DS9 Season 10, ep 10x10 - "In Two Minds"

[DS9Continuing]

Previously, on Deep Space Nine Season 10...

Original discussion thread, covering Episodes 1 to 7

Discussion thread for Episode 8

Rather non-existent discussion thread for Episode 9

Direct links to the PDFs of episodes 1 to 9:

10x01 - "Emancipation"
10x02 - "Brave New World"
10x03 - "Steppin' Out"
10x04 - "Easy Come, Easy Go"
10x05 - "Deep Down"
10x06 - "The Dream Box"
10x07 - "Instinct"
10x08 - "Property Values"
10x09 - "Blank Slate"

And now, direct link to download episode 10:

10x10 - "In Two Minds"

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[DS9Continuing]

TEASER​

FADE IN:


1 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS AREA

Starting close on TARAN’ATAR, as he ROARS into the camera. He’s inside the security cell where we left him last time, and still in the throes of madness.

He quickly turns, as if hearing something inside his cell. He rushes the invisible something, slams it against the wall... of course there’s nothing there.

He looks down at his empty hand, confused and frustrated... but then he turns again at another non-existent sound, and goes through it all again.

He turns, rams his hands right into the force field, as if trying to twist and break it. Pushes his face right into the force field as well, SCREAMS into the sizzling energy.

VANNIS

stands in the centre of the room, arms folded, watching the Jem’Hadar soldier carry on. The Vorta really has no idea what to make of all this. Confused, worried, but not about to show it in front of...

RO

who stands nearby, watching them both curiously.

RO
Have you seen anything like
this with other Jem’Hadar?​

VANNIS
Superficially, it reminds me of
the effects of ketracel white
withdrawal. That too can
sometimes lead to uncontrolled
violence and hallucinations.​

RO
But Taran’atar hasn’t used
white for more than two years.​

VANNIS
(wild guess)
Delayed reaction, perhaps?​

RO
Delayed by two years? I doubt that.​

TARAN’ATAR

continues to rage in his cell, attacking invisible enemies. He hears something again, spins to confront it...

...and L’HAAN sits calmly on the bench, gazing at him.

L’HAAN
You are wasting your energy,
Taran’atar. There is no way
for you to destroy me.​

Infuriated, he launches towards her...

...but she quickly stands and confronts him back. He jerks to a halt, surprised.

L’HAAN
It’s your own fault.​

FLASHBACK – 9x21 “THE SOUL KEY”

Taran’atar snaps the real L’Haan’s neck.

BACK TO SCENE


L’Haan moves quick as a cat, brings her hands up and clamps them to either side of Taran’atar’s face – forced double mind-meld style.

ANGLE

as Taran’atar reacts to this, alone. No sign of L’Haan.

Ro and Vannis watch him jerk and flail, no idea what’s happening to him. Now we can also see SEVAK standing guard at the back of the room, armed and alert.

VANNIS
When did this start?​

RO
It only got this bad yesterday.
But I’m starting to think it’s
been building for a while. He
seemed distracted when I was
talking to him the other day.
And Kira said he’d been using
a Vulcan meditation program.​

VANNIS
(incredulous)
A Jem’Hadar? Meditating?​

Ro shrugs. But now they look to Taran’atar again, because he’s gone quiet.

The torture seems to be over... he slumps, exhausted, then crumples to the ground, semi-conscious. A few twitches, and he’s still.

Ro and Vannis exchange a worried look, then Ro cautiously approaches the cell. Small steps, not sure what could happen. She crouches down to his level, peers through the force field at him.

RO
Taran’atar? Are you alright?​

No response. She looks back over her shoulder at Vannis, and then tries again.

RO
Taran’atar... Can you hear me?​

Finally, Taran’atar replies – smooth and low.

TARAN’ATAR
I hear you, Lieutenant.​

He starts to gradually uncrumple himself. Ro stands and steps back away from the cell, still unsure. Moving slowly and smoothly, Taran’atar straightens himself, pulling up to his tallest height, his eyes closed as he centres himself.

Finally, he takes a deep breath and opens his eyes, looks out at Ro and Vannis, completely in control.

RO
Are you okay now?​

TARAN’ATAR
Forgive me. My behaviour must
have been quite disconcerting
for you. I am now quite fine.​

RO
You’re not going to attack us?​

TARAN’ATAR
Of course not, Lieutenant. Why
would I? It would be...
(beat)
...illogical.​

On Taran’atar, as he cocks a Vulcan-esque eyebrow...


FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER​

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT ONE​

FADE IN:


2 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING

The usual shot, but with Dominion vessel 288 parked at an upper pylon.


3 INT. DS9 – WARD ROOM

Beginning on the view screen on the long side of the wall. It shows the high-angle security cam image of Taran’atar, sitting calmly in his cell, possibly even meditating.

BASHIR (o.s.)
Wait – are you saying you think
Taran’atar’s holding a katra?​

WIDEN to see that we are in a senior staff meeting in the Ward Room. KIRA, VAUGHN, Ro, Vannis, BASHIR, MATTHIAS and CENN are present. Though Kira sits at the top of the table, this is Vaughn’s meeting.

VAUGHN
I believe so, yes.​

CENN
Hold on – what’s a katra?​

MATTHIAS
It’s part of Vulcan psychology
and mysticism. When they’re near
death, they have the ability to
pass on an imprint of their psyche
as a kind of telepathic record.
The more religious among us might
describe it as their “soul.”​

BASHIR
The ideal option is to download
the record into what’s called a
katric ark for posterity. But if
that’s not possible, they can
implant it telepathically into
another person instead.​

RO
And why would you think that’s
what’s going on here?​

VAUGHN
You gave me the idea, Lieutenant.
When you were suffering from your
amnesia, you said it felt like
somebody else’s memories forcing
their way into your head. That’s
exactly how T’Prynn described it.​

Vaughn hits some keys on the table, and the view screen adds a second image - the personnel record of T’PRYNN, with an image of the Vulcan woman in a TOS-era red uniform and the caption LT. CMDR. T’PRYNN, DECEASED 2349.

VAUGHN
She was a treasured friend and
colleague of mine for many years,
when I worked in Intelligence.
She introduced me to Ruriko...
we named our daughter after her.
What’s relevant here, however,
is that long before I met her,
she had been val’reth.​

Some baffled looks around the table. Bashir explains:

BASHIR
Someone who holds another’s
katra against their will.​

VAUGHN
Like most Vulcans, T’Prynn had
been betrothed at a young age,
to a man named Sten. When the
time came, she had no intention
of going through with it. Had
no intention of marrying any
man. Unfortunately, Sten decided
to force the issue. He invoked
koon-ut-kal-if-fee.​

MATTHIAS
“Marriage or challenge.”​

VAUGHN
(nods)
Ritual combat, usually involving
a champion to fight to the death
on behalf of the woman. T’Prynn,
however, fought for herself.​

KIRA
Good for her.​

VAUGHN
Quite. Sten was not so impressed.
If he was mentally unbalanced or
just at the mercy of powerful
Vulcan mating drives, I can’t say.
But even after she killed him, he
wasn't willing to concede defeat.
Sten used his last breath to
force his katra into her mind and
continue the fight from within.​

MATTHIAS
Oh my God...​

RO
So she just had to live with
him in her head?​

VAUGHN
The elders of Mount Seleya were
unable to help. Sten refused to
let go. She repressed him as
much as she could, but she was
effectively suffering constant,
repeated rape for almost fifty
years... albeit of a telepathic
rather than physical nature.​

On Kira, appalled...


FLASHBACK – 9x21 “FEARFUL SYMMETRY”

Dukat advances on the memory-wiped Iliana, in her cell on Letau, he with a sadistic grin, her screaming in terror...

BACK TO SCENE


Kira shudders from the memory. Vannis speaks up, snippy:

VANNIS
Forgive my ignorance, Commander
Vaughn, but what has been the
point of this little story?​

Vaughn smiles diplomatically. He gestures to the screen, where Taran’atar still sits in his cell...

VAUGHN
The point is, if the death is
both unexpected and violent, then
the katra - this snapshot of the
psyche - can become “corrupted.”
It’s capturing an image of the
mind at its most traumatized.​

4 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS AREA

Taran’atar stands peacefully in the cell, hands behind his back, face calm and composed. One might say... unemotional. Ro stands outside the cell, tense and wary.

Begin with a front-on shot of Taran’atar, then pan sideways around him, into the cell, through the force field...

BASHIR (v.o.)
So if this is what happened to
Taran’atar, then who is he...
“carrying” ?​

As we pass to the inside of the cell, the FRITZ of the force field covers the changeover – it is now L’Haan standing calmly inside the cell, looking out at Ro.

