Eris' Telepathic Ability...

[Farscape One]

We all have wondered why we never saw another Vorta with this ability. So then, it hit me. What if it's NOT a telepathic attack?

Given how extremely sophisticated the Dominion's technology is, and the Gamma Quadrant overall from the few races we saw, it's possible that it was merely a well executed light burst for show.

If I remember correctly, we see her use it only twice... when she first shows up at camp and when she knocks out the force field in the cave.

In the first instance, Sisko is knocked back to the ground. What if the burst was timed just right with a shrouded Jem'Hadar actually pushing him off his feet?

The second time, she knocks out the force field. That can easily be timed with the Jem'Hadar turning it off right when she uses that light.

Could this 'ability' have been nothing more than what amounts to being a really good magician's trick, with Eris having some kind of light show maker embedded in her shirt?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I always assumed (and still do) that the only reason Eris had telepathic abilities was that it was necessary for her undercover assignment.

Meaning, she was temporarily given that ability by the Founders so she could pose as a captive who was having her abilities deliberately suppressed. Once she busted out, she was able to escape, as was planned all along.

Not all Vorta have that ability, of course. Just Eris. And only for that one assignment. The Founders probably removed it after her escape, because it wasn't needed anymore.

 

[Farscape One]

I think I've heard that idea around here before. Quite possibly by you, in fact.

But if the Founders had that ability, wouldn't they also give it to other Vorta? Or even the Jem'Hadar? I'd think you would want your soldiers to have ALL tools possible available for use at any time.

This is why I lean toward the technology side, because we never see the Dominion employ telepaths or use telepathic abilities. It might not even be common in the Gamma Quadrant.

Speaking of her escape, we have no idea where she went to. Dominion transporters have REALLY long range, as evidenced by "COVENANT" when Kira was taken. But the Dominion didn't have facilities or ships in the Alpha Quadrant at that time.

 

[Bad Thoughts]

I think I've heard that idea around here before. Quite possibly by you, in fact.

But if the Founders had that ability, wouldn't they also give it to other Vorta? Or even the Jem'Hadar? I'd think you would want your soldiers to have ALL tools possible available for use at any time.

This is why I lean toward the technology side, because we never see the Dominion employ telepaths or use telepathic abilities. It might not even be common in the Gamma Quadrant.

Speaking of her escape, we have no idea where she went to. Dominion transporters have REALLY long range, as evidenced by "COVENANT" when Kira was taken. But the Dominion didn't have facilities or ships in the Alpha Quadrant at that time.

Would it only be that Eris had the ability because the Founders knew how to hardwire it? Perhaps they just flew a bunch or Vorta at the Galactic Barrier, creating a few telepaths.

 

[no2catsuitKira]

We all have wondered why we never saw another Vorta with this ability. So then, it hit me. What if it's NOT a telepathic attack?

Given how extremely sophisticated the Dominion's technology is, and the Gamma Quadrant overall from the few races we saw, it's possible that it was merely a well executed light burst for show.

The Dominion were all about deception. This fits (and lets the producers/writers off the hook with regard to continuity).

 

[Kor]

As I recall, the awesome (but not quite long enough) PC game "Deep Space Nine: The Fallen" took the idea of the telekinetic attack and ran with it, so every Vorta you meet blasts you with a burst of energy.

Kor

 

[Lynx]

As I recall, the awesome (but not quite long enough) PC game "Deep Space Nine: The Fallen" took the idea of the telekinetic attack and ran with it, so every Vorta you meet blasts you with a burst of energy.

Kor

Where can I get this game?

As for Eris's telepathic abilities, it could have been a special ability that the Founders had installed in her to use if necessary.

Or it could also have been sp that all Vorta have those abilities but we never saw them used in any other episode.

 

[Kor]

Where can I get this game?
...

Alas, the game hasn't been adapted to GOG or Steam, so it looks like the only legitimate way to obtain it is to find a used CD-ROM from back in the day on ebay or Amazon Marketplace. And then there's the matter of making it work on Windows 10...

Kor

 

[matthunter]

It's telekinesis, not telepathy. The X-Men would tear you a new one (quite possibly telekinetically) for that.

 

[Damian]

This is why I lean toward the technology side, because we never see the Dominion employ telepaths or use telepathic abilities. It might not even be common in the Gamma Quadrant.

Probably the best in story answer we could come up with. I think I read somewhere it was something the writers were thinking of doing but abandoned it for some reason.

I could see advantages and disadvantages for the Founders if the Vorta had telekinesis or telepathic abilities. But knowing their paranoid tendencies they'd probably worry about some unhappy Vorta using it against the Founders.

Speaking of her escape, we have no idea where she went to. Dominion transporters have REALLY long range, as evidenced by "COVENANT" when Kira was taken. But the Dominion didn't have facilities or ships in the Alpha Quadrant at that time.

At one point it was noted the Dominion had already infiltrated certain areas of the Alpha Quadrant. It's reasonable to assume they had a ship/base somewhere in the Alpha Quadrant that the Federation (and other powers) were just unaware of.

 

[kira_nerys]

I tend to lean towards the light show trick since none of the Vorta ever indicated any 'supernatural' abilities.

Thinking about the situation then, maybe the plan was to use the 'ability' to make her more impressive to Sisko cause it showed how she put up a good fight to avoid being captured. More like a distraction tactic. Sisko believed she had been running from them for a while, which under normal circumstances would have been hard to do.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

But if the Founders had that ability, wouldn't they also give it to other Vorta?

No, because that's what the Jem'Hadar are for.

