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Shakaar

Got you this time, Chief.

( sighs )

Sorry, Commander.

Don't apologize.

That just makes it worse.

I guess I'm just in the zone today.

"In the zone"?

The feeling that I can't lose-- that I can put the dart exactly where I want it.

You know the feeling.

Not today.

Dax to Sisko.

Go ahead.

Benjamin, there's a priority message for you from the Bajoran Provisional Government.

On my way.

Hmm.

Fortunately, duty calls.

( chuckles )

You'll have to find yourself another victim.

Doctor.

Commander, um, is Chief O'Brien in here?

He's back there... "in the zone."

Raka-ja ut shala morala

ema bo roo kana uranak ralanon Bareil

propeh va nara ehsuk shala-kan vunek...

( door chimes )

Enter.

I'm sorry.

I... I didn't mean to interrupt.

Oh, that's all right.

It's called a duranja.

It's a lamp for the dead.

I was just... praying for Bareil.

What can I do for you?

This may come as somewhat of a shock, but I wanted you to hear it from me.

The First Minister of the provisional government has died.

Kalem Apren... how?

Heart failure. He died in his sleep.

Ah...

Well, I just met him once, but he seemed like he was a good man.

How soon will they appoint someone to replace him?

They have already appointed someone.

The new head of the provisional government is Kai Winn.

...so as a result,

I've transferred Ensign Palmers back to the night watch and reassigned Crewman Donark to the Defiant as a member of the security detachment.

Starfleet is sending a series of upgrades for our tactical computer modules next week.

I've drawn up a plan to phase in the upgrades over the course of three days.

Major... is something wrong?

Yes.

Oh, it's this whole thing with Kai Winn.

I was just trying to get used to her as spiritual leader of Bajor, and now she's running the government, Odo?

Not an ideal situation.

Well, I'm beginning to think you and I are the only ones who feel that way.

No one is opposing her in next month's elections.

She is going to be elected the First Minister for the next six years, and no one seems to care.

Well, you and I have a different perspective than most Bajorans.

There's a personal element to our feelings about her.

I know that you still blame Winn for Bareil's death.

That's part of it... but this is about the future of Bajor.

I can't shake the feeling that giving Winn control of the government is a mistake-- that she should be stopped.

Stopped from doing what?

I don't know.

Maybe... maybe I'm afraid... that if she's given power, she's never going to let it go.

Unfortunately, that suspicion is not shared by the people of Bajor.

They still admire her as the woman who made peace with Cardassia.

Bareil made peace with Cardassia.

I know that, Major, but to the rest of Bajor, Winn is the real hero.

In their eyes, it took courage to conclude a treaty with a race that she herself had so bitterly condemned and fought against.

I don't care what her popular image is.

She is no hero.

The only thing that she cares about is her own power.

Why can't people see that?

( sighs )

We spent so many years fighting the Cardassians.

We spent so much time hoping and praying for a Bajor that was free.

Now that we won, how can people just hand over their freedom to someone like Winn?

It has been my observation that one of the prices of giving people freedom of choice is that, sometimes, they make the wrong choice.

...bo roo kana uranak ralanon Bareil

propeh va nara ehsuk shala-kan...

( door chimes )

Yes?

Hello, child.

Eminence.

May I come in?

Yes.

Please forgive this intrusion.

I know the hour is late.

Does Commander Sisko know you're aboard the station?

I'm not here to see the Emissary.

I'm here to see you.

Me?

Yes, child.

Have you suffered a recent loss, or are you still mourning the death of Minister Kalem?

It's for Vedek Bareil... actually.

It's been three months since Bareil left us to walk with the Prophets.

You must have cared for him deeply.

I loved him.

As did I.

Is that why you never mention Bareil's name when you talk about your peace treaty with Cardassia?

As I recall, he's the one who negotiated it.

Bareil saw himself as simply carrying out the will of the Prophets.

To him, achieving peace with Cardassia was its own reward.

He never wanted fame or glory for what he did.

