Dominion (Star Trek)
The Dominion is an empire that features in Star Trek.
Contents |
History
The Dominion was an interstellar empire that was based in the Gamma Quadrant in the Milky Way Galaxy. Its foundation was created by the Changelings who long ago were persecuted by races that were deemed as solids. Such species regarded the Changelings with suspicion due to their ability to change their shape. On one such world, a wounded Changeling was saved from a mob by primitive animals who provided the individual shelter. After the danger had passed, the Changeling in gratitude vowed to give the ape-like creatures a place in a great new empire that would stretch across the Galaxy and be transformed into powerful beings. This was the basis for the Vorta who were genetically evolved from these ape-like beings. (Episode: Treachery, Faith and the Great River) Thus, the Dominion was formed where the Changelings headed this empire as a group known as the Founders with the Vorta serving as administrators whilst the genetically engineered Jem'Hadar served as its enforcers. (Episode: The Search) It was said that the Dominion had endured for over two thousand years. (Episode: To the Death)
In the 2370s, the discovery of the Bajoran wormhole brought the Dominion into contact with civilizations in the Alpha Quadrant. After learning that Starfleet would destroy the wormhole in the event of a direct Dominion incursion, the Founders initiated long-term plans to weaken and subvert the Alpha Quadrant. (Episode: The Search, Part II)
In 2373, the Dominion came to secure both the wormhole passage and a power base in the Alpha Quadrant through their absorption of the Cardassian Union. (Episode: By Inferno's Light) By the end of the year, open war had erupted between the Dominion and a joint opposition consisting of the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire. (Episode: Call to Arms)
By mid-2374, Starfleet and Klingon forces managed to retake Deep Space 9 and prevented the Dominion from obtaining reinforcements from the Gamma Quadrant. (Episode: Sacrifice of Angels) In the same year, the Romulan Star Empire came to join the Federation alliance and declared war against the Dominion. (Episode: In the Pale Moonlight)
The Dominion attempted an invasion of the Alpha Quadrant, leading to the Dominion War. The invasion was defeated, although they were temporarily able to take control of the Cardassians' territory. Presumably they remain one of the dominant powers in the Gamma Quadrant.
Overview
Leadership of the Dominion was held by a group of Changelings who were known as the Founders. (Episode: The Search, Part 2)
It was believed that the Dominion saw it as their sacred duty to bring order to the galaxy. (Episode: In the Pale Moonlight) The basis of the Dominion was for the Founders to control the solids as they believed what they controlled could not harm them. (Episode: The Search, Part 2)
The Dominion was a multi-species empire that consisted of various races including the Founders, Vorta and Jem'Hadar. It also came to include numerous other subjugated 'member' races. (Episode: The Search, Part 1) The Founders held ultimate authority in the Dominion with their decisions not to be questioned under any circumstances. However, the Founders were largely apathetic towards the affairs of solids and were content to leave the administration of the Dominion to the Vorta. (Episode: The Search, Part 2) All species were expected to obey the orders of the Vorta administrators. Disobedience would be punished by massive Jem'Hadar reprisals. (Episode: The Search, Part 1)
The philosophy of the Dominion was divided into three distinct groups, each with notably differing outlooks and aspects. The perspective of the Founders, or the Changelings, with whom ultimately rested the control over the Dominion, was formed from their history of persecution at the hands of non-shapeshifting lifeforms they thereafter termed 'Solids'. To that end, the priority of the Founders was the survival of their own species, by any means necessary. They had no interest in matters such as Klingon honor, the Federation's goal of peaceful exploration, Ferengi material success, or objections made by opposing groups regarding their methods of self-preservation. (Episode: The Search, Part II)
The Founders' extreme longevity provided them with a uniquely long viewpoint. The Dominion did not adjust its strategies based on what has occurred within the past week or even year, but was concerned instead with what the universe will look like centuries or more forward. This perspective was evident in their willingness to engage in long-term war of attrition with them counting on superior construction methods and their ability to breed Jem'Hadar, rather than risk everything on one battle. (Episode: Statistical Probabilities)
Apart from the Changelings' metamorphic abilities, the most distinguishing ability of their species was 'linking' – the physical and mental connection of multiple Changelings. The species seems to exist in a collective union called The Great Link for much of their life span, producing a strongly anti-individualist perspective. Consequently, the Founders seem to be a remarkably unified, even monolithic, species. Their most sacred axiom was that, "No Changeling has ever harmed another" which reflected both this and their obsession with physical security. Despite this, disagreement between the Founders was not unheard of among their kind. (Episode: "Broken Link)
The Vorta commanded the Jem'Hadar and disseminated ketracel-white that was crucial for their survival. (Episode: To the Death)
One of the subject races of the Dominion were the Karemma who were responsible for trade agreements. (Episode: The Search, Part 1) The Karemma held an important commercial role within the Dominion and constructed weapons for the Dominion military. (Episode: Starship Down)
The Dominion judicial system made use of courts though charges and subsequent trials were often merely for show. Enemies of the Dominion were often put on trial for various charges which 'hardly mattered' since the goal of the trial was to convict and execute the offender while merely giving a facade of legal framework. (Episode: Sacrifice of Angels)
The official language of the Dominion was known as Dominionese. (Episode: Statistical Probabilities)
Their starships were known to make use of phased polaron beams that were able to pierce through the shields of enemy vessels. (Episode: The Jem'Hadar)
Members
- Female Changeling :
- Weyoun :
Notes
- The Dominion were introduced as antagonists in Star Trek: Deep Space 9.
In other media
Video games
- In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Dominion Wars, the Dominion appeared as a playable faction in the video game.
- In Star Trek: Armada, the Dominion briefly appeared as a NPC faction in the video game. During the campaign mode, the Borg invaded Dominion space in order to assimilate a cloning facility which was used to create Locutus to lead in the conquest of the Alpha Quadrant.
- In Star Trek: Conquest, the Dominion appeared as one of the major races in the video game.
- In Star Trek Online, the Dominion made an appearance in the setting of the MMORPG.
Appearances
- Star Trek: Deep Space 9:
