Hi all Time for episode 12. Here's the links: Deep Space Nine Season 10 - eps 1 to 22 11x01 - "Systems Under Repair" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook) As Ro settles into command, Prynn pleads for help with rescuing her father. 11x02 - "Structural Integrity Compromised" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook) While the Defiant responds to a distress call, Prynn tracks down answers. 11x03 - "Self Destruct Initiated" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook) A survivor of the Ascendant attack causes havoc in the Bajoran system. 11x04 - "Separation Manoeuvres Complete" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook) Things fall apart for Kira, Odo and the Dominion alliance. 11x05 - "The New Normal" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook) After Vaughn’s return to the station, new crew arrangements need to be made. 11x06 - "Two Steps Forward" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook) Cardassia sends a new representative to the station, but not everyone welcomes him. 11x07 - "In Love and War" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook) Vaughn assigns Prynn, Nog and Candlewood to a secret mission on Empok Nor. 11x08 - "Puppy Love" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook) As Pif tries to find a job on the station, Quark and Ro babysit the puppies. 11x09 - "The Laughing Policeman" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook) The station’s new security chief arrives, leaving Major Cenn with a dilemma. 11x10 - "Gut Feelings" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook) When Raiq falls ill, the situation could lead to catastrophe for the crew. 11x11 - "The Crucible" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook) When Vaughn takes Ro on a training voyage, things go from bad to worse. 11x12 - "Vigil" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook) Sisko’s friend Prylar Eivos dies, leading to problems between him and Kasidy. NOTE: This story dramatises events first described in the licensed Star Trek novel Rough Beasts of Empire, written by David R George III. I also owe thanks to TrekBBS.com member DerangedNasat for his work on translating the Bajoran language, as seen in this thread, some of which I used in this story. Enjoy!
TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SISKO’S HOUSE - DAY It’s moving towards winter in Kendra province. Trees are shedding their leaves, the sky is grey and cloudy, and the air is damp with drizzling rain. 2 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE A roaring natural fire burns in the fireplace. SISKO sits cross-legged on the living room floor, back against the sofa, playing the jacks and marbles game with REBECCA. They giggle and shout together as they play. After a few moments of happy, carefree play, KASIDY emerges from the kitchen, hovers in the archway. She’s anxious but trying not to be. Sisko looks up at her, sees her mood. SISKO Don’t worry. He’ll be here soon. KASIDY He’s just not usually late. It’s not like him. SISKO Things happen. He’s the docent in charge of excavations at B’Hala. It’s a big job. I’m sure he’ll be here when he can. KASIDY (not reassured) Yeah, I guess. Kasidy comes and sits on the couch, her hand resting on Sisko’s shoulder. He clasps his hand over hers to comfort her while continuing to play with Rebecca. KASIDY Are we sure it’s a good idea to have Rebecca here this time? SISKO Why wouldn’t we? KASIDY We’ve always handed her over to Jake and Rena before. Or sent her round to the Fenliks’ house to play with Joasha. SISKO (chuckle) Why, are you worried we’ll start beating each other with bat’leths in front of her? KASIDY Just that I always wanted to keep her away from all of that. Anyway, mine’s in the shop being polished. Sisko turns, grips Kasidy’s hands more firmly, looks her in the eye. Rebecca continues to play on her own. SISKO Kasidy... we’re getting better. We’ll be fine. Kasidy nods in agreement, if a little hesitantly. There’s a KNOCK at the door. SISKO See? Told you he’d be here. Kasidy stands from the sofa, straightens her outfit, goes to the door. She opens it, not to Prylar Eivos, but to a human woman of Malaysian descent, nevertheless wearing a Bajoran Militia uniform. Mid-to-late-20s. Her name is JASMINE TEY. She’s received with surprise, and not a little alarm. JASMINE Captain Sisko, Captain Yates? KASIDY Yes, that’s us. SISKO (standing) Is there a problem, Sergeant? JASMINE Ummm... may I come in? I’m afraid I have bad news. SISKO Yes... yes, of course. Kasidy holds the door open. Jasmine steps tentatively into the room, looks around politely, disguising a security officer’s scan of the territory. KASIDY Rebecca, honey? Why don’t you go play in your room for a while? REBECCA Okay, mommy. Love you! KASIDY Love you too, sweetheart. Rebecca picks up her jacks and marbles and takes herself off deeper into the house. Jasmine hovers awkwardly, but Sisko directs her to the sofa. SISKO Can I get you anything? JASMINE Thank you, no. I should introduce myself – my name is Jasmine Tey. KASIDY So you are human – I thought so. Just surprised that you’d be in a Bajoran uniform. JASMINE I’m on First Minister Asarem’s personal security detail. I signed up shortly after Bajor joined the Federation. SISKO We weren’t expecting a visit from the First Minister’s staff. We were rather expecting Prylar Eivos from B’Hala. JASMINE Eivos Calan, yes. He’s actually the reason I’m here. And since it’s you, Captain, the First Minister assigned me personally. KASIDY Sergeant... what’s wrong? JASMINE There’s been an incident. There was a fire, and Prylar Eivos and his wife... I’m afraid they’re both dead. Off Sisko and Kasidy’s reactions to that… FADE OUT: END OF TEASER
