Main Era (SFU)

Early Years EraSFU ChronologyX-Technology Era

2520 to 2579

2520

Y120

• The Fourth Gorn-Romulan War begins and continues for five years.
• At about this time, all empires begin building base stations along their borders, replacing previous haphazard networks of various types and sizes of bases. This tends to solidify the borders over the next two decades.

2521

Y121

• A Klingon-Tholian "Incident" renews border tensions.

2523

Y123

• The Third Klingon-Kzinti War begins.

2524

Y124

• The last of the Romulan "Old Series" mauler ships is destroyed in combat. The weapon, which needed too much power to be used effectively, was regarded as a failure. The design will be resurrected when Klingon warp engines provide the Romulans with a better source of power for their ships.

2525

Y125

• The Fourth Gorn-Romulan War ends in a Gorn victory. The Gorn occupy some Romulan territory to establish a clearly defined border, and destroy Romulan bases used to launch aggression.
• The Lyrans attack the Kzinti in the Third Kzinti-Lyran War with part of their fleet, taking advantage of the Third Klingon-Kzinti War.
• The Federation Council votes for a massive program of exploration toward the unexplored and uninhabited coreward regions. Aurora III becomes the staging area for this program. A fleet base station is built there, and supplies for the program are stockpiled as explorers, traders, colonists, and Star Fleet awaits final approval of the campaign.
• The Klingons launch the first of the new D-6 class.

2526

Y126

• The first of the new Federation heavy cruisers, the Constitution class, is launched.

2528

Y128

• The Hydran civil war ends as Prince S'Lenthna abdicates in favor of his underage grandson. All of the boy-king's regents are heads of guilds.

2529

Y129

• The Hydran "Lost Colonies" begin preparations for restoration of the kingdom. Technology is acquired from unknown foreign sources, later said to be Kzinti or perhaps Orion.

2530

Y130

• The Federation's Constitution class heavy cruisers are simultaneously inaugurated as the flagships of all of the numbered fleets. Some have been de facto flagships for some time.
• The Federation's Aurora colony disappears mysteriously after sending a report of a very unusual cosmic storm. Every starship in the sector is sent to investigate but finds nothing; the entire Aurora system has disappeared: star, planets, asteroids, bases, colonists — everything! The Federation Council attempts a cover-up, but the news leaks. The resignation of pro-exploration members of the Council delays such exploration for decades. A century will pass before Aurora is found in the Omega Octant.

2531

Y131

• The Third Klingon-Kzinti War ends, with inconclusive results. The Third Kzinti-Lyran War also ends.
• Orion Pirates board a Federation commercial starliner, the Celestial Queen, with numerous dignitaries on board. The Highlanders Prime Team, under the command of Sheroc Kelleret, liberates the starliner with no civilian fatalities. While the Orions fought to the death rather than surrender, Orion propaganda convinces many that a vengeful Prime Team executed the pirates.

2532

Y132

• Hydran agents from the Lost Colonies begin infiltrating Klingon-occupied planets of the Kingdom.

2534

Y134

• New Hydran ship classes (Ranger, Lancer, Scout) are in service in the Lost Colonies, along with the first fighters in the Alpha Octant capable of tactical warp combat. (The Romulans had used sub-light fighters to provide local planetary defense for decades.)

2535

Y135

• Hydrans from the Lost Colonies under King Hydraxan XI attack the Klingon satellites over the Hydran planets. In a swift campaign lasting only a few weeks, the Hydran Kingdom is restored. The personal popularity of Hydraxan XI makes him "unacceptable" to the guilds, and he dies under mysterious circumstances. While Hydraxan XII ascends the throne, the guilds solidify their power.
• The Kzinti field the first battle tug, which defeats an Orion attack on a convoy.

2536

Y136

• Second Federation-Kzinti War begins as Kzinti attack Federation border stations.
• Orions discover the Kzinti living in the WYN Cluster and establish their first base there.

2537

Y137

• The Third Hydran-Klingon War begins as the Hydrans attack the Klingons.

