Why was the drill right outside Starfleet Academy?
In Star Trek (2009), why was Nero's drill dropped into the water right outside Starfleet Academy?
It just seems a little convenient.
Is it canonically confirmed anywhere that Nero chose the location purposefully?
star-trek star-trek-2009
asked Jan 18 '15 at 5:39
PraxisPraxis
88.9k36439604
add a comment |
In Star Trek (2009), why was Nero's drill dropped into the water right outside Starfleet Academy?
It just seems a little convenient.
Is it canonically confirmed anywhere that Nero chose the location purposefully?
star-trek star-trek-2009
asked Jan 18 '15 at 5:39
PraxisPraxis
88.9k36439604
4
(My question should not be construed as approval of the new films / timeline in any way. I prefer my original timeline Trek. I am simply curious, nonetheless.)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 5:44
5
The correct answer is bad writing.
– James Sheridan
Jan 18 '15 at 6:38
5
That was where the lens flare was thinnest.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 12:44
1
Nero's entire agenda was built around revenge, and going well out of his way to do so... making Spock watch the destruction of Vulcan as payment for the destruction of his own home world. In that context, makes perfect sense that he would eagerly compromise on the practicality/efficiency of location just to drop impending disaster right on the doorstep of his chosen foe (Starfleet). Oh, and let's not forget... Nero was a tad bonkers.
– Anthony X
Jan 18 '15 at 16:54
@AnthonyX: Well, if that's the case, then why settle for the water? Why not bring it right up to the Academy? As Richard's answer confirms, "any point on the Earth's surface" would do. So why not right on top of Starfleet? Don't say "because he's bonkers" or "because the drill is only so accurate". ;-) I'm with James and Richard on this one. :-)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 20:23
add a comment |
In Star Trek (2009), why was Nero's drill dropped into the water right outside Starfleet Academy?
It just seems a little convenient.
Is it canonically confirmed anywhere that Nero chose the location purposefully?
star-trek star-trek-2009
asked Jan 18 '15 at 5:39
PraxisPraxis
88.9k36439604
In Star Trek (2009), why was Nero's drill dropped into the water right outside Starfleet Academy?
It just seems a little convenient.
Is it canonically confirmed anywhere that Nero chose the location purposefully?
star-trek star-trek-2009
star-trek star-trek-2009
asked Jan 18 '15 at 5:39
PraxisPraxis
88.9k36439604
asked Jan 18 '15 at 5:39
PraxisPraxis
88.9k36439604
edited 12 mins ago
Praxis
asked Jan 18 '15 at 5:39
PraxisPraxis
88.9k36439604
asked Jan 18 '15 at 5:39
PraxisPraxis
88.9k36439604
asked Jan 18 '15 at 5:39
PraxisPraxis
88.9k36439604
88.9k36439604
4
(My question should not be construed as approval of the new films / timeline in any way. I prefer my original timeline Trek. I am simply curious, nonetheless.)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 5:44
5
The correct answer is bad writing.
– James Sheridan
Jan 18 '15 at 6:38
5
That was where the lens flare was thinnest.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 12:44
1
Nero's entire agenda was built around revenge, and going well out of his way to do so... making Spock watch the destruction of Vulcan as payment for the destruction of his own home world. In that context, makes perfect sense that he would eagerly compromise on the practicality/efficiency of location just to drop impending disaster right on the doorstep of his chosen foe (Starfleet). Oh, and let's not forget... Nero was a tad bonkers.
– Anthony X
Jan 18 '15 at 16:54
@AnthonyX: Well, if that's the case, then why settle for the water? Why not bring it right up to the Academy? As Richard's answer confirms, "any point on the Earth's surface" would do. So why not right on top of Starfleet? Don't say "because he's bonkers" or "because the drill is only so accurate". ;-) I'm with James and Richard on this one. :-)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 20:23
add a comment |
4
(My question should not be construed as approval of the new films / timeline in any way. I prefer my original timeline Trek. I am simply curious, nonetheless.)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 5:44
5
The correct answer is bad writing.
