Computer: The Cardassians are still closing. They have powered their weapons systems. They have established weapons lock.
Computer: Weapons lock broken.
Nog: Going to warp.
Nog: Get out of here, Jake. I'm in the middle of a simulation.
Jake: What?
Nog: I said, get out of here. Computer, end program.
Jake: Oh, you okay?
Nog: Look what you made me do.
Jake: Well you should know not to end a program sitting down.
Nog: Why did you come in here?
Jake: You were supposed to meet me half an hour ago.
Nog: I didn't realize it'd gotten so late. Sorry.
Jake: Don't worry about it. How's it going, anyway?
Nog: Pretty good. I've improved my reaction time by almost twenty percent, but I've got to get it up another five.
Jake: Is that the cutoff point for getting into the Academy preparatory program?
Nog: Exactly.
Jake: Don't worry about it, Nog. You'll get there.
Nog: I'd better.
Nog: If I don't get into the program, I'll never be admitted to the Academy next year.
Jake: You think six weeks of summer classes'll make the difference?
Nog: If I do well. I have to show the admissions committee how determined I am to become a cadet.
Jake: Don't worry so much, Nog. You'll be a great cadet.
Quark: In the meantime, you make a lousy stock boy. Why can't you take after your friend here? He knows enough to stay out of Starfleet. Even a human can see that there are a lot more profitable opportunities out there for a young man with ambition.
Nog: Uncle, he wants to be a writer. There's no profit in that.
Quark: On the contrary. Writing holosuite programs, especially the more intimate variety, is very profitable.
Jake: I'll bet.
Quark: I'll tell you what. The two of you come up with a proposal, and I'll put up the latinum for your first program.
Nog: I don't think so, Uncle.
Quark: All right, fine. Join Starfleet. I don't know why I bother trying to help you, anyway. Go down to the storeroom and get your father. Tell him to get behind the bar. Lieutenant Dax has asked me to join the senior staff for a very important meeting in the wardroom.
Bashir: Do you have any idea what Dax wants to talk to us about?
Odo: No.
Bashir: Apparently she asked Leeta to come as well.
Odo: I've noticed they've been spending quite a bit of time together.
Bashir: Do you keep tabs on everybody, Constable?
Odo: Not everyone. But really, Doctor, two Delvin fluff pastries for breakfast this morning? You of all people should know better than to start your day like that.
Bashir: Major. Chief. Hello, Leeta.
Leeta: Oh, hello.
Bashir: How are you doing?
Odo: And what does that mean, exactly?
Dax: Thank you all for coming.
Bashir: No problem.
Dax: I'll get right to the point. You are the seven people on this station that I feel closest to, and I want you all to be a part of my zhian'tara.
Quark: Zhian'tara? What's that?
Leeta: It's the Trill Rite of Closure. I've read about it.
Dax: The zhian'tara is a ritual where joined Trills get a chance to actually meet their previous hosts.
Kira: Meet them? How?
Dax: That's where you come in. If you don't mind, I'd like to borrow your bodies for a few hours.
O'Brien: What do you mean borrow our bodies?
Dax: If you agree to participate, the memories of one of my previous hosts will be temporarily removed from the symbiont and imprinted onto you. You essentially become one of my hosts for the duration of the ritual.
Bashir: And how is this accomplished?
Dax: The memories are transferred telepathically by a Guardian.
Odo: A Guardian?
Leeta: They take care of the symbionts. Usually they're unjoined Trill.
Bashir: Leeta is sort of an amateur sociologist.
Leeta: It comes in handy in my line of work. You never know who you'll meet at the dabo table.
Quark: You're asking me to hand my body over to some dead person?
Dax: Oh, only for a few hours.
Quark: What happens to me in the meantime?
Dax: You'll remain conscious of everything that's going on around you, and at any time you can reassert yourself and regain control of your body.
Sisko: But it's best to you relax and let the host's memories emerge. The point is to give Jadzia the chance to interact with her previous hosts. Curzon spoke very fondly of his zhian'tara. He said it was one of the most powerful experiences of his life.
Bashir: I do have one question. What about Joran?
Quark: Joran? Was he the crazy host of yours? The musician who killed someone?
Dax: Commander Sisko has volunteered to embody Joran.
Sisko: We've already discussed taking certain precautions during the transfer.
Bashir: Well, count me in.
Leeta: Me, too.
Kira: Yes.
Odo: Agreed.
Dax: Chief?
O'Brien: Oh. Yes. Yeah, I'm in.
Quark: Why is everybody looking at me?
Odo: Because you're the only one who hasn't agreed to participate.
Quark: I'm sorry, Lieutenant. You're going to have to find someone else.
Dax: I really want you to be a part of this, Quark. I was hoping that you'd embody Audrid for me.
Quark: Well.
Dax: I think it'll make us closer.
Quark: When you put it that way.
Dax: I knew I could count on you. Kira, I would like you to embody Lela, my first host. We'll start tomorrow, after the Guardian arrives. It means a lot to me that all of you all willing to do this. Thank you.
Sisko: Correct me if I'm wrong, but did Quark just agree to embody one of your female hosts?
Dax: Yes, he did.
O'Brien: After that comes the deductive reasoning portion of the exam, and then the spatial orientation test. The whole thing should take about four days. Now I know it must sound overwhelming to you. Just try to take it one day at a time.
Nog: One day at a time. Right.
O'Brien: And today, all you have to worry about is the stress reaction test. Computer, run program delta five nine.
Nog: I thought this was going to be a runabout simulation.
O'Brien: No.
Nog: But that's what I practiced.
O'Brien: If we tested you where you practiced it wouldn't exactly be stressful, now would it? Man your post. You're the Operations Officer on duty.
Nog: What was that?
O'Brien: You tell me.
Guardian: We've been trying to get Dax back to the homeworld to perform the zhian'tara for some time now. She kept putting us off, so the Symbiosis Commission decided to force the issue and send me here.
Dax: I just haven't had time to get away.
Sisko: You could've made the time.
