But I'm sorry, Doctor.
I just don't see the value of this man's work.
But, Garak, Shakespeare is one of the giants
of human literature.
I knew Brutus was going to kill Caesar
in the first act.
But Caesar didn't figure it out
until the knife was in his back.
But that's what makes it a tragedy.
Caesar couldn't conceive
that his best friend would plot to kill him.
"Tragedy" is not the word I'd use.
"Farce" would be more appropriate.
No, no, supposedly this man
is supposed to be a leader of a great empire
a brilliant military tactician
and yet he can't see
what's going on under his own nose.
Hmm.
Doctor, are you in a hurry?
I have to get to the Infirmary.
I've got a lot of work to do this afternoon.
Oh, you're fortunate.
I have more time
on my hands than I know what to do with.
Maybe you could finish those trousers
I dropped off last week.
Uh, tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
You're going to give yourself indigestion.
Well, I only have you to thank for that.
If you hadn't been so late
I could have enjoyed my lunch.
Well, this isn't the first time
I've seen you rush through a meal.
You never take the time to savor your food.
It seems to be a human characteristic.
Look over there.
That Talarian
is barely halfway through his meal
but his human companion's plate is empty.
Well maybe he and I can have dessert
while you and the Talarian while away the afternoon.
But it is a very interesting sociological phenomenon
don't you think?
For generations now, humankind
has had more than enough food
and yet, you go about your eating as if you were afraid
someone was going to come along and snatch away your plate.
Garak, why don't you eat for a while and let me talk?
Fear of starvation amid plenty.
It points to some dark secret hidden in the human soul
a gnawing hunger.
Perhaps someone should do a study.
Why don't you?
You appear to have
plenty of time on your hands.
Doctor, if you want to have your dessert
please, go ahead.
I won't be offended.
I have to go
and I'm sorry to leave
while you're still eating.
No, no, I'm done as well.
But you've hardly touched your plate.
If you really must know, I've been nibbling
on Delavian chocolates all morning.
Where did you get Delavian chocolates?
Well, I promised my supplier I wouldn't tell
but since I deprived you of your dessert
I'd be more than happy to bring some by the Infirmary
later this afternoon.
Why, thank you. I'd like that.
Until then, Doctor?
KIRA: Uh, Julian.
Major.
Garak.
About those atmospheric specifications
you requested for the Yalosian Ambassador...
60 percent nitrogen, 10 percent benzene
and the rest hydrogen fluoride, as I recall.
Well we ran a test in one of the guest quarters.
The mixture is so corrosive
it dissolved the carpet.
Well, don't look at me. It's what they breathe.
Oh, then I guess we'll just have to rip out the carpets.
Be sure not to replace them with anything red or orange.
Why not?
They don't see that part of the color spectrum.
Is there anything else I should know
about the Yalosians?
As a matter of fact...
( explosion )
Bashir to Infirmary.
Medical emergency on the Promenade.
It's Garak's shop.
( people yelling )
Oh...
Are you all right?
As well as can be expected.
But I'm afraid your pants won't be ready tomorrow after all.
Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES
( sighing ): Report.
The explosion was caused
by a rupture in the power conduit behind that wall.
What caused the rupture?
Well, probably an overload in the ODN juncture.
( chuckles )
I take it you don't agree.
Well, let's just say, I find it odd
that a conduit running behind Garak's shop
should just happen to overload.
SISKO: So you think someone ruptured it deliberately?
I wouldn't be surprised.
It stands to reason that a man
with Garak's past would have enemies.
I'm detecting traces of nitrilin.
Nitrilin is extremely unstable.
And very rare.
It couldn't have come from the power conduit.
This could be the residue
from a micro- explosive device
planted on the conduit
and rigged to cause a rupture.
Making the explosion look like an accident.
Exactly.
Hmm.
Sisko to Ops.
KIRA: Go ahead, Commander.
Delay the departure of all vessels
until further notice.
I have reason to believe
that someone may have tried to kill Mr. Garak.
Who would want to kill me, a simple tailor?
ODO: A simple tailor.
A simple tailor who used to be an agent
of the Obsidian Order.
The Obsidian Order.
Constable, you shouldn't put too much stock
in the good Doctor's flights of fancy.
Now, are you sure this explosion wasn't an accident?
Because I can't think of anyone
who would wish me harm.
Someone tried to kill you, Garak.
Whoever it was may try again
so if I were you
I would give this matter some serious thought.
Well, let me see.
