StarBase 118 Commercial Sector
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Federation starbases are not just a place for Federation personnel. They are cities, floating in space, with civilians living there that have nothing to do with the Federation. Some are permanent "Non-Citizen Residents." NCRs are often citizens of a non-aligned world that have come to live on Federation starbases. Then there are other NCRs that have been granted political asylum from persecution on their homeworlds. The Federation is very sensitive to the plight of those groups being discriminated against. Any such person who stands on a Federation starbase may call out for asylum. After doing to, they may stay until their hearing.
Starbase 118 is home to nearly 200,000 inhabitants ranging from active Starfleet personnel, their dependents (spouses, children, extended families), independent civilians making a living on the base, political refugees, and those being treated in the large Mental Health Centre which is on the base. There are many civilian shops, vendors, restaurants and services to be found on the starbase. For many space-going travelers, the starbase is a wonderful break from the endless monotony of trackless space. Freighter crews love to stop in for shore leave, even if it is just an overnight stay. They spend their hard-earned credits freely. The hard earned (and quickly spent) credits have attracted many businesses, which offer a variety of goods or services - though it should be noted that the credits being spent attract illegal entrepreneurs as often as legal business ventures.
The Cities
The social and economic heart of Starbase 118 is undoubtedly the “Commercial Sector” which is also known by the moniker “The Promenade”. Comprised of four distinct cities spread around a large lake with a transportation centre on a central island, the Commercial Sector is a bustling metropolis and cultural melting pot that serves a shining beacon of the cultural diversity of the United Federation of Planets and her allies. With over 200,000 inhabitants ranging from active Starfleet officers and their families, independent civilians making a living, political refugees looking for a better life and everything else in between calling this place ‘home’, the Commercial Sector is, in essence, a self-contained city in space with its own civilian oversight government that works closely with Starfleet. And in addition the permanent residents are the transient visitors for those looking for a weekend break, freighter crews who are making overnight stops, to couples eloping. It is estimated that at any one time there is no less than 300,000 people in the Commercial Sector.
OVERVIEW Comprising almost the entirety of the bulbous middle section of Starbase 118, the Commercial District is almost 4.25 kilometres in diameter and 1.45 kilometers tall (in contrast, the island of Manhattan is 2km in diameter). Holographic clouds are simulated at a range of between 1200 and 1400 meters and the “sky” is a holographic projection as is the sunlight. At various times of the year, some of the cities are programmed to receive seasonal weather such as snow in the winter seasons on Earth and on Bajor and in addition, holographic representations of countryside are displayed ‘ground level’ to give the appearance that the dome is endless. Each of the cities are also built around various ‘rivers’ and ‘streams’ that come off the main body of the lake.
DISTRICTS
Shi’Kahr
If viewed from a top down clock perspective, the Shi’Kahr District- modelled after the capital city of Vulcan would occupy from the 12 to 3 positions. Here the temperature is in line with that of it’s namesake on Vulcan, which frequently makes it the warmest place on the station. Unsurprisingly, most of the citizens of the station who live in this district are Vulcan, although the presence of Starbase 118 University and the popularity of the native art and literature mean that in recent years there have a been a sharp rise in the number of non-Vulcans permanently residing. The station’s civilian administration have their offices within this sector. Notable Establishments & Locations: IDIC (Vulcan Spa), Starbase 118 University, Yem-Tukh, I’vish, The Aquarium, 8x8, T’Sanek’s Meditation Retreat, Spock Memorial Plaza, Civilian Administration and Oversight Centre, The Katric Shrine, Hall Of Thought, Zhynn’s Export/Import,
New York
If viewed from a top down clock perspective, the New York District- modelled after the Manhattan area of the Earth’s famed city- would occupy the 3 to 6 positions. The temperature is best described as average and features snow in the Terran winter months. Considered the cultural centre of the Starbase, New York district features a recreation of the famed Broadway and sports seventeen theatres on “Neo-Broadway” as well as several “off-Broadway theatres” that put on plays from all over the known galaxy. In addition, the district also features various art galleries and restaurants, catering for everyone from the casual visitor to the loftiest of art critics. In contrast, a small sub-district of New York is “New Quo’NoS”- a hub for Klingon culture and arts… and fighting. Noteable Establishments & Locations : The Twilight’s Edge, The Fourth Line Art Gallery, Neo-Broadway, The Retreat, The Promenade Convention Centre, The Acquire, The Gorkon Museum, Manolo Blahnik, The “Brooklyn” Bridge (leads to Ashalla District), New Central Park, The Bat’leth, Theo Whittaker’s Apartment, Rose d’Orleans Café,
Ashalla
If viewed from a top down clock perspective, Ashalla District- modelled after the capital city of Bajor- would occupy the 6 to 9 positions. The temperature is balmy in line with the real Ashalla, although it is not as tropical as the San Francisco District. Viewed as the centre of spiritual life aboard the station, there is also a growing artisan community to rival that of the New York District, with exhibitions and installations frequently appearing all year round. The Temple of the Prophets attracts thousands of visitors all round and not just from believers. In addition, several dozen other faiths from around the galaxy including Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism from Earth, Fourism from Betazed and, most recently The Oralian Way from Cardassia Prime have opened temples and shrines in this district. Visitors to the Ashalla District will also notice that it is less metropolitan than the the districts- with plenty of greenery and water as opposed to towering skyscrapers. As such, this has also become popular with those people looking for peace and quiet or a break from the hustle and bustle of urban life, with several camping sites and retreats opening over the last two years. One of the most recent developments is a small community of Cardassians, who have been accepted into this predominantly Bajoran area Noteable Establishments & Locations: The Bajoran Temple, St. Peter’s Cathedral, The Zeigler Synagogue, The Istiqual Mosque, The Buddhist Retreat, The Oralian Way Temple, Lilith’s Garden, Banny’s Salt Market, Shrine Of The Four The Subspace Café, Virtual Lifescapes, The Li Nalas Memorial Monument.
