DS9 12x01 - "Godspeed"

[DS9Continuing]

Welcome to my ‘DS9 Season 12’ project, aka “What were the DS9 crew up to during the Borg Invasion?”

(Well, the second half is that. The first half is following my own storylines, plus reinterpreting some of the storylines from 'Articles of the Federation' and applying them to the DS9 characters.)

These 22 (actually 25) episodes follow on directly from my DS9 Seasons 10 and 11 projects, which were intended to fill in the gaps in the DS9 storyline, before the professionals at Pocket Books went back and did their own version. Like the previous seasons, this set is written in screenplay format, as if they were 22 episodes of the TV series.

Unlike 10 and 11 however, the Destiny storyline is too big for one series - I plotted out 22 episodes each for all of the four series involved - Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Titan and Voyager. I did not write 88 scripts though - just the 22 DS9 ones. That is, until it comes to the big season finale, at which point it is no longer possible to separate the four series into their own threads so I just wrote a big four-parter featuring all four series equally. Hence why it’s really 25 eps, not 22.

Also unlike Seasons 10 and 11, Season 12 is based much more closely on the existing books. I do not claim any rights to the original material - that belongs to the authors and editors of the books in question, whose names all are listed below. My stories are adaptations and reinterpretations of those books, with my own ideas woven in and around and through. The list of books which I used in this project (whether adapted, reinterpreted or just was inspired by) are:


The Next Generation
Death in Winter, by Michael Jan Friedman
Resistance, by JM Dillard
Q&A, by Keith RA DeCandido
Before Dishonour, by Peter David
Greater Than the Sum, by Christopher L Bennett
Losing the Peace, by William Leisner
Paths of Disharmony, by Dayton Ward

Deep Space Nine
Rough Beasts of Empire, by David R George III

Voyager
Full Circle, by Kirsten Beyer
The Eternal Tide, by Kirsten Beyer

Titan
Taking Wing, by Michael A Martin & Andy Mangels
The Red King, by Michael A Martin & Andy Mangels
Orion's Hounds, by Christopher L Bennett
Sword of Damocles, by Geoffrey Thorne

Destiny
Gods of Night, by David Mack
Mere Mortals, by David Mack
Lost Souls, by David Mack

Other
Articles of the Federation, by Keith RA DeCandido
A Singular Destiny, by Keith RA DeCandido
Revenant (Seven Deadly Sins), Marc D Giller

Previously on:
DS9 Season 10 "Ascension"
DS9 Season 11 "The Crucible"

Now: DS9 12x01 - "Godspeed"

Lt Cmdr Ezri Dax's first day on a new assignment does not go as planned.

 

[DS9Continuing]

Meanwhile...

TNG 17x01 - “DEATH IN WINTER”

After the death of Data in battle against Shinzon (TNG “Nemesis”), and Troi and Riker’s transfer to the Titan, Picard is hit hardest when Beverly Crusher also leaves to take over Starfleet Medical. He oversees repairs to the Enterprise-E and assembles a new crew, but receives news that Crusher is missing in action, presumed dead. Determined to track her down, Picard heads to the frigid Romulan colony world Kevratas, where a plague has broken out and the ruined Romulan state is unable to tackle it. He works with two of his former crewmates from the Stargazer – security chief Pug Joseph and Doctor Carter Greyhorse, who both have dark pasts. Meanwhile on Romulus itself, new Praetor Tal’Aura is being challenged by Commander Donatra over the way she is letting worlds like Kevratas fall apart to consolidate her own power. Picard, Pug and Greyhorse arrive to find Tal Shiar agent Sela waiting for them...


TTN 1x01 - “TAKING WING”

Captain William Riker assembles his senior staff for his new command – the Luna-class USS Titan. He convinces Enterprise security chief Christine Vale to become his XO – she is wary because of the potential conflict in his wife Deanna Troi being ship’s counsellor. CMO is Dr Ree, a Pahkwa-thanh dinosaur with gigantic teeth. Security chief is Ranul Keru (DS9 9x02 “Unjoined”), an intense and driven Trill man still mourning his boyfriend’s death. The ship is crewed with the most biologically and socially diverse crew ever on a Starfleet vessel – carnivore, herbivore, insectoid, aquatic, crystalline, even cybernetic – and figuring out how they can all live and work together will be a challenge. The designer of the Luna class, Dr Xin Ra-Havreii, also comes onboard, paranoid after the accident that nearly destroyed the Luna (DS9 10x11 “Harmony”). They are supposed to be explorers, but Admiral Akaar arrives with a change of plans – they are going to Romulus...


VOY 10x01 - “WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME”

Tuvok is undercover on Romulus. He is there to persuade Ambassador Spock to return to Earth and meet with the new Federation president, Nanietta Bacco. Spock refuses, but just as Tuvok is leaving, Shinzon launches his bloody coup of the Romulan senate. Tuvok is caught up in the ensuing riots, arrested and thrown into prison. On Earth, Admiral Janeway hears about the upheaval on Romulus and worries about Tuvok. She contacts Captain Picard on the Enterprise and assigns him to deal with Shinzon (TNG “Nemesis”). Meanwhile, Voyager is out charting the Yaris Nebula. Captain Chakotay was hoping for an exciting scientific mission of exploration, but he is finding the job empty and boring. He clashes with the ship’s acerbic new counsellor Hugh Cambridge, while first officer Tom Paris misses his wife and child, which security chief Harry Kim tries to take his mind off. But what Chakotay is really missing is Janeway...

 

[DS9Continuing]

TEASER​

FADE IN:


1 EXT. SPACE


The usual starscape, calm and peaceful. SOUNDS of a working starship bridge gradually encroach as we PULL BACK to reveal...



2 INT. AVENTINE - BRIDGE



...that this starfield is being viewed upon the vast, curved, panoramic viewscreen of a Starfleet ship’s bridge.

This is a new layout, a design we have not seen before - comparatively long and narrow, the viewscreen dominating the entire front curve of the oval. As we continue to slowly PULL BACK, more stations and their assigned crew come into view.

A single central helm console. Science and other stations along both sides. Doors leading off to other rooms. Two parallel tactical/security consoles. A round holographic/transporter platform, tastefully incorporated in the “pit” in the centre of the bridge.

And finally back to a captain's chair, for now unoccupied but perfectly positioned to view the entire bridge in one.

Officers and crew stride back and forth purposefully, getting ready for something important. Among them, offering instructions to others, is a dark-skinned Vulcan male, TOVAK - the first officer of this ship.

TOVAK
Lieutenant Commander Helkara - are
all sensor modules prepared?​

A trim male Zakdorn (as seen in TNG “Peak Performance”) officer in sciences blue responds.

HELKARA
Aye sir, all checked and double checked.​

We follow Helkara back to his post, thus allowing us a good look at the Chief Science Officer’s station. Meanwhile a red-headed male human, RIORDAN, crosses our path in a hurry until Tovak catches his attention.

