What can I get for you?
Uh, Til'amin froth for me, please.
Romulan ale, Quark.
A glass of spring wine.
Since when do you drink spring wine?
Or anything else, for that matter?
It's for Kira.
She should be getting out of services any minute now.
Well, here she is.
Ah.
How was it?
Ah, beautiful.
Ranjen Telna gave a very moving sermon.
What was it about?
About how important it is to forgive
the people who have wronged you.
Hmm. Two hours on forgiveness.
It's a complicated subject, Odo.
Hmm...
What's wrong?
Nothing.
It's just that, uh...
you spend so much time in services
that sometimes it makes me wish I were a believer
so that we could go together.
That's so sweet.
I would love for you to come with me
but I don't think you'll get much out of it
if you don't believe in the Prophets.
Ah.
Perhaps if I had an Orb experience.
It doesn't work like that.
Faith has to come first.
That's too bad.
I have a feeling it must be very comforting
to believe in something more powerful than yourself.
If you really feel that way
there are other faiths.
Would it bother you if Odo believed in...
Klingon religion?
Not if he got something out of it.
He'd get to eat the hearts of his enemies.
And go to Sto-Vo-Kor when he dies.
BASHIR: You could go on a vision quest.
( sighs ): But...
then I wouldn't get to go to services with Kira, would I?
That's the whole point.
That really is so sweet.
( laughing )
( door chimes )
Yes?
Vedek Fala.
Nerys.
What a surprise.
What are you doing here?
Well, I came to see you.
Oh! Well, come in. Sit down.
Let me get you some tea.
When I contacted the University
they told me you were on a spiritual retreat?
Oh, you know me—
always searching for answers.
That's what makes you different
from all the other vedeks I know.
To you, faith is a journey.
Thank you.
And one that never ends.
Oh, you're a Colonel now.
Seems like only yesterday you were just a little girl
squirming in your chair during instruction.
We didn't have any chairs at the camp.
Uh-uh. We sat on the floor.
Huh. Which was good for discipline
and made me seem more imposing.
Oh, as if you needed the help.
"Nerys, what are the three keys to enlightenment?"
And the answer?
Charity, humility and faith.
You remember.
You were a good teacher.
Without you, I'm not sure I would have survived that camp.
I brought you something.
What is it?
Welcome to Empok Nor.
Empok Nor?
That's impossible.
I know it's a long way from Deep Space 9, but...
this transponder allowed us to beam you here.
Those red armbands—
you're members of the Pah-wraith cult?
We worship the true Prophets, yes.
Why did you bring me here?
Well, that is a question best answered by the Master.
And who exactly is the Master?
MALE: I am.
Dukat.
Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES
You? You're the leader of the Pah-wraith cult?
I'm sure you have many questions, Nerys
and I intend to answer them all.
Leave us, please?
First of all, let me apologize
for bringing you here
without your permission.
Oh, it's all right.
I always wanted to see Empok Nor.
Is the Dominion aware
that you've, uh, set up a temple here?
Oh, this station has been abandoned a long time.
There's no reason why they'd object
to us putting it to use.
Your hair— you changed it.
Your ear— you've pierced it.
Ah...
A symbol of the covenant I've made with my new family.
Your new family...
Well, it makes sense, these people
would chose you as their leader.
They worship evil.
The Pah-wraiths are not what you think, Nerys
and neither am I.
( laughing )
Let me ask you something.
Have you ever wondered
why the Prophets stood by and did nothing
when Cardassia took over Bajor?
Have you ever asked yourself
how they could allow your people
to suffer as they did?
The Prophets have a plan for us.
It's not always easy to see what it is.
Even as you speak those words
you must know how hollow they sound.
No. There's a much better explanation—
one that makes perfect sense.
The Prophets are not the true Gods of Bajor.
The Pah-wraiths are.
( laughing )
They were cast from the Celestial Temple
because they wanted to take an active role
in Bajoran life.
Their only crime is that they cared about your people...
but they were not allowed to help them
because they'd lost the battle for heaven
and were forced to flee.
So I guess the ancient texts just had it all wrong, then.
Oh, come now, Nerys.
You know as well as I do
that history is written by the victors
but rest assured...
there will be another chapter.
The Pah-wraiths are determined
to reclaim their place in heaven.
And how would you know that?
They speak to me in visions.
I am their Emissary.
I don't know whether you believe what you're saying
or if you're faking it...
or if you're just insane.
I have been touched by the hand of a God.
I'm a changed man.