San Francisco
If viewed from a top down clock perspective, San Francisco District- modelled after the famed city on Earth- would occupy the 9-12 position. The temperature here is usually several degrees cooler than the Shi’Kahr District. Approximately a third of this district is in fact modelled after the city of New Orleans. If New York is the cultural capital of the station, then San Francisco District is seen as the entertainment capital, with dozens of night clubs, sport stadiums, concert arenas and jazz bars to be found. There is a spirit of inclusivity with architecture inspired by dozens of worlds and ways of lives, and all sports teams- including the newly established Starbase 118 Seahawks baseball team- have mixed gender teams. Perhaps the most dominant feature of the district is the scaled down replica of the Golden Gate Bridge, which despite being half the size of the original, dominates the skyline of this liberal metropolis and connects it to the Ashalla District as well as a budding holography studio- in perhaps a nod to another Earth city, Los Angeles. Noteable Establishments & Locations: Apocolypse, Gov’s Pastries, Kael’s Pub, The Advocate, The Salty Dawg, Neutral Zone, The Flamingo Club, Dragon’s Lair, The Golden Gate Bridge Replica, Granny’s Place, Baylen Anders’ Apartment, The River of Time, Little Shoppe of Sundaes, Cabo Breeze, The Blue Sparkler, La Roma’s Night Spot
Overview
The Starbase 118 Commercial Sector is located in the massive bulging dome near the middle of the starbase structure. The dome spans about 15% of the length of the base, and supports its own atmosphere, complete with clouds and a simulated sun. This area is often one of the most popular places to meet others, exchange or buy goods, and of course: eat.
The Commercial Dome is an umbrella term referring to the entire bulbous mid-section of StarBase 118. However, within the dome exists a number of sub-sections and neighborhood. The Promenade is a particularly lively section of the dome that has a number of themed neighborhoods and a wide variety of facilities including restaurants, bars, theatres, art galleries, gyms and much more. Starbase 118's native university is also located in this area. Other areas of the dome host business activity in the skyscrapers, including independent corporations, law firms, media broadcasting offices and even some living spaces.
When considering the layout of the commercial sector, it is important to note that density is very low in comparison to most modern-day cities like New York. Because the commercial sector is so large (more than 4km across, as compared to 2km across for Manhattan), it is possible to create large and airy buildings, wide streets, large parks and gardens and to be creative with architecture.
Overall, the atmosphere is similar to Earth and generally busy. Streets are lined with small trees, and flora is evident almost everywhere. At certain times of the day, especially around noon and in the evening, finding a seat at almost any restaurant in the dome can be near impossible.
Dimensions
The floorspace of the dome is 4228 metres in diameter. At its tallest point, the dome is approximately 1450m high. Clouds are simulated in the range of 1200-1400 metres. The tallest buildings in the dome stand at approximately 330 metres (80 floors).
In comparison, the island of Manhattan, at its widest point, is approximately 2km across. A reference image is available.
The Promenade
The Promenade itself is a lively area of the domed city, made up of a number of neighborhoods including "Kronos," "New Orleans," "San Francisco," and "Hong Kong," among many others. These neighborhoods are unsurprisingly named after the planets or cities they resemble, and the vast majority of establishments within these neighborhoods are themed appropriately to correspond.
The Dungeon
Directly underneath the ground level of the Commerical Dome is an area that has earned the nickname "The Dungeon". Known as a somewhat rougher neighbourhood that the Dome above it, it is home to private clubs and other businesses that desire both privacy and an element of exclusiveness in their clientele. Though the area maintains a veneer of respectibility, it is also home to the majority of the Starbase's criminal element, who operate out of some of the establishments located there.
Starbase 118 University
Located at the hub of much of Federation traffic and indeed politics, Starbase 118 university is ideally situated to support a variety of learning and research opportunities.
Notable Students and Alumni
- Aodhnait Cair
Goods & Services
It is important to remember what a starbase represents in the Beta Quadrant. For the crews on a freighter, it is where they can get a new plasma inducer, and have a qualified engineer install it. Federation starbases are where you head if you are oppressed and seeking political asylum. Federation starbases are where you go if one of your crew comes down with some illness that even a veteran doctor has never seen. It is a place where a traveler can get off one ship, and wait for the arrival of another. It is where the tired, lonely, and wealthy crews can spend some time and blow off some steam. There will be refugees who made it there, but don't have transit visas to their intended destination. There will often be mercenaries looking for work. There will be spies for all the major powers trying to gather intelligence. Even with the tightest restrictions, starbases tend to get populated with a wide variety of people.
| Starbase locations · StarBase 118 Commercial Sector · Places by type |
| Upper Dome |
| Main Dome Shi'Kahr (Hurutam Sub-district) · Ohmallera · Qo'noS · Ashalla (Coranum Sub-district) |
| Lower Sections |
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