Led by Admiral James T. Kirk and the Starship Enterprise, the Belle Terre Expedition left Earth in April 2272 to colonize the planet, which was 6 months away at warp 6 (which was maximum speed on the Expedition vessels). While en route, they were attacked by the alien Kauld, natives of that area. With the assistance of the Kauld's mortal enemies, the Blood, the Federation was able to beat the Kauld back and eventually, a year later, forced them to surrender. Also, the Orions, with the assistance of renegade Billy Maidenshore, tried to steal the Expedition transports for their pirate guild. Again, this plan was foiled.
The planetary governor, Evan Pardonnet, was elected Chancellor of Belle Terre by the colonists. Within two years of his election, in 2320, first contact between Belle Terre and the Reydovan Empire was made. After months of negotiating, Admiral Underwood, Emperor Joshmaul and Chancellor Pardonnet made an agreement to bring the planet into the Empire, as the Occult and Reydovan systems weren't that far apart.
Originally, Belle Terre was intended to be a Federation spaceport. Instead, it became the Empire's main spaceport, with an eventual population of 12 billion people. Everything went through them. For example, when Chancellor Pardonnet was assassinated in 2422, Admiral Underwood was elected as his successor by the people, a position he's held to this day.
Belle Terre became the capital of the Reydovan Directorate during the brief rebellion between the Empire and Underwood's forces, and served as a resupply center for all the admiral's ships.
In the last four months of 2502, Belle Terre's "next door neighbors", the Tzenkethi, began raiding the Occult system. Belle Terre's defense systems are on high alert in case the raiders attack the planet.
Below is a map of Belle Terre, made by Underwood's cartographers and approved by Underwood himself on June 29, 2501.
Following the fall of Reydovan Prime on March 23, 2503, Belle Terre became the capital of the Twelve Systems.
