Home > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Past Prologue

It's Dr. Bashir, isn't it?

Of course it is.

May I introduce myself?

Uh... yes.

Yes, of course.

My name is Garak.

A Cardassian by birth, obviously.

The only one of us left on this station, as a matter of fact.

So I do appreciate making new friends whenever I can.

You are new to the station, I believe.

I am, yes.

Though... though I understand you've been here quite a while.

Ah. You know of me then.

Would you care for some of this Tarkalean tea?

It's very good.

What a thoughtful young man.

How nice that we've met.

You know... some people say that you remained on DS9 as the eyes and ears of your fellow Cardassians.

You don't say.

Doctor-- you're not intimating that I'm some sort of spy, are you?

I wouldn't know, sir.

Ah. An open mind-- the essence of intellect.

As you may also know,

I have a clothing shop nearby, so if you should require any apparel or simply wish, as I do, for a bit of enjoyable company now and then,

I'm at your disposal, Doctor.

You're very kind, Mr. Garak.

Oh, it's just Garak-- plain, simple...

BOTH: Garak.

Now, good day to you, Doctor.

I'm so glad to have made such an interesting new friend today.

You won't believe who just sat down next to me in the Replimat.

Major, Upper Pylon 3 will be shut down for maintenance for 48 hours.

The spy.

Garak, the Cardassian.

We don't know for a fact

Garak's a spy, Doctor.

He is. You should have heard him.

He-He introduced himself and, and, and he struck up conversation just like that.

He was making contact with me.

With me, of all people.

What do you think he might want from you, Julian?

I don't know...

Federation medical secrets.

Rest assured, they're safe with me, Commander.

I'm sure they are, Dr. Bashir.

In fact, Chief O'Brien,

I think you should place a monitoring device on me.

Well, just in case... he... he's up to something?

I don't think that will be necessary, Doctor.

Just be very cautious when...

Commander, we have a small craft taking evasive action.

Cardassian war vessel in pursuit.

On screen.

KIRA: That's Bajoran.

That damned Cardassian's firing at a Bajoran scout ship in Bajoran space.

Mr. O'Brien? Confirmed, sir.

They've crossed into Bajoran space.

Open a hailing frequency to the Cardassians.

Channel open.

Cardassian vessel, you are violating Bajoran space.

Break off your pursuit.

Repeat: break off now.

No reply from the Cardassians.

Bajoran vessel is hailing us.

Open the channel.

Space station, do you read?

Space station...

We can only get audio, Commander.

This is Benjamin Sisko

Starfleet Commander of the station.

Who are you?

Why are they pursuing?

Please! Repeating request for emergency docking. Please!

DAX: The Bajoran scout ship is badly damaged.

Structural integrity is failing.

He's breaking up.

Get him out, Mr. O'Brien.

Aye, sir.

Medical assistance to Ops.

My name is Tahna Los.

Request political asylum.

Kira?

KIRA: His name is Tahna Los.

We fought together in the underground.

Commander, the Cardassians are hailing us.

Now they want to talk.

They're hopping mad.

Open the channel, Mr. O'Brien.

Federation Commander

you have taken aboard a known criminal.

You will turn him over to us.

He has requested asylum.

You have not granted it?

To be honest, I haven't decided yet.

He is Kohn-Ma.

Not even the Bajorans would grant his kind asylum.

He has committed heinous crimes against the Cardassian people,

and I demand

that you release him to our custody.

I'll investigate the matter immediately.

In the interim, if you care to dock your vessel

I'll be glad to hear an explanation for having violated Bajoran space and threatened a Federation facility.

We have made no threat to your facility.

I stand corrected.

Sisko out.

The Major and I will be at the Infirmary.

I'd like some time to talk with this fellow Tahna.

When Gul Danar comes in it would be nice if we had a few docking regulations to keep him outside a while.

Understood.

You're not seriously considering handing Tahna over to the Cardassians?

Were you part of this Kohn-Ma, Major?

If I had been, I would not be working with the provisional government now.

