Vardaine

Vardaine is a Class M world located in the Harlequin system. The planet is a member world of the United Federation of Planets, and is populated by the descendants of human colonists who arrived in the 22nd century.

Even though the planet is a member of the Federation, relations between Vardaine and the Federation have been tense. The Federation began a formal inquiry into allegations that the Vardaine were engaging in genetic engineering, despite the ban that was in place prohibiting such engineering, however this inquiry was suspended at the request of the Vardaine government. An extremist faction led by Ies Bredell soon accquired power and influence in Vardaine society. Eventually this faction was able to construct their own Constitution class starship, which they had named Enterprise after the Federation starship.

Shortly afterwards, this faction's copy of the Enterprise was destroyed in battle against the original Enterprise. (Star Trek: 25th Anniversary) Ies Bredell survived and constructed a super weapon that would've destroyed Earth and the Federation, but was foiled by Captain James T. Kirk and the Enterprise crew. Bredell was arrested by Starfleet, and those members of the Vardaine government who supported Bredell were forced to resign - leaving Starfleet hopeful that relations between Vardaine and the rest of the Federation would improve. (Star Trek: Judgment Rites)