 After experiencing operational
difficulties while traveling through the wormhole, Kira and
Bashir find themselves in an alternate universe where the space
station is populated by exact doubles of Garak and Odo, and is
run by Kira's counterpart, Kira II. In this universe, they have
no knowledge of the wormhole, and humans have no rights
whatsoever. Because of this, Bashir is sentenced to manual
labor, working under the sadistic, human-hating Odo II. Later,
Kira II tells Kira about the last crossover, which occurred with
Captain Kirk a century ago. That incident led to the formation
of a powerful alliance between the Klingon and Cardassian
empires in which Bajor is also a major player. Kira II tells
Kira that she cannot allow Kira and Bashir to live, but Kira
convinces her counterpart to spare them and let her try to find
a way back.
Kira steals a moment with
Bashir and tells him what she knows. Since a transporter
accident caused the last crossover, he thinks they might be able
to escape using another one, and tries to talk O'Brien's
counterpart into helping him. Unfortunately, the beaten,
put-upon Terran has little interest in risking the wrath of his
superiors. Meanwhile, Kira almost succeeds in securing Quark
II's help, but he is arrested by Garak, Kira II's aide, for
helping Terrans escape the station.
Kira then meets Sisko's counterpart, who receives better
treatment than the other Terrans because he runs missions for
Kira II. Afterwards, Kira II reassures Kira that she has nothing
to fear, and suggests they should become closer. Later, Garak II
tells Kira that he intends to dispose of Kira II, and that he
will let Kira and Bashir escape if she pretends to be Kira II,
then resign and allow Garak II to take over. Garak II then
reveals Bashir will be killed if she does not comply.
Kira hurries to Bashir and tells him they must find a way back
to the Runabout and make their escape through the wormhole. She
fills Sisko II in on Garak II's plan, hoping he will help out of
loyalty to Kira II, but he is unmoved. That night, Garak II
prepares to put his plan into effect at a lavish party thrown
for Kira by Kira II. Meanwhile, Bashir is able to take advantage
of an accident at the ore-processing plant where he labors,
killing Odo II and escaping.
News of Bashir's escape soon reaches the party, while Bashir
manages to locate O'Brien's counterpart, who decides to help
this time. However, the two are caught and brought to the party
to face Kira II. Despite Kira's pleas, Kira II sentences Bashir
to death. When she turns to O'Brien II, he makes an impassioned
speech, telling the assembled crowd what Bashir has revealed
about a universe where Terrans have respect and dignity. His
words move Sisko, who turns on Kira II and helps Kira and Bashir
to escape. The two return to their universe, leaving Sisko and
O'Brien's counterparts to fight for their rights in their own
world.
See Also: Image Captures |
