USS Bellerophon
- "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
- —Barack Obama - Ship's Dedication Quote
The USS Bellerophon (NCC-74705) is an Intrepid-class Federation starship built in the early part of the 2370s and served with distinction during the Dominion War. After thirty years of various missions within the Alpha and Beta Quadrant, the ship was assigned to the Delta Quadrant to support the Fourth Fleet’s Odyssey Squadron. Sent to undertake a deep space exploration assignment, the Bellerophon was been refitted for this mission and to retrace the steps made famous by another Intrepid-class that traversed the same region. The ship’s quote is from a speech shared by the 44th President of the United States of America from Earth’s 21st century, President Barack Obama. Command of the vessel was given to Captain Horatio McCallister in 2399.
Design and Layout
Launched at the height of the Dominion War, the Bellerophon was equipped with the latest technologies to assist with the upcoming war effort. Due to her fast nature (being one of the quickest ships in the fleet at the time), her original exploration mission was cancelled and she was assigned to Starbase 375 as the flagship of Vice Admiral William Ross when he took command of all of Starfleet's forces near to the Bajor sector. Rarely was she used as a frontline ship, instead used to transport the admiral around the area (mostly between Starbase 375 and Deep Space 9). For this, the engineers ensured her shields, weapons and engines were the best they could be. On a few occasions when the ship did engage enemy vessels, she was victorious in every battle (thankfully down to the fact the ship was always under the escort of at least two other vessels).
Post-war, the ship remained in active service and it wasn't until 2385 did the vessel receive it first major refit. Thanks to lessons learned from Voyager, the need to update the ship was not required. During the overhaul, an Astrometrics Lab based on the one created by Voyager's crew was installed and holo-emitters were installed throughout the ship. When it was decided that the vessel would be assigned to deep space exploration assignments, further enhancements were made. This included a third holodeck (slightly smaller than the other two), an airponics bay (so the crew could grow their own fruit and vegetables) and the ability for the ship to triple its replicator bounty (again based on alien technology learnt from Voyager). Once upgrades were complete, the ship was almost like Voyager after its return home. The only difference was the captain's request to add a few facilities to allow for some of the crew to bring members of their families. A small classroom and childcare facilities replaced the aft lounge (under the shuttle bay). The ship was equipped with its own Delta-class runabout.
Bridge, Deck One
Just like other Intrepid-class vessels, the Bellerophon's bridge layout was exactly the same, except for one difference during the Dominion War. Instead of the usual two seat command chair configuration, during the war, a third command chair was added, allowing for Admiral Ross to sit on the bridge, coordinating with others during fleet engagements. This configuration was later removed after the ship was reassigned.
Along the aft wall of the bridge are the Mission Ops panels either side of the long, wide Master System Display. Next to this, on the starboard side, is the entrance to the main lift, followed by the station assigned to security and tactical. Following a few steps down, a further door to the captain's ready room exists. The last station on the starboard side is the engineering console. In front of the command pit, is the helm station which sits in front of the large viewscreen. On the port side of the bridge, by the forward most bulkheads, is the science station. Behind this is the door to the briefing room, while operations has the identical setup opposite to the security and tactical station. Between operations and the mission ops area, a small corridor leads out to the rest of deck one which includes another turbolift and access to the nearest escape pods.
Ready Room, Deck One
A home away from home, the ready room on the Bellerophon was initially used exclusively by the captain while Admiral Ross would use the briefing room for most of his meetings. A large spacious area, the ready room on the Bellerophon has allowed for numerous private meetings for the captain and their senior staff or meeting visiting guests. One unique feature is the use of golden models of previous ships named Bellerophon. This includes the USS Bellerophon (NCC-62048) and the HMS Bellerophon. As a gift, Admiral Ross presented the ship was an antique grandfather clock.
Specific Technical Information
Emergency Holographic Programs
Like so many other Intrepids in the fleet, the Bellerophon was installed with a Mark I Emergency Medical Hologram initially. During the war, a Mark II was installed, then updated to Mark III before a Mark IV. These updates have continued throughout the ship's active service. In mid-2380, the ship was installed with an Emergency Command Hologram and an Emergency Engineering Hologram.
Support Craft
With one shuttlebay, the Bellerophon comes with a standard compliment of shuttles and one runabout, along with its Aeroshuttle.
History
2373-2377
As the flagship of one the most prolific admirals in the fleet during the Dominion War, the Bellerophon's legacy was developed as one of the fastest ships that served so close to the frontlines. Normally under escort with two other ships, the Bellerophon would ensure that the admiral was able to meet with field commanders and move around close to the border without any harm coming to him. Furthermore, the ship was instrumental in ferrying a large Federation delegation from Deep Space 9 to Romulus in 2375. It was the first Federation ship to visit the Romulan home-world under a flag of truce and cooperation. The ship participated in the final battle of the war and thankfully survived the onslaught that the Dominion threw at the Federation Alliance. After the war ended, the Bellerophon was assigned to post-war duties that included escorting relief efforts into the Cardassian Union as well as patrolling the border with the Union and Breen Confederacy.
2377-2385
The vessel eventually under takes an eight year exploration effort beyond the Klingon Empire at the invitation of the High Council. The vessel spends at least half a year mapping elements of the Rotarran Maelstrom, before returning to the Federation. The ship, after returning home to Earth, is quick to respond to the synth attack on Mars. Though they were only able to save just under four hundred people from the surface, the ship is damaged by the attacking synth vessels and eventually flees to Jupiter Station. Though damaged, the ship is sent to Beta Antares Ship Yards for repairs and its first major refit. The process takes at least nine months to complete. Her entire crew is reassigned.
2385-2399
After its massive overhaul, the ship is sent as Starfleet's response to the destruction of Romulus to provide aid. Being fast enough, the ship is able to help pull survivors from the wake of the destruction sent across the Romulan Star Empire and deposit them at refugee camps set up along the former Romulan Neutral Zone. The ship remains on patrol and other duties along the Romulan border for the next five years.
In 2390, the ship was sent back to the Cardassian border to assist with threats from the True Way. Commanded by Captain Laura McCallister, the ship is able to support Federation colonies in the area in stopping raids and disrupting criminal networks. Over the next four years, the ship undertakes further missions in the Alpha Quadrant and even undertakes a six month exploration of the Gamma Quadrant. Before the end of the year, the ship returns to Earth for its next refit and for Captain McCallister to be succeeded by her brother-in-law.