Star Trek: Deep Space Nine s03e26 Episode Script
The Adversary
Commander's log,|stardate 48959.
1 .
lt is with mixed emotions that l record|my final Commander's log.
The last three years have been|my most demanding and rewarding.
l only hope that the future will hold|even greater challenges.
There's something l've wanted|to say to you for a long time.
Now that l have the chance,|l'm going to make it short and simple.
Congratulations, Captain Sisko.
Does another pip on your collar mean|l can't disagree with you any more? - lt just means l'm never wrong.
|- We'll see about that.
Curzon would have been proud of you,|but not as proud as l am.
That means a lot to me, Dax.
Though l don't fully understand|this obsession with rank and title, if anyone deserves to be promoted,|it's you.
Thank you, Constable.
As someone who is obsessed with rank,|congratulations, Captain.
That goes for me too, Captain.
- This calls for a toast.
|- Better not be from a replicator.
Chateau Cleon, 2303.
|l already put it on your account.
- Can l?|- l guess a sip won't hurt.
Well Here's to the newest|and best captain in Starfleet.
All l can say is,|it's about time.
- Here, here.
|- Cheers.
That's enough.
Thanks for coming, Ambassador.
Those pips look good on you, Captain.
To be honest, l'm not really here|for the ceremony.
l had that feeling.
|What can l do for you? Our reports indicate|there's been a coup d'état on the Tzenkethi homeworld.
l doubt anyone will miss the Autarch.
l know l won't.
lt's too early to tell who's in control, but we don't want to take chances.
We need to remind the Tzenkethi|that the Federation is committed to protecting our colonies.
- You want to show the flag.
|- Exactly.
The Defiant will leave in two days|on a week-long patrol.
l'll be coming along.
l'm looking forward to seeing|the Defiant in operation.
You won't be disappointed.
|She's a fine ship.
With a fine crew.
What do you say|we get back to the party? For he's a jolly good fellow For he's a jolly good fellow Which nobody can deny - Hip-hip!|- Hooray! l want a complete overhaul|of the deflector shield generators.
Take on a full complement|of photon torpedoes.
lf the Tzenkethi start any trouble,|we'll be ready.
l don't doubt it, Chief.
Captain? Getting jumpy in your old age,|O'Brien.
My son thinks l should say something|profound on this occasion.
He even offered to write me|a statement.
l told him l'd take care of it, but the only thing l can think of is: Begin Captain's log, stardate 48960.
9.
Have you told her yet? Told who? Captain Yates.
About your promotion.
l barely had time to send my father|a transmission.
l don't even know where Kasidy is.
She's hauling a load of duridium ore|to Solais V.
You could contact her on subspace.
l'd rather tell her in person.
When's she due back? - About a month.
|- A month! There's nothing worse|than a long-distance relationship.
l wouldn't call it a relationship, Dax.
l've only taken her out once.
OK, twice.
The exact figure is three times.
She's quite an interesting woman.
A little opinionated,|but she has a nice sense of humour.
And? What do you want me to tell you,|Dax? That you miss her,|that you can't wait to see her.
l don't know.
Anything.
Kira, O'Brien, Bashir.
|They're all dying of curiosity.
l have to tell them something.
Fine.
You tell them|when she gets back, l'm going to take her|to the holosuite and we're going to watch the seventh|game of the 1 964 World Series.
You do like her.
- Captain on the bridge.
|- Ambassador.
- All stations report.
|- Helm ready.
- Weapons ready.
|- Communications system standing by.
Engines on-line.
- Release docking clamps.
|- Docking clamps released.
- Engage thrusters.
|- Clearing the station.
Lay in a course|for the Tzenkethi border.
- Aye, aye, Captain.
|- Engage.
Hello.
Who's there? Julian! - You called me, Chief?|- Why didn't you answer me? - l had this spanner in my mouth.
|- What are you doing here? Connecting my new diagnostic console|to the medical bay's power grid.
Just putting my engineering extension|courses to work.
You have your hands full.
- Oh.
Where are you going now?|- l'm done.
Not bad for an extension course.
You wanted to see me, sir? Yes, Commander.
|lt's about Ambassador Krajensky.
Please.
l know Starfleet doesn't intend this|to be a combat mission, but l want to make sure the ambassador|is kept out of harm's way.
lf hostilities occur, l'll see the|ambassador is escorted off the bridge.
- He won't like it.
|- l won't let that bother me.
Very good, Commander.
|That'll be all.
Captain.
l just want to say that l agree|with what Chief O'Brien said.
About your promotion.
|lt's about time.
l appreciate the sentiment,|but it doesn't change anything.
l have the assignment l want,|the crew l want.
