Tactical alert

Tactical alert was asecurityprotocol instituted byMalcolm Reed in2152 while under theinfluence of dangerousmind-affectingradiation aboardEnterprise NX-01, in response to the perceived number of threats that were being encountered by thestarship in theirdeep space exploration mission. The protocol was kept due to its usefulness. It was a precursor to the color-codedalert system used on laterStarfleet vessels.

The alert was designed to automatically bring the ship to battle-ready status when a pre-programmed set of circumstances occurred (for instance, an impact to thehull, or an order from the captain). When a tactical alert was initiated, thehull plating was polarized, theweapons were automatically charged, and critical systems such as thewarp core were secured. In addition, allcrewmembers would report tobattle stations upon initiation of the alert. The tactical alert was initially accompanied by a loud, gratingklaxon, which aggravatedCaptainJonathan Archer andCommanderTucker, who felt it sounded like "a bag full ofcats." The klaxon was not retained in future uses of the alert. While in the process of naming the new condition, the terms "security protocol" and "condition red" were suggested. The term "Reed alert" wassarcastically suggested by Commander Tucker as a name whileLieutenant Reed was working on it, but was later dismissed by Reed as being "a bit narcissistic," whereas security protocol was deemed "not very dynamic." (ENT: "Singularity")

By the23rd century, tactical alert was replaced inStarfleet by thered,yellow, andblue alert conditions. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,et al.)

This aside, theUSSVoyager utilized a form of tactical alert during its time in theDelta Quadrant in the 2370s. (VOY: "Scorpion",et al.)

It was also an alert status aboard Klingon Defense Force ships to indicate approaching hostile vessels. It was used on the IKSRotarran during their mission to find and rescue the IKSB'Moth battle cruiser when theRotarran's sensors detected a Jem'Hadar warship approaching their position near the Cardassian border. (DS9: "Soldiers of the Empire")

ThePralorAutomated Personnel Units utilized a tactical alert status aboardtheir vessels during the2370s. (VOY: "Prototype")

In analternate timeline whereChakotay andHarry Kim attempted to alter history in2390, theDelta Flyer'scomputer signaled a tactical alert when theUSSChallenger approached to apprehend them. (VOY: "Timeless")

Notable uses[]

• Enterprise NX-01
  • 2153 – Captain Archer ordered tactical alert whenEnterprise was searching theBorg-assimilatedtransportArctic One. (ENT: "Regeneration")
  • 2154 – Lieutenant Reed ordered tactical alert when aXindi-Insectoidstarship opened asubspace vortex off theportbow ofEnterprise. (ENT: "Hatchery")
  • 2154 – Commander Tucker ordered tactical alert whenVulcan starships tried to forceEnterprise fromorbit ofVulcan. (ENT: "Awakening")
  • 2154 – Commander Tucker ordered tactical alert after Reed discovered thatSoval was captured by theAndorians. (ENT: "Kir'Shara")

• Voyager
  • Captain Janeway putVoyager on full tactical alert after at least twoVidiian vessels were detected onlong range sensors. (VOY: "Fury")
  • CommanderChakotay putVoyager on full tactical alert prior to its entry into theNorthwest Passage. (VOY: "Scorpion")
  • Captain Janeway putVoyager on 24-hour tactical alert when they were under constant attack byKrenim vessels. (VOY: "Year of Hell")
  • Captain Janeway initiated tactical alert whenVoyager was approaching aSpecies 8472 station in an attempt to rescue Commander Chakotay. (VOY: "In the Flesh")