USS Swigert
USS Swigert NCC-83972 is a Saber-class Federation starship currently assigned to Fourth Fleet's Task Force 86 under the command of Commander Hurjen Wezdo. A patrol ship and scout, she routinely operates near Federation borders; though not built as a dedicated warship, she excels in defensive operations handling raiders or supporting larger vessels.
Design and Layout
The USS Swigert is a Saber-class starship, an older design upgraded with 25th-century systems. Despite its age, the Swigert is built to withstand the rigors of modern space combat, with reinforced hull plating and advanced defensive systems. The ship's layout reflects its utilitarian nature, with functional communal areas and minimalistic quarters.
The Swigert offers a relatively high standard of living, with crew quarters similar to other vessels of its age. Most crew members share suites, while senior officers have private quarters. Though it lacks full holodecks, the ship features two smaller holosuites and a unique recreation deck on deck eight, with a dedicated lounge area, referred to by the crew simply as the Rec Center. The deck is accessed via a special turbolift that reorients passengers, with the Rec Center upside-down relative to the rest of the ship, flush against the ventral hull to grant impressive views of space. Despite these amenities, the Swigert relies on starbases for extended shore leave, given its limited onboard facilities.
Mission Operations
The USS Swigert operates primarily as a scout, tasked with patrolling the Federation's borders, where it defends critical locations and shipping lanes as part of the Federation's defensive strategies. Its agility and precise maneuverability make it ideal for reconnaissance missions, where it identifies potential threats and relays vital intelligence to larger ships. Beyond Federation borders or in dangerous hotspots, the Swigert is deployed ahead of task units to assess areas for risks. Its design balances combat capabilities with the need for swift and effective reconnaissance, making it a vital asset in the Federation's ongoing efforts to safeguard its territories.
Auxiliary Vessels
The Swigert has the following array of smallcraft onboard that is standard on most Saber-class ships. It has four shuttles housed in its single shuttlebay. Such as the Hartford and the Mount Olivet can be found in the shuttlebay of the Swigert.
History
The Swigert was commissioned during the Dominion War and has seen significant field action since. In recent years, the ship was assigned to the Deneb Sector in response to the invasion of the Dominion Lost Fleet in 2401, where it acted as a scout, gathering intelligence on the movement of Dominion forces and patrolling the Federation border. During Frontier Day, the Swigert suffered heavy losses, including the death of their captain. In the aftermath, she was repaired and upgraded, and assigned a new young Captain, Commander Wezdo. Later that year, the Swigert was involved in the response to the opening of Underspace apertures across the galaxy, facing off against displaced Cardassian warships. Only the timely intervention of the task force flagship, the USS Majestic, averted disaster for the swigert.
Crew of the Swigert
The ship is under the command of Commander Hurjen Wezdo, a young captain with a background in tactical operations. His first officer is Lieutenant Commander Mexaro Trad, a seasoned officer with a background in science. Where Hurjen might be inexperienced in some areas, Mexaro brings her experience, making this a well-balanced command team.
Commander Hujen Wezdo: Commanding Officer
Commander Hurjen Wezdo is the commanding officer of the USS Swigert. The young Bajoran is a known survivor of Frontier Day with a background in tactical operations. While young to take the command seat, Hurjen is eager to prove himself. The risks of such eagerness have been seen with the Swigert's clash with Cardassians during the Underspace crisis, but Wezdo remains undaunted in his desire to show what he can do.
Lieutenant Commander Mexaro Trad: Executive Officer
Lieutenant Commander Mexaro Trad is the Executive Officer of the USS Swigert. The seasoned Betazoid commander had been an instrumental addition to the crew of the Swigert. She was involved in various conflicts and incidents, such as the Dominion War, the Lost Fleet, and the recent Frontier Day. After her former captain died on Frontier Day, she refused to take command of the ship and instead became a supportive element to Captain Wezdo. Lieutenant Commander Trad has a background in science but has been in the first officer's seat since the events of Lost Fleet.
In Play
- The USS Swigert is a Task Force asset, and any writer in Task Force 86 may include it in their story.
- Ideal for providing the initial “hook” for missions, the Swigert frequently encounters potential threats or interesting phenomena on its border patrols that require further investigation.
- You can reference the Swigert for background intel in your stories, or have it appear briefly to set up your crew’s mission.
- The Swigert can be put in situations requiring rescue or support, but do not destroy the ship or harm key personnel.
- The Swigert’s agility and versatility make it an excellent scout and defensive asset, though it has limitations in prolonged engagements.
- Contact the Task Force CO or XO for approval if using the ship significantly in your narrative, such as undertaking a mission where the Swigert will provide tactical support.