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DS9 Season 10, ep 10x13 - "The Case of the Flamping Flurble"

DS9Continuing

Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Hello everyone! Hope you all had a good New Year. I'm now back from my brief holiday hiatus with a new episode of my Deep Space Nine Season 10 fan-fic project.

For those who want to catch up on the first half of the season, here are the links to the previous threads containing the previous stories:

Original discussion thread, covering Episodes 1 to 7
Discussion thread for Episode 8
Discussion thread for Episode 9
Discussion thread for Episode 10
Discussion thread for Episode 11
Discussion thread for Episode 12

Direct links to the PDFs of episodes 1 to 12:

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"
10x10 - "In Two Minds"
10x11 - "Harmony" (part 1 of 2)
10x12 - "Heresy" (part 2 of 2)

If anyone wants a quick reminder of what's happened in the season thus far, without going back to read every single episode again, here are some quick recaps, spoiler coded so as not to spoil those who haven't yet read the full versions:

A group of admirals comes to the station to debrief the crew about their recent activities. Taran’atar’s attempts to help the freighter ship Even Odds are met with distrust and hatred.
A new kai is elected, Sisko celebrates his baby daughter’s birthday and fights with Vaughn, and Taran’atar returns to the Dominion only to discover it is in chaos.
Vic Fontaine steps out of the holodeck to explore life with his friends on the station. Dax tries to find a way to tell Bashir that she’s transferring.
Old friends return to the station while others get ready to depart, with both bringing up emotional issues for the crew. Taran’atar returns as the new official Dominion Ambassador.
Various crew members begin suffering from a series of nightmares, leading to paranoia on the station and Bashir’s desperate search for the cause.
The discovery of an ancient Hebitian city on Cardassia leads to more political upheaval and bloody consequences for everyone, including “Uncle” Garak.
The O’Brien family’s escape from Cardassia brings young Yoshi back to the station, where Kira gets attached. Taran’atar’s visions of the Vulcan woman L’Haan grow increasingly powerful.
Treir’s old slave-master appears, leading Quark to offer her asylum in his bar. But a bitter Orion and three impatient Ferengi warships could spin the whole situation out of control.
Ro bangs her head and is forced to live through her whole life of memories again – she doesn’t like what she sees. Taran’atar’s problems with the illusory L’Haan come to a head.
Finally realizing that Taran’atar is possessed by the katra of the Intendant’s dead handmaiden, Vaughn summons her opposite number to help. But certain people have other ideas.
Kira tries to rally the Federation, the Bajorans, the Eav’oq and the Dominion all together to address the Ascendant situation. Meanwhile Dax returns, leading to more arguments with Bashir.
Kira’s attempt at peaceful contact with the Ascendants goes disastrously wrong, until a vision from the Prophets tells her of a new direction. Fed up with the entire situation, Bashir resigns his post.

All episodes are also available at the Ad Astra fan-fic archives, link here.

.

With all that out of the way, here at last is episode 10x13 - "The Case of the Flamping Flurble."

Enjoy!

.
 
.​

TEASER


FADE IN:


1 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING

Pleasant standard establishing shot, featuring the Defiant at rest and at least one Bajoran shuttle docked.


2 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE 2

One of the circular airlocks rolls open, and a small procession of new arrivals emerge from the Bajor shuttle. Bajorans, humans, Starfleet officers, others. Among them is JAKE, holding the hand of RENA. Rena steps over the threshold, looking around in quiet amazement at everything around her.

As they move further into the Promenade, a random ALIEN passes by on his own business. Rena blinks a little at the sight of him. Jake sees her reaction. She gives a sheepish smile in reply, daunted but excited at the new experiences.


3 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR 3

Lunch-time crowd. Customers sat at the bar, at tables all over the place, and a small collection at the dabo tables.

Jake and Rena enter. Rena is still somewhat nervous - just the sheer crowds are a little overwhelming for a small-town girl like her. A shout of victory goes up from the dabo table, and she’s startled. She looks over to see HETIK is congratulating a new winner.

NOG and SHAR are sat side-by-side at the bar, both with small plates of food and padds – a working lunch. Jake and Rena approach – Nog turns at the sound of their footfalls.

NOG
Jake!​

Nog jumps off his stool and hugs Jake in welcome. Then he does the same to Rena. Behind them, Shar also stands with somewhat more decorum, polite but friendly. Under all that:

JAKE
Hey, Nog.​

NOG
You guys! It’s great to see
you. What are you doing here?​

JAKE
It’s Rena’s first trip to the
station. I wanted to show her
where I used to live.​

RENA
(bashful)
First trip off the planet altogether.​

Rena looks past Nog to Shar, who is politely waiting to be acknowledged. She gazes a little bemused at his blue skin and antennae. She’s never seen an Andorian before.

NOG
Oh! Jake, you remember Shar?​

JAKE
Of course – we met at the
Federation signing ceremony,
right? How are you?​

SHAR
I am well, thank you. It is
a pleasure to see you again,
Mr Sisko.​

JAKE
Jake, please. And this is Rena,
my wife.​

SHAR
Thirishar ch’Thane. Welcome to
Deep Space Nine, Mrs Sisko.​

NOG
How long are you staying?​

JAKE
Oh, we don’t know yet. There’s
a lot of things I want to show
her, a lot of people to catch
up with.​

RENA
(grin)
It’s all he’s talked about for weeks.​

JAKE
Why, are you in a rush?​

NOG
Kind of, yeah.
(re padds)
Shar and I were just finalizing
our plans for a little mission.
We’re supposed to leave this
afternoon.​

SHAR
In fact, if you’ll excuse me,
there are things I must do
in Ops before we leave.​

Shar turns and picks up his padd from the counter. He’s a little uncomfortable, feeling like the odd one out. But he’s not unpleasant about it.

NOG
I’ll catch up with you later.​

Jake and Shar nod their acknowledgements. Jake has no reason to dislike Shar, he just doesn’t know quite what to make of him. Shar turns to leave. Rena calls after him.

RENA
Nice to meet you.​

Shar exits. With him gone, Nog returns to his seat and beckons Jake and Rena to join him. He tucks into his food.

Rena is still looking around, bemused at all the colourful aliens filling the room. At the far end of the bar, TREIR is working. Rena gazes in wonder again – a bright green woman. Closer to them, sat at the bar, is MORN, guzzling his ale as usual. As Rena gazes at his large lumpy form, the barfly BELCHES loudly. Rena jumps in shock.

