The '''USS ''Drake''''' was a [[Federation]] [[light cruiser]] in service during the mid-[[24th century]].
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The '''USS ''Drake''''' was a [[Federation]] [[light cruiser]] that was in service to [[Starfleet]] in the latter half of the [[24th century]]. In [[2364]], the ''Drake'' was under the command of [[Captain]] [[Paul Rice]].
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In [[2364]], [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker]], then-[[XO]] of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, declined [[Starfleet]]'s offer to take command of the ''Drake''.
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In that year, [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker]], then-[[XO]] of the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, declined [[Starfleet]]'s offer to take command of the ''Drake''. Riker's classmate at [[Starfleet Academy]], Paul Rice, would later take up the offer to command this [[starship]].
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Underthe command of [[Captain]] [[PaulRice]], the ''Drake'' was destroyed by an ancient automated weapons platform known as the [[Echo Papa 607]] while in [[orbit]] of [[Minos]].
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Later that year, the ''Drake'' and her crew were destroyed by an ancient automated weapons platform known as the [[Echo Papa 607]] while in [[orbit]] of [[Minos]].
The Echo Papa 607, masquerading as Captain Rice, claimed the Drake's top speed as [[warp factor|warp three]]. ({{TNG|The Arsenal of Freedom}})
The Echo Papa 607, masquerading as Captain Rice, claimed the Drake's top speed as [[warp factor|warp three]]. ({{TNG|The Arsenal of Freedom}})
According to the Star Trek Encyclopedia (2nd ed., p. 122) this vessel was a Wambundu-class starship, with the registry NCC-20381. The Encyclopedia further notes that the ship was named after Sir Francis Drake.
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