Vedek Bareil is severely injured in an accident aboard a Bajoran transport carrying him and Kai Winn to groundbreaking peace negotiations with the Cardassians. Bareil dies, but Bashir is able to revive the Vedek's brain by utilizing very unconventional surgical techniques. Only Vedek is fully conversant with the treaty, leaving Winn in a desperate strait, but the only prospects of keeping Bareil alive would be to place him inside a stasis. Despite Bashir's loudest protests Bareil will not rest or allow himself to be put into stasis. As the peace talks reach a critical stage, the only way to keep Bareil's knowledge of the treaty available will strip him of his humanity and eventually his life.

Credits: Teleplay by Ronald D. Moore Story by Christian Ford & Roger Soffer Directed by Reza Badiyi Music by Dennis McCarthy (Silva America CD # SSD 1065)

Guest stars: Philip Anglim (Vedek Bareil), Louise Fletcher (Kai Winn), Aron Eisenberg (Nog), Lark Voorhies (Leanne), Ann Gillespie (Nurse Jabara), Andrew Prine (Legate Turrel), Eva Loseth (Riska), Kevin Carr (Bajoran)