Ectair

**Ectair**, or **Little Orion** was it was also known, was the fourth planet of the Mozinphar's Star system in the Outback. It was a Class M planet, the only one in its system, and had no moons. It was a neutral and independent world. Nominally one of the Orion Colonies, it was the seat of the Mozinphar *caj*, and was the site of the Treaty of Ectair between the United Federation of Planets and the Romulan Star Empire. (FASA: *A Doomsday Like Any Other*)

## History

Mozinphar's Star was discovered and named by Emerak Mozinphar in the 2250s. Emerak was the leader of a group of Orion "political refugees" who had left Rigel space in a small fleet of starships following crackdowns there. Finding the fourth planet habitable, they settled there, and Emerak became the first Master of Ectair. At the time, the system was well beyond the bounds of Federation territory.

In the years that followed, there was a heavy influx of settlers, many of them black marketeers, fugitives and other assorted criminals. There was also a great number of "hardy pioneer types" searching for a less restrictive place to live and grow. As the Federation expanded towards Ectair, Mozinphar was careful to keep the peace. Freebooters could sell their goods at Ectair, but none based themselves openly on the planet, or allowed their activities to be connected with the government. Ectair was a wide-open tradeworld with a reputation for freedom, but never became the kind of the place that would provoke large-scale Federation intervention.

In 2272, Ectair was the site of a diplomatic incident when it was visited by a squadron of Romulan vessels. They had been exploring the Outback and went around the Neutral Zone. Also at Ectair was the Starfleet light cruiser USS *Ardent*, stopping for supplies. The *Ardent'*s hotheaded captain challenged the Romulans, nearly starting a major conflict, until Emerak Mozinphar himself stepped in to mediate their dispute. That the Romulans could go around the Neutral Zone posed a threat to Federation security (and policy), prompting negotiations between the two powers, which were conducted on Ectair. These concluded in the signing of the Treaty of Ectair, between representatives of the Federation, the Romulan Empire and Ectairian leaders. (FASA: *A Doomsday Like Any Other*, *Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update*)

By the mid-2280s, Federation expansion had overtaken the region, and Ectair found itself engulfed within the borders of the UFP. Ectair continued to be something of an awkward embarrassment to the Federation. It remained staunchly independent, and it welcomed Romulan merchants, explorers and warships into its system, as permitted by the terms of the Treaty.

While on patrol duty in the Outback in 2387, the USS *Fife* responded to a distress call from the free trader *Pride O'Rigel*. Rushing to the civilian vessel's aid, the *Fife* discovered a doomsday machine on course for Mozinphar's Star, and some 72 hours away from destroying Ectair. During the tense encounter the *Fife* was able to work with the Romulans to destroy the machine. (FASA: *A Doomsday Like Any Other*)

## Society

In the late 23rd century, Ectair was population by around 1,500,000 inhabitants of mixed species. Only 1% of the population was Orion, though the original settlers retained political influence. Most, however, hailed from Federation worlds, and many were still citizens, with a number of major Federation races represented: an estimated 50% were Human. A small enclave of Romulan traders was also present.

Ectairian society was a frontier culture and largely a lawless one. There were few laws decreed, and even those were rarely enforced. There was no dominant culture; each race and group went their own ways. The only loose structure was that of the so-called Elite class, consisting of the original Orion settlers and their families, plus few others risen to high rank for their service to the world.

The planet was staunchly independent and operated as an open and free trade-world, and it had little concern for what other worlds considered illegal, such as contraband or stolen goods. However, it wisely avoided taking this to a degree that would provoke Federation intervention. Pirates could sell their booty here, but none were openly based on Ectair, nor had any connections with its government.

By the Treaty of Ectair, it was an open port to both Federation and Romulan vessels, and trade with the Romulans was heavy. Thus Ectair was a major source of the Romulan ale that was smuggled into the Federation, but Federation strategists worried that it would become a Romulan military base or espionage center.

It had a technological/sociopolitical index of 899773-66 and a planetary trade profile of EBDFEFG/A(C).

What government there was rested with the Master of Ectair. Although the Master theoretically served as the spokesman for the elite class, he actually wielded absolute power. With the succession of Amehda Mozinphar after his father Emerak's death in 2285, the position quickly became a hereditary tyranny. However, Amehda Mozinphar proved to be a weak ruler, dominated by the planet’s business leaders, both Federation- and Romulan-based.

This prompted the Federation to a strong diplomatic effort to reduce Romulan influence, though with little success. Ectairian leaders desired to maintain friendly relations with the Federation, but not closer ties, as they were against becoming members or being absorbed in any way. Thus they remained firmly independent and neutral.

A Federation Consulate existed to represent Federation interests and protect its citizens on Ectair. In 2287, the Consul was Aki Torimatsu.

Several privately-owned corporations operated out of Ectair, including Kinglines, an interstellar transport firm founded by Burton King.

In the 2280s, the Federation Bureau of Foreign Relations issued the following guidelines regarding Ectair:

1. *Starfleet vessels are to observe the integrity of Ectair's internal affairs at all times. The independence and self-determination of the planet are to be of first importance in any dealings with the planetary government.*
2. *As an independent world, Ectair is not subject to the treaty provisions prohibiting Romulan vessels within five light-years. Romulan ships have the right to call at Ectair, and are not to be molested within Ectairian space.*
3. *The Federation citizens who comprise a significant portion of Ectair's population are to be extended the protection and assistance of Starfleet, but only where this does not jeopardize planetary relations.*
4. *Any and all opportunities to assist the government of Ectair, where such assistance is requested and/or approved by the Ectairian government and falls within approved Starfleet policy, should be taken by Starfleet officers.*
5. *The Federation Consul on Ectair, Aki Torimatsu, is responsible for all UFP citizens on the planet, and may be contacted at need for further advice and assistance in dealing with the government of Ectair.*

## Environment

Ectair was a Class M with a terrestrial atmosphere and a warm temperate climate. Environmentally, it was quite similar to Earth prior to that world’s industrial age. It had four primary continents and a number of island chains scattered about its oceans. The continent of Alnakar was the site of the inland Sea of Samakhur, and the majority of the planet’s population lived around its shores. The climate there ranged from sub-tropical to warm temperate.

It had a total surface area of 612,000,000 square kilometers, 67% of which was land, or 410,040,000 square kilometers. It had 21-hour-long day. Ectair's mineral content consisted of 87% normal metals, 25% radioactive elements, 34% was gemstones, 22% was industrial crystals, and 13% special minerals. (FASA: *A Doomsday Like Any Other*)

## External links

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