"25.000" "Welcome!" " l never doubted you'd be back." " Nor did I." "Don't believe him." "He was Mr Doom And Gloom all the time." " l was concerned." " We were all concerned." "Your wellbeing was a constant source of conversation and speculation." "I told you they'd miss us." " Who won the betting pool?" " Morn." "He only missed your arrival time by two hours. I don't know how he does it." " Mr Worf." " Captain." "I know what you're going to say. I left the station and lost a runabout, but..." "We'll evaluate your actions later." "I'd like to know everything you know about this Breen-Dominion Alliance." "We have very little information to share." "Weyoun and the others preferred asking questions to answering them." "Why did Damar help you escape?" "I'm not sure, but I can tell you one thing." "He hates Weyoun." "The Cardassians are a proud people." "But the Dominion treats them like second-class citizens." "Damar's worried this alliance with the Breen will weaken Cardassia's status." "But whatever his reasons, we owe him our lives." "Maybe one day you'll be able to return the favour." "I'd like a complete medical work-up on both of them." "I am so glad to see you again." "Both of you." " Kira to Sisko." " Go ahead." "We just received a priority-one transmission from Starfleet Command." "The Breen have attacked Earth." "I have a lot of friends in those buildings." "Starfleet destroyed most of the Breen attack force, but by then the damage had been done." "We must give the enemy credit." "To launch an attack on Starfleet headquarters..." "Even my people never attempted that." "We've learned one thing about the Breen today, Captain." "They're a race of warriors." "That's about all we know." "Our intelligence reports are sketchy at best." "Every species has its weakness." "They're no exception." "Let's hope you're right." "But whatever the weakness is, we'd better find it soon." "There." "Do you see that?" "The news from Earth keeps getting better." "The Federation casualty report is being revised upward once again." "Well put." "The casualties are merely a bonus." "What matters is that we have struck fear into the heart of our enemy and made them feel weak and vulnerable." "General, please congratulate your troops for us." "They've done a superb job." "Don't you agree, Damar?" "Superb." "It's unfortunate so few of your ships survived the assault." "Trust you to point out the one cloud in the sky." "My thought exactly. lt is a very small price for such an important victory." "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must make my report to the Founder." "By the way, in case Weyoun neglected to mention it, the Dominion once sang Cardassia's praises as well." "It's really quite simple." "They expected the war to be over long ago. lt's not." "For that, they blame us." "Now, if the war isn't ended soon, they'll shift the blame to you." "Maybe so, but win or lose, I wouldn't turn my back on Weyoun if I were you." "Kasidy." "What happened?" "That's what I'm trying to find out." "What are you doing?" "You don't cook!" "I know. I was just making sure." "My peppers!" "I know how you like roasted peppers in your casserole." "It took me three months to grow them." "Nobody touches my peppers." "I'm so sorry." "With all the bad news about Earth, I wanted to do something nice for you." "But from now on, you wear the apron in the family." "That's a good idea." "I'm glad you're not mad. I'd hate to ruin our last few nights together." "Our last few nights together?" "My cargo run." "I leave early next week." "No, it's too dangerous." "The Breen attacked Earth." "That's not next door." "We don't know where they'll attack next. I'd feel better with you close by." "That's sweet." "But I'm going anyway." " l can't talk you out of it?" " Not a chance." "Enter." " The information you requested." " Excellent." "Sit down." "I'm not sure it's wise to stay." "What if the Vorta pays you a visit?" "What if he does?" "He'll see me conferring with one of my officers." "There's nothing suspicious about that." "It doesn't seem right, all this plotting and secrecy." " What are we?" "Romulans?" " No, we're Cardassians." "But right now, Cardassia is an occupied territory." "To defeat an occupying army takes careful planning." "Can we defeat the Dominion?" "With the Breen on their side, they're very strong." "We'll fight to win back our homes and freedom." "That will make us stronger." "I remember the day I heard the news that Cardassia had joined the Dominion." "Like everyone else, I rejoiced." "We were going to be rulers of the entire Alpha Quadrant." "Instead, we're a conquered people." "Servants in our own land." "All that will soon end." "Now." "Are you sure we can trust these