Combat: Battle Cruiser, Intelligence - Tempest-class

History And Mission Overview

In 2383, Starfleet Intelligence decided it needed a new type of ship to infiltrate and perform surveillance. Working secretly at a temporary shipyard orbiting Jupiter, they designed the Tempest Class Battlecruiser. Fast, light, and dangerous, the Tempest Class was equipped for quick infiltrations and subtle maneuvers. Only a decade had passed when the existence of the class became known. No longer Intelligence’s secret weapon, the Tempest Class was authorized for use by all of Starfleet.

Mission Profiles

• Long range exploration and infiltration
• Light combat and patrols
• Surveillance

Structure And Construction

The Tempest has an arrowhead shaped saucer section and a narrow oval-shaped deflector dish with a joined secondary hull that is a horizontal oval at the fore and tapers upward and inward to form a flat two-deck aft section. The whole vessel is comprised of eleven decks. There are two nacelles attached halfway down the hull by straight pylons. Assembled in a mix of tritanium and duranium, it was built mainly by transporter welding. It is equipped with landing gear, capable of setting down on most M Class planets or moons.

The ship can expand and retract along motorized tracks to bring the saucer section inline with the main body and lift the nacelles inward. This function was designed to create a smaller profile for avoiding detection or avoiding hostile fire. While it does accomplish this goal, the firing radius of the aft phasers and torpedoes is severely restricted by the presence of the saucer section.

Science And Remote Sensing Systems

Sensors

The Tempest class employs Class IX Sensors, positioned near the main deflector. The system has a maximum high resolution range out to 4.34 light years, and a low resolution range out to 15 light years. External sensors are secured under a tritanium shell for protection.

Computer Core

The Tempest functions on two isolinear data cores running the LCARS operating system.

Emergency Medical Hologram

There is an EMH-Mark IV, for which holoemmiters are available throughout the corridors and in all rooms.

Warp Propulsion System

The Tempest functions using a Class 8 1900+ Cochrane MARA core with two nacelles positioned to port and starboard, which are on straight nacelles, but can be retracted to be inline with the body of the ship. The cruising speed is warp 6, with a maximum sustainable speed of warp 9.2. Warp 9.6 is achievable for 12 hours. There is an emergency engine output function which increases output to warp 9.8 for 2.5 hours at the expense of shutting down all nonessential functions. (i.e. holodecks, replicators)

Impulse Propulsion System

Impulse engines are located aft of the ship, with small boosters fore. The maximum velocity is .30c. Designed for quick entry and exits, the time to accelerate and decelerate is 30 seconds.

Tactical Systems

Shields

The tempest boasts Type-9 Shield systems positioned above the main deflector, encased in a tritanium shell. The maximum graviton load is 1,881 mW. The energy dissipation rate is 5.11x10^5 kW

Phasers

Type-10 Phasers in 6 strips line the body of the tempest class, 4 fore and 2 aft. They contain 60 emitters each. Each strip has an output of 5.1 mW with a range of 300,000km.

Torpedo Launchers

Two torpedo tubes are present, one fore, and one aft. The complement of torpedoes is smaller than might be expected in a combat craft, holding only 50 photon and 10 quantum. This is to make space for additional probes. Torpedoes are fired using Type-3 launchers, with 4 second reload times between shots of 2 torpedoes.

There are 75 probes onboard. Each probe can be converted to a sensor disruption buoy, which creates sensor static. This effect masks all sensors, including the tempest’s.

Secondary Self Destruct

There is a secondary self destruct system, as a fail safe system in case the ship is critically damaged, the computer is destroyed so that all crew logs and sensor logs are lost.

Deflector Dish

The deflector dish has been modified to allow masking of the ship on sensors. This effect does not conceal the ship visually, only its power and warp signatures.

Electronic Warfare

There is an electronic warfare room located on deck 4, which is designed to control probes and sensor disruption buoys. This space has an independent computer core, much like one found in a runabout. This section can also be converted into a battle bridge in case of emergency.

