Call to Arms (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"Call to Arms" is the title of the twenty-sixth and final episode
of the fifth season
of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
. It has an average fan rating of 4.8/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009.
s and other major powers have signed non-aggression pact
s with the Dominion
, Starfleet Command
orders Captain Benjamin Sisko
to prevent further Dominion reinforcements from reaching Cardassia, their first foothold in the Alpha Quadrant. A plan is devised to block the entrance to the wormhole with a field of self-replicating mines
, but the mines cannot be activated until they are entirely deployed; this task will take several hours to complete. Shortly after deployment begins, Weyoun
declares that Deep Space Nine
will be attacked unless the mines are removed.
Knowing that Starfleet reinforcements are unavailable, Sisko asks General Martok
to patrol the border while the Defiant
continues deployment. Sisko also notifies Kira that he will endorse the non-aggression pact offered to Bajor by the Dominion, in the hope that it will keep Bajor out of the coming fight and in turn, war. Rom
and Leeta are married by Sisko in his capacity as the Emissary and a Starfleet captain.
As the Dominion fleet approaches, Sisko orders a civilian emergency evacuation
of DS9. Starfleet and Bajoran
militia personnel remain to defend the station until the mines are completely deployed. Dominion forces attack and are met by DS9's armaments and Martok's vessel, the Rotarran. After the minefield is activated, Sisko orders the Starfleet personnel to evacuate as well.
The Bajoran militia remains aboard the station, as do Quark
, Rom
, Morn, and Jake Sisko
, who intends to serve as a reporter for the Federation News Service while the station is occupied by the Dominion. Prior to surrendering DS9, Kira disables the station's systems. Aboard the Defiant, Sisko is informed that Jake is not aboard and must still be on DS9. O'Brien asks whether or not they should go back for him. An angered Sisko responds that he can't risk the ship and its crew for one person, even if he is his son. "He is a man" Sisko reasons as he slumps back into his seat and says "Maintain current course". On Deep Space Nine, Kira, Odo, and Quark welcome the Dominion aboard the station. Afterwards, Gul Dukat
reclaims his old office in Ops, where he notes the baseball left behind – a message to him that Sisko will return.
As Sisko faces the viewscreen with a defiant glare, the Defiant and Rotarran circling around to join the massive Federation
/Klingon
task force.
Episode
An episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
of the fifth season
Season
A season is a division of the year, marked by changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight.Seasons result from the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the plane of revolution...
of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
. It has an average fan rating of 4.8/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009.
Plot
Upon learning that the RomulanRomulan
The Romulans are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek universe. First appearing in the original Star Trek series in the 1966 episode "Balance of Terror", they have since made appearances in all the main later Star Trek series: The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager...
s and other major powers have signed non-aggression pact
Non-aggression pact
A non-aggression pact is an international treaty between two or more states/countries agreeing to avoid war or armed conflict between them and resolve their disputes through peaceful negotiations...
s with the 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...
, Starfleet Command
Starfleet Command
Starfleet Command may refer to:*Starfleet Command, headquarters/command center of Starfleet in Star Trek.*Star Trek: Starfleet Command, a space battle simulation game set in the Star Trek universe....
orders Captain Benjamin Sisko
Benjamin 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:...
to prevent further Dominion reinforcements from reaching Cardassia, their first foothold in the Alpha Quadrant. A plan is devised to block the entrance to the wormhole with a field of self-replicating mines
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
, but the mines cannot be activated until they are entirely deployed; this task will take several hours to complete. Shortly after deployment begins, Weyoun
Weyoun
Weyoun is a fictional character from the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, in which he is portrayed by Jeffrey Combs. In the series, Weyoun is a diplomat and advisor of the Vorta species who is a member of the ruthless and militaristic Gamma quadrant state the Dominion.Combs, who also...
declares that Deep Space Nine
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...
will be attacked unless the mines are removed.