RENA
Ah!​

NOG
(amused)
You okay?​

RENA
Just never seen so many different
types of people in one place. It
takes a little getting used to.​

NOG
You’ve seen aliens before though, right?​

RENA
Well, humans, of course. Although
they’re barely any different,
really. The occasional Cardassian
when I was younger, during the
Occupation. Although even they
didn’t really bother with Mylea
all that much. They pretty much
left us to ourselves. And I’ve
seen lots of different faces on
the Bajoran news nets since we
joined the Federation. But...​

JAKE
But seeing them in the flesh is
another matter.​

RENA
Yeah... I thought Bajorans came
in all the colours. But we don’t
have blue, or green, or orange,
or purple, or... whatever you
call that colour. It’s... well,
it’s wonderful! So much life.​

Jake smiles, clearly charmed. He leans over and gives Rena a kiss on the cheek, which she receives bashfully. Nog smiles – they’re cute together. Then Morn BELCHES again.

RENA
Ah!​

Jake chuckles. Rena gives him a playful glare.

JAKE
So what’s this mission?​

NOG
Oh, nothing big. Just a quick
trip through the wormhole to run
a check on the subspace relay.​

JAKE
That doesn’t sound too compli-
cated. We might still be here
when you get back.​

RENA
Why don’t we just come with you?​

Nog and Jake are both pleasantly surprised by the idea.

JAKE
Would Kira let us?​

NOG
Probably. I’d have to ask. But
honestly, it’s not all that
interesting. We’re going through
the wormhole, do some tech stuff,
and then straight back.​

RENA
So let’s make it interesting.
Why don’t we visit a few places
while we’re out there?​

JAKE
Are you sure you want to do
that? The Gamma Quadrant seems
like an awfully big step for
your first time off-world.​

RENA
If I’m going on an adventure,
I might as well go all the way.​

NOG
(grin)
Oh, those are dangerous words.​

RENA
With you two around, it’s almost
guaranteed.​

JAKE
Okay then. I guess it’s all decided.​

Treir drifts over to them.

TREIR
How are you pretty young things
doing over here? Can I get you
anything?​

NOG
No need, thanks, Treir. We’ve
got to start packing. We’re
going on a road trip!​

Ending on Nog’s grinning, excited face...


FADE OUT:


END OF TEASER

.​
 
.

ACT ONE


FADE IN:


4 ON KIRA

Looking somewhat confused.

KIRA
A road trip?​

WIDEN to reveal...


5 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE

KIRA sits behind her desk. Nog stands hopefully in front.

NOG
Yes, sir. I’ll make sure the
subspace relay is good and solid
first, but once that’s done...
I thought it might be good
for morale.​

KIRA
Nog... are you sure this is a
good time to be wandering around
the Gamma Quadrant? It’s pretty
dangerous out there right now.​

NOG
(grin)
Why do you think I’m taking the
Rio Grande? The only runabout
that’s always brought everyone
home safe.​

KIRA
(dubious)
Well, okay, I guess. But you’re
in command, alright? It’s up to
you to take good care of every-
one. And the ship.​

NOG
I promise. Trust me, nothing’s
going to go wrong.​


6 INT. DS9 – PRYNN’S QUARTERS

On PRYNN, wearing a fluffy pink robe and drying her hair with a towel, post-shower...

PRYNN
(excited)
A road trip?​

NOG
Yep. Chance to stretch your legs,
grab some fun and excitement.
Never know what you’ll find.​

PRYNN
Sounds like a great idea. Just
let me pack my party clothes
and I’ll meet you there.​

NOG
Great!​


7 INT. DS9 – OPS CENTRE

On Shar, sat at the science console, while Nog leans over it to talk to him. Shar reacts as if to foreign words...

SHAR
A road trip?​

NOG
(hangs head)
Don’t tell me I have to convince
you as well, now. Yes, a road
trip. We just get in the runabout
and see where it takes us.​

SHAR
And this was Rena’s idea?​

NOG
Yes, and it’s a good one. Fun,
Shar! You enjoyed the Defiant’s
trip through the Gamma Quadrant,
didn’t you? Just think of the
new discoveries waiting for you.​

Shar allows a small smile. He knows Nog is just telling him what he wants to hear, but it does sound good.

SHAR
Very well, Nog. A road trip.​

NOG
Excellent! We’ll be like the
DS-Nine Junior Heroes! Fifteen-
thirty-hours at the Rio Grande,
alright? Prynn’s meeting us there.​

Shar’s smile drops.

SHAR
You invited Prynn?​

NOG
Yeah. We’ll need a professional
pilot. Why, is it a problem?​

Shar’s face reflects his uncertainty on that question...


8 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT

Prynn is sat in the pilot’s seat. Behind her, Nog, Jake and Rena enter, all carrying small travelling bags. A few steps behind, Shar enters.

Prynn turns to greet them all, but her smile freezes a little as she and Shar make eye contact. He nods to her, uncomfortable. Nog is oblivious.

NOG
Right, everyone throw your bags
in the back. There’s a private
bed area for the happy couple,
and the rest of us... we’ll
figure something out.​

Jake and Rena bustle into the back, followed by Nog. Shar hesitantly approaches Prynn, not sure how to act.

SHAR
Prynn... you may take the second
bunk if you wish.​

PRYNN
No, that’s fine. Somebody’s got
to drive.
(beat; genuinely)
But thank you.​

Shar nods and turns away towards the back.


9 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE

The runabout pad rises up, locking into place. The ship powers up and lifts off. It turns towards the wormhole, swoops around and dives into the opening.


10 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT

Prynn piloting, Nog beside her, Shar at a rear console. Jake and Rena stand behind the front seats, gazing out the window at the currents and swirls of the wormhole interior. Jake reaches out to hold Rena’s hand, and she turns to him, happy tears in her eyes.


11 EXT. SPACE

The runabout holds position next to an unpowered subspace relay, as seen in 3x15 “Destiny” and 8x23 “Rising Son.”


12 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT

Shar and Nog work diligently at various panels, with displays showing schematics of the subspace relay and various other technical stuff. Rena still gazes out of the window at the stars, enchanted.

RENA
The stars, they’re all different.​

Jake brings her back a drink from the replicator. She takes it with a smile, and he drapes an arm around her shoulder, joining her in looking out of the window. Prynn is sat with her arms folded, bored.

