Difference between revisions of "Four Years War (FASA)"

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{{Counterpart2|content='''For a similar conflict that occurred between [[Chronology: 2256#May|May 2256]] and [[Chronology: 2257#December|December 2257]] in the [[Prime Timeline]] and the [[EU Timeline]], see [[Klingon War (23rd Century)]].'''}}
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{{Myriad|title=Klingon War|content='''For a similar conflict that occurred between [[Chronology: 2256#May|May 2256]] and [[Chronology: 2257#December|December 2257]] in the [[Prime Timeline|Prime]], [[Columbia Timeline|Columbia]], and [[STO Timeline|STO]] Timelines, see [[Klingon War (23rd Century)]].'''}}
==FASA Timeline==
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{{ImageInfoBox2|name=Four Years War|file=constitution_class-tos05.jpg|caption=[[Constitution class (FASA)|''Constitution'' class]] ([[Star Trek|TOS]] [[The Man Trap (Episode)|05]])}}
{{ImageInfoBox|name=Four Years War|imgname=constitution_class-tos05|caption=[[Constitution class#FASA Timeline|''Constitution'' class]] ([[Star Trek|TOS]] [[The Man Trap (Episode)|05]])}}
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{{TableRow|title=Began|data=[[Reference Stardate|RSD]] [[2194 (FASA)#August|1/9408.29 (29 August 2194)]]}}
{{TableRow|title=Began|data=[[Reference Stardate|RSD]] [[FASA Chronology: 2194#August|1/9408.29 (29 August 2194)]]}}
+
{{TableRow|title=Ended|data=[[Reference Stardate|RSD]] [[2198 (FASA)#June|1/9806.13 (13 June 2198)]]}}
{{TableRow|title=Ended|data=[[Reference Stardate|RSD]] [[FASA Chronology: 2198#June|1/9806.13 (13 June 2198)]]}}
 
 
{{TableRow|title=Participants|data=[[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon Empire]], [[United Federation of Planets (FASA)|United Federation of Planets]]}}
 
{{TableRow|title=Participants|data=[[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon Empire]], [[United Federation of Planets (FASA)|United Federation of Planets]]}}
{{TableRow|title=Notable Events|data=[[Battle of Axanar#FASA Timeline|Battle of Axanar]], [[Treaty of Axanar#FASA Timeline|Treaty of Axanar]]}}
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{{TableRow|title=Notable Events|data=[[Battle of Axanar (FASA)|Battle of Axanar]], [[Treaty of Axanar (FASA)|Treaty of Axanar]]}}
{{TableRow|title=Notable Individuals|data=[[Garth, Kelvar#FASA Timeline|Kelvar Garth]], [[Kkorhetza#FASA Timeline|Kkorhetza]]}}
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{{TableRow|title=Notable Individuals|data=[[Garth, Kelvar (FASA)|Kelvar Garth]], [[Kkorhetza (FASA)|Kkorhetza]]}}
 
|}</div>
 
|}</div>
 
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{{BannerFASA}}
 
The Four Years War, as it later came to be known, was a late-22nd century conflict between the [[United Federation of Planets (FASA)|United Federation of Planets]] and the [[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon Empire]]. The war began with the [[Battle of Axanar]] on [[Reference Stardate]] [[FASA Chronology: 2194#August|1/9408.29 (29 August 2194)]], and lasted until the [[Treaty of Axanar]] was signed on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2198#June|1/9806.13 (13 June 2198)]], for a span of nearly 46 months.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
 
The Four Years War, as it later came to be known, was a late-22nd century conflict between the [[United Federation of Planets (FASA)|United Federation of Planets]] and the [[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon Empire]]. The war began with the [[Battle of Axanar]] on [[Reference Stardate]] [[FASA Chronology: 2194#August|1/9408.29 (29 August 2194)]], and lasted until the [[Treaty of Axanar]] was signed on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2198#June|1/9806.13 (13 June 2198)]], for a span of nearly 46 months.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
{{InfoBox|float=left|name=Starships}}
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{{InfoBox|float=left|name=Starships|boxwidth=30%}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
|colspan="2"|Of the many starships seeing duty during the Four Years War, the most notable classes of combat and auxiliary support vessels are listed below. Not all participated in combat, but all were on active duty at the time.
 
|colspan="2"|Of the many starships seeing duty during the Four Years War, the most notable classes of combat and auxiliary support vessels are listed below. Not all participated in combat, but all were on active duty at the time.
 
{{TableRow|title=Federation|data=
 
{{TableRow|title=Federation|data=
[[Aakenn class#FASA Timeline|''Aakenn'' class]] freighter<br/>
+
[[Aakenn class (FASA)|''Aakenn'' class]] freighter<br/>
[[Anton class|''Anton'' class]] research cruiser<br/>
+
[[Anton class (FASA)|''Anton'' class]] research cruiser<br/>
[[Apache class#FASA Timeline|''Apache'' class]] destroyer<br/>
+
[[Apache class (FASA)|''Apache'' class]] destroyer<br/>
[[Baton Rouge class#FASA Timeline|''Baton Rouge'' class]] cruiser<br/>
+
[[Baton Rouge class (FASA)|''Baton Rouge'' class]] cruiser<br/>
[[Bode class#FASA Timeline|''Bode'' class]] scout<br/>
+
[[Bode class (FASA)|''Bode'' class]] scout<br/>
[[Canopus class#FASA Timeline|''Canopus'' class]] research cruiser<br/>
+
[[Canopus class (FASA)|''Canopus'' class]] research cruiser<br/>
[[Chariot class#FASA Timeline|''Chariot'' class]] transport<br/>
+
[[Chariot class (FASA)|''Chariot'' class]] transport<br/>
[[Cochrane class (23rd Century)#FASA Timeline|''Cochrane'' class]] colonial transport<br/>
+
[[Cochrane class (23rd Century) (FASA)|''Cochrane'' class]] colonial transport<br/>
[[Constitution class#FASA Timeline|''Constitution'' class]] cruiser<br/>
+
[[Constitution class (FASA)|''Constitution'' class]] cruiser<br/>
[[Eagle class#FASA Timeline|''Eagle'' class]] starliner<br/>
+
[[Eagle class (FASA)|''Eagle'' class]] starliner<br/>
[[Fenlon class#FASA Timeline|''Fenlon'' class]] monitor<br/>
+
[[Fenlon class (FASA)|''Fenlon'' class]] monitor<br/>
[[Hale class#FASA Timeline|''Hale'' class]] scout<br/>
+
[[Hale class (FASA)|''Hale'' class]] scout<br/>
[[Hermes class#FASA Timeline|''Hermes'' class]] scout<br/>
+
[[Hermes class (FASA)|''Hermes'' class]] scout<br/>
[[Heston class#FASA Timeline|''Heston'' class]] cruiser<br/>
+
[[Heston class (FASA)|''Heston'' class]] cruiser<br/>
[[Larson class#FASA Timeline|''Larson'' class]] destroyer<br/>
+
[[Larson class (FASA)|''Larson'' class]] destroyer<br/>
[[Liberty class (23rd Century)#FASA Timeline|''Liberty'' class]] freighter<br/>
+
[[Liberty class (23rd Century) (FASA)|''Liberty'' class]] freighter<br/>
[[Loknar class#FASA Timeline|''Loknar'' class]] frigate<br/>
+
[[Loknar class (FASA)|''Loknar'' class]] frigate<br/>
[[Marklin class#FASA Timeline|''Marklin'' class]] destroyer<br/>
+
[[Marklin class (FASA)|''Marklin'' class]] destroyer<br/>
[[Nelson class#FASA Timeline|''Nelson'' class]] scout<br/>
+
[[Nelson class (FASA)|''Nelson'' class]] scout<br/>
[[Portsmith class#FASA Timeline|''Portsmith'' class]] destroyer<br/>
+
[[Portsmith class (FASA)|''Portsmith'' class]] destroyer<br/>
[[Ptolemy class#FASA Timeline|''Ptolemy'' class]] transport<br/>
+
[[Ptolemy class (FASA)|''Ptolemy'' class]] transport<br/>
[[Saladin class#FASA Timeline|''Saladin'' class]] destroyer<br/>
+
[[Saladin class (FASA)|''Saladin'' class]] destroyer<br/>
[[Sawyer class#FASA Timeline|''Sawyer'' class]] scout<br/>
+
[[Sawyer class (FASA)|''Sawyer'' class]] scout<br/>
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{TableRow|title=Klingon Empire|data=
 
{{TableRow|title=Klingon Empire|data=
[[D'ama class#FASA Timeline|D-4A and E ''D'ama'' (Predator) class]] cruiser<br/>
+
[[D-4 class (FASA)|D-4A and E ''D'ama'' (Predator) class]] cruiser<br/>
[[D-7 class#FASA Timeline|D-7A ''K't'agga'' (Painbringer) class]] cruiser<br/>
+
[[D-7 class (FASA)|D-7A ''K't'agga'' (Painbringer) class]] cruiser<br/>
[[Z'gal class#FASA Timeline|D-9B ''Z'gal'' (Seeker) class]] cruiser<br/>
+
[[D-9 class (FASA)|D-9B ''Z'gal'' (Seeker) class]] cruiser<br/>
[[Riskadh class#FASA Timeline|D-10A ''Riskadh'' class]] cruiser<br/>
+
[[D-10 class (FASA)|D-10A ''Riskadh'' class]] cruiser<br/>
[[Kl'sarza class#FASA Timeline|D-16A ''Kl'sarza'' (Swiftwind) class]] destroyer<br/>
+
[[D-16 class (FASA)|D-16A ''Kl'sarza'' (Swiftwind) class]] destroyer<br/>
[[Death Rite class#FASA Timeline|D-20A (Death Rite) class]] cruiser<br/>
+
[[D-20 class (FASA)|D-20A (Death Rite) class]] cruiser<br/>
[[Plen zha class#FASA Timeline|G-8A ''Plen zha'' (Trader's Game) class]] cargo freighter<br/>
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[[G-8 class (FASA)|G-8A ''Plen zha'' (Trader's Game) class]] cargo freighter<br/>
[[Kalath class#FASA Timeline|K-3A and B ''Kalath'' class]] gunboat<br/>
+
[[K-3 class (FASA)|K-3A and B ''Kalath'' class]] gunboat<br/>
[[Z'mortama class#FASA Timeline|K-17A and D ''Z'mortama'' (Death Stalker) class]] scout<br/>
+
[[K-17 class (FASA)|K-17A and D ''Z'mortama'' (Death Stalker) class]] scout<br/>
[[Talat kh'exesta class#FASA Timeline|K-23A ''Talat kh'exesta'' (Little Killer) class]] escort<br/>
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[[K-23 class (FASA)|K-23A ''Talat kh'exesta'' (Little Killer) class]] escort<br/>
[[K'nel class#FASA Timeline|K-30A and E ''K'nel'' (Luckless) class]] monitor<br/>
+
[[K-30 class (FASA)|K-30A and E ''K'nel'' (Luckless) class]] monitor<br/>
[[T'h'lar class#FASA Timeline|L-6B ''T'h'lar'' (Defender) class]] frigate<br/>
+
[[L-6 class (FASA)|L-6B ''T'h'lar'' (Defender) class]] frigate<br/>
[[D'aka class#FASA Timeline|T-3A ''D'aka'' (Mover) class]] assault ship<br/>
+
[[T-3 class (FASA)|T-3A ''D'aka'' (Mover) class]] assault ship<br/>
[[Koreba class#FASA Timeline|W-2A ''Koreba'' class]] warp shuttle<br/>
+
[[W-2 class (FASA)|W-2A ''Koreba'' class]] warp shuttle<br/>
[[Zha mortas class#FASA Timeline|Z-4B ''Zha mortas'' (Deathgame) class]] defense outpost
+
[[Z-4 class (FASA)|Z-4B ''Zha mortas'' (Deathgame) class]] defense outpost
 
