[Runabout Mekong]

KIRA: Those orbital sensor platforms should give the colonists plenty of advanced warning in case the Cardassians ever decide to violate the new treaty.
ODO: Hopefully.
KIRA: How did your meeting with Security Chief Bemar go?
ODO: Fine.
KIRA: Was he properly impressed by the depth of your expertise?
ODO: Huh.
KIRA: Odo, is something bothering you?
ODO: What makes you say that?
KIRA: Well for one thing, you haven't said five words to me since we left Prophet's Landing.
ODO: Huh.
KIRA: Look, if I've done something to offend you, I wish you'd tell me what it is.
ODO: It's not important.
KIRA: Whatever you say.
ODO: It's certainly not worth making an issue about.
KIRA: Well, glad to hear it.
ODO: It's just (pause) When Governor Avesta invited us to dinner at his house
KIRA: Go on.
ODO: You said no.
KIRA: And?
ODO: You never bothered to ask me if I wanted to go.
KIRA: You wanted to go to the governor's house for dinner?
ODO: Not particularly.
KIRA: Well then, what's the problem?
ODO: The problem is you never asked what I wanted.
KIRA: Odo, you don't eat. Besides, you hate socialising with people you don't know.
ODO: Well that's beside the point. I would have liked to have been consulted, that's all.
KIRA: You're right. Next time we are invited out for dinner, I'll make sure you are the one to say no.
ODO: I'd appreciate that.
KIRA: Hold on. I'm picking up a wide band subspace transmission from a Lissepian supply ship. They've just been attacked by a Maquis interceptor.
ODO: Long range sensors are detecting a modified Peregrine class courier ship, lightly armed, one man crew, bearing two six eight mark three oh one.
KIRA: The Maquis use Peregrine class courier ships. The Lissepians didn't sustain any serious damage. I'm going after him.
ODO: Right.
(After the opening titles.)
KIRA: I don't know what the Maquis have done to that ship's engines, but it's fast.
ODO: Not fast enough. We're closing on him.
KIRA: We'd better catch him soon. We're entering the Badlands.
ODO: Wait a minute, I've lost him. The Badlands' plasma fields are disrupting our sensors.
KIRA: Increase the sensor bandwidth. That should compensate for the interference.
ODO: I hope you're right.
KIRA: He can't have gotten far. He's got to somewhere in this solar system.
ODO: There he is. It looks like he's trying to land on one of the moons orbiting that gas giant.
KIRA: I'm following him in.
ODO: Something's wrong with his ship. It looks like his attitude stabilisers have failed.
KIRA: Can you get a transporter lock on him?
ODO: Too much interference. He's trying to land on that moon. We've lost him.
KIRA: Did he make it?
ODO: I don't know. Something in the moon's atmosphere is jamming our sensors.
KIRA: Then I guess we'll have to land and see for ourselves.

[Commander's office]

O'BRIEN [OC]: O'Brien to Sisko.
SISKO: Go ahead.
O'BRIEN [OC]: Commander

[Ops]

O'BRIEN: There's someone here to see you.
SISKO: Who is it? 
O'BRIEN: It's Nog.

[Commander's office]

SISKO: Nog?

[Ops]

NOG: Tell him it's urgent.
O'BRIEN: He says it's urgent.

[Commander's office]

SISKO: Send him in.

[Ops]

NOG: I told you he'd see me.

