Quark receives a mysterious Bajoran earring which was smuggled out of a prison camp on Cardassia IV. Major Kira recognizes it as belonging to Li Nalas, a legendary Bajoran resistance fighter. Planning a rescue, she begs Commander Sisko for a Runabout. He agrees, but insists that O'Brien must accompany her. Meanwhile, graffiti bearing the insignia of The Circle, an extremist group that wants to rid Bajor of all outsiders, is found on the station. On Cardassia IV, Kira and O'Brien execute a daring rescue and return to the station with Li and the other survivors. Later, Bajoran minister Jaro arrives to welcome Li home and much to Sisko's dismay, he announces that Li will be the new Liaison Officer to Deep Space Nine, and recalls Major Kira to Bajor.

Avery Brooks (Cmdr. Benjamin Sisko)
Rene Auberjonois (Odo)
Siddig El Fadil (Dr. Julian Bashir)
Terry Farrell (Lt. Jadzia Dax)
Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko)
Colm Meaney (Chief Miles O'Brien)
Armin Shimerman (Quark)
Nana Visitor (Major Kira Nerys)

Richard Beymer (Li Nalas)
Marc Alaimo (Gul Dukat)
Frank Langella (Minister Jaro Essa)
Max Grodénchik (Rom)
Michael Bell (Borum)
Marc Alaimo (Gul Dukat)
Leslie Bevis (the Boslic Freighter Captain)
Paul Nakauchi (the Tygarian Officer)

• This episode is Part 1 of 3 and is continued in "The Circle".