Vorta do not normally go out into the field alone. They are surrounded by a squad of Jem'Hadar at all times. Any fighting that needs to be done, the Jem'Hadar are the ones who do it.

Besides, it's obvious that the Jem'Hadar are better fighters anyway. Vorta wouldn't last a minute in a fight. They don't have the courage OR the strength to fight. That's why they make the Jem'Hadar do it for them.

 

[Farscape One]

But that's my point... telekinetic abilities would be much more powerful than just phasers or blades. A dozen Vorta OR Jem'Hadar with those abilities, and you just took over entire stations. An army of them? Worlds wouldn't stand a chance.

 

[amp]

Could be that the Founders had second thoughts because it made the Vorta too powerful. If the Vorta have telekinesis then for the first time they will be able to do something that a Founder cannot do. Sure, the Vorta are engineered to be loyal, but they are also crafty and duplicitous. Doesn't every tyrant worry about being overthrown by their underlings?

 

[kkt]

I think I've heard that idea around here before. Quite possibly by you, in fact.

But if the Founders had that ability, wouldn't they also give it to other Vorta? Or even the Jem'Hadar? I'd think you would want your soldiers to have ALL tools possible available for use at any time.

This is why I lean toward the technology side, because we never see the Dominion employ telepaths or use telepathic abilities. It might not even be common in the Gamma Quadrant.

Speaking of her escape, we have no idea where she went to. Dominion transporters have REALLY long range, as evidenced by "COVENANT" when Kira was taken. But the Dominion didn't have facilities or ships in the Alpha Quadrant at that time.

You mean you THINK the Dominion had no facilities or ships in the Alpha Quadrant.
Maybe they got a founder to stow away on one of the Federation or Bajoran ships going through the wormhole and that founder built or modified a transporter, specifically for this assignment, and Eris took one of the long-range transporter finders hidden somewhere on her.

 

[valkyrie013]

Genetic abnormality? There all pod people, but maybe sometimes a bit of creep comes in, or the founders decided to play with this particular genome.
May just be this Eris, maybe her whole line. Since there pod people, they may send her on an assignment then when she gets back she's vaporized and grown again when needed? A bit of a secret weapon that the founders don't want in the general population.
Kind of pratorian guard?

 

[at Quark's]

Well, we know the Founders aren't particularly generous in giving skills they think are not needed for the job, and seem to err rather on the side of being too "frugal". For example doesn't Weyoun complain about poor eyesight (I think good sight could actually come in quite handy as a diplomat, even if only to detect small signs of unease in your opponent or that something is wrong in a particular situation), or the inability to carry a tune, only for him to conclude that "if the Founders thought it was important, they'd had given us such abilities" or words to that effect?

Since the Vorta aren't expected to engage in physical cation, it wouldn't make that much sense to impart them with that ability, if the Dominion would hand it out, it would make much more sense for the Jem' Hadar to have it, as some posters before me have pointed out.

That said, if they only needed this for this specific case, it's probably much easier and more efficient to just "fake" the ability with some hidden technology than genuinely create a clone with different DNA just for the occasion.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

But if the Founders had that ability, wouldn't they also give it to other Vorta? Or even the Jem'Hadar? I'd think you would want your soldiers to have ALL tools possible available for use at any time.

Why did the Founders make the Jem'Hadar addicted to the White and both them and the Vorta essentially hard wired for obedience? They were afraid of what might happen if their minions revolted--we saw their control wasn't absolute when the rogue faction found the Iconian Gateway, so giving them all highly advanced abilities might end up being a threat to the Founders themselves.

Speaking of her escape, we have no idea where she went to. Dominion transporters have REALLY long range, as evidenced by "COVENANT" when Kira was taken. But the Dominion didn't have facilities or ships in the Alpha Quadrant at that time.

I love the fact that was never answered, it does make you wonder just what their capabilities are.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

That’s a very good theory. It’s also possible the Founders only grant telekinesis to Vorta who require it.

It’s likely the Founders had some replaced officers in the AQ long before making their authority felt.

 

[at Quark's]

Why did the Founders make the Jem'Hadar addicted to the White and both them and the Vorta essentially hard wired for obedience? They were afraid of what might happen if their minions revolted--we saw their control wasn't absolute when the rogue faction found the Iconian Gateway, so giving them all highly advanced abilities might end up being a threat to the Founders themselves.
I love the fact that was never answered, it does make you wonder just what their capabilities are.

"Realistically", I'd assume they did have a ship or base somewhere, that's more likely than them having transgalactic warping capabilities. If they'd had that the Iconian gateways wouldn't have posed much additional danger. Also they would later not have needed to bother with invasion fleets and reinforcements and such. Just send the bulk over inconspicuously to Cardassia Prime, just a ship or a few soldiers at a time, perhaps only going through the wormhole with ships too large to beam over.

Now supposedly, they can't sneak in a ship because DS9 guards the wormhole. But perhaps the Doms aren't only dependent upon the wormhole. After all, they also managed to get Odo in the Alpha Quadrant before the wormhole was discovered. We also know they are very long term thinkers. So perhaps they try to set up small, hidden, bases in areas of the galaxy they might consider of interest, even centuries before they think they are "ready" to meddle with it. Bases that may be used for gaining some basic intel, and if push comes to shove for emergency extraction operations. If that is true, then the discovery of the wormhole might merely have forced them to speed up their operations.

Or, if you don't want to assume that, perhaps they did have cloaking technology, and more advanced than anything the Romulans got, but just didn't advertise it, which could be quite feasible, given that they also can give their soldiers the ability to "shroud". In that case all they would need to have done was to send along a ship whenever an alpha Quadrant ship returned home and the wormhole was opening anyway.