At a conference on Romulus, Bashir is drawn into a Section 31 operation that is not what it seems.
As Bashir prepares to attend a medical conference on Romulus, Section 31's Luther Sloan asks him to find out whether Koval, the head of the Tal Shiar and a candidate for the Continuing Committee, is ill. Sisko urges Bashir to accept so he can learn about the organization. Bashir confirms Koval has Tuvan syndrome and, suspecting Sloan plans an assassination, turns to Senator Cretak for help.
Koval has Bashir arrested, Cretak is convicted of treason for sharing intelligence, and Koval appears to kill Sloan. Admiral Ross then admits that Koval works for Starfleet and the real goal was to remove Cretak and secure Koval's seat. Sloan, who was beamed out before the shot, later visits Bashir to explain why he needed a man of conscience.