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(→‎Background: one more ;-))
(→‎Factions of the Temporal Cold War: I might be reading too much into things, but this bg note seemed usefull)
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[[File:Archer and Daniels in the Temporal Observatory (ENT Cold Front).jpg|thumb|Archer and Daniels in the Temporal Observatory]]
  
[[File:Archer and Daniels in the Temporal Observatory (ENT Cold Front).jpg|thumb|Archer and Daniels in the Temporal Observatory]]
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The '''Temporal Cold War''' is an ongoing conflict being fought between several [[time travel|time-traveling]] factions in different periods, each trying to manipulate history for its own benefit, in violation of the [[Temporal Accords]]. The origins, locations, and battlegrounds of the war are highly complex and rapidly shifting, with new incursions and alterations made by [[temporal agent]]s making it almost impossible to keep track.
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The '''Temporal Cold War''' was a conflict fought between several [[time travel]]ing factions, each from different points in time, and each attempting to manipulate history for its own benefit, in violation of the [[Temporal Accord]]s. Each of these factions opposed one another in their attempts to gain dominance over the timestream, and often used proxy powers to carry out their missions. They were opposed by a group of [[temporal agent]]s from the [[31st century]], who attempted to protect the integrity of the timeline.
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It remains unknown exactly what the motivations of the different factions are, although it seems clear that the [[Temporal Prime Directive]] has been rescinded (at least partially) by a future [[Starfleet]] for the duration of this conflict.
  
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It is quite possible that the war is now over, though it must be understood that the word "now" is largely meaningless when applied to a war fought by time travelers. Also, the repercussions of this conflict on the "normal" flow of time are incalculable. Some of the damage may leave open unalterable paradoxes through history.
  
   
 
==Factions of the Temporal Cold War==
  
==Factions of the Temporal Cold War==
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{{bginfo|[[Vosk]]'s casual clarification about the [[Suliban]] that "we've encountered his faction before" might imply that players in the temporal cold war were plenty enough that not every player, even temporal powers, might be aware of each other.}}
 
===Temporal powers===
  
===Temporal powers===
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* '''[[Future Guy|Mysterious benefactor of the Suliban Cabal]]''' ([[28th century]]). Unable to travel through time, only able to communicate. Motives very mysterious: has tried to both assist and thwart [[Earth]] interests in the [[22nd century]]. Usually opposing the Federation, which he holds responsible for violating the [[Temporal Accord]]. Also opposes the Sphere Builders.
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*'''[[Humanoid Figure|Mysterious benefactor of the Suliban Cabal]]''' ([[28th century]]). Unable to travel through time, only able to communicate. Motives very mysterious: has tried to both assist and thwart [[Earth]] interests in the [[22nd century]]. Usually opposing the [[Federation]]. Also opposes the [[Sphere Builder]]s.
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* '''[[Na'kuhl]]''' (29th century). Led by [[Vosk]], this race vehemently opposed the Temporal Accord because they believe time travel is something to be used by all races for self-improvement. Responsible for the Cold War temporarily igniting into open conflict.
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*'''[[Na'kuhl]]''' ([[29th century]]). Led by [[Vosk]], this race vehemently opposed the Temporal Accords because they believe time travel qs something to be used by all races for self-improvement. Responsible for the Cold War temporarily igniting into open conflict.
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* '''[[Sphere Builder]]s''' ([[21st century|21st]] and 22nd centuries, until 26th century in a possible timeline). Beings from a transdimensional realm able to examine alternate futures, but seem to have limited time travel abilities as well. Tried to destroy [[Earth]] to prevent the Federation from ever existing, to stop their race's defeat at the [[Battle of Procyon V]].
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*'''[[Sphere Builder]]s''' ([[21st century|21st]] and 22nd centuries, until 26th century in a possible timeline). Beings from a transdimensional realm able to examine alternate futures, but seemed to have limited time travel abilities as well. Tried to destroy [[Earth]] to prevent the Federation from ever existing, to stop their race's defeat at the [[Battle of Procyon V]].
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* '''[[United Federation of Planets]]''' ([[31st century]]). Represented to ''[[Enterprise (NX-01)|Enterprise]]'' by [[Daniels (Crewman)|Daniels]], who claims the Cabal's benefactor violated the Temporal Accord. Has acted against Cabal interests on several occasions. Also opposes the Sphere Builders and the Na'kuhl.
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*'''[[United Federation of Planets]]''' ([[31st century]]). Represented to ''[[Enterprise (NX-01)|Enterprise]]'' by [[temporal agent]] {{dis|Daniels|Crewman}} who claimed the [[Suliban Cabal]]'s benefactor violated the Temporal Accords. Acted against Cabal interests on several occasions. Also opposed the Sphere Builders and the Na'kuhl.
   
