Home > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

The Search: Part 1

NARRATOR: Last time on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...

If you could do any science project you wanted to, anything at all...

Visit the Gamma Quadrant?

We've never heard of the Jem'Hadar.

Then you've been fortunate.

Negotiations with the Dominion can be a dangerous thing.

( yells )

The Dominion will no longer stand by and allow ships from your side to violate our territory.

KEOGH: Starfleet's orders are simple.

Traffic through the wormhole will be suspended until the Odyssey can investigate the Jem'Hadar's threat.

What about Benjamin and the others?

Don't worry, Lieutenant.

Commander Sisko's return is a top priority.

If you're going to try to rescue them then we're coming with you.

( roaring )

( yelling )

Here they come.

Major, one of the Jem'Hadar ships is making a direct run at the Odyssey.

The Jem'Hadar wanted us to escape, didn't they?

You have no idea what's begun here.

She'll be back.

The question is who she'll bring with her.

If the Dominion comes through the wormhole the first battle will be fought here and I intend to be ready for them.

And now, the continuation.

( sighs )

We're in trouble, people.

We've run seven simulations and they all come out the same.

The Jem'Hadar overwhelm our defenses and board the station within two hours.

Two hours doesn't even give us time to get reinforcements from Bajor.

There must be something we overlooked.

Major, I'm the last one to say it's hopeless but given DS9's structural limitations our available power supply and the difficulty of defending a stationary target against a heavily armed mobile force

I'd say two hours is optimistic.

Well, regardless of the time the casualties would be appalling.

All right, let's say we let them board the station.

That still doesn't mean we have to surrender.

What are you suggesting?

We can, uh... we can hide in the conduits, set up booby traps prepare ambushes... try and hold out until we can get reinforcements.

We can try, but I don't think there'd be much of a station left by the time they got here.

That leaves us with two options-- abandon the station and make a stand on Bajor.

Or... collapse the entrance to the wormhole.

No, I want a third alternative.

I cannot believe that we can't...

( console beeping demandingly)

Some kind of large subspace surge has just activated our security sensors.

Where is it?

Bearing 148 mark 215.

Distance 300 meters.

300 meters?

That's almost inside our shield perimeter.

From the intensity in the harmonic signature it could be a cloaked ship, but I've never seen an energy dispersal pattern like this.

It's too close for comfort, whatever it is.

Red Alert.

Raise shields.

Energize phaser banks.

Stand by to lock photon torpedoes.

The energy signature's fluctuating.

It's de-cloaking.

It's definitely a Federation starship, but I've never seen that design before.

A Federation ship with a cloaking device?

It's hailing us.

On screen.

Hello, Major.

Sorry to startle you, but I wanted to test the Defiant's cloaking device.

The Defiant?

I've brought back a little surprise for the Dominion.

Officially, it's classified as an escort vessel.

Unofficially, the Defiant's a warship-- nothing more, nothing less.

I thought Starfleet didn't believe in warships.

Desperate times breed desperate measures, Major.

Five years ago, Starfleet began exploring the possibility of building a new class of starship.

This ship would have no families, no science labs no luxuries of any kind.

It was designed for one purpose only-- to fight and defeat the Borg.

The Defiant was a prototype.

The first ship in what would have been a new Federation battle fleet.

So what happened?

The Borg threat became less urgent.

Also, some design flaws cropped up during the ship's shakedown cruise so Starfleet decided to abandon the project.

What sort of design flaws?

You'll have complete access to the ship evaluation reports, but to put it simply, it's overgunned and overpowered for a ship its size.

During battle drills, it nearly tore itself apart when the engines were tested at full capacity.

And this is the ship that Starfleet sends us to fight off an attack by the Dominion?

We're not going to fight the Dominion, Major at least, not yet anyway.

Our mission is to take the Defiant into the Gamma Quadrant and try to find the leaders of the Dominion, the Founders.

We have to convince them that the Federation does not represent a threat to them.

What if they don't believe us?

That's why I asked for the Defiant.

She may have flaws, but she has teeth, and I want the Dominion to know that we can and will defend ourselves, if necessary.

( door opens )

I've posted two security officers at the Defiant's docking port, sir.

No one will get near the cloaking device without us knowing about it.

ODO: I wasn't informed about any special security arrangements.

