Who should the next rival of the Federation.

[Tenacity]

Why can't the question be, "who should be the Federation's next partner in the fascinating exploration of the unknown?"

Because let's face it, Starfleet actually does a surprisingly small amount of exploration.

 

[TimeIsAPredator]

I always liked the idea of the Federation meeting a different sort of Federation. Someone that shares their multicultural/cosmopolitan/scientific values but rejects all those pesky Federation morals.

The Dominion seemed kind of sort of like this at first but once the writers turned them into the all Vorta/Jem'Hadar/Changeling show (and made the rest of the Dominion all just subjects kept in line strictly by fear) they lost that aspect so there's still lots of potential ground to break here.

It has always bugged me that UFP do usually seem to be the only multi race group in the universe. The Dominion looked that way but in the end it was just clones and subjugation same with Remans and the insurrection baddies but it's a start and I think it would be really cool to meet another big federation style group . At least DIS gives a reason behind its enemies racial purity and made it part of the story

 

[Tim Thomason]

I think the Picard show has hinted at the next potential rival of the Federation.

Yep. Definitely Freecloud.

 

[Tim Thomason]

It has always bugged me that UFP do usually seem to be the only multi race group in the universe. The Dominion looked that way but in the end it was just clones and subjugation same with Remans and the insurrection baddies but it's a start and I think it would be really cool to meet another big federation style group . At least DIS gives a reason behind its enemies racial purity and made it part of the story

The Xindi.

 

[Farscape One]

The Xindi are one species, just 5 different forms of it. 6 if you count the extinct Avians.

I wonder if this is what inspired what I heard about the Breen in the novels... that they are made up of various races but all are the same when they put on the helmet and uniform.

 

[Tim Thomason]

The Xindi are one species, just 5 different forms of it. 6 if you count the extinct Avians.

I wonder if this is what inspired what I heard about the Breen in the novels... that they are made up of various races but all are the same when they put on the helmet and uniform.

They're pretty distinct. I think they're universally understood to be six distinct species, just that they evolved side-by-side on the same planet and later formed a Council to promote their collective welfare.

 

[Imaus]

The Breen were shaping up to be this new threat, I guess, beyond Cardassia and much closer than the Dominion, but eh...they seemed like a one trick pony that a Klingon Engineer (of all things!) managed to luck out against. What makes them a contender? Relatively fresh, relatively unknown, seemingly they have a militaristic culture that isn't as honorbound as the Klingons...but their main focus and attention seems to be on replacing Cardassia, and not really the UFP. I dunno, the spark just isn't there.

 

[Farscape One]

The Breen definitely were mysterious. Even their language couldn't be understood.

Weyoun even mentioned their homeworld is not a frozen wasteland, but a moderate climate. They certainly value their privacy if they are keeping this illusion of being the ultimate freezer guys.

I would love to learn more about them... particularly since Bashir noted they don't have blood.

 

[at Quark's]

Even their language couldn't be understood.

By us, as viewers. It didn't seem to pose any problems for the Founders or the Vorta. Interestingly, Damar did not understand it at first (in later episodes, he did, apparently).

 

[Farscape One]

Exactly my point. This tells me the Breen had given them their translator, precisely because Damar couldn't understand before. Weyoun and the Founder were negotiating with them long before Damar found out, so they had time to get a translator given to them.

In turn, that indicates a language so totally alien it can't be translated by the usual Universal Translator. Another way to be mysterious.

 

[Kilana2]

Mad Dog Tannen......

 

[Captain Clark]

The Kardassians

 

[C57D]

Blimey, I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition would be a rival to the Federation.

NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our three weapons are fear, and surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our four...no... Amongst our weapons.... Amongst our weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise.... I'll come in again!

 

[Yes Man the Great]

The Galactic Tribble Empire.

 

[Kilana2]

Paranoid Androids.

 

[ananta]

Tribbles. Please make it Tribbles, I’d so be here for that.

 

[Annorax849]

I've mentioned this before, but I like the idea of the Ferengi and some combination of Nausicaans, Orions, Pakleds, and maybe Yridians forming their own Alliance. It would grow like the UFP does and never conquer anyone, but with a clearly different set of ideals. Maybe they would be more lenient towards letting racist or segregated races join, and allow non-democratic governments to maintain some autonomy.

They wouldn't be actual enemies of the Federation, but certainly rivals.

 

[Farscape One]

We can call them... Economic Enemies?

 

[Yes Man the Great]

I actually like the idea of an evil federation.

 

[TimeIsAPredator]

Tribbles. Please make it Tribbles, I’d so be here for that.

Only if we get the CGI team from cats and give them buttholes