DS9 Season 10, ep 10x12 - "Heresy" (part 2 of 2)

[DS9Continuing]

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
Discussion thread for Episode 11

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"
10x11 - "Harmony"

And now, direct link to download episode 12, the second half of my big mid-season two-parter:

10x12 - "Heresy"

Enjoy!



.

 

[DS9Continuing]

.

TEASER​

FADE IN:


1 EXT. EARTH – SAN FRANCISCO

A beautiful shot across San Francisco bay, the sun glinting off the water, small tourist boats sailing past. The Golden Gate Bridge and other SF landmarks are clear.

PULL BACK until the edges of a window frame creep in, and it becomes clear we’re looking out on this from inside.

KIRA walks past the window, quickly pacing, agitated.

SISKO (o.s.)
Nerys... relax.​

KIRA
Yeah, that’s gonna happen.​

PULL BACK further to reveal that we’re inside...


2 INT. STARFLEET COMMAND LOUNGE

A waiting room of sorts, Starfleet style, lushly appointed and comfortable. Kira paces back and forth impatiently. SISKO sits on a couch, dressed in smart civilian clothes, outwardly more relaxed than Kira but inside just as tense.

SISKO
You did everything you could to
persuade them. It’s up to the
Council to decide. In the mean-
time you may as well relax.
(warm smile)
My father’s saying about the
soufflé comes to mind.​

Kira tries to follow her best friend’s advice. But it doesn’t come easily. She stops pacing and gazes out the window at the calm and sunny scenery.

KIRA
So what’s this part of Earth
called again?​

SISKO
San Francisco. This is where
Starfleet Command and the
Academy are based.​

KIRA
But the government offices were
somewhere else, right?​

SISKO
Paris.​

KIRA
And your father lives...?​

SISKO
New Orleans.​

KIRA
Have you been to see him?​

SISKO
He knows I'm here. But I
thought my time would be
better spent watching you
wear a hole in the carpet.​

Kira stops, smiles.

KIRA
I’m trying to relax, Benjamin,
really I am. But I just don’t
know how you Starfleet captains
make it look so easy.​

SISKO
Us Starfleet captains.​

KIRA
In name, maybe. But I never went
to your academy. I’ve never even
been to San Francisco. Not in
this century, at least.​

Sisko frowns... Kira sighs. Can’t stop worrying.

KIRA
If we don’t get this fleet, the
whole plan falls apart. There’s
no way Bajor can face up to the
Ascendants alone. And then...
the Eav’oq are finished.​

The door opens, Kira and Sisko turn in hope... and see Adm ROSS entering. He closes the door quietly behind him. He doesn’t seem especially happy.

SISKO
Admiral...​

ROSS
Captains. The Council has
finished its deliberations,
and come to a decision.​

KIRA
And...?​

ROSS
And... you’ll get your fleet, Captain.​

KIRA
(sags w/ relief)
Thank the Prophets.​

SISKO
How many?​

ROSS
Six ships.​

KIRA
Just six?!​

ROSS
It’s six times what we sent
to the Dominion, Captain. It
includes the Defiant, and my
own personal flagship, the
Cerberus. So this had better
go well.​

SISKO
It will, Admiral. Thank you.​

ROSS
(to Kira)
I want to make one thing crystal
clear, Captain. This is it.​

Off Kira’s confused, worried reaction...

ROSS (cont)
(stern)
That gamble you made in the
Council chambers - threatening
to withdraw Bajor from the
Federation if we didn’t do what
you want - that only works one
time. You do not get to play
that card again. If this fleet
fails to achieve the objectives
under which we approved it,
you don’t get another one.​

Kira gulps. She has no choice but to agree.

KIRA
Understood.​

ROSS
I’m placing you in general
command of the fleet. This is
your show, Nerys. Make it count.​

On Kira’s daunted reaction...


3 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE – ESTABLISHING

The station at rest...


4 INT. DS9 - RO’S QUARTERS

Starting at the window out onto space. We move gradually through the room, as the SOUND of troubled, hitching breaths can be heard...

Eventually we land upon RO. She sits on her bed, hugging herself, shuddering and gasping with short, sharp breaths.

RO
No... no...​

She lifts a shivering head and looks across the room at... a hypospray, sat on her desk. She stares at it for a moment... then grits her teeth and looks away again.

RO
(determined)
No.​

CENN (comm)
Ops to Lieutenant Ro.​

She looks up in surprise, hopeful and relieved that she might have a distraction.

RO
Go ahead, Major.​

CENN (comm)
The Captain’s just signalled
ahead. The fleet has entered
the Bajoran sector.​

RO
I’ll be right there.​

The distraction has worked - she gets up happily and hurries towards the door, leaving the hypospray behind.


5 EXT. SPACE

In a big flash of light, the Defiant drops out of warp and coasts to a relative stop. Soon after come five more Starfleet vessels. The six varied ships make an impressive sight arrayed in space near to Deep Space Nine.

Besides the Defiant, the ships are as follows:

USS Gryphon, Akira-class (“Lesser Evil”)
USS T’Kumbra, Nebula-class (“Take Me Out to the Holosuite”)
USS Cerberus, Prometheus-class (“Message in a Bottle”)
USS Gorkon, Excelsior-class (“Descent”)
USS Blackthorne, Intrepid-class (like Voyager)


6 INT. DS9 - MAIN OPS CENTRE

The turbolift rises into Ops, and Ro jumps off it at speed, excited and relieved that Captain Kira is back. The crew - CENN at the Ops table, DAX hovering and observing in the tactical alcove, extras elsewhere - are all gazing up at the main screen, which shows the external view.

CENN
Kira’s on the line, Lieutenant.​

She nods for him to go ahead. He presses buttons - Kira’s image appears on the screen, in the Defiant’s centre seat.

RO
Good to see you, Captain. The
crew will be glad to have you back.​

KIRA (screen)
(wry smile)
The “crew” will have to wait
a little longer, Lieutenant.
Admiral Ross gave us a limited
window of time to do this. So
I want to get out there and get
it done before I lose my nerve.
You’re in charge till I get back.​

Ro’s hope and relief drains away.

RO
If you’re certain, Captain.​

KIRA (screen)
I also need you to get one pilot
and one tactical each in the Rio
Grande, the Nile and the Yolja,
and get them out to me ASAP.
Keep the Brahmaputra on watch.​

RO
(nods)
Okay...​

KIRA (screen)
Wish us luck.​

Ro just nods. Doesn’t have much in her to be encouraging to others right now. Kira disappears from the screen.

Downcast, legs like lead, Ro clomps slowly up the steps to the office. Dax intercepts her at the top.

DAX
What’s wrong?​

RO
Leaving me in command, for one
thing. And this stuff with the
Eav’oq... Maybe it’s just cause
I don’t follow the Prophets or
something, but I really don’t
see why this is our problem.​

Dax tenses - this is too close to what Bashir was saying, and she doesn’t want to hear it. But she tamps down her protests and tries to encourage Ro.

DAX
It’s not about whether you
believe in the Prophets or not.
It’s about whether you believe
in Kira... and whether you
deserve to wear that uniform.​

But Ro didn’t take it as an encouragement. She took it as confirmation of all her worst fears and insecurities.


FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER​

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[DS9Continuing]

.

ACT ONE​

FADE IN:


7 EXT. SPACE

The Gamma exit of the wormhole bursts open in its giant blue flower of energy, and the six Starfleet capital ships and three runabouts shoot out of it. The varied vessels look tough and ready for business.


8 EXT. EAV’OQ TEMPLE

As numerous Eav’oq flounce gently about in the background, VAUGHN and OPAKA sit side by side on one of the low stone walls that trail through the city.

OPAKA
I wonder if this tension between
you and Benjamin is simply that
of an atheist versus a believer.​

VAUGHN
That’s not it.​

OPAKA
It’s simply a matter of trusting
in the judgement of something
greater than yourself.​

VAUGHN
And I do. I believe in the good
of the Federation. The difference
is accountability. Understanding
that the decisions that come to
you are the result of discussion
and compromise between people
who have an at least similar view
of the world as you. Who knows
what the Prophets are thinking?​

OPAKA
No-one does, Elias. Not really.
I wouldn’t trust anyone who
said he did. But I do trust
that They know best.​

VAUGHN
Why? How can you be so certain?​

OPAKA
I’m not certain, Elias. I don’t
pretend to ever know the full
pattern of the universe. I
doubt anyone ever will. But I
trust that that pattern exists.
And I learn more of it all the
time. That’s all I need.​

KIRA (comm)
Kira to Vaughn.​

Pleasantly surprised, Vaughn taps his combadge to receive.

VAUGHN
Captain, you’re back. Everything
went to plan?​

KIRA (comm)
So far. But there’s a lot more
plan yet to come. I need you
up here on the double.​

VAUGHN
Understood. Stand by.​

He turns to Opaka. He takes her hands, looks into her eyes. Neither of them is willing to say the words, but they don’t have to. They know.

That done, Vaughn stands and straightens himself.

VAUGHN
Vaughn to Defiant. One to
beam up.​

Keeping his eyes on Opaka, Vaughn disappears in a transporter beam.


9 EXT. SPACE

The six Starfleet capital ships and three runabouts fly together at warp, the Defiant taking point.


10 INT. DEFIANT - MESS HALL

A mission meeting of all the fleet’s captains:

Cpt SPILLANE of the Gryphon (Scandinavian female human)
Cpt SOLOK of the T’Kumbra (Vulcan male, "Take Me Out...")
Cpt AKOLKAR of the Cerberus (Indian human female)
Cpt KUWAHARA of the Gorkon (Japanese/British human male)
Cpt THANN of the Blackthorne (Selenean male)

Kira is leading the meeting, stood by the display screen on the wall. Vaughn and Sisko are with her as advisors.

