A Beautiful Starship

The USS Enterprise-D. One of the most beautiful starships ever built.

-Lieutenant Sam Archer

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March 16, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)

Early Arrival

Yesterday, in a surprise turn of events, the USS Hood (Excelsior-class) arrived at Earth. On board were our first officer, William Riker, and our new chief medical officer, Doctor Beverly Crusher, as well as a number of other crew transfers. They have all boarded the USS Enterprise-D, thereby providing us with our full and complete crew.

At present, the Enterprise remains in orbit of Earth. On Monday we will go through a number of scheduled engine tests, after which we will then depart on our first mission, to the distant planet of Deneb IV.

-Lieutenant Sam Archer

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March 15, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)

A Forest and a Mocha

:: PERSONAL POST :: Sam Archer ::

Sometimes you just have to commune with nature, even if it’s just projected on the holostage in the PAO lounge, and you’re sitting at a table, sipping a mocha and watching the leaves rustle on the trees.

-Lieutenant Sam Archer

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March 13, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)

Enterprise Tour: PAO Lounge & Holostage

TOUR PHOTO :: Public Affairs :: USS Enterprise-D:

Our Public Affairs lounge, on deck 2, has a holographic stage. We will be using it for performances by holographic musicians, celebrities, historical figures and other photonic guests. In addition, we can program a big screen for movie nights, host holographic individuals at game nights, present holographic jazz groups, Country Music singers, religious chats, and other unique events. I, myself, even use it as a creative holo-programing lab (since holography is a hobby of mine).

Other select lounges, aboard the USS Enterprise-D, have similar (small) holographic stages, however, ours will likely be the most unique, and well-known.

In this photo of our PAO lounge, the door on the far wall leads to our staff conference room. A similar door, on the wall behind the camera, leads to the PAO kitchen. Next to the door on the far wall is one of the food replicators. On the right, are a set of floor-length windows overlooking the exterior forward sloping edge of the Enterprise saucer. Doors leading out into our primary PAO corridor are on the left.

-Lieutenant Sam Archer

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March 12, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)

Enterprise Tour: Public Affairs Corridor

TOUR PHOTO :: Public Affairs :: USS Enterprise-D:

Looking down the secondary corridor of the deck 2 Public Affairs Deck, from inside one of our port turbolifts. The two red doors in the center of this image lead to escape pod launch rooms. The cross corridor, on the left, leads to the primary PAO corridor (where our PAO offices, lounge, conference room, kitchen, and two quarters are located).

-Lieutenant Sam Archer

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March 11, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)

Commissioning Day, 2363

The USS Enterprise-D has entered the fleet. We are now an active Starfleet ship.

As of right now, we have a full crew, although we are still waiting on our Chief Medical Officer. Commander Beverly Crusher is scheduled to transfer to the Enterprise, however, she is currently aboard the USS Prometheus (Nebula-class) on deep space assignment, and won’t be available until early April. Our new medical staff will cover the position until she arrives.

We are also waiting for our newly promoted first officer, Commander William Riker. He will transfer aboard, from the USS Hood, in the coming weeks.

Now that we are active in the fleet, and the day’s events are behind us, we can sit back and unwind a bit. I did write, and release, a full recap of the day’s events, I just won’t post it here due to the length. You can, however, find it contained within the Enterprise public events packet that I sent out to the media a few hours ago.

In summary, it was a good commissioning ceremony. Nearly 1,200 civilians, media and dignitaries showed up, as well as a surprise contingent of Vulcan officials from the Vulcan Embassy in Paris (on Earth). Admiral Edward Janeway was the presiding flag officer who opened the ceremony, and issued our orders. The Starfleet Command chaplain gave an invocation, the Federation Anthem was played, flags were hoisted in the commissioning hall, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard accepted command.

Our ship’s sponsor, the sister of Captain Rachel Garrett (the captain of the USS Enterprise-C, killed at Narendra III, 19 years ago), also shared some remarks, as the first crew shift took their stations on the bridge, and then she issued the traditional order, “Man our ship and bring her to life.” The honor guard fired a rifle salute, Admiral Janeway delivered an inspirational address, a brief video tour of the Enterprise was shown on the hall screen, gifts were presented to Captain Picard by the ship sponsor, builder, and USS Enterprise Society, and the ceremony came to a close.

An hour later, the Enterprise slipped out of her moorings at McKinley Station, and we are now, currently, in orbit of Earth, as we wait for the rest of our mission supplies to be delivered.

The Enterprise-D is a ship of the fleet now. We’re ready – and eager -- to go boldly.

-Lieutenant Sam Archer

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March 10, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)

Commissioning Day -1

Tomorrow is a big day. Tomorrow, the USS Enterprise-D is commissioned as an active vessel in Starfleet. After that, we explore the Galaxy!

-Lieutenant Sam Archer

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March 9, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)

Welcome to the USS Enterprise-D

Stardate 41016.3 -- March 6, 2363.

Greetings from the USS Enterprise-D, the fourth Galaxy-class starship in Starfleet. My name is Lieutenant Samuel Jonathan Archer (although, you can call me Sam). I have been assigned to serve as one of the officers in the USS Enterprise Public Affairs Office, on deck 2.

My job will be to maintain both our USS Enterprise Facebook page, and our website, and to keep you, and the rest of the Federation, updated on the missions and adventures of this great starship. My colleagues – Lieutenant (JG) Tessa Kensington, and Ensign Cassie Queen -- will fill the other responsibilities within this department.

At the moment, the Enterprise is docked at McKinley Station, orbiting Earth.

In terms of timeline, the USS Enterprise-D was launched from drydock, above Mars, back on November 24, 2362 (last year), and after a few shakedown deployments in the outer Solar System, she was transferred here to McKinley Station. I, as well as my staff, arrived onboard earlier this week, and we are preparing for the ship to be commissioned into the fleet on Monday -- March 10th.

For now, though, we are live, and I will begin posting regular updates. I will be sharing news about our crew, information about our missions, a look at some of the physics behind space travel and the technology we use, even a photo tour of the Enterprise itself. I am excited to be assigned here, and I hope my posts bring you joy as well.

In addition to our Facebook Page, you are also invited to visit our Facebook fan group (linked from our Facebook page). You’ll be able to interact with other fans of the Enterprise-D, ask behind-the-scenes questions, and learn more about who we are and what we do. We aim to be as social and interactive as possible, and we would love to have you join us as we go boldly, where no one has gone before.

Welcome to the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D!

-Lieutenant Sam Archer

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March 6, 2363 – (Legacy Trek Timeline)