USS Pioneer
- "Curiosity is the essence of our existence."
- —Gene Cernan
USS Pioneer (NCC-74657) is an Intrepid-class light explorer of Fourth Fleet. Pioneer is currently assigned to deep space exploration as part of the Fourth Fleet's efforts on the coreward edge of the Beta Quadrant, particularly the Talvath Cluster.
Design and Layout
Main Article: Intrepid-class light explorer
During the Pioneer's year-long retrofit to update its systems to 25th-century standards and technology, it was made very clear by then CO, Captain Thiren to the work crews at Avalon Fleet Yards that the overall design and feel of the starship remain very much unchanged from the original Intrepid design language. What emerged from the fleet yards was a cutting edge vessel built on tried and tested bones.
As part of repair works following the events of Frontier Day in late 2401, Pioneer was fitted with a wide array of additional sensor arrays and several improvements to it's redundant systems in preparation for extended periods away from base. Improved support systems for auxilary craft have also been installed to allow Pioneer to make use of a wide range of small craft, increasing its adaptability as it ventures into the unknown.
History
The Intrepid-class USS Pioneer, coming back from another tour of exploration in deep space, was set to transfer to the reserves or 'Mothballs' due to the lack of consistent upgrades and interest in the now ageing platform. When the Pioneer arrived at Avalon Fleet Yards, it caught the eye of Captain Kosev Thiren who, at the time, was currently without a starship and awaiting reassignment. Thiren petitioned then head of Task Force 47, Fleet Captain Sudari-Kravchik, to have the USS Pioneer assigned as his new command. With his request being granted, the vessel spent the next year at Avalon Fleet Yards receiving a major retrofit before being placed back into active service in February of 2401.
The Lost Fleet Incident
Following it's return to service in 2401 Pioneer found itself assigned long range strike missions to destroy vital Ketracel-white facilities used by the Dominion's Lost Fleet in their invasion of the Deneb Sector. Utilising technology and tactics adapted from USS Voyager during it's trip through the delta quadrant, Pioneer was able to reach the Saxue system undetected by Dominion long range scans. Once there, they entered the nebula, located the facility, and launched a daring plan to destroy the lab. Following their successful mission Pioneer was deployed with the rest of the Fourth Fleet at Farpoint Station, where a final offensive was taking place.
Fourth Fleet Directive - We Are the Borg
With the battle over, the Pioneer set course for Avalon Fleet Yards for crew rotation and repairs in preparation for the Frontier Day festivities. Unfortunately, repairs took longer than what was originally planned, and Pioneer couldn't make the trip to Earth for the main celebrations, remaining instead stayed in dock at the fleet yards. After the Borg signal was activated, the Pioneer crew found themselves overtaken by the new hive mind and a desperate fight to retake the ship ensured. During the battle, phaser fire from the Borg controlled crew hit and ruptured several plasma conduits on the Engineering deck which, combined with intentional sabotage from the chief engineer and chief operations officer, meant Pioneer sustained considerable damage during the takeover. When the Borg signal was deactivated, Pioneer was severly damaged and was forced to return to dock for major repair works.
Finally, late in 2401 Pioneer was assigned to the new wave of vessels departing the edge of Federation space for the unknown. In the coreward region of Federation space, where the Beta Quadrant becomes the Delta Quadrant, Pioneer was assigned to begin exploring the unknown and uncharted frontier of the Talvath Cluster.
The Neo-Phage
Runabout Crash on Zercan 2[1]
On Zercan 2, whilst responding to a request from the planetary research base to provide repairs to their comm array, an away team from Pioneer discovered the existence of a virus that caused the accelerated regression of both humanoids and native fauna to a less evolved, primitive version of themselves, with a marked increase in aggressive tendencies. After crash landing on the planet the away team had to cross the forest to reach the abandoned research base, crossing river trenches and bypassing devolved Starfleet officers, whilst also battling their own nascent infections. Unfortunately during their attempts to secure the base and escape they found a survivor in secret discussions with agents of the True Way, who had staged the accidental release of the virus at the base to examine its effectiveness as a biological weapon. The away team were able to stall the enemy in their escape and summoned Pioneer to render assistance, chasing the Cardassian forces from the system.
The Auction at Valkoran Base[2]
When Starfleet Intelligence recieve reports of a weaponised version of the newly christend Neo-Phage virus previously discovered on Zercan 2, Pioneer is dispatched to investigate and if necessary destroy this dangerous new bio-weapon. The crew of Pioneer deployed to the base undercover, presenting as unaligned traders interested in purchasing the neo-phage. Unfortunately their identities were uncovered and the away team was trapped aboard the base as the virus was released by way of demonstration. After facing a number of 'devolved' hostiles, the team managed to secure control of the base and summoned Pioneer to rescue them. A space conflict followed where the away team utilised the base's armaments to support Pioneer, causing the Klingon rebels to retreat, unfortuantely they were unable to secure all the samples of the bio-weapon.
The Oridian Express[3]
Following a short return to Deep Space 19 to deliver criminals arrested at Valkoran Base, Pioneer responded to a distress call from the cruise liner SS Christie, aka 'The Oridian Express'. On arrival the team found the vessel had been sabotaged by an unknown force, causing it to be stranded at impulse speeds. Simultaneously it was discovered that one of the passangers had been murdered and Pioneer's away team were tasked with investigating both incidents which appeared to be linked. The away team discovered a number of passangers and crew were not who they appeared to be and after finding evidence of a Romulan plot, faced a number of apparent Tal Shiar agents attempting to steal the vessel and it's passengers. Whilst the ultimate political affiliation of the agents remains unknown, Pioneer was able to repel the threat and allow Christie to complete it's journey safely to a nearby Federation outpost.