Star Trek: Deep Space Nine s06e04 Episode Script
Behind the Lines
Captain's Log, Stardate 51145.
3.
The Defiant has been operating|out of Starbase 375 conducting forays|into Dominion controlled space.
While the missions have taken|a toll on my people they remain determined to do whatever it takes|to win this war as do I.
Here you are.
Where did you get your|hands on Saurian brandy? In the middle of a war, no less.
It's a busy starbase.
I may be a cadet,|but I'm still a Ferengi.
Lucky for us.
Excuse me, Captain.
The power cell|from the phaser array.
We used it up|on the last mission.
Take a good look at this,|people.
It says something|about this ship.
It says that we will fight and we will keep on fighting|until we can't fight anymore.
Yes, sir.
You don't just throw|something like this away.
No, sir.
Admiral on deck.
As you were.
Ben.
Admiral.
Um, let's, uh, take a walk.
What was going on in there? Just a little ritual|we fell into.
It kind of helps|the crew unwind.
Well, they deserve it.
They did a hell of a job.
Thank you, sir.
But you didn't come here|to tell me that, did you? No, I didn't.
Ever since this war began,|the Dominion's been able to outmaneuver us at every turn.
Wherever we send our ships they seem to be there|waiting for us.
I've noticed that.
It was enough to make you think that they were|smarter than we are.
But they're not.
They just had an edge that we|didn't know anything about until yesterday.
Starfleet Intelligence has located|a massive sensor array hidden on the periphery|of the Argolis Cluster.
The damn thing's capable of monitoring ship movements|over five sectors.
That's how they managed|to stay one step ahead of us.
They've had an enormous|tactical advantage.
I want you|to take it away from them.
Gladly, sir.
It won't be easy.
The array is heavily defended.
This is the intelligence report.
Look it over.
I want an attack plan|on my desk by 0800.
You'll have it.
There he is.
Damar's a creature|of habit, all right.
After a hard day at work,|he deserves his glass of kanar.
"Why are the Jem'Hadar|always in here?" He asks himself.
They don't drink.
|They don't eat.
They don't gamble.
All they do is take up space.
Damar asks his bartender if he found a padd|he was working on the other day.
My brother tells the truth.
He hasn't seen it.
Damar doesn't like that.
The padd contained a draft copy of a secret memorandum|he was working on concerning the shortage|of white.
In it, he speculates|that, without the drug the Jem'Hadar will run amok killing everyone|and everything in their path.
Damar recommends|that if the Cardassians can't bring down the minefield and reopen the supply-line|from the Gamma Quadrant they should poison|the last ration of white eliminating the Jem'Hadar|before it's too late.
How did you get ahold|of Damar's padd anyway? I'm good with my hands.
Here we go.
They've seen him.
Damar.
The missing padd.
Where'd you find that? Damar accuses them|of stealing it.
But they say they found it|outside their quarters right where I left it.
have you and your whole race|thrown off of this station! I knew this was going to work.
The Cardassians|and the Jem'Hadar can pretend to be allies but they hate each other.
Get out of my way! Ow.
When I confronted them,|they attacked me.
I don't care what they did.
You should never have let this situation|get out of hand.
Get out! How could Damar be|so stupid as to leave such an inflammatory document|lying around for anyone to find? Your men stole it from him.
Jem'Hadar are not thieves.
And Damar is not a liar.
Keep your voice down.
Our men need to see|that we're still allies.
Smile.
Dukat.
I'm smiling.
Gentlemen, I suggest|we get everyone out of here as soon as possible.
Odo's right.
Tell your men they're|confined to quarters pending disciplinary hearings.
I'll do the same.
And keep smiling.
Come.
According to Intelligence the array is capable|of detecting cloaked ships as far as two light years away.
By the time the Defiant|goes around the Argolis Cluster the Dominion will already know|we're coming.
You'll have a dozen|Jem'Hadar ships on you before you can even get close.
That's why we need the element|of surprise on our side.
It's the only way.
What are you suggesting? That I take the Defiant|through the Argolis.
You can't get a ship|through there.
You'd be cut to pieces|by the gravimetric shear.
That's exactly|what the Dominion thinks.
But if we come at them|from the Argolis they won't know what hit them.
What makes you think|you can get through? Dax says she can navigate around the gravimetric|distortions.
She's studied|protostar clusters.
She knows what to look for.
It's a gamble but it's one|I'm willing to take.
All right.
Let's give it a shot.
When can you leave? As soon as we finish repairs|on the Defiant.
Keep me posted, Captain.
You wanted to see me.
Well? Don't you have|something to say to me? About what happened at Quark's? Yeah.
It worked better|than I expected.
I knew you were behind it! Of course you did.
We discussed it|at our last resistance meeting.
And I said it was a bad idea.
Yes, you did.
And then you walked|out of the room like there was nothing|left to say.
But Rom and Jake stayed and we discussed it,|and you know what? I decided it was a good idea.
So you went ahead|and did it behind my back? Why are you taking this|so personally? How do you expect me to take it? I spend my days sitting on the|Council with Dukat and Weyoun doing whatever I can|to make sure that Bajor survives this war intact.
The last thing I need is to have you running around|causing mayhem.
Do you have any idea|what Dukat would do if he found out|you were behind it?! It's all the excuse|he would need to throw every Bajoran|off this station.
The Federation|is losing this war.
We can't sit by and do nothing.
There are limits|to what we can do.
