Overview of Season 3 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Kira: “I thought Starfleet didn’t believe in warships”
Sisko: “Desperate times breed desperate measures, Major. After Wolf 359, Starfleet began exploring the possibility of building new classes of warships. In my time with the Advanced Ship Design Bureau, we came up with quite a few. The Akira, the Norway, the Intrepid, we even designed a Dreadnought. The Valiant is the prototype of her own class, the first ship in what would have been a new battle fleet.”
Kelly: “So what happened?”
Sisko: “The Borg threat became less urgent. In addition, some design flaws crept up during her shakedown cruise, so Starfleet abandoned the project.”
O’Brien: “What kind of design flaws”
Sisko: “To put it simply, she’s overgunned and overpowered for a ship of her size. In battle drills, she just about tore herself apart when the engines were at full capacity. You’ll have full access to the reports.”
- The senior staff on
DS9 discuss the
USS Valiant.
The Search
Newly promoted Captain Sisko returns to the station with the USS Valiant, a new ship that he helped design. The ship has been fitted with a cloaking device for use in the Gamma Quadrant. To ensure that the cloak is only used in the Gamma Quadrant, the Romulans appoint Commander Solaris as an attaché to the station. Meanwhile, Starfleet appoints a new head of Starfleet Security to the station, Lt. Commander Michael Eddington. Sisko takes the Valiant into the Gamma Quadrant to find the Founders and stop a war between the Dominion and Federation, while Odo finds himself drawn to the Omarion Nebula.
The House of Quark
Quark accidentally kills Kozak, the leader of one of the Klingon Great Houses. After he admits that it was an accident to D’Ghor, Quark is kidnapped by Grilka, Kozak’s widow, and forced to marry her in order to save her from losing all of her property, as under Klingon law, wives cannot normally inherit. Quark, determined to save the house so he can return to his bar, finds that Kozak has been dishonourably using financial schemes to gain power, while Keiko O’Brien debates closing her school as attendance drops.
Guest Star: Robert O’Reilly as Gowron
Web of Lies
The Lakota returns to the station, but is soon forced to travel to the Tholian border to verify claims that there is a fleet massing there. Ambassador Xorava denies this, but upon arrival at the border, the Lakota is drawn into a confrontation with two Tholian ships. The Tholians claim that they were sent to the border to confirm claims that the Federation was massing an invasion fleet. Realising that they have both been deceived, the Lakota and the Tholians work together to find out what had been trying to deceive them into a conflict. Meanwhile, on the station, Anna Sheridan struggles to cope with the lack of things to do now that the school is closed.
Equilibrium
While at one of Sisko’s dinner parties, Jadzia begins playing an unfamiliar tune, despite having never had musical training in any of her lives. Bashir realises that this is an issue with the symbiont, so he and Sisko take her back to the Trill homeworld to receive treatment. While there, they find evidence of Dax having had a host that Jadzia cannot remember, and investigate further, finding proof of a cover-up by the Trill government.
Civil Defence
While converting the station’s ore processing facilities into a deuterium refinery, O’Brien and Jake Sisko accidentally activate an old Cardassian security program that was to be activated in the event of a Bajoran uprising during the Occupation. All efforts to stop the program only result in it becoming stronger, threatening more and more of the station. Eventually Gul Dukat arrives, and offers to stop the program, at the price of the Cardassians having a garrison on the station.
Valiant
Commander Riker boards the station for his leave, and charms the crew. Major Kira is particularly enamoured by Riker, and takes him on a tour of the station and the Valiant. While on the Valiant, Riker stages a core breach, and takes out Kira, stealing the ship. On the station, the crew realise that Riker is actually Thomas Riker, a transporter duplicate of Commander Riker recovered a few years ago. Since then, Tom Riker has joined the Maquis, and with the Valiant, now poses a major threat to Cardassia. Sisko faces the possibility that he may have to see the Valiant destroyed to keep the peace.
Guest Star: Jonathan Frakes as Tom Riker
Rejoined
Commander Arpad Tigan arrives at the station to take his position as the Lakota’s new first officer. Tigan, like Dax, is a joined Trill, but tensions arise between the two of them as it is revealed that Tigan has been exiled from Trill society after he married Dr. Lenara Kahn, another joined Trill he was involved with in a previous host. Tigan reveals that Trill society is dominated by the joined Trill, and that that is why they have never been accepted into the Federation, as it constitutes a caste system. Tigan also reveals that a third of the Trill population leave the planet to join other nations like the Federation to escape the elitism of their home world. Dax and Tigan continue clashing, resulting in tension between the DS9 and Lakota crews.
