One Little Ship

DVD, DS9 S6 (One Little Ship)

The trusty Runabouts had a raw deal once big brother Defiant came to stay at the beginning of Season 3. It wasn't their fault that they were small, relatively low of power and short of range. They weren't starships and they weren't shuttlecraft, they were something in between, and we loved them for it. Their most famous contribution to the series was that at least one would be blown up every season, so the crew got through a number of them, only the Rio Grande surviving all that was thrown at it. But this story wasn't about that august example of the Runabout fleet, it was about the Rubicon, a newer entry, though still a couple of seasons old, having joined the station's complement back near the beginning of Season 4, in 'Hippocratic Oath' where it was replacing the Mekong, which had replaced the Ganges, which was one of the original three - I love the Runabout family tree! Coincidentally, Rubicon's debut had been in another Jem'Hadar heavy episode, and not only that, but a Jem'Hadar-heavy episode in which different factions of the genetically created race were first introduced. That had been the first time opposing views had been revealed as possible in what had often seemed a slave race to the Dominion, when champion of free will, Goran'Agar, had attempted to subvert the Dominion's control over his men after discovering himself to be free of the controlling drug Ketracel White. Of course since then we'd learned many Jem'Hadar are far more honourable than we gave them credit for and most would likely continue to serve their masters even if it weren't for the White.

In fact, Jem'Hadar have shown great frustration at being thought of as mindless slaves who only serve because they're forced to. These are not the Borg, as demonstrated in 'To The Death' when, in another case of inter-Jem'Hadar politics, a breakaway faction tried to take control of the Iconian gateway technology, surprisingly Starfleet agreeing to team up with Dominion forces in order to stop them. Not only that, but one of the Jem'Hadar executed his Vorta leader (the first we ever saw of Weyoun), for doubting their loyalty to the Founders. There's also Ikat'ika (on an irrelevant side note I've noticed in some episodes Jem'Hadar are credited with a capital letter after their middle apostrophe, others lower case - lack of attention from the writers, or something more?), who refused to kill Worf in the prison camp battle because of his irrepressible spirit to continue the fight, promptly executed for disobeying the Vorta's order. So they're more complex than often given credit for, being the ultimate soldiers, not mindless drones. At least, they had been the ultimate, but now there's a new breed in town, created out of necessity for more men: the Alphas. I wonder why the Dominion called them that (or, even if it's just a name they gave themselves, I wonder why), because surely to whatever denizens of whatever quadrant, that area is their 'Alpha Quadrant' (or equivalent title as first or main area of focus). The Alpha Quadrant should only be the Alpha Quadrant to those that live in it, just as the Gamma Quadrant wouldn't be called that to the Dominion, or is this simply a case of semantics? Perhaps the Universal Translator knows when to change the Dominion's word that describes their quadrant and this, into the Federation's view of the space?

Regardless of the wording, there's a definite rivalry between the old guard of experienced Gammas and the new Alphas. It seems they are 'A for Arrogant' more than anything else, another display of the Founders' lack of God-like foreknowledge, unless they wanted competitiveness between the branches to encourage them to fight harder, or be tougher (something you'd assume the Jem'Hadar do and are anyway), though a house divided against itself will fall, so whether planned or not, it was a bad mistake. Not that it became much of an issue in the longer term - I don't recall these differences being explored in any depth, strange for a series that usually delved into such subjects, unless perhaps the Dominion forbade 'racism' amongst the troops? Mind you, the Jem'Hadar, like the Runabouts, got a raw deal in some ways - their entire fleet in the Wormhole was banished far away, never heard from again, and we're often reminded that they never have any fun, simply existing to fight. It's interesting to see the disparity between them, so well encapsulated in the characters of First Kudak'Etan and Second Ixtana'Rax (Fritz Sperberg, later in 'Voyager' episode 'Body and Soul'). An Alpha that's superceded the Gamma as leader because he was bred for Alpha Quadrant combat. I wonder what modifications were made for the Alpha Quadrant battlefield? Or was it merely an overriding self-confidence and belief in their own superiority that carried them along like a placebo? They dispense with the ritual speechifying usually required before dispensing the white since their actions dictate their loyalty for them, they say, but I bet if the Vorta had been handing out the drugs they'd have kept to the old traditions.

