Garak: It's Doctor Bashir, isn't it? Of course it is. May I introduce myself?
Bashir: Er, yes, yes, of course.
Garak: My name is Garak. Cardassian by birth, obviously. The only one of us left on this station, as a matter of fact, so I do appreciate making new friends whenever I can. You are new to this station, I believe.
Bashir: I am, yes. Though, though I understand you've been here quite a while.
Garak: Ah, you know of me then.
Bashir: Would you care for some of this Tarkalean tea? It's very good.
Garak: What a thoughtful young man. How nice that we've met.
Bashir: You know, some people say that you remained on DS Nine as the eyes and ears of your fellow Cardassians.
Garak: You don't say? Doctor, you're not intimating that I'm considered some sort of spy, are you?
Bashir: I wouldn't know, sir.
Garak: Ah. An open mind. The essence of intellect. As you may also know, I have a clothing shop nearby, so if you should require any apparel, or merely wish, as I do, for a bit of enjoyable company now and then, I'm at your disposal, Doctor.
Bashir: You're very kind, Mister Garak.
Garak: Oh, it's just Garak. Plain, simple Garak. Now, good day to you, Doctor. I'm so glad to have made such an interesting new friend today.
Bashir: You won't never believe who just sat down next to me at the Replimat
O'Brien: Major, upper pylon three'll be shut down for maintenance for forty-eight hours.
Bashir: The spy! Garak, the Cardassian.
Sisko: We don't know for a fact Garak's a spy, Doctor.
Bashir: He is. You should have heard him. He introduced himself and he struck up conversation just like that. he was making contact with me, with me of all people.
Dax: What do you think he might want from you, Julian?
Bashir: I don't know. Federation medical secrets? Rest assured they're safe with me, Commander.
Sisko: I'm sure they are, Doctor Bashir.
Bashir: In fact, Chief O'Brien, I think you should place a monitoring device on me. Well, just in case he's up to something?
Sisko: I don't think that'll be necessary, Doctor. Just be very cautious when you're around him.
Kira: Commander? We've got a small craft taking evasive action. Cardassian war vessel in pursuit.
Sisko: On screen.
Kira: That's Bajoran. That damned Cardassian's firing at a Bajoran scout ship in Bajoran space!
Sisko: Mister O'Brien?
O'Brien: Confirmed, sir. They've crossed into Bajoran space.
Sisko: Open a hailing frequency to the Cardassians.
O'Brien: Channel open.
Sisko: Cardassian vessel, you are violating Bajoran space. Break off your pursuit. Repeat, break off now.
O'Brien: No reply from the Cardassians. The Bajoran vessel is hailing us.
Sisko: Open the channel.
Tahna: Space station, do you read? Space station
O'Brien: We can only get audio, Commander.
Sisko: This is Benjamin Sisko, Starfleet Commander of the station. Who are you? Why are they pursuing?
Tahna: Please! Repeating request for emergency docking! Please!
Dax: The Bajoran scout ship is badly damaged. Structural integrity is failing.
Dax: He's breaking up.
Sisko: Get him out, Mister O'Brien.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Bashir: Medical assistance to Ops.
Tahna: My name is Tahna Los. Request political asylum. Kira?
Kira: His name is Tahna Los. We fought together in the underground.
O'Brien: Commander, the Cardassians are hailing us.
Kira: Now they want to talk.
O'Brien: They're hopping mad.
Sisko: Open the channel, Mister O'Brien.
Gul Danar: Federation Commander, you've taken aboard a known criminal. You will turn him over to us.
Sisko: He has requested asylum.
Gul Danar: You have not granted it.
Sisko: To be honest, I haven't decided yet.
Gul Danar: He is Kohn-Ma! Even the Bajorans would not grant his kind asylum. He has committed heinous crimes against the Cardassian people and I demand you release him to our custody.
Sisko: I'll investigate the matter immediately. In the interim, if you'd care to dock your vessel, I'll be glad to hear an explanation for having violated Bajoran space and threatened a Federation facility.
Gul Danar: We have made no threat to your facility.
Sisko: I stand corrected. Sisko out.
Sisko: The Major and I will be at the Infirmary. I'd like some time to talk with this fellow Tahna. When Gul Danar comes in, it'd be nice if we had a few docking regulations to keep him outside a while.
O'Brien: Understood.
Kira: You're not seriously considering handing Tahna over to the Cardassians?
Sisko: Were you part of this Kohn-Ma, Major?
Kira: If I had been, I would not be working with the provisional government now.
Sisko: You'd still be out murdering Cardassians or even some Bajorans that the Kohn-Ma hold in contempt. Didn't they claim responsibility for the assassination of one of your First Ministers last month?
Kira: Look, I know Tahna.
Sisko: Is he Kohn-Ma?
Kira: Yes, but
Sisko: I suggest you get your priorities straight, Major, because I don't have any room for divided loyalties in this command. And I won't have a Kohn-Ma terrorist using this station as a protective shield for continuing violence.
Kira: My priorities are straight, Commander. Let's not be confused here. my loyalties are to Bajor, and Bajor needs men like Tahna Los.
Sisko: Apparently his war with the Cardassians isn't over yet.
Kira: If Bajor is ever to rebuild a strong and independent society, it will require the repatriation of splinter groups like the Kohn-Ma. You have, we have, an opportunity here, Commander. I hope you don't miss it.
Kira: How is he?
Bashir: Second degree burns, lacerations, a minor concussion. Not much compared to what he's been through before.
Sisko: Before?
Bashir: The most recent of these scars is only two, perhaps three years old.
Tahna: Two and a half, actually.
Bashir: It's remarkable you lived through this.
Kira: It's a Cardassian technique designed to keep you alive.
Sisko: I'm Commander Benjamin Sisko. I have a few questions for you if you're up to answering them.
Kira: Commander Sisko hasn't decided whether to grant you asylum yet, Tahna.
Sisko: Major, perhaps I should conduct this alone.
Tahna: Major?
Kira: I'm the liaison officer to the Federation here. Still fighting for Bajor in my own way. I'll stop by later.
Tahna: What do you need to know, Commander?
Sisko: For starters, why were they chasing you?
Tahna: You really want to hear the story of my life?
Sisko: I assume as a member of the Kohn-Ma you've committed serious acts against them.
Tahna: Any one of a hundred that would lead to a Cardassian death sentence.
Sisko: Any of them since their withdrawal from Bajor?
Tahna: Frankly, yes.
Sisko: Why would you continue the violence against them now?
Tahna: To be honest, I'm not sure anymore. We say we're punishing them for crimes committed against us for over half a century, but I've had enough of the killing.
Bashir: I'm sorry, Commander. He needs rest now.
Kira: Admiral, I think Commander Sisko's being incredibly short-sighted. He obviously doesn't understand the issues involved.
Rollman: Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Major. I'll stay in close touch with the situation.
Kira: Thank you, Admiral.
O'Brien: Sir, the Cardassian warship has docked. Lieutenant Dax is making sure that all procedural details are precisely observed, no matter how long it takes.
Sisko: Well done. I have some more research to do on the Kohn-Ma before I see them.
O'Brien: Sir, I don't know much about the Bajoran terrorists, but you've never fought the Cardassians, have you?
Sisko: No.
O'Brien: Well, you just wouldn't want to turn a man, any man over to their tender care, sir. You just wouldn't. Subspace transmission from Admiral Rollman for you, Commander.
Sisko: In my office.
Rollman: Ben, that Bajoran woman you have working for you interrupted a staff meeting to tell me how she disapproves of your handling of this asylum matter. I think you have a problem there, Commander.
Sisko: Yes, Admiral.
Kira: It's all right. You're safe.
Tahna: Strange to run into each other here, isn't it?
Kira: It's good to be with someone who knows what it's been like out there.
Tahna: Wearing that uniform, I thought maybe you'd forgotten.
Kira: Never.
Tahna: Working on the inside hasn't dulled that old fire just a little?
Kira: Ask Sisko about that.
Tahna: Don't get along?
Kira: Oil and water. You're tired. I should go.
Tahna: Kira, do you think he'll give me to the Cardassians?
Kira: Over my dead body.
Tahna: That's the Kira I remember.
Gul Danar: If you require all vessels to endure such lengthy docking procedures, Commander, you're going to have a lot of impatient traffic out there.
Sisko: I apologize. We're still trying to repair all the damage your forces did before they left. It does create unreasonable delays.
Gul Danar: I accept your apology, but not your explanation. What about Tahna Los?
Sisko: Well, we've got a problem.
Gul Danar: A diplomatic insult to the Cardassian people would be a problem. Delivering a wanted criminal to us would not be.
Sisko: Danar, in war, both sides commit atrocities.
Gul Danar: I can only tell you that we are certain he plans to commit more acts of terrorism
Sisko: He tells me that he has renounced the Kohn-Ma and wants to help to rebuild Bajor.
Gul Danar: He committed brutal acts of destruction and murder and he must pay for those crimes.
Sisko: I appreciate the Cardassian position but I know if a Bajoran freedom-fighter is turned over to the Cardassians by the Federation, that would be a mistake that would undermine everything that I'm trying to accomplish here. So, with apologies, I'm going to grant him asylum for the time being. Eventually, he'll want to relocate to Bajor and if you want to pursue the matter with the Provisional Government, then that's your business.
Kira: How long since you've slept in a comfortable bed?
Tahna: I can adapt to that part very quickly, thank you.
Kira: I'm glad you're here. We need you, Tahna.
Tahna: I don't think the Federation has any use for my particular talents.
Kira: I mean Bajor needs you. If you had the impression that I'm a Federation officer in any way, I promise you I
Tahna: I thought you were under Sisko's command.