I mean, there's the Nausicaan whose wedding suit I misplaced
and the Yridian I owe money to
and of course, there's always Major Kira.
This is serious, Garak.
I'm being serious.
I don't think she likes me.
ODO: She doesn't, but if she
wanted you dead, you would be.
You do have a point.
SISKO: Could this attempt on your life
have anything to do with the reason
you were exiled from Cardassia?
Oh, I seriously doubt the Finance Ministry
would try to have me killed for failure to pay my taxes.
You expect us to believe
that's the reason you were exiled?
Do you think I would lie about a thing like that?
It's not something I'm proud of.
I don't like explosions
going off on my station, Garak.
Innocent people could have been hurt.
You could have been killed.
Now if there's anything you know
you're not telling us
I suggest you start talking.
I've told you everything I can think of.
( sighs )
All right, then.
I'll investigate the "leads" you've given us.
If there's anyone else
you think I should talk to, let me know.
I certainly will.
SISKO: We've assigned
a security detail to you.
I suggest you stay
as close to them as possible.
Ah.
Someone should do a study.
A study?
To try and figure out why some people
can't bring themselves to trust anyone
even if it's in their own best interest.
Why is it no one ever believes me
even when I'm telling the truth?
Have you ever heard
the story about the boy who cried wolf?
No.
It's a children's story about a young shepherd boy
who gets lonely while tending his flock
so he cries out to the villagers
that a wolf is attacking the sheep.
The people come running
but of course, there's no wolf.
He claims that it's run away
and the villagers praise him
for his vigilance.
Clever lad.
Charming story.
I'm not finished.
The next day, the boy does it again
and the next, too
and on the fourth day, a wolf really comes.
The boy cries out at the top of his lungs
but the villagers ignore him
and the boy and his flock are gobbled up.
Well, that's a little graphic for children
wouldn't you say?
But the point is, if you lie all the time
nobody's going to believe you
even when you're telling the truth.
Are you sure that's the point, Doctor?
Of course.
What else could it be?
That you should never tell the same lie twice.
You wanted to see me?
I have bad news for you.
Major Kira has an airtight alibi.
I thought you might want
to look over the passenger manifests
of ships that recently came to the station.
To see if I recognize anyone who might wish me harm?
Exactly.
I suggest
you start with the most recent arrivals
and work your way backwards.
Well, don't worry about me, Constable.
I can manage on my own.
I'm not about to leave you alone in here
so you can look through my security files.
What makes you think
I haven't already looked through them?
I'm joking, of course.
Of course.
No, I'm afraid I don't
recognize any of these names.
The bomb could have been planted
days ago or even weeks.
I suggest you keep going back
just to be sure.
Oh, well, this could take forever.
I should think
you'd have plenty of time on your hands
now that your shop is
no longer open for business.
Hmm.
( door opens )
Odo, I...
I finished running the bio-molecular scan
you asked me for.
I found traces of living tissue
on the bulkhead around the blast site.
This looks like the remains
of a pheromonic sensor.
A what?
It's triggered
when a person of a particular species gets within range.
In this case, a Cardassian. Me.
They're known to be favored by Flaxian assassins
and it just so happens
a Flaxian came aboard the station just this morning.
So, Mister... Retaya
your papers indicate that you're a merchant.
I deal in fine wares, mostly fabrics and fragrances.
According to my information
you were a suspect in the murder
of Dekora Assan on Japori II.
I was cleared on those charges.
It was a case of mistaken identity.
This is your sample case, I take it.
Yes.
Well, how fortunate.
As it happens
I'm looking for a gift for a friend.
A lady friend?
Exactly.
Unfortunately, I don't have a sense of smell.
Perhaps you could describe this fragrance for me.
It has a somewhat... floral bouquet.
Hmm.
We have a Cardassian tailor here on the station
named Garak.
There was an explosion
in his shop not long after you arrived.
I felt the blast.
Was he hurt?
Not seriously.
Hmm?
That one is more musky than the first.
Oh.
Tell me, where were you when the explosion occurred?
The Ferengi's bar.
I went there as soon as I arrived this morning.
Mm-hmm.
Huh?
I suppose I would have to describe that one as... spicy.
Mm... I see.
And how long were you at Quark's?
The rest of the day.
Right up until your Deputy came and brought me here.
So, have you found something for your lady friend?
Almost.
I think she would like something both floral...
and musky.
Perhaps... if we mixed these two?
Why not?
( smelling )
Very nice.
But on the other hand
she's also quite fond of spicy things.
Maybe we could add...
a drop of this as well.
