Original subtitles

Resistance is futile.

You will disarm your weapons and escort us to Sector 001.

If you attempt to intervene, we will destroy you.

Red Alert.

Load all torpedo bays, ready phasers.

Move us to position alpha, Ensign.

They've locked on.

Reroute auxiliary power.

Our shields are being drained!

64 percent...

42...

Recalibrate shield nutation.

Modulation is having no effect.

Shields have failed!

Full reverse.

Maintain all...!

Damage report.

Damage report!

Warning. Damage to warp core.

Containment failure in five minutes.

Direct hit...

decks one through four...

Let's get the civilians to the escape pods, Lieutenant.

Aye, sir.

Leave everything.

Get to your assigned evacuation area now!

Warning. Damage to warp core.

Containment failure in four minutes.

Dora!

I'll take care of her. You go on.

Have you seen Jennifer?

Jennifer?!

Jake!

Warning. Damage to warp core.

Containment failure in three minutes.

I'm going to get your mom.

You're going to be okay.

Jennifer!

Okay, Jake.

We'll get your mom out, and we'll get out of here.

Commander!

Help me!

Jennifer... hold on.

Sir...

Just help me to get her free!

She's gone.

There's nothing we can do.

We have to leave!

Warning. Damage to warp core.

Containment failure in two minutes.

Ensign, take the boy.

Aye, sir.

We've got to go now, sir.

Damn it!

We just can't leave her in here!

Oh! Oh, no!

Jake, Jake, you're okay.

Stand by to launch.

Ready.

Jake.

There you are.

How are they biting?

Small-fries. Threw them back.

Want to go for a swim?

Don't have time. We have to get ready.

It won't be so bad.

I've heard that Bajor is a beautiful world.

So why can't we live on the planet

instead of some old space station?

The station is in orbit of Bajor.

It will be just like shore duty.

- Will there be kids there? - Absolutely! Lots of kids.

Bridge to Sisko.

Yes, Captain?

We're approaching Deep Space 9, Commander.

We'll be docking in seven minutes.

Acknowledged.

Come on.

What do you say?

We'll take the pond with us.

Computer, end program.

Is that it?

Commence Station Log, Deep Space 9

Commander Benjamin Sisko, Stardate 46388.2.

At the request of the Bajoran provisional government

Starfleet has agreed to establish

a Federation presence in this system

following the withdrawal

of the Cardassian occupational forces.

The first contingent of officers

including my Chief of Operations, Miles O'Brien

arrived two days ago on the Enterprise.

I'm told the Cardassians decided to have some fun

the day they left.

Four Bajorans were killed trying to protect their shops.

Why hasn't anybody cleaned this up?

We've got all available personnel

assigned to repairing primary systems, sir.

The Cardassians took every component of value.

We're virtually defenseless.

I discussed this with Major Kira

the attaché assigned here by the Bajoran government and...

Understood.

What about the civilians who operated these shops?

A lot of them lost everything they had.

A few are trying to rebuild

but most are packing up to leave.

Welcome, Commander.

Please enter.

The Prophets await you.

Another time, perhaps.

Another time.

When my wife Keiko saw our quarters

she started talking about visiting her mother

in Kumomoto.

Sir, I wouldn't allow the boy to go roaming.

We're still having some security problems.

Dad, there is nothing to sleep on in there

except for a cushion on the floor.

Well, we can get you a real bunk

off the Enterprise.

I almost forgot.

Captain Picard wants to see you as soon as possible.

He does?

Any word on our science and medical officers yet?

They're expected tomorrow.

Jake, I want you to stay here till I come back.

Is this the food replicator?

I'm afraid they're all off-line.

There's plenty of emergency rations.

I could send some down.

Dad...

We're going to have to rough it

until we get things up and running, Jake, okay?

Okay.

"Okay."

I'd like to ask the designer

what he was thinking about when they built this place.

I still haven't been able to find an ODN access.

That's the Prefect's office up there.

So all others have to look up with respect.

- Cardassian architecture. - Yes, sir.

Major Kira's been using it.

Is it my imagination or is it unusually warm?

The environmental controls in Ops are stuck at 32 C.

We're working on it.

I guess it's time to meet Major Kira.

Sir, have you ever served with any Bajoran women?

No. Why?

I was just wondering, sir.

They've become meaningless.

I just don't agree, Kira.

You are throwing it all away.

All of you!

You're being a fool!

Well, then don't ask my opinion next time.

Yes?

I'm Benjamin Sisko.

I suppose you want the office.

Well, I thought I'd say hello first

and then take the office

but we could do it in any order you'd like.

Hello.

Is something bothering you, Major?

You don't want to ask me that, Commander.

Why not?

Because I have the bad habit of telling the truth

even when people don't want to hear it.