SOLOK
If the Ascendants are indeed as
mysterious as you say, Captain,
how do we expect to find them?​

KIRA
This is classified information.
But the Ascendants have already
made one attack – against the
Dominion... or rather their gods.​

AKOLKAR
You mean the Founders.​

VAUGHN
No - it turns out the Founders
had a god of their own. They
called it the Progenitor.​

KUWAHARA
Had? Past tense?​

VAUGHN
The Progenitor is dead. The
Ascendants blew up a star to
irradiate it to death.​

KIRA
Odo had the remains hidden away
inside the Omarion Nebula, with
a constant Jem’Hadar presence.
They think they’re just there to
protect the Founders’ original
home world. But they’re not.​

VAUGHN
Meanwhile, the Vorta have been
quietly pulling together all the
rumours, hearsay and seemingly
innocuous readings they can to
try and track the culprits. They
gave us that data. Our conclusion
is that the best place to start
looking... is the Omarion Nebula.​

THANN
(realizes)
They’re keeping an eye on their
new enemies.​

KIRA
(nods)
The Dominion is probably the
biggest target the Ascendants
have ever taken on. They may be
zealous, but I’m betting they’re
not stupid. They’d make sure.​

SISKO
Now, we don’t know what level
of technology we’ll be facing.​

SPILLANE
If they can blow up a star, it
must be pretty advanced.​

VAUGHN
Not necessarily. One well-placed
isolytic subspace weapon can
easily make a star go nova.​

AKOLKAR
Those weapons were banned in
the Khitomer Accords.​

SOLOK
Which the Ascendants did not sign.​

VAUGHN
They also tend to be a solitary
people, spread out to cover as
much ground as possible while
they search for their Fortress.
So hopefully that will play in
our favour as well.​

SISKO
But if it doesn’t, we’ve got a
strong fleet here. The Cerberus
is one of the most advanced
ships in all of Starfleet. The
Blackthorne has the fastest
reactions. Gryphon is the most
heavily armed, Defiant has the
smallest profile. You’ve all
got positives and negatives, so
work together to even them out.​

VAUGHN
Keep your sensors at full power
too. We still need more data, and
we’ll never get a better chance.​

KIRA
I think we’ve covered everything.
Return to your ships, Captains...
prepare your crews... and pray
to whatever you believe in that
we don’t need them.​

The captains file out of the room and into the corridor, where a security random leads them away. Last to leave is Spillane, who offers a reassuring squeeze of the shoulder.

SPILLANE
Keep your chin up, Nerys. You
handled the parasites, you’ll
handle this. We’re behind you.​

KIRA
Thanks, Disa.​

Spillane follows the rest, leaving Kira, Vaughn and Sisko.

SISKO
Spillane’s right, Nerys. Trust
your instincts, trust your crew...
and know that they trust you.​

11 EXT. SPACE

The purplish-blue wisps of the Omarion Nebula are in the background... the Starfleet armada holds station in the foreground. Focusing on the Defiant...

KIRA (v.o.)
Ship’s log, Captain Kira Nerys
recording. We’ve been waiting
here at the Omarion Nebula for
hours. Waiting’s always the
hardest part. But it finally
paid off. The Blackthorne has
detected the Ascendant warp
signature a couple of light
years away. Gryphon confirms.
So this is it.​

The Starfleet ships all jump to warp, away from the nebula.

KIRA (v.o.)
I just can’t help thinking about
what the Tellarite councillor
said. About the last time we
tried something like this. The
Defiant’s first mission. I can
only pray this time goes better.​

12 EXT. SPACE

At a distance, we can just about see a small ship against the backdrop of stars. It’s an Ascendant vessel – tiny and silver and sharp, as first seen in 8x23 “Rising Son.”

KIRA (v.o.)
Magnify.​

With data tracking along the side of the image, the small ship is suddenly closer. We can see it in more detail.


13 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Kira sits in the centre seat, peering at the screen. She’s a little surprised that it’s such a small ship.

KIRA
Is that it?​

BOWERS, SHAR and PRYNN are at their respective stations. Sisko and Vaughn hover on either side of Kira, supporting.

BOWERS
That’s the source of the warp
signature, Captain. By the size,
it’s a single occupancy vehicle.
But no indications of it being
support for a larger ship.​

VAUGHN
So basically yes, that’s it.​

Prynn glances away from her console, over to Shar. He feels her looking, and looks at her too. They wordlessly exchange good luck wishes, then turn back to their own consoles.

KIRA
Send a standard greeting in all
languages and basic lingua-code.
We come in peace and would like
to meet to talk. The usual.​

BOWERS
Aye sir -​

Before he can even finish, a transporter effect forms at the front of the bridge, just in front of the view screen. It’s made out of flames, a spontaneous fire, until it blows away and reveals the figure of an Ascendant female.

Tall, willowy, a silver covering that may be skin or bio-armour. Large insectile eyes that seem to shine with fire. Clothes are something like a medieval knight. This is RAIQ.

Bowers is instantly on his feet, pointing a phaser at her. Shar likewise, holding out a tricorder. Everyone else is distinctly spooked, but Raiq just looks around, nonchalant.

VAUGHN
(quiet, gentle)
Lieutenant Bowers, stand down.​

BOWERS
She beamed through the shields.​

SHAR
(off tricorder)
No she didn’t. No life signs.
She’s still on her ship – this
is just a projection.​

PRYNN
The other ships are reporting
they’ve got projections on
their bridges too.​

KIRA
Tell them to let me handle it.​

Prynn nods and relays the message. Unhappily, Bowers lowers his phaser, but remains ready. Raiq begins to walk slowly around the bridge, taking in everything with an eagle eye.

Kira steps up to her.

KIRA
I’m Captain Kira Nerys of the
United Federation of Planets.​

RAIQ
I am Raiq, Archquester of the
Ascendancy.
(looking around)
I do not know these vessels.​

Raiq is not really paying attention to Kira. Barely even looks at her. She’s more interested in exploring. She looks at one of the screens on the wall. It fritzes and begins to run with reams of data. She turns to another – the same thing happens. Shar checks his panels, worried...

SHAR
She’s scanning our databases.​

Kira steps forward again, trying to get Raiq’s attention.

KIRA
Excuse me. If you want to know
about us, we’re happy to answer
your questions. There’s no need
to break into our computers.​

Raiq glances dismissively at Kira, but doesn’t really respond. She turns away and the computer scan stops. She turns to Shar, looks the Andorian up and down.

RAIQ
I do not know your people.​

SHAR
I am Andorian.​

Raiq turns away. She strolls to the back of the bridge, inspecting. Kira follows, trying to open the conversation.

KIRA
We don’t know a lot about your
people, but we’d like to. Would
you be willing to meet with us
in person and tell us more about
yourself? We’re more than happy
to do the same in return.​

Raiq ignores Kira and walks up to Vaughn. Right into his personal space. Looks him up and down.

RAIQ
Whom do you worship?​

VAUGHN
(stern)
I don’t worship anyone.​

KIRA
(try again)
As I said, we’d love to meet
you in person –​

RAIQ
If you do not worship, then
you have nothing to fear from
the Ascendants. And we have
no interest in you.​

KIRA
Well, that’s a shame. I was
hoping that we...​

But Kira trails off, because now Raiq has finally looked at her. The imperious Ascendant woman gazes into Kira’s face, seemingly fascinated. Cocks her head, looks again.

RAIQ
That face... I know you.​

Kira is confused – what does that mean? The others on the bridge look at her, disquieted. Raiq begins to realize...

RAIQ
The priestess on the world
where I crashed. The prison
moon, with its primitives,
dependent on the broken
satellite network. The nurse
who returned me to health.​

KIRA
(realizing)
You’re the one who freed Opaka.​

RAIQ
You are not she. But you are
the same people.
(w/ horror)
You shame the True.​

Kira begins to worry... but then Raiq is swallowed up in another massive burst of flame. Kira flinches back, but it’s fake fire. When it burns itself out, Raiq is gone.

Scared, Kira turns to Bowers, who is checking his panels...

BOWERS
Her engines are powering up...​

Uh oh...


14 EXT. SPACE

Dwarfed by the six large Starfleet vessels, the tiny silver ship’s engines start to glow... ...but then in a big FLASH of white light, the Ascendant ship disappears. It’s gone.


15 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

They blink, surprised. What happened? Kira looks to Shar. He’s working his panels hard, intrigued by what he sees...

SHAR
A peculiar discharge of energy,
with an element of spatial
displacement... I cannot be
certain, Captain, but I believe the
entire vessel transported away.​

Kira sags, somewhat disappointed, if relieved.

KIRA
Okay... umm... well, at least
we didn’t have to fight. Signal
the rest of the fleet that -​

But then the view screen relays another FLASH of light. Kira turns to see what it is... and Raiq’s ship is back.

Shar is looking at his panels, dismayed at what he sees...

SHAR
Captain...​

16 EXT. SPACE

The tiny Ascendant ship is back with the Starfleet group...

...and then another FLASH reveals another ship appearing off to one side. And then another FLASH – another ship. And another... and another... and more, surrounding the fleet.


17 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

On Kira’s horrified reaction...


FADE OUT:


END OF ACT ONE



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[DS9Continuing]

.​

ACT TWO​

FADE IN:


18 EXT. SPACE

Close on Raiq’s vessel, as its silver tip begins to glow with power...

...and unleashes a huge jagged bolt of white electricity. All around, other Ascendants ships are firing at the other Starfleet ships... Raiq’s weapon SLAMS into the Defiant...


19 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

The bridge shakes under the assault. Kira stands in front of her chair as everyone scrambles to their stations...

