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Crossfire

One raktajino, extra hot, two measures of kava.

Time?

COMPUTER: 0759 hours.

Ah.

Good morning.

Major.

So...

( sighs )

How many have we got?

16 items.

Oh, the station's criminal element has been busy this week.

Oh, nothing out of the ordinary.

Three petty thefts, two incidents of disorderly conduct, one assault...

Ijarna's wife hit him again?

Why does he stay with her?

Skip to item 12.

"Public lewdness."

The same night Ijarna reported the assault,

I found him and his wife... behind the Information Kiosk on the second level.

That answers my question.

What about item seven?

Ah.

One of my deputies caught Oguy Jel scrawling political graffiti on a wall in section 4.

He's always riled up about something, isn't he?

What is it this time?

He was protesting First Minister Shakaar's upcoming visit to the station.

He's been handing out leaflets saying

Shakaar should drop the petition to join the Federation.

Well, leaflets are one thing.

Vandalism is quite another.

Oguy spent a night in a holding cell for his trouble, and I understand the Arbiter has sentenced him to three weeks community service... on sanitation duty.

( chuckles ) Just make sure he scrubs that wall clean before Shakaar gets here.

I don't want him to see it.

Right.

I'd like to file a complaint.

Not now, Quark.

A noise complaint against you.

We are conducting station business.

My quarters are right below his.

You wouldn't believe the racket he makes.

Quark! Do you know what it's like to hear someone practice shape-shifting?

Last night, it sounded like a Takaran wildebeest was tromping around up there.

That was for all of five minutes.

Once you complained, I took the form of a Rafalian mouse.

Yeah, little tiny feet skittering across the floor.

Back and forth, back and forth.

You could hear that? Hello?

Sometimes I can even hear him... oozing around.

Well, maybe you should change quarters.

Maybe he should have a little more consideration.

Shape-shifting in the middle of the night-- there ought to be a regulation against that.

Come back in half an hour.

I'll be happy to take your complaint then.

Oh, I'll be back.

You can count on it.

It's just Quark's luck that you would be assigned quarters right above his.

Luck had nothing to do with it.

I don't know why Captain Sisko insists on having me here.

I'm not a senior officer.

Well, maybe he just wanted to see you in your dress uniform.

It does show off your figure.

Why, thank you.

Good of you to make it, old man.

Shakaar's transport just docked.

Sorry. There were so many people on the Promenade.

It was hard to get through.

KIRA: I hope Shakaar's gotten better at speaking in front of groups.

He used to mumble his way through mission briefings.

Everyone in our resistance cell had to learn to lip-read.

( door opens )

Welcome to Deep Space 9, Minister.

Well, thank you, Captain.

I've been looking forward to visiting the station and to meeting the Emissary.

Uh... this is part of my senior staff.

Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax.

Chief of Operations Miles O'Brien.

Dr. Bashir, and, of course you know Major Kira.

Nerys.

Good to see you again, Edon.

Well, I guess I should introduce my senior staff.

There he is.

Sarish Rez, the First Minister's adjutant.

A pleasure. Come this way.

There's quite a crowd on the Promenade waiting to see you.

Oh, can't wait.

DAX: Why didn't you tell me?

What? He's so good-looking.

( buzz of expectant conversation )

SISKO: The guards will escort you to the podium whenever you're ready.

Don't forget to mention the transit subsidies you just allocated.

Tell them they can expect the price of transport to Bajor to start dropping within a few months, and remember-- enunciate.

Let's go.

Good luck.

Yeah.

ODO: Odo to Captain Sisko.

Go ahead, Constable.

I've just received a disturbing communication.

I have reason to believe someone is planning to assassinate First Minister Shakaar.

As far as I'm concerned, we should have gotten the First Minister off that podium as soon as we received the information.

If Shakaar canceled his public appearances every time someone threatened his life, he would never leave his office.

We're not talking about some disgruntled shopkeeper who writes a letter threatening Shakaar for raising his taxes.

