USS Paramount

"When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go."

    —Carol Burnett - Ship's Dedication Quote

The USS Paramount (NCC-75570) is a California-class utility cruiser assigned to the Fourth Fleet’s Task Force 72.

Commissioned in November 2381, the Paramount is one of the most advanced and technological superior California-class ships.

Primarily a diplomatic support ship that provides assistance to foreign dignitaries and ships who are operating outside of Federation space. The Paramount is also well equipped to conduct search and rescue operations, defensive missions and logistical support for the different elements of the task force when required in conjunction with her own diplomatic duties.

Service History

2381 - 2401

• 2380s
  • November 2381 — Paramount is launched from Beta Antares Fleet Yards and begins a two-month shakedown cruise lasting the remainder of the year.
  • 2382 - 2385 — Captain Robert McKenzie assumes command for a three year mission. Initially assigned to patrol the Klingon border they are redirected to the Romulan Relocation effort to provide transport for the countless refugees in need. Due to the Attack on Mars, the Paramount is reassigned to patrol duties within the Federation core territories.
  • 2385 - 2390 — Captain McKenzie retains command for the ship's first five year mission. With its focus redirected on studying planets within Federation space. By Romulus destruction in 2387, Paramount had once again become a patrol ship.
• 2390s — Captain McKenzie transfers from the Paramount replaced by the ship's former XO, Captain Anita Marlin. Captain Marlin sees the ship through two five year mission by the turn of the century.

2401

• January - April — Captain Marlin retains command of the Paramount as it's tasked with accessing border territories after the Federations return to the frontier. In April, the ship heads for Avalon Fleet Yards to resupply and partake in the Frontier Day celebration. At the height of the celebration the Jupiter Signal began broadcasting where the senior staff and the majority of the crew was killed including Captain Marlin
• Late April — Commander Nitus and the crew of the USS Kison transfer aboard.
  • Upon completing repairs endured during Frontier Day, the Paramount is assigned to deliver supplies to the Deblin colony. Upon its arrival it is discovered that a pirate gang is attacking the planet and Nitus' half-brother Eldus is in charge of the assault.
• June — Due to the resurgence of Borg activity, the Paramount is tasked with investigating a Cube near Chaotic Space.
  • The Paramount is sent to Markonian Outpost to investigate a series of rumors about a possibly destroyed Borg Cube in or near Chaotic space. Upon arriving at the Cube the crew works quickly to deactivate the remaining Borg tech to avoid further Borg advancements into the region,
• May - September — Conducts planetary survey within Federation territory.
• September —The unexplainable expansion of Underspace tunnels creates a humanitarian crisis.
  • Enroute to Olympia Station the Paramount detects a gravitational anomaly and would eventually become trapped in an Underspace corridor. After about three day they would arrive over a million light years from the previous location deep in the Delta Quadrant.
  • After exiting the Underspace corridor, the Paramount would emerge in a completely unexplored region of the Delta Quadrant. Making first contact with the Athreans. During first contact negotiations a civil war would break out due to the influence of Romulan Free State General Merris, the older half-sister of Nitus. Due to Cardassian influence the Underspace aperture the Paramount emerged from would begin to weaken. Leading Nitus to make the hasty decision to leave the system leaving the fate of the Athreans unknown.
• October - November — Patrol duties along the Klingon border.
• December — The Paramount conducts an operation to prevent the sale of illicit technologies from the Orion Syndicate to the Klingon Empire.

2402

• January - The Paramount is retained by Task Force 72 for repairs and upgrades.
  • It's crew is reassigned and a new crew is selected to fit it's new role as diplomatic support and transport vessel.
  • Commander Jack Ghrymme is chosen from a long list of possible candidates to command the Paramount.
  • Jack Ghrymme is promoted to Captain and begins work on assembling his bridge crew and department heads.
  • Candidates are chosen, assessed and vetted.
• February - Crew transfers and promotions take place
  • Lieutenant Commander Marcus Grady is transferred and made Chief Engineer.
  • Lieutenant Izzie Zh'arr is assigned as Chief Tactical Officer / Security Chief.
  • Department heads assemble their own teams.
• March - Repairs are completed and crews are assembled.
  • The USS Nightingale transports medical teams over to the Paramount.
  • Ensigns Thomas Hunter, Sally Tang and Victor Murphy arrive in shuttle crafts.

