1. Station Log, Stardate 48543.2.Copy !req
2. A team of Cardassian scientistsCopy !req
3. is coming to the station
to assist usCopy !req
4. in deploying a subspace relay
in the Gamma Quadrant.Copy !req
5. If successful,
it will allow communicationCopy !req
6. through the wormhole
for the first time.Copy !req
7. I've assigned these quartersCopy !req
8. to the senior Cardassian
scientist, her name is Ulani.Copy !req
9. Her colleague, Gilora,
has the adjacent room.Copy !req
10. It's warm in here.Copy !req
11. I take it you reset
the environmental controls.Copy !req
12. I also had Chief O'Brien
reprogramCopy !req
13. the replicators to provide
Cardassian food.Copy !req
14. Security measures?Copy !req
15. I've assigned two of my peopleCopy !req
16. to follow the Cardassians
at all times.Copy !req
17. Fine, have them
keep their distance.Copy !req
18. I want the CardassiansCopy !req
19. to feel like guests,
not prisoners.Copy !req
20. Commander, there are
still elements opposedCopy !req
21. to the peace treaty
between Cardassia and BajorCopy !req
22. on both sides.Copy !req
23. We have to be prepared
for trouble.Copy !req
24. I realize that, but while
the Cardassians are hereCopy !req
25. I want the BajoransCopy !req
26. to get used to seeing them
walking on the Promenade...Copy !req
27. buying from their shops,Copy !req
28. eating from their restaurants...Copy !req
29. getting to know them
as something otherCopy !req
30. than brutal overseers.Copy !req
31. I just received the final update
from the CardassiansCopy !req
32. on the transceiver they designed
for the communications relay.Copy !req
33. How does it look?Copy !req
34. I'm still not convinced
it's going to work.Copy !req
35. The Cardassians seem
sure that it will.Copy !req
36. I hope they're right.Copy !req
37. Whose quarters are these...Copy !req
38. Gilora's or Ulani's?Copy !req
39. Ulani's.Copy !req
40. And how do you know their names?Copy !req
41. I was just informed an hour ago.Copy !req
42. Odo, please...Copy !req
43. I have a bottle of kanar
for each of them...Copy !req
44. along with a personal
invitation to Quark's.Copy !req
45. Where did you get real kanar?Copy !req
46. I've had three cases
in my storeroomCopy !req
47. since the occupation.Copy !req
48. There hasn't been much call
for it the past few years...Copy !req
49. but that's about to change.Copy !req
50. There are only two Cardassians
coming to the station.Copy !req
51. How much kanar do you think
they can drink?Copy !req
52. There may only be two for now,
but there'll be moreCopy !req
53. thanks to the peace treaty.Copy !req
54. And as the 34th Rule
of Acquisition statesCopy !req
55. "Peace is good for business."Copy !req
56. That's the 35th Rule.Copy !req
57. Oh, you're right.
What's the 34th?Copy !req
58. "War is good for business."Copy !req
59. It's easy to get them confused.Copy !req
60. The way I see it, it won't be
long before there's a permanentCopy !req
61. Cardassian presence
on the station...Copy !req
62. scientists, diplomats...Copy !req
63. spies.Copy !req
64. And they'll all
be welcome at Quark's.Copy !req
65. As long as they can pay.Copy !req
66. Rumor has it that the shop
next door to mineCopy !req
67. is going out of business.Copy !req
68. I'm thinking of renting it
and setting upCopy !req
69. a few Cardassian
gaming concessions.Copy !req
70. There'll be no live vole fights
on the Promenade, Quark.Copy !req
71. I would never be partyCopy !req
72. to anything so cruel
and inhumane.Copy !req
73. But, of course,
if some CardassiansCopy !req
74. happen to bring
their voles alongCopy !req
75. and they happened
to get into a fightCopy !req
76. I could hardly be
held responsible for...Copy !req
77. Oh, yes, you could.Copy !req
78. And you will be.Copy !req
79. Fine.Copy !req
80. Forget the vole fights.Copy !req
81. But I'll tell you this.Copy !req
82. Good kanar is hard to find.Copy !req
83. And I have three cases of it.Copy !req
84. But that's just the beginning.Copy !req
85. Soon, Quark's will become
known as the best placeCopy !req
86. for Cardassian food and drink
in this sector.Copy !req
87. I'll probably set up
daily shipments from Cardassia.Copy !req
88. I may even need to buy
my own transport ship.Copy !req
89. Quark, this kanar has gone bad.Copy !req
90. What?Copy !req
91. I suggest you take your bottles
and leave, QuarkCopy !req
92. before I have you arrestedCopy !req
93. for attempting
to poison our guests.Copy !req
94. Excuse me, Commander.Copy !req
95. There's a Vedek Yarka
here to see you.Copy !req
96. He says it's urgent.Copy !req
97. Thank you for seeing me,
Emissary.Copy !req
98. What can I do for you?Copy !req
99. I am here with a warning
from the Prophets.Copy !req
100. They don't want you
to let the CardassiansCopy !req
101. come aboard this station.Copy !req
102. If you do, you will bring
destruction on us all.Copy !req
103. Are you making
some sort of threat, Vedek?Copy !req
104. Not at all.Copy !req
105. I'm simply telling you
what was foretoldCopy !req
106. in the ancient texts.Copy !req
107. Ancient texts...
you mean a prophecy?Copy !req
108. Trakor's Third.Copy !req
109. When he first encountered
the Orb of Change.Copy !req
110. I'm afraid I don't know it.Copy !req
111. Perhaps you should
make more timeCopy !req
112. to study the texts, child.Copy !req
113. Are you saying that the arrival
of the Cardassian scientistsCopy !req
114. was foretold
in a Bajoran prophecy?Copy !req
115. Exactly.Copy !req
116. Trakor's words are clear.Copy !req
117. "When the river wakes, stirred
once more to Janir's sideCopy !req
118. three vipers will return
to their nest in the sky."Copy !req
119. The river has awoken, Emissary.Copy !req
120. The Qui'al Dam was just
put back into operationCopy !req
121. to divert water to the city.Copy !req
122. Just as Trakor prophesied
over 3,000 years ago.Copy !req
123. And even now, the vipers
