USS Lakota
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- "No matter where you go, there you are."
- —Buckaroo Banzai
USS Lakota (NCC-42768) is an Excelsior II-class heavy cruiser serving in the Fourth Fleet. Originally commissioned in 2328, the vessel underwent an extensive structural reconstruction at Avalon Fleet Yards between 2389 and 2390, after which it returned to service in its present configuration.
Following its transfer to the Fourth Fleet in 2401, Lakota served under several commanding officers and operated as the flagship of Lakota Squadron. Its assignments included rapid-response, patrol, humanitarian, and security operations across Federation space and the Shackleton Expanse. Following the departure of Captain Noli Auru and the disbandment of Lakota Squadron in 2403, the ship remained active within the Fourth Fleet.
Design and Layout
For the article, see Excelsior II-class.Although Lakota's spaceframe dated to 2328, the reconstruction undertaken at Avalon Fleet Yards replaced or substantially upgraded much of the vessel's internal structure and operational systems. When the ship returned to service in 2390, it incorporated contemporary propulsion, defensive, weapons, computer, and support systems while retaining the general profile of its earlier configuration. The rebuilding programme allowed Lakota to continue serving as a heavy cruiser despite the age of its original spaceframe. Further upgrades were undertaken during its subsequent service, including modifications to its bridge and command facilities.
Bridge
Lakota's bridge followed a traditional Starfleet layout, with the primary command area positioned at its centre. During Captain Auru’s tenure, the original single-command chair was replaced with a three-seat arrangement for the commanding officer and supporting command personnel. Operations and Flight Control occupied stations directly ahead of the command area, while Science and Engineering were positioned on either side of the bridge. Security and Tactical was located behind the command chairs, with additional engineering, medical, environmental, mission operations, and auxiliary craft controls distributed around the outer bulkheads. The bridge also provided direct access to the observation lounge, the commanding officer’s ready room, and two turbolifts connecting it to the rest of the ship.
Auxiliary Craft
History
2389
- After some 60 years of loyal service, through every major engagement faced by the Federation, Lakota is ordered to Avalon Fleet Yards to begin the decommissioning process, with a massive structural refit of the vessel beginning. Making the most of advances in construction to convert her to the largely successful Excelsior II-class. The overhaul is expected to take nearly two years, including a shakedown cruise.
2390
- Lakota finally launches and completes her shakedown cruise and begins duties around the core territories, ferrying diplomats, conducting patrols, responding to several bushfires as the Federation deals with increasing hostilities from people at home and abroad.
2401
- Part of a task force that responds to a spatial anomaly, Lakota is present when the Borg vessel known as Singularity prevents the destruction of an entire sector of Federation space. Later that same year, Lakota participates in the momentous Frontier Day celebrations above Earth, with Captain Lorraine Thorn welcomed back aboard for the special celebration. When the Jupiter Signal hits the assembled fleet, many of the Lakota crew succumb to the Borg assimilation process. Dozens of the ship’s officers are killed, including Captain Lorraine Thorn. Lakota receives considerable damage and, once the signal is reversed, what is left of her crew guides the ship in for repairs.
- At the conclusion of the repairs process, Fleet Captain Keziah Nazir is ordered to assume command and she forms the new Lakota Squadron as part of the Fourth Fleet's Task Force 17. Following the revelation of a New Maquis emerging in the former DMZ, Lakota is ordered to patrol the Quasaris Sector. She receives orders to investigate when the Quasaris Biofabrication Center goes silent. Her investigations reveal that all personnel of the laboratory have been killed whilst trying to cure a virus afflicting Cardassians in the surrounding colonies. The Squadron is ordered to quarantine the sector until a cure can be found.[1]
- With the Quasaris lockdown still in effect, Lakota continues its blockade of the system. Medical vessels continue to render support to the worlds affected by the virus whilst the Cardassians continue to watch from afar. Soon, the Hypatia arrives and begins assembling a crew from other vessels in the squadron. A medical emergency arises when Lieutenant Or'uil is taken ill. Lakota transports him to his homeworld, but despite the best efforts of his people, their comrade dies. Dozens of crewmembers take part in the funeral ceremonies, led by Commander Noli Auru. Lakota is ordered to Starbase 38 where she undergoes a small refit to her bridge module to address some identified defects.[2]
2402
- Having returned to Deep Space 17 after a long mission, hoping for some peace, Lakota's tranquillity is shattered when sensors detect an anomaly in the dangerous Ryton System. Fleet Captain Nazir learns that the USS Proteus has identified a subspace phenomenon with a large vessel inside. Ordered to investigate, the ship arrives to find a damaged Borg sphere emerging from a subspace aperture. The crew, haunted by past encounters, prepares for battle as the Borg sphere begins to regenerate. Luckily, the sphere retreats into the anomaly before any combat is needed. The ship receives new orders to remain on station and monitor the Underspace aperture, until distressing reports of another starship disappearing is received.[3]
- Following the ship's return to DS17, a shock disclosure of personal medical records to Starfleet Command sees Captain Nazir issued with an ultimatum; take voluntary medical leave and light duties aboard DS-11, or lose command of Lakota indefinitely. Faced with little choice, Nazir and several members of the senior staff depart for a new posting, while those who remain must contend with the return of their former XO, Captain Giarvar Kauhn.[4]
- Following the loss of Captain Kauhn aboard Columbia in defence of the Andoria System during the Vaadwaur invasion, command of Lakota falls to Captain Kieran Thorne, who reinforces Task Force 47's operations in the Alpha Quadrant whilst several units begin the exploration of the Shackleton Expanse.
2403
- When Captain Thorne and several crewmembers are reassigned to the USS Concord, Commodore Jaro uses his influence to reassign Lakota to his squadron at the earliest convenience.
- Lakota arrives in the expanse in early January, and Jaro issues instructions for several transfers from around the squadron, including reassigning several of Hypatia's command team to the Lakota. Captain Noli Auru returns to the ship and assumes command, along with several of her most trusted officers, bringing the crew full circle.
Namesake & Lineage
The Lakota is named after the Lakota people, a Native American people and one of the three principal groups of the Sioux peoples.[5] In the Lakota language, the name is commonly translated as “ally” or “friend”. There have been three Starfleet vessels named Lakota.
- USS Lakota (NCC-3325) - Walker-class light exploration cruiser
- 2200-2220 (Destroyed)
- USS Lakota (NCC-3523) - Cardenas-class heavy cruiser
- 2238-2260 (Decommissioned)
- USS Lakota (NCC-42768) - Excelsior-class-Enterprise-B subtype heavy cruiser
- 2328-2389 (Withdrawn for reconstruction)
- Recommissioned in 2390 as an Excelsior II-class heavy cruiser
- Active
Notable Crew
Commanding Officers
- 2369-2390: Captain Lorraine Thorn (Human female)
- 2372: Captain Erika Benteen* (Human female)
- 2400-2401: Captain Kosev Thiren (Andorian male)
- 2401: Fleet Captain Keziah Nazir, (Trill female)
- 2401: Commander Noli Auru* (Bajoran female)
- 2402: Captain Giarvar Kauhn (Trill male)
- 2402-2403: Captain Kieran Thorne (Human male)
- 2403: Captain Noli Auru (Bajoran female)
*(Acting commanding officer)