Hinge system

Alternate Universe

Hinge System, named so for the fact that much of the Federation's relationship with the Romulans hinged on the diplomatic and, indeed, military actions taken there, was initially located adjacent to both Federation and Romulan space before being occupied by the Federation in 2241 in a bid to provoke the Romulans into showing their hand. For the next decade, Hinge acted as a neutral diplomatic venue for both sides until, in a show of strength to offset a political disaster in 2252, Romulus forcibly annexed the system. It has remained in Romulan hands ever since.