Sisko and a handful of officers wage a hidden campaign on the station against Circle forces while Kira and Dax race to Bajor with proof of Cardassian involvement.
Sisko evacuates the station's civilians, but the senior staff stays behind with Li Nalas, hiding in the station's conduits and harassing General Krim's Bajoran troops when they take over. Quark is left aboard after his scheme to profit from evacuation seats goes wrong.
Kira and Dax take an old occupation-era raider from a Bajoran moon to deliver the evidence that Cardassia is backing the Circle, and crash-land after being shot down. With Bareil's help Kira reaches the Chamber of Ministers and exposes the plot, Jaro gives up, and Krim hands the station back to Sisko. Li Nalas is killed when he steps in front of a shot aimed at Sisko.