[kevin]

It's all hypothetical but.........

I'm not convinced Genesis is a deterrent entirely since virtually nobody knows it even exists let alone what the purpose of it is. I suppose he could use it as leverage against the very highest command levels of Starfleet and use it as a bluff. But given Starfleet would then have every resource out looking for it and it might be found after a while it may not be.

But that really isn't deterring regular populations. Only a select few in Command. People aren't deterred by what they are ignorant of. They need to know.

But he and his people should be adaptive. They would have to go off somewhere to study up in the politics of the world but they should be able to adapt. The question then becomes what exactly could they offer to others?

Sure, life in the Federation is likely only that Roddenberrian wonderful in the very cushioned and cosseted core worlds but even then I doubt the lives of people are vastly different than now and certainly out in the middle areas heading towards the frontiers and some colonys things are probably a lot harsher and a lot more confrontational but Khan really only offers himself as someone who will rule them. In return for his abilities he would take power over them. That might appeal to some of course but I don't know how he would really establish himself in a new time.

[martok2112]

Khan's ego would likely prevent him from doing what I'd proposed earlier in this thread.....aligning himself with the Maquis, and winning their hearts and minds to create a force that could indeed be a threat to the Feds and to the Alpha Quadrant in time. Khan's ego would require that he do exactly as you suggest, Kevin....offering himself to those he would rule....taking by force what he cannot take by politics or promises.

[Captain Tom Coughlin]

It's the Goverment of the Federation that you have to deter, they are the ones who would be coming after you for escaping exile, hijacking Reliant , assaulting at least two of her crew, and destroying Enterprise. They also stole Genesis, and slaughtered an entire research station's worth of personnel save for a handful that escaped.

So, they are fugitives. It's absolutely the Federation they would need to deter. Normal, smaller threats could be put down with Reliant and it's resources, which makes them more than a match for any non-government actor.