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The Path to 2409 is a multi-media extended timeline detailing the history of the Star Trek universe starting in 2379, just after the events of Star Trek Nemesis, running through to the 2409 setting of the video game Star Trek Online .

Overview[]

The Path began as a series of web pages on the Star Trek Online website launching with 2379/2380 in August 2008. Each subsequent page detailed the events of one year, with roughly monthly releases taking the timeline up to 2392 by September of 2009. Updates then halted until March 2010 when the entire 2379-2408 timeline was published in a shorter summary format in the STO tie-in novel The Needs of the Many. March also marked the start of The Path being published in the Star Trek Magazine; several years in summary format (slightly longer than the novel edition) were published together per issue, with accompanying illustrations. So far three parts of this edition have been published taking the timeline as far as 2395. On May 2010 full length updates had begun to be published once again on the STO website, with the years 2393-2409 all published in May and early-June. in December 2011 the website was taken down and The Path story was broken down into twenty-nine volumes of accolades that can be collected and earned in the game.

The timeline begins describing many events inspired by Pocket Books Star Trek novels, however the chronological placements are often adjusted and details have been changed. The timeline did not incorporate events from more recent entries into the prose continuity, such as the Star Trek: Destiny trilogy and related publications, it does however incorporate ideas from the Star Trek: Countdown comic series. The timeline has progressed away from the era any novels are set in more original ideas have been added, with the story eventually leading up to a state of war between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire at the time the game will be set. The timeline of The Path to 2409 and other STO tie-ins has been confirmed as an alternate timeline to the First Splinter timeline of prose continuity, as described in the STO novel: The Needs of the Many.

It should be noted that many storyline details in the game, various points from the original Path to 2409 pages and even The Needs of the Many have been revised, including details regarding characters from Star Trek Picard and Star Trek: Lower Decks, and others. The most accurate source of lore for the game is located in the game itself as part of a detailed historical account of history from 2380 onwards.

Summary[]

2379-2380[]

Romulan space is in political disarray with factions led by Donatra and Tal'Aura at odds and the Remans demanding increased freedoms and rights.

In Federation space the USS Enterprise-E is repaired and relaunched on its mission of exploration, while half the crew is reassigned in the months long refit, including those who now serve on the USS Titan.

The Female Changeling is put on trial and detained at the maximum security facility on Ananke Alpha for her crimes in the Dominion War. And Ro Laren is also tried for defecting to the Maquis a decade earlier and is sent for rehabilitation on Earth.

On Cardassia Keiko O'Brien leads the agricultural Andak project, which is opposed by xenophobic groups such as the True Way and Gul Macet's conservative bloc but supported by the likes of Elim Garak. Memory Alpha predicts that without more similar projects the Cardassian Union could fall in three years.

2381[]

In Romulan space Tal'Aura struggles to maintain control of the Empire. Reman ships continually skirmish with Romulan forces leading to forces under the command of Tomalak forming a blockade. With the Empire's military might subsequently stretched thin Donatra rallies military forces loyal to her to conquer several agricultural worlds and form a new break-away state, the Imperial Romulan State, in opposition to the Star Empire under the leadership of Tal'Aura.

Elsewhere, Bajor leads a coalition of worlds demanding Cardassian officials stand trial for war crimes in the occupation of Bajor and Dominion War.

With an increase in Borg activity it is feared a new Borg Queen might have been created and Jean-Luc Picard is appointed to lead the defense against any new attack. He calls on Seven of Nine to research technology brought back by the USS Voyager to give the Federation an advantage. Starfleet also continues its efforts in exploration though, with the launch of the USS Stargazer-A, a member of a new class of starship designed for research and exploration.

2382[]

Tensions continue to rise between the Romulan Star Empire and Imperial State. Tal'Aura reluctantly accepts Federation aid after Donatra's control over key agricultural worlds stretches the Star Empire's resources. Meanwhile Tal'Aura reforms the Romulan political system to give her direct control over the make-up of the senate, irritating traditional Romulan noble families who lose some of their previous status.

The Romulan situation also spurs Spock and the unificationists to take the opportunity to assert their power and push for representation in the new senate and recognition and support of the movement by the Federation. While at the edges of Romulan space the Klingons take advantage of the weakened state and reclaim a number of disputed worlds, including Khitomer.

In the Federation Admiral Owen Paris of Starfleet Research and Development orders The Doctor's mobile emitter be taken for study, a decision which is contested by The Doctor.

And in the vicinity of Bajor tensions rise when several hundred Cardassians Bajor hoped to pursue for war crimes vanish, prompting Bajor to accuse Cardassia of putting them into hiding.

Finally, Ro Laren completes her time in Federation custody and returns to Bajor where she assumes the role of chief of security on Deep Space 9.

2383[]

2383 sees the state of Romulan space continue to crumble as the Star Empire and Imperial State persist in fighting among themselves. Next door relations between the Federation and Klingon Empire also suffer as both sides react badly to the consequences of the Klingons taking control of Khitomer.

Meanwhile in the Cardassian Union the unearthing of new Hebitian findings spurs the Oralians into more public displays of their faith.

Back in the Federation, members of the Soong Foundation begin work on producing new mobile holographic emitters while the Federation's lawyers continue to debate the rights of The Doctor to retain the use of his own.

2384[]

As Romulan space continues on the path to civil war Tal'Aura replaces Tomalak with Sela as her proconsul following a defeat by the Imperial Romulan State. With the Star Empire unable to support itself Tal'Aura reluctantly agrees to open negotiations between the two Romulans states, but is assassinated shortly after.

Outside of Romulan space the Klingons close down diplomatic relations with the Gorn following an attack (apparently unsanctioned) by a Gorn ship on the IKS Quv.

In the Federation there is celebration as Bajor re-starts on a fast-track admission to the Federation.

B-4 is transferred to the custody of the Soong Foundation who hope to restore him to full functionality.

And on Koralis III, Odo, now serving as the Great Link's ambassador to the solids, meets with Laas to invite him back to the Great Link. Laas refuses, wishing to continue his search for changelings in the Alpha and Beta Quadrant.

2385[]

In part of a Starfleet reassessment of resources the Enterprise is reassigned to exploration missions and undergoes an extensive refit. At the request of the Federation President Captain Picard resigns from Starfleet to take up an ambassadorial position on Vulcan. Doctor Crusher accepts command of the USS Pasteur. Geordi La Forge works with the Soong Foundation to unlock the "Data matrix" in B-4, allowing Data to be restored by asserting his persona over B-4's. Worf leaves Starfleet again to make use of his diplomatic skills once more on Qo'noS in light of the increasing tensions between the Klingon Empire and the Federation.

Elsewhere in Starfleet, much to the dismay of Annika Hansen, Starfleet Command decides to dismantle its Borg Task Force, believing the Borg threat to be minimal following the blow dealt to them by the USS Voyager on her way home.

In Romulan space years of near civil war are brought to an uneasy end with an agreement that folds the worlds of the recently founded Imperial Romulan State back into the Romulan Star Empire. Senator Chulan is chosen as the new Praetor but much of the power in the Empire sits with Donatra who maintains control of the military and extends a hand of friendship to the Remans, offering them full citizenship and representation in the senate. While both sides accept the new peace many Romulans continue to treat the Remans as second class citizens.

In this year, Seven of Nine gave an interview. The topics of this discussion ranged from her still present implants to the fact the Borg were still a threat which had not been encountered since the USS Voyager's return.

Interview with Annika Hansen[]

In this year an interview was conducted with Annika Hansen. Hansen conveyed her general disdain at Starfleet policy towards the Borg, citing the dismantling of the Borg Task Force as her reason for resigning from Starfleet service and moving to the Daystrom Institute to try and further the development of Borg defenses.

2386[]

In the Romulan Star Empire an investigation by the Romulan Mining Guild concludes that the continued over-taxation of Remus could result in a Praxis-like end to the planet and suggest Romulan mining effects spread to further reaches of the Empire. This suggestion puts the Guild at odds with the Remans, with vessels of both sides occasionally clashing for control of more distant mining worlds.

The Remans also continue to fight for greater rights, requesting a continent to live on Romulus. That request is rejected, and instead the Remans are offered the planet Crateris, the site of a failed Romulan colony, but a vast improvement over Remus.

Meanwhile Rehaek of the Tal Shiar concludes his investigation into the assassination of Tal'Aura, finding she was killed by a coalition of noble houses who had been enraged by her reformation of the Senate. This report sparks a feud between Rehaek and Sela, eventually leading to attack on Rehaek's home, killing him and his family. Sela is sentenced to death, but Donatra steps in to arrange for Sela to be exiled rather than killed.

Later in the year Admiral Taris takes her ship to Levaeri V to investigate claims that the "Sword of the Raptor Star", a revered artifact from the time of the Sundering, had been discovered.

Outside of Romulan space relations between the Klingons and Gorn continue to degrade. Following the death of the Gorn King his successor, Slathis, acts to reinforce the borders with the Klingon Empire, resulting in an escalation of forces on both sides of the border, and eventually a successful attack by the Klingons on Gila IV.

Away from the field of battle Worf marries his new partner Grilka, with many of his old Starfleet comrades in attendance.

In Starfleet, the refit of the USS Enterprise is completed, with command awarded to Data, and Starfleet introduces a new uniform design.

Meanwhile on Ferenginar protests rage for two days after Rom introduces free schooling using tax revenues. The protests are brought to an end when Rom introduces a scheme requiring a permit to protest, using the funding from said permits to fund the new education system.

In neighboring Cardassian space a new agreement is reached between the Union and the Federation to disband Cardassia's military, instead allowing Starfleet to maintain security and concentrate resources in rebuilding Cardassia. The new agreement prompts the Bajoran coalition to drop its call to charge Cardassians for war crimes in recent conflicts.

Finally, on behalf of the Founders, Odo meets with Lamat'Ukan, the leader of the Jem'Hadar in the Alpha Quadrant, to request they return to the Gamma Quadrant. Lamat'Ukan rejects Odo as a false god, and refuses to return with him.

Account of the attack on Gila IV[]

In this year an interview was conducted with former Starfleet officer David Steiner following the attack on Gila IV. Steinier had retired from Starfleet following the Dominion War and made a new life as a freighter pilot. With the recent increased tensions between the Gorn and Klingons, the Gorn had been stockpiling materials and equipment in preparation for war, and Steiner had traveled to Gila to sell them some verterium cortenide. There he found himself stuck in the middle of a war zone when the Klingons launched their attack.

Steiner deferred to his Starfleet training and volunteered to help with evacuation. After his third run his ship was shot down, crash-landing in the desert. With few supplies left, he and the evacuees were forced to walk to the nearest, by then Klingon-occupied settlement. There the Gorn were held in custody while Steiner, as a Federation citizen, was free to leave.

2387[]

On Stardate 64163.8 Hassan the Undying assassinates top Orion Syndicate boss Raimus. Raimus's death allows Hassan's employer, Melani D'ian, to take over Raimus's Syndicate operations. Starfleet Intelligence estimates that Melani D'ian subsequently controls more than thirty percent of the Syndicate's operations, which might provoke other Syndicate bosses to act against her before she expands her powerbase further. D'ian is also notably the first Orion in twenty years to gain a top spot in the Syndicate's leadership, leading to speculation that the Orions may be returning as an interstellar power.

On Ferenginar, Grand Nagus Rom presents a bill to the Economic Congress of Ferengi Advisers that would formally ally the Ferengi with the Federation. The bill fails to pass due to bribes being paid to vote against it.

Starfleet sends a fleet to Cardassia to assist the Cardassians in the dismantling of their military and establish Starfleet's role as Cardassia's protectors. The new arrangement is soon tested when Alpha Jem'Hadar take control of Devos II and established a ketracel-white production facility. Starfleet sends the Stargazer-A to Devos but chooses not to act against the Jem'Hadar so long as they make no further aggressive moves.

On Stardate 64317.6, Klingon long range sensors pick up a small Romulan fleet led by Sela passing the Beta Stromgrem supernova remnant out into unexplored space.

On Stardate 64333.4, a Romulan Mining Guild ship observes massive fluctuations on the star Hobus. Days later, Ambassador Spock appears before the Romulan Senate to warn them about the dangers of the star and its impending supernova. He asks the Senate to work with the Vulcans to find a solution to stop what he believes could be the start of a chain reaction leading to the destruction of Romulus when the star goes nova. The Senate refuses his proposal.

After the Senate session Colonel Xiomek invites Donatra to visit the Reman colony on Crateris. After meetings at the colony, in which they discuss rogue elements in the empire, Donatra and Xiomek return to Romulus, but report unusual stellar activity, and a disturbance equivalent to a force seven ion storm en route. Contact with the Valdore is lost. Romulus dispatches four D'deridex-class warbirds to search for the Valdore.

Meanwhile Spock returns to Vulcan, where he meets with Ambassador Jean-Luc Picard. The two appeal to the Vulcan Science Academy to assist the Romulans with the Hobus crisis, but the Vulcans refuse to help. The two former Starfleet officers decide to take things into their own hands and ask Geordi La Forge to bring the recently launched experimental starship Jellyfish to Vulcan so that Spock can use it to deliver red matter to the Hobus star to create a black hole to negate its effects.

On Romulus the Senate finally authorizes an evacuation order, and ships are recalled to help ferry Romulus residents off-world. The military estimates it will take six weeks to evacuate the planet, and a mere twenty-seven hours later, the Hobus star goes supernova. The resulting chain reaction destroys Romulus and Remus and billions of Romulans are killed.

Starfleet immediately orders all available ships to cross the Neutral Zone and assist the Romulans. Several of these ships are attacked by Nero, in command of a heavily modified mining vessel, the Narada. Additional cruisers are subsequently diverted to escort relief vessels in Romulan space.

