Thomar Expanse
The Thomar Expanse is a region of space in the Alpha Quadrant, averaging twenty light-years in width separating the Breen Confederacy and the Cardassian Union and adjacent to the Tzenkethi Coalition. Born out of the schism between the two factions who had allied during the Dominion War, the Expanse was established through brief subspace negotiations in 2376, with the signing of the Treaty of Gavaria. The Expanse is officially a no-man's-land, but remains an area of contention between the two powers, as it contains several worlds rich in minerals that the Breen and Cardassians covet.
Several inhabited worlds are located within the Expanse, with the species inhabiting those worlds caught between the two antagonists. Other worlds may see facilities or even small settlements from neighbouring powers. Starfleet has lately established Deep Space 47 beyond the Badlands, from which Task Force 47 operates and supports exploration of the Expanse and beyond.
History
The Expanse was historically unclaimed territory, with both the Breen and the Cardassians benefitting from an informal buffer zone between their powers. Their alliance in the Dominion War triggered a short-lived expansion, but the Treaty of Bajor rolled back any border expansion, and the newfound acrimony between the powers naturally reinforced a desire to keep a secure distance.
This, and the proximity of the oft-hostile Tzenkethi, kept the region largely untouched. Any fleeting Starfleet involvement after the Dominion War was interrupted by the Attack on Mars and the Federation's subsequent recalibration to focus on more internal affairs. The Federation has long pledged to protect the inhabited worlds inside the Expanse, but these political concerns and the dangers of travelling the Badlands to even enter the region meant that for the last quarter of the 24th century, limited resources were allocated to that end.
The Sinarru Incident
Sinarru VI is a world located in the Thomar Expanse, rich in xirdalium, a mineral essential to both the Breen and Cardassians, as it can power the Cardassians' Galor-class reactors, as well as the Breen's refrigeration suits. In 2383, Breen forces occupied Sinarru VI and established a xirdalium mining operation. Cardassian forces attacked to dislodge the Breen from Sinarru. A cease-fire was reached after three weeks of conflict, and the incident was classified as a minor skirmish.
Fate of the USS Bamako
The USS Bamako was a Nova-class explorer sent to survey the region in the years following the signing of the Treaty of Gavaria. Captain th'Nekan reported exiting the Badlands on Stardate 54076.3, with minor damage to the ship's secondary hull caused by the plasma storms prevalent in the Badlands. On Stardate 54078.2, following repairs, the ship was scheduled to engage its Warp drive on course to Bukit Bintang II, but never reached its destination. No trace of the Bamako was ever found, and no further communication was ever received. Faint Breen energy signatures were detected in the area, but the evidence was inconclusive.
Starfleet's Involvement
In 2399, Breen forces began hostile strikes against Starfleet holdings along their border with the Federation. The Cardassian Union, despite its internal disagreements on cooperation with the Federation, perceived the Confederacy as a potential threat and established new agreements of cooperation with Starfleet. This included in the Expanse, where the Cardassian Union agreed to permit new Starfleet operations in the region, including the establishment of a Starfleet outpost to support them. Pro-Federation factions in the Union see this as a chance for further cooperation in the face of a mutual foe; those who are opposed to Starfleet hope they will provide a distraction for the Breen.
Starfleet has thus embarked upon new missions of exploration in the Expanse and beyond, past Ultima Thule to the Unknown Regions. In early 2400, Deep Space 47 was constructed to support these operations, and to be the new hub of Task Force 47, charged with missions of exploration that require complex diplomatic negotiations.
Notable Landmarks
Deep Space 47
Built in the early months of 2400, DS47 is the largest known outpost of any major power of the region and the only Starfleet foothold. Located near the Badlands at the mouth of the Expanse, it is the launching point for Starfleet missions of exploration and diplomacy in the region.
The Rolor Nebula
A Class-VI nebula, seven light-years long and four light-years wide, the Rolor Nebula is a remnant of the Rolor Supernova, which is estimated to have occurred twelve thousand years ago. Rich in xenon, argon, fluorine and syrillium.
Lethea
Lethea is located between the Rolor Nebula and the Breen Confederacy. Home to a telepathic species (Letheans) who are not to be counted on as Federation allies.
Moroga
Home to the agrarian Morogan species, Moroga II is a peaceful planet located within 15 light-years of Ultima Thule. The Federation was instrumental in eradicating an outbreak of Phaeosphaeria herpotrichoides, a fungus that had been destroying Morogan crops.
In Play
- The Thomar Expanse is a tense region to explore. Passage through the region is necessary to access the Unknown Regions beyond Ultima Thule.
- Several worlds exist within the region - some friendly to the Cardassians, some bitter from generations of culling by the Breen, others simply trying to keep a low profile, making the area ripe with possibilities.
- Cardassian and Breen relations are tense. Both factions are eager to get their hands on the natural resources present in the Expanse, but incursions by either faction might lead to conflict.
- Starfleet's presence in the region is likely to be unwelcome to the Breen. The Cardassians have formally accepted their involvement, but many factions in Central Command are opposed to cooperation with the Federation, and in the wilderness of the Thomar Expanse, anything can happen beyond the eyes of the politicians.
- The Rolor Nebula might be the hiding place for smugglers travelling between the Cardassian Union and the Tzenkethi Coalition.