are making their way here.Copy !req
124. And I take it you think
the vipers are a referenceCopy !req
125. to the Cardassian scientists?Copy !req
126. Yes, and this station
is their nest in the sky.Copy !req
127. And how exactly
is their presence hereCopy !req
128. going to bring destruction
on us all?Copy !req
129. Trakor saidCopy !req
130. "When the vipers try to peer
through the temple gatesCopy !req
131. "a sword of stars
will appear in the heavens.Copy !req
132. The temple will burn, and
the gates will be cast open."Copy !req
133. You must not let
the Cardassians come here.Copy !req
134. You must not let them
violate the Celestial TempleCopy !req
135. or they will destroy itCopy !req
136. and Bajor will be cut off
from the Prophets forever.Copy !req
137. Slow down.
Now, let me get this straight.Copy !req
138. You're saying that the vipers...
the Cardassians...Copy !req
139. are going to destroy
the wormhole?Copy !req
140. Don't you see?Copy !req
141. This communications relay
you hope to createCopy !req
142. is part of the prophecy.Copy !req
143. It will allow the vipers to peer
through the temple gates...Copy !req
144. the wormhole, as you call it.Copy !req
145. And if they do, the temple
will be destroyed.Copy !req
146. Even if we accept that
the Cardassians are the vipersCopy !req
147. there are only two of them
coming, not three.Copy !req
148. Isn't it possible
that there are other mistakesCopy !req
149. in your interpretation
of the prophecy as well?Copy !req
150. There will be three vipers,
you will see.Copy !req
151. Do you understand
what this communications relayCopy !req
152. could mean for Bajor?Copy !req
153. If it works,
we'll be able to stay in contactCopy !req
154. with ships
in the Gamma Quadrant.Copy !req
155. It'll facilitate explorationCopy !req
156. help us monitor
Dominion activityCopy !req
157. give us warning
in case of an attack.Copy !req
158. None of that matters.Copy !req
159. You must listen to me.Copy !req
160. I know it is difficult
for you to acceptCopy !req
161. because you are not Bajoran.Copy !req
162. I have studied the prophecies
all my life.Copy !req
163. We are on the verge
of a great disaster.Copy !req
164. Is the Bajoran Assembly
aware of this prophecy?Copy !req
165. Yes...Copy !req
166. as is the Kai herself.Copy !req
167. Yet, they still want us
to proceedCopy !req
168. with the establishment
of a communications relay.Copy !req
169. They have chosen
to ignore the signs.Copy !req
170. And that is why I came
to you, EmissaryCopy !req
171. because I have faith in you.Copy !req
172. I know that you will do
what must be done.Copy !req
173. Vedek...Copy !req
174. I have the utmost respect
for your beliefsCopy !req
175. but I have no intention
of calling this project off.Copy !req
176. I hope that you will reconsider,
Emissary.Copy !req
177. My followers and I
will remain on the stationCopy !req
178. and pray that you
change your mind.Copy !req
179. You are free to do that,
of course.Copy !req
180. Major, have Odo find out
everything he canCopy !req
181. about Vedek Yarka
and his followers.Copy !req
182. I don't want them
making any troubleCopy !req
183. while the Cardassians are here.Copy !req
184. I'm Commander Benjamin SiskoCopy !req
185. and, on behalf of the
United Federation of PlanetsCopy !req
186. and Starfleet CommandCopy !req
187. I'd like to welcome you
to Deep Space 9.Copy !req
188. Thank you, Commander.Copy !req
189. I'm Dr. Ulani Belor.Copy !req
190. Gilora Rejal.Copy !req
191. The Cardassian government
wishes to express its gratitudeCopy !req
192. to the Federation for agreeingCopy !req
193. to work together
on this project.Copy !req
194. It is our hope that it is the
first of many such projectsCopy !req
195. between our peoples.Copy !req
196. That's a hope I can
assure you we share.Copy !req
197. This is my First Officer,
Major Kira.Copy !req
198. And on behalf of the Bajoran
provisional governmentCopy !req
199. I'd like to welcome you.Copy !req
200. It is our belief
that this projectCopy !req
201. will mark the beginning
of a new era of peaceCopy !req
202. for Bajor and Cardassia.Copy !req
203. Thank you, Major.Copy !req
204. Well...Copy !req
205. now that we've gotten
the formalities out of the wayCopy !req
206. how was your trip?Copy !req
207. Exhausting.Copy !req
208. We spent most of it rehearsingCopy !req
209. what we were going to say
when we got here.Copy !req
210. We're scientists,
not diplomats.Copy !req
211. You did very well.Copy !req
212. Please feel free to let
the Central Command know that.Copy !req
213. In the past few daysCopy !req
214. I've been contacted by Guls
I haven't even heard ofCopy !req
215. all of them wanting to emphasize
how important this mission is.Copy !req
216. I know what you mean.Copy !req
217. I've gotten three callsCopy !req
218. from Starfleet Command
just this morning.Copy !req
219. Major KiraCopy !req
220. I want to thank you personally
for allowing us to come here.Copy !req
221. Me?Copy !req
222. You're the rankingCopy !req
223. Bajoran officer on this station.Copy !req
224. I'm sure we wouldn't be hereCopy !req
225. if you had been opposed
to working with us.Copy !req
226. I'll work with anyone
who's interested in peace.Copy !req
227. I'm glad we already
have so much in common.Copy !req
228. Well, why don't I show you
to your quarters?Copy !req
229. The signaling platform
we've designedCopy !req
230. is intended to be positionedCopy !req
231. in the Gamma Quadrant,
at this point...Copy !req
232. two kilometers from the
far mouth of the wormhole.Copy !req
233. Our transceiver is being
configured to fit inside itCopy !req
234. and use its existing power grid.Copy !req
235. A similar transceiverCopy !req
236. will be put in place
here on Terok Nor...Copy !req
237. on Deep Space 9.Copy !req
238. Ulani, I've looked over
your design specifications.Copy !req
