To Boldly Go (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
The Galaxy
The Milky Way Galaxy spans 100,000 lightyears and contains hundreds of billions of stars. Because it would be impossible to cover everything known about the galaxy briefly, an overview of the galaxy's history in the form of a detailed timeline is presented. Much of what follows represents data any first year Starfleet Academy cadet would learn in his required history class. Classified entries are not accessible on a normal PADD without the proper security clearance but since all player characters are at least department heads, they may access classified information as if it were general information.
The Final Frontier
In Star Trek the galaxy is divided into four equal sections, called quadrants. Earth lies in the Alpha Quadrant, near the dividing line separating the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Since the following history is necessarily presented from the point of view of the UFP, most of the events that follow occurred in the Alpha Quadrant or in nearby regions of the Beta Quadrant.
While the galaxy is large, certainly large enough for hundreds of races to explore for thousands of years without running out of "frontier", there are other galaxies. The Federation has already made contact with the Kelvans from the Andromeda Galaxy, for instance. We should not presume that the Milky Way represents the only opportunities for adventure in the Star Trek universe, only that it represents more opportunities for adventure than a normal character could exhaust in a thousand lifetimes.
The following timeline covers all of the major events in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. The timeline is not simply a list of things that happened; it's a guide to how the various political entities and species in the galaxy behave.
What Has Gone Before
10 Billion Years Ago: Formation of the Galaxy
Our galaxy is roughly 10 billion years old. Because Class-M planets are composed of heavy elements such as iron and nickel that can be created only in supernova explosions, life in the traditional carbon- or silicon-based sense could form only after the first stars died. Interestingly, life on the planets surrounding these second-generation stars tends to form as rapidly as possible. If the proper conditions exist, life will almost always gain a foothold and begin to evolve. One of the basic tenets of the Star Trek universe is that the galaxy teems with life!
8 Billion Years Ago: Creation of the Guardian of Forever (Classified)
Various advanced dating techniques estimate the Guardian of Forever was created 8 billion years ago. First encountered by the crew of the Enterprise under the command of Captain James Kirk in 2267, the exact circumstances surrounding the Guardian's creation remain a mystery. The Guardian is sapient, describing itself as "my own beginning and my own end." Since the Guardian's purpose is to allow those who pass though it to journey instantly through time and space, it's possible the Guardian was sent into the past from a future civilization.
22 Million Years Ago: The Organians Evolve into Pure Energy
After shedding their corporeal bodies, the Organians evolve into beings of tremendous power and influence. When, 22 million years later, the UFP and Klingon Empire enter into a dispute over an Organian world, the energy beings not only stop the skirmish over the planet, but force a peace treaty on both governments.
150,000 Years Ago: The Medusans Become a Spacefaring People
A noncorporeal life form, the Medusans are one of the oldest member races of the Federation and the first to develop warp technology. With bodies made of pure energy extruding into subspace itself, the Medusan mind intuitively grasps the fundamental workings of the universe, making their advancement from a primitive to an advanced civilization one of the fastest in the galaxy.
25,000 years ago: The Trill/Symbiont Union
The first humanoid Trill join with the sluglike symbionts, creating a symbiotic life-form greater than the sum of its parts. As result of the symbiont's extremely long life span, Trill society develops quickly, scientifically as well as culturally.
279: The Birth of Surah
Surak, the father of Vulcan philosophy, is born during a time of war and suffering on Vulcan. 33 years later, Surak banishes emotion from his thoughts, adopting a philosophy of pure logic. He and his teachings lead the Vulcan people out of their terrible cycle of war and death into a peaceful new age lasting to the present day. Virtually every living Vulcan studies Surak's teachings and follows his example.
369: The Romulan Diaspora
A core population of Vulcans rejects the philosophy of Surak, refusing to suppress their emotions. Vastly outnumbered, thousands of expatriate Vulcans board impulse vessels and follow their leader, Tellus, on an epic journey across the quadrant. Eventually a wormhole swallows their fleet, depositing it hundreds of light-years away. Tellus and his followers found a new homeworld there, Rom'lass. In Federation Standard, the planet is known as Romulus.
579: The Gorn Develop Warp Travel
The Gorn, a violent reptilian race, develop warp travel and begin expanding their empire. They first prove fearsome enemies, then uneasy allies, of the Federation. Their alien psychology makes diplomatic initiatives with them difficult, even after hundreds of years.
801: Birth of Kahless the Unforgettable
The first Klingon emperor, Kahless, is born. He sweeps across Qo'noS, conquering the Klingon homeworld, forming the first Klingon Empire, which lasts for 1,200 years. Kahless later represents the embodiment of Klingon virtue. Honor and courage through noble combat take root as the ultimate expressions of Klingon philosophy.
1270-1370: Romulan-Vulcan Wars
The reemergence of the wormhole that took them to Romulus allows the Romulan people to return to Vulcan in impulse ships armed with atomic weapons. Their assault on their original homeworld ends only when the wormhole closes for the last time. Over the course of the war, Vulcan strategy and tactics prove superior to Romulan aggression.
1284: Andoria Unites under Krotus
Embarking on a planetary conquest armed only with swords and spears, the armies of Krotus the Conqueror rage across Andoria. The armies discover gunpowder over the course of the campaign, and cannons push Krotus' legions to victory. Andoria is united under a single ruler and a single language—Graalen—which is still spoken today.
1411: Romulans Invent the Singularity Drive
Romulan scientists working for the Tal Diann—the Romulan military intelligence service—discover a way to isolate the singularity at the heart of a black hole. By containing the singularity in a magnetic "bottle", Romulan starships can fling themselves across great distances at speeds faster than light. While not a true "warp" drive, this engine later powers both the Romulan cloaking device and—once they acquire it—true warp technology.
1440: Vulcans Develop Warp Technology
Following 70 years of scientific discovery after the end of the Romulan-Vulcan Wars, T'vran of Vulcan develops and tests Vulcan's first warp engine. T'vran herself pilots the first manned warp-driven probes. Vulcan begins an age of exploration as warp-driven ships peacefully explore the galaxy, preferring to observe developing species rather than make contact with them.