VAUGHN (v.o.)
L’Haan, of course. The
Intendant’s handmaiden.​

RO (v.o.)
(she gets it now)
She mind-melded with him.​

Ro taps her combadge, talks into it MOS.

VAUGHN (v.o.)
Yes. According to Taran’atar’s
own account, moments before he
killed her, L’Haan had been
engaged in a meld with him, trying
to secretly gain his alliance.​

The transporter signal forms over L’Haan...

ANGLE

...and Taran’atar disappears from the cell. Ro takes a deep breath and lets some of the tension out...


5 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

The surgical suite. Bashir, RICHTER, TARSES and ETANA are all on duty, with ALECO standing by as security.

The transporter signal forms, delivering Taran’atar, now lying down smoothly upon the bio-bed. Bashir approaches.

BASHIR (v.o.)
And when he surprised her by
breaking out of it, she didn’t
have time to properly close
down the connection.​

MATTHIAS (v.o.)
So when he killed her, her
katra automatically flew into him,
along the still-active connection.​

VAUGHN (v.o.)
It probably wasn’t intentional
on her part. And he couldn’t
have had any idea of the
consequences of his actions.​

On the bio-bed, Taran’atar lifts his arm. A couple of inches up, it contacts another force field. The field buzzes at the contact, revealing that it covers his entire body, head to toe, in a tight fit around the bio-bed.​

KIRA (v.o.)
Doctor, is there any way to
test Vaughn’s theory?​

BASHIR (v.o.)
A deep brain scan would show up
changes in his neuro-electric
patterns. But it’s not the kind
of scan I can do in a security
cell. We’d need to get him into
the Infirmary.​

Bashir directs the medical team, and they move large brain-scanning machines into place around Taran’atar’s head.

CENN (v.o.)
That’s where he was heading when
he had his breakdown on the Promenade.​

VAUGHN (v.o.)
Perhaps that’s not a coincidence.​

BASHIR (v.o.)
You think L’Haan knew we’d find
her out? And deliberately tried
to stop him from going?​

VAUGHN (v.o.)
Which would imply she has no
more intention of leaving than
Sten did.​

Bashir passes across the camera, briefly blocking our sight of Taran’atar. When he’s gone, it’s L’Haan lying there instead, watching every move they make.


6 INT. DS9 – WARD ROOM

Back to the meeting:

KIRA
So what do we do? How did
T’Prynn get rid of Sten? She
did get rid of him, right?​

VAUGHN
Eventually, yes. But as I say,
even the highest Vulcan adepts
were helpless. And when they
say there’s nothing they can do,
people tend to believe them. You
have to understand, there have
only been a handful of cases
like this in all of recorded
history, which for the Vulcans
is a long time. There’s simply
nobody left alive who knows
the necessary rituals.​

MATTHIAS
There must be something we can do.​

VAUGHN
Only one thing that I can think
of. If we can’t force L’Haan to
leave Taran’atar, then we have
to try and persuade her.​

BASHIR
Another Vulcan?​

CENN
We have Sevak.​

VAUGHN
Another Vulcan, yes. Sevak, no.
We’d need somebody L’Haan has
reason to believe and trust.​

RO
Who would that be? She doesn’t
know anybody here. She’s an
entire universe away from home.​

VAUGHN
True. So there’s only one option.​

A moment... then Kira gets the answer.

KIRA
L’Haan.​

Vaughn smiles approvingly. The others are confused...

CENN
I don’t understand...​

VAUGHN
The L’Haan that’s currently
inhabiting Taran’atar is the
alternate universe version.
The Intendant to our Kira. So
we need to find this universe’s
version of the same person.​

KIRA
(nodding)
It could work. Alright, I think
we’ve got a plan.​

She turns and gives orders to everyone in turn...


7 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS AREA

Ro stands alone in the middle of the room, having just transported Taran’atar away. She’s still shaken.

KIRA (v.o.)
Lieutenant Ro, work on getting
Taran’atar safely out of the
cells and into the Infirmary.​

She turns and walks out. Sevak joins her.


8 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

The medical team works around Taran’atar.

BASHIR (v.o.)
Doctor, once he’s there, you do
your scans and confirm all this.​

9 INT. DS9 – MATTHIAS’S OFFICE

Matthias is sat behind her desk, with Vaughn across from her. They both have computers and are scanning through file after file. Matthias takes notice of something...

KIRA (v.o.)
Counsellor, work with Vaughn to
try and track down anything you
can find on these rituals he
mentioned.​

She turns her computer to face Vaughn, showing him the file she found. Vaughn peers at it, but shakes his head.

KIRA (v.o.)
If nobody else can do them for
us, maybe we can figure out a
way to do them for ourselves.​

10 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

The business of Ops goes on as normal. Cenn stands at the central table, working hard. SHAR is at sciences, NOG at engineering, BOWERS at tactical, extras as needed.

KIRA (v.o.)
Major, I want you to comb the
Federation records and find
L’Haan. Explain the situation
to her and do your best to
convince her to help.​

11 INT. DS9 – WARD ROOM

KIRA
Alright, everyone. Get to work.​

Dismissed, the meeting breaks up.

After everyone else leaves, Kira and Vannis are the last ones left. Kira approaches Vannis tactfully...

KIRA
You were awfully quiet.​

VANNIS
Frankly, Captain, this entire
situation strikes me as the kind
of pseudo-scientific nonsense
Starfleet seems to regularly
find itself mired in. And now
you’re pulling the Dominion
down along with you.​

KIRA
(defensive)
This wasn’t our fault, Vannis.​

VANNIS
Perhaps. But it never happened
before we allied with you.​

KIRA
We’re trying to help him.​

VANNIS
Another peculiarity. In the
Dominion we would simply kill
him and be done with it.​

And with that she exits. Kira is left a bit disquieted...


12 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE

Ro enters from the rear cells area, with Sevak following. At Ro’s nod, Sevak heads out onto the Promenade. She goes to the door, looks out, making sure he’s gone. Then she goes to the drawers in her desk, and opens one.

She reaches in, pulls out a hypospray, and pushes it to her neck. It makes no hissing sound. She looks at it, confused. Shakes it. Tries again. Nothing. Empty.

Annoyed, she throws the hypo back into the drawer, kicks it closed, and stomps to the replicator set into the wall. One last glance over her shoulder to be sure she’s alone, she speaks quietly and conspiratorially to the replicator...

RO
Computer. Hypospray, containing
fifty cc’s of triptacederine,
to be delivered in doses of ten
cc’s. Please.​

COMPUTER
Unable to comply.​

RO
Why?​

COMPUTER
Requested material can only be
replicated by registered medical
staff in station infirmary.​

RO
Security override. Authorization
Ro gamma six two.​

COMPUTER
Security override not permitted.
Chief Medical Officer has final
authority on requested material.​

RO
Okay... how about morphenolog?​

COMPUTER
Unable to comply. Requested
material can only be –​

RO
Asinolyathin, then.​

COMPUTER
Unable to comply. Requested
material can –​

RO
Look, just give me any kind of
painkiller, will you?!​

COMPUTER
Unable to comply. Requested –​

RO
Oh, forget it!​

She THUMPS the replicator’s panel in frustration, and slumps against her desk. Not what she needed today.


13 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

The turbolift rises into Ops, and Kira steps off it. She walks down the steps to the central Ops table. Cenn is a bit worried and nervous.

KIRA
Major. Have you found anything?​

CENN
Umm... no, Captain. That’s kind
of the problem.​

KIRA
What do you mean?​

CENN
I’ve had the computer scanning
non-stop, across the entire
Vulcan citizen database. Didn’t
find anything. So I widened the
search to the entire Federation,
in case she was born somewhere
else, like on a colony or some-
thing. I still couldn’t find it.​

KIRA
Major, get to the point.​

CENN
Sorry, Captain. What I’m saying
is... this woman I’m supposed to
find, this universe’s version
of L’Haan... there’s no sign of
her anywhere. As far as I can
tell, she doesn’t exist. And
she never has.​

On Kira’s worried reaction...


FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE​

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

ACT TWO​

FADE IN:


14 INT. DS9 – MATTHIAS’S OFFICE

Matthias and Vaughn are still studying. Matthias turns her computer for Vaughn to see again. He peers at it...

VAUGHN
No, I’m afraid not. Fal-tor-pan
is “the refusion,” for putting
a person’s katra back in their
body if it was removed too soon.​

MATTHIAS
But isn’t it the same basic
principle? They’re both about
removing the katra from the
mind that doesn’t want it, and
putting it somewhere else.​

VAUGHN
Maybe. I don’t know.​

Vaughn sits back with a sigh, thoughtful.

