Post by Nola on Jun 17, 2018 5:27:03 GMT
Lore Introduction
The lore of Star Trek: Above & Beyond has progressed a fair bit beyond the series, and a number of key events have helped to shape the current world of Star Trek as seen in STAB. This thread will summarize the key bits you need to know for character creation, but there's much more where this comes from, so please check out the State of the Federation section to read more!
What Year is It?
It is currently the first half of 2398, approximately 20 years after the end of Voyager. As the 25th century looms, the Federation finds itself mired in unprecedented chaos.
How Much Chaos?
Approximately all of the chaos.
About 2 years ago (in-game), the existence of Section 31 was exposed to the general public. This came on the tail end of the Second Tzenkethi War, which had appeared to see Federation President Shezor Ell assassinated by rebel Tzenkethi holdouts. As it turns out, that's not exactly what happened.
Shortly after the war's end, evidence was found that a secret black ops arm of Starfleet Intelligence (AKA Section 31) had arranged for the assassination of Shezor Ell with the rebel Tzenkethi in order to install one of their own, Ronan Karn, as leader of the Federation. That same information also revealed that Shezor Ell was still alive, the Tzenkethi choosing instead to take him alive for potential ransom. Ell was recovered in a daring rescue mission, and the presentation of both the evidence and the former President brought the long-buried secret of Section 31 to light.
That's when the chaos happened.
Section 31 always has contingencies, and that includes their potential exposure. They spent decades not only securing the allegiance of a number of Admirals, Captains, and other Starfleet Officers, but they'd also been slowly infiltrating the administrations of numerous Federation worlds.
So, when Karn refused to step down and accept the reinstatement of Shezor Ell, it created an instant rift in both Starfleet and the Federation itself. A sudden and pitched battle for control of Earth ensued, with Starfleet vessels facing off against each other, unsure who was friend or foe. Those ships loyal to the Federation and the rule of law were rallied by Admiral Martin Walker, and eventually won the battle, expelling both Karn's administration and a number of ships apparently loyal to Section 31.
The depths of Section 31's infiltration soon became apparent when nearly 60 Federation worlds voted to recognize Ronan Karn as the true Federation President. The Federation now finds itself split in two, in the midst of a protracted civil conflict with no end in sight.
Is That All of the Chaos?
No, it's not!
Following the Hobus event, the Romulans also find themselves in the throes of civil war. The fledgling Romulan Republic resists the Romulan Star Empire with the Federation's aid, though that aid has been somewhat compromised by the events above.
The Klingon Empire is on the bring of anarchy as the High Council loses control of extremist Houses who believe the Council has made the Empire weak with its politics. These fractious Houses believe a return to the old ways is in order, and their message is being heard loud and clear.
In the Alpha Quadrant, the Tzenkethi and Breen war over the circumstances that led to the Second Tzenkethi War, which involved a significant number of Breen forces on the side of Tzenkethi usurpers. With the Autarch back in power, she seeks revenge for the Breen's involvement. This conflict has not stayed in Tzenkethi and Breen territory, however, and skirmishes with Starfleet have occurred on both sides, most notably over the colony of Free Haven.
Growing unrest on Bajor has led to calls of independence from the Federation, citing the conflict with Section 31 and the Federation's subsequent supply difficulties. A faction known as the Order of the New Kai, one that has previously engaged in violent attacks on Starfleet property and personnel, is leading the independence movement, and their influence is growing.
Meanwhile, Cardassia remains mostly silent. Several Starfleet ships have disappeared over the last few months, but only one, the Chiron, has resurfaced. They report that it is the Cardassians who are to blame, along with a surprising and worrisome ally: the Vaadwaur, who have brought their underspace technology to the Alpha Quadrant, and perhaps beyond.
Elsewhere in the Alpha: The Maquis are back, and have been responsible for a string of supply thefts from Starfleet facilities. Most recently, however, a Maquis captain orchestrated the capture of an advanced Starfleet cruiser and used it to attack civilian shipping operations. The ship was destroyed in a pitched battle in the Badlands, but the fallout from that event has only just begun. The involvement of a mysterious organization known as The Alessian Order only complicates matters.
So, Is the Federation Screwed, or What?
Well, it's certainly not it great shape. It's stretched thin and vulnerable, and seems ripe for some hostile power to make a move to end the organization of planets once and for all. But that's the thing about chaos:
It tends not to discriminate.
Section 31 and the True Federation don't find themselves with just one enemy. The Klingons and Romulans have come into conflict with them as well, with the Klingons raiding their planets and starbases and the Romulans interfering with their political machinations. The True Federation has thus retaliated, preventing either the Romulans or the Klingons from attempting any large-scale action against the Federation.
Meanwhile, the growing Breen/Tzenkethi conflict has most of the Alpha Quadrant's attention. Cardassia would seem to be the biggest threat, especially if they've engineered a series of underspace tunnels in Federation territory, but they seem to be content to sit back for the time being.
Fortune tends not to last, however, and the Federation's leadership knows the dynamic could change at any moment. They agree that Section 31 and the separatists must be dealt with as soon as possible, they're just not quite in agreement on how best to do it.
Time is of the essence, however. There's no telling when Cardassia will make their move, or when the Breen/Tzenkethi war might drag Starflet more fully into the conflict. Bajor could vote for independence at any time, which would send shockwaves throughout the once-United Federation, potentially taking more worlds with it. The Romulan Empire might decide to crush the Republic, forcing Starfleet to decide whether to honor their pact, and Klingon anarchy could easily spill out into Federation space.
