> Stephen > Fun > Star Trek [ Carter Home | Ship Details | Crew Roster | Ship's Log | Game ] Circa 2254: Space... it beckons to humankind with the promise of adventure, excitement, redemption. We know we are not alone in this universe, and the USS Carter ventures forward seeking a slice of history. For somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. Third of four Champollion-class scientific cruisers (designation given to Champollion class light cruisers), the NCC 1682 USS Carter was launched twelve years ago. It has served two 5 years tours of rather mundane escort duty and scientific exploration, looking into ruins on several of the Orion planets. In those ten years one of the other science cruisers, the Carnarvon, was destroyed in an encounter with an ancient defense system, and all ships of the class suffered technical flaws. Specifically, the Champollion-class ships were outfitted with highly advanced sensor systems. The prototypes proved to be a trifle too advanced for acting ships and were notorious for simply cutting out under system stress. While many attempts were made to modify these systems in the field, Star Fleet decided that in light of the recent destruction of the Carnarvon, the Carter's 10 year maintenance would become a major 21 month refit, replacing the prototype sensor systems with more reliable conventional models. In addition, the Carter was outfitted with top-of-the line shield grids and weapons to mitigate the chances of another ship-loss incident in the class. The Fourrier and Champollion would remain doing light scientific duty until they too could undergo such a refit, while the Carter would have its duties expanded to include diplomatic/first contact missions and more active scientific scouting. Currently the Carter is a year and five months into its third 5 year mission, and is in many ways unique: she lacks the sensory capabilities of her sister ships, but is just as nimble and far more combat capable. In fact, she stacks up favorably against the much larger Constitution-class heavy cruisers, though she certainly can't take as much damage past her shields! A well balanced, well rounded ship, she is a surprisingly scrappy warrior as well as a capable scientist. Notes from the Design Team Yes, we crammed the daylights out of this tiny hull. One can assume that the second generation of Light Cruisers -- the Mirandas -- gained their considerable saucer-section girth because of the complaints and operational difficulties generated by the cramped Champollions. Though, where we did lavish space on things, we think that we did so wisely. The mess hall, gymnasium, and main junction on Deck 1 are all generous open spaces for people to meet, and conversely get some real elbow room. Creator: Stephen Shipman Created on: 10-12-03 Last Modified: 06-30-05 Copyright: © Dressel, Keegan, Rogers, Shipman & Shipman 2003, 2004, 2005

py Dressel, Keegan, Rogers, Shipman & Shipman 2003, 2004