Bravo Fleet
Difference between pages "Starfleet Academy—Mellstoxx III" and "Obena Class"

Difference between pages "Starfleet Academy—Mellstoxx III" and "Obena Class"

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{{Organisation
{{icons|bfc|fed|sf}}
|name= Starfleet Academy—Mellstoxx III
{{Specification
|image= [[File:FourthFleetAcademyLogo.png]]
| image = [[File:SaratogaHD.png]]
|founded=2356
| displayName = '''''Obena'' Class'''
|affiliation=*United Federation of Planets
| name = Obena
*Starfleet
| affiliation = [[United Federation of Planets]]
|headquarters=Mellstoxx III
| operator = [[Starfleet]]
|primary mission=Starfleet Officer Training
| status =
|location=
| role = *Exploration
|leadership=[[Ison Bale|Commodore Ison Bale]]
*Diplomatic Envoy
|flagship=
*Humanitarian Relief
|motto=''ex astris, scientia''
| type = Emissary
|status=Active
| precedingClass =
}}'''Starfleet Academy—Mellstoxx III''' is a satellite campus of [[Starfleet Academy]] located on the premises of [[Starbase Bravo|Starbase Bravo's]] planet-side facilities. It is the main facility through which officers entering the Fourth Fleet pass, either spending all four years of their training there or sometimes just a few weeks, depending on their course of study and other factors. This campus has the capacity for 10,000 students and graduates about 2,500 officers per year. As a Betazoid colony, this academy campus is often thought of for its counseling program, but it is a full-service academy with particular strength in leadership, making it a prize assignment for cadets intending to become captains themselves one day.
| succeedingClass =
| dateEntered = 2381
| productionEnd =  
| retired =  
| expectedDuration = 100 Years
| expectedRefit = 10 Years
| timeResupply = 5 Years
| crewComplement = 820
| emergencyCap = 4,500
| civilians =
| populationCap =
| flightCrew =
| passengers =
| length = 800 meters
| width = 250 meters
| diameter =
| height = 120 meters
| decks = 40
| propulsionSystem = Matter/Antimatter powered warp drive
| cruiseSpeed = Warp 8
| maxSpeed = Warp 9.5
| emergencySpeed = Warp 9.95 (36 hours)
| energyWeapons = *10x Type-XII Phaser Arrays
| torpLaunchers = *1 forward turret
*2 aft
| torpPayload = *Photon Torpedoes
*Quantum Torpedoes
| shields = Multi-Layered Shielding System
| dockingfacilities =
| shuttleBays = 1
| shuttles = 12
| runabouts = 4
| fighters =
| aux =
| msd =
| playable = yes
}}
The '''''Obena''-class emissary''' was developed in the years following the Dominion War to champion [[Federation]] interests in diplomacy and exploration as the galaxy returned to a state of peace. A hull consciously designed with similar lines to the classic [[Excelsior Class|''Excelsior'']] makes the sight of her stir the memory of [[Starfleet|Starfleet’s]] golden years, and she is capable of performing deep-space missions of exploration like her predecessors. But above all she is a vessel intended to be seen: to travel Federation borders and visit Federation neighbours, and do the necessary work to rebuild a war-torn galaxy and its relationships.


== Facilities ==
==Exploration and Sciences==
This campus was built in the mid-2350s, opening formally in 2356 Its facilities have continued to receive regular updates since that time, and its standard of living is indistinguishable from that of Starfleet Academy's main campus in San Francisco. Built to Betazoid aesthetic standards, the campus is laid out in a pattern that is broadly symmetrical but also has subtle variations between its four sectors, representing harmony and diversity simultaneously. The campus itself is bordered by a decorative arched colonnade, both bounding it in a perfect circle ten kilometers in diameter, but also being open to the rest of the starbase and the colony.  
As with most Starfleet ships of her size, the ''Obena'' is a highly capable scientific platform with a wide range of laboratories and facilities for a variety of forms of specialised research. As the exact mission profile varies between ships, the ''Obena'' was designed for a custom configuration of scientific laboratories during construction or upon a refit, with a percentage of lab space empty for reconfiguration while in service, a lesson learned from successes in the [[Galaxy Class|''Galaxy''-class]]. While many ''Obenas'' will thus be different, the most common point of variance is whether or not the ship was built for deep-space exploration.