 
===Proxy powers===
  
===Proxy powers===
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* '''[[Andorian Empire]]''' (22nd century). Assisted Earth during the Xindi conflict.
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*'''[[Andorian Empire]]''' (22nd century). Assisted Earth during the Xindi conflict.
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* '''[[United Earth]]''' (22nd century). ''See "''Enterprise'' and the Temporal Cold War" below.''
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*'''[[United Earth]]''' (22nd century). ''See "''Enterprise'' and the Temporal Cold War" below.''
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* '''[[Klingon Empire]]''' (22nd century). The Suliban Cabal tried to destabilize them and start a civil war.
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*'''[[Klingon Empire]]''' (22nd century). The Suliban Cabal tried to destabilize them and start a civil war.
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* '''[[Nazi]] [[Germany]]''' ([[20th century]]). The Na'kuhl provided an [[alternate timeline]] version of the Nazis with advanced technology in exchange for resources and assistance.
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*'''[[Nazi]] [[Germany]]''' ([[20th century]]). The Na'kuhl provided an [[alternate timeline]] version of the Nazis with advanced technology in exchange for resources and assistance.
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* '''[[Suliban Cabal]]''' (22nd century). Performs actions for their mysterious benefactor in exchange for technology. Led by [[Silik]].
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*'''[[Suliban Cabal]]''' (22nd century). Performs actions for their mysterious benefactor in exchange for technology. Led by [[Silik]].
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* '''[[Suliban|Suliban renegades]]''' (22nd century). Former members of the Cabal, such as [[Sarin]], who have left and now oppose its actions. Assisted both Earth and the [[Klingon]]s during the Broken Bow Incident.
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* '''[[Suliban|Suliban renegades]]''' (22nd century). Former members of the Cabal, such as [[Sarin]], who have left and now oppose its actions. Assisted both Earth and the [[Klingon]]s during the [[Broken Bow]] Incident.
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* '''[[Tandar Prime]]''' (22nd century). The [[Tandaran]]s have been at war with the [[Suliban Cabal]] since [[2144]], aware of the ''Temporal Cold War''. But, their degree of involvement is unstated.
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* '''[[Tandar Prime]]''' (22nd century). The [[Tandaran]]s have been at war with the [[Suliban Cabal]] since [[2144]], aware of the Temporal Cold War, but their degree of involvement is unknown.
 
* '''[[Tholian Assembly]]''' (22nd century). Tried to acquire a future [[timeship]]. Alliances with any temporal powers unknown, though they seem to be opposed to the [[Suliban Cabal]].
  
* '''[[Tholian Assembly]]''' (22nd century). Tried to acquire a future [[timeship]]. Alliances with any temporal powers unknown, though they seem to be opposed to the [[Suliban Cabal]].
 
* '''[[United Federation of Planets]]''' (26th century). Battled the Sphere Builders and defeated them at the [[Battle of Procyon V]] in a timeline now likely defunct.
  
* '''[[United Federation of Planets]]''' (26th century). Battled the Sphere Builders and defeated them at the [[Battle of Procyon V]] in a timeline now likely defunct.
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==''Enterprise'' and the Temporal Cold War==
  
==''Enterprise'' and the Temporal Cold War==
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The {{EnterpriseNX}} had frequent involvement in different aspects of the Temporal Cold War, and indeed, its captain was responsible for its discovery by [[Earth]].
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The NX-01 ''Enterprise'' had frequent involvement in different aspects of the Temporal Cold War, and indeed, its captain was responsible for its discovery by Earth. This involvement goes all the way back to before the launch of ''Enterprise'' when a Klingon [[K'toch class|courier ship]] piloted by [[Klaang]] crash-landed in [[Broken Bow]], [[Oklahoma]] on Earth while being pursued by two Suliban in [[April]] [[2151]]. In returning Klaang to [[Qo'noS]], ''Enterprise'' captain [[Jonathan Archer]] learned from Sarin that the 22nd century was a major front in the "Temporal Cold War" and that the Suliban Cabal was attempting to disrupt the history of the Klingon Empire by inciting [[civil war]]. This was averted by the return of Klaang and the information he carried showing the Suliban were responsible to Qo'noS.
  
   
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[[File:Future Guy.jpg|thumb|The Suliban Cabal's mysterious benefactor.]]
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[[File:Silik2151.jpg|thumb|left|Silik, leader of the Suliban Cabal]]That September, ''Enterprise'' learned of another faction in the Temporal Cold War, represented by Captain Archer's own [[steward]], "Crewman" Daniels. Daniels revealed that he represented a 31st century faction working against the faction backing the Suliban Cabal, which was from the 28th century. He claimed that the Suliban's faction was in violation of the Temporal Accord, though Silik, leader of the Cabal, claimed the same about Daniels' faction. Silik attempted to gain hold of Daniels' [[Temporal Observatory]] but failed.
  
