Star Trek: 10 Secrets About The First Contact Fleet You Need To Know

[@Phendrena]

The Martians released their black smoke, but the ship sped on, cutting down one of the tripod figures. instantly, the others raised their heat rays, and melted the Thunderchild's valiant heart

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

Ooohhhhhlllaaaaa

[@patricknoble6567]

Oh this took me back.

[@louisbrantmeyer8786]

“I will burn your heart in fire” 😂

[@gorillazzillathemeh5897]

Que Jeff Wayne's amazing tunes.

[@adamofgrayskull7735]

@@gorillazzillathemeh5897 damn right dude

[@AndrewD8Red]

Glad Star Trek Armada gave most of these ships some love. The Akira was the workhorse, the Steamrunner was the long-range artillery and the Sabre was the standard light attack ship. Activision's old Trek games were really something else. Armada had references to Bridge Commander, which had references to Starfleet Command, which had references to Away Team, which had references to Elite Force, which had references to Armada...

[@AndrewD8Red]

The Microprose games were connected, too; Birth Of The Federation referenced Generations, which referenced A Final Unity. Holydamn I'm a neeeerd

[@heartoffire5902]

@@AndrewD8Red I've missed Birth of the Federation for a long time. I was hoping it would get re-released along with the other classics on GOG, but nothing so far sadly.

[@AndrewD8Red]

@@heartoffire5902 I'm lucky enough to still have my old CD.

[@chrisc1140]

All of these - especially the Akira - were great in the Star Trek Legacy game as well

[@vic5015]

Really wish they'd make new versions of Arnada and Birth of the Federation. Darn it, I want my Stsr Trek 4x Empire at War-esque game!

[@TRLAuthor]

Ah, you’re not the only one who remembers seeing the Defiant on the big screen. But that just means you aren’t the only one who’s old. Also, kudos on the call out for the old Decipher card game. Loved that game so much. Still have a ton of the cards in boxes somewhere.

[@brimfire]

I mean, I love the expansion in beta canon (I think?) that the Defiant had actually been fighting a running battle with the Borg cube FROM THE TYPHON SECTOR TO SECTOR 001 THE ENTIRE TIME. The fact that it was still just "adrift but salvageable" was a testament to just how absolutely badass that tiny little ship was. And... you know, it was TINY in that movie. If you add in perspective, it's only like 43M long in the Ent-E fly-by shot? 😂

[@jackvearncombe9892]

You hear the defiant talking in the fleet when they first engage the borg, so it was implied anyway that they'd been fighting since the start.

[@jedimike7622]

Yeah, if you listen closely in the movie, you can hear the Defiant check in during initial contact with the Cube. Which definitely implies it was harassing the Cube that entire time, roughly four hours if I remember the timeline correctly. As Riker said, she's a "tough little ship."

[@dougsmith6262]

Now THAT sounds more like the Defiant (aka: Sisko's Pimp Hand). I always wished they'd done more with the ship in First Contact.

[@donpietruk1517]

​@@dougsmith6262Yeah they should have been interspicing segments of the fight with the Cube and the Enterprise hearing about the battle and then on it's way to the battle.

[@Ryusei1986]

On the Norway: STO has added the Norway Class to its available ships literally yesterday, as in "the day before this video came out". And with the current showrunners being apparently in good relations with the STO team, there's now a pretty much screen-ready Norway Class model just a phonecall away. :D

[@xkm-thebasetecchannel3823]

STO is a bit overrated these days! Never thought they would canonize it, at least as much as in PIC or maybe DSC.

[@isakkleppe1761]

Hipp hipp hurra

[@Darxide23]

The Norway class ship might just be one of the ugliest designs ever put to screen. Let's hope it never shows up again.

[@xkm-thebasetecchannel3823]

@@Darxide23 Your comment might just be one of the ugliest ones ever put to screen. Let's hope it never shows up again.

[@Darxide23]

@@xkm-thebasetecchannel3823 And immediately after writing that comment you yelled "gottem!" and and your mom clapped. You deserve a gold star and some dino nuggies for being such a witty boy.