Knowing that Starfleet reinforcements are unavailable, Sisko asks General Martok
Martok
Martok is a recurring character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, played by actor J. G. Hertzler.-Overview:Little backstory is given regarding the early life of Martok, except for a brief history sketched by himself in the Deep Space Nine episode "Once More Unto the Breach"...
to patrol the border while 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...
continues deployment. Sisko also notifies Kira that he will endorse the non-aggression pact offered to Bajor by the Dominion, in the hope that it will keep Bajor out of the coming fight and in turn, war. Rom
Rom (Star Trek)
Rom is a recurring character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is played by Max Grodénchik.Rom is a Ferengi, the son of Keldar and Ishka. He is Quark's younger brother, and the father of Nog.-Overview:...
and Leeta are married by Sisko in his capacity as the Emissary and a Starfleet captain.
As the Dominion fleet approaches, Sisko orders a civilian emergency evacuation
Emergency evacuation
Emergency evacuation is the immediate and rapid movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. Examples range from the small scale evacuation of a building due to a bomb threat or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood, bombardment or...
of DS9. Starfleet and Bajoran
Bajoran
In the Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Bajorans are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor. They were first introduced in the 1991 episode "Ensign Ro" of Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequently also featured in episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and...
militia personnel remain to defend the station until the mines are completely deployed. Dominion forces attack and are met by DS9's armaments and Martok's vessel, the Rotarran. After the minefield is activated, Sisko orders the Starfleet personnel to evacuate as well.
The Bajoran militia remains aboard the station, as do 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...
, Rom
Rom (Star Trek)
Rom is a recurring character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is played by Max Grodénchik.Rom is a Ferengi, the son of Keldar and Ishka. He is Quark's younger brother, and the father of Nog.-Overview:...
, Morn, and Jake Sisko
Jake Sisko
Jacob "Jake" Sisko, played by Cirroc Lofton, is a character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is the son of Deep Space Nine's commanding officer, Benjamin Sisko.-Overview:...
, who intends to serve as a reporter for the Federation News Service while the station is occupied by the Dominion. Prior to surrendering DS9, Kira disables the station's systems. Aboard the Defiant, Sisko is informed that Jake is not aboard and must still be on DS9. O'Brien asks whether or not they should go back for him. An angered Sisko responds that he can't risk the ship and its crew for one person, even if he is his son. "He is a man" Sisko reasons as he slumps back into his seat and says "Maintain current course". On Deep Space Nine, Kira, Odo, and Quark welcome the Dominion aboard the station. Afterwards, Gul Dukat
Dukat (Star Trek)
Gul Dukat is the main antagonist of the fictional television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He is a member of the fictional Cardassian species, and leader in the Cardassian Union. At times he is an enemy, whilst at others an ally of the series' protagonist Benjamin Sisko. He was played by actor...
reclaims his old office in Ops, where he notes the baseball left behind – a message to him that Sisko will return.
As Sisko faces the viewscreen with a defiant glare, the Defiant and Rotarran circling around to join the massive Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
/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...
task force.
Arc significance
- Jake now has a permanent job as official correspondent for the Federation News service.
- Rom and Leeta are married by Benjamin Sisko.
- The Romulans sign a non-aggression pact with the Dominion.
- A minefield is put in place to prevent further Dominion reinforcements from entering the Alpha Quadrant.
- Bajor signs the non-aggression pact with the Dominion offered by Weyoun (cf. "In the Cards") and all Bajorans are evacuated from the station, including Toya Ziyal and Leeta. Kira, however, stays aboard.
- A Cardassian/Dominion fleet attacks the station, and the Starfleet crew are forced to evacuate as well. Jake stays behind to report on the occupation, and Rom stays behind as a Starfleet spy.
- Dax accepts Worf's marriage proposal (cf. "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places").
- The Dominion WarDominion WarThe Dominion War is an extended plot concept developed in a number of story arcs of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, an American science-fiction television series produced by Paramount Pictures...
begins.