VAUGHN
Counsellor, you’re part Vulcan.
Do you hold to this idea of the
katra as a person’s “soul”?​

MATTHIAS
(ponders)
Telepathy is one of those weird
phenomena that defies categor-
ization. You think it’s all a
matter of synaptic displacement
and neuro-chemical differentials,
and then it goes and confuses
you by refusing to follow the
normal scientific rules.​

VAUGHN
Kind of like the wormhole aliens
versus the Bajoran Prophets.​

MATTHIAS
I suppose. I can’t say if I have
a soul or not. So I certainly
can’t say if I have a katra.​

VAUGHN
I’ve worked with Vulcans on and
off for most of my professional
life. I have enormous respect for
their intellect, their loyalty,
the strength of their convictions.
But I never could get a handle on
this contradiction between the
logical, empirical side of them,
and the mystical, ritual side.​

MATTHIAS
I guess they just don’t see it as
a contradiction. There’s plenty
of empirical evidence that they
have telepathic abilities. It’s
only logical to incorporate that
into their culture.​

Vaughn ponders. Still not entirely convinced.

KIRA (comm)
Kira to Vaughn.​

VAUGHN
(taps combadge)
Go ahead.​

KIRA
Come to my office, Commander.
We have a problem.​

On Vaughn’s worried reaction...


15 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE

Kira and Vaughn stand watching the wall-screen, which shows a live feed from the Infirmary, as Taran’atar lies on the bio-bed. Bashir and co continue to work, and we can still see security bodies nearby.

KIRA
How can there not be any L’Haan
in this universe? It doesn’t
make sense. There’s always a
double of everybody!​

VAUGHN
One of Captain Sisko’s reports
suggested there was no alternate
of young Jake. The degree of
similarity between us is already
so statistically unlikely as to
be verging on impossible. It
has to break down somewhere.​

KIRA
I guess. But why did it have
to be now?
(beat)
So what do we do?​

VAUGHN
Maybe Sevak can help after all.​

KIRA
Won’t that just leave him with
the same problem?​

VAUGHN
Vulcans are used to repressing
things. But even T’Prynn had an
almost complete mental breakdown
eventually. And believe me, she
was no soft target. What chance
does a Jem’Hadar have?​

KIRA
(re screen)
He seems to have it under control
now though.​

VAUGHN
(frown, uncertain)
Yes. He does, doesn’t he?​

Vaughn stares at the screen, at Taran’atar.


16 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

The door opens, and Ro enters from the Promenade. She’s carrying a small metallic canister, but trying to subtly keep it hidden behind her hand, not draw attention to it.

Ro stops, watches Taran’atar on the bio-bed. She’s still on edge. Etana notices her, steps out of the surgical suite and into the main room to talk to her. As she does, Ro makes sure to keep the metal canister hidden from sight.

ETANA
Laren? You need anything?​

RO
Oh... no. Just thought I’d come
in and check on him. How’s it
going in there?​

ETANA
Taran’atar’s neural patterns
show all the classic signs of
telepathic activity. Vaughn
was right.​

RO
I almost wish he wasn’t.
(beat)
You should get back to work.​

Etana knows that Ro is uncomfortable, but knows equally that she doesn’t want to talk about it. She nods and heads back into the surgical suite.

Once everyone’s backs are turned, Ro moves quietly but quickly towards the Infirmary’s pharmacy storage area. She finds a row of metal canisters identical to the one she’s carrying, gently removes one that’s towards the back, and replaces it with the one she’s carrying.

That done, she semi-hides the new canister in her grip, and tries to control her nerves enough to walk out of there without looking suspicious. She glances again towards the surgical suite as she walks – their backs are still all turned. They haven’t noticed. She gets out of there while she can.


17 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

Cenn is hovering around the science console, working closely with Shar. They both look up with worry as Kira and Vaughn exit onto Ops.

CENN
Captain! Umm... I’m sorry, I
can’t explain it...​

KIRA
Explain what, Major?​

CENN
(embarrassed)
Lieutenant ch’Thane has managed
to find our objective. We have
a contact for L’Haan.​

VAUGHN
Why didn’t you find it before?​

CENN
I really don’t know, sir. I swear
to the Prophets, I went through
those databases down to the last
quad of information. There was
nothing there. But when I asked
Shar for help... he found it
straight away. It’s right here.​

Vaughn frowns again – that’s curious. Something weird is going on here. But he keeps his own counsel for now.

KIRA
So? Where is she?​

SHAR
The Vulcan citizen database
lists L’Haan as a statistical
analyst working for the local
government in Shi’al Province.​

KIRA
It doesn’t matter who found it.
Good work, both of you. Now get
on the comms and get her here.​

CENN
Yes, sir. Should I explain
exactly why we need her?​

Kira glances to Vaughn – he subtly shakes his head.

KIRA
Not all of it. Just enough to
convince her, nothing more.​

CENN
Understood.​

18 INT. DS9 – TARAN’ATAR’S QUARTERS

Vannis paces back and forth in the room, anxiously waiting for something. After a few moments, the computer bleeps.

COMPUTER
Connection established.​

Vannis is relieved – at last. The screen on Taran’atar’s desk changes to reveal the smiling face of WEYOUN.

WEYOUN (screen)
Vannis – a delight to hear from
you as always. Do you have a
report for the Founder?​

VANNIS
A very important one, Weyoun.
I do not appreciate the delay.​

WEYOUN (screen)
The Founder’s time is his own
to do with as he wishes. He
has many tasks demanding his
attention, as you well know.​

VANNIS
Of course I know. But this
particular report will be of
primary interest to him, I am
certain. It involves his...
(sneer)
...“chosen one.”​

WEYOUN (screen)
The Founder is not available
to speak to you, Vannis. You
may deliver your report to me,
or not at all.​

Vannis purses a little. Sucks a lemon. There’s definite tension here, as the two Vorta subtly compete over who’s the better servant to the Founders.

VANNIS
Very well. First Taran’atar has
become afflicted with a mental
deficiency that prevents him
from performing his function
here. I seek the Founder’s
permission to terminate him and
take over the mission myself.​

WEYOUN (screen)
(chuckle)
Taran’atar is the Founder’s
favourite, Vannis, you are quite
correct about that. You and I do
not have to understand why to
accept that it is so. I think
you will be disappointed.​

VANNIS
That is the Founder’s decision
to make, not yours, Weyoun.​

WEYOUN (screen)
The Founder made his decision
when he gave Taran’atar this
mission in the first place.​

VANNIS
Circumstances have changed. He
deserves to have all available
information in case he wishes to
change his mind, don’t you think?​

Annoyed pause. Weyoun knows she’s right.

WEYOUN (screen)
Submit your report. I will pass
it on to the Founder, and let
you know his decision.​

Vannis taps keys on the panel in front of her.

VANNIS
I am sending the details to you
now. Make sure to emphasise to
the Founder the part about how
Vulcans are apparently capable
of telepathically affecting a
Jem’Hadar’s mind.​

WEYOUN (screen)
(smug smile)
The Founder already knows that,
Vannis. He’s known for a while.​

What he means is, “I knew, and you didn’t. Ha.”

VANNIS
Why was I not informed?​

WEYOUN (screen)
If the Founder had wished you
informed, you would have been.​

VANNIS
As I recall, the Founder was
not the one who passed along
my orders.​

Weyoun smiles, nakedly insincere as always. Then he cuts the connection. Vannis is left to hiss in frustration.


19 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING

A small Vulcan-design transport vessel, a shuttle of the kind seen in TNG 5x08 “Unification II” approaches the station and settles gently onto the docking ring.

KIRA (v.o.)
Station log, stardate 55238,
Captain Kira Nerys recording.​

20 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS AREA

Taran’atar is back in the cell, behind a force field. He’s pacing back and forth, irritated, and generally acting more like Taran’atar than he has in a while.

KIRA (v.o.)
Doctor Bashir has confirmed
Commander Vaughn’s hypothesis.
Counsellor Matthias has pulled
together her best guess for the
Vulcan rituals. And L’Haan is
on her way.​

21 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE

From this point on, we will refer to the version of L’Haan we have seen so far – the one in Taran’atar’s head – as MU-L’HAAN (as in “Mirror Universe”). The one from this universe will be RU-L’HAAN (as in “Real Universe”).

The Promenade airlock rolls open, and a clutch of people step out. Among them is RU-L’Haan. She looks identical to her MU counterpart, but this woman is shy, reserved and demure. The kind of woman who wouldn’t say boo to a goose. She looks around a little nervously. She’s never done anything like this before, and it’s all a bit overwhelming. She goes to one of the information boards, reads it, to try to find out where she’s supposed to go.

