Kira: All right, next item. Item seven. warbird repair and maintenance. Senator?
Cretak: Repairs on our ships have continually been delayed in favor of Klingon and Federation vessels. The Dividices and the Genorex have been waiting almost three weeks while more than a dozen Klingon ships have been given first priority.
O'Brien: I make up the repair schedule according to my assessment of which ships have the greatest need.
Cretak: Odd that the Klingons seem to always have the greatest need.
Worf: They are usually more damaged because Klingon warships are relentless in pressing home their attack.
Cretak: Reckless would be another way of putting it.
Worf: The fight must be taken to the enemy. We cannot win this war if
Kira: All right. We're not here to debate combat tactics. Chief, how soon can you have those warbirds into a docking bay?
O'Brien: Well, I suppose I could bring them in tomorrow. That would mean delaying repairs to the Hornet and the Rotarran. Somebody's going to have to explain to General Martok why his flagship was bumped.
Kira: Worf, you just volunteered for that assignment.
Odo: This brings up the question of shore leave. At the moment, we have the crews from two Klingon ships on the station. I'd rather not have that many Klingons and Romulans on the Promenade at the same time.
Cretak: We'll forgo shore leave until the Klingons depart. Our soldiers are professionals. They're here to fight, not to get drunk in Quark's.
Kira: All right, that's it for today then. Same time next week? Oh sorry, Senator, you'll be attending that conference on Romulus, won't you?
Cretak: Yes. But SubCommander Velal will be here in my place.
Kira: Fine. Have a safe trip.
Cretak: Thank you.
Garak: Ah, yes, Romulus. How well I remember it. You'll find the predominant color to be gray. The buildings, the clothes, the people. Did you know that the Romulan heart itself is gray? It's true. And altogether appropriate for such an unimaginative race.
Bashir: I take it you didn't enjoy your brief stint on Romulus. You were posing as a gardener, weren't you?
Garak: It was one of the few instances where my cover was more enjoyable than the actual assignment.
Bashir: What was the assignment, anyway?
Garak: I'm afraid I can't talk about that. Back to the subject at hand. What will your role be at this conference?
Bashir: Well, I'll be giving a talk on Dominion biogenic weapons, chairing a seminar on Ketracel white, and attending a meeting on a proposal to transfer twenty five Federation hospital ships over to Romulan control.
Garak: How dull.
Bashir: Sorry to disappoint you. Admiral Ross and his staff will be discussing the exciting military issues.
Garak: I see. I trust that Starfleet Intelligence will be sending someone along to make good use of this opportunity.
Bashir: What do you mean?
Garak: Isn't it obvious? This is a golden opportunity to gather intelligence on Romulan intentions and military capabilities.
Bashir: They're our allies, Garak. And with any luck, this could be the beginning of a entirely new friendship between our peoples.
Garak: The eternal optimist.
Bashir: Guilty as charged.
Garak: How sad. I must tell you I'm disappointed hearing you mouthing the usual platitudes of peace and friendship regarding an implacable foe like the Romulans. But, I live in hope that one day you'll come to see this universe for what it truly is, rather than what you'd wish it to be.
Bashir: Well, I shall endeavor to become more cynical with each passing day, look gift horses squarely in the mouth and find clouds in every silver lining.
Garak: If only you meant it.
Bashir: Lights.
Bashir: Sloan.
Sloan: Hello, Doctor. It's good to see you. I hope you're well rested. Section Thirty one has an assignment for you.
Bashir: You're taking quite a risk. I could have a security team here in thirty seconds.
Sloan: I suspect you'd be unable to communicate with anyone outside this room.
Bashir: I could scream for help.
Sloan: Possible, but uncharacteristic. Screaming for help, that's too undignified for you. But don't let me stop you. I enjoy being wrong.
Bashir: What do you want?
Sloan: I told you. You have an assignment.
Bashir: I don't work for you.
Sloan: You passed the test. You were accepted into the organization.
Bashir: I didn't ask to be accepted.
Sloan: You were, nevertheless. And now it's time to go to work.
Sloan: I'm sure you're dying to know what your mission is, but you won't give me the satisfaction of admitting it. So, I'll just tell you.
Bashir: Lucky me.
Sloan: Section Thirty one is extremely interested in this conference of yours. However, the Tal'Shiar will be handling the security arrangements, so we have virtually no chance of using any technical assets to gather intelligence. As a result, we'll be forced to rely on organic assets, like you. Your mission is to gather data on the Romulan leadership. In essence, we want you to take the pulse of their government. No pun intended.
Bashir: You want me to spy on an ally.
Sloan: To evaluate an ally. And a temporary ally at that. I say that because when the war is over, the following will happen in short order. The Dominion will be forced back to the Gamma Quadrant, the Cardassian Empire will be occupied, the Klingon Empire will spend the next ten years recovering from the war and won't pose a serious threat to anyone. That leaves two powers to vie for control of the quadrant, the Federation and the Romulans.
Bashir: This war isn't over and you're already planning for the next.
Sloan: Well put. I hope your report is equally succinct.
Bashir: How many times do I have to tell you, Sloan? I don't work for you.
Sloan: You will. It's in your nature. You are a man who loves secrets. Medical, personal, fictional. I am a man of secrets. You want to know what I know, and the only way to do that is to accept the assignment.
Ezri: Whoa! Easy, Julian! What's going on?
Bashir: Odo's checked all the security logs. There's no indication of how Sloan got aboard or where he went.
Sisko: Can't say I'm surprised. From what we've seen of them, Section Thirty one is very meticulous in covering their tracks. I had a conversation with Admiral Ross this afternoon. He and I both agree that the Romulan conference is too important to cancel.
Bashir: What about me?
Sisko: Starfleet Command has promised to send the expert on Dominion biogenic weapons and Ketracel white to the conference. Since that's you, you go. And we want you to carry out your assignment. Make a few diskreet observations on the Romulan leadership and then wait for Sloan to contact you again.
Bashir: Somehow, I don't think giving Sloan any information is a good idea.
Sisko: That was my instinct as well, but after talking to Ross I think we might have an opportunity here we can turn to our advantage. Officially, Starfleet Command has said that they are appallled at the very notion that an organization like Section Thirty one might exist, and that they plan to get to the bottom of this entire business.
Bashir: And unofficially?
Sisko: They have quietly pushed the investigation aside, which means either they don't take Section Thirty one seriously or someone at Starfleet Command is protecting them. Either way, we now have a chance to get someone inside and I think I want to take it.
Bashir: So you want me to play along, pretend that I've decided to work for Sloan after all?
Sisko: Exactly. When he contacts you to find out what you learned at the conference, make it seem like you've reluctantly come around to his way of thinking. Let him believe that he has seduced you into helping him.
Bashir: That shouldn't be too difficult. Sloan thinks I'm already so tempted that I can barely can see straight. Well, listen, I'd better packed. The Bellerophon leaves in three hours.
Sisko: One more thing, Doctor. Remember this isn't a game. Section Thirty one is very dangerous. If Sloan suspects that you are really working for us.
Bashir: I understand.
Sisko: Good hunting.
Cretak: A glass of Romulan ale, Doctor?
Bashir: Thank you, Senator.
Ross: The trading embargo has been officially lifted, if you were wondering.
Bashir: It hadn't crossed my mind, actually.
Ross: To one of the many benefits of the Alliance.
Bashir: Need a medical team, sir?
Ross: No, thank you.
Cretak: Don't tell me this is your first glass of Romulan ale.
Ross: Well, it was illegal.
Cretak: That never stopped most of your colleagues.
Ross: I know. I was probably one of the few officers in the fleet who didn't indulge occasionally.
Cretak: Would you like something else?
Ross: No, no, I'll manage.
Bashir: That's the spirit, sir. Never say die.
Cretak: What an odd expression. What does it mean?
Sloan: It's a line from an old Earth poem. Forgive me for interrupting. I couldn't help overhearing and etymology is one of my hobbies. The phrase 'never say die' is originally from a nineteenth century poem based on Shakespeare's 'Merchant of Venice.' Now, it's since passed into the vernacular as an exhortation never to give up, no matter the cost.
Cretak: Interesting.
Sloan: Wendell Greer, Assistant Director, UFP Department of Cartography.
Ross: It's a pleasure. Admiral William Ross. Senator Cretak.
Sloan: Admiral. Senator.
Ross: And Doctor Julian Bashir.
Sloan: Ah. The physician from Deep Space Nine. I was hoping to meet you. I have so many questions about the Bajoran sector, the navigational anomalies, the transport patterns. Could you spare a moment? Unless I'm interrupting?
Ross: Not at all.
Sloan: Try to play your cards a little closer to your vest, Doctor. You're lucky they didn't see that look of shock on your face.
Bashir: If you've managed to attach yourself to this delegation, why do you need me?
Sloan: All in due time. Now you have a lot of work do before we arrive at Romulus. There's a PADD in your quarters. Read it. I'll join you at twenty two hundred.
Ross: Well, Mister Greer certainly has his ducks in a row. According to the Department of Cartography, he's been a low level bureaucrat for almost fifteen years.
Bashir: That doesn't surprise me he has a solid cover story, sir. But I think it's too dangerous to allow him to participate in the conference or even set foot on Romulus. We don't know what he's up to.
Ross: On the other hand, if we move against him now, we lose any hope of penetrating Section Thirty one. His access at this conference will be limited to a few low level briefings and seminars. It shouldn't be hard keeping tabs on him. If Sloan's here it suggests more important than a simple intelligence gathering mission. He's up to something and it's imperative that we know what that something is. We go forward.
Bashir: Next.
Bashir: Neral. Formerly Proconsul and now Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire. Neral's ascension to the top post was confirmed by the Continuing Committee a little over a year ago. His immediate family was killed in a Klingon raid approximately twenty five years ago. His interests include sociology and archeology. His favorite food is Delvan pudding and his pet set'leth's name is Pensho.
Sloan: Very good. Total recall is a useful attribute for an operative. (Next, the familiar sneering features of John Fleck.)
Bashir: Koval. Chairman of the Tal'Shiar. Section Thirty one believes that he was involved in the death of Vice Admiral Fujisaki last year, but there's no proof.
