To Boldly Go... (a Starfleet quest)
- Thread starter OneirosTheWriter
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- Sci-Fi
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- Location
- Patriarchova
Night_stalker
Slava Ukraini!
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Counsellors, Kadeshi and Computing
[X][SHIPYARD] Amarkia
[X][STARFLEET] Get Ambassador prototype into production.
[X][SHIPYARD] Amarkia
[X][STARFLEET] Get Ambassador prototype into production.
lbmaian
a thirsty squirrel
- Location
- USA
Okay, then a SBZ would NOT
edit: crossing out Rigel, as it's not a garrisoned sector yet and unlikely SBZ would've changed garrisoning priorities of it
edit2: brainfart
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lbmaian
a thirsty squirrel
- Location
- USA
It looks alright in partition by block mode, though needs double-checking. (sebsmith also inadvertently introduced rank voting options with Sci-Fi - To Boldly Go... (a Starfleet quest) | Page 782 but it's not clobbering his vote, so leaving that in as a funny artifact.)
Vote Tally : Sci-Fi - To Boldly Go... (a Starfleet quest) | Page 776 | Sufficient Velocity
##### NetTally 1.7.6
Options:
We've been told they are supporting anti-Federation Hives in the hopes of denying us another member race.
Winner: We've been told they are supporting anti-Federation Hives in the hopes of denying us another member race.
Total No. of Voters: 1
Task: COUNCIL
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Betazoids Plus One
-[X] Establish Betazoid Counsellors in Starfleet vessels, starting with Explorer Corps, 8 turns, 40pp (Increased Retention nets +.25 Officer/Crew/Technician in Explorer Corps)
-[X] NEW Request Mining Colony at Tagh Pakot, 8pp (4 turns, gain +15 sr / year)
-[X] NEW Request Mining Colony at Lapycorias XIII, 8pp (4 turns, gain +25 br/year)
-[X] NEW Request Research Colony at Ke'Luur, 8pp (6 turns, gain +7rp/year)
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Yrillians) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Dawiar) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Kadeshi) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Bajorans) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Establish a Sydraxian Border Zone north of Apinae and Amarkia Sectors, 20pp
-[X] Reorganise a Starfleet Command from a Rear Admiral position to a Vice Admiral position. Pick one: 10pp for your Chief of Staff.
No. of Votes: 15
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Counsellors, Kadeshi and Computing
-[X] Establish Betazoid Counsellors in Starfleet vessels, starting with Explorer Corps, 8 turns, 40pp (Increased Retention nets +.25 Officer/Crew/Technician in Explorer Corps)
-[X] NEW Request Mining Colony at Tagh Pakot, 8pp (4 turns, gain +15 sr / year)
-[X] NEW Request Mining Colony at Lapycorias XIII, 8pp (4 turns, gain +25 br/year)
-[X] NEW Request Research Colony at Ke'Luur, 8pp (6 turns, gain +7rp/year)
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Yrillians) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Dawiar) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Kadeshi) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Gretarians) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request new Tech Team to be added to your Ship Design Bureau, 25pp [Computing/Personal]
No. of Votes: 14
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Finally the Betazoids
[X][SHIPYARD] Tellar Prime
No. of Votes: 5
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Kadesh and Old Guard
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Kadesh and Old Guard
No. of Votes: 3
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Bajorans and Old Guard
No. of Votes: 2
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Think of the Bajorans!
No. of Votes: 1
[X][COUNCIL] Basebuilding
No. of Votes: 1
[X][COUNCIL] Plan SBZ, Kadeshi, Dawiar, Yrillians, Bajorians
No. of Votes: 0
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Task: SHIPYARD
[X][SHIPYARD] Amarkia
No. of Votes: 31
[X][SHIPYARD] Tellar Prime
No. of Votes: 2
[X][SHIPYARD] Ferasa
No. of Votes: 2
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Task: STARFLEET
[X][STARFLEET] Get Ambassador prototype into production.
No. of Votes: 27
[X][STARFLEET] New Explorer and science ship ready for production.
