Valiant (DS9 episode)
Encyclopedia
"Valiant" is a sixth season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
first broadcast on 6 May 1998.
Summary: Jake and Nog, on a visit to Ferenginar, find themselves on board a rogue starship, piloted by a fresh-faced crew of Starfleet cadets. But these aren't just any cadets, they're Red Squad cadets: the best of the best. Their loyalty and obedience eventually lead them into disaster.
and Ensign Nog are attacked by a Jem'Hadar
vessel, but are rescued by the U.S.S. Valiant, a Defiant-class starship. Jake and Nog find that the crew are all young members of the Red Squad, the brightest Starfleet
cadets, originally part of a more experienced crew that was on a training mission to circumnavigate
the Federation
prior to the all-out war. However, the Valiant suffered heavily losses including all of the experienced crew, and the late Captain transferred command to now-acting Captain Tim Watters. Watters has continued to follow their last directive without any further orders from Starfleet, and has recently learned of a new Dominion
battle cruiser. Nog is quickly integrated into Red Squad and the ship's engineering staff with his knowledge of the Defiant warp system, but Jake is seen as an outsider. When Jake attempts to talk to Chief Collins about her personal life, she breaks down emotionally, and Watters orders Jake not to talk to her further.
Watters reveals that they have located the battle cruiser and orders the ship to approach it, raising the crew's morale to levels Jake fears are irrational. Jake believes that Watters is actually on a suicide mission
, warning Nog and Collins of the danger. Watters learns of this, and has Jake thrown in the brig
. The crew of the Valiant is able to successfully scan the battle cruiser and discover a possible weak point. Watters orders the crew to attack the vessel, but they find they have made a major miscalculation as the vessel remains undamaged. The Valiant is assaulted by the battle cruiser's weapons, critically damaging the ship and killing much of the remaining crew. Nog grabs Collins and frees Jake, and then departs with them on a escape pod
before the Valiant explodes. The three are eventually rescued by the Defiant, learning they are the sole survivors and leaving them emotionally scarred from the trauma.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
first broadcast on 6 May 1998.
Summary: Jake and Nog, on a visit to Ferenginar, find themselves on board a rogue starship, piloted by a fresh-faced crew of Starfleet cadets. But these aren't just any cadets, they're Red Squad cadets: the best of the best. Their loyalty and obedience eventually lead them into disaster.
Plot
While on route to Ferenginar in a runabout, Jake SiskoJake 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:...
and Ensign Nog are attacked by a 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...
vessel, but are rescued by the U.S.S. Valiant, a Defiant-class starship. Jake and Nog find that the crew are all young members of the Red Squad, the brightest 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...
cadets, originally part of a more experienced crew that was on a training mission to circumnavigate
Circumnavigation
Circumnavigation – literally, "navigation of a circumference" – refers to travelling all the way around an island, a continent, or the entire planet Earth.- Global circumnavigation :...
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...
prior to the all-out war. However, the Valiant suffered heavily losses including all of the experienced crew, and the late Captain transferred command to now-acting Captain Tim Watters. Watters has continued to follow their last directive without any further orders from Starfleet, and has recently learned of a new 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...
battle cruiser. Nog is quickly integrated into Red Squad and the ship's engineering staff with his knowledge of the Defiant warp system, but Jake is seen as an outsider. When Jake attempts to talk to Chief Collins about her personal life, she breaks down emotionally, and Watters orders Jake not to talk to her further.
Watters reveals that they have located the battle cruiser and orders the ship to approach it, raising the crew's morale to levels Jake fears are irrational. Jake believes that Watters is actually on a suicide mission
Suicide mission
The term suicide mission commonly refers to a task which is so dangerous for the people involved that they are not expected to survive. The term is sometimes extended to, but is not limited to, suicide attacks such as kamikaze and suicide bombings, where the people involved actively commit suicide...
, warning Nog and Collins of the danger. Watters learns of this, and has Jake thrown in the brig
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
. The crew of the Valiant is able to successfully scan the battle cruiser and discover a possible weak point. Watters orders the crew to attack the vessel, but they find they have made a major miscalculation as the vessel remains undamaged. The Valiant is assaulted by the battle cruiser's weapons, critically damaging the ship and killing much of the remaining crew. Nog grabs Collins and frees Jake, and then departs with them on a escape pod
Escape pod
An escape pod is a capsule or craft used to escape a vessel in an emergency, usually only big enough for one person. An escape ship is a larger, more complete craft also used for the same purpose...
before the Valiant explodes. The three are eventually rescued by the Defiant, learning they are the sole survivors and leaving them emotionally scarred from the trauma.