|
Sisko, Odo, Dax,
and Garak are found unconscious in their runabout. While Bashir
attempts to revive their bodies in the present, Sisko and the
others wake up on Terok Nor — the station's previous name —
during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. They look normal to
each other, but everyone else sees them as Bajorans. Odo, who
was once Terok Nor's Chief of Security, seems particularly
agitated and anxious. They spot Odo's predecessor, Thrax, which
indicates that they have gone back in time at least nine years.
Two soldiers then haul away Dax.
While Dax learns she has been
selected to be Dukat's "friend," Garak scans the group to
determine their identities. Sisko is a Bajoran named Ishan Chaye.
Garak is Jillur Gueta. He then scans Odo, who supplies his own
name — Timor Landi. Odo awkwardly explains that Timor, Ishan,
and Jillur were falsely accused of trying to assassinate Gul
Dukat on the Promenade — and were publicly executed there.
They realize that this is actually seven years ago, and Odo had
taken over for Thrax as Security Chief. Since they must get off
the station before their pending execution, Sisko contacts the
Bajoran Resistance. However, the attempt on Dukat's life occurs
before they leave, and Sisko, Odo, and Garak are arrested.
In a cell, Odo tries to convince Thrax to investigate further,
but he refuses. Dax escapes from Dukat, frees her friends and
leads them toward Dukat's shuttle. Thrax blocks their path and a
fight ensues where he is revealed to be a Changeling. the group
moves on toward the airlock, but as they enter, they suddenly
find themselves back in the cell, where a soldier tells them
they will be executed in two hours.
Sisko realizes everything leads back to Odo. Thrax and Odo
appear on the Promenade, watching as Sisko, Dax, and Garak are
about to executed. Odo exclaims that he won't let this happen
again. The scene changes, leaving Odo alone with his friends.
Further down the Promenade, they see the execution, with Odo
wearing Thrax's uniform looking dispassionately. A horrified Odo
admits that he — not Thrax — allowed the innocent Bajorans to
die. Odo then wakes up in Deep Space Nine's Infirmary. Bashir
tells him that a plasma storm the runabout encountered caused
Odo's mind to lock his friends into a version of the Great Link.
Odo realizes that his guilt forced him to relive the incident
and face his failure. |
