DS9 11x06 - "Two Steps Forward"

[DS9Continuing]

Hi all

Time for episode 6.

Here's the links:

11x01 "Systems Under Repair" - Ad Astra, pdf, ebook
11x02 "Structural Integrity Compromised" - Ad Astra, pdf, ebook
11x03 "Self Destruct Initiated" - Ad Astra, pdf, ebook
11x04 "Separation Manoeuvres Complete" - Ad Astra, pdf, ebook
11x05 "The New Normal" - Ad Astra, pdf, ebook
11x06 "Two Steps Forward" - AdAstra, pdf, ebook

Enjoy!

 

[DS9Continuing]

TEASER​

FADE IN:



1 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING


The usual establishing shot, tight on the Promenade.



2 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR


The bar, middling-busy as usual. Major CENN perches on a stool, watching the crowd go about their business.

QUARK returns to his place behind the bar, bringing a tray of empty glasses and plates. As he puts them into the dishwasher, he watches Cenn watching the others.

QUARK
That takes me back.

CENN
I beg your pardon?

QUARK
You just remind me of a former
security officer who used to sit
there, in his beige uniform,
sternly watching my customers.​

Cenn turns away, unimpressed. Quark follows his eyeline. He’s gazing at TREIR, working the dabo table as usual.

QUARK
He also used to pine for a woman
he was never going to get too.

CENN
If you’re referring to Odo and Captain
Kira, it was my understanding that
they did eventually begin a relationship.
Not that it’s any of your business.

QUARK
You’re right, they did. But only
with my help.​

Cenn takes the hint. He asks, scared to hear the answer...

CENN
(re Treir)
Is she still with...​

He nods towards upstairs, to where the holosuites are.

QUARK
Like you said, none of my business.
I don’t pry into my employees’
personal lives. I prefer to think
they don’t have any. And I would
certainly would never set up the
holosuites to record everything
that goes on and send a live feed
to my quarters, late at night.
That would be wrong.​

Cenn looks at him askance, not sure whether to take him seriously or not. Quark settles in and gazes curiously.

QUARK
I don’t know quite what to make of
you, Major.

CENN
I’m sorry to be an inconvenience.

QUARK
You see, I always knew what to
expect from Odo. And from Ro.
You... you blow hot and cold. But
I’m starting to think it may be
simpler than I ever realised. I
think your moods are tied to one
very basic, straight-forward
variable – whether Treir has
paid any attention to you.​

Cenn spins on him, incensed and fighting not to rise to the bait. He decides the best thing he can do is go.

CENN
(icy)
Thank you for your hospitality,
Ambassador.

QUARK
(breezy)
Does that mean you don’t want to
hear about the Cardassians?​

Cenn spins back again, astonished and curious.

CENN
What?

QUARK
You didn’t see the ship that’s
parked outside right now?

CENN
Of course I saw it. How do you
know about it?

QUARK
Eyes and ears, Major. That’s how.
But to know why they’re here...
ah, that takes focus. Not futile
obsession with the unobtainable.​

Cenn’s expression makes it clear he doesn’t know why the Cardassians are here. And he hates that.

QUARK
You should stick by me, Major. I
can make you a better detective.

CENN
(derisive)
You?

QUARK
I’ve stood here for more than a
decade watching two of the best.
Odo got half his intel from me,
you know. Although of course
he’d rather die than admit it.

CENN
And you’ll teach me... for some
concession in return, no doubt.

QUARK
Everything’s worth something.

CENN
Tell me what you know, Quark.

QUARK
In return for what?​

Quark is completely relaxed, knowing he has the upper hand here. Cenn struggles to think of what he can offer...



3 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING


Now a wider shot, so that we can see a Cardassian Galor-class ship docked at an upper pylon.



4 INT. DS9 – WARD ROOM


The door opens and Cenn enters, to find a senior staff meeting just starting to coalesce – others arriving, milling about. Cenn goes straight to Captain VAUGHN, who is at the head of the room chatting amiably with Cmdr RO.

CENN
Captain... I’ve just received some
very interesting intel I thought you
should know about... regarding
the Cardassians.

VAUGHN
Really. Well, I must congratulate
you on your intelligence network,
Major. In fact, that’s the very
reason I’ve called this meeting.​

Cenn is a bit caught off guard. Vaughn turns to the room.

VAUGHN
Take a seat, everyone, please. Let’s
get this thing started.​

The room gradually comes to order. Vaughn remains standing at the head, but Ro sits at his right, BOWERS at his left, and BASHIR, NOG, CANDLEWOOD and Cenn along both sides.

VAUGHN
Now, as anyone who has looked out
of a window can see, we have some
visitors. The Cardassians have
sent a delegation, who will be
joining us momentarily.

CANDLEWOOD
I thought the Cardassians had
sealed their borders, after the
last Castellan was assassinated.

NOG
And because of that plague.

VAUGHN
That’s rather the point, gentlemen.
The plague is under control, and a
new Castellan was recently appointed
via democratic election. The new
government has opted to return
to normalised diplomatic relations
with the Federation.

BOWERS
That’s good news, then.

VAUGHN
Potentially. The Trager has been
dispatched to ferry Cardassia’s
new ambassador to the Federation.
He will sign formal documents here
as the closest Federation outpost
to Cardassia, before continuing on
to his permanent post on Earth.

BASHIR
And who have they sent?​

A familiar voice comes from the newly opened door...

GARAK
Really, Doctor...​

They all turn to see GARAK standing in the doorway, flanked by one Starfleet and one Cardassian guard.

GARAK (cont)
You’re slipping. You couldn’t have
figured that out for yourself?​

As they all react, and Garak stands there with that irritating know-it-all smirk on his face...



FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT ONE​

FADE IN:



5 INT. DS9 – WARD ROOM


Garak has now entered the room, with the two security officers taking up position out in the corridor. Garak takes the seat at the other end of the table. He shares a warm and welcoming smile with Bashir.

GARAK
It’s good to see you again, Doctor.
(to Nog)
And you, Lieutenant. But I’m
afraid the majority of you are
rather new faces.

