The Klingons and their Gorn allies attack Cestus III. While Starfleet attempts to evacuated colonists, the majority insist upon staying and fighting. Starfleet faces a shortage of qualified command personnel thanks to losses in the war.
In a move that many said would never happen, the Romulan Empire formally recognizes the half Romulan Sela as Empress. Among her first decisions is the removal of the office of praetor. Empress Sela also makes it very clear that the Senate is completely subordinate to her.
The Federation attempts to reopen peaceful communication with the Klingon Empire, only to be repeatedly rebuffed. The plague virus that had once been contained in the Carnegie system seems to have spread to the Phylos system. Federation scientists remain unable to find a counter-agent.
Meanwhile, there are whispers of reviving the Romulan monarchy with Praetor Sela as the new empress.
The war is not going well for the Federation. Klingon fleets invade the Arachnis Sector, escalating the conflict. Meanwhile rumors abound that a recent outbreak of plague in the Carnegie system was artificially constructed as a weapon to be used against the Federation.
Newly appointed head of Starfleet Intelligence, Admiral Chakotay, prioritizes finding and removing Undine infiltrators from the upper echelons of Starfleet.
The Federation and the Klingon Empire are at war.
The Klingons invade Korvat and start forcibly removing Federation Citizens. Starfleet responds, sending ships to stop them.
The Gorn convince the Nausicaans to sign a non-aggression pact with the Klingons, while the Ferengi continue making trade agreements with the Federation. The lines of alliance are being clearly drawn.
Chancellor J’mpok invokes ancient Klingon claims to the Hromi Sector, which is now in Federation hands. He tells the Federation that they have three months to remove all Federation citizens and assets from the sector.
Praetor Sela, on Romulus, manipulates the Romulan Senate to consolidate her power.
