The Metar: Biological Masters of Adaptation

In the uncharted regions of the galaxy, where even the bravest explorers hesitate to tread, exists the Metar—a species so advanced, they blur the lines between organic life and technology. These beings have unlocked the secrets of a highly sophisticated form of DNA manipulation, enabling them to construct any power source, starship, or weapon from their very own bodies.

Metar DNA: Their genetic code is the most intricate ever known, containing an infinite library of blueprints for any conceivable form of technology. With just a thought, a Metar can reconfigure their biological structure to morph into advanced machinery or sophisticated armaments.

Symbiosis and Functionality: Unlike the Borg, who assimilate and augment with cybernetic implants, the Metar's transformation is purely biological. They achieve symbiosis with their surroundings, integrating the molecular structures of materials they come into contact with, enhancing their capabilities further. This allows them to produce energy sources that rival the most advanced warp cores, starships with unparalleled speed and agility, and weapons of extraordinary precision and power.

Hive Mind with Autonomy: The Metar maintain a hive mind, ensuring seamless coordination, yet they possess a level of individuality that allows for personal strategy and decision-making. This unique balance gives them an edge over any collective intelligence, blending unified action with creative thought.

Fearsome Reputation: Feared and revered across known space, the Metar's adaptability makes them nearly invincible. Any encounter with them leaves a lasting impression—starships that change shape mid-battle, energy weapons that evolve to counter defences in real-time, and a resilience that seems almost supernatural.

Ultimate Survivalists: The Metar embody the pinnacle of biological engineering, showing what a species can achieve when evolution meets intellect. They are not merely survivors; they are conquerors of the cosmos, capable of enduring and thriving in the harshest environments, always a step ahead of any threat.

Metar medical technology: Metar medical technology operates on a level of sophistication that merges biology and physics in ways that current science can scarcely imagine. Picture a med-bay filled with devices that hum with the energies of subspace, their surfaces gleaming with an almost organic sheen. These tools are built around manipulating the super-complex DNA structures of living organisms, allowing for unprecedented precision in creating and altering life forms.

Metar medical devices are capable of everything from instant healing of wounds to genetic reconfigurations. They can repair cellular damage, regenerate tissues, and even modify DNA sequences to enhance or evolve biological functions. Using subspace energy, these devices can manipulate the very building blocks of life, enabling the Metar to not only heal but to engineer beings with extraordinary abilities.

In this advanced medical environment, diseases that are deemed incurable by contemporary standards are effortlessly eradicated. Even death is not an absolute end but a challenge to be overcome, as the Metar technology can resuscitate and restore life from states that would be terminal for others.

Imagine a bio-engineering lab where the line between machine and organism blurs, and every tool pulses with a lifelike energy, driven by the incredible power of subspace. The possibilities are as boundless as they are awe-inspiring—and just a bit unsettling.

Words That May Never Be Spoken, Actions That Never Happened; Secrets of the Dead.

Hidden deep within the rugged terrain of the unnamed planet deep in the centre of the Klingon Empire, the Empire's secret weapons research station hummed with the fervor of clandestine activity. It was a place known only to the most trusted within the Empire, where the might of Klingon engineering and the dark allure of Metar biotechnology converged in a pursuit of unmatched power.

The facility was divided between the two powerful houses that dominated its halls: the House of Antaak and the House of Noggra. Each house brought its own brand of expertise and ambition, bound by a shared obsession with the potential of the Metar's bio-engineered marvels.

The House of Antaak, a lineage of scientists with an unyielding belief in their genetic superiority, spearheaded the biological research. Within their lab, bio-chambers glowed with an eerie green light, housing experiments that sought to fuse Klingon DNA with Metar technology. The air was thick with the scent of reagents and the quiet hum of advanced bio-machinery. At the center of it all stood Doctor Kharok, a formidable figure whose mind was as sharp as his honour blade.

"Prepare the latest genetic samples," Kharok commanded, his voice echoing through the lab. "We are on the brink of something unprecedented. The Metar technology will elevate our species beyond the wildest dreams of Kahless himself."

His assistant, Karana, nodded, her eyes gleaming with the same fervor. "Our genetic enhancements will make us invincible. The blood of Antaak will flow through the veins of a new generation of Klingon warriors."

Meanwhile, in the opposite wing of the facility, the House of Noggra focused on the technological aspects of their research. The lab was a maze of wires, circuitry, and alien tech, every piece meticulously cataloged and studied. The Noggra family prided themselves on their ability to reverse-engineer anything that crossed their path, and the Metar technology was their most ambitious project yet.