As someone who loved him,

I'm surprised you didn't know that.

What is it you want, Eminence?

Are you familiar with Rakantha Province?

It's a farming community.

And it used to be one of the most productive agricultural regions on Bajor.

But as you know, the Cardassians poisoned much of our farmlands before they left.

And Rakantha has been mostly barren wasteland ever since.

After years of research, the Agricultural Ministry has finally developed reclamators which can detoxify the soil and make it fertile again.

It's very interesting, but what does it have to do with me?

Patience, child.

In six months, it will be planting season in Rakantha.

By this time next year, we can be producing boton, moreka, and salam grass-- all valuable commodities for export.

If we can attract interstellar commerce to Bajor, it will only enhance our application for membership in the Federation.

I understand.

Unfortunately, a group of farmers who were allowed to use the reclamators in another province are now refusing to return them, and this is why I've come to you, Kira.

The farmers who seized the equipment are in Dahkur Province-- your home-- and they're led by a man with whom you're acquainted.

His name is Shakaar.

Shakaar?

And if I'm not mistaken he was the leader of your resistance cell during the occupation.

That's right.

I want you to convince him to return the equipment he's stolen.

You want me to go up against a man who saved my life countless times?

For you?

Not for me, child.

For Bajor.

I know we've had our differences in the past, but I'm asking you to put those feelings aside and think of what is best for our people.

We're on the verge of a new era.

The occupation is over.

We've achieved peace with Cardassia.

Federation membership is only a few years away.

This is an exciting time to be a Bajoran, but our future depends on each of us acting for the common good of all Bajor.

Shakaar has lost sight of this.

By stealing the reclamators, he's acting in his own self-interest at the expense of the rest of our people.

No, I know Shakaar.

He's one of the most selfless people I have ever met.

He must have a good reason for what he's done.

Perhaps.

Perhaps he is just misguided.

That's why I've come to you, Kira.

You know him.

You can talk to him.

I don't want this to become a scandal.

I want this settled peacefully, quietly.

Surely, we can both agree that that's a worthy goal.

I'll talk to him, but I can't guarantee that he'll listen to me.

Vedek Bareil used to tell me that you could be quite persuasive when you put your mind to it, child.

I hope he wasn't mistaken.

Walk with the Prophets.

( door buzzer )

( gasps )

( relieved sigh )

You cut your hair.

You let yours grow.

I liked you the old way.

I was thinking the same thing... about you.

( laughs )

It's good to see you, Nerys.

It's good to see you, too.

Come on in.

So, Major Kira Nerys,

Deep Space 9's First Officer... you've made quite a name for yourself.

Not really.

You've accomplished a great deal.

You should be proud.

Furel and Lupaza are so proud of you, they actually stand a little taller every time your name comes up.

Furel and Lupaza? You still see them?

Of course.

They both have farms less than ten kilometers from here.

Those two are farmers?!

Now, you, yes.

That's all you ever talked about.

But Lupaza?

How did that happen?

You can ask her yourself.

They'll be here in a couple of hours.

I can hardly wait to see the look on their faces when they walk through that door and see you standing there.

Shakaar... before they get here, we should talk.

I'm here on business.

I know why you're here, Nerys.

I need time to think about it, all right?

All right.

I think I'll stick to tongo from now on.

Sorry, Lieutenant.

QUARK: Thank you.

Thank you all for your gaming business.

The house will start taking bets on the next challenger at 10 to 1.

That's 10 to 1 without even knowing...

Quark?

...who the next challenger will be.

Quark, I have to go.

Uh... no problem.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Chief of Operations Miles Edward O'Brien has to leave to resume his duties on board the station.

Now, everyone, make way.

I trust we'll be seeing you again tomorrow, Chief, for your 47th straight victory?

I don't know.

I was actually thinking of getting some time in the holosuites tomorrow.

The holosuites?

You weren't thinking of going kayaking, by any chance?

As a matter of fact, I was.

Uh... didn't I tell you?

I misplaced the kayaking program.

