A Romulan-Cardassian fleet heads into the Gamma Quadrant.
A combined Romulan and Cardassian fleet passes through the wormhole to attack the Founders' homeworld. Tain asks Garak to interrogate Odo with a device that prevents him from changing shape and from regenerating, and Garak reluctantly does so until Odo admits his longing for his people and his love for Kira.
Sisko, defying orders, takes the Defiant into the Gamma Quadrant. The fleet finds the planet abandoned; it was a trap, and Jem'Hadar ships destroy the fleet, while the Romulan commander Lovok proves to be a Changeling. The Defiant arrives in time to rescue Odo and Garak from the battle.