A Borg device is found on the station, a device left as collateral for someone buying a rare dog. Could the device be useful in the war against the Dominion? Find out in Star Trek Deep Space Nine The Dog of War #1 from IDW Publishing!

Previously in Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The war against the Dominion continues. The station is back under Sisko’s control and the Romulans have joined the alliance. The crew of the U. S. S. Magellan have arrived to assess salvageable Cardassian technology. In other words, just another typical day.

ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER

Star Trek Deep Space Nine #1 opens as Captain Pearl of the U. S. S. Magellan talks with Captain Sisko about using an algorithm to speech up the search for non-Starfleet tech. The station has a mix of components that have been in place for years. Then the algorithm picks up a Borg component in one of the holosuites.

They head to Quark’s bar and ask him to open that holosuite. He says it is busy, and from it comes the sound of barking. With a little more persuasion, Quark opens it up. Much to everyone’s surprise, it is programmed as a dog park. Quark shuts down the program, keeping only Vic around. One dog also remains. The Borg signature is gone. Odo asks the computer to remove the “furry thing,” but it is a real corgi. But Sisko does find an unusual object.

Sisko and Odo bring Quark in to talk about the device. Quark, naturally, is in the midst of a deal, and the dog is central to it. The buyer is late but sent the device as collateral. Meanwhile, Quark has a corgi. And it isn’t just one of the cutest dogs ever; it is a rare and genetically perfect member of the breed, hence worth a ridiculous amount of money. But he does not know who the buyer actually is.

They take the corgi to Dr. Bashir for an eval, and find out that it is just a dog. He does devise a tracking collar for it, in case it runs loose on the station. He examines the Borg device well. It appears to be a mind-network interface, but there is no sign of active nanoprobes. It could be an implant augmented to work with humanoids, perhaps translating thoughts into commands.

Quark talks with his anonymous buyer urging him to hurry. The Borg device is making people nervous. The buyer promises there is no danger. Meanwhile, the corgi makes itself comfortable on Quark’s bed.

Later, Sisko and Jake take the dog for a walk around the station. Then there is a delightful montage of people visiting the corgi in the dog park simulation. Kira even talks Odo into shifting into another corgi so the two of them can run around and play together. Jadzia accuses Quark of becoming attached to the small animal and he counters by pondering charging people to visit the dog park.

But Starfleet command wants the Borg device, and Sisko is reluctant to give it up just yet. Chief O’Brien confirms there is no danger of assimilation from it. Sisko wonders if it actually could be used for communications. The alliance could use something like that.

Later that night, as Quark faces down a corgi who has decided that Quark’s bed is the best bed, he gets another anonymous call. Someone has heard about the dog. Quark claims he has a buyer already. This caller claims they are not looking to buy it. His buyer is not what they seem. The caller also knows about the Borg device.

A MOST DELIGHTFUL DAY

It is a delight to return to the world of Star Trek Deep Space Nine #1. The art is clear, and the likenesses are solid. We know who everyone is. It is lovely to be able to immerse oneself in this world again. We get to see all the main characters, at least in cameo, and this is handled deftly.

Admittedly, by looking at the cover, we know there is going to be a corgi. It is still great fun when it finally arrives. A dog park holosuite simulation is a wonderful idea, and it is incongruous aboard a space station. This also makes it possible to have the dog park montage later which is one of the most fun sequences I have seen in comics for a while.

BOTTOM LINE: FUN AND INTRIGUING

Star Trek Deep Space Nine #1 is off to a terrific start with a plot that entwines itself around the entire station. I really enjoyed revisiting all the characters, and I am looking forward to the next issue. It is a little wordy at the start to get us established in the timeline, but after that, things move along at a good clip.

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.