[@IMDARKFIRE007]

The nebula class never got enough love, much like the Nova class. Both gorgeous ships.

[@suzyyvette8512]

I know Nebula is in my top 5

[@IMDARKFIRE007]

@@suzyyvette8512 The Nova is my favorite underused ship, I always thought if it were the size of a Galaxy class and properly armed it could have had it’s own show. The Nebula is also very pleasing aesthetically, wasn’t the Farragut in Generations a Nebula? That was a NICE beauty shot.

[@hippo1701]

1.) Sean, I love your shirt. 2.) I love the Steamrunner-class, too. 3.) I, too, had trouble with button fly jeans but that was in high school (1992-1996). 4.) I love these kinds of videos. 5.) The Saber-class is in Star Trek: Corp of Engineers books. 6.) I miss Adam Cleary.

[@lupercal8796]

I ne3ds the shirt. And 💯 saw that from a mile away lordy

[@aitruscolso]

I liked the Steamrunner too! It's such a different design yet so similar, as well!

[@caneighdianjake8439]

Ditto! Although, it would be a bit freaky/annoying having my room illuminated by the red glow of the Bussard collectors just outside my window. Does Starfleet have advanced curtain/blinds tech? :P

[@2097Pyros]

For STO fans, the Akira continues the tradition of strong Star Trek ties to anime (as the TNG crew were HUGE fans of shows like the Dirty Pair), other variants of the ship include the Alita (Battle Angel Alita) and the Armitage (Armitage Dual Matrix). Bonus points for the alliteration. And personally, the Fleet Saber in STO is a beast. As for Rick Sternbach, he will be providing a Q&A interview for the Dirty Pair Kickstarter for Nozomi Entertainment.

[@barrybend7189]

Now the Norway class is coming to STO with the Valkyrie fighters from Star Trek Invasion.

[@heartoffire5902]

You're definitely not the only fan of the Steamrunner. I've always loved the design; it's very distinctly unique. I'm also grateful the Norway's finally getting some love again - it's being added into STO as we speak. Also, I 100% love the shirt you're wearing. For all of its meanings : )

[@jonathonwhitington402]

The Steamrunner was my favorite of these ships.

[@KJAkk]

@@jonathonwhitington402 Same here.

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

If it ever becomes a thing...please use that. I'll make something using 22nd century tech, but designed the way a space combat vessel should be, and you can go at me 10 to 1 and still lose. Heck...we could let Forrest Gump fly the ship and he'd still win. Star Trek ships are trash. All sci-fi ships are. They're just good for selling models to nerds. They'd have no chance at all against even a genuinely mediocre but purpose-built space combat vessel.

[@DaellusKnights]

I noticed the shirt but didn't give it any real thought until I read your comment... 100% agree. 😻😹

[@Airius84329]

I, too, need to know where to get your shirt, Sean! I’ve tried looking on the GaaaysinSpaaace site, but no luck there. Would you happen to know of their availability?

[@jono_cc2258]

The Akira was most definitely the most impactful, from the first time I saw it I was a massive fan. Shout out to the Saber class which also featured in the SCE novel series, was a great little ship, felt like it was that work horse that got all the crappy little jobs.

[@3.142-x3b]

Kind of like a California class for the "tactical" side of starfleet; an ideal show for it to pop up in, full of gruff engineers & security.

[@nuck97]

I remember watching First Contact in theatres. My 2 friends were just geeking-out over a mention of the Typhon Sector (something they had written about in their fan-fic) when we were treated to the fleet. The Defiant, full of holes and leaking plasma, was pounding the Borg cube, but there were all these other new ships! They were CLEARLY Starfleet, but we'd never seen them before (with the exception of the odd Nebula or Miranda-class). They were ALL cool-looking. When several of these new classes started showing up on Deep Space Nine, my geeky ass made a website to break down all the ship classifications. 8-)

[@thanatossassin]

The excitement I had in seeing all those ships grace the screen for the first time, bloody amazing. Thanks for sharing

[@jacara1981]

I like the Steamrunner class as well. Its not a ship of the line, but it does have its niche purpose and it does it well.