PRYNN
I’m bored. When do we get the
fun and excitement I was so
faithfully promised?​

RENA
I would think you got plenty
of excitement, Prynn. Aren’t
you the Defiant’s pilot?​

PRYNN
Which would be great if the
Defiant ever went anywhere.
(beat)
Okay, that’s not fair. It’s
actually a pretty sweet gig. I
mean, the Defiant’s a legend.
Everything it did during the
war... how could I not want
to be a part of that?​

Nog stops what he’s doing and turns to look at her.

NOG
You do realise it’s not the
same ship, right?​

PRYNN
Yeah, I know. But there are
other reasons to be there.​

NOG
(continuing)
Although I never did understand
how it ended up with the same
registry number.​

PRYNN
Ah, well, I asked my dad about
that. He says it’s actually a
deliberate ploy to strike fear
into the hearts of our enemies.​

NOG
(dubious)
Really? How so?​

PRYNN
The first Defiant was destroyed
at Chin’toka, right? How much
propaganda play do you think
the Dominion got out of that?​

Nog allows that it was probably a lot.

PRYNN (cont)
So what does Starfleet do? It
fields an identical ship with
the same name, same number,
even the same crew. And it
carries right on.​

NOG
Which makes the Defiant look
more indestructible than ever.​

PRYNN
Not only do Starfleet’s officers
come back from the dead, now so
do its ships. At the same time,
it makes the Dominion look
desperate and pathetic for
having claimed to destroy it
in the first place. Pretty
cool, if you think about it.​

Under all this, Shar has been studiously working, keeping out of the conversation. Now he calls out:

SHAR
Nog? Your assistance, please?​

Nog goes back to paying attention to the job.

RENA
But somebody will still know
the truth.​

PRYNN
(shrug)
Doesn’t matter what the truth
actually is. Only matters what
enough people think the truth is.
That’s another lesson I learned
from my dad, for good or ill.
(beat)
Anyway, my point - before I
got distracted – was that there
are other reasons I like being
at DS-Nine than just the Defiant.​

Her eyes flick over to Shar, whose back is turned again, working. She covers quickly.

PRYNN (cont)
Reconnecting with my dad has
been great, once I gave my
shoulder a thorough chipectomy.​

Jake chuckles at the term – no-one else understands it.

PRYNN (cont)
But yeah, I still like to get
out there and burn plasma every
now and then.
(pointedly)
Like somebody promised me.​

NOG
(sing-song)
The more you complain, the longer
it’ll take me...​

PRYNN
I know, I know. Just busting
your chops, Captain.​

NOG
Well, as it happens...​

Nog looks to Shar, who nods back to him. Nog taps one last control, and his various panels light up with readings.


13 EXT. SPACE (CONTINUOUS)

Next to the runabout, the subspace relay comes to life, powering up, running lights shining and manoeuvring itself into position.


14 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT (CONTINUOUS)

Shar and Nog are closely watching their panels, while the other three politely stay out of their way.

NOG
Power readings are steady...​

SHAR
Beginning test signal.​

One of Shar’s panels changes to show a wave form, with the associated sound. They all wait a little nervously for the return signal...and it comes in with an affirmative beep.

NOG
Yes!​

Nog and Shar high-five each other with satisfaction. Jake is surprised and amused to see the gesture. Nog and Shar begin to put away their tools.

JAKE
Congratulations, you two. I
remember when my dad set up
the first relay to the Gamma
Quadrant – it almost blew up
the Defiant.​

NOG
Thankfully we’ve ironed out a
few details since then. We’ve
done this three times now.​

SHAR
It is becoming something of a tradition.​

PRYNN
Well, good for you. Can we go now?​

RENA
We still have to decide where
we’re going. You’ve all been
out here a lot more than me.
Any ideas?​

JAKE
How about Ee? It’s an entire
planet dedicated to shopping.​

NOG
Nah, too far away.
(thinks a moment)
Oh, I’ve got it! Prynn, check
the navigational charts – the
Wadi homeworld has to be near
here somewhere.​

RENA
Wadi? Who are they?​

JAKE
One of the first people to
visit the station after we
discovered the wormhole.
Sorry - the Temple.​

Rena pats his arm lovingly – don’t worry about it.

NOG
They’re crazy about games and
gambling. They must know how
to show tourists a good time.​

Prynn spins back to her console and starts hitting buttons.

PRYNN
Sounds like a plan. Wadi home
world, here we come!​


15 EXT. SPACE

The runabout moves away from the subspace relay and, at a suitable distance, ramps up and jumps to warp.


16 EXT. SPACE – WADI HOMEWORLD

A blue-green, lightly cloudy world as seen from the night side, the tell-tale lights of well-lit cities and networks of connections between them. Numerous ships and shuttles move in orbit – some freighters, some pleasure cruisers. The Rio Grande hoves into view, joining the procession.


17 EXT. WADI HOMEWORLD SURFACE – EARLY EVENING

The runabout’s hatch hisses open, and Nog, Jake, Rena, Prynn and Shar step out. Nog and Jake come first, in nice smart outfits, chattering excitedly together.

JAKE
You’ve got a limit, okay? Don’t
go crazy with the gambling.​

NOG
Stop heckling me. I’m not the
one who married you.​

Followed by Rena and Prynn, wearing slinky party dresses and talking girl talk.

PRYNN
Ooh, cute purse!​

RENA
Isn’t it? My friend Halar works
in a dress shop – she made it
for me for my ih’tanu ceremony.​

And last is Shar, wearing something that resembles the traditional chan party outfit from 9x09 “Paradigm,” but not quite so formal. He looks rather uncomfortable in it, as if ashamed to be wearing something so garish.

As the hatch closes behind them and they walk off, we PULL BACK and see that the runabout is parked on the ground in a giant parking lot filled with various other small shuttles and personal vehicles.

NOG
Everyone remember where we parked!​

They walk on through the parking lot. We TILT UP to see what this is the parking lot of: a massive entertainment complex, like a fun fair, Vegas casino and multiplex cinema all combined.

Strobes and lasers flash, transport tubes rush vacationers back and forth, big neon signs advertise things in various languages, and the sound of happy partiers reaches us.


DISSOLVE INTO:


18 EXT. WADI HOMEWORLD SURFACE – LATE NIGHT

The same shot, but now much later at night. The scene is just that little bit quieter, with fewer shuttles parked in the parking lot and the transport tubes fewer between.

