As Gul Dukat takes over as Leader of the Cardassian People, political tensions have run high. New alliances are formed, and old ones are broken.  Careers are made and destroyed.  Kaylan Vil Cor, had long served the Seventh Order as its head in both title and spirit.  But as the face of Cardassia changes, so does the old Order.  Kaylan Cor was imprisoned by Gul Dukat for 'crimes' during the Occupation.   No matter that the Kaylan had already stood trial for those crimes.

As is the tradition, responsibility for the Order passed from Kaylan Cor to his son-in-law, Hydak Tylam Mynar.  Hydak Mynar has a long history with the Orders, having served in the Ninth Order before petitioning to join the Seventh Order, and thus joining his House to the House of Cor.  This bond was further strengthened through his marriage to Aria Mynar, Vil Cor's daughter.  His rise through the ranks of the Seventh Order has been swift and well deserved.

Kaylan Cor's son, Gul To'Mas Cor was tried for crimes against the Seventh Order and imprisoned.  Due to his loyalty to Gul Dukat, he was released.  Gul Cor, took command of the Vin'tkar, the Primoras and the Curvaut, and led an assault on Felor Vi.  His intention was to wrest control of the Seventh Order from Hydak Mynar.  Gul Cor was unsuccessful in his attempt, having been repelled by the loyal officers of the Seventh Order.  The Curvaut managed to escape during battle.  Gul Cor was able to launch a shuttle when it became apparent that the battle would not be won.  As a parting gesture he auto destructed both the Vin'tkar and the Primoras, resulting in the loss of all hands.  Gul Cor is still at large and is considered dangerous and an enemy of the Seventh Order.

Hydak Mynar was promoted to the rank of Kaylan and has assumed the role of High Commander for the Seventh Order.
 

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 Kaylan 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 on 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.

Previously it was announced that this would run over a six month period. However, due to the delay in issuing the CNN, it has been decided that a prize will be awarded for each trivia contest.  The winner for the last contest was Glinn Maket. Congratulations Glinn! You scored big with 100 points.

Liquidator Budge has filed an official complaint with the Gaming Committee. He maintains that his knowledge of Ferengi customs is more accurate. Sorry Budge, we are going by what is in the official Seventh Order Database. But, for those of you who are curious, we have included his answers, followed by the Official answers.
 

<Liquidator Budge, FCA in the Vault in the Ferengi Liason Office>

Budge picked up the CNN copy which he had set aside when the courier came in and since the civilians had gone to their quarters and the station was locked down with the Kaylan's sons arrival, what better to do than fill in the Trivia Contest.

Trivia Contest ***

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.

The Pearls of wisdom on which the Ferengi culture are based are called The Rules of Acquisition.

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

Betazoids, can't read our thoughts, and it is just as well, since this type of 'Insider Trading' is more than illegal it is an unfair practice under Considered Opinion 8,532. Even the Sheliac Corporate aren't so rude. And the Orion Syndicate aren't smart enough to employ them.

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

The Right of Salvage permits the acquisition. This is of course backed up with the 52nd Rule of Acquisition which states, "Never Ask, when you can Take."

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

The formal name of the Ferengi government is the Ferengi Commerce Authority, Board of Liquidators. I might add that I am a member in good standing of that august and profitable body.

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

The Ferengi Commerce Authority.

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

The Ferengi trade vessels, which have been slanderously called "Marauder" by the Hu-mons, are actually called trade vessels by the Ferengi. The Hu-mons claim that they have a crew compliment of 500, (Ref. 1. Next Generation Officer's Manual and Ref. 2. Star Trek Next Generation First Year Source Book). However, the Hu-mons fail to grasp the actual structure of the trading vessels compliment. Only 200 are actually members of the crew. The remainder which usually varies from 200 to 300 is comprised of small trade missions which contract for the cruise much like passengers on an omnibus. The heads of each of these small trade missions sit on a Board, which appoint a DaiMon to serve as leader of the mission. It should be noted that if the DaiMon acts in a reckless of un- profitable manner, he may be removed (Ref. 3. DaiMon Bok, in "The Battle" ST:Tng).

