USS Helios
- "The test of any man is in action."
- —Pindar
USS Helios (NCC-63284) is an Akira-class Federation star ship assigned to Fourth Fleet's Task Force 47. She is currently under the command of Captain Tanek, operating out of Deep Space 47 in the Thomar Expanse, providing pathfinding and diplomatic support in the politically unstable region.
Service History
Commissioning and Early Service
One of the first block of Akira class vessels produced in 2363, Helios was part of the wave of new designs rapidly sweeping across the fleet that explored a different form of shipbuilding that focused on mission specialisation over larger multi-role vessels. Spending much of the next two decades undertaking operations at the Cardassian Border, Helios also served with distinction during the Dominion War as part of the Fourth Fleet's space command programme, defending key locations throughout the war-front. After a lengthy overhaul following the ceasefire the ship returned to the Cardassian border regions to provide ongoing security and patrol support against pirates, privateers and the separatist movement, The True Way.
Helios was present in the task force that supported the efforts of Stargazer and the Jurati Collective to defend against the dangers of the temporal and spatial anomaly. Following these events the ship underwent a major overhaul at the Avalon Fleet Yards to modify it for deployment with Task Force 47.
Shards of Obsidian
Following the events of Frontier day and losses associated with the resurgence of the Borg activity, Starfleet's assets capable of deploying to the frontier with little support was severely reduced. As part of 'Operation Ploughshares' Helios was one of several ships originally designed with a combat focus that found themselves refitted to take on diplomatically focused missions independently, with support several days away. Their first mission was to rendezvous at the mining outpost Bryntail in the Llanidos system, where the Starfleet Auxiliary were struggling to work with the civilian miners following Starfleet's general withdrawl from the system.
Threadbare Flags
Late in 2401, Helios found themselves redeployed to the Cardassian border following the destruction of Outpost C-91, reportedly by the True Way separatist movement. Initially assigned reconnaissance and overwatch responsibilities in the expansive region, utilising it's large number of auxiliary craft to supplement long range sensor platforms, Helios was part of a network providing real time long range oversight of the region. When a personal message to a young Lieutenant suggests an imminent bomb threat from the New Maquis, Helios is retasked to Cyodan II, to investigate the security threat.
Design and Capabilities
Heliades Squadron
Originally created to take advantage of the Helios' through-deck design as it fulfilled escort carrier duties during the Dominion War; Heliades Squadron has found new life as a specialist service unit. In a galaxy of instant transporters and increased automation, several members of Starfleet Operations have identified a critical vulnerability in starship operations when these systems are rendered unavailable. Whilst effective mass-produced vehicles, the standard shuttle designs are created with adaptability in mind and as a result cannot provide high level support to star ships and operations. The need for craft and officers who can provide expert logistical support & mobile services aboard larger ships, over and above the standard training of shuttle pilots was becoming evident. Heliades squad are experts with a wide range of auxillary vehicles, their operation and usage, including shuttles, combat auxiliary craft (such as the Valkyrie-class starfighter) and ground craft, including traditional motorised and wheeled vehicles.
Theta Squad
Born from the Hazard Team programmes, Theta Squad has gone through several incarnations in a short period of time. Initially a rapid response team operating under Starfleet Science, they were intended for scenarios ranging from experiments gone wrong to unexplained phenomena. As time went by, the squad found themselves engaged in missions where they had to employ a much wider variety of skills including engineering, diplomatic and tactical expertise. Initially operating aboard their dedicated Aerie class transport USS Nestus they became a home for officers and enlisted crew who were, by nature, difficult to categorise and under the guidance of Lieutenant Maine, the squad grew in number will members coming and going as their careers and missions dictated. The Squad was later transferred to Helios by request of Captain Tanek, who felt Theta Squad's unusual skill sets and unorthodox atittudes would be a benefit in their duties wihtin the Thomar Expanse.