– James Sheridan
Jan 18 '15 at 6:38
5
That was where the lens flare was thinnest.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 12:44
1
Nero's entire agenda was built around revenge, and going well out of his way to do so... making Spock watch the destruction of Vulcan as payment for the destruction of his own home world. In that context, makes perfect sense that he would eagerly compromise on the practicality/efficiency of location just to drop impending disaster right on the doorstep of his chosen foe (Starfleet). Oh, and let's not forget... Nero was a tad bonkers.
– Anthony X
Jan 18 '15 at 16:54
@AnthonyX: Well, if that's the case, then why settle for the water? Why not bring it right up to the Academy? As Richard's answer confirms, "any point on the Earth's surface" would do. So why not right on top of Starfleet? Don't say "because he's bonkers" or "because the drill is only so accurate". ;-) I'm with James and Richard on this one. :-)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 20:23
4
4
(My question should not be construed as approval of the new films / timeline in any way. I prefer my original timeline Trek. I am simply curious, nonetheless.)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 5:44
(My question should not be construed as approval of the new films / timeline in any way. I prefer my original timeline Trek. I am simply curious, nonetheless.)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 5:44
5
5
The correct answer is bad writing.
– James Sheridan
Jan 18 '15 at 6:38
The correct answer is bad writing.
– James Sheridan
Jan 18 '15 at 6:38
5
5
That was where the lens flare was thinnest.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 12:44
That was where the lens flare was thinnest.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 12:44
1
1
Nero's entire agenda was built around revenge, and going well out of his way to do so... making Spock watch the destruction of Vulcan as payment for the destruction of his own home world. In that context, makes perfect sense that he would eagerly compromise on the practicality/efficiency of location just to drop impending disaster right on the doorstep of his chosen foe (Starfleet). Oh, and let's not forget... Nero was a tad bonkers.
– Anthony X
Jan 18 '15 at 16:54
Nero's entire agenda was built around revenge, and going well out of his way to do so... making Spock watch the destruction of Vulcan as payment for the destruction of his own home world. In that context, makes perfect sense that he would eagerly compromise on the practicality/efficiency of location just to drop impending disaster right on the doorstep of his chosen foe (Starfleet). Oh, and let's not forget... Nero was a tad bonkers.
– Anthony X
Jan 18 '15 at 16:54
@AnthonyX: Well, if that's the case, then why settle for the water? Why not bring it right up to the Academy? As Richard's answer confirms, "any point on the Earth's surface" would do. So why not right on top of Starfleet? Don't say "because he's bonkers" or "because the drill is only so accurate". ;-) I'm with James and Richard on this one. :-)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 20:23
@AnthonyX: Well, if that's the case, then why settle for the water? Why not bring it right up to the Academy? As Richard's answer confirms, "any point on the Earth's surface" would do. So why not right on top of Starfleet? Don't say "because he's bonkers" or "because the drill is only so accurate". ;-) I'm with James and Richard on this one. :-)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 20:23
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
According to the film's official novelisation, the Romulans specifically targeted Starfleet HQ based on the information they extracted from Pike.
Although there was a cost in terms of operational efficiency (it'll take marginally longer to reach the Earth's core), I think we can assume that damaging Starfleet HQ makes it less likely that the automated defenses could be reactivated. Also, Nero seems almost childishly impressed with how gosh.darned.ironic he's being:
The torrent of tightly contained tornadic plasma that roared forth
from the mouth of the Romulan drill platform was directed with
precision. As at Vulcan, it could have been aimed at any point on
the Earth’s surface. The most practical place for deployment and the
one that would have produced the quickest result was the Mariana
Trench in the Pacific Ocean. There the plasma would have hissed its
way through kilometers of water in mere seconds to strike the
planetary crust at one of its thinnest points.
But the individual behind the drill and the eventual obliteration of
the planet it was piercing was not in a hurry. It would all be over
soon enough, this second induced armageddon, and he wanted to remember
it in all its annihilating glory. There was no rush.
