- Anything yet? - She's running a little late.
This is no way to start a relationship.
- Hi, Ezri. - How's Odo?
He shows no sign of the changeling disease.
- l believe he's cured. - That's great.
l'm going to discharge him this afternoon.
- That's...that's really great. - Yeah.
l don't get it. He's interested, she's interested. What's the problem?
He is an overgrown child and she is very confused.
lt could still work.
She's here.
On screen.
l didn't know we were getting another Defiant-class ship.
That's what happens when you miss staff meetings.
- Looks just like her. - Let's hope she fights like her.
All hands, attention to orders.
From Starfleet Headquarters, Office of the Admiralty,
to Captain Benjamin L Sisko.
As of this date, you are requested and required
to take command of U.S.S. Sao Paulo.
Signed, Vice Admiral William J Ross, Stardate 52861.3.
Computer, transfer all command codes to Captain Sisko.
- Command codes transferred. - l relieve you, sir.
l stand relieved. She's all yours, Ben.
- You've got a fine ship here. - She has some big shoes to fill.
l hate the carpet. l do.
There's something else on that padd that might interest you.
Special dispensation from the Chief of Starfleet Operations
to change the name from Sao Paulo to Defiant.
The Breen will be surprised
when they train their energy-dampening weapons at this.
The shield generators have been reconfigured.
- Let's go look. - l want to check out my sickbay.
Well, l'll let you two get acquainted.
Hello, ship.
Cardassia. lt's as beautiful as l remember.
lt won't be beautiful until the Dominion is gone.
Traffic control is asking for security clearance.
- l'll handle it. - l hope this is worth the risk.
Gul Rivok and Legate Goris will bring their troops over to our side.
That's over half a million men.
lf we can convince Gul Seltan to join us, that's another 100,000.
- l think that's worth the risk. - Do you want me around?
They'll want assurances of Federation support.
- We're cleared for orbit. - Do you have transport coordinates?
- The transporter room is standing by. - The bridge is yours.
Good luck.
- ls that all of them? - Yes, sir!
lnform the First that we have killed the traitors.
- How did they know? - What do we have here?
- l said l could lure them here for you. - Gul Rivok. He betrayed us.
Kira to Seskal. Get us out of here.
We're under attack! l can't lower the shields.
Lock disruptors and return fire! Transfer auxiliary power to...
Seskal?
Seskal?
- Seskal, do you read me? - l don't think they're up there anymore.
We've got to get out of here.
Damar, do you know anyplace we can go?
Everyone has been arrested or killed.
l may know someone if we can get to the capital.
We can't stay here.
lf you don't mind hiding in a basement,
l don't mind having you down here.
l don't hear from you for years.
Then you show up, on my doorstep,
with these people.
l do apologise for the intrusion,
but you're the only person on Cardassia l could trust.
Don't blame me if you don't have any friends left.
Now, where's that light switch?
lt's smaller than l remember.
l grew up in this house.
- You said Enabran Tain lived here. - Tain was Garak's father.
He couldn't acknowledge it publicly as he was the head of the Obsidian Order.
Mila was our housekeeper and most trusted confidante.
l was never much of a cook, but l knew how to keep a secret.
We need to warn the other cells of Rivok.
Could you can get us a com unit?
lf it's not too much of an imposition.
You shouldn't be involved in this.
We're attempting to free our people.
Do you want to live under the Dominion for the rest of your life?
l'm an old woman.
l'm long past caring about such things.
But l'll get you your com unit.
Thank you. l promise we won't stay long.
Make yourselves useful.
This place hasn't been cleaned in years.
You heard the lady.
The glamour of being a revolutionary.
Everything checks out fine. l'm certifying you fit for duty.
Finally.
When l spoke with Kira, she wanted to know when l'd be rejoining her.
Odo, there is something you need to know.
When l first discovered that you'd been infected with the morphogenic virus,
l assumed you'd contracted it from the Founders.
- Didn't l? - No.
The fact is, you transmitted the disease to them.
But...how did l get it?
- You were deliberately infected. - By whom?
Section 31.
They used you as a carrier, hoping you'd pass the virus on.
You weren't meant to develop symptoms.
l don't care if they meant to kill me or not.
The reality is the Federation set out to destroy my people.
