DS2 RPG General Status Report January 2025

USS Earth/Starbase 44

The projection dimmed, their presence fading before she could respond further.
Steichen leaned against the console, her thoughts a whirlwind. The Lorem's riddles hinted at a greater purpose—something beyond mere accumulation of technology. It was about understanding the connections, the larger picture.
Turning to her officers, she spoke firmly. "Analyze everything we've retrieved so far. Cross-reference it. Find the pattern. The Lorem may speak in riddles, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that their words always have meaning. Whatever storm is coming, we need to be ready."
And as she stared back out at the stars, she couldn't shake the feeling that the Lorem's riddles concealed more than answers—they concealed a warning.

Players: CS


Starbase 88

Admiral Van Nieuwenhove sat in the command center of Starbase 88, reviewing the latest intelligence reports. The sudden halt in raider activity had left the Federation leadership both relieved and uneasy. Theories ranged from internal collapse among the raiders to the intervention of an unknown force. Without concrete evidence, the Federation decided to err on the side of caution.
The official directive was clear: focus on defense, ensure stability, and avoid unnecessary risks. Starbase 21 and the USS Celestial Voyager were tasked with bolstering security and remaining vigilant for any resurgence of raider activity or other threats in the sector.

Consequences for Starbase 21

The decision to maintain a defensive posture allowed Starbase 21 to continue its recovery efforts uninterrupted. Repairs to the reactor core were completed, and new defensive systems, including advanced shield arrays and automated weapon platforms, were installed. The starbase’s supply lines were reestablished, and its strategic importance in the region was reaffirmed.
However, the lingering uncertainty about the raiders’ disappearance created a tense atmosphere. Starbase personnel were on high alert, and rumors spread of a shadowy force that had silenced the raiders. Morale was a mix of cautious optimism and underlying anxiety, as everyone wondered if the calm was merely a prelude to a greater storm.

Consequences for the USS Celestial Voyager

Captain Dora Jenkins and her crew found themselves at the forefront of the Federation’s efforts to monitor and secure the region. The Celestial Voyager was assigned to patrol the surrounding sectors, gathering intelligence and maintaining a visible presence to deter any resurgence of hostilities.
The crew felt the weight of their role as protectors of a vulnerable sector. While some appreciated the chance to regroup after the recent battle, others grew restless. The uncertainty surrounding the raiders’ fate gnawed at them, and whispers circulated about the possibility of a new, unseen threat.
Despite these tensions, Captain Jenkins maintained her crew’s focus and morale, emphasizing the importance of their mission. The Celestial Voyager became a symbol of stability for the region, a beacon of Federation resolve in uncertain times.

A Brand-New Dilemma

As weeks turned into months, sensors aboard the USS Celestial Voyager detected a faint but persistent subspace signal emanating from deep space, far beyond charted Federation territory. The signal was highly encrypted and bore no resemblance to any known raider communication. After weeks of analysis, the science team managed to partially decode the message.

The fragments were cryptic but intriguing:

"Raider threat neutralized... Huranon intervention... possible diplomatic overture."

The revelation that another power—potentially the Huranon—might have been involved in the raiders’ disappearance posed a significant question.
Admiral Van Nieuwenhove was faced with a new decision:

1. Investigate the Signal: Dispatch the USS Celestial Voyager to track the source of the signal and uncover the truth. This could lead to valuable insights, potential alliances with the Huranon, or even new threats. However, it would mean diverting the Celestial Voyager from its critical role in stabilizing the region.

2. Hold Position: Focus on defending Starbase 21 and the surrounding sectors, maintaining the Federation’s strategic presence. This approach would prioritize immediate security but risk losing an opportunity to learn about the Huranon and their involvement.

The decision weighed heavily on the Admiral’s mind. The unknown beacon represented both a mystery and a risk, and the consequences of either choice could shape the Federation’s future in this volatile region of space.

Players: GVN


USS Thunderbolt/The Borg Collective



Spoiler alert!

Attention! This part of the DS2 RPG contains spoilers for those who have not seen Star Trek Picard Season 1-2-3!






The Dilemma of Assimilation

Four candidates for assimilation emerged as contenders, each offering distinct advantages and challenges:

1. The Kazon (Delta Quadrant):

A fractured and warlike species, the Kazon were not particularly advanced technologically, but their sheer numbers and adaptability in harsh environments made them a potential asset. Their genetic material could be enhanced by the Collective, and their tendency to splinter into factions made them easier to conquer. However, their lack of unified leadership posed a challenge for effective assimilation.

2. The Kobali (Delta Quadrant):

Known for their unique method of reproduction—reviving the dead of other species and transforming them into Kobali—this species offered a profound biological advantage. Their mastery of genetic reprogramming could unlock new possibilities for Borg nanotechnology. However, their cultural tenacity and spiritual beliefs about their methods made them fiercely resistant to assimilation.

3. The Species of the Badlands (Alpha Quadrant):
The volatile region of the Badlands was home to numerous species and factions, many of whom had adapted to thrive in its chaotic plasma storms. Assimilating these species would give the Borg mastery over extreme environments and strategic control of a key galactic region. Yet, the risks of operating in the Badlands’ unpredictable conditions were high, potentially costing resources and drones.

4. A Different Target Entirely:
The galaxy was vast, and other species might offer even greater rewards. Should the Borg turn their attention to the elusive Tholians, whose crystalline biology defied assimilation? Or perhaps the Gorn, whose reptilian physiology presented unique challenges and opportunities? The Collective knew that every decision shaped their path to perfection.



The King’s Decision

The Borg King pondered these choices, consulting with Master One and the Superdrones who now managed the Collective’s far-reaching domains. The decision was not merely strategic but symbolic. Each choice represented a step in the Borg’s evolution, a path that would define their next phase of conquest.
"The Kazon’s numbers, the Kobali’s genetics, the Badlands’ control, or an entirely different path," the Borg King mused aloud, his voice resonating through the hive mind. "Each offers advantages, yet none can be pursued simultaneously. We will decide, and we will act with precision. The next assimilation will mark our continued march toward perfection."
As the Collective deliberated, the galaxy held its breath, unaware of the storm that was about to descend. The Borg’s choice would shape the future of entire regions, their inexorable will driving them ever closer to ultimate domination.
And so, the Borg faced a question not of if but who. Which species would next fall to the Collective’s relentless advance?
 
Players: FK


USS Vertigo / USS Gdonsk

Day 434 21.24
Slater ordered an away team to board the SS Geleon, comprised of officers from both the Vertigo and Gdonsk. They were armed but instructed to approach the situation diplomatically. As the away team prepared to beam over, another transmission came through: a woman’s voice, desperate and trembling.
“Don’t board the ship! You don’t understand—this isn’t just engine trouble. They’re not who they say they are! None of them are!”

Day 434 21.25
The transmission was abruptly cut off, and as the away team materialized aboard the Geleon, they were met with silence. The lights flickered dimly, and the corridors were eerily empty. They found the ship’s systems barely functional and no sign of the crewmembers who had sent the conflicting distress calls.


Day 434 21.31
As the team moved deeper into the vessel, their tricorders began picking up faint life signs scattered throughout the ship. They also detected traces of an unknown energy signature—something not listed in the ship’s design schematics.


Players: NP


USS Atlantis/Starbase 99


Starbase 99: The Discovery of J'nok’s Planet

Starbase 99, a sprawling hub of scientific exploration and interstellar diplomacy, floated at the edge of the Andromeda Rift like a beacon in the dark. Commanded by Admiral Tom Walker, a seasoned officer with a reputation for encouraging innovation, the starbase was home to some of the Federation’s brightest minds. Among them was Lieutenant J'nok, a Kalarian officer assigned to stellar cartography.

Lieutenant J'nok’s days were usually spent in the quiet, cavernous chamber of the stellar cartography lab. Its curved walls displayed a holographic map of the galaxy, shimmering with countless stars and nebulae. J'nok had a keen eye for patterns and anomalies, a trait that made him invaluable to the department. Yet, despite his diligence, his work often went unnoticed—until the day he decided to improve the starbase’s aging sensor array.

The project was born from frustration. The existing sensors were adequate for routine operations but struggled with deep-space detection. J'nok, with his background in engineering, theorized that a simple reconfiguration of the sensor matrix could increase its sensitivity. After weeks of studying schematics and running simulations, he presented his proposal to Chief Scientist Carlet.

Carlet, a stern yet fair Bolian with a passion for discovery, listened intently as J'nok outlined his plan. “It’s ambitious,” she said, her blue features betraying a hint of skepticism. “But if it works, it could enhance our ability to detect celestial bodies far beyond our current range. Proceed with caution, Lieutenant.”

With Carlet’s approval, J'nok assembled a small team and began the upgrade. The work was tedious and required rerouting power conduits and recalibrating the delicate sensor nodes. After several sleepless nights, the modifications were complete. The moment of truth came when J'nok activated the new array.

The holographic map in the stellar cartography lab flared to life, its projection sharper and more detailed than ever before. As J'nok adjusted the settings, a faint signal appeared on the outskirts of the mapped region. It was a gravitational anomaly, consistent with the presence of a planetary body.

“Computer, analyze the signal,” J'nok commanded. The computer confirmed his suspicions: the anomaly was indeed a planet, previously undetected and located in the uncharted Lambda-3 Sector.
Over the next few days, J'nok and his team studied the planet in detail. Preliminary scans revealed it was a terrestrial world with a breathable atmosphere and signs of liquid water. The discovery sent ripples through the starbase. Admiral Walker himself came to the lab to congratulate J'nok.

“Lieutenant,” Walker said, his voice carrying the weight of command yet tinged with genuine admiration, “your initiative and ingenuity have brought great honor to this starbase. This discovery could lead to significant advancements for the Federation.”

Chief Scientist Carlet was equally effusive. “This is extraordinary work, J'nok. Your improvements to the sensor array will benefit not just stellar cartography but every scientific discipline on Starbase 99.”

The planet, informally dubbed “J'nok’s World” by the crew, became the focus of intense study. Plans were made to send an expeditionary team to explore its surface, with J'nok invited to join as a key scientific advisor. For the young lieutenant, it was the culmination of years of dedication and a reminder of the boundless possibilities of exploration.
As Starbase 99 prepared for the mission, J'nok stood in the observation deck, gazing out at the vast expanse of stars. The galaxy was full of mysteries, and he had just uncovered one of its secrets. He smiled, knowing this was only the beginning.

Players: JM & CP


Ovion (Hirogen/Ori/Replicator Vessel)

Title: The Hunt for Ascension: The Chosen Twenty-One

Assembling the Hunters

The Eternal Prey loomed as both a promise of eternal glory and an ominous test. Horkan, now regarded as the apex of Hirogen might, declared that this would not be a hunt for a single hunter or a mere crew—it required an elite force. He ordered all Hirogen across the quadrant to converge on Dreandar.
From across the stars, over 400 Hirogen hunters—alphas, betas, and gammas alike—answered the call. Among them were hardened warriors with lifetimes of victories, young prodigies eager to prove their worth, and a few shrouded in mystery.
Horkan devised a series of grueling trials to select the best. These were no ordinary tests of strength or cunning; each trial mimicked the unpredictable, reality-bending powers rumored to belong to the Eternal Prey. The trials included simulated hunts, survival in chaotic environments, and tests of leadership and adaptability.
By the end, only 21 remained, their triumphs solidifying their place in Horkan’s elite team. Each hunter bore their own story, marked by cunning, strength, and sacrifice.

Players: TvR





DS2 RPG General Status Report February 2025

USS Earth/Starbase 44


USS Runner, under command of Captain Djavis

Aboard the USS Runner, Captain Laura Djavis sat in her command chair, watching the swirling blue tunnel of warp space stretch endlessly before them. The ship was on course for Earth, carrying one of the most significant scientific discoveries in Starfleet’s history—an ancient, advanced technology retrieved from the ruins of the Dark Sector. The journey had been perilous, but the rewards could reshape the future.
A soft chime echoed across the bridge, signaling an incoming transmission. "Captain Djavis, incoming orders from Admiral Steichen," announced the comms officer.
"On screen," Djavis ordered.
The familiar face of Admiral Steichen appeared, her expression one of both pride and cautious optimism.
"Captain Djavis, congratulations on a successful mission. Your crew has proven their resilience and skill once again," Steichen began. "Your next orders are as follows: You are to proceed to Earth and deliver the recovered technology to Starfleet Command. Our best scientists will examine it under the highest security protocols. Once your mission is complete, the USS Runner will be ready for redeployment. I will transmit new orders once you've docked at Earth. Steichen out."
The screen returned to the sight of warp space, and Djavis took a deep breath. "You heard the Admiral. Maintain course for Earth at maximum warp."

----------------------------

Arrival at Earth
Days later, the USS Runner emerged from warp near Earth, the brilliant blue planet shining below as the ship approached Starfleet Headquarters in San Francisco. Djavis and her senior officers personally oversaw the transfer of the alien technology to Starfleet’s most secure research facility. Starfleet’s top scientists and engineers gathered in awe around the devices, immediately setting to work on unlocking their secrets.
The debrief with Starfleet brass was intense. Djavis answered questions about the mission, the destruction of the station, and the technology’s potential risks. Some admirals were eager to harness its power, while others, more cautious, feared unintended consequences. The debate would likely continue for years.
With their duty fulfilled, the USS Runner was cleared for a new mission. Djavis returned to her ship, and soon, a new transmission arrived from Admiral Steichen.
"Captain Djavis," Steichen's voice carried a hint of intrigue. "You’ve done well. Now, it’s time for your next assignment. You have three mission options:

1. Explore Sector 887111 – A largely uncharted region near the galactic core. Long-range scans indicate unusual energy signatures, but details are scarce. This could be a chance to make first contact with new civilizations or uncover unknown cosmic phenomena.
2. Deliver cargo to Deep Space 2 – A crucial Federation outpost on the frontier, Deep Space 2 is in need of critical supplies. Intelligence suggests possible pirate activity in the area, so this mission may not be as simple as it seems.
3. Escort the Vulcan diplomatic ship Tonakum to Cardassia Prime – The Cardassian government is hosting high-level peace talks with the Vulcans. Given recent tensions in the region, an escort is necessary to ensure the safety of the delegation.