I'm beginning to think you shouldn't have agreed to sit|on that Council.
It's as if you're so invested in making sure|the station runs smoothly you've forgotten|there's a war going on.
Are you questioning|my loyalties, Major? I need you, Odo.
The resistance needs you.
Answer me.
Are you questioning|my loyalties? Oh, of course not.
That's not what this is about-- Hello, Odo.
It's good to see you again.
Leave us.
I need to speak with Odo.
Do you? It's all right, Nerys.
I may as well hear|what she has to say.
Are you sure? You called her "Nerys.
" What of it? Well, you used|to call her "Major.
" Using the name of a solid|denotes intimacy.
You're a long way from home.
Here to keep an eye|on the war effort? I'm content to leave the details|of the war to the Vorta.
Then what brings you|to Deep Space 9? You.
I was trapped|in the Alpha Quadrant when Captain Sisko mined|the entrance to the wormhole.
I have spent too much time|with solids.
I came because I felt the need|to be with one of my own.
Ah.
Well, that's ironic considering what happened|the last time we crossed paths.
You caused the death|of a fellow changeling, Odo.
Turning you into a solid was the only punishment|severe enough for your crime.
And now|that I'm a changeling again you come here|as though nothing ever happened? We have forgiven you.
Well, I haven't forgiven you.
It is time to put|the past behind us, Odo.
And what about the present? You're waging a war|against my home.
This is not your home.
You belong with your own kind as part of the Great Link.
I'm quite content here,|thank you.
You say that|because you don't know what you're capable of becoming.
Perhaps if we spent|some time together you might begin to understand.
Admiral, you wanted to see me? I just got word.
Captain Bennet's promotion|has come through.
At my recommendation Starfleet's putting|her in charge of Seventh Tactical Wing.
She was one of the best|adjutants I've ever had-- a strong grasp of strategy and ability to see|the big picture.
Sounds like it's|not going to be easy to find someone|to take her place.
I already have-- you.
Sir? I've been very impressed with|you over these past few weeks.
I think we would|make a good team.
Thank you, sir.
Your new assignment|is effective immediately.
Immediately, sir? What about the Argolis mission? Commander Dax will|captain the Defiant.
She is up to it, isn't she? Oh, absolutely, sir.
I guess I'd just|gotten used to the idea of commanding|the mission myself.
Look over|these tactical reports.
I want your thoughts|on the Bolian operation.
We'll meet here at 0600.
Ben congratulations.
Legate Krim will be arriving|in the morning.
I'll have a security detail|escort him to your office.
Well, if that's all Founder, you honor us|with your presence.
I understand the war|is going well.
Only because|I've followed the plan the Founders laid out for me.
Welcome to Terok Nor.
I'm glad we're finally|getting a chance to meet.
As leaders|of our respective worlds you and I will be|taking our people into a future|that I'm quite confidant-- What about the minefield? Why hasn't it been deactivated? Yes, Dukat.
This delay is intolerable.
There are thousands|of Jem'Hadar ships stranded on the other|side of the wormhole waiting to come through|and join the war effort.
Maybe you haven't read|the latest reports but even without those ships I'm still winning this war.
You're winning? I assure you,|I'm intimately involved in all military decisions.
See to it|the minefield is brought down.
Of course.
We've imposed our presence|on you long enough.
If there's anything you need|while you're here please, let me know.
Do they always compete|with one another like that? As a matter of fact, they do.
You have to interact|with them often.
It must be trying for you.
It hasn't been easy.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have some work|to do in my quarters.
May I walk with you? To become a thing|is to know a thing.
To assume its form is to begin to understand|its existence.
You tried to teach me that|when I visited our homeworld.
Hmm I remember.
I didn't understand what you meant by it at first.
So when I returned|to the station I got rid of all the furniture|I used to have in my quarters and replaced it|with these objects.
I've assumed every shape|in this room.
I suppose|if it weren't for you I never would have known|the simple pleasure of spending time existing|as a stone or a branch.
I'm glad you learned|something from your visit.
Your arrival was a time|of great joy for the Link and your departure,|a time of great sadness.
If only you had stayed|with us, Odo I couldn't.
You chose the solids.
And I haven't regretted it.
Not even a little? I do think about the Link|from time to time.
It's there for you.
I can't.
Why? Because of Kira? You still have feelings|for her, don't you? But she doesn't share them.
I'm sorry.
Aren't you going to tell me I shouldn't waste my time|with a solid? You love her.
And I wish I didn't.
I'm so vulnerable to her.
All she has to do is smile at me and I'm happy beyond reason.
A minor disagreement between us and I'm devastated.
It's absurd.
Sometimes, I wish I could|reach inside myself and tear out|my feelings for her.
But I can't.
Poor Odo.
I don't want your pity.
I am not offering pity.
What I need is some peace.
What you need is clarity.
I can give you that.
Do you want me to stop? That'll be all.
What are you doing here, Damar? Did Dukat demote you|to security detail? What can I do for you, Major? I'm looking for Odo.
Well, he's not here.
Do you know where he is? Yes.
That's good.
It's good to know|where your boss is.
He's in his quarters with the other shape-shifter.
Jealous, Major? Try to stay out of trouble,|Damar.
You don't want to end up|on sanitation duty.
Come in.
Odo? Nerys.
I dropped by your office and Damar told me|you were here with her.
She was here,|but she's gone now.
You all right? What did she want? She didn't want anything.
Then what was she doing here? I know how you feel|about her, Major but there's no reason|to be concerned.
