10 Incredible Times Star Trek Ensigns Saved The Day

"No bloody 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' or 'D'." Thankfully not prophetic words.

The Next Generation episode Relics is most remembered for the (re-)appearance of Captain Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott via a little transporter wizardry. It equally features an on-screen realisation of an actual theoretical concept, a Dyson Sphere – a gigantic structure that encompasses an entire star to utilise its power, and not the latest model of a certain type of vacuum cleaner.

When the Enterprise-D is accidentally pulled into the Dyson Sphere by an automated mechanism, the ship’s power systems are knocked out, and it begins to fall directly towards the star inside. Riker manages to divert some power to thrusters, but it is Ensign Sariel Rager at the helm who manoeuvres the ship into a stable orbit, thus avoiding total destruction.

Later, La Forge and Scotty hatch the plan to free the Enterprise using the latter’s ship, the USS Jenolan, as a door stop; however, it is the exceptional flying skills of Ensign Rager that once again save the day. When the Jenolan is destroyed, the doors of the Dyson Sphere begin to close. Rager performs a magnificent 90-degree roll at breakneck speed, and she does so with such calm composure that it makes this seriously advanced bit of flying look effortless. The Enterprise squeezes through the ever-narrowing opening and escapes the sphere.

Ensign Rager, you are a legend! We don’t really see if anyone congratulated you, as it’s back to the engineers for some ego-stroking, but we sure hope someone did!