After Nero expands his attacks to Klingon ships, Chancellor Martok orders a fleet to enter Romulan space. He appoints his friend Worf as one of the mission's commanders, making him a General for the mission.

On Stardate 64471.6 the USS Enterprise-E observes the Hobus supernova being contained by a limited singularity, ending the threat to the quadrant. Starfleet believes that both the Jellyfish and the Narada were also lost to the singularity.

Interview with Suran[]

In this year an interview was conducted with Suran, former commander of the warbird IRW Soterus and now a farmer on Talvath, which following the Hobus incident petitioned for Federation protection. Suran talked to the interviewer about his former associate Donatra, and those related to her; the former Praetor Tal'Aura, and how the death of Braeg fired a passion in Donatra that probably resulted in her rise to Empress. Even though Donatra is missing and presumed dead due to the effects of the Hobus supernova Suran believes she lives on.

2388[]

Following the destruction of Romulus the Star Empire is in disarray, the Senate destroyed and Donatra missing. The leadership council of Rator III declares itself the new Senate, and Rator III the new capital, but is quickly challenged by similar claims from the leaders of Achenar Prime and Abraxas V. One possible leader for the people, Admiral Taris, decides to concentrate her efforts on evaluating what remains of the Romulan military, recalling all Romulan ships to Romulan space.

While the Romulan politicians fight among themselves the Federation does its best to supply aid to refugees and survivors, but finds itself faced with variable responses from Romulan colony worlds; with some welcoming the aid while others only suspect the Federation of trickery or warfare. The Federation finds the balance particularly hard to keep in respect to the worlds vying for power over the Empire, treading carefully so not to give any preferential treatment.

The Federation's allies also assist in the relief effort, even Cardassia, which is still struggling with its own rebuilding. The Klingons however refuse, with Martok declaring: "The Klingons will offer no treaty, no aid, and no hand that is not holding a blade".

Within the Empire there are accusations the fleet led by Worf to try and stop Nero may have been sabotaged by Worf, working for the Federation, to try and weaken the Empire. Martok rejects the claims and issues a standing challenge to anyone who dares insult the honor of a member of the House of Martok. Relations between the Klingons and Federation do however remain tense, at their weakest since the Klingons withdrew from the Khitomer Accords in 2372.

In contrast relations between the Klingons and Orions strengthen as the two races consider a treaty; a delegation of Orions led by Melani D'ian opens talks with the Klingons and the Breen seeking assistance, having noted their homeworld in the Rigel system has suffered severe natural resource depletion and the Starfleet crackdown on Syndicate operations is hindering their people. Melani offers the possibility of Orion support and access to ancient Orion knowledge and treasures, but does not commit to either side until they make offers in return.

Meanwhile, on Qo'noS Worf recuperates from his injuries and fulfils his duties as Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire. On Stardate 65548.43, he witnesses the birth of his second son, K'Dhan.

On Stardate 65776.64, the Federation News Network reports that the Vulcan Science Academy knew of the threat of the Hobus supernova, but refused to assist the Romulans in preventing the destruction of Romulus. The news causes an immediate outcry, with the Vulcans condemned by politicians and analysts and seventeen independent planets, plus the Federation members Pacifica and Zaran II, recalling their ambassadors to Vulcan.

Two days later the Federation Council votes to open an investigation into the Vulcans' refusal to help, and the implications of the Academy's work with red matter. President Bacco makes a public appeal for member worlds to remain calm and not to ostracize the Vulcans: "In this time of strife we need to remain united. Assigning blame does not heal the injured, soothe the stricken or comfort the grieving."

2389[]

Infighting continues among the leaders of the Romulan colony worlds. While basic needs are being met and Starfleet is delivering supplies and replicators to every world that will accept their help, the Romulans lack a stable government and the chain of command of the military is chaotic.

Throughout the course of 2389, five Romulans try to seize the emperor's throne, more than two dozen people declare themselves praetor, and at least a dozen more claim the role of supreme commander of the Romulan fleet. Most of these erstwhile leaders fall prey to quick assassinations. A fortunate few are simply ignored.

Federation analysts agree that the Romulan empire will remain in turmoil until there is a leader who is able to command the allegiance of the majority of the colony worlds. Federation diplomatic teams attempt to organize a conference where representatives from each of the colony worlds can take the first steps to establishing a new government and choosing leaders, but the Romulans cannot even agree on where the meeting should be held and the plan collapses.

The Klingon Empire takes advantage of the confusion with lightning strikes into Romulan space. The empire takes control of the Tranome Sar and Nequencia systems in a matter of days, and is poised to strike deeper into Romulan territory. The Klingons temporarily halt their advance when Starfleet sends a fleet to protect the Romulan/Klingon border, but tensions remain high and there are reports of minor skirmishes between Federation and Klingon starships.

The campaign to conquer Romulan space is not the only military conflict the Klingon Empire is engaged in during 2389. Their conflict with the Gorn, which had quieted after the battle for Gila IV, erupts again when the two powers struggle for control of the Gamma Orionis system. The Gorn take the advantage when King Slathis negotiates with the Nausicaans, who agree to contribute ships and weapons to the Gorn war efforts in exchange for rights to several asteroid belts and a substantial payment. The Klingons refuse to give up the fight for Gamma Orionis, winning several battles even when outnumbered, and Starfleet Intelligence reports that there are no signs that the conflict will end anytime soon.

In addition, internal strife divides the Klingon noble houses. On Stardate 66091.53, Aakan of the House of Mo'kai slays K'das, son of B'vat. The death reignites a century-long blood feud between the two houses, and B'vat throws all his efforts into hunting down every member of the House of Mo'kai. Allies of both of the noble families enter into the fight, but in the end, Aakan is the last of his house. After Aakan flees Qo'noS, he is run to ground by agents of the House of B'vat, who corner him on H'atoria on Stardate 66306.71. Two days later, B'vat defeats Aakan in ritual combat, and Chancellor Martok formally dissolves the House of Mo'kai.

The Cardassians take a major step toward self-sufficiency when they vote to replace the Reconstruction Committee with democratically-elected leaders. In the weeks leading up to the election, two groups dominate the debate: a civilian coalition with Elim Garak as a prominent member, and a hardliner group calling for the Cardassians to withdraw from the Federation-Cardassian Treaty of 2386 and reestablish the military.

Garak's coalition wins a narrow victory, and in its first act reforms the Detapa Council as a representative body. The council faces its first controversy when it votes to send six ships as a token force to assist the Federation's recovery efforts in Romulan space. Popular opinion is against the decision, and polls show that most Cardassians feel that they should reserve their resources. The Federation Council's decision to cut funding for Cardassian reconstruction by 30 percent makes aid to the Romulans even less popular, and support for the council plummets.

Speaking to reporters from the shattered remains of the University of Culat, Elim Garak defended the Detapa Council's actions. "We've seen what suspicion and backroom deals have brought us," Garak said. "We know what happens when we turn our backs on the rest of the galaxy and just worry about what happens on our own street, in our own city, on our own planet. Maybe it's time to try something different."

One of the first industries to be restarted in Cardassian space is mining. A former member of the military, Gul Madred, acquires the rights to several-mineral rich planetoids and begins building a large mining operation in the Septimus system.

Federation President Nanietta Bacco focuses for much of 2389 on smoothing relations between Vulcan and the other worlds of the Federation. She and Ambassador Jean-Luc Picard do much to soothe the wounds caused by the revelation that the Vulcans may have known about the Hobus supernova.

On Stardate 66839.72, the Federation Council announces the results into an investigation of the Hobus supernova and the Vulcan Science Academy's research into red matter manipulation. The council decides that the Vulcans may not have realized the full extent of the threat of the Hobus supernova, as the scope of the explosion was greater and more violent than any supernova previously recorded. In addition, the chain reaction of the detonation could not have been predicted, and the council recommends that the matter be subjected to further scientific study.

However, the council criticizes the Vulcan Science Academy for creating red matter without consulting or informing Federation authorities. In a speech before the Federation Council, Councilor T'Los of Vulcan expresses regret if any of the actions or inactions of her people have caused harm to the Federation. She announces that all of the academy's red matter was on board the Jellyfish when it disappeared, and that the Vulcan Science Academy has pledged to do no further red matter manipulation research without the full knowledge and cooperation of the Federation Science Council. To the Romulans, she directs a single statement: "We grieve with thee."

At the end of her address, T'Los says that it is only logical to change who speaks for Vulcan, as the past year has made it clear that she has been inadequate to the task. She resigns from the Federation Council and returns home.

In the courts, the case of the photonic lifeform known as The Doctor makes a small advancement after years of being stalled in hearings and appeals. On Stardate 66954.79, a Federation judge rules that the lawsuit may be expanded into a class-action suit encompassing all sentient artificial lifeforms in the Federation. "This is about more than one being and a mobile emitter," says Alyssa Cogley-Shaw, a lawyer for the Soong Foundation. "This is about basic rights."

Cogley-Shaw says that while the expansion of the lawsuit may mean that it will remain tangled in the courts for years to come, its ultimate resolution may mean an end to the forced servitude of more than 600 EMH Mark I holograms. And, as Starfleet re-equips more of its starships with holoprojectors to expand the usefulness of photonic "tools" such as the Emergency Command and Emergency Medical Holograms, someday those lifeforms may be considered Starfleet officers with all of the rights and privileges of their rank.

2390[]

Raids on civilian ships and settlements along the borders of the Klingon Empire and Gorn Hegemony rise dramatically and Starfleet identifies at least eight places near the borders where the Nausicaans are constructing bases hidden in asteroid belts or nebulae.

Starfleet Command does not consider these bases to be a major threat, but the Federation Transport Union, which represents a large number of civilian freighter captains, is demanding that Starfleet increase its patrols in the border regions and offer additional protections for civilian shipping traffic.

This puts Starfleet in a position of having to balance the need for defense with the Federation's deteriorating relationship with the Klingon Empire. More starships on the border will be seen as a hostile act by the hardliners on the Klingon High Council, and tensions are already high because of the ships that Starfleet is using to reinforce the Romulan border with the Klingon Empire.

The debate on what to do rages for much of the year, and the few Starfleet vessels that are assigned to the region are stretched thin and struggling to deal with the swift raider attacks. By the time a starship can respond to a distress signal, it is often too late to catch the Nausicaan ships.

The best-case scenario for the Federation, analysts agree, is if the Klingon and Gorn find a peaceful solution before the conflict has a chance to engulf nearby worlds. To this end, the Federation offers to mediate talks between the Gorn and the Klingons at a neutral location. Neither party is overeager to accept "human" meddling in a personal dispute and preliminary talks to hash out the details of the peace conference drag on for weeks. The process comes to an abrupt halt when Chancellor Martok announces that the Klingons will not participate unless Starfleet withdraws all of its ships from the Romulan-Klingon border.

While the campaigns against the Romulans and the Gorn are both extremely popular on Qo'noS, projections by the Klingon Defense Force show that the Empire's resources are being stretched thin by a two-front war. The KDF recommends a rapid increase in ship production, eliminating some of the blocks to non-commissioned soldiers rising to the rank of officer and possibly scaling back the Romulan war in the short term, because the disorganized, displaced Romulans are not an immediate threat. Ultimately, the Klingons decide to slow their advance into Romulan space, but they continue to garrison and defend the territory gained in the 2389 campaign.

The Romulan colony worlds are starting to develop a loose network of alliances and rivalries, but none of the potential Romulan leaders has been able to unify the worlds under one banner. Left to their own devices, some of the worlds are looking to find allies outside the Romulan Star Empire. On Stardate 67620.54, the Romulan colony of Talvath formally requests Federation protection and offers to open talks that could lead to Talvath applying for Federation membership. Some see this as the first step to the dissolution of the Romulan Star Empire.

A bright spot for the Romulans has been Admiral Taris, who has been organizing the remaining ships into a new fleet. In areas with holes in the chains of command, Taris has been approaching each ship captain personally, and outside observers expect her to have the Romulan military fully operational within seven months.

Federation analysts warn that a strong fleet could quickly overwhelm the weak leaders of the colony worlds, and that the Romulans may soon be under military control. For her part, Taris has not publicaly expressed an interest in governing the civilian population, and has ordered the forces under her control to concentrate on relief efforts and defense of the border regions.

On Cardassia, the Detapa Council spends most of the year mustering support for a slate of reform measures designed to expand personal freedoms and promote business development. While the population enjoys its newfound liberty and the Oralian spiritual movement flourishes, many Cardassians are uncertain about this new direction for their world. The council's task is complicated by Gul Madred and his followers, who use the expansions in freedom of speech and assembly to organize rallies promoting a return to the "true" ways of the Cardassian Union.

A task force made up of scientists assigned to the USS Pasteur, commanded by Captain Beverly Crusher, and the Cardassian Ministry of Science announces that it has found a possible cure for Yarmin Fel Syndrome. The compound, synthesized from a rare flower that grows in the most remote areas of Cardassia Prime, cannot be replicated. Because of the limited supply of the drug, it may be several years before the treatment has been fully tested and is ready for public use.

On Earth, the Federation Supreme Court agrees to hear oral arguments from a group of holonovel publishers and programmers who are seeking to block the class-action lawsuit asking for civil rights for holograms. The group hires a retired Starfleet rear admiral, Phillipa Louvois of the Judge Advocate General's office, to lead their case, and she argues that appearing sentient does not automatically mean a hologram is sentient. Unless the holograms can be determined to be intelligent and self aware, the Acts of Cumberland and the Federation Constitution do not offer them full protection.

The Soong Foundation argues that without full holoemitter technology, it cannot bring witnesses to court to speak in their own defense, and that court rules preclude remote testimony in matters such as this. The justices grant the Soong Foundation a delay.