Lorth of the House of Noggra, the house's patriarch, observed the latest weapon prototype with a critical eye. "The integration of Metar biotech into our power systems has exceeded expectations," he stated, turning to his chief engineer, Korvek. "But we must push further. The High Council demands nothing less than absolute supremacy."

Korvek adjusted the controls on the device, his brow furrowed in concentration. "The potential applications are limitless. Enhanced disruptors, regenerative shields, even power sources that could render entire starships obsolete."

However, ambition often breeds recklessness. In their fervor to harness the Metar's power, the House of Noggra had overstepped. A miscalculated experiment involving tapping into the very layers between subspace had culminated in a catastrophic event—the explosion of Praxis, the Empire's key energy production facility. The repercussions were dire, shaking the very foundations of Klingon society.

But in the cold corridors of the research station, the High Council's decree was absolute: the truth must be concealed. The cause of Praxis's destruction was buried deep within the classified annals of the Empire, a secret shared only by those who had witnessed the fallout.

As the houses of Antaak and Noggra continued their work, the echoes of their tragic mistake lingered, a stark reminder of the perilous balance between ambition and catastrophe. In the pursuit of power, the line between triumph and ruin had never been thinner, and the stakes had never been higher.

The researchers pressed on, driven by a relentless quest for dominance, unaware that their path was one that could either elevate the Klingon Empire to unparalleled heights or plunge it into the abyss of its own making.

The Damnable Curse of Progress

In the hidden recesses of a Romulan outpost, far from prying eyes and Starfleet patrols, lay a secret laboratory shrouded in darkness and dread. This was not a place of healing or discovery; it was a chamber of horrors, where science twisted into something grotesque and vile.

The lab was a grim tableau of gleaming bio-tech devices and sinister Romulan scientists, their faces set in expressions of cold determination. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic, mingling with the metallic tang of advanced machinery. Each step taken by the lab personnel echoed with a hollow finality, a symphony of despair for those who were brought here against their will.

Strapped to sleek, organic-looking tables, the unwilling volunteers could only watch in terror as the Metar biotechnology was unleashed upon them. This technology, centuries ahead of anything known in the 23rd century, was a marvel of biological engineering. It merged seamlessly with the very essence of life, manipulating DNA with an ease that defied comprehension.

Doctor Vorek, a stern-faced Romulan with eyes that bore into one's soul, stood beside one of the tables. "Telera, observe the specimen's reaction to the integration sequence," he commanded.

Telera, a sharp-minded scientist with a penchant for precision, glanced at the readouts. "The DNA restructuring is progressing as expected. The Metar technology is astonishing. It’s as if it were designed to blend with any form of life."

Vorek nodded, his expression unchanging. "Indeed. With this, we could reshape the biological landscape of the galaxy. Imagine the possibilities, Telera. We could create soldiers that are indestructible, beings that can adapt to any environment, and weapons that are alive."

Telera's eyes gleamed with a mixture of fascination and ambition. "But at what cost, Doctor? These volunteers-they are suffering. The process is excruciating."

Vorek's gaze did not waver. "Their suffering is a necessary sacrifice for the advancement of our knowledge and power. The Empire's dominance depends on our willingness to push the boundaries of science, no matter the price."

As the experiment continued, the lab was filled with the sounds of machines humming and the muted cries of the volunteers. The Metar biotechnology.

Gleaning the Crumbs from the Tables of Gods

Station Hurley One, a classified Starfleet installation, was a stark contrast to the dark machinations of the Romulan outpost. Nestled in the quiet reaches of space, this facility stood as a beacon of hope and scientific integrity. The air within its sterile, gleaming corridors was filled with a sense of purpose and professionalism.

The state-of-the-art laboratory was a marvel of Starfleet engineering, equipped with the latest in research technology. Here, the remains of Metar biotechnology were carefully laid out on examination tables, their intricate designs and organic complexities studied with reverent attention. Every piece was cataloged meticulously, each step in the process governed by strict protocols.

Doctor Elara T'Vel, a renowned xenobiologist, stood over one of the examination tables, her sharp eyes taking in the details of a Metar artifact. "The complexity of this biological structure is extraordinary," she remarked, her voice calm and precise. "It appears to integrate seamlessly with its host's DNA."