239. I'm not clear on what
sort of carrier waveCopy !req
240. you're planning on usingCopy !req
241. to cut through the interference
on the inside of the wormhole.Copy !req
242. We're planning to test various
types of soliton pulses.Copy !req
243. One of them should maintain
the required signal integrity.Copy !req
244. We tried something similar about
a year ago without much success.Copy !req
245. Yes, the Bajoran government
made your data available to us.Copy !req
246. I believe the problem
had to do withCopy !req
247. the phase variance
in your transceiver coils.Copy !req
248. Well, I configured
those coils myself.Copy !req
249. The variance was less
than.01 percent.Copy !req
250. Which, as you saw,
was unacceptably high.Copy !req
251. Our new design has less
than half that variance.Copy !req
252. You don't mind
if I look at the specs?Copy !req
253. If you think it's necessary.Copy !req
254. Commander...Copy !req
255. we'll need to make
a few adjustmentsCopy !req
256. to the station's signaling array
so that it can accommodateCopy !req
257. the type of transmissions
we're planning to use.Copy !req
258. Chief O'Brien's people
can assist you with that.Copy !req
259. And when you're readyCopy !req
260. we'll take the Defiant
to the Gamma QuadrantCopy !req
261. deploy the communications relay
and start running tests.Copy !req
262. Excellent.Copy !req
263. Well, it's been a long day.Copy !req
264. We'd like to get some rest
so we can start fresh tomorrow.Copy !req
265. I'll have someone
show you to your quarters.Copy !req
266. Thank you,
but that won't be necessary.Copy !req
267. Thank you.Copy !req
268. Now, those are aboutCopy !req
269. the two friendliest vipers
I have ever met.Copy !req
270. I'll explain later.Copy !req
271. Commander, I almost
forgot to tell you.Copy !req
272. Another colleague of ours, DejarCopy !req
273. will be arriving later today.Copy !req
274. I'll arrange quarters.Copy !req
275. Thank you.Copy !req
276. So...Copy !req
277. we need to discussCopy !req
278. what we're going to do about...Copy !req
279. What is it, Major?Copy !req
280. There are going to be
three of them.Copy !req
281. Yes?Copy !req
282. Three vipers...Copy !req
283. just like in the prophecy.Copy !req
284. It turns out that Vedek Yarka
is no longer a Vedek at all.Copy !req
285. He was stripped of his title
two months ago.Copy !req
286. Why?Copy !req
287. Officially, for teachingsCopy !req
288. not in keeping
with the Bajoran faith.Copy !req
289. But according to my sources,
he was defrocked because he ledCopy !req
290. a series of protests
against the Vedek AssemblyCopy !req
291. when they endorsed the peace
treaty with Cardassia.Copy !req
292. So Yarka may be
using this prophecyCopy !req
293. as a way to scuttle
the peace treaty.Copy !req
294. That would seem
to be his agenda.Copy !req
295. And it's probably coloring
his view of the prophecyCopy !req
296. just as your agenda
colors how you see it.Copy !req
297. I don't have an agenda, Odo.Copy !req
298. I want this project to succeedCopy !req
299. because I want
the peace treaty to succeed.Copy !req
300. If I thought for a moment
that there was any possibilityCopy !req
301. that this communications relayCopy !req
302. could cause damage
to the wormholeCopy !req
303. I'd put a stop to it right now.Copy !req
304. That's not the agenda
I was referring to, Commander.Copy !req
305. Oh?Copy !req
306. I was referringCopy !req
307. to your desire
to distance yourselfCopy !req
308. from the title of Emissary.Copy !req
309. It's just an observation,
of courseCopy !req
310. but it's always seemed to meCopy !req
311. that you've never been
comfortable with it.Copy !req
312. I can't deny that.Copy !req
313. Are you suggestingCopy !req
314. that I'm dismissing
this prophecy too easilyCopy !req
315. because I don't want
to be the Emissary?Copy !req
316. I'm not suggesting anythingCopy !req
317. but it's been my experienceCopy !req
318. that all humanoids have
an agenda of some sortCopy !req
319. and that their agendas
can influence themCopy !req
320. without their even realizing it.Copy !req
321. Morn came by the Infirmary
this afternoon.Copy !req
322. He had an acute case
of food poisoning.Copy !req
323. Morn? I didn't think anything
could make him sick.Copy !req
324. Well, he said he hadCopy !req
325. a bad glass of kanar
at Quark's.Copy !req
326. He should ask for a refund.Copy !req
327. Apparently, it was on the house.Copy !req
328. Major, may I have
a word with you?Copy !req
329. I'll see you later.Copy !req
330. What can I do for you, Vedek?Copy !req
331. Have you been able
to convince the EmissaryCopy !req
332. to reconsider his decision?Copy !req
333. I haven't tried
and I'm not planning to.Copy !req
334. But you must.Copy !req
335. If not, the Celestial
Temple will be destroyed.Copy !req
336. I'm not convinced
that's going to happen.Copy !req
337. Don't you believe
in the prophecies?Copy !req
338. Yes.Copy !req
339. And don't you believeCopy !req
340. that Commander Sisko
is the Emissary?Copy !req
341. Vedek, you have to understand
my position here.Copy !req
342. Commander Sisko is
my superior officer.Copy !req
343. I have to deal with him
on that basis first.Copy !req
344. So you do believe
he is the Emissary.Copy !req
345. You just don't want
him to know that.Copy !req
346. I understand.Copy !req
347. You want him to knowCopy !req
348. that he can count
on you as an officerCopy !req
349. under his command.Copy !req
350. You want to keep your work
and your faith separate.Copy !req
351. Yes, and for three years now,
I have.Copy !req
352. I'm afraid
that's no longer possible.Copy !req
353. The Prophets have chosen youCopy !req
354. to help the Emissary
make this decision.Copy !req
355. A decision that has profound
implications for all of Bajor.Copy !req
356. You must convince him
to make the Cardassians leaveCopy !req