Earth’s multiple automated defensive stations had been electronically
disabled, thanks to the codes extracted from the admirably stubborn
but eventually responsive prisoner Pike. The captured captain had
resisted the interrogation manfully, but he was only composed of flesh
and blood. He was not even aware that he had surrendered the
information necessary to allow the Narada to safely assume its
unassailable geosynchronous position above the west coast of North
America.
...
Reports from the drill’s sensors indicated that the city itself sat
atop a major but now stabilized earthquake fault. Doubly ironic, then,
that it should be the site for the insertion of the Red Matter that
would initiate the reaction that would destroy the planet. Ironic, and
also fitting. The commander of the Narada was pleased.
answered Jan 18 '15 at 11:44
ValorumValorum
403k10629373162
Thanks for finding a canonical answer. Still, all highly convenient. I don't envy the job of A.D. Foster (the novel's author).
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
1
@Praxis - He's made something of a career out of turning crap films into halfway decent novels.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
I seem to recall he also wrote the screenplay for The Motion Picture. The real question is: was he able to turn that into a halfway decent novel? ;-)
– Praxis
Jan 25 '15 at 8:29
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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According to the film's official novelisation, the Romulans specifically targeted Starfleet HQ based on the information they extracted from Pike.
Although there was a cost in terms of operational efficiency (it'll take marginally longer to reach the Earth's core), I think we can assume that damaging Starfleet HQ makes it less likely that the automated defenses could be reactivated. Also, Nero seems almost childishly impressed with how gosh.darned.ironic he's being:
The torrent of tightly contained tornadic plasma that roared forth
from the mouth of the Romulan drill platform was directed with
precision. As at Vulcan, it could have been aimed at any point on
the Earth’s surface. The most practical place for deployment and the
one that would have produced the quickest result was the Mariana
Trench in the Pacific Ocean. There the plasma would have hissed its
way through kilometers of water in mere seconds to strike the
planetary crust at one of its thinnest points.
But the individual behind the drill and the eventual obliteration of
the planet it was piercing was not in a hurry. It would all be over
soon enough, this second induced armageddon, and he wanted to remember
it in all its annihilating glory. There was no rush.
Earth’s multiple automated defensive stations had been electronically
disabled, thanks to the codes extracted from the admirably stubborn
but eventually responsive prisoner Pike. The captured captain had
resisted the interrogation manfully, but he was only composed of flesh
and blood. He was not even aware that he had surrendered the
information necessary to allow the Narada to safely assume its
unassailable geosynchronous position above the west coast of North
America.
...
Reports from the drill’s sensors indicated that the city itself sat
atop a major but now stabilized earthquake fault. Doubly ironic, then,
that it should be the site for the insertion of the Red Matter that
would initiate the reaction that would destroy the planet. Ironic, and
also fitting. The commander of the Narada was pleased.
answered Jan 18 '15 at 11:44
ValorumValorum
403k10629373162
Thanks for finding a canonical answer. Still, all highly convenient. I don't envy the job of A.D. Foster (the novel's author).
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
1
@Praxis - He's made something of a career out of turning crap films into halfway decent novels.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
I seem to recall he also wrote the screenplay for The Motion Picture. The real question is: was he able to turn that into a halfway decent novel? ;-)
– Praxis
Jan 25 '15 at 8:29
add a comment |
According to the film's official novelisation, the Romulans specifically targeted Starfleet HQ based on the information they extracted from Pike.
Although there was a cost in terms of operational efficiency (it'll take marginally longer to reach the Earth's core), I think we can assume that damaging Starfleet HQ makes it less likely that the automated defenses could be reactivated. Also, Nero seems almost childishly impressed with how gosh.darned.ironic he's being:
The torrent of tightly contained tornadic plasma that roared forth
from the mouth of the Romulan drill platform was directed with
precision. As at Vulcan, it could have been aimed at any point on
the Earth’s surface. The most practical place for deployment and the
one that would have produced the quickest result was the Mariana
Trench in the Pacific Ocean. There the plasma would have hissed its
way through kilometers of water in mere seconds to strike the
planetary crust at one of its thinnest points.
