Ages of the Federation is a new total conversion mod for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion. This mod takes place in the Enterprise and Original series eras, focusing on the conflict between the early Federation and Klingon Empire. A resurgent Romulan Star Empire, angry and still licking its wounds after their defeat to Earth and her allies waits in the shadows, ready to take advantage of any of misstep by either the warring powers. The Xindi, new to the galactic stage are also eager to forge their own path.
Columbia NX-02 is crippled during the Romulan assault on Starbase 01. Challenger NX-03 attempts to retreat under Romulan fire.
Built in the distant Algeron system as Starfleet's first permanent extra-Solar support base for its growing fleet of starships, Starbase 01, at first a symbol of human progress and hope, now found itself directly in the path of Romulan forces. When five Romulan warships dropped out of warp in the Algeron system and immediately started firing, the station's defences quickly found themselves overwhelmed.
Columbia NX-02 and Challenger NX-03 were both within responding distance, and raced to the station's defence. Outnumbered more than two to one, they knew that if they were to have any chance of repelling the Romulans they would have to take advantage of the Starbase's remaining defences. Engaging the Romulans head on and pushing through towards the station, the twin starships remained within the Starbase's weapons range and used the station as cover against the Romulan onslaught.
The Romulan ships, however, were fast and manoeuverable, and carried out blistering strafing runs against the station and its defenders. One ship in particular, a heavier warship not encountered before by Earth forces, seemed to absorb Starfleet's weapons fire with ease. Pelting Starfleet with disruptor fire and nuclear torpedoes, the defence soon began to crumble.
Capain Erika Hernandez of the NX-02, recognising that the situation was lost, ordered Captain Bran Stiles aboard Challenger to withdraw and warn Starfleet of the Romulans' new offensive. Columbia stayed behind as a diversion. Attacking the Romulans directly, Columbia finally succumbed and was destroyed with all hands.
Challenger, meanwhile, was pursued while leaving the Algeron system. Recognising that his ship was in no condition to outrun the Romulan armada, Captain Stiles turned to fight once more. Challenger fought to the very end.
Ultimately, no Starfleet personnel survived the Battle of Algeron.
While writing the lore behind this screenshot it ocurred to me that both the NX-02 and NX-03 were named after two real life space shuttles, both of which met tragic ends.
A feeling of unease came over me upon this realisation - was I trivialising two very real tragedies by adding these names to two destroyed fictional starships?
After some consideration, I decided that no, I wasn't trivialising anything. Star Trek has always been about celebrating the great, unconquerable human spirit of exploration, and at times, recognising the great danger that comes with stepping into the unknown. It would be more disrespectful of me to forget that.
In that spirit, I want to take this opportunity to honour, in my own small way, the men and women who died aboard the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia - all of them heroes who gave their lives on the altar of exploration.
Francis R. Scobee
Michael J. Smith
Ronald McNair
Ellison Onizuka
Judith Resnik
Gregory Jarvis
Christa McAuliffe
Rick D. Husband
William C. McCool
Michael P. Anderson
Kalpana Chawla
David M. Brown
Laurel Clark
Ilan Ramon
That kinda explains why I was confused then. I've always known the Columbia to have been MIA and it was for that reason Archer designated the NX Refit class the Columbia class in her honour. Until rediscovered in the 2380s in the Gamma Quadrant.
the story how columbia went MIA is told in the destiny books :D
There are varying accounts of what happened to Columbia. I chose to go with this one as it (in my opinion) fits in best with the Earth-Romulan War arc.
well in the books columbia wwent missing bevor the war but who really cares, you guys do what you like
Amen
I never got to read the reference book ( I assume some of this was part of the 150 Years stuff) and didn't realize this happened in it.
Did they even honor them in the book?
I haven't read it, either - an oversight I'm about to amend. I just ordered a copy, along with a tiny light-up Enterprise that'll look just fabulous on my desk.