Captain Sisko was rather fortunate to be captured by a force in conflict, led by overconfidence, because, as Ixtana'Rax says, if it had been up to him, they'd have been killed as soon as their ship was captured. Not that it would have taken long to kill the crew as it seems there're only four of them (not counting the three on the Rubicon). How can we be sure there aren't other members of the crew locked up somewhere? They're never mentioned, and Sisko doesn't even say anything about his crew being affected when he pumps anaesthezine gas throughout the Defiant to take out the remaining enemy force! It was beginning to feel a bit like 'Remember Me' in which everyone disappears until it's just Beverly and Picard, and he notes they've never needed a crew before! Mind you, it is a little ship (even if it is a tough one!), so perhaps they only required a skeleton crew for this scientific mission, allowing the usual crew some R and R. Not that it wasn't intensely important research they were doing. Beyond shrinking a Runabout (which could have made an effective spy vessel - take a squadron along, miniaturise them, cloak the Defiant and head for the heart of Cardassian space to drop them off - voila! Instant fleet of spies that can infiltrate the Dominion's most intimate meetings!), an expected side effect, they were aiming to discover how to make transwarp corridors! Imagine the Federation with the ability to open a corridor and zip across to the other side of the galaxy ('Voyager' would have been over much sooner, that's for sure!), or even visit other galaxies with ease.

The implications of the mission are barely even mentioned, and even then it's seen through the veil of war as a tactical advantage. But it would be of incredible explorative advantage, too. Perhaps that's where they should go in a future TV series, setting it further into the future where visiting galaxies are like popping to the next planet in the other series'? There would have to be ways of doing completely alien aliens though, as humanoids wouldn't cut it except as a choice made by aliens in order to interact with these humanoid visitors. But technology isn't really the focus of the episode, as technical as it is, it's about exploring the idea of what you could do if you were tiny. To an extent I felt they missed a trick or two by not featuring more of the crew leaving the Runabout, restricted to the oversized set of a circuit housing (long before 'The Lord of The Rings' films made scale sets an art form!). The isolinear chips were very real, if not as transparent as they usually are (to prevent reflections which would make filming more difficult?), though I don't recall ever seeing white tubing used before. Maybe it was unique to that circuit… It was a clever idea to create a set that was possible to build because of its small dimensions, but it would have been something else to see a minuscule O'Brien or Bashir dashing over the carpet in an EVA suit, wielding a phaser rifle like a militarised version of 'The Borrowers'! Actually there was one moment that reminded me very much of 'The Borrowers': when they're trying to escape the flow of plasma (yellow this time, rather than green, for some reason…), it brought to mind that moment when Pod and the others are running through the pipe to escape the onrushing water of an emptying bath!

While we didn't get much people power, we did get to see the Runabout in all its miniaturised glory, exhibiting a personality as it sneaked about or peered out from cover. And it looked more beautiful than ever, seen in a toy-like context, absolutely wonderful in all that intricate detail and glowing engines. We even get to see the tiny people waving out of the front viewports at a bemused Worf. The delicate, yet deadly manoeuvres of the little ship when it takes on a room full of Jem'Hadar is like a 'Toy Story' battle, but for the stakes of real human (and Klingon, Bajoran and Ferengi), lives. The Jem'Hadar literally don't know what's hit them, and seeing the Runabout zipping about, firing its tiny torpedoes to take out the enemy one at a time is a sight to behold! Earlier in the episode I was wondering why Dax didn't simply fly round the ship phasering all the soldiers, but thinking about it (apart from their not knowing the extent of what was happening - acting too soon could have dire consequences), the phasers would have probably been so low-powered as to be nothing more than an irritant, while torpedoes were just explosive enough to cause damage (a bit like Superman flicking peanuts at glass bottles in 'Superman III'). The agility of the craft was impressive, but as a visual spectacle this episode could only have been done justice by the time they made it. It could have been done (even as far back as 'TOS,' especially as the shrinking story is very much in that series' style), but it would have had to be models all the way, and the intricate camera shots wouldn't have been easy to make realistic.