Oh...

Haven't seen it in days.

Quark...

All right. Look... you're on a streak, an epic streak.

If you go kayaking tomorrow and something happens and you damage that golden shoulder, this streak will be over.

And you'll never know just how far it might have taken you.

Could you really live with that?

Uh... you're offering 10 to 1 to anyone betting against me tomorrow?

That's right.

I'd make it 15, if I were you.

( quietly ): Yes.

( laughing )

You never would've found your way out of there if I hadn't left that marker on that rock.

I have a fine sense of direction.

I knew exactly where I was that night, exactly.

I found your tracks the next day.

You'd been walking in circles.

I was throwing the Cardassians off my trail.

( laughter )

Again, please.

Furel-- if you don't mind my asking-- why haven't you...?

Had my arm replaced?

Well, I thought about it.

I even saw a Federation doctor about it.

She said, "No problem, Furel.

"You can have a new arm in less than a week.

"It'll have full range of motion and... it'll feel just like your own."

So, why didn't you do it?

Well... before I went into that interrogation center...

( sighs )

I asked the Prophets to give me the strength to get the rest of you out of there.

And, well, in exchange, I...

I said I'd give up my life.

Well, as it turned out,

I was able to rescue you, Shakaar, and Lupaza, and it only cost me an arm.

I felt the... the Prophets were generous.

Somehow, replacing the arm seems... ungrateful.

I think you're just afraid that with two arms you'd actually have to do some real work for a change.

I have done more work in three months on my farm than you have done in three years!

I have seen better weeds than the crops you grow.

You know good and well that my soil's more toxic than any other farm tract within 100 kilometers.

Ha! It's true!

Once I get a chance to use one of the reclamators, things will change, I can promise you that.

You may not get that chance, Lupaza.

Nerys was sent here by the Kai, with orders to convince us to return the reclamators to the government.

And you said no.

I said I'd have to think about it.

LUPAZA: There's not much to think about, Shakaar, you know that.

Tell the Kai, or the First Minister or whatever she wants to be called these days, that the answer is no.

We need the reclamators, and that's the end of it.

Now, who wants tuwaly pie?

You know, this business with the reclamators isn't going to just go away, Shakaar.

Maybe not.

Definitely not.

I think you should reconsider.

I know what you're trying to do here, and I know how difficult it's been.

We have to think about what's best for Bajor.

If you think giving the reclamators back to the government is the best thing for Bajor, then you've been out on that space station for too long.

We waited three years to get the reclamators.

We finally got them two months ago, and we were told they were ours for at least a year.

The provisional government actually did something right for a change.

( sighs )

Then Minister Kalem died.

And the next thing we know, we get an order to return the reclamators immediately to the Rakantha Farming Project.

The Rakantha Project is important.

If they can get it underway,

Bajor could start exporting goods again.

It could start to change the way the rest of the galaxy looks at us.

They'll stop seeing us as poor refugees and start seeing us as equals.

I don't give a damn how the rest of the galaxy looks at us.

We're trying to feed our own people here, and you're talking about exports.

( sighs )

There must be a way to reach some kind of compromise here.

How?

I don't know, but if you and the Kai would sit down and talk together, maybe you can reach some kind of agreement-- some way of sharing the equipment more fairly.

If I could arrange a meeting between the two of you, would you at least agree to sit down and talk with her about it?

I don't know if it'll accomplish anything.

It might not, but it's a place to start.

All right... for you.

It's good to have you home, Nerys.

You should come back more often.

I might do that.

Well, good.

Because we've all missed you.

Especially me.

Am I to assume, my child, that you've met with Shakaar?

We talked.

And have you convinced him to return the soil reclamators?

He's not ready to return them yet.

I see.

When can we expect their return?

When the topsoil in Dahkur Province has been restored and readied for planting-- another six months.

In six months, the planting season in Rakantha will be over.

I realize that.

And I know how important the Rakantha Project is, which is why I've arranged a meeting between the two of you.

A meeting?