officers?" "And the troops under their command." "Still, it's not a very long list, is it?" "It'll get longer." "With a victory or two, all Cardassia will rise up with us." "We'll need to know the exact location of the Dominion weapon emplacements on Rondac lll." "Leave that to me." "Now, I want you to get a message to every one of these officers." "Regarding your scheduled retreat to the Calash monastery..." " Cancel it." " Very good." "Now, about your appearance before the Vedek Assembly..." "Cancel that, too." "Cancel an appearance before the Vedek Assembly?" "Just do it." "Cancel everything." "As you wish." "May I ask what exactly you will be doing?" "You certainly may not." "If you must know, I'll be devoting most of my time to study and meditation." "I see." "Solbor, I'll have my breakfast on the balcony this morning." " Eminence, would you like anything?" " l'm not hungry." "You should eat." "After all, Bajor is only as strong as its Kai." "I said I'm not hungry." "Do as he asks." "And please, write a note to the Vedeks expressing my apologies for having to postpone our meeting." "I'll see to it immediately." "What a tiresome little man." "Sometimes I think you forget your place, Anjohl." "Forgive me if I've offended you in any way." "I am but a moon made warm by the light of your sun." "I hope you're a better farmer than you are a poet." "Something is wrong." "Tell me." "What's bothering you?" "Everything!" "The prayers, the ritual, these robes." "I can't keep pretending I follow the path of the Prophets." "You won't have to." "The "Pah-wraiths" are waiting to embrace you." "So you keep saying, but when will that happen?" "When we release them from the fire caves." " Release them?" "But the prophecies..." " What about them?" "They warn that the release of the "Pah-wraiths" is the end of Bajor." "The old Bajor, perhaps." "But from its ashes a new Bajor will arise and the Restoration will begin." " Who will be left to see it?" " Those the gods find worthy." "It will be the dawn of paradise." "And you, Adami, are destined to rule it." " You're sure of that?" " lt is meant to be." "What will become of you?" "I will be at your side for as long as you need me." "But first, we have to release the "Pah-wraiths."" "How do we do that?" "The answer is in the text of the Kosst Amojan." "It is forbidden for anyone to open that book." "Yes." "Anyone except the Kai." "It is said to contain great evil." "You have nothing to fear." "I'll be right there with you." "Did I say I was afraid?" "Here." "This palisade in the south wall." "If we could make this area less vulnerable." "The south wall isn't the problem." "They came over the north wall." " By Travis's position." " l know where they came from." "I am Travis, remember?" "I say we strengthen the walls and anything that keeps the enemy out." " lt wouldn't be the Battle of the Alamo." " l don't care. I just want to win." "Once." "Be Santa Anna." "He wins every time." "What if we put cannons along the long barracks?" "Do you know how long it took me to build this thing?" "I don't believe you two." "Your homeworld has been attacked, the Breen and the Dominion have joined forces and you're playing games." "Haven't you heard of grace under pressure?" "Shouldn't you be doing something productive?" "I spent 14 hours recalibrating the station's weapons array." "I did a run-through of emergency support team protocols." "So...you do expect an attack on the station?" "Anything's possible." " What about a moat?" " A moat?" "Around the Alamo?" "Yes." "Let's widen this stream and deepen it." "I say we build a moat around the station." "He is a child." "Miles does have a certain cherubic quality... I was talking about Dr Bashir, and you know it." "Are you certain he's the one?" "I'm not certain about anything." " But he is handsome." " You deserve more than handsome." " He gets excited playing with toys." " He knows how to have a good time." "It's not exactly a toy." "You heard the Chief." "He spent hours making that." "I see it is hopeless to try to reason with you." "I know." "Maybe I am in love with him." "You think I should tell him how I feel?" "If it will make you happy, yes." " You're a good friend, Worf." " l know." "They are wasting their time." "No matter how much they plan, they cannot defend that mission against an enemy numbering in the thousands." "Not without more men." "If you want to go down there and help them..." "Just a thought." "Damar!" "You're up early." " Am I?" " Yes, you are." "Or you haven't been to bed yet." " l had a very restful sleep." " Did you?" "How nice." "I had no idea the Breen could mobilise a fleet so quickly." "Our new allies are full of surprises, aren't they?" " You know their refrigeration