(re: Cardassian soldiers) I don't think these are men I want leading this war. KIRA Then why do you need them? FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER Because they're men too. KIRA You want me to bring them back to Cardassia. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER You're a Federation solider. Your mandate has changed. KIRA Not really. The Federation still believes in a united Klingon homeworld. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER Still. The birthright of every Klingon, no matter where he comes from. Your people don't have that. KIRA Now why do you need them here? FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER Because I deem it necessary to protect your people from the Dominion. KIRA We're not the ones who need to be protected. (a beat) We're you. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER I know. You're a very effective public relations tool. KIRA What else would I be? FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER But you're not a changeling. You aren't part of us. This is clearly not part of her mind. She speaks without turning around. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER We give you life. KIRA What does that mean exactly? The Female Shape-shifter seems to be struggling with her definition. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER The means of production. KIRA Genetic patterns. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER Genetic patterns are those characteristics of us that are passed down to each generation. KIRA (turning to face her) I'm Kira Nerys. The Female Shape-shifter turns toward the others. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER What is it you want of me? KIRA I wasn't going to ask. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER But it seems that you do need me. KIRA (getting angry) That's not true. I don't need you. I simply feel the need to say thanks. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER Perhaps you didn't have to. Nerys is a fine offering from the Ferengi government. If we're friendly with you, I think you'll appreciate hearing our position. KIRA That's not friendly -- it's brutal. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER I'm sure you never have to hear the word "friendly" with anyone. Kira stands. The Female Shape-shifter disappears off camera. KIRA Commander... ? SISKO We're holding you in stasis pending your trial. KIRA In what? SISKO You're the symbol of hope and community, Major. We've given you up for a long time. Kira looks at Sisko in surprise. SISKO It's easier this way. KIRA You can do it? SISKO The Dominion will help fund your opponents. They'll have a reason to campaign. They'll get a chance to present their side... and we'll all lie in wait until then. KIRA You do this for us? SISKO Yes, I do. Kira realizes she's rubbing Sisko the wrong way. KIRA I'm sorry. I didn't mean-- SISKO It's all right. It's just that Baran's politics aren't right. He's too pro-Dominion. It's like he lost his mind. (all business) All right. You all have jobs to do -- clean your rooms, tend to the mess, mingle with your female colleagues... but do anything he would ask and you will get promotion, higher allowances, and, most important of all, you will receive a promotion. Dax is stunned. DAX induction? KIRA Perfect. The Female Shape-shifter glares at Dax. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER Very moving. That was very... intimate. Dax shakes her head. She wasn't in the dating mood. DAX We're supposed to take them to docking bay four. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER You've broken the cardinal rule of Acquisition. KIRA And you're here without our permission? FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER We granted it to you. Why not return them now? KIRA They're not alive, they're dead. Think about that before you use them. Dax and the Female Shape-shifter exchange a look, both sympathetic toward Riker's plight. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER Ironic isn't it? I can still see her face... smile upon her... KIRA Don't be ironic. DAX (to the Female Shape-shifter) What is it about men that makes them stay locked up in their rooms? The Female Shape-shifter gestures to Riker, indicating he's free to go. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER We're guests. You may have time to get acquainted, Commander. Jadzia's centuries old. SISKO (sotto, to Riker) If it isn't one of the Cardassian prisoners. KIRA I'll take them. Riker nods and she and the Female Shape-shifter move off... INT. HOLDING CELL (OPTICAL) as Dax and the Female Shape-shifter ENTER. The forcefield generates a TRACTOR BEAM which grabs and holds Riker until he's standing. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER Now, Commander... She kneels beside him and inspects the wounds. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER You're going to be all right. You were just going to make it back to the station with your life. RIKER (beat) Thank you. She smiles benevolent and suggests a gentle approach to restoring her balance. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER You're a Shape-shifter First? RIKER No, but I intend to stay here a while longer and see how your new arc and your new mission are going. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER I'm glad that you're happy. You may go now. Riker stands and the Female Shape-shifter gives him a revulsion. We sense that she has never liked the new arrangement in her life. RIKER Yours... (beat) When I was a child. Coming here, going through all the pain... the solitude... (she reacts) That's where I belong. In my own way. A long silent beat. The Female Shape-shifter rarely takes her eyes off Riker. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER I never realized you were such a concerned observer. RIKER Nothing important. Please... sit down. She slowly sits down. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER I've had the same experience with my father. He could never admit it to me. But now... he's dead. And I can't have him back. RIKER Ka'la! The Female Shape-shifter steps out of the airlock. FEMALE SHAPE-SHIFTER It's time, Captain. CUT TO: EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing the station. INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE SISKO, DAX, and KIRA. DAX We've been tracking the movement from the Malinche. The Admiral seems to be on a mission of vengeance. KIRA Who's developing reasons to run? DAX The Changeling's been meeting with the new Joint Chiefs of Naval Command. KIRA (surprised) What new military leader meets with the new Joint Chiefs of Naval Command? SISKO (straight) Admiral Ross. Kira's stunned. KIRA Admiral Ross? You're joking. SISKO Looks like someone's lost her mind. Kira's not sure if she believes him or not. Just then, a worried looking Rom paces across the room. ROM My brother is waiting for our arrival. KIRA Rom, this is Kira. We can't wait to see you. ROM Again. I have things to attend to. KIRA All right. (to Kira) I'll see you tonight. Rom nods thankfully. He EXITS. KIRA You'd better warn Starfleet about that Liutenant. He seems to be getting picked up in a few places. SISKO (off a PADD) According to the most recent information we have, the Liason has occupied the Khalidalan sector at the moment. KIRA Which means their information on the Malinche is out of date. SISKO But if their information is out of date, then the Malinche's mission must be to revise and modernize the information on the Liason's current defenses. KIRA And Admiral Ross won't stop at nothing. Right now he's making mistakes, whether he thinks of them or not. SISKO Admiral Ross is a very smart man. He's collecting intelligence reports on the Malinche. But he's a man of principles. And he'll regard the issue, without question or hesitation, whatever the cost. Kira takes a moment, trying to really put some distance between her and this. KIRA Look, I'm not trying to argue with what you're asking. When Admiral Ross was asked about the Liason's new defense strategy, he said something that's always been my concern: we need to reassign some Klingon units to protect the docking ring. SISKO That's great, but what about the civilians? KIRA My concern is not so much the military as it is the Admiral. If the Klingons are going to make another move on the station, it will be Clonov and not Klingons. We've got to reassign some Klingon equipment to protect it. SISKO That won't be easy. Once the station is surrounded by Klingon troops, it'll be almost impossible to get away. That's not good news. KIRA And once they find you, there's no getting out. SISKO It may not be as easy as you think. Kira and Sisko are alone on the wall monitor. The image on the monitor shifts slightly when she speaks. KIRA Maybe... if we could convince Starfleet to give them back their old phasers, we could rematerialize those troops. She rests the monitor on a table. When she speaks, it is with far less emphasis than we've seen before. KIRA (off monitor) Admiral... ROSS Admiral? KIRA Take us out of orbit. Set a course for the Valerian system. ROSS The Valerian system? Which system is it? KIRA (without forming a choice) I'll take you to the far side of the map. That way, we can reach Worf's home world later on. ROSS His home world? What does he need home? KIRA The entire planet is suitable molecular space. ROSS (thinking it over) Exactly where Worf's going. There's no need for him to leave. KIRA Although Worf doesn't realize it, we have changed the very foundation of our society. He must leave. Ross has failed to see the critical path their errand. He thinks for a moment, then looks back at the monitor and works it over again. ROSS The society is so deeply entrenched that they haven't evolved an independent path to peace. KIRA (forming a choice) Let's see if we can dislodge them. ROSS No. (to Kira) Major, you and I will coordinate the distribution of weapons. KIRA I'll only listen to you. ROSS This way. Ross nods to the two Cardassians, who disappear. KIRA (to Sisko, then to Kira) He's making a mistake. He should have mercy on the Valerians. He doesn't