USS Paramount
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- "When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go."
- —Carol Burnett - Ship's Dedication Quote
The USS Paramount (NCC-75570) is a California-class Federation starship assigned to the Fourth Fleet.
Commissioned in November 2381, the Paramount is one of the most technologically advanced California-class ships.
Primarily a diplomatic support ship that provides assistance to foreign dignitaries and ships that are operating outside of Federation space. The Paramount is also well-equipped to conduct search-and-rescue operations, defensive missions, and logistical support for the various elements of the task force when required, in conjunction with her own diplomatic duties.
Service History
2381 - 2401
- 2380s
- November 2381 — Paramount is launched from Beta Antares Fleet Yards and begins a two-month shakedown cruise lasting the remainder of the year.
- 2382 - 2385 — Captain Robert McKenzie assumes command for a three-year mission. Initially assigned to patrol the Klingon border, they are redirected to the Romulan Relocation effort to transport countless refugees in need. Due to the Attack on Mars, the Paramount is reassigned to patrol duties within the Federation core territories.
- 2385 - 2390 — Captain McKenzie retains command for the ship’s first five-year mission. With its focus redirected on studying planets within Federation space. By Romulus destruction in 2387, Paramount had once again become a patrol ship.
- 2390s — Captain McKenzie transfers from the Paramount replaced by the ship's former XO, Captain Anita Marlin. Captain Marlin sees the ship through two five-year missions by the turn of the century.
2401
- January - April — Captain Marlin retains command of the Paramount as it's tasked with assessing border territories after the Federation’s return to the frontier. In April, the ship heads for Avalon Fleet Yards to resupply and partake in the Frontier Day celebration. At the height of the celebration, the Jupiter Signal began broadcasting where the senior staff and the majority of the crew were killed, including Captain Marlin
- Late April — Commander Nitus and the crew of the USS Kison transfer aboard.
- Upon completing repairs endured during Frontier Day, the Paramount is assigned to deliver supplies to the Deblin colony. Upon its arrival, it is discovered that a pirate gang is attacking the planet, and Nitus’s half-brother, Eldus, is in charge of the assault.
- June — Due to the resurgence of Borg activity, the Paramount is tasked with investigating a Cube near Chaotic Space.
- The Paramount is sent to Markonian Outpost to investigate a series of rumors about a possibly destroyed Borg Cube in or near Chaotic space. Upon arriving at the Cube, the crew works quickly to deactivate the remaining Borg tech to avoid further Borg advancements into the region.
- May - September — Conducts planetary survey within Federation territory.
- September — The unexplainable expansion of Underspace tunnels creates a humanitarian crisis.
- En route to Olympia Station, the Paramount detects a gravitational anomaly and would eventually become trapped in an Underspace corridor. After about three days, they would arrive over tens of thousands of light-years from the previous location, deep in the Delta Quadrant.
- After exiting the Underspace corridor, the Paramount would emerge in a completely unexplored region of the Delta Quadrant. Making first contact with the Athreans. During first contact negotiations, a civil war would break out due to the influence of Romulan Free State General Merris, the older half-sister of Nitus. Due to Cardassian influence, the Underspace aperture from which the Paramount emerged would begin to weaken. Leading Nitus to make the hasty decision to leave the system, leaving the fate of the Athreans unknown.
- October - November — Patrol duties along the Klingon border.
- December — The Paramount conducts an operation to prevent the sale of illicit technologies from the Orion Syndicate to the Klingon Empire.
2402
- January - The Paramount is retained by Task Force 72 for repairs and upgrades.
- Its crew is reassigned, and a new crew is selected to fit its new role as a diplomatic support and transport vessel.
- Commander Jack Ghrymme is chosen from a long list of possible candidates to command the Paramount.
- Jack Ghrymme is promoted to Captain and begins work on assembling his bridge crew and department heads.
- Candidates are chosen, assessed and vetted.
- February - Crew transfers and promotions take place
- Lieutenant Commander Marcus Grady is transferred and made Chief Engineer.
- Lieutenant Izzie Zh'arr is assigned as Chief Tactical Officer / Security Chief.
- Department heads assemble their own teams.
- March - Repairs are completed, and crews are assembled.
- The USS Nightingale transports medical teams over to the Paramount.
- Ensigns Thomas Hunter, Sally Tang and Victor Murphy arrive in shuttle crafts.
2403
- June - The Paramount returns to drydock for maintenance and crew changes. Captain Peter Hastings takes command.