TOVAK
Ensign Riordan - the navigational computers?

RIORDAN
Top shape. Tharp shouldn’t have
any problems keeping us on a
straight line.

TOVAK
You should address a superior
officer as ‘sir’ when on duty, Ensign.

RIORDAN
If you insist. Sir.​

A statuesque female Takaran (as seen in TNG “Suspicions”) wearing security gold, KEDAIR, steps quietly to Tovak’s side, watching with pursed lips as Riordan wanders off.

KEDAIR
I don’t know why the captain
assigned him to the bridge. He’s
borderline insubordinate, and he’s
only been here a few days.

TOVAK
Crew assignments are mine and the
captain’s concern, Lieutenant
Kedair. But I assure you that
Ensign Riordan’s unconventional
conduct has not gone unnoticed.
How fares tactical?

KEDAIR
All systems ready. I can’t foresee
any reason to use them on a simple
test flight, but I don’t intend on
being caught off guard.

TOVAK
That is gratifying to hear, Lieutenant.
Proceed.​

We follow Kedair back to the Tactical console. Once she is positioned, we continue around the bridge, exploring other stations, including a Bolian male at the helm - THARP.

TOVAK
Lieutenant Tharp, course plotted?

THARP
Aye sir. It should be clear sailing
from here to the Arkarian sector.

RIORDAN
(butting in)
Told you.​

Finally we move to a door towards the rear of the bridge, which WHOOSHes open to reveal a turbolift... and EZRI DAX, in a command red uniform, standing at the front of a small group of officers waiting to disembark.

TOVAK (o.s.)
Captain on the bridge.​

Dax starts at the declaration, jamming in the turbolift doorway as she takes in the daunting sight of the bridge.

DEXAR (o.s.)
Excuse me? Could I get past?​

The polite and friendly voice jolts Dax out of her reverie and she quickly steps out of the way, allowing the owner of the voice to pass her from behind and approach Tovak as the turbolift empties out. This is DEXAR, a male Bolian and the captain of this ship.

TOVAK
All stations ready, Captain.

DEXAR
Excellent, Commander Tovak.​

Tovak notices Dax, hovering and waiting to be acknowledged.

TOVAK
Captain, I present Lieutenant
Commander Ezri Dax, your new
second officer. Commander Dax,
Captain Ma-eel Dexar.

DEXAR
(wry, re turbolift)
We’ve met. Commander Dax, welcome
aboard the Aventine.

DAX
Thank you sir, I’m excited to be
here. And I apologise for before...

DEXAR
Not to worry, Commander. I’d be
upset if you weren’t impressed.
The Aventine is quite a beauty,
inside and out.

DAX
She certainly is, sir. First of
the new Vesta-class ships, testbed
for half a dozen experimental new
technologies...

DEXAR
Glad to see you’ve been reading
up. But we can swoon together over
our new steed at a later time.
Right now, I think I’d like to get
this particular test underway.
Lieutenant Kedair, please hail
our friends, split screen.

KEDAIR
Aye sir.​

Kedair presses some buttons, and in a moment the viewscreen changes from the standard starfield to...

Captain ELIAS VAUGHN on the bridge of the USS James T Kirk on the left half of the screen, and Commander RO LAREN on the bridge of the USS Defiant on the right.

DEXAR
Captain, Commander - I believe the
moment has come. Everything ready
at your end?

VAUGHN (screen)
Quite ready, Captain. The Kirk is
awaiting you in the Arkarian sector.

RO (screen)
And the Defiant will remain behind
here at Deneb.

DEXAR
I hope you both plan to have all
your sensors trained on us for as
long as possible. It promises to be
quite a show. Thank you both
for your time - we’ll speak again
when it's over. Aventine out.​

The signals drop, returning to the starfield. Dexar takes his seat, turns to Dax, standing with a troubled look.

DEXAR
Problem, Commander Dax?

DAX
(straightens self)
No sir. Just, we’re attempting to
travel more than a hundred light
years in only a few minutes...

DEXAR
(close, sotto)
I’m aware of your service history,
Commander. And I sympathise. But
your experiences on the Luna are
part of why you’re here. So I’m
going to need you at the top of
your game, understood?

DAX
Absolutely, Captain. You can rely on me.

DEXAR
Alright then.
(back to bridge)
All hands, this is the captain.
We are about to conduct the very
first test of the USS Aventine’s
quantum slipstream drive. This
is what the last two years of
development, trials, brain power
and hard work have been building
to. So everyone look sharp.
(to Tovak)
Mister Tovak, please synchronise
with the Defiant and the Kirk,
and begin a countdown.

TOVAK
Aye, Captain.
(working panels)
All stations, accelerating to
slipstream velocity in ten
seconds. Nine...

THARP
Course set, ready to activate drive.

TOVAK
Eight... Seven...

RIORDAN
Navigational computers live and
calculating slipstream variables...

TOVAK
Six... Five...

HELKARA
Sensor resolution at maximum.

TOVAK
Four... three...​

On Dexar, sat in his captain’s chair and proudly awaiting the moment...

TOVAK
Two... One...​

On Dax, worried about everything that could possibly go wrong. And as Tovak finally counts down to...

TOVAK (o.s.)
Zero.​

BLACK OUT

END OF TEASER​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT ONE​

FADE IN:


3 VIEWSCREEN


The wide, expansive IMAX viewscreen of the Aventine shows a coruscating blue tunnel (as in VOY 5x06 “Timeless”), twisting and spiralling as we move through it at impossible speeds.


4 ON DAX


as she stands near the captain’s chair, watching this on the viewscreen as the Aventine thrums with power around her. The ship is not especially rough or rocky, only enough to let us know it’s moving at enormous speeds.

Dax nevertheless grips onto the edge of a nearby console to steady herself - emotionally more than physically.

BASHIR (v.o.)
Dax!​

CUT TO:


5 INT. AVENTINE - CORRIDOR


Walking down the corridor, Dax jumps and turns in surprise at the sound of BASHIR’s voice. She sees the doctor emerging from a turbolift, padd in hand.

DAX
Julian! What are you doing here?

BASHIR
I wanted to see you, of course.
I’d hoped you might come aboard
the Defiant and say hello to
everyone while we’re all here.
(smile)
But then I realised I’d have to
bring the mountain to Mohammed
after all.

DAX
Well, I’ve had a lot to do...

BASHIR
Oh, no doubt. Second officer of
the Aventine, it’s quite the coup.
Congratulations!

DAX
Thanks, Julian. But speaking of
which, I have to report to sickbay
for evaluation...

BASHIR
(holds up padd)
And that’s the other reason I’m
here. Come on, I’ll join you.​

He begins striding off down the corridor in the same direction Dax was already walking. This has caught her totally by surprise. Then she hurries to catch up to him.

DAX
Julian, what - you don’t even know
where you’re going.

BASHIR
(taps head)
I memorised the Vesta-class deck
plans on the way out here.