RO
Which of course doesn’t mean
you don’t know all about us.

GARAK
(broad smile)
A good ambassador must always be
prepared, Commander Ro. I must say
I’m rather looking forward to strolling
around my old haunts. I’m sure the
place has quite fallen apart without me.

VAUGHN
This is an informal meeting, a
chance to explain the situation.
The formal ceremony will take
place tomorrow, after you’ve
had a chance to rest.

GARAK
(pursing)
Entirely unnecessary, I assure you.
I’ve never been one for the limelight.
I’d much rather get on with the
job at hand.

VAUGHN
Very well. Our understanding is
that your people have a new leader.

GARAK
Correct. May I?​

Garak holds up a computer chip. At Vaughn’s permission, he enters the chip into a slot in the table and presses a few buttons. The wall screen changes to show the image of a middle-aged Cardassian woman, iron-haired and dignified.

GARAK
Her name is Rakena Garan. A former
member of the Cardassian Judiciary,
she rose to prominence last year.

RO
Which party does she represent?

GARAK
The Reunion Project.​

The room relaxes – they’re the good guys.

GARAK (cont)
Contrary to some expectations, the
Cardassian people chose not to
embrace fear and fingerpointing...
this time. However, despite her
party’s general favourability
towards the Federation, Castellan
Garan has sensibly learned from
the lessons of her predecessor.

BASHIR
Meaning what?

GARAK
There are many who believe that
Castellan Ghemor was killed as a
direct result of his pro-Federation
leanings. Garan has no intention
of making the same mistake.
Matters will proceed much
more slowly this time.

RO
But she sent you.

GARAK
And only me. Garan is willing to
be close to the Federation... but
not too close. An office will be
established on Earth, but I will be
the sole Cardassian to inhabit it.
A situation I am quite familiar with.​

They wince in sympathy - Garak just smiles back.



6 EXT. BAJOR - ESTABLISHING


The Ashalla monastery, where the sunny day is broken by the distant sound of angrily shouting voices.



7 INT. ASHALLA MONASTERY – ATRIUM


The room is repaired now, after the Ascendant attack. KIRA and RAIQ are both sat by the open-air windows, gazing out onto the countryside. Kira is troubled – she can hear the shouts and cries of angry people out there.

Raiq just sighs dramatically.

RAIQ
Is this more of your people’s
supposed religious freedom?

KIRA
Don’t the Ascendants ever have
disagreements?

RAIQ
If we do, the Cardinal issues a
decree and we all accept it. We
do not shout and gnash our
teeth like sub-civilised savages.

KIRA
They’re expressing their views.
It’s what democracy is all about.

RAIQ
Democracy?! Everything I learn
about you Bajorans makes you
more of a stranger to me. You
follow the law of your gods.
Anything else and you die.

KIRA
We don’t work that way. Bajorans
are a passionate people. If we
killed someone every time they
disagreed, we’d have no-one left.

RAIQ
What are they even arguing about?

KIRA
You. They know you’re here. And
they don’t like it.

RAIQ
Let them try to hurt me.

KIRA
It’s not just that. They also know
the Cardassians are back.

RAIQ
Who?

KIRA
They come from another world near
here. They invaded and enslaved us
for decades before we drove them
off. If we’re the Eav’oq, the
Cardassians are our... you.

RAIQ
Do they also shame the True?

KIRA
In a manner of speaking. It turns
out they had an ancient religion
of their own. And yes, it was
based around the Prophets.
They called them the Fates.

RAIQ
So many names. It is despicable.

KIRA
What do you mean?

RAIQ
The True are Unnameable. They are
beyond names. Anyone who tries
to name them must be burned out.

KIRA
(sigh)
You sure do love killing people.

RAIQ
The True demand it.

KIRA
We don’t think so.

RAIQ
Then what of those out there?
Are they not fighting?

KIRA
Of course. But think about it. How
did you feel when you found out
about us? That someone else
followed the same gods as you?

RAIQ
Repulsed. Disgusted.

KIRA
So imagine how they must feel. Not
only is there another race, it’s a
race they already hated. A race
who brutally killed and raped
their families and friends. The
Occupation has only been over for
a decade. The wound is still fresh
for a lot of us. So it’s no surprise
they’d be upset. They’d see it as a
perversion of everything they love.

RAIQ
As I said. And so they fight.

KIRA
Yes, but that’s my point. They may
fight, but they don’t kill.

YEVIR (o.s.)
I only hope it stays that way.​

Kira turns in surprise, and sees Vedek YEVIR standing in the room. He presumably heard all of that. Kira is not especially pleased, but tries to remain diplomatic.

RAIQ
Who is this?

KIRA
Raiq, meet Vedek Yevir. Former
candidate for Kai, current leader
of the Oralian Way... the very
religion we were just discussing.

RAIQ
But you are Bajoran. A Bajoran
leads a Cardassian religion?

YEVIR
Simply another way of seeing the
glory of the Prophets. A pleasure
to meet you, Raiq.

KIRA
Why are you here, Vedek?

YEVIR
Those protests are becoming ever
more rancorous. I fear they may
erupt into violence. They have
already disrupted the monastery.
(re Raiq)
Since you and I are the common
focus of their rage, we have a
common goal. Come back with
me to the Oralian Temple at
Janir. I can protect you there.

KIRA
You? “Protect” me?

RAIQ
(re outside)
If it gets us away from that
idiocy, I am happy to leave.

KIRA
Even though it’s yet another
group who shame the True?

RAIQ
One heretic is as damned as any
other in my eyes. Let us be
gone, woman.​

Kira looks back at Yevir, unsure if she can trust him...



8 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR


A door opens and the senior staff file out of the wardroom, the meeting being over. Bashir and Garak stroll together, two old friends catching up. The Cardassian and Starfleet security trail them at a polite distance.

GARAK
I’m afraid your confidence in me
might be misplaced, Doctor. I
am not at all certain this is the
job for me.

BASHIR
You’ll be the perfect ambassador,
Garak. Who else on Cardassia could
possibly be more used to dealing
with the Federation than you?

