Star Trek: Deep Space Nine s02e14 Episode Script
Whispers
Computer, set heading 410 mark 32.
- Course laid in.
|- Maximum warp.
Engage.
- Time to Parada system?|- 1 hour, 14 minutes.
Open a new file, computer.
O'Brien, personal log.
|Stardate 47581.
2.
l've got to set the record straight|about the last 52 hours.
l don't know who's going to hear this.
l don't even know if l'll be alive by the time this log is recovered.
l figure they'll be coming after me.
lf l'm right about this, they won't want me to warn|the Paradas.
Coffee, Jamaican blend.
|Double strong, double sweet.
l wish l could tell you who they are, but that's part of the puzzle|l haven't figured out yet.
Part of the puzzle, hell.
None of this whole damn thing|makes any sense.
l'm trying to remember the first time|l noticed that things were wrong.
lt seems to me it was The first morning|after l got back to the station.
What are you doing up so early? l had a lot of work to catch up on.
|Thought l'd get an early start.
At 5:30 in the morning? Coffee, Jamaican blend.
|Double strong, double sweet.
l have a dozen essays to read.
- Did you have sweet dreams, darling?|- Go away! - Don't l get my morning kiss?|- No.
- What did l do to deserve that?|- lt's just a phase.
- She doesn't mean it.
|- Huh? Don't let it bother you.
What time did you get to bed? Late.
|l didn't want to wake you.
l was tired.
l guess that trip|really took it out of me.
- What did they have you doing?|- The Paradas? Basic training on security measures|for the peace talks.
Odo would have had a field day.
l wish you could have been there.
- l'd better get going.
|- l'll drop Molly at day care.
That's OK.
|l'm taking her with me.
When you've got all that reading to do?|That doesn't make sense.
l want to show her a Vulcan programme|that teaches problem-solving skills.
At 5:30? l want to do it while her mind is fresh.
- lf you say so.
|- See you later.
- What's this?|- Just getting a head start, Chief.
Everybody seems to be getting|a head start on me today.
DeCurtis, l appreciate|your bushy-tailed enthusiasm, but l was waiting for Odo|to come back to do this.
We have to realign the entire security|net for the peace talks.
Commander Sisko didn't feel|we should wait for Odo.
Sisko gave you permission to start this|without asking me first? You might want to check with him.
|l'm only following orders.
- l'll check with him all right.
|- Mr O'Brien.
Carry on! How long to Parada system? Direct sensors toward the wormhole.
Scan for other warp signatures.
One warp signature found.
Display.
ldentify.
Starfleet runabout Mekong.
l figured as much.
They'll wait for me to drop|out of warp and then We'll cross that bridge|when we come to it, won't we? Please restate question.
Disregard, computer.
Continue personal log.
OK.
So it was all a little curious.
But who could have guessed? The way they were acting, they might have been preparing|a surprise party, only my birthday's not till September.
As it turned out,|l had nothing else to celebrate.
l've been waiting for you, Chief.
- What is it, Julian?|- No more excuses.
l'd like you in my office in an hour|for your physical.
This isn't a good day.
Commander Sisko has you covered.
You're going to the Commander|about my check-up? - l know how you feel about|- l've got things to do.
lf l have to order you|as your superior officer, l will.
ls there a problem? Mr O'Brien says he's unavailable|for a physical.
- Make yourself available, Chief.
|- Commander Dr Bashir's annual report|is due next week.
- We've all had to go through this.
|- Fine.
Fine.
l'll be there in an hour.
Commander,|can l talk to you for a minute? Ensign DeCurtis mentioned|that you were upset.
- Not upset exactly.
|- You have every right to be.
l'm sorry l assigned him before|advising you.
l guess l dropped the ball.
- l just felt a little left out.
|- Understood.
l've read your reports on the Paradas.
They're preoccupied with security.
We would be too if we'd been engaged|in a civil war for 12 years.
Anything else l should know? Unusual protocols we should observe? Nothing out of the ordinary.
|lt's all in my report.
Tell me something|that's not in the report.
Something that might help me|in these talks.
l'd have to give it some thought.
There was one thing.
|l don't know if it means anything.
The Paradas have an odour|from some kind of skin excretions.
When they're upset,|it can get pretty strong.
- l'll try not to get them upset.
|- Good idea.
l've assured their leaders we'll follow|all their security recommendations.
l'll see to that.
l want you to check everything,|but the work can be done by crews.
- You have bigger problems.
|- Bigger? All upper pylons are down again.
That's impossible.
|l went over that repair work.
The pressure locks|were at maximum efficiency.
Check again.
We had to tow|a freighter to a lower dock.
lt can't be anything serious.
l rebuilt that subsystem myself.