DAX
Of course you did. Look Julian,
it’s nice to see you, of course -

BASHIR
I should hope so, it’s been over a year.

DAX
- But I can find my own way to
sickbay, you know.

BASHIR
And here we are!​

They enter through a doorway to find themselves in...


6 INT. AVENTINE - SICKBAY


An extensive and ultra-modern sickbay facility, the envy of any in the fleet. Dax and Bashir enter. He is bright and cheerful, she tense and really not wanting this right now.

BASHIR
Doctor Glau?

DAX
(mutter)
You memorised the crew roster as
well. Of course you did.​

A smallish human woman emerges from the office into the main sickbay - the ship’s CMO, Dr GLAU.

GLAU
Ah, you must be Commander Dax.

DAX
(stepping over Bashir)
That’s me. I was ordered to report
to sickbay and register with the
CMO as soon as I came on board.

GLAU
Excellent. And you are?

JULIAN
Doctor Julian Bashir, DS-Nine.
A pleasure to meet you, doctor.

GLAU
Likewise, Doctor, although it was
my understanding Commander Dax was
no longer attached to DS-Nine.

DAX
No, I’m not.

BASHIR
But it’s always nice to meet a
fellow CMO, so I thought I’d take
the opportunity to hand over her
medical records in person.​

Bashir hands over the padd he has been carrying.

DAX
You really could have sent that by
subspace, Julian.

BASHIR
It was no trouble, and since I was
going to be here anyway...

GLAU
Well I’m very grateful, Doctor.
Commander Dax, if you’d like to
join me...​

Glau leads Dax deeper into the sickbay, with Bashir following along uninvited. Off Dax’s tense expression...


7 INT. AVENTINE - LOUNGE


An expansive lounge of several decks’ height, with dark and soothing lighting, gentle plant-like decorations and a truly gigantic full-wall picture window out onto space. Through this can be seen the Defiant holding position at a sensible distance. As we pan around this room...

DAX (o.s.)
Are you sure you don’t need to get
back to the Defiant?

BASHIR (o.s.)
We’ve got a while yet. Vaughn only
just left, it’ll take him a few
hours to get to Arkaria.​

We finally land upon Dax and Bashir, sat at a small table in this lounge, drinks between them on the table. There is a bit of an awkward pause as Dax has nothing to say.

BASHIR
I’ve been keeping up on Doctor
Tarses’ work on helping to rebuild
the symbiont population. He’s doing
remarkable work - with your expert
help, no doubt. How is Simon?

DAX
We’re not a couple, Julian, if
that’s what you’re implying. We’re
colleagues. Friends.

BASHIR
I wasn’t implying anything of the
sort. I was taking a professional
interest in a project that’s
important to both of us. And I’m
happy to offer any help I can.

DAX
I don’t need your help, Julian.

BASHIR
(gently)
Ezri... I’m trying very hard to be
friendly here. We haven’t seen each
other in over a year, haven’t even
spoken. Couldn’t you at least
pretend you’re happy to see me,
for old time’s sake?

DAX
(hangs head)
I’m sorry, Julian. It’s not you.
I’m just a little preoccupied.

BASHIR
It’s the Luna, isn’t it? You’re
thinking about the Luna.
(off Dax’s reaction)
See? I do still know you pretty
well after all.

DAX
(looks around room)
The great slipstream experiment.

BASHIR
But this isn’t like the Luna. This
ship was designed from the ground
up to house slipstream drive.

DAX
(old argument)
And there’s no reason to think
what happened on the Luna will
happen here. And this is too big
an opportunity to turn down. I’ve
had this entire conversation in
my head already, Julian, a dozen
times. Doesn’t help.

BASHIR
Then what will?​

Dax ponders the question, stares into her drink. Then she finally looks up at Bashir, a small smile on her lips.

DAX
A friendly face, maybe?​

Bashir smiles back at her.


8 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE


Ro sits in her centre seat, waiting for some word. Senior staff as usual - BOWERS at tactical, NOG at engineering, Bashir at life support, and TENMEI at the helm. CANDLEWOOD is at sciences, glued to his console, fingers flying to keep up with the flow of information.

BOWERS
Commander, the Kirk acknowledges
our message that the Aventine is
on its way. No sensor contact for
them as yet.

RO
Thanks, Sam. John, how are our own
sensors?

CANDLEWOOD
Well, not as good as an Akira
class’s, first of all. But what we
do have is picking up enough to
keep me busy for weeks.

RO
Does it at least look like they
entered slipstream in one piece?

CANDLEWOOD
Oh definitely. Whether they come
out of it again in one piece is
beyond our range to tell.

RO
Okay. Then just keep watching for
as long as you can.

TENMEI
Meanwhile, I get to just sit here
and do nothing while the fastest
Starfleet ship ever is out there
without me.​

Bashir comes to hover over Tenmei’s shoulder, looking out onto the blank starfield on the viewscreen.

BASHIR
She was a beauty, alright.​

Off his wistful gaze...


9 INT. SHUTTLEPOD


Bashir likewise gazes wistfully out of the window of the tiny shuttlepod Cooper. Tenmei is beside him, piloting the shuttle. Through the window we see the inside of the Defiant’s shuttle bay slipping up and away as the shuttle itself drops vertically out of it.

In moments we are out in space, Tenmei manoeuvring the ship smoothly and eagerly, chatting away as she does so.

TENMEI
...so apparently it’s all about
the hull geometry. There’s some
kind of exponential relationship
between the width of the corridor
you’re trying to create and the
number of variables you need to
calculate to maintain it. So you
need to keep the ship narrow, then
it’s easier to stay on top of the
calculations.

BASHIR
(absently)
Fascinating... You know I could
have just gone across to the
Aventine by transporter. It would
have been much easier.

TENMEI
And miss this? No way. The moment
you asked Ro if you could visit,
I was like, Ding! This is my shot.​

Under this, Tenmei has brought the shuttle about so that we can see the Defiant sitting at rest in space.

TENMEI
I mean, I love the Defiant,
obviously. She’s like my own
little baby. Little baby that
was built to kick ass, that is.​

The angle of their view widens until we see the Akira-class James T Kirk sitting alongside, dwarfing the tiny Defiant at more than twice the size.

TENMEI
Akiras are also not un-kick-ass.
I flew one of those in the war,
you know. But look at that primary
hull. Too broad. And the Defiant
may be small but it has nowhere
near enough computer capacity.​

Finally Bashir and Tenmei’s viewpoint opens up even more, until we find a third ship sitting beside the other two - the even bigger Vesta-class Aventine, which in turn dwarfs the Kirk.

Aventine is long and sleek, an extended arrow-shaped primary hull and long trailing nacelles. Undeniably big, yet graceful, and clearly very, very advanced.

TENMEI
But this... just look at this.
What I wouldn’t give to drive
one of these babies...​

Tenmei drives us closer to it, giving us a nice long beauty shot across its hull, curving around it to see it from various angles. As we gaze lovingly upon its lithe form...


