Scene: Science Officer's log, stardate 47603.3. Commander Sisko has assigned me to investigate an unusual particle field detected on the other side of the wormhole. Odo has come along to Gamma Quadrant, hoping to find clues to his origin.
Dax: So you see, Ensign Manwaring has spent the last two weeks avoiding the assay office because he thought that Freyla was in love with Lieutenant Strek, but all the while Strek was seeing Security Officer Seelee. And Freyla was waiting for Manwaring to ask her out.
Odo: Officer Seelee has seemed distracted at work lately. I'm going to have to talk to her about this when I get back to the station.
Dax: Odo, I didn't tell you that story to get Seelee in trouble.
Odo: Frankly, Lieutenant, I fail to see any point in your story at all, except perhaps to illustrate the foolish humanoid preoccupation with romantic coupling.
Dax: The point is that sometimes we don't see true love even when it's staring us right in the face.
Odo: How fascinating.
Dax: Let me give you another example. You know Lysia Arlin?
Odo: The Bolian woman who runs the jumja kiosk.
Dax: I've noticed she's been making a lot of visits to the Security Office lately.
Odo: She has a cousin who's interested in a career in law enforcement.
Dax: You don't say.
Odo: Are you implying that Lysia Arlin is interested in me? Ridiculous. I would have noticed.
Dax: Exactly my point.
Odo: You must be mistaken.
Dax: And how can you be so sure?
Odo: Because women don't react to me in that manner.
Dax: Are you saying that you've never had a female friend?
Odo: I consider Major Kira a friend.
Dax: That's not what I meant. I'm talking about an intimate friendship.
Odo: That's a very personal question.
Dax: I'm sorry, but after seven lifetimes the impersonal questions aren't much fun anymore.
Odo: Huh.
Dax: Looks like we found our particle field. They're omicron particles.
Odo: Is that unusual?
Dax: Omicron particles are incredibly rare. They can only be created by certain types of matter-antimatter reactions. The field seems to be coming from the second planet in the system. Let's go a little closer. That's strange. The particles are concentrated in one small valley.
Odo: Sensors aren't picking up any lifeforms.
Dax: The particle field could be interfering with the sensors. We'd better beam down for a closer look.
Dax: I'm still getting a lot of interference. The particle field must be blocking the tricorder functions.
Dax: The interference seems to be coming from here. This must be the source of the field. It's probably some kind of matter-antimatter reactor.
Odo: Lieutenant, I suggest we leave before we're diskovered.
Dax: Give me a minute.
Odo: Take all the time you want.
Quark: It's about time. Enter. Where have you been? I've been waiting hours. Major. Er, I'm sorry. We're closed. You'll have to come back in the morning.
Kira: Oh, I didn't come here for a drink. I thought you'd like to know your cousin Kono just tried to come aboard the station.
Quark: Kono? Here? What an unexpected pleasure.
Kira: He's gone, Quark. When we tried to talk to him, he beamed onto a departing Tellarite freighter.
Quark: There must be some mistake. Why would Kono be coming here?
Kira: I was wondering the same thing myself, so I did a little checking. Your cousin's wanted for robbing a museum on Cardassia Five. My guess is he thought someone here would help him sell the merchandise.
Quark: Outrageous. You have no proof of that.
Kira: Quark, get this into that twisted little brain of yours. If you thought you were going to get away with anything while Odo's gone, think again. I'm watching you.
Quark: Major, you make it sound like you don't like me.
Kira: Don't like you? You collaborated with the Cardassians, you cheat your customers, and you're a danger to this station. I don't just not like you, I despise you.
Quark: I'm sorry I mentioned it.
Jake: A job? What do I need a job for?
Sisko: You're fifteen years old. It's time you took a little responsibility. Look, Nog works, doesn't he?
Jake: Yeah.
Sisko: You're almost as old as he is. When I was your age, I had a job, and it was a terrific experience.
Jake: All right. I'll talk to Nog and see if he can get me a job at Quark's.
Sisko: Quarks? I was thinking more along the lines of you helping out Chief O'Brien.
Jake: Chief O'Brien?
Sisko: You do like Chief O'Brien, don't you?
Jake: He's okay, but I don't know anything about engineering.
Sisko: This is the perfect opportunity to learn. Besides it'll look great on your application to Starfleet Academy.
Jake: Okay, I'll give it a try.
Sisko: That's all I ask.
Odo: Are we being accused of some kind of crime?
Colyus: Have you committed one?
Dax: We've just arrived here.
Colyus: So you keep saying.
Dax: If you want, you can check our ship's logs and they'll prove it to you.
Colyus: Logs can be tampered with. Well, you ought know that. After all, you claim to be a Security Officer.
Odo: I am a Security Officer and I've had enough of this. If we were guilty, we wouldn't even be here right now. I'll prove it. Computer, one to beam up.
Dax: Don't worry, he'll be right back.
Dax: What did I tell you?
Colyus: Now that's interesting, you disappearing like that, because I've got twenty two people who've disappeared without a trace.
Odo: Twenty two missing people? Did they all disappear at the same time?
Colyus: No, it started in the fall. But the last victim vanished six hours ago.
Dax: Six hours ago we weren't even in this system. If you want, you can accompany us back to our station and they will verify everything we've told you.
Odo: Do you have any other suspects?
Colyus: You were my only ones. I'm not saying everybody here is perfect. We have some petty thefts, an occasional fight, but kidnapping or murder? No, no, we've never had anything like that before.
Odo: I see. So, Have you scanned the area for signs of transporter activity?
Colyus: It was the first thing I tried. I didn't find anything. You know, I've been protector here for almost ten years. I like to think I'm pretty good at my job. People trust me to solve their problems. But whoever's behind these disappearances is a lot smarter than I am. I have to admit, I'm starting to get desperate.
Odo: Maybe what you need is a little help.
Colyus: Maybe.
Colyus: Rurigan.
Rurigan: So, these are the strangers I heard about. Shouldn't they be in a cell?
Colyus: I'm satisfied they have nothing to do with the disappearances. In fact, Odo here is a Security Officer. He's going to try to help us.
Rurigan: And how do you plan to do that?
Odo: I understand your daughter is the latest victim. When was the last time you saw her?
Rurigan: This morning, at first meal. But Taya said she saw her later, in her workroom around midday.
Odo: Taya?
Rurigan: My granddaughter. Colyus, Anetra's gone just like the others. We're never going to find them.
Odo: How can you be so sure?
Rurigan: Let's just say I haven't been proven wrong yet.
Dax: I'd like to scan the area again for transporter activity, in case you missed something.
Colyus: Go right ahead.
Dax: I'm still not getting a clear reading. The omicron particles put out by the reactor are creating too much interference.
Colyus: It must be your equipment. Our scanners never give any trouble.
Dax: Certain kinds of transporters leave behind a residual electrostatic charge. If we could check Anetra's workroom?
Odo: If you don't mind, I'd like to talk to your granddaughter.
Rurigan: Well, last time I saw her she was across the square. I'll take you to her.
Rurigan: Taya? Don't be afraid, Taya. This is a friend of Protector Colyus. He just wants you to answer a few questions.
Taya: Do I have to?
Rurigan: Not if you don't want to.
Odo: But it would help if I could talk to you about your mother's disappearance.
Taya: She hasn't disappeared. She'll be back.
Odo: The last time you saw your mother, did she seem upset about anything? Nervous, perhaps, or worried?
Taya: She seemed fine. When will she be coming home?
Rurigan: I don't know, Taya. Let's go. It's past your bedtime.
Odo: I'd like to ask a few more questions.
Rurigan: It'll wait till morning.
Sisko: Chief, here's the new apprentice we discussed.
O'Brien: Yes, sir. Welcome aboard. Well, let's get to work. I was just about to run a diagnostic on the primary system core.
Sisko: Mister Sisko. I almost forgot. For you.
Jake: Thanks, Dad.
Sisko: It's standard equipment for all station personnel.
Bashir: Let me get this straight, Major. You want me to spy on Quark for you?
Kira: I wouldn't call it spying, exactly. I just thought you might, you know, keep an eye on him while Odo's away. When you're not busy.
Bashir: It's no problem, Major.
Kira: Then you'll do it?
Bashir: I look forward to it. Garak has been lecturing me on surveillance techniques. This will give me a chance to try some of them out.
Sisko: Sisko to Kira.
Kira: This is Kira.
Sisko: Major, I thought you might like to know we've received word that Vedek Bareil is coming aboard the station.
Kira: Coming aboard? When?
Sisko: His ship just arrived at docking bay twelve.
Kira: I wish you'd given us a little more notice. We could've arranged a formal reception.
Bareil: That's exactly what I wanted to avoid.
Kira: What brings you to the station?
Bareil: Prylar Rhit invited me to speak at the station shrine. But, to be honest, I've been looking for an opportunity to see you.
Kira: Really? I'm honored.
Bareil: Honored? Actually, I was hoping you'd be happy to see me.
Kira: Oh, I am. Very happy.
Odo: Hello, Taya. Remember me? We met last night.
Taya: You wanted to ask me questions.
Odo: That's right. About your mother. I understand you were the last one to see her.
Taya: I guess. What happened to your face?
Odo: Nothing happened to my face. I'm a shape-shifter. I just don't do faces very well. I have the ability to change my shape to look like other things.
Taya: You mean you're a changeling?
Odo: That's right.
Taya: There's no such thing as changelings. They're make-believe. Everyone knows that.
Odo: Well, I'm not make-believe.
Taya: All right, then let me see you change into something.
Odo: Maybe later. Right now I feel like talking.
Taya: If I were a changeling, I'd change shapes all the time. Everyone would want to be my friend.
Odo: I wish it were that easy.
Taya: Why wouldn't it be?
Odo: When I was younger, people were always asking me to change shape for them. They'd pretend to be my friends, but all they wanted was to see me become a chair or an animal. None of them ever really cared about me.
Taya: Maybe they were scared of you.
Odo: Some of them probably were.
Taya: I'm not afraid of you.
Odo: I'm glad to hear that.
Taya: Were your parents changelings too?
Odo: I never knew my parents. I've been looking for them a long time.
Taya: My father died when I was four. I don't remember him very well. The last time I saw my mother, she was in her workroom making pottery. When I went to get her for midday meal, she was gone.
Odo: How did she act when you last saw her?
Taya: Happy. She was making a vase for Mister Depnen, the baker. He really likes my mom so he always saves us the best loaf of greenbread.
Odo: Has your mother ever gone anywhere before? A trip? Vacation?
