With the looming threat from The Dominion from the Gamma Quadrant, Starfleet recognises the need to arm Deep Space Nine. If an intial invasion of Federation Space happens, the first line of defence would be the station and Bajor. However for the last three years the station has only been lightly armed and predictions show it will be over-run within two hours, not enough time for reinforcements to arrive.

Therefore the Ermiana is ordered to Starbase 375 which is approximately twenty five lightyears away from Bajor. The Ermiana will be taking aboard five thousand torpedoes, phaser arrays and torpedo launchers to transport them to the station, arming it for a potential invasion from The Dominion.

However, when the Cardassians discover the Ermiana and accuse them of arming the Maquis they blockade the ship, not allowing them to pass unless they surrender the weapons.