Starfleet Office of Intelligence
Updated: Mar 13, 2023
COMMANDING OFFICER
ADM Chakotay
HEADQUARTERS
SFIHQ
SIZE
HQ Staff: ~ 1500
TYPE
Functional covert operations command
ROLE
To maintain the security of Starfleet, the Federation and their assets - physical and intellectual - and protect from foreign interests.
Starfleet's Office of Intelligence is a specialized branch responsible for gathering and analyzing information concerning neighboring powers in the galaxy, and for carrying out covert investigations regarding possible threats to the Federation. Since Admiral Chakotay was promoted to head of the division in 2406, a more transparent operating methodology has become standard practice; often seeing Intelligence officers working openly alongside other divisions including field operations with EJOC's MACO deployments, and even to permanent starship postings as liaisons to SFC operations.
Despite it's current approach of transparent operation, a significant portion of the SFI operation remains classified beyond the access of almost all non-SFI personnel owing to the continued protection of internal security measures. This maintained clandestine aspect remains to this day as a source of conjecture about the department and it's officers, and is often credited - unofficially - as being the source of the Office's most advanced threat assessment intelligence gathering. Intelligence which will often result in either joint operations with, or deferred to, MACO operations.
Whilst a public office is maintained on Earth Spacedock, it is commonly believed that SFI maintains it's own central base of operations at an undisclosed location. This unconfirmed asset is also believe to be the shipyard responsible for developing specialized starships deployed solely by SFI, such as the Eclipse class surveillance cruiser. This is but one of numerous specialized starship classes, or variants thereof which is believed to be in active SFI service.
Although Starfleet Academy - both through it's central facility in San Francisco, and regional annexes - now offers dedicated Intelligence path's for cadets, alongside the more traditional Tactical, Science & Engineering paths, these are believed to accommodate entry level positions within the division and are reportedly geared specifically more towards joint SFC postings. The unconfirmed asset is also believed to serve as a training centre for SFI field operatives or 'agents' as they are more commonly referred to. Where - historically - cadets have been transferred out of SFA training programmes to a classified location. Whilst the consensus is that this is all set in one facility, it is also entirely possible that SFI operates multiple dedicated facilities around Federation territory, with each serving in any such capacity.
Eclipse Class
Surveillance Cruiser
One of the more distinguished members of the SFI fleet owing to their working alongside SFC fleets during frontline service in the Delta quadrant; the Eclipse surveillance cruiser is regarded by many as the 'poster child' of SFI. Though this status often leads vessels of the class into more diverse - and joint - operations, the design purpose is for discrete long range surveillance and beyond-border threat assessment. The near-black hull plating of the Eclipse - attributed as a signature of all SFI fleet vessels - is speculated to serve a passive form of signature dampening when the vessel is not cloaked, though the Eclipse does boast a form of cloaking technology as well as a complete warp signature masking system. Beyond it's elongated saucer and quad-nacelle configuration, the most prominent distinguishing feature of the Eclipse comes in the form of the bilateral sensor arrays flanking approximately 1/3 of it's saucer section; rumored to feed data into a central processor - which makes up the majority of the saucer interior - and exponentially surpass the sensor capacity of current SFC high standards.
Dart Class
Small Craft
The Dart is a standard auxiliary small craft carried by many SFI cruisers, such as the Eclipse. It's primary function is almost exclusive to field operatives for stealth insertion into potentially hostile environments. Mission success capitalizes on SFI's signature stealth technology - indicative by it's darker hull plating - and long range encrypted communication relays embedded into it's wings. The Dart is also capable of acting as a small defense craft to it's parent vessel, though with minimal armaments it is far from combat-effective.
Coordinator Class
Reconnaissance Cruiser
Arguably the most comparable to a typical SFC cruiser; the compact Coordinator class forms the diverse backbone of SFI operations. It's primary function is encrypted communications relaying and multi-mission coordination, serving as a go-between from SFIHQ to long-range mission vessels. Strategic deployment of these vessels can allow for direct liaison between SFI assets & SFIHQ through secure channels, negating any reliance on the more commonly used subspace relay network. Owing to it's predominantly solo deployment strategy, the Coordinator is designed to be a well-rounded and multifaceted member of the SFI fleet; capable of conducting operations in a diverse range of circumstances. It's shielded fore & aft hangar bays allow for rapid deployment of field operatives, or combat support squadrons. While these form distinct features to the Coordinator, it's most distinguishing aspect is the large subspace communications relay mounted over it's middle third. Because of it's nature as a mobile communications platform, the Coordinator is deemed a high risk vessel - subject to priority attack from foreign powers - and so boasts an unusually strong tactical configuration compared to other cruisers of similar capacity.
Stingray Class
Carver Cruiser
The Stingray represents the pinnacle of SFI's CARVER (Criticality, Accessibility, Recuperability, Vulnerability, Effect and Recognizability) rapid response strategy. Considered one of the more controversial developments of the SFI fleet, the Stingray's primary function is swift action against identified high threats where reconnaissance-by-fire is determined as the most effective means of securing Federation assets.
Tempest Class
Istar Cruiser
The Tempest ISTAR (Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) cruiser was developed by SFI as a heavy deployment alternative to the Eclipse. Intended for deployment on like missions, where a greater risk of militaristic operation is deemed likely. Nobody knows the source of inspiration for the dramatic change in design aesthetics seen in the Tempest, though it is speculated that the naming of the class holds deeper meaning to this...
Incursion Class
Carver Escort
Bordering on classification as a designated warship, the Incursion is a heavy escort alternative to the Stingray. Deployment is presumed to be most likely alongside a Tempest when the threat is sufficiently high to warrant a more aggressive stance. It is derived from an early prototype - USS Incursion, NX-74808 - which was based on the design principles of the Defiant-class escort.
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