When a violent plasma storm leads to the evacuation of the station, the remaining crew are overtaken by a group of mercenaries led by a timid Trill named Verad who has plans for Lieutenant Dax.

Ensign Melora Pazlar, a new arrival on DS9 with a special gravity-based disability, finds an admirer in Bashir. Meanwhile, Quark receives a death threat from one of his former associates.