USS Wasp
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USS Wasp (NCC-74209) is a Defiant-class Federation starship currently assigned to the Fourth Fleet's Task Force 47. She is currently under the command of Lieutenant Commander Song So-mi.
Construction and Commissioning
In the early 2370s, Starfleet was in something of a crisis. The Dominion had stepped onto the galactic stage with an explosive entrance, tensions with the Cardassians (and, for a while, the Klingons) were on the rise, and the Federation was wary of a return of the Borg. However, in early 2371, the crew of Deep Space 9 fixed most of the flaws with the prototype USS Defiant, and the vessel performed well enough that Starfleet rapidly ordered the design into production with their modifications.
Hull number 74209 was constructed by 40 Eridani A Fleet Yards as, sequentially, the first of a batch of six. However, the small size of the vessels meant all six were worked on simultaneously. She was christened as USS Wasp shortly after being laid down in late 2371, launched in September 2372, and commissioned on April 18th, 2373, as the third of the six ships to enter service. She was constructed alongside sister ships Valiant (NCC-74210), Bennington (NCC-74211), Kumari (NCC-74212), Hotspur (NCC-74213), and Escapade (NCC-74214). Together, these six ships were to form Escort Wing 3.
Dominion War
None of the six ships were finished their shakedown cruises, and some still fitting out, when the Battle of Sector 001 was fought. Shortly after, Valiant was pulled out of the wing to serve as a training ship, and her spot was filled by a ship from another yard, Parramatta (NCC-74238). The start of the Dominion War through Starfleet's organization into temporary disarray, and thus only Wasp and Bennington participated in the Battle of Torros III, an early victory. However, this also came with their first loss- though not intended to operate with the Seventh Fleet, Escapade was drawn into the Battle of Tyra and lost.
By early 2374, the five ships were consolidated and Escapade replaced with Maverick (NCC-74286). Kumari was lost during a raid on a Dominion comms buoy, severely damaged by Jem'Hadar fighters; her crew was taken off by Wasp and then the hulk was scuttled. By the time of Operation Return, she was replaced by Zeus (NCC-74302). The mission to retake Deep Space Nine caused heavy casualties but was ultimately a success- however, Parramatta and Hotspur were lost and Zeus forced to head home for repairs.
Wasp, Bennington, and Maverick soldiered on, participating in the First Battle of Chin'toka without loss.