Oh, I admit
that when I first allowed myself
to become a vessel for the Pah-wraith
it was purely out of self-serving reasons.
All I wanted was to help it enter the wormhole
so it could force the Prophets out.
It was nothing more than...
a way to exact vengeance on Sisko.
But I had no idea the effect it would have on me.
It was only inside of me for a very short time...
but it opened my heart.
Would that be before or after you killed Jadzia?
Oh...
That was most unfortunate...
but it couldn't be helped.
The Celestial Temple itself was at stake
and she was in the way.
( laughing )
Ah, Nerys.
Nerys, I wish I had the words
to describe to you what it was like
to have the Pah-wraith within me.
I could feel its love...
for me and for the Bajoran people.
It made me realize I still have a role to play
in Bajor's destiny.
You mean, besides overseeing an occupation
that killed tens of millions?
You have no idea how much it pains me
to know that I caused so much suffering
but I am not responsible for the occupation.
The Prophets are.
You have no right to say that.
They abandoned Bajor.
I was simply walking the path they laid out for me.
Now I walk with the true Prophets.
I'm building a community here, Nerys.
I brought these people to Empok Nor
so that we could purify ourselves in preparation
for the day the Pah-wraiths reclaim the Celestial Temple.
And what's supposed to happen
when that day comes?
The Pah-wraiths have a plan.
When the time is right, they will reveal it to me.
Hmm.
Something tells me that their plan
involves you being ruler of Bajor again.
You're still so full of anger toward me.
I can only hope that, one day, you'll let it go.
I brought you here because I want you
to be a part of our community.
I want you to share in the love
these people have for one another
in the love they have for me.
No, they don't love you.
You have some kind of a hold over them
but they don't love you.
Nerys... open your heart to me.
We're bound together by destiny.
You belong at my side.
Chief.
When did you realize she was missing?
This morning— she usually comes by
my office before going to Ops.
Did you check the entry log?
She had a visitor sometime after 1900 hours.
Whoever it was only stayed about ten minutes.
Anything, Mr. Worf?
According to the Ops report
only one ship has left the station since last night—
the morning transport to Bajor.
Kira was not aboard.
Sir, I'm picking up traces of tachyon energy.
A transporter beam?
Yeah, with a Dominion signature.
Any chance of tracing it?
I'm afraid not.
The signal's already dissipated.
Their transporters operate over longer distances than ours.
What's their maximum range?
If the homing transponder was in place
up to three light years.
There was a homing transponder, all right.
It was wrapped in this.
Three light years.
For all we know
she could be deep inside Dominion space by now.
( sighs )
I had a feeling you'd turn up
sooner or later.
I know you're angry with me.
Angry?
I feel sorry for you.
Letting yourself be duped by Dukat into joining this cult.
I was a member of this "cult," as you call it
long before Dukat.
I came to it
toward the end of the occupation.
It's helped me make sense of...
the suffering we all had to endure.
In the camp...
you kept us together.
I-it was your faith in the Prophets
that got us through.
How could you, of all people, turn your back on them?
They turned their backs on us...
long ago.
The path the Prophets laid out for us isn't always easy...
but that's no reason to turn to hate and fear.
"Hate and fear."
You know how often I've heard those words used to describe us?
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Pah-wraith cult tried to kill the Emissary.
Dukat had nothing to do with that.
The boy who attacked Captain Sisko
was acting out of his own misguided beliefs.
We're a peaceful people.
Then prove it.
Let me go.
Nerys, the Master brought you here
because he cares about your spiritual well-being.
"The Master"!
He's using you.
He's taking your beliefs
and twisting them to suit his own purpose.
You're so stubborn.
That's always been your problem.
Your problem is you're too trusting.
When Dukat first came to us
I didn't want to accept him
but I came to realize the Pah-wraiths
had taken this man of evil and washed him clean.
What could be more wondrous than that?
How can you forget
all the friends we lost during the occupation?
How can you forget all the millions Dukat murdered?
You disappoint me, Nerys.
Of all the things I tried to teach you
the most important is the need to forgive.
Some things can't be forgiven.
Let me show you how we live.
I want you to see the community we're building here
so you'll know you have nothing to fear from Dukat.
Or from us.
Only one of the fusion generators is operational
so we don't have power for things like replicators.
Where do you get your food?
We've turned several of the lower levels
into hydroponic bays.
What about things like, uh, medical supplies?
You bring them in from Bajor?
We have a few cargo shuttles.
We're well aware that you may try and leave us
so you should know
that the docking bays are being guarded
as is the transporter we used to bring you here.