1670: Cardassians Develop Warp Travel
A crew of Bajorans journeying in solar sail vessels makes first contact with Cardassia, and the subsequent exchange of information teaches the Cardassian government that not all worlds are as resource-poor as their own. Filled with a passionate desire to climb out of the desolate poverty their planet imposes on them, Cardassian technology advances at a remarkable rate. In less than sixty years, Cardassians develop chemical rockets, then impulse vessels, and finally break the warp barrier. Liberated from their oppressive existence, the Cardassian government begins an aggressive colonization campaign.
1696: Praetor Rule Established on Romulus
Tired of grappling with emperors desiring power beyond their station, the Romulan Senate officially abolishes the position of Emperor, replacing it with a Praetor. As the supreme executive of the Star Empire, the Praetor commands the military and serves as an ideological example to all Romulans. The Senate carefully restricts the Praetor's power, keeping the position subservient to them in all important policy areas.
1870: Detapa Council forms on Cardassia
After two centuries of domination by the military, the Detapa Council is formed to govern Cardassia Prime and its client states. A civilian body established to ensure the fair distribution of spoils from military conquest, the Council embarks on a wholesale restructuring of the Cardassian government, forming the Cardassian Union.
1967: Tellarites Develop Warp Travel
Working independently, Garas of Tellar develops warp technology. Using impulse-driven ships, the Tellarites had already explored and colonized most of their solar system. While still a relatively young race, Tellarite engineering develops quickly, leading to some of the most significant technological breakthroughs of the next four centuries.
1992-1996: The Eugenics Wars on Earth
Misguided scientists breed a group of genetically engineered "supermen" on Earth. Believing their enhanced strength and intelligence grants them the right to rule, these enhanced Humans take over the governments of 40 countries. A series of terrible wars follows in which the feudal nation-states attempt to annihilate each other, pushing Earth to the brink of a new dark age. An alliance of nations, under the banner of the U.N., opposes and eventually defeats the "supermen." Khan Noonien Singh, one of the most charismatic and successful supermen—having ruled one quarter of Earth—escapes.
2041-2069: Romulan-Klingon Wars
Romulan expansion ends as the fiercely warlike Klingons ravage the Romulan fleets patrolling Klingon borders. While Romulan technology proves in all ways superior to that of their more primitive foe, Klingon aggression carries the day. Neither species possesses true warp travel.
2053: World War III on Earth
Although most records of the events leading up to this last war on Earth have been lost, it's known that failed American presidential candidate Colonel Green leads the first wave of attacks. Having stockpiled nuclear and biological weapons, Green attempts to solve Earth's population problems by launching strikes at South America, Asia, and Africa. The wars that follow leave over 600 million people dead. War ends only after the imminent threat of widespread nuclear holocaust makes pressing the war impossible.
Phoenix Rising
This era—beginning in 2063 with first contact between Earth and Vulcan and ending in 2253 with the Axanar rebellion—represents a time of phenomenal growth and prosperity in the Alpha Quadrant. Many of the familiar Star Trek organizations and technologies develop during this period, and many species break the warp barrier, allowing for true interstellar exploration and commerce. In keeping with the abundant nature of life in Star Trek's galaxy, the first warp flights for many species coincide with first contact. Often, as soon as a race breaks the light barrier, it finds other races waiting for it. Many of these encounters end in friendship and discovery, but sometimes conflict and hardship ensue. It is an exciting time to be a citizen of the burgeoning interstellar community.
2063: First Contact between Humans and Vulcans
A second dark age of man is prevented only through the preservation of Earth's cultures in small, isolated pockets of humanity. From one of these bastions of civilization, Zefram Cochrane launches the Phoenix, mankind's first warp-capable ship. Constructed in Montana from a modified Titan V rocket, the Phoenix's warp signature alerts Vulcan exosociologist Sevak to mankind's development of warp travel, leading immediately to first contact.
2069: Death of the Last Klingon Emperor
The Klingon High Council assumes control of the government after the death of Koth, the last Klingon emperor. This second Klingon empire, led by the Chancellor of the Council, seizes power quickly, preventing a civil war.
2112: Bajorans Develop Warp Travel
Hundreds of thousands of years after the cultural height of their civilization, Bajorans develop warp travel, spanning the short distance between each species' homeworld in the Bajor Sector to make contact once again with their closest neighbors, the Cardassians.
2118: Andorians Develop Warp Travel
After several catastrophic failures over the previous 200 years, Andoria launches the Lor'Vela, its first warp-capable ship. Over the next several decades Andorian explorers reestablish contact with former outposts established during the impulse era and begin their role as leaders in the larger interstellar community.
2139: Betazoids Develop Warp Travel
The Avandar, Betazed's first warp-capable ship, breaks the light barrier. Its crew explores nearby solar systems, making first contact with their neighbors, the Terabians, four light-years away. An initial period of peace and commerce lapses into war as the nontelepathic Terabians begin to mistrust their mind-reading neighbors. Betazoids living on Terabia are jailed in internment camps, and a seven-year war erupts between the two species. The war ends after Terabia surrenders. The conflict prompts the religious Betazoids to establish their first secular government.
2149: Transporter Technology Invented
Earth's scientists invent the first practical transporter device. Though initially rated for transporting supplies and equipment, they later perfect the technology, enhancing its ability to transport living creatures by 2151.
2151 Launch of Enterprise NX-01
Earth launches the Enterprise NX-01, a test vessel capable of traveling at the then-astounding speed of warp 5, over the objections of the Vulcan High Command. Commanded by Captain Jonathan Archer, assisted by Vulcan SubcommanderT'Pol, the Enterprise's first mission is to return a stranded Klingon courier to Qo'noS. With the stellar completion of this mission, Earth's nascent Starfleet orders Archer and his crew to continue to boldly go where no man has gone before....
