Captain's Personal Log, Stardate 517...
3, uh...
517...
4?
Computer, what day is it?
Stardate 51721.3.
It's only been two weeks.
I need to talk about this.
I have to justify what's happened, what I've done...
at least to myself.
I can't talk to anyone else...
not even to Dax.
Maybe if I
just lay it all out in my log, it'll finally make sense.
I can see where it all went wrong...
where I went wrong.
I suppose it started two weeks ago
while I was posting the weekly casualty list in the Wardroom.
Every Friday morning for the past three months
I've posted the official list
of Starfleet personnel killed, wounded or missing in the war.
It's become something of a grim ritual around here.
Not a week goes by
that someone doesn't find the name of a loved one
a friend or an acquaintance on that damned list.
I've grown to hate Fridays.
Who is it, Dax?
Leslie Wong.
The Skipper of the Cairo?
She was an instructor at the Academy
when I was a sophomore.
Do you know what happened to the Cairo?
No, just that she disappeared on patrol
in the Romulan Neutral Zone.
I'll look into it.
DAX: Don't bother— I'm sure
it's the same old story.
The Jem'Hadar crossed the Romulan border
and caught them by surprise.
It's only about the hundredth time it's happened.
I can't believe the Romulans allow them
to violate their territory so brazenly.
Why do they get away with it?
The Romulans have a treaty
of nonaggression and friendship with the Dominion.
So they're willing to turn a blind eye to almost anything
in the name of friendship.
What we need to do is bring the Romulans
into the war on our side.
With the combined forces
of the Federation, the Klingons and the Romulans
we could finally go on the offensive.
That's the last thing the Romulans want.
Think about it.
They're in the perfect position.
They get to sit back and watch
as their biggest rivals slug it out
in a long, bloody war.
No one's threatening their interests.
Why should they risk their necks?
There's simply no reason for them
to get involved in our war...
no reason at all.
SISKO: That was the moment I made the decision.
It was like I had stepped through a door
and locked it behind me.
I was going to bring the Romulans into the war.
Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES
It's in their own best interests to join the war.
That's the key.
That's the reason the Romulans will finally take action
not to do us any favors
but to protect themselves from the Dominion.
Okay, let's say I'm the Romulan Proconsul.
From where I'm sitting
the Dominion isn't a threat to me.
I have a nonaggression pact with them.
They are my allies.
You're not going to put your faith
in some piece of paper, are you?
Not at all.
I've been watching them very closely
since the beginning of the war
and so far, they've kept their part of the bargain.
They're violating your territory almost every day.
What kind of an ally is that?
So they're crossing my backyard
to give the Federation a bloody nose.
I can't say that makes me feel very sad.
You can't be naive enough to think
that the Dominion is going to stop with the Federation.
When they're finished with us, they're coming after you.
That's speculation.
The Founders see it as their sacred duty
to bring order to the galaxy— their order.
Do you think they'll sit idly by
while you keep your chaotic empire
right next to their perfect order? No.
If you watch us go under, then what you're really doing
is signing your own death warrant.
But before I plunge my people into a conflict
that will kill millions of loyal Romulan citizens
I need something more concrete
than the self-serving argument
of a Starfleet officer.
I need proof of Dominion duplicity.
Not more words...
proof.
Very good, old man.
You would have made a decent Romulan.
I prefer the spots to the pointed ears.
( sighs )
Okay, you've convinced me.
They're going to need evidence.
But if there is evidence
of a Dominion plan to attack Romulus
it's probably buried deep in the bowels
of their headquarters on Cardassia Prime.
Not exactly the most accessible place in the galaxy.
Hmm...
Not for us, maybe, but there is someone on this station
who specializes in gaining access
to places where he is not welcome.
I must say I'm flattered, Captain.
I had no idea you held such
a lofty opinion of me.
Your faith in my ability
to retrieve classified information
from my former homeland
is most gratifying.
