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It's business as usual for Quark
at his bar, until he is approached by a Ferengi named Krax, who
presents his father, Grand Nagus Zek, the elderly, shrewd,
revered leader of the Ferengi business empire, accompanied by
his Hupyrian servant, Maihar'du. Quark and his brother Rom, in
awe and fear, quickly try to show Zek the respect he deserves,
and set him up with five of Quark's favorite holosuite
fantasies. However, Quark is worried that the legendary Ferengi
is really on the station to buy the establishment — at a price
which Quark can't refuse — dirt cheap. Zek then emerges from the
holosuite, quite satisfied, and makes Quark invite him to
dinner. Quark is quite dissatisfied with this.
Meanwhile, O'Brien, playing
substitute teacher at the station's school until his wife
returns from Earth, takes note of Nog's falsehood as to why his
homework isn't done — and even more so, Jake's reluctant
willingness to cover for his Ferengi friend's lie. He voices his
concern to Sisko, advising him to find a way to separate the two
children. Sisko understands, but also fears that trying to force
them apart will ultimately work against his relationship with
his son.
That evening, in Quark's quarters, Zek, Krax, and Rom are in the
midst of dinner, with Maihar'du and Nog performing the serving
duties. Zek states how pleased he is with the bar's success,
which worries Quark even more. But Zek is enraged when he learns
that Nog attends school, upon which Rom tells his son to
immediately stop going. That dealt with, Zek gets to the
business at hand — he wants the bar, but only for the next day,
with Quark playing host to a very important conference to be
held there. The purpose — the future of the Ferengi. And the
future lies — in the Gamma Quadrant.
Many important Ferengi arrive at the station for the conference,
including a very belligerent one named Gral, who does little to
hide his dislike for Krax. Much to Quark's surprise, Zek demands
that he stay for the discussion. Then, much to everyone's
surprise, Zek announces that he is stepping down as Grand Nagus,
and that the Ferengi who will replace him and lead their greedy
ventures into the Gamma Quadrant — is Quark! The conference
erupts into chaos, and Quark stands in shock.
 With great power comes many friends, Grand Nagus Quark quickly
discovers. Also, potential threats, as he learns from an
encounter with Gral, who offers to "protect" Quark from harm —
in exchange for Gral's pick of the most lucrative opportunities
in the Gamma Quadrant — a trade that Quark would be wise not to
refuse. Terrified, he goes to Zek, who basically tells him that
threats come with the job. While Quark is asking more advice,
Zek quietly passes away, leaving the new Grand Nagus to figure
it all out for himself. The bar is closed to honor Zek's
passing, and the Ferengi group holds the funeral service there.
Quark makes Rom, the only person he trusts, his bodyguard.
However, Rom says he had hoped to now run the bar, which Quark
thinks is absolutely absurd. During the proceedings, Nog meets
secretly with Jake, and they decide to remain friends despite
their parents' feelings.
Odo comes to the funeral ceremony, asking to have the body
autopsied, which he learns is impossible because Krax is selling
the "vacuum desiccated" remains as prized collectibles. Odo
leaves, treating Quark with the same old disrespect as he
departs. Suddenly, while Quark stoops down to pick up someone's
loose coin, a glowing sphere whizzes by, barely missing his
head, and blasting a hole in the far wall. Sisko, Odo, and
O'Brien investigate, determining it was a Ferengi locator bomb —
meant for Quark. But the new Grand Nagus refuses their help. Odo,
however, suspects the culprit is Maihar'du, the only one among
the group who didn't attend the funeral. Meanwhile, Quark's
generosity with fellow Ferengi causes his popularity to
increase, and worry to rise with the real would-be assassins —
Rom and Krax!
Sisko becomes frustrated when Jake doesn't return home for
dinner. On the advice of Dax, he sets out for one of the cargo
bays, where the computer has located Jake. Walking in quietly,
he is surprised to discover Jake with Nog, with Jake patiently
teaching the young Ferengi boy how to read.
At the same time, while Quark prepares for his first trip
through the wormhole, Rom unsuccessfully asks him again if he is
willing to turn the bar over to him. As far as Rom is concerned,
that seals his brother's fate. He and Krax escort the Grand
Nagus into an airlock tunnel, where a Ferengi ship supposedly
awaits. But Quark, now sealed in the tunnel alone, sees that the
only thing on the other side is empty space. Just as Rom and
Krax are about to eject him into the cosmos, Zek arrives with
Odo and Maihar'du. While Quark is freed, Zek explains that he
faked his death by going into a Hupyrian sleeping trance. The
reason — to test his son and his worthiness to be Zek's
successor — a test Krax failed miserably. Zek, resigned to the
fact that he cannot yet retire, thanks Quark for his help and
departs. Quark, on the other hand, deals with Rom for trying to
murder him — and congratulates his brother for such wonderful
treachery! Rom is a true Ferengi, after all. |