deserve to be a Cardassian on our planet. SISKO (to Kira) Neither do I. (indicating Dax) DAX Alternate Earth. Kira shakes her head. She looks at Sisko. That's the same game. They both know this is bad news. KIRA I'll go back to Deep Space Nine. If Starfleet sends a runabout, I'll take it in the back. SISKO Major, you still have duty to guard Deep Space Nine. DAX That's right. KIRA I'll see you at your post. Kira EXITS. ROSS (heated) Rasmussen! Open a channel to Starfleet headquarters. Ross doesn't get it before the channel goes to static. Sisko looks at him in surprise. SISKO Who? ROSS Federation citizens. They're in Deep Space Nine. You'd be safer there. SISKO No one's in favor of surrender? ROSS (doesn't buy it) Unless they want to be surrendered. Not me. SISKO (his patience waning) Not me? ROSS My term as a Starfleet officer was fourteen years. I don't remember any further requests for assistance. SISKO The only reason they came here is because of me. ROSS That's what you wanted to do from the very beginning. But you were found innocent of all involvement in the assassination plots. SISKO That's a different matter. ROSS It may have turned out differently depending on how you look at it. SISKO Not from my point of view. ROSS (shakes his head) There were many lessons I wish I'd learned before I met wiry- nose. SISKO The inability to look into the future. That's one of the core defenses of every defensive weapon. It's why they're so effective. (a beat) Telling the future is the first duty of every Starfleet officer. ROSS Oh, I've heard that before. Napoleon Hill. SISKO (smiles) Would you care to quote our mission statement? ROSS (a beat) "We are charged with the protection of the citizens of Starfleet Station; a mission that will see us investigate mysterious plasma storms which may have ominous effect on the activity of the Federation." (indicating the monitor) What now? SISKO (to the others) Let's begin with you, old man. (indicates the monitor) What would appear to be the interior of the bridge. ROSS You mean the monitor? NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) to REVEAL the monitor screen, which displays a layout rather different from the exterior viewscreen we're used to. SISKO (OPTICAL) studies the image for a beat. SISKO (to Ross) This is quite a design for a menacing, half-bat'leth wielding magnate. ROSS Not exactly. Not even close. SISKO That's what I thought. But it's my understanding that a Terran battle cruiser would have a much larger phaser array... ROSS Yeah, but you're talking about accurate weaponry. (a beat) Smart gun. But don't tell them we're on the same team. Ross looks to Caerb, who shakes his head. KAJADA Caerb, move it. BASHIR I can't. Gavin and I studied the combat simulator last night. The heroes can't do that. KIRA I'll see to it. DAX Kira, listen to me. This is not the time or the place... KIRA (interrupting) Absolutely not the time or the place. This is the future... The terrorists will destroy the Enterprise this morning... the Bajoran evacuation will proceed this afternoon... and this Bajoran government will be annihilated the next day. (a beat) Why should we care whether they think you're a hero or not? Dax looks at her friends and sees that they're all holding their own, competing with each other for control of the narrative. DAX Somehow, I don't think we're supposed to be exactly who we were... law breaking, disruptive creatives... KIRA (controlling her emotions) You're not afraid of expressing feelings. DAX I was just doing what I thought was best for the station... what any First Minister would do. KIRA What else should you be doing? DAX Reading the provisional reports from the Militia and the Resistance. Making sense of them again. I've been doing it for years. But when I grow weary of it, I say it's time to move on. SISKO I'm glad to hear that. KIRA The movement is strong, Captain. We're still in the hands of the authorities. There's no reason to believe we can ever change them. SISKO Ah. But they have made many enemies in the past. DAX (nods) Even Bajor itself has to admit they're some scary people. SISKO You have to admit, they're a little eccentric. Being from the future, of course, means they've got their heads too far ahead of them. DAX Wow. I had no idea. SISKO Probably won't happen again for a long time. KIRA I'm sure that'll change. They turn their attention to the airlock. There's a long beat before Sisko pauses to say hello to O'Brien. SISKO referen en yoob, Tom? O'BRIEN How'd you know my name? SISKO It's theoretical physicist that studied me in graduate school. O'BRIEN YOU ARE NIRA HADRAN, SIRELLA KEOGH, LISSEPIAN. SISKO I'm Commander Sisko, and this is constantly. O'BRIEN It's great to meet you Commander. How's life on the station? SISKO It's doing well. As far as I'm concerned, everything's going to be fine. O'Brien and Sisko step down into the airlock. OMITTED INT. REPLIMAT (OPTICAL) Garak and Odo ENTER the space like a pair of hungry aliens. They spot Kira and the Bajoran girl of about fifteen. KIRA Commander, did they say when we'd be arriving? ODO Apparently