I really don't think they would go well together.
Let's find out.
I really don't think your lady friend will like the aroma.
Much less the fact that
when these three fragrances are combined
they produce a gaseous mixture
that can trigger a fatal heart attack when inhaled.
I had no idea.
Then why did you stop me from mixing them?
As I said
I simply didn't think your friend would like the aroma.
Unless you have any more questions, I'd like to go now.
I have deliveries to make on Cardassia.
I'll let you know when you
can leave the station.
Everything's set.
The transponder is on board
the Flaxian's ship.
You're sure he won't find it?
Not a chance.
I've hidden it inside the ship's magneton relay.
You'll be able to track him
as long as you stay within half a light year.
Who do you think he's going to lead you to?
If I knew that, I wouldn't have to follow him.
Oh, I was wondering when you'd get here.
The Flaxian left two minutes ago.
If we're going to follow him
we'd better get moving.
What makes you think I'm going to follow him?
I happen to know
that you're too dogged an investigator to allow
the only witness in this case to simply disappear.
Oh, congratulations.
Your powers of deduction are truly astonishing.
Now if you will kindly disembark
I will get on with my dogged investigation.
I intend to go with you.
Forgive me...
but are you making a joke?
Cardassian humor escapes me.
I'm quite serious.
Believe me, when someone tries to kill you
it's no laughing matter.
Perhaps, but I don't
require your company on this trip.
My presence
could be most helpful.
Especially if the Flaxian goes into Cardassian space.
I am not interested
in debating your usefulness to me.
I hate to interrupt you
but the Flaxian is getting farther away.
Now, I assume you've placed a tracking device on his ship
but if we don't get started soon
he's going to get out of range.
Rio Grande to Ops.
Request permission to depart.
KIRA: Permission granted.
Trust me, Constable
I can be a most pleasant traveling companion.
And this promises to be an interesting trip.
The tracking device is working perfectly.
If I'm reading this correctly— and I'm no expert—
it looks like the Flaxian ship is about to go into warp.
Well... it seems
that our "interesting trip" has just been cut short.
O'BRIEN: According to our sensor logs, the Flaxian ship exploded
the moment its warp drive was engaged.
Was there malfunction?
Well, that's what I thought at first.
Then I analyzed the telemetry from the transponder
I planted on board the Flaxian ship.
Just before the explosion
there was an interference pattern
in the transponder's signal.
This interference could have been caused
by a forced neutrino inversion.
ODO: The Romulans.
They use neutrino inverters
in their explosive devices.
Why would the Romulans want to destroy the Flaxian's ship?
One possibility
and then killed the Flaxian
when he failed in his mission.
Do you have any evidence to support that?
It's only a supposition, but it fits the available facts.
All right, Mr. Garak.
Do you know why the Romulans
might hire someone to kill you?
I have no idea.
I'm getting tired of hearing you say that.
How long do you expect us to believe...
ODO: He's telling the truth, Commander.
He doesn't know why the Romulans would try to kill him.
SISKO: What makes you so sure?
Because if he did know, he'd already be spinning out
an elaborate web of lies to cover up the truth.
GARAK: Well, the truth
is usually just an excuse for lack of imagination.
ODO: Is it?
If you want to know what the Romulans have against me
you'll have to ask them.
I intend to
but I don't expect them to be entirely forthcoming.
Yes, we destroyed the Flaxian's ship.
I have to say I'm a little surprised
to hear you admit it so easily.
Why would we hide it?
Retaya was wanted for crimes against the Romulan Empire.
His execution was perfectly legal.
We have information
that he may have worked as an assassin.
I have nothing to corroborate that
though it wouldn't surprise me.
SISKO: Well, shortly after he arrived here
someone tried to kill a Cardassian
who lives aboard this station.
That would be Mr. Garak...
a cobbler, I believe.
A tailor, actually.
I'll correct our records.
That is, if he's still alive.
He is.
Well. Is there anything else?
ODO: One more thing.
How long had the Tal Shiar
been looking for Retaya?
Nearly a year. Why?
Isn't it curious
that you finally caught up with him here
just hours after he attempted to kill Mr. Garak?
We're just grateful to have found him at all.
Now, if you're finished, Commander
I have other matters to attend to.
Hmm!
I take it you don't believe her either?
No.
But the question still remains.
Why would the Romulans want to have Garak killed?
I don't know.
Considering those uniforms of theirs, you'd think
they'd appreciate a decent tailor.
So, where does this leave your investigation?
At a standstill.