GARAK
The castellan made much the same
case. “The Union requires a service
only you can provide.” Or perhaps
she simply wanted to get rid of me.

BASHIR
Why would she want that?

GARAK
My disagreement with her policies
has been plain. And in my day,
disagreements were solved at
the point of a knife. Not with
discussion and compromise.​

Garak stops, looks both ways to make sure he’s not being overheard. Then he leans in to Bashir...

GARAK
What if I just start murdering
people again? It would be so
much more efficient.

BASHIR
(indulgent smile)
You never needed to kill to make
your point before.

GARAK
Ah, but how comforting to have
it as an option.​

They enter a turbolift, prepared by security...



9 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE


A turbolift door opens and Garak and Bashir walk out again. Garak looks around wistfully at the familiar surroundings.

GARAK
On the other hand, I did pledge
loyalty to her government.
So here I am.​

A bit of a crowd has gathered, drawn by gossip about the Cardassians opening their borders. The atmosphere is mostly curious, only a tiny hint of hostile. Garak and Bashir head towards his old shop, preceded and tailed by security.

GARAK
I think I preferred when no-one
knew who I was. All of this
celebrity, it makes me uneasy.
It’s... vulnerable.

BASHIR
It’s only for a day or so. Once
you get to Earth, you’ll be the
mysterious lone Cardassian again.

GARAK
Thank you, Doctor. That’s most
reassuring.​

Just as they pass the shrine, a PHASER shot screams past Bashir’s ear and barely misses Garak, burning into a wall. Bashir LEAPS onto Garak, pushing him down.

BASHIR
Get down!​

The security officers are instantly in action, Starfleet and Cardassian alike, placing themselves in front of Garak and Bashir, weapons out. But they do not fire back – too many civilians in the way.

As the crowd reacts, panicking, running, more PHASER shots fire from somewhere on the upper level. The shots miss again – this is not a particularly talented assassin.

A figure can be seen dashing away, losing himself in the crowd. The security can’t see where he went.

BASHIR
Catch them! Go!​

The two Starfleet officers give chase, phasers out. The two Cardassian soldiers stay with Garak and Bashir.

On Garak, as he looks seriously pissed about this...



FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT TWO​

FADE IN:



10 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


Garak is bustled into the room, security on all sides. Bashir and Vaughn are with him, trying to placate him.

GARAK
Captain Vaughn, I must protest.

VAUGHN
It’s for your own protection,
Ambassador.

GARAK
I hardly need your protection,
Captain. I assure you I am very
capable of handling this matter
myself. And I intend to.

BASHIR
Major Cenn and his officers are
handling it, Garak. You need to
stay safe in here.

GARAK
Do you really expect me to sit
quietly and do nothing while
someone wants me dead? Doctor,
I think you forget who I am.

VAUGHN
You’re a government dignitary.
It’s our job to ensure your safety
while you’re here. And we will do
it, whether you want us to or not.
(to security)
Lock the door behind us.​

Vaughn leaves with a determined scowl, and Bashir with a sympathetic wince. One Starfleet and one Cardassian officer stay inside the room, by the door. Garak watches them go, frustrated and angry.



11 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE


Vaughn SLAMS his hands down on the security desk, furious.

VAUGHN
What the hell happened?​

Cenn is behind the desk, nervous, blaming himself. Ro is also with them.

CENN
I’m sorry, Captain. It was a failure
of security. I take responsibility.

VAUGHN
I hope you’re not saying it was a
mistake to put a Bajoran in charge
of a Cardassian’s safety.

RO
(shocked)
Captain!​

Ro’s angry, accusing expression and Cenn’s abject horror at the very idea let Vaughn know he’s gone too far. He steps back, gets himself under control.

VAUGHN
I apologise, Major. That was out
of line.
(beat)
Do you have any suspects?

CENN
Actually, I know exactly who it is.
The security cameras outside
Quark’s caught him right away.​

Cenn works his panels, and an image comes up on the screens on the back wall. It shows a still of the scene outside the bar, on the upper level, as the crowd begins to scatter and panic after the shooting.

The image ZOOMS in closer, revealing one figure in civilian clothes, holding the phaser, just beginning to run. He is a Bajoran male, mid-40s, ordinary looks, name of LUKA.

RO
So how did you identify him?

CENN
Because he’s been here before.
This is from before my time...​

Cenn works the panels again, bringing up a second image – a mugshot of the same man, clearly taken in DS9 security.

CENN
His name is Luka Tirem, and you
arrested him about two-and-a-half
years ago.​

Ro leans in to inspect the record alongside the mugshot, her own report, and realises...

RO
The Ohalu protest in the shrine...​

FLASHBACK – 8x20 “TWIST OF FAITH”


Vedek Capril is trying to hold a service, but more and more people in the crowd are standing up, dramatically dropping their earrings, and chanting aloud. Among them is Mika, the former pagh-Wraith cultist, now Vedek Yevir’s assistant.

CROWD
For Kira Nerys, the Truthgiver.
For Kira Nerys, the Truthgiver.​

Ro appears, wearing her Bajoran uniform as in season 8.

RO
Those of you who are disturbing
this shrine must leave now. If you
do not leave voluntarily, we will
take you into custody. This is
your final warning.​

In NEW MATERIAL, we also see that one of the protesters is Luka, the same guy on Cenn’s screens now. He seems angrier than the others, less willing to stand down.


BACK TO SCENE


That same face is now on Cenn’s security screens...

RO
I remember him now. He was one
of the ones who didn’t want to go
quietly. I had to arrest him.

VAUGHN
So he’s an Ohalavar.

CENN
According to his record, rather an
extreme one. He’s been spotted at
several of the more violent pro-
Ohalu demonstrations over the
past few years. Arrested at more
than one of them.

VAUGHN
If he’s such a threat, why is he
walking free?

CENN
He’s hardly a hardened criminal,
Captain. He’s never gone further
than minor affray or disruption.

VAUGHN
Until now. So what does he have
against Garak?

RO
He’s seriously hardcore Ohalu.
Maybe he heard this news about
his religion and the Oralian Way
religion coming from the same
source – the Eav’oq.

