 The worst is feared when a
Cardassian freighter, the Bok'Nor, explodes while departing the
station. Dax determines it was no accident, since it appears an
implosive device was placed aboard the ship. Worried how this
will affect Federation colonies in the newly-established
Demilitarized Zone, Lieutenant Commander Cal Hudson, an old
friend of Sisko's who serves as Starfleet's attache to the
colonies, is called in to help. He hints that the colonists,
who, thanks to the treaty, are suddenly living in Cardassian
territory, feel abandoned by the Federation.
Sisko returns to his quarters
to find Gul Dukat waiting for him, insisting he is there to talk
with Sisko privately, without the Cardassian government's
knowledge. He says certain Federation members are responsible
for the destruction of the Bok'Nor, and insists Sisko accompany
him to the Volan Colonies in the Demilitarized Zone. Sisko,
intrigued, agrees, and the two set off in a Runabout. When they
reach the area, they encounter a Federation ship under attack by
Cardassians — a clear violation of the treaty. Surprised, Dukat
orders his own people to stand down and threatens to fire, but
another Federation ship arrives and destroys both Cardassian
vessels. A war appears to be breaking out.
The two leaders join a meeting at one of the colonies, where Cal
Hudson, his Cardassian counterpart Gul Evek, and a few colonists
are present. Evek insists the colonists are engaging in
organized terrorist activities, and tells Sisko he can prove
this because they have the confession of the man who destroyed
the Bok'Nor. He then shows the recorded confession of William
Samuels, a colonist who Evek says was apprehended on Deep Space
Nine. When Sisko asks to talk to Samuels, Evek reveals his body
— an apparent suicide — which infuriates the colonists.
Later, Sisko wonders if Cardassian fears about organized
terrorism are true, and while Hudson says he is aware of no such
campaign, he also admits he wouldn't blame the colonists. Sisko
and Dukat then return to the station, and Dukat admits he knew
Samuels had been apprehended, but denies knowledge of his
suspicious death. Soon afterward, O'Brien approaches Sisko with
bad news — the device that destroyed the Bok'Nor was a
Federation device, apparently proving the colonists are
responsible. Then, Gul Dukat is kidnapped from the station.
While the crew works to determine where the kidnappers have
gone, they receive a transmission from the Demilitarized Zone,
where a group called the Maquis is claiming to have abducted
Dukat. Sisko, Kira, and Bashir follow the kidnappers to a
stretch along the Cardassian border known as the Badlands, where
they detect life on a large asteroid. They transport to the
surface and are taken prisoner by a band of armed Federation
colonists led by Cal Hudson.
See Also: Image Captures |
