The audience was held, open to the press, in one of the Kai's resplendent gardens here in the lush, green heart of Bajor.  As reporters chatted amiably with the Kai and his assemblage of Vedeks awaiting the start of the conference, nothing could have appeared more organic to the scene than the Dominion skimmer approaching across the verdant hills, perhaps a sign of things to come.  The representatives of the press, expecting a sedate and uneventful meeting, were shocked and excited when Weyoun disembarked from the Dominion craft to helm the conference on behalf of the Dominion.  News of Weyoun's successful cloning have been closely guarded by Dominion officials pending determination that he was fit to resume command.  This public appearance signified that approval and the dawning of a new era of strength and prominence for Dominion forces in the Alpha Quadrant.

Compared to this stunning revelation of Weyoun's successful regeneration, the conference itself was something of a disappointment.  Though Kai Ungtae was brought to admit that the Bajorans believe they possess orbs capable of restoring the wormhole for the Dominion, he refused to disclose the location of those orbs and stubbornly, and short-sightedly, maintained that it is not in the best interests of Bajor to restore the wormhole to Dominion traffic.  It was clear that, despite recent shake-ups within the Federation, that organization still rests a heavy hand on Bajor.  Deep Space Nine, still a critical strategic outpost for the Federation was not far from anyone's mind, hanging above the clear skies of Bajor.

In response to intimations from Ungtae that, even if the wormhole were open to Dominion traffic, the Federation would prevent Dominion forces from moving far beyond its entrance into the Alpha Quadrant, Weyoun issued the following heartening pronouncement.  "We do not expect the criminal elements of Starfleet and the Federation to allow us to travel freely through neutral territory in accordance with the dictates of interstellar law.  But we recognize that a state of war exists between our peoples and will defend our ships with necessary force.  Do not make the mistake of presuming that the Dominion is content with its current territorial holdings in the Alpha Quadrant.  One way or another, this region of space will be unified under the Dominion."  To this the alleged pacifist, Ungtae, responded that his administration cannot back any military organization pursuing an aggressive policy of territorial acquisition.  The irony of this statement was clear to all present, considering the relationship between the Bajoran government and the criminals of Starfleet.

Hanging unspoken in the air throughout the meeting was the fate of the former Bajoran Kai, Winn, and rumors of her scandalous death involving consorting with Cardassian war criminals and death in the infamous Bajoran fire caves.  Though no word has been issued by the Bajoran government definitively establishing what occured in the final weeks of Kai Winn's life, the provocative suggestions of her association with the Pah-wraiths suggests a possible second avenue for the Dominion to gain access to the wormhole.  This mission is officially still under wraps, but Dateline Dominion has received word from reliable sources within the Dominion command structure that Dominion emissaries have already been sent to make contact and open talks with the Pah-wraiths.

Though little formal progress was made at these talks, we valued the opportunity to visit with the new Weyoun and welcome him back into the fold of the Dominion.  We look forward to seeing the brave new direction in which he will take the Dominion forces in the Alpha Quadrant in the months and years ahead.

From Bajor, Eruth