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

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Space Stations – The Gas Stations of the Milky Way Galaxy

Space Station K-7 - Sherman System.

I have to admit, that I was supremely excited to sit down and write this particular (b)log. Because there’s just something wondrous about flying around the galaxy in Star Trek Online and sharing that nerdy adventure with all of you, and be able to raise awareness about the incredible places present in this game since the folks that helped to create it, worked hard to make every single destination as special as can be. Because it really doesn’t matter where you go in this digital galaxy, there’s simply beauty and fascination to be found in your destination, and that includes the more routine parts of the galaxy, even the space stations that are peppered about the stars.
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Which shouldn’t come as a surprise since I just made mention of the fact that there’s so much beauty to be found out there. But let’s be honest, within the framework of the franchise and I suppose science fiction in general, space stations are something that are now akin to a freakin’ gas station in space. Folks swing by, check the place out, maybe pick up something they need for the long trip ahead and get moving. They’re just that commonplace in sci-fi storytelling these days that I almost left them out of this blog because they really were a bit of an afterthought. But a quick stop at one of them on my way to the planet we’ll be talking about next week, changed my mind when it comes to talking about them.

Because man, I really was quite impressed with the detail and the beauty and the peace and quiet that I found at Starbase 39, which is located in the Sierra Sector. For this place really was a sight to behold, with the wondrous green light that pours through the windows, thanks to the nebula that lies beyond the station and there’s a real gritty sci-fi feel to this particular place. Because it feels like the kind of outpost where people struggle and enjoy a stiff drink after a long day and that particular vibe was just fascinating to say the least, one that is heavily juxtaposed by the other station that I visited in this leg of my journey. Because Drozana Station felt like that gas station you hit up on the road when there is no other alternative, the one you not dare use the bathroom in, thanks to its all-around dingy appearance and I found it funny that I never noticed how run down and drab and dreary this station really is when I visited it the first time around, but I’m glad I’m finally able to properly see this station in all its hand-sanitizing glory, and it’s cool of the game to throw in a less unsavory place to visit.

But while it was neat to visit those two places once again and really get a feel for what they stand for, they both paled in comparison to the history rich K-7 station, and if that name sounds familiar, there’s good reason for that. Because this space station was the setting for ‘The Trouble with Tribbles’ and even in the 25th Century, history is a big focus for this particular place. Because hardcore Trekkers will take note of the fact that Captain Mackenzie Calhoun from the U.S.S. Excalibur from Peter David’s Star Trek: New Frontier novels hangs out here and what’s even cooler is that the station is run by Commander Naomi Wildman from Star Trek: Voyager and it’s just so awesome to see this station offer up so many Easter eggs when it comes to the franchise and that it is still standing in the 25th Century.

But all wonder aside, I will also take a moment and say that I really did like how there’s a certain relaxed feel to visiting these places as well, since they do provide that same moment of relief that one experiences on a long road trip when you get to a particular gas station or rest stop. Because they are a lovely way to stretch one’s digital legs and shake off the silence of space travel, and they also serve important purposes to the storylines as well, making them essential to the game. But if by chance you visit one, don’t be surprised if you suddenly get lost within their walls since there is so much to see beneath the transparent aluminum that holds them together and well, now that I’ve swung by them one more time, I suppose it’s time to explore the planets that populate this game, unless of course, I swing by the only station not on this list. So, I guess I’ll need to flip a gold pressed latinum coin to see exactly which way I’m heading… until next time. 

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