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The Ship (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Ship" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
, the second episode of the fifth season. It has an average fan rating of 4.2/5 on the official Star Trek website. The demise of the titular Jem'Hadar
vessel occurs exactly one season later, in the second episode of season six.
Quick Overview: Sisko must keep the Jem'Hadar from retaking a Jem'Hadar fighter which has crashed.
and Dax
are discussing a mining operation. They feel that, while being far from the supply lines, it is still a good location. Meanwhile O'Brien
and his subordinate Muñiz, nicknamed Quique, are also involved in the survey; even though they tease one another, they seem to have a good working relationship. A ship then crashes on the planet surface. Sisko and Dax use the runabout to beam over to the crash site.
The away team discovers the ship to be a Dominion
Warship, which has landed upside down and is partially buried. Using a hatch, they enter the ship and find that the crew is dead. Dax discovers that the crew has been dead for several hours - since before the ship crash landed. O'Brien theorizes that the crew must have died due to a failure of the inertial dampers, causing the crew to be crushed to death instantly. Sisko is determined to get the vessel back to Starfleet
so it can be studied, but with the runabout's tractor beam insufficient to tow the vessel back to DS9, he sends for the Defiant
.
Back on DS9
Odo has arrested Quark
and a co-conspirator, none other than Dr. Bashir
. Odo takes the two to Sisko's office, where Major Kira
is waiting for them, and learns that Quark had ordered a shipment of Rigelian Fleaspiders. The Fleaspiders were for Bashir for his extraction of the venom to relieve Kira's pregnancy woes. But as usual, Quark took the opportunity to acquire more profit. He also smuggled Rigelian Liquid Crystals with the Fleaspider shipment. Kira leaves to take the Defiant to Sisko.
Back on the planet, Worf lets Sisko know that they have buried the bodies of the 42 Jem'Hadar
soldiers and one Vorta
. Hoya alerts Sisko that another warship has come out of warp; it destroys the runabout. Several Jem'Hadar soldiers then beam to the surface and attack. The away team retreats to the warship, and Muñiz is shot. But the Jem'Hadar do not follow the away team into the ship. Inside, O'Brien tends to Muñiz's injury. Sisko and the others then begin to form a plan. They search the ship, and find it spartan, with very little to provide crew comfort. They do find two headsets (meant for the Vorta supervisor and the Jem'Hadar First), with eyepieces that provide a function similar to a viewscreen aboard Starfleet
ships. They are then contacted over the ship's communication system by Kilana, the Vorta in command of the other warship. She offers to meet Sisko, each to be escorted by one guard.
Sisko agrees to meet her and she tries to be likeable. But she will not allow Sisko to take the vessel, and does not recognize his claim of salvage rights. She offers to take Sisko and his people back to the Federation safely; Sisko refuses. While they are discussing the ship, a Jem'Hadar soldier beams into the damaged warship. O'Brien and Dax find a suspicious device, and the Jem'Hadar deshrouds and attacks them with a knife. Dax is knocked out, and O'Brien is about to be stabbed when the Jem'Hadar is shot by a staggering Muñiz.
Sisko and Kilana return to their ships, but things look bad for Muñiz. They discover that the Jem'Hadar weapon has had an anticoagulant effect on his wound. Muñiz begins to suspect that he will not live, which causes an argument between Worf and O'Brien. Worf believes that Muñiz should be told he is going to die, and allowed to prepare himself. O'Brien believes that Muñiz's only chance is to keep fighting. Sisko is then contacted again by Kilana and offers to meet her alone and without a guard.
Sisko agrees to meet with Kilana, who acknowledges that there is something aboard the ship that she wants. But the two do not trust one another; Sisko refuses to allow her on the ship, and Kilana refuses to tell him what she wants. Kilana realizes that their negotiations have reached an impasse and beams back to her ship. Soon after, the ship begins to shake from an orbital bombardment. But Sisko realizes that the attack is not directed at the warship, as they could easily destroy the ship with one hit, but is instead meant to psychologically rattle the away team. The crew realizes that what Kilana is looking for is very valuable, and they search for what she could be seeking. However, Muñiz is not doing well; his condition worsens, and he begins to hallucinate. The crew begins to get tense and irritated with one another. O'Brien and Worf have a brief physical altercation, and Dax responds with sarcasm. Sisko knows that this will not help them, and orders them to pull themselves together and orders Muñiz to stay alive.
After ten hours, the bombardment continues, while O'Brien has managed to restore main power and helm control. If they can bring the main engines online, they may be able to lift off the planet and escape. O'Brien does his best to bring the engines back to working order, but when they try to take off, an overload damages the power circuits and their condition worsens. Muñiz has also died, causing silence among the crew. As Dax tries to console Sisko, they notice a drip of liquid fall on the floor (which is actually the ceiling). They look up and realize that the dripping is coming from a Founder disguised as a bulkhead. It is no longer able to hold its shape, and is dying from injuries it sustained from the accident that killed the crew. As it dies, it cries out loud enough for Kilana and the Jem'Hadar to hear.
