Spotlight On: Terok Nor

by Charlie Plaine, Chairman

31st July 2008

"The war continues to go well. Each day brings reports of new victories. It's only a matter of time before the Federation collapses and Earth becomes another conquered planet under Dominion rule. All in all, it's a good time for Cardassia... and the Dominion." - Gul Dukat

Story

Deep Space Nine was retaken in 2363 by the Cardassians as part of the Cardassian/Dominion alliance at the start of the Dominion War. Bajor had signed a non-agression pact with The Dominon, ensuring its safety (though the Cardassians might have other plans), and the Federation was falling back, taking heavy losses in the intital stages of the war.

Commanded once again by Gul Dukat, Terok Nor became the command station for the Cardassian/Dominion forces as they attempted to remove the minefield left by the Federation in front of the wormhole. Once the minefield was removed, Dominion reinforcements could move into the Alpha Quadrant and the Federation would face almost certain destruction. Shortly after the station was taken, a Ruling Council of Dukat, Weyoun and Odo was formed.

Many of the Bajorans left on the station worked with the Cardassian/Dominion forces in peace, including the station's First Officer, Major Kira Nerys. Some residents - such as Jake Sisko (who remained behind to report on the occupation), and Vedek Yassim - saw the presence of the Dominion forces as an occupation and as a terrible omen for the future. Vedek Yassim went so far as to accuse Kira of being a collaborator, a claim which she rebuffed vehemently.

However, the dramatic and public suicide of Vedek Yassim shook Kira out of her denial, making her realize her own mistakes and the evils of the Cardassian/Dominion occupation. Kira formed the New Resistance, comprised of herself, Odo, Jake Sisko, Quark, Rom, Leeta and Dukat's daughter, Tora Ziyal. They started by taking small steps, such as increasing tension between the Jem'Hadar and the Cardassians, but were forced to take drastic steps when they learned that Damar was close to being able to dismantle the minefield.

Unfortunately, Odo would be distracted at a critical moment by the Founder Leader, leading to Rom's capture during his attempt to prevent the minefield from being taken down. Meanwhile, having received a covert message sent by the Resistance, Captain Sisko prepared to lead Operation Return back to the station in an attempt to recapture it, and prevent the Dominion Reinforcements from traveling through the wormhole.

The resistance managed to free Rom and actively thwart the Dominion, but they were too late - Damar succeeded at dismantling the minefield. Only one ship - the U.S.S. Defiant - managed to break through the Dominion lines, and Sisko took the ship into the wormhole in a desperate gambit to stop the reinforcements. Amazingly, he succedeed - with a little help from the Prophets - and the remainder of the Federation fleet broke through and retook Deep Space 9. Though the war would continue, DS9 would remain in Federation hands for the duration of the war.

Episodes

Terok Nor was the original name for the station when it was built by the Cardassians, as introduced in Deep Space Nine. It was renamed that show's titular station after the occupation was ended and the Federation took over the station. The station made a single appearance in The Next Generation and in Voyager.

Great Terok Nor Episodes:

• DS9's "Call to Arms"
• DS9's "A Time to Stand"
• DS9's "Rocks and Shoals"
• DS9's "Sons and Daughters"
• DS9's "Behind the Lines"
• DS9's "Favor the Bold"
• DS9's "Sacrifice of Angels"

In-Game

In game, the Terok Nor sub-affiliation represents the time that the station was occupied by the Cardassian/Dominion forces, and was introduced in Call to Arms. Necessary Evil, now out of print, provided most of the Dissident mechanics, which were developed further in Reflections 2.0. Terok Nor did not get much development until What You Leave Behind, but there are useful cards in almost every other expansion.