Star Trek: Deep Space Nine s06e19 Episode Script

Captain's Personal Log,|Stardate 517 Computer, what day is it? Stardate 51721.
3.
It's only been two weeks.
I need to talk about this.
I have to justify what's|happened, what I've done at least to myself.
I can't talk to anyone else not even to Dax.
Maybe if I just lay it all out in my log,|it'll finally make sense.
I can see|where it all went wrong where I went wrong.
I suppose|it started two weeks ago while I was posting the weekly|casualty list in the Wardroom.
Every Friday morning|for the past three months I've posted the official list of Starfleet personnel killed,|wounded or missing in the war.
It's become something|of a grim ritual around here.
Not a week goes by that someone doesn't find|the name of a loved one a friend or an acquaintance|on that damned list.
I've grown to hate Fridays.
Who is it, Dax? Leslie Wong.
The Skipper of the Cairo? She was an instructor|at the Academy when I was a sophomore.
Do you know what happened|to the Cairo? No, just that she|disappeared on patrol in the Romulan Neutral Zone.
I'll look into it.
Don't bother-- I'm sure it's the same old story.
The Jem'Hadar crossed|the Romulan border and caught them by surprise.
It's only about the hundredth|time it's happened.
I can't believe|the Romulans allow them to violate their territory|so brazenly.
Why do they get away with it? The Romulans have a treaty of nonaggression and friendship|with the Dominion.
So they're willing to turn|a blind eye to almost anything in the name of friendship.
What we need to do is|bring the Romulans into the war on our side.
With the combined forces of the Federation,|the Klingons and the Romulans we could finally|go on the offensive.
That's the last thing|the Romulans want.
Think about it.
They're in|the perfect position.
They get to sit back and watch as their biggest rivals|slug it out in a long, bloody war.
No one's threatening|their interests.
Why should|they risk their necks? There's simply|no reason for them to get involved in our war no reason at all.
That was the moment|I made the decision.
It was like I had stepped|through a door and locked it behind me.
I was going to bring|the Romulans into the war.
It's in their own best|interests to join the war.
That's the key.
That's the reason the Romulans|will finally take action not to do us any favors but to protect themselves|from the Dominion.
Okay, let's say|I'm the Romulan Proconsul.
From where I'm sitting the Dominion isn't|a threat to me.
I have a nonaggression pact|with them.
They are my allies.
You're not going|to put your faith in some piece of paper, are you? Not at all.
I've been watching them|very closely since the beginning of the war and so far, they've kept|their part of the bargain.
They're violating your territory|almost every day.
What kind of an ally is that? So they're crossing my backyard to give the Federation|a bloody nose.
I can't say that makes me feel|very sad.
You can't be naive enough|to think that the Dominion is going|to stop with the Federation.
When they're finished with us,|they're coming after you.
That's speculation.
The Founders see it|as their sacred duty to bring order to the galaxy--|their order.
Do you think they'll sit idly by while you keep|your chaotic empire right next|to their perfect order? No.
If you watch us go under,|then what you're really doing is signing|your own death warrant.
But before I plunge my people|into a conflict that will kill millions|of loyal Romulan citizens I need something more concrete than the self-serving argument|of a Starfleet officer.
I need proof|of Dominion duplicity.
Not more words proof.
Very good, old man.
You would have made|a decent Romulan.
I prefer the spots|to the pointed ears.
Okay, you've convinced me.
They're going to need evidence.
But if there is evidence of a Dominion plan|to attack Romulus it's probably buried|deep in the bowels of their headquarters|on Cardassia Prime.
Not exactly the most accessible|place in the galaxy.
Hmm Not for us, maybe, but there is|someone on this station who specializes|in gaining access to places|where he is not welcome.
I must say I'm flattered,|Captain.
I had no idea you held such|a lofty opinion of me.
Your faith in my ability to retrieve|classified information from my former homeland|is most gratifying.
Mr.
Garak, let's dispense|with the usual repartee and concentrate|on the issue at hand.
Can you do it or not? No one wants to see the Dominion|destroyed more than I do but to go to Cardassia Prime penetrate one of the most|heavily guarded facilities in the Quadrant,|steal top secret war plans and then return them|safely to you is not just another job.
It's more like a suicide mission and that is well outside|my field of expertise.
I didn't say you had|to go there yourself.
I have to believe|that a man like you still has a few contacts|at home-- a colleague|from the Obsidian Order an old friend a reliable informant someone who might owe you|a favor.
Perhaps.
