Did the First Federation actually exist, or did Balok make it up?

[Dukhat]

So we all know about the events of "The Corbomite Manuever," so I don't think I have to reiterate what happened. My question is, was the 'First Federation' actually a real thing, or was it just Balok controlling everything from his little ship, and it was just him setting up tests for random aliens who he ran across?

First, we have the Fesarius and the fake Balok puppet. The immense size of the ship and the alien-looking puppet were obviously meant to intimidate would-be attackers. But was the Fesarius just as fake as the puppet? Was it just an empty shell controlled by the smaller ship?

Then we have the real Balok himself. A diminutive, possibly weak alien, possibly the only one of his kind. Literally the only thing we know about him comes from this one line:

BALOK: I have no crew, Doctor. I run everything, this entire complex, from this small ship. But I miss company, conversation. Even an alien would be welcome. Perhaps one of your men for some period of time. An exchange of information, cultures.

So what do you all think?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Yes, the First Federation actually exists. Its territory is shown on a star chart in ST VI, and another one in a DSC ep ("Red Directive").

The FF is also mentioned in a DS9 ep ("Facets" - Quark sells Tranya at his bar) and on LD ("Reflections").

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

I think you might enjoy @Christopher L. Bennett's 2016 novel, The Face of the Unknown, where we learn that Balok's species calls itself the Linnik, and Balok's dummy is made in the likeness of a species known as the Dassik.

 

[Dukhat]

Yes, the First Federation actually exists. Its territory is shown on a star chart in ST VI, and another one in a DSC ep ("Red Directive").

The FF is also mentioned in a DS9 ep ("Facets" - Quark sells Tranya at his bar) and on LD ("Reflections").

So it exists as a name, but what exactly is it? Is it just Balok's people? Is it a whole 'federation' like the UFP? Is it just territory that Balok is claiming as his?

I think you might enjoy @Christopher L. Bennett's 2016 novel, The Face of the Unknown, where we learn that Balok's species calls itself the Linnik, and Balok's dummy is made in the likeness of a species known as the Dassik.

No thanks, I'm not so concerned with non-canon info.

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

If they'd kept the events of TOS 800 years in the future, it'd be crazy if the "First Federation" was the real Federation with the real Earth and TOS's Earth was only a copy of the real Earth.

 

[at Quark's]

And why call it the first Federation? Is that actually what they call it themselves? Or is it a name they only use when communicating with 'our' Federation to drive home the point that their Federation is (presumably) older?

 

[Dukhat]

And why call it the first Federation? Is that actually what they call it themselves? Or is it a name they only use when communicating with 'our' Federation to drive home the point that their Federation is (presumably) older?

Doubtful that was the intent, since the 'United Federation of Planets' hadn't been thought up yet that early in TOS's history.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

All of that is very neatly explained in CLB's book.

 

[Shawnster]

The FF is also mentioned in a DS9 ep ("Facets" - Quark sells Tranya at his bar) and on LD ("Reflections").

The mention of Tranya is not necessarily evidence the Firs Federation existed. It may have simply been a drink exported from Bakok's world. Just like Plomeek Soup comes from Vulcan, regardless if Vulcan is part of some Federation.

The star charts you cite, on the other hand, clearly say "First Federation". So that pretty much is clear. They might show a small federation territory size, but they do say First Federation.

No thanks, I'm not so concerned with non-canon info.

Bah. That won't stop any of us...

My head canon during TNGs run was that Betazed, Trill, and the Ferengi were part of the First Federation before that govern ceased as a political entity. OK, my teenage speculation was only about Betazed, but the idea grew over time.

Further, my headcanon was the technology used to create the Fesarius was incorporated into building the Enterprise D, what with its large size and all.

Silly, I know.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

So we all know about the events of "The Corbomite Manuever," so I don't think I have to reiterate what happened. My question is, was the 'First Federation' actually a real thing, or was it just Balok controlling everything from his little ship, and it was just him setting up tests for random aliens who he ran across?

First, we have the Fesarius and the fake Balok puppet. The immense size of the ship and the alien-looking puppet were obviously meant to intimidate would-be attackers. But was the Fesarius just as fake as the puppet? Was it just an empty shell controlled by the smaller ship?

Then we have the real Balok himself. A diminutive, possibly weak alien, possibly the only one of his kind. Literally the only thing we know about him comes from this one line:



So what do you all think?

Here's the thing: it would take vast societal wealth, immense industries, and a large workforce of educated engineers to build the Fesarius. Balok could not do it alone.

I not only think the First Federation was real (in-universe), I think they were at war with another star empire that has escaped our notice. They had to be. The cube was a hostile drone lying in wait to stop anybody from passing, or failing that, to alert the nearest capital ship on patrol— which came running. You don't do that stuff if your territory is not in big-time need of defense.

 

[Dukhat]

Here's the thing: it would take vast societal wealth, immense industries, and a large workforce of educated engineers to build the Fesarius. Balok could not do it alone.

But then why does such a huge ship have no crew except Balok?

I not only think the First Federation was real (in-universe), I think they were at war with another star empire that has escaped our notice. They had to be. The cube was a hostile drone lying in wait to stop anybody from passing, or failing that, to alert the nearest capital ship on patrol— which came running. You don't do that stuff if your territory is not in big-time need of defense.

The Melkots had a warning buoy too, and they weren’t at war with anyone as far as we know. Everything, from the cube to the Fesarius to the Balok puppet, seemed to be just part of Balok’s test.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

But then why does such a huge ship have no crew except Balok?



The Melkots had a warning buoy too, and they weren’t at war with anyone as far as we know. Everything, from the cube to the Fesarius to the Balok puppet, seemed to be just part of Balok’s test.

I figure the Fesarius is crewed aplenty, kind of like the Death Star. We just don't get to see them.

 

[Dukhat]

I figure the Fesarius is crewed aplenty, kind of like the Death Star. We just don't get to see them.

I’m just going by what Balok said, and he had no reason to lie once the test was over.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

I’m just going by what Balok said, and he had no reason to lie once the test was over.

Oh, crap. I forgot about that.

But I still say there had to be a First Federation, or some huge politico-economic entity, to build such a thing as the Fesarius.

 

[David cgc]

Bah. That won't stop any of us...

It would make it a very short thread.

 

[Dukhat]

Oh sure, somebody built it; it wasn’t just a hologram. But there doesn’t seem to be any indication that those people are around anymore, judging solely by how lonely Balok is for company.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Oh sure, somebody built it; it wasn’t just a hologram. But there doesn’t seem to be any indication that those people are around anymore, judging solely by how lonely Balok is for company.

Oh, the last of his kind. Big talk about a First Federation, big hearty laughter, but it's all a tragic façade. That IS a thought. Mister Bailey might be in for a very clingy companion.

 

[Shawnster]

Oh sure, somebody built it; it wasn’t just a hologram

Hmmm.. It could be. Balok could have been, not lying, but not being completely transparent, either. A hologram surrounding the small, but powerful ship could fit Balok's description of how everything was automated and controlled by his ship.

I like that idea. And it fits with the custom of hiding behind a puppet.

 

[Nerys Myk]

But then why does such a huge ship have no crew except Balok?

It's a zoo. Sorry, Bailey.

The Melkots had a warning buoy too, and they weren’t at war with anyone as far as we know. Everything, from the cube to the Fesarius to the Balok puppet, seemed to be just part of Balok’s test.

They're at war with the First Federation.

 

[Dukhat]

It's a zoo. Sorry, Bailey.

At least there isn’t a cookbook.