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Rivals

( chuckling )

When my husband was alive, we ran the business together and I managed to put away a bit of latinum every year just for myself.

Now he's gone, well...

I've got quite a little sum.

That's important.

Well, to be honest, it's not enough-- not for the future-- not for the way I want to live out my retirement.

So, I've decided to invest it all in...

I can't believe I'm telling you this.

I just met you.

But I feel like I can really trust you.

It's like I've known you forever.

When hearts are in sympathy time collapses.

I'm taking everything I saved and I'm purchasing the mining concession on the entire Vlugtan asteroid belt.

How ambitious, and such an adventurous undertaking for a woman of your delicate sensibilities.

But are you sure that's wise?

Prospecting can be risky.

Not this time.

My father was a stellar cartographer.

30 years ago he conducted a full spectrum mineral analysis of those asteroids but he never had the means to follow up on what he found.

And now you plan to carry out your father's dream.

When his survey results become public

I'll get seven times my investment back-- overnight.

I still can't believe I'm telling you this.

My secret plan.

I've been thinking about it for years.

I never even told my husband.

It must be all this Gamzian wine.

How brave you are to do all of this on your own.

( sighing ): It hasn't been easy.

There's so much to keep track of so much to do.

Maybe I could help.

( sighs )

Would you consider some kind of partnership?

Let's go.

Exactly where are we going?

To Security.

But I've done nothing wrong.

It's true. We were just talking.

You were talking, Madam.

He was listening.

Security Chief Odo, isn't it?

I've been watching you ever since you arrived.

Should I be flattered?

Martus Mazur, a refugee from the El-Aurian system.

Well, everyone has to be from somewhere.

Where are you from, Odo?

Don't pull that routine on me.

What routine?

I know all about you El-Aurians.

You're listeners. People like to talk to you.

Everyone has to have someone to confide in-- someone to hear their stories.

I offer a sympathetic ear and if they request my help, I give it to them.

That couple from Pythro V told me you asked for their financial access codes.

Some might call helping an elderly couple invest their savings a compassionate act.

Not when you invest it in your own business-- a business that promptly folds.

I had a run of bad luck.

No one regrets it more than I do.

You're a con man.

And they've signed a complaint.

This isn't necessary.

It really isn't necessary.

I'm not going anywhere.

Let's have a drink.

Talk a bit?

( sighs )

Chief.

Hello, Doctor.

Great job.

You built it yourself, didn't you?

Yeah, just finished.

I missed playing and I figured there would be at least a couple of other players on board.

Didn't think you'd be one of them.

Captain of the team at Starfleet Medical Academy.

We took the Sector Championships in my final year.

Against other medical students?

Against everybody.

Played a Vulcan in the finals.

Talk about stamina.

Didn't think he ever actually broke a sweat.

And you won?

Took him on a back wall riser shot.

Oh, well, I can't say

I've had much in the way of formal training myself but it's been a serious pastime for a lot of years.

Oh, some of the toughest players I've come up against didn't really know what they were doing.

Really?

Ah... formally, I mean.

Hey, whatever works, works.

This exercise, for example

I picked up at a tournament from a top player.

It's a 5,000-year-old battle warm-up.

According to the legend it makes the heart a friend to the hand.

Medically, I don't really know what that means but, uh, it seems to give me a lot of energy.

Fancy a game?

Serve.

I guess by the lines, you prefer the old-style rules?

I can play any style you like.

Traditional it is, then.

Always been my personal favorite.

Serve.

One.

( loud, raspy snoring )

Pardon me, friend.

( snoring )

Pardon me.

( snoring )

( snores )

( hacking gurgle )

( gasping groan )

Friend... friend, are you all right?

( hacking gurgle )

I thought you died.

If only I could be so fortunate.

You were snoring.

Please accept my apologies.

I didn't mean to disturb you.

But, as you can see, my health is not so good.

Yes. Well, I'm sorry I had to wake you.

I wasn't always like this.

Of course not.

I had youth vigor, fame... wealth beyond measure.