}}
 
}}
 
|}</div>
 
|}</div>
Following the founding of the Federation and the [[Romulan War (FASA)|Romulan War]], the new nation's early years were characterized by consistent territorial expansion, as well as technological and cultural growth as [[warp drive#FASA Timeline|warp]]-driven ships traveled among the Federation's member worlds. Peace again became paramount within the Federation. Resultingly, on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2136|1/3612 (December 2136)]], the [[Federation Council#FASA Timeline|Federation Council]] rejected appropriations for a new generation of starships, believing that the existing designs would continue to suit them well into the future. Coupled with the monumental failure of a [[Tritium class#FASA Timeline|later ship design]], resulted in the obsolete, 46-year-old [[Marshall class#FASA Timeline|''Marshall'' class]] destroyer serving as the Federation's first line of defense during an incident with the Klingons in [[FASA Chronology: 2151|2151]].<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
Following the founding of the Federation and the [[Romulan War (FASA)|Romulan War]], the new nation's early years were characterized by consistent territorial expansion, as well as technological and cultural growth as [[warp drive (FASA)|warp]]-driven ships traveled among the Federation's member worlds. Peace again became paramount within the Federation. Resultingly, on Reference Stardate [[2136 (FASA)#December|1/3612 (December 2136)]], the [[Federation Council (FASA)|Federation Council]] rejected appropriations for a new generation of starships, believing that the existing designs would continue to suit them well into the future. Coupled with the monumental failure of a [[Tritium class (FASA)|later ship design]], resulted in the obsolete, 46-year-old [[Marshall class (FASA)|''Marshall'' class]] destroyer serving as the Federation's first line of defense during an incident with the Klingons in [[2151 (FASA)|2151]].<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
Federation relations with the Klingons were strained from the start. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2151#May|1/5105.02 (02 May 2151)]], the [[U.S.S. Sentry (Advance class)#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Sentry'']] made contact with a personal, warp-capable shuttle near [[Gamma Demetrius]]. When the pilot of the shuttle was granted temporary political asylum, the Klingon warship [[I.K.S. Devisor|''Devisor'']] exchanged fire with the ''Sentry'' before departing, vowing to return and wreak havoc on the Federation. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2160#March|1/6003.04 (04 March 2160)]], a Klingon vessel, which was modified to transmit a Federation scout identification signal, seized the [[U.S.S. Flying Fortress (Rickenbacker class)#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Flying Fortress'']], a slow but heavily-armed transport. The tactic allowed for a sneak attack that destroyed the ''Flying Fortress'' bridge, killing all command personnel and rendering weapons systems inoperative. A Federation anti-piracy task force soon forced the Klingons to release their [[tractor beam]], however, and the ''Flying Fortress''&mdash;and its cargo of experimental new [[deflector shield]] systems&mdash;was returned to Federation control. Notably, there was a period of remarkable inactivity along the border between the two powers from [[FASA Chronology: 2172|2172]] to 2177; this was believed by [[Star Fleet]] strategists to be a result of another war being fought by the Klingons on their coreward border, away from Federation space.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
Federation relations with the Klingons were strained from the start. On Reference Stardate [[2151 (FASA)#May|1/5105.02 (02 May 2151)]], the [[U.S.S. Sentry (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Sentry'']] made contact with a personal, warp-capable shuttle near [[Gamma Demetrius (FASA)|Gamma Demetrius]]. When the pilot of the shuttle was granted temporary political asylum, the Klingon warship [[I.K.S. Devisor (FASA)|''Devisor'']] exchanged fire with the ''Sentry'' before departing, vowing to return and wreak havoc on the Federation. On Reference Stardate [[2160 (FASA)#March|1/6003.04 (04 March 2160)]], a Klingon vessel, which was modified to transmit a Federation scout identification signal, seized the [[U.S.S. Flying Fortress (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Flying Fortress'']], a slow but heavily-armed transport. The tactic allowed for a sneak attack that destroyed the ''Flying Fortress'' bridge, killing all command personnel and rendering weapons systems inoperative. A Federation anti-piracy task force soon forced the Klingons to release their [[tractor beam]], however, and the ''Flying Fortress''&mdash;and its cargo of experimental new [[deflector shield]] systems&mdash;was returned to Federation control. Notably, there was a period of remarkable inactivity along the border between the two powers from [[2172 (FASA)|2172]] to [[2177 (FASA)|2177]]; this was believed by [[Star Fleet Command (FASA)|Star Fleet]] strategists to be a result of another war being fought by the Klingons on their coreward border, away from Federation space.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
In ''Massed Fleets,'' [[Star Fleet Ranks#Admiral|Admiral]] [[Shepherd, Samuel|Samuel Shepherd]], the commanding admiral of Star Fleet prior to the Four Years War, wrote that, following the Romulan War, "high officials in the Federation felt certain that another war would not occur quickly. Once installations were complete along the [[Romulan Star Empire (FASA)|Romulan]] border, the future role of [Star Fleet] seemed limited to navigational and simple law enforcement duties. As a result, appropriations ... were cut sharply. Funds for research and development permitted only modest technological improvements. Funds for new construction allowed only for the replacement of vessels no longer safe for use." This policy continued until Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2148#February|1/4802.20 (20 February 2148)]], when the expensive and ill-fated [[Tritium class#FASA Timeline|''Tritium'' class]] entered service. The first starship designed with three warp nacelles, the design sought to disprove [[Cochrane, Zefram (FASA)|Zefram Cochrane]]'s original warp theories, which held that no more than two warp nacelles could be used on a single ship, as imbalances in the warp fields generated would nullify the drive's effect. The engineers responsible&mdash;and several flag-rank officers in [[Star Fleet Command#Engineering Command|Star Fleet Engineering Command]]&mdash;disagreed with Cochrane, and believed that the third nacelle would dramatically increase maximum operating performance. A total of six ''Tritium'' class ships were constructed before the project was terminated.<ref name="FASA2218A"/> It would be several decades before a three-nacelled starship design could be made to work successfully.<ref name="SFTM"/>
+
In ''Massed Fleets,'' [[Star Fleet Ranks (FASA)#Admiral|Admiral]] [[Shepherd, Samuel (FASA)|Samuel Shepherd]], the commanding admiral of Star Fleet prior to the Four Years War, wrote that, following the Romulan War, "high officials in the Federation felt certain that another war would not occur quickly. Once installations were complete along the [[Romulan Star Empire (FASA)|Romulan]] border, the future role of [Star Fleet] seemed limited to navigational and simple law enforcement duties. As a result, appropriations ... were cut sharply. Funds for research and development permitted only modest technological improvements. Funds for new construction allowed only for the replacement of vessels no longer safe for use." This policy continued until Reference Stardate [[2148 (FASA)#February|1/4802.20 (20 February 2148)]], when the expensive and ill-fated [[Tritium class (FASA)|''Tritium'' class]] entered service. The first starship designed with three warp nacelles, the design sought to disprove [[Cochrane, Zefram (FASA)|Zefram Cochrane]]'s original warp theories, which held that no more than two warp nacelles could be used on a single ship, as imbalances in the warp fields generated would nullify the drive's effect. The engineers responsible&mdash;and several flag-rank officers in [[Star Fleet Command (FASA)#Engineering Command|Star Fleet Engineering Command]]&mdash;disagreed with Cochrane, and believed that the third nacelle would dramatically increase maximum operating performance. A total of six ''Tritium'' class ships were constructed before the project was terminated.<ref name="FASA2218A"/> It would be several decades before a three-nacelled starship design could be made to work successfully.<ref name="SFTM"/>
  
On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2157#August|1/5708 (August 2157)]], the [[Terra-Return League#FASA Timeline|Terra-Return League]] was formed on [[Benecia Colony#FASA Timeline|Benecia Colony]]. The group's goal, as described in their Proclamation, was to end the Federation's policy of expansion and have all [[Humans#FASA Timeline|Humans]] return to the [[Sol system]]. Believing that mankind had gone deep into space and still had not solved many of humanity's basic problems, the group felt that resources were being exploited and abused on an interstellar level, and that there was room enough in the Sol System, now that several planets and moons had been terraformed. Further, the group called for the disbanding of the Federation, and a strictly isolationist view for humanity. By the time of the Second Babel Conference of Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2177#January|1/7701 (January 2177)]], the Terra-Return League represented a respectable and vocal minority, and officially raised the question of dissolving the Federation. When the question failed to pass, the League was disbanded.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
On Reference Stardate [[2157 (FASA)#August|1/5708 (August 2157)]], the [[Terra-Return League (FASA)|Terra-Return League]] was formed on [[Benecia Colony (FASA)|Benecia Colony]]. The group's goal, as described in their Proclamation, was to end the Federation's policy of expansion and have all [[Humans (FASA)|Humans]] return to the [[Sol system (FASA)|Sol system]]. Believing that mankind had gone deep into space and still had not solved many of humanity's basic problems, the group felt that resources were being exploited and abused on an interstellar level, and that there was room enough in the Sol System, now that several planets and moons had been terraformed. Further, the group called for the disbanding of the Federation, and a strictly isolationist view for humanity. By the time of the Second Babel Conference of Reference Stardate [[2177 (FASA)#January|1/7701 (January 2177)]], the Terra-Return League represented a respectable and vocal minority, and officially raised the question of dissolving the Federation. When the question failed to pass, the League was disbanded.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
Adding to the dissatisfaction with the Federation Council was the [[Operation Archimedes#FASA Timeline|Scandal of Archimedes]]. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2170#September|1/7009 (September 2170)]], [[Th'allt#FASA Timeline|Th'allt]], an [[Andorians (FASA)|Andorian]] colony world very close to several [[Tellarites (FASA)|Tellarite]] trading worlds, claimed harassment by particularly exploitative Tellarite traders. The situation, code-named "Archimedes" by Star Fleet, was ignored at first and later badly mismanaged by the Bureau of Interstellar Commerce. The situation became critical on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2172#January|1/7201 (January 2172)]], when a substantial task force of Star Fleet vessels under the command of Andorian Admiral [[Hathari#FASA Timeline|Hathari]] conducted "fleet maneuvers" near Th'allt, encircling the system with a protective blockade, firing on Tellarite-registered trading ships. The crisis illustrated the shortcomings of the Federation's complex and occasionally ineffective bureaucracy.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
Adding to the dissatisfaction with the Federation Council was the [[Operation Archimedes (FASA)|Scandal of Archimedes]]. On Reference Stardate [[2170 (FASA)#September|1/7009 (September 2170)]], [[Th'allt (FASA)|Th'allt]], an [[Andorians (FASA)|Andorian]] colony world very close to several [[Tellarites (FASA)|Tellarite]] trading worlds, claimed harassment by particularly exploitative Tellarite traders. The situation, code-named "Archimedes" by Star Fleet, was ignored at first and later badly mismanaged by the Bureau of Interstellar Commerce. The situation became critical on Reference Stardate [[2172 (FASA)#January|1/7201 (January 2172)]], when a substantial task force of Star Fleet vessels under the command of Andorian Admiral [[Hathari (FASA)|Hathari]] conducted "fleet maneuvers" near Th'allt, encircling the system with a protective blockade, firing on Tellarite-registered trading ships. The crisis illustrated the shortcomings of the Federation's complex and occasionally ineffective bureaucracy.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
By all accounts, the Four Years War began when several members of the Klingon government were pressured by more militant factions to initiate open hostilities against the Federation. This pressure, combined with the need for territorial expansion and conquest of additional resources, led to open warfare. Although an expansionist Federation was seen as a looming threat to the Empire, war was frequently postponed by a policy of aggressive expansion in areas of the Empire not near the Federation. As those campaigns dwindled, however, more militant family lines began to express their displeasure at the [[Klingon Emperor#FASA Timeline|emperor]]'s apparent cowardice. The emperor planned a bold offensive against the Federation, in the hope of mollifying those family lines and remaining in power. The goal was to seize and annex a large region of space controlled by the Federation, and then to turn the Empire's energies toward the Romulan Star Empire. The plan assumed that the Federation would surrender control over the disputed area, rather than enter a prolonged conflict, and that the war would be over in a matter of months with minimal casualties.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
By all accounts, the Four Years War began when several members of the Klingon government were pressured by more militant factions to initiate open hostilities against the Federation. This pressure, combined with the need for territorial expansion and conquest of additional resources, led to open warfare. Although an expansionist Federation was seen as a looming threat to the Empire, war was frequently postponed by a policy of aggressive expansion in areas of the Empire not near the Federation. As those campaigns dwindled, however, more militant family lines began to express their displeasure at the [[Klingon Emperor (FASA)|emperor]]'s apparent cowardice. The emperor planned a bold offensive against the Federation, in the hope of mollifying those family lines and remaining in power. The goal was to seize and annex a large region of space controlled by the Federation, and then to turn the Empire's energies toward the Romulan Star Empire. The plan assumed that the Federation would surrender control over the disputed area, rather than enter a prolonged conflict, and that the war would be over in a matter of months with minimal casualties.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
==Preliminary Skirmishes==
 