Within the boundaries of the campus, the academy's main buildings are laid out along four large greenspaces in a cruciform arrangement, connecting at the center at a circular area known, somewhat ironically, as the Ellipse. At the center of the Ellipse is the main administration building. North and South of the Ellipse are the two grass parade grounds, each with five nearly-identical dormitories both on the east and west sides. East and West of the Ellipse are the two quadrangles, which mix trees, gardens, and plazas, each with three classroom buildings both on the north and south sides. Where the rows of dormitories and classroom buildings meet are four cadet services buildings, each of which contains an infirmary, physical fitness center, several holodecks (for training and recreation), cafes, transporter rooms, and a library.  
The ''Obena'' is not as capable an explorer as more modern and dedicated science ships like the ''[[Pathfinder Class|Pathfinder]]'' or [[Vesta Class|''Vesta'']] classes, and is particularly not as capable of operating for as long without support. But her well-rounded profile, mission-configurable space and state-of-the-art sensor arrays on both the primary and secondary hulls make her a good choice for many missions of exploration. With the changing political map of the 2390s, ''Obenas'' have been a top choice for scientific missions in regions only recently-opened to the Federation, such as former Romulan territories, where operations are as much a matter of defence and diplomacy as science.


The North-West sector contains a stadium that can seat up to thirty thousand and can be configured for nearly any sport or gathering. The South-East sector contains an auditorium building with seating for twelve thousand, used almost exclusively for all-academy meetings. Both the North-East and South-West sectors each contain two defensive towers and one of the academy's two hanger facilities.
==Diplomacy==
The ''Obena'' is one of the foremost diplomatic platforms of Starfleet, surpassed only by the likes of the [[Odyssey Class|''Odyssey'']], hence its designation as an emissary. Designed to ape the appearance of the ''Excelsior'', it was Starfleet’s hope that the mere sight of an ''Obena'' would remind friends and enemies of the height of Federation power and generosity alike. While she is more than capable of defending herself in a fraught warzone, the intention of her design is to send the message that the Federation has come to talk, not to implicitly threaten. If an ''Obena'' arrives to a negotiation, it is a sign Starfleet is taking the matter seriously, and that it expects - or wants - the eyes of the galaxy upon it.


=== Ellipse ===
An ''Obena'' boasts extensive guest and VIP quarters and conference spaces, and can usually make office space available for diplomatic staff aboard. These facilities are located close to the ship’s amenities to allow guests and delegates to spend their time aboard in comfort. While an ''Obena'' can easily perform first contact missions, she is best-suited to hosting negotiations or ferrying delegates among powers who understand the prestige of what she symbolises.
[[File:FourthFleetAcademyBuilding.jpg|thumb|The administrative building at the center of the ellipse, showing one of the quads to the west (left) and one of the parade grounds to the north (right).]]
The center of the campus is a circular area known as The Ellipse, where the two parade grounds and two quads join. The academy's administration building is located at the center of this area of green space, water features, and gardens. With bright white walls, it has both curved wings of offices nestled amidst the trees, as well as four linear sections that connect all the way out to the edge of the ellipse to the paved pathway ringing the area.


The administrative building itself is home to both the academic administration of the campus itself as well as to the headquarters of Fourth Fleet Training Command. There are also a number of classrooms and offices in this structure, located in the wings peeling off from the crescent-shaped structure.
==Engineering==
From a distance, it would be easy to assume that the ''Obena'' is merely a modernized ''Excelsior''-class heavy cruiser like the [[Excelsior II Class|''Excelsior'' II]], but up close her larger scale is very apparent. At 800 meters long and with 40 decks, the Obena is much longer than the ''Galaxy'' and [[Sovereign Class|''Sovereign'']]-class explorers she is derived from, but has roughly the same internal volume of the ''Sovereign'', or about 80% the volume of the ''Galaxy''. Her large size gives the ''Obena'' plenty of space for powerful engines, enormous cargo bays, and other facilities that make her well-suited to humanitarian projects.


Within the crescent is a (relatively) small auditorium with seating for 2,500, used for large briefings. The administrative facility has its own transporter facilities.
A major deviation from the ''Excelsior'' that inspired her is the configuration of the ''Obena''’s impulse engines. The ship’s main impulse engines are on the aft end of the saucer section, and are among the largest units in Starfleet service. Unusually, they have thrust apertures that point directly port and starboard, which can be very useful to help the ship maintain station-keeping or to perform abrupt turns. In addition to these primary impulse engines, there is a secondary impulse assembly directly aft of the bridge, and four tertiary impulse jets on sides of the secondary hull. These impulse engines give the ship tremendous sublight maneuverability, useful as a way of multiplying her tactical ability by being able to keep her weapons locked on a target or to escape when out-gunned.