ACT ONE FADE IN: 3 EXT. BAJOR – EIVOS’S HOUSE A different house, but this one is a burned out husk. Walls scorched and fallen, holes in the roof, smoking piles of incinerated rubbish. Bajoran deputies move around the area. A few steps away, a TRANSPORTER deposits Sisko, Kasidy and Jasmine. Sisko and Kasidy look over the sight with dismay. SISKO You didn’t have to come, Kas. KASIDY You came. SISKO But I’ve seen things like this before. You shouldn’t have to. KASIDY Calan and Audj are my friends too, Ben. ...Were my friends. Sensitive to the situation, Jasmine leads them closer to the house. But before they enter, she stops them again. JASMINE Captains... you should prepare yourselves. We haven’t been able to clean up much of the mess yet. In fact, the bodies are still inside. I asked you here so that you could provide a definitive identification, but if you’d rather not... SISKO We’ll be fine. Please, carry on, Sergeant. Jasmine opens the scorched and warped door, holds it for them, and they step inside. 4 INT. EIVOS’S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM Inside, the house is a disaster zone. A Bajoran DEPUTY is busy cataloguing and scanning and inspecting. He gapes in awe at the sight of the Emissary. But at a subtle glare from Jasmine, he remembers himself and gets back to work. Stepping carefully, Jasmine leads Sisko and Kasidy through the house. SISKO Was it deliberate? JASMINE We don’t know for sure yet. But from all the available evidence so far... No. KASIDY An accident? How can something like that happen in this day and age? Aren’t there safeties attached to... well, everything? Sisko offers her a gentle hand on the shoulder in comfort. JASMINE Many Bajorans prefer to live without all that technology. I think it reminds them too much of the Cardassians. They’d rather keep things simple. KASIDY I understand that. But I didn’t realise Calan was one of them. SISKO Did we really know him enough to say that? He came to us whenever we asked... but we never bothered to come to him. KASIDY He would never have asked. They step through another doorway… 5 INT. EIVOS’S HOUSE - BEDROOM Inside this room, a Bajoran Militia DOCTOR has his back to them at first. He turns to greet them, revealing two BODIES placed on a singed bed and draped in grey sheets. Everyone is quiet, respectful. JASMINE Doctor? DOCTOR Ah – Sergeant Tey. And Emissary. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I only wish it were under better circumstances. SISKO Likewise, Doctor. May I...? Sisko reverently approaches the dead bodies of his friends. He gently lifts the sheet from one. We don’t need to see what’s underneath, but we assume it’s not pleasant. Sisko moves to the second body, does the same. He steps away. SISKO Yes, it’s definitely them. Was there anybody else? JASMINE A neighbour saw the flames and alerted the local authorities. Then she tried to help, and got a bad case of smoke inhalation. But other fatalities... no. KASIDY And you’re certain there was no foul play? Doctor? DOCTOR I’d rather withhold any final pronouncements until my autopsy is complete. But for the moment I agree with the Sergeant. This was nothing but a tragic mistake. Sisko is obviously wounded – the Doctor tries to comfort. DOCTOR I understand he was your friend, Emissary. If it helps, I’m quite certain he’s with the Prophets. KASIDY (quiet mutter) He served them all his life. I should hope so. JASMINE I imagine his colleagues at the B’Hala site will want to arrange a memorial of some kind. SISKO I’d like to attend that. Jasmine nods, and leads them back out of the room. 6 EXT. BAJOR - SISKO’S HOUSE Back to the cold and blustery day in Kendra province. 7 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE Sisko and Kasidy re-enter the house, wrapped up from the cold, both downcast and muted. JAKE and RENA have been babysitting Rebecca. They both stand. From the expressions on Sisko and Kasidy’s faces, it’s clear that the worst has been confirmed. Jake steps to his father and hugs him tight. Rena likewise to Kasidy. Then they swap. The hugs break. Rena gestures that she’ll put the kettle on. Jake smiles his thanks. As Sisko and Kasidy move deeper into the house and slump onto the sofa, Rebecca picks up the mood. She comes from where she had been drawing in a book and sits between them. She doesn’t know why, but she knows her mummy and daddy are sad. So she reaches out to hug Kasidy too. Kasidy holds her tight, strokes her hair. Takes comfort from her daughter. Sisko watches, and smiles sadly. 8 INT. BAJORAN SHRINE A rustic temple in the Bajoran countryside. Stone walls, the usual Bajoran signifiers. This is a small place, local and intimate, and its trappings are suitably modest. There is one large duranja lamp burning at the front of the shrine, and two simple wooden coffins on either side of it. Over each coffin’s head stretches a temporary grave arch. A low-level PRYLAR, probably still the most senior cleric in the area, stands by the lamp, reciting the traditional prayers. A middling crowd chants quietly. Nothing grand, just friends and neighbours. Eivos wasn’t a big deal. A creak of wood as the door at the far end of the temple opens, and Sisko tentatively steps through. He immediately knows he’s interrupting, and feels ashamed. The nearest row of worshippers notice the newcomer and gape in astonishment – the Emissary! At our tiny little church! Whispers begin to spread through the small crowd, confusion and excitement. Even the prylar is distracted. Sisko curses himself. He shouldn’t have been the centre of attention here. He slips sideways into a spare place and tries his best to blend into the crowd. The prylar calls attention back to himself, and begins his prayers again. 9 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE This is a different day from earlier; Jake and Rena have gone. Kasidy now moves around the kitchen, doing ordinary domestic work. Simple things to keep herself occupied. She dries pots and puts them away in the cupboard. She wipes down the surface of the replicator. She folds towels and hangs them over a rack. She’s alone in the house. Eventually, Kasidy stops at the window and looks out to the back of the house. The enormous tree in their back yard is stripped bare of leaves, stark and jagged. Rebecca runs around out there, wrapped up warm in a big coat and hat and mittens, quite happy entertaining herself. Kasidy stands at the window, watching her baby girl play. 10 INT. BAJORAN SHRINE The funeral continues. The prylar chants. The crowd have now got used to the fact that the Emissary is among them - mostly. Aside from a few nervous glances his way, the ceremony is continuing as normal. At the back of the room, trying not to be noticed, Sisko joins in as best he can. He doesn’t know all the words. He feels bad about that. He should know them. The prylar gently casts two handfuls of sand, one for each of the deceased, into the flames of the duranja lamp. The sand burns away quickly in colourful bursts of flame. 