357. before the sword of stars
appears.Copy !req
358. Vedek, if you're asking me to...Copy !req
359. It is not I who is asking,
it is the Prophets.Copy !req
360. If you turn your back
on them nowCopy !req
361. you're abandoning your faith.Copy !req
362. And without your faith, NerysCopy !req
363. what do you have left?Copy !req
364. I prefer the serialist poetsCopy !req
365. from the First Republic,
like Iloja of Prim.Copy !req
366. He's easily my favorite
Cardassian writer.Copy !req
367. It is so rare to meet
a non-CardassianCopy !req
368. who appreciates our literature.Copy !req
369. I took an interestCopy !req
370. because I had
the chance to meet Iloja.Copy !req
371. You knew him?Copy !req
372. One of my previous hostsCopy !req
373. Tobin, met him while he
was in exile on Vulcan.Copy !req
374. As I recall,
he had quite a temper.Copy !req
375. Really?Copy !req
376. I believe this is the party
you're looking for.Copy !req
377. Dejar.Copy !req
378. May I introduce Jadzia DaxCopy !req
379. and Miles O'Brien.Copy !req
380. Our colleague, Dejar.Copy !req
381. We weren't expecting
you so soon.Copy !req
382. I was able to arrange
special transportation.Copy !req
383. I'm sure you were.Copy !req
384. I took the liberty
of preparingCopy !req
385. a few of our special
Cardassian delicacies.Copy !req
386. Tojal in yamok sauce.Copy !req
387. Regova eggs.Copy !req
388. All fresh, not replicated.Copy !req
389. Well, enjoy.Copy !req
390. Is something wrong?Copy !req
391. It's just...Copy !req
392. I don't really care
for Cardassian cuisine.Copy !req
393. We try to avoid it
whenever possible.Copy !req
394. Fortunately, those of us
in the Science MinistryCopy !req
395. are provided with a wide variety
of off-world food.Copy !req
396. Yes, we're
actually quite spoiled.Copy !req
397. Some of us even think
of ourselvesCopy !req
398. as better
than the average Cardassian.Copy !req
399. The main switching relays
are in here.Copy !req
400. I think we should hook
your transceiverCopy !req
401. to the ODN interface
through the...Copy !req
402. What happened
to these couplings?Copy !req
403. What? Oh, I-I made
some modifications.Copy !req
404. Well, these relays
don't have nearlyCopy !req
405. as much carrying capacity
as before.Copy !req
406. They won't be able to handleCopy !req
407. the signal load
from the transceiver.Copy !req
408. Well, in order
to bring the systemCopy !req
409. up to Starfleet code, I had
to take out the couplingsCopy !req
410. to make room
for a secondary backup.Copy !req
411. Starfleet code requires
a second backup?Copy !req
412. In case the first one fails.Copy !req
413. What are the chances that
both a primary systemCopy !req
414. and its backup would
fail at the same time?Copy !req
415. Well, it's very unlikely,
but, in a crunchCopy !req
416. I wouldn't like to be caught
without a second backup.Copy !req
417. Well!Copy !req
418. What's done is done.Copy !req
419. I'll try to figure out
what we should do next.Copy !req
420. Well, I think our best
bet would be to go...Copy !req
421. Please, please just
give me a moment to think.Copy !req
422. Fine.Copy !req
423. I'll just sit here quietly.Copy !req
424. Huh. In that case, could you
get me a cup of red leaf tea?Copy !req
425. Why not?Copy !req
426. We've loaded
the communications relayCopy !req
427. into the Defiant's cargo bay.Copy !req
428. Good.Copy !req
429. How are Chief O'Brien
and Gilora coming along?Copy !req
430. They've run into
some kind of problemCopy !req
431. but the Chief says
the transceiverCopy !req
432. should be on line
in about four hours.Copy !req
433. We won't be ready much
before that anyway.Copy !req
434. We've received clearance
from Ops, Commander.Copy !req
435. Release docking clampsCopy !req
436. and set a course
for the wormhole.Copy !req
437. Full scan.Copy !req
438. No sign of Dominion activity.Copy !req
439. No other ships in the area.Copy !req
440. All right,
take us into position.Copy !req
441. Stand by to deploy the relay...Copy !req
442. Wait a minute.Copy !req
443. What is it?Copy !req
444. I'm reading a large mass
of ice and ionized gasCopy !req
445. entering sensor range,
bearing 215 mark 3.Copy !req
446. It looks like a rogue comet.Copy !req
447. Let's have a look.Copy !req
448. Put it on screen.Copy !req
449. It's beautiful.Copy !req
450. Its core containsCopy !req
451. unusually high concentrations
of silithium.Copy !req
452. That's why its tail
is so bright.Copy !req
453. The sword of stars.Copy !req
454. That's a very colorful way
to describe a comet, Major.Copy !req
455. It's just a figure of speech.Copy !req
456. Well, your sword of starsCopy !req
457. is going to pass
very near the wormholeCopy !req
458. but not close enough
to interfere with our plans.Copy !req
459. We're in position, Benjamin.Copy !req
460. Begin a final systems check
on the relay station.Copy !req
461. I want to deploy it
within the hour.Copy !req
462. Major, can I have
a word with you?Copy !req
463. The sword of stars?Copy !req
464. It certainly looked
like that to me.Copy !req
465. That's open to debateCopy !req
466. but what is not debatable
is that this prophecyCopy !req
467. has no place
on the Bridge of the DefiantCopy !req
468. especially in front
of the Cardassians.Copy !req
469. At the moment, they are
not even aware of itCopy !req
470. and I want to keep it that way.Copy !req
471. You're right.Copy !req
472. It won't happen again.Copy !req
473. Well...Copy !req
474. I take it, MajorCopy !req
475. that you believe
the prophecy is coming true.Copy !req
476. Yes, I do.Copy !req
477. So you think I should
call this mission off?Copy !req
478. Look at what's happened already.Copy !req
479. The river has returned to Janir,
the three vipersCopy !req
480. now the sword of stars...Copy !req
481. each of them predicted
by Trakor's prophecy.Copy !req
482. And then there's you...Copy !req