We don't know that the Romulans hired the Flaxian.
We don't even know that it was Retaya
who tried to kill Garak.
All we do know is
that a bomb went off in Garak's shop.
All right...
then let's start with him.
What do we know about Garak?
He was exiled from Cardassia
for what reason, we're not sure.
He never leaves the station.
He avoids contact with other Cardassians.
And it's possible
that he was once an intelligence agent of the Obsidian Order.
A very strong possibility, Commander.
Agreed.
So we can assume that this attempt on his life
had something to do with the Order.
Unfortunately, he's rather uncooperative when it comes
to answering questions about his past.
And the Obsidian Order is uncooperative
when it comes to answering questions
about their former agents.
Ordinarily, yes.
What do you mean?
I have certain resources in the Cardassian government.
I take it you don't want to elaborate on that?
I'd rather not.
But I would like to request the use of a runabout.
Granted.
Thank you, sir.
MALE: Stop there.
Where are you?
Nearby.
I've changed my appearance
since last we saw each other.
I don't want you to see me.
I need some information.
Is this about the tailor shop?
Yes.
I didn't do it.
I wasn't going to ask you that.
I think the Romulans tried to kill Garak.
Very good, Odo.
I see working for the Bajorans
hasn't entirely dulled your instincts.
My question is, "why?"
You'd have to ask the Romulans.
But I do know that you are investigating
a very insignificant piece of a much larger puzzle.
What do you mean?
There's been a great deal of unusual
Romulan activity these past weeks.
Cloaked ships believed to be warbirds
have been detected near the Cardassian border...
troop movements...
communication activity...
Sounds like they're preparing for an invasion.
It has occurred to us
and we're ready for it, if it should happen.
But it doesn't make any sense.
Does war ever make sense?
Still the wry observer of humanoid folly.
Tell me, do you still do the Cardassian neck trick?
No, I don't.
Pity. You were so good at it.
Garak isn't the only former operative in the Order
who had an "unfortunate incident" yesterday
but he's the luckiest.
The other five didn't survive.
Five operatives were killed yesterday?
"Killed"?
No.
Three died from "natural causes"
the other two perished in "accidents."
Quite a coincidence.
If you believe in coincidence.
I take it you think
the Romulans had something to do
with their deaths?
There were certain indications of their involvement.
That still leaves us
with the question, "why?"
Here.
Those are the names
of the five dead operatives.
I suggest you show that to Garak
then ask him that question.
I'll do that.
I trust you'll agree
that this information
satisfies my debt to you.
Agreed.
However, if you do learn something
from your tailor
and wish to share it with me
I would be indebted to you again.
I'll consider it.
They're all dead?
I take it you're not going to mourn their passing?
Oh, quite the contrary!
In fact, if these were different circumstances
I'd be celebrating tonight.
So you did know them?
Oh, yes, we were quite well-acquainted.
In the Obsidian Order?
Oh, Constable, we've been down this road before.
I don't see why ...
I've had enough of your dissembling, Garak!
I am not Dr. Bashir
and we are not sparing amiably over lunch!
Now you dragged me into this investigation
and you are now going to cooperate with me!
"Dragged you in"?
I don't know what you're talking...
You blew up your own shop, Garak!
Well... ( chuckles )
I don't think I've ever seen
that particular expression on your face.
Is it surprise?
Yes, Constable, it is.
I'm surprised that you
could come to this unlikely conclusion.
Oh, drop the pretense.
I knew as soon as I spoke with the Flaxian.
Assassins don't like varying their methods.
He planned to poison you.
I think you spotted him on the station
and then blew up your own shop
so that I'd begin an investigation.
That seems like a very elaborate way
to get you involved.
If I needed your help I could have just asked.
But you couldn't be sure
that I'd take you seriously, or that I'd help you.
Besides, I think you secretly enjoyed
destroying your own shop.
Well, I admit watching it burn wasn't exactly tragic.
Whether or not you want to admit it
you pulled me into this case, and now you're stuck with me.
I want to know who those men were
and what your connection was to them.
We were all associates of Enabran Tain.
Enabran Tain, the former head of the Obsidian Order.
He retired some years ago.
He was, I might add, the only head of the agency
who ever lived long enough to do so.
For some time, we were his most trusted advisors.
Do you have
any idea why the Romulans would want you all dead?
I don't know...
but Tain might.
That is unless he
suffered an "unfortunate accident" as well.
That is a distinct possibility.
May I use your communications system?
By all means.
Well, that's an interesting way
of scrambling a signal.