The rank doesn't make|much difference.
You'd be surprised.
People don't enter Starfleet|to become commanders or admirals.
lt's the captain's chair|that everyone has their eye on.
That's what l wanted, but you don't get to be a captain|wearing a gold uniform.
You could always transfer|from Security to Command.
Then who would protect|the ambassador? Dismissed, Mr Eddington.
Thank you, sir.
Captain's log,|stardate 48962.
5.
We are 1 2 hours from the border.
l haven't been in this area since|the last Federation-Tzenkethi war.
Being here brings back a lot|of memories, most of them bad.
We're receiving a priority one|distress signal from Barisa Prime.
Put it through.
under heavy fire|from Tzenkethi warships.
Can anyone hear me?|This is - Constable?|- We've lost contact.
Try to re-establish.
lt's no use, Captain.
|They're gone.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We've been unable to re-establish|contact with Barisa Prime.
l've no choice but to assume|we are at war with the Tzenkethi.
Set a course for Barisa Prime.
l want continual scans|for Tzenkethi ships.
Constable, let Starfleet Command|know what happened.
Major, what other starships|are in this sector? The closest is the Ulysses.
|They're in the Helaspont Nebula.
That puts them 20 hours away|at maximum warp.
Transmit a message to Captain Entebe|on the Ulysses.
l can't get through to Starfleet.
There seems to be a power fluctuation|in the communications system.
The problem must be|in the transceiver assembly.
l need that system back on-line.
- Lieutenant, l could use some help.
|- Major, take the helm.
What do you make of this?|l've never seen anything like it.
lt's spreading through the system|like a parasite.
lt's linked to key points|within the transceiver.
We'd better get it out of there.
A force field.
- Come on.
|- Where are we going? To check the other command systems.
|l have a bad feeling about this.
These things are all over the ship? They've attached themselves|to the communication relays, the transporter,|the deflector shield grid.
Almost every critical system.
ls there any way to get past|the force fields? We're still working on it.
l guess the question is,|how did they get aboard? Or should l say,|who placed them here? l don't know who did it, but it|happened after we left the station.
l ran a check before our departure.
|They weren't there then.
Which means someone aboard this ship|is a saboteur.
We've got 4 7 people on board.
Any of them could have planted|those devices.
Chief? lt's nothing, sir.
|Not even worth mentioning.
lt doesn't sound like|you're too sure about that.
l saw someone crawling about in one|of the Jefferies tubes the other day.
- Who?|- lt was Julian.
He was connecting a medical console|to the power grid.
Which is right next|to the communications relay.
Are you accusing Julian of sabotage? No one's accusing anyone of anything.
|But l want to talk to Julian.
Wait.
l think l have a better idea.
This crew has been through a lot|together.
l would trust any one of you|with my life.
But after looking at the evidence,|there's only one conclusion l can draw.
Someone on this ship|is guilty of sabotage.
The Constable and l can begin|questioning the crew.
That won't be necessary.
|Lieutenant.
We found one of the devices|planted in the warp plasma conduit.
Whoever put it there would have been exposed|to tetryon particles.
Those particles would still be|detectable on the saboteur? Yes, but not for much longer.
|They dissipate quickly.
You're going to scan the crew|for tetryon particles? - Starting with the senior staff.
|- O'Brien and l scanned positive since we opened the warp core|controls.
You realise that if no one else|tests positive We'll be the prime suspects.
|Yes, we know that.
We might as well get started.
- You're clean.
|- l'm glad to hear it.
Might as well do me next.
You're OK, too.
Julian.
Of course.
- Nothing.
|- You sound relieved.
l am.
You were in that conduit|the other day.
Ambassador, if you please.
- l wasn't in a conduit.
|- l saw you there.
lt's a changeling.
We've cloaked.
|Lieutenant, bring us out of warp.
Full stop, now.
|Deploy security teams immediately.
l want that changeling found|before he can do any more damage.
The helm's not responding.
l can't deactivate the cloaking device.
The phaser banks are charging.
We've got photon torpedoes|ready to launch.
The ship's no longer|under our control.
Our security teams have gone over|every centimetre of the ship, questioned every crew member.
|We still haven't found the changeling.
Could he have been transported|off the ship? At warp? lt's unlikely.
But with Dominion technology,|l suppose it's possible.
He's still here.
He won't leave|until he's completed his mission.
lt looks like the Dominion|is hoping to start a war between the Federation|and the Tzenkethi.
The Tzenkethi are doing a good job|of that by themselves.
The transmission from Barisa Prime|could have been faked using the device we found|in the communications relay.
ln fact, our entire mission could|have been engineered by the Dominion.
