= Bridge - USS Qashqai =
"Commander, we're arriving at the Tarangor System," 1st Lieutenant Siashon said from the helm console. The journey to Tarangor had been a quick, barely taking 3 hours at low warp. Two ships were accompanying the Qashqai: the USS Rapier and the USS Jameson. The latter was a tugship assigned to Unity from the Corps of Engineers while the former was there for protection.
"Take us out of warp, Lieutenant. Set a course for the outpost," Bren ordered and a moment later the ship dropped out of warp and the system came into view. The Tarangor System was a beautiful sight to behold. A twinkling old white dwarf that died millions of years before lit up the interior of the crimson planetary nebula that was visible for light years in every direction. It was a common sight from Unity and on Aeran III during the nighttime.
The Regula class design that was Outpost R-12 loomed closer on the small viewscreen of the Defiant class and the shipyard appeared in the distance a few minutes later.
"Having trouble with the long range sensors, Commander," Commander Rodgers said from the Ops console where he was monitoring the Qashqai's systems and the sensors.
Bren nodded. "It's to be expected. The nebula is abundant in heavy metals but interferes with some sensor frequencies." The system was well within Federation space, but still close enough to both the Klingon and Romulan Empires that they had to remain on their guard. It was an ideal hiding place for ships.
"We're within transporter range, sir," the Tellarite helm officer reported.
"All stop," Bren ordered. "Signal the Rapier to patrol the perimeter and the Jameson to stand by."
"Commander Rodgers," Bren said as he stood up from his chair. "I'd like you to investigate the shipyard's reactor and try to get the operations systems going. Once that's done, I'll take a team to access the control centre. We need to know what's functional and if the yard will survive a trip at warp. A security team from the Rapier will accompany you and if you need additional Engineers I'm sure the Jameson can spare a few."
-
A few hours later found Bren sitting at the science station studying the layout of the shipyard and occasionally glancing at the specs of the station. Outpost R-12 had been abandoned in late 2367 when the experimental reactor that had been installed malfunctioned and had to be jettisoned. The resulting explosion destroyed some of the lower decks and left the station partially uninhabitable and without a power source. With the station unable to support the shipyard, the entire project was abandoned and the two structures left derelict.
The shipyard contained some advanced technology for its time and had been built to construct Defiant class ships which would help guard against the looming Borg threat. The Defiant Project was still in development phase then and it had been hoped that R-12 would not only provide additional Defiant ships but also keep an eye on the Romulan Empire, which was suspiciously quiet in the 2360's. The station had scientific laboratories that were intended to conduct research into nanotechnology and assimilation reversal, but they were never implemented.
When the Borg advanced to Sector 001, R-12 was under review for being reactivated, but then the Dominion War broke out and plans were abandoned. With the Borg threat eliminated in the Delta Quadrant, plans to reactivate R-12 was permanently shelved as more pressing matters priortised Federation resources.
"Sir," Lieutenant Siashon said from the helm console as she turned towards Bren. "The Rapier is hailing us; Commander Telson would like to speak with you. He says it's urgent."
= End Log =
Commander Bren Ohmsford
Science & Act. Engineering Advisor
1st Task Force, SSF