Perhaps I want to hear it.

I don't believe the Federation has any business being here.

The provisional government disagrees with you.

The provisional government and I don't agree on a lot of things

which is probably why they sent me to this godforsaken place.

I have been fighting for Bajoran independence

since I was old enough to pick up a phaser.

We finally drive the Cardassians out

and what do our new leaders do?

They call up the Federation and invite them right in!

The Federation is only here to help...

Help us. Yes, I know.

The Cardassians said the same thing 60 years ago.

Major, when I was ordered here

I requested a Bajoran national as my First Officer.

It made sense.

It still does, at least to me.

Now, you and I are going to have to find some way to...

Yes, Major?

Odo, are you reading something at A-14?

My security array has been down for two hours.

I'll meet you there.

We've been having a lot of break-ins lately.

No need for you to come along, Commander.

Hurry up!

Now!

Now!

All right! Just stand where you are!

Hold it!

That's enough!

Who the hell are you?

Odo,

this is our new Starfleet Commander.

I don't allow weapons on the Promenade.

That includes phasers.

Nog?

What's going on?

The boy's in a lot of trouble.

Commander, my name is Quark.

I used to run the local gambling establishment.

This is my brother's boy.

Surely, you can see he has only...

a peripheral involvement in all this.

We're scheduled to depart tomorrow.

If we could be permitted to take him,

I promise you, he will be severely...

That won't be possible.

Take him to the brig.

Quark probably sent the two of them here

to steal the ore samples in the first place.

Major, there's a Ferengi legal tradition.

It's called plea bargaining.

I might let the boy go

but I want something in exchange from Mr. Quark --

something very important.

O'Brien to Commander Sisko.

Go ahead.

Sir, the Enterprise hailed us again.

Captain Picard is waiting to see you.

Acknowledged.

This won't take long.

Come.

Commander, yes, please come in.

Welcome to Bajor.

It's been a long time, Captain.

Have we met before?

Yes, sir. We met in battle.

I was on the Saratoga at Wolf 359.

I assume that you have been briefed

on the events leading to the Cardassian withdrawal.

Yes, sir.

I understand they spent the last half century

robbing the planet of every valuable resource

before abandoning it.

They've left the Bajorans

without a means of being self-sustaining.

The relief efforts we've been coordinating

are barely adequate.

I...

I've come to know the Bajorans.

I'm... a strong proponent

for their entry into the Federation.

Is it going to happen?

Not easily.

The ruling parties are at each other's throats.

Factions that were united against the Cardassians

have resumed old conflicts.

Sounds like they're not ready.

Your job is to do everything

short of violating the Prime Directive

to make sure that they are.

I have been...

made aware by Starfleet

of your objections to this assignment.

I... I would have thought

that after three years spent at the Utopia Planitia Yards

that you would be ready for a change.

I have a son that I'm raising alone, Captain.

This is not the ideal environment.

Unfortunately, as Starfleet officers

we do not always have the luxury

to serve in an ideal environment.

I realize that, sir

and I'm investigating the possibility

of returning to Earth for civilian service.

Then perhaps Starfleet Command

should be considering a replacement for you.

That's probably a good idea.

I'll look into it.

In the meantime, however...

In the meantime, I will do the job

I've been ordered to do to the best of my ability, sir.

Dismissed.

It's really quite simple, Quark.

You're not going to leave.

Not going to leave?

But we're packed and ready to go.

Unpack.

I don't understand, Commander.

Why would you want me to stay?

I'm curious myself.

The man is a gambler and a thief.

I'm not a thief.

You are a thief.

If I am, you haven't been able to prove it for four years.

Please.

My officers, the Bajoran engineers

all their families

depend on the shops and services of this Promenade.

If people like you abandon it

this is going to become a ghost town.

We need someone to step forward and say

"I'm staying. I'm rebuilding."

We need a community leader

and it's going to be... you, Quark.

Community leader.

Seems reasonable.

You have all the character references of a politician.

How could I possibly operate my establishment

under Starfleet rules of conduct?

This is still a Bajoran station.

We're just here to administrate.

You run honest games

you won't have any problems from me.

Commander, I've made a career out of knowing when to leave

and this Bajoran provisional government

is far too provisional for my taste

and when governments fall

people like me are lined up and shot.

There is that risk...

but, then, you are a gambler, Quark.

And a thief.

You know, Quark, that poor boy

is about to spend the best years of his life

in a Bajoran prison.

I'm a father myself.

I know what your brother must be going through.

The boy should be with his family

not in some cold jail cell.

Think about it.

It's up to you.

You know, at first

I didn't think I was going to like him.

Major?

Everyone else is busy repairing the primary systems.

I suppose Starfleet officers

aren't used to getting their hands dirty.

