Jo Marshall

Ooooo you've got one there! Almost like a Nova-class equiv of a Captain's yacht.

When we talk about shuttlecraft, we mean the fictional vehicles used within our science fiction universe. They are vehicles built for quick trips in space, for small crews and cargo, and for transporting between the large orbiting interstellar starship and the planet surface down below. Because of the ever-growing nature of starships and how they operate in space, landing these huge space vehicles became more of a hazard and a hindrance to the plot; instead, the ships stay moored in space like sea-fairing vessels of old would remain out of the shallow waters while "launchers" in the form of shuttlecraft are used to ferry the Away Teams down through the atmosphere. Used alongside the transporter technology, a starship crew has multiple options to land on the surface of a planet or slip through space. Relied on for so much, yet the humble shuttlecraft has limited capabilities, making them perfect for the short-range transport and runabouts for longer-range travel where taking the starship wouldn't be possible. On many ships around the ‘fleet, shuttlecraft have become personal projects, with some characters developing their own shuttlecraft through the sim over time, whereas other characters detest using them for one fear or another brought on by experience. Fans of Star Trek have recreated shuttlecraft on top of their minivans, showing the love there is out there in the real world for these people carrier equivalents flinging us through space. The design and style of shuttlecraft varies across the Trek but that’s for another poll; for this one, we want to put your helm officers’ love to the test. This week, we want to know which of these favourite Starfleet-designed shuttlecraft is your favourite?

Well done, scallywags! You did a great job!

The concept of Starfleet is of a deep space exploratory and the defence service for the United Federation of Planets; a union based on equality, the sharing of knowledge, science, technology, resources and a mutual defence of the borders making up the Federation presence in the Alpha and Beta quadrants. During times of peace, Starfleet's principal function is advancing the wealth of knowledge this partnership influences, making new discoveries, seeking out new life, and extending the hand of diplomacy wherever it can. However, the Dominion War and the invasion of the Borg brought Starfleet technology into a new realm — the heavy-hitting warships to defend and protect. In our group, we have several of these powerful starships; some relics of the war that's been and gone, others designed for the region of space they operate in, each with their reasons for existing in the galaxy in the run up to 2400. Designed for warfare and combat, these vessels are the last line of defence against those who would invade the Federation and threaten the inherent peace cultivated within the territory. With a selection of ships ranging from battleships to cruisers, escorts to destroyers, when a hostile alien force comes knocking on the door, Starfleet is ready to execute that defence policy. So, with that in mind, this week we want to know which of these ships under the warship classification packs the most punch for you. Which of these ships is winging in to defend your Federation from the terrors of the deep? Which of these warships would you want to see sliding into battle?

Yet, when Voyager comes on the TV by chance and the theme is on (opening or closing) it's a must watch. Dangit, imma make a spotify playlist...

Archer's theme is pretty nifty! I am pretty partial to the Short Treks ending sounds suitably noir

I wonder if that's the issue with them, then. They're just not as memorable as the orchestral crescendos?

I like the ethereal sound to Disco and Picard! Almost like an optimistic sound to them?

No love for the two newest ones?!

It's difficult to think about Star Trek and not have the theme music of a favoured series pop into the head. From the first time the Original Series popped onto television screens, the soundtrack composed by Alexander Courage has ensured Star Trek remained firmly in hearts and minds for years to come. Several composers have attempted their own version of this since, emulating and expanding upon one of the most iconic and well-loved pieces of orchestral composition. As with music tastes throughout the ages, the spin-offs of Star Trek have each introduced their fresh take on a theme. Over the years, we've seen some of these enter the hallowed halls of classical music and venerated with the same respect as movie themes known and loved the world over, while others have become pop sensations. Now, we move into a new era of Star Trek with Discovery and Picard, and a new generation of composers bring their interpretation and ideas. This week, we want to know which of these themes strummed your heartstrings and plucked your imagination chords. Do you rock along to the dulcet tones of Russell Watson, the bongo drums of the Original Series or feel the stirring inspiration from Deep Space Nine? Which of these soundtracks is your hallowed favourite?

