Call to Arms ( episode ) Sisko attempts to prevent more Dominion ships from entering the Alpha Quadrant by mining the wormhole ; Gul Dukat responds by launching a massive assault fleet against the station . ( " Season finale " ) Summary . Teaser . On Deep Space 9 , Rom and Leeta study a PADD with images of various wedding dresses from Tellarite modern to Risian traditional , but dislike all of them . Tora Ziyal persuades them to let Elim Garak design one for them . Garak tells her that he finds her adoration both " flattering and disturbing " . Rom and Leeta see Captain Benjamin Sisko walking along the Promenade and approach him . Miles O ' Brien is telling Sisko that his wife and children Molly and Kirayoshi have left for Earth due to the dangers of being on the front line . Rom and Leeta ask Sisko to officiate at their wedding that is to be held in two weeks time , to which Sisko agrees . After they leave , Sisko and O ' Brien move to one of the Promenade windows where a large crowd has gathered . O ' Brien states that " " maybe they ' re not coming " " , to which Sisko replies " " that would be a nice surprise " " . Suddenly , the wormhole opens and several dozen Dominion starship s enter the Alpha Quadrant on their way to Cardassian space . This is the fifth Dominion convoy to enter the Alpha Quadrant in as many weeks . O ' Brien wishes that they would just attack already , to which Sisko predicts his wish will occur soon . Act One . Jake Sisko arrives at his father ' s quarters for his first home - cooked meal since the last time he visited his father . Sisko curtly hands Jake a PADD , telling him to read the headline . It reads " Bajoran s Continue Negotiations with the Dominion " , " station commander opposes non aggression pact " and the by - line reads " by Jake Sisko " . Jake reveals that this is his first article for the Federation News Service . Meanwhile Jadzia Dax , Kira Nerys , and Odo are in a cargo bay checking several crates . The crates hold several thousand wrappage s of yamok sauce , a condiment popular among Cardassians . Kira realizes that Quark has smuggled them in , believing the Cardassians will soon retake the station . Odo asks what they want to do with it , to which Kira makes no reply . Dax tells him to dump it . Dax asks her what is going on between her and Odo , to which Kira reveals that Odo has feelings for her and that she only found out about a month previously . As Nog brings Sisko his morning beverage , he asks if the rumors about the Romulan s are true . Sisko has no idea what he is talking about and inquires further . Nog tells him that he was talking to several Orion free traders in Quark ' s the previous night and they said they heard from a Vulcan diplomat that the Romulan Star Empire had signed a non - aggression pact with the Dominion . Sisko tells Nog not to believe the rumors and to remember the one hundred and ninetieth Rule of Acquisition – " Hear all , trust nothing . " However , after Nog leaves , Sisko contacts Dax and tells her to put him through to Starfleet Intelligence . Later , in the wardroom Sisko reveals that the Romulans have indeed signed a non - aggression pact with the Dominion , joining the Tholian s and the Miradorn who have already done so . The Bajorans are still debating the pact as they were also recently offered it , but Kira assures everyone that they will never sign it or " any " form of agreement with the Dominion . Sisko also reveals that Starfleet Command has decided no more Dominion ships can be allowed into the Alpha Quadrant . A minefield will be deployed at the mouth of the wormhole to stop the Dominion convoys . Odo comments that by doing so they could start a war , to which Sisko replies that " " Maybe so . But one thing ' s for certain : we ' re losing the peace , which means a war could be our only hope . " " Act Two . In Dax ' s quarters , Dax , O ' Brien , and Rom are trying to come up with the best type of mine to deploy in the minefield . O ' Brien suggests using pulse mine s but the Dominion ships could simply wait at the mouth of the wormhole and destroy them . He then suggests cloak ing them , but it would weaken the mines . Rom , while in the midst of complaining about his upcoming wedding , then realizes that if the mines are to be small they will need a lot of power and a way to replace them . Each mine could be equipped with a replicator unit and would swarm detonate , with at least twenty mines homing in on one ship . The main draw back is that the entire minefield will have to be deployed before it can be activated , or premature detonation could occur . Sisko talks with Starfleet Command and relays their judgment to Kira and Worf that Starfleet ' s forces are needed elsewhere and will be unable to assist in the deployment of the minefield . Their orders are to deploy the minefield and prepare for a Dominion attack . DS9 will also have to defend the , as she will be alone while deploying the minefield . Kira meets with Odo and agrees to his plan of stopping all outgoing communications . They also decide to put their personal feelings for each other aside until the crisis has abated . The " Defiant " begins to deploy the mines but the Dominion becomes aware of it almost immediately . A Dominion ship arrives with Weyoun aboard . He leaves behind all of the false pleasantness that he has always used before in his meetings with Sisko , and bluntly issues an ultimatum – remove the mines , or the Dominion will take control of Deep Space 9 and remove them themselves . Act Three . Sisko stubbornly tells Weyoun that the mines will