- l'll get on it right away.
|- After your physical.
Yes, sir.
l noticed you and Keiko in front of the school this morning.
|ls anything wrong? Jake is having some problems|with his grades.
l'm sorry, sir.
|Keiko's very fond of the boy.
- She'll work harder to help him.
|- l'm sure.
Are you nearly finished? You've poked into every orifice|in my body and created a few new ones.
Any dizziness? Oversleeping? Lack of energy? Euphoria? All of them, especially euphoria.
|Lots of euphoria! lf you're determined to find|something wrong with me, l'll grow a hangnail.
Eye problems? Hearing?|Headaches? l'm getting a very bad one right now.
Short temper.
Flies off the handle|under the slightest provocation.
- Perfectly normal behaviour.
|- l'm glad you're enjoying this.
Sorry.
l know how you feel|about doctors.
lt's you, Julian.
- Your sense of humour seems normal.
|- l don't have one.
- Cough.
How's the sex life?|- l don't have a sense of humour.
Cough.
Everything all right|in that department? That department is none of Starfleet's|business or yours.
Parents in good health? You knew my mother died|two years ago.
You don't remember me telling you|when my father remarried? Me blathering on about this woman|l've never met before? Of course.
- Now l remember.
|- Are you finished? Not quite.
l just have|one or two more tests to run.
This is insane.
l haven't had a physical take this long|since l was born.
Unless l'm dying or something,|it's about time Wait.
That's it, isn't it? There is something wrong with me.
|That's why everybody Relax, Chief.
l'm giving you a clean bill of health.
|You can get dressed.
Hey, Chief.
- Hello, Jake.
|- l need a favour.
l'm working on a subspace transceiver, but l can't get the emitter to work.
Subspace transceiver.
l used|to build them when l was your age.
- l'll be glad to help.
|- lt's not a conflict of interest? Keiko won't mind.
lt's a chance to get your grades|back up.
My grades are great.
|l want to keep them that way.
Sisko was telling the truth|about one thing: the upper pylons had failed again.
|lt didn't make sense.
The pressure locks l'd installed|were working fine, so it had to be a new problem.
lt wasn't going to be a quick matter|to track it down.
lt would keep me occupied while the security arrangements|for the Paradas were under way.
- How's it coming?|- Chief.
l thought you were working|on the pylons.
l thought l'd take a break.
We made a complete sweep of|the quarters assigned to the Paradas.
Open it up.
|l'd like to look it over.
- l can't, Chief.
|- That's an order.
The security seal was activated|the minute we left.
Only Major Kira has the access codes.
- O'Brien to Kira.
|- Go ahead, Chief.
l'd like the access codes|to the Parada quarters.
What are you doing down there? l spent the last week going over|these arrangements with the Paradas.
l want those pylons operational.
|That's your priority.
Understood? Yes, sir.
Chief, is this the right inverter|for the subspace transceiver? l haven't seen one of these|since l was a kid.
l replicated it.
l found the design|in a really, really old data file.
- Really, really old?|- l didn't mean Come by my place after dinner.
|We'll add the rest of the pieces.
Jake, did anything unusual happen|while l was in the Gamma Quadrant? Your father's been looking for you.
|He's in your quarters.
- lt may be important.
|- See you later.
- Everything under control, Chief?|- All under control, Major.
l worked on the pylon controls|the better part of the day.
When l found the crack|in the RF power conduit, l didn't know how it could occur|so deep in the system unless someone had broken it|deliberately.
- Hard day?|- You could say that.
- Do you want to lie down?|- No, Jake's coming over.
l promised to help him.
Commander Sisko just called.
|Jake isn't feeling well.
Really? He seemed OK|a few hours ago.
You know how it is with kids.
He probably ate too much junk|after school.
Where's Molly? She's over at the Fredricksons|spending the night.
So there's just the two of us then? We'd better eat|while the food's still warm.
The replicator can keep it warm|and l can keep you warm.
- What's the problem?|- No problem.
l'm just not in the mood.
|l had a hard day, too.
OK We'll eat.
- What is it?|- Fricandeau stew.
- You don't like fricandeau stew.
|- You do.
l just thought you'd appreciate|one of your favourite meals.
A little endive salad,|sweet flan for dessert.
How thoughtful of you.
- You're not having any?|- l just feel like having salad.
- You're not hungry?|- l had a late lunch.
How is it? You know, l think l will lie down.
But you haven't eaten a bite.
l don't seem to have an appetite.
l don't know if anything was wrong|with the stew.
When l went back later to check,|she'd put it into the disposal.
All l could think of as l looked at her was that this was not my Keiko.
Computer.
Open O'Brien personal log.