Guardian: Where is the zhian'tara to take place? I have preparations to make.
Dax: This way.
Guardian: I'nora, ja'kala Dax. Ahian'shee Lela tanus rem. Gon'dar Jadzia tor. Jadzia, zhian'tara vok. Tu Dax, zhian'tani ress. Zhian'par, Lela garu'koj.
Dax: Kira?
Lela: No, Lela. You must be Dax's new host.
Dax: I'm Jadzia.
Lela: What a beautiful name.
Guardian: I have a few questions for both of you. I need to make sure the memory transference is complete.
Lela: Go ahead
Guardian: What is the last thing you remember?
Lela: Talking to Curzon at his zhian'tara.
Guardian: Can you tell me the name of the person who supervised Lela when she was an Initiate?
Dax: No. I can't remember.
Guardian: That's perfectly all right. It just means Lela's memories have been temporarily removed from your mind.
Dax: It's a little disorienting, like part of me is suddenly missing.
Lela: Not missing, right here. And the name of my Initiate supervisor was Jobel.
Guardian: Excellent. The transference seems to be complete. Unless either of you has any questions, I'll leave you alone for a few hours.
Lela: Thank you.
Lela: Such odd fellows, these Guardians, huh?
Dax: I know.
Lela: Well, it's understandable, I suppose. They spend most of their time underground tending symbiont pools full of this stuff. I love the smell of it, don't you? It looks like you've ended up a long way from home, Jadzia. What is it?
Dax: It's just, I hold my hands behind my back the same way you do.
Lela: It's a habit I picked up when I was a Legislator. I was one of the first women to serve as a council member. When I started out, I talked with my hands a lot. Lots of emphatic gesturing. I diskovered some of my male colleagues were imitating of me, so I started to do this.
Dax: I thought it was just an unconscious habit. I never realized why I did it.
Lela: That's the point of the zhian'tara, to diskover these kinds of things about yourself.
Dax: It's so strange. It's like you really are Lela.
Lela: Well in a sense, I am. After all, what is a person but a sum of their memories? I have a feeling that these next few days are going to be extraordinary for you.
Dax: Tobin, I don't think Chief O'Brien is going to appreciate you biting his nails.
Tobin: Sorry. I guess I'm a little nervous.
Dax: That's all right. I get that way sometimes myself.
Tobin: Now you know who you have to thank for it. Sorry.
Dax: Will you please stop saying you're sorry?
Tobin: Sorry.
Dax: I've been working on finishing your proof of Fermat's last theorem.
Tobin: You have?
Dax: It's the most original approach to the proof since Wiles over three hundred years ago.
Tobin: Thanks.
Dax: I guess I tend to look for original approaches myself. I guess I have you to thank for that, as well.
Dax: Very nice.
Emony: This is an excellent body you've managed to get for me.
Dax: I'll be sure to pass that on.
Emony: I remember when I first got the Dax symbiont, I was worried that it might affect my coordination in some way.
Dax: And hurt your gymnastics career?
Emony: As it turned out, being joined improved my concentration.
Dax: Really? I found that as well.
Emony: You're a gymnast?
Dax: No, but I'm an expert in Klingon martial arts.
Emony: Ah. Did you take it up before or after you were joined?
Dax: After.
Emony: Why am I not surprised?
Audrid: Sit right here and I'll tell you all about it.
Audrid: The day I was named head of the Symbiosis Commission was one of the happiest of my life. Right behind the day I gave birth to my first child. Are you a mother, Jadzia?
Dax: No.
Audrid: Oh, I hope you will be someday. There's nothing quite like holding a baby to your breast, nursing it. The entity that lent me this body wishes to speak.
Quark: How much longer am I going to have to do this?
Dax: Another hour at most. And the sooner we get back to it, the sooner it'll be over.
Quark: Just remember, not a word about this to anyone.
Dax: I promise.
Dax: Maybe you should go easy on those, Torias. Julian was just telling me the other day he's started to watch what he eats.
Torias: Well, you should tell your friend to live a little. Life's too short to deprive yourself of the simple pleasures. I should know.
Dax: You didn't exactly deprive yourself.
Torias: No, but my life was too short.
Dax: The accident.
Torias: Still, I'm lucky. I continue to exist as part of you. Just as Jadzia will go on existing when the symbiont is passed on to a new host. We're part of something bigger than any one of us. I just feel lucky to have been chosen.
Dax: So do I.
Torias: Come in.
Guardian: It's late. I think it's time we returned Doctor Bashir's body to him.
Dax: It was nice meeting you.
Sisko: I'm ready.
Odo: Are you sure about this, Commander?
Sisko: Don't worry, Odo. Joran isn't going to be able to hurt anyone from inside a holding cell.
Odo: There's just one problem. You're going to be in there with him.
Guardian: Activate the forcefield.
Dax: Joran.
Joran: Hello, Jadzia.
Odo: If you need me, I'll be right outside.
Guardian: As will I.
Joran: It's good to see you again, Jadzia. Tell me, have you been practicing your music?
Dax: Yes, when I have the time.
Joran: Good. Do you think of me when you play?
Dax: Sometimes.
Joran: I'm glad. You're a very pretty girl, Jadzia. Very pretty. But unfortunately that's all you are. You're nothing compared to Lela, Torias or myself. A pretender. You must realize that by now.
Dax: You don't know anything about me.
Joran: Only what I can see. A little girl not worthy of the noble creature nestled inside her. You're overwhelmed by it. You're in over your head. And they said it was a mistake choosing me for joining. But there is one hope for you, Jadzia, and that's me. My strength is within you. You don't have to be afraid of it.
Dax: I'm not.
Joran: Then use it let me show you how to use it. Lower the forcefield, Jadzia. Lower it, and you will never be afraid of anything ever again.
Dax: No.
Dax: Joran! Stop it, you're hurting him. Benjamin, take control!
Sisko: I think that's enough of Joran for now.
Dax: Are you all right?
Joran: Surprise.
Sisko: It's all right, old man, it's me. Thanks.
Dax: For what?
