- Tell your Uncle Quark all about it. - What are you talking about?
You're late for your holosuite booking and you've had that drink a while.
You got stood up, didn't you?
lf you must know, l'm waiting for Major Kira.
We were going antigrav sailing, but you know how she feels about holosuites.
They're a waste of time.
Anything worth doing in a holosuite can be done better in the real world.
You haven't been in the right holosuite program.
- But if you'd like, l could... - You could, but you'd live to regret it.
Maybe some other time.
Sorry l'm late. We had to revise the crew rotations again.
- You're not cancelling? - No.
l'm kind of looking forward to it, except for crashing.
You won't crash.
We'll start out with an easy simulation
like sailing across the Great Erg on New Mecca.
You'll see, it'll be great.
- Ops to Major Kira. - Kira here.
You have an incoming communication from the Bajoran Central Archives.
l'm in the Replimat. l'll take it here. This will only take a minute.
- This is Major Kira. - Major, my name is Alenis Grem.
l'm doing a study on the Elemspur Detention Centre
for the Bajoran Central Archives.
l was hoping to ask you a few questions.
l'd be glad to help, but why come to me? l was never at Elemspur.
Cardassian records clearly indicate
that a Kira Nerys was held at Elemspur for seven days.
You've got the wrong Kira Nerys.
lf l'd been held in a Cardassian prison, l'd remember.
l don't understand. l have the records right here.
Kira Nerys of Dahkur Province.
A member of the Shakaar resistance cell.
You see?
lt's you.
lf your memory and the records don't agree, one of them is wrong.
My memory is fine.
l know exactly where l was that week.
After ten years?
l spent the winter with the Resistance
in the Dahkur Hills.
We had no power cells very little food,
and hid in caves from the Cardassians.
lt was very memorable.
These records are fake.
The only question is
who faked them and why.
According to this, you supposedly
shared a cell with three other inmates.
Maybe one of them can help us
to find out what's going on here.
l haven't thought about Elemspur
for a long time.
Tell us about your fellow prisoners.
l'll try.
Wait. l remember you.
You were there, too. Kiri something?
Kira. Kira Nerys.
l almost didn't recognise you.
You used to wear your hair differently. Longer?
You remember me after all this time?
When the Cardassians dragged you out of our cell, l gave you up for dead.
Glad to see l was wrong.
Those were bad times.
Yes, they were.
- He could have been lying. - Maybe.
But the records and the only surviving witness say l was at Elemspur.
- l've got to find out the truth. - l understand.
- lf there's anything you need... - l'll let you know.
This shouldn't take long. l'll only be on Bajor for a few days.
We'll try to manage without you until you get back.
There you are, Garak.
l went past your shop, but it was closed.
Business has been a bit slow.
Living under the constant threat of Dominion attack
has made people less eager to invest in new clothing.
- How was your trip to Klaestron lV? - Terrific.
The Klaestrons' new burn treatment technology is unbelievable.
- You know, l envy you. - How so?
When l was younger, travelling was a passion for me.
Few things in life are as thrilling as immersing yourself in an alien culture,
meeting the inhabitants, earning their trust.
Aside from our brief excursion to Bajor,
l haven't been off this station in nearly three years.
What's stopping you? Ships leave almost every day.
Space is dangerous, Doctor. You never know what might happen.
Garak, you're being paranoid.
The Cardassian government would have you killed if you left this station?
My dear Doctor, you do have a vivid imagination.
We're receiving a transmission from Bajoran Central Archives.
l'll take it.
Major Kira isn't on the station right now. She's on Bajor.
l know. That's why l called. The Major contacted me before she left.
l was going to show her the information l've retrieved from Elemspur.
She never came.
l tried to contact the Major, but she wasn't there.
No one's seen her since she left the spaceport for Elemspur.
Wake her.
- Where am l? - lt's all right. You're safe.
What have you done to me?
We've brought you back home...to Cardassia.
Please, we're here to help you.
l don't know who you are or what you're trying to do, but it won't work.
Whatever you think this is going to get you, you can forget it.
We don't think it will get us anything.
lf all we wanted was information, we'd have it already.
- Then what's stopping you? - Why should we hurt you?
- You're one of us. - This is absurd.
You can change my appearance, but l'll never be a Cardassian.
l know this is difficult for you. l wish there were a better way
to prepare you for what you're going through.