All gone.

I'm not listening.

All because of this.

( electronic beeping and whirring )

A gambling device?

Did you win?

Of course not.

You gambled away everything you had?

In a manner of speaking.

Every trade deal I struck was a disaster.

Every alliance I formed fell apart.

Every endeavor backed, a failure.

Well, what does this have to do with a toy?

Sounds like you just had a lot of rotten luck.

Yes... rotten luck.

In the end, it all comes down to luck.

( electronic beeping and whirring )

I won!

That's nice.

What did you win?

( sighs deeply )

Officer... you've got a dead prisoner in here.

Officer!

How'd it go?

( panting )

Good workout?

Medical school...

Captain of the team at medical school.

Who are you talking about?

Bashir.

You had a game?

No, he had a game.

I just kind of stumbled around the court for 90 minutes and made a complete ass of myself.

I'm sure he didn't see it that way.

The hell he didn't-- that smug look on his face.

"I guess you prefer old-style rules."

Like I was some kind of fossil.

In my day, I could have wiped the court with him.

That's a point. You're not a kid anymore.

It's nothing to be ashamed of.

People just naturally slow down.

Oh, like molasses in winter, huh?

Thanks.

Miles, you're taking this way too seriously.

I'm out of shape, that's all.

I just need to get me wind back.

Sector champion, my eye.

He's vulnerable to every one of my best shots.

I just... I just couldn't get them there.

This time.

I thought he was going to have a heart attack.

Come on, Julian, it couldn't have been that bad.

No, really, his face was flushed.

I could have taken his pulse just watching the side of his neck.

Then why didn't you stop it?

Well, don't think I didn't try.

After the first game, I told him I had an appointment-- he ignored me.

After the second game

I told him I was getting tired.

He didn't believe me.

And then his racket broke, and I thought, "Finally..."

But no, he made me stay there while he went away and replicated another one.

So, what finally happened?

While he was gone

I called my assistant and told her...

May I?

...told her to call me back after five minutes and say there was an emergency at the Infirmary.

Oh, that's terrible.

There was no other way out.

Otherwise, there would have been an emergency-- Chief O'Brien's coronary.

Well, at least it's all over.

That's just it.

This is just the beginning.

The Chief wants a rematch and I'm telling you, it's going to kill him.

Honestly, Julian, you're exaggerating.

O'Brien can't be a day over 38.

That's too young to die.

I guess I'm overstating the health risk.

That's not the point.

The Chief has a lot of pride and for good reason.

I really respect him-- the things he does the kind of man he is.

I just... I just don't want to humiliate him.

Another winner.

What luck.

The Pythron couple has refused to press charges.

You can go.

Of course.

Didn't I tell you?

They're my friends.

( groans )

All right.

Double or nothing.

House always takes blue.

Sorry, the drink's on you.

Can I help you?

Prosecco.

And how do you plan on paying for this?

With charm, perhaps?

Double or nothing.

Double nothing is still nothing.

If I lose, I'll give you this.

House always takes blue.

Lucky.

My luck's running good today.

So I've heard.

Decided not to testify, did they?

I don't know what you mean.

No?

The 47th Rule of Acquisition says

"Don't trust a man wearing a better suit than your own."

Either you're a con artist or you're covering up an empty coin purse.

I happen to know it's both.

Well, we can't be all as successful as you are.

( laughing )

Too true.

( electronic beeping and whirring )

Some kind of game?

I've never seen that one before.

How do you play?

Just press the key.

( electronic beeping and whirring fades down )

Too bad.

( beeping reaches crescendo )

As I told you, my luck's running good today.

Am I supposed to be impressed?

A little tinkering some replication and expansion...

It might make a nice addition to your casino.

And who would play this?

It's just a child's toy.

My nephew, um... it might keep him out of my ears for a couple of days.

I'll take it.

That's a tidy sum.

I'm feeling benevolent today.

Have another.

I might have accepted, but the offer of the drink-- that tells me you're very interested.

Nonsense. You read too much into nothing.