Kira: I am, but
Tahna: You see, that's something I could never adapt to.
Kira: Somebody has to coordinate relations between the Federation and the Provisional Government, At least with someone like me here
Tahna: Why? Why should they be here at all? What right does this so-called Provisional Government have to bring them here
Kira: I know
Tahna: After everything we fought for, Kira. Freedom from domination, true independence. No outsiders. No Cardassians, and no Federations.
Kira: Things have changed, Tahna. With the diskovery of the wormhole
Tahna: Oh, yes, the wormhole.
Kira: Look, I don't want the Federation here any more than you do but they are serving a purpose. For the time being, at least. Without the Federation, the Cardassians would be back in a minute to take control of the wormhole. And the wormhole is the future of Bajor, Tahna. It's bringing ships and commerce. It's making us a power in the quadrant.
Tahna: I don't want to be a power in the quadrant. I want Bajor for Bajorans. I want our homeland back.
Kira: We have it back. And as we grow stronger, we'll be able to defend it ourselves without having to lean on the Federation or anyone else. I know it's difficult to see. After all we've been through, we want it all now. But with people like you leading the way
Tahna: You have adapted, haven't you.
Kira: Tahna, I've put myself on the line for you here. You are finished with the Kohn-Ma?
Tahna: Yes. Yes, I am finished with the Kohn-Ma.
Kira: I've been talking with several of the ministers of the Provisional Government about amnesty. For you and any member of the Kohn-Ma who follows you.
Tahna: There are some who might, if there were assurances.
Kira: I'm working on it, Tahna. I'll find a way to make it happen.
Odo: What?
Deputy: Sir, we've had a little problem. These two women are just arriving. They objected to giving up their weapons.
Lursa: Klingons do not surrender their weapons. ODO@ Who are you?
Lursa: We are Lursa and B'Etor. Of the house of Duras.
Odo: And we have specific regulations. You can leave the weapons or leave the station. Your choice. Please make it now.
B'Etor: Who are you?
Odo: I'm the one giving you the choice.
Odo: Welcome to DS Nine.
Odo: We have some new guests you might be interested in. A couple of Klingon sisters from the Duras Family.
Sisko: Lursa and B'Etor.
Odo: You know them, then.
Sisko: They tried to grab control of the Klingon High Council, started a brief civil war. They've been out of sight since then.
Odo: I ran a security check. The Klingons have them listed as renegades.
Sisko: We've heard they've been trying to raise capital to rebuild their armies. What are they doing here?
Odo: Sitting. They went straight to Quark's, but not for the gambling and certainly not for the food. They're just sitting.
Sisko: I don't like it.
Odo: Why don't I lock them up and call the Klingons to come get them.
Sisko: Odo.
Odo: If they're enemies of the Klingon High Council?
Sisko: They haven't broken any laws here. You can't just throw them in jail.
Odo: You know, Cardassian rule may have been oppressive, but at least it was simple.
Sisko: Keep an eye on them.
Odo: As you wish, Commander.
Bashir: And how are you this evening, Mister Garak? Excuse me, just plain, simple Garak, you said.
Garak: Plain and simple. Join me, Doctor. Enhance my evening.
Bashir: Keeping an eye on the ebb and flow of things, are you?
Garak: As a clothier, I do have a keen interest in what the population is wearing from day to day. Klingons have an odd sense of style, don't you agree?
Bashir: Oh, yes, they do.
Garak: But intriguing. I would say that those two outfits are worth studying closely. Look.
Lursa: All right, where's the payment.
Tahna: It's on its way.
B'Etor: That was not the arrangement.
Tahna: I couldn't stop to get it. I barely got past the Cardassians.
Lursa: Your safety is not our concern.
B'Etor: Your gold is.
Tahna: It will be available tomorrow.
B'Etor: Good. Because if we have made this trip for nothing, you will have made a fatal mistake.
Kira: I've managed to arrange a hearing of the Ministers' Court.
Sisko: Any predictions?
Kira: I have two of the ministers, the smart ones, ready to vote for amnesty. I'm sure one of the others will fall in line.
Sisko: Good.
Kira: And Tahna says two more of the Kohn-Ma are willing to follow him if you'll guarantee their safety.
Sisko: Done.
Kira: I have to say this, Commander. When we first talked I wasn't sure you. This wouldn't have been possible without your support. I want you to know it's appreciated.
Sisko: Be sure to mention it the next time you chat with Admiral Rollman.
Kira: Sir.
Sisko: Go over my head again and I'll have yours on a platter
Sisko: So, Constable. News about our Klingon sisters?
Odo: They seem to make friends easily.
Sisko: Friends?
Odo: Our reformed Kohn-Ma, for example.
Sisko: Tahna with Lursa and B'Etor?
Odo: Talking about a business arrangement. He's paying them for something. I don't know what. The gold is supposedly on its way.
Sisko: Two other members of the Kohn-Ma may be bringing it.
Odo: How do you know that?
Sisko: Major Kira mentioned that they were on their way.
Odo: Do you want her to know about this?
Sisko: Not quite yet.
Lursa: You are the clothier, Garak?
Garak: At your service, madam. May I show you our latest fashions? Perhaps some silk lingerie from Kraus Four?
B'Etor: Watch your tongue, Cardassian, or I'll rip it out and eat it.
Garak: I meant no offense. I have few Klingon patrons. So, is there something you wish to buy?
Lursa: We are not here to buy. We are here to sell.
B'Etor: We understand you still represent Cardassian interests here.
Garak: I am only a simple clothing merchant.
B'Etor: We have no time for your games. Do you want Tahna Los or not?
Garak: You are in a position to deliver the Bajoran to Cardassian authorities?
Lursa: What is he worth to them?
B'Etor: In gold-pressed latinum.
Lursa: You insult us.
Garak: Ladies, ladies, please. Everything is negotiable. I am no more than what I seem to be, a merchant trying to make the best transaction. So, let us haggle.
Tahna: Yes?
Kira: I have the third minister's vote. The hearing is simply a formality now. You are going to receive amnesty, Tahna.
Tahna: I never realized you were such an accomplished politician.
Kira: Me? A politician? No, I don't think so.
Tahna: You manipulate Sisko and the Federation, the ministers of the Provisional Government.
Kira: I'm just determined. I think they all simply get tired of hearing my voice.
Tahna: And here we expected to find that Kira Nerys had lost the fire in her heart.
Kira: What are you talking about? You knew I was here before you even came. Tahna, I trusted you.
Tahna: I am Kohn-Ma. I fight for the freedom of Bajor. You once fought for it as well.
Kira: I'm still fighting for it.
Tahna: Stop deluding yourself! You say you don't believe in the Federation, you say you don't believe in the Provisional Government, and yet you are their dance instructor.
Kira: That's not fair.
Tahna: Don't be naive, Major.
Kira: I don't want the Federation here, but for now
Tahna: Once you're in your comfortable bed with the Federation, you won't be able to get out. We won't be able to get out.
Kira: If you expect me to help you commit some act of violence against the Federation
Tahna: No. No, the violence is over. That is the truth. No one will get hurt in any way, I promise you that. But I do need your help.
Kira: You've already lied to me, Tahna. I know how the game works.
Tahna: To do what we plan, we need a small ship capable of warp speed. I gambled that I could convince you to get it for us.
Kira: Just what is this peaceful plan?
Tahna: In one move and non-violently, we accomplish everything both of us has ever wanted for Bajor.
Kira: How?
Tahna: I know the game too, Kira. You know I cannot risk telling you that.
Kira: How do you know I won't just go straight to Sisko?
Tahna: Well, if you do, we'll both know where your loyalties are, won't we?
Bashir: Ah. Plain, simple Garak. How are you today?
Garak: Being observant, Doctor.
Bashir: I'm sure of it.
Garak: There's a time for levity, my young friend, and a time for genuine concern. The arrival on this station, for instance, of those two Kohn-Ma terrorists.
Bashir: Terrorists? What are they doing here?
Garak: I'm not exactly sure. But together, we might have some success at finding out.
Bashir: Garak, I'm a doctor
Garak: And once you do have the appropriate answer, I'm sure you'll know what to do with it.
Bashir: I really must be getting along now.
Garak: Doctor, I think it's time for you to take advantage of my shop. If you'll be there at exactly twenty fifty five hours tonight, I promise to show you a suit that will make you into a new man.
Bashir: A suit? We're talking about terrorists, and you want me to buy a new suit?
Garak: Doctor, am I making myself clear? I want you to buy a new suit tonight at twenty fifty five, exactly.
Bashir: Er, yes, I see. Well, if you'll excuse me. A suit?
Sisko: Major?
Kira: Commander.
Sisko: I'd like to meet the two Kohn-Ma who just arrived as soon as possible.
Kira: Of course. I'll arrange it.
Sisko: How do they seem to you?
Kira: Sir?
Sisko: Do you feel as secure about them as you do about Tahna Los?
Kira: Absolutely.
Bashir: Commander Sisko.
Bashir: I need some guidance.
Sisko: Yes, Doctor?
Bashir: It's about Garak, the Cardassian? I'm afraid this relationship has gotten a little out of hand.
Sisko: How's that?
Bashir: He wants me to buy a suit.
Sisko: A suit?
Bashir: At exactly twenty fifty five tonight.
Sisko: Why twenty fifty five?
Bashir: I don't know but it has something to do with those two Bajoran terrorists on board. He says that together, he and I might diskover what they're really doing here. I don't understand why he wants me involved.
Sisko: Sometimes communications can't be conducted through official channels. Maybe this is their way of telling us that we have a common enemy.
Bashir: Well, what do you want me to do?
Sisko: I think, Doctor, you could definitely use a new suit.