While we're on the subject, am I, uh...
free to move around, talk to people?
Of course. It is the Master's hope
that you will come to see this as your home.
Mika... this is Nerys.
Welcome.
You're getting close.
Could be any time now.
Mika and her husband have the honor
of being the first to receive
the Master's blessing to bear children.
You have to get per...
You have to get permission from Dukat
to have a baby?
Vows of abstinence are part of our covenant with him.
Exceptions are granted
only when he sees that a husband and wife
have demonstrated a true spiritual bond.
I see.
But you don't approve.
( chuckles )
In ancient times, Bajorans understood
the value of denying worldly pleasures.
Ironic, isn't it
that a Cardassian would be the one
to lead us back to the old ways?
Especially a Cardassian
whose appetite for worldly pleasures is legendary.
That was a long time ago...
before he felt the kiss of the Pah-wraith.
That was some kiss.
Striking, isn't it?
Benyan is Mika's husband.
Oh... congratulations.
I understand it isn't easy to, uh...
get permission to have a baby.
The Master told us
you wouldn't approve of our ways.
He said we should be patient with you.
Don't go out of your way.
I don't understand why he brought you here.
Benyan... That's all right.
We all worked very hard for what we have.
We don't need you or anyone else to approve of us.
Fair enough.
Don't misunderstand.
I hope you come to feel the love of the Pah-wraiths
but if you don't, that's your loss.
No offense.
None taken.
In fact, I've always found that, uh...
when people try to convince others of their beliefs
it's because...
they're really just trying to convince themselves.
I know what I believe.
And that's what scares me.
No offense.
( people chanting )
CONGREGATION: Ba'ja kor'ek, no'la ba'lani, pah'nom ko'se plusso ma'kora.
Kosst no'valt Amojan, my children.
ALL: Kosst no'valt Amojan.
Let us open our hearts and pray.
ALL: Ba'ja kor'ek, no'la ba'lani, pah'nom ko'se plusso ma'kora.
Ba'ja kor'ek, no'la ba'lani...
Don't.
( chanting continues )
Dukat!
plusso...
Stay where you are.
The rest of you
get down on the floor.
I said
down on the floor!
Step aside.
No.
Enough, Nerys
unless you're willing to kill us all.
( grunting )
( groaning )
Now do you understand how much they love me?
Careful.
No sudden moves.
( gasps in pain )
I removed it so I could tend to your bruise.
I had a meal prepared for you.
Oh, come now, Nerys...
you haven't eaten anything since you arrived.
I know what you're thinking...
but really...
what good would it do to try to kill me?
Even if you succeeded
it wouldn't get you off Empok Nor.
You'd only make a martyr of me.
You're right.
I don't want anything to happen to you...
not until your followers
have a chance to see what a fraud you are.
I love these people, Nerys
and they love me.
I should think
that after what just happened
in the temple, you'd realize that.
It always comes back to that, doesn't it, Dukat?
Your desperate need
to win the love of the Bajoran people.
You just never understood why we didn't appreciate you.
If it hadn't been for me
the occupation would have been much worse.
And you want a "thank you"?
You were working people to death in the Ore Processing Center
but that didn't stop you from strutting around Terok Nor
picking out Bajoran women to take to your bed
and actually believing that they wanted to be there.
You mother did want to be there.
You took her away from her children.
She did what she had to do so that we could survive.
She loved me.
Maybe... she convinced herself that she did
which is a very different thing.
( sighs )
Perhaps you're right.
And if I did, indeed
cause your mother any pain...
I deeply regret it
just as I regret many things I did
in those years.
That's why I'm so glad
the Pah-wraiths have given me an opportunity
to redeem myself in the eyes of your people.
How?
By recreating some kind
of idealized version of the occupation?
'Cause that's what you've done here.
You have your station back
Bajorans to serve
your every whim
and the best part is, this time...
they really do love you.
As misguided as that is...
they love you.
I'm so glad you're here, Nerys.
You embody everything I most admire
about the Bajoran people.
Your passion...
your spirit...
I can see now why the Pah-wraiths want you
at my side.
And why is that?
Because if I can open your heart to them
then surely I can open the heart of any Bajoran.
Your anger is
a challenge.
I welcome it.
Because, in the end, it will only help me better serve
the Pah-wraiths.
( door chimes ) Yes.
It's Mika. She's gone into labor.
Come, Nerys.
I want you to be a witness at this blessed event.
( excited conversation )
Ah...
this is a great day for us, Benyan.
You should be honored to have fathered
the first child born to our community.