The USS Enterprise-E returns from a survey of the McAllister C-5 Nebula. Captain Data reports that the Enterprise found residual signs of multiple quantum singularities in the area of the nebula that correspond to those used by a Delta Quadrant race known as Species 8472 to cross over from fluidic space. Unfortunately, the properties of the protostellar nebula in which the singularities were found make definitive identification impossible. If these singularities were used by Species 8472, it is the first sign of them near Federation space.

2391[]

Raids by Nausicaan pirates continue to disrupt shipping lines on the edges of Federation space. Angry at what they perceive as a lack of response by Starfleet and the Federation government, the Federation Transport Union recommends that its members refuse any official cargos without adequate protection.

This causes a crisis for the Federation government. With so many Starfleet vessels assigned to Romulan and Cardassian relief efforts, the government has been relying heavily on civilian ships for routine deliveries to Federation worlds and protectorates. But the union's action threatens everything from shipments of replicators to Alpha Centauri to emergency medical supplies destined for Rutia IV.

Federation President Nan Bacco meets personally with the leaders of the transport union, but the union refuses to budge on what it says is an essential safety issue – too many ships and too many crews have been lost to Nausicaan raids. Presidential aides suggest that Starfleet vessels assigned to exploration and science missions could be rerouted to border defense, but many of those ships are in deep space and it could take them months to return.

Starfleet Command reluctantly agrees to pull back from the Klingon-Romulan border and reassign those ships to patrol the shipping routes. Leaders of some of the Romulan colony worlds howl with indignation that the Federation has broken promises of protection, but those voices are silenced after a sharp rebuke from Admiral Taris. "We are Romulan. We fight our own battles. I would rather see Romulans die with pride in their hearts and swords in their hands instead of mewing for protection like scared younglings."

With the Federation withdrawn from the Romulan border, Chancellor Martok agrees to honor his promise to participate in Federation-mediated peace talks with the Gorn. Representatives from the Klingons, Gorn and Nausicaans converge on Deep Space K-7 for the conference, and the Federation sends some of its most celebrated diplomats to facilitate the talks.

Initial progress appears promising, but two days into the conference an explosive device hidden in a serving cart seriously injures Ambassador Zogozin of the Gorn. The Klingon, Gorn and Nausicaan delegations make plans for immediate departure, but are blocked from leaving the station by Starfleet security, which locks down the station during the hunt for Zogozin's attacker.

Two days after the attack, J'dah, a Klingon with ties to extremist groups opposed to Martok's rule, is found dead. Security officers determine that J'dah was killed by a disruptor blast at close range and shoved out an airlock hours after the explosion that injured Zogozin. If J'dah's body had not snagged on a piece of the station, it may have been lost. Forensic evidence proves that J'dah was the person who planted the explosive that injured the Gorn ambassador, but his killer is not found. Journals left behind in J'dah's quarters indicate that his intended target may have been the Federation negotiation team, who all escaped unscathed.

After the attack, talks between the Klingons and Gorn break down. The Klingons push their advance into Gorn territory, and the Gorn, mindful of the need to protect their homeworld, move ships away from their outlying territories. King Slathis approaches the Letheans for additional assistance, but most outside analysts believe that the Gorn do not have the spare resources to hire Lethean mercenaries and still pay the prices commanded by the Nausicaans for their support.

With the withdrawal of Federation ships from the Klingon-Romulan border, hardliners on the Klingon High Council push for a resumption of the stalled Romulan campaign. Martok and his followers urge caution, preferring to concentrate on the Gorn war and building up the Klingon Defense Force to pre-Dominion War levels.

Rebuffed by Martok, Councilor J'mpok gathers ship commanders loyal to his house and the houses of his allies and invades the Zeta Pictoris system. They clash with a Romulan fleet commanded by Admiral Taris, and the Romulans force the Klingons to retreat. Survivors of the battle report the appearance of highly advanced starships on the Romulan side, but their existence cannot be confirmed. Martok orders Klingon Intelligence to look into the reports in more detail, and the ChoS Battle Group is dispatched to investigate.

Federation political analysts say that while the Klingon hardliner's campaign in the Zeta Pictoris system was a failure, J'mpok's point was made: If Martok is unwilling to lead the Klingons into battle there are others who will do so. The High Council begins to divide between those who are loyal to Martok and those who would prefer new leadership.

Taris' victory in the Zeta Pictoris system rallies the Romulans, who have been desperately seeking a sign of their former glory. Rator III is the first to proclaim Taris as the leader of the Romulan Star Empire, quickly followed by Achenar Prime and more than a dozen other worlds. In an address broadcast throughout the empire, Taris says "I am a military commander, and I would prefer to remain so. The seas of politics are rife with submerged hazards and hidden perils, and a wise person does well to avoid them. But my Empire calls and I cannot resist her plea." Taris calls on the leaders of the colony worlds to meet at Rator III to select representatives for a new Romulan Senate and make plans to organize a government and build a new capitol.

A Federation operative inserted into the fleet that departed Romulan space with Sela in 2386 has reported that Sela and her followers have landed on Makar, an M-class planet in the Beta Quadrant with abundant supplies of decalithium and heavy metals. A humanoid race with technology equivalent to Earth's Iron Age inhabited two of Makar's temperate southern continents, but Sela sees the population as an additional natural resource, and within weeks her forces have hundreds of Makarans working in the mines.

The operative also reports that Sela's ship picked up a signal that was similar to the artificial quantum singularities that the Romulans use to power their warp drives, as well as signs of a massive gravitational field. Sela has dispatched two ships to investigate these anomalies.

The Cardassian Detapa Council scores a major victory when it concludes negotiations with Ferengi Grand Nagus Rom for assistance in rebuilding their industrial complexes. Rom will provide the funding to rebuild factories, design houses and replication facilities, as well as returning several valuable jevonite artifacts sacred to followers of the Oralians to the Cardassian Ministry of Culture. In return, Rom receives exclusive trade agreements for Cardassian trade goods once the factories reopen. While Rom is mocked by many Ferengi for his lack of lobes when it comes to business, if the deal succeeds it could be one of the most lucrative arrangements in recent memory.

On Earth, the Federation Supreme Court rules in favor of Phillipa Louvois and the holonovel publishers and programmers she represents, saying that the Acts of Cumberland would not apply to non-sentient holographic or artificial lifeforms. They return the Soong Foundation's class action suit to a lower court to determine what defines sentience in a legal sense. Not content with pursing its agenda in the courts, the Soong Foundation launches a campaign to lobby Federation worlds to add rights for artificial life forms to the Federation Constitution.

Responding to the possibility of Species 8472 appearing in Federation space, Starfleet Command assigns a task force to investigate any possible appearances of the race. A skilled team of scientists, diplomats and security experts will be looking into any signs that the species is in the Alpha Quadrant and formulating possible plans of action. As a start to their research, the team is conducting extensive interviews of the crew of the Enterprise-E, which found the anomalies in the McAllister C-5 Nebula, and former crew members of Voyager, which is the only Starfleet ship known to have definitive contact with the mysterious aliens.

And, citing the success of the extremely diverse crews of the USS Titan and her sister ships, Starfleet assigns a committee to consider expanding the admission standards at Starfleet Academy to provide more opportunities for races that are formally allied with the Federation but are not full member worlds. "Not everyone knows a Starfleet captain and can get a personal recommendation," said spokesperson Marie Durant. "That doesn’t mean they wouldn't be fine officers."

2392[]

News of the race for Federation President dominates news nets for much of the year. President Nan Bacco declines to run again, stating that while she didn't feel right leaving office during the Romulan crisis, "I've been here too long. We need new blood and new ideas." The popular Bacco doesn't endorse a successor, throwing the field open to dozens of potential candidates. Jaed Maz of Trill is frequently mentioned by political commentators, as are Federation Councilors Soron of Vulcan and Kevin Steiner of Terra Nova. Candidates from Bajor, Andoria and Sauria are seen as outside choices.

However, Soron and Charivretha zh'Thane of Andoria never become formal candidates and Steiner abandons his campaign two months before the election after his ties to the Orion Syndicate are exposed by the Federation News Service. The remaining hopefuls engage in a fierce campaign in which top issues are aid to the Cardassians and Romulans, the increasing conflicts with the Klingon Empire and whether Starfleet should be expanded to respond to the increasing threats to Federation citizens. Ultimately, Aennik Okeg of Sauria is elected in a close vote over Jaed Maz, with Bajoran Shad Ona in third place. Okeg, the first Saurian ever to hold the Federation presidency, begins his term by offering Maz and Shad places in his cabinet in an effort to promote unity among supporters of his competitors.

Okeg's first state trip takes him to Cestus III, where the Klingon Empire has agreed to a new round of Federation-moderated talks aimed at ending their war with the Gorn. While the Federation diplomatic team, led by Alexander Roshenko, hopes that a successful cease fire agreement will open the door to expand the summit to deal with Klingon-Federation trade and defense agreements that are set to expire in 2394, it quickly becomes obvious that neither the Klingons nor the Gorn are willing to budge on their demands.

Three weeks into the talks, representatives for the Klingons and Gorn are still haggling over the official agenda for negotiations, and even a personal appeal to Chancellor Martok by Federation Ambassador Worf has failed to speed up the process. The Federation Council meets in emergency session to debate of possible incentives the Federation could offer the Gorn and Klingons, but all peace efforts collapse on Stardate 69259.56 when a Gorn and Nausicaan fleet attacks the Klingon world of Ogat.

Fighting rages around Ogat for more than two weeks before Klingon Defense Forces push the Gorn and Nausicaans out of the system. The Klingons denounce the attack as dishonorable and Martok formally pulls the Empire out of all peace negotiations. Klingon and Gorn ships now attack one another on sight, and when the USS Montana tries to intervene in one skirmish it is heavily damaged by Klingon disruptor fire.

Hardliners on the Klingon High Council, led by J'mpok, demand even more aggressive action against the Gorn, calling for an invasion into the Gorn Hegemony. When Martok councils caution, preferring to keep the Gorn out of Klingon space until a new fleet of warships can be launched, J'mpok denounces him as a "weak old man, hiding in his bed instead of meeting all challengers on the field of battle."

Federation political analysts expect the schism on the High Council to come to a head some time in the next three years, and look with concern at the growing support for J'mpok and his hawk-like agenda. One of the major houses openly supporting J'mpok is the House of Torg, a former ally of the House of Duras. In fact, Torg's adopted heir, Ja'rod, is the son of Lursa, Duras's sister and an open foe of the Federation who was killed attacking the Enterprise-D in 2371.

Ja'rod, who was on Ogat when it was attacked by the Gorn, survives the battle and enters training with the Klingon Defense Force on Stardate 69637.18.

In Cardassia Prime, the Detapa Council enacts a series of reform measures designed to promote population growth and economic stability. Benefits are offered to families with more than one child, and thousands of soldiers displaced when the Cardassian military was disbanded are provided with retraining and placement into Cardassia's burgeoning civilian industries. Many former military officers end up employed by Gul Madred in his mining interests on Septimus.

Madred's mines are operating at such a high capacity that he begins exporting kelindide and uridium through Ferengi brokers. His first major buyer are the Romulans, who are desperate to rebuild ships and expand colonies and need additional resources.

One of the Romulans's construction projects is Rihan, a new capital city being constructed on Rator III. The first building completed is used to house meetings of the Romulan Colonial Organizational Committee, which was formed under the directions of Admiral Taris.

The committee lays some initial groundwork for a new government, but is beset by the in-fighting and factionalization that has plagued the Romulans since the destruction of their homeworld. A group of moderates suggests that the Romulans need a single figure to focus their energies and cites historical records of Romulan rulers. Reminders of Donatra declaring herself empress of a breakaway state trouble some members of the committee, but Admiral Taris indicates that she would support the revival of the monarchy. However, Taris says that any move to crown a ruler must be made by the Romulan people.

2393[]

The rapid rise of a new chancellor for the Klingon High Council has thrown the empire's relations with the Federation and other major powers into doubt. "Whether you loved or hated Martok, he was a known quantity," said Starfleet spokesperson Commander Marie Durant. "We simply don't know enough about J'mpok."

Strained relations between the Federation and the Klingon Empire have made gathering detailed information about the current political situation on Qo'noS difficult. The task is complicated by the fact that one of J'mpok's first acts was to bar the Federation's ambassador from the Great Hall. Ambassador Worf is a member of the House of Martok and was one of Martok's staunchest supporters.

What is known is that tensions had been rising between Martok and J'mpok for some time. J'mpok and his followers on the council accused Martok of being a weak leader and a puppet for Federation interests. They questioned his close ties to Worf, as well has Martok's willingness to negotiate with the Gorn. In return, Martok's supporters accused J'mpok of acting dishonorably and undermining the actions of Martok and the Klingon Defense Force during a time of war.

On Stardate 70437.47, during a debate over whether to send more ships to fight the Gorn, tensions rose to a boiling point. Infuriated by J'mpok’s jibes and threats, Martok expels J'mpok from the High Council and orders his lands and titles seized. The House of J'mpok would be dissolved.

Martok's decree only serves to further divide the council between followers of Martok and J'mpok, and both sides begin preparing for war. Fighting breaks out between the groups in the streets of Qo'noS, and reports of ship crews splitting into factions begin filtering back to Klingon command.

Remembering the damage caused by the civil war after Chancellor K'mpec's death, Martok tells advisers that he is going to try to find a resolution with J'mpok that will end the conflict. On Stardate 70669.86, he orders J'mpok to meet with him at the Great Hall. Martok orders his bodyguards, the Yan-Isleth, to guard the doors and allow no one to disturb them. Two hours later, J'mpok opens the doors of the Council Chamber and announces that Martok is dead, and that he is now Chancellor of the Klingon Empire.