Command And Support Systems

Bridge

There is a central captain’s chair with a first officer’s chair and second officer’s chair a quarter meter forward to the starboard and port respectively. The CO’s chair has a monitor built into the right arm. Behind the command crew are standing stations for one tactical and one science officer. There is a communications station on the port side. To starboard is a seated station for operations. In front of a large viewscreen, is the helm console. At the very aft of the bridge is a row of consoles occupied by each department which have chairs built into the base, available to pull out for longer term use, but can be used standing at user discretion.

Ready Room

The CO’s ready room comes with a desk, seating for two guests, and a small display case. It is situated port of the bridge.

Conference Room

The senior staff conference room is to the starboard of the bridge. The conference table has 10 seats. There is a large screen for presentations. A replicator is also present.

Primary Armoury/Chief of Security Office

The primary armory holds 100 type II hand phasers, 25 type III phaser rifles, and 10 type IIIc phaser rifles. These require CO, XO, or DH authorisation to access. The CoS’ office contains a desk, 3 chairs, and a standard replicator.

Secondary Armoury

The secondary armoury holds 100 type II hand phasers, 25 type III phaser rifles, and 10 type IIIc phaser rifles. These require CO, XO, or CoS authorisation to access.

Secure Communications Center

On deck 9, there is a secure communications center, designed to be locked down to receive secure transmission with orders for covert operations.

Brig

The Tempest brig houses 3 cells, each capable of holding up to 3 people. There is a failsafe power supply lasting 2 hours for the force fields. If the main power fails and emergency power is activated, bulkheads seal the brig exit until authorized by a command/senior officer to open.

Science Lab/Chief Science Officer’s office

A laboratory designed for surveillance and intelligence is positioned on deck 9. The CSO’s office is in the back. The office holds a desk, 3 chairs, and a standard replicator. Scientific equipment is well stocked, though not research oriented. The laboratories on a tempest class are best suited to information gathering, like the rest of the ship. There is a full laboratory and a stellar cartography lab on deck 9.

Astrometrics

For remote tracking and data gathering, a compact astrometrics lab is adjacent to the science labs on deck 9.

Main Engineering/Chief Engineer’s office

Situated on deck 8, main engineering is a utilitarian space. In the very aft is the warp core, held vertically. There is a central “pool table” console for collaborative work. To starboard is the CE’s office. The office contains a desk, 3 chairs, and a replicator.

Utility Systems

Cargo Bay

There is a single large cargo bay on deck 10. It has a 2 pad cargo transporter. There are smaller cargo bays on decks 2 and 3.

Tractor Beam

There is one tractor beam emitter on the external fore part of deck 7 and another aft. Each can carry a variable load up to 30,000km.

Transporters

There are 2 transporter rooms located on decks 10 and 12, connected to a pattern buffer on deck 11.

Turbolifts

Four turbolifts connect all decks.

Crew Support Systems

CO’s Quarters

Divided into three rooms, the CO’s quarters have a combined living room and dining room, a bedroom, and a restroom. The living room/dining room contains a couch, two chairs, a coffee table, and a dining table with four chairs. In the bedroom there is a desk with a standard computer terminal and a single chair, and a king sized bed. The bathroom is equipped with a combined sonic shower and water based tub, a sink, and standard relief facilities.

XO’s Quarters

The XO’s quarters are much like the CO’s quarters, minus the dining area. In three rooms the XO’s quarters contain a living room, a bedroom, and a restroom. The living room/dining room contains a couch, two chairs, and a coffee table. In the bedroom there is a desk with a standard computer terminal and a single chair, and a king sized bed. The bathroom is equipped with a combined sonic shower and water based tub, a sink, and standard relief facilities.

Officer/Crew Quarters

The Officer Quarters are divided into two rooms. The entire residence is located in one room, a standard desk with a computer terminal, a single chair, a queen sized bed, a small couch and coffee table. There is a restroom with a sonic shower, sink, and relief facilities.

Enlisted Crew Quarters are almost identical to the Officer Quarters, but with bunk beds for shared use.

Visitor Quarters

Visitors are intended to be few, so there is not much space dedicated to them. All visitor quarters are divided into two rooms. The entire residence is located in one room, a standard desk with a computer terminal, a single chair, a queen sized bed, a small couch and coffee table. There is a restroom with a sonic shower, sink, and relief facilities.