=== Parade Fields ===
[[File:Obena1.png|left|thumb]]
[[File:BFAcademyParadeField.jpg|thumb|The North parade field of the Mellstoxx III campus, showing two of the academy's dormitories.]]
The ship’s warp drive system was borrowed directly from the ''Sovereign'' to save on design time and to have commonality for maintenance purposes. While the nacelles’ exterior styling is slightly different, their interior components are identical, which gives the ''Obena'' the same top speed as her elder sister.  
The academy's twin parade fields stretch out North and South from the Ellipse, lined on either side by the dormitories. These wide expanses of grass are bordered by trees on the dormitory sides and a footpath around the entire perimeter. A picturesque setting, organized cadet physical training takes place here. While the cadets rarely "parade" as such, the two spaces are large enough to handle morning exercises simultaneously for all ten thousand cadets, while also being within steps of their dorms.  


The north parade field ends at a clamshell-shaped shelter that contains a large stage, used for commencements and other ceremonies. The south parade field ends at the academy's ceremonial gate to the rest of the starbase, which graduating cadets walk through upon their promotions to ensign. In emergencies or other exceptional settings, the parade fields can be used to set up field hospitals (though that would be a total disaster if the starbase's orbital and ground-based hospitals were overwhelmed) or to handle mass shuttle take-offs and landings.  
The ''Obena'' has a single shuttle bay on the stern, which is capable of handling a dozen shuttles and a handful of runabouts, which is less than most other explorer-type starships, but significantly simplifies auxiliary craft operations. In addition, the ''Obena'' is equipped with a captain’s yacht docked in a dedicated bay just above the planetary sensor dome in the saucer section.


=== Quadrangles ===
''Obena''-class starships are capable of routine separated flight mode.
The academy has two quadrangles, which extend east and west from the Ellipse. These areas include trees, gardens, and water features, providing areas to study and relax. They each have tree species representative from all areas of Mellstoxx III, and a number of Federation member worlds. They are bordered on the north and south sides by classroom buildings. Often the site of informal gatherings, pick-up sports games, and other recreational activities, the two quads provide shade and rest, contrasting the sunshine and exercise of the two parade fields.


=== Dormitories ===
==Tactical==
[[File:Cadet-quarters-academy.jpg|thumb|A cadet room, representative of that allotted to a third or fourth-year cadet.]]
[[File:Obena3.png|thumb]]
The academy has twenty dormitories, each capable of housing five hundred cadets. First-year cadets are four to room, with bunk beds and a single bathroom. Second-year cadets are four to a suite, with two double rooms sharing a bathroom. Third-year cadets are two to a suite, with individual rooms sharing a bathroom. Fourth-year cadets have private rooms and their own bathrooms. This is meant to acclimatize cadets to the wide variety of accommodations they might experience in the fleet itself, as well as to get them used to sharing tight spaces and build relationships. Floors are organized into wings that have all four ranks of cadets living together, with more senior cadets mentoring more junior cadets. Each room has a seating area, one or two desks, and a replicator, in addition to the bed(s).  
The ''Obena'' is equipped with state-of-the-art defenses, allowing her to fill the same role as other explorers during combat situations: a large, well-armed capital ship meant to form the center of a formation or handle smaller trouble spots on her own.  


Named for accomplished Starfleet officers, individual dormitories have developed traditions over the years, as well as their own spirit and culture. Generally speaking, the dormitory a cadet is assigned to when they first arrive is the one they will remain in for the duration of their tenure at the academy.
Torpedo coverage is provided by two standard-fire aft torpedo launchers between the impulse engines, and a single forward-firing quantum torpedo turret. As with all Starfleet torpedo launchers, these are capable of firing at targets not precisely in the arc of the launcher, thanks to smart ordnance.  


