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While surveying nearby star
systems for M-Class planets, Sisko and O'Brien locate a planet
that already supports a colony of humans. They transport to the
surface, and learn that none of their equipment functions — a
duonetic field seems to be preventing any E-M activity. They are
discovered by two colonists, Joseph and Vinod, who explain they
have been stranded on the planet ever since landing ten years
ago. None of their technological systems have worked since.
Sisko and O'Brien are taken to meet the rest of the group,
including Alixus, who is Vinod's mother. Alixus calls their
attention to how well the group has done without technology. She
expresses pride for their community and confirms that, even if a
rescue party arrives, she will never leave.
Back on the station, Kira and
Dax notice that Sisko's Runabout, the Rio Grande, is not
responding to their hails. Meanwhile, Sisko asks for any
technological assistance that may help him restore contact with
the ship, but Joseph explains that all such materials were
thrown away when Alixus recommended they abandon their
dependence on technology. Sisko and O'Brien are then asked to
the bedside of a woman dying from the bite of a local insect.
O'Brien suggests adapting their combadges to the energy of the
duonetic field in order to make contact with the Rio Grande. To
Sisko's shock, Alixus pulls him aside and tells him she will not
allow any talk about technology.
Kira and Dax locate the Rio Grande — flying aimlessly through
space — and set course for the ship in a Runabout. Meanwhile,
Sisko and O'Brien join the others at work in the fields, where
they discover one of the colonists has been imprisoned in a
metal box for stealing a candle. They are shocked by this harsh
method of "discipline," but Alixus defends her views. That
night, one of the women, Cassandra, visits Sisko with the
apparent intention of seducing him. Rebuffing her, he
immediately confronts Alixus, who admits sending Cassandra to
him. Suspicious, Sisko questions Alixus about how she
conveniently managed to end up on a planet that so completely
supports her philosophy of life without technology.
Sisko continues to work, but learns Alixus is rationing the
water because the colonists failed to win him over. Suddenly,
Alixus announces that the sick woman has died, and O'Brien was
caught trying to make his equipment function. Because Sisko is
O'Brien's commanding officer, she declares he must spend time in
the metal box as punishment.
Later, a parched but defiant Sisko meets with Alixus, who
promises to give him and the entire colony water if he will only
adopt their ways. Sisko silently refuses, returning to his metal
prison instead. A frustrated O'Brien searches the area, and
finds a hidden box containing working technological equipment.
He returns to the group with a now-functional phaser, releases
Sisko, and reveals he has found the source of the
artificially-created duonetic field. Realizing she's been
caught, Alixus admits to creating the situation that has kept
them there. Her people turn against her, now knowing the truth,
but they ultimately elect to stay. Kira and Dax finally make
contact with Sisko and O'Brien, and Alixus and Vinod transport
to the Runabout with them, no longer welcome in the society they
created.
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