Outpost 4

Outpost 4 was an outpost constructed a mile deep on an asteroid of almost solid iron by Starfleet in 2160. This outpost was one of seven Earth Outpost Stations located on the Federation side of the Romulan Neutral Zone in Sector Z-6 of the Beta Quadrant. The outpost's protective shield was made of cast rodinium. (; )
== History ==
The outpost was under the command of Commander Hansen Al-Salah by 2259. Under a retrofit directive, the and the delivered state-of-the-art matter synthesizers and a set of fully automated mining craft to Outpost 4. ()
That same year, the location of this outpost was labeled on a stellar cartography chart that was seen on the 's ready room viewscreen. () 
In 2266, Outpost 4 came under attack by an unknown starship that was later discovered to be Romulan Bird-of-Prey. Although protected by full deflectors, the outpost was hit by a powerful high-energy plasma torpedo that completely blew out the outpost's deflector shield, as well as taking out its phasers and killing its weapons crew. The second attack by the plasma torpedo hit the outpost, unprotected, resulting in the base's disintegration. 
During the Neutral Zone Incursion, the location of Outpost 4 was labeled on a map of Sector Z-6 that was displayed on the bridge viewscreen of the . (, production art)
Between 2266 and 2366, this outpost had been replaced. The location of the new Outpost 4 was labeled on a tactical intelligence analysis star chart. This outpost received a warning from Starfleet Command about an alleged Romulan base on Nelvana III. (, okudagram)
File:Romulan Neutral Zone star chart, 2259.png|The location of Outpost 4, 2259
File:Hansen (Commander).jpg|Commander Hansen transmits his report of the attack from Outpost 4
File:Romulan Neutral Zone map, 2266.jpg|The location of Outpost 4, 2266
File:Tactical Intelligence Analysis.jpg|The location of Outpost 4, 2366 
== Appendices ==
=== Background ===
In the episode "Disengage", the location of this outpost was seen on the bridge of the on what appears to be an updated chart from Star Trek: Star Charts. Dave Blass published pictures of the set on .
According to the Star Trek: Star Charts (p. 66), Outpost 4 was constructed in an area of space that been contested over during the Romulan War Theater of Operations (2156-2160).
=== Apocrypha ===
The October spread of the Star Trek: Ships of the Line (2017) calendar titled "Duel of the Flagships" depicted the Enterprise and a Romulan Bird-of-Prey in battle over Outpost 4, by D.M. Phoenix.
=== External link ===
* 
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Outpost 04
Outpost 04