Sisko: For not breaking any bones.
Quark: Will you stop that. It's very distracting. I'm trying to do the books.
Rom: I can't help it. My son's future is being decided at this very minute.
Quark: Well, pacing around like some Alvanian cave sloth isn't going to help him.
Quark: What's that?
Rom: A cadet's uniform. I got it for Nog. I had Garak make it to order. It cost five strips of latinum.
Quark: Well you wasted your money. He's not going to need it.
Rom: Why not?
Quark: Because he'll be issued a uniform if and when he gets to the Academy.
Rom: Well, now he'll have two.
Dax: I keep thinking about Joran.
Sisko: I heard what he told you.
Dax: I can't seem to get it out of my head.
Sisko: Jadzia, did you put off having your zhian'tara because you were afraid you wouldn't measure up to the other hosts?
Dax: I don't know. Maybe I did.
Sisko: Now that it's almost over, I hope you realize you were wrong.
Dax: I'm not so sure I was.
Sisko: I don't understand how you could say that. You were chosen for joining because you deserved it, just as much as any of the others.
Dax: If that's true, then why did Curzon wash me out of the Initiate program?
Sisko: You tell me.
Dax: I've always believed it was because he wanted to challenge me so that I would reapply and try harder, but now I'm not so sure.
Sisko: Why not? That's exactly what you did.
Dax: Maybe Curzon just didn't think I was good enough.
Sisko: I find that hard to believe. But if that's what you're afraid of, why don't you ask him when you see him?
Dax: I will. But what happens if he tells me something I don't want to hear? I have to go.
Guardian: Jadzia, zhian'tara vok. Tu Dax, zhian'tani ress. Zhian'par, Odo garu'koj.
Sisko: I'm going to my office for a while.
Curzon: Benjamin! You do recognize me, don't you?
Sisko: Curzon?
Curzon: Don't tell me. The nose gave me away. What's the matter? Aren't you happy to see me?
Sisko: Of course, of course. So where's Jadzia?
Curzon: It's all right. I told her I wanted to come see you, that we'd meet up later at Quark's. I'm going to give that little toad the scare of his life.
Sisko: You sound like Odo.
Curzon: I am Odo.
Sisko: I don't understand. I thought you were Curzon.
Curzon: I'm both. The Guardian thinks it has something to do with my shape-shifting nature. It's as if Odo and Curzon have been joined. It's proving to be quite interesting experience for both of us. In any case, the Guardian says it's nothing to worry about. I like the beard, by the way.
Sisko: Yeah?
Curzon: Absolutely. So, when is Kasidy Yates coming back?
Sisko: Not you, too.
Curzon: She's a fine looking woman, Ben. Kind of reminds me of the girl you took up with on Pelios Station.
Sisko: Why don't we go join Jadzia in Quark's and let Jake finish his homework?
Curzon: I'll tell you all about it later.
Jake: Okay.
Sisko: Curzon, remember?
Curzon: Quark!
Quark: Odo? What happened to your face?
Curzon: Never mind my face.
Curzon: Did I ever mention you're a magnificent scoundrel. Two Tranyas please, very cold.
Quark: Right away.
Sisko: It's going to take Quark a little while to get over that.
Curzon: Jadzia!
Dax: Looks like the two of you are having a good time.
Curzon: Well, as good a time as two gentlemen can have without the company of a lady. Please, join us. Excuse me while I slip into something more appropriate.
Curzon: I love being a changeling.
Sisko: Well, if you two don't mind, I think I'll be pushing off
Curzon: Benjamin, don't go.
Sisko: I need to finish evaluating Nog's test results. He's waiting to hear how he did. Thanks for stopping by, old man. It was good to see you.
Curzon: Well, there goes the best friend I ever had. Well?
Curzon: So, are you been enjoying your zhian'tara?
Dax: For the most part.
Curzon: What about that Tobin, eh? Did he tell you that I got him drunk for the first time during my zhian'tara?
Dax: No, but I can see why you did. Curzon, there's something I want to talk to you about.
Curzon: Oh?
Dax: Do you remember when I was an Initiate?
Curzon: Do you see that Ferengi over there? A bulletin came in on him last week. He's a tongo hustler. I'd love to clean him out. We should get a game going.
Curzon: Tongo!
Nog: I just don't understand how I could have failed, Father.
Rom: You've always been so good with spatial orientation. Remember the time we redid the floors, and you managed to stack all the chairs so they fit behind the bar?
Nog: Now I won't qualify to take the Academy entrance exam. My Starfleet career is over before it even started.
Quark: He's right, you know. And it's not fair. Starfleet has no idea who it's passing up. Nog, you would have made a good officer. I want you to know something. There will always be a place for you here, at Quark's.
Curzon: Sorry, Lonzo.
Quark: Excuse me, folks, but the bar has been closed for over an hour now. I asked you nicely before, but if you don't leave, I'm going to have to call security.
Curzon: I am security.
Dax: Don't worry, Quark. We're going.
Curzon: I confiscated this from a Yridian smuggler.
Dax: Don't you need it for evidence?
Curzon: Bah.
Dax: I still want to talk to you about what happened when I was an Initiate.
Curzon: I know you do. So, what is it you want to ask me?
Dax: Why didn't you object when you heard I was reinstated into the program?
Curzon: I don't know, Jadzia. Maybe I decided I'd been too hard on you.
Dax: It was your job to be hard on Initiates.
Curzon: Yes, but the truth is, I felt sorry for you. Well, you wanted to be joined so badly. You were so young, so lovely.
Dax: I guess I've always had this nagging feeling I didn't have your complete confidence. I tried to push it aside, but now it turns out I was right. You never thought I was good enough to be a host.
Curzon: Whatever I may have thought doesn't matter. You are a host. Isn't that enough?
Dax: No. I feel like I don't have your respect. And I'm afraid when your memories are restored to me, I'm going to feel like I don't respect myself.
Curzon: In that case, you'll be happy to know that I've come to a decision that's going to benefit both of us.
Dax: What do you mean?