[Commander's office]

(Nog is carrying a bundle of something.)
NOG: Commander, first let me express my most sincere thanks for allowing me to speak with you.
SISKO: You're welcome. Now, what is this all about?
NOG: I wanted to give you this.
(Nog puts the bundle on the desk, and it clinks.)
NOG: Open it.
(Bars of metal.)
SISKO: What's this?
NOG: It's latinum.
SISKO: I know it's latinum, but why are you giving it to me?
NOG: Yesterday I completed the Ferengi Attainment Ceremony. I'm an adult.
SISKO: Congratulations.
NOG: Thank you.
SISKO: But that doesn't explain this.
NOG: According to Ferengi by-laws, section one oh five, subparagraph ten, upon reaching adulthood, Ferengi males must purchase an apprenticeship from a suitable role model. I choose you.
SISKO: You want to be my apprentice?
NOG: That's right. I want to be the first Ferengi in Starfleet. Now, who do I see about getting a uniform?
SISKO: Nog, if you want to become a Starfleet Officer, you have to attend the Academy.
NOG: All right. Where do I sign up?
SISKO: It's not that simple. As a non-Federation citizen, you need a letter of reference from a command level officer before you can even take the entrance exam.
NOG: A command level officer? You mean, like you?
SISKO: Well, yes. Like me.
NOG: Then you'll write the letter.
SISKO: I'll think about it.
NOG: Thank you, Commander. I know you'll make the right decision.
SISKO: Aren't you forgetting something?
NOG: Keep it. Consider it a token of my appreciation.

[Lunar caverns]

ODO: The tricorders are useless. The atmospheric ionisation is jamming their transponders.
KIRA: You're sure he's in these caverns?
ODO: Well, he wasn't in the wreckage of his ship. And given the weather conditions on the surface, there's no way anyone could survive out there for very long, so that leaves
(moonquake)
KIRA: That's the third quake since we got here. This moon must be seismically unstable.
ODO: The sooner we find our fugitive, the better off we'll be.
KIRA: Finding him isn't going to be easy. These caverns could go on forever. With all this seismic activity, I don't want to stay here any longer than we have to. I say we split up. We meet back here in twenty minutes, and if we haven't found him by then, we may have to leave without him.
ODO: If he's smart, he'll let us find him. A Federation prison would be paradise compared to this place.
KIRA: Let's hope he's smart.
ODO: I'll see you in twenty minutes.

[Passageway]

(Later) KIRA [OC]: Kira to Odo. Odo, can you hear me?
ODO: This is Odo. I can barely hear you.
KIRA: Odo, I'm trapped. I need your help. Come quickly. Odo, do you read me?
ODO: Stay where you are, Major. I'm on my way.

[Chamber]

KIRA [OC]: Odo, is that you?
ODO: I'm right here, Major.
KIRA [OC]: Odo, am I glad to see you.
(He spins round to see Kira sitting on a boulder.)
ODO: What's wrong?
KIRA: You're not going to believe this. My foot is stuck.
ODO: Stuck? How?
KIRA: I don't know. I must've stepped in a fissure or something. I can't get it loose.
ODO: Let me take a look.
(Kira's foot is covered in a rock that expands as Odo reaches for it.)
ODO: It's not a fissure.
KIRA: Then what is it?
ODO: Your foot's been encased in some kind of crystal. And from the look of things the crystal is spreading.
(moonquake)
ODO: Now you're sure you can't pull it loose?
KIRA: Oh, believe me, I've tried.
ODO: Maybe if you slip your foot out of your boot.
KIRA: I can barely feel my foot. The crystal is pressing against it so hard, there's no way I can get my boot off.
ODO: Hold on a minute.
(Odo picks up a rock)
ODO: This might hurt a bit.
KIRA: Go ahead.
(Odo hammers at the crystal, and the rock shatters in his hand.)
ODO: I fail to see the humour in this situation.
KIRA: Come on, Odo, it's pretty ridiculous, don't you think? The two of us being outsmarted by a chunk of crystal.
ODO: I'm not giving up just yet.
KIRA: Neither am I. Hand me my phaser.
ODO: Are you sure this is a good idea? If you're not careful
KIRA: I may blow off my foot and Julian the have a chance to prove what a wonderful doctor he is? Don't worry, I have no intention of giving him the opportunity. Stand back.
(The energy makes the crystal grow to her knee.)
KIRA: I guess that wasn't such a good idea after all.
ODO: The crystal formation seems to have somehow fed off the energy from your phaser.
(moonquake)
ODO: Odo to Mekong. Two to beam out. Energise. Odo to Mekong. I can't contact the runabout. There's too much interference. I'll have to walk back to the landing site and try to transport you from there.
KIRA: Are you worried about leaving me here?
ODO: Now that you mention it, yes.
KIRA: I'll be fine, Odo. I promise not to go anywhere.