2156-2160: Romulan-Earth Wars
A brief conflict between a Romulan vessel and the U.S.S. Endeavor near Cheron IV results in the retreat of the Human ship and a new understanding between the two races—war is inevitable. Romulan warships, far deadlier than their Terran counterparts, take months to cross the distance to Human space. The war that erupts swings immediately in the Romulans' favor, but as Terran ship production increases, the Romulan lack of faster-than-light technology ultimately prevents rapid response and reinforcement, costing them the war. The Cheron Treaty negotiated via radio establishes the Romulan Neutral Zone. During the war and throughout the subsequent negotiations, Humans never see a single Romulan. Romulan appearance remains a mystery for another 110 years.
2161: Founding of the UFP
Following hard on the heels of the Cheron Treaty, delegates from Andoria, Vulcan, Tellar, Earth, and Alpha Centauri draft the Articles of Federation on Epsilon Eridani. Talks break down once, but further meetings succeed in drafting a constitution acceptable to all. Its language focuses on individual rights and freedoms, granting each world the right to self-determination. Suvok of Vulcan suggests Earth assume the role of capital of the UFP. A representative government is formed, the Federation credit is established, and Starfleet receives its mandate as a multispecies defense force, while protection of the sovereignty of each world is secured by allowing each race its own space fleet. The Tellarites ratify the Articles of Federation first, with the other four races rapidly following suit.
2230: Spock of Vulcan Is born
Son of Sarek, the great diplomat, Spock becomes the first Vulcan to join Starfleet. In a distinguished career spanning over 100 years, Spock first serves as a science officer aboard the legendary Enterprise under three captains. In his later years, his duties become diplomatic rather than scientific, as he participates in the Khitomer Accords and later engineers the defection of Vice-Proconsul M'ret from Romulus to Vulcan. Toward the end of his life, Spock works diligently to establish Vulcan-Romulan relations.
2233: James Tiberius Kirk Is born
As legendary captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Kirk's tours of duty include some of the greatest adventures, battles, and discoveries the Federation will ever know. In later years, Kirk's tours of duty come to symbolize the spirit of the age for the Federation.
2245: U.S.S. Enterprise I70I Is Launched
The Constitution-class U.S.S. Enterprise is launched under the command of Robert April. The flagship of Starfleet, the Enterprise—in its various incarnations—is present at most of the important military and diplomatic events of the next 125 years.
2252: First Contact with the Bolians
After decades spent torn between two warring neighbors—the Uzor and the Iren—Bolarus IX makes first contact with the Federation. Bolian antigravity technology and metallurgy rivals that of the Federation, and the Bolian people prepare their first warp-drive tests. The Federation extends the offer of membership, but the three governments ruling Bolarus IX are too fractured to agree.
2252: Axanar Demands Federation Membership
The Axanari, an aggressive interstellar culture on the verge of developing warp technology, demand admittance to the Federation. The request, from an oppressive and rigidly hierarchical society, meets with division in the Federation Council. The Axanari take the ensuing debate over their admittance as rejection, quickly conquering several neighboring planets and offering them to the Federation as tribute. The Council disapproves of this action, and many member worlds threaten to secede unless something is done. The Council sends a fleet of Constitution-class ships to force the Axanari to retreat from their newly conquered worlds. The brief conflict ends with Axanari compliance, but the entire situation—specifically the passionate division in the Federation Council over Axanar's membership—proves one of the first significant challenges to the UFP's form of government.
The Cold War (Original Series Era)
Punctuated by constant skirmishes and posturing between the Federation, Romulan Star Empire, Second Klingon Empire, Gorn Empire, and Tholian Assembly among others, this period proves a time of great unease in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Beginning after the Axanar Rebellion and ending with the Khitomer Accords, the Cold War period marks the end of limitless expansion for the dominant races of the galaxy. While often seeming on the brink of open war, this period is exemplified by courageous individuals and a continued spirit of exploration and discovery.
2264: Kirk Takes Command of Enterprise
Captain James T. Kirk, already decorated for foiling an assassination against the leaders of the new Axanari government, takes command of the Enterprise.
2265: Axanar Admitted to the Federation
In the wake of the disastrous Axanar Rebellion, the Axanari abolish their old caste system and form a new world government. This new government, after several years spent undoing the mistakes of the past, succeeds in gaining admittance to the Federation.
2267: First Contact with the Gorn
Gorn warships destroy a Federation outpost on Cestus III. The Metrons, an advanced, apparently humanoid species, prevent a large-scale war by forcing the Gorn commander and Captain Kirk to resolve their conflict in single combat. The combat results in a cessation of hostilities between the Federation and the Gorn, although years must pass before the two races establish a treaty.
2267: Romulan-Klingon Alliance Formed
The expanding Second Klingon Empire, preparing for conflicts with both the Romulan Star Empire and the United Federation of Planets, signs a treaty with the Romulans in order to avoid a two-front war. More a nonaggression pact than a workable alliance, both sides initially benefit from the treaty, and the Klingons prepare for war with the Federation.
2267: Khan Revived
Captain James Kirk revives Khan Noonien Singh, warlord and escaped genetic "superman", when the Enterprise encounters the S.S. Botany Bay. Khan and his followers attempt to take over the Enterprise and begin their conquest anew, but fail. Kirk strands Khan and his followers on Ceti Alpha V.
2267: Organian Peace Treaty Established
The Organians, beings of near-limitless power, impose the Organian Peace Treaty. The Klingons, now forcibly prohibited from conflict with the Humans, begin to chafe at the confines of the Romulan treaty.
2268: Polaric Test Ban Treaty Signed
Though initial evidence suggests polaric ion energy might provide clean power on a planetwide scale, research into the technology is halted when a Romulan outpost is destroyed after discovering polaric ion energy can cause widespread chain reactions in subspace. The Romulans, Federation, and other races in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants sign the Polaric Test Ban Treaty to prevent further use of polaric energy as an unstoppable, uncontrollable weapon.
2266: First Contact with the Tholians
After gathering scant pieces of data from other cultures on the enigmatic species, the Federation makes first contact with the Tholian Assembly. The Tholians prove aggressive and intractable. Their territory, perhaps as a result of the manner in which they perceive space-time, is noncontiguous, resulting in several inadvertent incursions into their space. More than 100 years pass before the Federation officially establishes diplomatic relations with the Tholians.