Welcome to the fleet, guys!

Only a baby salamander! https://gph.is/1yviRTK

Also known as "Holy Grail Melt Mode"

I can't believe the Defiant and Nova are neck and neck in this space race 😄 Lot of love for the plucky science vessel!

The Nova-class is over taking the Defiant! 👀 what have I done

Congratulations, guys! Welcome to the fleet!

Thank you guys for judging!

Hey Ben! Submissions closed on the 17th for the challenge, but you're more than welcome to get some practice in with the prompt and write something. We've got a great bunch of writers here who'd love to read it.

So much love for our smaller ships! We've had a couple of Miranda classes in the fleet, maybe Wes' will be next! And man, the Nova gives me such feels 😂 Tonnes you could with a science vessel winging around the galaxy, looking into all the strange and doing all the science. Had a couple of Nova classes too! https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Starfleet_Vessel_Register/By_Class

There's something of the old-school swashbucklers about the Defiant class! Definitely a strong favourite, especially with all that nose art 😂 Hermes Class, search and rescue 👀 dive in, do the stuff, dive out

When you mention ships of the Trekverse, the one everyone remembers is the Enterprise; the beautiful vessel that has captured the hearts and imaginations of the audience and the crew through years of successive storytelling. In the series, where space flight could be perilous, encounters with enemies more so, and hosting everyday life on board, the ships of the line became as recognisable in the shows as the characters themselves. You'd be hard-pressed to find a Star Trek fan who can't identify the sleek lines of the Galaxy class on sight, or punch the air when the Sovereign class makes that famed strafing run against the Borg. However, there are the unsung heroes of the Starfleet ship catalogue in the smaller ships; those with a smaller crew, designed for a specific purpose, and perform their role within the universe perfectly. This broad range of starships includes vessels designed for war the Federation didn't plan for, scientific vessels with limited weapons capabilities, ships solely for transport and supply, or for scouting in areas larger ships would be detected. In a universe where space vessels make up the primary settings for our characters, encounters, and stories, having a ship which suits the tale you want to tell is paramount. So, this week, we want to know if any of these ships have captured your interest and your imagination. Have you had dreams of sailing around the galaxy doing all the science in your Oberth class, opted for the cloak and dagger aspects of a Saber class, or would you be interested in running search and rescue missions in a Defiant? Which of these smaller ship classes has ever piqued your interest?

@Ens. Joshua Sutton Kicking off life on the Gorkon in the true style of the party boat!

😂 No worries, dude. Typos be the death.

I'm not so sure about that one. It's extremely unlikely any serving officer aside from those heavily entrenched in Intelligence (i.e. upper echelons only) would know about it. Starfleet Officers certainly wouldn't, or have had any interactions with them.

I had a thought along these lines recently, about how we are judgemental creatures, it's in the nature; an innate, automatic trait. It's not a new thing either; polarising opinions about media have existed since the dawn of media. What critics have now is unprecedented access to millions of minds consuming all the time, barely stopping to form a free-thinking opinion of their own before diving into the next bit of consumption for the masses, and we know about the science of repetition. One of the first things i heard about the new Star Wars movies were that they didn't fit the genre, they were convoluted, they didn't pass muster for all the Star Wars fans out there. Elitism and gate keeping can be rife in any fandom, and a bit of it has transferred to Trek. Ya gotta take a step back, man. Push out that jive. Breathe in the love. Media is, in it's essence, an art form, and it's designed to make you *feel* something. You don't have to like all of it. There's no "true fan" for loving one part and disliking another. There's a paradigm shift when you appreciate one another for a difference in opinion, a difference in what someone else feels about a media you enjoy, and appreciate we're all unique. This is coming from someone who liked the new Picard, thinks the best Star Trek series in recent years is the Orville (fite me), the best movie was Galaxy Quest, and have not seen all of Disco because that ship looks like a pizza cutter and I can't take spore drive / hurting someone for the sake of using it seriously. Also, Section 31 shouldn’t have been implemented.