My benevolence is known far and wide.

Oh, it's legendary, I'm sure.

I'll take 100 times what you've got here.

Not in this space-time continuum, you won't.

Go try to peddle this little triviality down on Bajor.

You might be able to trade it for a meal but it won't be a hot one.

You'll be in profit by the end of the week.

Final offer.

Take it before my generosity fades.

( electronic beeping and whirring crescendos )

Perhaps I'll hold onto it a bit longer.

Suit yourself.

But be under no illusion-- if I was serious about acquiring this, it would be mine and for substantially less than what you had hoped for.

It seems that overconfidence comes in small packages around here.

My track record speaks for itself just like your security file.

Thanks for the drink.

Times are difficult.

Oh, it's not that.

Business was good.

Then why are you shutting down?

My husband and I ran this place for nine years.

Before that, we had a shop on Bajor for 17.

But a few months ago, he passed away and my heart's just not in it anymore.

Not the same, is it?

Working by yourself?

No.

It's so much nicer working next to someone else.

You understand.

Nice shot.

Damn!

You think I'm stupid, too, hmm?

I... don't know what you're talking about.

I don't need your charity.

Next time, you either play your best game or you don't play.

He can't do this.

I have an exclusive contract.

I want him arrested.

Who are you talking about?

Martus, that listener.

What's he done?

Just look.

Welcome, friends.

Welcome, welcome.

Welcome to Club Martus.

I have a contract for which I paid considerably.

All gambling at DS9 happens at Quark's, or it doesn't happen.

A few bribes to the Cardassians when they ran this place doesn't constitute a contract.

Not in the eyes of the Federation.

He's a con artist, a crook.

One more won't make much difference.

Need I remind you that without me the other merchants would have abandoned this station after the occupation.

You owe me!

You begged me to stay here when you first came on board and I did, against my better judgment.

I didn't beg. I blackmailed you.

And don't pretend it hasn't paid off for you either.

It's paid off fine until now.

Martus is cutting into my profits.

I want him stopped, before it gets any worse.

Too late for that, my brother.

What's the meaning of this?

I've promised your underpaid sibling a one-quarter partnership in my establishment.

Make me a better offer.

A... a bidding war, over you?

Ha, don't make me laugh.

( nervous laughter )

Careful, Martus.

He shaves the latinum.

I do not.

Not much.

( laughter and conversation )

Martus?

I've just received word the Vlugtan government has accepted my bid.

Well, that's wonderful.

( sighs )

What's wrong?

They won't finalize the transaction until I commission a study on the effects of asteroid mining on inner-system navigation.

All my money is committed to the bid.

I can't afford the study and I only have a week to get it done.

How much do you need?

10,000 isiks.

10,000 isiks?

It won't be easy to raise that kind of money.

I know, I know.

I hope I can find an investor in time.

I might know someone.

But what kind of return can they expect on their investment?

Well, once I began mining, I'd pay back ten times 10,000.

Don't worry, Alsia.

I'll do everything in my power to keep your dream alive.

Oh, Martus.

I don't know how to thank you.

Is there some problem, Rom?

Not with this batch but with my brother around you can never be too careful.

You mean to say he'd poison the canapés?

Maybe not poison but a small intestinal bug?

I wouldn't put it past him.

Oh, don't worry about Quark.

I've had the most astonishing run of luck lately.

I'm beginning to think I can do no wrong.

Neatness counts.

Never think it doesn't.

A toast... to the Queen of the Promenade.

A woman whose business acumen is matched only by her beauty and charm.

Have I missed anything?

To you... my treasure.

Are you as pleased as I am?

What do you think?

I think we make quite a good team.

Perhaps we should consider formalizing our relationship.

Are you proposing to me?

What do you think?

Oh, it's beautiful.

You deserve nothing less.

( electronic beeping and whirring )

And these are wonderful.

Where did you find them?

I had them replicated from a hand-held version a friend gave me.

I've never seen anything like them.

No one has.

All right. Is this everything you'll need for the lab?

