Grey Research Facility I
From Hidden Frontier
Starfleet's first Grey Research Facility was established in a classified location just outside the Briar Patch. The top-secret installation was dedicated to unlocking the secrets of the Grey's technology, to help the Federation better defend itself from the increasing attacks by the Grey in and around the Briar Patch.
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Mission
Grey Battleship
The Excelsior‘s capture of a Grey battleship in 2377 ("Echoes") spurred Starfleet to create the research station. Though Starfleet was unsuccessful in getting the battleship's systems to operate, its researchers were able to learn enough from its weapons and tactical systems to improve starship defenses against Grey weapons.
Tetrahedron Keys
The USS Independence discovered two tetrahedron keys in 2378 that were eventually turned over to the research facility after an initial investigation by Commodore Cole and the ship's tactical officer, Lieutenant Matt McCabe, revealed a connection between the keys, the tetrahedrons and the Grey. ("Heroes")
Orion Attack
In 2379, the facility was destroyed in a sneak attack. Starfleet initially feared it was assimilated by the Borg, but the Excelsior determined that the Tholians were responsible, through an alliance with Sha'kev and his Orion pirates, who carried out the actual attack. ("Hell's Gate, Part 1") The use of a trilithium weapon tipped Captain Elizabeth Shelby off that Sha'kev was involved.
All of the research station's personnel were killed in the attack. Only a small group, who were traveling away from the facility, survived. Excelsior‘s former tactical officer, Lieutenant William Martinez, was among those survivors.
Siroc and the Tholians
Sha'kev was employed by Siroc on the Tholians' behalf. But Siroc made off with the Grey battleship and the tetrahedron keys, hiding both in a location inside the Briar Patch ("Hell's Gate, Part 2"). The Tholians retaliated against the Orions, killing Sha'kev and nearly his entire crew. Only his lover, Vorina, survived the attack.
New Research Facility
A new research facility was built shortly after the attack. Its location is an even more tightly guarded secret. The loss of so many personnel temporarily stalled Starfleet's research. Martinez was promoted to Commander to lead Starfleet's renewed research efforts. ("Dancing in the Dark")
See Also
Grey battleship ; Grey Research Facility II ; Grey technology ; William Martinez ; Tolian Naros ; Sha'Kev ; Siroc ; Tetrahedrons ; Tetrahedron keys ; Tholians