CUT TO:


10 EXT. AVENTINE


The same ship coursing through the slipstream tunnel, hurtling along at impossible speeds.


11 INT. AVENTINE - BRIDGE


On Dax, still unable to take her eyes off the viewscreen as she worries if this going to work.

BEEP BEEP BEEP. An alert on Helkara’s science console. The Zakdorn turns towards the captain.

HELKARA
Captain... there’s a problem.​

Off Dax and Dexar’s reactions...



BLACK OUT

END OF ACT ONE​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT TWO​

FADE IN


12 EXT. AVENTINE


The ship zooms through the slipstream corridor.


13 INT. AVENTINE - BRIDGE


Anxiety as the bridge crew reacts to Helkara’s insistent beeping alert...

DEXAR
What’s the problem, Helkara?


HELKARA
(off panels)
The readings from the chroniton
integrator are all over the place.
We don’t have a clear picture of
what’s ahead of us. We’re flying
head-first into the unknown...​

Off Dax...


14 INT. AVENTINE - TRANSPORTER ROOM


On Dax as a beam materialises her into Aventine’s suitably impressive and advanced-looking transporter room. Next to her, another beam deposits Vaughn. Dax carries a standard travel bag over one shoulder and a padd in her hand. As they step down off the platform, they are greeted by Tovak.

TOVAK
Captain Vaughn, Lieutenant
Commander Dax. I am Commander
Tovak, Aventine’s executive officer.

VAUGHN
A pleasure to meet you, Commander.
I hope you don’t mind me tagging along.

TOVAK
Not at all, Captain, you are welcome.
Commander Dax, your transfer orders?

DAX
(hands him padd)
Right here, sir.​

Tovak inspects the padd, seems satisfied with it. He presses his thumb onto the padd’s screen until it beeps affirmatively, then hands it back to Dax.

TOVAK
You are hereby recorded in the
computer as the Aventine’s second
officer, with all the duties and
responsibilities of that position.

VAUGHN
(cheery)
That was easy.

TOVAK
Captain Dexar regrets that he is
unable you welcome you in person.
He has many tasks to complete
before the mission gets underway.
He also requires that you report
to sickbay and register with the
Chief Medical Officer at your
earliest opportunity.

DAX
Aye, sir.

TOVAK
Captain Vaughn, I can assign a
crewman to escort you if you would
like to tour the Aventine before
you leave.

VAUGHN
That’s okay, Commander. I just
wanted to say goodbye to Dax.​

Tovak nods and steps back to give them a little space.

VAUGHN
Best of luck, “old man”. You have
quite the adventure ahead of you.

DAX
Hey, Benjamin calls me “old man”,
not you. Especially not you.

VAUGHN
I’m the youngest one here, I’ll have
you know. Everyone in this
room is over a hundred years old.

RIORDAN (o.s.)
Umm... I’m not.​

Vaughn, Dax and Tovak all look over to the transporter control console, operated by Ensign Riordan, hand in the air. None are especially impressed with the interruption.

TOVAK
Ensign Riordan, please beam
Captain Vaughn back to the Kirk.

VAUGHN
(stepping onto
transporter)
Actually, to the Defiant if you
don’t mind. There’s somebody I
need to talk to before I leave
for Arkaria.

TOVAK
As you wish. Energise, Ensign.​

Vaughn disappears in a transporter beam, an encouraging smile for Dax as he goes. Tovak turns to Dax.

TOVAK
Carry on, Lieutenant Commander.

DAX
Sir.​

Tovak heads out, leaving Dax to handle herself. She hefts her shoulder bag, and with a deep breath, steps over the threshold into her new assignment.


15 INT. AVENTINE - MAIN ENGINEERING


Main engineering is a cavernous affair much like on the Enterprise-E, stretched across multiple levels.

Lieutenant KASSLIM, a female Gallamite (the ones with the transparent skulls) and Aventine’s chief engineer, stands looking over a comparatively small core device much like that seen on the Dauntless in VOY 4x26 “Hope and Fear”.

KASSLIM
It’s a tricky bit of kit, this.
So you’ve got to keep a close eye
on it, alright?

ENGINEER
Understood, sir.

DAX (o.s.)
Excuse me, Lieutenant Kasslim?

KASSLIM
(turns)
Who’s asking?​

Dax is stood there, waiting to introduce herself, holding down her trepidation at being here.

DAX
I’m Lieutenant Commander Dax.
I’m the new second officer.

KASSLIM
Ah. Then maybe you can help me
convince these young’uns that
they need to pay more attention in
class. It’s as if they’ve never
seen a sympathetic fermion
transceiver before.

DAX
With respect, Lieutenant, no-one
has. They’re brand new.

KASSLIM
Well done. That was a test. Come
on, I’ll show you around.​

Kasslim turns sharply, and Dax sees the brain fluid in the woman’s transparent skull sloshing around as she moves. Dax puts her hand to her mouth as if holding back a retch.

KASSLIM
Are you coming, Commander?

DAX
Yes, sorry, just a spot of space
sickness. I’m right behind you.​

Kasslim begins to lead Dax around the room, proudly showing off her domain. As they walk...

KASSLIM
As I hope already you know if
you’re going to be our second
officer, the Vesta-class is
Starfleet’s first ship purpose-
built with slipstream in mind.

DAX
(subdued)
Yes, I’m aware.​

Kasslim leads Dax to the far end of the room, where the towering warp core stands, pulsing and throbbing.

KASSLIM
It has a class twelve warp core,
standard cruising speed of warp
seven, emergency speed of nine-
point-nine-eight. Slipstream puts
that to shame, of course.​

Kasslim wanders off to the next stop on the tour, but Dax is gazing up at the warp core...

KASSLIM (o.s.)
The Aventine also has automated
internal defence units, on the off
chance we’re boarded by hostiles.​

But Dax isn’t paying attention. She stares at the warp core, her mind elsewhere...

Distant, disembodied SOUNDS creep over the scene - the HISS of escaping gas, the CRUNCH of buckling machinery, the WHOOP of red alert sirens, the SCREAMS of scared people.

RA-HAVREII (v.o.)
(ghostly, half-heard)
Out! Everyone out, now! Evacuate
this room!​

Dax closes her eyes against the memories. She opens them again to see Kasslim waiting for her. Embarrassed at herself, Dax takes a deep breath and carries on.

KASSLIM
But there’s comparatively little
likelihood we’ll need them, what
with the regenerative and adaptive
metaphysic shielding, tetraburnium
ablative armour, eight torpedo
launchers, eight phaser arrays,
fore and aft phaser cannons...

DAX
That all sounds very impressive,
Lieutenant. But I hope this ship
isn’t just about battle.

KASSLIM
(thumb at warp core)
Since about half of that thing’s
output goes to the science labs
and holodecks, you needn’t worry.​

The two women loop back around to where they started - at the secondary core. Kasslim gestures at it proudly.