Her colleague, Lieutenant Commander Rian Patel, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The potential applications are limitless, but we must proceed with caution."

In the adjacent room, banks of computers hummed softly, their screens displaying complex simulations of the Metar technology in action. These advanced systems allowed Starfleet scientists to explore the capabilities and implications of the technology without risking any lives. The simulations were as detailed as possible, taking into account every variable and potential outcome.

"We're making significant progress in understanding the Metar biotech," T'Vel said, her eyes never leaving the screen. "But we must adhere to our ethical standards. Any application on living subjects is out of the question until we fully comprehend its effects."

Patel glanced at the ethical code displayed prominently on one of the monitors. "Starfleet's commitment to ethical research is paramount. We owe it to ourselves and to the galaxy to ensure that our work benefits all and harms none."

As the scientists continued their work, the room was filled with an atmosphere of quiet determination. Every action was calculated, every experiment conducted with the utmost care and respect for life. The contrast between this environment and the Romulan lab was stark; where the Romulans saw tools and power, Starfleet saw knowledge and responsibility.

In the heart of Station Hurley One, the pursuit of scientific discovery was tempered by a deep-seated commitment to ethical integrity. It was this dedication that set Starfleet apart, ensuring that their advances would uplift and protect, rather than exploit and destroy. As the workday drew to a close, the scientists knew their mission was far from over. But in the meticulous process of their research, they found hope for a better future.

The echoes of their professionalism and care would ripple through the galaxy, a testament to the principles of Starfleet and the unwavering pursuit of knowledge for the greater good.

The Underworld's Pinnacle

Beneath the neon-lit skies of Rigel IV, the dark alleys and shadowy corners thrived with whispers of forbidden deals. The Orion Syndicate had always been a powerful player in the galactic underworld, but their recent venture had put them leagues ahead of any competition. Word on the street was they had their hands on Metar technology—biological marvels that fused seamlessly with machinery. It was tech eons ahead of the 23rd century, and it was about to change the game.

Goro, the ruthless enforcer of the Orion Syndicate, moved with calculated precision through the bustling market district. He was a towering figure, his presence commanding respect and fear in equal measure. Tonight, he was on a mission. The Syndicate's latest acquisition had drawn the interest of several high-profile buyers, and he had to ensure the deal went down without a hitch.

In a dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of the city, the atmosphere was tense. The air was thick with anticipation, a palpable hum of energy coursing through the room. Goro stood at the center, flanked by his loyal lieutenants. Before them, an assortment of Metar artifacts lay on display—organic machines that pulsed with an eerie bioluminescence. These were not just weapons or vehicles; they were living entities capable of evolving and adapting.

The door creaked open, and a group of buyers entered. Their eyes widened with awe and greed as they took in the sight before them. Goro stepped forward, his voice low and menacing, "These are the future. Possessing this tech means power beyond imagination."

Among the buyers, a sharp-dressed man named Tariq stood out. His reputation preceded him—a shrewd businessman with a dangerous edge. He approached one of the devices, a sleek, snake-like weapon that seemed to breathe. "What's the catch?" he asked, his tone cool but curious.

Goro smirked, "No catch. Just loyalty and respect. You get your hands on this, and you owe the Syndicate. Cross us, and you'll wish you hadn't."

The deal was sealed with nods and quiet exchanges, the weight of the transaction settling heavily in the room. As the buyers departed, Goro's gaze lingered on the Metar tech. In the right hands, it could change the balance of power in the galaxy. But in the wrong hands, it could spell disaster.

In the dim light, the line between predator and prey blurred. The Orion Syndicate thrived in these shadows, pushing the limits of power, always teetering on the edge. As Goro watched the buyers leave, he knew the Syndicate's grip on the future had tightened. The galaxy would never be the same.

In the silence that followed, the pulsating glow of the Metar artifacts was the only light. And in that moment, it was clear: the underworld had a new king, and its name was the Orion Syndicate.

Taubat: The biological servants of the Metar

The Taubat are fascinating yet tragic figures. Imagine these creatures, once proud and formidable, now reduced to worn-down, incomplete versions of their former selves. Their bodies show signs of countless biological replications: misshapen limbs, faded skin colors, and uneven features. They carry an almost haunted look, with their eyes filled with a mix of reverence and sorrow. Despite their physical decline, their loyalty to the Metar is unwavering; they revere their creators with an intensity that borders on the religious. When they move, they do so with a sense of purpose, almost as if driven by an internal, unspoken command to serve. Their dedication to the Metar is their driving force, and it’s palpable in every action they take.

The known Metar broods have been categorized as follows:

METAR-BUR

The Metar-Bur is the most numerous of the broods in the Alpha Quadrant. Physically the smallest of the Metar, it is also the quickest and for this reason the Bur often form the bulk of Metar forces.











METAR-DEA

The Metar-Dea are a terrifying sight to behold. A collage of bleached white bone and raw flesh give the Dea an air of abomination. Their splayed arms jut forward with the menace of a scorpion poised to strike, while the contours of the skull give the Dea a leering grimace.













Metar concept 3 by Gavin Cooper aka vauxhallviva. Click for his page of Star Trek New Worlds art.

Metar-Dea


METAR-JII

The Jii appears as a starved and wasted creature, its head seemingly too heavy for such an elongated neck. The Jii are the Metar's sniper brood and its skeletal from is strangely apt. While laying motionless waiting to strike, it conveys an air of death having already struck. The reason for this deformity is that the majority of the Metar-Jii's powers are concentrated into its skull, to make its senses and weaponry effective at extreme range; while its light and slight body helps it to move between positions quickly.

Metar-Jii


METAR-YAT

The Metar-Yat is considered the most dangerous of all common Metar broods. This is because the Metar-Yat is used to gather a reservoir of Metar defensive energies, which any Metar in the immediate vicinity can tap.

METAR-NAK

The Nak is the siege weapon of the Metar. To fire, the Nak channels a ball of energy through its skull cavity, spitting it out at its target. Upon contact, this energy ball explodes with a devastating area of effect. An added nightmare is the fact that these monsters do not rely on sight for targeting and are able to attack targets far beyond what would be their normal field of vision.

Metar-Nak








METAR-RAS

At the very heart of Metar 'society' are the Metar-Ras. They are the most powerful but the least numerous of all Metar broods. They are both colony creators and leaders. They are charged with building up colonies, replacing those Metar killed in battle and genetically engineering new broods to counter new threats. As such an important brood the Metar-Ras only leave their colony in the direst of circumstances, when every Metar is needed at the front. When they do join battle, the Metar-Ras's primary weapon is a highly potent energy cannon, similar to the Metar-Nak. With the vast amounts of power at their disposal this weapon is highly accurate, dangerously powerful and with a recharge rate that is virtually instantaneous.







"The above report is © Interplay Productions. All rights reserved"


15-January-2290, SD8987.0.
Romulan "Shiva" weapons test produces an unexpected result—a spatial anomaly which has transported a whole stellar cloud of star systems into a previously barren area of the "Triangle", an area of space where Romulan, Klingon, and Federation interests meet. Colonial exploitation of these mineral-rich systems by all three powers proceeds over the next few months, while diplomatic overtures are made by all three to the alien race inhabiting these worlds, the Taubat.

This and all subsequent 'Anomaly Systems/Metar' data is from the 'Star Trek: New Worlds' computer game. These actual stardates are given in game at the start of each mission.

23-March-2290, SD9020.6.
The Klingons declare war on the Taubat when they side with the Federation—after Klingon warriors die putting down a rebellion on planet Ixion at the request of the Taubat authorities.

The Taubat as they first appeared to the Federation.


16-July-2290, SD9078.2
Supply station Aljetarius is authorised for upgrading to starbase status to support the Tabula Rasa campaign, with the unofficial designation of 'Starbase 77'. Supplies are delivered by U.S.S. Explorer.

13-August-2290, SD9092.1.
On planet AP-173-B, the Taubat—the alien race inhabiting the Anomaly systems—summon their masters, a highly advanced and powerful space-faring race called the Metar. In defending the Taubat from the Klingons and Romulans, the Federation unwittingly gave them enough time to activate the dormant Metar portals located on planets all over the Anomaly systems. Apparently, the Taubat were created as a vassal race by the Metar.

The upgrading of Aljetarius to 'Starbase 77' is indefinitely delayed as a result while Starfleet scrambles to contain the Metar threat.

13-September-2290, SD9107.5.
The Klingons suffer a major loss as 37 ships comprising the 3rd Fleet are destroyed over planet Bursai IV when the Metar attack.

03-November-2290, SD9133.4
The wreck of the Constitution-class USS Explorer is found on the surface of planet Al Fadir, another casualty of the Metar. Although the Explorer is mentioned later in the game as the ship carrying Ambassador Sarek, I'm going with the 'physical' evidence.

