USS Odawa

The USS Odawa (NCC-71603) is a Cheyenne-class fast cruiser assigned to Task Force 72 in a logistics support role under the command of Commander Roto. This over-worked starship rarely spends much time in port, as she is constantly going to and fro delivering important diplomatic and humanitarian cargo to other vessels in Task Force 72 to support their missions. Her speed and armaments allow her to move goods too valuable or time-sensitive to be entrusted to a mere transport. Showing her age, this vessel is nevertheless unlikely to see retirement anytime soon.

Design and Layout

The Odawa is an older vessel that has seen constant service and few upgrades over its long service life. Her crews have taken care of her over the years, but wear is still evident in her tight corridors and mechanical spaces. The flat rim of the saucer section is taken up by the ship's lifeboats as well as technical supply bays which are positioned close to the main docking ports, an area that is almost completely empty of crew during flight but a hive of activity during loading or unloading efforts as people scramble to move equipment too delicate to transport off with antigrav pads. Unlike other ships of her era, there isn't really a main lounge, but there are several smaller lounges spread around the primary hull. The observation lounge aft of the bridge serves double duty as the primary briefing room and a dining room for the senior staff.

The bridge aboard the Odawa felt dated when it was built, with a single captain's chair in the center and a two stations along the outer walls for science and engineering, along with a freestanding tactical station behind the captain's chair. Forward, there is a wide console that has stations for both helm and operations.

Mission Operations

Odawa functions as a logistics support vessel for Task Force 72. Often, this means moving equipment or other cargo very quickly across the Federation. Sometimes, this is "diplomatic trinkets" that need to go to a frontline diplomatic vessel, and other times it's communications equipment and other materials needed for a second contact. The Odawa usually operates in the middle, giving things to other starships to perform their missions, rather than embarking in diplomacy on its own. Reasonably well armed, Odawa also serves in an escort role for other vessels on diplomatic missions. Serving in this way, she can also lend her cargo bays to provide additional logistics capabilities even when keeping watch.

When not rushing cargo from place to place, Odawa will pick up low-level survey missions or general patrol duties as necessary. On average, Odawa spends almost no downtime in port, other than picking up and dropping off cargo, as there's always something for her to be doing.

Auxiliary Craft

Odawa has four aging Type-6A shuttles that it uses for all manner of logistics purposes. For special missions, she will also carry one or two cargo shuttles. These shuttles include Assigninack and Blackbird, named after leaders from the Odawa tribe.

History

Odawa was launched in 2359 and has seen constant service since then. When she was built, she was always intended to support the Federation by providing fast, secure transportation for important cargo. During her early career, this included moving medical supplies and equipment from place to place on the Cardassian front. During the late 2360s, she supplied border outposts with important goods. During the Dominion War, she was used to move photon torpedoes from their construction facilities near the heart of the Federation to weapons depots closer to the front. During this time, she managed to generally avoid combat situations, as her missions were too frequent and too important for her to be sent to the front lines directly.

Pressed into service early on, Odawa participated in the Romulan Evacuation mission from 2381 to 2385, moving equipment and personnel to set up refugee camps rather than directly evacuating refugees herself. Following the end of this mission, she continued to serve in a logistics role around the Federation until being assigned to the Fourth Fleet in 2399. In 2401, she joined Task Force 72 and is now primarily used to transport diplomatic cargo for envoy starships to pick up and deliver to their final destinations. With such little downtime over the years, Odawa has received minimal system updates over the years, though she has been well taken care of.

Crew of the Odawa

Commander Roto

Commander Roto is a Saurian man and the current commanding officer of Odawa. He is highly energetic which matches well with his vessel's need to keep to a strict time table to make all of its deliveries on time. After spending the beginning of his career as an operations officer, he spent three years as first officer of Odawa before moving to the center seat in 2401. He is relatively humorless and is highly focused on completing his missions. He can be curt but is never rude when dealing with other captains.

Lieutenant Commander Ore Tiyra

Lieutenant Commander Orey Tiyra is a Bajoran man and the current executive officer of Odawa. Polite almost to the point of shyness, Commander Ore spends a lot of his time apologizing for his captain's bluntness. He is well-liked amongst the crew for his empathy and jovial nature. Before this role, he served as a counselor and then retrained for command. This experience dealing with emotions and personalities makes him well-suited for smoothing feelings, though he wishes Odawa got to more diplomatic assignments independently.

The Odawa In Play

Odawa is a Task Force 72 asset available for anyone in the task force to use in their stories.
Odawa is meant to deliver your ship what it needs to carry out its mission, not to be in the spotlight itself. It's perfect for a vessel you need to rendezvous in the first act and then no longer have to think about, if you need a supply of diplomatic gifts or medical equipment.
Odawa can defend herself, but she's often carrying valuable items, so she would be a good candidate for a ship you need to rescue.
Over the years, Odawa has been well-maintained but her systems are old and vulnerable to failures. You may need to rescue her.