Then I'd say it's time|to call in a favor.
It would mean calling in|all my favors, Captain.
To do what you're asking|would use up every resource I have left|on Cardassia.
And it may be.
a very messy,|very bloody business.
Are you prepared for that? I posted my 14th casualty|list this morning.
I'm already involved in a very messy,|very bloody business.
And the only way|I can see to end it is to bring the Romulans|into the war.
I am prepared to do|whatever it takes to accomplish that goal,|but I can't do it alone.
I need help.
Now are you in or out? I'm in.
My father used to say|that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
I laid the first stone|right there.
I'd committed myself.
I'd pay any price,|go to any lengths because my cause was righteous.
My intentions were good.
In the beginning,|that seemed like enough.
If there's one thing|I've learned over the years it's that bad news|invariably comes in the middle of the night.
Kira to Captain Sisko.
Go ahead, Major.
We just received a priority one|communication from Starfleet Command.
The Dominion|has invaded Betazed.
According to initial reports,|the invasion force must have come from somewhere|in the Calandra Sector.
Did Starfleet Intelligence|know anything about the buildup? No.
They believed|Calandra was too far from the Dominion supply lines|to be a threat.
There's plenty of blame|to go around.
The Tenth Fleet was supposed|to be protecting Betazed and its outlying colonies.
but it was caught out of|position on a training exercise.
What's worse, Betazed's|own defense systems are obsolete and undermanned.
The planet was theirs|in less than ten hours.
With Betazed in the hands of the Jem'Hadar,|the Dominion is in a position to threaten Vulcan,|Andor, Tellar, Alpha Centauri.
If we ever needed a new ally,|it's right now.
Mr.
Garak.
It's been three days.
Have you made any progress? Well, I suppose that depends|on how you look at it.
This is how I look at it: Betazed has just fallen|to the Dominion and we need to get|this operation underway.
I share your desire|for swift action, Captain.
In fact,|after our last conversation I made a few discreet inquiries|among my former associates still living on Cardassia.
As I anticipated they shared my loathing|for the current government and were willing to take on|any assignment aimed at its destruction.
That sounds like progress to me.
Doesn't it? Unfortunately,|they're all dead now.
What? Yes.
All killed within one day|of speaking with me.
I suppose that's a testament to the effectiveness|of Dominion Security.
One should admire|such efficiency.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
I hope you're not|giving up that easily.
After all, the stakes|are much higher than a few dead operatives.
The fate of the entire Quadrant|hangs in the balance or at least that's the case|you made to me.
Do you have another plan? As a matter of fact, I do but I suspect|you won't like it.
Try me.
If you want to guarantee|that we obtain evidence of a Dominion plot to attack|the Romulans I suggest that we manufacture|that evidence ourselves.
Maybe I should have put a stop|to it right there.
Maybe I should have said "Thank you very much|for your input, Mr.
Garak.
I will take your suggestion|under advisement" and gone back to my office|and forgotten the whole thing but I didn't because in my heart, I knew|what he was saying made sense.
His name is Vreenak.
He's been a key member of the Romulan Senate|for the past 14 years.
He's Secretary|of the War Plans Council Vice Chairman of the Tal Shiar and one of the most trusted|advisors to Proconsul Neral.
He's also the man|that negotiated the nonaggression pact|with the Dominion.
Since you're familiar with him I'll skip the rest|of his biography.
What's important is that he|continues to be one of the most ardently pro-Dominion voices|in the Senate.
If we can convince him|that the Dominion is a threat the rest of the Senate|will follow.
All right.
How? Ten days from now Senator Vreenak will be|making a trip to Soukara for a diplomatic|meeting with Weyoun.
I am certain|that he can be persuaded to make a secret detour to DS9 if he were invited|by one Captain Benjamin Sisko.
How do you know|he'll be visiting Soukara? There are some things|I'd rather not discuss.
May I continue? Please.
When Senator Vreenak arrives,|you will show him a holographic recording|of a secret meeting held at the highest|level of the Dominion in which the planned|invasion of Romulus is being discussed.
You will tell the Senator that this information|was obtained through various covert means at great cost|to the Federation.
At least ten good|men lost their lives bringing it across the line--|that sort of thing.
He will immediately|suspect it's a forgery but you will assure him that such a thing|would be impossible.
"You see, Senator "this is an official Cardassian|transcript.
"It was recorded on a one-time|optolythic data rod "used for official|record keeping.
"These rods are manufactured|only as needed "on Cardassia Prime.