U.S.S. Explorer wreckage on Al Fadir


04-May-2291, SD9224.4.
The Federation dispatches a second Constitution-class starship to the Anomaly systems, carrying Ambassador Sarek to negotiate with the Metar.

26-June-2291, SD9250.6.
The Federation, Romulans, and Klingons get help in their fight against the Metar onslaught. Another ancient, advanced race from the Anomaly systems called the Hubrin offer their support, as it was they who originally imprisoned the Metar some time ago over after having warred for millennia. However, the Hubrin numbers are low, as they were on the verge of total defeat when they sealed up the Metar the last time.

27-September-2291, SD9297.2.
After a year-long campaign, the Federation, Romulans, and Klingons manage to seal the Metar back into their prison dimension, unfortunately taking the races' Colonial Program command staff and all of the mineral-rich "Tabula Rasa" Anomaly systems with them.

21-October-2291, SD9309.4.
The survivors of the Tabula Rasa campaign survive to steal a Metar starship and return to their home dimension. With the disappearance of the Tabula Rasa star systems, the need for a starbase in the region is gone. 'Starbase 77' is shelved. This is the stardate given in the final mission of the game, and my assumption of the aftermath.

derelict Metar spaceship.


The above Tabula Rasa campaign notes courtesy of Scottish Andy’s superb Starbase 23 website.

Events as seen from the three superpowers from contemporary sources:

The Federation sent the U.S.S. Explorer to the Neutral Zone to stop the Romulan's weapons test, but they arrived too late. The starship reported the sudden appearance of these new worlds, and set one goal clear for the Federation: Investigate the new worlds to find out who really inhabited these worlds. Then one of the Federation's deep-space probes picked up a broadcast; a cry for help from a small planet...

Many Federation missions had characteristics such as investigating and scanning buildings for scientific reasons, defending themselves as well as the Taubat, and expanding colony size. In the battlefield, their greatest advantage was their use of advanced photon artilleries and mobile shield generators that prevented major casualties by increasing the defence of units.

For 20 Years the Federation and the Klingons clashed in an economic war. According to the Klingons, the Federation's posture was to drain the Empire's mineral reserves and starve them into submission. But these strange new worlds, filled with many potential minerals like dilithium, seemed to be a gift straight from the hands of Kahless...

Klingon missions usually used elements such as total warfare and destruction of entire colonies and cities, capturing buildings, and ravaging the enemy in whatever way possible, in addition to colony expansion, mining and defence. The Klingons from the start had no liking for the Taubat, and most early missions involved destroying them. Their greatest asset on the battlefield was their powerful disruptor batteries that destroyed some units in one shot.

Since they initially 'brought' the worlds to the Alpha Quadrant, the Romulans were there in numbers to claim ownership over the 'bountiful, new possessions'. Some Romulans had other goals in mind with the materials than the others...

The Romulan missions usually included capturing buildings and personnel, mining, and defending themselves from the other races. Romulan cloaking technology was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

Typical Taubat architecture with their 'temples'.


Observations on the other races involved:

taubat concept sketches by Gavin Cooper aka vauxhallviva. copyrigt ll righs reserved. click for his website.


Taubat - A strange, naïve race that seemed at first friendly to the three Beta Quadrant races, especially to the Federation. The Taubat seemed to treat their power stations like temples, and when provoked, they attacked in sufficient numbers as they protected their territory, and especially the sites they hold sacred zealously. But there was more to the Taubat that meets the eye...

The Taubat were seen in every earlier mission and most throughout the Tabula Rasa Crisis. Their buildings included houses, vehicle manufacturing facilities, Metar temples (or power temples), and very powerful defence turrets. Their buildings were used by the Metar as well later in the campaign. Their units had similar functions to most races such as Taubat tanks, APCs, and photon artilleries. Quite often, their power temples were in disrepair and required teams to go in and fix them so they didn't have a meltdown and explode.

The Taubat were a creepy, artificial biological construct. Their mould from which they were cast had eroded over the eons creating their unfinished appearance and incomplete, degraded mentality. The Taubat had reached a stage where the maintainance of their masters had taken on the feel of a religious faith. Once the Metar were awoken, evidence was seen that these masters were working to restore their vassals' abilities to more be more capable in assisting in the takeover of the Beta Quadrant from these new child race defenders.