Play back last sentence.
All l could think of as l looked at her was that this was not my Keiko.
You're right.
She wasn't.
Continue log.
l didn't get much sleep.
l waited for Keiko to go to bed,|then l started my search.
l had no idea what l was looking for.
|Something not quite normal, anything to explain|what might be going on.
Scan complete.
No|unknown micro-organisms detected.
Check for chemical agents|with bioactive properties.
No chemical agents with bioactive|properties detected.
- Any unknown chemical agents?|- Negative.
- Access internal EM sensor grid.
|- Ready.
Scan for any evidence|of subharmonic transmissions.
No subharmonic|transmissions detected.
- Any unusual neural wave patterns?|- Negative.
- Any telepathic activity on board?|- Negative.
Display all arriving vessels from stardate 47550 through 47571.
None from the Gamma Quadrant? No ships from the Gamma Quadrant within time parameters requested.
Coffee, Jamaican blend.
|Double strong, double sweet.
You're drinking too much of this stuff,|O'Brien.
Anything to stay alert, O'Brien.
OK, computer.
Play back station logs chronologically, starting with stardate 4 7550.
ldentify which officer's logs|are to be included.
- All officers.
|- Vocal or transcribed? Vocal.
Station log, stardate 4 7552.
9 Admiral Gupta has arrived to assess|Cardassian border movement.
Several Federation colonies a new life-form previously|unreported.
We have classified it lost in a shuttlepod in the|vicinity of the third moon of Bajor Vll We have two runabouts that l find absolutely ridiculous.
|They have actually requested at 17:00 hours and|seemed to function with no difficulties seemed satisfied the|Cardassians wouldn't violate the treaty.
Access denied.
Denied?|Access denied to what? Station logs after stardate 4 7569.
4|are restricted.
The day l got back.
|Describe the restrictions.
Access restricted to level one|security clearance.
- l am level one.
|- Please enter security verification.
Access denied.
Anything l can help with? l'm making sure the pylons|are working by morning.
You're an inspiration to us all.
There were several traps|in the computer subroutine to let someone know if l'd penetrated|the security lock-out.
l released the protected files|without any problem.
What l found didn't answer|all my questions, but it confirmed|what l'd been afraid of.
They were analysing everything|in my report about Paradan security.
They'd even broken into|my personal logs.
l hoped they enjoyed|the sexy letters to my wife.
There were entries by Sisko about|messages from the Parada system, but no indication|what they were about.
Maybe they thought l'd get in|even with a security lock-out.
Smart people.
Chief.
Odo, l have to talk to you.
lt's good to see you, too.
Aside from Jake,|not one of them wasreal.
l'm not sure who we can trust.
- Do they know you're suspicious?|- Probably.
l've asked questions.
|They'll be keeping close tabs on me.
What could l tell Starfleet?|My wife doesn't seem like my wife? Sisko hasn't been consulting me? They might even call Commander Sisko|and ask questions about you.
- When are the Paradas due?|- 38 hours.
l don't want them near this place|until we get this cleared up.
- Agreed.
|- Go on about your business.
l'll investigate.
|lf l can confirm your suspicions, we can go to Starfleet and the Bajoran|authorities at the same time.
- l'm glad you're back, Odo.
|- We'll get to the bottom of this.
l felt better than l had|for a long time.
l finally had an ally.
Now all l had to do was wait.
l'm a man with many talents,|but waiting isn't one of them.
l had to prepare myself|for whatever might happen next.
l still had a few tricks up my sleeve.
- The odds are against you, O'Brien.
|- Against me? What are you talking about? - You look tired|- What are you talking about, Quark? Racquetball, the rematch|with Bashir next week.
We never finished the first one.
We are jumpy, aren't we? - Change the subject.
|- Fine, we'll change the subject.
Tell me about the Paradas.
|They'll be here when? Tomorrow? Why do you want to know|about the Paradas? lt's good to know about customers|before they walk in your door.
Which Rule of Acquisition is that? One of the high numbers.
|194, l think.
You'll have to find out|about the Paradas from someone else.
- Odo to O'Brien.
|- Go ahead.
- Can l see you in my office?|- On my way.
- l see what you mean.
|- What did you find out? Sit down.
How much do you know|about the Paradan rebels? Don't ask me to explain the politics.
They've been fighting the government|for 12 years.
l'm trying to understand|the players involved.
Sisko's logs indicate that messages|are coming from the Parada system.
- Were they from the rebels?|- They were.
That's a breach of our agreement with the Paradan government.
lt's a reason|to cancel these peace talks.
That might be premature.
What are you talking about?|We've got more than enough - They got to you.
|- Don't be ridiculous.
l'm just No, they got to you.
