23rd century.

The LP-8 "Clanulsta" Long Range Patrol Craft. The last in a long line of failed small patrol and attack craft, the Clanulsta would see service with Starfleet, Memberworld defences forces and neutral star fleets from the late 2250s until the end of the 23rd century.

LP-8s carrying such torpedoes were prone to significant engine and spaceframe stress, requiring rapid and regular rebuilds and repairs to maintain spaceworthiness. Suck craft were sometimes named "Tuckers", because of their constant need for the sort of engineering "love" only NX-01 ever recieved.

The LP-8 "Clanulsta" Long Range Patrol Craft. The last in a long line of failed small patrol and attack craft, the Clanulsta would see service with Starfleet, Memberworld defences forces and neutral star fleets from the late 2250s until the end of the 23rd century.

The LP-8 was designed for use on both planetary surfaces and, for the first time, for launch from Starship and Starbase hangar bays. Though slower than the LP-7, it's range was also extended an extraordinary 20 light years, thanks to the inclusion of new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Nacelles.

The LP-8 "Clanulsta" Long Range Patrol Craft. The last in a long line of failed small patrol and attack craft, the Clanulsta would see service with Starfleet, Memberworld defences forces and neutral star fleets from the late 2250s until the end of the 23rd century.

While too lightly armed to face up to Klingon warships, their small sensor signature allowed for covert surveillance and reportage on enemy movements. LP-7s remained in service with KLICOM after the war's end, with many fitting "Liverpool Pods" for minesweeping operations after 2259.

The LP-8 "Clanulsta" Long Range Patrol Craft. The last in a long line of failed small patrol and attack craft, the Clanulsta would see service with Starfleet, Memberworld defences forces and neutral star fleets from the late 2250s until the end of the 23rd century.

It took until the first trials of the LP 6 in 2254 for the design to achieve a stable Warp Field at WF5: furthermore, breakthroughs in subspace communications and sensor technology meant that the possibility of the LP-series acting as a long-range fleet scout was now longer theoretical.

The LP-8 "Clanulsta" Long Range Patrol Craft. The last in a long line of failed small patrol and attack craft, the Clanulsta would see service with Starfleet, Memberworld defences forces and neutral star fleets from the late 2250s until the end of the 23rd century.

Speed was also a severe issue: though initial proposes aimed to create a craft capable of matching WF4 or 5 with the correct Cochrane conditions of subspace, development on the necessary micro-warp reactors to achieve that was stunted, especially after the WPL withdrew their design in 2253.

The LP-8 "Clanulsta" Long Range Patrol Craft. The last in a long line of failed small patrol and attack craft, the Clanulsta would see service with Starfleet, Memberworld defences forces and neutral star fleets from the late 2250s until the end of the 23rd century.

The Clanulsta's long, complicated history begins after the Colonial Crisis. Starfleet Tactical's call for an ultra-low tonnage patrol craft capable of operating from planetary surfaces and deterring raiding craft saw a resurgence in the "carrier craft" model briefly advocated in the 2230s.

"The Red Devils" Troops of The Parachute Regiment (Earth Military Command), 2nd Airlanding Division during the Battle of Kobax (2263)