Mr. Garak, let's dispense with the usual repartee
and concentrate on the issue at hand.
Can you do it or not?
No one wants to see the Dominion destroyed more than I do
but to go to Cardassia Prime
penetrate one of the most heavily guarded facilities
in the Quadrant, steal top secret war plans
and then return them
safely to you
is not just another job.
It's more like a suicide mission
and that is well outside
my field of expertise.
I didn't say you had to go there yourself.
I have to believe that a man like you
still has a few contacts at home—
a colleague from the Obsidian Order...
an old friend...
a reliable informant...
someone who might owe you a favor.
Perhaps.
Then I'd say it's time to call in a favor.
It would mean calling in all my favors, Captain.
To do what you're asking would use up
every resource I have left on Cardassia.
And it may be...
a very messy, very bloody business.
Are you prepared for that?
I posted my 14th casualty list this morning.
I'm already involved
in a very messy, very bloody business.
And the only way I can see to end it
is to bring the Romulans into the war.
I am prepared to do whatever it takes
to accomplish that goal, but I can't do it alone.
I need help.
Now...
are you in or out?
I'm in.
SISKO: My father used to say that the road to hell
is paved with good intentions.
I laid the first stone right there.
I'd committed myself.
I'd pay any price, go to any lengths
because my cause was righteous.
My... intentions were good.
In the beginning, that seemed like enough.
SISKO: If there's one thing I've learned over the years
it's that bad news invariably comes
in the middle of the night.
Kira to Captain Sisko.
Go ahead, Major.
We just received a priority one communication
from Starfleet Command.
The Dominion has invaded Betazed.
According to initial reports, the invasion force
must have come from somewhere in the Calandra Sector.
Did Starfleet Intelligence
know anything about the buildup?
No. They believed
Calandra was too far
from the Dominion supply lines to be a threat.
SISKO: There's plenty of blame
to go around.
The Tenth Fleet was supposed to be protecting Betazed
and its outlying colonies.
but it was caught out of position on a training exercise.
What's worse, Betazed's own defense systems
are obsolete and undermanned.
The planet was theirs
in less than ten hours.
KIRA: With Betazed in the hands
of the Jem'Hadar, the Dominion is in a position
to threaten Vulcan, Andor, Tellar, Alpha Centauri.
If we ever needed a new ally, it's right now.
( door opens )
Mr. Garak.
It's been three days.
Have you made any progress?
Well, I suppose that depends
on how you look at it.
This is how I look at it:
Betazed has just fallen to the Dominion
and we need to get this operation underway.
I share your desire for swift action, Captain.
In fact, after our last conversation
I made a few discreet inquiries among my former associates
still living on Cardassia.
As I anticipated
they shared my loathing for the current government
and were willing to take on any assignment
aimed at its destruction.
That sounds like progress to me.
Doesn't it?
Unfortunately, they're all dead now.
What?
Yes.
All killed within one day of speaking with me.
I suppose that's a testament
to the effectiveness of Dominion Security.
One should admire such efficiency.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
I hope you're not giving up that easily.
After all, the stakes are much higher
than a few dead operatives.
The fate of the entire Quadrant hangs in the balance...
or at least that's the case you made to me.
Do you have another plan?
As a matter of fact, I do
but I suspect you won't like it.
Try me.
If you want to guarantee that we obtain evidence
of a Dominion plot to attack the Romulans
I suggest that we manufacture that evidence ourselves.
Maybe I should have put a stop to it right there.
Maybe I should have said
"Thank you very much for your input, Mr. Garak.
I will take your suggestion under advisement"
and gone back to my office and forgotten the whole thing
but I didn't...
because in my heart, I knew what he was saying made sense.
His name is Vreenak.
He's been a key member
of the Romulan Senate for the past 14 years.
He's Secretary of the War Plans Council
Vice Chairman of the Tal Shiar
and one of the most trusted advisors to Proconsul Neral.
He's also the man that negotiated
the nonaggression pact with the Dominion.