- Let's have a little talk.
|- Who are you? - We don't want to hurt you.
|- This will help you relax.
Computer, lock onto my combadge.
lnitiate emergency transport|to runabout Rio Grande.
Unable to complete request.
Contact station commander|for assistance.
Making it tough for me? Fine.
You want forcefields,|l'll give you forcefields.
There.
Now you want to get me, you'll have to release them all.
Thank you.
Jake, are you OK? Good.
Listen to me.
|Something isn't normal around here.
Your dad, the others.
|Something's happened to them.
We're the only ones|who can help.
Jake Sisko to security.
|He's here.
Level H2, section 5.
Just surrender to them|and you'll be fine.
Check all quarters.
|Advise people not to let anyone in.
- Shut down your engines.
|- No, Commander.
You will not be allowed to leave.
|Shut down your engines.
You'll find that the mooring clamps|are already unlocked and your tractor beams are off-line.
|O'Brien out.
Shields up.
- Are the shields holding?|- Shields at 71 %.
Warning: shields at 49%.
Transfer emergency life support power|to shields.
- Transfer complete.
|- Shield status? Shields at 93%.
Full impulse.
|Heading 41, mark 330.
Confirmed.
Computer, open a subspace channel|to Starbase 401.
- Priority one, Admiral Rollman.
|- Stand by.
Admiral, Miles O'Brien.
|Chief of Operations, Deep Space 9.
l know who you are.
l must apprise you|of an emergency situation.
There's been some sort of takeover.
lt has something to do|with the peace talks.
Listen to me very carefully.
|Return to DS9 immediately.
You don't understand.
Commander Sisko and the senior|officers are under the influence of Turn the ship around and go back.
|You will not be harmed.
lt seemed unbelievable.
Had someone or something|started to infiltrate all of Starfleet? Computer, new heading.
|180 mark 31.
To the wormhole.
Coffee, Jamaican blend.
|Double strong, double sweet.
- Time to Paradas system, computer?|- 1 minute, 20 seconds.
How much lead do we have|on the Mekong? Seven minutes, four seconds.
That will disappear|once we drop out of warp.
At least l get to choose|where they catch up.
ldentify the largest planet|in the Parada system.
Parada lV.
- Adjust course to approach Parada lV.
|- Confirmed.
- How many moons around Parada lV?|- Seven.
Lucky seven.
|Display co-ordinates.
- Approaching the Parada system.
|- Drop to impulse.
Status of Mekong? Mekong has adjusted course|to identical heading.
Perfect.
How much time|have they made up on us? The Mekong is two minutes,|one second behind this vessel.
Adjust speed to let them catch up to us|in 30 seconds.
Dropping to point four impulse.
l'm waiting for you.
Warning:|entering polar magnetic field.
Sensors will be non-functional|for 27 seconds.
- Switch to manual navigation.
|- Switching.
Computer, full impulse.
Engage.
Manual navigation in effect.
Shut down all engines,|all main power systems.
- Maintain silent running status.
|- Confirmed.
Where did l go?|Now you see me, now you don't.
What's it going to be?|l can play hide-and-seek.
No time for games? Computer,|identify Mekong's new heading.
- Probable destination?|- Parada ll.
- What's on Parada ll?|- Specify parameters.
Monitor transporter activity|to and from the Mekong.
- Transporter has been energised.
|- They beamed to the surface? - Three people.
|- Anyone on board? - Negative.
|- Set a course for Parada ll.
Take us into orbit|above their location.
Having a little unscheduled negotiation|with the rebels? Put down your weapons|and we'll explain.
l've got a better idea.
|You put down yours first.
Do it! You too! Everything you need to understand|is behind this door.
- A squadron of rebels?|- lf you just permit me - Stay where you are.
|- We're not your enemy.
- No?|- Please.
- This will explain everything.
|- l don't want to hurt you.
Doctor, we need you! He's perfect.
|He looks just like me.
He thought he was you.
They thought that would make|him more convincing.
There was some device|programmed into him that would take over during the talks.
Government scientists can do|remarkable things with replicants.
- What was he programmed to do?|- We're not sure.
Assassinate someone at the talks,|perhaps our entire delegation.
They were tipped off by an informant.
There was a rumour|you'd been replaced by a replicant.
We've been looking for you.
There was no way to prove|he wasn't you.
He passed a physical.
|He knew his way around the station.
l had more wires attached to my head|than you can count.
We tried to shut him out|of every sensitive security area.
He must have wondered|what was going on.
When we learnt of your rescue,|he was on his way here.
l wonder why he was coming back? l'd try to warn somebody there was|something wrong at the station.
Maybe in a strange way|he was trying to be a hero.
