Difference between pages "Olympia Station" and "Melkot"

From Bravo Fleet
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{{Starbase
+
{{icons|bfc}}{{Government
| name = Olympia Station
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| name = Melkot
| image = [[File:Spacedockclass.png]]
+
| image =  
| registry = DS-20
+
| species = Melkot
| class = Spacedock
+
| homeworld = Unknown
| commission = 2327
+
| founded = Unknown
| decommission =
+
| warp = Unknown
| taskforce =
+
| language =  
| quadrant = [[Alpha Quadrant]]
+
| currency =  
| role = Exploratory Support
+
| government = Unknown
| affiliation = *[[United Federation of Planets]]
+
| leader =  
*[[Starfleet]]
+
| advancement =  
| sector = Olympia Sector
+
| military = Unknown
| system = Olympia System
+
}}
| co =  
+
The '''Melkot''' are a xenophobic species and minor power with territory in the [[Alpha Quadrant]]. Historically xenophobic and deeply territorial, they have long jealously guarded their borders and resisted encroachment or even peaceful visitation by any outsiders. The [[Federation]] made a [[ma:Spectre of the Gun (episode)|fraught first contact in 2268]], with the USS ''Enterprise'' earning permission to enter Melkot space. Since then, relations between the Federation have been cordial at best, non-existent at worst. There are rarely interactions between the two powers; [[Starfleet]] ships may not approach or enter Melkot space without permission, and the Melkot have only communicated with the Federation in times of dire need for either side. In those times of necessity, however, contact has been possible, and the Melkot wary of engagement but open to discussion.
| crew =*30,000 Starfleet
 
*5,000 Civilian
 
| dedication =  
 
}}'''Deep Space 20''', code-named '''Olympia Station''', is a Federation [[Spacedock Class|''Spacedock''-class starbase]] located in the Olympia system on the extreme rimward trailing edge of Federation space near Sheliak, Tholian and Tamarian space. Named along with the system it resides in for the ill-fated exploratory vessel USS ''Olympia'', this starbase serves a similar purpose to [[Deep Space 17]]: a waystation for long-range missions beyond Federation space.
 
==Operations==
 
Assigned to the Fourth Fleet, Olympia Station supports the following operations in the Olympia Sector:
 
* Service exploratory starships embarking on and returning from missions outside of Federation space.
 
* Conduct scientific research on nearby systems and identify sites for future Federation colonization.
 
* Monitor the expansion of the Sheliak Corporate and Tholian Assembly.
 
* Maintain diplomatic relations with the Children of Tamar.
 
=== Support Vessels ===
 
Olympia Station is primarily supported by the [[USS Nellie Bly|USS ''Nellie Bly'']], a [[Challenger Class|''Challenger''-class scout]]. The ''Bly'' performs scouting functions around the Olympia system, as well as diplomatic courier missions to and from Tamarian space. All twelve of the station's runabouts are kept in constant use on away missions as well.
 
  
==History==
+
== Melkot Species and Culture ==
The Olympia system has been home to an automated Starfleet deuterium refinery since the late 2370s, but plans for an eventual starbase to coordinate long-range exploration of the Alpha Quadrant were canceled during the Romulan Evacuation Mission. These plans never resumed due to Starfleet's inward-looking focus throughout the 2380s and 2390s. In 2400, the Fourth Fleet revived these plans. With the ''Spacedock''-class [[Starbase Bravo]] recently replaced by a new [[Guardian Class|''Guardian''-class station]], Fourth Fleet Command decided to relocate the original Starbase Bravo to the Olympia System. During a year-long process, the station was refit and towed across Federation space to its new location. It was formally recommissioned in mid-2401, with [[Arcturus Squadron]] becoming the first exploratory group to call it home. As with [[Gateway Station]] and the Starfleet Museum, Olympia Station's arboretum module was retrofitted to serve as a single large berth capable of servicing a single [[Odyssey Class|''Odyssey''-class heavy explorer]].
+
The Melkot themselves are non-humanoid and powerful telepaths. They have bulbous bodies without limbs, which appear to float through unknown means, and have bright, round eyes. They are capable of projecting telepathic illusions that are indistinguishable from reality to the recipients, especially in non-telepaths. These illusions are so potent that experiencing injury and death can cause sufficient psychic trauma to hurt or even kill. Other telepathic species, such as Vulcans, have proven capable of resisting the illusions with varying degrees of success.
== In-Play ==
+
 