Since you're familiar with him
I'll skip the rest of his biography.
What's important is that he continues to be one of the most
ardently pro-Dominion voices in the Senate.
If we can convince him that the Dominion is a threat
the rest of the Senate will follow.
All right. How?
Ten days from now
Senator Vreenak will be making a trip to Soukara
for a diplomatic meeting with Weyoun.
I am certain that he can be persuaded
to make a secret detour to DS9
if he were invited by one Captain Benjamin Sisko.
How do you know he'll be visiting Soukara?
There are some things I'd rather not discuss.
May I continue?
Please.
When Senator Vreenak arrives, you will show him
a holographic recording of a secret meeting
held at the highest level of the Dominion
in which the planned invasion of Romulus
is being discussed.
You will tell the Senator
that this information was obtained
through various covert means
at great cost to the Federation.
At least ten good men lost their lives
bringing it across the line— that sort of thing.
He will immediately suspect it's a forgery
but you will assure him
that such a thing would be impossible.
"You see, Senator
"this is an official Cardassian transcript.
"It was recorded on a one-time optolythic data rod
"used for official record keeping.
"These rods are manufactured only as needed
"on Cardassia Prime.
"Information can only be transcribed on them once
and then cannot be altered."
He'll want to examine it.
Of course.
And he will discover, to his amazement
that it is completely genuine, at least, so it will appear.
But in reality?
You will have handed him a genuine optolythic data rod
but it will contain one of the most perfect forgeries
ever fashioned.
I'm still working on obtaining the data rod
but I have found the man who will create the holo-recording.
You realize I can't authorize a thing like this on my own.
I have to clear it with Starfleet Command.
Of course, but I suspect that with the fall of Betazed
they'll be ready to do whatever it takes
to bring the Romulans into the war.
I'll let you know.
Uh, one last thing, Captain.
The man we need to forge this holo-program
is currently sitting in a Klingon prison
awaiting execution.
To save time and, incidentally, his life
I thought that perhaps you could contact
Chancellor Gowron today and arrange a pardon?
What's his name?
Grathon Tolar.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am, Captain.
The Klingons were going to execute me tomorrow.
Of course, they say that every day.
It's one of the little games they like to play.
( laughs )
You do understand the terms of your parole.
Oh, yes.
I have to promise to stay away from the Klingon Empire.
( dry chuckle )
That'll be tough.
( laughs )
And I have to create
some kind of a special holo-program for you.
( chuckles )
Well, I can hardly wait.
I've never worked for Starfleet before.
Let's be very clear about this.
You're not working for Starfleet.
This entire matter is off the record.
As far as you're concerned, you're working for me.
Oh, a personal matter.
( laughs )
Something special, for your eyes only?
Something with, perhaps
five or six Orion slave girls and... oh...
Mr. Tolar.
I suggest you go
and wait in your quarters.
Mr. Garak will provide you with all
the information you need.
Garak... is here?
That's right.
Oh... oh...
Well... that's different.
I'll wait in my quarters.
SISKO: Why I didn't listen
to the voice in the back of my mind
telling me not to believe a word he said
I'll never know.
But it didn't take long for me to come face-to-face
with the fact that I'd made a mistake.
Odo to the Captain.
Go ahead, Constable.
I'm sorry to disturb you
but do you know a man named Grathon Tolar?
Yes. Why do you ask?
Because he just tried to kill Quark.
BASHIR: Sit still, Quark. You'll be fine.
All right, keep an eye on him.
What happened?
As I understand it, Mr. Tolar over there came in
about two hours ago
ordered a bottle of Whelan bitters.
15 minutes later, he ordered a second bottle
and then a third.
Halfway through his fourth bottle
he decided to dance with M'Pella.
She was otherwise engaged, running
the dabo wheel, declined his invitation.
He decided to force the issue.
A brief struggle ensued, and Quark
in an uncharacteristic display of chivalry
attempted to intervene, so Tolar stabbed him.
