Stardate 48423.2: Exploring the
Gamma Quadrant, the Defiant arrives at a planetless star just in
time to see an entire planet appear from nowhere. Its
inhabitants seem friendly, and invite Sisko, Dax and O'Brien to beam down and visit. They discover
that the planet Meridian and its peaceful inhabitants
spend sixty years in a non-corporeal form, and emerge
into solidity for only a few days at a time. The crew sets about trying to find out why
Meridian disappears, and discover a possible way of
keeping the planet around longer the next time it
reappears in physical form. During the extended
visit, Dax falls in love with Daral, but Meridian
will be gone again before its existence in either
plane can be stabilized, and Dax wants to stay with
Daral - whether it means him leaving Meridian, or Dax
shifting into a non-corporeal life form with the rest
of the planet's residents.