In the refugee camps

we learned to do whatever needed to be done.

Didn't matter who you were.

I was just talking with our good neighbor, Quark.

He's laying odds that the government's going to fall.

Quark knows a good bet when he hears one.

This government will be gone in a week, and so will you.

What happens to Bajor then?

Civil war.

You think it's inevitable?

The only one who can prevent it is Opaka.

Opaka?

Our spiritual leader.

She's known as the Kai.

Our religion

is the only thing that holds my people together.

If she would call for unity, they'd listen.

Leaders of all the factions have tried to get to her

but she lives in seclusion

rarely sees anyone.

Commander...

it is time.

I apologize for the condition in which we greet you.

The Cardassians?

Your arrival has been greatly anticipated.

Have you ever explored your pagh, Commander?

Pagh?

A Bajoran draws courage from his spiritual life.

Our life-force...

our pagh...

is replenished by the Prophets.

Breathe.

Kai Opaka, if we could discuss...

Breathe!

Ironic.

One who does not wish to be among us is to be the Emissary.

Please, come with me.

You are correct that Bajor is in great jeopardy

but it is the threat to our spiritual life

that far outweighs any other.

Perhaps, but I am powerless until...

Commander.

I cannot give you what you deny yourself.

I'm sorry?

Look for solutions from within, Commander.

Come with me.

What is it?

The Tear of the Prophet.

What the hell?

Opaka?

Ah... ow!

Hey!

I'm sorry. It's just that this...

Jen?

Yes?

Jennifer?

I'm sorry.

Did we meet last night at George's party?

George?

Jennifer...

Wait a minute.

This is impossible.

Are you okay?

I know this place.

This is Gilgo Beach, where we met.

We met here before?

I was carrying three lemonades...

The sand was burning my feet

and I stopped here... to...

Ow!

Do you realize how incredible this is?

No, of course you don't. I --

Jennifer...

have a lemonade.

I'm afraid I don't accept drinks from strange men on the beach.

So tell me the truth.

Have we really met before?

No.

Then how do you know my name?

I... uh...

George told me at the party.

Are you going to tell me your name?

Oh, Ben Sisko.

I just graduated from Starfleet Academy.

I'm waiting for my first posting.

Oh, a junior officer.

Yeah.

My mother warned me to watch out for junior officers.

Your mother is going to adore me.

You're awfully sure of yourself.

It's not every day you meet the girl you're going to marry.

Do you use this routine a lot with women?

No. Never before, and never again.

Sure.

How about letting me cook dinner for you tonight?

My father was a gourmet chef.

I will make for you his famous aubergine stew.

I don't know.

You're supposed to say, "Yes!"

I'll probably be sorry.

Jennifer...!

Nine Orbs, like this one, have appeared in the skies

over the past 10,000 years.

The Cardassians took the others.

You must find the Celestial Temple

before they do.

The Celestial Temple?

Tradition says the Orbs were sent by the Prophets to teach us.

What we have learned has shaped our theology.

The Cardassians will do anything to decipher their powers.

If they discover the Celestial Temple

they could destroy it.

What makes you think I can find your temple?

This will help you.

Kai Opaka...

I can't unite my people till I know the Prophets have been warned.

You will find the Temple --

not for Bajor, not for the Federation

but for your own pagh.

It is quite simply, Commander,

the journey you have always been destined to take.

What?

I was just thinking...

how much you look like your mom.

Kira to Sisko.

Go ahead.

Sorry to disturb you, Commander,

but there's something on the Promenade you might want to see.

On my way.

Step up, step up.

Fortune's fates are with you today, friends.

Dabo!

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

That's fine.

I'll be right back.

What will you have, Commander?

How's the local synthale?

You won't like it.

I love the Bajorans.

Such a deeply spiritual culture

but they make a dreadful ale.

Never trust ale from a god-fearing people

or a Starfleet Commander

that has one of your relatives in jail.

Dabo!

Station Log, Stardate 46390.1.

The Enterprise has been ordered to the Lapolis system.

They're scheduled to depart at 0500 hours

after off-loading three runabout-class vessels.

Meanwhile, our medical and science officers are arriving,

and I'm looking forward to a reunion with a very old friend.

Commander, if you'd like me to give them a tour of the station...

You and Dr. Bashir go ahead.

I'm afraid I have to put Lieutenant Dax to work right away.

Jadzia...

uh...

maybe we could...

get together later for dinner...

or... or... or... or a... or a drink?

I'd be delighted.

He's a little young for you, isn't he?

He's 27. I'm 28.

328, maybe.

Did you tell him about that slug inside of you?

Yes, Benjamin. He knows I'm a Trill.

He finds it fascinating.

He's never met a joined species before.

I wonder if he'd been as fascinated

if you still looked the way you did the last time I saw you.