Those on the Runabout, Dax, Bashir and O'Brien, should be commended for their actions, ignoring, even taking advantage of their failed mission, instead concentrating on freeing their comrades. When they first get the blast shutters open (I don't remember if they've been called that before, Dax doing her best impression of an Imperial Stormtrooper - 'Open the blast doors, open the blast doors!'), Dax wonders if they've discovered a wall in space, looking at the Defiant's hull in front of them, bringing to mind Q's net in 'Encounter at Farpoint'. But the real heroics, you could say, were seen from Sisko and his people. It helped that the Jem'Hadar had probably the series' three toughest warriors together (and Nog!), which they eventually get to demonstrate in pitched battle (Worf doing his patented neck snap, something he'd later perform on Weyoun!), but they didn't know at first that any help would be forthcoming, assuming the Runabout had escaped and was heading home (how I'd have loved to see the tiny Runabout flying around DS9!), so they were on their own. I'd have liked to see the Worf/Nog support for each other, part of the humour early in the episode, taken further, like if Nog had somehow saved his life in the fight or vice versa. The main thing is they all accept the possibility they'll have to sacrifice their lives rather than allow the Defiant to remain in enemy hands - it certainly gave Nog renewed motivation to decode the bridge lockouts when he learns what Sisko's backup plan is! Worf obeys Sisko's order to input a virus that will make the warp drive explode on reaching warp one, without question, and Kira expresses grim satisfaction that they'll take the Jem'Hadar with them when it looks like all else has failed.

Unlike 'The Search' in which a similar takeover by Jem'Hadar occurs, and in which Sisko turns into the wild bear fighter, his rage unleashed, this Sisko only allows the thought of resistance for a moment before sensibly deciding to bide his time. It was a different situation to the former attack, in which he was in charge of a newly-minted warship, the best hope against this new Dominion threat, captured by the enemy on its maiden voyage. This time it was a scientific mission, the odds were very bad, and he had weapons pointed at him rather than fists. It could also be that he's learned to control himself a little more over the years, able to channel his Hulk-out anger in more productive ways (most of the time - though there's a holographic punchbag from 'For The Uniform' that says different!). I couldn't help noting similarities with other episodes, too, such as 'Starship Down' (in which the Defiant is cast adrift in a nebula from a Jem'Hadar attack, and has to get systems back online), where the reverse of Kira and Sisko happens - then, Sisko was the one who gets a face full of console (or bumps his head, at least), Kira kneeling beside him. I don't think a story would have helped her recover, but fortunately she wasn't as badly injured as Sisko had been, and had Nog to dab her forehead. 'To The Death' was another link, and not just for the obvious 'Jem'Hadar factions' angle. The Defiant's turbolift is so rarely used (it's more like a turbo-cupboard - fitting two characters and a camera inside is only just possible, it's even smaller than the NX-01's, if you can believe it!), so to have another instance where Sisko's life is threatened by a Jem'Hadar in that enclosed space brought back the similar scene of that episode.

One thing I found doubly interesting was the idea of an Honoured Elder in the Jem'Hadar ranks. Ixtana'Rax survived for twenty years, which is a lot when his race are so eager to give up their lives in the line of duty, whether in kamikaze attacks on the USS Odyssey, or killing themselves in shame for allowing a Changeling to die (as in 'The Ship'), they go into battle to reclaim their lives, so it's no wonder that life is something of a commodity or privilege rather than a right, to them. Ixtana'Rax was a shrewd soldier, full of experience, and really it was the Alphas that got him killed for not listening to his advice, but even then he displays loyalty to the Founders in his dying words, the familiar refrain of "Obedience brings victory, and victory is…" ironically dying before he can finish the saying with "life." If he had survived, this would have been his last mission before retiring, and what happens to a Jem'Hadar who retires? Are they put out to pasture smoking cigars on a rocking chair in the front porch of a log cabin with a nice view of the hills? Somehow that's not the Dominion's style. More likely he'd have been recalled home to train newly cultivated soldiers (do they come in a jar marked 'Just add water'?), passing on his considerable knowledge and experience. Or he could just as easily have ended up as a worthy opponent for untrained Jem'Hadar to battle against in a kill or be killed series of training exercises until he was knocked off - probably the way he'd like to go, in battle. I can't imagine any Jem'Hadar wanting to stop serving the Founders as it's all they have. Also makes me wonder how the captured Jem'Hadar reacted to being prisoners of war and how long Starfleet could have kept them from killing themselves. Jem'Hadar in captivity is a difficult concept to comprehend.