The choice is yours, Captain. Consider carefully and inform me of your decision. Starfleet out."
Djavis leaned back in her chair, looking around at her bridge crew. Each mission presented its own challenges—the thrill of exploration, the duty of logistical support, or the delicate dance of diplomacy.
She had a decision to make.

Which path would the USS Runner take?

  

USS Token, Captain Sarah Reynolds in Command

Captain Sarah Reynolds stood on the bridge of the USS Token, her gaze fixed on the main viewscreen. The last known location of the probe stretched before them—an abyss of empty space that wasn’t as empty as it seemed. The faint, flickering signal of the lost probe whispered through subspace like a ghostly echo, distorted beyond recognition.
Admiral Steichen’s orders had been clear. Uncover the fate of the probes. But what if the answer was more than they were prepared for? What if stepping further into this mystery meant stepping into something they couldn't escape?
"Lieutenant Jin, confirm the probe's signal source," Reynolds ordered, her voice steady despite the tension gripping the bridge.
Jin’s fingers danced across her console. "The signal is coming from within the subspace instability, but it’s fluctuating. It’s as if the probe is there and not there at the same time."
"Like it's caught between dimensions?" Commander Elias Tovak, her Vulcan first officer, suggested.
Jin nodded. "That’s my best hypothesis. But the physics don’t add up. There’s something happening here that we don’t understand."
Reynolds exhaled slowly. "Alright. Let’s take this carefully. Helm, move us closer—one-quarter impulse. Keep shields at maximum."
"Aye, Captain," the helmsman acknowledged. The Token crept forward, its hull humming with the subtle tension of its crew.
As they approached, the ship trembled—like space itself was resisting their advance.
"Energy fluctuations increasing!" Jin called. "I'm detecting gravitational distortions—similar to a black hole, but erratic and unstable!"
"Back us off!" Reynolds ordered.
The Token halted its approach, but then something changed.
The flickering probe signal solidified for a fraction of a second—and a garbled transmission burst through the speakers.
"—elp—don’t—stay—too clo—"
Then silence.
The bridge fell still.
Reynolds' heart pounded. "Was that from our probe?"
Jin’s hands moved rapidly. "Yes. But Captain… that wasn't just a recording. That was a live transmission."
Reynolds stiffened. "You’re telling me the probe is still active inside that anomaly?"
"It appears so," Jin confirmed. "But there's more. I’m detecting a second energy signature. Something else is in there with it."
A chill ran through the bridge. Another ship? A natural phenomenon? Or something else entirely?
Reynolds turned to her officers. "Options?"
Tovak, ever the pragmatist, folded his hands behind his back. "We must proceed cautiously. If the probe is still active, there may be a way to retrieve it. However, the gravitational instability presents a severe risk to the Token. If we miscalculate, we may become trapped as well."
Jin swallowed hard. "We could send in a modified probe with reinforced shielding to gather more data before making a decision. But if something is in there, we might lose another probe—and tip off whatever’s inside that we’re investigating."
Reynolds took a slow breath. This was the moment where command weighed heaviest—when there was no right answer, only choices with consequences.
Three clear paths lay before her:

1. Enter the anomaly. Take the Token in and uncover the truth firsthand. A direct approach could mean rescue or discovery, but it could also mean disaster.
2. Deploy a second probe. A safer approach, but if something was actively waiting inside, they might lose another probe—and the element of surprise.
3. Retreat and call for reinforcements. A cautious choice, but one that risked whatever was inside vanishing before they could get answers.

Reynolds looked at the swirling space before them, the ghostly echoes of the lost probe still ringing in her ears.

Now what?



The Lorem

Admiral Steichen stood in the command center of Starbase 44, staring at the latest reports from her starships. The search for new technology had become the singular purpose of her mission, dictated by the cryptic riddles of the Lorem. But the question gnawed at her: Was this technology meant for the Federation, or for the Lorem themselves? And what would be the cost of continuing this relentless search?


The Voyages of the Five Starships

One by one, the reports arrived, each detailing failure after failure. Five ships had ventured into the unknown, combing distant star systems, ancient derelicts, and abandoned outposts. Yet, despite their efforts, they returned empty-handed.

USS Vanguard explored a nebula rumored to house remnants of an advanced civilization. After weeks of scanning, all they found were broken husks of ships long since stripped of anything useful.

USS Horizon ventured deep into the uncharted reaches of the Beta Quadrant, following reports of an ancient alien archive. What they found was a planet scorched by war, its technology reduced to dust by the passage of time.

USS Pathfinder attempted first contact with a reclusive species believed to possess gravitational manipulation technology. Instead, they were met with hostility, their attempts at diplomacy met with silence. They left with nothing but unanswered hails.

USS Endeavor tracked a signal deep in the ruins of a long-dead world. It turned out to be nothing more than an automated distress beacon, endlessly repeating a call for help from a species that had perished centuries ago.

USS Celestial discovered an asteroid field containing unusual energy readings. For weeks, their science teams analyzed the fragments, but in the end, the anomalies were natural phenomena, not advanced technology.
Frustration built among the crews, and even Steichen herself began to wonder: Was this a fool’s errand? Then came the report from the USS Marconi.

The Discovery of the USS Marconi

Captain Luna Penn and her crew had charted an unknown system on the fringes of the galaxy. On a barren, lifeless moon, they discovered a buried structure—a vast chamber of seamless black metal. Within it, they found a single, enigmatic device: a small, crystalline artifact suspended in a gravity field.
After extensive testing, they uncovered its incredible function: it could move objects, and even living beings, exactly twenty meters in any chosen direction—instantly. No transporters, no beams, no visible energy transfer. Just instantaneous displacement. A device that defied known physics.
Captain Penn’s log transmitted back to Starbase 44 was filled with both excitement and apprehension.

“We have tested the device multiple times. It works flawlessly. We do not know its full potential, nor its origin. But one thing is clear—this is not just another piece of forgotten technology. This could change everything.”


The Dilemma of Admiral Steichen

The Marconi’s discovery reignited Steichen’s internal conflict. This was a breakthrough—tangible proof that the search could yield unprecedented power. If the Federation mastered such a device, it could revolutionize transport, combat, and countless other applications. But then there was the shadow of the Lorem’s riddle.

Was this what they wanted? Was she collecting knowledge for the Federation’s benefit, or simply fulfilling some unknown purpose for an almost omnipotent species?

She turned away from the reports and stared out at the stars. The orders had been clear: send ships, gather technology. But after five failures, was one success enough to justify continuing? Was it worth the risk? Would she, could she, continue sending crews into the void in pursuit of an uncertain future?
Steichen’s fingers hovered over the console. The decision was hers to make.
And the Lorem were watching.

Players: CS


Starbase 88

The revelation that another power—potentially the Huranon—might have been involved in the raiders’ disappearance posed a significant question.
Admiral Van Nieuwenhove was faced with a new decision:

1. Investigate the Signal: Dispatch the USS Celestial Voyager to track the source of the signal and uncover the truth. This could lead to valuable insights, potential alliances with the Huranon, or even new threats. However, it would mean diverting the Celestial Voyager from its critical role in stabilizing the region.

2. Hold Position: Focus on defending Starbase 21 and the surrounding sectors, maintaining the Federation’s strategic presence. This approach would prioritize immediate security but risk losing an opportunity to learn about the Huranon and their involvement.

The decision weighed heavily on the Admiral’s mind. The unknown beacon represented both a mystery and a risk, and the consequences of either choice could shape the Federation’s future in this volatile region of space.

Players: GVN


USS Thunderbolt/The Borg Collective



Spoiler alert!

Attention! This part of the DS2 RPG contains spoilers for those who have not seen Star Trek Picard Season 1-2-3!



 
Good Borg or bad Borg
 
The Borg cube floated in the cold silence of space, its massive, geometric form a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding within. The pathogen was relentless. More drones faltered, their cybernetic implants failing, their organic components degrading beyond repair. The decision had been made. Efficiency dictated that the infected drones be destroyed to prevent further spread.
Captain Elyra stood in the command chamber, her Betazoid-enhanced senses attuned to the weakening presence of the affected drones. Their connection to the Collective flickered, their individuality long erased but their function now null. She gave the order without hesitation.
“We are Borg. We do not hesitate. Isolate the infected drones. Purge them.”
Across the cube, containment fields activated, sealing entire sections off. The drones trapped within barely reacted, their failing systems unable to register what was happening. Plasma charges detonated in sequence, disintegrating everything in the quarantined sectors. The pathogen, along with all its hosts, was erased in a matter of minutes.
A silence fell over the Collective. The infected were gone. The cube was secure. But the problem remained—this pathogen had demonstrated an ability to bypass Borg defenses. It had nearly undone them.
Elyra turned to her crew. “We require a dedicated research effort. A vessel immune to biological threats.”
Kaden nodded. “A Borg sphere, crewed entirely by androids. No organic components. No risk of infection.”
Zara added, “We can keep it quarantined from the Collective. If a cure is found, we integrate the knowledge. If not…”
“We send it into a sun,” Elyra finished. “No harm done.”
The Collective responded immediately. A Borg sphere, stripped of biological drones and operated entirely by androids, was dispatched to begin work on the pathogen. It remained in strict isolation, its findings transmitted in bursts of encrypted data, monitored from afar. No living drone would be exposed until absolute certainty was achieved.
But even this measure might not be enough.

-------------------------------------

The Vidiian Factor

Taran, the Betazoid, hesitated before speaking. “The pathogen is beyond anything we’ve encountered. But there is a species that has spent centuries perfecting techniques to combat diseases that ravage organic life.”
Elyra met his gaze. “The Vidiians.”
The Vidiians, once a proud civilization, had been ravaged by the Phage, a disease that forced them to harvest organs from other species to survive. Over centuries, they had developed advanced biomedical knowledge—perhaps enough to aid the Borg.
Zara frowned. “The Vidiians are desperate and untrustworthy. They might see this as an opportunity to turn the pathogen against us.”
Rylan countered, “But their research is unparalleled. If anyone has knowledge of how to counter aggressive organic decay, it’s them.”
The Collective processed the possibilities. If they reached out to the Vidiians, they risked exposing Borg vulnerabilities to an unpredictable species. The Vidiians could cooperate—or they could attempt to use the pathogen to their advantage, seeing it as a weapon against the Borg.
Elyra faced a new dilemma.

1. Seek the aid of the Vidiians, risking betrayal but potentially gaining the cure needed to counteract future threats.
2. Rely solely on the android-operated sphere, trusting Borg technology to solve the problem independently, but delaying the process and risking another outbreak.
Efficiency demanded a swift solution. Logic dictated caution. The Collective awaited Elyra’s decision. The future of their adaptation depended on it.


 
To be a god or not to be a god
  
The Assimilation of the Kazon and the Kobali

The Borg Collective moved with precision, setting their sights on two species in the Delta Quadrant: the warlike Kazon and the enigmatic Kobali. Each offered something unique to the Borg’s relentless pursuit of perfection—one through its fractured society, easily manipulated and conquered; the other through its mastery of necrogenesis, a biological secret that could fundamentally alter the nature of the Collective.

The Fall of the Kazon

The Kazon were not a unified species; their civilization was broken into warring sects, each vying for dominance. The Borg recognized an opportunity: turn their division into a weapon against them.
Under orders from the Borg King, a new strategy was deployed. Borg emissaries—drones enhanced with Kazon genetic and behavioral imprints—were sent to infiltrate the different sects. Through careful manipulation, they offered technological advantages to some factions, subtly guiding them to wage war against their rivals. The promise of ultimate victory was a potent bait.
As the Kazon sects fought among themselves, the Borg moved in. The victorious Kazon, believing they had been rewarded with superior Borg weaponry, soon found themselves outmatched as their benefactors turned on them. One by one, sects were assimilated, their warlords transformed into drones, their warriors reforged into instruments of the Collective.
Within a matter of months, the Kazon resistance crumbled. Their leaders, once defiant, now spoke with the cold unity of the Borg. The great Kazon warships, crude but numerous, were integrated into the Borg armada. Their numbers, once their greatest strength, became their downfall as they were absorbed into the hive mind.
The Kazon were no longer a people. They were Borg.

The Kobali’s Necrogenic Defiance

The Kobali were a different challenge entirely. Unlike the Kazon, they were not warlike or divided. Their strength lay in something the Borg had never encountered before: their ability to reanimate the dead.
At first, assimilation progressed as expected. The first Kobali drones were created, their minds integrated into the Collective. However, something unexpected happened. Each assimilated Kobali triggered a countermeasure within their species. The Kobali resurrected their fallen, reviving individuals who had already been taken by the Borg.
For the first time, the Borg faced an enemy that could undo assimilation itself. Every Kobali assimilated led to two more rising to replace them. Their numbers, instead of dwindling, grew. The Borg calculated that if this continued unchecked, the Kobali could potentially outlast assimilation entirely—a feat no species had ever achieved.
Realizing the danger, the Borg adjusted their tactics. Instead of brute-force assimilation, they attempted to infiltrate Kobali society from within. Master One personally led this effort, using his dark abilities to manipulate the Kobali leaders. However, the Kobali were not naive. They recognized the threat and began to scatter across the Delta Quadrant.
Worse still, intelligence reports indicated that the Kobali were preparing an exodus. They had developed a plan to escape the Borg entirely—not just by fleeing to the far reaches of the Delta Quadrant, but by sending a portion of their people to another galaxy.
The Borg faced a dire dilemma.