== Training Vessels ==
The ''Obena'' has a moderate loadout of phaser arrays for a ship of her size, especially compared to the highly-tactical ''Sovereign'', but this makes her well-suited to her diplomatic and exploratory duties. For any foes thinking she is a soft target, they will be surprised when they find the ''Obena'' able to maneuver and turn like a vessel half her size to bring her fewer but powerful weapons to bear. This can make her combat performance highly reliant on the experience and skills of her captain and their familiarity with her capabilities.
{{For|article=[[USS Exeter]]}}
Like all Starfleet Academy campuses, the primary goal of this institution is to prepare cadets for service in space, be that on a starship or space station, and so it has numerous training vessels available. The largest and most important of these vessels is the [[USS Exeter|USS ''Exeter'']], which is a heavily-modified ''Constitution''-class heavy cruiser that serves as the site for full cadet and enlisted training voyages, as well as a laboratory setting for command school candidates. It's also used in a stationary capacity to practice safety drills and other familiarization exercises. Nearly every student who passes through the academy will end up aboard this ship at some point or another.


In addition to the ''Exeter'', the academy has a dozen [[Runabouts#Danube-class runabout|''Danube''-class runabouts]] for smaller scale training exercises, and forty shuttles of various classes. These are often used to transport groups of cadets far from the colony for survival training. For flight training, the academy has two dozen [[Starfighters#Sparrow-class fighter|''Sparrow''-class flight trainers]], which are un-armed starfighters with stripped-down instruments and controls for learning purely manual flight techniques.<gallery>
==Shipboard Life==
File:USSRepublic.jpg
[[File:Obena2.png|thumb]]
File:DanubeRunabout4.jpg
With one of the largest crews on a Starfleet ship, surpassed only by the mammoth complements of the ''Galaxy'' or ''Odyssey'', an ''Obena'' is a busy and active ship to serve on. They are popular and prestigious assignments, and particularly highly-sought by officers interested in diplomatic operations or working to the immediate good of Federation territories. Because of the highly-symbolic nature of these ships, their crews are carefully-selected and commanding officers are usually experienced captains trusted to make serious decisions with possibly high-profile ramifications. The desirability of the assignment and the sense of high responsibility and strong mission purpose among the crew help foster a close atmosphere, despite the large roster. Senior officers tend to serve on an ''Obena''-class for many years as one of the high points of their career, and their immediate subordinates sometimes choose to continue as deputies rather than move on to become department heads on less-prestigious and perhaps less-exciting assignments.  
File:SparrowFighter2.jpg
</gallery>


== Course of Study ==
Accommodation standards are high, with most officers enjoying solitary quarters and all but the most junior aboard given at least their own room with a shared living space. Crewmen rarely share quarters with more than one other. On-board facilities are luxurious and comfortable, with multiple crew messes and a private lounge for the senior staff and guests. The main lounge is a particular feature of an ''Obena'', as it not only serves as the major social hub for the crew but will host guests and diplomatic delegates. It is thus expected to represent the prestige and luxury of the Federation, and often has a design selected by the commanding officer to reflect their ship. Further entertainment is provided by multiple holodecks, an arboretum in the secondary hull with a blend of holographic green space and real plant-life, and two recreation halls for gatherings or sporting events.
{{For|article=[[Starfleet Academy#Academic Programs|Starfleet Academy Programs]]}}
 
Starfleet Academy has a unified curriculum, and so all of the programs available at the main campus are also available at this campus. As a full-service academy, it's possible to start here as a first-year student and do all four years of your program here, but many students spend part of their time at another campus (such as the main campus) and then spend the last two years of their program at the Fourth Fleet Academy after having been tapped to eventually serve on a ship in this fleet. The Fourth Fleet is a rapid response unit, and so field training opportunities are more rigorous at this campus than other campuses, and there are more opportunities for cadets to have leadership experiences in the field, but the academic experience itself is the same as it would be in San Francisco.
Due to their varied operations, ''Obenas'' may include civilian contractors on their roster. Crewmembers may request to bring families aboard, with permission granted at the discretion of the commanding officer and dependent on the mission profile. Such ships do not tend to have a large enough civilian population to share the ‘floating city’ feeling of a ''Galaxy'' or ''Odyssey'', and family members tend to build a close-knit community with other crewmembers’ dependents, aware of the responsibility of living aboard a starship and committed to supporting the crew.
 
Medical facilities are state-of-the-art to reflect the ''Obena’s'' use in humanitarian missions, and include holographically-configurable space that can operate as a pop-up shelter for disaster relief, or otherwise be reserved for cargo or mundane operations.
 
