Date: 2156–2160

The Earth–Romulan War followed decades of tension and covert interference as humanity expanded beyond its home system and encountered rival powers in the region known as the Alpha Quadrant. Direct contact between Earth and the Romulans was deliberately avoided by the Romulan Empire, which conducted the war almost entirely through intermediaries, remote weapons, and indirect communication. No visual contact was made between opposing crews. The conflict was defined by confusion and asymmetry. Romulan forces relied heavily on drone ships, plasma weapons, and early cloaking technology, while Earth struggled with limited defenses and inexperienced deep-space fleets. Human colonies were attacked or destroyed, star systems were contested, and Earth’s survival as an interstellar power was placed in serious doubt. As the war escalated, Earth began coordinating more closely with neighboring powers, including the Andorians and Tellarites, laying the groundwork for broader interstellar cooperation. The war’s final confrontation came at the Battle of Cheron. Several Earth vessels were lost, but Coalition forces disabled the Romulan flagship, rendering its drone ship inert. With their command capability shattered, the Romulans were forced to retreat. The Romulan government initiated peace negotiations, culminating in the Treaty of Cheron, which established a Neutral Zone separating Earth and Romulan space.