* Olympia Station is a flag station command assigned to [[bfms_user:669|Admiral Liam Dahlgren]], but members may feature it in their stories in accordance with [[Command_Policy#4_-_Flag_Stations|Section 4 of the Command Policy]].
+
The only confirmed survivors of a telepathic illusion intended to be lethal for the victim was the crew of the ''Enterprise'' in 2268. They were immersed in an illusion of the Old West and were expected to be killed in a gunfight. It is believed that the Melkot identified an experience, setting, or period that the crew associated with violence, where death would be an inevitable outcome. It was through resisting this expectation of violence, when Captain Kirk refused to kill an illusory opponent, that the Melkot became curious enough about humanity to make contact.
* Similar to Deep Space 17, Olympia Station is a waystation on one of the Federation's most distant frontiers. It is intended to fuel, supply, and repair ships for long missions outside of Federation space. It is approximately 300 light-years from Starbase Bravo, a two-week journey at Warp 9.99, and 128 light-years from Avalon Fleet Yards, a six-day journey at Warp 9.99. Slower ships would take weeks or months to reach the station.
+
 
* There are few direct threats to Olympia Station, as the Tamarians are friendly to the Federation and the Sheliak are uninterested in dealing with them. The Tholians can be a bit of a wildcard, though.
+
Little else is known about the Melkot people. The Federation highlight their xenophobia and territorialism, but also point to the fact that they were stirred by unexpected mercy from those they viewed as invaders. Starfleet presumes the Melkot border policies to be dictated by fear, and thus strives very hard to follow the example of mercy and compassion set by Kirk in all their dealings with them.
* Compared to other Starfleet starbases, Olympia Station has a lower civilian population, as it's not on a major trade route—at least not yet, as that will change when new colonies start to emerge.
+
 
 +
== Border Defences ==
 +
The Melkot leave warning buoys at the edge of their territory, which all communicate a message directing anyone approaching to leave. Those ignoring such warnings are treated harshly, with the Melkot demonstrating their xenophobic tendency to view such outsiders as 'aliens' or even 'disease'. Most ships which ignore the warnings meet a grim fate, the Melkot sentencing them to death. Either technological defences repel encroaching ships or, if possible, the Melkot kill the crews through their telepathic illusions.
 +
 
 +
Ships which need to approach Melkot space are advised to establish a communication link with a warning buoy, state their business and identify themselves as part of Starfleet, and await further contact. If no response is heard, no ship has permission to violate Melkot territory.
 +
 
 +
== In Play ==
 +
 
 +
* The Melkot are a deeply inhuman and unknowable species encountered in one episode of TOS, who are also deeply isolationist. This combination gives writers only limited storytelling opportunities with them, as it is inconceivable Starfleet would not leave them alone unless they had no other choice.
 +
* With the right level of emergency or accident, Starfleet ships may still have encounters in or near Melkot space. It is up to the writer if the Melkot would accept any request for access, or how indulgent they would be of transgression, especially intentional. This might be an opportunity for intense and difficult diplomacy, or a story of a crew trying to survive an encounter with Melkot telepathic illusions such as those seen in TOS: Spectre of the Gun.
 +
* Melkot telepathic illusions feel real to all but the most disciplined of minds or powerful of telepaths. If your crew is hit by one, it's entirely up to you how much Vulcans, Betazoid, or others are affected, or how much they can affect the illusion in turn. The Melkot are clearly very powerful, but it's up to you decide what's best for your story.
 +
 
 +
== External Information ==
 +
 
 +
* [[ma:Melkot|Melkot]] at Memory Alpha

Revision as of 14:08, 21 March 2024

This article is official Bravo Fleet canon.