==Class History==
[[File:Obena4.png|thumb|The ''Obena''-class was intentionally designed to look like the classic ''Excelsior'']]
The decade between the Borg attack of 2366 and the end of the Dominion War was an era of unprecedented militarisation for Starfleet reflected in their starship design. Even the development of the new flagship was impacted, with the ''Sovereign''-class the most tactically capable starship ever built by the Federation. The end of the war left many corners of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants devastated, with diplomatic relationships altered or strained and worlds and governments in desperate need of rebuilding. Starfleet was eager to meet these challenges and return to its primary mandate of exploration and diplomacy, and needed new ships to perform these missions.
 
The earliest designs for the ''Obena'' had been proposed in the development of the ''Sovereign'', but dismissed as militarisation demanded a more tactical profile. Now R&D returned to these designs, the modernisation of the ''Excelsior''-class considered a more positive design choice by a Starfleet keen to evoke halcyon days of peace. The ''Obena'' could be more quickly and easily built than the massive ''Galaxy''-class, with a reduced tactical profile than the ''Sovereign'' allowing greater scientific and diplomatic facilities, without the exclusive focus on deep-space operations far from Federation territory of the [[Luna Class|''Luna''-class]].
 
The similarities to the ''Excelsior'' were mostly cosmetic, the ''Obena'' required to be a larger ship to impress friends and enemies alike, and fulfill missions of exploration and humanitarian aid. Plans drew on lessons in ship design that Starfleet had mastered in its rapid development of the previous decade to enable a relatively swift development period. The ''Obena'' was not intended to push the envelope, but rather be equipped with the best technology already implemented and perfected.
 
The project was greenlit in early 2376, and the work already done on the initial proposal and the use of refined and reliable technology allowed rapid progress. The USS ''Obena'' was launched in mid-2379 to conduct a shakedown cruise, and was commissioned in early 2380. Construction on more ships began at once, with ''Obenas'' going on to play a key role in Federation diplomacy and humanitarian operations of the early 2380s. While capable of performing deep-space exploration, Starfleet was loath to send its newest figurehead far from borders, and ''Obena'' captains reported mixed experiences. Some visited neighbouring powers to rebuild key relationships and help those in the galaxy most in need, while others spent long months on cruises they described more as morale-boosting exercises than truly essential. To emphasize their diplomatic and humanitarian capabilities and distinguish them from the contempoary [[Ross Class|''Ross''-class explorer]], the ''Obena''-class was officially designated as an emissary-type vessel, a type that would also be applied retroactively to the ''[[Ambassador Class|Ambassador]]'' class as well.
 
Word of the [[ma:Romulan star|Romulan Supernova]] and Starfleet’s rush to aid evacuation gave the ''Obenas'' a significant role in the initial response; they were big ships capable of venturing into sometimes volatile regions and lending support to stricken and troubled worlds. While this ended with the [[ma:Attack on Mars|Attack on Mars]] and the Federation’s withdrawal of support for the [[Old Romulan Star Empire|Romulan Star Empire]], these years largely carved out the ''Obena’s'' role for the next decade.
 
With morale shattered across the Federation, Starfleet turned inward, conducting fewer missions of exploration. The ''Obena'' became an essential part of its operations, either maintaining vital peace treaties with neighbours large and small, or maintaining stability in fringes of the Federation no longer receiving the same level of support to which they had grown accustomed. In some cases, the arrival of an ''Obena'' meant an influx of supplies and supportive infrastructure. In others, Starfleet seemed to think that sending a ship that looked like the golden days was enough, and to particularly embittered citizens of Federation border worlds, the ''Obena'' has become known as ‘''the empty promise''.’
 
''Obena''-class ships have been in production for the past twenty years, though construction slowed with the development and massive rollout of the [[Inquiry Class|''Inquiry''-class]]. Despite the ''Obena’s'' age, it remains a respected Starfleet ship-of-the-line. Construction of this class is expected to continue for at least the next decade, as it remains the only emissary-type starship currently in production.
 
==In Play==
* Think of an ''Obena'' as a ''Galaxy''-lite: still a big capital ship but not as huge, an excellent all-rounder while surpassed by specialist vessels, important but not the absolute apex of prestige. In many ways they carry on the legacy of the ''Ambassador'' class with excellent diplomatic facilities, even though they are an aesthetic successor to the ''Excelsior''.
* The similarities to the ''Excelsior''-class were an intentional design choice when Starfleet wanted to harken back to its glory days. ''Obenas'' are thus most often found in or near Federation space, working with people who’ll understand their symbolism. If an ''Obena'' shows up, Starfleet is taking the matter seriously.
* ''Obena'' captains and senior staff are often seasoned personnel. The assignment may be the career height for officers who want to get their hands dirty with interstellar affairs, though those looking for regular deep-space exploration far from home will often move on after a few years.
* An emissary is an explorer with added diplomatic and humanitarian capabilities, which would be assigned both generalist exploratory tasks and sensitive diplomatic missions. They're great for first contact missions, as we saw in the class's only on-screen appearance.
 
