Lightstorm

Summary
In the Gamma Quadrant, a Federation colony on the planet Gakora is attacked by unknown alien ships. Kol, commander of the A'vwi is on patrol nearby and responds to the SOS call. When they arrive, they find a single survivor and take him to Deep Space 9. Sisko returns to the planet with Kol, while Koleth, one of the Klingon crewmates, stays behind to meet with Dr. Bashir, a man to whom he owes a life debt.

In the Gamma Quadrant, the ship is attacked by the same alien fleet as earlier, but is allowed to travel to their homeworld, Myvock. Malek, the leader of the aliens there welcomes the Klingons, but sentences Sisko and Dax to execution because Humans have defiled Gakora, a planet sacred to his people.

On DS9, Bashir finds out from the survivor that Lursa and B'Etor were the ones who had led the alien attack. He travels to the planet with O'Brien, only to be captured by the sisters.

Meanwhile, Kol and Katha save Sisko and Dax, and kidnap Malek. They take him to Gakora, and everyone meets up. Malek's military chief attacks the group and Koleth sacrifices himself to save Bashir's life, redeeming his debt, but Lursa and B'Etor escape. Malek realizes that the war has been a mistake.

Background Information

 * This issue featured a three page interview with Michael Westmore, conducted by Mark Paniccia.
 * This acts as a semi-sequel to the events of the mini-series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Hearts and Minds, and also features Lursa and B'Etor from, setting this story before the events of.

Creators

 * Based on:
 * Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry
 * Star Trek: Deep Space Nine created by Rick Berman & Michael Piller
 * Writers:
 * Mark A. Altman
 * Artists:
 * Rob Davis (pencil art, interior and cover)
 * Terry Pallot (inking, interior and cover)
 * Joseph Allen (letter art)
 * Ruth Yasharpour (color design)
 * Violent Hues with Janice Wismar (color art)
 * Jennifer Schellinger (cover color art)
 * Editor: Mark Paniccia

Regular and recurring characters

 * Julian Bashir : Chief medical officer aboard DS9.
 * Odo : Security chief aboard DS9.
 * Benjamin Sisko : Commander of DS9.
 * Kira Nerys : Bajoran Major, second in command aboard DS9.
 * Miles O'Brien : Chief of operations aboard DS9.
 * Jadzia Dax : Joined Trill, science officer.
 * Quark : Ferengi barkeep.
 * Morn : One of Quark's best customers.