A Cardassian boy raised by a Bajoran family is caught in a political plot that draws in Garak, Dukat and Dr. Bashir.
Garak meets Rugal, a Cardassian boy raised on Bajor by a Bajoran adoptive father, who bites him and has been taught to hate his own people. Dukat uses the case to press for the return of Cardassian orphans and reveals that Rugal is the son of Kotan Pa'Dar, a Cardassian civilian politician, while the O'Briens care for the boy during an inquiry.
Garak and Bashir go to Bajor and search orphanage records, finding that Rugal was deliberately left behind. At a hearing led by Sisko, Bashir reveals that Dukat arranged this to embarrass Pa'Dar, the rival who had cost him his post. Sisko gives custody to Pa'Dar.