TILT DOWN. The gang walks back through the parked shuttles towards us. They’re all just slightly tipsy but very happy.

JAKE
Nog, you were amazing! You
cleaned that place out!​

NOG
I’ve got enough pegs here to
make us all rich!​

He jangles the money-filled pockets in the thighs of his trousers for emphasis. Following are Prynn and Rena.

RENA
Oh, I’m looking forward to
getting these heels off.​

PRYNN
I gotta apologise – I really
did not see this coming...​

She turns to look behind her – and there is Shar, well and truly trashed. He’s draped with streamers and leis, wearing huge oversized sunglasses, and holding an enormous tropical drink with fruit and sparklers and more streamers. His antennae have got balls of tinsel stuck onto each end, so that they look like flesh-and-blood beeny-boppers. He’s dancing and singing along to non-existent music, his drink sloshing unnoticed all over the place. But he’s having a whale of a time.

SHAR
(in between
dance moves)
Why are we leaving? The party’s
only just started!​

Nog pauses to wait for him. He’s happy that Shar’s having fun, but feels responsible for taking care of him.

NOG
Come on, Shar. Let’s get you
back to the runabout and get
you a nice cup of coffee.​

The group walks a few more steps together, and then they stop, all looking the same direction, and all shocked. Except for Shar, who is still in his own world.

JAKE
Ummm...​

We PULL BACK, and now we see what they’re staring at. An empty space in the parking lot.

PRYNN
Where’s the runabout?​

As they all stare at the empty space...


BLACK OUT:


END OF ACT ONE


.
 
.

ACT TWO


FADE IN:


19 EXT. WADI HOMEWORLD SURFACE – LATE NIGHT

Where we left it. No runabout. Nog is freaking out, pacing back and forth with his head in his hands.

NOG
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no...​

JAKE
Nog, calm down...​

NOG
Calm down?! Kira’s gonna kill me!​

JAKE
We’ll figure it out...​

NOG
(continuing)
You’re in charge, she said.
Look after the ship, she said.​

JAKE
Are we sure this is even the
right parking space?​

PRYNN
(sad nod)
Yeah. Flim twenty-seven pag.​

NOG
(continuing)
All our clothes are in there,
our uniforms, our phasers,
vital tactical information...
(sudden thought)
My favourite tooth sharpener!​

RENA
How could someone have taken
the ship? Aren’t there any
security... things?​

PRYNN
Dozens of them.​

JAKE
But apparently somebody can get
around them.​

PRYNN
(turns to Shar)
Shar, can you sense anything?​

Shar stops and bobs on the spot for a moment, listening.

RENA
(sotto)
What’s he doing?​

PRYNN
Andorians can sense electrical
fields. Their antennae.​

Shar shakes his head, unconcerned.

SHAR
Nope. Not a thing.​

With an amused sigh, Prynn reaches up and removes the balls of tinsel from Shar’s antennae.

PRYNN
There. Better?​

SHAR
Nope. Music’s too loud.​

JAKE
(suddenly realizes)
We’ve still got our combadges.​

Jake pulls out his combadge and taps it – it makes a dull squittering noise. No good. Prynn does the same, then Rena. No luck on either of them. Nog is still freaking, pacing back and forth.

NOG
No no no no no no...​

SHAR
Wait a minute!​

The other four all turn to Shar in hope that he has some wonderful magical solution to their problem.

SHAR
Where’s the runabout?​

Slightly annoyed blank stares.


CUT TO:


20 INT. WADI POLICE STATION

On the Wadi Chief of Police, MUNAD:

MUNAD
A road trip?​

Nog face palms. Deep breath. Stay calm.

NOG
Yes, a road trip. We’re from the
Alpha Quadrant, the Federation.
We came here just to have some
fun at the casino for the night.
When we came out of the casino,
our ship was missing.​

Nog sits in a seat across the desk from Munad, in his office at the police station. The trim, middle-aged, uniformed Wadi male is rather harassed, trying to be nice to these strangers, but really doesn’t have time for this.

Jake, Rena and Prynn sit elsewhere, all feeling very out of place wearing their party clothes in this stern station. They are also slightly embarrassed that Shar is at the back of the room, still dancing away to the non-existent music.

MUNAD
Your ship...
(checks notes)
A “runabout,” you called it?​

NOG
(trying to
stay polite)
Yes. That’s the type of ship.
Its name is the Rio Grande.​

MUNAD
I see. And... what exactly do
you think I can help you with?​

NOG
You’re the Chief of Police,
aren’t you? When I asked at
the casino, they sent me to
you. I assumed you would help
us find our ship!​

MUNAD
Mister Nog, I am the Chief of
Police - of the largest and most
popular gaming complex on Wadek.
I get about a million people
from all over the quadrant –
(re Nog)
- and beyond, coming through my
town every hour. Not all of them
are reputable. Do you have any
idea how many ships get stolen
every day around here?​

JAKE
So you’re just going to do nothing?​

MUNAD
(indignant)
My officers and I work every
hour of the day and night to
ensure that this complex’s
customers even wake up in the
morning. There are some very
unsavoury characters lurking in
this town. In fact, we just got
a rumour that one of the most
notorious criminal gangs in the
sector is on their way here. So
forgive me, but a little petty
theft is never going to be my
highest priority. I’m sorry.​

NOG
So what are we supposed to do?​

MUNAD
I’ll take your report, and I’ll
do everything I can. But I can’t
promise much success. My advice
would be to try and find some-
where to sleep for the night.​


21 EXT. WADI STREETS – LATE NIGHT

The lights and sounds of the casino complex can still be heard, but far in the distance. The gang is now far from there, literally and figuratively. Run-down building fronts and businesses locked up tight for the night. Hard metal shutters and graffiti imply not the nicest part of town.

Nog leads the group with a piece of paper in his hand, checking it for directions periodically. Prynn keeps an eye all around, feeling rather vulnerable here. Shar is still in his own world, although starting to sag a bit.

Jake walks hand-in-hand with Rena, worried for her.

JAKE
I’m so sorry about this, Rena...​

RENA
Hey, I knew what I was getting
into. Not your fault.​

JAKE
Are you okay, though?​

RENA
Well, I am currently stuck on
the opposite side of the galaxy
with no way to get home, and no
belongings except for a skimpy
party dress and a cute purse.
But, on the plus side, I don’t
think I could have any better
companions in that situation
than three Starfleet officers
and the son of the Emissary.​

Jake looks forward to Nog, with a sigh.