Yes, I thought you might appreciate it
on an aesthetic level.
Ah, here we are.
Mila.
( gasps )
Elim.
I never thought I'd see your face again.
I need to speak to Tain.
It's urgent.
You can't. He isn't here.
Where is he?
I don't know.
He left yesterday in a great hurry.
He wouldn't tell me where...
ODO: Maybe he realized
someone was coming after him.
He's in trouble, isn't he?
You have to help him, Elim.
I know you're still bitter
because of what happened between the two of you, but...
you must help him, Elim.
If you speak to him, tell him to contact me.
Promise me. You help him.
I promise.
I'll need a runabout, Constable.
We'll need a runabout.
I'm coming with you.
I hope you know what you're doing, Garak.
So do I.
Is there anything you need me to do while you're gone?
Like what?
I don't know— any unfinished business?
Actually, Doctor, there is something.
Well, what?
If you go into my quarters
and examine the bulkhead next to the replicator
you'll notice there's a false panel.
Behind that panel, is a compartment
containing an isolinear rod.
If I'm not back within 78 hours
I want you to take that rod
and eat it.
Eat it?
Mm-hmm.
You're joking.
Yes, Doctor, I am.
Very funny.
I thought so.
But the answer to your question, Doctor, is "no."
There's nothing you can do for me while I'm away.
Then these are for you.
Delavian chocolates.
But these were meant for you.
I know— I thought
you might need them more than I do.
Thank you.
Good luck.
Hmm.
We've cleared the station.
Now if you'll be kind enough
to let me know where we're going, I'll set a course.
Head for the Cardassian border.
We're going to the third planet of the Unefra system.
How do you know that's where Tain has gone?
I don't, but he has a safe house there
that no one's supposed to know about—
especially me.
That woman, Mila... who is she?
She's been Tain's housekeeper and confidant for over 30 years.
She seemed almost fond of you.
( chuckles )
Is it so hard to believe
that there's one person in this galaxy
who could regard me with a certain affection?
Well, I could believe there's one
but I wouldn't expect it
to be someone who worked for Enabran Tain.
As I understand it
the two of you didn't part on the best of terms.
You could say that.
Tain was directly responsible for my exile from Cardassia.
Then I don't understand...
Why I would be risking my life to help him?
Exactly.
Yes...
I can see how that would be puzzling.
( exhales deeply )
All right...
you owe him something.
I see why you're the Constable.
But it's more than that.
He means something to you.
Something personal?
Ah, now you've just moved from deduction to supposition.
You're not the kind of man
who would go to such lengths simply to repay a debt.
Are you trying to say that I have no sense of honor?
Well, that remains to be seen.
Yes.
You wouldn't risk going
into Cardassian space for just anyone.
It would have to be someone important to you—
someone you cared about.
I think
you were more than Tain's advisor.
I think you were his protégé and he was your mentor.
That is, until he sent you
into exile.
And yet, despite all that
you care enough about him to risk your life for him.
Or is all that just supposition?
Very interesting analysis...
very interesting.
Particularly coming from you.
Oh?
It's been my observation
that you always act from a sense of justice
or at least
what you consider justice.
There's no feeling
behind what you do—
no emotion beyond a certain distaste
for loose ends and disorder.
You don't know what it means to care about someone, do you?
People are just interesting creatures
to be studied and analyzed.
Is there any point to this?
Only that I find it interesting
that you ascribe feelings and motivations to me
that you know nothing about.
Or am I wrong?
Tell me.
Is there one person in this universe you do care for?
One person who's more
than just an interesting puzzle to be solved.
Is there, Odo?
Anyone?
If there were, I certainly wouldn't tell you.
And that would be a wise decision.
I'm taking us out of warp.
We're approaching the Unefra system.
( console beeping )
What's that?
I'm detecting
a subspace energy surge directly above us.
A vessel of some kind is de-cloaking.
It's a Romulan warbird.
In Cardassian space?
They've locked onto us with a tractor beam.
Take the helm.
I'll going to try to send out a distress signal.
I can't pull away.
The tractor lock is too strong.
They're jamming our transmission.
Do you think you got through?
I don't know.
I'm going to hail them, see what they want.
I think we're about to find out.
Tain.
Ah, Garak, it's good of you to come.
It spares me the trouble
of having to send someone else to kill you.
Come in, come in!
It's been a long time, Elim.
So, you're a tailor now.
Is this one of your creations?
A minor example of my work, yes.
I don't think I like the neckline.