Perhaps not.

This is going to take some getting used to.

Don't be ridiculous.

I'm still the same old Dax...

more or less.

I'm afraid we've had some security problems.

Looks like looters got in here.

Oh, this will be perfect.

Real...

frontier medicine.

Frontier medicine?

Major, I had my choice of any job in the fleet.

Did you?

I didn't want some cushy job

or a research grant.

I wanted this --

the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

One of the most remote outposts available.

This is where the adventure is.

This is where heroes are made.

Right here, in the wilderness.

This "wilderness" is my home.

Well, I-I-I didn't mean...

The Cardassians left behind a lot of injured people, Doctor.

You can make yourself useful

by bringing your Federation medicine to the natives.

Oh, you'll find them a friendly, simple folk.

We do have one advantage.

The monks have been studying these things for 10,000 years.

I've had our computers set up

to interface with their historical data banks.

That should give us something.

Soon as possible, Dax.

The eight other Orbs are probably in some Cardassian laboratory

being turned upside down and inside out.

Benjamin...

I was happy when I heard you accepted this assignment.

I'd been worried about you.

It's good to see you, too... old man.

Computer, create a data base

for all historical references to the Orbs

including all reports

of any unexplained phenomena in Bajoran space.

Time parameters?

Ten millennia.

Initializing data base.

Requested function will require two hours to complete.

Curzon.

The Captain's in the ready room, Chief.

Should I tell him you're here?

Oh, that's okay.

Thanks.

Transport me to the Ops pad, Maggie.

Yes, sir.

Mr. O'Brien?

I understand that I just missed you on the Bridge.

Yes, sir.

I... I didn't want to disturb you, sir.

Ensign.

This is your favorite transporter room, isn't it?

Number three, yes, sir.

You know, yesterday I called down here

and I asked for you without thinking.

It won't be quite the same.

It's just a transporter room, sir.

Permission to disembark, Captain.

Permission granted.

Energize.

Message coming in from their Commander

Gul Dukat.

Dukat.

He used to be the Cardassian Prefect of Bajor.

He's requesting permission to come aboard to greet us.

Surely a coincidence that the Enterprise just left.

Mr. O'Brien

tell Gul Dukat I look forward to meeting him.

Good day, Commander.

Gul Dukat.

Excuse my presumption

but... this was my office only two weeks ago.

I'm not used to being on this side of the desk.

I'll be honest with you, Commander.

I miss this office.

I was not happy to leave it.

Drop by any time

you're feeling homesick.

You are very gracious.

And allow me to assure you that we only want

to be helpful in this difficult transition.

You're far from the Federation fleet

alone in this remote outpost

with poor defense systems.

Your Cardassian neighbors will be quick to respond

to any problems you might have.

We'll try to keep the dog off your lawn.

So... tell me, what did you think of Kai Opaka?

I know you went to the surface to see her.

I understand you brought back an Orb.

We thought we had all of them.

Perhaps we could have an exchange of information --

pool our resources.

I don't know anything about an Orb.

We will be in close proximity

should you wish to reconsider my suggestion.

In the meantime

I assume you have no objection to my men

enjoying the hospitality of the Promenade.

Commander.

What do you know about the Denorios Belt?

Your basic charged plasma field --

no one gets anywhere near it unless they have to.

In the 22nd century, a ship carrying Kai Taluno

was disabled for several days in the Denorios Belt

where he claims he had a vision.

Let me guess.

He saw the Celestial Temple of the Prophets.

Not quite.

But he did say that the heavens opened up

and nearly swallowed his ship.

Are we reduced to chasing metaphors to solve this?

That's not all.

At least five of the Orbs were found in the Denorios Belt.

There were also 23 navigational reports over the years

of unusually severe neutrino disturbances

in the same area.

I've correlated all these reports

into one analysis grid.

Our Celestial Temple?

Worth a look...

but we've got Cardassians on our back doorstep.

We need to get by them undetected.

May we have your attention please.

This establishment is being closed.

What do you mean?

You can't do this.

If you have a problem, sir

you'll have to take it up with Commander Sisko.

I intend to.

This is outrageous.

Friends, my apologies.

A minor misunderstanding that will be rectified shortly.

Give them something to put their winnings into.

Because we were winning too much, of course.

Leave it to Starfleet to ruin a fine day.

Rio Grande to Ops.

Initializing prelaunch systems.

Confirmed, Rio Grande.

Scanners are picking up fluctuations

in the Cardassian's energy distribution net.

Their computers are crashing.

Shields and sensors are down.

Odo's done it.

Ops to Rio Grande.

You're in business.

Beginning launch sequence.

Odo's reached the transport site.

Trying to lock on.

I've never done this with a Cardassian transporter.

Damn it, what's the problem?

