| The social and economic heart of Starbase 118 is undoubtedly the Commercial Sector. The Commercial sector refers both to the overall civilian commerce area in on the starbase as well as the specific domed city area. The overall sector has three distinct areas, which contain eleven districts and four sub-districts between them.
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.
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. There will be refugees, those looking for work, and crews looking for a bit of rest and recreation. Even with the tightest restrictions, starbases tend to get populated with a wide variety of people.
Upper Dome
This contains only one distinct area, The Promenade. It consists of a ring of businesses and services that circle the upper dome. This serves as the first port (and first impression) for most travelers. It is also the most easily accessible area for on duty Starfleet officers and cadet attending StarBase 118's Academy. As such the shops on the Promenade are the most well established, well vetted and are some of the most popular places on the Starbase
Main Dome
- Commercial Sector: 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.
Lower Sections
- The Dungeon: an area carved out below the commercial center dome, the Dungeon has always had a bad reputation. In years past when there were corrupt officers and officials working in the area there were reports of unpunished crime in this sector. However the elemental damage that occurred under the command of Captain William Rodgers was a blessing in disguise. The following restoration allowed Starfleet to get in and 'clean out' the Dungeon area and erase most of the criminal activity going on there. While the Dungeon still has a rough and tumble reputation, it's guilty pleasures are well watched by security.
- Nuova Eleganza: Nuova Eleganza is a subdistrict of StarBase 118 that falls directly under the 'Dungeon' level. It is a district of gothic architecture, narrow passageways and waterways that reach every corner of the district making it one of the most unique and trendy places on the station to visit or live.
Additional Information
Commercial Sector Housing
Civilians and Starfleet personnel alike make their homes in the non-standard housing of the Commercial Sector.
- An officer must be of the rank of full Lieutenant (or Marine Captain) to move out of standard Starfleet quarters and into the Commercial sector. Lower ranked officers need to petition their Commanding Officer and receive permission to move.
- An enlisted personnel must be of the rank of Chief Petty officer or higher to move out of standard Starfleet quarters; enlisted ranks having at least 7 years of service may petition to move with their Department Chief's permission.
The Dome & its operations
This gives you a look into the Dome, with its various districts and cities inside. The outer area beyond the dome host shuttle bays with multiple docking ports for commercial Ships, shuttles and cargo command pods. The outer dome also hosts many holodecks, gardens, civilian quarters, cargo bays, meeting facilities, repair shops for ships or shuttles, and fuel stations.
Atop the Dome, hidden in the holo-matrix of the Dome is an eight deck round structure that sticks out from the top of dome flowing down wards. This unit service two purposes, The first is as the first checkpoint scan of the lifts going down into the Dome. This Checkpoint sends all data to a hub on Trinity City. The second is as the Holo-matrix control center that controls the artificial weather on the dome. With all the different cities and towns among the dome, this is quite demanding and each deck focuses on a sector of the dome.
Beneath the dome and the transportation systems are the dome generator systems to keep the holo-matrix online along with all the weather and city power. This area is largely run by civilian engineers, but is overseen by an Starfleet Deputy Engineer.
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