Over the above:

KIRA (v.o.)
I only hope between them they
can help. If we lose Taran’atar,
Bajor could lose the alliance
with the Dominion. And that’s
something we can’t afford.​

22 INT. DS9 – SECURITY OFFICE

RU-L’Haan enters the security office, ready to meet Ro... but she stops and cocks an eyebrow as she realizes Ro isn’t there. The room is deserted.


23 INT. DS9 – RO’S QUARTERS

Ro enters her quarters, glancing over her shoulder again to make sure she’s not noticed. She quickly rushes to her bed, kneels down and rummages underneath it. She comes back with the metal canister from the Infirmary.

KIRA (v.o.)
I can’t help thinking about
Iliana Ghemor. She had someone
else’s memories forced on her
as well – mine.​

Shaking slightly with nerves, Ro opens the canister lid. Inside are several smaller containers – the type that fit into hyposprays, filled with drugs to be injected.

She pulls one of them out, trots to the bathroom. She opens the cabinet, grabs the empty hypospray, jams the new drug cartridge into it, and pushes the injector to her neck. She sighs, breathes deeply and gets her nerves under control as she feels the painkiller flowing into her.

KIRA (v.o.)
I think that’s part of what
drove her insane.​

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT TWO​

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

.

ACT THREE​

FADE IN:

24 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE

Kira and Vaughn are in the lounge area, sitting together on one couch. Perched opposite them, still a bit wide-eyed and unsure, is RU-L’Haan. She’s obviously nervous. Kira is trying to be as gentle and soothing as possible.

KIRA
What did Major Cenn tell you?​

RU-L’HAAN
He said that I was needed for
a special project working with
Starfleet. That my assistance
was vital to save another’s
sanity and avert a potential
diplomatic incident.​

Kira smirks a little – Cenn oversold it just a tad.

RU-L’HAAN
To a Vulcan, service is always
a virtue. But I am not certain
what service I can offer. I am
only a low-level administrator.
I am not Starfleet. I have no
diplomatic training. This is
only my third time leaving my
world. How can I help?​

VAUGHN
I’m afraid you’re actually the
only one who can help us. Have
you ever heard of Starfleet’s
encounters with an alternate
universe? One where all the same
people seem to exist, but have
lived very different lives?​

RU-L’Haan blinks in Vulcan-cloaked surprise, and begins to ponder. This is all still very strange for her.

RU-L’HAAN
I have heard stories. I imagine
there is much of Starfleet’s work
that is classified, and not for
the average Federation citizen’s
consumption. Nevertheless,
some unconfirmed rumours
inevitably trickle down to us.​

KIRA
And what do you think?​

RU-L’HAAN
Some say those from the other
universe are our... what is the
human phrase... “evil twins.”
I myself do not place much
stock in such moral absolutes.
I do not believe any person is
inherently, completely good or
evil. We are all the sum of
our choices, and those choices
are made in response to our
circumstances at the time.
(beat)
Although, I would certainly like
to think that I am “good.”​

Kira smiles. Relaxes a bit. Gets to the point.

KIRA
There’s a Jem’Hadar soldier in
one of our security cells, and
he’s holding a katra.​

RU-L’HAAN
(blink)
That is... unexpected.​

KIRA
That’s putting it mildly. What’s
even more interesting is that we
believe the katra he’s carrying
is yours – or more accurately,
the alternate version of you.
We need your help to remove it.​

RU-L’HAAN
If I understand you correctly,
Captain... you wish me to meld
with the Jem’Hadar. And persuade
this other version of myself to
join with me instead of... it.​

KIRA
If you’re willing.​

RU-L’HAAN
It is a daunting thought, I
will admit. I have never been
especially skilled in the art
of mind melds.​

Vaughn hands her a padd.

VAUGHN
Here’s everything we’ve been
able to piece together about
possible rituals and techniques.
Hopefully it’ll be of use.​

KIRA
Obviously it’s not the kind of
thing we can force you to do.
But I hope you will help us.
You’re the only solution we
can think of.​

RU-L’Haan takes a moment to think it over. It’s definitely a tall order. But she makes a decision.

RU-L’HAAN
I am willing to try.​

KIRA
(relieved)
Thank you.​

RU-L’HAAN
May I see the patient before
I begin?​

Kira and Vaughn share an uncomfortable glance.


25 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS AREA

Taran’atar is in the cell, back behind a force field. He’s still pacing back and forth, intense and frustrated. Like a tiger in a cage. Ro is standing in the room, watching. Sevak is still on duty behind her.

Kira enters from the office, leading RU-L’Haan. Taran’atar instantly reacts to the Vulcan woman’s presence, launching himself at the force field, roaring in fury. RU-L’Haan flinches back, trying to control her fear.

RO
Taran’atar! Calm down!​

TARAN’ATAR
That is her! The Vulcan! Do you
see her?​

KIRA
It’s okay. We can all see her.
This is the L’Haan from this
universe. She’s going to help
us fix you.​

RU-L’Haan tentatively steps towards the cell, making sure to stay just far enough away. She gazes at him, fascinated. Taran’atar gazes back at her, breathing heavy, unsure. His eyes flicker to the side, as if listening to someone.

TARAN’ATAR
She tells me not to trust you.​

RU-L’HAAN
I would imagine so. My intention
is to remove her from your mind.
Assuming she does not wish to be
removed, it is only logical that
she would attempt to dissuade
you from allowing me to help.​

TARAN’ATAR
She says you will hurt us.​

RU-L’Haan turns back to Kira and Ro.

RU-L’HAAN
Curious. Though I would hardly
claim to be an expert, I had not
expected the katra to manifest
as an entirely separate persona
within the host body. Are you
certain of your diagnosis?​

KIRA
Doctor Bashir found evidence
of telepathic activity, and
two distinct neural patterns
in his brain.​

RU-L’HAAN
Very well. If you will excuse
me, I would like to meditate
to prepare myself.​

KIRA
Absolutely. Whatever you need.
Ro, can you find L’Haan some
empty guest quarters to use?​

RO
Sure. Come on.​

Ro leads L’Haan out of the room. Kira stays behind...

KIRA
Just hold on, Taran’atar. Help’s
on the way.​

Then she turns and leaves too. Sevak remains, at the back.

ANGLE

With a sneering growl, Taran’atar returns to pacing. But MU-L’Haan sits on the bench, watching him.

MU-L’HAAN
You must trust me, Taran’atar.
It is not safe.​

TARAN’ATAR
I trust nothing you say.​

26 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

Ro leads RU-L’Haan along the corridor. L’Haan is carrying Vaughn’s padd, and looking around as they walk, still a bit perplexed by the situation she’s found herself in.

They reach a set of quarters, and Ro taps the control to open the door. Inside is an empty set of guest rooms.

RO
You can rest and meditate in
here. It’s got all the usual
facilities. A replicator if you’re
hungry. Just use the comm
system if you need anything,
and let us know when you’re
ready to go.​

RU-L’HAAN
I will, thank you.​

Ro turns to leave, but L’Haan calls after her.

RU-L’HAAN
Lieutenant...
(Ro turns back)
...emotional displays are not
my area of expertise. But from
my admittedly brief observations,
you appear to be quite anxious
about the situation with the
Jem’Hadar. More so than your
crew mates. Why is that?​

RO
(tense, closed)
He and I... have a history.​

RU-L’HAAN
And you dislike seeing him in
distress. I understand. If it
eases your mind, I am sure he
appreciates your help.​

Ro doesn’t want to talk anymore. She gives a terse nod of acknowledgement, and turns to walk away. Unoffended, L’Haan enters the quarters. The doors close behind her.


27 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS AREA

Taran’atar stands firm, hands behind his back, glaring from under heavy brows across the room at Sevak.

TARAN’ATAR
You have often been assigned as
my escort, crewman. Is there a
particular reason, I wonder?​

The Vulcan security man stares back at him, alert and at attention, not rattled in the least.

SEVAK
Vulcans have greater physical
strength and endurance than
humans or Bajorans.​

ANGLE

MU-L’Haan stares out from inside the cell, her hands behind her back and watching from under heavy brows.

MU-L’HAAN
Indeed so. A not particularly
subtle message from Lieutenant
Ro, no doubt.​

SEVAK
As you say, Ambassador. I was
also one of those chosen to
join the retrieval team who
attempted to capture you on
Harkoum. A position I was given
in so small part because of my
experience fighting Jem’Hadar
during the war.​

ANGLE

Taran’atar, looking out at Sevak, his eyebrow cocked.

TARAN’ATAR
Ah – a message from Commander
Vaughn as well, then. Clearly
they have decided to take no
chances with my... security.​

SEVAK
You are an honoured diplomat.
“Security”... is your due.​

Taran’atar grins in sour amusement... which considering he’s a Vulcan right now, is downright creepy.