No, you'd still be out there murdering Cardassians, or even some Bajoran that the Kohn-Ma hold in contempt.

Didn't they claim responsibility for the assassination of one of your First Ministers last month?

Look, I know Tahna.

Is he Kohn-Ma?

Yes, but...

I suggest you get your priorities straight, Major because I don't have any room for divided loyalties in this command, and I won't have a Kohn-Ma terrorist using this station as a protective shield for continuing violence.

My priorities are straight, Commander.

Let's not be confused here.

My loyalties are to Bajor, and Bajor needs men like Tahna Los.

Apparently, his war with the Cardassians isn't over yet.

If Bajor is ever to rebuild a strong and independent society, it will require the repatriation of splinter groups like the Kohn-Ma.

You have-- we have-- an opportunity here, Commander.

I hope you don't miss it.

How is he?

Second-degree burns, lacerations a minor concussion.

Not much compared to what he's been through before.

Before?

The most recent of these scars is only two, perhaps three years old.

Two and a half, actually.

It's remarkable you lived through this.

It's a Cardassian technique designed to keep you alive.

I'm Commander Benjamin Sisko.

I have a few questions for you if you're up to answering them.

Commander Sisko hasn't decided whether or not to grant you asylum yet, Tahna.

Major, perhaps I should conduct this alone.

Major?

I'm the liaison officer to the Federation here...

Still fighting for Bajor in my own way.

I'll stop by later.

What do you need to know, Commander?

For starters, why were they chasing you?

You really want to hear the story of my life?

I assume, as a member of the Kohn-Ma you've committed serious acts against them.

Any one of a hundred that would lead to a Cardassian death sentence.

Any of them since their withdrawal from Bajor?

Frankly, yes.

Why would you continue the violence against them now?

To be honest, I'm not sure anymore.

We say we're punishing them for crimes committed against us for over half a century but I've had enough of the killing.

I'm sorry, Commander.

He needs rest now.

Admiral, I think Commander Sisko is being incredibly short-sighted.

He obviously doesn't understand the issues involved.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Major.

I'll stay in close touch

with the situation.

Thank you, Admiral.

Sir, the Cardassian warship has docked.

Lieutenant Dax is making sure that all procedural details are precisely observed no matter how long it takes.

Well done.

I have some more research to do on the Kohn-Ma before I see them.

Sir, I don't know much about the Bajoran terrorists, but you've never fought the Cardassians, have you?

No.

Well, you wouldn't want to turn a man-- any man-- over to their tender care, sir.

You just wouldn't.

Subspace transmission from Admiral Rollman for you, Commander.

In my office.

Ben, that Bajoran woman

you have working for you interrupted a staff meeting

to tell me how she disapproves

of your handling of this asylum matter.

I think you have a problem there, Commander.

Yes, Admiral.

It's all right.

You're safe.

Strange to run into each other here, isn't it?

It's good to be with someone who knows what it's been like out there.

Wearing that uniform, I thought maybe you'd forgotten.

Never.

No?

Working on the inside hasn't dulled that old fire just a little?

Uh... ask Sisko about that.

Don't get along?

Oil and water.

( chuckling )

You're tired. I should go.

Kira?

Do you think he'll give me to the Cardassians?

Over my dead body.

Now, that's the Kira I remember.

If you require all vessels to endure such lengthy docking procedures, Commander, you're going to have a lot of impatient traffic out there.

I apologize.

We're still trying to repair all the damage your forces did before they left.

It does create unreasonable delays.

I accept your apology, but not your explanation.

What about Tahna Los?

Well, we've got a problem.

A diplomatic insult to the Cardassian people would be a problem.

Delivering a wanted criminal to us would not be.

Danar in war, both sides commit atrocities.

I can only tell you that we are certain he plans to commit more acts of terrorism.

He tells me that he has renounced the Kohn-Ma and wants to help to rebuild Bajor.

He has committed brutal acts of destruction and murder, and he must pay for those crimes.

I appreciate the Cardassian position but I know if a Bajoran freedom fighter is turned over to the Cardassians by the Federation, that would be a mistake that would undermine everything that I'm trying to accomplish here.