Section 31 aren't part of the Federation, They're a rogue organisation...
Don't split hairs with me, Doctor.
They used me as an instrument to try to commit genocide.
We may be at war with the Founders, but that's no excuse.
l completely agree.
And what does Starfleet intend to do about it?
The Federation considered giving the Founders the cure, but decided not to.
Then they're abetting genocide.
l don't condone it, but the Founders started this war, not us.
Giving them the cure would strengthen their hand.
We can't do that, not when there are millions of men and women out there
putting their lives on the line every day.
l can see there's no use protesting. The decision has been made.
Odo, l wish l didn't have to say this,
but l need to know you're not going to take matters into your own hands.
- You have my word. - That's all l needed to hear.
lnteresting, isn't it? The Federation claims to abhor Section 31's tactics,
but when they need their dirty work done, they look the other way.
lt's a tidy little arrangement, wouldn't you say?
Go ahead. What have you got to lose?
- Our jobs! - Let's do it.
- At this point l don't care if he fires me. - That's the spirit!
Remember, ask for 10% but settle for 15%.
OK.
- Quark, we have something to say. - Then say it.
We don't think we should have to give you 20% of our tips.
We think 10% is fair and we're not going back to work until this is settled.
- 10%. - Quark!
There's an incoming transmission from Ferenginar. lt's the grand nagus.
- l'll take it in the back room. - Well?
l'll think about it.
- What did he say? - He's going to think about it!
- ls that you... - lt's me.
- l can barely see you. - lt's the static.
- Sorry about the... lt's raining here. - lt's always raining there.
Not this kind of rain. There was an accident at the power plant.
The contractor used substandard materials, the greedy bastard.
There's a toxic electrostatic cloud hanging over the city.
- What a frigging mess! - To what do l owe the pleasure?
The pressure? That's an ungrateful thing to say.
- l'm not pressuring you! - No, the pleasure.
You're not talking any sense. Now shut up and listen.
l'm retiring.
Your mother and l are moving to Risa to enjoy our old age
and do a lot of... lf you know what l mean.
Good for you, l guess.
l am coming to Deep Space 9 to name my successor.
- Why here? - Why do you think?
- To get away from the rain? - No, my boy.
l've chosen you to succeed me.
You're going to be the new grand nagus!
Congratulations!
Oh, sorry!
l'm sorry.
Hi.
- Your lunch? - lt's that time.
- This is ridiculous. - l know.
- l've been meaning... - l have a confession...
You go first. No, really, Julian. You go first.
OK.
You know how much l value our friendship.
Well, lately, l've been wondering if, maybe, we could be...
- Something more? - Yes. Exactly.
- l've been wondering the same. - l thought it was just me.
- That's why l've been so awkward. - l just couldn't get the words out.
l know. What is that? l'm not usually like this.
lf l find someone attractive, l tell them. l don't play these ridiculous games.
Neither do l.
You know why we might be holding back? The friendship.
Yes. Why jeopardise our friendship by turning this into something else?
- l've made that mistake before. - Once you cross that line...
... you can never go back.
And if it doesn't work out, you can never be friends again.
- l can't bear that thought. - Neither can l.
- So that's that. - We've figured it out.
lt takes a certain maturity to not be swept away by the romantic fantasy.
That's right. Why let physical attraction overcome good sense?
- Chemistry isn't everything. - Absolutely not. We're adults.
- We should be proud of ourselves. - So do l. l feel much better.
- Friends? - Friends.
Just think. This time next week l'll be living in the nagal residence.
They say even the waste extraction fixtures are plated with latinum.
That's right!
The first thing l'll do is rip them out and replace them with solid latinum fixtures.
- That's a little indulgent. - Of course, that's the point.
A nagus has to lead by example.
My greed has to be a shining light to everyone.
A testament to the rewards of avarice.
l hope you're not going to be lonely in that big nagal residence?
l've got a room picked for you already. With a view of the Tower of Commerce.
There'll be a place for my brother, my brave nephew, my lovely sister in-law.
- Liquidator Brunt! - Not him.
No, he's here.
What brings you here this time, Brunt?
Ferenginar is rife with rumours.
They say the grand nagus is coming to DS9 to name his successor.
- For once, the rumours are right. - l see.