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[[Starfleet]] first became aware of the Temporal Cold War in [[April]] of [[2151]], when a [[Klingon]] courier named [[Klaang]] [[crash land|crashed]] in [[Broken Bow]], [[Oklahoma]]. Spurred by a desire for [[humanity]] to display an ability to manage its own affairs, ''Enterprise'' [[captain]] [[Jonathan Archer]] elected to push up the launch of ''Enterprise'' by three weeks in order to return Klaang to his people. During the course of this mission, the ''Enterprise'' crew encountered a group of [[Suliban]] on [[Rigel X]], who were actively opposing the [[Suliban Cabal]], a group which was taking orders from a faction in the [[28th century]]. Through [[Sarin]], one of the leaders of the resistance group, Archer learned of the Temporal Cold War and of the Cabal's attempts to destabilize the [[Klingon Empire]]. When ''Enterprise'' returned Klaang to [[Qo'noS]], the [[Klingon High Council]] was made aware that the Cabal had been staging attacks within the Empire, trying to make it appear as if one house were attacking another. ({{ENT|Broken Bow}})
   
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That [[September]], the ''Enterprise'' crew became aware of another faction in the Cold War, represented by Captain Archer's own [[steward]], "Crewman" [[Daniels (Crewman)|Daniels]]. Daniels revealed that he was from the [[31st century]], and that he worked for a group of [[temporal agent]]s who were actively opposing the other factions and attempting to maintain the integrity of the timeline. Daniels enlisted Archer's help to locate [[Silik]], a senior member of the Suliban Cabal, whom Daniels stated would be boarding ''Enterprise''. Daniels was later apparently killed by Silik, who attempted to steal his [[temporal observatory]], and deliver it to [[Humanoid Figure|his mysterious benefactor from the 28th century]]. Archer managed to destroy the observatory, however, forcing Silik to leave empty-handed. ({{ENT|Cold Front}})
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In [[March (month)|March]] [[2152]], the Suliban engineered the destruction of the [[Paraagan]] mining colony on [[Paraagan II]], setting it up in such a way that ''Enterprise'' was to blame. The ship was recalled to Earth, but Daniels transported Archer to April 2151 to explain to him that the Suliban were to blame and enabled him to prove it. When Daniels attempted to transport Archer to the 31st century to save him from a Suliban attack, he altered future history, wiping out his own civilization as well as the Suliban's benefactor. Daniels did, however, succeed in returning Archer to his proper point in time, restoring history.
  
   
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[[File:Paraagan fire.jpg|thumb|left|The destruction of the Paraagan II mining colony.]]
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In late 2152, ''Enterprise'' learned that the [[Tholian]]s were in some way involved in the Cold War when it was drawn into a three-way battle with the Tholians and the Suliban for the possession of a 31st century timeship. Though ''Enterprise'' had no direct contact with any future forces this time, Daniels' faction apparently recovered the timeship once its temporal distress beacon was activated.
  
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[[2152|The next year]], the Cabal engineered the destruction of the [[Paraagan II]] mining colony, framing ''Enterprise'' for the disaster in an attempt to [[sabotage]] their mission. Daniels reappeared, however, and aided the crew in retrieving proof that they were not responsible, thereby allowing ''Enterprise''{{'}}s mission to continue. ({{ENT|Shockwave|Shockwave, Part II}})
   
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Later that year, the ''Enterprise'' crew learned that the [[Tholian]]s were in some way involved in the Cold War, when they attempted to steal [[Time-travel pod|a ship from the 31st century]]. ''Enterprise'' eventually became embroiled in a three-way power struggle between themselves, the Tholians, and the Cabal, each of whom wished to obtain the ship. This fight was ended when [[Commander]] [[Charles Tucker III|Tucker]] managed to activate the ship's [[temporal beacon]], allowing Daniels' faction to retrieve the vessel. ({{ENT|Future Tense}})
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In March [[2153]] the Suliban benefactor informed Captain Archer of yet another faction in the Temporal Cold War, explaining that this one had informed the Xindi that humanity would destroy [[Xindus|their homeworld]] in the 26th century, leading to the Xindi attack on Earth. He also provided information on the location of the Xindi, the [[Delphic Expanse]].
  
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==The Delphic Expanse==
 
[[File:Sphere Builders.jpg|thumb|The Sphere Builders monitor potential timelines]]
  
[[File:Sphere Builders.jpg|thumb|The Sphere Builders monitor potential timelines]]
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* ''Main article: [[Xindi incident]]''
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Archer's encounters with Daniels while [[search for the Xindi superweapon|hunting for the Xindi superweapon]] in the Expanse showed that the faction responsible for the Xindi foreknowledge was the same people who had built the [[Delphic Expanse sphere]]s. These "Sphere Builders" (or Guardians) were trying to prevent their invasion of our dimension from being stopped by the Federation in the 26th century at the Battle of Procyon V. Their intention was to destroy Earth, and thus stop the formation of the Federation in [[2161]]. Archer's destruction of the [[Xindi superweapon]] in [[2154]] stopped that plot, and ''Enterprise''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s eradication of the sphere network halted their invasion wholesale.
  