KIRA
Prynn! Get us out of here!​

PRYNN
I can’t, Captain. They’re all
around us. We’re boxed in.​

KIRA
Then we’ll have to fight our
way out.​

Kira confidently takes the centre seat as the ship shakes under fire again. She slaps the comm panel.

KIRA
Kira to all ships. Return fire.​

20 EXT. SPACE

The Starfleet ships come to life.

DEFIANT

manoeuvres into optimal position and FIRES pulse phasers at Raiq’s ship. The Ascendant’s shields shrug it off. Defiant swoops around...

The Ascendants keep firing... they hit Gryphon...


21 INT. GRYPHON - BRIDGE

Spillane is in the centre seat as the bolt of electricity hits... The ship rocks under the shot. Spillane turns to the Tellarite science officer CROTH...

SPILLANE
Croth! Analyse those weapons.​

CROTH
They’re just a basic electrical
charge. But the sheer power in
them is staggering.​

SPILLANE
Launch shuttles!​

22 EXT. SPACE

The Gryphon rises up on its z-axis, revealing its front facing shuttle bays... and a dozen small and powerful Starfleet shuttle-craft launch at speed. Gryphon FIRES a wide spread of hardcore phaser beams to cover their exit...


23 INT. GRYPHON SHUTTLE

Riding with the shuttle PILOT as we zoom out into the battle, seeing Ascendants and Starfleet exchanging fire. The shuttle FIRES and hits an Ascendant ship – no effect.


24 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Shar reads his panels.

SHAR
Standard phasers are having no
effect, Captain.​

SISKO
Bowers – modulate the frequency.​

Bowers looks to Kira for approval. She nods. He does it.


25 EXT. SPACE

The T’Kumbra is under fire from three Ascendant ships, ganging up on it... it takes some damage...


26 INT. T’KUMBRA - BRIDGE

Cpt Solok and his all-Vulcan crew react stoically...

TACTICAL
Damage to the port side, Captain.​

SOLOK
Evasive manoeuvres.​

27 EXT. SPACE

But the large, lumbering ship is too slow pulling away... the Ascendants move in for another shot... they FIRE...

And the Blackthorne ZOOMS into the weapon’s path, the lithe Intrepid-class body twisting to cover the clumsy Nebula’s flank. T’Kumbra and Blackthorne both manoeuvre away, but the Ascendants give chase, continuing to fire...


28 INT. BLACKTHORNE - BRIDGE

Cpt Thann stands giving orders, his golden tentacle-like head appendages swinging as the ship rocks under fire.

THANN
We have to cover the T’Kumbra,
we can manoeuvre much faster...​

SCIENCES
The hull plating isn’t working.
The charges are affecting the
actual metal itself...​

29 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Kira turns to Vaughn...

KIRA
Launch Cooper and Sagan. And
get those damn runabouts
covering the Gorkon...​

30 EXT. SPACE

The Defiant’s circular belly hatch opens and its two tiny shuttles drop out, diving away as the Defiant swerves off.


31 INT. DEFIANT SHUTTLE

Human female pilot ZUCCA and Benzite male tactical CARDOK work their panels with nervous concentration...

CARDOK
Seven-one mark three-oh. Go!​

32 EXT. SPACE

The shuttle heads straight towards one Ascendant ship, firing and firing... the Ascendant turns to face them...

In the background, the Cerberus is under fire – one of its four warp nacelles is damaged and sputters with blue fire.


33 INT. CERBERUS - BRIDGE

Prometheus-class, sparse and gleaming as seen in “Message in a Bottle.” Cpt Akolkar turns to her engineer...

ENGINEER
Upper starboard nacelle’s gone!​

AKOLKAR
(determined)
We still have three more. Hell,
five more if we need them.​

34 EXT. SPACE

The Defiant’s shuttle is still firing on the Ascendant ship, heading straight for a collision. Firing, firing... the two ships blow each other to pieces before they get a chance to impact. Both EXPLODE in clouds of debris.


35 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Shar turns to Kira in horror...

SHAR
Sagan is destroyed, Captain.​

Prynn turns from her panel in shock...

VAUGHN
Prynn.​

He points firmly at her helm panel. She gets the message – pay attention to your work. She turns back, shaking...

BOWERS
But at least Cardok showed us
the way to kill these things.
Constant, continuous phaser fire
does eventually get through.​

KIRA
Do it!​

36 EXT. SPACE

Defiant turns and surges back towards the Ascendants with renewed vigour, pulse phasers blasting away...

Gorkon is under fire, takes a hit on its big belly bulge. Gryphon fires on Gorkon’s attackers – hard, constant phaser fire... until two of them finally buckle and explode.


37 INT. GRYPHON - BRIDGE

Croth punches the air in victory...

CROTH
Yes!​

SPILLANE
Celebrate later, Croth.​

CROTH
(off panels)
Captain... the hull...​

38 EXT. SPACE

Focusing on the Gryphon’s external hull, under fire from the Ascendant electrical weapon... a dissolving effect is spreading from the point of attack, disintegrating...

Another Ascendant ship swoops in and fires at Gryphon too, a continuous bolt of massive electricity... and another, and another, until six Ascendants are surrounding the ship.

The disintegrating effect spreads quicker and quicker...


39 INT. GRYPHON - BRIDGE

Croth works his panels, verging on panic. He turns to stare at Spillane, scared and disbelieving.

CROTH
It’s just disintegrating. There’s
nothing I can do to stop it.​

Spillane takes a second to gawp in horrified realisation, lip quivering. Then she gets down to business. She hits a comm panel...

SPILLANE
All hands, abandon ship. This is
not a drill. Get to the escape
pods, now, while you can.​

The bridge crew look at her, stunned this is happening...

SPILLANE
I mean it. All of you, go.
(beat)
Go!​

They finally get that she’s serious. They get to their feet and rush for the exits. As he leaves, Croth looks back over his shoulder, has a significant moment with Spillane. She nods acknowledgement to him, and he turns and goes.

Now Spillane is alone. She runs to the tactical panel...


40 EXT. SPACE

Still under fire, its skin dissolving... Gryphon’s escape pods launch, shooting away from the mother ship as fast as they can. Some get caught by Ascendant fire, but most get away. Gryphon fires and fires again to cover them...

But eventually its phasers sputter and fail. The Ascendants keep firing... and the Gryphon basically CRUMBLES. The hull disintegrates into chunks, the construction breaks down... the crumbling reaches the warp core and the ship EXPLODES.

Most of the debris is eaten up in the flames. A couple of the escape pods get caught up and destroyed. The attacking Ascendant ships JUMP away in flashes of light, undamaged.


41 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

The crew reacts to the explosion on the main viewscreen...

KIRA
Spillane...​

SISKO
We need to get out of here.​

VAUGHN
(annoyed at Sisko)
We need to save those people!​

42 EXT. SPACE

The fire of the Gryphon’s demise has burnt out, leaving the escape pods floating. Ascendant ships are still looming...

In a wide shot of the area, we see the cloud of tiny escape pods. Gorkon and T’Kumbra manoeuvre close to them. Defiant, Cerberus and Blackthorne take up defensive positions...


43 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

On Kira...

KIRA
Now!​

44 EXT. SPACE

Defiant, Cerberus and Blackthorne open fire, constantly moving and firing and moving and firing, providing cover for the other two against an advancing wave of Ascendants.


45 INT. T’KUMBRA - BRIDGE

On Solok...

SOLOK
Drop shields.​

46 INT. GRYPHON ESCAPE POD

Two Starfleet randoms huddle together inside the tiny space. Then a transporter signal forms over them...


47 INT. T’KUMBRA – TRANSPORTER ROOM

The two randoms appear on the transporter platform with others. A Vulcan officer helps them clear...


48 INT. CERBERUS - BRIDGE

Akolkar looks to her engineer...

AKOLKAR
Is everyone in place?​

The engineer nods, nervously...

AKOLKAR (cont)
Then do it.​

The engineer presses buttons... blue lights begin to flash all around the bridge as it goes to BLUE ALERT...


49 EXT. SPACE

Still firing, Cerberus begins to separate into its MULTI-VECTOR ASSAULT MODE. It splits on the x-axis into three sections, which all begin to manoeuvre independently.


50 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Prynn grins as she watches this on the main viewscreen.

PRYNN
Awesome.​

But then she jerks as she sees a shot coming towards her, instinctively playing her panels to move the ship.


51 EXT. SPACE

Blackthorne covers the other side of the battlefield... it fires a powerful phaser burst at an Ascendant ship... but the Ascendant JUMPS away and the shot is wasted.

In a flash of light, the Ascendant ship reappears right on top of the Gorkon and opens fire. With shields down, Gorkon is defenceless. The shot gouges a hole in the saucer...

Then a shot comes from off side – a runabout, firing on the Ascendant. Shots from the other side – a second runabout.


52 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT 52

Ensigns ALECO and NARAN are at the controls...

NARAN
Keep firing!​

ALECO
I am keeping firing...​

53 EXT. SPACE

Caught between the two runabouts, the Ascendant ship finally blows. In the background, the various parts of
the Cerberus dart about, firing on their own targets...


54 INT. GORKON - BRIDGE

Excelsior-class bridge, like the Enterprise-B. Cpt Kuwahara grips onto his seat’s armrests as the ship shakes... The OPS officer turns to Kuwahara, relieved...

OPS
Transports complete, Captain.​

KUWAHARA
Make absolutely sure, Ensign.​

He checks again, then nods to Kuwahara.

KUWAHARA
Alright, raise shields. Gorkon
to all ships. Survivors are on
board. Let’s get out of here!​

55 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Kira stands up from her chair, a new thought forming...

KIRA
All shuttles and runabouts,
sync shields and pull in close.​

56 EXT. SPACE

One of the runabouts pulls in close to the underbelly of the Defiant, the two shield bubbles fizzing and combining.


