Federation History

Foundations

The beginnings of the United Federation of Planets can be traced to the mid-21st century. The Phoenix was a converted nuclear missile left over from the Third World War on Earth, and had originally been intended by Zephram Cochran to prototype a new propulsion system that he could sell to interested parties. That would change after First Contact, which occurred on 5 April 2063. A passing Vulcan vessel detected the warp signature of the Phoenix and altered course to investigate. Vulcan High Command believed there was potential in Humans, and so spent almost a century helping to rebuild Earth. 

Relations changed in 2151  when United Earth built its first Warp 5 vessel, USS Enterprise NX-01, which propelled Earth into galactic politics under the command of Captain Jonathan Archer. The major rivalry at the time was between Andorians and Vulcans, which Humans often intervened as a neutral party and helped maintain the peace. Later in 2155, Archer managed to convince representatives from Andorian, Vulcan, and Tellarite military vessels to cooperate in the hunt for a Romulan drone ship, which was using holographic technology to attack ships posing as rival groups.

In March 2155, United Earth Foreign Minister Nathan Samuels hosted a conference at United Earth Starfleet Command with delegates from Earth, Vulcan, Andor, Tellar, Denobula, Triaxa, Rigel, and Cordian to discuss the creation of an alliance to promote peace and trade between the groups. Despite xenophobic sentiments partially disrupting the conference, the Coalition Compact was signed by representatives from Earth, Vulcan, Andoria, and Tellar, creating the Coalition of Planets. The Coalition would be put to the test when in the late 2150s, Romulan incursions into Earth space resulted in the Earth-Romulan War, the costliest war in history until the Dominion War almost two centuries later. The war ended in 2160 with the creation of the Romulan Neutral Zone that would remain in place for a century.

On 12 August 2161, it was decided to tighten relations between the Coalition members further when the Articles of the Federation were signed in San Francisco, Earth. The delegates included Jonathan Archer and Nathan Samuels of Earth, Soval and Solkar of Vulcan, Thy'lek of Andor, and Gora bim Gral of Tellar. In total, eighteen worlds joined the United Federation of Planets.

Growing Pains

By the mid-23rd century, the Federation had grown well beyond its initial quartet, expanding into new territories and encountering new races. With this expansion came encounters with hostile species such as the Romulan Star Empire, the Klingon Empire, and the Tholian Assembly. The Klingon Empire had been known to Starfleet since before the Federation existed, but with the growing Federation came increased threats of violence as the two states levied control over the few hospitable planets along their respective borders.  The flash point would come in 2267 around the planet Organia, where the Federation and Klingon forces squared up for hostilities before a non-corporeal race known as the Organians forced a cease fire and eventually helped broker peace.

This peace, however, was an uneasy one. From 2267 until 2293, the Federation and Klingon Cold War kept both sides in a continuous arms race against each other. It would take the disasterous explosion that destroyed the Klingon moon of Praxis that heavily damaged the Klingon homeworld to force the Klingons to the negotiating table and signing the Khitomer Accords.

During this period, the Romulan Star Empire began to carefully probe the defenses of the Federation. In 2266, a lone Romulan Warbird crossed the Romulan Neutral Zone to attack several outposts along the border before attempting to retreat back to Romulan space. The intervention of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 destroyed the warbird, preventing a future war. Fearful that they were falling behind, the Romulans had a brief alliance with the Klingon Empire in 2267 led by Proconsul Merrok. In exchange for several Klingon D7 cruisers, the Romulans gave the Klingons cloaking technology, though the alliance had fallen apart by 2272.

As for the Tholians, hostilities were mostly the result of a misunderstanding of how territorial rights were claimed. The Tholian Assembly believed territorial boundaries needed adjustment for stellar drift, which led to the Federation colony of New Milan to be attacked and destroyed. Negotiations temporarily halted the attacks, but that ended when the Tholians attacked Kakrafoon. It wouldn't be until 2254 that both sides had reached an agreement over who held what territory that the conflicts came to an end.

Threats around every Corner

Following the signing of the Khitomer Accords with the Klingons in 2293, the Federation enjoyed almost 60 years of peace and stability. While there were minor conflicts with races such as the Ferengi, Cardassians, and others, the Federation expanded slowly and steadily with little fanfare. That would unfortunately come to an end in 2365 when the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D was cast by the entity Q into the J25 system. There they encountered a cybernetic species known as the Borg, which easily overpowered the Enterprise. It would again be the entity Q that returned the Enterprise to Federation space, but with a warning to be passed along to Starfleet Command.