We're talking about a Cardassian extremist group that's already succeeded in assassinating two Bajoran officials.

I know all about "The True Way," and what they're capable of.

My sources in the Cardassian civilian government believe The True Way already has an operative in place aboard the station. I suggest you cancel the First Minister's conference and reschedule it at another location.

Absolutely not.

Nothing is going to keep Shakaar from meeting those delegates tomorrow.

Bajor's effort to join the Federation hinges on what happens over the next few days.

Shouldn't the decision be up to the First Minister?

It will be.

But I already know what he's going to say.

KIRA: So do I.

Shakaar knows better than anyone you can't capitulate to terrorists.

He used to be one, and the day the Cardassians started to negotiate with him was the day he knew they'd been beaten. He'll stay.

SISKO: I suppose if I were in his position, I'd do the same.

Constable, I want station security stepped up for the duration of Shakaar's visit.

The First Minister will have round-the-clock protection.

I'd like to deploy Starfleet Security personnel in addition to my own deputies. Of course.

Commander Eddington is on leave. I'll ask Mr. Worf to head up Starfleet Security while he's gone.

I have cleared the rooms above, below and to both sides of the First Minister's quarters.

I would recommend clearing that entire section of the Habitat Ring.

I'm afraid that isn't feasible.

There are over 1,200 people living there.

Providing security was difficult enough aboard the Enterprise.

It appears to be next to impossible on this station.

It isn't easy.

I prefer a more... orderly environment.

We have that in common.

My people have an innate need for order.

How do you tolerate living here?

I make order where I can.

For one thing, I have a daily routine which I follow unwaveringly.

The shopkeepers on the Promenade joke that they can set their clocks by me.

Unfortunately, I have found it difficult to establish a routine here.

There are other ways to create order in your life-- your quarters, for example.

Everything in mine has its specific place, and it's all arranged just so.

Yes, mine, too. Even with my eyes closed,

I would still know where everything was.

Exactly.

I would not tolerate it any other way.

I'll tell you what else to do.

Make sure everyone knows they can't just drop by your quarters to say "hello."

If someone does, whatever happens, don't make them feel welcome.

Of course not.

That would only invite subsequent visits.

Precisely.

So far, the only person that has a tendency to "drop by" is Chief O'Brien.

That's probably because he knows you from the Enterprise.

Perhaps if I am more... inhospitable, he will stop.

Good luck.

Odo to Worf.

WORF: Go ahead.

The guards are in position.

The corridors between Shakaar's quarters and the Wardroom have been cleared. WORF: Acknowledged.

The First Minister is scheduled to leave for the reception in half an hour.

The Wardroom will be scanned and secured well before then.

( door opens )

You must be Odo. First Minister.

I was hoping I'd get to meet you.

I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances.

We're ready to go.

Well, the reception doesn't start for another...

I know.

I want to stop by the Promenade and visit the Temple first.

Why wasn't I told about this?

I didn't know myself until a moment ago.

Is there a problem?

I would have posted extra security on the Promenade.

Oh, well, we'll just, uh, slip in.

I'll stay for a few minutes, and then we'll slip out.

With all due respect, sir, now that you're First Minister, you can't slip in or out of bed without people noticing.

( laughs )

Maybe not, but that doesn't mean

I'm going to stay in bed all day.

Odo to Worf.

There's been a change of plans.

SHAKAAR: I understand you used to work for the Cardassians when they were running this station.

I was in charge of keeping order on the Promenade.

They could have given that job to one of their own people.

They must have thought very highly of you.

Humph. I know Kira does.

She once told me she trusted you with her life.

Well, I'm gratified to hear that.

I always found her to be a good judge of character.

So I'll trust you with mine, too.

Oh, it's him.

First Minister.

Gentlemen, how are you? Hi.

How are you today?

Worf to Odo. We have secured the Temple.

I'll try to get him inside as soon as I can.

