USS Swigert
USS Swigert NCC-83972 is a Saber-class Federation starship currently assigned to Fourth Fleet's Task Force 86.
The ship is under command of by Commander Hurjen Wezdo, a young Captain with a background in tactical operations. His First Officer is Lieutenant Commander Mexaro Trad, a seasoned officer with a background in science. Where Hurjen might be inexperienced in some areas, Mexaro balance it out with her experience, making this a well-balanced command team. The USS Swigert is focus on patrolling as a scout and is often operating near the borders. It is stationed at Starbase 260, but can be assigned to anywhere it service is needed. The Swigert is not build with the intent to be a warship, but it can be an excellent defense ship to provide backup for larger starships or handling raiders.
Design and Layout
The USS Swigert is a refitted Saber-class starship, an older design upgraded with 25th-century systems. Despite its age, the Swigert is built to withstand the rigors of modern space combat, featuring reinforced hull plating and advanced defensive systems. The ship's layout reflects its utilitarian nature, with functional communal areas and minimalistic quarters.
The Swigert offers a relatively high standard of living, with crew quarters similar to other vessels of its age. Most crew members share suites, while senior officers have private quarters. Though it lacks full holodecks, the ship features two smaller holosuites and a unique recreation deck on deck eight, with impressive views of space. The deck is accessed via a special turbolift that reorients passengers. Despite these amenities, the Swigert relies on starbases for extended shore leave, given its limited onboard facilities.
Mission Operations
The USS Swigert is a Saber-class starship primarily functioning as a scout, tasked with patrolling the Federation's borders. Its agility and precise maneuverability make it ideal for reconnaissance missions, where it identifies potential threats and relays vital intelligence to larger ships. Stationed near the border regions, the Swigert serves as an advanced scout, assessing areas for risks before more significant starships enter, while also defending critical locations and shipping lanes as part of the Federation's defensive strategies.
While the Swigert remains close to its assigned borders, it plays a crucial role in maintaining security by surveying potentially hazardous areas and supporting the broader fleet's operations. Its design balances combat capabilities with the need for swift and effective reconnaissance, making it a vital asset in the Federation's ongoing efforts to safeguard its territories.
Auxiliary Vessels
The Swigert has the following array of smallcraft onboard that is standard on most Saber-class ships. It has four shuttles housed in its single shuttlebay.
History
The Swigert was commissioned during the Dominion War and has seen quite some field action since that time. So was the ship involved in the Lost Fleet, where it acted as a scout for gathering intellignece on the movement of Dominion forces and patrolling the Federation borders. During the Frontier Day, the Swigert was spared due to its old systems not being updated with the modern fleet technology. However, it did have to protect itself from ships that were taken over, only resulting in severe damage that led to the death of their Captain. In 2401 the Swigert received an upgrade and a new young Captain, Commander Wezdo. Commander Wezdo had a small conflict with the Cardassians during the events of the Underspace tunnels that was resolved quickly by a different starfleet ship.
Crew of the Swigert
Commander Hujen Wezdo: Commanding Officer
Commander Hurjen Wezdo is the Commanding Officer of the USS Swigert. The young Bajoran is a known survivor of Frontier Day with a background in tactical warfare. While young to take the command seat, Hurjen is eager to prove himself ready to take this step. However, this eagerness already bit him back by causing a light conflict with the Cardassians at the borders that was swiftly resolved. His experience in tactical warfare can be used quite well in the field quickly.
Lieutenant Commander Mexaro Trad: Executive Officer
Lieutenant Commander Mexaro Trad is the Executive Officer of the USS Swigert. The seasoned Betazoid commander had been an instrumental addition to the crew of the Swigert. She was involved in various conflicts and incidents, such as the Dominion War, the Lost Fleet, and the recent Frontier Day. After her former Captain died on Frontier Day, she refused to take command of the ship and instead became a supportive element to Captain Wezdo. Lieutenant Commander Trad has a background in science but has been in the First Officer seat since the events of Lost Fleet.
In Play
- The USS Swigert is a Task Force asset, and any writer in Task Force 86 may include it in their story.
- Ideal for providing the initial “hook” for missions, the Swigert frequently encounters potential threats or interesting phenomena on its border patrols that require further investigation.
- You can reference the Swigert for background intel in your stories, or have it appear briefly to set up your crew’s mission.
- The Swigert can be put in situations requiring rescue or support, but do not destroy the ship or harm key personnel.
- The Swigert’s agility and versatility make it an excellent scout and defensive asset, though it has limitations in prolonged engagements.
- Contact the Task Force CO or XO for approval if using the ship significantly in your narrative.