| USS Vista | |
|---|---|
 USS Vista in quantum slipstream | |
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Class: |
Advanced Research Vessel Retrofit |
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Registry: |
NX-96573 |
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Affiliation: |
Alpha Centauri Institute,Borg Task Force, Starfleet |
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Role: |
MCC, multi-role platform |
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Launched: |
2409 |
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Status: |
Active |
"You cannont simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." - Albert Einstein. The USS Vista (NX-96573) is a Nebula-class variant Federation starship launched in 2410 under the command of Fleet Captain Three of Sixteen. A combined effort of Federation, Starfleet, and Institute technology and design, the Vista is a cross-breed between a starship and a starbase, consisting of a starship exterior with a starbase interior. Dubbed as a MCC, or Mobile Command Center, instead of a science vessel, the Vista is adaptive and multi-purpose.
History[]
Construction and Launch[]
Borg generator array within the Vista
The Vista was constructed at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards orbiting Mars and launched from Federation Research Facility 297. The vessel was equipped with variable designs from multiple sections of the Federation in order to fully encompass a "multi-purpose" vessel. In the process of multiple conflicts, the Vista was designed to accomidate each front, whether militaristically or diplomatically. Multiple parties, which would normally never contact each other, joined together to create an aesthetically pleasing while fully functional vessel. Unfortunately, the power requirements for the vessel, even with the new class 10 warp drive, were too much for one vessel to handle. After much debate, the captain at the time, Three of Sixteen, was allowed to fully utilize Borg technology in the vessel's construction. Great strides were made to ensure that the Vista would continue to house the appropriate internal appearance in the proper sections, such as the promenade and diplomatic wing. "This vessel may make first contact with new species ... mistaking it for the Borg is not what we had in mind." -Commander Romaine, Memory Alpha.
After final construction was completed at 297, the Vista was launched during the Nocturne Consortium's assault on the station. After being sabotaged, most of the station's defenses were destroyed, leaving it and all its inhabitants open for attack. The initial defense ships were destroyed during the first wave while the Vista was powered up and commanded by Commander One of Ten, the assigned first officer for the vessel. Weapon systems were not fully functional, so the Vista diverted fire from medical ships and freighters escaping to the edge of the surrounding nebula. Once past the nebula's edge, they were attacked by an additional Consortium forces. The Vista, again, attracted the attention of the warships as the remaining ships retreated out of the nebula. Weapon systems were then restored and the Vista lead an assault against the attack force as the fleet attempted to retreat to Federation space. Unfortunately, the Consortium had modified the disruptor lance on a gurumba siege destroyer, which quickly destroyed the entire fleet. The Vista transported as many survivors aboard while fending off the attack force. During the battle, a crew of Pakled beamed off their freighter before its destruction unto the siege destroyer. They managed to take the bridge just in time to stop the lance from striking the Vista. Now without control of the siege destroyer, the Consortium's own weapon was turned against them. The Vista and the siege destroyer dismantled the opposing fleet, but at the cost of the Pakled heroes. They had overloaded the disruptor lance in order to quickly defeat the fleet and save the Vista. The resulting explosion disabled the Vista's warp capabilities, leaving it to continue the retreat at impulse speeds. The ship, its crew, and over 3,000 survivors were found several hours later.
Even with the regenerative properties of the Borg modifications, it was deemed that the vessel was beyond repair. An attempt to duplicate or continue with the project has not been undertaken.
Technical Data[]
Physical Arrangement[]
USS Vista with Borg "deformities" visible
The Vista's exterior arrangement is identical to that of the Nebula class except for the primary and secondary hull and the mission pod pylon, all of which resemble that of the Magellan class. The primary of the Magellan class has increased depth, as well as, width. An additional shuttlebay was added and both were placed along the sides of the top section of the saucer, instead of the aft. The secondary hull differs from the standard Nebula class with an enlarged deflector dish and two shuttle bay attachments on each side. Protected by the primary hull and nacelles, the external shuttle bays allow for secure departures, specifically for attack shuttles and fighters. The mission pod pylon's external outfitting was removed and the interior fitted with additional armor and hull plating. Crew personnel do not operate within the mission pod, which houses several generators and sensor equipment. Power relays fill most of the pylon, allowing for specific armoring compared to protecting crew decks and hallways. The shruken structure allows for greater directional range for the aft torpedo launcher.
Defensive Systems[]
The Vista's main defensive systems are its four separate phaser beam arrays, fore and aft quantum torpedo launchers, and multi-regenerative shield array. Along with main ship systems, the Vista's additional shuttle bays allow for fighter squadrons and attack shuttles. Boarding parties and augmented scorpion fighters are the most common attack craft. Based off Starfleet's encounters with the Iconian virus, a viral matrix has been encoded in several sensor probes that can be launched at enemy vessels during combat.