2268: Federation Steals Cloaking Technology (Classified)
The Federation, fearing its use as a first-strike weapon, steals cloaking technology from a Romulan battle cruiser. Research indicates that, with its current technology, the Federation cannot outfit its vessels with cloaks unless the ships are heavy cruisers specifically designed for war. The Federation Council opts not to build such vessels, instead relying on proven strategy and tactics to compensate for the advantage cloaks give their opponents.
2271: The Battle of Dumok'azen
Dumok'azen, a small, mineral-rich world on the border of the Romulan and Klingon Empires, becomes the site of a bloody battle between the two allied races. The Klingons claim glorious victory while the Romulans retreat, increase productivity of warp-capable ships, and bide their time as the Klingon Empire stretches itself thinner.
2275: First Contact with the Breen
The U.S.S. Eagle, an all-Andorian Constitution-class ship with the most decorated crew in Starfleet, makes contact with the enigmatic Breen. Captain Igrilan Kor beams over to the Breen ship and, although language barriers impede productive diplomatic negotiations, reports the Breen are a peaceful, if somewhat withdrawn, species. This contributes a great deal to future confusion over the Breen's attitude when they inexplicably become hostile.
2277: Enterprise Emblem Adopted as the Universal Symbol of Starflect
After the promotion of James Kirk to Chief of Starfleet Operations and the retirement of many of his crew, Starfleet adopts the Enterprise emblem as its symbol. Previously, each ship in the fleet had its own emblem, worn by each crewmember over the left breast.
2285: Khan Steals Genesis Technology (Classified)
The U.S.S. Reliant, dispatched on a survey mission, stumbles upon Khan Noonien Singh on Ceti Alpha V. Given a second chance to conquer the galaxy, Khan quickly takes control of the Reliant and steals the data and technology surrounding Project Genesis. Armed with the Genesis Device—miraculous when used for terraforming, devastating when used as a weapon—Khan sets out to build a new empire. Thwarted only through the efforts of Admiral James T. Kirk, Khan and his followers are killed in the Mutara Nebula when he detonates the Genesis Device aboard the Reliant.
2286: Cardassian First Contact with Klingons
Cardassian troops, expanding into the Betreka Nebula, make contact with the Klingon Empire. Initially considering the Klingons a race of incompetent barbarians, the Cardassian Union ignores their aggressive posturing. The Klingons eventually goad the Cardassians into open battle, resulting in eighteen years of border conflicts. While the Cardassian Union and Klingon Empire eventually enter into a truce, the Cardassians consider the agreement a humiliating failure.
2292: Klingon-Romulan Alliance Dissolves
After 21 years of worsening relations following the Battle of Dumok'azen, the Romulan Senate dissolves the Romulan-Klingon alliance. Klingon ships are ordered to quit Romulan space, and Romulus withdraws its ambassadors. This marks the beginning of a protracted open hostility between the two races that lasts several decades.
2293: Khitomer Accords
Praxis, moon of the Klingon homeworld and source of much of the Empire's energy reserves, explodes after overmining destabilizes the moon's core. The Klingon Empire, fearing attacks of opportunity from the Romulans, approaches the Federation for aid. The two governments meet at Khitomer, a Class-M planet near the Romulan/Klingon border, and hammer out the Khitomer Accords, enabling the Federation to aid the weakened Klingon Empire and making the two powers uneasy allies. With the exception of a one-year abrogation of the accords almost 100 years later, the alliance proves stable and prompts the development of a more diplomatically sophisticated Klingon Empire.
The Age of Diplomacy (TNG Era)
Beginning shortly after the Khitomer Accords, this era marks a long period of relative peace between the Federation and the rest of the galaxy. While many races—particularly the Tholians and Cardassians—engage in hostile activities, peace with the Klingons and the withdrawal of the Romulans encourage many in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants to believe the specter of war has been left behind. Diplomacy rather than military posturing carries the day.
2294: Betazed Joins the Federation
After over a century of peace, Betazed applies for membership in the Federation. The Federation quickly accepts, and Betazoid diplomats and counselors become common advisors on Starfleet first contact missions. Betazed itself becomes host to the Federation's biannual Trade Agreement Conference.
2309: Cardassia Begins Diplomatic Relations with Bajor
The technologically more advanced Cardassian Union extends the diplomatic hand of friendship to Bajor. The Bajorans welcome Cardassian technological assistance and bureaucratic aid. Soon, Cardassians advise Bajorans at every level of government.
2311: The Tomed Incident
As Federation technology advances, Romulan intelligence suspects that Starfleet is now capable of building cloaking devices into their exploratory vessels. The Federation denies these claims. Acting on reports from the Romulan Senate's intelligence directorate, the Tal Shiar, a Romulan incursion fleet attacks Starbase 247 in the Tomed system. The battle results in thousands of Federation casualties. The Romulans retreat only after Federation ships decloak and join the conflict. Romulan diplomats threaten war after the UFP duplicity. Federation officials claim the cloaking technology was developed by Starfleet Intelligence without the Federation Council's knowledge or approval. The two species, committed to solving their differences, draft the Treaty of Algeron. The treaty specifically prohibits Federation use of cloaking technology. This satisfies the Romulan Senate, but negotiations after this point are irregular, and the Romulan Empire abandons its interests in the Alpha Quadrant.
2313: The Taurhai Attack the Romulan Empire (Classified)
A previously unknown threat from the far side of the Romulan Empire reveals itself. The Taurhai, an aggressive, expansionist, technologically sophisticated race, employ artificially constructed subspace funnels to propel their ships. The Romulan Star Empire is weakened, losing battle after battle over the next 30 years.
2320: Bolarus IX Joins the Federation
After internal debates come dangerously close to open war, Bolarus IX adopts a single government—the World Council—and applies again for Federation membership. Though the new government is young, the Federation Council is impressed and admits Bolarus IX into the UFP. The Bolian government proves stable, and Bolian service in Starfleet is typified by near-tireless, hard-working men and women devoted to Federation principles.