You don't know how much|I wish I could believe that.
You didn't link|with her, did you? Actually, I did.
You did? What were you thinking? She didn't find out|about the resistance if that's why you're worried.
It's not.
The Link isn't about exchanging information.
It's about merging thought|and form, idea and sensation.
That sounds like a perfect way|to manipulate someone.
She's not manipulating me.
Ever since the day|you two crossed paths she has lied to you, tricked you stood in judgment of you.
I don't trust her.
I don't understand how you can.
I linked with her.
If she had any hidden motive I would have sensed it.
She's just trying|to teach me about myself-- about what I'm capable|of becoming.
An intergalactic warlord, maybe? Because that's what she is.
Who knows? By linking with her I might be able|to make her understand that the Federation doesn't|pose a threat to her people.
You believe you can convince her|to call off the war? If you could|experience the Link you'd understand the effect|it has on my people.
You'd realize|that anything is possible.
I'm only beginning|to understand it all, myself.
I still have so many questions.
Now that she's here, I have|a chance to find some answers.
Odo, this isn't the time to go off on some kind|of personal quest.
There's too much at stake.
After the war is over,|do whatever you need to do.
If you feel you need to go|and join the Great Link I'm|I'm not going to stop you.
But for right now I need you here-- focused.
Please promise me that you're not going|to link with her again.
Not until this is over.
All right.
I won't.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have to get to work.
I'll see you|at the resistance meeting.
Are you two ever|going to be finished? Just a few more minutes,|Commander.
That's "Captain.
" It's an old naval tradition.
Whoever's in command of a ship,|regardless of rank is referred to as "Captain.
" You mean, if I|had to take command I would be called|"Captain," too? Cadet, by the time|you took command there'd be nobody left|to call you anything.
Good point.
Come to take a last look around? Not a last look, I hope.
How are the repairs coming? Almost done.
I wouldn't get too comfortable|in that chair, old man.
When this war is over,|I'm going to want my ship back.
Fine.
When this war's over,|I'm going on a honeymoon.
All done here, Captain.
-Very well.
|-All right.
Plot a course|for the Argolis Cluster and prepare for departure.
Aye, Captain.
Benjamin I wish you were coming with us.
You'll do fine.
Pardon our appearance.
We're renovating.
Kanar.
Not that one.
The '27.
'27? Expensive.
I can afford it on a Gul's salary.
Wait a minute.
You started a fight in my bar and now you're|getting a promotion? What kind of way is that|to run an army? Dukat wasn't happy|about what happened.
I had to find a way|to make it up to him.
I hope it was something big.
Let's just say it will change|the course of history.
As a businessman I'm very interested|in the course of history.
This one's on me.
Well, that's very kind|of you, Quark but I can't talk about it.
Of course.
I understand.
Here.
|Let me pour you another.
There's obviously|a lot of bad blood between the Cardassians|and the Jem'Hadar.
It wouldn't take much to get them to go|at each other again.
Yeah, I'm not sure|we want to do that.
But it worked so well.
What do you think, Odo? I'm not sure it's a good idea.
Then we'll do something else.
Major-- Something that we can all agree on.
Who could that be? We're just sitting here enjoying each other's company.
Right.
Come in.
Brother are you all right? No, I am not all right.
I just shared a bottle|of kanar with Damar.
That rhymes.
You're drunk.
Of course I'm drunk.
I wouldn't risk coming in here and associating myself|with your little resistance cell if I wasn't drunk.
Oh, well then maybe|you'd better leave before someone sees you.
I tried.
I tried my best to run my establishment|under this occupation.
But you know what? It's no fun.
I don't like Cardassians.
They're mean and arrogant.
And I can't stand the Jem'Hadar.
They're creepy.
They just stand there|like statues staring at you.
That's it.
I don't want to spend|the rest of my life doing business|with these people.
I want the Federation back.
I want to sell root beer again.
All right.
You made your point.
|Relax.
How can I relax when there are thousands|of Jem'Hadar ships sitting on the other side|of the wormhole waiting to come through? Don't worry about it.
They're stuck there.
Not if what Damar told me|is true.
What are you talking about? He said he came up with a way|to deactivate the mines.
Dukat wants him to start|field tests right away.
Come on, Quark, think.
Did Damar say anything|about how he was planning to deactivate the mines? Yes.
He said something|about the station's defector.
Defector? That's impossible.
The only person on the station who knows anything|about the mines is Me.
Defector.
|That doesn't sound right.
Maybe it was deflector? Yeah.
Yeah, that's it.
He said something|about using the station's deflector array.
What do you think, Rom? I'm glad it wasn't me.
About the deflector array.
Is there any way to use it|to deactivate the mines? No.
I designed the mines|to be self-replicating.
The only way to keep them|from replacing themselves is to isolate them|in an anti-graviton beam.
The deflector array|can't do that.
Unless you reconfigured the field generators and refocused the emitters which would turn|the deflector array into one big anti-graviton beam.
Why didn't you think of that|when you set up the mine field? Uh, I don't know.
Uh, he doesn't know.
Quark.
How can we disable|the deflector array? All you have to do is|access the EPS feed and overload the waveguide.
All right, let's do it.
But there's no way|to get to the EPS feed.
It's in a secured conduit|rigged with alarms.
Odo, can you|disable those alarms? I can take them off-line|for about five minutes if I run a security diagnostic.
Will that give you enough time? I think so.