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In [[March (month)|March]] of [[2153]], the [[Xindi]] launched a devastating attack on Earth which resulted in the deaths of seven million people. Afterwards, the Cabal's benefactor provided Captain Archer with intelligence indicating that the Xindi were being backed by another faction in the Cold War, and informed him that the Xindi could be located in the region of space known as the [[Delphic Expanse]]. Embarking on a mission to find the Xindi before they could launch another attack to destroy Earth, the ''Enterprise'' crew became aware that this faction was responsible for the construction of [[Delphic Expanse sphere|the Spheres]] in the Delphic Expanse, for the purpose of reconfiguring space to make it habitable for their species, as a prelude to invasion. Having the ability to examine [[alternate timeline]]s, these "[[Sphere Builder]]s" became aware that, in the [[26th century]], the forces of the [[United Federation of Planets]] would ultimately defeat the Sphere Builders and drive them back into their transdimensional realm. Knowing that the Federation would never come into being if Earth were to be destroyed, the Builders contacted the Xindi and informed them that, in the future, humanity would be responsible for their destruction, and that, to ensure the survival of their species, they must destroy humanity first. Eventually, Archer was able to convince the [[Xindi Council]] that they were being manipulated into destroying Earth by the Sphere Builders, so that the Builders could continue their invasion unopposed. Captain Archer and his crew were eventually able to destroy the [[Xindi superweapon|Xindi weapon]] before it was used against Earth, and make peace with the Xindi. They also destroyed the Spheres, banishing the Sphere Builders back into their realm. ({{ENT|The Expanse|Azati Prime|Zero Hour}}}
   
 
==The Cold War heats up==
  
==The Cold War heats up==
 
[[File:Vosk.jpg|thumb|left|Vosk, leader of the Na'kuhl]]
  
[[File:Vosk.jpg|thumb|left|Vosk, leader of the Na'kuhl]]
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The end of the Temporal Cold War constituted a [[predestination paradox]], in which no one event could be considered to be the beginning. The Cold War escalated into an all-out conflict in which various operatives stationed throughout the timeline were given orders to change history. One of these changes was the [[assassination]] of [[Vladimir Lenin]] in [[1916]]. This changed history in that [[Russia]] never turned to [[Communism]]. Not considering Russia to be a threat, [[Adolf Hitler]] was able to focus his war efforts on the West, eventually engaging in a successful invasion of the East Coast of [[United States of America|America]]. It was at this point that the most dangerous faction in the Cold War arrived: the Na'kuhl. Led by Vosk, a fanatic from the [[29th century]] who believed that it was his innate right to use time travel to mold the timeline to his own wishes.
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One particularly dangerous faction in the Temporal Cold War was the Na'kuhl, led by Vosk. They believed it was their right to do as they wished with time travel, and because of that they were perceived as the most dangerous faction in the Cold War by Daniels' group. Daniels' organization nearly captured Vosk, but he used a newly-developed form of [[stealth]] time travel to escape from the 29th century to an alternate [[1940s]] Earth where Germany invaded the [[United States of America]]. Since Vosk's time portal was one-way, he allied with [[Adolf Hitler]] and Nazi Germany, promising them advanced technology in exchange for the resources to build a [[temporal conduit]] back to the future.
  
   
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The Na'kuhl had just narrowly escaped capture by Daniels's faction by using a form of [[stealth]] time travel, but found themselves trapped in [[1944]] due to the one-way limitation of this technology. For this reason, the Na'kuhl allied themselves with the [[Nazi]]s, providing them with advanced weapons with which to fight their war in exchange for materials and manpower to build a [[temporal conduit]] with which to return to the future. Their plan worked and, using the conduit, the Na'kuhl launched an attack on Daniels and his faction, igniting the very conflict which led them to escape to 1944 in the first place.
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Upon returning to the future, the Na'kuhl managed to defeat Daniels' faction and began a series of drastic alterations to the timeline. As a result, the Cold War became an [[Temporal War|all out conflict]]. Chaos broke about amongst the temporal powers; with this blatant violation of the Temporal Accord as an instigation, dozens of agents from all the factions began to try to wipe out one another's histories. One faction assassinated Vladimir Lenin in [[1916]], creating the alternate Earth Vosk had traveled to in the first place (a "chicken or the egg" paradox).
  
   
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Daniels used the last of his resources to bring himself, ''Enterprise'', and Captain Archer to [[1944]] in a last-ditch effort to stop Vosk from building his temporal conduit. The sheer volume of temporal incursions created turbulence in the timestream that severely injured Daniels; he died in the ''Enterprise'' [[sickbay]] after managing to explain the situation to Archer and [[T'Pol]].
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In a last-ditch effort to restore the timeline, Daniels transported Captain Archer and ''Enterprise'' to 1944, in the hopes that they could stop Vosk before he launched his attack on the 31st century. Due to the massive alterations to the timeline which had taken place, multiple paradoxes occurred, causing temporal anomalies to rip through the timestream. These anomalies severely injured Daniels, who died in ''Enterprise''{{'}}s [[sickbay]], but not before informing the crew of the necessity of stopping Vosk.
   
