Ro Laren's "homecoming" is interrupted when Federation ships from the renegade group the Maquis attack a Cardassian vessel near the Demilitarized Zone. The Cardassians, led by Gul Evek, are angered by the growing threat posed by the Maquis, and promises Cardassia will take matters into its own hands if the Federation does not force the Maquis to uphold the peace treaty. Admiral Nechayev decides to send Ro Laren into the Maquis community as an undercover operative. Ro is uncomfortable with the assignment since, as a Bajoran, she has spent most of her life fighting the Cardassians, but accepts the mission out of loyalty to Picard.

Michelle Forbes (Lieutenant Ro Laren)
John Franklin-Robbins (Macias)
Natalija Nogulich (Vice Admiral Alynna Nechayev)
Richard Poe (Gul Evek)
William Thomas, Jr. (Santos)
Shannon Cochran (Kalita)
Joyce Robinson (Ensign Gates)

• Ro Laren spent the past year at Starfleet Security advanced tactical training, and was promoted to full Lieutenant (skipping Lt. junior grade). Picard recommended her for the program.
  
• Michelle Forbes had turned down the transfer to DS9 and then left TNG to pursue a movie career. However, she liked this story and agreed to do it.
  
• The Lieutenant Commander at Starfleet Security Ro speaks of, who resigned to join the Maquis, is assumed to be Chakotay from Star Trek: Voyager. Voyager was to premiere in January 1995 and the producers wanted a new Maquis story to help with the premiere.
  
• The Maquis were introduced in the Deep Space Nine episode "The Maquis, Part I".
  
• Shannon Cochran as Kalita will also later appear in the DS9 episode "Defiant" as part of Tom Riker's Maquis crew. She also played General Martok's wife Sirella in the DS9 episode "You Are Cordially Invited".