"Information can only be|transcribed on them once and then cannot be altered.
" He'll want to examine it.
Of course.
And he will discover,|to his amazement that it is completely genuine,|at least, so it will appear.
But in reality? You will have handed him|a genuine optolythic data rod but it will contain one|of the most perfect forgeries ever fashioned.
I'm still working|on obtaining the data rod but I have found the man who|will create the holo-recording.
You realize I can't authorize|a thing like this on my own.
I have to clear it|with Starfleet Command.
Of course, but I suspect|that with the fall of Betazed they'll be ready to do|whatever it takes to bring the Romulans|into the war.
I'll let you know.
Uh, one last thing, Captain.
The man we need to forge|this holo-program is currently sitting|in a Klingon prison awaiting execution.
To save time|and, incidentally, his life I thought that perhaps|you could contact Chancellor Gowron today|and arrange a pardon? What's his name? Grathon Tolar.
I cannot tell you|how grateful I am, Captain.
The Klingons were going|to execute me tomorrow.
Of course, they say|that every day.
It's one of the little|games they like to play.
You do understand the terms|of your parole.
Oh, yes.
I have to promise to stay|away from the Klingon Empire.
That'll be tough.
And I have to create some kind of a special|holo-program for you.
Well, I can hardly wait.
I've never worked|for Starfleet before.
Let's be very clear about this.
You're not working|for Starfleet.
This entire matter|is off the record.
As far as you're concerned,|you're working for me.
Oh, a personal matter.
Something special,|for your eyes only? Something with, perhaps five or six Orion slave girls|and oh Mr.
Tolar.
I suggest you go|and wait in your quarters.
Mr.
Garak will provide you|with all the information you need.
Garak is here? That's right.
Oh oh Well that's different.
I'll wait in my quarters.
Why I didn't listen to the voice|in the back of my mind telling me not to believe|a word he said I'll never know.
But it didn't take long|for me to come face-to-face with the fact|that I'd made a mistake.
Odo to the Captain.
Go ahead, Constable.
I'm sorry to disturb you but do you know a man|named Grathon Tolar? Yes.
Why do you ask? Because he just tried|to kill Quark.
Sit still, Quark.
|You'll be fine.
All right, keep an eye on him.
What happened? As I understand it, Mr.
Tolar|over there came in about two hours ago ordered a bottle|of Whelan bitters.
and then a third.
Halfway through|his fourth bottle he decided to dance|with M'Pella.
She was otherwise|engaged, running the dabo wheel,|declined his invitation.
He decided to force the issue.
A brief struggle ensued,|and Quark in an uncharacteristic|display of chivalry attempted to intervene,|so Tolar stabbed him.
Normally, he'd be sitting in a holding|cell, but he claims he's a friend of yours.
He's no friend of mine but he is working for me.
It's an extremely|sensitive matter concerning Federation security.
I can't have any record|of him being on the station.
I see.
I am certainly aware|of the need for special security measures|during wartime but, as a matter of law if Quark chooses|to press charges against Tolar I have no choice|but to make an arrest.
May I speak to Quark? How is he? How do I look? I'm a man who just|had a brush with death.
He'll be fine.
His ribs deflected the knife|from his major organs.
Bleeding was superficial.
Superficial? Do you know how much|this shirt cost? Will you excuse us|for a moment, Doctor? I'll check on you tomorrow.
Do you intend to press charges? You bet I do.
What will it take, um to, uh, convince you otherwise? Are you offering me a bribe? I knew it.
Captain, I've always liked you.
I suspected that somewhere deep|down in your heart of hearts there was a tiny bit of Ferengi|just waiting to get out.
What's your price? Well let's start|with replacing my clothes and M'Pella's clothes.
All right.
I'm not finished.
I think I should be compensated for the loss of business|I suffered today which I calculate|as no less than five bars|of gold-pressed latinum.
Done.
I'm also having a problem|with Station Security.
They're holding|some cargo containers which I've been waiting for because of some missing|import license or something.
I'll handle it.
A-anything else? No.
I think we can call it a bribe.
And thank you, Captain.
Thank you for restoring my faith|in the 98th Rule of Acquisition.
"Every man has his price.
" That was my first moment|of real doubt when I started to wonder if this whole thing|was a mistake.
So then I went back|to my office and there was a new casualty list|waiting for me.
People are dying|out there every day! Entire worlds are struggling|for their freedom and here I am, still worrying about the finer points|of morality.
No, I I had to keep my eye|on the ball.