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[[File:Daniels2.jpg|thumb|Daniels monitors the reset of the timeline]]
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[[File:Timestream.jpg|thumb|Archer and Daniels watch as the timestream resets itself.]]
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The Suliban's benefactor took advantage of the chaos, and seeing that Daniels was sending ''Enterprise'' to [[1944]], he had Silik infiltrate the ship beforehand; he planned to have Silik steal the plans for the Na'kuhl [[temporal conduit]] so that when ''Enterprise'' returned to 2154, he would finally be able to travel through time. Silik succeeded in acquiring the plans, but he was found out by Archer and [[Phlox]], and was forced to help in destroying Vosk's conduit. Silik was killed by Nazis in the operation, but the conduit was successfully destroyed and Vosk died in the blast.
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In the meantime, the Suliban Cabal's benefactor decided to take advantage of the chaos, and ordered Silik to stowaway on ''Enterprise'' when Daniels sent them to 1944. Silik was given orders to steal the specifications of the temporal conduit the Na'kuhl were constructing so that his master could gain the ability to physically travel through time instead of just communicate through it. Silik was eventually discovered and imprisoned in ''Enterprise''{{'}}s [[brig]]. Deciding that they had a common enemy in Vosk, Archer and Silik teamed up to stop him. Infiltrating [[Vosk's compound]], they were successful in deactivating the shields around it, although Silik was killed in the process.
   
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With the shields around Vosk's compound deactivated, ''Enterprise'' was able to move in and destroy it with [[photonic torpedo]]es, just as Vosk was about to enter the conduit, preventing him from initiating the conflict which led to his arrival in the first place. This had the effect of resetting the timeline and reversing Daniels's death. Bidding farewell to Captain Archer, Daniels informed him that the Temporal Cold War was coming to an end thanks to Archer's actions, and Daniels subsequently returned Archer and ''Enterprise'' to their proper place and time.
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As a result, the timeline reset itself: Vosk never wiped out Daniels' faction, and the Cold War never went hot as a result. Earth's history, and that of the rest of time, was restored to its previous path. Daniels told Archer that the Cold War was "coming to an end because of what you did. You have no idea how many lives you've saved." It may be that in witnessing the potential devastation that would result from a full-fledged Temporal War breaking out, the various factions were inspired to reach a peaceful accord.
  
   
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In any case, Archer informed Daniels that he was done with him and his "damned Temporal Cold War."
  
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{{bginfo|Because Daniels' death was reversed as a result of Archer's actions in restoring the timeline to its normal flow, it seems likely that Silik's death may have been prevented, as well, although no evidence yet exists to suggest this.}}
  
 
{{Federation wars}}
  
{{Federation wars}}
   
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=== Background ===
  
=== Background ===
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* According to [[Brannon Braga]], the Temporal Cold War arc was created at the request of the studio, which wanted something more "futuristic". While Braga called it a "nifty idea", he later admitted that it "''probably would have worked better as a separate show.''" (''[[ENT Season 1 DVD]]'')
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* According to [[Brannon Braga]], the Temporal Cold War arc was created at the request of the studio, which wanted something more "futuristic". While Braga called it a "nifty idea", he later admitted that it "''probably would have worked better as a separate show.''" (''Star Trek Time Travel: Temporal Cold Wars and Beyond'', [[ENT Season 1 DVD]] special features)
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* [[Rick Berman]] commented, "''The idea that in the distant future...that time travel became possible but there were very very arduous rules about who could do it and what you could do, but there were people who were breaking the rules and there were people who were messing around, and there were other groups who were kind of watching over, and if you combine that with a variety of alternate timelines you can have a ball...Because you can deal with changing things that can be historical changes that can immediately be undone by resetting things. It gives us a lot to play with.''" (''[[ENT Season 1 DVD]]'')
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* [[Rick Berman]] commented, "''The idea that in the distant future...that time travel became possible but there were very very arduous rules about who could do it and what you could do, but there were people who were breaking the rules and there were people who were messing around, and there were other groups who were kind of watching over, and if you combine that with a variety of alternate timelines you can have a ball...Because you can deal with changing things that can be historical changes that can immediately be undone by resetting things. It gives us a lot to play with.''" (''Star Trek Time Travel: Temporal Cold Wars and Beyond'', [[ENT Season 1 DVD]] special features)
 
* Regarding the end of the arc, [[Manny Coto]] remarked, "''I felt that everything that had been said about the Temporal Cold War had already been said. I felt a heavy reliance on time travel at the beginning of ''Enterprise''. I wanted season four to be a relatively time travel free season and that's why I debated writing it into season four.''" [http://trekweb.com/articles/2005/02/24/421dbfb71d4d2.shtml]
  