Sloan: The proof is buried somewhere in Koval's personal database, which puts it out of our reach for now. But believe me, Doctor, the Deputy Chief of Starfleet Intelligence doesn't just die of food poisoning. I have to give him credit though. It was a textbook operation. No sign of foul play, and certainly no sign of Romulan involvement. It was very tidy. Koval's political status?
Bashir: Ambiguous. He hasn't been elevated to the Continuing Committee, which is usually a given for the head of the Tal'Shiar. His nomination's probably being held up because of his opposition to the Federation Alliance, which is supported by the majority on the Committee.
Sloan: Which, in turn, opens the door for your friend, Senator Cretak. She's an advocate of the alliance and she's been lobbying for this open seat. There is another rumor about Koval which is not contained in his file. We've heard he's ill. Something called Tuvan Syndrome.
Bashir: I'm familiar with it. It's a neurological disease which affects mainly Romulans, Vulcans and Rigelians. It's degenerative and incurable at present.
Sloan: If Koval is ill, he'll try to hide it. It's a weakness, and one that could hamper his chances of being appointed to the Committee.
Bashir: Is that what I'm here for? A diagnosis? What's the matter Sloan, doesn't Section Thirty one have its own doctors?
Sloan: Our physicians weren't genetically enhanced. They need equipment to make a diagnosis. Equipment that the Romulans won't permit at this conference.
Bashir: I'm incapable of making a diagnosis by simply looking at a man.
Sloan: Your genetically enhanced friends determined that Gul Damar killed a woman just by watching him give a political speech. I'm sure you can do better than that.
Bashir: You're going to make a move against Koval, aren't you? You're going to find a way to use his illness to keep him off the Committee. I suppose it would be naive of me to point out that interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign power is explicitly forbidden by the Federation charter.
Sloan: Without confirming or denying your speculation, I will say that if Koval comes to power, it'll be a disaster for the Federation. He'll argue for the Romulans to abrogate the alliance and negotiate a separate peace with the Dominion. And I don't think I need to tell you what that would do to the course of the war.
Bashir: You can't justify that by manipulating a
Sloan: Let's make a deal, doctor. I'll spare you the ends justify the means speech and you spare me the we must do what's right speech. You and I are not going to see eye to eye on this subject, so I suggest we stop discussing it. Our mission is reconnaissance. You're not going to be called upon to do anything other than that. Now why don't you get some rest. We'll be in orbit of Romulus by oh six hundred and you will need to have your wits about you.
Barman: Here you are sir.
Koval: Doctor Julian Bashir?
Bashir: Yes.
Koval: I understand you were the officer who first identified the biogenic weapon known as the Quickening.
Bashir: That's right. On Boranis Three, in the Gamma Quadrant. I don't believe we've been introduced.
Koval: Koval.
Bashir: Ah. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Koval: Why?
Bashir: Well, you've got me there. It's just a simple form of expression, I suppose.
Koval: And like most human expressions, completely devoid of meaning. Can the Dominion's Quickening virus be replicated?
Bashir: We've had a little difficulty in recreating the exact RNA sequence of the virus, which why we've been unable to develop a vaccine. However, there are alternate methods of making vaccines which
Koval: I'm not interested in the vaccine, I'm interested in the virus. Do you know how to introduce the Quickening into a population?
Bashir: Basically.
Koval: Good. I look forward to hearing your lecture.
Cretak: You're going to make a very fine operative, Doctor.
Bashir: I beg your pardon?
Cretak: The Chairman of the Tal'Shiar rarely speaks with anyone in public, much less someone wearing that uniform. Starfleet Intelligence should recruit you immediately.
Bashir: What makes you think I'm not working for them already?
Cretak: Somehow, it wouldn't surprise me if half the people in this room turned out to be operatives.
Bashir: You are joking?
Cretak: It may be impolitic to say this, but there are those who believe the alliance is merely a momentary truce.
Bashir: Are you one of them?
Cretak: I could ask you the same thing.
Bashir: Well in my case it's a firm no. But you've answered my question with a question.
Cretak: I try not to predict the future.
Bashir: What about Chairman Koval?
Cretak: You tell me. You just spoke with him. That's more than I've done in six months.
Bashir: I take it you two don't get along?
Cretak: We have different views.
Bashir: Which are?
Cretak: State secrets.
Bashir: Naturally.
Bashir: This is an adult female inhabitant of Boranis Three. The markings on the face are typical of a humanoid who's been infected by the disease, but who has not yet entered the terminal stage.
Bashir: In this next photograph, you can tell by the necrotic nature of the lesions the patient has indeed entered the terminal stage of the disease. This is also marked by an increase in leukocyte production.
Romulan: Thank you, Doctor.
Starfleet: Excellent.
Bashir: Thank you.
Sloan: Very enlightening. You almost made it comprehensible.
Bashir: Next time I'll do the lecture with hand puppets just for you.
Starfleet 2: Thank you very much.
Sloan: I'm glad to see you still have your sense of humor. I trust you noticed who was sitting in the front row.
Bashir: Yes. He came to see me this morning between sessions. He wanted to know more about the Quickening. Specifically, if I knew how to replicate the virus and how to introduce it into a population.
Sloan: What did you think of his health?
Bashir: Didn't you hear what I just said?
Sloan: I heard you. Koval wants to get his hands on the Quickening. That's not news to me that the head of the Tal'Shiar is interested in biogenic weapons. Pull your head out of the sand, and take a look around, Doctor. These are not nice people we're dealing with here. Now answer my question.
Bashir: His eyelids were slightly displaced. He had a noticeable weakness in the facial muscles, possibly the result of compromised neuromuscular function. And his respiration was somewhat irregular.
Sloan: Bottom line?
Bashir: He may have Tuvan Syndrome, but if he does, it's in the very early stages.
Sloan: How long does he have?
Bashir: If his case fits the profile, he will start experiencing a loss of motor skills in ten to fifteen years, with a life expectancy in the twenty to twenty five year range.
Sloan: Are there any instances in which the disease accelerates without warning?
Bashir: It happens, but in less than five percent of the cases.
Sloan: Is there anything that could trigger the acceleration?
Bashir: You know, I don't know what you're asking me.
Sloan: Never mind. Thank you, Doctor. You've been very helpful.
Ross: This is unbelievable. Let's put aside for the moment that he's contemplating the murder of a high ranking official. What in the hell makes him think that the next head of the Tal'Shiar would be any better than Koval?
Bashir: Sloan's more concerned with who gets the empty seat on the Continuing Committee. He's hoping that Cretak gets that.
Ross: I sort of agree with him there. Cretak, for all her abrasiveness, is at least a patriot.
Bashir: What makes her any different from Koval?
Ross: If you saw the reports from Starfleet Intelligence that I see, you would never ask that question. Koval would like nothing better than to see the Romulan banner waving over Earth. Believe me, Doctor. Chairman Koval is not someone we want at the Praetor's right hand. I'll have Sloan confined to his quarters immediately, but that may not solve our problem.
Bashir: Sir?
Ross: Has it occurred to you that you and Sloan may not be the only ones here working for Section Thirty one? For all we know, he has a confederate somewhere in the delegation.
Bashir: Sloan did say that our mission would be strictly reconnaissance and that we wouldn't be called upon to do anything else. That could suggest another operative. Someone whose mission isn't limited to reconnaissance.
Ross: If that's true, it could be anyone. Even a member of the Bellerophon crew.
Bashir: Or a Romulan.
Ross: What?
Bashir: Sir, I believe Sloan has an accomplice here, on Romulus.
Ross: What makes you say that?
Bashir: Two things. First, Sloan has too much information on the inner workings of their government, too many insights into their political process. Second, Sloan's plan is to kill Koval while making it appear to be an accelerated case of Tuvan Syndrome. Now the only way to do that would be to expose Koval to a short burst of nadion radiation. The simplest plan would be to maneuver him near a phaser relay and surreptitiously irradiate him. Now since I doubt very much that Sloan is going to have a chance to do that, it stands to reason someone else is going to have to.
Ross: A Romulan.
Bashir: Exactly. Sir, Sloan may have already got things underway. We have to warn them.
Ross: And how am I supposed to explain Section Thirty one to the Romulans? All hell would break loose if they hear that there's a rogue Federation agency is running around plotting assassinations. It could bring the Alliance down. Besides, all we have is speculation at this point.
Bashir: Admiral
Ross: The answer is no. After I have Sloan arrested, I'll break radio silence and inform Starfleet Command of the situation. Your orders are to sit tight and do nothing until you hear from me.
Bashir: Aye, sir.
Hickam: I don't know. Jepella said she went in to deliver a report and found him slumped over his desk.
Wheeler: Do they have any idea what happened?
Hickam: Doctor Frame said it looked like an aneurysm, but they're still running tests.
Wheeler: An aneurysm. I saw the Admiral this morning. He looked fine.
Hickam: They say that's the way it happens.
Bashir: Which admiral are you talking about?
Hickam: Admiral Ross, sir. He collapsed at his desk.
Bashir: Where is he?
Wheeler: Sickbay.
Sloan: Hey.
Bashir: I can't trust anyone aboard the Bellerophon and I can't contact DS Nine. For security reasons there's been a communications blackout. Senator, I have no one else to turn to. I need your help.
Cretak: To do what?
Bashir: I have reason to believe that Sloan has an accomplice within the Romulan government. Someone who's going to help him carry out this assassination.
Cretak: Koval has been saying that there's a traitor in the Senate, someone working for Starfleet Intelligence
Bashir: Section Thirty one isn't part of Starfleet Intelligence.
Cretak: They are Federation citizens working to advance your interests. That makes them your responsibility.
Bashir: You're absolutely right. That's why I'm doing everything I can to stop them. I'm trying to convince Sloan that Koval doesn't have Tuvan Syndrome. But he may have already asked his accomplice to proceed. So if we want to be sure to stop this assassination we have to find Sloan's Romulan accomplice.
Cretak: And you expect me to find this traitor?
Bashir: Sloan said something about Koval having a personal database. It stands to reason that it contains a list of potential suspects. Is there any possible way you can get me a copy of this database so that I can run an analysis of
Cretak: You are asking me to hand over secret documents!
Bashir: I'm asking you to put aside three centuries of mistrust between our peoples and help me stop a murder. Senator, if we can't reach out and bridge the gulf that is between us, if we can't trust each other, a man will die and we will be partially responsible. I need your help. Please.