KASSLIM
And here we are at the benamite
reticulation frame - probably the
most important part of the quantum
slipstream drive. Except for the
chroniton integrator, I suppose.​

As Dax looks at the device...


16 MEMORY FLASH


A different starship’s engineering section, one that is in utter chaos. Alarms whoop, gas hisses, engineers run back and forth in a panic. An ENSIGN is desperately working at the panels around a similar-looking core...

ENSIGN
The benamite’s decrystalising!
I’m losing it...​

17 BACK TO SCENE


Dax reacts to the memory...


18 MEMORY FLASH


An EXPLOSION sends the ensign flying across the room in a shower of sparks and broken machinery. The ensign crumples to the deck, obviously dead.


19 BACK TO SCENE


Dax flinches again as more memories hit her...

KASSLIM (background)
In theory, the chroniton
integrator lets us scan several
seconds into the future...​

20 MEMORY FLASH


A different scene altogether, of a young and dashing Trill male, TORIAS, sitting in the pilot seat of a small, sleek single-seat vessel. He is wearing an environment suit, and he is also having some trouble...

TORIAS
Vector’s drifting. I’m stabilising
the field symmetry. Velocity is
off the scale.​

The man loses control of whatever he is doing, hitting an emergency button to activate a transporter. But just as he begins to beam out, the ship begins to explode...


21 BACK TO SCENE


Dax’s heart is pounding, her breath is hitching...

KASSLIM (cont)
...to give us more time to
calculate the variables...
Commander? Are you okay?​

No response.

KASSLIM
You really don’t look well. I
guess that space sickness is worse
than you thought. Maybe you should
go see Doctor Glau.

DAX
(recovering breath)
Yes... yes. I’m supposed to report
to sickbay anyway. Excuse me,
Lieutenant...​

Dax staggers out of engineering, Kasslim looking at her strangely as she goes.


22 INT. AVENTINE - CORRIDOR


Dax emerges from engineering into a thankfully deserted corridor. As soon as the doors have closed behind her, she finds a quiet alcove and half-hides in it, leaning against the wall and trying to get her heartbeat under control...


23 INT. AVENTINE - BRIDGE


As the ship hurtles through the slipstream corridor, an unhappy Helkara looks back towards Captain Dexar, Commander Tovak and Lieutenant Commander Dax.

HELKARA
If I can’t get this under control, we
might have to abort the entire thing.​

BLACK OUT

END OF ACT TWO​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT THREE​

FADE IN


24 EXT. SPACE


The USS James T Kirk sits in space, alone and waiting...


25 INT. KIRK - BRIDGE


As seen briefly in DS9 11x22 “Penitence”. Captain Vaughn sits with legs crossed in the centre seat, lips pursed as he waits a little impatiently. His first officer, ROGEIRO, sits beside him, checking reports on a small screen.

ROGEIRO
Defiant reports that the Aventine
has begun its test run.

VAUGHN
Thank you, Commander. Acknowledge
their signal. Lieutenant Dunlop,
anything on sensors?​

A human male at the operations console responds.

DUNLOP
Nothing yet, Captain.​

Vaughn nods acknowledgement. Rogeiro leans into Vaughn, speaks confidentially in his thick Portuguese accent...

ROGEIRO
I find this quite exciting, don’t you?

VAUGHN
How so?

ROGEIRO
Science. Advancement for all. A
chance for Starfleet to travel
further and faster than it ever
has before, discover more wonders
and meet new people.​

Vaughn ponders this silently. Rogeiro warms to his subject.

ROGEIRO
It just makes me feel like the
entire Federation is finally
getting back on track.
(wide grin)
Optimism, Captain!​

Off Vaughn’s stony mien...


26 INT. DEFIANT - CORRIDOR


Ro, Vaughn and Tenmei stroll companionably along the corridor, in no particular rush.

VAUGHN
It’s been a pleasure catching up,
Commander. Though I must say I
don’t miss banging my head on the
bulkheads every time I stand up.

RO
(chuckle)
I have got into the habit of
keeping a dermal regenerator in
my desk drawer just in case.

VAUGHN
And how’s everyone back on the station?

RO
Excited about the new beginning.
Even Quark was ready to crack open
a bottle of wine for the occasion.

VAUGHN
Well, that’s quite the honour.​

They reach a door and pass through it to enter...


27 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE


They enter the bridge.

VAUGHN
Well, it’s time I was on my way.
I’ve delivered the Aventine’s new
second officer, now we put both
of them to the test.

TENMEI
I still wish it was me driving
that thing.
(placates them both)
Not that I don’t love driving the
Defiant. But we definitely have
the less exciting job today.
(pecks Vaughn
on cheek)
Bye, dad. Call me!​

She goes to take her place at helm. But Vaughn hasn’t left.

VAUGHN
(sotto)
Actually, Commander, before I go,
could we have a word?

RO
Is there a problem, Captain?

VAUGHN
Better in private.​

28 INT. DEFIANT - READY ROOM


The small office which serves as Commander Ro’s private sanctum. She and Vaughn enter.

VAUGHN
Computer, seal the room. Authorisation
Elias Vaughn eight four delta six purple.​

As Ro reacts with surprise, the door seals with a CLUNK and a BEEP. Then Vaughn pulls a small electronic device out of a hidden pocket, switches it on, and places it on Ro’s desk where it flashes periodically.

VAUGHN
I’m sorry, Laren, but privacy is
of the essence. It’s urgent I
speak with you. In fact, this is
precisely why I arranged your
participation in this mission.

RO
You arranged...? Elias, what’s all
this about?

VAUGHN
I recently had a conversation I’d
like your input on. A conversation
with a certain Admiral Marta
Batanides...​

Ro’s eyes widen in worry as she gets the reference. Vaughn’s anti-Section 31 contact...


29 INT. KIRK - BRIDGE


Back to Vaughn sitting in the centre chair of the Kirk.

VAUGHN
(blank)
Yes. Optimism. Quite right.​

30 EXT. SPACE


The Kirk still sitting there, still waiting...


31 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant still sitting there, still waiting...


32 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE


A BEEP issues from Candlewood’s science console. He checks it, then looks back at the rest of the bridge with a shrug.

CANDLEWOOD
Well, that’s it. The Aventine is
beyond our sensor range. They’re
on their own.

TENMEI
That was an exciting thirty-two
seconds.

NOG
If everything is going according
to plan, then they’ve got three
minutes and forty-seven seconds
when they won’t register on either
ours or the Kirk’s sensors.

BASHIR
Or be able to establish a comm
signal to call for help if
anything goes wrong.

NOG
Right.​

They all sit paying cursory attention to their consoles but really watching the screen and hoping for the best. Ro seems especially troubled. Bowers notices, so he gets up to approach the command chair confidentially.

BOWERS
Commander? Is there a problem?

RO
No, no problem, Sam. Just thinking
about new beginnings... and how
they’re not always everything you
hoped for.​

Bowers returns to his station, none the wiser. But Ro is still thinking...


