Jem'Hadar Zealots Universe

Alternate Reality "Explore Strange New Realities" This covers information from an alternate reality and/or timeline from the prime reality/timeline.

Aligned history

In 2372 Section 31 introduced a morphogenic virus to the changeling species known as The Founders of the Dominion. Based on genetic samples taken from Deep Space Nine's security chief Odo, the virus destabilised the morphogenic capabilities of changelings, but the extent of infection and the possible consequences were largely unknown due to the long incubation period of the virus. It wasn't until 2375 that the extent of infection became more widely known, and it was quickly clear the Founders were at risk of extinction as a result. The prospect of the collapse of their civilisation directly led to a significant increase in brutality on behalf of the Dominion's leadership and an increase in aggressiveness throughout the Dominion's modus operandi.

Dr. Julian Bashir, having discovered Section 31 was responsible for the virus's creation, managed to formulate an antivirus and petitioned the Federation Council to offer it to the Dominion as a humanitarian mercy. In the prime timeline, the Federation council opted to do so, believing it would strengthen their position whilst negotiating for an end to the war.

Deviation

Fall of the Founders

In the zealot reality, during the assault on Cardassia Prime the leadership of the allied fleet, Benjamin Sisko, William Ross and Chancellor Martok, opted to halt their advance following the defection of the Cardassian fleet rather than press the advantage. Instead the alliance opted to enclose the Dominion forces around Cardassian territory in the hopes of containing them. The Cardassian rebels opted to continue their assault alone under the belief that Legate Damar's rebellion was continuing but all remaining vessels were lost engaging the Dominon bulwark. Lacking sufficient information as to the source of the virus, and believing it to be part of a ploy by Legate Damar's nascent rebellion, the Dominion forces took the opportunity of a reprive from fighting the allied fleet to obliterate the Cardassian homeworld.

By the time Commander Kira Nerys' team had made their way to Dominion Headquarters and made contact with the fleet, the female Founder was dead and all hope of a peaceful end to the conflict was lost. Garak and Commander Kira were later killed attempting to evacuate the planet whilst the Dominion continued the orbital bombardment.

Cardassian Diaspora & Dominion Collapse

Cardassia under bombardment from Dominion forces, which levelled most of the planet's infrastructure.

A vicious eradication of the Cardassian people followed, culminating in the orbital plasma bombardment of Cardassia Prime leaving it uninhabitable and creating the Cardassian diaspora. This distraction from the ongoing war allowed the Federation Alliance the opportunity to establish extensive border protections along the former demilitarised zone and at the wormhole, cutting off the Dominion forces and isolating them in the Cardassian core systems.

With their leadership decimated, the remaining Vorta attempted to continue leading the Dominion in their stead, but found their ability to effectively lead an interstellar civilisation severely hampered by the extensive genetic modifications placed on them by the Founders.

By 2379, the Dominion's presence within the Alpha quadrant was significantly lessened following a war of attrition with the remaining Cardassian forces and the ongoing blockade of the remaining Dominion fleet. Late in the year, it was also discovered that without the Founder's skills in cloning, the ability of the Vorta leadership to continue their line was failing and by the beginning of 2380, the last Vorta died and was unable to be replaced by a clone. Lacking any central leadership or command, the remaining Jem'Hadar forces fell apart into disparate bands of dangerously capable raiders without a unified target or aim.

Current Status

Jem'Hadar raiding groups now operate throughout the region that was once under the control of the Cardassian Union, attacking vessels of all flags under the guise of fulfilling the founder's greatest wish. This has caused them to often be referred to as 'Jem'Hadar Zealots' though they lack the central leadership to uphold or refute this. The Khitomer 'wall' that runs along the border, combined with aggressively controlled borders by the Tzenkethi Coalition, Talarian Republic and Tholian Assembly has kept the isolated groups contained to the former Cardassian Union and essentially ended the war.

There have been recent reports of a growing effort by Cardassian refugees, rumoured to be led by inheritor agents of the Obsidian Order and Central Command, to take back the region, but reports are as yet unverified due to the region's inaccessibility. The Khitomer powers have left the area largely untouched since the fall of the Dominion due to other large-scale galactic incidents such as the Romulan supernova and a rise in Borg activity.

Deep Space 47 was never constructed, with Bajor, Deep Space Nine and Starbase 72 becoming the main bases of the Federation's Alpha Quadrant border.

Strategic Assessment

Many Jem'Hadar zealot groups have begun painting their ships to honour their lost Founders.

The Jem'Hadar zealots are ruthless fighters who have no interest in the creation of a unified government and are instead possessed with a belief that they are fulfilling a divine mandate bestowed by their ancient and deceased gods. They decline all attempts at communication and issue no warnings to their targets save for a message declaring "The will of the Founders!" Their combat doctrine is led by shock tactics with fast assault squads built around smaller Jem'Hadar Attack Fighters, with Battlecrusiers and Battleships rarely seen as they now operate as hubs for the zealot groups.

The relationship between individual groups is largely a mystery, as is any knowledge of their wider communications and aims. Rival groups have been reported working together to attack larger concerted efforts to enter the region, but simultaneously engaging one another over resources and territory. Both the Romulan Republic and the Klingon Empire are investigating the possibility of cloaked reconnaissance into the area, but as yet have not received the strategic support required from the Federation, which solely operates the border. Starfleet have opted to wait out the Jem'Hadar, believing their shortened life spans and aggressive tactics in conflict will eventually bring an end to the Zealot threat.

By 2403 Jem'Hadar technology and ship capabilities are now significantly outpaced by most other galactic civilisations due to a lack of technological development; however, the Jem'Hadar's tactical skill, combined with an innate zealotry, makes the region an acutely dangerous area.