not. They've made arrangements with a drainage system that doesn't look very promising. KIRA We might as well be going home. GARAK The Bajorans areists. They're not ready for peace. KIRA Now, that's an attitude I'd like to open up. Garak sees Odo's reluctant reaction and admits his error. GARAK Fortunately my opinion of the Bajorans is more nuanced than you'd think. ODO The balance in our society is broken. GARAK Exactly. Not everyone is as strong as they once were. And not everyone is as flawed as you are. Odo's struck a nerve. ODO I don't like the sound of that. (changing the subject) Today I was with Major Kira at the market. A Ferengi conducted an interview for me. It was barely relevant to my story. GARAK It was fascinating to watch him figure out a way to keep his customers happy and to avoid paying their troubles. ODO I can't say I blame them. GARAK You can't? ODO Not even a little. GARAK I suppose I should say. I sympathize a bit. That's what my clients want. ODO It's their right. GARAK Not your fault. It's our right as well. To survive, a person must adapt. ODO Adapt? GARAK To avoid paying his debts. ODO That seems simple enough. GARAK It isn't. If I weren't such a failure, our society would look somewhere else for a new leader. ODO Why would anyone choose to live like this? GARAK I don't know. It's as if some parts of our society just don't want to adapt. But every now and then, when a part of them is threatened, they'll turn on their common touch and get revenge. ODO I see. (a beat) You're thinking of ways to avoid that scenario, Garak. GARAK Perhaps. Garak thinks for a moment, clearly sensing that Odo understands what he's thinking about. GARAK (continuing) Are you? Odo takes a beat before answering. ODO No. GARAK That's too bad. Otherwise I would've been very frustrated. ODO Yes. GARAK I'm sorry I had to disappoint you, Odo. I know that we haven't been together as often as we'd like to. But I have some questions I'd like to ask the Constable. ODO These are questions that I would ask anyone. GARAK Any name? ODO Lorit recruited you. This sounds good to them both. ODO I don't know if there's anything special about him. Everyone knows that he telepathically controlled the Massive Data Experiment. GARAK That's because he used a high-tech gadget to stimulate the subjects of the experiment. ODO It's my understanding that when you "stimulate" the unwilling, you usually get something out of it. ODO That's true. GARAK I wonder what would happen if you were to feed that thing something of mine? Odo's smile turns simply Neutral. ODO Nothing. GARAK That's not entirely fair. If I were to feed it information about Major Kira, it might learn something about me. It's only my understanding that you don't get to feed a living thing to your pet. Odo systems? ODO It doesn't matter, Garak. I'll never be able to stop the sound of his voice. (a beat) I can't keep my hands off the button. Garak turns finally to the console, rushes to Kira's immediate side, gently shakes her shoulder to stop the music. GARAK referenise! KIRA What? GARAK It's a Ferengi trick. They think their tricks are more effective than the ones they use. Garak leans down to whisper something in her ear. GARAK (continuing) The trouble with Cardassian geography, lady, is that there's almost always a hidden war within one's own country. Just like you used to use French to bribe your way into the arms of the Cardassians. Or used to bribe your way into the arms of the Klingons. KIRA Leban, you're a spy. GARAK Perhaps so. But I like to know what I like. Kira is starting to put something together. KIRA I try to remember that I'm not bajoran. That Risian or Telnorri blessing is actually a Bajoran occasion. GARAK And exactly what is this event? KIRA The Cardassians got you. You used to cruise through the jungle with your back to the only natrium available. And you destroyed the natural world with your spare time. The sound of her finished. Gives him a small smile. GARAK You're good. But I suggest you put that in your report and report to me immediately. KIRA Maybe you haven't picked your way through the jungle yet, Garak. There are always the five or six random soldiers with the ability to see past the lines to the natrium source. GARAK Maybe. But it's hard to recommend me or my staff for leading an organic resistance movement. KIRA Garak, you've been an inspiration to us all your life. But you've never had to put that kind of credibility on the line. Now you have. And I can only count on you. And with that Kira EXITS. Hold on Garak's Monte +... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing the station. INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE SISKO, DAX, and KIRA are sitting at the desk, looking over a report on the desk. SISKO (reading) "The Cardassian Border Patrol and the Maquis are claiming three star atmospheric fragmentation patterns through the Chin'toka system." KIRA Pretty impressive, sir. DAX Me, too, but it's not making any sense to me. Every time Quark talks, he puts me on the spot. I have no idea why he's the one getting threats. SISKO We need to keep Quark from getting away. DAX I can't think of a reason why a Starfleet officer would protect a Priceonian Twinkling. KIRA Maybe he's worried his career will take a hit if we catch him running around outside our perimeter. SISKO This isn't a situation I'd like to have to find out about. DAX We should be able to get Quark to come with us. SISKO Can you actually get him to come? DAX I don't think Julian has the authority to make that request. But I'll try. Dax EXITS, leaving Sisko alone with his thoughts. CUT TO: INT. SURGERY Kira is sitting on a console, working the controls as a patient, GAILA, near-constantly rubs her stomach. BASHIR is putting her wounds into postures. BASHIR Continuing to work within schedule, major. KIRA No time for chit-chat, Doctor. You have Star Fleet orders. BASHIR That too is covered by report. KIRA Starfleet might be reluctant to officially support a Bajoran medical effort. BASHIR But we need help. We need to find a way to prevent this from ever happening. KIRA Do you have any evidence yet of a contagious disease, Doctor? BASHIR Not yet. KIRA In that case, I suggest a silent solution... BASHIR What are you suggesting? Kira thinks for a beat, then a PADD comes to life on her console. KIRA The cure is sapience. BASHIR The science of medicine? KIRA It's the ability to analyze and communicate with patients in a quick and understandable series of instincts. BASHIR You mean it's a gift. KIRA I don't think I need one. BASHIR Glad to hear it. That's the most elegant way to learn. I'm going to want doctors on this station before the end of the year. Bashir nods. He quickly crosses back to Garak and slaps him lightly on the shoulder. BASHIR That done. GARAK Any luck, Doctor? KIRA The cure is sapience. Bashir nods. He suddenly noticed that Garak is away from the console he was working. BASHIR What's the matter? Can't you do something with a brain? Garak nods as if this were answer. GARAK (matter of fact) That's right. I can do something with a brain. (beat) Right now, I'm simply hoping that you'll all sign off on the file transfer. KIRA Why should I? GARAK Because I already know why. BASHIR How smart of you. Garak nods knowingly. GARAK Doesn't it surprise you that I am the one who discovered the ruins? That I am the one who is most likely to discover the cure? Because I am the only person in this sector capable of manufacturing the plant material. KIRA But you also admit that some of the other Bajorans aren't transparent... GARAK They aren't directly involved in the occupation of the Gamma Quadrant. You see, they don't need to be. They simply provide the official signals for the occupation. BASHIR So what you're doing is... GARAK It's more complicated than that, Doctor. You have to understand that the Occupation is far from over. There are still five hundred thousand people living on the Federation station. They're still fighting Cardassia... yes, even invaded them. But they're also the most advanced civilization in the quadrant. We have to respect their interests. BASHIR A Space War with the Bajorans could undermine faith in this entire operation. And if there's one thing we've learned on this station, it's to tolerate these kinds of situations. KIRA Tom, we're a little busy here. Keep an eye on the weather. Bashir nods. He and Garak head for the replicator. INT. ORE PROCESSING Bashir and Garak both enter and start to work on the processors. KIRA'S COM VOICE Ops to Bashir. The transport ordeal's coming up in two minutes. Please report to the station. BASHIR I have to go. I found something. KIRA'S COM VOICE Looks like you've got company. They exchange looks. Kira heads for the door. INT. PROMENADE As Kira and Garak ENTER from the Security Office. Kira wearily EXITS the Promenade. GARAK You know, Nerys, it really is too late for you to change your mind. KIRA I'll keep it in mind. Garak smiles. INT. QUARK'S Quark places a sample case on the counter. He then moves toward the door and opens it. A BOX OF LUGMENT sits on the counter. QUARK After you. He places the box on the table. QUARK Here. This stuff doesn't sit well with you. Quark turns away and walks back toward the counter, but Gaila stops him. GARAK I can't think of a single reason not to like this stuff. QUARK You can't be certain of that. GARAK It's only there because I happened to have it in my possession. All it has ever done is give me the satisfaction of owning a piece of the Ferengi estate. QUARK Now all you have to do is retrieve it. GARAK Oh, all right. But first you'd better let me out of here. QUARK What're you talking about? Garak stands up and walks toward the counter. GARAK Let's find each other. Quark looks over at Garak, who smiles brilliantly. INT. OPS Kira and Dax are at their stations. N.D. Supernumeraries as needed. KIRA The Bajoran Ship is due to arrive in ten minutes. DAX We're on it. EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Bird of Prey approaches Starbase 375. INT. BIRD OF PREY - BRIDGE Sisko and Worf enter to find a vast starship battle taking place on a viewscreen. Much of the Bridge is dedicated to shuttlecraft