Yes, to work out a compromise.

If you just hear him out and look at the work they've been able to accomplish in Dahkur in just two months, you'll see how important this is to them.

I'm sure there's a way to resolve this situation so that both Rakantha and Dahkur can benefit.

Did you explain to Shakaar that you were there on the direct authority of the First Minister?

Yes, but it wouldn't have mattered if I was there on behalf of the Prophets, themselves.

He wasn't about to just give up the equipment.

A pity.

Shakaar sounds like a prideful and arrogant man.

It also seems there's no reasoning with him.

Shakaar is not an unreasonable man.

He is desperate. They all are.

You should see what they're up against-- the condition of the soil, the harsh weather.

I'm sure if you talk to him you'll be able to work out a compromise.

It would seem that I have little choice.

So, I can tell him that you'll discuss it with him?

You can tell him that, and then you can return to Deep Space 9.

But I can still serve as intermediary between you and Shakaar.

That won't be necessary.

You've done enough already.

And please, give my best regards to Commander Sisko.

That will be all, my child.

I'll be interested to hear what she has to say, but, uh, she's not getting those reclamators back till we're finished with them.

Shakaar, you have to be flexible.

I'm not sure this is a fight you can win.

That's what the Cardassians used to say.

( door buzzer )

Come in.

Are you Shakaar?

Yes.

You're under arrest.

Wait a minute. On whose authority?

Our orders came directly from the Office of the First Minister.

She lied to me.

She's good at it, Nerys.

Don't feel bad.

If you'll come with us.

Yeah, all right.

I just want to make one thing clear.

Glad to see that living on a space station hasn't slowed you down.

We have to get out of here.

This can still be explained away.

It was a tense situation.

You acted on instinct.

They'll understand that, but they won't understand you coming with me.

This isn't your fight, Nerys.

Go home.

I am home, Shakaar.

And I have been lied to by Kai Winn for the last time.

She wants a fight, I'll give her one.

FUREL: The civil police have issued a province-wide alert for you and Kira.

They've also requested that the surrounding towns send more troops and equipment to help in the search for the fugitives.

Now there's a familiar word.

Haven't been called that in a while.

I kind of missed it.

The authorities have seized your farm, and they've brought in a scanning machine to hunt for the reclamators.

Let them scan.

There's nothing there to find.

They've also detained some of the other members of our resistance cell for "questioning."

Who?

Mobara, Klin, and Ornak were taken away before I could reach them.

The others are heading for the Kola Mountain stronghold.

I said we'd meet them there and go over our plan.

Well, what is our plan?

For now, the plan is to keep moving.

We'll let the civil police run themselves ragged chasing us through the mountains.

Just like old times.

That's the general idea.

The Cardassians spent ten years searching for us in these mountains.

The civil police will probably give up in ten days.

KIRA: I'm not so sure about that.

Some of them were in the resistance, too.

They might not give up so easily.

Maybe, but I really don't think they want to hunt down a group of fellow Bajorans who are just trying to defend their homes.

Hmm.

We head for Kola Mountain pick up anybody who's there, then move further into the hill country.

Well, let's go.

Yes!

A most auspicious shot.

You got him, Chief.

One in the bull and you win.

I think he knows that, Julian.

Don't worry, Coach, I won't let you down.

I see no reason for delay.

Throw the dart.

I will throw the dart when I'm ready to throw the dart.

Did I miss anything?

Shh!

Is that my synthale?

Extra stout-- just the way you like it.

Excuse me.

Here you go.

( painful groan )

What is it?

BASHIR: It's his shoulder.

Popped out of its socket.

Get me the tricorder.

QUARK: What did I do?

I just handed him a drink.

It's all right, just-just pop it back in, Julian.

I'll-I'll be all right.

Oh, no, I'm afraid it's not that simple this time, Chief.

You've got a rotator cuff tear and severe degenerative damage.

We'd better get him to the Infirmary.

If he leaves the line, he forfeits the game.

Forfeit?

This man needs surgery.

Surgery!

