USS Maximilian

USS Maximilian NCC-86421 is a Reliant-class Federation starship currently assigned to the Fourth Fleet Expeditionary Group. Small but modern, she is a highly versatile starship that can fulfil a range of mission roles, while outright excelling in few of them.

The Maximilian embodies the ‘go anywhere, do anything’ ethos of a modern frigate. Never meant to be a headline-grabbing explorer, she excels at showing up where she’s needed.

Border patrols and planetary surveys are handled with the quiet ease of a ship that’s sturdy enough to shrug off a scrape, and nimble enough to dodge the big disasters.

While Diplomacy only touches her lightly, her generalized science labs and reliable engines make her a vessel that gets the job done without fuss.

History

The Maximilian was commissioned in 2393, and spent her early years patrolling the trade routes on the outer Federation borders, but never made headlines. By the turn of the century, with several hull and system upgrades under her belt, the Maximilian was assigned to regional patrol squadrons and expeditionary rotations. Her role: show up first, handle the routine, and let the credit go to someone flashier.

In late 2402, the Maximilian was assigned to the Fourth Fleet Expeditionary Group.

Design

The interior of the Maximilian is an updated design of its namesake. Despite its size, the bridge feels spacious and modern, with wall-mounted LCARS panels compensating for a comparatively compact viewscreen.

Shipboard life

While assignments to the Maximilian aren’t glamorous, they’re seen as preferable to many other ships of her size, given her high standards of accommodation.

Like aboard the Maximilian is comfortable without being indulgent, and the standard crew complement of 200 makes for a tight-knit, practical community.

The crew enjoys two full holodecks, four smaller holosuites, and recreational facilities that make downtime genuinely pleasant - all packed into a vessel that’s still small enough to feel personal.

The Teaflet

The Teaflet is the smallest lounge on the Maximilian, known for its calmer, more intimate atmosphere. A selection of replicated tea blends is accompanied by a single type of coffee, and a variety of biscuits.

Low shelves hold a rotating supply of data padds with literature and periodicals, and replicated paper volumes that serve more as decoration than anything else. Seating - cushioned chairs gathered around small, wooden tables, favours intimacy and invites quiet conversation.

Auxiliary Vessels

The Maximilian boasts four shuttles, such as the Aurelius, housed in two shuttlebays.

The USS Maximilian In-Play

The Maximilian is an excellent ‘all-rounder’ choice of ship that could be chosen for a range of missions, and is thus particularly suitable if you want a ship with resources capable of keeping up with a twisting, turning story. While she is still small and not an especially auspicious assignment, she can deal with mid-level tactical challenges, provide basic diplomatic support, and is a capable scientific platform. Short of stories where making a show of Starfleet strength (in any sense of the world) may be desirable, there are few mission profiles she doesn’t suit - but, again, is not enormously powerful and can easily be found out of her depth as circumstances demand.