In 2371 the Federation Intrepid class Starship Voyager was abducted by an alien being known as the Caretaker and deposited in the Delta Quadrant. The ship has been attempting to return home ever since via normal travel methods, but in addition they crew have been investigating various forms of spatial anomaly and unique technologies.

Some weeks after arriving in the quadrant, the ship encountered a wormhole which could possibly have offered them a way home. Initial investigation proved disappointing - the wormhole was in its final stages of collapse, only centimetres across. However, a small probe was able to penetrate deeply enough to broadcast a message through to the other side. The far endpoint was in Sector 1385 of the Alpha Quadrant, in Romulan space. A Romulan vessel picked up Voyagers transmissions and two way communication was soon established. Voyager was eventually successful in modifying the transporters to allow beaming through the wormhole, and a Romulan officer was brought on board. Unfortunately, it was discovered that the wormhole also had a temporal displacement - the Romulan end was located in 2351. The Romulan crewman was returned with messages from Voyagers crew, to be delivered to Starfleet shortly after the ships disappearance. Unfortunately, Voyagers records indicated that the officer died in 2367 and was unable to send the messages.