Spotlight On: Maquis

by Charlie Plaine, Chairman

1st June 2008

"Why is the Federation so obsessed with the Maquis? We've never harmed you. And yet we're constantly arrested and charged with terrorism. Starships chase us through the Badlands and our supporters are harassed and ridiculed. Why? Because we've left the Federation, and that's the one thing you can't accept. Nobody leaves paradise. Everyone should want to be in the Federation. Hell, you even want the Cardassians to join. You're only sending them replicators because one day they can take their "rightful place" on the Federation Council. You know In some ways you're even worse than the Borg. At least they tell you about their plans for assimilation. You're more insidious. You assimilate people and they don't even know it." - Michael Eddington

Story

Throughout the 2350s and 2360s, the Cardassian Union and the United Federation of Planets were in conflict - sometimes in open warfare, other times simply skirmishing over contested territory. The central dispute between the two powers was over a cluster of colonies in space claimed by both side. This area would become known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and would be the birthplace of the Maquis Resistance.

In 2370, the Federation and the Cardassians signed a treaty that ended the war, but required each side to cede colonies to the other power, meaning that the homes these colonists had worked to build now had to be abandoned. One colony - Dorvan V - refused to be evacuated, and when Captain Jean-Luc Picard tried to remove them by force, it was nearly catastrophic. Instead, he brokered an agreement with Cardassian Gul Evek - the planets would change hands, but the colonies could remain in place. This meant that the colonists would give up their citizenship and live under Cardassian jurisdiction. When the Dorvan V agreement was announced, all the colonies in the DMZ demanded the same deal, and the Federation and Cardassian governments agreed.

But though the deal called for these colonies to be left alone, they were not. Cardassian citizens began harassing the Federation colonies, often attacking with weapons. Soon rumors began to spread that the Cardassian Government was arming their "former" colonies with advanced weaponry; in response, the Federation colonies did the same. Before long, the DMZ was very well armed, and open conflict between the colonists began.

The Federation and the Cardassians both began to hunt down the Maquis "terrorists," but the Maquis were led by experienced Starfleet officers that left the service to help the Maquis defend themselves. This would continue for years, and became a sore subject for many Starfleet officers - motivated by a strong sense of betrayal and a desire to bring these traitors to justice.

The Maquis rebellion came to a sudden and unfortunate end when Gul Dukat brought the Cardassian Union into the Dominion and swore that all the enemies of Cardassia would be destroyed. A fleet of Jem'Hadar warships invaded the DMZ and easily overpowered and eliminated the Maquis. Though a few Maquis members survived the assault, the Maquis were effectively destroyed. The only large group of Maquis left after this assault was stranded (and serving) aboard U.S.S. Voyager.

Episodes

The Maquis were created in the waning days of The Next Generation to set up the story for Voyager. This early development was also included in Deep Space Nine, and that series would continue the story of the Maquis in the Alpha Quadrant until they were destroyed by the Dominion. The Maquis made no appearances in The Original Series or in Enterprise.

Great Maquis Episodes:

• TNG's "Preemptive Strike"
• DS9's "The Maquis" (Parts I & II)
• DS9's "For the Cause"
• DS9's "For the Uniform"
• VOY's "Worst Case Scenario"
• VOY's "Repression"

In-Game

The Maquis were the first sub-affiliation added to the game after the base set, appearing for the first time in Energize. Getting a big boost in power with Reflections 2.0, the Maquis also have had cards in almost every set. The mirror-universe-themed In a Mirror, Darkly added a significant number of personnel for the Maquis.

Head over to our forum and discuss your favorite Maquis episodes, vote in our Maquis polls, and talk about your favorite Maquis decks and strategies. Stay tuned this week for lots more Maquis content!