Curzon: I've decided to stay where I am, in this body. And I'm not just speaking as Curzon. This is Odo's decision as well. We like what we've become and neither of us wants to go back to the way things were.
Guardian: There's no way to remove Curzon's memories from Odo without his cooperation. He has to give them up willingly.
Sisko: What'll happen to Jadzia if we can't persuade him?
Guardian: It'll take some time for her to adjust to the new balance, but she'll be fine.
Sisko: Do you want me to talk to Curzon? I know him better than anyone. I might be able to get him to cooperate.
Dax: I don't think so. I don't think I want to do anything.
Sisko: What do you mean?
Dax: I mean I'm fine, and obviously Odo and Curzon are well suited to each other. Maybe it's better this way.
Sisko: I'd like to speak to Jadzia alone for a moment.
Sisko: Do you really want to leave things as they are? Or are you just trying to avoid a confrontation with Curzon? You once told me that Curzon intimidated you when you were an Initiate.
Dax: I looked up to him. I still do. Maybe that's why I find it hard to challenge his decisions.
Sisko: Let me tell you something about Curzon. He was my friend, he was my confidant. In a way, he was my teacher as well. But he was also be manipulative, selfish and arrogant. Most people let him get away with it because he was so charming. Sometimes I let him get away with it too. But from time to time he'd push me too far and I'd have to stand up to him, tell him he'd crossed the line.
Dax: And how would he react?
Sisko: Sometimes he'd just laugh and admit it, sometimes he'd get furious. But either way he'd back off, because he knew he was wrong. And he is wrong now. He's being selfish and he's manipulated you to get you to go along with what he wants. Now, are you can confront him or let him get away with it? It's up to you.
Rom: I know what you did.
Quark: Take it easy. What's wrong with you?
Rom: You know what's wrong. You reconfigured the holosuite so that Nog would fail the spatial orientation test.
Quark: I did it for his own good, Rom. I couldn't just stand by and watch my nephew throw his life away.
Rom: You had no right to interfere. I've already told Commander Sisko what you did and he's going to let Nog retake the test.
Quark: You what?
Rom: You heard me. And if you ever do anything to hurt Nog again, I'll burn the bar to the ground.
Quark: You wouldn't dare.
Rom: Oh yes I would. My son's happiness is more important to me than anything, even latinum. Remember that, brother.
Curzon: Jadzia, come in, come in. I was just oozing around the room. You have no idea what a liberating experience it is to be in a liquid state.
Dax: We need to talk.
Curzon: All right. What is it you want to talk about?
Dax: I want my memories back.
Curzon: I'm sorry. I realize this is difficult for you, but you'll get over it. Trust me, it's better this way.
Dax: For you, maybe. You're both living out a life you never could have had otherwise. But it's my life you're living. Those should be my memories.
Curzon: Not anymore. Maybe they never should've been.
Dax: That's where you're wrong. I earned the right to be joined. I am the only person in our planet's history who was ever readmitted to the Initiate program after being washed out.
Curzon: The only reason you got back in was because I felt sorry for you.
Dax: Curzon Dax famous for rejecting Initiates. Why feel sorry for me?
Curzon: Now don't you use that tone of voice with me, little girl.
Dax: You can't intimidate me, Curzon. And I'm not a little girl anymore.
Curzon: No, I suppose you're not. The truth is, you weren't a little girl back when you were an Initiate. You were a brilliant and beautiful young woman. Very beautiful.
Dax: You were in love with me?
Curzon: At first I thought it was just an old man's passing infatuation. After all, I'd always had an eye for the ladies. But as we spent more time together, I started to realize it was something deeper.
Dax: Then why were you so hard on me?
Curzon: I couldn't let you know the truth. You were an Initiate, I was your supervisor.
Dax: So you washed me out of the program.
Curzon: Later I realized that I'd robbed you of something you'd wanted all your life. I felt so guilty I nearly retired from the Symbiosis Commission.
Dax: So when I reapplied, you didn't object.
Curzon: On the contrary. I was grateful when you'd reapplied. It let me off the hook. So now that you know, you can see that it's best for both of us that I stay here, in this body.
Dax: Why? Because you loved me?
Curzon: Because I still love you.
Dax: There's no shame in that, Curzon.
Curzon: Yes, there is, and if we rejoined, you'll feel it too.
Dax: No, I won't, because I love you. You're a part of me and I want you back. That way, Jadzia and Curzon can be together the way they should be, through Dax.
Rom: He's coming! He's coming.
Rom: Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce Starfleet's future. My son Nog.
Sisko: Congratulations, Nog.
Nog: Thank you, sir.
Jake: Yeah, way to go.
Sisko: I'm afraid you jumped the gun putting on that uniform.
Nog: I know I haven't earned the right to wear it yet, but my father got it for me.
Sisko: Hopefully, you'll get to put on the real one next year.
Jake: When you ace the Academy entrance exam.
Nog: Yeah.
Bashir: What's the matter, Chief?
O'Brien: It just occurred to me. As soon as that kid graduates from the Academy, I'm going to have to call him sir.
Nog: Okay.
Quark: What can I get you, Nog?
Nog: A root beer. It's an Earth drink. Something they serve at the Academy.
Quark: A root beer. This is the end of Ferengi civilization.
Odo: May I join you, Lieutenant?
Dax: Of course.
Odo: I'd just like to apologize for my behavior while I was joined with Curzon.
Dax: There's no need to apologize. In a way I'm glad it happened. It forced me to deal with some things about myself I've never really faced. Besides, you've given me a special gift.
Odo: Oh?
Dax: You see, now I have Curzon's memories of what it felt like to be a changeling. I never realized how much joy it gives you.
Odo: And I never understood how much joy you humanoids experience in things like eating, drinking, staying up all night playing tongo. Frankly, I don't see how Curzon ever managed to get any work done.
Dax: He always seemed to, somehow.
Odo: Well, he must have been a remarkable man.
Dax: Yes, he is.


