that Zek has instituted a number of reforms, including promoting workers’ rights, environmental protection and outlawing monopolies, Quark is so disgusted that he threatens to turn down the job. Upon Zek's arrival, Quark discovers that he was never the intended heir of the Grand Nagus; it was Quark's brother Rom (Max Grodénchik). Quark swears that his bar will be a refuge for the unrestrained capitalism that was symbolic of his Ferenginar, though he admits that his brother is better suited to be the leader of a new Ferenginar. Several minor subplots set the stage for the upcoming series finale. Sisko is given command of a new starship USS Defiant to replace the Defiant recently destroyed by the Dominion. Security chief Odo is disgusted to learn that the Federation deliberately infected the Dominion's Changeling Founders with a deadly virus, using him as a carrier. Dr. Julian Bashir and Lt. Ezri Dax finally acknowledge their mutual attraction and begin a romantic relationship. The Dominion withdraws its forces to within Cardassian borders, hoping that the Federation and its allies will leave them alone long enough for them to rebuild their fleets; but Sisko persuades Admiral Ross (Barry Jenner) to launch a full-scale assault on Cardassia to end the war. Sisko's wife Kasidy Yates (Penny Johnson Jerald) tells him that she is pregnant, but she is concerned by a warning from the Prophets that Sisko, as the Emissary, must walk his path alone. Guest stars The episode features the main cast of Deep Space Nine, as well as many supporting and guest stars. Production This episode had teleplay written René Echevarria and Ronald D. Moore, with the story by Peter Allan Fields. It was directed by Avery Brooks, who also plays Captain Sisko; Brooks directed 9 episodes of DS9 overall. This is the 8th (and last) appearance of the ambitious Ferengi official Brunt and the 30th (and second last) appearance of Dominion administrator Weyoun, recurring characters both played by Jeffrey Combs since season 3 (Brunt, "Family Business") and season 4 (Weyoun, "To the Death"). This was the only episode to feature both, but there are no scenes with both characters present. The episode title "The Dogs of War" comes from Act 3, Scene 1, line 273 of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, where Mark Antony says "Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war.". (see also Shakespeare and Star Trek) In a previous