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There really isn't a difference between an attack and an assault based on in-universe usage of the terms. --Alan (talk) 17:45, December 11, 2019 (UTC)
- I thought the difference was personal vs general; that is, an assault is if you shoot two people on the street who don't die, whereas an attack is if you bomb whoever happens to be around or shoot at a ship/facility. --LauraCC (talk) 18:00, December 17, 2019 (UTC)
Here are the examples of the terms being used in describing the same event, you be the judge:
- DATA: Our shields will not withstand another assault.
- KOLRAMI: Then there are no options. Retreat or die.
- CAPTAINS LOG: Captain's log, supplemental. Due to a miscalculation on my part, the Enterprise has been subjected to a surprise attack by the Ferengi.
- MARR: You were on the surface during the attack?
- RIKER: That's right.
- MARR: Remarkable. You and your group are the only known beings ever to survive an assault by the Crystalline Entity.
- PICARD: With all due respect, Admiral, to put the Ambassador on board another unarmed transport would be to invite a second assault.
- ALKAR: I believe the attack on us was an isolated incident, nothing more.
- COBURN: But what if you're wrong, and the Dominion doesn't commit its forces to protect Deep Space Nine? What if instead they launch a full-scale assault on Earth? If we follow the plan you're proposing, we'll never be able to get reinforcements there in time.
- SISKO: The Dominion won't attack Earth.
- SISKO: The Tarkalean she attacked is recovering in the Infirmary. Doctor Bashir tells me he should be on his feet in a few days.
- ODO: He's filed charges against her. Assault with a deadly weapon.
But then you have: "Chain Of Command, Part II"
- LEMEC: Then how do you explain the fact that a Federation team launched an unprovoked assault on Cardassian territory less than fourteen hours ago?
- JELLICO: I don't know what you're talking about.
- LEMEC: Then let me explain. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Lieutenant Worf, and Doctor Beverly Crusher landed on Celtris Three, attacked one of our outposts in a brutal assault, and killed over fifty five men, women and children.
and...
- DAMAR: This morning, detachments of the Cardassian First, Third, and Ninth Orders attacked Dominion outposts on Rondac Three. This assault marks the first step toward the liberation of our homeland
There's like 12 more I could list, but maybe it's a difference in point of view or tense something. I just feel like if they are calling the same event an attack/assault then the terms should somehow be in cohabitation.
I mean, is there ultimately a difference between a Vaadwaur assault fighter and a Cardassian attack ship? --Alan (talk) 17:24, February 26, 2020 (UTC)