Taya: We don't go on trips.
Odo: Never?
Taya: No, we never leave the valley.
Odo: Why not?
Taya: Nobody ever leaves the valley. Everything we need is right here.
Odo: I see.
Taya: My mother's never coming back, is she?
Odo: Why do you say that?
Taya: That's what grandfather told me.
Odo: Taya, I don't know where your mother is, but I promise you, I'm going to do everything I can to find her and bring her back to you.
O'Brien: Okay, one more time. These are all isolinear rods. The ones with the white labels contain data relating to the engineering system controls, the red labeled ones are for library and information storage, and the blue ones are?
Jake: I'm never going to get this.
O'Brien: Give yourself some time. I didn't get a handle on this stuff until almost a year after I joined Starfleet. I mean, it's not like you're going off to the Academy tomorrow, is it? What's wrong?
Jake: Nothing. It's just that, why does everyone assume that I'm going to go to the Academy?
O'Brien: You want to go, don't you?
Jake: Not really.
O'Brien: Does your father know?
Jake: He wouldn't understand.
O'Brien: I know how you feel. You know what my father wanted me to be? A musician. It's true. I was supposed to be a cello player. He made me practice every day. I got to be pretty good, and when I was seventeen, he sent a recorded audition to the Aldebaran Music Academy.
Jake: What happened?
O'Brien: I got in. It was the happiest day of his life. I didn't know how to tell him I didn't want to go, so two days before I was due to leave, I went into town and signed up for Starfleet.
Jake: What did your dad do?
O'Brien: Oh, he was furious. But once he calmed down a little, he saw how much I wanted to join. Nowadays, when I go home, he introduces me as 'my son, Senior Chief Specialist Miles Edward O'Brien'. The point is, you've got to live your own life.
Jake: I don't want to disappoint my dad.
O'Brien: Your dad's not a bad guy. He'll come round. Just give him some time.
Bareil: So, what did you think?
Kira: Of your speech? I liked everything about it, except the content.
Bareil: You disagree with my interpretation of the Eighth Prophecy?
Kira: Disagree is a bit of an understatement. Passionately disagree is more like it. The way you have of taking a prophecy and showing that it can mean exactly the opposite of the accepted interpretation is
Bareil: It's brilliant. Insightful.
Kira: Infuriating.
Bareil: Maybe we should talk about something else.
Kira: Like what?
Bareil: The Ilvian katterpod crop maybe? Or the new nature preserve in Hedrikspool Province? No? Maybe the standings in the springball championship.
Kira: You follow springball?
Bareil: Religiously, if you'll pardon the expression. I even used to play a little.
Kira: Me, too. I had Chief O'Brien design a springball holosuite program.
Bareil: Really? Let's go.
Kira: You want to play springball?
Bareil: Why not? Well, unless you have a more pressing engagement?
Kira: Not that I can think of.
Bareil: Good. I could use the practice.
Odo: From what I understand, you helped found this colony.
Rurigan: That's right. I'm the oldest one left.
Odo: This colony must be very important to you. You helped found it, you raised a family here.
Rurigan: I'm very proud of what we've accomplished.
Odo: Then explain something to me. This colony's undergoing a serious crisis. Your daughter is among the missing, yet you hardly seem concerned.
Rurigan: There's nothing I can do to change things. I wish there was. Now is there anything else, or can I go?
Odo: Are you sure you're all right?
Rurigan: Why wouldn't I be?
Odo: You seem to be in a great deal of pain.
Rurigan: Why do you say that?
Odo: I can see it in your eyes. Perhaps you'd like to sit here for a moment and rest.
Rurigan: Well, it wouldn't do much good. You see, I'm dying.
Odo: I'm sorry.
Rurigan: I've had a good life. No regrets. I wish I could see my daughter once again. Now, if there are no more questions?
Odo: Actually, there is one thing I've been wondering. How come no one ever leaves the village? I haven't met anyone yet who's ever been outside this valley. Any idea why?
Rurigan: I suppose it's because people around here don't like to travel. After all, there's no place to go.
Odo: How can you be so sure? Have you ever left the valley?
Rurigan: Now that you mention it, no.
Odo: When I asked Colyus if he searched outside the valley for the missing people, he looked surprised, as if he'd never thought of it before. I find that very peculiar. Where I come from, we would have searched the entire countryside.
Rurigan: Yes, I suppose Colyus thought there was no point to it. But I guarantee you, there are no missing people out there.
Odo: You're sure of that.
Rurigan: Absolutely.
Taya: And then the great Minra said to the evil changeling, 'maybe you can turn into a mountain, or a ghergher beast, or a tornado, but those are big things and big things are easy. I bet you can't turn into something small, like a loaf of greenbread.' And so the changeling said 'Yes I can.' and he did, and do you know what happened?
Odo: The great Minra gobbled him up.
Taya: How'd you know that?
Odo: The changeling in your story wasn't very smart.
Taya: Could you turn into a loaf of greenbread?
Odo: I suppose I could.
Taya: Show me.
Odo: And let you gobble me up? I don't think so.
Taya: You see that tree. Sometimes we go there to play. That's the farthest I've ever been from the village.
Odo: Wait here.
Taya: But I want to come see too.
Odo: Please, do as I say. Lieutenant, would you come with me?
Dax: I'm still not reading other lifeforms, and no indications of any power source.
Dax: Did you see that? It just vanished. It happened just as we passed those bushes.
Dax: Taya.
Odo: Taya, don't come any closer.
Taya: But I brought you some harrid berries.
Colyus: Odo says you know what happened to the missing villagers.
Dax: I think I do. It's a little complicated to explain. It'd probably be easier if I showed you. May I have your cloak?
Colyus: My cloak?
Dax: Please.
Colyus: Well.
Dax: Thank you.
Dax: Now stand back.
Colyus: I'm waiting. DAX This may take a minute. I don't want to make a mistake.
Colyus: That was my favorite cloak.
Odo: Please, stay where you are.
Colyus: Are you saying somebody used our reactor to transport the victims away?
Dax: No. It's not a transporter. It's a holographic projector. It creates an omicron particle field and then manipulates the field to form physical objects like your cloak.
Colyus: What does this have to do with the missing people?
Dax: The people are made up of omicron particles too.
Colyus: You mean they're holograms?
Dax: I'm afraid so. You see, the component that controls the particle field, it's breaking down, and that's why people are disappearing.
Colyus: That's ridiculous. Some of the victims were my friends. One of them is my nephew.
Dax: If I'm right, everyone and everything in this village is a holographic projection.
Colyus: And I thought I was desperate to find an answer.
Odo: Listen to me, Colyus. I know this is difficult to accept.
Colyus: It's going to take a whole lot more than a vanishing cloak to make me believe that I'm some kind of hologram.
Odo: I'd be skeptical too if I were you, but we have further proof.
Colyus: What kind of proof?
Dax: The holographic field ends just outside this valley, and earlier today Taya tried to reach past the edge and her arm disappeared.
Colyus: Is she all right?
Odo: She's fine. Her arm rematerialized as soon as she pulled it back inside.
Colyus: Where exactly did this happen?
Dax: We could show you, if you'd like.
Colyus: I think you'd better.
Kira: I'm sorry.
Bareil: Don't apologize. I should have seen it coming. Where did you learn to play like that?
Kira: My brothers and I used to play at the Singha refugee camp. There wasn't much else to do.
Bareil: Yeah, I was at Relliketh. And now here we are. That was delicious.
Kira: Thank the replicators.
Bareil: Here, let me help.
Kira: That's not necessary. Your shoulder
Bareil: Never felt better.
Kira: Maybe I could use some help after all.
Kira: I'll have to remember to thank Prylar Rhit for inviting you here.
Bareil: You'd better tell him soon. Prylar Rhit is going to be returning to Bajor. It appears he fancies himself something of a dabo player.
Kira: Really?
Bareil: He's run up a sizable gambling debt. It's caused quite a scandal in the Vedek Assembly.
Kira: Let me get this straight. The man who invited you to the station owes money to Quark?
Bareil: Who?
Kira: The little troll who runs the dabo tables. I have to go.
Bareil: Why?
Kira: I need to talk to Prylar Rhit. I think I know the real reason he invited you here.
Colyus: People, please. Please! Quiet! Quiet! Calm down! Quiet! Calm down, everybody. We have to make a decision here.
Merruk: Colyus, you should be out looking for my wife and all the others who are missing.
Female: Not wasting time listening to these strangers and their lies.
Colyus: You all witnessed what happened when they brought us to the edge of the field. Merruk, we both saw your hand disappear.
Merruk: It could've been a trick.
Dax: It wasn't a trick.
Female: Then how come we've never learned about this before.
Odo: Because none of you ever tried to leave the valley.
Colyus: It's possible we were programd not to leave so that we wouldn't learn the truth. Now, we have to shut down the system. If we don't fix it soon, the whole village will disappear. Dax, you said if you can fix the machine, you might be able to bring back the missing people.
Dax: We hope so.
Rurigan: What if you turn off the projector and you can't get it back on?
Dax: Then this village will cease to exist. The system's only a few months away from complete failure anyway. At least this way we have a chance to save you.
Taya: Grandfather, please, let her try.
Merruk: What do you think?
Rurigan: Well, we can't go on like this. I guess we should let her shut it down.
Colyus: Are there any objections? Then it's settled.
Taya: I can't wait to see my mother.
Taya: Your face isn't so scary, once you get used to it.
Odo: Thank you, Taya.
Dax: All right, here we go.
Dax: Odo.
Rurigan: Don't look so surprised. I'm as real as you are.
Rurigan: I was happy living on Yadera Prime, that is, until the Dominion took over and changed our whole way of life. I realized one morning that I didn't really belong there anymore. So I came here, and I used a holo-generator to recreate all the things that I'd lost. I've lived here in my village for nearly thirty years. I've watched its people marry, have children, grow old. And sometimes I even forgot that they were holograms. But it's over. It's over. And I would appreciate it if you'd take me back to Yadera Prime.
Odo: But what about the villagers? What about your granddaughter?
Rurigan: She's not real.
Odo: Technically, I suppose you're right. Maybe by our definition, Taya's not real. Her memories are stored in a computer. Her body is made up of omicron particles. But who's to say that our definition of life is the only valid one. I'm sure if you asked her, she'd say she was real. She thinks, she feels.
Rurigan: She only seems to. It's all an illusion. An illusion that I created.
Odo: You said you created the village thirty years ago. Taya's only ten.