Sloan: You wanted to see me, Doctor?
Bashir: Yes. I'm not convinced that Koval is suffering from Tuvan Syndrome. His symptoms could be the result of any number of different health problems.
Sloan: You didn't say that before.
Bashir: I'm not an expert on Romulan physiology. Most of my knowledge of Tuvan Syndrome comes from studies done on Vulcan patients.
Sloan: I thought Vulcans and Romulans were virtually identical.
Bashir: Yes, but there are some important genetic differences. And the more I study the available data on Romulan physiology, the less sure I am that my diagnosis was correct.
Sloan: How could you find out for sure?
Bashir: The best way would be to do an examination, but I hardly think he'll agree to that.
Sloan: What if you obtained a sample of his skin cells? Could you run an analysis?
Bashir: Probably. But how do you propose
Sloan: We'll treat your palm with a microcellular adhesive. The next time you shake his hand, you'll get your sample.
Bashir: All right.
Bashir: Mister Chairman? What a pleasure to see you again.
Bashir: I'd be happy to resume our discussion on the Quickening before this conference is adjourned.
Koval: I believe you answered all my questions, Doctor.
Bashir: Well then, I'm glad to have been able to help.
Koval: Doctor. I would like to have a word with you on another matter, in private.
Bashir: Of course. I believe the lecture hall is empty.
Koval: We have other more comfortable facilities available. If you please.
Koval: Sit down. I can assure you that you will be sitting in that chair one way or the other, Doctor.
Koval: Now we'll have our private talk.
Bashir: What shall we talk about?
Koval: Why you're really on Romulus, who you're working for and, of course, who's helping you. Don't worry. I won't waste your time with pointless questions.
Koval: This can be painful or not. That's up to you, Doctor. Either way, I will know what you know.
Koval: It appears that your brain's neurocellular structure is not susceptible to our scanning techniques, evidently a result of the genetic enhancements made to your parietal cortex.
Bashir: Sorry.
Koval: I do have other methods at my disposal, but it would save everyone a great deal of trouble if you would simply tell me what I want to know.
Bashir: You haven't asked me any questions yet.
Koval: I think you know what I'm interested in. Who are you working for? Why are you here? Bring him.
Neral: Doctor Julian Bashir, you are appearing before the Continuing Committee of the Romulan People. Any statements will be made part of the official record. Senator Cretak is charged with attempting to access a Tal'Shiar database without proper authorisation. The Senator has told the Committee a remarkable story. Since you're a key figure in her story, we are most eager to hear your version of the events.
Bashir: What I am about to say may be shocking. It may even damage the relations between our two peoples, but it's the truth. A few days ago, I became aware of a plot to assassinate Chairman Koval. It was conceived of by a man known to me only as Sloan. He works for an organization called Section Thirty one. They see themselves as protecting the interests of the Federation, although they have absolutely no official standing. Once I realized what Sloan was attempting to do, I contacted Senator Cretak in order to enlist her aid in stopping him.
Neral: Why her?
Bashir: I had no one else to turn to. I was unable to contact Deep Space Nine and I couldn't trust anyone aboard the Bellerophon.
Neral: But you felt that you could trust a Romulan Senator?
Bashir: Yes. For all our differences, I do respect her.
Neral: Continue.
Bashir: For reasons that are extremely complicated, I came to believe that there's a traitor in your government working for Section Thirty one. I asked the Senator to obtain the database so that we could expose this person and prevent the assassination.
Neral: Senator Cretak, why didn't you come to me with this information?
Cretak: I was afraid that if word of this plot got out, it would destroy the Alliance. I decided to keep my own counsel. I regret that decision.
Neral: As well you should, Kimara.
Koval: It's an interesting story. But it's not the whole story. if I may be permitted to bring in another witness? Bring in prisoner five two seven.
Koval: Praetor, this is the man known as Sloan. Unlike the Doctor, his mind is quite susceptible to our data retrieval methods. Under questioning, he has confirmed much of what the Doctor and the Senator have told you, with one important exception. There is no Section Thirty one. Sloan, in fact, works for Starfleet Intelligence. Far from being the master of a rogue agency, he is simply one of many operatives in the employ of the Federation. He's had a long career, most of which is still unknown to us. However, there is one interesting element that we do know. He was the protégé of the late Vice Admiral Fujisaki. Sloan did not take the death of his mentor well. He came to believe he was murdered by the Tal'Shiar. In his eyes, the assassination of a Starfleet admiral was stepping over the line. Isn't that the phrase? After Fujisaki's death, he was confronted with a dilemma. How could he seek vengeance without violating the Federation laws? His answer was to invent Section Thirty one, a rogue organization that answered to no one. If they killed the head of the Tal'Shiar, Starfleet Intelligence would be held blameless. As the Committee knows, I have been diagnosed with Tuvan Syndrome. Sloan became aware of my condition and hoped to make my death look like a sudden acceleration of the disease. To do that, he needed a doctor. Sloan arranged to recruit Doctor Bashir into Section Thirty one. After that, Sloan bided his time, and waited for an opportunity to present itself. He found one when he learned of this conference. He then arranged for Bashir to be invited. Everything was going perfectly, but then he made a fatal mistake. He decided to come to Romulus himself. He was unaware that his identity had become known to us. Once we recognized him in the delegation, we knew immediately that an intelligence operation was underway. What I don't understand is why? Why did you come here and take the risk of being diskovered?
Sloan: I had to make sure nothing went wrong. And I wanted to watch you die.
Koval: You broke the cardinal rule of our profession. You allowed business to become personal.
Neral: So there was an assassination plan?
Koval: Most definitely. As to the involvement of the Doctor and the Senator, Doctor Bashir may have intended to kill me, or he may have intended to save me. There is no way to know for certain. As for Senator Cretak, we all know she's an ambitious woman. It is entirely possible she would welcome my death, especially if it meant her being elevated to the Continuing Committee in my place.
Cretak: That is a lie, Koval. I was trying to save your life.
Koval: Then you're simply a fool. You let a Starfleet Intelligence officer manipulate you into committing an act of treason.
Neral: It is the finding of this Committee that Senator Cretak has conspired to commit treason against the State. Sentence to be determined at a later date. Doctor Bashir will be returned to the Bellerophon. Mister Sloan is remanded to the custody of the Tal'Shiar for further interrogation.
Sloan: No!
Ross: Come in.
Bashir: Admiral.
Ross: Doctor.
Bashir: Feeling better, sir?
Ross: Much. Doctor Frame tells me that I should take it easy for a few days, but paperwork waits for no man. What can I do for you?
Bashir: I have a question. Where's Sloan?
Ross: Sloan's dead.
Bashir: Admiral, where's Sloan?
Ross: If we're going to have this discussion, then it's off the record.
Ross: Before I answer your question, answer mine. How did you know?
Bashir: The man Koval described was not the same man who recruited me into Section Thirty one. Anyone clever enough to pull the wool so completely over my eyes wouldn't have been caught by the Romulans so easily. There had to be another explanation. And then I remembered that you were the one who planted the idea in my head that Sloan had an accomplice. You were the one who didn't want to tell the Romulans that there was an assassination plot. You were the one who issued the orders preventing me from contacting Deep Space Nine. And when the time came to arrest Sloan, you conveniently had an aneurysm, leaving me alone with no one to turn to anyone for help except Cretak. And as I realized your involvement, the rest began to fall into place. Where is he?
Ross: I don't know.
Bashir: But he's alive, isn't he?
Ross: He was supposed to be beamed away a split second before the phaser beam hit him. Whether it worked or not, I couldn't say.
Bashir: How long has Koval been working for Starfleet?
Ross: He's been providing the Federation with critical military intelligence for over a year. When he started working with Section Thirty one I don't know.
Bashir: But in any case, we have our mole, working for us at the top levels of Romulan government. Good for us. And what about your friend Senator Cretak? What's going to happen to her?
Ross: Dismissed from the Senate, definitely. Imprisoned, most likely.
Bashir: Executed?
Ross: I hope not.
Bashir: You set her up! She was an innocent woman and you let Sloan destroy her! Why? She believed in the Alliance. She was on our side.
Ross: No, she wasn't. I told you before, Julian, she's a patriot. Which means if it served the interests of the Romulans to negotiate a separate peace with the Dominion, Cretak would push that option. And believe me, the Dominion would like nothing better than to make a deal with the Romulans right now.
Bashir: So Koval becomes your guarantee that that does not happen. As a man who was nearly killed for his anti-Federation activities, his recommendation to stay in the war becomes all the more convincing.
Ross: That's the general idea.
Bashir: And how long have you worked for Section Thirty One?
Ross: I don't.
Bashir: Oh. Just a temporary alliance, is it?
Ross: Something like that.
Bashir: You don't see anything wrong with what happened, do you.
Ross: I don't like it. But I've spent the last year and a half of my life ordering young men and young women to die. I like that even less.
Bashir: That's a glib answer and a cheap way to avoid the fact that you've trampled on the very thing that those men and women are out there dying to protect! Does that not mean anything to you?
Ross: Inter arma enim silent leges.
Bashir: In time of war, the law falls silent. Cicero. So is that what we have become? A twenty fourth century Rome driven by nothing more than the certainty that Caesar can do no wrong!
Ross: This conversation never happened.
Ross: You're dismissed.
Sloan: Good evening.
Bashir: Are you expecting applause? Have you come to take a bow?
Sloan: I just wanted to say thank you.
Bashir: For what? Allowing you to manipulate me so completely?
Sloan: For being a decent human being. That's why we selected you in the first place, Doctor. We needed somebody who wanted to play the game, but who would only go so far. When the time came, you stood your ground. You did the right thing. You reached out to an enemy, you told her the truth, you tried to stop a murder. The Federation needs men like you, Doctor. Men of conscience, men of principle, men who can sleep at night. You're also the reason Section Thirty one exists. Someone has to protect men like you from a universe that doesn't share your sense of right and wrong.
Bashir: Should I feel sorry for you? Should I be weeping over the burden you're forced to carry in order to protect the rest of us?
Sloan: It is an honor to know you, Doctor. Goodnight.
Bashir: Bashir to Security.
Odo: Odo here.
Bashir: Never mind. My mistake.


