USS Montana (NX-86431)

The USS Montana (NX-86431) is a Montana class starship commanded by Fleet Admiral Paul Simmons. The ship, and the intended Class Production run were appropriated by Starfleet Intelligence. It was scrapped after only five months, deemed as a failure by the SCE.

Construction and launch
The Montana was constructed at Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards through late 2380, and throughout 2381, being completed in March of 2382, on Stardate 59210.9. It was intended to be the first Starship of her Class. This new Starship was designed by the ASDB, under the project Manager, Lieutenant Commander Hugh Johnson. The Initial designs for NX-86431 had the Montana Class to be a Miranda class/Centaur class/Nebula class/Kelvin class equivalent to the Luna class. At the time, Starfleet Intelligence were undergoing operational alterations, and eventually, the project was appropriated by them, and underwent a drastic redesign. This eventually led to the Montana Class that went into Production.

It should be noted that the Montana was also intended to be the Flagship of the Starfleet Intelligence. Many of the Montana 's Systems were only intended for the Testbed. All systems found on the Montana would not have been found on any other vessels of the Class. [ST:Mon - "In the Beginning..." ]

The Romulans
Montana 's Shakedown Cruise took place in a Tactical Operations Centre operated by Starfleet Intelligence, for the express purpose of testing Combat abilities on a Shakedown. While Montana was testing its equipment, with all its weapons set to simulated Combat Mode, a Tal'Shiar Cruiser decloaked, attacking the Montana, and almost crippling it. Inginuity on the part of the ships Engineering and Tactical Officers kept the ship in one piece, and Montana was able to do enough to convince the Rihannsu to halt their attacks, and retreat.

In May of 2382, the Montana visited a planet, Garadia II, near to the Federation-Rihannsu Border, where a Duck-Blind Out post for the Federation was monitoring the inhabitants. Also at this location, Starfleet Intelligence had installed a Monitoring Station, tracking Romulan movements beyond the border. Starfleet lost contact with the Station, both the research post, and the SFI Station, and Montana was dispatched to investigate. The loss of contact was the result of an attack by the Tal'Shiar, who had deployed a Bio-weapon in the upper atmosphere designed to target Humans, and other similar Federation Species.

This weapon had nuetralised the entire Starfleet population on the planet, less that a dozen people, while appearing to leave the planetary population unaffected. A virus with similar effects to a plague had taken hold within the Garadian population, and it was discovered that this weapon was responsible. Montana 's Medical Officers began to plan to treat the population, before the ships CO decided that it was unwise, because it would interfere with Prime Directive, it would interfere with their natural course of development. Several Montana Officers, including the ships Medical Officers, committed several small acts of sabotage against the Montana, and stole a shuttle craft, in order to head down to the planet and render assistance as best they could, to prevent the viral effects from spreading across the planet. They were successful, but all earned reprimands on their files. [ST:Mon - "Doctors Dilemma" ]

Decommission
It should be noted that the Montana was intended to be the Flagship of the Starfleet Intelligence. Many of the Montana 's Systems were only intended for the Testbed. All systems found on the Montana would not have been found on any other vessels of the Class. The Montana was scrapped on Stardate 59651, after the SCE and Starfleet Operations decided the vessel was a failure. The decision seemed politically motivated as an action against Fleet Admiral Simmons, although he seemed to take it in his stride. [ST:Mon - "The Future Begins Again..." ]

COMMAND CREW
Fleet Admiral Paul Simmons (March 2382-July 2382)
 * Commanding Officer

Commander Lynley Hart (July 2382-Aug 2382) - ACTING Commander Dave Frasier (March 2382-April 2382)
 * Executive Officer

Commander Lynley Hart (April 2382-Aug 2382)

Commander Eric Frasier (July 2382-Aug 2382) - ACTING Commander Hugh Johnson (March 2382-Aug 2382) Commander Rick Stryker (March 2382-Aug 2382) Commander Eric Frasier (March 2382-Aug 2382)
 * Second Officer
 * Strategic Operations Officer
 * Starfleet Intelligence Analyst

FLIGHT CONTROL
Lieutenant David Alexander Christiansen (March 2382-June 2382)
 * Chief Flight Controller

Lieutenant N'Vek (July 2382-Aug 2382) Lieutenant David Alexander Christiansen (June 2382-Aug 2382)
 * Assistant Chief Flight Controller

SECURITY / TACTICAL
Lieutenant Mike Storm (March 2382-March 2382)
 * Head of Security:

Lieutenant JG / Lieutenant Michael Smith (March 2382-Aug 2382) Lieutenant Mike Storm (March 2382-March 2382)
 * Head of Tactical:

Lieutenant Commander LeAura Grayson (March 2382-Aug 2382) Lieutenant JG Michael Smith (March 2382-March 2382)
 * Assistant Head of Security/ Tactical:

OPERATIONS
Commander Hugh Johnson (March 2382-Aug 2382) Lieutenant Lisa Simmons (March 2382-July 2382)
 * Operations Manager:
 * Operations Officer:

Cadet Freshman Grade Tom Simmons (March 2382-July 2382)

ENGINEERING
Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw (March 2382-Aug 2382) Lieutenant Silverstreak (March 2382-Aug 2382) Lieutenant JG Chris Henshaw (March 2382-Aug 2382)
 * Chief Engineer:
 * Assistant Chief Engineer:
 * Engineer:

SCIENCE
Lieutenant Athena Cole (March 2382-Aug 2382) Lieutenant JG Romeo Genard (March 2382-Aug 2382)
 * Chief Science Officer
 * Assistant Chief Science Officer

MEDICAL
Lieutenant Commander Kate Moore (March 2382-July 2382) Lieutenant Mrrro K'ress (May 2382-Aug 2382)
 * Chief Medical Officer:
 * Assistant Chief Medical Officer

COUNSELLING
Lieutenant Commander Calypso Skyie (March 2382-Aug 2382) Lieutenant Autumn Eve Demers (March 2382-Aug 2382)
 * Chief Counsellor:
 * Assistant Chief Counsellor:

CIVILIANS
Thomas Black (March 2382-Aug 2382)

TO THE MONTANA-A
The Following would ultimately transfer to the USS Montana-A following the starships unnecessary decommissioning. Also indicated are the positions they took once assigned to the USS Montana-A

Commander Hugh Johnson - Second Officer / Operations Manager

Commander Eric Frasier - Starfleet Intelligence Liaison Officer

Commander Rick Stryker - Strategic Operations Officer

Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw - Major (SFIC), Commanding Officer 121st Battalion, SFMC

Lieutenant N'Vek - Chief Flight Controller

Lieutenant Silverstreak - Chief Engineer

Lieutenant JG Chris Henshaw - Engineer

Lieutenant Mrrro K'ress - Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant Autumn Eve Demers - Chief Counsellor

Thomas Black - Civilian

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Class Specifications - See Montana Class SPECIFICATIONS

Shuttle Complement

 * 6 Type-16 Shuttle pods
 * 5 Type-18 Shuttle pods
 * 2 Type-7 Personnel Shuttles
 * 2 Type-8 Personnel Shuttles
 * 4 Type-9 Personnel Shuttles
 * 4 Type-10 Cargo Shuttles
 * 2 Danube class Runabouts
 * 1 Flyer class Runabouts