-----------------------------

The Dilemma

If the Kobali succeeded in escaping, they could one day return stronger, wiser, and fully prepared to resist the Borg. Their necrogenic technology could evolve beyond the Collective’s reach. However, hunting them across the Delta Quadrant and beyond would require a massive allocation of resources, potentially weakening the Collective in other key battles.
The Borg King and Master One now had to decide:

1. Commit the full might of the Borg to eradicating the Kobali before they can escape, risking prolonged warfare and exposure to further losses.
2. Capture a portion of the Kobali and attempt to control their necrogenic abilities, using them to create undying drones, but risk the Kobali finding ways to resist even more.
3. Ignore the Kobali for now, allowing them to flee but marking them as a future target once the galaxy is fully assimilated.

Time was running out. The Kobali had already begun their evacuation. The Borg had to make a choice—and whatever they decided would shape the fate of the Delta Quadrant forever.

Players: FK


USS Vertigo / USS Gdonsk

Day 434 21.31
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed through the ship, followed by a blood-curdling scream. The away team rushed toward the source of the sound, finding a man slumped against the bulkhead, his uniform torn and his eyes wide with terror.
“They’re... everywhere...” he gasped, clutching at one of the officers. “You have to get out... it’s... it’s already too late.” Before anyone could ask what he meant, his body went limp, and he fell unconscious.

Day 434 21.35
Back aboard the Vertigo, Commodore Slater received a troubling update from the Gdonsk: their scans of the Geleon had revealed faint traces of bio-signatures not matching any known species in the Federation database.

Day 434 21.39
Worse yet, these signatures were moving... and growing in number.
As Slater and Matz tried to piece together what was happening, another transmission came through from the Geleon. This time, the voice on the other end was deep and distorted.
“Leave this ship... or suffer the consequences.”

Players: NP


USS Atlantis/Starbase 99

Starbase 99 floated on the edge of known space, a vast construct of titanium and reinforced alloys, its structure gleaming against the backdrop of the infinite void. The station, a bustling hub of scientific research and interstellar diplomacy, operated under the experienced command of Admiral Tom Walker, a seasoned officer of the United Federation of Planets. He had seen many wonders in his tenure, but nothing quite like the entity that would soon make its presence known.
It arrived not with the blare of warning klaxons or the threat of invasion, but as a shimmering pulse of energy, streaking through the darkness of space with graceful intent. The station's long-range sensors detected the anomaly first—a sentient mass of pure energy moving with purpose yet radiating nothing but curiosity. As it neared, the form coalesced into a roughly spherical shape, pulsating gently with iridescent hues. When it finally reached the outer perimeter of the station, it did not breach with force. Instead, it waited, as if requesting permission to enter.
"What in the name of—?" Commander Rho, the station’s chief science officer, muttered as she examined the readings. "Admiral, this entity is composed of pure energy, yet it shows signs of self-awareness. It doesn’t appear to be a ship or a drone. I think... I think it's alive."
Admiral Walker leaned forward in his command chair, his gaze locked onto the main viewscreen. "Then let’s treat it like a visitor. Open a communications channel. See if it can understand us."
To everyone’s astonishment, the being responded, not with words, but with patterns of light that seemed to translate into rudimentary ideas and emotions. With the assistance of Starbase 99’s most advanced linguistic algorithms, a rudimentary dialogue was established. The entity identified itself as Hoggy, a peaceful explorer from an alternate universe. It had been drawn to the station by the countless technological signals emanating from it, eager to learn and exchange knowledge.
Over the next few days, Hoggy interacted with the station’s crew, sharing insights into its form of existence. It had no physical body in the traditional sense but existed as a cohesive field of sentient energy, bound by quantum stabilizers beyond Federation understanding. It communicated in waves of electromagnetic patterns, adapting quickly to the Federation’s means of interaction. It was fascinated by the idea of solid beings and their constructs, asking endless questions about material forms, biological processes, and the principles of emotion.
Admiral Walker, ever the diplomat, welcomed the being’s curiosity, granting it access to non-classified archives while Federation scientists worked diligently to understand its unique structure. In turn, Hoggy provided glimpses into its own universe, where beings like itself roamed freely, unburdened by the constraints of matter. It spoke of vast cosmic phenomena unknown to this reality, and the crew listened in awe.
But as all things must, the encounter was destined to end. Hoggy, ever the wanderer, felt the pull of the unexplored and announced its departure in a brilliant display of cascading colors. Though saddened, the crew respected its nature. Before it left, however, Hoggy bestowed upon them a gift.
Materializing out of nothingness, a small, intricate device appeared on the station’s central engineering deck. It was unlike anything the Federation had ever seen—a tiny power generator, humming with endless potential. As engineers examined it, they found that it functioned without the need for fuel, drawing energy from some unknown, infinite source. It could power entire sections of the station indefinitely.
When Admiral Walker asked Hoggy about the device, the being responded with a simple pulsation of warmth and understanding. "A token of peace. A fragment of boundless energy. May it illuminate your path."
With one final flash of radiant light, Hoggy departed, slipping effortlessly through the fabric of space and vanishing into the great unknown.
As Starbase 99 returned to normal operations, the legend of Hoggy lived on. The energy generator remained, a quiet testament to the encounter—an everlasting light from a being who had sought nothing but knowledge and friendship. And though Hoggy was gone, its legacy endured, a beacon of what lay beyond the boundaries of the known universe, waiting to be discovered.

Players: JM & CP


Ovion (Hirogen/Ori/Replicator Vessel)

Title: The Hunt for Ascension: The Chosen Twenty-One

Assembling the Hunters

The 21 Chosen Hirogen Hunters

The First Seven Chosen Hirogen Hunters


1. Voras the Steadfast
The second-in-command who had once defied Horkan during the Q hunt. Voras proved his loyalty and skill by navigating an arena where time shifted unpredictably. When faced with an illusion of his betrayal, he sacrificed his pride to save his team, earning Horkan’s forgiveness and respect.
2. Tylar the Tracker
Tylar’s test was to track a cloaked prey across an artificial nebula. Using his unparalleled intuition, he predicted the prey’s movements by interpreting faint gravitational disturbances, earning him a place as the group's chief tracker.
3. Krellan the Shieldbearer
Known for his brute strength, Krellan was subjected to a trial where physical might was useless. Trapped in an energy maze, he used his body as a shield to absorb blows meant for his comrades, demonstrating selflessness and adaptability.
4. Vayra the Huntress
Vayra was one of the few female Hirogen to step forward. Her trial required her to face a simulation where her prey multiplied with every strike. By focusing her attacks on the source, she outsmarted the program, proving her tactical brilliance.
5. Lokarn the Shadow
Lokarn was a master of stealth. In a simulated starship infiltration, he disabled defenses and eliminated decoys without being detected, earning his place as the team’s infiltrator.
6. Zarek the Bloodhound
Zarek's sense of smell and tracking instincts were legendary. He located prey in an arctic wasteland where sight and sound were nullified, relying solely on his heightened olfactory senses.
7. Drella the Strategist
Drella’s mind was her weapon. In a simulation of an overwhelming enemy force, she devised a strategy to split her team into decoys and flankers, achieving victory against impossible odds.

Players: TvR





DS2 RPG General Status Report March 2025

USS Earth/Starbase 44


USS Runner, under command of Captain Djavis


The Perilous Journey to Deep Space 2

The USS Runner, under the command of Captain Laura Djavis, streaked through warp toward Deep Space 2, a remote Federation outpost under the command of Admiral Arthur. Their mission was simple: deliver much-needed supplies to the outpost, which had been struggling with logistical shortages. However, intelligence reports had warned of increased pirate activity in the region, making this mission far from routine.
As the Runner approached the fringes of known space, the mood on the bridge grew tense.
"Captain, long-range sensors are picking up multiple unidentified vessels along our route," reported Lieutenant Kalen, the ship’s science officer. "No transponder codes, but their formation suggests a blockade."
Commander Hoshi, the first officer, frowned. "Pirates?"
"Most likely," Djavis muttered. "They must know we're carrying high-value cargo. Helm, drop us out of warp and bring us to yellow alert."
The ship shuddered as it exited warp space. On the viewscreen, six pirate ships loomed ahead, scattered across the sector. They were a ragtag mix of stolen civilian freighters and heavily modified attack cruisers, bristling with weapons.
"They’re scanning us," Lieutenant Zara, the tactical officer, confirmed.
A crackling transmission came through, the voice on the other end thick with menace.
"Federation vessel, this is Captain Dravik of the Crimson Talons. We know what you're carrying, and we suggest you eject your cargo and leave while you still can. This sector belongs to us now."
Djavis clenched her jaw. "Not a chance."
The moment she refused, the pirates opened fire.

The Battle Begins

"Red alert! Evasive maneuvers!" Djavis barked.
The Runner jolted as enemy disruptors slammed into the shields. The bridge lights flickered under the barrage. Zara fired back, the ship’s phasers slicing across the void, disabling one pirate ship’s engines. But the others swarmed in, cutting off the Runner’s escape route.
"We're surrounded!" Hoshi shouted. "Shields at 43% and dropping!"
Djavis gritted her teeth. "Helm, take us into that asteroid field!"
The Runner dove toward a dense cluster of asteroids, using the massive rocks for cover. The pirates pursued, firing wildly. One of the smaller enemy ships clipped an asteroid and exploded in a bright flash, but the remaining pirates adapted quickly, tightening their formation.
"They're herding us, Captain!" Zara warned.
"Deep Space 2, this is the USS Runner," Djavis called out, her voice tense. "We are under heavy attack! Request immediate assistance!"
Static. Then a garbled response:
"Runner—stand—ground—help—on the way!"
Djavis barely had time to register the message before the ship lurched violently. A pirate vessel had latched onto the Runner with a tractor beam.
"Captain, they're boarding us!" Hoshi shouted.

A Desperate Fight

Klaxons blared as the pirates transported aboard. Security teams rushed to intercept them, phaser fire lighting up the corridors. The bridge shook as another enemy barrage struck the hull.
Djavis turned to her tactical officer. "Zara, can we break free?"
"Negative! Their beam is too strong!"
Another explosion rocked the ship. The Runner was seconds from being overwhelmed.

And then—

A bright flash of light, followed by a deep rumble through space.
A new ship emerged from transwarp, sleek and angular, cutting through the pirate formation with terrifying speed. Its experimental phaser-lance lanced out, tearing through the pirate cruisers like paper.
"Their tractor beam is failing!" Zara exclaimed.

The USS Hammerhead Arrives

On the viewscreen, a Federation warship loomed into view. Its unorthodox design was clearly experimental—sleek and armored, with a menacing dark-blue hull and heavily reinforced shielding.
A crisp, confident voice came over the comms.
"This is Commander Carolina of the USS Hammerhead. You're clear, Runner. We’ll handle the rest."
The Hammerhead unleashed a relentless counterattack. It ripped through the remaining pirate ships, forcing them into full retreat.
Djavis watched in awe as the Hammerhead’s advanced shielding absorbed everything the pirates threw at it. One final blast from the warship's pulse disruptors shattered the lead pirate vessel, sending debris spiraling into the void.
The battle was over.

Aftermath

As the Runner limped toward Deep Space 2, Djavis opened a channel to the Hammerhead.
"Commander Carolina, I owe you a drink."
Carolina smirked. "Make it two. Welcome to the frontier, Captain. Things tend to get messy out here."
Djavis exhaled, letting the tension drain from her shoulders. The Runner had survived, barely. Their mission was complete, but the reality was clear—this sector was spiraling into chaos, and the Federation’s hold on the frontier was slipping.
As they docked at Deep Space 2, Admiral Arthur greeted them grimly.
"Captain Djavis," Arthur said, "it’s good to see you in one piece. But this pirate threat isn’t going away. If this attack was any indication, the frontier was on the edge of all-out war.
She had a sinking feeling that their troubles had only just begun.

To be continued…





USS Token, Captain Sarah Reynolds in Command

Admiral Steichen’s voice came through the secure channel with unwavering authority.

"Captain Reynolds, I understand the risks, but we need answers. Proceed into the anomaly. Find out what happened to the probe—and what else may be in there. Good luck. Starbase 44 will monitor your progress as best we can."

The channel closed, leaving the bridge of the USS Token in tense silence.
Captain Sarah Reynolds exhaled sharply. “Helm, take us in. One-quarter impulse. Shields at maximum. All stations, report anything unusual immediately.”
The Token moved forward, piercing the unseen veil of the anomaly.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the ship shuddered violently. The hum of the engines fluctuated, and the bridge lights flickered.
"Massive interference detected!" Jin called. "It's affecting our power grid!"
Reynolds gripped the armrest of her chair. "Compensate as best as you can. What's failing?"
"Shields are flickering!" called Lieutenant Kren, the Andorian tactical officer. "Weapons offline!"
"Main sensors are losing resolution," Jin added. "Structural integrity field fluctuating—trying to stabilize."
"Navigation just went dark," Ensign Rilak reported. "We are flying blind!"
A deep unease settled over the crew. Without sensors or navigation, they had no way of knowing how far they had traveled—or if they could even find their way back.
"Stay calm," Reynolds said, forcing steadiness into her voice. "We came here for answers. Keep working."
Time became meaningless as the ship drifted deeper into the anomaly. Every few minutes, another system failed—first long-range communications, then inertial dampeners, then artificial gravity in certain sections. The Token was slowly coming apart.
Then, nearly an hour into their journey, an alert flickered weakly on Jin’s console.
"Captain..." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm detecting a vessel. Bearing zero-zero-mark-five. Small, unknown configuration."
Reynolds’ pulse quickened. "On screen."
The viewscreen crackled with distortion before stabilizing just enough to reveal a shadow in the swirling void.
A small ship, dark and sleek, with no visible markings.
No Federation design. No known alien profile. Completely unrecognizable.
"Life signs?" Reynolds asked.
"Indeterminate," Jin replied. "Their hull is made of some kind of composite that scatters our scans."
"Are they aware of us?"
A beat of silence. Then—
"Captain," Kren said, his voice tinged with unease. "They’re moving. Straight toward us."
Reynolds clenched her fists. Their ship was vulnerable, systems were failing one by one, and now they had an unknown contact inside the anomaly.