Keiko What about her? Tell her l love
- Course laid in.
|- Maximum warp.
Engage.
- Time to Parada system?|- 1 hour, 14 minutes.
Open a new file, computer.
O'Brien, personal log.
|Stardate 47581.
2.
l've got to set the record straight|about the last 52 hours.
l don't know who's going to hear this.
l don't even know if l'll be alive by the time this log is recovered.
l figure they'll be coming after me.
lf l'm right about this, they won't want me to warn|the Paradas.
Coffee, Jamaican blend.
|Double strong, double sweet.
l wish l could tell you who they are, but that's part of the puzzle|l haven't figured out yet.
Part of the puzzle, hell.
None of this whole damn thing|makes any sense.
l'm trying to remember the first time|l noticed that things were wrong.
lt seems to me it was The first morning|after l got back to the station.
What are you doing up so early? l had a lot of work to catch up on.
|Thought l'd get an early start.
At 5:30 in the morning? Coffee, Jamaican blend.
|Double strong, double sweet.
l have a dozen essays to read.
- Did you have sweet dreams, darling?|- Go away! - Don't l get my morning kiss?|- No.
- What did l do to deserve that?|- lt's just a phase.
- She doesn't mean it.
|- Huh? Don't let it bother you.
What time did you get to bed? Late.
|l didn't want to wake you.
l was tired.
l guess that trip|really took it out of me.
- What did they have you doing?|- The Paradas? Basic training on security measures|for the peace talks.
Odo would have had a field day.
l wish you could have been there.
- l'd better get going.
|- l'll drop Molly at day care.
That's OK.
|l'm taking her with me.
When you've got all that reading to do?|That doesn't make sense.
l want to show her a Vulcan programme|that teaches problem-solving skills.
At 5:30? l want to do it while her mind is fresh.
- lf you say so.
|- See you later.
- What's this?|- Just getting a head start, Chief.
Everybody seems to be getting|a head start on me today.
DeCurtis, l appreciate|your bushy-tailed enthusiasm, but l was waiting for Odo|to come back to do this.
We have to realign the entire security|net for the peace talks.
Commander Sisko didn't feel|we should wait for Odo.
Sisko gave you permission to start this|without asking me first? You might want to check with him.
|l'm only following orders.
- l'll check with him all right.
|- Mr O'Brien.
Carry on! How long to Parada system? Direct sensors toward the wormhole.
Scan for other warp signatures.
One warp signature found.
Display.
ldentify.
Starfleet runabout Mekong.
l figured as much.
They'll wait for me to drop|out of warp and then We'll cross that bridge|when we come to it, won't we? Please restate question.
Disregard, computer.
Continue personal log.
OK.
So it was all a little curious.
But who could have guessed? The way they were acting, they might have been preparing|a surprise party, only my birthday's not till September.
As it turned out,|l had nothing else to celebrate.
l've been waiting for you, Chief.
- What is it, Julian?|- No more excuses.
l'd like you in my office in an hour|for your physical.
This isn't a good day.
Commander Sisko has you covered.
You're going to the Commander|about my check-up? - l know how you feel about|- l've got things to do.
lf l have to order you|as your superior officer, l will.
ls there a problem? Mr O'Brien says he's unavailable|for a physical.
- Make yourself available, Chief.
|- Commander Dr Bashir's annual report|is due next week.
- We've all had to go through this.
|- Fine.
Fine.
l'll be there in an hour.
Commander,|can l talk to you for a minute? Ensign DeCurtis mentioned|that you were upset.
- Not upset exactly.
|- You have every right to be.
l'm sorry l assigned him before|advising you.
l guess l dropped the ball.
- l just felt a little left out.
|- Understood.
l've read your reports on the Paradas.
They're preoccupied with security.
We would be too if we'd been engaged|in a civil war for 12 years.
Anything else l should know? Unusual protocols we should observe? Nothing out of the ordinary.
|lt's all in my report.
Tell me something|that's not in the report.
Something that might help me|in these talks.
l'd have to give it some thought.
There was one thing.
|l don't know if it means anything.
The Paradas have an odour|from some kind of skin excretions.
When they're upset,|it can get pretty strong.
- l'll try not to get them upset.
|- Good idea.
l've assured their leaders we'll follow|all their security recommendations.
l'll see to that.
l want you to check everything,|but the work can be done by crews.
- You have bigger problems.
|- Bigger? All upper pylons are down again.
That's impossible.
|l went over that repair work.
The pressure locks|were at maximum efficiency.
Check again.
We had to tow|a freighter to a lower dock.
lt can't be anything serious.
l rebuilt that subsystem myself.
- l'll get on it right away.
|- After your physical.
