Daedalus becomes the war-zone workhorse

The class leader's first major appearance defines its career: a Zero Point Module enables a four-day dash to reinforce Atlantis and an immediate fight against the Wraith. Daedalus then becomes the ship most consistently assigned to the Pegasus route, sometimes reinforced by Apollo or Odyssey but usually carrying the burden itself. Keeping the most experienced ship in that war zone while a newer hull protects Earth preserves hard-won theater knowledge. The choice also subjects Daedalus to repeated maximum-speed intergalactic transits as well as combat. That operational tempo requires substantial inspection, repair, and maintenance time rather than cost-free availability.