Of all the factions present in The Orville, the Union nearly got access to weaponry that would have completely ended every possible war. However, it seems that Gordon Malloy is responsible for prolonging the Union's intense wars with the Krill and the Kaylon.

Like Star Trek and other classic sci-fi series before it, The Orville has a rich world filled with multiple alien species and varying cultures and attitudes. In addition to the Union, a diverse federation composed of over 300 alien governments, there's also the Krill, a warring, reptilian species intent on destroying non-Krill entities. The Orville also has the Kaylon, artificial lifeforms who believe themselves the superior lifeforms in the universe and waged a war against all biological life to prove it. At the height of their conflicts with the Krill and the Kaylon, the Union was tested in ways that challenged their diplomatic stances on life.

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However, one discovery could have brought the Union's war with the Kaylon and the Krill to an immediate end were it not for the actions of the Orville's leading helmsman. In The Orville: Artifacts from David A. Goodman and David Cabeza, an old Union Point acquaintance of Ed Mercer and Gordon Malloy named Lamarche and his assistant Chalmi join the Orville in search of a fleet that once belonged to an ancient race, the Zankon. The Zankon's technology far surpasses the advancements of the Kaylon and Krill, but the ships can only be piloted by the Zankon, or in Chalmi's case, genetically similar species. Recognizing that Lamarche intends to conscript Chalmi and her entire species to operating the Zankon fleet in the name of the Union, Malloy tells her of Lamarche's plans. Chalmi decides to destroy the fleet and return the last ship to her home world.

The Orville Zankon Fleet Union

As one of The Orville’s most principled characters, its arguable that Gordon made the right call. Lamarche wasn’t just willing to force Chalmi and her people to become servants of the Union. I the mission to find the Zankon fleet, he got three crew members killed and more than a dozen injured. Clearly, Malloy was one of the few people looking out for Chalmi’s best interests. But in doing so he may have set the Union back considerably.

Though the Union believes in the right to all life, their confrontations with the Kaylon and the Krill have forced them to fight back. The Orville’s deadly battles with their rival factions could have been avoided entirely had they gotten hold of the Zankon fleet. But because of Malloy’s interference, some of the most highly advanced technology in the universe was destroyed completely. Granted, there’s no doubt that Gordon did the right thing and ensured Chalmi and her species’ freedom. But if Malloy hadn't said anything, neither the Krill nor the Kaylon would have ever been able to stand up to the USS Orville.