The Siege of AR-558 (episode)

Series:	DS9
Season:	7
Original Airdate:	YYYY-MM-DD
Production Number:	PRODUCTION NUMBER
Year:	2375
Stardate:	Unknown
Story by:	Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler
Directed by:	Winrich Kolbe

During a supply run to the front lines, Sisko decides to remain with a Starfleet outpost under siege by the Jem'Hadar.

Summary

On the eve of an important supply run to the front line, Doctor Bashir stops by Vic Fontaine's holographic nightclub to pick up an audio recording of Vic's greatest hits to play to the troops.

The Defiant speeds towards its destination, a barren planet known as AR-558. Accompanying the crew is one unhappy civilian, Quark, who has been assigned by the Grand Nagus to analyze conditions at the front from a Ferengi perspective.The trip is less than easy, as it is located in the Chin'toka system. Although the Federation captured the system in late 2374 the Dominion is eager to take it back, and Jem'Hadar attacks are frequent.

Leaving Worf in command, Sisko, Ezri, Nog, Bashir and Quark beam down to the base camp. They are greeted by Chief Nadia Larkin who is the ranking officer following the deaths of her Captain and Commander. Tension's are running high amongest the troops who have been repeatedly by Jem'Hadar soldiers. The troops have spent five months defending the installation, which is the biggest prize, a Dominion communications array covering the whole sector. If Starfleet can figure out how it works then they could tap into the enemy's entire communication's system. With over two-thirds of the company killed, Larkin is uncertain how long her troops can hold out for without reenforcements.

After Sisko's crew unloads much needed supplies, Bashir expresses concern over the mental health of the troops. Unfortunately, with Starfleet forces spread thin due to the war, theres nothing anyone can do to help. Another problem as well is the "Houdini" mines used by the Jem'Hadar, which hide in subspace and so are invisible to sensors but go off by appearing at random.

The Captain recieves a transmission from Worf, who informs him that they are under attack. At the same time, Sisko learns that Jem'Hadar ground troops are landing not far from their position, preparing to attack. The Captain makes a difficult decision, he tells Worf to take evasive action and get the Defiant out of the battle zone and leave himself and his crew behind.

The group awaits the attack, and when they show up they soon realize that they are holographic projections, sent by the Jem'Hadar to draw their fire and determine their position without suffering any casulties. After another officer is killed by an "Houdini" Sisko assigns Ezri and a Starfleet engineer called Kellin to find a way to detect and disarm them. the the Captain sends Nog, Larkin and a battle-hardened soldier named Reese, on a scouting patrol to pinpoint the enemy's location.

Quark is angered by Sisko's actions...Why should he send a young cadet like Nog when there are more experienced officers to choose from? The choice is obvious to both Sisko and Nog, with tricorders been jammed by the Jem'Hadar, Nog's hearing abilites will detect their movements. Quark notes that Sisko wouldn't be so quick to send Jake Sisko out on this assignment, but Sisko replies that Jake never signed up for Starfleet, but Nog did.

Nog is instrumental in discovering the Jem'Hadar camp, which shows they are outmanned three to one. But as they head back to report there findings, Larkin is killed by enemy fire and Nog is shot in the leg, severely, whilst Reese carries Nog back to camp. Quark angrily informs Sisko that Nog will lose his leg.

Ezri and Kellin figure out a way to make the Houdini's materialize, but instead of having them disarmed he wants them relocated to a ravine that is located between their camp and the Jem'Hadar's which they must pass through to attack. As they wait for the attack, Bashir plays Vic's music to soothe the troops nerve's. They hear the sound of multiple explosions coming from the ravine, and then a brief moment of silence. The the onslaught begins.

All becomes chaos as the casualties mount on both sides. After the Jem'Hadar break through, the fighting becomes hand to hand, Kellin dies whilst saving Ezri's life, Quark kills a soldier who bursts into the infirmary, Sisko saves Bashir from a near fatal attack. But he himself is incapacited when he catches a rifle butt on the back of his head. When he comes to, Sisko discovers that Starfleet reinforcements have arrived and managed to retain control of the camp, but at a heavy price. A somber Sisko reflects on the toll that was paid in keeping the planetoid in Federation hands, and that nobody should forget the names of those that died doing their duty to Satrfleet and protecting the Alpha Quadrant.

Background Information

This episode is probably the most daring attempt to show that the future seen in Star Trek is not all different from our own world at the moment. This episode shows how the scars of war are not physical but also mental on combat troops....an idealogical reference to Vietnam veterans. Aron Eisenberg's character Nog loses his leg in this episode, which makes this episode more potent to the fans....

Links and References

Guest Stars

• Raymond Cruz as Vargas
• Patrick Kilpatrick as Reese
• Aron Eisenberg as Nog
• Annette Helde as Larkin
• Max Grodenchik as Rom

Special Guest Stars

• Bill Mumy as Kellin
• James Darren as Vic Fontaine

References

COMMA-SEPARATED LIST OF ITEMS REFERENCED IN EPISODE (BUT NOT YET MENTIONED IN SUMMARY OR CHARACTERS)

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Episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

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