No. of Votes: 1
Total No. of Voters: 41
##### NetTally 1.7.6
Options:
We've been told they are supporting anti-Federation Hives in the hopes of denying us another member race.
Winner: We've been told they are supporting anti-Federation Hives in the hopes of denying us another member race.
[1] sebsmith
Total No. of Voters: 1
Task: COUNCIL
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Betazoids Plus One
-[X] Establish Betazoid Counsellors in Starfleet vessels, starting with Explorer Corps, 8 turns, 40pp (Increased Retention nets +.25 Officer/Crew/Technician in Explorer Corps)
-[X] NEW Request Mining Colony at Tagh Pakot, 8pp (4 turns, gain +15 sr / year)
-[X] NEW Request Mining Colony at Lapycorias XIII, 8pp (4 turns, gain +25 br/year)
-[X] NEW Request Research Colony at Ke'Luur, 8pp (6 turns, gain +7rp/year)
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Yrillians) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Dawiar) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Kadeshi) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Bajorans) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Establish a Sydraxian Border Zone north of Apinae and Amarkia Sectors, 20pp
-[X] Reorganise a Starfleet Command from a Rear Admiral position to a Vice Admiral position. Pick one: 10pp for your Chief of Staff.
No. of Votes: 15
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Counsellors, Kadeshi and Computing
-[X] Establish Betazoid Counsellors in Starfleet vessels, starting with Explorer Corps, 8 turns, 40pp (Increased Retention nets +.25 Officer/Crew/Technician in Explorer Corps)
-[X] NEW Request Mining Colony at Tagh Pakot, 8pp (4 turns, gain +15 sr / year)
-[X] NEW Request Mining Colony at Lapycorias XIII, 8pp (4 turns, gain +25 br/year)
-[X] NEW Request Research Colony at Ke'Luur, 8pp (6 turns, gain +7rp/year)
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Yrillians) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Dawiar) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Kadeshi) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request focused Diplomacy on a potential member species, 10pp (Gretarians) [Can be taken up to four times]
-[X] Request new Tech Team to be added to your Ship Design Bureau, 25pp [Computing/Personal]
No. of Votes: 14
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Finally the Betazoids
[X][SHIPYARD] Tellar Prime
No. of Votes: 5
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Kadesh and Old Guard
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Kadesh and Old Guard
No. of Votes: 3
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Bajorans and Old Guard
No. of Votes: 2
[X][COUNCIL] Plan Think of the Bajorans!
No. of Votes: 1
[X][COUNCIL] Basebuilding
No. of Votes: 1
[X][COUNCIL] Plan SBZ, Kadeshi, Dawiar, Yrillians, Bajorians
No. of Votes: 0
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Task: SHIPYARD
[X][SHIPYARD] Amarkia
No. of Votes: 31
Briefvoice
aeqnai
aledeth
anon_user
Artemis1992
Ato
DarknessSmiles
Derek58
drake_azathoth
Gingganz
Happerry
Interested Party
JesseJ
lbmaian
Leila Hann
Mr Tebbs
Muer'ci
Nervos Belli
Night_stalker
Nix
pheonix89
Questara
Shard
Simon_Jester
SuperSonicSound
SynchronizedWritersBlock
tryrar
UbeOne
UberJJK
Yeangst
Yorick's Skull
aeqnai
aledeth
anon_user
Artemis1992
Ato
DarknessSmiles
Derek58
drake_azathoth
Gingganz
Happerry
Interested Party
JesseJ
lbmaian
Leila Hann
Mr Tebbs
Muer'ci
Nervos Belli
Night_stalker
Nix
pheonix89
Questara
Shard
Simon_Jester
SuperSonicSound
SynchronizedWritersBlock
tryrar
UbeOne
UberJJK
Yeangst
Yorick's Skull
[X][SHIPYARD] Tellar Prime
No. of Votes: 2
[X][SHIPYARD] Ferasa
No. of Votes: 2
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Task: STARFLEET
[X][STARFLEET] Get Ambassador prototype into production.
