The data files are still in transit from Starfleet Headquarters. Information will be made available soon.
ACCESSION:
A legendary Bajoran appears mysteriously after more than 200 years and challenges
Sisko's claim to be the Emissary.
A centuries old Bajoran vessel mysteriously exits the wormhole, and its passenger, a
legendary Bajoran named Akorem Laan, is immediately beamed to the Infirmary.
Shocked to learn that more than 200 years have passed since he left Bajor, he tells
Sisko and Kira that he had an accident in space and was saved by the Bajoran
Prophets, which led him to believe that they have chosen him to be the Emissary.
Sisko, who was never comfortable with the assumption that he was Emissary, steps
aside to let Akorem assume the revered position. Soon afterward, Akorem makes his
first public address, telling the crowd that the prophets chose him to return Bajor to
the old ways -- including strict adherence to a caste system that restricts people to
specific "D'jarras," or occupations.
Sisko is disturbed, since caste-based discrimination goes against the Federation
Charter, which will cause Bajor to be excluded from the membership, but Akorem is
convinced he is following the wishes of the Prophets. That evening, Sisko is so
troubled, he has a nightmare and is unable to get back to sleep. He goes for a walk
on the Promenade and encounters a vision of Kai Opaka, who warns Sisko that he
does not know himself.
Bashir tells Sisko that he experienced an "Orb Shadow" -- a phenomenon
encountered by people who've been exposed to the Bajoran orbs, but which only
occurs if the advice the Prophets tried to give has been ignored. Later, Sisko reveals
to Kira that he believes he has failed in his mission to bring Bajor into the Federation.
Kira assures him that it isn't his fault, but complicates his dilemma by telling him she
plans to resign her post to follow her D'jarra and become an artist.
Sisko's contemplative mood is interrupted when Odo summons him to the
Promenade -- a Bajoran monk has died. Vedek Porta states that he is responsible,
saying he pushed the man to his death because he refused to resign, even though
his family's D'jarra is "unclean". Appalled, Sisko requests another meeting with
Akorem and admits that giving up his position as Emissary was a mistake, then
reveals that he is forced to challenge Akorem's claim. Since they have no other way
of proving which is the real Emissary, Sisko suggests that the two of them go to the
wormhole and ask the Prophets.
In the wormhole, the aliens within reveal that Akorem was sent into the future for
Sisko -- the true Emissary. At Sisko's suggestion, the aliens return the dejected
Akorem to his own time, to live out his life without any memory of the future. Sisko is
finally convinced that he is the Emissary and ready to handle the responsibility.
ACCESSION:
