"(The United Federation of Planets) is the most remarkable institution ever conceived..." -Judge Aaron Satie
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The Federation is a large interstellar union of planetary bodies and civilizations operating under a single charter, and governing body. Its Starfleet agency is built on the driving directive to seek out new life, and new civilizations, and to 'boldly go where no-one has gone before',,,
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
The
very beginnings of this organization can be traced back to a devastated and post
apocalyptic Earth. After the cataclysmic Bell Riots in Los Angeles 2024,
many of the world's long standing social problems were finally confronted and slowly
things were turned around. But Earth would be plunged into a global war during
the middle of the century, a conflict which caused the loss of more than half a
billion lives. But with pioneers such as Zefram Cochrane, there was still
hope of a brighter future. Soon after the war, a new unified Earth Force had began to explore the
neighbouring star systems with sub-light vehicles. Such expeditions at
this time were funded by private contractors, using outdated, pre-war
technologies, and such explorations were
heavily curtailed by time dilation at relativistic velocities approaching the
speed of light, but the breakthrough would come thanks to Cochrane's
brilliant and visionary research.
Maverick scientist Zefram Cochrane had experimented for years testing the properties of Dilithium, a unique crystalline ore first discovered 10 years before the war by interplanetary probes charting and surveying a variety of geological features on the solar system's inner planets. It was Cochrane's initial discovery that Dilithium possessed extraordinary capabilities, being totally resistant to antimatter, and when bombarded with high energy plasma released a controlled matter/antimatter reaction of huge energetic potential which he believed, if harnessed correctly, could alter, or 'warp' the geometry of space. Such a system he theorised could be utilized in an advanced propulsion system that would render normal-space light speed physics redundant.
Constructed
using the frame of an old Titan 5 nuclear missile, Cochrane's revolutionary
prototype warp-ship 'Phoenix'
made it's first test flight on April 4th 2063. After breaking the warp
barrier, and cruising for only a few seconds at warp 1, a nearby Vulcan
survey vessel passing the outer rim of the system detected the 'warp effect'
via subspace monitoring techniques. This resulted in first contact with
another, non-terrestrial civilization the following day when the Vulcan ship
landed at Cochrane's Montana base, and a small contingent of Humans and Vulcans
came together to exchange greetings. History records Cochrane's impressions of
this first encounter as being 'unique', 'exciting', and 'cataclysmic', though he
has been heard to say off the record that the Vulcans were amongst the 'dullest
guys he had ever met'. But ties forged with this race would endure far into the
future.
As news of the contact spread, it acted as a wake-up call for Humanity, and the catalyst for the rebuilding of Earth's social structure, as well as the reconstruction of Earth cities, and the network of trade and industry in general. The chaos and global depression of the post atomic horror began to ebb, and with the Vulcan's assistance real progress was beginning to be made with a global stride towards a prosperous new era. Cochrane got to work on refining and reconfiguring his warp model to incorporate blue prints of larger scale vehicles for interstellar exploration. Selling his new warp system to highest bidder, and with external aid from the Vulcan scientific community in the way of design modifications and the supplying of materials, the new alliance of Earth's military set out on a voyage of discovery to chart the neighbouring systems, and beyond. This mandate was formed and defined by the embryonic body called Earthfleet, later becoming Starfleet, encompassing several operational arms, one of these, significantly, was called UESPA (United Earth Space Probe Agency). Their objective from the start sought to explore and chart the more promising star systems close to Earth with the intention of investigating colonization potential. Cochrane later retired to live out his old age at the Alpha Centauri colonies, and Official Federation records state that that was his last known location, for he disappeared in 2117, and was presumed dead soon after.
Leaving
his knowledge and legacy behind, a man called Henry Archer took up the
challenge to improve and refine Cochrane's warp theory. With the rapid advance
of technology Archer came close many times to the first warp 5 breakthrough, but
key information was withheld by the Vulcan scientific community, as they deemed
Humanity was not yet ready to possess the technology.
But success eventually came. And
it was fine irony that his son, Jonathan Archer, became the first Captain
in Starfleet to
command a
warp 5 starship in 2151. The new NX-Class of starship was spearheaded by
the prototype Enterprise, and being only barely commissioned
herself, the ship was rushed into service to counter an alien threat from an
elusive species called the Suliban. More alarming than even this, it was
at this time that Starfleet encountered the first Klingon activity, and
although first contact went reasonably smoothly, thanks in no small part to
Archer, this species would be a key player in the future affairs of Starfleet.
