USS Expedition (NCC-72677)

The USS Expedition served 15 years, and traveled from the deepest reaches of the Alpha Quadrant, to the outskirts of the Delta Quadrant. It's mission has changed from it original configuration. It's valuable service to the Federation will not go unnoticed.

Captain Edward Smythe
The Expedition was Commissioned in 2368, as a science vessel to replace older Oberth Class starships. Her initial shakedown cruise took her deep into the outreaches of the Alpha Quadrant for 18 months. Upon her return, she was to take part in surveying Maqui Activity around the Cardassian Demilitarized Zone. Several notable evacuations, and actions took place in the Tracken system. Stationed at Deep Space 9 in 2372, they participated in a raid in the Valor system. They captured 78 78 Maquis soldiers, and numerous arms and equipment. The Expedition was sent to search for the USS Equinox (NCC-72381) in the Badlands. Ashley navigated the ship successfully on a 3 hour search pattern when she was attacked by 3 Klingon Bird-of-Prey. The Expedition would escape the situation, and return to Deep Space 9. With the outbreak of war, the Expedition had numerous encounters with the Jem'Hadar. On the way to meet up with the 7th Fleet, they were attack by 2 Jem'Hadar attack ships. Heavily damaged, Captain Smythe limped back to Starbase 375. The 7th Fleet suffered a series blow at the Battle of Tyra. The Expedition was repaired, and joined up with the 5th Fleet, and Participated in Operation Return. From there, they would travel to Vulcan to protect from any Dominion Advances. The Expedition would be in 3 hard fought battles with the 5th Fleet. After the Third time the y were turned away, the Expedition would travel to Deep Space 9 to take part in the Battle for Cardassia. At wars end, the Expedition returned to Earth, for a Major Refit. It's Warp Core uprated, as well as the addition of 2 Holosuites so the Expedition can go on extended missions. This was done because of the Heavy losses of Federation Starship have left a whole in the explorer Class ships available. In 2376, the Expedition was assigned to depart for the Beta Quadrant. Trouble in the form of a Borg Sphere arrived, as it pursued the Expedition. They would finally loose the vessel, but Commander Vanessa Yates belief they didn't want them to stumble on something. Working with Lieutenant CommanderAsley Morgan, they designed and constructed the Excalibur-103. A fighter/Attack craft that can hide all it's signatures from sensors. Using the Craft Lieutenant Commander Morgan found a Borg transwarp hub under construction. She planted a number of Gravimetric mines at the Hub Portals, but got infect by the Construction baboprobes,