I think so.

( console beeping )

I don't believe it.

Believe what?

I've had the computer looking for this program for weeks.

It was buried somewhere in the deep code level right before the Cardassians left.

Huh. How did you find it?

I'm not sure. It's more like it found me.

Just lucky, I guess.

I am so sorry.

What happened?

Well, you served. I returned low.

You slipped on the ball.

I slipped on a ball?

Stepped right on it, mid-flight.

Never seen anything like it.

( scoffs )

Easy now, let me check you out.

I'm fine. Serve.

MAN: Dr. Bashir, report to the Infirmary.

I'm sorry, Chief. I have to go.

I'll get you next time, okay?

Look, about that...

It's just that... I guess I don't enjoy this game as much as I used to.

I hope you don't mind.

I'm sure you'll find another opponent.

Where is everybody?

My friendly competitor's place.

A listener.

So what?

So he listens.

I can listen.

I can listen as well as anyone.

What happened?

I fell down.

See? I'm listening.

Nothing to it.

How did you fall down?

Playing racquetball with Bashir.

Where?

At the court. Where do you think?

What was the score?

Who cares?

I care. I'm listening.

Tell me your problems. All of them.

I've got no problems a good drop shot wouldn't cure.

He beat you.

Only by half a step, that's all.

He's got a few years on me, so what?

I've got more experience.

The aging champion...

I've got spin shots he's never seen.

...versus the daring challenger.

So I had a few bad breaks, huh?

One more game, that's all I needed.

Come one, come all...

I could have kicked him all over the court and he knows it, too.

Welcome to Quark's.

Thanks.

Don't mention it.

Quark's House of Champions.

Damn!

Something wrong, Major?

My terminal just self-destructed.

What?

I lost an evaluation report

I've been working on for weeks.

Even the backups?

Even the backups.

Funny. I've been hearing a lot of bad luck stories in the last few hours.

Doctor Bashir tells me the Infirmary is full of minor accidents.

People slipping and falling walking through turbolift doors before they open-- that kind of thing.

Well, I've had a great day so don't try sending your misfortunes my way.

Come on, you make your own luck.

We all know that.

( crash, groan )

( excited yelling )

They all hit the jackpot at once?

Is there any way I can blame this on you?

I don't think so.

No, I suppose not.

All right. Pay them all off.

Challenge of the Galaxy.

Match of the Century.

Wonder of the Wormhole.

House always takes blue.

If it's action you want, you've come to the right place.

Excitement? We've got it all.

Thrills and spills. Victory and defeat.

Look no further, we've got it all.

And here he is-- the reigning champion of Starfleet-- a legend on both sides of the wormhole.

Ladies and gentlemen

Miles "The Mechanic" O'Brien.

What's this all about?

I got an emergency call.

Well, so did I but I don't see any emergency.

And the challenger.

He's fast, he's deadly, he's Julian Bashir.

They call him "The Doctor."

The grudge match of the galaxy.

Get down here.

And all for a worthy cause.

Yes, these noble competitors have insisted that I donate half the house's winnings to the Bajoran Fund for Orphans.

Orphans?

( appreciative murmuring )

QUARK: The Mechanic versus The Doctor.

Tomorrow, 1200 hours.

Only one will emerge victorious, so place your bets and in the meantime, the tables are open.

This is outrageous.

We haven't agreed to anything.

As your exclusive promoter

I have the right to arrange matches as I see fit.

Exclusive promoter?

Just sign here.

Forget it, Quark.

I understand how you feel but... think of the children.

The monks have already made a down payment on new blankets for the winter.

( sighing ): Ah, well, I'm sure the little ones can huddle together for warmth.

Looks like you're going to get that rematch after all.

I don't believe it.

The program I found-- it disappeared.

Have you checked the deep code level?

No luck.

It's funny.

It's like the computer brought that program up at random and then just swallowed it up again.

SISKO: Major, you're all right.

Not even a sprain, which is more than I can say for everybody else in the Infirmary.

Still crowded?