JAKE
We’re all gonna die.​

Ahead of them, Nog has stopped.

NOG
Guys – I think this is it.​

The gang stops with Nog, and together, they all look up at the building before them. It’s like an alien Bates Motel, or the house from Rocky Horror – large and imposing and gothic. It’s distinctly shabby and run down. One can almost imagine the bats swooping between the gargoyles.


22 EXT. HOTEL – LATE NIGHT

A nervous finger reaches in tentatively and presses a door bell. It chimes ominously. Nothing happens for a moment. Finally, slowly, the door creaks open on protesting hinges and with a puff of dust. A face emerges in the gap...

...and BELCHES right in their faces. Far from being ominous or creepy, LEBIKOW is fat, greasy, tattooed and unwashed. The Wadi equivalent of trailer trash, in a stained vest and
sweatpants. He stares out of the doorway...

...at the five nervous, hopeful faces looking up at him. Alien faces of all colours – blue, orange, brown.

LEBIKOW
What is this, some kind of
circus troupe? Y’expect me to
pay you to sing, or summin’?​

NOG
Umm... no... sir. I’m sorry,
are you Farns Lebikow?​

LEBIKOW
Who wants to know?​

NOG
Umm... my name is Nog, sir. My
friends and I need a room for
the night, and Inspector Munad
at the casino complex gave us
your information. He said you
might be able to help us.​

LEBIKOW
(suspicious)
Munad, eh?​

NOG
Yes, sir. Do you have a room?​

LEBIKOW
Yeah, I got a room. You got money?​

Awkward pause. Jake turns and looks at Nog, expectantly.

NOG
(reluctant)
I have money.​

Lebikow thinks it over. Snorts his nose. Is gross.

LEBIKOW
Awright. S’pose I could use
the pegs. But it’s cash up
front. And I don’t want any
messin’ about, awright?​

NOG
Absolutely, sir. You’ll barely
know we’re here.​

Unimpressed and muttering, Lebikow turns around (revealing his stained and filthy sweatpants hiked up into his unmentionables) and plods back into the hotel. Making the best of a bad situation, Nog leads the uncertain gang into the hotel. The door creaks shut behind them.


23 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Lebikow schlubs across the foyer, scratching his ass as he goes. Rena grips tight onto Jake’s hand. He smiles back at her, trying to be encouraging. Prynn has plastered on a big false smile that covers her discomfort. And Shar is just following everyone else, barely aware of where he is.

Nog looks around the foyer. This was probably once a nice building. There’s a grand and elaborate staircase leading to the upper floors, and magnificent chandeliers. But it’s all fallen into disrepair, scuffed and dusty. Half the lights are broken, leaving the place shadowy and dim.


24 INT. HOTEL – OFFICE

Lebikow leads them all into his office, just off the main foyer room. It’s just as messy as you’d expect, with piles of papers and half-eaten food strewn about. A decrepit old comm screen sits on the filthy desk, with a big stein of beer next to it. Lebikow collapses into a creaky old chair, the effort of doing so making him BURP at the same time.

Then there’s a low and dangerous GROWL...

Worried, the gang looks into a corner of the room, and sees an ANIMAL, a gigantic alien dog, dark and slavering. It snarls at the strangers, curled up on its pile of filthy rags in the corner. Prynn stretches the big false smile.

PRYNN
(voice shaking)
Well... aren’t you cute?​

RENA
I’d keep your distance if I
were you, Prynn.​

PRYNN
Oh, I’m sure he’s a lovable,
harmless furball... right?​

She looks at Lebikow, hopeful. He snorts in derision.

LEBIKOW
What did you call him? A “flurble”?​

PRYNN
Furball.​

LEBIKOW
(chuckling)
You call him a flurble all you
want, darlin’. But you get on
the wrong side of ‘im, and he’ll
flamp yer good an’ proper.​

JAKE
We’ll keep that in mind, sir.
Wouldn’t want to get... flamped.​

LEBIKOW
So... show me the pegs.​

Reluctantly, but knowing he has no choice, Nog reaches into the thigh pockets of his trousers and hauls out a handful of wooden pegs. He places them on the filthy desk. Lebikow looks down at the pegs, then back up at Nog. Waits.

With a sigh, Nog pulls out more pegs and drops them on the table. Lebikow grunts in acceptance. He gets up, takes a deep belly-full breath, and hawks up a great wad of phlegm. He yanks up his dirty vest to deposit the phlegm into, and then just lets it lie, staining the fabric even further.

LEBIKOW
That’s better. Follow me.​

Our heroes are simply stunned.


25 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Lebikow stomps up the stairs, stained trousers right at eye-level for lucky Jake and Rena following right behind. Nog follows, peering at the broken light fittings and decayed woodwork. At the back, Prynn is gently guiding Shar along, since the Andorian is now distinctly unsteady.


26 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

A long and creepy corridor, with many doors to rooms on either side, but no signs of other residents. Lebikow leads the gang past the doors, Shar wobbling along at the back.


27 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

Lebikow throws the door open. The gang file in one by one, taking in the sight of the room less than enthusiastically. It’s just as run down as the rest of the hotel, with ratty and unhygienic twin beds, and a single moth-eaten armchair.

PRYNN
There’s only two beds. There’s
five of us.​

LEBIKOW
This is the best room I got.
For that many pegs.​

Prynn turns and looks pointedly at Nog.

NOG
This’ll do fine.​

Lebikow points dismissively at an auxiliary door...

LEBIKOW
Bathroom’s in there.​

...and leaves, slamming the door behind him. Prynn and Jake turn to look at Nog. He stands his ground.

NOG
During the war, I spent a
week on a Jem’Hadar fighter
that didn’t even have beds.
By comparison this is luxury.​

PRYNN
(sigh)
Fine. I guess we’ll try and get
some rest. And in the morning,
assuming we haven’t all been
devoured by bedbugs, we start
trying to figure out what
happened to the runabout.​

JAKE
Who’s going to sleep where? I
don’t really like the look of
that carpet.​

RENA
We can squeeze into one bed.
(bashful smirk)
We’ve done it before.​

JAKE
If I must. Just try to control yourself.​

Rena jokingly slaps Jake on the arm.

PRYNN
Okay. So that leaves the three
of us to figure out who gets
the other bed. Shar, do you -​

Prynn turns to look at Shar... and finds that he’s already passed out, totally unconscious in the armchair. Giant sunglasses skewed on his head, dribbling out of the corner of his mouth.

