Polaris Squadron
Polaris Squadron is a multi-mission unit within Fourth Fleet Operations under the command of Fleet Admiral Allison Reyes (Director, Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity) and Rear Admiral Alex Grayson (Commander, Archanis Sector Operations).
The flagship of Polaris Squadron is the USS Polaris, an Odyssey-class heavy explorer that hosts the Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity, and the headquarters of Polaris Squadron is Archanis Station, a Canopus-class starbase from whence sector operations of the Archanis Sector are managed.
Mandate
Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity
The Advanced Science, Technology and Research Activity (ASTRA) is a specialized, cross-functional unit intended to fuel Starfleet’s innovation engine through discovery, investigations and interactions on the frontier; additionally, it provides rapid response support for critical non-traditional events from biological threats to spacetime anomalies where its specialized compliment of scientists, engineers and analysts may be particularly suited. ASTRA's primary operations are based off the USS Polaris, and ASTRA also maintains facilities on the smaller USS Ingenuity for situations where the Polaris is otherwise occupied or less suited. Additionally, a fixed laboratory on Archanis Station provides support for long-term research activities.
Fleet Admiral Allison Reyes serves as the current Director of the Advanced, Science, Technology and Research Activity, which is then divided into four research units:
| Astrophysics and Exotic Sciences Unit Unit Lead: Commander Luke Lockwood, Ph.D. |
Research related to stellar and planetary phenomena, including astrophysics, subspace mechanics, temporal mechanics, stellar cartography, geochemistry, minerology, seismology, etc. |
| Medical and Biological Sciences Unit Unit Lead: James Henderson, M.D., M.P.H. |
Research related to humanoid and non-humanoid life, including ecology, biology, zoology, botany, etymology, medicine, anatomy, pathology, toxicology, bacteriology, etc. |
| Cultural and Psychological Research Unit Unit Lead: Lieutenant Lisa Hall, Ph.D. |
Research related to the development, culture and perspectives of alien species, including anthropology, archaeology, agronomy, psychology, negotiation, historiology, etc. |
| Technology and Engineering Research Unit Unit Lead: Commander Cora Lee |
Research related to Federation and foreign technologies, including propulsion, weapons, shields, sensors, communications, digital systems, synthetic lifeforms, etc. |
Archanis Sector Operations
Archanis Sector Operations is a logistics and support unit tasked with providing operational, diplomatic and engineering services to the Archanis Sector. The headquarters for sector operations is Archanis Station, a Canopus-class starbase in orbit of Gorion VII in the Meronia Cluster, and the USS Pacific Palisades provides a cruiser-scale mobile platform for the Corps of Engineers detachment.
Rear Admiral Alex Grayson serves as the current Commander of Archanis Sector Operations, which is then divided into several units tasked with specific purposes as it relates to Starfleet's renewed investment in the sector:
| Headquarters Command Commander: Captain Elsie Drake |
Responsible for logistical support and coordination of assets operating within the Archanis Sector. |
| Archanis Corps of Engineering Detachment Commander: Commodore Amit Agarwal |
Responsible for the sector revitalization and infrastructure build out within the Archanis Sector.
Attached Ship: USS Pacific Palisades Utility Cruiser |
| Archanis Diplomatic Mission Charge d'affaires: Ambassador Michael Drake |
Responsible for diplomatic affairs with colonies in the sector and with neighboring powers.
Attached Ship: USS Kennedy Light Cruiser |
History
The Lost Fleet (March 2401)
In the early days of the Lost Fleet crisis, the Nasera System fell to the Dominion. A key industrial center and one of the oldest Federation colonies in the Deneb Sector, the USS Polaris was led the counter-offensive to retake Nasera. It was joined by, among other ships, the USS Ingenuity and USS Diligent, which would go on to become part of Polaris Squadron. Following the recapture of Nasera, members of Polaris Squadron then transferred to the USS Serenity to lead a series of hit-and-run attacks that culminated with the Battle of the Ciatar Nebula.
See Infiltrate & Liberate for the story of the recapture of Nasera, and The Voices of Deneb for stories from the squadron later in the conflict.
Frontier Day (April 2401)
Following the Lost Fleet crisis, members of Polaris Squadron, still aboard the USS Serenity, travelled to Earth to investigate why Starfleet hadn't committed more resources to repel the Dominion. The team uncovered a conspiracy within Starfleet, which they ultimately traced back to the Changelings, but it was too little and too late to stop the events of Frontier Day from unfolding. The USS Serenity ultimately became overtaken by the Borg via the Fleet Formation technology, while members of her crew aboard Sol Station did what they could to protect the members of the civilian government that had assembled for the festivities.
See Troubles on the Homefront for the story of Frontier Day.
Borg Crisis (June 2401)
While investigating a Borg homing beacon that had reactivated in the shadow of Wolf 359, Polaris Squadron received a mysterious distress originating from the Beta Serpentis system. The USS Ingenuity was dispatched to investigate, discovering that a Borg vinculum, originally from the Battle of Wolf 359, had manipulated the neural patterns of the Andorian colonists, leading them to pursue a means to summon the Collective back into the Alpha Quadrant by building a transwarp conduit.
See Children of the Borg for the story of Beta Serpentis.
JAG Preferral (June 2401)
During the operation to retake the Nasera System during the the Lost Fleet crisis, Polaris Squadron's JAG officer became convinced that members of Polaris Squadron had committed war crimes. In response, he filed charges against two of the squadron's senior officers, and a senior hearing officer from the JAG Corps came aboard to decide whether or not to refer the preferral to a General Court Martial. After a heated trial, the hearing officer ultimately ruled that, while there was substantial evidence that war crimes were committed, the JAG had failed to demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, the connection between those crimes and the defendants, and thus, the charges were dropped.
See Reverberations and Ramifications for the story of the war crimes trial.
Composition
Mobile Research Element
| Name | Class | Role | Commanding Officer |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS Polaris | Odyssey-class Heavy Explorer | Flagship | Fleet Captain Gérard Devreux |
| USS Ingenuity | Pathfinder-class Science Vessel | Mobile Research Platform | Commander Cora Lee |
| USS Diligent | Alita-class Heavy Escort | Tactical Interdiction Support | Captain Dorian Vox |
| USS Serenity | Duderstadt-class Science Vessel | Surveillance and Rapid Response Support | Captain Jake Lewis |
Sector Operational Element
| Name | Class | Role | Commanding Officer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archanis Station | Canopus-class Starbase | Headquarters | Captain Elsie Drake |
| USS Pacific Palisades | California-class Utility Vessel | Corps of Engineers Support Ship | Commodore Amit Agarwal |
Leadership
| Squadron Role | Current Holder |
|---|---|
| Commander | Fleet Admiral Allison Reyes |
| Deputy Commander, Headquarters Element | Rear Admiral Alex Grayson |
| Deputy Commander, Mobile Element | Fleet Captain Gérard Devreux |
| JAG Officer | Commander Robert Drake |