Deep Space 4

Deep Space 4 is a self-sustaining station in the confused frontier area between Romulus and Vulcan. Deep Space 4 sees all kinds pass through it, from mad archaeologists to naive astrophysicists. Technically a Starfleet command post, its security force despairs of ever getting rid of all the Tal Shiar agents on board. Hence, it serves as an informal diplomatic point, intelligence-gathering hub, and underground marketplace.

This is one of the Federation's chief outposts along its low-lying (negative Z axis) border. Built in 2352, it utilizes the typical mushroom-shaped Spacedock design, with some modifications, including a slightly enlarged lower module to help balance the large upper module. It is based in the Lidara Sector, a region of space containing approximately three dozen star systems but not a single intelligent species. Although several Class M planets fall within the region, none is inhabited, even though some show evidence of former civilizations. Puzzled by these unusual phenomena - most sectors the size of Lidara house at least one sentient species, even if it has not yet achieved spacefaring capabilities - the Federation halted further advancement in that direction until the mystery was solved. It built Deep Space 4 to serve as a platform for investigation and, if necessary, to defend the Federation against whatever is out there. Several exploratory expeditions have traveled beyond the Lidara Sector; although two have not yet returned, the others have brought back valuable data. Starfleet hopes the ongoing archaeological expeditions on the Lidaran worlds, and victory in the Dominion War, will give it the opportunity to focus more resources in this area.

Reference(s)

• Hite, Kenneth. Star Trek Roleplaying Game: Starfleet Operations Manual, Norfolk, VA: Decipher, 2003.
• Long, Steven S., et al. Star Trek DS9 Roleplaying Game Core Game Book, New York: Last Unicorn Games, 1999.