Odyssey takes the Earth flagship role

After Prometheus is lost, the newer Odyssey covers Earth while Daedalus continues the Pegasus mission for which its crew has accumulated experience. That assignment preserves theater expertise instead of moving the veteran ship merely because Earth requires a replacement flagship. A vessel of Odyssey's size and responsibility also warrants a full-colonel captain under the Air Force rank structure used in the setting. Flagship status requires a separate flag officer and dedicated staff rather than simply adding fleet duties to the captain. Staff specialists can maintain allied communications, assemble intelligence, and compare the engineering condition of every ship while the captain concentrates on fighting Odyssey. The distinction between ship command and formation command makes coalition operations more sustainable.