"Greetings fellow citizens of the Cardassian Empire.  Many of you may recognize me.  But, for those of you who don't, I am Gul Dukat."

"The Detappa Council has graciously agreed to *step aside* and have allowed me, a true patriot of Cardassia to take command of the government."

"Cardassia was weak while under the rule of the Detappa Council.  I have brought strength back to Cardassia.  What is it that I have done, you may be asking?  I have signed a treaty with the Dominion joining Cardassia to them."

"You might ask, should we fear joining the Dominion?  And I answer you, not in the least.  We should embrace the opportunity.  The Dominion recognizes us for what we are - the true leaders of the Alpha Quadrant. And now that we are joined together, equal partners in all endeavors, the only people with anything to fear will be our enemies."

"My oldest son's birthday is in five days.  To him, and to Cardassians everywhere, I make the following pledge:  By the time his birthday dawns, there will not be a single Klingon alive inside Cardassian territory, or a single Maquis colony left within our borders.  Cardassia will be made whole.  All that we have lost, will be ours again, and anyone who stands in our way will be destroyed.  This I vow with my life's blood.  For my son - for all our sons."

With that the viewscreen goes blank and simultaneously a message is sent to all commanders and political leaders and persons of importance.

Effective immediately the Council of the TRI is formally disbanded.  Membership and participation in that organization has been made illegal by the Authority of Gul Dukat.  All members are expected to submit a formal resignation letter to the highest ranking non TRI member political officer in their vicinity.

Affective immediately the Central Command will be re-established under the direct authority of Gul Dukat.  Since it was shut down by the Detappa Council, the Cardassian Military has been a the whim of civilian leadership.  This will cease to continue. All sector commanders will report directly to Central Command.

That is all.
Gul Dukat
Leader of the Cardassian People

Meet our New Allies!

Dominion History
by Robert Hewitt Wolfe

Over 2000 years ago, a group of Changelings became curious about other worlds and civilizations. Eager to learn and explore the Galaxy, they ventured out into space, hoping to expand their knowledge of the Universe. The Changelings had hoped to learn and to co-exist peacefully with the thousands of other races in the Galaxy.

The Changelings were wrong.

The people that the Changelings met were frightened by their shape-shifting abilities. The 'Solids' realized that the Changelings could easily destroy their lives and worlds - and soon, mistrust developed, followed by mass genocide....

Over the years, the shapeshifters were hunted down, beaten and killed by the Solids. Sickened by the actions of other civilizations, the Changelings ceased their quest for knowledge, and began a new quest - for a new home.

Eventually, they discovered a small planet hidden inside a Nebula. And there, safe in their isolation, the Changelings initiated a plan which would not only protect themselves from the Solids forever, but which would also impose order on an entire Quadrant....

The Shapeshifters created the Dominion, a vast interstellar dictatorship which occupies most of the Gamma Quadrant. Some of the worlds within this Dictatorship have heard the myth about the Founders, the rulers of the Dominion. But few know that the Founders are the Changelings who wish to control the destinies all other races in a bid to protect themselves....

When the Founders discovered that a Federation of Planets was encouraging ships to enter the Gamma Quadrant though a Wormhole, the Founders ordered the Jem'Hadar to put a stop to the incursions. The Jem'Hadar are genetically-engineered soldiers, created by the Founders. Thanks to the genetic programming, the Jem'Hadar consider the Founders as Gods to protect, and to die for when necessary. The Jem'Hadar are the elite soldiers of the Dominion, and they are used whenever a member of the Dominion or some other external race steps out of line....

To ensure that the Jem'Hadar themselves don't step out of line, the Founders made their soldiers addicted to an isogenic enzyme - without it, any Jem'Hadar would die - thus ensuring the total loyality of the Jem'Hadar to their Changeling masters...

Although the Dominion has the means to force worlds to join, it will usually attempt some sort of negotiation first. This is where the Vorta comes in. Its not known if the Vorta chose to join the Dominion of their own free will, or if the Jem'Hadar forced them to. But what is known is that the Vorta are the 'middlemen' of the Dominion. Its their job to offer external worlds which may have something useful to offer the dictatorship membership of the Dominion, as well as dealing with existing members, when necessary.

