DS9 11x17 - "Whistleblower"

[DS9Continuing]

Hi all

Time for episode 17.

Here's the links:

Deep Space Nine Season 10 - eps 1 to 22


11x01 - "Systems Under Repair" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook)
As Ro settles into command, Prynn pleads for help with rescuing her father.

11x02 - "Structural Integrity Compromised" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook)
While the Defiant responds to a distress call, Prynn tracks down answers.

11x03 - "Self Destruct Initiated" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook)
A survivor of the Ascendant attack causes havoc in the Bajoran system.

11x04 - "Separation Manoeuvres Complete" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook)
Things fall apart for Kira, Odo and the Dominion alliance.

11x05 - "The New Normal" (Ad Astra, pdf, ebook)
After Vaughn’s return to the station, new crew arrangements need to be made.

11x06 - "Two Steps Forward" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
Cardassia sends a new representative to the station, but not everyone welcomes him.

11x07 - "In Love and War" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
Vaughn assigns Prynn, Nog and Candlewood to a secret mission on Empok Nor.

11x08 - "Puppy Love" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
As Pif tries to find a job on the station, Quark and Ro babysit the puppies.

11x09 - "The Laughing Policeman" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
The station’s new security chief arrives, leaving Major Cenn with a dilemma.

11x10 - "Gut Feelings" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
When Raiq falls ill, the situation could lead to catastrophe for the crew.

11x11 - "The Crucible" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
When Vaughn takes Ro on a training voyage, things go from bad to worse.

11x12 - "Vigil" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
Sisko’s friend Prylar Eivos dies, leading to problems between him and Kasidy.

11x13 - "The Late Show! With Morn" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
It’s your new favourite chat show, starring the most talkative man in the galaxy.

11x14 - "No Confidence" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
Raiq asks Kira to take her back through the wormhole to look for more Ascendants.

11x15 - "Never See It Coming" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
A challenge to Kai Solis’s leadership leads to tensions on the station and Bajor.

11x16 - "Unleashed" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
Candlewood discovers a strange computer program that runs amok on the station.

11x17 - "Whistleblower" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
Someone has released military secrets to the public. Then Quark is arrested.

Enjoy!

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

TEASER​

FADE IN:



1 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE


Open upon Major CENN at the central Ops table. It’s a normal day, and he’s working as normal. NOG is at the engineering station, CANDLEWOOD at sciences, BOWERS at tactical, extras elsewhere.

NOG
If I ever suggest going to that
place again, you have permission
to shoot me on the spot.

CANDLEWOOD
Oh come on, Nog. It can’t have
been that bad.

NOG
Oh you think so? Would you want to
spend four hours being lectured by
a two-hundred year old Vulcan on
the relative merits of wild or
domesticated sehlat milk? I swear
it was the worst party I’ve ever
been to. I would rather die than
go through that again.

CANDLEWOOD
So... that would make it a fête
worse than death?​

Nog grabs a padd off the side and makes as if to throw it at Candlewood’s head. Candlewood ducks. Cenn smiles at the capering, but as the senior officer on duty...

CENN
Alright, fellas. Settle down.​

An ALERT comes in on Cenn’s panels. He reads it, frowns in worry. Then he touches another control.

CENN
Commander, could you come out
here, please?​

After a moment, the office door opens and RO strides out.

RO
What’s going on, Major?

CENN
There’s an incoming signal from
General Lenaris – he wants to
speak to both of us.

RO
(shrug)
Okay. Put him on screen.​

Ro joins Cenn at the central table. Cenn works his panels, and the main viewscreen changes to show an image of Bajoran Militia General LENARIS, looking grave.

RO
General, what can we do for you?

LENARIS (screen)
Ah, Commander, Major. Good. Have
you seen the news today?

RO
Not yet. Why?

LENARIS (screen)
Watch this.​

Lenaris works some controls at his end, and the image on screen changes to a NEWS BROADCAST, featuring regular reporter TIANA FEEN (last seen 10x21 “Into the Fire”).

Tiana is improvising, hastily coming up with a report on the fly for a developing situation.

TIANA (screen)
And we’re still receiving reports
of violence on the streets of the
capital in response to this news.​

2 ON SCREEN


The image changes to scenes of Bajoran civilians rioting on the streets, as Bajoran Militia and Starfleet officers work together to keep them under control. We’re up close with them, camera shaking as the cameraman is buffeted about.

TIANA (v.o.)
We’re receiving these live images
now from Teris Juze and Lamerat
Anjen, who are on the ground in
Ashalla. Teris, can you hear me?​

3 RO and CENN


watching this, stunned...

RO
What the hell is going on?​

4 ON SCREEN


The camera image moves around, finding field reporter TERIS JUZE looking a little battered but determined.

TERIS
Tiana! The crowds here in Ashalla
have doubled in the last hour. At
least. As you can see, the Militia
and Starfleet are working together
to try to get it under control, but
they are heavily outnumbered.

TIANA (o.s.)
And what are the people saying?
Can you hear them?

TERIS
It’s a little –
(buffeted by protestor)
- a little confused and scattered,
but the general consensus seems
to be demands for a response from
the government and the Militia as to
whether the leaked information is
true, and fury at both, on the
assumption that it is true.​

5 RO and CENN


Ro looks disturbed. She glances to Cenn...

RO
“Leaked information”?​

On the screen, the image returns to the news studio.

TIANA (screen)
Thanks, Teris. Stay safe.
(beat)
If you’re just joining us, the top
story is that classified military
data has been released onto the
Bajoran comnet by as-yet-unknown
parties - data that reveals the
existence of a ship belonging to
the race known as the Ascendants,
currently being held in Starfleet
protection on Derna.​

As Ro’s jaw drops with horror, the screen changes to a still image of RAIQ, taken by some enterprising amateur cameraman. Tiana’s narration continues...

TIANA (v.o.)
The Ascendant woman Raiq is
currently residing on Bajor at
Janir monastery...​

The image changes to a stock of Vedek YEVIR.

