The so-called "temporal reconciliations" are a series of treaties, agreements, contracts, and legal definitions that, separately, are fairly innocuous. However, they form a legal and political mesh and framework. This framework builds upon interstellar laws, existing peace treaties, legal contracts between corporations and governments, as well as political powers within known space. This forms the basis of the legal authority of Solas Tempus to respond to temporal events within foreign spaces.
Origin
The reconciliations came out of early conflicts between Solas Tempus and various governments starting in 2361 and culminating in 2363. Most notably, there was a conflict between Solas Tempus and the Romulan Star Empire in 2363. A temporal incursion was detected deep within Romulan space, which resulted in the Romulan Senate becoming concerned that Solas Tempus might be representing the interests of the United Federation of Planets or Starfleet Command. This conflict escalated quickly and nearly resulted in war.
Afterward, the primary Alpha and Beta Quadrant powers came together in secret in 2364. The USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) was originally planned to host this secret meeting, being the Federation flagship. However, orders from Starfleet Intelligence filtered through Starfleet Operations, and instead, the ship was assigned to participate in the Officer Exchange Program with the Klingons at the last minute, before the orders were to be sent. Instead, the meeting was hosted by the United Federation of Planets in the Dramen Star System.
The plan was put into effect in the latter half of 2365 but was not entirely complete until 2367. The reconciliations are sometimes referred to by the year, "Reconciliations of 2365" or incorrectly as the "Temporal Accords of 2365".
Provisions
The reconciliations have several provisions, but they are primarily aimed at providing a framework for the sharing of temporal information between governments while simultaneously allowing Solas Tempus to react to temporal incursions and threats throughout known space. It was understood early on that the protection of timeline integrity was a primary goal for all species, not just an individual one. It was also understood that such protection was too important to allow political machinations to put in jeopardy. This realization led to the formation of a mesh framework.
- Solas Tempus shall execute investigations and operations to cope with any temporal threats, activities, or incursions that are detected.
- Authorities will allow Solas Tempus to perform investigations and operations to deal with temporal threats, activities, or incursions.
- Solas Tempus is to share information freely with a political authority about temporal activity, investigation, incursion, or responses within their space. In the same vein, such information should also be shared with political entities that are impacted by the temporal activity in question.
- Solas Tempus shall be provided with any requested support by any authority for the express purpose of defending the integrity of the timeline.
- Solas Tempus shall provide aid and support to deal with ramifications of temporal activity. Even if an incursion or anomaly is repaired, Solas Tempus shall offer support.
- Training shall be provided by Solas Tempus to government agencies requesting such training in the area of practical temporal operations.
- No information deemed secret by an authority prior to a temporal event can be shared beyond Solas Tempus without the express permission of that authority.
- The only exception to this is in the event that a temporal event impacts multiple authorities and information must be shared due to an earlier provision.
- Time travel is seen as entirely too dangerous, and no group, authority, or commercial entity shall engage in the development of time travel. Doing so shall be considered an act of aggression against the whole, and Solas Tempus will be authorized to remove such research, equipment, and knowledge from such an entity.
- No entity is permitted to engage in time travel activity. Doing so gives Solas Tempus the authority to perform unilateral investigation and action, even if such an act is accidental in nature.
- Governments and other authorities shall provide protections against accidental use or development of time travel capabilities within their borders.
- In times of extreme temporal threat, Solas Tempus is authorized to use whatever resources are deemed necessary to avert temporal catastrophe. This is known as invoking "Theta Protocol".
Protection
The mesh framework provides protection from any government or political power pulling out of the agreements. While most governments have a select few who know of the reconciliations, they are kept secret by most governments.
Civilian Advisory
The reconciliations set up a civilian advisory board made up of members from each government that is part of the reconciliations. They advise the command structure of Solas Tempus on temporal activities throughout known space and communicate concerns. The group does not have direct authority over Solas Tempus; instead, it acts to ensure that governments have a path to communicate with Solas Tempus on temporal matters as well as with each other. This group is kept secret and is only known as the Prometheus Association. Its membership is kept secret except from governmental leaders and Solas Tempus itself.
Information Protection
Since temporal activity can alter history and change information on a wide scale, each government is provided with a protected data core at a location of their choosing. This data core is operated and protected by Solas Tempus Temporal Operatives. The operatives report not only to Solas Tempus but also to the political or commercial authority for which the data core is provided. Each data core acts as a BlueNet and HAL 9000 communications hub. It is directly linked into the data and communications network of the authority.
Theta Protocol
In times of extreme threat from temporal incursion or activity, the combined forces of authorities participating in the reconciliations shall be put at the automatic disposal of Solas Tempus. Governments shall issue orders to allow required resources to be transferred to the authority of Solas Tempus and for personnel to provide full cooperation to Solas Tempus during the temporal crisis. During Theta Protocol, each government is also issued instructions from Solas Tempus and shall be provided resources to defend themselves against temporal incursion by protecting key installations from temporal threats.
The Infinity Wave
In the event that an Infinity Wave is detected, Theta Protocol will automatically be initiated.
Specific Treaty Provisions
Certain government bodies have specific provisions for their individual treaties.
Treaty of Strahelm
Originally signed between Solas Tempus itself and the United Federation of Planets, the Treaty of Strahelm outlines how the two forces deal with intelligence information. This treaty also forms the basis for the United Federation of Planets and their place in the Temporal Reconciliations.
Treaty of Devolin
Meeting at the site of an incident with the Federation where the Romulans built a research facility, the Romulan Star Empire and Solas Tempus signed the Treaty of Devolin, which became part of the reconciliations, helping to provide a stable basis for reactions to temporal crises. One of the key provisions of the treaty lies in the sharing of various military technologies. The treaty also granted Solas Tempus (and now the Serenity Concord) permission from the Romulan Government to continue to develop cloaking technology on the auspices that it be shared equally along with other defense developments. The two governments have a bureaucratic system in place to freely trade military advancements in such a way as to maintain required security for each party's holdings and territories.
Signed in January of 2367, the treaty has remained in effect since. Both sides freely share technology and have a robust civilian trade relationship. Solas Tempus engineers regularly provide assistance and resources, and the Romulans reciprocate with defense and other technological assistance. Though there is some distrust without the Romulan military, it is mild by comparison to other allies.