USS Rialto

USS Rialto NCC-75593 is a California-class Federation starship currently assigned to Fourth Fleet's Task Force 72. She is currently under the command of Captain Josef Lagerfeld. Commissioned in 2368 at the Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, the Rialto was in service for 22 years performing a variety of logistical and engineering support roles, before being mothballed in 2390. In 2402, the Rialto was recommissioned in order to provide support following Starfleet losses from the Vaadwaur incursion, and subject to a major refit at Avalon Fleet Yards to update and upgrade ship systems.

History

2368 - 2390

The Rialto was launched in 2368, one of a number of California-class ships commissioned in the wake of the Battle of Wolf 359. Designated for operations division support, the Rialto provided engineering and logistical support to Federation colonies and outposts throughout the Alpha Quadrant. Though the Rialto was never a frontline combat vessel during the Dominion War, it served in a support capacity throughout the conflict and was once fired upon by a Jem'Hadar vessel. In 2375, inaugural commanding officer Kimane Njomo handed over command to his Bolian successor, Tridra Zogit, who was in turn succeeded by Carolina Vesper, the longest serving captain of the Rialto.

The hardy engineering support vessel continued its workmanlike career through the 2380s. Though winning no battle honours nor making major breakthroughs in exploration, scientific discovery, or diplomacy, the Rialto and her crew served dutifully across hundreds of missions, from humanitarian support rebuilding in the wake of the Dominion War, to providing engineering infrastructure support to second contact worlds and Federation colonies. But by the end of the 2380s, the class was falling out of fashion and the Rialto was being eyed for replacement by newer ship designs.

In 2389, Captain Vesper was killed in action when the Rialto was swept up in attacks launched by the Sovereignty of Kahless. Her death devastated her crew, and the Rialto never fully recovered from the loss. The following year, Captain Naima Sahimi was informed that the Rialto was to be taken out of service. The ship was mothballed and the remaining crew reassigned. However, on Captain Sahimi's personal request, Captain Vesper's favourite coffee mug was left in place in the Captain's ready room, exactly as it had been since she took command.

2402 - present

In 2402, the Federation was rebuilding following the Vaadwaur assault that had swept across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. There was a renewed need for California-class starships, but many had been fully decommissioned or destroyed by this point. Consequently, orders were given for the Rialto, among others, to be brought out of mothballs. Commander Lucson Kayembe was ordered to report to the Avalon Fleet Yards to oversee a full refit of the ship, upgrading dated systems to 25th century standards, and taking on new logistical support modules. Captain Josef Lagerfeld was assigned as the ship's new commanding officer.

On taking command, he was pleased to report to Captain Sahimi (now retired) that Captain Vesper's coffee mug remained in place.

Configuration

Configuration

Main Article: California-class utility cruiser

Refit notwithstanding, the Rialto is built on the standard California-class spaceframe with extensive cargo bay storage for specialist equipment, supplies, and modular units, as well as a plethora of auxiliary spacecraft and the captain's yacht, the Nerissa. The Rialto was specialised for engineering support during its first commission, but when brought out of mothball in 2402, its gold hull marking was changed to a red one, reflecting a changed priority to logistical, diplomatic, and command support functions as part of Task Force 72.

Notable Crew

Commanding Officers

• 2368 - 2375 : Captain Kimane Njomo
• 2375 - 2377 : Captain Tridra Zogit
• 2377 - 2389 : Captain Carolina Vesper
• 2389 - 2390 : Captain Naima Sahimi
• 2390 - 2402 : mothballed
• 2402 - Present : Captain Josef Lagerfeld