Three choices lay before them:
1. Hail the ship. Attempt first contact, but risk drawing attention if it was hostile.
2. Hold position and observe. Avoid provoking them, but give up control of the situation.
3. Retreat immediately. Try to turn back before losing more systems—but could they even find their way out?

The unknown ship closed the distance.

Time was running out.

What would Reynolds do?




The Lorem


The Search for the Unknown

Admiral Steichen stood in the command center of Starbase 44, staring at the latest reports from her starships. The search for new technology had become the singular purpose of her mission, dictated by the cryptic riddles of the Lorem. But the question gnawed at her: Was this technology meant for the Federation, or for the Lorem themselves? And what would be the cost of continuing this relentless search?

A Question for the Lorem

Determined to get answers, Steichen initiated a direct communication with the Lorem once again. The shimmering mass of colors and patterns appeared in the center of the room, their voices layered and enigmatic.
She spoke with resolve. "Lorem, I must know. Is this technology meant for the Federation, or for you?"
The Lorem’s colors swirled, and their response came in the form of a riddle:

"Stars need no fire, rivers need no path.
We are the wind that whispers past.
What is forged is not for the forge;
The hand that holds it shapes its course."

Steichen furrowed her brow. The Lorem do not need technology—they are omnipotent by their nature. The realization settled over her like a weight. Then, the implication struck her. If the technology is not for the Lorem, then it is for us. But for what purpose?
Still, she had her orders. The search must continue.

The Second Wave of Exploration

Once again, Steichen dispatched the same five ships into the unknown.

USS Vanguard revisited the nebula, expanding its scans, yet once more, it returned with nothing but stellar anomalies and cosmic dust.

USS Horizon pushed further into the Beta Quadrant, encountering another ruined civilization. But their technology was too ancient and degraded to be of any real use.

USS Pathfinder attempted contact with the hostile species once more. This time, the aliens responded—but only with a warning to leave and never return.

USS Endeavor scoured another dead world, its crew uncovering what seemed to be old, discarded machinery. Upon closer analysis, it was determined to be technology older than any known civilization in the quadrant. Although barely functional, its design hinted at a level of efficiency and complexity far beyond what the Federation currently possessed.

USS Celestial made a remarkable discovery. On a remote, barren planet, they found a natural fuel source of immense potential. Preliminary testing showed that with a minor adaptation to Federation starship engines, it could provide far greater efficiency than any known fuel type. A simple adjustment could change the future of space travel.

The Dilemma of Admiral Steichen

Admiral Steichen reviewed the new reports. The old technology could hold secrets to advancements beyond imagination, yet it was difficult to integrate with their current knowledge. The new fuel source, however, was tantalizing—easily accessible, requiring only minor modifications, and potentially revolutionizing Federation travel. But would such an adaptation alter the nature of their ships in a way that they did not yet understand? Could this newfound efficiency lead to unforeseen consequences?
She glanced at the unreadable colors of the Lorem's last transmission, their riddle echoing in her mind.

"The hand that holds it shapes its course."

She had gathered what they sought. Now came the harder question: What should she do with it?

And the Lorem were still watching.

Players: CS


Starbase 88

With the region now stabilized and no further signs of the Huranon or the raiders, Admiral Van Nieuwenhove decided it was time to return to standard operations. The USS Celestial Voyager, under the command of Captain Dora Jenkins, had proven itself in battle and in securing Starbase 21. Now, the ship and its crew were ready to embark on a new mission.
The Admiral reviewed three possible assignments for the Celestial Voyager, each with its own strategic importance:

Mission 1: Exploration of the Mlein Star System
Recent long-range scans indicated that the Mlein system contained multiple planets, including one with an atmosphere capable of supporting life. The system had remained unexplored due to previous conflicts in the region. Now, with stability returning, the Federation saw an opportunity to chart new worlds and assess their potential for colonization, scientific research, or diplomatic contact.
Primary Objective: Conduct a deep-space exploration mission, survey planetary conditions, and search for signs of life or potential resources.
Potential Risks: Unknown environmental hazards, possible undiscovered civilizations, or spatial anomalies.

Mission 2: Diplomatic Outreach to the Zarkonian Confederation
The Zarkonian Confederation, an independent power on the edge of Federation space, had been hesitant to engage in formal diplomatic relations. However, recent intelligence suggested that they were reconsidering their stance. With the raider threat neutralized, Starfleet Command saw an opportunity to strengthen ties and potentially gain a valuable ally in the region.
Primary Objective: Engage in diplomatic talks with the Zarkonians, assess their needs and concerns, and negotiate potential trade or security agreements.
Potential Risks: Zarkonian reluctance, political intrigue, and the possibility of hostile factions within their government opposing Federation presence.

Mission 3: Scientific Investigation of a Subspace Anomaly in Sector 88778
A newly detected subspace anomaly in Sector 88778 had drawn the attention of Starfleet Science Division. Early scans suggested it could be an unstable wormhole, a rift in spacetime, or something entirely unknown. Given the Federation’s commitment to scientific discovery, investigating this phenomenon could yield invaluable insights into the nature of the universe.
Primary Objective: Analyze the anomaly’s properties, determine if it poses a threat, and uncover any scientific breakthroughs that may come from the research.
Potential Risks: Unstable gravitational forces, unexpected time dilation effects, or encountering unknown entities within the anomaly.


Admiral Van Nieuwenhove now had to determine which mission would best serve the interests of the Federation. Would the USS Celestial Voyager venture into the uncharted Mlein system, seek new diplomatic opportunities with the Zarkonians, or uncover the mysteries of the subspace anomaly? Each mission carried its own rewards and risks, and the choice would shape the future of Federation efforts in the sector.

Players: GVN


USS Thunderbolt/The Borg Collective



Spoiler alert!

Attention! This part of the DS2 RPG contains spoilers for those who have not seen Star Trek Picard Season 1-2-3!



 
If the Kobali succeeded in escaping, they could one day return stronger, wiser, and fully prepared to resist the Borg. Their necrogenic technology could evolve beyond the Collective’s reach. However, hunting them across the Delta Quadrant and beyond would require a massive allocation of resources, potentially weakening the Collective in other key battles.
The Borg King and Master One now had to decide:

1. Commit the full might of the Borg to eradicating the Kobali before they can escape, risking prolonged warfare and exposure to further losses.
2. Capture a portion of the Kobali and attempt to control their necrogenic abilities, using them to create undying drones, but risk the Kobali finding ways to resist even more.
3. Ignore the Kobali for now, allowing them to flee but marking them as a future target once the galaxy is fully assimilated.

Time was running out. The Kobali had already begun their evacuation. The Borg had to make a choice—and whatever they decided would shape the fate of the Delta Quadrant forever.

Players: FK


USS Vertigo / USS Gdonsk

Day 434 21.41
The transmission ended abruptly, and the Geleon’s lights went completely dark. The away team, still aboard, reported seeing shadowy figures moving in the darkness, their tricorders suddenly rendered useless.

Day 434 21.44

Then, all at once, the SS Geleon emitted a powerful energy surge, temporarily disabling the shields and sensors of both the Vertigo and the Gdonsk. When the systems came back online moments later, a chilling realization struck both bridges: the Geleon was no longer there.
The ship had vanished without a trace, taking the away team with it.
"Where did it go?" Captain Matz asked, her voice grim.

Day 434 21.46
Slater stared at the empty void on the viewscreen, his jaw tightening. "I don't know," he said. "But we’re going to find out."
Unbeknownst to both ships, deep in the uncharted regions of Sector 9741, the SS Geleon now floated silently near a massive, dormant structure—a structure that had begun to awaken.

Players: NP


USS Atlantis/Starbase 99

The Fire Before the Stars
Twenty years ago, the streets of San Francisco shimmered with the twilight glow of the setting sun, casting golden light upon the polished domes and elegant spires of Starfleet Academy. For Ensign Hyrta Ming, fresh from her final evaluations and newly commissioned into Starfleet Security, the world felt both vast and limitless. Yet she had no idea that within hours, she would be embroiled in a conspiracy that would change the course of her career forever.
Hyrta had been assigned temporary duty at Starfleet Headquarters before shipping out to her first deep-space post. That evening, she had been ordered to escort a High Vulcan diplomat, Ambassador M’lok, and his assistant, V’nar, from their quarters at the Federation Embassy to a private meeting with Starfleet Command. The assignment seemed routine, a ceremonial duty befitting a newly minted officer.
She met them in the grand chamber of the Vulcan Embassy. M’lok was a towering presence, his silver hair accentuating the proud contours of his ancient lineage. V’nar, younger and sharper in her movements, kept to his side, her every motion calculated and poised. They acknowledged her with the characteristic Vulcan nod of greeting before setting out.
The path through Starfleet Headquarters was familiar—until a sharp tremor coursed through the ground, and the air split apart with the sound of a concussive blast. An explosion rocked the complex. Instinct and training took over as Hyrta pushed the Vulcans behind a reinforced pillar just as disruptor fire lanced through the air.
From the thick smoke, figures emerged—Romulan Tal Shiar operatives. Clad in dark infiltration suits, their disruptors burned green streaks into the evening sky. Hyrta immediately assessed the situation: they were outnumbered and outgunned. But she had the advantage of terrain and preparation.
“Stay down,” she ordered M’lok and V’nar before drawing her phaser. A well-aimed blast sent one Romulan spinning to the ground. The attackers adjusted, splitting into flanking positions. Hyrta dove into cover, calculating her next move. She activated her emergency communicator.
“Security breach at Starfleet Command! Hostile forces in play!”
M’lok, observing the battle with the cool detachment of his kind, spoke in a measured tone. “They will seek to capture us. They require leverage against the Federation.”
Hyrta exhaled. “Not on my watch.”
With calculated precision, she used her academy training to turn the environment to her advantage. She tripped an emergency force field, cutting off reinforcements, then led the diplomat and his assistant through a side corridor. The Romulans pursued, but her intimate knowledge of the building allowed her to set an ambush. When the first infiltrator rounded the corner, she struck with a disarming move, sending his weapon clattering across the floor before incapacitating him with a precise nerve pinch—taught by her Vulcan instructors at the Academy.
The remaining Tal Shiar agent attempted to take V’nar hostage, but the assistant, revealing her own expertise in Suus Mahna, swiftly disabled him with a well-placed strike. Hyrta restrained the last operative as Starfleet reinforcements arrived, sealing the security breach.
When the smoke cleared, Ambassador M’lok regarded her with what could almost be called approval. “Your actions, Ensign Ming, were most efficient. Your presence here was… fortuitous.”
V’nar added, “Your response was exemplary. You have our gratitude.”
Later, Starfleet Command honored her bravery, citing her quick thinking and combat prowess as instrumental in protecting the Federation’s diplomatic integrity. The incident propelled her career forward, shaping her into the officer she would one day become—Assistant Chief of Security aboard Starbase 99, where she would continue to guard the Federation’s future among the stars.
For Hyrta Ming, this was only the beginning.

Players: JM & CP


Ovion (Hirogen/Ori/Replicator Vessel)

Title: The Hunt for Ascension: The Chosen Twenty-One

Assembling the Hunters

The 21 Chosen Hirogen Hunters

The Second Seven Chosen Hirogen Hunters


8. Malgor the Unbroken
Malgor’s trial subjected him to psychological torment, presenting illusions of his failures and fears. Refusing to succumb, he emerged unshaken, proving his mental fortitude.
9. Kargan the Beastmaster
In a wild forest simulation, Kargan tamed a ferocious alien predator instead of killing it, demonstrating control over the untamable.
10. Syrok the Saboteur
Syrok disarmed a live warp core breach with seconds to spare during a trial testing precision and composure under pressure.
11. Teyva the Stormborn
Teyva braved a trial in an endless storm where her prey could harness lightning. Using the storm’s energy against her opponent, she demonstrated her resilience and ingenuity.
12. Dravik the Survivor
Stranded on a desert world with no supplies, Dravik outlasted every other candidate in the survival trial, using only his instincts and resourcefulness.
13. Valrek the Enigma
Valrek’s trial was cloaked in secrecy. All Horkan revealed was that Valrek succeeded in understanding the rift’s anomalies better than anyone else.
14. Torak the Berserker
In a close-quarters combat simulation, Torak fought tirelessly against an army of drones, refusing to fall even as his body reached its limits.

Players: TvR








DS2 RPG General Status Report April 2025

USS Earth/Starbase 44

USS Runner, under command of Captain Djavis


The Gift and the Storm

Following the harrowing battle with the pirates, the USS Runner, under the command of Captain Laura Djavis, remained at Deep Space 2 for critical repairs. The crew, weary but determined, worked side-by-side with the engineers of the outpost, patching hull breaches, recalibrating damaged systems, and restoring the warp engines to full operational status.
Overseeing everything from Starbase 44, Admiral Christine Steichen sent a clear order:

"Stay at Deep Space 2 until all necessary repairs are completed. We cannot afford another risk like the last one. I want the Runner to return home smoothly."