11 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE Evening now. Kasidy and Rebecca sit at the dinner table, both eating. Rebecca’s plate is an adorable miniature version of the same thing Kasidy is having, and the little girl is tucking in heartily. Kasidy is more hesitant, distracted. She looks towards the window at the front of the house. It’s getting dark. Ben should have been home by now. She knows he’s unlikely to be in any danger, but she doesn’t like him not being here. 12 INT. BAJORAN SHRINE The funeral is over, and the congregants are slowly filing out of the temple. But almost every one of them wants to say a polite hello to Sisko on the way out. He greets them all demurely, offers murmurs of condolence and encouragement that they are thrilled to receive. They won’t stop coming, and they all mean well, but he really doesn’t want the attention. At last they have all gone, and Sisko is relieved. He turns towards the front of the shrine, where the prylar gathers his things, tidying away. Sisko approaches quietly. The prylar greets him warmly. Sisko apologises for the disruption; the prylar will have none of it. He’s grateful that the Emissary should bless their little community. Left alone at last, Sisko stands and gazes into the flames. 13 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE Full night now. The lights inside are dimmed. Kasidy sits in the rocking chair by the fire, reading a book. Rebecca has long since gone to bed. The front door opens. Tired and cold, Sisko slouches into the house. Kasidy looks up, and sees the exhausted look on Sisko’s face. KASIDY It’s late. I was starting to get worried. SISKO I know, I’m sorry. I got caught up talking to people. They all wanted to talk to the Emissary. She gets up and gives him a peck on the cheek in welcome. He holds her firmly in response. Kasidy pulls away. KASIDY I’ll make you a hot drink. Get the blood running again. SISKO Wait... (Kasidy hesitates) I think I’ve decided something. I wanted to tell you. KASIDY What’s that? Sisko heads over to slump onto the couch; Kasidy follows and sits with him. SISKO It was... quiet. Too quiet. KASIDY The funeral? SISKO (nods) I know it’s only a small temple, but he deserved more than that. KASIDY He was a humble man, Ben. He didn’t put on all the airs and graces so many of them do. It wasn’t his style. I thought that was why we liked him. SISKO But he was doing good work. At B’Hala, and with us. We needed him. And now he’s gone... KASIDY Are you saying we can’t do this without him? SISKO No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m saying I want to carry on his work. KASIDY What do you mean? SISKO I want to go and work at B’Hala. Off Kasidy’s reaction to that… FADE OUT: END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO FADE IN: 14 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE Kasidy is instinctively unhappy with Sisko’s declaration. But she is determined to hear him out and not react badly. KASIDY Work at B’Hala? Why would you want to do that? SISKO It’s important work, Kas. They’re exploring the ancient history of Bajor. Doesn’t it fascinate you? KASIDY Not particularly. SISKO It’d be nice to get out of the house for a change, do something constructive with my time. KASIDY So... spending time with me and Rebecca, that’s not constructive for you. SISKO What? No! I mean, yes! Of course it is. That’s not what I meant. KASIDY What do you mean, Ben? SISKO I haven’t had a job since I left Deep Space Nine. I just want to do something again. Going to B’Hala would give me that. And it’s a way I can honour Eivos’s memory. Kasidy tries to order her thoughts, make them calm. KASIDY I know you miss Starfleet – SISKO It’s not Starfleet I miss. Or at least not Starfleet per se. I miss being useful. Kasidy gets up from the sofa, gives herself some space. KASIDY Useful. Again, all that sounds like to me, Ben, is that you don’t think being with me and Rebecca is useful. SISKO How could you think that? KASIDY Well, you’re talking about going to B’Hala. About honouring Eivos’s memory. Maybe it’s just me, but all I can hear is more reasons for you not to be here. SISKO This again? I’ve been here for you as much as I can, Kasidy. I’ve barely left this house for the last two years. KASIDY Except for that time you left on a mission you had no intention of coming back from. SISKO I did come back. KASIDY And I should think myself lucky, is that it? I should be happy to be second best to all of Bajor. Getting indignant now, Sisko joins Kasidy in standing up. SISKO You’re my wife, Kasidy. The woman I married. The mother of my child. The one I do everything for. KASIDY Then why am I not enough? Why do you have to take every chance to run off to practically the other side of the planet – SISKO Oh, don’t exaggerate. B’Hala is hardly on the other side of the planet. I walked it from here. KASIDY Ah, I see. It’s my fault. I threw you out of the house after you attacked Rena, forced you to go all the way to B’Hala. Eivos gave you a bed when I wouldn’t. SISKO Eivos is a good man, Kasidy. And yes, he took me in when I had nowhere else to go. He didn’t ask questions, he didn’t make demands. He just understood. KASIDY He understood that you called your daughter-in-law a ‘thing’? That you got so caught up in all your Prophets and Ascendants crap that your own son had to punch some sense into you? SISKO They both accepted my apology. KASIDY I didn’t. SISKO Obviously. KASIDY You know what? Go. Go to B’Hala. Run back to your precious Bajor, Emissary. Maybe it’ll understand you better than I can. SISKO Fine. I will. I’ll leave first thing in the morning. KASIDY Why wait? (points at sofa) You might as well get used to sleeping on rocks right now. Kasidy turns her back on him, stalks to the bedroom. She opens the door, enters, and SLAMS the door behind her. Sisko stands alone in the middle of the darkened room, the lights of the fire flickering on his face. 15 EXT. SISKO’S HOUSE - NIGHT Outside the house, the wind is still whipping up. The trees wave, drizzle dampens the whole area. The light from the house and the flickering fire through the windows are nowhere near enough to warm up the scene. CROSS-FADE INTO: 16 EXT. BAJOR SURFACE – B’HALA Establishing the archaeological dig at the ancient city... 17 INT. B’HALA CAVES The warrens