Kira: Busy?
Odo: What can I do for you?
Kira: Are all the security measures in place for the trip to the Ministers' Court?
Odo: I told you they'd be taken care of and they will.
Kira: Fine.
Odo: You know, there's one thing about you humanoids I can't imitate very well.
Kira: What's that?
Odo: Pretense. There's a special talent to it. It's as hard for me as creating one of your noses.
Kira: Maybe that's why I've learned to respect your opinion, Constable. Never any pretense. How much do you know about me, Odo?
Odo: More than you probably realize.
Kira: I've done some things I'm not proud of. I still have nightmares about the raids on the Haru outposts, but at least I was sure of what I was doing then.
Odo: And there's something you're not sure of now.
Kira: You have no more love for the Federation than I do.
Odo: Meaning?
Kira: Maybe there are still wars to be fought and I'm just making a fool of myself doing what I'm doing here.
Odo: It sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into something. Or out of something.
Kira: Either way, I have to betray someone.
Odo: The only important thing is not to betray yourself.
Kira: How could I possibly turn against my own people?
Odo: Are they? Your own people?
Kira: They're no different than I used to be.
Odo: Used to be.
Kira: I could just refuse to help them. Ignore the whole thing.
Odo: The Joranian ostrich hides by sticking its head under water. Sometimes even until it drowns.
Kira: Then they'd find a way to do whatever they want to do anyway and I'd still feel responsible for the consequences. It was so much easier when I knew who the enemy was.
Odo: Odo to Sisko.
Sisko: Go ahead.
Odo: There's someone down here in security who wants to talk to you, Commander.
Garak: Quickly, Doctor, you're late. It's twenty fifty seven. Now just take this and try that on as many times as you like, and stay very, very quiet.
Bashir: I was just
Garak: Ah, right on time. Welcome.
B'Etor: Save your welcomes, Cardassian. Do your people want the Bajoran or not?
Garak: I can now venture to say, with some certainty, that you will receive the agreed-upon payment on delivery.
Lursa: We will complete our business with Tahna Los in four hours.
Garak: And what business might that be?
B'Etor: That is not your concern.
Garak: If it requires that those I represent must take extra precautions, it becomes my concern.
Lursa: We will deliver him a cylinder of bilitrium.
B'Etor: The rendezvous will be on the dark side of Bajor Eight's lower moon. The Cardassians can have him then.
Bashir: What's bilitrium?
Garak: A rare crystalline element, that can be an incredibly powerful source of energy. Provided, of course, one also has an anti-matter converter. Unfortunately, that's why Cardassians were chasing Tahna Los when he arrived here. He stole one.
Bashir: But if he's got both.
Garak: Quite right, Doctor. He has the ingredients for a bomb. A bomb of significant destructive capability.
Sisko: We have nothing to hold them on. they haven't committed any crime yet.
Odo: Conspiracy is a crime.
Bashir: Conspiracy to what? We don't even know what their plan is.
O'Brien: Once the switch with the Klingons is made, you've got them holding the components to an explosive device. That's enough evidence right there.
Kira: Chief O'Brien is right. We have to give them a runabout.
Sisko: Agreed.
Kira: And I have to be on it.
Sisko: Not agreed. Major.
Kira: Commander, Tahna doesn't know if he can trust me as it is. If I try to stay behind, he won't buy into this. The only way to convince him is if I'm on board. If Tahna fails, I promise you others will try. At least this way you can find out what they're up to.
Sisko: Mister O'Brien, you and I will take a runabout to a point behind the second moon of Bajor Eight to avoid detection.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Sisko: Dax, stay in touch with us on a secured channel. Keep an eye on the Cardassians. They'll be coming to the party, too. You get him there, Major. We'll be waiting.
Odo: They're moving into the runabout.
Dax: Acknowledged. DS Nine to Ganges.
Sisko: Go ahead.
Dax: They're in the Yangtzee Kiang. They're initializing pre-launch systems now.
Sisko: Understood, Lieutenant. Shut down all main power systems.
O'Brien: Dead quiet.
Kira: Bajor Eight in one hundred twenty thousand kilometers. Dropping to impulse. What is that?
Tahna: An anti-matter converter. I'm transferring power from the ship's warp drive into the storage cells.
Kira: We've got a Klingon Bird of Prey decloaking dead ahead.
Tahna: It's all right. We're here to meet them.
Kira: Klingons? Why?
Tahna: You'll know soon enough.
O'Brien: The Klingons have powered up their transporters.
Sisko: Prepare to go to full impulse.
Tahna: Thirteen kilograms of gold-pressed latinum, as promised.
Lursa: This is yours.
B'Etor: 'eH. HImaH!
Kira: What is it?
Tahna: Bajoran independence.
O'Brien: Bird of Prey is moving off and cloaking.
Sisko: Set up an intercept course for the runabout.
O'Brien: Intercept in one minute, twelve seconds.
Dax: DS Nine to Ganges.
Sisko: Ganges.
Dax: The Cardassian warship Aldara is crossing the border, Benjamin, on an intercept course with the Yangtzee Kiang. They'll enter
Dax: Bajoran space in twenty nine seconds.
Sisko: Acknowledged.
O'Brien: The Yangtzee's sensors should be picking us up now, sir.
Tahna: What is that?
Kira: It's another runabout.
Tahna: They must've been waiting for us here. How did they know?
Kira: We also have got a Cardassian warship three minutes away. The Klingons must have sold us out.
Tahna: Prepare to engage warp engines.
Kira: There's nowhere to run, Tahna.
Tahna: We don't have to go far.
Tahna: I should have know. Now set the course for DS Nine.
Kira: No.
Tahna: If you don't, I'll explode the bomb right here and destroy all six colonies on Bajor Eight.
Kira: You would kill thousands of your own people for this?
Tahna: The question is whether you would kill them by refusing to set the course.
O'Brien: They've gone to warp.
Sisko: Follow them. Ganges to Yangtzee Kiang.
Sisko: Drop out of warp, or we will open fire.
Sisko: Repeat. Reduce your power immediately or we will open fire.
Tahna: I doubt that he'll shoot while his Major is on board. But just in case. This is the voice of the Kohn-Ma.
Tahna: There is an armed bilitrium explosive device on board this ship.
Tahna: Fire on us and you will detonate it.
O'Brien: If that device goes off while they're at warp, they'll spread radiation across half the system.
Sisko: He's headed straight back for the station. This is the Federation vessel Ganges to Cardassian warship Aldara.
Gul Danar: So, we're finally allies, Commander.
Sisko: Gul Danar, the Federation runabout Yangtzee Kiang is carrying an explosive bilitrium device. Can you intercept before it reaches the space station?
Gul Danar: Our time to intercept is two minutes, fourteen seconds.
O'Brien: That's about a minute too late, Commander.
Gul Danar: If I may take this opportunity to say that I warned you
Sisko: Can we get them in a tractor beam?
O'Brien: Not at these speeds. They have twenty seven seconds on us. We may have to shoot them down, Commander.
Sisko: Ready photons, Chief. We'll fire as soon as they slow to impulse.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Kira: One hundred thousand kilometers to DS Nine. This is your idea of a non-violent solution? You realize there are hundreds of Bajoran civilians aboard the station.
Tahna: No one's going to be hurt, Kira. Adjust your course to take a vectored approach past the mouth of the wormhole.
Kira: The wormhole? It's not the space station you're after. You can't possibly believe you can destroy the wormhole with that device?
Tahna: I don't have to destroy it, just have to collapse the entrance.
Kira: You're only hurting Bajor by doing this, Tahna.
Tahna: No more wormhole, no more Federation or Cardassians. Or anyone. Drop out of warp. Now!
O'Brien: My God, they're going into the wormhole. At full impulse.
Tahna: Damn you!
Sisko: Sisko to Kira. Are you all right, Major?
Tahna: No, she's not all right, Commander. And if you want her alive you'll do exactly as I say.
Sisko: Listen to me carefully, Tahna.
Sisko: You can either surrender now to me or you can wait for the Cardassian warship
Sisko: And I can let them deal with you this time.
Sisko: Your choice.
Kira: There'll be no further resistance, Commander.
Kira: Tahna, the old ways don't work anymore. Everything is different now. I had to do this. One day you'll understand.
Tahna: Traitor.


O'Brien: Look, save your energy. We'll have you out of there as soon as possible. I hope. Try re-routing the power coupling.
Jaheel: Mister O'Brien.
O'Brien: See if you can activate the interlock servos.
Jaheel: Mister O'Brien.
O'Brien: Captain Jaheel, those people have been stuck in that airlock for over an hour. Now if you can wait until we get that door opened, I'll be happy to listen to any problems you might have.
Jaheel: But I've already been waiting two days for your people to readjust my ship's antimatter flow converter.
O'Brien: I'm afraid we've gotten a little bit behind in our maintenance schedule.
Jaheel: I'm not interested in hearing excuses. I have a shipment of Tamen Sasheer waiting to be delivered to Largo Five, and I'll need to do better than warp one to get there before it spoils.
O'Brien: I'll try to get a repair crew to you by the end of the day. Now that's the best I can do.
Jaheel: Your best, Mister O'Brien, hardly seems good enough.
Dax: Dax to O'Brien.
O'Brien: O'Brien here.
Dax: Can you spare a minute, Chief? I have a little problem here at the lab.
O'Brien: On my way.
Dax: Thanks for coming, Chief.
O'Brien: What are you doing out here?
O'Brien: Have you checked the EPS convertor?
Dax: Yes. First thing.
O'Brien: How about the intensity grid?
Dax: It's fine.
O'Brien: Then it's probably the secondary phase modulator. We had trouble with them last week in the main power core. That should do it.