suits?" " What about them?" "You've read intelligence reports saying their homeworld is a frozen wasteland." "Well, it's not." "The climate on their home planet is quite comfortable." " Why do they wear refrigeration suits?" " They won't say." "They're full of surprises." "There's something different about you today, Damar." "I can't put my finger on it." "It's like you're only half-dressed." " What are you talking about?" " You don't have a bottle in your hand." " Have you nothing better to do..." " You've regained your confidence." "I wasn't aware that I'd lost it." "Come now, Damar." "You thought you'd backed the wrong side." "You thought the Dominion would lose this war and drag Cardassia down with it." "I must admit, things were looking rather grim." "Perhaps, for a moment or two, but that's no excuse to lose faith in oneself or one's allies." "But now...it's as if you've groped your way through a dark tunnel and stepped back out into the light once again." "You know what that light told you?" "That the Dominion will prevail." "That the Federation will be conquered and a new era of peace and prosperity will blanket the Alpha Quadrant." "You know me so well." "Really, Damar, I hope you won't let that Cardassian ego of yours spoil our victory." "And I do mean "our victory"." "Yours, mine..." " And the Breen." " Yes, and the Breen." "We're just one big happy family." "I like it so much better when we agree, don't you?" "The text of the Kosst Amojan, as you requested." "Very good." "Well?" "Put it on my desk." " Eminence, may I speak frankly?" " lf you must." "This book has not been removed from the archives for 700 years." "Your point being..." "The knowledge it contains about the "Pah-wraiths..."" "it is said to be very dangerous." "Knowledge is never dangerous in the right hands." "There is an old saying." ""He who studies evil is studied by evil."" "I will keep that in mind." "Now give me the book." "Your concern for Her Eminence is appreciated and acknowledged." "Nevertheless, you must do as she says." "I will see to it that no harm comes to her." " That should make you feel better." " l wish it could." "But this man...one day he comes onto Deep Space 9 and the next, he's become your closest adviser." "What do we know of him?" "Where did he come from?" "What does he want?" "I want only to serve the Kai." "This is his idea, isn't it?" "To study this hateful book." "Anjohl was sent to me by the Prophets." "That's all I need to know and that's all anyone needs to know." "I have no idea why I was chosen." "But who are we to question the ways of the Prophets?" "Perhaps you should go to the Temple and ask the Prophets' forgiveness for questioning their wisdom." "Solbor does not approve of me." "He has served me well for many years." "And he may serve you for many more if the "Pah-wraiths" find him worthy." "Well?" "Aren't you going to open it?" "The "Pah-wraiths" are not evil, but they are powerful." "They're willing to share their power with you." "The question is, do you want it?" "Yes." "This can't be." "This is a trick." " lt's not a trick." " Then Solbor brought the wrong book." "He doesn't make those kinds of mistakes." "The words are here." "They're just hidden, that's all." "It's up to us to find them." "These are the new security protocols you requested." "Very good." "I'm not sure how effective they'll be against the Breen." "Neither am I." "I just hope we don't have to find out." "Benjamin!" "Do you mind explaining this?" "Constable, do you mind if we use your office?" "Not at all." "The Bajoran Freight and Shipping Authority wants you to take a vacation." "A month's paid vacation?" "This is your doing, isn't it?" "So the Emissary asked for a little favour." " l never mentioned the word Emissary." " But you arranged this!" "I'm trying to keep you out of danger." "is that such a terrible thing to do?" "I don't need or want that kind of protection." "I want you to put me back on the active list." " Kasidy, it's only for a month." " l don't care if it's only for a day." "How would you like it if I told Admiral Ross," ""Don't send my husband on any dangerous missions this month"?" " That's not the same thing." " lt is from where l'm standing." "My job is just as important to me as your job is to you." "I know that." "What's so funny?" "Marriage. it changes everything." "If you're not careful..." "that could be you and Kira." "Here are the other volumes you wanted." "Thank you." "You may go now." "Eminence. I must inform you that the archivists..." "You heard the Kai." "Leave us." "They're wondering why you need to consult so many of these dark texts." "You may tell them that their Kai works for the good of Bajor." "Now leave me. I have work to