Staff Quarters Missions
From Starsonata Wiki
There are now mission chains available to get shards to get tech 21 skills. They are available in Staff Quarters. To start dock at Spymaster's Quarters, accept the discrete reconnaissance mission then complete the reconnaissance mission at the same station. You will get a letter of introduction. Read the letter then go to another stations in the galaxy. Do not leave the galaxy with the letter or it will decay on you.
At each of the 4 stations you will have to complete a mission chain. The missions all reward shard dusts which you can turn in at Spymaster's Quarters for the shards which are need to get tech 21 skills.