"Honored Elders" ..... ?

[Cepstrum]

This is kind of an unimportant issue, but I thought it strange how the JH considered their aged brethren "honored elders". Living long as a JH would point to either fantastic luck...or cowardice/self-preservation — not qualities I'd think the JH would admire. I'd think they be more likely to honor their bravest who served most devotedly, such as those who went on near suicide missions and never questioned orders.

I suppose they might think the older JH would be wiser, but they didn't seem to be programmed to continue intellectual development or learning beyond what they received upon their maturation.

This is kind of a nit pick — and I'm sorry for that. I just wanted to know if anyone else felt the same way, or better yet could offer me a satisfying explanation.

 

[Gul Re'jal]

A JH goes into a battle to reclaim his life. So those Elders reclaimed their lives many times, so are respected.

Or (or maybe and) the longer a JH lives, the longer serves the Founders.

I am not even sure that for a Jem'Hadar is it possible to be a coward or think about saving himself, instead of following Founders' orders.

 

[Marie1]

A JH goes into a battle to reclaim his life. So those Elders reclaimed their lives many times, so are respected.

Or (or maybe and) the longer a JH lives, the longer serves the Founders.

I am not even sure that for a Jem'Hadar is it possible to be a coward or think about saving himself, instead of following Founders' orders.

Those are both true.

Also, cowardice is unacceptable to the Jem'Hadar, cowards would be noticeable- and killed. Tho they can clearly think of doing other things, as many have rebelled etc.

The Jem'Hadar don't ever live long enough to be "old" as in... like an old human, so they just become better, faster, more lethal, more experienced etc. -their skill and service is something to be honoured, they are to be emulated. Thus- an "honoured elder" in the rare case they survive to be 20. It also probably is to move away from the idea Goron'agar had that Jem'hadar are only to fight and die because old age is "honoured".

 

[Enterprise1981]

My fanfic series reinforces the point that the Jem'Hadar do have free will and even follow a code of honor similar to that of the Klingons, even if the Vorta advertise them as nothing more than genetically programmed fighting machines. Ikat'ika was willing to disobey orders and face execution rather than act dishonorably when he stated, "I cannot defeat this Klingon (Worf). I can only kill him, and that no longer serves my interest." It would have been a cowardly act on his part, so in any case, cowardice is hardly an admired trait among the Jem'Hadar.

 

[GotNoRice]

The founders wanted troops that were willing to die, but in the end it's better for everyone if they are able to accomplish their mission without dieing.

Things like cowardice were mostly bread out of their genes so I don't think that would really be an issue. The older ones would be the ones smart enough to get the job done and fight again another day.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

It's the same thing as a Vampire Slayer ala Buffy.
A normal warrior dies young. He did his bit and did it well. But occasionally there is one who survives against all odds only to manifest his true potential.

As Buffy survived well into her twenties and becomes nearly invinicible compared to every other slayer, the JH have capabilities that can only be manifested by years of training and experience and let them surpass any normal JH.

Would be interesting to know what the "natural" life expectancy would be. I imagine no JH would dare try it out though. They might go on a little longer as the oldest JH they've heard of if they can, but then choose the most dangerous battle possible to go down fighting in the end afterall.

 

[Red Ranger]

I always saw the Honored Elders as the baddest of the bad-ass Jem'Hadars -- so good they can kill just about anyone and live to keep on fighting.