[@OKCoyote]

as a player and organizer I always love a good Star Trek CCG reference!

[@JGDieker]

OMG Sean, that T-Shirt! I love it so much, where can I get one??

[@bgphantom3]

Pleasantly surprised to see you reference EC Henry. His stuff is pretty awesome in a whole bunch of ways, including coming up with interesting lore to go with the amazing models.

[@SpaceEngineerErich]

I was not a fan of the Steamrunner at first until I got one in STO. It quickly became one of my favorites.

[@AdamEspersona]

The _Thunderchild_ was even given a shout-out in the first episode of Geek and Sundry’s Star Trek Adventures webseries “Shield of Tomorrow”, as she is docked in “Starbase 138” at the time the hero ship of the show, the Intrepid-class _USS Sally Ride,_ also visited the station. And speaking of the Miranda-class, when will we get a 10 Secrets video about those ships?

[@Gilhelmi]

Miranda-class was used for a century and many newer class ships take heavy inspiration from it. It is one of the most important designs in Starfleet. Without support vessels, the "capital" ships would be very ineffective.

[@Ryusei1986]

You're not alone, Sean. The Streamrunner is also my absolute favorite Screen Canon Star Trek Starfleet Starship.

[@andrewbenbow9257]

I find enormously enjoyable that, much like 'I Love Lucy' (Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz helped create and fund Paramount), in these videos we get the same treatment with squarespace that we used to get with Philip Morris. One mention at the beginning, a reminder at the end. Feels golden age Hollywoodesque. You know, with less lung cancer...

[@sltz3]

Is there a whole enterprise version of the shirt? Love it!

[@kommissarkillemall2848]

seeing the fighters in the fleet, i thought it would be nice to give the very underappreciated small ships of Star Trek some attention. Maybe a serie about Starfleet and other factions fighters, shuttles and construction crafts ??

[@thomasnettles989]

I had the idea of an actual "starcraft carrier" with a launch and landing bay section attached to the secondary hull

[@PrinceGastronome]

I wrote a fanfiction short story before I went professional, written as an in-universe report detailing the career of the Captain of the Thunderchild, McCleary. His background shared with Captain Picard a zeal for archeology, but McCleary’s speciality was in the Tkon Empire. Alas, like Picard, it was simply a hobby, and McCleary moved into operations with a focus on tactics. When McCleary heard about the Enterprise’s encounter with Portal 63, McCleary requested a transfer. McCleary’s was a security officer under Worf on the Enterprise, was part of this team on the U.S.S. Hathaway, and assumed the security chief position when Worf left for Deep Space 9. He accepted a commission and took charge of the Thunderchild only a month before the borg attack on Earth. The Thunderchild was a front-line vessel and survived every major combat encounter during the Dominion war, partly from employing a tactic McCleary developed where unused and damaged Federation Attack Fighters had their power cores linked to the vessel’s shield generator while launched ships did likewise in a sphere formation around the Thunderchild, creating a situation where the main vessel’s shields were significantly more powerful while employing fighters effectively as floating turrets. Eventually, this strategy evolved to running the launched fighters remotely from within the Thunderchild given they never deviated more than a few meters from the vessel. This resulted in that vessel suffering the fewest losses during the war. As a lark, I returned to this story and expanded it recently, adding that McCleary remained in command for many years until volunteering for the Romulus evacuation. When Starfleet canceled the operation, McCleary, under the support of his crew, disobeyed orders and made several evacuation trips, the last escaping moments before the planet was destroyed. For this, McCleary was offered the highest Romulan civilian award, but McCleary would be unable to accept as he voluntarily relinquished his command and surrendered to the court-martial to protect his crew. Before leaving Starfleet, Admiral Picard personally defended McCleary in court and successfully cleared him of most charges. He was able to resume command of the Thunderchild (by his request) despite suffering numerous reprimands to his record.

[@matthewhostetter8974]

From the moment the Akira class appeared on the big screen, i fell in love with it. It is my all-time favorite Star Trek ship. I was so excited when I could get on in STO and it reminds a personal favorite in its many incarnations in-game. I would love to see a Star Trek series with an Akira class Hero ship, even if that is a pipe dream.