Well, you always did have a keen sense of fashion
but you seem to have let it go
along with your once-trim figure.
( chuckles )
Constable Odo.
I've always wanted to meet you.
I wish I could say the same.
Oh, come now.
Haven't you ever been the least bit curious about me
about my relationship with Garak
or our work in the Obsidian Order?
I seldom waste time speculating
about retired spymasters and their associates.
He's good.
He hides his true feelings
almost as well as you do, Elim.
He'd have made a good operative in the old days.
I had the same thought myself.
But then, those days are long gone.
At least, they are for me.
You, on the other hand
seem to have left your retirement far behind
unless you're simply on a pleasure cruise
with your pointed-eared friends.
Cunning, isn't he?
He makes a racial slur
within earshot of two Romulans
putting me in the position of either defending them
thus, giving away my allegiance to them
or letting the comment pass— in which case
he's managed to plant a seed of discord between us.
Frankly, I don't find any of this interesting.
You both go to such lengths
to hide the true meaning of your words
you end up saying nothing.
I think you'll find when I have something to say
you won't have any trouble understanding it.
To answer your question, Garak
no, I'm not on a pleasure cruise.
This ship is part of a fleet
of Romulan and Cardassian vessels.
A fleet that will very soon be traveling
through the wormhole into the Gamma Quadrant.
ODO: I take it you're not
on a mission of peaceful exploration.
Not exactly.
You're going
to attack the Dominion, aren't you?
You're going to stage a first strike against them
before they can come
into the Alpha Quadrant.
A clear and precise analysis.
Commander Sisko
must find you a valuable advisor.
GARAK: A daring plan.
I didn't think there was anyone in the Central Command
bold enough to take on the Dominion.
TAIN: Who said anything
This is a joint operation
between the Obsidian Order and the Tal Shiar.
We've been building a fleet of ships
in the Orias system for months now.
If you attack the Dominion, they'll certainly strike back.
You'll be taking Romulus and Cardassia into war—
a war you may not win.
I don't think they'll be striking back.
Our intention is to wipe out the Dominion
in one single blow by eliminating the Founders.
Without them, the Dominion will collapse.
You seem disturbed by this, changeling.
Why? After all—
didn't you turn your back on your people?
You seem to know a great deal
about me and my people.
We know everything you know
including the location of their homeworld.
Ah!
Starfleet has shared their intelligence
on the Dominion with the Romulans.
And the Romulans have shared it with me.
You'll forgive me
if I reduce the scope of this conversation
to something a little more personal.
But why was it necessary to kill me
and the rest of our former colleagues
in order to embark
on this excursion into the Gamma Quadrant?
Because, Garak, I don't plan
on going back into retirement when this is over.
I plan on going back to my old job and my old life.
You were afraid we knew things—
things that could be used against you
and so you decided to have us eliminated.
Like I used to say, always burn your bridges behind you.
You never know who might be trying to follow.
You always used to say, as well
that the Tal Shiar was sloppy.
You never should have relied on them
to burn your bridges.
True.
They never should have hired the Flaxian
to blow up your shop.
Actually, I blew up my shop.
It was a way of piquing the interest
of the good Constable here.
( laughing )
You blew up your own shop?
You, my friend, are a true original.
If you hadn't betrayed me
things would have been very different.
I never betrayed you!
At least, not in my heart.
Why do you think I'm here?
I came because I thought
the Romulans were trying to kill you.
I came here to save you.
I never thought I'd hear myself say this, Garak...
but I believe you.
You can go.
Excuse me?
The changeling, of course, will have to stay
but you're free to go.
Your runabout is in Launching Bay 3.
Just like that?
Just like that.
Aren't you concerned that I might warn
the Central Command and Starfleet of your plans?
It's too late.
Central Command will have a war on its hands
whether it wants one or not.
And as for Starfleet, this isn't their fight.
They won't interfere.
It's a trick, Garak.
After all this, he won't let you just walk away.
It's not a trick, it's a choice.
You can walk out that door or join me.
Join you?
TAIN: That is what you've been waiting for, isn't it?
To end your exile?
To come back into the fold?
I'm asking you to serve Cardassia again, by my side.
You'll pardon me if I appear a little startled
but are you saying that all is forgiven?
I can't forgive what you did, but I can try to forget—
to put it aside as if it never happened.
So, do you want to go back to your shop and hem pants
or shall we pick up where we left off?
Garak, this is the man who put you into exile.
This is the man who just two days ago
tried to have you killed.
Yes, he is...
but it doesn't matter.
I am back.
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