evilcat4000 wrote:The Federation was aware of poloron particles and their shield piercing properties before encountering the Dominion. For instance the Borg used poloron beams to scan ships as revealed in the Voyger episode "Scorpion". So why did not the Federation try to develop defenses against poloron weapons earlier ?
The Federation was NOT aware of shield piercing properties 'inherent' to 'phased-polaron beams' before encountering the Dominion. In "The Jem'Hadar" the USS Odyssey was caught surprised by the Jemmies and their polaron beams, which was causing widespread damage of the ship. Now, if they WERE aware of the nature of these weapons, why didn't they prepare better?
Of course, a short time later the Defiant rocks up to DS9, and ventures forth into the GQ to kick some butt (well, I was
hoping they would anyway) - their shields weren't effective either, but they did survive due to armour being in place. So in essence, the Federation HAD developed a defence to Dominion weaponry, either in a short amount of time or as part of the original design.
If the former, Starfleet has a pretty impressive R&D rate. If the latter, then the implication is the Borg DO use these 'polaron' beams - OR, something
similar to them. When did the Borg use polaron beams before? You referenced "Scorpion" - that took place 3 YEARS after the Dominion contacted the Federation, rather explosively. No mention of it in all the other Borg episodes.
I suppose the Borg had 'something' which could lower shields - that green torpedo of Doom they used in "QWho" may have been what you're talking about. Of course, that episode was superior because they refused to put in technobabble. However, it could very well be the missing link here. The Borg came, kicked the E-D's arse, kicked the fleet's arse at Wolf 352, then died in 11th hour solution seemingly pulled out of Data's arse. Starfleet starts designing the Defiant-class warship to fight and combat the Borg. The Borg use tractor beams, cutting lasers, and the green torpedo thingy that seems to disable shields. So Starfleet designs the warship to have tough shields, as well as armour for when the shields get disabled.
[EDIT] I forgot to mention, DS9's shields stood up to Jem'Hadar weapons in "A Call To Arms" - bringing a grimace of surprise from Weyoun or someone, who noted "Federation shields have never been effective in withstanding our weapons before." - I take from this 3 years worth of R&D in countering the Jem'Hadar advantage, while at the same time keeping the development project tightly under wraps. It seemed old ships didn't receive this upgrade because in "Sacrifice of Angels" we see some ships take hits without the characteristic shield-flare (mainly those 2 mirandas that died rather spectacularly), yet the Defiant toughed it out through the battle, and seeings it was assigned to DS9 - which received the upgrade - it stands to reason the Defiant got it too.
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