[@GabePuratekuta]

What about the Thunderchild-class?

[@Fred247]

Lt. Wyatt has my fav line in the movie: "It's the ENTERPRISE!"

[@jonathonwhitington402]

The Steamrunner was FANTASTIC. It was easily my favorite of these new ships. I had the poster on my wall from the Star Trek Communicator magazine from when that issue came out.

[@martinhanke1670]

This was the first top ten secrets that I learnt something new. Ty.

[@steveriley2519]

I love that t-shirt!! Where did you get it from? P.s - great video as always!

[@lupercal8796]

Yes this n3eds to know needs to know

[@4arcadeRGB]

I love all the First Contact ship designs

[@grahamcann1761]

Seán you talking about being so old is, I think, hilarious, as I've been watching Star Trek since episode one! And I very much appreciate this episode as I was a kid who bought the "Starship Blueprints" when they first came out, and poured overthem, and then the big book of same. As always thank you so very much for the video. On a sadder note: I wonder if anyone else is feeling hesitant about leaving comments. It now seems whenever I comment, I'm going to get a contact-me type message (spam) reply. Of course I take the time to report, block, and delete, but it's starting to get... frustrating.

[@masterskrain2630]

The Sabre class U.S.S. DaVinci is the star of the "Starfleet Corps of Engineers" books and E-novels.

[@aciarduce]

Star Trek Online just came out with an updated modern Norway. Sleek! The Akira-class and all of the STO evolutions are just amazing. I love them so much. The brought back the original intent on it being a light carrier / torpedo boat really well too!

[@bryanabbott6169]

STO had the Steamrunner, from the time the game was added to Steam, with the Steamrunner being an exclusive ship. Eventually the Steamrunner was updated in visual quality and a T6 version was released and a new bundle that was not exclusive in any way to Steam was made available for everyone. It was most likely that was the model that was used by Star Trek: Picard Season/Series 2, alongside the other ships that graced the screen.

[@oriain]

I remember getting literal goosebumps when I saw the Defiant in the big screen.

[@SamriBliss]

Love you Shaun Blass! Only you can keep me from forwarding through the ad section! 😂

[@Admiralfeb]

The Sabre-class also shows up in the Star Trek SCE books and gives some more explanation of it. The da Vinci has a forward-facing shuttlebay with clamshell doors I believe. The captain was standing in the bay while at warp and someone comes in and tells him that he's not supposed to do that.

[@mdjans35]

I like the Steamrunner. I would have liked to see more of the Norway as well. Unfortunate about the models being lost.

[@CelticCubby]

Omg I love the t-shirt. ;)

[@gadaadyn8190]

Now you’re looking for the total bottom shirt for yourself! 😉

[@CelticCubby]

@@gadaadyn8190 I was thinking Breach My Core.

[@CurtisPerrin]

Omg I was watching for 10 minutes before I noticed your shirt. Just outstanding!!

[@TimberwolfCY]

When I first saw the title of this video, I was like, "meh, might be alright, but I already know a ton about First Contact." Boy was I wrong. What a well done, well-cut, well-*written* video. This thing is an onion, and I loved every minute of it. Thanks a ton Paul, Sean, and Tom!

[@demicus]

You're not the only one who likes the Steamrunner! But I have to admit, as far as ships go, the Akira remains my #1 for coolest. She's just such a cool ship design~ Though if I had to pick one to actually serve on or command, probably want a Galaxy. Too much crazy stuff happens in Trek to not want the best all-rounder available.

[@_Omega_Weapon]

The Akira class is still one of my all time favorites, the Saber is pretty cool too.

[@owenlong4176]

Love the HELLO waking up Picard!

[@becauselifts9913]

USS Millennium Falcon: I'd buy that model

[@tracillacarroll6511]

Love it! Have since the 1st episode... and John Noble. Please keep these Ups & Downs coming all season!

[@matthewbissonnette2658]

The Steamrunner and Saber (Sabre?) classes were top of my list coming out of First Contact. The Akira is beautiful and a powerhouse in its own right, but the distinctly differentness of the Saber and Steamrunner really drew me in and they have been a one-two punch in my fanfic stories I tinker with. And yes the Akira has made it's appearances..

