The fate of the Cardassians following the Dominion War from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is one of Star Trek's biggest mysteries, and now the head editor of the Trek comics produced by IDW Publishing has teased a resolution. Last fall, IDW began a new flagship Star Trek title, and this spring the book’s second story arc kicks off. Senior Editor Heather Antos has strongly hinted it will explore the fallout of the Dominion War, which left the Cardassian Empire in ruins. What happened to the Cardassians since has been a mystery–until now.Star Trek Senior Editor Heather Antos hinted on Twitter that the book’s upcoming arc will feature the Cardassians, revealing their post-Deep Space Nine fate. Antos was replying to a fan who Tweeted they wished to see the Cardassian storyline resolved, saying, “Boy, do I have a comic for you, then, coming this spring...” Antos then shared Mike Feehan’s cover for the series' seventh issue.
IDW’s solicitations for the issue seemingly confirm Antos’ hint, stating that Ben Sisko is hauled back to Cardassia to answer for his “war crimes” during the Dominion Conflict.
Whatever Happened to the Cardassians?
The Dominion War was one of Star Trek’s greatest storylines, but its immediate fallout has never been explored on screen. Playing out over seasons four through seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the Dominion War came to involve nearly every major player in the Star Trek universe. In season five, the Cardassians, who once fought a bloody war against the Federation, aligned themselves with the Dominion–a move that ultimately cost the Cardassians everything; as the war dragged on, and Cardassian losses continued to mount, they eventually turned on the Dominion. This move helped the Federation/Klingon/Romulan alliance win the war, but it also led to the Dominion opening fire on the Cardassians, killing billions. The Cardassian Empire was left in shambles after the war. The Cardassians have appeared in the background of both Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks, but what happened to them immediately following the war has never been revealed.
Now, as hinted by Antos, IDW’s Star Trek comic will finally give fans the resolution they crave. The initial fan inquiry that prompted Antos’ tweet also mentioned Garak, the Cardassian master spy turned tailor. Despite only being a supporting character and not a member of the main cast, the conniving and mysterious Garak became one of the most enduring characters in the Star Trek universe. Antos did not mention Garak by name in her tweet, but the character left Deep Space Nine to help Cardassia rebuild; if Sisko is indeed going to Cardassia Prime as the solicitations indicate, he may very well run into Garak while he is there. The solicitation states Sisko is being put on trial for war crimes–will Garak help him again, as he has numerous times before? If not for Garak, the Federation and its allies may have never won the Dominion War–will he come to the Federation’s aid once again?
The Cardassians were once a mighty empire, capable of taking the Federation down to the wire. The Dominion War, however, left them with nothing. How does such a society rebuild? Do they go in a more benevolent direction? Or will they repeat the mistakes of the past? These questions have been on the minds of Star Trek fans since Deep Space Nine’s final episode in 1999. Now, 24 years after the Dominion War's onscreen conclusion, fans will finally get their answers about the fate of the Cardassians when the second storyline of IDW’s Star Trek series begins this spring.
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