Ptolemy II Class

The Ptolemy II-class tug is a workhorse logistics vessel that has been in service with the Starfleet Auxiliary since the 2280s. Capable of pulling multiple cargo, logistics, or passenger modules, this class remains in service with both the Auxiliary fleet and the merchant marine fleets of several Federation worlds. While they are being replaced for pure cargo roles by the Wallenberg-class tug, it's unlikely that they will be fully displaced in the Auxliary fleet for quite a while, as they have superior passenger and logistics capabilities irrespective of the types of modules they are pulling compared to the newer class. While a Wallenberg is dependent on its modules for both cargo hauling and personnel transport, a Ptolemy II can pull multiple bulk cargo modules while also hosting several hundred passengers and carrying technical or medical supplies in its internal cargo holds—admittedly at a much slower speed.

Engineering

Ptolemy II-class vessels share the same general arrangement as Miranda and Soyuz class starships and are built from the same components. Unlike the Miranda, the upper portion of the saucer on the Ptolemy II is relatively flat, and the superstructure under the bridge is larger, containing numerous cargo holds with direct access to space through large doors. Aft of this, they are very similar to the Soyuz-class, with an extended aft structure containing a third large shuttlebay and the ship's relocated impulse engines. Unlike the other two classes, the warp nacelles are mounted above the ship's main body, while two mounts for cargo pods are beneath. While a first-gen Ptolemy-class starship could handily pull 3 cargo pods in a linear sequence, the Ptolemy II can pull two from each mounting point, for a total of four. With a full load, this class can comfortably sustain warp six. A quirk of this design is that the load balance must be symmetrical in mass, so pods must be mounted in even numbers. If there is nothing to carry in one of the positions, a bulk carrier module full of neutral matter, such as rock, will be loaded. This is an issue that was corrected in the Wallenberg by returning to a linear module arrangement.

Tactical

Ptolemy II-class starships are armed with two dual forward Type-VIII phaser banks, and four single banks of the same type mounted two on either side of the aft superstructure. It does not have any torpedo launchers. Combined with graviton shields, a ship of this class is hardly defenseless, but laden down with multiple modules makes it difficult to manuever.