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

Disposal of the body by vaporization is considered to be forbidden. In accordance with Ferengi funerary custom, the body is dessicated and sold at auction on the Exchange. As a Ferengi nears death, bidding begins, so that at the time of actual delivery, a profitable Ferengi's dessicated remains may bring in as much as 10-15 Strips of Gold Pressed Latinum. This is what made the loss of Dr. Mog such a tragic loss to the Estate of his Brother. As the 139th Rule of Acquisition states, "Wives serve, Brothers Inherit."

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

The Grand Nagus, of course.

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

For the record, there are: 285 Rules of Acquisition, complete and unabridged, 47 Commentaries on the Rules, 900 Major and Minor Judgments, and 10,000 Considered Opinions. (Ref. 4. "False Prophets" ST:Voyager)

********************************************************

Liquidator Budge finished answering the questions, and reflected on an old Hu-mon expression that seemed to indicate that the Hu-mons had a fairly civilized culture at one time. "A fool and his money are soon parted." Budge, always the consummate trade liason had tried to put the puzzle together for almost a decade, <why would the Hu-mon culture, with its lust for profit, institutions such as piracy, movies such as "Greed", volumes of apparently sacred literature like _The_Art_of_the_Deal_, by the noted scholar Donald Trump, and such role models as Dale Carnegie and Michael Milken give it all up to pursue an altruistic lifestyle devoted to self betterment? Wasn't profit, the acquisition of tangible assets self betterment? Ferengi scholars had argued and it was generally accepted that the Hu-mons must have fallen prey to some viral infection. Perhaps it had to do with their contact with the Vulcans, and their insatiable greed for knowledge,> he thought. Budge shook his head sadly, what a waste. <But if they choose not to seek profit, that means more profit for me!>

Budge sent the contest entry off to the CNN office, 9706.27, three days early, and such clear and concise answers, that the answers alone were worth at least five slips of Latinum. Information like this on Ferengi society would fetch a fair price if the Hu-mons wished to pay for it.

Budge settled back on his couch and took a sharp tool from the table, and carefully began sharpening his teeth.

<Liquidator Budge, FCA in the Vault in the Ferengi Liason Office>
 

The Official Answers to last issue's contest are as follows:

1. Ferengi Rules of Acquisition
2. Betazoids cannot read Ferengi's Minds
3. Ferengi Salvage Code
4. Ferengi Alliance
5. Ferengi Trade Mission
6. 450
7. Autopsies
8. the Grand Nagus

Prime Bonus: 285

***

And now..... what you've all been waiting for. This month's Trivia Contest, entitled Q and A.

1. On his second visit to the Enterprise-D, Q offered one of the senior bridge officers the power of Q. Which officer was it?

2. What is the name of the extradimensional domain in which Q and others like him exist?

3. When Q was stripped of his powers and sought refuge on the Enterprise-D, who was injured while protecting Q from attack?

4. Q's powers were eventually returned to him. What act did Q perform that forced his fellow Q-member to return Q's power? (there are two possible answers that will be accepted to this Q, so go ahead! Guess!)

5. At the end of that episode, Q gave Data a very special gift. What was it?

6. What was the name of the episode where Q gave Captain Picard a chance to re-live the part of his youth, where he lost a fight with some Nausicaans?

7. In that same episode, how many Nausicaans were there?

8. In that same episode, what was the name of the starbase where young Ensign Picard was on leave?

9. Finally, during that fight with the Nausicaans, young Ensign Picard also lost something else. If it were not for a nearby medical facility and his "mates" young Ensign Picard "would surely have died." What did Ensign Picard lose?

Prime bonus Q: In Classic Trek, Captain Kirk and his crew encountered a child of some very powerful beings, who some Trekers believe is related, if not is, a Q person too. What is the name of the Classic Trek Q?

Prime bonus 2: What is the name of the actor who played that character?

Prime bonus 3: What is Q's IQ?