Welcome.

Pleasure to see you here.

How do you do?

Pleasure.

FEMALE: It's nice to meet you.

I appreciate you being here.

Thank you.

Nice to see you.

( exhales )

KIRA: Is it always like this?

It's not often that people get a chance to talk to the First Minister.

And besides, have you ever met a Bajoran who didn't have a fervent opinion about everything from prophetic interpretation to farm policy?

I guess not.

Is that Vedek Tonsa?

Yes, it is.

I hear he's an excellent springball player.

Oh, the best on the station. Why?

Well, I think I'll see if we can arrange a game.

Oh, you better be good.

I'm terrible.

But it will give me a chance to talk to him about supporting Shakaar in the Vedek Assembly.

Do you have to stare like that?

I think it's making people nervous.

Good.

You know...

I've been meaning to ask you.

Why don't you wear that belt anymore?

I don't know.

It didn't really serve a purpose.

It's not as if I needed it to hold my pants up.

I just thought it looked good on you.

That's all.

Really?

Really.

Well... if you say so.

Better?

Much.

I guess I'll turn in.

Of course.

Good night, Major.

Good night.

Will you excuse me?

Nerys... where are you going?

You haven't even said hello.

You were so busy.

I didn't want to bother you.

You wouldn't be bothering me.

You'd be rescuing me.

That bad?

You have no idea.

Then I supposed now wouldn't be a good time for me to give you my opinion on how Bajor should be dealing with the Klingons.

Actually, it would.

But not here.

I was joking.

Fine.

We'll talk about something else.

Care for some hasperat?

You know I don't eat. Have some.

I'm charging by the head for this little function, and you do have a head... for the moment.

Let's take a walk.

Okay.

ODO: Minister?

Uh, we're going to take a stroll.

If you tell me where you're going,

I'll secure your route.

If I knew where we were going, it wouldn't be a stroll, would it?

I suppose not.

I'll escort you.

Fine, but, uh, just you.

Oh, and, uh, don't stay too close, huh?

( indistinct conversation )

( Kira laughing )

( laughter continues )

Let's go.

Where?

Back to my quarters.

This way.

I take it the negotiations aren't going all that well.

How'd you know?

The truth is the Bajorans are even less successful than most humanoids at hiding their emotions.

So you're saying it's as plain as the nose on my face?

I've been working with the Federation for a number of years.

They claim to be open and understanding, but somehow, they're always convinced that they're right.

It can be exasperating at times.

I've been trying to get them to cut the timetable for Bajor's admittance into the Federation by half, but every time I think I've made them understand my reasons, they remind me that every member of the Federation has gone through the same admittance process.

And why should Bajor be any different?

I can't think of a single reason.

Unless, of course, you take into account the effect that 50 years of occupation might have on a society.

Thank you.

You know, I've been a soldier, and I've been a politician, and I have to say I'm beginning to think that being a soldier was easier.

Ahh...

Well, I'm afraid I don't know much about politics.

Well, you agree with me.

As far as I'm concerned, that makes you an expert.

I realize I haven't been making your job any easier the past few days.

Well, I can't argue with that.

Well, I just want you to understand that, uh, I appreciate your thoroughness.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Odo, uh...

I know that you and Nerys are friends, and I was wondering... does she ever talk to you about me?

Of course.

She's spoken about you on more than one occasion.

Well, what I mean is, has she ever said anything to you that might indicate that she... thought of me as more than a friend?

Ah.

Well, let me think.

No.

Oh, I see.

Oh, I've-- I've known Nerys for over ten years.

Uh...

I've trusted her with my life on more than one occasion.

So have I.

She always knew how to follow orders.

She never complained when things got rough.

She was a good soldier.

A good friend.

But now it's... it's different.

Is it?

She's still your friend.

I know.

I think I'm falling in love with her.

Sometimes, I get the sense that maybe, just maybe... she feels the same way... but I could be wrong.