PRYNN
Lovely.​


BLACK OUT:


END OF ACT TWO

.
 
Personally reading scripts isn't my thing, but I'm consistently impressed by the amount of time and effort people are prepared to put into creating a massive body of work like this - I've said the same thing to LnX on several occasions who has also created a vast follow on to Deep Space Nine.
 
.

ACT THREE


FADE IN:


28 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

Nog is curled up, half-asleep on one of the beds, still in his party outfit. Eyes closed and semi-conscious, he rolls over and instinctively cuddles up closer to Prynn, who’s sharing the bed with him, wearing her party dress. Mumbling in her sleep, Prynn cuddles up to Nog too. The two of them nuzzle closer together, enjoying each other’s body warmth in their half-asleep states.

After a while, they begin to realize something’s wrong. They slowly open their eyes... and see each other.

NOG / PRYNN
Aah!​

They leap apart from each other. Nog leaps back so far that he tumbles off the side of the bed with a crash. Jake, who had been spooned up with Rena, jerks awake at the noise.

JAKE
Wha...? What happened?​

Nog’s head appears from behind the bed.

NOG / PRYNN
(awkward)
Nothing.​

Prynn struggles to consciousness. She sits up in the bed, looks around the room. It looks just as bad in the dreary daylight as it did in darkness. But the armchair is empty.

PRYNN
Where’s Shar?​

In answer, there comes an almighty RETCH from behind the bathroom door, followed by a SPLAT and a HISS – the sounds of something we really don’t want to know about. The noises repeat, worse than the first time... Prynn’s face contorts in mixed sympathy and revulsion.

The bathroom door opens, and Shar crawls out on all fours. Wisps of noxious green gas leak out from the bathroom. The sunglasses dangling off one antenna, strewn with streamers, Shar makes it one lurch at a time, back to his armchair.

JAKE
Okay, so first thing we gotta
do is find some food.​

RENA
And some new clothes.​

PRYNN
Nog, how much money do you
have left?​

NOG
Oh come on! I won that money
fair and square.​

SHAR
(background,
half-hearted)
Please stop shouting...​

PRYNN
(stern)
Nog...​

NOG
(pout)
Fine. Wouldn’t dream of trying to
make a profit out of our misery.​

He digs in his pocket and hands a fistful of pegs to Prynn.

PRYNN
You’re too kind. Rena, you
wanna come with me? Let the
boys gripe in private?​

RENA
Okay, I guess. Just let me
freshen up a bit first.​

Rena heads to the bathroom, opens the door...

RENA
OH!​

Rena coughs and chokes as clouds of the bilious green gas billow out of the bathroom. She immediately pulls back and yanks the door to, heaving, horrified at the smell.

RENA (cont)
What happened in there?​

Shar is curled up in a ball in his armchair, his blue skin looking distinctly grey. He pulls a thin and ratty blanket up over his shivering body and croaks out a response.

SHAR
Apparently Wadi food and drink does
not agree with Andorian physiology.​

Prynn is half amused, half sympathetic. She goes to Shar and lays an affectionate hand on his clammy head.

PRYNN
Well, your world turned my
body inside out. I guess now
the Wadi have returned the
favour on my behalf.
(back to Rena)
Come on. We’ll find somewhere
else. See you in a few, boys.​

The girls leave.


29 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Prynn and Rena creep gradually down the large staircase, making sure to avoid the patches of rotten wood. The steps creak a little as they go. As they reach the bottom, they overhear a voice talking...

LEBIKOW (o.s.)
That’s not what we agreed, and
yer know it.​

Curious, Prynn shushes Rena, and they creep closer to the door to Lebikow’s office. They pause at the edge of the doorway, listening in. Prynn pokes her head around the doorway just a bit...


30 INT. HOTEL – OFFICE

Inside the office, Lebikow is sitting at his desk, talking into the grimy old comm screen. His flabby, sweaty back is turned to us, blocking the view of who he’s talking to.

LEBIKOW
I need the money, awright? So
if y’aint gonna pay me what we
agreed, I s’pose I’ll just go
to somebody else.​

COMM VOICE
(female, w/ static)
Calm down, Lebikow. We’re on
our way. I’m simply pointing
out that we’re working off
your say-so here. How do we
know the merchandise is what
you say it is?​

LEBIKOW
You callin’ me untrustworthy?​

COMM VOICE
If you weren’t, we wouldn’t
be having this conversation.​


31 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Where Prynn and Rena are still eavesdropping, and becoming more and more concerned by the word...

LEBIKOW (o.s.)
Look, just get here, awright?
I’ve gotta get rid of these
damn kids as it is. I don’t
need you lot messin’ me about
on top of it, awright?​

Prynn and Rena exchange alarmed looks – he’s talking about them. That can’t be good. And then there’s a GROWL. Scared, breath catching, the girls slowly turn and see... the flurble, looming out of the darkness under the stairs, looking right at them with eyes burning and jaws drooling, like some classic horror movie monster. Prynn and Rena squeak in fear, and back away towards the stairs.

LEBIKOW
Who’s there?​

Lebikow appears in the doorway, anxious he might have been overheard. He sees the girls cowering from the flurble...

PRYNN
(voice shaking)
Sorry, it’s just us. We were
heading out to get some food.​

RENA
And some fresh clothes.​

PRYNN
Looks like we disturbed your
friend here.​

Lebikow’s chuckle is both relieved and yet sinister.

LEBIKOW
I told yer not to upset him.​

PRYNN
Or we’ll get flamped, yes, we
know. We’ll just be on our way.​

Prynn and Rena skitter over to the front door, avoiding the snarling flurble, and get out of there quick as they can. Lebikow watches them go, scowling...


32 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

Shar is huddled in the armchair, the blanket pulled up over his head. Nog is moving around the room, tidying the beds, opening the curtains, chatting away cheerily.

NOG
I was trying to impress the
older cadets, convince them I
could do anything they could.
So I agreed to go drinking
with them at the 602 Club.
Boy, was that a mistake.​

SHAR
Nog...?​

NOG
Yes?​

SHAR
I appreciate you trying to
take my mind off things, but
please... shut up.​

The door opens and Prynn and Rena enter, carrying armfuls of shopping. They also look rather anxious. Jake emerges from the bathroom, having freshened up as best he can.

