USS Adelphi
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- " The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
- —Aristotle, Ship's Dedication Quote
USS Adelphi (NCC-91801) is a Sutherland-class Federation starship currently assigned to starship currently assigned to the Fourth Fleet's Task Force 17, under the command of Captain Tharia sh'Elas.
Named for the Greek concept of adelphi, meaning siblings or kin, Adelphi embodies the Federation's belief that a new era truly dawns following the isolation of the 2380’s and 90’s, projecting the message that strength is found not in isolation, but in the bonds of friendship. A modern homage to the Nebula-class, Adelphi possesses the scientific and exploratory capabilities expected of a vessel of her type, while her extensive mission profile allows her to operate independently for prolonged periods beyond the Federation's borders. Designed to complement the larger exploratory capabilities of the USS Andromeda, Adelphi serves as both a scientific platform and a versatile support vessel, capable of undertaking survey missions, independent reconnaissance, diplomatic assignments and rapid-response operations across the frontier.
Design and Layout
For the article, see Sutherland-class schematics.Derived from the famous Nebula-class workhorse of the 2300’s, the Sutherland-class Adelphi retains the broad design philosophy and modular architecture, but is purpose built to focus on scientific and exploratory operations, with general cruiser duties secondary. Unusually large for a science vessel, Adelphi benefits from substantial internal volume for laboratories, scientific equipment, crew facilities and visiting researchers, making her a fantastic platform for those strange new discoveries she’ll encounter in her role as a research cruiser for Task Force 17. Taking advantage of these state-of-the-art facilities, the massive science and engineering complement of officers essentially find themselves on a mobile research institution, with hundreds of projects, dissertations and experiments in the works on any given day.
Equipped with a dorsal mission pod central to the class's design, additional systems have ensured that not only is Adelphi configured for different scientific disciplines but also specialised missions. Prior to departure from Starbase 9, and in coordination with Starfleet Intelligence, command authorised the ship to be fit with the tactical variant of her mission pod, authorising Captain sh'Elas to engage the ship in intelligence gathering and reconnaissance patrols as required, ensuring Starfleet were fully aware of any threats that might emerge from beyond the borders of known space.
Accommodation, collaboration spaces and facilities such as the observation lounge are designed to support a large crew and extended scientific deployments, making the Sutherland as much a home and laboratory in space as it is a starship. At 45 decks tall, Adelphi really is the floating city Starfleet intended her to be, with some of the brightest in their respective fields making a home for themselves aboard Adelphi.
Bridge
A reflection of the time period she was created, the polished steel and cool metal fixtures of the bridge aesthetics bring back memories of years gone by, her design blending modern technological advancements with the nostalgia of eras long gone. It is a functional, yet aesthetically pleasing facility designed in a similar vein to the rest of the ship. Her greatest feature is a wide-angled window which fills the forward bulkhead. This window has holographic projectors built into the rim, giving it the ability to function as a more traditional viewscreen. It can also be used as an emergency evacuation hatch, with forcefields being lowered until replaced by a large, external bulkhead.
Dominating the heart of the command center, three command chairs made of red leather sit atop the central platform, colloquially known as the 'Command Deck', surrounded by rails and steps to the lower levels of the bridge. As is tradition, the center seat and its controls are reserved for the commanding officer, or any directly appointed officer in command during her absence. To her right, the executive officer and, to her left, a third seat is generally reserved for the use of the ship's Counsellor, Chief Medical Officer or any official or dignitary the Captain sees fit. All three of the chairs have built-in controls on the armrests, enabling the occupying officers to conduct their duties with unprecedented access to a wide variety of ship systems.
At the foot of the stairs directly ahead (or to the side) of the command deck, the 'Flight Deck' consists of two angled consoles serving as duty stations for operations (port) and flight operations (starboard). A few feet from each, two stand-alone consoles provide auxiliary station access for any purpose required (such as communications, environmental control, mission operations etc). Ascending the stairs on either side of the command deck, the port side bulkhead is home to three large stations dedicated to tactical operations, providing access to the ship's defensive and offensive systems, whilst the starboard bulkhead is dedicated to the various science departments on the ship.
Aft of the bridge, there are two additional consoles behind the command area designated for medical use (port) and engineering (starboard), allowing the engineer on duty access to the same engineering systems as in main engineering itself, including access to environmental controls, propulsion systems and the warp core. Central to the aft bulkhead, open access is granted to the observation lounge, which is sealable by emergency bulkheads and forcefields.
Observation Lounge
Located aft of deck one, the observation lounge aboard Adelphi is one of the standard modular designs from ships of the line in 2400. The observation lounge is intended as a space for the senior staff and other officers to collaborate, celebrate, and make plans for the journey ahead. Continuing the architectural design from the bridge and the passageway, every surface of the bulkhead and decks are plated in metallics of burnished bronze and reflective copper, with practical lighting set into the overhead. The overhead and outer bulkhead visibly curve in kind with the shape of the outer hull, with tall rectangular viewports allowing a view of the stars and the Adelphi’s nacelles and mission pod.
