The Sim
— from the dedication of the Andorian cruiser USS Thejal (AGC-6-38), destroyed 2163
For decades, many believed conflict between the United Federation of Planets and the Imperial Klingon Empire was unavoidable. Skirmishes and raids, along with open wars in 2256 and again in 2267, had further solidified this reality in people’s minds. All that changed, however, when the Klingon moon, Praxis, exploded, crippling energy production and threatening all life on the homeworld. While some pushed for Starfleet not to let its guard down, to take an aggressive stance toward the Klingons, others saw an opportunity to turn things in a new direction.
Months of working quietly behind the scenes followed by weeks of intense negotiation on-site eventually culminated in the signing of a treaty at Camp Khitomer in 2293. Though it could never wipe away the terrible events of the past, many hoped this new accord might be a major turning point in galactic affairs and usher in a brighter future.
Barely two years have passed and, already, things have changed considerably. Starfleet has undertaken a massive restructuring and realignment, decommissioning starships and other assets that were aligned toward military brinkmanship with Klingons while at the same time deploying new resources aimed more at ongoing diplomacy and renewed exploration.
The Constellation-class cruiser, USS Thejal (NCC-1978) is one such example. Originally commissioned in 2284 and assigned largely to help keep an eye on the Klingon Neutral Zone, the Thejal has just recently undergone its ten-year refit, bringing it more in line with the current technologies and making it well-equipped to serve in this new era. The Thejal has been assigned to the regions known as ‘Galactic South’ with express instructions to further explore the area and to establish (or renew) relations with the worlds and peoples they encounter.