28 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS

RU-L’Haan kneels in a meditative pose, before the Vulcan meditation lamp in the centre of the empty floor. She stares calmly into the tiny flame at its centre, trying her best to order her thoughts and prepare.


29 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS AREA

Sevak walks across the security area, to check a panel nearer to Taran’atar’s cell. Taran’atar watches him from behind the force field.

TARAN’ATAR
Tell me, Sevak.​

ANGLE

MU-L’Haan continues Taran’atar’s question...

MU-L’HAAN
Do you believe that this woman,
this other L’Haan, can do what
she claims? As a Vulcan, do you
believe she is capable of it?​

SEVAK
Starfleet is a resourceful
organization. Once they
identify a problem, they
inevitably find a solution.​

MU-L’HAAN
But she is not Starfleet.​

SEVAK
No. But she is part of their
plan. And she shares their
values. All Vulcans do.​

MU-L’Haan seems to genuinely ponder this reply. It gives her food for thought.

MU-L’HAAN
Fascinating. My people also
share a vision. Ironically,
one inspired by Starfleet.​

ANGLE

Sevak walks forward a few steps, closer to Taran’atar. He’s having an interesting conversation, and the Jem’Hadar is behind a force field. There couldn’t possibly be any risk.

SEVAK
A Jem’Hadar’s values are simply
to do whatever the Founders
tell him to.​

TARAN’ATAR
Yes, that’s true.
(muttered aside)
I’ll have to break him of that.​

Sevak eyebrows, confused, and steps closer...


30 INT. DS9 – GUEST QUARTERS

RU-L’Haan stares into her meditative flame...


31 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Bashir and his staff are getting ready for the coming operation. The door opens, and Vaughn enters. He goes straight to Bashir, speaks to him firmly...

VAUGHN
Doctor, are you busy?​

BASHIR
Umm... well, I was in the
middle of getting ready for –​

VAUGHN
Your staff can handle that. I
need to speak with you, please.
In private.​

Vaughn turns and walks away. Bashir is obviously supposed to follow.

BASHIR
Etana... carry on with the
preparations. I’ll be back in a bit.​

ETANA
Yes, Doctor.​

A bit baffled, Bashir follows Vaughn onto the Promenade.


32 INT. DS9 – SECURITY CELLS AREA

Sevak is close to the force field now, standing directly in front of Taran’atar, intrigued by their conversation.

TARAN’ATAR
Vulcans are telepaths. Can you
not sense her presence in my mind?
Do you not recognize each other?​

SEVAK
We are not Betazoids. Mental
communion requires physical
contact between us.​

TARAN’ATAR
You would not know for certain
that she was even here, without
touching me directly?​

SEVAK
That is correct.​

TARAN’ATAR
Then allow me to demonstrate.​

Quick as lightning, his arms shoot forward, PASS THROUGH the force field. His hands grab for Sevak’s neck...

ANGLE

...MU-L’Haan shudders and grits her teeth against the pain of the force field. Her hands on Sevak’s neck, she quickly and efficiently performs a double Vulcan neck pinch.

ANGLE

Caught off guard, Sevak slumps to the ground. His arms leading the way, Taran’atar grunts and roars as he forces his way through the force field. It sizzles and splutters around him as he does, but it’s not enough to stop him.

He’s outside the cell. He stands and stares down at the unconscious Sevak at his feet. MU-L’Haan steps out from behind him, looks down too.

MU-L’HAAN
We must go. Now.​

ANGLE

Alone, Taran’atar leaps agilely into the air, SHROUDing as he goes. In the ceiling of the security area, a vent slams open and closed again. Taran’atar is gone.


BLACK OUT:

END OF ACT THREE​

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

.

ACT FOUR​

FADE IN:


33 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

The RED ALERT siren is screaming, the bright red lights flashing. Kira EXITS her office in a rush, heading directly to Bowers at tactical, who is working his panels hard.

KIRA
What’s going on?​

BOWERS
Automated alarm. I’m tracking
it down now.​

An image comes up – the high-angle view of the security cells area. It clearly shows the empty cell, and Sevak unconscious on the floor. Kira’s face drops in horror...


34 INT. DS9 – RO’S QUARTERS

Ro had been in the midst of lifting another hypospray to her neck. Now she reacts in surprise as she hears the red alert siren from outside in the corridor.

KIRA (comm)
Kira to Vaughn and Ro. Security
breach. Taran’atar’s out, and
Sevak’s down.​

VAUGHN (comm)
Acknowledged.​

She mindlessly throws the hypospray aside, no longer caring about it, and runs for the door.


35 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

Taran’atar and MU-L’Haan jog down the corridor together as the red alert siren sounds around them.

TARAN’ATAR
How was I able to escape the
force field?​

MU-L’HAAN
I was able to briefly retune
your biorhythms to allow you
to pass. I would have done it
sooner, but your high level
of agitation did not help.​

TARAN’ATAR
Where are you taking me?​

MU-L’HAAN
To remove an obstacle.​

They continue along the corridor...


36 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

Vaughn stands in the corridor, by an open cabinet set into the wall - a weapons locker. He’s handing out weapons to Cenn, Aleco and half a dozen other security EXTRAS. In the meantime he speaks into the comm...

VAUGHN
Captain – get Shar and Nog on
the sensors. Remember when we
tracked Kitana’klan through the
station using the emissions
from his personal shroud?​

37 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

Kira nods to Nog and Shar, sat at their usual stations...

KIRA
We’re on it.​

Shar works his panel hard, his concentration clear as a bell in the crisis... but he shakes his head.

SHAR
There’s no trace, Commander.​

NOG
He’d know we’d try that. He
won’t be cloaked.​

SHAR
Tracking Jem’Hadar life signs...
Habitat ring, section twelve A.​

BOWERS
Guest quarters.​

KIRA
(realizing)
He’s going after L’Haan.​

38 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

Vaughn closes up the weapons locker – they’re ready.

VAUGHN
Understood, Captain. We’re
moving out. Vaughn to Ro.​

39 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

Ro replies as she strides quickly down the corridor...

RO
I know, Commander. I’m on my
way there now.​

VAUGHN (comm)
Negative. Stand down.​

Sneering, Ro taps her combadge to close the channel.

RO
Screw that.​

40 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

Taran’atar and MU-L’Haan stride urgently side by side...

MU-L’HAAN
My earlier offer remains open,
Taran’atar. Return with me to
my universe and join the fight.​

TARAN’ATAR
What fight?​

MU-L’HAAN
All the Vulcans of my universe
are slaves, like you. We fight
the domination of the Alliance.​

TARAN’ATAR
More lies. You placed yourselves
into slavery voluntarily.​

MU-L’HAAN
To serve as spies inside the
belly of the beast, yes. We
work for freedom nevertheless.​

TARAN’ATAR
Then why would I join you?​

MU-L’HAAN
To make use of your own freedom.​

TARAN’ATAR
I am not meant to be free!​

MU-L’HAAN
Very well – if you want orders,
we will give you orders. But you
know you have no place here. The
Federation distrusts you. The
Dominion exiled you to a mission
that is contrary to your very
existence. Come with me!​

Taran’atar considers that... Then suddenly, he bumps into a force field. They turn to look the other way – another force field at the other end of the corridor. Trapped.


41 INT. DS9 – TARAN’ATAR’S QUARTERS

The red alert alarm continues to sound in the background. Vannis is speaking on the comm with Weyoun again...

VANNIS
Why not?!​

WEYOUN (screen)
Because the Founder says so.​

VANNIS
Taran’atar is out of control!
He is running amok on this
station as we speak.​

WEYOUN (screen)
The Founder trusts Starfleet
to handle the problem.​

VANNIS
And what of the Vulcans? One
of them is here right now to
force herself into his mind.
It is unacceptable!​

WEYOUN
(insistent)
The Founder trusts Starfleet. He
insists they would never abuse
the power. It is not their way.
You will do nothing to interfere,
Vannis. That is the Founder’s
order. Will you question it?​

Infuriated, Vannis stabs the controls to cut the signal.


42 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

A raised phaser leads the way around a corner... preceding Vaughn, Cenn and Aleco. They take up defensive positions staring down the corridor – we see the force field, and another one at the opposite end. No sign of Taran’atar.

VAUGHN
We’re here. But he’s not. Shar,
you’re sure this is right?​

SHAR (comm)
That’s his last location. But
the signal has disappeared.​

He taps his combadge to close, and turns to Cenn and Aleco.