Past Tense
A transporter accident results in Sisko, Bashir and Dax being sent into Earth’s past, just before the “Bell Riots”, a series of events that is pivotal to humanity. After Sisko and Bashir find that Gabriel Bell, the man who was central to the riots, has died, he is forced to take Bell’s place in history to preserve the timeline.
Mother Tongue
Bashir: “Actually, I learned most of the languages spoken on this station before I came here.”
Sisko: “That’s awfully convenient, Doctor.”
A virus is planted on the station that wipes the Universal Translator programs on the station and all ships docked to it, including the Valiant. Given the diverse nature of the station, the crew finds themselves having difficulty in communicating. Matters are eased somewhat by Bashir and Dax’s multilingualism, but the civilian populace are growing unruly. While Sisko and Kelly try to contact the Lakota for assistance, O’Brien tries to remove the virus from the station’s systems, finding that it is written in an unfamiliar coding language.
Second Skin
Major Kira is kidnapped by Cardassians, who surgically alter her to appear Cardassian, awaking on Cardassia. There, she finds that the Obsidian Order believe her to be one of their operatives, Iliana Gehmor, and is introduced to her “father”, Tekeny, who tries to convince her that she is a Cardassian. Meanwhile, Odo, Garak and Sisko try to locate Kira, arriving on Cardassia just in time to saver her and Tekeny. Amoros is unable to determine whether Kira is actually Kira or Iliana, but she decides that she is Kira, though she has formed a bond with Ghemor that she intends to keep.
Vash Decisions
Kelly: “It’s a long story sir. I was one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men, and we rescued her from a castle.”
Sisko: “Perhaps someday, I’ll make the time for the whole story.”
Vash returns through the Wormhole, bearing the Orb of Unity. She claims to have had an Orb experience, and wishes to join the Bajoran clergy. However, the crew, especially Kelly, are sceptical of her claims, given their past experiences with her. Kelly suspects that she has ulterior motives to make a profit, though Vash seems genuine in her decision. Kira introduces her to Kai Bareil so that Vash can explore her pagh, though Winn seems determined to interfere. On the station, Kelly finds evidence that Vash has had an encounter with the Dominion that she does not want to talk about. Vash is revealed to have been replaced by a Changeling, who intends to disrupt Bajor’s internal politics. The crew must not only stop her, but determine the fate of the real Vash.
Guest Star: Jennifer Hetrick as Vash
Outcasts
Commander Tigan and Dax continue to clash, though he strikes up a friendship with K’Rene, the two bonding over their both being outcast from their home societies. Meanwhile, Nog tries to convince Captain Sisko to recommend him to Starfleet Academy, as he has realised that he would not make a good “proper” Ferengi, and wants to make something of his life. Sisko, and the rest of the senior staff, however, require some convincing.
Improbable Cause (Part I)
Garak is injured by an explosion in his shop. While investigating, he discovers the remnants of a bomb, tracking down a suspect. The suspect, however, is killed when his ship explodes. Odo finds evidence that the Romulans are involved, finding that the conspiracy goes much deeper. Odo accuses Garak of staging an assassination attempt to get him to investigate, as his mentor, Enabran Tain, may be in danger. They are captured by a Romulan warbird, finding Tain aboard. Tain offers Garak his position in the Obsidian order back, which Garak accepts.
Guest Star: Paul Dooley as Enabran Tain
The Die is Cast (Part II)
Garak and Odo are still missing, when a large Romulan-Cardassian fleet decloaks outside of Deep Space Nine, and travels through the wormhole. On one of the ships, Tain reveals that the fleet intends to destroy the Founders’ homeworld, crippling the Dominion as a result. The staff on Deep Space Nine intercept a message from Tain confirming this, and while they are ordered not to interfere, Sisko decides to take the Valiant into the wormhole to rescue Odo anyway.
Guest Star: Paul Dooley as Enabran Tain
The Abandoned
Quark purchases the wreckage of a Dominion ship as salvage, and discovers an infant inside it. The crew determine that the infant is a Jem’Hadar, and Odo takes care of it, discovering that he grows incredibly quickly. Matters are further complicated when Sisko recommends that the boy be taken into Starfleet custody to be studied. Meanwhile, Sisko and Jake clash over Jake’s relationship with Mardah, a Dabo girl.