Drex, son of Martok, challenges J'mpok, accusing him of murdering Martok in dishonorable combat. However, Drex is seen by most as callow and unworthy of taking up his father's mantel. B'vat, the Arbiter of Succession, rejects his claim. Undaunted, Drex claims the Right of Vengeance and challenges J'mpok to combat. Drex is severely injured in the ensuing battle, but J'mpok declines to kill him. Other challengers to J'mpok's claim quickly fade away, and his claim to the position of Chancellor is ratified by the High Council.

The regime change in the Klingon Empire is a major cause for concern for the Federation, and President Okeg recalls Ambassador Worf to Earth for consultations. Ultimately, the Federation decides to take a wait-and-see approach, welcoming J'mpok and inviting him to meet with the Federation at his earliest convenience.

J'mpok sends word through an intermediary that while he appreciates Okeg's offer, affairs on the homeworld will keep him occupied for some time.

Happier news for the Federation is the formal admission of Bajor and Tama Prime as full members. The long process of acclimating the planets' economies and populations to life in the Federation begins, although this process is eased somewhat in Bajor's case because of the close ties Bajor has had with the Federation since the end of the Cardassian occupation in 2369.

One notable exception to the conversion is Quark's Bar, Grill, Gaming House, Holosuite Arcade, Gift Shop and Embassy on Deep Space 9. As a formal embassy for the Ferengi Alliance, it's business as usual at Quark's. Being the best place for free trade in the Bajor Sector brings a significant increase in traffic to Quark's, and the owner is said to be in the market for a moon.

In one of their first ventures as Federation citizens, the Children of Tama work with Starfleet to open a new linguistic research facility on El-Adrel IV. "Dathon and Picard, at El-Adrel. Picard, his heart open," said Co-director Meltha at the facility's dedication.

While doing a stellar survey near 2466 PM, the USS Stargazer-A is contacted by an entity claiming to be from the Metron Consortium. If this being's claim was correct, it would be the first contact the Federation has had with the Metrons since 2267. The being agreed to tour the ship, met with Captain Roma Giordano, and said that while the younger races were still unready for contact, they have made progress.

The legal fight for civil rights for artificial lifeform hits a snag over the hologram known as "Moriarty." Alerted to its existence in a Starfleet computer, the Soong Foundation sues to have the program released into its custody. Attorneys for Starfleet argue that Moriarty and his companion are a security risk, and that the program's attempt to take over the USS Enterprise-D in 2369 allows Starfleet to keep it in indefinite custody to protect the public. "That's just imprisonment without a trial," argues Alyssa Cogley-Shaw, lead attorney for the Soong Foundation. "Since when did Starfleet turn into the Obsidian Order?"

The Cardassians take a major step toward self sufficiency when Detapa Council member Natima Lang strikes an agreement with Reman leader General Lorix. Lorix agrees to sell dilithium and heavy metal ores to the Cardassians, which allows them to drastically expand their production of ships and warp drives. By the end of the year, the Cardassians are using Ferengi brokers to sell ships including the Type V Commercial Laboratory throughout the Alpha Quadrant.

The increase in ship production leads to more commercial traffic in and out of the Septimus system, where Gul Madred owns several large mining operations. Claiming that his mines have been attacked by raiders and that the Cardassian Defense Force cannot adequately protect Cardassian citizens, Madred contacts Lamat'Ukan, leader of the Jem'Hadar in the Alpha Quadrant. Lamat'Ukan sends troops to protect Madred's mines over the protests of the Cardassian government, which sees the presence of the Jem'Hadar as a threat. Madred argues that hiring private security to protect his property and employees is his right as a business owner, and that if the Jem'Hadar do not break laws or threaten Cardassian citizens; it is none of the Detapa Council's concern.

In Romulan space, the Romulan Colonial Organization Committee continues the work of forming a new Romulan government. Several legislative sessions are interrupted by arguments between General Taris and General Tebok about what the role of the Romulan military should be.

Tebok sways a portion of the RCOC with his argument that far-flung areas of the Empire, particularly the areas near Klingon space, can and should be sacrificed in the short-term to strengthen the position of what are now the Romulan core worlds, but Taris says that it is their duty to keep fighting for every world. The debate takes up much of the later part of the year for the RCOC, but no decision is reached.

2394[]

Chancellor J'mpok of the Klingon High Council moved to cement his position by launching the negotiations with Melani D'ian of the Orion Syndicate into high gear. "Martok was interested in the secrets she claimed to offer, but he knew that any agreement with the Syndicate would be difficult," said Tag Morkek, a political analyst for the Tellar News Service who specializes in Klingon affairs. "The Emerald Empress is slippery. Melani's idea of 'truth' can change from minute to minute. Still, J'mpok's House is weak. He's going to need support if he wants to stay in power."

Federation informants inside the Klingon Empire said that the House of J'mpok, which was one of the smallest of the Great Houses, was being pressured by the House of Martok and its allies. J'mpok's rapid rise to the Chancellorship improved the House's prospects, but it lacked resources and ships and its lands in the Pheben system were poor. "The only thing keeping the House of Martok from declaring open war is Drex," said one anonymous source. "Once he recovers from his wounds, it's only a matter of time."

On Stardate 71283.12, Melani D'ian met Chancellor J'mpok in person on Ter'jas Mor. After four days of negotiations, the two agreed to sign a non-aggression and mutual defense pact.

In exchange for the Orion Syndicate's allegiance, the Klingon Empire agreed to provide them with ships and weapons. In addition, Melani D'ian further agreed to share technology and information with the Klingons in exchange for a planet in Klingon space that the Orions could rule as a vassal state. "Having access to the Syndicate information network could be a huge advantage for the Empire," said Tag Morkek of the Tellar News Service. "Klingon Intelligence is good, but they're not everywhere like the Syndicate is."

As a gift to celebrate their new alliance, Melani sent 1,500 Orion women to be servants in the Great Houses on Qo'noS. Melani herself settled into an estate on Ter'jas Mor, and the remaining Orions still on the Orion homeworld made plans to emigrate by the end of 2394.

The Federation Council condemned the Klingon's alliance with the Orion syndicate as support for criminals, and Starfleet Command vowed to continue pursuing and shutting down Syndicate operations in Federation space. "There's nothing in the Khitomer Accords that say we need to stand by and let allies of the Klingons sell illegal substances, raid our commercial transports and traffic in restricted technology," said a spokesperson.

In fact, reviews of Starfleet reports showed that Syndicate traffic increased significantly after Melani D'ian seized control, Melanie ruthlessly purged anyone she deems "untrustworthy," and fused the remaining Orions into a unified organization that answered to her alone. "She's dangerous," admitted Admiral Jorel Quinn on an episode of the Federation News Service program Illuminating the City of Light. "Before, the Syndicate was controllable because there were multiple leaders competing for influence and power. Now Starfleet Command has to dedicate more resources to keeping them in check."

In Romulan space, the Romulan Colonial Organization Committee completed its initial work to form a permanent government for the Romulan Star Empire. The RCOC narrowly rejected the plan to reform the Romulan monarchy, deciding instead to organize a new Romulan Senate at Nova Roma, the new name for the capital being constructed on Rator III. The committee offered Admiral Taris, the hero of Zeta Pictoris, the position of Praetor, but the majority of legislative and executive power was held by the reformed Romulan Senate.

The case at the heart of the fight over the legal status of artificial lifeforms came to a close when the Supreme Court of the Federation ruled that The Doctor is indeed a sentient being, and, as such, he had the right to self-determination and the right to retain the mobile emitter brought back from the Delta Quadrant. The court went on to set standards which artificial lifefroms must pass to be considered sentient, and ruled that any that cannot do so are technological constructs that are the property of their creators or owners. "This is a major victory," said Alyssa Cogley-Shaw of the Soong Foundation after the ruling. "These are people, not replicators. We won't stop until every photonic lifeform has the right to choose how they want to live."

When Ambassador Worf returned to Qo'noS, he found he was in need of a new executive aide. The ambassador's son, Alexander Rozhenko, had resigned his position as a diplomat for the Federation and left Qo'noS, sending his son D'Vak to stay with Worf and his family. "Alex tried to live like a good Klingon, but his heart was never in it," a source told the Federation News Service. "When his wife left, that was the breaking point. I think what B'Enn really loved was belonging to the House of Martok. After the Chancellor died, she was ready to move on." Friends said D'Vak's mother B'Enn had returned to her home on H'atoria and Rozhenko was on what he called a "personal exploration." His first stop was Boreth. While there, he planned to undergo the Challenge of Spirit.

2395[]

Tragedy struck for Starfleet on Stardate 72487.91, when the USS Kelso was lost with all hands.

The Kelso was supposed to be on a routine mission to study the long-term effects of the Hobus supernova on star systems in the Devron Sector when it was destroyed. Initial reports indicated that the Kelso could have come under attack. However, when the remains of the vessel were recovered by the USS April, it was found that a coolant leak caused by an experimental cloaking device onboard the Kelso caused plasma to vent from the ship. The plasma reacted with ionizing radiation present in the area, causing the explosion which destroyed the Kelso.

After careful consideration, Captain Barax Wenn of the April revealed the cause of the Kelso's destruction to the captains of the Romulan ships assisting in the search for the vessel. In response, Praetor Taris lodged an immediate complaint with the Federation Council, and, as a "gesture of good faith," informed the Klingon Empire of the details of the Kelso's destruction as well.

Starfleet Security admitted that the USS Kelso were testing a Federation cloaking device. The Romulans then ejected all Federation diplomats and ships from their space in protest, and Chancellor J'mpok recalled the Klingon ambassador to the Federation back to Qo'noS for "strategic discussions."

After the revelation that Starfleet was testing a cloaking device, tensions between the Federation, Romulans and Klingons were at their highest point since the destruction of the Romulan homeworld in 2387. After a full inquiry, six members of Starfleet Security were court-martialed. It took three months for Federation President Aennik Okeg to convince the Romulans and the Klingons to send representatives to a summit to discuss the situation. When the meeting finally began, Okeg made the Federation's position clear. He apologized for the experiments into cloaking technology, and said that he had signed an executive order banning all research into or creation of Federation cloaking technology. "The narrow legal view may be that the Treaty of Algeron ended when Romulus was destroyed," Okeg said. "The Romulan Star Empire we knew is gone, and you are a new people. What has not changed is the Federation's commitment to peace."

Happier news for Starfleet was the successful conclusion of the dispute over the mobile emitter now in the possession of the photonic lifeform known as The Doctor. He agreed to accept a commission as a lieutenant commander in Starfleet and took the post of chief medical officer at the research facility on Galor IV. Because the mobile emitter would be with him at Galor IV, the Starfleet Corps of Engineers would have the opportunity to study the device. "It was never that I didn't want to let Starfleet learn more about the mobile emitter," said The Doctor in an interview with the Federation News Service. "I respect Starfleet a great deal, and I have the utmost amount of admiration for Admiral Janeway and the fine men and women in the service. I needed Starfleet to respect me."

On Stardate 72858.96, the Vulcans honored the 225th anniversary of the completion of work on the monastery at P'Jem. The original monastery was constructed more than 3,000 years ago, but it was destroyed by Andorian orbital bombardment in 2151. After the founding of the United Federation of Planets was founded in 2161, a coalition of Andorian, Vulcan and Human craftsmen rebuilt the monastery using hand tools and ancient Vulcan techniques.

A strange incident was reported on the Klingon world of Rha'darus. While on shore leave from his duties on the IKS Kang, Ja'rod, son of Torg, was ambushed by three Klingon warriors. He managed to kill two of them and brought the third back to his ship. Expecting the attack to be from an enemy of the House of Duras, Ja'rod was shocked to discover that his attackers weren't Klingon at all! Application of a painstik forced the captive to change and its shape morphed from a Klingon to that of a strange tripedal alien.

Under questioning by Ja'rod and members of the Kang's crew, the alien revealed that it was a member of a species known by its Borg designation of Species 8472. The alien called itself an Undine, and revealed that not only was its party specifically sent to Rha'darus to capture Ja'rod and replace him, this was not the first time the Undine have done so. There were Undine infiltrators in every major political entity of the Alpha and Beta quadrants.

2396[]

A medical crisis put a strain on the rebuilding of the Romulan Star Empire. An outbreak of Bloodfire ravaged the Kevratas system, ultimately spreading to multiple colony worlds. The disease is lethal to several species, including Romulans, but is curable if treated promptly with a drug developed by Beverly Crusher. Praetor Taris seemed uninterested in treating the disease, however, preferring to stop its spread with a quarantine of the Kevratas system.

The quarantine was enforced by a blockade of Romulan ships, and stopped all food and medical shipments to the planet during its coldest season. Thousands died from disease and starvation. "It seems like Taris is letting these people die like it's some sort of experiment to her," said Admiral Zelle, an expert on Romulan politics. "If she ever saw someone die from Bloodfire, she'd have more compassion."

On Cardassia Prime, Detapa Council staffers completed a three-year audit of post-Dominion War assets. The audit found that the rebuilding of cities devastated by the Dominion bombardment was proceeding ahead of schedule, and that work crews could move to Lakarian City by the end of the year. An ominous counterpoint to the successful rebuilding of the homeworld, however, was the fact that at least 75 warships and an undetermined amount of weapons known to have survived the war were missing. "These aren't shuttlecraft, they're Galor-class warships!" said Bajoran activist Crom Neret. "Do you know what someone could do with firepower like this? That's enough to launch another invasion!"

Starfleet hastened to assure the Bajorans and Cardassians that they are safe. "We're here. We will protect you," said Starfleet Command spokesperson Marie Durant. "We will honor our treaties with the Detapa Council, and we will assist the Cardassian Defense Force in any way we can. These ships will be accounted for."

Nausicaan forces working for the Gorn Hegemony destroyed three Klingon outposts with a coordinated surprise attack. J'mpok waved off accusations of being unprepared by remarking that "there are always casualties in war," and then retaliated by sending General D'ald and the Klingon Defense Force's Seventh Fleet to the Orelious system.

