Guide:Deneb/Defender - Revision history

Dan at 12:41, 21 September 2025

2025-09-21T12:41:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:41, 21 September 2025
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	\|history= ''My Enemy, My Ally'' (Diane Duane), ''The Wounded Sky'' (Diane Duane), own		\|history= ''My Enemy, My Ally'' (Diane Duane), ''The Wounded Sky'' (Diane Duane), own
	}}		}}
			==Background: ''Hobbyist's Guide''==
	[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg\|left\|200px\|thumb\|Hanging against a backdrop of the Dumbbell nebula, ''USS Deneb'' superbly performs her primary mission of projecting [[Star Fleet]] power into deep space. A fleet of just two such vessels might at first not seem like an efficient deterrent, but the high speed at which these vessels spanned the interstellar distances meant that even with very little advance warning, they could stand between an invasion and its target. And like the ''[[Guide: Federation\|Federations]]'', the ''Denebs'' were quite adept at fighting at warp speeds, a skill seldom matched by the enemy.]]		[[Image:No Photo Available.jpg\|left\|200px\|thumb\|Hanging against a backdrop of the Dumbbell nebula, ''USS Deneb'' superbly performs her primary mission of projecting [[Star Fleet]] power into deep space. A fleet of just two such vessels might at first not seem like an efficient deterrent, but the high speed at which these vessels spanned the interstellar distances meant that even with very little advance warning, they could stand between an invasion and its target. And like the ''[[Guide: Federation\|Federations]]'', the ''Denebs'' were quite adept at fighting at warp speeds, a skill seldom matched by the enemy.]]

Dan: /* References */

2022-10-26T20:22:10Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:22, 26 October 2022
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	<br>		<br>
	----		----
	*[[Guide: Timo's Guide to Star Fleet\|Back to the Table of Contents]]		* [[Guide: Timo's Guide to Star Fleet\|Back to the Table of Contents]]
	*[[Guide: 2240-2270 - The Final Frontier\|Back to "The Final Frontier"]]		* [[Guide: 2240-2270 - The Final Frontier\|Back to "The Final Frontier"]]
	*[[Guide: Of Ship Statistics\|Appendix A: Of Ship Statistics]]		* [[Guide: Of Ship Statistics\|Appendix A: Of Ship Statistics]]
	*[[Guide: Glossary\|Appendix B: Glossary]]		* [[Guide: Glossary\|Appendix B: Glossary]]
	*[[Guide: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline\|Appendix C: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline]]		* [[Guide: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline\|Appendix C: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline]]
	*[[Guide: Abbreviations From Outside\|Appendix D: Abbreviations From Outside]]		* [[Guide: Abbreviations From Outside\|Appendix D: Abbreviations From Outside]]


	[[Category:Guide\|{{PAGENAME}}]]		[[Category:Guide\|{{PAGENAME}}]]

Dan at 19:31, 26 October 2022

2022-10-26T19:31:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:31, 26 October 2022
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	\|classname= ''Deneb/Defender''		\|classname= ''Deneb/Defender''
	\|category= defender/battleship		\|category= defender/battleship
	\|years= [[2265]]-[[~~xxxx~~]]		\|years= [[2265]]-[[2315]]
	* ''Deneb'' (defender): [[2265]]-[[2315]]		* ''Deneb'' (defender): [[2265]]-[[2315]]
	* ''Defender'' (battleship): [[~~xxxx~~]]-[[2315]]		* ''Defender'' (battleship): [[2269]]-[[2315]]
	\|constructed= 14<br>		\|constructed= 14<br>
	* ''Deneb'': 2 (built [[2263]]-[[2265]])		* ''Deneb'': 2 (built [[2263]]-[[2265]])

Dan at 19:30, 26 October 2022

2022-10-26T19:30:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:30, 26 October 2022
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	\|category= defender/battleship		\|category= defender/battleship
	\|years= [[2265]]-[[xxxx]]		\|years= [[2265]]-[[xxxx]]
	* ''Deneb'' (defender): [[2265]]-[[~~xxxx~~]]		* ''Deneb'' (defender): [[2265]]-[[2315]]
	* ''Defender'' (battleship): [[xxxx]]-[[~~xxxx~~]]		* ''Defender'' (battleship): [[xxxx]]-[[2315]]
	\|constructed= 14<br>		\|constructed= 14<br>
	* ''Deneb'': 2 (built [[2263]]-[[2265]])		* ''Deneb'': 2 (built [[2263]]-[[2265]])