Melkot
Basic Information
Major Species

Melkot

Homeworld(s)

Unknown

Founded

Unknown

Warp Capable

Unknown

Political Information
Governance Type

Unknown

Military Branches

Unknown

Template:Government

The Melkot are a xenophobic species and minor power with territory in the Alpha Quadrant. Historically xenophobic and deeply territorial, they have long jealously guarded their borders and resisted encroachment or even peaceful visitation by any outsiders. The Federation made a fraught first contact in 2268, with the USS Enterprise earning permission to enter Melkot space. Since then, relations between the Federation have been cordial at best, non-existent at worst. There are rarely interactions between the two powers; Starfleet ships may not approach or enter Melkot space without permission, and the Melkot have only communicated with the Federation in times of dire need for either side. In those times of necessity, however, contact has been possible, and the Melkot wary of engagement but open to discussion.

Melkot Species and Culture

The Melkot themselves are non-humanoid and powerful telepaths. They have bulbous bodies without limbs, which appear to float through unknown means, and have bright, round eyes. They are capable of projecting telepathic illusions that are indistinguishable from reality to the recipients, especially in non-telepaths. These illusions are so potent that experiencing injury and death can cause sufficient psychic trauma to hurt or even kill. Other telepathic species, such as Vulcans, have proven capable of resisting the illusions with varying degrees of success.

The only confirmed survivors of a telepathic illusion intended to be lethal for the victim was the crew of the Enterprise in 2268. They were immersed in an illusion of the Old West and were expected to be killed in a gunfight. It is believed that the Melkot identified an experience, setting, or period that the crew associated with violence, where death would be an inevitable outcome. It was through resisting this expectation of violence, when Captain Kirk refused to kill an illusory opponent, that the Melkot became curious enough about humanity to make contact.

Little else is known about the Melkot people. The Federation highlight their xenophobia and territorialism, but also point to the fact that they were stirred by unexpected mercy from those they viewed as invaders. Starfleet presumes the Melkot border policies to be dictated by fear, and thus strives very hard to follow the example of mercy and compassion set by Kirk in all their dealings with them.

Border Defences

The Melkot leave warning buoys at the edge of their territory, which all communicate a message directing anyone approaching to leave. Those ignoring such warnings are treated harshly, with the Melkot demonstrating their xenophobic tendency to view such outsiders as 'aliens' or even 'disease'. Most ships which ignore the warnings meet a grim fate, the Melkot sentencing them to death. Either technological defences repel encroaching ships or, if possible, the Melkot kill the crews through their telepathic illusions.

Ships which need to approach Melkot space are advised to establish a communication link with a warning buoy, state their business and identify themselves as part of Starfleet, and await further contact. If no response is heard, no ship has permission to violate Melkot territory.

In Play

  • The Melkot are a deeply inhuman and unknowable species encountered in one episode of TOS, who are also deeply isolationist. This combination gives writers only limited storytelling opportunities with them, as it is inconceivable Starfleet would not leave them alone unless they had no other choice.
  • With the right level of emergency or accident, Starfleet ships may still have encounters in or near Melkot space. It is up to the writer if the Melkot would accept any request for access, or how indulgent they would be of transgression, especially intentional. This might be an opportunity for intense and difficult diplomacy, or a story of a crew trying to survive an encounter with Melkot telepathic illusions such as those seen in TOS: Spectre of the Gun.
  • Melkot telepathic illusions feel real to all but the most disciplined of minds or powerful of telepaths. If your crew is hit by one, it's entirely up to you how much Vulcans, Betazoid, or others are affected, or how much they can affect the illusion in turn. The Melkot are clearly very powerful, but it's up to you decide what's best for your story.

External Information