The Rubicon was among the first five Danube class runabouts to enter service, along with the USS Rio Grande, the USS Mekong, the USS Orinoco and the USS Yangtzee Kiang. (DS9 reference: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual) The runabout arrived at the station soon after the loss of the Mekong at the Battle of the Omarion Nebula. Commander Benjamin Sisko had Chief Miles O'Brien name the ship the Rubicon after the river in Italy. (DS9 episode: "Family Business")