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Description
Of the dozens of vessels called for by what had become called the "Picard Doctrine" in public discourse, none were more vital to public relations than the three flagships ordered for the program. Like the other older vessels assembled for the initiative, these were largely comprised of salvaged hulls and decommissioned spaceframes put together in the drydocks of the Syria Planum Refit Bureau. Run by the brilliant though acerbic Dr. Angus Wayland.

Built from components of perhaps a dozen salvaged, mothballed, or retired starships, one expected no end of mechanical malfunctions or technical difficulties from these "frankenships." And yet over the decades of the program's run Wayland's staff turned over vessel upon vessel to the initiative fleet, each in perfect working order as if they had just left Utopia Planitia's complex forty years ago.

Detractors within Starfleet Command were flabbergasted after inspections. Shakedown cruises of these vessels on their way to the far Beta Quadrant where the 20th fleet operated rarely turned up any serious issues. It was universally agreed that the ships of the "Picard Doctrine" simply had no right operating as reliably as they did.

Wayland quickly earned a reputation among the forces of the 20th fleet, and the affectionate nickname "The Wizard of Mars." Syria Planum's engineers found themselves working through a backlog of requests from Commanders of more modern vessels within the fleet, all seeking the same magic touch.

Description
Of the dozens of vessels called for by what had become called the "Picard Doctrine" in public discourse, none were more vital to public relations than the three flagships ordered for the program. Like the other older vessels assembled for the initiative, these were largely comprised of salvaged hulls and decommissioned spaceframes put together in the drydocks of the Syria Planum Refit Bureau. Run by the brilliant though acerbic Dr. Angus Wayland.

Built from components of perhaps a dozen salvaged, mothballed, or retired starships, one expected no end of mechanical malfunctions or technical difficulties from these "frankenships." And yet over the decades of the program's run Wayland's staff turned over vessel upon vessel to the initiative fleet, each in perfect working order as if they had just left Utopia Planitia's complex forty years ago.

Detractors within Starfleet Command were flabbergasted after inspections. Shakedown cruises of these vessels on their way to the far Beta Quadrant where the 20th fleet operated rarely turned up any serious issues. It was universally agreed that the ships of the "Picard Doctrine" simply had no right operating as reliably as they did.

Wayland quickly earned a reputation among the forces of the 20th fleet, and the affectionate nickname "The Wizard of Mars." Syria Planum's engineers found themselves working through a backlog of requests from Commanders of more modern vessels within the fleet, all seeking the same magic touch.