I'm afraid to say anything because it, it might ruin our friendship.

But if I don't, I could be letting something very precious slip through my fingers.

It's a... difficult situation.

Yeah.

Well, for all I know,

I've gotten myself all twisted up over nothing.

I mean, if she hasn't said anything to you, then this whole thing is probably just inside my head.

Frankly, I think she's still grieving for Vedek Bareil.

Oh, of course. It's only natural.

Maybe I should just be patient.

That's what I would do.

On the other hand, maybe I should let her know how I feel.

It might help her to get over her loss if she knew that there was somebody who really cared about her.

What do you think?

I'm afraid I know even less about relationships than I do about politics.

Well, I understand.

I... I don't mean to burden you with my problems.

Talking about humanoid relationships can't be that interesting to you.

For the most part, no.

( sighs )

You don't have to bother.

I can personally vouch for every one of my employees who had access to that food.

Ha.

I can't tell you how relieved that makes me feel.

I'm reading some sort of power signature.

Ah...

( chuckles )

A Ferengi eavesdropping device.

I don't suppose you know anything about this.

Oh! There it is.

I've been looking for that all day.

You admit it's yours?

I must have misplaced it.

I take it you were hoping to peddle information about Shakaar's meeting.

Odo, you know as well as I do that it's illegal to listen to someone's conversation without their consent.

Why else would someone like you own such an expensive listening device?

I use it to monitor Rom's sleep.

You see, ever since he was a boy, my brother's had this condition where he sometimes stops breathing in the middle of the night.

The fact is... I can't sleep unless I know he's all right.

Very touching.

Oh!

How clumsy of me.

You are in a bad mood today.

I don't have moods.

Of course not.

You're an unfeeling changeling.

All you care about is order.

That's right.

Oh, please.

I know what's going on.

You don't have to pretend with me.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

You're in love with her.

Who?

Kira.

( snorts ) That's ridiculous!

And what's more, you're worried she's falling in love with Shakaar.

Is that a fact?

It's the truth.

Why can't you just admit it?

It's nothing to be ashamed of.

Look, Odo, I know this can't be easy for...

I don't want your sympathy, Quark, and I don't need your advice!

Just stay out of my business!

( sighs )

Computer, time.

COMPUTER: 0821 hours.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I didn't realize what time it was.

( sighs )

So what do we have?

Nine items.

Well, so far it's all fairly routine.

Something wrong?

Your raktajino?

Oh! I had one this morning with Shakaar.

I... I didn't see you in the Replimat.

No, it was in his quarters.

He asked me to look over a proposal he's going to make to the Federation delegates.

Ahh...

There's an interesting story behind item four.

And I would love to hear it, but I'm a little pressed for time right now. Of course.

I promised Shakaar I'd give him a tour of the station.

I'll make sure security is in place.

Thank you. See you later.

The Upper Pylons have the best view of the wormhole.

I've never seen it, actually.

KIRA: Why don't we wait a few minutes?

Maybe a ship will go through. You can see it open.

SHAKAAR: Well, you're the First Officer.

Can't you... order a ship through?

Well, you're the First Minister.

You should be able to order a whole fleet through.

( chuckling )

The other day, I heard someone say that if you happen to see the wormhole open, you get to make a wish.

Oh. That's been going around the station for a while now.

Uh-huh.

Look.

Did you make a wish?

Yes.

We should get going. There's a lot more to see.

Odo to Worf.

WORF: Go ahead.

We're heading back down to the Docking Ring.

Acknowledged.

Your route has been secured.

Level 2-D.

COMPUTER: Please enter security code.

You know, I, um... haven't had a meal outside the Wardroom, or my quarters, since I got here.

Well, there's some pretty nice places to eat on the Promenade.

You have a favorite?

There's a new Bolian restaurant that's pretty good.

I've never had Bolian food.

Well, this isn't going to sound very appetizing, but the meat they use is... sort of... aged.