We've been all over this ship and we have not seen a trace|of the real Ambassador Krajensky.
He was probably replaced|before we left the station.
Maybe the real ambassador never|came to Deep Space 9.
Everything he told us could|have been a lie.
The Tzenkethi coup d'état,|the threat of an attack.
And now here we are, armed for battle|and heading into Tzenkethi space.
lf we can't stop this ship|before we cross the border, we may cause a war|rather than prevent one.
Which is no doubt what my people|are hoping for.
A war would destabilise|the Alpha Quadrant, making it that much easier|for the Dominion to move in.
lf the sensors were on-line, it would be easier|to track down the changeling.
l'm not sure they'd help.
lf you scan me while l'm a rock,|you'll detect a rock.
l can't duplicate a humanoid perfectly,|but l'm guessing he can.
We scanned Krajensky.
|He registered as human.
The changeling could be anything|or anyone on this ship.
We have to narrow his options.
Confine all non-essential personnel|to their quarters.
Doctor, review all the tricorder|readings.
See if you can find anything.
|And take some security with you.
From here on,|no one is to be left alone.
We have seven hours|before we enter Tzenkethi space.
l want that changeling found|before then.
No matter how many precautions|we take, he could replace any one of us.
We won't know it until it's too late.
Hopefully this will be over soon|and you'll be able to return to duty.
Let's go.
This may take a while.
Keep your phasers on stun|and stay calm.
l don't want anyone shooting one|of us by mistake.
- l can't interest you in one?|- l don't use them.
No changeling has ever harmed|another.
l'd hate to be the first.
lf we don't stop that changeling,|no one will escape unharmed.
- lncluding you.
|- You may be right.
But l've been a security officer|most of my humanoid existence.
l've never found it necessary to fire|a weapon or take a life.
l don't intend to start now.
This is O'Brien.
l need a security team|in the engine room.
lt must have been the changeling.
|l went down the hall.
- When l came back|- She has a severe concussion.
We've got to get her|to the medical bay.
Stay here with the Chief.
Damage control team,|report to the Engine Room.
Aye, sir.
Dax is still unconscious.
She should be all right|in a day or two, but until then ls there any way to speed up|the process? l could use a neural stimulator|but that might cause brain damage.
Chief O'Brien is going to have to regain|control of the ship without her.
l'm afraid so.
|l should get back to my patient.
The changeling's clever.
Taking Dax|out makes O'Brien's job harder.
One thing's for sure.
We're not going to start a war|with the Tzenkethi.
lf O'Brien can't regain control|before we cross the border, l'll have no choice|but to destroy the Defiant.
Find the changeling and stop him|before he can do any more damage.
We'll break into two-person teams, each armed with phaser rifles.
We've reconfigured the rifles to fire|an energy pulse.
Phasers are set low enough|to prevent damaging equipment, but high enough to affect|the changeling.
The changeling|could be hiding anywhere.
He could look like anything.
We're going to have to sweep the ship|with phaser fire.
Every conduit, every corridor.
lf he's out there, we'll find him.
- Any questions?|- What if he's not out there? What if he's one of us? Everyone will be in teams.
|Keep your partner in sight at all times.
lf we see anyone without a partner? Escort them to the brig.
Let's go.
- Let's go.
|- After you.
- Don't you trust me?|- No, l don't.
l know exactly how you feel.
Follow me.
- Don't you ever sweat?|- No, l don't.
lt's the modified phaser beam.
|lt's heating up the air.
This would be a lot easier|if we knew where he was hiding.
Where would you be|if you were him? l wouldn't know.
l'm not him.
He is one of your people.
Can't you try to anticipate|his next move? l've thought about it, but the truth is l don't understand|my people all that well.
- That's too bad.
|- Yes, it is.
For all of us.
Watch my back.
On three.
One, two The changeling is in Jefferies tube 7 A, heading to the lower deck.
|l'm in pursuit.
The changeling.
|He's right over there.
Put your phaser down.
|lt's me, Kira.
We got separated.
|The next thing l know, he opens fire.
You're the changeling.
|l saw you go around the corner.
l didn't see anyone.
Maybe he morphed|into the ventilation system.
Or maybe he didn't.
- You may be the changeling.
|- Keep back.
Both of you put your weapons down.
- l can't do that, Captain.
|- You heard him.
What happened? How long have the two of you|been apart? - At least a minute.
|- Then we've got a problem.
Any of us could be the changeling.
|You, Kira, Eddington, even me.
- Not you.
|- What do you mean? You're bleeding.
l cut my hand when the changeling|attacked me.
When blood leaves a humanoid body,|it's still blood.
