2156 [reference stardate 1/04]
Advanced laser weaponry, in development for eight years, is approved for
use on all "Horizon" class cruisers. Designed by Captain Theodore Weller
of the "Cavalry" class starship U.S.S. "Poisson" at the Centauri Firing
Range, the lasers can be warp-accelerated at their target having a spread
departure of 2.3x10^-9 [SFC].

The First Romulan War is perhaps also known as the Earth-Romulan War
over the next four years due to the proximity to the Terran system
[MBK #1].

The U.S.S. "Halsey" (FR-261) "Durance" class cargo/tug is used as an
experimental test ship [CTP].

Ursula Yare of Terra is the Federation Council President at approximately
this time [FASA].

Sered is born during this period. He will be a classmate of Sarek at
the Vulcan Science Academy. A brilliant student, he will favor Vulcan's
secession from the U.F.P. in the 23rd Century and eventually become
mentally deranged. He will also have contact with the Romulans [GN 28].

[Y 40]
The Lyrans, a felinoid race probably related to the Kzinti, attack what
they believe is a Klingon mining colony. The outpost is, instead, from
the Hydrans, and not previously known to the Lyrans. Thus begins the
first Lyran-Hydran War. Equipment available to prime teams now includes
the Focused Beam Communications Unit (FBCU) and the Mark II universal
translator. Warp technology is developed by most Far Side races at this
stage, though the KCA (Krebiz Capitalist Alliance) delays implementing
this new technology [SFB].

May [reference stardate 1/0405]
Star Fleet Command and several leading universities co-publish a report on
the Romulan race. This study examines all available information on the
Romulans and describes their threat to the Federation [FASA].

(8650 Vulcan Years)
The Vulcan Outreach period begins [MRM].

The Redjac entity kills two women in Heliopolis on Alpha Proxima (Eridani)
II [WF].

2157, January [reference stardate 1/0501]
After several months of careful analysis and discussion, ranking Star
Fleet officers at Starbase 3 report their decision. All subsectors
within Sectors 5, 7, and 10 go to Code 1 War-Alert status to combat
the Romulans' irregular hit-and-run tactics [FASA].

Izar (Epsilon Bootis III) becomes the 10th U.F.P. member [STM].

The first "Merchantman" Class J cargo ships are constructed. 1,827 of
these warp 1.3, 12-man vessels will be built by 2175 and many will
remain in service well into the late 23rd Century [MCP].

Alonzo Richter is born [GN 7].

"Doppler" class, 50-man, scouts with second generation warp drive enter
service [SFC].

22 July [reference stardate 1/0507.22]
Two Romulan gunboats are surrounded and crippled in the Sexton system
by units from Star Fleet's 123rd Combat Squadron. The Romulan ships
self-destruct while several Federation ships maneuver close for
boarding. Four U.F.P. destroyers are lost with all hands. Star Fleet
issues standing orders prohibiting its vessels from closing with even
a badly damaged Romulan vessel [FASA].

November [reference stardate 1/0511]
Star Fleet Command's "Marshall" class destroyer becomes operational and is
rushed into immediate full-scale production. Equipped with many of the
most recent technological advances, this warship is the mainstay of the
Federation's combat fleet during the latter part of the Romulan War. The
"Marshall" remains in active service for 60 years, longer than any other
major warship class before or since. A total of 2,900 ships are built.
These destroyers have warp 3.8 capacity, are the first ships with warp-
generated defensive shielding, carry a crew of 157, and have an impressive

ordanance consisting of: 14 forward lasers, 8 rear lasers, 8 forward part-
icle beam cannons, 2 rear particle beam cannons, and 400 photon torpedoes
[FASA].

Sectors 1-4 and 7-10 go to Code 1 Alert Status as the Romulan Empire
continues its "hit and run" tactics [FASA].

07 December [reference stardate 1/0522.07]
Two Romulan vessels are crippled by a Star Fleet strike force. The
Romulan commanders wait until several ships maneuver close for grappling
and boarding, then self-destruct taking the U.F.P. ships with them as they
explode. Standard orders are issued prohibiting U.F.P. vessels from
closing with even a badly-damaged Romulan vessel [FASA].

09 December [reference stardate 1/0512.09]
Discussions are held at the highest echelons of the Federation and Star
Fleet Command. As a result, President of the Federation Council Cristofur
Thorpe issues a sealed, standing order by subspace radio to all individ-
uals possessing the rank of Admiral, Council Secretary, or Senior Ambas-
sador. If formal contact is made with the official Romulan government,
the Federation will demand that all hostilities cease immediately, or a
state of war will be declared. Any military or governmental official
receiving this order has the full authority of the U.F.P. to authorize
such a declaration [FASA].

2158 [Y 42]
The Lyran-Klingon War ends when several Lyran clans abandon the war to
protect their homes from the Hydrans. The Lyrans are forced to accept
an unfavorable settlement [SFB].

Kirk will favor a bottle of Ridley Cabernet of this year's vintage
[TOS #77].

2159 [Y 43]
The Lyrans defeat the Hydran invasion, but reach a negotiated settlement
rather than continue the war. The first Lyran-Hydran War ends [SFB].

16 June [reference stardate 1/0606.16]
Star Fleet's 150th Combat Squadron, under the command of Admiral Rex
Gunther, meets a solitary Romulan U-13 class cruiser near Eta Leonis VI.
Instead of attacking, Admiral Gunther follows Thorpe's instructions, opens
known Romulan hailing frequencies, and warns the invading ship of his or-
ders. Gunther gives the Romulan government six months to respond. Other-
wise, it means war. Though the Romulan ship does not communicate, it is
permitted to depart with the warning. This marks the sole meeting of Fed-
eration and Romulan warships without bloodshed on either side [FASA].

14 October [reference stardate 1/0610.14]
Since Admiral Gunther issued his warning, at least one Federation warship
has remained in the vicinity of Eta Leonis VI, awaiting a Romulan
response. The U.S.S. "Patton," a brand-new "Marshall" class destroyer, is
the ship on picket duty when three U-15 class cruisers close, in the Tri-
Beta Sector advancing on the Rigel star system. While decelerating, the
Romulans open fire. They have 4 laser banks per ship with a regeneration
delay of 24.3 seconds. The "Patton's" Captain Joseph Spadora makes one
transmission before a Romulan cruiser fires a single guided missile. The
torpedo his the side of the "Patton," totally disintegrating it.
Spadora's message is received by other vessels in the area and relayed
throughout the Federation. The Romulans' intentions are clear, and war is
officially declared [FASA, SFC].

Intercepted subspace radio communications are translated and analyzed
to help the U.F.P. understand their foe. The Romulan War calls attention
to the strategic importance of the Triangle [FASA].

The U.F.P. confronts the Romulans near the Rigel Star System [SFC].

In the "Mirror" universe, war with the Romulan Federation begins as
empire forces are confronted near the remains of Rigel II [TBoT #14].

Warp drive ambulances are rushed into service as Federation casualties
mount [SFC].