Winning the war,|stopping the bloodshed-- those were the priorities! So I pushed on and every time another doubt|appeared before me I just found another way|to shove it aside.
Mind if I join you? Be my guest.
Ops.
Hold.
The less I'm seen parading through Ops,|the better.
I couldn't agree more.
You seem angry.
Who's watching Tolar? I've locked him in his quarters.
I've also left him|with the distinct impression that if he attempts|to force the door open it may explode.
I hope that's|just an impression.
It's best not to dwell|on such minutiae.
In any case, we have far more|important matters to discuss.
I've located a gentleman|willing to sell us a genuine optolythic data rod.
How do you know it's genuine? I trust the source,|but rest assured I will confirm|the rod's authenticity before I make payment,|which brings me to you.
How much does he want? I'm afraid he's not|interested in latinum.
The gentleman in question has requested|to be compensated with What?! I don't know why, exactly.
One would assume|it has something to do with genetic experimentation.
Offer him something else.
Believe me, I wouldn't|be relaying this request if I thought|he'd take something else.
Biomimetic gel is strictly|controlled by the Federation and not for sale at any price.
Find someone else|who's willing to sell us a rod.
I wasn't exaggerating when I told you|about the near impossibility of obtaining a genuine|Cardassian data rod.
It's something|of a minor miracle that I was able|to locate this one source.
I'm virtually certain|I won't find another.
I'm afraid we either|give him what he wants or forget the whole enterprise.
Then let's forget about it.
Ops.
Hold.
There's not that much gel|in the entire sector.
I believe that the quantity|is open to negotiation.
Ops.
Captain, biomimetic gel is an extremely dangerous|compound, as you know.
I can't release it|without at least some idea of where it's going.
In the wrong hands,|it could be used to make biogenic weapons,|or for illegal replication experiments or to|develop organic explosives-- Perhaps I didn't|make myself clear, Doctor.
This is not a request;|it's an order.
You will package|85 liters of biomimetic gel for interstellar transport,|and deliver them to Cargo Bay 3.
Is that understood? Yes.
I'd like this order|in writing, please, sir.
I thought you might.
You should know|that I shall note this in my log and file an official protest|with Starfleet Medical.
That is your right,|but I want the gel by the end of the day.
Dismissed.
The Founders have decided to implement stage two|ahead of schedule.
The invasion of Romulus? It's too soon.
We're engaged in heavy fighting all along the border|with the Federation.
The Klingons are preparing|to go on the offensive, and-- Fortunately, the Founders have better vision than you do.
They can see the opportunities|before us even when you cannot.
Consider the Romulans don't expect|an attack from Cardassia.
The bulk of the Romulan fleet|is still deployed along the Neutral Zone|with the Federation.
The Founders estimate|we could be on Romulus itself in less than three weeks.
Three weeks? I heard|the same kind of estimates before we attacked|the Federation.
Those plans were ruined by the incompetency|of your predecessor.
Gul Dukat is a great man.
Gul Dukat is a preening egotist|and a fool.
We offered him|unchallenged control of the Alpha Quadrant, and all he could think about|was his daughter.
Now, shall we get back|to the business at hand? That's it.
Freeze program.
That's all the new material.
The rest of the program plays|exactly as you saw before.
What do you think? It's, uh, better.
They seem more real.
Yes, and all I had to do|was add a little petty bickering|and mutual loathing.
So, you are happy.
It's satisfactory.
You may record the program|onto the data rod now.
I received a message.
Senator Vreenak is on the way.
Excellent.
Done.
Who gets it? Just put it in the case.
Ah.
Well it has been a pleasure doing business|with you gentlemen.
Call me again if you ever-- You're not going anywhere.
What?|What do you mean? I mean, you're not leaving until your work is accepted|by our client.
Well, that isn't fair.
You can't keep me here|against my will.
I haven't done anything wrong.
We had an agreement! I'm making a new agreement.
If that program passes|inspection, you walk free but if there is even|the slightest flaw then I will send you back|to that Klingon prison and tell Gowron to take his|time while he executes you.
All right.
It will pass.
You'll see.
It will pass.
I sincerely hope so.
Now, why don't you go back|to your quarters? I'll be along shortly|to say hello.
Maybe I was under more pressure|than I realized.
Maybe it was really starting|to get to me.
But I was off the hook.
Starfleet Command had given|the plan their blessing and I thought|that would make things easier.
But I was the one|who had to make it happen.
I was the one who had to look|Senator Vreenak in his eye and convince him that a lie was the truth.