But the individual behind the drill and the eventual obliteration of
the planet it was piercing was not in a hurry. It would all be over
soon enough, this second induced armageddon, and he wanted to remember
it in all its annihilating glory. There was no rush.
Earth’s multiple automated defensive stations had been electronically
disabled, thanks to the codes extracted from the admirably stubborn
but eventually responsive prisoner Pike. The captured captain had
resisted the interrogation manfully, but he was only composed of flesh
and blood. He was not even aware that he had surrendered the
information necessary to allow the Narada to safely assume its
unassailable geosynchronous position above the west coast of North
America.
...
Reports from the drill’s sensors indicated that the city itself sat
atop a major but now stabilized earthquake fault. Doubly ironic, then,
that it should be the site for the insertion of the Red Matter that
would initiate the reaction that would destroy the planet. Ironic, and
also fitting. The commander of the Narada was pleased.
answered Jan 18 '15 at 11:44
ValorumValorum
403k10629373162
Thanks for finding a canonical answer. Still, all highly convenient. I don't envy the job of A.D. Foster (the novel's author).
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
1
@Praxis - He's made something of a career out of turning crap films into halfway decent novels.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
I seem to recall he also wrote the screenplay for The Motion Picture. The real question is: was he able to turn that into a halfway decent novel? ;-)
– Praxis
Jan 25 '15 at 8:29
add a comment |
According to the film's official novelisation, the Romulans specifically targeted Starfleet HQ based on the information they extracted from Pike.
Although there was a cost in terms of operational efficiency (it'll take marginally longer to reach the Earth's core), I think we can assume that damaging Starfleet HQ makes it less likely that the automated defenses could be reactivated. Also, Nero seems almost childishly impressed with how gosh.darned.ironic he's being:
The torrent of tightly contained tornadic plasma that roared forth
from the mouth of the Romulan drill platform was directed with
precision. As at Vulcan, it could have been aimed at any point on
the Earth’s surface. The most practical place for deployment and the
one that would have produced the quickest result was the Mariana
Trench in the Pacific Ocean. There the plasma would have hissed its
way through kilometers of water in mere seconds to strike the
planetary crust at one of its thinnest points.
But the individual behind the drill and the eventual obliteration of
the planet it was piercing was not in a hurry. It would all be over
soon enough, this second induced armageddon, and he wanted to remember
it in all its annihilating glory. There was no rush.
Earth’s multiple automated defensive stations had been electronically
disabled, thanks to the codes extracted from the admirably stubborn
but eventually responsive prisoner Pike. The captured captain had
resisted the interrogation manfully, but he was only composed of flesh
and blood. He was not even aware that he had surrendered the
information necessary to allow the Narada to safely assume its
unassailable geosynchronous position above the west coast of North
America.
...
Reports from the drill’s sensors indicated that the city itself sat
atop a major but now stabilized earthquake fault. Doubly ironic, then,
that it should be the site for the insertion of the Red Matter that
would initiate the reaction that would destroy the planet. Ironic, and
also fitting. The commander of the Narada was pleased.
answered Jan 18 '15 at 11:44
ValorumValorum
403k10629373162
According to the film's official novelisation, the Romulans specifically targeted Starfleet HQ based on the information they extracted from Pike.
Although there was a cost in terms of operational efficiency (it'll take marginally longer to reach the Earth's core), I think we can assume that damaging Starfleet HQ makes it less likely that the automated defenses could be reactivated. Also, Nero seems almost childishly impressed with how gosh.darned.ironic he's being:
The torrent of tightly contained tornadic plasma that roared forth
from the mouth of the Romulan drill platform was directed with
precision. As at Vulcan, it could have been aimed at any point on
the Earth’s surface. The most practical place for deployment and the
one that would have produced the quickest result was the Mariana
Trench in the Pacific Ocean. There the plasma would have hissed its
way through kilometers of water in mere seconds to strike the
planetary crust at one of its thinnest points.
