USS Qiankun

USS Qiankun (NCC-95503) is a Shenzhou-class Federation starship currently assigned to Fourth Fleet's Task Force 17. She was launched from Avalon Fleet Yards.

As a brand new ship, the Qiankun has been assigned to explore just beyond Federation space. Under the command of Captain Mei-Lin Cao, the Qiankun, in its relatively short service, has made first contact with seven new civilisations since its launch in mid-2402. The ship is starting to make a name for herself as one of Starfleet’s finest on the frontier.

The Qiankun’s primary mandate, now that she has been assigned to Task Force 17, is to assist or lead in any exploration missions beyond Federation space. Most of these missions are planetary surveys. The Qiankun’s advanced sensor arrays are capable of giving its crew a deep insight into the composition of the planets, and its cutting-edge design allows it to fly through the atmosphere of these planets to allow its science divisions to see these wonders with their own eyes. Along with planetary surveys and other scientific assignments, the Qiankun can engage in numerous cultural observations. Where it has been successful recently, it has encountered a variety of civilisations, including those that are pre-warp and those that have just achieved warp capability. Following those later missions, she has carried out first-contact missions and begun initial diplomatic negotiations with these new races.

When on board the Qiankun, it is clear that she is part of the modern era's design of starships. As a fully trained scientist herself, Captain Cao has her own personal laboratory adjacent to the bridge, allowing her and other senior bridge officers to conduct their own experiments and make their own discoveries.

Crew of the Qiankun

• Captain Mei-Lin Cao is a Human woman who was born in Singapore on Earth and began her Starfleet career as a scientist specialising in astrophysics and quantum cosmology, where her groundbreaking research into subspace dynamics earned her early distinction. Though driven by curiosity and discovery, her natural leadership and success in first-contact missions led her from the labs to the bridge. Calm, principled, and deeply compassionate, she inspires loyalty through intellect and empathy, balancing warmth with unshakable authority. She embodies both wisdom and resilience, commanding with quiet strength and formidable presence.
• Commander Kaelynn Marlowe is the Qiankun’s first officer, who was born on Archer IV. Like her captain, she has spent most of her Starfleet career training as a scientist. A keen exobiologist, Marlowe has a sharp mind and an unshakable set of principles. She balances her captain’s vision with a steady, pragmatic approach that keeps the ship and crew grounded. Known for her lyrical way of speaking and natural charisma, she often serves as the bridge between scientific specialists and the command staff, ensuring that discoveries are met with both caution and curiosity. She and Cao are close friends, with Cao serving as a close mentor for Marlowe for many years now.

In Play

• The Qiankun is a Task Unit Asset, and any member of Task Force 17 can feature it in their stories.
• The Qiankun is currently on a five-year exploration mission of worlds and star systems just beyond the Federation’s border.
• If your ship is starting or on a deep space exploration, then it may encounter the Qiankun on its mission. It may even assist your ship on its first mission, or your ship could assist Qiankun on one of its exploration missions.
• A discovery made by the Qiankun maybe something your ship follows up on. It could have been something they saw on their long-range scans and couldn't investigate themselves, so your ship is sent instead.
• Your ship may rendezvous with Qiankun to share scientific expertise - maybe Captain Cao or Commander Marlowe could make an appearance to share (or teach) your crew about a discovery they have made that is relevant to your storyline.
• The Qiankun can be used like any other task unit asset, showing up to resupply or deliver officers, or mentioned off-screen by dealing with distant problems or discovering the initial plot hook that your ship is sent to deal with.