O'Brien: Anything else I can do for you?
Kira: The navigational computer hasn't been working reliably for three days. I ask for the star charts of the Argosian sector, Glessene sector comes up instead. That's when I can coax this system online.
O'Brien: Uh-huh. Try it now.
Kira: That's more like it. You look like you could use some sleep.
O'Brien: Who has time for sleep? I'd settle for five minutes of peace and quiet.
Sisko: Chief, I thought you were going to fix the replicators.
O'Brien: You're absolutely right, sir. I knew I'd forgotten something. Can't have the operations chief sitting around daydreaming when there's work to be done, can we? I'll get right on it.
O'Brien: Fix the replicators, Chief. My console's offline, Chief. I should've transferred to a cargo drone. No people, no complaints.
O'Brien: Hot coffee, black, double sweet.
Odo: Tell me, Quark, am I mistaken or is business a little slow today?
Quark: Slow? It's been almost nonexistent for the past three days.
Odo: Who knows, if things don't improve you may be forced to close down.
Quark: You'd like that, wouldn't you?
Odo: Let's just say, without you around my job would be considerably easier.
Quark: Without me around, you'd be forced to find some other, poor innocent to persecute. Think about that while you sit here gloating at my misfortune.
Asoth: Quark! You call this Kohlanese stew?
Quark: If your meal isn't satisfactory I'm sure we could exchange it for something more to your liking.
Asoth: Aren't you the least bit curious as to how it tastes?
Asoth: Now, you served it, you're going to eat it.
Odo: All right, that's enough.
Asoth: I said eat it!
Odo: I said, that's enough.
Odo: Well, another satisfied customer.
Quark: It's these replicators. If I don't get them fixed soon, they'll destroy my business.
Odo: Why not get O'Brien to fix them? He has the replicators on the command level working perfectly.
Quark: I'm on his waiting list. He assures me he'll get to them as soon as he can.
Odo: No telling when that will be. The Chief's a very busy man.
Quark: Computer, display a station layout. Highlight locations of all repaired replicators on command level.
Computer: Information restricted to security clearance five and above. Please enter security verification.
Computer: Clearance verified.
O'Brien: There you go, sir. I think you'll find that more to your liking.
Sisko: Very much appreciated, Mister O'Brien.
O'Brien: Don't mention it, sir. Unfortunately, there are plenty of replicators around the station that still need looking after.
Sisko: You all right, Chief?
O'Brien: I'm just a bit hot. The environmental controls must be acting up again.
Sisko: Send my regards to Mrs O'Brien. Jake tells me she's a wonderful teacher.
O'Brien: That's nice to hear, sir. She's flower units about the lad herself.
Sisko: Excuse me?
O'Brien: Sir?
Sisko: What was that you just said?
O'Brien: She's quite fond of the lad herself.
Sisko: I'm glad to hear it.
O'Brien: Very good, sir.
Security: Ladies.
Crewman: Hello, Lieutenant.
Dax: I forgot how different it was.
Kira: How different what was?
Dax: Being female. I haven't been one for over eighty years. All this attention.
Kira: I imagine it must take some getting use to.
Dax: Actually I find it quite enjoyable.
Quark: Major Kira. Lieutenant Dax.
Quark: I'd be honored to have you join my little party. As my guests, of course.
Kira: What's all this, Quark? You cheat your one thousandth customer?
Quark: Who says Bajorans don't have a sense of humor? Actually, we're celebrating the repair of the bar's replicator system. Perhaps I could interest you in a nice double whipped Idanian spice pudding.
Dax: What do you think?
Kira: I think I'm due back at Ops, but go on, enjoy yourself.
Quark: Please, make yourself comfortable, Lieutenant. I did say a double whipped spice pudding, didn't I?
Dax: It's lovely. I almost hate to eat it.
Quark: By all means, take the time to admire its beauty While I admire yours.
Kira: Chief?
O'Brien: How can I help you, Major?
Kira: You're the one who could use a little help.
O'Brien: Oh, no, I'm fine, really.
Kira: I suppose this isn't a good time to tell you that number three turbolift has broken down again. Joking, Chief.
O'Brien: Major, larks true pepper.
Kira: What?
O'Brien: Let birds go further loose maybe. Shout easy play.
Kira: Chief, you're not making any sense.
O'Brien: Round the turbulent quick. Well, close the reverse harbor. Ankle try sound. Reset gleaming. Dinner to bug.
Kira: Chief, wait.
O'Brien: When?
Kira: Chief!
Bashir: Computer, continue neural imaging scan and stimulate visual cortex.
Computer: All visual responses normal.
Bashir: Computer, begin auditory stimuli.
Computer: No physiological damage. All brain functions within normal parameters.
Bashir: Nurse.
Jabara: Yes?
Bashir: Will you pull up Mister O'Brien's neurophysiological history, please?
Jabara: Yes, Doctor.
Kira: What is that? What's he written?
Bashir: I wish I knew.
O'Brien: Strike limits. Flame the dark true salt.
Bashir: Please, Chief, have a seat.
O'Brien: Way link complete. Way link!
Kira: What's wrong with him?
Bashir: He appears to be suffering from a form of aphasia. It's a perceptual dysfunction in which aural and visual stimuli are incorrectly processed by the brain. His actual thinking hasn't been affected, but he's incapable of expressing himself or understanding others.
O'Brien: Victory strike limits frosted wake. Simple hesitation!
Sisko: I'm not sure I follow you, Doctor. You say Mister O'Brien is aphasic, but all of his tests come up negative.
Dax: Isn't aphasia typically associated with some kind of cranial trauma?
Bashir: Yes. It can occur as a result of a stroke or blow to the head. But there's no evidence of that here.
Dax: Did you check the medical library for any precedents?
Bashir: And rechecked. Nothing so far.
Sisko: Do you have any theories?
Bashir: Not yet.
Sisko: Find one. Major Kira, get hold of the Chief's personal duty log. I want to know where he's been and what he's done for the past fifty two hours.
Kira: I've already examine it, Commander. He's been all over the station.
Sisko: Retrace his steps and see what you come up with. Dax, you will temporarily assume Mister O'Brien's duties.
Dax: Yes, I'll
Sisko: Is there a problem, Lieutenant? Lieutenant?
Dax: I'm sorry, Benjamin. I'm unable to foolish assembled regal controlled weather.
Bashir: Spontaneous development of aphasia is virtually impossible. Yet we saw Lieutenant Dax become aphasic before our eyes. This told me we are dealing with a disease that only mimics aphasia. So I ran a full neurosynaptic comparison of Dax and O'Brien, and I found this in the temporal lobes of both patients.
Sisko: A virus?
Bashir: It imposes itself within the established synaptic pathways and then randomly reroutes them. For example, when I look at this, a process occurs in my brain which connects the stimulus to the word tricorder. This virus disrupts that process.
Sisko: I'd see a tricorder but I would say something ridiculous like window.
Bashir: Exactly.
Jabara: Doctor, I think you should get over here.
Crewwoman: Night, the flow trade again.
Crewman: View lost pile luck. Away tunnel back the garden.
Sisko: Doctor, I want this station put under emergency quarantine immediately.
Bashir: Yes, sir.
Man: Dabo!
Odo: Quark, what is going on here?
Quark: What does it look like?
Odo: It looks like business as usual, but that's impossible because all shops and business have been closed until further notice.
Quark: Except, of course, for essential station operations.
Odo: For which this place hardly qualifies.
Quark: I don't think they'd agree. This quarantine has everybody on edge, Constable. Would you deprive them of a little harmless diversion?
Odo: They'd be safer in their quarters.
Asoth: Quark, that Kohlanese stew. Magnificent.
Quark: Fortunately, my assistant Rom, was able to fix the replicators.
Odo: Yes, very fortunate.
Sisko: Jake! I expected you home an hour ago.
Jake: Sorry. I was at Nog's. Dad, about this quarantine, it's going to be okay, isn't it?
Sisko: It's just a precaution. Nothing more.
Jaheel: I wish I shared your confidence Commander.
Sisko: Go straight home, son. I'll see you at dinner.
Sisko: Captain Jaheel, all visitors have been confined to their ships.
Jaheel: Believe me, there is no place I'd rather be.
Sisko: Then what are you doing here?
Jaheel: Commander, I officially request permission to leave this station.
Sisko: Request denied.
Jaheel: But none of my crew has been affected by this virus of yours, and unless I depart at once my whole cargo will be ruined.
Sisko: Captain, I suggest you return to your ship now.
Jaheel: Please. I don't want to get sick.
Sisko: I'm sorry, but until we find a cure for this thing, no one's going anywhere.
Quark: Computer, let's start with one Ferengi starduster, please. Extra strong. Perfect.
Quark: I thought the front wheels were sticking a bit.
Odo: Unauthorized access to crew quarters is a crime, Quark. You could have just asked to use the replicators.
Quark: There's an old Ferengi saying. Never ask when you can take. How did you figure it out?
Odo: You claimed Rom fixed your replicators.
Quark: So?
Odo: Rom's an idiot. He couldn't fix a straw if it was bent.
Quark: You're right. Rom is an idiot. Remind me to get rid of him tomorrow.
Bashir: Based on the levels of the virus found in the patients' blood, I believe it's being absorbed through ingestion.
Sisko: You're saying it's in our food?
Kira: That's not possible. All the food on the station is replicated, and all the replicators use biofilters. They automatically screen out contaminants including viruses.
Bashir: Major, I've analyzed samples from replicators all over the station. Food on the command level is contaminated.
Sisko: But all of us here have eaten from those replicators. How come we're not aphasic?
Bashir: This virus is highly adaptable. Its incubation period seems to vary within each individual.
