Montana Station

This Canopus-class class station is a recent addition to the area with a diplomacy and trade focus. Its primary area of interest is the Tholian Assembly. To work to extend and improve diplomatic relationships with this species, it also serves as a waypoint for traders and operators who transport and trade with them. It is also a waystation for long-distance starships as a rest station.

It is in the Rital system, with five planets orbiting a young, active sun. The station was named in honor of Montana, where the Vulcans first had contact with humans. Two planets are classified as livable, while the other three are part of a growing natural resources mining operation. An expanding commercial operation has started to build slowly, and adding an office for Harris Transport has fueled interest in existing and future colonial operations in the sector and beyond.

A recent interest in resources in the sector and the space surrounding it has brought some well-intentioned players. There is also the risk of bad actors—the Syndicate among them—who would seek to establish a foothold in the darkened corners within the station’s area of influence - and just beyond in the far and empty swaths of Federation Space.

Starbase 406 is home to the Montana Squadron, which runs diplomatic and intervention operations in the surrounding systems and beyond to ensure system security. Within the division is the USS Perseverance, which works primarily as a science vessel in tandem with Montana Station's science labs to continue to explore the rimward edges and areas of Federation space.

Configuration

Starfleet Academy

This fully rounded facility was an associated campus of the main Fourth Fleet Academy on Mellstoxx III. Started in January 2403 with three classes of cadets. Each squadron has 48 members per class of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Initially, a senior group of cadets was transferred from the home campus to assist with the mentorship of the two freshman starting squadrons. The Montana Station Academy Dean of Cadets is Captain Taryn Thorne. She reports directly to Mellstoxx III's chancellor, Commodore Ison Bale.

Squadrons

Zephyr Squadron

Cadets are assigned to the Typhoon-class starship for training and experience with the larger ship class. Cadets from various disciplines are assigned to this squadron. The CO, Commmodore Fontana, is known for his strict manner of grading and evaluation.

Olympic Squadron

Cadets are assigned to the Olympic-class starship specifically for medical and science disciplines.

406 Squadron

Cadets are assigned to Montana Station for those slated for starbase operations in the various disciplines. The station's CO, Captain Pantuso, is known as an unflinching grader and particular.

Central Command Center

Commanding Officer's Office

Docking Control

Communications Operations Center

Colonial Operations

Command Briefing Operations

Squadron Briefing Operations

Senior Officer's Mess and Lounge

Engineering Operations Center

Starfighter Command

Starbase 406 was equipped with 24 starfighters. Known as Montana Wing. They were commanded by Flight Commander Ethan Wilder. Ethan was rostered in flight control as a deputy director of flight control when not on duty. The

16 Valkyrie-class fighters
- 8 fighters in "Kalispell" Squadron
- 8 fighters in "Glasgow" Squadron
  - Glasgow 1
    - Falcon Llewellyn
    - Call sign "Lunchbox".
    - Rostered in Operations
  - Glasgow 2
    - Ensign Fox Diseth
    - Call sign "Fonzy"
    - Rostered in Science
  - Glasgow 3
    - Ensign Selene Wynn
    - call sign "Wamo"
    - Rostered in Security
  - Glasgow 4
    - Ensign Aisha Zephyr
    - Call sign "Cowbell"
    - Rostered in Operations
  - Glasgow 5
    - Ensign Micah Machesky
    - Call sign "Badger"
    - Rostered in Communications
  - Glasgow 6
    - Ensign Phoebe Avant
    - Call sign "Grit"
    - Rostered in Security (twin to Nicolas)
  - Glasgow 7
    - Ensign Nicolas Avant
    - Call sign "Burn"
    - Rostered in Flight Control (twin to Phoebe)
  - Glasgow 8
    - Ensign Aisha Lavigne
    - Call sign "Winer"
    - Rostered in Science
- These squadrons were led by Wing Commander Falcon Llewellyn. He was rostered in Flight Control and Operations when not on duty.
8 Apsara class bombers
- 8 bombers in "Opheim" Squadron

Promenade Shops

West Yellowstone Coffee
- A coffee and pastry shop with various decorations from the West Yellowstone area, including references to Yellowstone National Park. Real trees from the area are planted throughout the shop and cared for by the staff.
Glasgow Steakhouse
- A high level steakhouse serving various types of meat from across the galaxy.
Billings Confectionary
- Treats, snacks, deserts, and more can be found rotating in the shop.
Fort Peck Pub
- Serving strictly synthehol
- Drinks are crafted based on favorites from staff, customers, and more.

Theatre

In late 2401, a refugee band of Klingons arrived at the station for a stopover to decide where they were to go. Upon discovering they were a theatre troupe, they were offered use of the newly constructed state-of-the-art performance space. After a few months, they requested permission for a longer stay. The 1,000-seat theatre has sold out consistently and has become a viral draw to travelers and nearby colonists. The troupe director is named Braga, aged 60. His stage manager is named Karga, aged 30.

The Rimward Report

Formerly The Rimward Journal, it has transitioned to a rimward news magazine covering the news, entertainment, culture, and the events of the day on Montana Station and beyond. It was reformed in February 2403. It is associated and credentialed through the FNN as an affiliate for both print and video production.

Staff

Beatrice Thorrne, Editor in Chief (2.2403-present)

Nearby Systems, Colonies, and Locations

Rital System

The station is in high orbit of Rital III, the sole colony in the system. Rital IV is habitable and being investigated as a colony. Rital I, II, and V are unhabitable but rich with minerals and more. Mining operations have been explored and several companies have proposed operational plans.

Rital I
- Rich in metallic minerals for construction and fabrication.
- March 2401 - Surveying
Rital II
- Rich in energy supplies.
- March 2401 - Surveying
Rital III
- Population 700 in late 2401.
- Population at 1000 in March 2402.
Rital V
- Rich in minerals for varying uses
  - March 2401 - Surveying

Bunden System

Home to a smaller colony group in the spinward direction of Montana Station
- Bunden II
  - Population 1000 in March 2402.
  - Evacuated in April of 2402.
- Bunden III
  - Population 750 in March 2402
  - Destroyed by the Vaadwaur in April 2402.

Tergenas System

Home to a large colony in the coreward direction of Montana Station.

Tergenas I
- Population 15,000 in March 2402
Tergenas II
- Mining Operations
Tergenas III
- Mining Operations

Notable Crew

Commanding Officers

In Play

Montana Station is a starbase commanded by Captain Alexandra Pantuso with oversight of the Flotilla by Commodore Geronimo Fontana. Members are welcome to visit in their own stories, but setting details should not be altered.
The station is at the rimward edge. It is used as a way station for transport ships, merchant vessels, and diplomatic operations with colonies, Federation and otherwise.
One of the station's primary objectives is to work on understanding and building relations with the Tholians. This rarely succeeds and remains an ongoing project.