Summary for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
The Siege of AR-558

Season 7, Episode 7

Guest Stars:
Raymond Cruz as "Vargas"
Patrick Kilpatrick as "Reese"
Aron Eisenberg as "Nog"
Annette Helde as "Lt. Nadia Larkin"
Max Grondechik as "Rom"

Special Guest Stars:
Bill Mumy as "Kellin"
James Darren as "Vic Fontaine"

Written by: Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler

Events:
The episode begins in The Fontaine, a holographic lounge from the 1950's. Rom is auditioning to be the opening act for Vic Fontaine. Singing "The Lady is a Tramp" (off-key) Rom shows much enthusiasm for the opportunity. Unfortunately Vic thinks two singers on the same bill isn't such a good idea and suggests comedy. Rom is willing to change his act to comedy since, as he puts it, "My brother tells me people are always laughing at me."

Vic is forced to admit that Rom can't work for him because Rom's not a hologram. Rom declares "Life can be so unfair."

Julian walks in as Rom leaves. At Julian's request, Vic has audio-recorded a number of his favourite songs for the troops at the front line. Vic expresses some doubts about how popular 400 year old songs would be, and Julian assures him they'll be well-received. Encouraged, Vic suggests he come along on the supply run to put on a "USO Show" but Julian points out there are no holosuites at the front. Vic echoes Rom's sentiments about life being unfair and then delivers a good line.

Vic: "You know, pally, sometimes being a hologram can be a real pain in the ass-o-metric photons."

Julian smiles and leaves The Fontaine.

The scene cuts to another lounge on DS9. Ben is reviewing the latest casualty reports on a large monitor. Odo walks in to present the latest security protocols. Ben talks about what he will remember most about the war. He explains that when the war started he would read every name as a way of honouring the sacrifice of the dead. But now the names have begun to "blur together".

Nerys calls Ben through the intercom to tell him the Defiant is ready to leave for its supply run to the front. Ben leaves Odo in the lounge and the scene cuts to the Defiant underway.

Inside the officers' mess, Quark is griping that the Grand Nagus chose to send him to the front to get a first hand look at the fighting. He points out that the Grand Nagus already gets Star Fleet Intelligence reports and that Nog could provide the information, but Ezri, who is sitting behind him, points out that the Nagus trusts Quark. She reminds him of the 34th Rule Of Acquisition: "War is good for business". Quark points out that the closer you are to the front line the less profitable business becomes. Their conversation is interrupted by the ship rocking to weapons fire. Red Alert sounds and Ezri leaves for her post. Quark decides to follow as the ship is rocked repeatedly. Staggering as best he can through the halls, Quark bumps into Worf.

Quark complains that he thought the Federation held the Chetokah system but Worf points out it is contested by the Dominion and the whole area "is a battleground". Worf repeatedly helps Quark stay on his feet as the ship is buffeted again and again.

The scene cuts to the main viewscreen on the bridge where we are just in time to watch the Defiant rip apart a lone Jem'Hadar ship. Ben orders Miles to keep an eye out for more Jem'Hadar, and Quark arrives to say "Hello" to his nephew, Nog. Nog is embarrassed, pointing out he is working. Ben interrupts the little discussion and Quark gets the message he shouldn't be on the bridge. He invites everyone to join him in the mess hall for a Rakt'a'jeno and ends up leaving the bridge alone. Nog reassures Ben this won't happen again, but Ben stares back impassively. Ezri points out that Quark is just nervous because he's not used to being in battles, but Nog isn't mollified.

The scene cuts to the Defiant entering orbit around AR-558, a non-descript planetoid, orange and heavily-cratered, with a breathable atmosphere. Julian and Quark arrive on the bridge. Julian produces a list of the supplies that are ready for transport. Worf informs Ben that the Federation forces on AR-558 are awaiting the arrival of the supplies and the away team.

Ben takes the away team (Julian, Ezri, Nog, Quark), leaving Worf in command of the Defiant. The away team beams onto the night-side of the planet and immediately weapons start being fired at them. They barely manage to avoid being hit, by hiding behind the rocks around them.

The scene cuts to opening credits and commercials.

When the show returns the weapons fire continues. Ben recognizes the weapons as Federation phasers and calls for a cease fire and names himself and his ship. A female voice on the other side of the battle calls out cease fire as well, and the weapons stop. Ben and the away team step out from their cover and a motley crew of Star Fleet soldiers rise from their positions. An angry Lt. Nadia Larkin steps forward, chewing out Vargas, the soldier who had opened fire. Nadia claims she'd given the order to hold fire because Star Fleet officers and supplies were beaming down, but Vargas claims he never heard the order.