I only hope that Mika and I can live up
to the faith you've shown in us.
Oh, I have no doubt that you will.
Your family will be the first of many.
Think of it.
Someday, Empok Nor will ring with the laughter of children.
You don't approve, Nerys.
Children being raised to follow the Pah-wraiths?
You can bet I don't approve.
This is a special moment.
I'm not going to ruin it by arguing with you.
You believe the Prophets are the true Gods of Bajor.
I believe the Pah-wraiths are.
Let's just leave it at that.
I'd be happy to.
There's just one thing— we can't both be right.
( people oohing )
The Pah-wraiths...
they've sent us a sign.
My children, good news.
Something wondrous has happened.
This infant...
born of the love
between Benyan and Mika
was transformed in her womb
into a living symbol
of the covenant I made with you.
Oh, what a blessed day this is.
There can no longer be any doubt
that the Pah-wraiths
are smiling upon us.
Let us give thanks
and praise.
ALL ( chanting ): Kosst Amojan pur-ono.
Ka'li bor'ek, no'ma
ten'su, fah-jah nori bentu'sa.
Ka'li bor'ek, no'ma ten'su, fah-jah nori bentu'sa.
Ka'li bor'ek, no'ma ten'su
fah-jah nori bentu'sa.
Ka'li bor'ek...
KIRA: Fala, I don't understand this.
You're an intelligent man.
How can you believe Dukat's story?
It's obvious he's the child's father.
What's obvious is you hate him so much
you can't even entertain the possibility
that a miracle has occurred.
Are you so blind that you will just believe
anything he says?
I have faith.
I would think you'd understand
what that means.
Nerys, is it beyond the realm of possibility
that the Pah-wraiths have sent us this child as a sign?
They have powers beyond our understanding.
Your Prophets made an entire fleet
of Dominion ships vanish into thin air.
What's one child compared to a miracle like that?
You want to know what the real miracle is?
That Mika didn't break into tears in front of her husband.
She was terrified
he wasn't going to believe Dukat's little performance.
I could see it in her eyes.
You saw what you wanted to see.
If you believe that this really is a miracle
then you'll let me talk to the happy couple.
Oh, what's wrong?
Afraid of finding out the truth?
I know the truth.
I just don't want you making unfounded accusations.
I'll be discreet.
FALA: Oh, it's coming along nicely.
Maybe you should make
one of the children half Cardassian...
to commemorate what happened.
If I'd known, I would have.
Must be quite an honor to be part
of such a miraculous event.
It is.
Obviously, Dukat did the right thing
in giving his permission for you to have a baby.
We prayed together many times.
He wanted to be sure.
Did you ever pray with him alone?
Yes.
Did Mika?
Yes.
Nerys...
let's let Benyan get back to work.
I want to find Mika.
When we do
I trust you'll be more discreet
than you were with Benyan.
( sighs )
I'm sorry.
Why didn't you tell me the baby was mine?
I didn't know.
I was hoping it wasn't.
Oh, Mika, I'm so sorry about what happened
that night.
I was weak...
and you were so beautiful.
I've forgiven you.
You know that.
Have you told anyone?
No.
Not even Benyan?
He wants to believe it was a miracle
but I know he has doubts.
If he ever asks me...
I don't know if I can lie to him.
Thank you.
He said Mika went this way.
Don't worry.
Everything is going to be all right.
Wait here until I'm gone
then go back to your quarters
and pray... for strength.
( beeping )
( air whooshing )
KIRA: Mika?
Mika.
( airlock controls beeping )
Mika...
You got to her just in time.
How is she?
The depressurization caused swelling
in her meningeal tissues.
I'm going to keep her sedated until morning.
But she will recover.
She'll be fine.
Brin...
seal the Docking Ring, check all the airlocks.
Let's make sure we never have
another accident like this again.
KIRA: An accident?
What happened, Dukat?
Was Mika going to tell everyone
that you're the father of her child?
Kira... Is that why you tried to kill her?
Enough.
Fala, it's all right.
Nerys is obviously upset.
She doesn't know
what she's saying.
Mika isn't going to lie for you anymore.
Take her to her quarters.
She needs to rest.
Keep him away from her.
DUKAT: Let us all pray for Mika's recovery.
Ka'la mo'sek teru-benso, Kosst Amojan...
I failed you.
Forgive my weakness.
Forgive me for letting temptation
obscure the path you laid out for me.
When Mika awakes— and I pray she does—
your children will learn the truth.
They will turn away from me.
They will turn away from you.