483. the Emissary.Copy !req
484. You're here.Copy !req
485. You have a decision to make,
just like in the prophecy.Copy !req
486. Do you really believe
that I'm the Emissary?Copy !req
487. I guess I always have.Copy !req
488. I... never wanted
to admit it to myself.Copy !req
489. It's hard to work for someone
who's a religious icon.Copy !req
490. I hope I don't offend
your beliefsCopy !req
491. but I don't see myself as an
icon, religious or otherwise.Copy !req
492. I'm a Starfleet officer, and
I have a mission to accomplish.Copy !req
493. If I call it off, it has to be
for some concrete reasonCopy !req
494. something solid,
something Starfleet.Copy !req
495. All right, how about this?Copy !req
496. The Prophets...Copy !req
497. the aliens who live
in the wormholeCopy !req
498. as you call themCopy !req
499. exist outside of linear time.Copy !req
500. They know the past,
present and future.Copy !req
501. Agreed.Copy !req
502. It seems perfectly reasonable
that they could've communicatedCopy !req
503. their knowledge of the future
to a Bajoran named Trakor.Copy !req
504. He wrote down that knowledge
in the form of a prophecyCopy !req
505. and now, 3,000 years laterCopy !req
506. we are seeing
those events unfold.Copy !req
507. To me, that reasoning
sounds concrete, solid.Copy !req
508. I'd even call it "Starfleet."Copy !req
509. But that all hinges
on how you interpretCopy !req
510. an ancient text
that's been translatedCopy !req
511. and retranslated
over the centuries.Copy !req
512. Words that were couched
in metaphor to begin with.Copy !req
513. I'm sorry, MajorCopy !req
514. but where you see
a sword of starsCopy !req
515. I see a comet.Copy !req
516. Where you see vipers,
I see three scientists.Copy !req
517. And where you see the EmissaryCopy !req
518. I see a Starfleet officer.Copy !req
519. Dax to Sisko.Copy !req
520. Go ahead.Copy !req
521. We're ready to deploy the relay.Copy !req
522. On my way.Copy !req
523. All right.Copy !req
524. Now we just have
to shunt the ODN lineCopy !req
525. through the secondary
field coils.Copy !req
526. We can't do that.Copy !req
527. Why not?Copy !req
528. Because those coils
aren't configuredCopy !req
529. to handle ODN output.Copy !req
530. Why not?Copy !req
531. Did you modify them, too?Copy !req
532. Actually, I replaced them.Copy !req
533. They were always
shorting out on us.Copy !req
534. Frankly, I don't
see how this stationCopy !req
535. kept running during
the occupation.Copy !req
536. Why didn't you tell meCopy !req
537. you'd replaced
the secondary field coils?Copy !req
538. If you had told meCopy !req
539. what you were planning
to do, I would have.Copy !req
540. I don't have time
to explain everything.Copy !req
541. What? You think I won't
be able to understand?Copy !req
542. It has been
my experience that it...Copy !req
543. What?Copy !req
544. That humans aren't
good engineers?Copy !req
545. No, not humans... males.Copy !req
546. I beg your pardon?Copy !req
547. Men just don't seem to have
a head for this sort of thing.Copy !req
548. That's why women
dominate the sciences.Copy !req
549. Maybe on Cardassia,
but on this stationCopy !req
550. this man is Chief of OperationsCopy !req
551. and I know more
about these systemsCopy !req
552. than anyone, including you.Copy !req
553. I think I know
what the problem isCopy !req
554. so if you want to get
that transceiver on lineCopy !req
555. hand me the laser-torch
and give me some room.Copy !req
556. Are we ready on this end?Copy !req
557. Almost. I'm just
about to activateCopy !req
558. the relay's transmission array.Copy !req
559. Dejar?Copy !req
560. Standing by.Copy !req
561. I am receiving
the relay's test signal.Copy !req
562. Target the signaling array
toward the wormholeCopy !req
563. and initiate a carrier wave
in the delta band frequency.Copy !req
564. Initiating carrier wave.Copy !req
565. If they receive it
on the stationCopy !req
566. they'll send
an acknowledging signalCopy !req
567. in the same frequency.Copy !req
568. I'm not receiving anything.Copy !req
569. Then we have to assume
it didn't work.Copy !req
570. Let's try
the theta band frequency.Copy !req
571. Initiating carrier wave.Copy !req
572. Something's wrong.Copy !req
573. I'm picking up a neutrino surge
from the wormhole.Copy !req
574. Report!Copy !req
575. Somehow the carrier wave
caused the wormhole to open.Copy !req
576. The wormhole's gravity well has
increased by a factor of three.Copy !req
577. Terminate the carrier wave
and maintain our position.Copy !req
578. Gravimetric fields have returned
to normal.Copy !req
579. What happened?Copy !req
580. I'm not sure.Copy !req
581. The carrier wave shouldn't have
affected the wormhole at all.Copy !req
582. Was there any damage
to the relay?Copy !req
583. None. I'm still receiving
the test signal.Copy !req
584. Benjamin,
the gravitational surgeCopy !req
585. altered the course of the comet.Copy !req
586. It's now heading directly
toward the wormhole.Copy !req
587. If the comet enters the wormholeCopy !req
588. the silithium in its core
will cause a cascade reaction.Copy !req
589. And collapse the wormhole
permanently.Copy !req
590. Commander's Log, supplemental.Copy !req
591. With less than five hoursCopy !req
592. before the comet
reaches the wormholeCopy !req
593. I've brought the Defiant
back to the stationCopy !req
594. and convened a meeting
of the entire science team.Copy !req
595. Apparently,
the carrier wave we sentCopy !req
596. created some sort
of subspace inversionCopy !req
597. inside the wormhole.Copy !req
598. That's what caused
the gravity well to form.Copy !req
599. The possibilityCopy !req
600. of subspace inversion
was predicted in oneCopy !req
601. of our computer models.Copy !req
602. Well, that wasn't included
in the data you sent us.Copy !req
603. The probability
of such an occurrenceCopy !req
604. was less than two percent...