VAUGHN
So it’s not Garak himself that
Luka’s mad at, it’s the Oralian
Way. And Garak’s just a symbol.

RO
A conveniently accessible one.

VAUGHN
Not anymore. He’s locked down
tight. But there are several other
issues to address. Such as, why
were we not alerted as soon as this
man came aboard the station, and
how did he get a weapon aboard?

CENN
(cowed)
I take responsibility for those
lapses, Captain.

RO
To be fair, sir, I did warn you
that Major Cenn was acting as
both security chief and liaison
officer. Something along these
lines was probably inevitable.​

Cenn is grateful for Ro’s support, especially as he worries that Quark was right – it was Treir distracting him.

VAUGHN
(sigh)
And of course it just happened to
come at the worst possible time.

RO
Always the way.

VAUGHN
Have your deputies managed to
locate him yet?

CENN
No, sir. He lost himself in the crowd
before they could catch up.

VAUGHN
Alright. Lock down the station,
no ships dock or undock, all
civilians in their quarters. I want
every inch of this place scoured
until we find him.

RO
That may not be the best idea.

VAUGHN
And why not?

RO
I think we can be sure this is an
isolated event. If we disrupt the
civilian population of the station,
it’ll become a bigger mess than
it already is.

VAUGHN
They’ll be locked down and safe,
and more importantly, out of our
way. We already missed a solid
opportunity to take him out because
there were too many civilians around.

RO
Captain, you can’t turn this into
a police state. Cenn and I will
catch him, don’t worry about that.
But martial law won’t help anyone.
You’ll only create a panic.​

Vaughn grumbles for a moment, but reluctantly agrees.

VAUGHN
Fine. On your watch, Commander.
Keep me informed.​

He turns and exits to the Promenade. Cenn turns to Ro.

CENN
He likes to say “locked down”,
doesn’t he?

RO
(smirk)
It’s his tactical background. He
dislikes loose ends. So what’s
the progress on finding this guy?
He can’t have gone far.

CENN
No, he can’t. I’ve got all my
deputies out on foot, and Nog
and Candlewood going through
security footage for me. So far
nothing, but we’re only just
getting started. We’ll find him.​

CUT TO:



12 INT. DS9 – CARGO BAY


Dark and abandoned. Luka crouches on the deck, back against a bulkhead, cradling himself, angry and scared and tearful. He BANGS his head against the wall behind him as he talks.

LUKA
Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid,
stupid, stupid... you had your
chance and you screwed it up.
Should have picked somewhere
else, more isolated... but then
he might have seen me. Now
he’s gonna track me down...
Should have got it right first
time. Stupid, stupid, stupid...​

He flinches, terrified, at some imagined sound across the cargo bay, in the dark. His eyes dart about, panicked.

LUKA
Gotta get outta here. Gotta go,
gotta go, he’s after me now...​

He jumps to his feet, sniffles away his tears, and looks around for a way out. He spots a grill high up the wall.

He clambers on boxes and crates, wobbles precariously, finally yanks open the grill and clambers into the hole beyond, mumbling to himself all the way.

LUKA
Gotta go gotta go gotta go...​

13 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


Garak, sat alone on the couch of his empty guest quarters. Outwardly calm and composed, but inside, full of thoughts.

Silently, with no outward sign, he makes a plan. He gets up from the sofa, turns to the two guards at the door.

GARAK
Forgive me, I’m being a dreadful
host. Can I get you gentlemen
anything to drink?​

They stare back at him, unsure how to take him.

GARAK
(sigh)
Very well. I can see my hopes for
some witty conversation to fill the
time were unjustified.​

He walks to the replicator and begins to press the buttons, that knowing smile on his face. He’s up to something.



FADE OUT:

END OF ACT TWO​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT THREE​

FADE IN:


14 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


Bashir has just entered the room, a bit harried and rushed.

BASHIR
What do you need, Garak?

GARAK
I need, Doctor, to know what’s
going on. I need details.

BASHIR
What makes you think I have
any details?

GARAK
I hope I haven’t overestimated
you, Doctor. I presume the
station’s security forces are
occupied. So I come to you.

BASHIR
(sigh)
They haven’t found Luka yet.

GARAK
How difficult can it be to find
one man who fired a weapon
in public? Track his life-signs.

BASHIR
One Bajoran man among thousands
of them? Impossible. But there’s
nothing you can do about it.

GARAK
Oh, I’m well aware of that. I’m
paralysed. Powerless. These two
charming fellows will attest I’ve
gone nowhere and done nothing.
So I don’t believe a little
information is too much to ask.

BASHIR
No, you’re right. I’ll make sure
Commander Ro keeps you up to
date on any developments.

GARAK
Thank you, Doctor.​

Bashir nods resignedly, and leaves. Garak sighs.

GARAK
Well. I may as well catch up on
my official correspondence.​

He goes to the computer desk, sits, and with a glance over the rim of the console at the guards, he begins to work.

We close in on the screen over his shoulder, see the various entries Garak makes. Clearly in one corner it says SILENT MODE.

A flashing icon asks CROSS-REFERENCE SEARCH – ENTER TERMS.

Garak enters – BAJORAN MALE. NAME: LUKA. CARDASSIAN TARGET. VIOLENCE AT BAJORAN SHRINE.

Garak presses ENTER. The computer replies with WORKING. Then Garak sits back, reading what the computer tells him.



15 EXT. BAJOR - ESTABLISHING


A different monastery, hidden in a valley along the path of a winding river. Isolated and ignored.



16 INT. JANIR MONASTERY


A smaller, less elaborate place than in the capital. Kira and Yevir enter, throwing off their travelling cloaks. Raiq is behind them, without any extra cloak, quietly disdainful of everything around her.

YEVIR
Novice Kira, Raiq, welcome to the
Oralian Temple at Janir.

KIRA
Thanks, I guess.

YEVIR
As you’d expect, the facilities
are somewhat less grand than
in Ashalla. But I think we can
make you comfortable. And
you’ll be safe here.

KIRA
How many followers do you have?