Normally, he'd be
sitting in a holding cell, but he claims
he's a friend of yours.
He's no friend of mine...
but he is working for me.
It's an extremely sensitive matter
concerning Federation security.
I can't have any record of him being on the station.
I see.
I am certainly aware of the need
for special security measures during wartime
but, as a matter of law
if Quark chooses to press charges against Tolar
I have no choice but to make an arrest.
May I speak to Quark?
How is he?
How do I look?
I'm a man who just had a brush with death.
He'll be fine.
His ribs deflected the knife
from his major organs.
Bleeding was superficial.
Superficial?
Do you know how much this shirt cost?
Will you excuse us for a moment, Doctor?
I'll check on you tomorrow.
Do you intend to press charges?
You bet I do.
What will it take, um...
to, uh, convince you otherwise?
Are you offering me...
( whispers ): a bribe?
I knew it.
Captain, I've always liked you.
I suspected that somewhere deep down in your heart of hearts
there was a tiny bit of Ferengi just waiting to get out.
What's your price?
Well... let's start with replacing my clothes
and M'Pella's clothes.
All right.
I'm not finished.
I think I should be compensated
for the loss of business I suffered today
which I calculate as no less than...
five bars of gold-pressed latinum.
Done.
I'm also having a problem with Station Security.
They're holding some cargo containers
which I've been waiting for
because of some missing import license or something.
I'll handle it.
A-anything else?
No.
I think we can call it a bribe.
And thank you, Captain.
Thank you for restoring my faith
in the 98th Rule of Acquisition.
"Every man has his price."
That was my first moment of real doubt...
when I started to wonder...
if this whole thing was a mistake.
So then I went back to my office...
and there...
was a new casualty list waiting for me.
People are dying out there every day!
Entire worlds are struggling for their freedom
and here I am, still worrying
about the finer points of morality.
No, I... I had to keep my eye on the ball.
Winning the war, stopping the bloodshed—
those were the priorities!
So I pushed on
and every time another doubt appeared before me
I just found another way to shove it aside.
Mind if I join you?
Be my guest.
Ops.
Hold. The less I'm seen
parading through Ops, the better.
I couldn't agree more.
You seem angry.
Who's watching Tolar?
I've locked him in his quarters.
I've also left him with the distinct impression
that if he attempts to force the door open
it may explode.
I hope that's just an impression.
It's best not to dwell on such minutiae.
In any case, we have far more important matters to discuss.
I've located a gentleman willing to sell us
a genuine optolythic data rod.
How do you know it's genuine?
I trust the source, but rest assured
I will confirm the rod's authenticity
before I make payment, which brings me to you.
How much does he want?
I'm afraid he's not interested in latinum.
The gentleman in question
has requested to be compensated with...
200 liters of biomimetic gel.
What?
I don't know
why, exactly.
One would assume it has something to do
with genetic experimentation.
Offer him something else.
Believe me, I wouldn't be relaying this request
if I thought he'd take something else.
Biomimetic gel is strictly controlled by the Federation
and not for sale at any price.
Find someone else who's willing to sell us a rod.
I wasn't exaggerating
when I told you about the near impossibility
of obtaining a genuine Cardassian data rod.
It's something of a minor miracle
that I was able to locate this one source.
I'm virtually certain I won't find another.
I'm afraid we either give him what he wants
or forget the whole enterprise.
Then let's forget about it.
Ops.
Hold.
200 liters is out of the question.
There's not that much gel in the entire sector.
I believe that the quantity is open to negotiation.
Ops.
Captain, biomimetic gel
is an extremely dangerous compound, as you know.
I can't release it without at least some idea
of where it's going.
In the wrong hands, it could be used
to make biogenic weapons, or for illegal
replication experiments or to develop organic explosives—
Perhaps I didn't make myself clear, Doctor.
This is not a request; it's an order.
You will package
85 liters of biomimetic gel
for interstellar transport
and deliver them to Cargo Bay 3.
