Previously, on Deep Space Nine Season 10... Original discussion thread, covering Episodes 1 to 7 Discussion thread for Episode 8 Discussion thread for Episode 9 Discussion thread for Episode 10 Direct links to the PDFs of episodes 1 to 10: 10x01 - "Emancipation" 10x02 - "Brave New World" 10x03 - "Steppin' Out" 10x04 - "Easy Come, Easy Go" 10x05 - "Deep Down" 10x06 - "The Dream Box" 10x07 - "Instinct" 10x08 - "Property Values" 10x09 - "Blank Slate" 10x10 - "In Two Minds" And now, direct link to download episode 11: 10x11 - "Harmony" As the thread title suggests, this is the first half of my big mid-season two-parter in which - if I may be so bold - shit gets real. Enjoy! .
TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SPACE The starfield... ...and then a JEM’HADAR SHIP shudders across the screen, under heavy fire from somewhere off screen. Weapons hit the ship hard along the port nacelle... 2 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #1 2 The bridge of the Jem’Hadar ship. Vorta male GELNON (last seen 6x15 “Honour Among Thieves”) and the Jem’Hadar First TARAK’ALON in the centre, wearing their eyepiece headsets. Other Jem’Hadar EXTRAS staff the various stations. The ship shudders under the attack. A couple of panels explode in sparks and flame. Gelnon staggers against the railings, but Tarak’alon is steady on his feet. TARAK’ALON Third! Return fire! Jem’Hadar THIRD hits panels – we hear a weapons discharge. THIRD Direct hit, First. Their rear drive section has been comp- romised, but not fatally. Gelnon struggles to right himself, furious and embarrassed. GELNON First Tarak’alon... I want those traitors destroyed. TARAK’ALON With pleasure. 3 EXT. SPACE The first Jem’Hadar Ship (#1) turns quickly and heads back the way it came... ...heading straight for a second Jem’Hadar Ship (#2) with its weapons blasting. The two ships are heading for a head-on collision... ...until Jem’Hadar Ship #2 twists out of the way at the last second. 4 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #2 Another crew, featuring Vorta male SEJEEL (last seen 8x26 “Unity, pt 3”) and Jem’Hadar First TUGOL’ATAG plus extras. The crew grip onto hand-holds as the ship’s inertial dampers struggle against the sudden turn... SEJEEL Are they insane?! They’ll kill themselves along with us! TUGOL’ATAG They’ll kill no-one! Victory is life! ALL JEM’HADAR (chorus) Victory is life! The crew goes back to work, guiding the ship... SEJEEL (furious mutter) I will not be the first to go down, Tugol’atag. TUGOL’ATAG Then stay out of the way and let me save your life. 5 EXT. SPACE The two ships continue to dart round each other, exchanging fire and scoring hits... 6 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #1 Gelnon and Tarak’alon’s ship. Panels spark and soldiers fall. Gelnon is getting progressively more annoyed. TARAK’ALON Second! Control those fires! Third – aim for their central shield emitters. The Third fires again... 7 EXT. SPACE Ship #1 fires its main forward weapon, and hits Ship #2’s shield bubble right at its apex point. The energy bubble visibly sputters and fails. 8 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #2 Sejeel and Tugol’atag. More exploding panels. SECOND First! The shield emitter is destroyed. Tugol’atag growls in fury... SECOND (cont) ...and there is a signal for the Vorta. They turn to look at Sejeel. The Vorta pulls himself together, tries to appear tall and powerful. He presses a control on the side of his headset... and sneers. SEJEEL What do you want, Gelnon? 9 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #1 Gelnon stands smugly on his bridge, talking on his headset. GELNON I want to give you the chance to beg the Founders’ forgiveness before I destroy you, Sejeel. 10 POV - HEADSET IMAGE Sejeel’s image as it appears on Gelnon’s headset viewer, glaring out at the camera in loathing, as the business of Ship #1 goes on underneath the image. SEJEEL (screen) I have done nothing to beg forgiveness for! 11 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #2 Sejeel stands speaking as forcefully and confidently as he can manage into his own headset, as his crew watch... SEJEEL (cont) Those Rakhari pirates deserved to die, as do any who rebel against their Dominion rulers. That is the order of things! 12 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #1 Gelnon is not impressed. First Tarak’alon grins nastily – a sort of “My Vorta’s better than your Vorta” sneer. GELNON You received no orders to attack the Rakhari, Sejeel. I know you did not, because if you had, I would have received them too. We are, after all, part of the same squadron. (w/ finality) You disobeyed the Founders by attacking without authorization. That is punishable by death, for you and all your soldiers. I only hope your next clone has the sense you did not. Suddenly, Gelnon’s headset fritzes as the signal overloads and disappears in static. Gelnon turns to the Third... THIRD First... the other vessel... it has been fired upon! GELNON (furious) I did not order you to fire! THIRD It was not me! Confused and annoyed, Gelnon retunes his headset... 13 POV - HEADSET IMAGE The headset now shows an external view – Jem’Hadar Ship #2 suffering more weapons hits from somewhere else off screen. 14 EXT. SPACE The two ships sitting together in space, both showing significant damage... but Ship #2 is under heavy fire. Widen to reveal the attacker – JEM’HADAR SHIP #3. It zooms into the area, firing constantly at ship #2... 15 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #2 Sejeel, Tugol’atag and all their soldiers scream and bellow as their ship is destroyed around them, fires and sparks and collapsing bulkheads... 16 EXT. SPACE Having no shields, Ship #2 has no chance. Its warp core buckles, and the entire ship explodes in a burst of flame, until there’s just a field of tumbling debris. Jem’Hadar ship #3 swoops around, avoiding the debris, and comes to a stop nearby. 17 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #1 Gelnon is incensed at this interloper in his territory... GELNON First! I want to speak to the Vorta of that vessel. Now! The First nods to the Third, who works his panels... 18 POV - HEADSET IMAGE The headset comes back to life... and reveals VANNIS, smiling insincerely to camera. VANNIS (screen) Gelnon. How nice to see you. 19 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #1 Gelnon forces his best insincere smile back at her. GELNON Vannis. Always good to spend time with a fellow loyal Vorta. But I assure you, I had things entirely under control here. Your help was not required. 20 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #3 A third crew, featuring Vannis at the centre and Jem’Hadar First REKAN’GANAR (last seen 9x17 “Olympus Descending 2”), plus extras. Vannis is smooth and silky, in total control. VANNIS I’m glad to hear it, Gelnon, because I’m not here to offer help. I’m here to destroy you. 21 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #1 Gelnon is stunned. GELNON What?! Why would you do that? Over Sejeel? We attacked that worthless fool for disobeying the Founders! 22 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #3 Vannis smiles back. She knows she’s got him. VANNIS And he deserved to die. But it was not your place to kill him. 23 POV - HEADSET IMAGE Vannis smiles as she delivers Gelnon’s death sentence. VANNIS (screen) Really, Gelnon... what kind of Vorta are you if you have to resort to exchanging weapons fire to solve your disputes? Vorta should not be fighting Vorta, nor Jem’Hadar fighting Jem’Hadar. You and Sejeel... you’re both an embarrassment to the Founders. She looks to the side... VANNIS (screen) First Rekan’ganar, if you would please... 24 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #1 Gelnon is beginning to panic... GELNON Wait – But it’s too late – the ship rocks under fire. 25 EXT. SPACE Ship #3 fires and fires and fires on Ship #1... until Ship #1 finally is destroyed. The debris adds to the already drifting remains of Ship #2. 26 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #3 Vannis smiles - genuinely this time - satisfied with a job well done. VANNIS First... set a course back to the Idran system and engage at full warp. The Jem’Hadar soldiers follow their orders... 27 EXT. SPACE Jem’Hadar Ship #3 swoops around, leaving the debris field behind, and jumps away into warp. 28 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING Just a moment to bring us home. The Defiant is berthed in its usual spot, and the USS Aurora (Nova class, last seen 10x04 “Easy Come, Easy Go”) is at an upper pylon. 29 INT. DS9 – UPPER DOCKING PYLON CORRIDOR The docking hatch is open, and a collection of Starfleet EXTRAS are streaming out into the corridor. These are new transfers, carrying travelling bags over their shoulders, or Aurora crewmembers delivering requisitioned materials, guiding heavy boxes on anti-grav trolleys. NOG and VAUGHN are in the corridor, directing the arrivals. VAUGHN Welcome to Deep Space Nine, everyone. I’m Commander Vaughn, Executive Officer. Deliveries, please go with Lieutenant Nog. New crew transfers, with me. Further down the corridor, BASHIR struggles to squeeze down the corridor past the crowds of milling people. He’s quite urgent, even hopeful. Excited about this. BASHIR (calling out) Commander. VAUGHN (turns to him) Doctor. Bashir has finally reached Vaughn and Nog... BASHIR Any sign? VAUGHN Not as yet. Bashir scans the faces of all the new crew, not seeing what he’s looking for. The last of the new arrivals are now out of the airlock and into the corridor. Vaughn pushes his way past the crowd, calling out as he does. VAUGHN Alright, that’s everyone. Let’s go. Follow me. Vaughn leads the crowd down the corridor and away, with Nog taking up the rear. Bashir is left alone at the airlock. He’s confused, his hopes dashed. He looks back and forth between the crowd and the empty airlock – what went wrong? There’s the sound of boots on deckplates. Bashir rushes to look into the airlock – there’s EZRI DAX, leaving the ship with her travelling bag. Bashir sags in relief to see her. BASHIR Ezri... Oh I’m so glad you’re safe. When I heard about the Luna... He reaches out for a welcoming hug. But Dax walks on past him, with nothing but a simple nod and acknowledgement. DAX Julian. And then she’s gone, heading off down the corridor to join the receding crowd with Nog and Vaughn. Ending on Bashir, amazed and not a little heartbroken... FADE OUT: END OF TEASER .