Scene: Commander's log, stardate 48959.1. It is with mixed emotions that I record this, my final Commander's log. The last three years have been the most demanding and rewarding of my career. I can only hope that the future will hold even greater challenges.
Jake: Dad, there's something I've been wanting to say to you for a long time. And now that I finally have the chance, I'm going to make it short and simple.
Jake: Congratulations, Captain Sisko.
Kira: Now that you have another pip on your collar, does that mean I can't disagree with you anymore?
Sisko: No. It just means I'm never wrong.
Kira: We'll see about that.
Dax: Curzon would've been proud of you, but not as proud as I am.
Sisko: That means a lot to me, Dax.
Odo: Though I don't fully understand this humanoid obsession with rank and title, if anyone deserves to be promoted, it's you.
Sisko: Thank you, Constable.
Eddington: Well, as someone who is obsessed with rank and title, congratulations, Captain.
O'Brien: That goes for me too, Captain.
Quark: This calls for a toast.
Bashir: That better not be from a replicator, Quark.
Quark: Chateau Cleon, twenty three oh three. I already put it on your account.
Jake: Can I?
Sisko: I guess a sip wouldn't hurt. Well.
O'Brien: Here's to the newest and best captain in Starfleet. And all I can say is, it's about time.
All: Hear, hear. Cheers.
Sisko: That's enough. Thank you for coming, Ambassador.
Krajensky: Those pips look good on you, Captain. Though to be honest, I'm not really here for the ceremony.
Sisko: I had that feeling. What can I do for you?
Krajensky: Our intelligence reports indicate there's been a coup d'état on the Tzenkethi homeworld.
Sisko: I doubt anyone is going to miss the Autarch.
Krajensky: I know I won't. Unfortunately, it's too early to tell who's in control, but we don't want to take any chances. We need to remind the Tzenkethi that the Federation is committed to protecting our colonies near their border.
Sisko: You want to show the flag.
Krajensky: Exactly. The Defiant will leave in two days on a week-long patrol. I'll be coming along as an observer. I've heard a lot about the Defiant. I'm looking forward to seeing her in operation.
Sisko: I don't think you'll be disappointed. She's a fine ship.
Krajensky: With a fine crew. Now what do you say we get back to the party?
Sisko: Of course. O'BRIEN et al: For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, which nobody can deny!
O'Brien: Hip hip.
All: Hooray!
O'Brien: Hip hip.
All: Hooray!
O'Brien: Hip hip.
All: Hooray!
Sisko: I want a complete overhaul of the deflector shield generators and targeting sensors. Oh, yes, take on a full complement of photon torpedoes.
O'Brien: Don't worry, Captain. If the Tzenkethi try to start any trouble, we'll be ready for them.
Sisko: I don't doubt it, Chief.
O'Brien: Captain?
O'Brien: Getting jumpy in your old age, O'Brien. My son, the writer, thinks I should say something profound on his occasion. He even offered to write me a brief statement. I told him I'd take care of it myself, but as it turns out the only think I can think of is, Begin Captain's log, stardate 48960.9.
Dax: So, have you told her yet?
Sisko: Told who?
Dax: Captain Yates. About your promotion.
Sisko: Yeah. I barely had time to send my father a transmission. In fact, I don't even know where Kasidy is.
Dax: She's hauling a load of duridium ore to Solais Five. You could probably contact her on subspace.
Sisko: I'd rather tell her in person.
Dax: When's she due back on the station?
Sisko: About a month.
Dax: A month!
Dax: There's nothing worse than a long-distance relationship.
Sisko: I wouldn't call it a relationship, Dax. I've only taken her out once. Okay, twice.
Dax: I think the exact figure is three times.
Sisko: She's quite an interesting woman. She's very independent, a little opinionated, but she has a nice sense of humor.
Dax: And?
Sisko: And? What do you want me to tell you, Dax?
Dax: That you miss her. That you can't wait to see her. I don't know. Anything. Kira, O'Brien, Bashir, they're all dying of curiosity and, well, I have to tell them something.
Sisko: Fine. You tell them when she gets back, I'm going to taking her to the holosuite and we're going to watch the seventh game of the nineteen sixty four World Series.
Dax: You do like her.
Eddington: Captain on the bridge.
Sisko: Ambassador.
Krajensky: Captain.
Sisko: All stations report.
Dax: Helm ready.
Kira: Weapons ready.
Odo: Communications systems standing by.
O'Brien: Warp and impulse engines are online.
Sisko: Seal the airlock. Release docking clamps.
Dax: Docking clamps released.
Sisko: Engage thrusters.
Dax: Clearing the station.
Sisko: Lay in a course for the Tzenkethi border, warp eight.
Dax: Aye, aye, Captain.
Sisko: Engage.
O'Brien: Hello. Who's there?
O'Brien: Julian!
Bashir: You called me, Chief?
O'Brien: Why didn't you answer me?
Bashir: I had this spanner in my mouth.
O'Brien: What are you doing here, anyway?
Bashir: I was connecting my new diagnostic console to the medical bay's power grid.
O'Brien: I could have done that for you.
Bashir: Oh, just putting my engineering extension courses to work. Besides, I know you have your hands full.
O'Brien: Oh. Where are you going now?
Bashir: I'm done.
O'Brien: Not bad for an extension course.
Eddington: You wanted to see me, sir?
Sisko: Yes, Commander. It's about Ambassador Krajensky. Please. I know Starfleet doesn't intend for this to be a combat mission, but just in case the Tzenkethi have other ideas, I want to make sure the Ambassador is kept out of harm's way.
Eddington: Yes, sir. I'll see to it that if hostilities do occur, the Ambassador is escorted off the bridge.
Sisko: He won't like it.
Eddington: I won't let that bother me.
Sisko: Very good, Commander. That'll be all.
Eddington: Captain, I just want to say that I agree with what Chief O'Brien said. About your promotion. It's about time.
Sisko: I appreciate the sentiment, Commander, but it doesn't really change anything. I have the assignment I want, I have the crew that I want. The rank doesn't make much difference.