The fleet obliterated a hidden Nausicaan base in the Orelious IX asteroid belt, and then proceeded to hunt down and destroy every Nausicaan ship that escaped before the base was destroyed.

One ship is missing from the Seventh Fleet's attack. When Captain Klor of the IKS Kang refused to fully investigate the claims of the Undine captured in the Rha'darus system, Ja'rod, the second officer, led an uprising of the crew. Klor and his first officer were executed, and the crew proclaimed Ja'rod to be the new captain. After transmitting a coded message to Qo'noS, the Kang cloaked. Its whereabouts were unknown.

After the IKS Kang disappeared from sensors, General D'ald ordered the ship to return to its patrol, but there was no response. At that point, J'mpok stepped in and ordered D'ald to stop attempting to locate Captain Ja'rod. Observers of Klingon Empire politics speculated that J'mpok could be attempting to curry favor with the Houses of Torg and Duras by giving Ja'rod a free rein. Both of those Houses were among the oldest in the Empire, with ties that stretched back to the Imperial bloodline.

While their losses in the Klingon civil war of 2368 and subsequent defeats had dimmed the house of Duras' luster, there are many houses that still owed favors or outright allegiance to Duras. Also, these observers say, Captain Klor was a member of a house loyal to the House of Martok, so his death was no great loss for the Chancellor. "Trying to understand the intricacies of the Great Houses is like trying to play anbo-jyutsu with bat'leths," said Tag Morkek of the Tellar News Service. "Everyoone is going to be bloody when it's over. There are oaths of honor and feuds that stretch back for hundreds of years, and you never know when someone's going to call in a debt taken on by your great-great-great grandfather."

Starfleet observation posts saw an increase in ship traffic going to the far reaches of the Beta Quadrant. Reports indicated that the Dopterians were funneling ships and supplies to Romulan exile Sela and her followers in exchange for decalithium. Ships similar to those found in reports from the USS Voyager also were sighted in the region. Since Sela was well out of Federation space, Starfleet had no grounds on which to stop the trade. However, Starfleet Intelligence kept a close eye on the situation, and they were formulating a plan in case Sela became a threat to the Federation. Also, since decalithium is a highly restricted substance, any ore that the Dopterians brought into Federation space was subject to seizure.

Alexander Rozhenko returned to Earth with his son D'Vak. Rozhenko took a post teaching political science at the the Saint Petersburg State University and told friends that he was considering writing a book about his experiences on Boreth. He had no plans to return to the Klingon Empire.

And on Stardate 73963.51, Captain T'Vix of the USS Cochrane was removed from duty along with her first officer and chief of security. The Cochrane was assigned to monitor the Neutral Zone, but was recalled to Earth Spacedock days later for personnel reassignment, and the remaining crew was dispersed among more than a dozen other posts. Starfleet gave no reason for the change in orders, and all records of what happened on the final days of the Cochrane's missions were sealed by Starfleet Intelligence. It is believed that the Cochrane will return to duty after a refit with a new crew, but one anonymous report stated that the ship was sent to a Starfleet Intelligence starbase for analysis.

2397[]

An era ended when Geordi La Forge left Engineering for Command. La Forge was dividing his time between ship design and his duties with Starfleet for several years, but when the opportunity arrived to take his own command he could not turn it down. La Forge was promoted to captain of the USS Challenger, and recommended Commander Nog to be chief engineer of the USS Enterprise-E. The promotion gave the first Ferengi in Starfleet another record. He was the first Ferengi to serve on Starfleet's flagship. Nog's example inspired other Ferengi, and the 2396 class at Starfleet Academy included four Ferengi cadets. "We're seeing a dramatic change in the Ferengi culture," said Talsa Gray of the University of Alpha Centauri. "Commerce and profit still play a huge role in who the Ferengi are, but the social reforms of Grand Nagus Rom and the example of his son are showing younger Ferengi that they can make their own choices. If you don't have the lobes for business, do something else."

Chancellor J'mpok reluctantly agreed to a third round of peace talks between the Klingon Empire and the Gorn Hegemony. His decision put him in opposition to a large bloc on the High Council. These opponents favored war against the Gorn, and there were rumblings in the halls of Qo'noS that J'mpok was catering to the Federation just as Martok did. For his part, J'mpok said that it is only wise to explore all options. And on Stardate 74461.35, he silenced many of his critics in a most dramatic fashion.

The IKS Kang, missing since the previous year, reappeared long enough for Ja'rod to announce that the House of Duras was allying with the House of J'mpok.

The alliance with Duras gave J'mpok's house the support of many of the oldest and most influential of the Great Houses, and J'mpok quickly reminded many on the High Council that debts owned to Duras were now owed to him as well. The move also fully returned the House of Duras to legitimacy, as J'mpok used his powers as chancellor to wipe away past rulings against the house.

The shakeup in the Klingon political scene now meant that most of the Great Houses were beholden to either the House of Duras or the House of Martok, and observers said that the polarization of the Empire would only continue.

Following the announcements, the IKS Kang cloaked and disappeared again. However, data from Klingon sensor stations placed the Kang near the M'Char system, which is near the border between the Klingon Empire and the Gorn Hegemony.

Starfleet Intelligence reported that Hassan the Undying moved his base of operations to the former Orion homeworld. Observers did not believe that this was a sign of a break between Melani D'ian and her greatest ally, but suggested that Hassan was still acting on her orders. "There's no reason for Melani to toss Hassan aside," said Blix Brol, an investigative reporter for the Federation News Service. "If anything, the Emerald Empress wants someone that she trusts implicitly running Syndicate operations outside of Klingon space while she stays safe behind a wall of warriors."

In Romulan space, the government of Kevratas, which was decimiated by a plague of Bloodfire and the subsequent Romulan quarantine, declared its independence from Romulan rule. "They've given us nothing but death and offered nothing but more pain," said Kevratran leader Kito. "We owe Taris no allegiance."

Praetor Taris ordered General Tebok to put down the insurrection with force, but the general refused to order his troops to fire on civilians. He instead negotiated a settlement with Kito, agreeing to give the Kevratran leaders safe passage to Nova Roma to present their grievances to the Romulan Senate and ordering that relief supplies and medical personnel be sent to Kevratras immediately. In response for his insubordination, Taris ordered Tebok to resign his position as head of the Romulan military. Tebok refused and instead appealed to the Senate, which overruled Taris. "In the old days of the Romulans, Tebok would have ended up on the wrong end of an honor blade," said Emal Kotay of the Trill News Service. "Now, not only is he alive, he's still in charge of the fleet. The cracks are appearing in Praetor Taris' rule, and if she doesn't do something soon she won't last."

2398[]

After six years of reports, panels and legislative wrangling, the Federation council approved rules for dual citizenship. This option was created to allow beings to apply for permanent residency and other rights without sundering all of their ties to their homeworlds. Dual citizens could live and work anywhere in the Federation, apply for Federation grants, and even vote in Federation elections. However, dual citizens owed allegiance to and were subject to the laws of both political entities of which they are citizens. Also, the homeworld of an applicant must allow dual citizenship as well.

The Soong Foundation and other artificial life groups argued that the bill should be extended to artificial lifeforms, but the Federation Council refused. Artificial lifeforms must either pass the tests established by the Supreme Court of the Federation to be granted full citizenship, or they were property. There was no middle ground.

Cardassia Prime's Detapa Council quickly passed a law allowing Cardassians to become dual citizens of the Federation, and Grand Nagus Rom bullied a measure through the Ferengi Economic Congress of Advisors that allowed Ferengi to take part in the program after purchasing a citizenship license. Dozens of unaffiliated worlds moved to allow this option to their citizens as well, but on Qo'noS, the High Council refused to follow suit. Their refusal blocked Klingons who hadn't severed ties to the Empire from applying for Federation citizenship.

Rhea, a Ferengi geologist working on Earth, was the first being to be granted dual citizenship under the new program. "I'm proud to be part of the Federation, but Ferenginar is my home," Rhea said. "This cost me a few bars of latinum, but it's worth every strip."

Federation President Aennik Okeg was a tireless champion for dual citizenship, and many attributed the success of the program to his influence. A boost from new voters easily pushed Okeg past challengers from Alpha Centauri and Trill into a second term of office. In his re-inauguration speech, Okeg reached out to the Klingon Empire. "We have had our differences, but we are stronger together than apart," Okeg said. "Unity is the honorable path."

In Starfleet, Lieutenant Naomi Wildman was assigned to be the new helm officer of the USS Hathaway. And Miral Paris, another child who was born on the USS Voyager, entered Starfleet Academy.

Paris' presence in the incoming academy class was notable to those who follow Klingon affairs. Several news stories about Paris and the new recruits reported the legend of the kuvah'magh, a Klingon religious figure believed to be a prophetic figure by some. After reporters made an attempt to enter the dormitories at the Academy, Starfleet issued as statement from Paris asking for privacy. "I'm a student, not a savior," the statement read in part, "Allow me and my classmates peace and privacy."

On Stardate 75705.90, the Federation-mediated peace talks between the Gorn Hegemony and the Klingon Empire are disrupted by an explosion that rocked the resort on Casperia Prime where the talks were being held. Seven people were critically injured by the blast, including Ambassador K'mtok of Qo'noS and Mira Genstra, a deputy mediator for the Federation. Genstra was stabilized and then evacuated to her home on Betazed, but K'mtok died during surgery onboard the IKS Gorkon.

The crew of the Gorkon cooperated with Captain Data of the USS Enterprise-E to investigate the explosion. They found that an ultritium resin explosive device was hidden in the room where the delegates were meeting. Although it was initially thought that the device was planted by a member of the resort staff, ties to Klingon extremist groups were quickly uncovered. The device was tracked back to Toral, son of Duras, who was a fugitive from both the Federation and the Klingon Empire. The Gorkon pursued Toral's ship into the Archanis Sector, but it escaped.

The Federation attempted to restart the peace talks, but both the Klingon and the Gorn recalled their delegations. There will be no cease-fire. "If I were into conspiracies, I'd mention that K'mtok was appointed by Chancellor Martok, and now the door's open for J'mpok to appoint one of his allies as ambassador to the Federation. But I'm not going to do that, because I'm not a conspiracy theorist," said Tag Morkek, a political analyst for the Tellar News Service.

In what was seen as a deliberate insult to Praetor Taris, General Tebok promoted General Velal to command of the Romulan Second Fleet. Velal was openly critical of the praetor and her policies, and was one of the officers responsible for negotiating the agreement that kept Kevratras under Romulan control.

Operatives for Starfleet Intelligence reported that the changeling known as Laas arrived in the Devos system with two other changelings. When Laas was last seen, he was searching for other changelings who had been sent to the Alpha Quadrant as observers. Whether or not these changelings were part of that group was unknown.

2399[]

Responding to the success of the Federation dual citizenship program, Starfleet expanded the Starfleet Academy admission guidelines to accept applicants from races allied with, but not formally part of the Federation. These cadets would be allowed to apply for dual citizenship and would otherwise be considered a full citizen of the Federation, and therefore would not need a command-level recommendation for acceptance. "There are many dedicated, quality applicants out there who simply don't have access to a Starfleet captain," said Starfleet spokesperson Marie Durant. "We're opening the doors."

One change that Starfleet saw immediately was a rush of Ferengi applicants. Inspired by the example of Nog and social reforms on Ferenginar, hundreds of Ferengi applied to join Starfleet.

On Stardate 76014.61, dignitaries from throughout the Federation gathered to celebrate the opening of the first links of the Federation transwarp network, a rapid transit technology based on Borg designs found by the USS Voyager. "Planets that were weeks away at warp will be connected in ways they never could be before," said Federation President Aennik Okeg. "When the crew of the USS Voyager brought this technology back from the Delta Quadrant, they created a world where someday you can have breakfast on Deep Space Nine, and be at Cestus III in time to catch an afternoon baseball game."

On Stardate 76306.19, the IRW Alth'lndor notified Nova Roma that it was experiencing unexplained malfunctions in several systems, but that the problems would not impede the ship's progress.

General Velal offered to send a ship to rendezvous with the Alth'lndor. Tebok assured Velal that the engineers on the Alth'lndor believed the problems were being caused by a computer virus and that they would have a solution for the problem shortly. Two hours later, the Alth'lndor dropped out of warp and transmitter a final distress signal. The IRW Kaidor was the closest vessel, and it raced to the Alth'lndor's location. The Kaidor reported detecting an antimatter containment failure, but before her crew could act the Alth'lndor exploded, killing General Tebok and all hands.

Praetor Taris ordered that until a new commander for the fleet was selected all fleets must report to her directly. Velal went to Tebok's allies in the Romulan Senate to block Taris, and the Senate quickly passed a bill that mandated Senate approval for all high-level military appointments. The uncertainty in the chain of command once again threw the Romulan fleet into chaos, and several commanders announced that they would no longer report to any authority but their own. Starfleet stepped up border patrols in response, hoping to block any rogue ship before it could attack a Federation target.

President Aennik Okeg announced plans to travel to Qo'noS to meet with Chancellor J'mpok to try to find a peaceful solution to the Klingons' conflict with the Gorn. However, before he could depart Paris, the IKS Kang returned to Qo'noS.

Captain Ja'rod met in a closed session with J'mpok and the High Council for more than seven hours. Reports indicated that Ja'rod revealed the details of his investigation into the Undine presence in the Gorn Hegemony to the Council, and that the infiltration went much deeper than previously believed. A day later, J'mpok, with the full backing of the High Council, ordered an invasion of the Gorn Hegemony. "No more waiting. No more talking. We are Klingon, and we will protect the Alpha Quadrant from these qa'meH quv - these replacers of honor with dishonor. We attack!"

