27 years later, Star Trek continues Deep Space Nine’s redemption with a fascinating new version of Dax. The Dax symbiote was a key member of Deep Space Nine’s crew. It had two hosts during its time on the station: Jadzia and Ezri. Now, Star Trek: The Last Starship #5 introduces a new host, one crucial to the Federation’s survival.
Star Trek: The Last Starship #5 was written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing and drawn by Adriann Bonilla. The Babel Conference has been called to salvage what’s left of the Federation after the Burn. One of the delegates is Ecunis Dax, of Trill.
Unfortunately, they are only mentioned in a text piece, and not seen in the issue.
While not the first Trill Star Trek fans met, Dax was the one that catapulted the species into the upper echelon of the franchise’s aliens. A “joined species,” the Trill consists of a host body, as well as a worm-like symbiote. The host gains all the symbiote’s experiences and knowledge in exchange for keeping it alive.
Then, at the end of Deep Space Nine’s sixth season, Jadzia was killed off, and the symbiote was bonded to a new Trill named Ezri. Rather than pick up where Jadzia left off, Ezri forged her own destiny. Ezri did not try to recapture the spark Jadzia had with Worf, and she took on a different role from Jadzia.
The new host for Dax, introduced in Star Trek: The Last Starship #5, is keeping a proud tradition alive. Ecunis Dax, while never making a formal appearance, nevertheless casts a shadow over the issue, as they are one of the Babel delegates fighting to save the heart and soul of the Federation.
That a future host for Dax would take on the cause of the Federation’s survival should come as no surprise.
That a future host for Dax would take on the cause of the Federation’s survival should come as no surprise. The actions of Jadzia and Ezri Dax helped save countless lives during the Dominion War, another moment that threatened the Federation’s existence. The Dax symbiote became a Federation hero for a reason, and that commitment to justice lives into the 3rd millennium.
Recently, Starfleet Academy introduced audiences to another Dax host: Illa, an instructor at the school. By this point, the symbiote is approaching 1,000 years old, and would have been privy to some of the galaxy’s biggest events, such as the Burn. The wisdom and knowledge Dax now possesses is immense.
It is most likely that The Last Starship’s creative team was not aware a new Dax symbiote would debut at Starfleet Academy. However, Illa and Ecunis can exist in the same universe. Ecunis’ time would be before Illa’s. It is most likely that Ecunis was the Dax host before Illa.
Star Trek: The Last Starship #5 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!
In a shocking twist that left fans stunned, the complicated relationship between Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek takes another dramatic turn — this time with unexpected pregnancy news that changes everything.
It all begins after an emotional and intimate moment between the two. What seemed like a fleeting connection quickly turns into something far more serious when Burgess discovers she’s pregnant — and Ruzek is the father.
The news hits hard. Not just for Ruzek, but for Burgess herself, who finds herself completely overwhelmed by the reality of the situation.
With a dangerous job, an unstable life, and a relationship still full of unresolved tension, Burgess is forced to face the hardest question of her life:
Should she keep the baby… or let it go?
At first, she hesitates. The timing feels wrong, the risks feel too high. Ruzek, equally shaken, struggles to process it all — but makes one thing clear: he will stand by her, no matter what she decides.
The pressure builds as both of them realize that this isn’t just about love anymore — it’s about responsibility, fear, and the unknown future ahead.
After a deeply emotional case, Burgess begins to see things differently. The idea of becoming a mother slowly starts to feel right. Against all odds, she decides to keep the baby.
For a brief moment, it seems like hope has returned.
But then… everything falls apart.
During a dangerous mission, Burgess is brutally attacked. The consequences are devastating — she loses the baby before it ever has a chance to be born.
The loss shatters both of them.
In an instant, hope turns into heartbreak, leaving fans completely devastated by one of the most emotional storylines in the series.
The tragedy doesn’t just take the baby — it leaves a deep emotional scar between them. Burgess shuts down, drowning in grief, while Ruzek is left feeling helpless and broken.
And yet, somehow, this shared pain begins to pull them back toward each other.