The Vorta possess telekinesis powers, and are also in charge of the numerous Jem'Hadar Units throughout the Gamma Quadrant. Each Vorta supervisor has a supply of the isogenic enzyme which the Jem'Hadar need to survive, so the Dominion's chain of command is:

1.Founders
 

2.Vorta
 

3.Jem'Hadar
 
 
 

The Founders view the entire Alpha Quadrant as a threat to them, and have vowed to impose order on the Federation and other races on the other side of the Wormhole....

More in the next issue of CNN!

Contests!

The Cardassian News Network is pleased to announce three contests. There is one for everyone to participate in! These contests will run on a six month basis. We will receive entries over that period and make awards. Awards you say? Yes! The winners will each receive a Cardassian oriented prize from the Seventh Order's goody bag. All this and the club is and will always be free!

Outstanding Officer Contest

We will select an outstanding Seventh Order Officer, based on the postings made within the club. We will be looking at quality of writing, creativity, and convincing Cardassian character development. This award will be judged by Hydak Mynar, from all postings during the time period. Winner will receive a wonderful prize!

Art Contest

The Seventh Order is in need of artwork to add to its web pages. So, dust off your art supplies and create a masterpiece. Any subject or medium, that relates to the RPG. Send an electronic copy to Gul Ardeth Hecat at hecat@7thorder.org or if you do not have the capability to scan, contact Gul Hecat to obtain a postal address. She can scan them picture and return it to you. Best submission for the six month period will get a prize.

Trivia Contest

This will be a regular feature in the CNN. You will have until the next issue of the CNN comes out to respond. Results will be tabulated and displayed ont the CNN web page. Points awarded are as follows; 10 points for each correct answer, 20 points for correctly answering the Bonus Question. Please send all answers to our official Trivia Master at Dukat8586@aol.com. At the end of the six month period another great prize will come out of the goody bag!

***

Want to buy a used starship?

1. Name the "pearls of wisdom" in the Ferengi culture that children are expected to memorize and repeat on command.

2. Which race of humanoid telepaths are incapable of reading Ferengi minds?

3. Which Ferengi code states that anything found abandoned is open to claim by those who find it?

4. What is the formal name of the Ferengi government?

5. What is the name of the Ferengi diplomatic enclave intended to further Ferengi business interests?

6. What is the crew complement of a Ferengi Marauder?

7. What is strictly forbidden according to the Ferengi death rituals?

8. What is the title of the Ferengi master of commerce?

Prime Bonus Question: How many Rules of Acquisition are there?
 

Seventh Order Personnel

Promotions:

Glinn Ardeth Hecat: Deklar, First Officer - promoted to Tulgryn
Glinn Jatara Knight: Maksuun, First Officer - promoted to Tulgryn
Galt Rin Lyra Korat: Deklar, Chief Medical Officer - promoted to Glinn
Galt Talgor: Maksuun, Political Officer - promoted to Galt Rin (posthumous)

Transfers:

Glinn Dujod: Deklar, Security Chief - transferred to Curvaut, Security Chief
Galt Rin Kyl Galar: Deklar, Engineer - transferred to Deklar, Chief Engineer
Tulgryn Ardeth Hecat: Deklar, First Officer - transferred to Curvaut, First Officer
Legate Vanar Kevron: Ravek, Command Legate - transferred to Commander Felor Vi
Glinn Ranaad Milok: Ravek, Chief Engineer - transferred to Felor Vi, Strategic Officer
Galt Rin Danar Nelak: Deklar, Chief Engineer - transferred to Felor Vi, Chief Engineer

New Officers:

Glinn Kalye Turmon, Second Order - transferred to Deklar, Security Chief
Yelbrin Keran Zemblad: Lakat Training Camp - transferred to Deklar, Engineering

"Scorpion" Review
by Yelbrin Elim Jasad

Written by Brannon Braga & Joe Menosky
Directed by David Livingston

There's trouble in River City-as of March 1997, DS9 is no longer the highest rated syndicated TV show, in the US.

When intentionally schlocky/jocky stuff like Hercules/Xena can steal Star Trek's rating thunder and a thinly disguised Sci-Fi remake of Lord of the Rings-Bablyon 5-can steal Star Trek's critical thunder, you know something is seriously wrong with The Franchise.

