"All things can be understood once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." This was the motto of the U.S.S. Discovery when it was launched into service. Officially designated a Crossfield class science vessel, the Discovery's facilities could accommodate 300 discrete scientific investigations at any one time. However, Discovery's mission statement would change drastically after the Battle at the Binary Stars in 2256. With Starfleet stretched thin and the Klingons advancing toward Federation space, Discovery was pressed into service as a warship, one that would turn the tide of the conflict. The key to Discovery's military success was its unique spore drive, which allowed it to travel galactic distances in the blink of an eye. This incredible technology made Discovery invaluable to Starfleet's war efforts and its captain was given virtually limitless resources and jurisdiction to fight the war as he saw fit. The U.S.S. Discovery, once a science vessel built for research and experimentation, had become the tip of the spear in a war for the fate of the Federation.