Plot summary
Lt. Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) returns from the Gamma Quadrant in her runabout with a woman that Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney) recognizes as Vash from his time on board the Enterprise. Although the crew is unaware of his presence, Q — a nearly omnipotent prankster — has also stowed away on the runabout. During their trip back to Deep Space Nine, the vessel undergoes a series of unusual power drains.
Soon after Vash's arrival, the station begins to experience similar power failures. In the meantime, Q appears to Vash, apparently infatuated with her. Although Q transported Vash to the Gamma Quadrant two years earlier, now she wants nothing to do with him, much to Q's annoyance. When Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) asks Vash out for dinner, a jealous Q uses his powers to make Bashir fall asleep. Meanwhile, the bartender Quark (Armin Shimerman) arranges to auction off items Vash found in the Gamma Quadrant, including an unusual crystal that might fetch a high price.
O'Brien spots Q on the station, recognizes him from the Enterprise, and warns Commander Sisko, speculating that Q may be responsible for the power drains. When confronted, Q denies any wrongdoing, although he offers no alternative explanation. As the power drains become more severe, the station begins to be pulled toward the nearby wormhole. After a little needling, Q challenges Sisko to a boxing match, and suddenly they are both wearing antique-style boxing costumes. A few punches are thrown by Q but Sisko is able to block the last punch and knock Q down with a one two punch, shocking Q.
At the auction, Vash's crystal receives bids in excess of one thousand bars of gold-pressed latinum. Casually joining the bid process, Q ups the bidding to 2501 bars before bidding one million. Soon after, however, the source of the power losses is traced to the crystal itself. The crystal is quickly beamed into space before it can destroy the station. Once outside, it transforms into an alien life form and travels into the wormhole. After the incident, Bashir finally awakens from his slumber.
Credits
Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Q-Less. Paragraphs and formatting adjusted; illustrations, reference markers, block quotations and non-story material omitted.