Sisko becomes uncomfortable when the Klingons station a task force to help defend against the Dominion. Worf is summoned to find out their true intentions.
Melanie, an aspiring writer, wants to know why Jake Sisko stopped writing at 40. Jake tells how his father died in an accident and then suddenly reappeared.
Bashir is asked to help a group of renegade Jem'Hadar break their addiction to ketracel white. Meanwhile Worf is dissatisfied with the way Odo runs security.
Kira and Gul Dukat go after the lost prison ship Ravinok. Dukat has a secret. Meanwhile Kasidy Yates tries to find work near Bajor, leaving Sisko uncomfortable.
Lenara Kahn, the new host of the wife of Dax's former host Torias, comes to the station. While they're not allowed to renew their relation, there's still a spark.
Dukat returns, stripped of his prestige, to escort Kira to a Cardassian conference about the Dominion. But an attack by a Klingon raider may give Dukat a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of his government.
Worf's brother Kurn asks him to perform a death rite to regain his lost honor. Meanwhile, Kira and O'Brien investigate Klingon activity near the Bajoran border.
Unfair working conditions and pay cuts cause Rom to organize a union of the employees of Quark's Bar. Meanwhile, Worf still finds it hard to settle on the station.
A man claiming to be the emissary comes through the wormhole. Sisko is happy to give up his position. Meanwhile Keiko returns and O'Brien stops spending time with Bashir.
When the Mirror Universe counterpart of Sisko's deceased wife lures Jake to the other side, Sisko must follow and help the Terran resistance against the Alliance forces.
A mysterious woman approaches Jake about his future as a writer. Odo promises to do whatever it takes to help Lwaxana Troi keep her baby over the father's wishes - even if it means marrying her himself.
A renegade group of Jem'Hadar plunders Deep Space Nine. Sisko agrees to a combat operation with loyal Jem'Hadar to prevent the renegades completing a planetary gateway.
Odo is suddenly struck by illness. He is barely able to hold shape. Bashir and Odo see no other alternative than going to the Founders. Garak wants to come along.