19. In the Pale Moonlight

The episode is told in flashback, as Sisko records a personal log entry on the events of the past two weeks.

As the Federation's losses in the Dominion War mount, Sisko decides that he must bring the Romulans into the war on the Federation's side no matter the cost. Sisko enlists Garak's help to find evidence that the Dominion is planning to attack the Romulans, but all of Garak's contacts in Cardassian territory end up dead shortly after communicating with him. Garak suggests forging the evidence instead. Hesitant, but motivated by the Dominion's recent conquest of Betazed, Sisko obtains permission from Starfleet to proceed.

At Garak's request, Sisko secures the release of a forger named Grathon Tolar from a Klingon prison. To obtain an authentic Cardassian data rod, he is forced to trade a large quantity of bio-mimetic gel, a rare, dangerous and strictly regulated material, over Dr. Bashir 's protests. When Tolar stabs Quark in a drunken altercation, Sisko bribes Quark to drop the matter. Tolar forges a holographic record of a meeting between Dominion leaders discussing plans to invade Romulus. On Garak's advice, Sisko arranges a secret meeting with Vreenak, an influential Romulan senator. Sisko gives Vreenak the recording but the senator discovers the forgery and vows to expose the deception. As Sisko faces the possibility that his actions may drive the Romulans to side with the Dominion, he learns that Vreenak's ship was destroyed en route home.

Sisko confronts Garak, who admits he planted a bomb on Vreenak's ship. Garak explains that when the Romulans search the wreckage and find the rod, any imperfections will be attributed to damage from the explosion and the Romulans will assume that the Dominion assassinated Vreenak to prevent him from bringing the rod back. The recording will implicate the Dominion as planned; Garak tells Sisko he can ease his conscience with the knowledge that the Alpha Quadrant may have been saved, at the cost of the lives of Vreenak and Tolar (whom Garak has also killed) and Sisko's self-respect—which Garak calls a bargain. Soon, the Romulans declare war on the Dominion.

At the end of his log entry, Sisko wrestles with having condoned forgery, selling prohibited materials, bribery, and murder for the good of the Alpha Quadrant. After thinking about it, Sisko declares that he can live with it, and that—if he had to—he would do it all again. He then deletes the log.