What You Leave Behind

"I want the Cardassians exterminated."

"Which ones?"

"All of them. The entire population."

"That will take some time."

"Then I suggest you begin at once."

"Keep..."

"My loyal Weyoun. The only solid I have ever trusted."

"Tell me, where's my old friend Damar?"

"Damar's dead."

"What a pity."

"He died trying to free Cardassia."

"What's left of it."

"Four hundred years ago, a victorious general spoke the following words at the end of another costly war. 'Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of triumph. From both we have learned there can be no going back. We must go forward to preserve in peace what we've won in war.'"

"You may win this war, commander, but I promise you, when it is over, you will have lost so many ships, so many lives, that your "victory" will taste as bitter as defeat."

"The Klingon and Romulan Empires are in no shape to wage a war against anyone. Besides, the Federation wouldn't allow it."

"The Dominion has spent the last two years trying to destroy the Federation, and now you're asking me to put our fate in their hands?"

"Yes."

"This is a moment worth savouring. To victory, hard fought and well earned."

"What's wrong?"

"Suddenly I'm not thirsty."

"Neither am I."

"Before you waste too many tears, remember, these are Cardassians lying dead at your feet. Bajorans would call this poetic justice."

"That doesn't mean I have to drink a toast over their bodies."

"Humans. Pah. Ka DiJaQ."

"You've been such a good friend. I'm going to miss our lunches together."

"I'm sure we'll see each other again."

"I'd like to think so, but one can never say. We live in uncertain times."

"An Ambassador who'll go targ hunting with me! Well, perhaps being Chancellor won't be so bad after all!"

"The Battle of Thermopylae. Do you know it? Well, it's about a force of Spartans led by King Leonidas, who defend a mountain pass against a vast army of Persians.

"What happens then?"

"For two days, the Spartans lead a heroic struggle."

"Until they're wiped out."

"Yes. How'd you know?"

"Lucky guess. I take it we'll be the Spartans?"

"Fighting to the last man."

"Just like the Alamo."

"Exactly."

"Have you talked to a counsellor about these annihilation fantasies?"

"Do you think I should?"

"I'll set up a session for you tomorrow."

"What about tonight?"

"Tonight we defend the pass."

"Benjamin, please. We've known each other too long. And since this is the last time we will ever be together, let's try to speak honestly. We've both had victories and our defeats. Now it's time to resolve our differences and face the ultimate truth. I've won, Benjamin. You've lost."

"The Pah wraith will never conquer anything. Not Bajor. Not the Celestial Temple. And certainly not the Alpha Quadrant.

"And who's going to stop us?"

"I am."

"It's like I said, the more things change, the more they stay the same."