Talvath Cluster
The Talvath Cluster is a region of space in the Beta Quadrent, located at the spinward edge Federation space and the area of space dominated by the remnants of the Romulan Star Empire. As of 2401 it remains largely unexplored by both polities as neither have a suitable base from which to deploy exploratory missions. Given its proximity to the unexplored frontiers of the Beta and Delta Quadrants and recent renewed activity from The Artifact and Soong Type androids at Coppelius, Starfleet has begun deploying more assets into the region.
In 2401 Starfleet's nearest dry-dock capable base is located at Deep Space 17. The nearby reaserch base Overwatch Station, acts as the final frontier outpost prior to exiting Federation space into the terra nullius of the Talvath Cluster.
History
Located on the distant edge of both Federation and Romulan space, neither party have been particularly invested in exploring the region prior to 2401. The region provides little in the way of easily accessable resources or strategic advantages and as such was largely ignored by the Romulan Star Empire prior to its collapse. The region's distance from the core of Federation space and it's made its exploration a secondary concern to the science council and resources were directed to what were considered more fruitful avenues.
In the early 2380s, following the return of USS Voyager to Federation space and a renewed exploratory directive following the Dominion War, a few deep space research missions were dispatched to the area with the primary goal of establishing the nature of the cluster. Whilst also exploring the possability of incursions from the myriad of Delta Quarant powers now known to exist; in particular the Borg Starfleet Security also maintained an interest in the region as a possible flanking route against any ressurgant Romulan threat. Deep Space 17 was expected to provide initial support following its comissioning in
Initial progress into the cluster was put on hold following the