As a cadet sets out to solve an ancient Starfleet mystery, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns the value of forging her own path. Meanwhile, Nahla agrees to help a fellow chancellor with an elaborate alien ritual.

Holly Hunter (Captain Nahla Ake)
Sandro Rosta (Cadet Caleb Mir)
Karim Diané (Cadet Jay-Den Kraag)
Kerrice Brooks (Cadet SAM)
George Hawkins (Cadet Darem Reymi)
Bella Shepard (Cadet Genesis Lythe)
Zoë Steiner (Cadet Tarima Sadal)
Stephen Colbert (Digital Dean of Students voice)
Tig Notaro (Commander Jett Reno)
Robert Picardo (The Doctor)

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Maker)
Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko)

Raoul Bhaneja (Commander Kelrec)
Tawny Newsome (Lt. Illa Dax)
Romeo Carere (Cadet Ocam Sadal)
Alexander Eling (Cadet B'Avi)
Dale Whibley (Cadet Kyle Jokovich)

Cecilia Lee (Cadet Dzolo)
Daniela Sandiford (Music Instructor)
Julian Young (Club Leader)
Darius "Jackie Cox" Rose (Bartender)
Diedrie Henry (Museum Display Computer)

• SAM (Series Acclimation Mil) was sent by her people to Starfleet Academy to learn about organic beings to report back to her makers. If she fails her mission, she will be recalled back to Kasq and all communications with organics will cease.
  
• This episode is narrated by SAM, mostly told from her point of view, as she tries to solve the mystery of what happened to Benjamin Sisko.
  
• Cirroc Lofton reprises the role of Jake Sisko (in hologram form inside the Sisko Museum). Jake was last seen in the Deep Space Nine finale "What You Leave Behind".
  
• Episode co-writer Tawny Newsome plays Lt. Illa Dax and voices Beckett Mariner in Lower Decks.
  
• The episode ends with a poem read by Avery Brooks and the theme from Deep Space Nine plays over the end credits.