2328: Cardassians Occupy Bajor
Cardassians across Bajor throw off the cloak of friendly neighbor and, in one swift insurgency, take over the planet. Mining camps are built to strip the planet of its natural resources, and millions of Bajorans are pressed into service as slave labor. The Vedek Assembly goes into hiding. Its first act of resistance is the abolition of the D'jarra caste system. The now casteless Bajorans are free to bear arms, and the Bajoran resistance forms. Eleven years later, the Detapa Council officially annexes Bajor in order to funnel more troops onto the planet.
2335: First Contact between the Federation and Cardassian Union
The Cardassian Third Order makes contact with a Federation exploratory vessel, and the Federation gains a new, aggressive neighbor. A series of border conflicts follow during which the Cardassian Central Command, a military body, slowly gains control of the government.
2335: Development of the Positronic Brain
Dr. Noonian Soong and his wife Juliana develop the first functional positronic brain while on the Omicron Theta colony. After four unsuccessful attempts, the fifth—named Data—proves initially successful. After its activation, Soong programs the android with social and creative subroutines to compensate for its lack of emotion. Dr. Soong becomes disappointed with Data's social development and deactivates him, abandoning his research.
2343: Romulans Attack the Taurhai Homeworld (Classified)
Fighting a desperate, losing battle, the Romulan Senate changes tactics. Mounting a suicide assault on the Taurhai homeworld of Chi'tai, the battered remnants of the Romulan fleet win for the day and defeat their opponents in one swift battle. With the Taurhai no longer a threat, the Senate prepares for renewed expansion.
2344 Romulans Attack Narendra III
Filled with renewed vigor after the decisive battle of Chi'tai, the Romulan Senate turns its attention to the Klingon Empire, whose opportunistic border raids went unchecked during the lengthy Taurhai assault. The Senate resolves to wipe out the Klingon Empire once and for all. When Romulan warbirds attack the Klingon outpost at Narendra III, the Federation comes to the aid of its Klingon allies. The Enterprise-C is destroyed in the conflict, but the outpost is saved. This marks the beginning of a true alliance between the Federation and Klingons. The Romulans, unwilling to face the Federation head-on after the long Taurhai siege, withdraw.
2345: Data Graduates from Starfleet Academy
After being discovered on Omicron Theta and reactivated by the crew of the U.S.S. Tripoli, Data joins Starfleet and graduates with honors. He is posted to the U.S.S. Trieste.
2346: Romulans Attack Khitomer
A renegade Klingon provides the Romulan Empire with codes permitting a Romulan fleet to assault Khitomer, slaughtering 4,000 Klingons. Once again, the Federation comes to the aid of the Klingon Empire.
2347: Federation-Cardassian War
Viewing Federation build-up on the Cardassian border as a sign of future aggression, the Obsidian Order—the Cardassian intelligence directorate—convinces the Cardassian Central Command to preemptively attack the Federation outpost at Setlik III. Even though the Obsidian Order learns the outpost is a civilian installation, the Central Command refuses to back down, following the attack with a series of skirmishes over the next several years. During this time, the Central Command gains additional power and begins to subvert the authority of the Detapa Council.
2351: Tholian Invasion Averted
Bolian Admiral Taneko, his fleet beaten and his ship crippled, attempts to retreat more deeply into Federation space after an assault by a Tholian fleet. When it becomes clear that reinforcements will not arrive in time, he detonates his ship's warp core, decimating the Tholian vessels and forcing the remainder to withdraw.
2352: Treaty of Alliance Signed
Operating openly as allies for several years outside the bounds of the Khitomer Accords, the Federation and Klingon Empire sign the Treaty of Alliance, formally uniting the two powers in diplomatic allegiance.
2353-2360: Federation-Tholian War
Starbase 277, constructed on the Federation-Tholian border to monitor ongoing Tholian activity, is attacked almost immediately upon completion. There is only one survivor—civilian mathematician Kyle Riker. The attack provokes a response by the Federation, and the two cultures engage in open warfare for the next seven years. The war ends in 2360 when diplomatic representatives from Betazed negotiate a truce.
2363: U.S.S. Enterprise-D is Launched
Devoted equally to space exploration, science, and diplomacy, Jean-Luc Picard is given command of Starfleet's flagship, the newly commissioned U.S.S. Enterprise-D.
The Federation
Two hundred years after its founding, the Federation stands at 150 member worlds, with dozens of planets under consideration for membership at any time. Ideally, the UFP would like all species in the galaxy to benefit from working together.
Benefits of Membership
There is strength in unity. With the thousands of inhabited worlds and dozens of alien species present in the galaxy, a forum where differing opinions can be peacefully resolved is valuable. Membership in the Federation offers mutual aid, protection, and political benefits. Governments can share their resources, sending medicine to a planet in need or relieving the burdens of famine. They can offer a united front against potentially hostile members. The Federation offers a forum where members can discuss their differences and find common ground on matters of galactic import. Moreover, members, by working together, can advance the cause of knowledge through shared research and exploration (best embodied by Starfleet).
INSTANT RECOGNITION: Once the Federation Council accepts a petitioning world into the UFP, that world instantly gains recognition as a full member, along with all associated rights. The planet earns a seat on the Federation Council and an equal vote just as Earth, Vulcan, and the other founding worlds do. This means the evaluation period is necessarily long—at least a few months, often a year or more—to ensure the prospective world is mature enough to shoulder this responsibility. Instant recognition and the voting equality of all members represent two of the strongest lures to membership for prospective worlds.
ECONOMIC SUPPORT: Worlds with economic difficulties need more than influxes of capital to solve their problems. Fortunately, the Federation has both vast experience in these matters and powerful technological solutions to most issues. The world of Bajor, though not a member world, represents an excellent example. After decades of exploitation at the hands of the Cardassian Union, the Federation—as a sign of goodwill—provided industrial replicators capable of producing large agricultural equipment and the technology necessary to turn one of Bajor's moons into a limitless energy source.
MILITARY SUPPORT: The need for defense on the part of member worlds is of paramount significance, especially for those worlds near the border of a hostile or potentially unfriendly neighbor like the Romulans. Many potential members cite protection from more powerful aggressor species as a major reason for requesting admittance to the UFP. Once a world joins the Federation, Starfleet dispatches special tactical advisors along with the normal contingent of Federation ambassadors and diplomats to evaluate the extent of Starfleet's future presence in the system. In those cases where the new member world is under imminent threat, the Council postpones this requirement, tasking Starfleet Command with the responsibility of securing the planet's safety immediately.