Vic: Sure I remember the Alamo.
Bashir: See? Told you he would.
Vic: Laurence Harvey, Richard Widmark and John Wayne as Davy Crockett. Great battle scenes, nice sets, but way too long.
O'Brien: We're not talking about a movie.
Bashir: No, we're talking about our holosuite program.
Vic: Oh, that Alamo. What about it?
Bashir: Well, we've got holosuite four reserved for an hour and we were wondering whether you'd like to join us.
Vic: Look fellas, I'm touched by the offer, but I don't know.
O'Brien: We can transfer your matrix to the Alamo program.
Bashir: You've got to leave of Vegas sometimes, right?
Vic: True, but I'm afraid I have to say no.
Bashir: Why?
Vic: I don't look good in buckskin. Tell you what I'll do though. How about a little tune to get you into a Texas state of mind. Fellas, Alamo. Standing around by the Alamo. Walking around in San Antonio. Looking around for a new kind of love.
Vic: Baby I'm lonesome tonight. History abounds by the famous fort.
Man: Get him off!
Man: Come on, step down, ya hack. Oh, honey. Show me, show me!
Vic: What the hell?
Bashir: What is all this?
Vic: Don't ask me.
O'Brien: Maybe there's a pointer fault in the holosuite's parameter file.
Frankie: Well, look who's here. The pretty boy singer himself.
Vic: Frankie Eyes. What are you doing in Vegas?
Frankie: What happened to 'Hello, Frankie, long time no see. Make yourself at home. Can I get you anything?' You believe this guy?
Cicci: No manners.
Frankie: Were you born in a barn or something?
Bashir: This gentleman a friend of yours?
Vic: We know each other.
Frankie: We're a long way from South Philly, ain't we, Vic?
Vic: So, are you here on business or pleasure?
Frankie: Let's just say I'm here to stay, while you, Vicky boy, are about to take a powder.
Vic: I'm not going anywhere.
Frankie: I got news for you, pal. I just bought this hotel. You're history.
Vic: You can't fire me. I have a contract.
Frankie: And you can paper your walls with it. You're finished in this town, Vic.
Vic: You're blackballing me?
Frankie: As of this moment, you couldn't get a job as a singing busboy. Now are you going to walk out of here, or do you have to be carried out? Makes no difference to me.
O'Brien: Let me handle this. Computer. Delete characters Frankie Eyes and I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.
Cicci: Cicci.
O'Brien: And Cicci from the holosuite's program.
Cicci: What's a holosuites?
Frankie: Beats me.
Bashir: They're still here, Chief.
O'Brien: Computer, freeze program. There must be a little problem in the character deletion algorithm.
Cicci: I'll show you the door.
Vic: Make that a big problem.
Frankie: What's it going to be, pallie?
Vic: I guess I start packing.
Frankie: Smart boy. All right, Cicci, come on. Let's check out my casino.
Bashir: So what do we do now?
Vic: Nothing we can do. Frankie's a made man, capisce?
Bashir: I'm not talking about Frankie, I'm talking about fixing the entire program.
O'Brien: Well, we could shut it down manually and reset it. But that would wipe Vic's memory. He'd forget everything that's happened since we first activated him.
Vic: Oh, hold on, pallie. Nobody's wiping my memory.
Bashir: Of course not. There must be some other way.
O'Brien: I wish I knew what it was.
Bashir: Better talk to Felix. After all, he was the one who designed this program.
Vic: You do that.
O'Brien: In the meantime, you stay out of the way of Frankie Eyes.
Vic: You'll get no argument from me.
Nog: I'll tell you one thing, if this Frankie Eyes hurts Vic in any way, he's going to have to answer to me.
Worf: I do not understand how you could feel such loyalty for a hologram.
Nog: He's not just a hologram, he's my friend.
O'Brien: Don't you like Vic?
Worf: As a singer, I find him entertaining. But beyond that, I neither like him nor dislike him. He is a hologram, and therefore he does not exist.
Kira: He does for me.
Bashir: I just talked to Felix. I know what's been affecting Vic's program. It's a jack in the box.
Nog: A what?
O'Brien: A jack in the box. It's a children's toy on Earth. You wind it up and a figure jumps out and goes Boo!
Bashir: Except this type of jack in the box is different.
Nog: It doesn't go Boo?
Bashir: No, this surprise is buried deep in the holosuite program.
O'Brien: It's meant to shake things up, you know? Make things interesting.
Nog: I wasn't bored. Were you?
Kira: Not at all. I liked Vic's the way it was.
Bashir: According to Felix, if we get rid of Frankie Eyes, everything resets back to the way it was.
Kira: That's good to know.
Nog: So how do we get rid of Frankie Eyes?
Bashir: That's up to us. But Felix did warn me the program is period specific.
O'Brien: In other words, if we shoot him, we have to use a forty five automatic and not a phaser.
Bashir: We can't shoot Frankie, it's too dangerous.
O'Brien: The mob could retaliate against Vic.
Bashir: If anything happens to Vic, his matrix will be eliminated from the program. Permanently.
Nog: The news just keeps getting better, doesn't it?
Sisko: What news?
Kira: Oh, nothing, sir. We're talking about a holosuite program.
Bashir: Vic Fontaine's hotel's just been bought by gangsters.
Sisko: I see. When do you plan on to going back to work?
O'Brien: Right away, sir.
Nog: Whatever you decide to do, Chief, count me in. I owe Vic. I thought losing my leg was the end of my Starfleet career. He taught me otherwise.
Kira: He changed my life, too. And Odo's.
Bashir: Now all we need is a plan.
Kasidy: Your daddy would be proud.
Sisko: My daddy taught me everything I know.
Kasidy: How nice.
Sisko: So, how was your day?
Kasidy: It's getting better.
Sisko: Something happen?
Kasidy: It's Vic.
Sisko: Vic?
Kasidy: Vic Fontaine. A gangster named Frankie Eyes took over his lounge. The whole place has changed and no one's sure how to change it back. What?
Sisko: Nothing.
Kasidy: I guess this sounds pretty silly to you.
Sisko: A little.
Kasidy: You have to understand, Vic isn't just another holosuite program. He's more like a friend.
Sisko: Kasidy, can we talk about something else?
Kasidy: Sure. How come you've never been to Vic's?
Sisko: Does it matter? You like going there and I don't. Let's leave it at that.
Kasidy: I was only asking.
Sisko: And I gave you my answer.
Kasidy: There are times when I just can't figure you out.
Sisko: Well, maybe that's part of the attraction.
Kasidy: Believe that if you want to.
Vic: Who is it?
O'Brien: It's Miles and Julian.
Vic: Just a minute.
Vic: You wouldn't happen to have an ice pack on you, would you?
Vic: Hey, pallie, whose side are you on?
Bashir: I'm sorry, but you have three bruised ribs here and your left wrist is sprained. The good news is your skull is still in one piece.
Bashir: Thanks.
Vic: I feel better already. A jack in the box. I can't believe Felix would do that to me.
Bashir: Oh, don't take it personally. He was just trying to do me a favor by not letting things get too boring.
Vic: I thought that was my job.
Bashir: Oh, and you're great at it. You know we love ya.
O'Brien: So, you going to tell us what happened?
Vic: I slipped in the bathtub.
O'Brien: And knocked over this furniture looking for a bandage, right?
Vic: Something like that. Frankie sent Tony Cicci to pay me a little visit. He wanted to remind me not to take too long packing.
O'Brien: What is it with you and Frankie?
Vic: It goes back to the old neighborhood when we were kids. I used to beat him at stickball.
Bashir: And?
Vic: And nothing. We've been rivals ever since.
O'Brien: That Felix, huh. When he designs a holosuite program, he doesn't fool around.
Vic: Tell me about it.
Bashir: Now you should get some rest. Maybe take a little vacation.
Vic: A vacation? Did you guys take a vacation when the Dominion took over DS Nine?
O'Brien: It's not the same thing.
Vic: It is to me. This is my life, remember? I don't run at the first sign of trouble.
Bashir: We're not asking you to run anywhere. We just want you to stay out of sight while we come up with a plan.
Vic: What plan?
O'Brien: How to get rid of Frankie Eyes.
Bashir: Odo and Kira are down in the lounge right now.
Vic: Doing what?
O'Brien: Checking up on Frankie. We need to find his weak spot.
Vic: I hope you know what you're getting me into. If you guys screw up, I'm the one who winds up buried in the desert.
Kira: Let me guess, you'll look around here while I check out the casino?
Odo: Oh. Er. If you'd prefer, I'll go and
Kira: Enjoy yourself. Just remember, we have a job to do.
Odo: Of course.
Cicci: Then I drive him out to the woods. Badda bing badda bang. Three in back of the head, that's the end of little Paulie. So what do you think Frankie says when I report back in? Little Paulie? Nah, I told you to pop Big Paulie! That's the problem with our business, too many guys named Paulie.
Kira: Hit me. I'm done.
Frankie: Not so fast. What kind of card is that to give such a pretty lady. Hit her again.
Kira: Isn't that against the rules?
Frankie: Don't worry about it. Double your bet.
Frankie: Twenty six? What's wrong with you? Again. You're starting to aggravate me, pal. Twenty one, finally. Pay the lady.
Dealer: Yes, sir.
Frankie: If I were you, I'd quit while I was ahead. The name's Frank Chalmers, but everyone calls me Frankie Eyes.
Kira: Why's that?
Frankie: Because I don't miss a trick.
Kira: You're very sure of yourself.
Frankie: Doubt is for losers.
Kira: And quite a philosopher.
Frankie: Well, I'm thinking of writing a book.
Kira: What's the title?
Frankie: Well, maybe you can help me think one up.
Kira: My talents lie in other directions.
Frankie: Good title. Mind if I use it?
Kira: I'd say you already paid for it.
Frankie: So what do you say we hit the roulette table and see if I can't buy Chapter One.
Cicci: Hey, Max, Max, come over here. I want you to see this.
Cicci: Can you believe it? He did it again. Buddy, I've been hanging out in bars for twenty years. I ain't never seen a stunt like that.
Odo: There's nothing to it, really.
Cicci: Hear that? The guy's the eighth wonder of the world and he says there's nothing to it. So where you from again?
Odo: Bajor.
Cicci: That's in Jersey, right?
Odo: Right.
Cicci: Max, Max, another round for my friend here.
Odo: Turns out Frankie Eyes was sent to Vegas by a man named Carl Zeemo.
Vic: Looks like Frankie's moving up in the world.
Kira: You know Mister Zeemo?
Vic: Been around forever. Likes to pretend he's a sweet old man, but he's meaner than a junkyard dog. It's is all starting to make sense. I knew Frankie didn't have the money to buy a hotel.
Ezri: But Zeemo does.
Vic: More than enough. This is going to be a pretty sweet deal for him. The casino's bringing in about a million bucks a month. Cash. And out of that, Zeemo expects to be sent a couple of hundred grand.
Odo: That would be the skim.
Vic: Right off the top. Tax free. Frankie's got nothing to worry about. All he's got to do is send Mister Zeemo his cut.
Kira: According to Frankie, Mister Zeemo's coming into town in about six days to pick up his first payment. He's never been to Vegas and he wants to look over his newest acquisition.
O'Brien: What would happen to Frankie if he didn't give Zeemo his skim?
Vic: Frankie's not that dumb.
Bashir: Miles, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
O'Brien: That depends on what you're thinking.
Bashir: All we have to do is see to it that Mister Zeemo doesn't sees a penny of that money.
Ezri: Are you talking about robbing the casino?
O'Brien: That's what I was thinking.
Kasidy: Isn't that dangerous?
Vic: Stealing from the mob? You bet it is. You get caught and I kiss the world goodbye.
O'Brien: Then the trick is not to get caught.
Vic: You guys are nuts, you know that? Besides, the money's kept in a safe.
Nog: What kind of safe?
Vic: I don't know. It's in the countroom and there's a guard outside the door twenty four hours a day. And even if you did get past him, there's still that little problem of the two countmen inside.
Kira: I'll get a look at the safe.
Bashir: We'll figure out a way to take out the guard.
Kasidy: And the countmen.
Ezri: And anything else that comes along.
O'Brien: Then we're agreed?
Bashir: Absolutely.
Kira: I'm in.
Odo: Me, too.
Kasidy: Sure.
Ezri: Okay.
Nog: Let's do it.
Vic: Wait a minute. Let me get this straight. You're going to knock over the casino and swipe a cool million from the mob?
O'Brien: Vic, you want your lounge back or not?
Vic: Deal me in.
Frankie: Have you ever seen a prettier shade of green?
Kira: Looks like you had a profitable night.
Frankie: And the night's not over.
Kira: Is this for me or am I just keeping it warm for you?
Frankie: It's all yours, baby. And there's more where that came from.
Kira: I'll take your word for it.
Frankie: What are you looking at?
Al: Nothing.
Frankie: Just keep counting. After you, sweetheart.
Kasidy: Are you sure you didn't go to high school in Asheville, North Carolina?
Guard: Yeah, I'm positive.
Kasidy: That's funny. You look just like the captain of our football team. I had such a crush on him.
Guard: Well, actually, I did play a little football.
Kasidy: I knew it. You have the body of an athlete.
Cicci: You call this a cheesesteak? I wouldn't feed this to my parole officer.
Odo: Excuse me, Cicci. Could I have a word with you?
Cicci: Just a second, please. Now I want a cheesesteak and I don't care if you got to fly to Philadelphia to get me one.
Cicci: A guy can starve to death in this town.
Odo: Ezri, this is Tony Cicci.
Ezri: Nice to meet you.
Cicci: The pleasure is all mine.
Odo: Ezri's new in town. She needs a job.
Ezri: I'm a very good waitress.
Cicci: Ah. You wouldn't happen to have a slice of pizza on you?
Ezri: No, but I could go the kitchen and get you one.
Cicci: That chef wouldn't know a good pizza if it hit him right in the face. Consider yourself gainfully employed.
Ezri: Really? That's wonderful.
Odo: Thanks, Cicci. I owe you one.
Cicci: Ah, don't mention it, Stretch. Maybe one of these days you'll show me the
Cicci: I don't believe it.
Vic: Take it easy, pallie. Take it easy. I'm not looking for trouble.
Cicci: That's a relief.
Vic: I'm here to see Frankie. I want to try to work things out with him. You know, let bygones be bygones.
Vic: Frankie, I'm dying here. The Sands, the Dunes, the DI, no one will even return my call.
Frankie: Tell me something I don't know.
Vic: There's got to be a way for us to bury the hatchet.
Frankie: I already did. In your head.
Vic: Frankie you want me to beg? I'll beg. Give me a chance to make things right. I know people, people with dough. High rollers. I could bring 'em into the casino.
Frankie: What? You want to be my shill?
Vic: I'm talking about people who can drop ten, twenty, thirty big ones a night.
Kira: Give him what he wants, Frankie. I can't take much more of his whining.
Frankie: Bring in a couple of players, then we'll talk.
Vic: That's all I ask. Let me buy you a drink.
Frankie: I don't drink with losers. Come on, dollface. Let's warm up the poker table.
Cicci: Welcome back.
Sisko: You're in charge of what?
Kasidy: Of distracting the guard so that we can sneak someone into the countroom.
Sisko: Kasidy, I can't believe you're involved in this thing. The whole thing is ridiculous.
Kasidy: I guess that means you're not going to wish me luck.
Sisko: And you're telling me that virtually my entire senior staff is a part of this nonsense?
Kasidy: You're supposed to help your friends when they're in trouble. And Vic, hologram or not, is in trouble. Not that I'd expect you to care.
Sisko: Look, this is not about Vic Fontaine.
Kasidy: Then what is your problem?
Sisko: You want to know? You really want to know what my problem is? I'll tell you. Las Vegas nineteen sixty two, that's my problem. In nineteen sixty two, black people weren't very welcome there. Oh, sure they could be performers or janitors, but customers? Never.
Kasidy: Maybe that's the way it was in the real Vegas, but that is not the way it is at Vic's. I have never felt uncomfortable there and neither has Jake.
Sisko: But don't you see, that's the lie. In nineteen sixty two, the Civil Rights movement was still in its infancy. It wasn't an easy time for our people and I'm not going to pretend that it was.
Kasidy: Baby, I know that Vic's isn't a totally accurate representation of the way things were, but it isn't meant to be. It shows us the way things could have been. The way they should've been.
Sisko: We cannot ignore the truth about the past.
Kasidy: Going to Vic's isn't going to make us forget who we are or where we came from. What it does is it reminds us that we're no longer bound by any limitations, except the ones we impose on ourselves.
Kasidy: What about Worf?
Kira: Oh, he'll never agree to it.
Ezri: There's always Quark.
Odo: I'm not sure he'd help. He thinks of you as his competition.
Nog: I'll get it.
O'Brien: Better get this out of sight.
Ezri: There's one little problem. We're still one man short.
Bashir: We need a high roller with Vic at the craps table. Someone to gather a crowd, keep attention away from the countroom.
O'Brien: Otherwise the whole plan falls apart.
Sisko: And we certainly can't let that happen. Now, exactly what do you need me to do?
Vic: Let's go over it one more time.
Nog: Do we have to? Everyone knows what they have to do, right?
Ezri: It's all pretty simple really.
Vic: Hey, far be it from me to tell Starfleet officers how to do their jobs.
O'Brien: Robbing casinos isn't part of any Starfleet job description I've ever read.
Kira: We can't afford to make any mistakes.
Sisko: And we're not going to. Take us through it again.
Vic: You got it, pallie. It all begins with you.
Vic: Keeping Frankie Eyes away from the casino and the countroom.
Vic: Meanwhile, the Captain and I will be laying down some heavy bread over at the craps table. Enough to draw a crowd.
Sisko: Where are we going to get that kind of money?
Vic: I put a little away for a rainy day. Now each night, at precisely eleven forty five.
Sisko: Al, one of the countmen, takes a break to call home.
Sisko: He never varies his routine. He's gone for eight minutes every night.
Vic: During those six minutes, Howard, the other countman, has a martini brought in.
Ezri: That's where I come in. But first, I make a stop at poker table three where I hand a drink to Julian.
Bashir: And I slip a few drops of ipecac into Howard's.
Ezri: After which, I continue on to the countroom.
Ezri: I set the tray down and leave.
Vic: Once Ezri's out of the countroom
Kasidy: I go running up to the guard and tell him Chief O'Brien has stolen my chips.
Vic: Do whatever you need to do to keep him distracted. And don't be afraid to turn on the waterworks. And Chief, you play innocent.
O'Brien: I am innocent! I've never seen this woman before in my life.
Vic: That's the ticket. Now remember, the two of you have to keep that guard away from the door for at least two minutes.
Bashir: Once he takes a sip of his drink, Howard'll come flying out of that countroom at warp speed.
Nog: Which is where I come in.
Vic: You and those fabulous Ferengi ears of yours.
Nog: And once I've opened the safe.
Odo: you'll need someplace to put all that money.
Vic: You're going to be surprised how much a million bucks weighs.
Odo: I think I can handle it.
Vic: When you walk into the casino, don't talk to anyone. Don't even look at anyone. And whatever you do, don't run. Just head for the exit and dump the cash in the garbage cans outside. With no money, there's no skim to give to Mister Zeemo, and old Frankie becomes yesterday's news.
Bashir: And everything returns to normal
Bashir: And we pop open the champagne.
Vic: Music to my ears, pallie.
Sisko: Eight minutes. That's how long we have to get into the countroom, open the safe, grab the money, and then get out again.
Bashir: I bet we do it in five.
Nog: When do we pull off the caper?
Kasidy: The sooner, the better.
Ezri: Zeemo's due in two days.
Sisko: Then we have no choice. We go tomorrow night.
Vic: Hey. Crazy.
O'Brien: That was fast.
Bashir: It has to be.
Ezri: Two minutes, fourteen seconds.
Nog: I've got to do a lot better than that.
Ezri: Right.
Nog: Go.
Kasidy: Better finish getting dressed. It's almost time.
Quark: I'm telling you, Morn. Something's going on in Vic's that we don't know about.
Frankie: Looking good, as usual, dollface.
Kira: I'm glad you like what you see.
Frankie: I only wish I could see more.
Kira: Well you know what they say, good things come to those who wait.
Frankie: Who are they and how much of you have they seen?
Kira: I never kiss and tell.
Frankie: I bet you don't.
Kasidy: Oh, nineteen. Let's if see you can beat that.
Kasidy: Twenty three. You're busted.
Bashir: Vodka martini. Stirred, not shaken.
Ezri: Right away, sir.
Roulette: Winner seventeen black.
Sisko: Ten thousand.
Croupier: Good luck to you, sir. Make your bets. High low bets.
Vic: A hundred dollars?
Sisko: Too much?
Vic: You're supposed to be a high roller, so start rolling. Make it two thousand.
Sisko: Two thousand.
Frankie: What do you say we blow some of my money at the crap table?
Kira: Maybe later. Right now, I want you to buy me a drink. We can play footsies under the table.
Frankie: Footsies? I guess that's a start.
Vic: We have lift off.
Ezri: Oh, I'm so sorry.
Bashir: Don't worry about it. You're too kind.
Croupier: Coming out now, new shooter.
Sisko: Here's where things get interesting. Come on, seven.
Ezri: You're not Howard.
Countman: He's out with the flu.
Ezri: Oh. This drink must be yours, then.
Countman: I'm not thirsty.
Ezri: But
Countman: Hey, you're making me lose count.
Ezri: Sorry. You mind if I drink that? I've been on my feet for hours and I could really use a little pick me up.
Countman: That's about the saddest story I ever heard.
Croupier: Place your bets.
Sisko: Let it ride, let it ride.
Kasidy: You have to help me. That man. That man right there. He stole a stack of my chips.
Guard: Hey, you! Stop right there!
O'Brien: Who, me?
Guard: The lady says you stole her chips.
O'Brien: I did no such thing.
Kasidy: Liar! I'm telling you, he took them. You're a thief!
O'Brien: And you're drunk,
Kasidy: I am not.
Guard: Hey, hey, let's just calm down, okay?
Kasidy: Not until I get my money!
O'Brien: What money?
Kasidy: The money you stole.
O'Brien: I told you, I never touched your money.
Kasidy: Liar.
Nog: Uh oh.
Odo: What do you mean, uh oh. We don't have time for uh oh.
Nog: This safe. It has an auto-relock tumbler. Kira didn't mention anything about an auto-relock tumbler.
Odo: Well she obviously didn't know about it.
Nog: We're not going to have enough time.
Odo: Keep working.
Frankie: This is the hand that shook the hand of Bugsy Siegel, the man that built Las Vegas. I'm telling you, he was a visionary. And is there even one statue of the guy in this town?
Kira: There's no justice.
Frankie: You can say that again. Sure you don't want to play the tables for a while?
Kira: I'm perfectly content right here.
Frankie: Who am I to argue with a lady?
Kasidy: What are you standing around for? Arrest him! I told you he took two hundred dollars worth of chips from me.
O'Brien: How come I've only got five bucks on me?
Kasidy: Don't believe him.
O'Brien: I'm telling you. This broad ain't playing with a full deck.
Kasidy: And just what is that supposed to mean?
O'Brien: What do you think it means?
Sisko: Beginner's luck. For the dealers.
Vic: Six minutes.
Sisko: I wonder what's taking them so long.
Al: I've got to go. I'm running late. This Frankie
Frankie: You in some kind of hurry?
Kira: Me?
Frankie: You keep staring at that watch.
Kira: Really? I hadn't noticed.
Frankie: And your drink. You haven't touched it.
Kira: Oh, well, the night is young. I've got to pace myself.
Frankie: Pace yourself? For what?
Cicci: Frankie, there's someone here to see you.
Frankie: I'm busy.
Zeemo: You don't look busy.
Frankie: Mister Zeemo. We weren't expecting you until tomorrow.
Zeemo: I'm early. Any problem with that?
Frankie: No, not at all. Sit down, have a drink.
Zeemo: We'll have a drink later. Where's the er, where's the countroom.
Frankie: Follow me.
Kira: Mister Zeemo. It's a great honor to meet you.
Zeemo: I know.
Kira: Frankie has told me so much about you.
Zeemo: Frankie.
Frankie: Yeah.
Zeemo: The money, Frankie.
Frankie: Right this way.
Zeemo: Let's go. Come on.
Odo: Nog, it's been eight minutes. We're running out of time.
Bashir: I fold. Excuse me. Your name's Al, right?
Al: Who wants to know?
Bashir: Frankie Eyes.
Al: Frankie Eyes?
Bashir: He's waiting for you out back.
Al: For what? I didn't do nothing.
Bashir: Then you have nothing to worry about.
Vic: You gotta be kidding me
Sisko: Now what? Zeemo!
Vic: He's a day early. Keep playing, I'll try to stall them.
Vic: Nina? Nina, is that you?
Zeemo: Who's this?
Frankie: Nobody. Hey, Vic, take a walk.
Vic: Where you been keeping yourself, baby?
Blonde: Do I know you?
Vic: Do you know me? Don't you remember that week in Miami? Ever see what she looks like in a bikini? Oh, mamma mia.
Zeemo: When were you in Miami?
Blonde: I don't know what he's talking about.
Vic: Who's this? Your grandpa?
Zeemo: Frankie.
Frankie: Cicci!
Cicci: Now you've done it.
Frankie: Bury him. So long, sucker.
Zeemo: Frankie, I'm waiting for the money.
Frankie: Yes, all right. Right this way.
Sisko: Tonight everyone's a winner.
Zeemo: What's this? What's going on?
Nog: Piece of cake.
O'Brien: Can I go now?
Kasidy: You aren't going anywhere! Don't let him leave.
Guard: Charlie, over here. Take this gentleman to security.
Kasidy: But I wanted you to handle this.
Guard: I'm afraid I can't leave my post. Charlie, strip search.
O'Brien: Strip search?
Guard: There, there, it's not worth all that.
Kasidy: I needed that money to buy a gift for my mother.
Zeemo: Funny way to run a casino.
Kira: What are you waiting for, Frankie? Why don't you show Mister Zeemo to the countroom.
Zeemo: Well you heard the lady.
Frankie: I'm telling you, Mister Zeemo, buying this casino was the smartest move you ever made. We're making money hand over fist.
Frankie: I just hope you brought a big enough briefcase.
Zeemo: Where's my money?
Vic: Now that's more like it.
Odo: Say goodbye to Frankie Eyes.
Kira: You can tell Felix that we shut the lid on his jack in the box.
Bashir: With pleasure.
Vic: Ladies and gentlemen, the bubbly's on me.
Bashir: Thanks. Vic.
Odo: Hear, hear.
Bashir: Where've you been?
O'Brien: I don't want to talk about it.
Vic: The next time you two fight the battle of the Alamo, count me in. Coonskin cap and all.
Bashir: You got it, pallie.
Vic: To the best friends a hologram ever had.
Bashir: Hear, hear.
O'Brien: Cheers.
Vic: I owe you, big time.
Bashir: Cheers, Vic.
Ezri: Cheers.
Vic: Okay, fellas, let's do it. Captain? You'll join me?
Kira: What? Vic and Sisko sing 'The Best is Yet to Come'. Nice.)


Sisko: There are a few wild moba trees here, and a creek that runs through the meadows and into the forest.
Sisko: Nice spot, huh?
Kasidy: Bajor, right?
Sisko: The Kendra province, just south of the Yolja river. I was there the other day.
Kasidy: I thought you went to a conference in Rakantha.
Sisko: I did. But afterwards Vedek Oram wanted me to visit his monastery. We took a transport across the mountains. The sun was just going down and the entire valley was shimmering in the light. And I said to myself, this is the place. This is where I'm going to build my house.
Kasidy: I've heard you talk that way before.
Sisko: Oh, no, this is not just talk. As of this morning, all of this land belongs to me.
Kasidy: You're serious.
Sisko: Twelve hecapates. I'm going to start building as soon as the war is over. We'll have a place that we can visit any time we want.
Kasidy: Sounds good to me.
Sisko: Maybe someday I'll retire here.
Kasidy: I could see you now, sitting in your rocking chair, watching the sunset over the mountains every night, wondering where you put your teeth.
Sisko: Just like my great-great grandfather, in the glass next to the chair.
Kasidy: It's funny how thing's turn out, isn't it?
Sisko: What do you mean?
Kasidy: Did you ever think that you would become so attached to Bajor that you'd want to spend the rest of your life there?
Sisko: It wasn't part of the master plan, if that's what you mean. But from the moment I set foot on this station, nothing has turned out the way I imagined it. This was supposed to be just a temporary assignment, but it has become much more than that. I guess I was meant to come here. You see, it's almost like my
Kasidy: Destiny.
Sisko: Destiny, yes.
Kasidy: I guess when your mother turns out to be part prophet or part wormhole alien or whatever it is you want to call her, words like destiny begin to mean something.
Sisko: When I look at the picture of this woman with my father, I think to myself, yes, that's Sarah, my mother. But she's not just a woman, she's more than that. And when I look at myself in the mirror
Kasidy: You don't just see a man. You see more than that.
Sisko: Does it bother you?
Kasidy: Do I act like it bothers me?
Sisko: You're not answering my question.
Kasidy: I guess when you first told me about Sarah, I was a little surprised.
Sisko: More than a little.
Kasidy: All right, I was very surprised. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized what an amazing thing it was. Is.
Sisko: I'm glad you think so.
Kasidy: I do. And, part prophet or not, you're still my Benjamin and I love you.
Ezri: I bumped into Captain Boday the other night.
O'Brien: Captain Boday?
Bashir: The Gallamite. Jadzia dated him.
O'Brien: Oh. The toothy smile and the transparent skull?
Bashir: That's him.
O'Brien: What's he doing on the station?
Ezri: The Gallamites are supplying duranium for the war effort.
Bashir: Personally, I don't know what Jadzia ever saw in that man.
O'Brien: Well, his brains.
Bashir: Did he know who you were?
Ezri: Not at first.
Bashir: But when he found out, I bet he laid on the charm.
Ezri: You could say that.
Bashir: The man's insufferable. He's opinionated and arrogant.
Ezri: And charming.
Bashir: If you say so.
O'Brien: Something wrong?
Kira: We just got word from the Klingons. The Rotarran and the Koraga were ambushed by a Dominion patrol near the Badlands.
Ezri: Worf was commanding the Koraga.
Kira: It didn't make it. The Rotarran recovered six escape pods. Worf wasn't aboard any of them.
Quark: Heard anything from the Defiant?
Ezri: I talked to Benjamin this morning. He said that according to the Koraga's crew, Worf was the last one to leave the bridge. No one knows if he made it to the escape pod.
Quark: My money says he did. We haven't seen the last of that crazy Klingon.
Ezri: They've been searching for three days.
Quark: They'll find him. It's just going to take a while. You know what it's like in the Badlands, there's a lot of sensor interference.
Ezri: I should have gone with them.
Quark: And what would you be able to do that they can't?
Ezri: Probably nothing, but it would be easier than just sitting here waiting.
Quark: He'll be back before you know it.
Ezri: You really think so?
Quark: Absolutely. The night before he went on patrol, he brought the Koraga's crew in here and bought them three barrels of bloodwine.
Ezri: And?
Quark: And he didn't pay the tab. Do you really think he'd go to Sto'Vo'Kor owing me money?
Ezri: He doesn't even like you.
Quark: Exactly. He couldn't enjoy the afterlife knowing I had something on him.
Ezri: Thanks, Quark.
Crewman: Ops to Lieutenant Dax.
Ezri: Go ahead.
Crewman: You have an incoming transmission from the Defiant.
Ezri: Patch it through. What is it, Benjamin?
Sisko: I'm afraid we're going to have to call off the search.
Ezri: You're giving up?
Sisko: We don't have any choice. There are a dozen Jem'Hadar ships closing on our position.
Ezri: But what if he's out there somewhere?
Sisko: Let's face it, the odds aren't good. We don't even know if he made it off the Koraga. I'm sorry.
Damar: The Defiant is returning to Federation space. I'm ordering our ships to pursue.
Weyoun: No. Divert them to the So'na outpost on Devos Two.
Damar: Why?
Weyoun: We need their to help protect the new Ketracel white facility. The Federation has been made aware of its location.
Damar: Can't the So'na protect it?
Weyoun: Are you questioning my orders? That would be foolish. I wonder what the Defiant was doing out there?
Damar: Looking for survivors from the Koraga.
Weyoun: For that long?
Damar: Our adversaries don't view their soldiers as expendable. They're not bred in hatcheries like the Jem'Hadar.
Weyoun: If you have something to say, Damar, say it.
Damar: Do you have any idea the casualties Cardassia has taken? There's not a single family that hasn't lost someone in this war.
Weyoun: Their sacrifices won't be in vain. We will be victorious.
Weyoun: A bit early, isn't it? Even for you.
Damar: Just something to warm the bones. It's freezing in here.
Weyoun: The Founder prefers it that way.
Damar: I don't see why we should suffer. She hasn't been in here for days.
Weyoun: Feel free to dress warmly.
Damar: I wonder what she does in her quarters all day? She didn't look well the last time I saw her. I hope she's not ill.
Weyoun: How can a god be ill?
Damar: Maybe she's not a god.
Weyoun: Whether you believe the Founders are gods or not is irrelevant. All they require from you is obedience. Now. The Founder wants a subspace comm. link installled in her quarters.
Damar: I'll see to it.
Weyoun: A secure channel, separately encoded and isolated from the main communication array.
Damar: Why all the secrecy? Who's she going to be talking to?
Weyoun: That doesn't concern you.
Damar: No, of course it doesn't.
Ezri: Computer, override locking mechanism.
Computer: Authorisation?
Ezri: Authorisation Dax nine seven four alpha three.
Computer: Confirmed.
Worf: This bat'leth belonged to my father. I would like you to have it, Jadzia. Go. I will take care of Yoshi.
Jadzia: Worf, that's very sweet, but let's face it, you're not good with babies.
Worf: I am a Klingon warrior. I have stood in battle against Kelvans twice my size. I courted and won the heart of the magnificent Jadzia Dax. If I can do these things, I can make this child go to sleep. You come first. Before career, before duty, before anything.
Jadzia: I love you.
Worf: And I love you.
Jadzia: Worf, we may never see each other again. But before you leave, I want you to know that the answer is yes.
Worf: Yes? Yes to what?
Jadzia: Yes, I will marry you.
Worf: You must go to Sirella and beg her forgiveness.
Jadzia: I don't beg.
Sirella: Jadzia, daughter of Kela, does your heart beat only for this man?
Jadzia: Yes.
Sirella: And do you swear to join with him and stand with him against all who would oppose you?
Jadzia: I swear.
Sirella: And do you swear to join with him and stand with him against all who would oppose you?
Ezri: I swear.
Sisko: Colonel.
Kira: Captain, we have a problem. It's Ezri. She's gone.
Sisko: Gone?
Kira: There's a runabout missing.
O'Brien: She must've gotten it into her head to go looking for Worf.
Bashir: What could she be thinking?
Sisko: She's a Dax. Sometimes they don't think. They just do.
Ezri: I'm not spacesick, I'm not spacesick, I'm not.
Ezri: Uh oh.
Sisko: Sisko to Ganda. Ganda, respond.
Ezri: Ganda here. Tshh. I'm not reading you very well. There's tshh interference.
Sisko: Dax, turn that ship around and get back here.
Ezri: What was that, Benjamin?
Ezri: Tshh.
Sisko: Cut it out, old man. I'm not buying it.
Ezri: Tshh. Tshh.
Sisko: I gave you an order, Lieutenant.
Ezri: Don't worry, sir. I'll find him.
Kira: We can send the Defiant to bring her back.
Sisko: No. Let her go.
Kira: Captain?
Sisko: Send her a copy of the Defiant's sensor logs. There's no sense in her searching the area we did.
Kira: Aye, sir.
Odo: Sir, do you think there's any chance she'll be able to find him?
Sisko: I wish I could say yes.
Odo: Then may I ask why you're letting her do this?
Sisko: Because she needs to. And because she'd never forgive me if I stopped her.
Ezri: Computer, show me the position of the Koraga at the time it was attacked.
Ezri: Which escape pods were recovered?
Computer: The six starboard pods were recovered.
Ezri: Why none from the port side?
Computer: Unknown.
Ezri: Assuming someone made it to the port escape pod closest to the bridge, calculate its trajectory. Computer, take us to the coordinates where it would have entered the Badlands.
Computer: Acknowledged.
Ezri: Computer, cut all engines.
Computer: Warning. Without maneuvering thrusters, the ship may be swept into areas of plasma flare activity.
Ezri: I know. But with any luck, the currents will take us to the same place they took Worf. Cut the engines.
Kasidy: Ben, what are you doing up?
Sisko: I couldn't sleep.
Kasidy: Oh, it's coming along.
Sisko: I thought if I did some work, it'd take my mind off things.
Kasidy: If Worf is out there, she'll find him.
Sisko: So, what do you think?
Kasidy: It's going to be beautiful.
Sisko: These windows face south, toward the valley.
Kasidy: It'll be a nice view.
Sisko: Did you know there's a running stream on the property, and the soil is perfect for growing kava. I could make my own springwine.
Kasidy: The Emissary's Special Reserve. Could be a big seller.
Sisko: I can't decide whether I should open up this wall or keep the kitchen separate.
Kasidy: Open it up. Who wants to be locked away cooking when you've got guests over?
Sisko: A man needs to concentrate in the kitchen. You can't have people coming in and sticking their fingers in your pots.
Kasidy: It's your house.
Sisko: I want it to be our house. Let's get married.
Kasidy: Do you mean it?
Sisko: I love you.
Sisko: Does that mean yes?
Kasidy: What do you think?
Sisko: If you want to play hard to get. Ah ha.
Kasidy: What a beautiful ring.
Sisko: Kasidy Yates, will you marry me?
Kasidy: Yes. Yes, Mister Sisko. I will.
Computer: Warning. Plasma flow activity ahead.
Ezri: You're not kidding.
Computer: Re establishing engine control is recommended.
Ezri: No, let's sit tight. Our only hope of finding that escape pod is to follow the currents. Transfer all available power to the shields.
Computer: Acknowledged.
Ezri: Computer, hold position. Activate a tractor beam and lock onto that pod.
Ezri: Worf.
Worf: Ezri.
Ezri: You're hurt.
Worf: It is nothing.
Worf: You are alone.
Ezri: The Defiant was forced to call off its search because of the Jem'Hadar.
Worf: Why would Captain Sisko risk sending a runabout to look for me?
Ezri: He didn't. I came without his permission. You're a fellow officer. I would've done the same for Kira or Julian.
Worf: Of course.
Worf: I will do it myself.
Ezri: I'll contact the station and tell them we're on our way back.
Weyoun: Founder, it is an honor to be summoned to your presence. I trust the new communications system meets your needs?
Founder: It's adequate.
Weyoun: I'm glad. If I can be of any further assistance.
Founder: When the time comes. The vaccine. How is it progressing?
Weyoun: I regret that it failed to stabilize the latest sample you provided.
Founder: I see.
Weyoun: I have a team of Vorta doctors working night and day to find a cure.
Founder: Have them document their efforts and then eliminate them.
Weyoun: Founder?
Founder: Activate their clones and order them to continue their predecessors' work. Perhaps a fresh perspective will speed matters along.
Weyoun: Of course.
Founder: The Cardassians. What have you told them?
Weyoun: They know nothing.
Founder: Good. The sickness that has infected the Great Link is none of their concern. They may be our allies, but they are not to be trusted. We must not show weakness.
Weyoun: This unfortunate malady will soon be behind us. I won't rest until a cure is found.
Founder: See that you don't.
Weyoun: We'll require another sample.
Founder: Very well.
Founder: You may go now.
Sisko: So you approve?
Jake: Approve? I'm the one who set you up with Kasidy in the first place.
Sisko: Yes, so you did.
Jake: Practically had to twist your arm. A freighter captain? You want me to go out with a freighter captain?
Sisko: Ah, well, you have to admit, the job description conjures up a certain image.
Jake: You shouldn't have doubted me. I knew from the first time I met her that she was the woman for you.
Sisko: If you're going to take credit, you're also going to have to take on responsibilities.
Jake: Like what?
Sisko: Like being my best man.
Jake: Are you serious?
Sisko: Absolutely.
Jake: I mean, are you sure you don't want to ask Grandpa or Dax?
Sisko: No. No. So what do you say?
Jake: I'm honored. Best man, huh?
Sisko: Yes.
Jake: That means I get to plan the bachelor party.
Ezri: What are you doing?
Worf: I am realigning the inertial stabilizers.
Ezri: But didn't you just do that a few hours ago?
Worf: I want to make sure the systems are running at optimal efficiency.
Ezri: Right. So, what was it like being in that escape pod for so long?
Worf: Quiet.
Ezri: What'd you do to spend the time?
Worf: Nothing.
Ezri: Nothing? I bet the acoustics in there were pretty good. What'd you sing? Klingon opera?
Worf: I did not sing.
Ezri: Which one? Shevok'tah gish?
Worf: No. Gav'ot toh'va.
Ezri: Ambitious. The solos are for a tenor.
Worf: As you said, the acoustics were favorable.
Ezri: I remember the first night that you played that for Jadzia. I'm sorry.
Worf: No need to apologize. Though I would prefer we not discuss her.
Ezri: I understand. What about Alexander?
Worf: What about him?
Ezri: Is it all right if I ask about the son of Worf? I hear he's been made Weapons Officer of the Ya'Vang.
Worf: They were shorthanded.
Ezri: You make it sound like he didn't deserve it.
Worf: That was not my intention.
Ezri: Are you ever going to ease up on him?
Worf: My relationship with Alexander is not your concern.
Ezri: That's funny, because on our wedding night you told me that. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned our wedding night. I mean, Jadzia's wedding night. This is ridiculous. We can't have a conversation if you refuse to talk about the things that we have in common.
Worf: Perhaps we should not have a conversation.
Ezri: You have been avoiding me for the past six months now.
Worf: I did not ask you to come aboard the station.
Ezri: I would have left, but you told me to stay!
Worf: And I am beginning to regret it.
Ezri: If it wasn't for me, you'd still be drifting around in an escape pod singing Klingon opera.
Worf: Sensors are detecting two ships closing on our position.
Ezri: They're Jem'Hadar fighters.
Worf: I'm dropping out of warp.
Ezri: Is that a good idea?
Worf: We cannot outrun them. The Goralis system is nearby. We might be able to lose them there.
Ezri: They're coming in behind us.
Worf: Transfer auxiliary power to aft shields.
Ezri: Shields are down to thirty percent.
Worf: I am taking us into the atmosphere. Their ships are not designed for sub-orbital flight.
Worf: They are pulling away.
Ezri: Glad to hear it, but that last hit took out our starboard thrusters.
Worf: We are losing altitude.
Ezri: I can't compensate.
Worf: We must abandon ship.
Worf: Energize.
Ezri: That was a good call.
Worf: We may be here several days. I will reconnoiter the area. Set up a comm. link and try to contact the station.
Ezri: Right. Where's the comm. unit? You didn't take one?
Worf: I thought you did.
Ezri: No.
Worf: Now we have no way of contacting the station.
Ezri: Thanks for spelling it out for me. Look on the bright side. We'll have plenty of time to talk.
Sisko: No, I know. What do you say we have Bill Ross to perform the ceremony?
Kasidy: My mother would prefer for her daughter to be married by a minister. But an Admiral's the next best thing.
Sisko: That's good. I'll talk to him.
Kasidy: About the guest list. I wanted to keep it small, just family and friends.
Sisko: That's fine by me. There's only room for thirty or forty people in the wardroom.
Kasidy: That just leaves the menu.
Sisko: You mind if I ask Quark to do the catering?
Kasidy: Just make sure he doesn't overcharge us.
Sisko: I'll make sure I can cut a deal. Kasidy, what else do we need to talk about? I have the feeling we're forgetting something.
Kasidy: You tell me. You're the one who's been married before.
Sisko: That's just it. It felt a lot more complicated before.
Kasidy: People get carried away with weddings. I just want it to be nice and simple.
Sahgi: Excuse me, Emissary.
Sisko: Hello, Sahgi.
Sahgi: I wanted to congratulate both of you.
Kasidy: Well, aren't you sweet.
Sisko: Thank you.
Kasidy: Who told you we were getting married?
Sahgi: Everybody's talking about it. Can I be one of your dais bearers?
Kasidy: My what, honey?
Sahgi: For the bridal procession. I know you can only choose fifty one girls, but it would be such an honor for me.
Kasidy: Well, er
Sahgi: People are saying it's going to be the biggest wedding Bajor's ever seen.
Kasidy: They are?
Sahgi: The Emissary's getting married.
Kasidy: Ben?
Sisko: Kasidy, I think this is going to be a little more complicated than we thought.
Damar: What I wouldn't give to wipe the smirk off that little Vorta's face.
Damar: Still, power does have its privileges.
Damar: Dukat.
Dukat: Leave us.
Damar: Does Weyoun know you're here?
Dukat: I see he still has you under his thumb.
Damar: My concern is for you. The last time you saw him, you made certain promises. Promises you weren't able to keep.
Dukat: I may have failed to reopen the wormhole, but I assure you I have no regrets. You see, I've come to know the love of the Pah wraiths.
Damar: You almost sound as if you believe it.
Dukat: I do.
Damar: What brings you here?
Dukat: I've come to see you, old friend. I need your help.
Damar: I'm afraid you have an exaggerated sense of my importance.
Dukat: Damar.
Damar: But I'll do what I can.
Dukat: I knew you would.
Worf: Dinner.
Ezri: Why'd you have to kill a defenseless animal. We have plenty of field rations.
Worf: I have been eating field rations for six days. I am sick of field rations.
Ezri: So you traipsed off into the jungle and phasered yourself something to eat.
Worf: I did not use a phaser. I used this.
Ezri: Oh, well that makes it all the more sporting.
Worf: It took me hours to track this animal. And while doing so, I could have easily been attacked by a predator myself.
Ezri: Oh, spare me the one with nature speech.
Worf: I killed it and now I am going to eat it. If you do not want any, then have some more field rations.
Ezri: Fine.
Worf: Jadzia would have understood.
Ezri: Oh, I thought we weren't supposed to talk about her.
Worf: I was merely making an observation. Have you been able to boost the comm. badge signal?
Ezri: Not enough to get a message back to the station. I'll bet Jadzia would've been able to do it. I was merely making an observation.
Worf: Perhaps we should both refrain from making observations.
Ezri: You're right. Let's just go about our business and exchange as few words as possible. What is it about men? They either don't talk at all, like you, or they talk too much, like Boday.
Worf: Boday? The Gallamite?
Ezri: We had dinner on the station before I left.
Worf: I see. If he talks so much, why would you have dinner with him?
Ezri: He's interesting. And he's got a good sense of humor.
Worf: Tell me. Did Jadzia, did she and Boday?
Ezri: I don't have to answer that question.
Worf: She did.
Ezri: Worf, she didn't even know you back then.
Worf: I do not wish to hear your excuses.
Ezri: My excuses? I'm not the one who slept with him.
Worf: You had dinner with him.
Ezri: Who are you angry with? Me or Jadzia?
Worf: Both.
Ezri: You know what? You're crazy.
Worf: You could make anyone crazy.
Ezri: Don't turn your back. Talk to me, you coward.
Worf: Do not call me a coward.
Ezri: I can't believe I'm stuck here with you.
Worf: Perhaps you would rather be on the station with Captain Boday, you sli'vak.
Worf: Ezri?
Ezri: Where are we?
Worf: I am not certain.
Worf: Why would the Breen take us prisoner? We are not at war with them.
Ezri: What were they doing on Goralis? That's a long way from Breen space. Ow.
Worf: You must have gotten hurt when they stunned us.
Ezri: Actually, I think it happened last night.
Worf: You do not regret what happened last night, do you?
Ezri: Why do you say that?
Worf: Jadzia explained to me that joined Trill are not supposed to become involved with anyone they were intimate with in a previous life.
Ezri: I bet you've broken a few Klingon rules in your time.
Ezri: What's that?
Worf: We must be on a Breen ship.
Weyoun: The Federation has pulled the Sixth Fleet from the Bolian front. What do you suppose they're planning? Damar.
Damar: Yes?
Weyoun: What's wrong with you? You're distracted.
Damar: Am I?
Weyoun: You've been pacing back and forth all morning.
Damar: Just trying to keep warm.
Cardassian: Legate Damar, please report to your quarters.
Damar: Acknowledged. Excuse me.
Weyoun: If you think I don't know what you're up to, you're a bigger fool than Dukat.
Damar: Dukat?
Weyoun: He used to entertain lady friends as well.
Damar: Guilty as charged.
Dukat: That surgeon you recommended does excellent work. What do you think?
Damar: Let's hope she does as well when it comes time to reverse the procedure.
Dukat: Believe me, Damar, I have no desire to be a Bajoran the rest of my life. But for now, I'm afraid it's necessary.
Sisko: Personal log, stardate 52576.2. Dax and Worf are four days overdue. Dominion activity at their last known position has prevented us from sending a search team. For the time being, there's nothing to do but wait and hope that they're all right.
Sisko: Why have you brought me here? Show yourselves.
Sarah: You are the Sisko.
Sisko: Sarah?
Sarah: You must accept your destiny.
Sarah: Your path is a difficult one. She can not share it with you.
Sisko: Are you talking about Kasidy?
Sarah: She cannot walk the same path.
Sisko: You don't understand. I love her. We're going to be married.
Sarah: That is not your destiny.
Sisko: My destiny is my own. I'm a man. I have the right to live my life without your interference.
Sarah: I gave you life.
Sisko: Sarah Sisko was my mother, not you.
Sarah: I shared her existence, guided her to your father. So that you would be born.
Sarah: You must walk the path alone.
Sisko: You're not listening to me. I want to spend my life with her.
Sarah: If you do, you will know nothing but sorrow.
Sisko: You don't care about how I feel. All that matters to you is that I do what you want.
Sarah: You are the Sisko. You are part of me.
Sisko: If that's true, if you really do care about me, if you consider me your son, then let me have this.
Sarah: It is not for you to have. There are many tasks still ahead of you. Accept your fate. Your greatest trial is about to begin. Don't be afraid.
Sarah: All will be as it should be.
Sisko: Mother.
Sarah: Stay on the path, Benjamin.