Stardate not given: The crew of Deep Space 9 discuss ways to protect the Alpha Quadrant against Dominion reinforcements from the Gamma Quadrant, when Rom comes up with the idea to deploy self-replicating mines at the wormhole entrance. Using the Defiant, Dax and O'Brien begin to drop the mines. Rom hurriedly marries Leeta. With no further support to be expected from Starfleet and with a Dominion fleet arriving from Cardassia to seize the station, Sisko orders Deep Space 9 to be evacuated. The Dominion attack begins while the Defiant is still building the minefield, protected only by Martok's Rotarran. As soon as the minefield is completed, all Starfleet personnel withdraws, leaving only the Bajoran crew who "welcomes" their Dominion "guests" led by Weyoun and Dukat under the terms of the non-aggression treaty - but not before Kira has disabled most of the station's systems. While the Dominion was distracted at Deep Space 9, Starfleet has taken the opportunity to destroy a Dominion shipyard. Sisko promises to return, joining a fleet of the Federation. He is furious, however, when he learns that Jake has chosen to stay behind and report on the ensuing war.

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