Dr. Louis Zimmerman arrives on DS9 to work on a Emergency Medical Hologram, using Dr. Bashir as a template. He begins interviewing Bashir's friends and colleagues to create a psychological profile. To Rom's dismay, Zimmerman begins pursuit of Leeta, the object of Rom's secret affection, but Bashir is aghast when Zimmerman invites his parents to the station against his wishes, a development which draws out the details of his past. When his parents approach the prototype, who looks and sounds just like their son, they inadvertently reveal that as a child Julian was genetically enhanced for intelligence and physical abilities.

O'Brien realizes now that Bashir has been throwing dart games, and everyone now understands why he missed THE question about pre-ganlionic fiber. Starfleet has serious qualms about his continuing to serve as a Starfleet officer, but Bashir's father chooses to take full responsibility and go to jail for the crime of altering his son's DNA. Julian finally comes to terms with his anger at being rejected for what he originally was and the family is reconciled.

Credits: Teleplay by Ronald D. Moore Story by Jimmy Diggs Directed by David Livingston Music by Dennis McCarthy

Guest Stars: Robert Picardo (Dr. Louis Zimmerman), Brian George (Richard Bashir), Max Grodenchik (Rom), Chase Masterson (Leeta), Fadwa El Guindi (Amnsha Bashir), J. Patrick McCormack (Rear Admiral Bennett)