VAUGHN
He’s in there, but he’s shrouded
again. You two, aim your phasers.
The moment I drop the force
field, cover the whole corridor
in continuous phaser fire. Even
cloaked, he can’t avoid that.​

Cenn and Aleco nod acknowledgement, and carefully creep forward until they’re just in front of the force field. They look to the side - Vaughn is at a computer panel. Nervously, Cenn and Aleco aim their phasers. Keeping his own phaser in his spare hand, Vaughn presses a control.

The force field drops. Cenn and Aleco sweep continuous PHASER FIRE back and forth across the entire length and breadth of the corridor. They fire for 10 seconds or more.

VAUGHN
Cease fire.​

They do. There’s still no sign of Taran’atar. No sound, no body. Vaughn approaches warily, phaser held out.

CENN
Shouldn’t being hit with a phaser
force him to drop the shroud?​

VAUGHN
Ordinarily, yes.​

The three of them move slowly and stealthily further into the corridor, keeping a sharp eye out for anything.

ALECO
You know this is a trap, right?​

VAUGHN
I know.​

Slowly PAN UP, until we’re looking at the ceiling... and there’s a cloaked, half-visible SHAPE on the ceiling of the corridor, hands and feet pressed against the walls.

In a fast, complex gymnastic manoeuvre, the figure swings down, catching Vaughn, Cenn and Aleco unawares with swift, spinning karate kicks. Cenn is slammed sideways, and SCREAMS as his arm crunches against the bulkhead, the bones shattered. Vaughn OOFs to the ground with a groan.

Aleco is the least affected; he rolls to a kneel and FIRES his phaser again at the quickly retreating shrouded figure. But he only hits bulkhead. Taran’atar is gone.


43 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

Ro is at the guest quarters, punching the door chime and HAMMERing on the door. Red Alert lights flash around her. Finally the door opens, and a worried looking RU-L’Haan appears in the doorway.

RU-L’HAAN
Lieutenant? What is wrong?​

RO
You’re in danger.​

RU-L’HAAN
Surely not. Who would -​

Ro is barrelled down by an invisible force, knocked off her feet with an OOF of escaping breath. RU-L’Haan squeaks in fear, staggering back into the room...

...Ro lies on the floor, looking back up in terror... as Taran’atar UNSHROUDS in the doorway. He HISSES at Ro, then turns to RU-L’Haan, starts to advance... but then stops, as if he’s asserting control over his own body again.

TARAN’ATAR
No! I will not do this!​

MU-L’Haan steps out from behind him...

MU-L’HAAN
Kill her and let’s get out of here!​

Taran’atar shakes his head furiously, trying to clear it of MU-L’Haan’s influence...

TARAN’ATAR
I have sworn not to hurt these
people, and I will not!​

MU-L’HAAN
I can take control and force
you to do it.​

TARAN’ATAR
No!​

Taran’atar looks down at Ro, who is still on the floor, looking back at him... then he turns back to MU-L’Haan...

RO’S POV

Watching Taran’atar seem to argue with thin air...

TARAN’ATAR
If I promise to go with you...
freely, of my own will... will
you spare them?​

Ro is surprised, and a little touched... RU-L’Haan cowers in her quarters... MU-L’Haan steps up to Taran’atar...

MU-L’HAAN
Very well. Diplomacy at work.​

Taran’atar looks back to Ro, almost apologetic...

TARAN’ATAR
Goodbye, Lieutenant. Be safe.​

And he runs off again, SHROUDing as he goes. Ro turns to watch him go, ambivalent how she feels about this...


44 INT. DS9 – CARGO BAY

The large double doors open just a crack... and then two green and scaly hands reach in and begin pulling the door open with a squeal of resisting servos. Finally the doors are open wide enough, and Taran’atar slips through.

He runs to the far wall, where there’s a large cargo transporter, and immediately begins working the panels.


45 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

Nog is working hard on his own panels. It’s taking all his concentration. Kira hovers nearby...

NOG
He’s in a cargo bay on level ten.
He’s accessed the transporter...​

Kira trusts him to handle it...


46 INT. DS9 – CARGO BAY

Taran’atar is at the panel, working hard...

MU-L’HAAN
Do you recall the sequence for
multi-dimensional transport?​

TARAN’ATAR
Of course. I remember everything.
But they are trying to block me.​

He keeps working the panels...


47 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

Nog’s fingers are flying over the keys as he tries to keep up with Taran’atar...

NOG
Dammit. He knows the computer
system as well as I do.​

48 INT. DS9 – CARGO BAY

Taran’atar is getting frustrated... but he finally hits one last key with a victorious growl.

TARAN’ATAR
They have failed. We are free
to go.​

He steps up to the large transporter pad. The colourful and complex dimensional transport signal forms, twisting and turning Taran’atar inside and out until he disappears.


49 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

The transporter stage in Ops hums to life... the twisting signal forms... and Taran’atar rematerializes on the platform. Realising where he is, he roars in fury.

Bowers and the security extras are all there to point their phasers directly at Taran’atar. From outside her office, Kira looks across Ops, saddened for him.

Nog stands up from his station, and smiles smugly at him.

NOG
I may not have been able to
stop you from activating the
multi-dimensional transporter.
But it was as easy as chewing
a gree worm to activate the
multi-dimensional shield I
designed. Your signal bounced
off it... and right back here.​

Furious, Taran’atar moves forwards, on the attack... but bounces off another force field around the transporter.

NOG
And you won’t get through that
force field either. It’s on a
randomly shifting frequency.​

KIRA
Shar...​

Shar hits keys on his panel... and a gas begins to seep out from the air vents over the transporter platform. Contained inside the force field, the gas gets thicker and thicker...

Taran’atar fights against it, refusing to choke or succumb, but it’s getting stronger, and he’s getting weaker. Finally he slumps to the deck, unconscious. Bowers hits keys on his tactical panels, and the Red Alert is silenced. It’s now eerily quiet, as they catch their breath. They all stare down at the unconscious Jem’Hadar...


50 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Taran’atar jerks back to consciousness... and finds himself strapped to a hi-tech chair in the surgical suite. His entire body is held by countless low-tech but powerful straps, covering his arms, legs, chest, everywhere. He struggles against them, but they don’t budge. The chair itself is bolted to the deck in several places too.

Kira, Ro, Vannis, RU-L’Haan, Vaughn, Matthias and Bashir stand around him, watching.

KIRA
Welcome back.
(to RU-L’Haan)
Are you ready?​

RU-L’HAAN
I believe so, Captain.​

Tentatively, still somewhat scared of him, the Vulcan woman steps towards Taran’atar. He ROARS in frustration, strains against the straps covering his body... but it’s no use.

RU-L’Haan lifts her hand, arranges the fingers into the position, and presses them against Taran’atar’s face, gently at first, getting firmer.

RU-L’HAAN
My mind to your mind...​

He struggles against it... but she’s in.


BLACK OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR​

.

 

[DS9Continuing]

.

ACT FIVE​

FADE IN:


51 EXT. FOUNDERS’ WORLD

The rolling, golden sea of changelings, the gently swelling waves of protoplasm lapping peacefully at the stony shore of the small rocky islet in the centre of it...

Then we glide slowly out a small way into the “sea”... and find Taran’atar, submerged under the surface. He’s fighting to get free of the gooey mass. His hand bursts out, his face following it, wordlessly gasping for air. But the changeling waves fold over him, and pull him back down. He’s drowning in it.

TARAN’ATAR’s POV

Looking out from inside the Great Link, through the golden flowing liquid to the air beyond it... and there’s a figure there, standing on the shore. Its hand outstretched to him.

Taran’atar struggles forward, desperate to escape... he breaches the surface... and it’s MU-L’Haan, holding out her hand, offering to help. He has only to reach for it. The changeling mass is reluctant to let go, grasping for his unyielding body...

...but he pulls himself through it, grasps MU-L’Haan’s hand. She helps him the last bit of the way. The Great Link recedes to the edge of the islet... and Taran’atar stands.

TARAN’ATAR
You saved me.​

MU-L’HAAN
Remember that.​

RU-L’HAAN (o.s.)
No. Ignore her.​

They turn, and see that RU-L’Haan is also on the island...


52 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Taran’atar is strapped to his chair. RU-L’Haan is crouched down in front of him, her fingers on his craggy face. Their eyes are open, staring unblinkingly into each other’s...

Everyone else is silent and on edge as the meld continues. Bashir is checking readings on his instruments, uneasily glancing back and forth between them and the two melders.

KIRA
Is there any way to know how
it’s going?​

BASHIR
His neural readings are all over
the shop. Something’s definitely
happening in there... but I
couldn’t tell you what.​

Bashir exchanges an intense glance with Vaughn...

Vannis watches the proceedings, tense and unhappy...

INSERT - VANNIS'S HAND

Held in her hand, half hidden up her sleeve, Vannis is gripping a sharp and deadly looking knife.

