Stardate 49170.6: When evidence is discovered that a bomb explosion at a conference between the Federation and the Romulans has been caused by a Changeling, Sisko and Odo are summoned to Earth. President Jaresh-Inyo is reluctant to agree to more security measures against the Dominion threat when Odo impressively demonstrates how easy it would be for one of his people to infiltrate the President's office. Odo and Sisko meet with Commander Benteen and Admiral Leyton. Some time later, Odo uncovers the admiral as another Changeling. Meanwhile, Captain Sisko's father Joseph has been arrested for refusing the blood screening which, in his view, is useless to actually recognize Changelings. The following night all power systems on Earth go offline. Sisko and Leyton urge Jaresh-Inyo to declare a state of emergency on the planet. Sisko, however, discovers that not the Dominion but members of Starfleet Academy's Red Squad are responsible for the sabotage. They acted on Leyton's order in an attempt to overthrow the government. Leyton relieves Sisko of duty when the captain refuses to take part in the plot. Sisko manages to inform Deep Space 9 before a feigned blood test in front of the president exposes him as a Changeling. Leyton sends the Lakota under Benteen's command to intercept the Defiant, claiming that the ship is full of Changelings. But Benteen rejects the order to destroy a Starfleet vessel. When Leyton, who has been deserted by his most loyal officer, gives up, order on Earth is restored.

• E11 Previous
• E13 Next