No. of Votes: 27
[X][STARFLEET] New Explorer and science ship ready for production.
No. of Votes: 1
Total No. of Voters: 41
?
If Vega and Klivvar Proxima are in the SBZ, then one has to go thru the SBZ to get to the Sol or Tellar sector.
(Note that this also means the Vega starbase would no longer be in Sol, thus saving 15 PP on any future Sol starbase.)
Fixed.
lbmaian
a thirsty squirrel
- Location
- USA
Sorry brainfart - I meant "SBZ would NOT increase risk"
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
The Sydraxians didn't actually take heavy damage or losses the last time they hit us, at the start of 2310 during Grey October. And it has now been a year since their last attacks. It is very likely that they will attack us again in the next year or so.
I would think we'd want the border zone in place, ready when they arrive.
Nix has a plan that contacts the Kadeshi, but creates no Sydraxian Border Zone, instead having a new tech team with the extra pp.
Briefvoice has a plan with many fewer votes according to the tally, which ALSO contacts the Kadeshi, but creates a Sydraxian Border Zone.
However, the SBZ would in a positive sense be a recognition of the reality that already exists- we have a heavily fortified border between us and the Sydraxians. As others have pointed out, we've even already built what would become the SBZ starbase, at Vega! The only difference is, we can coordinate
This is why I'm voting for Briefvoice's plan to create the SBZ and contact the Kadeshi.
I would think we'd want the border zone in place, ready when they arrive.
SynchronizedWritersBlock has a plan that contacts the Kadeshi, and creates a Sydraxian Border Zone, and also contacts the Bajorans (but not the Gretarians)
Nix has a plan that contacts the Kadeshi, but creates no Sydraxian Border Zone, instead having a new tech team with the extra pp.
Briefvoice has a plan with many fewer votes according to the tally, which ALSO contacts the Kadeshi, but creates a Sydraxian Border Zone.
Agreed. If the SBZ includes Vega and Klivvar Proxima, then by definition it reduces risk to the sectors "behind" it, including Sol and Tellar Sectors. The catch is that it does so by turning those sectors into a single integrated defensive zone, not by us building fortifications even farther forward and provoking a war by, say, trying to englobe Yrillian space.
However, the SBZ would in a positive sense be a recognition of the reality that already exists- we have a heavily fortified border between us and the Sydraxians. As others have pointed out, we've even already built what would become the SBZ starbase, at Vega! The only difference is, we can coordinate
This is why I'm voting for Briefvoice's plan to create the SBZ and contact the Kadeshi.
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lbmaian
a thirsty squirrel
- Location
- USA
Actually, SWB's Betazoids Plus One plan is in the lead with 15 votes, while Briefvoice's Finally the Betazoids plan has just 5 votes (assuming NetTally is correct). But I'd prefer you (or rather @cokerpilot) to vote for whether you want Bajor or Gretaria for the diplo push, rather than any tactical voting.
edit: To clarify, SWB's and Briefvoice's plan only differ by who the favor for the 4th diplo push. SWB favors Bajor, while Briefvoice favors Gretaria.
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- Location
- Central Standard Time
Same reasoning here, but for Betazoids plus One.
Idgaf about the Bajoran Occupation, but I do care about denying the Cardassians a strategic system.
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
Noted. Editing.
If you don't give a fuck about the Bajoran Occupation, is making a step in the direction of denying the Cardassians Bajor really worth giving them a damn good reason to start actively trying to mess us up? Would you like them to start running weapons to the Syndicate? Providing active support to the Dawiar and trying to turn them against us again? Helping the Sydraxians re-arm themselves with more cruisers? Turning the Yrillians into some kind of demented Mini-Me version of Cardassia?
The Cardassians pulled in their horns after Grey October. I don't know how long that can last, but given how many other things we have on our mind right now, I don't really want to find out how much extra trouble Cardassia can dump in our laps. I want to wait at least another year or two, long enough that we can make noticeable progress against the Syndicate, long enough to get a better integrated border defense against Sydraxia.
