USS Europa

USS Europa
General Information
Registry	NCC-80104
Class & Type	Luna-class
Affiliation	Starfleet
Status	Active
Commissioned	2380
Assignment
Role	Light Explorer
Key Personnel
Commanding Officer	Captain Aoife McKenzie
Executive Officer	Commander Natalya Koerner
Template:Starship

The USS Europa is a Luna-class light explorer currently assigned to a long-duration exploratory mission in the Gamma Quadrant. It has been under the command of Aoife McKenzie since 2399.

Ship's History

First launched in 2380 under the command of Captain Uzoma Ekwueme, this vessel was given a five-year exploratory assignment in the Gamma Quadrant. During his five-year mission, Ekwueme oversaw eleven first contact missions, nineteen second contact missions, and the negotiation of multiple trade relationships with independent Gamma Quadrant powers. The Europa's return to earth was mere days after the disastrous synth-orchestrated terrorist attack on Mars, which resulted in the destruction of Utopia Planitia. While Ekwueme had hoped to be sent back out on another long-distance mission, the Europa was instead assigned to diplomatic and patrol duties on the Federation's borders, as Starfleet began to withdraw from the wider galaxy in response to the attack.

Following the destruction of Romulus in 2387, Ekwueme did persuade Starfleet Command to send him and his ship on a five-year mission in the Beta Quadrant, nominally to contact species past Romulan space, but more importantly to gather intelligence on the far reaches of the Star Empire while it was chaotic and vulnerable. While the ship had a few minor run-ins with Romulan commanders, Ekwueme was credited with an additional seven first contacts during this mission, as well as laying the groundwork for future exploratory missions.

In the 2390s, the Europa conducted numerous limited-duration exploratory missions just outside of the Federation's borders as Starfleet Command became more and more cautious about extending its reach too far. With Ekwueme promoted to Commodore in 2399, he assigned Captain Aoife McKenzie to replace him, before sending the ship on another exploratory mission in the Gamma Quadrant.