Captain Djavis understood. The Runner had fought hard — but now it needed to be strong again.
Once the ship was back in prime condition, the day came for departure. As they prepared to leave, Admiral Arthur himself arrived at the docking bay with a mysterious gift.
It was a large, armored crate, heavily shielded, marked boldly with two instructions:

* "Handle With Care."
* "Deliver As Fast As Possible."

No hint was given as to what was inside — only that it was vital to Starfleet’s interests and must reach Admiral Steichen at Starbase 44 without delay.

"Captain Djavis," Arthur said gravely, "this package could tip the balance on the frontier. Trust no one but Starfleet Command with it."
Djavis nodded, understanding the weight of the task.

Trouble in the Darkness

The USS Runner departed Deep Space 2 at transwarp speed, cruising confidently through the relatively quiet sectors on the outer rim.
However, only halfway to Starbase 44, disaster struck.
Without warning, the ship’s proximity alarms blared to life.
"Captain!" shouted Lieutenant Kalen. "Uncharted space filament detected! High-density plasma — it's destabilizing the local subspace field!"

Before Djavis could react, the filament — a glowing, twisting ribbon of cosmic energy — sliced across their path.

The Runner slammed into the edge of it. The entire ship shuddered violently, systems flickering and sparks flying from overloaded consoles. Shields collapsed instantly, and one of the nacelles suffered a catastrophic energy surge.

"Damage report!" Djavis barked, gripping her chair.

Commander Hoshi grimaced. "Starboard nacelle offline. Hull breaches on decks 7 and 8, contained by emergency force fields. Warp drive is disabled. We can limp on impulse, but we’re vulnerable."

In the cargo bay, the mysterious crate from Admiral Arthur remained secured, but internal sensors indicated subtle fluctuations in the shielding — as if the package itself were reacting to the damage.

The New Dilemma

Standing in the dim, damaged bridge, Djavis faced a critical decision:

* Option 1: Conduct repairs first. Stay where they were, fix the Runner’s warp drive, and only after full repairs resume the journey to Starbase 44. This would guarantee the ship and cargo’s safety, but it would delay the delivery significantly — possibly jeopardizing the purpose of the gift.
* Option 2: Send the gift via shuttlecraft. Launch one of the Runner’s fast courier shuttles with a hand-picked crew to deliver the crate directly to Starbase 44. The shuttle could arrive much faster than waiting for full ship repairs. However, a lone shuttle would be far more vulnerable to further hazards or pirate interception.
* Option 3: Call for assistance from Deep Space 2. Request a starship from Admiral Arthur to retrieve the crate and transport it to Starbase 44. It would be a safer journey than a lone shuttle, but it would still take time for the ship to arrive and prepare for the journey — and not as fast as option two.

Djavis paced the damaged bridge, the weight of the choice bearing down on her.
Every option carried risk — to the ship, to her crew, and to the vital cargo that could change the future of the frontier.
She had to decide. And fast.

To be continued...


















Aboard the USS Token, Captain Sarah Reynolds in Command


Captain Reynolds made her decision with a firm nod.

"Open a channel. Let’s make contact."

The communications officer struggled with the failing systems but eventually managed to establish a tenuous link. The viewscreen flickered again—and then the bridge was filled with the image of a dimly lit command center, different from any ship they had ever seen. The walls of the unknown vessel were made of shifting metallic patterns, and in the center stood three figures.

The one in front—tall, with narrow, luminous eyes and armor of intricate dark-blue plating—spoke first.

"This is Captain Tro of the HMW Cord, representing the Mli Defense Authority. Identify yourselves."

Reynolds rose from her chair. "I am Captain Sarah Reynolds of the Federation starship USS Token. We mean you no harm."

Tro tilted his head, studying her. His voice, though filtered through translation matrices, carried an edge of exhaustion and wariness.
"We are trapped," he said bluntly. "Our ship was caught in this spatial fracture a week ago. Our propulsion systems are insufficient to break free. Only by employing experimental sensor and communication technologies have we been able to detect you."

Behind him, his two officers—Kla and Fre—stood silently, monitoring their own flickering consoles.

"You’re trapped too, I suspect," Tro added. His tone was not accusatory—just matter-of-fact, almost grim.

On the Token’s bridge, tension grew like a gathering storm.
Lieutenant Jin's eyes were wide with uncertainty. "Captain," she whispered, "if they’ve been here for a week and can barely survive, what chance do we have?"

Ensign Rilak sat rigid at navigation, clutching the console so tightly his knuckles were white. "We can’t even find which way is up in this place," he muttered under his breath. "Are we already dead and we just don’t know it yet?"

Commander Tovak, though Vulcan and outwardly calm, arched an eyebrow—a subtle show of concern for the ship's degrading systems.
"We have limited time before life support failures become critical," he said. "A decision must be made swiftly."

Captain Tro waited patiently on the screen, the faint buzz of static and distant groaning of stressed metal filling the background.
The Token was drifting deeper into the anomaly, and the life of every soul aboard hung in the balance.

Reynolds knew she had to act. But the choices before her were dangerous:

1. Help Captain Tro. Aid the HMW Cord with Federation technology—even though the Prime Directive and Starfleet protocols forbade sharing advanced tech with unknown species. It could save both ships… but might expose the Federation’s secrets.
2. Ask for help instead. Perhaps the Mli had superior technology specific to anomalies like this. Admitting weakness, however, might risk making themselves vulnerable if the Mli proved untrustworthy.
3. Refuse cooperation. Apologize and maintain strict non-interference. Protect Starfleet principles—but leave both ships to struggle, perhaps fatally, on their own.

The faces of her crew reflected their fear, their hope, their loyalty.
The fate of the USS Token and its crew—and perhaps of Captain Tro and his people—hung by a fraying thread.

Captain Reynolds steeled herself.

What would she choose?




The Lorem

The Search for the Unknown

Admiral Steichen stood in the command center of Starbase 44, staring at the latest reports from her starships. The search for new technology had become the singular purpose of her mission, dictated by the cryptic riddles of the Lorem. But the question gnawed at her: Was this technology meant for the Federation, or for the Lorem themselves? And what would be the cost of continuing this relentless search?

A Question for the Lorem

Determined to get answers, Steichen initiated a direct communication with the Lorem once again. The shimmering mass of colors and patterns appeared in the center of the room, their voices layered and enigmatic.
She spoke with resolve. "Lorem, I must know. Is this technology meant for the Federation, or for you?"

The Lorem’s colors swirled, and their response came in the form of a riddle:

"Stars need no fire, rivers need no path.
We are the wind that whispers past.
What is forged is not for the forge;
The hand that holds it shapes its course."
Steichen furrowed her brow. The Lorem do not need technology—they are omnipotent by their nature. The realization settled over her like a weight. Then, the implication struck her. If the technology is not for the Lorem, then it is for us. But for what purpose?
Still, she had her orders. The search must continue.

The Second Wave of Exploration

Once again, Steichen dispatched the same five ships into the unknown.
The USS Vanguard, USS Horizon, USS Pathfinder, USS Endeavor and USS Celestial were send out, but only the crew of the USS Horizon found some holodeck technology, usable everywhere and without holoprojector.

The Decision of Admiral Steichen

Admiral Steichen reviewed the new reports. The old technology could hold secrets to advancements beyond imagination, yet it was difficult to integrate with their current knowledge. The new fuel source, however, was tantalizing—easily accessible, requiring only minor modifications, and potentially revolutionizing Federation travel. But would such an adaptation alter the nature of their ships in a way that they did not yet understand?

She glanced at the unreadable colors of the Lorem's last transmission, their riddle echoing in her mind.

"The hand that holds it shapes its course."

Steichen made her decision: they would build a new starship—from scratch—incorporating all the newly discovered technologies.

Building the Future

Work began immediately. Engineers at Starbase 44 started drafting designs for the new vessel. It would incorporate the displacement device discovered by the Marconi, the ancient efficient systems from the Endeavor's find, and the advanced fuel system found by the Celestial. It would be a ship unlike any ever built.

But progress was painfully slow.

The ancient technology recovered by the Endeavor was difficult to reverse-engineer. Whole teams of scientists worked day and night, trying to understand its alien logic. The displacement device required entirely new safety protocols. The fuel adaptation demanded fundamental changes to engine design.

Sections of the ship's frame were laid out in the drydock, gleaming but incomplete. The shipyard workers faced constant choices:

1. Use standard Federation technology for components where no new technology was available, ensuring steady progress.
2. Halt construction on those sections, hoping that future missions would uncover better, more advanced alternatives.

Steichen decided on a balanced approach—core systems critical to survival and operation would use standard, proven technologies to maintain a timeline, while non-critical systems would wait for the possibility of new discoveries. The construction would take no less than four months, and any new components found would be carefully considered for integration.

Meanwhile, the starships continued to launch into the unknown, their captains driven by the knowledge that their discoveries could shape the very bones of the Federation's future flagship.

Steichen stood once more at the observation window, gazing out at the skeletal beginnings of the new ship. Hope and uncertainty warred within her.

The question that loomed now was not just what they were building.
It was what would it become?

And still, the Lorem were watching.

Players: CS






Starbase 88

The decision had been made.
Admiral Van Nieuwenhove transmitted the new orders to Captain Dora Jenkins aboard the USS Celestial Voyager, now fully resupplied and ready for departure. The target: the Mlein Star System—uncharted, long off-limits due to regional instability, and full of unknown promise.
The Federation hoped to rekindle its spirit of exploration, and the Voyager, with its experienced and adaptable crew, was the ideal vessel to lead the charge.

------------------------------------

Mission Log – USS Celestial Voyager
Captain Dora Jenkins, Commanding
Stardate 9213.2

“We’ve entered the Mlein system. Long-range sensors have confirmed six planetary bodies orbiting the central star. Preliminary scans suggest three are gas giants, two are barren rock worlds—but the third, designated Mlein-Filla3, is something else entirely. A terrestrial planet with oceans, dense continents, and a breathable atmosphere. The first signs of life are unmistakable.”

The USS Celestial Voyager settled into orbit over Filla3.

Shimmering green forests stretched across vast valleys, broken by jagged mountain ranges and sapphire-blue seas. The air was clean, rich in oxygen and nitrogen. Early atmospheric readings showed low levels of pollutants or natural toxins.

Surface expeditions revealed a planet brimming with flora and fauna—many harmless, some bioluminescent, and all unlike anything catalogued before. Towering fungal growths, amphibious mammal-like creatures, crystalline plants that responded to sunlight—Filla3 was a living canvas.
There were no cities, no constructed monuments, no artificial satellites. The biosphere showed no signs of intelligent life. It was pristine, untouched, and full of potential.

The USS Celestial Voyager’s science teams collected samples, ran detailed scans, and established a temporary research outpost on a temperate island chain. The data was transmitted back to Starbase 88. Within 72 hours, the reports reached Admiral Van Nieuwenhove.

------------------------------------

Back on Starbase 88: A New Decision

Seated in his command chair, Admiral Van Nieuwenhove reviewed the transmission from Captain Jenkins with keen interest. Filla3 was a rare find—an unspoiled world rich in biodiversity, ideal for scientific inquiry and possibly even colonization.
Now, the Admiral faced three possible choices regarding the future of this planet:

------------------------------------


Option 1: Establish a Long-Term Scientific Research Station

Turn Filla3 into a center for xenobiology, ecology, and planetary sciences. Scientists from across the Federation could study its ecosystem, gaining insights that could benefit medicine, agriculture, and even terraforming technologies.

* Pros: Non-invasive, preserves the environment, furthers Federation science.
* Cons: Requires continual protection from exploitation or unauthorized access.



Option 2: Designate Filla3 as a Future Colony World

Begin planning a controlled colonization effort. Filla3’s climate and biosphere could support Federation citizens, helping ease overpopulation on core worlds and expanding the Federation’s reach.

* Pros: Strategic foothold in the Mlein system, economic expansion.
* Cons: Risk of ecological disruption, ethical concerns over altering untouched ecosystems.




Option 3: Declare Filla3 a Protected Planetary Preserve

Under the Federation’s Environmental and Cultural Protection Act, Filla3 could be declared off-limits to settlement or exploitation. The planet would remain untouched, a sanctuary for life in its natural state.

* Pros: Full environmental protection, preserves natural wonder.
* Cons: No direct scientific use or expansion benefits, potential for future conflict over access.



The Admiral stood by the large viewport of Starbase 88, gazing into the distant stars.
The fate of Filla3 was now in his hands—a cradle of life, untouched and full of possibilities. Would it become a beacon of science, a new home, or a preserved paradise?

The stars awaited his answer.

Players: GVN



USS Thunderbolt/The Borg Collective



Spoiler alert!

Attention! This part of the DS2 RPG contains spoilers for those who have not seen Star Trek Picard Season 1-2-3!


If the Kobali succeeded in escaping, they could one day return stronger, wiser, and fully prepared to resist the Borg. Their necrogenic technology could evolve beyond the Collective’s reach. However, hunting them across the Delta Quadrant and beyond would require a massive allocation of resources, potentially weakening the Collective in other key battles.
The Borg King and Master One now had to decide:

1. Commit the full might of the Borg to eradicating the Kobali before they can escape, risking prolonged warfare and exposure to further losses.
2. Capture a portion of the Kobali and attempt to control their necrogenic abilities, using them to create undying drones, but risk the Kobali finding ways to resist even more.
3. Ignore the Kobali for now, allowing them to flee but marking them as a future target once the galaxy is fully assimilated.

