Adm. Alynna Nechayev: I want you to find the Maquis. Talk to them. Remind them that they're citizens of the Federation. That it is imperative that we preserve the treaty with the Cardassians.
Commander Sisko: A treaty the Cardassians may not be honoring!
Adm. Alynna Nechayev: Are you questioning Federation policy, Commander?
Commander Sisko: [with suppressed frustration] All I know, is that the situation in the Demilitarized Zone is deteriorating rapidly.
Adm. Alynna Nechayev: Personally I think you're overstating the problem. Establish a dialogue with the Maquis. They're still Federation citizens, I'm sure they'll listen to reason. Good luck, Commander.
Commander Sisko: [as Kira enters] Establish a dialogue, what the *hell* does she think I've been trying to do?
Major Kira: [urgently] Commander!
Commander Sisko: Just because a group of people belong to the Federation, it does not mean that they are saints!
Major Kira: [more hesitantly] Excuse me...
Commander Sisko: [increasingly agitated] You know what the trouble is?
Major Kira: ...No.
Commander Sisko: The trouble is Earth!
Major Kira: Really.
Commander Sisko: On Earth, there is no poverty, no crime, no war. You look out the window of Starfleet Headquarters and you see paradise. Well it's *easy* to be a saint in paradise, but the Maquis do not live in paradise! Out there, in the Demilitarized Zone, all the problems haven't been solved yet! Out there, there are no saints! Just people! Angry, scared, determined people, who are going to do whatever it takes to survive, whether it meets with Federation approval or not!
Major Kira: Makes sense to me.
Commander Sisko: [calmer, slightly embarrassed] Well I'm glad... *someone* understands.
