Speaking of Alpha Quadrant Shapeshifters

[Jaro Stun]

I think in about 200-300 years the Dominion will return, as it has planned from the beginning. I've read/heard somewhere that it knew abou Feds and other AQ powers for quite a long time, even before the Bajoran wormhole has been discovered (where was this information stated pls?)

Even if the wormhole remained closed for Dom ships, in 200 years technology advancing (and spying on Federation) I suppose Dominion could acquire some reasonable fast transwarp technology so the distance between AQ and GQ wouldn't be an issue anymore. Than AQ powers will be screwed, really.

Had the Dominion the opportunity to unleash its full war potential on to feds and its allies, it would be an easy and quick victory.

I'm just curious, how would the things be going, if the wormhole was never discovered and founders would be allowed to proceed with their original plan.

 

[scorpius1701]

I never heard of the Founders knowing about the Federation before the wormhole. I think its really a question of whether the wormhole is open for all. The critical thing i think is when Kira takes Odo beack to the Link. Its the first time weve seen wormhole travel in 2 seasons. Can now anyone travel through? If so, I dont see any reason why the Dominion wouldnt just shoot a big fleet right through and catch everyone with their pants down.

 

[Jono]

It is possible the Dominion could have found out about the Federation. We do know of species with much more advanced ftl technology then both sides and the Dominion could have interacted with them prior to the late 2360s.

Given Sisko is in the wormhole I doubt he would let the Prophets allow the Dominion to send a large invasion force into the Alpha Quadrant. Before they didn't really care until Sisko pushed them to do something, but with him "living" with them they would be more exposed to who the Dominion are and the threat they pose to Bajor

As for a future invasion, it is possible. In 200 years time (from the Dom War) we know that timetravel starts becoming more normal in the Federation and it seems also by that time that the Alpha and Beta quadrants as we know it is completely Federationised with Cardassian, Klingons and Romulans appearing in various peeks into the future as members of the Federation. Who knows by then the Federation could overtake the Dominion in technology, size and power, which would make any invasion by the Dominion too risky. Also a long period of interaction between the Federation and the Dominion might finally proved to the Founders that they can live peacefully with solids.

 

[Jaro Stun]

What I'd have really liked to see is an episode, where there would be some glimpse into a future...alternate future (of course)...where the wormhole was never discovered. Dominion would strike later, unannounced, without prepping Federation for 3 years in a cold war manner. The Federation, caught by surprise would fail to defend itself and total destruction would be inevitable....now some kind of time travel would have to be involved, to go back in time before the Emissary part 1...to set in motion the events, leading to the wormhole discovery (and start of the DS9 series itself).

I think it would be a nice 2-parter episode...with a good moral dilemma for timefleet agent...go back in time and make sure the bloodiest war in Fed history happens...because it would lead to greater good few hundred years later.

For that manner, it could be also, that the agent would only travel into let's say 4th-5th season of DS9 to escalate the tension and start a war (without interference war would start many years later with destructive outcome again)

If a DS9 movie was made, this is what I'd like to see it to be about.
Imagine that from the perspective of our DS9 heroes he'd be a bad guy, but we'd want him to accomplsh his mission, because thats the only way DS9 as we know it happens AND Federation survives.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

 

[Timo]

Would the Dominion really choose to "strike", when it is all about providing safety and security for the timid Founders? Within the Gamma Quadrant, the Dominion mode of expansion appears to be gradual, with fringe worlds introduced to the existence of the organization one by one, first through rumors, then apparently through a polite Vorta request for cooperation and eventual joining, and then, if the answer is unsatisfactory, through an onslaught of Jem'Hadar. That's how I'd think it would go with the Federation as well.

The wormhole was a curse for the Founders even if a blessing for the Feds in this respect, as it forced the Dominion to act more openly and at an accelerated pace. Rather than gradually force alliances and tear apart those of the Alphans, the Dominion had to resort to military action after three brief years of preparation. And that with light bridgehead forces only.

If the two empires had come to contact in a gentler manner, the Dominion would probably just have leaned, and then kept on leaning, until the UFP gave. Of course, if this contact came because the Dominion had expanded to touch the UFP frontierlands, the UFP would indeed give. But if it were through UFP expansion instead, I don't think the Dominion method of expansion would really triumph over the Federation one - yet I don't think the Dominion would realize this and go for a straightaway surprise military strike, either.

As for the Sisko protecting Alpha, it might just as well be that the Prophets convince him that Dominion is the best thing that could ever happen to Bajor, guaranteeing its long term security. If so, bye-bye Federation...

Timo Saloniemi

 

[scorpius1701]

I always got the impression that the War was all about protecting the Founders. They felt threatened by the incursions into the GQ and so took action to let the Federation know that they werent welcome in their territory. The very next thing the Federation does is send an invisible warship into the GQ specifically to track down the Founders. As a Founder, Id be concerned. The Federation then completely disregards the warning sent and continues dispatching ships into the GQ and even sets up an observation post. As a Founder, id be concerned. I might then start using my natural abilities to blend in in the AQ to spy around to find out their true intentions. So then as a Founder id say, well the Federation is making inroads into the GQ, maybe i ought to do the same in the AQ. Well, the Federation now calls foul and mines the entrance to the wormhole, preventing reinforcements. So now as a Founder im really concerned now. War is inevitable and breaks out. Now i suddenly have this debilitating disease and theres Federation fleets in orbit! I ALWAYS felt that the Dominion believed they were waging a defensive war and that it happened becasue they felt threatened. I have to believe that they would take the next possible opportunity to strike.