For the Federation, the only certainty is uncertainty, and the only constant is change. Whatever its fate, it will be decided by those intrepid souls manning Starfleet's ships and wearing its colors. It will be decided by you!
The lore of Star Trek: Above & Beyond has progressed a fair bit beyond the series, and a number of key events have helped to shape the current world of Star Trek as seen in STAB. This thread will summarize the key bits you need to know for character creation, but there's much more where this comes from, so please check out the State of the Federation section to read more!
It is currently the first half of 2398, approximately 20 years after the end of Voyager. As the 25th century looms, the Federation finds itself mired in unprecedented chaos.
Approximately all of the chaos.
About 2 years ago (in-game), the existence of Section 31 was exposed to the general public. This came on the tail end of the Second Tzenkethi War, which had appeared to see Federation President Shezor Ell assassinated by rebel Tzenkethi holdouts. As it turns out, that's not exactly what happened.
Shortly after the war's end, evidence was found that a secret black ops arm of Starfleet Intelligence (AKA Section 31) had arranged for the assassination of Shezor Ell with the rebel Tzenkethi in order to install one of their own, Ronan Karn, as leader of the Federation. That same information also revealed that Shezor Ell was still alive, the Tzenkethi choosing instead to take him alive for potential ransom. Ell was recovered in a daring rescue mission, and the presentation of both the evidence and the former President brought the long-buried secret of Section 31 to light.
That's when the chaos happened.
Section 31 always has contingencies, and that includes their potential exposure. They spent decades not only securing the allegiance of a number of Admirals, Captains, and other Starfleet Officers, but they'd also been slowly infiltrating the administrations of numerous Federation worlds.
So, when Karn refused to step down and accept the reinstatement of Shezor Ell, it created an instant rift in both Starfleet and the Federation itself. A sudden and pitched battle for control of Earth ensued, with Starfleet vessels facing off against each other, unsure who was friend or foe. Those ships loyal to the Federation and the rule of law were rallied by Admiral Martin Walker, and eventually won the battle, expelling both Karn's administration and a number of ships apparently loyal to Section 31.
The depths of Section 31's infiltration soon became apparent when nearly 60 Federation worlds voted to recognize Ronan Karn as the true Federation President. The Federation now finds itself split in two, in the midst of a protracted civil conflict with no end in sight.
No, it's not!
Following the Hobus event, the Romulans also find themselves in the throes of civil war. The fledgling Romulan Republic resists the Romulan Star Empire with the Federation's aid, though that aid has been somewhat compromised by the events above.
The Klingon Empire is on the bring of anarchy as the High Council loses control of extremist Houses who believe the Council has made the Empire weak with its politics. These fractious Houses believe a return to the old ways is in order, and their message is being heard loud and clear.
In the Alpha Quadrant, the Tzenkethi and Breen war over the circumstances that led to the Second Tzenkethi War, which involved a significant number of Breen forces on the side of Tzenkethi usurpers. With the Autarch back in power, she seeks revenge for the Breen's involvement. This conflict has not stayed in Tzenkethi and Breen territory, however, and skirmishes with Starfleet have occurred on both sides, most notably over the colony of Free Haven.
Growing unrest on Bajor has led to calls of independence from the Federation, citing the conflict with Section 31 and the Federation's subsequent supply difficulties. A faction known as the Order of the New Kai, one that has previously engaged in violent attacks on Starfleet property and personnel, is leading the independence movement, and their influence is growing.
Meanwhile, Cardassia remains mostly silent. Several Starfleet ships have disappeared over the last few months, but only one, the Chiron, has resurfaced. They report that it is the Cardassians who are to blame, along with a surprising and worrisome ally: the Vaadwaur, who have brought their underspace technology to the Alpha Quadrant, and perhaps beyond.
Elsewhere in the Alpha: The Maquis are back, and have been responsible for a string of supply thefts from Starfleet facilities. Most recently, however, a Maquis captain orchestrated the capture of an advanced Starfleet cruiser and used it to attack civilian shipping operations. The ship was destroyed in a pitched battle in the Badlands, but the fallout from that event has only just begun. The involvement of a mysterious organization known as The Alessian Order only complicates matters.
Well, it's certainly not it great shape. It's stretched thin and vulnerable, and seems ripe for some hostile power to make a move to end the organization of planets once and for all. But that's the thing about chaos:
It tends not to discriminate.
Section 31 and the True Federation don't find themselves with just one enemy. The Klingons and Romulans have come into conflict with them as well, with the Klingons raiding their planets and starbases and the Romulans interfering with their political machinations. The True Federation has thus retaliated, preventing either the Romulans or the Klingons from attempting any large-scale action against the Federation.
Meanwhile, the growing Breen/Tzenkethi conflict has most of the Alpha Quadrant's attention. Cardassia would seem to be the biggest threat, especially if they've engineered a series of underspace tunnels in Federation territory, but they seem to be content to sit back for the time being.
Fortune tends not to last, however, and the Federation's leadership knows the dynamic could change at any moment. They agree that Section 31 and the separatists must be dealt with as soon as possible, they're just not quite in agreement on how best to do it.
Time is of the essence, however. There's no telling when Cardassia will make their move, or when the Breen/Tzenkethi war might drag Starflet more fully into the conflict. Bajor could vote for independence at any time, which would send shockwaves throughout the once-United Federation, potentially taking more worlds with it. The Romulan Empire might decide to crush the Republic, forcing Starfleet to decide whether to honor their pact, and Klingon anarchy could easily spill out into Federation space.
For the Federation, the only certainty is uncertainty, and the only constant is change. Whatever its fate, it will be decided by those intrepid souls manning Starfleet's ships and wearing its colors. It will be decided by you!