Rurigan: I designed the program so the villagers could have children if they wanted to.
Dax: Then Taya's personality is a combination of her parent's personalities.
Odo: Just like a real child. You had nothing to do with it.
Rurigan: But she's still a hologram.
Odo: Maybe, but I saw the way you held her hand when she was sad. I saw the way you tried to comfort her when she was frightened.
Rurigan: I didn't want her to get hurt.
Odo: If she's not real, what does it matter?
Rurigan: It matters. It matters to me.
Odo: Why should it matter to you if a hologram cries?
Rurigan: Because I love her.
Dax: And she loves you.
Odo: Don't you see? She's real to you, and she's real to me too. They're all real. And you can't turn your back on them now.
Sisko: Jake, how was work?
Jake: Okay. It's kind of fun working with Chief O'Brien. But it would be better if I knew what I was doing.
Sisko: You'll get there.
Jake: I guess so.
Sisko: I'm glad you decided to stick with it.
Jake: Yeah. Dad, I don't want to join Starfleet.
Sisko: Since when?
Jake: Since forever. Starfleet is too much like you. I need to find what's me. Does that make any sense?
Sisko: Perfect sense.
Jake: It does?
Sisko: It's your life, Jake. You have to choose your own way. There is only one thing I want from you. Find something you love, then do it the best you can.
Jake: I'll try.
Sisko: Good. Then you'll make the old man proud.
Jake: I'd better go study. I'm still trying to figure out those isolinear rods.
Kira: Hello, Quark.
Quark: Major. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure.
Kira: Just thought I'd let you know. We caught your cousin trying to slip back onto the station. and guess what we confiscated from him? Bone-carvings stolen from a museum on Cardassia Five.
Quark: I always knew Kono was no good.
Kira: I only wish we could have caught the two of you together.
Quark: Life is full of disappointments.
Kira: By the way, Prylar Rhit tells me you encouraged him to invite Bareil onto the station.
Quark: Is that a crime?
Kira: Not at all. I just wanted to thank you. I found him very diverting.
Quark: Not diverting enough.
Dax: All right, nothing to do now but reactivate the system and see what happens.
Rurigan: Wait. Lieutenant, I'd like to ask you a favor. If it works, please don't tell any of the others that I'm not like them. I don't want to be treated any differently than before.
Odo: Of course.
Taya: Mother? Mother? Mother!
Colyus: Well, you did it.
Dax: We upgraded the system's memory core and realigned the field generators. I don't think you'll have to worry about anyone disappearing now.
Colyus: We just have to get used to the fact that we're holograms.
Rurigan: We're alive and we have our families back. That's the only thing that counts.
Colyus: I wonder who created all this?
Odo: Whoever it was did a fine job.
Colyus: They did, didn't they. Well. it was good working with you, Odo. Next time you're on this side of the galaxy I hope you come by and see us.
Odo: I would like that.
Colyus: We don't get that many visitors.
Taya: Odo, my mother's back.
Odo: I'm glad.
Taya: You're leaving.
Odo: I'm afraid so.
Taya: I'll miss you.
Odo: I'll miss you, too.
Taya: Thank you for bringing my mother back. I hope you find your parents, too.
Odo: Thank you, Taya. So do I.
Odo: Taya.
Dax: Computer, two to beam up.


Bashir: You know, if there's anything I can do for you while you're here
Arjin: Oh, you've already been helpful. Just hearing about Dax makes me feel a little less nervous about the whole thing.
Bashir: Really? There's no reason to be nervous. Jadzia will be a wonderful host, Well, that is, she is a wonderful host in a Trill manner of speaking. I'm sure you'll learn a lot from her.
Arjin: She sounds very different from the other Dax's I've heard about.
Bashir: In what fashion?
Arjin: Let me put it this way. When I was told that Jadzia Dax had been designated my field docent, I asked for reassignment.
Bashir: You're joking. Why?
Arjin: Because Dax is known for breaking initiates.
Bashir: Breaking them?
Arjin: I looked up the records. Over the past two hundred years, Dax has personally eliminated fifty seven host candidates from the program.
Arjin: I suppose it's too late to introduce myself to her.
Bashir: Too late? I doubt it. Jadzia's a night owl. Computer, locate Lieutenant Dax.
Computer: Lieutenant Dax is on level seven, section five.
Bashir: Ah. Of course. Then take us to level seven, section five. That's the computer's way of saying she's in Quark's.
Arjin: Over five thousand candidates qualify for the training program each year. Only three hundred symbionts are available on the average. It doesn't take much for one of us to get knocked out of consideration. The administrators only want hosts who are
Dax: Confront.
Arjin: The best and the brightest
Dax: It's the ears every time he goes to acquire he scratches behind his left ear like this.
Quark: Don't play with my ears, unless you're serious about it.
Bashir: Jadzia, you have a guest.
Dax: Oh. You're not supposed to be here till tomorrow.
Arjin: Yes, ma'am. I caught a transport from Starbase forty one a day early.
Bashir: We found ourselves sitting next to each other on the way here. I've been telling Arjin all about you.
Dax: Really.
Bashir: Well, not quite all about you.
Quark: Do you play tongo, Arjin?
Arjin: Tongo? No, sir.
Quark: Then, you'll have to leave, Arjin. The risk's to you, Lieutenant.
Dax: Shame on you, Quark. Where are your manners. This is a Trill initiate you're speaking to. Of course he doesn't play Tongo.
Quark: I beg your pardon.
Dax: So, we'll have to teach him.
Quark: Actually, it is very easy to learn. How much money did you bring with you? Give the young fellow a seat. You, out!
Arjin: It was a very long trip. I think perhaps I should
Dax: Oh, of course, you're tired. I'll take you to your quarters. Roll me away, fellas.
Quark: We can't roll you away.
Dax: They're just sore losers.
Quark: You can't quit now. You just won! Female!
Trajok: Yes?
Arjin: Oh. I'm sorry. I thought this was Lieutenant Dax's quarters.
Trajok: She's in the shower.
Arjin: Oh. Well. In that case.
Trajok: Is she expecting you?
Arjin: Yes. My name is Arjin. She told me I should be here at
Dax: Is that Arjin?
Dax: You're early again, Arjin. We're going to have to work on that.
Arjin: I can come back.
Dax: Don't be silly. Come in. I'll only be a minute. It always takes me longer to get ready as a female.
Trajok: I have to go. I have to be at Calondia Four by tomorrow
Dax: When's my rematch?
Trajok: I'll be back next week.
Dax: It was fun. Brutal, but fun. Safe trip.
Dax: The replicator makes a decent citrus blend.
Arjin: Thanks, but I've already had something to eat.
Dax: Would you get me a Black Hole?
Arjin: A what?
Dax: A Black Hole. It's a Ferengi drink. A bartender I've known for a hundred years introduced it to Curzon. Or was it Lela? Well, it was ages ago. Try one. You might like it.
Arjin: Computer, Black Hole.
Dax: Oh, my muscles are so sore. Did you ever wrestle Galeo-Manada style, Arjin?
Arjin: Wrestle?
Dax: You should. It's a great way to start the day. It makes you more alert. I'll set you up with Trajok. He's a great coach.
Arjin: Okay.
Dax: Better. So, you don't play Tongo, you don't wrestle. What are we going to do while you're here?
Arjin: Well, I was under the impression that field training consisted of
Dax: I know all about field training. Jadzia just went through it a few years ago.
Arjin: Yes, ma'am.
Dax: Arjin, if you truly want to become a Trill host someday, you'll never call me ma'am again
Arjin: Yes, Lieutenant.
Dax: Why don't you try Jadzia.
Arjin: If you think that's appropriate.
Dax: Oh, I'm sure it isn't appropriate at all. But then, I hate to be appropriate.
O'Brien: Ow! Nothing!
Kira: Over here, Chief.
O'Brien: No. All right, come to papa.
Sisko: Major?
Kira: Voles, sir.
Sisko: Voles?
Kira: A Cardassian legacy.
O'Brien: They weren't bothering us until we started moving into areas of the station that they've been hiding in. Now they're spreading out all over the place.
O'Brien: They seem to be attracted to electromagnetic fields. Give me a hand, Major, will you?
Sisko: Phasers on stun, Mister O'Brien. I want those voles taken alive.
Dax: Benjamin, I'd like you to meet Arjin, the host candidate I told you about. Commander Benjamin Sisko.
Arjin: Sir.
Dax: And that's our first officer Major Kira, and Chief Engineer O'Brien. Conducting repairs?
Sisko: Chasing Cardassian voles.
Dax: Really? I've never seen a Cardassian vole.
Kira: Be my guest.
Sisko: So, you're the one who picked the black marble.
Arjin: Sir?
Sisko: Field training with Dax was the nightmare of the initiate corps.
Dax: That was Curzon Dax.
Dax: Gotcha! Arjin, here.
Dax: Spectacular, isn't it?
Arjin: It's amazing.
Dax: Computer, play something by Frenchotte.
Arjin: Frenchotte?
Dax: A self-exiled Romulan. I collect forgotten composers. Feel like taking the controls?
Arjin: I've never flown a Federation runabout before.
Dax: These things practically fly themselves. You have third level flight experience, don't you?
Arjin: Actually, I just finished fifth level last month.
Dax: Fifth! I didn't finish third level until
Arjin: Your last year of training.
Dax: You've been studying up on me, Arjin. I can't say that I blame you. I did the same thing when I found who my field docent was going to be.
Arjin: And how did you feel when you found out it was going to be Curzon Dax?
Dax: Nauseous might be the best description.
Arjin: I suppose it wouldn't be fair for you to give me a few tips.
Dax: Tips?
Arjin: On how you managed to impress him.
Dax: Look, let's get one thing straight. I'm not Curzon or Lela or any of the others. I'm Jadzia Dax, and Jadzia's only a few years older than you are. You're her first initiate. To be honest, in a lot of ways, I still feel like an initiate myself. I still can remember the pressure of the competition when Jadzia was going through it and I'm not going to make this difficult for you. You don't have to impress me, okay?
Arjin: Okay.
Dax: Okay.
Arjin: So how did you? Impress him.
Dax: I didn't. Curzon recommended that my initiate period be terminated.
Dax: I got it! Engaging manual stabilizers. Shutting down all engines. Computer, analyze stability loss.
Computer: Stability loss was due to an impact by a subspace interphase pocket.
Dax: Nature of interphase pocket.
Computer: Unknown.
Dax: Damage report.
