The Admiral’s Log: My Journey Through ‘Star Trek Online’ – Part LII

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Nukara Prime – The Arizona of the Galaxy 

​Over the past year or so, we’ve talked a lot about the beauty and the majesty that is found in Star Trek Online and there’s good reason for that. Because the galaxy in this game indeed features some breathtaking imagery, with planets so foreign and beautiful that you’re forced to stop and admire everything they have to offer and the same goes for deep space as well. Since there are some places you encounter while on patrol that are serene in nature and despite the fact that the patrol is over, all you can do is hover in the void and admire the wondrous sights that digital nature is offering up to you.
 
But despite the fact that this game consistently leaves one’s jaw dropped with the visuals it has to offer, this is a game that never forgets to offer up the flip side of existence. Which means that there are indeed places out there that aren’t exactly the prettiest thing you’ll find in the galaxy. In fact, they’re downright hideous and vicious and that’s where we are going to spend a little bit of our time today. Because while we all wait for Awakening’s next chapter to drop, it’s time to resume our journey through the galaxy and today I settled upon returning to a planet that is hostile and dangerous and desolate in its own right; Nukara Prime.
 
Now for those unfamiliar with this particular place, it’s nestled near the edge of the Galaxy in the Boreth Sector and this world is nothing short of a nightmare. Because it’s orbit around a pair of suns is akin to that of Mercury, which means the surface is baking to say the least and one cannot properly explore this planet without an Environmental Suit, outside of the rally point that is, and well, I know what you’re thinking, why on earth would one want to take the time to explore this place? And to that I answer, because it is there. For Nukara Prime is a wonderful example of how the universe/nature is sometimes unforgiving and angry in what offers up to us and it is fascinating to walk around a planet that is populated by heat and desolation.
 
But of course, there would be no point in a story based game to just let you beam down and only see threatening rock faces and pools of acid, so thankfully they added the twist of having the Tholians invade for their own nefarious purposes involving interspatial rifts and that allows for some serious combat to take place and I have to admit, that adds a new level of danger to this particular place. Because there is safety to be found in one’s EV suit when you start to explore, so seeing weapons fire burst over your head, or seeing three or four Tholian warriors surround you adds a little tension to the situation since you’re on your own when you beam down and well, kudos to the game for adding a little thrill to a world that should offer none.
 
Yet you’ll also notice that I referred to this place as the Arizona of the galaxy and I mean that. Because the rock formations here, are akin to many of the places I’ve visited in that state and in many ways this planet looks like a hybrid of both the Grand Canyon and the Superstition Mountains. And of course, the heat in this place also makes me think of that state, and what I wouldn’t give for an EV suit the next time I visit extended family out there. But all snark aside, this is a cool planet (no pun intended) to travel to since it serves as a sobering reminder that the galaxy is a dangerous place, and that a good Captain or Admiral should be prepared for anything and now that we are done with this angry world, I think it is high time we visit a planet filled with rich history and great beauty, one located in the heart of the Alpha Quadrant, and that is where we will pick up, next time. Until then. 

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