USS Aegis

## Ships Classification

Based on its predecessor the Avenger, the Arbiter is a Federation Battlecrusier, and as its name suggests, is designed for war rather than exploration.  Despite adhering to Starfleet's traditional cruiser design pattern of a large saucer section connected to an engineering hull, with two outboard warp nacelles, the combat focus of the Arbiter is expressed is nearly every aspect.  From its agressive silhouette and its formidable firepower, to its heavily armoured hull with rececessed viewports that are covered by armoured shutters when the ship goes to red alert, the Arbiter provides an intimaditing presence in any battle.

Unlike the Avenger class, who's development was partially prompted by an arms race with the Klingon Empire, the Arbiter class was desgined in cooperation with other members of the newly founded Khitomer Alliance.  In developing the design, Starfleet engineers took the basic Avenger profile and applied all of the technological developments the Alliance had achieved.   This allowed for the Arbiter to retain its signature combat focus and manouverability while adding increased armour, resiliance and the latest technological upgrades.

Some of the key systems incorporated into the Arbiter include;

### V.A.T.A. (Variable Auto-Targeting Armament)

Resembling something of a cross between a torpedo and a probe in design, this unique weapon system consists of configurable auto-targetting armament projectiles, normally launched in pairs.  In addition to their primary quantum torpedo warhead payload, the projectiles also carry on board micro-weapon systems which can be configured prior to launch depending on mission requirements.  As standard the on board micro-weapon systems can be interchanged between (micro) quantum torpedos, (micro) chroniton torpedos or a tachyon beam.  Adaptation to house other primary wahead and micro-weapon system types is possible, but not within the normal specifications and provision of VATA's as standard.

Once fired, a VATA projectile will pursue its given target, using their own onboard weapon systems during its approach to either defeat shields, draw off point defences or simply enhance the damage of its primary warhead payload.

### V.A.D.A. (Variable Assault Deflector Array)

This system allows for a massive blast of phaser energy to be routed directly through and out of the main deflector dish.  The resulting phaser beam can be devestating to anything caught in its path.  Firing of the weapon places extreme demands on the power reserves of the ship, which if not carefully managed can lead to other key defensive or offensive systems loosing power - therefore deployment of V.A.D.A. is not commonplace and reserved for specific emergency situations only.

### Cloaking Device

Partially due to a thawing of interstellar relations between the key powers of the alliance, not to mention an amendment of the Treaty of Algeron, the Federation has begun fitting cloaking devices to a select few ship classes.  The Avenger and Arbiter classes are amongst those select few classes who are designed from the outset to incorporate cloaking technology.  As such the Aegis is equiped with a Federation design cloaking device.

## Service History

After the return of the Thermopylae from its mission in the Delta Quadrant along with its escort, the Defiant-class USS Aegis, both vessels underwent repairs and refit. The Defiant-Class vessel was later retired, being at the end of its service life. The Arbiter-Class USS Aegis was commissioned fresh off the lines of Utopia Planetia to replace her. Kallus M'Tess was again chosen to command the Aegis.

With the establishment of a Special Operations Group within the Task Force, a vessel with combat and stealth capabilities was needed, therefore the Aegis was reassigned to Task Group Delta as the SOG transport vessel, under the flexible authority of Captain Elipton Sharnid.

Captain Sharnid quickly assigned the then Lt. Commander Brookfield as the ships XO.  With his MACO background and prior position as ships Tactical/Security chief, the Captain beleived the XO would be better able to bridge the differences between the ships crew and her special operations passengers.

The ship served under a variable command structure, with either Captain Sharnid or one of the other senior Task Force Delta officers taking command for specific missions, until the ships XO was duely promoted to full Commander, whereupon Commander Brookfield retained command of the Aegis in the absence of Captain Sharnid - this served to reinforce the bond Commander Brookfield had been building with the ship and her crew.

While the covert nature of her operations mean many of her deeds go without recognition, the Aegis has nevertheless served with distinction and played a key role in most major engagements the task force has undertaken.

The Aegis was part of the task forces contribution to the joint defence of the Romulan Republic's Vauthil Station against mirror universe Terran agressors.  Duriung the fierce battle that ensued, the Aegis helped to sucessfully defend the station, impressively taking down a Cygnus class battleship amongst other targets.  However, this did come at a cost, with the Aegis taking severe battle damage.

Such was the damage to the Aegis, she required an extensive repair and refit once back at Olympus.  Using the opportunity to not only restore, but upgrade the installed systems, the shipyards also added additional armor plating to the nacelles, hull and saucer sections which while retaining a similar profile gave the ship a new look reminiscent of both Avenger and Inquiry battlecruiser variants.

Commander Brookfield's ongoing service and, specifically actions against the Terrans were recognised with him recieving a promotion to Captain.  Captain Sharnid, understanding that his XO had effectively been running the ship on his own while he oversaw the special operations group as a whole, handed command of the Aegis to the newly promoted Captain Brookfield.

Despite the frequent secret nature of their work and the resulting inability for said work to be recognised, the ship and her crew have never the les earned several Outstanding Unit Commendations for playing significant parts in recent JTFB campaigns.

## Crew & Officers

* **Captain:** Markus Brookfield
* **Executive Officer:** (Acting) Adami Daran
* **Chief Engineer:** Ellysia Xiragon
* **Chief Tactical Officer:** Adami Daran
* **Chief Science Officer:** TBD
* **Operations Officer:** TBD
* **Intel Officer:** Miorine Rembran
* **Chief Medical Officer:** TBD
* **Helmsman:** Suletta Mercury
* **Counselor:** TBD

Unusually for a Starfleet vessel, the Aegis crew has a very high percentage of non-commissioned officers (NCO's) within its ranks.  Owing in part to its assignment as a Special Operations vessel, these NCO's contain a significant number of veteran ex-special operations personnel (MACO & HAZARD) as well as a number of hopefuls who are either in training or hoping to join special operations teams in the future.  With such a crew compliment, a number of the senior departmental lead positions aboard the ship are routinely filled by Senior NCO's, unless specialist officers are assigned to the ship for specific missions.