and excavated spaces of the buried city, last seen in 10x21 “In the Stars”. Bajoran iconography and ancient statues. Artificial lights are strung up, and monks and prylars work painstakingly by them to reveal yet more. Sisko stands with a handful of other people, mostly Bajoran but perhaps one other race for colour. A young female ranjen, SOOL, stands at the front, greeting them all with an official spiel. SOOL Alright, thank you for coming. The B’Hala Restoration Project is a vital initiative for both the past and future of Bajor, and we are grateful for the help of anyone who wishes to offer it. Volunteers such as yourselves are the life blood of this project, and we couldn’t do it without you. Now, each of you will be paired with a more experienced worker, who will answer all your questions, show you around the base, explain our procedures and teach you how to use the tools. Some limited refreshments will be made available later. Again, thank you all, and may you walk with the Prophets. The volunteers begin to split up, Sool introducing each of them in turn to their work buddy. As usual, the other Bajorans offer admiring glances and giggling whispers at Sisko’s presence. He nods to them politely, but tries not to get involved. Because Sisko has been shyly hanging back, he’s the last in line to meet his buddy. Sool bows her head. SOOL Emissary. We’re all honoured to receive you. SISKO Please, just call me Benjamin. SOOL As you wish, Emissary. Turning away, she doesn’t see him grind his teeth. SOOL Luka? Could you come here, please? A man emerges from the depths of the caves, a bit dirty and covered in the dust of the excavation. It’s LUKA, the older Ohalavar man from 11x06 “Two Steps Forward.” SOOL Emissary, please meet Luka Tirem. He’ll be your guide and your work buddy here at B’Hala. (tense) Luka – be on your best behaviour. With a slightly obsequious bow to Sisko, and a warning glare to Luka, Sool leaves them alone. Luka wipes his hands on his pants and reaches out to shake Sisko’s hand. LUKA Captain Sisko. A pleasure to meet you, sir. SISKO You didn’t call me Emissary. LUKA I’m with the Ohalavaru, Captain. We don’t believe the Prophets are gods... and we don’t believe you’re the Emissary. No offence. SISKO (relaxes) Absolutely no offence taken, Mister Luka. In fact, it makes a nice change. LUKA Please, call me Tirem. SISKO Then don’t call me Captain, either. Call me Benjamin. LUKA Happy to. Follow me, Benjamin. Sisko is already more relaxed in Luka’s company that he has been in days. The older Bajoran leads him further into the caves, past other pairs of volunteers and ranjens showing them the ropes. While they walk... LUKA I have to say, we were all a bit surprised to see you come in with the latest batch of volunteers. I would have thought the famous Captain Sisko of Starfleet had bigger batos to bury. SISKO I was a good friend of Prylar Eivos. I wanted to carry on the good work he was doing here. My son worked here for a few months while I was away. I thought it was only right I do the same. LUKA Oh... you knew Calan. I... I didn’t know that. SISKO Sorry, I didn’t mean to just blurt it out. Were you close? LUKA He was kind of my sponsor here. He was a good man. I owed him a lot. I’m sorry he’s gone. SISKO Aren’t you going to assure me he’s with the Prophets? LUKA I told you, the Ohalavaru don’t believe in the Prophets. Not as gods, anyway. They’re obviously there, and they’re important and powerful. But why would you go to powerful aliens when you die? SISKO I guess I’m not used to Bajorans not worshipping the Prophets. LUKA With Kai Solis in the Apex Chair now, the Ohalavaru are growing all the time. There’s more and more of us out there every day. I’m guessing you don’t know a lot about us, though. SISKO To be honest, Tirem, I’ve tried to keep out of Bajor’s religious problems. I’m afraid that any position I take, any support I might give, someone would blow it out of all proportion just because I’m the Emissary. LUKA Probably a wise precaution. I know from personal experience just how passionate Bajorans can be about their beliefs. This dent in my skull right here can tell you all about it. Luka taps his own head, seeming so casual about it. But Sisko is horrified to hear it. They reach a new sub-cave. LUKA Ah, here we are. Benjamin Sisko, welcome to your new quarters. 18 INT. B’HALA CAVES – BUNK ROOM Sisko looks into the smaller cave, which is laid out with a dozen sleeping bags on the ground, rickety metal lockers on one wall, and a portable cooking range on the other. SISKO Okay. This is good. Back to basics. I can appreciate that. Luka chuckles. He knows Sisko is lying. They enter the room and Luka begins pointing things out. LUKA This’ll be your bed roll. You can store your tools and any personal items in the lockers. SISKO Personal items? Like what? LUKA Like your secrets. SISKO Secrets? What secrets? Luka steps up close, a conspiratorial gleam in his eye. Sisko is little wary. LUKA I found something. In the caves. They don’t believe me. They all think I’m crazy. But I know what it is. It’s a clue. SISKO A clue? To what? LUKA The location of Ohalu’s grave. Off Luka’s excitement, and Sisko’s guardedness... FADE OUT: END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE FADE IN: 19 INT. B’HALA CAVES – BUNK ROOM Sisko reacts to Luka’s pronouncement. The man is excited, eyes gleaming, but wary of anyone over-hearing. SISKO His grave? Why would you even think Ohalu is buried here? LUKA Where else? This is where Istani Reyla found the book. This is where the ten-thousand are buried. The place is named after him! SISKO Really? LUKA B’Hala. Ohalu. You never put it together? SISKO I guess not. LUKA Alu comes from his Eav’oq name. But in ancient Bajoran, it also means ‘the one place’. The only place. And adding the B’ prefix makes it sacred. (to the sky) B’Hava-el. (the ground) B’Jaara. (grasps Sisko) B’Hala. The only sacred place of Ohalu. Where else would he be? SISKO Then you know he was an Eav’oq? And you’re okay with that? LUKA I admit I wasn’t happy at first. I felt like they were taking Ohalu away from me. I lashed out. Got into trouble. But with some time, I realised... I don’t care what he was. I only care who he was. (beaming) Now stop dawdling. We’ve got work to do! The man is certainly passionate. It’s infectious. Sisko grins, and lets Luka show him to the tool lockers. 