To the Surface is a Business as Usual storyline mission in Star Trek Fleet Command where you work with the Klingons to find Sekula’s whereabouts. It is recommended for level 27, starts at warp 1 and needs warp 19 to complete. You speak with a Klingon Commander in Hoeven, move into position in Zova Rhen and defeat 15 hostiles of level 25 or higher. The reward is 240,000 Tritanium and 8,000 Klingon Points, with a loss of Romulan and Federation Points.
To the Surface objectives
There are three objectives in a fixed order and no choice split:
- Speak with the Klingon Commander. Location: Hoeven.
- Get in position to attack the Romulans. Location: Zova Rhen.
- Defeat 15 hostiles of level 25 or higher.
The first two steps are travel. The third is where the time goes: 15 kills against hostiles of level 25 or higher, with no system named, so you can clear them wherever you find a suitable group. There is no named enemy ship in this mission.
Where and what warp
To the Surface can be accepted at warp 1 and needs warp 19 to finish. Hoeven and Zova Rhen are the two named systems.
The recommended level is 27, and the hostile count asks for targets of level 25 or higher, just under that. A ship that can farm level 25 hostiles comfortably is all you need.
To the Surface rewards
| Reward | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tritanium | 240,000 |
| Klingon Points | 8,000 |
| Romulan Points | -6,912 |
| Federation Points | -2,592 |
The negative values mean you lose Romulan and Federation Points when the mission completes. Completing it unlocks the next mission, By Any Means Necessary.
To the Surface and the missions around it
All three of these missions are recommended for level 27 and carry the same faction point changes:
| Mission | Warp to complete | Combat | Rewards besides faction points |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Next Move | 22 | Starfleet Ship in Talmir-86 (about 204,300) | 57,000 Dilithium |
| To the Surface | 19 | 15 hostiles of level 25 or higher | 240,000 Tritanium |
| By Any Means Necessary | 19 | Romulan Ship in Biruin (about 200,351) | 160 Klingon Credits |
Each of the three adds 8,000 Klingon Points and removes 6,912 Romulan Points and 2,592 Federation Points, so running the set moves your standing by 24,000 Klingon Points in total. To the Surface is the only one with a hostile count instead of a named ship, and it pays the most in resources.
Tips
Think about the faction points first. If you are working toward Romulan or Federation standing, this storyline pulls you the other way with every mission.
Clear the 15 hostiles efficiently by staying in a system with plenty of level 25 or higher targets. Since no location is set, you do not need to hunt in Zova Rhen itself.
The 240,000 Tritanium is a solid return for a mission with no donation and no named boss.
The rest of this story is on the Business as Usual arc page, and every other mission is on the mission guide.