Computer: Starboard nacelle nonfunctional. Maximum available power fifty percent.
Arjin: Jadzia, you'd better take a look at this.
Dax: Looks like we snagged something from the subspace pocket. Computer, identify mass on the starboard nacelle.
Computer: Unknown.
O'Brien: Maybe we could create some kind of EM pathway along the inner hull and try to lure them into a trap.
Kira: But how can you do that without shutting down all the other power systems?
O'Brien: I can't, and it would take days to round them all up. We'd have to evacuate the station. The only other thing I can come up with is a directional sonic generator. Now I can adjust it to a frequency that'll be uncomfortable to their ears, drive them out of hiding one at a time. But at that rate, I'll be doing this for the rest of my tour of duty.
Quark: It ran right across a Dabo table.
Kira: How'd it die? Get into your food?
Quark: As landlords, you're responsible for this. I expect vermin control or I'm going to have to
Kira: Leave? Oh, please say leave. I'd take a Cardassian vole over you any day.
Quark: The girl insists on fighting her latent attraction to me. What are you going to do about these pests, O'Brien?
O'Brien: Relax, Quark. We're working on something new that ought to make the voles beg for mercy.
Quark: What is it?
O'Brien: A sonic
Quark: ARGH! Stop! Stop!
O'Brien: You all right? Are you all right?
Quark: What?
Kira: Chief, the Mekong just came back through the wormhole. They're showing damage.
Sisko: Open a channel, Major. Put them on screen. Are you all right, Dax?
Dax: Our power reserves are gone we could use a tow.
Sisko: What happened?
Dax: Not exactly sure. We picked up some kind of subspace seaweed on our starboard nacelle. We couldn't get rid of it without causing further damage.
O'Brien: You can shut down your engines, Lieutenant. We'll bring you in to pad D.
Dax: Set up a containment chamber in the science lab for me, would you, Chief? When we get this thing untangled, I'd like to study it under controlled conditions.
O'Brien: We'll need a couple of hours.
Dax: Morning'll be fine. That'll give Arjin and me a little time to recoup.
O'Brien: Acknowledged.
Sisko: Stop by and fill me in later.
Dax: Mekong out.
Dax: Come on. I'll take you to dinner.
Chef: Ak'la bella doo. Bella ak'la doo. La suhm, La suhm, L'kahtra la suhm. CHEF +
Dax: Ak'la bella doo!
Chef: She taught that to me. Can you believe it? A Klingon song I'd never heard.
Arjin: She collects lost composers.
Chef: Ak un lach'tel?
Dax: Doko doko. Un koliay Trill
Chef: Don't get any ideas. She's mine.
Dax: You haven't touched your racht.
Arjin: No, I have. It's interesting.
Dax: No, you've been moved it around your plate to make it look like you've touched it.
Arjin: I didn't have to move it. It moved itself.
Dax: Arjin, if this didn't appeal to you, why didn't you say something?
Arjin: No, it's all right. I wasn't really very hungry anyway.
Dax: Speak up for yourself while you're here, okay?
Arjin: I'll make a concerted effort.
Dax: So, who sponsored you for the program?
Arjin: My father.
Dax: Was he Joined?
Arjin: No, but he had great ambitions for his children. He was a pilot instructor at the Gedana post for forty years. He died last year.
Dax: I see where you got your flight skills.
Arjin: My sister was always his choice for Joining but after she got accepted to the program, she ran off and got married. My father never spoke to her again. On the day that he died, he turned to me and he said, 'I'm counting on you.' His last words to me.
Dax: Did he want you to enter Starfleet after Joining? To put your flight training to good use?
Arjin: Honestly, he couldn't care less what I did afterwards, as long as I became Joined. That was his only goal.
Dax: And what about your goals?
Arjin: There are so many possibilities when you're Joined. I'm not sure what I'd do yet. I figure I'd get a lot of guidance from the symbiont, wouldn't you say?
Dax: The symbiont's influence is very strong, Arjin, but you're the host. You've got to be strong enough to balance that influence with your own instincts. If you can't, the symbiont will overwhelm your personality.
Cardassian: Oh, they are a nuisance, aren't they?
O'Brien: I was just hoping you'd found a way to deal with them.
Cardassian: Federation technology isn't up to the task, eh?
O'Brien: Look, I just thought in the interests of good relations, you might
Cardassian: You've got the station, you've got the voles. By the way, their mating season begins in about six weeks.
O'Brien: Thanks for your help.
Cardassian: The Federation could always withdraw from Bajor.
O'Brien: What's this?
Dax: Got me. It's from Julian. He called it the solution you've been looking for.
O'Brien: It worked in Hamlin. Very funny.
Sisko: Your move. Your seaweed's been safely transported to the science lab.
Dax: Did you take a look at it?
Sisko: What do you think?
Dax: We did as much analysis on the runabout as we could. None of the matter would scan. We'll do more tests tomorrow.
Sisko: How'd your initiate come through the experience?
Dax: Fine. He's a good pilot.
Sisko: Uh oh.
Dax: What?
Sisko: I know that look.
Dax: What look?
Sisko: That look, old man. The one that says this one isn't going to make it.
Dax: Not because of me.
Sisko: But you have your doubts.
Dax: I have my doubts.
Sisko: What's his problem?
Dax: I'm not sure what he brings as a host, how he'll advance the symbiont to the next level. Frankly, he's more than a little arrogant, Benjamin.
Sisko: Is he?
Dax: Okay, for a Trill, that's to be expected. Check. But he's riding his father's ambitions and he doesn't have any idea what he'd do with a symbiont if he got one.
Sisko: Have you confronted him?
Dax: It's not my job to confront him.
Sisko: Isn't it?
Dax: My job is to show him what it's like to function as a Joined Trill. That's all. I can show you the guidelines. They're very clear. Who am I to confront him?
Sisko: You're Dax.
Dax: Yes, but I'm not Curzon Dax. And I won't do to him what Curzon did to me
Sisko: So, what are you going to do? This kid has to measure up soon or he'll never be chosen. True? So you're not doing him any favors by avoiding a confrontation, are you? Curzon was tough. Maybe even abusive in his own charming way. But he always demanded the highest standards of excellence from these host candidates.
Dax: You don't know what he did to me.
Sisko: I know that you made it through the program.
Dax: No thanks to him.
Sisko: Are you sure?
O'Brien: Voles have eaten through the security field energy lines. No telling how long it'll take me to set up another field.
Sisko: So, nothing is secure on this station any more. Is there any reason to believe there's an imminent threat from this?
Dax: Not as far as I can tell, but I can't tell you a lot yet.
Sisko: I want to know what we're dealing with as soon as possible. I'll schedule a briefing for fourteen hundred hours. And take those phasers off stun, Chief. No more Mister Nice Guy.
Dax: Arjin, how's your astrophysics profile.
Arjin: It's one of my better subjects. Maybe that's why I was sent here to work with you.
Dax: Set me up a gravimetric microprobe. I need to calibrate the energy profile.
Arjin: Jadzia, I felt that last night maybe I didn't express myself well about my own goals.
Dax: I think you expressed yourself very clearly.
Arjin: I just didn't want you to think that I hadn't set any goals for post-Joining. I have thought about Starfleet. With my flight training it would be a perfect
Dax: Starfleet's a career. A pilot's a job. What does that have to do with being Joined.
Arjin: I'm not sure I understand.
Dax: No, I don't think you do.
Arjin: I'm sorry?
Dax: I think you're telling me what I want to hear.
Arjin: That's not true.
Dax: I think you went to your quarters last night and you tossed and turned in bed because you knew some of the things you said to me concerned me. And now you're trying to fix it.
Arjin: I'm, I'm just trying to, to clarify
Dax: I know what it's like. I've tossed and turned myself. Please don't insult me by denying it.
Arjin: I'm finished.
Dax: Let's run a phase variant analysis. I'm worried about you, Arjin.
Arjin: Worried?
Dax: I'm worried you're not preparing yourself for being Joined.
Arjin: That's it? A day and a half and you've made up your mind.
Dax: I didn't say that. Look, you've gotten this far by anticipating every demand of the program and performing above everyone's expectations, am I right?
Arjin: I'd like to think that's true.
Dax: And I'm telling you from this point on that's not going to be good enough. Highly structured, but it doesn't seem to conform to any of our physical laws. Computer, run a spectral line profile analysis.
Computer: Spectral analysis will take approximately seven minutes.
Arjin: Just to speak up for myself. I'm feeling a little betrayed here. I mean, after your impassioned 'I am Jadzia, fellow initiate' speech in the runabout
Dax: I understand why you feel that way. But this isn't about me. This is about the standards for Trill hosts. The opportunity is too rare and too important to waste on the wrong candidate.
Arjin: And in your mind, I'm a wrong candidate.
Dax: I don't know that yet. But I felt it only fair to let you know I am worried about you.
Arjin: I see. I should have known this. I should have realized this. You're Dax. Standards for Trill hosts? That is really incredible coming from you. I have never seen any host in my life who is so far below those standards as you are, ma'am. No wonder Curzon Dax tried to terminate your training.
Dax: I was finally able to read the EM flux. There are high plasma concentrations and a rapidly expanding mass.
Sisko: How rapidly?
Dax: The energy buildup is already straining the containment chamber. On top of that, the mass periodically undergoes phased expansions, and grows in spurts. It's a very specific growth pattern that the computer recognized.
Kira: Recognized as what?
Dax: The expansion patterns of a universe.
Kira: What?
O'Brien: A universe?
Dax: What we have here, Benjamin, is a proto-universe in its earliest stages of formation. Unfortunately, as it grows, it's displacing our own universe.
Sisko: Can we get it back where it came from?
Dax: This has turned into an energy mass with properties that don't conform to our own laws of nature. I have no idea what might happen if we tried to move it, let alone take it back into the wormhole. Even if we get there, the wormhole's verteron nodes would probably interact with the energy fluctuations of the proto-universe, causing a devastating reaction. It could threaten this whole system.
Bashir: And if we don't do anything, it'll eventually obliterate this system and beyond.
O'Brien: Can't we contain it somehow?
Dax: Not without destroying it.
Kira: Under these circumstances, that sounds like a pretty good option to me.
Dax: We can create a forcefield that will contain it. If we can suppress it long enough, the feedback pressure should create an implosive wave. It would self-destruct.
Sisko: How long before the next phase of expansion?
Dax: About three hours. The collateral shock waves will probably destroy the lab.
Sisko: Can we get this containment field ready by then?
O'Brien: Yes, sir.