[@Tobiasfowler]

You are not alone, I adore the Steamrunner too.

[@sjTHEfirst]

Love that you used the artwork from Jeff Wayne’s musical version of War of the Worlds.

[@antonioernesto7892]

The Total Top t-shirt.... LOVE IT.

[@lupercal8796]

I n3eds it. And 💯 guessed the truth in it miles away

[@drewyourhostwiththeghost]

I like the Steamrunner Class too!!! A very efficient carrier with enough space for a Runabout as well.

[@MajorMagna]

Don't worry Sean, I love the Steamrunner, too!

[@jamie1030]

Sean, I almost spat my drink when I saw your t-shirt. LOVE IT!!

[@jpthegr8860]

This guy is probably the most wholesome Trek fan there has ever been. His clear, legitimate love for the product makes me forget that they’ve ruined Star Trek beyond repair. Thank you.

[@gugudias19]

I love Steamrunner odd design. Its my favorite.

[@seanbrown2697]

I’m sure it’s already been mentioned, but wasn’t the Norway the primary ship in the fan film Squadron?

[@bradleydiegel4927]

The Steamrunner doesn't get enough love. I am a HUGE fan of the design, and think it looks far better than any of the other ships in the fleet. Those lines are so sleek....and I love the integrated nacelles...

[@caevans61]

I just want to know where you got that Total Top T-Shirt? And of course, I want the "complimentary" one for "a friend" LOL Love you guys!!

[@Poppakiley69]

Sean, yet again a total winner with fantastic shirt design!

[@Omegaroth666]

Never quite got the concept of button-up flies.... The Akira Class is easily in my top 5 ship designs.

[@andycooper6085]

I thought (possibly only my headcanon) that Bateson's Bozemen-A was (a/one of the) Norway-class fighting at that battle of Sector 001

[@chipstercamarillo9373]

When the movie came out Last Unicorn Games had the license for the ttrpg. And I remember wanting the Steamrunner as the ship for our campaign. When I became the game master for the Decipher ttrpg, I was ready to give the players a Steamrunner but they asked for the Akira. Now with the new ttrpg by Modiphiüs, I already made two Steamrunner class ships, for the new campaign. I missed the eagle moss issue that had it. The one that I really wanted aside from the Enterprise A

[@krystacn]

Akira this...Steamroller that....heck with all that! Didn't y'all catch Sean's shirt!?!" Total Top! 🤣

[@lukesearle1302]

I watched this and when you mentioned the Falcon I thought of the EC Henry video and got so excited when you talked about him. That video, well all his ship building videos are excellent.

[@BrooksWachtel]

This has probably been commented on but, just in case... the Thunder Child in the book, would have been H.M.S. as it was a military ship (His/Her Majesty's Ship), RMS means Royal Mail Ship and is a civilian designation.

[@TheKellow1980]

Well that t shirt gave me more info than I was expecting it of the usual trek culture video

[@StephenLeGresley]

Sean lad, you made me enjoy watching an ad. That is amazing and so are you mate! 🖖

[@christwohig5651]

I love the Steam Runner class too, it's my favorite ship from Star Trek Online, second only to the Excelsior

[@GabePuratekuta]

I'm more partial to the Odyssey and Andromeda myself, but those are also pretty good.

[@kineuhansen8629]

my all time favorite trek movie

[@Ben-tp2fr]

I like the idea that the Millennium Falcon was adrift for thousands of years, somehow got into the Trek Galaxy, and was either used by a federation member world or being researched for it's hyperdrive (hugely faster than warp) and was called in as an emergency in the fight.

[@wkwynn]

I quite liked the Norway class and hope to see it again some day, I always imagined that empty slot between the nacelles was for a mission specific custom module, like the pod that sits on top of the nebula

[@joey_cordova_]

Great Video as always. But the title suggested to me the video was about a fleet of ships sent for First Contact

[@mikehovik3635]

i am 32 and i can still remember sitting in the theater and being so excited to see the Defiant! i tend to believe that it was the defiant was doing the bulk of the fighting before the E showed up

[@sinswhisper9588]

i think adding the akira class designs to the nx-01 enterprise would have been cool

[@Hisinof]

We gotta give love to our misfit Steamrunner class. I love it, and the Saber class.

