1:[2,#B],9:[1,#I],15:[2,#I],45:[1,#I],52:[1,#I],80:[1,#I],122:[1,#I],129:[20,#I],150:[27,#I],178:[5,#I],184:[9,#I],220:[14,#I],236:[2,#I],251:[1,#I],257:[11,#I]@1“Rascals” (TNG)@2Stardate 46235.7. Upon returning to the Enterprise -D from planet Marlonia, the Shuttlecraft Fermi and all personnel onboard are exposed to an unusual energy field, resulting in the shuttle’s flight crew being reverted to children when they are beamed back to the Enterprise -D. While studying the phenomenon, the Enterprise -D responds to a distress call from the Starfleet science team on planet Ligos VII. The rescue mission is threatened by a Ferengi attempt to commandeer the Enterprise -D, but ship’s personnel (including young Picard) are successful in repelling the offensive, and Chief O’Brien is able to use the ship’s transporter to reverse the effects of the molecular inversion field. The Ferengi government later disavows the attack on the Enterprise -D as not having been authorized.
Editors’ Note: Picard said that he’d spent 30 years of his life aboard starships, although he took command of the Stargazer in 2333, 36 years ago, and certainly served aboard starships prior to being promoted to captain. (Perhaps there were a few years after the loss of the Stargazer and before he commanded the Enterprise -D when he did not live on a starship?)
• Starfleet detects extensive Cardassian military activity, including the massing of troops in staging areas, assembly of strike forces, and reassignment of ships from normal patrol patterns.
Three weeks prior to “Chain of Command, Part I” (TNG), according to Captain Jellico.
• The Starship Enterprise -D proceeds to planet Deionychus VII for a rendezvous with the supply ship Biko, although the rendezvous is delayed.
At least two days prior to “A Fistful of Datas” (TNG).
~1:[5,#B],13:[1,#I],31:[1,#I],94:[1,#I],139:[24,#I],168:[13,#I],227:[18,#I],246:[2,#I],265:[10,#I]@1“A Fistful of Datas” (TNG)@2Stardate 46271.5. During the wait for the Biko rendezvous, Commander La Forge and Commander Data conduct an experiment to interface Data’s positronic brain with the Enterprise -D’s computer system. During the test, a minor power surge in Data’s neural net causes information from Data’s personal files to appear in various recreational, library, and holodeck subsystems. Simultaneously, elements of a holodeck simulation program, “Ancient West,” begin to appear in Data’s behavioral patterns. Fortunately, both Data and the ship’s computer systems are restored in time for the rendezvous with the Biko.
• Cardassian forces begin to withdraw from the Bajoran sector and are redeployed along the Federation border. The Cardassians also conduct an elaborate program of disinformation designed to make Starfleet Intelligence believe that they are developing a metagenic weapons system on planet Celtris III.
Shortly before “Chain of Command, Part I” (TNG).
Editors’ Note: This, of course, was part of the set up for the first episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which began airing shortly after “Chain of Command, Parts I and II” (TNG).
• The Velos VII internment camp, used by the Cardassians for the imprisonment of Bajoran nationals, is closed on stardate 46302. Among the detainees released when the camp is closed is Dr. Surmak Ren, a former member of the Higa Metar sect of the Bajoran underground.
“Babel” (DS9). Stardate 46302 is apparently between “A Fistful of Datas” (TNG) and “The Quality of Life” (TNG).
• Starship Enterprise -D chief engineer Geordi La Forge begins to grow a beard. He doesn’t keep it for long.
A few days prior to “The Quality of Life” (TNG).
~1:[5,#B],8:[2,#I],104:[2,#I],110:[2,#I],146:[9,#I]@1“The Quality of Life” (TNG)@2Stardate 46307.2. U.S.S. Enterprise -D at planet Tyrus VIIA to monitor testing of a new particle fountain mining technology under the direction of Dr. Farallon. Although the particle fountain represents a potential breakthrough, the project to date has been plagued with setbacks. The tests are interrupted when evidence emerges that exocomp servomechanisms, modified by Farallon, have acquired sufficient computational power and complexity for them to be classified as bonafide life-forms. The exocomps also exhibit the ability for voluntary self-sacrifice, and do so when a serious malfunction of the particle fountain threatens the lives of several project scientists.
• U.S.S. Enterprise -D makes rendezvous with Starship Cairo for an urgent meeting of Vice-Admiral Alynna Nechayev with Captain Jean-Luc Picard regarding the Cardassian situation and Starfleet’s fears that the Cardassians may be preparing for an attack on Federation space using metagenic weapons.
Just prior to “Chain of Command, Part I” (TNG).
