Outpost 4
Outpost 4 was an outpost constructed a mile deep on an asteroid of almost solid iron by Starfleet in 2160. The outpost's protective shield was made of cast rodinium. This outpost was one of seven Earth Outpost Stations located on the Federation side of the Federation-Romulan border in Sector Z-6. This sector was in Galaxy Quadrant YX-12-114, which was a minor quadrant of the Beta Quadrant. (TOS: "Balance of Terror"; PIC: "Disengage")
History
The outpost was under the command of Commander Hansen Al-Salah by 2259. Under a retrofit directive, the USS Enterprise and the USS Cayuga delivered state-of-the-art matter synthesizers and a set of fully automated mining craft to Outpost 4. (SNW: "A Quality of Mercy")
The Enterprise arrives at Outpost 4 after it was attack by a Romulan Bird-of-Prey.
In 2266, Outpost 4 came under attack by an unknown starship that was later discovered to be Romulan Bird-of-Prey. Although protected by full deflectors, the outpost was hit by a powerful high-energy plasma torpedo that completely blew out the outpost's deflector shield, as well as taking out its phasers and killing its weapons crew. The second attack by the plasma torpedo hit the outpost, unprotected, resulting in the base's disintegration.
Within the next century, this outpost had been replaced with a new outpost bearing its name. In 2366, this outpost received a warning from Starfleet Command about an alleged Romulan base on Nelvana III. (TOS: "Balance of Terror"; TNG: "The Defector")
Stellar cartography
In 2259, the location of this outpost was labeled on a stellar cartography chart that was seen on the USS Enterprise's ready room viewscreen. (SNW: "A Quality of Mercy")
During the Neutral Zone Incursion, the location of Outpost 4 was labeled on a map of Sector Z-6 that was displayed on the bridge viewscreen of the USS Enterprise. (TOS: "Balance of Terror", production art)
On stardate 1292.4, the location of this outpost was labeled in a chart used during a Section 31 Alpha Team briefing. (Star Trek: Section 31)
In 2366, the location of the outpost was labeled on a tactical intelligence analysis star chart. (TNG: "The Defector", okudagram)
In 2401, the location of this outpost was labeled in a chart used on aboard the SS Eleos XII. The label 4 had an orange color. (PIC: "Disengage")
Appendices
Background
The chart from the SS Eleos XII originated in the Star Trek: Star Charts and was modified for its appearance in the episode. Dave Blass published pictures of the set on his website.
In the Star Trek: Star Charts (p. 66), it was stated that Outpost 4 was constructed in an area of space that been contested over during the Romulan War Theater of Operations (2156-2160).
Apocrypha
"Duel of the Flagships"
The October spread of the Star Trek: Ships of the Line (2017) calendar titled "Duel of the Flagships" depicted the Enterprise and a Romulan Bird-of-Prey in battle over Outpost 4, by D.M. Phoenix.
External link
- Outpost 4 at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works