Stardate not given: Julian Bashir witnesses how Garak suffers from unbearable pain. Later, the Cardassian collapses in Quark's bar. Bashir determines that an implant is responsible for the pain attacks, apparently designed by the Obsidian Order, the Cardassian intelligence service, to punish their agents. But Garak reveals that the true purpose of the device, which he received from Enabran Tain, the head of the Obsidian Order, is to induce pleasure, in order to be able to sustain torture. During his exile he has been overusing the implant and become addicted to it, and now it malfunctions. Saying that he deserves the pain for betraying his friend Elim, Garak begins to fantasize. Bashir receives the specifications of the device when he visits Enabran Tain. Tain also tells him that Elim is actually Garak's first name. Upon Bashir's return to the station the convalesced Garak reaffirms that all the stories about his exile were true - especially the lies.

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