33 INT. DS9 - SECURITY OFFICE


Ro stands in the office, with Bajoran Liaison officer Major CENN by her side and security chief Lieutenant EVIK behind the desk. It’s an informal meeting, no airs and graces.

RO
So you’re both clear on what needs
to be covered while I’m away?

CENN
We’re clear, Commander. Stop
worrying, we’ll be fine.

RO
You’re sure? Cause I can -

EVIK
Commander. While it’s heartening
to see how much you’ve come to
embrace responsibility since you
were that infuriating little girl
getting under your elders’ feet, I
promise we have it under control.

CENN
You’ve left us in charge before.
Why are you so worried now?

RO
I’m not worried. Everything’s been
going really well the last couple
of months. No problems, running
like clockwork.

CENN
Exactly. It’s like a whole new beginning.

RO
Which is usually exactly when
everything goes horribly wrong.

CENN
(to Evik)
Was she always such a pessimist?

EVIK
(teasing)
It’s what comes of rejecting the
love of the Prophets.

RO
I’m leaving now. Have fun.​

She turns and exits the room, onto...


34 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE


...which is the normal amount of busy. As she heads out of the security office and towards a turbolift, she is intercepted by QUARK, who is at full schmooze.

QUARK
Laren! I have the holosuite all
reserved and ready. Your favourite
programme, your favourite wine,
and your favourite bartender all
await your pleasure.

RO
I can’t, Quark. I’m leaving on the
Defiant, basically now.

QUARK
You’re leaving? Since when?​

The turbolift arrives - Ro steps onboard. Quark jumps in after her. They are the only ones in there.


35 INT. DS9 - TURBOLIFT (CONTINUED)


Ro has a lot to think about and doesn’t really have the energy for Quark right now.

RO
The orders came in yesterday.
(to computer)
Defiant.​

The turbolift starts moving.

QUARK
Yesterday? And you didn’t think
to tell me? I booked a holosuite.

RO
(gently pointed)
You didn’t tell me about that.​

She sees that he is genuinely hurt, and takes pity on him.

RO
It does sound wonderful. But I’m a
Starfleet officer, my life doesn’t
revolve around your holosuite
schedule. I’m due in the Deneb
sector as soon as possible.

QUARK
Deneb? That’s practically the other
side of the Federation.

RO
(shrug)
I don’t even know why we pulled
this assignment - it’s all for
some science experiment, and the
Defiant is hardly a science ship.
But... I have my orders. So I go.

QUARK
But...
(gives up)
When will you be back?

RO
I can’t say that either. You know
how this works, Quark.

QUARK
I know. I just thought... never mind.​

The turbolift arrives, the door opens and Ro steps out.

RO
I promise we’ll make time to hang
out when I get back, okay? But now
I gotta go.

QUARK
(sad sigh)
Okay.​

The lift doors close, leaving Quark in the lift and Ro in the corridor. She ponders sadly, but then rouses herself and walks off.


36 INT. KIRK - BRIDGE


As the crew continues to wait, Lieutenant Dunlop at Ops reacts to an alert on his console...

DUNLOP
Captain, we’re registering a
quantum slipstream corridor right
on the edge of sensor range.​

Everyone relaxes a bit - contact has been made.

VAUGHN
Excellent news, Lieutenant.

DUNLOP
(off panels)
Sir... the readings are very
erratic. The corridor does not
look stable.
(turns to Vaughn)
I think Aventine is in trouble.​

Off Vaughn and Rogeiro’s reaction to that...



BLACK OUT

END OF ACT THREE​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT FOUR​

FADE IN


37 EXT. AVENTINE


The ship zooms through the slipstream corridor.


38 INT. AVENTINE - BRIDGE


The bridge crew are still trying to get everything under control. Dax stands watching...

DEXAR
We’ll abort the test as a last
resort, Lieutenant. But I’d rather
not give up at the first hurdle
if we can make this work.

HELKARA
(unconvinced)
Aye, sir.

DEXAR
Bridge to engineering - Kasslim,
we need the chroniton integrator
to actually work, please.

KASSLIM (comm)
I’m trying my best, sir.​

As the action carries on around Dax, while she mostly stays out of the way...


39 INT. AVENTINE - COUNSELLOR’S OFFICE


The door to the corridor opens, and Dax stands there, a little nervous. A human woman, SUSAN HYATT, awaits her.

DAX
Counsellor Hyatt? I’m Ezri Dax.

HYATT
Ah, the new second officer. Well,
welcome aboard, Commander. What
can I do for you?

DAX
I don’t have an appointment... but
do you have a few minutes to talk?

HYATT
Oh. Yes, I suppose so. Come on in.​

Hyatt ushers Dax into the room, towards the counselling couches. They each take a seat.

HYATT
I thought you only came on board a
couple of hours ago. What on Earth
could have happened already?

DAX
Nothing, yet. At least not here.
It all happened before. And
apparently, I’m not over it.

HYATT
And it’s urgent enough that you
needed to see me right now?

DAX
This post is important to me, to
my career. I need it to go well.
But I’ve already had one panic
attack, and I haven’t even been to
the bridge or met the captain yet.

HYATT
Do you have any clues as to what
brought on the panic attack?

DAX
I know exactly what it was. It
goes back to the Luna - actually
no, scratch that, it goes back
further. All the way to Torias.

HYATT
(deep breath)
Why don’t you start from the top?​

Dax nods, settles in. This means confronting things she’d rather not, but it can’t be avoided, it’s why she is here.

DAX
Torias was my fifth host.​

40 EXT. SPACE


A small shuttle, experimental but clearly Starfleet in design.

DAX (v.o.)
He was a test pilot, working on
Starfleet’s transwarp experiments
back in the 2280s. He was always
too much of a daredevil...​

41 INT. SHUTTLE


The same shuttle we saw earlier in scene 20, but before the test. TORIAS sits in the seat, wearing his space-suit, and communicating MOS over the comm.

DAX (v.o.)
Nilani told him the fluctuations
were too great. She should know,
she was the warp specialist.
But he didn’t listen...​

42 EXT. SPACE


The shuttle explodes...

DAX (v.o.)
And so he left Nilani a widow.​

43 INT. AVENTINE - COUNSELLOR’S OFFICE


Counsellor Hyatt ponders this cautiously.

HYATT
I’m sorry to hear that, Commander.
But the transwarp experiments were
a hundred years ago. How does that
affect now?

DAX
(isn’t it obvious?)
Because of the Luna. You must know
what happened...

HYATT
I read the official reports...

DAX
It wasn’t designed to work with
slipstream. Dr Ra-Havreii already
designed the Luna-class to run on
standard warp drive. It was only
after Voyager brought slipstream
back from the Delta Quadrant that
he started trying to graft it on
to the Luna-class.

HYATT
Surely you can’t blame yourself
for Dr Ra-Havreii’s mistakes,
whatever they may be.