2539

Y139

• A Klingon-Tholian Incident (yes, another one) occurs.

2541

Y141

• The Third Hydran-Klingon War ends. The Hydrans have gained no territory but have regained their self-respect. For reasons that remain obscure, four new kings take the throne in less than a year. The last, Hydraxan XVI, lasts for two years.

2542

Y142

• The Second Federation-Kzinti War ends with no change in the border.

2543

Y143

• The brief Fourth Hydran-Lyran War begins and ends as the Hydrans recapture two planets from the Lyrans. The Lyrans are unable to devote their full attention to the war due to troubles on the Kzinti border.

2544

Y144

• The Fourth Kzinti-Lyran War begins.

2545

Y145

• Kzinti renegades (of a neo-samurai cult) raid Allen's Planet, slaughtering all 3,000 colonists with the exception of one Human infant, William S. Gerard, whom they take with them. The Marquis (the Kzinti noble in charge of the Federation border) captures and executes the renegades to preserve peace, but he cannot return Gerard without explaining what the samurai had planned to do with him. Gerard is raised as a son of his own house.
• A revolt in the Lyran Star Empire's Dark Star County results in a democratic government still loyal to the Lyran Empire.

2546

Y146

• A Hydran "civil war" begins, but all combat will take place within the palace over the next five years.

2549

Y149

• A Klingon-Tholian Incident occurs. A Klingon fleet slips into Tholian territory to capture a patrol corvette and the secret of web technology, but Tholian ships surround the Klingons, and the captured ship must be abandoned during the retreat.

2552

Y152

• Hydraxan XXIII ("The Great") ascends the throne, which he will hold for almost two decades.

2553

Y153

• The Lyrans face off against the rebellious Dark Star County at the Battle of Vandha.

2554

Y154

• The Second Federation-Romulan War begins when a Romulan vessel equipped with an experimental cloaking device attacks several Federation outposts along the Neutral Zone before it is destroyed by the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701.
• The Lyran Dark Star County declares independence and becomes the Lyran Democratic Republic.

2555

Y155

• The Treaty of Pelione re-establishes the Neutral Zone and ends the Second Federation-Romulan War.
• The Fourth Kzinti-Lyran War ends.
• Orions destroy Federation border Station K-4.

2556

Y156

• The Second Federation-Klingon War begins, then ends almost immediately with the Organian Treaty.
• Orions destroy a Kzinti border station in a raid.
• A Lyran Civil War — one of many — begins, with few details known.
• A Kzinti-Hydran Treaty is signed. Each pledges to attack the Klingons and/or Lyrans if the other is attacked by them. The Klingons and Lyrans sign a joint defense treaty six weeks later. Many Lyran nobles oppose this treaty, resulting in a sporadic civil war.

2557

Y157

• A Gorn-Federation "war" starts as the result of a small incident where two brash young captains shoot first and face embarrassing questions later. Both fleets mobilize, but no space combat takes place. The Romulans attempt to disrupt treaty negotiations, but the "war" ends six weeks later with the Treaty of Algoran. The Federation apologizes for entering the territory of the previously unknown Gorn, while the Gorn pay reparations for the colony destroyed in a ground raid and imprison an officer who used excessive force.
• The Fifth Hydran-Lyran War begins.
• The Lyran Civil War ends abruptly.
• The Klingons launch an abortive attack on the Lyran Democratic Republic.

2558

Y158

• The Fourth Klingon-Kzinti War begins. Citing their treaty, the Hydrans almost immediately launch an attack against the Klingon border squadrons.
• The Lyrans join the Klingons in fighting the Hydrans and Kzinti. This is known as the Four Powers War and is regarded as a prelude to the later General War. All previous wars had been small (mostly consisting of border raids) but new logistical systems developed in this war (notably the semi-portable "mobile base") will make actual invasions of enemy territory possible. Fighters are deployed by the Kzinti in large numbers for the first time, establishing the concept of "attrition units" which make it possible to fight savage battles without losing quite so many ships that take years to build.
• The Federation, anxious to reduce the threat posed by the Klingons, shifts fleet units to the Klingon border and discusses a limited action with the Organians to restore the balance of power. This is, however, a hoax intended to influence the Klingons to negotiate an immediate settlement to end the war, as the Federation would never consider military power as a solution to the problem. The plan backfires.

