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.


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. 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.


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

Starbase 118 Promenade

Main Dome

Shi'Kahr (Hurutam Sub-district) · Ohmallera · Qo'noS · Ashalla (Coranum Sub-district)
Mak'ala (Little Risa) · San Francisco (Hong Kong Sub-district) · Trinity City

Lower Sections

The Dungeon · Laikan District · Nuova Eleganza

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