Sisko and Jake build a working replica of an ancient Bajoran solar sailing ship to show that early Bajorans could have reached Cardassia.
Sisko has become fascinated with Bajoran legends that ancient lightships, driven by solar winds, reached distant worlds. He builds a lightship from old designs and takes Jake on a voyage to test the idea, while Jake shares that he has been accepted to a school on Earth and plans to put it off.
A tachyon eddy flings the ship to warp speed, and they arrive in Cardassian space. Dukat greets them, announces the discovery of an ancient Bajoran ship wrecked on Cardassia, and celebrates with fireworks. Meanwhile Bashir nervously awaits a visit from Elizabeth Lense, his rival from medical school.