~1:[6,#B],15:[1,#I],20:[2,#I],36:[1,#I],288:[60,#I]@1“Chain of Command, Part I” (TNG)@2Stardate 46357.4. Captain Edward Jellico, formerly of the Cairo, assumes command of the Starship Enterprise -D and is assigned to conduct negotiations with Gul Lemec of the Cardassian ship Reklar. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Lieutenant Worf, and Dr. Beverly Crusher conduct a special covert mission to planet Celtris III, investigating possible Cardassian metagenic weapons development. The mission is a failure, and Picard falls into Cardassian custody. It is later learned that there was no metagenic weapon, and that Starfleet and Picard were the victims of an elaborate Cardassian hoax designed to capture Picard in an effort to gain information on Starfleet’s defenses at planet Minos Korva.
• The Cardassian Union, weary of decades of Bajoran terrorist activity, relinquishes claim to the Bajoran system, leaving the planet Bajor in the hands of a Bajoran provisional government. Over ten million Bajorans had been killed by Cardassian forces during the occupation. Prior to leaving Bajor, Cardassian troops poison much of Bajor’s farmlands.
Abandoned into Bajoran hands is the Cardassian mining station Terok Nor, orbiting the planet Bajor. The station had been commanded by Gul Dukat, prefect of the region. During the withdrawal, Cardassian forces vandalized much of the station, causing many station residents to flee. Retreating Cardassian troops also cause massive damage to cities on Bajor. Still in Cardassian hands are eight revered Bajoran religious artifacts known as Tears of the Prophets. The only Cardassian citizen left on Terok Nor is Elim Garak, who runs the tailor shop on the station’s Promenade.
During the withdrawal, Cardassian authorities inexplicably order numerous Cardassian war orphans to be abandoned. Many of these orphans are cared for in Bajoran orphanages, and some of them are adopted by Bajoran families.
About two weeks before “Emissary” (DS9). Dukat left his post at Deep Space 9 two weeks prior to the episode. “Cardassians” (DS9) establishes that the Cardassian name for the station was Terok Nor. Garak’s presence established in “Past Prologue” (DS9). Bajoran death toll and the abandoned Cardassian war orphans established in “Cardassians” (DS9). Poisoning of farmlands established in “Shakaar” (DS9).
~1:[6,#B],74:[1,#I],186:[18,#I],247:[16,#I],265:[2,#I],326:[1,#I],332:[2,#I],336:[1,#I],339:[10,#I]@1“Chain of Command, Part II” (TNG)@2Stardate 46360.8. Captain Jellico determines that the Cardassians have been staging spacecraft in the McAllister Nebula in preparation for an attack on planet Minos Korva in Federation space. Jellico conducts a preemptive strike against the attack force, forcing the Cardassians to withdraw and to release Picard from Cardassian custody. Picard had been the victim of torture in violation of the Seldonis IV convention. Once returned to the Enterprise -D, Picard reassumes command of that starship.
• The Bajoran provisional government asks Starfleet to establish a Federation presence in the Bajoran system following the withdrawal of Cardassian occupational forces. Commander Benjamin Sisko is assigned to command station Terok Nor, now designated by Starfleet as Deep Space 9. At Sisko’s request, a Bajoran national, Kira Nerys, is assigned to the station by the Bajoran government to serve as their liaison and as Sisko’s second-in-command. Sisko had previously been assigned to Starfleet’s Utopia Planitia Yards on Mars. The provisional government remains dangerously unstable, subject to violent dissent within the Bajoran people themselves; the First Minister is killed, apparently by Bajoran Kohn-Ma terrorists.
Prior to “Emissary” (DS9). The assassination of the First Minister was about a month before “Past Prologue” (DS9).
• While en route to his new posting at Deep Space 9, Commander Benjamin Sisko and his son, Jake, visit the planet known as Blue Horizon for a few hours. Blue Horizon is an extraordinary example of the art and science of terraforming.
“Second Sight” (DS9). Sisko said he and Jake visited Blue Horizon on their way to DS9.
• The Starship Enterprise -D travels to the Bajoran system and docks at Deep Space 9. Miles O’Brien, newly transferred as chief operations office for the station, immediately begins work to restore systems stripped by the departing Cardassian forces. O’Brien is relocating to Deep Space 9 along with his wife, Keiko, and their daughter, Molly. Also transported to Deep Space 9 aboard the Enterprise -D are three runabouts, the Rio Grande, the Yangtzee Kiang, and the Ganges.
Two days before “Emissary” (DS9), according to Sisko’s log.
