USS Typhon

"Hope will never be silent."

—Harvey Milk

USS Typhon (NCC-78100) is a Typhon-class Federation starship currently assigned to Fourth Fleet Operations. Originaly designed and commissioned as a long-range carrier in response to the small attack craft used in the Dominion War, Typhon has now been repurposed to act as a mobile forward operating base as part of Starfleet's ventures into the Shackleton Expanse. She is under the command of Captain Jonah Thompson, a long-serving pilot and veteran of the Cardassian and Dominion Wars.

Service History

Comissioning & Early Service

Launched in 2375 after a fitting out filled with hurdles due to its unusual design, Typhon entered service in time to serve in the final crucial actions of the Dominion War. Providing rapid launch and landing facilities for the squadrons of Peregrine Fighters employed against the Cardassian Hideki class and Dominion Attack Ships, Typhon was instrumental in improving the odds of these engagements, and its presence on the battlefield was a welcome boon to these pilots.

Following the war, Typhon and its sister ship Prophyrion provided local defence to the border colonies against rogue remnants of the Cardassian Union and Breen Confederacy, as well as local pirates who sought to take advantage of a weakened Starfleet. After several years of service, both ships were stood down to the reserve fleet as ship-building efforts bore fruit in repopulating the fleet with more adaptable multi-role starships.

Whilst some voices in Starfleet argued for the decommissioning of the ships as relics of a war they would rather forget, a petition by Starfleet Intelligence moved Typhon and its sisters to the reserves, lest Starfleet have need once again of these flying fortresses.

Typhon once again saw the stars during its brief service during the Romulan evacuation, when its vast hangar bays and associated spaces were converted to mass transports, ferrying refugees from the supernova throughout the region. After transporting several thousand Romulan citizens, Typhon was once again returned to mothballs, awaiting the next call to serve.

Return to Fourth Fleet

In 2402, as part of efforts to reinforce the critically depleted Starfleet following the events of Frontier Day, Typhon was brought back into service. She was quickly retrofitted with a plethora of updated equipment with a focus on contemporary command and control systems, long-range sensors and deep space communications facilities in preparation for its redeployment with the Fourth Fleet. Typhon first joined Task Force 17 and then Task Force 47 as a mobile platform for deep space deployment, once again sailing amongst the stars, providing a sturdy redoubt for the Fourth Fleet's pathfinders.

Typhon, alongside USS Daedalus , has recently been assigned to operations along the Klingon/Gorn border, preparing the route for deep space exploration out into the uncharted region beyond both territories.

Configuration

The Chop-Shop

The Chop Shop came into existence by accident rather than any concerted effort, but is now the social hub of much of the ship's company, populated almost constantly by crew during their off-duty time for rest and recreation. Located at the foward end of Typhon's vast hanger deck, the 'L' shaped work bay was the least preferred by any of the deck team, it's tight constraints and awkward angles making any repair works twice as difficult.

Converted to long term storage early on in Typhon's first mission, over time it has become a preferred hangout of crew looking to have a private few minutes of quiet away from the stresses of a shift, not so far from their duty stations as to be problematic but secluded enough for a moment of privacy.

As time went by, and Typhon found itself in and out of service, officers would make small modifications to the room; a lamp or two here to replace the stark overhead lighting; a secret supply of Bolian Almond Shortbread to speed the hours of alert pilots on standby; a picture or two of lost comrades, to keep their memory alive. Little by little the chop shop came to into being as crewmembers brought the comforts of home to this forgotten corner of this unconventionally arranged ship.

Though not an official lounge area, the Chop Shop is widely recognised as the favourite hangout of the crew where rank waits at the door and everyone is able to enjoy a moment away from the stresses of the outside galaxy.

Starfighter Group Typhon

Typhon retains full functionality of it's auxiliary craft services following it's return to service, including extensive hanger and launch facilities for Valkyrie-class starfighters, as well as all production model passenger & cargo shuttlecraft. Typhon is also capable of undertaking large scale refitting of craft to mission needs and can fabricate replacement craft as needed, though this resource intensive process can quickly deplete material supplies. Comprised of two wings, named Ladon and Tatanka, the starfighter group is both Typhon's primary tactical asset and it's most effective tool for scouting, charting, stellar mapping and reconnaissance during it's non-combat operations. As part of it's frontier exploration profile, Typhon has recently embarked two Orion-class runabouts, Chimera and Sphinx, who provide advance and rear-guard support with their increased warp capability and powerful sensor suites.

Ladon Wing

Aboard Typhon, Ladon flight acts as the primary combat tool of the ship during its deployment. Made up of highly trained pilots, experienced in close quarters ship combat and formation flying, Ladon flight undertakes a wide variety of missions on behalf of its mothership. Whilst their primary role is to act as a Combat Air Patrol and sensor picket during relaxed operations, the wing also provides long-range recon, survey & scouting and visibility services to Typhon during the course of its missions.

Whilst they primarily fly Valkyrie Class Fighters, members of Ladon flight and their sister wing are expert pilots with all of Starfleet's active auxiliary craft and in many cases have experience operating vessels of other fleets, including Klingon and Romulan small craft. Several of Ladon Flight's pilots also work with Starfleet Academy & Starfleet Operations to provide training and consultancy services to other vessels and teams across Starfleet.

Tatanka Wing

The second wing in service aboard Typhon, Tatanka flight specialises in logistical and operational support. Their pilots are experts with the myriad of auxiliary vessels available, but are most often found piloting runabouts, shuttlecraft, or Valkyrie Fighters outfitted for long-range deployment. Tatanka flight features a number of pilots with experience in support services and many of its members have served with the Starfleet Auxiliary and Colonial Services during their careers.

Their portfolio is vast and includes the transport of materials & people, extended survey assignments and detached mining operations. Members of Tatanka flight receive the same intensive training as their colleagues in Ladon flight and have bested them in wargames more than once. It is a foolish foe who underestimates the hardy pilots of Tatanka flight, simply because they often are found driving the bus.

Notable Crew

Commanding Officers

2402 - Present: Captain Jonah Thompson
2402 - 2402: Captain Darius Holt