Inquisition (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"Inquisition" is a season six episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
.
, scheduled to leave for a conference the next day, tends to Chief O'Brien
, who has dislocated his shoulder while kayaking
in a holosuite. Bashir wakes up the next morning feeling tired, and is summoned to a meeting of the senior staff. Sisko
introduces Sloan, the deputy director of Starfleet
Internal Affairs
. Sloan suspects one of them of being a Dominion
spy, and they are confined to quarters.
Bashir finds his replicator out of order. He is escorted by a security detail to the ward room. Sloan treats him cordially while asking a few light questions and seems satisfied. He explains that the replicators have been disabled as a security measure, and takes Bashir's breakfast order for scones, so it can be brought to him (Sloan's man delivers him Worf's breakfast of Gagh instead of Bashir's scones). Upon returning to his quarters, Bashir suspects they have been searched. O'Brien secretly contacts him on a monitor, warning him that he was interrogated for hours, with every question about Bashir.
Bashir is then brought back to Sloan, who has changed his tone. He accuses Bashir of being a traitor, pointing out his subversive attitude, including his sympathy for renegade Jem'Hadar
trying to cure their Ketracel White addiction ("Hippocratic Oath"), lifelong dishonesty about his genetic enhancements ("Doctor Bashir, I Presume?"), and agreement with a group of savants who suggested the Federation
's best course of action was surrender ("Statistical Probabilities").
Bashir points out the lack of evidence supporting the accusation. Sloan stuns him with a theory that, during the time Bashir was in a Dominion prison ("By Inferno's Light"), he was persuaded to become a Dominion spy, but with a technique that would allow him to repress this information and believe he was a loyal Starfleet officer, then retrieve the intelligence from his brain later. Bashir understands Sloan's attitude but refuses to accept the idea. Sloan condemns him for contributing to Starfleet casualties, and has him march through the Promenade in handcuffs, to a holding cell. Sloan's staff, who have taken over for Odo, are disgusted with Bashir.
Sisko informs Bashir that Sloan had a son who was killed in the war, which could explain his viciousness. Sisko defends Bashir during another interrogation, but in private implies to Bashir that he thinks Sloan may be right. Back at the holding cell, Sloan informs Bashir he is being moved to another starbase without Sisko's knowledge. Suddenly, Bashir is beamed aboard a Dominion ship, and greeted warmly by Weyoun
.
Weyoun confirms that Bashir is a Dominion spy without realizing it, but is dismayed that they must now go through the difficult process of convincing Bashir of this, something they have done many times before. Weyoun offers him scones to remind him of the time in the prison camp when he was offered scones after being kept hungry in solitary confinement
, and began to be persuaded to join the Dominion. He was not tortured, but made a moral choice to help the Dominion end the war quickly and save lives. Bashir wavers, then wonders why Weyoun and Sloan are trying to convince him of the same thing, and concludes that Sloan himself is the traitor. At that moment, the ship is attacked, and Worf
and Kira
rescue Bashir.
On the Defiant
, Sisko demands an explanation for why Bashir was beamed away by a Dominion ship. Bashir explains his theory that Sloan is a spy, possibly a Founder in disguise. However, Sisko, Worf, and Jadzia
think Bashir is guilty. Desperate, Bashir grabs O'Brien, who pulls his arm away. Bashir asks him why his shoulder doesn't hurt, because he dislocated it playing springball. O'Brien claims it has healed, but Bashir knows that he hurt it kayaking. He realizes that everyone is behaving uncharacteristically. The Defiant bridge dissolves and Bashir finds himself in a holographic simulation room
.
Sloan, now dressed in an all-black suit, informs Bashir that his loyalty was being tested, but Bashir's cleverness cut short the illusion. He confirms that Bashir was honest throughout the simulation by checking an implant near his ear. Sloan explains that he is a member of Section 31
, an undisclosed Starfleet agency that operates without oversight. Bashir accuses them of violating Federation values, and Sloan responds by saying that they are a necessary group that must make ethical compromises to protect the Federation. He attempts to recruit Bashir, partly because of his fondness for holosuite spy fantasies ("Our Man Bashir"). Bashir refuses and threatens to expose Section 31, but Sloan seems unconcerned, and has him knocked out by hypospray
.
Bashir relates the events to the DS9 crew. They see Section 31 as a formidable agency for their effectiveness and ability to remain secret. Sisko says that Starfleet Command neither confirms nor denies their existence. He suggests that Sloan will try to recruit Bashir again, and orders him to accept such an attempt, so they can find out more. Odo is amused: Bashir's spy fantasies have become real.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
.
Plot
Dr. BashirJulian 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:...
, scheduled to leave for a conference the next day, tends to Chief 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...
, who has dislocated his shoulder while kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
in a holosuite. Bashir wakes up the next morning feeling tired, and is summoned to a meeting of the senior staff. 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:...
introduces Sloan, the deputy director of 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...
Internal Affairs
Internal affairs (law enforcement)
The internal affairs division of a law enforcement agency investigates incidents and plausible suspicions of lawbreaking and professional misconduct attributed to officers on the force...
