All language subtitles for Star.Trek.DS9.s06e19.In.the.Pale.Moonlight

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.

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.

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...

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.

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 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.

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.