Because of this, Jeri Taylor, head honcha at Voyager, reportedly threw out the original final season's episode, brained-stormed with her writing staff, labored & labored and brought forth-the Borg! In "Scorpion", Voyager has finally reached Borg space. But we find that even the Borg have problems-a new alien race. This presents Voyager's so-called Captain, Janeway, with an opportunity to totally reverse the personality and ideals and make an alliance; we see new aliens, get to meet Janeway's new Holosuite inspiration Leonardo da Vinci(!) and even hear Janeway do impressions. Stay tuned for the next season's opener, if you can keep your eyes open.

So what, you say? Who watches Voyager anyway & what's this got to do with Cardassians like us? Well, just for a moment pretend you are Paramount. Two very expensive shows are slipping, you have roughly 400 repeat episodes you can-and are-syndicating. What to do?

Right. Cancel at least one show. Not next season but after that? You may think that DS9 is safe because
1) DS9 is the better show
2) DS9 has the more interesting cast
3) DS9 has the higher ratings.

All true, but
1) Voyager is the flagship show of UPN, while DS9 is a no-longer top-rated syndicated show
2) Jeri Taylor seems more of a high profile, personality than DS9's honcho
3) DS9 is the older show, probably with higher salaries
4) DS9 storylines are more 'political' & 'dark' than a lot of fans apparently like.

So. We must hold our nose and support Voyager and concern ourselves with its welfare: as goes Voyager, so goes DS9- and DS9 may go first.

A few modest proposals to improve Voyager ratings:
1) Kill off Janeway-the most incompetent of all the Startrek captains-and replace her with Chatokay or Tuvok.
2) Add to the holgraphic 'doctor' the holographic 'Seska'-Voyager's Cardassian connection.
3) Use the next season to get through Borg space & back to the Federation by season's end.
4) Reconnect-if only briefly-with the DS9 storyline. Then Voyager can continue with NG-type stories on its own.

Oh, yeah; 'Scorpion' review-
Story: OK (next season opener will tell)
Special Effects: Ehh. Same old stuff. I wanted computed generated graphics!
Janeway: Thumbs down. What do people see in this woman?

New this month...
 

Granny Dukat’s Advice Column

Have a question for Granny? Send it to Dukat8586@aol.com.

Dear Granny Dukat.....

I have been posted aboard a ship that has Jem'Hadar on it. I can't stand them... but it won't help to transfer cause they're everywhere. What should I do?
   - Unhappy in Paradise

Dear Unhappy,

Well I've been around for a long time, and I've seen governments come, and I've seen 'em go. Just between you and me, I think this is one marriage (Cardassian-Dominion) that is going to be very short, and un-sweet. I can see a very violent divorce in the forseeable future. My advice: hang in there, and stay the heck outta their way. No sense in goin' an getting your head bashed in before the we get them outta our way. (But I don't think it'd hurt if you find some ways to make their stay uncomfortable, say, putting mud in their shoes or somethining!!)

Dear Granny Dukat.....

I'm serving in the Seventh Order and I love it. But I DO have a complaint about the uniforms. They were not made to handle a female's 'endowments'. I get uncomfortable by the end of my duty shift. Help!
   - In A Bind

Dear Bound,

I suggest a visit to that plain, simple tailor Mr. Garak. He has been known to work wonders while still retaining the stylish look of a Seventh Order uniform. You can attend to your duties for extended hours without anyone being the wiser.

Classifieds

Employment opportunity.

A courier is needed by the Ferrengi Trade Liason to transport material to Ferrenginar. Applicant should be of good reputation and must supply own transport (subject to reimbursment by the Ferrengi government at the standard rates). Courier must be able to be bonded, and indemnified. Pay is standard scale. Apply at Ferrengi Liason Office. Contact: Liquidator Budge.

Career Enhancement Made Easy!

Do First Contact Situations make you nervous? Do you need to acquire skills in negotiation with alien races? Then you need Damon Drasad’s Xeno-Negotiation for home study course. Available for a limited time through Liquidator Budge, FCA for the bargain price of 38 bars of gold-pressed latinum. (Tutoring also available at a modest fee.)

Work Wanted

Dependable, hardworking Cardassian female, seeks employment as nanny. Contact Damorrah Rakahn, Habitat Ring 2, #376.