Stardate not given: Bashir and O'Brien are on attachment to a research vessel
in the Gamma Quadrant, attempting to help the
Kelleruns and T'lani destroy their bumper crop of
biological weapons known as Harvesters. Shortly after
finally discovering a means of rendering the
Harvesters inert, the scientists on the alien ship
are stormed by a squadron of armed troops. Only
Bashir and O'Brien escape, beaming down to nearby
T'lani III when they are unable to contact their
Runabout. O'Brien has been infected by material from
a Harvester and will die within days if he doesn't
receive treatment that Bashir cannot provide without
the station's medical facilities. In the meantime, Sisko and the crew have been informed that Bashir and
O'Brien died in an accident aboard the research ship
- but unknown to the crew, those who Bashir and
O'Brien were helping in good faith are deliberately
responsible for the attack.