The security arrangements were by my request to protect the cloaking device.

A few introductions are in order.

This is Subcommander T'Rul from the Romulan Empire.

She's here to operate the cloaking device which her government so kindly loaned us for this mission.

Romulan interests will be served through cooperation, and my role is to keep unauthorized personnel away from the cloaking device.

May I present my officers.

This is Major Ki...

Thank you, but I know their names and I'm not here to make friends.

( door opens, closes )

Charming.

Well, I am here to make friends.

I'm Lieutenant Commander Michael Eddington

Starfleet Security.

Major Kira Nerys.

Odo, Head of Station Security.

May I ask what your function is here, Commander?

SISKO: There will be a complete mission briefing at 1800 hours, but be prepared to depart the station at 0700 tomorrow morning.

Dismissed.

You needn't brace yourself to give me unpleasant news, Commander.

I'll save you the trouble.

I've been relieved as Chief of Security.

( sighs )

Odo, wait!

You've not been relieved.

You're still in charge of all non-Starfleet security matters aboard this station.

And what about matters that are Starfleet?

In those areas, you coordinate your efforts with Commander Eddington.

"Coordinate" is another way of saying

I'll report to him.

I'm sorry, Odo.

This wasn't my idea.

I'm sure it wasn't.

You were just following orders.

An order I strongly disagreed with.

I did everything I could to fight this.

I even took it to the Chief of Starfleet Security herself, but the decision was final.

May I ask why?

There were some concerns about several recent security breaches.

( exhales sharply )

If I was given the authority I asked for instead of being tied to Starfleet regulations there wouldn't have been any security breaches.

Odo, your resistance to following Starfleet regulations

is part of the problem.

Well, I think there might be a simpler explanation, Commander.

I think Starfleet decided to bring in someone they could trust-- someone besides "the shape-shifter."

This is not a racial issue, Odo.

I understand how you must feel, and I...

Commander.

I don't require your understanding.

My resignation will be logged within the hour.

Hey, hey, hey--

I thought you were unpacking.

I am. I mean, I was.

But I just kept looking at the replicator and...

And you just had to have some I'danian spice pudding.

You know, I still can't believe

I couldn't get a decent bowl back on Earth.

That didn't stop you from ordering it at every replicator you saw.

So... is it good to be home?

Yeah.

I can't wait to sleep in my own bed again.

Whew.

I wonder when that happened. What?

When did I start thinking of this Cardassian monstrosity as home?

I think it happened... last Thursday.

Around 1700 hours-- when you took all of this stuff out of storage back on Earth.

I... Careful...

That's a 2,000-year-old Yoruba mask, and that "stuff" is one of the finest collections of ancient African art...

You'll ever see. I know.

And I also know how much it means to you.

But, to me, this will always be the stuff in your library... at home.

When you took it out of storage so you could bring it here it meant that Earth wasn't home anymore.

This was.

SISKO: So... what do you think?

Perfect.

Odo.

There you are.

I just finished talking to the provisional government, and they want you to go with us to the Gamma Quadrant tomorrow to act as an official Bajoran representative.

I'm no diplomat. I know.

That's why they want you to go.

If we do locate the Founders we're going to need more than diplomacy.

We're going to need to size them up see what kind of threat they pose to Bajor, analyze...

You're the military expert, Major, not me.

And I doubt that the provisional government contacted you and asked for my presence on this mission.

If I'm not mistaken this is a misguided attempt to make me feel better.

Maybe it is.

Maybe I'm your friend.

And maybe I want you to see that you are still needed here... no matter what some idiot Starfleet admiral might think.

The Defiant leaves at 700 hours.

I'm a little confused, Commander.

You want me to go with you to the Gamma Quadrant to help you locate the Founders.

See? It's not so confusing after all.

You're joking with me, aren't you?

Having a little fun with Quark.

I'm quite serious.

You can't be.

I'm not a diplomat or an explorer or a tactical officer or whatever else you might need on this trip.

Now, if you need a caterer, I'd be happy to loan you a new replicator that I just got...

Eight months ago you helped the Nagus establish a trade agreement with the Karemma, uh-- tulaberry wine, I believe.

The Karemma are part of the Dominion.

A minor part-- a very minor part.

They might still be able to help us make contact with the Founders.

