Inquisition (episode)

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Series:	DS9
Season:	6
Original Airdate:	1998-04-08
Production Number:	542
Year:	2374
Stardate:	Unknown
Written by:	Bradley Thompson & David Weddle
Directed by:	Michael Dorn

An officer from Starfleet Department of Internal Affairs arrives at the station and accuses Dr. Bashir of being a Dominion spy.

Summary

Doctor Bashir is preparing to attend a medical conference as Odo teases him about the fact that such conferences are always held at sunny beachside resorts. As they talk, Chief O'Brien enters the Infirmary, having dislocated his shoulder kayaking in the holosuite yet again. Bashir fixes O'Brien's arm but warns him not to go kayaking for a while.

The next day, the computer awakens Bashir at 0700, but he is extremely tired. He manages to drag himself out of bed, only to have Captain Sisko's voice come over the intercom, telling all senior offficers to report to Ops. There Bashir finds that Deputy Director Sloan has arrived from Internal Affairs and is discussing something grim with Sisko. When Sloan and Sisko emerge from the Commander's office, they announce that the crew will be confined to quarters until Sloan can investigate reports of a traitor passing information to the Dominion.

Now in his quarters, Bashir orders breakfast from the replicator, but finds it out of order. The door chime rings, and one of Sloan's officers informs Bashir that Sloan wants to ask him some questions. However, things do not seem right as she escorts him to the wardroom; a pair of officers carrying phaser rifles run past them in the corridor, but Bashir is told not to worry about it.

Sloan comes across as surprisingly charming when he meets with Bashir, casually asking about Bashir's experiences with the Dominion. They go over Bashir's imprisonment and encounter with a group of rogue Jem'Hadar, among other things. Before long, Sloan dismisses Bashir and promises to get the doctor his breakfast, as the replicators were taken offline as a security precaution.

• Bashir's accused of being a traitor. Sloan's charm goes away.
• The allegation is that Bashir was coerced into spying for the Dominion but his memories are repressed. Sisko and the others try to defend Bashir, but Sloan has orders from Starfleet Command to "neutralize threats" to security.
• Bashir is beamed out as he is about to be taken away. He is on a Cardassian warship with Weyoun.
• Weyoun tries to convince Bashir of the same thing Sloan did, which leads Bashir to conclude Sloan is the real traitor.
• The crew no longer believes Bashir when the Defiant rescues him.
• Bashir notices O'Brien's shoulder is no longer dislocated.
• It is revealed that this was all an elaborate holodeck simulation.
• Sloan tries to recruit Bashir to Section 31.
• It is clear the story isn't over.

Background Information

• Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko) does not appear in this episode.

• This episode marks the first appearance of Luther Sloan (William Sadler) on the series. It also introduces Section 31 to Star Trek.

• The Star Trek: Voyager holodeck set is used as the Section 31 holodeck in this episode.

• Events to which Sloan refers and cites as evidence of Bashir's treachery come from "Hippocratic Oath," in which the doctor helps a group of rogue Jem'Hadar, "In Purgatory's Shadow," in which it is discovered that Bashir was replaced by a Changeling some time ago, and "Statistical Probabilities," in which Bashir works with a group of genetically enhanced savants and temporarily becomes convinced that the Federation can save billions of lives if it surrenders to the Dominion.

Memorable Quotes

"We seek out and identify threats to Federation security."

"And when you identify them?"

"We deal with them."

"How?"

"Quietly."

- Sloan and Bashir

"How many lives do you suppose you've saved in your medical career?"

"What has that got to do with anything?"

"Hundreds? Thousands? Do you suppose those people give a damn that you lied to Starfleet Medical? I doubt it. We deal with threats to the Federation that jeopardize its very survival. If you knew how many lives we've saved, I think you'd agree that the ends do justify the means."

- Sloan and Bashir

"I can't believe the Federation condones this kind of activity."

"Personally, I find it hard to believe they wouldn't. Every other great power has a unit like Section 31. The Romulans have the Tal'Shiar, the Cardassians have the Obsidian Order..."

"But what does that say about us? When push comes to shove, are we willing to sacrifice our principles in order to survive?"

"I wish I had an answer for you, Doctor."

- Bashir, Odo and Sisko

Links and References

Guest Stars

• Jeffrey Combs as Weyoun
• William Sadler as Sloan
• Samantha Mudd as Chandler
• Benjamin Brown as Kagan

References

Defiant, USS; Department of Internal Affairs; Excelsior-class; scone; Section 31; Special Order 66715; Starfleet General Orders; red leaf tea

• 47 references

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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Season 6

Next episode: In the Pale Moonlight