So, with apologies,

I'm going to grant him asylum for the time being.

Eventually, he'll want to relocate to Bajor. and if you want to pursue the matter with the provisional government, then that's your business.

( door closes )

How long since you've slept in a comfortable bed?

I can adapt to that part very quickly, thank you.

I'm glad you're here.

We need you, Tahna.

I don't think the Federation has any use for my particular talents.

I mean, Bajor needs you.

If you had the impression that I'm a Federation officer in any way, I promise you, I...

I thought you were under Sisko's command.

I am, but...

Now, you see, that's something

I could never adapt to.

Someone has to coordinate relations between the Federation and the provisional government.

At least, with someone like me here...

Why?

Why should they be here at all?

What right does this so-called provisional government have to bring them here after all we fought for, Kira?

Freedom from domination.

True independence.

No outsiders.

No Cardassians and no Federation.

Things have changed, Tahna.

With the discovery of the wormhole...

Oh, yes, the wormhole.

Look, I don't want the Federation here any more than you do but they are serving a purpose, for the time being at least.

Without the Federation the Cardassians would be back in a minute to take control of the wormhole, and the wormhole is the future of Bajor, Tahna.

It's bringing ships and commerce.

It's making us a power in the quadrant.

I don't want to be a power in the quadrant.

I want Bajor for Bajorans.

I want our homeland back.

We have it back.

And, as we grow stronger we'll be able to defend it ourselves without having to lean on the Federation or anyone else.

I know it's difficult to see after all we've been through.

We want it all now.

But with people like you leading the way...

You have adapted haven't you?

Tahna, I have put myself on the line for you here.

You are finished with the Kohn-Ma?

Yes.

Yes, I am finished with the Kohn-Ma.

I've been talking with several of the ministers of the provisional government about amnesty for you and any member of the Kohn-Ma who follows you.

Well, there are some who might... if there were assurances.

I'm working on it, Tahna.

I'll find a way to make it happen.

What?

Sir, we've had a little problem.

These two women are just arriving.

They objected to giving up their weapons.

Klingons do not surrender their weapons.

ODO: Who are you?

We are Lursa and B'Etor of the house of Duras.

And we have specific regulations.

You can leave the weapons or leave the station.

Your choice.

Please make it now.

Who are you?

I'm the one giving you the choice.

Welcome to DS9.

We have some new guests you might be interested in.

A couple of Klingon sisters from the Duras family.

Lursa and B'Etor.

You know them then?

They tried to grab control of the Klingon High Council.

Started a brief civil war.

They've been out of sight since then.

I ran a security check.

The Klingons have them listed as renegades.

We've heard they've been trying to raise capital to rebuild their armies.

What are they doing here?

Sitting.

They went straight to Quark's, but not for the gambling and certainly not for the food.

They're just sitting.

I don't like it.

Why don't I... lock them up and call the Klingons to come get them?

Odo.

If they're enemies of the Klingon High Council...

They haven't broken any laws here.

You can't just throw them in jail.

You know, Cardassian rule may have been oppressive but at least it was simple.

Keep an eye on them.

As you wish, Commander.

( conversation and laughter )

And how are you this evening, Mr. Garak?

Excuse me.

Just plain, simple Garak, you said.

Plain and simple.

Join me, Doctor.

Enhance my evening.

Keeping an eye on the ebb and flow of things, are you?

As a clothier

I do have a keen interest on what the population is wearing from day to day.

Klingons have an odd sense of style.

Don't you agree?

Oh, yes, they do.

But intriguing.

I would say that those two outfits are worth studying closely.

Look.

LURSA: All right, where's the payment?

TAHNA: It's on its way.

That was not the arrangement.

I couldn't stop to get it.

I barely got past the Cardassians.

Your safety is not our concern.

Your gold is.

It will be available tomorrow.

Good.

Because if we have made this trip for nothing you will have made a fatal mistake.

I managed to arrange a hearing of the Ministers' Court.

Any predictions?

Well, I have two of the ministers-- the smart ones-- ready to vote for amnesty.