57 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Kira starts working the panels on her armrests...

KIRA
Kira to all ships. We’re gonna
use their own trick against
them. On my mark, make a split-
second warp jump. Head for the
wormhole, and don’t look back.​

Vaughn approaches, worried...

VAUGHN
Captain, what are you doing?​

KIRA
Covering your escape.​

Before he can protest, she hits a control and disappears in a transporter beam.


58 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT

Aleco and Naran disappear in transporter beams... and Kira appears in their place. She moves to the controls...


59 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Aleco and Naran rematerialize on the bridge. Vaughn realizes what Kira’s done, slaps the comm panel...

VAUGHN
Captain!​

60 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT

KIRA
Don’t argue, Commander. You’re
in charge.​

She closes the channel, and gets the runabout moving away from the Defiant’s belly... She stabs the comm panel again with force, bravado covering her nervousness.

KIRA
Raiq! This is Kira! I didn’t get
chance to tell you before... I
don’t just worship the True.
I talk with them. In fact, I’m
the Hand of the Prophets!
We chat all the time!​

61 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

While the bridge crew seem horrified at Kira’s actions, Vaughn settles into the centre chair.

VAUGHN
Prynn... get ready to do as
she says.​

SISKO
(sotto)
Elias...​

VAUGHN
(furious hiss)
Don’t you even think about
questioning my orders on this
bridge, mister. I will throw
you in the brig.​

More worried than angry, Sisko relents for now...


62 EXT. SPACE

Kira pilots the runabout towards the field of empty escape pods from the destroyed Gryphon. Infuriated, the Ascendant ships break off their attack and head after Kira, following the runabout towards the pods.


63 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT

Terrified but determined, Kira drives the runabout on. Various screens of information are in front of her... One of them shows USS GRYPHON, PREFIX CODE: 18992.

Kira slaps the comm panel again...

KIRA
Vaughn. Go! Now!​

64 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Vaughn grips his armrests...

VAUGHN
Prynn – do it.​

Prynn works her panels...


65 EXT. SPACE

With the Ascendants distracted following Kira, the Defiant powers up and jumps straight to warp from standing still. T’Kumbra, Gorkon, Blackthorne and all three parts of the Cerberus jump to warp too, with all the shuttles caught up in their wake. Bright flashes of light flare as they all stretch out into the distance and disappear. They’re gone.

Kira is left alone with a chasing pack of angry Ascendants. She drives the runabout into the field of escape pods and Gryphon debris... the Ascendants dive in after her...


66 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT

Kira watches the panels in front of her... waits for the perfect moment... not yet... not yet... Now.


67 EXT. SPACE

...and all the escape pods DETONATE. Self-destruct charges catch the Ascendant ships unawares. Pieces of the Gryphon that are big enough to still carry charges EXPLODE too. Ascendant ships all over are caught and destroyed.

Kira’s runabout surges forward through the other side, riding the front of the shockwave to safety.


68 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT

Kira holds on for dear life as the runabout is swept away in front of the explosion... the rattling gradually lessens and ends. She lets out a scared breath of relief.


69 EXT. SPACE

The runabout swerves around, looping away from the burning Ascendant ships, in the direction of the Starfleet armada.


70 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT

Kira hits the comm panel...

KIRA
Yolja to Defiant. It worked.
I’m right behind –​

In a flash of light, an Ascendant ship JUMPS in right in front of her, staring down the front window... and FIRES.

Alarms screaming, computers scrambling... the window starts to crack... Kira looks up, and sees the ceiling dissolving over her head. The ship is crumbling around her, air whistling as it escapes through the ever-growing holes... She gets up and runs for the rear cabin, but too late.

With a great WRENCH of metal, the ship splits, and Kira is swept out into space. Silently screaming in panic, grasping for anything to hold on to, but there’s nothing. She’s in open space now, no air to breath, nothing she can do...

On Kira’s horrified face, dying...


BLACK OUT:

END OF ACT TWO​

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

.

ACT THREE​

FADE IN:


71 EXT. SPACE

On Kira, as she drifts in empty space... she stares out...

The few remaining Ascendant ships are ignoring her now. She’s of no concern to them. They simply assume she’s dead. They’re helping their fallen comrades among the graveyard of the Gryphon remnants.

Kira watches them move about in the distance, no sound except for the slowing BEAT of her own heart. She shudders slightly, unable to breathe. Time seems to slow down around her as her consciousness gradually slips away.

Her eyes slip sideways a touch, and she sees...

The WORMHOLE opening up, the great blue flower of energy blooming near to her...

She smiles, happy and relieved. The Prophets are coming for her. She tries to force her body to reach for it, although there’s not much she can do.

She’s fading. As she gazes rapturously at the whirling eddies of the wormhole, we go gradually to...

WHITE OUT

But as quickly as the WHITE OUT comes, it’s gone again, revealed as a DIAMOND RING EFFECT.

The Defiant appears from out of the light and silently roars back into the area.

The last few remaining Ascendant ships begin to react to its presence...

In split-second timing, the Defiant flips onto its side, rolling to show its flat underbelly to the approaching Ascendants, between them and the floating Kira. As it does so, it reveals the runabout Rio Grande hiding in between the Defiant and Kira.


72 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Vaughn stands in front of his chair, too anxious to sit. The whole crew is in major battle last chance mode...

VAUGHN
Bowers – all weapons, fire!​

73 EXT. DEFIANT

Close on the Defiant’s PHASER CANNONS – they move out of their regular housings, angle on hinges to face the direction of the ship’s belly... and OPEN FIRE.


74 EXT. SPACE

Fore and aft phaser cannons pummel out shot after shot after shot towards the Ascendant ships. Around the circular hatch on the belly of the ship, there’s a new PHASER STRIP that lets loose with a continuous spray of phaser fire.

The Ascendants fire their electric bolt weapons...


75 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

The ship rocks hard from the impact. Vaughn hits the comm panel on his arm rest...

VAUGHN
Nog! Launch the nanobot shield!​

76 INT. DEFIANT - ENGINEERING

The room is in chaos with panels erupting in sparks and smoke. In the background, engineering crew rush about containing the damage and keeping the ship running.

NOG is at the master systems display, his fingers flying over controls. He hits one last button with satisfaction.

NOG
Done!​

77 EXT. DEFIANT

Hatches in the skin of the ship open and release hundreds of tiny particles, which shoot out to form a barrier...


78 EXT. SPACE

Phaser bolts from the Defiant hit some Ascendant ships. Ascendant weapons leap towards the Defiant...

The nanobots form an extra shield against them. They burst in tiny explosions, lessening the weapons’ effectiveness, but the weaker bolts still get through to the Defiant...

On the Defiant’s skin, we see the weapons’ dissolving effect start to take hold. It eats away at the hull...

...and reveals another hull underneath, perfectly intact.


79 INT. DEFIANT - ENGINEERING

Nog watches the progress on his displays with pride...

NOG
Nanobots and ablative armour
are taking some serious damage,
Captain. But the main hull is holding.​

80 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Panels burst and explode. Sparks fly. Crew dodge flames. Vaughn yells into the comm...

VAUGHN
Sisko! Do it!​

81 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT

Sisko is sat at the controls of the Rio Grande. Bashir is behind him, hovering by the transporter platform at the back of the cockpit... Sisko hits a panel...

A GRAPHIC shows the shields around the runabout dropping.


82 EXT. SPACE

Kira floats in open space, protected from the fight by the body of the Defiant. A transporter effect forms over her...

The Ascendants are right on top of the Defiant now, unleashing torrents of weapons fire...


83 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Explosions are going off all over the bridge. Prynn is gripping onto her panel as the ship shudders...

A massive electrical discharge begins in the fore-most port-side computers. The discharge moves along the line of computers, heading towards Shar’s console...

Shar’s busy working and doesn’t see it coming... but Prynn does. She abandons her post, leaps towards Shar, grabs him from his chair and yanks him to safety a bare second before his panel EXPLODES in flames and shattered plasteel. They thud to the deck as the bridge rumbles in chaos...

On the deck, Shar and Prynn look into each other’s eyes. She saved his life. Vaughn yells into the comm...

VAUGHN
Sisko! Do you have her?​

84 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT

Kira is slumped unconscious in Bashir’s arms, cradling her on the transporter platform. Sisko turns back to his panels and raises the shields.

SISKO
Yes! We’ve got her! Let’s go!​

85 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE

Prynn and Shar are just scrambling up off the floor...

VAUGHN
Tenmei! Get to your damn station
and get us the hell out of here!​

Scared and almost ashamed, Prynn rushes back to the helm, takes her seat and works the panels.


86 EXT. SPACE

The Defiant ceases fire, and it and the Rio Grande get underway and jump to warp as fast as they can.

The Ascendants are left alone with their dead...


87 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE – ESTABLISHING

The station at rest...


88 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

Ro sits on the stairs to the office, watching the business of Ops go on. Figuratively biting her nails, just waiting for something to happen.

After a moment, Cenn reacts to his panels...

CENN
Wormhole!​

Ro shoots to her feet. It could be good, it could be bad.

RO
Shields. Yellow alert.​

He works his panels. The Ops lighting changes, indicating YELLOW ALERT. The viewscreen shows the wormhole opening... and the Defiant shooting out, followed by the other ships. Cenn breathes with relief...

CENN
Defiant. And the rest.
(off panels)
Wait a minute... where’s the
Gryphon? And the Yolja?
(alert)
They’re hailing!​

Ro nods... Vaughn appears on the screen, revealing the ruined Defiant bridge.

VAUGHN (screen)
Drop the shields, now! We’ve
got a medical emergency!​

89 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

The door opens and Ro rushes in, ETANA right behind her. She sees Kira unconscious on the surgical bay’s bio-bed, with Bashir and the other medical staff working feverishly around her. Etana pushes past Ro and goes to join them.