DAX
But I was still there!​

44 INT. LUNA - MAIN ENGINEERING


Dax enters the other main engineering room from scene 16 - the USS Luna. The room is busy with junior officers working around them. Across the room, the experiment’s leader, Dr XIN RA-HAVREII (a male Efrosian) is calling to her.

RA-HAVREII
You’re Dax, right?

DAX
Um, yes. I’m -

RA-HAVREII
Well, make yourself useful.
(points)
Get over there and keep an eye on
the variables. We’re launching in
twenty seconds so I hope you know
what you’re doing.​

Dax is a bit thrown by Ra-Havreii’s bossy tone. She is his superior officer, and he never even asked why she is here. But he is clearly under stress, so she lets it go and moves to the station he indicated. She checks over the output...

DAX
Navigational computers are at optimum.

RA-HAVREII
We’ll see about that.

CAPTAIN (comm)
All hands, prepare for slipstream
velocity in ten seconds. Nine...

RA-HAVREII
Somebody shut that damn thing off,
I already know what’s going on.​

The countdown is silenced. Ra-Havreii points at a passing ensign, the one we saw in scene 18...

RA-HAVREII
You - eyes on the benamite, now!​

The ensign scuttles to do as they are told.

RA-HAVREII
Alright people, here we go.​

Machinery all around the room hums to life, and the ship JUDDERS as it jumps to slipstream velocity.

RA-HAVREII
Phase variances are within
expected range...

DAX
Navigational computer is having
trouble keeping on top of the
variables...

RA-HAVREII
That’s expected. It’ll settle.

DAX
It’s not settling. The computer’s
getting further behind. The
threshold is destabilising...

CAPTAIN (comm)
Engineering! What’s going on down
there? The corridor is unstable.

RA-HAVREII
(gestures towards Dax)
You answer him, I’m busy.

DAX
Captain, this is Dax. The computer
can’t keep up with the necessary
calculations to keep the corridor
stable. The quantum threshold is
simply changing too fast.

CAPTAIN (comm)
Do we abort? Doctor Ra-Havreii?​

Dax looks over to the chief engineer, who is concentrating on his consoles, fingers moving constantly, not listening.

CAPTAIN (comm)
Doctor! Do we abort?

RA-HAVREII
(slams console)
Damn it! Yes! Abort!​

All sorts of curse words fight to escape from beneath Ra-Havreii’s moustache. Dax works her console...

DAX
Shutting down slipstream drive...​

But nothing seems to change around the room - the machines’ hum is getting louder, more chaotic. Dax frowns...

DAX
It’s not working. The corridor
isn’t dissipating.

RA-HAVREII
There’s a feedback loop in the
deflector array, it’s refusing
to power down.

DAX
Maybe if we shut down the benamite
frame instead?

RA-HAVREII
(turns to Ensign)
You! Power down the benamite
reticulation frame!

ENSIGN
I’m trying, sir...​

Something EXPLODES. Dax dodges out of the way, looking around in worry. Gas hisses, RED ALERT alarms begin to sound automatically, engineers run about in a panic.

ENSIGN
The benamite’s decrystalising!
I’m losing it...

RA-HAVREII
Stay on it, spirits damn you!​

The benamite frame EXPLODES, sending the ensign flying across the room in a shower of sparks and broken machinery. The ensign crumples to the deck, obviously dead.

Dax squeaks in fear, cowering and holding her abdomen. She immediately runs for the door...

RA-HAVREII (o.s.)
The whole thing’s going to blow.
Out! Everyone out, now! Evacuate
this room!​

The announcement makes Dax realise what she was doing - running away. With a wince of hatred for herself, she turns back to help get other engineering crew evacuated through the door.

Machines all around the main engineering room begin to explode, catch fire, burst in showers of sparks. The room fills with smoke, screams, whooping alarms.

Dax waits at the door, holding her arm up to protect her from the approaching flames. She sees the dead body of the ensign. There are still screams beneath the noise.

CAPTAIN (comm)
Dax! Ra-Havreii! The core is about
to breach, we need to eject. Close
that damn door now!​

Knowing there are still people in there, Dax has no choice but to leave and shut the door behind her. A moment after she does, we hear the BOOM of an even larger explosion, and the CRUNCH of the core being ejected.


45 INT. AVENTINE - COUNSELLOR’S OFFICE


Dax relates this to Counsellor Hyatt, dark and haunted.

DAX
There were still eight people in there.

HYATT
Commander... as I said, I read the
reports. And the official inquest
absolved Doctor Ra-Havreii of any
responsibility for those deaths.
It absolved Captain Fujikawa, and
it absolved you. It was a tragic
accident. You already know this.

DAX
But it’s still a pattern. Torias
and the transwarp drive, Ezri and
the slipstream drive... Dax turns
up at the test of a new propulsion
system, and people die. And I know
it doesn’t make any sense at all,
I know I’m being ridiculous and
paranoid and all of it -

HYATT
If you know all of that, then I’m
not sure what else you want me to
tell you.

DAX
Neither do I. It’s like I’m stuck
in that same feedback loop that
destroyed the Luna, building and
building until I explode. But I
need to be here, because if I
can’t get past this, then I might
as well just resign and go home.

HYATT
Then I guess what you need to do
is break the loop.

DAX
Believe me, I’d love to. I’ve left
behind everything and everyone I
know to come here, hoping for a
new start...

TOVAK (comm)
Commander Tovak to all senior
officers. Report to the bridge
immediately. Slipstream test
begins in fifteen minutes.​

Dax hears the summons, looks across at Hyatt. Deep breath.

DAX
Looks like my time’s up.​

BLACK OUT

END OF ACT FOUR​

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT FIVE​

FADE IN


46 EXT. SPACE


Defiant sits in space...


47 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE


Aventine’s captain Dexar is on the viewscreen.

DEXAR (screen)
I hope you both plan to have all
your sensors trained on us for the
entire duration. It promises to be
quite a show. Thank you both for
your time - we’ll speak again when
it’s over. Aventine out.​

As the viewscreen returns to the standard starfield, and the Aventine manoeuvres into position in the space in front of the Defiant, the crew watches it with admiration.

TENMEI
Damn, that’s a big ship.

NOG
It’s not the size that matters,
Prynn. It’s what you do with it.

CANDLEWOOD
That’s certainly what I tell Hetik
every night.​

Chuckles around the bridge, except for Bowers, who grinds his teeth. Ro notices his annoyance, and though she doesn’t share it, she does get his point.

RO
Alright, children. Let’s keep our
minds on our work, shall we?

BOWERS
Receiving countdown from Aventine.
Going to slipstream in ten.

RO
Sensors?

CANDLEWOOD
At full.​

Out in space, beyond the Aventine’s bow, space twists and turns, gradually forming into a bluish tunnel of energy. Bashir steps up behind Ro’s chair, everyone’s eyes locked to the viewscreen.

BOWERS
Three... two... one.​

And the Aventine jumps into the tunnel, the swirling blue patterns closing up behind it. Aventine is gone.