[@sbrazenor2]

As someone that used to play Star Trek Armada, I used to have a lot of fun putting together fleets of these ships to fight various aliens (or even Federation) factions.

[@greyshadow9498]

Side topic: I loved Ship of the Line. I would love to see more Bateson (other than a non-speaking cameo in LD) and some action of the Sovereign Bozeman.... Although maybe they are setting up a Bateson Section 31 storyline in the future which would be awesome! (😉) We did see him doing black ops when he rescued Freeman, and we know we're going to see Section 31 since duplicate Boimler joined them...fingers crossed for some Kelsey Grammar in S4!

[@SupremeRTS]

My favorite starfleet look

[@jolt06]

Akira class is my favorite.

[@Ship-security]

There hasn’t been any KZbin creators who have done a deep dive on the enlisted crew of Star Fleet. Also the Steamrunner class is awesome!

[@Edd25164605]

The akira class is a thing of beauty

[@JamesTaylor-ug9fv]

Your Funny! I'm a Big Trek fan, I grew up with that series! It's funny after all these years, I still Love It!

[@michaelflett09]

mentioning star wars and the falcon... The Defiant makes a cameo in Episode three in the battle over Couresant that's also a blink and you miss is moment

[@dotmatrix7383]

13:47 YOu and me both! I love the Steamrunner!

[@megatronjenkins2473]

The fact you're willing to let crimes occur to bring us this information earns you your upvote, CONGLATURATION!!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@davidcanoy8579]

The Norway was in Starfleet Command 3, I honestly miss that game. I had mod files for days I can hardly remember how many ships came with the base game but the models were great for the time.

[@WhyNotAParadox]

Oh that shirt! Brilliant, Sean, never change!

[@EliteAmmunition]

Steamrunner has always been my favorite class.

[@pelegsap]

I like to imagine that in-universe there's someone who is a fan of old earth movies and culture (much like Tom Paris), and they decided to use the available technology to build a functioning spaceship from one of those films - i.e. the millennium falcon, and just happened to be in the area when the battle was happening.

[@TheSuperhomosapien]

Imagine being stationed on an Oberth class and being told your ship was being assigned to a fleet to fight an incoming Borg cube. "Well, I'm gonna die..."

[@tetravega567]

"Oh, Berth!"

[@GabePuratekuta]

The same reaction that a TOS Red Shirt has when they hear they're assigned to an away team.

[@philly83]

Love how you worked in the sponsorship

[@igbsx1]

He's not the only one. I also like the Steamrunner class.

[@brunozeigerts6379]

Interesting, naming a ship Thunderchild... after a ship that never actually existed. (glad they showed the Jeff Wayne's album cover) Wonder if there's a USS Galactica ... or would that start ANOTHER franchise war? Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Babylon Five... all great in their own way, love them all!

[@Googledybunkers]

Here's the thing, Im pretty sure i read somewhere that the Bozeman in the Movie was not actually the Soyuz class (Bozeman wasn't really a Miranda class it was the subclass known as the Soyuz *sp?* class), it was actually the replacement for that class. That Bozeman that was only mentioned in audio was also a Sovereign class and they didnt show it on screen because it would confuse things

[@LJ-vo3xe]

The Akira class vessel has to be my favorite starship design along with the luna class uss Titan from lower decks

[@Halflife2-y2m]

That shirt just says it all! I want one! lmao.

[@EmegaBioComposites]

in sto one of my go to ships is the steamrunner. have loved it forever

[@gregglesmigregglesmi3633]

How did the Defiant get to the Sol system so quickly? I recall from DS9 that Bajor is something like 2 weeks away from Earth at high warp!?

[@berthulf]

You're not alone. Steamrunner (streamrunner? huh) is a great design! On an unrelated note: Sean, your T-shirt nearly killed me. It's perfect.