Since you're experienced in dealing with the Karemma, it seems to me that you're the logical person...

Actually, my brother Rom did most of the talking.

I think he'd be better suited for this mission.

Not Rom-- you.

But why?

Rom only has a son to think about.

I have a business.

You.

I'm sorry, Commander, but I must refuse.

My last experience with the Jem'Hadar was not a pleasant one and I have no intention of repeating it.

Now, there's no way you can legally force me to do this.

( thump )

The scepter of the Grand Nagus.

I had a chance to discuss this mission with him on my way back from Earth.

He seemed to agree with me.

Unless peaceful contact can be established with the Founders business opportunities in the Gamma Quadrant might suddenly dry up.

He also agreed with me that you are the perfect man to help me.

I don't believe it.

Which is why he sent this along.

He thought it might convince you of the high value he holds for the success of this mission.

Now... are you going to defy the wishes of the Grand Nagus himself?

No, no... of course not.

I'm happy to serve the Nagus any way I can.

Thanks, Quark.

I knew I could count on you.

Yeah.

Quark?

Aren't you forgetting something?

Oh.

( door opens, closes )

I just thought you'd like to know.

The Defiant will be ready at 0700 hours.

Did it pass the Chief's inspection?

Does anything?

His maintenance list is as long as this table.

But he did say it will take us where we're going.

And back, I hope.

Well, he said that was up to you.

I'd never have volunteered for this mission if I didn't think we had a chance of coming back.

How many times did Curzon tell you never volunteer for anything?

As I recall, Curzon broke that rule a few times himself.

And regretted it every time.

This is different.

I'd be regretting it even more if we just waited around for an invasion.

If I know Starfleet, they must have run at least 200 probability studies on this mission of ours.

So what are the odds of us succeeding?

Slim.

But better odds than fighting off a Jem'Hadar assault on this station.

And if the station falls, then Bajor falls and I will not let that happen.

You know, after Jennifer died

I never thought I would see you this passionate about something again.

Two months ago, I would have agreed with you.

Then I went back to Earth and I spent all those weeks debriefing at Starfleet Headquarters.

And I...

I used to get a thrill just walking into that building.

I'd look around at the admirals and think, "One day, that's going to be me.

"One day, I'm the one that's going to be making the big decisions."

Curzon always thought that was very funny.

Did he?

What I mean is he could never see a set of admiral stars on your collar.

He thought that just making the decisions would never satisfy you.

You had to implement them-- see the results, face the consequences.

Curzon always thought you were the kind of man who had to be in the thick of things-- not behind some desk at Headquarters.

He was a smart old man, wasn't he?

He'd like to think so.

You'd better get a good night's sleep.

I was just about to say the same thing to you.

I'll see you in the morning, Benjamin.

BASHIR: The medical database is practically nonexistent.

I've downloaded as many of my files from the station as I can but this ship simply wasn't designed to handle many casualties.

Do the best you can, and let's hope we don't have to put your new database to a test.

Yes, sir.

Quark's settling into his quarters and asked me to relay to you his profound disappointment in the accommodations, and to inform you that he could get you in touch with several reputable interior decorators for a modest fee.

I'll take his offer under advisement.

Stand by to get underway.

Tactical and communications are ready, sir.

Navigation and operations, ready.

Weapons ready.

Impulse engines on-line.

Warp power available at your command.

Very well.

Seal the airlock, release docking clamps, aft...

O'BRIEN: Just a moment, sir.

There's someone in the airlock.

It's Odo.

Sisko to Odo.

Is there a problem, Constable?

No, Commander. I would like permission to come aboard.

I'm here at the request of the Bajoran government.

Permission granted.

Thank you, sir.

Dax, we'll have to arrange some quarters for the Constable.

I'll do it, sir.

I need to go down to what is laughingly called the Sick Bay.

Thank you, Doctor.

O'BRIEN: Odo's aboard, sir.

The airlock's clear.

Release docking clamps.

Aft thrusters at one quarter.

Port and starboard at station keeping.

We've cleared the station.

Lay in a course to the wormhole.

I want to cloak as soon as we reach the Gamma Quadrant.

Understood.

Course laid in, sir.

Engage.

The cloaking device is operating within normal parameters.

Set course for the Karemma system.

Warp 7.

DAX: Aye, sir.