YEVIR
(self-deprecating)
A few searching souls. We are
hardly a large congregation, but
occasionally people will come to
me looking for answers they
haven’t been able to find
elsewhere, and I try my best
to help them on their path.​

Kira grunts non-committally, unsure she believes this humble act from Yevir.

From the other direction, MIKA enters, happy to see them.

MIKA
Vedek! I’m glad you’re back.
I was worried.

KIRA
(surprised)
Mika?

MIKA
Nerys, you came. That’s wonderful.
Welcome to Janir.
(hesitant)
And this must be Raiq.​

Raiq doesn’t really respond, just looks at her warily.

RAIQ
You also know this woman, Kira?

KIRA
We’ve met. She used to be with the
pagh-wraith cult. Last I heard she’d
joined the Ohalavaru. Are you an
Oralian now, Mika?

MIKA
You wouldn’t begrudge a woman
exploring her faith, would you,
Nerys? In fact, I still follow Ohalu.
But Vedek Yevir asked for my help,
and I saw no reason why we
couldn’t work together, no matter
our differences.​

Mika gives Kira a meaningful look on this, challenging her to argue. With Yevir there, Kira is tempted. Yevir is not unaware of the tension.

YEVIR
Come along, Mika. Let’s find our
guests somewhere to rest.​

Yevir and Mika lead into the depths of the monastery. Kira waits for Raiq, then they follow together.

RAIQ
(sotto)
So for all your fine talk, you do
despise other religions, just as
we do.

KIRA
It’s not that simple.​

17 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


Ro now stands in Garak’s quarters. He relaxing on the sofa, she tense by the door. The two guards also remain.

RO
Ambassador, it’s under control.
Captain Vaughn, Major Cenn and
myself have more than a century
of tactical and investigative
experience between us, so –

GARAK
And yet my would-be murderer is
still at large. I understand the
assassin’s mind better than you
ever will, Commander. You would
be wise to take my advice.

RO
We’re doing everything we can –

GARAK
Clearly not. Take these two.
(re guards)
Fine officers I’m sure, wasting their
time baby-sitting me when they
could be joining the search.

RO
(sardonic)
A Cardassian soldier hunting a
Bajoran civilian? Great idea.

GARAK
Are we not allies, Commander?

RO
You tell me.

GARAK
Listen to me. The assassin will
attempt to blend in, to appear
harmless and non-threatening. An
unquestioned part of everyday
life on the station.

RO
You think I don’t know that? We’re
scanning every crowd and every
corridor for his face.

GARAK
Then your efforts are less than
satisfactory, if you’ll forgive me
for saying so, Commander. Come
back when you have something
constructive to tell me.

RO
(tense jaw)
Yes, Ambassador.​

Reining in her sharp tongue, Ro half-bows politely and turns to leave. Garak seethes on the sofa.



18 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE


Outside Quark’s on the upper level, Major Cenn stands guard. Watching every face that goes past him into the bar, looking for Luka.

He glances through the door, across to the other side of the bar, where we can see another officer also standing and scanning the crowd. As another civilian approaches, Cenn turns his attention back.

Quark emerges from the bar’s upper door, pretending to work but really there for Cenn.

QUARK
I brought you a drink.
(re empty tray)
But then I gave it to Morn.
Quickest way to shut him up.

CENN
How are they handling it?

QUARK
Handling what – the shooting? Oh
please, these people have seen a
lot worse. Besides, I know how
to distract them.

CENN
Yeah... about that... I’m afraid you
might have been right.

QUARK
Of course I was. About what?

CENN
Treir. I’m afraid I let her distract
me, and...

QUARK
Let me tell you something, Major.
Some of that wisdom I promised
you earlier. It doesn’t matter how
prepared you are, or how much
attention you pay. Some crazy
guy will always find a way, if he’s
determined enough.

CENN
That hardly excuses it.

QUARK
No. But it does help to stop you
blaming everything on yourself.​

It takes a moment, but then Cenn smiles, grateful for Quark’s forgiveness. Quark moves on.



19 INT. DS9 – CORRIDOR


Some grimy unused space in the depths of the station. No-one has any reason to go here anymore. Luka creeps along the corridor, weapon out in front of him in terror, even though he’s totally alone down here.

He’s twitchy, on edge. He lurches from one bulkhead to the next, sure that some monster lurks behind every corner.


LUKA’S POV


Luka sees the Cardassian architecture and angles looming over him threateningly. Everything looks dark and ominous. Then Garak appears from around the corner, dangerous and maddeningly calm. He smile-sneers right into camera.

GARAK
There you are, Luka. I’ve been
looking for you everywhere.​

The POV staggers backwards, pulse pounding, breath rasping.


BACK TO SCENE


Terrified, Luka raises his weapon and fires wildly. But he’s firing into an empty corridor. There’s no-one else.



20 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE


CLOSE on a panel in the security office as it begins to beep and flash in red, registering the weapons fire.

WIDEN to show that there’s no-one there to see it. Cenn and all his officers are out looking for Luka.



21 INT. DS9 – CORRIDOR


Luka fires blindly, this way and that, the shots sparking uselessly against empty bulkheads. Finally he sees that there’s no-one there, and he lets the phaser fall.

He looks around in confusion. Where did Garak go? Is he still out there somewhere?

Luka backs away, until he’s up against the wall again. Then he crouches back down to the floor, fetal, curling in on himself. He begins banging his head against the wall again.

LUKA
Stupid, stupid, stupid...​

Then he stops. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath.

LUKA
Ohalu, blessed student of the
Teacher Prophets. I pray for your
guidance. Your path is true, free
of confusion, free of all doubt. I
rely on your wisdom and your clarity.
(to self)
What does it say, what does it say,
what does it say...
(remembers)
“The true path to serenity lies not
in darkness but in light. Yet do not
fear the darkness, for even in the
darkest times, you will find the
light to guide your path.”​

This recital serves to calm Luka’s nerves. He centres, relaxes his screaming pulse, un-tenses his muscles. After a few more moments to breathe, he stands.

Now calm and under control, he smiles and gazes up towards the ceiling.