Aged.

Worf to Odo.

A turbolift is stuck on Level 41.

We are going to have to reroute you.

Verify your security code, and I'll release the controls to you.

KIRA: You don't want to know.

SHAKAAR: Why don't we go there tonight?

I'd love to.

Great. How does 1900 hours sound?

We can--

( loud thud )

We're falling!

Kira to Worf.

Someone cut our com links.

Controls aren't responding.

( panel beeping )

( metal screeching )

( sighs )

( both sigh in relief )

Well...

I guess this means my tour is over.

You're telling me someone overrode the station's com system, faked Worf's voice, and then sent one of our turbolifts into a free fall?

I'm afraid so, sir.

Apparently, they tapped into the com system with a voice synthesizer.

What I want to know is how they got Worf's security code.

We don't know that they did that, sir.

What do you mean?

I turned over control of the turbolift without verifying his code.

They say to err is human.

But you're not human, Odo.

You're not even humanoid.

And this is not the sort of mistake that I'd expect from you.

I... was distracted.

Distracted?

A personal matter, sir.

I'd prefer not to discuss it.

Constable... whatever this personal matter is, don't let it interfere with your job again.

I won't, sir.

That's all I need to hear.

Now, no ships have been allowed to leave since this incident occurred.

That means whoever was responsible is still on the station.

I want them found.

Yes, sir.

It appears that they accessed the turbolift control system through the ODN relays.

There might be a trace of the access signal left in the relays.

If we can isolate it, we might be able to follow it back to the source.

Odo!

Are you listening?

I've heard every word.

Your mind does not appear to be on its work.

With all due respect, Commander, you don't know me well enough to gauge my state of mind.

When someone fails to ask for a security verification, their state of mind is obvious.

Is it?

With all due respect,

I do not see how sitting in a chair, staring at a wall is going to help apprehend Shakaar's would-be assassin.

You're right. It won't.

I'm going to talk to Major Kira.

Why? She already gave us her statement.

You follow your leads, Commander.

I'll follow mine.

Jimenez.

What are these men doing here?

First Minister Shakaar's in Major Kira's quarters, sir.

How long has he been there?

Since they finished dinner.

About three hours ago.

All right, Ensign, you're relieved.

Sir, I'm not scheduled to go off duty...

I said you're relieved.

I'll take the rest of your shift.

Yes, sir.

KIRA: Let's have dinner.

Great. I'll see you then.

Good morning.

May I ask where you're going, First Minister?

To my quarters and then to the meeting in the Wardroom.

Major,

I was wondering if you had a moment to answer a few questions about what happened in the turbolift. Sure, come on in.

Lights.

Did I do something amusing?

No. It's...

Edon and I...

Oh, I understand.

Oh, Odo... if someone had told me a year ago that this was going to happen, do you know what I would have said?

"You're crazy.

"Yes, I respect him, yes, I...

"He makes me laugh, bu-but we know each other too well.

"I mean, he's seen me go weeks without a bath.

"We've spent long cold nights huddled together for warmth.

"There's no mystery left between us.

We're friends, that's all."

( sighs )

I guess I was wrong.

I'm happy for you.

This must seem so silly to you.

No.

Not in the least.

You are such a good friend to me.

I'm so glad you're the first person to know.

Oh, now, um... you wanted to ask me something about what happened in the turbolift.

Yes, but we can talk about it later.

Oh no, are you sure?

Yes.

I have an appointment.

( laughing ) All right.

( sighs )

( breathing shakily )

Take him to a holding cell.

What'd he do?

He was responsible for the attack on First Minister Shakaar.

What?

He has admitted to being a True Way operative.

They provided him with an isolinear interface to access station systems.

He was attempting to use it to depressurize Shakaar's quarters by sabotaging the environmental controls.

I see.

When he tried to access them,

I traced the signal path back to him.

He was operating out of an abandoned cargo hold on Level 31.

Why didn't you call me before you made the arrest?