Responsibilities of Membership
Membership in the Federation has its responsibilities; it is not a free ride at the expense of other members. The Council expects each world to contribute material or financial resources to maintain Starfleet, fund research by the Science Council, and provide emergency services for any Federation members in the area. Local officials must regulate local trade and protect the freedom of interstellar commerce, and provide facilities, either on the planet or in orbit around the planet, for Federation administrators. Finally, members agree to uphold Federation laws ensuring individual freedoms as well as those safeguarding due process.
So far, each Federation world admirably meets these expectations, and requirements are intentionally kept low enough for every world to fulfill its responsibility.
Joining
New worlds join the UFP in one of two manners. Either they and the UFP have a history of past relations and the world opts to petition for membership, or the world is unknown to the UFP and joins after first contact has been made. In both cases, the requirements for joining are the same.
FIRST CONTACT: Prior to considering a world for membership, the Federation Council must first make contact with the prospective civilization. Often, this first contact results from Starfleet's normal course of business—exploring the galaxy. Any time Starfleet discovers an intelligent species, it dispatches a first-contact team. The team reports directly to the First Contact Division, based on Vulcan, under the Director of Exosocial Relations. If the newly encountered species does not possess warp technology the team covertly observes the culture, evaluating its social and technological status. The contact team files its report along with a recommendation for further study, without the culture's knowledge. If the species possesses warp drive technology, the rules are somewhat looser. First contact can be made directly via subspace radio or direct intervention. Optimally, this occurs after a period of observation, but warp-capable cultures can usually detect such covert activities and often dislike the notion of being observed. As a result, any starship exploring the galaxy has the potential to make first contact with other beings. Almost every ship has at least one first-contact specialist aboard, often—in the case of Galaxy-class ships—a whole division.
Both situations are delicate. First contact teams make mistakes, sometimes revealing themselves to the prewarp culture. Seemingly primitive cultures sometimes show surprising aptitude in detecting and ferreting out hidden observers. The team must rely heavily on technology as well as its own scientific training to remain hidden. Some officers operate within the culture itself. Known as heavy integration operatives, these agents spend months studying a society so they can insert themselves into it as seamlessly as possible.
Similarly, warp-capable cultures often represent their own coalition of worlds or single, very aggressive worlds. First contact with these cultures can not only damage the culture if not handled properly, but also damage the Federation if misunderstanding causes war. In all cases, a well-rounded first contact team relies on psychology, sociology, diplomacy, and technology to get the job done.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP: The requirements for acceptance into the Federation are kept intentionally simple. The Council considers complex requirements difficult to explain, difficult to meet, difficult to evaluate, and difficult to navigate. In every case, the Council appoints a cultural attaché, described below, to examine the issue.
Before being accepted, potential worlds must:
• POSSESS TRUE FASTER-THAN-LIGHT TRAVEL. This does not necessarily mean warp travel, although so far this has exclusively been the case. If the world developed FTL travel through means other than research and development—stealing it, trading for it, discovering it archaeologically, or through some other manner—the review process becomes more complex. The cultural attaché must spend more time evaluating FTL travel's impact on the developing cultures of the world. Societies acquiring warp travel through outside means—as with the Klingon Empire—often experience developmental problems as sudden access to other planets puts unnatural pressures on the indigenous society.
The Federation experienced first-hand the way in which exposure to an advanced race can corrupt the development of a younger race. The UFP believes each species has a right to develop on its own, even if this means risking the self-destruction of the society. The Council selected the milestone of warp travel, building it into the Prime Directive to protect developing cultures from this kind of shock.
• BENEFIT FROM ONE GOVERNMENT. The Council considers factionalism a sign of immaturity. The world must speak with a single voice. Furthermore, this global government must have a proven track record of internal stability and adherence to the principles of Federation.
• EXIST PEACEFULLY WITH ITS NEIGHBORS. In most cases, if a petitioning species meets the faster-than-light requirement, it dominates its local area technologically. How it uses or exploits this superiority is an excellent test of the planet's worth as a potential member race. If a potential member is at war with its neighbor, the Federation often extends the opportunity for peaceful negotiation to both warring members. Responses to these overtures go a long way toward providing the Council some notion of the participants' demeanor. The Federation, in all cases, prefers any warring cultures to resolve their grievances peacefully. It is possible, however, for a potential world to impress the Council with its sincerity while at the same time the opposing race impresses the Council with its belligerence. In these cases a treaty with the potential member world is signed, aid is given, and the war usually comes to a peaceful end. Then the petitioning race is reevaluated.
• ACCEPT THE PRINCIPLES OF FEDERATION. This, the most obvious requirement, demands the most rigorous evaluation. The principles of Federation allow many fine interpretations, some of which result in behavior subtly contrary to the Federation's goals. The cultural attaché spends most of his time studying the potential world, trying to understand as precisely as possible the mores and folkways of the planet's cultures to make sure they understand and agree with the principles found in the Federation Constitution.
THE REVIEW BOARD: The Review Board, a permanent subcommittee of the Council, has all first contact and diplomatic data at its fingertips, and often sends board members on fact-finding missions as well. Once the request is made the Board assigns a cultural attaché, with a team to aid him, to the culture in question.
The cultural attaché must be a skilled and highly experienced diplomat. The job requires nothing short of an extensive tour of the planet (or planets, in cases involving world- or system-spanning cultures) and an exhaustive review of the culture's society, economy, science, religion, government, and resources. The importance of attention to detail in these matters cannot be overstated. A cultural attaché might have no notion that, for instance, a society considers its children slaves belonging to the parents, usable for debt payment or as collateral on a loan. Such an attitude, contrary to Federation principles, could pass unnoticed until a review of the world's educational system took place. This makes the attaché's team necessarily large and the review period long.
When the review period ends, the attaché files the report with the Review Board, which returns a verdict usually within a few weeks. The verdict is rarely a surprise to the potential member, since one of the attaché's duties is to explain the Federation Constitution to the culture and ensure the prospective species understands these principles.