So while you're entertaining|the Senator in the Wardroom I'll take the opportunity to make a quick search|of his ship's database.
For what? Well, for any intelligence|information he may have picked up|on the Dominion in Soukara.
What if you get caught? Oh, I think|that's highly unlikely.
I doubt the Senator|will be traveling with more than four bodyguards|at the most.
Two will stand watch|outside the Wardroom and two will stay|in the landing bay.
I assure you, they'll never know|I was even near their ship.
Just make sure|you don't get caught.
Report.
Sections 52 Baker|through 62 Baker have been secured.
I have posted armed guards|at every entry point and I have personally scanned|all compartments for signs|of surveillance equipment.
Very good, Commander.
Maintain current security|measures until further notice.
No one is to enter this area|except Mr.
Garak and myself.
Aye, sir.
Always a pleasure|to see you, Mr.
Worf.
Ops to Captain Sisko.
Go ahead, Major.
We've just received|the coded subspace signal you were waiting for.
Should I reply? No reply, Major.
Sisko out.
I'll take my leave of you now,|Captain.
Oh, and one last thing.
Vreenak believes|he's on the winning side so until you can prove otherwise you may have to put up|with a certain acerbic attitude.
Uh, Mr.
Garak after having spent|a week with you I have developed|a very, very thick skin.
Good luck.
Welcome aboard, Senator.
I'm Captain Benjamin Sisko.
So, you're the Commander|of Deep Space 9 and the Emissary|to the Prophets decorated combat officer,|widower, father, mentor.
And, oh, yes-- the man who started the war|with the Dominion.
Somehow I thought|you'd be taller.
Sorry to disappoint you.
To be honest my opinion of Starfleet officers|is so low you'd have to work very hard|indeed to disappoint me.
If you'll come with me,|I'll show you to your quarters.
I look forward|to seeing your station-- while it's still here, that is.
The way the war's going|with the Federation it may not be around|much longer.
Mmm.
A fair approximation, but somewhat lacking in aroma.
Real kali-fal should forcibly|open one's sinuses well before the first sip.
We don't have much experience in replicating|Romulan beverages.
Of course, all of that|would change if we became allies|instead of cold warriors.
You are persistent, Captain.
I'll grant you that.
But dogged determination|isn't enough to change the reality|of your situation.
Time is definitely|not on your side.
The Dominion shipyards|are operating at 100 percent capacity.
Yours are still being rebuilt.
The Dominion is breeding legions|of Jem'Hadar soldiers every day.
You're experiencing|a manpower shortage.
But most important the Dominion is resolved|to win the war at any cost.
You and I both know the Federation has already|put out peace feelers.
Now, in all candor if you were in my position,|which side would you choose? I'd pick the side|most likely to leave us in peace when the dust settles.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe the Dominion will win|in the end.
Then the Founders will control|what we now call Cardassia the Klingon Empire|and the Federation.
So, instead of facing|three separate opponents with three separate agendas,|you'll find yourselves facing the same opponent on every side.
There's a word for that-- surrounded.
It really is a good replica.
The aroma's|starting to grow on me.
For a moment there, I almost|forgot it wasn't the real thing but only for a moment.
You make|some very good points, Captain but it's still|all speculation and theory-- nothing that would warrant|abrogating our treaty and plunging the Empire|into war.
What if I told you that the Dominion|is planning a sneak attack on the Romulan Empire|at this very moment? Mmm I'd want proof.
And with the Cardassian|Fourth Order protecting their flank the 23rd Jem'Hadar division|will begin its thrust across the Glintara Sector.
They should begin|the invasion of Romulus on the following day.
Once we've taken the homeworld organized resistance|will crumble when outlying|systems and colonies begin looking out|for themselves.
Consolidation|of the entire empire will take three months at most.
What if the Romulan fleet reacts faster|than you're anticipating? What if they pull|all of their forces away from the Federation border|at the first sign of our attack? I place my faith|in the Founders.
They say the Romulans|are not ready for war and will not react fast enough|once it begins.
Now, do you wish|to dispute their judgment? No, of course not.
I serve the Founders.
As do we all.
Meeting adjourned.
I'd like to examine that data rod.
So all I could do was wait and see how masterful|Tolar's forgery really was.
So I waited.
Tried to catch up|on my paperwork.
But l-I found it very difficult|to focus on criminal activity reports, ha? Cargo manifests.
So I went back to pacing and staring out of the window.
I'm not an impatient man.