Yeah, and Doctor Bashir tells me it's a whole new batch.

More minor accidents? Dozens of them.

Could there be a connection between the accidents and the increase in the system failures?

I didn't get hurt by a system failure. I tripped and fell.

Just coincidence, that's all.

There must be a logical explanation for all this.

Maybe a virus or some kind of spatial disruption.

It would have to be something that would affect both people and machinery. Get on it.

I always had smaller lobes than the rest of the boys.

They used to tease me about it.

Quark was the worst.

He told everyone I was adopted.

I just don't understand. Things were going so well.

On my Naming Day, Quark substituted old vegetables for my presents.

Then he sold the presents for more than our father had paid...

I couldn't care less about your trivial childhood!

We've been virtually abandoned and I want to know why.

A bad streak-- it happens.

Not to me, it doesn't.

I require the comfort of a compassionate soul.

( sighs )

Don't think I didn't see through you right from the start.

( nervous laughter )

It's a joke. Really.

Well, in case you've forgotten, I still hold the lease on this place.

I want you out of here by tomorrow and take those damn things with you.

But... but... but...

But, treasure.

Oh, I knew no good would come of this.

I never should have left Quark.

What's going to happen now?

I'm not sure.

But I have an idea.

The profits from the club.

I believe it comes to just about 10,000 isiks.

Oh, Martus, you don't know what this means to me.

I know what it means to me-- ten times as much in return.

You won't regret this.

You'll see. We'll both be rich.

( beeping fades down )

You can beat his backhand.

Keep the ball low and to his left.

Corner return on the serve.

Then kill shot left.

If he returns again high back wall.

And remember...

Win or lose, tonight we celebrate.

Miles, wait.

A silk handkerchief medieval Japanese design... scented with my perfume.

Kick his butt.

Doctor, I brought you something.

A token of thanks from the monks to show you how much they appreciate your participation in their little fund-raiser.

Oh, thanks. Put it over there.

Um, aren't you going to try some?

What is it?

The monks tell me it's a medicinal brew-- an ancient secret of their order.

It's supposed to impart great energy and vigor.

Just the kind of thing to have before an athletic competition.

But... you're a man of science.

You probably don't believe in folk medicine.

Actually, you'd be surprised just how often traditional medicine turns out to have genuine value.

Did they say what was in this stuff?

They didn't exactly but I'm sure it's all completely natural.

Oh, the monks said you should drink the whole thing in one gulp in order to get the proper effect.

Did they?

What are you doing?

Just curious about its contents.

Uh... what about your exercises?

This won't take a second.

Oh, why bother?

Don't you trust the monks?

Ah, water, sucrose, dextrose tribnel root extract grain particulates, yeast, synthehol... and 17 milligrams of hyvroxilated quint-ethyl metacetamine.

Like I said, all natural.

It's an anesthetic, Quark.

If I drank that, I'd hardly be able to stand let alone play racquetball.

You were trying to fix the match, weren't you?

Would I do that?

If you had enough latinum bet on Chief O'Brien, you would.

No one's betting on Chief O'Brien.

All the money's on you.

If you win, there won't be any profits.

And if there aren't any profits

I can't donate anything to the monks.

No donations, no winter blankets for the children.

But... if you lose then the house would win and the monks would get their blankets.

Are you suggesting that I throw the match?

For the children.

Forget it, Quark.

But the blankets...

Will be provided by you one way or another.

And if the monks don't get their blankets

Chief O'Brien and I will be very upset.

Do I make myself clear?

Perfectly.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a match to play.

Kira said you've found something.

Oh, I found something, all right.

I just don't know what it means.

Look at this.

Solar neutrinos.

Notice anything unusual?

KIRA: There are a lot of them?

The spin.

Given the laws of probability, from any point of view about half of them should be spinning clockwise and the other half counterclockwise.

But over 80% of them are spinning clockwise.

You're saying people are having accidents because of the way the neutrinos are spinning?

No, but I think it's a symptom of the same problem.