Hubrin floating fortress


Hubrin - An ancient race who were at war with the Metar for millennia on end, and they created the original anomaly which the Romulan Starship opened. The Hubrin live in a Fortress, which is a rather curious floating structure. The Hubrin are deadly when they go to the offensive. They were a crucial part for the later missions...

The Hubrin make their first real appearance in "Absent Friends", but their ancient fortress is seen by the Klingons in their first mission. The Hubrin use one type of tank unit that is very aggressive and intimidating due to its high speed, firepower, and range.

Metar - An ancient race that appeared midway through the campaign. The Metar operated under a caste system; with each caste being 'designed' to counter a specific threat. The Metar were extremely hostile as they attacked anyone except the Taubat without provocation. The most powerful warrior of the Metar was the Metar Ras, who was also the leader of the Metar Society.

The Metar made their first appearance in the mission "The Mask Slips". They had the ability to quickly make many units at a time by the use of their active portals. Some of their vehicles included Naks, Deas, Burs, Snipers, and Mobile Shield Generators. The Metar Ras lived in the Metar Colony Core, a lopsided stone tower (which later turned out to be their starship - Metar starships landed on the planet's surface and then become the colony core).

Orion Pirates - Some missions featured Orion Pirates in the area, usually enslaving the Taubat and harassing colonies with their own disruptor tanks or stolen Taubat vehicles and units.

Metar ship with the Federation fleet in the background.


Taubat concept art by Gavin Cooper aka Vauxhallviva. Aftermath:

The Federation allocated science stations to study the Metar, Taubat and Hubrin relics during the campaign. It is also known that the Klingons, Romulans and Orions have identical facilities.

Unlike the other races, the Federation set about conducting cultural studies on the anomaly region native races as well as technological.

There were rumours of Metar survival after the final explosion of the second Shiva device that closed the anomaly systems forever; the explosions blinded most starship sensors, but the modern Excelsior class starships did pick up faint readings suggesting the Metar may have got a handful of ships through the closing rift. The rift region is now in the Neutral Zone once more, making it off-limits to all races.

Starfleet has been studying, in some detail, the relationship between the Metar and Taubat. The Taubat DNA was studied in some detail. There are some signs of technologically advanced genetic manipulation. There was no sign of such technology in the possession of the Taubat, beyond the Metar power structures that they religiously defended.

This relationship seems to have been more complicated than just master and slave. The suggestion is that the Metar manipulated the Taubat DNA to create their own caretakers to look after their facilities, perhaps as intelligence-gatherers to assess the attitudes of the races the Taubat encountered. There have been debates over how much genetic manipulation the Taubat have undergone; to the extent of suggesting they might have even been designed from scratch.

In a similar way the Metar technology scanned by the different races was studied by both Starfleet and private research facilities alike. With the Metar locked away across the subspace void, samples of the technology is simply what was scanned or debris obtained from Starfleet Anthropological missions of the Oberth class fleet.

Whilst the Orions managed to capture only Taubat technology successfully, the Federation and Romulans obtained Taubat artefacts and obtained detailed scans of Hubrin and Metar technologies, although without the creator races the success of replicating this technology has failed.

With the explosion of Praxis, assassination of Chancellor Gorkon of the Klingon High Council and later diplomatic and aid missions to the Klingon Empire, the Metar soon became disregarded as a solved problem, locked away in their subspace pocket. That all changed with the discoveries of Taubat cultural material by the U.S.S. Chantho, Oberth class. Urgent questions are flashed back on a coded frequency to the Second Fleet headquarters. The question is whether the Taubat technologies are relics from the 90s or whether this is brand new piece.

The scans were inconclusive as to whether the cultural matter is historic, since the Taubat may have been in the Beta Quadrant for over twenty years. The orders that came back on the matter are to investigate the matter thoroughly, but discreetly. The other Beta Quadrant powers are not to know anything until there is anything confirmed: command does not want a panic.

Commodore Maxwell Buckingham was fully briefed on the situation and instructed by Starfleet Commander-in-Chief Irina Khmelnova to prepare the tactical aspects of the starbase up-to-speed, should the Taubat discovery lead to more. With the dreadnoughts Zrinyi and Howe, along with Ark Royal class Glorious deployed to Starbase 77, Commodore Buckingham had assets available should the Metar reappear. The reason for the deployment was never given and was played down.

With this possible Taubat appearance, the Beta Quadrant remains as unpredictable as ever.









Original Star Trek: New Worlds concept art by Gavin Cooper. © Copyright all rights reserved.


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