Dan at 19:28, 26 October 2022

2022-10-26T19:28:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 26 October 2022
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	~~{{Datamining}}~~
	{{Sidebar Guide ship		{{Sidebar Guide ship
	\|image=[[File:Deneb (port).png\|250px\|''Deneb/Defender'' defender/battleship]]		\|image=[[File:Deneb (port).png\|250px\|''Deneb/Defender'' defender/battleship]]
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	How many battleships could Star Fleet afford? None, said the adamant few. Ten, said the most optimistic of the supporters. Finally, construction of eight of the immense vessels was initiated, again at distant fleet yards and not in the cruiser- and frigate- geared core world docks. [[Rigel (Beta Orionis)\|Rigel]] bore the brunt of the program, completing three battleships, the ''Arizona'', the ''Rodger Young'' and the ''Yamato'', between [[2268]] and [[2269]]. Vulcans sponsored the construction of two, the ''M’Hasien'' and the ''S’Harien'', at [[Aldebaran]]. The ''Dataphda'' and the ''Divine Wind'' were completed at [[Tiburon]] and [[Izar]], respectively. Yet it was the eighth ship, ''USS Defender'', that first received a Star Fleet commission at her birthplace, the Denebian yards. This time, the production was completely sponsored by Star Fleet, and the original "defender" type description was transformed into a proper class name.		How many battleships could Star Fleet afford? None, said the adamant few. Ten, said the most optimistic of the supporters. Finally, construction of eight of the immense vessels was initiated, again at distant fleet yards and not in the cruiser- and frigate- geared core world docks. [[Rigel (Beta Orionis)\|Rigel]] bore the brunt of the program, completing three battleships, the ''Arizona'', the ''Rodger Young'' and the ''Yamato'', between [[2268]] and [[2269]]. Vulcans sponsored the construction of two, the ''M’Hasien'' and the ''S’Harien'', at [[Aldebaran]]. The ''Dataphda'' and the ''Divine Wind'' were completed at [[Tiburon]] and [[Izar]], respectively. Yet it was the eighth ship, ''USS Defender'', that first received a Star Fleet commission at her birthplace, the Denebian yards. This time, the production was completely sponsored by Star Fleet, and the original "defender" type description was transformed into a proper class name.

	~~<span style="color:red">~~The vessels were constructed in record time considering their bulk and complexity.~~</span>~~ They were the only major construction project to come to fruition during the early years of the Organian ceasefire. Most such projects remained theoretical, biding their time while waiting for the political climate to change. The battleships left political concerns behind as they headed for deep space, assuming patrol beyond Rigel, Deneb, [[Mira]] and [[Canopus]] and also moving as far corewards as they dared through the mists of the Great Barrier. No Klingon ships braved such depths of space, and the combat engagements these ships had were with races the Federation had seldom even heard of before. Success in the mission allowed Star Fleet to procure four more of the vessels – the ''Missouri'', the ''Warsaw'', the ''Shushima'' and the ''Kursk'' – by bleeding off funds mainly from destroyer maintenance programs. After that, the impromptu yards that had enabled the production were struck down everywhere except at Deneb, where a maintenance center was established. Amusingly, this center was never to process a single ''Defender'', since the ships were far too durable and self-sufficient to require dockside maintenance attention.		The vessels were constructed in record time considering their bulk and complexity. They were the only major construction project to come to fruition during the early years of the Organian ceasefire. Most such projects remained theoretical, biding their time while waiting for the political climate to change. The battleships left political concerns behind as they headed for deep space, assuming patrol beyond Rigel, Deneb, [[Mira]] and [[Canopus]] and also moving as far corewards as they dared through the mists of the Great Barrier. No Klingon ships braved such depths of space, and the combat engagements these ships had were with races the Federation had seldom even heard of before. Success in the mission allowed Star Fleet to procure four more of the vessels – the ''Missouri'', the ''Warsaw'', the ''Shushima'' and the ''Kursk'' – by bleeding off funds mainly from destroyer maintenance programs. After that, the impromptu yards that had enabled the production were struck down everywhere except at Deneb, where a maintenance center was established. Amusingly, this center was never to process a single ''Defender'', since the ships were far too durable and self-sufficient to require dockside maintenance attention.

