First Federation

File:Star-chart alpha-beta quadrant.jpg

Alpha and Beta Quadrant star chart which depicts the First Federation's location

Balok, a representative of the First Federation

The First Federation was a political and military organization first encountered in the 23rd century.

Very little was known about the origins, deployment and population of the First Federation. The first significant encounter took place in 2266, when the USS Enterprise seemed to cross into First Federation space, destroying a marker buoy in the process.

Shortly thereafter, the Enterprise encountered the flagship of the First Federation, the Fesarius. Charged with violating their territory, the Enterprise and its crew were threatened with destruction. However, after a series of bluffs and counter-bluffs, it was later discovered that the encounter had been a test, designed by the Fesarius' captain, Balok. A cultural exchange was proposed, with Enterprise crewman Dave Bailey remaining on board the Fesarius. (TOS: "The Corbomite Maneuver")

Trade between the First Federation and various Alpha Quadrant species continued into the 24th century, with tranya being a major export - Quark's on Deep Space 9 served the beverage. (DS9: "Facets")

The First Federation's location was also mentioned as a small note on a very large star chart graphic created for TNG: "Conspiracy". It was the image behind the chair in the room where Dexter Remmick was killed. It appears to be located within an outlined block, which may indicate that it was surrounded by or was even a part of Federation territory at the time.

Aside from the note on the star chart in "Conspiracy" and the brief mention of tranya in "Facets", there have been no references to the First Federation in any subsequent episodes or movies. Presumably, this had something to do with the fact that the term "Federation" has since become associated with the United Federation of Planets (which had not yet been introduced at the time of "The Corbomite Maneuver").

According to Star Trek: Star Charts, on page 36, the First Federation was located in the Alpha Quadrant.