I'm sure one of the others will fall in line.

Good.

And Tahna says two more of the Kohn-Ma are willing to follow him

if you'll guarantee their safety.

Done.

I have to say this, Commander.

When we first talked

I wasn't sure you...

This wouldn't have been possible without your support.

I want you to know it's appreciated.

Be sure to mention it the next time you chat with Admiral Rollman.

Sir?

Go over my head again and I'll have yours on a platter.

So, Constable, news about our Klingon sisters?

They seem to make friends easily.

Friends?

Our reformed Kohn-Ma, for example.

Tahna, with Lursa and B'Etor?

Talking about a business arrangement.

He's paying them for something.

I don't know what.

The gold is supposedly on its way.

Two other members of the Kohn-Ma may be bringing it.

How do you know that?

Major Kira mentioned that they were on their way.

ODO: Do you want her to know about this?

Not quite yet.

You are the clothier Garak?

At your service, madam.

May I show you some of our latest fashions?

Perhaps some silk lingerie from Kraus IV?

Watch your tongue, Cardassian, or I'll rip it out and eat it!

( snarling )

I meant no offense.

I have few Klingon patrons.

So, is there something you wish to buy?

We're not here to buy.

We are here to sell.

We understand you still represent Cardassian interests here.

Ah, I am only a simple clothing merchant.

We have no time for your games!

Do you want Tahna Los or not?!

Are you in a position to deliver the Bajoran to Cardassian authorities?

What is he worth to them?

In gold-pressed latinum?

( spits )

You insult us!

Ladies, ladies, please.

Everything is negotiable.

I am no more than what I seem to be-- a merchant trying to make the best transaction.

So... let us haggle.

( door chimes )

Yes?

I have the third minister's vote.

The hearing is simply a formality now.

You are going to receive amnesty, Tahna.

I never realized you were such an accomplished politician.

Me? A politician?

No, I don't think so.

You manipulate Sisko and the Federation the ministers of the provisional government...

I'm just determined.

I think they all simply get tired of hearing my voice.

( laughs )

And here we expected to find that Kira Nerys had lost the fire in her heart.

What are you talking about?

You knew I was here before you even came.

Tahna, I trusted you.

I am Kohn-Ma.

I fight for the freedom of Bajor.

You once fought for it, as well.

I'm still fighting for it.

Stop deluding yourself!

You say you don't believe in the Federation.

You say you don't believe in the provisional government and yet you are their dance instructor.

That's not fair.

Don't be naive, Major!

I don't want the Federation here, but, for now...

Once you're in your comfortable bed with the Federation you won't be able to get out.

We won't be able to get out.

If you expect me to commit some act of violence against the Federation...

No... no, the violence is over.

That is the truth.

No one will get hurt in any way.

I promise you that.

But I do need your help.

You already lied to me, Tahna.

I know how the game works.

To do what we plan we need a small ship capable of warp speed.

I gambled that I could convince you to get it for us.

And just what is this peaceful plan?

In one move, and nonviolently we accomplish everything both of us has ever wanted for Bajor.

How?

I know the game, too, Kira.

You know I cannot risk telling you that.

How do you know I won't just go straight to Sisko?

Well, if you do, then we'll both know where your loyalties are won't we?

Ah, plain, simple Garak.

How are you today?

Being observant, Doctor.

I'm sure of it.

There's a time for levity, my young friend and a time for genuine concern.

The arrival on this station, for instance of those two Kohn-Ma terrorists.

Terrorists?

What are they doing here?

I'm not exactly sure, but, together we might have some success at finding out.

Garak, I'm a doctor, not...

And, once you do have the appropriate answer

I'm sure you'll know what to do with it.

I really must be getting along now.

Uh... Doctor...

I think it's time for you to take advantage of my shop.

If you'll be there at exactly 2055 hours tonight

I promise to show you a suit that will make you into a new man.

A suit?

We're talking about terrorists and you want me to buy a new suit.

Doctor, am I making myself clear?

I want you to buy a new suit tonight at 2055... exactly.