==Preliminary Skirmishes==
 
===Arcannis IV===
 
===Arcannis IV===
Star Fleet maintained a medium-sized research outpost on [[Arcannis IV]], an otherwise uninhabited Class K planet. The outpost had no extensive offensive or defensive weapons systems, aside from various personal sidearms, and patrols in the area were generally limited to an occasional [[Hale class#FASA Timeline|''Hale'']] or [[Bode class#FASA Timeline|''Bode'' class]] scout. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2192#December|1/9212.21 (21 December 2192)]], the [[U.S.S. Bohr#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Bohr'']], while on standard patrol near the Arcannis system, reported observing a Klingon task force consisting of three of the fairly new [[D-7 class#FASA Timeline|D-7 class]] ships in the area of unclaimed space between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Not expecting deliberate hostilities, the ''Bohr'' intercepted and tracked the Klingon group. This was a lure, as a second group of 20 ships moved into the Arcannis system and attacked the research station. After knocking out the station's deflector shield with their shipboard disruptors, two companies of Klingon marines transported down, killing all 112 personnel with hand weapons.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
Star Fleet maintained a medium-sized research outpost on [[Arcannis IV (FASA)|Arcannis IV]], an otherwise uninhabited Class K planet. The outpost had no extensive offensive or defensive weapons systems, aside from various personal sidearms, and patrols in the area were generally limited to an occasional [[Hale class (FASA)|''Hale'']] or [[Bode class (FASA)|''Bode'' class]] scout. On Reference Stardate [[2192 (FASA)#December|1/9212.21 (21 December 2192)]], the [[U.S.S. Bohr (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Bohr'']], while on standard patrol near the Arcannis system, reported observing a Klingon task force consisting of three of the fairly new [[D-7 class (FASA)|D-7 class]] ships in the area of unclaimed space between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Not expecting deliberate hostilities, the ''Bohr'' intercepted and tracked the Klingon group. This was a lure, as a second group of 20 ships moved into the Arcannis system and attacked the research station. After knocking out the station's deflector shield with their shipboard disruptors, two companies of Klingon marines transported down, killing all 112 personnel with hand weapons.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
===Buildup on the Border===
 
===Buildup on the Border===
From Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2193#January|1/9301.25 (25 January 2193)]] through [[FASA Chronology: 2193#February|1/9302.24 (24 February 2193)]], Klingon forces began to build in the unclaimed territories between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2193#January|1/9301.25]], the [[U.S.S. Rutherford#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Rutherford'']] detected a Klingon battle fleet of more than 100 ships in the neutral area. Moving just spinward of the [[Rigel system]], the Klingon fleet was apparently heading into Federation space. The fleet, code-named "R" by Star Fleet, was commanded by Admiral epetai [[Kazu#FASA Timeline|Kazu]], an officer with a reputation for making quick, violent decisions. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2193#February|1/9302.24]], the [[U.S.S. Irwin#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Irwin'']] detected a nearly identical force; code-named "U" and commanded by Admiral zantai [[Kone#FASA Timeline|Kone]], this fleet was moving spinward of [[Starbase 22#FASA Timeline|Starbase 22]] with the same heading into Federation space. Star Fleet Intelligence was aware of a massive shipbuilding program within the Empire, and had attributed it to a war on the Empire's borders away from the Federation; given that conflict, they did not expect these new forces to be used against the Federation, but instead to be deployed elsewhere.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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From Reference Stardate [[2193 (FASA)#January|1/9301.25 (25 January 2193)]] through [[2193 (FASA)#February|1/9302.24 (24 February 2193)]], Klingon forces began to build in the unclaimed territories between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. On Reference Stardate [[2193 (FASA)#January|1/9301.25]], the [[U.S.S. Rutherford (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Rutherford'']] detected a Klingon battle fleet of more than 100 ships in the neutral area. Moving just spinward of the [[Rigel system]], the Klingon fleet was apparently heading into Federation space. The fleet, code-named "R" by Star Fleet, was commanded by Admiral epetai [[Kazu (FASA)|Kazu]], an officer with a reputation for making quick, violent decisions. On Reference Stardate [[2193 (FASA)#February|1/9302.24]], the [[U.S.S. Irwin (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Irwin'']] detected a nearly identical force; code-named "U" and commanded by Admiral zantai [[Kone (FASA)|Kone]], this fleet was moving spinward of [[Starbase 22 (FASA)|Starbase 22]] with the same heading into Federation space. Star Fleet Intelligence was aware of a massive shipbuilding program within the Empire, and had attributed it to a war on the Empire's borders away from the Federation; given that conflict, they did not expect these new forces to be used against the Federation, but instead to be deployed elsewhere.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
In preparation for a Klingon assault, however, all Star Fleet vessels capable of combat were transferred from Starbases [[Starbase 21#FASA Timeline|21]], [[Starbase 14#FASA Timeline|14]], and [[Starbase 15#FASA Timeline|15]] toward the border sectors. Then, on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2193#May|1/9305 (May 2193)]], both fleets changed course and reduced speed, stopping short of the Federation border. This left the Federation Council confused and unwilling to commit to hostilities with the Klingons, despite the attack on Arcannis. Nothing further happened for several months, and the Klingon fleets eventually split up into a number of smaller squadrons, while the enormous new shipbuilding facilities at Starbase 15&mdash;as well as other shipyards throughout the Federation&mdash;began to go into immediate, full-scale production. Meanwhile, distracted by the overt moves of these Klingon forces, a smaller, 9-ship task force left the Klingon base at [[Ruwan#FASA Timeline|Ruwan]], moved past Starbase 14, and through the heart of Federation space to occupy Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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In preparation for a Klingon assault, however, all Star Fleet vessels capable of combat were transferred from Starbases [[Starbase 21 (FASA)|21]], [[Starbase 14 (FASA)|14]], and [[Starbase 15 (FASA)|15]] toward the border sectors. Then, on Reference Stardate [[2193 (FASA)#May|1/9305 (May 2193)]], both fleets changed course and reduced speed, stopping short of the Federation border. This left the Federation Council confused and unwilling to commit to hostilities with the Klingons, despite the attack on Arcannis. Nothing further happened for several months, and the Klingon fleets eventually split up into a number of smaller squadrons, while the enormous new shipbuilding facilities at Starbase 15&mdash;as well as other shipyards throughout the Federation&mdash;began to go into immediate, full-scale production. Meanwhile, distracted by the overt moves of these Klingon forces, a smaller, 9-ship task force left the Klingon base at [[Ruwan#FASA Timeline|Ruwan]], moved past Starbase 14, and through the heart of Federation space to occupy Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
==The Battle of Axanar==
 