Kira: According to O'Brien's duty log, the last thing he did before become aphasic was fix the command level replicators.
Sisko: Get a repair crew over there to inspect the site. Let's shut down those replicators. Maybe we'll be able to limit further contamination.
Bashir: I'm afraid that's not going to do it, sir. I've been getting aphasic patients from all over the station.
Sisko: How is that possible?
Odo: You can thank Quark. I caught him using a replicator in one of the vacant crew quarters. He was producing his entire menu out of there.
Bashir: If this virus is present within a large enough segment of the population, it could mean
Sisko: What is it, Doctor?
Bashir: I just took an air sample.
Sisko: The virus?
Bashir: It's mutated into an airborne variety.
Odo: Which means?
Bashir: Which means the whole station is infected.
Sisko: Captain's log, stardate 46423.7. Nearly sixty percent of DS Nine's population has now contracted the aphasia virus. We've initiated standard quarantine procedures, and are advising all incoming ships to maintain their distance from the station until further notice.
Kira: I found it inside the replicator's pattern generator.
Sisko: O'Brien must have accidently triggered it when he repaired the system.
Kira: According to Bashir, it introduced an anomalous programming sequence into the materialization subroutine. In effect, it built the virus directly into the replicated food at a molecular level.
Sisko: So what we have here is sabotage.
Kira: Cardassian sabotage.
Sisko: How can you be sure?
Kira: It has a diboridium core for a power source. That is Cardassian technology.
Bashir: Bashir to Sisko.
Sisko: Sisko here.
Bashir: Commander, I think you'd better get down here to the Infirmary, as soon as possible.
Sisko: On my way.
Sisko: You wanted to see me, Doctor?
Sisko: Jake?
Jake: Left, become better, control, entire hope.
Bashir: We've converted some empty crew quarters into a hospital ward. He'll be well looked after.
Sisko: I'll take him there myself. Come on, Jake. You're going to be all right.
Bashir: Commander, when you've got a moment, I've found something I'd like to show you.
Nurse: It'll be fine. Just lay back. I know, but just lay back and relax.
Quark: Food. Dabo. Drinks. Money. Hand. Mine. Give.
Sisko: Well, Quark, I see even you couldn't weasel your way clear of this one.
Quark: You underestimate the Ferengi immune system, Commander. I'm merely here visiting my less fortunate customers to make sure they're not faking the illness to avoid paying their bills.
Sisko: No one's that devious.
Quark: I am. You gold owe me. I now give.
Sisko: We're doing everything possible. I'll be back as soon as I can.
Bashir: The virus is synthetic, Commander. Its nucleotide sequence is too perfect. It's clearly not natural.
Sisko: You're saying the Cardassians genetically engineered this thing?
Bashir: Well that's what I thought at first, but I've studied Cardassian genetic engineering. They always build distinctive monoclonial links into their DNA. This virus has none of those features.
Sisko: All right then, who made it.
Bashir: That's what I wanted to find out. So I referenced all known DNA construction techniques in the Federation records, and this protein series was the key. It indicates that
Sisko: Doctor! Who created this virus?
Bashir: The Bajorans, sir. I believe it must have been a terrorist plot to sabotage the Cardassians while they were here.
Kira: The energy decay of this power core indicates that it dates back to the building of the station.
Odo: That's eighteen years ago. I suppose the Bajoran underground could have smuggled it aboard during construction, before I took over as Head of Security.
Sisko: But why would the underground go to all the trouble of planting a booby trap and not set it off?
Odo: Maybe they forgot.
Kira: No. More likely they were captured or killed before they could release it.
Sisko: We need to find out who created this virus. You're our best hope.
Kira: Eighteen years is a long time.
Odo: Besides, even if she finds who did this, that's no guarantee they can help us.
Sisko: We just have to hope they remembers the antidote.
Odo: That's assuming they ever bothered to create one.
Kira: Had to be someone in the underground familiar with genetic engineering.
Galis: Eighteen years ago. Sounds like something Dekon Elig might have thought up.
Kira: How can I find him?
Galis: The last I heard he was in a Cardassian prison.
Kira: Where was he being held?
Galis: The Velos Seven Internment Camp. But that was nine years ago.
Kira: And you have no idea where he is now? Think, Galis. This is important.
Galis: I'm sorry, Kira, but it was all so long ago.
Jabara: What is it, Jake?
Jake: Roll linger when life. Roll linger when.
Jabara: What?
Dax: Other support. Strong courage.
Jabara: He's running a high fever.
Jake: Open way long. Open way.
Jabara: Doctor, we have an emergency in crew quarters.
Sisko: How is he, Doctor?
Bashir: Not good, I'm afraid. The virus has attacked his autonomic nervous system.
Sisko: Can he be stabilized?
Bashir: He hasn't responded to neural stimulation. I've given him thirty cc's of corophizine to avoid secondary infection, but so far I've been unable to lower his fever.
Sisko: What are his chances?
Bashir: Unless I find some way to counteract the virus, he'll be dead in twelve hours.
Sisko: Have you made any progress?
Bashir: No. I've tried base pair destabilizers, sequential disruption, nothing seems to affect it. Sir, I've got seven other aphasic patients displaying the same symptoms as O'Brien here, and I'm afraid this is only the beginning.
Sisko: Keep searching, Doctor. I hope Major Kira can find whoever's responsible for creating this virus.
Bashir: I'd like to meet that person myself. This virus is a work of genius.
Sisko: I'll try to arrange it for you.
Computer: Link established with the Bajoran Archival Records.
Kira: Locate files on Velos Seven Internment camp.
Computer: Ready.
Kira: Do you show a record of an inmate named Dekon Elig?
Computer: Affirmative.
Kira: Biographical data.
Computer: Dekon Elig. Geneticist. Former member of the Higa Metar Sect of the Bajoran underground. Killed while attempting escape stardate 39355. Certificate of Death on file.
Sisko: No need to ask how you're doing.
Kira: Chasing after ghosts.
Sisko: You have twelve hours to catch one.
Kira: And then?
Sisko: People start dying.
Kira: Computer, display Dekon Elig's Certificate of Death. Identify signature of witness.
Computer: Certificate of Death was witnessed by Surmak Ren, Bajoran Medical Assistant.
Kira: Show me biographical data on Surmak Ren.
Computer: Doctor Surmak Ren. Former member of the Higa Metar sect of the Bajoran underground. Repatriated to Bajor upon closing of the Velos Seven Internment Camp, stardate 46302. Current status unknown.
Quark: Dabo.
Odo: Any luck?
Quark: I haven't won a spin in hours. Care to place a friendly wager? If it's your reputation you're thinking about no one need ever know.
Odo: It has nothing to do with my reputation. The truth is, I never learned the game.
Quark: You mean, you've sat here for all these years and you don't even know how to gamble?
Odo: That's correct.
Quark: No wonder you always look so bored. The rules are quite simple, actually. I'd be happy to show them to you.
Odo: Some other time perhaps. Sisko needs me in Ops. And since the entire security force stricken with aphasia, the Promenade in a very vulnerable position.
Quark: How unfortunate.
Odo: Consider it a warning, Quark, because I'm holding you personally responsible if anything turns up missing. Is that understood?
Quark: Perfectly.
Quark: Dabo,
Bashir: Computer, analyze test sample thirty seven delta. Detail effects on viral containment.
Computer: Working. Analysis complete. Sample thirty seven delta ineffective. Viral protein sheath is unaffected. Nucleotide sequence remains intact
Bashir: Computer, replay morning.
Computer: Command unclear. Please repeat.
Bashir: Glass lunch judge a bin to let it
Computer: Command unclear. Please repeat.
Kira: Computer, establish link with the Bajoran Medical Index for the Northwestern District.
Computer: Link established.
Kira: Access all information on Doctor Surmak Ren.
Computer: There are no records matching that name.
Kira: Try the Northeastern District, same search.
Computer: Doctor Surmak Ren, currently serving as Chief Administrator of the Ilvian Medical Complex.
Kira: Computer, open a channel to the Ilvian Medical Complex. Administrators office.
Surmak: This is Doctor Surmak. And you are?
Kira: Major Kira Nerys. Bajoran liaison to Deep Space Nine.
Surmak: Ah yes, the old Cardassian mining station. How can I help you?
Kira: That depends.
Surmak: On what?
Kira: On whether or not you helped Dekon Elig plant an aphasia virus here eighteen years ago.
Surmak: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Odo: Look, Sisko. I'm a security officer, a good one, but that doesn't make me qualified to help you run station operations.
Sisko: You're probably right, Constable, but as you can see, you're all I've got.
Kira: Commander? Commander, I think I found our scientist.
Sisko: Does he have an antidote?
Kira: I don't know. He broke the connection the minute I mentioned the virus.
Sisko: Major, you mind telling me where you're going?
Kira: To continue my conversation with Doctor Surmak in person.
Sisko: Major, I can't allow you to break quarantine. We can't risk spreading the virus to Bajor.
Kira: I am well aware of that, Commander. As a matter of fact, I don't intend to step foot on the planet.
Odo: Better let her go, Sisko. She's all we've got.
Odo: Let's just hope there's someone left to greet her when she returns.
Sisko: Jake. How's it going? I've missed you. I know things don't look too good right now, but they'll get better. You have to believe that. Because I'm not going to lose you, Jake. You hear me? I'm not going to lose you.
Odo: You'd better take a look at this. We have activity on docking port five. I think a ship is about to depart.
Sisko: Docking port five? That's Jaheel's ship. Put him on screen. Captain, your ship has not been cleared for departure. The mooring clamps are locked and I don't intend to release them.
Jaheel: I suggest you change your mind. I'm taking aft thrusters to one half.
