 Vedek Fala, a
Bajoran monk and Kira's former teacher, pays her an unexpected
visit. He gives Kira a crystal which transports her to Empok
Nor, where, to her horror, she is met by her old enemy Dukat — a
Cardassian who oversaw the occupation of Bajor. He is now the
leader of a Bajoran religious faction which worships the Pah-wraiths
— the corporeal enemies of Bajor's Prophets. Dukat wants Kira to
join his followers on the abandoned Cardassian space station.
Although Kira is suspicious of
Dukat's motives, Pah-wraith convert Fala tries to convince her
that the Cardassian has changed. While being held against her
will, Kira meets Dukat followers Mika and Benyan, a Bajoran
couple who were granted his permission to have the first baby on
Empok Nor. The community's devotion to Dukat becomes clear when
Kira takes aim at him with a stolen phaser, and residents shield
him with their bodies, then knock her unconscious.
When Kira regains consciousness, she confronts Dukat about his
long affair with her mother during the Bajoran occupation, and
is stunned when he expresses regret. Their conversation is cut
short by word that Mika is in labor. To everyone's surprise,
Mika's baby is half-Bajoran and half-Cardassian. Dukat proclaims
that the infant is a miraculous, living symbol of his covenant
with the Bajoran people, though Kira is certain Dukat fathered
the child.
While Kira questions Fala and Benyan about the baby's paternity,
Dukat meets with Mika, who fears she won't be able to keep the
explosive secret that they slept together. Desperate to cover
his tracks, Dukat sets up an "accident" which nearly claims
Mika's life. Kira saves her, and in front of Dukat's followers,
accuses him of impregnating Mika. In response, Dukat announces
that the Pah-wraiths want the group to join them — by committing
mass suicide.
Kira is locked in a room while Dukat proceeds to the temple,
where his followers are ready to ingest poisonous capsules. Kira
escapes, interrupts the deadly ceremony and exposes Dukat as a
fraud who never intended to kill himself. After Dukat flees, a
disillusioned Fala takes a fatal capsule, and the Defiant
arrives to rescue Kira and the other remaining followers.
See Also: Image Captures |