==The Battle of Axanar==
On [[Reference Stardate]] [[FASA Chronology: 2194#May|1/9405.29 (29 May 2194)]], a single [[D-4 class#FASA Timeline|D-4E class]] cruiser traveling at warp 5 was spotted eight parsecs from [[Axanar (FASA)|Axanar]] by the [[U.S.S. Xenophon (Marklin class)#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Xenophon'']], a [[Marklin class#FASA Timeline|''Marklin'' class]] destroyer under the command of [[Star Fleet Ranks#Captain|Captain]] [[Garth, Kelvar#FASA Timeline|Kelvar Garth]] (''aka'' "Garth of Izar"). Garth observed the [[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon]] vessel for several days, precisely plotting the ship's course: the Klingon ship's only possible destination was Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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On [[Reference Stardate]] [[2194 (FASA)#May|1/9405.29 (29 May 2194)]], a single [[D-4 class (FASA)|D-4E class]] cruiser traveling at warp 5 was spotted eight parsecs from [[Axanar (FASA)|Axanar]] by the [[U.S.S. Xenophon (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Xenophon'']], a [[Marklin class (FASA)|''Marklin'' class]] destroyer under the command of [[Star Fleet Ranks (FASA)#Captain|Captain]] [[Garth, Kelvar (FASA)|Kelvar Garth]] (''aka'' "Garth of Izar"). Garth observed the [[Klingon Empire (FASA)|Klingon]] vessel for several days, precisely plotting the ship's course: the Klingon ship's only possible destination was Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
The [[Sawyer class#FASA Timeline|''Sawyer'' class]] [[U.S.S. Gulliver (Sawyer class)#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Gulliver'']] had received orders on [[Reference Stardate]] [[FASA Chronology: 2194#March|1/9403 (March 2194)]] to make a routine visit to Axanar as a follow-up to an [[FASA Chronology: 2120#August|earlier visit]] conducted by the [[U.S.S. Yardley#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Yardley'']]. The ''Gulliver'' wasn't heard from again after that, and although the ship had not yet been officially listed as missing, Captain Garth concluded that something had gone wrong, and that this Klingon vessel was somehow involved. Garth engaged the D-4, ordering its commander to surrender. When the D-4 attempted to raise shields and bring its weapons on line, Garth used superior tactics to disable the Klingon ship's [[warp drive#FASA Timeline|warp drive]].<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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The [[Sawyer class (FASA)|''Sawyer'' class]] [[U.S.S. Gulliver (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Gulliver'']] had received orders on [[Reference Stardate]] [[2194 (FASA)#March|1/9403 (March 2194)]] to make a routine visit to Axanar as a follow-up to an [[2120 (FASA)#August|earlier visit]] conducted by the [[U.S.S. Yardley (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Yardley'']]. The ''Gulliver'' wasn't heard from again after that, and although the ship had not yet been officially listed as missing, Captain Garth concluded that something had gone wrong, and that this Klingon vessel was somehow involved. Garth engaged the D-4, ordering its commander to surrender. When the D-4 attempted to raise shields and bring its weapons on line, Garth used superior tactics to disable the Klingon ship's [[warp drive (FASA)|warp drive]].<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2194#June|1/9406.05 (05 June 2194)]], the [[U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard NCC-1712#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Bonhomme Richard'' NCC-1712]] recovered the ''Gulliver's'' recorder buoy, and learned of the task force that had occupied the system and destroyed the ''Gulliver'' when it came out of warp there on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2194#April|1/9404.01 (01 April 2194)]]. The ''Bonhomme Richard'' immediately set course for Axanar, transmitting both its log and the ''Gulliver's'' to [[Star Fleet Command]], which in turn informed the Federation Council. By this time, Garth and the ''Xenophon'' were already on their way to Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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On Reference Stardate [[2194 (FASA)#June|1/9406.05 (05 June 2194)]], the [[U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard NCC-1712 (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Bonhomme Richard'' NCC-1712]] recovered the ''Gulliver's'' recorder buoy, and learned of the task force that had occupied the system and destroyed the ''Gulliver'' when it came out of warp there on Reference Stardate [[2194 (FASA)#April|1/9404.01 (01 April 2194)]]. The ''Bonhomme Richard'' immediately set course for Axanar, transmitting both its log and the ''Gulliver's'' to [[Star Fleet Command (FASA)|Star Fleet Command]], which in turn informed the Federation Council. By this time, Garth and the ''Xenophon'' were already on their way to Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
The Klingon task force at Axanar was immediately contacted. The Klingon commander, [[Klingon Ranks#Admiral|Admiral]] [[Kkorhetza#FASA Timeline|Kkorhetza]], was given a choice between withdrawing his entire force to the Klingon border under a Star Fleet escort and outright surrender. Perhaps generously, he was given four months in which to contact his government and receive their instructions. Arriving at Axanar on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2194#July|1/9407.09 (09 July 2194)]], several hours before the ''Bonhomme Richard,'' Captain Garth was given overall command of a squadron whose orders were to maintain complete surveillance of the Axanar system and contain the Klingon warships. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2194#August|1/9408.29 (29 August 2194)]], Garth's scouts detected a second Klingon task force, consisting of two squadrons of D-4E cruisers and numerous cargo freighters and assault ships, moving toward Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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The Klingon task force at Axanar was immediately contacted. The Klingon commander, [[Klingon Ranks (FASA)#Admiral|Admiral]] [[Kkorhetza (FASA)|Kkorhetza]], was given a choice between withdrawing his entire force to the Klingon border under a Star Fleet escort and outright surrender. Perhaps generously, he was given four months in which to contact his government and receive their instructions. Arriving at Axanar on Reference Stardate [[2194 (FASA)#July|1/9407.09 (09 July 2194)]], several hours before the ''Bonhomme Richard,'' Captain Garth was given overall command of a squadron whose orders were to maintain complete surveillance of the Axanar system and contain the Klingon warships. On Reference Stardate [[2194 (FASA)#August|1/9408.29 (29 August 2194)]], Garth's scouts detected a second Klingon task force, consisting of two squadrons of D-4E cruisers and numerous cargo freighters and assault ships, moving toward Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
Garth split his squadron into three groups. One remained at Axanar, while the other two left the system at high warp. The new Klingon task force moved in, pinning the first group and crippling several of the scouts. Meanwhile, the second group conducted a massive communications counterintelligence operation, simulating the subspace radio traffic of several large [[United Federation of Planets (FASA)|Federation]] fleets moving to encircle the Klingons, who broke off their initial attacks and reformed for a second attack. The third group then moved into covert attack positions, and directed their fire into the unshielded aft sections of more than half the Klingon force.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
 
Garth split his squadron into three groups. One remained at Axanar, while the other two left the system at high warp. The new Klingon task force moved in, pinning the first group and crippling several of the scouts. Meanwhile, the second group conducted a massive communications counterintelligence operation, simulating the subspace radio traffic of several large [[United Federation of Planets (FASA)|Federation]] fleets moving to encircle the Klingons, who broke off their initial attacks and reformed for a second attack. The third group then moved into covert attack positions, and directed their fire into the unshielded aft sections of more than half the Klingon force.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
Line 93: Line 92:
  
 
==War Begins==
 
==War Begins==
On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2194#September|1/9409.29 (29 September 2194)]], Klingon Admiral Kkorhetza finally replied to the Federation's demands, unaware of the destruction of his reinforcing task force. He declared, "An alliance now exists between the powerful Klingon Empire and its honorable servitor, the natives of the world of Axanar. By the insulting condition in the terms of your own weakness-infested Council's 'ultimatum,' a state of war is now in effect between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets." Following the declaration of war, and having received additional reinforcements of his own, Garth's task force moved into the Axanar system on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2194#September|1/9409.30 (30 September 2194)]]. Garth soundly defeated the seven-warship invasion fleet in what came to be known as the Second Battle of Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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On Reference Stardate [[2194 (FASA)#September|1/9409.29 (29 September 2194)]], Klingon Admiral Kkorhetza finally replied to the Federation's demands, unaware of the destruction of his reinforcing task force. He declared, "An alliance now exists between the powerful Klingon Empire and its honorable servitor, the natives of the world of Axanar. By the insulting condition in the terms of your own weakness-infested Council's 'ultimatum,' a state of war is now in effect between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets." Following the declaration of war, and having received additional reinforcements of his own, Garth's task force moved into the Axanar system on Reference Stardate [[2194 (FASA)#September|1/9409.30 (30 September 2194)]]. Garth soundly defeated the seven-warship invasion fleet in what came to be known as the Second Battle of Axanar.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
From [[FASA Chronology: 2194#October|1/9410 (October 2194)]] through [[FASA Chronology: 2195#April|1/9504 (April 2194)]], several Klingon squadrons passed into Federation space, attacking any ships they encountered. During this time, the Battles of [[Andromeda]], [[Genmarx]], [[Lea]], and [[Lyclydun]] were fought, and [[Janni IV#FASA Timeline|Janni IV]] was subjugated by regiments of Klingon soldiers in the first ground action of the war. Commodore [[van Anling, Sven#FASA Timeline|Sven van Anling]] recalled in a [[Contemporary Federation Military History#FASA Timeline|Contemporary Federation Military History]] lecture given to [[Star Fleet Academy]] graduate students shortly after the war that "our forces did slow the Klingons' progress, but losses were high."<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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From [[2194 (FASA)#October|1/9410 (October 2194)]] through [[2195 (FASA)#April|1/9504 (April 2194)]], several Klingon squadrons passed into Federation space, attacking any ships they encountered. During this time, the Battles of [[Battle of Andromeda (FASA)|Andromeda]], [[Battle of Genmarx (FASA)|Genmarx]], [[Battle of Lea (FASA)|Lea]], and [[Battle of Lyclydun (FASA)|Lyclydun]] were fought, and [[Janni IV (FASA)|Janni IV]] was subjugated by regiments of Klingon soldiers in the first ground action of the war. Commodore [[van Anling, Sven (FASA)|Sven van Anling]] recalled in a [[Contemporary Federation Military History (FASA)|Contemporary Federation Military History]] lecture given to [[Star Fleet Academy (FASA)|Star Fleet Academy]] graduate students shortly after the war that "our forces did slow the Klingons' progress, but losses were high."<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
Unhappy with Star Fleet's handling of the Arcannis Incident and unsatisfied with the strategic withdrawal of Federation forces in the face of the Klingon onslaught, Captain [[April, Robert#FASA Timeline|Robert April]], commander of the [[U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701|U.S.S. ''Enterprise'' NCC-1701]] and one of Star Fleet's most respected captains, felt a more aggressive approach could, and should, have been taken to repel the Klingons. On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2195#January|1/9501 (January 2195)]], Captain April was promoted<ref name="FASA2218A"/> to commodore.<ref name="TAS22"/>
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Unhappy with Star Fleet's handling of the Arcannis Incident and unsatisfied with the strategic withdrawal of Federation forces in the face of the Klingon onslaught, Captain [[April, Robert (FASA)|Robert April]], commander of the [[U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Enterprise'' NCC-1701]] and one of Star Fleet's most respected captains, felt a more aggressive approach could, and should, have been taken to repel the Klingons. On Reference Stardate [[2195 (FASA)#January|1/9501 (January 2195)]], Captain April was promoted<ref name="FASA2218A"/> to commodore.<ref name="TAS22"/>
  