Nadia apologizes to Ben for the screw up and Ben lets the matter drop. Ben asks for Captain Lumas, and is told that he and Commander Parker died ten days earlier. She assigns Vargas the task of showing where the supplies should be sent. Vargas reveals he is dealing with a lot of rage. Star Fleet troops are supposed to be rotated off the front lines every 90 days but their unit has been left on AR-558 for five months.

Nadia gives Ben a tour of the area, showing him the "largest Dominion communications array in the sector" (a sector is about 20 light-years across). Ben claims if they can figure out how it works they can listen in on all the Dominion communications. This is the reason the Jem'Hadar keep attacking AR-558. Nadia points out that Star Fleet may not know their situation. They've lost 107 out of 150 personnel assigned to hold this position in the five months they've been there. Ben sympathizes and promises to bring Star Fleet up-to-date, but explains Star Fleet forces are spread very thin in the system.

The scene cuts to Kellin, who is working on the array. He asks for a duonetic coupler and Ezri hands him one. She then notices some minor malfunction and points it out. Kellin asks if she's an engineer and she explains that Tobin, one of her previous hosts, had been an engineer. Kellin settles for what he can get and assigns her a task.

The scene cuts to Nog, who is skulking about, trying to get a better look of Hook without being seen. Quark comes up and they discuss the situation. Nog views these Star Fleet officers as heroes, pointing out Reese keeps the Ketracel White containers of the Jem'Hadar he kills. Quark points out that these soldiers are not the Star Fleet officers Nog has known. Quark explains that humans are wonderful people as long as their "bellies are full and their holosuites working". But when they lose those "creature comforts" over an extended period of time they become as brutal "as the most bloodthirsty Klingon".

He asks Nog to look into their faces and eyes and tell him he's right. Nog looks around and says "I feel sorry for the Jem'Hadar" and then walks away.

The scene cuts to a field aid station where Julian is treating the wounded Vargas. He takes care of some minor problems and then wants to examine a bandaged injury. He touches the blue bandage and Vargas grabs him and holds a phaser to his chin and explains "No one touches the bandage" and won't let go of Julian till he agrees. To answer Julian's question "why" Vargas explains that someone named McGrady had ripped up his own uniform to make the bandage. Vargas hated him because he wouldn't stop talking, was an expert on everything. And no sooner had he bandaged the wound than McGrady had died with a hole in his chest. Vargas then removes the bandage for Julian who proceeds to work on the wound.

The scene cuts to Nadia's command post, where Ben is reviewing the security arrangements, complimenting her on her perimeter defenses but pointing out a weakness in one flank. Julian interrupts and takes Ben aside to plead for the need to evacuate the soldiers. Their conversation is interrupted by a bang in the compound. They come across a prone wounded/dying/dead soldier and Ben asks if they've scanned for anti-personnel devices. Nadia claims they've done so a hundred times but it's no use against "Houdinis". Julian asks what a Houdini is, and they explain a Houdini is an anti-personnel mine hidden in sub-space. They pop up at random, explode, and kill or injure someone.

Reese points out that Vargas is wasting his time on Ben, since Ben is leaving the outpost. Ben tries to reassure Nadia but is interrupted by Worf. The Defiant is under attack by two Jem'Hadar ships. Worf wants to beam the away team back to the Defiant. Miles points out that enemy troops are beaming down 9 kilometres away from the outpost. Ben gives orders for the Defiant to take evasive action and declares the away team will stay with the outpost.

This galvanizes the soldiers, and sensing herself being replaced as commanding officer, Nadia asks Ben what are his orders.

Ben: "There is only one order, Lieutenant. We hold."

The scene cuts to commercials.

The show returns to the perimeter of the defenses. Ben is trying to assess the enemy's disposition and numbers but discovers all sensor scans are jammed by both sides. Nadia points out they have the advantage of knowing where to find the Star Fleet soldiers (defending the communications array).

Ben checks in with Nog to see if he hears anything. Nog can hear several things in his area but not Jem'Hadar. He notices Hook sharpening a non-regulation knife and asks to see it, but Reese isn't interested in Nog's curiousity.

Finally the Jem'Hadar start arriving, walking in, weapons lowered, appearing from within their personal cloaks. The Star Fleet soldiers start firing, taking down one Jem'Hadar after another without any of them making a noise.

Reese notices the Jem'Hadar aren't firing and points this out to Ben. Ben orders a cease fire and the Jem'Hadar vanish. They figure out that they were simply holograms being used to pinpoint the positions and determine the strength of the defenders.

Another Houdini explodes and another defender drops.

The scene cuts to the communications array where Ben re-assigns Ezri and Kellin to the task of finding and disarming the Houdinis. Kellin has serious doubts about their ability to fulfill the task, but Ezri compliments him by saying Miles would be proud to have Kellin on his engineering team. Reassured, Ben leaves the two to work on their task.

