In this episode, the Cardassian officer Gul Dukat, in disgrace after acknowledging his half-Bajoran daughter Ziyal, strikes back against the Klingons over the objections of his government.
It is a followup to the episode "Indiscretion" from earlier in the season, in which Bajoran officer Kira Nerys persuaded Dukat to spare his daughter's life.
Dukat was recently demoted when it became publicly known that he has a half-Bajoran daughter Ziyal, and he now works in a dreary job flying an unremarkable trading ship.
When they arrive they find the conference site obliterated, and a Klingon Bird of Prey warship leaving the area, not even bothering to attack what it considers a lowly freighter.
Kira suggests that they adapt the planet's weapons for use by the freighter, effectively turning it into a Q-ship, and then they head after the Bird of Prey.