20 INT. B’HALA CAVES - TUNNELS Hours later, deeper into the excavation site. Luka forges ahead through the tunnels at a pace, with Sisko trailing behind. There are electric lights periodically along the passages, but they are getting fewer and farther between. LUKA Come on. It’s this way. SISKO Wow. I guess I’m out of shape. You’re really excited about this. LUKA Oh, Benjamin. I can’t even begin to tell you how much better I feel since I came here. And I promise you will too. SISKO What makes you think I need to feel better? LUKA You said you came here because of Prylar Eivos. Why – is there some other reason? SISKO No... No, just Eivos. So, what led you to volunteer? LUKA Ah... well... strictly speaking, I’m not a volunteer. I’m here for... rehabilitation. SISKO What do you mean? LUKA I’d been in protests before. Even a couple of fights. But this was the first time I’d ever taken it so far. Stupid stupid stupid... (gathers self) Luckily, the other guy decided not to press charges. And the magistrate accepted that I wasn’t quite in my right mind. The brain damage, you know? So I got off with community service. Prylar Eivos took me in, looked after me. SISKO Yeah. He does that. LUKA That’s why I was the last one to be assigned to anybody. And why they gave me to you – if I went crazy again, you could take me. It was meant as a joke, but when Luka turns around to see Sisko’s reaction, Sisko isn’t smiling. LUKA Don’t worry, Benjamin. I’m not a danger to anybody. (carries on) You know what? I think it’s fate that brought me together with you. You’re the one who rediscovered B’Hala. And it was Kira Nerys the Truthgiver, and your own wife, Benjamin, who uncovered... this. Luka turns a corner, Sisko follows him, and they see… 21 INT. B’HALA CAVES - MAUSOLEUM As briefly seen in 8x03 “Avatar, pt 3”. The burial place of the ten-thousand, foretold in Ohalu’s book. A giant underground hall with notches along the walls, carrying ancient crypts and mummified remains as far as the eye can see. Sisko steps into this, gazes at it with genuine awe. LUKA Step carefully. It was perfectly preserved for thousands of years. Since they broke through a few years ago, they’ve tried their best to keep it that way. So don’t touch anything. SISKO This is... I don’t have words. It’s beautiful. And so... sad. Why did you bring me here? LUKA Because this is where I found it. Come with me. Carefully. Luka begins to pick his way carefully through the cavern, making sure not to touch anything. Sisko follows. After a while, they reach somewhere near the middle of the giant room. There’s a statue, something like the weathered shapes at Yyn, but more complete. It could be a depiction of an Eav’oq – tall and thin, with one great smiling eye. SISKO So this is Ohalu. LUKA Blessed student of the Teacher Prophets. Whose words brought light, and wisdom, and peace. Ohalu was the original Bajoran religion, you know. SISKO I have a feeling the Vedeks would argue with you on that. LUKA (sharp) Then they’d be wrong. Sisko looks askance at him – that was a bit harsh. But Luka is already crouching down, brushing the dust away from something on the ground. He’s harder now, angrier. LUKA Who do you think brought knowledge of the Prophets to Bajor? SISKO I thought that was the Orbs. LUKA (dismissing it) The Orbs only started appearing ten-thousand years ago. Ohalu was here thirty-thousand years ago. He was here first. SISKO Okay... LUKA But the others – they suppressed us. Tried to pretend we never even existed. Took the legend of B’Hala for themselves. This is our place! They don’t have the right! Sisko reaches out to touch Luka’s shoulder, comfort him. Luka spins to glare at him - Sisko flinches back a bit. LUKA (manic) Look at this. Come on, look! Sisko crouches down by Luka, looks at what he’s been brushing. There are carvings around the base of the statue, runes in ancient Bajoran. Luka relaxes somewhat. SISKO Ancient Bajoran runes. I can read these. LUKA See? Fate. SISKO You can’t read them? But you – LUKA I learned everything about Ohalu. Every word, every interpretation. But I can’t read ancient Bajoran just like that. (grin) I knew you would, though. You’re the Emissary. SISKO (wary) You said you didn’t believe I was the Emissary. LUKA Well, okay, yes, I did say that. But... that’s missing some of the nuances. I mean, obviously you are the Emissary, being defined as the man who contacted the Prophets. But... if we don’t think of the Prophets as gods, then obviously the guy who talks to them isn’t a god either. You’re just not that important to us. Sorry, that was probably a bit blunt. SISKO No, it’s okay. It's... humbling. LUKA Which is not to say that we don’t respect you. I mean, your daughter is the Avatar, the symbol of a new age for Bajor, foretold by Ohalu himself. We still follow you on the news. SISKO That’s very flattering. LUKA Benjamin... you don’t seem happy. Admittedly I don’t know you that well... yet... but I’d kind of got the impression you were getting more comfortable with being the Emissary of the Prophets. SISKO I was. Until I started to understand better what it really meant. What they expected me to do for them, how they kept taking me away from my friends and family... LUKA I’m sorry. SISKO That’s part of why I barely left the house. To try to show Kasidy I would never leave her... LUKA But also to escape all of the Bajorans calling you Emissary. SISKO Yes... I could avoid it most of the time when I lived on Deep Space Nine. There I was just a Starfleet captain. But here, on Bajor, there’s no escape. People always wanting to meet me, shake my hand, almost genuflecting wherever I go. LUKA Well, if it’s any comfort to you, I won’t genuflect. I’m not sure my back could take it. SISKO (sad smile) It’s selfish, I know. But I wish more of your people felt that way. Luka turns back and starts brushing more dust away from the carvings, in a happier mood now. But Sisko is darker. LUKA Speaking of Deep Space Nine, I was there recently. SISKO Really? Why? LUKA Well, you know I mentioned some trouble with the law... that was where it happened. It’s not anything I’m proud of, but... oh, I might as well just say it. I tried to kill someone. SISKO You did what? LUKA The Cardassian ambassador. I told you, I wasn’t in my right mind. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done – SISKO Did you kill Prylar Eivos? Luka turns to Sisko, astonished. Sisko’s face is like thunder, dark and deadly. LUKA What? SISKO He was my friend. Him and his wife. Did you kill them both? LUKA Benjamin – no! I would never - Sisko pulls Luka roughly up by the shoulders, shoves him violently against the statue. Shakes him back and forth. SISKO Are you a murderer? Is that what you are? Did you set their house on fire? If you’re the one who - Luka SCREAMS, a terrified whimper-wail of utter fear. Sisko lets go in shock. Luka throws his arms up around his head, protecting himself, shrieking and cowering in terror. He crouches back down to the ground, as small as possible. SISKO Luka, I... But Luka only SCREAMS even louder. LUKA’S POV We look up, the mausoleum dark and ominous, closing in around us. Sisko looms over us, a sneer of absolute hatred on his face, a metal pipe in his hand. He raises the pipe, swings it down towards us, ready to pummel us... BACK TO SCENE Luka shrieks all over again, scampers to his feet and tries desperately to escape. Sisko reaches out to try to comfort him – Luka only screams all the louder. Sisko watches him flail, horrified. What has happened to the poor man? Luka runs across the giant underground room, dashes into one of the crypt slots in its huge stone walls. He backs himself into a corner, curls up into a ball, arms wrapped around his knees, rocking himself back and forth, head BANGING against the stone wall hard enough to break skin. LUKA Please don’t hurt me please don’t hurt me please don’t hurt me... Sisko approaches, slowly and gently, trying not to spook Luka any further. Luka is obviously a psychological wreck. SISKO Luka... I’m so sorry... Luka just whimpers again, keeps banging his head... Sisko crouches down to his level, hands up to show there’s nothing in them. He shuffles forwards one slow step at a time, careful not to appear threatening. LUKA Please don’t hurt me please don’t hurt me... SISKO I won’t hurt you. I promise I won’t hurt you. I’m sorry. Sisko is finally able to reach Luka, who is practically catatonic with fear and panic. Sisko gently wraps his arms around the man, pulls him in close. He holds Luka against his chest, cradles him, rocks him back and forth. SISKO I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry... Oh Sisko’s sad, upset, horrified face... FADE OUT: END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR FADE IN: 22 INT. B’HALA CAVES - MAUSOLEUM Sisko and Luka now sit side by side on the stone ground, Luka still curled up into a ball but no longer whimpering or rocking himself. Sisko is sad and pensive, talking to himself as much as to the silent and traumatised Luka. SISKO I always do this. Take it too far. This is exactly what Kasidy was talking about. Why I hurt Rena and Jake. Why she threw me out of the house. And she was right to do it. I get so caught up... (shakes head) I take it too far. LUKA (quiet, small) I know how that happens. Sisko turns to him, relieved that he’s talking again. SISKO Tirem... I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I won’t hurt you again. And I don’t believe you hurt Calan and Audj. LUKA I didn’t. I didn’t. I wouldn’t. SISKO I believe you. Sergeant Tey said it was a terrible accident, and I have no reason not to trust her. LUKA He was a good man. SISKO And so are you. I’m sorry. Sniffling, Luka raises his head, gazes at the statue. LUKA I understand. It’s not always easy living here, where we live. Among all these people who don’t think the way we do. Who always expect something else from us. SISKO I can’t begin to know what you went through – LUKA (turns to him) Yes you can. You’re a good man too, Benjamin. You don’t deserve what’s happened to you either. SISKO (grateful, sad) At least one person forgives me. Sisko and Luka sit with each other, inside the crypt... 23 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE On Kasidy, as she sits at the dining table, padds in front of her. She’s doing paperwork for her shipping business. The house is quiet around her, she’s alone. Then there’s a KNOCK at the door. Not really thinking much of it, Kasidy gets up to answer the door. It’s Jasmine Tey. KASIDY Oh – Sergeant Tey. Is there a problem? JASMINE No no, not a problem. May I come in? KASIDY Yes, of course. Can I get you anything? Kasidy holds the door open for Jasmine to enter. JASMINE You wouldn’t happen to have any Earl Grey tea, would you? KASIDY As a matter of fact, my brother sends me some from Cestus Three twice a year. Come on through, I’ll brew you up a cup. Grinning, Jasmine follows Kasidy through to the kitchen, where Kasidy starts rooting in cupboards. JASMINE That would be fantastic. I’d never have thought, now that Bajor is in the Federation, it would still be so difficult to get human food and drinks. I haven’t had a decent cup of tea in years. KASIDY (chuckle) Well I have to warn you, I’m no chef. But I think I can manage to boil some water without burning the house down. Kasidy realises with horror what she just said. KASIDY (cont) Wow... that was... JASMINE It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. That’s actually why I came – to tell you that we’ve finished the investigation. Kasidy finds the tea, starts preparing it. KASIDY And? JASMINE And it’s exactly what we thought. There’s no evidence of any foul play. Just an electrical fault in the central heating. Probably had it on high for the winter. Kasidy leans back against the counter, sighs sadly. KASIDY There’s nothing you can say to that, is there? Just... fate, I guess. JASMINE The Bajorans would say it was the will of the Prophets. KASIDY (scorn) To take the life a man who served them seventy years, and his wife, just because it got cold? Not any kind of god I’d want to follow. The tea is ready. Kasidy hands a mug to Jasmine, who wraps it in her hands, warming her fingers. They stand and chat. KASIDY So, Sergeant Jasmine Tey. How does a human woman end up on Bajor as part of First Minister Asarem’s personal security squad? JASMINE Didn’t really plan it. I came to Bajor just to visit and explore a new culture. But it was soon after the whole mess with those nasty parasites. Asarem was looking to beef up her security. Or at least her advisers were. So I decided to sign up. KASIDY Just like that? JASMINE I’d had all sorts of security and combat training at home. I had nothing tying me