I'll run the diagnostic as soon as I get to my office.
|in the morning.
All right.
You and I will meet here.
At exactly 0800 you will begin the diagnostic.
Has there been any news, sir? None.
The Defiant has been gone|over 16 hours.
Mr.
Worf I know|this is difficult for you.
Yes, sir.
But I sense it is|more difficult for you.
The Defiant is your ship.
Dax'll bring her home.
Besides there's no way she's going|to miss her own wedding.
No, I suppose not.
As soon as I hear anything,|I'll let you know.
Thank you, sir.
Captain-- you should get some rest.
Not tonight, Mr.
Worf.
Not tonight.
Ben? Admiral.
It's late.
I know.
I was just waiting|to see if there was any news.
Ben, we've got a big day|ahead of us tomorrow.
I want to nail down the details|on the Bolian operation.
I need you focused.
I will be.
I know how you feel|about your crew but you and I are responsible|for an entire tactical wing.
Thousands of lives depend on the decisions|we make tomorrow.
You can't afford|to be awake all night worrying about one ship.
Admiral, you can|order me to my quarters but there's no way|I'm going to sleep.
Not as long as the Defiant|is out there.
All right, as you wish but you should|understand one thing.
With any luck, we'll be sending|the Defiant on a lot of missions and you're going|to have to get used to it.
Good night.
Have our people always|been shape-shifters? Or was there a time|when we were like the solids? Eons ago, we were like them limited to one form,|but then we evolved.
Ah On the homeworld are you always in the Link or do you sometimes|take solid form? We prefer the Link but, on occasion,|it is interesting to exist as something else-- a tree perhaps a cloud in the sky.
Ah a cloud.
How many of us are there? Oh so many questions, Odo.
I'm sorry but there's still so much|that isn't clear to me yet.
If you link with me again everything|will be made clear to you.
You have to understand that the Link is|very overwhelming for me.
Right now, it's easier to talk.
But words are so clumsy so imprecise.
Even so.
As you wish.
You haven't told me your name.
What use would I have|for a name? To differentiate yourself|from the others.
I don't.
But you are a separate|being, aren't you? In a sense.
When you return to the Link what will become of the entity|I'm talking to right now? The drop becomes the ocean.
And if you choose|to take solid form again? The ocean becomes a drop.
Ah yes.
I think I'm beginning|to understand.
Then you can answer|your own question.
How many of us are there? One.
And many.
It depends|on how you look at it.
Very good.
You are beginning to understand.
But there's so much|you don't know.
Tell me.
Oh.
Words are insufficient.
Link with me again.
It is the only way I can give|you the understanding you seek.
I can't.
Why not? I promised Kira.
She is a solid.
This has nothing to do with her.
This is about you,|about what you want.
Am I early? A little.
I hope there's more|than just fruit in that basket.
I needed a place|to hide my tools.
In case anybody asks,|I'm making a delivery.
Right.
Here's your fruit.
I didn't order any fruit.
Oh, your brother sent this,|didn't he? If he is trying to win me over tell him it's just|not going to work.
Better yet,|I'll tell him myself.
Odo should be|in his office by now.
Now.
Remember, he's going to|interrupt the sensor alarms at exactly 0800 hours.
I'll be ready.
If there's a problem,|I'll contact you.
Good luck with your delivery.
Computer, time.
Two minutes to go.
Odo.
Kira to Odo.
|Please respond.
Kira to Odo.
Odo, answer me.
Computer, time.
Hello, Major.
Just the person|I was looking for.
Congratulations|on your promotion but we'll have to discuss the personnel report|another time.
We'll discuss it now.
I don't think so.
Kira to Rom.
|Don't open that hatch.
I already did.
Get out of there.
Intruder alert.
Come with me.
Well, well what do we have here? Captain's Log, Tactical Update,|Stardate 51149.
5.
The Defiant has returned|to Starbase 375 after its successful attack|on the Dominion sensor array.
Admiral Ross and I|have recommended that Commander Dax|and the entire Defiant crew be cited for exceptional|performance of their duties.
Admiral on deck! Carry on.
Nog, Saurian brandy|for the brass.
Dax, could you|tell Ensign Kirby how I took over the con when Lieutenant Haj was injured? She doesn't believe me.
Frankly, I'm not sure|I believe it happened myself.
Sir.
Sir.
Congratulations, Captain.
Thank you, sir.
Will you excuse me a minute? Julian needs me.
Certainly.
Here you are.
Don't ask where he got it.
Don't worry.
I don't want to know.
Here's another one, Captain.
Take a good look because this says|something about us-- that we're willing to fight and that we'll keep on fighting until we can't fight anymore.
Yes, sir! You don't throw|something like this away.
No, sir! Hear, hear.
They're a good crew.
The best.
What do you say|we get back to work? What the hell happened? Why didn't you|disable that alarm? It's difficult to explain.
Rom is sitting in a holding|cell being interrogated.
He was counting on you.
I was counting on you! I know.
You know? Do you realize|what you just did? You just handed the Alpha|Quadrant to the Dominion.
I was in the Link.
Are you saying you forgot? I didn't forget.
It just|didn't seem to matter.
A lot of people|are going to die.
Don't you care? It has nothing to do with me.
How can you say that? If you could experience the Link you'd know|why nothing else matters.
The last five years-- your life here, our friendship-- none of that matters? It did once.
I wish I could|make you understand but you can't.
You're not a changeling.
You're right.
I'm a solid.
