Sirius Squadron

Sirius Expeditionary Squadron, also known as Sirius Squadron, is a squadron of the Fourth Fleet centered around the Odyssey-class USS Sirius and under the command of Commodore Matt Rourke. Sirius Squadron is based out of Gateway Station in the Midgard Sector on the Federation’s Beta Quadrant frontier. The squadron serves two missions: the secondary mission of supporting the sector-wide responsibilities of the Gateway Station, and its primary mission as a rapid deployment force beyond Federation borders.

In its expeditionary capacity, Sirius Squadron stands ready to deploy outside of Federation territory at short notice to respond to emerging situations across the galaxy. With multiple versatile and powerful ships at its disposal, the squadron is capable of operating independently and without support for extended periods, and is flexible enough to face a range of missions, including under volatile circumstances where objectives and conditions can quickly change.

Outside of such deployments, the squadron maintains readiness in case of need, and supports Gateway Station’s operations. From its HQ, its ships pursue Starfleet’s mission to maintain regional stability through diplomatic and humanitarian operations and pursue avenues of scientific research and exploration into the former territories of the Old Romulan Star Empire. Since the escalation of tensions with the Klingon Empire and their interest in the territory of the fallen Star Empire, Sirius Squadron has been a cornerstone of protecting both the Federation border, and Starfleet's allies in the Romulan Republic.

Since its formation in 2400, the squadron has been at the forefront of some of the Fourth Fleet's most urgent situations of the 25th century, including the Lost Fleet crisis of 2401. It is assigned directly to Fourth Fleet Operations and not one of the fleet's task forces, though is often favoured by Director of Fourth Fleet Intelligence Admiral Alexander Beckett for special assignments.

Leadership

January 2400 - January 2401: Captain Matt Rourke
January 2401 - March 2401: Fleet Captain Lionel Jericho
March 2401 - Present: Commodore Matt Rourke

Composition

USS Sirius

Flagship - USS Sirius is an Odyssey-class heavy explorer and the flagship of the squadron, under the command of Commodore Matt Rourke. With her size and self-sufficiency, Sirius is the main hub of all squadron operations, able to support and supply other starships and their crews for an extended duration. When operating in the Midgard Sector, Sirius serves as a forward command post for missions across the region, or is directly responsible for humanitarian, scientific, or strategic duties requiring her vast resources. Whether at the heart of a deployment of the whole squadron or taking primary responsibility for a specific operation, the assigning of the USS Sirius to a mission demonstrates squadron command takes a matter deeply seriously. Its embarked Aquarius-class escort, the USS Alhabor, provides support for the Sirius and falls under the nominal command of the ship's XO, Commander Zihan Shepherd.

Gateway Station

Squadron Headquarters - Gateway Station is a Spacedock-class space station, the centre for Federation operations in the Midgard Sector, and the headquarters of the squadron. Standing at the border to what was once the Romulan Neutral Zone and Star Empire and is now a wilderness of independent factions, Gateway is charged with maintaining regional stability and providing diplomatic outreach. Its strategic significance has only increased with the recent increased aggression from the Klingon Empire, and Gateway is key to protecting Federation interests and allies in the sector.

USS Endeavour

Rapid Deployment - USS Endeavour is a Constitution III-class explorer commanded by Captain Karana Valance. Endeavour acts as the squadron’s rapid deployment force, the first choice to respond to emerging situations within and without the Midgard Sector. These duties may include humanitarian or tactical crises, but also extend to scientific mysteries or entering diplomatic hot-spots, all tasks within the mission profile of such a versatile ship. Outside of such assignments, Endeavour provides diplomatic and exploratory support for Midgard Sector operations.

USS Liberty

Deep Space Exploration - USS Liberty is a Sagan-class light explorer commanded by Captain Taviel Daragon. She is responsible for most deep-space exploratory operations into the Midgard Sector and beyond, capable of entering former Romulan Star Empire territory and facing a variety of challenges as Starfleet seeks to chart, survey, and evaluate these vast regions hitherto inaccessible to the Federation. She does not necessarily venture very far from the border, as there is considerable exploration to be conducted close to home, but often acts independently from the rest of the squadron.

