USS Blythe

"Beware of little expenses - a small leak will sink a great ship." —Benjamin Franklin - Ship's Dedication Quote

USS Blythe
General Information
Registry	NCC-12114
Class & Type	California-class utility cruiser
Affiliation	Starfleet
Status	Active
Commissioned	2385
Assignment
Task Force	Task Force 17
Task Group	Task Group 9
Role	Command Variant Utility Cruiser
Key Personnel
Commanding Officer	Captain Silas Crowe
Executive Officer	Commander Kiaran Patel
Template:Starship

USS Blythe (NCC-12114) is a California-class utility cruiser assigned to the Fourth Fleet. The Blythe initially was equipped as a science support variant of her class, with science-teal markings on the hull and significant interior space devoted to science labs and probe storage. In 2401, the Blythe underwent a refit aimed at reconfiguring it for a Command role, and as part of this transformation, it was repainted in a distinctive red color to signify this change in its mission profile. The USS Blythe is currently under the Command of Captain Silas Crowe.

First Commission (2385 - 2390)

The Blythe's crew included a sizeable science department, half of whom were civilian scientists from the Romulan Free State. As part of the diplomatic efforts of Task Force 17, the joint crew was engaged on a long-term mission to explore lasting peace between the Federation and the Free State by working together in the pursuit of knowledge.

Relishing in exploratory research of the social sciences, the Blythe's crew of archaeologists and anthropologists often took the slow road, following in the footsteps of explorers and cruisers discovering new civilizations.

Decommissioned Period (2390 - 2401)

During the ten-year interval between the Blythe's regular commissions, it was occasionally deployed for brief transport or repair missions, albeit not extensively. Consequently, there are no noteworthy events recorded during this timeframe.

Second Commission (2401 - Present)

After the events of the 250th Frontier Day in 2401 the USS Blythe was brought into active service again. This time the Blythe dawned red colors and served as a support vessel for the deep space operations of Task Force 17.

Being one of the few ships left in Starfleet without the NX12.11 Fleet Formation Protocol the USS Blythe was commissioned by Starfleet instead of another unnamed vessel. The Blythe and its newfound crew were tasked with investigating a potential Dominion threat in the Alpha Quadrant.

Command History

As of 2401, the Blythe has had two commanding officers.

• 2385 - 2390:
• 2401 - Present: Captain Silas Crowe

Configuration

Main Article: California-class utility cruiser

The USS Blythe belongs to the California-class utility cruiser category, configured for Command and Tactical missions. Similar to other ships of the California-class, the Blythe is a prevalent and versatile starship class that has played a significant role within Federation space.

It engages in vital yet routine missions, encompassing minor scientific surveys, medical and engineering support operations, as well as standard transport tasks. These ships operate inconspicuously but are indispensable to Starfleet's endeavors, and they offer various specialized variants to suit specific mission requirements. The interior design of the Blythe closely mirrors that of the much larger Galaxy-class starships, providing a familiar and consistent atmosphere.