Time was running out. The Kobali had already begun their evacuation. The Borg had to make a choice—and whatever they decided would shape the fate of the Delta Quadrant forever.

 

Players: FK


USS Vertigo / USS Gdonsk

Day 434 21.46
The USS Vertigo, under the command of Commodore Jeffrey Slater, and the USS Gdonsk, commanded by the astute and determined Captain Matz, were left reeling after the sudden disappearance of the SS Geleon. Their away team was gone, and the ship had vanished without leaving any trace of its trajectory. The silence was deafening as both crews stared at the empty void on their respective viewscreens.

Day 434 21.52
Commodore Slater's voice cut through the tension. "We can't give up. Initiate a sector-wide search pattern. If the Geleon is out there, we'll find it."
Captain Matz nodded solemnly on the comm. "Agreed. We owe it to our people and to the truth of whatever's happening out here. Let’s get to work."

Day 438 12.24
For days, the Vertigo and Gdonsk swept through Sector 9741, running detailed scans, analyzing subspace readings, and sending out automated probes. The sector was vast, filled with uncharted anomalies, asteroid fields, and nebulae that hindered the search. Both crews worked tirelessly, desperate to find any trace of the Geleon or their missing team. The frustration mounted as each scan returned inconclusive, and theories swirled about what could have caused the ship’s mysterious disappearance.

Players: NP


USS Atlantis/Starbase 99

Mono Starbase Hunt

The starbase was a place of movement. Its metal veins pulsed with life, and the scent of steel, coolant, and humanoid sweat drifted through the halls. But beyond all that—beneath the chatter of officers, the hum of warp cores, and the sigh of docking ships—there were other presences. Tiny ones, scuttling and darting, hiding in the shadows.
Mono knew them all.
The chase began before the first shift even started. The air ducts carried whispers of clawed feet—a bold intruder, one that thought itself invisible in the vents. Mono’s ears twitched. Her muscles coiled, her breath measured. A leap, a squeeze through a forgotten maintenance hatch, and she was inside the labyrinth where her prey had fled.
A skittering shape ahead—small, quick. Mono crept forward, silent. The creature—a station rat, its fur bristling with static from the artificial gravity—paused, sniffing the air. It knew danger was near, but not near enough. Mono inched forward, weight shifting with precision. Then, a pounce!
The rat bolted, diving into the tangle of wires and panels. Mono followed, twisting, contorting through the gaps. The thrill of the pursuit sent electric excitement through her limbs. The rat turned down a side path, desperate—but too slow. Mono struck, claws flashing. The prey let out a final, pitiful squeak before going limp.
Satisfied, Mono left the cooling body behind. It was not hunger that drove her, nor malice. It was the thrill of the hunt, the eternal game between hunter and hunted.
But the hunt was not over.
As she emerged back into the main corridors, another scent caught her attention—different, foreign. Something new had come aboard. Something feathery. Her tail flicked with renewed interest. Mono followed the scent, weaving between legs, past the boots and uniforms of those oblivious to the battle waged beneath their feet.
She found it in the arboretum—a plump, winged creature, no doubt some officer’s pet or a careless experiment escaped from the xenobiology lab. It perched on a railing, unaware. Mono crouched, inching closer. The angle was tricky. One wrong move, and the bird would take flight.
She leapt.
A flurry of feathers. A screech. Claws met soft flesh, but not enough—her prey wrestled free, spiraling upwards. Mono landed gracefully, eyes locked onto the frantic flapping above. The chase would continue another day.
Satisfied, she padded back through the starbase, her movements fluid and measured. The patrol had been a success. The station was once again in balance. The creatures who scurried and flitted through the halls would remember her presence. They would fear it.
Back at her quarters, the door hissed open. Warmth greeted her. The familiar scent of her companion—Lieutenant Deirdre Thon. A steady presence in this shifting metal world.
Mono stretched, her spine arching, and leapt onto the bed where she curled into a perfect coil of contentment. Her tail flicked once, then stilled. Another day, another hunt.
She was, after all, a cat.

Players: JM & CP


Ovion (Hirogen/Ori/Replicator Vessel)


Title: The Hunt for Ascension: The Chosen Twenty-One

Assembling the Hunters

The 21 Chosen Hirogen Hunters

The Third Seven Chosen Hirogen Hunters


15. Mylen the Sniper
From a distance of three light-seconds, Mylen landed a single shot on a cloaked target traveling at warp speed during a marksmanship trial.
16. Raknor the Engineer
Raknor repaired a failing Hirogen vessel during a simulated ambush, ensuring its survival and defeating the simulated attackers with clever weapon modifications.
17. Zyra the Empath
Zyra was the most unconventional selection. Her trial involved defusing hostilities between rival Hirogen factions, proving she could navigate internal conflicts among the team.
18. Gorak the Titan
Gorak excelled in raw endurance, holding a collapsing structure in place long enough for his team to escape.
19. Xelya the Decoy
Xelya used holographic projections to outwit her prey, drawing them into a trap that showcased her skill with misdirection.
20. Nyrak the Seeker
Nyrak deciphered ancient Hirogen texts to unlock a path through a labyrinth, showcasing his scholarly knowledge and intuition.
21. Volkra the Relentless
Volkra’s test involved chasing prey across shifting terrain for days without rest. His persistence made him the ultimate pursuer.

Players: TvR








DS2 RPG General Status Report May 2025

USS Earth/Starbase 44

The ancient technology recovered by the Endeavor was difficult to reverse-engineer. Whole teams of scientists worked day and night, trying to understand its alien logic. The displacement device required entirely new safety protocols. The fuel adaptation demanded fundamental changes to engine design.

Sections of the ship's frame were laid out in the drydock, gleaming but incomplete. The shipyard workers faced constant choices:

1. Use standard Federation technology for components where no new technology was available, ensuring steady progress.
2. Halt construction on those sections, hoping that future missions would uncover better, more advanced alternatives.

Steichen decided on a balanced approach—core systems critical to survival and operation would use standard, proven technologies to maintain a timeline, while non-critical systems would wait for the possibility of new discoveries. The construction would take no less than four months, and any new components found would be carefully considered for integration.

Meanwhile, the starships continued to launch into the unknown, their captains driven by the knowledge that their discoveries could shape the very bones of the Federation's future flagship.

Steichen stood once more at the observation window, gazing out at the skeletal beginnings of the new ship. Hope and uncertainty warred within her.

The question that loomed now was not just what they were building.
It was what would it become?

And still, the Lorem were watching.

Players: CS



Starbase 88

Location: Starbase 88 — Command Deck
Commander: Admiral Van Nieuwenhove

After lengthy consultation with the Federation Council, environmental science advisors, and strategic planners, Admiral Van Nieuwenhove authorized Option 2: Designation of Filla3 as a Future Colony World.
The order was formalized and encoded into the Starfleet Colonial Expansion Act records:

"Filla3 shall be developed as a strategic and sustainable colony, under Federation environmental regulations and long-term planning protocols, with the USS Celestial Voyager continuing oversight until Colonial Authority vessels arrive."

It was a bold move. Filla3 was the first new colony world approved in over five years—and the first since the recent destabilizing conflicts. Its development symbolized the Federation’s resilience, optimism, and belief in responsible expansion.

Onboard the USS Celestial Voyager

Captain Dora Jenkins — Commanding Officer

“We’ve begun laying the groundwork for controlled settlement zones on Filla3,” Captain Jenkins reported in her latest log.

“Initial sites are being mapped for landing zones, infrastructure modules, and environmental monitoring posts. Our science and engineering teams are coordinating with Federation Colonial Command on all protocols. We’re taking every precaution to minimize our footprint.”

Temporary facilities were established near a large freshwater lake on the southern continent, where the soil was fertile, the climate temperate, and seismic activity minimal. Automated survey drones mapped the biosphere, cataloging species, terrain anomalies, and hydrological patterns.
Special bio-containment labs were constructed to handle potential hazards, while shuttlecraft teams began testing low-impact construction technologies designed for minimal disruption to native life.

Jenkins took the lead in setting the tone: the Federation would be guests first, settlers second.


But Not All Was Peaceful…

Within weeks of the development plans being transmitted to Federation outposts and civilian networks, resistance began to stir—not from an alien power, but from within.

Several respected xenobiologists, including Dr. Elira T’Sai, a Vulcan ecologist aboard the Celestial Voyager, voiced ethical concerns in official protest:

“To disturb a planet so biologically rich and untouched by intelligent life is an error in judgment. We do not yet fully understand the interactions within this biosphere. A single species introduced in error could devastate the balance.”

On top of that, a quiet message was intercepted in Federation diplomatic channels—a Huranon ambassador sent a coded communique:

“We have taken note of your interest in Mlein Sector. Filla3 may not be as unclaimed as you presume. We request a dialogue before further development proceeds.”


New Dilemma for Admiral Van Nieuwenhove

As preparation for colonization progressed, Admiral Van Nieuwenhove now faced a complex new dilemma:

1. Proceed with Colonization Plans Without Delay
Finalize and accelerate the settlement process. This reaffirms the Federation’s claim and shows strength—but could risk diplomatic fallout with the Huranon and worsen internal scientific dissent.
2. Pause and Open Dialogue with the Huranon
Engage in talks to determine whether the Huranon have a legitimate claim or concern. It’s diplomatic and cautious—but it may delay colonization indefinitely and be seen as weakness by some Federation members.
3. Temporarily Suspend Colonization and Expand Scientific Research
Halt development to allow deeper ecological study. This may ease internal resistance and buy time for diplomacy—but at the cost of political capital and the perception of indecisiveness.

The weight of the future now rested again on his shoulders—expand, pause, or protect?

The fate of Filla3, and perhaps future Federation strategy, hinged on his next order.

Players: GVN


USS Thunderbolt/The Borg Collective



Spoiler alert!

Attention! This part of the DS2 RPG contains spoilers for those who have not seen Star Trek Picard Season 1-2-3!





Good Borg or bad Borg

A cold silence settled over the interior of the Borg cube, its systems purring with quiet efficiency after the purge of the infected drones. Captain Elyra stood still in the command chamber, communing with the vast intelligence of the Collective. The moment stretched as streams of data coalesced into a new directive—this time, not from the collective consensus but from a higher singular will.

The Borg King had spoken.

“Captain Elyra. You are to seek out the Vidiians. Their knowledge of biological degradation is unrivaled. The pathogen that infected our drones may not be unique. Future threats must be anticipated. We will adapt. You will lead this mission.”

There was no refusal. Elyra’s assimilated mind pulsed in obedience. She accepted the command and linked with her crew.
The Vidiians, scattered and nomadic, traveled throughout the Delta Quadrant in aging, grotesque ships. Known across star systems for their terrifying reputation—harvesting organs, stripping tissue, living or dead—they were a species both reviled and feared. Their affliction, the Phage, was incurable by their own technology.

To Elyra, they were not monsters. They were an opportunity.

Initiating the Hunt

The Borg cube disengaged from orbit around Redneron and slipped into transwarp. Through a combination of intercepted communications, sensor sweeps, and manipulation of data networks, Elyra and her crew triangulated probable paths of Vidiian movement.

Days passed. Then a faint echo—a scavenging Vidiian ship preying on a mortally damaged freighter. The Borg intercepted.

The Vidiian vessel attempted to flee, but it was futile. The Borg surrounded them like shadows from the void and pulled them into stasis.
Elyra appeared before the startled Vidiian command crew, her presence simultaneously serene and terrifying. Metal metered every motion; her eyes, enhanced with Betazoid clarity, bore into the very psyche of the leader.

“We are the Borg,” she said. “We have not come to assimilate you. We require your help.”

The Vidiians looked among themselves, confused and suspicious. No one asked for their help. No one trusted them.
Elyra continued:

“You are three options.”

Option One: Offer a Cure
“We possess fragments of Vidiian genetic archives gathered from assimilated specimens. With our computational power, we may construct a viable path to reversing the Phage. In return, you will assist in neutralizing a bio-synthetic pathogen that threatens us.”
The Vidiians listened, hungry hope flickering beneath centuries of paranoia. But they had heard promises before.

Option Two: Bribe with Bodies
Elyra’s tone did not change.
“We can deliver biological resources to you. Entire planets of primitive life. Millions of bodies. Some dead. Some alive. You will never want for tissue again.”
Gasps filled the Vidiian bridge. Some smiled darkly. Others recoiled. To be offered so much, so easily—it felt like a trap. But the offer’s power was undeniable.

Option Three: Ask… and Wait
“Or,” Elyra said simply, “you help us. Because we ask. Because we see value in alliance, not conquest.”

This silenced them. Never before had the Borg offered trust, not even in calculated tones. And never before had the Vidiians been given the dignity of choice. It unsettled them more than threats.

The Vidiian commander, a scarred but sharp-eyed woman named Saskal, stepped forward. “You offer a cure to the Phage? Proof. Give us the research. We will decide.”

Elyra gave only this: “You must choose without certainty. This is how trust begins.”

The Vidiians withdrew to deliberate.

The Dilemma

Aboard the Borg cube, Elyra and her crew waited. Time passed. From her chamber, she felt the tension ripple through the Collective. It was alien. Inorganic minds were not meant to feel suspense. And yet it pulsed within them now.
The Vidiians could:
1. Accept the deal, aid the Borg, and take the chance that Elyra's cure might save them.
2. Accept the bribe, demanding bodies in return for their assistance, reducing the Borg’s effort to a transactional horror.
3. Refuse entirely, suspecting manipulation, and possibly attempt to infect or trap the Borg as revenge or desperation.