	Although the later ''Defenders'' differed from the ''Deneb'' and the ''Inaieu'' in details of internal configuration only (accommodating humanoids of average physique), the systematic designation "''Deneb'' class" was never applied on them. Some did insist on calling them defenders, for they were no closer to the historical description of battleship than the Star Fleet dreadnoughts were. Anybody who has ever witnessed an old Orion battleship in action could testify on the order-of-magnitude difference between these ogres and the largest ships built by the Federation to date. Some believe that the crew of the ''S’Harien'' did – the vessel went missing on trans-Rigel patrol in [[2275]], and soon components claimed to originate from her were available on Orion market. However, many believe that this was pure Orion propaganda, and that forces greater than mere piracy sealed the fate of the great ship.		Although the later ''Defenders'' differed from the ''Deneb'' and the ''Inaieu'' in details of internal configuration only (accommodating humanoids of average physique), the systematic designation "''Deneb'' class" was never applied on them. Some did insist on calling them defenders, for they were no closer to the historical description of battleship than the Star Fleet dreadnoughts were. Anybody who has ever witnessed an old Orion battleship in action could testify on the order-of-magnitude difference between these ogres and the largest ships built by the Federation to date. Some believe that the crew of the ''S’Harien'' did – the vessel went missing on trans-Rigel patrol in [[2275]], and soon components claimed to originate from her were available on Orion market. However, many believe that this was pure Orion propaganda, and that forces greater than mere piracy sealed the fate of the great ship.

Dan: /* Notes */

2022-10-26T19:24:35Z

Notes

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:24, 26 October 2022
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	* The reference to the [[8th Fleet]] has been removed, since the [[Fleet_Organization#Fleet_Model\|Fleet Model]] was not instituted until almost a [[2357\|century]] later.		* The reference to the [[8th Fleet]] has been removed, since the [[Fleet_Organization#Fleet_Model\|Fleet Model]] was not instituted until almost a [[2357\|century]] later.

			* An image caption indicates ''USS Yamato'' bears an historic hull number; SFC doesn't do this, as only the ships named ''Enterprise'' get that honor.

	==References==		==References==

Dan at 18:31, 26 October 2022

2022-10-26T18:31:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:31, 26 October 2022
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	* ''USS Divine Wind''		* ''USS Divine Wind''
	* ''USS Inaieu'' (NCC-2003)		* ''USS Inaieu'' (NCC-2003)
			* ''USS Kursk''
	* ''USS M’Hasien''		* ''USS M’Hasien''
			* ''USS Missouri''
	* ''USS Rodger Young''		* ''USS Rodger Young''
	* ''USS S’Harien''		* ''USS S’Harien''
			* ''USS Shushima''
			* ''USS Warsaw''
	* ''USS Yamato''		* ''USS Yamato''
	\|design= ''My Enemy, My Ally'' (Diane Duane), ''The Wounded Sky'' (Diane Duane)		\|design= ''My Enemy, My Ally'' (Diane Duane), ''The Wounded Sky'' (Diane Duane)

Dan at 18:21, 26 October 2022

2022-10-26T18:21:38Z

Dan at 18:12, 26 October 2022

2022-10-26T18:12:20Z

Show changes

Dan at 01:28, 29 May 2020

2020-05-29T01:28:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:28, 28 May 2020
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	serve as flying fortresses if and when hostilities with the Empire began anew.		serve as flying fortresses if and when hostilities with the Empire began anew.

	How many battleships could Star Fleet afford?~~</span>~~ None, said the adamant few. Ten, said the most		How many battleships could Star Fleet afford? None, said the adamant few. Ten, said the most
	optimistic of the supporters. Finally, construction of eight of the immense vessels was initiated,		optimistic of the supporters. Finally, construction of eight of the immense vessels was initiated,
	again at distant fleet yards and not in the cruiser- and frigate- geared core world docks. [[Rigel (Beta Orionis)\|Rigel]] bore		again at distant fleet yards and not in the cruiser- and frigate- geared core world docks. [[Rigel (Beta Orionis)\|Rigel]] bore
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	and the original ‘defender’ type description was transformed into a proper class name.		and the original ‘defender’ type description was transformed into a proper class name.

