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

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

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...

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? 😂

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

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.

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 : )

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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-)

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?

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.

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

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?

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...

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 ??

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.

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.

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!

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!

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

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

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

USS Millennium Falcon: I'd buy that model

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.

I love all the First Contact ship designs

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

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

Omg I love the t-shirt. ;)

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..

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

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

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

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

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

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!!

Love the HELLO waking up Picard!

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You are not alone, I adore the Steamrunner too.

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

GREAT CONTENT! love the shirt, too :P

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.

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

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!?

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

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!

🖖😎👍Very nicely well done and very well executed and informatively explained in every way and detail possibly provided indeed👌...

I love Steamrunner odd design. Its my favorite.

Love the channel mate. Can you do a vid on the jem Hadar Ships please

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...

loved the vid but also i absolutely love and need the shirt!!

I agree with Voyager being a touch too short. I wanted family reunions, more joy in making it home, a de-briefing. Instead the ending seemed flat and wooden.

Great video and the Akira is by my favorite design-her lines are total Federation but also " Don't mess with me!". Also -your shirt. Love it but its not my internal canon.

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

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!

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

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

Oh that shirt! Brilliant, Sean, never change!

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.

imabsolutely in love with your total top tshirt omfg i love you

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

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

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

I really enjoyed that.

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.

Effing love your shirt, Seán!

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.

Love the shirt!!! Made me tingle in all the right places

Great content. Nice Shirt !! ;)

Ooh! That was fun.

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

I need so much more information about this shirt. Where did you get it? Is there a bottom section equivalent? Is there a both sections (verse) equivalent? I might need to buy all of them

Akira class is my favorite.

Wouldn't make sense for Voyager to be in the Alpha quadrant during the battle. So I will give a theory about this Intrepid class in the trailer. It is a different Intrepid class ship. To combat the Borg, Starfleet were trying to construct and create different ship designs, and at this point probably the Intrepid Class had already had it shakedown cruise and was in full production by the time of the events of the film. So it would make sense that an Intrepid class ship would be present at the battle of sector 001, as an available ship, not necessarily would be the U.S.S. Voyager.

Great stuff Sean.....please tell me your a Cork man ....love the crack...excellent

Oh Come off it Blass, we all know that Voyagers mission to the Delta Quadrant was to: 1. Lay the diplomatic ground work for Federation and Starfleet expansion into the quadrant. 2. To asses the strengths and weaknesses of various hostile species. 3. To secure advanced technologies that Starfleet could use against there Rivals. The Vessel itself was christened 'Voyager' and this was her maiden voyage. Starfleet Admiralty definitely knew what they were doing and didn't even bother to hide it!

THANK FOR THE LOOK AT SOME good ships of the fleet

It was 5 mins in until I clocked your T-shirt 😂 I love it 😂