Bible version approx. February 1994

In the 24th Century, there has never been a conflict as bitter as the long, unending struggle over territory along the Federation-Cardassian border. We return to this part of the Star Trek lore to set the back story of some of the major characters of STAR TREK: VOYAGER.

We have established that a new treaty between the Cardassians and the Federation has led to an uneasy peace. Several Federation colonies caught in the newly established Demilitarized Zone along the border have chosen not to disband even though they are now within the jurisdiction of the Cardassian Empire. This has led to bitter conflicts between colonists from both sides.

Without the continuing protection of Starfleet, a number of Federation colonists have decided to go bevond the law to form a defensive wing called the Maquis. They have been joined by a few Starfleet officers who believe in their cause and have resigned their commissions. Some of their members have even been kicked out of Starfleet and found their way to the Maquis as consolation. If they're ready to fight, no one asks questions about their past because every volunteer is needed. As a group, the Maquis are non-conformists who are no longer dedicated to Federation rules of conduct. They have a number of small ships that strike pre-emptive and retaliatory raids against the Cardassians. Some consider them heroes.

The Cardassians and the Federation may consider the Maquis outlaws, but in their own minds they are freedom fighters. They are idealistic nonconformists who believe passionately that they are taking the only course of action they can to protect themselves and their loved ones from continued Cardassian aggression.

Some are StarFleet [sic.] officers who have resigned their commissions or dropped out of the Academy. Some have been asked to leave StarFleet. But most share a common trait: they are not comfortable living under the strict rules of conduct demanded by Starfleet. They are independent, free-thinking individuals with perhaps a few more rough edges than we might see in a typical Starfleet crew.

In addition to the two regular characters that are Maquis (Chakotay and B'Elanna), we assume that some twenty more have come on board and can be used from time to time in stories.

Text sources: VC, Poe. Thanks to Juliomac for the background tile and Eos Development for the text background tile from the set 'Traceries'.