A Gutted World presents the question "What if the Cardassians discovered the Bajoran Wormhole?" Set in 2373, shortly after the events of Star Trek: First Contact, the Cardassians never withdrew from Bajor, and Corat Damar is serving on Terok Nor when Odo, chief of security, goes missing. On Gul Dukat's orders he investigates Garak, but nothing comes of it. A few days later, Garak meets Kira Nerys, the last surviving member of the Shakaar resistance cell, and helps her escape from Bajor with a message for the Federation.