2559

Y159

• The Klingon-Romulan Treaty of Smarba signed. Klingons begin supplying advanced technology to the Romulans, allowing the conversion of old Warbirds into War Eagles. These increase pressure on the Federation border. The Federation transfers ships back from the Klingon border to the Romulan border. This allows the Klingons to transfer ships to fight the Kzinti. The Federation's attempt to use the "threat of force" as a substitute for simple force has failed and planted the seeds of the General War.

2560

Y160

• A minor skirmish on the Gorn-Romulan-Federation border.
• Interstellar Concordium forces observe a Gorn-Romulan battle.
• Phillip Kosnett becomes captain of the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Kongo NCC-1710. In one of his first missions, he protects the planet Pollux IX from a meteor set on course by the Klingons.
• Marcus Tal is selected by the Romulan Preditrate for Praetorian duty (equivalent to Prime Teams).

2561

Y161

• The U.S.S. Kongo under Captain Kosnett is sabotaged while on a special mission and attacked by a Klingon battlecruiser. Kosnett rescues Federation hostages held by the Klingons.

2562

Y162

• The U.S.S. Kongo is converted to a command cruiser.
• The Kzinti noble known as "The Marquis," his health failing, sends William S. Gerard home in an AAS fighter, the first time the Federation has seen a craft of this type.
• The Fifth Hydran-Lyran War ends.
• The Romulans begin mass conversion of Warbirds to War Eagles and update other old ships.
• The Fourth Klingon-Kzinti War ends with inconclusive results.

2563

Y163

• A Klingon-Tholian Incident occurs.
• The Federation Galactic Survey cruiser Marco Polo is attacked by the Romulans and rescued by the cruiser U.S.S. Hood.
• Romulan Praetorian Marcus Tal distinguishes himself during the Sherioki Incident.

2564

Y164

• The Federation tug Al Rashid is disabled near the Kzinti-Klingon border. Kzinti ships arrive to rescue the ship; the Klingons arrive and claim that the Kzintis are pirates.
• The Klingon D-6 Gnasher raids Rita's Planet in the Neutral Zone, massacring the Federation colonists. The Kongo arrives and rescues Burt Engles, the only survivor, and takes him to Organia to testify against Klingon Commander Kremler; the Gnasher tries but fails to stop the Kongo.
• Ardak Kumerian assumes command of frigate Vigilance. Due to a combination of circumstances, history will record more about him than any other Klingon officer. As an admiral, his most famous quote will be "Never fight a battle you do not have to win."

2565

Y165

• The Romulans begin building the new generation of ships known as the Hawk series.
• The Federation begins refits that add improved systems to their ships; other empires follow suit. Destroyer Kublai intercepts the Klingon D-6 Devastation, which had been harassing shipping.
• Andromedans build a base in the Lesser Magellanic Cloud and begin conquering it.

2566

Y166

• A series of incidents occur on the Klingon-Kzinti border in an undeclared war. Ardak Kumerian destroys a Kzinti shuttle squadron (SH5) and is promoted to command the D-6 Destruction.
• The Klingon D-6 Devastation operates as an experimental semi-carrier and conducts several raids on the Kzinti to test fighters.
• William S. Gerard and Peltier graduate from Star Fleet Academy.
• The first encounter with an Andromedan intruder occurs.
• Federation and Kzinti ambassadors sign articles of agreement and become allies.