Sisko: Have Odo evacuate section fourteen. Dismissed.
Quark: Another?
Arjin: Just keep pouring until I drown.
Quark: Sounds pretty serious.
Arjin: Serious? No. I just threw my whole life out a porthole. Nothing serious.
Quark: There isn't a problem in the world that can't be fixed by the right holosuite program.
Arjin: Never trust a Trill, Quark.
Quark: Why not?
Arjin: They're two-faced.
Quark: That go for all Trills or just for the ones with the worm?
Arjin: Any worm named Dax.
Quark: Did she break your heart, son?
Arjin: What?
Quark: Mine too. And Bashir is in here every other day crying in his synthale over her. The Promenade is littered with the bodies of
Arjin: It wasn't my heart she broke. It was me. My career, my life.
Quark: Wait a minute. Is this about all that initiate stuff?
Arjin: She told me I wasn't preparing myself to Join.
Quark: With the worm? So, that's her opinion. What's that worth, anyhow?
Arjin: A bad recommendation from your field docent and you can forget it.
Quark: Listen, son. When I was a young man, no older than you, I had an apprentice position with the District Sub-Nagus. I licked his boots like you couldn't believe. He loved me. I was his golden boy. I was on the high road to the top of the Ferengi business world, and then it all fell apart.
Arjin: How?
Quark: Rule of Acquisition one twelve. Never have sex with the boss's sister. I was fired, broke. It was quite a setback to my ambitions.
Arjin: How'd you recover?
Quark: Never did. Look at me. Tending bar out here in Wormhole Junction while the big boys fly past me at warp speed. You only get one shot at the latinum stairway. If you miss it, you miss it. Welcome to the club, son.
Arjin: Thanks.
Quark: Glad I could help.
Dax: Computer, confirm the localized entropy decrease in the energy mass.
Computer: Confirmed.
Dax: How much have the readings decreased in the last hour?
Computer: Localized entropy readings have decreased twelve percent during the last fifty eight minutes.
Dax: This can't be right. The whole thermodynamic structure would have to be changing. Activate a quantometer probe. Verify filter calibration.
Computer: Filter calibration verified.
Dax: Set energy flux resolution to point one microdyne. Begin high resolution energy scans. There must be a malfunction in the sensors. Computer, run a self-diagnostic and check quantometer calibration.
Computer: Calibration is locked and normal. Diagnostic underway.
Dax: Are there any feedback anomalies in the dynametric array?
Computer: Negative.
Dax: What's the feedback reading?
Computer: Feedback reading is zero. Diagnostic complete. Sensors are functioning normally.
Odo: Odo to Sisko.
Sisko: Yes, Odo.
Odo: Section fourteen has been evacuated.
Sisko: Acknowledged. Mister O'Brien?
O'Brien: Just finishing, Commander.
Sisko: Sisko to Dax. We're preparing to establish the containment field. I want you out of the lab during this.
Dax: I'm already out, Benjamin, but I'm not sure you're going to want to do this now.
Sisko: Why not?
Dax: I've found indications of life in the proto-universe.
Dax: Non-random thermodynamics. Irregular power consumption. The computer's confirmed that these are lifesigns.
Kira: Now wait a minute. Single cell microbes are lifeforms too, but Doctor Bashir has a hypospray that will kill them, to say nothing of the voles.
Dax: Kira, we could very well be dealing with intelligent life here.
Kira: How is that possible? You told us that this proto-universe was just formed.
Bashir: It's quite possible. We may have only experienced hours since this universe was formed but there's no way of knowing how fast time is moving for them. Theoretically, billions of years may have passed.
Odo: An entire evolution of a species might have taken place in the last few hours.
Bashir: It's possible.
O'Brien: O'Brien to Sisko.
Sisko: Go ahead, Chief.
O'Brien: Commander, if we're going to implement that containment field, we'd better do it now. In two minutes, this thing's going to expand.
Sisko: Get your people out of there, Chief.
Sisko: We're not going to put up the containment field.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Kira: Commander, this is only going to delay the inevitable.
Sisko: Take us to yellow alert, Major. Move the repair crews into position.
Computer: Warning. Hull breach, level twenty two section fourteen.
Sisko: Sisko to O'Brien. Seal off section fourteen. Move your repair crews in.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Sisko: How long before the next expansion?
Dax: Roughly five hours.
Sisko: How much will it expand?
Dax: About three hundred percent. We'll lose a whole section of the station. By tomorrow, the station will be gone.
Bashir: We could beam them into space, give us some more time to come up with a solution.
Kira: We already have a solution and the longer we wait the harder it's going be to implement it. I'm sorry, but it's is us or them. We have to destroy it.
Odo: You can't just wipe out a civilisation. We would be committing mass murder.
Kira: It's like stepping on ants, Odo.
Odo: I don't step on ants, Major. Just because we don't understand a lifeform doesn't mean we can destroy it.
Kira: Do you have a better idea? Does anyone?
Sisko: I'll give you my decision in an hour. Personal log, supplemental. One hour. One hour to make a decision that could mean the life or death of a civilisation or the end to our own. My mind keeps going back to the Borg. How I despised their indifference as they tried to exterminate us, and I have to ask myself, would I be any different if I destroyed another universe to preserve my own?
Sisko: Hey.
Jake: Hi, Dad. What're you doing back so early?
Sisko: I just wanted to see you.
Jake: He told you, didn't he.
Sisko: Told me what?
Jake: Chief O'Brien. Darn it, he promised.
Sisko: If there's something you want to tell me, I want to hear it.
Jake: I love her, Dad.
Sisko: Okay.
Jake: She's everything I ever wanted in a woman.
Sisko: I'm sure she's a wonderful girl.
Jake: Oh, she's not a girl, she's a woman. She doesn't like to be called a girl. Everybody calls her that and she hates it. She wants to be something better than that.
Sisko: Than what?
Jake: Than a dabo girl.
Sisko: You're in love with a dabo girl?
Jake: Wait a minute, you said Chief O'Brien told you that
Sisko: No, I didn't. Who is she and how old is she, Jake?
Jake: Oh, jeez. I wanted to tell you, but I was sure you wouldn't understand.
Sisko: So now you're hiding things from me?
Jake: You mean you would have understood?
Sisko: Of course not! It's Mardah, isn't it? The one you've been tutoring in entomology.
Jake: I really want you to meet her, Dad.
Sisko: I really want to meet her.
Jake: Can I invite her to dinner tonight?
Sisko: No. Not tonight. But soon.
Jake: Thanks, Dad. You'll love her.
Dax: What's so interesting in there?
Arjin: I can see my future.
Dax: I wouldn't trust a glass of synthale to tell you the future.
Arjin: Let's get this over with, okay? Just use a sharp blade so I won't feel it.
Dax: You don't know me as well as you think you do. I'm sure you looked at all the training profiles, but that doesn't tell you who Jadzia really was before she was Joined. She was the quietest, shyest, most withdrawn young woman you've ever known. Brilliant, top grades, and not a clue to what life was about. She'd never lived outside the program and it didn't matter because she was sailing through it, until she met Curzon Dax. Curzon sized her up in about twenty seconds and made the next two weeks the most miserable of her life. She cried herself to sleep every night. She hated him for it. But when the field training was over and she learned about Curzon's recommendation to terminate her from the program, she went back a different woman. She found her voice and reapplied. She tore through the program with a passion, a vengeance. And in the end the administrators chose her for Joining.
Arjin: How did you wind up with the Dax symbiont?
Dax: When I found out Curzon was dying, I requested the Dax symbiont.
Arjin: And Curzon didn't object?
Dax: No. And I've never been sure quite why, except as I've come to know Curzon's dark sense of humor, I have a feeling the irony might have appealed to him. Jadzia Dax is not Curzon Dax, but I am Dax and I'm slowly coming to terms with what that means to me. Sometimes it means gambling or wrestling. Sometimes it means waking up an initiate before he slides into the middle of the pack and gets overlooked.
Arjin: You're giving me another chance?
Dax: You are the only one who can give yourself another chance. You can't simply do this anymore to meet other people's expectations. Not your father's, not your teachers', not mine. You've got to diskover what Arjin wants out of life, out of Joining.
Sisko: Lieutenant, we'll try to take it back through the wormhole. How soon can you be ready?
Dax: I want to be sure the containment field can block out any verteron node radiation as we pass through it. About two hours?
Sisko: Better get started.
Dax: Wouldn't hurt to have a level five pilot along.
Sisko: Chief?
O'Brien: The containment field is in place and holding, sir, but I'd like to run a practical test on the verteron integrity.
Sisko: Like to or need to that thing expands again in less than an hour.
O'Brien: This is the strongest forcefield I know how to construct, sir, but a test would at least give us the odds of getting it through the wormhole intact.
Sisko: I'm not playing the odds today. Sisko to Rio Grande. Your status?
Dax: Systems check complete. Auxiliary power to shields. I'd say we're packed and ready to go, Benjamin.
Sisko: Ready transporter.
O'Brien: Locking on to the containment field.
Sisko: Energize.
Dax: Chief, we're getting a phase variation here.
O'Brien: Stand by. The energy fluctuations are driving the transporter crazy.
Dax: We've got it now.
O'Brien: Switching your transporter to secure mode. Readings are stable.
Sisko: When you're ready, Dax.
Dax: Take us out gently, Arjin.
Arjin: Firing thrusters.
O'Brien: Energy readings from the containment field are holding.
Dax: Take us to fifty kph.
Arjin: Confirmed. Seventeen seconds to the wormhole.
Dax: Hold at fifty kph.
O'Brien: Ten seconds to the wormhole.
Kira: Reading higher levels of neutrino activity.
Dax: A short cross to the other side and we're home free. Rio Grande to Ops. Comm. links will terminate in five seconds.
Dax: See you later.
Kira: Acknowledged, Rio Grande. May the prophets guide you.
Dax: Containment field stability is down to eighty five percent. Every time we pass through a verteron node, there's resonance leakage from the energy mass.
Arjin: In twenty seconds, we'll be out of here.
Dax: We'll never make it. Field stability is down to sixty five percent and falling. We've got to kill our forward acceleration now.
Arjin: All engines stop.
Dax: Thirty eight percent stability. Still falling. Twenty six percent.
Arjin: Computer, thrusters on reverse, two second burst. All stop.
Dax: It's stabilizing. The containment field is at twenty seven percent, twenty six percent and holding.
Arjin: Now what?
