Explorer Menu
Sutherland Menu
Logs
This particular stretch of space is the frontier of the Klingon people. They are a proud warrior race, who prizes honour and exploits of war, above life or money.
The year is 2388 AD. The Klingon people are coming out of a war that nearly saw their complete destruction against a powerful foe, the Dominion. Their people revel in the glorious battle fought, both in victory and defeat, for there is no loss of honour in defeat by such a foe. Now they must focus inwards again. The emperor is dead and a new leader must be chosen. There are many that would claim the title, and Civil war is rumoured. Few are left to guard the vulnerable outskirts of the empire against hostile foes.
On the inner side is the dangerous and subtle Romulan Empire, as cunning as they are without honour. They are capable of lying cloaked and their ships are as dangerous as any in the Klingon armada. But they also took a beating from the Dominion and it should be a while before they are ready to launch a full offensive. On the western side is the Federation. A collection of scattered minor races, led by Humans and Vulcans. An alliance of sorts comes and goes with these people, who seem to value exploration and diplomacy above martial skill. It was this force that bore the brunt of the Dominion attack, but it has such great stretches of space under its sway that it was able to recover very quickly.
Then there is the eastern border, and the line of densely packed star systems they represent. Both the Klingons and Romulans have learned to be wary of this space, but neither will say why. The Federation has heard nothing of this area of space, but has, since the signing of the Khitomer Peace Accord sort an excuse to explore the area.
So it is to the Federation that the Klingons turn. In exchange for patrolling the eastern border, the Klingons have allowed, indeed requested, the Federation to send a single ship that may map and explore this section of space.
So the Federation took a close look at it's vastly depleted shipyards and crew rosters. Most of its good people had been lost in the war. The majority of its ships were cobbled together from whatever could be salvaged from other wrecks. The crews were poorly trained recruits rushed to the front line. But this was an opportunity not to be missed. So a call was put out for volunteers.
Twenty people were needed; 5 command, 5 Tactical, 5 Science, 3 Engineers and 2 Medical. The responses were not slow to come and 117 people eventually nominated themselves. Selection was made on a number of criteria, and many were refused the chance because they were over qualified and needed elsewhere.
Captain Alex Glass had the final say. He commanded the USS Explorer, registration NX - 71131. During the war it had been designed as a fast strike vehicle, with a few specialist modifications, but deaths during its testing kept it from reaching the front line. Now it has been refitted as a Deep Space research ship.