Engage.

QUARK: Odo!

( groans )

( sighs in exasperation )

Is this the best you can do?

I'm afraid so.

Most of the crew quarters don't have life supports yet.

Besides, I think we'd all feel a bit better with someone here to watch over Quark.

I take that as a personal insult, Doctor.

You should.

Now, I think I'll let you two bunkmates get more comfortable.

Am I glad to see you.

I have been stuck down here in this miserable hole ever since I came on board.

Bunk beds!

No view.

And I can't tell you what came out of that replicator when I asked for synthehol.

So... what's your role in this little adventure?

Providing security, no doubt.

Well, of course you are.

I mean, why else would you be here?

I can tell you, I feel much safer now just knowing you're along because I know...

I have been holding this shape for 16 hours.

I have to revert back to my liquid state but I don't want you to watch and gawk at me!

I understand, completely.

This is a very private moment and I won't interfere.

This won't be so bad...

( roars )

I have no interest in speaking to you or in listening to your witless prattle!

So stay out of my way or you'll regret the day you ever met me!

Commander, long-range sensors have picked up two Jem'Hadar warships directly ahead.

They're heading this way at warp 5.

How close will they pass us?

100,000 kilometers.

That's well within range of their weapons, Commander.

Should I alter course?

No, we need to know if they can see through the cloaking device and this is as good a time as any.

Maintain course and speed.

Red Alert.

Aye, sir.

Here they come.

They'll pass us in five seconds.

On screen.

Track them.

O'BRIEN: They're continuing on their original heading.

No indication that they saw us.

( console beeping )

Wait a minute.

They're changing course.

Heading this way.

They must have seen us.

They're powering their weapon systems.

Prepare to de-cloak, lock phasers on the lead ship...

No! We may not have been detected.

Explain.

A cloaked ship radiates a slight subspace variance at warp speeds.

I never heard that.

It's not something we've been eager to reveal.

I suggest dropping out of warp.

That will eliminate the variance.

When they reach our position they'll find nothing.

Do it.

All stop.

Commander, they're sweeping the area with some kind of an anti-proton scan and they're being very thorough about it.

Will an anti-proton scan penetrate the cloak?

O'BRIEN: That's a good question.

I'm not sure.

( console beeps )

They're getting closer.

O'BRIEN: Commander.

The Defiant's power signature is unusually high for a ship this size.

The cloaking device may not be masking everything.

Cut main power.

The other one has broken off its search.

It's headed this way.

Stand by weapons and shields.

They've gone into warp... and resumed their original course.

The first thing to go right in the Gamma Quadrant in a long time.

Let's hope it's not the last.

SISKO: Ship's Log, Stardate 48212.4.

We have arrived at the Karemma home world

and opened talks with one of Quark's business partners

in an effort to contact the Founders of the Dominion.

The Grand Nagus himself has sent me as an emissary on his behalf.

If you aid us in our mission

I'm authorized to increase our purchase of tulaberry wine to the Karemma by three percent.

Hmm, looks like a polyduranium alloy blend.

Interesting, but the metal has no real value.

A three percent increase is negligible.

I have considerable leeway to bargain in this circumstance.

Name your terms.

Nothing, nothing, nothing.

The terms are not the issue.

I cannot help you locate the Founders because I do not know who they are or if they even exist.

Nothing.

Ah, here's something interesting.

Appears to be diamide-laced beritium.

I'll give you 52 diraks for it.

Done.

SISKO: Quark.

I mean, one bargain at a time, Ornithar.

We were talking about the Founders.

There is nothing further to say.

If the Founders exist they clearly do not wish to be contacted and that is good enough for me.

Who's your contact in the Dominion regarding administration, trade, defense?

Our only contact with the Dominion has been through the Vorta.

I have no idea who they report to.

All I know is that the Vorta say to do something and you do it.

Why?

Because if you do not, they will send in the Jem'Hadar... and then you die.

Will you put us in contact with the Vorta?

Commander, we do only as we are told, nothing more.

And so far, we have not been told to help you in any way.

You haven't been told not to, either.

No, but I prefer to err on the side of caution.

In this case, being cautious will cost you a substantial profit.

The Ferengi will cease purchasing tulaberry wine immediately.

If you lost such a valuable contract with the Alpha Quadrant it might displease the Vorta.

