U.S.S. Valkyrie: statistics:

The Valkyrie is currently assigned to the Third Fleet based in the Beta Quadrant. Captain Re'narth Jerbes has been in command for five years, since Captain Sarok transferred to the Jason. The Valkyrie is assigned to deep-space exploration, her rugged, survivable construction makes her perfect for this role. Her current crew capacity is just over 300 personnel. For her current assignment, Starfleet has allocated a large number of biological and viral experts. She is assigned to explore the planet Vaarati V, a planet where the population were biologically exterminated.

Captain's Log, stardate 10789.5. Our preliminary scans confirm our long range probe findings that Vaarati V is devoid of life. All life. We are conducting intense scans and taking all precautions in accordance with established Starfleet hazardous environment protocols before we send down an Away Team in protective gear. Our initial close range scans of the structures, cities and layout of the planet suggests a highly developed civilisation that was exterminated by some kind of catastrophe. Whether this was biohazadous or radiation-based disaster has not been determined. There are no craters to suggest asteroid impact. I feel that we are looking at the 'Marie Celeste' of planets.

Captain's log, stardate 10997.5. Having conducted surveys under the strictest control, we have sent our first reports to Starfleet Command. Curiously, in addition to the U.S.S. Hephaestus, Starfleet has also ordered the U.S.S. Epeus to join us in our studies of Vaarati V. With the addition of these two extra ships, we might be able to start a survey of this planet, although I know it will be years, or more likely decades, before meaningful, comprehensive data on this planet is compiled.

Crew: 535 [Maximum: 600]

Officers: 45

N.C.O.'s: 490

Cruising Warp: 6.

Maximum warp: 8.

Height: 86m.

Width: 175m.

Length: 310m.

Phasers: 12 Turrets.

Torpedo Launchers: 3 [2 Foward, 1 Aft].

Torpedo Compliment: 100.

Warp Engines: MARA

Impulse Engines: Standard

Computer System: DCLD - Duotronic Computer Library Database [Author's Note: Later upgraded to LCARS]

Expected Duration: 100 Years

Time Between Resupply: 3 Years

Time Between Refits: 5 Years

Shuttlecraft: 5 [Various types]

Starship primary mission: Planetary and Deep-Space Exploration.

Designation: Heavy Cruiser

The Mission:

Vaarati V, a planet in the Beta Quadrant believed to have once had warp capability. The population was believed to number in the billions at one stage. However, in the not so distant past the people were exterminated, along with most animal life forms, excepting insects and a few small mammals.

Starfleet wonders whether this biological incident was a naturally-occuring incident, or deliberate genocide. The proximity of Vaarati V to the Klingon and Romulan borders makes this issue extremely politically sensitive.

Captain's log supplemental, stardate 11230.2. We have begun to study the largest city on the northern continent of the planet. Our best guesses put the original population of this city to be somewhere in the region of 3 to 6 million. I count some four Federation starships in orbit with us: the Hephaestus, the Epeus and the Nernst. The U.S.S. Wells is scheduled to arrive at the beginning of next year, allowing us to collect more personnel to study this planet.

By stardate 11300 there were five starships in orbit of Vaarati V. Starfleet kept a ferry service going between Vaarati V and Starbase 11 with the U.S.S. Saratoga [NCC 1967, Miranda class] performing the ferry runs, as well as scans whilst she was in orbit of Vaarati V. A permenent station was beginning to be considered for Vaarati V, with maximum biohazard precautions and the best facilities that Starfleet could provide. Accordingly, the U.S.S. Albion was requisitioned to bring the initial modules for the base, named John Snow in honour of the first Epidemiologist.

Stardate 11310.5. U.S.S. Albion arrives with the first modules for the John Snow base on Vaarati V. Careful use of tractor beams allows the lowering of the modules onto the surface without compromising hermetically sealed sections. No Albion personnel are allowed to the planet during this mission, although some viral specialists are delivered from Starbase 11.

Medical log, stardate 11426.4. Commander Damian Curtis reporting. Following studies made from our 'John Snow' base for the last few months, my team and I have concluded thus far that the biogenic substance that killed this population - and the sophistication of the viral fragments we have discovered suggests it is an artificial biogenic agent - is too sophisticated for either Romulan or Klingon origins. I have informed the captain to inform Starfleet that we do not need to fear any biogenic attacks from the Romulans or Klingons. Instead of this, I have advised the captain that either the indiginous population of Vaarati V may well have created this viral agent, or that some third party is involved.

Stardate 11449.4, U.S.S. Wells arrives at Vaarati V. U.S.S. Hephaestus and the Valkyrie head to Starbase 77 for extended shoreleave and crew transfers. They return to relieve the Wells on stardate 11515. The U.S.S. Epeus and U.S.S. Nernst are reassigned on stardate 11531.3. With the John Snow base now online, Starfleet Command cannot justify such a large number of starships orbiting one planet. Starfleet Command plans the Hephaestus to be the ship to ferry the extra parts for the John Snow base to Vaarati V, whilst the U.S.S. Valkyrie remains the only starship on station.

Captain's log, stardate 11532.3. U.S.S. Amazon arrived with modular parts for a linguistics station for the second city of the southern continent. This 'Noam Chomsky' base is to concentrate on cracking the linguistic problems on Vaarati V, rather than the biogenic puzzle being examined by the 'John Snow' base in the main city of the northern continent.

Captain's log, supplemental: The U.S.S. Amazon left after spending just ten days here. The Noam Chomsky base appears to be operational. This was clinically and efficiently done, suggesting Starfleet wants this new base up and running in a hurry.

Starfleet Command took the 'Third Party' comments by Commander Curtis seriously. In addition to finding linguistically important facts with survey conducted by the U.S.S. Epeus, the idea that there might be a clue to the biogenic agents origin on the planet made the cracking of the linguistic code a priority.

Stardate 11540.5, Executive shuttle Endurance arrives from the U.S.S. Albion, carrying Vice Admiral Kylie Hudson and a team of linguistic experts. Admiral Hudson briefs the captain on further details on the Vaarati V mission, the experts are delivered to the Noam Chomsky base. Additionally some of the medical team are picked up from the John Snow team for assignment transfer, via Starbase 77.

Author's Notes: The U.S.S. Valkyrie was the starship shown on-screen in TNG's Redemption part 2 as part of Captain Picard's blockade fleet. The Valkyrie was not mentioned on the Okudagram - perhaps the old ship couldn't manage to stay functional. When the Star Trek Exhibition travelled around the UK, it was the Valkyrie which was shown. In this respect, I guess the only 'real' starship I have seen from the Interim Era [to-date] is the U.S.S. Valkyrie.

A tip of the hat is also made to the ill-fated TV series 'Crusade', with a mention of a biologically destroyed planet.

"The Valkyrie image is copyright © Mike Trice. All rights reserved"