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| {{icons|bfc}}{{Specification
| | The '''[[USS Columbia|USS ''Columbia'']]''' is an ongoing open sandbox for members of Bravo Fleet. Open to everyone holding the fleet rank of midshipman and above, this space is meant to provide people with an opportunity to write character development stories and organic plots without relying on direct game manager intervention like a traditional RPG. |
| | image = [[Image:Pathfinder_Rescue_01.jpeg]]
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| | displayName = '''''Pathfinder'' Class'''
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| | name = Pathfinder
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| | affiliation = [[United Federation of Planets]]
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| | operator = [[Starfleet]] | |
| | status = Active
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| | role = Deep-Space Scientific Research
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| | type = Long-Range Science Vessel
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| | precedingClass =
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| | succeedingClass =
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| | dateEntered = 2400
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| | productionEnd =
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| | retired =
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| | expectedDuration = 100 Years
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| | expectedRefit = 10 years
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| | timeResupply = 2 Years
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| | crewComplement = 120
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| | emergencyCap = 400
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| | civilians =
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| | populationCap =
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| | flightCrew =
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| | passengers =
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| | length = 340 meters
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| | width = 130 meters
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| | diameter =
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| | height = 56 meters
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| | decks = 11
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| | propulsionSystem = Matter/Antimatter powered warp drive
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| | cruiseSpeed = Warp 8
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| | maxSpeed = Warp 9.5
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| | emergencySpeed = Warp 9.98
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| | energyWeapons = *13x Type-XII Phaser Arrays
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| | torpLaunchers = *2 forward
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| *2 aft
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| | torpPayload = *50 Photon Torpedoes
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| *50 Quantum Torpedoes
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| | shields = Multi-Layered Shielding System
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| | dockingfacilities =
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| | shuttleBays = 1
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| | shuttles = 4
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| | runabouts = 1 Aeroshuttle, Waverider, or similiar
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| | fighters =
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| | aux =
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| | msd =
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| | templatemode =
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| }}The '''''Pathfinder''-class long-range science vessel''' is a modernized and specialized version of the [[Intrepid Class|''Intrepid''-class light explorer]], intended to handle scientific missions far from Federation space. Just as the ''Intrepid'' was intended as a smaller counterpart to the [[Galaxy Class|''Galaxy''-class explorer]], the ''Pathfinder'' is a smaller and much faster companion to the [[Sutherland Class|''Sutherland''-class research cruiser]]. Packed with the most advanced scientific equipment available, this nimble vessel brings bleeding-edge advancements to the darkest corners of the frontier.
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| == Science and Exploration ==
| | Set on board a Galaxy-class starship, the Columbia provides members with the full writing flavour in an environment similar to Star Trek: Lower Decks. It focuses primarily on the lower decks characters set in the departments of command, engineering, operations, security/tactical, science and medical. |
| The ''Pathfinder'' has the specialization of a science vessel with the extreme range of an explorer. Compared to the ''Intrepid'', she has a similar range but less endurance, as her smaller hull allows for fewer consumables or spare parts. A substantial portion of the primary hull's volume is taken up by the advanced secondary deflector array just forward of the bridge, which provides power and focusing ability to the ship's long-range sensors, space which is used for cargo storage and crew accommodations aboard the ''Intrepid.'' In effect, this means that the ''Pathfinder'' is often sent to chart a specific course or to investigate a narrow area, while an ''Intrepid'' is more capable of wandering for longer periods of time. This approach parallels the much larger [[Vesta Class|''Vesta''-class explorer]] which has a high top speed and is often sent out to answer a specific question rather to turn over every comet and asteroid in an area of space.
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| With more science labs than the [[Nova Class|''Nova'']] or [[Grissom Class|''Grissom]], the ''Pathfinder'''s primary limitation is its overall crew size, which is greater than either of these two small surveyors but reduced from the ''Intrepid.'' Unlike the ''Sutherland'', which is a university in space, the ''Pathfinder'' has focused and lean science departments. To keep their mission profiles versatile, these departments usually have just one specialist in each major area, but more generalists than ships of a similar assignment, allowing teams to shift to the appropriate discipline as necessary. Some vessels of this type are fitted out as extreme specialist units, though, with an entire crew dedicated to the study of one scientific area. Thanks to the modular nature of Starfleet vessels, a quick refit of the science labs could allow a ship of this class to be configured for archaeology, biology, or almost anything else on short notice. Given that this class has just entered service, though, there are still more generalist ''Pathfinders'' than specialist ''Pathfinders.''