- July - Task Force 93 receives transfer of the Paramount as the ship's mission shifts to medical support of new Federation planets, retaining its legacy of diplomacy through a new mandate.
- August - Lieutenant Junior Grade Cassian Sterling is assigned to the Paramount as a medical logistics officer who will focus on helping new Federation worlds modernize their health care systems. He faces his first test in the Oakhaven system.[1]
Physical Configuration
The Paramount is a California-class utility cruiser largely in the stock configuration for the 2380s. With a little over 20 decks, the ship has hundreds of rooms and locations that serve a variety of functions for the crew.
Main Bridge
The main bridge is located on deck one of the Paramount. Serving as the epicenter for all command decisions made aboard the ship. The bridge design is traditional for Starfleet ships. The captain's chair sits in the center of the bridge, to the right sits the executive officer's chair, and to the left an additional command chair usually reserved by the ship's chief counselor, chief medical officer, or any official or dignitary the Captain sees fit. All three command chairs are made of deep maroon fabric and are flanked by two consoles: one directly behind the tactical console and one directly behind the science console. Forward of the command chairs, in the lowered part of the bridge, are the helm and ops positions.
At the front of the bridge is a wide-angled window that fills the forward bulkhead. This window has holographic projectors built into the rim, allowing it to function as a more traditional viewscreen. It can also be used as an emergency evacuation hatch, with force fields lowered until they are replaced by a large external bulkhead. At the forward port side of the bridge, there is an emergency turbolift providing access to the medical bay and main engineering. Continuing down the wall are four stations: communications, science II and III, and mission ops I. Moving into the aft alcove, there are two doors, one leading to a head and the other to the observation lounge. At the rear of the bridge is the master systems display. Further along is the aft starboard alcove, which contains two more doors: one another entrance into the observation lounge, and the other the doors to a turbolift. The first console is Mission Ops II, Environmental Control, then Engineering I and II. Lastly, there is a door on the front starboard side of the bridge, which leads to the captain’s ready room.
Ready Room
The Paramount’s ready room is located on the starboard side of the bridge and serves as the captain’s private office. The focal point of the room is a solid oak desk with a work area and an access console in the corner furthest from the main entrance door. The room has a single room-wide window set in the wall directly opposite the entrance door. With shelves integrated into the wall behind the main work desk, the captain can display personal belongings, such as pictures and other items.
In front of the desk are two armless chairs; the room also has a replicator and a dark grey loveseat on the wall opposite the window next to the main entrance door. On the same side as the desk, in the opposite corner, is a small oak conference table that seats four people comfortably.
Observation Lounge
Located aft of the bridge is the observation lounge aboard the Paramount. The lounge serves as a space for the senior staff and other officers to collaborate, celebrate, and make plans for the journey ahead. It connects to the bridge through two doors on the port and starboard sides of the lounge. Another door on the starboard side of the room leads directly to a turbolift.
Set into the mahogany surface of the conference table are holographic projectors that display images and data on the table, or holographic LCARS panels projected at their respective eye levels. The table is surrounded by ten chairs upholstered in a deep maroon textile, the same type as used on the bridge.
The Halo
The primary social space aboard the Paramount is the Halo, located on deck ten. It is the closest to a ‘no ranks’ space aboard the ship, even though that rule does not exist. Most use the room as a mess hall, a place to grab a drink, talk with friends, and spend their off time. It has a multitude of recreational games including three-dimensional chess as well as a fully stocked bar which carries syntheholic beverages. The replicators also produce other food and drinks for the crew to enjoy in a relaxed social setting. Its large, panoramic view of the ship’s passage through space.
Captain’s Galley
The Captain’s Galley serves a dual role as both the captain’s lounge/mess and the executive dining room. The Captain’s Galley is located on deck four alongside the captain’s quarters, the executive officer’s quarters, and the senior staff’s quarters. The galley is an invite-only space aboard the ship; as such, it is never overpopulated and is reserved for the exclusive use of the ship’s senior officers and their guests. The Captain’s Galley is designed with a warm, comforting feeling appropriate for small gatherings.
Starlight Lounge
The Starlight Lounge is the officers’ mess and lounge located on deck six.
Security Suite
The Security Suite is located on deck fifteen of the Paramount.
Notable Crew
Commanding Officers
- 2381 - 2390: Captain Robert McKenzie
- 2390 - 2401: Captain Anita Marlin
- 2401 - 2402: Captain Nitus
- 2402 - 2403: Captain Jack Ghrymme
- 2403 - 2403: Captain Peter Hastings
- 2403 - Present: