Flith: Raimus isn't going to be happy about this.
Krole: What are you going to do?
Bilby: I don't know. And don't you mean what are we going to do?
Krole: Raimus told you to get the merchandise.
Bilby: I'll figure something out.
Flith: You'd better.
Bilby: I said I'll figure it out. I'm hungry.
Flith: Let's have Krellan food.
Bilby: No. Last time that gave me heartburn.
Flith: That's because you eat too fast.
Bilby: I eat when I'm hungry. And when I'm hungry, I eat fast.
Flith: If you're not careful that appetite of yours is going to kill you someday.
Bilby: Don't get your hopes up.
Bilby: Hey, we're using that comm. booth. Go. Order some nozala sandwiches.
Computer: Computer accessed.
Bilby: Get them to deliver some extra vilm sauce.
Krole: Who should I bill this time?
Bilby: I don't care who pays for it, just so as long as it isn't us.
Flith: How about the police?
Krole: No, we billed them for last night's dinner.
Flith: Municipal Sanitation. Do you have their account code?
Krole: I will, in a minute.
Bilby: Krole!
O'Brien: Don't! Don't touch him. He's being spiked.
Bilby: You all right? They spiked him. They spiked him over a free lunch. What's this city coming to?
Krole: Look at this. Fused.
O'Brien: Too bad. That's an expensive piece of hardware.
Flith: What are we going to do?
Bilby: Don't you mean what is Krole going to do?
Krole: I can't go to Raimus and ask him to pay for a replacement.
O'Brien: Well, it might not be as bad as it seems.
Bilby: Are you saying you can fix it?
O'Brien: It depends.
Bilby: On what?
O'Brien: How much you're willing to pay.
Bilby: Do you know who I am?
O'Brien: No.
Bilby: Well if you did, you wouldn't ask that.
O'Brien: All right. Who are you?
Bilby: Listen, Mister?
O'Brien: Connelly.
Bilby: I've seen you around here these last few weeks. You're always in here, tinkering around with one piece of junk or another, which tells me that things are not going too well for you. Now, here's my advice to you. Give them to me. You take these. You bring them back tomorrow morning fixed and polished.
O'Brien: Tomorrow morning it is.
O'Brien: Bilby asked me to fix these for him.
Chadwick: I'm impressed. I don't think anyone's managed to make contact with the Orion Syndicate so quickly. How'd you do it?
O'Brien: I spiked one of his men while he was interfacing.
Chadwick: That was a risky thing to do.
O'Brien: Well, maybe. But I had to get noticed. I want to get this mission over with and go home.
Chadwick: I realize you didn't exactly volunteer for this. Believe me, I wish we hadn't been forced to turn to someone outside Starfleet Intelligence for help.
O'Brien: Me, too.
Chadwick: The Syndicate killed another one of our undercover operatives last week.
O'Brien: That makes five in the last year.
Chadwick: We need you to find out who their informant in Starfleet is. Once you give me the name, I'll put you on the next transport home.
O'Brien: So, what do you want me to do now?
Chadwick: Bilby's going to check into your background. Whatever he finds will confirm that you're a fix-it man down on your luck. Stick to that cover. The Syndicate is always looking for people with your skills. If Bilby offers you more work, take it. Get as close to him as possible.
O'Brien: Right.
Chadwick: O'Brien. Don't take any more unnecessary risks. These are dangerous men. If they find out who you are, they'll kill you.
Quark: Major, I'm sorry
Odo: Excuse me, Major ODO + Odo: Go ahead.
Quark: There's something wrong with
Odo: I need a
Kira: All right. You first, then you.
Odo: I need an engineering crew to run a diagnostic on the internal security sensors. There's been an unusual number of false alarms lately.
Kira: I'll have someone take a look as soon as possible. Now, Quark.
Quark: There's something wrong with the fire suppression system in the bar. Every time I serve a flaming cocktail, the system engages and snuffs it out.
Kira: I'll put it on the list.
Quark: Please do. You have no idea what people are willing to pay for a glass of burning alcohol.
Bashir: Excuse me. Major?
Kira: Oh, let me guess. There's a malfunction in the Infirmary.
Bashir: How did you know?
Worf: Major, there is something wrong with the turbolift.
Kira: I can see that.
Dax: We seem to be having a lot of system glitches.
Kira: It happens every time Chief O'Brien goes away.
Worf: I do not understand why his staff cannot keep the station running in his absence.
Quark: He must have left my idiot brother in charge.
Kira: The engineering crew are doing the best they can.
Dax: The problem is no one knows how the Chief keeps all this Federation and Cardassian technology working together.
Quark: We've got to do something. This can't go on.
Sisko: Sorry, I can't discuss the Chief's whereabouts.
Bashir: I understand that, sir, but it's getting ridiculous, isn't it? How much longer are we supposed to put up with these malfunctions?
Sisko: You know, I wouldn't surprise me if Major Kira or Commander Worf came in here demanding answers. But you? It's not your style.
Bashir: Apparently it is. Here I am.
Sisko: I'm not buying it, Doctor. You didn't come in here to complain. You came in here because you are worried about your friend and you want me to set your mind at ease. I wish I could. But if it helps, I will tell you this. The Chief can take care of himself about as well as anyone I know.
Bashir: You're right about that, sir. You're right about that.
Bilby: Did you fix it?
Krole: Any feedback?
Bilby: Feedback gives him a headache.
O'Brien: No, there's no feedback.
Krole: Well, we'll see, won't we?
O'Brien: I told you.
Bilby: Very impressive. You know, if I was a suspicious man I might ask myself how a tinkerer living in one room on Jinami Street managed to fix such a complicated piece of hardware so quickly.
Flith: Good question.
O'Brien: How do you know where I live?
Bilby: I know a lot about you. Maybe more than you want me to. Come with me.
O'Brien: Where are we going?
Bilby: For a walk.
Bilby: Have a seat. Not there.
Bilby: Chester doesn't like people sitting in his chair. Don't touch anything.
Bilby: Something wrong?
O'Brien: You tell me.
Bilby: Did you think I brought you here to kill you? Why would I kill somebody that can fix things for me? I guess a man that's been knocked around as much as you have is always expecting the worst, huh?
O'Brien: Well, I've pretty much had to get used to the idea that I've got bad luck.
Bilby: Yeah, that was a tough break on Dayos Four. Two years for dealing in stolen goods?
O'Brien: I didn't know they were stolen. I guess I should've asked the guy I bought it from, huh?
Bilby: Who's to say he'd have told you the truth. Take this, for example. My employer asked me to get three Klingon disruptors for him. Did the man I bought them from tell me they didn't work? No, he did not. Have a look.
O'Brien: The induction coil is burned out.
Bilby: Can you fix it?
O'Brien: Sure.
Bilby: I'm glad to hear it. It's going to make my employer very happy.
O'Brien: What does he want with Klingon disruptors?
Bilby: I didn't ask him. When Raimus tells you to do something, you just do it. You hungry?
O'Brien: A little.
Bilby: Have some cake. My wife sent it.
O'Brien: No, thanks.
Bilby: Go ahead.
O'Brien: It's good.
Bilby: Yeah, she makes it herself. This is her. These are my children.
O'Brien: Oh, great. Where are they?
Bilby: They're in New Sydney. I'd love to have them here on Farius, but considering the business I'm in, it's not a good idea. You got a family?
O'Brien: No.
Bilby: You should. It's the most important thing. I send them everything. I pay my fare to Raimus, the rest goes straight to my wife.
O'Brien: Your fare?
Bilby: Yeah, to Raimus, every month. That's the way it works. He's above me in the organization. You do know what organization I'm referring to, don't you.
O'Brien: I think so.
Bilby: Good. Krole and Flith, the gentlemen you met earlier, they're below me.
O'Brien: Lucky them.
Bilby: If you fix these disruptors for me, you could be lucky, too.
O'Brien: That's good to know.
Bilby: Don't misunderstand. I'm not promising anything. I just need to be sure I can trust you first. Have some more cake.
O'Brien: No, thanks.
Bilby: I thought you said you were hungry.
O'Brien: I'm all right.
Bilby: What's the matter? Don't you like my wife's cake?
O'Brien: I didn't say that.
Bilby: So answer me. Do you like my wife's cake?
O'Brien: To tell you the truth, it's a little dry.
Bilby: You're right. It is. Had you wondering which way to jump, didn't I? You know, Krole and Flith, they always act as if it's the best thing they ever tasted. Hey, what do you make of that, Chester? I've found me an honest man. Must be my lucky day.
Chadwick: The induction coils you asked for, courtesy of the Klingon Ambassador to Farius.
O'Brien: There's a Klingon Ambassador here? Gowron mustn't like him too much.
Chadwick: Do you have any idea why Raimus wants these disruptors?
O'Brien: No. Bilby doesn't even know. Listen, is there any way I could talk to my wife and let her know I'm all right?
Chadwick: We can't risk it. I'm sorry.
O'Brien: I'd better be going.
Krole: Flith, go stand over there.
Flith: Why?
Krole: I want to see if he really fixed this.
Flith: Very funny.
Bilby: Contact Raimus. Tell him we have the disruptors. Good job.
Flith: I'm curious about something. How did you get a hold of replacement parts? Klingon technology isn't easy to come by.
O'Brien: Ah, you know, you have to know who to go to.
Flith: Why don't you enlighten us in case we need to procure something else?
O'Brien: I've got a better idea. Why don't you stay out of my business?
Bilby: Tell us where you got the parts. We can always use a good contact.
O'Brien: I can't.
Bilby: Why not?
O'Brien: Well, my supplier would rather remain anonymous.
Bilby: I don't care about your supplier. I'm asking the question.
O'Brien: I told him I wouldn't.
Bilby: Where did you get the parts!
O'Brien: I stole them.
Bilby: You stole them?
O'Brien: Yeah. From a warehouse down on Degora Street.
Bilby: Why didn't you just say so?
O'Brien: I thought it was better if you didn't know, you know, in case the police caught up with me.
Bilby: You lied to me because you didn't want me to be implicated?
O'Brien: Yeah. I'm sorry.
Bilby: Did you hear that? He's willing to protect me if he gets caught. Try hard as I may, I can't imagine either of you willing to do that. Hey, you know something? I think it's time we did something about the way you look.
Bilby: Now that's more like it. I think you look great, Connolly. What do you think, Krole?
Krole: He looks fine.
Bilby: What are you talking about? I took him to the same tailor that I use.
Krole: You look fine, too.
O'Brien: Nice handkerchief.
Yint: I understand you've been looking for me.
Bilby: That's right.
Yint: I take it you're in the market for something.
Bilby: Well if I was, I wouldn't buy anything from a man that sold me three useless disruptors.
Yint: You know me better than that.
Bilby: I thought I did.
Yint: Those disruptors were working fine when I gave them to you. What happened after that, I don't know. Perhaps you dropped them?
Bilby: I want my money back.
Yint: You know I can't do that. You took delivery.
Bilby: Let me get something straight. You're telling me there was nothing wrong with this when you sold it to me?
Yint: That's correct.
Bilby: Well, maybe I just don't know how to work it.
Yint: That must be it.
Bilby: What do you know? I figured it out.
O'Brien: Bilby!
Bilby: Do you know what would've happened if I'd given Raimus three useless disruptors? He'd have killed me.
Yint: If you want your money back, you can have it.
Bilby: Why would I want my money back? It works fine now.
Bilby: No one takes me for a fool. I'll do whatever it takes to protect what I have. This life, it isn't for everyone. Sometimes I wish I could just get away from it all. But what would I do with myself? I'm too old to start over. Besides, who am I to complain? The organization's given me opportunities I never thought I'd have. Once you're part of it, once you're accepted, there's no limit to what you can do if you're smart about it.
O'Brien: Smart and careful.
Bilby: Glad you're paying attention. I mean, we've got people everywhere. Even on Earth. Hell, we've even got a man in Starfleet.
O'Brien: Come on. Starfleet?
Bilby: That's correct. Hey, would you do me a favor? Would you remind me to pick up a present for my daughter tomorrow? She's got a birthday coming up.
O'Brien: Sure thing.
Bilby: I want to be there. Sure hope I can make it.
O'Brien: How did you get to someone in Starfleet?
Bilby: It wasn't me, it was Raimus. Hey, do you want to come to New Sydney with me? Meet my family?
O'Brien: If you go, yeah. How did he do it?
Bilby: What's with all the questions?
O'Brien: Nothing. I just find it hard to believe that someone in Starfleet could be bought. Makes me wonder if he's a double-agent.
Bilby: A double-agent? Then why would he have given us the names of all their undercover operatives? Don't worry, he's the real thing. Raimus met him when he was vacationing on Risa last year. Mister Starfleet was in charge of the weather control system. Raimus offered him a very substantial amount of money to make it stop raining.
O'Brien: Well, everyone has their price, I guess.
Bilby: It's Krole. Raimus wants to see me.
O'Brien: What, in the middle of the night?
Raimus: Bilby.
Bilby: Raimus.
Raimus: I've brought someone here to meet you.
Vorta: I hope I didn't get you gentlemen out of bed.
Raimus: Bilby, who is this?
Bilby: He's someone I know.
Raimus: I've never seen him before. How well do you know him?
Bilby: I know him.
Raimus: Then it's settled.
Vorta: Is that the extent of your security precautions?
Raimus: Bilby witnessed for him. That's all that's necessary.
Vorta: If you say so. So, this is Bilby. He seems capable enough.
Raimus: I told you.
Vorta: I wanted to see for myself. You procured the disruptors for us.
Bilby: That's right.
Vorta: We're going to ask you to do something else. Something very important.
Bilby: You can count on me.
Vorta: I hope so. We'll contact you when it's time.
Raimus: Don't let me down.
Bilby: I won't.
Vorta: Raimus.
Raimus: My love to your family.
Bilby: Do you know what I just did for you?
O'Brien: I think so.
Bilby: I witnessed for you. If anything happens, I'm accountable.
O'Brien: I understand.
Bilby: Good.
Chadwick: Nice suit.
O'Brien: Bilby got it for me.
Chadwick: That was generous.
O'Brien: He's like that. I found out who the informer is. Bilby told me he was in charge of the weather control system on Risa about a year ago.
Chadwick: It should be easy enough to figure out who that was.
O'Brien: Yeah.
Chadwick: Something wrong?
O'Brien: Raimus brought someone to meet with Bilby. A Vorta.
Chadwick: You're telling me that the Orion Syndicate is working for the Dominion?
O'Brien: Opens up a lot of possibilities, doesn't it?
Chadwick: None of them very pleasant.
O'Brien: So do I get to go home now?
Chadwick: Not until you find out what's going on.
O'Brien: I was afraid you were going to say that.
Krole: All right. I've accessed the bank's data files.
O'Brien: I'm reading a three tier security protocol.
Krole: I see it.
O'Brien: It looks like an isolation matrix is protecting the data. You'll have to bypass the encryption lockouts.
Krole: You make it sound so easy.
O'Brien: Watch out for recursive dataloops. You don't want to get diverted into a backflow.
Krole: I'm past the lockouts.
O'Brien: Sweep the matrix. Give me an access point.
Krole: Stand by. Go.
O'Brien: Initiating data transfer.
Krole: Faster.
O'Brien: I'm trying.
Krole: I can't hold the matrix open much longer.
Flith: Hurry!
O'Brien: Got it. Get us out, Krole. Faster. They're tracing you.
Krole: The lockouts are closing.
O'Brien: Move.
Bilby: Come on!
Krole: I'm out.
O'Brien: We did it.
Flith: Gentlemen, we just robbed the Bank of Bolias.
Bilby: I was thinking about opening an account there.
O'Brien: Maybe you should go with a different bank.
Bilby: One with better security.
Bilby: What do you think?
O'Brien: Very nice, but, er
Bilby: But what?
O'Brien: I don't want to, you know
Bilby: What do you mean, you don't want to? I brought her here for you.
O'Brien: I appreciate that, but, but
Bilby: But what? Don't tell me you don't like girls?
O'Brien: I have a girlfriend.
Bilby: Since when?
O'Brien: A few days. A week. I don't know.
Bilby: That's great. Why didn't you say anything?
O'Brien: I don't know. It didn't come up.
Bilby: Listen, I understand. But that's no reason to hurt this girl's feelings.
O'Brien: Er, we've got some business to discuss so why don't you go on ahead home and I'll call you in a couple of days. Okay?
O'Brien: Thanks for coming over. It was really nice to meet you.
Bilby: So who is she? This new girl?
O'Brien: Her name's Kimiko.
Bilby: Where'd you meet her?
O'Brien: She works in a flower shop. Arranging flowers.
Bilby: Well, bring her by sometime. I'd like to meet her.
O'Brien: Yeah, I will.
Bilby: A man your age, you should settle down and have a family. It's the most important thing.
O'Brien: I don't know if it's that serious yet.
Bilby: You let me talk to her for three minutes, I'll let you know if she's the marrying kind. I can read people right away. What's in their hearts. You, for instance. I saw through you the first time I laid eyes on you.
O'Brien: Oh, yeah?
Bilby: I don't think I've ever seen anyone so alone in my entire life. I said to myself, that man, he doesn't have a friend in the quadrant. Flith and Krole, they thought you were a snake.
O'Brien: Really?
Bilby: But I knew better. When you came back the next day with that dataport repaired, that's when I knew we're going to do great things together. I'm about to take a step up in the organization. Raimus is giving me an opportunity and I'm going to make the best of it. Everything's changing. I can feel it. It all started when you came along. You changed my luck.
O'Brien: I thought you changed mine.
Bilby: I'm going to take care of you. I don't forget my friends, because friends, they're like family. Nothing's more important. Nothing.
Chadwick: You're late. I was beginning to worry.
O'Brien: Sorry.
Chadwick: That's all right. I imagine the Dominion is keeping you busy.
O'Brien: Nah, nothing's happened with that yet. I was just doing something with Bilby.
Chadwick: Anything worth reporting?
O'Brien: We went to the races. We came out ahead.
Chadwick: Oh, I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your assignment.
O'Brien: Well, you told me to get close to him. He wanted to go, so I went with him.
Chadwick: No need to explain. I've been under cover.
O'Brien: Bilby's witnessed for me.
Chadwick: Sounds like you've really got your hooks in him.
O'Brien: What's going to happen to him when you pull me out?
Chadwick: That's nothing that you need to think about.
O'Brien: They're going to kill him, aren't they.
Chadwick: Listen. Bilby chose this life. Whatever happens to him is his fault, not yours. Besides, if he's lucky we'll get to him before they do. He'll be safe in a Federation prison. Just help us build a good case against him.
O'Brien: All right.
Bilby: Good morning, Graife.
Bilby: Raimus. I didn't know you were coming.
Raimus: I can see that.
Bilby: Well, let me get you something. Graife, make us a strong pot of
Raimus: Bilby, not right now. This isn't a social visit.
Vorta: Which one is it? Wait. Don't tell me. Let me see if I can guess. They say you can tell a traitor by looking in his eyes. Do you think that's true, Bilby?
Bilby: I wouldn't know. Raimus, what's this all about?
Raimus: What does it look like?
Vorta: If you ask me, none of them look particularly trustworthy.
Bilby: Raimus.
Raimus: Not now.
Bilby: But.
Raimus: I said not now.
Vorta: Him.
Flith: I've been saying so all along.
Bilby: Raimus, this is crazy. He doesn't know what he's talking about.
Vorta: He was going to be my second guess.
O'Brien: What did he do?
Raimus: Let's just say he conducted some business on the side and neglected to pay his fare.
O'Brien: I see.
Raimus: It's a good thing you never witnessed for him or you'd be lying there too, Bilby.
Bilby: Yeah.
Vorta: Well, now that that's out of the way, shall we discuss the matter at hand?
Raimus: We mentioned we might ask you to do something for us.
Bilby: Yeah, whatever you need.
Vorta: So accommodating. He reminds me of a Jem'Hadar.
Raimus: We want you to assassinate the Klingon Ambassador to Farius.
Bilby: All right.
Vorta: And you'll use the disruptors you procured earlier.
O'Brien: You want it to look like he was killed by a rival House?
Bilby: Connelly!
Vorta: It's all right. Very astute. Do you know much about political affairs?
O'Brien: Not really.
Vorta: Well then, allow me to enlighten you. The Ambassador has been advocating that the Klingons break off their alliance with the Federation and concentrate on defending the Empire against the Dominion. Chancellor Gowron, on the other hand, is adamantly committed to the alliance.
O'Brien: You're going to make it look like Gowron ordered the assassination.
Vorta: Exactly. The Ambassador will be seen as a martyr and his cause will gain strength. If all goes well, the Klingons will retreat into their own territory and then all we'll have to deal with is the Federation.
O'Brien: Makes sense.
Vorta: I'm glad you think so. Needless to say, it is very important that the Dominion's part in this remain secret.
Raimus: If something goes wrong and you're captured, you never met our friend here.
Bilby: I understand.
Raimus: I knew I could count on you.
Vorta: I never realized how much the Dominion and the Orion Syndicate have in common. It seems that in both organizations, loyalty is everything.
Chadwick: How are they planning to get past the Embassy's security?
O'Brien: Bilby asked me the same thing. I figured out a way to interrupt the power grid for a few seconds. Bilby and his men will be able to beam in before the backup generator kicks in.
Chadwick: When is this supposed to happen?
O'Brien: Tonight.
Chadwick: I'll contact the Klingons so they can be ready for them.
O'Brien: What are you talking about? If the Klingons get their hands on Bilby and his men, they'll kill them.
Chadwick: That's not really our business, is it?
O'Brien: You're setting them up to be murdered?
Chadwick: You have things backwards. Bilby and his friends are the ones that murder people. Not us.
O'Brien: Oh yeah, we just get Klingons to do it for us.
Chadwick: All I'm doing is following procedures and warning our allies about a possible assassination attempt. What happens after that is not my concern. But believe me, if the Klingons go after Raimus and the Orion Syndicate, I won't shed any tears.
O'Brien: I'm sure you won't.
Chadwick: Miles, listen to me. You've lost perspective. You're starting to sympathize with these people. It's good that we're pulling you out.
O'Brien: Pulling me out?
Chadwick: We're putting you on the next transport home. Your assignment's over.
O'Brien: You told me we were going to make a case against Bilby. You told me he was going to prison!
Chadwick: I'm sorry. I didn't want to mislead you, but you were starting to waver. I needed to keep you on track. Come on. Let's get you home.
O'Brien: Chadwick.
Bilby: Here you go, Chester.
Bilby: Who could that be?
Bilby: Did you come to see me off?
O'Brien: We need to talk.
Bilby: Have to wait. I was just leaving.
O'Brien: You can't go.
Bilby: What are you talking about?
O'Brien: Look, just trust me. You can't go.
Bilby: Why not?
O'Brien: It's a trap. Listen to me. The Klingons know what you're planning to do.
Bilby: That's impossible.
O'Brien: Someone traced my signal when I accessed the power grid.
Bilby: I saw you access the grid. You cut off the trace.
O'Brien: No, they just made me think I had.
Bilby: You're panicking. Try not to worry so much.
O'Brien: You're the one who should be worried. Do you have any idea what the Klingons will do to you when they catch you?
Bilby: They're not going to catch me.
O'Brien: Yes, they will! Starfleet Intelligence will warn them you're coming.
Bilby: How do you know that? I suppose you work for them.
O'Brien: What if I said I did.
Bilby: Very good. You had me. I mean, just for a minute there I actually thought you were working for Starfleet.
O'Brien: I am.
Bilby: Come on, That's enough. You had me. I admit it.
O'Brien: I am working for Starfleet.
Bilby: That's enough! I don't want to hear it. Do you understand me? I don't want to hear it. Why'd you have to come here? Why'd you have to tell me that?
O'Brien: I couldn't just let you go. The Klingons will kill you.
Bilby: I'm dead already. Can't you see that? I witnessed for you. Do you have any idea what that means?
O'Brien: What if I can get you off Farius, find you a place to hide?
Bilby: There's no hiding from the Syndicate. You know that.
O'Brien: Well then, turn yourself in. You'll be safe in prison.
Bilby: No! They'd go after my family. They'd make an example of me. Raimus may leave them alone if he thinks that I died not knowing about you.
O'Brien: But you can't just let them kill you.
Bilby: What choice do I have? How did I let this happen? I should have known. You were too good to be true. I wanted so much to believe that my luck had changed, I didn't see it. I didn't see it.
O'Brien: I never meant for this to happen. I wasn't after you. I was just trying to find out how the Syndicate compromised Starfleet.
Bilby: I wasn't even your target. I suppose I'm not important enough. I've always known something like this might happen. The smart thing would be to kill you, but I guess I've already proved I'm not too smart.
O'Brien: I'm sorry, Bilby.
Bilby: You'll never know how little comfort that is. If it's not too much trouble, will you make sure Chester is looked after? Be good. Mind I ask you something? Back home, wherever that is, do you have a family?
O'Brien: Yeah.
Bilby: Good. It's the most important thing.
O'Brien: I'll never forget the look on his face when he found out who I really was.
Bashir: Well, you took an enormous risk by telling him. He could have killed you.
O'Brien: I knew he wouldn't.
Bashir: Well, all I can say is that you're lucky Chadwick decided not to put everything in his report.
O'Brien: Julian, don't you understand what I'm trying to tell you. Bilby trusted me. He put his life in my hands and I killed him just as surely as if I'd pulled the trigger myself.
Bashir: That's not fair and you know it. You did what you had to do. Your duty.
O'Brien: Is that what I'm supposed to tell myself?
Bashir: It is the truth. Look, I'm sorry that I don't have all the answers. All I know for sure is that I'm glad you're back.


Dax: Sell at twenty.
Quark: Is that a joke?
Dax: Do I look like I'm joking?
Quark: Evade.
Dax: Exchange at fifteen.
Worf: She has him.
O'Brien: She's down fifty strips.
Worf: Not for long.
O'Brien: What makes you so sure?
Worf: Jadzia is playing a very deep game. Her strategy will become apparent any moment now.
O'Brien: I see. You have absolutely no idea how this game is played, do you?
Worf: No. But I have developed a new appreciation for it.
O'Brien: Since when?
Worf: Since I married a tongo player. But one thing I am certain about, she will defeat the Ferengi bartender.
O'Brien: I don't know about that. Quark's on a roll. In the last month, he's won two hundred and six straight games.
Worf: Would you care to make a wager on the outcome?
O'Brien: I wouldn't want to bet against a man's wife.
Worf: If you are afraid, I
O'Brien: Name your stakes.
Worf: One bottle of bloodwine against one bottle of scotch whiskey.
O'Brien: Done.
Dax: A sale at fifty and a purchase at one hundred.
Quark: Pretty big talk for a woman who's lost fifty strips.
Dax: Are you afraid I can't cover my bets?
Quark: Perish the thought. I just hate to kick somebody when they're down. I'll buy at a hundred and confront.
Dax: Well, if you're going to kick me, I'm going to have to kick back.
Quark: Unbelievable!
Worf: Eshta, par'machkai. I like my bloodwine very young and very sweet.
Quark: Is he a friend of yours?
Dax: Just a fan.
Quark: I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint all your fans.
Dax: A full consortium?
O'Brien: Two hundred and seven. A single malt, preferably something from the Highlands.
Worf: I will need some time.
O'Brien: Oh, your credit's good. Two hundred and seven straight.
Quark: Thirty six strips of gold pressed latinum.
Dax: Did you just lose a bet?
Worf: It is of no consequence.
Dax: I'm sorry about that.
Worf: I would rather lose a bet on you than win on someone else.
Dax: Ooo, good response.
Dax: Are you still running that drill tomorrow afternoon?
Worf: I was planning to. Why?
Dax: Because I wanted to recalibrate the external sensors before the nightwatch comes on duty.
Worf: We should be done by sixteen hundred.
Dax: I think that'll work. Oh, the Sutherland is going to be here the day after tomorrow and
Worf: What were you saying?
Dax: Nothing.
Dax: I don't feel like talking anymore.
Kira: Kira to Worf.
Worf: Worf here.
Kira: Sorry to bother you, Commander, but I need to see you and Jadzia in the Captain's office immediately.
Worf: We're on our way.
Worf: Jadzia, get up.
Dax: I'm coming.
Dax: Hey!
Kira: We don't have a lot of time, so I'll get right to it. For the last two months, Starfleet has been receiving military intelligence from a Cardassian operative. That operative has now sent an emergency signal indicating he needs to speak to someone in a face to face conversation. In thirteen hours, he'll beam an encrypted subspace transmission to these coordinates in the Badlands.
Dax: Who is the operative?
Kira: Intelligence told me that his name is Lasaran, but that's all they'd say about him. They did emphasize several times that he's very important to them and we should send someone to the Badlands as soon as possible. So, with the Defiant gone and most of the runabouts off on exercises with the Ninth Fleet
Dax: We just volunteered to take a trip to the Badlands.
Kira: Afraid so. The Shenandoah is prepped and ready to go on landing pad A. Good luck.
Dax: No.
Worf: No?
Dax: No. I'm not going to spend two weeks hiking across Vulcan's Forge in the middle of their summer.
Worf: I thought you always wanted to see the Forge.
Dax: See it, yes. Honeymoon there, no.
Worf: Well, there's a mountain climbing expedition on Andor that caught my attention.
Dax: Worf, my love. Let me make this very clear. I do not want to spend my honeymoon climbing, hiking, sweating, bleeding or suffering in any way.
Worf: All right, what do you want?
Dax: Room service.
Worf: Room service?
Dax: Room service. I want to be pampered. I want a staff to cater to our every whim. I want to be embarrassed by the size of our room. I want a balcony with a view that would make you want to break down and cry from the sheer beauty of it all. And I don't want to spend one moment of our honeymoon suffering from anything except guilt about our complete self-indulgence.
Worf: Risa.
Dax: Not this time. Welcome to Casperia Prime. The vacation capital of the Horvian Cluster.
Worf: You have been planning this all along.
Dax: Seemed fair. You did plan the wedding.
Worf: Very well. Room service.
Dax: Really?
Worf: Really.
Dax: Well that was easy.
Worf: Did you want to fight over it?
Dax: No. It's just I didn't expect you to surrender so quickly.
Worf: Surrender?
Dax: Bad word.
Worf: Very bad.
Dax: Okay. But you have to admit you've been unusually accommodating lately.
Worf: What is wrong with that?
Dax: Nothing. It's just unusual. Are you feeling all right?
Worf: I'm a married man. I have to make certain adjustments to my lifestyle.
Dax: Adjustments? Worf, you're practically easygoing. What's next, a sense of humor?
Worf: I have a sense of humor. On the Enterprise, I was considered to be quite amusing.
Dax: That must've been one dull ship.
Worf: That is a joke. I get it. It is not funny, but I get it.
Dax: I don't know if I can get used to the new you. It's kind of eerie.
Worf: Your problem is you cannot accept change.
Dax: I can't accept change?
Worf: That is correct.
Dax: Oh, you've got to be kidding. I've changed bodies six times, Worf.
Worf: Yes, but you are still very set in your ways.
Dax: And look who's talking.
Worf: Well, I do not have to sleep on the same side of the bed every night, or brush my hair exactly fifty strokes every night, or eat the same thing for breakfast every day, or read the last page of a book before the beginning, or lift up the
Dax: I get the point. I don't know how you can live with someone so monotonous.
Worf: It is not easy. That was a joke.
Dax: This is going to be a very, very long trip.
O'Brien: Come in.
Bashir: You're not dressed.
O'Brien: Is it time?
Bashir: Seventeen hundred on the dot. We have a holosuite for the next three hours and we're going to need every minute of it. Three British agents have disappeared in West Berlin. Now, MI5 suspect the Soviets were involved, of course, however Americans have intercepted a. Er, what are you doing with a tongo wheel?
O'Brien: I'm brushing up on my game.
Bashir: You play tongo?
O'Brien: Sure. Well, I used to. That is, I played a game once, a long time ago with a Ferengi privateer and a Romulan mercenary.
Bashir: Fascinating. Anyway, the Americans have intercepted a series of messages from Istanbul to a remote island in the South Pacific which might indicate that
O'Brien: Let's play a hand.
Bashir: Miles.
O'Brien: Just one hand.
Bashir: Why?
O'Brien: I need the practice. I want to beat Quark.
Bashir: Good luck.
O'Brien: Luck has nothing to do with it. Tongo is a game of strategy and calculated risk.
Bashir: I don't even know the rules.
O'Brien: Here.
Bashir: All right, let's play.
O'Brien: I'll deal.
Worf: Shenandoah log, stardate 51597.2. We have arrived at the designated coordinates near the Badlands and are awaiting the transmission from Lasaran.
Dax: This is it.
Worf: A very sophisticated encryption matrix.
Dax: Whoever he is, he's good.
Lasaran: Who are you?
Worf: I am Commander Worf, this is Commander Dax. Starfleet Intelligence has sent us here to receive your transmission.
Lasaran: A Klingon. Why did they have to send a Klingon?
Dax: I'm a Trill. Does that make you feel any better?
Lasaran: Are you trying to be funny?
Dax: Not at all. He's the funny one.
Worf: What is it you want?
Lasaran: We'll get to that in a moment. First, I have something that you want badly. Information about the Founders. I know how many of them there are in the Alpha Quadrant, where they are and what they're doing.
Dax: We're listening.
Lasaran: I'm sure you are. Now let's talk about what I want. I want out. Now.
Dax: You want to defect.
Lasaran: The Vorta advisor here is getting suspicious, asking questions, making a lot of routine security checks in my section. I can't stay here any longer.
Worf: Very well. We will relay your message to Starfleet Intelligence and they will arrange to bring you out.
Lasaran: I can't wait for them to make arrangements. In fifteen minutes I am leaving here for the Dominion base on Soukara, and I have a feeling this is going to be the last time that they let me leave Cardassia Prime, so I need to take advantage of this opportunity.
Worf: Soukara is inside Dominion controlled space. It will not be easy to make a rendezvous near that planet without being detected.
Lasaran: Don't work your brain too hard, Klingon, I've taken care of everything. Three days from now, at exactly seventeen thirty hours local time, I will leave the base and walk into the jungle. It'll be at least two days before they know I'm missing. All you have to do is get me off the planet. Now, there are transporter scramblers protecting Soukara, so you can't beam me aboard your ship. You're going to have to land and meet me at a rendezvous point on foot. I'm sending you all the information you'll need to avoid the Dominion sensors on the ground. Follow my instructions, meet me at the rendezvous point and have a ship waiting.
Dax: We've got the information. It looks pretty thorough.
Worf: We will need time to study these plans.
Lasaran: You haven't been listening. I don't have time. Once I leave here, I can't contact you again. I have to know if you're going to be there or not, and I have to know now.
Worf: We will be there.
Lasaran: How far I've fallen, risking my life on the word of a Klingon. Three days. Don't be late.
O'Brien: All right. I'll buy at thirty with sales at thirty five.
Bashir: Buy at thirty five, sell at one fifty, and index the margin at ten percent.
O'Brien: Index the margin?
Bashir: Miles, give it up. This just isn't your game.
O'Brien: We'll see about that. Evade. Do you realize that Quark has won two hundred and seven straight games of tongo?
Bashir: So?
O'Brien: So someone has to beat him.
Bashir: And that someone is you?
O'Brien: Why not?
Bashir: Well, for one thing, you can't play tongo. Confront.
O'Brien: Oh damn.
Bashir: Had enough?
O'Brien: Not by a long shot.
Bashir: Miles, at this rate it's going to take you another twenty years to be ready to take on Quark.
O'Brien: One more.
Bashir: Why are you so determined to beat him?
O'Brien: It's the challenge.
Bashir: The challenge?
O'Brien: Isn't it enough? Why do you think I became an engineer? The challenge. What do you think has kept me kayaking down the same river week after week for the last seven years? The challenge. Why would I keep playing darts against someone with a genetically engineered hand-eye coordination?
Bashir: The challenge.
O'Brien: Exactly. I have to do something to keep my mind off the fact that Keiko's been away for six months. Hold on. Maybe I can't beat Quark, but you can. You and that genetically engineered brain of yours.
Bashir: Me? I've only just learned to play the game.
O'Brien: Yeah, in about ten seconds flat. We can do it, Julian. We can beat him.
Bashir: We? You're talking about me.
O'Brien: Yeah, well, you're good at calculation, but a little weak on strategy. I'll be your coach.
Bashir: No, thank you.
O'Brien: Think of it as a challenge.
Bashir: That's your obsession, Miles, not mine.
O'Brien: Do it for the latinum.
Bashir: Nice try.
O'Brien: Do it for the satisfaction of the look on Quark's face when he's beaten at a game of tongo to a lowly human.
Bashir: Deal the cards.
Worf: We are approaching the Soukara system.
Dax: Stand by to bring us out of warp. Now.
Worf: There is an asteroid field directly ahead.
Dax: That's what we want. The Dominion sensor grid in this system has three gaps and they're all in that asteroid field.
Dax: Want me to slow down?
Worf: No. Unless you think you should?
Dax: Not at all. In fact I could go faster.
Worf: By all means.
Dax: Ooo. A man after my own heart.
Worf: Most impressive.
Dax: Nothing that any three hundred year old pilot couldn't do.
Worf: We are being scanned from the surface.
Dax: Taking evasive maneuvers Did they get a fix on us?
Worf: I do not think so.
Dax: Good. We've come too long a way just to get shot down. If you take the helm, I'll scan the surface for a landing site.
Dax: There's the base, the rendezvous point, and the Dominion sensor perimeter. There's a valley about twenty kilometers north of the rendezvous point. It's a long way to go on foot in the jungle, but I don't think we can risk taking the ship any closer to their sensors.
Worf: Agreed.
Worf: We have less than two days to reach the rendezvous point
Dax: About ten kilometers a day. That shouldn't be too bad.
Worf: Do not underestimate the task ahead. We still have to penetrate the sensor grid and avoid the Dominion patrols.
Dax: I know. Find a man in the middle of an alien jungle, and then walk him out without getting caught. Piece of cake.
Worf: Ready?
Dax: After you.
Dax: Okay, go to twenty five joules.
Worf: Twenty five joules. Done.
Dax: That's it, we're linked. Here, check my work.
Worf: Dominion encryption lockouts are bypassed, tricorder linked to their sensor grid, lifesigns masked. Nicely done.
Dax: Thank you.
Worf: Of course, our tricorders will be useless from now on.
Dax: There you go again, looking for the cloud in the silver lining.
Worf: I am not complaining. I look forward to walking through the jungle without a map and no idea of what lies ahead.
Dax: Well the funny thing is, you probably are.
Quark: This is a Ferengi only game, gentlemen.
O'Brien: You let Dax play.
Quark: She's an exception. The only exception.
Bashir: You're afraid I'll clean you out.
Quark: I'm afraid you'll embarrass yourself and ruin the game for the rest of us.
Bashir: I think I can keep up. The question is, can you keep up with me?
Quark: Don't try and scare me with that genetically engineered intellect of yours, Doctor. Tongo is more than just number crunching. They have yet to create the computer that can master this game.
Bashir: Then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Quark: You realize we're not playing for drinks. This is a high stakes game.
O'Brien: We came to play.
Quark: Gentlemen? All right. The buy in is five strips, and you're dealing.
O'Brien: You better get off to a fast start.
Bashir: They won't know what hit them.
Bashir: Buy at three hundred, sell at three fifty.
Quark: You're a quick study, Doctor, I'll give you that.
Bashir: You mean quick for a human, don't you, Quark?
Quark: I would never say something so distasteful during a game.
Bashir: You'd wait until it was over.
Quark: Of course. Evade. Dax was a quick study too. She told me it only took her two weeks to win her first match. That's practically unheard of.
Bashir: Dax specializes in the unexpected. Still buying at three hundred, selling at four hundred. I'd like to index the margin at twenty percent.
Quark: Interesting. She certainly did the unexpected when she married Commander Boring.
Bashir: That's for sure.
Quark: When they first started seeing each other, I thought this can't last. I give it two months. I'll buy at four hundred and sell at five.
Bashir: I had the same thought, although to tell you the truth, I only gave it a month. Confront.
Quark: She's a real heartbreaker, that one.
Bashir: That she is.
Quark: Leverage the buy in and sell at five fifty. You know, you go through a lot of ups and downs in my business. There are days when the profits are down and the customers are scarce and you think you'll never see another strip of latinum again. And then Jadzia comes in and flashes that smile of hers. Suddenly things don't seem so bad after all.
Bashir: I know exactly what you mean exactly. You know, sometimes she walks past the Infirmary and all she has to do is wink and somehow that makes my whole day look a little brighter.
O'Brien: Focus, Julian, focus.
Quark: Shh.
Bashir: I'll buy that five fifty and index the exchange at ten.
Quark: And now she's married.
Bashir: Married.
Quark: Out of reach. I'm converting my reserves and selling at six hundred. You know what's really sad, what really keeps me awake at night? She's out of reach because we let her go.
Bashir: I suppose so. But some things just weren't meant to be. Evade.
O'Brien: Julian, are you sure you want to
Quark: Chief, please. You know the rules. No coaching during a round. You're probably right. But what if that's a convenient rationalization? What if deep down in our heart of hearts we both know she's something unique, something we may never see again. A chance at true happiness and we let her slip through our fingers. What if fifty years from now we each look back and say, what a fool I was. Confront. Doctor?
Bashir: Hmm?
Quark: Confront.
Bashir: Oh. Sorry. Full consortium.
Quark: Total monopoly.
Bashir: What?
Quark: You seem to be out of money.
Bashir: Miles?
O'Brien: We're busted.
Quark: Thanks for the game. Welcome back anytime.
Bashir: Wait. Quark, did you really mean all that? About Dax being my one last chance for true happiness?
Quark: Doctor, you don't expect me to show you all my cards, do you?
O'Brien: You lost.
Bashir: Whatever happened to we?
O'Brien: We weren't mooning over lost love with a Ferengi holding a total monopoly.
Bashir: You mean all that about Dax was meant to distract me?
O'Brien: Obviously.
Bashir: I can't believe I let him get to me.
O'Brien: Not your fault. Genetically engineered or not, you're still human.
Bashir: I guess.
O'Brien: Let's go get a drink.
Dax: Let's not stand on pride, shall we? Trills don't like the heat, and Klingons don't like the cold. There's no shame in admitting it.
Worf: Thank you.
Dax: You're welcome. So, how are you enjoying your honeymoon? Are you suffering enough?
Worf: Almost.
Dax: Is there anything I can get for you?
Worf: More pain, less cold.
Dax: I don't know why that's funny, but it is.
Dax: Mating call?
Worf: Five hundred meters that way.
Dax: That didn't take long.
Worf: Less than three hundred meters.
Dax: Another happy couple.
Worf: When I was a boy, my father used to take my brother and me on camping trips in the Ural mountains. Every night we would listen to the wolves howling in the distance. Nikolai was afraid of them, but I would lay in my tent for hours just listening. I remember being seized by the urge to just strip off my clothes and run into the night to live in the forest and become something wild.
Dax: He must have been rejected, he's moving away. She's not happy. What? They're getting farther away, aren't they?
Worf: Yes, but it's because something is coming. And it is close.
Worf: Jadzia?
Worf: Lie still.
Dax: I think I can do that.
Dax: Can I have the good news first?
Worf: No vital organs were damaged.
Dax: Now the bad news?
Worf: The disruptor burst left an anti-coagulant in your system.
Dax: So you can't stop the bleeding.
Worf: No.
Dax: Well, I must not have taken the whole burst. I'm not hemorrhaging that bad yet. Just keep me pumped full of painkillers and let's be on our way.
Worf: Moving could make the bleeding worse.
Dax: Staying here isn't an option. Someone's going to come looking for them when they don't check in. I'd rather take my chances on foot. You ready? You ready?
Worf: Ready.
Dax: Let's go.
Worf: We are still twelve kilometers from the rendezvous point.
Dax: And only twenty hours left. Well, I guess it's time we stop having so much fun and pick up the pace, huh? Oh, more plasma? No, thanks. I'm full.
Worf: Your blood pressure has dropped another twenty percent.
Dax: Love that bedside manner. You know, you should have been a doctor.
Worf: Your bandage will need to be changed soon.
Dax: I think I'd like a blue chiffon bandage this time. Maybe some rhinestones. Something with a little pizzazz.
Worf: This is no joking matter. You are seriously injured and we have a great deal of terrain to cover.
Dax: Just trying to lighten the mood.
Worf: This is neither the time nor the place.
Dax: What happened to that new Worf? You know, the one with the sense of humor?
Worf: That was a mistake.
Dax: What is that supposed to mean?
Worf: It means if I had not been joking with you, I would not have allowed the Jem'Hadar to get so close.
Dax: So this is all my fault.
Worf: No. It is mine. I was trying to be something I am not. By letting down my guard, by ignoring my duty, I allowed my wife to be injured and I put the entire mission in jeopardy. It will not happen again.
Dax: That's not what happened. Without our tricorders there's no way
Worf: I do not wish to debate this. We have a long way to go and very little time.
Dax: Fine. Let's go.
Worf: Ready?
Dax: Hypo. There. Good as new.
Worf: I have to change your dressing.
Dax: That's four bandages in two hours. That's got to be some kind of record. Oh, sorry. I forgot the new rules. Nothing funny. Got to be serious. Life and death. We've got a job to do.
Worf: Jadzia, I know you are tired, but we have to cover three kilometers before nightfall. Can you do it?
Dax: As long as you got those painkillers, I'll follow you through the gates of hell, sir. That was almost a smile.
Worf: When this mission is over, I will smile all you want.
Dax: Oh, you promise?
Worf: I promise.
Dax: Then let's finish the mission and get out of here. Whoa. It's all right, I can stand. Just help me get my balance. I got my balance. Maybe not.
Dax: Let me guess. Things aren't looking up.
Worf: There has been another drop in your blood pressure and your neural EDL readings are erratic.
Dax: So what's your prescription, Doc?
Worf: Surgery. At a Starbase.
Dax: Can I get a second opinion? Worf, you have to go on without me and I know that. I understand.
Worf: My duty requires that I complete the mission regardless of my personal feelings.
Dax: Absolutely. You're a Starfleet officer. So am I. I understand.
Worf: The information Lasaran has could be potentially invaluable to the war effort.
Dax: You don't have to explain yourself. I'm hurt, you're not. And there's a job to do.
Worf: I will be back tomorrow night.
Dax: Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.
Worf: I can have you in the stasis chamber on the runabout in forty five hours.
Dax: No problem.
Worf: I will leave the medkit. Scan yourself with the tricorder every half hour. The plasma hypospray will be set
Dax: I took basic first aid. I know what I have to do. Worf, it's been a great two months, hasn't it?
Worf: Yes. Jadzia, I just want to tell you how
Dax: Just kiss me and go.
Sisko: What's the word?
Worf: She is still in surgery, but Doctor Bashir is hopeful she will make a full recovery.
Sisko: Lasaran's dead. Starfleet Intelligence intercepted a transmission saying that he'd been killed trying to re-enter the base at Soukara. Could you have made the rendezvous?
Worf: Yes.
Sisko: Yet you turned back to save Jadzia?
Worf: Yes.
Sisko: Were you aware that the information that man had could have saved millions of lives?
Worf: Yes.
Sisko: So what happened?
Worf: You may not understand.
Sisko: Try me, sir.
Worf: You were at my wedding. You heard the story of the first two Klingon hearts and how nothing could stand against them, and how they even destroyed the gods that created them. I have heard that story since I was a boy but I never understood it, I mean really understood it, until I was standing in the jungle with my heart pounding in my chest and I found that even I could not stand against my own heart. I had to go back and it did not matter what Starfleet thought or what the consequences were. She was my wife and I could not leave her.
Sisko: As your captain, it is my duty to tell you that you made the wrong choice. I don't think Starfleet will file any formal charges. Even a secret court martial would run the risk of revealing too much about their intelligence operations. But this will go into your service record, and to be completely honest, you probably won't be offered a command on your own after this.
Worf: I understand.
Sisko: I have also issued new orders. You and Jadzia are not to be assigned to a mission on your own ever again. And one last thing. As a man who had a wife, if Jennifer had been lying in that clearing I wouldn't have left her either.
Dax: Hey, I know you.
Worf: We have met.
Dax: Ah, you're joking again. That's a good sign. Did you make the rendezvous?
Worf: No. I could not leave you there. Not for Lasaran, not for the mission, not for anything else.
Dax: Lasaran?
Worf: Dead.
Dax: Are you in trouble?
Worf: I have been in trouble before.
Dax: I'm sorry. I should've kept going.
Worf: You have nothing to be sorry about.
Dax: I know how much your career means to you.
Worf: You come first. Before career, before duty, before anything. I do not regret what I did. And I would do it again.
Dax: I don't know what to say.
Worf: You could say, thank you for saving my life.
Dax: Thank you for saving my life.
Worf: And you could say, I would do the same for you, Worf.
Dax: Well, I'd have to think about that. My career is very important to me, you know.
Worf: And you could say I love you.
Dax: I love you.
Worf: And I love you.


Dax: The Saratoga put in this morning.
Worf: We are not having another party.
Dax: I promise, not more than fifty or sixty
Worf: I can see it now. Two hundred people jammed into our quarters, eating, drinking, laughing.
Dax: Sounds awful. What if I promise absolutely no laughing? No, I mean it. You won't see a single smile the entire evening. It'll be the grimmest party you've ever been to.
Worf: When do you want to have this party?
Dax: Next week. And I was thinking maybe this evening should have a theme.
Worf: What kind of theme?
Dax: What if everyone came as their favorite Klingon? Bad idea.
Quark: Commander, your holosuite is ready.
Worf: Good.
Dax: Have fun exercising.
Quark: No party?
Dax: I came this close.
Kira: Thank you, Quark.
Quark: Don't mention it, Major. Glad to be of help.
Dax: Bajoran lilacs. Is there something going on between the two of you that I don't know about?
Kira: Don't be disgusting.
Kira: I ordered them for myself.
Dax: Well that's nice. I thought you didn't like flowers.
Kira: I don't.
Dax: I'm confused.
Kira: Jadzia, there's such a thing as privacy.
Dax: Not between friends.
Kira: It's my mother's birthday. She would've been sixty today, and my father always said that these were her favorite.
Dax: That's a nice way to remember your mother.
Kira: I wish I did remember her. I was only three when she died at the refugee center.
Dax: Well, I'd bet she'd be proud of you and what you've done with your life.
Kira: I'd like to think so. I've always been proud of her. My father always said she was the bravest woman he ever met.
Computer: Major Kira. You have an incoming transmission.
Kira: From whom?
Computer: Unable to identify.
Kira: Put it through.
Dukat: Ah, Major, there you are. I'm sorry to wake you.
Kira: What the hell do you want, Dukat?
Dukat: Oh, don't bother, Major. I guarantee you won't be able to trace this transmission.
Kira: Then why don't you just tell me where you are?
Dukat: Because that's not why I called. I want to help you, Major, the way Captain Sisko helped me.
Kira: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Dukat: Captain Sisko gave me the clarity to see beyond the lies, the self-deceptions that were controlling my life. He helped me see to the truth about myself. And now I'm going to do the same for you. And what better day to do it than on your mother's birthday.
Kira: Is that suppose to upset me, that you know it's my mother's birthday?
Dukat: She was a striking woman, your mother. Although when we first met, she was very self-conscious about that scar along the side of her face. She used to try to cover it up with a strand of hair.
Kira: Nice try, Dukat. But you never knew my mother. She died in the
Dukat: Singha refugee center? I'm afraid not, Major. That was something your father told you because he couldn't bear to face the truth.
Kira: What truth?
Dukat: That your mother left him to be with me.
Kira: You're lying.
Dukat: Your mother and I were lovers almost from the moment we met, and we remained lovers until the day she died.
Kira: I've had enough of this.
Dukat: I see you have lilacs on your nightstand. Your mother would have been touched. She loved Bajoran lilacs. There. I told you the truth was liberating, Major. Now don't you feel better? I do.
Kira: Computer, locate Cardassian occupation file, Singha refugee center. Find and display Bajoran identity profile Kira Meru.
O'Brien: You're just going to have to take my word for it. The battle of the Alamo would make a hell of a holosuite program.
Bashir: All right, all right, let me get this straight. There are two hundred of us trapped inside some crumbling old mission or whatever, surrounded by two thousand enemy troops, is that right?
O'Brien: That's right.
Bashir: Do we win?
O'Brien: No, we lose.
Bashir: Why do you want to play a program where we lose?
O'Brien: You're missing the point. There's nothing more noble than a heroic defeat, especially against overwhelming odds.
Bashir: In life, maybe, but not in the holosuite.
Kira: Chief, you were suppose to have finished recalibrating those induction modulators yesterday.
O'Brien: Yeah, we had a bit of a problem replacing some of the coil brackets.
Kira: Save the excuses. I want it done within the hour. Doctor, is there a reason for your visit?
Bashir: What? Actually, Miles and I were chatting
Kira: I thought not. We're on duty here, if you don't mind.
Bashir: I don't want to interfere.
Kira: All right, everyone. We're not at the Replimat. We're not here to drink raktajinos and catch up on the latest gossip. Let's get to work.
Kira: Odo, I've just been informed of the increased criminal activity on the Promenade.
Odo: It's not as bad as it sounds, Major. We're talking about a few incidents of petty theft. I've already assigned two deputies.
Kira: I'd prefer that you handle the matter yourself.
Odo: If you think it's necessary.
Kira: I do. And make sure that you keep me informed of your progress.
Odo: Of course. Is there something else on your mind?
Kira: Meaning what?
Odo: Meaning I talked with Doctor Bashir. He told me that you seemed irritable. I see he's not exaggerating. Would you care to tell me what's bothering you?
Kira: I appreciate the offer, Odo, but I don't think talking about it is going to help.
Odo: Sounds serious.
Kira: It is.
Odo: Well, if you won't talk about it, perhaps you should consider doing something about it.
Sisko: A transmission from Dukat? This is the first I've heard of it.
Kira: That's because I didn't report it.
Sisko: Why not?
Kira: It was of a personal nature. I tried to trace the signal, but
Sisko: What did he want?
Kira: He said he knew my mother, that they were lovers.
Sisko: You don't believe him, do you?
Kira: He knew certain things about her. Personal things.
Sisko: Well, Gul Dukat is a very resourceful man. I'm sure he knows a lot about your family, about all of our families.
Kira: I keep trying to tell myself that, but I need to know.
Sisko: That may not be possible. Major.
Kira: There is a way. I can visit the Temple of Iponu on Bajor and consult the Orb of Time.
Sisko: Excuse me?
Kira: I need to know the truth.
Sisko: Let me get this straight. You want to travel back in time to see if Dukat and your mother were lovers?
Kira: That's right.
Sisko: Major, the Federation has very strict regulations
Kira: This has nothing to do with the Federation. I need your help as the Emissary, not as Starfleet captain. The Emissary can see to it that I am allowed access to the orb. After that, it's up to the Prophets. If they feel that my request is worthy, they'll send me where I need to go. If not, I've made a trip to Bajor for nothing.
Sisko: And if they do send you back, what then? What makes you so sure you won't interfere with the timeline?
Kira: The Prophets will be guiding me. Nothing will happen without their blessings. Please, Emissary, please, let me seek the will of the Prophets.
Taban: Meru, I found Nerys.
Meru: Where was she?
Taban: Wandering over there, scrounging for food.
Meru: Come here, sweetie, beside me. Here.
Taban: That's all? It's barely half a cup.
Meru: They've cut everyone's rations.
Taban: It's not enough. How do they expect us to survive?
Meru: The Cardassians don't care whether or not we survive. They won't be happy until we're all dead. Come here, sweetie, come here. Have some soup.
Man: Excuse me. That soup. It's ours.
Taban: What are you talking about? My wife stood in line all day to get it. If you think you can just
Man: Just what?
Meru: It's for the children. They're hungry.
Man: We are all hungry.
Kira: That's right, we are. And hunger can make people do stupid things.
Man: Like what you're doing now?
Kira: Cardassians are the enemy. We shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves. We should be trying to help each other.
Man: That's what we were doing. Helping ourselves to some soup.
Kira: Hey, you want soup, you go stand in line like everyone else.
Man: We may have to take orders from the spoonheads, but we don't have to take them from you.
Taban: Thank you. I wish we could repay your kindness somehow, but we have so little food.
Kira: That's all right. I'm not hungry.
Meru: I can't remember the last time I met a Bajoran who wasn't hungry. I'm Kira Meru.
Kira: I'm just glad I could help.
Meru: And this is my husband, Taban. My son Reon, my son Pohl, and my daughter Nerys.
Kira: They're beautiful.
Nerys: Mommy, mommy.
Meru: What is it, honey? What is it? Tell me. She wants to know what your name is.
Kira: Me? I'm Luma Rahl. It's nice to meet you, Nerys.
Basso: Attention! The new Cardassian Ore Processing Center orbiting Bajor is nearing completion. The Cardassian troops stationed there will require comfort women to make their tour of duty less stressful. Her.
Child: No!
Basso: From now on you'll receive extra rations of food and medicine, courtesy of our Prefect, Gul Dukat. Her.
Taban: No!
Basso: And her.
Meru: But my children!
Basso: Your children will eat better than they have any right to.
Taban: Meru!
Reon: Mommy!
Meru: I love you. Don't let them forget me.
Taban: Oh, no, no.
Cardassian: I said go!
Basso: Ladies, can I have your attention please. You will find food in your quarters. Eat as much as you want and make sure you get a good night's rest. You'll want to look your best tomorrow. Oh, and feel free to linger as long as you want in the sonic showers. Cardassians value cleanliness.
Kira: Meru, listen to me. I know things look bad, but don't give up just yet. We'll find a way to get out of here.
Meru: How?
Kira: There must be a resistance cell operating here on the station. We'll contact them. They'll help us get away.
Meru: I don't believe this.
Meru: Fresh moba. Do you know how long it's been since I've seen fresh moba?
Kira: Nice.
Meru: Nice? Look at this. Katterpod beans, hasperat, veklava, a pot of deka tea. We could live on this for a year!
Kira: Easy, easy. You don't want to make yourself sick.
Meru: Sick from too much food? That would be a change. If only Taban and the children were here. The Cardassians said they would take care of them, so maybe they will.
Kira: Don't count on it. We need to find a way to get off this station. Once we do, we'll figure out a way to free your family.
Meru: Then what?
Kira: We'll hide in the hills, we'll join the Resistance.
Meru: I suppose that's possible.
Kira: Of course it is. Till then, we just need to bide our I'm sorry.
Meru: I failed to show a Cardassian soldier the proper respect.
Kira: We all have scars of one kind or another.
Meru: Maybe. But most aren't quite so evident.
Kira: It's not so bad.
Meru: Why do you keep doing that?
Kira: What?
Meru: Helping me. First at the refugee center and now here.
Kira: I don't have many friends.
Meru: Well, you have one now.
Basso: Well done. I can hardly believe that you're the same women I met yesterday. In fact, you're not. Your old lives have ended. Your pasts have been erased. You have one purpose and one purpose only. To provide comfort and care to the Cardassian officers stationed here. Do that well, and you'll want for nothing. Fail, and you and your family will be sent to a labor camp. Now remember, ladies, you're all easily replaceable. Make one mistake and I won't hesitate to
Dukat: Basso! That's enough. Welcome to Terok Nor. I hope your stay here will be a pleasant one. I assure you, I will do everything possible to make it so. I suspect that many of you must be feeling a bit uneasy right now. I'm well aware that among the Bajoran population there is a perception that all Cardassians are to be feared, that we are a cruel and heartless people. I hope to change that. Not with words, but with actions, in the hope that you will come to appreciate the better part of our nature. I assure you we are capable of great kindness.
Meru: What of our families? Are they all right?
Basso: Who said you could speak? Guards!
Dukat: Stay where you are. Your families will be well taken care of. That, I promise you.
Dukat: What is this?
Meru: I
Dukat: Basso.
Basso: Forgive me, Prefect. I didn't notice the imperfection. I'll have her removed at once.
Dukat: Get me a dermal regenerator.
Basso: But
Dukat: Now. I'm afraid to ask how you came by such a mark.
Meru: It's nothing.
Dukat: On the contrary, it's an unfortunate reminder of the gulf that exists between our two peoples. It must be removed immediately. Just relax. It's all right. Relax.
Dukat: There. Beautiful. Carry on.
Basso: Well, I'd say congratulations are in order. You've all passed your first test.
Kira: Mind telling me what you're smiling about?
Meru: The Prophets. I never realized they had such a sense of humor. When I was a child, I dreamed of having enough food to eat and pretty clothes to wear and now look at me. I have everything I ever wanted and I feel horrible.
Kira: It is kind of funny in a horrible way.
Meru: I suppose if I can survive starvation, I could survive this. After all, we Bajorans can survive anything.
Gul: You! Think you can stand there hiding in a corner all night?
Legate: I don't remember seeing you before.
Kira: I just arrived yesterday.
Legate: And I bet I know what you're thinking. You'd like nothing better than to get us all drunk so you could kill us in our sleep.
Kira: Are you sure you're not part Betazoid?
Legate: Come. Sit on my lap and tell me how much you hate Cardassians. You Bajoran women, you're all so bony.
Kira: That's because you Cardassians eat all our food.
Legate: You know, I could have you executed for that kind of insolence.
Kira: And that's one of the reasons we hate you so much.
Legate: Clever girl. Now pour me some more of that kanar and let's see if we can't work out our differences.
Dukat: Let her go. I said, let her go.
Gul: All I said to her was
Dukat: I don't care what you were saying. I don't like what you were doing. Now get away from her. Are you all right? Basso, escort this woman back to her quarters and see that her privacy is respected.
Basso: She will not be disturbed.
Legate: I only hope you won't condemn us all for the boorish behavior of one man.
Dukat: I only hope you won't condemn us all for the boorish behavior of one man.
Kira: How did you know he was going to say that?
Legate: Let's just say this is not the first performance I've seen of this little melodrama. That woman should consider herself fortunate. She's caught the Prefect's eye. As of now, she's off limits to the rest of us. As for you
Kira: I know, I know. More kanar.
Kira: Now, one foot in front of another.
Legate: Don't tell me what to do. I'll put my feet wherever I want. I'm a Cardassian.
Kira: Whatever you say. Just try not to stumble out of any airlocks on your way home.
Legate: I'm not going home. I'm coming in with you.
Kira: No you're not. You're going back to your quarters and you're going to sleep.
Legate: I want comfort and I want it now. You are a comfort woman, aren't you? You're dressed like one.
Kira: Don't let appearances fool you.
Legate: That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble someday. Now, let's go get some sleep.
Kira: I have a better idea. You go sleep in your quarters, I'll go sleep in mine, and tomorrow
Legate: Tomorrow you'll be all mine to do with as I please.
Kira: I can hardly wait.
Kira: Meru, I'm back. I'm going to have to shower for a week to get the smell of that legate off me.
Basso: I'll be sure to tell him you said that.
Kira: What are you doing here? Where's Meru?
Basso: Looks like you're going to have these quarters all to yourself, at least for a little while.
Kira: I said where's Meru?
Basso: She's moving up in the world. Your friend must have hidden talents I wasn't aware of. Our beloved Prefect has invited her to share his quarters.
Kira: I want to see her.
Basso: Do you?
Kira: I said take me to her.
Halb: So tell me, how's work going on the ore processing center?
Kira: You ought to join the work detail sometime, find out for yourself.
Halb: All in good time. Once the center is up and running, we'll all be slaving away down there.
Halb: I have news for you.
Kira: About my friend?
Halb: I know why you haven't heard from her in the last few weeks. She hasn't been on the station.
Kira: What are you talking about?
Halb: Word has it she's been off on a little vacation with Gul Dukat. They just got back today. Why is that woman so important to you? She is nothing but a collaborator.
Kira: She is not a collaborator.
Halb: She's a comfort woman for the spoonheads, isn't she?
Kira: So was I.
Halb: For a day. But I've been watching you. You have no love for the spoonheads.
Kira: Neither does my friend. Look, I told you already, I don't want to join your resistance cell. Just leave me alone.
Halb: I will, I promise. But first I need for you to draw a map for me.
Kira: A map of what?
Halb: The Cardy side of the station.
Kira: Well, like you said, I was only there one day.
Halb: Anything you remember will help. Quarters, corridors, meeting rooms.
Kira: Why? What are you planning?
Halb: It doesn't concern you. Now are you going to help us or not?
Basso: You. Follow me.
Basso: You may enter.
Meru: Luma.
Kira: Are you all right? I've been worried about you since the night they took you.
Meru: I know. I wanted to get a message to you.
Kira: Has he hurt you?
Meru: Who?
Kira: Dukat.
Meru: Hurt me? No, he hasn't hurt me. I wish I knew how to explain to you these past few weeks, make you understand.
Kira: Understand what?
Dukat: That I'm not the monster you think I am.
Dukat: You see? I told you I'd find a big enough vase. What do you think?
Meru: They're beautiful.
Dukat: I don't think your friend approves of the flowers, or of me. Meru, are you sure this is the woman you want as your companion?
Meru: Yes.
Dukat: As you wish. The fact is, I've treated Meru with nothing but kindness and consideration. If you don't believe me, ask her. I'll be back as soon as this meeting is finished.
Meru: It's true. He's very different from what I expected.
Kira: Don't let that smile fool you. He's still the enemy.
Meru: It's not that simple.
Kira: Yes, it is. Meru, listen to me. While you're in here playing parlor games, he's busy carrying out the extermination of our people.
Meru: That's not true. He's written to Central Command urging them to rethink their policy toward Bajor.
Kira: I don't care if he played you a holo-recording of him on his hands and knees begging Central Command to end the occupation. It would still be a lie. Like that first night, when he saved you from that Gul? That wasn't real. He set the whole thing up to win you over.
Meru: He told me. He tells me everything. You just don't know him.
Kira: I don't need to know him. I know the things he's done. Look what he did to you. He took you away from your family, from your children.
Meru: He's promised to help them. He's going to send them food and medical supplies.
Kira: That still doesn't make it right. What about your husband? Taban loves you. How can you forget him so quickly?
Meru: I have not forgotten him. What do you expect me to do? Kick and bite every time Dukat comes near me? How would that help Taban or the children?
Kira: Is that what you tell yourself? That you're doing it for the children? The clothes, the food, the easy living, that you're doing it all for them? Are you that deluded? It's not for them, it's for you. You like it here. You enjoy playing house with that murderer. Don't you see what you are, what you've allowed yourself to become? You're a collaborator.
Meru: A collaborator? Because I share Dukat's bed?
Kira: Nom because you like sharing his bed. Because you've fallen in love with him.
Meru: Where're you going?
Kira: Back where I belong.
Halb: It's composed of ultritium resin which means it's doubtful the Cardassian sensors will pick it up. Of course, there's always a chance.
Kira: You let me worry about that.
Halb: You sound like you've done this before.
Kira: You'd be surprised.
Halb: Remember, the bomb is set to go off three minutes after it's been activated. And once it's activated, it cannot be disarmed. So make sure you have enough time to get away.
Kira: How large of a blast radius are we talking about?
Halb: Twenty meters. I suggest you plant it somewhere in Dukat's quarters.
Kira: I'll pick the right spot for it.
Halb: What about that Bajoran mistress of his?
Kira: What about her?
Halb: You cannot risk telling her what you're doing, not even to save her life.
Kira: Why would I do that? Like you said, she's a collaborator. She deserves whatever she gets.
Basso: I'm beginning to find you very tiresome.
Kira: Yeah, I don't like you much either. Now I need you to take me to see Kira Meru.
Basso: I have better things to do than to shuttle you around this station. It's time you decided which side of this gate you want to be on.
Kira: I have. Now take me to Kira so that I can apologize to her.
Basso: Guard. A wise decision.
Meru: I didn't expect to see you again.
Kira: I came because I owe you an apology. The things I said, they were unfair. I'd like us to be friends again.
Meru: So would I.
Dukat: Whatever makes you happy, my dear.
Meru: Can I get you something?
Kira: Maybe later.
Meru: All right. First thing we do is get you some new quarters. Something close by.
Kira: Sounds good.
Basso: I have a copy of that transmission you requested.
Dukat: Thank you, Basso. That'll be all.
Basso: What about her?
Dukat: Don't concern yourself with Luma. She's not going to cause us any more trouble, are you?
Kira: That's not what I'm here for.
Dukat: No, it isn't. Well, Basso, you heard. Find her some quarters.
Basso: Right away.
Dukat: This is for you. I think you'll find it very interesting. I'll be in my study if you need me.
Kira: I'll see to my quarters.
Meru: Okay, Luma.
Taban: Meru, I hope the Cardassians aren't lying to me and that they really will send this message to you. I know it's only been a few weeks that we've been back home, but you should see the children. It's like they've been transformed. Reon and Pohl are laughing and playing together, they've never been happier. And I swear, little Nerys must have gained five pounds. Of course, they keep asking for you. I've told them that you're still at the refugee center. I think that's best, at least for the time being. I can't believe how much I miss you. I think about you all the time. You've saved all our lives. I hope you realize that. Never forget it, not even for an instant. Every day I pray to the Prophets that you'll find some peace in this new life of yours. I believe that even in the worst of times, we can still find moments of joy and kindness. If you can find that kindness, hold on to it. And remember, no matter what happens, I love you, Meru. I'll always love you.
Kira: Come on, we've got to get out of here.
Meru: Why?
Kira: Dukat, get out here now! Go!
Dukat: What?
Kira: There's a bomb.
Dukat: Meru!
Dukat: Get out of the way!
Dukat: Meru, Meru.
Kira: I've always hated collaborators. I mean, what could be worse than betraying your own people? During the occupation, if I ever had doubt about what their fate should be all I would think of my mother, how she gave her life for Bajor. She was a hero, they were traitors. It was that simple. Or so I thought.
Sisko: She did what she had to do to save her family. To save you.
Kira: It doesn't make it right.
Sisko: Maybe not, but it was her decision to make.
Kira: I did some checking. She died in a Cardassian hospital seven years after she met Dukat. Seven years. Do you know how many Bajorans died in labor camps during that time? Died, while my mother sat sipping kanar with Dukat.
Sisko: Tell me something, Nerys. If you hate her that much, why did you save her life?
Kira: Believe me, there's a part of me that wishes that I hadn't. But the fact is, no matter what she did, she was still my mother.