DS9 11x22 - "Penitence" SEASON FINALE!

[DS9Continuing]

Hi all


Time for the SEASON FINALE - episode 22.

Again, this episode dramatises events first described post facto in the licensed DS9 novel Rough Beasts of Empire by David R George III.


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.

11x18 - "The Never-Ending Sacrifice" (Memory Beta)
At the new Cardassian Embassy on Earth, Garak receives an unexpected visitor.

11x19 - "Gratitude" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
It’s Gratitude Festival time, and there are celebrations on DS9 and Bajor.

11x20 - "Fugitive" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
Rebecca has been kidnapped, and all of Bajor is looking for the kidnapper.

11x21 - "Inferno" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
A monstrous hybrid killer is on the loose, while Kira brings enemies together.

11x22 - "Penitence" (AdAstra, pdf, ebook)
With a ticking clock until disaster, the life of Sisko’s daughter is on the line.

Enjoy!

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

TEASER​

FADE IN:



1 MONTAGE FROM PREVIOUS EPS


-- Vaughn disappears from main engineering, and appears in the white space of the wormhole (10x22 “Ascension”)

VOICEOVER
This season, on Star Trek: Deep
Space Nine...​

-- Rebecca takes Vaughn’s hand, begins to lead him out of the white space (11x04 “Separation Manoeuvres Complete”)

REBECCA
Come on. Time to go. Daddy’s
waiting for us.

VAUGHN
Okay, Rebecca. Take me home.​

-- In the commander’s office (11x05 “The New Normal”)

VAUGHN
I have been officially promoted to
captain and assigned as the new
commanding officer of Deep Space
Nine. I am officially inviting you
to be first officer.

RO
Thank you, Captain. I accept.​

-- Ro introduces Evik to Cenn in the security office. They shake hands (11x09 “The Laughing Policeman”)

VAUGHN
(v.o. from 11x05)
Now, we’ll need a new chief
security officer to replace you.​

-- Hetik meets Candlewood in the corridor (11x05)

HETIK
I heard you got a promotion. Chief
Science Officer, that’s amazing!

CANDLEWOOD
Oh... yeah... thank you.​

-- Vaughn talks to Prynn in the office, plus his transfer approval on the screen (11x05)

VAUGHN
I might not be here all the
time... but I will be here when
you need me.​

-- Major Cenn is running Ops, listening to Corporal Renta over the comm (11x03 “Self Destruct Initiated”)

RENTA (comm)
Ascendants, Major. Here. Now.
In the Bajoran system.​

-- Raiq opens the door to find Kira waiting (11x03)

KIRA
We need your help.​

-- Kira, Raiq, Sisko and Prynn in the runabout, chasing after Axno (11x03)

KIRA
Why would the Prophets let one of
these people into the Alpha Quadrant?​

-- Kira, Raiq and Axno in the shrine (11x03)

KIRA
Axno... what are you doing?

RAIQ
My sister, please...

AXNO
You are no sister of mine.​

-- Axno BURSTS into a massive ball of flame. Raiq casts her hands out and forms an instant force field (11x03)


-- Vaughn and Ro revealing their secret to Prynn, Nog and Candlewood (11x07 “In Love and War”)

RO
We need a mystery solved.

PRYNN
What kind of mystery?

VAUGHN
The kind that’s called... an
Ascendant ship.

RO
It’s Axno’s ship.​

-- Inside the ship, the silver material creeps up Prynn’s arm (11x07)

PRYNN
Get it off me!​

-- The ship fires, blasting a hole in the wall of Empok Nor, air screaming through the hole (11x07)

PRYNN (v.o.)
It’s alive, sir. It’s a living
creature, and it’s healing.

CANDLEWOOD (v.o.)
I cracked some of the bio-signals
already.

NOG (v.o.)
It turns out that Empok Nor was
the perfect place to hide it. With
no fusion core on the station, and
no pilot, the ship has nothing
to feed off.​

-- Kira confronts Vaughn in the Defiant corridor outside sickbay (11x10 “Gut Feelings”)

KIRA
I get why you didn’t tell Raiq
about the ship. But why couldn’t
you tell me?

VAUGHN
Why would I? You’re not Starfleet
anymore. You’re not even Militia.
You resigned. To put it bluntly,
Nerys, you’re no longer one of us.​

-- Raiq in the grip of the vessel, being healed (11x10)

VAUGHN (v.o.)
You know it only takes one ship
and one pilot to destroy an entire
star system, and you want me to
just hand it over?

KIRA (v.o.)
You don’t know her. She’s changed.​

-- The big argument in the commander’s office (11x10)

BASHIR
You’re outnumbered, Captain.

VAUGHN
You think this is some kind of
democracy? You follow my orders.

RO
Not if the orders are wrong, sir.​

-- Vaughn gestures at the Defiant’s main viewscreen, with its tumbling debris of the holographic Deep Space Nine (11x11 “The Crucible”)

VAUGHN
And what about those thousands
of dead people?

RO
There are no dead people!

VAUGHN
The day will come. I guarantee it.

RO
Then I’ll deal with it my way.​

-- Vaughn makes his announcement on stage (11x13 “The Late Show! With Morn”)

VAUGHN
This is not going to be easy for
me to say. But I will be leaving
Deep Space Nine soon.​

-- Vaughn transfers command, in Ops (11x14 “No Confidence”)

RO
I relieve you, sir.

VAUGHN
I stand relieved.​

-- Ro and Cenn in the office (11x15 “Never See It Coming”)

RO
I’m going to need an executive
officer here. You want the job?

CENN
Yes. Thank you, Commander.​

-- Yevir brings Kira and Raiq to Janir (11x06)

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

MIKA
Nerys, you came. That’s wonderful.

RAIQ
You also know this woman, Kira?

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

MIKA
In fact, I still follow Ohalu. But
Vedek Yevir asked for my help,
and I saw no reason why we
couldn’t work together.​

-- Kira and Ro talk in the runabout (11x15)

KIRA
I’m not here to take command
from you. I’m only here to watch
out for Raiq.

RO
Why?

KIRA
I killed her entire race, Laren.
That’s on me.​

-- Ro reveals the secret ship to Raiq (11x14)

RO
We found a message... from
another Ascendant. You’re not
the only one, Raiq.​

-- On the Black World, Raiq and Vexh meet (11x15)

VEXH
It is a great relief to see you.

RAIQ
It is good to see you too, my
brother. I am Raiq.

VEXH
I am Vexh.​

-- The meridian destroys Vexh’s ship, he screams (11x15)


-- Jake interviewing Kai Solis (11x14)

JAKE
It’s been a difficult time for the
church on Bajor.​

-- The flashback to the Ohalu protest in the shrine, including Luka and Mika (11x06 “Two Steps Forward”)

JAKE
(v.o. from 11x14)
Obviously there’s the Ohalu
movement...​

-- The fistfight in the shrine, with Cenn and Evik (11x09)

JAKE (v.o.)
...but now the Oralian Way...​

-- The Bajorans at B’Hala reacting to the arrival of Raiq (11x19 “Gratitude”)

JAKE (v.o.)
...and Raiq the Ascendant.​

-- Back to the interview (11x14)

SOLIS
We must be wary of turning those
passions against each other.​

-- Vedek Bellis in the Assembly chamber (11x14)

BELLIS
My followers and I call for a vote
of no confidence in Kai Solis’s
ability to lead Bajor.​

-- Evik watches the results of the vote with relief (11x15)

NEWSREADER
It’s a landslide result. Almost
eighty per cent of Bajor voted...
in favour of Kai Solis.​

-- A mugshot of Luka, clearly taken in DS9 security (11x06)

CENN
(v.o. from 11x06)
His name is Luka Tirem.

VAUGHN
He’s an Ohalavar.

CENN
Rather an extreme one.​

-- Sisko is introduced to Luka at B’Hala (11x11 “Vigil”)

SOOL
Emissary, please meet Luka Tirem.

LUKA
Captain Sisko. A pleasure to meet
you, sir.​

-- A phaser shoots at Garak outside the shrine (11x06)

LUKA
(v.o. from 11x11)
The Cardassian ambassador. The
stupidest thing I’ve ever done.​

-- Sisko grabs Luka, Luka freaks out (11x11)

SISKO
Did you kill Prylar Eivos?

LUKA
Please don’t hurt me please don’t
hurt me please don’t hurt me...​

-- Sisko and Kasidy’s argument, MOS (11x11)

LUKA (v.o.)
You’re a good man too, Benjamin.

SISKO (v.o.)
At least one person forgives me.​

-- Pif and Sett nuzzle romantically (11x08 “Puppy Love”)

-- Hetik kisses Candlewood in the corridor outside the airlock (11x16 “Unleashed”)

-- Sisko and Kasidy reconcile with a big hug (11x19)

-- Ro kisses Quark in Pif’s quarters (11x08)


-- Ro punches Quark in security (11x17 “Whistleblower”)

CENN
Commander, you have to stop –

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

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

-- Lenaris on the screen with Ro (11x17)

LENARIS (screen)
You have put the lives I protect
at risk. And I have no problem
embarrassing Starfleet publicly
because of it.

RO
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.​

-- Luka grabs Rebecca and drags her off (11x19)

MIKA
(v.o. from 11x21)
Luka Tirem has kidnapped the
daughter of the Emissary...​

-- Luka sits in the pilot’s seat of Axno’s ship, trying to get it to work (11x20 “Fugitive”)

MIKA (v.o.)
...taken the deadly Ascendant ship
kept in hiding by Starfleet...​

-- Luka-Axno fires on the patrol vessels (11x21 “Inferno”)

MIKA (v.o.)
...and attacked and killed several
Bajoran officers.​

-- Luka-Axno jumps in and fires on Deep Space Nine (11x21)

RO (v.o.)
He’s going to attack the station.​

-- The runabouts escape. The station EXPLODES... (11x21)

VOICEOVER
And now, the conclusion.​

2 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


RO and the rest flinch back, covering their eyes from the flash. When they look back at the main viewscreen again...

...there’s nothing but tumbling debris. Deep Space Nine has been destroyed.


CONTINUING the scene...


Ro turns to the other officers, watching the screen beside her... and she GRINS.

RO
Good thing that wasn’t the real
Deep Space Nine, huh?​

BLACK OUT:

END OF TEASER​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT ONE​

FADE IN:



3 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant and Axno’s Ascendant vessel both hold position, in silhouette against the star. We have gone back in time.



4 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


We begin back at the earlier scene. Ro has just figured out Luka-Axno’s next move, to her horror. PRYNN, NOG, BOWERS, CANDLEWOOD and MATTHIAS are with her.

RO
He’s going to attack the station.
That’s his next target.​

Continuing the scene. As the others absorb that...

CANDLEWOOD
Well, we obviously can’t let that
happen.

PRYNN
So what do we do?

RO
(pacing, thinking)
Attack the station. Attack Deep
Space Nine. How do we get out
of that? Think, people!

BOWERS
Trick him somehow? Make him go
after something else instead?

NOG
But what?

RO
(chuckle)
It was certainly a trick last time.
Just a fake holo-station. But I
don’t thing holograms are going
to fool an Ascendant ship.​

Inspiration hits. Ro stops pacing, and grins. She’s got it.

RO
But we don’t need a hologram.
We have something better.​

As the others wonder what she’s going on about, she starts delivering orders, top speed.

RO
John - that ship absorbs power
from everything around it, right?

CANDLEWOOD
Right. In fact, I’ve been thinking
that what looks like a lot of random
jumping about might be the ship
detecting power sources.

RO
So what would happen if there
were no power sources?

CANDLEWOOD
It... wouldn’t know where to go.​

Ro smiles. That was apparently the right answer.

RO
Nog, how long would it take you
to set up Empok Nor to send out a
power signature the size of Deep
Space Nine’s?

NOG
Commander, Empok Nor is dead.
No power core, no nothing. It can’t
be brought back to full power.

CANDLEWOOD
Then fake it.

RO
Exactly. Just enough to lure him
in, get him where we want him.

NOG
Umm... I don’t know... three
hours, maybe?

RO
Take every available body you can
spare, and get it done.

MATTHIAS
Commander, no matter where he is,
we can’t fire on him while he’s still
got Rebecca.

RO
Don’t worry, I’ve got an idea for
that too. Sam - assuming Rebecca
is not an issue, do we have the
firepower to take this ship out
in our current condition?

BOWERS
Just barely. I wouldn’t mind a
couple dozen more ships, though.

PRYNN
I can think of someone who might
be willing to help us.​

Prynn looks meaningfully to Ro. A moment... Ro gets it.

RO
I can too.​

And we catch back up to STOCK MATERIAL from 11x21. There’s an ALARM from Bowers’ tactical console. He runs to check it. His eyes flare in alarm, looks back to Ro...

BOWERS
Luka’s charging up to jump...

RO
Everyone back to your posts. Red
alert, battle stations. Matthias,
contact DS-Nine. Nog, get down
to engineering and grab whatever
you need. Everyone, move!​

The crew rush back to their stations. Nog exits the bridge. The ship goes to RED ALERT. On screen, Luka-Axno turns to a threatening position, the ship’s silver tip glowing red...

And he FIRES, right down Defiant’s throat.



5 INT. DS9 - QUARK’S BAR


Replaying the scene from 11x21. The broadcast from Janir has been playing on the screens. But they all go blank, as RED ALERT lights flash all around the station.

CENN (comm)
Major Cenn to all hands. Level one
emergency is in effect. This is not
a drill. All hands report to your
supervisors for orders.​

QUARK looks in fear over towards Lt Cmdr EVIK, who has been standing and watching by the window out onto the Promenade. It’s exactly what Quark feared would happen. Evik nods, then turns and heads directly for the security office.

All around the bar, Starfleet officers - ones who didn’t already leave for the Defiant – immediately head out. In a matter of seconds, only civilians are left, wondering what the hell is going on while the red alert lights flash.

CENN (comm)
I repeat, this is not a drill, all
hands report to supervisors. Now.​

MORN, TREIR, HETIK and PIF all gather back together at the bar, surrounding Quark. This is it.



6 INT. DS9 - SECURITY OFFICE


Evik enters the room, moves with purpose into his seat and immediately calls up a connection to Ops. His personal screen changes to show CENN.

EVIK
Major. What’s going on?

CENN (screen)
Commander Ro has a plan to stop
Luka. But she needs our help.​

Off Evik’s curious reaction to that...



7 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


On the habitat ring of the station, all three runabout pads rise and lock into position. In quick succession, all three runabouts - the Rio Grande, the Brahmaputra, the Nile - launch and head off quickly in the same direction.

The moment they’ve gone, the station starts shutting down. The main power core goes dark. Lights start going out all over the station. One by one, all the sections of the station turn to powerless darkness.



8 INT. DS9 - QUARK’S BAR


In the bar, Quark looks up in annoyance as the power goes out bit by bit all around him.

QUARK
Oh for... Not this again!​

He grabs another FLARE from behind his bar, and CRACKS it open until it burns to life with an eerie green glow. Then he steps out towards the door to the Promenade...

...where Evik is already walking back towards him.

QUARK
Lieutenant Commander Evik! What
is going on? I thought we got rid of
that damned electronic dog thing!

EVIK
We did, Ambassador. But this is
deliberate. We need to shut down
the station so we present as small
a power signature as possible. I’m
assigning my officers to keep the
civilians safe and calm, but these
people are your responsibility.

QUARK
I understand, Commander.​

Quark grasps that this is clearly serious. As Evik leaves, and the lights continue to die out, Quark turns to his few remaining customers and staff.

QUARK
Everyone - please stay calm. We’re
going to be without power for a
while. So please stay in plain
sight, and I’ll take care of you.​

Morn is about to raise his stein of beer and launch into a rollicking sing-song, but Quark stops him.

QUARK
Morn, I get the feeling this is no
time for a Lurian drinking song.​

The people begin to gather in the centre of the room...



9 INT. DS9 - MAIN OPS CENTRE


Major Cenn stands at the central Ops table, in command of a crew of extras, as the station’s power dies around him.

CENN
(to self)
Prophets protect us. I hope your
plan works, Ro, because without
any power or any runabouts...
we’re completely defenceless.​

He breathes deeply as Ops sinks into darkness around him.



10 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant is moving at full impulse.



11 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro is in the command seat, Prynn at helm, Candlewood at sciences, Bowers at tactical, Matthias at ops.

RO
Tenmei - set a course direct for
Empok Nor, a split-second fly-by.
Bowers - drop the shields for
point-six-two seconds at the apex
of Tenmei’s flight plan. John,
start the beam cycle two-point-
three seconds before the apex.
Ro to Nog, are you ready?

NOG (comm)
We’re ready, Commander.

RO
Good luck. Prynn?

PRYNN
Ready, Commander.

RO
Go.​

Prynn hits her controls...



12 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant heads straight for Empok Nor at top speed, the dead station in orbit of the blue gas giant Cajara.



13 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Candlewood starts the transport cycle...

Bowers drops the shields...



14 INT. DEFIANT - TRANSPORTER ROOM


Nog and five other engineers including LEISHMAN disappear in transporter beams, carrying heavy boxes of equipment...



15 EXT. EMPOK NOR


The Defiant loops around at the last second...



16 INT. EMPOK NOR - CORRIDOR


Nog and his engineers TRANSPORT into a corridor.

NOG
Okay, everyone get to work!​

They move quickly to do exactly that.



17 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant zooms away again, heading away from Empok Nor.



18 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro sits in the command chair.

RO
Prynn, find me new coordinates. We
need to give Nog as much time as
we can. I just hope the rest of the
plan goes as easily as this.​

Off Ro’s determined yet worried face...



19 INT. JANIR MONASTERY - RAIQ’S QUARTERS


There’s a sharp and urgent KNOCK at the door. RAIQ opens it, to find KIRA there in the doorway.

KIRA
Raiq... we need your help.​

Off Raiq’s uncertain reaction to that...



BLACK OUT:

END OF ACT ONE​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT TWO​

FADE IN:



20 EXT. ENDALLA SURFACE


The rocky, scrub-surfaced moon, with its destroyed Bajoran patrol vessels and intact Starfleet shuttlecraft Cooper.



21 INT. SHUTTLECRAFT COOPER


As seen in 11x03 and 11x17. Ensign ALECO sits in the pilot seat, wincing from his shrapnel-wounded leg but fighting past it determinedly, preparing the shuttle for launch.

BASHIR appears in the open hatchway and looks in, unhappy.

BASHIR
Ensign Aleco? What the hell do you
think you’re doing?

ALECO
They need someone to go to Bajor
and pick up some passengers. I’m
the closest, so I volunteered.

BASHIR
You’re still wounded. You’re in no
shape to go anywhere.

ALECO
Doctor, I let Luka get past me.
It’s because of me that he has
that ship, and Captain Sisko’s
daughter with him. If they need
my help, I’m going to give it.

BASHIR
There’s plenty of blame to go
around, Ensign. At least let me
give you a booster shot.​

Bashir fishes in his medical bag, finds a hypo, steps up to Aleco and injects him in the neck. Aleco breathes deeply as the painkiller runs through him.

ALECO
Thanks, Doctor. Now go. Others
need you more than me.​

Bashir nods reluctantly, and steps out of the shuttle. The hatch closes, and Aleco makes the final few preparations.



22 EXT. ENDALLA SURFACE


Bashir steps back, and watches as the tiny shuttle lifts off and zooms away into the sky.



23 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


SISKO is crouched down, moving rocks one at a time from where they fell. The rocks are blocking the passage, but as he moves them, they reveal more and more of the damaged, crushed body of Corporal RENTA. Finally his head is clear, twisted and glaring with dead eyes. Sisko stares balefully.

SISKO
I don’t even know who you are.
But I am so sorry. This is all my
fault. Luka... he was my friend.​

24 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


LUKA sits in the pilot’s seat of Axno’s ship, cocooned in the silver blood of the Ascendants. The console before him is RED, and he grins manically as the ship FIRES bolts of lightning. Behind him, REBECCA cowers in the corner.

LUKA / AXNO
Watch them run from us, Rebecca.
I’ll make them all pay. Bajorans.
Cardassians. Eav’oq. Heretics!
And they will die and burn for it.​

He stops firing and pauses, reaching the ship’s senses out.

LUKA / AXNO
But the temple to blasphemy, that
monstrous space station... where
is it? I cannot see it.​

In frustration, he fires the ship’s weapons again.



25 EXT. SPACE


Now we see the target of his fire - a Bajoran civilian transport ship. The ship’s hull begins to peel away...

26 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE

Ro holds tight to her armrests, as the screen shows the attack progressing...

RO
Block that shot!​

Prynn drives the ship on, right between the ships...



27 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant swoops into the path of the Ascendant ship, taking the brunt of the lightning bolt. Tiny explosions fill the air around the ship. Bits of the ablative armour peel away, revealing bare hull underneath.

Annoyed, Luka-Axno JUMPS away again.



28 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


STOCK MATERIAL from 11x21. Panels all over the bridge are blasted and burned, wires hanging, cables sparking, gases hissing. Everyone stays at their stations and keeps working, fighting to keep the ship alive.

Continuing the scene. Ro is in the command chair, battered and bloodied. She turns to Matthias...

RO
Do they have life support?

MATTHIAS
Yes! They’re alive.

RO
Okay. Prynn, new coordinates!​

27 EXT. SPACE - BAJOR ORBIT


The shuttlecraft Cooper zooms towards the planet’s surface.



28 EXT. BAJOR - JANIR MONASTERY


The small monastery tucked away in the hills near the winding river. The Cooper flies into the valley...

ALECO (comm, v.o.)
Aleco to Kira.

KIRA (comm, v.o.)
Ready when you are, Ensign.​

29 INT. SHUTTLECRAFT COOPER


TRANSPORTER signals form in the rear of the cramped cabin, depositing Kira and Raiq. Kira immediately moves to take the co-pilot seat while Raiq hovers at the back.

KIRA
Empok Nor, as fast as you can.

ALECO
Aye, sir.​

30 INT. EMPOK NOR - CORRIDOR


Nog and LEISHMAN are both wrist deep in machines, working side by side as fast as they can move. Other engineers are dotted along the corridor, all working by temporary lights.

NOG
Still think we’re all about to die,
Lieutenant?

LEISHMAN
More than ever. But I don’t get
it. We’re just setting up lights
and sensor shadows. That’s not
enough to fake a power signature
the size of Deep Space Nine.

NOG
Nope, it’s not. But somebody else
is taking care of that.​

31 EXT. SPACE


The Cooper zooms towards the still-dark Empok Nor...



32 INT. SHUTTLECRAFT COOPER


As Empok Nor grows in the front window, Kira turns to Raiq.

KIRA
You’re sure you’re strong enough
to do this?

RAIQ
I am strong as I have ever been.
Bleat at me no longer, woman.

KIRA
What about your connection to the
ship? You said you couldn’t affect
what it did, only watch.​

Raiq is unsure about this one, but fakes confidence.

RAIQ
I will complete this Quest, Kira.

ALECO
Approaching Empok Nor now.​

Raiq stands straight, moves to the rear of the shuttle, and casts the FORCEFIELD around herself.

As she stands there surrounded by the bubble of energy, Kira works her panels.

With one last look of concern to Raiq, Kira presses one last control. Raiq disappears in a TRANSPORTER beam...



33 INT. EMPOK NOR


...and rematerializes inside a dead and blackened area of Empok Nor, still surrounded by her forcefield. As she steadies her nerves for the task ahead, we PULL BACK...

She is standing on a platform that opens out onto a huge open space inside the station. What used to house the power core, it is now a vacant chasm inside the station’s body.

Raiq is stood on the lowest level of this.

We continue to PULL BACK until we realise that we are...



34 EXT. EMPOK NOR


...OPEN TO SPACE, in the very lowest part of the station’s central core.

Raiq looks out at the stars and the lower pylons, protected only by her forcefield. She watches as the Cooper zooms away, leaving her behind.



35 INT. EMPOK NOR - CORRIDOR


Nog slots one last piece into place, and stands up. He looks down both directions of the corridor, shouts out.

NOG
Everyone ready?

LEISHMAN
Ready, sir.

NOG
Okay, here goes nothing. Nog to
Defiant.​

36 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro in the centre seat...

NOG (comm)
We’re as ready as we can be here,
Commander.

RO
Aleco just called - the rest of the
plan is in place. Stand by. Bowers,
any sign of our backup?

BOWERS
Not yet, sir. But every second we
wait is another second Rebecca
is in danger.

RO
Alright, then I guess we do this
without them. Tenmei - set course
for Empok Nor. Nog, set it off and
then get the hell out of there.​

37 INT. EMPOK NOR - CORRIDOR

NOG
Understood, Commander.
(taps combadge)
You heard the lady. Everyone out!​

All the other engineers stand, tap their combadges, and TRANSPORT away. Leishman stays with him, and together they move to one last lever, preparing to push it.



38 RAIQ


...LEVITATES off her ledge and out into the cavernous space at the bottom of Empok Nor, surrounded by her forcefield.

Hovering in space, Raiq manoeuvres until she is floating directly where the power core should be. She raises her hands, looks up into the open cavity of the station. Her hands burst into FLAMES. She prepares herself...

...and the flames EXPLODE into a massive column of fire, shooting up into the body of the station.



39 INT. EMPOK NOR - CORRIDOR


Nog and Leishman press the last lever together. Then they tap their combadges and TRANSPORT away.



40 EXT. EMPOK NOR


The formerly dead Empok Nor POWERS UP, lights appearing in all the windows, life bursting into every corner of the station. And Raiq, being the power core.



41 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


A wash of GREEN floods Luka’s console. He reacts with glee.

LUKA / AXNO
Show me!​

The mid-air hologram returns, revealing a scratchy image of what looks through static like a powered Deep Space Nine.

A nasty grin grows on his face. The interior of the ship glows WHITE, and he JUMPS away in a flash.



42 EXT. EMPOK NOR


STOCK MATERIAL from 11x21. At the top of the station, looking down on the Ops dome and the Promenade...

And Luka-Axno JUMPS into position, right on top of the station. The pointed tip glows an angry red...

And he FIRES. The bolt of lightning hits the Ops dome. Electric charges skitter and fizzle all over the outer hull, dissolving the metal, spreading gradually down.



43 RAIQ


Concentrating as hard as she can, casting the flames up into the core of the station. She mutters to herself...

RAIQ
My vessel - I feel you near. Do
you feel me? Bring me home.​

44 EXT. EMPOK NOR


STOCK MATERIAL from 11x21. Ops disintegrates into chunks. Luka-Axno doesn’t stop firing. The crumbling continues down the neck of the station, reaching the Promenade.

All three runabouts launch and escape. Just in time - the crumbling spreads out across the crossover bridges to the habitat ring.



45 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT


Nog and Leishman at the helm of the runabout, with a group of engineers gathered all together at the back.

LEISHMAN
Go! Go!

NOG
I am going...​

46 EXT. EMPOK NOR


Starting at the core and spreading outward, the entire station DISSOLVES, chunks of metal tumbling away into space. Small EXPLOSIONS swallow up many of the pieces.



47 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


Inside the ship, Luka-Axno is concentrating on firing, a wash of RED filling the console and spreading to the rest of the ship. He LAUGHS maniacally, fully enjoying the massive destruction he is causing.

Behind him, unnoticed, Rebecca sits by the back wall. By her side, a new Wa patch is forming... BLACK.

Rebecca reaches out to touch it again, thinking maybe it will get her out like the purple patch did. Her fingers swim into the colour, and the entire back wall begins to WAVER, becoming fluid, watery, translucent.



48 RAIQ


Focusing hard on her forcefield and the flames, she feels the power of the ship flowing into her...

Suddenly she feels PULLED, yanked backwards. The forcefield dissolves, the flames die, and Raiq DISAPPEARS as if sucked through the fabric of space itself.



49 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


And Raiq FALLS out of the wavery back wall of the Ascendant ship, staggering onto the deck. Rebecca looks up at the newcomer, recognizing her.

In the pilot seat, Luka-Axno recognizes her too.

LUKA / AXNO
Raiq, my sister...​

The RED colour washes away from the console, replaced by a spreading wash of WHITE. The ship ramps up to jump...



50 EXT. EMPOK NOR


STOCK MATERIAL from 11x21. Luka-Axno stops firing and JUMPS away. Just in time, because...

Empok Nor finally EXPLODES in one great massive fireball.



51 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


STOCK MATERIAL from 11x21. Ro and the rest flinch back, covering their eyes from the flash of the explosion.



52 EXT. SPACE


The Ascendant ship JUMPS back into open space...



53 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


Raiq is just orienting herself, feeling the blush of home at being back in an Ascendant ship again...

Rebecca is cowering in the corner...

A ball of FLAMES bursts into life, wafting away to reveal Luka himself - a hologram of his normal Bajoran appearance, stood beside his Ascendant-cocooned physical body.

He smiles, thrilled to see Raiq.

LUKA / AXNO
My sister, Raiq. Archquester of
the Ascendancy. I had faith that
you would return, that you would
hold to the burning light of the
(Prophets/True).
(steps closer)
Join me now, my sister... and
together, we will destroy the
Bajorans once and for all.​

Off Luka’s manic grin, and Raiq’s uncertain reaction...



BLACK OUT:

END OF ACT TWO​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT THREE​

FADE IN:



54 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


Picking up where we left off. We have now caught up with real time, as at the end of 11x21. Raiq stands against the back wall, Rebecca cowering by her side, facing a hologram of Luka. Luka’s real body remains cocooned in silver.

LUKA / AXNO
Join me, my sister!

RAIQ
I did not come for you. I came
for the child.

LUKA / AXNO
I know you better than that. We
are the same, you and I. You long
to annihilate these sinners and
blasphemers by my side. It is
what you were born to do!​

Raiq hesitates to answer for just that moment too long.

LUKA / AXNO
You see? You do not deny it.

RAIQ
The Quest is over. The Ascension
is past.

LUKA / AXNO
The Quest is never over! It is our
life! Why else would you come?

RAIQ
I came for Kira. For Sisko.

LUKA
Benjamin... My friend...

RAIQ
Yes, and you have betrayed him.
You took his young.

LUKA / AXNO
She is Ohalu’s Avatar! She is the
proof that we are right!

RAIQ
No! I saw as the True see, and this
is not their wish.
(calm, patient)
Listen to me, Luka. Stop this. You
are correct – I do long for the fire
and the glory of the Quest. But
that is past. Though it be difficult,
we must go forward.

LUKA / AXNO
Forward to what? To a world where
heresy is tolerated, celebrated?

RAIQ
I no longer believe it is heresy.
It is only... different.

LUKA / AXNO
Then you have betrayed us. You are
as much a heretic as any of them.
You will die and burn with them.

RAIQ
Perhaps. But the child will not.​

Quickly, Raiq scoops up Rebecca, turns and LEAPS back through the wavery rear wall. They both disappear. Enraged, Luka bursts into FLAMES, wafting away the hologram image.

In his silver cocoon, Luka-Axno ROARS with fury. The ship’s interior glows WHITE... and he JUMPS.



55 EXT. SPACE


Luka JUMPS back into open space, instantly FIRING in jagged bolts of lightning, not caring who or what at. The ship tumbles out of control, and then JUMPS away again.

Elsewhere, he JUMPS in again, firing randomly, pulsating with energy and anger. He spins and loops and tumbles, then JUMPS away again.



56 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


JUMPing back in, Luka-Axno screams with rage. Both the man and the ship are furious, and they’re letting it out in destructive BOLTS of electricity.

LUKA / AXNO
Rebecca! Rebecca!​

He JUMPS again...



57 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro leans over Candlewood’s shoulder, watches the constantly changing readouts on his console. They show Luka jumping in, firing randomly, then jumping out again. Jumping in somewhere else, firing randomly, jumping out again.

RO
What the hell is he doing?

CANDLEWOOD
He seems to be just jumping around
at random.

RO
Does he still have Rebecca? Did
Raiq get her out of there?

CANDLEWOOD
I can’t get a solid reading. He’s
moving too fast.

RO
Defiant to Cooper. Please respond.​

58 EXT. ENDALLA SURFACE


Bashir, Aleco and Kira stand on the surface of the moon, next to the grounded shuttle craft.

BASHIR
This is Bashir. Go ahead.

RO (comm)
Doctor, did it work? Is Rebecca
there? Is she safe?

BASHIR
Stand by, Commander.​

He quickly grabs a tricorder and activates it. Scanning...

BASHIR
Alright, we have two Bajorans and
a human right here... and one
human in the caverns...

KIRA
That’s Sisko.​

Bashir keeps scanning. He looks back to Kira, worried...



59 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro waits anxiously for the results of Bashir’s scan, standing on the half-ruined bridge of the Defiant...



60 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


The open space where the ship was hidden. The entrance remains blocked by rockfall. The air splits open...

...and Raiq LEAPS through, carrying Rebecca in her arms.



61 EXT. ENDALLA SURFACE


Bashir picks up the new readings on his tricorder...

BASHIR
Yes! One Ascendant adult and one
human child. She’s safe.​

62 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Fortified with success, Ro returns to her command seat.

RO
Bowers – weapons free.

BOWERS
Yes sir.​

And they get back to work, eager and re-energized.



63 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant, looking damaged and patchy, nevertheless turns and surges back into battle.



64 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


Sitting in complete darkness, no power.



65 INT. DS9 - QUARK’S BAR


A CRACK and a FIZZ, and another green FLARE comes to life in Quark’s hands. He carries it over from the bar to the small group gathered in the centre, sat huddled together in the dark. Treir, Hetik, Morn, Pif and his puppies.

TREIR
Any news from Evik?

QUARK
Not a word. They can’t even turn
on the passive sensors.

HETIK
So he could be about to blow us
to pieces, and we’d never know.

PIF
Trust me. Not knowing is better.

QUARK
Will you all stop talking so loud?

HETIK
I really don’t think he can hear
us, Quark.

QUARK
The children can hear you. You’ll
scare them.​

Treir smiles – he called them ‘children’. Quark reaches out for TIFF the puppy, picks him up gently, holds him close.

QUARK
You stay safe where I can see you,
little one.

TIFF
I will, uncle Quark.

HETIK
Sorry. I just hope they’re safe.

QUARK
You think I don’t? I have family
out there. And... and friends.

TREIR
(comforting pat)
We all hope they’re safe, Hetik.​

Hetik nods, and they go back to silent waiting in the dark.



66 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


Kira runs through the passage, reaching Sisko at his slowly diminishing wall of rocks. She sees the crushed body of Corporal Renta moved to the side, laid out as respectfully as possible in the circumstances.

KIRA
Benjamin! It worked – she’s safe.
Raiq rescued Rebecca. They’re in
there right now.​

Sisko is relieved, but he still has to get to his daughter.

SISKO
Help me!​

Kira digs in, helping Sisko to get the rocks moved faster.



67 INT. BAJORAN MILITIA CENTRAL


The hub of activity of Bajor’s planetary police. LENARIS and KASIDY stand together, watching developments on the big incident screen, awaiting news. An ALERT – Lenaris checks.

LENARIS
Starfleet reports that your
daughter is safe, ma’am. And in
fact, they credit the Ascendant
woman Raiq with her rescue.

KASIDY
I guess she really is on our side
now, like she said.

LENARIS
It also means that the Defiant is
now free to attack and destroy
that damned ship.

KASIDY
(darkly)
And the man inside it.

LENARIS
Indeed.

KASIDY
Tell them not to show any mercy.
I want that bastard dead.

LENARIS
(hesitant)
Ms Yates...

KASIDY
How would you feel, General, if it
was your child he’d taken?

LENARIS
My children were killed by the
Cardassians.

KASIDY
And didn’t you want to punish them?

LENARIS
Perhaps, once. At the time. But we
move forward.

KASIDY
I can move forward when he’s dead.​

This is a new look on Kasidy. A mother defending her child. Intimidated, reluctant, Lenaris nevertheless goes to pass on the message.



68 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant lets loose with its PULSE PHASERS, pummelling at the Ascendant ship.

Only the first punch actually hits, knocking the ship off its axis. After that the ship JUMPS away again, and the rest of the Defiant’s shots go spare.



69 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Prynn at helm, seeing the ship disappear before her eyes on the main viewscreen.

PRYNN
It’s no good being free to shoot
if you can’t hit the damn thing.

RO
New co-ordinates! Fire again!

CANDLEWOOD
It’s no use, sir. He’s moving too
fast. There’s no way to catch up.

PRYNN
Just watch me.​

And she turns the ship again, renewing her attack...



70 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant surges forward, pulse phasers firing. Luka-Axno JUMPS away again.



71 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Prynn thumps her burned console in frustration.

PRYNN
Damn it!​

Ro sits in her command seat, wondering what she can do. But then there’s a new ALERT. Matthias checks it, and grins.

MATTHIAS
Commander - our backup’s here.​

72 EXT. SPACE


Luka-Axno JUMPS into open space again, skidding sideways...


ANGLE


The USS James T Kirk comes surging in, phasers blasting.



73 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


The phasers HIT one of the ship’s bladelike wings. The ship CONVULSES in pain, and Luka SCREAMS, panicked.

LUKA / AXNO
Gotta go gotta go gotta go...​

And he JUMPS away again.



74 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro in the centre seat, victorious...

RO
On screen!​

The viewscreen changes to show Captain VAUGHN in command on an Akira-class bridge, firm and determined.

VAUGHN (screen)
My apologies for the delay,
Commander. A little trouble with
the Tholians.

RO
Just glad you could join the
party, Captain.

VAUGHN (screen)
Is Rebecca safe?

RO
Yes, sir. Raiq saved her, took her
back to Endalla. She’s there with
Sisko and Kira now.

VAUGHN (screen)
Raiq? Raiq saved her?

RO
That’s right, sir. So we might be
able to finally finish this thing
once and for all.​

Vaughn nods, pondering this information.



75 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


Sisko and Kira move the last of the fallen rocks, enough for them both to clamber through the hole and into the larger open space where the ship was hidden.

Struggling through, they both see Raiq standing there, holding Rebecca by the arm.

SISKO
Rebecca!

REBECCA
Daddy!​

Rebecca tries to immediately run to her daddy... but Raiq won’t let her go. Her lithe silver hand grips tight onto the tiny brown arm.

KIRA
Raiq, what are you doing? It’s
over – you can let her go now.​

Raiq pulls Rebecca in tight, wraps a hand around the little girl’s throat. Rebecca struggles against her. Raiq sneers at Sisko and Kira with anger, and the hand begins to GLOW.

RAIQ
No. I will not.​

BLACK OUT:

END OF ACT THREE​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT FOUR​

FADE IN:



76 EXT. SPACE


The Akira-class USS Kirk at momentary rest...



77 INT. KIRK - BRIDGE


As seen briefly in 11x14 “No Confidence”. Vaughn stands from his command chair, turns to his first officer ROGEIRO – an olive-skinned man with a pronounced Portuguese accent.

ROGEIRO
It is irregular for the captain to
leave the bridge during a combat
situation, sir.

VAUGHN
I’m afraid this is a personal
matter, Commander. I need to
be sure it’s resolved. Helm – set
course for a split-second fly-by
of Endalla. Tactical - drop the
shields for point-six-two seconds
at the apex of the flight plan.
Ops, begin transport two-point-
three seconds before the apex.

ROGEIRO
An interesting strategy, sir.

VAUGHN
I learned from the best. Commander
Rogeiro, you have the bridge. Co-
ordinate with Commander Ro of
the Defiant, but follow her lead.

ROGEIRO
Sir?

VAUGHN
This is her territory, in more ways
than one. Helm - engage.​

A VULCAN WOMAN at the helm sets the ship on its course.



78 EXT. SPACE


With the moon of Endalla in the distance, the Kirk zooms off towards it.



79 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


Vaughn TRANSPORTS into the caverns, by the side of Kira and Sisko, a happy and welcoming smile on his face...

...which instantly drops when he sees Raiq, her burning hand around Rebecca’s throat, Kira and Sisko holding back.

VAUGHN
Ben? Nerys? What’s going on?​

Raiq recognizes him... and hisses in fury.

RAIQ
You.

VAUGHN
I was told you saved Rebecca.

RAIQ
Kira asked. Demanded. I did as she
said, as I thought the True wanted
of me. As I have always done.

KIRA
(carefully)
Then what are you doing now?

RAIQ
I am demonstrating the error of
your ways.

SISKO
Raiq... please... don’t...​

Off Raiq, struggling between anger and confusion...



80 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro on the bridge, talking to Cmdr Rogeiro on the Kirk’s bridge, via the viewscreen. Meanwhile, Candlewood has his head down, working hard at his consoles.

ROGEIRO (screen)
What is your plan, Commander?

RO
Right now, I don’t have one. I
exhausted my plan-making skills
with Empok Nor. I’m hoping two
heads are better than one.​

Candlewood’s hand shoots up, as if he’s in school.

CANDLEWOOD
Commanders! I have an idea.

RO
(to Rogeiro, explaining)
Lieutenant Candlewood, my chief
science officer.
(to Candlewood)
Go ahead, John.

CANDLEWOOD
We thought the jumping was random
before, and it wasn’t. And I think
it’s still not random.

ROGEIRO (screen)
You found a pattern, Lieutenant?

CANDLEWOOD
If I’m right, we can calculate his
next jump. And be there waiting.​

As Ro and Rogeiro ponder this...



81 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


The stand-off continues. Raiq holds Rebecca by the throat. Kira, Sisko and Vaughn stand back, facing her. With one hand holding Rebecca, the other points at Vaughn.

RAIQ
You! And those who wear the same
weak cloth. Since I came to this
world, you have all treated me as
if I were still your enemy.

VAUGHN
How so?

RAIQ
You lied about the vessel. You hid
the knowledge that I was not the
last of my kind.

VAUGHN
Well, what do you expect? You led
the crusade to exterminate these
people. I was protecting them.

RAIQ
That is past. The True have shown
me we are to be friends now. All
brothers and sisters in the True.

KIRA
Be fair, Raiq. How was he supposed
to know that?

VAUGHN
Just let Rebecca go. If you want
someone to blame, take me. Maybe
I even deserve it.

KIRA
(sotto, to Vaughn)
I beg forgiveness.

VAUGHN
What?

KIRA
Say it. It’s traditional.​

Vaughn takes a deep breath, turns back to Raiq.

VAUGHN
I beg forgiveness.

RAIQ
I do not grant it.​

Off everyone’s reaction to that...



82 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro conferring with Candlewood, then turning to Rogeiro...

RO
We’re sending you the coordinates
now. When he next jumps in, we’ll
be there. When he jumps out again,
you’ll be there one step ahead.
Then, we’ll be two steps ahead.

ROGEIRO (screen)
Understood, Commander.

RO
What’s your first name, Commander?

ROGEIRO (screen)
Anxo.

RO
I beg your pardon?

ROGEIRO (screen)
Anxo. It means ‘angel’ in Portuguese.
Why, does it matter?

RO
No, just... Never mind. Well, Anxo
Rogeiro. I’m Laren. What do you
say we kill this thing?

ROGEIRO
I will follow your lead... Laren.
Kirk out.​

The screen returns to the stars, and the crew gets to work.



83 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


Continuing the stand-off...

VAUGHN
Look, Raiq, I’m sorry for hiding
things from you. But you were on
a mission from your gods to kill
everyone I care about.

RAIQ
You insult my faith! The True want
only peace now, and I have worked
tirelessly to mould that truth into
my life.

VAUGHN
So what was I supposed to do?

RAIQ
You should have trusted me, as
Kira did. She understood, as we
both struggled to reconcile what
we have always known of them
with what they want of us now.
But you did not want peace. You
wanted fear and mistrust.

KIRA
Raiq, listen to me. You’re right.
We need to move forward. We’ve
come so far, all of us. You saved
the Emissary’s daughter – that’s
going to put all of Bajor on your
side. Don’t spoil it now. Let her
go. It’s what the Prophets... it’s
what the True would want.

VAUGHN
Please, Raiq. I’m sorry. Don’t let
my mistake ruin everything.​

Raiq struggles... and with a roar of frustration, lets go of Rebecca. The little girl immediately runs to Sisko, grabbing him around the waist like she’ll never let go.

Everyone stands down the tension. Hanging her head in shame, Raiq looks sadly towards Sisko and Rebecca.

RAIQ
I beg forgiveness... Emissary.

SISKO
I grant it, Raiq.​

But Sisko’s face is still like thunder.



84 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Everyone waits on edge for Luka to appear. Eyes on the screen, fingers on triggers. Prynn hesitates, turns to Ro.

PRYNN
Sir, I’m not sure about this.

MATTHIAS
I know what you mean. Luka, he’s
almost an innocent in this. He
suffered brain damage from being
beaten and abused. And now he’s
under the influence of that ship.

PRYNN
Exactly! I’m not saying he didn’t
do anything wrong. He kidnapped
Rebecca, he killed people. But
maybe he wasn’t in his right mind.

CANDLEWOOD
But there’s no way to know that
without getting him out of the ship.
From everything I’ve been able to
figure out, that won’t happen.
He’s bonded to it now.

PRYNN
Still, sitting in wait so we can
shoot him down, without any
trial or defence... it feels like an
execution. Is that what we do?​

Ro sits back to ponder this for a moment.

RO
It’s not our decision to make. Ro
to Bashir. Is Sisko with you?​

85 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


Bashir is just clambering past the rockfall and into the larger cavern. He goes straight to Sisko.

BASHIR
Captain, it’s Ro on the Defiant.

SISKO
Go ahead, Commander.

RO (comm)
Sir, we’re in position to destroy
the Ascendant ship and its pilot.
I believe it’s your call as to
whether we take the final shot.​

Everyone overhears this. Sisko, cradling a shaken Rebecca. Kira, sitting and comforting Raiq. Vaughn, standing alone.

Sisko hesitates. He looks back and forth between Bashir and Kira and Vaughn, trying to get some sense of what he should do. Then he looks down at Rebecca, trembling in his arms.

RO (comm)
Captain... do we fire first?

SISKO
Yes. Kill him.

RO (comm)
...Understood, sir. Defiant out.​

Everyone accepts the decision silently, if not happily.



86 EXT. SPACE


Luka-Axno JUMPS into space, on the run and panicked...



87 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Seeing this on the viewscreen, Ro is resolute.

RO
Fire.​

Bowers presses his controls...



88 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant lets loose with its punishing pulse-phasers...

The Ascendant ship takes the hits, crumpling from the damage, warping out of shape.

The Kirk comes flying in from another angle, joining the attack on Luka-Axno...



89 INT. ASCENDANT SHIP


Inside, the ship is going wild. Surfaces are bulging and warping. Electricity shocks across the consoles. The ship takes hit after hit after hit from the Starfleet phasers.

As the ship shrieks in its death throes, the silver blood flows away from Luka’s body, releasing him from its hold. When he’s finally free, he looks around in a panic.

LUKA
Rebecca! Where are you sweetheart?
Rebecca? Please! I only wanted to
keep you safe...​

And the ship finally can’t take any more. It OVERLOADS, the surfaces bursting, electricity crackling...



90 EXT. SPACE


The Ascendant ship EXPLODES...



91 INT. DEFIANT – BRIDGE


Ro and crew watch this on the screen, grim and resigned.



92 INT. ENDALLA CAVERNS


Raiq JERKS, gasping in pain as she feels the ship dying. Kira looks after her, Bashir runs to check on her.

Meanwhile Sisko watches, holding Rebecca, face like death.




BLACK OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT FIVE​

FADE IN:



93 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE


The station sits in its usual place, fully powered and lit up. The Defiant is docked, the James T Kirk is docked, freighters are docked. All is peaceful and normal.

RO (v.o.)
Station log, stardate 56801.0,
Commander Ro Laren recording.
Everything is back to normal. Mostly.​

94 INT. DS9 - MAIN OPS CENTRE


Ro stands outside her office, calmly watching the business of Ops go on. Cenn is at the Ops table, Bowers at tactical, extras elsewhere. She’s happy with her lot.

RO (v.o.)
The station returned to full power
without incident, the Defiant is
under repair, and the crew are
settling back into their routine.​

She strides confidently down to the table, checks something with Cenn MOS, approves, and then heads up the stairs again to the turbolift. It takes her away...



95 INT. DS9 - INFIRMARY


Rebecca sits sideways on a biobed as Bashir scans her all over. Sisko is right with her, not letting go. Kira and Raiq are both watching from a polite distance.

RO (v.o.)
Rebecca Sisko is safe and
perfectly healthy. She and her
father have returned to Bajor,
along with Kira and Raiq.​

The results are fine, and Sisko grabs Rebecca tight with relief. The little girl seems to be recovering nicely.



96 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE


The door from the Infirmary opens and Sisko, Rebecca, Kira and Raiq exit together, just in time to bump into Ro strolling along. They all exchange pleasantries MOS.

RO (v.o.)
The crew of both the station and
the Defiant performed admirably
under difficult circumstances...​

Ro crosses paths with Evik as he exits the security office. They nod acknowledgements, and she turns to enter Quark’s.



97 INT. DS9 - QUARK’S BAR


At a table in the middle, several junior officers sit together relaxing, including Prynn, Richter and Candlewood.

RO (v.o.)
...and I think they all deserve a
little time to rest and relax.​

Focusing on the junior officers now...

RICHTER
Are you serious? While the rest of
us were in the midst of a battle
for our lives?

PRYNN
Cross my heart. She did him right
in the Jeffries tube.​

Candlewood CHOKES on his drink. Everyone else laughs. Suddenly they all hush though. Candlewood turns to see why... and sees that Nog has just entered the bar.

He sees them all sat together. He sees the smirks on their faces. He knows what they’ve been talking about. He blushes furiously, and turns and exits again. They all laugh more.

HETIK (o.s.)
John?​

Candlewood turns again, and Hetik is standing there. John immediately stands and throws himself into Hetik’s arms.

CANDLEWOOD
Hey, boyfriend.

HETIK
Hey yourself. Oh John... thank
the Prophets you’re safe.

CANDLEWOOD
Um, excuse me – thank me I’m safe.
I’m the one who figured out the pattern.
I am, after all, awesome.​

Hetik just chuckles and holds tight.

Back over at the bar, Ro leans against the bar while Quark and Treir serve. Nearby, Vaughn is just finishing up.

VAUGHN
Well, it’s about time I was on my way.
This is your station now, not mine.

RO
Thanks again for your help out there,
Captain.

VAUGHN
You never need to ask, Commander.
I’m always at your disposal.​

Meanwhile, Quark works the consoles behind the bar, and a NEWS REPORT appears on all the screens around the room, featuring regular newsreader TIANA FEEN.

TIANA (screen)
...as life in the Federation gets
back to normal...​

The image on the screen changes to show the older human woman who was a candidate for president, NANIETTA BACCO.

TIANA (v.o.)
...the former governor of Cestus
Three and newly elected Federation
President Nanietta Bacco settles
into her new offices on Earth.​

98 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE


Elsewhere on the Promenade, Kira and Sisko have paused to watch the news report on another screen.

TIANA (screen)
Meanwhile, closer to home, the
election has been overshadowed
by events concerning the Ohalavar
extremist Luka Tirem...​

Kira looks to Sisko in sympathy. Rebecca seems fine, but Sisko is obviously not over it yet. Tiana continues...

TIANA (cont)
...and the subsequent surprise
resignation of Kai Solis Tendren.​

Kira’s jaw drops in sad shock. A video comes on the screen of Solis standing before the media.

SOLIS (screen)
My children, it is with a very heavy
heart that I do this.​

99 INT. DS9 - MAIN OPS CENTRE


The video also plays in Ops, where Cenn watches gravely.

SOLIS (screen)
While the actions of Luka Tirem
were his alone, and I reject any
attempt to blame them upon my
fellow Ohalavaru, those actions
have nevertheless made my position
untenable. Someone must pay the
price, and I would rather that
someone be me than my followers.​

100 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE


Sitting in the replimat, Evik also watches the news report.

SOLIS (screen)
I am deeply grateful to you all
for the confidence you showed in
me during the recent vote.​

101 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE


Kira and Sisko. The screen now changes to show an image of Vedek PRALON, Solis’s friend and supporter.

SOLIS (v.o.)
And I pray that you will show
similar confidence in my deputy
and friend, Vedek Pralon Onala,
as she takes the Apex Chair in my
place. Though she follows a more
traditional path than my own, I
have faith that she will remain a
powerful advocate for diversity
and open-mindedness on Bajor.​

Kira nods sadly but resignedly at this news. If Solis has to go, then Pralon is a good choice to replace him. She takes Sisko’s arm and they walk on down the Promenade, Rebecca and Raiq with them.



102 INT. DS9 - QUARK’S BAR


As Tiana continues her news report in the background, Ro turns back to Vaughn.

RO
Damn it, that’s a shame.

VAUGHN
Yes. He’s right, though. Mistakes
were definitely made, and someone
has to take responsibility.​

Subtext established – he’s talking about himself. Ro stands, straightens herself.

RO
Safe journey, Captain.

VAUGHN
To us all, Commander.​

Goodbyes said, he turns to leave. He catches up with Prynn at the door, and they walk off arm in arm. Ro watches them go, then turns back to Quark. She stretches across the bar towards him, leaning seductively close.

RO
You know, Quark... Treir told me
what you said about the puppies
while I was away on the Defiant.
Calling them ‘children’ for a
change, instead of ‘those filthy
animals’. Thank you for that.

QUARK
I wish you’d stop passing around
these rumours about me. I can’t
have people thinking I’m a soft
touch. Then where would I be?

RO
I was wondering... do you think
Treir could handle the bar on her
own for a while?​

He looks at her askance, and twigs what she’s getting at.

QUARK
Really? Me being nice to animals
is what it takes to get you hot?

RO
(playful)
Well, that... and it’s been a
stressful few days. I must have
a lot of tension to burn off...

QUARK
Treir! You’ve got the bar.​

No more said – Quark throws down his towel, rounds the bar in a flash, and he and Ro are on their way out.



103 EXT. SPACE - BAJOR ORBIT


A runabout flies down towards the planet’s surface.



104 EXT. SISKO’S HOUSE – DAY


Bringing us back home to the Sisko domicile in the Kendra Valley countryside.



105 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE


Kasidy, JAKE, RENA and Jasmine Tey are all present as Sisko opens the door and enters, holding Rebecca’s hand. The girl runs to grab her mother in a fierce hug as Kasidy tries to stop herself from bursting into tears in sheer relief.

In the doorway, Kira hovers and watches, smiling to see it. Hugs are exchanged as they all express their happiness that everyone is safe and sound. Finally...

SISKO
Kas, sweetheart, is it okay if I
leave Rebecca with you and Jake
and Rena for a while? I should
take Kira and Raiq back to Janir,
and I thought I’d go to Ashalla
and pay my respects to the kai.

KASIDY
Of course it’s alright, Ben. But
thank you for asking.​

106 EXT. BAJOR ATMOSPHERE


On the runabout, as it travels through the Bajoran sky.



107 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT


Sisko and Kira in the pilot’s seats, with blue sky out the windows. Raiq is presumably in the rear cabin. Sisko is silent, brooding. Kira delicately tries to get him to talk.

KIRA
Benjamin...? How are you doing?

SISKO
I’m fine, Nerys. Everything worked
out for the best. I’m fine.​

Kira knows him too well to be fooled by that.

KIRA
When Iliana and the other Iliana
and I were all in the wormhole
together a couple of years back,
we spoke to the Prophets.

SISKO
I know, you told me.

KIRA
They recognised that we were all
from different universes. That one
- the Intendant’s universe - they
called it the Broken Line. And I
think that was after you.

SISKO
Me?

KIRA
In that universe, you were dead.
The Prophets’ connection to linear
time... was broken.

SISKO
What did they call this universe?

KIRA
Penitent.

SISKO
That’s how they saw me?

KIRA
That’s how you were when you first
met them. And you know, I think
you’re a lot like Luka.

SISKO
What?!

KIRA
I do. Raiq was just like me –
angry, always fighting, but with
an enormous faith in her gods.
And Luka was just like you. Been
through a lot, lost everything,
worked hard to come back from
that, but always questioning.
(beat)
Do you remember when we fought
Axno, before Vaughn came back?

SISKO
Of course.

KIRA
I asked then... why would the
Prophets let one of these people
into the Alpha Quadrant, after
everything they’d done?

SISKO
Nerys, where are you going with this?

KIRA
I think this was why. You and
Kasidy are solid. And Rebecca...
it turns out she is the Avatar of
Peace after all. Just like Ohalu
predicted. All four religions -
all of Bajor - came together
around her. Because of her.

SISKO
(bitter)
And all it took was my friend
being driven insane and killed.
And my three-year-old daughter
traumatised in ways she might
never get over.

KIRA
I know. But you have to focus on
the positive, Benjamin. You have
to move forward. It’s how I’ve
always gotten through.​

As the ship flies, it doesn’t look like Sisko is going to be able to do that. Off his thunderous, glowering face...



108 EXT. BAJOR ATMOSPHERE


On the runabout, as it travels on through the Bajoran sky.



109 EXT. SPACE


The USS James T Kirk zooms through open space at warp.



110 INT. KIRK – READY ROOM


Vaughn sits at his desk in his private ready room aboard the Kirk. The comm sounds...

ROGEIRO (comm)
Captain? You have a private
communiqué from Starfleet Command.

VAUGHN
In here please, Commander.​

Vaughn turns to his personal screen, taps the controls. The Federation seal appears, followed by the image of Admiral BATANIDES (last seen 10x22 “Ascension”).

BATANIDES (screen)
Captain Vaughn. My name is Marta
Batanides. We met once before, on
Deep Space Nine.

VAUGHN
Of course, Admiral, I remember.
What can I do for you?

BATANIDES (screen)
I was hoping to speak with you, if
you have a moment... about the
new Federation president.​

Vaughn’s face hardens. For his anti-Section 31 contact to call him directly like this... what the hell is going on?



111 EXT. BAJOR - ESTABLISHING


Back to the central monastery in Ashalla, Bajor’s capital.



112 INT. ASHALLA MONASTERY – PRAYER ROOM


The infrequently seen Prylar HAIM opens the door to the prayer room, allowing Sisko to enter.

SISKO
Thank you, Prylar. I promise I
won’t be long.​

The prylar bows obsequiously, and leaves the room.

Alone now, Sisko steps further into the room. An ORB BOX is in its usual place on the plinth at the head of the room. Slowly, carefully, keeping himself tight, Sisko approaches.

SISKO
All of this, everything that's
happened... Nerys thinks it was
all so that the four religions
could learn to work together. And
that’s fine for her - it reaffirms
her faith, the idea that it was all
a part of your plan. She thinks
I should be grateful. But you
know what I think?​

The anger boils over. Sisko picks up the heavy Orb box off its plinth, hefts it up, and HURLS it against the wall. It CRUNCHES and splinters against the stone.

Sisko advances on the damaged box, blind with fury. He KICKS at the box, KICKING and KICKING and KICKING again. JUMP CUTS as Sisko unleashes his towering rage on the box, breaking the wood and smashing the jewels.

Finally the ORB itself sits among the smashed remains of the box. Sisko GLARES down at it with a sneer of hatred. He slowly reaches down, picks up the Orb in his hands. The light THROBS as he raises the Orb over his head...

...and SMASHES the Orb into a million pieces on the ground.


FLASH


Sisko stands where he was, glaring in anger at the intact Orb box, still where it belongs on its plinth.

With the hatred strong as ever, Sisko turns away to leave.




FADE OUT:

END OF SHOW​

 

[DS9Continuing]

Okay, so that's my story.

Please, guys, let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear all your comments!

-Martyn
aka
lvsxy808

 

[MartinOShea]

I've been enjoying season 11, and the other seasons you've posted. Will (and when will) there be a season 12?

 

[DS9Continuing]

Not for a while yet - I have another project I really need to pay attention to first. Plus season 12, as I imagine it, would be a massive undertaking, because it's the Destiny storyline and the build-up to it.

While the DS9 portion of it would be Dax's story on the Aventine plus figuring out what the DS9 crew were doing during those events, I feel like I'd have to plot out not just DS9 but TNG, VOY and TTN at the same time so that all four shows line up perfectly for the big crossover. And while I have some ideas percolating already, I really need to put them aside for now while I do this other thing.

It's been interesting to read the latest official DS9 novel, Sacraments of Fire by DRG3. I haven't quite finished it yet, but it's been a kind of AU experience, given that so many of the events are ones I wrote myself in seasons 10 and 11. Indeed the whole reason I wrote season 10 is because no-one had written that storyline in the official books. Some of what DRG3 has written is very different to my ideas, but a surprising amount is practically identical. It's been an odd experience.

.

 

[jmsaw2]

It's been interesting to read the latest official DS9 novel, Sacraments of Fire by DRG3. I haven't quite finished it yet, but it's been a kind of AU experience, given that so many of the events are ones I wrote myself in seasons 10 and 11. Indeed the whole reason I wrote season 10 is because no-one had written that storyline in the official books. Some of what DRG3 has written is very different to my ideas, but a surprising amount is practically identical. It's been an odd experience.

.

I have only read some of the official relaunch books in the past year before discovering your series. I enjoyed the first books all the way up to the Soul Key and your Seasons 8 and 9 gave me a nice recap (although I was bit sad you didn't include the scene from Fearful Symmetry where the prime universe characters wanted to prove to the mirror universe characters that they were who they were by parading, in Quark's words "the dead people" in front of the viewscreen. That scene was hilarous).

The sudden jump in time period after the Soul Key to the Destiny and Typhon Pact series, followed by Sacrements of Fire and Ascension jumping back and forth to events before and after the Typhon Pact saga, made the story just too disjointed. In the end I found the books to be quite irritating; all those multiple story lines jumping all over the place, which in the end (in my opinion) were not really resolved after The Long Mirage. So yes, I very much enjoyed your versions of events better. I've just finished Season 13, now waiting (somewhat impatiently ) for Season 14.

 

[DS9Continuing]

although I was bit sad you didn't include the scene from Fearful Symmetry where the prime universe characters wanted to prove to the mirror universe characters that they were who they were by parading, in Quark's words "the dead people" in front of the viewscreen. That scene was hilarious.

I did originally! It was there for a while, but those books were so dense and tightly plotted that my scripts ended up way too long for a normal TV episode, so I had to be absolutely brutal with the editing. I was sad to see that scene go too, if only because it was Quark's only scene in the episode, but ultimately the plot didn't strictly speaking "need" that scene to be there, so out it went. Definitely frustrating, though.

I also had to leave room for explaining some stuff a bit more clearly that was only implied in the book - like the fact that Sisko only sent Vaughn to the MU as a way to manipulate Ghemor into taking her place. I also moved the Bajoran enclave from some random mining outpost back to Rena's home village of Mylea, since there were already thematic reflections between Rena's and Iliana's storylines anyway, plus why find a new location to film in when we already had one?

And I know I'm obviously biased, but yeah I kinda prefer my own version to what we actually got as well :-)

Season 14 coming in the New Year hopefully! Ep 8 been written right now...

.