The Shackleton Expanse

The Shackleton Expanse (also known as Seraphim Nebula) is a large, luminous nebula in the constellation Taurus. The area is located in the Beta Quadrant and is part of the much larger Taurus Molecular Cloud Complex. It is a combination of the azure supernova remnants of Gaya 164, the dense, purple dust cloud known as LG 1175, currently colliding with the much denser, active star-forming H II region called IC 434.

The Shackleton Expanse is approximately 46.6 parsecs or 152 light-years from Earth, beyond the Romulan and Klingon Empire. It is one of the most identifiable features in the area because of its resemblance to a winged creature or deity.

Largely unexplored, the United Federation of Planets hold the most significant part of the Expanse – about 12% of total area – from Starfleet’s forward base of operations in the Narendra Sector: Starbase 364. There are a total of twelve science and supply bases, throughout the pocket of Federation controlled space, in the area.

Designated as an exclusive demilitarized enclave, Romulan and Klingon incursions are frequent, but usually not hostile. Ongoing scientific survey is shared mostly among the three major powers in the region, as well as preliminary mining and refining efforts of rare minerals. First contact has been made with seven previously unknown species, since exploration began in 2371.

History First known sighting of the Shackleton Expanse, dates back to the Klingon Astronomer J’pek, who noted in 576 BC: “a winged creature in the night sky, beyond K’t’inga and Pheben” - the then considered boundaries, of the realm of the living. Le’jor, his wife, a relatively unknown philosopher of the time, penned the poem of ‘Argyrus the Keeper’, a winged succubus, devouring all souls that strayed from the path to Sto’vo’kor. Which, over time, became a staple of early Klingon culture and the first written record of the Expanse.



On earth, the nebula was first recorded in 1875 by British astronomer Thomas Shackleton on a photographic plate taken at the Harvard College Observatory. The first memoranda being made by his faculty fellow O. G. Payne, describing it as: "Luminous, purple mass, diam. 4′, on nebulous strip extending south from s Taurus", cataloguing the winged anomaly as ‘Seraphim Nebula’. It was later renamed in honor of its discoverer, as scientists of the Hubble space program discerned it to be a collision of stellar nurseries, not a simple nebula.

Visual examination commenced during the early years of the 21st century, by the James Webb Space Telescope, accurately calculating the standards of mass and diameter which would be valid for three centuries. For it was not until 2365, that a task force within Starfleet science, began to examine the expanse once more through Deep Space Array 27, at the convergence point of Federation, Romulan and Klingon space, at Beta Penthe. It was the first modern day examination of the anomaly, conducted outside the solar system. But due to political tensions and constant skirmishes, within the factions blocking direct access to the expanse, physical exploration was not possible until 2371.

By that year, Starfleet DC had negotiated a science expedition with the Klingon High Council, comprising of seven ships, crossing to beyond the borders of the empire, into the Narendra Sector. Here, Starfleet would build a forward operation base, Starbase 364, which could sustain itself for extended periods of time. From here, several exploratory missions into surrounding space were launched, the findings shared with the Klingons, as part of their agreement. The growing area of Federation influence was formally declared as a demilitarized zone in 2373. Meaning that no designated warships were allowed to cross into the sector, as well as a stringent limitation on arms and munition deliveries to the bases, that were popping up one after another, in the growing enclave.

With the onset of the Dominion War, and growing frictions with the Klingon Empire, the original accord was abandoned, and the Narendra Sector would remain isolated from the Federation for over five years. In this time, developing a hierarchy and support system of its own, between the various bases, mining operations and ships, stranded there. It was not until the Reman uprising was thwarted and negotiations with the Romulan Star Empire began, that the first supply ships would reach this remote region once more. Albeit having retained contact during their isolation, they found an almost self-contained economy and government system, among the remnants of Starfleet in the sector. An established system that would prove hard to assimilate back.

In September of 2379 then, finally, Starfleet Special Envoy, Commander Samantha Rutherford, finalized a charter with the Romulans that would establish a supply route through their territory. A strictly defined navigational corridor, from Starbase 157 to Starbase 179. Under the stipulations of the charter, ships were not allowed to drop out of warp, during the 60-lightyear journey, and only employ passive scanning methods. In turn, allowing Romulan ships to pass through the Federation DMZ into the expanse. This was quickly supplemented by renewed negotiations with the Klingon Empire, to establish a similar route between Starbase 234 and Starbase 364. Negating the necessity of a detour through Starbase 179, like the Romulan route, shaving 20 lightyears off the trip. These talks are ongoing.

As of October 2379, there are a compendium of 26 Starfleet ships stationed in the Narendra Sector, organised as Task Force 11. Allocated to eleven outposts, with the majority hailing from Starbase 364, 6 and 152. Additionally, there are numerous Klingon and Romulan science vessels, passing through the area, as well as some privately owned mining ships and cargo craft. Turning the remote sector into a busy junction point, right at the precipice, of the Uncharted Frontier.

Structure The Shackleton Expanse - as discovered in 2002 by the Hubble Space telescope - was not only a purple nebula, as originally anticipated, but in fact a combination of three major components, currently (within the timescale of 27 million years) colliding with one another. These are the azure supernova remnants of Gaya 164, the dense, purple dust cloud known as LG 1175, the largest contributor, and the active star-forming H II region called IC 434.

It is generally assumed, that the conjugation of these fundamentally different space objects, is responsible for the unusual makeup of the expanse. Comprising of strong gravitational eddies, x-ray bursts and other spatial anomalies. And while it was theorized that life was unlikely, so far seven intelligent species have been found on the explored fringes of this region of space.

