USS Enterprise, NCC-1701
| USS Enterprise, NCC-1701 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Class | Constitution-class |
| Registry | NCC-1701 |
| Affiliation | Federation/Star Fleet |
| Status | Destroyed (2285) |
The USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) was a Constitution-class heavy cruiser launched in 2245. In the course of her career, she became the most celebrated Federation Star Fleet vessel of the 23rd century. In her forty years of service and discovery, through upgrades and at least two refits, she took part in numerous first contacts, military engagements, and time-travels. She achieved her most lasting fame from the five-year mission (2265-2270) under the command of James T. Kirk.
Captain Christopher Pike commanded the Enterprise from the early 2250s into the 2260s. Pike's half-Vulcan science officer, Spock, who served under him for over eleven years, would become the starship's longest-serving officer.
Commanding Officers
Captain Christopher Pike
In 2250, Pike was promoted to Captain and was given command of the Enterprise, where he served until 2265. Pike was considered to be one of the most highly decorated starship captains in Starfleet history.
In 2254, Pike led a landing party to Rigel VII, in which they were attacked by Kaylar warriors in what seemed to be an abandoned fortress. Three crewmen were killed, seven injured, including Spock. This weighed heavily on Pike, and he began to question himself as a commander. But his crew insisted he push on, and they continued coming to the aid of those in need.
After Captaining the Enterprise for more than 11 years, Pike was promoted to Fleet Captain, and James T. Kirk took over command of the Federation’s flagship.
Captain James T. Kirk
(2265-2270; as Rear Admiral in early 2270s)
Arguably the most famous and highly-decorated starship captain in the history of the Federation, Jim Kirk was both a dalliant and a leader. He famously “beat” the Starfleet Academy test the Kobayashi Maru, and went on to become the youngest Captain in the fleet at that time.
Kirk repelled the first Romulan attack inside Federation space in over a century, on stardate 1709.2. Four Outpost Stations along the Romulan Neutral Zone were destroyed by a Romulan Bird-of-Prey. Kirk and the Enterprise disabled the ship before the Romulan commander could order a self-destruct. The Enterprise crew became the first Starfleet officers to make visual contact with a Romulan during this confrontation.
Along her travels, the Enterprise discovered the SS Botany Bay. The ship was carrying a group of genetically-engineered Augments from Earth's Eugenics Wars, being kept alive in a cryogenic freeze. Their leader, Khan Noonien Singh, went on to seduce the Enterprise’s resident historian, used her to revive his comrades, and then attempted to steal the Enterprise. Able to stop his plan, Kirk exiled Khan and his comrades to Ceti Alpha V, where they could live without affecting the lives of others. This would unfortunately come back to haunt Kirk, especially since neither Kirk nor Starfleet ever followed up on the colony’s progress, and the colony had suffered due to cataclysmic effects on the planet. Khan held Kirk solely responsible, and went to great lengths to draw him to the planet, and take revenge. After multiple battles, Kirk and his team were able to out-smart and out-deceive Khan, and Khan destroyed himself and his ship, hoping to have taken Kirk out with him.
When the Enterprise reached the end of her five-year deployment in 2270, Kirk ordered a course be set, returning her to Earth. Kirk was promoted to Rear Admiral, taking command of the Enterprise a few years later when the entity known as V’Ger was discovered heading towards Earth, destroying everything in its path. He would later take command of a ship called the Enterprise-A in 2286, Captaining her for seven years before retiring.
Captain Spock
After the incident with V’Ger, Spock was promoted to Captain and assigned to Starfleet Academy. He trained cadets using the Enterprise, since the ship had been retired from active service.
In 2285, Spock handed over command of the Enterprise to Kirk in order to help with his mission regarding Khan. During this mission, Spock sacrificed himself in order to repair the damaged ship’s plasma conduits. However, his coffin (which was shot out into space) landed on the “Genesis Planet”, and his body regenerated, bringing him back to life.
During his elder years, Spock went into semi-retirement, acting as a Federation Ambassador to Vulcan.
Command Crew Under Kirk
Science Officer Spock
Lieutenant Commander / Commander
Born to a Human schoolteacher (Amanda Grayson) and an Vulcan scientist and diplomat (Sarek), Spock was one of the most distinguished and respected figures of the Federation in his lifetime. Though his mixed heritage caused problems throughout his formative years, he eventually learned the Vulcan way of suppressing his “human emotions.” Against his father’s wishes, Spock joined Starfleet Academy in 2249, causing the two of them to not speak for eighteen years.
Around 2254, he was assigned to the USS Enterprise, and the subsequent Enterprise-A, where he served until 2293. Known as extremely loyal, Spock risked his reputation to help his old Captain Pike live out his last days comfortably, and later helped Captain Kirk while coming to head with his self-proclaimed nemesis, Khan.
Spock’s interests included the arts, music, various literatures, poetry, and playing three-dimensional chess. As most Vulcans were, he was vegetarian. He had a passion for diplomacy, and worked towards unifying the Romulans and the Vulcans, who shared a common ancestor, and had once lived as one people.
Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Leonard McCoy
Helmsman Hikaru Sulu
Communications Officer Lieutenant Uhura
Ensign / Lieutenant (2267-69 / 2270s)