Though there are some serious subjects touched upon (transwarp corridors, Jem'Hadar politics, Worf standing up for small people, perhaps thinking of Alexander!), it's a much more humorous episode than you'd expect a Jem'Hadar takeover being. I'm glad they didn't go with Pakleds as the villain as originally proposed, as they were never an interesting race and we learnt more about the Jem'Hadar as a result of this episode, but it doesn't stop there being a pantomime element that fits with the idea of shrinking some of the cast to pin-size. There's an urge to shout out 'It's behind you!' when the Rubicon is gliding just behind the First's head - I don't know how the Second didn't notice it when the ship first flies into view in Engineering and appears from behind a console almost right up his nose! O'Brien being so antsy about his size was so much fun, as was his comedy partner, Bashir's, many putdowns and quips. For once, the genetically modified Doctor is the one having to ask the questions as he doesn't have the specialist knowledge Dax and O'Brien have, which must have been a nice turnaround for them. I'm surprised they didn't really play with that angle of superiority, but I suppose they were too busy for pettiness. The funniest moments are reserved for the last scene, however, in which Worf shows his sense of humour, as does Odo - the two considered most serious having the greatest amusement! The timing of Odo and Quark's step down after the Constable's suggested O'Brien and Bashir have come back slightly smaller than they used to be is exquisite - he's been the butt of enough practical jokes in his time, so no wonder he grasped the opportunity.

There are many points of interest apart from the main story that bear commenting upon, one being another rare mention of Coridan, a planet I often wrongly associate with being a founder member of the Federation, though in fact it was a planet admitted during 'TOS'. Gelnon the Vorta (another rather forgettable member of the race, further cementing my point about few Vorta being great characters, though it's a little unfair to judge the actor as he hardly featured, though he'd reappear as Gelnon in the very next episode, and as a different character on 'Enterprise,' though in the much-derided 'Precious Cargo'), was on his way to attack the Dilithium mines there, from which the Federation gets much of its crystals from, I imagine. Shame we didn't get to pursue that story further, literally! The Benzite on the station, which I suggest may have become a resident, having popped up in the background several times this season, reappears again behind Worf in the bar. He still looks a bit green about the gills however, but I would too, if I'd chosen this of all times to move to DS9! The flowery pattern on the First's arms has never been more pronounced that I can recall, so I wonder if this was the inspiration for the effeminate Jem'Hadar action figure? And just when you thought the captured Jem'Hadar ship had sunk into obscurity by sinking into an alien sea in 'Rocks and Shoals,' it's mentioned by Sisko as having taken a week for them to learn to operate it. I don't know whether the makers of the series kept track of what the insides of the various Runabouts looked like, as I've never gone back and checked, but the Rubicon is shown to have a central column console to the rear of the cockpit in this episode. It would be interesting to see if this was always so or a modular extra, added and removed depending on mission requirements.

The most important thing about this episode is that the Runabouts were getting some love again - even from that first shot where we see one accompanying the Defiant in front of the anomaly, there was a warm glow of happiness to see one being used. So often they've been forgotten in the larger canvas of great battle fleets and galactic war, and actually, just the fact that Starfleet continues to do scientific research even in the midst of war is a reassuring comfort: the old ways haven't been forgotten. The Defiant is useful as the tether to keep the Rubicon safe as it carries out its mission, but for once, it is the littler ship that saves the bigger. What's more, we get to see parts of a ship we'd never normally see. I'm sure we'd all much rather see Cetacean Ops or other outlandish starship facilities, but it's still fascinating to get a glimpse of the inner workings of a fine Federation vessel. The jeopardy of O'Brien and Bashir beaming into the circuit was rather forced (why bring the Doc along anyway, as the air would be used up twice as quick?) as it would surely be a simple matter of beaming out, sending in another compressed air bubble, then beaming back in again. I half expected someone's sensors (either Sisko and co.'s Tricorders, or the Jem'Hadar with internal sensors), to detect them or the Runabout - I'd hate to think how many mice there must be on a starship if they can't detect small biological entities! There were also little things like Bashir going flying from an explosion when the Runabout's damaged, but Dax is the one who's injured, or the Jem'Hadar helping Kira having a ridiculously protruding chin that looked odd, but the point of the episode is that small is cool, whether the Runabout's doing some 'Mission: Impossible' spying as they flip to each view and explain what the crew are doing to enact an escape plan, or simply seeing it fly around inside another ship, without relying too much on technical talk, which makes it an accessible as well as enjoyable, but believable, fun entry in Season 6.

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