Bashir is interrogated by Section 31 agents.
Luther Sloan of Starfleet Internal Affairs arrives on the station hunting a Dominion spy among the senior staff, and his questioning soon centers on Bashir. Sloan builds a case from Bashir's past, suggesting he was turned while held by the Dominion and then suppressed the memory. Sisko defends him but privately admits the theory is plausible. Bashir is then beamed to a Dominion ship, where Weyoun welcomes him as an ally, and realizing that Weyoun and Sloan are pushing the same story, he suspects Sloan.
Rescued but disbelieved, Bashir notices that O'Brien's injured shoulder has healed, and works out that he has been in a holosuite simulation all along. Sloan reveals he works for Section 31, an autonomous Federation intelligence group, and tried to recruit Bashir, who refuses. Sisko later orders Bashir to accept if asked again. The sixth-season episode introduces Section 31 and questions how far the Federation bends its ideals for security.