Seventh Order Personnel

Promotions:

Tulgryn Ayevar Yelar: Felor Vi, First Officer - promoted to Gul, Maksuun
GlinnYyra Vurdel: Felor Vi, Second Officer - promoted to Tulgryn: Felor Vi, First Officer
 

Transfers:

Gul Kelas Zantec: Maksuun, CO - transferred to Outpost 234, CO
Glinn Joret Etak: Felor Vi, PO - gained additional responsibility of Felor Vi, Second Officer
Galt Rin Lavec: Felor Vi, Security Officer - assuming Felor Vi, Chief of Security
Galt Johnathon Takat: Felor Vi, Tactical - assuming Felor Vi, Chief of Tactical
 

New Officers:

Yelbrin Tynara Vekat: Maksuun, Chief Political Officer
Yelbrin Orra Delain: Deklar, Security Officer
Yelbrin Derovan Toran: Deklar, Security Officer
Yelbrin Garot: Maksuun, Security Officer
Yelbrin Tar Hovac: Felor Vi, Security Officer
Yelbrin Shi Bekiri Kha: Felor Vi, Security Officer
Yelbrin Mile Karag: Deklar, Tactical Officer
Yelbrin Aliya Mirat: Maksuun, Tactical Officer
Yelbrin Shala Natai: Maksuun, Engineering Officer
Yelbrin Jeral Zin: Deklar, Science Officer
Yelbrin Rell D'Kurna: Maksuun, Science Officer
Yelbrin Talim Getal: Felor Vi, Science Officer
Yelbrin Tovas Storr: Felor Vi, Medical Officer
Yelbrin Rakka Gradak: Felor Vi, Navigation Officer

In Memorium - Remembering our fellows lost in the line of duty.

Galt Rin Kayvas: Felor Vi, Security Officer
Glinn Adan Davral: Felor Vi, Head of Security and Tactical
 

The Way of the Warrior
Personal opinion of Yelbrin Tar Hovac

Introduction

In the DS9 part called "The Way Of The Warrior", the Cardassian Empire was overrun by the Klingon Empire. In the following sections I will make clear that the part was not good set up in military sense, nor political sense, and that the writer could have better written the story over again.

The invasion

It starts with the Klingon invasion. The first problem arises; where do the Klingons get such an armed force, when previous parts suggested great problems and diversion in the Klingon Empire. Next problem comes with the first; why didn't Cardassian Intelligence reported Klingon troop movements. These might be called minor problems, but in view of the entire part, it is almost impossible. How could the Klingon force beat the Cardassian military in less then no time, and even capture Cardassia Prime. Surely the Cardassians must have proper defense plans in case of a Klingon or other races invasion.

Political implications

Now, suppose you were a Klingon, yes I know that is impossible, but suppose. And you rule the Klingon Empire. Why would you want to throw away the relationship with the Federation? Even so, the Federations president must have been advised on the Klingon invasion. Would the brake with the Federation not pave the path to an alliance with Romulus, such as was feared in the past? If I was a Federation president, I would seriously bear in mind the possible intervention of Federation forces in Klingon territory, before they could move their alliance. And if the Klingon Empire was to be rejected by the Romulans, they would be all alone. Would they dare oppose the Cardassian and the Dominion alliance alone? The Klingon Empire must have seen all these problems to be, and made a very bad political move.

Military implications

As stated above, the Federation should have attacked the Klingons just in case, but the Romulans must also be seen as a major threat. If the Romulans would not accept a treaty between the Klingons and themselves, they must have considered attacking the Klingons themselves, while a big part of their fleet was in Cardassian space, and the Federation-Klingon alliance was broken. Moreover, if the Romulans would have seen fit in an alliance with the Klingons, they would send fleets to Klingon space to protect them from Federation retaliation. Such a move would seriously change the balance of power in the Star Trek universe, and it would have serious implications for future parts. I said before that it puzzles me that the Cardassians were so easily beaten, but what puzzled me more was that the Cardassian government accepted the offer of the Federation base Deep Space 9. Why would any Cardassian want to seek refuge on a stolen station? No, surely there must have been evacuation plans to safehouse the government in places other than Terok Nor. The step between the breaking of an alliance and the assault on a Federation station is also quite strange, as it would enlarge the probability of a Federation attack on the Klingon Empire.