RENA
Prophets, how could you stand
it in there?​

JAKE
Nog went in first to open the window.​

NOG
When you work for my uncle,
you get used to bad smells.​

Prynn hands packages of clothes to Nog.

PRYNN
I think we have a problem.
Here, put these on.​

As they talk, the four of them take the clothes packages and begin to get changed - bland and shapeless sweatsuits like Lebikow wears, only cleaner. They move back and forth to the bathroom as needed. Rena also sets up packages of Wadi fast food and drink on a table, to Nog’s delight.

NOG
Ooh, snacks!​

PRYNN
On the way out, we overheard
Lebikow talking to someone. He
was trying to sell them some-
thing over the comm. Something
that sounded like it was worth
a lot of money. He definitely
didn’t want to be overheard.​

RENA
We think it’s the runabout.​

JAKE
Really? That seems a bit far-
fetched. There must be all
kinds of shady deals going on
in a town like this. But we
just happen to end up in the
hotel of the guy who stole our
ship? I don’t know. You only
need to look at him to see he’s
hardly a criminal mastermind.​

NOG
(around food)
Don’t be so sure, Jake. Never
mistake a soft shell for a soft
centre. Rule of Acquisition
number two-oh-seven.​

PRYNN
Exactly. Besides, he said he
was going to “get rid” of us.​

That certainly gets attention. Even Nog stops chewing.

NOG
“Get rid”? As in... kill?​

PRYNN
Don’t know. But it sure didn’t
sound like he was sending us
off with a basket of puppies.​

JAKE
(realizing)
We’re in his way. This deal,
whatever it is... it’s going
down soon, and we’re a comp-
lication he doesn’t need.​

Prynn and Rena nod anxiously. They agree.

NOG
Okay, so if he’s selling the
runabout, he must be keeping
it somewhere nearby. Maybe
even right here at the hotel.​

Prynn turns to Shar, buried under his blanket.

PRYNN
Shar, can you feel anything?
Any massive power signatures
or subspace signals?​

SHAR
Prynn, please... I can barely
feel my face.​

They sag, disappointed. By now, the four of them have got dressed in their grey sweatsuits.

RENA
So what do we do?​

PRYNN
We need help. I think we need
to go back to the police.​

NOG
Okay... Good idea. Let’s go.​

He shoves in a last mouthful of food...

SHAR
(under blanket)
I’ll just stay here and die.​

The other four leave...


33 INT. WADI POLICE STATION

On Inspector Munad, sat at his desk again. Prynn, Jake, Rena and Nog are across from him, in their grey sweatsuits.

MUNAD
Are you serious? That’s your
evidence? That you overheard
a conversation?​

PRYNN
He’s clearly up to something
illegal, Inspector.​

MUNAD
And you just assume it’s to
do with your missing ship.​

JAKE
Don’t you think it’s too much
of a coincidence that he was
trying to sell something so
big and expensive just after
our runabout gets stolen?​

MUNAD
I’ve already told you, things
get stolen here all the time.
I also already told you I don’t
have time for this.​

NOG
You don’t have time to do your
job? Inspector –​

MUNAD
Listen to me. Farns Lebikow is
nothing. He’s a greasy lowlife
who lucked into that hotel on
a bet, and he’s spent every
day since running it into the
ground. He’s not worth my time
or yours, and he’s certainly
not involved in any conspiracy
to steal ships from gullible
foreigners. So please stay out
of what doesn’t concern you.
(beat)
Now if you’ll kindly get out of
my office, I have work to do.​

He puts his head down and gets back to work, ignoring them. On the gang’s astonished faces...


34 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

Shar remains curled up in his armchair, alone, covered over by the ratty blanket. He groans gently, suffering the universe’s worst hangover. But then his antennae perk up, moving about under the blanket. They turn one way and then the other, as if searching for something.

Concerned, he slowly drags the blanket off his head. And instantly recoils from the not-even-that-bright daylight.

SHAR
Ohhhh... by Uzaveh...​

But he’s definitely sensed something. He frowns trying to concentrate, his antennae still searching. He gradually manoeuvres himself to stand, trying to clarify what he’s sensing. After a moment, his eyes widen in alarm.


35 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Prynn, Rena, Jake and Nog enter the hotel through the main door. They’re disappointed, frustrated, annoyed.

PRYNN
Alright, so that plan’s a bust.​

Nog stops, listens.

NOG
You guys hear that?​

RENA
I don’t hear anything.​

NOG
Exactly. There’s nobody here.
Lebikow must be out. I can’t
even hear that stupid flurble
monster thing.​

JAKE
This is our chance.​

RENA
Chance to what?​

JAKE
Snoop.​

He starts creeping towards the office.

NOG
Jake!​

But Jake ignores his friend’s warning.


36 INT. HOTEL – OFFICE

Jake creeps into the office, which is deserted. There’s a half-drunk beer and a half-eaten alien burger equivalent on the desk. The flurble’s pile of filthy rags is empty.

JAKE
Come on, guys. There must be
something here that’ll give
us a clue.​

He begins hunting through the loose papers. Reluctantly, the others join in.

RENA
I don’t like this, Jake. It
feels wrong.​

PRYNN
Not as wrong as being killed.
(re paper)
Hey – here’s something. This
looks like financial records.​

NOG
Gimme that.​

He takes the pages off Prynn and begins to inspect them.

JAKE
You can’t possibly know how to
read Wadi.​

NOG
Financial records are basically
the same the galaxy over. All I
need is the grand total... here!
This shows his account over the
last year. He’s in huge debt...
(checks; realizes)
...to the casino.​

PRYNN
He’s a gambler.​

NOG
Yup. And not a very good one,
apparently.​

JAKE
That explains why he needs the
money so bad.​

RENA
Bad enough to kill for it?​

And then the GROWL comes again. They tense, turn to the door... and there’s the flurble, filling the doorway, hackles raised and teeth bared.

PRYNN
Ruh-oh.​


FADE OUT:


END OF ACT THREE

.
 
.

ACT FOUR


FADE IN:


37 INT. HOTEL – OFFICE

The flurble prowls a few slow steps into the room, closing in on them. Dropping the papers, the gang backs away. They hit the desk behind them. Nowhere to go.

RENA
What do we do?​

JAKE
I’ve got it. Get ready to run.​

Jake moves his hand slowly to the desk, careful not to startle the flurble. He grabs the half-eaten burger, and lobs it across the room towards the flurble’s pile of rags in the corner. The flurble is torn – burger or strangers?