Distant Voices
As Bashir approaches his thirtieth birthday, he expresses his anxiety about it to Garak. Soon after, Bashir is attacked, and finds himself trapped in his own mindscape, represented by the station and her crew. Bashir finds that each crew member represents an element of his psyche, and that when his attacker, Altovar, captures them, he loses an element of himself. Soon, it becomes a battle to save his own life from within.
All Bets are Off (Part I) by
@The Chimera Virus
Lt. Kelly’s extended family decides to hold their annual family reunion on DS9 to make it easier on the young lieutenant to attend. His mother Francine, a highly regarded commodore, admits to Sisko that she has also been sent with orders from Starfleet. Sisko is to head into Tzenkethi space immediately – Admiral Nechayev will brief him further on the journey. Sisko is forced to depart in a hurry without his first officer, leaving Kira to fill the void.
Meanwhile, the happy family reunion is underway in one of Quark’s holosuites. Gramma Mildred laments that Grampa Curtis couldn’t have joined them due to his passing, but the fact that everyone made it here makes up for it. However, just as the first day of festivities is winding down, unexpected guests arrive. After illegally docking, taking out two security guards, and trashing Quark’s bar, four Orion Syndicate enforcers led by Shulik burst into the holosuite. Mildred has outstanding gambling debts and they’re here to collect.
Guest Stars: Betty White as Mildred Joan Kelly, Kate Mulgrew as Commodore Francine Kelly, John Goodman as Theodore Kelly, and Terry “Hulk” Hogan as Shulik
Drawn and Quartered (Part II) by
@The Chimera Virus
En route to Tzenketh, Admiral Nechayev fills Sisko, Kira, O’Brien, and Dax in on what they’ve learned. It seems that there has been a coup d’état against the Tzenkethi Autarch, and the government needs a home away from home. While the Federation is loath to deal with the oversized lizards following several costly wars, this could be beneficial for everyone in the long run.
No one seems happy about this. But when it’s made explicit that the Cardassians are eyeing this situation covetously, perhaps with intent to swoop in and render the new Tzenkethi government a puppet state, attitudes shift. This, sadly, does not prepare them for the tooth and nail fight that awaits to get the old guard out of dodge. Tzenketh has fallen, and everyone insists they are the heir apparent…
Guest Stars: Natalia Nogulich as Admiral Alynna Nechayev and Tress MacNeille as the Tzenkethi Autarch
Sojourners (Part III) by
@The Chimera Virus
Having returned to DS9 battered but successful in their mission, the crew find themselves frustrated by the sheer amount of work needed to keep the Tzenkethi Autarch happy. This, of course, is to say nothing of her subordinates. Tensions flare repeatedly and old wounds are ripped open again by the arrival of a Tholian delegation to the station. Gul Dukat sees an opportunity, and offers the Autarch safe haven on Cardassia, much to the chagrin of everyone.
Guest Stars: Marc Alaimo as Gul Dukat, Tress MacNeille as the Tzenkethi Autarch, Cree Summer as the voice of Xorava, Dee Bradley Baker as the voice of Celatene, and Thom Adcox-Hernandez as the voice of Vykol
Explorers
Sisko explores the possibility that the Bajroans explored outside of their home system using ships with solar sails, and sets about proving it by recreating a ship. Jake agrees to accompany him on the journey, revealing that he has been accepted as a fellow at a prominent writing school in New Zealand. The Siskos set our on their trip, while Amoros encounters an old classmate that performed better than him at Starfleet Academy.
Transfer Window
The Breen appoint a new ambassador to the station, Ambassador Vall. Vall proves difficult to work with, interfering with many of the station’s activities. Kelly and Sheridan investigate the possibility that Vall was placed there to spy on the crew, taking advantage of her diplomatic immunity. However, they find that Vall becomes incredibly co-operative when confronted, and claims to have been trying to stop another saboteur.
Family Business
Quark and Rom return home to face allegations that their mother, Ishka, affectionately referred to as “Moogie”, has been illegally earning profit. Matters are complicated when it is revealed that Ishka has earned more money than Quark could possibly pay back, even if he were to give up his entire net worth. The FCS’s Liquidator, Brunt, puts the pressure on Quark, who may be forced to turn in his own mother to save his skin. Sisko meets Kassidy Yates for the first time.