well within safety limits.Copy !req
605. We saw no reason to include it
in the data we sent you.Copy !req
606. It would seem that our
scientific methodologiesCopy !req
607. differ slightly.Copy !req
608. It is our practice to examine
all possibilitiesCopy !req
609. no matter how unlikely, before
we proceed with field tests.Copy !req
610. We would, of course, prefer
to operate that way, as well.Copy !req
611. However, since
the Science MinistryCopy !req
612. falls under the jurisdiction
of the militaryCopy !req
613. we have to follow certain rules.Copy !req
614. One of them is not
to make any projectCopy !req
615. look unnecessarily dangerous.Copy !req
616. We'll keep that in mindCopy !req
617. when we resume work
on the communications relay.Copy !req
618. That is an extremely
unlikely possibility, Commander.Copy !req
619. The Science Ministry
will undoubtedly wishCopy !req
620. to assemble a new team
before proceeding further.Copy !req
621. That is, of course,
an internal Cardassian matter.Copy !req
622. Chief...Copy !req
623. Dax feels we can't riskCopy !req
624. using tractor beams
to deflect the comet.Copy !req
625. It would probably
break into smaller piecesCopy !req
626. and we'd have
a bigger mess on our hands.Copy !req
627. The same thing would happenCopy !req
628. if you tried to destroy it
with a phaser beam.Copy !req
629. Not necessarily.Copy !req
630. I could modify
the Defiant's phaser arrayCopy !req
631. to generate a beam wide enough
to encompass the entire comet.Copy !req
632. Vaporizing it evenly,
so it won't break up.Copy !req
633. How long would
the modifications take?Copy !req
634. Three hours.Copy !req
635. Get on it.Copy !req
636. We'll be cutting this one
pretty close.Copy !req
637. I've accessed the Defiant's
primary phaser relay.Copy !req
638. I'm going to try shunting it
through the warp drive.Copy !req
639. Won't that overload the relay?Copy !req
640. Not if we bypass
the plasma emitter.Copy !req
641. I hadn't thought of that.Copy !req
642. The emitter coupling
is over there.Copy !req
643. What are you doing now?Copy !req
644. I'm decoupling the servos,
so they don't lock up.Copy !req
645. You have very steady hands.Copy !req
646. Well they get the job done,
I guess.Copy !req
647. And right now,
the most important jobCopy !req
648. is bypassing the plasma emitter.Copy !req
649. I assure you, I'm quite fertile.Copy !req
650. I could provide you
with many healthy childrenCopy !req
651. if that's your concern,
but, quite franklyCopy !req
652. I think you're getting
a little ahead of yourself.Copy !req
653. Children?Copy !req
654. What are you talking about?Copy !req
655. I already have a childCopy !req
656. and a wife.Copy !req
657. You're married?Copy !req
658. Yes, happily!Copy !req
659. Then why have you been
leading me to believeCopy !req
660. that you wanted me?Copy !req
661. I haven't.Copy !req
662. All we've done
since we've met is argue.Copy !req
663. I took your overt irritability
toward me as a signalCopy !req
664. that you wished to pursue
some physical relationship.Copy !req
665. Of course.Copy !req
666. Well, that's how Cardassians,
uh, do things?Copy !req
667. Oh, my.Copy !req
668. I'm afraid this is a caseCopy !req
669. of cross-cultural
misunderstanding.Copy !req
670. I think so.Copy !req
671. Oh.Copy !req
672. I'm not remotely
interested in you.Copy !req
673. Well, that's not what I meant.Copy !req
674. Look, you are very attractiveCopy !req
675. and I'm flattered,
of course. But...Copy !req
676. Please, Mr. O'BrienCopy !req
677. there's no need to continue.Copy !req
678. You've made your feelings clear.Copy !req
679. Gilora, we-we have
to finish this.Copy !req
680. I'm sure you can complete
the job on your own.Copy !req
681. Chief O'Brien
said the modificationCopy !req
682. to the Defiant's phasers
would be readyCopy !req
683. within half an hour.Copy !req
684. Half an hour ahead
of schedule, hmm?Copy !req
685. The Chief's a born engineer.Copy !req
686. He always gives himselfCopy !req
687. a comfortable margin
with his repair estimates.Copy !req
688. Let me guess.Copy !req
689. You're reading up
on Bajoran propheciesCopy !req
690. concerning the Emissary.Copy !req
691. There are hundreds of them.Copy !req
692. Most of them are vague,
some are contradictory.Copy !req
693. But just enough truth in
a few of them to make me wonder.Copy !req
694. You mean some of them
have come true?Copy !req
695. If you interpret them