A combined Klingon and Orion fleet stormed across the border into the Gorn Hegemony. The ships clashed with Gorn and Nausicaan forces in multiple systems, and the simmering conflict flared into open warfare.

After the Klingon Empire invaded Gorn space, J'mpok sent a message to President Aennik Okeg, asking for Federation assistance as spelled out in the Khitomer Accords. In response, the Federation Council condemned the invasion and demanded that the Klingons withdraw from Gorn space and return to the negotiating table.

"This is not the first time that the Klingons have acted rashly," said Councilor Astoni-Yhard of Grazer. "For all we know, they're chasing shadows. What reason would these 'Undine' have for being here now?" The Klingon response was swift. In a tersely worded message, J'mpok pulled the Klingon Empire out of the Khitomer Accords and recalled all Klingon ambassadors back to Qo'noS. "Chancellor J'mpok's decision is regrettable," Okeg said. "However, it is his to make. We will continue to do all we can to repair our relationship wiht our longtime friends in the Klingon Empire."

After the Klingons withdrew from the Khitomer Accords, Federation citizens were unceremoniously ejected from the Empire. It is only because of his ties to Qo'noS that Ambassador Worf was allowed to stay in the First City. "J'mpok needs the ships and crews loyal to the House of Martok fighting the Gorn," a Federation government insider told the Tellar News Service. "If he had kicked Worf out, Drex would have pulled his support."Still, I don't think that the fight between Drex and J'mpok is over. The needs of the Empire may be foremost today. Tomorrow is a different story."

2400[]

The combined force of the Gorn and Nausicaan fleets initially repelled the Klingon advance, earning them a measure of respect for their ferocity in battle. "The Gorn do not surrender," said K'Mek, captain of the IKS Veqlargh. "They fight almost as well as Klingons."

Starfleet observers said that this time the Klingons may not have an easy victory. "The Gorn are fighting for their homes," said Admiral Jorel Quinn. "They're going to make the Klingons bleed for every meter of space." For its part, the Federation reinforced outposts and colonies along the border of Klingon space and prepared to handle any spillover of hostilities. However, standard orders were not to seek confrontation.

"We are protecting Federation citizens and property," said Starfleet spokesperson Marie Durant. "But we have no interest in getting involved in what is a matter between the Klingon and the Gorn." The Federation Council passed a measure that declared the Klingon-Gorn war unlawful, citing violations of the Khitomer Accords and the Jankata Accord. Both the Klingons and Gorn ignored the censure. "I think it shows just how ineffectual the Federation Council is these days," said Milla Van of the Trill News Network. "What are they going to do next, outlaw excessive heat in Vulcan's Forge?"

The intractability of the Federation Council's position limited diplomatic endeavors, but throughout the year Ambassador Worf and Federation officials repeatedly attempted to talk to Chancellor J'mpok or members of the High Council in an effort to restart the Federation-Klingon alliance or to convince the Klingons to attend a summit with Federation President Aennik Okeg. For the most part, their requests were denied. "The war is consuming much of the High Council's time," Okeg told a reporter from the Federation News Service. "We'll keep extending the hand of friendship. When the time is right, the Klingons will know that we're willing to let whatever bygones there are to be forgotten."

One diplomatic victory for the Federation was the normalization of relations between the Cardassians and the Bajorans. Ever since Bajor joined the Federation, it had been a priority for the Federation and the Detapa Council to settle the last few remaining issues between the two worlds. On Stardate 77418.94, the Cardassians opened an embassy on Bajor, and visa restrictions were lifted on travel between the two worlds. "It's taken more than thirty years to heal the scars of the Occupation," said Cardassian Detapa Councior Natima Lang at the dedication of the new embassy, "but as Bajor blooms on this summer morning, so too should the ties of friendship and fidelity between our peoples."

Commander Harry Kim was appointed head of security for Starbase 11. In addition to his duties at the starbase, Kim was helping to organize improvements in starbase defenses for outposts along the Neutral Zone.

In a statement transmitted to Deep Space Nine, the Founders disavowed any connection with shapeshifters in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, saying that any changelings operating outside their authority are rogue. The terse subspace statement may have been directed at Laas, but Starfleet Intelligence believed that it was a response to reports of Undine infiltration.

On Nova Roma, Praetor Taris clashed yet again with the Romulan Senate over a plan to further restrict the powers of the praetor. Taris made a rare personal appearance before the Senate to argue against the proposal. "In the absence of a monarch, and at a time of extreme upheaval in the Alpha and Beta quadrants," Taris said, "We must have one voice to speak for our empire to the galaxy. Only by expanding the praetor's powers will we have stability and strength. A disharmonious chorus leads to chaos." Taris swayed some Senators to her side, but her general unpopularity with the Romulan populace doomed her call for expanding executive powers. The Senate proceeded with its plan to limit the power of the praetor.

In another possible problem for Taris, agents for Starfleet Intelligence intercepted and decoded several messages from Nova Roma to a planet deep in the Beta Quadrant. These messages pointed out irregularities in the reports about the death of General Tebok and the destruction of the IRW Alth'lndor. Starfleet Intelligence agents reported that Sela had ordered her spies to investigate and find the truth of the matter.

2401[]

Starfleet Intelligence observers reported a possible uprising in Romulan space that could further destabilize the already troubled empire. "Velal has had enough," said one anonymous observer. "But to get rid of the devil, he might be making a deal with Fek'lhr."

The commander of the Romulan Second Fleet reported met with Sela and some of her exiled followers in the Zeta Volantis system. Following that rendezvous, General Velal gathered a trusted group of ship commanders. "Taris must be removed for the good of the Empire," said a source close to General Velal. "Velal's alliance with Sela will give him the ships and weapons he needs to make that happen. We don't want a civil war, but we know that there will be some parts of the fleet that will remain loyal to the praetor."

On Stardate 78092.83, Natima Lang was elected as the castellan of the Cardassian Union. The position put her on the front lines of foreing affairs, and she stepped into negotiations with the Ferengi Alliance and information sharing pacts with the Federation. "I have focused much of my energy these past years inward. Reconstructing Cardassia Prime was my only goal," Lang said after her election. "But we've looked inward long enough. Cardassia Prime needs to build itself a place in the Quadrant just as much as it needs new houses and schools."

One sign of a return to normalcy for the Cardassians was the resumption of scientific research. On Stardate 78441.78, the Cardassian Science Ministry announced that it had developed a cure for Pottrik Syndrome. The terminal respiratory ailment afflicted hundreds of Cardassians each year. The ministry reports that the treatment was in final testing, and would be available to patients by the end of the year.

On Qo'noS, the Klingon High Council was rocked by the revelation that Councilor Konjah was an Undine. What Starfleet Intelligence learned about the situation is this. After a night of revelry in the First City, Konjah was walking with two other Klingons back to his lodgings when he was attacked by Lethean mercenaries. The telepathic assault forced Konjah to lose his humanoid form, and he shifted into his true appearance.

The Undine masquerading as Konjah was killed, and his body taken to the High Council chambers. Chancellor J'mpok then stripped the House of Konjah of its titles and status, and its members were either killed or forced into hiding. "It was a witch hunt," says Lor Toret, a Bajoran who owned a restaurant on Qo'noS before the Khitomer Accords were dissolved in 2399. "I still have a lot of friends in the capital, and they're telling me that Konjah's family was hunted down like they were all Undine. The sad thing is that no one knows how long the Undine had been in Konjah's place or what happened to the original. Did they kill him, or is he stuck in some Undine prison?"

The combined Gorn and Nausicaan forces were holding steady, but analysts believed that the Klingons would eventually be able to break through their lines and attack the core worlds of the Gorn Hegemony. "it's a stalemate right now, but Gila IV showed us that the Gorn simply don't have enough soldiers and ships to repel the Klingons forever," said Apela Luss of the Federation News Network.

While the official Federation position was non-interference, not everyone in Starfleet agreed. On Stardate 78733.25, Captain Zachary MacAllister ignored a direct order from Starfleet Command and attempted to take the USS Lindbergh into Gorn space. "He wanted to help the Gorn," reported Ensign E'swa D'rex. "Captain MacAllister kept saying that when the Klingons were through with the Gorn, they'd attack the Federation next. And that we had to stop them before that could happen."

After a tense three days traveling through a war zone, the Lindberg was confronted by a Klingon patrol. MacAllister ordered his crew to open fire, but instead the first officer and chief medical officer attempted to remove MacAllister from duty and surrender the ship. There was a running firefight through the ship, as MacAllister and a few supporters attempted to escape capture. MacAllister made it to a shuttle bay and escaped. He is still a fugitive.

A contingent of retired and current Starfleet officers, including Ambassador Worf, Admirals Beverly Crusher, Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay and retired Captains Ezri Dax and Tuvok appealed to the Federation Council to reconsider its position on the Klingon-Gorn war. "The Undine threat is real," Admiral Chakotay told the Council. "The Klingons know it. We should acknowledge it. Perhaps if we were helping them fight the Undine, more innocent people could be saved. There's a war coming, and it will be a long one."

Ambassador Sokketh of Vulcan led the opposition. "While we acknowledge and are grateful for the service of these fine Starfleet officers, the threat of the Undine is overstated," Sokketh says. "I'm sure, given time, that we will be able to come to a peaceful resolution with these... observers from fluidic space." After the council closed its session, Ambassador Worf resigned his position with the Federation and returned to Qo'noS for good. "I can no longer support a regime that willfully ignores danger and puts itself and its citizens in harm's way," Worf wrote in a letter to Federation President Aennik Okeg. "I am Klingon, and I must follow the path of honor."

Two Starfleet advancements of note: Lieutenant Commander Naomi Wildman was appointed as second officer of the USS Hathaway, and Miles O'Brien was named head of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, the first time a non-commissioned officer had held that position. "This isn't about rank, it's about talent," said outgoing SCE chief Captain Sonya Gomez. "Miles is the quintessential engineer, and his talent for making the impossible possible makes him the ideal person for this job."

2402[]

After almost two years of fighting, the Klingon and Orion fleets breached the Gorn lines and blockaded the Gorn homeworld. The ships were harried by almost constant attacks by Nausicaan forces, but the blockade held. The Gorn erected a series of massive transport inhibitors to prevent invasion, and mined the area surrounding the planet with cloaked, self-replicating mines to prevent Klingon shuttles from landing.

The Klingons jammed all subspace communications, severing the Gorn leadership's ability to communicate with colony worlds and their remaining fleet. And the Orions staged a series of devastating raids on Gorn starbases, targeting supply lines and repair facilities across the region. "It's a waiting game now," said political analyst Tag Morkek of the Tellar News Service. "How long can the Gorn fleet last, now that they have effectively lost the homeworld? What would Starfleet do if they lost Earth or Vulcan?"

A Klingon religious sect claiming that Miral Paris is the kuvah'magh attacked the USS Pike during Paris's senior cadet cruise. The Klingons managed to beam onboard the Pike by transmitting a distress signal and convincing the Pike that they need help to repair their vessel's failing life support systems. Pike security teams were able to contain the raiders, who were transported back to Earth for questioning. No one was injured. "This is an isolated incident," said Starfleet spokesperson Marie Durant. "We do not expect Cadet Paris to have any problems in her Starfleet career."

The USS Voyager, on a mission to survey planets in the Zenas Expanse, made first contact with a race known as the Lorians. Federation scientists theorized that the avian-like Lorians may be somehow related to the Xindi, but had insufficient data on ancient Xindi lifeforms to confirm their hypothesis. The Lorians were warp capable, but reclusive. They were open to exchanging diplomats with the Federation, but asked that ships stay away from their space without permission. And the Starfleet Corps of Engineers added the final elements to a long-term plan to construct starships using a modular system. This construction method allows ship captains to customize their ships and permits quick repairs.

"A captain can choose new components for his or her ship and our work crews can have them installed and ready to go in less than half the time of conventional ship construction," said spokesperson Marie Durant. "A damaged ship can get replacement parts from another Starfleet vessel, and the engineers don't have to worry about them not fitting or not working. This system means our crews can do more, stay in the field longer and have the ships they need to do their jobs."

On Stardate 79231.20, Ambassador Jean-Luc Picard retired from his position as Federation ambassador to Vulcan. Reports said that Picard would settle in France. "We honor Ambassador Picard for his many years of service to the Federation," said Sokketh of Vulcan, who resigned his seat on the Federation Council to take up the role Picard vacated. "He has always been a friend to Vulcan." Two months later, Admiral Beverly Crusher settled in on Earth as the head of Starfleet Medical.

A report from Cardassian Intelligence to Castellan Natima Lang confirmed that forces led by Gul Madred were likely to be in the possession of the warships missing from the Cardassian post-war inventories. "They call themselves the 'True Way'," said Bajoran activist Crom Neret. "They say that the only 'true way' for Cardassia is conquest and death, and they want all non-Cardassians OUT. "I told you years ago that those missing ships were trouble," Crom continues. "But did anyone listen? Maybe when the True Way starts attacking colonies, someone will take notice!"

In Romulan space, trouble flared when General Velal appeared before the Romulan Senate and demanded that Praetor Taris resign before she was removed from office by force. Velal had the backing of many of the senators, although a vote of no confidence failed by a minor margin. In response, Taris called for ships of the fleet loyal to the legitimate government of the Romulan Star Empire to engage those supporting the revolution. There were multiple skirmishes between the two groups, and when Sela's fleet re-enterd Romulan space in support Velal, the conflict moved into open warfare.

2403[]

On Stardate 80344.81, the web of transport inhibitors protecting the Gorn homeworld collapsed after the Klingon fleet blockading the planet used surgical strikes to take out the planet's power relay network. Less than 50 minutes after the network was destroyed, the first Klingon landing parties transported onto the planet's surface. The remaining Gorn forces planetside made a last stand to defend key areas, and large segments of the population took up arms to defend their homes and families. However, the Klingons showed little interest in engaging civilian militias and instead massed their forces for an assault on the capital.

