If there's any single area I would like to see better-developed in the post-TNG Star Trek universe, it would be in the sector of logistics and trading networks. Especially when viewed against similar representations in the Star Wars franchise where networks of spaceports, hyperspace lanes, heavy and "light" freighters have played a central role in the lore since at least the prequel era.
Of course, any deep dive into this subject matter necessarily involves further explanation into the "Post-Scarcity" economics of the UFP and as a result seems to have been left deliberately ambiguous. Nevertheless, examples abound throughout TNG, DS9, VOY and PIC of cargo ships operated under non-federation and federation authorities. A few notable on screen examples-
- the "Antares" family of vessels including Cassidy Yates' SS Xhosa
- The vulcan "Apollo Class" seen in Unification
- The 24th century incarnations of the "Merchantman" type vessel
- The "Bajoran Freighter" and derivatives from DS9
- The "Sidney Class" Transport from TNG
- The Cardassian "Military Freighter" and derivatives
- The Wallenberg Class Tug from PIC Season 1
These are just some of the examples with existing models while many more (including the Kobayashi Maru itself) are mentioned in dialog. Of perhaps even greater interest from a narrative perspective might be the Trek equivalent to the "light freighter" design so central to Star Wars (e.g Millenium Falcon etc...). Canon examples include the La Sirena from PIC and the Condor Class courier (converted by the Maquis into a Raider). Other raider type vessels such as the "Smuggler ship" from and Baran's Raider from TNG likely also started life as light freighters/couriers before conversion. Needless to say, the ship type is a popular choice among Beta Canon creators as it easily fits the sci-fi cowboy/loner archetype.
I'd love to learn more about how these ships operate. What kind of cargo do they carry? What kind of trading networks exist within the Post-Scarcity UFP? Is it primarily limited to the bulk transport of raw material such as Dilithium or is there a more sophisticated market for finished goods? Is there a separate federation agency dedicated to civilian transport akin to the ECS in the 2200s? What kind of port facilities are necessary for the transfer of goods? How are civilian vessels protected against raiding?
An especially interesting clue to some of these questions was introduced in Picard Season 1. In what was (in my opinion) an otherwise regrettable subplot, the brief sequence showing Utopia Planitia before its non-sensical destruction shows a new class of starship dedicated to the mass evacuation of Romulus. The "Wallenberg Class" consists of a starfleet style-ship in a tug configuration wherein it is coupled to a series of modular containers ala a space train. Likewise, some early concept art from the same season portrayed the La Sirena being used in a similar capacity. (Check out
https://mappinglasirena.tumblr.com/ for these images and an overall fascinating deep dive into this unique vessel.) Maybe its just me, but I love the idea of space trains!
In my head canon, the Wallenberg class was originally developed during the Dominion War as its version of a "Liberty Ship" (e.g a simplified, mass-producible design allowing for ships to be built faster than they could be sunk). In fact a WW2/Battle of the Atlantic theme fits in quite nicely within a Dominion War construct in general. DS9 episodes "Waltz" and "The Sound of Her Voice" directly reference the convoy system used by the allies in WW2 and even references their designation number PQ. A Dominion War narrative could easily be crafted with Jem Hadar fighters as UBoats stalking convoys of various freighters such as those listed above. Escort ships would necessarily be older, smaller vessels akin to WW2 era Flower Class Corvettes. Would Miranda's be too obvious? Perhaps some Springfield or New Orleans Class with repurposed raider-hunting sensor modules? Maybe even a few Oberths to drive home the overmatch?
BC Remastered already includes the Sydney Class Transport, the Cardassian Military Freighter and the SS Xhosa as playable ships in Quick Battles. First off- It would be great to see more freighters as playable ships. Wallenbergs, La Sirena, Condor Class etc... Obviously armament would be limited. Next it be be wonderful to see a scripted convoy scenario wherein Escort ships would need to be dispatched to protect the freighters in the best formation possible. Players would need to decide between destroying the raiders and staying in position to protect the ships. Scores could be based on the number of ships lost and enemies destroyed.
Some gameplay features could be achieved using the Quick Battles Plus mod but it would be extra cool to see it as a playable scenario.
I'd love to hear if any others are as interested in this area as I am. If so, how do you envision trade and logistics in the Trek universe? Any other examples? What are some other possible playable freighter, transports or courier ships. Are there other ways they can be incorporated into the BC gameplay?
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