* Regarding the end of the arc, [[Manny Coto]] remarked, "''I felt that everything that had been said about the Temporal Cold War had already been said. I felt a heavy reliance on time travel at the beginning of ''Enterprise''. I wanted season four to be a relatively time travel free season and that's why I debated writing it into season four.''" [http://trekweb.com/articles/2005/02/24/421dbfb71d4d2.shtml]
 
* Actor [[John Billingsley]] recalled, "''I definitely felt as if there was a dictate on high from the network level, or from the studio level, to end the temporal time war, wrap it up immediately. I tended to concur on the broader point that the temporal time war never really got off the ground, the storytelling was too attenuated, and that it needed to die. At the same time I think the network forced them to tie it all up so abruptly that the way in which they had to do it was not as deft as it needed to be.''" [http://trekweb.com/stories.php?aid=417dac9c13429]
  
* Actor [[John Billingsley]] recalled, "''I definitely felt as if there was a dictate on high from the network level, or from the studio level, to end the temporal time war, wrap it up immediately. I tended to concur on the broader point that the temporal time war never really got off the ground, the storytelling was too attenuated, and that it needed to die. At the same time I think the network forced them to tie it all up so abruptly that the way in which they had to do it was not as deft as it needed to be.''" [http://trekweb.com/stories.php?aid=417dac9c13429]
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=== Apocrypha ===
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The novel ''[[Watching the Clock]]'' explains factions involved in the Temporal Cold War avoid incursions in the time frame between the birth of the Federation in the 22nd Century and the destruction of the Borg in 2381. Previous novels explained that the Federation was indirectly responsible for both the creation and eventual destruction of the [[Borg Collective]]. Intervening in this time frame was seen as too risky for any faction because in every potential timeline where the Federation cannot destroy the Borg in 2381, the Collective assimilates the entire galaxy by the 27th century. The novel also establishes the motives of the Cabal's benefactor as being attempting to eliminate the ancestors of key temporal scientists who would attend an important conference in 2381 that would lead to the construction of a subspace defense grid that would alert anyone to attempts from future time travelers to interfere with history, thus hindering attempts to alter the timeline.
   
 
=== External links ===
  
=== External links ===
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* {{Wikipedia}}
  
* {{Wikipedia}}
   
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[[Category:Time travel]]
  
   
 
[[de:Temporaler Kalter Krieg]]
  
[[de:Temporaler Kalter Krieg]]
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[[fr:Guerre Froide Temporelle]]
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[[nl:Tijdelijke koude oorlog]]
 
[[ja:時間冷戦]]
  
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[[Category:Conflicts]]

Revision as of 04:55, 29 June 2014

AT: "xx"

File:Archer and Daniels in the Temporal Observatory (ENT Cold Front).jpg

Archer and Daniels in the Temporal Observatory

The Temporal Cold War was a conflict fought between several time traveling factions, each from different points in time, and each attempting to manipulate history for its own benefit, in violation of the Temporal Accords. Each of these factions opposed one another in their attempts to gain dominance over the timestream, and often used proxy powers to carry out their missions. They were opposed by a group of temporal agents from the 31st century, who attempted to protect the integrity of the timeline.

Factions of the Temporal Cold War

Vosk's casual clarification about the Suliban that "we've encountered his faction before" might imply that players in the temporal cold war were plenty enough that not every player, even temporal powers, might be aware of each other.

Temporal powers

  • Mysterious benefactor of the Suliban Cabal (28th century). Unable to travel through time, only able to communicate. Motives very mysterious: has tried to both assist and thwart Earth interests in the 22nd century. Usually opposing the Federation. Also opposes the Sphere Builders.
  • Na'kuhl (29th century). Led by Vosk, this race vehemently opposed the Temporal Accords because they believe time travel qs something to be used by all races for self-improvement. Responsible for the Cold War temporarily igniting into open conflict.
  • Sphere Builders (21st and 22nd centuries, until 26th century in a possible timeline). Beings from a transdimensional realm able to examine alternate futures, but seemed to have limited time travel abilities as well. Tried to destroy Earth to prevent the Federation from ever existing, to stop their race's defeat at the Battle of Procyon V.
  • United Federation of Planets (31st century). Represented to Enterprise by temporal agent Daniels who claimed the Suliban Cabal's benefactor violated the Temporal Accords. Acted against Cabal interests on several occasions. Also opposed the Sphere Builders and the Na'kuhl.

Proxy powers

  • Andorian Empire (22nd century). Assisted Earth during the Xindi conflict.
  • United Earth (22nd century). See "Enterprise and the Temporal Cold War" below.
  • Klingon Empire (22nd century). The Suliban Cabal tried to destabilize them and start a civil war.
  • Nazi Germany (20th century). The Na'kuhl provided an alternate timeline version of the Nazis with advanced technology in exchange for resources and assistance.
  • Suliban Cabal (22nd century). Performs actions for their mysterious benefactor in exchange for technology. Led by Silik.
  • Suliban renegades (22nd century). Former members of the Cabal, such as Sarin, who have left and now oppose its actions. Assisted both Earth and the Klingons during the Broken Bow Incident.
  • Tandar Prime (22nd century). The Tandarans have been at war with the Suliban Cabal since 2144, aware of the Temporal Cold War, but their degree of involvement is unknown.
  • Tholian Assembly (22nd century). Tried to acquire a future timeship. Alliances with any temporal powers unknown, though they seem to be opposed to the Suliban Cabal.
  • United Federation of Planets (26th century). Battled the Sphere Builders and defeated them at the Battle of Procyon V in a timeline now likely defunct.
  • Xindi (21st and 22nd centuries). Manipulated by the Sphere Builders into attacking Earth.