When part of me separates|from my body lt reverts back to a gelatinous state.
- Sisko to Bashir.
|- This is Bashir.
Doctor, meet us in the mess hall|immediately.
This shouldn't take long.
- Satisfied?|- So far.
- Who's next?|- l'll go.
l'd say the Major is exactly|who she appears to be.
Try not to look so surprised.
There isn't any point obtaining a sample|from the Constable.
l guess that just leaves|the three of us.
Let's get this over with.
You'd better come with us.
This is ridiculous.
|l'm not the changeling.
lf l were, don't you think l'd put up|more of a fight? - lnside.
|- You're making a mistake.
Do as he says.
Would someone please get me|out of here? Bridge to Captain Sisko.
|Sir, we're entering Tzenkethi space.
- Any sign of Tzenkethi ships?|- Sensors detect nothing.
We've altered course.
|Our new heading is 0-1 -5, mark 4-7.
We're headed for the Tzenkethi|settlement on M'kemas lll.
How long before we're|in weapons' range? Computer,|this is Captain Benjamin Sisko.
lnitiate auto-destruct sequence.
|Authorisation Sisko Alpha One Alpha.
ldentity confirmed.
|Additional authorisation required.
This is First Officer Kira Nerys.
Auto-destruct authorisation|Kira Beta Two Beta.
ldentity confirmed.
|Auto-destruct sequence armed.
Set the countdown for 1 0 minutes|from my mark.
Authorisation Sisko 1 -5 Destruct.
Mark.
Sequence initiated.
Auto-destruct|in nine minutes, 55 seconds.
- Sisko to O'Brien.
|- O'Brien here.
l could use some good news|right now, Chief.
l think l may be able to shut down|the force fields and access the sabotaged systems.
The problem is we may lose|our force fields.
- Auto-destruct in seven minutes.
|- How long will it take? l guess it'll have to be|less than seven minutes.
That'd be my suggestion.
|Sisko out.
- How's Lieutenant Dax?|- Still unconscious.
The changeling gave her enough|sedative to keep her under for days.
She'll be out for another|few hours.
- l wish l could do more.
|- You've done all you can.
Now it's up to Chief O'Brien.
Auto-destruct in six minutes.
All right, we're almost there.
When we set this device off, we may lose the protective field|around the warp core.
lf that happens,|this room will heat up fast.
Give the warp core a wide berth or you'll get a dose|of radiation poisoning.
- Where's the changeling?|- We haven't seen him.
- Wait.
lt's me, Odo.
|- You don't say.
Chief, remember the last time|we went kayaking in the holosuites? - You had lamb stew for lunch.
|- That's right.
But you forgot to bring a fork.
|Anyone could have got that information.
Auto-destruct in five minutes.
You'd better make a decision.
|We're running out of time.
l've more important things to do|than play choose the changeling.
Keep the phaser on both of them.
The shuttlebay doors are sealed.
|We have no way out.
Weapons are charged|and ready to fire.
Tactical systems are programming|an attack on the settlement.
- Chief, what are you doing?|- Auto-destruct in four minutes.
You'll see.
Now.
Warp core field breach.
Engine room will be sealed|in 1 0 seconds.
Shut down the main power grid.
No! Engine room sealed.
Why are you protecting these solids?|You don't belong with them.
- You belong with us.
|- Auto-destruct in three minutes.
Let go.
Don't you see?|You've lost.
lt's too late for you to help them,|but not to help yourself.
Link with me, Odo.
|We can escape together.
l don't think so.
Auto-destruct in two minutes.
You've got to regain control|of the ship.
Odo.
l never wanted to harm you.
- O'Brien to Bridge.
|- Go ahead, Chief.
l've restored control to the helm.
|She's all yours, Captain.
Take us away from the settlement.
|End auto-destruct sequence.
Authorisation Sisko Omega 1 -7 Abort.
This is Kira Nerys, First Officer.
|l concur.
Auto-destruct sequence aborted.
The phaser banks are powering down.
Take us home, Major.
Captain's log, supplemental.
|We've returned to the station.
l'm concerned about|my chief of security, who hasn't said a word|since we left Tzenkethi space.
The real Ambassador Krajensky|was on his way to Risa for an extended vacation.
|He never arrived.
Starfleet Security believes he's been|kidnapped or possibly killed.
- What about the coup on Tzenkethi?|- lt never happened.
Starfleet Command wants a detailed|report from each of us.
- Odo, are you all right?|- l'm fine.
- l hope l'm not interrupting.
|- Not at all.
Captain, there's something|you need to know.
The changeling, before he died, he whispered something to me.
Go on.