Nice work, Constable.

Approaching grid perimeter.

Slowing to one-quarter impulse.

Computer, give me visual, bearing 23 mark 217.

Range -- 3,100 kilometers.

Sensors are picking up unusually high proton counts.

Setting a new course to those coordinates.

All external wave intensities are increasing rapidly

but checking...

Confirmed. There is no corresponding increase inside the cabin.

How is that possible?

Sensors are not functioning.

We've lost all contact with the space station.

Scanners are reading major subspace disruption

at their last known coordinates.

What the hell is happening out there?

I don't know.

They're just gone.

Are your navigational readings going crazy?

I'll recalibrate when I have a moment.

Take your time.

Can you get a fix on our coordinates?

There is a star just under five light years away.

No M-Class planets.

Computer, identify closest star system.

Idran -- a ternary system

consisting of twin O-type companions.

Idran? That can't be right.

Computer, basis of identification?

Idran is based on the analysis conducted

in the 22nd century

by the Quadros-1 probe of the Gamma Quadrant.

The Gamma Quadrant?! 70,000 light years from Bajor?

I'd say we just found our way into a wormhole.

It's not like any wormhole I've ever seen.

There were none of the usual resonance waves.

Could this be how the Orbs

found their way into the Bajoran system?

Not an unreasonable hypothesis.

If it's true

that would mean that this has been here for 10,000 years.

Dax, we might have just discovered

the first stable wormhole known to exist.

Bring us about, Lieutenant.

I'm modifying the flight program to compensate

for the spatial discontinuities.

We should have a smoother ride this time.

Did you reduce impulse power?

No. Why?

We're losing velocity.

Forward velocity down to 80 kph.

Warning. Impulse system overload.

Auto shutdown in 12 seconds.

Disengaging engines.

Velocity at 20 kph.

I'm picking up atmosphere.

Inside a wormhole?

Capable of supporting life.

We've just landed.

On what?

It's beautiful.

You have a strange eye for beauty, Dax.

You don't think this is one

of the most idyllic settings you've ever seen?

We are standing on a rock face.

Do you see the storm?

It's as clear as a summer's day.

You see it, too?

Yes.

Low-level ionic pattern.

It's probing us.

Someone's idea of shaking hands maybe.

I am Commander Benjamin Sisko

of the United Federation of Planets.

Dax!

Another neutrino disruption.

Scanners are picking up an object

near their last known coordinates.

It isn't a ship.

Major, there's something inside it --

some kind of life-form.

Are the Cardassian sensors picking it up?

They should be back on line by now.

We have to assume they know everything we know.

Yellow Alert. Secure Ops.

Beam it aboard, Mr. O'Brien

but put it in a level-1 security field.

Aye, sir. Locking on.

Who are you?

Who are you?!

It is corporeal!

A physical entity.

What?

What did you say?

It is responding to visual and auditory stimuli.

Linguistic communication.

Yes, linguistic communication.

Are you capable of communicating with me?

What... are you?

My species is known as human.

I come from a planet called Earth.

Earth?

This is what my planet looks like.

You and I

are very different species.

It will take... time

for us to understand one another.

What is this... time?

First Officer's Log, Stardate 46392.7.

We're preparing to launch a rescue mission

to find Commander Sisko.

But first, our navigational sensors must be recalibrated

to work under the conditions reported by Lieutenant Dax.

It is no ordinary wormhole.

My analysis suggests

that it isn't even a natural phenomenon.

Not natural?

You mean it was constructed?

It's very possible whoever made the Orbs

also created this wormhole.

The Cardassians are leaving their position

on a course toward the Denorios Belt.

Mr. O'Brien

what would it take to move this station

to the mouth of the wormhole?

This isn't a starship, Major.

We've got six working thrusters to power us and that's it.

160 million-kilometer trip would take two months.

It has to be there tomorrow.

That's not possible, sir.

That wormhole might just reshape

the future of this entire quadrant.

The Bajorans have to stake a claim to it

and I have to admit that claim would be a lot stronger

if there's a Federation presence to back it up.

Couldn't you modify the subspace field output

of the deflector generators

just enough to create a low-level field around the station?

So we could lower the inertial mass.

If you can make the station lighter

those six thrusters will be all the power we need.

This whole station could break apart like an egg if it doesn't work.

Even if it does work,

we're still going to need help from Starfleet once we get there.

The Enterprise is still the nearest starship.

They could reach us in two days.

We should advise Starfleet that we will require their assistance.

You have Ops, Mr. O'Brien.

Lieutenant, you're with me.

Aye, sir.

You too, Doc.

Time to be a hero.

Yes, sir!

- Constable... - This is a security matter.

I'm in charge of security.

Security here, on the station.

I cannot justify taking you into this wormhole.