TIANA (cont)
...the residence of Vedek Yevir
Linjarin, of the Oralian Way.​

The image returns to the studio...

TIANA (screen)
So far there has been no official
response from either the First
Minister or the Militia to these
startling accusations -​

The image CUTS suddenly, returning us to General Lenaris, looking more like thunder than ever.

LENARIS (screen)
It seems that your secret is out,
Commander.

RO
Crap. How? Who did this?

CENN
The newsreader said it was ‘as
yet unknown’...

LENARIS (screen)
Thankfully, Major, our own techs
are somewhat more skilled in
tracking electronic signatures
than the media’s. Naturally we
haven’t told them what we know.

RO
Then you do know?

LENARIS (screen)
Oh, yes. He was good, I’ll give
him that. But we’re better.​

As Ro wonders what that means...



6 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR


The news and its response have not reached here. In Quark’s it’s a perfectly pleasant afternoon with a normal crowd.

QUARK himself is on the open side of the bar, comfortably schmoozing an ALIEN customer.

QUARK
Well, you know what I always say.
If you can’t do the time, you
really should have done a better
job of hiding what you were up to.​

The alien nods sadly.

EVIK (o.s.)
Quark.​

Quark turns towards the main entrance, where EVIK, Bowers, Cenn and Ro are all entering together. Several security officers are with them. Quark doesn’t know why they’re here, but a small army of armed officers can’t be good.

QUARK
Lieutenant Commander Evik. Can I
get you a drink?

EVIK
Not right now, Ambassador. Right
now... we have a job to do.

QUARK
Really.​

There’s an awkward pause. Evik looks disappointed. Bowers looks professional. Cenn looks nauseous. Ro looks pissed.

EVIK
Ambassador Quark. Under Starfleet
code article 36-Beta, subsection
seventeen, you are under arrest
for the unauthorised release of
classified data to the public.​

Quark takes this calmly – he knew they’d be coming for him. Meanwhile, the crowd in the bar goes quiet, listening in. TREIR emerges from the edges to watch – unhappily.

QUARK
I’m impressed. I didn’t think I’d
left any traces, but I guess I’m
just not as good as I thought.
Unluckily for you, as the Ferengi
Ambassador, I enjoy diplomatic
immunity from prosecution. So
I’m afraid you won’t be arresting
anyone today, Commander.
(beat)
Now if you’d like a drink, I’ll be
happy to oblige.​

Ro steps forward – her fury is blistering. Quark sees it, and is sad for it.

RO
I don’t care. You have broken the
law for the last time, Quark. You
have betrayed my trust. Mister
Evik, Mister Bowers... on my
authority you may consider the
Ambassador’s diplomatic immunity
rescinded. Arrest him. Now.​

The junior security officers draw their weapons. Evik and Bowers step forward and grab Quark by the arms. Quark stands his ground, refusing to be intimidated. Keeping his dignity, Quark allows himself to be marched out the bar and towards the security cells.

The crowd have all seen this happen in broad daylight. Cenn still looks like he could vomit. Ro is incandescent with fury. She turns to Treir...

RO
The bar is yours. Congratulations.​

Ro turns and stomps out of the bar, following the others. Treir is left dumbfounded...



FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT ONE​

FADE IN:



7 INT. DS9 – COMMANDER’S OFFICE


Ro SLAMS her hand down on the desk, the padd it carries clattering against the surface. She’s standing, looming over the desk comm screen, and still blazing angry.

RO
Now you listen to me. I will
answer questions about this when
I’m damn well ready to answer
questions about it. And it’s gonna
take more than some hopped up
little bureaucrat to make me be
ready. Do you understand?​

ON SCREEN


A BAJORAN functionary is bristling at Ro’s tone.

BAJORAN (screen)
This request comes directly from
the office of the First Minister.
You are required to –

RO
I don’t care who it comes from.
Until the First Minister herself
turns up on this station, I’m not
saying a word.

BAJORAN (screen)
Commander Ro, this is a direct
order from –

RO
And you’re done.​

Ro STABS the comm panel, cutting the signal, then turns and HURLS the padd in her hand against the wall with a SMASH.

She looks up, and sees Cenn has just entered the room from Ops, and seen her tantrum.

RO
What?

CENN
You know, it might be wise to be
a bit more respectful to the
government. For your own sake.

RO
I don’t respect them.

CENN
It’s called diplomacy.

RO
It’s called lying. What do you
want, anyway?​

Cenn steps in the room, brings up the padd in his own hand.

CENN
I’ve been fielding calls all morning
from angry people all around the
station. “Why did you keep the
ship? Why didn’t you tell us? Why
do you think you can arrest an
ambassador?”

RO
What have you been telling them?

CENN
That I understand their concerns
and that we’re looking into it.
Otherwise known as “nothing”.

RO
What does it even say? What was
the information that he released?
Have you seen it?

CENN
I have. It’s quite narrowly
focused. He wasn’t just uploading
indiscriminately. It was very
specifically about Axno’s ship.

RO
But why? Why would Quark care? And
how did he even get access to that
information? Everyone involved knows
how sensitive this was. I can’t see
any of them being that careless.

CENN
Neither can I. But it’s all there –
the fact that we’ve had the ship
since the initial incident with Axno,
that we kept it on Empok Nor at
first, then moved it to Derna, and
that we’ve been conducting
scientific research on it.​

Ro slumps against the wall, looking up to the ceiling.

RO
Why would he do this to me?

CENN
You’d have to ask him.​

Ro looks to him... and nods. That’s exactly what she’ll do.



8 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Quark sits on the bench, behind a forcefield in one of the cells. He accepts his lot – which is not to say he’s happy.

QUARK
I bet you’re feeling very...
“disappointed” right now, aren’t
you, Commander?​

Reveal that he’s talking to Lt Cmdr Evik.

EVIK
Well, I wouldn’t say I’m happy,
exactly.

QUARK
You know who would be really happy
right now? Odo.

EVIK
You think so?