[Quark's]

(The bar is closed and Rom is trying to repair the replicator.)
ROM: Nog, hand me that phase matrix recalibrator.
NOG: Here you are, Father.
QUARK: Is it fixed yet?
ROM: Not yet, brother.
QUARK: What's taking so long?
NOG: We're working as fast as we can. The replicators' entire power supply grid has been shorted out.
ROM: I told you, brother, if you don't shut down your replicators at least once a week for routine maintenance, you risk system overloads like this one.
QUARK: You said it might overload the system. Might.
NOG: He tried to warn you, Uncle Quark. You should've listened to him.
ROM: No. It's my fault. I should have explained it better.
QUARK: Of course it's your fault. Everything that goes wrong here is your fault. It says so in your contract. Now, this mess had better be cleaned up before lunchtime or I'm taking the losses out of your pay.
ROM: Of course, brother.
(Quark leaves)
ROM: I need to get a replacement power coupling from the storage room. I'll be right back.
(Rom leaves, Jake enters)
JAKE: Hey, Nog. What's going on?
NOG: If you're here to order lunch, you'll have to come back in an hour.
JAKE: Actually, I just ate. Hey, that was a pretty funny joke you pulled on my Dad this morning.
NOG: What?
JAKE: You know, about wanting to join Starfleet?
NOG: I wasn't joking.
JAKE: Come on, Nog. You don't really expect me to fall for that one.
NOG: Did you tell your father I was joking?
JAKE: Yeah. Kind of.
NOG: How could you do that to me? I want you to go back to your father and tell him that you were wrong.
JAKE: All right. Calm down. I mean, how was I supposed to know you were serious? You never said you wanted to join Starfleet before.
NOG: I'm saying it now.
JAKE: So what brought this on?
NOG: I have my reasons.
JAKE: Okay, name one.
NOG: Why should I?
JAKE: Because I'm your friend. And friends don't have secrets from one another.
NOG: It's not a secret. I just don't feel like talking about it.
JAKE: Why?
NOG: Because it's personal. Now stop asking me.
JAKE: All right. But my father's a pretty smart guy, and if this is some kind of trick, he's going to figure it out.
NOG: There's nothing to figure out. I'm joining Starfleet, and that's that. Now, if you don't mind, I have a lot of work to do.

[Runabout Mekong]

ODO: Computer, lock onto these coordinates and initiate transport sequence.
COMPUTER: Unable to comply.
ODO: Explain.
COMPUTER: The high level of atmospheric ionisation is inhibiting transporter lock.
ODO: Can you compensate for the interference by using pattern enhancers?
COMPUTER: Negative. Pattern enhancers will not function in a polarised ionisation field.
ODO: Is there any way to achieve a transporter lock in this kind of ionisation field?
COMPUTER: Negative.
ODO: Computer, send out a priority one distress signal to Deep Space Nine.
COMPUTER: Unable to comply. Communications systems are inoperable due to atmospheric interference.
ODO: In that case, launch a communications probe and instruct it to begin a continuous broadcast of our whereabouts as soon as it clears the atmosphere.
COMPUTER: Working.
(zoom)
COMPUTER: Probe launch confirmed.
ODO: Computer, given ideal conditions, how soon can we expect help from Deep Space Nine?
COMPUTER: Deep Space Nine should receive the probe's distress signal in approximately two days.