REJECTION: Those applicants who pass the review gain UFP membership and all associated benefits. For those worlds rejected, the reasons are usually obvious and fall into one of three categories: the culture is too belligerent, does not respect the personal liberty of its citizens, or does not respect the right of each citizen to achieve his full potential. While these last two may seem like the same thing, many cultures believe in personal liberty—the right of the individual to live free from fear or exploitation—while at the same time confining the individual's development to a given "caste" or other socio-economic subclass. Caste systems, for instance, often protect the rights of the individual and grant all members of every caste representation in the government, but do not permit members of one caste to rise beyond the limits of the caste into which they were born. These cultures often have a difficult time understanding why the Federation would reject them. These notions are covered in great detail in the Federation Constitution.
Rule of the Council
The Council is the Federation's legislative branch and as a result has the greatest impact on the daily lives of Federation citizens. Each member world sends a contingent of up to five representatives, formally known as "Councilors", to sit on the Council. Each world receives a single vote, regardless of how many representatives it sends, and the leader of each delegation— the individual who actually casts the vote—is that world's ambassador. Some worlds intentionally send three or five representatives to the Council, so each representative can weigh the issues, then vote on how to vote. The final vote represents a poll of the representatives, with the majority opinion holding sway. Other governments send only one ambassador with no fellow councilors and no staff. Still others maintain large offices in the buildings surrounding Federation Hall, from which hourly communications between delegation and homeworld dictate how the ambassador votes.
Voice of the Council
Every three years, the Council votes on a new speaker (though there is no restriction on the number of consecutive terms an individual may hold). The Speaker of the Federation Council has no legislative power, instead wielding considerable organizational power. First among equals, the speaker schedules debates, decides when a representative has spoken for his allotted time, and delays debates for given allotments of time. In most cases, the speaker's decisions can be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote by the Council. This prevents the Speaker from abusing his power. It is possible for a Speaker to be removed from office after a vote of no confidence is called.
Powers of the Federation Council
The Council is the primary governing body of the Federation, with broad and sweeping powers. These powers can be expanded only by amending the Constitution, an arduous and lengthy process that prevents the Council from suddenly overstepping its bounds. The Council's responsibilities can be divided into several broad categories:
• PASS LEGISLATION: Any citizen may propose a law. This usually occurs at the planetary level, where the local legislative body debates the merit of the bill. If the planetary government considers the bill worthy, the planet's ambassador makes a formal proposition in Council. The President usually creates a subcommittee to evaluate the pros and cons of the law. The subcommittee researches the subject and presents its report to the Council, and the Council formally votes. As with most acts of the Council, a two-thirds majority is required for a bill to become a law. Legislation passed by the Council affects the entire Federation. Laws addressing a single planet's needs must be passed in that society's own legislative body.
• ELECT THE PRESIDENT: Every six years the Council elects a new President, by secret ballot, from among its ranks. Each President may serve only one term. Only members of the Council may vote, and only for another Council member. Any voting member can be nominated for the position, with no limit on the number of nominees possible. Voting takes place in a series of rounds, with each round eliminating roughly half of the nominees, until finally only two remain in the final round.
• RESOURCE ALLOCATION: Each year the Council receives an annual report from the Economics Council, detailing exactly what resources the Federation has available. The Federation Council then spends roughly one month working on the next yearly budget. Because the Federation's operation is neatly divided—between the various permanent subcommittees of the Council, Starfleet, and the Secretariat—into about 100 different departments, the process of determining which department gets how many resources is far less complex than might be expected.
• OVERSIGHT AND FACT-FINDING: Of the many other functions of the Council, only two more bear mentioning here. The Presidential Oversight Subcommittee monitors the professional activities of the President, ensuring he does not abuse his power. Activity on this committee is low, as most Federation Presidents have been entirely trustworthy men and women with the support of the Council behind them. No Federation President has ever been impeached. Many important agencies—such as Starfleet Intelligence and the Economics Council—have permanent oversight subcommittees on the Council as well, reviewing their performance to prevent abuse of power.
Lastly, the Council forms and dispatches hundreds of fact-finding committees throughout the year to worlds, colonies, outposts, stations, ships, and anywhere else something significant to a Council vote takes place. Each fact-finding committee reports directly to the Council.
Life in the Federation
For the majority of Federation citizens, the local planetary government has a greater impact on people's daily lives than the Council. While the Federation Council oversees the legislative agenda for the entire Federation, governance of individual worlds remains with local officials. For instance, on Andoria the Council of Clans regulates planetary trade, establishes food and drug safety regulations, enacts local laws and ordinances, and allocates resources to various committees, bureaucracies, and groups. If a visitor inadvertently insulted an Andorian and he demands retribution (in the traditional Andorian fashion—a duel), the visitor would appeal to the Council of Clans for immunity. Appeal to the Federation Council is possible, but in almost all instances it would defer to the local planetary authority. Of course, you could accept the duel! Unless local laws violate the Federation Constitution, the Council is reluctant to interfere.
Traveling in the Federation
One of the great benefits of Federation membership is free and unrestricted travel throughout all the UFP's member worlds.
If a Vulcan scientist wanted to journey from Vulcan to Andoria, he would have several options. He could usually charter passage on a Vulcan Science Academy vessel, if he worked for the Vulcan Science Academy, for instance. Alternatively, he could use one of the many Federation vessels that frequently travel from one world to another. The Federation Bureau of Tourism and Trade would sponsor his journey in this case. This vessel could be any one of a wide variety of ships—traders, science vessels, dedicated tourism ships. Very rarely, a Starfleet vessel might be made available, although in these cases there must be special circumstances.
While unlimited travel is a legal right of every Federation citizen, the Federation monitors visa applications and immigration. Some planets, such as Risa and some worlds in the Rigel system, carefully monitor the influx of tourists over the course of the year to prevent overloading their civilian infrastructure. A world can accommodate only so many visitors before strains on the public and private sector become too great.