BACK TO SCENE

She sneers, trying to decide if she should intervene...


53 EXT. FOUNDERS’ WORLD

MU-L’Haan and RU-L’Haan face off, both cold and logical, across the small rocky islet. Taran’atar stands between, as if caught between them. But they mostly ignore him.

RU-L’HAAN
Ah. The world of the Founders.
Understandable, if predictable.​

MU-L’HAAN
He is a Jem’Hadar. One would
not expect much in the way of
imagination.​

RU-L’Haan looks curiously at her counterpart – this is a mental contact, so she knows the other’s mind.

RU-L’HAAN
Strange. You have lived a very
different life to mine. Quiet
service to a despotic tyrant, in
the name of a greater ideal...
(realizing)
...you know of the great Spock.​

MU-L’HAAN
It is Spock’s great vision that
inspires all Vulcans. You are
more strange to me... there
are barriers. Why do you keep
yourself hidden from me?​

RU-L’HAAN
Perhaps you are simply not as
skilled a telepath as you would
like to believe.​

MU-L’HAAN
Or perhaps I am not the only
one who lives a life of secrets.​

RU-L’HAAN
My life is not the issue here.
Neither is yours. It is his.​

She gestures to Taran’atar, who stands to the side, a little bewildered, watching the exchange, uncertain and unable to interfere...

MU-L’HAAN
My people need his strength and
power. The good of the many
outweighs the good of the one.​

RU-L’HAAN
An aphorism I would agree with,
but one which you misuse out of
self-service. You simply do not
wish your existence to end.​

MU-L’HAAN
Can you name one who does?​

RU-L’HAAN
Come with me, L’Haan. Leave
Taran’atar and let me take you
home. To a Vulcan where your
people are already free.​

MU-L’HAAN
Perhaps I should take control
of your body instead. It would
certainly be a more suitable
fit. I could return to my role
as a spy in the Alliance, and
no-one would be the wiser.​

RU-L’HAAN
To cling so desperately to life
when it is so clearly over is
illogical. Even your people
must know the ways of Surak.​

MU-L’HAAN
We do. They teach us that what
is necessary is logical. For
example, I found it logical to
use our dialogue to provide the
time and distraction required
to find the weaknesses in your
psychic barriers. And now I
know for certain I will never
join with one such as you.​

MU-L’Haan suddenly pushes forward and grabs RU-L’Haan’s face in a double mind-meld hold, like she did Taran’atar.


54 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

RU-L’Haan jerks, still deep in the mind-meld but reacting instinctively to the psychic attack. She’s vibrating, trembling with the effort of the meld, breathing troubled and irregular.

Kira looks to Bashir, worried...

BASHIR
His neural readings are going
haywire. This can’t be healthy
for him.​

KIRA
Should we try and break them up?​

MATTHIAS
I very strongly advise against
that, Captain. Interrupting a
mind meld can cause serious
damage to both participants.​

BASHIR
It’s also what got us in this
mess in the first place.​

KIRA
So that’s a no, then.​

Vannis is more tense than ever now, as they watch RU-L’Haan and Taran’atar tremble and jerk and struggle. She glances to each side, trying to see if anyone is watching her...

INSERT – VANNIS'S HAND

Slowly and smoothly, she starts to draw the knife out from inside her sleeve and take a stronger grip on it, getting ready to use it...

BACK TO SCENE

Kira steps forward a bit to speak. Vannis flinches, worried that she’s about to be caught. But Kira talks to Matthias.

KIRA
If I talk to him, can he hear me?​

MATTHIAS
Subconsciously, yes. He won’t
be able to respond, though.​

Vannis curses herself and returns the knife to concealment. She watches nervously as Kira approaches Taran’atar and crouches down by him, speaking to him directly.

KIRA
Taran’atar... it’s Kira. You
have to fight. Don’t give in.
It’s your mind, your body. Don’t
let her control you. Go into
battle, and reclaim your life.​

Kira looks up to Ro...


55 EXT. FOUNDERS’ WORLD

On Taran’atar, as he stands half-collapsed against a rock wall, watching the two L’Haans locked in some weird mind-meld wrestling match, struggling for control of him...

Marshalling his will, he forces himself to stand upright...


56 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Taking Kira’s cue, Ro approaches and crouches down on the other side of Taran’atar. He continues to shudder and stare unblinkingly into RU-L’Haan’s eyes...

RO
It’s Ro. I’m here. You can
beat this, Taran’atar. You’re
stronger than this!​

Taran’atar and L’Haan don’t react, still locked in their meld, staring at each other...


57 EXT. FOUNDERS’ WORLD

MU-L’Haan and RU-L’Haan struggle against each other, so much so that they don’t notice Taran’atar standing, and approaching them with a furious growl...

TARAN’ATAR
Get out of my head!​

He grabs both L’Haans’ heads, one in each hand, and forces them towards each other. They are caught by surprise, eyes flaring in shock, but he is too strong for them... He crushes their heads into one another. The two images of MU-L’Haan and RU-L’Haan cross over like two photographs overlaid on top of each other.

Both L’Haans scream as their images are blended together, becoming one multiplied L’Haan... Taran’atar roars as his hands force the two of them further into each other...

Until finally they fade from view, their screams echoing, and Taran’atar is left alone on the Founders’ island. He brings himself under control, straightens himself with pride
and satisfaction...


58 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

...RU-L’Haan gasps a deep breath and comes back to herself. She slowly, methodically releases her hand from its grip on Taran’atar’s face, breaking their eye contact.

Taran’atar slumps in his straps, unconscious. RU-L’Haan staggers back on her haunches, on the verge of toppling until Ro catches her and steadies her.

KIRA
What happened?​

RU-L’HAAN
It is over. He broke the meld
himself. He has a remarkable will.​

Ro helps RU-L’Haan to her feet. Bashir moves in to begin scanning Taran’atar’s brain...

KIRA
What about L’Haan? The other
L’Haan, I mean.​

RU-L’HAAN
She is within me. I feel her,
beating against my mind...​

Vannis relaxes, lets out a long breath of relief. Closes her eyes and clenches her jaw, silently berating herself.

KIRA
Doctor...?​

BASHIR
Too soon to tell. I’ll need to do
the full scan again to be sure.​

VAUGHN
I’ll stay with him.​

Kira nods her assent. She gently moves to lead RU-L’Haan and Ro out of the surgical suite...

MAIN INFIRMARY

Sevak and Cenn are both sat on bio-beds, and Tarses and Richter are working on them. Sevak has a greenish bruise on his head, and Cenn’s broken arm is in a futuristic sling. Kira and Ro enter, leading RU-L’Haan.

KIRA
You two okay?​

SEVAK
I wish to apologise, Captain. I
am responsible for Taran’atar’s
escape, and for Major Cenn’s injury.​

KIRA
Could have happened to any
of us, crewman. Don’t beat
yourself up about it.​

CENN
(re broken arm)
I guess you and I finally have
something in common, eh,
Lieutenant?​

RO
If you think a broken arm’s even
remotely comparable to what he
did to me, Major, then we really
don’t have a thing in common.​

Cenn gulps at the icy brush off. And then Ro, Kira and L’Haan are gone.

SURGICAL SUITE

Bashir and Etana move the heavy brain-scanning equipment into place around Taran’atar again. Vaughn stands to one side, observing. Vannis is on the other side, likewise.


59 INT. DS9 – DOCKING RING CORRIDOR

Kira and Ro escort RU-L’Haan back to the docking port.

KIRA
What will you do now?​

RU-L’HAAN
Return to Vulcan, and seek the
help of the Elders of Gol to
remove the katra from my mind
and place it into an ark, to be
stored in the Hall of Ancient
Thought beneath Mount Seleya.​

KIRA
Will you be able to control her?​

RU-L’HAAN
It will take heavy meditation
and a great deal of emotional
control... but I will do so.
Nevertheless, it would be best
to be home as soon as possible.​

KIRA
We understand. Thank you again
for everything you’ve done. If
you need anything from us,
don’t hesitate to ask.​

RU-L’HAAN
I have everything I need. Live
long and prosper, Captain.
Lieutenant.​

With a nod of acknowledgement to both, RU-L’Haan steps into the airlock and heads back to her shuttle.

Kira turns to Ro...

KIRA
You alright, Lieutenant?​

RO
Great. Excuse me, Captain.​

Ro turns and walks away. Kira watches her go...


60 INT. DS9 – TARAN’ATAR’S QUARTERS


Vannis stands alone in the room. She’s battling silently with herself, furious over nearly having disobeyed the Founders, relieved she didn’t have to, indignant that she was ever placed in such a position... she’s a whirlwind of confused and conflicting emotions.

