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Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :

O.K., in "The Wounded" TNG Picard referrs to the sector they are entering as "The Cardassian Sector". However, on the dedication plaque of the Defiant There is mention made of the Bajoran sector. This is also stated in dialouge several times throughout the series. So, if Cardassia and Bajor are only 5 light years or so apart, has the name of the sector changed? Or do the Bajoran system and the main Cardassian system actally both border two different sectors?

In considering this, keep in mind that there is apparently more one Cardassian controlled sector. In "The Wounded", the Enterprise traveled through parts of several sectors to find the Phoenix.

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"A gathering of Angels appeared above my head. They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what they said..." -Styx

Posted by Black Knight (Member # 134) on :

Well, in TNG, wasn't Bajor a Cardassian territory?
I would think that after the Cardassians left Bajor, and the Feds supported the Bajorans, then the Feds would be more inclined to call it Bajor Sector (an ally) than Cardassian Sector (an enemy).

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Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :

I think it could be either one. Either the Feds renamed it, or the division between the sectors just happens to fall right between the planets. Of course, there's really no way to know. However, I think I favor the latter. If Bajor is on the edge of the Bajor sector, the Antares Shipyard can be twenty light-years away, rather than being as close to Cardassia as it would be if Bajor were more in the middle of the sector.

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"The Earl of Sandwich invented the sandwich. Samuel Morse invented the Morse Code. Plato invented the plate."
-Holly, Red Dwarf: "Parallel Universe"

Posted by Timo (Member # 245) on :

Also, sectors probably aren't nice straight-angled cubes close to the borders of the Federation. Instead, they most likely follow national borders to some degree, just for practical reasons. Bajor could be in the former "Cardassian sector" which was simply halved for practical reasons.

One can see that sectors aren't named or numbered in any obviously systematic way, except for the crude division of 2-and 3-digit ones near Romulus, 4-digits near Klingons and 21000 numbers near Cardassians. There are probably more exceptions than there are known rule-following sectors - for various historical reasons we are not privy to. Later, when the Federation expands, the internal sector grid may slowly be simplified and systematized. Or then not.

I personally think that the internal, uncharted Cardassian space is divided into regular 20x20x20 ly sectors while the DMZ region has irregular, smaller sectors. In any case, the DMZ consists of multiple sectors, and many of those may have borders near Bajor to give our heroes quick access to them.

Timo Saloniemi

Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :

Well, the VOYTM might have an explanation of sectors in it, so maybe we'll find out. But, prsonally, I think sectors are all perfect 20ly cubes. Otherwise, what's the point?

ensign: "Captain, picking up a Romulan fleet heading in our direction, five sectors away."

captain: "100 light-years? Fine, we have plenty of time to get away."

ensign: "No, sir. In this region, sectors are only half-a-light-year across. In fact, the Romulans are already here and are firing at us."

captain: "Damn you, Starfleet Department of Stellar Cartography!"

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"The Earl of Sandwich invented the sandwich. Samuel Morse invented the Morse Code. Plato invented the plate."
-Holly, Red Dwarf: "Parallel Universe"

Posted by Timo (Member # 245) on :

But if the sectors were part of a coordinate system, one would expect them to be designated systematically. They sound much more like organizational units to me...

And a 20X20X20ly cube isn't very practical when high-performance ships spend weeks crossing them. A Fed police corvette tailing a civilian ship suspected of aiding the Maquis: "Ship in sector 21345... Visits a planet in sector 21345... Moving on to a planet in sector 21345... Two possible Maquis ships reported in sector 21345 - might they be heading for our prey? Where was she again? Sector 21345?"

But as you say, Rick Sternbach apparently has an idea or two on the sector system. We should find out sooner or later...

Timo Saloniemi