	<span style="color:red">The vessels were constructed in record time considering their bulk and complexity. They were the		<span style="color:red">The vessels were constructed in record time considering their bulk and complexity.</span> They were the
	only major construction project to come to fruition during the early years of the Organian ceasefire.		only major construction project to come to fruition during the early years of the Organian ceasefire.
	Most such projects remained theoretical, biding their time while waiting for the political climate to		Most such projects remained theoretical, biding their time while waiting for the political climate to

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:22, 26 October 2022
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	<br>		<br>
	----		----
	*[[Guide: Timo's Guide to Star Fleet\|Back to the Table of Contents]]		* [[Guide: Timo's Guide to Star Fleet\|Back to the Table of Contents]]
	*[[Guide: 2240-2270 - The Final Frontier\|Back to "The Final Frontier"]]		* [[Guide: 2240-2270 - The Final Frontier\|Back to "The Final Frontier"]]
	*[[Guide: Of Ship Statistics\|Appendix A: Of Ship Statistics]]		* [[Guide: Of Ship Statistics\|Appendix A: Of Ship Statistics]]
	*[[Guide: Glossary\|Appendix B: Glossary]]		* [[Guide: Glossary\|Appendix B: Glossary]]
	*[[Guide: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline\|Appendix C: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline]]		* [[Guide: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline\|Appendix C: Star Fleet Organization - General Outline]]
	*[[Guide: Abbreviations From Outside\|Appendix D: Abbreviations From Outside]]		* [[Guide: Abbreviations From Outside\|Appendix D: Abbreviations From Outside]]


	[[Category:Guide\|{{PAGENAME}}]]		[[Category:Guide\|{{PAGENAME}}]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 26 October 2022
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	Given the space requirements of all the weaponry, not to mention that of the mostly Denebian crew, the ships had surprisingly little room for exploration gear. Two shuttlebays in the primary hull usually carried some eight interplanetary shuttles customized for the Denebian physique, while the third (at the aft part of the secondary hull, perhaps best considered a quaternary hull unto itself) held a contingent of fightercraft and service auxiliaries. Six general purpose laboratories were provided, as was standard sensing gear. Six main transporters, each capable of moving twelve Denebians simultaneously, were used for planetary forays or for boarding actions. Seven tractor beam emitters could be fired up to tow disabled ships at impulse or low warp in the depths of frontier space, or to tear apart smaller vessels.		Given the space requirements of all the weaponry, not to mention that of the mostly Denebian crew, the ships had surprisingly little room for exploration gear. Two shuttlebays in the primary hull usually carried some eight interplanetary shuttles customized for the Denebian physique, while the third (at the aft part of the secondary hull, perhaps best considered a quaternary hull unto itself) held a contingent of fightercraft and service auxiliaries. Six general purpose laboratories were provided, as was standard sensing gear. Six main transporters, each capable of moving twelve Denebians simultaneously, were used for planetary forays or for boarding actions. Seven tractor beam emitters could be fired up to tow disabled ships at impulse or low warp in the depths of frontier space, or to tear apart smaller vessels.

	In mid-[[2265]], two commissioning ceremonies were held. ''USS Hood'' transported admirals Fitzpatrick and Sha’av to the occasion, establishing trans-Federation speed records for several years. In simple, austere ceremonies, the two vessels received Star Fleet names and registries, becoming ''USS Deneb'' (NCC-2002) and ''USS Inaieu'' (NCC-2003), respectively. Their official designation was one of ~~‘defender’~~, insisted on by the Denebians who found the ~~‘dreadnought’~~ reference obscure and confusing. In fleet operations of large scale, the defenders would yield to Star Fleet command. In normal patrol duty, Denebian local defense forces would be in full charge of the vessels.		In mid-[[2265]], two commissioning ceremonies were held. ''USS Hood'' transported admirals Fitzpatrick and Sha’av to the occasion, establishing trans-Federation speed records for several years. In simple, austere ceremonies, the two vessels received Star Fleet names and registries, becoming ''USS Deneb'' (NCC-2002) and ''USS Inaieu'' (NCC-2003), respectively. Their official designation was one of "defender", insisted on by the Denebians who found the "dreadnought" reference obscure and confusing. In fleet operations of large scale, the defenders would yield to Star Fleet command. In normal patrol duty, Denebian local defense forces would be in full charge of the vessels.