It was in the mid 22nd century when
Starfleet
vessels encountered Imperial scout ships of the Romulan Star Empire.
Earth authorities instantly distrusted this new power, and it wasn't long before
this distrust was transposed into violence, as full scale war raged for
the next few years. Earth vessels at this time were significantly more advanced,
with superior propulsion and high yield torpedoes and Phase Canons. The war climaxed at
the Battle of Cheron in 2160, resulting in a famous win for Starfleet.
Soon after, peace was established by the installation of the 'Neutral Zone',
being a neutral corridor of space approximately one light year thick. It was
established that violation of this space by either side could be considered as
an act of war. Minor incidents involving Romulans forces occurred thereafter,
but a full confrontation was always avoided, such arguments deflated by diplomats,
and composed starship captains...
Immediately following Cheron, ambassadors of the surrounding star nations met to discuss the idea of a 'grand unification'. Delegations composed of Humans, Vulcans, Tellarites, Andorians, Zakdorn, Deltans and others -12 parties in total came together for a historic seminar. What emerged after the seven day meeting in the San Francisco Conference Centre was the blueprint constitution for the United Federation of Planets. A body dedicated to research, understanding and co-operation, with the exciting mandate for the mass exploration of space, supported by a specialist 'star fleet' agency, that, as well as being a defence mechanism for the Federation, would conduct missions of discovery, with the ideal goal of contact with new worlds.
The
day was January 4th 2161. The Federation was finally founded after the earlier
paper work, diplomacy, and red tape had commenced to sort out the multi-facetted
architecture needed for such a union to work. Such considerations involved
myriad constitutional modifications to function around the Federation's cultural
diversity; the founding of a central council and its location; various
scientific research structures; a medical agency; an intelligence unit; the possibilities of a localised
Starbase and
outpost network; trade and commerce routes and protocols; other combined
resource logistics -and most importantly, the nature of the
new restructured Starfleet - its starship designs and deployments, as well as the form
of its command structures and personnel training facilities... The list of
requirements and considerations was extensive.
First and foremost was the
formation of a centralized Federation Council. 
Employing
a full Presidential system, this body would be the diplomatic, organising and
presiding governing body in control of Federation affairs. The Council's
Headquarters location was voted as being San Francisco, which had for a
century been the principal administrative centre of Earth affairs, as Washington
DC had been mostly levelled during the wars, and the Starfleet's military arm at the
time was mostly controlled from the American Continent. The President,
meanwhile, taking control of the Council for no more than two four year terms,
was elected from Council member ambassadors on a rotational basis. And the very
first President, being Vulcan remarked on the 'aesthetically agreeable'
surroundings of the ancient European city of Paris, and took residence there. As
a tradition, the President of the Federation always resides in Paris, and for
future Presidents, transporter link technology would permit easy access to and
from HQ in San Francisco.
For
the initiative of Starfleet personnel recruitment and training, the Starfleet
Academy was established, which continues to flourish to this day. Any
member, or aligned world species was permitted to apply, though certain
biological and physiological concessions were installed. On occasion, the
applications of individuals from worlds which were incompatible with standard
gravitational, life support, and atmospheric pressure values on fleet vessels
had to be sometimes dismissed as unworkable, as starships have to operate under
a preset environment for all of the crew to work together in the same locations
and in the same conditions. Many had to adapt, or have specially fitted devices
which assist in areas such as respiratory functioning, or have to undergo
regularly administered medical supplements to counter the biological effects of
a starship's disparate gravity and life support conditions.
After so much deliberating, calculating, analysing and theorising, now the actual working model of the UFP was in place, and was being put to the test. As politicians, ambassadors and scientists discussed the minutiae of the new Federation down to the quantum level, the first Federation ships were being launched from three yard locations, at Earth, Vulcan and Tellar.
Flow Chart Diagram - Starfleet organization (112K)
The
new 'Unified Starfleet' was officially reformed and united with
other member world military divisions. Its founding motto was 'Ex
Astris Scientia', meaning 'From the stars, knowledge'. The initial charter
outlined the fleet-wide mission to 'boldly go where no man has gone before'.
Many new types of vessel were commissioned, such as advanced surveyor craft, cruisers,
freighters, transports, and hospital ships, all necessities to support and
complement a fully functional fleet.