Waiting in the main room are Sisko, Vaughn and Dax.

RO
What happened?​

VAUGHN
(grave)
Her runabout was destroyed.
She was exposed to space.​

SISKO
She won’t die. She’s too
important to the Prophets.​

VAUGHN
(gritted teeth)
Is this really the time?​

SISKO
For you to be picking a fight
with me? No, it’s not. Kira
knew the risks. She always has.​

VAUGHN
She can be reckless and you
know it. You’re her supposed
spiritual guide. Well, this
is what you guided her to.​

DAX
Kira makes her own decisions,
Elias. She’s known for it.​

VAUGHN
(re Sisko;
accusing)
Based on what he advises her!​

SISKO
No – based on her belief in the
Prophets. She pushed for this
mission because she knows it’s
what the Prophets want. And she
knew it long before I came along.​

VAUGHN
She nearly died!​

SISKO
And how often have you nearly
died for what you believe in?
There’s no difference, Elias!
Prophets, Starfleet, it makes
no difference. Something had to
be done about the Ascendants.​

BASHIR (o.s.)
I’m not so sure it did.​

They turn and see that Bashir has emerged from the surgical suite. Etana, TARSES, RICHTER etc are still with Kira.

DAX
Julian... is she...?​

BASHIR
She’ll live. She’s sedated for
now, but she’ll live.
(to Sisko
and Vaughn)
No thanks to you.​

DAX
(shocked)
Julian...!​

SISKO
(darkly)
I beg your pardon, Doctor?​

BASHIR
I warned you not to go. It was
none of our business. Well, this
is what happens when you stick
your nose in where it doesn’t
belong - it gets bloodied.​

VAUGHN
We needed to learn about the
Ascendants, Doctor.​

BASHIR
Yes, well, now they’ve learned
about us, too.​

SISKO
That’s enough, Doctor.​

BASHIR
It’s barely the beginning! The
Ascendants had never even heard
of us before. We were safe. And
now we’re in the same boat as
the Eav’oq. Thanks a lot.​

VAUGHN
You’re relieved of duty, Doctor!​

BASHIR
No, I’m not. Throw me in the
brig later if you want, but
I’m not leaving my patient.​

DAX
(breaking in)
What happened to you people?
I’ve only been away for three
months. I come back and you’re
all at each other’s throats?​

BASHIR
As usual, Dax, it’s not all
about you.​

Bashir spins on his heel and marches back into the surgical suite. The rest are just kind of stunned at the argument. Vaughn tries to find something innocuous to talk about.

VAUGHN
So how was your first command,
Lieutenant?​

RO
Better than your last one, apparently.​

Vaughn can’t really argue with that.

In the surgical suite, Bashir has gone back to Kira’s bedside, resetting his nerves after the argument. As the medical team works at the periphery, we ZOOM slowly in on Kira’s unconscious face.


90 EXT. SPACE

Kira drifts in space, unable to breath, unable to do anything to save herself. Her eyes slip sideways a touch, and she sees... the WORMHOLE opening up, the great blue flower of energy blooming near to her...

She smiles, happy and relieved. The Prophets are coming for her. As she gazes rapturously at the whirling eddies of the wormhole, we go gradually to...

WHITE OUT, then FADE IN to:


91 EXT. PAREK TONN (STOCK 9x18)

The vision of Ancient Bajor from “Warpath.” Sisko and Kira stand outside the fortress, as Opaka and Itu open the gates together and welcome them inside...

OPAKA
Stand with us. Bring your people
into the fortress of Idran.​

92 WHITE SPACE (STOCK 9x24, 9x19)

...the white nothingness of the Prophets. The moment from 9x24 “Ha’mara” as the three Kiras stand in a circle, the Prophets themselves weaving in and out...

SHAKAAR PROPHET
One is the Hand. One is the
Voice. One is the Fire.​

Blend into the earlier Prophets scene from “Warpath”...

KIRA
Three roads. Three peoples.​

VAUGHN PROPHET
All roads meet.​

EVIL JAKE PROPHET
Some end.​

NEW MATERIAL

Sisko steps up to her, calm and reassuring.

SISKO
It’s your show, Nerys.​

KIRA
But I don’t know what to do!​

SISKO
You should. I told you a long
time ago. Don’t you remember?​

He smiles encouragingly at her, raises TARAN’ATAR’S KNIFE and STABS her in the chest. She gasps in shock and pain...


CUT TO:


93 EXT. PAREK TONN (STOCK 9x20)

General Kira of the Bajoran Army is on the ground, among the dead or dying bodies of her soldiers. She’s looks down at herself, sees Taran’atar’s knife in her chest. She looks to the side, where Sisko lies bloody and dying beside her.

SISKO
Not enough. Should have had allies.​

Ancient Bajoran Vaughn steps into the battle against the raging horde of Ascendants, protecting the fallen Kira...

NEW MATERIAL

Vaughn turns to her in the midst of the battle, gazes down at her and smiles. Then he begins to glow with an unearthly white light, filling his body and shining out of him. At the same time he gradually fades from view. (Note: This is the same effect we saw on Sisko in Bashir's dream from 10x05 "Deep Down.")

The battle scene continues, as we...


MATCH CUT TO:


94 EXT. OPEN FIELD (STOCK 8x13)

The Ancient Bajoran battle scene from “Horn and Ivory,” as Kira (aka Ashla) battles alongside the big red-headed Perikian freedom fighter Torrna...

Kira looks around herself, confused to find herself here...


95 INT. PRISON CELL (STOCK 8x13)

Kira and Torrna are captured in a dank and filthy cell...

TORRNA
Damn those foul Bajora - I hope
their Prophets strike them down
with lightning.​

Kira shakes her head – that’s not how it works. But then she looks up, and sees...


96 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS

...ILIANA staring at her, as Kira stands inside one of the cells, held in manacles welded to the wall as in “Ha’mara.”

ILIANA
You’re too late.​

The Bajoran Iliana brings up her hand – she’s wearing the pagh-varam. She wiggles her fingers in a taunting wave.

KIRA
What happened to you?​

Iliana grins sourly, and her image begins to slowly MORPH. Her skin thickens and darkens, ridges grow on her face and neck, her hair grows long and black...

...until she is the Cardassian version of Iliana.

ILIANA
I am the Fire.​

And then she’s swallowed up in flames, like the Ascendant transporter effect. Grinning at Kira all the while...


CUT TO:


97 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Kira jolts awake with a small, shocked shriek. She quickly looks around, sees that she’s lying on the bio-bed...

She realizes what just happened. She just had a vision about Iliana...


MATCH CUT TO:


98 INT. ASCENDANT PAVILION

Iliana Ghemor jolts awake from her own restless dream, with the same small, shocked shriek. The Cardassian woman looks around herself, sees that she’s lying on a plush mattress on the ground, inside an alien medieval-style tent...

She realizes what just happened. She just had a vision about Kira...


BLACK OUT:

END OF ACT THREE​

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

.

ACT FOUR​

FADE IN:


99 INT. ASCENDANT PAVILION

Where we left it – Iliana getting her bearings after the dream. She looks around at the large pavilion tent – plush and opulent, with both military and religious overtones. There’s really no difference where the Ascendants are concerned.

The flaps serving as a doorway open, and an Ascendant male enters, looking rather worried and urgent. This is ESSK – the priest who held the great gathering in 9x24 “Ha’mara.” He immediately averts his eyes when he sees Iliana.

ESSK
Forgive my intrusion, Mistress...
I heard a noise, I was worried
for your safety...​

Iliana pulls herself together, wraps the bedclothes around herself in protection. Essk keeps a respectful distance.

ILIANA
It was me, Cardinal. A dream.​

ESSK
If I may be so bold, Mistress... you
seem to suffer from dreams often.​

ILIANA
I do not consider it suffering.
(w/ gravitas)
My dreams are visions from the
True, Cardinal.​

Essk looks up at her in wonder...

ESSK
You... speak with the True, Mistress?​

ILIANA
That surprises you?​

ESSK
(ashamed
to admit)
Simply that... They have never
chosen to speak to me directly.​

ILIANA
Not even you, Cardinal? But you
are the spiritual leader of all
the Ascendants. Surely they
would speak to you if anyone.​

This is all very embarrassing for Essk. He agrees with her that they should speak to him... and it galls him that they speak to her instead. But he could never dare say so.

ESSK
The True have not spoken to any
Ascendant for millennia. Not
since the Eav’oq crusade. It is
a matter of some theological
debate among us as to why.​

This all intrigues Iliana. She’s learning about how the Ascendants work, and she’s noticing every tiny detail. She indicates the bed rolls beside her, cajoling...

ILIANA
Sit with me, Cardinal.​

ESSK
Mistress... it is improper...​

ILIANA
Sit. Cardinal.​

Essk daren’t disobey. Averting his eyes again, he carefully sits beside her, making sure to still keep a distance.

ILIANA
Tell me the story of the great
crusade against the Eav’oq. I
want to hear it again.​

ESSK
As you wish, Mistress.​

Essk settles in to regurgitate the official doctrine.

ESSK
It is the Ascendants’ sacred
duty, bestowed upon us by the
True, the Unnameable Ones, to
burn out all heresy against
Them, wherever we find it. We
had found signs and omens on
many worlds... but none so much
as we found among the Eav’oq.
They possessed miraculous
objects – the Eyes of Fire. The
True’s attempt to gaze directly
upon their children... and the
Eav’oq had dared to steal what
was meant for us.​

Iliana nods along, silently translating all this and comparing it to what she knows from Bajoran religion...

