Lakota Squadron

Lakota Squadron
Task Force	Task Force 17
Task Group	Task Group 9
Flagship	USS Lakota
Leadership
Commanding Officer	Fleet Captain Kelvan Vos
Executive Officer	Captain Giarvar Kauhn
Assignment
Headquarters	Deep Space 11
Mission	Diplomacy, Humanitarian Aid, and Exploration
Template:Squadron

Lakota Heavy Cruiser Squadron, or, informally, Lakota Squadron, is a squadron of the Fourth Fleet's Task Force 17, centered on the adventures of several starships and their crew as they carry out a wide variety of critical missions across Federation space and beyond. Based out of Deep Space 11 in the northern frontier, the squadron boasts the ability to deal with a wide range of mission profiles, from basic patrol duties and engineering repairs to rapid response and amazing scientific discoveries.

Squadron Composition

Formed in the aftermath of Frontier Day 2401, Lakota Squadron is composed of four starships capable of carrying out the various roles and responsibilities dictated by the mandate of the United Federation of Planets. The composition of vessels assigned to the squadron is such that virtually any objective can be completed, whether within the confines of Federation space, or far from safety in far-flung areas of the known galaxy.

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USS Lakota

USS Lakota is an Excelsior II-class starship commanded by Captain Giarvar Kauhn. As flagship of the squadron, Lakota is by far the most well-known vessel in the unit, often found operating around Federation space responding to different crises, patrolling space lanes, ferrying diplomats and hosting negotiations between implacable enemies. Her proud name and reputation often see her involved in missions where larger, more capable vessels might excel, flying the flag for the squadron, and the Task Force. Having bounced back from the loss of their captain during the deadly Frontier Day disaster, the crew found new life under the command of Fleet Captain Keziah Nazir, only for her to be removed from command after several revelations about her personal life. When Captain Kauhn returns to his old stomping ground, he finds that all is not well.

USS Hypatia

USS Hypatia is a Sutherland-class starship commanded by Captain James Ryan. Scientific research and exploration is the mandate for Hypatia as she provides unparalleled insight into the universe thanks to her impressive sensor suite and dozens of specialist scientific departments. Hypatia most notably excels at the study of planets, celestial bodies and anomalies, often responding to requests for further study from other vessels in the squadron and wider Task Force. Following a recent dalliance with the Gorn during the Underspace crisis, Hypatia has returned to surveying the Typhon Expanse.

USS Proteus

USS Proteus is an Echelon-class starship commanded by Captain Noli Auru. A new and formidable vessel, Proteus usually adds logistical support to the squadron's many mission profiles. Capable of rapidly responding to a wide variety of humanitarian and engineering assignments, she is also no slouch when it comes to protecting Starfleet and Federation assets across the quadrant. Led by her veteran commander, the Proteus crew is largely made up of young officers seeking to atone for the tragedies of Frontier Day. However, her current status is a mystery after she was engulfed by an Underspace aperture during a recent crisis, with her whereabouts currently unknown.

Deep Space 11

Deep Space 11 is a Copernicus-class Federation starbase currently assigned to Fourth Fleet's Task Force 17. On the border of Kzinti space, Deep Space 11 serves as a border patrol hub for vessels observing the enigmatic Patriarchy, whilst offering a diplomatic olive branch whenever an opportunity arises. With dangerous locals such as the Ryton system and the Typhon Expanse on their doorstep, the station also serves as a staging point for exploratory operations beyond the northernmost border of Federation space. Most recently, the station has become the headquarters for the Fourth Fleet’s Lakota Squadron, under the command of Fleet Captain Kelvan Vos.

Leadership

• 2401: Fleet Captain Keziah Nazir, Squadron Commander
• Present: Fleet Captain Kelvan Vos, Squadron Commander

History

Initially created in the aftermath of The Lost Fleet crisis of 2401, Lakota Squadron has taken on many different assets, but her flagship has remained steadfast and resolute at the heart of the group's continuing mission. Initially consisting of Lakota, Buran and Osiris, the unit was significantly bolstered after the Borg incursions later that year. Replacing the ageing Buran and the frigate Osiris, the state-of-the-art Sutherland-class research cruiser Hypatia expanded the unit's scientific and exploration capabilities, while the Sovereign-class exploratory cruiser Proxima added some much needed tactical and strategic capabilities to the squadron. The final addition to the team was an untested crew of youngsters eager to make amends for their part in the Frontier Day massacre, aboard the Echelon-class light cruiser Proteus, adding humanitarian relief, high priority engineering assignments and rapid response efforts to the squadron's mission profile.

Proxima withdrew from the squadron in November 2401, with Captain Vos and crew assuming command of Deep Space 11. A personnel change aboard Lakota saw Fleet Captain Nazir removed from her role as Squadron Commander, with Vos assuming the mantle. This caused a reshuffle of personnel across the squadron which concluded just in time for yet another Starfleet crisis to envelope them.