in a certain way, yes.Copy !req
696. So now you're wondering
if Trakor's prophecyCopy !req
697. is going to come true, as well.Copy !req
698. I have to admit,
it's getting harder to ignore.Copy !req
699. But, Benjamin,
there's every reasonCopy !req
700. to believe we'll be able
to destroy the comet.Copy !req
701. I know.Copy !req
702. But I'm becoming
more and more concernedCopy !req
703. that if I don't send
the Cardassians homeCopy !req
704. something else will go wrong.Copy !req
705. And the "gates of heaven
will burn and be cast open."Copy !req
706. Let me ask you something.Copy !req
707. If you never heard
Trakor's prophecyCopy !req
708. what would you do?Copy !req
709. I'd continue working
on the communications relay.Copy !req
710. Then it seems to me
you have a choice.Copy !req
711. You can either
make your own decisionsCopy !req
712. or you can let these prophecies
make them for you.Copy !req
713. As soon as the Defiant is readyCopy !req
714. have the Cardassians
meet us on board.Copy !req
715. Yes, sir.Copy !req
716. The comet is directly ahead.Copy !req
717. Distance, 200 kilometers.Copy !req
718. Bring us to within
ten kilometers.Copy !req
719. Chief, are your phaser
modifications on line?Copy !req
720. Aye, sir.Copy !req
721. Phasers are locked on target.Copy !req
722. Holding position
at ten kilometers.Copy !req
723. Shields up.Copy !req
724. Go to Red Alert.Copy !req
725. Fire!Copy !req
726. Chief, what the hell happened?Copy !req
727. I don't know, sir.Copy !req
728. The entire weapons relay
just blew.Copy !req
729. All defensive systems are down.Copy !req
730. Benjamin, the sensors showCopy !req
731. that the modified phasers
never came on line.Copy !req
732. We fired a standard burstCopy !req
733. and it shattered the comet
instead of vaporizing it.Copy !req
734. There's no way they should have
misfired like that.Copy !req
735. I modified the systems myself.Copy !req
736. Commander, the three fragmentsCopy !req
737. are still on course
for the wormhole.Copy !req
738. How soon before
they reach the entrance?Copy !req
739. 26 minutes.Copy !req
740. And without weapons,
we have no way of stopping them.Copy !req
741. The main emitter coupling
has been depolarized.Copy !req
742. I must have accidentally
inverted the power flowCopy !req
743. when I tried to modify
the phaser array.Copy !req
744. I can't believe it.Copy !req
745. A first-year engineering studentCopy !req
746. wouldn't make
a mistake like that.Copy !req
747. This wasn't your fault,
Mr. O'Brien.Copy !req
748. And it wasn't an accident.Copy !req
749. Gilora...Copy !req
750. Dejar is a member
of the Obsidian Order.Copy !req
751. She was assigned to our team
for security reasons.Copy !req
752. I believe
she sabotaged this coupling.Copy !req
753. The Order has always
been opposedCopy !req
754. to the peace treaty with Bajor.Copy !req
755. They sent you here
to sabotage the relayCopy !req
756. because
if the first joint ventureCopy !req
757. between Cardassia and Bajor
was a failureCopy !req
758. it would probably be the last.Copy !req
759. This is all speculation,
Commander.Copy !req
760. You have no proof.Copy !req
761. If it was sabotage, a DNA
scan on the couplingCopy !req
762. should reveal who's responsible.Copy !req
763. Take her to quarters
and detain her there.Copy !req
764. Now that the comet's been
fractured into smaller piecesCopy !req
765. can we use the tractor
beams to deflect them?Copy !req
766. They'd just disintegrate furtherCopy !req
767. releasing more silithium.Copy !req
768. If we can't stop the fragmentsCopy !req
769. is there any way that we
can prevent the silithiumCopy !req
770. from interacting
with the wormhole?Copy !req
771. Maybe if we could
contain it somehow.Copy !req
772. If you could generateCopy !req
773. a subspace field
around the fragmentsCopy !req
774. that might contain
the silithium.Copy !req
775. The warp drive...Copy !req
776. it could create a subspace
bubble around the ship.Copy !req
777. But we'd have
to maneuver the DefiantCopy !req
778. between the fragments.Copy !req
779. They're too close together.
There's not enough room.Copy !req
780. A shuttlepod could
maneuver between them.Copy !req
781. And its warp drive
should be able to createCopy !req
782. a large enough subspace field.Copy !req
783. Maybe, but it could
overload the engines.Copy !req
784. That's the chance
I'll have to take.Copy !req
785. Major, you have the Bridge.Copy !req