Kilana then beams aboard the wrecked ship by herself. She informs the away team that the Jem'Hadar soldiers killed themselves for allowing one of their gods to die. She lets Sisko know that her offer was genuine, she would have allowed Sisko and his crew to leave with the damaged warship. Sisko realizes that Muñiz, the runabout crew, and the Jem'Hadar would not have died had he and Kilana trusted each other. He allows her to take a sample of the powdery remains of the Founder. The Defiant arrives shortly after, and tows the warship back to DS9.
Sisko mourns the death of Muñiz, Hoya, and the others. Dax tells him that while their deaths were tragic, they knew the risks when they joined Starfleet. And even though the warship cost Sisko the lives of five people, it will help to save thousands of others. Meanwhile, O'Brien is holding a vigil over Muñiz's casket. Worf comes in and tells him he is performing the Ak'Voh ritual, a Klingon
practice for keeping the dead safe from predators as they make their journey to Sto-Vo-Kor. He offers to stay with O'Brien to protect Muñiz. O'Brien responds by saying that he's sure Quique would have liked that.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
, the second episode of the fifth season. It has an average fan rating of 4.2/5 on the official Star Trek website. The demise of the titular Jem'Hadar
Jem'Hadar
In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Jem'Hadar are the shock troops of the powerful Dominion located in the Gamma Quadrant. Genetically engineered for strength and resolve, they are also short-lived and believe that "victory is life." They are bred to perceive the Founders, enigmatic...
vessel occurs exactly one season later, in the second episode of season six.
Quick Overview: Sisko must keep the Jem'Hadar from retaking a Jem'Hadar fighter which has crashed.
Plot
While conducting a planetary survey, SiskoBenjamin Sisko
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, played by Avery Brooks, is the main character of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Early life and career:...
and Dax
Jadzia Dax
Jadzia Dax , played by Terry Farrell, was a main character during the first six seasons of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine....
are discussing a mining operation. They feel that, while being far from the supply lines, it is still a good location. Meanwhile O'Brien
Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)
Miles Edward O'Brien, played by Colm Meaney, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
and his subordinate Muñiz, nicknamed Quique, are also involved in the survey; even though they tease one another, they seem to have a good working relationship. A ship then crashes on the planet surface. Sisko and Dax use the runabout to beam over to the crash site.
The away team discovers the ship to be a Dominion
Dominion (Star Trek)
In the Star Trek universe, the Dominion is a ruthless and militaristic Gamma Quadrant state consisting of many different races. The Dominion wages war on the United Federation of Planets and its allies in the late 24th century, acting as an antagonist in the TV show Star Trek: Deep Space...
Warship, which has landed upside down and is partially buried. Using a hatch, they enter the ship and find that the crew is dead. Dax discovers that the crew has been dead for several hours - since before the ship crash landed. O'Brien theorizes that the crew must have died due to a failure of the inertial dampers, causing the crew to be crushed to death instantly. Sisko is determined to get the vessel back to Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
so it can be studied, but with the runabout's tractor beam insufficient to tow the vessel back to DS9, he sends for the Defiant
USS Defiant
The USS Defiant is a fictional starship in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the feature film Star Trek: First Contact...
.
Back on DS9
Deep Space Nine (space station)
Deep Space Nine is a fictitious space station, and is the eponymous primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It serves as a base for the exploration of the Gamma Quadrant via the Bajoran wormhole, and is a hub of trade and travel for the sector's denizens...
Odo has arrested Quark
Quark (Star Trek)
Quark is a fictional character in the American television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The character, which was played by Armin Shimerman, was depicted as a member of an extraterrestrial race known as the Ferengi, who are stereotypically ultra-capitalist and only motivated by...
and a co-conspirator, none other than Dr. Bashir
Julian Bashir
Lieutenant Julian Subatoi Bashir, M.D., played by Alexander Siddig, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bashir is the chief medical officer of space station Deep Space Nine and the USS Defiant.-Overview:...
. Odo takes the two to Sisko's office, where Major Kira
Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys , played by Nana Visitor, is a main character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Backstory:Per Bajoran custom, her family name, Kira, precedes her given name, Nerys. She has two brothers , and her parents' names are Kira Taban and Kira Meru...
is waiting for them, and learns that Quark had ordered a shipment of Rigelian Fleaspiders. The Fleaspiders were for Bashir for his extraction of the venom to relieve Kira's pregnancy woes. But as usual, Quark took the opportunity to acquire more profit. He also smuggled Rigelian Liquid Crystals with the Fleaspider shipment. Kira leaves to take the Defiant to Sisko.
Back on the planet, Worf lets Sisko know that they have buried the bodies of the 42 Jem'Hadar
Jem'Hadar
In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Jem'Hadar are the shock troops of the powerful Dominion located in the Gamma Quadrant. Genetically engineered for strength and resolve, they are also short-lived and believe that "victory is life." They are bred to perceive the Founders, enigmatic...
soldiers and one Vorta
Vorta
Vorţa is a commune in Hunedoara County, Romania. It is composed of seven villages: Certeju de Jos, Coaja, Dumeşti, Luncşoara, Valea Poienii, Visca and Vorţa.-References:...