That's right, Chief.

I may have to replace the entire humeral socket.

It's not a complicated procedure.

We can postpone the rest of this competition until tomorrow, at which time, he will be good as new.

I don't make the rules.

I merely follow them.

Wait, wait, wait... look...

I'm in the zone!

I just need...

( painful groan )

Oh, I just need surgery.

( groaning )

I believe the house is paying 15 to 1.

All I did was hand him a drink.

Emissary, I'm so happy you came to consult with me.

Frankly, I'm surprised you wanted my advice.

The advice of the Emissary is always welcome, but what I need is your help.

What kind of help?

It's been two weeks since I was forced to send the militia into Dahkur Province.

And?

And they've yet to catch sight of Shakaar or any of his followers, let alone take them into custody.

I guess now you know how the Cardassians must have felt.

The point is

I can't let this go on much longer.

It embarrasses me to say this, but Shakaar's defiance seems to be catching on in some of the other provinces.

And I've had to take certain... unfortunate actions to maintain order.

You mean declaring martial law and suspending local government in the hill provinces?

I wasn't aware that you kept such close watch on the Bajoran political situation.

From what I understand,

Shakaar is gaining support all over Bajor.

Is that what Major Kira's been telling you?

I haven't spoken with Major Kira in quite some time.

Emissary, I don't want this issue to divide my people.

Then I advise withdrawing your troops from Dahkur.

I'm more than willing to do that.

On one condition.

And what might that be?

I'd like you to provide a Federation security force to take their place.

You want me to bring in Shakaar for you.

Such an act would do much to solidify the relations between the Federation and Bajor.

I wasn't aware that our relationship needed solidifying.

Nevertheless, this would be an opportunity for the Federation to show, once again, its friendship for Bajor.

I'm sorry, but Federation law prevents me from interfering in Bajoran internal affairs.

So... you're refusing my request for aid?

I suppose I am.

If Bajor cannot depend on the Federation, we'll withdraw our application for membership.

That would be an unfortunate overreaction on your part.

If I may say so, your entire response to this crisis has been an overreaction.

By using the militia against your own people, you're risking civil war over a couple of... soil reclamators.

I'm afraid you can't see what's really going on here.

This isn't about soil reclamators.

This is about the future of our society.

When someone like Shakaar can defy the law and escape punishment, we risk descending into anarchy and chaos.

This is a test... a test by the Prophets.

They want to see if I'm worthy of the role they've given me as First Minister and Kai.

I will not fail them.

I will stop Shakaar by any means necessary.

Move, move, move!

( all panting )

They're closing.

75 meters.

Come on, Kira.

I've almost got it.

They're on the ridge.

Kira, if you can't do it, tell me now.

I got it.

New reading. 700 meters, that way.

Yes, sir.

Let's go.

How long do we have?

I've projected the false life signs about 700 meters past that ravine.

It'll take them about an hour to cover that distance, another 15 to realize what's happened.

Either I am getting older or these mountains are getting higher.

The next time I start getting nostalgic for the old days, shoot me.

If you insist.

They're good.

Half of them are from Dahkur Province.

They know this terrain almost as well as we do.

I think you're right.

We need to leave Dahkur.

They'll box us in if we stay much longer.

We could take Serpent's Ridge to Retosha Pass and head for Lonar Province.

( sighs )

Serpent's Ridge is pretty rugged territory.

I don't think we have much choice.

Yes, we do.

We can turn and fight.

He's right, Shakaar.

It's just like in the old days.

Every once in a while, the Cardassians would get too close, and we'd turn around and give them a bloody nose.

Sometimes it was our nose that got bloodied.

We were willing to take the chance.

Now, I'll follow whatever orders you give... but I am tired of running.

Kira?

I'm not sure we can keep up this pace.

All right.

We head for Tanis Canyon.

Kira's on point.

Column of twos behind her.

Lupaza, you take up the rear.

There is no way out of Tanis Canyon.

And that's why we're going to lead those militia troops in there.