Don't be so eager to reach out for a prize that you drop the one you're already holding. Or leave yourself open for a sucker-punch.
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- Location
- Central Standard Time
The difference is in the evaluation of the risks versus benefits. I think it's worth it.
Worst case, we get canon.
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
No. Worst case, we get an early start to the Federation-Cardassian War, with heavily armed Cardassian proxies hitting us from the flanks, when we're not really ready to fight them. Worst case, we get some bad rolls and our frontier fleets take a pounding, leaving us at a severe disadvantage and giving our enemy the opportunity to shift forces around our perimeter to pick the preferred points of attack. Worst case, the Orion Syndicate (which already has dealings with Cardassia) turns into a fifth column behind our lines and starts disrupting our infrastructure.
Worst case, we take a bunch of damage and the Council may pressure us into accepting the same kind of peace we got in canon, only sooner. Resulting in the Cardassians 'learning the lesson' that they can get good results and stop us from expanding anywhere near them, by smacking us around.
And yes, I'm deliberately constructing a scary scenario. This is what could go wrong with us deciding that this year, specifically, is the right time to try to grab Bajor out of a quiescent Cardassia's reach. At a time when we have a major internal threat in the form of the Syndicate that is angry enough to be effectively at war with us, but still pretty much intact because we haven't had time to grind it down. At a time when our defenses against Sydraxia are still fragmented.
Worst case, we take a bunch of damage and the Council may pressure us into accepting the same kind of peace we got in canon, only sooner. Resulting in the Cardassians 'learning the lesson' that they can get good results and stop us from expanding anywhere near them, by smacking us around.
And yes, I'm deliberately constructing a scary scenario. This is what could go wrong with us deciding that this year, specifically, is the right time to try to grab Bajor out of a quiescent Cardassia's reach. At a time when we have a major internal threat in the form of the Syndicate that is angry enough to be effectively at war with us, but still pretty much intact because we haven't had time to grind it down. At a time when our defenses against Sydraxia are still fragmented.
Any kind of action wrt Cardassian control of Bajor will be more risky than trying a diplo push now. Over long term, this is the option that is least risky other than doing nothing forever.
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
I'm not arguing for doing nothing forever. Please don't strawman me.
I'm arguing for waiting about 2-3 more years to do things, until we aren't horribly, massively distracted by at least two other threats that each require a significant fraction of our military and political resources to keep under control.
I'm arguing for waiting about 2-3 more years to do things, until we aren't horribly, massively distracted by at least two other threats that each require a significant fraction of our military and political resources to keep under control.
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
Again, please do not strawman me.
In two years we'll have several modern cruisers to reinforce our defenses. We'll be in a better position to form a strong, well-defended border against the military threats we'd be facing. The Syndicate will, hopefully, be reduced in power and less able to launch offensive operations to disrupt our logistics and political stability while we fight Cardassia.
Is it that hard to comprehend the idea that the Federation needs to be stronger, before deliberately courting confrontation with Cardassia? Because back in, oh, 2308 or so, that was the idea. In 2310, that was the idea. Here, now, that is the idea- because we are still not that much stronger than we were then.
Your argument is that it will always be the idea, that I am permanently claiming we are too weak to confront Cardassia over Bajor. Which is quite simply not true.
In two years we'll have several modern cruisers to reinforce our defenses. We'll be in a better position to form a strong, well-defended border against the military threats we'd be facing. The Syndicate will, hopefully, be reduced in power and less able to launch offensive operations to disrupt our logistics and political stability while we fight Cardassia.
Is it that hard to comprehend the idea that the Federation needs to be stronger, before deliberately courting confrontation with Cardassia? Because back in, oh, 2308 or so, that was the idea. In 2310, that was the idea. Here, now, that is the idea- because we are still not that much stronger than we were then.
Your argument is that it will always be the idea, that I am permanently claiming we are too weak to confront Cardassia over Bajor. Which is quite simply not true.