A thousand congratulations, my nagus!
He's not nagus yet.
lt's never too early to suck up to the boss.
l think l'm going to like being nagus. Don't stop.
And thanks to the heroic efforts of Gul Rivok,
Damar was lured to Cardassia to meet with five other traitors.
But they were killed before they could begin plotting against Cardassians.
And Damar himself was killed
while trying to penetrate our defence perimeters in a stolen Dominion vessel.
At least they're not looking for us.
....acting on intelligence information,
our brave troops began a coordinated assault on Damar's terrorist bases.
From Atbar Prime to Regulak lV, from Simperia to Quinor Vll,
our forces have eliminated a total of 18 rebel bases.
With the rebellion crushed, nothing can impede our march to final victory.
Truly, this is a great day for the Dominion.
How could they have compromised our organisation?
- We encrypted every transmission... - lt doesn't matter! lt's done!
Now. We've got to find a way off Cardassia.
Garak, can we use that to contact the Federation?
With that signal the Dominion would trace us in seconds.
We've got to do something.
We are not spending the rest of this war in this cellar! Are we?
Are we?
Financial advisor? l don't know.
- l have many connections. - l don't need your connections.
As nagus, people will be lining up to do business with me.
You missed a spot.
l'm sure there must be something l can do to change your mind.
Possibly.
Would 40 bricks of gold-pressed latinum do the trick?
- No. But 70 would. - 50.
- 60. - Done.
- lf you'll sign this. - What is it?
- A receipt. - For a bribe?
Surely you're aware of new regulation making all bribes tax deductible.
- Wait. Did you just use the ''T'' word? - You mean tax?
Are you telling me there are ''T's'' on Ferenginar?
You haven't been keeping up with the latest reforms, have you?
Zek instituted progressive income tax three months ago.
You call that a reform! Taxes go against the very spirit of free enterprise.
That's why they call it free.
The government needed revenue to fund the new social programs:
wage subsidies for the poor, retirement benefits for the aged, health care for...
Stop! l had no idea things had got so bad.
This is all Moogie's fault.
She's polluted Zek's mind with notions of equality and compassion.
What happened to survival of the fittest?
What happened to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer?
Whatever happened to pure, unadulterated greed?
- Things change. - And they're going to change back.
The first thing l'll do is eliminate these so-called reforms,
before Ferenginar ends up looking like a Federation planet.
l'm not sure the Congress of Economic Advisors will approve.
l don't care who they are, or what they are. As nagus, l can do what l want.
Not anymore. All regulations proposed by the nagus
must be ratified by the Congress before they become law.
You'll still be powerful. l wouldn't be sucking up otherwise.
Blessed Exchequer, forgive us.
Your children have gone astray.
- lf only they could see you now. - Who?
The people in the streets.
Everyone's talking about ''Damar and his rebels''.
What are they saying? How stupid we were to walk into a Dominion trap?
How arrogant we were to think we could beat them in the first place?
- How glad they are that we're dead? - They don't believe you are dead.
You should hear the stories.
''Damar is alive. My cousin saw him on Kelvas Prime.
''He faked his own death.
''He's plotting a new offensive from his secret mountain hideaway.''
You never told me you had secret mountain hideaway.
- l was going to surprise you. - l wonder why they refuse to believe it?
They've been lied to so often, they don't trust anything the Dominion says.
What if we had more of an impact than we realised?
- What if we turned you into a legend? - Some legend!
Don't you see? The people want to believe in you. We can use that.
The organised resistance is gone,
but there's an entire civilian population out there
that is fed up with living under the occupation.
lf Damar, the man they couldn't kill, tells the people of Cardassia to rise up...
Then we might have a revolution on our hands.
- Or you might get yourselves killed. - Anything is better than rotting here.
How do we begin?
Where is the closest Jem'Hadar barracks?
Come in.
Allow me to present Gul, no, l'm sorry, Legate Broca,
the new leader of the Cardassian Union.
- l serve the Founders in all things. - Your service is noted.
Thot Pran, l look forward to working with you and the Breen Confederacy.
Your first task will be to address the Cardassians, assuring them that...
- That can wait. - But it can wait.
Now that the rebellion has been crushed,
we must turn our attention to strategic matters.