LUKA
Thank you, blessed Ohalu. I will
seek the light.​

He bends down to pick up the dropped phaser, and carrying it confidently, walks on through the corridors.



FADE OUT:

END OF ACT THREE​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT FOUR​

FADE IN:



22 EXT. JANIR MONASTERY - ESTABLISHING


Taking us back to Bajor.



23 INT. JANIR MONASTERY - KIRA’S ROOM


Kira is slowly unpacking her personal effects in the basic bed chamber, featuring little more than a bed, small table and window.

There a KNOCK at the door, and Yevir pokes his head in.

YEVIR
You have everything you need?

KIRA
(cold)
I think so.

YEVIR
And Raiq?

KIRA
She’s settling in next door.

YEVIR
Good. Good.​

Yevir hovers awkwardly. Kira has had enough of it.

KIRA
What? What do you want to say?

YEVIR
Oh... too many things. It was me,
you know.

KIRA
What was you?

YEVIR
Me who released the information to
the public... about the Ohalu and
Oralian religions coming from the
same source. The fights, the
protests... they are my doing.

KIRA
You. You let the public know. Isn’t
that interesting.

YEVIR
I truly believed it was a good thing.
That it would help the people to
explore their paghs in new and
enlightening ways.

KIRA
(pointed)
But instead, it caused a rift in the
religious community.

YEVIR
I am very aware of the irony,
Nerys. May I call you Nerys?

KIRA
(snaps)
I don’t want you calling me anything.
You hurt me. And I have not forgiven
you. Three years, and not a single
word of apology. And now you go
and do the same thing? What’s your
punishment going to be, Vedek?

YEVIR
You have every right to be angry -

KIRA
Right?! You’re giving me your
permission to be mad at you?
You are such an arrogant...
(calms
herself)
What do you expect from me, Yevir?

YEVIR
Nothing. You owe me nothing.
But I owe you... reverence.​

That takes Kira aback. Yevir looks up at her, genuine for perhaps the first time Kira has ever seen.

YEVIR
You were the Hand of the Prophets.
You were their chosen, not me. I
asked you here so that I could
learn from you. I believe you have
much to teach me, Novice Kira.​

On Kira’s confused, uncertain reaction to that...



24 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING


As before, with the Cardassian Galor-class ship docked.



25 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE


The door from the Promenade opens, and Vaughn strides in. He is not happy to find Ro standing at the rear panels.

VAUGHN
Where’s Cenn?

RO
Covering Quark’s.

VAUGHN
He’s the security chief. He should be
here, coordinating his officers.

RO
I think he wants to be out there.
He feels guilty. You breathing fire
down his neck doesn’t help.

VAUGHN
My first foreign dignitary as
captain, and somebody nearly
assassinates him. You’re damn
right I’m breathing fire.

RO
Garak feels the same way, believe
me. He kept talking about how he
knows the assassin’s mind, how he
thinks, how to find him. Nothing
I didn’t already know.​

Ro drifts off as something occurs to her...

RO
But then Luka isn’t an assassin,
is he? There’s nothing in his files
about being a cold-blooded killer.
He’s just a passionate man who
got in over his head.

VAUGHN
Not exactly the phrase I’d use.
But go on.

RO
We’ve been going about this wrong.
He won’t be hiding in plain sight.
He’s terrified, overwhelmed. He’ll
be hiding for real. We need to be
looking in the dark holes of the
station, not the bright lights.​

Vaughn and Ro consider this new idea...



26 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR


Under the bright lights of the bar, Treir slinks sexily up one of the spiral staircases. She goes past the second level and up to the third, to the quietest and most secret tables. She approaches a customer sat at a table...

TREIR
Hi, handsome. What are you looking
for tonight?​

Of course, it’s Luka sitting there. He looks up at her...

LUKA
I’m looking for the light. And I
think I’ve found it.​

Luka springs up from the table, GRABS Treir tight and JAMS the phaser in his hand against her throat.

LUKA
Scream and I’ll kill you.​

She doesn’t have to. On the lowest level of the bar, Quark turns instantly, his huge ears helping him zoom in on what he overheard. He sees Luka holding Treir hostage.

QUARK
Security! He’s here!​

Panic erupts as customers look around in fear. Cenn and several Starfleet security pour into the bar from various entrances. Quark points them where to go.

On the top level, Luka panics as he sees the security coming for him. But he’s gone too far, can’t back out now. He backs away, terrified, dragging Treir with him.

Cenn appears at the top level, pointing his phaser calmly at Luka, who is still pointing his own shakily at Treir. She seems more annoyed than scared.

CENN
Treir... you alright?

TREIR
Had better days.

LUKA
I don’t want to kill anyone. I’m
not a killer. I’m not! I just need
a hostage to help me get out of
here. And you won’t hurt her.

CENN
You’re right, I won’t. But if I were
you, I’d be more worried about her
hurting you.​

On cue, Treir twists her way out of Luka’s grip, gets the jump on him, and ELBOWS him hard in the face. He drops the phaser, turns to try to escape...

...and finds Ro pointing her own phaser in his face. He sags, defeated and terrified. He’s going nowhere.

As Cenn and Ro close in on him and take him into custody, he whimpers in a tiny terrified voice...

LUKA
Don’t let him get me, please don’t
let him get me...​

Ro and Cenn exchange worried, confused looks.



27 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


Garak sits on his sofa, calm and smiling. Ro has returned with good news.

GARAK
That’s excellent news, Commander.
Thank you for bringing it to me.

RO
You’re welcome, Ambassador. You
should also know that no-one else
was harmed in his capture.

GARAK
A great relief to Captain Vaughn,
no doubt. However, I would like
your personal assurances,
Commander, that this man will be
held in your most secure cell, at
least until I depart the station.
Just in case.

RO
I promise. Cenn is putting him in a
cell right now. Alone.

GARAK
Excellent. Well, I won’t take any more
of your time. Thank you again.​

Ro nods her acknowledgements, and leaves the room. Garak stands, turns to the two security officers still holding position by the door.