. Sloan suspects one of them of being 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...
spy, and they are confined to quarters.
Bashir finds his replicator out of order. He is escorted by a security detail to the ward room. Sloan treats him cordially while asking a few light questions and seems satisfied. He explains that the replicators have been disabled as a security measure, and takes Bashir's breakfast order for scones, so it can be brought to him (Sloan's man delivers him Worf's breakfast of Gagh instead of Bashir's scones). Upon returning to his quarters, Bashir suspects they have been searched. O'Brien secretly contacts him on a monitor, warning him that he was interrogated for hours, with every question about Bashir.
Bashir is then brought back to Sloan, who has changed his tone. He accuses Bashir of being a traitor, pointing out his subversive attitude, including his sympathy for renegade 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...
trying to cure their Ketracel White addiction ("Hippocratic Oath"), lifelong dishonesty about his genetic enhancements ("Doctor Bashir, I Presume?"), and agreement with a group of savants who suggested the 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...
's best course of action was surrender ("Statistical Probabilities").
Bashir points out the lack of evidence supporting the accusation. Sloan stuns him with a theory that, during the time Bashir was in a Dominion prison ("By Inferno's Light"), he was persuaded to become a Dominion spy, but with a technique that would allow him to repress this information and believe he was a loyal Starfleet officer, then retrieve the intelligence from his brain later. Bashir understands Sloan's attitude but refuses to accept the idea. Sloan condemns him for contributing to Starfleet casualties, and has him march through the Promenade in handcuffs, to a holding cell. Sloan's staff, who have taken over for Odo, are disgusted with Bashir.
Sisko informs Bashir that Sloan had a son who was killed in the war, which could explain his viciousness. Sisko defends Bashir during another interrogation, but in private implies to Bashir that he thinks Sloan may be right. Back at the holding cell, Sloan informs Bashir he is being moved to another starbase without Sisko's knowledge. Suddenly, Bashir is beamed aboard a Dominion ship, and greeted warmly by 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...
.
Weyoun confirms that Bashir is a Dominion spy without realizing it, but is dismayed that they must now go through the difficult process of convincing Bashir of this, something they have done many times before. Weyoun offers him scones to remind him of the time in the prison camp when he was offered scones after being kept hungry in solitary confinement
Solitary confinement
Solitary confinement is a special form of imprisonment in which a prisoner is isolated from any human contact, though often with the exception of members of prison staff. It is sometimes employed as a form of punishment beyond incarceration for a prisoner, and has been cited as an additional...
, and began to be persuaded to join the Dominion. He was not tortured, but made a moral choice to help the Dominion end the war quickly and save lives. Bashir wavers, then wonders why Weyoun and Sloan are trying to convince him of the same thing, and concludes that Sloan himself is the traitor. At that moment, the ship is attacked, and Worf
Worf
Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
and 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...
rescue Bashir.
On 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...
, Sisko demands an explanation for why Bashir was beamed away by a Dominion ship. Bashir explains his theory that Sloan is a spy, possibly a Founder in disguise. However, Sisko, Worf, and Jadzia
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....
think Bashir is guilty. Desperate, Bashir grabs O'Brien, who pulls his arm away. Bashir asks him why his shoulder doesn't hurt, because he dislocated it playing springball. O'Brien claims it has healed, but Bashir knows that he hurt it kayaking. He realizes that everyone is behaving uncharacteristically. The Defiant bridge dissolves and Bashir finds himself in a holographic simulation room
Holodeck
A holodeck, in the fictional Star Trek universe, is a simulated reality facility located on starships and starbases. The first use of a "holodeck" by that name in the Star Trek universe was in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint", although a conceptually...
.
Sloan, now dressed in an all-black suit, informs Bashir that his loyalty was being tested, but Bashir's cleverness cut short the illusion. He confirms that Bashir was honest throughout the simulation by checking an implant near his ear. Sloan explains that he is a member of Section 31
Section 31
In the Star Trek fictional universe, Section 31 is an autonomous intelligence and defense organization. It is presented as a special security operation, manned by Federation citizens, that is not subject to the normal constraints of Starfleet ethical protocols...
, an undisclosed Starfleet agency that operates without oversight. Bashir accuses them of violating Federation values, and Sloan responds by saying that they are a necessary group that must make ethical compromises to protect the Federation. He attempts to recruit Bashir, partly because of his fondness for holosuite spy fantasies ("Our Man Bashir"). Bashir refuses and threatens to expose Section 31, but Sloan seems unconcerned, and has him knocked out by hypospray
Hypospray
A hypospray is a fictional version of a jet injector. Sometimes it is used as a verb "to hypospray" = "to use a hypospray on ".-In the Star Trek scenario:...
.
Bashir relates the events to the DS9 crew. They see Section 31 as a formidable agency for their effectiveness and ability to remain secret. Sisko says that Starfleet Command neither confirms nor denies their existence. He suggests that Sloan will try to recruit Bashir again, and orders him to accept such an attempt, so they can find out more. Odo is amused: Bashir's spy fantasies have become real.