	The ~~‘normal’~~ patrol duty would prove to be anything but. During thirty years of operations, the two ships intercepted a combined total of 1,589 spacecraft intruding Federation space, made tentative first contact with sixteen cultures, fought and won 169 solo and 24 fleet battles, and crossed the length of the Federation four times each, to participate in crisis control on the Klingon or Romulan ~~orders~~ and then to return to their assigned patrol areas. Put short, the ''Deneb'' and the ''Inaieu'' each saw more action than the rest of the dreadnought fleet combined.		The "normal" patrol duty would prove to be anything but. During thirty years of operations, the two ships intercepted a combined total of 1,589 spacecraft intruding Federation space, made tentative first contact with sixteen cultures, fought and won 169 solo and 24 fleet battles, and crossed the length of the Federation four times each, to participate in crisis control on the Klingon or Romulan borders and then to return to their assigned patrol areas. Put short, the ''Deneb'' and the ''Inaieu'' each saw more action than the rest of the dreadnought fleet combined.

	Soon enough, Star Fleet was convinced of the worth of the vessels, and was hoping to acquire more. However, the means of doing so did not exist, since the dockyards that had delivered the numbers of cruisers, destroyers and heavy frigates vital for defense could never be adapted for defender production. On this the admirals were in agreement: Star Fleet of the [[23rd century]] was a cruiser fleet, not a battleship fleet. The effort of producing the cruiser, destroyer and frigate arsenal had drained Star Fleet of resources for a good while, yet even without these vital acquisitions the chances of procuring vessels of defender scale would have been slim. For Star Fleet to obtain actual battleships, something big would have to give.		Soon enough, Star Fleet was convinced of the worth of the vessels, and was hoping to acquire more. However, the means of doing so did not exist, since the dockyards that had delivered the numbers of cruisers, destroyers and heavy frigates vital for defense could never be adapted for defender production. On this the admirals were in agreement: Star Fleet of the [[23rd century]] was a cruiser fleet, not a battleship fleet. The effort of producing the cruiser, destroyer and frigate arsenal had drained Star Fleet of resources for a good while, yet even without these vital acquisitions the chances of procuring vessels of defender scale would have been slim. For Star Fleet to obtain actual battleships, something big would have to give.
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	Deep space patrols were one field of military operations not touched by Organian interference. By conservative estimates, some 400 to 600 unidentified space vessels, ranging from mundane smugglers to advanced alien voyagers way out of Star Fleet’s league, were trespassing Federation space at any given time during the mid-[[23rd century]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>. Many considered it fantasy and folly that the Star Fleet of [[2260s]] could claim to patrol the deep range, but equally many were convinced that this was the perfect way to utilize the forced truce – ships built as deep space patrol combatants could serve as flying fortresses if and when hostilities with the Empire began anew.		Deep space patrols were one field of military operations not touched by Organian interference. By conservative estimates, some 400 to 600 unidentified space vessels, ranging from mundane smugglers to advanced alien voyagers way out of Star Fleet’s league, were trespassing Federation space at any given time during the mid-[[23rd century]]<nowiki>*</nowiki>. Many considered it fantasy and folly that the Star Fleet of [[2260s]] could claim to patrol the deep range, but equally many were convinced that this was the perfect way to utilize the forced truce – ships built as deep space patrol combatants could serve as flying fortresses if and when hostilities with the Empire began anew.