Back on the perimeter Quark scampers up to Nog to deliver a food ration. Nog isn't pleased with his uncle. He points out he's a Star Fleet officer. Quark reminds him he's a Ferengi and wishes he'd act like one. Nog says "You mean hiding under a rock whenever trouble starts".

Quark explains to us what the Ferengi Alliance had proposed at the beginning of the war. Negotiate and come to an accommodation both sides can live with. Nog points out that strategy is simplistic and Quark quotes the 125th Rule of Acquisition: "You can't make a deal if you're dead."

Ben interrupts this discussion to send Nog, Nadia, and Reese on a recon mission. Quark asks why Nog and Ben explains that with sensors/scanners being jammed Nog's hearing is the next best thing to locate the Jem'Hadar and determine their strength.

The recon team sets out, and Quark protests. Ben emphasizes that Nog has his orders. After the team have left, Quark points out Ben wouldn't send Jake on such a mission and Ben points out Jake isn't a Star Fleet officer.

The scene cuts to commercials.

When the show returns we are with the recon team. The scene cuts to a work area, where Kellin and Ezri are trying to solve the Houdini problem. Ezri manages to cut through the jamming and isn't sure whether she should give credit to Tobin or Jadzia. They begin working on calibrating the tricorder to detect the Houdinis in subspace.

Kellin kids her about being an engineer and Ezri admits that with nine lives she's been a bit of everything. She explains that Torias, Kurzon, and Jadzia have all been in battle and she has their memories of the events and emotions, but she herself has never been in battle.

Kellin reassures her that she'll do fine.

The scene cuts back to the recon team. They've reached the Jem'Hadar encampment, and having assessed the situation, prepare to leave. Nog hears something and stops the team, they begin to back away from the noise he heard and are soon fired upon. Nadia and Nog are both hit, and Nog begins to scream the Ferengi scream of pain.

The scene cuts to the Federation perimeter where Reese stumbles in, carrying Nog over his shoulders. He reports to Ben that Nadia is dead, but that they found 2 columns 3 kilometres south of the Federation position. Vargas wants to know how they are going to fend off 2 columns and Ben answers they'll have to even the odds. Reese wants to know how, and Ben states he's working on that. Then Reese tells Ben that Nog did all right and Ben acknowledges the commendation.

Ben walks to the field aid station and Quark stops him, saying Julian doesn't want anyone in the area. Ben asks Quark about Nog's condition and Quark responds it's a little late for that. When Ben persists Quark tells him Nog will lose his leg.

The scene cuts to commercials.

When the show returns, Julian is explaining Nog's condition to Quark. Nog can be fitted for an artificial leg once they return to a hospital. But Julian isn't sure whether the burns to Nog's leg will allow him to stimulate the leg sufficiently to walk normally. Julian admits he won't know until the operation is completed.

Julian returns to the aid station and Quark starts in on Ben. He states that if Ben had cared for Nog he would never have sent him out on patrol. This angers Ben who turns to Quark and says:

Ben: "Now you listen to me, Quark because I'm only going to say this one time. I care about Nog and every soldier under my command. Do you understand? Every single one!"

Ben leaves Quark to see Nog. Nog apologizes for losing Nadia. Ben reassures him that he did well, followed orders, and found the Jem'Hadar camp. Then Ben looks at the missing leg, obvious under the blanket. Nog reassures him he'll be all right.

Then Nog asks Ben if the communications array is worth it. Ben answers "I hope to God it is."

Their conversation is interrupted by Ezri. They're ready to try and expose all the Houdinis. Ben smiles at Nog and follows Ezri.

Ezri and Kellin work on their tricorder. Ben gives the general order that no one moves until he permits it. Then tells Ezri to go ahead.

Dozens of small spherical Houdinis appear, black with orange lights pulsating from within. One appears inches from Vargas' head. Kellin states they now have to figure out how to disarm them. Ben corrects him and says they're going to use them, not disarm them.

The scene cuts to Reese, who uses the sand to sketch out the locations of the significant terrain and forces. He explains that to get to the Federation position the Jem'Hadar must pass through a ravine between two sets of mountains. A perfect place to lay their trap. Kellin assures them that moving the mines is possible though "delicate". Ben tells Kellin and Ezri to reprogram them to go off when movement is detected. Reese suggests lots of movement to ensure the most Jem'Hadar are in the trap when it goes off.

Reese figures the mines can take out a third of the Jem'Hadar.

Ezri is looking nervous, sweaty. Ben asks her what's wrong and she explains that awhile ago they looked upon the mines as a ruthless weapon only the Jem'Hadar would use. Reese points out the mines have become a "whole lot friendlier". Ben points out the obvious. Eventually the Jem'Hadar will attack and the more casualties they suffer to the mines the better the odds are the federation post will hold.