. ACT ONE FADE IN: 30 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY A bright blue sky, rolling green hills, clear running streams and pools of water. This is a bucolic and peaceful paradise, with the sound of soft, choral singing in low, rumbling voices in the distance. Figures move down the stone paths, between gleaming white marble buildings. These are EAV’OQ – two metres tall, almost tubular in shape, off-white and slightly furry, lolloping languidly on eight pinkish ribbon-like limbs that seem too flowing and flimsy to support the weight. They go about their business, greeting each other in slow, smooth movements, curling their large single eye in serene smiles, moving on with a rolling, bouncing Mr Soft gait. In the foreground, two more figures walk along a path together – the Eav’oq male, ITU (from 8x23 “Rising Son”) and OPAKA. The two are quite companionable and friendly, enjoying the beautiful day and the peaceful surroundings. ITU I must admit, sister Sulan, it is a great sadness to us that the torment of the Ascendants is sure to return. We hoped to escape their fire by hiding. But we can hide no longer. OPAKA They may never come, Itu. You must not lose your hope. ITU No. I know it. The way is open to them, and they will find their way upon it. I feel it within me. Do you not feel it also, sister? Opaka doesn’t like to dwell on unpleasant thoughts, but... OPAKA Yes, I feel it. Perhaps it is a sense we share, through our mutual bond with the Prophets. Forgive me – the Siblings. ITU Do not apologise, Sulan. The Siblings and the Prophets are surely as one, have no doubt. They continue to stroll along. Itu is clearly troubled. ITU I recognize that for you, many aeons have passed since the Ascendants’ last great crusade. (pause) But for us, the fire has been quenched for less than two turns. Its embers fall over us still. OPAKA (delicately) Will you tell me about it, Itu? I know it is difficult for you. But my friends and I are hoping to find a way to avoid fighting the Ascendants. Anything you can tell us would be useful. Itu stops, seems to sag. He doesn’t want to think about it. ITU They cannot be stopped. They cannot be avoided. You will see that for yourselves soon enough. But I have held the tale from you too long. It is time to tell it. Opaka is relieved – it’s the information she needs, but at the same time, Itu obviously needs to unburden himself. As Itu’s single eye stares sadly into the distance... 31 INT. EAV’OQ TEMPLE The great chamber that we saw in 8x23 “Rising Son,” but it is now in chaos. A dozen Eav’oq rush back and forth – as much as they can in their strange way – as the building shakes to the rumbling of bombs and explosions outside. ITU (v.o.) It had begun more than a hundred turns before, as isolated attacks and solitary murders. We heeded the lessons of the Siblings, and they told us the attacks would only grow more frequent. The Eav’oq rush about in a panic, stumbling against the shaking ground... 32 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY As Itu relates the tale to Opaka... OPAKA But why you? Because of your connection to the Siblings? ITU To them, they are the True, the Unnameable Ones. Any who dare to speak their name commit the greatest sacrilege and must be put to death. It had been this way with countless before us... but with the Eav’oq, there was something more. They knew that our connection was more than misguided belief. It was real. (pause; w/ wonder) We had been gifted with the Eyes of Light. 33 INT. EAV’OQ TEMPLE As the buildings continue to shake around them, Itu himself kneels in some weirdly Eav’oq way in front of a marble box. It’s of a completely different, alien design from the Orb boxes of the Bajorans, but clearly serves the same purpose. The box’s doors are open, a shining silver light streaming out, enveloping Itu. He gazes into the light, hypnotized. Finally the light recedes into the box, letting us see the Orb spinning slowly inside. Itu gently closes the doors. He found what he sought. He stops another passing Eav’oq... ITU I understand now. You have to gather everyone. Gather them all, before it’s too late. The other Eav’oq’s eye widens with alarm, then he bows in assent and moves off. 34 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY Opaka and Itu are talking... OPAKA But if they knew you had the Eyes, why wait a hundred years? ITU I think... it confused them. That others might possess that which plainly should be theirs... They tried to capture the Eyes. We hid them away. That only made the Ascendants more viciousstill. Until at last... the final day came. 35 INT. EAV’OQ TEMPLE All the Eav’oq are now gathered together in the temple, lined up in rows like a choir. Eyes closed, ribbon limbs flowing loosely, and humming their low, hypnotic music. ITU (v.o.) The Eyes conveyed the lessons of the Siblings... and they taught us that, rather than hide them, we should use them... to hide ourselves. 36 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY Panic outside the city. Fiery projectiles fall from the sky. Great rumbles shake the ground under their feet. In the chaos, one Eav’oq crouches by an Orb box, meditating over it. Somewhere else, a second Eav’oq crouches over another Orb box. And a third in another location... ITU (v.o.) Many sacrificed themselves to bring it to pass. My brother Alu was among the lost. Focusing on one particular Eav’oq, presumably ALU, praying hard over his assigned Orb... ITU (v.o.) We placed seven Eyes around the Temple, and the eighth within... and we sang. 37 INT. EAV’OQ TEMPLE Inside the Temple, the gathered Eav’oq are singing – a rich, harmonic, powerful sound. On the floor in the middle of the Temple is the Orb box, open on all sides, the Orb spinning calmly in the chaos... The Orb spins faster and faster, silver light beginning to bleed out of it in a great swirl of power... 38 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY Alu opens his Orb box... its light flows out... Another Eav’oq opens another box... then the next... The light of each Orb reaches out to connect to its neighbour. HIGH ANGLE With bombs and fires still falling from the sky, growing heavier and heavier... the light of seven Orbs begins to create a circle around the marble temple. 39 INT. EAV’OQ TEMPLE The central Orb’s light grows to fill the Temple as the Eav’oq continue to sing... 40 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY The ring of light around the city bursts open, throwing a massive wave of energy out in an expanding circle, wiping away everything in its path... 41 EXT. SPACE – IDRAN ORBIT The Idran planet hangs in space. All around it we can see a gathered fleet of thousands of Ascendant ships (as seen in “Rising Son”) – small and silver and deadly. The great swirling energy wave blooms up from the surface of the planet, growing in power and force, sweeping all the Ascendant ships aside, filling the screen until we... WHITE OUT After a moment, FADE IN to 42 EXT. EAV’OQ PLANET SURFACE ...but as we first saw it in “Rising Son” – a blasted rock with no signs of life at all. Grey stone, grey sky... ...and then an object lands out of the sky, smoking like a meteorite. It’s a small crystal, fist-sized and glittering. An Eav’oq crystal... the remains of an Orb. ITU (v.o.) We knew no more... until you brought us from our sleep. 