QUARK
Are you kidding me? There was
nothing he dreamed of more, in his
little bucket, than getting me in
one of these cells and leaving me
here. He’d be in here right now
gloating, saying how he always
knew I’d come to a bad end. Then
he’d grunt and strut off like he
was High Sheriff of Smugtown.
(beat)
At least if I do come to a bad end,
it’ll be for a good reason.

RO (o.s.)
You think this was a good thing?​

Evik and Quark both turn, and see that Ro has been hovering in the doorway, out of sight. Quark stays calm.

QUARK
Yes. Yes, I do.

RO
Commander Evik. Would you mind?

EVIK
I’m... not certain that’s a good idea,
Commander.

RO
(cold smile)
I didn’t ask. Get out.​

Reluctantly, Evik does as he’s told, and turns to leave. Quark chuckles sadly.

QUARK
No witnesses, right? You better
keep those life-sign sensors on.​

Evik leaves, his expression suggesting that yes, maybe he should. Once he’s gone, Ro steps closer to Quark.

RO
You think this is a joke, Quark?

QUARK
Not for a second.

RO
Do you have any idea what you’ve
done?

QUARK
I told the public what they had a
right to know. What their military
is up to behind their backs.

RO
You’ve let out highly classified
information. You’ve started riots
all over Bajor, and outside that
door right now. Who gave you
the information?

QUARK
I don’t reveal my sources.

RO
Oh yes you do.

QUARK
You’re gonna torture it out of me?

RO
If I have to. Who gave you the
information, Quark?

QUARK
That’s Ambassador Quark to you.

RO
You’re not the ambassador in here.
In here, you’re nobody.

QUARK
Do you really think you’ve got the
upper hand here, Laren? The moral
high ground?

RO
You broke the law, Quark!

QUARK
You broke the trust of the entire
Bajoran people. Keeping dangerous
alien technology. Experimenting on
it. Putting every life on Bajor
and this station at risk. And then
when somebody calls you out on it,
you break the diplomatic immunity
between two sovereign governments
and illegally hold a prisoner
without charge. It’s not looking
good for you, Laren.​

Frustrated, Ro turns away, paces round the room. After a moment to gather her wits, she turns back to him.

RO
Why? Why did you do this?

QUARK
I told you why. Because the people
deserved to know.​

Ro shakes her head in disgust, refusing to believe that. Then she turns and leaves. Quark watches her go, sadly pondering his options.



9 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE


Ro re-enters the security office, where Evik stands. He has clearly been watching their conversation on the screens. Ro sneers as she makes to walk on past.

RO
Watch him.

EVIK
I’m watching everything.​

Ro pauses, turns back at the insinuation in Evik’s voice.

RO
I beg your pardon?

EVIK
Anyone being accused of a crime
has the right to a fair trial. You
don’t seem willing to extend that
courtesy to Mister Quark.

RO
You’re new. You don’t know him
like I do.

EVIK
True, I haven’t been here very
long... but he has. Longer than
any other resident of the station,
if I’m not mistaken. I seriously
doubt he’d do anything to harm the
people who’ve given him a home
and a career for almost twenty years.

RO
(astonished)
Are you defending him?

EVIK
I’m simply trying to keep an open
mind. If I may be blunt, Commander,
you’re emotionally compromised
here, due to your relationship with
the prisoner.

RO
We don’t have a “relationship”.

EVIK
The vehemence of your reaction
suggests otherwise. I suggest you
leave further interactions with
Quark to those less... invested.

RO
I spent months arguing over that
damn ship with Vaughn, Bashir,
Kira, Cenn... everyone. And then
Quark comes in and pulls the whole
thing out from under me. How
would you feel?

CENN (comm)
Cenn to Commander Ro.

RO
Go ahead, Major.

CENN (comm)
We’ve just received a top priority
message from Ferenginar. From the
office of the Grand Nagus himself.

RO
I guess I’m not surprised. What
does it say?

CENN (comm)
That they have already lodged an
official complaint with both the
Bajoran government and Starfleet
Command. Also that the Nagus is
outraged at the illegal treatment
of the ambassador, and that if he
is not released, they are prepared
to break off diplomatic relations
entirely and withdraw all Ferengi
citizens from Federation space.

RO
(scoff)
Is that supposed to be a threat?

CENN (comm)
Perhaps not. But what definitely
is a threat are the three D’Kora-
class Marauders on their way here
now, with orders to secure Quark’s
release... by force if necessary.​

Off Ro and Evik’s reaction to that...



FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT TWO​

FADE IN:



10 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


A Bajoran shuttle docks at the station...



11 INT. DS9 – DOCKING RING CORRIDOR


The airlock cycles open, and KIRA steps out. Ro and Cenn are there to greet her. Cenn is looking pale and sickly. As they talk, other passengers disembark from the shuttle, many giving dirty side-eye to all three of our characters.

RO
Nerys.

KIRA
Commander, Major.

CENN
How are things on Bajor?

KIRA
Not good. We’re pretty isolated in
Janir, thank the Prophets. But I’m
hearing stories of angry protests
from all over the planet.

RO
Yeah. We’re hearing the same
stories here.

CENN
I’ve already had to break up two
fights on the Promenade. Some
people are calling Quark a hero
of the people... others a traitor.

KIRA
(deep breath)
That’s why I’m here. Yevir came to
me. He said that the kai requested
me specifically, to come here and
handle this.

RO
A simple novice?

KIRA
A novice who’s worked with all the
people involved... and who knows
because she’s been there herself.

LEDAHN (o.s.)
I look forward to hearing the
Vedek Assembly’s position.​

They turn, and see that Bajoran politician LEDAHN (last seen 10x07 “Instinct”) is one of the last passengers off the shuttle. They’re all surprised to see him.

RO
Second Minister Ledahn. I didn’t
realise you were on board.

LEDAHN
I was able to secure a private
cabin. It’s not exactly safe to be
a politician in public right now.​

Cenn blanches even further. This is all getting worse.

LEDAHN
I think it’s best we not talk in a
corridor, Commander. Shall we?

RO
Lead the way, Major.​

Nodding, Cenn haltingly leads them off down the corridor.



