One of the most advanced exploration classes upon it’s launch, the Intrepid Class was built with new methods of starship design and multiple innovations that advanced upon the construction methods used for the era led by the gargantuan Galaxy Class long term explorer. Built within a significantly smaller scale, the Intrepid was a light explorer built for shorter mission terms than the classic ‘five year’ exploration tour and served a variety of functions.
The Intrepid’s primary mission profile was for exploration and planetary survey. Using a streamlined hull design, the Intrepid’s utilised a new type of warp engine at the time that, combined with a variable-geometry warp nacelle system, allowed an impressive maximum speed of war 9.975; a record that wouldn’t be improved upon until the more defensive-focused Prometheus Class. Coupled with a bio-neural network laced throughout the ship, the computer processing speed was just as impressive as the warp drive and utilised less space allowing for an emergency backup warp core and secondary deflector dish for extra efficiency in propulsion and navigation.
To aid in both it’s vast array of mission specialities, the Intrepid was designed for atmospheric flight allowing the ship to land on a surface during a research mission or just for emergency repair. Though the ship was able to sustain itself for a long period thanks to it’s core providing more than enough power for self sustainability and large cargo bays, refueling and restocking trips were required after several months.
While internally condensed, the Intrepid was equipped with specialised equipment and laboratories to fulfil it’s scientific endeavours, including both multi-functional and specialised suites throughout including a vast advanced astrometric lab, manufacturing facilities to self-sustain shuttle craft and other supplies dependant on mission critical needs and a large primary engineering complex that doubled up as auxiliary control in a crisis.
As standard, the bridge of the ship was on deck one and reflected the smaller crew compliment. Unlike most, the bridge was designed to place commanding and executive officers on a more equal collaborative level with five larger stations surrounding the bridge to give the officers in charge more direct control. Flight control was also larger thanks to the more complex options thanks to the advanced warp technology.
The Captains cabin was located on deck three, while mission critical officers were kept close by their assigned stations. Crew facilities included the mess hall on the second level below the bridge as well as a limited supply of holodecks spread throughout the ship. Medical facilities were slightly smaller due to the 100-150 crew compliment, however the class was the first to be assigned an Emergency Medical Hologram to help the medical staff in an emergency situation. Later models would receive an upgraded model of EMH.
During the Dominion War, one of the leading flag officers Bill Ross used an Intrepid Class USS Belerephon as one of his flagships for diplomatic relations between skirmishes. The most famous of the line was the USS Voyager, originally presumed lost during a recon mission in 2371. Transported to the Delta Quadrant by the Caretaker Array, Voyager was able to sustain well beyond it’s typical refuelling process thanks to rationing and sourcing local support and discoveries.
On a scheduled return that should have taken sixty years, Voyager made it back in seven after traversing the final leg of the journey through the Borg Transwarp Network. Due to the legendary journey, eventually aided with home support after five years of complete isolation from Starfleet, Voyager was turned into a museum in the 2380’s and the unique research from the Delta Quadrant used to aid and implement in developing new technologies for future Starfleet vessels, starting with the Protostar and Lamarr classes. By 2401 Voyager was on display as a permanent resident of the Starfleet Museum.
The Intrepid Class is a highly adaptable light cruiser with a handful on reserve at Clydeside shipyards, ready for any CO exploring new frontiers within SFCQ2’s fleet. Images courtesy of StarTrekOnline
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