Sometimes l question the wisdom of our infiltration methods.
By altering their memories, we ensure our operatives won't be discovered.
But it makes reintegrating them into Cardassian society much more difficult.
Still, it's hard to argue with success.
- You expect me to believe all this? - Of course not.
At least not yet.
We've given you medication to reverse your memory loss,
but it can take some time to become effective.
Until your original memory re-emerges,
l don't expect you to believe a word l say.
But it still can be difficult watching someone you care about suffer.
- So you and l are old friends? - l supervised your training.
Ah.
You are an undercover operative of the Obsidian Order named lliana Ghemor.
Ten years ago, you volunteered for an undercover assignment on Bajor.
We kidnapped a Bajoran terrorist, gave you her memories, her appearance,
and placed you back on Bajor to infiltrate the Resistance.
l know you don't believe me, but you'll remember.
lt will just take some time.
Being here should help.
This place?
lt's just another Cardassian prison.
This is not a prison, lliana.
This is your room, in the house where you were born. Your home.
My home is in the Dahkur Province of Bajor.
Here.
This contains a personal statement you recorded before you were sent to Bajor.
Watch it. lt should help explain things.
lf you have any questions, just ask.
We've interviewed all the residents near the Elemspur Detention Centre.
One of them thinks he saw Kira walking toward the Centre.
When we scanned the area, we found a residual electrostatic charge.
This could be a transporter trace. You think she was beamed away?
l want the name of every ship that was in the area at the time of the beam-out.
Constable, tell your friends in the Bajoran militia we need to see
the activity logs of all the ground-based transporters in the area.
That'll be all.
Benjamin, those residual electrostatic charges...
they could also have been left by a disrupter or a phaser set to kill.
l know.
..to the children. They are the future of Cardassia and they...
Enter.
There's someone here who wants to see you.
You took your time. l don't like being kept waiting in my own house.
As l explained, initial debriefings can be difficult.
We couldn't allow interruptions.
- lt really is you. - Her memory hasn't returned yet.
l understand.
lliana, l...
l wish l could tell you how much this means to me.
- Am l supposed to know you? - lliana, this is Legate Tekeny Ghemor.
- He's your father. - My father?
My father died on Bajor fighting Cardassians.
That's not true.
l'm sorry. l know you don't remember me,
but l've been waiting for this for so long.
- Please leave us. - Are you sure that's wise?
She's my daughter. She's not going to hurt me.
As you wish.
l've missed you, lliana.
Don't call me that.
lt's not my name, and l am not your daughter.
l should let you rest.
You will remember in time.
Until then, please, consider yourself a guest in this house.
Good evening, Doctor.
lf you have finished here, perhaps you'd like to join me for a late snack.
All l want right now is a little sleep. Maybe tomorrow.
This can't wait until tomorrow.
l have very important news about Major Kira.
ln the left corner, above the window.
What?
The Obsidian Order's surveillance devices.
That is what you're looking for, isn't it? Don't worry. They're not on.
l'm a member of the Central Command. They're only activated at my request.
l thought you might want some breakfast.
l assumed you'd be used to Bajoran food,
so l took the liberty of replicating some "hasperat."
l'm not hungry.
You recognise that?
lt's the bone-carving you made for me when l was promoted to Legate.
Your daughter was talented.
Yes.
She is.
You should have been an artist. You have a wonderful eye for detail.
But you wanted to join the Order.
You thought it was your duty to Cardassia.
Personally, l think Cardassia could use a few more artists.
Are you sure you won't try some "hasperat?"
- lt's only good when it's warm. - No. Thank you.
You're as stubborn as your mother.
She could never do anything the easy way.
You don't remember her either, do you?
My mother was an icon painter from Dahkur Province.
She died of malnutrition at the Singha refugee camp when l was three.
Your mother was an inquisitor at the Central University.
This is my fault.
l never should have let you go on that mission.
l could have prevented it. A word here, a favour from a friend there.
You never would have known.
But you were so determined to go, so proud that you'd been chosen,
that l didn't have the heart to stop you.
Your mother never forgave me.
You're good. Really good.
The house, the food, the stories - it's all very convincing.
But l don't believe a word of it.
lliana, l just want you to know...
l'm sorry.
l've told the good doctor everything l know.