All personnel were bound by a specific set of rules and regulations, or Starfleet Directives. The Prime Directive detailed Starfleet's non-interference policy, which prohibits intervention, assistance or any kind of involvement with the development of 'pre-contact' level societies. Contact protocols for any civilization that reaches a social and technological level which is deemed contact-worthy is heavily dependent on further regulations, with particular emphasis that the society be certainly space faring, and should be in at least the warp propulsion development stage.
In the following centuries, due to some first
contact disasters and misunderstandings, contact would be carefully prepared
for, and be preceded by extensive surveillance and detailed cultural analysis. Sometimes specialists would
observe and study social groups, monitoring planetary progress from observation
points located in concealed subterranean structures. Once the first contact
scenario has commenced further introduction into the Federation charter is
observed, and such worlds are continued to be carefully assessed, and slowly
indoctrinated. If full membership
is to be permitted, further conditions must be met. Firstly the civilization
must operate under a unified planetary government, additionally, cases
involving any form of social or political ostracism, exploitation, slavery, or
internal conflict is definitely not
considered. Caste systems
are also strictly prohibited. The final phase of membership applications go before the
Council,
and once all criteria, ranging from military matters, general
technological fields, social, psychological and criminal statuses and cultural
integration requirements, and many other points which need careful scrutiny
and analysis, the decision will be given. But there is much to be done in the
way of preparation and research before such a decision is reached. These tasks are initially
carried out by an elite committee of specialists from every scholastic and scientific field,
from sociologists, to physicians and anthropologists. It is a long and drawn out
process of discussion, investigation and examination. In some instances
membership proposals can
take years to be processed.
By the early 23rd century, the Federation had
expanded considerably, with some 30 member worlds, and territory stretching
nearly 1000 light years across. Starfleet itself had around 1000 vessels in
service, and nearly 50 operational Starbases, Outposts and supply depots. But
for Starfleet, and the Federation as a whole, the long term future was to be
complicated... In 2218, a convoy of colonial vessels were brutally attacked by
Klingon ships of a new and unknown design beyond the Federation borders. The straying into
Klingon
territory was unintentional, and pleas for amnesty and diplomatic interchange
went unheard. New and potentially hostile stirrings from the Klingon Empire had occurred, and
this initial bloodbath would lead to decades of sporadic conflict
and mistrust, even with the initiation of a buffering Neutral Zone to
separate borders.
During an encounter on Organia in 2267, which was at that time under brutal Klingon rule, the passive inhabitants, who later revealed their true enlightened, hyper-evolved nature forced a compromise by neutralizing both Klingon and Federation military fleets. Forcing the diplomatic door open, it eventually led to the signing of what became known as the Organian Peace Treaty. This allowed mutual respect of both power's territory, and even the use of each other's military hardware, such as certain Space Stations and Starbases. A cautious and uneasy peace continued for some time, though an actual war did not occur.
In
2244 Starfleet commissioned one of its most famous class vessels to date. With
the advent of Duotronic computer technology and the development of
advanced sensor and weapon systems, the Constitution Class was the most
sophisticated starship yet constructed. With a general hardware designation as
Heavy Cruiser, and deployment designation of Explorer, this class vessel
dominated the fleet for many years to come, excelling in exploration and
research, whilst promoting diplomatic relations Federation wide, and beyond. The
most famous ship of this class, and perhaps the most illustrious to carry the
Federation banner was the USS Enterprise. 
The
Enterprise was involved in many critical and key moments in the 23rd century, under
Captain's April, Pike, and Kirk. The Enterprise
played many notable and important roles in incidents involving Romulans,
Klingons and Tholians, and many mission successes, including the forging of ties
with the mysterious and formidable First Federation, and playing a role
in the Babel conference of 2267, which saw the admittance of the Coridan into
the Federation.
One
of the most peculiar incidents in the history of this first Federation ship
called Enterprise
which was of significant interest to the scholars was the inadvertent
discovery of an alternative, or 'Mirror Universe' which ran parallel to
the current, known Universe; running directly in tandem with the physical dimension domain
of the spatial continuum. Little was known regarding the scientific
interaction and relationship between the Universes, or if indeed there were additional
ones. But it was discovered that persons and events displayed similar characteristics and
properties, though there were subtle idiosyncratic differences, which in this
Universe had taken on more negative tones in particular, because it became apparent that
in
some instances details were
invariably opposite in certain key attributes and features.