On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2195#February|1/9502.10 (10 February 2195)]], a zone-intrusion detection satellite along the [[Romulan Neutral Zone#FASA Timeline|Romulan Neutral Zone]] tracked a [[Graceful Flyer class|''Graceful Flyer'' class]] scout ship. Senior Star Fleet officers believed it to be a prelude to military intervention by the Romulan Empire, and Star Fleet hoped that their old animosity toward the Klingons would be sufficient to get them on the Federation's side. Until the Romulans' intentions could be determined, however, forces were diverted to the Romulan border as a precaution, seriously hindering the war effort against the Klingons.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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On Reference Stardate [[2195 (FASA)#February|1/9502.10 (10 February 2195)]], a zone-intrusion detection satellite along the [[Romulan Neutral Zone (FASA)|Romulan Neutral Zone]] tracked a [[Graceful Flyer class|''Graceful Flyer'' class]] scout ship. Senior Star Fleet officers believed it to be a prelude to military intervention by the Romulan Empire, and Star Fleet hoped that their old animosity toward the Klingons would be sufficient to get them on the Federation's side. Until the Romulans' intentions could be determined, however, forces were diverted to the Romulan border as a precaution, seriously hindering the war effort against the Klingons.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2195#April|1/9504 (April 2195)]], a convoy of [[Orions (FASA)|Orion]] merchant ships heading for a Federation manufacturing facility on [[Alphosa#FASA Timeline|Alphosa]] was intercepted by a Klingon destroyer task force near [[Laxala#FASA Timeline|Laxala]]. The convoy, which carried supplies of partially refined [[dilithium#FASA Timeline|dilithium]], was vital to the Federation's war efforts. The Klingons were likely aware of this, and demanded the cargo be turned over. As one merchant ship closed in to make the transfer, the Orion captain deliberately overloaded his warp drive, totally destroying his ship and one Klingon destroyer, and severely damaging a second, ending the attack. Shortly afterward, the Orion government stated that all shipments of dilithium would be treated as "sacred cargo, not to be captured, diverted, or destroyed by any government until after reaching its declared destination." The [[Rigel XII#FASA Timeline|Rigel XII]] dilithium mining complex, which was under Orion jurisdiction, was said to have been equipped with enough antimatter to vaporize the planet, which they threatened to do if anyone interfered with future shipments. Neither side was willing to test the Orions, and their conditions were unanimously accepted.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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On Reference Stardate [[2195 (FASA)#April|1/9504 (April 2195)]], a convoy of [[Orions (FASA)|Orion]] merchant ships heading for a Federation manufacturing facility on [[Alphosa (FASA)|Alphosa]] was intercepted by a Klingon destroyer task force near [[Laxala (FASA)|Laxala]]. The convoy, which carried supplies of partially refined [[dilithium (FASA)|dilithium]], was vital to the Federation's war efforts. The Klingons were likely aware of this, and demanded the cargo be turned over. As one merchant ship closed in to make the transfer, the Orion captain deliberately overloaded his warp drive, totally destroying his ship and one Klingon destroyer, and severely damaging a second, ending the attack. Shortly afterward, the Orion government stated that all shipments of dilithium would be treated as "sacred cargo, not to be captured, diverted, or destroyed by any government until after reaching its declared destination." The [[Rigel XII (FASA)|Rigel XII]] dilithium mining complex, which was under Orion jurisdiction, was said to have been equipped with enough antimatter to vaporize the planet, which they threatened to do if anyone interfered with future shipments. Neither side was willing to test the Orions, and their conditions were unanimously accepted.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
The [[Battle of GR-1]] and the [[Assault of Nozseca]] occurred on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2195#May|1/9505 (May 2195)]], and were significant setbacks for Federation forces. Nevertheless, marines on [[Nozseca#FASA Timeline|Nozseca]] under Andorian General [[Shruth#FASA Timeline|Shruth]] put up a valiant defense as they attempted to engage orbiting spacecraft with their limited surface-based, anti-space weapons. The defending Star Fleet squadron of [[Portsmith class#FASA Timeline|''Portsmith'' class]] destroyers and [[Nelson class#FASA Timeline|''Nelson'' class]] scouts had been eliminated, giving the Klingons uncontested ground attack capability from orbit. The defending forces were annihilated by ship-based disruptor attacks, and Klingon soldiers landed.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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The [[Battle of GR-1 (FASA)|Battle of GR-1]] and the [[Assault of Nozseca (FASA)|Assault of Nozseca]] occurred on Reference Stardate [[2195 (FASA)#May|1/9505 (May 2195)]], and were significant setbacks for Federation forces. Nevertheless, marines on [[Nozseca (FASA)|Nozseca]] under Andorian General [[Shruth (FASA)|Shruth]] put up a valiant defense as they attempted to engage orbiting spacecraft with their limited surface-based, anti-space weapons. The defending Star Fleet squadron of [[Portsmith class (FASA)|''Portsmith'' class]] destroyers and [[Nelson class (FASA)|''Nelson'' class]] scouts had been eliminated, giving the Klingons uncontested ground attack capability from orbit. The defending forces were annihilated by ship-based disruptor attacks, and Klingon soldiers landed.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
The [[Attack of Convoy Y-16Z]] on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2195#July|1/9507 (July 2195)]] was considered to be the first genuine Federation fleet victory. A large Federation convoy under the command of Commodore [[Maxwil, Jarv#FASA Timeline|Jarv Maxwil]] was en route from [[Deuteronomy III#FASA Timeline|Dueteronomy III]] to a front-line repair outpost, when they were discovered by a small Klingon task force. The [[U.S.S. Defiant NCC-1764#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Defiant'' NCC-1764]] and a cover squadron of [[Baton Rouge class#FASA Timeline|''Baton Rouge'' class]] cruisers destroyed or captured the entire Klingon force.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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The [[Attack of Convoy Y-16Z (FASA)|Attack of Convoy Y-16Z]] on Reference Stardate [[2195 (FASA)#July|1/9507 (July 2195)]] was considered to be the first genuine Federation fleet victory. A large Federation convoy under the command of Commodore [[Maxwil, Jarv (FASA)|Jarv Maxwil]] was en route from [[Deuteronomy III (FASA)|Dueteronomy III]] to a front-line repair outpost, when they were discovered by a small Klingon task force. The [[U.S.S. Defiant NCC-1764 (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Defiant'' NCC-1764]] and a cover squadron of [[Baton Rouge class (FASA)|''Baton Rouge'' class]] cruisers destroyed or captured the entire Klingon force.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
Although designed primarily for exploration, the [[Constitution class#FASA Timeline|''Constitution'' class]] cruisers were the most powerful ships in service at the time. Despite this, after Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2196#March|1/9603 (March 2196)]], they were reassigned away from the combat zone, and only served in their prewar roles of survey, exploration, and planetary contact.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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Although designed primarily for exploration, the [[Constitution class (FASA)|''Constitution'' class]] cruisers were the most powerful ships in service at the time. Despite this, after Reference Stardate [[2196 (FASA)#March|1/9603 (March 2196)]], they were reassigned away from the combat zone, and only served in their prewar roles of survey, exploration, and planetary contact.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
==Taking the Offensive==
 
==Taking the Offensive==
At the same time as the ''Constitution'' class cruisers were reassigned, and [[Star Fleet General Orders#General Order 7|General Order 7]] was established under heavy security classification, the [[Defense of Rudgur III]] marked the first use of [[chlortheragen#FASA Timeline|chlortheragen]], a Klingon-designed nerve agent. Star Fleet marines landed on [[Rudgur III#FASA Timeline|Rudgur III]], near Klingon space, in a surprise attempt to make inroads into the Empire. This marked the first time Federation forces actually landed on Klingon soil, but the landing was, as the official briefings of the time put it, "not entirely successful." Klingon High Command, learning that Rudgur had been taken, sent in large numbers of ground troops. Unsatisfied with their progress, the Klingons used clortheragen for the first time. The chemical, a lethal nerve agent, was designed to inflict agony on its victims as it killed them, demonstrating a new level of brutality in Klingon tactics. A Federation recovery ship moved in to recover the few survivors. Many marines were killed, and most of the survivors were captured and later killed by the Klingons. Colonel [[Mann'dela, Wilhelm#FASA Timeline|Wilhelm Mann'dela]], commanding officer of the Fifth Marine Regiment and one of the few high-ranking survivors, summed up the conflict with a grim pun on the planet's name, calling the battle "The Ruddy, Gore War."<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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At the same time as the ''Constitution'' class cruisers were reassigned, and [[Star Fleet General Orders (FASA)#General Order 7|General Order 7]] was established under heavy security classification, the [[Defense of Rudgur III (FASA)|Defense of Rudgur III]] marked the first use of [[chlortheragen (FASA)|chlortheragen]], a Klingon-designed nerve agent. Star Fleet marines landed on [[Rudgur III (FASA)|Rudgur III]], near Klingon space, in a surprise attempt to make inroads into the Empire. This marked the first time Federation forces actually landed on Klingon soil, but the landing was, as the official briefings of the time put it, "not entirely successful." Klingon High Command, learning that Rudgur had been taken, sent in large numbers of ground troops. Unsatisfied with their progress, the Klingons used clortheragen for the first time. The chemical, a lethal nerve agent, was designed to inflict agony on its victims as it killed them, demonstrating a new level of brutality in Klingon tactics. A Federation recovery ship moved in to recover the few survivors. Many marines were killed, and most of the survivors were captured and later killed by the Klingons. Colonel [[Mann'dela, Wilhelm (FASA)|Wilhelm Mann'dela]], commanding officer of the Fifth Marine Regiment and one of the few high-ranking survivors, summed up the conflict with a grim pun on the planet's name, calling the battle "The Ruddy, Gore War."<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
A major setback for the Klingon Empire occurred on Reference Stardate ([[FASA Chronology: 2196#October|1/9610 (October 2196)]] with the [[Battle of Kesse]], when the Federation's fast-moving 84th Special Task Force of [[Baton Rouge class#FASA Timeline|''Baton Rouge'' class]] cruisers got behind enemy supply lines and ambushed a vital Klingon convoy headed for a forward supply installation. The [[Battle of Webirty]] on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2196#December|1/9612 (December 2196)]] and the attack on [[Zal Vhros#FASA Timeline|Zal Vhros]] on [[FASA Chronology: 2197#February|1/9702 (February 2197)]] highlighted the growing Klingon frustrations and desperation in fighting against the Federation. As the Klingons continued to push deeper into Federation territory, their lines of supply grew longer and more tenuous, resulting in a major diversionary tactic on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2197#March|1/9703 (March 2197)]]. A new class of ship with a nonstandard design, the [[K-23 class#FASA Timeline|K-23 class]] escort entered service, and the Klingons claimed to have a new ally. Monitored communications seemed to indicate that the crews were not speaking any known, understandable dialect of Klingon, and the ships would not surrender under any circumstances, preferring self-destruction over capture. <ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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A major setback for the Klingon Empire occurred on Reference Stardate ([[2196 (FASA)#October|1/9610 (October 2196)]] with the [[Battle of Kesse (FASA)|Battle of Kesse]], when the Federation's fast-moving 84th Special Task Force of [[Baton Rouge class (FASA)|''Baton Rouge'' class]] cruisers got behind enemy supply lines and ambushed a vital Klingon convoy headed for a forward supply installation. The [[Battle of Webirty (FASA)|Battle of Webirty]] on Reference Stardate [[2196 (FASA)#December|1/9612 (December 2196)]] and the attack on [[Zal Vhros (FASA)|Zal Vhros]] on [[2197 (FASA)#February|1/9702 (February 2197)]] highlighted the growing Klingon frustrations and desperation in fighting against the Federation. As the Klingons continued to push deeper into Federation territory, their lines of supply grew longer and more tenuous, resulting in a major diversionary tactic on Reference Stardate [[2197 (FASA)#March|1/9703 (March 2197)]]. A new class of ship with a nonstandard design, the [[K-23 class (FASA)|K-23 class]] escort entered service, and the Klingons claimed to have a new ally. Monitored communications seemed to indicate that the crews were not speaking any known, understandable dialect of Klingon, and the ships would not surrender under any circumstances, preferring self-destruction over capture. <ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
A Klingon thrust toward [[Adhara#FASA Timeline|Adhara]], which the Klingons believed to be a major Federation military center, was met by Star Fleet forces at [[Thranstor#FASA Timeline|Thranstor]], which had been selected as a potential future shipbuilding facility, on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2197#April|1/9704 (April 2197)]]. The [[Battle of Thranstor]] was notable for the fact that, in a rare instance, the Federation actually had a larger available force to meet the Klingons. As the Klingons maneuvered in their standard V-formations, squadrons of Federation ships turned in formation and flanked the Klingon cruisers, wreaking havoc and causing the Klingons to scatter among the system's asteroid belt. This led to dozens of smaller encounters, and with most of the asteroids containing high concentrations of metals, it became difficult for either side to detect opposing starships due to confused sensor readings. When the battle was finally over, more than 100 warships were permanently disabled, nearly as many more were seriously damaged, and the disorganized Klingon survivors were forced to withdraw to their own territory.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
A Klingon thrust toward [[Adhara (FASA)|Adhara]], which the Klingons believed to be a major Federation military center, was met by Star Fleet forces at [[Thranstor (FASA)|Thranstor]], which had been selected as a potential future shipbuilding facility, on Reference Stardate [[2197 (FASA)#April|1/9704 (April 2197)]]. The [[Battle of Thranstor (FASA)|Battle of Thranstor]] was notable for the fact that, in a rare instance, the Federation actually had a larger available force to meet the Klingons. As the Klingons maneuvered in their standard V-formations, squadrons of Federation ships turned in formation and flanked the Klingon cruisers, wreaking havoc and causing the Klingons to scatter among the system's asteroid belt. This led to dozens of smaller encounters, and with most of the asteroids containing high concentrations of metals, it became difficult for either side to detect opposing starships due to confused sensor readings. When the battle was finally over, more than 100 warships were permanently disabled, nearly as many more were seriously damaged, and the disorganized Klingon survivors were forced to withdraw to their own territory.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
Several days later, on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2197#May|1/9705 (May 2197)]] and about 40 parsecs away, a similar battle occurred near [[Argelius#FASA Timeline|Argelius]]. The Engagement for Argelian Approaches, as it became known, "was not won by the Federation as much as it was lost by Klingon forces," according to Admiral [[Westervliet, Sebastian#FASA Timeline|Sebastian Westervliet]] in his book ''[[An Informal History of the Four Years War]].'' Many of the Klingon vessels, having to operate so far from their supply bases, had not been repaired from previous conflicts. Numerous odd formations were the result of Klingon commanders attempting to protect damaged systems; an entire squadron of [[D-7 class#FASA Timeline|D-7]]s was even reported to have gone into battle ''in reverse,'' as their damaged forward shields had not yet been repaired. Federation losses were light, and Argelius itself never saw hostile combat or heard the sound of disruptors.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
Several days later, on Reference Stardate [[2197 (FASA)#May|1/9705 (May 2197)]] and about 40 parsecs away, a similar battle occurred near [[Argelius (FASA)|Argelius]]. The Engagement for Argelian Approaches, as it became known, "was not won by the Federation as much as it was lost by Klingon forces," according to Admiral [[Westervliet, Sebastian (FASA)|Sebastian Westervliet]] in his book ''[[An Informal History of the Four Years War (FASA)|An Informal History of the Four Years War]].'' Many of the Klingon vessels, having to operate so far from their supply bases, had not been repaired from previous conflicts. Numerous odd formations were the result of Klingon commanders attempting to protect damaged systems; an entire squadron of [[D-7 class (FASA)|D-7]]s was even reported to have gone into battle ''in reverse,'' as their damaged forward shields had not yet been repaired. Federation losses were light, and Argelius itself never saw hostile combat or heard the sound of disruptors.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
==War's End==
 
