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United Federation of Planets

One of the most powerful groups of people in the quadrant is undoubtedly the Federation. The history of this proud organization begins in the mid 21st century when warloads battled across the Earth in the third world war. Disunity and suffering plagued mankind before a man named Zeffram Cochrane invented a ship capable at traveling at a speed greater than light. Even though it was not why he had done it, Zeffram was declared a hero. The human race built a fleet of starships fitted with the warp drive Cochrane invented, and then the realm of human influence began to expand.

The warp signature left behind from Cochrane's voyage allowed first contact to take place between humanity and the Vulcan race. The Vulcans, cousins of the Romulans, became allies to what they saw as a "vastly illogical and primitive" group of people. From there, it all started. Thanks to the Vulcans, technology improved at a rapid pace, but after several years of continuing hardship. By 2113, the human race finally stood united under a world government and by 2150 all humans had accepted this union. Several years later the Romulan Empire was encountered in 2156. There was a brutal clash and the war between both sides was devastating until the Romulan defeat in 2160. The neutral zone was created, efficiently seperating the two by placing a barrier between the borders of both groups which neither could enter.

In 2161, the official founding of the Federation took place. It was essentially an alliance of world governments based on Earth, but stretched far beyond the nine planet system. From that point in history, the Federation grew. Under the wise direction of the Federation Council, their influence reached outward farther into the galaxy. New worlds interested in joining the Federation were allowed if they had a unified planetary government. Similarly, planets were allowed in if they did not have caste-based descrimination. This policy seemed to work, as the Federation now stretches across over 8,000 lightyears with over 150 member planets.

The Federation does not go unchallenged. Despite their gracious and fair attitude, many groups oppose this union harshly. In the 22nd century, the Federation made a disastrous first encounter with the Klingon Empire. What followed was a long war and bitter relations for decades to come. It wasn't until the Khitomer Peace Accords, in which the Federation President was nearly assassinated, that the Klingons became an ally. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.) The Romulan Empire, as mentioned briefly above, had been once a part of the Vulcan race, but when they left to establish their new empire, they didn't realize who they would challenge. Even before the Federation, humans were waging nuclear war with the Romulans. Terran fighter vessels designated Christophers engaged the enemy all along the border between the two in fierce combat. Restless peace was eventually established, but the Federation was forced to deal with these unfriendly aliens. Even today, some of that rivalry takes place between both governments.

With many threats, the Federation has a branch of service with the purpose of offering protection. Starfleet acts as the military might to protect the members of the Federation. With the purpose to explore, Starfleet is responsible for first contact, colony establishment and protection, member world protection and exploration. Those wishing to serve must first graduate from Starfleet Academy on Earth. Despite the rigurous training, avoiding war is attempted at almost no matter what the cost. Military force is not used until absolutely necessary, but when needed, it is usually impressive. One of the most impressive enemies ever to force their hand have been the Borg. These cybernetic lifeforms came to the Federation seeking to assimilate it into their collective like any other race they discovered. If it had not been for the entity "Q," Starfleet might have never encountered the Borg. Q threw the USS Enterprise, registry 1701-D, far off course into the J2-5 system in the Delta Quadrant. Attacking the Enterprise, the Borg learned of the Federation's prescence. The Enterprise returned home safely, but bringing warnings of that to come.

About two years later, the Borg arrived. The best armada Starfleet could assemble hastily engaged the cube at sector Wolf 359. Throughout the battle, the borg had had the upper hand, having assimilated Captain Jean Luc Picard while still on the outskirts of Federation space. 39 out of 40 ships and 11,000 lives were lost. Lieutenant Commander Data saved the entire Federation when he successfully implemented a command into the collective, shutting them down. The Borg were to try several more incursion into the Federation and several surrounding empires, and at the time of this typing, Starfleet considers the Borg to continue to pose a threat.

Another group which has been a problem has been the Dominion. The Dominion is a group of alien races from the Gamma Quadrant first encountered in Deep Space Nine's second season. All known information on the Dominion shows that their society is caste-like. The Jem'Hadar, warrior class, Vorta, leader class and then the Founders. The Founders are the mysterious shape shifters the members of the Dominion worship. Time and again they have proven their threat to the Federation, especially with their recent war. After the mining of the wormhole to cut off the Dominion forces from their home in the Gamma Quadrant as well as fresh supplies, war broke out between the Dominion forces allied with the Cardassians and the Klingons and Federation. After two years, the Dominion withdrew all forces from the Alpha Quadrant and peace was come to, but the casualties from that war are felt on both sides leaving especially the Cardassian empire in ruins.

Looking forward, the Federation has entered an uneasy time of peace. With the Borg, Dominion and many other normal threats, the future is insecure. The franchise has temporarily turned entirely torward the events in the Delta Quadrant. We are left uncertain as to the rest of the Federation. The only peeks this year have been the scenes in 'Pathfinder.' With the Dominion gone, Starfleet is turning it's resources torward trying to reestablish the order lost in the alpha quadrant over the last several years, while also engaging on a quest to bring back the USS Voyager, lost in the Delta Quadrant. How will they do? Wait for series V..