'Cause we're going to be waiting for them.

Let's move!

I don't think they've picked us up on their tricorders.

They won't either, not with that dampening field in place.

I think I recognize that man.

Which one?

The Colonel.

That's Lenaris Holem.

Lenaris... from the Ornathia resistance cell.

I met him at a reception in the capital about a year ago.

He's good.

No wonder we haven't lost them.

We'll have to get him with the first volley.

You take the Lieutenant on the right.

I'll take Lenaris.

( sighs )

I can't.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

I can't either.

Hold.

Set a perimeter, and watch the hills.

SOLDIER: Yes, sir.

B Team, left flank.

Nobody fires until I give the order.

SOLDIER: Aye, sir.

Firing positions, hold!

That's far enough.

Shakaar?

Kira Nerys.

We've met.

I've wanted to thank you for a long time.

I had a brother at Gallitep when you liberated the camp.

A lot of people did.

I just wish we'd gotten there sooner.

Well, I take it from your calm demeanor that I've walked into an ambush.

I should have stayed up on the ridgeline, never come down into the valley.

It's an easy mistake to make.

You thought we were another two kilometers ahead, so you tried to make up time.

I might have done the same thing.

I think I should tell you I've been in worse situations.

The Pullock V raid.

You know about that?

The first off-world raid against the Cardassians.

Of course.

It was a bold move.

If you know about Pullock V then you should also know I won't give up without a fight.

If you're here to ask me to surrender, you're wasting your time.

That's not why I'm here.

I want to take my people and walk out of here.

I want to take them home.

Wait!

Stop, stop!

No one shoot! No one shoot!

Cease fire! Cease fire!

Hold your fire!

( panting )

Sir, I saw someone.

I thought they were going to open fire.

Lieutenant.

Take this man's weapon and get him off the perimeter.

Now, I believe you were saying something about wanting to walk out of here?

That's right.

You know that's impossible.

Well, we better find a way to make it possible, because the next time someone starts shooting, we won't be able to stop it.

And I'm not talking about today.

I'm talking about tomorrow and the next day and the next.

I am talking about the beginning of a civil war.

SHAKAAR: I didn't fight the Cardassians for 25 years just so I could start shooting other Bajorans.

Neither did I.

So... what do we do about it?

( bell rings )

What is it?

WOMAN: Colonel Lenaris is here to see you.

Send him in.

I see you've brought me a pair of gifts.

How thoughtful of you.

They're not my prisoners.

What do you mean, they're not your prisoners?

What's going on?

I'm here to enter the election as a candidate for the Office of First Minister.

You have an interesting sense of humor.

KIRA: It's no joke.

Shakaar is going to enter the election, and you are going to lose.

I've consulted with the other army commands, and he has their full support.

So, this is a coup?

No. It's a free election.

If you want to run, go ahead.

But if you do, this entire incident is going to be made public.

And when the people know the real facts-- when they know that you risked a civil war over a couple of pieces of farm equipment-- they're never going to trust you again.

You'll still be Kai-- the spiritual leader of Bajor-- but your days in this office are numbered.

So, if I were you...

I'd start packing.

How does it feel?

Good, so far.

Let's see...

Well, try it again, Chief.

Nah...

I can feel it.

I'm out of the zone.

You know...

I've played sports all my life, and I've never been in the zone like that before.

Probably never will again.

But it felt good while it lasted.

Well, look on the bright side.

Now you have a new shoulder you might finally finish that kayaking program.

Hey... you may be right.

Quark...

I need a holosuite.

Doctor... welcome to "the zone."

Let me tell you about a little thing I can do...

Have any other candidates entered the election?

Oh, one or two, but Shakaar's popularity is growing so fast,

I don't think anyone can catch him at this point.

What about the Kai?

She's trying to make the best of it.

She even put out a statement of support for Shakaar.

Oh! You know...

I used to enjoy sleeping on the ground.

It's good to have you back, Major.

It's good to be back, sir.

I'll see you in Ops.

( sighs )