ILIANA
The Eyes gave you vision, let
you see as the True see...​

ESSK
We were able to retrieve one of
the Eyes from the clutches of
the Eav’oq... and it reaffirmed
our conviction that we would one
day find the Fortress, and burn
with Them. It also foretold...
(pause)
...the coming of the Fire.​

Essk glances to Iliana, nervous to be sitting with this legendary figure from his religion. She smiles back at him beneficently, granting him permission to continue.

ESSK
But the Eav’oq were covetous and
spiteful. They hid the remaining
Eyes away. We battled for many
years to reclaim them... until
at last, the final day came.​

100 EXT. SPACE – IDRAN ORBIT (STOCK 10x11)

The Idran planet hangs in space. All around it we can see a gathered fleet of thousands of Ascendant ships – small and silver and deadly.

ESSK (v.o.)
In their treachery, the Eav’oq
possessed weapons we had not
anticipated. On the eve of our
victory we were cast aside...​

The great swirling energy wave blooms up from the surface of the planet, growing in power and force, sweeping all
the Ascendant ships away, filling the screen until we...

WHITE OUT

After a moment, FADE IN to...


101 INT. ASCENDANT PAVILION

...Essk still telling the tale to Iliana.

ESSK
..and banished across the stars.
Even the last remaining Eye went
dark, and the True spoke to us
no more. But we did not give up
our duty... we vowed to continue
our crusade in Their name, and
vanquish those who dared speak
it aloud, while we searched for
their Fortress among the stars.​

That’s the end. Essk bows his head in silent prayer.

ILIANA
Shall I tell you what my dreams
have told me, Essk?​

ESSK
(breathless)
I would be honoured, Mistress.​

ILIANA
You will find the Fortress.​

ESSK
How can you be so certain?​

ILIANA
Because I know the pattern of
the universe, Cardinal.​

ESSK
But it has been so long...​

ILIANA
Essk... do you not believe that
I am the Fire?​

ESSK
(nervously)
Of course I do, Mistress. I
would never –​

ILIANA
Did I not appear to you from
the last remaining Eye? And
is that not exactly what your
doctrine foretold would happen?
That the Fire would burst forth
from the Eye of the True, and
enlighten the faithful?​

ESSK
Yes, Mistress...​

ILIANA
Does your doctrine not also say
that the Fire will illuminate
the path to the Fortress?​

ESSK
It does, Mistress...​

ILIANA
Perhaps you imagine that, since
I am so far from home, I do not
wish to be among you?​

ESSK
I would never presume –​

ILIANA
Believe me, Cardinal, this is
exactly where I am meant to be.
I know with every fibre of my
being that this is the task the
True have set for me – to lead
the Ascendants to their great
Fortress. The time of Final
Ascension is at hand, Essk.
Do not lose your faith now.​

Essk swallows, only made more nervous by Iliana’s vehemence instead of reassured. He bows his head submissively...


102 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE – ESTABLISHING

The station is surrounded by the remains of the Starfleet armada. Defiant is docked in the usual place. The Cerberus has recombined, but still shows a dead nacelle and scorch marks along the hull. The Gorkon has a hole in its saucer. T’Kumbra and Blackthorne are nearby, also visibly wounded.
Shuttles and workbees move back and forth between them and the station, as they work together to mend their damage...


103 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Kira sits propped up on her bio-bed. Bashir runs tests and takes readings, while Dax, Sisko, Vaughn and Ro gather around her, worried about her.

KIRA
I understand now. I’ve been
going about this all wrong.​

BASHIR
So you’ve come to your senses
at last.​

KIRA
Yes. The Ascendants can’t be
negotiated with. We’re going
to have to fight them.​

BASHIR
Oh, for God’s sake.​

SISKO
“God,” Doctor?​

BASHIR
Figure of speech. Look, Captain,
all due respect, but this is
madness. Don’t you think we’ve
kicked that hornet’s nest enough?
Half the Gryphon’s crew is dead.​

KIRA
I know. And it’s my fault. The
Ascendants were going to leave
us alone until they recognized
me as a Bajoran. So I’m the
one who has to fix it.​

SISKO
Then we go back to Starfleet.
Ask for more ships.​

KIRA
No, you heard Admiral Ross. He
won’t give us any more. Not
after what happened to Gryphon.​

VAUGHN
Then what do we do?​

KIRA
The Prophets told me what to
do. They told me two years ago.​

Vaughn bites his tongue. He just doesn’t get this Prophets business, but this is not the time to argue.

DAX
Nerys, what do you mean?​

KIRA
I mean... the Dominion. If
Starfleet won’t help us stop
the Ascendants, then we go to
the Dominion. I’m going to
extend the alliance, and ask
for military aid.​

BASHIR
Alright, just hold on a minute.
This has gone far enough.​

VAUGHN
(low, warning)
Your impulse control seems to be
having problems today, Doctor.
Perhaps you should look at that.​

BASHIR
I’m just tired of people talking
about throwing our lives away in
yet another war over something
that’s none of our business.
This has to stop. How can you
possibly talk about working with
the Dominion after everything
they did to us?​

KIRA
(patient)
Doctor, I know you don’t believe
in the Prophets. But let me try
to explain why I know this is
the right thing to do.​

Bashir is not impressed, but relents and lets her explain.

KIRA
Two years ago, when we were
dealing with the Iconian gate-
ways, I got sent back in time...
something like thirty-thousand
years into Bajor’s past. The
Prophets and Iconians worked
together to teach me a lesson...
that despite everything that
had happened, I couldn’t give
up. I had to keep fighting.
(beat)
But that’s not all they tried to
teach me. I didn’t understand it
then... but now I think I do.​

They’re all looking at her, a bit confused and wary...


104 EXT. OPEN FIELD (STOCK 8x13)

The Ancient Bajoran battle scene from “Horn and Ivory,” as Kira battles alongside the Perikian freedom fighter Torrna.

KIRA (v.o.)
At the time, Bajor hadn’t yet
come together as one united
world. The various provinces
were still fighting each other
for dominance. The one that
was winning... was the Bajora.​

105 EXT. MEETING ROOM (STOCK 8x13)

The first council of the new Perikian Republic, as the Bajora envoy tries to persuade them to join up.

KIRA (v.o.)
They saw themselves as trying
to bring everyone together, so
that there wouldn’t be any more
fighting. Some of the other
provinces didn’t agree. They
thought the Bajora were just
theocratic conquerors trying
to control everyone.​

106 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Back to scene. The others stand around, a bit baffled, waiting for the point.

KIRA
Don’t you see it? The Bajora
were the Dominion of Ancient
Bajor. A conquering nation,
bringing belief in their gods
to all...​

RO
Yes, and killing everyone who
opposed them.​

KIRA
At first, yes. But look what came
out of it. The Bajora succeeded
in bringing everyone together.
We became stronger, united
against anyone who tried to
control us. Now we're friends
with everyone. That’s what the
Prophets were trying to show me.
That if the Bajora can evolve to
become peaceful and cooperative,
so can the Dominion.​

VAUGHN
Oh, Captain... I don’t know...​

KIRA
You don’t have to trust the
Prophets, Elias. You just have
to trust me. I believe this is
the way forward. For everyone.​

RO
Do you really think the
Federation will go for this?​

SISKO
Ro’s right, Nerys. You heard
them in the Council chambers.
They don’t like Bajor’s current
relationship with the Dominion.
They certainly won’t go for
taking it even further.​

KIRA
You’re right, they won’t. So
I’m leaving the Federation out
of it altogether. I did this
for Bajor, not the Federation.
So Bajor is the one that will
make the deal with the devil,
not the Federation. Elias...
call Taran’atar. Let’s get
this thing started, before
it’s too late.​

On Kira’s determined expression...


107 INT. DS9 – WARD ROOM

Begin on Taran’atar, sat at the far end of the table...

TARAN’ATAR
I wish to be certain of what you are
proposing, Captain. Please clarify.​

Kira sits opposite him, Vaughn and Sisko on either side.

KIRA
I’m proposing that Bajor and
the Dominion go beyond simple
diplomatic relations. The
alliance has been good for both
of us, I think you’d agree. Now
I want to take the next step.
I’m asking for your help. If
you commit Jem’Hadar forces to
help Bajor fight the Ascendants,
I will do everything I can to
help you control the chaos in
the Dominion, and to persuade
the Federation to enter into
diplomatic relations with you.​

Taran’atar nods to himself, considering all this for a moment... and then looks back up at Kira, decision made.

TARAN’ATAR
No.​

A moment of confusion...

SISKO
Ambassador... what do you mean?​

TARAN’ATAR
I mean no. There will be no
alliance with Bajor.​

KIRA
I don’t understand. Why not?​

TARAN’ATAR
Because I said no.​

KIRA
Taran’atar... this is a good
deal. It’s exactly what Odo
wanted – closer relationships
with the Alpha Quadrant. And
it’s good for the Jem’Hadar
too – a common enemy to rally
against will help you stop
the in-fighting.
(beat)
And I’m not ashamed to admit
it – we need you. You said
yourself, the Ascendants are
your enemies. So fight them
with us. Bajor can’t stand
against them alone.​

TARAN’ATAR
Then Bajor will not stand.​

VAUGHN
Ambassador, perhaps we haven’t
been clear about the stakes...​

Taran’atar slowly gets to his feet, looms over them.

TARAN’ATAR
You have, Commander. Now I wish
to be equally clear. I would
rather destroy this station,
and everyone on it, including
myself, than commit any Jem’
Hadar lives to protect Bajor.
Am I understood?​

Kira is quite stunned. Nobody can say anything. Taran’atar takes silence as consent. He stands straight, walks stiffly to the exit. Kira, Sisko and Vaughn are left sitting there.


FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR​

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

.

ACT FIVE​

FADE IN:


108 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

Kira, Vaughn, Dax and Ro are stood around the central Ops table, talking quietly and sadly among themselves as the business of Ops goes on around them. Bowers, Shar and Nog are all at their stations.

