The year is 2376. The fires of the Dominion War are still smoldering across Federation space.



The Federation

The war is over. Now, the Federation must wage the peace. Starfleet has already begun to ramp down its warship production, and many ships are being called in for a refit in order to allow them to return to their original mission. While the war raged on, far-flung Federation worlds and outposts languished as attention was elsewhere. Now, it’s time to rebuild, renew and resume seeking out new life and new civilizations.



But there are those in Starfleet, such as Section 31 and certain admirals, who believe that another war (with the Breen, the Romulans, the Tholians, the Borg or some other entity) is inevitable, and they believe the price of freedom is eternal military vigilance. For Section 31, the price is steeper still.



The Klingon Empire

The war hit the Klingon Empire hardest, and their losses were by far the highest in the alliance. Starfleet Intelligence estimates it will take the Klingon Empire 10 years to rebuild.



Relations between the Federation and the empire are cordial; Chancellor Martok is a strong supporter of peace and Federation Ambassador Worf is his blood brother. There are certain elements though, including remnants of the dishonored House of Duras, who seek to return to the days when Klingons made war on the Federation.



The Romulan Empire

The peace between the Romulans and the Federation is fragile, and the empire is on a strong footing to threaten the Federation. Some on the Continuing Committee favor striking at the Federation now, while others (including Tal Shiar leader and Section 31 mole Koval) urge caution and rebuilding.



Complicating the situation is the Reunification Sect, made up of Vulcans and dissident Romulans and led by Spock, that is working toward overthrowing the regime and installing a legitimate representative government in its place as part of an overall effort to reunite the Vulcan and Romulan people.



The Dominion

Following their surrender three months ago, the Dominion retreated back to the Gamma Quadrant. While the wormhole remains open, nobody has dared venture through, and it serves as a de facto demilitarized zone.



However, not all the Jem’Hadar accepted the order to fall back. Renegade bands still rove the Alpha Quadrant, raiding remote Federation colonies and ambush vulnerable starships in a futile bid to persuade the Founders to resume arms. While their supply of Ketracel White is finite, while it lasts they remain a desperate, dangerous element.



The Cardassian Union

What was once a formidable Alpha Quadrant power has been reduced to metaphorical (and literal) rubble. The Cardassian Union was utterly broken by the war, and the newly reconstituted Detapa Council, led by returned exile Legate Elim Garak, is working tirelessly to restore the union to its former glory. But it will be decades before Cardassia approaches anything resembling a true recovery.



Complicating things is a rogue faction calling themselves the Sons of Dukat. They wage a bloody war in the shadows of ruined Cardassia Prime in a bid to restore the military regime and undermine Garak’s work.



The Ferengi Alliance

The Ferengi Alliance is the same as it ever was, but not for long.



The rise of Grand Nagus Rom, and his Bajoran wife Leeta, promises to see the reforms of Grand Nagus Zek continue, and the alliance promises to keep lurching closer to something actually, possible, maybe resembling a free and open society. If you squint hard.



The Breen Confederacy

Though the Breen were allies of the Dominion, they emerged from the war largely unscathed. Worse, they’ve shown an appetite for expansion and the power to act upon that ambition.



Starfleet Intelligence out of Breen is scant to the point of almost non-existence, but it doesn’t take a master spy to figure out that the Federation hasn’t heard the last of the Breen.



Never turn your back on a Breen.



The Tholian Assembly

The Tholians enjoyed a non-aggression pact with the Dominion, and were able to watch as the great powers of the Alpha Quadrant weakened themselves fighting off an invasion from the Gamma Quadrant.



The question on the minds of Starfleet Intelligence and most of its admirals is, “Will the Tholians choose now to renew aggression?”



The Gorn Hegemony

The Gorn have remained quiet for decades, largely contained by the larger neighboring Klingon Empire. But with the empire weakened, the Gorn see an opportunity to expand.



Federation ships traveling near Gorn space are advised to be on high alert. The Gorn aren’t known for their mercy.



***



The USS Phoenix (NCC 64520-A) (Akira class)

The Battle of Cardassia will go down in Federation history as one of the bloodiest ever. Nearly a third of the allied fleets were destroyed, thousands of Starfleet officers lost their lives. Among the vessels lost was the USS Phoenix, NCC 64520, with all hands reported killed in action.



But like it’s namesake, the Phoenix was reborn. On the same day that the Dominion surrendered, ending that awful war, the USS Phoenix, NCC 64520-A, was christened. The vessel was commissioned to wage war, but now it must must wage peace. The stakes have never been higher.