They may even send the Jem'Hadar to find out what happened.

I will need to access one of our computers on the surface.

( beeping )

This is the Callinon system.

The Dominion maintains an unmanned subspace relay on the seventh planet.

We have been told by the Vorta to direct all communications there.

Where the messages are sent after that is not our concern.

What is that?

It is the Omarion Nebula.

The Omarion Nebula...

If there is nothing else, I would like to leave now.

Of course.

Uh, Commander, I believe

I fulfilled my role in this mission so if you don't mind...

You want to stay behind?

That was our agreement.

How can you be sure he won't turn you over to the Dominion as soon as we leave?

He may serve the Dominion, but I'm the one lining his pockets with latinum.

I'll book passage on the next ship going through the wormhole and, uh, I'll make a profit in the process.

All right, Quark.

Good luck.

Same to you, Commander.

Lay in a course for the Callinon system.

DAX: Aye, sir.

( door chimes )

Come in.

Did I wake you?

Not quite.

What can I do for you, Major?

It's about Odo.

( sighs )

You're worried about him.

Is it that obvious?

No, I'm worried about him, too.

But, at the moment, I don't know what to do about it.

Can I speak freely?

What the hell is wrong with Starfleet?!

How could they do this to him?

This has been a long time coming, Major.

Starfleet has never been happy with the Constable.

They've been pressing me to replace him for the last two years.

Because he worked for the Cardassians.

No, it goes deeper than that.

Odo is not what you'd call a team player.

Why? Because sometimes he doesn't go through the proper channels?

Well, that's a start.

You know Odo.

He enjoys thumbing his nose at authority.

He files reports when he feels like it.

His respect for the chain of command is minimal.

He gets the job done.

Starfleet likes team players.

Starfleet likes the chain of command and, frankly, so do I.

So you agree with their decision?

No, but I understand it.

And when this mission is over, you're just going to let him go?

Look, Major, I want him to stay as much as you do, but he has to want to stay.

T'RUL: Bridge to Commander Sisko.

We've reached the Callinon system.

On my way.

SISKO: Ship's Log, supplemental.

The Defiant has cloaked

and assumed standard orbit around Callinon VII.

I plan to send Dax and O'Brien

down to survey the relay station on the surface.

According to our sensor sweeps it looks like Ornithar was telling the truth when he said the relay station was unmanned.

It also appears there are very few security measures in place.

Nothing fancy.

Get in, find what we need and get out.

Understood.

On your way.

The transporter will need six seconds to beam them down.

I want to de-cloak for exactly six seconds.

Dax to Bridge.

We're ready, Benjamin.

All right.

Disengage cloak.

Energize.

They're on the surface.

Were we scanned during transport?

I don't think so.

Dax to Defiant.

Go ahead, Dax.

We're in what seems to be the central computer room.

The user interface is a little unusual but I think we can access it.

SISKO: Keep us posted.

I'm into the main directory.

That was fast.

Yes, it was.

A bit too fast, if you ask me.

Any indication that we've tripped some kind of security protocol?

No, I still have access to everything.

Then let's get the information and get out of here.

That's fine with me.

( gasps )

I've should have taken Quark up on his offer for a new replicator.

Sir?

Nothing.

Let's make good use of this time, Major.

Begin running a level-3 diagnostic...

Dax to Defiant.

I think we have something, Benjamin.

We've accessed a communications log of outgoing transmissions.

From the way I read this, sir it looks like 80% of all outgoing traffic is sent to one location.

It's my guess it's either another relay station or a command center.

SISKO: Do you have the coordinates?

I'm sending them to you now.

( alarm blaring )

( powering down )

We've lost contact with them.

Get them out of there!

I can't.

Some kind of shield has appeared around the outpost.

I can't get through it.

( alarm sounding )

We're picking up three Jem'Hadar ships, Commander heading this way.

Can we punch through the security shield with our phasers before the ships get here?

I'm not sure.

I've never seen this kind of field before.

T'RUL: In order to use the phasers we will have to de-cloak.

That means, we'll be seen by the Jem'Hadar.

Well, we've got to do something.

We can't just leave them there.

That's exactly what we should do, Doctor.

Leave them.

We came here to locate the Founders.

Not to fight the Jem'Hadar over two expendable crew members.

