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Apologies if this has already been dealt to death, but out of the alpha and beta quadrant powers, who do we think would be the ''power'' alongside the united federation of planets, klingon empire and romulan star empire to form ''the big four''? (Time Period is TNG and DS9)

It depends on the period. Up to the Klingon invasion it was definately the Cardies. After the hammering they took then they dropped back a lot, to the extent that either the Breen or the Tholians probably took over that position - probably the Breen. A big problem is that we have very little information on the industrial capacity of the Tholians, Breen or Gorn, making it difficult to estimate their position in the AQ "league".

I'm in agreement with Seafort on this one.

I'll also go with Seafort's analysis on this one.

okay, in that case, who would you prefer it be and why?

look forward to reading everyones' views tomorrow, night all

The Cardassians, personaly. While powerful, they can be kept in check easy enough. Then there's the whole "the devil you know" bit to consider when it comes to the Breen.

Granitehewer wrote:okay, in that case, who would you prefer it be and why?

From an IU or OOU perspective? If it's the latter, the Tholians - they seem an interesting bunch, and having a non-humanoid race as a major power would certainly make for some interesting plot arcs.

I wen with the CU as well, with the same caveat as Seafort mentioned. As for who I'd like it to be, well:

The Tholians could make a more powerful ally, and diplomatic relations certainly seem to have been established by the time of DS9. However, there is a great possibility of misinterpretation, vague context, etc., between the UFP and a non-humanoid/non-organic race which could lead to ill will and broken treaties.

The Gorn were cast as "bad guys" initially, but what happened in "Arena" was obvously a set-up; they certainly appeared more rational and reasonable, aside from that and also established a diplomatic relationship with the UFP. There is no canon to back it up, but the impression I got is that they might be a weaker ally than the Tholians, if more reliable.

The Miradorn are a bit of a random choice to throw in there are they not? Forgive my thickness but I don't remember much about them in the series, had a quick look at the image on the main site but doesn't jog my memory much.

I'll go Tholian. Cardassians and Breen have had the shit beat out of them to much recently to be allowed a super power status.

I'm not sure any of them can really measure up to the Feds, Klingons or Romulans.

RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:I'm not sure any of them can really measure up to the Feds, Klingons or Romulans.

Good point. The "fourth power" isn't so much that as the best of the rest, probably capable of giving one of the Great Powers a fight, but incapable of putting up long-term resistance against a serious offensive. The way the Cardassians folded in WotW proves that.

Replying to colmquinn, The Miradorn were mentioned to have signed a treay with the dominion(alongside the tholians,romulans and bajorans)....whilst this may not be indicative of the influence or status of the miradorn-as the dominion may have just wanted to be more benevolently perceived by the inhabitants of the AQ&BQ to deprive the dominions' primary enemies of allies, it did however lead me to believe that they might be a power, plus miradorn raiders look awesome!!

Seafort wrote:Good point. The "fourth power" isn't so much that as the best of the rest, probably capable of giving one of the Great Powers a fight, but incapable of putting up long-term resistance against a serious offensive. The way the Cardassians folded in WotW proves that.

Even two or three of them together would have a hard time facing down the Feds post war.