Dax: Well, we can't stay here. In forty two minutes, that energy mass expands and once it intersects with one of those verteron nodes, they'll feel the result on the Cardassian homeworld
Arjin: But the containment field is so weak now, it'll fail as soon as we start to move again.
Dax: I guess we'll just have to let it fail.
Arjin: Let it fail? But you said it yourself. If we pass through even one of those verteron nodes without the containment field, the energy mass will explode.
Dax: Then we'll have to avoid them.
Arjin: You're talking about precision flying through a wormhole. It's never been done.
Dax: Until now.
Arjin: Jadzia
Dax: I'm a level three pilot, You're level five. I'll do it if I have to but I don't have time to argue.
Arjin: Watch the conn readouts. I'll try to keep at least fifty meters away from any node.
Dax: Understood. Computer, calibrate internal scanners to detect verteron radiation in the cabin. Activate sonic indicators. Verteron levels are well within safe limits.
Arjin: We'll start with one short thruster blast and we'll coast through. That'll protect the containment field for a few extra seconds.
Dax: Thrusters ready.
Arjin: I'm taking the inertial dampers offline. It'll be a rougher ride but I'll have a little more response time. Firing thrusters.
Dax: Velocity is forty meters per second.
Computer: Warning. Containment field at ten percent.
Dax: Sixty seconds to Gamma. Node to starboard bearing zero three seven mark seven.
Arjin: Firing starboard thruster.
Computer: Warning. Containment field has collapsed.
Arjin: No more margin for error.
Dax: Forty five seconds to Gamma. Node to port, bearing zero three zero mark five one.
Arjin: I've got it.
Dax: Thirty five seconds to Gamma. Verteron levels are still okay.
Arjin: Jadzia, look at this. We're never going to get through it.
Dax: Reading a passage. Adjust heading to one three one mark four seven.
Arjin: Confirmed.
Dax: Sensors say it's directly ahead.
Arjin: I don't see it
Dax: Hold your course.
Arjin: I don't see it. I see it! It's less than seventeen meters across.
Dax: This ship is only fourteen meters wide. That gives you over two meters to work with. Verteron levels are red-lining. Five seconds to Gamma.
Dax: This is going to look very good on your initiate record, Arjin. Now, lets get this thing back where it belongs.
Arjin: There's one thing I want to do before I go, and that is to apologize for the things I said to you in the lab.
Dax: That was the first time you were being honest with me.
Arjin: Somehow I always expected that Joining would make any Trill complete, serene, wise beyond her years.
Dax: And I'm none of those things.
Arjin: What I mean is, you're nothing like I expected.
Dax: I'm nothing like I expected. Life after life, with each new personality stampeding around in your head, you get desires that scare you, dreams that used to belong to someone else. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone but in time I might recommend it for you. When you're ready.
Arjin: I know what I have to do.
Dax: Good luck.
Dax: I'm not Curzon.


Kira: Definitely Cardassian.
Dax: And in trouble. Its engines are completely disabled.
Sisko: Open a hailing frequency. This is Commander Sisko of Deep Space Nine. Do you need assistance?
Dax: They're not answering. Their life support systems are operating on reserve power.
Sisko: Better lock on a tractor beam and pull them into cargo bay seven. Tell Mister O'Brien to meet me there.
Sisko: I'm Benjamin Sisko, commander of Deep Space Nine. My chief of operations, Miles O'Brien. Do any of you need medical assistance?
Natima: I think we're all fine, considering. I'm Professor Natima Lang. These are two of my students, Rekelen and Hogue.
O'Brien: What happened to your ship?
Natima: We were caught in a meteor swarm. I'm a decent teacher, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a shuttle pilot. Do you think you'll be able to repair our ship?
O'Brien: I'll have to take a look. Excuse me.
Natima: We'd like to be on our way as soon as possible. We know having Cardassians on a Bajoran station may cause trouble. That's the last thing we want.
Sisko: If anyone can fix your ship, it is Mister O'Brien. In the meantime, you're welcome to stay here. If you stick to the Promenade, I'm sure there won't be any trouble.
Bashir: Wait, wait, wait a second. Are you telling me you agreed with General Yiri's decision to execute his brother?
Garak: Of course I agreed. Yiri's brother was a traitor to the Trelonian government.
Bashir: The evidence is all circumstantial.
Garak: It all comes down to a question of loyalty. My dear Doctor, Yiri had to choose between protecting his brother and protecting the state. He chose the state, as would I, every time.
Bashir: I suppose that's one way of looking at it. But then again, before you can be loyal to another, you must be loyal to yourself.
Garak: And who can we thank for those misguided words of wisdom? Sarek of Vulcan?
Bashir: Actually, it was Bashir of Earth.
Garak: With sentiments like those, you wouldn't last for five seconds on Cardassia.
Bashir: Would you?
Garak: Fishing again, Doctor?
Bashir: Well, assuming you're not a spy
Garak: Assuming.
Bashir: Then maybe you're an outcast?
Garak: Or maybe I'm an outcast spy.
Bashir: How could you be both?
Garak: I never said I was either.
Odo: I heard an interesting rumor today.
Quark: Only one? I started at least twelve.
Odo: Rumor has it you've managed to get your hands on a small cloaking device.
Quark: And you believe everything you hear?
Odo: When it's about you, yes. According to Bajoran law, such a device would be highly illegal.
Quark: If I had one, which I don't.
Odo: I didn't expect you to admit it. I'm simply serving notice. You try to sell it and I'll see to it that you spend the next fifty years digging trenches in a penal colony.
Quark: I told you, you have nothing to worry about.
Quark: Excuse me. Excuse me. Out of my way. Excuse me.
Quark: Natima!
Natima: Quark.
Quark: I knew you'd come b
Natima: I told you never to speak to me again.
Odo: Are you all right?
Quark: All right? This is the happiest day of my life.
Quark: Natima, wait. At least let me buy you and your friends a drink. I can make you a Samarian Sunset.
Natima: I don't drink Samarian Sunsets anymore.
Quark: Why not?
Natima: Because they remind me of you.
Hogue: Is this Ferengi bothering you?
Quark: This Ferengi happens to be Natima's old and cherished friend. Who are you?
Natima: These are my students.
Quark: Students. You don't say. I'd love to sit in on one of your classes. What do you teach?
Hogue: Political Ethics.
Rekelen: Her teachings will change the future of Cardassia.
Natima: That's enough, Rekelen.
Quark: Not at all. I want to hear more. I always knew Natima was destined for greatness.
Natima: Quark.
Quark: Just one drink. It'll be like old times.
Natima: It'll never be like old times.
Quark: You're right. It'll be better. I'll be right back with refreshments.
Odo: Your hands are shaking. So, how well does this woman know you? Just enough to dislike you, or well enough to really hate you.
Quark: She used to work here on the station. She was a correspondent for the Cardassian information service. It was before your time.
Odo: So which is it, dislike or hate?
Quark: It's none of your business, but if you have to know, I was the love of her life.
Odo: Must have been some life.
Hogue: What about our drinks?
Quark: If you want a drink, the bar's right over there.
Natima: Go ahead.
Quark: Your Samarian Sunset.
Natima: I said I didn't drink these anymore.
Quark: Because they remind you of me. But since I'm here anyway, you may as well enjoy yourself. Besides, it's on the house. You know, you're as beautiful as ever.
Natima: And you're as big a liar as ever.
Quark: You see, just like old times. I've missed you, Natima. That's no lie.
Natima: You seem to have kept busy.
Quark: Oh, yes, I'm very successful. But as the two hundred and twenty third Rule of Acquisition says
Natima: Please. I haven't heard a Rule of Acquisition in seven years and I don't want to hear one now.
Quark: So, how long are you going to be on the station?
Garak: Thank you for another enjoyable lunch. Doctor.
Natima: I didn't think there'd be any Cardassians left on the station.
Quark: He's the only one.
Hogue: What do we do now?
Quark: Is something wrong?
Natima: We have to leave as soon as possible. Goodbye, Quark. Thanks for the drink.
Quark: But you didn't touch it.
Sisko: How are your repairs coming?
O'Brien: The damage is more extensive than I thought. They were lucky to escape the attack.
Sisko: The attack?
O'Brien: They weren't in any meteor swarm. They were hit by Cardassian disrupters.
Kira: That doesn't make sense. Why would Cardassians fire on other Cardassians?
Dax: Maybe you should ask her.
Natima: Commander, I hate to be an imposition, but I need my ship.
Sisko: That's not possible. Mister O'Brien is still working on it. Your ship sustained more damage than we originally thought. In fact
Natima: You suspect that our ship was damaged by Cardassian weapons. You're right, of course.
Hogue: Professor.
Natima: It's all right, Hogue. I should've told them the truth in the first place.
Kira: Then why didn't you?
Natima: Because Cardassians don't involve outsiders in their internal politics. Especially Bajorans.
Sisko: Being shot at by your own people goes a little beyond politics.
Natima: We take our politics very seriously. Commander, if I don't get my students to safety they're going to be killed. And if they die, the future of Cardassia may die with them.
Natima: There are some who believe the future of Cardassia should not remain in the hands of the military.
Sisko: And you're among them?
Hogue: Yes, we are.
Natima: Rekelen and Hogue are two of the most important leaders of our movement.
Sisko: Which makes you fugitives.
Hogue: The military's afraid to let us speak our minds.
Rekelen: They've already tried to kill us once. They're sure to try again.
Natima: Which is why I have to get them off this station as soon as possible.
Sisko: I'll dispatch additional work crews to help repair your ship.
Hogue: We saw another Cardassian aboard the station in the bar.
Sisko: Garak. He saw you?
Natima: I'm certain of it.
Sisko: Well then, we may have a problem. Mister Garak is a bit of a mystery to us. I'll assign you some guest quarters. You'll be safe there until your ship is ready.
Natima: We appreciate your assistance, Commander.
Garak: Ah, Mister Quark, this is a surprise. I don't believe you've ever been in my establishment before.
Quark: You usually don't frequent mine, either. Though I did see you in there today.
Garak: The Replimat was a little crowded. So what brings you here now?
Quark: Oh, I just wanted to see what you're offering. What do you get for that?
Garak: Seventeen strips of latinum.
Quark: I tell you what, I'll give you twenty.
Garak: Twenty? How uncharacteristically generous for a Ferengi.
Quark: Just one businessman trying to help out another. I figure we have to stick together.
Garak: Well, this is the latest style on my homeworld. Do you like it?
Quark: I'm no expert on Cardassian fashions. What do you think?