| | Unlike SBB and Avalon, this sandbox allows members to collaborate with other members in a set time to complete a sub-storyline/plot within a main mission arc. |
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| Unique to this class is a set of two bands of lateral sensors on the ventral side of the primary hull, which complement the band on the edge of the hull that is also found on other starship types. This extra surface area for scientific equipment makes it very easy to configure the Pathfinder for both its primary mission and to carry experiments and sensor pallets for secondary missions. The second and third bands also contain miniaturized deflector technology, which allows them to be used to focus on targets much further away than is normally possible with lateral sensors. The design of the main deflector also provides more space for mission-specific equipment.
| | == Initial Character Creation and Joining == |
| | Any Bravo Fleet member with the rank of midshipman or up can join the USS Columbia. |
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| The ''Pathfinder'' carries a modest stock of probes but also has a dedicated probe fabrication lab, which allows new probes to be prototyped and deployed in the field. As on the ''Intrepid'', two doors on the ventral surface of the primary hull connect via shafts to labs within the interior of the saucer, allowing for the launch and retrieval of both probes and personnel in EV hardsuits.
| | Everyone’s Character Rank will be Ensign. Like on the USS Cerritos, the Senior Staff of the USS Columbia are only around for cameos (usually at the start of a mission, maybe introducing a twist in the middle and possibly at the end to wrap things up). |
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| == Diplomacy ==
| | It is highly recommended that you create a full biography for your character, as this allows other members to understand your character before you collaborate. You should create a character on the BFMS, set it to Story Mode and assign it to USS Columbia. Then click here to fill out the application. The character biography should be complete (though you can still expand and develop it further later), and your application should include a writing sample of at least 250 words - this could be your first post on the Columbia if you like. Details of your assignment should be included as a separate paragraph in the writing sample field. |
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| ''Pathfinder''-class starships are not intended for significant diplomatic duties, but their nature as long-range starships means that they have been equipped for first contact missions. They have guest quarters and conference areas that can be configured to a wide variety of atmospheres and gravity levels, which allows them to accommodate most visitors with ease. For the most complex diplomatic assignments, they must rely on their holodecks to provide additional conference spaces. Generally, a ''Pathfinder'' captain is likely to only undertake a first contact mission if they are sure they have already been detected by a new race, as it would usually be better to summon a diplomatic ship to do so instead.
| | == What to write and how == |
| | For each mission, ideas for each department will be shared for members to explore with others. One mission will last for two months OOC. During this time, members will engage with the plot. This means that any stories covered would contribute to the overall mission. If a story isn’t completed, the mission will not be paused; the sandbox will move on to the next mission. |
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| == Engineering ==
| | The Columbia staff will create a mission every two months OOC. You can directly post in this mission, on your own or with others. Requesting a joint post with someone before you start the post is considered polite, so reach out on Discord. |
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| The resemblance between this class and the ''Intrepid'' is clear, as the ''Pathfinder'' was specifically ordered as a streamlined and modernized version of the older class, optimized for deep space science assignments. While her overall length remains roughly the same, the ''Pathfinder'' is four decks shorter than the ''Intrepid'' with a corresponding decrease in internal volume. All of the cargo holds from the primary hull were removed, and so cargo operations on the ''Pathfinder'' are centralized in a large set of cargo holds under the stern of the ship.
| | Remember that Columbia’s content is also restricted to 111 on the RPG Ratings scale in accordance with our [[Content Policy]]. |
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| Small craft facilities have also been shrunk, though the ''Pathfinder'' retains a docking cradle for an integrated runabout. This cradle is itself modular, and so captains may choose between an [[Aeroshuttle]] and a [[Waverider]] from amongst the standard offerings or other craft like a [[Captain's Yacht]]. In theory, this module could also be committed entirely in favor of a large piece of scientific equipment or additional fuel tanks, but this has not yet been tested.
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| Warp performance aboard the ''Pathfinder'' has been optimized with hull changes to enhance the integrity of the warp field, though this class retains the same basic design of warp engine developed for the ''Intrepid.'' With enhancements over the years, it now falls between the ''Intrepid'' and ''Vesta'' in terms of top speed. Because this design has been used for nearly 30 years, advances in automation have led to a smaller engineering staff, but it is still packed with enough cutting-edge technology and delicate systems to make it a challenge for any engineer. Unlike the ''Intrepid'', the ''Pathfinder'' only has a single matter/antimatter reaction assembly, i.e. warp core. The warp nacelles are articulated for variable geometry flight, raising for warp travel and lowering for impulse flight. The ''Pathfinder'' also has a set of two small impulse jets in the primary hull to enhance maneuverability.