He said, 'You're too late.
|We are everywhere.
'
1 .
lt is with mixed emotions that l record|my final Commander's log.
The last three years have been|my most demanding and rewarding.
l only hope that the future will hold|even greater challenges.
There's something l've wanted|to say to you for a long time.
Now that l have the chance,|l'm going to make it short and simple.
Congratulations, Captain Sisko.
Does another pip on your collar mean|l can't disagree with you any more? - lt just means l'm never wrong.
|- We'll see about that.
Curzon would have been proud of you,|but not as proud as l am.
That means a lot to me, Dax.
Though l don't fully understand|this obsession with rank and title, if anyone deserves to be promoted,|it's you.
Thank you, Constable.
As someone who is obsessed with rank,|congratulations, Captain.
That goes for me too, Captain.
- This calls for a toast.
|- Better not be from a replicator.
Chateau Cleon, 2303.
|l already put it on your account.
- Can l?|- l guess a sip won't hurt.
Well Here's to the newest|and best captain in Starfleet.
All l can say is,|it's about time.
- Here, here.
|- Cheers.
That's enough.
Thanks for coming, Ambassador.
Those pips look good on you, Captain.
To be honest, l'm not really here|for the ceremony.
l had that feeling.
|What can l do for you? Our reports indicate|there's been a coup d'état on the Tzenkethi homeworld.
l doubt anyone will miss the Autarch.
l know l won't.
lt's too early to tell who's in control, but we don't want to take chances.
We need to remind the Tzenkethi|that the Federation is committed to protecting our colonies.
- You want to show the flag.
|- Exactly.
The Defiant will leave in two days|on a week-long patrol.
l'll be coming along.
l'm looking forward to seeing|the Defiant in operation.
You won't be disappointed.
|She's a fine ship.
With a fine crew.
What do you say|we get back to the party? For he's a jolly good fellow For he's a jolly good fellow Which nobody can deny - Hip-hip!|- Hooray! l want a complete overhaul|of the deflector shield generators.
Take on a full complement|of photon torpedoes.
lf the Tzenkethi start any trouble,|we'll be ready.
l don't doubt it, Chief.
Captain? Getting jumpy in your old age,|O'Brien.
My son thinks l should say something|profound on this occasion.
He even offered to write me|a statement.
l told him l'd take care of it, but the only thing l can think of is: Begin Captain's log, stardate 48960.
9.
Have you told her yet? Told who? Captain Yates.
About your promotion.
l barely had time to send my father|a transmission.
l don't even know where Kasidy is.
She's hauling a load of duridium ore|to Solais V.
You could contact her on subspace.
l'd rather tell her in person.
When's she due back? - About a month.
|- A month! There's nothing worse|than a long-distance relationship.
l wouldn't call it a relationship, Dax.
l've only taken her out once.
OK, twice.
The exact figure is three times.
She's quite an interesting woman.
A little opinionated,|but she has a nice sense of humour.
And? What do you want me to tell you,|Dax? That you miss her,|that you can't wait to see her.
l don't know.
Anything.
Kira, O'Brien, Bashir.
|They're all dying of curiosity.
l have to tell them something.
Fine.
You tell them|when she gets back, l'm going to take her|to the holosuite and we're going to watch the seventh|game of the 1 964 World Series.
You do like her.
- Captain on the bridge.
|- Ambassador.
- All stations report.
|- Helm ready.
- Weapons ready.
|- Communications system standing by.
Engines on-line.
- Release docking clamps.
|- Docking clamps released.
- Engage thrusters.
|- Clearing the station.
Lay in a course|for the Tzenkethi border.
- Aye, aye, Captain.
|- Engage.
Hello.
Who's there? Julian! - You called me, Chief?|- Why didn't you answer me? - l had this spanner in my mouth.
|- What are you doing here? Connecting my new diagnostic console|to the medical bay's power grid.
Just putting my engineering extension|courses to work.
You have your hands full.
- Oh.
Where are you going now?|- l'm done.
Not bad for an extension course.
You wanted to see me, sir? Yes, Commander.
|lt's about Ambassador Krajensky.
Please.
l know Starfleet doesn't intend this|to be a combat mission, but l want to make sure the ambassador|is kept out of harm's way.
lf hostilities occur, l'll see the|ambassador is escorted off the bridge.
- He won't like it.
|- l won't let that bother me.
Very good, Commander.
|That'll be all.
Captain.
l just want to say that l agree|with what Chief O'Brien said.
About your promotion.
|lt's about time.
l appreciate the sentiment,|but it doesn't change anything.
l have the assignment l want,|the crew l want.
The rank doesn't make|much difference.
