  The deployment of a low-noise 3 kg p-type point contact germanium detector at
the Dresden-II power reactor, 8 meters from its 2.96 GW$_{th}$ core, is
described. This location provides an unprecedented (anti)neutrino flux of
8.1$\times 10^{13} ~\bar{\nu_{e}}/$cm$^{2}$s. When combined with the 0.2
keV$_{ee}$ detector threshold achieved, a first measurement of CE$\nu$NS from a
reactor source appears to be within reach. We report on the characterization
and abatement of backgrounds during initial runs, deriving improved limits on
extensions of the Standard Model involving a light vector mediator, from
preliminary data.