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| As with the ''Intrepid,'' the ''Pathfinder'' is capable of routine planetary landings.
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| == Tactical ==
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| Like the ''Intrepid,'' the ''Pathfinder'' is a well-armed vessel, as Starfleet recognizes the dangers faced by ships on long-distance missions. Any ''Pathfinder'' captain understands that they are often going to be weeks from assistance, so they must be prepared to defend themselves. To this end, the ''Pathfinder'' has thirteen Type-XII phaser arrays spread around the vessel to provide comprehensive phaser coverage. Two forward torpedo launchers flank the main deflector and two aft launchers are located just behind the bridge, as on the ''Intrepid.'' In addition, the ship has two pulse phaser cannons flanking the secondary deflector, as on the ''Vesta'', to give it enough of a bite to dissuade raiders. These cannons are easily brought to bear thanks to the ship's high degree of maneuverability.
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| The ''Pathfinder'''s smaller size compared to the ''Intrepid'' means that it has lower overall fuel reserves and smaller reactors, meaning that its combat endurance is also more limited. While a dedicated tactical vessel like the [[Manticore Class|''Manticore''-class heavy escort]] could expect to go toe-to-toe with threats for many hours, a ''Pathfinder'' must strike quickly and cleanly before making its escape. Ships of this class just don't have the ability to wear an enemy ship down and need to get to safety before their own reserves are depleted. A favored tactic for this class is an alpha strike involving a full volley of from the phaser cannons with a spread of torpdoes designed to distract an enemy or stun them as the ''Pathfinder'' retreats.
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| Because of their advanced scientific systems, ''Pathfinder'' class ships can usually see threats from many lightyears away, which gives this class utility as a reconnaissance platform during tactical campaigns, but Starfleet is unlikely to commit a ship of this class to any serious or sustained combat operations, as they are too valuable for scientific purposes.
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| == Shipboard Life ==
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| Accommodation standards aboard a ''Pathfinder'' are roughly equivalent to those aboard the ''Intrepid,'' though with several decades of minor improvements in terms of things like shipwide holographic projectors and higher fidelity replicators. The number few specialized recreation areas (like gyms or pools) has been reduced, meaning that the crew must rely on holographic recreation for physical fitness, but there are no less than five lounges with large windows spread across the ship for crew members to take in a meal or grab a drink. Somewhat oddly for a Starfleet ship, there are no lounges that face directly forwards, which is thanks to the ship's large secondary deflector. This means that the favored crew lounge for senior officers is often the aft lounge under the shuttlebay. Medical facilities are advanced but compact.
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| ''Pathfinder''-class ships are still cutting edge, and so they are a prime posting for any science officer or engineer. Pilots often are excited to join their ranks as well, given their high top speed at both warp and impulse. Command of a ''Pathfinder'' would be a serious feather in the cap of any officer, and this is not the type of assignment that generally falls to a green leader. Still few in number, these ships are assigned only to the most important scientific missions, which gives the ships an atmosphere of focus and seriousness, with excitement and tension at the prospect of finding something new bubbling under the surface. Crews aboard these ships also recognize that they are likely to be separated from their families for extended periods of time, so they savor the small windows they have of real-time connections with home.
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| == ''Pathfinder''-class History ==
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| The ''Pathfinder''-class design was ordered in tandem with the ''Sutherland''-class research vessel and was heavily influenced by the design of the ''Vesta''-class explorer, all of which debuted in the late 2390s. While the ''Intrepid''-class light explorer had served ably with a science bent for the past few decades, Starfleet wanted to take that design further to develop a pure science vessel using a similar space frame. This new design would use the same bleeding-edge equipment deployed on the ''Sutherland'' with the high top speed and tactical independence of the ''Vesta,'' at the expense of the ''Intrepid'''s ability to sustain long-duration missions and serve in a more generalist capacity.
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| The design process continued throughout the 2390s, with ''Pathfinder'' herself beginning construction in 2395. The prototype was launched in 2398 while other units were brought online later in that year. Following shakedown cruises, the class formally entered service in 2400.
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| == The ''Pathfinder'' In-Play ==
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| * Outwardly resembling the ''Intrepid'' and using similar components, the ''Pathfinder'' is a more specialized vessel intended specifically for scientific missions far from home. Smaller and faster than the ''Sutherland'' and much more capable than the ''Nova'' and ''Grissom'', this ship rounds out Starfleet's scientific fleet.
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| * Compared to the Intrepid, this ship is smaller and slightly faster, but much less versatile.
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| * This was a brand-new ship in 2400, so they are extremely rare still and command of one would be a significant achievement.
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