But the individual behind the drill and the eventual obliteration of
the planet it was piercing was not in a hurry. It would all be over
soon enough, this second induced armageddon, and he wanted to remember
it in all its annihilating glory. There was no rush.
Earth’s multiple automated defensive stations had been electronically
disabled, thanks to the codes extracted from the admirably stubborn
but eventually responsive prisoner Pike. The captured captain had
resisted the interrogation manfully, but he was only composed of flesh
and blood. He was not even aware that he had surrendered the
information necessary to allow the Narada to safely assume its
unassailable geosynchronous position above the west coast of North
America.
...
Reports from the drill’s sensors indicated that the city itself sat
atop a major but now stabilized earthquake fault. Doubly ironic, then,
that it should be the site for the insertion of the Red Matter that
would initiate the reaction that would destroy the planet. Ironic, and
also fitting. The commander of the Narada was pleased.
answered Jan 18 '15 at 11:44
ValorumValorum
403k10629373162
edited Jan 18 '15 at 12:47
answered Jan 18 '15 at 11:44
ValorumValorum
403k10629373162
answered Jan 18 '15 at 11:44
ValorumValorum
403k10629373162
answered Jan 18 '15 at 11:44
ValorumValorum
403k10629373162
403k10629373162
Thanks for finding a canonical answer. Still, all highly convenient. I don't envy the job of A.D. Foster (the novel's author).
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
1
@Praxis - He's made something of a career out of turning crap films into halfway decent novels.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
I seem to recall he also wrote the screenplay for The Motion Picture. The real question is: was he able to turn that into a halfway decent novel? ;-)
– Praxis
Jan 25 '15 at 8:29
add a comment |
Thanks for finding a canonical answer. Still, all highly convenient. I don't envy the job of A.D. Foster (the novel's author).
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
1
@Praxis - He's made something of a career out of turning crap films into halfway decent novels.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
I seem to recall he also wrote the screenplay for The Motion Picture. The real question is: was he able to turn that into a halfway decent novel? ;-)
– Praxis
Jan 25 '15 at 8:29
Thanks for finding a canonical answer. Still, all highly convenient. I don't envy the job of A.D. Foster (the novel's author).
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
Thanks for finding a canonical answer. Still, all highly convenient. I don't envy the job of A.D. Foster (the novel's author).
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
1
1
@Praxis - He's made something of a career out of turning crap films into halfway decent novels.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
@Praxis - He's made something of a career out of turning crap films into halfway decent novels.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 14:53
I seem to recall he also wrote the screenplay for The Motion Picture. The real question is: was he able to turn that into a halfway decent novel? ;-)
– Praxis
Jan 25 '15 at 8:29
I seem to recall he also wrote the screenplay for The Motion Picture. The real question is: was he able to turn that into a halfway decent novel? ;-)
– Praxis
Jan 25 '15 at 8:29
add a comment |
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4
(My question should not be construed as approval of the new films / timeline in any way. I prefer my original timeline Trek. I am simply curious, nonetheless.)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 5:44
5
The correct answer is bad writing.
– James Sheridan
Jan 18 '15 at 6:38
5
That was where the lens flare was thinnest.
– Valorum
Jan 18 '15 at 12:44
1
Nero's entire agenda was built around revenge, and going well out of his way to do so... making Spock watch the destruction of Vulcan as payment for the destruction of his own home world. In that context, makes perfect sense that he would eagerly compromise on the practicality/efficiency of location just to drop impending disaster right on the doorstep of his chosen foe (Starfleet). Oh, and let's not forget... Nero was a tad bonkers.
– Anthony X
Jan 18 '15 at 16:54
@AnthonyX: Well, if that's the case, then why settle for the water? Why not bring it right up to the Academy? As Richard's answer confirms, "any point on the Earth's surface" would do. So why not right on top of Starfleet? Don't say "because he's bonkers" or "because the drill is only so accurate". ;-) I'm with James and Richard on this one. :-)
– Praxis
Jan 18 '15 at 20:23