Sky Harbor Aegis Background / History

[Capt Muon Quark 0]

Sky Harbor Aegis: Background / History

 

aegis (ê´jîs): noun

1. Protection: a child whose welfare is now under the aegis of the courts.

2. Sponsorship; patronage: a concert held under the aegis of the parents' association.

3. Greek Mythology. The shield or breastplate of Zeus, later an attribute of Athena, carrying at its center the head of Medusa.

 

The Former StarBase Aegis at Canar II

 

The designation "Aegis" was initially used by a Federation station orbiting Canar II, whose mission was to shield that colony and defend the neutrality of the DeMilitarized Zone. The starbase entered service in 2371 (Stardate 9508.02) under command of HoD TSara zantai T'Zay and Commander Jennan Ayer. Within weeks, the Klingon Empire launched its unexpected invasion of Cardassia, adding a new level of complexity to the station's environment. In addition to political intrigue, the facility was nearly overrun by a swarm of space-borne insects and nearly destroyed by a subnova of the Canar sun. With the resignation of Commander Ayer and the defection of second officer Dakla Pierson to the Maquis in early 2373, Commander Sorehl was inducted as XO. The political environment shifted again with the annexation of Cardassia by the Dominion. For several months, Aegis served as a haven for defeated Klingon forces and Maquis survivors of the Cardassian purge led by Gul Dukat.

 

In mid-2373, responding to a Dominion edict to abandon former Cardassian holding, the facility was physically moved to a hidden location in the Decelea asteroid field. The secret agenda of this withdrawal was use of the station as the secret staging area for a preemptive strike against Jem'Hadar shipyards at Torros II, the opening volley of the ensuing Dominion War. HoD TSara was lost and presumed killed during this battle. Captain Sorehl assumed command with Commander Eriied Sej as XO (Stardate 9710.04). In early 2374, he was himself captured during an failed diplomatic overture to Cardassia, prompting Captain Thomas Halloway to assume temporary command. Halloway launched a bold initiative which recaptured the Canar system and restored Aegis in orbit there.

 

After Sorehl's rescue, Aegis continued to serve as a construction facility and staging platform for Allied operations, aiding an invasion of the Chin'toka system and rescuing the crew of a Romulan warbird. With the wartime reassignment of Sej, Commander Stephen J. "Bull" Bulloc was installed as XO in late 2374 (Stardate 9810.26). By mid-2375, Aegis personnel took an active part in the final battles of the Dominion War. In its closing days, an Aegis team successfully prompted the revolt of the Cardassian 12th Brigade, while the remaining crew joined a clash with Dominion-Breen forces near Sarpedion V. With the war's conclusion, the station was transferred to Colonial Administration and officially redesignated StarBase 405. With many of its personnel and support craft assigned to develop the post-war base at Cardassia Prime, the appellage Aegis followed.

 

Sky Harbor Aegis Emerges at Cardassia

 

In late 2376 (Stardate 0009.15), Deep Space Aegis Station commenced operation under Sorehl and Bulloc. This ground facility was placed in the shell of an abandoned Dominion Military Control Center. The title "Deep Space" was a temporary one, put in place for logistical purposes while the orbital facility was still under construction. This ground facility was later converted into a geothermal power plant and transferred to Cardassian control.

 

After negotiation and funding by Ambassador Drankum of Ferenginar, the first pylon of the modified Jovian-class station was towed into orbit and outfitted with systems provided by the original signatories. Phase I of Sky Harbor was declared operational in early 2377 (Stardate 0103.23) under command of Captain Stephen "Bull" J. Bulloc, with Romulan Daise'Erei'Riov (Commander) Kalicia t'Ksa as XO. With a reduction in Romulan support, Commander James Taggert later assumed the role of XO. Although Aegis conducted a number of reconstruction efforts during this time, promised Allied support diminished.

 

Reconstruction, Struggles, and Present Mission.

 

Captain Frederic Meve and Commander Nicholas Ayers assumed command in mid-2378, in time to oversee a massive evacuation in the wake of a perceived planetary core meltdown. Under the cover of this evacuation, Cardassia IV was robbed of huge ore and mineral resources by an unidentified alien race. A subsequent attack by this race was repelled in early 2380, after which Sky Harbor Aegis was seated as the primary headquarters for all Starfleet activities within the Cardassian Sector. The station was moved from its orbit above Cardassia Prime to a free-floating orbit near Cardassia III. Both Meve and Bulloc were promoted, and the change from the role of pure planetary reconstruction required numerous system upgrades and modifications to the station. In mid-2380, a fusion bomb obliterated the industrial center of the city Z'lo on Cardassia Prime. 3.7 million were killed in the blast, which was blamed on the "Free Cardassia" movement. A series of destablizing events - Breen privateering, the kidnapping of Ambassador shiKatsu Raumuk, and the destruction of a new mining facility - led to a declaration of martial law.

 

By early 2382 (Stardate 0601.06), free elections on Cardassia helped stabilize the government. Rear Admiral Iruam Goran assumed command of Aegis, while Captain Ayers continued as XO. Increased diplomatic involvement lead to the assignment of Legate Dukor as Cardassian liaison, as well as an influx of Federation, Romulan, and Gorn ambassadors to Sky Harbor. In late 2382, a Romulan fleet and ships of Dominion-origin battled above Cardassia III. A second wave of Breen ships attacked Cardassia Prime and Sky Harbor itself, nearly destroying the station.

 

With Goram's retirement in mid-2383, Captain Mikel St-John assumed temporary command. Following his departure a few months later, Muon Quark was installed as captain, with Commander Brian Brown as XO. Under their command, the station has dealt with emerging threats like the Breen and resumed involvement in regional and Cardassian politics, even luring Ambassador Drankum out of semi-retirement.

 

<< With thanks for additional contributions from Fred and the Aegis website. For further detail and graphics, see www.skyharboraegis.com >>

 

 

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Captain Sorehl, Starfleet Reserves

Former Commanding Officer

Camelot Station