>Right now I'm actually trying to get him through Captain without
>changing up from his Commander-grade ship, because I don't like the
>cruiser-type options for captains. (You guys call a
>Galaxy-class an upgrade? Really?) If I pull it off, I can get
>him an Excelsior Plus and claim it's the same ship with upgrades. :)
>This may not actually work, though, because the Romulans are
>cheating bastards. (At least this is in character.)

Just make the excuse, if you have to trade up in the middle, that it was off for the refit during that time. :)

Given the rest of the handwaving in the game, that one should just blend right into the background noise.