She slams her hand down on Taran’atar’s computer console in frustration. This mission is not going how she planned.


61 INT. DS9 – RO’S QUARTERS


Ro enters the bathroom of her quarters, goes to the mirror cabinet, grabs the hypospray...

She stops, stares at her reflection, remembering...

FLASHBACK

Outside RU-L’Haan’s quarters, Ro is barrelled down by an invisible force. Then Taran’atar unshrouds and hisses down at her on the floor...

BACK TO SCENE

She pants and grits her teeth against the memory...

FLASHBACK

Ro crouches with Taran’atar, deep in the mind meld...

RO
You can beat this, Taran’atar.
You’re stronger than this!​

BACK TO SCENE

Ro looks at herself, looks at the hypospray... then subtly shakes her head. No. She’s not stronger than this.

She pushes the hypospray to her neck, injects the drugs. Breathes in relief as they flood into her bloodstream...


62 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE

The main door opens, and Bashir pokes his head in.

BASHIR
Captain? You wanted to see me?​

Kira and Vaughn are both there. By the looks on their faces, something is obviously wrong. There’s bad news.

KIRA
Yes, thank you, Doctor.
Take a seat.​

He does.

BASHIR
I’ve finished the scans. The
double brain wave patterns are
gone. What’s left matches with
the readings I took last year.
There’s just him in there now.​

KIRA
That’s good to know, but that’s
not the reason I asked you here.​

Bashir is slightly confused and starting to worry.

BASHIR
What’s going on, Captain?​

KIRA
Julian... I just thought you
should know... we received a
report from Admiral Ross. He
said... that there’s been an
accident on the USS Luna.​

Bashir tries not to jump to any conclusions. It might be nothing. Kira continues...

KIRA
We don’t have all the details
yet. What we do know is that
there was some kind of overload
in the engine room. There
were... casualties.​

BASHIR
Dax...​

On Bashir’s quietly stunned face, as he wonders whether to believe the worst...



FADE OUT:

END OF SHOW​

.

 

[Gul Re'jal]

RU-L'Haan hid quite well her real personality and only MU-L'Haan realised that there was something off, although she didn't know exactly what. And something tells me that L'Haan's data suddenly appeared after Section 31 realised that they were looking for her; they prepared a fake file to see, perhaps, what was going on and who was looking for her and why.

I'm not convinced by the explanation how Taran'atar got through the forcefield, though.

Ro clearly has a serious problem growing and seems like she's getting addicted to painkillers. What's worse, she seems to realise she has a problem, but doesn't want to do anything about it. And she was doing so well in the beginning of the previous episode, just before the accident and temporary amnesia.

Finally, I wonder if RU-L'Haan is really going to take the katra to Vulcan or maybe attempt to use it somehow. Section 31 wouldn't stop from using anything and anyone.

 

[DS9Continuing]

RU-L'Haan hid quite well her real personality and only MU-L'Haan realised that there was something off, although she didn't know exactly what. And something tells me that L'Haan's data suddenly appeared after Section 31 realised that they were looking for her; they prepared a fake file to see, perhaps, what was going on and who was looking for her and why.

Bingo, spot on.

Although, bear in mind that I'm playing two games here with this. From the point of view of most of us on this board, Lit fans who have already read most of the books and know exactly who RU L'Haan is, they can see the plot twist coming and it becomes a fun game of seeing how the secret will be discovered.

But from the point of view of my theoretical TV viewers, who would be watching this episode back in 2002, running directly on from the actual show, they've never heard of L'Haan other than what we saw of the MU version. So they'd have no clue about the twist that's coming, and the question of the suddenly appearing record is just a curious mystery for the moment.

I'm not convinced by the explanation how Taran'atar got through the forcefield, though.

I had a bit of trouble with that. I originally had a few lines in there explaining how the Jem'Hadar originally had the ability to walk through forcefields, as seen in their very first appearance, but that the Federation had retuned their forcefields and removed that advantage, but that L'Haan was able to briefly give him that ability back. I cut them for space, but I'm not sure it really explains it anyway. It remains a case of handwavium that I just kind of need to skip over to make the story work. Although notice that Taran'atar seemed to be testing the forcefield since the first scene of the episode.

Ro clearly has a serious problem growing and seems like she's getting addicted to painkillers. What's worse, she seems to realise she has a problem, but doesn't want to do anything about it. And she was doing so well in the beginning of the previous episode, just before the accident and temporary amnesia.

Again, part of the point of the last episode was to drive Ro into the painkiller addiction. I intended it to start off as based purely on her physical pain from the broken back. Then she's getting better, and Taran'atar returns and throws her for an emotional spin again. Then she starts to get over that, and then the accident happens and reminds her of her crappy life, and she voluntarily goes back into the painkillers again. By this time it's a purely psychological and emotional issue.

And again, I know we've had an addiction storyline with T'Pol, but that was kind of a mystery of what was wrong with her before getting the explanation. With Ro, I wanted to explore the steps of how a person ends up in that situation, and watch it happen at every step along the way. Plus there's the idea that my "TV show" would be showing in 2002, before season 4 of Enterprise...

Finally, I wonder if RU-L'Haan is really going to take the katra to Vulcan or maybe attempt to use it somehow. Section 31 wouldn't stop from using anything and anyone.

.

 

[fleetcaptain]

Interesting episode. Liked that Taran'atar got more spotlight again too. Any hints of seeing more of the Luna next?

 

[Enterprise1981]

I'm just getting caught up with your most recent stories. I'm still on "Blank Slate". I actually prefer the PDF's, but your link this one's took me to the login page for some reason.

 

[gategal]

I just signed up to reply but I've been following the episodes and am enjoying them.
Though a little more Bashir wouldn't go amiss. (hint hint). Which leads me to ask,scene 31,Vaughn speaks to Bashir privately,what's up with that? Does it have to do with what's going on with L'Haan and Taran'atar or a new plot thread?

 

[DS9Continuing]

I'm just getting caught up with your most recent stories. I'm still on "Blank Slate". I actually prefer the PDF's, but your link this one's took me to the login page for some reason.

Sorry about that. It works for me, and I'm not logged in. Did you mean "Blank Slate" or "In Two Minds" doesn't work?

Interesting episode. Liked that Taran'atar got more spotlight again too. Any hints of seeing more of the Luna next?

Hasn't really been part of my plans, no. There's some more discussion of it coming up, but it doesn't really feature all that much. Sorry.

Which leads me to ask,scene 31,Vaughn speaks to Bashir privately,what's up with that? Does it have to do with what's going on with L'Haan and Taran'atar or a new plot thread?

You'll see in... ooh, about five episodes' time.

.

 

[Enterprise1981]

One through nine I have no problem getting to. The link to "In Two Minds" takes me to either the login page or my own profile page.

 

[Gul Re'jal]

There's the problem with the link itself. There's ' at the end of the URL. E1981, if you remove that apostrophe, you should be able to download the pdf without problems.

lvsxy808, you might want to fix that in the first post. I forgot I had to do that, otherwise I'd have mentioned it earlier.

 

[DS9Continuing]

There's the problem with the link itself. There's ' at the end of the URL. E1981, if you remove that apostrophe, you should be able to download the pdf without problems.

lvsxy808, you might want to fix that in the first post. I forgot I had to do that, otherwise I'd have mentioned it earlier.

Sorry about this everyone. It's too late for me to edit the original post now, but here's the link again, without the ' in it:

http://www.mediafire.com/?i1cta3pjbmblqry

For some reason, the link still works for me anyway, even with the ' in it...

Again, my apologies.

.

 

[gategal]

Five eps?!? This is worse than when the series was on,I wasn't online then so I didn't know but what they showed for the next weeks ep.
Sitting and waiting impatiently in my little corner of the world. *w*

 

[Enterprise1981]

Sorry about this everyone. It's too late for me to edit the original post now, but here's the link again, without the ' in it:

http://www.mediafire.com/?i1cta3pjbmblqry

For some reason, the link still works for me anyway, even with the ' in it...

Again, my apologies.

.

Great, thanks. It's coming through fine now.

 

[Enterprise1981]

Quite an impressive resolution to the Taran'atar-L'Haan arc. I would guess that prime universe L'Haan already was a member of Section 31 based on not being able to find her initially and then a file magically appears, or having her MU counterparts katra drove her to join the Bureau. It does tie into my hypothesis that Sarina doesn't even know she's a Section 31 agent. Perhaps L'Haan is controlling her through mind melds as part of a greater plan to conscript Bashir into the group. And speaking of whom, is there anything to not following on that "private conversation" he had with Vaughn?

 

[DS9Continuing]

As I said above, the question about the "private conversation" will be answered. Just not yet.