| Vessel Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| VSS Temep`Shar | ||
| ||
| Class: | Seleya (modified) | |
| Registry: | leh-nau steh-dah Y`³² | |
| Government: | Vulcan | |
| Commission: | 2408 | |
| Commanding Officer: | Sesek (deceased) | |
| Executive Officer: | T'Ylenn (deceased) | |
| Status: | Active | |
The Temep`Shar (Gateway) is a prototype developed by the Vulcan Science Academy, capable of creating a stable wormhole that allows near instantaneous travel over great distances. Based on the Seleya-Class which was first commissioned in YS 9012 (2401 Federation Standard), the Temep`Shar project was led by Chief Designer and Engineer T'Meni of the Vulcan Science Academy.
Realizing the potential of such a vessel and unwilling to share the technology with Starfleet out of concern it would be shared with other powers in the quadrant of fall into hostile hands, councilwoman T'Pelar effected a vote the project be declared State Secret and placed under her supervision. It is widely assumed that V’Shar supported or at the very least tolerated this motion.
Despite the setbacks following this course of action and the open rift created between the Science Academy and influential members of its own Council, the Temep`Shar was completed in 2408 and launched from her home port of Vulcana Regar to conduct a series of test flights.
The first test flight however proved disastrous, although the precise circumstances leading to the collapse of the wormhole are thus far unknown. When the ship failed to return and last received telemetry pointed to an emergence at the far side of Rihannsu space, Starfleet's plans for a joint exploration mission with the Star Empire were deemed a logical way of attempting a search and rescue effort.
Insisting that the project was still filed as State Secret, T'Pelar prevented the true reason for the Science Academy's request from being relayed to Starfleet, leaving the crew of the USS Charon in the dark about the purpose of their voyage.
By late 2409 the members of the science council who were aware of the Temep`Shar project and impatient with the lack of progress, joined the relief crew traveling to Charon to meet with the Starfleet ship at I'Rak Prime.