Sisko: Captain, cut your engines before you rip your ship apart.
Odo: He's not reducing power.
Sisko: Jaheel, I'm ordering you to stand down.
Jaheel: Your orders are no concern of mine. My entire crew has been confined to your hospital. I must leave now while I can still function.
Sisko: Look, I understand you're frightened, but believe me, you're better off here. You don't want to be out there alone and get hit by the virus.
Jaheel: Don't worry about me. I'm fine, and I plan to stay that way. And if you think you're going
Sisko: We'll have to retract the clamps. Once he's clear of the station we can grab him with a tractor beam. Damn.
Odo: What's wrong?
Sisko: There's too much stress on the mooring clamps. They're not retracting.
Odo: His aft isolation plate buckled.
Sisko: His main power core's been ruptured. If the internal fuel cells collapse the whole ship will explode.
Odo: And take half the docking ring with it.
Kira: Computer, isolate a comm. line to the Ilvian Medical Complex, Administrator's office.
Computer: Line isolated.
Kira: Scan office for lifeforms.
Computer: One life form present.
Kira: Lock on and stand by to transport.
Surmak: This is Doctor Surmak.
Kira: Hello again, Doctor. Just checking to see you're in your office.
Surmak: I have nothing to say to you
Kira: Hello again, Doctor.
Surmak: This is outrageous. I demand you return me to my office immediately.
Kira: Relax, Doctor, you won't be gone long.
Sisko: Try to re-establish visual contact with Jaheel's ship.
Odo: No response. His comm. lines are down.
Sisko: Bypass communications through a secondary grid. See if you can switch to external pickups.
Odo: Got it.
Odo: His fire control systems don't appear to be working.
Sisko: We have about fifteen minutes before the fuel cells collapse.
Odo: I hope you feel better than you look.
Sisko: It must be that damn virus. This is Sisko. Any station personnel who can understand what I'm saying come to Ops immediately. We need help up here. We have to get that ship away from the station.
Odo: Why don't we explode the mooring clamps. The blast should push the ship away from the docking ring.
Sisko: We'll have to get down there and blow them manually.
Odo: I'll do it.
Sisko: All right. You can cross barrels. All job appallled.
Odo: What was that?
Sisko: Bread the arrive seen earlier.
Odo: Oh, I see.
Surmak: Major, this is kidnapping. Turn this ship around or I swear you'll spend the rest of your life in Kran-Tobol Prison.
Kira: Fine. But first we need your help. The aphasia virus is spreading through the station.
Surmak: Why come to me?
Kira: You helped create the virus, didn't you?
Surmak: No, I had practically nothing to do with it. Dekon Elig created the virus. I was merely his medical assistant. That seems like a lifetime ago now. I was only in the underground for six months before we were captured. I am not responsible for this.
Kira: I am not looking to place blame. All I want is the antidote.
Surmak: I don't know of any antidote. If Dekon made one, he never told me.
Kira: Listen, Surmak. I have a station full of dying people, and you are the closest thing there is to an expert on this virus.
Surmak: I sympathize, Major. But I don't think I can help you.
Kira: All right. Then how about helping yourself?
Surmak: Meaning what?
Kira: Meaning I've been infected with your virus, Doctor. So now you're infected too.
Odo: To anyone who can hear me. This is Odo. Sisko's infected. I could really use some help here in Ops.
Quark: Do I detect a note of panic in your voice?
Odo: Quark, am I to believe you're volunteering to help?
Quark: Who said anything about volunteering? We can haggle over price later. Now, how may I be of use?
Odo: I need to get to docking port five now. That ship's going to explode in five minutes.
Quark: I'll beam you over.
Odo: You?
Quark: Relax. I served on a Ferengi freighter for eight years.
Odo: All right.
Quark: I must have witnessed the procedure hundreds of times.
Odo: Witnessed? You mean to say you never handled the controls yourself?
Quark: Energizing.
Kira: Kira to Ops. Approaching landing pad seven. Request clearance to initiate docking procedure.
Quark: Welcome back. I could use some help up here.
Kira: Quark? What are you doing in Ops?
Surmak: First thing I need to see is your Doctors' viral characterisation research. He was beginning to develop an antidote series. Let's take a look at that.
Kira: Listen, Doctor, I'll be in Ops. If you need me use this string impact. Lot show red intense.
Surmak: I think you'd better sit down, Major.
Jaheel: Dog fellow distance.
Odo: Yeah, tell me about it.
Quark: Odo, you'd better hurry up.
Quark: That ship's going to explode in one minute.
Surmak: Virus protein sheath. Nucleotide sequence. Yes, that's right. It's an adaptive, synaptic inhibitor. Dekon was brilliant, no doubt of that. I think we've found your antidote, Major.
Quark: Forty seconds.
Quark: Thirty seconds. Hurry.
Odo: I know, I know.
Quark: Twenty seconds!
Quark: Ten seconds!
Quark: Odo? Quark to Odo.
Quark: You still with us?
Odo: Try not to sound too disappointed.
Quark: Now, about that little matter of my hazard pay.
Odo: Come on, come on.
Sisko: Captain's log, stardate 46425.8. With the help of Doctor Bashir's notes, Doctor Surmak was able to find an antidote for the aphasia virus. We are continuing to administer it throughout the station, and things are slowly returning to normal.
Sisko: Good to have you back, Chief.
O'Brien: Thank you, sir.
Sisko: Coffee, black. O'Brien!


Sarda: I'm not what a lot of people think. I mean, if you're a dabo girl, you know, you get a reputation.
Sisko: Miss Sarda, why don't tell me exactly what happened? When did you start to have trouble with Quark?
Sarda: About five minutes after I got off the ship.
Sisko: He immediately made sexual advances?
Sarda: He said it was part of the job.
Sisko: And what did you say?
Sarda: I told him I'd wear the costume and entertain the gamblers, but to keep his Ferengi knuckles to himself.
Sisko: That didn't stop him?
Sarda: No. He said again that it was part of the job. He showed me my employment agreement. See? There it is in the Ferengi print. Page twenty one, subsection D, paragraph twelve.
Sisko: You're telling me the contract you signed requires you to
Sarda: I guess I should have read it more carefully. I'm not a legal expert, Commander
Sisko: I'm not a legal expert either, but I can assure you, after I talk to Quark, he won't hold you or anyone else to this provision concerning the exchange
Kira: Commander, sensors are picking up elevated neutrino readings. Something's coming through the wormhole.
Sisko: Excuse me.
Sarda: Thank you, Commander.
Sisko: Are any of the transports due back?
Kira: Not according to our logs.
Sisko: Put us on yellow alert.
Dax: It doesn't match anything in Starfleet files.
O'Brien: I'm getting readings of a massive energy flux. It could be damaged.
Dax: Sensors indicate a single humanoid lifeform on board.
Sisko: Hail it.
O'Brien: Aye, sir. Hail acknowledged. Response coming in.
Sisko: On screen.
Sisko: Welcome to the Alpha Quadrant. I'm Commander Benjamin Sisko of the United Federation of Planets.
Tosk: Alpha Quadrant?
Sisko: You've passed through a wormhole into a new part of the galaxy.
Tosk: I saw a small ship disappear. I followed it
Sisko: That was one of our patrol vessels. You've traveled almost ninety thousand light years. What planet do you come from?
Tosk: How long does it last, this anomaly?
Sisko: It's stable. You can return whenever you want. In the meantime, you're welcome to dock here and we'll try to answer all your questions.
Tosk: No. No time.
O'Brien: Inertial stress is overloading his structural capacity.
Sisko: Prepare to transport him off his ship.
Tosk: I will not abandon my vessel.
Sisko: Sir, your ship is in danger of
Tosk: I will not leave!
O'Brien: We can use a tractor beam to tow him in. The beam's graviton field should shore up the structural integrity.
Sisko: Do it.
O'Brien: Cut your engines.
Tosk: Why?
O'Brien: So I can save your ship, friend. We'll bring you in. Try to fix you up as good as new. Good. Engaging tractor beam. Steady now. Feel the graviton field taking hold?
Tosk: Yes.
O'Brien: You'll be fine now. Just relax and enjoy the ride.
Dax: I think we might want to skip formal first contact procedures for now.
Sisko: Agreed. Why don't you meet him by yourself at the airlock, Mister O'Brien. He might find that a little less intimidating.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Sisko: And, if you can, find out what he's so nervous about.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
O'Brien: O'Brien to Ops.
Sisko: Go ahead, Chief.
O'Brien: Sure you
O'Brien: Didn't beam this fellow out when I wasn't looking, did you?
Sisko: Negative.
O'Brien: Well, he's not in here.
Dax: Sensors say
Dax: He's still on board, Chief.
O'Brien: Friend? If you're in here, you've got nothing to worry about from me. Understand? I'm just going to take a look at your ship. See what the problem is. Okay? Just to let you know, I'm an engineer. I know a little bit about ships. Well, more than a little, actually, but I'll tell you, I've never seen anything close to this. All right then. Is this some sort of plasma injector? Okay. Then
O'Brien: that must be an off-axis field controller over there.
Tosk: The coladrium flow has been damaged.
O'Brien: You can't go sneaking up on someone like that, friend. It's an Alpha quadrant rule.
Tosk: Can it be repaired?
O'Brien: Well, that all depends.
Tosk: Depends?
O'Brien: On what exactly a coladrium flow is.
Tosk: On my world, it would be simple. With proper materials I could do it myself.
O'Brien: Hang on, I didn't say we couldn't figure it out. You're just going to have to teach me as we go. I'm sure that we can
Tosk: I have no time!