You'd be surprised.
People don't enter Starfleet|to become commanders or admirals.
lt's the captain's chair|that everyone has their eye on.
That's what l wanted, but you don't get to be a captain|wearing a gold uniform.
You could always transfer|from Security to Command.
Then who would protect|the ambassador? Dismissed, Mr Eddington.
Thank you, sir.
Captain's log,|stardate 48962.
5.
We are 1 2 hours from the border.
l haven't been in this area since|the last Federation-Tzenkethi war.
Being here brings back a lot|of memories, most of them bad.
We're receiving a priority one|distress signal from Barisa Prime.
Put it through.
under heavy fire|from Tzenkethi warships.
Can anyone hear me?|This is - Constable?|- We've lost contact.
Try to re-establish.
lt's no use, Captain.
|They're gone.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We've been unable to re-establish|contact with Barisa Prime.
l've no choice but to assume|we are at war with the Tzenkethi.
Set a course for Barisa Prime.
l want continual scans|for Tzenkethi ships.
Constable, let Starfleet Command|know what happened.
Major, what other starships|are in this sector? The closest is the Ulysses.
|They're in the Helaspont Nebula.
That puts them 20 hours away|at maximum warp.
Transmit a message to Captain Entebe|on the Ulysses.
l can't get through to Starfleet.
There seems to be a power fluctuation|in the communications system.
The problem must be|in the transceiver assembly.
l need that system back on-line.
- Lieutenant, l could use some help.
|- Major, take the helm.
What do you make of this?|l've never seen anything like it.
lt's spreading through the system|like a parasite.
lt's linked to key points|within the transceiver.
We'd better get it out of there.
A force field.
- Come on.
|- Where are we going? To check the other command systems.
|l have a bad feeling about this.
These things are all over the ship? They've attached themselves|to the communication relays, the transporter,|the deflector shield grid.
Almost every critical system.
ls there any way to get past|the force fields? We're still working on it.
l guess the question is,|how did they get aboard? Or should l say,|who placed them here? l don't know who did it, but it|happened after we left the station.
l ran a check before our departure.
|They weren't there then.
Which means someone aboard this ship|is a saboteur.
We've got 4 7 people on board.
Any of them could have planted|those devices.
Chief? lt's nothing, sir.
|Not even worth mentioning.
lt doesn't sound like|you're too sure about that.
l saw someone crawling about in one|of the Jefferies tubes the other day.
- Who?|- lt was Julian.
He was connecting a medical console|to the power grid.
Which is right next|to the communications relay.
Are you accusing Julian of sabotage? No one's accusing anyone of anything.
|But l want to talk to Julian.
Wait.
l think l have a better idea.
This crew has been through a lot|together.
l would trust any one of you|with my life.
But after looking at the evidence,|there's only one conclusion l can draw.
Someone on this ship|is guilty of sabotage.
The Constable and l can begin|questioning the crew.
That won't be necessary.
|Lieutenant.
We found one of the devices|planted in the warp plasma conduit.
Whoever put it there would have been exposed|to tetryon particles.
Those particles would still be|detectable on the saboteur? Yes, but not for much longer.
|They dissipate quickly.
You're going to scan the crew|for tetryon particles? - Starting with the senior staff.
|- O'Brien and l scanned positive since we opened the warp core|controls.
You realise that if no one else|tests positive We'll be the prime suspects.
|Yes, we know that.
We might as well get started.
- You're clean.
|- l'm glad to hear it.
Might as well do me next.
You're OK, too.
Julian.
Of course.
- Nothing.
|- You sound relieved.
l am.
You were in that conduit|the other day.
Ambassador, if you please.
- l wasn't in a conduit.
|- l saw you there.
lt's a changeling.
We've cloaked.
|Lieutenant, bring us out of warp.
Full stop, now.
|Deploy security teams immediately.
l want that changeling found|before he can do any more damage.
The helm's not responding.
l can't deactivate the cloaking device.
The phaser banks are charging.
We've got photon torpedoes|ready to launch.
The ship's no longer|under our control.
Our security teams have gone over|every centimetre of the ship, questioned every crew member.
|We still haven't found the changeling.
Could he have been transported|off the ship? At warp? lt's unlikely.
But with Dominion technology,|l suppose it's possible.
He's still here.
He won't leave|until he's completed his mission.
lt looks like the Dominion|is hoping to start a war between the Federation|and the Tzenkethi.
The Tzenkethi are doing a good job|of that by themselves.
The transmission from Barisa Prime|could have been faked using the device we found|in the communications relay.
ln fact, our entire mission could|have been engineered by the Dominion.