Eddington: You'd be surprised. People don't enter Starfleet to become commanders, or admirals for that matter. It's the captain's chair that everyone has their eye on. That's what I wanted when I joined up, but you don't get to be a Captain wearing a gold uniform.
Sisko: You could always transfer from Security to Command.
Eddington: Then who would protect the Ambassador?
Sisko: Dismissed, Mister Eddington.
Eddington: Thank you, sir. Captain's log, stardate 48962.5. We are twelve hours from the border. I haven't been in this area since the last Federation-Tzenkethi war. Being here brings back a lot of memories, most of them bad.
Odo: Captain, we're receiving a priority one distress signal from Barisa Prime. Audio only.
Sisko: Put it through.
Man: under heavy fire from Tzenkethi warships. I don't know how much longer we can hold out. Can anyone hear me, This is
Sisko: Constable?
Odo: We've lost contact.
Sisko: Try to re-establish.
Odo: It's no use, Captain. They're gone. Captain's log, supplemental. We've been unable to re-establish contact with Barisa Prime. Therefore I've no choice but to assume we are at war with the Tzenkethi.
Sisko: Lieutenant, set a course for Barisa Prime, maximum warp. I want continual scans for Tzenkethi ships. Constable, contact Starfleet Command. Let them know what happened.
Sisko: Major, what other starships are in this sector?
Kira: The closest one is the Ulysses. They're studying protoplanetary masses in the Helaspont Nebula.
Sisko: That puts them twenty hours away at maximum warp. Lieutenant, transmit a message to Captain Entebe on the Ulysses. Tell her
Odo: Captain. I'm having trouble getting through to Starfleet Command. There seems to be a power fluctuation in the communications system.
Dax: I can't get a message out either.
O'Brien: The console's functioning normally. The problem must be in the transceiver assembly.
Sisko: I need that system back online, Chief.
O'Brien: I'll get on it right away. Lieutenant, I could use some help.
Sisko: Major, take the helm.
Kira: Yes, sir.
O'Brien: What do you make of this, Lieutenant? I've never seen anything like it.
Dax: It's spreading through the system like some kind of parasite.
O'Brien: It seems to be linked to key points within the transceiver assembly. We'd better get it out of there.
O'Brien: Argh!
Dax: A forcefield.
O'Brien: Come on.
Dax: Where are we going?
O'Brien: I want to check the other command systems. I have a bad feeling about this.
Sisko: You say these things are all over the ship?
O'Brien: They've attached themselves to the command and communication relays, the internal sensors, the transporter, the deflector shield grid, almost every critical system.
Sisko: Is there any way to get past the forcefields?
O'Brien: None that we've found yet. We're still working on it.
Sisko: Well I guess the question is, how did they get aboard? Or should I say, who placed them here?
O'Brien: I don't know who did it, but I know it definitely happened after we left the station. I ran a systems check before our departure. They weren't there then.
Sisko: Which means someone aboard this ship is a saboteur.
Dax: We've got forty seven people on board. Theoretically, anyone of them could've planted those devices.
Sisko: Chief?
O'Brien: It's nothing, sir. It's not even worth mentioning.
Sisko: It doesn't sound like you're too sure about that.
O'Brien: Well, I did see someone crawling about in one of the Jefferies Tubes the other day.
Sisko: Who?
O'Brien: It was Julian. He was connecting a medical console to the power grid.
Sisko: Which is right next to the communications relay.
Dax: Are you accusing Julian of sabotage?
Sisko: No one's accusing anyone of anything. But I want to talk to Julian.
Dax: Wait. I think I have a better idea.
Sisko: This crew has been through a lot together. In fact I would trust any one of you with my life. But after looking at the evidence, there's only one conclusion I can draw. Someone on this ship is guilty of sabotage.
Eddington: With your permission, Captain, the Constable and I can begin questioning the crew immediately.
Sisko: That won't be necessary. Lieutenant.
Dax: We found one of the devices planted in the warp plasma conduit. Which means whoever put it there would've been exposed to trace amounts of tetryon particles.
Krajensky: And those particles would still be detectable on the saboteur?
O'Brien: Yes, but not for much longer. They dissipate quickly.
Odo: So you're going to scan all the members of the crew for tetryon particles?
Sisko: Starting with the senior staff.
Dax: O'Brien and I already scanned positive, since we opened up the warp core controls during our investigation.
Eddington: You realize, of course, that if no one else tests positive
O'Brien: We'll be the prime suspects. Yes, we know that.
Sisko: We might as well get started.
Dax: You're clean.
Sisko: I'm glad to hear it.
Kira: Might as well do me next.
Dax: You're okay, too. Julian.
Bashir: Oh, of course.
O'Brien: Nothing.
Bashir: You sound relieved.
O'Brien: Well I am. After all, you were in that conduit the other day.
Bashir: I don't know what you're talking about.
Dax: Ambassador, if you please.
Krajensky: Certainly.
Bashir: I was never in any conduit.
O'Brien: Of course you were. I saw you.
Kira: It's a changeling.
Sisko: We've cloaked. Lieutenant, bring us out of warp. Full stop. Now. Constable, Commander, deploy security teams immediately. I want that changeling found before he can do any more damage.
Eddington: Yes, sir.
Dax: Captain. The helm isn't responding. We're still at warp.
O'Brien: I can't deactivate the cloaking device.
Kira: The weapons array has activated. The phaser banks are charging and we've got photon torpedoes online and ready to launch.
Dax: The ship's no longer under our control.
Eddington: Our security teams have gone over every centimeter of the ship, checked every piece of cargo, questioned every crewmember. We still haven't been able to find the changeling.
Sisko: Is there any way he could've been transported off the ship?
Eddington: At warp? It's unlikely. But with Dominion technology, I suppose it's possible.
Odo: He's still here. He won't leave until he's completed his mission.
Bashir: Which is?
Sisko: It looks like the Dominion is hoping to start a war between the Federation and the Tzenkethi.
Kira: If you ask me, the Tzenkethi are doing a pretty good job of that all by themselves.