	How many battleships could Star Fleet afford? None, said the adamant few. Ten, said the most optimistic of the supporters. Finally, construction of eight of the immense vessels was initiated, again at distant fleet yards and not in the cruiser- and frigate- geared core world docks. [[Rigel (Beta Orionis)\|Rigel]] bore the brunt of the program, completing three battleships, the ''Arizona'', the ''Rodger Young'' and the ''Yamato'', between [[2268]] and [[2269]]. Vulcans sponsored the construction of two, the ''M’Hasien'' and the ''S’Harien'', at [[Aldebaran]]. The ''Dataphda'' and the ''Divine Wind'' were completed at [[Tiburon]] and [[Izar]], respectively. Yet it was the eighth ship, ''USS Defender'', that first received a Star Fleet commission at her birthplace, the Denebian yards. This time, the production was completely sponsored by Star Fleet, and the original ~~‘defender’~~ type description was transformed into a proper class name.		How many battleships could Star Fleet afford? None, said the adamant few. Ten, said the most optimistic of the supporters. Finally, construction of eight of the immense vessels was initiated, again at distant fleet yards and not in the cruiser- and frigate- geared core world docks. [[Rigel (Beta Orionis)\|Rigel]] bore the brunt of the program, completing three battleships, the ''Arizona'', the ''Rodger Young'' and the ''Yamato'', between [[2268]] and [[2269]]. Vulcans sponsored the construction of two, the ''M’Hasien'' and the ''S’Harien'', at [[Aldebaran]]. The ''Dataphda'' and the ''Divine Wind'' were completed at [[Tiburon]] and [[Izar]], respectively. Yet it was the eighth ship, ''USS Defender'', that first received a Star Fleet commission at her birthplace, the Denebian yards. This time, the production was completely sponsored by Star Fleet, and the original "defender" type description was transformed into a proper class name.

	<span style="color:red">The vessels were constructed in record time considering their bulk and complexity.</span> They were the only major construction project to come to fruition during the early years of the Organian ceasefire. Most such projects remained theoretical, biding their time while waiting for the political climate to change. The battleships left political concerns behind as they headed for deep space, assuming patrol beyond Rigel, Deneb, [[Mira]] and [[Canopus]] and also moving as far corewards as they dared through the mists of the Great Barrier. No Klingon ships braved such depths of space, and the combat engagements these ships had were with races the Federation had seldom even heard of before. Success in the mission allowed Star Fleet to procure four more of the vessels – the ''Missouri'', the ''Warsaw'', the ''Shushima'' and the ''Kursk'' – by bleeding off funds mainly from destroyer maintenance programs. After that, the impromptu yards that had enabled the production were struck down everywhere except at Deneb, where a maintenance center was established. Amusingly, this center was never to process a single ''Defender'', since the ships were far too durable and self-sufficient to require dockside maintenance attention.		<span style="color:red">The vessels were constructed in record time considering their bulk and complexity.</span> They were the only major construction project to come to fruition during the early years of the Organian ceasefire. Most such projects remained theoretical, biding their time while waiting for the political climate to change. The battleships left political concerns behind as they headed for deep space, assuming patrol beyond Rigel, Deneb, [[Mira]] and [[Canopus]] and also moving as far corewards as they dared through the mists of the Great Barrier. No Klingon ships braved such depths of space, and the combat engagements these ships had were with races the Federation had seldom even heard of before. Success in the mission allowed Star Fleet to procure four more of the vessels – the ''Missouri'', the ''Warsaw'', the ''Shushima'' and the ''Kursk'' – by bleeding off funds mainly from destroyer maintenance programs. After that, the impromptu yards that had enabled the production were struck down everywhere except at Deneb, where a maintenance center was established. Amusingly, this center was never to process a single ''Defender'', since the ships were far too durable and self-sufficient to require dockside maintenance attention.

