Sirius Squadron

Endeavour Squadron
Unit	Fourth Fleet Operations
Flagship	USS Endeavour
Assignment
Mission	Diplomacy, Humanitarian Aid, and Exploration
Template:Squadron

Endeavour Squadron is a formation based out of Gateway Station, on the Federation's Beta Quadrant border. Its primary duty is to support Gateway's mission in the Midgard Sector of maintaining regional stability through diplomatic and humanitarian operations, and pursuing avenues of scientific research and exploration into the former territories of the Old Romulan Star Empire. Its commanding officer keeps their flag aboard the USS Endeavour, which leads exploratory and diplomatic missions, and is the first ship sent on operations beyond the Midgard Sector. The squadron is assigned directly to Fourth Fleet Operations and not one of the fleet's task forces, though is often favoured by Director of Fourth Fleet Intelligence Vice Admiral Alexander Beckett for special assignments.

History

USS Endeavour (2400)

In late 2399, Diplomatic Corps official Sophia Hale began a mission to improve Federation relationships with the factions of the former Romulan Neutral Zone through local diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and cooperation with the interested major Romulan governments. The USS Endeavour was chosen as the Starfleet platform for this mission, First Secretary Hale working alongside Captain Rourke on multiple operations to improve conditions in the volatile region. These operations were massively disrupted by the collapse of the Star Empire of Rator, with Starfleet resources subsequently redirected to mitigate the fallout.

Squadron Formation (2401)

As the dust settled on the Star Empire of Rator's collapse, the Federation began considering its long-term future in the region. Closer ties to the Romulan Republic and greater potential volatility gave Starfleet more of a vested interest to get involved, and had opened up new opportunities to explore territories to which the Star Empire would never have granted them access. First Secretary Hale initially received orders in late 2400 to resume her mission, but the USS Endeavour was in the Delta Quadrant at the time, and thus the diplomatic undertaking was delayed.

In late 2400, fresh disruptions in worlds along the spinward Romulan border and coreward borders of the Klingon Empire altered strategic concerns. Increased raids from pirates based in The Triangle were joined by political upheaval from Klingon residents of Federation border territories, all suspected to be backed by the House of Mo'Kai. With the Neutral Zone still unstable, Starfleet decided to take a heavier approach than the primarily diplomatic mission of First Secretary Hale, and formed a new squadron to face these challenges.

The USS Endeavour was retained and listed as the lead ship, largely so Starfleet could reap the benefits of their good relations in the area. But a security-focused task group led by Fleet Captain Jericho of the USS Triumph and including the Independence and Nighthawk were integrated into the squadron, with Jericho assigned as squadron commander. First Secretary Hale and her diplomatic mission remained part of the squadron, now based on the USS Triumph to work more closely with the leadership.

Composition

USS Endeavour

USS Endeavour is a Constitution III-class light explorer and the flagship of the squadron. Even alone, she is a powerful platform for the unit's exploratory operations. While based out of Gateway Station and taking point on diplomatic missions across the Romulan border, the fall of the RSE has granted Starfleet access to previously-unknown regions of space. Endeavour is charged with its exploration, and with securing even greater access to territories beyond Federation borders through negotiation and cooperation with local factions.

Gateway Station

Gateway Station is a Canopus-class space station, the centre for Federation operations in the Midgard Sector, and the headquarters of the squadron. Standing at the border to what was once the Romulan Neutral Zone and Star Empire and is now a wilderness of independent factions, Gateway is charged with maintaining regional stability and providing diplomatic outreach.

USS Tempest

USS Tempest is a Rhode Island-class scout attached to Gateway. She is used by the station's crew for long-range operations for which Gateway's many runabouts or shuttles would be unsuited. In the Midgard Sector, she performs patrols, surveys, or border interdiction operations. When the whole squadron is deployed, she acts as scout and escort to the other vessels.

USS Swiftsure

USS Swiftsure is a Echelon-class light cruiser under the command of Captain Peter McLachlan. She acts as a utility vessel providing support to the squadron and its areas of operations, and a rapid response craft in times of emergency. Fast, well-armed, and with vast secondary craft facilities, Swiftsure is highly effective in responding to humanitarian crises or border incursions alike and often acts as the squadron's 'problem solver.'