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Codename Wyvern

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By all accounts, the Constitution Class remains as a distinguished, powerful and groundbreaking starship design in Starfleet history. Boasting decades of continuous refits, upgrades and derivative classes, its reputation in Federation service was legendary. However, the type’s retirement was finally brought about by shifting trends and arm treaty reductions that followed the Khitomer Accords in 2293. Which ironically, was made possible by a prominent member of the class, the USS Enterprise-A. These changing times for the Federation caused a paradigm shift in its core structuring, principles and foreign policy. The emphasis on military expansion was gradually reduced in favor of exploratory and diplomatic endeavours. The mutual assured destruction of an all out Federation-Klingon war was no longer a threat to the Alpha Quadrant.

As a primary Starfleet capital ship, the Constitution Class fleet would be heavily reduced in number. With the Klingons promising the same with the multitude of K'tinga/D7 types in operation. This reduction of military arms was a necessary move to reduce hostilities for both states. As such, the bulk of the older Constitution fleet (which included the Enterprise-A), were formally retired and mothballed in successive batches. Starfleet's other military-focused designs also saw earlier withdrawal. Types like the agile Phobos, lightweight Akyazi and the imposing Yamato were retired as the 2300's dawned. Meanwhile, prominent stablemates like the Miranda, Constellation and Excelsior were unimpeded in active production and service. They were excellent platforms in the scientific area and continued development for many years.

With this core restructuring underway, the surviving Constitution II configuration hulls and newbuilds were promptly reassigned for exploratory purposes. Equipped with new research labs and refined exploration equipment, these vessels would become integral in charting unexplored sectors of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, serving in diplomatic endeavours and maintaining a familiar face for the Federation. This era accentuated the sunset years of the class, as the elder statesman vessel of Starfleet. With a combined service life exceeding a century, the last of the active Constitution II's were formally retired in mid 24th Century. With most hulls ending up in reserve fleets or outright dismantled for spares. Other vessels in proper upkeep would be kept as Starfleet trainers or even personal yachts for the wealthy. Proving that the Constitution Class (in its various forms) remained popular within the older Starfleet generation and an eager community of starship enthusiasts. 

However, a new lease on life was on the horizon. On the outbreak of the Dominion War, Starfleet's Corps of Engineers (at the time headed by time displaced Montgomery Scott) was tasked to evaluate certain types to be brought out from mothballs to fill up the fleet's ranks. Chief among them were several Constitution type hulls of various configurations stored in various reserves. Evaluations by the SCE were promising and shortlisted several to be refitted with current weapons and technology. The first selected would be the USS Wyvern (NCC-2848), surprisingly well preserved in Starbase 34's holding area.

The subsequent modifications were primarily of a fighting nature, ironic considering the scientific configuration she once held. Scott's "off the shelf" refitting techniques proved useful, swapping new computers and weaponry to a typical 2370's loadout. The external appearance generally stayed within the Constitution II configuration to keep costs at a minimum. Forming a "neo-classic" profile that would basically be a light cruiser capable of general fleet defense missions. The Wyvern would be re-added back to Starfleet service with the provisional registry of NCC-78702, as a personal touch by Scott. This would give the illusion of a new-build vessel, a helpful ruse in wartime.

Nicknamed "Wyvern Refit/Subclass" by her engineers, several more Constitution II hulls would be upgraded to the same standard. Creating two dozen or so of these revived neo-classics. Performing decently well in combat and filling out gaps in the Federation's core worlds. With several Wyverns earning their keep in notable engagements, it proved that the old Connies still had some fight left in them. However, the Wyvern itself was still generally limited to its purpose and Scott himself has noted that there is room for improvement. He hopes that the Wyvern is simply a beginning of a journey to truly revive the Constitution for the modern era. The next chapter is yet to be written.



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Comments1
Beautiful rendering. TNG has always been my favorite.
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