USS Valiant

The USS Valiant (NCC-74210) was a 24th century Federation starship, a Defiant-class escort in Starfleet service in the 2370s decade. This ship was in active service around the Dominion War. Its commanding officer was Ramirez, until his death in 2373, when Red Squad cadet Tim Watters replaced him. (DS9 episode: "Valiant")

It was one of a number of vessels bearing this name of numerous vessels from history, all named for the common meaning of the term "valiant". (DS9 video game: Dominion Wars)

Service history and disposition

The Valiant was launched from the Antares Ship Yards on stardate 49456.5 in 2372. It was assigned as a training ship for the elite cadet corps Red Squad under the command of Captain Ramirez. (DS9 episode: "Valiant")

Only fifty out of the thousands of cadets would be assigned to Red Squad and serve on the Valiant. The ship split its time between the Sol system and locations that Starfleet Command found suitable for the ship's elite cadet crew. Unlike other vessels, the Valiant was fitted with detachable EPS conduits to allow commissioned officer to drill cadets on repairing damage.

In 2372, a computer error led to a quantum torpedo engaging accidentally, ripping a 5-meter hole into the vessel and killing two officers and ten cadets. Due to the detachable EPS conduit architecture, main power remained online, allowing the Valiant to continue operating through the tragedy. (Star Trek Adventures module: Gamma Quadrant Sourcebook)

In late-2373, the Valiant began a three month training cruise mission to circumnavigate the entire Federation before returning home. The plan was for the cadets to run the ship while the officers aboard observed and critiqued their performance.

The Valiant was assigned as a training ship for the elite cadet corps Red Squad. During the training cruise mission, the ship was transiting the Kepla sector when the Dominion War broke out and the ship was trapped behind enemy lines. During the attempt to return to Federation territory, the Valiant was attacked by a Cardassian battle cruiser near El-Gatark and all the regular officers, including Captain Ramirez, were killed or critically wounded, leaving the cadets in command. The Valiant lost main power and was adrift; fortunately, the Cardassian cruiser was no better off. The cadets got weapons and impulse engines back on-line within three hours, and were able to destroy that cruiser. The next day, just before Ramirez died, he appointed Cadet Tim Watters to take command of the Valiant.

Early in the war, Starfleet ordered the Valiant to track and collect technical data on a previously unidentified Jem'Hadar battleship that was believed to be operating in the area. However, because the Valiant was operating under complete radio silence and limited to a speed of warp 3.2, Starfleet was unaware that the ship's officers were dead, and Watters decided to undertake the mission.

Around Stardate 51825, the Valiant rescued Jake Sisko and Ensign Nog from the runabout Shenandoah, which was fleeing from a Jem'Hadar attack on Starbase 257. Nog assisted the Valiant's crew in repairing their warp drive, and the ship finally managed to catch up to the Dominion battleship and obtain detailed intelligence concerning the enemy's capabilities.

The plan to attack a certain section of the Dominion ship failed to destroy the vessel, which launched its powerful weapons against the Valiant. Jake Sisko, Nog and Dorian Collins were able to escape the Valiant before it was destroyed.

The destruction of the Valiant.

Captain Watters' overconfidence, however, proved to be the Valiant's undoing. Rather than returning the valuable information to Starfleet, Watters decided to attempt to destroy the battleship by exploiting a perceived flaw in her construction. Vastly outgunned, the Valiant was quickly devastated after an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the enemy's antimatter storage system primary support braces. With Captain Watters and most of the bridge crew killed, Nog gave the order to abandon ship. Two of the four escape pods launched were destroyed by the Jem'Hadar ship, while a third was destroyed when it was unable to clear the exploding Valiant. The remaining pod, containing Jake Sisko, Nog and Dorian Collins, was able to escape the Valiant before it was destroyed and flee the battle area and was eventually recovered by the Valiant's sister ship, the USS Defiant.

Out of a crew of 35 (plus Nog and Jake), only three survived the battle. (DS9 episode: "Valiant")

Legacy

Dorian Collins, the only member of Red Squad to survive, spent some time thinking about her experiences aboard the Valiant. (DS9 short story: "Dorian's Diary")

Starfleet Academy later established the Valiant commendation, an award named for the Valiant and its crew. (ST reference: Celebrations)

By 2379, another Defiant-class starship had been named USS Valiant (NCC-75418) and was part of Battle Group Omega. (TNG movie: Star Trek: Nemesis)

Personnel

• Commanding officer:
  • Captain Ramirez (until 2373)
  • Captain/Cadet Tim Watters
• First officer/tactical officer:
  • Commander/Cadet Karen Farris
• Transporter chief/chief medical officer:
  • Chief/Cadet Dorian Collins
• Flight controller:
  • Cadet Riley Aldrin Shepard
  • Lieutenant Commander/Ensign Nog
• Chief engineer:
  • Lieutenant Commander/Ensign Nog
• Civilians:
  • Journalist Jake Sisko