History:
A class of large vessel used by the Mazarite military that were as fast but more manoeuvrable than Enterprise NX-01. In numbers they could soon outclass the starship. Their hulls were manta-shaped and flattened, and were approximately the same size as the Enterprise saucer.
In 2151, Captain Archer was instructed to collect the Vulcan ambassador V'Lar, who was apparently expelled for misconduct from the planet Mazar. However, during the journey back, a Mazarite vessel contacts Enterprise requesting that V'Lar be returned for additional questioning. When Archer tries to consult Starfleet, they jam all frequencies and fire on the starship. Equipped with energy shielding, they are impervious to torpedoes. So Enterprise must drop from warp to impulse speed in order to disable the pursuing vessel with phase cannons.
It transpires that V'Lar had accrued evidence of corruption within the Mazarite government and her life is threatened. Forced to flee at warp 4.9 to protect her passenger, Enterprise could keep ahead of the Mazarites but could not outrun them, nor maintain speed until the liaison with the Vulcans. Only a bluff on Archer's part delayed the Mazarite boarders allowing time for the Sh'raan to reach the scene and subdue the warships.
This type of vessel was later seen in the episode "Damage" as the Illyrian ship.
ENT "Fallen Hero" ; Startrek.com
Text from the The Unofficial Index to the GE Fabbri Star Trek Fact Files
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