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
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.
Echoes in the Weeds
Late in the year 2401, Helios was assigned to act as a research support platform for a new long-range sensor suite designed to improve surveillance in the Badlands. Whilst undertaking testing of the new platform the vessel was caught unaware by the opening of a subspace aperture related to the galaxy wide Underspace emergence. Transported several thousand lightyears through the Underspace corridors Helios found itself damaged and stranded in a remote system where the high level of electromagnetic and stellar radiation made attaining warp speeds impossible. There were no losses during transit though the Heliades flight CO, callsign 'Pheobe', was separated from the vessel, having been aboard her Valkyrie at the time of the unexpected transit, she was considered MIA whilst searches took place.
Whilst undertaking repair works in the system and investigating possible avenues for their return to Federation space, Helios encountered a remote Kazon colony, seemingly separated from the other Kazon Collective over 50 years prior, these Kazon appeared to have settled on the planet and were operating a satisfactory substance lifestyle. When it became apparent that the access portal to the Underspace was collapsing due to the activities of the Cardassian Union in the Alpha quadrant, Helios was forced to take the risk and attempt to return to Underspace unprepared. The Kazon revealed they were not as peaceful as believed and attacked Helios to secure it's advanced technology, having been unable to open the portal themselves with their limited assets.
Helios was able to return to the Alpha quadrant but incurred a number of losses, returning to Deep Space 47 for repairs and post-action debriefing.
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.
Notable Locations
Sunspot Lounges
The Akira-Class vessels make novel use of space to facilitate social areas for almost 500 crew members with limited space. Several large open plan messes combined with passing place style corridor lounges (taking advantage of lessons learnt with the Galaxy class) allows Helios to make use of normally wasted space. Nestled on the port and starboard trailing edge of Helios' deck 8, the twin sunspot lounges are one of the ship's more subdued and intimate social spaces, converted from small junior messes.
Fitted with a number of private booths and sofas, the low lighting and ambient music that spills forth from hidden speakers gives the lounges a more intimate feel for evenings of quiet gatherings and rendezvous. The twin lounges feature a number of privacy considerations such as inbuilt replicators in the booth's tables, holographic dividers and an all holographic bar and waiting staff. The focal point of each booth is a large aft quarter facing window giving unobstructed views out into space, which more than once has caused a subtle course correction to maximise a romantic vista.
The Orrery
Situated in the enclosed centre of Helios' flight deck, the Orrery is the command centre of the ships' flight wing and Heliades squadron. A modification of the redundant auxilary bridge, the Orrery takes advantage of the room's command and control systems aswell as the direct connection to the ships computer and sensor sytems to manage the airspace around Helios. With a number of dedicated stations for the management of Helios' vast shuttle bays and a live link to the main bridge, the Orrery acts as a CIC during combat but most importantly provides vital operational & strategic support during humanitarian and transport missions.
With Helios' recent return to non-combat duties with Task Force 47 and the Fourth Fleets return to a more scientific mission brief, the Orrery has recieved a permenant contingent of science officers into the duty roster. These scientists provide support to the divisions's exploratory efforts, utilising the ship's huge number of auxilary craft to extend the reach of the ship's sensors and directing their efforts to survery systems with suprising speed.