The enemy has devised a countermeasure
to our energy-dampening weapons, therefore we must alter our tactics.
We are falling back.
No, l don't mean surrender.
Perish the thought!
The Dominion has never surrendered since its founding 10,000 years ago.
l'm ordering our troops to retreat to Cardassian space.
We will establish a new line of defence along this perimeter.
With less territory to defend, we can concentrate our troops
and hold off any attack if the enemy attacks at all.
The Federation is, by its very nature, timid.
One we've pulled back they will leave us alone.
What about Klingons, Romulans and...?
l meant no disrespect. l was simply asking a question.
Without the Federation, the others are no threat to us.
Once the new perimeter is established we'll redouble our shipbuilding efforts
and increase production of Jem'Hadar troops.
Retreat may prolong the war, but in the end, we will emerge stronger,
and in a far better position to take the Alpha Quadrant once and for all.
Did you know this ''Congress of Economic Meddlers''
passed legislation making monopolies illegal?
What's the point of being in business if you can't corner the market?
Prices are kept low from competition. What will you do with the bar?
You can't dump industrial waste as it may harm the ''natural habitat''.
Am l supposed to worry about animals?
Look how they live, wallowing in the dirt, sleeping in trees. That's not natural.
Ferenginar's biodiversity is a precious resource belonging to everyone.
What will you do with the bar?
And don't get me started on this labour rights thing.
You can't even demand sexual favours from employees.
Unharassed workers are productive workers.
- What will you do with the bar? - Sell it. What would l want with it?
l'll give you 5,000 bars of latinum and not a slip more.
- That's reasonable. - lt is?
- Our people have lost their way. - l happen to have a contract right here.
Over 40% of the population
no longer believes in buying your way into the Divine Treasury when you die.
Can l have your thumbprint here?
They don't teach children the Rules of Acquisition!
And another print here.
There's a disease spreading through Ferengi society.
lt's making us soft.
The 5,000 has been transferred to your account.
- 5,000? - l thought you'd hold me up for eight.
- l didn't even haggle with you. - l know! lt really threw me off!
What's wrong with me?
You'll be so rich, what's a few thousand bars of latinum?
l've been infected, too. l haven't raised prices in months.
l've even considered letting the dabo girls keep more tips! l've gone soft!
- l like you better this way. - l don't.
l'm going to do something about it.
This disease must be stopped before it destroys all that Ferenginar stands for.
lf Zek wants me to be nagus, he'll have to let me do things my way.
- Or else, l'll turn down the job! - Are you serious?
- You bet l am. - But being nagus will make you rich.
l don't care. l won't preside over the demise of Ferengi civilisation.
Not me. The line has to be drawn here.
This far and no further!
He's been in there too long. Something is wrong.
- Stop! Let me see your work order. - l showed it to you on the way in.
This hasn't been approved by the First.
- Ah! Yes. l can explain that. - How much time?
The detonator only had a three minute delay.
The bomb could go off any second.
- Come on, Garak. - We have to do something.
l don't know why you're making such a fuss.
l have a busy schedule and can't stand here arguing...
- Wait here until the First arrives. - And how long will that be?
- You will wait. - You, Jem'Hadar!
Who are you to treat a Cardassian citizen like that?
- lt's him. Damar. - Hold him here.
- Surrender yourself or die. - l choose neither.
Get back!
lt's Damar! lt's Damar! He's alive!
Citizens of Cardassia, hear me!
The Dominion told you that the Rebellion has been crushed.
What you have seen here today proves that that is another lie.
Our fight for freedom continues, but it will take place here, in the streets.
l call on Cardassians everywhere to rise up and join me.
l need you to be my army.
lf we stand together, nothing can oppose us.
- Freedom is ours for the taking! - Freedom!
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! ...
Freedom!
- Good morning. - Good morning.
What are you smiling at?
l was thinking. lf it hadn't been for our little talk the other day,
we'd both be standing here staring at our shoes.
Not a chance. l'd have walked the other way as soon as l saw you.
- l'm glad we've got it all behind us. - Me too.
Excuse me.
l guess they worked it out.
lt always brings a tear to my eye to see a nagus pass his staff to a successor.
lt's a privilege to witness such a historic moment.
lt's going to be more historic than you think.