You look troubled, Odo.
Did she upset you? No, not really.
Ah.
3.
The Defiant has been operating|out of Starbase 375 conducting forays|into Dominion controlled space.
While the missions have taken|a toll on my people they remain determined to do whatever it takes|to win this war as do I.
Here you are.
Where did you get your|hands on Saurian brandy? In the middle of a war, no less.
It's a busy starbase.
I may be a cadet,|but I'm still a Ferengi.
Lucky for us.
Excuse me, Captain.
The power cell|from the phaser array.
We used it up|on the last mission.
Take a good look at this,|people.
It says something|about this ship.
It says that we will fight and we will keep on fighting|until we can't fight anymore.
Yes, sir.
You don't just throw|something like this away.
No, sir.
Admiral on deck.
As you were.
Ben.
Admiral.
Um, let's, uh, take a walk.
What was going on in there? Just a little ritual|we fell into.
It kind of helps|the crew unwind.
Well, they deserve it.
They did a hell of a job.
Thank you, sir.
But you didn't come here|to tell me that, did you? No, I didn't.
Ever since this war began,|the Dominion's been able to outmaneuver us at every turn.
Wherever we send our ships they seem to be there|waiting for us.
I've noticed that.
It was enough to make you think that they were|smarter than we are.
But they're not.
They just had an edge that we|didn't know anything about until yesterday.
Starfleet Intelligence has located|a massive sensor array hidden on the periphery|of the Argolis Cluster.
The damn thing's capable of monitoring ship movements|over five sectors.
That's how they managed|to stay one step ahead of us.
They've had an enormous|tactical advantage.
I want you|to take it away from them.
Gladly, sir.
It won't be easy.
The array is heavily defended.
This is the intelligence report.
Look it over.
I want an attack plan|on my desk by 0800.
You'll have it.
There he is.
Damar's a creature|of habit, all right.
After a hard day at work,|he deserves his glass of kanar.
"Why are the Jem'Hadar|always in here?" He asks himself.
They don't drink.
|They don't eat.
They don't gamble.
All they do is take up space.
Damar asks his bartender if he found a padd|he was working on the other day.
My brother tells the truth.
He hasn't seen it.
Damar doesn't like that.
The padd contained a draft copy of a secret memorandum|he was working on concerning the shortage|of white.
In it, he speculates|that, without the drug the Jem'Hadar will run amok killing everyone|and everything in their path.
Damar recommends|that if the Cardassians can't bring down the minefield and reopen the supply-line|from the Gamma Quadrant they should poison|the last ration of white eliminating the Jem'Hadar|before it's too late.
How did you get ahold|of Damar's padd anyway? I'm good with my hands.
Here we go.
They've seen him.
Damar.
The missing padd.
Where'd you find that? Damar accuses them|of stealing it.
But they say they found it|outside their quarters right where I left it.
have you and your whole race|thrown off of this station! I knew this was going to work.
The Cardassians|and the Jem'Hadar can pretend to be allies but they hate each other.
Get out of my way! Ow.
When I confronted them,|they attacked me.
I don't care what they did.
You should never have let this situation|get out of hand.
Get out! How could Damar be|so stupid as to leave such an inflammatory document|lying around for anyone to find? Your men stole it from him.
Jem'Hadar are not thieves.
And Damar is not a liar.
Keep your voice down.
Our men need to see|that we're still allies.
Smile.
Dukat.
I'm smiling.
Gentlemen, I suggest|we get everyone out of here as soon as possible.
Odo's right.
Tell your men they're|confined to quarters pending disciplinary hearings.
I'll do the same.
And keep smiling.
Come.
According to Intelligence the array is capable|of detecting cloaked ships as far as two light years away.
By the time the Defiant|goes around the Argolis Cluster the Dominion will already know|we're coming.
You'll have a dozen|Jem'Hadar ships on you before you can even get close.
That's why we need the element|of surprise on our side.
It's the only way.
What are you suggesting? That I take the Defiant|through the Argolis.
You can't get a ship|through there.
You'd be cut to pieces|by the gravimetric shear.
That's exactly|what the Dominion thinks.
But if we come at them|from the Argolis they won't know what hit them.
What makes you think|you can get through? Dax says she can navigate around the gravimetric|distortions.
She's studied|protostar clusters.
She knows what to look for.
It's a gamble but it's one|I'm willing to take.
All right.
Let's give it a shot.
When can you leave? As soon as we finish repairs|on the Defiant.
Keep me posted, Captain.
You wanted to see me.
Well? Don't you have|something to say to me? About what happened at Quark's? Yeah.
It worked better|than I expected.
I knew you were behind it! Of course you did.
We discussed it|at our last resistance meeting.
And I said it was a bad idea.
Yes, you did.
And then you walked|out of the room like there was nothing|left to say.
But Rom and Jake stayed and we discussed it,|and you know what? I decided it was a good idea.
So you went ahead|and did it behind my back? Why are you taking this|so personally? How do you expect me to take it? I spend my days sitting on the|Council with Dukat and Weyoun doing whatever I can|to make sure that Bajor survives this war intact.
The last thing I need is to have you running around|causing mayhem.
Do you have any idea|what Dukat would do if he found out|you were behind it?! It's all the excuse|he would need to throw every Bajoran|off this station.
The Federation|is losing this war.
We can't sit by and do nothing.
There are limits|to what we can do.
I'm beginning to think you shouldn't have agreed to sit|on that Council.