Uh, yes.

I see.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

Mmm.

A suit.

Mmm.

Major.

Commander.

I'd like to meet the two Kohn-Ma who just arrived as soon as possible.

Of course. I'll arrange it.

How do they seem to you?

Sir?

Do you feel as secure about them as you do about Tahna Los?

Absolutely.

Commander Sisko.

I need some guidance.

Yes, Doctor.

It's about Garak-- the Cardassian.

I'm afraid this relationship has gotten a little out of hand.

How's that?

He wants me to buy a suit.

A suit?

At exactly 2055 tonight.

Why 2055?

I don't know, but it has something to do with those two Bajoran terrorists on board.

He says that, together, he and I might discover what they're really doing here.

I don't understand why he wants me involved.

Sometimes communications can't be conducted through official channels.

Maybe this is their way of telling us that we have a common enemy.

Well, what do you want me to do?

I think, Doctor, you could definitely use a new suit.

Busy?

What can I do for you?

Are, um... are all the security measures in place for the trip to the Ministers' Court?

I told you they'd be taken care of and they will.

Fine.

You know, there's one thing about you humanoids

I can't imitate very well.

What's that?

Pretense.

There's a special talent to it.

It's as hard for me as creating one of your noses.

Maybe that's why I've learned to respect your opinion

Constable-- never any pretense.

How much do you know about me, Odo?

More than you probably realize.

I've done some things I'm not proud of.

I still have nightmares about the raids on the Haru Outpost but at least I was sure about what I was doing then.

And... there's something you're not sure of now.

You have no more love for the Federation than I do.

Meaning?

Maybe there are still wars to be fought and I'm just making a fool of myself doing what I'm doing here.

It sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into something... or out of something.

Either way, I have to betray someone.

The only important thing is not to betray yourself.

How could I possibly turn against my own people?

Are they your own people?

They're no different than I used to be.

Used to be?

I could just refuse to help them-- ignore the whole thing.

The Joranian ostrich hides by sticking its head underwater-- sometimes even until it drowns.

And they'd find a way to do whatever they want to do anyway and I'd still feel responsible for the consequences.

( sighs )

It was so much easier when I knew who the enemy was.

Odo to Sisko.

Go ahead.

There's someone down in here in security who wants to talk to you, Commander.

Come in quickly, Doctor. You're late.

It's 2057.

Now just take this and try it on as many times as you like.

And stay very, very quiet. I was just...

( door opening )

GARAK: Ah, right on time.

Welcome.

B'ETOR: Save your welcome, Cardassian.

Do your people want the Bajoran or not?

GARAK: I can now venture to say, with some certainty that you will receive the agreed-upon payment on delivery.

We will complete our business with Tahna Los in four hours.

And what business might that be?

That is not your concern.

If it requires that those I represent must take extra precautions, it becomes my concern.

We will deliver him a cylinder of bilitrium.

The rendezvous will be on the dark side of Bajor VIII's lower moon.

The Cardassians can have him then.

What's bilitrium?

Ah, a rare, crystalline element that can be an incredibly powerful source of energy provided, of course, one has an antimatter converter.

Unfortunately, that's why Cardassians were chasing Tahna Los when he arrived here.

He stole one.

But if he's got both...

Quite right, Doctor.

He has the ingredients for a bomb-- a bomb of significant destructive capability.

We have nothing to hold them on.

They haven't committed any crime yet.

Conspiracy is a crime.

Conspiracy to what?

We don't even know what their plan is.

Once the switch with the Klingons is made you've got them holding the components to an explosive device.

That's evidence enough right there.

Chief O'Brien is right.

We have to give them the runabout.

Agreed.

And I have to be on it.

Not agreed, Major.

Commander, Tahna doesn't know if he can trust me as it is.

If I try to stay behind, he won't buy into this.

The only way to convince him is if I'm on board.

If Tahna fails

I promise you, others will try.

At least this way, you can find out what they're up to.

Mr. O'Brien you and I will take a runabout to a point behind the second moon of Bajor VIII to avoid detection. Aye, sir.