Local planetary authorities supervise permanent immigration to their worlds, and some restrictions may apply (usually based on population density, environmental impact, and infrastructure capacity). Earth, to use a popular example, simply couldn't accommodate the sheer volume of citizens who would move there if they could. Some planets, such as those along the frontier, are less attractive as tourist destinations due to the unique problems these planets face.
The Federation Economy
The economy of the future is vastly different from that of previous centuries. The Federation meets the basic needs of the majority of its citizens, and few want for anything. Homelessness and starvation are horrors of the past. Greed is only a memory.
In earlier ages people worked for monetary gain, using the money they earned to buy goods and services. Disparate incomes led to a wide gap between what were called the "haves" and the "have-nots," with money (and greed) skewing the allocation of even the most basic resources. Each citizen of the Federation receives goods each according to his needs and is encouraged to provide for the Federation each according to his abilities. Traders ply the trade routes, selling wares from across the galaxy. Colonies produce the raw materials and agricultural goods the Federation needs. Merchants throughout the Federation—from Vulcan shopkeepers to Terran restaurateurs—provide their unique services to the general public. People are productive for productivity's sake, not because they are paid.
To handle interstellar trade, the Federation Constitution established the credit as the unit of exchange within the UFP, to determine the relative value of planetary economies and as a means of trading with other, non-Federation cultures. Most often, inside the Federation the credit simplifies the equation of the value of, for example, grain produced on Alpha Centauri and dilithium it imports. In this way, the credit serves as a stable unit of measure, allowing resources to move between worlds efficiently. Credits normally have a value tied to the local currency, set by the Federation Council. For example, on Vulcan the credit is worth 100 Vulcan rials.
Though intended for interstellar trade, there are times when Federation citizens require currency, and the credit fills that void. Although society provides for many basic needs, such as housing, food, and clothing, sometimes individuals want to acquire a memento of their visit to Risa, buy a tribble, or sample some of the local cuisine. Often, local proprietors expect payment for their work, particularly on non-Federation worlds. Although many worlds still use some form of local or regional currency—either out of tradition or because they have recently joined the UFP—some have abandoned coinage entirely in favor of the credit.
Federation computers keep track of credits electronically, making fraud and counterfeiting extremely difficult on anything but the most limited basis. Most starfaring races inside the Federation recognize the credit as the most stable and viable form of exchange in the quadrant. In this vein, the credit sees its widest use along the frontier and on worlds outside the Federation sphere of influence and tends to be more popular among reputable traders.
The Constitution of the United Federation of Planets
When the leaders of the live founding worlds met on Epsilon Eridani in 2161, they set about drafting a series of articles to define the structure of their new Federation. These articles, once ratified, became the Constitution of the UFP.
The Constitution both establishes the power and function of the government and guarantees the rights of the individual, as well as those of each member world. The entire governmental structure of the Federation is diagrammed in this document. There are twenty-seven original Articles:
• ARTICLES ONE AND TWO: Set forth the basic goals o! the Federation: to establish a coalition of worlds each relying upon the other to further the peace, prosperity, and continued expansion of knowledge of the whole.
• ARTICLE THREE: Establishes the rights of the individual. As the Constitution explains, these rights do not come from the Constitution, they come from the simple fact of individual existence. These rights cannot be given or taken away, but they can be oppressed or violated. The third article exists to ensure the Federation does not have the right to take its citizen's rights away. Article Three is similar in many ways to the United States of America's Bill of Rights.
• ARTICLE FOUR: Ensures the right of each world to govern itself. The greatest fear of many non-Federation cultures is that joining the Federation means giving up the culture's current sovereignty over itself, submitting, in essence, to the government of a foreign power. While a certain degree of this is, by nature, necessary, the Federation goes to great lengths to minimize this at all times. If a world meets the eligibility requirements and agrees with the principles of the Constitution, it is free to employ any form of government it wants. Arguably, some forms of government are better suited to the principles of the Federation than others; so far no member worlds employ autocratic dictatorships, and most worlds use some form of democratic representation. Some planets, after analyzing the Federation Constitution, adopt it as their own governmental form.
• ARTICLE FIVE: Permits all member worlds to petition the Federation Council for arbitration in matters of dispute. These must occur between member worlds; internal legal matters must be resolved by the governing world's own judiciary system. The Federation Council only makes recommendations; it has no judiciary power over the member worlds. If either party in a dispute rejects the recommendations of the Council, it may appeal to the Federation Judiciary Board. Appeals to the Board may ultimately result in review by the Federation Supreme Court, the ultimate judiciary authority in the Federation.
• ARTICLES SIX THROUGH FIFTEEN: Describe the function and power of the Federation Council and its legislative powers. These ten articles form the meat of the Constitution, setting forth voting powers of council members and establishing the different permanent cabinets. Article Thirteen, for example, establishes Earth as the seat of Federation government.
• ARTICLES SIXTEEN THROOGH NINETEEN: Establish the office of President of the Federation, as well as his bureaucratic under cabinet, the Secretariat. The President serves as chief diplomat, establishes foreign policy, and functions as commander-in-chief of Starfleet. This necessarily requires thousands of man-hours of work every day. The offices of the Secretariat perform this work, reporting directly to the President.
• ARTICLE TWENTY: Establishes Starfleet as the Federation's defense force and exploration fleet. This article names San Francisco as Starfleet Headquarters and establishes a subcabinet of fleet admirals to serve as Starfleet Command, reporting directly to the President.
• ARTICLES TWENTY-ONE THROUGH TWENTY THREE: Set forth the powers of the judiciary branch. Article Twenty-two, for instance, establishes the Federation Supreme Court as ultimate legal authority.
• ARTICLES TWENTY FOUR AND TWENTY FIVE: Set forth the rules for membership in the Federation, as detailed above.
• ARTICLE TWENTY SIX: Delineates the process by which a member world or some subgroup of its population can establish a colony. The Colonial Rights article, as it is known, explains in great detail the limited authority the Federation has over its colonies and the aid to which colonies have a right. It also states that colonies must undergo the same rigorous review period and criteria established in the previous two articles if they wish to become full members.
• ARTICLE TWENTY-SEVEN: Explains the processes necessary to amend the Constitution. It explicitly forbids any alteration of Articles Three and Four.