[Chamber]

(From the passageway, Odo hears phaser fire. He runs in.)
(The crystal is up past her knee.)
ODO: Kira, I heard phaser fire.
KIRA: You just missed our friend. He came out of that tunnel. I think he was as surprised as I was. He fired at me from over there, and when I shot back he ran off down the tunnel.
(Odo checks the rock face behind her.)
KIRA: Don't worry, his aim wasn't any better than mine was.
ODO: He didn't miss by much.
KIRA: My lucky day.

[Promenade - upper level]

SISKO: I see you've put in a request to reassign Ensign Vilix'pran from cargo inspection.
BASHIR: I think that would be best. Given his condition, I don't want him coming in contact with any hazardous materials.
SISKO: His condition?
BASHIR: Vilix'pran is budding. His buds are undergoing individuation in just over a month.
SISKO: You mean he's pregnant?
BASHIR: Twins.
SISKO: Reassignment granted. I'll have make sure I offer my congratulations to the ensign next time I see him.
BASHIR: O'Brien and I are throwing him a baby shower in a couple of days. I think it would mean a lot to him if you were there.
SISKO: Are you getting him anything?
BASHIR: O'Brien's building him a hatchling pond and I've put an order in with Garak for some new baby clothes.
SISKO: Count me in.
BASHIR: Aye, sir.
(Sisko leaves Bashir.)
SISKO: Ensign Pran.
(Nog leaves his customer in the cafe.)
NOG: Commander Sisko, have you made up your mind yet about my letter?
SISKO: Not exactly.
NOG: What does that mean, not exactly?
SISKO: Look, Nog, I have to be honest with you. When I think of candidates for Starfleet Academy, yours is not the first name that comes to mind.
NOG: Why not? Because I'm a Ferengi?
SISKO: Not at all. The fact is, your reputation on this station leaves a lot to be desired. Your school grades are mediocre at best, and you've had more than a few run-ins with Constable Odo.
NOG: Okay, okay, so I've made some mistakes. I admit that. But I can do better. Just give me a chance.

[Commander's office]

DAX: You wanted to see me, Benjamin?
SISKO: Lieutenant, I need a complete inventory on the contents of Cargo bay twelve.
DAX: Didn't we inventory twelve last week?
SISKO: I'd like it done again.
DAX: All right. I'll assign a crew to it immediately.
SISKO: Actually, I already have someone in mind for the job.
DAX: Really? Who?
SISKO: Nog.
DAX: Nog.
SISKO: He's asked for a recommendation to Starfleet Academy.
DAX: Nog?
SISKO: My reaction exactly.
DAX: I always thought it would be interesting to have a Ferengi in Starfleet, but Nog?
SISKO: I know it seems unlikely, but before I make up my mind I want to give him a chance to prove himself.
DAX: Commander, there's a lot of valuable equipment in Cargo bay twelve.
SISKO: I know.
DAX: Maybe I should assign a couple of crewmembers to assist him.
SISKO: No. I want him to do it alone. No help, no interference, no one looking over his shoulder.

[Chamber]

(Kira is encased up to her waist.)
ODO: I wish I could analyse this material.
KIRA: Too bad our tricorders don't work.
ODO: Or our communicators or the transporter. Our fugitive couldn't have chosen a better place to hide. Very convenient, don't you think?
KIRA: You make it sound like he planned on trapping us.
ODO: Well maybe he did, but it's not going to work. I'm going to get you out of here.
KIRA: How long do you think I have, Odo?
ODO: Long enough.
KIRA: I figure at the rate the crystal's been growing, I'm going to be completely covered in less than twelve hours.
(moonquake)
KIRA: Unless this cave collapses first.
ODO: There has got to be a way to shatter this crystal.
KIRA: I'm sure there is. But that doesn't mean that we're going to find it in less than twelve hours.
ODO: We'll find it. Major, do you ever look at the Criminal Activity Reports we get from Starfleet Security?
KIRA: Not often.
ODO: You should. They make fascinating reading. A few months ago we got a report on a theft on Remmil Six. It seems the natives there spin a kind of crystalline webbing that they use to construct their buildings. A band of Nausicaan raiders broke into their central museum by using a high frequency ultrasonic generator to create a sympathetic vibration inside the webbing and shatter it.
KIRA: So all we need to do is find a band of Nausicaan raiders and ask them to give us a hand?
ODO: No, I might be able to put together a makeshift generator using the covariant oscillator on the runabout. The trick will be finding the right frequency to create a sympathetic vibration inside this crystal. I'm going to have to go back to the runabout and start assembling the generator. Keep your phaser handy in case our friend decides to comes back.
KIRA: I will.
ODO: I'll be back as soon as I can.
KIRA: Constable. When we get back to the station, I'm going to start reading those Criminal Activity Reports.
ODO: I'll make sure you get them.