After a visit to this less than pleasant realm, Kirk brought back information that Earth's history in this Universe had been quite similar, but certain tangents had led it down a less enlightened path. Rather than the familiar unified and peaceful 'United Federation of Planets', this Universe had in place a 'Terran Empire', that employed a savage and barbaric regime, as members and allies were recruited by intimidation, or exploited via conquest and subjugation. Kirk returned to the known Universe having left the influential and powerful Spock of this alternate one to mull over his suggestions of possible ideological reforms and disarmament. It was unknown what had occurred for a long time; whether or not the Terran Empire continued or had disbanded. There would be widespread speculation, though no further contact was immediately forthcoming.
A
few years later,
whilst undergoing extensive refits
in 2271, the Enterprise was rushed into service to intercept a huge object of unknown
origin threatening the perimeters of the Sol system. Starfleet were stunned to
discover the object was of Earth origin, being once designated as a probe
of the Voyager series, launched in the 20th century. Having been believed
lost to a 'black hole', it had emerged on the far side of the galaxy in tact.
The probe was then discovered by a civilization of living machines. It was fitted with
the ability to learn, grow and adapt to its surroundings on its trip back to its
homeworld -Earth. With the original program to 'learn all that is learnable' V'Ger
was able to gather billions of teraquads of data along its journey. Having
configured itself as a vessel of millions of kilometers in diameter it was
considered a lethal threat upon arrival in the Sol system. It was discovered by
the Enterprise crew that its intent was to wipe out all lifeforms on the
planet unless it could physically 'merge' with its creator. Crewmen Lieutenant
Illia and Commander Decker were lost in the incident that some
believe may have given rise to an advanced, extra-dimensional entity.
It has recently been theorised by Federation scientists that V'Ger had in fact triggered, and fallen into a wormhole, rather than a blackhole, and emerged in the Delta Quadrant. More interestingly, that the machine civilization 'V'Ger' encountered may have in fact been the Borg, who, finding this kindred machine and discovering its mission to absorb and assimilate information in order to progress and perfect understanding greatly enhanced its technology, giving it the ability to physically adapt and reconfigure itself. They constructed a new vehicle to convey the central probe unit, whilst endowing it with incredibly advanced scientific and technical knowledge. During its voyage over the course of three centuries, it became so huge, accumulated so much information and technology, it became a sentient emergent lifeform.
Soon after the shock and controversy of the Genesis
Incident (see 'Technology' on page two) the Federation was plunged into a new crisis during
the 2280's, as yet another foreign body threatened life on Earth. The delicately
balanced ecology of the planet was devastated by the affect of an unknown
alien probe. On analysis, it was discovered that the probe's transmission
carried harmonic variants of 'whale song'. There was no way for anyone on the surface to
respond to the probe, as the targeted 'Hump Back Whales' had been extinct
since the 21st century. A nearby Klingon Bird-of-Prey, containing the
senior officers of the Enterprise, en route to Earth, devised a plan
which took them back to the 20th century to 'collect' two Hump Back Whales,
which it was hoped would be capable of answering the probe and ending the
threat. Although in his efforts to protect, and effectively save Earth, Captain
James T Kirk, under Federation law had to take responsibility and answer
previously laid down charges of disobeying a direct order from Starfleet, when
he had sought to recover Enterprise comrade Captain Spock on the Genesis
Planet. The whale probe incident would also see his record issued with a further temporal violation, one of many he had been guilty of
throughout his career. But the circumstances of the heroism guaranteed that he'd
escape any punishment for this.
The Federation entered a brave new era in 2293
with one of the centuries most important events -The Khitomer Conference.
With the shattering effect to the Klingon economy, the explosion of key moon Praxis
forced them down the path of diplomacy, and renegotiations with the Federation.
Distrust on both sides brought about the potentially catastrophic assassination of Chancellor
Gorkon, leader of the Klingon High Council. Gorkon, his aides and a
delegation of Council members were on their way to Earth under escort for
emergency meetings to discuss their crisis. The two powers came close to an all
out military engagement as a result of his death, but it was discovered, to the
astonishment of many, that high ranking officials in both the Federation and
Klingon Empire had colluded to remove Gorkon, for both parties agreed a
lasting peace could not prevail.
But it really went down to an intense mutual fear of such a radically different and unknown future, so used were they to suspicion and conflict. After the perpetrators were dramatically exposed at the conference in front of, amongst a full representation, Gorkon's daughter and the Federation President, trail blazing peace accords were designed, backed, and eventually settled. As well as the abolition of the long standing Neutral Zone, the treaty paved the way to new understanding and interaction between the old enemies, which eventually led to a Klingon/Federation alliance.
Romulan Star Empire Klingon Empire Cardassian Union Ferengi Alliance
