150. Tears of the Prophets

Summary

Starfleet has finally decided to go on the offensive in the war against the Dominion, and Sisko is chosen to lead the task force that will be sent to attack the Chin'taka system, a "weak spot" in Cardassian space. This he does despite a warning vision from the Prophets. Meanwhile, Dukat has returned to Cardassia with what he claims is the key to victory. He breaks an ancient Bajoran relic, and becomes possessed by the pagh wraith inside, after which he goes to DS9, where the Orb of Contemplation is on display. Dax, who happens to be with the Orb, is mortally injured by an energy blast from the pagh wraith, who then destroys the Orb. The wormhole collapses, cutting Sisko and the Bajorans off from the Prophets; all the Orbs are dark. Bashir is able to save the Dax symbiont, but Jadzia dies. Believing he has failed as the Emissary and as a Starfleet officer, Sisko takes a leave of absence and goes back to New Orleans, unsure if he will ever return.

Summary provided by The DS9 Encyclopedia and Lexicon by kind permission of Tracy Hemenover.