Sisko: Not necessarily. The transmission we received from Barisa Prime could've been faked using that device we found implanted in the communications relay. In fact, our entire mission could have been engineered by the Dominion. Think about it. We've been all over this ship, and we have not seen a trace of the real Ambassador Krajensky nor his remains.
Eddington: Which means he was probably replaced before we left the station.
Odo: Maybe the real Ambassador never came to Deep Space Nine at all.
Bashir: So anything Ambassador Krajensky told us could have been a lie. The Tzenkethi coup d'état, increased tension along the border, the threat of an attack.
Sisko: And now here we are, cloaked, armed for battle, and headed into Tzenkethi space. If we can't stop this ship before we cross the border, we may wind up causing a war rather of preventing one.
Odo: Which is no doubt what my people are hoping for. A war between the Tzenkethi and the Federation would destabilize the Alpha Quadrant, making it that much easier for the Dominion to move in.
Eddington: I wish the internal sensors were online. It'd make it a lot easier to track down the changeling.
Odo: I'm not sure the sensors would help. If you scan me when I'm a rock, you'd detect a rock. I may not be able to duplicate a humanoid perfectly, but I'm guessing he can.
Bashir: We scanned Ambassador Krajensky for tetryon particles. He registered as human.
Kira: Well then right now the changeling could be anything or anyone on this ship.
Sisko: Then we have to narrow his options. Confine all nonessential personnel to their quarters and seal them in with forcefields. Doctor, I want you to review those tricorder readings. See if you can find anything that will help us find the changeling. And take some security with you. From here on, no one is to be left alone.
Sisko: We have seven hours before we enter Tzenkethi space. I want that changeling found before then.
Eddington: That won't be easy. Let's face it, no matter how many precautions we take, he could replace any one of us and we won't know it until it's too late.
Odo: Thank you for your cooperation. Hopefully this will be over soon and you'll be able to return to duty.
Odo: All right, let's go.
Bashir: This may take a while.
Eddington: Keep your phasers on stun. And stay calm. I don't want anyone getting nervous and shooting one of us by mistake. You sure I can't interest you in one of these?
Odo: I don't use them. Besides, in the history of my people, no changeling has ever harmed another. I'd hate to be the first.
Eddington: Apparently that changeling doesn't feel the same way. If we don't stop him, no one on board will escape unharmed. Including you.
Odo: You may be right. But I've been a security officer most of my humanoid existence. And in all that time, I've never found it necessary to fire a weapon or take a life. I don't intend to start now.
O'Brien: This is O'Brien. I need a security team in the engine room immediately.
O'Brien: It must've been the changeling. I went down the hall to get an interphasic compensator. I heard a noise and when I came back
Bashir: She's got a severe concussion. Give me a hand. We've got to get her back to the medical bay immediately.
Odo: Stay here with the Chief.
O'Brien: Damage control team, report to the engine room.
Crewman: Aye, sir.
Bashir: Dax is still unconscious. I've given her cortical analeptics to stabilize her condition. She should be all right in a day or two, but until then
Sisko: Is there any way to speed up the process?
Bashir: I could use a neural stimulator but that might cause irreversible brain damage. I don't recommend it.
Sisko: Then Chief O'Brien is going to have to regain control of the ship without her.
Bashir: I'm afraid so. I should get back to my patient.
Kira: The changeling's very clever. Taking out Dax makes O'Brien's job a lot harder.
Sisko: One thing's for sure, we're not going to start a war with the Tzenkethi. If O'Brien can't regain control before we cross the border I'll have no choice but to destroy the Defiant.
Sisko: Our objective is simple. Find the changeling and stop him before he can do any more damage. We'll break into two-person teams. Each team will be armed with phaser rifles.
Eddington: We've reconfigured the rifles to fire an expanding energy pulse.
Odo: Phasers have been set low enough to avoid damaging equipment, but high enough to affect the changeling.
Sisko: The changeling could be hiding anywhere. He could look like anything. So we're going to have to systematically sweep the ship with phaser fire. Every conduit, every corridor. If he's out there, we'll find him. Any questions?
Bolian: What if the changeling's not out there? What if he's one of us?
Sisko: That's why everyone will be in teams. Keep your partner in sight at all times.
Kira: And if we see anyone without a partner?
Sisko: Escort them to the brig. We don't want to take any chances. Let's go.
Kira: All right. Let's go.
Bolian: After you.
Kira: Don't you trust me?
Bolian: No, I don't.
Kira: I know exactly how you feel. Follow me.
Eddington: Don't you ever sweat?
Odo: No, I don't. It's the modified phaser beam. It's heating up the air.
Eddington: You know, this'd be a lot easier if we knew where he was hiding. Where would you be if you were him?
Odo: I wouldn't know. I'm not him.
Eddington: He is one of your people. Can't you put yourself in his position, try to anticipate his next move?
Odo: I've thought about it, but the truth is I don't understand my people all that well.
Eddington: That's too bad.
Odo: Yes, it is.
Eddington: For all of us.
Sisko: Watch my back.
Sisko: Over there. On three. One, two
Sisko: This is Sisko. The changeling is in Jefferies tube seven A heading to the lower deck. I'm in pursuit.
Bolian: The changeling. He's right over there.
Kira: Put your phaser down. It's me, Kira. We were on our way to meet you and we got separated for a second. The next thing I know, he opens fire.
Bolian: You can't fool me. You're the changeling. I saw you come out of that hatch and go around the corner.
Kira: I didn't see anyone. Maybe he morphed into the ventilation system. Or maybe he didn't. For all we know, you may be the changeling.
Bolian: Keep back!
Sisko: Both of you put your weapons down now.
Bolian: I can't do that, Captain.
Kira: You heard him.
Eddington: What happened?
Sisko: How long have the two of you been apart?
Odo: At least a minute.
Sisko: Then we've got a problem. Any of us could be the changeling. You, Kira, Eddington, even me.
Odo: Not you.
Sisko: What do you mean?
Odo: You're bleeding.