Dax, stay in touch with us on a secured channel.

Keep an eye on the Cardassians.

They'll be coming to the party, too.

You get him there, Major.

We'll be waiting.

They're moving into the runabout.

Acknowledged.

DS9 to Ganges.

SISKO: Go ahead.

They're in the Yangtzee Kiang.

They're initializing prelaunch systems now.

Understood, Lieutenant.

Shut down all main power systems.

( sighs )

Dead quiet.

Bajor VIII in 120,000 kilometers.

Dropping to impulse.

What is that?

An antimatter converter.

I'm transferring power from the ship's warp drive into the storage cells.

( console beeps )

We've got a Klingon bird-of-prey de-cloaking dead ahead.

It's all right.

We're here to meet them.

Klingons? Why?

You'll know soon enough.

The Klingons have powered up their transporters.

Prepare to go to full impulse.

13 kilograms of gold-pressed latinum, as promised.

This is yours.

'eH. HImaH!

What is it?

Bajoran independence.

Bird-of-prey is moving off and cloaking.

Set up an intercept course for the runabout.

Intercept in one minute

12 seconds.

DS9 to Ganges.

Ganges.

The Cardassian warship Aldara is crossing the border, Benjamin on an intercept course with the Yangtzee Kiang.

They'll enter Bajoran space

in 29 seconds.

Acknowledged.

The Yangtzee's sensors should be picking us up now, sir.

TAHNA: What is that?

It's another runabout.

They must have been waiting for us here.

How did they know?

We also have a Cardassian warship three minutes away.

The Klingons must have sold us out.

Prepare to engage warp engines.

There's nowhere to run, Tahna.

We don't have to go far.

I should have known.

Now set the course for DS9.

No. If you don't,

I'll explode the bomb right here and destroy all six colonies on Bajor VIII.

You would kill thousands of your own people for this?

The question is whether you would kill them by refusing to set the course.

They've gone to warp.

Follow them.

Ganges to Yangtzee Kiang.

Drop out of warp, or we'll open fire.

Repeat-- reduce your power immediately

or we will open fire.

I doubt he'll shoot while his Major is on board but just in case...

This is the voice of the Kohn-Ma.

There is an armed bilitrium explosive device

onboard this ship.

Fire on us, and you will detonate it.

If that device goes off while they're at warp they'll spread radiation across half the system.

He's headed straight back to the station.

This is the Federation Vessel Ganges to the Cardassian warship Aldara.

So... we're finally allies, Commander.

Gul Danar the Federation Runabout Yangtzee Kiang is carrying an explosive bilitrium device.

Can you intercept before it reaches the space station?

Our time to intercept is two minutes, 14 seconds.

That's about a minute too late, Commander.

If I may take this opportunity to say that I warned you...

Can we get them in a tractor beam?

Not at these speeds.

They have 27 seconds on us.

We may have to shoot them down, Commander.

Ready photons, Chief.

We'll fire as soon as they slow to impulse.

Aye, sir.

100,000 kilometers to DS9.

This is your idea of a nonviolent solution?

You realize there are hundreds of Bajoran civilians aboard the station?

No one's going to be hurt, Kira.

Adjust your course to take a vectored approach past the mouth of the wormhole.

The wormhole...

It's not the space station you're after.

You can't possibly believe you can destroy the wormhole with that device?

I don't have to destroy it-- just collapse the entrance.

You're only hurting Bajor by doing this, Tahna.

No more wormhole, no more Federation or Cardassians... or anyone.

Drop out of warp.

Now!

My God, they're going into the wormhole at full impulse.

Damn you.

Sisko to Kira.

Are you all right, Major?

No, she's not all right, Commander!

And if you want her alive, you'll do exactly as I say!

Listen to me carefully, Tahna.

You can either surrender now, to me or you can wait for the Cardassian warship,

and I can let them deal with you this time.

Your choice.

There'll be no further resistance, Commander.

Tahna... the old ways don't work anymore.

Everything is different now.

I had to do this.

One day, you'll understand.

Traitor.