43 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY The more peaceful present, as Itu and Opaka talk... OPAKA Amazing to think that the Orbs have such power... ITU The Orbs are power. They are the Eyes of Light. But they are gone. We have their power no longer. There is no other way to hide from the fire. There’s a twinkling sound in the air. Opaka and Itu turn to see a Dominion transporter deposit Vannis. Rekan’ganar is beside her, his rifle held at the ready just in case. VANNIS Ranjen Opaka. Are you ready? OPAKA I believe so, Vannis, thank you. (back to Itu) Your words have been enormously helpful, Itu. Thank you. I will see you again soon, but for now I must bid you goodbye. ITU Goodbye, my sister. Opaka goes to stand with Vannis and Rekan’ganar. Without any signal, the transporter forms again and they’re gone. 44 EXT. SPACE – IDRAN ORBIT The Jem’Hadar ship pulls away from orbit of the Idran planet. It zooms quickly out of the system. The Gamma exit of the WORMHOLE blooms open in its giant blue flower of energy. The Jem’Hadar ship dives inside, and the wormhole closes up behind it. 45 INT. JEM’HADAR SHIP #3 Vannis stands in the centre, letting Rekan’ganar run the crew. Opaka is there, feeling a little intimidated but basically willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. OPAKA (tentative) Vannis? Is everything alright? You seem a little out of sorts. VANNIS I was just wondering when my life was reduced to ferrying Bajorans through the anomaly. OPAKA (oops) I’m grateful for your help. VANNIS (shrug) It’s the Founder’s will. OPAKA What did you do before? VANNIS My most recent mission before this involved welcoming a new world into the Dominion. OPAKA (encouraging) That sounds like an important responsibility. VANNIS Very much so. It was a vital mission. Another member race had recently suffered a famine, so I offered the Rindamil the protection of the Dominion in exchange for their food. OPAKA (unsure) All... their food? VANNIS Their royals resisted at first. But I ordered the Jem’Hadar to threaten and kill their citizens to force the point. OPAKA (horrified) Why would you do such a thing? VANNIS Because a Founder ordered me to. Why else? OPAKA But you stole a people’s food. You killed innocents. VANNIS (simply) It was necessary. OPAKA I refuse to believe that. VANNIS You believe in gods, do you not? Would you not do anything they asked of you, no matter how distasteful you found it? OPAKA My gods would never ask me to kill. VANNIS Are you so sure of that? OPAKA What do you mean? VANNIS I read through the Dominion’s intelligence file on you in preparation for this assignment. I know of your activities with the Bajoran resistance against the Cardassians. OPAKA (offended) We fought to defend ourselves, not to conquer. VANNIS Ah, of course. How foolish of me. That little technicality makes all the difference. (beat) But then what of the Ascendants? If the Dominion’s files on them are correct – which of course they are – then they worship the same gods you do. And they certainly believe they must kill in their name. This gives Opaka pause for some unpleasant thought – a fact which Vannis absorbs with amused smugness. REKAN’GANAR We are exiting the anomaly. Vannis moves her headset viewer into position... 46 POV - HEADSET IMAGE Vannis’s view shows the trailing edges of the wormhole’s open mouth as the Jem’Hadar ship emerges into normal space. In the distance but growing closer, Deep Space Nine itself. The image segues into... 47 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE As we move in closer, we see the Defiant, the Aurora, a Bajoran shuttle, and at least one random freighter docked. 48 INT. DS9 – FREIGHTER HOLD The large cargo hold of the freighter. The last few crates are being manoeuvred out by workers. Remaining in the hold, however, are Lieutenant RO and Ensign ALECO. Once they’re alone, they draw their weapons. Aleco also has a tricorder. ALECO An anomalous bio-reading from inside the cargo hold. Life signs indicate a humanoid. RO So we’re thinking stowaway? ALECO That’s what Captain Rionoj assumed. But her people don’t have any security training. That’s why she left it to us to do anything about it. RO Then let’s do something. Aleco’s tricorder leads him to a bulkhead in the hold’s wall. At Ro’s signal, he puts the tricorder away and gets ready to thump the wall panel. Ro aims her phaser... Aleco thumps the panel and it clangs to the floor. Huddled inside, looking dirty and dishevelled... is Vedek YEVIR. Aleco gasps in recognition. Ro folds her arms, unimpressed. Yevir looks bashfully out at them... YEVIR Lieutenant... nice to see you again. I wonder if I might speak with Captain Kira...? Ro harrumphs. “You’re gonna have to do better than that.” Yevir struggles to wrestle his way out of the wall. Aleco instantly rushes to help him. Ro rolls her eyes. YEVIR Please tell her it’s important. Tell her... I believe I’ve discovered something that will change Bajor forever. Despite her dislike of Yevir, Ro is curious. Finishing on Yevir’s hopeful, determined face... FADE OUT: END OF ACT ONE .
. ACT TWO FADE IN: 49 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE Business as usual. CENN at the central table, BOWERS at tactical, SHAR at sciences. Bashir hovering near the door to Kira’s office. Nervous, fidgety, trying to seem neither. He peers through the door – Dax is in the guest seat, being debriefed by KIRA. After a moment she gets up and readies to leave. Bashir prepares himself... The door opens; Kira and Dax emerge. Kira nods at Bashir and carries on to the turbolift. Dax stops short, sighs a bit to see Bashir. Doesn’t really want to deal with him. DAX Hi, Julian. BASHIR Ezri, look... I know we didn’t part on the best of terms. But I just want to say I’m glad you’re safe, and there’s no - DAX Julian, I’ve had a bad few days and I really don’t want to get into this with you right now. People I knew have died. Just give me some space, will you? She walks past him again, without waiting for a response. She heads to the turbolift and joins Kira. KIRA Docking ring, section twelve. [LEFT]The turbolift lowers out of sight. They’re gone. Bashir gapes after Dax, amazed that she blanked him again. [/LEFT] 50 INT. DS9 – DOCKING RING CORRIDOR Plenty of security EXTRAS. Vaughn and TARAN’ATAR wait on their best behaviour for the airlock to roll open... The door cycles open - Vannis and Opaka emerge, with their own phalanx of soldiers. Taran’atar snaps to attention. Opaka takes Vaughn’s hands in a warm and friendly gesture. OPAKA Elias... VAUGHN Sulan. Vannis rolls her eyes – she honestly couldn’t give a toss. Then Kira walks around a nearby corner. With her are SISKO (in civilian dress), Kai SOLIS and First Minister ASAREM. KIRA Ah, good. Everyone’s here. VAUGHN (warmly) First Minister... Eminence... (coolly; at Sisko) ...Captain. Opaka can’t help notice the frosty tone in that one word. OPAKA It is good to see you again, Wadeen, Tendren. I trust your journey went smoothly? ASAREM Perfectly, thank you Ranjen. SISKO Can you imagine the security with the three of us on board the same shuttle? SOLIS I think they checked my eyeballs. Kira chuckles. Vaughn grits his teeth in silent annoyance. He doesn’t like what sounds like Sisko boasting about his importance. Kira turns to lead everyone down the corridor, the security keeping a polite distance... KIRA Well, I’m glad you’re here. The meeting’s scheduled for sixteen hundred in the Ward Room. Should be interesting. RO (o.s.) Captain! Everyone turns in surprise to see Ro emerging from the nearest turbolift... RO I’m sorry, Captain. He insisted on seeing you immediately. Kira is baffled... and then Yevir steps out from behind Ro, still dirty and dishevelled. All are suitably surprised. Kira sighs, rubs her brow. There’s always complications. 