Original subtitles

Captain's Personal Log, Stardate 517...

3, uh...

517...

4?

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.

DAX: 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.

SISKO: 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.

Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES

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.

( sighs )

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.

SISKO: 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.

SISKO: 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.

SISKO: 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.

KIRA: 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.

( door opens )

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.

( laughs )

You do understand the terms of your parole.

Oh, yes.

I have to promise to stay away from the Klingon Empire.

( dry chuckle )

That'll be tough.

( laughs )

And I have to create

some kind of a special holo-program for you.

( chuckles )

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.

( laughs )

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.

SISKO: 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.

BASHIR: 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.

15 minutes later, he ordered a second bottle

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...

( whispers ): 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...

200 liters of biomimetic gel.

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.

200 liters is out of the question.

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.

( chuckles )

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.

( quietly ): I received a message.

Senator Vreenak is on the way.

Excellent.

Done.

( chuckles )

Who gets it?

Just... put it in the case.

Ah.

( chuckling )

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.

( door opens, closes )

( pounds fist )

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.

KIRA: 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.

( warning Klaxon sounds )

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.

WEYOUN: 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.

DAMAR: 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?

WEYOUN: 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 I-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.

BASHIR: 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.

( yelling )

( grunting )

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.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org