We've been all over this ship and we have not seen a trace|of the real Ambassador Krajensky.
He was probably replaced|before we left the station.
Maybe the real ambassador never|came to Deep Space 9.
Everything he told us could|have been a lie.
The Tzenkethi coup d'état,|the threat of an attack.
And now here we are, armed for battle|and heading into Tzenkethi space.
lf we can't stop this ship|before we cross the border, we may cause a war|rather than prevent one.
Which is no doubt what my people|are hoping for.
A war would destabilise|the Alpha Quadrant, making it that much easier|for the Dominion to move in.
lf the sensors were on-line, it would be easier|to track down the changeling.
l'm not sure they'd help.
lf you scan me while l'm a rock,|you'll detect a rock.
l can't duplicate a humanoid perfectly,|but l'm guessing he can.
We scanned Krajensky.
|He registered as human.
The changeling could be anything|or anyone on this ship.
We have to narrow his options.
Confine all non-essential personnel|to their quarters.
Doctor, review all the tricorder|readings.
See if you can find anything.
|And take some security with you.
From here on,|no one is to be left alone.
We have seven hours|before we enter Tzenkethi space.
l want that changeling found|before then.
No matter how many precautions|we take, he could replace any one of us.
We won't know it until it's too late.
Hopefully this will be over soon|and you'll be able to return to duty.
Let's go.
This may take a while.
Keep your phasers on stun|and stay calm.
l don't want anyone shooting one|of us by mistake.
- l can't interest you in one?|- l don't use them.
No changeling has ever harmed|another.
l'd hate to be the first.
lf we don't stop that changeling,|no one will escape unharmed.
- lncluding you.
|- You may be right.
But l've been a security officer|most of my humanoid existence.
l've never found it necessary to fire|a weapon or take a life.
l don't intend to start now.
This is O'Brien.
l need a security team|in the engine room.
lt must have been the changeling.
|l went down the hall.
- When l came back|- She has a severe concussion.
We've got to get her|to the medical bay.
Stay here with the Chief.
Damage control team,|report to the Engine Room.
Aye, sir.
Dax is still unconscious.
She should be all right|in a day or two, but until then ls there any way to speed up|the process? l could use a neural stimulator|but that might cause brain damage.
Chief O'Brien is going to have to regain|control of the ship without her.
l'm afraid so.
|l should get back to my patient.
The changeling's clever.
Taking Dax|out makes O'Brien's job harder.
One thing's for sure.
We're not going to start a war|with the Tzenkethi.
lf O'Brien can't regain control|before we cross the border, l'll have no choice|but to destroy the Defiant.
Find the changeling and stop him|before he can do any more damage.
We'll break into two-person teams, each armed with phaser rifles.
We've reconfigured the rifles to fire|an energy pulse.
Phasers are set low enough|to prevent damaging equipment, but high enough to affect|the changeling.
The changeling|could be hiding anywhere.
He could look like anything.
We're going to have to sweep the ship|with phaser fire.
Every conduit, every corridor.
lf he's out there, we'll find him.
- Any questions?|- What if he's not out there? What if he's one of us? Everyone will be in teams.
|Keep your partner in sight at all times.
lf we see anyone without a partner? Escort them to the brig.
Let's go.
- Let's go.
|- After you.
- Don't you trust me?|- No, l don't.
l know exactly how you feel.
Follow me.
- Don't you ever sweat?|- No, l don't.
lt's the modified phaser beam.
|lt's heating up the air.
This would be a lot easier|if we knew where he was hiding.
Where would you be|if you were him? l wouldn't know.
l'm not him.
He is one of your people.
Can't you try to anticipate|his next move? l've thought about it, but the truth is l don't understand|my people all that well.
- That's too bad.
|- Yes, it is.
For all of us.
Watch my back.
On three.
One, two The changeling is in Jefferies tube 7 A, heading to the lower deck.
|l'm in pursuit.
The changeling.
|He's right over there.
Put your phaser down.
|lt's me, Kira.
We got separated.
|The next thing l know, he opens fire.
You're the changeling.
|l saw you go around the corner.
l didn't see anyone.
Maybe he morphed|into the ventilation system.
Or maybe he didn't.
- You may be the changeling.
|- Keep back.
Both of you put your weapons down.
- l can't do that, Captain.
|- You heard him.
What happened? How long have the two of you|been apart? - At least a minute.
|- Then we've got a problem.
Any of us could be the changeling.
|You, Kira, Eddington, even me.
- Not you.
|- What do you mean? You're bleeding.
l cut my hand when the changeling|attacked me.
When blood leaves a humanoid body,|it's still blood.
When part of me separates|from my body lt reverts back to a gelatinous state.