==War's End==
On Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2197#December|1/9712.06 (06 December 2197)]], the destroyer [[U.S.S. Aramis#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Aramis'']] intercepted a [[K-17 class#FASA Timeline|K-17 class]] scout ship, which was traveling from the rapidly shifting front lines to a Klingon fleet massing at [[Grank#FASA Timeline|Grank]]. Klingon Admiral [[Komex#FASA Timeline|Komex]], who was aboard the K-17, hailed the ''Aramis'' and demanded to speak with "the highest-ranking available official with Star Fleet." The ''Aramis'' boarded the scout vessel and took it in tow before contacting Admiral [[Devon#FASA Timeline|Devon]] aboard the [[U.S.S. Aquila (Hermes class)#FASA Timeline|U.S.S. ''Aquila'']], a [[Hermes class#FASA Timeline|''Hermes'' class]] command courier in use as a mobile operations center. Komex declared that the Klingon Empire could not win the war, and he believed that the war must end as soon as possible to allow his government to rebuild in order to fight at another time. He swore that he was acting in the best interests of the Klingon Empire with a convoluted chain of logic that was not easily understood by any but himself, and described the location and defenses around [[Kolm-an#FASA Timeline|Kolm-an]], the main center of Klingon operations. The last battle of the war, [[Operation Argus Redoubt]], was fought on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2198#March|1/9803.20 (20 March 2198)]] at Kolm-an, using the detailed information provided by Admiral Komex, and the remaining Klingon forces, despite fighting valiantly, were routed.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
+
On Reference Stardate [[2197 (FASA)#December|1/9712.06 (06 December 2197)]], the destroyer [[U.S.S. Aramis (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Aramis'']] intercepted a [[K-17 class (FASA)|K-17 class]] scout ship, which was traveling from the rapidly shifting front lines to a Klingon fleet massing at [[Grank (FASA)|Grank]]. Klingon Admiral [[Komex (FASA)|Komex]], who was aboard the K-17, hailed the ''Aramis'' and demanded to speak with "the highest-ranking available official with Star Fleet." The ''Aramis'' boarded the scout vessel and took it in tow before contacting Admiral [[Devon (FASA)|Devon]] aboard the [[U.S.S. Aquila (FASA)|U.S.S. ''Aquila'']], a [[Hermes class (FASA)|''Hermes'' class]] command courier in use as a mobile operations center. Komex declared that the Klingon Empire could not win the war, and he believed that the war must end as soon as possible to allow his government to rebuild in order to fight at another time. He swore that he was acting in the best interests of the Klingon Empire with a convoluted chain of logic that was not easily understood by any but himself, and described the location and defenses around [[Kolm-an (FASA)|Kolm-an]], the main center of Klingon operations. The last battle of the war, [[Operation Argus Redoubt (FASA)|Operation Argus Redoubt]], was fought on Reference Stardate [[2198 (FASA)#March|1/9803.20 (20 March 2198)]] at Kolm-an, using the detailed information provided by Admiral Komex, and the remaining Klingon forces, despite fighting valiantly, were routed.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
==Axanar Peace Mission & Aftermath==
 
==Axanar Peace Mission & Aftermath==
The [[Axanar Peace Mission#FASA Timeline|Axanar Peace Mission]] convened on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2198#May|1/9805.12 (12 May 2198)]], after a number of Klingon delegates were rushed to Axanar. The [[Treaty of Axanar]] was signed on Reference Stardate [[FASA Chronology: 2198#June|1/9806.13 (13 June 2198)]], and its terms, which included the mass evacuations of several Klingon worlds in what was now neutral territory, were carried out from [[FASA Chronology: 2198#July|1/9807 (July 2198)]] through [[FASA Chronology: 2199#April|1/9904 (April 2199)]]. Several classes of ships were deemed no longer necessary by Star Fleet, and they were decommissioned or destroyed at the [[Centauri Test Range#FASA Timeline|Centauri]] and [[Arcturus Test Range#FASA Timeline|Arcturus Test Ranges]]. Other ships were refitted and assigned to peacetime missions. Axanar officially became a Federation protectorate, and the Federation Council approved funding to construct Starbases [[Starbase 12#FASA Timeline|12]] and [[Starbase 27#FASA Timeline|27]] in the newest region of space to come under Federation jusrisdiction. Much larger due to the gains made during the Four Years War, the Klingon Empire established a new base at [[Mastocal#FASA Timeline|Mastocal]] and proceeded to consolidate their territorial gains. The [[Klingon Neutral Zone#FASA Timeline|Neutral Zone]] was now much smaller, as the two powers expanded into the previously unclaimed territories between them.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
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The [[Axanar Peace Mission (FASA)|Axanar Peace Mission]] convened on Reference Stardate [[2198 (FASA)#May|1/9805.12 (12 May 2198)]], after a number of Klingon delegates were rushed to Axanar. The [[Treaty of Axanar (FASA)|Treaty of Axanar]] was signed on Reference Stardate [[2198 (FASA)#June|1/9806.13 (13 June 2198)]], and its terms, which included the mass evacuations of several Klingon worlds in what was now neutral territory, were carried out from [[2198 (FASA)#July|1/9807 (July 2198)]] through [[2199 (FASA)#April|1/9904 (April 2199)]]. Several classes of ships were deemed no longer necessary by Star Fleet, and they were decommissioned or destroyed at the [[Centauri Test Range (FASA)|Centauri]] and [[Arcturus Test Range (FASA)|Arcturus Test Ranges]]. Other ships were refitted and assigned to peacetime missions. Axanar officially became a Federation protectorate, and the Federation Council approved funding to construct Starbases [[Starbase 12 (FASA)|12]] and [[Starbase 27 (FASA)|27]] in the newest region of space to come under Federation jurisdiction. Much larger due to the gains made during the Four Years War, the Klingon Empire established a new base at [[Mastocal (FASA)|Mastocal]] and proceeded to consolidate their territorial gains. The [[Klingon Neutral Zone (FASA)|Neutral Zone]] was now much smaller, as the two powers expanded into the previously unclaimed territories between them.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
 
==Ships Destroyed==
 
==Ships Destroyed==
 
While a full accounting of ships destroyed in the Four Years War has not been published, losses were heavy on both sides of the war.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
 
While a full accounting of ships destroyed in the Four Years War has not been published, losses were heavy on both sides of the war.<ref name="FASA2218A"/>
  
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Latest revision as of 01:17, 28 March 2021

Myriad Universes: Klingon War
For a similar conflict that occurred between May 2256 and December 2257 in the Prime, Columbia, and STO Timelines, see Klingon War (23rd Century).
FASA Timeline
(FASA Roleplaying Game)


The Four Years War, as it later came to be known, was a late-22nd century conflict between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire. The war began with the Battle of Axanar on Reference Stardate 1/9408.29 (29 August 2194), and lasted until the Treaty of Axanar was signed on Reference Stardate 1/9806.13 (13 June 2198), for a span of nearly 46 months.[1]

Background

Starships
Of the many starships seeing duty during the Four Years War, the most notable classes of combat and auxiliary support vessels are listed below. Not all participated in combat, but all were on active duty at the time.
Federation Aakenn class freighter

Anton class research cruiser
Apache class destroyer
Baton Rouge class cruiser
Bode class scout
Canopus class research cruiser
Chariot class transport
Cochrane class colonial transport
Constitution class cruiser
Eagle class starliner
Fenlon class monitor
Hale class scout
Hermes class scout
Heston class cruiser
Larson class destroyer
Liberty class freighter
Loknar class frigate
Marklin class destroyer
Nelson class scout
Portsmith class destroyer
Ptolemy class transport
Saladin class destroyer
Sawyer class scout

Klingon Empire D-4A and E D'ama (Predator) class cruiser

D-7A K't'agga (Painbringer) class cruiser
D-9B Z'gal (Seeker) class cruiser
D-10A Riskadh class cruiser
D-16A Kl'sarza (Swiftwind) class destroyer
D-20A (Death Rite) class cruiser
G-8A Plen zha (Trader's Game) class cargo freighter
K-3A and B Kalath class gunboat
K-17A and D Z'mortama (Death Stalker) class scout
K-23A Talat kh'exesta (Little Killer) class escort
K-30A and E K'nel (Luckless) class monitor
L-6B T'h'lar (Defender) class frigate
T-3A D'aka (Mover) class assault ship
W-2A Koreba class warp shuttle
Z-4B Zha mortas (Deathgame) class defense outpost

Following the founding of the Federation and the Romulan War, the new nation's early years were characterized by consistent territorial expansion, as well as technological and cultural growth as warp-driven ships traveled among the Federation's member worlds. Peace again became paramount within the Federation. Resultingly, on Reference Stardate 1/3612 (December 2136), the Federation Council rejected appropriations for a new generation of starships, believing that the existing designs would continue to suit them well into the future. Coupled with the monumental failure of a later ship design, resulted in the obsolete, 46-year-old Marshall class destroyer serving as the Federation's first line of defense during an incident with the Klingons in 2151.[1]