It was not necessary.

Your deputies assisted me quite capably.

They are well-trained.

You are to be commended.

( yelling )

( door chimes )

QUARK: I know you're in there.

I heard you.

Fine.

We'll do this the hard way.

I knew it would come to this.

You take the form of an animal, you're going to end up behaving like one.

What was it? A Klingon targ?

A Trellan crocodile?

I tell you, this time, you've crossed the line.

I've had it!

Odo?

Odo!

Are you okay?

You were right.

Oh.

I take it Major Kira and Shakaar are...

You really are in love.

I must say,

I really didn't think you had it in you.

It takes passion to do something like this, and I always thought you were colder than a Breen winter.

What was I thinking?

How could I have fooled myself into believing she could ever love someone like me?

Look, uh... the last thing I want to do is interfere with your personal life, but this, uh... this just isn't any good... for either of us.

I'll try to keep my problems more quiet next time.

I'm not talking about the noise.

I'm talking about business.

I'm losing my shirt in the manhunt pool.

The what?

Anytime there's an unusual crime committed on this station, I run a pool so that people can bet on how long it'll take for you to catch the perpetrator.

It's very popular.

Frankly, I don't care whether you and Major Kira end up living happily ever after or not.

I just want to see the situation resolved.

And the way I see it, you've either got to tell her how you feel or forget about her and get on with your life.

Concentrate on the essentials... because you can't keep going like this.

It's interfering with your job and my profits.

( sighs ) Your profits.

Unless you do something about this situation,

I'm going to have to stop running the pool.

I'm devastated.

You should be.

The fact that the pool exists says something about you-- about who you are.

People see you as the guy who always gets his man.

Now you're becoming the guy who tears up his quarters and sits alone in the rubble.

And no one's going to want to place bets on how long someone's going to sit around in the dark.

Well...

I've said my piece. Sorry for butting in.

But I'm just looking out for my business.

Funny.

For a minute there, I thought you were talking to me... as a friend.

Nah.

( door opens and closes )

( door chimes )

Yes.

Good morning, Major.

Oh, come in.

What brings you here?

I wanted to talk to you about something.

What is it?

I... don't quite know how to say this... but I've given it a lot of thought... and, uh...

Well, go on.

Just say it.

I am afraid I won't be able to make our Tuesday morning meetings anymore.

Oh.

Why not?

I've decided to schedule additional training exercises with my deputies.

Maybe we could have our meetings at another time.

My schedule is rather tight.

And let's face it, the criminal activity reports speak for themselves.

There's really no reason we have to review them together.

Maybe not, but I kind of enjoyed doing it.

I thought you did, too.

Of course.

Odo... is something wrong?

It's just a matter of using my time more efficiently.

I understand.

Well.

( clears throat )

Hey. No belt?

I'm just trying to keep to the essentials, Major.

See you.

( buzz of conversation )

They're upstairs.

Who?

Kira and Shakaar.

They're in Holosuite 3 practicing the speech he's going to give tomorrow before he leaves.

I hear he's going to announce that the Federation has agreed to cut the timetable on Bajor's admittance.

Where did you hear that?

Just a rumor.

Are you sure you haven't been listening in on your holosuites again?

Even if I wanted to, I couldn't.

I don't have the right equipment.

Hmm, not anymore.

By the way,

I dropped by your quarters this morning.

Oh?

I heard some noise, and when I went to complain,

I found a work crew installing soundproofing in the floor.

I have to say, Odo, I'm touched that you would do something like that for me.

I'm having the floor reinforced.

The fact that they're soundproofing it as well is incidental.

Mm-hmm.

If you think I'd put up with three days of construction for your sake, think again.

I guess I should have known.

Thanks anyway.

Don't mention it.

Hmm.

( Kira laughing )

What? That's what she said.

No! I don't believe it.

Okay, from the beginning. Tell me the whole thing.

Well, they're either going to do it, or they're not...