It's as if you're so invested in making sure|the station runs smoothly you've forgotten|there's a war going on.
Are you questioning|my loyalties, Major? I need you, Odo.
The resistance needs you.
Answer me.
Are you questioning|my loyalties? Oh, of course not.
That's not what this is about-- Hello, Odo.
It's good to see you again.
Leave us.
I need to speak with Odo.
Do you? It's all right, Nerys.
I may as well hear|what she has to say.
Are you sure? You called her "Nerys.
" What of it? Well, you used|to call her "Major.
" Using the name of a solid|denotes intimacy.
You're a long way from home.
Here to keep an eye|on the war effort? I'm content to leave the details|of the war to the Vorta.
Then what brings you|to Deep Space 9? You.
I was trapped|in the Alpha Quadrant when Captain Sisko mined|the entrance to the wormhole.
I have spent too much time|with solids.
I came because I felt the need|to be with one of my own.
Ah.
Well, that's ironic considering what happened|the last time we crossed paths.
You caused the death|of a fellow changeling, Odo.
Turning you into a solid was the only punishment|severe enough for your crime.
And now|that I'm a changeling again you come here|as though nothing ever happened? We have forgiven you.
Well, I haven't forgiven you.
It is time to put|the past behind us, Odo.
And what about the present? You're waging a war|against my home.
This is not your home.
You belong with your own kind as part of the Great Link.
I'm quite content here,|thank you.
You say that|because you don't know what you're capable of becoming.
Perhaps if we spent|some time together you might begin to understand.
Admiral, you wanted to see me? I just got word.
Captain Bennet's promotion|has come through.
At my recommendation Starfleet's putting|her in charge of Seventh Tactical Wing.
She was one of the best|adjutants I've ever had-- a strong grasp of strategy and ability to see|the big picture.
Sounds like it's|not going to be easy to find someone|to take her place.
I already have-- you.
Sir? I've been very impressed with|you over these past few weeks.
I think we would|make a good team.
Thank you, sir.
Your new assignment|is effective immediately.
Immediately, sir? What about the Argolis mission? Commander Dax will|captain the Defiant.
She is up to it, isn't she? Oh, absolutely, sir.
I guess I'd just|gotten used to the idea of commanding|the mission myself.
Look over|these tactical reports.
I want your thoughts|on the Bolian operation.
We'll meet here at 0600.
Ben congratulations.
Legate Krim will be arriving|in the morning.
I'll have a security detail|escort him to your office.
Well, if that's all Founder, you honor us|with your presence.
I understand the war|is going well.
Only because|I've followed the plan the Founders laid out for me.
Welcome to Terok Nor.
I'm glad we're finally|getting a chance to meet.
As leaders|of our respective worlds you and I will be|taking our people into a future|that I'm quite confidant-- What about the minefield? Why hasn't it been deactivated? Yes, Dukat.
This delay is intolerable.
There are thousands|of Jem'Hadar ships stranded on the other|side of the wormhole waiting to come through|and join the war effort.
Maybe you haven't read|the latest reports but even without those ships I'm still winning this war.
You're winning? I assure you,|I'm intimately involved in all military decisions.
See to it|the minefield is brought down.
Of course.
We've imposed our presence|on you long enough.
If there's anything you need|while you're here please, let me know.
Do they always compete|with one another like that? As a matter of fact, they do.
You have to interact|with them often.
It must be trying for you.
It hasn't been easy.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have some work|to do in my quarters.
May I walk with you? To become a thing|is to know a thing.
To assume its form is to begin to understand|its existence.
You tried to teach me that|when I visited our homeworld.
Hmm I remember.
I didn't understand what you meant by it at first.
So when I returned|to the station I got rid of all the furniture|I used to have in my quarters and replaced it|with these objects.
I've assumed every shape|in this room.
I suppose|if it weren't for you I never would have known|the simple pleasure of spending time existing|as a stone or a branch.
I'm glad you learned|something from your visit.
Your arrival was a time|of great joy for the Link and your departure,|a time of great sadness.
If only you had stayed|with us, Odo I couldn't.
You chose the solids.
And I haven't regretted it.
Not even a little? I do think about the Link|from time to time.
It's there for you.
I can't.
Why? Because of Kira? You still have feelings|for her, don't you? But she doesn't share them.
I'm sorry.
Aren't you going to tell me I shouldn't waste my time|with a solid? You love her.
And I wish I didn't.
I'm so vulnerable to her.
All she has to do is smile at me and I'm happy beyond reason.
A minor disagreement between us and I'm devastated.
It's absurd.
Sometimes, I wish I could|reach inside myself and tear out|my feelings for her.
But I can't.
Poor Odo.
I don't want your pity.
I am not offering pity.
What I need is some peace.
What you need is clarity.
I can give you that.
Do you want me to stop? That'll be all.
What are you doing here, Damar? Did Dukat demote you|to security detail? What can I do for you, Major? I'm looking for Odo.
Well, he's not here.
Do you know where he is? Yes.
That's good.
It's good to know|where your boss is.
He's in his quarters with the other shape-shifter.
Jealous, Major? Try to stay out of trouble,|Damar.
You don't want to end up|on sanitation duty.
Come in.
Odo? Nerys.
I dropped by your office and Damar told me|you were here with her.
She was here,|but she's gone now.
You all right? What did she want? She didn't want anything.
Then what was she doing here? I know how you feel|about her, Major but there's no reason|to be concerned.
You don't know how much|I wish I could believe that.