. Hoya alerts Sisko that another warship has come out of warp; it destroys the runabout. Several Jem'Hadar soldiers then beam to the surface and attack. The away team retreats to the warship, and Muñiz is shot. But the Jem'Hadar do not follow the away team into the ship. Inside, O'Brien tends to Muñiz's injury. Sisko and the others then begin to form a plan. They search the ship, and find it spartan, with very little to provide crew comfort. They do find two headsets (meant for the Vorta supervisor and the Jem'Hadar First), with eyepieces that provide a function similar to a viewscreen aboard Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
ships. They are then contacted over the ship's communication system by Kilana, the Vorta in command of the other warship. She offers to meet Sisko, each to be escorted by one guard.
Sisko agrees to meet her and she tries to be likeable. But she will not allow Sisko to take the vessel, and does not recognize his claim of salvage rights. She offers to take Sisko and his people back to the Federation safely; Sisko refuses. While they are discussing the ship, a Jem'Hadar soldier beams into the damaged warship. O'Brien and Dax find a suspicious device, and the Jem'Hadar deshrouds and attacks them with a knife. Dax is knocked out, and O'Brien is about to be stabbed when the Jem'Hadar is shot by a staggering Muñiz.
Sisko and Kilana return to their ships, but things look bad for Muñiz. They discover that the Jem'Hadar weapon has had an anticoagulant effect on his wound. Muñiz begins to suspect that he will not live, which causes an argument between Worf and O'Brien. Worf believes that Muñiz should be told he is going to die, and allowed to prepare himself. O'Brien believes that Muñiz's only chance is to keep fighting. Sisko is then contacted again by Kilana and offers to meet her alone and without a guard.
Sisko agrees to meet with Kilana, who acknowledges that there is something aboard the ship that she wants. But the two do not trust one another; Sisko refuses to allow her on the ship, and Kilana refuses to tell him what she wants. Kilana realizes that their negotiations have reached an impasse and beams back to her ship. Soon after, the ship begins to shake from an orbital bombardment. But Sisko realizes that the attack is not directed at the warship, as they could easily destroy the ship with one hit, but is instead meant to psychologically rattle the away team. The crew realizes that what Kilana is looking for is very valuable, and they search for what she could be seeking. However, Muñiz is not doing well; his condition worsens, and he begins to hallucinate. The crew begins to get tense and irritated with one another. O'Brien and Worf have a brief physical altercation, and Dax responds with sarcasm. Sisko knows that this will not help them, and orders them to pull themselves together and orders Muñiz to stay alive.
After ten hours, the bombardment continues, while O'Brien has managed to restore main power and helm control. If they can bring the main engines online, they may be able to lift off the planet and escape. O'Brien does his best to bring the engines back to working order, but when they try to take off, an overload damages the power circuits and their condition worsens. Muñiz has also died, causing silence among the crew. As Dax tries to console Sisko, they notice a drip of liquid fall on the floor (which is actually the ceiling). They look up and realize that the dripping is coming from a Founder disguised as a bulkhead. It is no longer able to hold its shape, and is dying from injuries it sustained from the accident that killed the crew. As it dies, it cries out loud enough for Kilana and the Jem'Hadar to hear.
Kilana then beams aboard the wrecked ship by herself. She informs the away team that the Jem'Hadar soldiers killed themselves for allowing one of their gods to die. She lets Sisko know that her offer was genuine, she would have allowed Sisko and his crew to leave with the damaged warship. Sisko realizes that Muñiz, the runabout crew, and the Jem'Hadar would not have died had he and Kilana trusted each other. He allows her to take a sample of the powdery remains of the Founder. The Defiant arrives shortly after, and tows the warship back to DS9.
Sisko mourns the death of Muñiz, Hoya, and the others. Dax tells him that while their deaths were tragic, they knew the risks when they joined Starfleet. And even though the warship cost Sisko the lives of five people, it will help to save thousands of others. Meanwhile, O'Brien is holding a vigil over Muñiz's casket. Worf comes in and tells him he is performing the Ak'Voh ritual, a Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
practice for keeping the dead safe from predators as they make their journey to Sto-Vo-Kor. He offers to stay with O'Brien to protect Muñiz. O'Brien responds by saying that he's sure Quique would have liked that.
Arc significance
- The crew manages to capture a Jem'Hadar warship, which they bring back to Starfleet for study and use in the future. The ship later appears in "A Time to Stand" and "Rocks and Shoals".
- Jem'Hadar ships have no chairs and no viewscreen. Instead, the Vorta and the Jem'Hadar First wear headseats that allow them to see outside.
- This episode marks the death of Enrique Muñiz, who had previously appeared in "Starship Down" and "Hard Time".