do." "Why are you still here?" " What would you like me to do?" " Go away." " l don't understand." " l must concentrate." " But, Eminence..." " Not another word." "Very well." " They're beautiful." " Then you forgive me?" "That depends." "Have you talked to Bajoran Freight and Shipping?" "You're back on the active list." "Then I forgive you." "But from here on in... I'm not to interfere with your work unless you tell me to." "Or it's absolutely necessary." " l'm just joking." " You'd better be." "What's that for?" "The flowers." "And for being big enough to admit when you're wrong." " That'll be Quark with the necklace." " The necklace?" "In case the flowers didn't work." "Ben." "The Breen have launched a counteroffensive against our forces in the Chin'toka System." " Have they broken through?" " ln two places." "When do I leave?" "This is bad." "Very bad." "You say that every time the Defiant goes into battle." "Impulse manifold purged and clear." "If we lose the Chin'toka System, we have no footholds in Dominion territory." " That qualifies as bad." " We haven't lost it yet." " initiating impulse pre-start sequence." " Microfusion generators on line." "The Breen seem unstoppable." "First Earth, now Chin'toka." "Ensign, no one is unstoppable." " Collimate the nadion emitters." " Collimation in progress." "What more can I say, Miles?" "I'm sorry." "Dilithium matrix is aligned and calibrated." "Just be more careful." "That's all I ask." "Opening antimatter injector ports." " Trouble in paradise?" " lt was nothing." "Life-support systems standing by." " l wouldn't call it nothing." " Autonomous guidance system active." " He lost Travis." " Sounds serious." "Verify astrometric database." "Miles built this Alamo model, replete with small figures." "Quite spectacular." "Datasets loaded and verified." "He was showing it to me in Quark's when we..." "I misplaced Colonel Travis." "Phaser safeties engaged." " Can't you make another one?" " So he can lose it again?" " Field stabilisers on line." " That happens when you share toys." "Synchronising warp plasma flow." "It's not a toy but a model." "Built to scale!" " He really did a fantastic job." " Nascelles at pre-warp threshold." " He plays with toys." " lt's a model." "With little figures." " Captain on the bridge." " Commander." "Weapons array is on line." "Phasers fully charged." "Quantum torpedo launchers are standing by." "Colonel, set a course to rendezvous with the Federation assault fleet." " Course set." " Take us out." "Airlocks are sealed." "Releasing docking clamps." " Where are you going with those?" " To the archives." " On whose authority?" " l believe Her Eminence has finished." " Put them back." " How dare you use that tone with me?" "I'll put them back." "Wake up, my love." "There's work to be done." "Anjohl?" "I must have dozed off." "You're tired. it's understandable." "I haven't made much progress." "You'll find the answers we're looking for. lt's just a matter of time." "I'm so glad you're here." "I'll see that you're brought something to eat." "According to reports, it looks as if the Dominion is going to retake Chin'toka." "Before, we'd have celebrated driving the Federation from Cardassian soil." "But the Dominion victories are no longer our victories." "Now, are our troops in position?" "They're awaiting your command." "Excellent." "We attack in seven hours." "We're going to lose many fine soldiers." "At least they'll be dying for Cardassia and not the Dominion." "The Federation reinforcements are approaching Chin'toka." "The more of them, the better." "Founder, it concerns me to have you this close to the front." "Your concern is noted." "But this is one battle I intend to see first-hand." "Yes, it should be most gratifying." "Attack wings three and nine have reached the line of deployment." "Fighter squadrons seven and ten, stand by to begin reconnaissance." "Assume attack positions." "Advance to contact." " They've locked weapons on us." " All auxiliary power to forward shields." " Colonel, attack pattern Delta." " Aye, sir." " Mr Worf, quantum torpedoes." " Target locked." "Fire!" "Target locked." "Launchers one and two standing by." "Fire." "What the hell's...?" " We've lost power to the helm." " The comm's out." " So are weapons." " Computer systems are off line." "Manual controls are frozen." " Chief?" " l can't get anything back on line." "Somehow they're draining all our power." " The fire suppression systems off line." " Use the manual..." "We're venting plasma coolant." "The air is becoming toxic, Captain." " The ablative armour is buckling." " Hull breaches on three and four." "Without power for emergency force fields, we can't seal them." "Abandon ship." "You heard me." "Everyone