{{clear}}
[[Category:Federation Starship Classes (2375–2385)]]

Latest revision as of 21:17, 11 March 2024

This article is official Bravo Fleet canon.

Federation Faction Starfleet








SaratogaHD.png
Obena Class
Information
Affiliation

United Federation of Planets

Type

Emissary

Role
  • Exploration
  • Diplomatic Envoy
  • Humanitarian Relief
Service
Operator

Starfleet

Entered Service

2381

Endurance
Expected Design Life

100 Years

Expected Refit Cycle

10 Years

Expected Resupply Cycle

5 Years

Crew Capacity
Standard Complement

820

Emergency Capacity

4,500

Dimensions
Length

800 meters

Width

250 meters

Height

120 meters

Decks

40

Propulsion
Propulsion Systems

Matter/Antimatter powered warp drive

Cruise Speed

Warp 8

Maximum Speed

Warp 9.5

Emergency Speed

Warp 9.95 (36 hours)

Armaments
Energy Weapons
  • 10x Type-XII Phaser Arrays
Torpedo Launchers
  • 1 forward turret
  • 2 aft
Torpedo Payload
  • Photon Torpedoes
  • Quantum Torpedoes
Shields

Multi-Layered Shielding System

Small Craft
Shuttlebays

1

Shuttles

12

Runabouts

4

Template:Specification

The Obena-class emissary was developed in the years following the Dominion War to champion Federation interests in diplomacy and exploration as the galaxy returned to a state of peace. A hull consciously designed with similar lines to the classic Excelsior makes the sight of her stir the memory of Starfleet’s golden years, and she is capable of performing deep-space missions of exploration like her predecessors. But above all she is a vessel intended to be seen: to travel Federation borders and visit Federation neighbours, and do the necessary work to rebuild a war-torn galaxy and its relationships.

Exploration and Sciences

As with most Starfleet ships of her size, the Obena is a highly capable scientific platform with a wide range of laboratories and facilities for a variety of forms of specialised research. As the exact mission profile varies between ships, the Obena was designed for a custom configuration of scientific laboratories during construction or upon a refit, with a percentage of lab space empty for reconfiguration while in service, a lesson learned from successes in the Galaxy-class. While many Obenas will thus be different, the most common point of variance is whether or not the ship was built for deep-space exploration.

The Obena is not as capable an explorer as more modern and dedicated science ships like the Pathfinder or Vesta classes, and is particularly not as capable of operating for as long without support. But her well-rounded profile, mission-configurable space and state-of-the-art sensor arrays on both the primary and secondary hulls make her a good choice for many missions of exploration. With the changing political map of the 2390s, Obenas have been a top choice for scientific missions in regions only recently-opened to the Federation, such as former Romulan territories, where operations are as much a matter of defence and diplomacy as science.

Diplomacy

The Obena is one of the foremost diplomatic platforms of Starfleet, surpassed only by the likes of the Odyssey, hence its designation as an emissary. Designed to ape the appearance of the Excelsior, it was Starfleet’s hope that the mere sight of an Obena would remind friends and enemies of the height of Federation power and generosity alike. While she is more than capable of defending herself in a fraught warzone, the intention of her design is to send the message that the Federation has come to talk, not to implicitly threaten. If an Obena arrives to a negotiation, it is a sign Starfleet is taking the matter seriously, and that it expects - or wants - the eyes of the galaxy upon it.

An Obena boasts extensive guest and VIP quarters and conference spaces, and can usually make office space available for diplomatic staff aboard. These facilities are located close to the ship’s amenities to allow guests and delegates to spend their time aboard in comfort. While an Obena can easily perform first contact missions, she is best-suited to hosting negotiations or ferrying delegates among powers who understand the prestige of what she symbolises.

Engineering

From a distance, it would be easy to assume that the Obena is merely a modernized Excelsior-class heavy cruiser like the Excelsior II, but up close her larger scale is very apparent. At 800 meters long and with 40 decks, the Obena is much longer than the Galaxy and Sovereign-class explorers she is derived from, but has roughly the same internal volume of the Sovereign, or about 80% the volume of the Galaxy. Her large size gives the Obena plenty of space for powerful engines, enormous cargo bays, and other facilities that make her well-suited to humanitarian projects.