O'Brien: I know. Everybody's in a hurry these days. We'll get you on your way as soon as it's humanly possible. Oh, that's me, by the way, human species. Name's O'Brien.
Tosk: Oh. Brien.
O'Brien: Miles O'Brien, Chief of Operations. How about you?
Tosk: I am Tosk.
O'Brien: That's your name or your species?
Tosk: I am Tosk.
O'Brien: Tosk, it is. Come on. There's nothing to be afraid of out there. We've got to let your reactor cool down anyway before we can do anything else. Come on. I've work to do.
O'Brien: So what happened to you, anyway? Looks like you took some sort of shot to your hull.
Tosk: The passage through the anomaly was very rough.
O'Brien: Yeah, sure. The wormhole can shake you up all right.
O'Brien: Security sensor. Screens for weapons. It's just picking up my phaser. You're fine.
Tosk: You wear a weapon?
O'Brien: Defensive purposes only. It may not seem hospitable, but when you go into an alien ship for the first time, you never know what might be in there. You may even find someone who can make himself invisible, you know what I mean?
Tosk: I understand. A health center?
O'Brien: Yeah. That's Doctor Bashir. He looks after our medical problems.
Tosk: How many live here?
O'Brien: Well, three hundred, more or less.
Tosk: What is its purpose?
O'Brien: Purpose?
Tosk: Defense? Surveillance?
O'Brien: Well, sometimes when I walk along here I feel like we're the flea markets of the sector. But I guess our real job is to keep an eye on the wormhole. There's traffic going in and out all the time now.
Tosk: Many ships dock here?
O'Brien: Five or six a week. We sometimes have a whole convoy on its way through the wormhole. But you have the honor of being the first visitor from the other side.
Tosk: Others will detect ships from your quadrant as I did and follow them here.
O'Brien: We hope so. Our mission as Starfleet officers is to seek out new life forms so we can learn about each other.
Quark: Madame, I distinctly saw you move your wager to the green line after the play was completed. I will return your currency, but you will promptly leave the establishment. You are not welcome here.
O'Brien: Well, there are some things to learn about us that can wait. How about you? Are you an explorer? A scientist?
Tosk: I am Tosk.
O'Brien: Right.
O'Brien: Computer, lights. I wasn't the decorator.
Tosk: I wish to begin work on my ship.
O'Brien: Yes, well, we'll start as soon as we can Now, why don't you get some rest?
Tosk: I require only seventeen minutes of sleep per rotation.
O'Brien: Seventeen? No kidding. If I don't get a good eight hours a night, I'm not the same man. Are you hungry?
Tosk: Hungry?
O'Brien: You know, would you like to eat, take in sustenance?
Tosk: Liquid nutrients are stored in plasmic fibers throughout my body.
O'Brien: Well, this is the food replicator over here in case you change your mind. We've finally got it making a pretty good bowl of oatmeal. Just ask the computer if you need anything else.
Tosk: Oh Brien. Thank you.
O'Brien: As the Vulcans say, we're here to serve.
Tosk: Computer.
Computer: State request.
Tosk: May I see a display of this facility?
Computer: Specify exterior or interior display.
Tosk: Interior.
Computer: Interior display available in nineteen sections. Specify requirements.
Tosk: Show me where the weapons are stored.
Computer: Habitat ring, level five, section three. Access restricted to security clearance seven and above.
O'Brien: It's hard to say, sir. You hate to prejudge anyone.
Sisko: What're you thinking, Chief?
O'Brien: You know the old saying. A man who's always looking over his shoulder is waiting for trouble to find him.
Sisko: You think he's on the run?
O'Brien: I'll tell you this. He wasn't telling the whole truth about the damage to his ship. It sure wasn't caused by the wormhole. Somebody took a shot at him. It came in at a forty five degree angle to the hull, sliced through two propulsion systems. I'll know more when I get a better look at it.
Sisko: Stay with him as much as possible while he's here. I'll tell Odo to keep an eye on him too.
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
Tosk: No. The coladrium flows through the arva nodes.
O'Brien: What are they? Some kind of high-energy magnetic coils?
Tosk: For fuel replenishment. Fuel?
O'Brien: Like a ramscoop.
Tosk: Ramscoop?
O'Brien: To capture stellar gasses and convert them into usable fuel
Tosk: Yes! The arva nodes convert space matter into fuel.
O'Brien: Ah, got you. Piece of cake.
Tosk: Piece of cake. Ramscoop. Arva nodes.
O'Brien: A piece of cake. It's an old human expression. It means they'll be easy to fix.
Tosk: They will be easy to fix?
O'Brien: Sure. We'll just get my crew to remove your arva nodes, then we'll take them over to the replicator center and make new ones.
Tosk: Piece of cake.
Tosk: How long?
O'Brien: Maybe a day or two. We'll want to run some tests after we have the replacement unit's in.
Tosk: No. No time for that.
O'Brien: Hey, I let you take that unit out without proper testing, it breaks down, you blame me, next thing I know my work has a bad reputation in the Gamma quadrant.
Tosk: I would not blame you.
O'Brien: I was joking, Tosk.
Tosk: I cannot tell, O'Brien.
O'Brien: Sorry, it's in my nature. And you're the most natural straight man I've met in ages. Come on. While the fellas are working here, I'll buy you a drink and you can tell me why you're in such a rush.
Girl: Dabo!
Tosk: Nothing like this exists on my world.
O'Brien: This is where we do most of our R and R.
Tosk: What is R and R?
O'Brien: Rest and relaxation. You know, down time. When we're not working.
Tosk: You sleep a full third of your rotation. You rest and relax while you are awake. Alpha quadrant has far too much down time.
O'Brien: My wife would laugh at that. She's barely seen me in the last three weeks.
Tosk: We are very different, Tosk and O'Brien.
O'Brien: I've noticed. Hey, barkeep!
Quark: Don't call me barkeep. I'm not a barkeep. I'm your host, the proprietor. A sympathetic ear to the wretched souls who pass through these portals.
O'Brien: And a man who will exploit any vice you may have. Two synthales, barkeep.
Tosk: I am sorry. I have no vices for you to exploit.
Quark: A challenge.
O'Brien: Tosk is our first guest from the Gamma Quadrant, Quark. I'd take him at his word.
Quark: Perhaps a short adventure in a holosuite?
Tosk: Holosuite?
Quark: A fantasy encounter with danger. Romance. Thrills. Created for your personal entertainment by the brothers Quark.
Tosk: I have no use for fantasy adventure. I live the greatest adventure one could ever desire.
Quark: Then I envy you, Mister Tosk.
O'Brien: What are you talking about, Tosk? What is this adventure you're on?
Tosk: I cannot discuss it.
O'Brien: Oh. Sure. Of course.
Kira: Sounds like you've changed your mind about him, Chief.
O'Brien: Not exactly. I mean, he's running from something, that's for sure, and he's in danger. And he can't or won't talk about it
Bashir: People tell doctors things they wouldn't tell any one else. If you could talk him into having a routine medical examination, maybe I could
O'Brien: The thing is, I kind of like the guy. I'm not even sure why. In a way, he's almost naive. I guess any one would be in an alien environment, but I don't sense a thread of criminal intent or dishonesty about him.
Sisko: I thought you said he lied about the damage to his ship.
O'Brien: He didn't exactly lie.
Dax: But he didn't exactly tell the truth either.
O'Brien: He keeps the truth pretty much to himself.
Sisko: When do you think his ship be ready?
O'Brien: Tomorrow.
Sisko: I don't see that we have much of a choice. We can't hold him. If he wants to tell you the truth, fine. If not, wish him well and send him on his way.
Odo: Just what do you think you're doing?
Odo: Computer, seal off corridor fourteen A, habitat level five.
Computer: Seal confirmed.
Odo: Security to habitat five fourteen A.
Odo: When you get tired of bouncing off forcefields, we can talk, all right?
Tosk: I did nothing to you.
Odo: It's that security junction I'm curious about.
Tosk: I must prepare.
Odo: For what?
Tosk: I cannot discuss it. I am Tosk.
Odo: I'm sure you are. Now why don't we go down to my office while your friend Chief O'Brien takes a look to see just what you've been doing in there.
Tosk: O'Brien?
Odo: Right. I'm going to release the forcefields now. I don't need a fight from you. Understand?
Tosk: I will not fight you.
Odo: Good. Computer, release the security seals.
Tosk: I cannot discuss it.
Sisko: And I can't accept that as an answer.
Tosk: I did nothing to you.
Sisko: You were tampering with the security grid. I consider that a threat.
O'Brien: I think he was trying to shut down the lockouts to Section Three
Odo: The weapons locker.
Sisko: What were you going to do with the weapons?
Odo: Are you wanted by authorities somewhere in the Gamma Quadrant?
Tosk: Wanted?
Odo: Have you committed crimes?
Tosk: Never. I am Tosk.
Sisko: What does that mean? Is that supposed to explain all this?
Tosk: It is all I can say.
O'Brien: Tosk, don't you think we deserve some answers?
Odo: What should I do with him?
Sisko: Hold him for now. We'll wait to see if someone shows up looking for him.
O'Brien: Enough of this craziness, Tosk. Tell me, what were you doing?
Tosk: O'Brien, you must let me out.
O'Brien: Tell me!
Tosk: Allow me to die with honor.
O'Brien: Die? Who'd want to kill you, Tosk?
Tosk: Allow me to die with honor.
O'Brien: He's climbing the walls like a trapped animal.
Odo: I'm sorry our jail cells aren't to his liking.
O'Brien: Somehow I feel responsible.
Odo: You do?
O'Brien: Yeah. Well, I guess I kind of adopted him. I talked him into coming on board.
Odo: You didn't talk him into breaking into the security system.