Garak: I don't know. It's been so long since I've had a Cardassian customer.
Quark: Then you're in luck. There're some board on the station right now.
Garak: Now that you mention it, I think your lady friend may find this style very appealing. You're old friends, aren't you?
Quark: You're very perceptive, for a Cardassian.
Garak: It would have been hard to miss the way you were looking at her.
Quark: It would've been hard to miss the way you were looking at her.
Garak: Personally, I find this style a bit too radical, but your friend seems the sort who appreciates that kind of thing.
Quark: Different tastes for different people. Nothing wrong with that, is there?
Garak: Oh, you'd be surprised how detrimental a poor choice of fashion can be. Take this dress. It may be all the rage now but in a very short time it can become tiresome, an affront to the eyes. Certain people might even think it's objectionable. And then Nothing but rags.
Quark: I see.
Garak: Mister Quark, might I offer you some free advice?
Quark: As long as I'm under no obligation to follow it.
Garak: I've been in this business a long time and I know there's nothing worse than following the wrong trend. Now you're a smart fellow, with your own inimitable sense of style. Perhaps you should mention this to your lady friend. I'd hate to see her fall victim to fashion.
Quark: Would you like to explain that?
Garak: She's chosen to associate herself with some rather flamboyant companions. It would be a tragedy if she got in the way when her friends go out of fashion.
Quark: If anyone tries to harm her, they're going to have to deal with me.
Garak: What're you going to do, short change them at the dabo table?
Quark: I think I'll buy this dress after all. See that it's mended.
Natima: What is it you want from me?
Quark: I know you're in trouble. I want to help you.
Natima: I don't want your help.
Quark: I owe you. You saved my life. If you'd turned me over to the authorities, I would have been executed.
Natima: I admired your courage. It was a brave thing you were doing selling food to the Bajorans. I thought you were a man of honor.
Quark: I'm a Ferengi. You should've known better.
Natima: You're right. I should have. Instead
Quark: Can't you even say it?
Natima: I can't even think it.
Quark: Okay, I'll say it for you. We fell in love. And that month we spent together was the best time of our lives and you know it.
Natima: I think you're confusing lust with love.
Quark: I admit I'm capable of that, but not this time. I loved you, Natima.
Natima: Then how could you have betrayed me?
Quark: I didn't betray you.
Natima: Don't lie to me, Quark. I know better. You used my personal access codes to authorize payments for goods you never provided.
Quark: So I took a little money from the Cardassian Communication Service. They could afford it.
Natima: You stole that money.
Quark: I saw a chance for profit and I took it. Maybe that was wrong. I don't know. But what I really regret is betraying your trust. That was the worst mistake of my life.
Natima: And you'd do it again in a second. I believed in you, Quark. But you were using me like you use everyone. For profit.
Quark: Then let me make it up to you. Let me help you. I ask for nothing in return.
Natima: Nothing?
Quark: Except that you stay with me forever.
Natima: I can't stay here. My students need me.
Quark: Listen to me, Natima. You can't leave me. Not now. If you don't stay with me, I'll have to follow you. And I will, wherever you go, until you agree to take me back.
Natima: You don't even know me anymore. I'm part of the Cardassian underground. Following me will only get you killed.
Quark: I'll take that chance.
Natima: What about the bar?
Quark: I don't care about the bar. I'll turn it over to Rom. He'll run it into the ground in a month, but it doesn't matter. I have to be with you.
Natima: It won't work, Quark. You say you'd do anything for me. Maybe right now, you even believe it. But I know better. In the end, you'd only care about yourself.
Quark: But I love you.
Natima: I don't love you.
Quark: Now which one of us is lying?
Natima: You'd better go.
Quark: All right. But if there's anything you need, anything at all, I'll be waiting.
Natima: It'll be a long wait.
O'Brien: Professor Lang's ship should be ready to go in about an hour, Commander.
Sisko: Good, I'll let her know.
Kira: We have a Cardassian warship approaching fast.
Sisko: On screen. Hail them, Lieutenant.
Dax: No response.
Kira: They're taking up an attack posture.
Dax: They're ignoring us.
O'Brien: They're powering up their forward disrupters.
Sisko: Shields!
Kira: Shields up.
Sisko: Lock on phasers and photon torpedoes. Prepare to return fire if necessary.
Garak: Commander. We think we should talk.
Sisko: All right, Garak, do you mind telling me why a Cardassian warship is threatening my station?
Garak: No one is threatening you. The Central Command merely wants to make sure they have your undivided attention.
Sisko: Well, they have it. I assume this has something to do with Professor Lang and her students?
Garak: Students is a rather benign term for them. Terrorists would be more accurate. The Cardassian government would very much like Hogue and Rekelen returned home immediately.
Sisko: They haven't committed any crimes here. As long as they're on my station, they're free to do whatever they want.
Garak: This is all very embarrassing, Commander. The Central Command would hate to see the Federation pulled into such an insignificant and purely internal affair.
Sisko: I would hardly call it insignificant. Judging by the behavior of the ship out there, it appears the Central Command considers Hogue and Rekelen to be extremely dangerous.
Garak: Not at all. Annoying, perhaps, inconvenient, maybe, but dangerous? Hardly. And if they were dangerous, would the Central Command entrust the situation to me, a simple tailor?
Sisko: Which only confirms what I have suspected all along. You, Mister Garak, are no simple tailor.
Garak: Really, Commander, that's another discussion entirely. All you really need to know right now is that the return of Hogue and Rekelen is in the best interests of the Cardassian Empire.
Sisko: Or at least in the best interest of the Cardassian military.
Garak: Is there a difference?
Sisko: Do you really expect a Bajoran station under Federation command to turn over Cardassian political refugees on your say-so?
Garak: The ultimate decision is of course yours. I am simply relaying a message.
Sisko: Then relay this. Tell the Central Command if anyone attempts to take Hogue and Rekelen by force, I will respond in kind. Am I clear, Mister Garak?
Garak: Absolutely. Thank you for your time. Oh, and if you'd like, stop by the shop one day. I have a number of suits that would look quite flattering on you.
Quark: Here, you go. Two mugs of Kanar on the house.
Hogue: We didn't order these.
Quark: They're the drinks I promised you the first time you came in here. Sorry they took so long but things have been a little hectic. Do you mind?
Rekelen: I'm afraid that we do.
Hogue: Professor Lang told us you couldn't be trusted.
Quark: You Cardassians do hold grudges. Seven years ago Natima and I had some little silly lovers' quarrel and well, all I can say is I'm willing to let bygones be bygones.
Hogue: But Professor Lang isn't.
Quark: I have to say I find your loyalty to her extremely touching.
Rekelen: There is nothing that we wouldn't do for her, and if she says we're not to talk to you, we don't talk to you.
Quark: I understand. She's your teacher, you're her students. You have to listen to her. So, if you don't want to talk to the only person who can get you off this station in one piece, that's fine with me.
Hogue: Wait.
Rekelen: You say you can help us get away?
Quark: It's possible.
Hogue: How?
Quark: One second.
Quark: The station's security chief's a shape-shifter. You can never be too careful. I take it you know what a cloaking device is? Well, I have one. It's not in the best of condition but it'll work for about fifteen minutes. Long enough to get you away from here.
Rekelen: Sounds expensive.
Hogue: We don't have much latinum. What we do have is yours.
Quark: Exactly how much latinum are we talking about? No, forget I said that. I don't want your money. Consider the cloaking device a gift.
Rekelen: I'm surprised. Ferengis aren't known for their generosity.
Quark: We are a deeply misunderstood race.
Hogue: You may've saved our lives. Our movement owes you a debt of gratitude.
Quark: And I know exactly how you can repay me. You have to convince Natima to stay here.
Rekelen: The Professor will never agree to stay behind.
Quark: No Natima, no cloaking device, and no way off this station.
Rekelen: She won't do it.
Quark: You have to talk her into it. After all, you're the ones the Cardassians are after.
Hogue: He's right. She shouldn't have to risk her life for our crimes.
Rekelen: I suppose we could ask her.
Quark: Don't ask her. Tell her.
Hogue: We will. We'll do our best.
Quark: I'm sure you will. I shudder to think what would happen if the military got its hands on you.
Hogue: Meet us at our quarters in an hour.
Quark: I'll be there.
Natima: Come in.
Quark: Where are Rekelen and Hogue?
Natima: They're waiting at the ship.
Quark: Perfect. I know my quarters might seem a little crowded at first, but tomorrow morning, I'll put in a request for something bigger.
Natima: That won't be necessary.
Quark: All right. If you want your own quarters to start out with, I can arrange that, too.
Natima: I mean I'm not staying.
Quark: Now hold on. Your students and I have an agreement. They get the cloaking device and you stay with me. That way everyone's happy.
Natima: Quark, you say you love me? Then give me that cloaking device and let me be on my way.
Quark: And let you disappear out of my life again?
Natima: I'm not part of your life.
Quark: But you are. You always have been. Don't you understand, since you left me, not a day goes by that I don't regret what I did. And now you're asking me to lose you again.
Natima: You lost me a long time ago.
Quark: All right, then say it. Let me hear you say there isn't a spark of love left in you.
Natima: There isn't a spark of love left in me.
Quark: I heard that.
Natima: What?
Quark: You hesitated. Admit it, you still care.
Natima: Quark, I don't have time for this. Give me that cloaking device.
Quark: I can't. I won't let you go.
Natima: Quark. I didn't want to have to get it this way, but I need that device. Give it to me. Now.
Quark: Or what? You'll shoot me?
Natima: If I have to.
Quark: Then go ahead and shoot.
Natima: Quark. Quark, are you all right.
Quark: You shot me.
Natima: I didn't mean to. It was an accident. I've never fired a phaser before. I barely touched the trigger
Quark: Careful. Owww.
Natima: It hurts?
Quark: She wants to know if it hurts? Of course it hurts. It's supposed to hurt. It's a phaser.
Natima: I made sure it was on the first setting.
Quark: How considerate of you.
Natima: Should I get a doctor?
Quark: It's okay. Maybe if you rub it.
Natima: Oh, Quark, I'm sorry.
Quark: Really?
Natima: Yes, for everything. For all those horrible things I said.
Quark: You really didn't mean them?
Natima: I love you, Quark. I've always loved you. Even when I hated you.
Quark: Natima.
Natima: I've missed you. I've missed you so much. Being with you was the happiest time of my life.
Quark: And now we're together again, and we have the rest of our lives to be happy.
Natima: I wish it was that easy.
Quark: It can be if you let it.
Natima: I'm not the same person I was seven years ago. I have responsibilities.
Quark: I'll share them with you.
Natima: The movement is my life now. I don't have time for anything else.
Quark: We'll make the time. You're a woman, Natima, believe me, I know. It's not right for you to be alone.
Natima: I'm not alone. I have my students, my dreams for a better Cardassia.
Quark: But are dreams enough? Can dreams make you laugh? Can dreams hold you close at night?
Natima: No. But my life demands I make certain sacrifices.
Quark: And you've made them, but it doesn't mean you can't be happy.
Natima: We did have fun together, didn't we?
Quark: Remember the day I installled my first holosuite.
Natima: I'd never been in one before.
Quark: I still have that program. The picnic on Rhymus Major. Two suns in the sky.
Natima: The sound of the waterfalls.
Quark: The whisper of flitterbird wings over our heads.
Natima: You painted my face with honey.
Quark: And a Mordian butterfly landed on your nose.
Natima: And a Mordian butterfly got stuck on my nose.
Quark: His wings were beating almost as fast as my heart.
Natima: Those were good times.
Quark: The best. And we can have them back again. I'll give the cloaking device to your students. Once they're gone you'll be safe, and we can be together.
Natima: I can't just abandon them. They need me.
Quark: I need you. Listen to me, Natima. You've done enough for the movement. You lit the match. Let them carry the torch. Or are you saying that the movement won't survive without you?
Natima: Of course it will.
Quark: Then let it. And let us have the happiness we deserve.
Natima: You really do love me, don't you?
Quark: With all that I am, Natima. Forever. Will you stay?
Natima: Yes, Quark. I'll stay.
Quark: You don't know how I've waited to hear you say that.
Natima: Enter.
Odo: Professor Lang?
Quark: Not now, Odo. Can't you see we're busy?
Odo: I apologize for the interruption, but I'm afraid, madam, that you're under arrest.
Natima: I'm what?
Quark: On what charge?
Odo: Commander Sisko will explain. I'm truly sorry.
Quark: Now hold on.
Natima: Quark, it's all right.
Natima: Commander, would you please explain what we're doing here?
Sisko: I'm afraid all of you are to be turned over to the Cardassian government.
Rekelen: You can't do that.
Sisko: I wish I didn't have to, but Cardassia has offered to hand over a half a dozen Bajoran prisoners in exchange for you.
Natima: And you've agreed to this?
Odo: The Bajoran Provisional Government has agreed to it. A Cardassian transport will deliver the Bajoran prisoners within five hours.
Natima: Commander, you have no idea what they'll do to us.
Rekelen: We're the ones they're after. At least let Professor Lang go.
Sisko: I'd like nothing better, but the provisional government has ordered you all be turned over. I'm fighting this every way I can. I'm not ready to give up yet. But in the end, this is a Bajoran station, and I have to abide by their decision no matter how much I disagree with it.
Toran: How the mighty have fallen.
Garak: Toran?
Toran: It's Gul Toran now.
Garak: They've made you a Gul. I didn't realize the situation on Cardassia had gotten so desperate.
Toran: I find your bitterness extremely gratifying. I'm glad to see that you're adjusting so poorly to exile.
Garak: Actually, I'm finding my time here quite illuminating.
Toran: Then I don't suppose you'd be interested in going home again?
Garak: Am I to be rewarded for informing the Central Command about the presence of Hogue and Rekelen on the station?
Toran: Perhaps. But only after you see to it that they don't leave this station alive.
Garak: But I suggested a prisoner exchange and the Central Command agreed.
Toran: I convinced them otherwise.
Garak: They listen to you?
Toran: My voice is less tarnished than yours.
Garak: Kill them and all you'll do is create martyrs.
Toran: You overestimate their importance.
Garak: And how do you propose to arrange this unfortunate incident?
Toran: I'm sure you'll think of something. You always did in the past. Don't you see? Lang's death will benefit us both. Unless of course, you intend to spend the rest of your life as a tailor.
Garak: I see your point.
Toran: I knew you would.
Quark: Odo, we have to talk.
Odo: I'm busy. Come back later.
Quark: Later will be too late. I, the Jury by Mickey Spillane?
Odo: Chief O'Brien loaned it to me. This better be important, Quark.
Quark: It is. Odo, you have to let Natima and her students go.
Odo: Do I?
Quark: Those students could be the key to a new Cardassia. A Cardassia free of military rule and oppression.
Odo: Since when have you become so interested in Cardassian politics?
Quark: A freer more open society on Cardassia would benefit this entire sector. And it'd be great for business.
Odo: So, wanting me to free Natima and those students is strictly a financial consideration on your part?
Quark: Now, Odo. Don't allow my greed to keep you from doing the right thing.
Odo: I know you better than you think, Quark. This isn't about Cardassia, and for once it's not even about profit. This is about Professor Lang.
Quark: You're right. It is. Her life is in jeopardy as long as Rekelen and Hogue are on the station.
Odo: Why didn't you tell me that before?
Quark: What was I supposed to say? That I love her? That I would do anything for her? That without her, my life would be meaningless? Sure, I could say those things, but what good would it do? How could I expect you to understand? You've never had those feelings. You don't know what it means to really care about another person. You've never been in love. You've got all the emotions of a stone. No offense.
Odo: Go on.
Quark: Listen to me, Odo. You do this for me, and I promise you there'll be no more secrets between us. I will tell you about every underhanded deal, every lying scheme, every dirty trick my brother Rom's involved in.
Odo: Well, since you put it that way, I'm not interested.
Quark: Okay, okay, let me put it another way. Do it for me.
Odo: For you?
Quark: That's right. For all the years we've known each other. For everything we've been through together. You say you know me better than anyone else? Well, I know you. Sure, sometimes we're on opposite sides, but that doesn't mean that we aren't close. I never told you this, Odo, but I consider you as dear to me as my brother.
Odo: And I've seen how well you treat him.
Quark: Odo, look at me.
Quark: Look at me. I'm on my knees. I'm begging you. I don't care why you do it. Pick any reason you want. But please, let Natima and the others go.
Odo: All right. I'll do it.
Quark: You will?
Odo: But not for you. Turning Hogue and Rekelen over to the Cardassians would mean their deaths. I've read their files and nothing they've done warrants that kind of punishment. I'll free them, Quark, but only in the name of justice.
Quark: Justice. That was going to be my next suggestion. So, you're not really doing this for me?
Odo: That's right.
Quark: Then I don't owe you a thing. Thank you.
Quark: You'll never know how much this means to me.
Odo: Let go.
Quark: Sorry. Now let's hurry before you change your mind.
Odo: One question. How do you expect Rekelen and Hogue to get past that warship? I knew you had a cloaking device.
Quark: I always said you were too smart for me, Odo.
Natima: Quark, what are you doing here?
Quark: Getting you out.
Natima: Thank you.
Odo: Good luck.
Quark: I've installled the cloaking device in the central engine core. You can activate it from the bridge as soon as the mooring clamps are released. Then I suggest you take your ship to warp eight and don't look back. Now please, make your goodbyes brief.
Garak: But what's the rush?
Rekelen: You've betrayed us.
Quark: No.
Garak: Don't. I'd hate to ruin such a nice suit.
Quark: Why are you doing this?
Garak: Exile tends to wear a bit thin after a while, even with surroundings as pleasant as these.
Quark: Fine. Take them, but leave Natima alone.
Natima: Quark.
Hogue: No, he's right. We're the fugitives, not you.
Quark: You see, they agree with me.
Garak: Unfortunately, it's not their decision to make, nor mine. Professor Lang, however minor her role in this matter, has come to the attention of the Central Command.
Natima: Do you think killing us will change anything? Cardassia is slipping out of the hands of the military, and nothing you do will prevent it.
Garak: Madam, I am not here to debate you.
Quark: Garak, if you harm these people, I'll see to it that Commander Sisko prosecutes you to the fullest extent of the law.
Garak: Which brings up another issue. Quark, things would've gone much easier if you'd taken my advice and not gotten involved with these people.
Quark: I was already involved.
Garak: I know. A pity, really. Personally, I rather like you, Quark.
Quark: You mean you're going to shoot me too?
Garak: Before I became a tailor, I lived by a simple motto. Never let sentiment get in the way of your work. A bit of a cliché, but true, nonetheless.
Quark: I'll keep that in mind.
Garak: Well then, although I admit it's against my better judgment, I'm afraid I must carry out the verdict of the Central Command.
Quark: But you admit that they're wrong. Why don't you stand up for what you believe in?
Toran: More to the point, what do you believe in, Garak?
Garak: What are you doing here, Toran?
Toran: Making sure that you carry out your assignment. I suspected that two years living among the Bajorans would make you soft. I see I was right.
Garak: You've never been right about anything. Now step aside, Toran, and allow me to finish this sorry business.
Toran: I will take over from here.
Garak: Why? So you can take the credit and make sure I remain in disgrace.
Toran: I can't believe that you were once considered clever. Do you think that completing this one simple task your reputation will be restored at Central Command?
Garak: No, I suppose not.
Toran: Go back to your sewing kit, tailor.
Garak: Well, some people should never be promoted. Well, don't just stand there. Your ship is waiting.
Quark: I'm going to see to it that every Ferengi on the station shops at your store.
Garak: Ah. That alone makes it all worthwhile.
Quark: You heard the man. Get moving.
Hogue: Thank you. Both of you.
Quark: Yes, yes, yes, go, quickly. Keep up the good work.
Natima: Quark, I've got to say goodbye.
Quark: Just let them go. It'll be less painful that way.
Natima: No, you don't understand. I have to say goodbye to you. I'm going with them.
Quark: But we had a deal.
Natima: I can't stay here. Maybe one day I can come back and we'll be together again, but not until my work is done.
Quark: So all I have to do to get you back is wait until Cardassia becomes a free and democratic society?
Natima: I promise, I'll make it worth the wait.
Quark: I don't suppose I could come with you.
Natima: No. It's not your fight. Besides, I could never live with myself if something happened to you. I need to know that you're here, safe. That way a part of me will always be safe too. I love you, Quark. I always will.
Quark: I love you, too.
Garak: I suggest we return to the Promenade without delay.
Quark: You have to tell me, why'd you do it? Shoot Toran?
Garak: Why did you let Professor Lang go?
Quark: I had no choice. I love her.
Garak: And I love Cardassia. Which is why I had to do what I did.
Quark: I don't understand.
Garak: That's the thing about love. No one really understands it, do they?