A major deviation from the Excelsior that inspired her is the configuration of the Obena’s impulse engines. The ship’s main impulse engines are on the aft end of the saucer section, and are among the largest units in Starfleet service. Unusually, they have thrust apertures that point directly port and starboard, which can be very useful to help the ship maintain station-keeping or to perform abrupt turns. In addition to these primary impulse engines, there is a secondary impulse assembly directly aft of the bridge, and four tertiary impulse jets on sides of the secondary hull. These impulse engines give the ship tremendous sublight maneuverability, useful as a way of multiplying her tactical ability by being able to keep her weapons locked on a target or to escape when out-gunned.

Obena1.png

The ship’s warp drive system was borrowed directly from the Sovereign to save on design time and to have commonality for maintenance purposes. While the nacelles’ exterior styling is slightly different, their interior components are identical, which gives the Obena the same top speed as her elder sister.

The Obena has a single shuttle bay on the stern, which is capable of handling a dozen shuttles and a handful of runabouts, which is less than most other explorer-type starships, but significantly simplifies auxiliary craft operations. In addition, the Obena is equipped with a captain’s yacht docked in a dedicated bay just above the planetary sensor dome in the saucer section.

Obena-class starships are capable of routine separated flight mode.

Tactical

Obena3.png

The Obena is equipped with state-of-the-art defenses, allowing her to fill the same role as other explorers during combat situations: a large, well-armed capital ship meant to form the center of a formation or handle smaller trouble spots on her own.

Torpedo coverage is provided by two standard-fire aft torpedo launchers between the impulse engines, and a single forward-firing quantum torpedo turret. As with all Starfleet torpedo launchers, these are capable of firing at targets not precisely in the arc of the launcher, thanks to smart ordnance.

The Obena has a moderate loadout of phaser arrays for a ship of her size, especially compared to the highly-tactical Sovereign, but this makes her well-suited to her diplomatic and exploratory duties. For any foes thinking she is a soft target, they will be surprised when they find the Obena able to maneuver and turn like a vessel half her size to bring her fewer but powerful weapons to bear. This can make her combat performance highly reliant on the experience and skills of her captain and their familiarity with her capabilities.

Shipboard Life

Obena2.png

With one of the largest crews on a Starfleet ship, surpassed only by the mammoth complements of the Galaxy or Odyssey, an Obena is a busy and active ship to serve on. They are popular and prestigious assignments, and particularly highly-sought by officers interested in diplomatic operations or working to the immediate good of Federation territories. Because of the highly-symbolic nature of these ships, their crews are carefully-selected and commanding officers are usually experienced captains trusted to make serious decisions with possibly high-profile ramifications. The desirability of the assignment and the sense of high responsibility and strong mission purpose among the crew help foster a close atmosphere, despite the large roster. Senior officers tend to serve on an Obena-class for many years as one of the high points of their career, and their immediate subordinates sometimes choose to continue as deputies rather than move on to become department heads on less-prestigious and perhaps less-exciting assignments.

Accommodation standards are high, with most officers enjoying solitary quarters and all but the most junior aboard given at least their own room with a shared living space. Crewmen rarely share quarters with more than one other. On-board facilities are luxurious and comfortable, with multiple crew messes and a private lounge for the senior staff and guests. The main lounge is a particular feature of an Obena, as it not only serves as the major social hub for the crew but will host guests and diplomatic delegates. It is thus expected to represent the prestige and luxury of the Federation, and often has a design selected by the commanding officer to reflect their ship. Further entertainment is provided by multiple holodecks, an arboretum in the secondary hull with a blend of holographic green space and real plant-life, and two recreation halls for gatherings or sporting events.

Due to their varied operations, Obenas may include civilian contractors on their roster. Crewmembers may request to bring families aboard, with permission granted at the discretion of the commanding officer and dependent on the mission profile. Such ships do not tend to have a large enough civilian population to share the ‘floating city’ feeling of a Galaxy or Odyssey, and family members tend to build a close-knit community with other crewmembers’ dependents, aware of the responsibility of living aboard a starship and committed to supporting the crew.

Medical facilities are state-of-the-art to reflect the Obena’s use in humanitarian missions, and include holographically-configurable space that can operate as a pop-up shelter for disaster relief, or otherwise be reserved for cargo or mundane operations.