TENMEI
Well, there she goes.

BASHIR
Yes... there she goes.​

48 EXT. AVENTINE


Watching from behind as the ship hurtles through the slip-stream corridor, which is now jagged and erratic instead of smooth and swirling.


49 INT. AVENTINE - BRIDGE


As the ship shakes around them, Helkara is still working his console as fast as he possibly can.

HELKARA
I could really use some help here.

TOVAK
Ensign Riordan, assist Commander
Helkara.

RIORDAN
(rushing past)
On it!

KEDAIR
(gritted teeth)
On it, sir.​

Dax continues staying out of the way, all of these memories coming back to her.

KASSLIM (comm)
Engineering to bridge. I’m getting
no response from the chroniton
integrator. We’re flying blind.

DEXAR
Alright, that’s it. Tharp, shut
down the slipstream drive, we’re
aborting the test.

THARP
Aye, sir.​

Tharp works his helm panels... works them again... and is getting frustrated.

THARP
I’m getting no response to shut-
down order, Captain. The deflector
dish is refusing to power down...​

Dax tenses - it’s happening all over again. She turns to the console next to her, and starts working it... When she gets the answer, she tenses more. It’s what she thought.

DAX
There’s a feedback loop in the
deflector protocols.

TOVAK
Override.

DAX
I’m trying - it’s no use. Without
the chroniton integrator to show
us the future, the computer is
tying itself into knots.
(to self)
Just like last time.

KEDAIR
So what happens next?​

Dax takes a deep breath and turns to the rest of the bridge. No point not being honest about it.

DAX
Either the feedback loop in the
deflector dish expands, spreads
through the ship until it reaches
the benamite frame... making it
explode and destroying half the
engineering section. Or, we keep
hurtling through the slipstream
corridor until it finally breaks
down and dumps us out into normal
space at about a billion
kilometres an hour, leaving us a
smear of debris across whatever
solar system has the misfortune
to be in our way. People die.​

The bridge goes silent as everyone ponders that.

RIORDAN
I would like that to not happen,
please.​

Dax stands there, staring at the consoles in front of her, none of it making sense, helpless for a solution. It’s all happening again.


50 MEMORY FLASH


Clips from scene 45.

DAX
It’s like I’m stuck in that same
feedback loop that destroyed
the Luna.

HYATT
Then I guess what you need to do
is break the loop.​

51 BACK TO SCENE


That’s the answer, Dax realises. She turns to Captain Dexar suddenly full of surety and confidence.

DAX
Break the loop. That’s what she
said - we need to break it.

DEXAR
What does that mean?

DAX
Dax to engineering.

KASSLIM (comm)
Go ahead.

DAX
Lieutenant Kasslim, disconnect the
benamite frame.

KASSLIM (comm)
I’ve been trying, Commander. It
won’t power down.

DAX
No, not power it down. Break it.
Smash it, cut the cables, take a
pair of scissors to it, whatever.
But you need to isolate it from
the deflector dish, now.

KASSLIM (comm)
Captain...?

DAX
Sir, the feedback loop is between
the defector dish and the benamite
frame. They’re going to keep
ramping each other up further and
further until one or both of them
explodes and kills us all. So
we need to break it. We can worry
about fixing it later, but we need
to break that loop now. Please.

DEXAR
(ponders a moment)
Agreed. Lieutenant Kasslim, follow
Commander Dax’s instructions.

KASSLIM (cont)
Aye, sir.​

The bridge crew looks towards the main screen, waiting for something to happen. A WHINING sound begins to build around them, alarming Captain Dexar. He stands from his seat.

DEXAR
Everyone step away from your
consoles. Just in case.​

They follow his instructions, stepping back a couple of steps and hovering helpless. The whine continues to build.

KEDAIR
Maybe we were too late.​

The first console EXPLODES. Then another. Then another. But each explosion is small and contained. On the screen, the slipstream corridor begins to dissipate...


52 EXT. SPACE


A blue swirling vortex opens up in space and the Aventine shoots out of it, a bit haphazard and smoking but fundamentally intact.


53 INT. AVENTINE - BRIDGE


Seeing this on screen, Ensign Riordan whoops with delight.

RIORDAN
Yes! Not dead!​

Even as the bridge sighs with relief around them, Tovak and Kedair share a knowing look. But Dexar smiles broadly.

DEXAR
Indeed we are not, Ensign.
(turns to Dax)
Thank you, Lieutenant Commander
Dax. That was clearly the right
move. Well done.

DAX
(grin)
Glad I could help, sir.

KEDAIR
(off panels)
Captain, we’re being hailed.
It’s the Kirk.

DEXAR
On screen, Lieutenant.​

The screen changes to show Vaughn and Rogeiro on the bridge of the Kirk.

VAUGHN (screen)
Captain Dexar, are you alright?
Our readings suggested you might
be in trouble.

DEXAR
We’re fine, thank you Captain. It
was a little hairy for a moment
there, but we pulled through,
thanks to Dax.

VAUGHN (screen)
Good to know. And the test?​

Dexar looks across to Dax, allowing her to answer. She ponders what to say.

DAX
I’d call it a qualified success.
There are some kinks still to be
worked out... but we’re on the
right path.​

It seems that Vaughn gets Dax’s subtext, even over subspace. He smiles knowingly.

VAUGHN (screen)
That’s good to know too. Captain,
do you require any assistance?

DEXAR
I think Lieutenant Kasslim in
engineering could probably do with
a helping hand, Captain, if you
can spare any.

VAUGHN (screen)
We’ll be with you in just a few
moments. Kirk out.​

The signal drops, returning the screen to the starfield. As the bridge returns to normal, Dexar turns to Dax.

DEXAR
Well, Commander, I’m certainly
glad we have you on board. Please
meet with Captain Vaughn when he
arrives and assign his crew. And
perhaps you’d also like to inform
the Defiant of our success.

DAX
Aye, sir.​

Dax bounds off the bridge, face filled with a grin.


54 EXT. SPACE


The Defiant sits where we left it...


55 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE


The crew sits waiting. Bowers gets a beep...

BOWERS
We’re picking up a long-distance
comm signal from the Aventine,
sir. It’s Commander Dax.​

Sighs of relief spread around the bridge - especially affecting Bashir.

RO
On screen, Lieutenant.​

The screen changes to show Dax, somewhere on the Aventine, beaming wide.

RO
Commander Dax. Good to see you.

DAX (screen)
It’s good to be seen, Ro. I can’t
talk, I’m needed in engineering.
I just wanted to let you all know
that it went well... ish.

RO
Well-ish? I look forward to
reading your report.

DAX (screen)
It’ll be quite straightforward.
I broke the loop. Dax out.​

The signal drops. Ro looks to Bashir, shares a smile.


56 INT. AVENTINE - CORRIDOR


Dax strides down the corridor, pushed with new confidence.


57 EXT. SPACE


The Aventine sits in space, as the Kirk approaches.



FADE OUT

END OF SHOW​