- l'd like to hear it again, first-hand. - This is pointless.
There's nothing you can do.
lf my friend is correct, and Major Kira is being held by the Obsidian Order,
retrieving her would be impossible.
lmpossible for us maybe, but not for you.
You overestimate my abilities.
l hope not. l want to put them to the test.
- The three of us will go to Cardassia. - The three of us?
You can't be serious.
lf l were allowed on Cardassia, do you really think l'd be living here?
That's an interesting point.
There are certain Bajoran ministers who'd remove you from this station.
Right now, l see no alternative but to honour their request.
Unless l can show them how you might be valuable to us.
Rescuing Kira would improve your standing with the Bajoran government.
Why should l care what they think of me?
lf someone were in trouble with the Cardassian Central Command,
a Bajoran space station under Federation control
might just be the safest place in the galaxy.
Commander, this is extortion.
Hm.
Yes, it is.
We'll travel under false documents prepared by Starfleet lntelligence.
Mr O'Brien has reconfigured the shield harmonics of the Defiant
so that on long-range sensors, it'll appear to be a Kobheerian freighter.
We leave in three hours.
l'll go along on your fool's errand, but one thing must be perfectly clear.
l won't sacrifice my life to save yours.
lf we're in danger of being captured,
if there's any sign of trouble at all, you're on your own.
That's the first completely honest thing you've ever said to me.
How perceptive of you, Commander.
- She doesn't remember anything? - Not yet.
That's unfortunate. lt would have made things easier.
l'm going to have to ask you some questions.
So soon? l thought she'd be given time to regain her memory.
She was given time. The desegranine injections should have worked by now.
Memories usually begin to resurface after only a few hours.
lt's been two days.
What if the injections never work?
Your daughter has some information that we need.
l'm sure in time she'll see the wisdom of cooperating.
So, if you'll excuse us.
- l'll be in the next room if you need me. - Legate, your concerns are baseless.
She's one of our own people. We have no reason to harm her.
l'll be nearby to remind you of that, in case you forget.
As you wish, Legate.
What were your duties as first officer of Deep Space 9?
l told you, the Federation runs the station.
l wasn't even allowed into ops.
How many Starfleet personnel are stationed on Deep Space 9?
30... 40,000.
- Don't tell them l told you. - That's enough.
lliana...
Don't you understand what's going on here?
l'm trying to give you a chance.
Even if you don't remember who l am, you are still one of my operatives.
l don't want to hurt you, but if you don't cooperate...
Maybe there is a way to convince you to take what l say seriously.
This is Entek. Send me exhibit S1 983l.
- lmmediately. - Yes, sir.
Nothing you can show me will make any difference.
The Obsidian Order saves everything that comes into its possession.
You never know what might prove useful.
We have libraries of data transcripts, vaults of ancient artefacts, even...
Ah, here it is.
Even cryogenic chambers containing biological subjects like this one here.
That's impossible.
l assure you, when it comes to the Obsidian Order, nothing is impossible.
lt's a fake, a clone, a hologram.
For all l know, this whole place is a holosuite.
Do you remember when you were on reconnaissance in the Bestri Woods?
You thought you saw a Cardassian and opened fire. You hit your target...
- l killed a "hara" cat. - A mother "hara" cat, nursing her young.
How do you know that?
l never told anyone that story.
l know about it because we placed that story in your memories, lliana.
We gave you all your memories. What we couldn't extract from Kira
we got from other prisoners or invented ourselves.
Ask yourself two things, lliana.
First, is there anything that l've said we've done
that's beyond the capabilities of the Obsidian Order?
l assume you know there isn't.
Second, if you're not my operative,
if you're not who l say you are, why would l play this game?
lf l wanted to extract the information from you, l'd have it already.
l don't want to do that. l care about you.
You were one of my best students.
Watch the recording.
Think about what l've said. The Order won't wait much longer.
l see you haven't forgotten all of your Obsidian Order training.
l learned that in the Resistance.
Next time, leave a contact wire between the wall and the access plate.
You tripped an alarm when you separated them.
l'll keep that in mind.
l suppose if l leave, you'll try to stop me.
l don't have to.
You wouldn't get far without being detected by the Obsidian Order.
Maybe l'm willing to take that chance.
- lliana... - Stop calling me that.
l am not your daughter, and l never was.
l'm leaving.
