The Savant Class starship, and the only operational model the USS Serenity, was meant to be the first Starfleet Vessel capable of extra-galactic travel. Perhaps the most massive starship designed by the Federation up to that point, it was expected to serve as a colonial vessel. Able to carry a vast number of fighters, as well as a smaller fully capable starship within its launch bays, the Serenity had been designed to survive on its own for extended periods.
Using a uniquely designed "fold space" drive, the Savant class can force space to bend and create a shorter route to distant parts of the universe. Though early testing ended in terrible failures, twice creating black holes, the system was finally proven reliable. Probes were sent into the distant galaxy M 64, where the first operations were expected to begin. The USS Serenity was equipped with the final version of this drive, making it, in effect, the "fastest" ship in Starfleet. She is also equipped with a powerful warp drive that enables the massive ship to reach speeds exceeding Warp 9.9 for extended periods.
The massive holds of the Savant class allow for the transportation of civilians and prefabricated facilities. Able to carry and house up to nine-hundred civilians without removing crew, the Serenity is a flying city. When civilians are not on board, the space occupied by them and colonizing equipment in normally dedicated to a battalion of marines and their equipment, as well as an extra squadron of fighters. When the Serenity left on her maiden voyage, this was the load-out she was carrying. Though able to manufacture fighters on her own at a decent rate (two per day), the massive carrier typically carries craft built at shipyards. The standing six squadrons on board when she arrived in M 64 were all built at Utopia Plantia.
The combat abilities of this explorer are not exceptional for a vessel of her size. Carrying fewer phasers than a Sovereign class, and operating six torpedo tubes, the Savant class can only handle light threats on her own. Starfleet provided an escort for the Serenity, however. Carrying a Thunder class escort inside her launch bay, as well as the six squadrons of fighters and several mustang class run abouts, the true power of the USS Serenity is quite impressive. Her combat abilities are futher advanced by the ground power she represents. With a battalion of hardened marines on board, the starship can board hostile vessels or land on dangerous planets for whatever reason. All told, the full power of the USS Serenity is enough to handle many difficult situations.