No one is expendable.

KIRA: The Jem'Hadar have entered the system.

They'll be in orbit in 30 seconds.

Prepare to leave orbit, Major.

Commander...

As you were, Doctor.

Lay in a course to the coordinates Dax sent us.

Course laid in.

Warp 7. Engage.

( sighs )

What do you think will happen to Dax and O'Brien?

They'll probably be held for interrogation.

If I know Dax, she'll use the opportunity to try to contact the Founders, and I intend to do the same.

Sisko to Odo. Report to the Bridge, Constable.

I want to discuss the security arrangements for our...

ODO: I'm presently indisposed, Commander.

Please find someone else for the job.

That doesn't sound like Odo.

No, it doesn't.

I'd better have a talk with him.

Uh, let me, sir.

I think he'll listen to me.

Three Jem'Hadar ships have just entered sensor range.

Bearing 037 mark 215.

Is there any sign they've detected us?

Negative.

Bring us out of warp and then cut main power.

We'll wait here until they pass.

( door chimes )

( door chimes )

Odo, it's time we had a talk.

I'm not going to the Bridge, so you can save your breath.

And I'd appreciate being left alone right now.

Well, you tried being alone and it hasn't done any good.

So maybe it's time to stop brooding and start talking.

Are you the ship's counselor now?

No... I'm your friend.

You know, the one who comes to you when she needs help.

I'm just trying to return the favor.

Well, you can return the favor by giving me a shuttlecraft and letting me go.

Go? Go where?

We're in the heart of the Dominion.

Where the hell do you think you're gonna go?

The Omarion Nebula.

Why?

I'm not sure why.

I just know I have to, that's all.

Y-You... you're going to have to do a lot better than that.

Odo... talk to me.

Tell me what's going on.

Ever since we've come into the Gamma Quadrant...

I've had this feeling... of being drawn somewhere pulled by some instinct to a specific place-- the Omarion Nebula.

Why there?

( snorts )

I don't know.

All right.

Once we've contacted the Founders

I'm sure Commander Sisko...

No!

Not after we've contacted the Founders-- now!

I have to leave now!

Look, I understand this is important to you but we have a mission to...

( explosion )

Direct hit on the port nacelle!

How did they see through the cloaking device?

They might have analyzed the sensor information on the anti-proton scan and found a way to penetrate the cloak.

We'll have to save the speculation for later.

Disengage the cloak, raise the shields and fire on my command!

Communications and long-range sensors are out!

What's the status of the warp drive?

The starboard power coupling is destroyed!

I'm trying to reroute main power!

( yelling )

He's gone!

I'll take the helm!

Locking onto the lead ship!

Ready? Ready!

Fire!

The other two are moving out of phaser range.

They're coming back for another pass.

They're moving a little slower now.

They'll be more cautious this time.

Doctor, use evasive pattern delta-5.

We need to keep them off balance until we get warp power back.

Aye, sir.

Are you all right?

Just a few bruises.

Kira to Bridge.

Kira to Bridge!

We have to get up there.

T'Rul, where's my warp power?

I can't get the phase inducers to align with the ODN matrixes!

Commander, three more Jem'Hadar warships approaching off the port bow!

Full impulse! Get us out of here!

We've lost main power.

We've got to get to a shuttle.

Our duty is to get to the Bridge and help defend the ship.

If main power is out then the shields are out, Kira.

The ship is defenseless!

( grunts )

Main power is off-line!

The shields have collapsed!

I've lost helm control.

Inertial dampers failing.

Ready escape pods.

Prepare to abandon ship.

( growling )

( growling )

( grunting )

( ship controls beeping quietly )

Where am I?

You're in a shuttlecraft.

You were wounded.

Try not to move around.

Odo, what happened?

We were under attack.

The ship was boarded.

You were wounded in the attack.

I managed to get us to the shuttlecraft but I don't know much more than that.

The last time I saw the Defiant she was dead in space and surrounded by Jem'Hadar ships.

Sisko? Bashir?

I don't know.

Where are we?

We're approaching the Omarion Nebula.

You should have taken us back to the wormhole.

You didn't object at the time.

I was unconscious.

You found anything?

( sighs )

That's a Class-M planet.

No star system.

A rogue planet?

Yes.

( liquid lapping )

Welcome home.