The world of Star Trek is filled with graceful and elegant ships, huge forces of nature packed to the rafters with a bustling crew with every skill imaginable under one roof for any situation. But not all of the fleet’s numbers are massive hulks ready for adventure. Sometimes you just need a little runner to get you from one place to another for missions that might last a few weeks more than a few years.
Put into action in the late 2360’s, the Danube Class Runabout was ideal for short term missions or teams that needed more than a cramped and empty transport shuttle to get the job done. At at least four or five times the size of a standard shuttlecraft, the Danube class was a step up from the range of short-range craft. Designed as a tightly condensed miniature starship, the class was built to accommodate small teams of 2-6 for relatively long term travel and expeditions with an adaptability that allowed the ship to be kitted out for almost any challenge.
Modular in it’s design, the ship consisted of three core parts. Up front was the cockpit with two forward stations for flight and operations framed around large forward facing windows and flanked by accompanying outer stations either side. Acting as the primary module, the cockpit has airlocks on each side for docking or landing parties, emergency hatches and suplies as well as access to a singular Jeffries tube to the warp core above.
The cockpit originally had a central column containing a two-person transporter and replicator, bur in later refits the column was moved back to make space for a fifth standing station which could be used to operate internal systems and the transporter, or adapted to other scientific or tactical functions. Behind the refit cockpit was access to the rear through a small compartment that included a replicator and emergency supplied.
The rear module, adorned with large windows, was a small living quarters with bunks embedded in the walls and adaptable amenities including seating and a dining table. The central module was where the Danube’s adaptability came through hosting interchangeable pods that could be installed with specialist facilities or equipment depending on mission profile.
Externally the ship was a bulky system with the luxuries of a full scale starship crammed into a tiny package. The spine of the ship contained engineering systems and a small warp core reaching to warp nacelles either side and embedded impulse engines. Aside from standard defensive systems, the ship was armed with defensive phasers and miniature probe tubes that could fire microtorpedos.
Traditionally names after Earth Rivers, the Runabouts were standard on stations such as Deep Space Nine which originally had three models assigned, with the USS Rio Grande being the leader of the group. The adaptable design could see further excternal modifications, usually sensor or weapons pods attached to the top of the ship to help boost performance for each task or to delineate from each other in rare times of combat.
Typically Runabouts are not included within Quadrant 2’s active roster for new captains. However, Starbase Europa – as well as larger units including the Sovereign and Churchill – can assign command of a runabout to prospective captains or small teams looking to begin their own adventure or learn the roles of command before taking on the captains chair. Find out more about Unit Classifications, or how to Take Command.
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