USS Ranger

Research and Survey Vessel - USS Ranger is an Intrepid-class light explorer under the command of Commander Thabo Xhakaza. With Liberty taking point on remote or high-profile exploratory operations, the Ranger acts on survey missions closer to home or conducts more in-depth research following up the flagship's findings. With Starfleet denied access to the Romulan side of the border for centuries, it has limited knowledge of space even immediately across the border, and the Ranger and her young crew are charged with in-depth exploration of the local area.

USS Redemption

Tactical Operations - USS Redemption is a Sovereign-class exploratory cruiser under the command of deputy squadron commander Captain Addison Faust. After extensive refits to modernise her systems, the Redemption is a powerful and well-armed ship, and is responsible for the unit’s tactical and strategic operations. When not responding to emerging threats, Redemption remains close to the Midgard border to uphold Starfleet’s commitments and interests in Federation and Republic space.

USS Swiftsure

Logistical Support - USS Swiftsure is a Echelon-class light cruiser under the command of Captain Archer Kowalski. Her primary duty is the support of other squadron ships and missions, providing extensive logistical and engineering capabilities with her industrial replicators and large complement of smallcraft. She often complements either Gateway Station’s day-to-day support for the Midgard Sector or assists the Sirius in its front-line operations. Where necessary, she also provides emergency response for humanitarian or medical disasters.

USS Tempest

Scout - USS Tempest is a Rhode Island-class scout. Fast and versatile, the Tempest works alongside other squadron ships and missions, fulfilling scouting and reconnaissance duties for both tactical and scientific operations. She is often assigned directly in support of the Sirius, acting as escort, courier, or patrol ship as necessary.

History

USS Endeavour (2400)

In late 2399, Diplomatic Corps official Sophia Hale began a mission to improve Federation relationships with the factions of the former Romulan Neutral Zone through local diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and cooperation with the interested major Romulan governments. The USS Endeavour was chosen as the Starfleet platform for this mission, First Secretary Hale working alongside Captain Rourke on multiple operations to improve conditions in the volatile region. These operations were massively disrupted by the collapse of the Star Empire of Rator, with Starfleet resources subsequently redirected to mitigate the fallout.

Squadron Formation (2401)

As the dust settled on the Star Empire of Rator's collapse, the Federation began considering its long-term future in the region. Closer ties to the Romulan Republic and greater potential volatility gave Starfleet more of a vested interest to get involved, and had opened up new opportunities to explore territories to which the Star Empire would never have granted them access. First Secretary Hale initially received orders in late 2400 to resume her mission, but the USS Endeavour was in the Delta Quadrant at the time, and thus the diplomatic undertaking was delayed.

In late 2400, fresh disruptions in worlds along the spinward Romulan border and coreward borders of the Klingon Empire altered strategic concerns. Increased raids from pirates based in The Triangle were joined by political upheaval from Klingon residents of Federation border territories, all suspected to be backed by the House of Mo'Kai. With the Neutral Zone still unstable, Starfleet decided to take a heavier approach than the primarily diplomatic mission of First Secretary Hale, and formed a new squadron to face these challenges.

The USS Endeavour was retained and listed as the lead ship, largely so Starfleet could reap the benefits of their good relations in the area. But a security-focused task group led by Fleet Captain Jericho of the USS Triumph and including the Independence and Nighthawk were integrated into the squadron, with Jericho assigned as squadron commander. First Secretary Hale and her diplomatic mission remained part of the squadron, now based on the USS Triumph to work more closely with the leadership.

The Lost Fleet (2401)

In March 2401, the Dominion Lost Fleet launched their attack on the Deneb Sector. The squadron was charged with the liberation of Izar, the oldest and most populous colony on the frontier, that had fallen early in the invasion to the Dominion. Tensions in the command squad reached a fever pitch throughout the campaign, particularly between Captain Rourke of the USS Endeavour and Fleet Captain Jericho. The interception of a Jem'Hadar scout by the USS Nighthawk secured critical intelligence, including the upcoming Breen ambush of a Cardassian strike force sent by the allied Third Order. Rourke argued the Cardassians should be given aid, while Jericho was committed to proceeding to Izar without risking the Dominion realising their plans had been compromised. Despite Jericho's command of the squadron, Rourke ordered Endeavour to come to the aid of the Cardassians, an act that rescued the strike force but, upon his return, resulted in his arrest.