And if we wait 2 to 3 years, Cardassia will be out of their seclusion and you make the provocation certain. We have the best opportunity to get away with diplomacy we will likely ever have right now, and waiting is certain to be worse. I see your proposal as incredibly more risky than the one on the vote. e: Your arguments above are not very persuasive to me. They have little to do with the diplomatic situation.
I don't expect the Syndicate to be resolved that quickly anyway. I'm expecting at least a five year campaign, maybe as long as twice that.
I don't expect the Syndicate to be resolved that quickly anyway. I'm expecting at least a five year campaign, maybe as long as twice that.
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aeqnai
Nerdy Homu
- Location
- Laniakea Supercluster
- Pronouns
- She/Her
No, no, I don't doubt you would argue in favor of it, for exactly those reasons. I do however quite doubt the rest of the voters would.
- Location
- United States, EST
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Speaking for myself, I can't help but note how we go on about how we're struggling to meet our defense requirements and don't have quite enough ships to comfortably go around, and then go "how about another four diplomacy pushes, try to get some more affiliates? Border zone? Great!"
Like, I do get the reasoning behind the actions. Heck, I'm not even up for opposing the SBZ as much anymore, especially if it takes some of the wind out of the Hawks' sails. But there's a bit of a separation on what is wanted by one set of rhetoric, and what is being pushed for by most of the votes right now. Interesting to note, in any case.
Like, I do get the reasoning behind the actions. Heck, I'm not even up for opposing the SBZ as much anymore, especially if it takes some of the wind out of the Hawks' sails. But there's a bit of a separation on what is wanted by one set of rhetoric, and what is being pushed for by most of the votes right now. Interesting to note, in any case.
- Location
- Central Standard Time
We can afford some aggressiveness because Kahurangi is leaving, and the six ConnieBs will be out next year.
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
I strongly suspect that the increased defense requirement of the Sydraxian Border Zone will be partly offset by reduced defense requirements of the sectors 'behind' it. Because if I lived in Sol Sector right now, I'd feel like a ship patrolling the SBZ, based on a starbase at Vega, was "contributing to my defense requirements" just about as effectively as a ship patrolling Sol Sector, based on that same starbase at Vega.
EDIT: Except wait... I do live in Sol sector right now, I guess. But not really... Uh... um... [scratches head confusedly]
The Cardassians are not a bunch of hyperactive toddlers. Even if they don't react right now, that doesn't mean they won't react at their earliest convenience. We cannot simply compel the Cardassians to accept us recruiting Bajor as a fait accompli, purely because we began doing it while they were in political turmoil.
Furthermore, it's not like raising the Bajorans' relations with us to 100 will automatically make them immune to Cardassian action. Or even to the Cardassians launching black ops to lower the relationship again.
They have little to do with the diplomatic situation, and everything to do with the military and astropolitical situation. Right now we have at least two totally separate threats hitting us from different directions, one of them coming at us from the inside. The Cardassians can link, and have linked, up with both these threats to make them even stronger, over and above the threat they pose to us all by themselves, which is considerable.
We do not have a firm footing upon which to stand, in provoking confrontation with Cardassia over Bajor. It will be relatively easy for them to trip us up, and knock us down, by striking us from multiple directions at once.
Me too- but two or three years from now, the Syndicate should be weaker than they are today, and much more focused on defending their own territory, instead of being able to lash out and hit targets half a quadrant away.
If that is NOT true, then frankly, we bit off a lot more than we can chew in choosing to fight the Syndicate, and we need even more to concentrate our resources on defeating them. We don't have resources to spare fighting an external enemy, if we're up against an internal enemy so strong that we can hammer on them for two or three more years without even making a dent.
So you think it is better to do this thing now, when we are especially vulnerable to outside retaliation? Because later, when we are less vulnerable, people won't want to do it?
We should pick fights now, when we are weak, because we will be too afraid to do it when we are strong?
I would argue the opposite. If everyone is this enthusiastic about trying to snatch the prize from in front of our enemy's nose now, when we are poorly positioned to fight them... Surely they will remain enthusiastic when we are strong.
