2395 brings a strange turn of events among the Klingons. Ja’rod, son of Torg (and Lursa) survives an ambush by strange tripedal aliens while on shore leave from his berth on the IKS Kang. He manages to capture one of his attackers, who turns out to be Undine (also known as Species 8472); the information gathered from this attack will determine the course of events within the Alpha Quadrant for the next several decades.

Starfleet, caught out by the accidental destruction of the USS Kelso, publically admits to experimenting with cloaking technology. This, as expected, creates considerable tension between the Federation and both the Romulans and Klingons.

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Letter taken from the personal Correspondence of “ Emerald Empress” of the Orion Syndicate, Melanie D’ian

Dear sister,
You should be proud of your daughter. Irina danced beside me during our first evening with the Klingons. As I had instructed, she successfully caught the eye of their chief negotiator. He was practically drooling as she danced close to him. The look on his face when she reached out to stroke his beard was priceless; she truly served as a wonderful incentive for our new allies.

Our negotiations went well. Irina and I observed all, kneeling at Hassan’s feet as obedient little slave girls. Whenever the Klingon balked, Hassan would simply reach down and rest his hand on one of our shoulders. When Hassan offered Irina as a personal gift, and then followed up by suggesting we send 150 of our finest girls to serve in the great Houses of Qo’nos, the negotiations sped up quite a bit. Such a delightfully predictable race, the Klingons. Even as I write, your daughter prepares for her sojourn on Qo’noS. I have every confidence in her ability, and those of the other girls we’re sending. I really must compliment you; you did a superb job training her. She quite reminds me of myself.

With love and affection always,
Your sister

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2394 brings little good news for the Federation. The Orions, led by Melanie D’ian and the Orion Syndicate, sign a non-aggression and mutual defense pact with the Klingons in exchange for a planet within Klingon Space. The already formidable Klingons are clearly preparing for war. Meanwhile, the Romulans seem to be solidifying back into a single government. They offer General Taris the position of Praetor and recreate a strong Senate.

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Letter Taken from the personal correspondence of Detapa Council Member Natima Lang

My most esteemed colleague,
I am sure it will not surprise you in the least that our dear Gul Madred has contracted recently with the itinerant Jem’Hadar. I can assure you, as the dear Gul would himself, that all of his contracts are precise and designed to be completely non-threatening to Cardassia at large and the Detapa Council in specific. His expectations of his Jem’Hadar mercenaries are spelled out quite clearly and bear strict limitations. They are in his employ solely to protect his mining operations on Septimus.

Indeed, the Gul’s records are in such perfect order and show such tremendous attention to detail, one can only assume he is a thoroughly devoted businessman who has completely turned his back on politics. In fact, I have never seen any documentation quite so painstakingly transparent.

Natima, take warning. Gul Madred has done a great deal to appear such an upstanding citizen. Only the truly dishonest ever expend such effort. As you and I both know, the only merchants with perfectly kept books are those who have a second set.

Ever your devoted servant,
Garak

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2393 is a year of considerable upheaval, among more than a decade of unrest. Martok, Klingon Chancellor and known friend to the Federation, is deposed and replaced by the war hungry J’mpok in a private duel. Any negotiations with the Klingon Empire come very rapidly to a halt. Additionally, tensions in Cardassia, between the sanctioned Detapa Council and the True Way, increase as Gul Madred contracts with Alpha Jem’Hadar mercenaries for protection of his “business ventures.”

On a more positive note, Bajor and Tama Prime are formally admitted to the Federation.

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