It Took Deсаdes, But Stаr Trek Just Reveаls Ben Sіsko's True Purрose аs аn Emіssаry

It only took decades, but Star Trek has revealed Ben Sisko’s true purpose as the “Emissary.” When Sisko arrived at Bajor in Deep Space Nine’s pilot episode, he was given the title, albeit reluctantly. As the show progressed, Sisko grew into the role, but what exactly it meant was nebulous and ever-shifting. Now, in Star Trek #29, the curtain is peeled back, revealing what being the Emissary means.

Ch'Pok Question Captain Sisko - YouTube

Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly are no strangers to Star Trek comics, having oveseen IDW's Star Trek: Year Five.

Star Trek #29 was written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Tess Fowler. The Bajoran Prophets have spared Sisko the destruction of the multiverse, shielding him inside a pocket universe. Sisko guides the Bajoran people in this new reality, a destiny which culminates with him traveling into space, and returning to the Celestial Temple. There, the Prophets remind him they “are of Bajor” but Bajor is now gone. They informed Sisko he was created to “resolve this concern” and he was successful. The Prophets then tell Sisko his universe is gone, and he must remain with them.

Image of Sisko surrounced by the Bajoran Prophets, appearing to him as his friends

Captain Sisko Is The (Reluctant) Emissary to the Bajoran People

Over Time, Sisko Grew Into the Role of Emissary

Sisko, the space station and the wormhole from Deep Space Nine season 7

Sisko was understandably shocked by this revelation, for not only did it reveal he had been striving in the pocket universe for nothing, but also why he was truly called “the Emissary.” In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s pilot episode, also called “The Emissary,” Sisko comes to Bajor, representing the Federation. During his first day as commander of the station, Sisko meets with Kai Opaka, the spiritual leader of Bajor. Opaka takes one look at Sisko and immediately calls him “the Emissary.” Sisko was puzzled by this, but to his credit, rolled with it.

Actor Avery Brooks, who played Sisko, also played Hawk on Spencer For Hire, as well as his own spinoff.

Sisko grew into the role of Emissary, but it was a slow process. Sisko was raised in a (presumably) secular environment, and the idea of being a spiritual/religious leader was a foreign concept to him. Yet the more Sisko pushed back against the title and its duties, the more he seemingly fell into it. For example, in Deep Space Nine’s fourth season, Sisko was given a vision of events on the horizon, including the Dominion War. Sisko’s experiences in this episode, which were not easily explained, helped him come to terms with being called the Emissary.

Later revelations about Sisko’s backstory, as well as developments in IDW’s line of Star Trek comics, have strengthened his connection to the Prophets. His mother Sarah was possessed by a Prophet when she conceived him, and a vision of her appears to Sisko in this issue. Sisko spent three years in the Celestial Temple with the Prophets, but they sent him back to our reality when Kahless II began killing the universe’s gods. Throughout the comics, the Prophets have been less than forthcoming with Sisko about events, which has led to a sense of ambivalence on his part towards them.

The Prophets Just Pulled the Rug Out from Underneath Captain Sisko

Will Sisko's Rage Help Him Defeat Lore?

This ambivalence gives way to anger and rage when Sisko is told his universe is dead, and there is nothing he can do about it. While doing the Prophets’ will in the pocket universe, Sisko did so assuming he would be able to return to his world and defeat Lore. Upon completion of the task, he learns this was never the case. The Prophets instead used Sisko for their own ends, creating a space for them to live while Lore rages on the outside, in the “construct” beyond the Celestial Temple.

The Prophets essentially used Sisko.

This revelation casts new light on not only Sisko’s status as the Emissary, but also the Prophets he serves. Sisko’s assumptions over what it meant to be the Emissary were upended, instead learning he was created to do one task: save the Prophets. The Prophets have no interest in Sisko’s family or crew. The Prophets essentially used Sisko. He realizes this, and it strengthens his resolve to return to the mainstream Star Trek universe and put things right, defying the will of the Prophets who crowned him their Emissary