Your attempts to predict from the past are unwise, because in the past we were not this strong. We had fewer, weaker ships, we had no prospects of new ships being constructed, we had fewer member races, we had less information and fewer allies near Cardassian space. In every way, we were weaker then. Why would you assume that voting patterns which obtained then, in 2308 or so, would still apply in 2313? Things are changing rapidly.
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I disagree that we are likely to provoke a response on the scale you suggest by acting now. In fact, this is probably the only opportunity we have to act and have a likelihood of not provoking a strong response.
Defense is not relevant to diplomacy, or even to the potential military actions taken in response. They do not know our defense requirements, just as we do not know theirs. They work on fleet strength, ship location, and other signs of activity. Much like we know how many ships they're operating in the border areas. If we have to respond to something, as demonstrated in Grey October, defense reqs suddenly become not a problem. Overall I find the argument that filling our D requirements, or indeed apparent weak fleet strength, should be used as an excuse is irrelevant and does not demonstrate appropriate foresight.
Basically, I don't really agree with the premises:
that we are weak
that we should not do things because of apparent weakness
that we will be stronger in the future
that we will be willing to choose confrontation in the future
that making the attempt now will result in confrontation
or that we should seek to escalate against the Cardassians if we think we can take them
I believe all of these things are wrong.
Defense is not relevant to diplomacy, or even to the potential military actions taken in response. They do not know our defense requirements, just as we do not know theirs. They work on fleet strength, ship location, and other signs of activity. Much like we know how many ships they're operating in the border areas. If we have to respond to something, as demonstrated in Grey October, defense reqs suddenly become not a problem. Overall I find the argument that filling our D requirements, or indeed apparent weak fleet strength, should be used as an excuse is irrelevant and does not demonstrate appropriate foresight.
Basically, I don't really agree with the premises:
that we are weak
that we should not do things because of apparent weakness
that we will be stronger in the future
that we will be willing to choose confrontation in the future
that making the attempt now will result in confrontation
or that we should seek to escalate against the Cardassians if we think we can take them
I believe all of these things are wrong.
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
If, as you say, you "believe all of these things are wrong," then I must be missing something here. Because to me, it sounds like you're communicating from the Bizarro World version of the quest.
I mean, if I take the statement and switch around to the opposite of them, the results do not make sense. Surely you do not believe the opposites of the statements on the list. But you just said that the statements themselves are wrong.
Here is what we get, if we invert all the premises you "don't really agree with" and "believe all of these things are wrong" about.
1) The Federation is on a firm strategic footing, and doesn't have any serious problems sapping its ability to handle the Cardassians.
2) When we appear to be weak, we should act boldly and openly against our rivals, without fear of the consequences.
3) The Federation is growing weaker over time.
4) That voters who are willing to ignore the risk of confrontation now will not ignore it later.
5) The Cardassians will not now, and probably will never, confront us over Bajor if we take it into our sphere of influence.
6) That we should not escalate against Cardassia if we think we can win, BUT...
6a) If we take your plan at face value, we SHOULD escalate against Cardassia if we DON'T think we can take them.
(1) is contradicted by the existence of the Syndicate and the Sydraxians.
(2) sounds completely bonkers.
(3) is contradicted by the huge numbers of new members and new ships joining us year by year.
(4) strikes me as totally inverting human nature. Surely if the voters were that afraid of confronting Cardassia, they wouldn't be voting for doing so now.
(5) is at least remotely plausible, but far from certain.
(6) is, again, bonkers. If it is unwise to escalate against Cardassia when we think we can beat them, surely it is even more unwise to do so when we cannot!
I don't understand how you can simultaneously favor NOT confronting Cardassia, and doing something we have every reason to think the Cardassians will view as escalation, purely because right this minute the Cardassians aren't pushing us very hard.
[You might check with that Apiata forager we encountered recently, whether the Cardassians are really ignoring us and doing nothing and unwilling to respond to provocations]
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