Yes, sir.
l noticed you and Keiko in front of the school this morning.
|ls anything wrong? Jake is having some problems|with his grades.
l'm sorry, sir.
|Keiko's very fond of the boy.
- She'll work harder to help him.
|- l'm sure.
Are you nearly finished? You've poked into every orifice|in my body and created a few new ones.
Any dizziness? Oversleeping? Lack of energy? Euphoria? All of them, especially euphoria.
|Lots of euphoria! lf you're determined to find|something wrong with me, l'll grow a hangnail.
Eye problems? Hearing?|Headaches? l'm getting a very bad one right now.
Short temper.
Flies off the handle|under the slightest provocation.
- Perfectly normal behaviour.
|- l'm glad you're enjoying this.
Sorry.
l know how you feel|about doctors.
lt's you, Julian.
- Your sense of humour seems normal.
|- l don't have one.
- Cough.
How's the sex life?|- l don't have a sense of humour.
Cough.
Everything all right|in that department? That department is none of Starfleet's|business or yours.
Parents in good health? You knew my mother died|two years ago.
You don't remember me telling you|when my father remarried? Me blathering on about this woman|l've never met before? Of course.
- Now l remember.
|- Are you finished? Not quite.
l just have|one or two more tests to run.
This is insane.
l haven't had a physical take this long|since l was born.
Unless l'm dying or something,|it's about time Wait.
That's it, isn't it? There is something wrong with me.
|That's why everybody Relax, Chief.
l'm giving you a clean bill of health.
|You can get dressed.
Hey, Chief.
- Hello, Jake.
|- l need a favour.
l'm working on a subspace transceiver, but l can't get the emitter to work.
Subspace transceiver.
l used|to build them when l was your age.
- l'll be glad to help.
|- lt's not a conflict of interest? Keiko won't mind.
lt's a chance to get your grades|back up.
My grades are great.
|l want to keep them that way.
Sisko was telling the truth|about one thing: the upper pylons had failed again.
|lt didn't make sense.
The pressure locks l'd installed|were working fine, so it had to be a new problem.
lt wasn't going to be a quick matter|to track it down.
lt would keep me occupied while the security arrangements|for the Paradas were under way.
- How's it coming?|- Chief.
l thought you were working|on the pylons.
l thought l'd take a break.
We made a complete sweep of|the quarters assigned to the Paradas.
Open it up.
|l'd like to look it over.
- l can't, Chief.
|- That's an order.
The security seal was activated|the minute we left.
Only Major Kira has the access codes.
- O'Brien to Kira.
|- Go ahead, Chief.
l'd like the access codes|to the Parada quarters.
What are you doing down there? l spent the last week going over|these arrangements with the Paradas.
l want those pylons operational.
|That's your priority.
Understood? Yes, sir.
Chief, is this the right inverter|for the subspace transceiver? l haven't seen one of these|since l was a kid.
l replicated it.
l found the design|in a really, really old data file.
- Really, really old?|- l didn't mean Come by my place after dinner.
|We'll add the rest of the pieces.
Jake, did anything unusual happen|while l was in the Gamma Quadrant? Your father's been looking for you.
|He's in your quarters.
- lt may be important.
|- See you later.
- Everything under control, Chief?|- All under control, Major.
l worked on the pylon controls|the better part of the day.
When l found the crack|in the RF power conduit, l didn't know how it could occur|so deep in the system unless someone had broken it|deliberately.
- Hard day?|- You could say that.
- Do you want to lie down?|- No, Jake's coming over.
l promised to help him.
Commander Sisko just called.
|Jake isn't feeling well.
Really? He seemed OK|a few hours ago.
You know how it is with kids.
He probably ate too much junk|after school.
Where's Molly? She's over at the Fredricksons|spending the night.
So there's just the two of us then? We'd better eat|while the food's still warm.
The replicator can keep it warm|and l can keep you warm.
- What's the problem?|- No problem.
l'm just not in the mood.
|l had a hard day, too.
OK We'll eat.
- What is it?|- Fricandeau stew.
- You don't like fricandeau stew.
|- You do.
l just thought you'd appreciate|one of your favourite meals.
A little endive salad,|sweet flan for dessert.
How thoughtful of you.
- You're not having any?|- l just feel like having salad.
- You're not hungry?|- l had a late lunch.
How is it? You know, l think l will lie down.
But you haven't eaten a bite.
l don't seem to have an appetite.
l don't know if anything was wrong|with the stew.
When l went back later to check,|she'd put it into the disposal.
All l could think of as l looked at her was that this was not my Keiko.
Computer.
Open O'Brien personal log.
Play back last sentence.