Kilkenny Cats by
@The Chimera Virus
A group of strange religious types arrive on DS9. They’re apparently human but conceal their bodies under heavy robes. Furthermore, they like their meals to be entirely comprised of meat – cooked rare, if at all. Before the crew has a chance to investigate their mysterious guests, the USS Lakota arrives bearing none other than Admiral Gardener. Sisko and the crew are nonplussed by this, as are the Lakota and her crew. There was no announcement of this visit. Sisko sends off a subspace message to Admiral Nechayev inquiring about this but doesn’t expect a reply very soon.
Sisko, Kelly, Sheridan, and Tigan deal with Admiral Gardener while Odo, Kira, and Eddington investigate the new guests. Meanwhile, Dax and O’Brien hunt down the source of repeated system failures aboard the station. Things become increasingly frustrating – Gardener seems to be unfamiliar with basic Federation protocol and the system failures remain one step ahead of Dax and O’Brien. It’s when Quark finally inserts himself into the other investigation that the truth about the strange religious types is revealed: they are Kzinti. Specifically, they are Kdaptist pilgrims under the watchful eye of Kdapt-Missionary.
Kdaptism is a persecuted religious movement comprised of Kzinti who have become disillusioned by their losses in the Man-Kzin Wars of old. They believe that God has not made them in His image, unlike humanoids, so they use personal holographic projectors to appear humanoid in their robes. This chapter is here to see about chartering a ship through the wormhole. This is to evade the Kzinti Patriarchy, which refuses to tolerate their existence.
Three Kzinti ships soon arrive under the command of Grraursh-Commodore. They are pursued by the USS Panthera, a Niagara-class vessel with an all-Caitian crew. Captain L’Pir orders the Kzinti to stand down, even firing on them, but receives no response. When Sisko refuses to let them dock and kill the Kdaptists, Grraursh-Commodore orders ramming posture. They’ll rip DS9 apart to get what they want.
Just then, Nechayev urgently responds to Sisko’s subspace communiqué – Admiral Gardener is currently on Betazed at a function for Lwaxana Troi. There’s no way he could be on DS9. Found out, the Gardener-Changeling reveals itself, incapacitating Sheridan and Kelly while narrowly avoiding being disintegrated by Sisko and Tigan.
Outside, the Panthera destroys one of the Kzinti ships, but is damaged in the process. It hastily docks as the remaining pair of Kzinti ships ram the station, puncturing into the Promenade. This is possible as the shields have gone offline in the system failures. The marauding felinoids emerge, dead set on ripping the Kdaptists limb from limb.
The Kzinti wreck the Promenade as the Kdaptists hide in one of Quark’s holosuites. Quark refuses to give them up and is only saved from being eaten alive by the timely intervention of Captain L’Pir. Quark declares that once this is all over it’ll be “warm milk and catnip for everyone, half-off!”
Overwhelmed by the security forces, the Kzinti briefly fall back, but are roused by Grraursh-Commodore with a rousing speech about what it means to be Kzin. Sisko and Tigan inform everyone that they’ve lost sight of the Changeling, while Odo concludes that it must be hidden among the Kzinti. They’re the next most important power on the station right now aside from the Bajorans.
The discovery of Grraursh-Commodore’s corpse by L’Pir and some of her crew confirms this, and this fact is revealed to the Kzinti. Found out yet again, the Changeling attempts to flee, but is ripped to shreds by the massive felinoids. Odo is on-hand as it dies. Another Changeling, the source of the system failures, emerges from the ductwork and vanishes with the remains.
The Kzinti retreat in embarrassment, leaving that section of the Promenade to be sealed off pending repairs. They have much to think about, now that they are aware of the Dominion and the threat it poses. They will not take such deception lying down again. The Kdaptists are grateful to everyone and wish to leave immediately to spare them any further issues. Kira suggests they might actually enjoy a little respite on Bajor before heading out, and Kdapt-Missionary decides that might be in their best interests before they go through the wormhole. Sisko advises them to keep a low profile in the Gamma Quadrant and gives them some key pieces of information about the Dominion. The Kdaptists are thankful and head down to Bajor for a few weeks of religious retreat.
Once they’ve left, Odo informs Sisko of the Changeling’s parting words: “This was but a diversion. We’re in your homes, your schools, your precious Starfleet – everywhere. You’ve already lost.”
Guest Stars: Frank Welker as the voice of Kdapt-Missionary, Topol as the voice of Grraursh-Commodore, Eartha Kitt as the voice of Captain L’Pir, Natalia Nogulich as Admiral Alynna Nechayev, and Lawrence Pressman as the Changeling Infiltrator