[Cargo bay]

DAX: Due to a computer error, we lost the manifest on this entire cargo bay. Commander Sisko would like you to re-inventory the contents.
NOG: The entire cargo bay?
DAX: That's right.
NOG: By myself?
DAX: Look, Nog, Starfleet isn't just about diplomacy, exploration. A lot of the time, it's just hard work.
NOG: When does Commander Sisko want it done?
DAX: He'd like the manifest on his desk first thing in the morning.
NOG: He'll have it tonight, before he goes off duty.
DAX: Tomorrow morning will be fine, Nog.
NOG: Now if you don't mind, Lieutenant, I'd like to get started.

[Chamber]

(Odo's brought in lights and a generator. The crystal is up to her breast bone and she's holding up her arms.)
KIRA: How long do you think it's going to be before the generator finds the right frequency?
ODO: It's hard to say. It could take hours.
KIRA: I don't suppose there's any way to speed things up? I didn't think so.
ODO: Don't worry, Major. I have every intention of getting us back to the station by tomorrow night. Chief O'Brien is counting on it.
KIRA: What does O'Brien have to do with it?
ODO: We have an appointment.
KIRA: What kind of appointment? Talk to me, Odo. It helps pass the time.
ODO: The Chief and I are supposed to go kayaking together in a holosuite.
KIRA: You're kidding. How did he talk you into that one?
ODO: He didn't talk me into anything. It's really quite enjoyable.
KIRA: You mean you've done it before?
ODO: Twice. He invited me one evening and, seeing I had no plans, I accepted.
KIRA: I'm sorry. I'm just having trouble imagining the two of you together in a boat.
ODO: Well if it helps any, he's the one who does all the singing.
KIRA: He sings?
ODO: He says it's necessary to establish a smooth paddling rhythm.
KIRA: This gets better and better. What kind of songs does he sing?
ODO: Ancient human sea chanties, mostly. He's particularly fond of one called 'Louie, Louie'.
KIRA: I never pictured O'Brien as a nautical type.
ODO: Next to his work and his family, shooting the rapids is his favourite activity. He's had the holoprogram since he was on the Enterprise.
KIRA: How long do these boat trips usually take?
ODO: That depends.
KIRA: On what?
ODO: On how many times we capsize.
KIRA: It must be a very difficult programme.
ODO: It's extremely difficult. According to him, he's dislocated his shoulder a half dozen times trying to make it down those rapids.
KIRA: Then why does he keep doing it?
ODO: Because he loves it. And it's been my observation that you humanoids have a hard time giving up the things you love, no matter how much they might hurt you.
KIRA: I'm glad you're here, Odo.
ODO: I'm glad I'm here, too.
(big moonquake)
KIRA: Odo!
(Rubble starts to fall. Kira tries to shield her head but Odo becomes an arc and protects her instead. The rock stops falling.)
ODO: Major?
KIRA: I'm all right. What about the generator?
ODO: It's fine. It still hasn't found the right frequency to shatter the crystal.
KIRA: Tell it to hurry. A couple more tremors like that last one and this whole cave is going to collapse.
ODO: We'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen. After all, we've been in worse situations than this one and come out all right.
KIRA: Name three. I can't think of any either.
ODO: No, it's not that. It's just that that wasn't the response I expected.
KIRA: What do you mean?
ODO: In the detective novels Chief O'Brien gives me to read, when the hero says, we've been in tougher situations than this one, his friends always agree.
KIRA: I never read any of those books.
ODO: There must be some humanoid platitude I can use to cheer you up.
KIRA: I don't have much use for platitudes, Odo. I'd rather face the truth of a situation and go on from there.
ODO: I feel the same way.
KIRA: I know you do. That's why you and I get along so well.
ODO: I suppose it is. But in this case, the truth is we're going to get you out of here, Major. And that's no platitude.