Twenty-eight hours after the first Klingon landed on the Gorn homeworld, forces from the Fifth Fleet entered the royal palace and the Gorn Hegemony fell to the Klingon Empire.

Once King Slathis of the Gorn surrendered and guaranteed that any Gorn troops left on the homeworld would not attack the Klingon forces, General Klag agreed not to take civilians into custody without cause and to lift martial law orders for most of the Gorn population. "The Klingons seemed almost solicitous to the Gorn," said Admiral Jorel Quinn on an episode of the Federation News Service program Illuminating the City of Light. They were careful not to give the people a reason to revolt. It wasn't standard operating procedure for the Klingons after they conquer a world ... of course, as soon as J'mpok arrived, we all found out why."

General Klag was given a week to stabilize the situation on the Gorn homeworld before Chancellor J'mpok arrived with the IKS Vo'quv. After transporting down and meeting with King Slathis, J'mpok ordered a global broadcast and used the Klingon fleet to extend the range of the transmission to hit most Gorn colony worlds and ships.

During the broadcast, the Klingons revealed the Gorn prime minister, head of military intelligence and multiple other high-ranking members of the Gorn government and military to be Undine infiltrators. The infiltrators were then immediately executed. "We have shown the true face of the qa'meH quv," J'mpok said. "We are defending the Alpha Quadrant, not destroying it."

Hardliners on the Klingon High Council wanted King Slathis and his family executed to prevent the Gorn royal family from becoming a focus for revolutionaries. "We've conquered them. Now we need to rule them," Councilor Marab said. "There cannot be a king in our Empire." After much deliberation, Chancellor J'mpok decided to offer the Gorn self-rule, as long as they swore fealty to the Klingon Empire. Slathis agreed, and as part of the settlement he was given a non-voting seat on the Klingon High Council. The KDF Fifth Fleet then withdraw from Gorn space. "The Klingons have wooed the Orions. They've conquered the Gorn. Races like the Nausicaans are seeing the writing on the wall," said Tag Morkek of the Tellar News Service. "The Federation has real competition in the coalition-building business."

One blow for the Klingons this year was the departure of Emperor Kahless. Late in the year, Kahless handpicked a crew from the Order of the Bat'leth and departed on the IKS Batlh. Kahless left a message behind saying that the Klingons no longer need his guidance, so he was departing to look for new battles to fight. Kahless promised to return when he was most needed.

For his part in revealing the Undine threat in the Gorn Hegemony, Captain Ja'rod was offered a seat on the High Council. Ja'rod declines and returned to the command of the IKS Kang. "Until I have fully proven my worth to the Empire," Ja'rod told the Council, "I do not deserve to be in your number. I will return to Qo'noS as a hero, or not at all."

In Romulan space, the conflict between Praetor Taris and General Velal continued to divide the already fractured empire. Kevratras and Abraxas Prime threw their support behind the rebellion, giving Velal and Sela's forces much needed safe havens and supply bases. The war came to an abrupt end on Stardate 80957.96, when forces of the Romulan Second Fleet approached Rator III. "The praetor had been locked in her rooms for a few days at this point, and she wouldn't allow anyone to enter," a Starfleet Intelligence observer reported. "Her staff finally broke down the door when Velal's fleet entered orbit. I think they were trying to get Taris to safety - but she was already gone." An extensive search of the palace turned up no clues. The Tal Shiar extended the search to all of Nova Roma, but Praetor Taris has disappeared.

Velal and Sela landed in Nova Roma while the search for Praetor Taris was still ongoing, and proceeded directly to the Romulan Senate. "Sela made a very pretty speech about how she was a loyal Romulan and a friend to the Senate, and not once did she mention the dozens of Warbirds she had in orbit over their heads," said Mira Mandel of the Federation News Service. "No one was surprised when the Senators tripped over themselves to offer her their fealty." The Senate named Sela as praetor and General Velal as the leader of the Romulan fleet by acclamation. The reign of Praetor Taris was over.

2404[]

Starfleet celebrated the opening of more links in the Federation transwarp network. "In these troubled times, this technology is more important than ever," said Admiral Chakotay at the opening of a transwarp hub in the Alpha Centauri system. "Speed is essential if we need to repel an attack by the Klingons or the Romulans, or evacuate an entire planet if there is an environmental disaster. Just as warp drive once made the stars reachable, transwarp will make exploration of the entire galaxy possible."

Much of the Federation's time in 2404 was spent adjusting to the new balance of power in the galaxy. With the Klingon Empire expanding its influence and stability returning to the Romulans, the possibility of either side turning their attention to the Federation increased. "If it's not the Klingons, it will be the Romulans. If it's not the Romulans, it will be the True Way! Mark My words - the Federation will come under attack, and it will happen soon," said activist Crom Neret.

The Soong Foundation sued for an injunction forcing Starfleet to reveal the whereabouts and condition of all of its holographic programs. "We want to review these cases," said Soong Foundation attorney Alyssa Cogley-Shaw. "There are sentient lifeforms trapped in lives of misery and slavery, like the EMH Mark I holograms who have been mining dilithium for more than thirty years!"

Starfleet appealed the injunction, saying that the request was too broad and it invaded officers' privacy. "The brave men and women serving the Federation deserve to have some holographic entertainment without legal review," said Starfleet spokesperson Marie Durant. "Even if all classified uses of holograms were struck from this injunction, it is still illegal and irresponsible." Legal analysts predicted this holorights case, like that of The Doctor, could go all the way to the Supreme Court of the Federation.

On Stardate 81753.16, Chancellor J'mpok informed the Federation ambassador that he was invoking ancient claims to the Hromi Cluster and the sectors surrounding it, an area that had been ceded to the Federation for decades. J'mpok said that he would allow the Federation three months to remove all Federation citizens and assets from the region. There would be no negotiation.

According to Federation News Service polls, more than seventy percent of Federation citizens opposed acceding to the Klingons' demands. "Well of course we're not leaving," said Cassidy Munzer, a musician living on Earth. "We have to stop the Klingons somewhere, don't we?" Federation President Aennik Okeg called for calm. "Let's not fight the war before the first shot is fired," Okeg said. "We will explore every option open to us, and peace is of utmost importance."

The Romulan Star Empire was enjoying a time of peace that it hadn't seen since the destruction of the Romulan homeworld almost two decades before. Praetor Sela settled long-simmering disputes between colony worlds, opened the Romulus memorial at the remains of the homeworld, and gently shaped the Senate to her way of thinking. "She's using a little bit of blackmail, a dose of charm and a lot of guile," said a Starfleet Intelligence operative on Nova Roma. "But Romulus hasn't had a leader who can pull people together like she can since Donatra disappeared."

2405[]

On Stardate 82001.36, Federation President Aennik Okeg informed the Klingon Empire that the Federation will not leave the Hromi Cluster or the sectors surrounding it. "We will continue our explorations of the cluster. We will not uproot Federation settlements that have been in these sectors for decades. You claim you have ancient claims to this region of space. I say that current possession counts for something. We do not want war," Okeg continues. "But we will defend ourselves."

The Klingon response was swift. Three days later a Klingon fleet invaded the Korvat system, a target that may have been chosen for its symbolic value. In 2289, the Korvat Colony was the site of the negotiations between the Federation and the Klingon Empire that were a contributing factor to the successful signing of the Khitomer Accords in 2293. "If the Federation was still welcome in Khitomer, it is reasonable to assume that Chancellor J'mpok would have attacked there," said Admiral T'nae on an episode of Illuminating the City of Light. "I do not believe that conquering the Korvat system is as important to the Klingons as the message. The alliance has ended."

The Klingons clashed with a fleet of Starfleet ships sent to protect the colony and stop Klingon landing parties attempting to forcibly remove Federation citizens from the planet. "Initial reports from the front are good," said Starfleet spokesperson Marie Durant. "The USS Montgomery Scott was heavily damaged in the assault, but it is being towed to a starbase for repairs. We are confident that Starfleet can protect the residents of Korvat Colony, and the entire Federation."

The Klingons gained more support when a coalition of Nausicaan tribes signed a non-aggression pact with the Empire. Nausicaans who chose to swear fealty to the Klingon Empire were permitted to join the Klingon Defense Force and own property in the Empire. "King Slathis of the Gorn should get the credit for bringing the Nausicaans into the Empire," said Tag Morkek of the Tellar News Service. "I think he sees the potential in a group of like-minded species like the Federation."

Observers of Klingon politics noted a development that could change affairs on Qo'noS when General Worf agreed to be gin'tak for Drex, son of Martok. Worf has taken the title given to him by his old friend Martok, and now he will advice Martok's son on how to run his house," said an anonymous report. "Worf's skill in battle and politics could be just what the House of Martok needs to take a leading role in the Empire again."

The Federation was gaining allies as well. The Cardassians agreed to a scientific exchange pact that further cemented the alliance between the Federation and the Detapa Council. And on Ferenginar, Grand Nagus Rom used a portion of the profits from his trade agreements with the Cardassians to finance the passage of expanded technology and information sharing agreements with the Federation. "He's tying us to those charity-loving, no-latinum no-goods in the Federation," raged Qaris, an independent Ferengi running a trading station in the Argelius system. "I'm a legitimate businessman! I won't stand for it!"

While many Ferengi opposed closer ties with the Federation, and others saw the profit available in trading with the Klingon Empire and other Federation foes, Rom argued that the future of business depended on good relations with the Federation. When opposition from the Economic Congress of Ferengi Advisers proved too costly to overcome, Rom took his victories and ended his fight for a formal alliance with the Federation.

Buoyed by early victories against the Klingons and the Ferengi technology and trade agreements, Federation President Aennik Okeg sailed to an easy victory for his third term. "Why change now?" asked Rosa Oliver, a geologist working for Janus Mining. "He seems to be doing a good job."

On Stardate 82626.64, the Gorn entered the war on the side of the Klingon Empire. A Gorn fleet launched an invasion of Sherman's Planet that was easily turned away by Federation forces at Deep Space K-7. "I think the Gorn were testing us," said station commander Captain Shir th'Talias. "Now they know that we're ready for a fight."

2406[]

The war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire heated up when the Klingon fleets invaded the Archanis Sector. Long-desired by the Klingons, the sector was relinquished to the Federation in the mid-23rd century. Klingon forces invaded it in 2372 during the last Federation-Klingon war, and the area had been hotly contested by both factions ever since. "We took it back once," said Commander Akira Sulu. "We can do it again. I have utmost faith in the abilities and courage of my fellow Starfleet officers."

Military observers predicted that the fight for the Archanis Sector will be a long one. "The forces there are evenly matched," military strategist Sona of Vulcan told the Federation News Network. "The Klingons and their allies are fierce fighters, but Starfleet has never lacked in courage or tenacity. There is an 82.47 percent chance that this struggle will continue for at least one year."

One thing that was expected to help Starfleet was an advance in power cell technology developed by the research teams at Memory Alpha. The new cells made personal shield generators feasible for Starfleet officers on away teams. "This new technology will keep our officers safe," said Starfleet spokesperson Loris Brex. "It is just one example of what the Federation can do. There is no problem that we cannot solve."

The first shield generators were issued to special teams on ground assaults in the Archanis Sector. Once the technology was adequately tested, Starfleet expected to provide it to all of its members. Three companies announced that they were working on variations of the technology for commercial use. "Forget the shields, give us the power cells," said Soong Foundation researcher Alexander Baker. "If we had access to the cell technology now, it could cut months of our timetable to release a mobile emitter for holographic lifeforms who aren't in Starfleet."

Starfleet medical ships, including the USS Pasteur, USS Comfort, USS Curie and USS Fleming, were diverted to the Federation colony in the Carnegie system to combat a highly-virulent plague that reports said was affecting more than 80 percent of the population. Information about the situation on Carnegie was extremely difficult to obtain, as subspace transmissions off-world were being blocked by Starfleet for "strategic reasons." Ships approaching the Carnegie system were turned away, and no Carnegie vessels were allowed to leave the system. "We're at war, and at the same time we're dealing with a virus that is devastating a colony that has factories and replicator facilities that supply goods to much of the Federation," Starfleet spokesperson Loris Brex told reporters when asked about the secrecy. "Not every detail of every situation needs to be on the nightly newsfeed." There were widespread rumors that the plague was not biological in origin. Federation President Aennik Okeg refused to comment on these rumors when asked, saying only that Starfleet needed time and resources to treat the population and stop the spread of the contagion.

In one Starfleet promotion of note, Admiral Chakotay was named the new head of Starfleet Intelligence. Chakotay promised to bring more openness and accountability to what traditionally had been a very reclusive post. In one of the Admiral's first briefings to Starfleet Command, he laid out what he saw as the current Undine situation in the Federation. Chakotay admitted that Starfleet Intelligence believed that there were at least 30 Undine infiltrators in Starfleet or high-level Federation posts. "We're in trouble," Chakotay said. "There could be an Undine in this room, and we wouldn't know." While Starfleet Intelligence did not have a foolproof method of detecting Undine in humanoid form, it was working on new technology to make this more feasible.

2407[]

Fighting continued in the Archanis Sector, with both the Federation and the Klingons reporting significant losses. "The Klingons might be happy that their crews are dying with honor, but we sent our sons and daughters to Starfleet to explore, not fight," said activist Crom Neret. "Isn't it time to find a peaceful solution?" In fact, the Federation tried to do just that, sending repeated messages from the Federation Council and even a personal plea from Federation President Aennik Okeg to Chancellor J'mpok. The Federation was seeking peace talks or a cease-fire so that groundwork could be made toward a full peace summit. J'mpok refused. "No longer will we die the death of a thousand cuts," J'mpok told the High Council. "Peace was the death of the Klingon Empire. Thankfully, it was a mistake that we caught in time. Conflict makes us Klingon. Combat makes us strong. I write my story with the my blade, and the ink is the blood of my enemies."