get to the escape pods...now!" "Captain." " She's a fine ship." " No one will argue with that." "But like you say, it's time to go." "Poor Captain Sisko." "I believe he was quite fond of that ship." "Founder, I'm happy to report that the Chin'toka System is ours once again." "A step in the right direction." " Send my compliments to the Breen." " l'm sure that will please them greatly." "Really?" "I have no idea what would please the Breen, nor do I care, as long as they fight and win." " l will not tolerate defeat any longer." " Nor will I." "All those escape pods." "So small...so vulnerable..." " l'll order their destruction." " No." "Let them return to the Federation." "Those pods are filled with frightened, demoralised troops." "Troops that will spread fear throughout the Federation with tales of what happened here today." "The Founder is wise." "There." "Now, don't you feel better?" "Much." "Thank you, Anjohl." "I'm here to serve you..." "any way I can." " Get away from her!" " What?" "Eminence, that man is not Anjohl Tennan." "What are you talking about?" "Anjohl Tennan died nine years ago in the labour camp at Batal." "I warned you not to trust him." "I had a sample of his DNA sequenced." "He's not even a Bajoran." "He's a Cardassian!" "We were brought together for a cause." "A great cause." " Our destinies are linked." " Don't listen to him." "Look at him." "Don't you recognise the face of your enemy?" "It's Gul Dukat!" " lt can't be!" " He lied to you." " Used you!" " lt's not true!" "I don't know why you wanted to do this, for what evil purpose, but it's not going to work!" "He doesn't understand, Adami." "He couldn't possibly understand the love of the "Pah-wraiths."" "The love of the "Pah-wraiths?"" "You're trying to release them." "That's why you wanted the text of the Kosst Amojan." "Solbor, listen to me." "All I want is to bring about the Restoration." "You betrayed the Prophets." "You betrayed us all!" "Try to understand." "The "Pah-wraiths," they are the true gods." "You must be stopped." "Solbor, I beg you." "No!" " lt'll be all right." " Don't touch me." "My life is over." "The "Pah-wraiths" sent you to destroy me." "On the contrary." "They sent me to save you." "Lies." "Nothing but Cardassian lies." "To think I let you touch me!" "The book..." "I must destroy it!" "There." "You see?" "The "Pah-wraiths" have judged you and found you worthy." "Their secrets are now your secrets..." "to do with as you please." "Take their gift and use it." "Seize the power they're offering you!" "What about Solbor?" "I'll take care of the body." "The Defiant was my finest ship ever." "There'll never be another like her." "It may take a while, Ben, but I'll get you another ship. I promise." "I wish I knew how we were going to neutralise the Breen energy dissipators." "We need to buy some time." "Time may be the one thing we don't have." "Captain." "We're monitoring a transmission from Cardassian space." "I think you're going to find it interesting." "...two years ago, our government signed a treaty with the Dominion." "The Dominion promised to extend our influence in the Alpha Quadrant." "In exchange, we pledged ourselves to join the war against the Federation." "Cardassians have never been afraid of war, a fact we've proven over these past two years." "Seven million soldiers gave their lives to fulfil our part of the agreement." "And what has the Dominion done in return?" "Nothing." "We've gained no new territories." "Our influence in the quadrant has diminished." "And to make matters worse, we're no longer masters in our own home." "Travel in Cardassia and what do you find?" "Jem'Hadar, Vorta...and now Breen." "Instead of the invaders, we have become the invaded." "Our "allies" have conquered us without firing a single shot." "Well, no longer." "Cardassian detachments attacked Dominion outposts on Rondac lll." "This is the first step toward the liberation of our homeland..." "Colonel, try to get confirmation on that." "I call upon Cardassians everywhere." "Resist!" "Resist today." "Resist tomorrow!" "Resist till the last Dominion soldier has been driven from our soil." "It's confirmed." "Our cloning facility on Rondac lll has been destroyed." "I could be the last Weyoun." "That's why he picked that target." "I want Damar and the rest of these traitors found and eliminated." "I'll see to it immediately." "I don't care how many Cardassians you have to kill." "Find Damar. ls that clear?" "I'm going to hold you to that." "Captain, our listening posts have confirmed the attack on Rondac." "Damar may have bought us some time, if the Dominion doesn't find him quickly." "We must find a way to help him." "Legate Damar may be the key to saving the Alpha Quadrant."