We have no idea what we're dealing with in there.

- It could be hostile... - Major,

I was found in the Denorios Belt.

I don't know where I came from --

no idea if there are any others like me.

All my life, I've been forced to pass myself off as one of you,

always wondering who I really am.

Well, the answers to a lot of my questions

may be somewhere on the other side of that wormhole.

You coming?

The creature must be destroyed before it destroys us.

It is malevolent.

Aggressive.

Adversarial.

It must be destroyed.

I am not your enemy.

I was sent here by the people you contacted.

Contacted?

With your devices -- your Orbs.

We seek contact with other life-forms

not corporeal creatures who annihilate us.

I have not come to annihilate anyone.

Destroy it now.

My species respects life above all else.

Can you say the same?

I do not understand the threat that I bring to you

but I am not your enemy.

Allow me to prove it.

Prove it?

It can be argued

that a human is ultimately the sum of his experiences.

Experiences...

what is this?

Memories.

Events from my past

like this one.

Past?

Things that happened before now.

You have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about.

What comes before now is no different

than what is now, or what is to come.

It is one's existence.

Then, for you, there is no linear time.

Linear time -- what is this?

My species lives in one point in time

and once we move beyond that point

it becomes the past.

The future, all that is still to come,

does not exist yet for us.

Does not exist yet?

That is the nature of linear existence

and if you examine it more closely

you will see that you do not need to fear me.

Partial field established.

Instability at 12%.

Partial field?

Is station's inertial mass low enough to break orbit?

Procedure is not recommended.

Damn it, I didn't ask for an opinion.

Just tell me whether or not we can get enough thrust

with only a partial field established.

Affirmative.

All right. Thank you.

Initiate transit mode, three-axis stabilization.

Aye, sir.

Engage thrusters.

Warning. Field integrity declining.

Instability at 21%.

We've got to close that gap in the field

or we'll tear ourselves into a million pieces.

Warning. Subspace field collapse in 60 seconds.

Computer, transfer energy from the inertial dampers

to reinforce the subspace field.

Procedure is not recommended.

Damn it, transfer the energy.

Unable to comply.

Level-1 safety protocols have canceled request.

Canceled?!

Warning. Subspace field collapse in 30 seconds.

I'm going to transfer it manually.

On my mark, redirect the flow to the deflectors

- and keep the power balanced. - Aye, sir.

Field collapse in 15 seconds.

Now.

Field energy now within flight tolerances.

Good work, sir.

Computer, you and I need to have a little talk.

The Cardassian warship is in visual range.

On-screen.

They're headed right to it.

Well, they've got to listen to reason, haven't they?

When we warn them what could happen if they go in there.

Doctor, most people, in my experience

wouldn't know reason if it walked up and shook their hand.

You can count Gul Dukat among them.

This is the Federation ship Yangtzee Kiang.

Major Kira Nerys in command.

Yes, Major.

Gul Dukat, we know you're headed for the wormhole.

Wormhole?

What wormhole is that?

I strongly suggest you do not proceed.

We encountered a hostile life-form inside.

Perhaps they will be less hostile to Cardassians

than to humans.

Dukat,

these people are trying to save you from a lot of trouble.

Really?

And I suppose you're going to tell me

that these are not the life-forms that have sent the Orbs

or that your Commander Sisko is not negotiating

for their technology.

I thank you for your concern

but I think we will see for ourselves.

So much for reason.

Jennifer.

Yes, that was her name.

She is part of your existence.

She is part of my past.

She's no longer alive.

But she is part of your existence.

She was a most important part of my existence

but I lost her some time ago.

Lost?

What is this?

In a linear existence, we can't go back to the past

to get something we left behind,

so... it's lost.

It is inconceivable that any species

could exist in such a manner.

- You are deceiving us. - No.

This is the truth.

This day, this... this park...

it was almost 15 years ago, far in the past.

It was a day that was very important to me --

a day that shaped every day that followed.

That is the essence of a linear existence.

Each day affects the next.

Listen to it.

To what?

The sound of children playing.

What could be more beautiful?

So you like children.

That almost sounds like a domestic inquiry.

I've heard Starfleet officers don't want families

because they complicate their lives.

Starfleet officers don't often find mates

who want to raise families on a starship.

That almost sounds like a domestic inquiry.

I think it was.

As corporeal entities,

humans find physical touch to cause pleasure.

Pleasure... what is this?

Good feelings.

Happiness.

But this is your existence.

It's difficult to be here --

more difficult than any other memory.

Why?

Because...

because this was the day...

that I lost Jennifer.

I don't want to be here.

Then why do you exist here?

I don't understand.

You exist here.

What's wrong?

What's happening?

We should be reaching the wormhole coordinates in two minutes.

Slowing to one-third imp...