Conclusion

The writer made major changes in the Star Trek Universe, by writing this story. He did not see that the gap between the past and the races acting like they did in "The Way Of The Warrior". The Klingons couldn't have prepared such a strike force without the Cardassians knowing it. He should have seen the great military and politic implications this story brought with it, and should have lengthen the story over a couple of episodes, or not write it at all. I found it very sad to see all Cardassian glory wiped out by Klingon menace.

Yelbrin Tar Hovac.
JR Bekkema, bekkema@worldonline.nl

"Call To Arms" Review
by Yelbrin Elim Jasad

Written by Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe
Directed by Allan Kroeker First aired week ending 6/21

O.K., this is it: the final showdown. Everything DS9 has worked for and has stood for, is on the line. There is activity, there is tactical and strategic planning there, is confrontation, there is a big, big battle. And they throw in Rom's wedding as an bonus!

Then why was I disappointed?

Because I'm crabby? Yes.
Because Dax and Worf not killed (yet) ? Yes.
Because there were no Romulans? Yes.
Because Rom's bride was actually clothed? Yes

But it's more than that. What seemed to be missing for me was any sense of the grand scale of what was happening; that not only the command staff and the people on DS9, but the people of Bajor, the people of Cardassia, hell the peoples of the Dominion, had a lot riding on what happens next. Why is Star Trek so incapable of capturing the sense of Great Event; why does it always reduce everything to the emotional responses of the Bridge Crew? Sneer at Independence Day as bogus science fiction if you want, but it captured what I'm talking about in a way Star Trek never has, even in its movies.

But it's more than that. The whole of the past relations between the Federation and the Cardassians, going back to New Generation shows, has been an almost fearful desire to avoid war, with the impression that the Federation does not feel strong enough, or tough enough, to win it. All of a sudden, this premise is changed, without preparation, in a way that leaves one dissatisfied. Again not enough attention paid to a bigger picture to structure any new commitment in a usually timid, flabby, militarily inept (just ask the Borg) Federation.

But it's more than that. Star Trek has always had this one-step-removed, slightly ironic spin to its shows and this is especially true of DS9. Nothing is so serious or deep that a good line or a semi-comic exchange doesn't creep in, and often this can bleed off the urgency and tension inherent in a situation; I feel this happens in this episode, esp. in the last third of the show where performances, although compentant and effective, seem done almost as if they were in dress rehearsal. There's no fire, no gripping quality to the acting. (Where I live, DS9 is followed by Babylon 5 and the difference in what I'm talking about is even more obvious). The poverty of Ducat's performance is a case in point.

But it's more than that. There is a changed premises problem. Technology and techno-babble in Star Trek has become a problem, almost a joke in that any problem results in a techno-babble solution. That happens in this episode where a new, really horrifying new weapon is developed (especially if you happen to be Bajoran) in a pretty unconvincing way. There is almost literally nothing thought of that can't be created in the ST universe and while this is what you would expect from civilizations at this tech level, you really are left with no sense of what's real. Moreover, when premises like the technological superiority of the Dominion, or the deadly fighting qualities of the dreaded Jem'Hadar, are reversed without explanation, you can only shrug and think "Well, so what? What's it matter? It's just a show"; again when something is just said or demonstrated w/o any foreshadowing or dramatic buildup, you have to feel disappointed.

Unless they have a very imaginative first episode next season, the very last scene of "Call to Arms" has robbed the next show of any possible suspense and is therefore unforgivable.

Rating: 5 - I do admit the episode seemed better watching it the third time than the first; Star Trek has always been able to do that trick.

kbodman@mail.burlco.lib.nj.us
 

Web Page Updates

The Seventh Order Web Page has recently been updated to reflect the transition of power to Kaylan Mynar.

All of you new officers (and the established ones as well) can now see your names listed under the ship or station you are serving.  Your rank badge is shown there along with a link to your bio.  If anyone has changes they would like made to their bio, please send them.  You will also notice that there is a spot there to include an image of your character.  If you have any inclinations that way, feel free to send an image along.  It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just convey a sense of what your character is like.

There is a new Poll online. The poll can be accessed via the CNN page.   Stop by and fill out this one question poll. This month's topic - Ziyal.

All page updates can be sent to Gul Ardeth Hecat at hecat@7thorder.org
 

Classifieds

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.