[ESO] Sovereign-Class Refit
Author's Note & Credits: As a long time fan of Star Trek and a recent convert to Andromeda, I've long enjoyed the concept of giving the ship personality. Star Trek has explored humanity through Androids and Holograms, but given how attached some commanders get to their ship, I've always wondered how it would affect a COs decision if suddenly he had to take the ship into consideration as more than just a piece of equipment, no matter how valued.
Then I got the Expanded Spacecraft Operations Manual by KillerWhale (who is as unto a god, I might add) and saw the full write-up for the Ascendant-class, and knew that I had just picked up the rules to do what i wanted as a new Star Trek campaign. I checked with my gaming group, and instead of using KillerWhale's Ascendant-class and background info, they wanted to do their own thing.
After contemplating the background and setting I wanted for the campaign, I came up with the idea for this to be an experimental refit into the Sovereign-class. If you want more in-game explanations, then please read on.
Starfleet Sovereign-class (Refit)
Heavy Explorer; Commissioned 2371; Refit 2380
Hull Data
Structure: 45 (5 Ablative Armor)
Size/Decks: 8/24
Length/Height/Beam: 685/88/250
Complement: 748
Tactical Data
Beam Weapon: Type XI Phasers (x6; E)
Penetration: 7/7/6/0/0
Torpedo Launchers: Mk 95 DF Multifunction Torpedo Launchers (x3; E)
Penetration: 7/7/7/7/7
Deflector Shield: FSS-3 Regenerative Shields
Protection/Threshold: 18/6
Propulsion Data
Impulse System: FIG-7 Impulse Drive (.95c; E)
Warp System: LF-50 Mod 1 Warp Drive (9/9.5/9.99; E)
Quantum Slipstream Drive (9.99999: C)
Operational Data
Atmosphere Capable: No
Cargo Units: 80
Cloaking Device: None
Life Support: Class 5 (F)
Operations Systems: Class 5 (F)
Sensor Systems: Class 5 (+5/+4/+3/+2/+1; F)
Separation System: None
Shuttlebay: 2 aft
Shuttlecraft: 16 Space Worth
Tractor Beams: 1 av, 1 fv
Transporters: 4 standard; 4 cargo; 4 emergency
Miscellaneous Data
Maneuver Modifiers: +2 C/+1 H/+2 T
Traits: Ablative Armor, Intricate System (Operations), Sentient Computer, Vulnerable System (Operations)
Mission
Originally intended as an upgrade for damaged Sovereign-class vessels in for extended repair, the refit became a testbed platform for the Quantum Slipstream drive and the new Artificial Intelligence built into the main computer system, allowing it to be used safely. If successful, the Sovereign line will redefine exploration (and threat response) in the galaxy.
Features
The refitted Sovereign-class features the quantum slipstream FTL drive, which allows for long distance travel across the galaxy at the expense of navigational fine control, for the moment. While able to achieve speeds greater than anything but wormholes and stable transwarp networks, it is not without its disadvantages. The drive is currently faster than Starfleet subspace communications standards, so long range explorers will have to harken back to a century ago, and be trusted to operate out of range of Starfleet Command. In some ways, the slipstream drive would allow a ship to return to Earth for orders than it would to simple call back and ask.
The other major problem with the quantum slipstream drive has necessitated the other major change from standard Sovereign design. Due to the constant adjustment in flight control and operations management to maintain a slipstream, it was decided to install the first Artificial Intelligence into a Starfleet vessel. Based on the success of the Emergency Medical Hologram, this AI replaces the Operations officer on the bridge. During use of the slipstream drive, it assumes flight control as well as operations, allowing the ship to traverse the subspace channel safely.
Each AI will be configured differently for every vessel, giving each ship its own unique voice and appearance, with its name as some variant of the ship's designation. While originally intended as a kind of Emergency Operations Officer, the design program quickly expanded into a system-wide construct, to allow it access to the systems it would need to be able to access to ensure comfortable and safe travel during slipstream. The backup computer core is completely devoted to the new AI and its revolutionary self-replicating neural gelpack network, allowing the system to grow and evolve, much like the neural net of the Soong androids. Remembering, the M5 incident, the ship cannot act without express orders, unless all ranking officers are disabled or incapacitated.
Background
USS Voyager returned to the Alpha Quandrant in 2378, much to the joy of the entire Federation. With it, it brought several new technologies, including the dangerous but potentially useful quantum slipstream drive, and the unprecedented success of the long term use of an Emergency Medical Hologram.
Six months after her return, Fleet Admiral Nechayev retired, and Starfleet promoted Kathryn Janeway to Admiral to replace her. Seeing as how transwarp was still eluding Federation scientists, she persuaded Starfleet to create a quantum slipstream research group. Under the direction of Lieutenant Commander Jeffery Taylor at Utopia Planitia, it was discovered that quantum slipstream could be used on Federation starship, but with two conditions: it could only be safely generated with the properly installed equipment into the deflector array, and it would take a next-generation computer to adequately handle the complex and rapid calculations needed to mainatin a subspace slipstream for extended periods.
Given her experiences with the Doctor of Voyager, Admiral Janeway believed that an Artificial Intelligence could be installed into a starship's main computer without a repeat of the M5 incident involving the Constitution-class Enterprise over a hundred years ago. She recruited Commander Vanessa London, a child prodigy who studied at the Daystrom Institute before joining Starfleet. Working with Lt. Cmdr Taylor, she managed to present a proposal for a Artificial Intelligence system using a self-replicating neural gel-pack computer core, complete with behavioral controls and safeguards to Starfleet Command.
After some strong-arming from Admiral Janeway, Starfleet agreed to test the proposed changes. Given that the shipyards were still working at full production to replace ships lost during the Dominion War and the last Borg incursion, it was decided to refit a ship design in the early stages of construction. After some checking, the perfect candidate was found.
The USS Avalon, the sixth and last Sovereign-class cruiser of the initial production order was only halfway through spaceframe assembly at Utopia Planitia. Production was paused with Lt. Cmdr Taylor and Commander London were reassigned to lead the project, and to see if the Sovereign-class could be made to support the new features. Much to everyone's pleasure, the Sovereign-class was perfect for the systems, having many of the underlying technologies already implemented at convenient points for intergrating the new systems in the main deflector array and the backup computer core.
Over the next two and half years, Taylor perfected the quantum slipstream modifications, while London encoded and designed the baseline personality and appearance for the new AI, dubbed "Val" by the project team. It has been joked that the Commander insisted that the initial AI be modeled after herself. The initial system is complex and difficult to repair, but actual performance exceeded all expectations. In mid 2380, the USS Avalon was launched, under the command of Captain Jason Osbourne.
Ships In Service
USS Avalon; NCC-90286; Sixth vessel of the Sovereign line; First Sovereign-class vessel built under the new specifications; Rescued Romulan Praetor and diplomatic entourage during the Babel Incident; Currently assigned as Federation envoy to Romulus (2380) (AI Designation: Val)
USS Enterprise; NCC-1701-E; Currently undergoing heavy refit due to critical damage sustained during the Babel Incident (2380) (R24, C +5, Famous, Flagship) (AI Designation: Unknown, still in design phase)
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