51 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE Kira stands behind her desk, leaning forward onto it, trying her best to be polite... but failing. KIRA Vedek Yevir. I’m sure you have many fascinating tales to tell. But they will have to wait. I have a very important meeting that people have come all the way across the galaxy to attend. YEVIR I understand that, Captain. But my news is of vital importance to Bajor. As you know, I spent more than a year on Cardassia, where I studied the traditions of the Oralian Way. I believe – KIRA Vedek, perhaps I’m not making myself clear. I don’t have time for this. If you want to talk to me, make an appointment. YEVIR I realise you may have reasons to dislike me, Captain. But please don’t dismiss what I have to say so easily. KIRA I’ll take the risk. Excuse me. She walks out of the office, heading back to the meeting. He can do nothing but follow her out. 52 INT. DS9 – WARD ROOM The meeting is under way. Kira at the head, with Vaughn, Sisko, Asarem, Solis, Taran’atar, Vannis and Opaka. TARAN’ATAR The situation is deteriorating rapidly. Dominion member races rebel at an increasing rate. The Jem’Hadar move closer to full civil war every day. Everyone is disquieted to hear it stated so bluntly. KIRA Is there nothing Odo can do? VANNIS (snippy) The Founder has the situation under control, Captain. TARAN’ATAR Clearly not. Holy crap. Is Taran’atar criticizing a Founder? But he pushes on, seemingly unconcerned. TARAN’ATAR (cont) The Dominion is too vast for one Founder to control alone. Only today, Vannis destroyed two crews for fighting over his instructions. VAUGHN How is you destroying them any better than them destroying each other? VANNIS They were squabbling. I was executing. ASAREM And how does executing your own people help the Dominion maintain its stability? VANNIS (shrug) The Vortas’ next clones will be activated. More Jem’Hadar will be bred in birthing chambers. Opaka’s good will towards the Dominion is being shaken. TARAN’ATAR The reports of the other Vorta suggest that the uprisings are being fuelled by rumours. The word “Ascendant” is heard more and more frequently. KIRA News of their attack on the Dominion must be leaking out. TARAN’ATAR Indeed, Captain. Member races are no longer confident that the Dominion can protect them when the Ascendants return. KIRA Maybe they won’t return. OPAKA The Eav’oq are convinced they will, Nerys. And they are the ones with the experience. SISKO What did the Eav’oq tell you? OPAKA That the Ascendants will not be dissuaded, not for any reason. All they care about is reaching their version of the Celestial Temple... and destroying anyone who gets in their way. ASAREM Kai Solis, if I were to propose an alliance between Bajor and the Ascendants, do you think the Vedek Assembly would support me? SOLIS I’m not sure they support me, First Minister. Bajor has made great strides in accepting alternative religions over the past two years, but this might be pushing them further than they’re willing to be pushed. KIRA What about General Lenaris? Having one of the most senior and respected officers in the Militia as a follower must be good for something. SOLIS He’s offered his public support. But I can just see my opponents painting it as some kind of combined military-religious dictatorship out to oppress all right-thinking Bajorans. His private support will have to do. KIRA Well, we need to do something to help the Eav’oq. They’re helpless out there. She looks over to Sisko. He smiles back, encouraging. SISKO It’s your show, Nerys. She looks curiously at him... FLASH Suddenly it’s like a vision – over exposed and strange. All the same people are there, gazing at Kira like Prophets. VAUGHN Our hand must act of its own will. OPAKA Our hand must shape the future. FLASH Everything is normal again. Kira blinks, disturbed. What just happened? Did she imagine it? SISKO Nerys...? Kira comes back to herself. Looking around at everyone, waiting for her decision... she makes it. KIRA I think... we need to make an attempt to contact them. The Ascendants, I mean. Maybe if we can talk to them, we can find a way out of this before it goes any further. TARAN’ATAR And what of your alliance with the Dominion, Captain? KIRA Well, if we can make peace with the Ascendants, they won’t be a threat to the Dominion anymore. And that can only help Odo’s efforts to get things under control. Taran’atar ponders for a moment. TARAN’ATAR My mind is now clear of external influences, Captain. And I am grateful to you for that. It allows me to see more clearly... and what I see is that the Ascendants caused the exodus of the Founders, and led directly to the chaos we now face. So I must inform you, Captain, that any alliance between Bajor and the Ascendants will seriously damage your friendship with the Dominion. On Kira’s disquieted reaction to that... FADE OUT: END OF ACT TWO .
. ACT THREE FADE IN: 53 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE Kira, Ro and Sisko sit comfortably in the lounge area, drinking coffee or raktajino or whatever. RO So what did Yevir say? KIRA Don’t know. I didn’t give him a chance before the meeting, and by the time I came out of the meeting he’d already hitched the first ride back to Bajor. RO How do you think he got out of Cardassia? It’s supposed to be quarantined. SISKO Cardassian security is stretched to the breaking point as it is. I’m sure all he needed was a word in the right ear. RO But what about the disease? KIRA I had Julian give him a good thorough scanning just to be safe. He’s clean. CENN (comm) Cenn to Kira. It’s starting, Captain. She nods – they’ve been expecting this. Knocking back the last of her coffee... KIRA Shall we? 54 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE Kira, Ro and Sisko emerge onto Ops. Cenn is at the central table – he directs their attention to the main view screen. It comes to life with an image of the open-air public speaking platform on Bajor that we’ve seen Yevir and Solis use before. But this time Asarem is behind the microphone, with the suggestion of many press people and public nearby. ASAREM (screen) Citizens of Bajor... 55 EXT. BAJOR – PRESS PLATFORM Asarem on the podium, speaking to the press and public... ASAREM Many things have been asked of Bajor in recent years. Many changes have been thrust upon our people. From hatred of the Cardassian people, to friendship and pity for them. From distrust of the Federation to fellowship in their number. From brutal war against the Dominion to peace and even alliance. And from the monolithic strength of one singular religion to a new freedom of choice to worship. 56 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR The usual crowd of officers, aliens and civilians. QUARK is working his bar, and Asarem’s speech is on the screens. ASAREM (screen) You have absorbed all of these changes with grace and dignity. It makes me proud to lead you. At a table under the stairs, Vaughn sits sharing lunch with PRYNN. He’s looking down at his plate, not really eating. PRYNN Dad? You okay? You’re not eating. VAUGHN Sorry, baby. Just distracted. PRYNN (grin) You’re thinking about Opaka, aren’t you? He chuckles a bit – she sees right through him. VAUGHN Some of it. But there’s a lot going on at the moment. PRYNN Anything you can talk about? VAUGHN (sigh) Oh... I don’t know. This thing with Sisko... Prynn frowns, doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Vaughn keeps talking, probably saying more than he should... VAUGHN (cont) Holding a grudge like this. It makes me feel so juvenile. I should be long past this kind of nonsense. ON SCREEN Asarem continues her speech... ASAREM (screen) But there may yet be more changes we must face together. UPPER LEVEL Bashir is sat at a table alone, looking down at the main floor, watching the screens. He senses a presence... and looks up to see Dax hovering awkwardly. She half-smiles tentatively and hopefully at him, silently asking if she can join him. He smiles, relieved. Of course she can. 57 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE Kira, Ro and Sisko watch the screen. Cenn, Nog, Shar and Bowers are also at their positions. Everyone’s watching. ASAREM (screen) Opaka Sulan told us all of the Eav’oq, a people from the other side of the galaxy, but who have also been touched by the Prophets. But now it is time you knew of a third people who have been touched by Them. Kira takes a deep breath of nerves and tension – this is where everything could go wrong. 