Iconian gateways and coalition resistance

The Iconian gateways offer unusually flexible movement in the Star Trek setting. A coalition nevertheless defeats the Iconians through a surprise attack on their homeworld. Their technological advantage does not prevent others from combining against them. Superior power can make demands appear oppressive, even when its holder understands its own behavior differently. A weapon must be known to influence an opponent, but behaving as though its possession entitles the owner to compliance can provoke resistance.