The neutrinos outside the station are normal but inside the station something very strange is going on.

Have a good game, Julian.

You, too.

First point, O'Brien, breaking the serve and so it begins.

2-0, O'Brien.

Not a rousing start for The Doctor.

Where is she?

Who?

Alsia. She was supposed to meet me here to tell me how the bid went.

I still don't think it's fair you investing my money without asking.

Your money?

You promised me one-quarter of the profits but then you gave her everything we earned.

I promised you one-quarter of the profits after expenses.

Expenses? What expenses?

Operating costs, overhead, recapitalization.

Ooh, that does it.

Where are you going?

Back to Quark.

At least then I'll get cheated by family.

Let's get out of here.

Ooh, another bad break for Bashir.

9-3, O'Brien.

Quark, I'm cutting the transmission.

What? You can't.

Watch me.

( crowd complains )

Ladies and gentlemen the players have called a three-minute break.

Betting is reopened.

Three minutes, three minutes only.

Why did you do that?

Something's wrong here.

With me, maybe but you're having a great game.

Yeah, the best I've played my entire life.

I'm making shots I couldn't have made 15 years ago when I was playing five hours a day, every day.

I can't miss.

And I can't hit the broadside of a Plygorian mammoth.

Try throwing the ball against the wall.

It should have come straight back to me.

You try.

O'Brien to Ops.

( ball thwacking off walls )

It goes right into his hand every single time.

I must have done it a dozen times by now and I haven't missed yet.

Nobody could be that lucky. It's impossible.

Not impossible, just extremely improbable.

Improbable?

Like the neutrinos on the station spinning the same way or a few dozen people having minor accidents at the same instant or a system failing just at the wrong time.

Exactly.

Someone or something on this station is distorting the laws of probability.

Changing them so incredibly unlikely things can happen on a regular basis.

How can we find out what's causing it?

I think I know a way.

98% of the neutrinos in this room are rotating clockwise.

The games are open.

We're not here to play. Dax?

100% clockwise.

It's these machines.

What, my gambling machines?

What's wrong with them?

Somehow, these machines are altering the laws of probability all over the station.

So, that's what he meant.

Who?

The alien who gave me the original.

He said it all came down to luck.

That must be how it works.

When you win, it makes you lucky.

When you lose...

DAX: But these machines are affecting everyone on the station whether they're playing them or not.

Impossible. You must be mistaken.

Wait a minute.

You said there was an original machine?

Yes, a smaller one.

When I opened the club, I replicated these larger ver...

Larger versions.

So, how do you turn them off?

I'm not completely sure.

Then how did you turn them on in the first place?

I didn't... exactly.

I just told the replicator to scan the original and make copies.

I think they have some kind of internal power source.

Lieutenant.

Wait, wait, wait! What are you doing?

Now, as for you...

You can't possibly blame me for this, Commander.

Oh, I'd like to.

Unfortunately, I don't have anything I can charge you with.

Fortunately, I do.

That elderly Pythron couple you "assisted" has had a change of heart.

They've decided to press charges after all.

Alsia!

I knew you'd come to get me out.

Inside.

What's the meaning of this?

Ask him.

Your lady friend here just tried to scam me.

Scam?

Asteroid mining.

To think anyone would be foolish enough to be taken in by that old trick.

But don't worry, Martus, I've come to get you out.

In return for what?

Nothing. Pure generosity.

Huh!

You're enjoying this, aren't you?

Oh, taken in by one of your own victims and no one to turn to but me?

( laughing )

I can't remember when I've been so entertained.

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.

Now, how about giving me 2,000 isiks to book passage out of here?

You want me to give you money?

Ridiculous.

Of all the ungrateful arrogance.

Unless you want me to stay here on the station.

All right.

I'll loan you 500 isiks.

You can book passage on a cargo ship.

1,500. After all, I do have expenses.

600.

1,200. I still have my dignity.

Dignity and an empty sack is worth the sack--

Rule of Acquisition Number 109.

All right.

800.

Go on.

I'm listening.