You'll never get off Cardassia. You'll only make things worse for yourself.
- l can only do so much to help you. - Then get me off this planet.
l will never cooperate with the Order.
They're going to realise that and interrogate me, and l won't survive.
l promise you that will never happen. l'll never allow the Order to harm you.
No matter what you decide, l won't let them hurt you.
l only ask one thing.
Before you make your decision, watch the recording Entek gave you.
lt's the only way you'll ever really know the truth.
Begin playback.
Hello, lliana. Welcome home.
l've been asked to make these recordings for myself, for you,
to help my memory recover when l get back.
l go in for surgery tomorrow.
l'll miss Cardassia, but what l'm doing is right.
The terrorism on Bajor has to be stopped.
Father doesn't want me to go.
Mother just looks unhappy all the time.
l hope someday they'll understand. l want them to be proud of me.
How are the modifications to the shield harmonics holding up?
So far so good. Nobody here but us Kobheerians.
We're in Cardassian space. Keep an eye on the shield modulator.
lf it breaks down, we could be in for some unwelcome company.
Commander, l caught Garak snooping around outside the main phaser banks.
l was taking a stroll to stretch my legs.
The quarters here are claustrophobic.
Confine him to his cabin and post a guard at the door.
- l must protest. - Protest all you like, l...
Benjamin, two Galor-class warships are headed this way.
- And the shield harmonics? - Still holding.
We should still look like a Kobheerian freighter.
- lt's probably a routine security check. - They're hailing us.
Drop out of warp. l don't want to get too close to them.
ls the communications holo-filter ready?
l can make your com image look like a screech rhino if you want me to.
A Kobheerian captain will do nicely, Lieutenant.
Engage the overlay. On screen.
- This is Gul Benil. ldentify yourself. - Kobheerian freighter Rak-Minunis.
- l'm Captain Viterian. Can l help? - What's your destination?
Cardassia Prime. We're carrying toranium intended for military use.
Prepare to be boarded.
They're headed toward us. Any closer and they could identify us.
Gul Benil, our toranium is urgently needed on Cardassia.
You'll have to explain why it was delayed.
The toranium can wait. Maquis activity is on the rise in this sector.
By order of the Central Command, all incoming ships are to be searched.
Drop the holo-filter. Do it.
l can get us out of this, if you let me talk to them.
Please stand by.
- Are we within their weapons' range? - No.
Do as he says, but be prepared to get out of here fast,
if it doesn't work.
- Gul Benil. - You're not Kobheerians.
Very observant of you. Now turn your ships around.
Excuse me?
This is an Alpha Red priority mission, clearance verification 921 8 Black.
By authority of the Central Command, you are to turn your ships around.
Erase all records of this encounter from your logs and talk of it to no one.
ls that clear?
Clearance code verified.
My apologies. l had no idea.
You were doing your duty. End transmission.
Mr Garak, l'm impressed.
Just something l overheard while hemming someone's trousers.
We should leave here as quickly as possible,
in case Gul Benil shows some initiative.
All right. One more time, lliana.
What are the names of the Starfleet ships
deployed along the Demilitarised Zone?
l don't know.
That's not acceptable. As a Bajoran liaison officer, it's your duty
to help coordinate Federation activity near Bajoran space.
Now...
What are the names of the ships deployed along the Demilitarised Zone?
Their names, lliana. Give me their names.
- Enough questions for today. - You can't come in here.
You tell a member of the Central Command where he may go?
This is Obsidian Order business. Our autonomy...
...is a privilege granted by the Central Command and is revocable at any time.
Don't you agree?
Of course, Legate.
lliana, l'm afraid the next time we talk,
it will have to be at the Order's facilities.
Good day.
lliana, are you all right?
lliana?
No.
No!
lliana!
No.
lt's all right.
Everything will be all right.
l'm a selfish old man.
l can't keep you here any more. Entek won't rest until he's broken you.
lf he takes you to Order Headquarters...
We must get you away from Cardassia.
You would do that for me?
Why?
You're my daughter, lliana.
There's nothing l wouldn't do for you.
Even...
Even if it means losing you again.
lliana?
Here.
For you.
lt's beautiful.
lt was your mother's. l want you to have it to remember her by.
- l can't take this. - Don't argue.
l can be as stubborn as you. lt runs in the family.