The scene cuts to the perimeter sometime later. Everyone available is on the line. Reese distributes power packs for the phasers.

Everyone is nervous to some degree, Ben being the exception.

The silence is interrupted by the sound of Vic Fontaine singing "I'll Be Seeing You".

Julian decided to play some music to take the edge off. He joins the line with a phaser rifle in hand. Reese notices that Julian seems to know his way around the rifle and Julian admits he's had to use one too many times.

The horizon starts lighting up with flashes as the Jem'Hadar run into the mines. Muffled explosions in the distance are heard. The troops tense up.

The song and explosions end, and silence reigns for a short space. Vargas hopes they got all the Jem'Hadar, and then we start to hear the battle cries of the approaching enemy. The line sets their sights and the Jem'Hadar start storming the perimeter. Ben gives the order to fire.

The scene cuts to commercials.

When the show returns carnage reigns. For awhile the Jem'Hadar are prevented from penetrating the line, but soon fighting breaks down to hand to hand combat. The screams of the wounded and dying mingle with the battle cries and phaser fire of those who remain.

Julian is wounded.

While the battle rages outside, Quark tends to his nephew, hearing the screams.

Vargas dies, stabbed in the back.

Ezri is struck to the ground by a Jem'Hadar, but is saved by Kellin.

Then Kellin is killed by a Jem'Hadar weapon.

Quark notices a sound behind him and manages to shoot a Jem'Hadar who had penetrated the perimeter.

A Jem'Hadar prepares to bayonet Julian, but is killed by Ben, who is himself knocked unconscious by a Jem'Hadar. Ben's last vision is that of a Jem'Hadar pointing his weapon at him.

When Ben comes to he sees Reese's face, asking him if he's alive.

He awakens to a hellish sight. Federation troops dead or wounded strewn about. The moaning of the injured. Ezri, cradling Kellin's head in her lap.

Ben: "We held."
Reese: "Those were our orders, Sir."

The scene cuts to the communications array, which is now showing signs of operating. Worf, having returned from his encounter with the Jem'Hadar ships, approaches Ben and informs him the USS Veracruz has arrived, bringing troop replacements and an engineering crew. Julian and the wounded will be evacuated to a hospital on Starbase 371.

Worf: "This was a great victory. One worthy of story and song."
Ben: "It cost enough."

They walk outside where the replacements are arriving, grim faced.

Reese watches them walk past.

Reese: "Children."
Ben: "Not for long."

Reese throws his dagger to the sand, and the three of them beam to the Defiant.

Back on DS9 Ben is at his desk. Nerys walks in to report the latest casualty list has been posted. The list contains 1730 names.

Nerys: "It's a lot of names."
Ben: "They're not just names. It's important we remember that. We have to remember."

End of episode.

Personal reflections:
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, World War I ended. Ever since, that hour of that day of that month has commemorated the deaths of all the soldiers who died in that war and all wars since.

Here in Canada it's called Remembrance Day. A day when old soldiers and young, family and friends, and all of us who have never known war think of those who never survived the wars. Memorial services are held in all of the major theatres of the Great War.

It's a time when courage and self-sacrifice is honoured and the memory of the dead is most poignant.

"Once More Unto the Breach" and "The Siege of AR-558" commemorate the spirit that led to the end of that war, perhaps the end of each war. The tragedy of young men dying or maimed for the sake of protecting home and hearth from tyranny.

Where "Once More Unto the Breach" started with a discussion of Davy Crockett and the Alamo, "The Siege of AR-558" ends with an Alamo-like battle which the Federation won at the cost of many lives. The casualty lists show names but cannot do service to the memory of flesh-and-blood people who lived, loved and were loved, knew fear and humour and took comfort from hearing a song. They talked and laughed and looked at stunning sunsets with awe and listened to the sounds of their friends dying around them.

A list of names can never do their memory justice. But all too often it is all that remains except the memories of those who survived.

These two episodes deserve each other. I think DS9 is going to be hard-pressed to surpass the impact for me.

Credit is owed to the music of Paul Baillargeon. His sensitive choice of music for the actual battle scenes was very moving and contributed to the impact of those scenes tremendously.

On a trivial note, this episode saw the coming together of four science fiction legacies.

Bill Mumy, famous as the youngest Robinson from the ancient TV series "Lost in Space" and more recently famous as Lennier from "Babylon 5".

James Darren from another TV sci-fi series, "The Time Tunnel".

Both appearing on Star Trek, which benefited from "Lost in Space" and contributed to the success of "Babylon 5" and "The Time Tunnel".

Not often do you get to see such camaraderie between heroes of diverse shows.

Thanks for your attention.



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