stay and he will not allow any more ships through the wormhole . Weyoun then returns to his old ways – a mask of reasonableness and sincerity . Weyoun tells Sisko that it is the Cardassians who are pushing for the convoys , saying that they want the security that the Dominion brings , as well as a boost to their economy after their costly war with the Klingon s . Weyoun then offers to limit the convoys to cargo ships , construction units , and civilian aid if Sisko will remove the mines . Later , Sisko tells his senior officer s and General Martok that the Dominion will attack as early as tomorrow . He tells them that his conversation with Weyoun was all words and an attempt to lure the other side into a " false sense of security " . Sisko did not believe it and is sure Weyoun didn ' t either . Sisko asks Martok to take the to the Cardassian border and watch for the Dominion fleet . Sisko also tells Kira to contact the Bajoran Council of Ministers for an immediate meeting , as he plans to use his position as Emissary of the Prophets to endorse the nonaggression pact . Kira doesn ' t understand why he would want the Bajorans to sign the pact , so Sisko tells her that the only way Bajor will survive the war will be to do what the Romulans did , and sign the pact to keep them out of the fighting . He is convinced that by not doing so , the past five years of their work will be undone . The Bajorans sign the pact and First Minister Shakaar orders all Bajorans to leave Deep Space 9 for their own safety . Kira arranges for Ziyal to stay with several of her friends . Later , Sisko marries Rom and Leeta in a traditional Bajoran ceremony . Rom then tells her to go to Bajor , and not look back . As Sisko prepares Program Sisko 197 , General Martok contacts the station with a report of a large Dominion fleet heading their way . However , his transmission is jammed by the Dominion and Dukat , Weyoun , and Damar appear on the station ' s viewscreen . Dukat asks Sisko if he wants to surrender and avoid " unnecessary bloodshed " . Sisko tells him no , to which Dukat happily replies that he was hoping Sisko would say that . Sisko orders his crew to battle stations . Act Four . The Dominion fleet will enter weapons range in twenty minutes . Unfortunately , the " Defiant " has an hour of work left before the minefield can be activated . Jake helps Doctor Bashir and his medical staff with medkit s . He tells Bashir that he promised the Federation News Service a firsthand account of the battle . Bashir tells him he will get it and that his name is spelled with an " I " . Garak meets Odo on the Promenade , praising his composure and calling him " an island of tranquility in a sea of chaos . " Odo ' s entire Bajoran staff has been evacuated to Bajor . Garak tells Odo that during the Klingon attack on the station , almost two years previously , when he and Dukat were defending the members of the Detapa Council , Dukat turned his back to him . Garak considered killing him but realized he could not fight the Klingons by himself . He tells Odo that by the time this day is over , everyone on the station will regret his failure to kill Dukat . The " Rotarran " approaches Deep Space 9 and Sisko tells Martok to protect the " Defiant " . Worf then activates the weapons array . Kira arrives in Ops and offers a perfunctory protest to Starfleet ' s refusal to turn the station over to her government . Sisko notes her protest and Kira reports for duty . The Dominion fleet approaches the station . On the flagship , Dukat tells Damar he has been waiting for this moment for five years . Damar tells him that they will reclaim both Terok Nor and Bajor . Weyoun chastises them , reminding them of the nonaggression pact . The fleet enters weapons range and Dukat gives the order to fire . The battle begins and the station manages to destroy several Dominion ships plus several that were closing on the " Defiant " . Damar and Weyoun are surprised that Deep Space 9 ' s shields are holding , to which Dukat tells them he has found it wise never to underestimate the Federation ' s technical skill and Captain Sisko ' s resourcefulness . The " Defiant " comes under attack but is saved by the " Rotarran " . The enemy fleet targets their weapons on the outer docking ring , penetrating the station ' s shields . Main power to the shields is lost and the auxiliary power will not last long . However , the " Defiant " reports in , telling Sisko the minefield has been deployed . Jadzia activates the field and returns to the station . The Dominion fleet prepares for a final assault on the station , with Dukat calling the activation of the minefield a " minor setback " . Sisko decides there is nothing more they can do and orders all Federation personnel to evacuate . Act Five . As the evacuation begins , Dax says goodbye to Worf , who has been assigned to the " Rotarran " , and agrees to marry him when the war is over . Sisko addresses the station population who are remaining behind . He tells them that although the station has been lost , the attack on the station allowed the Federation and the Klingons to attack and destroy the Dominion shipyards on Torros III . He also tells them that no victory can make this moment any easier for him , and promises he will not rest until he stands with them again . Sisko is then transported to the " Defiant " . Garak is already aboard , and asks Captain Sisko for permission to remain and for once tells the very simple truth — he has nowhere else to go . Captain Sisko agrees , and heads for the bridge . The " Defiant " and the " Rotarran " leave the station , fire a few last shots , and cloak before they can be destroyed . Kira and Odo arrive in Ops and transmit a message to the Dominion fleet , welcoming them to Deep Space 9 . Kira then activates Program Sisko 197 , which sets off a series of explosive system overloads that cripple the station . Quark , removing all aspects of the Federation ' s presence , tells his staff to break out the kanar and find some yamok sauce . Rom reports for duty in his old job as Assistant Manager of Policy and Clientele . He claims he is now a spy for Starfleet . As Rom starts work he finds Jake , sitting nearby . He has stayed behind to report on the Dominion occupation . Rom is concerned for his safety , but Jake assures him that if Dominion harms him , the son of the Emissary , they risk alienating their new Bajoran friends . On the " Defiant " , Sisko finds out and is naturally angry , but he cannot risk the entire crew for one person , even his own son . Jake is a grown man and capable of making his own decisions . The " Defiant " and the " Rotarran " continue on their course to rendezvous with the Federation / Klingon task force . Nog states that now they will make the Dominion " sorry they ever set foot in the Alpha Quadrant . " The Dominion boards what is once again called Terok Nor and Odo , Kira , and Quark arrive to meet them . Weyoun tells Odo he is honored that he remained behind . Dukat and Weyoun visit Ops and the station commander ' s office where Sisko has removed all of his personal items , except one . Dukat finds Sisko ' s still on the desk , a promise from Sisko that he will return to reclaim Deep Space 9 . On the " Defiant " , Sisko sits in contemplation of the impending war that will sweep across the Alpha and Beta Quadrant s . The " Defiant " and the " Rotarran " de - cloak and move to join the large Federation and Klingon fleet . The Dominion War has begun . Memorable quotes . " " Any marriage where the female is allowed to speak and wear clothing is doomed to failure . " " " " We ' ve just barely said our vows , and we ' re already having our first fight ! We ' re really married ! " " " " You ' ve got to go , Leeta . The problems of two newlyweds are but a small thread in the tapestry of galactic events . You might not understand that today , or even tomorrow . But someday you will . So get on that shuttle . And don ' t look back . " " " " Captain , as a major of the Bajoran Militia , I must officially protest Starfleet ' s refusal to turn this station over to my government . " " " " Your protest is duly noted . " " " " Good . Now that that ' s over with . . . Kira Nerys reporting for duty . " " " " I have been waiting for this moment for five years . " " " " First we reclaim " Terok Nor " , and then onto Bajor . " " " " Let ' s not get ahead of ourselves . Or must I remind you that the Dominion just signed a non - aggression pact with Bajor ? " " " " The Dominion might have . I never did . " " " " The Dominion will honor its treaty . And as a member of the Dominion , " you " will honor it as well . " " " " Where the Dominion leads , I will follow . " " " " I never doubted it . " " " " You may continue your work , commander . " I " will handle the Jem ' Hadar . " " " " Who says there ' s never a Klingon around when you need one ? ! " " " " When I first took command of this post , all I wanted was to be somewhere else . Anywhere but here . But now , five years later , this station has become my home . And you all of you have become my family and leaving this station , leaving you , is one of the hardest things I ' ve ever had to do . But this war isn ' t over yet . I want you to know that , while we were keeping the Dominion occupied , a Starfleet / Klingon task force crossed the border into Cardassia and destroyed the Dominion shipyards on Torros III . Your sacrifices , " our " sacrifices , made this victory possible . But no victory can make this moment any easier for me and I promise , I will not rest until I stand with you again . Here . In this place . Where I belong . " " " " We should rendezvous with the Federation task force in 48 hours . " " " " And then what ? " " " " And then we make the Dominion sorry they ever set foot in the Alpha Quadrant . " " " " Cadet , you took the words right out of my mouth . " " " " I assume Captain Sisko removed or destroyed everything of value ? " " " " Not everything . " " " " " What is that ? " " " " A message from Sisko . " " " " I don ' t understand . " " " " He ' s letting me know . . . he ' ll be back . " " Links and references . References . Alpha Quadrant ; asparagus ; auction ; Baduvian tapestry ; Bajor ; Bajoran ; Bajoran government ; Bajoran language ; Bajoran Militia ; Bajoran system ; Bajoran transport s ; Bajoran wormhole ; ; Battle of Torros III ; battle stations ; Bolian s ; bridal auction ; byline ; Cardassia ; Cardassian s ; Cardassian border ; Celsius ; closet ; Constable ; Council of Ministers ; dermal regenerator ; Dominion War ; Earth ; Emissary of the Prophets ; evasive maneuvers ; Federation ; Federation News Service ; Ferengi ; Gamma Quadrant ; handkerchief ; hypospray ; kiss ; latinum ; latinum dance ; loincloth ; medical tricorder ; meter ; Milky Way Galaxy ; Miradorn ; ; ; ; Occupation of Bajor ; " Old Man " ; Orion traders ; Prinadora ; Program Sisko 197 ; Promenade ; Quark ' s ; Risian s ; Second Battle of Deep Space 9 ; self - replicating mine ; Shakaar Edon ; spacedock ; strategic operations officer ; swarm ; reporter ; task force ; Tellarite ; Tholian ; virtual display device ; Vulcan ; wedding dress ; yamok sauce ; Yridian