Physical Configuration

The Paramount is a California-class utility cruiser largely in the stock configuration for the 2380s. With a little over 20 decks, the ship has hundreds of rooms and locations that serve a variety of functions for the crew.

Main Bridge

Main Bridge in late 2401

The Main Bridge is located on deck one of the Paramount. Serving as the epicenter for all command decisions made aboard the ship. The bridge design was traditional for Starfleet ships. The captain's chair sat in the center of the bridge, to the right sat the executive officer's chair, and to the left an additional command chair usually reserved by the ship's chief counselor, chief medical officer, or any official or dignitary the Captain sees fit. All three command chairs are made of a deep maroon textile and are surrounded by two consoles located directly behind for the tactical and science consoles respectively. Forward of the command chairs in a lowered part of the bridge is the helm and ops positions.

At the front of the bridge was a wide-angled window that filled the forward bulkhead. This window has holographic projectors built into the rim, allowing it to function as a more traditional viewscreen. It can also be used as an emergency evacuation hatch, with force fields being lowered until replaced by a large, external bulkhead. Starting on the forward port side of the bridge was theiris an emergency turbolift used to access the medical bay and main engineering. Continuing down the wall is four stations the first of which is communications, science II and III then mission ops I. Moving in to the aft alcove was two doors one leading to a head and the other to the observation lounge. At the rear of the bridge was the master systems display. Further along was the aft starboard alcove which contained two more doors one was another entrance into the observation lounge and the other the doors to a turbolift. The first console was mission ops II, environmental control, then engineering I and II. Lastly was a door on the front starboard side of the bridge it led to the captain's ready room.

Ready Room

The Paramount’s ready room was located on the starboard side of the bridge and serves as the captain's private office. The focal point of the room was a sold oak desk that featured a work area and access console, in the corner furthest from the main entrance door. The room had a single room-wide window to space on the wall directly opposite the entrance door. With shelves integrated into the wall behind the main work desk allowing the captain to display personal belongings such as picture, or personal items.

In front of the desk were two armless chairs, the room also bore a replicator, a dark grey loveseat on the wall opposite the window next to the main entrance door. On the same side as the desk in the opposite corner was a small confrence table made out of oak that could seat four people comfortably.

Observation Lounge

Located aft of the bridge, is the observation lounge aboard the Paramount. The lounge serves as a space for the senior staff and other officer to collaborate, celebrate, and make plans for the journey ahead. It connected to the bridge through two doors on the port and starboard side of the lounge. Another door on the starboard side of the room led directly to a turbolift.

Set into the mahogany surface of the conference table were holographic projectors for holographic projections for displaying images and data on the surface of the table or holographic LCARS panels projected at respective eye levels. The table was surrounded by ten chairs upholstered in a deep maroon textile the same type as was on the bridge.

The Halo

The primary social space aboard the Paramount was The Halo and is located on deck ten. It was the closest to a ‘no ranks’ space aboard the ship, even though that rule does not exist. Most would use the room as a mess hall, a place to grab a drink, talk with friends, and spend their off time. It had a multitude of recreational games including three-dimensional chess as well as a fully stocked bar which carried syntheholic beverages. The replicators were also able to produce other food and drinks for the crew to enjoy in a relaxed social setting. Its large, panoramic view of the ship’s passage through space.

Captain’s Galley

The Captain’s Galley serves a dual role as both the captain’s lounge / mess and the executive dining room. The Captain’s Galley was located on deck four alongside the captain’s quarters, the executive officer’s quarters and senior staff’s quarters. The galley was an invite only space aboard the ship as such it was never overpopulated reserved for the exclusive use of the ship’s senior officers and their guests. The Captain’s Galley was designed with a warm, comforting feeling appropriate for small gatherings.

Starlight Lounge

The Starlight Lounge is the officer’s mess and lounge located on deck six.

Security Suite

The Security Suite was located on deck fifteen of the Paramount.

Notable Crew

For the article, see Paramount Full Roster.

Commanding Officers

• 2381 - 2390: Captain Robert McKenzie
• 2390 - 2401: Captain Anita Marlin
• 2401 - 2402: Captain Nitus
• 2402 - Present: Captain Jack Ghrymme

Executive Officers

• 2381 - 2390: Commander Anita Marlin
• 2390 - 2401: Commander Joesph Howard
• 2401 - 2402: Commander T'Soni