Sisko: I cut my hand when the changeling attacked me.
Eddington: What are you getting at?
Odo: When blood leaves a humanoid body it's still blood. But when any part of me separates from my body
Kira: It reverts back to a gelatinous state.
Sisko: Sisko to Bashir.
Bashir: This is Bashir.
Sisko: Doctor, meet us in the mess hall immediately.
Bashir: This shouldn't take long.
Bolian: Satisfied?
Sisko: So far.
Bashir: Who's next?
Kira: I'll go.
Bashir: I'd say the Major is exactly who she appears to be.
Kira: Try not to look so surprised.
Bashir: There doesn't seem to be any point obtaining a sample from the Constable. I guess that leaves the three of us.
Eddington: Let's get this over with.
Kira: You'd better come with us.
Eddington: This is ridiculous. I'm not the changeling. If I were, don't you think I'd put up a little more of a fight?
Odo: Inside.
Eddington: You're making a mistake.
Kira: Do as he says.
Bashir: Would someone please get me out of here?
Crewman: Bridge to Captain Sisko.
Sisko: Sisko here.
Crewman: Sir, we're entering Tzenkethi space.
Sisko: Any sign of Tzenkethi ships?
Eddington: Sensors aren't picking up any warp signatures.
Kira: We've altered course. Our new heading is zero one five mark four seven. We're headed directly for the Tzenkethi settlement on M'kemas Three.
Sisko: How long before we're in weapons range of the settlement?
Kira: Twelve minutes.
Sisko: Computer, this is Captain Benjamin Sisko. Initiate auto-destruct sequence. Authorisation Sisko alpha one alpha.
Computer: Identity confirmed. Additional authorisation required.
Kira: This is First Officer Kira Nerys. Auto-destruct authorisation Kira beta two beta.
Computer: Identity confirmed. Auto-destruct sequence armed.
Sisko: Set the countdown for ten minutes from my mark. Authorisation Sisko one five destruct. Mark.
Computer: Sequence initiated. Auto-destruct in nine minutes, fifty five seconds.
Sisko: Sisko to O'Brien.
O'Brien: O'Brien here.
Sisko: I could use some good news right now, Chief.
O'Brien: How about this?
O'Brien: I think I may be able to shut down the changeling's forcefields and gain access to the sabotaged systems. The only problem is we may lose our
O'Brien: Forcefields too.
Computer: Auto-destruct in seven minutes.
Sisko: Just tell me how long it will take.
O'Brien: Well, I guess it'll have to be less than seven minutes, won't it.
Sisko: That'd be my suggestion. Sisko out.
Eddington: Doctor, how's Lieutenant Dax?
Bashir: Still unconscious. The changeling gave her enough sedative to keep her under for days. I've managed to filter most of it out of her system, but she'll be out for another few hours. I wish I could do more.
Sisko: You've done all you can, Doctor. Now it's up to Chief O'Brien.
Computer: Auto-destruct in six minutes.
O'Brien: All right, we're almost there. Look, when we set off this device there's a possibility we may lose the protective field around the warp core. If that happens, this room is going to heat up real fast so give the warp core a wide berth or you'll get a dose of radiation poisoning even Bashir can't cure.
Odo: Where's the changeling? I lost him in the conduits.
O'Brien: We haven't seen him.
Odo 2: Wait. It's me, Odo.
O'Brien: You don't say.
Odo 2: Chief, remember the last time we went kayaking in the holosuites. You had lamb stew for lunch.
O'Brien: That's right.
Odo: But you forgot to bring a fork. Anyone could have gotten that information.
Computer: Auto-destruct in five minutes.
Odo 2: You'd better make a decision. We're running out of time.
O'Brien: I've got more important things to do than play choose the changeling. Keep the phaser on both of them.
Kira: The shuttlebay doors are sealed. The evacuation pods are locked down. We have no way out.
Eddington: Weapons are fully charged and ready to fire. Tactical systems are programming an attack run on the Tzenkethi settlement.
Odo 2: Chief, what are you doing?
Computer: Auto-destruct in four minutes.
O'Brien: You'll see. Now.
Computer: Warning. Warp core field breach. Engine room will be sealed in ten seconds. Evacuate immediately.
O'Brien: Shut down the main power grid.
Odo: No!
Computer: Engine room sealed.
Founder: Why are you protecting these solids? You don't belong with them. You belong with us.
Computer: Auto-destruct in three minutes.
Founder: Let go. Don't you see? You've lost. It's too late for you to help them but it's not too late to help yourself. Link with me, Odo. We can escape together.
Odo: I don't think so.
Computer: Auto-destruct in two minutes.
Odo: You have to regain control of the ship.
Founder: Odo.
Odo: I never wanted to harm you.
O'Brien: O'Brien to Bridge.
Sisko: Go ahead, Chief.
O'Brien: I've restored
O'Brien: Control to the helm. She's all yours
O'Brien: Captain.
Sisko: Hard aport, Major. Take us away from the settlement. Computer, end auto-destruct sequence. Authorisation Sisko omega one seven abort.
Kira: This is Kira Nerys, First Officer. I concur.
Computer: Auto-destruct sequence aborted.
Eddington: The phaser banks are powering down.
Sisko: Take us home, Major. Captain's log, supplemental. We've returned to the station without further incident. However, I'm concerned about my Chief of Security, who hasn't said a word since we left Tzenkethi space.
Sisko: The real Ambassador Krajensky was supposed to be on his way to Risa for an extended vacation, but he never arrived.
Eddington: Starfleet Security believes he's been kidnapped or possibly killed.
Bashir: What about the coup on the Tzenkethi homeworld?
Sisko: It never happened. Starfleet Command wants a detailed report from each of us.
Kira: Odo, are you all right?
Odo: I'm fine. I hope I'm not interrupting.
Dax: Not at all.
O'Brien: Have a seat.
Odo: Captain, there's something you need to know. The changeling, before he died, he whispered something to me.
Sisko: Go on.
Odo: He said, you're too late. We are everywhere.