The Phoenix is a vessel with a rich lineage. It fought at the Battle of Cardassia and at Wolf 359. There was a Phoenix at the Khitomer Accords. Humanity’s first warp-capable vessel, built and piloted by Zefram Cochrane, was called the Phoenix, and it’s flight helped Earth rise from the ashes of World War III. The USS Enterprise may be the flagship of the Federation, but in many ways the USS Phoenix IS the Federation.



The USS Phoenix’s mission is to patrol Federation space, seeking out those worlds hit hardest by the war, worlds ravaged by the Cardassians, Breen and Jem’Hadar or neglected as Starfleet was forced to channel all resources toward the war, and provide aid in whatever way they can. In many ways, the mission of the Phoenix is emblematic of Starfleet’s overall mission, to restore the Federation to its ideals and resume its mission of peaceful exploration and discovery.



But make no mistake, the USS Phoenix is a vessel ready for combat. The war may be over, but the Alpha and Beta quadrants have never been more dangerous, as pirates and expansionist powers seek to prey on the weak. The USS Phoenix stands ready for them.



***



Main Cast:

Captain Carlos H.A. Dufrene (Human) (Commander)

Values:

There is no life but the Navy life

Succeed at any cost

Fake it til you make it

Friends are a necessary liability



The son of respected Vice Admiral TA Dufrene, many say Carlos is a chip off the old block. But others wonder whether Carlos' promotion to captain came too quickly, whether he is truly ready for the command.



Lt. Commander Ixia (Deltan) (Executive Officer)

Values:

Non-Deltans Don't Get It

Orders Keep Us Safe

Push The Button!

All The Fucks, All the Time



One of the few Deltans to serve in Starfleet, Ixia once saved Carlos Dufrene's life during a run-in with the Jem'Hadar. He was promoted for his heroism, but like Carlos there are those wondering whether he has the experience to merit his job.



Lt. Commander Ron Johanson (Human) (Chief Tactical Officer)

Values:

Seek Out New Life and New Civilizations

Hard, Honest Work

"War's over, why can't we explore things again?"

Slightly Disgruntled



Ron Johanson wanted to study botany, but Starfleet had other needs. Instead, he was shoehorned into Ops, where he earned distinction as a tactical officer aboard the USS Leviathan before being transferred to the Phoenix.



Lt. Commander Israth th'Shraviq (Andorian) (Operations Manager)

Values:

Nothing better than practical experience

You can't put a price on loyalty

I've seen some shit

Cool Hand Luke (cool under pressure)



A proud Andorian warrior, Israth served on board the USS Musashi until its destruction in battle with the Jem'Hadar at Nivoch II. He lost his leg when his fighter was shot down, crash landing on the planet below.



Lt. Asloe Tilbas (Unjoined Trill) (Chief Science Officer)

Values:

Time is Short

"Look, they work on basically the same principles, okay?"

Growth Doesn't Happen in the Past

Cogs Have a Lot Less Pressure on Them



A brilliant particle physicist and fashion designer, Asloe nevertheless was rejected as a joining candidate by the Trill Symbiosis Commission. Instead, she went on to become a decorated Starfleet officer, and took part in the Battle for Cardassia.



Lt. J.G. Km'Ress "Kay" (Caitian) (Chief of Security)

Values:

A Simple Life

First one in, Last one out

Live today, who knows what tomorrow brings

Can't we all just get along?



Km'Ress hails from a family of Caitian ex-pats living on Earth, where they work as ranchers. Despite his humble upbringing, he served with distinction as a Starfleet officer, earning a promotion to chief of security on the Phoenix, a rare distinction for someone of his rank.



Lt. J. G. Shadrasi "Shad" (Klingon/Betazoid) (Chief Medical Officer)

Values:

Better to seek forgiveness than permission

Change is a good thing, just maybe not so fast

Why not both?

Do I have to talk to them? Can't I just write them a letter?



A rare Klingon-Betazoid hybrid, perhaps the only one of her kind, Shadrasi rebelled against her Klingon heritage at a young age, fleeing to Earth where she sought a way to help those who were suffering. She presents quite a sight, a six-foot-seven shy and retiring Klingon.



Lt. J. G. Emeris 852 44-A "Summer" (Scharan) (Chief Engineer)

Values:

Efficiency is Joy

Creativity is Truth

Pitch-Black Dry Wit

Everyone is Important to Someone



The descendant of a genetically engineering hybrid race comprised of humans, Vulcans and Deltans, Emeris 852 44-A, ironically called "Summer," joined Starfleet as a way to help reintegrate her colony into the Federation. Not all are happy about that.