 A group of
genetically enhanced humans, once under Bashir's care, escape
from their medical facility home in the hopes that the doctor —
who himself was genetically engineered as a child — can cure
their friend Sarina. Sarina's enhancements left her in a
catatonic state, and Bashir attempts an untried procedure on her
brain that initially appears to have no effect. However, a few
days later, Sarina speaks for the first time.
Now cured, Sarina delights in
all that she sees and hears. She's deeply grateful to Bashir for
helping her, and he's moved by the sight of Sarina blossoming
before his eyes. Overnight, she has gone from a state of silence
to one of bliss. In some ways, it's overwhelming to Sarina, who
confides that she's afraid to sleep out of fear that she could
wake up the way she once was.
Hoping to expand Sarina's social circle beyond the dysfunctional
friends who brought her to the station, Bashir takes her out to
Quark's, where she charms the doctor and everyone around her.
Later, Bashir acknowledges that Sarina no longer belongs in the
medical facility to which her friends must soon return, and
smitten with her, he kisses Sarina tenderly.
Bashir tells O'Brien that Sarina is the woman of his dreams. For
years, he has longed to meet a genetically engineered person,
like himself, who is able to live a normal life. O'Brien is
concerned that things are moving too quickly, but Bashir won't
hear of it. He asks Sarina to go away with him for a week.
Becoming more and more overwhelmed by the sudden changes in her
life, she nevertheless agrees. Yet when she stands him up for
dinner, Bashir is stunned to find Sarina in her quarters,
reverted to her original unresponsive state.
When he can't determine why Sarina has relapsed, Bashir asks her
genetically enhanced friends for help. They inform him that
Sarina can still talk — but for some reason she's afraid.
Eventually, Sarina confesses the truth behind her fear — she
cannot be the woman Bashir wants. He realizes that in his
loneliness, he pushed her into something for which she wasn't
ready. Knowing he must let her discover life on her own, Bashir
bids Sarina a reluctant farewell.
See Also: Image Captures |