Federation relations with the Klingons were strained from the start. On Reference Stardate 1/5105.02 (02 May 2151), the U.S.S. Sentry made contact with a personal, warp-capable shuttle near Gamma Demetrius. When the pilot of the shuttle was granted temporary political asylum, the Klingon warship Devisor exchanged fire with the Sentry before departing, vowing to return and wreak havoc on the Federation. On Reference Stardate 1/6003.04 (04 March 2160), a Klingon vessel, which was modified to transmit a Federation scout identification signal, seized the U.S.S. Flying Fortress, a slow but heavily-armed transport. The tactic allowed for a sneak attack that destroyed the Flying Fortress bridge, killing all command personnel and rendering weapons systems inoperative. A Federation anti-piracy task force soon forced the Klingons to release their tractor beam, however, and the Flying Fortress—and its cargo of experimental new deflector shield systems—was returned to Federation control. Notably, there was a period of remarkable inactivity along the border between the two powers from 2172 to 2177; this was believed by Star Fleet strategists to be a result of another war being fought by the Klingons on their coreward border, away from Federation space.[1]

In Massed Fleets, Admiral Samuel Shepherd, the commanding admiral of Star Fleet prior to the Four Years War, wrote that, following the Romulan War, "high officials in the Federation felt certain that another war would not occur quickly. Once installations were complete along the Romulan border, the future role of [Star Fleet] seemed limited to navigational and simple law enforcement duties. As a result, appropriations ... were cut sharply. Funds for research and development permitted only modest technological improvements. Funds for new construction allowed only for the replacement of vessels no longer safe for use." This policy continued until Reference Stardate 1/4802.20 (20 February 2148), when the expensive and ill-fated Tritium class entered service. The first starship designed with three warp nacelles, the design sought to disprove Zefram Cochrane's original warp theories, which held that no more than two warp nacelles could be used on a single ship, as imbalances in the warp fields generated would nullify the drive's effect. The engineers responsible—and several flag-rank officers in Star Fleet Engineering Command—disagreed with Cochrane, and believed that the third nacelle would dramatically increase maximum operating performance. A total of six Tritium class ships were constructed before the project was terminated.[1] It would be several decades before a three-nacelled starship design could be made to work successfully.[2]

On Reference Stardate 1/5708 (August 2157), the Terra-Return League was formed on Benecia Colony. The group's goal, as described in their Proclamation, was to end the Federation's policy of expansion and have all Humans return to the Sol system. Believing that mankind had gone deep into space and still had not solved many of humanity's basic problems, the group felt that resources were being exploited and abused on an interstellar level, and that there was room enough in the Sol System, now that several planets and moons had been terraformed. Further, the group called for the disbanding of the Federation, and a strictly isolationist view for humanity. By the time of the Second Babel Conference of Reference Stardate 1/7701 (January 2177), the Terra-Return League represented a respectable and vocal minority, and officially raised the question of dissolving the Federation. When the question failed to pass, the League was disbanded.[1]

Adding to the dissatisfaction with the Federation Council was the Scandal of Archimedes. On Reference Stardate 1/7009 (September 2170), Th'allt, an Andorian colony world very close to several Tellarite trading worlds, claimed harassment by particularly exploitative Tellarite traders. The situation, code-named "Archimedes" by Star Fleet, was ignored at first and later badly mismanaged by the Bureau of Interstellar Commerce. The situation became critical on Reference Stardate 1/7201 (January 2172), when a substantial task force of Star Fleet vessels under the command of Andorian Admiral Hathari conducted "fleet maneuvers" near Th'allt, encircling the system with a protective blockade, firing on Tellarite-registered trading ships. The crisis illustrated the shortcomings of the Federation's complex and occasionally ineffective bureaucracy.[1]

By all accounts, the Four Years War began when several members of the Klingon government were pressured by more militant factions to initiate open hostilities against the Federation. This pressure, combined with the need for territorial expansion and conquest of additional resources, led to open warfare. Although an expansionist Federation was seen as a looming threat to the Empire, war was frequently postponed by a policy of aggressive expansion in areas of the Empire not near the Federation. As those campaigns dwindled, however, more militant family lines began to express their displeasure at the emperor's apparent cowardice. The emperor planned a bold offensive against the Federation, in the hope of mollifying those family lines and remaining in power. The goal was to seize and annex a large region of space controlled by the Federation, and then to turn the Empire's energies toward the Romulan Star Empire. The plan assumed that the Federation would surrender control over the disputed area, rather than enter a prolonged conflict, and that the war would be over in a matter of months with minimal casualties.[1]

Preliminary Skirmishes

Arcannis IV

Star Fleet maintained a medium-sized research outpost on Arcannis IV, an otherwise uninhabited Class K planet. The outpost had no extensive offensive or defensive weapons systems, aside from various personal sidearms, and patrols in the area were generally limited to an occasional Hale or Bode class scout. On Reference Stardate 1/9212.21 (21 December 2192), the U.S.S. Bohr, while on standard patrol near the Arcannis system, reported observing a Klingon task force consisting of three of the fairly new D-7 class ships in the area of unclaimed space between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Not expecting deliberate hostilities, the Bohr intercepted and tracked the Klingon group. This was a lure, as a second group of 20 ships moved into the Arcannis system and attacked the research station. After knocking out the station's deflector shield with their shipboard disruptors, two companies of Klingon marines transported down, killing all 112 personnel with hand weapons.[1]

Buildup on the Border

From Reference Stardate 1/9301.25 (25 January 2193) through 1/9302.24 (24 February 2193), Klingon forces began to build in the unclaimed territories between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. On Reference Stardate 1/9301.25, the U.S.S. Rutherford detected a Klingon battle fleet of more than 100 ships in the neutral area. Moving just spinward of the Rigel system, the Klingon fleet was apparently heading into Federation space. The fleet, code-named "R" by Star Fleet, was commanded by Admiral epetai Kazu, an officer with a reputation for making quick, violent decisions. On Reference Stardate 1/9302.24, the U.S.S. Irwin detected a nearly identical force; code-named "U" and commanded by Admiral zantai Kone, this fleet was moving spinward of Starbase 22 with the same heading into Federation space. Star Fleet Intelligence was aware of a massive shipbuilding program within the Empire, and had attributed it to a war on the Empire's borders away from the Federation; given that conflict, they did not expect these new forces to be used against the Federation, but instead to be deployed elsewhere.[1]

In preparation for a Klingon assault, however, all Star Fleet vessels capable of combat were transferred from Starbases 21, 14, and 15 toward the border sectors. Then, on Reference Stardate 1/9305 (May 2193), both fleets changed course and reduced speed, stopping short of the Federation border. This left the Federation Council confused and unwilling to commit to hostilities with the Klingons, despite the attack on Arcannis. Nothing further happened for several months, and the Klingon fleets eventually split up into a number of smaller squadrons, while the enormous new shipbuilding facilities at Starbase 15—as well as other shipyards throughout the Federation—began to go into immediate, full-scale production. Meanwhile, distracted by the overt moves of these Klingon forces, a smaller, 9-ship task force left the Klingon base at Ruwan, moved past Starbase 14, and through the heart of Federation space to occupy Axanar.[1]

The Battle of Axanar

On Reference Stardate 1/9405.29 (29 May 2194), a single D-4E class cruiser traveling at warp 5 was spotted eight parsecs from Axanar by the U.S.S. Xenophon, a Marklin class destroyer under the command of Captain Kelvar Garth (aka "Garth of Izar"). Garth observed the Klingon vessel for several days, precisely plotting the ship's course: the Klingon ship's only possible destination was Axanar.[1]

The Sawyer class U.S.S. Gulliver had received orders on Reference Stardate 1/9403 (March 2194) to make a routine visit to Axanar as a follow-up to an earlier visit conducted by the U.S.S. Yardley. The Gulliver wasn't heard from again after that, and although the ship had not yet been officially listed as missing, Captain Garth concluded that something had gone wrong, and that this Klingon vessel was somehow involved. Garth engaged the D-4, ordering its commander to surrender. When the D-4 attempted to raise shields and bring its weapons on line, Garth used superior tactics to disable the Klingon ship's warp drive.[1]

On Reference Stardate 1/9406.05 (05 June 2194), the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard NCC-1712 recovered the Gulliver's recorder buoy, and learned of the task force that had occupied the system and destroyed the Gulliver when it came out of warp there on Reference Stardate 1/9404.01 (01 April 2194). The Bonhomme Richard immediately set course for Axanar, transmitting both its log and the Gulliver's to Star Fleet Command, which in turn informed the Federation Council. By this time, Garth and the Xenophon were already on their way to Axanar.[1]

The Klingon task force at Axanar was immediately contacted. The Klingon commander, Admiral Kkorhetza, was given a choice between withdrawing his entire force to the Klingon border under a Star Fleet escort and outright surrender. Perhaps generously, he was given four months in which to contact his government and receive their instructions. Arriving at Axanar on Reference Stardate 1/9407.09 (09 July 2194), several hours before the Bonhomme Richard, Captain Garth was given overall command of a squadron whose orders were to maintain complete surveillance of the Axanar system and contain the Klingon warships. On Reference Stardate 1/9408.29 (29 August 2194), Garth's scouts detected a second Klingon task force, consisting of two squadrons of D-4E cruisers and numerous cargo freighters and assault ships, moving toward Axanar.[1]

Garth split his squadron into three groups. One remained at Axanar, while the other two left the system at high warp. The new Klingon task force moved in, pinning the first group and crippling several of the scouts. Meanwhile, the second group conducted a massive communications counterintelligence operation, simulating the subspace radio traffic of several large Federation fleets moving to encircle the Klingons, who broke off their initial attacks and reformed for a second attack. The third group then moved into covert attack positions, and directed their fire into the unshielded aft sections of more than half the Klingon force.[1]

Three Star Fleet scouts were destroyed, and four destroyers (including the Xenophon) and the cruiser Bonhomme Richard were badly damaged. Six D-4E cruisers were destroyed and nearly all the other Klingon warships were damaged before the Klingon task force commander surrendered to Captain Garth, who was also wounded when his ship was hit. The Klingon reinforcements never reached Axanar and no supply line was established.[1]

War Begins

On Reference Stardate 1/9409.29 (29 September 2194), Klingon Admiral Kkorhetza finally replied to the Federation's demands, unaware of the destruction of his reinforcing task force. He declared, "An alliance now exists between the powerful Klingon Empire and its honorable servitor, the natives of the world of Axanar. By the insulting condition in the terms of your own weakness-infested Council's 'ultimatum,' a state of war is now in effect between the Klingon Empire and the United Federation of Planets." Following the declaration of war, and having received additional reinforcements of his own, Garth's task force moved into the Axanar system on Reference Stardate 1/9409.30 (30 September 2194). Garth soundly defeated the seven-warship invasion fleet in what came to be known as the Second Battle of Axanar.[1]

From 1/9410 (October 2194) through 1/9504 (April 2194), several Klingon squadrons passed into Federation space, attacking any ships they encountered. During this time, the Battles of Andromeda, Genmarx, Lea, and Lyclydun were fought, and Janni IV was subjugated by regiments of Klingon soldiers in the first ground action of the war. Commodore Sven van Anling recalled in a Contemporary Federation Military History lecture given to Star Fleet Academy graduate students shortly after the war that "our forces did slow the Klingons' progress, but losses were high."[1]