2567

Y167

• Ardak Kumerian and the Destruction are sent to the prestigious Tholian Border Squadron, where he serves as commander of the 2nd Fighting Division. He destroys the Tholian 3rd Patrol Squadron after it forms a pinwheel; he is promoted to commodore in command of the Squadron. In the flagship Darkslayer, he leads a demonstration attack against a Tholian base. Threlvis Kren, an officer under Kumerian's command, starts an incident with the Tholians that backfires. Needing a scapegoat to quiet Federation complaints, the Klingons pick Kumerian. He is stripped of his position as commodore, but is allowed to retain his rank as captain and command of his original ship Destruction. The ship is sent to the Western Fleet. Korath replaces Kumerian in command of the Tholian Border Squadron.
• The Romulans attempt (with Klingon help) to ambush the Gorn cruiser Reptilicon fails when the ships enter Federation territory and the Federation command cruiser Lexington intervenes.
• Deth O'Kay's ship, the Hammerfield (an Orion Pirate heavy cruiser), attacks a convoy.

2568

Y168

• On the Tholian border, the Federation destroyer U.S.S. Ares is destroyed. The cruiser U.S.S. Excalibur rescues the crew from Tholian slavery.
• The Federation cruiser U.S.S. Excalibur, the Klingon D-7C Darkslayer, the Tholian cruiser Arrrakk, and the Orion raider Gossamer Phoenix defeat the extragalactic Juggernaut. The Darkslayer is destroyed, but Korath is given the new Direslayer and a Federation commendation. Korath has, however, sworn revenge against Federation Captain Gray for calling him a coward during the battle.
• The General War begins when war erupts on the Lyran-Kzinti border, and is, at first, known as the Fifth Kzinti-Lyran War. Technology improves during the course of the war.

2569

Y169

• The Klingons join the Lyrans and declare war on the Kzinti. Korath, the Direslayer, and the Tholian Border Squadron deploy to the Kzinti border where Korath eventually becomes an admiral commanding that sector.
• The Hydrans launch a preemptive strike on the Lyrans and begin their attempted breakthrough to Federation territory.
• William S. Gerard serves as an "observer" with the Kzinti fleet, where he exhibits his skill as a fighter pilot.
• To atone for his failure and to gain revenge against the Federation, Ardak Kumerian raids Sherman's Planet, where he personally leads Marines in hand-to-hand combat.
• The Klingons begin construction of the B-10 class battleship Invincible and obtain mauler technology from the Romulans.
• Interstellar Concordium forces defeat a Romulan squadron and make initial contact with the Gorn.
• The Federation tries to capture the pirate raider cruiser Berol Turquoise, but the pirate cruiser Hammerfield intervenes.

2570

Y170

• The Klingon D-6 class battlecruiser Destruction mutinies and is interned at Federation Starbase 16. It is returned to the Klingons the next year, and the Klingons are outraged that the Federation dismantled the Ubitron Interface Module and want to declare war, but are restrained by the Organians. Ardak Kumerian, captain of the Destruction, is demoted in disgrace and sent to command the penal frigate Insufferable. His son, Kollos, graduates from the Deep Space Fleet Academy but is refused a naval commission. He transfers to the Internal Security (Police) Forces.
• The Kzinti attack the Klingon carrier Berserker.
• The Klingons advance into Hydran territory depends on a tenuous supply line.

2571

Y171

• The Organians disappear. Several empires are blamed for this, but none know the true situation. The Klingons declares war on the Federation and attack the border with hundreds of ships. It is unknown if the simply Klingons took advantage of the Organians' departure or if the Organians left because they knew the Klingons were going to start a major war. The Federation cruiser U.S.S. Hood is reported destroyed by three Klingon cruisers, but the saucer returns to Federation lines in 2574.
• Under pressure from the invading Klingons, the Orion semiautonomous zone within the Federation briefly declares its independence and neutrality. Seeking an alliance, the Klingons send Ambassador Thad Vak Kaleen to the Romulans. The Federation attempts to intercept Kaleen, but he succeeds in reaching Romulus. While the Romulans do not yet declare war on the Federation, they launch a series of raids.
• Kraknora, a Klingon penal colony, revolts. A task force is sent to quell the rebellion, but is never heard from again. ISF ships sent to investigate find the entire star system missing. Klingon scientists compare this event to the disappearance of the Federation's Aurora colony 41 years earlier, but remain as baffled as their Federation counterparts.