The Vulcan Science Academy was working on improvements to transwarp technology. "It's obvious that we need to improve our security and speed," said S'larin, one of the lead researchers. "Transwarp is the future of interstellar travel - and the Federation."

Reports from the Phylos system indicated that the Phylosians were struck by a similar virus to that which continued to rage through the Carnegie system. Starfleet Medical dispatched exobiology and medical teams, but they did not expect to find a counteragent quickly. "The unusual nature of Phylosian anatomy makes any treatment difficult," said Admiral Beverly Crusher, chief of Starfleet Medical. "However, we are confident that, in cooperation with Phylosian scientists, we will be able to help them."

In Romulan space, Starfleet Intelligence observers reported that Sela revived one of Praetor Taris' ideas - a Romulan monarch. "Sela hasn't said a word about it herself, of course, but allies of hers in the Senate are floating the idea," one agent said. "And it's not a coincident that people have started making comparisons between Sela and beloved Romulan rulers like Ael i-Mhiessan t'Rllaillieu. There's even a quiet search going on for the Sword of S'task, even though everyone believes it was destroyed when the homeworld was lost."

On Qo'noS, representatives of the Letheans approached Chancellor J'mpok, seeking either entry into the Empire or a non-aggression pact like the one the Empire had with the Nausicaans. J'mpok seemed amenable to having Letheans owe allegiance to the Empire, but overall the Klingons did not see the negotiations as a high priority and progress was slow.

In the Ghomba system, forces from the Houses of Martok and Duras clashed over possession of a small planetoid rich in resources. "This is the start of the war, mark my words," said Tiran, a historian and loresinger on Qo'noS. "I've seen it before. There will be glory and honor ... and blood. Much blood will be shed."

2408[]

The Klingon and Gorn invaded Cestus III, and Starfleet massed a fleet to defend the planet and its population. "This area has been on the Gorn's list since the days of James T. Kirk," said Pike City Mayor Jae Aaron. "But we're not afraid of the Gorn, or the Klingons, or anyone else for that matter. No one's leaving the stadium until the final inning." Starfleet officials tried to convince the colonists to evacuate for safety reasons, but the vast majority of them refused to leave. The residents of Cestus III vowed to stay and defend their homes. "We appreciate the spirit of the Cestus III residents, but we implore them to consider evacuating. At least send the young and ill to safety," said Starfleet spokesperson Loris Brex. "This is a war. We can't promise a happy ending."

On Stardate 85365.28, years of instability and infighting in the Romulan Star Empire seemingly came to a close with the coronation of Empress Sela. The new empress would not have a praetor, and the Senate would serve at her pleasure. "Security has clamped down in the capital," a Starfleet Intelligence source inside Romulan space said. "The Romulans say that they have reason to believe that there may be an assassination attempt on the empress, but I think it's more than that. This is the first time Sela can show just how much control she has."

Observers at the coronation of Empress Sela said that it proceeded with as much pomp and circumstance as the recovering Romulan Star Empire could muster. Sela called for a return to the traditions of old, including the carrying of honor blades and blood oaths. In fact, before taking the crown the empress used a jeweled blade to cut her own palm. As the blood dripped down onto a rug of white fur, Sela took an oath to uphold and preserve the empire with her life. "Tradition is very important in this new order," the SI source said. "Sela is consciously recalling a golden age on the old homeworld, and using those memories to inspire the people. They're talking about mnhei'sahe again, and a lot of people have started referring to Nova Roma as Mol'Rihan, which is 'New Romulus' in High Rihannsu."

After Starfleet lost contact with Starbase 236 in late September, it sent the USS Enterprise-E to investigate. "This could be related to the war. It could be something else. It could be a simple equipment failure," Brex said. "Our primary concern is the safety of the starbase crew."

And a Starfleet committee determined that because of retirements, deaths and the increasing demands of the Klingon war, Starfleet faced a severe shortage of qualified command personnel. The committee recommended revising rules on away teams to encourage more officers to seek command positions, increasing enrollment at Starfleet Academy and revising the command structure to allow for the best use of experienced personnel. "I think we're past the point where you need to spend twenty years as an officer before you can be considered for command," said committee chairman Admiral Jorel Quinn. "We need to promote exceptional officers quickly. We need our captains leading away teams. Starfleet needs to look at our whole command structure and do what works now, not what worked 30 years ago."

References[]

Characters[]

AakanJae AaronAstoni-YhardB-4Nanietta BaccoAlexander BakerJames BennettBorg QueenBraegLoris BrexBlix BrolChakotayChulanAlyssa Cogley-ShawBeverly CrusherD'aldDataEzri DaxMelani D'ianThe DoctorDonatraDraxE'swa D'rexDrexMarie DurantD'VakFemale ChangelingMark FischerElim GarakMira GenstraRoma GiordanoSonya GomezGorashGrilkaTalsa GrayAnnika HansenHassan the UndyingIchebKathryn JanewayJa'rodJ'dahJ'mpokK'DhanKahlessK'dasHarry KimKitoKlagKlorK'MekK'mtokKonjahEmal KotayLaasGeordi La ForgeLamat'UkanNatima LangLorixLor ToretPhillipa LouvoisApela LussZachary MacAllisterAkellen MacetMadredMira MandelMarabMartokJaed MazMelthaMojogTag MorkekCassidy MunzerCrom NeretNeroNogKeiko O'BrienMiles O'BrienOdoAennik OkegRosa OliverMiral ParisOwen ParisJean-Luc PicardQarisQolkaJorel QuinnRaimusRehaekRheaWilliam T. RikerRomRo LarenAlexander RozhenkoSelaSeven of NineShad OnaS'harienShinzonJake SiskoSlathisSokkethSonaNoonien SoongSoronSpockS'taskDavid SteinerKevin SteinerAkira SuluSuranTal'AuraTarisTebokShir th'TaliasTiranT'losT'LosT'naeTomalakToral, son of DurasTorgAel t'RllaillieuDeanna TroiTuvokT'VixMilla VanVelalBarax WennNaomi WildmanWorf, son of MoghXiomekXrathisZelleCharivretha zh'ThaneZogozin
Referenced only
Julian BashirB'EnnB'vatDathonDuras, son of ToralJames T. KirkK'mpecLursaMoghMoriartyQuark

Starships and vehicles[]

IRW Alth'IndorUSS April (24th century)IKS BatlhUSS ChallengerUSS CochraneUSS ComfortUSS CurieD'deridex-classUSS Enterprise-E (Sovereign-class) • USS FlemingIKS GorkonUSS HathawayJellyfishIRW KaidorIKS KangUSS KelsoKlingon bird-of-preyK'vort-classUSS Lindberghmilitary hovercraftUSS MontanaUSS Montgomery ScottNaradaUSS NobelUSS Pasteur (Olympic-class) • USS PikeIKS QuvReman starshipUSS RutledgeUSS Stargazer-AIRW SoterusUSS Titan (Luna-class) • Type V commercial laboratoryIRW ValdoreIKS VeqlarghIKS Vo'quvUSS Voyager
Referenced only
USS Enterprise-D (Galaxy-class) • Galor-class

Locations[]

2466 PMAbraxas VAbraxas PrimeAlpha CentauriAlpha QuadrantAnanke AlphaAchenar PrimeArchanis sectorArchenar PrimeArgelius systemBajorBeta QuadrantBeta StromgremBetazedBorethCardassia PrimeCarnegie system • Casperia PrimeCestus IIICraterisDeep Space 9Deep Space K-7Delta QuadrantDevos IIDevos systemEarthEarth SpacedockEl-Adrel IVFarius PrimeFerenginarFranceGalor IVGamma CraterisGamma Orionis systemGamma QuadrantGhomba systemGila IVGila VIH'atoriaHobusHromi ClusterKevratasKevratas systemKhitomerKi BaratanKoralis IIIKorvat systemLakarian CityLevaeri VMakarMcAllister C-5 NebulaM'Char systemMemory AlphaNova RomaOgatOrelious IXOrelious systemP'JemPacificaParisPhylos system • Pike CityPraxisQo'noSQuark'sRator IIIRemusRha'darusRigel systemRihanRomulan Neutral ZoneRomulusRutia IVSan Francisco Fleet YardsSeptimus systemSherman's PlanetStarbase 11Starbase 236TalvathSeptimus systemTama PrimeTer'jas MorUtopia PlanitiaVictory SquareVulcanVulcan's ForgeZaran IIZeta Pictoris systemZeta Volantis system
Referenced only
AndoriaDevron sectorGrazerOrion homeworldSauriaTerra NovaTrill

Races and cultures[]

Alpha Jem'HadarandroidBajoranBorgBrunaliBreenCardassianChangelingDopterianFerengiFounderGornGrazeriteHebitianHumanJem'HadarKevrataKlingonLetheanLorianMakaranMetronNausicaanOrionphotonic lifeformPhylosianRemanRomulanSaurianSoong-type androidSpecies 8472TamarianTrillVulcan

States and organizations[]

Andak projectBajoran coalitionBajoran MilitiaBorg Task ForceCardassian Defense ForceCardassian Science MinistryCardassian UnionChildren of TamaDaystrom InstituteDetapa CouncilDominionEconomic Congress of Ferengi AdvisersFederation CouncilFederation News NetworkFederation StarfleetFederation Transport UnionFoundersGorn HegemonyGreat LinkHouse of DurasHouse of J'mpokHouse of MartokHouse of Mo'kaiHouse of TorgImperial Defense ForceImperial Romulan StateJanus MiningJudge Advocate GeneralKepeszuk BattalionKlingon Defense ForceKlingon EmpireFifth FleetKlingon High CouncilLine of TellusMaquisMetron ConsortiumOralian WayOrder of the Bat'lethOrion SyndicateRomulan 3rd fleetRomulan 5th fleetRomulan Colonial Organizational CommitteeRomulan Mining GuildRomulan SenateRomulan Second FleetRomulan Star EmpireSaint Petersburg State UniversitySoong FoundationStarfleet AcademyStarfleet CommandStarfleet Corps of EngineersStarfleet IntelligenceStarfleet MedicalStarfleet Research and DevelopmentStarfleet SecuritySupreme Court of the FederationTal ShiarTellar News ServiceTrill News NetworkTrill News ServiceTrue WayUnification movementUnited Federation of PlanetsUniversity of Alpha CentauriVulcan Science AcademyYan-Isleth
Referenced only
Obsidian Order

Ranks and titles[]

admiralambassadorcadetcaptainCastellan of the Cardassian UnionChancellor of the High Council of the Klingon Empirechief medical officercolonelcommandercouncilorCrown PrincediplomatEmperorEmpress of the Imperial Romulan StateengineerensignFederation Ambassador to the Klingon EmpireFederation Ambassador to VulcanFederation PresidentFirstFleet Commandergeneralgeologistgin'takGorn KingGrand NagusGulhead of military intelligenceKlingon Chancellorkuvah'maghloresingermayorPraetor of the Romulan Star EmpireProconsulprime ministerRear Admiralreportersecond officersenator

Science and technology[]

antimatter containmentBloodfirecloaking deviceData matrixdecalithiumdilithiumelectrical stormemergency medical hologramemotion chipFederation transwarp networkheavy metalion stormjevoniteketracel whitelatinummobile emitternebulapainstikpersonal shield generatorpositronicspositronic brainPottrick Syndromepower cellquantum sigularityred matterreplicatorsensor stationsubspace communicationsupernovatelepathictrans-metaphasic shieldingtranswarp networkultritium resinverterium cortenidewarp driveweapons platformYarmin Fel Syndrome

Other references[]

228922932372Acts of Cumberlandagricultureanbo-jyutsuassassinationasteroid beltaway teambat'lethbaseball gameBattle of Bassen Rift • blood oath • breakfastChallenge of Spiritcitizenship licenseData Decisiondesertdistress signalDominion Wardual citizenshipelectionFederation-Cardassian Treaty of 2370Federation grantFek'lhrflowergodGreat HouseGreat Material Continuumhomeworldhonorhonor bladeIlluminating the City of LightJankata AccordKhitomer AccordsKlingon Civil WarKuvah'maghlogicminingmonasteryneutral zoneOccupation of BajorquarantinerefitsentienceschoolslaverySunderingSword of S'taskSword of the Raptor StartaxTreaty of Algeronweddingxenophobia

Appendices[]

Publication[]

The Path to 2409 has so far been published in four different formats. The original web-based format began in November 2008 and presents the timeline one year at a time with an extended description of events. The Star Trek Magazine format, which began in March 2010, clusters several years together, forming the timeline over several parts; this format uses shorter summaries of events, and has accompanying illustrations. The novel The Needs of the Many, also published in March 2010, sees the entire timeline published in a single volume, but as a much shorter summarised version. The Path to 2409 is also readable, minus Jake Sisko's interviews, inside Star Trek Online in the tooltip text for the Lore accolades.

STO website Star Trek Magazine The Needs of the Many
2379-2380 29 August 2008 Issue #151(UK)/#24(US)
March 2010
March 2010
2381 November 2008
2382 December 2008
2383 December 2008
2384 1 January 2009
2385 February 2009
2386 2 April 2009
2387 28 April 2009 Issue #152(UK)/#24(US)25
May 2010
2388 21 May 2009
2389 June 2009
2390 July 2009
2391 August 2009
2392 10 September 2009 Issue #153(UK)/#26(US)
June/July 2010
2393 May 2010
2394
2395
2396
2397
2398
2399
2400
2401
2402
2403 May/June 2010
2404
2405
2406
2407
2408

Related stories[]

The timeline incorporate ideas, characters and situations from a number of previous Star Trek publications. Chronological placements are often slightly adjusted, but common elements include:

External link[]

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