Expert: Justin Case - 11/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Do you think the Great Link would dare mess with the Kelvans, Caretaker, Trelane, or Borg (one at a time)?

You stated that the Great Link would attempt to replace the Enterprise-D members with changelings. This is obviously no small matter, as this would be a possible motive for war. But I don't know if the Great Link would engage the aforementioned (more powerful) beings.

Also, if the Enterprise-D members were sober, just exploring space and they happened to be in orbit of the Great Link planet, how then would the changelings respond (pre-Dominion War)?

Are changelings considered non-corporeal? They don't really have a physical "shell" for a body, as androids, Borg, and Ktarians do. But there's no mention of changelings being non-corporeal on memory-alpha.

How would Odo react in the following situations?

A) Lwaxana demanding that he carry Mr. Homn's case (after Sisko finds it be very heavy; this situation takes place before the two get to know each other)

B) Spock telling him to "Live long, and prosper" (with accompanying Vulcan hand gesture)

C) 8472 breaking through a forcefield and charging at him

ANSWER: Ola John -

I think they probably would, the Changeling fear of 'solids' is nearly engrained into their DNA so, I'd bet they would use their abilities to infiltrate and sow the seeds of mistrust and discontent among any of the races you mention, except probably for the Borg.  Against the Borg they would just throw tons of Jem'Hadar at them and hope to beat them through attrition.

So, I think the Dominion would initiate a more long term type of covert war against the Kelvans, Caretaker or Trelane rather than an out and out assault.

The Changelings would probably attempt to lure the Captain or members of an away team down to their world and then impersonate them, return to the ship, and attempt to hijack the ship and learn all they could about the crew, ship and the Federation.

No, Changelings are corporeal since they have mass and 'take up space.'  On our planet they are analogous to jellyfish, who have an ephemeral physical form but who are corporeal.

A)  I doubt Odo would carry her case, he'd probably grunt and say some wise ass quip about how he's a security chief not a valet. (Doing his best imitation of Bones while saying it!)

B)  I'd imagine Odo would try the Vulcan hand gesture and return the statement to Spock.  He seems to prize order and following the rules and who better than Spock to use as a role model for that.

C)  Odo seems to be able to change shape fairly quickly and my guess is he'd transform into something of comparable speed (an Earthly Cheetah, a Vulcan Sehlat etc.) in order to combat the charging alien.

Thanks!

Deran

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So, you believe that a cheetah or a sehlat could take down 8472?

Answer
Hi John -

I honestly don't know, I was just using them as examples. The real trick with 8472 is their ability to infect an opponent and essentially take them out of the equation before the fight is even begun.

If I were 8472 however I would underestimate the ferocity and speed of those animals, nor the fact that they will fight to the death rather than to subdue an opponent the way many humanoids will.

D. -