The covenant will be broken.
Don't let that happen.
Tell me what to do.
Please.
( bell dinging )
It's not time for services.
I'll stay with her if you want to go.
No. You go.
( crowd murmuring )
Kosst no'valt Amojan, my children.
ALL: Kosst no'valt Amojan.
Tonight, as I prayed
the Pah-wraiths sent me a vision.
They told me it would be the last one
I'd ever receive from them.
( murmuring )
There's a reason...
a wondrous reason.
My children, the Pah-wraiths have asked us to join them
in their holy quest to reclaim the Celestial Temple.
To become warriors in this great battle
we must transform ourselves.
Our corporeal bodies are not suitable for the task
so we must leave them behind.
In a few hours
at the beginning of a new day, we will gather together here
for the last time.
We will shed the flesh that ties us to this world
and deliver ourselves
Ka'li bor'ek, no'ma ten'su
fah-jah nori bentu'sa.
ALL: Ka'li bor'ek, no'ma ten'su
fah-jah nori bentu'sa.
Ka'li bor'ek, no'ma ten'su
fah-jah nori bentu'sa.
Ka'li bor'ek, no'ma ten'su
fah-jah nori bentu'sa.
I've sent a message to Deep Space 9.
They should be able to have someone here for you
within a day or so.
I know you're desperate
to keep your followers from turning against you.
I'm not surprised you'd kill them
but I can't believe you'd be willing to die yourself.
( frustrated sigh )
You just don't understand, Nerys.
The Pah-wraiths are calling me home.
You should be happy.
Happy?
50 people are going to die.
( sighs ): I assure you
our deaths...
will be painless.
Promazine...
developed by the Obsidian Order
for use by their operatives in case of capture.
Not only is death swift
but it reduces the body to dust within hours
making it unidentifiable to the enemy.
Dust...
that's all that will remain
of my passage through this misbegotten universe, Nerys
but it doesn't bother me
because I know I'm going to be with the Pah-wraiths.
You really believe that.
( sighs )
Good-bye, Nerys.
( door opens )
( all chanting softly )
My children...
the time has come for us to leave this world behind us.
( cable snaps into place )
( high-pitched whine )
( whine intensifies )
As we embark on this journey
our hearts are not heavy, but joyful
because we know we'll be together
in the holy light of the Pah-wraiths.
This is a great day for us.
We have proven ourselves worthy of the Pah-wraiths
and they are calling us home.
This is the means of our deliverance.
Kosst no'valt Amojan, my children.
ALL: Kosst no'valt Amojan.
DUKAT: Be not afraid.
I love you all.
Dukat!
MALE: Oh, no! Stop her!
( grunting )
Don't you see why he's doing this?
He doesn't want you to find out the truth.
( all murmuring )
Are you all right?
Everyone, please...
let us not allow anything to disturb
this holy moment.
What's wrong, Dukat?
Take it.
They're all the same, aren't they?
( all murmuring )
DUKAT: My children
listen to me.
KIRA: Tell them, Dukat.
Tell them you never had any intention
of dying with them.
( angry clamoring )
DUKAT: My time here is not finished.
The Pah-wraiths want me to continue bringing others
into their light.
This is his child.
That's why you tried
to kill Mika!
The Pah-wraiths have forgiven my sins.
They've given me their absolution.
( yelling angrily )
DUKAT: Who are you to presume they're wrong?
Who are you to judge me?
( angry clamoring )
You've been making us fools this whole time!
( clamoring continues )
Liar!
Then it's done.
Our covenant... is broken!
( angry yelling )
None of you will ever know the love of the Pah-wraiths...
none of you!
( angry yelling )
False Gods!
( angry yelling continues )
( yelling subsides )
Fala, no!
Why?
Faith... Nerys...
faith.
I'm sorry about Vedek Fala.
I keep going over what he said when he died, and...
and I don't know if he was trying to tell me
that he never lost his faith
or he felt betrayed by it.
I suppose you'll never know...
but one thing is certain.
These people have been betrayed and now they have to find a way
to pick up the pieces and move on.
I thought Dukat was just claiming to share their faith
because he wanted them to love him
but it was more than that.
He's changed.
If you hadn't stopped him, he would've killed them all
and nobody would've known his body wasn't among the remains.
That sounds like the same old Dukat to me.
I know this is going to sound crazy...
but I think Dukat convinced himself
that he was doing what the Pah-wraiths wanted.
( sighs )
Who knows?
Maybe he was.
Either way, he believes
and that makes him more dangerous than ever.
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org