Story/concept Idea I'm kicking around, Imput would be appreciated.

[Tribble puncher]

Most of us know the federation and all the other "empires" and "unions" are made up of planets in proximity of one another, like continents. With the various neutral zones flowing between them like rivers, So what is a planet in the middle of the federation (not an important planet, like betazed or vulcan) but a minor planet with some minor race we've never heard of wants to go over to the romulan empire, or (in the tos era) the klingon empire? how in your opinion would the federation react to this? Imagine the planet has little value as a federation member, maybe its even a minor drain on federation resources. whats to stop a race from ceding from the feds?

How far would the feds go to keep their integrity intact? especially to stop an enemy from having a base of operations within their borders?

 

[Tribble puncher]

Actually this thread should probibly be in "fan fiction" or something. sorry. Mods feel free to move.

 

[ambessalion]

i don't think the Federation would do anything....the prime directive and all....they would let them leave

 

[Sandoval]

I'd post this in General Trek just as an interesting hypothetical question to be honest.

To deal with the issue you've raised, I can't see what grounds the Federation would have to prevent a world within their borders joining the Romulan Empire - the Federation isn't an empire in as much as everything inside their space 'belongs to them' in the traditional sense - they haven't conquered these worlds.

I'd imagine that there are quite a few non-Federation cultures within what is called "Federation space" who get along quite nicely.

If one of these worlds wanted to become a Romulan ally then that would be their choice - knowing how accommodating the Federation generally is I can't see them forbidding such a thing, it would go against everything the Federation seems to be about and possibly cause all-out war with the Romulan Empire.

Possibly set up 'space lanes' of some sort to and from this planet out to Romulan space that Romulan vessels would be obliged to stick to since you don't want them traipsing all over Federation space.

 

[BillJ]

Interesting idea.

But space lanes would be problematic since neither side is even allowed into the neutral zone. Plus it would be a potential strategic problem for the Federation as the Romulans could launch a new offensive from, essentially, within Federation space.

A massive renogotiation of the neutral zone treaty would be needed. But I could see the Federation blocking the alliance on strategic grounds.

 

[ambessalion]

i doubt though that an independent culture in the middle of 'federation space' would want to ally with the romulans.....

 

[sojourner]

Think East Berlin during the cold war. Dedicated travel corridor that is heavily monitored.

 

[Frank Force]

i doubt though that an independent culture in the middle of 'federation space' would want to ally with the romulans.....

Not everyone's beliefs and philosophies dovetail with the Federation's - many do share these beliefs however, but with that in mind it isn't too much of a stretch to think that there are races or just regimes whose philosophies mesh with that of the Romulan Empire.

It's an interesting question. The heavily-monitored spacelanes sounds like the most likely response.

 

[Sandoval]

i doubt though that an independent culture in the middle of 'federation space' would want to ally with the romulans.....

Perhaps they share the Empire's love of shoulder-pads and bowl haircuts?