All l could think of as l looked at her was that this was not my Keiko.
You're right.
She wasn't.
Continue log.
l didn't get much sleep.
l waited for Keiko to go to bed,|then l started my search.
l had no idea what l was looking for.
|Something not quite normal, anything to explain|what might be going on.
Scan complete.
No|unknown micro-organisms detected.
Check for chemical agents|with bioactive properties.
No chemical agents with bioactive|properties detected.
- Any unknown chemical agents?|- Negative.
- Access internal EM sensor grid.
|- Ready.
Scan for any evidence|of subharmonic transmissions.
No subharmonic|transmissions detected.
- Any unusual neural wave patterns?|- Negative.
- Any telepathic activity on board?|- Negative.
Display all arriving vessels from stardate 47550 through 47571.
None from the Gamma Quadrant? No ships from the Gamma Quadrant within time parameters requested.
Coffee, Jamaican blend.
|Double strong, double sweet.
You're drinking too much of this stuff,|O'Brien.
Anything to stay alert, O'Brien.
OK, computer.
Play back station logs chronologically, starting with stardate 4 7550.
ldentify which officer's logs|are to be included.
- All officers.
|- Vocal or transcribed? Vocal.
Station log, stardate 4 7552.
9 Admiral Gupta has arrived to assess|Cardassian border movement.
Several Federation colonies a new life-form previously|unreported.
We have classified it lost in a shuttlepod in the|vicinity of the third moon of Bajor Vll We have two runabouts that l find absolutely ridiculous.
|They have actually requested at 17:00 hours and|seemed to function with no difficulties seemed satisfied the|Cardassians wouldn't violate the treaty.
Access denied.
Denied?|Access denied to what? Station logs after stardate 4 7569.
4|are restricted.
The day l got back.
|Describe the restrictions.
Access restricted to level one|security clearance.
- l am level one.
|- Please enter security verification.
Access denied.
Anything l can help with? l'm making sure the pylons|are working by morning.
You're an inspiration to us all.
There were several traps|in the computer subroutine to let someone know if l'd penetrated|the security lock-out.
l released the protected files|without any problem.
What l found didn't answer|all my questions, but it confirmed|what l'd been afraid of.
They were analysing everything|in my report about Paradan security.
They'd even broken into|my personal logs.
l hoped they enjoyed|the sexy letters to my wife.
There were entries by Sisko about|messages from the Parada system, but no indication|what they were about.
Maybe they thought l'd get in|even with a security lock-out.
Smart people.
Chief.
Odo, l have to talk to you.
lt's good to see you, too.
Aside from Jake,|not one of them wasreal.
l'm not sure who we can trust.
- Do they know you're suspicious?|- Probably.
l've asked questions.
|They'll be keeping close tabs on me.
What could l tell Starfleet?|My wife doesn't seem like my wife? Sisko hasn't been consulting me? They might even call Commander Sisko|and ask questions about you.
- When are the Paradas due?|- 38 hours.
l don't want them near this place|until we get this cleared up.
- Agreed.
|- Go on about your business.
l'll investigate.
|lf l can confirm your suspicions, we can go to Starfleet and the Bajoran|authorities at the same time.
- l'm glad you're back, Odo.
|- We'll get to the bottom of this.
l felt better than l had|for a long time.
l finally had an ally.
Now all l had to do was wait.
l'm a man with many talents,|but waiting isn't one of them.
l had to prepare myself|for whatever might happen next.
l still had a few tricks up my sleeve.
- The odds are against you, O'Brien.
|- Against me? What are you talking about? - You look tired|- What are you talking about, Quark? Racquetball, the rematch|with Bashir next week.
We never finished the first one.
We are jumpy, aren't we? - Change the subject.
|- Fine, we'll change the subject.
Tell me about the Paradas.
|They'll be here when? Tomorrow? Why do you want to know|about the Paradas? lt's good to know about customers|before they walk in your door.
Which Rule of Acquisition is that? One of the high numbers.
|194, l think.
You'll have to find out|about the Paradas from someone else.
- Odo to O'Brien.
|- Go ahead.
- Can l see you in my office?|- On my way.
- l see what you mean.
|- What did you find out? Sit down.
How much do you know|about the Paradan rebels? Don't ask me to explain the politics.
They've been fighting the government|for 12 years.
l'm trying to understand|the players involved.
Sisko's logs indicate that messages|are coming from the Parada system.
- Were they from the rebels?|- They were.
That's a breach of our agreement with the Paradan government.
lt's a reason|to cancel these peace talks.
That might be premature.
What are you talking about?|We've got more than enough - They got to you.
|- Don't be ridiculous.
l'm just No, they got to you.