2572

Y172

• The Federation responds to the Klingon attack with raids by new carriers. Federation fleets are sent to assist the Kzinti, and a Federation expedition, Operation Hydra, unsuccessfully attempts to reach the Hydrans. In an unusual case, a group of pirates is trapped bzetween Klingon and Federation fleets fighting on the border. Deth O'Kay carries a contract cargo to Hydran territory; he is betrayed and attacked by the Hydrans, but wins.

2573

Y173

• With their invasion running out of steam, the Klingons convince the Romulans to declare war on the Federation and to launch a massive attack. Federation Commodore Stocker discovers the invasion and launches a preemptive attack with the Lexington, catching a Romulan squadron unprepared and badly mauling it. Another Federation squadron is ambushed at Denebola during treaty negotiations with an Orion base. The old cruiser Republic fights two groups of Romulan raiders.
• Lieutenant Peltier completes Prime Central training with honors and rejoins the Saratoga as leader of the Black Eagles Prime Team. Deth O'Kay is captured by Stocker but rescued by his own ship and resumes his command.

2574

Y174

• The Gorn ally with the Federation. The General War has now reached virtually complete escalation. The Grand Alliance (Gorn-Federation-Kzinti) fleets battle Coalition (Romulan-Klingon-Lyran) fleets. The Hydrans have co-belligerent status with the Grand Alliance but are not formal allies.
• The Orions begin operating against the Grand Alliance, using unprecedented numbers of ships.

2575

Y175

• The Klingon D-7C Demonslayer mutinies.
• The Klingons trap a Federation fleet in a stasis field; Rear Admiral John "Cracker Jack" Radey and his carrier group rescue them.
• Federation Police Commissioner Robert Scorpio orders the construction of the first Federation police carrier.
• Black Eagles Prime Team disrupts dangerous spy operations on Data Processing Station 119.

2576

Y176

• Alliance forces recapture large areas of Federation territory, reaching the Tholian border and cutting off contact between the Klingons and their Romulan allies. The Tholians tentatively accept membership in the Grand Alliance.
• The Interstellar Concordium begins incursions into Romulan and Gorn territory. These increase over time.

2577

Y177

• Vulkalis Kurlak, commander of the Tholian Border Squadron, finds himself as a fleet commander without ships in a backwater of the war. Amassing hundreds of fighters, he attacks the Tholians, exposing their weakness. Exploiting his success, the Coalition launches "Operation Nutcracker" to destroy the Tholians once and for all. Besieged, the Tholians allow ships of their allies to enter the Holdfast, but only those of the Gorn and Kzinti (since they would not pose as much of a threat after the War).
• The Romulans attempt a long-range cloaked attack on Rigel IV, throwing the Federation into a panic.
• Ardak Kumerian is restored as captain of D-6 Destruction, and fights on the Federation front.

2578

Y178

• The Neo-Tholian 312th Battle Squadron arrives. After these ships get into action, "Operation Nutcracker" begins to break down.
• Direct contact between Klingons and Romulans is broken and will never be reestablished. This causes serious logistical problems for the Romulans; they can no longer obtain an adequate supply of spare parts for their Klingon-built ships, and there is insufficient Romulan production available to make up for the lost shipments.
• A Gorn offensive culminates in the disastrous Battle of Delmac. The Gorn carrier Archaeopteryx escapes from a Romulan trap.
• PX123, an Interstellar Concordium mining colony, disappears in the same fashion as the Aurora and Kraknora systems did in earlier years. Investigations reveal nothing until decades later when all three systems are found in the Omega Octant.

2579

Y179

• Ardak Kumerian is re-promoted to commodore, but in a staff position under the commander of the Western Fleet. While an average ship captain, he proves to be a genius at staff work, even if he hates the assignment.

Notes and References

Early Years EraSFU ChronologyX-Technology Era