Briar Patch

From FEInfobase

The Briar Patch is a region within Sector 441 which is filled with metaphasic radiation, metreon gas, the remains of supernovas, false vacuum fluctuations, and one M-Class planet called Ba'ku. The region is located within Federation territory and is closed to the Kalandra sector. Due to the environmental conditions all ships that are not refitted with the latest impulse engine manifolds must travel at no more then one third of their maximum speed as to prevent an overload in their manifolds.

The Briar Patch Effect is an spatial environmental condition only found in the Briar Patch. It limits starships to use warp drives as well as reduces them to top speeds of one third impulse. However impulse manifolds can be modified to compensate for the effect. The effect also caues disruption to subspace communication however doesn't affect hyper subspace communication. The effect also allows for any sensors to detect cloaked ships in the Briar Patch due to the disturbance a ship creates in the patch's clouds. The Briar Patch Effect is created because of the pockets of unstable metreon gas as well as the dangerous space matter of the remains of supernovae, false vacuum fluctuations and metaphasic radiation in the region.

In 2375 it was the focus point where the Federation flagship USS Enterprise-E engaged Son'a forces from relocating the Ba'ku people. The Enterprise-E's crew was successful and Ba'ku soon became a Federation Protectorate.

In 2401 the Briar Patch has became quite busy with the construction of Deep Space One and with the Ba’ku becoming allies of the Federation and by 2403 talks were being held of Ba’ku entrance as Federation Members.