Legate?
lliana, this is Ari. He's a friend.
He will help you get off Cardassia.
Without the Order's knowledge? How is that possible?
l have friends who can arrange things, friends who think the same way l do.
The Obsidian Order and the Central Command
have been given too much power over our lives.
We're going to change that.
- You're a dissident? - Your father is a great man.
He has what every Cardassian wants, but he risks his life for his beliefs.
People like Ari are the heroes.
My position protects me. The real risk is theirs.
Legate, l have to get your daughter to our next contact.
Goodbye, lliana.
- l love you. - Legate, l...
- Sir, we have to go now. - Wait. This is wrong.
- Please, Ari's right. - No, don't you see?
You're a dissident and willing to help me? That can't be a coincidence.
- lliana, you have to trust me. - lt's Entek l don't trust.
Why did he go to so much trouble changing me into a Cardassian,
sending me to you?
- lt's not me he's after. - What are you talking about?
What if the Order suspects your involvement with the dissidents?
lmpossible. l'm too well protected.
- They couldn't have any evidence. - They could still suspect you.
Without any evidence, they wouldn't dare interrogate you.
- Central Command wouldn't allow it. - They had to make you betray yourself.
They kidnapped me because l resemble your daughter.
They knew you would never watch me be tortured.
- They wanted you to rescue me. - Very astute, Major.
- You did it as well as one of us. - Three to beam out. Now!
lt won't work. We've got a transporter suppression field over this area.
No!
You don't know how long l've waited for this day.
lmagine, in one bold stroke,
the Obsidian Order will unmask a traitor in the Central Command
and shatter the entire dissident movement.
We have you to thank it.
The movement will survive without me.
You underestimate your importance, Legate.
With your help, we can purge the government of all disloyalty.
The enemies of Cardassia will be destroyed.
The enemies of the Order, you mean.
The Obsidian Order is Cardassia.
- What are you doing? - l think you know.
Major, your testimony would make for a more dramatic trial,
but l'd be willing to dispense with it if you give us any trouble.
The Major is the least of your problems, Entek.
Lower your weapons.
Do as he says. Now, Entek.
l'll take that.
Thank you.
- Get over with him. - Garak, what are you doing here?
l got homesick. We'd better be going.
Don't worry, he's on our side. l think.
Come on.
Major, l've never seen you looking so ravishing.
l still have friends on Cardassia.
You will derive years of enjoyment trying to determine who they are.
- Legate, you'd better come with us. - Yes, that might be wise.
Garak, why are you helping these people?
Ghemor is a traitor.
Treason, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
You're making a serious mistake.
The Order was satisfied to let you live in exile, but now...
- Odo, Garak, let's go. - lt's a pleasure to be with Cardassians.
l'd like to stay and listen to you bluster, but l simply don't have the time.
A pity. l rather liked him.
So it was all a lie?
According to Doctor Bashir, my genetic structure is entirely Bajoran.
The alterations were surgical.
What about the man who said he was with you at Elemspur?
Gone. We suspect he was a Cardassian agent.
He's probably the one who changed the Detention Centre records.
- l thought you'd be happy. - l am.
l still don't understand.
lf lliana was transformed into a Bajoran, then why was l kidnapped?
Why not bring lliana back instead?
The desegranine would have worked on lliana.
Her memories would have returned and she would have cooperated with Entek.
But they knew that you'd resist
and that l'd be forced to get you off of Cardassia.
Do you think lliana's still alive?
l have to. l'm her father.
For all l know, she's still on Bajor,
and someday, l'll find her.
Are you sure you don't want to stay on the station?
There's no place for me here.
The Mathenite government has offered me political sanctuary.
l'll be safe there.
One more thing before l leave.
Can l give you some fatherly advice, for old time's sake?
Of course.
That Garak fellow who helped you, helped us. Don't trust him. Ever.
He's a dangerous man. He'd betray you in an instant
if he thought it would help him.
l'll keep my eye on him.
l suppose it's time to go.
Here. lt doesn't belong to me. l can't keep it.
No.
l want you to have it.
You may not be my daughter,
but until l find lliana, you're the closest thing l have to family.
l want you to know something.
ln spite of whatever l might have said,
l realise now you're an honourable man.
And l think your daughter must have loved you very much.

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