play. The ship layout, the flight path, even the display banner, are designed to encourage quick, decisive action. Two Bird of Prey are on the viewscreen, one for each Starbase. WORF Fire. The ship shimmers into a BALL OF FIRE. RESUME As the ship decides what to do about the fireball. GARAK (off console) The ship has lost its target. (a beat) No aft shields. SISKO (to Worf) Lock phasers on the rest of their logistics. WORF Phasers locked and ready. SISKO Most of their weapons systems are down. (to camera) What have you got? Just then... DAX (V.O.) Chief? The Chief turns to see Dax standing at the entrance of one of the airlocks. SISKO (to camera) Chief, I think something might turn up in the Galorndon Core. DAX (dry) If you're interested. Sisko nods. He was hoping to hear more of Dax's stories. SISKO Remember the first day we launched the station? How tense was it? DAX Nowadays it's a lot more fun. (a beat) The first day we found the wormhole. There were only a few ships within the first hour. SISKO And there we were, stuck on a Cardassian planet, surrounded by hostile aliens. We didn't know what we were up against... DAX We didn't have any choice. We had to fight back. SISKO And you did a pretty good job of that. (smiles) You're a Starfleet officer... DAX It shows. Sure I can get attached feelings for you, Commander. I'm glad to get your approval. SISKO Give it to me, old man. Sisko leans forward, as if to give her another try. SISKO Dax. Dax turns around, a little surprised. SISKO What did I tell you? DAX You said I'm a Starfleet officer. SISKO I hope you're not about to start shooting Starfleet officers in the middle of a fight. DAX Actually, I was hoping you'd start thinking about your friends in the Starfleet hierarchy. SISKO When the fighting started, you let the Dominion Navy get between you and Doctor Bunyan. DAX If I had any objections to that plan, I wouldn't have said anything. SISKO When all the fighting was over, you ended up on the runabout with the entire crew intact. DAX That's not the whole story. If I had been caught in the blast, I probably would've ended up like Jadzia. She led me out of the plasma field to the rescue team. SISKO Jadzia obviously didn't have much hope herself. She turned down a promotion to a Starfleet escort just because she felt it would make her feel better. DAX Being a Starfleet officer herself, I can tell you that you do sometimes make those decisions. SISKO (smiling) Not everyone. Sisko smiles just a little, trying to shush the tension around him a little. SISKO What about these rescue mission requirements? (looking at the PADD) As I understand them, you've got two options. You can either send the rescue squad on foot, or you can use the tractor beams we sent out. DAX Let me see... in either case, try to get to the ionizing center fast. Remember that lower this threshold, the more intense the ionizing currents. SISKO I've got a feeling we're going to have to hunt for something in here. He turn to O'Brien. SISKO Chief, scan for anything out there... O'BRIEN (working) In fact, sir -- I'll be able to keep the impulse engines going while the warp engines are down to about sixty percent. SISKO I'm glad to hear your voice. O'BRIEN Don't worry, sir. Everything's going to work. SISKO I can't tell you how relieved that makes me feel. Sisko crosses over to the bio-bed of the runaway sergeant. He kneels down next to him and gives him a quick massage. SISKO Odo, what's the matter? ODO (asleep) I'm... unconscious. Sisko looks at him. ODO That's impossible. I've been gone over by a forcefield. You wouldn't know me if I didn't try to get out of my uniform. Sisko smiles. That's exactly what he was hoping to hear. SISKO Let's get you to the airlock. ODO You don't really expect me to go with you? SISKO Let's just say you won't be helping Starfleet any time soon. ODO I'd rather be alone. SISKO togethearing about your life choices isn't going to change anything. You're still a Starfleet officer. Your personal beliefs shouldn't interfere with your duties. ODO I may as well become one. He heads for the airlock. SISKO Dax? DAX I'll take my usual route. SISKO (a beat) Thanks, but I'll leave you alone. DAX No thanks. I've had my own little life. SISKO Remind me to buy myself a round of Miranda. Dax nods. She looks over to see Sisko heading out the airlock. DAX The Miranda's never a bad idea after all. SISKO For what? DAX I think I'll find someone. And with that Dax EXITS. CLOSE ON SISKO as he watches her depart. He's worried about his friend, but even so, he can't help but give the doctor a little tryst. SISKO So, how's the new leg? DOCTOR I think you'll find something to explain. SISKO Don't waste your time. I'm sure the fusion reactors can be found... if you want. Sisko starts for the door. DOCTOR (a smile) It won't be for long. Benjamin, you're an officer of the law. But Sisko EXITS. DOCTOR (as if nothing is wrong) You can't expect me to drop the innocence of one Starfleet officer because of some Martian decision. And as Sisko slumps in his chair, we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END