Sisko and the senior officers of Deep Space Nine were heading for Starfleet headquarters in the Defiant when a strange phenomenon intercepts the transporter beam and sends the crew to San Francisco, but transported back in time to the early 21st century.

Sisko and Bashir are picked up and sent to a sanctuary district, a massive high-security ghetto occupied by the unemployed, homeless and mentally ill. Dax, comfortable with the timeframe, meets and befriends information mogul Chris Brynner, who assists her in the search for her friends.

Sisko and Bashir learn that they have arrived just days away from a historical event known as the Bell Riots, sparked by a National Guard crackdown on violent uprisings in the sanctuary. Throughout the unrest, the hostages taken by the sanctuary dwellers were kept safe by a man named Gabriel Bell. Trying not to interfere, the two are entangled into the street brawl that initiates the riots - and due to their presence, Gabriel Bell dies attempting to shield Bashir from injury. The violence escalates, and the sanctuary's residents begin the rebellion. Hostages are taken from the local government office, and only one man can keep them from harm at the hands of the angry sanctuary denizens: Commander Sisko, assuming the role of Gabriel Bell.

Credits Teleplay by Robert Hewitt Wolfe Story by Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe Directed by Reza Badiyi Music by Dennis McCarthy

Guest Stars: Jim Metzler (Chris Brynner), Frank Military (B.C.), Dick Miller (Vin), Deborah Van Valkenburgh (Preston), Al Rodrigo (Bernardo), Clint Howard (Grady), Richard Lee Jackson (Danny), Tina Lifford (Lee), Bill Smitrovich (Webb), Mitch David Carter (SWAT Leader), Daniel Zacapa (Henry Garcia)