Enterprise and the Temporal Cold War

The Enterprise NX-01 had frequent involvement in different aspects of the Temporal Cold War, and indeed, its captain was responsible for its discovery by Earth.

Future Guy

The Suliban Cabal's mysterious benefactor.

Starfleet first became aware of the Temporal Cold War in April of 2151, when a Klingon courier named Klaang crashed in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Spurred by a desire for humanity to display an ability to manage its own affairs, Enterprise captain Jonathan Archer elected to push up the launch of Enterprise by three weeks in order to return Klaang to his people. During the course of this mission, the Enterprise crew encountered a group of Suliban on Rigel X, who were actively opposing the Suliban Cabal, a group which was taking orders from a faction in the 28th century. Through Sarin, one of the leaders of the resistance group, Archer learned of the Temporal Cold War and of the Cabal's attempts to destabilize the Klingon Empire. When Enterprise returned Klaang to Qo'noS, the Klingon High Council was made aware that the Cabal had been staging attacks within the Empire, trying to make it appear as if one house were attacking another. (ENT: "Broken Bow")

That September, the Enterprise crew became aware of another faction in the Cold War, represented by Captain Archer's own steward, "Crewman" Daniels. Daniels revealed that he was from the 31st century, and that he worked for a group of temporal agents who were actively opposing the other factions and attempting to maintain the integrity of the timeline. Daniels enlisted Archer's help to locate Silik, a senior member of the Suliban Cabal, whom Daniels stated would be boarding Enterprise. Daniels was later apparently killed by Silik, who attempted to steal his temporal observatory, and deliver it to his mysterious benefactor from the 28th century. Archer managed to destroy the observatory, however, forcing Silik to leave empty-handed. (ENT: "Cold Front")

Paraagan fire

The destruction of the Paraagan II mining colony.

The next year, the Cabal engineered the destruction of the Paraagan II mining colony, framing Enterprise for the disaster in an attempt to sabotage their mission. Daniels reappeared, however, and aided the crew in retrieving proof that they were not responsible, thereby allowing Enterprise's mission to continue. (ENT: "Shockwave", "Shockwave, Part II")

Later that year, the Enterprise crew learned that the Tholians were in some way involved in the Cold War, when they attempted to steal a ship from the 31st century. Enterprise eventually became embroiled in a three-way power struggle between themselves, the Tholians, and the Cabal, each of whom wished to obtain the ship. This fight was ended when Commander Tucker managed to activate the ship's temporal beacon, allowing Daniels' faction to retrieve the vessel. (ENT: "Future Tense")

The Delphic Expanse

File:Sphere Builders.jpg

The Sphere Builders monitor potential timelines

In March of 2153, the Xindi launched a devastating attack on Earth which resulted in the deaths of seven million people. Afterwards, the Cabal's benefactor provided Captain Archer with intelligence indicating that the Xindi were being backed by another faction in the Cold War, and informed him that the Xindi could be located in the region of space known as the Delphic Expanse. Embarking on a mission to find the Xindi before they could launch another attack to destroy Earth, the Enterprise crew became aware that this faction was responsible for the construction of the Spheres in the Delphic Expanse, for the purpose of reconfiguring space to make it habitable for their species, as a prelude to invasion. Having the ability to examine alternate timelines, these "Sphere Builders" became aware that, in the 26th century, the forces of the United Federation of Planets would ultimately defeat the Sphere Builders and drive them back into their transdimensional realm. Knowing that the Federation would never come into being if Earth were to be destroyed, the Builders contacted the Xindi and informed them that, in the future, humanity would be responsible for their destruction, and that, to ensure the survival of their species, they must destroy humanity first. Eventually, Archer was able to convince the Xindi Council that they were being manipulated into destroying Earth by the Sphere Builders, so that the Builders could continue their invasion unopposed. Captain Archer and his crew were eventually able to destroy the Xindi weapon before it was used against Earth, and make peace with the Xindi. They also destroyed the Spheres, banishing the Sphere Builders back into their realm. (ENT: "The Expanse", "Azati Prime", "Zero Hour"}

The Cold War heats up

Vosk

Vosk, leader of the Na'kuhl

The end of the Temporal Cold War constituted a predestination paradox, in which no one event could be considered to be the beginning. The Cold War escalated into an all-out conflict in which various operatives stationed throughout the timeline were given orders to change history. One of these changes was the assassination of Vladimir Lenin in 1916. This changed history in that Russia never turned to Communism. Not considering Russia to be a threat, Adolf Hitler was able to focus his war efforts on the West, eventually engaging in a successful invasion of the East Coast of America. It was at this point that the most dangerous faction in the Cold War arrived: the Na'kuhl. Led by Vosk, a fanatic from the 29th century who believed that it was his innate right to use time travel to mold the timeline to his own wishes.