to Earth. And I thought it would be a chance to really dig deep, learn about Bajorans from the inside. Plus, I have a feeling I was a bit of a status symbol to them. Proof that they were really one of the gang now. So they snapped me up. KASIDY And how do you like it? Living and working with Bajorans, and so few other humans around? Kasidy is kind of giving herself away here. Jasmine sees it, wonders how to address it. Is it even her business? JASMINE We’ve all had to make adjustments. But then, that’s just a part of the life. You’ve been here longer than I have, from what I hear. You haven’t... adjusted? KASIDY It’s funny. When I first set up this house, I felt comfortable. Beautiful world, perfect place to build a home and raise a family. JASMINE And now? KASIDY I don’t know. Somewhere along the line, I think I started resenting them. And I don’t even know why. They haven’t really done anything wrong. Maybe it’s all in my head. JASMINE That doesn’t necessarily make it wrong. Kasidy smiles at the unexpected support. Nobody’s really said that to her before. JASMINE I hope I’m not out of line here, Mrs Sisko. Please stop me if I am. But I did sense some tension between you and your husband. KASIDY (quiet) You’re not out of line. It’s a relief to be able to talk to someone about it. Someone who’s not going to assure me that it’s all part of the Prophets’ plan. It just feels like... Bajor is coming between us. JASMINE Bajor? Not the Prophets? KASIDY Is there a difference? Prophets, Bajor, Ascendants, Cardassians, Eav’oq... it’s all the same. (beat) Is it my fault? Am I letting them come between us? Eivos said it was in our hands. And I’ve got nothing to complain about, not really. Ben’s right, I knew what I was getting into. JASMINE Kasidy... if you’re not happy, you have every right to those feelings. And you have every right to let people know it. KASIDY Thank you, Jasmine. It’s good to hear someone say that. Jasmine smiles back. They go back to drinking their tea. 24 INT. B’HALA CAVES - TUNNELS On their feet again, Sisko and Luka now tread through a darkened tunnel. No electric lights hang here – they find their way by old-fashioned flame torches. Sisko takes the lead, now just as eager and determined as Luka was earlier. Sisko stops, shines some light onto the paper in his hand. PAPER It shows pencil etchings of the ancient Bajoran symbols that were around the statue of Ohalu. BACK TO SCENE Sisko points out each scribbled icon in turn. SISKO Close... light... community... lessons... spirit... earth... beloved... and source. LUKA (wild guess) The source of light... is close? SISKO But these were written right at the base of the statue. Anyone who could read the words could see Ohalu standing there. LUKA So what would be the point of telling them he was close? SISKO Exactly. Let’s keep walking. They get on the move again. LUKA This must be the deepest anyone’s ever gone at B’Hala. Just think... thirty-thousand years of Bajoran history over our heads right now. SISKO Let’s just hope it stays there and doesn’t decide to come down on our heads. LUKA Earth... You said earth, right? SISKO Right. LUKA As in, what’s over our heads. What we’re inside of right now. SISKO What are you getting at? LUKA Close to the earth. To the ground. SISKO But it’s all the ground. LUKA But it wasn’t. Thirty-thousand years ago, this might have been open air. (gestures up) All of this is what’s built up over the years on top of that. SISKO So ‘close to the earth’ would mean we have to go even deeper. LUKA Where are we right now? How far have we walked? Sisko stops, pulls out a tool – a complex compass device. He holds it, lets it steady itself, interprets the results. SISKO We’re almost immediately beneath the mausoleum. LUKA Underneath the statue. SISKO Of course! Close, but in a downward direction. Into the earth. LUKA Where the source of the light and lessons lies beneath his beloved spiritual community. SISKO We have to go deeper. Excited all over, Sisko strides further into the tunnels, his torch out before him, trying to find a way down. 25 MONTAGE -- More hunting through tunnels. -- A lava tunnel angling down through rock. Sisko goes ahead eagerly; Luka follows rather more hesitantly. -- Sisko studying his compass device by fire light. -- More general trudging. -- Sisko helps Luka climb through a small gap in the rock. 26 INT. B’HALA CAVES They reach the bottom of the tunnel, and there doesn’t seem to be anywhere else to go. Sisko holds out his compass, and looks around, frustrated. SISKO I can’t find a way to get any deeper than this. It’s solid bedrock underneath us. But it has to be here! I can feel it! LUKA You know what I do in times like this? I pray. SISKO All due respect, Luka, but I’m not sure that’s going to work. LUKA It doesn’t matter if it works. That’s not what praying’s for. Sisko looks at him confused. Luka just smiles, amused, then takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, stands there silent. Meanwhile, Sisko returns to looking around with his torch, inspecting the walls, checking his scribbled notes. After a moment, Luka opens his eyes again, and smiles. LUKA “The Emissary shall search for the source. And he will keep the guide close, and together they will heed the lessons, and the spirit of Ohalu shall surround them both.” SISKO What? LUKA It’s right there in the book. All those symbols, so only someone who’d read the book could understand them. (looks around the cave) Thirty-thousand years. There is no grave, not anymore. How long ago must the body have decayed away, dissolved into dust? (a revelation) The spirit shall surround them. With amazement, Sisko gets it. The puzzle solved, they stand together by the flickering light of their torches and gaze at the walls of stone around them. FADE OUT: END OF ACT FOUR