Gaya 164

Gaya 164 is anticipated to have been a blue hypergiant star, about 1.000 times the radius of Sol, that went supernova approximately two million years ago. Subsequent shockwaves and gamma ray bursts have dispersed large quantities of ionized hydrogen gas and other elements, that now form the north-western visible limit of the nebula. Making up its ‘left wing’.

As the youngest feature of the expanse, Gaya 164 may become its own stellar nursery, once its expansion has slowed down and gravity starts to aggregate essential elements, for the birth of new stars. Which is currently estimated to take place within the next seven hundred thousand years.

LG 1175

Primarily classified as a dust cloud, LG 1175 holds enough mass to have produced stars and planets from roughly seventeen billion until about six billion years ago. Containing some of the oldest solid bodies in the expanse, it is generally assumed that most, if there ever was any, all life within the nebula has been eradicated by the great filter. Estimating a one out three million chance of progression into the warp stage of evolution.

Recent research suggests that these chances might be much lower, given the detection of many toxic elements appearing in abundance. Boron compounds, such as Boron trifluoride and Boron trichloride, which give off a purple color while eradiated, are highly toxic inorganic compounds highly reactive with water, the base of most known life.

The nebula extends outward in the north-eastern periphery, into the ‘right wing’ feature.

IC 434

An active star-forming H II region, IC 434 sits somewhere in the middle, between LG 1175 and Gaya 164, age wise. At about ten billion years, with stars ranging from 7 billion years of age to as young as those that are currently forming. Which makes it the longest continuously productive nursery in known space and the likeliest candidate for further discovery of intelligent life.

Currently in collision with LG 1175 – and to a smaller extent with Gaya 164 – the former two share a large aggregation of luminous stars in their midst, responsible for a dominant, white glow. Characterized as the soul disk, on depictions of Argyros the Keeper. IC 434 has a predominantly burgundy hue, due to the presence of heavier metallic elements. Making it also a solid prospect for lucrative mining opportunities.

Expanding from the center to the southeastern portion of the expanse, it mainly comprises of its ‘body’ feature.

Politics

Little is known about the political and territorial makeup of the majority of the Shackleton Expanse. Starfleet political scientists presume there to be few civilizations that have expanded their influence beyond their own solar system. Given that initial readings of Deep Space Array 27 have revealed no subspace distortions that would suggest extensive warp travel within the expanse. So, specialists are expecting very sparce, isolated pockets of intelligent life with no higher political systems or larger affiliations.

There is, however, a measurable influx of other powers, moving into the expanse for their own political and territorial gain. These are, but not limited to:

The Federation

As the first known larger power to have shown interest in exploring the Shackleton Expanse, the Federation had first established a physical presence in the area with the conception of Starbase 364 in the Narendra Sector. Which served as the jumping board for many smaller bases to pop up over the next eight years. Effectively making the Federation the largest known power in the Shackleton Expanse by 2379.

It holds agreements with the Romulans, under the terms of the warp corridor charter, about ship movements through their territory. Klingon ships are currently, at the lack of an agreement, tolerated to pass through. Minor allied powers, that fall under the charter with the Romulans, are using the warp corridor to gain access to the expanse at their own leisure. Such as the Ferengi, the Cardassians, the Son’a and the Talarians.

The Romulan Star Empire

The Romulans were the second major power to become interested in exploration of the Shackleton Expanse, after being approached by Starfleet for the charter that would allow save passage through their territory. Thus, they negotiated a stipulation into the contract that would allow Romulan ships passage through federation territory in the Narendra Sector, in return. Since then, Romulan vessels have passed the region in moderate numbers, but no permanent presence has been established anywhere in the area. Mostly due to the close proximity of bases within their own territory.

Romulan missions and exploration results are largely unknown to the Federation. But it is suggested that they have found little of interest, as the numbers of vessels passing through the area have dwindled.

The Imperial Romulan State

Having accepted Tal’Aura as the legitimate leader of the Romulan people after Shinzon’s death, the Federation has not accepted claims to a government by the rebellious faction, coming to be known as the Imperial Romulan State, under Commander Donatra. Thus, the agreement specifical precludes the IRS from the benefits of the charter and no IRS ships have been granted access to the Narendra Sector. Heightening tensions with that faction.

The Klingon Empire

Although granting the first passage for Starfleet exploration, to the expanse, Klingon interest in the region has been limited. As a matter of fact, the first Klingon ships to pass into the area were only a direct reaction to the Romulans showing interest. Ever since both powers have been keeping a close watch on each other’s fleet movements in the sector.

A Klingon mining consortium is currently exploring an asteroid belt in a system at the fringes of IC 434, well beyond the area explored by Starfleet. Little is known about the extent and purpose of the operation, but a regular cargo route has been established by 2379.

The Valoran

The first warp capable power discovered by Starfleet in the expanse, covers an area of several lightyears, comprising of three star-systems. The Valoran have achieved warp flight fifty years ago and are a peaceful, industrial, yet cautious race. They place high value on the production of goods and furthering their technology. Thus, most of their efforts have been in terms of achieving valuable minerals and tapping new sources.

The Edda

Being a highly spiritual people, the Edda have achieved warp flight over two centuries ago but have not expanded far beyond their own star system. Establishing several colonies on planets within their home system, they have since – at about one hundred and fifty years ago – decided not to use their warp capabilities for religious reasons. At least that is the consensus of the first-contact negotiations in 2376. Some event in their recent history has made the Edda believe that they are not meant to travel beyond the boundaries of their star system.

The Edda and the Valoran were not aware of each other until 2376 and have since adopted a courteous relationship.

Locations