10 Incredible Times Star Trek Ensigns Saved The Day

Sito Jaxa got off to a bad start in her Starfleet career. At the Academy, she was part of the cadet flight team Nova Squadron, which included Wesley Crusher. The group had attempted an illegal, and highly dangerous, Kolvoord Starburst manoeuvre that ended in disaster and the death of fellow cadet, Joshua Albert. Sito and the others then lied to a board of inquiry in an attempt to cover up the cause of the accident, and shift the blame to Albert, until the truth was finally revealed. All but the squadron leader Nicholas Locarno (Tom Paris in another life) were allowed to continue at the Academy but obliged to repeat the year.

There’s nothing like a redemption story, however, and this one stands out both in its heroism and tragic consequences. The next time we encounter Sito is as an ensign, and original lower-decker, aboard the Enterprise-D. After a dress-down fake-out from Picard (it is, in fact, he who ensured her transfer), and an equally fictitious 'to the death' Klingon 'ritual,' Sito learns that she has, in truth, been assigned the mission to ensure the safe return of Cardassian defector Joret Dal to Cardassia Prime. Even given the enormous risks and, of course, the history between Bajorans and Cardassians, Sito accepts. The mission succeeds as Joret makes it back, but Sito’s escape pod is destroyed in the process, and she is presumed dead.

As Picard says in a solemn ship-wide announcement: "[Ensign Sito] was the finest example of a Starfleet officer". All aboard, and especially her friends, are devastated by her loss.

I’m not crying, you’re crying!