Four people who were genetically engineered as children and were institutionalized due to adverse side effects of the treatment are brought to DS9 to meet Doctor Bashir, as an example of someone like them who is leading a productive life. Their incredible mental abilities allow them insights into the war lead Bashir to believe they could be invaluable to Starfleet. He is excited by the brilliant plans they come up with, but then they make a series of calculations which indicate that the only way to save Federation lives is to surrender to the Dominion.

Bashir sympathizes with their plight as mental institution patients, feeling empathy for their inner unrest and unbalanced emotions. His attempts to help them direct their intelligence to good ends are means of making them feel useful and wanted, something the stigma of genetic engineering has taken away. However, after determining through calculation the Federation must surrender to the Dominion to survive, he realizes that not everything can be computed, and sees the arrogance in his even believing the future can be predicted. In trying so hard to support the patients, Bashir's own past becomes his driving force.

Credits: Teleplay by Rene Echevarria Story by Pam Pietroforte Directed by Anson Williams Music by David Bell

Guest Cast: Jeffrey Combs (Weyoun), Tim Ransom (Jack), Jeannetta Arnette (Dr. Loews), Hilary Shepard-Turner(Lauren), Michael Keenan (Patrick), Casey Biggs (Damar), Faith C. Salie (Sarina)