KIRA
So... what else did I miss?​

RO
The Vedek Assembly is in uproar
over Yevir’s latest publicity
stunt. He’s even made official
overtures of friendship to Kai
Solis and the Ohalavaru, which
has got the more conservative
vedeks frothing at the mouth
as I’m sure you can imagine.
Asarem’s trying her best to
keep everyone calm.​

KIRA
(chortle)
Good luck with that.​

The side door to Ops opens, and Prynn enters. She’s looking anxious. She glances over to Shar at the science console. He sees her looking, smiles at her, and turns back.

Vaughn has noticed Prynn’s arrival. With leave from Kira, he steps away and goes to her. They talk quietly, out of the way of earshot.

VAUGHN
Prynn? Are you okay?​

PRYNN
Dad, I want to apologize. For
earlier, on the Defiant. I
abandoned my post. I’m sorry.
You should discipline me.​

VAUGHN
Oh, baby... Don’t be silly. You
brought that whole ship home
safe. If you hadn’t played that
helm like Mozart at his piano,
we wouldn’t be alive right now.​

Prynn smiles in relief and flattery. But then her eye flicks over to Shar again, and she begins to crumble.

PRYNN
I just couldn’t...​

Vaughn pulls her in close, hugs her tight.

VAUGHN
I know, baby. I know exactly
how you feel. And if you want
your old man’s advice...​

He pulls back, looks her in the eye.

VAUGHN (cont)
Go to him. Go to him now.​

Prynn is almost in tears, but she smiles at Vaughn. She steps away and heads towards the science station.

Meanwhile, the turbolift rises into Ops, carrying Bashir. The doctor carries a travelling bag over his shoulder. He nods politely at Vaughn as he heads down to the Ops table.

BASHIR
Captain, I have something to say.​

RO
(pulling away)
I should probably get back to
the Security office. I think I’ve
had enough command experience
to hold me for a while.​

BASHIR
No, Lieutenant, I’d like you to
stay, please. I want everyone
to hear this.​

VAUGHN
Doctor, what’s going on?​

Bashir reaches into his bag, pulls out a padd, and hands it to Kira.

BASHIR
This is my letter of resignation
as DS-Nine’s Chief Medical
Officer, effective immediately.​

The room goes quiet. Everyone has heard.

KIRA
Doctor, I know you have some
reservations about this
Ascendants thing...​

BASHIR
Reservations? You could say
that. You’re allying Starfleet
officers with a murderous and
oppressive regime, to help
you get into the middle of
a religious war that’s not
our problem, on behalf of
people who don’t even want
our help. Well, I refuse to
be a part of it.​

KIRA
The alliance with the Dominion
isn’t even happening, Julian.
Taran’atar turned us down.​

BASHIR
I know you, Nerys. You’re not
going to give up that easily.
And since you’re apparently
determined not to see sense on
this, I suppose there’s nothing
else I can do but leave.​

DAX
(amazed)
Julian... you can’t do this.​

BASHIR
I would think you’d be happy
to see the back of me, Dax.
Since we don’t seem to be
able to exist on this station
together anymore without
ripping each other to shreds.
(back to Kira)
You and I are the only ones
left of the old guard, Nerys.
Everyone else has moved on.
And if this is the way it’s
going to be around here now,
then I guess it’s just time
I move on as well.
(to the room)
Goodbye, everyone. Nice
knowing you.​

He turns and walks back up the stairs to the turbolift, steps aboard.

BASHIR
Docking ring, section twelve.​

The turbolift carries him away. Everyone watches him go in silence, stunned. Kira, Ro, Nog, Vaughn... Dax.


109 INT. ASCENDANT PAVILION

Iliana sits in a forest of cushions and silks, given every comfort in her pavilion. She’s studying from an Ascendant type of padd. There’s a rustle, and she looks up - Raiq has entered the tent. The woman is nervous, averting her eyes.

RAIQ
You wished to see me, Mistress?​

ILIANA
Come closer, Raiq.
(off Raiq’s surprise)
Yes, I know your name. Come.
It’s alright, don’t be shy.​

Raiq takes a few steps forward. But not very many.

RAIQ
I offer you my life, Mistress.
I failed you. The infidels
escaped death. I am ready to
face the penalty.​

Iliana actually laughs out loud at that, confusing Raiq.

ILIANA
Raiq, I didn’t ask you here to
punish you. I wanted to thank
you. Sit with me.​

Still nervous and confused, Raiq nevertheless obeys.

ILIANA
You provided proof of what my
dreams have been telling me
for months now. That woman
you met, the one leading the
alien fleet... do you know
who she was?​

RAIQ
A heretic, Mistress. She claimed
to speak with the True.​

ILIANA
She may not have been lying,
Raiq. I speak with Them myself.​

Raiq looks up at her, amazed...

ILIANA (cont)
You have heard the rumours of
the return of the Eav’oq? And
of a new race of heretics who
claim to know the True?
(Raiq nods)
She is their leader. She is
the one you must fight.​

RAIQ
Me, Mistress? I am a simple
knight. I am not worthy to
lead any crusade.​

ILIANA
Oh yes you are. You are my
chosen one, Raiq. You are my
hand, the one I send out among
the stars to strike against
the heretics.​

Raiq is too stunned to speak. Daunted and honoured beyond belief, she bows her head in prayer.

ILIANA
Now... I want you to come with
me. I think I’ve spent long
enough indoors for one lifetime.
It’s time I step outside... and
speak to the knights. There’s
something they need to know.​

Iliana stands, looks back to Raiq, and holds out her hand to her. Awed, Raiq takes her hand, stands, and they move to the exit together.


110 INT. ASCENDANT PAVILION

The tent flaps open, and Iliana emerges into a small town of tents, clustered together in the bottom of the natural amphitheatre formation from 9x24 “Ha’mara.” Ascendants are engaged in various activities - group prayers, battle drills, sharpening their spears, stilted socializing.

The head priest, Essk, is standing over a flaming brazier, praying silently to himself. He turns at the sound of shocked whispers from the gathered knights...

But what makes Essk’s jaw drop is that Iliana is holding Raiq’s hand, guiding her along like a student. Who the hell is this nobody to be holding the hand of the Fire?

Iliana automatically has everyone’s attention. They start to gather, to listen to whatever she has to say.

ILIANA
Knights of the Ascendancy...
Archquesters... Holy soldiers
of the True. Hear me. These
have been strange days.
The first time so many of you
have gathered together in this
way in living memory. I spent
many years in solitude myself.
It has taken me time to become
acclimatised to so much company.
But we can afford solitude no
longer. As the events of today
have shown us, a new crusade
lies before the Ascendants.​

Hushed, awed whispers spread through the crowd. Essk purses a little – why did he not know about this first?

ILIANA
The ones you fought today...
the ones who took the lives
of many brave knights... they
are the new heretics Cardinal
Essk warned you of. I was sent
by the True not only to light
the way to the Fortress, but
also to guide you in the fight
against them. Because those
goals are one and the same.
They are called the Bajorans,
and taking the battle to them
will lead us to the Fortress
of the True, once and for all.​

Excitement among the crowd. They’re lapping it up. Iliana holds Raiq’s hand high up in the air with her own.

ILIANA
This woman, this simple knight
of the True, she has encountered
the Bajorans twice now. Once in
the person of an old priestess,
spreading their twisted version
of the True’s light. And again
today, in the form of a warrior,
who killed countless of your
brothers and sisters. But trust
me, the priestess is just as
dangerous as the warrior. Because
even now, she works to cement
an alliance between the
Bajorans... and the Eav’oq.​

The mention of the hated Eav’oq gets them roaring. They hold their spears high, waving them in religious bloodlust.

ILIANA
Yes! The two greatest heretics
we have ever faced have joined
together against us! And these
false idolaters will persecute
we honest believers for our
knowledge of the Truth!​

VOICE
Destroy them!​

ILIANA
Yes! We will destroy them. We
will hunt down every last
Bajoran and every last Eav’oq,
and every other heretic who
stands between us and the
Fortress of the True. And we
will burn them out! They will
all die and burn!​

VOICES
(repeating)
Die and burn! Die and burn!​

Iliana has one last sure fire hit...

ILIANA
I... am... the Fire!​

The Ascendants roar their fervour and thrust their spears to the stars. The spears’ tips burst into flame, lighting up the whole black stone quarry in reflected fire light.

Essk stands with a bit more decorum, wanting to be just as enthusiastic as everyone else but somehow not managing it.

Panning up to the black sky filled with stars...


111 EXT. SPACE (CONTINUOUS)

The remaining ships of the Starfleet armada zoom along through space, at warp. The five ships still all show significant damage.

We move in closer on the Intrepid-class Blackthorne as it flies, seeing the windows along its side. Closer, and now we can make out figures inside. Closer still, to one window in particular, and we see Julian Bashir sat at the window.


112 INT. BLACKTHORNE – QUARTERS

Bashir sits in the seat by the window, his traveling bag beside him. Across the room, by the door, is Captain Thann.

THANN
If you need anything, Doctor,
feel free to call the bridge.​

BASHIR
I’m sure I’ll be fine, Captain
Thann. I promise I won’t be
any bother.​

THANN
Perhaps you’d like to join the
senior staff for dinner later?​

BASHIR
Oh, I don’t know that I’d be
the best company right now.
But thank you for the offer.​

Thann accepts, nods acknowledgement, and turns to leave. Now alone, Bashir picks up a padd, and with a heavy heart, begins to speak into it.

