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In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Jem'Hadar are the shock troops of the powerful Dominion of the Gamma Quadrant. Genetically engineered for strength and courage, they are also very short-lived and believe that 'Victory is life'. They treat the Founders of the Dominion, enigmatic shape-shifters who rule the massive Dominion, as gods. The Jem'Hadar's numbers are unknown, but they may number in the billions.

1 Biology

Jem'Hadar are genetically engineered and are born in "birthing pods" so there is no need for female Jem'Hadar: none exist. After emerging from the birthing-pod, the Jem'Hadar grows rapidly and is a battle-ready young adult in 3 days (albeit an inexperienced youth). To avoid weakness, they have been bred without need to eat, sleep or engage in rest, relaxation or recreation of any form. Jem'Hadar have a high-attrition rate; Few live to be 15 and none have lived to be 30. A Jem'Hadar that reaches 20 years of age gains the title of "Honored Elder".

2 Controlled by the Dominion

A key aspect, if not the defining aspect of the Jem'Hadar is that the Founders believed that these soldiers were so ruthless that they needed a special "edge" to keep them controlled. For that reason, all Jem'Hadar are bred to be addicted to the drug Ketracel white; often called 'white' for short. It is supplied in 10-15 cm cylinders that fit near a Jem'Hadar's collar. A tube runs from the vial of Ketracel white into the jugular of the Jem'Hadar, evenly pumping Ketracel white into their bloodstream over a time period.

If their supply of Ketracel white runs out, the Jem'Hadar will go through painful withdrawal symptoms, followed by physical weakness and eventually death. The Founders use the Vorta, a race of middlemen, to supply the Jem'Hadar with more Ketracel white. Ketracel white provides all the nutrition a Jem'Hadar will ever need, so they don't eat either.

3 Culture

Many, such as the Klingons, believe the Jem'Hadar are no more than honorless machines. In fact the Jem'Hadar are a species of varied characters, although those variations are across a narrower spectrum than is usual. Many Jem'hadar have displayed a profound loyalty and devotion within their own ranks and to the Founders. Common incantations that; "Obedience brings Victory!" and "Victory is Life!"—literally true; through victory, they get more Ketracel white.

In one case a group of Starfleet officers led by Captain Sisko were stranded on an uninhabited planet along with a group of Jem'Hadar and their Vorta, Keevan. Keevan was injured and needed medical attention to survive, so decided to surrender himself. He informed Sisko that he was going to order his troops to attack so that Sisko could ambush and kill them all. Even though the Jem'Hadar knew full well what Keevan was planning, so strong was their loyalty that they willingly walked into the trap as ordered. On another occasion a group of Jem'Hadar committed suicide because they failed to save the life of one of the Founders.

However, other Jem'Hadar have been less devoted - for instance, a group which gained control of an Iconian gateway planned to use it to rebel against the Founders. The Vorta expected this group to pick up considerable support, to the point where the Jem'Hadar as a whole would be able to seize control of the Dominion and liberate themselves from the Founders.

The Jem'Hadar command structure is fairly straightforward. Their equivalent to a captain is called a "First". Their equivalent to commander is "Second". The ranks goes down through "Third", "Fourth", "Fifth", and so on. Before a major battle, the ranking Jem'Hadar will traditionally give the Jem'Hadar Battle Dirge to his assembled troops:

Ranking Jem'Hadar: "My name is [Ranking Jem'Hadar's name] and I am dead. As of this moment, we are all dead. In battle for the Founders we attain life. We do this gladly, for we are Jem'Hadar. Remember: Victory is Life!"
Assembled Jem'Hadar: [chanting shout] "Victory is Life! Victory is Life! Victory is Life!..."

4 Jem'Hadar war capabilities

Jem'Hadar use polaron weapons. These are similar to the three-sided bayonets now banned by international law; apart from their traditional destructive force, a Jem'Hadar weapon-beam emits a pulse that prevents blood clotting in damaged tissue. Even a glancing wound will cause unstoppable bleeding and death. The Jem'Hadar are also proficient in hand to hand combat, having an extremely tough and strong physique.

Their ships' bridges contain no central viewer, essentially like blinders on a horse. Only the Jem'Hadar First and a Vorta agent are permitted a head-up display visor of the surrounding battle.



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