Eight-hundred-million dead.
The casualty report's still coming in. (Turns to Bashir) Well, aren't you going to congratulate me, Doctor? My exile is now officially over; I've returned home. (pause) Or rather to what's left of it.
(stammering, looking for the right thing to say) Listen, I— I— I know that this must seem...
You know, some may say that we've gotten just what we deserved. After all, we are not entirely innocent, are we? And I'm not just speaking of the Bajoran occupation. No, our whole history is one of arrogant aggression. We've collaborated with the Dominion, betrayed the entire Alpha Quadrant. Oh, no, no, no, there's no doubt about it—we're guilty as charged.
You and I both know the Cardassians are a strong people, they'll survive. Cardassia will survive—
Oh, please, Doctor, spare me your insufferable Federation optimism! Of course, it'll survive. But not as the Cardassia I knew! We had a rich and ancient culture—our literature, music, art was second to none! And now so much of it is... lost. So many of our best people, our most gifted minds....
(places a hand on Garak's shoulder) I'm sorry, Garak. I didn't mean—
Oh, it's... it's quite alright, Doctor. You've been such a good friend, I'm going to miss our lunches together.
Oh, I'm sure we'll see each other again.
I'd like to think so, but one can never say. We live in uncertain times.(leaves)
(to Worf) How would you feel being named Federation Ambassdor to Qo'noS?
And I am not a politician. But sometimes fate plays cruel tricks on us. Come, Worf. Qo'noS needs you. More importantly, I need you.
Well, you did help him become Chancellor. You can't very well turn your back on him now.
Well, my first duty is to you, Captain.
I'll probably regret this in the morning, but if it's what you really want...
It's been a great honor serving with you.
Excellent! Ha-ha! An ambassador who can go targ hunting with me! Perhaps being Chancellor won't be that bad after all.
[cackling, to Winn] Did you really think the Pah-Wraiths would choose you as their Emissary? Soon, the Pagh-Wraiths will burn across Bajor, the Celestial Temple, the Alpha Quadrant. Can you picture it? An entire universe set in flames! To burn for all eternity! [Sisko enters and Dukat grins gleefully] The Prophets have sent me a gift. Their beloved Emissary, sent forth like an avenging angel to slay the demon.
I should have known the demon would be you.
[spreads his arms] Go ahead. Kill me...if you can. [Sisko aims a phaser rifle at him, but Dukat telekinetically rips it from his grasp, laughing madly] You'll have to do better than that, Captain!
Then why are you the one on your knees?
First the Dominion, now the Pah-Wraiths. You have a talent for picking the losing side!
Benjamin, please. We've known each other too long, and since this is the last time we will ever be together, let's try to speak honestly. We've both had our victories and our defeats. Now, it's time to resolve our differences and face the ultimate truth. I've won, Benjamin. You've lost.
The Pah-Wraiths will never conquer anything! Not Bajor, not the Celestial Temple, and certainly not the Alpha Quadrant!
And who's going to stop us?
[cackles] You can't even stand up!
WWinn
Then I'll stop you! [She tries to throw the Book of the Kosst Amojan into the Fire Caves, only for Dukat to telekinetically snatch it from her]
[angered] Are you still here?
WWinn
[to Sisko] EMISSARY! THE BOOK! [Dukat directs flames from the Fire Caves at Winn, which encircle and then incinerate her]
[venomously] Farewell, Adami. [seizing upon Dukat's distraction, Sisko gets to his feet and charges Dukat, sending them over the edge of the Fire Caves. A screaming Dukat and the Book of the Kosst Amojan are incinerated, but in a burst of white light, Sisko is transported to the Celestial Temple, where his mother greets him]
SMrs Sisko
The Emissary has finished his task.
The Book was the Key, wasn't it?
SMrs Sisko
To a door that can never be opened again.
SMrs Sisko
He is trapped there with them.
[After Odo's seemingly impassive farewell to Quark]
Don't take it hard, Quark.
Hard? What are you talking about? That man loves me! Couldn't you see? It was written all over his back.
