Red Alert (Star Trek)
Encyclopedia
Red alert is a Starfleet
alert state in the Star Trek
fictional universe
. It is the highest state of alert for a Starfleet vessel or installation, indicating an extremely dangerous situation such as entering combat.
When red alert is called on board a ship, the lights dim, audio alarms sound, the force field
shields are activated, the ship's weapons are brought online, red alert lights are illuminated, the crew maintains a heightened state of readiness, and all holodeck
s must cease. A state of red alert may be called on starship
s, installations, regions, or the entire fleet. The red alert state in the fictional Star Trek universe is similar to a call to general quarters
aboard United States Navy
vessels.
In universe, the red alert is reverse-apocryphally named for Lieutenant
Malcolm Reed
, who suggested the system to replace the inefficient audio cues used by the earth starfleet
at that time. It was jokingly named the "Reed Alert" by the Enterprise
crew, following the suggestion of Trip Tucker, something that annoyed Reed.
episode.
.
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...
alert state in the Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
fictional universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
. It is the highest state of alert for a Starfleet vessel or installation, indicating an extremely dangerous situation such as entering combat.
When red alert is called on board a ship, the lights dim, audio alarms sound, the force field
Force field
A force field, sometimes known as an energy shield, force shield, or deflector shield is a concept of a field tightly bounded and of significant magnitude so that objects affected by the particular force relating to the field are unable to pass through the central axis of the field and reach the...
shields are activated, the ship's weapons are brought online, red alert lights are illuminated, the crew maintains a heightened state of readiness, and all holodeck
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...
s must cease. A state of red alert may be called on starship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
s, installations, regions, or the entire fleet. The red alert state in the fictional Star Trek universe is similar to a call to general quarters
General quarters
General Quarters or Battle Stations is an announcement made aboard a naval warship to signal the crew to prepare for battle or imminent damage....
aboard United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
vessels.
In universe, the red alert is reverse-apocryphally named for Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Malcolm Reed
Malcolm Reed
Malcolm Reed, played by Dominic Keating, is a fictional character on the television series Star Trek: Enterprise. He is often confused with Martin Short, with whom he shares an uncanny appearance....
, who suggested the system to replace the inefficient audio cues used by the earth 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...
at that time. It was jokingly named the "Reed Alert" by the Enterprise
Starship Enterprise
The Enterprise or USS Enterprise is the name of several fictional starships, some of which are the focal point for various television series and films in the Star Trek franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. It is considered a name of legacy in the fleet...
crew, following the suggestion of Trip Tucker, something that annoyed Reed.
Battle stations
Battle stations is accompanied with red alert. All senior bridge officers are to report to the bridge, and all other personnel to report to assigned stations.Yellow alert
A yellow alert or "condition yellow" is a raised state of alertness, which can be called via a command by an officer or automatically by the ship's onboard computer upon detection of a threat. Going to yellow alert also energizes the ship's defense fields. Additionally, Starfleet can issue a fleet-wide order placing all ships on yellow alert, as was seen in "The Defector", a Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
episode.
Blue alert
A blue alert, also known as "code blue or "condition blue", is an alert signal status used in the Star Trek universe to indicate a situation on a starship or outpost such as docking maneuvers, separation maneuvers, landing, or an environmental issueEnvironmental issue
Environmental issues are negative aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Environmentalism, a social and environmental movement that started in the 1960s, addresses environmental issues through advocacy, education and activism.-Types:...
.
- Star Trek III: The Search for SpockStar Trek III: The Search for SpockStar Trek III: The Search for Spock is a 1984 motion picture released by Paramount Pictures. The film is the third feature based on the Star Trek science fiction franchise and is the center of a three-film story arc that begins with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and concludes with Star Trek IV:...
used blue alert lighting on the bridge during docking maneuvers when arriving at the space station. - Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
used this alert for an environmental system disruption in the episode "Brothers". - A Prometheus-class starship goes to blue alert when it activates multi-vector assault mode.
- The USS VoyagerUSS Voyager (Star Trek)The fictional Intrepid-class starship USS Voyager is the primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. It is commanded by Captain Kathryn Janeway....
used blue alert when landing and taking off on a planet in the Star Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
episodes "The 37s" and "Demon". - The USS DefiantUSS DefiantThe USS Defiant is a fictional starship in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and the feature film Star Trek: First Contact...
went to blue alert when engaging its cloaking device.