Vedek Winn, a conservative orthodox Bajoran spiritual leader, objects to Keiko's scientific teachings about the wormhole. When Commander Sisko tries to resolve the conflict, the Vedek claims Keiko has dishonored the Prophets with her blasphemous teachings and unless she recants there will be dire consequences. Meanwhile, Chief O'Brien discovers an important tool is missing and the ensign who took it was murdered. Hoping for a peaceful solution, Sisko seeks advice from Vedek Bareil, the leading candidate to become Bajor's next Kai. But when a bomb blast destroys the school, tension between the Bajorans and the Federation mounts. As the two Vedeks come together to examine the wreckage, Chief O'Brien uncovers the identity of the ensign's killer — and a shocking conspiracy to assassinate one of the Vedeks.

Louise Fletcher (Vedek Winn Adami)
Philip Anglim (Vedek Bareil Antos)
Rosalind Chao (Keiko O'Brien)
Robin Christopher (Neela)
Michael Eugene Fairman (Vendor)

• This episode introduces Vedek Winn and Vedek Bareil, who would both become recurring characters.
  
• Vedek Winn tells Keiko the Hands of the Prophets guide ships through their Celestial Temple and that she is teaching blasphemy by referring to them as "wormhole aliens".
  
• Vedek Winn convoluted plan uses Neela to assassinate Vedek Bareil. Neela also killed Ensign Aquino.
  
• A Vedek is a Bajoran religious leader. Each of the 112 regions on Bajor chooses a Vedek to represent them in the Vedek Assembly, which is headed by the Kai, who is the religious and spiritual leader of Bajor. (The First Minister is the head of the Bajoran Government. Jaro Essa is the First Minister at this point.)
  
• The 7th Rule of Acquisition is "keep your ears open."
  
• When the school explodes, Keiko runs up to Miles and says "Miles!" — but for some reason the closed captioning says "Michael!" When Bareil arrives on the station, Kai Winn says "I expected you sooner, Bareil" — but the closed captioning says "I expected you sooner, O'Brien."