- Let's have a little talk.
|- Who are you? - We don't want to hurt you.
|- This will help you relax.
Computer, lock onto my combadge.
lnitiate emergency transport|to runabout Rio Grande.
Unable to complete request.
Contact station commander|for assistance.
Making it tough for me? Fine.
You want forcefields,|l'll give you forcefields.
There.
Now you want to get me, you'll have to release them all.
Thank you.
Jake, are you OK? Good.
Listen to me.
|Something isn't normal around here.
Your dad, the others.
|Something's happened to them.
We're the only ones|who can help.
Jake Sisko to security.
|He's here.
Level H2, section 5.
Just surrender to them|and you'll be fine.
Check all quarters.
|Advise people not to let anyone in.
- Shut down your engines.
|- No, Commander.
You will not be allowed to leave.
|Shut down your engines.
You'll find that the mooring clamps|are already unlocked and your tractor beams are off-line.
|O'Brien out.
Shields up.
- Are the shields holding?|- Shields at 71 %.
Warning: shields at 49%.
Transfer emergency life support power|to shields.
- Transfer complete.
|- Shield status? Shields at 93%.
Full impulse.
|Heading 41, mark 330.
Confirmed.
Computer, open a subspace channel|to Starbase 401.
- Priority one, Admiral Rollman.
|- Stand by.
Admiral, Miles O'Brien.
|Chief of Operations, Deep Space 9.
l know who you are.
l must apprise you|of an emergency situation.
There's been some sort of takeover.
lt has something to do|with the peace talks.
Listen to me very carefully.
|Return to DS9 immediately.
You don't understand.
Commander Sisko and the senior|officers are under the influence of Turn the ship around and go back.
|You will not be harmed.
lt seemed unbelievable.
Had someone or something|started to infiltrate all of Starfleet? Computer, new heading.
|180 mark 31.
To the wormhole.
Coffee, Jamaican blend.
|Double strong, double sweet.
- Time to Paradas system, computer?|- 1 minute, 20 seconds.
How much lead do we have|on the Mekong? Seven minutes, four seconds.
That will disappear|once we drop out of warp.
At least l get to choose|where they catch up.
ldentify the largest planet|in the Parada system.
Parada lV.
- Adjust course to approach Parada lV.
|- Confirmed.
- How many moons around Parada lV?|- Seven.
Lucky seven.
|Display co-ordinates.
- Approaching the Parada system.
|- Drop to impulse.
Status of Mekong? Mekong has adjusted course|to identical heading.
Perfect.
How much time|have they made up on us? The Mekong is two minutes,|one second behind this vessel.
Adjust speed to let them catch up to us|in 30 seconds.
Dropping to point four impulse.
l'm waiting for you.
Warning:|entering polar magnetic field.
Sensors will be non-functional|for 27 seconds.
- Switch to manual navigation.
|- Switching.
Computer, full impulse.
Engage.
Manual navigation in effect.
Shut down all engines,|all main power systems.
- Maintain silent running status.
|- Confirmed.
Where did l go?|Now you see me, now you don't.
What's it going to be?|l can play hide-and-seek.
No time for games? Computer,|identify Mekong's new heading.
- Probable destination?|- Parada ll.
- What's on Parada ll?|- Specify parameters.
Monitor transporter activity|to and from the Mekong.
- Transporter has been energised.
|- They beamed to the surface? - Three people.
|- Anyone on board? - Negative.
|- Set a course for Parada ll.
Take us into orbit|above their location.
Having a little unscheduled negotiation|with the rebels? Put down your weapons|and we'll explain.
l've got a better idea.
|You put down yours first.
Do it! You too! Everything you need to understand|is behind this door.
- A squadron of rebels?|- lf you just permit me - Stay where you are.
|- We're not your enemy.
- No?|- Please.
- This will explain everything.
|- l don't want to hurt you.
Doctor, we need you! He's perfect.
|He looks just like me.
He thought he was you.
They thought that would make|him more convincing.
There was some device|programmed into him that would take over during the talks.
Government scientists can do|remarkable things with replicants.
- What was he programmed to do?|- We're not sure.
Assassinate someone at the talks,|perhaps our entire delegation.
They were tipped off by an informant.
There was a rumour|you'd been replaced by a replicant.
We've been looking for you.
There was no way to prove|he wasn't you.
He passed a physical.
|He knew his way around the station.
l had more wires attached to my head|than you can count.
We tried to shut him out|of every sensitive security area.
He must have wondered|what was going on.
When we learnt of your rescue,|he was on his way here.
l wonder why he was coming back? l'd try to warn somebody there was|something wrong at the station.
Maybe in a strange way|he was trying to be a hero.
Keiko What about her? Tell her l love