USS Cortez (NCC-1834)

The USS Cortez (NCC-1834) was a Federation Miranda-class starship in service in the mid 23rd century.

This ship was investigating and surveying the Darrien 224 system in 2254 when it came across a lost Vulcan colony, founded before the logic of Vulcan philosopher Surak had gained widespread acceptance on his planet. On this planet, the Last-of-All-Cities colony had fractured into at least two rival factions, both of which vied for absolute control.

After making contact with this lost colony, the Cortez fell victim to their internal politics and was boarded and taken in battle by one faction. She was later refitted with powerful pre-Reformation Vulcan weapons.

When the Constitution-class starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) under Captain Christopher Pike was sent to investigate the disappearance of the Cortez, the Enterprise also beame imbroiled in the colony's internal strife. She managed to narrowly avoid the Cortez's fate by repelling another boarding attempt.

This capture having failed, the commandeered Starfleet vessel was used to attack the Enterprise, which was only saved when the Ruler of the Last-of-All-Cities fired a planetary Doomsday Weapon, utterly destroying the Cortez and most of the members of the main opposing faction.

Firing this weapon had a devastating effect on the colony, powered as it was by the planet's core energies, and the Last-of-All-Cities was also destroyed in the planet's upheavals.

(TOS comic: Cloak and Dagger).


 * Likely named after Hernán Cortés, conquistador who conquered Mexico for Spain.