- Sisko to Bashir.
|- This is Bashir.
Doctor, meet us in the mess hall|immediately.
This shouldn't take long.
- Satisfied?|- So far.
- Who's next?|- l'll go.
l'd say the Major is exactly|who she appears to be.
Try not to look so surprised.
There isn't any point obtaining a sample|from the Constable.
l guess that just leaves|the three of us.
Let's get this over with.
You'd better come with us.
This is ridiculous.
|l'm not the changeling.
lf l were, don't you think l'd put up|more of a fight? - lnside.
|- You're making a mistake.
Do as he says.
Would someone please get me|out of here? Bridge to Captain Sisko.
|Sir, we're entering Tzenkethi space.
- Any sign of Tzenkethi ships?|- Sensors detect nothing.
We've altered course.
|Our new heading is 0-1 -5, mark 4-7.
We're headed for the Tzenkethi|settlement on M'kemas lll.
How long before we're|in weapons' range? Computer,|this is Captain Benjamin Sisko.
lnitiate auto-destruct sequence.
|Authorisation Sisko Alpha One Alpha.
ldentity confirmed.
|Additional authorisation required.
This is First Officer Kira Nerys.
Auto-destruct authorisation|Kira Beta Two Beta.
ldentity confirmed.
|Auto-destruct sequence armed.
Set the countdown for 1 0 minutes|from my mark.
Authorisation Sisko 1 -5 Destruct.
Mark.
Sequence initiated.
Auto-destruct|in nine minutes, 55 seconds.
- Sisko to O'Brien.
|- O'Brien here.
l could use some good news|right now, Chief.
l think l may be able to shut down|the force fields and access the sabotaged systems.
The problem is we may lose|our force fields.
- Auto-destruct in seven minutes.
|- How long will it take? l guess it'll have to be|less than seven minutes.
That'd be my suggestion.
|Sisko out.
- How's Lieutenant Dax?|- Still unconscious.
The changeling gave her enough|sedative to keep her under for days.
She'll be out for another|few hours.
- l wish l could do more.
|- You've done all you can.
Now it's up to Chief O'Brien.
Auto-destruct in six minutes.
All right, we're almost there.
When we set this device off, we may lose the protective field|around the warp core.
lf that happens,|this room will heat up fast.
Give the warp core a wide berth or you'll get a dose|of radiation poisoning.
- Where's the changeling?|- We haven't seen him.
- Wait.
lt's me, Odo.
|- You don't say.
Chief, remember the last time|we went kayaking in the holosuites? - You had lamb stew for lunch.
|- That's right.
But you forgot to bring a fork.
|Anyone could have got that information.
Auto-destruct in five minutes.
You'd better make a decision.
|We're running out of time.
l've more important things to do|than play choose the changeling.
Keep the phaser on both of them.
The shuttlebay doors are sealed.
|We have no way out.
Weapons are charged|and ready to fire.
Tactical systems are programming|an attack on the settlement.
- Chief, what are you doing?|- Auto-destruct in four minutes.
You'll see.
Now.
Warp core field breach.
Engine room will be sealed|in 1 0 seconds.
Shut down the main power grid.
No! Engine room sealed.
Why are you protecting these solids?|You don't belong with them.
- You belong with us.
|- Auto-destruct in three minutes.
Let go.
Don't you see?|You've lost.
lt's too late for you to help them,|but not to help yourself.
Link with me, Odo.
|We can escape together.
l don't think so.
Auto-destruct in two minutes.
You've got to regain control|of the ship.
Odo.
l never wanted to harm you.
- O'Brien to Bridge.
|- Go ahead, Chief.
l've restored control to the helm.
|She's all yours, Captain.
Take us away from the settlement.
|End auto-destruct sequence.
Authorisation Sisko Omega 1 -7 Abort.
This is Kira Nerys, First Officer.
|l concur.
Auto-destruct sequence aborted.
The phaser banks are powering down.
Take us home, Major.
Captain's log, supplemental.
|We've returned to the station.
l'm concerned about|my chief of security, who hasn't said a word|since we left Tzenkethi space.
The real Ambassador Krajensky|was on his way to Risa for an extended vacation.
|He never arrived.
Starfleet Security believes he's been|kidnapped or possibly killed.
- What about the coup on Tzenkethi?|- lt never happened.
Starfleet Command wants a detailed|report from each of us.
- Odo, are you all right?|- l'm fine.
- l hope l'm not interrupting.
|- Not at all.
Captain, there's something|you need to know.
The changeling, before he died, he whispered something to me.
Go on.
He said, 'You're too late.
|We are everywhere.
'