Outback

**The Outback** was the popular name of a region of space in the Beta Quadrant, along the Federation frontier in the mid-23rd century. It was some distance from the Klingon Empire, but adjacent to the Romulan Neutral Zone and the Clanhaven Treaty Sector of the Gorn Hegemony.

It was largely unexplored by the Starfleet until the late 23rd century, and the Federation was uncertain of its exact boundaries, knowing it only as a wide band of unclaimed stars between Romulan and Gorn territory. Until the 2280s, the Federation's presence in the region was limited to the consolidation of the UFP sphere along the frontier, though it was believed that both Romulan and Gorn expeditions into the area were fairly common, and the Outback was considered a potential hotspot should conflicts arise with either group.

The Mozinphar's Star system, and its planet Ectair, were located in the Outback. Federation expansion from the 2260s through the mid-2280s eventually reached the region, and engulfed Ectair.

Romulan vessels could circumvent the Neutral Zone by traveling through the Outback, and reaching Federation space on the other side. This presented a problem for the UFP during the 2270s, and eventually led to the Treaty of Ectair allowing the Romulans free passage through the area as long as they did not approach within five light-years of any Federation planet or outpost.

The Romulans claimed that their interest in the region was purely oriented towards exploration and scientific research, with a developing trade relations a secondary but significant objective. Starfleet Intelligence found no evidence to support the widespread belief that the Romulans were exploiting the area with the intent to colonize or develop a major military base on the flank of the Federation's Neutral Zone outposts, though all Starfleet vessels were advised to keep a wary eye for such activity. Intelligence reports suggested that the Romulans may have lost vessels in the Outback, possibly to Gorn action, which may have accounted for the Empire's increased presence, and suggested the possibility of an unstable local situation. Starfleet vessels were ordered to avoid conflict with Romulan forces in the area, except when self-defense made such encounters unavoidable. Under no circumstances were Starfleet vessels to act in a manner that might cause Romulan leadership to assume Federation involvement in any of the Empire's losses in the region.

Starfleet Intelligence also believed that the Gorn Hegemony laid claim to a fairly extensive portion of the Outback, though as was generally the case, the Gorn's claims considerably outreached their actual, physical colonization and control of the region. Federation diplomats reported that there were indications of increased Gorn commitment to the area, evidently initiated by moderate factions within their society. It was clear that Gorn expansionism was being turned away from Federation borders, and the Outback appeared to be an area of some importance to the Hegemony at the time. The fragile state of Federation-Gorn relations was at the forefront of Starfleet's policy in the Outback, and Starfleet vessels were ordered to prevent Gorn encroachment on Federation space, peacefully if possible, but to avoid Gorn-controlled territory at all costs to prevent any repetition of the Cestus III incident. Any dispute was to be referred to the Federation Diplomatic Corps.

The Gorn were believed to have come into contact with the Romulans at some point before the Federation ventured into the region, and Starfleet did not overlook the possibility of conflict between the two groups. In the event of hostilities between the Romulan and Gorn forces in the Outback, Starfleet vessels were ordered to maintain strict neutrality. Humanitarian considerations called for the rescue of personnel of any race in mortal danger, but intervention in hostile encounters was authorized only as necessary to protect the lives and property of Federation citizens, allies or protectorates. (FASA: *A Doomsday Like Any Other*)

## External links

* Outback article at ***Memory Beta***, the non-canon *Star Trek* wiki.