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In {{film|6}}, it can be heard that only certain decks should remain on red alert while in [[Klingon]] space. This makes it clear that only parts of the ship can be on red alert, while the rest of the ship drops to a lower readiness level. |
In {{film|6}}, it can be heard that only certain decks should remain on red alert while in [[Klingon]] space. This makes it clear that only parts of the ship can be on red alert, while the rest of the ship drops to a lower readiness level. |
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| − | In {{TNG}} , the red alert lights change during the show's run. The first time red alert is heard, is {{TNG|Encounter |
+ | In {{TNG}} , the red alert lights change during the show's run. The first time red alert is heard, is {{TNG|Encounter at Farpoint}} , but the lights aren't flashing red. The first time the lights are seen flashing red is in {{TNG|The Naked Now}} , which have only the top and bottom part of the lights flashing. However, beginning from {{TNG|Where Silence Has Lease}} , the whole part of the lights flash. The next change the lights have is seen in {{TNG|Man of the People}} , where there is a longer period between when it flashes and when the sound is heard. |
==External link== |
==External link== |
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Revision as of 06:03, 5 November 2009
The red alert graphic as used on the Template:ShipClass refit
The red alert graphic as used on the Template:ShipClass
Red alert
A red alert (also condition red (alert) or code red) is the highest alert signal status on Starfleet vessels, one stage above a yellow alert. In this status, weapons systems and shields are brought to full power, as the ship prepares for combat. Red alert is also ordered during various other emergency situations, such as a ship being boarded, radiation exposure, a security alert, massive systems failure, an imminent warp core breach, and an evacuation order among others. During a red alert, lights are dimmed, alarms blare, and computer terminals show constant red graphics. The Klingon equivalent of this status is defense condition one. (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")
A red alert may either be activated manually by the Commanding Officer or the officer in charge, or automatically (when a ship is attacked, enters a dangerous area, etc). (TOS: "The Corbomite Maneuver") The raising of shields automatically triggers a red alert. (TNG: "Contagion")
Usage
In 2369 Commander Benjamin Sisko ordered red alert for Deep Space 9 when an alien ship from the Gamma Quadrant fired a radiation onto the shields which depolarized them. (DS9: "Captive Pursuit")
The same year Sisko ordered red alert when the pulse wave torpedo was fired into the subspace rupture. (DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses")
In 2372, Captain Benjamin Sisko ordered red alert on the USS Defiant, shortly before the cloaking device was deactivated and the shields raised up, to prepare for the battle with three Klingon Birds-of-Prey. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")
Related links
Background
"Red alert" comes from the naval tradition of general quarters, and in fact the command "general quarters" may be used interchangeably to bring the ship into red alert. In TNG: "Where No One Has Gone Before", Captain Jean-Luc Picard issued both commands. The Klingon equivalent for red alert may be a reference to the American alert system DEFCON.
In ENT: "Singularity" it is hinted at that Lieutenant Reed had developed the term red alert, as it was jokingly referred to as "Reed alert". It was never mentioned again, but tactical alert screens all over the ship later displayed "Alert Condition Red". (citation needed • edit)
In VOY: "Scorpion, Part II", Chakotay mentioned that the USS Voyager would remain on "full" red alert. This may signify that there are multiple levels of red alert status, or that certain aspects of red alert, such as manning battle stations, can be stood down while allowing other aspects such as charged weapons to remain active. It may however simply refer to the fact that Voyager would remain at red alert for the duration.
In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, it can be heard that only certain decks should remain on red alert while in Klingon space. This makes it clear that only parts of the ship can be on red alert, while the rest of the ship drops to a lower readiness level.
In TNG: , the red alert lights change during the show's run. The first time red alert is heard, is TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint" , but the lights aren't flashing red. The first time the lights are seen flashing red is in TNG: "The Naked Now" , which have only the top and bottom part of the lights flashing. However, beginning from TNG: "Where Silence Has Lease" , the whole part of the lights flash. The next change the lights have is seen in TNG: "Man of the People" , where there is a longer period between when it flashes and when the sound is heard.