GARAK
It seems your services are no
longer required, gentlemen. But
I must insist that you join me in
a drink in celebration. I won’t
take no for an answer.​

Smiling, he heads to the replicator...



28 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE


On the screens, we can see Luka sat dejected and withdrawn in one of the cells, behind a forcefield.

In foreground, Cenn, Ro and Vaughn stand.

VAUGHN
Well done, Major. Good work.

CENN
Thank you, Captain.

VAUGHN
I think under the circumstances,
we’ll dispense with the pomp and
finery, and just get this damn
treaty signed before anything
else goes wrong.

RO
That’s exactly what Garak wanted
all along.

VAUGHN
Perhaps we should have listened
to his advice.​

With a wry smile, Ro and Vaughn exit the security office back out the Promenade. Cenn hovers at the door, but then decides to head back to Quark’s. He leaves too, and the door closes behind him.

Give it a moment...

The lights on the security panels all go dead. All the screens wink out. Power is gone all around the room.



29 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Luka sits in his cell. He sees the screens go dead, the lights dim. He’s wary, unsure what’s going on.

Then the forcefield in front of him fritzes and dies as well. Scared now, he jerks to his feet.

Then a TRANSPORTER field forms over him. He dissolves, more scared with every moment...



30 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


...and rematerialises in a set of quarters, with no idea what he’s doing there.

He looks to one side, and sees the two security guards sprawled out, unconscious or dead on the floor. He freaks.

To the other side is the window, and a dark figure silhouetted against the stars. The figure steps forward into the light, and obviously it’s Garak.

GARAK
Hello, Luka. I don’t believe we’ve
been properly introduced.​

As Garak smiles with calm menace at Luka, the Bajoran man is on the edge of utter terror...



FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT FIVE​

FADE IN:



31 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


Picking up where we left it. Luka is pinned to the spot, shaking in fear. Garak advances with a cold smile. He gestures to a single chair, prepared for Luka.

GARAK
Please, take a seat.​

Luka does not. He looks in terror back at the guards, lying unconscious on the floor by the door.

GARAK
Oh, they’ll be fine. A simple
sedative in their drinks. I don’t
need to hurt anyone to get what
I want. Least of all you. I can
achieve everything I need to
with mere words.
(no arguments)
Sit. Now.​

Too scared to do otherwise, Luka sits. Garak takes his place back on the sofa, opposite Luka.

GARAK
Thanks to this station’s crew, I
know exactly who you are, Luka.
I can even make an educated guess
as to why you might wish me harm.
What I don’t know is what you ever
imagined you would accomplish
by trying to kill me.

LUKA
Didn’t you just answer that for
yourself?

GARAK
Not at all. You’re no assassin,
Luka. I only told them you were
to make it easier to find you. But
if you know who I am, enough to
want to kill me, then surely you
must also know that such an effort
would be very unlikely to succeed.
So why try?

LUKA
(defiant)
The Prophets demanded it.​

Garak looks back at him indulgently. That’s not true.



32 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE


Just outside the door to Quark’s, Cenn is talking to Treir as life returns to normal inside the bar.

CENN
Are you sure you’re okay?

TREIR
Just fine. I’ve handled worse in
my time. And if I may say so, I
appreciate you letting me handle
it this time too.

CENN
You’re hardly helpless, Treir.
I know that as well as anyone.
But I’m glad I could help.​

Treir looks over Cenn’s shoulder, across the Promenade, and into the security office. She frowns.

TREIR
Is it meant to be dark like that?​

Cenn turns and looks, and sees the darkened security office beyond the windowed doors.

CENN
No. It’s not. Excuse me.​

Worried, he hurries back across the Promenade, towards the security office. When he gets there, the doors do not open.



33 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE


Vaughn stands at the central Ops table with Ro and Bashir.

CENN (comm)
Cenn to Captain Vaughn. We have
a problem, sir.

VAUGHN
What now, Major?

CENN (comm)
I’m outside security. I can’t get in,
my codes are ignored, and all the
panels and screens are dead.

VAUGHN
Computer, unlock the doors to the
security office. Authorisation Elias
Vaughn, captain, lambda-five-oh-
three-purple.

COMPUTER
Unable to comply. Security lockout
in place.

VAUGHN
By whose authority?

COMPUTER
Unknown.​

Incensed, Vaughn looks up towards Nog, already working his engineering panels.

NOG
I can see a security lockout, but
I can’t trace it. It’s almost as if
the computer did it itself.

RO
(fears the worst)
Any strange sensor readings?

NOG
(oh no)
A transporter signature.

VAUGHN
Trace it!

NOG
Working on it.

BASHIR
Captain, I think we all know who
on the station right now has the
ability to do this.

RO
And the motive. Crap... he kept on
about assassins. I guess he was
talking about himself.

VAUGHN
Damn it. Captain Vaughn to
Ambassador Garak.​

34 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


...where Garak sits exactly where he was, opposite Luka.

GARAK
You can talk honestly, Luka. I’ve
made sure we won’t be interrupted.

LUKA
Please don’t kill me, please don’t
kill me, please don’t...

GARAK
I’m not going to kill you. That’s the
whole point.

LUKA
You’re a Cardassian. Killing Bajorans
is what you do.

GARAK
A long time ago, perhaps. But we
move forward. I’m here to sign a
treaty of peace and cooperation
with the Federation. So what
would killing you get me?

LUKA
You’re a perversion. You and your
Oralian Way. You’re... wrong.

GARAK
Correction – I do not follow the
Oralian Way. I am a man of cold
rationality, Luka. I will grant that
my mind has been opened to
many possibilities of late. It’s
been quite the experience. But
religious faith... no.

LUKA
Ohalu is the only way! Whether
you’re blasphemous or just
godless, you’re a Cardassian.
You deserve to die. You took all
that was beautiful, everything
that comforted me...

GARAK
(curious, gentle)
What did you need comfort from,
Luka?

LUKA
(sniffly)
Everything! All of it, all of it...
Parents murdered, all my
family gone... nothing left. But
then I read Ohalu’s book. It
showed me the light. But even
then it didn’t stop. Now it was
Bajorans beating me instead of
Cardassians... all I wanted to
do was seek the Prophets.
Broken bones, panic attacks...
Did you know they gave me
brain damage?

GARAK
I know. And I’m sorry.

LUKA
Ohalu was all I had. And then
you ruined it.​

35 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR


The corridor outside Garak’s quarters. Cenn and several other security are already there, armed. Also Candlewood, wrist deep in panels. Vaughn, Ro, Bashir and Nog arrive.

VAUGHN
Report, Major.

CENN
No luck getting these doors open
either, or getting any response
from inside. If he’s in there, he’s
locked down tight.​

Ro covers a smirk at Cenn’s unconscious choice of words.

BASHIR
God only knows what Garak’s doing
to him in there.

CENN
I’m starting to think we’ll have to
break out the plasma torches.

CANDLEWOOD
(still working)
No, we won’t. I can get it. I could
do with extra pair of hands though...

NOG
On it.​

Nog opens another panel, starts futzing with the innards.

VAUGHN
Come on, damn it.​

They all wait, worried, as Nog and Candlewood work...



36 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS


Garak and Luka still sitting where they were. But the feel is now not so much interrogator and victim, and more like a therapist and his patient.

GARAK
Nothing has been ruined, Luka.
(gestures to
computers)
I read the news myself. I see no
reason to call it blasphemy. If you
accept Ohalu as a variation on
mainstream Bajoran religion, why
not simply accept the Oralian Way
as another variation?​

Because he’s a Cardassian of course, but Luka is starting to soften. Garak presses his point, gently but firmly.

GARAK
If Ohalu and Oralius are indeed
the same, as Yevir says, then you
must know that he never asks
anyone to kill for your Prophets.
Certainly Oralius does not.

LUKA
(quoting)
“Ten thousand must die. It is
destined, but should not be
looked on with despair.”

GARAK
(counter-quote)
“Because most choose to die.”
Sacrifice, Luka. Voluntary death
for a cause. Not murder.
(beat)
Look at Cardassia. We have also
suffered. War. Death on a scale
beyond comprehension. Then
disease and famine and internal
hatred beating us down all the more.
(emphatic)
It has to end, Luka. We have to
move forwards, not back. Believe
me, I know full well how easy it
is to fall back on the old ways of
death and recrimination. I find
myself tempted by it every day.
But it solves nothing.

LUKA
(thoughtful)
The path to the light is hidden
in darkness...

GARAK
Exactly. Each time we retaliate
against some slight, we continue
the cycle. Either of us killing the
other would only deepen the
darkness, not help us find the
light we need.​

Luka sits there, pondering what Garak is saying.



37 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR


Candlewood and Nog are still rummaging in their panels.

CANDLEWOOD
Ready, sir.

VAUGHN
Major...?​

Cenn, Ro and all the deputies draw their weapons.

On either side of the door, Nog and Candlewood share a look – “Ready?” “Ready.” They work their controls...

The door opens, and Cenn and his deputies fill the space with pointed weapons...



38 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS (CONTINUOUS)


...but find only Garak and Luka peacefully sitting there. Vaughn strides through the open door.

GARAK
Good evening, Captain. I don’t
believe those weapons are going
to be necessary.
(pointed)
Are they, Luka?​

Luka looks quietly up to Vaughn from his seat. He takes a deep breath, then slowly stands up straight.

LUKA
No, they’re not. Captain, I
surrender to your authority.
(glance to Garak)
With my apologies.​

Garak silently smiles his acceptance. Cenn comes forwards and gently takes Luka by the arm, leading him out.

VAUGHN
Doctor...​

Bashir enters, sees the two unconscious guards, rushes to check on them.

BASHIR
What did you do to them, Garak?

GARAK
I simply gave them a moment to
rest. They’d been on their feet all
day, poor things.​

While Bashir takes out a hypospray and presses it to the guards’ necks, Vaughn looks over to Garak. He would love to snap Garak’s neck right now, but he has to play diplomat.

VAUGHN
I’m glad to see you’re alright,
Ambassador. If you wouldn’t mind
submitting a report on recent
events to Commander Ro, I’ll meet
you in my office later and we’ll
formalise our... treaty.

GARAK
(smile)
Delighted to, Captain.​

Covering an angry mutter, Vaughn turns and leaves. Bashir leads the now-awake guards out of the room. Garak is left alone to ponder.



39 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE


Cenn and several of his deputies usher Luka back in through the security office doors and towards the cells (the lights are all now back on).

At the threshold, Cenn glances over his shoulder, looks across the Promenade towards Quark’s bar. He can see Treir working, flirting her way happily through the crowd. She doesn’t see him.

Thinking it’s finally time to let it go, Cenn turns his back and goes into the office, letting the door close.



40 INT. JANIR MONASTERY


In an area set aside for prayer, Raiq has built herself a small fire. She kneels before it, gazing into the flames, praying as we saw Cardinal Essk do before.

She looks up, and Kira has approached. Kira looks troubled, confused, unsure about things. After a moment’s hesitation, Kira kneels opposite Raiq, gazes into the flames with her, and starts to pray. They finally have something in common.



41 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE


The door to Vaughn’s office opens, and Garak strides out. Bashir is waiting for him – Garak smiles in greeting. As they stroll together to the turbolift...

GARAK
Doctor.

BASHIR
That was one hell of a risk you
took, Garak.

GARAK
I don’t believe so. In fact, I
think this entire experience has
put many of my doubts to rest.

BASHIR
How so?

GARAK
I was worried that I wasn’t ready
to be an ambassador. That I was
the wrong man for the job.

BASHIR
And now?

GARAK
I confronted a man determined to
kill me, and using nothing but
words, convinced him to choose
peace instead.​

They step onto the turbolift together...

GARAK
If I can accomplish that with one
Bajoran man, an entire planet full
of humans should be child’s play.​

As the turbolift begins to lower, Bashir grins in amusement at his old friend.



42 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


Closing shot, featuring the Defiant on the docking ring and the Cardassian Galor-class ship on the upper pylon.



FADE OUT:

END OF SHOW​