58 EXT. BAJOR – PRESS PLATFORM Asarem continues her speech. She knows this could be tough, and she has to play this just right. ASAREM These people are known as the Ascendants. We know little about them, only that their own love of the Prophets has placed them at odds with the Eav’oq in the past. We Bajorans have faced this dilemma ourselves, struggling to reconcile traditional worship with new, alternative views. We came through those struggles as we have all the others. 59 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR Bashir and Dax sit across the table from each other on the upper level of the bar. DAX I’m sorry I ignored you. I guess I was just embarrassed. I made such a big deal out of moving on and making a new start. And barely three months in, it all blows up in my face. Literally. BASHIR I don’t mind admitting I was terrified for you when I heard about the accident. But in a way, I’m almost glad it happened. DAX What the hell does that mean? BASHIR Nothing! Just... that it’s nice to have you back. Whatever the reason. DAX I’m not... “back.” I just didn’t have anywhere else to go. BASHIR But... I thought the tour on the Luna would have got it all out of your system, and now you’d come back and settle down here, where you belong. DAX You do not get to say where I belong, Julian! ASAREM (screen) It is my hope that in this way, Bajor can serve as an example, as proof that religions need not be enemies. 60 EXT. BAJOR – PRESS PLATFORM Asarem’s speech continues... ASAREM Just as the Prophets sent us their Emissary so that we might better understand one another, so Opaka has lived among the Eav’oq, learning about their ways of life, building a relationship based upon our commonalities. Now I have put forward the suggestion that we continue on this path, by meeting with the Ascendants. Their ways may be different from ours, but I believe that it is our similarities that can bring us together. She pauses to let the audience absorb her words. 61 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE As the crew watches the screen: RO Sneaky. She goes directly to the people, getting them on her side, so the Vedek Assembly has no choice but to agree, or risk looking childish and petulant. SISKO (grin) Maybe we should start calling that “The Kira Manoeuvre.” Kira is a bit bashful, a bit flattered. It was her idea. 62 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR The bar patrons are also watching. Vaughn and Prynn are still sitting together under the spiral staircase... VAUGHN Prynn, I’ve seen the way you look at him when you think he’s not looking. You can’t tell me you’re not interested. PRYNN Dad, I’ve told you before. He’s a married man. Thia is carrying his baby. VAUGHN I don’t think it’s Thia you’re worried about at all. You’ve known all along Shar doesn’t have any real feelings for her. PRYNN I don’t know... VAUGHN You do know. You’re a smart girl, Prynn. So I think you’re fixating on Thia as your rival for Shar’s affections to avoid looking at the real challenge – Thriss. PRYNN Dad... Thriss is dead. VAUGHN And thus perfect. Shar can keep her in his memory, his ideal, never changing. How could you possibly compete with that? Prynn can’t deny he might have a point. 63 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE On Shar, as he watches Asarem draw to her conclusion... ASAREM (screen) To this end, I have petitioned the Federation to send a fleet of ships into the Gamma Quadrant, with the aim of making peaceful contact with the Ascendants. I ask for your support and your strength in this endeavour. We can all walk with the Prophets, whichever path we choose to take. [LEFT]Kira watches from outside her office...[/LEFT] KIRA Hopefully that’ll do the trick. 64 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR Bashir has been watching the speech on the screens, as a way of avoiding more arguments with Dax if nothing else. BASHIR I don’t see why we need to bother with the Ascendants at all. Or the Eav’oq for that matter. DAX What are you talking about? BASHIR Well, it’s none of our business, is it? The Federation doesn’t go around sticking its nose into other people’s affairs. Or at least it shouldn’t. DAX But the Eav’oq are defenceless. BASHIR To be perfectly honest, Ezri, I’m not sure I care. Dax sits amazed at what Bashir just said... 65 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE Down on Bajor, Asarem has finished her public address. Among the clamour of journalists firing questions at her, she makes a dignified exit. As the drone of the crowd fades away, Kira turns and heads back to her office. But then the sound picks up again. The journalists are excited about something... Kira turns to see what it is... And sees Yevir taking the stage, back in his full vedek regalia. The press and public are all buzzing... YEVIR (screen) I have an announcement to make... KIRA Son of a bitch! 66 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR All the Bajorans have gone crazy at Yevir’s appearance, but Dax and Bashir are engaged completely in each other. DAX Why are you being such an ass? BASHIR I’m not being an ass. I’m being sensible. Being an ass is when your former lover only wants to tell you he’s glad you didn’t die, and you just walk past him like he’s invisible. DAX I told you, I was embarrassed. BASHIR I’m embarrassed right now. DAX We’ve known each other ten years, Julian. You’ve gone from playful flirting, to giving me up as a lost cause, to getting a second chance, to screwing up your second chance, to becoming possessive and controlling. I don’t think I like the change. BASHIR I don’t know why you have to be so deliberately hurtful, Ezri. Jadzia would never have said the things you do. DAX You know what else Jadzia never did? Sleep with you. With disgust in her eyes, Dax shoves her chair back, stands and stomps off. On the lower level, Prynn and Vaughn have heard the raised voices. They watch, disturbed, as Dax stalks away. 67 EXT. BAJOR – PRESS PLATFORM Yevir stands before his adoring crowds... YEVIR Thank you for your warm welcome, my children. It is a blessing to be home, among you again. He reaches inside his robes and pulls out the JEVONITE FIGURINE. He holds it up reverently for the crowd to see. YEVIR You may recall my showing you this object once before. It was found at the great lost city of B’Hala by the tireless workers there, passed on to the wife of the Emissary, and finally to me. It clearly shows the features of both Bajorans and Cardassians, combined into one figure. Now, as you may know, I have spent more than a year on Cardassia, studying the traditions of the Oralian Way. While there, I had cause to visit their own newly unearthed ancient city, the Hebitian stronghold of Gardat. FLASHBACK – 10x06 “THE DREAM BOX” Inside the Hebitian caves, he looks at the Oralian figures carved out of jevonite, caresses them in astonishment... YEVIR (v.o.) And there I found... many identical figures. In the heart of the Oralian Way. A close-up of the figures – they show Bajoran nose ridges and Cardassia neck bones. BACK TO SCENE Yevir himself gazes out into the crowd, almost overcome with wonder himself at what he’s saying... YEVIR This is the proof I have been seeking, my children. Proof of a connection between our worlds that is far more ancient than the Occupation. I have already joined my order to the people of the Oralian Way in the name of this connection. But now I must do more. A brave woman named Ekosha risked hatred and violence to bring the word of Oralius to Bajor. But she was lost to us in the recent unpleasantness on Cardassia. 68 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE Kira watches, absolutely livid with fury at Yevir. YEVIR (screen) In honour of Ekosha’s courage, I hereby announce... (pause for drama) ...that I will bring the word of Oralius to Bajor in her place. A new religion must come to our world, my children... and I will lead the way. Hearing this, Kira’s jaw drops. Everyone else’s too. On the screen, we can hear the journalists begin to buzz... FADE OUT: END OF ACT THREE .
. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 69 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE Focusing on the Defiant, berthed on the docking ring... 70 INT. DEFIANT – MAIN BRIDGE Vaughn is sat in the central chair. Prynn at helm, Nog at Engineering, Bowers at Tactical, Bashir just hanging out. VAUGHN Standard protocols, Lieutenant. Prynn turns to acknowledge from her position at helm, but as she does, she’s caught off guard to see Shar, who has just entered the bridge, taking his position at Sciences. PRYNN Aye, sir. Prynn exchanges an awkward look of acknowledgement with Shar, then turns back to her helm console. VAUGHN Defiant to Ops. Permission to disengage. 71 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE Ro stands at the top of the stairs outside Kira’s office. Dax is stood nearby, arms folded, still smarting after the argument with Bashir. Extras elsewhere as needed. RO Acknowledged, Defiant. Stand by. She nods to Cenn, who works the central table. 72 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE The Defiant disengages from the docking ring, slowly turns away. This is the first time Defiant has left the station all season, so let’s make a fairly big deal of this. As it pulls further away, Vannis’s Dominion ship disengages from its place on a lower pylon, turns and pulls away. The two ships follow each other away from the station. The wormhole bursts into life, and they both dive inside. 73 INT. DEFIANT – MESS HALL Kira, Sisko and Opaka sit together at one of the tables – the room is otherwise deserted. KIRA Any word from the Council? SISKO Krim’s still trying to convince them. They’re not making it easy. But having the approval of the Chamber of Ministers and the Vedek Assembly will help. KIRA So we’ve got the ministers and the vedeks, and we’re working on the Federation. Now we just need to make the arrangements with the Eav’oq. Then, once the fleet’s in place, we’ll be in a better position to negotiate with the Ascendants. OPAKA The Eav’oq are insistent that the Ascendants will not be negotiated with, Nerys. KIRA That doesn’t mean we don’t try. We’re all the children of the Prophets, you said so yourself. That has to mean something. (she sags; thoughtful) Still can’t believe that jerk Yevir. Who does he think he is? OPAKA Nerys, isn’t it a good thing? That he has become so open to the idea of other religions that he is willing to become the representative of one? KIRA Exactly! Of course it’s a good thing. The jackass. He couldn’t have had his epiphany two years ago, could he? Oh no, he has to throw me out of the church and humiliate me in front of the whole of Bajor, and then come over all noble and admirable. Sisko almost chuckles a bit. He knows what Kira means. SISKO Look at it this way, Nerys. If you hadn’t gone through what you went through, he wouldn’t have changed the way he has. You helped him come to his senses. KIRA Yeah, that makes me feel so much better. (beat) But it is good, what he’s doing to honour Ekosha’s memory. At least it feels like he’s doing something to help Cardassia. I just feel... useless. As Kira gazes into the middle distance... 74 EXT. CARDASSIA A broken cityscape under a grey and overcast sky. A hint of fires in the distance. We’re watching a man picking his way carefully across rubbled ground - Cardassian doctor PARMAK. PARMAK Elim. Elim! No answer. Parmak continues to clamber across the rubble, trying not to break an ankle. Eventually he comes to Garak’s memorial – the towers of rubble he’d built out of the remains of his house (8x09 “A Stitch in Time”). The area has clearly been vandalized, the towers pushed over. Parmak comes to the rickety little shed, still miraculously intact. He tentatively looks inside, and GARAK sits there, gazing gloomily out at the mess through the open door. PARMAK I thought I might find you here. GARAK It seemed appropriate. PARMAK Elim... you mustn’t wallow like this. It helps no-one. Besides, you’re doing good work. GARAK Am I? I try... but I’m not so sure I’m making a difference. Tell me again why they offered their help, and we said no? PARMAK Pride. Fear. Stubbornness. But I thought you believed the Federation had promised its help regardless. GARAK Not the Federation. Julian. In the Vinculum, he told me he’d be there for me, and he’s a good man. I believe him. PARMAK (small smirk) My, how you’ve changed, Elim. First you become a democrat... Garak almost instinctively recoils... *for the likes of us. GARAK The Oralian Way doesn’t conduct meetings. They have no leader. And yet they’re the only ones who seem capable of actually achieving anything out there. Makes one wonder if they know something we don’t. PARMAK Perhaps they do. But I’ll tell you what I know. Sitting here feeling sorry for yourself will get you nowhere. Garak looks at his friend, his encouraging half-smile... and nods. He’s regained his resolution. GARAK Alright then, my friend. Let’s cast ourselves back into the breach, shall we? He follows Parmak out of the shack, locking the door behind him, and then the pair walk off, back into the gloom. 75 EXT. SPACE – IDRAN ORBIT The Defiant and Vannis’s Dominion ship share orbit of the Eavo’q’s planet. 76 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY Eav’oq lollop peacefully about upon the stone paths, among the trickling streams. Nearby, Starfleet security officers and Jem’Hadar soldiers awkwardly keep watch together. 77 INT. EAV’OQ TEMPLE Rows of Eav’oq sit in their pews, Itu front and centre. Facing them from the middle of the floor are Kira, Sisko, Vaughn, Opaka and Vannis. Kira is a bit frustrated. KIRA I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to defend yourselves. ITU We have defended ourselves. We hid away. But that is no longer possible. KIRA So fight. If you really believe the Ascendants are coming to kill you, why just lie down and take it? It doesn’t make sense! SISKO (gently; calming) Nerys. (louder; to Itu) Itu, what we’re having trouble understanding... is that you don’t seem to want to save your own lives. Are we wrong? ITU We wish to live as much as any other. But not at the cost of our souls. I find your doubt confusing – you have known the Siblings yourself. I feel their sight upon all of you. (re Vannis) Except for that one. She knows nothing of the Siblings. VANNIS (sneering) I follow the Founders. Your Siblings are nothing to me. VAUGHN Itu, we’re not asking you to go out into the galaxy and conquer people. But if someone does choose to attack you, no amount of compassion or love can stop those bombs in mid air. You’ve built a beautiful society here. It’s not wrong to want to protect it. ITU This is still not our way. We are not the same. KIRA Yes we are! We worship the same gods. We may call them different names, but they’re the same. I know they are. And I know that if I was in danger, the Prophets would never want me to just give up. They’d want me to survive! ITU We do not worship the Siblings as gods. We revere them as teachers. And they have taught us that violence is never to be allowed. We heeded their lessons. OPAKA You followed their path. Itu’s great single eye smiles, approving Opaka’s words. ITU Bajorans may believe that the Prophets are happy to watch them extinguish the lives of others. The Eav’oq do not. We will not take life, for any reason. Opaka exchanges an uncomfortable look with Vannis... FLASHBACK – SC 45 Vannis and Opaka discuss on the Jem’Hadar ship’s bridge... OPAKA My gods would never ask me to kill. VANNIS Are you so sure of that? BACK TO SCENE Vannis smirks a little, knowing what Opaka’s thinking. Opaka takes a deep breath, prepares herself... OPAKA And we will not force you to. VAUGHN Sulan... OPAKA No, Elias. The Eav’oq have shown us great patience. And they have made their decision. Unless you intend to force the issue, that is an end of it. Opaka is resolute. On Kira’s downcast reaction... 78 EXT. EAV’OQ CITY The group leads out of the Eav’oq Temple and into the sunshine, where their respective soldiers keep watch. KIRA I can’t believe the Eav’oq are kicking us out. OPAKA They’re not kicking you out. They simply don’t accept your attempts to take over control of the situation. And frankly, I agree with them. SISKO I just don’t understand. This isn’t how I thought things would go. It’s not what the Prophets showed me... VAUGHN (gritted teeth) Oh, will you give it a rest! I am sick of hearing about you and your damned “visions!” SISKO And I am sick of you fighting me every step of the way. I’m trying to help, Commander. VAUGHN You’re trying to show off! Look at me, I’m the great Emissary of the Prophets, I’ll tell your fortune for thirty pieces of silver! OPAKA Elias, please... KIRA Both of you, shut up! Now! I am tired of this childish bickering between you two. I don’t want to hear another word out of either one of you that isn’t helping me figure this out. Clear? Vaughn and Sisko look suitably chastened – for the moment. KIRA This doesn’t change anything. I’m not going to let the Eav’oq commit suicide. I’m going to get that fleet, find the Ascendants, and save everyone’s lives. I’m not going to let one race blow another to pieces. Not again. Kira sends a pointed look at Vannis. Vannis honestly couldn’t care less what Kira thinks of her. OPAKA You must do what you feel is right, Nerys. But I will not be a part of it. I respect the Eav’oq’s decision, and I will stay here with them. VAUGHN Sulan... are you sure? OPAKA The Eav’oq are creatures of peace, Elias. And so am I. All my life I have been prepared to sacrifice my own flesh and blood to save others. With the Cardassians, with the Ennis... this is where that path leads. (turns to Kira) You should all leave. KIRA Fine. Kira and Sisko walk a few steps away. Vaughn follows, and speaks to Kira sotto. VAUGHN Captain... let me stay here. Maybe I can help to persuade the Eav’oq. I’m more use to you here than I am on the Defiant right now. He tries not to glance at Sisko, but Kira sees it anyway. He doesn’t want to be around him. She’s too harried to argue right now. KIRA Call us if you need anything. (taps combadge) Kira to Defiant. Two to beam up. Kira and Sisko disappear in a Starfleet transporter signal. Vaughn and Opaka look across to Vannis – she smiles back at them and then disappears in a Dominion transporter signal. Vaughn turns back to Opaka... FADE OUT: END OF ACT FOUR .
. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 79 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE Ro, Dax and Cenn are all together at the central Ops table. CENN (off panels) Rising neutrino levels. The wormhole’s opening, Lieutenant. It’s Defiant. They’re hailing. RO On screen. The viewscreen changes to show Kira sat in the chair on the Defiant’s bridge. RO How’d it go, Captain? KIRA (screen) Not great. But I like to think there’s still cause for hope. RO Well, I can break that silver lining for you. We had a call from First Minister Asarem. She says that the Federation Council wants to hear from you directly. KIRA (screen) Me? Why? Isn’t that what Krim Aldos is for? RO Maybe. But he’s been using your name, your standing as the most senior Bajoran in Starfleet, to put the weight behind the plan. Now they want to hear it from the pylchyk’s mouth, so to speak. Kira sighs. One more complication. KIRA (screen) Fine. If I’ve been officially summoned, then I guess I can’t decline. Looks like you’ll be in charge a little longer than you planned, Lieutenant. RO What? Why? Where’s Vaughn? KIRA (screen) We left him behind with Opaka to keep working on the Eav’oq. You’re the second officer, Ro. It’s your job. I’ll see you in a few days. Kira out. The signal drops, leaving Ro rather shell shocked. [LEFT]80 INT. DEFIANT – MAIN BRIDGE[/LEFT] Kira turns in her command chair, to where Sisko has taken a seat out of the way towards the back of the room. KIRA I think I’ll just go insane. It would be easier. SISKO You can handle it, Nerys. And I’ll be right by your side. Unhappy but resigned, Kira turns back to Prynn at helm. KIRA Lieutenant Tenmei, set course for Earth. Maximum warp. PRYNN Aye, Captain. The ship moves to warp. Across the bridge, standing apart from everyone else with his arms folded, is Bashir. BASHIR I still say this is a complete waste of time and effort. SISKO (tense) I beg your pardon, Doctor? BASHIR This whole Eav’oq and Ascendant thing – it’s nothing to do with us. Isn’t it breaking the Prime Directive to interfere in their business? Especially when they don’t even want your help. SISKO (command voice) Your captain has made her decision, Doctor. And you have a duty to support her and keep your misgivings to yourself. BASHIR Oh, I have been, believe me. KIRA That’s enough, Doctor. You’re dismissed. Unimpressed, Bashir turns and leaves the bridge. Everyone else – Nog, Shar, Prynn, Bowers – exchange confused and uncomfortable glances. Of course they overheard it all. 81 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE At the central Ops table, Ro is clearly not happy about being left in command. Dax sees her state, and takes pity. DAX Ro... You’ll do fine. I’m here to help if you need anything. RO You could help by taking charge. You are the senior officer. DAX Maybe I am... but this is your command now, not mine. I don’t intend on sticking around this place any longer than I have to. Ro takes a deep breath, trying to steady her juddering nerves. It doesn’t work. She’s still shaking. RO Will you at least stick around long enough to cover Ops while I grab a drink? DAX I think I can manage that. Ro turns and jogs up the stairs, into Kira’s office. 82 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE Ro heads straight for the lounge area, hidden round the corner from sight. Once she’s alone, she sits. She reaches down and into her boot, and pulls out a hypospray. She pushes it to her neck, injects the drugs, and relaxes, breathing deeply again. She looks down at her hand, sees the shaking gradually lessen, lessen, and finally stop. 83 EXT. SPACE - DEFIANT The Defiant flies at warp. 84 EXT. FEDERATION COUNCIL BUILDINGS Stock footage of grand, advanced buildings on Earth. 85 INT. FEDERATION COUNCIL BUILDINGS - CORRIDOR Kira strides down the corridor, as confident as she can make herself, dressed in full white dress uniform. Sisko walks just behind her, in smart civilian clothes. Ahead of her, waiting by large ornate doors, is Adm ROSS. He’s just as nervous about this as Kira and Sisko are. ROSS Good to see you, Captains. Are you ready? KIRA As I’ll ever be. ROSS They’re in session already, but they said to bring you in the moment you arrived. KIRA Then let’s get it over with. She takes a deep breath. Ross pushes the door open, Kira steps through... 86 INT. FEDERATION COUNCIL HALL ...and is awed by the sight of the massive government chamber as seen in “The Voyage Home” and 9x01 “Unjoined 1.” More than a hundred different representatives sit in banks along both sides, all of different species, some humanoid, some not. More sit in spectator benches on higher levels. Ross directs Sisko to the spectator benches. With an encouraging nod to Kira, he goes. Kira stares down the length of the room. At a podium at the far end of the room is ZIFE, a Bolian male, the Federation President (seen 9x01). Standing in the middle of the room is KRIM, the Bajoran representative (2x02 “The Circle”). Krim is debating with the Tellarite representative, GLEER. KRIM Starfleet has undertaken this kind of mission many times before, Councillor Gleer. Why is this time so objectionable? GLEER Perhaps because I remember the last time we tried to say a cheery hello to invaders from the other side of the galaxy. ZIFE To attempt peaceful contact is exactly the Federation’s way, Councillor. Are you saying we should attack on sight? GLEER I am saying we should stay out of it altogether! Then Zife looks up, and notices Kira and Ross. ZIFE Ah, Admiral Ross, Captain Kira. Thank you for joining us. ROSS Thank you, Mister President. Kira walks nervously down the length of the room, aware that everyone is watching her. Krim tries to encourage her. KRIM My honoured friends, Captain Kira has come today to answer your questions about the motion before us - whether to approve a diplomatic fleet to contact the Ascendants. First Minister Asarem has made it clear to me that as the most senior Bajoran officer in Starfleet, Captain Kira represents all of Bajor in this matter. She is to be shown all due respect by this Council, and you may take her words as those of all of Bajor. No pressure. As Krim retires to his own seat, Kira looks up at Sisko in the stands. Then out at all the waiting faces. ZIFE Perhaps you would begin, Captain, by explaining your reasons for this mission in the first place. KIRA Gladly, Mister President. (deep breath) As you all know, the people of Bajor worship the Prophets, the entities you may refer to as the Wormhole Aliens. To us they are gods. But we are not the only ones who believe. In fact, it has recently come to light that there are three of us. FLASHBACK – 9x24 “HA’MARA” In the wormhole, Kira stands in a circle of three Kiras – herself, Iliana Ghemor, and the Mirror Iliana. BACK TO SCENE Kira blinks, surprised by the force of the memory. Or was it more? She looks up to Sisko again. He looks back, worried for her. She steadies her nerves and starts again. KIRA The Eav’oq live on the other side of the wormhole. They are peaceful, opposed to violence of any kind. But there are also the Ascendants, and according to all reports, they are not so peaceful. They are searching for the wormhole, and they will destroy the Eav’oq to reach it. I have requested this mission to try to meet the Ascendants in peace before that happens, and save the Eav’oq’s lives. The various councillors mutter amongst themselves, discussing. Vulcan’s representative, an ancient wrinkled female called T’LATREK, speaks up first. T’LATREK If your intentions are peaceful, why take a heavily armed fleet? KIRA For precisely the reasons that concern Councillor Gleer. While we may wish to meet in peace, the Ascendants may have no such intention. GLEER I still do not see why we ought to concern ourselves with this at all. Why defend a world that is not a member of this body? It goes against everything the Federation stands for. Kira looks up to Sisko again – exactly what Bashir said. The African-styled human representative, MAZIBUKO, speaks. MAZIBUKO Councillor Gleer is correct, Captain. There are wars going on all over this galaxy every day. The Federation does not involve itself in every little conflict. It cannot afford to do so. KIRA (incensed) Little conflict? Like Cardassia versus Bajor, you mean? That was one “little” conflict the Federation decided it couldn’t afford to get involved in. Mazibuko tenses in anger and embarrassment. T’Latrek tries to recover the diplomacy in the room. T’LATREK Perhaps what my colleague meant to say is that our legal remit to intervene militarily does not extend past the Federation’s borders. However, for myself, I see no reason not to at least attempt