With Rourke relieved of command, morale in the squadron hit critical lows. To try to maintain control, Captain Jericho placed one of his senior officers in command of Endeavour, and had Rourke detained aboard the Independence, trusting Commander Vornar to keep a potentially disruptive figure separate. Although the USS Pathfinder had not yet reached the squadron, Jericho ordered the immediate attack on Izar, adjusting the plan to compensate; Independence would fulfil Pathfinder's original plan to split from the unit to destroy early-warning systems, while Nighthawk would perform Independence's battle role and their original duty of locating the command centre for Izar's system-wide defence grid.

Near-fatal calamity struck quickly. Independence held back from the fight, taking no action; in her brig, a Changeling infiltrator attempted to murder Captain Rourke. His survival triggered a confrontation on the bridge, which uncovered a second infiltrator who had been impersonating Commander Vornar himself, who fled. Out of the brig, Rourke assumed command of Independence and directed the ship to join up with the USS Pathfinder to summon reinforcements from the Cardassian strike force he had saved, and proceed to Izar.

Without it, the battle would have been lost. At Izar, the Nighthawk was disabled early in the fighting. Triumph engaged in the thickest combat, but with the fighting turning against Starfleet, Fleet Captain Jericho ordered Endeavour to try to rescue any Starfleet survivors, complete Nighthawk's mission so a future assault would know the location of the command centre, then withdraw. As Triumph was disabled by a Breen energy-dampening weapon, Commander Malhotra panicked and ordered Endeavour's premature withdrawal, only for strategic operations officer Commander Harrian to relieve him of duty and assume command in turn. While Harrian began to salvage this withdrawal, only the timely arrival of Rourke's reinforcements turned the tide.

With Triumph disabled, Rourke assumed command of the battle. Heroic efforts by the Nighthawk's surviving crew allowed them to complete their mission, and the support wing of fighters and runabouts under Endeavour XO Commander Shepherd allowed a landing party to seize control of the command centre, and the system-wide defence grid. Despite heavy losses, the squadron snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

With Izar liberated, Fleet Captain Jericho reassumed command and focused the squadron's efforts to the planet's relief. He placed Captain Rourke again under arrest, as well as Commander Harrian, but once squadron operations at Izar were finished surrendered himself to a Starfleet inquiry into the whole Izar campaign. Despite the definite manipulations of the Changeling impersonating Commander Vornar, there had been a breakdown of command. Before this, however, he ordered Endeavour to proceed to Farpoint Station to aid in the defence against the Lost Fleet's final push, placing her under the only command-level officer still qualified to captain her: Pathfinder's Karana Valance. Endeavour fought with distinction in the final Battle of Farpoint.

Midgard Sector

The inquiry took some time. Commander Valance was ordered to proceed to Gateway Station, on the Romulan-Federation border, with both Endeavour and Pathfinder. There, she was informed of the restructuring of the squadron due to take place. Triumph and Captain Jericho's futures were uncertain. Both Independence and Nighthawk had lost their commanders, Independence to Changeling plot and Nighthawk to the battle, Commander Kosst sacrificing herself to save her crew. Both were reassigned elsewhere in the Fourth Fleet, requiring a complete restructuring of crews. Pathfinder was earmarked for a deep-space exploratory mission, and Valance chose instead not to remain in command, but to accept a different offer: captaining Endeavour. While some crew moved on, many of the squadron remained in their original posts or at new assignments.

With the inquiry's resolution, Matt Rourke was cleared to return to active duty. The fallout of Frontier Day and its impact on the command officers of Starfleet led to a greater need for experienced officers. Rourke was thus, despite the dent to his reputation, advanced to the rank of commodore and assigned as the new squadron commander.

For some months, Rourke led the squadron from Gateway Station. But after the disappearance of Chancellor Martok and the rise to power of Toral, son of Duras, the Klingon Empire turned its eye increasingly to Romulan territory. Several border houses launched raids and invasions into former holdings of the Star Empire, including into the Republic. Recognising the increased strategic significance of the Midgard Sector, both for protecting the Federation's borders and meeting commitments to allies in the Romulan Republic, the squadron was expanded. This expansion included the assignment of the USS Sirius, Commodore Rourke's new command and flagship. In addition to increased capabilities, the assignment of the Sirius renders squadron command, and thus the unit as a whole, more mobile and able to take on challenges beyond the Midgard Sector more immediately.