ACT FIVE FADE IN: 27 INT. B’HALA CAVES The two flaming torches have been jammed into a crack in the ground by their bases, so that they stand up. Sisko and Luka sit on the ground nearby, almost like a campfire, sitting and pondering by the fire light. LUKA How many times have I read those words? Back to front, over and over, I know them by heart. I just assumed they were metaphor. But they were more literal than I could have ever imagined. SISKO From what little I know of him, Ohalu tended to keep the usual flowery language to a minimum. LUKA And the guide... Obviously the Emissary is you. But the guide... (w/ wonder) That’s me. Ohalu foresaw me. Luka gazes into the flames, overcome with amazement at this concept. Sisko is glad to see him happy. LUKA All of this is Ohalu. All of it. All around us. Including me. (beat) Thank you, Benjamin. You’ve given me something I could never have dreamed of. SISKO I should be thanking you. You’ve given me someone I feel like I can talk to. That’s more than I’ve had in a long time. LUKA I’m glad I could help, in whatever small way. SISKO I’m just sorry it took Eivos’s death to bring us together. Luka thinks a moment, then gets up to stand. He picks up a handful of sand from the ground, and gently casts the sand into the flames. The sand burns away in a quick flash. LUKA Eivos Calan, and Audj. Sisko smiles, touched. He gets up to stand, grabs a handful of sand, and throws it into the flames. SISKO Eivos Calan, and Audj. They take a moment to remember their mutual friend. SISKO So now, the question is... can we find our way out of here? LUKA (smile) I’m sure we can. Going off the flames of Sisko and Luka’s torches... 28 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE ...to the flames of the roaring fire in the Sisko household’s living room fireplace. It’s night outside, with a blustery wind audible. But inside it’s warm and secure. Jasmine is sat cross-legged on the floor, playing jacks and marbles with Rebecca. The little girl is in her jim-jams. Kasidy sits in the rocking chair watching them play, happy and relaxed, laughing along with them. After a while, the door opens, and Sisko re-enters. They all look up at him in some slight surprise. Rebecca jumps up and runs to her father in glee. REBECCA Daddy daddy! She’s human! Like me! SISKO She certainly is, sweetheart. Jasmine gets up too and approaches Sisko with her hand out to shake. JASMINE Good to see you again, Captain. SISKO You too, sergeant. Is there a problem? JASMINE Oh no, not at all. KASIDY Jasmine came by to update us on the investigation, and then we got to talking. Didn’t realise how late it had gotten. SISKO (to Rebecca) Late enough that little girls ought to be in bed. Rebecca pouts and grabs onto Sisko tight, trying to be the perfect daddy’s girl. He prises her away again. KASIDY I think that sounds like an excellent idea. REBECCA Oh, mommy... KASIDY Come on, young lady. No arguing. Ben, would you...? Sisko nods his agreement warmly, hefts Rebecca up with a giggle, and carries her off towards the bedrooms. With them gone, Jasmine pulls herself together. JASMINE Right, I should be off. KASIDY Thanks for coming, Jasmine. Are you sure you’ll be warm enough? I can lend you a coat... JASMINE I’ll be fine. Us trained security operatives are a hardy breed. Kasidy opens the door for Jasmine to go, but hesitates. KASIDY Really, Jasmine... thanks. For listening. JASMINE My pleasure. KASIDY Do you think we could... I don’t know, meet up again some time? Try and teach Bajor how to make a good cup of tea? JASMINE I’d like that. Jasmine pulls Kasidy into a quick half-hug, then turns and leaves. Kasidy closes the door behind her. 29 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE - BEDROOM Last seen in 10x20 “In the Stars”. Kasidy quietly opens the door to find Sisko already there, preparing himself and the room for bed. Kasidy enters and begins doing the same. KASIDY Rebecca in bed already? SISKO She was tireder than she let on. Pulling the curtains. Folding down the bedspread. Stripping off the day clothes. Putting them in the laundry hamper. KASIDY She absolutely adores Jasmine. They were playing half the day. SISKO Good. It’s nice for her to meet other humans. Getting into bed clothes. Brushing teeth. Taking out hair pins and brushing it out. KASIDY I wasn’t sure I’d actually see you tonight. SISKO Well, the accommodations weren’t exactly luxurious. And it’s not so far away. Just a moment by transporter. Moisturising face and hands. Rinsing out with mouthwash. KASIDY Do you want a hot drink or anything? Replicator’s still warm. SISKO No, thanks... it’s been a long day, and I’m tired. I just want to go to sleep. So they do. They climb into bed. KASIDY So did you have a good time? SISKO Actually... yes. Met some good people. Talked about Eivos a lot. It was nice. KASIDY Are you going to go back? SISKO Yes... yes, I think I am. Kasidy reaches up and clicks off the light over the bed. They both settle down into the covers, each facing outward. SISKO Night. KASIDY Night. On SISKO, as he stares out into the darkness on his own side of the bed. On KASIDY, as she stares out into the darkness on her own side of the bed. A TOP VIEW of them both, in bed, in the dark, backs turned to each other, a yawning chasm between them. FADE OUT: END OF SHOW
Hi Martin Seasons 8 and 9 are just adaptations of the existing novels. Season 8 is the parasites arc - Avatar to Unity. Season 9 is the WoDS9/MU arc - Unjoined to The Soul Key. That's why 10 picks up immediately after The Soul Key. I was never really comfortable uploading those scripts openly for everyone, because that would effectively be giving away those authors' work for free, which is probably illegal. But if you've read those stories, then you already know what happens, aside from some minor tweaks and necessary editing for space. On the other hand, if you've already bought and read the books, and you just want to see the adaptations, then I suppose that's fair enough. PM me and we can discuss it. .
lvsxy808 Unfortunately, it seems that because I'm a new member to this BBS, that I have to make a minimum of 50 posts before I can send/receive PMs. I would like to read your scripts though: so what do you suggest? Thanks Martin O'Shea.
Okay, well as soon as you can, PM me. I don't think either of us want to put our personal emails right in the thread, but in PMs is fine. Don't worry, they're not going anywhere. .
If you're okay putting an address here, then yes, go for it. I only have seasons 8 and 9 as pdfs at the moment - I never got around to formatting them for ebook. I can do that but it would take me a bit longer to get through them all. .
If you can give me a day or two to set up a special email account, then .pdf files will be fine. Thanks. I happen to be London-based as well.
Would it be possible for you to send .txt or .pdf files for DS9 seasons 8 and 9 to: mrgraverol@gmail.com Thanks.