Mirror Universe
This parallel universe was first recorded as visited by James T. Kirk and several officers from the USS Enterprise in 2267. This parallel universe coexists with our universe on another dimensional plane. The universe was so named because many people and places seemed to be the exact opposites of their "normal" selves in "our" universe, but with numerous "good" aspects now "evil", and vice versa. (TOS: "Mirror, Mirror")
Although the universe as a whole has, as exhibited by the experiences of Lieutenant Worf, an infinite number of parallels, (TNG: "Parallels") the mirror universe appears to be somehow interconnected with the "standard universe" to the point of almost everyone from the standard universe having a counterpart in the mirror universe. This is despite the wildly divergent histories of the two, which would normally render the probability of the same individuals existing and being born on the same dates to the same parents throughout infinitesimally small. (DS9: "The Emperor's New Cloak")
The Imperial Union of Planets (IUP)
The Imperial Union of Planets ("Union" or "Imperial Union" for short) was a mirror universe equivalent of the United Federation of Planets. It was commonly referred to as "the [new] Empire" in honor of the old Terran Empire, upon which it was styled in policy and attitude, as it was seen by its populace as a resurrection of that entity.
Founded by the Terran rebellion which sprang up against the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance in the 2370s, the IUP toppled the Alliance by 2385, "reclaiming" the Terran Empire's heritage as the dominant power in the known galaxy. (Star Trek: New Empire)
History
No one is certain exactly how or when events led to the IUP's founding. The date of its beginning was never revealed, although it had to occur no earlier than 2375, when the Terran rebellion was still fighting the Alliance. Sometime shortly thereafter, or perhaps as early as 2371, the rebels declared their independence from the Alliance.
This may have happened in fact, as the rebels who had freed themselves were no longer under Alliance control; or it may have been a retroactive declaration--an interpretation of the victors rewriting history.
What is known is key factors which established it as a political power in the years immediately afterwards. Among these was the development of the spiral warp drive, in the form of a captured extradimensional vessel that possessed the techology. SWD instantly made the former rebels a power to be reckoned with, and through the gained tactical advantage, enabled a blitzkrieg drive to victory over Alliance forces.
Another key factor was the involvement of the Overlords, a mysterious group of unseen benefactors to the fledgling rebellion, recruited by Rodrigo Doenitz to assist them. Doenitz believed that many former slaves, widely lacking formal education, military discipline, or the firm hand of Alliance overseers to keep them in line, would run amok and threaten their new empire with power struggles and selfish interests. He also feared a repeat of "Spock's folly", the peace-minded reforms and disarmament initiated by Spock in the 23rd century which led to the Terran Empire's destruction, and believed that the Overlords would help to avoid this course. Agreeing to Doenitz's request, the Overlords usurped power and once control was established, turned over the IUP to Doenitz's control. This was done in order to safeguard the "new Empire" from both itself and external threats. The Overlords, then retired from contact with the IUP allowing normal history to run it's course. It is suspected that the last of the Overseers was executed by Doenitz in order to acquire their advanced technology.
With a new fleet of starships at its command (designs for which were obtained from spies sent to the normal Federation universe), the Imperial Union swiftly expanded over the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, conquering and occupying many former worlds of the Terran Empire, while simultaneously wearing down the Alliance. In late 2408 the Alliance regrouped and began a series of vicious counter attacks against the IUP.
Government
Although ostensibly a cooperative democracy, inspired by the Federation (upon organizational aspects of which it was patterned), the IUP was in reality a military dictatorship, where Starfleet held the real power. Starfleet's power was somewhat limited, in that it depended upon Imperial Union member-planets for personnel and resources, thus preventing wanton or wide-scale destruction of any planet resisting Imperial rule. Political machinations and avarice, in the Cabinet (the main IUP governing body) and the Imperial Council of representatives from member-worlds, compensated for this, often through "sponsorship", supporting select officers in command of starships, starbases or other key facilities.
Races
Many races and planets in the known mirror universe, once belonging to the Terran Empire and/or the Alliance, joined the IUP, willingly or by coercion. Following is a list of some of the known "members".
Individuals of the following races have been seen in Starfleet service in Star Trek: Freedom serving the Union, aboard the ISS Rosenante. This does not automatically indicate their membership in the IUP, however. They may have been slaves or conscripts.
Time Line
For a detailed listing of major events that took place in the Mirror Universe, please chek out the Mirror Universe Timeline. This timeline was compiled from both canon and non-canon sources and includes work original and unique to the Star Trek: Freedom Universe.