Are you still there?

What just happened?

More of your kind.

Another ship...

in the wormhole?

Wormhole? What is this?

It is how we describe the passage that brought me here.

It is terminated.

Terminated?

Our existence is disrupted whenever one of you enters the passage.

Your linear nature is inherently destructive.

You have no regard for the consequences of your acts.

That's not true.

We're aware that every choice we make has a consequence.

But you claim you do not know what it will be.

We don't.

Then how can you take responsibility for your actions?

We use past experience to help guide us.

For Jennifer and me,

all the experiences in our lives

prepared us for the day we met on the beach --

helped us recognize that we had a future together.

When we married, we accepted

all the consequences of that act

whatever they might be,

including the consequences of you.

Me?

My son Jake...

The child with Jennifer.

Yes.

- Linear... procreation? - Yes.

Jake is the continuation of our family.

The sound of children playing.

Aggressive. Adversarial.

Competition. For fun!

It's a game that Jake and I play on the holodeck.

It's called baseball.

Baseball?

What is this?

I was afraid you'd ask that.

I throw this ball to you

and this other player stands between us with a bat --

a stick -- and he...

and he tries to hit the ball

in between these two white lines.

Oh.

The rules aren't important.

What's important is...

it's linear.

Every time I throw this ball

a hundred different things can happen in a game.

He might swing and miss, he might hit it.

The point is, you never know.

You try to anticipate,

set a strategy for all the possibilities

as best you can, but in the end,

it comes down to throwing one pitch after another

and seeing what happens.

With each new consequence, the game begins to take shape.

And you have no idea what that shape is

until it is completed.

That's right.

In fact, the game wouldn't be worth playing

if we knew what was going to happen.

You value your ignorance of what is to come?

That may be the most important thing

to understand about humans.

It is the unknown that defines our existence.

We are constantly searching

not just for answers to our questions

but for new questions.

We are explorers.

We explore our lives day by day,

and we explore the galaxy

trying to expand the boundaries of our knowledge

and that is why I am here --

not to conquer you with weapons

or with ideas,

but to coexist...

and learn.

If all you say is true,

why do you exist here?

First Officer's Log, supplemental.

We've rendezvoused with the space station

at the former coordinates of the wormhole.

Unfortunately, our scans have revealed

no trace of either the wormhole or Dukat's ship.

A few minutes ago,

three Cardassian warships crossed the border

no doubt on their way to search for Dukat.

Mr. O'Brien, can you establish a high-energy thoron field

before they get into sensor range?

I don't want them to be able to scan

- our defense systems. - Aye, sir.

They're hailing us.

On-screen.

I am Gul Jasad

of the Cardassian guard, Seventh Order.

Where is our warship?

With any luck, they're in the Gamma Quadrant

on the other side of the wormhole.

What wormhole?

Our sensors show no indication

of a wormhole in this sector.

That's because it just collapsed.

What?!

We believe it was artificially created.

That may be why our sensors never picked up

any of the usual quantum fluctuation patterns.

You expect me to believe that someone created a wormhole

and now conveniently has disassembled it?

That's exactly what I expect you to believe.

They're flooding subspace with antilepton interference.

It'll cut off our communications with Starfleet.

They're powering up their forward phasers.

Red Alert.

Shields up.

What shields?

They're hailing us again.

Open the channel.

We do not accept your explanation.

Somehow you have destroyed our warship.

Gul Jasad, I assure you...

We demand the unconditional surrender of this space station

or we will open fire.

I need at least a day

to make the necessary preparations.

You have one hour.

I can transfer all available power

to establish partial shields around critical areas

but if they hit the docking ring

we'll sustain heavy damage.

Constable, if you would coordinate

moving all personnel to safer locations.

What was the last reported position of the Enterprise?

At least 20 hours away.

We've got to hold out till they get here.

I can't believe the Cardassians would ever attack a Federation outpost.

Doctor, you ever studied your military history of the border wars?

Yes.

Ever heard of the Setlik III massacre?

I assume, Mr. O'Brien, you would agree

surrender is not a preferable option.

You know what they do to their prisoners, sir.

What is the point of bringing me back again to this?

We do not bring you here.

You bring us here.

You exist here.

Then give me the power to lead you somewhere else --

anywhere else.

We cannot give you what you deny yourself.

Look for solutions from within, Commander.

I was ready to die with her.

Die... what is this?

The termination of their linear existence.

We've got to go now, sir.

Damn it!

We just can't leave her here!

Oh! Oh, no!

I never left this ship.

You exist here.

I...

exist here.

I don't know if you can understand.

I see her like this

every time I close my eyes.

In the darkness...

in the blink of an eye

I see her like this.

None of your past experiences helped prepare you

for this consequence.

And I have never figured out how to live without her.

