USS K'Ehleyr (NCC-80715)

The USS K’Ehleyr (NCC-80715) was an Excelsior II-class heavy cruiser that served in the Fourth Fleet's Task Force 72. Named after a notable Federation ambassador to the Klingon Empire, the K’Ehleyr has played host to numerous trade negotiations, peace summits, and other matters of interstellar importance. Based at Starbase 72, she provides Task Force 72 with considerable utility as a heavy cruiser, able to fulfil virtually any mission profile. From 2399 to 2402, K’Ehleyr served as the task force flagship.

Design & Layout

Situated on Deck 1, the bridge of the K’Ehleyr conforms to the functional aesthetic of 25th-century Starfleet design. The captain is seated in the command chair on a raised dais, with the engineering MSD behind and stations for helm and tactical immediately fore. To port are the science stations, and to starboard are the various ops, engineering, and comms stations. Access to the captain's ready room and the ship's dedication plaque is fore and starboard, and the ship's conference rooms are fore and port. Access to the turbolifts is aft of the bridge on either side.

History

The K'Ehleyr was launched from Avalon Fleet Yards in 2393 under the command of Captain Karrik. After a short shake-down cruise, the ship was assigned to diplomatic operations, being a frequent carrier of ambassadors and flag officers.

Task Force 72 Flagship (2399 to 2402)

Following the assignment of Task Force 72 to conduct diplomatic operations across the galaxy, the K'Ehleyr was assigned as the task force's flagship. Its first assignment under this new flag was to transport Rear Admiral Thomas Belvedere to Klingon space to negotiate with the House of Lorkoth to intercede in the Archanis Campaign against the Hunters of D'Ghor. The ship then participated in the defense of the Archanis Sector.

In 2402 the K'Ehleyr passed on the mantle of task force flagship to the USS Anthemius and continues to support task force operations in missions of border control and unit coordination.

USS K’Ehleyr In Play

The K'Ehleyr is a Task Force asset, and any member and writers in Task Force 72 may feature it in their stories.
As a versatile and long-range vessel, she could be deployed to almost any point in or near Federation space.
She is a generalist ship, meaning that she can provide a wide range of support to your fiction. She is relatively fast, maneuverable, well-armed, and well-shielded, making her an excellent choice for tactical missions. In addition, she has a flag bridge and is more than capable of hosting a flag officer and coordinating medium-level fleet activities. Rounding up with generous holds and respectable medical facilities, the K'Ehleyr is a sensible choice to provide engineering support or humanitarian aid missions in hostile spheres of operations.
While it would take more than a minor threat to endanger a ship of her size, the K'Ehleyr is also not so impressive that she cannot play a support role for larger or more specialised vessels on their missions.

Encounters

The following story prompt is open for adoption. If you’re interested in taking it on, please reach out to your Task Force staff to let them know. The bullet points below are meant as optional ideas for development rather than fixed requirements.

The USS K'Ehleyr is transporting a group of researchers from Starbase 72 to the Argus Array. Your ship is assigned to escort them.

Aboard the USS K'Ehleyr, a conflict between the researchers and science officers breaks out. As the ‘neutral element’ in this conflict, you are asked to mediate.
Not far into your journey, a civilian vessel hails you for assistance after its navigational deflector was disabled by a subspace turbulence. You lend aid and assist in repairing the ship when irregular command subroutines and encrypted flight records disclose that the ship is operating under a false civilian registry and has a history consistent with pirate activity.