- They're here! - There you are, my boy!
- l have something for you. - Not so fast, Zek. We need to talk.
l knew you'd make this difficult.
My mind is made up, Quark. Complaining won't do anything.
l won't be part of what you're doing to our once proud civilisation.
A man can only be pushed so far.
lf you want me to be nagus, you'll have to let me do things my way.
- Who wants you to be nagus? - Out of the way, Quark.
Congratulations, Rom. You're going to make a fine nagus.
- l am? - What's wrong?
You seemed so happy when we talked.
- l did? - That was me!
You? l thought l was talking to Rom.
lt must've been all the static. Glad we cleared that up.
This is insane. You actually want Rom to be nagus?
- lt was my idea. - Figures.
- He's an idiot. - You've always underestimated him.
A new Ferenginar needs a new kind of nagus. A kinder, gentler nagus.
And that's you, my boy.
lt's a great responsibility to stand at the bow of the Ferengi ship of state.
A nagus has to navigate the waters of the Great Material Continuum,
avoid the shoals of bankruptcy
and seek the strong winds of prosperity.
l'll do the best l can.
May l be the first to offer my congratulations!
- Oh, Rom! - Way to go, Dad!
You want Rom? You can have him! ln fact, you deserve him!
He's perfect for this new worker's paradise of yours!
He can save the environment and levy all the taxes he wants.
He's not taking it very well.
ln fact, as far as l'm concerned,
the Ferenginar l knew doesn't exist anymore.
No, l take that back.
lt will exist. Right here in this bar.
This establishment will be the last outpost of what made Ferenginar great:
the unrelenting lust for profit!
Broik, water the drinks. M'Pella, rig the dabo table.
- Rom, l want to buy back the bar. - Brother, l'll give it to you.
l suppose you'll let me keep the 5,000 bars of latinum too?
- You're my brother. - And you're an idiot.
But l love you.
Congratulations. You're the perfect nagus for this new Ferenginar.
Are you sure we picked the right brother?
Come, my dear. Risa's waiting.
Good luck, kid. You're gonna need it.
l'm proud of you, son.
Let's go, Zekkie.
You know, l could use a financial advisor.
No kidding! But it's not going to be me.
- l know someone who's available. - Forget it.
Not so hasty. Let him give you a pedicure first.
Now, if you'll excuse me, l have to get back to work.
There's money to be made.
How can l serve you...?
According to our intelligence, the Dominion has withdrawn
from Klingon, Federation and Romulan space.
They are forming a new defensive perimeter within Cardassian territory.
They must know we have a countermeasure to the Breen weapon.
- That's my guess. - There are advantages to falling back.
They shorten their supply lines and lengthen ours.
And they are less vulnerable to hit-and-run attacks.
lt would take a major offensive to break through their lines.
lt would be wiser to contain them within their perimeter.
That's what they're hoping we'll do - give them time to rebuild their forces.
They're on the defensive. We should hit them with everything we've got.
Breaking through that line would be a very ugly, very bloody job.
lf we do nothing, the Dominion could sit behind that perimeter
for the next five years rearming themselves.
And when they're ready to come out, God help us all.
The Klingon Empire votes to attack before they have time to recover.
Considering the alternatives, l'm afraid l have to concur.
Very well.
Then it's settled. We attack.
You're up late.
You were waiting for me?
What's wrong?
l'm pregnant.
- Are you sure? - Of course l'm sure.
Oh. Baby, l... l didn't mean...
A baby! You and me... Wow!
- Surprise. - Surprise is right.
How did...?
One of us forgot our injection last month.
Julian reminded me of that.
- The way things have been going on... - You don't have to apologise.
l'm not. Are you kidding? This is wonderful!
- l'm glad you think so. - But you don't?
l just keep thinking about the Prophets.
They warned you that marrying me would bring you sorrow.
- Kasidy, we have been through this. - l know we have.
l know we said we wouldn't let the Prophets run our lives.
But that was...that was before this.
What if...
What if they were trying to tell you something?
Something may happen to my baby?
- Nothing will happen to our baby. - Are you sure?
l am the Emissary of the Prophets and l know nothing is going to happen.
Everything will be all right.
l hope you're right.
- We're going to have a baby. - A baby.

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