~1:[6,#B],203:[12,#I],220:[1,#I],226:[30,#I],259:[5,#I],267:[38,#I],308:[7,#I],318:[4,#I],325:[116,#I],442:[41,#I],488:[3,#I],496:[49,#I],547:[1,#I],562:[10,#I]@1“Emissary, Parts I and II” (DS9)@2Stardate 46379.1. Commander Benjamin Sisko arrives at Deep Space 9, finding the station in a shambles. Sisko pressures local business leaders to remain at the station in an effort to reverse the migration away from the station.
Sisko discovers a stable wormhole in the Denirios Belt in the Bajoran system, linking the Alpha Quadrant to the distant Gamma Quadrant. According to Bajoran spiritual leader Kai Opaka, alien life-forms discovered by Sisko in the wormhole are in fulfillment of Bajoran prophesy, casting Sisko into the role of what Bajorans call the Emissary. In the Bajoran religious faith, the emergence of the Emissary is a deeply significant event. The discovery of the wormhole has important economic implications for Bajor, since it means that Bajor will become a major center for interstellar commerce to the Gamma Quadrant.
Cardassian forces attempt to reclaim part of the Bajoran system, an effort made more urgent for both sides with the discovery of the stable wormhole, but they are thwarted when Deep Space 9 is relocated to the Denorios Belt, thus reinforcing Bajor’s claim on the wormhole.
Dr. Julian Bashir and Lieutenant Jadzia Dax are assigned to Deep Space 9, arriving aboard the Starship Cochrane.
Editors’ Note: From this point in our chronology, episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are listed in (approximate) order of first national airing, based on “week of” air dates. Because the two shows followed different schedules, there were several weeks during this season when Deep Space Nine was airing first-run episodes, while The Next Generation was in reruns. For this reason, the two shows will tend to alternate in the chronology, but episodes of one series or the other are occasionally listed back-to-back. Note also that in some cities, the first run of Deep Space Nine episodes occurred before that week’s episode of The Next Generation, but we’re arbitrarily listing The Next Generation episodes first. Another peculiarity in this episode sequence is that stardates will occasionally run backwards when you compare an episode of one series to a later episode of the other show (even more frequently than they did before). Once again, we’ll assume this is part of the ambiguities inherent in stardate calculation, since arranging the episodes in stardate order would entail even more inconsistencies, not the least of which is the fact that a significant number of episodes do not have stardates. (We are not going back and re-ordering earlier episodes on the grounds that we don’t want to obsolete earlier editions of the Chronology.)
We still assume that for episodes of the same series, the average time span from the beginning of one episode to the beginning of the next (including any unseen gap between episodes) is about two weeks. We also assume that the two shows happen nearly simultaneously, so that a period that includes two Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes or two Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes would, on average, be approximately four weeks in length. On the other hand, a period that includes one episode from each series would, on average, be only about two weeks in length. In other words, the exact order of episodes should be taken with a grain of salt.
• The Enterprise -D departs Deep Space 9, traveling to the Detrian System for a scientific assignment.
After “Emissary” (DS9) and before “Ship in a Bottle” (TNG).
~1:[3,#B],153:[34,#I],190:[14,#I],231:[6,#I]@1“Past Prologue” (DS9)@2(No stardate given in episode). Bajoran Kohn-Ma terrorist Tahna Los requests asylum from Cardassian pursuit at Deep Space 9. Cardassian authorities request his extradition for crimes allegedly committed against Cardassian forces, but station commander Benjamin Sisko grants Tahna’s request. At the station, Tahna concludes a deal with Klingon outlaws Lursa and B’Etor to obtain powerful bilitrium explosives. Lursa and B’Etor are attempting to raise capital for another bid to gain control of the Klingon High Council, while Tahna attempts to use the bilitrium explosives to destroy the Bajoran wormhole. Although he is prevented from doing so, Tahna had expected to reduce Bajor’s strategic importance in interstellar commerce in hopes of discouraging Cardassian and Federation interference in Bajoran affairs.
• Michael O’Brien, father to Miles O’Brien, remarries following the death of his wife last year. Miles is less than pleased that his father has married a woman he’s never met.
“Whispers” (DS9). “Last Spring” prior to the episode. (If each production year is a calendar year, this point in the production year would probably be after Spring, but this is about as early in Deep Space Nine’s year that O’Brien could have mentioned his discomfort over his father’s wedding to Bashir.
• Ibudan arrives at Deep Space 9 aboard a Bajoran transport. Ibudan is believed to have enriched himself on the Bajoran black market during the Cardassian occupation.
Shortly before “A Man Alone” (DS9).
