Explorers

Sisko becomes fascinated by legends that ancient Bajorans sailed between the stars in lightships driven by solar winds, perhaps even reaching Cardassia. To test the theory, he builds a replica from old designs, and Jake reluctantly agrees to come along. On the voyage, Jake admits he has been accepted by a prestigious writing programme in New Zealand but plans to put it off so as not to leave his father alone, and he urges Sisko to start dating again. A tachyon eddy hurls the little ship to warp speed, damaging its sails and leaving father and son out of contact with the station. Then Dukat hails them: they have reached Cardassian space. He reveals that Cardassian scientists have just found the remains of an ancient Bajoran lightship on Cardassia, proving the legend true, and the Cardassians salute the achievement with fireworks. On the station, Bashir nervously awaits a reunion with his old medical school rival, Dr Lense.