Late in the year 2422, the United Federation of Planets made a startling new technological breakthrough using data gathered by the USS Voyager on her seven-year exploratory mission through the Delta Quadrant. Starfleet Research and Development, along with Starfleet's Advanced Technologies Department, managed to create the Alpha Quadrants first Tetryon Reactor, a powerful energy generator that runs on subatomic tetryon particles. The power provided by the reactor is enough to send starships across hundreds of light-years in mere hours. After a few months more work, the reactor was finally attached to the Subspace Catapult, finally allowing for exploration of space far beyond the Federation's borders.

It wasn't long however before jealousy and paranoia rose their evil heads amongst the other powers of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. The Klingon Empire, the Federations closest ally, and the Romulan Star Empire, both issued ultimatums against the United Federation of Planets, demanding that the Catapult project either be shared amongst them, or scrapped. War was offered as the only other alternative. Both the Klingons and the Romulans saw the Catapult as a means of unopposed expansion for the Federation, as well as a device that could allow Starfleet battle fleets to enter the heart of their space within a moments notice.

The Federation agreed to hold diplomatic talks with the Klingons and the Romulans, to allow them to participate within the Subspace Catapult program. These talks last the better part of a year between the three major powers, and minor powers in the Quadrants such as the Tholians, Breen, Cardassians, Gorn and even the Ferengi demanded to have their say. It was eventually decided that one Subspace gate would be built in neutral space, aimed in the direction of the galaxy's core. The catapult, named the 'Frontier' Catapult, was constructed in the neutral Independent Systems of Galen. A convoy of transports with the return catapult was sent through, along with a ship representing the Romulans, Klingons and Federation peoples. Seven months later, the vessels returned, announcing completion of the 'Homeward' Catapult. The new expanse of space was named the Shybal Expanse, and was officially opened for exploration and colonisation.

Now in 2433, Echo Fleet has been sent through the Frontier Catapult to begin exploring the Shybal Expanse. The Fleet Commanded by Fleet Admrial Jason Tiger, Lead the Federation into a new Era of Exploration. Have been tasked with the defence and exploration of the new expanse. With just enough equipment to built a shipyard and a Base of operations. The vessels of Echo Fleet have been assigned to seek out new life and new civilizations, to explore strange new worlds, and to truely go where no one has ever gone before.





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