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The
time is the 23rd century, and
in the 200 years following its survival of the 21st century
Eugenics Wars, Earth has succeeded in virtually eliminating
crime, poverty and many life-threatening diseases, largely due
to the invention of the molecular transporter and the matter
replicator. Interstellar travel and the exploration of the galaxy
have become possible through the use of faster-than-light warp
drive technology and contact has been made with many intelligent
species, the first of which were Spock's race, the Vulcans.
Over a hundred planets occupying the nearer systems of the explored
galaxy, including Earth, have formed a friendly alliance called
the United Federation of Planets.
Starfleet, the exploratory and military arm of the Federation,
maintains a fleet of starships that are responsible for scientific
exploration and the maintenance of the most distant outposts
of the known galaxy. The starships are also the key to the defence
of the Federation and patrol the boundaries along the Neutral
Zones between the Federation and the more warlike, aggressive
races of the Romulan and Klingon empires.
These vessels are crewed by both male and female members, chosen
from all the worlds of the Federation, who are given equal opportunity
to undergo the rigorous training applied by the Starfleet Academy.
Only the very best are assigned to starship duty and the cream
of these, about 430 personnel, serve aboard the flagship of
the fleet, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, on a five-year exploratory
mission under the command of the legendary Captain James T.
Kirk. |