Large double doors at the aft of the bridge allow access to the observation lounge, with additional doors on the port and starboard side of the lounge providing access to the captain’s ready room, a head, and further deck one. The starboard side doorways are tucked into an alcove adorned with a widescreen LCARS panel for private consultation away from the observation lounge at large.
Stationed parallel to the bridge doorway, in the heart of the room, is a natural-edge wooden conference table of a roughly rectangular shape. Set into the surface of the table are both holographic projectors —for displaying images and data on the surface of the table or on holographic LCARS panes projected at respective eye-levels— along with induction warming plates to keep platters of food warm. The table is circled by ten office chairs, of a shape inspired by a retro-throwback to the 2360s, and upholstered in a deep maroon textile which was commonly used in the bridge as well.
The observation lounge operates an open-door policy and, in the absence of a more traditional ready room attached to the bridge, the Captain often uses the observation lounge as a workspace so that he does not have to return to his quarter in potentially serious situations. Opposite to the viewports, built-in shelves and a replicator are set into the bulkhead.
The Alexandria Lounge
Perhaps the busiest and most spacious of all recreational facilities aboard Adelphi, the Alexandria Lounge (or simply Alexandria's, as it is more commonly known) is the principal recreational and social lounge aboard ship. A relaxed, informal gathering place rather than an exclusive venue, Alexandria’s is designed to accommodate almost everyone aboard, from off-duty crew to officers and scientists working away from their departments. Built across two levels, there is an open plan central area on the ground floor, with multiple stairways connecting to the upper-level balconies and quiet seating areas overlooking the main floor. Multiple walkways on both levels allow people to circulate the room with ease. Seating across both levels comes in the form of dozens of tables with comfortable armchairs and sofas making Alexandria’s perfect for rest and relaxation. A number of semi-private booths and tucked-away seating provides areas of solitude for those requiring quiet, reflective time.
Alexandria’s is deliberately informal rather than being a full service restaurant. Several food replicators are positioned around the entire establishment, while the permanently staffed bar provides an almost endless supply of beverages and bar snacks. Whether grabbing something quickly or settling in for several hours, there is something for everyone. During the ship’s daytime cycle, the lounge is lively and energetic, with people of all ages frequenting at their leisure. During the night cycle, lighting is reduced and the upper level becomes considerably quieter. In the blink of an eye, the facility can transition from a bustling cafeteria-like environment into somewhere almost contemplative. Everyone can find their own corner of Alexandria’s.
The room’s defining feature is the huge cylindrical aquarium occupying the centre of the lounge. Maintained by the science division, it houses roughly thirty different species of marine life drawn from dozens of Federation worlds and is designed to allow different temperatures at different levels. Whilst it undoubtedly serves a beautiful aesthetic purpose, the aquarium is also used for educational and scientific purposes. Scientists periodically use the aquarium as an opportunity for research, husbandry and environmental studies while the ship’s educators often bring groups of students to the lounge to study marine life up close.
A natural meeting point for people from across departments, shift patterns and backgrounds, Alexandria’s is the place to be.
Support Craft
Adelphi is a large vessel with the capability to carry out multiple missions at the same time, bolstered by a significant auxiliary craft compliment of shuttles and runabouts. Her naming convention leans hard into the Greek meaning and philosophy behind Adelphi: fellowship, kinship, shared purpose, and the bonds between people.
Shuttlebay 1 - Main Shuttlebay
Shuttlebay 1, or the Main Shuttlebay, has been modified to house all of the personnel shuttlecraft that are part of the ship's auxiliary craft compliment. These auxiliary craft are made up of some of the most advanced small vessel designs to serve Starfleet.
Arete, Charis, Eleos, Elpis, Eunoia, Pistis, Sophia
Ergon, Praxis, Synesis,Xenia
Shuttlebay 2 - Runabout Landing Bay
Shuttlebay 2 is significantly smaller than the main shuttlebay and is the permanent home of the ship's runabouts and Type-20 cargo shuttles.
Dikaiosyne, Metanoia, Sophrosyne
Agape, Harmonia
Koinonia, Philia
History
2403
January 2403
- Captain Tharia sh'Elasis appointed as the new commanding officer for Adelphi in order to oversee the final five months of her shakedown cruise.
- Visits to Trill, Bajor, Starbase 375 and Freecloud gives the crew an opportunity to see her many different systems in use.
May 2403
- Upon the completion of her shakedown cruise following an unexpected delay at Starbase 9, sh'Elas orders Adelphi to Deep Space 17 to rendezvous with her new operational unit. Once there, Tharia updates senior leaders on the covert changes that took place at Starbase 9, which saw the ship outfitted with additional tactical capabilities, granting her an expanded mission profile.
- Commander Serath Vren transfers aboard from Lakota and begins reorganising the science department in order to get better results.
- Adelphi departs Deep Space 17, headed to reinforce the USS Andromeda at the Black Cluster.
Commanding Officer Lineage
- 2403 - Present : Captain Tharia sh'Elas (Andorian Female)