The Intriguing Secrets of Seska Unveiled on Star Trek: Voyager

In Star Trek: Voyager, the journey begins as two ships, located thousands of light years away from their home in the Delta Quadrant, are brought together by an enigmatic being known as the Caretaker. The Starfleet vessel Voyager, joined by the rebel ship Val Jean belonging to the Maquis, recognize the advantage of uniting their forces. Initially, tensions arise as the Starfleet crew remains skeptical of the Maquis rebels, and the rebels resist conforming to Starfleet protocols. However, with time, they develop a deep respect for one another and form strong bonds of friendship.

Nevertheless, there is one individual, previously a member of the Maquis, whose trustworthiness comes into question. It is revealed that Ensign Seska's true loyalties do not lie with either the Federation or the Maquis but with their shared adversaries. The crew of Voyager must uncover the motives behind Seska's betrayal and understand the extent of her actions.

Early Appearances

Seska, a determined and occasionally headstrong Bajoran woman, was a recurring character in the early episodes of Voyager's first season. While she often grew frustrated with Starfleet protocol, she maintained a generally friendly demeanor towards the rest of the crew. Having a close friendship with B'elanna Torres due to their time together in the Maquis, Seska also appeared to get along well with Harry Kim, playfully teasing him about a double date mishap. Although she and Chakotay had been romantically involved in the past and concluded that it wouldn't work, Seska still harbored feelings for him. With her connections to the other characters and her determination to help Voyager return home, Seska became a well-liked supporting cast member.

However, everything changed in season 1, episode 11, "State of Flux." The crew of Voyager discovered that someone had been secretly providing information to the Kazon, a ruthless race of power-hungry aliens hell-bent on seizing Voyager's technology. To worsen matters, Federation technology was found on a wrecked Kazon vessel. Many suspected Seska, who had previously voiced her willingness to trade technology for protection from the Kazon. These accusations angered Seska, leading her to embark on a mission to prove her innocence.

Seska's True Nature

Unfortunately for Seska, her efforts have backfired. When she teleports to the Kazon ship in an attempt to remove the technology, she is rendered unconscious and returned to sickbay via teleportation. It is there that the Doctor makes a startling discovery: Seska's blood does not possess the typical genetic markers of a Bajoran. After careful examination, he determines that she is not Bajoran at all, but rather Cardassian.

Seska attempts to explain her unusual physiology by referencing Orkett's Disease, a deadly condition that claimed the lives of numerous Bajoran children during the Cardassian occupation. She claims that a Cardassian bone marrow transplant saved her life. However, after thoroughly investigating her story, the Doctor concludes that it does not account for the genetic markers found in her blood. Following an operation set up by the crew's officers, it is confirmed that Seska is indeed the culprit responsible for the stolen technology.

Unmasked, Seska unleashes her anger on Janeway and Chakotay. Disguised as a Bajoran, she had infiltrated the Maquis, who were fighting against the oppressive Cardassians. Initially cooperating with Janeway's crew, Seska became increasingly frustrated and resentful towards Starfleet's methods. Believing that if they were on a Cardassian ship, they would already be home and thriving in the Delta Quadrant, she aligns herself with the powerful Kazon, hoping to utilize their influence for her own gain. Before Janeway can apprehend her, Seska vanishes from the ship using a transporter program activated by her voice.

Conquest and domination were always appealing to Seska as a Cardassian. In the Alpha Quadrant, her people sought to achieve these goals, and in the Delta Quadrant, she was determined to do the same. Therefore, she joins forces with the Kazon Nistrim, who share a similar objective: compelling others to submit to their reign.

Collaboration With The Kazon

After departing from Voyager, Seska became involved with Maje Culluh, the leader of the Nistrim faction of the Kazon. Despite the patriarchal expectations, Seska proved herself to be a skilled manipulator. By exerting her influence over Culluh, she effectively controlled the entire Kazon faction, aiding them in their quest for dominance in the quadrant. Seska's ultimate plan was to assist the Kazon in capturing Voyager, as its advanced technology would grant the Nistrim faction unrivaled power.

Following her departure, a few former Maquis crewmembers found themselves sympathizing with Seska's actions. If providing technology to the Kazon could ensure the protection of Voyager, why not consider this option? Embracing this perspective, Crewman Mike Jonas, a previous ally of Seska's, established contact with the Kazon Nistrim and began secretly divulging information to them.

Voyager Takeover & Seska's Fate

Seska's pregnancy added further complications to the situation. During the climax of the episode "State of Flux," the crew is confronted with a video message from Seska. In this message, Seska reveals that she has used Chakotay's DNA to conceive their child. By employing her child as a means of exerting control from a distance, Seska's manipulation reaches its climax in the Season 2 finale, "Basics Part 1."

In "Basics Part 1," a message from Seska reached Voyager, revealing a distressing incident involving her child. Upon discovering that the baby was not his own, Maj Culluh became aggressive towards both Seska and the infant. Despite the potential danger, Chakotay felt compelled to rescue the baby if there was even a slight chance of harm. Captain Janeway, understanding the urgency, insisted that Voyager would accompany him in the mission to save the child.

Despite the precautions taken, Seska's distress call turned out to be a trap for Voyager. The Kazon seized control of the ship, leaving the crew stranded on a nearby planet. Only the holographic Doctor remained onboard, and he revealed some unexpected news to Seska. Contrary to her intentions, her child was not fathered by Chakotay but was instead a Kazon-Cardassian hybrid, the result of her relationship with Maj Culluh. However, Seska was determined to proceed with her plans regardless.

However, Seska's plans ultimately fell apart in "Basics Part 2." The Doctor formed an alliance with Lon Suder, who had been hiding in the ship's Jeffries tubes, and Tom Paris, who had managed to escape in a shuttle. Together, they managed to thwart the Kazon, although the ship suffered significant damage in the process. In her final moments, Seska was seen desperately trying to reach her crying baby amidst the wreckage. By the time the crew returned, she had succumbed to her injuries. The Kazon were driven off the ship, and Maje Culluh took their child with him.

The starship Voyager bid farewell to the Cardassian traitor and her Kazon allies in "Basics Part 2". This marked the culmination of one of the show's initial major storylines and the demise of their first adversary in the Delta Quadrant. Despite Seska's cunning and skill in manipulation, she ultimately made the wrong choice. Her betrayal of Voyager eventually proved to be her own downfall.