BASHIR
Doctor Julian Bashir, ex Chief
Medical Officer, Deep Space
Nine. Personal log. It’s done.
I just couldn’t stay and watch
those people - my friends –
throw their lives away. Once
was bad enough. So I left. I
know I can’t be the only one who
thinks getting in bed with the
Dominion against the Ascendants
is a terrible idea. It’s bound
to go wrong. Either way we end
up in another war. And I can’t
let that happen. So if I have
to find those others, and work
with them to stop it from
happening, then so be it. And
I think I know where to start
looking for them. End log.
(beat)
Computer, as soon as we’re
in range of a relay station,
please transmit that personal
log towards Earth.​

COMPUTER
Specify required destination.​

BASHIR
No specific destination. Just
mark it, for the attention of
Mister Cole, courtesy of...
the organization.​

The computer bleeps in acknowledgement. That done, Bashir settles back into his seat, preparing for a long trip.

Pull back out of the window...


113 EXT. SPACE

...and away from the armada, as it flies on into space.


FADE OUT:

END OF SHOW​

.

 

[Enterprise1981]

That was quite a tale from beginning to end. And Bashir resigning and getting in touch with Cole was quite a shocker.

It had the feel of Stargate SG-1 deciphering the mysteries of the Ori with Iliana in the role of Adria. And also speaking of Stargate, I can't help but imagine Chris Judge as Taran'atar.

 

[Wally]

And the conflict with Ascendants begins. First hinted and teased back in 2001 in "Horn and Ivory" it's very exciting to see this storyline FINALLY coming to the fore.
A disastrous first battle in the Gamma Quadrant sure does seem a lot like the first real encounter with the Dominion, but I'm sure this story will enfold differently. I'm really interested to see how this develops.

As for Bashir apparently throwing in with Section 31? I'm not buying it. Memory serves about pipe being lain under the surface here with Vaughn recruiting him into the Kirk cabal in 'Abyss', and the appearance of that Admiral earlier on in Season 10. I think Bashir is going to use 31 for his own ends, especially since as of 'Zero Sum Game' we know that Cole was ultimately a failure.

Also of interest is Ro's character arc. One wonders how long it will be before she feels more comfortable being in command of the station.

All told. Well done.

 

[DS9Continuing]

And also speaking of Stargate, I can't help but imagine Chris Judge as Taran'atar.

I believe it was KRAD who said that's who he pictures as well, only based not on his role in Stargate, but rather in his guest role in one of the few good episdes of Andromeda. I'm okay with it, although it does kinda play into the "angry muscley black guy" sci-fi character stereotype.

And the conflict with Ascendants begins. First hinted and teased back in 2001 in "Horn and Ivory" it's very exciting to see this storyline FINALLY coming to the fore.

I've been setting bits and pieces up since episode 1, and it's all starting to come together now.

Although I gotta say, I'm a little pissed off that the new blurbs for the upcoming books by DRG3 (as posted here) seem to be interpretable as referring to the Ascendant storyline. I almost want them not to cover it so that my version can stay the only version out there! <pout>

A disastrous first battle in the Gamma Quadrant sure does seem a lot like the first real encounter with the Dominion, but I'm sure this story will enfold differently. I'm really interested to see how this develops.

A bad first contact was absolutely vital to me, and I was aware of the similarity to the Dominion situation, which I tried to get around by hanging a lantern on it - to wit, making the characters aware of the similarity.

But it had to be that because of one thing - Warpath.

The entire plot of this two-parter - and indeed a large portion of the whole season - came directly from Kira's vision of Ancient Bajor from Warpath. That was so clearly set up as a foretelling of substantial parts of the yet-to-come Ascendant storyline that I had to respect it here. That was simply a given.

But I think I managed to weave it suitably in with all the other continuing plot lines. In fact, I made a big effort to work in every single continuing story I've got going in the entire season in these two episodes. I really wanted to make it into the lynchpin upon which the entire season turns. You've got all the big plot issues with the Ascendants, plus Cardassia, the Eav'oq, the Ohalavaru, Yevir, Vaughn-Opaka, Vaughn-Prynn, Prynn-Shar, Dax-Bashir, Bashir's issues about being left behind, the Dominion civil war, Ro's painkiller addiction, Vaughn's grudge with Sisko... all of that plus introducing Iliana back into the equation and handling the commanders of five additional ships. I don't think I did too bad of a job given all that.

Some other observations: The structure of the two episodes is deliberately mirrored. In part 1 ("Harmony") we have the story of the Eav'oq-Ascendant crusade as told by the Eav'oq. In part 2 ("Heresy") the exact same story is told, even using some of the same visuals, but from the Ascendant point of view. Trying to get a rounded picture of the circumstances, and explore how the same events can be interepreted so very differently. The Ascendants actually saw themselves as the injured party - unjustly cast away, their birthright withheld from them.

Now how about that battle scene, eh? 17 pages of the fucker!

I chose the additional ships in the fleet carefully. I wanted a mix of new superfast ships with old lumbering ships. And I didn't want to make up ships from scratch - I wanted ships that had already been established. Sending the Cerberus meant that not only would I get a Prometheus-class multi-vector assault mode separation, which just looks cool, but also it's a message of support from Ross to Kira. He has to be stern, but he can do what he can to help her.

I deliberately chose the Gryphon as the one to be destroyed not only because we had substantial dealing with them in season 8 during the parasite crisis, and it's always better to kill somebody you know instead of a random redshirt, but also because the Akira class is supposed to be one of the toughest in the fleet, and if that gets its ass kicked, then we're in deep doodoo. Same reason as the Odyssey got wiped out by the Jem'Hadar, really.

The Yolja's destruction - again right out of Warpath. Her big running cat was named Jayol, and it was killed under her by Ascendant arrows. Who saved her? Sisko riding his own big cat, Denigarro (aka Rio Grande).

The captains of the ships, I wanted to make a good mix of humans of all kinds, and non-humans of all kinds, and all genders too. A Bajoran woman, a Vulcan man, and a human woman are already established (I assumed Spillane would have been promoted to captain of the Gryphon as the most senior officer after Mello and Montenegro were both killed). So I made it half human half non-human, and half-male half-female. Also notice that not a one of the human captains is American.

As for Bashir apparently throwing in with Section 31? I'm not buying it. Memory serves about pipe being lain under the surface here with Vaughn recruiting him into the Kirk cabal in 'Abyss', and the appearance of that Admiral earlier on in Season 10. I think Bashir is going to use 31 for his own ends, especially since as of 'Zero Sum Game' we know that Cole was ultimately a failure.

Wait and see.

Also of interest is Ro's character arc. One wonders how long it will be before she feels more comfortable being in command of the station.

Wait and see.

All told. Well done.

Thank you.

.

 

[fleetcaptain]

Awesome. Loved the battle scene myself, which I'm sure would have been almost exactly like that if the show was still on tv. Also loved how everyone is at their throats, interesting since we hardly saw this either during the shows run. I'm interested in what will happen to Bashir soon.

 

[Enterprise1981]

The space-battles were almost Babylon 5-like with smaller support vessels as part of the battle in addition to the six starships. I would guess that the approach to starship construction has changed since the Dominion War as revealed in "Children of the Storm" when...

Spoiler: Children of the Storm

...one ship is revealed to have two dozen fighter shuttles in a large cargo bay, which her captain initially labels as classified.

 

[DS9Continuing]

Also loved how everyone is at their throats, interesting since we hardly saw this either during the shows run. I'm interested in what will happen to Bashir soon.

I think an intense situation like this would bring out people's issues and problems. Especially when not everyone agrees they even need to be in that situation in the first place.

The thing is, Bashir has a point - our heroes fucked up here, to a certain extent. It wasn't strictly their fault, but up to this point, the Bajorans were only a curiosity to the Ascendants, a rumour they hadn't bothered following up on. Now the Ascendants have recognised them as a threat, and they're coming for them.

The Ascendants have gathered all together, a righteous army under an unquestioned and legendary leader. The Bajorans are fractured, arguing over political and religious issues. They tried to drag the Federation into their problem - it didn't work. They tried to drag the Dominion into their problem - it didn't work. Now they're on their own, and the Ascendants are coming.

The space-battles were almost Babylon 5-like with smaller support vessels as part of the battle in addition to the six starships. I would guess that the approach to starship construction has changed since the Dominion War as revealed in "Children of the Storm" when...

Spoiler: Children of the Storm

...one ship is revealed to have two dozen fighter shuttles in a large cargo bay, which her captain initially labels as classified.

I wasn't consciously aping B5, but I suppose I may have been influenced. It's just that the Ascendant ships were so small that I felt the need to have small Starfleet ships against them too.

On their own, Ascendant ships may seem tiny and harmless - a wasp versus a human. But they've been described as previously having relied on numbers in the past, and now Iliana's working on bringing that back. And put a big enough swarm of wasps up against one human, and they will take the human down. That's what happened here.

Also, strictly speaking, Starfleet wasn't using dedicated fighter craft here, just what they had at hand - the usual complement of shuttles. Did you notice as well the name of the Defiant's second shuttle? The Chaffee had been destroyed in Mission Gamma, leaving the Sagan. Both named after prominent scientists. So for the Chaffee's replacement, I chose to honour another famous scientist - Sheldon Cooper.



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[DS9Continuing]

By the way, I'm going to take a very brief break after this story.

I've pretty much caught up with myself now - I've been posting faster than I can write, and I'm almost out of new episodes to upload. So I'm going to give myself a chance to get some more in the bag before posting them.

It won't be a long break - I'll be back after New Year. Just wanted to warn you so you don't think I've forgotten. There's the whole second half of the season yet, and plenty more excitement yet to come.

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[fleetcaptain]

I don't mind the wait myself. I gotta go back and read the other epsiodes since I skipped over, lol. I didn't realize who you named the Cooper after til now, which is an interesting take. I just recently started watching The Big Bang Theory lately, since its on TBS and another station too.