786. I want you to take the Defiant
back into the Alpha QuadrantCopy !req
787. as soon as I've cleared
the shuttlebay.Copy !req
788. Commander.Copy !req
789. I want to go with you.Copy !req
790. Not just because I'm
your First OfficerCopy !req
791. but because I believe
I'm here to help the Emissary.Copy !req
792. Dax, the Bridge is yours.Copy !req
793. We've cleared the shuttlebay.Copy !req
794. Signal the Defiant
that they can leave.Copy !req
795. They're heading
for the wormhole.Copy !req
796. I'm going to take us in
behind the comet fragments.Copy !req
797. It'll be easier to maneuver
into position.Copy !req
798. Hold position here.Copy !req
799. They could be in
for a rough ride.Copy !req
800. Stand by transporters
in case we needCopy !req
801. to beam them off the shuttlepod
when they clear the wormhole.Copy !req
802. We're in position.Copy !req
803. Activate the subspace field.Copy !req
804. Field engaged.Copy !req
805. We'll reach the entrance
to the wormhole in...Copy !req
806. five seconds.Copy !req
807. The subspace field
is losing integrity.Copy !req
808. Some of the silithium
is starting to leak through.Copy !req
809. Divert power from the engines
to the subspace field coils.Copy !req
810. We'll let our own inertia
carry us the rest of the way.Copy !req
811. That helped.Copy !req
812. We're still losing silithium.Copy !req
813. I'm picking up a neutrino surge.Copy !req
814. Something's coming through.Copy !req
815. Dax to Sisko.Copy !req
816. Sisko here.Copy !req
817. Are you all right, Benjamin?Copy !req
818. There was some silithium leakageCopy !req
819. inside the wormhole,
but we're fine.Copy !req
820. I don't believe it.Copy !req
821. What is it, Chief?Copy !req
822. I'm picking up the test signal
from the communications relay.Copy !req
823. How is that possible?Copy !req
824. I'm not sure.Copy !req
825. We're reading
a subspace filamentCopy !req
826. leading back through
the wormhole.Copy !req
827. It's acting like some kind
of carrier wave.Copy !req
828. The comet fragments...Copy !req
829. they must have left a silithium
trail in the wormhole.Copy !req
830. It's almost like the wormhole
was wedged open just a crack...Copy !req
831. just enough to let
subspace signals through.Copy !req
832. The prophecy came true...Copy !req
833. all of it.Copy !req
834. We just misinterpreted
Trakor's words.Copy !req
835. The three vipers.Copy !req
836. He wasn't talking
about the Cardassians.Copy !req
837. He meant
the three comet fragments.Copy !req
838. The communications relay.Copy !req
839. In a sense, we've been tryingCopy !req
840. to peer
through the temple gates.Copy !req
841. The silithium
ignited the wormholeCopy !req
842. burning the temple gates.Copy !req
843. So that they never close again.Copy !req
844. And it's all because
the Emissary...Copy !req
845. used the sword of stars.Copy !req
846. And Trakor saw it all...Copy !req
847. 3,000 years ago.Copy !req
848. I just want to say
that I appreciateCopy !req
849. what you did on the Defiant.Copy !req
850. I hope it doesn't cause
you too much troubleCopy !req
851. when you get back to Cardassia.Copy !req
852. My superiors in the Science
Ministry will protect me.Copy !req
853. Frankly, I think Dejar's
in much more trouble than I.Copy !req
854. The Order doesn't
reward failure.Copy !req
855. Still, it was
a brave thing to do.Copy !req
856. I didn't want you
to take the blameCopy !req
857. for something
that wasn't your fault.Copy !req
858. I know how proud you are
of your work.Copy !req
859. Too proud, sometimes.Copy !req
860. It's gotten me into trouble,
now and again.Copy !req
861. What's your wife's name?Copy !req
862. Keiko.Copy !req
863. A lucky woman.Copy !req
864. Emissary, I'm sorry
I doubted you.Copy !req
865. I realize now I let
my distrust of the CardassiansCopy !req
866. blind me to the Prophets' words.Copy !req
867. It seems that the Prophets
want peaceCopy !req
868. between your two peoples,
after all.Copy !req
869. Perhaps so.Copy !req
870. There are signs
that Trakor's Fourth ProphecyCopy !req
871. will soon come to pass, as well.Copy !req
872. Don't tell me that it has
something to do with me.Copy !req
873. You, Commander?Copy !req
874. Well, it is a prophecy
about the Emissary.Copy !req
875. Tell me about it.Copy !req
876. Trakor's Fourth ProphecyCopy !req
877. says that the Emissary
will face a fiery trialCopy !req
878. and he'll be forced to choose...Copy !req