12 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Quark still sits in his cell. Evik sits in a chair opposite the cell, holding a padd, speaking calmly and patiently.

QUARK
You can ask me the same question
over and over as often as you
like, Commander. You’ll get the
same answer.

EVIK
It’s important that you tell us
how you got the information,
Quark. So far as we know, only
a very small number of people
had access to it. So you knowing
implies a leak in our security.

QUARK
That your problem, not mine.

EVIK
And you didn’t consider coming to
me or to Commander Ro, rather
than going straight to the public?

QUARK
Work within the system, you mean?
The system doesn’t work. How are
you supposed to report something
that’s wrong to the people who
are responsible for doing it?

EVIK
What exactly have we done that’s
so wrong?

QUARK
Really? Starfleet is supposed to
protect the people. But you’ve put
them at risk. I have ears. I know
it only takes one Ascendant ship
and one pilot to destroy an entire
star system. And that’s exactly
what you’ve got.

EVIK
Raiq hasn’t been anywhere near the
ship, at least not when she was
conscious. It’s under extremely
heavy security.

QUARK
You shouldn’t have it in the first
place. You should have destroyed
it. Ro should have destroyed it.

EVIK
That’s not your decision to make.

QUARK
If the population can’t keep their
leaders honest and hold them to
account... who can, Mister Evik?​

13 INT. DS9 – COMMANDER’S OFFICE


Ro, Kira, Cenn and Ledahn. All on their feet, although Cenn stands somewhat apart, less confrontational than the rest.

LEDAHN
We demand that the ambassador be
turned over to us for questioning.

RO
On what grounds?

LEDAHN
What he has done affects Bajor.

RO
It wasn’t Bajor’s secrets he let out.
It was Starfleet’s. He’s staying here.

CENN
He’s being questioned right now.
We’ll share what we learn.

LEDAHN
(snide)
You’ll forgive me if my confidence
in that has been shaken, Major.

KIRA
The Vedek Assembly agrees with
the Ferengi government that the
ambassador should be released
immediately. And I agree too.

RO
What?!

KIRA
Ro, Quark hasn’t done anything
wrong. Against the rules, maybe.
But that’s not the same thing.

RO
I can’t believe you of all people
are defending Quark.

KIRA
Yeah, that used to be your thing.
But I think you’re punishing him
unfairly. And the Kai agrees.

CENN
(flustered)
Look, it’s... is it really so bad?
Maybe the public should know.

KIRA
Exactly. They can handle it. You
underestimate them if you think
they can’t.

RO
It’s not about whether the people
can handle knowing we’ve got an
Ascendant ship!

LEDAHN
I rather think it is. If I can’t even
tell people where I’m going for
fear of being attacked, then clearly
this was a bad idea.

RO
(dismissive)
So get a bodyguard or something.​

14 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE


As the raised voices continue from inside the office, Nog and Candlewood get on with their work in Ops.

CANDLEWOOD
You’re awfully quiet.

NOG
(tight)
I’ve got nothing to say.

CANDLEWOOD
Your uncle has just pulled off the
biggest classified information
heist in decades. That demands
some kind of reaction from you.

NOG
He broke the law. He’s in jail.
That’s all I need to know.​

Candlewood gets up from his station, walks across to Nog (passing the office doors through which we can still hear the muffled arguments), and leans against Nog’s console.

CANDLEWOOD
Nog, he’s your family. You should
at least talk to him.

NOG
I told you. I have nothing to say.
Don’t ask me again, John.​

As Nog turns back to his console, with the shouting voices still going in the background...



15 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR


Ro stomps along the corridor, still in a very bad mood. She turns a corner, THUMPS the wall in unfocused anger on her way past, and keeps on going.

She passes a turbolift entrance. Just after, the turbolift arrives and the doors open. Treir emerges, calls after her.

TREIR
Commander! Can I talk to you?​

Ro pauses, grits her teeth. Really not in the mood for this. But she makes an effort to be pleasant and receptive.

RO
Treir. What can I do for you?

TREIR
You can let Quark go.

RO
(turns to leave)
Goodbye, Treir.

TREIR
Don’t walk away from me! You will
talk to me, dammit!​

Ro turns back to Treir, looms threateningly.

RO
Who the hell do you think you are?

TREIR
I don’t think – I know – that I’m
not one of your officers, and you
can’t boss me around. And I know
why you’re doing this.

RO
(derisive)
Are you gonna tell me I’m secretly
in love with him? That this is a
spat between lovers and if I could
just let my scorned woman heart go
then I’d see he was right along?

TREIR
Or you’re afraid he’s the scorned
one who did it to get back at you.

RO
He doesn’t care about me. He’s
proven that.

TREIR
Oh yes he does. But this was never
about you.

RO
(grabs Treir)
Did you know about this? Did you
know he was going to do this?

TREIR
(shakes free)
No. But I know Quark. Better than
you do sometimes, I think. And
this was not about you. This was
about right and wrong.

RO
And Quark is the one in the wrong.

TREIR
I don’t think you’d be so angry if
you really believed that, Laren.

RO
Treir, I’m going to say this very
clearly. I have had enough. I
don’t care how many people plead
or beg or demand. Quark is staying
where he is. Goodbye.​

Ro turns away again and continues to stomp off down the corridor. Treir watches her go, and makes a decision.



16 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Quark is still sat in his cell, quite calm. He looks around at the walls of his cell, at the forcefield in front of him and at the bare, unpopulated room beyond. He sighs.

QUARK
You really got yourself into it this
time, Quark. Mother would be
so proud.

TREIR
Not as proud as I am.​

Treir has appeared in the doorway from the office.

QUARK
How did you get in here? I thought
I wasn’t allowed any visitors.

TREIR
I convinced Lieutenant Commander
Evik that I needed to ask you
something about running the bar.

QUARK
You better not have left that
idiot Grimp in charge.

TREIR
I think we have more important
things to worry about than that
right now, don’t you? Like how
to get you out of here.

QUARK
Treir, there is no getting me out
of here.

TREIR
Yes there is. Because I’m gonna
break you out.​

Off Quark’s reaction to that...



FADE OUT:

END OF ACT TWO​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT THREE​

FADE IN:



17 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Picking up exactly where we left off.

QUARK
What are you talking about?

TREIR
I can talk to Major Cenn. He’s
crazy about me. If I work on him
just right, I’m sure I can get him
to loosen the locks on your cage.

QUARK
(amused)
And then what?

TREIR
And then I sneak you out of here,
get you off the station, and...

QUARK
And what?​

Treir hesitates. This is a big thing for her.

TREIR
And then I talk to the Orion
Syndicate and get them to take
care of you.

QUARK
The Orion Syndicate?! Oh Treir,
there are so many things wrong
with that plan...

TREIR
I know they’re not the most
trustworthy people, but –

QUARK
Plus they hate me, plus they want
to make you a slave –

TREIR
I know all that. But you stood up
for me when I needed it. I wanna
return the favour.

QUARK
Treir... I appreciate the offer. Really.
But no. I am not going to the Orion
Syndicate. You are not breaking me
out of here. And you are certainly not
seducing Major Cenn to do it. He’s a
good guy, he doesn’t deserve that.

TREIR
You don’t have to be a martyr,
Quark. You’ve got people out there
right now fighting for you.

QUARK
(touched)
Really? That’s sweet.

TREIR
And you’ve also got three Ferengi
Marauders coming in with their
weapons charged any minute now.

QUARK
I’m not running, Treir. I did this,
and now I’m going to face the
consequences.​

Quark sits back in his cell, resolute.



18 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


One at a time, three Ferengi Marauder vessels drop out of warp and approach the station.

CENN (v.o.)
(shaky)
First Officer’s log, Major Cenn
Desca reporting. The Ferengi
cruisers Kreechta, Togram and
Flibb’s Folly have just arrived.​

The three ships take up positions surrounding the station in an unambiguously threatening posture.

CENN (v.o., cont)
This has gone so much further than
I expected. If we end up going to
war over this... I don’t know what
I’m supposed to do here.​

19 INT. DS9 – WARD ROOM


The doors open and DAIMON GROB (last seen on screen in 10x08 “Property Values”) struts proudly in. The diminutive Ferengi holds himself tall as he can, wearing a fur-lined uniform as in early TNG, energy-whip coiled at his side.

Out in the corridor, two armed Ferengi security officers cringe at the dark architecture and suspiciously eye the two Starfleet security also standing there. The door closes on them, and Ro, Kira, Cenn and Ledahn rise to greet him.

RO
Daimon Grob, welcome to Deep Space
Nine. Allow me to present Second
Minister Ledahn, Novice Kira –

GROB
Where is the ambassador?

CENN
(tense)
He’s being held for questioning.
If you’d like to see him, that can
be arranged.

GROB
I would like to see him freed. I
have orders from the Grand Nagus
himself to ensure the ambassador’s
freedom... or else.

RO
Let me be clear about something,
Daimon. Threats are not going to
work. You don’t scare me.

GROB
I’m wearing fur, aren’t I? Of
course you’re scared of me! And
I will not be talked down to by
clothed females.

RO
One more comment like that, and
you’ll be wearing your fur on the
inside, Daimon.​

Kira and Ledahn smirk. Cenn gulps nervously.

RO
Now if you’ll take a seat, I’m
prepared to talk about this. But
if you’re just going to bluster,
we can leave right now.​

Grob seethes quietly to himself... but begrudgingly sits down. Ro, Cenn, Kira and Ledahn do the same.



20 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR


Nog is sat at the bar, eating his lunch, as business goes on around him. The atmosphere is quiet, as they all discuss recent events in hushed, worried tones.

Treir steps up to Nog from her place behind the bar.

TREIR
I’m disappointed in you, Nog.

NOG
(surprised)
Why, what did I do?

TREIR
You abandoned your family. People
who’ve never even met him are
fighting to defend his name, and
you haven’t even been to see him.

NOG
Treir, this really isn’t any of your
business.

TREIR
You know what I don’t understand?
How come I, who have done nothing
but fight with the son of a slorg
since the day I got here, am the only
one who seems to give a damn.

NOG
You think I don’t care? I care a lot.
I’m embarrassed. I’m ashamed of
him. I don’t wanna see him. I don’t
wanna talk to him. He disgusts me.​

Nog throws down his fork onto the plate, leaving his food half finished. Then he stands, turns and stomps across the bar and out onto the Promenade.



21 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE (CONTINUOUS)


Exiting the bar, Nog catches sight of the security office doors. He pauses, torn by indecision. What will he do?



22 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE


Evik returns from the cells, stopping in surprise to find Nog standing in the office, watching his uncle on screen.

EVIK
Plucking up the courage?

NOG
Trying not to reach for a phaser.​

Evik steps aside; with a nod, Nog walks past to the cells.



23 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Nog enters the cells area, seeing Quark sat across from him. Quark looks up, smiles in muted relief. But Nog has nothing but scorn for him.

NOG
I always knew you were a criminal.

QUARK
Nice to know I’m appreciated.

NOG
How much did you get paid, uncle?
How much money does it take for
you to spit on the organisation
I’ve dedicated my life to? On the
people who’ve protected you, who
let you get away with all your little
schemes over the years? Huh?
How much, uncle, to send an
entire planet’s society to hell?

QUARK
(chuckle)
At least you’ve inherited my flair
for the dramatic, if nothing else.
I’m surprised at you, Nog. You’re
the one who always says money
isn’t everything.

NOG
And I believe that. But you –

QUARK
Then you should be happy! I’ve
finally lived up to all your hopes
and dreams. I didn’t take a single
slip of latinum for this. Not one.

NOG
I don’t believe you.

QUARK
Check my accounts if you want. I
have nothing to hide. I received
the information, I read through
it, I decided that the public had
a right to know that the people
charged with protecting them are
actually putting them in danger,
so I passed it on. Simple as that.

NOG
Who gave you the information?

QUARK
Okay, I guess I do have one thing
to hide. You know a businessman
never reveals his contacts.

NOG
He does if you pay him enough.

QUARK
We already established it’s not
about the money. I’m not getting
any reward for this, Nog. Actually
I’m making a substantial loss. I
stand to lose my business, my
reputation, even my freedom. But
you know what? It was worth it.​

Nog is dumbfounded. This is so unlike Quark, and yet it seems to be true. Nog doesn’t know what to believe...



24 ON SCREEN


A small personal screen. It shows the NEWS FEED, where Bajoran civilians continue to riot in the streets. Militia and Starfleet officers work together to control them.

TIANA (v.o.)
The Vedek Assembly has come out
in support of Ambassador Quark,
calling him “a scapegoat and the
victim of a monstrous miscarriage
of justice”.​

25 INT. DS9 – CENN’S QUARTERS


Now we see that Cenn is watching, in the dark, alone in his quarters. He looks absolutely stricken, horrified.

TIANA (screen)
The First Minister’s office has
said they will make a complete
review of the evidence against
the ambassador before deciding
how to proceed.​

Cenn turns away from the screen and rushes to his bathroom.

We stay with Cenn; Tiana’s voiceover continues over the background sounds of rioting Bajorans.

TIANA (v.o.)
General Lenaris has admitted that
he was aware of the existence of
the Ascendant vessel, but was
under instructions from Starfleet
not to reveal it. And Commander Ro
of Deep Space Nine has refused to
comment, despite several requests.​

In his bathroom, Cenn lurches to the sink and VOMITS hard, belly twisting and skin sweating. He retches and coughs, wracked with sobs of revulsion. Stay on him. No flinching.

TIANA (v.o.)
Meanwhile, the protests continue.
And while Militia and Starfleet are
ostensibly working together to
quell them, there are unconfirmed
reports that Militia are in fact
turning on Starfleet, blaming them
for having caused this crisis.​

Cenn drags himself upright and stares in the mirror. He looks awful – sweating, dark circles, hair unkempt.

TIANA (v.o.)
Dozens of injuries have been
reported, and there are rumours of
at least one death in the fighting
outside the Starfleet recruitment
offices in Musilla province...​

Off Cenn’s stricken face in the mirror...



FADE OUT:

END OF ACT THREE​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT FOUR​

FADE IN:



26 INT. DS9 – COMMANDER’S OFFICE


Appearing on Ro’s desk screen is the one and only Admiral JANEWAY. Ro sits in the command chair, on edge but forced to control it in front of her superior officer.

JANEWAY (screen)
You’re risking a major diplomatic
incident with this, Commander. You
cannot imprison a duly appointed
envoy from a foreign state.

RO
I understand the rules, Admiral.
But the ambassador is our only
lead in a major security breach.
We need answers, and he’s the
only one who can give them to us.

JANEWAY (screen)
I do appreciate your frustration.
But you’ll have to find another
way. Starfleet is coming under
enormous pressure from the Ferengi
to resolve this – now. I’m going
to have to order you to release
the ambassador. He is to be freed
and back on sovereign Ferengi soil
within the hour. Understood?

RO
Understood, admiral.

JANEWAY (screen)
Good. Command out.​

Ro’s screen returns to the standard Federation banner. Ro hisses in frustration. Then she looks up as the doors open – Novice Kira is entering.

RO
Oh, goodie. I was just looking for
someone else to yell at me.

KIRA

I haven’t come to yell, Laren. But
I do have to wonder what the hell
you think you’re doing.

RO
Look, Nerys – you’ve said it many
times. This isn’t your problem
anymore. So just let me handle
it my own way, will you?

KIRA
You’re right, I have no control
over what you do. But I can try
to make you see sense.

RO
Really? Are you seriously telling
me you wouldn’t have come down
on Quark like a ton of bricks if he’d
done this when you were in charge?

KIRA
Probably. But then Sisko or Vaughn
or somebody would have come down
on me like a ton of bricks, and I’d
have realised it was wrong.

RO
Oh, don’t talk to me about Vaughn.
This is all his fault. He got me into
this mess.

KIRA
Maybe. But you’re the one who’s
gotta get out of it.

RO
Exactly – me. Not you, not Vaughn,
not the politicians, not some admiral
at Starfleet Command, not some
sexist pig Ferengi captain. Me. So
let me do what I need to do, and
this’ll all be over.​

Ro gets up and stomps out of the office, leaving Kira.



27 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Ro walks into the cells area, Cenn and Evik close behind. Quark looks up in confusion – this feels like development.

RO
Mister Evik. I have been ordered
by Starfleet Command to release
the ambassador within the hour.

EVIK
Understood, Commander.

RO
An hour gives me just enough time
to ask a few last questions. Make
sure no-one interrupts us, please.​

Evik hesitates. Ro gives him a stern look.

RO
That’s an order, Commander.

EVIK
Aye, sir.​

Exchanging a frown with Cenn, Evik retreats back to the security office. Cenn looks no better than he did before. Staring Quark down, Ro doesn’t blink.

RO
Computer, disengage security
and life-sign sensors within cell
block one, and restrict access.
Authorisation Ro Laren, commanding
officer, seven-J-four-two-red.

COMPUTER
Authorisation confirmed. Sensors
disengaged, access restricted.

CENN
Commander, what are you –

RO
Mister Cenn, please release the
ambassador from his cell.​

Confused, Cenn moves slowly to do as he’s told. He presses the controls, and the forcefield drops. Meanwhile, Ro grabs a chair, places it in the centre of the room, then moves to a locker on the wall. Quark stands, getting worried.

QUARK
Are you actually going to do this,
Laren? To me?

RO
You’ve given me no choice, Quark.

CENN
Why, what are you –

QUARK
Come on, Major. You’re a Bajoran.
Don’t you recognise a Cardassian
torture chamber when you see one?

CENN
W-w-what? No, Commander, you –

RO
I need to know who your contact
was, Quark. It’s a matter of
national security. Take a seat.

QUARK
Make me.

RO
If you insist. Major, please bring
Quark to the chair.

CENN
But, sir –

RO
Do it.​

Hardly able to believe what’s happening, Cenn moves in a daze to grab Quark by the arm. Quark struggles. Cenn weakens. But at a renewed glare from Ro, he grabs Quark again and drags him to the chair in the middle of the room.

Cenn forces Quark into the seat, then stands back. Quark is starting to get genuinely worried now. Ro steps forward.

RO
Thank you, Major. Good to know I
can depend on someone.​

Cenn blanches in horror. Ro brings out a set of Starfleet handcuffs, moves behind Quark and locks them around his wrists behind the chair.

QUARK
Okay, Laren. Ha ha. The joke’s gone
far enough now.

RO
(stone faced)
Witness my laughter, Quark.​

Ro moves back to the locker and begins picking through its contents. Cenn watches, beginning to sweat. Quark struggles against his bonds.

QUARK
Laren... if you do this, you’re
going to have to live with
yourself afterwards.

RO
I already live with worse.​

Ro turns around, holding two hyposprays and walks ominously back towards Quark.

RO
Now. Here’s a little trick they
don’t teach you at the academy.
But hiding in caves, fighting
Cardassians and Jem’Hadar, you
learn a thing or two. One hypo of
morphenolog, standard painkiller,
no side effects. But one hypo of
morphenelog plus one hypo of
dalaphaline – what a fascinating
combination.​

Quark struggles again against his handcuffs. Cenn seems rooted to the spot.

QUARK
Don’t you dare do this.

RO
Who gave you the information,
Quark? I need to know.

QUARK
You behave like this, I’m not
telling you anything ever again.

RO
I’m not kidding, Quark. Once these
drugs get into your system, you’ll
feel like you’re burning alive from
the inside out. You’ll beg to tell
me everything you know.

QUARK
Major, do something!

RO
As you were, Major. You can make
this all stop right now, Quark, if
you just tell me who your contact
was. Who gave you the information.

QUARK
You don’t deserve to know!​

With shocking suddenness, Ro PUNCHES Quark across the face. Quark SHOUTS in pain; Cenn YELPS in surprise.

CENN
Commander, you have to stop –

RO
He betrayed me, Major! He betrayed
all of us... but especially me.

CENN
But that’s no reason to do this.

QUARK
(desperate)
Yes! No reason! No reason at all!
Laren, look, let’s talk about this,
come to some arrangement.

RO
No arrangements, Quark. I’ve made
my last arrangement with you. Now
tell me who your contact was, or
I’ll make you tell me.​

Quark begins to SQUEAL at the top of his voice, that supremely irritating sound only a Ferengi can manage.

QUARK
Heeeelp! Heeeelp! Heeeelp!​

Ro PUNCHES him again, and he stops shrieking, starts crying and moaning instead, his face swelling and bruised.

RO
Shut up! I only want to hear one
thing from you Quark, and that’s
a name. Tell me now.

QUARK
I don’t know!

RO
I don’t believe you.

QUARK
It’s true, I don’t know!

RO
Fine. You wanna do this the hard
way, that’s fine with me.​

Ro lifts the hyposprays. Cenn surges forwards, grabs Ro, tries to pull her away.

CENN
Commander, no!​

Ro SHOVES Cenn away – he staggers back across the room.

QUARK
I don’t know who it was! They
never told me their name! It was
anonymous! It just appeared on
my comm system one day!

RO
Don’t lie to me, Quark.

QUARK
I’m not lying! I can’t tell you
because I don’t know!

CENN
Stop it! Stop it!

RO
Tell me their name, Quark.

CENN
It was me!​

Ro stops, turns to Cenn. Cenn is collapsed against the wall half in tears, face ashen, looking like death. He looks back at Ro and Quark, both staring at him in confusion.

CENN
It was me, alright? It was me!

RO
What was you?

CENN
I’m Quark’s contact. I’m the one
who gave him the information about
the Ascendant ship... It was me.​

As Ro gawps in amazement, Cenn crumples against the wall...



FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT FIVE​

FADE IN:



28 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Picking up where we left off again. Cenn leans against the wall, wracked with shudders and pants. Quark slumps in his chair, his hands still bound behind him. Ro gawps in shock.

Slowly, she turns away, takes a few steps, places the hypos down on a table as she tries to process this. She can’t look either of them in the face right now.

RO
You.
(shakes head)
...You?

CENN
General Lenaris ordered me to do it.
To find a way to get the data out
there... without it looking like it
was us.

RO
So you used Quark? Set him up to
take the fall?

CENN
No! No-one was supposed to know.
I gave it to Quark... I thought he
would pass it on to somebody else.
I never thought they’d trace it
back to him.

QUARK
(slurry)
Thanks for the confidence.

CENN
This all got so far out of hand...
But this makes it okay, right? If
I own up to this... then that makes
it an internal Bajoran matter. The
diplomatic crisis with the Ferengi
goes away.​

Ro finally turns to him.

RO
It makes it okay? Yeah, sure! It
just means that instead of my best
friend betraying me, it was my
first officer instead.

CENN
But -

RO
Does it make it okay that Quark
still let out classified data, no
matter where he got it from? Does
it make it okay that I arrested an
ambassador and held him without
charge? Does it make it okay that
there have been deaths on the
street because of this? Or that
I was about to...​

She can’t even finish that.

QUARK
Can I say something?

RO
Oh god, Quark...​

Ro rushes to free Quark’s hands. Unbound, he gingerly touches his face, winces at the bruises and swelling.

QUARK
This doesn’t change anything. It
was still the right thing to do.

RO
How can you say that?

QUARK
You were still wrong, Laren. You
shouldn’t have kept this secret.
Whoever told it, the people had
a right to know.

RO
But look what’s happened.

QUARK
Because of the secrets. Not
because of the truth.​

Ro sags against a table. She looks at Quark slumped in his seat, beaten and bruised. She looks at Cenn, crying softly against the wall.

RO
What do we do now?​

No-one has any answers.



29 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE


Evik sits in his chair, unhappy about things. He looks up as he sees BASHIR approaching in a hurry, carrying a med kit. The door opens and Bashir enters. (Outside on the Promenade, a bit of a crowd has gathered).

EVIK
Doctor?​

The door from the cells opens and Ro steps through.

RO
Julian. In here.​

Bashir quickly follows Ro back into the cells. Curious, Evik follows too.



30 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS


Ro, Bashir and Evik re-enter the cells area, finding Quark standing, Cenn helping him. Bashir rushes to Quark, begins to inspect his face. He throws a sour look at Ro.

BASHIR
Is it even worth me asking what
went on in here?​

Ro doesn’t answer. Evik is very much not happy either. Bashir just does his work, mending Quark’s face.



31 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE


The security office doors open, and Quark emerges, to a ROAR of applause and cheers from the gathered crowd. Treir is there, cheering and clapping at the front of the crowd. Kira, Ledahn and Daimon Grob are also there, in various emotional states. (Security bodies keep everyone in line.)

Quark stands in the doorway of security, looking fully healed, no sign of his injuries. He raises his hands in thanks to his supporters. Ro, Bashir and Evik stand grimly behind him. Cenn is nowhere to be seen.

Quark moves off into the crowd, letting them adore him. As she exits the office, Ro catches eyes with Treir. Treir nods her thanks to Ro. Ro looks away awkwardly.



32 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


The three Ferengi Marauders slowly turn and leave the area. The Bajoran shuttle also detaches and moves away.



33 INT. DS9 – COMMANDER’S OFFICE


Ro is sat at her desk, talking again into the comm screen, which now features General Lenaris.

RO
You know, General, if you hated
me this much, you could have just
said so. Cenn told me it all.​

On screen, Lenaris takes a deep breath and centres himself.

LENARIS (screen)
Prophets save me from officers
with persecution complexes.

RO
I beg your pardon?

LENARIS (screen)
This was not personal, Commander.
At least, not in so much that I
wouldn’t have taken this action
regardless of whose wrong-headed
decision this was.

RO
I gave you that information as a
sign of good faith. And you just
stomped all over my good faith
like it meant nothing to you.

LENARIS (screen)
Good faith does mean nothing,
Commander, when it’s including me
in something so corrupt. You have
put the lives I protect at risk. And
I have no problem embarrassing
Starfleet publicly because of it.

RO
While you look like the victim. So
now what? I’m supposed to throw
myself on my sword, beg for mercy?

LENARIS (screen)
You’re supposed to get rid of the
ship, Commander, before it gets
rid of us.

RO
It’s a source of vital tactical and
technological information.

LENARIS (screen)
It’s a death machine. And now
everyone – everyone – knows where
to find it. You have no choice.

RO
(cold smile)
Don’t underestimate me, General.

LENARIS (screen)
Is that a threat, Commander?

RO
(shrug)
I just think that if the public were
so eager to know my secrets, I’m
sure they’d be fascinated by yours
as well.

LENARIS (screen)
Mutually assured destruction, then.

RO
It’s what it’s all about, General.​

Ro stabs the comm panel, cutting the signal. She sits for a moment, ponders. Then she hits the comm button again.

RO
Major Cenn to my office please.

CENN (comm)
On my way, Commander.​

Ro stands and gazes out of the window behind her desk. After a moment, the door opens and Cenn enters the office. He keeps it tight and controlled, no idea how this will go.

CENN
Major Cenn, reporting as ordered.

RO
(still not looking)
Thank you, Major.​

There’s a pause. Cenn wonders if he should say something.

RO
I’ve spoken to Lenaris. I’ve think
we’ve both agreed that this will
go no further.

CENN
Do you want my resignation, sir?

RO
I thought about it. But of the two
of us, you’re the only one who was
actually following orders. So no.
(turns to him)
But I do want your honesty. You’ll
get mine in return. The Militia and
Starfleet can’t be working at odds
like this.

CENN
I’m gradually coming to the same
conclusion, Commander.

RO
I haven’t told the crew. They all
think it was just Quark, and he
got away with it because he’s the
ambassador. So your secret’s safe.

CENN
I appreciate that, sir. May I ask –
what about the ship?

RO
I’m having it moved again as we
speak. A whole new hiding place.

CENN
Can I know where?

RO
Can I trust you to know?​

As we await Cenn’s answer to that...



34 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S QUARTERS


The tissue regenerator is in Quark’s hand, and he casts it slowly and gingerly across his cheek. He’s in his pyjamas, and alone. The DOOR CHIME sounds.

Afraid he knows who it is, he hesitates. But then he places down the regenerator on a table and goes to answer it.

The door opens – it’s Ro. She waits, cautious.

RO
Hi, Quark. Can I come in?​

Quark almost says no. But eventually he steps aside. She enters, fidgety, not sure what to say now she’s here.

Quark returns to pick up the tissue regenerator, sits on the couch, resumes passing it over his cheek.

QUARK
What do you want?

RO
I thought Bashir fixed you.

QUARK
That was just cosmetic. So I
could look good for my public.
It’s still bruised underneath.​

He winces as the regenerator goes over a particularly sore spot. Ro rushes to him...

RO
Let me?​

Reluctantly, he lets her take the regenerator. She sits beside him on the couch and begins gently healing him.

RO
I don’t know what to say, Quark.

QUARK
Neither do I. It’s not something
that happens every day.

RO
I’m still mad at you for going
behind my back.
(off Quark’s
reaction)
I know, I know. You have more
reason to be mad at me.​

Quark settles back down, lets her run the regenerator.

RO
The protests are dying down, now
that you’re out of jail.

QUARK
These things always blow over.
There’ll be another next big thing
soon enough, and then everyone’s
attention will be on that.

RO
I guess so. Kira’s gone too. And
Ledahn. And Grob.

QUARK
I’m gonna have some explaining to
do to Rom.

RO
Me too. I’ve agreed to go on BNN
and be interviewed. Prophets only
know what I’m going to say.

QUARK
I can help you prepare for it, if
you want.​

A long pause as Ro continues to heal Quark’s wounds.

RO
Thanks, Quark. That would be good.​

Leaving on that...



FADE OUT:

END OF SHOW​