[Replimat]

SISKO: I must admit, this is impressive work.
DAX: Incredible is more like it. He inventoried the whole cargo bay in under five hours.
SISKO: You're sure he didn't have any help?
DAX: According to the internal sensors, no one else entered that cargo bay the entire time he was there.
SISKO: I guess he did learn something working in his uncle's storeroom. I assume that all our equipment is where it's supposed to be?
DAX: If you're asking if he stole anything, the answer is no. He even found some things we missed on our last inventory.
SISKO: Okay, so now we know he's a hard worker. The question remains. Why does he want to join Starfleet?
DAX: I have no idea.

[Chamber]

(Just Kira's head and fingers are sticking out of the crystal now. She can barely breath.)
ODO: I don't understand it. I've run through the entire harmonic spectrum and none of the frequencies have had any effect on the crystal. It's almost as if the structure of the crystal is mutating to keep us from finding the right frequency.
KIRA: Odo.
ODO: Yes, Major. I wish there was something else I could do.
KIRA: Just keep talking to me.
ODO: What do you want me to say?
KIRA: Anything. Tell me a story.
ODO: A story?
KIRA: I know. Tell me how you got your name.
ODO: My name? Now that you mention it, that is an amusing story.
KIRA: Tell it to me.
ODO: Well, as you know, when Doctor Mora first brought me to his laboratory, it was under Cardassian supervision. All specimens had to be clearly labelled in Cardassian, so the overseers would always know what the scientists were working on. Since no one was exactly sure what I was, Mora labelled me Unknown Sample, which the overseer translated into Cardassian as Odo'ital.
KIRA: So, your name is Unknown Sample?
ODO: No, no. Odo'ital literally means the word 'nothing'. Even after it became clear that I was sentient, the Bajoran scientists kept calling me that. As a joke, they split it into two words like a Bajoran name, Odo Ital, which eventually got shortened.
KIRA: To Odo.
(moonquake)
ODO: But the thing is, for the longest time, whenever anyone would use my name, the first thing I'd think of was what it meant. Nothing. What better way to describe me? I had no family, no friends, no place where I belonged. I thought it was the most appropriate name anyone could give me. And then I met you. And the others. Sisko, Dax, even Quark. And now, when I hear one of you call me Odo, I no longer think of myself as nothing. I think of myself as me. I'm sorry, Major. I guess that story wasn't as amusing as I'd hoped it would be.
KIRA: No. I liked it very much. The ultrasonic generator isn't going to work, is it?
ODO: No, I'm afraid it's not.
KIRA: I don't suppose you have any other ideas.
ODO: I wish I had.
KIRA: Neither do I.
ODO: It doesn't make sense. The ultrasonic generator should have worked. Something's not right here.
KIRA: Odo, you've done your best. It's time for you to go.
ODO: Go?
KIRA: This place is going to collapse at any minute. That Maquis is probably dead from one of the cave-ins. There's nothing more you can do for me.
ODO: If you're asking me to leave?
KIRA: As your superior officer, I'm telling you to take the runabout and get the hell off this moon. That's an order.
(After the break.)
KIRA: Odo, why are you still standing there? I told you to get out of here.
ODO: I'm not leaving.
KIRA: Constable, I gave you a direct order.
ODO: You can order me all you want. As of now, I'm resigning my commission.
KIRA: Odo, if you stay here, you'll die.
ODO: You don't know that for certain. And even if it were true, I'm not going to abandon you.
(moonquake)
KIRA: I want you to get out of here.
ODO: Don't you understand? I can't.
KIRA: You have to. Odo, please.
(moonquake)
ODO: No. I won't leave you.
KIRA: Why?
ODO: Because! Because I'm in love with you. So, now you know.
KIRA: Odo, I'm in love with you too.

