Welcome Aboard

In the 25th Century...

Stardate 75013.46. While the crises of the 24th Century haunt living memory as cautionary tales, the year 2400 begins with the United Federation of Planets finding itself in an uneasy and weary peacetime.

The Dominion has been silent for decades. The Romulan Star Empire is a fractured shadow of itself after the destruction of Romulus' home star. The Klingon Empire stagnates and has seemingly turned inward, too proud to speak dire truths of what afflicts it. The Borg Collective is, according to credible intelligence, destroyed and their shattered transwarp conduits litter space- a precarious temptation for the foolhardy explorer- or scoundrel.

A False Renaissance?

While Starfleet deploys the newest generation of its starships in anticipation of a seminal event next year, the reality is that the age of legendary explorers and mavericks is fading. The current generation of captains and crews are trained not to be bold, but cautious. Exploration is closer to home, within an automated rescue response from the nearest friendly ship. Maintaining the peace and security is, for the time being, more important than the wonders out there.

Starfleet feels like an institution in a seasoned middle age, looking back at its meritorious past through legend ships dry-docked in museums, and nostalgic "new but old" ship designs. To some, its taking stock. To others, its protecting what is left and preparing for the next big crisis. To a seeming minority, it is the signs of stagnation- "Does anyone remember when we used to be explorers?".

A Return to Barzan

Diplomatic and trade efforts to bring the Barzans into the Federation have been stagnant since the Dominion War's conclusion. But recently, Barzan delegates have approached the Federation for eventual affiliation using the one resource they have.

The Barzan wormhole, now almost thirty years confirmed to be unstable, has been looked at through fresh eyes at Daystrom. Theoretical research in to the old Borg transwarp conduits and the elusive slipstream drive suggest the wormhole could be stabilized on both ends. But anchoring an unstable wormhole would require more than just Federation resources. It would need a combined effort of the quadrant. Hawkish elements in Starfleet surprisingly agreed and a surprising architect emerged: the Tholians would assist if they were guaranteed access to the wormhole. And it worked. The Barzan Compact anchored an unstable wormhole for the first time.

Pathfinder II Project

Starfleet's return to the Delta Quadrant has been cautious and under a critical lens. The wormhole is a dangerous anomaly, not a guarantee. Starfleet is not willing to deploy large resources to the effort at this time. Several vessels were lost or went missing, drawing further criticism. The species adjacent to the wormhole have adapted, remain hostile and are more advanced. The damage that the apparent collapse of the Borg Collective has become evident and a new pecking order is forming.

It became evident that if the Barzan Compact was going to survive the decade, It needed the ability to form reliable diplomatic ties with friendly species. Pathfinder Station and the Pathfinder II Project was the compromised strategy with Starfleet merely sharing the responsibility..

WIth Pathfinder Station under construction, Starfleet is deploying smaller, time-tested vessels capable of months between refuel and resupply. The Rhode Island-class platform seemed a decent foundation. The class re-entered production, and existing ships were refitted for autonomous mission profiles.

The first of these new vessels in the Delta Quadrant is the starship Sojourner.