The CDS Karoon was a Cardassian Groumall-class freighter in service in the late 24th century. It was one of a number of Cardassian ships loyal to House Arterius that was operating in the Maelstrom. In 2378, the Karoon was transporting contraband cargo near the Beol system when it was attacked by a Romulan D'deridex-class warbird, the IRW Soryak. The Karoon sent out a distress call, which the Galaxy-class USS Dauntless received and responded to. The Dauntless fought off the Romulan vessel, and then scanned the Karoon, attempting to determine why the Romulans attacked it. However, the Karoon's hull was shielded by a dampening field, which prevented the scan- and raised suspicions among the crew of the Dauntless.