[Commander's office]

NOG: You wanted to see me, Commander?
SISKO: Nog, I've given your request a lot of thought.
NOG: I appreciate that, Commander.
SISKO: But I'm afraid I'm going to have to turn you down.
NOG: Turn me down? Why? Did I do something wrong?
SISKO: It's not anything you did, Nog. You're just not Academy material. Here. (the latinum) This belongs to you.
NOG: Commander, can't we talk about this?
SISKO: There's nothing to talk about. We both know you'd never make it through the Academy. You couldn't handle the workload or the discipline. You wouldn't last two weeks.
NOG: That's not true. I'm a hard worker. I proved that to you.
SISKO: It doesn't matter. And I'm not going to put my reputation on the line just to satisfy some whim of yours.
NOG: It's not just a whim. I'm serious about joining Starfleet.
SISKO: I don't have time for this, Nog. Now whatever little scheme you had, you can forget it. I'm not giving you that letter.
NOG: It's not a joke or a scheme. I want to join Starfleet. I want it more than anything I've ever wanted anything in my life.
SISKO: You're a Ferengi. Why would you want to be in Starfleet? Where's the profit in it?
NOG: I don't care about profit.
SISKO: Then what do you care about? Come on, Nog, tell me. Why is it so damned important for you to get into Starfleet? Why are you doing this?
NOG: Because I don't want to end up like my father.
SISKO: Your father.
NOG: That's right. My father. He's been chasing profit his whole life, and what has it gotten him? Nothing. And you know why? Because he doesn't have the lobes. And neither do I.
SISKO: And a Ferengi without profit
NOG: Is no Ferengi at all.
SISKO: The eighteenth Rule of Acquisition.
NOG: My father is a mechanical genius. He could've been Chief Engineer of a starship if he'd had the opportunity. But he went into business, like a good Ferengi. The only thing is, he's not a good Ferengi, not when it comes to acquiring profit. So now all he has to live for is the slim chance that someday, somehow, he might be able to take over my uncle's bar. Well, I'm not going to make the same mistake. I want to do something with my life. Something worthwhile.
SISKO: Like joining Starfleet.
NOG: I may not have an instinct for business, but I have my father's hands and my uncle's tenacity. I know I've got something to offer, I just need the chance to prove it.
SISKO: All right. I'll see that you get that chance.
NOG: You're going to recommend me to Starfleet Academy?
SISKO: I'll send the letter the first thing tomorrow morning.
NOG: Commander, I don't know how to thank you.
SISKO: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't thank me yet. You still have a lot of work ahead of you.
NOG: Don't worry. You're never going to regret this.