Class History

The Obena-class was intentionally designed to look like the classic Excelsior

The decade between the Borg attack of 2366 and the end of the Dominion War was an era of unprecedented militarisation for Starfleet reflected in their starship design. Even the development of the new flagship was impacted, with the Sovereign-class the most tactically capable starship ever built by the Federation. The end of the war left many corners of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants devastated, with diplomatic relationships altered or strained and worlds and governments in desperate need of rebuilding. Starfleet was eager to meet these challenges and return to its primary mandate of exploration and diplomacy, and needed new ships to perform these missions.

The earliest designs for the Obena had been proposed in the development of the Sovereign, but dismissed as militarisation demanded a more tactical profile. Now R&D returned to these designs, the modernisation of the Excelsior-class considered a more positive design choice by a Starfleet keen to evoke halcyon days of peace. The Obena could be more quickly and easily built than the massive Galaxy-class, with a reduced tactical profile than the Sovereign allowing greater scientific and diplomatic facilities, without the exclusive focus on deep-space operations far from Federation territory of the Luna-class.

The similarities to the Excelsior were mostly cosmetic, the Obena required to be a larger ship to impress friends and enemies alike, and fulfill missions of exploration and humanitarian aid. Plans drew on lessons in ship design that Starfleet had mastered in its rapid development of the previous decade to enable a relatively swift development period. The Obena was not intended to push the envelope, but rather be equipped with the best technology already implemented and perfected.

The project was greenlit in early 2376, and the work already done on the initial proposal and the use of refined and reliable technology allowed rapid progress. The USS Obena was launched in mid-2379 to conduct a shakedown cruise, and was commissioned in early 2380. Construction on more ships began at once, with Obenas going on to play a key role in Federation diplomacy and humanitarian operations of the early 2380s. While capable of performing deep-space exploration, Starfleet was loath to send its newest figurehead far from borders, and Obena captains reported mixed experiences. Some visited neighbouring powers to rebuild key relationships and help those in the galaxy most in need, while others spent long months on cruises they described more as morale-boosting exercises than truly essential. To emphasize their diplomatic and humanitarian capabilities and distinguish them from the contempoary Ross-class explorer, the Obena-class was officially designated as an emissary-type vessel, a type that would also be applied retroactively to the Ambassador class as well.

Word of the Romulan Supernova and Starfleet’s rush to aid evacuation gave the Obenas a significant role in the initial response; they were big ships capable of venturing into sometimes volatile regions and lending support to stricken and troubled worlds. While this ended with the Attack on Mars and the Federation’s withdrawal of support for the Romulan Star Empire, these years largely carved out the Obena’s role for the next decade.

With morale shattered across the Federation, Starfleet turned inward, conducting fewer missions of exploration. The Obena became an essential part of its operations, either maintaining vital peace treaties with neighbours large and small, or maintaining stability in fringes of the Federation no longer receiving the same level of support to which they had grown accustomed. In some cases, the arrival of an Obena meant an influx of supplies and supportive infrastructure. In others, Starfleet seemed to think that sending a ship that looked like the golden days was enough, and to particularly embittered citizens of Federation border worlds, the Obena has become known as ‘the empty promise.’

Obena-class ships have been in production for the past twenty years, though construction slowed with the development and massive rollout of the Inquiry-class. Despite the Obena’s age, it remains a respected Starfleet ship-of-the-line. Construction of this class is expected to continue for at least the next decade, as it remains the only emissary-type starship currently in production.

In Play

  • Think of an Obena as a Galaxy-lite: still a big capital ship but not as huge, an excellent all-rounder while surpassed by specialist vessels, important but not the absolute apex of prestige. In many ways they carry on the legacy of the Ambassador class with excellent diplomatic facilities, even though they are an aesthetic successor to the Excelsior.
  • The similarities to the Excelsior-class were an intentional design choice when Starfleet wanted to harken back to its glory days. Obenas are thus most often found in or near Federation space, working with people who’ll understand their symbolism. If an Obena shows up, Starfleet is taking the matter seriously.
  • Obena captains and senior staff are often seasoned personnel. The assignment may be the career height for officers who want to get their hands dirty with interstellar affairs, though those looking for regular deep-space exploration far from home will often move on after a few years.
  • An emissary is an explorer with added diplomatic and humanitarian capabilities, which would be assigned both generalist exploratory tasks and sensitive diplomatic missions. They're great for first contact missions, as we saw in the class's only on-screen appearance.
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