Let's just say I belong to another branch of Starfleet Intelligence. Our official designation is Section 31.
Julian BashirNever heard of it.
We keep a low profile. Works out better that way for all concerned.
Julian Bashir
And what does Section 31 do, apart from kidnapping Starfleet officers?
We search out and identify potential dangers to the Federation.
Julian Bashir
And once identified?
Julian Bashir
How?
Julian Bashir
So if I had been a Dominion agent, what would have happened to me?
We wouldn't be standing here having this conversation.
Julian Bashir
[appalled] Starfleet sanctions what you're doing?
We don't submit reports or ask approval for specific operations, if that's what you mean. We're an autonomous department.
Julian Bashir
Authorized by whom?
Section 31 was part of the original Starfleet charter.
Julian Bashir
But that was 200 years ago. Are you telling me you've been working on your own, ever since? Without specific orders? Accountable to nobody but yourselves?
You make it sound so ominous.
Julian Bashir
Isn't it? Because if what you say to me is true, you function as judge, jury, and executioner, and I think that's too much power. For anyone.
We're on the same team. We believe in the same principles that every other Federation citizen holds dear.
Julian Bashir
And yet you violate those principles as a matter of course.
In order to protect them.
Julian Bashir
Well, I'm sorry. But the ends don't always justify the means.
Really? [considers for a moment] How many lives do you suppose you've saved in your medical career?
Julian Bashir
What has that got to do with anything?
Hundreds? Thousands? Do you suppose those people give a damn that you lied to get into Starfleet Medical? I doubt it. We deal with threats to the Federation that jeopardize its very survival. If you knew how many lives we've saved, I think you'd agree that the ends do justify the means. Now, I'm not afraid of bending the rules every once in a while if the situation warrants it. And I don't think you are, either.
[Jadzia and Worf have just announced that they are trying to have a baby.]
Well, you two are awfully quiet.
Julian Bashir
Uh, look, um, I don't want to dampen your spirits, Jadzia, but I told you before you were married that, from a medical point-of-view, it wouldn't be easy for a Trill and a Klingon to have a child.
And I'm worried the kid'll end up looking like his father.
[offended] Well, I hope she does. [makes a face and walks off in a huff]
Bashir
A baby.
It's bad enough she married that Klingon psychopath.
Bashir
A baby. Do you have any idea what that means?
That their marriage is gonna last. A lot longer than we thought.
[Odo declares that Worf has struck out]
WHAT?! What are you talking about?! That ball was at least half a metre out! How could you call it a strike?! REVERSE THE CALL! REVERSE THE CALL!
[rushes over] Are you blind?! That was low and outside!
The ball was clearly outside!
What the hell were you looking at?! You can't tell me that ball was over the plate! What were you doing—REGENERATING?!
[calmly] Caught the outside corner.
[Worf and Sisko continue to protest over each other]
THE OUTSIDE CORNER?! THE CORNER OF THE DUGOUT, PERHAPS! MAYBE THE CORNER OF THE STADIUM! BUT NOT THE CORNER OF THE PLATE!
THE CORNER, MY FOOT! THAT WAS A BALL, AND YOU KNOW IT! WE SHOULD HAVE TWO MEN ON! TWO MEN ON! TWO MEN ON!
Gentlemen, you are trying my patience.
You stole the run from us! You stole it, just as if you reached up and tore it off the score board!
[Begins poking Odo in the chest]
“No player shall at anytime make contact with the umpire in any manner. The prescribed penalty for the violation is immediate ejection from the game.” Rule number 4.06, subsection A, paragraph four. Look it up, but do it in the stands. YOU'RE GONE!
[Sisko walks off]
[Muttering to himself] It was a ball. It was no strike. I know it was a ball.
Julian Bashir
Chief?
Julian Bashir
I think that means you're in charge now.
You're right. [To the team] What are you standing around for? You never seen a man thrown out of a game?
SSarina
If I had to choose someone to replace Atlas and hold up the world, it'd be Miles. He'd do it with a smile, too. And Kira. She never doubts herself. Which is what Odo finds so fascinating, because he doubts everything but her.
Julian Bashir
What about Ezri?
SSarina
[considers] The moment she realizes she's more than just the sum of her parts, she's really going to be something.
Bashir
I can't believe you saw all that after only just a few hours. I'm going to have to start putting on my poker face.
SSarina
Too late. You've already given yourself away.
Bashir
Really? [Sarina nods] And how would you describe me?
SSarina
Compassionate. Brilliant. Lonely.
Bashir
Well, two out of three isn't bad.
Bashir
That would be telling.
Bashir
Sarina. Talk to me… please. I know you can. What’s wrong? Is it me? If it is, don’t be afraid. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make it right… because I love you. I want us to be together. Tell me. Do you love me?
SSarina
I don’t know. I don’t even understand what love is. I don’t understand anything.
Bashir
Sarina—
SSarina
What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to feel? Tell me. I want to make you happy. I owe you everything.
Bashir
Shh. You don’t owe me. You don’t owe me anything.
SSarina
I’m sorry. I wish I could be the woman you want me to be.
Bashir
Shh.
[Nog has chosen Vic Fontaine's holoprogram as his Rehab]
At first, it struck me as a little... peculiar. But after I thought it over, I began to think that maybe this is a good sign after all.
How can hiding in one of Julian's adolescent programs be a good sign?
Julian Bashir
Hey...
It could be worse. He could be hiding in the Alamo program.
LLeeta
Or that ridiculous secret agent program.
Julian Bashir
Hey.
Or that stupid Viking program.
Julian Bashir
HEY!
How sad. I must tell you, I'm disappointed in hearing you mouth the usual platitudes of peace and friendship regarding an implacable foe like the Romulans. But I live in hope that one day you'll come to see this universe for what it truly is, rather than what you wish it to be.
Bashir
Then I shall endeavor to become more cynical with each passing day, look gift horses squarely in the mouth, and find clouds in every silver lining.
[Luther Sloan is attempting to recruit Dr. Bashir for a Section 31 mission on Romulus]
Your assignment is to gather data on the Romulan leadership. In essence, we want you to take the pulse of their government, no pun intended.
Julian Bashir
You want me to spy on an ally?
To evaluate an ally, and a temporary ally at that. I say that, because when the war's over, the following will happen in short order: the Dominion will be forced back to the Gamma Quadrant. The Cardassian empire will be occupied. The Klingon Empire will spend the next ten years recovering from the war and won't pose a serious threat to anyone. That leaves two powers to vie for control of the quadrant: the Federation and the Romulans.
Julian Bashir
This war isn't over, and you're already planning for the next.
Deep Space Nine · 633 quotes