You didn't link|with her, did you? Actually, I did.
You did? What were you thinking? She didn't find out|about the resistance if that's why you're worried.
It's not.
The Link isn't about exchanging information.
It's about merging thought|and form, idea and sensation.
That sounds like a perfect way|to manipulate someone.
She's not manipulating me.
Ever since the day|you two crossed paths she has lied to you, tricked you stood in judgment of you.
I don't trust her.
I don't understand how you can.
I linked with her.
If she had any hidden motive I would have sensed it.
She's just trying|to teach me about myself-- about what I'm capable|of becoming.
An intergalactic warlord, maybe? Because that's what she is.
Who knows? By linking with her I might be able|to make her understand that the Federation doesn't|pose a threat to her people.
You believe you can convince her|to call off the war? If you could|experience the Link you'd understand the effect|it has on my people.
You'd realize|that anything is possible.
I'm only beginning|to understand it all, myself.
I still have so many questions.
Now that she's here, I have|a chance to find some answers.
Odo, this isn't the time to go off on some kind|of personal quest.
There's too much at stake.
After the war is over,|do whatever you need to do.
If you feel you need to go|and join the Great Link I'm|I'm not going to stop you.
But for right now I need you here-- focused.
Please promise me that you're not going|to link with her again.
Not until this is over.
All right.
I won't.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have to get to work.
I'll see you|at the resistance meeting.
Are you two ever|going to be finished? Just a few more minutes,|Commander.
That's "Captain.
" It's an old naval tradition.
Whoever's in command of a ship,|regardless of rank is referred to as "Captain.
" You mean, if I|had to take command I would be called|"Captain," too? Cadet, by the time|you took command there'd be nobody left|to call you anything.
Good point.
Come to take a last look around? Not a last look, I hope.
How are the repairs coming? Almost done.
I wouldn't get too comfortable|in that chair, old man.
When this war is over,|I'm going to want my ship back.
Fine.
When this war's over,|I'm going on a honeymoon.
All done here, Captain.
-Very well.
|-All right.
Plot a course|for the Argolis Cluster and prepare for departure.
Aye, Captain.
Benjamin I wish you were coming with us.
You'll do fine.
Pardon our appearance.
We're renovating.
Kanar.
Not that one.
The '27.
'27? Expensive.
I can afford it on a Gul's salary.
Wait a minute.
You started a fight in my bar and now you're|getting a promotion? What kind of way is that|to run an army? Dukat wasn't happy|about what happened.
I had to find a way|to make it up to him.
I hope it was something big.
Let's just say it will change|the course of history.
As a businessman I'm very interested|in the course of history.
This one's on me.
Well, that's very kind|of you, Quark but I can't talk about it.
Of course.
I understand.
Here.
|Let me pour you another.
There's obviously|a lot of bad blood between the Cardassians|and the Jem'Hadar.
It wouldn't take much to get them to go|at each other again.
Yeah, I'm not sure|we want to do that.
But it worked so well.
What do you think, Odo? I'm not sure it's a good idea.
Then we'll do something else.
Major-- Something that we can all agree on.
Who could that be? We're just sitting here enjoying each other's company.
Right.
Come in.
Brother are you all right? No, I am not all right.
I just shared a bottle|of kanar with Damar.
That rhymes.
You're drunk.
Of course I'm drunk.
I wouldn't risk coming in here and associating myself|with your little resistance cell if I wasn't drunk.
Oh, well then maybe|you'd better leave before someone sees you.
I tried.
I tried my best to run my establishment|under this occupation.
But you know what? It's no fun.
I don't like Cardassians.
They're mean and arrogant.
And I can't stand the Jem'Hadar.
They're creepy.
They just stand there|like statues staring at you.
That's it.
I don't want to spend|the rest of my life doing business|with these people.
I want the Federation back.
I want to sell root beer again.
All right.
You made your point.
|Relax.
How can I relax when there are thousands|of Jem'Hadar ships sitting on the other side|of the wormhole waiting to come through? Don't worry about it.
They're stuck there.
Not if what Damar told me|is true.
What are you talking about? He said he came up with a way|to deactivate the mines.
Dukat wants him to start|field tests right away.
Come on, Quark, think.
Did Damar say anything|about how he was planning to deactivate the mines? Yes.
He said something|about the station's defector.
Defector? That's impossible.
The only person on the station who knows anything|about the mines is Me.
Defector.
|That doesn't sound right.
Maybe it was deflector? Yeah.
Yeah, that's it.
He said something|about using the station's deflector array.
What do you think, Rom? I'm glad it wasn't me.
About the deflector array.
Is there any way to use it|to deactivate the mines? No.
I designed the mines|to be self-replicating.
The only way to keep them|from replacing themselves is to isolate them|in an anti-graviton beam.
The deflector array|can't do that.
Unless you reconfigured the field generators and refocused the emitters which would turn|the deflector array into one big anti-graviton beam.
Why didn't you think of that|when you set up the mine field? Uh, I don't know.
Uh, he doesn't know.
Quark.
How can we disable|the deflector array? All you have to do is|access the EPS feed and overload the waveguide.
All right, let's do it.
But there's no way|to get to the EPS feed.
It's in a secured conduit|rigged with alarms.
Odo, can you|disable those alarms? I can take them off-line|for about five minutes if I run a security diagnostic.
Will that give you enough time? I think so.
I'll run the diagnostic as soon as I get to my office.
|in the morning.
All right.