[Chamber]

(It's up to her chin. Odo is checking the scorch marks on the wall behind her.)
KIRA: Odo?
ODO: Yes, Major.
KIRA: You haven't said a word to me in over an hour.
ODO: I've just been going over a few things in my mind.
KIRA: I'm sorry I waited so long to tell you how I feel about you. If I'd told you earlier, maybe things would've been different.
ODO: Ah.
KIRA: What are you smiling about?
ODO: I think I've finally figured out what's going on here. This whole situation hasn't seemed right since the beginning. There've been too many coincidences, too many unanswered questions.
KIRA: Are you still trying to prove that this is all some kind of conspiracy?
ODO: You said the Maquis was standing here when he shot at you?
KIRA: That's right.
ODO: How tall was he? My height?
KIRA: No. Maybe shorter.
ODO: Like this?
KIRA: More or less. Why does it matter anyway?
ODO: It matters because from this position, you're blocking those phaser hits. There's no way someone standing here could hit those rocks without hitting you first.
KIRA: Maybe he was standing somewhere else.
ODO: Maybe. Or maybe you were lying to me. Which makes two times you've lied to me today.
KIRA: What are you talking about?
ODO: You lied when you said you were shot at by the Maquis. And you lied when you said you loved me.
KIRA: I do love you.
ODO: I wish you did, but you don't. Remember Major, I pride myself on my ability to observe human nature, and I've watched you for the past three years. In all that time I never saw any indication that you had those kinds of feelings for me. You like me. You think of me as a close friend. But love? I'm afraid not.
KIRA: Maybe I told I loved you because I thought it would make you feel better. Because I thought that's what you wanted to hear.
ODO: You're lying again. The Kira I know has far too much regard for our friendship to lie to me, even for the best of reasons.
KIRA: Odo, I can explain.
ODO: Good. And you can start by telling me who you are and what you've done with Kira.
(Odo aims the phaser at Kira so she morphs into the female changeling.)
FOUNDER: Well done, Odo. You really are quite a skilful investigator.
ODO: And you're quite a skilful changeling.
FOUNDER: You still have much to learn.
ODO: If you want to share your wisdom, tell me where Major Kira is.
FOUNDER: Close by.
ODO: You were the fugitive we were chasing, weren't you?
FOUNDER: That's correct.
ODO: How did you get your hands on a Maquis ship?
FOUNDER: Now, Odo, you really can't expect me to give you all the answers.
ODO: But why did you lead us here? Why replace Kira?
(moonquake)
FOUNDER: I needed to understand why you chose to live with the Solids rather than your own people. I suspected it had something to do with Major Kira. Now I'm certain of it.
ODO: So your plan was to let me think she died. You thought that would take away my link to the Solids.
FOUNDER: Then you would return to us.
ODO: I assure you, nothing will ever make me do that.
FOUNDER: I wouldn't be so sure.
ODO: Tell me where she is.
FOUNDER: And if I don't, then what? You'll shoot me? No changeling has ever harmed another.
ODO: There's always a first time.
FOUNDER: Major Kira is down that tunnel, two hundred metres south of here. Save her, if it suits you, but it won't make any difference. She is never going to love you. How could she? You are a changeling.
(The founder beams out)

[Side chamber]

(Kira is in a stasis box or similar)
ODO: Major, wake up.
KIRA: Odo, what happened? What am I doing here?
ODO: It's a long story. Right now we have to get you back to the Mekong.

[Airlock]

KIRA: There's one thing I still don't understand. If that Founder was trying to test your allegiance to the Solids, why did she impersonate me?
ODO: I suppose it's because you happened to be with me in the runabout. It could have just as easily have been Commander Sisko or Doctor Bashir.
KIRA: What finally made you realise the truth?
ODO: She made eventually a mistake. She said something I know you would never say.
KIRA: What was that?
ODO: Just a slip of the tongue. Nothing important.

[Quark's]

QUARK: I tell you, I won't stand for it. No nephew of mine is going to disgrace our family name by joining Starfleet.
NOG: But Uncle Quark
QUARK: My mind is made up. I forbid it.
ROM: No, you don't.
QUARK: Rom, stay out of this.
ROM: I will not. When it comes to the bar you may be in charge, but when it comes to my son, I make the decisions.
QUARK: Fine. You tell him he can't go.
ROM: Nog. Good luck. I would be proud to have a son in Starfleet.
QUARK: You're both insane.
NOG: Like father, like son.