Unhappy with Star Fleet's handling of the Arcannis Incident and unsatisfied with the strategic withdrawal of Federation forces in the face of the Klingon onslaught, Captain Robert April, commander of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 and one of Star Fleet's most respected captains, felt a more aggressive approach could, and should, have been taken to repel the Klingons. On Reference Stardate 1/9501 (January 2195), Captain April was promoted[1] to commodore.[3]

On Reference Stardate 1/9502.10 (10 February 2195), a zone-intrusion detection satellite along the Romulan Neutral Zone tracked a Graceful Flyer class scout ship. Senior Star Fleet officers believed it to be a prelude to military intervention by the Romulan Empire, and Star Fleet hoped that their old animosity toward the Klingons would be sufficient to get them on the Federation's side. Until the Romulans' intentions could be determined, however, forces were diverted to the Romulan border as a precaution, seriously hindering the war effort against the Klingons.[1]

On Reference Stardate 1/9504 (April 2195), a convoy of Orion merchant ships heading for a Federation manufacturing facility on Alphosa was intercepted by a Klingon destroyer task force near Laxala. The convoy, which carried supplies of partially refined dilithium, was vital to the Federation's war efforts. The Klingons were likely aware of this, and demanded the cargo be turned over. As one merchant ship closed in to make the transfer, the Orion captain deliberately overloaded his warp drive, totally destroying his ship and one Klingon destroyer, and severely damaging a second, ending the attack. Shortly afterward, the Orion government stated that all shipments of dilithium would be treated as "sacred cargo, not to be captured, diverted, or destroyed by any government until after reaching its declared destination." The Rigel XII dilithium mining complex, which was under Orion jurisdiction, was said to have been equipped with enough antimatter to vaporize the planet, which they threatened to do if anyone interfered with future shipments. Neither side was willing to test the Orions, and their conditions were unanimously accepted.[1]

The Battle of GR-1 and the Assault of Nozseca occurred on Reference Stardate 1/9505 (May 2195), and were significant setbacks for Federation forces. Nevertheless, marines on Nozseca under Andorian General Shruth put up a valiant defense as they attempted to engage orbiting spacecraft with their limited surface-based, anti-space weapons. The defending Star Fleet squadron of Portsmith class destroyers and Nelson class scouts had been eliminated, giving the Klingons uncontested ground attack capability from orbit. The defending forces were annihilated by ship-based disruptor attacks, and Klingon soldiers landed.[1]

The Attack of Convoy Y-16Z on Reference Stardate 1/9507 (July 2195) was considered to be the first genuine Federation fleet victory. A large Federation convoy under the command of Commodore Jarv Maxwil was en route from Dueteronomy III to a front-line repair outpost, when they were discovered by a small Klingon task force. The U.S.S. Defiant NCC-1764 and a cover squadron of Baton Rouge class cruisers destroyed or captured the entire Klingon force.[1]

Although designed primarily for exploration, the Constitution class cruisers were the most powerful ships in service at the time. Despite this, after Reference Stardate 1/9603 (March 2196), they were reassigned away from the combat zone, and only served in their prewar roles of survey, exploration, and planetary contact.[1]

Taking the Offensive

At the same time as the Constitution class cruisers were reassigned, and General Order 7 was established under heavy security classification, the Defense of Rudgur III marked the first use of chlortheragen, a Klingon-designed nerve agent. Star Fleet marines landed on Rudgur III, near Klingon space, in a surprise attempt to make inroads into the Empire. This marked the first time Federation forces actually landed on Klingon soil, but the landing was, as the official briefings of the time put it, "not entirely successful." Klingon High Command, learning that Rudgur had been taken, sent in large numbers of ground troops. Unsatisfied with their progress, the Klingons used clortheragen for the first time. The chemical, a lethal nerve agent, was designed to inflict agony on its victims as it killed them, demonstrating a new level of brutality in Klingon tactics. A Federation recovery ship moved in to recover the few survivors. Many marines were killed, and most of the survivors were captured and later killed by the Klingons. Colonel Wilhelm Mann'dela, commanding officer of the Fifth Marine Regiment and one of the few high-ranking survivors, summed up the conflict with a grim pun on the planet's name, calling the battle "The Ruddy, Gore War."[1]

A major setback for the Klingon Empire occurred on Reference Stardate (1/9610 (October 2196) with the Battle of Kesse, when the Federation's fast-moving 84th Special Task Force of Baton Rouge class cruisers got behind enemy supply lines and ambushed a vital Klingon convoy headed for a forward supply installation. The Battle of Webirty on Reference Stardate 1/9612 (December 2196) and the attack on Zal Vhros on 1/9702 (February 2197) highlighted the growing Klingon frustrations and desperation in fighting against the Federation. As the Klingons continued to push deeper into Federation territory, their lines of supply grew longer and more tenuous, resulting in a major diversionary tactic on Reference Stardate 1/9703 (March 2197). A new class of ship with a nonstandard design, the K-23 class escort entered service, and the Klingons claimed to have a new ally. Monitored communications seemed to indicate that the crews were not speaking any known, understandable dialect of Klingon, and the ships would not surrender under any circumstances, preferring self-destruction over capture. [1]

A Klingon thrust toward Adhara, which the Klingons believed to be a major Federation military center, was met by Star Fleet forces at Thranstor, which had been selected as a potential future shipbuilding facility, on Reference Stardate 1/9704 (April 2197). The Battle of Thranstor was notable for the fact that, in a rare instance, the Federation actually had a larger available force to meet the Klingons. As the Klingons maneuvered in their standard V-formations, squadrons of Federation ships turned in formation and flanked the Klingon cruisers, wreaking havoc and causing the Klingons to scatter among the system's asteroid belt. This led to dozens of smaller encounters, and with most of the asteroids containing high concentrations of metals, it became difficult for either side to detect opposing starships due to confused sensor readings. When the battle was finally over, more than 100 warships were permanently disabled, nearly as many more were seriously damaged, and the disorganized Klingon survivors were forced to withdraw to their own territory.[1]

Several days later, on Reference Stardate 1/9705 (May 2197) and about 40 parsecs away, a similar battle occurred near Argelius. The Engagement for Argelian Approaches, as it became known, "was not won by the Federation as much as it was lost by Klingon forces," according to Admiral Sebastian Westervliet in his book An Informal History of the Four Years War. Many of the Klingon vessels, having to operate so far from their supply bases, had not been repaired from previous conflicts. Numerous odd formations were the result of Klingon commanders attempting to protect damaged systems; an entire squadron of D-7s was even reported to have gone into battle in reverse, as their damaged forward shields had not yet been repaired. Federation losses were light, and Argelius itself never saw hostile combat or heard the sound of disruptors.[1]

War's End

On Reference Stardate 1/9712.06 (06 December 2197), the destroyer U.S.S. Aramis intercepted a K-17 class scout ship, which was traveling from the rapidly shifting front lines to a Klingon fleet massing at Grank. Klingon Admiral Komex, who was aboard the K-17, hailed the Aramis and demanded to speak with "the highest-ranking available official with Star Fleet." The Aramis boarded the scout vessel and took it in tow before contacting Admiral Devon aboard the U.S.S. Aquila, a Hermes class command courier in use as a mobile operations center. Komex declared that the Klingon Empire could not win the war, and he believed that the war must end as soon as possible to allow his government to rebuild in order to fight at another time. He swore that he was acting in the best interests of the Klingon Empire with a convoluted chain of logic that was not easily understood by any but himself, and described the location and defenses around Kolm-an, the main center of Klingon operations. The last battle of the war, Operation Argus Redoubt, was fought on Reference Stardate 1/9803.20 (20 March 2198) at Kolm-an, using the detailed information provided by Admiral Komex, and the remaining Klingon forces, despite fighting valiantly, were routed.[1]

Axanar Peace Mission & Aftermath

The Axanar Peace Mission convened on Reference Stardate 1/9805.12 (12 May 2198), after a number of Klingon delegates were rushed to Axanar. The Treaty of Axanar was signed on Reference Stardate 1/9806.13 (13 June 2198), and its terms, which included the mass evacuations of several Klingon worlds in what was now neutral territory, were carried out from 1/9807 (July 2198) through 1/9904 (April 2199). Several classes of ships were deemed no longer necessary by Star Fleet, and they were decommissioned or destroyed at the Centauri and Arcturus Test Ranges. Other ships were refitted and assigned to peacetime missions. Axanar officially became a Federation protectorate, and the Federation Council approved funding to construct Starbases 12 and 27 in the newest region of space to come under Federation jurisdiction. Much larger due to the gains made during the Four Years War, the Klingon Empire established a new base at Mastocal and proceeded to consolidate their territorial gains. The Neutral Zone was now much smaller, as the two powers expanded into the previously unclaimed territories between them.[1]

Ships Destroyed

While a full accounting of ships destroyed in the Four Years War has not been published, losses were heavy on both sides of the war.[1]

Federation Vessels
Ship Registry Class Date Notes
U.S.S. Acre NCC-4372 Larson class 2253-09 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Alaric NCC-4358 Larson class 2255-02 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Alondra NCC-2745 Loknar class 2255-05 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Anzio NCC-4329 Larson class 2252-12 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Arcannis NCC-2736 Loknar class 2254-11 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Argus City NCC-2715 Loknar class 2252-10 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Aurelia NCC-2733 Loknar class 2254-12 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Austerlitz NCC-4308 Larson class 2254-02 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Bahu NCC-4374 Larson class 2253-09 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Bayinnaung NCC-4382 Larson class 2254-11 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Borga NCC-2709 Loknar class 2252-06 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Boridi NCC-2717 Loknar class 2253-10 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Boyaca NCC-4413 Larson class 2255-03 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Buena Vista NCC-4322 Larson class 2252.06 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Carinae II NCC-2734 Loknar class 2255-01 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Corinth IV NCC-2720 Loknar class 2253-11 Lost, presumed destroyed (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. de Tourville NCC-4386 Larson class 2255-01 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Demetrius NCC-4348 Larson class 2252-03 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Deneb Clar NCC-2739 Loknar class 2255-01 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Elas NCC-2723 Loknar class 2254-01 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Eylau NCC-4317 Larson class 2253-02 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Gulliver Unknown Sawyer class 2251.91 Destroyed at Axanar. Sharrir Th'saal, commanding. (FASA (2218A)
U.S.S. Hammurabi NCC-4337 Larson class 2253-04 Destroyed while escorting merchant convoy (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Iwo Jima NCC-4333 Larson class 2252-12 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Landover Unknown Unknown 2252-11 Destroyed after transporting 4th Marine Regiment to Joia IV. (FASA (2218A)
U.S.S. Los Angeles NCC-2727 Loknar class 2254-01 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Makusia NCC-2730 Loknar class 2254-09 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Midway NCC-4301 Larson class 2252-11 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. New York NCC-2716 Loknar class 2252-10 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Ney NCC-4399 Larson class 2254-11 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Pharsalus NCC-4311 Larson class 2252-06 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. San Miguel NCC-4379 Larson class 2253-11 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Scott NCC-4409 Larson class 2255-02 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Thebes NCC-4336 Larson class 2255-01 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Troy NCC-4338 Larson class 2253-04 Destroyed while escorting merchant convoy (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Vernol NCC-2702 Loknar class 2251-12 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)
U.S.S. Yonada NCC-2729 Loknar class 2254-04 (FASA (2302, 2nd Ed.)


Notes and References