I'm not one to agonize over|decisions once they're made.
I got that from my father.
He always says "Worry and doubt "are the greatest enemies|of a great chef.
"The soufflé will either rise|or it won't.
"There's not a damn thing|you can do about it "so you might as well|just sit back and wait and see what happens.
" But this time the cost of failure|was so high I found it difficult|to take his advice.
If Vreenak discovered that|the data rod was a forgery if he realized|that we were trying to trick them into the war,|it could push the Romulans even farther|into the enemy camp.
They could start|to openly help the Dominion.
If worse came to worst they could actually join|the war against us.
I had the distinct feeling that victory or defeat|would be decided in the next few minutes.
It's a fake! So, it all blew up in my face.
And all the lies|and compromises the inner doubts|and rationalizations-- all for nothing.
Vreenak was furious.
I can't say I blamed him.
I'd have reacted the same way.
After telling me|in no uncertain terms that he would expose|this "vile deception" to the entire Alpha Quadrant he got back in his shuttle|and headed home.
There didn't seem|to be anything more to do.
So, I went back to work.
Two days later, I got the news.
No one for me today.
I had one.
Maria Tatalia,|wounded in action.
Friend? Friend of a friend.
Actually, I only met her once.
I don't think she'd remember me.
Friend of a friend|between the two of us.
Well, I know|it sounds a bit strange but I'd say we're off|to a pretty good start today.
Captain, we just received word from Starfleet Intelligence|that a Romulan shuttlecraft carrying a high-ranking Senator|has just been destroyed.
Which Senator? Senator Vreenak.
He was returning to Romulus from a diplomatic mission|to Soukara when his shuttle exploded.
The Tal Shiar are investigating but preliminary reports|point to sabotage.
They believe that the Dominion|is responsible.
The Dominion assassinated|a Romulan Senator.
On a diplomatic mission.
That changes everything.
It could even bring the Romulans|into the war.
Excuse me.
Get up! You killed him! That's right.
That's what you planned to do all along,|isn't it? You knew the data rod|wouldn't hold up to scrutiny.
You just wanted|to get him on the station so that you could plant a bomb|on his shuttle! It wasn't quite that simple.
I did have hopes that the rod|would somehow pass inspection but I suspected that Tolar may not have been|up to the task.
And what about Tolar?|Did you kill him, too?! Think of them both|as tragic victims of war.
If you can allow your anger|to subside for a moment you'll see|that they did not die in vain! The Romulans will enter the war! There's no guarantee of that! Oh, but I think that there is.
You see, when the Tal Shiar|finishes examining the wreckage|of Vreenak's shuttle they'll find|the burnt remnants of a Cardassian|optolythic data rod which somehow miraculously|survived the explosion.
After painstaking|forensic examination they'll discover that the rod|contains a recording of a high-level Dominion meeting at which the invasion of Romulus|was being planned.
And then they'll discover|that it is a fraud! Oh, I don't think they will because any imperfections|in the forgery will appear to be a result|of the explosion.
So, with a seemingly legitimate|rod in one hand and a dead Senator|in the other I ask you, Captain what conclusion would you draw? That Vreenak obtained the rod|on Soukara and that the Dominion killed him to prevent him from returning|to Romulus with it.
Precisely.
And the more the Dominion|protests its innocence the more the Romulans|will believe they're guilty because it's exactly|what the Romulans would have done in their place.
That's why you came to me isn't it, Captain? Because you knew I could do those things that you weren't capable|of doing.
Well, it worked,|and you'll get what you want-- a war between the Romulans|and the Dominion and if your conscience|is bothering you you should soothe it|with the knowledge that you may have just saved the entire Alpha Quadrant,|and all it cost was the life|of one Romulan Senator one criminal and the self-respect|of one Starfleet Officer.
I don't know about you but I'd call that a bargain.
At 0800 hours, station time the Romulan Empire|formally declared war against the Dominion.
They have already struck|15 bases along the Cardassian border.
So this is a huge victory|for the good guys.
This may even be the turning|point of the entire war.
There is even|a "welcome to the fight" party tonight in the Wardroom.
So I lied.
I cheated.
I bribed men to cover the crimes|of other men.
I am an accessory to murder.
But the most damning thing|of all I think I can live with it.
And if I had to do it|all over again I would.
Garak was right about one thing.
A guilty conscience|is a small price to pay for the safety|of the Alpha Quadrant so I will learn to live with it.
Because I can live with it.
I can live with it.
Computer erase that entire personal log.