You and I will meet here.
At exactly 0800 you will begin the diagnostic.
Has there been any news, sir? None.
The Defiant has been gone|over 16 hours.
Mr.
Worf I know|this is difficult for you.
Yes, sir.
But I sense it is|more difficult for you.
The Defiant is your ship.
Dax'll bring her home.
Besides there's no way she's going|to miss her own wedding.
No, I suppose not.
As soon as I hear anything,|I'll let you know.
Thank you, sir.
Captain-- you should get some rest.
Not tonight, Mr.
Worf.
Not tonight.
Ben? Admiral.
It's late.
I know.
I was just waiting|to see if there was any news.
Ben, we've got a big day|ahead of us tomorrow.
I want to nail down the details|on the Bolian operation.
I need you focused.
I will be.
I know how you feel|about your crew but you and I are responsible|for an entire tactical wing.
Thousands of lives depend on the decisions|we make tomorrow.
You can't afford|to be awake all night worrying about one ship.
Admiral, you can|order me to my quarters but there's no way|I'm going to sleep.
Not as long as the Defiant|is out there.
All right, as you wish but you should|understand one thing.
With any luck, we'll be sending|the Defiant on a lot of missions and you're going|to have to get used to it.
Good night.
Have our people always|been shape-shifters? Or was there a time|when we were like the solids? Eons ago, we were like them limited to one form,|but then we evolved.
Ah On the homeworld are you always in the Link or do you sometimes|take solid form? We prefer the Link but, on occasion,|it is interesting to exist as something else-- a tree perhaps a cloud in the sky.
Ah a cloud.
How many of us are there? Oh so many questions, Odo.
I'm sorry but there's still so much|that isn't clear to me yet.
If you link with me again everything|will be made clear to you.
You have to understand that the Link is|very overwhelming for me.
Right now, it's easier to talk.
But words are so clumsy so imprecise.
Even so.
As you wish.
You haven't told me your name.
What use would I have|for a name? To differentiate yourself|from the others.
I don't.
But you are a separate|being, aren't you? In a sense.
When you return to the Link what will become of the entity|I'm talking to right now? The drop becomes the ocean.
And if you choose|to take solid form again? The ocean becomes a drop.
Ah yes.
I think I'm beginning|to understand.
Then you can answer|your own question.
How many of us are there? One.
And many.
It depends|on how you look at it.
Very good.
You are beginning to understand.
But there's so much|you don't know.
Tell me.
Oh.
Words are insufficient.
Link with me again.
It is the only way I can give|you the understanding you seek.
I can't.
Why not? I promised Kira.
She is a solid.
This has nothing to do with her.
This is about you,|about what you want.
Am I early? A little.
I hope there's more|than just fruit in that basket.
I needed a place|to hide my tools.
In case anybody asks,|I'm making a delivery.
Right.
Here's your fruit.
I didn't order any fruit.
Oh, your brother sent this,|didn't he? If he is trying to win me over tell him it's just|not going to work.
Better yet,|I'll tell him myself.
Odo should be|in his office by now.
Now.
Remember, he's going to|interrupt the sensor alarms at exactly 0800 hours.
I'll be ready.
If there's a problem,|I'll contact you.
Good luck with your delivery.
Computer, time.
Two minutes to go.
Odo.
Kira to Odo.
|Please respond.
Kira to Odo.
Odo, answer me.
Computer, time.
Hello, Major.
Just the person|I was looking for.
Congratulations|on your promotion but we'll have to discuss the personnel report|another time.
We'll discuss it now.
I don't think so.
Kira to Rom.
|Don't open that hatch.
I already did.
Get out of there.
Intruder alert.
Come with me.
Well, well what do we have here? Captain's Log, Tactical Update,|Stardate 51149.
5.
The Defiant has returned|to Starbase 375 after its successful attack|on the Dominion sensor array.
Admiral Ross and I|have recommended that Commander Dax|and the entire Defiant crew be cited for exceptional|performance of their duties.
Admiral on deck! Carry on.
Nog, Saurian brandy|for the brass.
Dax, could you|tell Ensign Kirby how I took over the con when Lieutenant Haj was injured? She doesn't believe me.
Frankly, I'm not sure|I believe it happened myself.
Sir.
Sir.
Congratulations, Captain.
Thank you, sir.
Will you excuse me a minute? Julian needs me.
Certainly.
Here you are.
Don't ask where he got it.
Don't worry.
I don't want to know.
Here's another one, Captain.
Take a good look because this says|something about us-- that we're willing to fight and that we'll keep on fighting until we can't fight anymore.
Yes, sir! You don't throw|something like this away.
No, sir! Hear, hear.
They're a good crew.
The best.
What do you say|we get back to work? What the hell happened? Why didn't you|disable that alarm? It's difficult to explain.
Rom is sitting in a holding|cell being interrogated.
He was counting on you.
I was counting on you! I know.
You know? Do you realize|what you just did? You just handed the Alpha|Quadrant to the Dominion.
I was in the Link.
Are you saying you forgot? I didn't forget.
It just|didn't seem to matter.
A lot of people|are going to die.
Don't you care? It has nothing to do with me.
How can you say that? If you could experience the Link you'd know|why nothing else matters.
The last five years-- your life here, our friendship-- none of that matters? It did once.
I wish I could|make you understand but you can't.
You're not a changeling.
You're right.
I'm a solid.
You look troubled, Odo.
Did she upset you? No, not really.
Ah.