6 Forward

6 Forward is a crew lounge, containing 6 tables with 4 seats, 3 tables with 2 seats, 2 booths, and a bar. The lounge also has 2 food replicators. This serves as the common dining hall for all crew members. Behind the bar is a kitchen which serves synthehol as well as a full menu of food.

Captain’s Dining Room

Present in case the Captain should need to entertain ranking officers, dignitaries, guests, or wish to host a private event, the captain’s dining room holds a 6 seat dining table and a food replicator, though food is often served cooked in a different location. It is on deck 6, behind a private entrance within 6 Forward.

Holosuites

There is one holosuite present on deck 5 and one on deck 10, with all standard functionality.

Sickbay

Sickbay is designed for all standard uses, but ample emergency supplies are available. There are 7 biobeds and 2 surgical beds. It is equipped with a standard EMH program. The CMO’s office is at the very back of sickbay, and contains a desk, 3 chairs, and a replicator. In case of emergency, the aft shuttlebay can be converted into a triage area. Due to this fact, the EMH has full roaming capabilities throughout the ship, able to reach casualties wherever they may be.

Auxiliary Spacecraft Systems

The Tempest Class carries 2 Armadillo Class shuttlecraft for away mission use in a small shuttlebay located aft on deck 11.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions & Structure

Length

87 metres extended, 43.5 metres retracted

Beam (Width)

45.6 metres

Height

50.6 metres

Decks

11

Crew Complement

Officers and Crew

200

Command

20

Engineering

60

Medical

40

Science

20

Security

60

Visiting Personnel

35

Maximum Evacuation Limit

500

Computer Systems

Core

Isolinear data core x2

Software

Starfleet Library Computer Access and Retrieval System (LCARS)

Warp Systems

Power Plant

One 1900+ cochrane MARA core feeding two nacelles

Cruising Velocity

Warp 6

Max. Sustainable Velocity

Warp 9.2

Max. Velocity

Warp 9.6 (12 hours)

Emergency

Warp 9.8 (2.5 Hours)

Impulse Systems

Full Impulse

0.30c

Zero-0.30c

30 seconds

0.30-Zero

30 seconds

Defensive Systems

Shield Maximum Graviton Load (Continuous)

1881 MW

Shield Maximum Energy Dissipation Rate

5.1x10^5 kW

Offensive Systems

Torpedo Tubes

2

Standard payload

50 photon torpedoes
10 quantum torpedoes
75 probes

Phaser Systems

6 Type-10 phaser strips

Deck Layout

Deck 1

Bridge
Conference Room
Ready Room

Deck 2

CO’s quarters
XO’s quarters
Officer’s quarters
Small Cargo Bay

Deck 3

Primary Armoury/CoS Office
Brig
Small Cargo Bay

Deck 4

Sickbay
Electronic Warfare
Officer/Crew Quarters

Deck 5

Officer’s Quarters
Holosuite 1

Deck 6

Crew Lounge (6 Forward)
Counselling Office
Visitor’s Quarters
Captain’s Dining Room

Deck 7

Crew Quarters
Main Engineering (upper floor)

Deck 8

Main Engineering (main floor)

Deck 9

CSO Office
Science Labs
Astrometrics
Secure Communications Centre

Deck 10

Transporter Room 1
Cargo Bay
Holosuite 2

Deck 11

Transporter Room 2
Shuttlebay
Warp Core Ejection Hatch

Ships Of Class

USS Tempest, NCC 99763
USS Calgary, NCC 99784
USS Abbey, NCC 99855
USS Solice, NCC 99862
USS Ragnar, NCC 99921

No central theme was chosen for the names or registry numbers in keeping with the class’ intended service as an intelligence vessel.

Conclusion

There is a time for subtlety, and a time for boldness. The Tempest is capable of either quietly observing from a distance, or making trouble for those who don’t wish it. It is designed to be whatever it is needed to be. Once its profile became known broadly as an intelligence vessel, it was released to Starfleet for broader use, the plan always having been to develop a vessel that could first serve as a right hand for intelligence and later offer Starfleet a quick and quiet alternative to the larger battleships.