At first, Starfleet Command did little to prepare for the Borg, as there were numerous commanders uncertain how to undergo preperations. That would change when Commander Elizabeth Shelby helped organize Starfleet and come up with counters while serving under Admiral J.P. Hanson. Unfortunately, many of their strategies and counters were countered when the Borg assimilated Captain Jean Luc Picard of the Enterprise. When Admiral Hanson's fleet of 40 vessels met the Borg at Wolf 359, it was a slaughter. Of the 40 vessels, only 1 would escape the battle, leaving 11,000 Starfleet personnel dead. It would take a daring rescue mission and the Soong-type android Commander Data to override the Borg and cause the Borg Cube to shut down, eventually triggering a failsafe that destroyed the Cube as it hung over Earth.

Spurred by the attack on Earth, Starfleet stepped up production of newer designs of larger, more capable starships. This fleet modernization program would take time, and just 5 years later the Federation would encounter another major power when Deep Space Nine discovered the Bajoran wormhole in 2369. The Dominion spread chaos and disorder throughout the Alpha Quadrant, eventually leading to the Dominion War in 2373. For two years, the Federation, Klingons, and Romulans fought against the Dominion, Cardassians, Breen, and others. The war finally ended above Cardassia Prime in 2375. Despite the war being over for 3 years, the Federation lost billions of lives and suffered tremendous damage, and is still recovering into 2378.

Deep in the aftermath of the devastating Borg attack on Earth in 2367, the United Federation of Planets recognized the need to fortify its defenses and expand its reach into uncharted regions. In response, plans were set into motion for the construction of a new strategic outpost known as Deep Space 13.

The project began with great determination and a sense of urgency. Starfleet engineers, Bajoran collaborators, and construction crews joined forces to bring the vision to life. Leading the endeavor was Commander Sofia Ramirez, a seasoned Starfleet officer renowned for her expertise in station construction and resource management.

As the station took shape, the construction teams encountered their fair share of challenges. One significant hurdle was the scarcity of critical resources. The demand for construction materials outpaced supply, leading to delays and necessitating creative problem-solving to secure the necessary components. Resource allocations had to be carefully managed, and negotiations with suppliers were conducted with unwavering determination.

Technical malfunctions also plagued the construction process. The station's intricate systems occasionally faltered, encountering compatibility issues that demanded the expertise of brilliant engineers to overcome. Troubleshooting became a daily routine, as the construction team worked tirelessly to rectify glitches and ensure the station's stability and functionality.

Yet, perhaps the most persistent obstacle was the weight of budget constraints. The costs associated with such an ambitious project tested the limits of available funds. Careful considerations had to be made, resources prioritized, and cost-effective solutions sought without compromising the station's integrity.

As construction progressed, fate intervened. The Dominion War erupted in 2372, bringing everything to a halt. Deep Space 13's resources were redirected towards the war effort, as Starfleet urgently bolstered existing installations and mobilized its forces. The partially constructed station stood as a silent testament to the sacrifices made during those tumultuous times.

With the cessation of hostilities in 2375, the echoes of war gradually faded, and attention turned once again to Deep Space 13. Determined to see the project to its completion, Commander Ramirez rallied her team and resumed construction with renewed fervor.

Year by year, the station slowly took form, overcoming challenges and setbacks. Finally, in 2378, the momentous day arrived. Deep Space 13, a testament to the resilience and determination of all those involved, was declared complete. It stood proudly, a beacon of exploration, diplomacy, and security in the region.

Today, Deep Space 13 stands as a shining testament to the indomitable spirit of the Federation. The vision of a new frontier has become a tangible reality, thanks to the unwavering commitment of Commander Sofia Ramirez and her dedicated team of engineers. The station's advanced systems, cutting-edge scientific capabilities, and formidable defensive measures provide a firm foundation for the endeavors that lie ahead.

As Deep Space 13 opens its airlocks to welcome a new era of exploration, the echoes of its construction journey remain etched in its walls—a reminder of the triumph over adversity, the unwavering dedication of its builders, and the unwritten chapters waiting to be explored within its vast corridors.