Bajoran religious leader Kai Opaka makes a surprise visit to Deep Space Nine. While touring the station, she makes it known that she wishes to go through the wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant. Acting as guides, Commander Sisko, Major Kira, and Dr. Bashir accompany her. In the Gamma Quadrant, a subspace message is received from a moon of a planet. Venturing closer, the Runabout Yangtzee Kiang's sensors reveal artificial satellites surrounding the moon. One of the satellites attacks the Runabout, resulting in the vessel crashing on the moon's surface and killing the Kai. As the rest of the crew exit the downed craft, a group of mercenaries "welcomes" them to the moon.