Today is his eleventh birthday. I'd promised to take him to the amusement center in Lakarian City. He always wanted to go but I never have the time. I told him, this year will be different this year, Mekor. This year I will make the time.
Benjamin SiskoI've had the same experience with Jake. At that age they never understand, do they? You just hope that one day they'll look back and say, “Now I understand, now I know why he did that.”
When my son looks back on this day, the only thing he'll remember is that a Federation officer on a Federation ship invaded his home and kept his father away from him on his eleventh birthday. And he won't look back with understanding, he'll look back with hatred. And that's sad.
Zanthi Fever?!? Oh, that— that's ridicu- that's impossible. That only affects older Betazoids.
Well, that may be, but according to my tests, you show all the symptoms. Zanthi Fever is a virus which affects the empathic abilities of um... mature Betazoids. It causes them to project their emotions onto others.
Benjamin Sisko
Then Mrs. Troi's amorous feelings for— [knowing smile] someone on the station were being passed along to the people around her.
Not everyone, only those within close proximity to her when she had an attack; and even then, there would have had to have been some pre-existing latent attraction.
Benjamin Sisko
[concerned] You're saying Dax—
Only on a subconscious level. Best not think about it too much, if you ask me.
I'm terribly sorry, Commander. I hope I haven't caused too much trouble.
Benjamin Sisko
I'm sure no permanent harm was done. Right, Doctor?
A simple wide-spectrum anti-viral agent should cure Mrs. Troi, and as for everyone else, well, they'll be back to normal in a day or two. Excuse me. [to Sisko] I promised Nerys that I'd meet her in her quarters this evening.
Benjamin Sisko
[stopping him] I think you ought to postpone that visit... for a day or two.
[Nog has been asking Sisko for a letter of recommendation to join Starfleet Academy; Sisko has refused, thinking it's some kind of scam]
Sisko
I'm not going to put my reputation on the line just to satisfy some whim of yours.
It's not just a whim. I'm serious about joining Starfleet.
Sisko
: I don't have time for this, Nog. Now whatever little scheme you had, you can forget it. I'm not giving you that letter.
[angered] It's not a joke or a scheme! I want to join Starfleet. I want it more than anything I've ever wanted anything in my life!
Sisko
You're a Ferengi. Why would you want to be in Starfleet? Where's the profit in it?
I don't care about profit!
Sisko
Then what do you care about!? [Sisko takes Nog's shoulders and shakes him] Come on, Nog, tell me! Why is it so damned important for you to get into Starfleet? Why are you doing this?
[voice breaking] Because I don't want to end up like my father! [shocked, Sisko releases him]
Sisko
Your father?
That's right. My father. He's been chasing profit his whole life, and what has it gotten him? Nothing. And you know why? Because he doesn't have the lobes...and neither do I.
Sisko
[quoting] "And a Ferengi without profit..."
Sisko
The eighteenth Rule of Acquisition.
My father is a mechanical genius. He could've been Chief Engineer of a starship if he'd had the opportunity. But he went into business, like a good Ferengi. The only thing is, he's not a good Ferengi, not when it comes to acquiring profit. So now all he has to live for is the slim chance that someday, somehow, he might be able to take over my uncle's bar. Well, I'm not going to make the same mistake. I want to do something with my life. Something worthwhile.
Sisko
Like joining Starfleet.
I may not have an instinct for business, but I have my father's hands and my uncle's tenacity. I know I've got something to offer, I just need the chance to prove it.
Sisko
All right. I'll see that you get that chance.
[overjoyed] You're going to recommend me to Starfleet Academy?
Sisko
I'll send the letter the first thing tomorrow morning.
Commander, I don't know how to thank you! [he tries to embrace Sisko, only for Sisko to hold him at arm's length]
Sisko
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Don't thank me yet. You still have a lot of work ahead of you.
Don't worry. You're never going to regret this. [he offers his hand and Sisko shakes it]
Benjamin Sisko
[discussing Curzon Dax] Let me tell you something about Curzon. He was my friend, he was my confidant, in a way he was my teacher as well. But he was also manipulative, selfish, and arrogant. Most people let him get away with it because he was so charming. Sometimes I let him get away with it too. But from time to time, he'd push me too far, and I'd have to stand up to him. Tell him he'd crossed the line.
Benjamin Sisko
Sometimes he'd just laugh and admit it. Sometimes he'd be furious. But either way, he'd back off because he knew he was wrong.
Benjamin Sisko
We've had a year to prepare this station for a Dominion attack, and we're more than ready.
(laughs) You're like a toothless old grishna cat, trying to frighten us with your roar!
Benjamin Sisko
I assure you, this old cat may not be as toothless as you think. Right now I've got five thousand photon torpedoes armed and ready to launch. If you don't believe me, feel free to scan the station.
[Martok and Gowron look across the bridge to their sensor officer, who nods.]
It's a trick! An illusion created by thoron fields and duranium shadows.
Benjamin Sisko
It's no illusion.
We shall see. (in Klingon) Today is a good day to die!
Captain, your shields have been weakened, your station boarded, and more Klingon ships are on their way. Surrender while you can.
Benjamin Sisko
I don't think so. My shields are holding, your boarding parties are contained, and my reinforcements are closer than yours. You're facing a war on two fronts. Is that what you really want?
The Empire is not strong enough to fight the Federation and the Cardassians. End this now, Gowron, before you lead the Empire to its worst defeat in history.
Benjamin Sisko
This is exactly what the Founders want! Klingon against Cardassian, Federation against Klingon. The more we fight each other, the weaker we'll get, and the less chance we have against the Dominion.
Consider what you do here, Gowron. Kahless himself said "destroying an Empire to win a war is no victory".
And ending a battle to save an Empire is no defeat.
Benjamin Sisko
(referring to the Federation reinforcements) Not before those starships get here. Now, what do you want me to tell them? To stand down or come in firing?
...It is we who shall stand down.
Enough! Cease fire. Order our ships in Cardassian territory to halt their advance. I do not intend to hand victory to the Dominion! But hear this. The Klingon Empire will remember what has happened today. You have sided against us in battle! And THIS we do not forgive or forget!
This is the last chance I'm ever going to have to help you. [Jake fades in and out] [Pained] No!
Benjamin Sisko
Jake, it's over. It's not going to work.
Benjamin
Let go, Jake! If not for yourself, then for me. You still have time to make a better life for yourself. Promise me you'll do that. [Pleading] Promise me!
Benjamin
"To my father, who's coming home". Thank you, but I— I don't understand.
It was me. It was me all along. I've been dragging you through time like an anchor, and now it's time to cut you loose.
Benjamin
Jake, what are you saying?
Deep Space Nine · 633 quotes