Unique Characteristcs[]
Borg Enhancements[]
Close-up of the Modified Graviton Deflector Array
Along with the multi-regenerative shield array, the Vista was equipped with subtranswarp engines, autonomous regeneration sequencers, a modified graviton deflector array, which allowed for a duplicate of the tractor beam system used by Borg cubes, and addition modifications. The internal applications of the enhancements are relatively unnoticable to the standard passenger. In some sections of the ship, such as engineering and various non-crew heavy sections, Borg architecture and consoles are quite commonplace. The external ramifications; however, are quite noticable. While this has caused some controversy, holo-projectors along the hull can be used to mask the ship's exterior "deformities" when necessary.
Diplomatic Accomodations[]
First implemented by the ACI's diplomatic department, the dual environmental deck is featured on two decks of the Vista. The deck's hallways were expanded to twice the size with half of the hallway encased by a forcefield. Within the forcefield, the environmental conditions can be altered to suit specific species' needs or preferences. In cases when light exiting these conditions is refracted or more personal interaction, a holo-projection system is in place to project an image of each personnel on the opposite side of the forcefield. For crew attempting to reach a room on the opposite of the forcefield, the field separates a path to the doorway until the crewman is safely within the room. Along with this system, and expanded holo-projection system has been implemented throughout the ship to allow species that cannot leave the dual environmental decks to traverse the Vista freely while remaining in their quarters.
Declared Wings[]
Aside from the secondary hull, the primary hull is separated into several wings for, but not limited to; crew, command, diplomacy, medicine, science, and tactical. The fore and aft sections of the saucer are primarily for crew living and operations. The port side is for diplomacy and medicine. And the starboard side is designated for science and tactical. Engineering and additional science operations are conducted in the secondary hull. The command wing is located in the center of decks one through five.
Class 10 Warp Core[]
Front view of the USS Vista in slipstream
The Vista was the first vessel to field test the new class 10 warp core. While similar to the class 9 and its variants, the class 10 is designed more towards the transwarp spectrum, than standard warp speeds. Using variable geometry and quantum regulators, the core can stabalize transwarp speeds and quantum slipstreams for extended amounts of time. Due to its less reliance on warp nacelles, the standard nebula nacelle configuation was reinstated, instead of the angled Magellan class nacelles. Slipstream stabalizers were built into the nacelles to assist with maintaining high speeds. The mission pod is also equipped with designated computers for rapid calculations and course corrections during slipstream, as well as, chroniton and structural integrity generators for transwarp.
Promenade[]
The most unique feature of the Vista is its promenade. Located on decks six through ten, directly under the command wing, the promenade is the center of activity for socializing among crew and civilians. Several shops, holodecks, and a bar are located on the upper promenade, decks six through eight. The lower promenade, decks nine through ten, has several large viewscreens lining the outer wall meant to appear as windows. Sitting and eating areas are spread through the lower level, where crew and civilians can look out the "windows" and watch the stars fly by. Crew quarters and additional holodecks surround the promenade, making it the perfect place to chat and relax.
Crew[]
The crew assigned to the Vista consists of over twenty species. Each species has his or her own councelor of said species in order to assist more efficiently. Species, however, are not grouped in clusters, but are spread thinly across the ship ... a program strongly supporting diplomatic and social strengthening between species. Aside form the starfleet personnel are multiple civilians that assist in multiple wings of the ship. The ship's standard 750 crew is complimented with over 500 civilian personnel. This reduces the ship's compacitance for rescue operations but greatly assists with daily operations. While it is not included in the ship's maximum occupancy, the promenande and expanded cargo and shuttle bays can be temporarily augmented to support addition personnel in cases of emergency.
Command Crew[]
- Fleet Captain Three of Sixteen - Commanding Officer
- Commander One of Ten - Executive Officer
- Lieutenant Commander Ferne - Chief Science Officer/Operations Officer/Second Officer
- Lieutenant Commander Four of Ten - Chief Engineer
- Lieutenant Commander T'Shammik - Chief Tactical Officer
- Lieutenant Maltok - Security Chief
- Commander Siexx - Chief Medical Officer
Bridge Crew[]
- Lieutenant Selvok - Science Officer
- Lieutenant Notto - Engineering Officer
- Lieutenant Bren Nar - Tactical Officer
- Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Pamma - Nagivational Officer
- Lieutenant Junior Grade Temerix - Science Officer
- Lieutenant Junior Grade Eldon - Conn Officer
- Ensign 'Lady' Sylina - Diplomat
- Ensign Taber - Counselor
- Ensign Seliv - Security