O'Brien: I just feel sorry for him. Somehow, I don't think he means us any harm. What the hell is his secret?
Dax: Sensors are reading ionized L-band emissions. The patterns match Tosk's ship.
Sisko: Hail them. Maybe we'll finally get a few answers.
Kira: No response.
Sisko: Again. Rotate frequencies.
Dax: It's a modulated particle beam. It's scanning us.
Kira: Ready shields.
Sisko: Not yet, Major. Let them have a good look at us.
O'Brien: I'm reading phased power fluctuations. They may be readying a transporter of some kind.
Sisko: Now, Major.
Kira: Shields up.
Sisko: Open all hailing channels.
Dax: Open.
Sisko: This is Commander Benjamin Sisko of the United
O'Brien: They're bombarding us with some kind of radiation I've never see before. Very rapid magnetic flux variations.
O'Brien: What the? They've reversed the polarity of our shields.
Dax: I'm picking up transporter locks. They're beaming on board.
Sisko: Location?
Dax: Promenade.
Sisko: Security to the Promenade. Kira, O'Brien with me. Dax, you have Ops.
Sisko: Ready phasers.
Sisko: I'm Commander of this station. Put down your weapons. (Odo steps forward and gets slapped to the ground. Sisko hauls Odo away as Kira and security open fire. The aliens absorb the energy beams with a device on their forearms, but Sisko manages to get one in the chest, then O'Brien does likewise. They don't stay down for long though. A Security guard takes one out from the upper level.)
Sisko: Increase setting to level six.
Odo: It's that Tosk they're after.
Kira: Maybe they have a right to him.
Odo: Nobody's abducting a prisoner out of my brig as long as I'm alive, Major.
Kira: You may need this
Odo: Thanks, Major, I know I never use them.
Hunter: I have Tosk.
Hunter: Alive. It is over.
Hunter: What a disappointment. And after such an entertaining beginning
Sisko: Entertaining?
Hunter: These aliens gave us a great deal of resistance. We wondered how you got their cooperation without violating your oath of silence.
Tosk: I told them nothing.
Hunter: But to see you here, caged, helpless. How could you allow this? It is a disgrace to all Tosk. And the most disappointing hunt in memory.
Sisko: You're saying that this whole thing is a hunt and Tosk is the prey?
Hunter: You were right. This Tosk is unworthy of such a noble description. For this dishonor, you'll endure the greatest humiliation Tosk can know. To be captured and brought home alive. You will live out your existence on public display where children can make fun of you, toss you scraps of food which is more than you deserve. Release him.
Sisko: You've disrupted life on this station for the pleasure of your hunt? I'm not inclined to take orders from you. Odo, watch the prisoner while our guest and I discuss this in private. Unless you intend to take him by force, in which case I am prepared to give orders to open fire on your ship.
Hunter: Over this Tosk?
Hunter: Have you nothing similar in your own society?
Sisko: Centuries ago, people on my world engaged in bloodsports, killing lower species for pleasure. A few cultures still do. But even they wouldn't consider hunting a sentient being.
Hunter: But he is sentient only because we have made him sentient. He has been bred for the hunt. His entire reason to exist is the hunt. To make it as exciting, as interesting, as he can. Obviously, you do not comprehend.
Sisko: I comprehend just fine. I have no tolerance for the abuse of any lifeform.
Hunter: Abuse? We honor Tosk. They are the symbol of all that is noble and courageous. They train and condition themselves all their lives for this event. They're proud of their role in our culture.
Sisko: I can't judge what is right and wrong for your world. But on this station
Hunter: In the future, passage through the anomaly will be considered out of bounds for the hunt. Will that satisfy you? Now you will arrange for the release of the Tosk.
Sisko: I've agreed to release him.
O'Brien: But sir, Tosk is an intelligent, living being.
Sisko: It's their custom, Chief. Under the prime directive, we have no right to interfere.
Kira: What if Tosk were to request asylum?
Sisko: If he asks for it.
O'Brien: All right. I have a way out for you.
Tosk: A way out? Of here?
O'Brien: Request asylum.
Tosk: Asylum?
O'Brien: You ask for the protection of the Federation. You understand? My Commander is willing to protect you.
Tosk: O'Brien, I am Tosk. I cannot hide here behind the protection of your Federation. It is against everything I believe.
O'Brien: You'd rather go back and live in a cage on public display?
Tosk: To stay would be a greater dishonor. I am Tosk, the hunted. I live to outwit the hunters for another day. To survive until I die with honor. But that will not be my fate. But I will not deny my existence as Tosk. Thank you, O'Brien, but I cannot request asylum.
Quark: So far, I'm not impressed with the tourist trade from the Gamma Quadrant. Not one of them has bought a single drink.
O'Brien: Shut up, Quark.
Quark: More trouble with the little woman?
O'Brien: What's that supposed to mean?
Quark: Nothing. Nothing. I just thought you might want to talk.
O'Brien: There is nothing wrong between my wife and I. If there were, I sure as hell wouldn't want to talk to some barkeep about it.
Quark: Sorry. My mistake.
O'Brien: What?
Quark: Your face gets very pink when it gets aggravated. Much more so than most other humans.
O'Brien: So stop aggravating me.
Quark: Not me. You came in the door this way.
O'Brien: Fine. You're right. I'm aggravated.
Quark: I am a keen observer of behavior. You want to talk about it?
O'Brien: No.
Quark: Why not?
O'Brien: Because it wouldn't do any good talking to you.
Quark: Try me.
O'Brien: Forget it. It's just the rules of the game.
Quark: Ah-ha. Rules of the game. Go on.
O'Brien: It's a hunt, did you know that? They're chasing Tosk in a hunt. Everybody's playing by the rules. They're playing by their rules, we're playing by ours and he's caught in the middle. Of course, I suppose if the Ferengi don't like the rules, they just change them.
Quark: Well, rules, rules are always subject to interpretation.
O'Brien: Of course! Change the rules. Why didn't I think of that? Thanks, barkeep.
Quark: So, what's bothering you today?
O'Brien: Computer, access the power grid to security check point four on the Promenade.
Odo: That isn't necessary.
Hunter: Our ritual requires it when a Tosk is captured alive.
Odo: All right, let's go.
O'Brien: I'll escort the prisoner to the transporter station.
Odo: This is a security matter
O'Brien: This is a Starfleet matter. Orders from Sisko.
Odo: We'll see about that.
Hunter: Do not trouble yourself. My ship will transport us.
O'Brien: No, sir, that won't be necessary. Good relations with other cultures is our highest priority. Commander Sisko wants to make sure you understand we're sorry we interfered with your hunt. The least we can do is give you an official escort off the station. It's a token of goodwill and respect in our society.
Hunter: Very well.
Odo: Starfleet has no business taking charge of a prisoner transport.
Sisko: Calm down, Constable. What are you talking about?
Odo: I'm talking about you ordering O'Brien to escort Tosk off the station.
Sisko: I didn't give him any orders at all. Sisko to O'Brien.
Sisko: Mister O'Brien, report to Ops immediately.
O'Brien: This way.
O'Brien: Glass jaw. Now I know why you wear a helmet. Up here.
Hunter: The hunt has resumed.
O'Brien: Come on. Your ship's ready.
Kira: Security reports a fight in the Promenade. Here. Apparently O'Brien set him loose.
Dax: I'm showing someone in an access conduit above Quark's. Two lifeforms. One's human. They're heading out toward the docking ring.
Odo: I'll seal off the adjoining corridors. They won't get far.
Sisko: Constable. There's no hurry.
O'Brien: Here.
Tosk: Now you are Tosk as well, O'Brien.
O'Brien: The Cardies made these conduits from two meter thick duranium composite. I've never seen a scanning device that could penetrate it.
O'Brien: Until now.
O'Brien: Come on, Tosk. Round this corner and we're there.
Hunter: No. He is mine.
O'Brien: No.
O'Brien: Go on.
O'Brien: What now?
Tosk: The hunt goes on. You wish to come?
O'Brien: No. No, I don't think so. One day as a Tosk is enough for me, and I've got a wife and kid that wouldn't fit too well into this lifestyle.
Tosk: Will your Federation punish you for helping me?
O'Brien: Maybe. But if I know my Commander. Hell, those guys wanted a hunt. I just gave them one. Go on. You'd better get out of here while you can.
Tosk: O'Brien. Die with honor, O'Brien.
O'Brien: Die with honor, Tosk.
Sisko: Just what did happen at that security checkpoint, Chief?
O'Brien: The weapons' sensors must have overloaded on all his various gear, sir.
Sisko: Must have?
O'Brien: Yes, sir. Must have since I increased their output by about two hundred percent.
Sisko: So in effect you assaulted him. Our first contact with a new species.
O'Brien: Yes, sir.
Sisko: We've got dozens of top level officials back at Starfleet Command eagerly waiting to hear about our encounter with the first new lifeforms to come through the wormhole. How do you suggest I write up this report?
O'Brien: Well, sir I'm not one to say, but you know, these hunters weren't any happier than we were about having to bring Tosk home. It seems to me in the interests of mutual understanding and future relations
Sisko: Save it. You ignored your duty to Starfleet. You took off your comm. badge so you could ignore me. You even ignored the Prime Directive by interfering with their damned hunt. Another stunt like this and your wife won't have to complain about the conditions here anymore. Do I make myself clear?
O'Brien: I understand. I was surprised by one thing, sir.
Sisko: What's that?
O'Brien: I knew I couldn't override all the security seals on the station, and I figured once you and the Constable located us, well, it'd be over. We'd find ourselves locked behind some forcefield somewhere.
Sisko: I guess that one got by us.
O'Brien: Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
Sisko: Dismissed.