Is that understood?
Yes.
I'd like this order in writing, please, sir.
I thought you might.
You should know
that I shall note this in my log
and file an official protest
with Starfleet Medical.
That is your right, but I want the gel
by the end of the day.
Dismissed.
The Founders have decided
to implement stage two ahead of schedule.
The invasion of Romulus?
It's too soon.
We're engaged in heavy fighting
all along the border with the Federation.
The Klingons are preparing
to go on the offensive, and—
Fortunately, the Founders
have better vision than you do.
They can see the opportunities before us
even when you cannot.
Consider...
the Romulans don't expect an attack from Cardassia.
The bulk of the Romulan fleet is still deployed
along the Neutral Zone with the Federation.
The Founders estimate we could be on Romulus itself
in less than three weeks.
Three weeks?
I heard the same kind of estimates
before we attacked the Federation.
Those plans were ruined
by the incompetency of your predecessor.
Gul Dukat is a great man.
Gul Dukat is a preening egotist
and a fool.
We offered him unchallenged control
of the Alpha Quadrant, and all
he could think about was his daughter.
( chuckles )
Now, shall we get back
to the business at hand?
That's it.
Freeze program.
That's all the new material.
The rest of the program plays exactly as you saw before.
What do you think?
It's, uh, better.
They seem more real.
Yes, and all I had to do was add
a little petty bickering and mutual loathing.
So, you are happy.
It's... satisfactory.
You may record the program
onto the data rod now.
( quietly ): I received a message.
Senator Vreenak is on the way.
Excellent.
Done.
( chuckles )
Who gets it?
Just... put it in the case.
Ah.
( chuckling )
Well... it has been a pleasure
doing business with you gentlemen.
Call me again if you ever—
You're not going anywhere.
What...? What do you mean?
I mean, you're not leaving
until your work is accepted by our client.
Well, that isn't fair.
You can't keep me here against my will.
I haven't done anything wrong.
We had an agreement!
I'm making a new agreement.
If that program passes inspection, you walk free
but if there is even the slightest flaw
then I will send you back to that Klingon prison
and tell Gowron to take his time while he executes you.
All right. It will pass.
You'll see.
It... will... pass.
I sincerely hope so.
Now, why don't you go back to your quarters?
I'll be along shortly to say... hello.
( door opens, closes )
( pounds fist )
Maybe I was under more pressure than I realized.
Maybe it was really starting to get to me.
But I was off the hook.
Starfleet Command had given the plan their blessing
and I thought that would make things easier.
But I was the one who had to make it happen.
I was the one who had to look Senator Vreenak in his eye...
and convince him that a lie...
was the truth.
So while you're entertaining the Senator in the Wardroom
I'll take the opportunity
to make a quick search of his ship's database.
For what?
Well, for any intelligence information
he may have picked up on the Dominion in Soukara.
What if you get caught?
Oh, I think that's highly unlikely.
I doubt the Senator will be traveling
with more than four bodyguards at the most.
Two will stand watch outside the Wardroom
and two will stay in the landing bay.
I assure you, they'll never know I was even near their ship.
Just make sure you don't get caught.
Report.
Sections 52 Baker through 62 Baker
have been secured.
I have posted armed guards
at every entry point
and I have personally scanned all compartments
for signs of surveillance equipment.
Very good, Commander.
Maintain current security measures until further notice.
No one is to enter this area
except Mr. Garak and myself.
Aye, sir.
Always a pleasure to see you, Mr. Worf.
KIRA: Ops to Captain Sisko.
Go ahead, Major.
We've just received the coded subspace signal
you were waiting for.
Should I reply?
No reply, Major.
Sisko out.
( warning Klaxon sounds )
I'll take my leave of you now, Captain.
Oh, and one last thing.
Vreenak believes he's on the winning side
so until you can prove otherwise
you may have to put up with a certain...
acerbic attitude.