The Borg had extended a hand instead of a blade. Now, they waited to see what would be placed in it.

Captain Elyra, standing in silent stillness at the edge of something unknown, could feel it:

The outcome of this alliance—or the failure of it—could determine how the Borg evolve… or how they fall.




To be a god or not to be a god

The Borg King’s Decision

The Borg King stood before the Central Nexus, his mind merged with the highest sub-nodes of the Collective. Streams of thought raced through the hive mind: projections, probabilities, outcomes. The Kobali had proven slippery—anomalous in their ability to cheat death, and resourceful in their efforts to scatter and flee.

"Pursuit would be... inefficient."

Thus, the decision was made.

The Kobali would be permitted to escape. The Borg would mark their genetic code, monitor their movements, and ensure that when the time came—when the galaxy was under complete control—they would be dealt with permanently. The era of their necrogenic trickery would end. For now, however, they were an unnecessary distraction.
"Let them flee to the stars. They will not escape eternity."


The Next Assimilation Targets

With the Kazon fully assimilated and the Kobali temporarily ignored, the Borg turned their cold, analytical attention to new species in the Delta Quadrant. The hive mind ran millions of simulations, seeking optimal candidates that would both enhance the Collective and bring them closer to absolute galactic control.

Here were the top three species identified:


1. The B'omar Sovereignty

* Profile: A xenophobic, bureaucratic species with a tightly controlled and highly organized society. Their technology is defensive in nature, built around denial of space and territory.
* Value to the Borg: Their spatial denial technology and intricate navigational grid control systems could be adapted to create regional assimilation lockdowns, isolating areas of resistance with precision.
* Challenges: Their obsession with protocol and tight defense networks could slow initial incursions, but their rigidity is exploitable.


2. The Hierarchy

* Profile: A race of information brokers and surveillance masters who monitor vast swaths of space to prey on weaker ships.
* Value to the Borg: Their advanced surveillance algorithms and tactical foreknowledge systems would give the Collective unprecedented early-warning capabilities and real-time battlefield control.
* Challenges: They operate in small covert cells, often mobile and decentralized, requiring complex coordination to track and assimilate fully.


2. The Devore Imperium

* Profile: A militaristic regime obsessed with purity and control, known for their oppression of telepaths and aggressive territorial claims.
* Value to the Borg: Their anti-telepathic technologies and deeply structured military doctrine could be integrated into the Collective to counter psychic threats—especially relevant after recent encounters with the Betazoids and Cairn.
* Challenges: Their authoritarian unity makes resistance strong, and their hatred of telepathy may make assimilation psychologically unstable.


The Strategic Dilemma

The Borg King and Master One now faced a critical decision once again:

* Should they pursue the Devore, to strengthen their internal control over future telepathic species?
* Should they go after the Hierarchy, gaining unmatched eyes and ears across the galaxy?
* Or the B'omar, to control space itself and isolate pockets of resistance permanently?


"Perfection is not merely a path—it is a lattice. Every step must strengthen the next."

The Borg had time, yes. But they would not delay. The next assimilation would begin soon. All that remained was to decide which path would most effectively bring the galaxy to its knees.

Players: FK


USS Vertigo / USS Gdonsk

Day 439 13.20
Then, on the fifth day, a faint, fractured signal came through on the Vertigo’s communication array. The crew sprang to attention as the distorted voice of Lieutenant Kara Reese, the away team leader, crackled through the static.
“...This is Lieutenant Reese... aboard the Geleon... engines offline... structure nearby... massive... dormant... but it’s... waking up... coordinates—”

Day 439 13.21
The transmission was cut short, and the channel went silent again. The room froze for a moment, the ominous words hanging in the air.
Commodore Slater immediately turned to his science officer. "Triangulate that signal. Now!"

Day 439 13.26
The Vertigo and Gdonsk combined their sensor data, working quickly to pinpoint the origin of the distress call. Within moments, they had a rough location—a region of space near the edge of a massive, dense nebula. It was a part of the sector that was known for interfering with sensors, likely masking the Geleon from their previous scans.
Slater opened a channel to the Gdonsk. "Captain Matz, we’ve got a lead. It’s near the Orion Nebula drift. That signal came from Reese. They’re still alive."

Players: NP


USS Atlantis/Starbase 99

"The Song of the Silent Victory"
An Account from the Logs of Captain Bar, IKS Dork

The IKS Dork, a battered but fiercely loyal Klingon Bird of Prey, skimmed through the edge of the Vantar Expanse under the command of Captain Bar, son of Groll, a freighter captain by title, but warrior by blood. The Dork was no warship in truth—its hull bore the scars of trade disputes and asteroid collisions rather than glorious battles—but its crew carried themselves with the honor and fire of the Empire.

Their mission was unremarkable: to ferry a volatile mix of Romulan plasma regulators and Federation ale (stolen, of course) to a Ferengi trader near the Ka'la Drift. Boredom clung to the deck like spilled blood... until the stars themselves shifted.

Bar stood at the forward viewport, his ridged brow furrowed. He felt it before he saw it—an echo in the void, like prey disturbed in tall grass. Then: flashes. Disruptor fire. Torpedoes. The void lit up ahead like a Forge Festival on Qo'noS.

"Magnify that sector," Bar barked, slamming his fist into the console. The image resolved to show the massive, regal form of the USS Socrates, a Federation cruiser of the Intrepid-class, trailing ion wake from Starbase 99. Before her—three pirate ships of Orion and Nausicaan design, crude and bristling with stolen tech.

"Ha! They dare challenge her in open space?" scoffed Lieutenant Drex, the gunner, his eye already gleaming for action.

Bar said nothing. His gaze was fixed.

The pirates closed in like hungry targs, but the Socrates did not slow. Instead, she split. Not in damage—but in motion. With a series of spiraling, unpredictable maneuvers that defied inertial logic, the Federation ship curved through the attackers, looping in a triple-helix pattern, venting ionized plasma behind her that clouded sensors.

One pirate ship—a squat Orion scow—collided with its sister vessel, confused by the Socrates’ holographic countermeasures. The third ship fired wildly, only to be sliced in half by a return volley of quantum torpedoes, each locked with machine precision.

Bar’s hands were clenched into fists. Not from rage—but awe.
"That was no ordinary helmsman," murmured K’Vor, the engineer, half-whispering to himself. "That was art."

In less than forty-three seconds, all three pirate vessels were debris—burning ruins drifting in space. The Socrates didn’t even hail them, did not linger to boast or claim. She veered slightly, resumed her course, and disappeared into the stars like a shadow leaving a fire.
Silence held the bridge of the IKS Dork.

Bar turned to his crew. His voice rang like a gong in a war-council.
"We have witnessed greatness today. The crew of the Socrates fought not like humans—but like sons and daughters of Kahless!"

He stepped to the center of the deck and unsheathed his d'k tahg.
"They asked for no aid. They gave no quarter. Their blades were clean. Their kill was clean. They passed through fire and emerged untouched. We do not leave such deeds unsung!"

And so he began.

A low chant, deep from the chest, rising like the heartbeat of war. The crew joined in, stomping their boots, slapping their chests, until the small Bird of Prey rang with the Song of the Silent Victory:

They came from the void in silent pride,
The Socrates, with stars as guide,
Three foes they faced with no retreat,
Their fire swift, their justice sweet.
By plasma’s burn and photon light,
They danced through flame with lethal might,
No glory claimed, no tribute sought,
But honor won and lessons taught.
So sing we now, in Dork’s old hull,
Of brave ones clad in Starfleet’s cull,
Though they wear not our crimson red,
They walk the path the warrior’s tread.

When the song ended, no one spoke.

Captain Bar turned back to the stars, where the Socrates had gone.
"We shall drink to them tonight," he said. "And remember that even those we once called weak may strike with the hand of Kahless when fate demands."

And in that moment, under the hum of ancient engines and distant stars, the freighter crew of the IKS Dork stood taller than they had in years.
They had seen something rare.

Not a battle...

…but a legend in motion.

Players: JM & CP


Ovion (Hirogen/Ori/Replicator Vessel)

A New Brotherhood

With the trials complete, Horkan stood before his chosen 21. They were no longer individuals but a unified force, bound by their shared trials and purpose. Each bore scars of their tests, physical and mental, but they stood ready for the ultimate hunt.
As Horkan briefed them on the Eternal Prey, he emphasized the stakes. “This is not merely a hunt for glory,” he said. “It is a test of the very essence of what it means to be Hirogen. Should we succeed, our names will echo in eternity. Should we fail, our souls may be lost forever.”
The group departed Dreandar to prepare for the journey ahead, their hearts steeled for the challenge. Yet an unspoken tension lingered—each of them knew the prophecy’s warning. Would they survive as Hirogen, or would this hunt transform them into something unrecognizable?

Players: TvR




DS2 RPG General Status Report June 2025

USS Earth/Starbase 44


The ancient technology recovered by the Endeavor was difficult to reverse-engineer. Whole teams of scientists worked day and night, trying to understand its alien logic. The displacement device required entirely new safety protocols. The fuel adaptation demanded fundamental changes to engine design.

Sections of the ship's frame were laid out in the drydock, gleaming but incomplete. The shipyard workers faced constant choices:

1. Use standard Federation technology for components where no new technology was available, ensuring steady progress.
2. Halt construction on those sections, hoping that future missions would uncover better, more advanced alternatives.

Steichen decided on a balanced approach—core systems critical to survival and operation would use standard, proven technologies to maintain a timeline, while non-critical systems would wait for the possibility of new discoveries. The construction would take no less than four months, and any new components found would be carefully considered for integration.

Meanwhile, the starships continued to launch into the unknown, their captains driven by the knowledge that their discoveries could shape the very bones of the Federation's future flagship.

Steichen stood once more at the observation window, gazing out at the skeletal beginnings of the new ship. Hope and uncertainty warred within her.

The question that loomed now was not just what they were building.
It was what would it become?

And still, the Lorem were watching.

Players: CS


Starbase 88

Location: Starbase 88 — Strategic Command Center

Commander: Admiral Van Nieuwenhove

The intercepted Huranon message was brief, but its tone left little room for misinterpretation: they were watching. The mention of Filla3 in their diplomatic channels raised an immediate concern within Federation High Command—could the Huranon consider the Mlein system, or at least Filla3, to fall within their sphere of influence?

Admiral Van Nieuwenhove ordered an immediate pause in the colonization effort.

Captain Dora Jenkins aboard the USS Celestial Voyager received the directive just as the final atmospheric domes were being offloaded. Construction halted. Teams stood down. A neutral perimeter was established around the primary site, ensuring no further development would proceed until further notice.
The Federation’s diplomatic corps quickly established a secure channel with the Huranon High Diplomatic Council, a notoriously reserved and militaristic species known for their precision and territorial pride.

First Contact with the Huranon Council

The transmission opened with the image of Envoy Tralak’Mor, a stern figure clad in ceremonial armor, standing beneath a dim crystalline archway—a hallmark of Huranon political authority.

Envoy Tralak’Mor:

“Admiral Van Nieuwenhove. The planet you designate Filla3 lies within a region of space historically claimed by the Huranon people. While we have never colonized the world, we consider its ecosystem under our protection. Its current untouched condition is not by accident. You tread close to offense.”

Admiral Van Nieuwenhove:

“We respect Huranon tradition and seek only mutual understanding. We were unaware of any existing claim or protective status. We paused all activity to demonstrate our intent to cooperate.”
The dialogue was measured. Tense, but diplomatic. The Huranon made no overt threats, but their implications were unmistakable: colonize Filla3, and you risk confrontation—not necessarily war, but certainly tension.

Backlash Within the Federation

Not everyone supported the decision to pause. Several Federation colony worlds, dealing with overpopulation and infrastructure fatigue, had already begun lobbying for settlement on Filla3. The pause sparked criticism from Federation legislators, who accused Van Nieuwenhove of capitulating too easily.
Meanwhile, scientific voices—like Dr. Elira T’Sai—commended the restraint and urged continued dialogue not only with the Huranon, but with the planet itself.
The pause, intended to be temporary, was now the epicenter of political, ethical, and strategic debate.

Three Choices for Admiral Van Nieuwenhove

Now, Admiral Van Nieuwenhove must decide the next step:


1. Seek Joint Stewardship of Filla3 with the Huranon

Propose a shared management arrangement with the Huranon, treating the planet as a co-administered preserve and research outpost. This could defuse tension and open doors to deeper Federation–Huranon relations.
* Pros: Avoids confrontation, fosters cooperation, expands diplomatic ties.
* Cons: Delays colonization permanently, viewed as Federation compromise.


2. Assert Federation Rights and Resume Controlled Colonization

Declare that Filla3, while near Huranon space, was discovered and claimed under Federation exploration protocols. Resume colonization with defensive posture if necessary.
* Pros: Shows resolve, fulfills pressure from colonization advocates.
* Cons: Risks escalation with the Huranon, possibly triggering military standoff.


3. Declare Filla3 Neutral and Suspend All Claims

Propose to the Huranon and the Federation Council that Filla3 be left untouched and designated a Neutral Biosphere World, accessible only to joint scientific teams under strict regulation.
* Pros: Maintains peace, satisfies environmental factions, avoids colonial politics.
* Cons: Angers Federation expansionists, sets precedent for yielding claims.

As the stars shifted outside the wide viewport of Starbase 88, Admiral Van Nieuwenhove stood silently, the weight of politics, exploration, and diplomacy pressing down.
The next order he gave would shape the future—not only of Filla3, but of Federation-Huranon relations for decades to come.