	Although the later ''Defenders'' differed from the ''Deneb'' and the ''Inaieu'' in details of internal configuration only (accommodating humanoids of average physique), the systematic designation ‘''Deneb'' ~~class’~~ was never applied on them. Some did insist on calling them defenders, for they were no closer to the historical description of battleship than the Star Fleet dreadnoughts were. Anybody who has ever witnessed an old Orion battleship in action could testify on the order-of-magnitude difference between these ogres and the largest ships built by the Federation to date. Some believe that the crew of the ''S’Harien'' did – the vessel went missing on trans-Rigel patrol in [[2275]], and soon components claimed to originate from her were available on Orion market. However, many believe that this was pure Orion propaganda, and that forces greater than mere piracy sealed the fate of the great ship.		Although the later ''Defenders'' differed from the ''Deneb'' and the ''Inaieu'' in details of internal configuration only (accommodating humanoids of average physique), the systematic designation "''Deneb'' class" was never applied on them. Some did insist on calling them defenders, for they were no closer to the historical description of battleship than the Star Fleet dreadnoughts were. Anybody who has ever witnessed an old Orion battleship in action could testify on the order-of-magnitude difference between these ogres and the largest ships built by the Federation to date. Some believe that the crew of the ''S’Harien'' did – the vessel went missing on trans-Rigel patrol in [[2275]], and soon components claimed to originate from her were available on Orion market. However, many believe that this was pure Orion propaganda, and that forces greater than mere piracy sealed the fate of the great ship.

	The unfortunate fact was that it was not all that difficult to destroy a ''Defender''. The ships possessed superior endurance and speed and an admirable concentration of firepower, but once the enemy managed to engage them at sublight, the weaknesses of the design became apparent. The ''Defenders'' featured no advanced technology, just tried and true solutions applied on a larger scale. This was the most evident in shielding technology: the shield-tripling mode could not be sustained for more than a few minutes at most, and it would have been suicidal for a ''Defender'' to stay and fight amidst an enemy fleet for a longer time period, with the enemy undoubtedly concentrating its fire on this largest target imaginable. The ''Defenders'' simply were no better than battle cruisers or dreadnoughts in fleet battles at close quarters.		The unfortunate fact was that it was not all that difficult to destroy a ''Defender''. The ships possessed superior endurance and speed and an admirable concentration of firepower, but once the enemy managed to engage them at sublight, the weaknesses of the design became apparent. The ''Defenders'' featured no advanced technology, just tried and true solutions applied on a larger scale. This was the most evident in shielding technology: the shield-tripling mode could not be sustained for more than a few minutes at most, and it would have been suicidal for a ''Defender'' to stay and fight amidst an enemy fleet for a longer time period, with the enemy undoubtedly concentrating its fire on this largest target imaginable. The ''Defenders'' simply were no better than battle cruisers or dreadnoughts in fleet battles at close quarters.
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	proper Fleet starbase facility in the [[Deneb F]] system in [[2343]], even though plans on acquiring a further base on [[Deneb G IV]] fell through in [[2364]]. The locals rarely visit the exhibit, which they in their matter-of-fact mentality consider a derelict, unsuitable for recycling and only mildly interesting as a monument of Denebian ingenuity and persistence.		proper Fleet starbase facility in the [[Deneb F]] system in [[2343]], even though plans on acquiring a further base on [[Deneb G IV]] fell through in [[2364]]. The locals rarely visit the exhibit, which they in their matter-of-fact mentality consider a derelict, unsuitable for recycling and only mildly interesting as a monument of Denebian ingenuity and persistence.

	<nowiki>*</nowiki> <sub>As of [[2375]], the figure is estimated at 8,500 unidentified visitors, reflecting both increased Federation volume and surface area, growth of local traffic, and improved detection capabilities – the true figure for the [[23rd century]], taking into account those visitors not detectable by the technology of the era, would probably have been closer to 1,200-1,400 trespassers. About 8% of the visitors fall into the category of ~~‘uninterceptables’~~, representing vessels or beings capable of greatly superior speed, evasion or aggression. This figure is expected to drop somewhat within the next twenty years, though, as Star Fleet hopes to gain transwarp pursuit capability.</sub>		<nowiki>*</nowiki> <sub>As of [[2375]], the figure is estimated at 8,500 unidentified visitors, reflecting both increased Federation volume and surface area, growth of local traffic, and improved detection capabilities – the true figure for the [[23rd century]], taking into account those visitors not detectable by the technology of the era, would probably have been closer to 1,200-1,400 trespassers. About 8% of the visitors fall into the category of "uninterceptables", representing vessels or beings capable of greatly superior speed, evasion or aggression. This figure is expected to drop somewhat within the next twenty years, though, as Star Fleet hopes to gain transwarp pursuit capability.</sub>

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==