Uh, Mr. Garak
after having spent a week with you
I have developed a very, very thick skin.
Good luck.
Welcome aboard, Senator.
I'm Captain Benjamin Sisko.
So, you're the Commander of Deep Space 9...
and the Emissary to the Prophets
decorated combat officer, widower, father, mentor.
And, oh, yes—
the man who started the war with the Dominion.
Somehow I thought you'd be taller.
Sorry to disappoint you.
To be honest
my opinion of Starfleet officers is so low
you'd have to work very hard indeed to disappoint me.
If you'll come with me
I'll show you to your quarters.
I look forward to seeing your station—
while it's still here, that is.
The way the war's going with the Federation
it may not be around much longer.
Mmm.
A fair approximation, but...
somewhat lacking in aroma.
Real kali-fal should forcibly open one's sinuses
well before the first sip.
We don't have much experience
in replicating Romulan beverages.
Of course, all of that would change
if we became allies instead of cold warriors.
You are persistent, Captain.
I'll grant you that.
But dogged determination isn't enough
to change the reality of your situation.
Time is definitely not on your side.
The Dominion shipyards are operating
at 100 percent capacity.
Yours are still
being rebuilt.
The Dominion is breeding legions of Jem'Hadar soldiers every day.
You're experiencing a manpower shortage.
But most important...
the Dominion is resolved to win the war at any cost.
You and I both know
the Federation has already put out peace feelers.
Now, in all candor
if you were in my position, which side would you choose?
I'd pick the side most likely to leave us in peace
when the dust settles.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe the Dominion will win in the end.
Then the Founders will control what we now call Cardassia
the Klingon Empire and the Federation.
So, instead of facing three separate opponents
with three separate agendas
you'll find yourselves facing
the same opponent on every side.
There's a word for that—
surrounded.
It really is a good replica.
The aroma's starting to grow on me.
For a moment there, I almost forgot it wasn't the real thing
but only for a moment.
You make some very good points, Captain
but it's still all speculation and theory—
nothing that would warrant abrogating our treaty
and plunging the Empire into war.
What if I told you
that the Dominion is planning a sneak attack
on the Romulan Empire at this very moment?
Mmm...
I'd want proof.
WEYOUN: And with the Cardassian Fourth Order
protecting their flank
the 23rd Jem'Hadar division will begin its thrust
across the Glintara Sector.
They should begin the invasion of Romulus
on the following day.
Once we've taken the homeworld
organized resistance will crumble
when outlying systems and colonies
begin looking out for themselves.
Consolidation of the entire empire
will take three months at most.
DAMAR: What if the Romulan fleet
reacts faster than you're anticipating?
What if they pull all of their forces
away from the Federation border
at the first sign of our attack?
WEYOUN: I place my faith in the Founders.
They say
the Romulans are not ready for war
and will not react fast enough
once it begins.
Now, do you wish to dispute their judgment?
No, of course not.
I serve the Founders.
As do we all.
Meeting adjourned.
I'd like to examine...
that data rod.
So all I could do was wait...
and see how masterful Tolar's forgery really was.
So I waited.
Tried to catch up on my paperwork.
But I-I found it very difficult to focus on...
criminal activity reports, ha?
Cargo manifests.
So I went back to pacing...
and staring out of the window.
I'm not an impatient man.
I'm not one to agonize over decisions once they're made.
I got that from my father.
He always says...
"Worry and doubt
"are the greatest enemies of a great chef.
"The soufflé will either rise or it won't.
"There's not a damn thing you can do about it
"so you might as well just sit back and wait
and see what happens."
But this time...
the cost of failure was so high...
I found it difficult to take his advice.
If Vreenak discovered that the data rod was a forgery
if he realized that we were trying
to trick them into the war, it could push the Romulans
even farther into the enemy camp.
They could start to openly help the Dominion.
If worse came to worst
they could actually join the war against us.
I had the distinct feeling
that victory or defeat would be decided
in the next few minutes.