So you choose to exist here.

It is not linear.

No.

It's not linear.

Oh...

Their lead ship is hailing us.

Gul Jasad wants an answer.

Are you ready, Mr. O'Brien?

Yes, sir.

When they penetrate our thoron field

it should raise a few eyebrows over there.

All right, then, let's give them our answer.

Fire six photon torpedoes across Jasad's bow.

We only have six photons, Major.

We're not going to win this battle with torpedoes, Chief.

Aye, sir.

An urgent hail from Jasad.

Looks like we got his attention.

On-screen.

This is your answer?

You don't think Starfleet took command of this space station

without the ability to defend it, do you?

Defend it?

Your space station could not defend itself against one Cardassian warship.

You're probably right, Jasad...

and if you were dealing with a Starfleet officer

they'd probably admit

we have a hopeless cause here.

But I am just a Bajoran

who's been fighting a hopeless cause against the Cardassians

all her life.

So if you want a war...

I'll give you one.

Major.

Remind me never to get into a game

of Roladan Wild Draw with you.

They were using a thoron field to block our sensors

but we were able to penetrate it.

What are their defenses?

According to our scans, an estimated 5,000 photons,

integrated phaser banks on all levels.

When did they receive these armaments?

And how did they install them without our knowledge?

Somehow they have created a massive illusion

of duranium shadows.

What if it is not an illusion?

It is!

Why risk the confrontation?

The Fourth Order can be here in a day.

So can Starfleet.

Their lead ship is sending out a subspace message

asking for reinforcements.

Yes!

Too soon for a victory celebration, Doctor.

Mr. O'Brien?

The ships are being deployed in a standard attack formation, sir.

Battle stations.

Quickly, now. Quickly, now.

Calmly, calmly.

Come along.

They may just be testing us.

I could run a pulse compression wave

through the phaser banks --

put out a blast that will make them think twice.

Do it.

Damage report.

Direct hit, level 14.

Empty storage bays. No casualties.

Shields down to 27%.

A fuel conduit has ruptured on the Promenade.

Can you divert the main power flow?

The controls are locked.

- Odo to Ops. - Go ahead.

I've got wounded people down here!

Have you seen that Doctor of yours anywhere?

I'm on my way.

I'm going to have to shut down the primary power flow

or the whole Promenade will go up.

Bloody Cardassians!

I just got the damn thing fixed.

Press there, hard.

Look, Doctor, maybe I should find you someone...

Hold. It. There.

That should do it for a while.

Shields are at 18% and falling.

I might still be able to give you one more phaser blast, Major.

No.

Signal the lead Cardassian ship that we will proceed with...

Major, I'm picking up a huge neutrino disturbance

15 kilometers off the forward docking ring.

It's the wormhole.

On-screen.

Hail the lead ship.

What did I tell you, Jasad?

There's your wormhole!

Rio Grande to DS9.

On-screen.

Go ahead, Commander.

Sorry to be late, Major.

Our friend Gul Dukat had some problems

on the other side of the wormhole.

I see you've had a few of your own.

A few, Commander.

Gul Dukat is signaling his ships to disarm.

Clear me for docking, Mr. O'Brien.

Aye, sir.

Cleared for Pad C.

Casualties?

13 injured, Commander, and no fatalities.

Jake!

Dad!

Station Log, Commander Benjamin Sisko.

Stardate 46393.1.

The life-forms who created the wormhole

have agreed to allow safe passage

for all ships traveling to the Gamma Quadrant.

With the arrival of the Enterprise

the Cardassians have left the area.

I suspect that the sight of their warship

being towed by a Federation runabout

took the heart out of their fight.

We're not done with the Cardassians yet --

not with the strategic importance of that wormhole.

Well, you've put Bajor on the map, Commander.

This will shortly become a leading center

of commerce and of scientific exploration

and for Starfleet, one of our most important posts.

Captain, regarding our conversation

about someone to replace me...

Yes, I'm sorry I haven't had time yet

to communicate that to Command.

I would prefer you ignore it, sir.

I'm not sure that I can.

Are you certain that's what you want?

Because we cannot afford to have a commanding officer who is...

I'm certain, sir.

Good luck, Mr. Sisko.

So, where can someone practice

with his phaser around here?

New rules?

You can't cheat every customer

who walks through the door anymore, Quark.

- You are a community leader now. - Very well, very well.

Perhaps we could discuss these new rules over a drink.

If you don't take that hand off my hip

you'll never be able to raise a glass with it again.

Oh, I love a woman in uniform.

...and three Frunalian science vessels

are requesting permission to dock.

Problem is we've been retrofitting the air locks, sir.

Half of them were damaged during the move

and most of the others

when the Cardassians blew out the fuel conduits.

I guess they'll just have to transport aboard...