In December, 2385, while on routine patrols in the Bajor sector the Sacajawea was contacted by Deep Space 9 to provide potential defense for the starbase and Bajor against the Jem’Hadar-Ascendant Link, which the USS Defiant was sent to attempt to retrieve, until the shape-shifter could be located or Defiant returned to the station. The Sacajawea departed shortly after Captain Ro Laren’s encounter with the shape-shifter to proceed to its next mission. (DS9 novel: Ascendance)