It's a fake!
So, it all blew up in my face.
And all the lies and compromises...
the inner doubts and rationalizations—
all for nothing.
Vreenak was furious.
I can't say I blamed him.
I'd have reacted the same way.
After telling me in no uncertain terms
that he would expose this "vile deception"
to the entire Alpha Quadrant
he got back in his shuttle and headed home.
There didn't seem to be anything more to do.
So, I went back to work.
Two days later, I got the news.
No one for me today.
I had one.
Maria Tatalia, wounded in action.
BASHIR: Friend?
Friend of a friend.
Actually, I only met her once.
I don't think she'd remember me.
Friend of a friend between the two of us.
Well, I know it sounds a bit strange
but I'd say we're off to a pretty good start today.
Captain, we just received word
from Starfleet Intelligence that a Romulan shuttlecraft
carrying a high-ranking Senator
has just been destroyed.
Which Senator?
Senator Vreenak.
He was returning to Romulus
from a diplomatic mission to Soukara
when his shuttle exploded.
The Tal Shiar are investigating
but preliminary reports point to sabotage.
They believe that the Dominion is responsible.
The Dominion assassinated a Romulan Senator.
On a diplomatic mission.
That changes everything.
It could even bring the Romulans into the war.
Excuse me.
( yelling )
( grunting )
Get up!
You killed him!
That's right.
That's what you
planned to do all along, isn't it?
You knew the data rod wouldn't hold up to scrutiny.
You just wanted to get him on the station
so that you could plant a bomb on his shuttle!
It wasn't quite that simple.
I did have hopes that the rod would somehow pass inspection
but I suspected that Tolar
may not have been up to the task.
And what about Tolar? Did you kill him, too?
Think of them both as tragic victims of war.
If you can allow your anger
to subside for a moment
you'll see that they did not die in vain!
The Romulans will enter the war!
There's no guarantee of that!
Oh, but I think that there is.
You see, when the Tal Shiar finishes examining
the wreckage of Vreenak's shuttle
they'll find the burnt remnants
of a Cardassian optolythic data rod
which somehow miraculously survived the explosion.
After painstaking forensic examination
they'll discover that the rod contains a recording
of a high-level Dominion meeting
at which the invasion of Romulus was being planned.
And then they'll discover that it is a fraud!
Oh, I don't think they will
because any imperfections in the forgery
will appear to be a result of the explosion.
So, with a seemingly legitimate rod in one hand
and a dead Senator in the other...
I ask you, Captain
what conclusion would you draw?
That Vreenak obtained the rod on Soukara
and that the Dominion killed him
to prevent him from returning to Romulus with it.
Precisely.
And the more the Dominion protests its innocence
the more the Romulans will believe they're guilty
because it's exactly what the Romulans
would have done in their place.
That's why you came to me...
isn't it, Captain?
Because you knew
I could do those things
that you weren't capable of doing.
Well, it worked, and you'll get what you want—
a war between the Romulans and the Dominion
and if your conscience is bothering you
you should soothe it with the knowledge
that you may have just saved
the entire Alpha Quadrant, and all it cost
was the life of one Romulan Senator
one criminal...
and the self-respect of one Starfleet Officer.
I don't know about you
but I'd call that a bargain.
At 0800 hours, station time...
the Romulan Empire formally declared war
against the Dominion.
They have already struck 15 bases
along the Cardassian border.
So...
this is a huge victory for the good guys.
This may even be the turning point of the entire war.
There is even a "welcome to the fight" party
tonight in the Wardroom.
So...
I lied.
I cheated.
I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men.
I am an accessory
to murder.
But the most damning thing of all...
I think I can live with it.
And if I had to do it all over again...
I would.
Garak was right about one thing.
A guilty conscience is a small price
to pay for the safety of the Alpha Quadrant
so I will learn...
to live with it.
Because I can live with it.
I can live with it.
Computer...
erase that entire personal log.
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org