peaceful contact with these Ascendants. It is no more than Starfleet’s many explorer vessels do on a daily basis. The Betazoid councillor, a middle-aged male named ENAREN, speaks up. ENAREN I agree, Councillor T’Latrek. Perhaps we should even go as far as full alliance with these Ascendants. After all, they have presented no threat to us, and they have already attacked an enemy of the Federation. KRIM The Dominion is not an enemy, Councillor Enaren. Bajor has enjoyed a full and peaceful diplomatic partnership with them for months now. ENAREN (pointedly) The Federation... has not. It’s clear that Enaren has some personal issues with the Dominion, but then, he is Betazoid. T’LATREK If I may, Mister President, I would propose that now is the perfect time for this body to follow Bajor’s example. Consider this - the only two changelings presently directing events in the Dominion are Odo and Laas, both of whom hold views quite contrary to the other Founders. Indeed, neither would consider themselves Founders at all. If there is any time to work with the Dominion, it is now. GLEER There can be no alliance with the Dominion! They are the anti- Federation – a group of worlds under the heel of one ruling species, not working together equally in common cause. And the Jem’Hadar are nothing but bloodthirsty animals. T’LATREK Was there not a time when your own people said the same about the Andorians, Councillor? Or for that matter, when my people said the same about the humans? And yet, here we all are. ZIFE (breaking in) That is an argument for another time, my friends. For now, let us return to the point. The Federation has defended member worlds in their conflicts with other races before. The Delta versus the Carreon, for example. Why not now? GLEER Because this is not Bajor’s conflict! KIRA We believe it is. The Eav’oq are a sister world to Bajor. We consider it a matter of conscience to help them. GLEER The Federation does not. We do not consider one planet on the other side of the galaxy to be a Federation member, especially when even they do not. KIRA Even if that’s true, Councillor, wouldn’t you help simply because a member world asked you to? GLEER The Eav’oq do not want our help, Captain. And more than that, they have no right to expect our help. KIRA Well, if the Federation will not assist in what Bajor considers to be a vital matter of life and death for an entire race... She glances up to Sisko again, looking for strength and the determination to go through with her final gambit. KIRA (cont) ...then maybe Bajor should not be a member of the Federation. On everyone’s amazed reaction, not least Sisko’s... and on Kira’s face of determination... FADE OUT: END OF SHOW .
. I've just realised that Scene 74 (in act 4) has a mistake in it - half the scene disappeared in editing for some reason. Sorry about that. Once again it's too late to edit, so here is the full version of Scene 74: === 74 EXT. CARDASSIA A broken cityscape under a grey and overcast sky. A hint of fires in the distance. We’re watching a man picking his way carefully across rubbled ground - Cardassian doctor PARMAK. PARMAK Elim. Elim! No answer. Parmak continues to clamber across the rubble, trying not to break an ankle. Eventually he comes to Garak’s memorial – the towers of rubble he’d built out of the remains of his house (8x09 “A Stitch in Time”). The area has clearly been vandalized, the towers pushed over. Parmak comes to the rickety little shed, still miraculously intact. He tentatively looks inside, and GARAK sits there, gazing gloomily out at the mess through the open door. PARMAK I thought I might find you here. GARAK It seemed appropriate. PARMAK Elim... you mustn’t wallow like this. It helps no-one. Besides, you’re doing good work. GARAK Am I? I try... but I’m not so sure I’m making a difference. Tell me again why they offered their help, and we said no? PARMAK Pride. Fear. Stubbornness. But I thought you believed the Federation had promised its help regardless. GARAK Not the Federation. Julian. In the Vinculum, he told me he’d be there for me, and he’s a good man. I believe him. PARMAK (small smirk) My, how you’ve changed, Elim. First you become a democrat... Garak almost instinctively recoils... PARMAK (cont) And now, if I didn’t know you better, I’d say you’re getting religion. GARAK I’m a pragmatist, Parmak. If help is offered, why not accept it, whatever the source? PARMAK I have nothing against accepting help, Elim. But where you are a pragmatist, I am a physician. A man of science. I believe in what I can see with my eyes, touch with my hands. This virus, I can measure. I see it in my microscope, I watch its effects on its victims. I’m afraid I’m not convinced that placing your hopes in some supernatural fantasy helps anyone. (beat) The others want to meet. GARAK That helps no-one either. More meetings. Meetings are the enemy of getting anything done. PARMAK At least they’re trying, Elim. GARAK Then why isn’t it working? Why is it that democracy works for other people, but not for us? PARMAK Perhaps it’s not meant to work for the likes of us. GARAK The Oralian Way doesn’t conduct meetings. They have no leader. And yet they’re the only ones who seem capable of actually achieving anything out there. Makes one wonder if they know something we don’t. PARMAK Perhaps they do. But I’ll tell you what I know. Sitting here feeling sorry for yourself will get you nowhere. Garak looks at his friend, his encouraging half-smile... and nods. He’s regained his resolution. GARAK Alright then, my friend. Let’s cast ourselves back into the breach, shall we? He follows Parmak out of the shack, locking the door behind him, and then the pair walk off, back into the gloom. .
I'm happy that Kira has finally returned to the forefront. With Sisko gone, she's the commanding officer- but even during the relaunch itself she has sometimes gotten far less 'screentime' than is typical. I love her sticking to her guns and forcing the Federation into action. Just hope things don't get too dark. What with in the future with the huge war with the Borg, and problems with Andor. I am weary of war in Star Trek, and hold out hope that this conflict with the Ascendants will be handled differently. Looking very forward to how the council responds, and what exactly 'the Hand', 'the Voice' and 'The Fire' do
I can see the Council not wanting to get caught in another drawn out conflict so soon after the Dominion War. Their thinking still seems very short-sighted considering the danger the Eav'oq faces even if they don't want the UFP's help. The First Fedeeration-Klingon War would have turned out differently had the Council considered intervening on Organia's behalf interfering in the affairs of a non-Federation world-- with a pre-industrial society I might add. And it seemed a little out of character for Bashir to have that rigid an interpretation of the Prime Directive, unless he's still in a huff over his last confrontation with Ezri. All that said, a good cliffhanger. Odds are Bajor doesn't secede, but that last line leaves us hanging by our seats.
I've felt that before, myself. DS9 was never as captain-centric as the other shows, but still, she's the headliner now, so she deserves attention. And of course this storyline is all about her, since she is The Hand (a completely different Hand than in B5:LotR thankfully). Since there's so little mention of it in future novels, we have to assume it is a different kind of situation than the Borg or the Dominion conflicts, yes. That's certainly a part of it, I think. It's only been two- and-a-half years, I imagine they would be skittish. But I also think Gleer and Mazibuko had a point, even if they stated it rather insensitively. The Federation gets told off for sticking its nose in where it doesn't belong, and at the same time it gets told off for not helping out more people in need. They've got limited resources, and they're still taking care of their own. The Eav'oq aren't a member of the Federation, and haven't made any requests for help, so it really isn't any of their business. That's how they see it. Kira, naturally, sees it very differently. Again, that's a part of it. But there's more to it than that, as we'll see. Obviously we know Bajor doesn't secede (from our post-Typhon Pact perspective) but think of my theoretical TV viewers. They know no such thing. Does Kira really believe so strongly in this, that she's willing to yank Bajor out of the Federation over it? After we've just spent eight years getting Bajor into the Federation? Yes, she does. I hope it expresses just how big of a deal this is for her. I like to think that could be a pretty big cliffhanger to go out on. .