The Na'kuhl had just narrowly escaped capture by Daniels's faction by using a form of stealth time travel, but found themselves trapped in 1944 due to the one-way limitation of this technology. For this reason, the Na'kuhl allied themselves with the Nazis, providing them with advanced weapons with which to fight their war in exchange for materials and manpower to build a temporal conduit with which to return to the future. Their plan worked and, using the conduit, the Na'kuhl launched an attack on Daniels and his faction, igniting the very conflict which led them to escape to 1944 in the first place.

In a last-ditch effort to restore the timeline, Daniels transported Captain Archer and Enterprise to 1944, in the hopes that they could stop Vosk before he launched his attack on the 31st century. Due to the massive alterations to the timeline which had taken place, multiple paradoxes occurred, causing temporal anomalies to rip through the timestream. These anomalies severely injured Daniels, who died in Enterprise's sickbay, but not before informing the crew of the necessity of stopping Vosk.

File:Timestream.jpg

Archer and Daniels watch as the timestream resets itself.

In the meantime, the Suliban Cabal's benefactor decided to take advantage of the chaos, and ordered Silik to stowaway on Enterprise when Daniels sent them to 1944. Silik was given orders to steal the specifications of the temporal conduit the Na'kuhl were constructing so that his master could gain the ability to physically travel through time instead of just communicate through it. Silik was eventually discovered and imprisoned in Enterprise's brig. Deciding that they had a common enemy in Vosk, Archer and Silik teamed up to stop him. Infiltrating Vosk's compound, they were successful in deactivating the shields around it, although Silik was killed in the process.

With the shields around Vosk's compound deactivated, Enterprise was able to move in and destroy it with photonic torpedoes, just as Vosk was about to enter the conduit, preventing him from initiating the conflict which led to his arrival in the first place. This had the effect of resetting the timeline and reversing Daniels's death. Bidding farewell to Captain Archer, Daniels informed him that the Temporal Cold War was coming to an end thanks to Archer's actions, and Daniels subsequently returned Archer and Enterprise to their proper place and time.

Federation wars
Klingon War (2256-57) • Klingon War (2267) • Cardassian War • Galen border conflict • Tzenkethi War • Dominion cold war • Klingon War (2372-73) • Dominion War • Temporal Cold War • Klingon War (2340s-2366)

Appendices

Appearances

Background

  • According to Brannon Braga, the Temporal Cold War arc was created at the request of the studio, which wanted something more "futuristic". While Braga called it a "nifty idea", he later admitted that it "probably would have worked better as a separate show." (Star Trek Time Travel: Temporal Cold Wars and Beyond, ENT Season 1 DVD special features)
  • Rick Berman commented, "The idea that in the distant future...that time travel became possible but there were very very arduous rules about who could do it and what you could do, but there were people who were breaking the rules and there were people who were messing around, and there were other groups who were kind of watching over, and if you combine that with a variety of alternate timelines you can have a ball...Because you can deal with changing things that can be historical changes that can immediately be undone by resetting things. It gives us a lot to play with." (Star Trek Time Travel: Temporal Cold Wars and Beyond, ENT Season 1 DVD special features)
  • Regarding the end of the arc, Manny Coto remarked, "I felt that everything that had been said about the Temporal Cold War had already been said. I felt a heavy reliance on time travel at the beginning of Enterprise. I wanted season four to be a relatively time travel free season and that's why I debated writing it into season four." [1]
  • Actor John Billingsley recalled, "I definitely felt as if there was a dictate on high from the network level, or from the studio level, to end the temporal time war, wrap it up immediately. I tended to concur on the broader point that the temporal time war never really got off the ground, the storytelling was too attenuated, and that it needed to die. At the same time I think the network forced them to tie it all up so abruptly that the way in which they had to do it was not as deft as it needed to be." [2]

Apocrypha

The novel Watching the Clock explains factions involved in the Temporal Cold War avoid incursions in the time frame between the birth of the Federation in the 22nd Century and the destruction of the Borg in 2381. Previous novels explained that the Federation was indirectly responsible for both the creation and eventual destruction of the Borg Collective. Intervening in this time frame was seen as too risky for any faction because in every potential timeline where the Federation cannot destroy the Borg in 2381, the Collective assimilates the entire galaxy by the 27th century. The novel also establishes the motives of the Cabal's benefactor as being attempting to eliminate the ancestors of key temporal scientists who would attend an important conference in 2381 that would lead to the construction of a subspace defense grid that would alert anyone to attempts from future time travelers to interfere with history, thus hindering attempts to alter the timeline.

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