~1:[4,#B]@1“A Man Alone” (DS9)@2Stardate 46421.5. Bajoran black marketeer Ibudan is reported to have been murdered at Quark’s bar on the Deep Space 9 promenade. Investigation by security chief Odo reveals Ibudan to have killed a clone of himself in order to frame Odo, who had successfully prosecuted Ibudan for murder several years ago.
Keiko O’Brien establishes a primary schoolroom on the Promenade of Deep Space 9. Although O’Brien is a botanist by trade, the lack of educational facilities on the station has concerned her.
~1:[5,#B],38:[2,#I],73:[1,#I],141:[7,#I],171:[5,#I]@1“Ship in a Bottle” (TNG)@2Stardate 46424.1. Two gas giant planets in the Detrian System collide. The combined mass of the two planets is sufficient to cause nuclear fusion, resulting in the birth of a new star. Starship Enterprise -D personnel make observations of the event. The scientific mission is briefly delayed when a sentient holodeck program, a simulation of Sherlock Holmes character Dr. James Moriarty, attempts to seize control of the Enterprise -D. Ship’s personnel are unable to meet Moriarty’s demand of finding a way to grant physicality to Moriarty, but are successful in providing him and his companion with a virtual environment of sufficient realism for them to live out their lives.
• A series of unexplained systems malfunctions plagues station Deep Space 9, including the navigational computer and the secondary phase modulator in the main power core.
A few days prior to “Babel” (DS9).
• A freighter piloted by Captain Jarheel, docked at station Deep Space 9, suffers a malfunction, requiring repairs by the station’s engineering staff.
Two days before “Babel” (DS9).
~1:[2,#B],198:[17,#I],242:[9,#I],252:[2,#I],274:[4,#I]@1“Babel” (DS9)@2Stardate 46423.7. Deep Space 9 commander Benjamin Sisko orders the station placed under emergency quarantine when a virus of unknown origin causes station personnel to suffer from aphasia, making them unable to communicate. Investigation determines the virus to have been introduced through food produced by the station’s replicator system. It is further learned that this is the work of Bajoran terrorists, who sabotaged the replicators eighteen years ago when the station was still under construction. Station personnel enlist the aid of Dr. Surmak Ren, a former Bajoran terrorist who helped develop the virus, to develop an effective treatment.
• Lieutenant Keith Roach arrives at Starfleet’s subspace communications Relay Station 47. Rocha works with Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari to perform a systems overhaul on the station. Uhnari later recalls finding Rocha to be arrogant and difficult to work with, despite his spotless Starfleet record.
A Klingon spacecraft, commanded by Morag, passes Relay Station 47 on routine patrol. He hails the station, located near the Klingon border, a regular practice that station personnel regard as harassment.
Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari flees from Relay Station 47 after she is attacked by what she believes is her co-worker, Lieutenant Keith Rocha.
Aquiel” (TNG). Rocha arrived five days before the episode. Aquiel fled about a day before the episode.
• Ensign Stefan DeSeve, who gave up his Federation citizenship 20 years ago to live on Romulus, renounces the Romulan Empire, returning home aboard a Romulan scoutship.
Two weeks prior to “Face of the Enemy” (TNG).
• Starship Enterprise -D arrives at Relay Station 47, near the Klingon border, to deliver supplies. Station personnel fail to respond to hails.
Just before “Aquiel” (TNG).
~1:[2,#B],5:[1,#I],76:[3,#I],109:[7,#I]@1“Aquiel” (TNG)@2Stardate 46461.3. Enterprise -D personnel discover that Lieutenant Keith Rocha, assigned to Station 47, has been murdered. Preliminary evidence implicates Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari in the death, but it is later learned that Rocha had been killed prior to his assignment to the station. The entity believed to have been Rocha was, in fact, a coalescent organism that formed a near-perfect replica of him.
• Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari accepts a posting at Starbase 212.
After “Aquiel” (TNG).
• Deanna Troi, attending a neuropsychology seminar on planet Borka VI, is abducted by Romulan underground operatives, surgically altered to appear Romulan, and held captive aboard the Imperial Romulan Warbird Khazara.
Before “Face of the Enemy” (TNG).
~1:[3,#B]@1“Captive Pursuit” (DS9)@2(No stardate in episode). A spacecraft of unknown origin arrives at Deep Space 9 through the Bajoran wormhole, the first contact with a new life-form from the Gamma Quadrant. It is learned that the lone inhabitant of the vessel, identified as Tosk, is the subject of a ritual hunt. After rendering assistance to Tosk by repairing damage to his spacecraft, DS9 Operations officer Miles O’Brien permits Tosk to depart the station. Other individuals from Tosk’s society, ritual Hunters, continue to pursue Tosk.