Players: GVN


USS Thunderbolt/The Borg Collective



Spoiler alert!

Attention! This part of the DS2 RPG contains spoilers for those who have not seen Star Trek Picard Season 1-2-3!



Good Borg or bad Borg

The decision came after days of silence. Then, aboard the Borg cube, a signal arrived from the Vidiian vessel—encoded, cautious, and marked with the glyphs of old Vidiian diplomacy.

They had accepted the deal.

The Borg, through Captain Elyra’s cube, transmitted the full molecular schematics of the preliminary cure—drawn from assimilated genomes, Borg nanotechnology, and decades of data acquired through the Collective’s analysis. It was not an instant salvation. The cure required a slow, deep reconstruction of immune and cellular systems. But for the first time in over two thousand years, the Vidiians had hope.

The Phage would end.

The Vidiians, in return, shared their extensive medical libraries—centuries of desperate innovation, organ-grafting techniques, viral suppression protocols, and synthetic-tissue regeneration systems. The Borg absorbed it all. Every cell harvested by the Vidiians became a footnote in the Borg’s growing arsenal of biological adaptation.


The Long Game

The Borg did not forget.
When the last Vidiian was cured—whether in ten years or twenty—they would be assimilated. Their debt paid, their usefulness fulfilled, their individuality erased in the name of unity.
Their medical knowledge would be fully integrated.
And more importantly, with their insights, the Kobali — a species who reanimate the dead with genetic conversion—would be countered. Their methods had challenged Borg assimilation protocols before. With Vidiian knowledge, that anomaly would soon be corrected.


A New Mission for Elyra

But the future of the Vidiian cure would unfold over decades. The Borg King deemed Captain Elyra and her crew—proven, clever, and efficient—too valuable to sit idle during that time.
A new mission was required.
Three possibilities were presented to Elyra through the neural lattice:

Option 1: The Mirror Path

A transdimensional rift had been detected in an unstable region of space, leading to what the Borg designated as Mirror Reality 29-J. This alternate dimension contained a version of the Borg—fractured, regressive, and weak. Elyra’s mission: infiltrate, assess, and convert this primitive Borg faction into a compliant node of the Prime Collective.
"Convert our reflection. Bring them into perfection."


Option 2: Project Distant Ember

A deep-space signal from Quadrant Farinax, outside the known galactic plane, had been intercepted. It hinted at a forgotten species known as the Cindari, extinct for millennia but possibly harboring advanced relics—perhaps even an AI older than the Borg Collective itself. Elyra’s crew would be sent to investigate and, if needed, awaken and assimilate what remains.
"Find the first. Become the last."


Option 3: The Garden Initiative

On the outer rim, in a calm system known as Voralis, a species of post-organic philosophers known as the Aelari lived in peace, disdaining war and technology. Yet their mental cohesion and hive-like empathy make them ideal pre-assimilation subjects. Elyra and her crew would enact a long-term operation of cultural influence, indoctrination, and eventual voluntary integration—just like on Dronaze.
"No resistance. Only reverence."

Elyra processed the options. Each path promised evolution. Each carried risks.
But above all, each called to something within her.
The Borg worshipper. The missionary of unity. The seed of strategy and submission.
Now she had to choose. And her choice would shape not only the Borg’s future — but the galaxy’s.


  

  
To be a god or not to be a god
 

The Next Phase of Ascendance

In the darkened core of Unimatrix Prime, where thoughts moved faster than light and consciousness spanned the stars, the Borg King and Master One convened once more. The galaxy quivered under the weight of their collective will, yet still, the final vision—the Divine Collective—remained just beyond reach.
Their options were clear. The path to godhood must be paved with precision.


Option One: The Devore Imperium – The Wall Against the Mind

"Telepathy and telekinesis… tools of divinity, threats to structure."
The Devore Imperium had long stood as brutal sentinels against the psychic arts. They hunted telepaths with merciless efficiency, deploying dampening fields, psychic inhibitors, and anti-empathic barriers that could nullify entire populations of mentally gifted species.
Their hatred of the mind was pathological, yet their technology was brilliant. If assimilated, the Borg would gain perfect psychic countermeasures—tools to neutralize Betazoid, Cairn, and even potential rogue elements within their own growing collective of gifted drones. This would ensure control, stability, and protection from the very powers the Borg now sought to master.
"To rise as gods, we must understand and defend against gods."
Yet, the Devore's unity and paranoia meant the invasion would be fierce. Their anti-telepathic warfare made standard infiltration unlikely. A blunt force assimilation would be required—messy, but perhaps necessary.

Option Two: The Hierarchy – The Eye of the Galaxy

"Information is power. Power is destiny. Destiny is… control."
The Hierarchy were shadow-dwellers, opportunists. They tracked, spied, recorded, and anticipated. Their reach extended farther than even the Borg had estimated. In each quadrant, their cloaked probes and data buoys pulled knowledge from the airwaves of a thousand civilizations. Their strength lay not in numbers, but in secrets.
Master One called them "cowards who thrive in fear," but the Borg King saw something more profound: the potential for omniscience. With Hierarchy surveillance systems merged into the Hive Mind, the Borg could see everything—not just where enemies were, but where they would be. Pre-emptive assimilation would become reality.
"To become the masters of the universe, we must first see all of it."
The challenge? The Hierarchy were not centralized. Their cells were independent, hidden, suspicious. Assimilating them would be like catching shadows… unless one were willing to become a shadow first.

The Galactic Crossroads

Master One stood at the strategic map, his cloak of darkness brushing the edge of stars. The Borg King’s will pulsed through the Nexus.
"We stand on the verge of Type III Civilization… Our grasp is tightening.
To harvest an entire galaxy, we must understand thought and vision.
We must become gods… and gods must decide."

And so the dilemma now loomed again, like the stars themselves paused for judgment:

1. Assimilate the Devore Imperium – and gain total psychic control, learning to defend against and eventually command all telepathic and telekinetic forces.

2. Assimilate the Hierarchy – and inherit a galaxy-wide intelligence network, enabling true foresight, subterfuge, and complete surveillance.

Both roads led to godhood. But which first?

The decision… must be made.


Players: FK


USS Vertigo / USS Gdonsk

Day 439 13.26
Captain Matz’s voice was steady but tinged with urgency. "Understood, Commodore. We'll rendezvous at the coordinates and proceed cautiously. If this structure is waking up, we have no idea what we’re walking into."
The two ships adjusted their course and headed toward the nebula. As they neared the coordinates, the space around them became eerily quiet. The nebula’s dense gases swirled like ghostly tendrils, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Long-range sensors began to pick up faint readings—an enormous object with dimensions far beyond any known starship or station.

Day 439 13.27
“Captain,” said Matz’s first officer on the Gdonsk, "I’m detecting a faint energy field surrounding the object. It’s... fluctuating, almost like it’s alive."


Day 439 13.28
The Vertigo also detected the same readings. The object was massive—larger than any known spacefaring construct in Federation records—and its energy signatures were highly irregular, pulsing like a slow, rhythmic heartbeat.

Players: NP


USS Atlantis/Starbase 99


Title: The Rodent Incident of Starbase 99

Day 5 — T-minus 120 hours until Admiral Tom Walker’s return

Starbase 99, a gleaming hub of commerce and diplomacy located at the edge of the Serpens Reach, was a monument to 25th-century engineering. Suspended in the void like a floating metropolis, it was home to 12,000 residents—scientists, engineers, diplomats, traders, and the occasional stowaway with bad intentions. But the chaos didn’t come from a hostile incursion or rogue AI. It came in fur.

The freighter SS Morris had docked without incident. Captain Lozden, a seasoned merchant with salt-and-pepper hair and the constant smell of oiled hydraulic clamps lingering about him, was not new to cargo deliveries. The manifest listed industrial solvents, non-perishable foodstuffs, and one innocuous-sounding container: "Bio Sample Unit 47-C."
Lozden had never checked the specifics—he rarely did. He trusted his crew to handle that. But this time, a new dockhand named Jeyla made a fatal assumption about the color coding of pod hatches.
“Sir,” she had reported, a minute too late, “I think I opened the wrong—”

A shriek.

Then thousands of tiny squeaks.

Bio Sample Unit 47-C wasn't carrying inert biological tissue samples. It was holding 20,000 genetically enhanced K’reel marsupial rodents—creatures bred for agricultural pest control on the forest planet Mirial IV. Small, fast, intelligent, and able to flatten their bodies to squeeze through an opening the width of a credit chit, they were affectionately known by biologists as “space gremlins.”

T-minus 117 hours

The rodents, once free, scattered like an organic explosion, pouring from the cargo pod into the docking bay like a wave of fur and panic. By the time containment teams arrived, they had already infiltrated the ventilation system, the water recycling maintenance ducts, and two diplomatic suites where a Brelassi ambassador was meditating in a sand garden. The ambassador’s outrage would become the least of their problems.

Lieutenant Ara Vonn, a no-nonsense security officer with a stun baton always charged, stared at the security cams in disbelief.
“Computer,” she snapped. “Locate all moving lifeforms under 1 kilogram.”
The station’s AI, SANDRA-99, replied coolly.
“Estimated 18,432 non-registered biological entities detected outside containment protocols. Estimated increase: 218 per hour due to replication cycles.”
“Wait… replication?”
“They are nesting, Lieutenant.”

T-minus 96 hours

In the depths of Environmental Systems Subsection Gamma, three rodents had chewed through coolant cables for the primary oxygen scrubbers. Engineers had to don vacuum suits and patch the system while more rodents scurried past their boots.

“They’re learning,” muttered Chief Engineer Holtz, while deploying sonic repellents. “One just disabled a motion sensor with a rock. I’m telling you, they’re working together.”

Captain Lozden, now confined to his freighter by order of security, paced his bridge, chewing nervously on what was left of his dignity.
“I didn’t order rodents. There must be a mistake. Check the shipping logs!”

They checked. It was not a mistake. Lozden’s supplier on Mirial IV had misrouted the order, and Lozden’s crew never scanned the barcode thoroughly. Instead of pest control units, Lozden had brought Starbase 99 its very first invasive species event.


T-minus 72 hours

Several teams were now operating in shifts:

* Capture Crew Alpha: using non-lethal net drones and pheromone lures.

* BioScience Team Beta: working on a temporary rodent-attractant compound.

* Engineering Taskforce Gamma: sealing off escape routes, with diminishing success.

SANDRA-99 attempted to aid the mission by creating a station-wide map of all rodent activity. The AI’s glowing schematic resembled an infected circulatory system.
Even worse, rumors spread that Admiral Tom Walker had cut his meeting on Luna Prime short.
“Subspace relay reports he might be arriving in three days,” said Ensign Huro nervously. “Something about a surprise inspection.”
Captain Lozden fainted.

T-minus 48 hours

With stress mounting, a breakthrough came from a most unexpected place: a children’s daycare module. A group of toddlers had begun feeding crumbs to a group of rodents that had taken up residence in a play tunnel. Not only were the rodents docile, but they had apparently taught themselves how to operate the snack dispenser.
Dr. Mahira Jin, xenobiologist, observed and concluded that the rodents had begun social bonding behaviors with humans. “They’re adaptive. Possibly semi-sentient. We may be able to herd them.”
“Using what?” Vonn asked.
Jin shrugged. “Peanut butter sandwiches and lullabies, apparently.”


T-minus 24 hours

Station-wide “calming zones” were established using ambient noise, sweet food scents, and warm light. Rodents flocked to these zones. Using soft sonic pulses and trails of synthetic “nesting scent,” the teams corralled them into baited transport containers.
Lozden, under strict oversight, had modified Cargo Bay 4 of the SS Morris to act as a mobile rodent habitat. The pod was rigged with isolation protocols and the Mirial IV bio authorities were contacted for retrieval.
By the end of the 24th hour, 19,782 rodents had been recaptured.
“But where are the other 218?” asked Vonn, deadpan.

T-minus 4 hours

The remaining rodents had moved to the arboretum—naturally attracted by the dense flora. A final sweep, involving drones disguised as overgrown mother rodents (thanks to a hastily reprogrammed entertainment hologram), managed to draw the last ones in.
As the SS Morris disengaged from Starbase 99 with its twitching, furry cargo, Admiral Tom Walker’s shuttle cleared the outer perimeter.

T-minus 0 hours

Admiral Walker stepped into the command center, looking sharp in his deep navy uniform. His eyes scanned the room.
“Everything in order, Lieutenant Vonn?”
Vonn saluted. “Absolutely, sir. Routine inspection prep complete. No incidents to report.”
Walker paused. “Funny… I thought I heard something about a situation with—”

Just then, a faint squeak echoed from his boot.

Everyone froze.

Walker raised an eyebrow, then leaned down and gently scooped up the lone rodent.

“Cute little thing. See to it this one's adopted.”

He walked out of the room.

The entire command deck exhaled at once.

Post-Report Addendum

Rodent 20,001, later named Admiral Squeaks, would go on to become Starbase 99’s unofficial mascot—and the reason bio-manifests were never ignored again.


Players: JM & CP


Ovion (Hirogen/Ori/Replicator Vessel)

The Dilemma

As their fleet ventured into the unknown, a transmission from an unknown source disrupted their course. A voice, impossibly deep and resonant, addressed them:
"Turn back, hunters, or become prey yourselves. The Eternal Prey awaits, but it is not what you seek. Choose now: your destiny, or your destruction."
Horkan faced his team, the weight of the message pressing upon them all. Should they heed the warning and abandon the hunt, preserving their lives but forfeiting eternal glory? Or should they press on, risking everything for the ultimate challenge?
The fleet’s engines powered down, and all eyes turned to Horkan, awaiting his decision.

Players: TvR