Eventually, its flaring nostrils get the better of it, and it rushes to its bed to eat the burger. Our gang take their chance and rush out of the room.


38 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

Jake, Nog, Prynn and Rena rush into the room and slam the door behind them. Prynn checks the armchair – it’s empty.

PRYNN
(worried)
Shar?​

Shar emerges from the bathroom, wearing his grey sweatsuit. He’s looking a little better, but still pretty rough.

NOG
Hey, you’re up!​

SHAR
Yes, I am. But I still have
a warp core breach going on
inside my skull, so please try
not to shout. Or eat anything.​

PRYNN
Okay, so we know Lebikow’s in
debt. That gives him motive.​

JAKE
But we still don’t know for
certain he even stole the ship.​

SHAR
Actually, yes, we do. While you
were out, my antennae finally
cleared up enough for me to
start sensing fields again.​

NOG
And you sensed something?​

SHAR
A very big something. Down in
the basement. It’s a little
muddy, but it certainly feels
big enough to be the runabout.​

JAKE
I don’t doubt your senses, Shar.
But I still think it’s a pretty
big coincidence that we end up
staying at this exact hotel.​

RENA
Maybe it’s not a coincidence.​

PRYNN
Yes!
(clarifies)
No!
(confused)
What?​

RENA
The Inspector specifically sent
us to this hotel, right? He gave
Nog the directions. And he flat
out refused to help us find the
ship, or to listen to what we
overheard about Lebikow.​

JAKE
Are you saying the Inspector’s
in on it?​

NOG
It makes sense. Somebody had
to get through the security
on the runabout. A policeman
would know how to do that.​

PRYNN
(getting it)
And then when we started asking
questions, he sent us here and
told Lebikow to “get rid” of us.​

JAKE
Oh, hell. Munad’s the brains,
Lebikow’s the hatchet man.​

PRYNN
Uh-huh. So what do we do?​

Jake stops to think it all through in his mind.

JAKE
Okay – here’s the plan.​


CUT TO:


39 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

Shar, Prynn and Nog creep down the corridor, trying not to make any noise, and keeping a wary eye out for the flurble.

JAKE (v.o.)
Shar, we need you to pinpoint
exactly where this sensation
is that you’re sensing. And
we need to do it now, before
Lebikow comes home.​

Shar pauses, concentrates on what his antennae are sensing, and then beckons Prynn and Nog to follow him.


40 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

A different corridor in this cavernous maze of a hotel. Jake and Rena creep down it, equally quiet and furtive.

RENA (v.o.)
But that animal’s still out
there. The flurble, or what
ever you call it.​

NOG (v.o.)
Right. He’s probably guarding
the runabout while his daddy’s
out of the house.​

JAKE (v.o.)
Exactly. So some of us need to
distract it, while the others
find the ship.​

PRYNN (v.o.)
I’ll take that job.​


41 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Prynn, Shar and Nog creep down the stairs.

SHAR (v.o.)
Prynn, are you sure? You could
get hurt.​

PRYNN (v.o.)
I faced down a crazy Jem’Hadar
and I’m still standing. I’ll be fine.​

They reach the bottom of the stairs.

NOG (v.o.)
So how do we distract it?​


42 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

Jake smiles victoriously.

JAKE
The same way I did.​

Jake goes over to the table and grabs the last remaining burger there. He holds it out. Shar flinches away.

JAKE
Shar couldn’t eat his burger.
He’s still too hung over. But
the flurble? He loves them.​

NOG
Aww. I was gonna eat that.​


43 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Nog holds the burger in front of him, wafting it around. Shar is concentrating on his antennae...

SHAR
Definitely the basement. My
head’s a little clearer now.​

PRYNN
We need to find the demon
guard dog first.​

NOG
Heeeeere, flurble flurble!
Come get the tasty... stuff!​

But there’s no response. That only makes them more worried. It’s out there somewhere. They turn away from the foyer and head down one of the other corridors leading off it.


44 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

Nog, Prynn and Shar skulk down the corridor, dingy and deserted. Nog is ahead, holding out the burger for the flurble. Prynn and Shar hover back, keeping watch.

SHAR
Prynn... I want to explain.
My behaviour last night.​

PRYNN
You sure weren’t the usual
shy and sheepish Shar.​

SHAR
No, and there is a reason for
it. You saved my life, Prynn.​

PRYNN
(awkward)
We don’t need to talk about
that if you don’t want, Shar.
Certainly not right now.​

SHAR
No, I want to. I came back to
the station for you, Prynn. You
rejected me. That hurt, but I
understood your reasons. Still,
the feelings didn’t go away.​

PRYNN
Shar, please... not now.​

SHAR
And then on the Defiant... you
risked your life to save mine.
That proved to me that you had
feelings for me too. But you
were still right. As much as I
wanted to be with you, I felt
I would be betraying Th-​

Before he can finish the word, there’s a GROWL. All three of them stop, worried. The flurble is somewhere nearby.

Nog is shaking with fear. He tosses the burger down the corridor. It lands just at the edge of the weak lighting. The GROWL comes again, and the flurble stalks forward out of the darkness. It sniffs at the burger on the ground.

NOG
Go on... eat it, you mangy -​

The flurble’s head snaps up, and its eyes pinpoint Nog.

CLOSE-UP

NOG
Eep.​

The flurble GROWLS louder, ignoring the burger... and then it bursts forwards, running right at them. Prynn garbs hard onto Nog and Shar’s arms...

PRYNN
Let’s skedaddle!​

She drags them by their arms and they set off running back down the corridor, the snarling flurble hot on their heels.


45 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Nog, Shar and Prynn dash back into the foyer and sprint up the stairs. The flurble comes pounding after them, taking two or three steps at a time, BARKing furiously. As it passes, Jake and Rena poke their heads around the corner of Lebikow’s office doorway, seeing the flurble chasing their friends.

JAKE
Go!​

Jake and Rena bolt out from cover and head down the same corridor the others just came from.


46 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

Nog, Prynn and Shar pelt down the corridor...

ALL
Aaaaaaaaahhhhh!​

The flurble comes galloping after them...

FLURBLE
Rraaaaarrrrr!​


47 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

Jake and Rena find a set of steps heading downwards, much simpler than the grand staircase in the foyer. Clearly this must be the basement. They head down into the darkness.


48 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

Nog has stretched ahead of the others, emitting the ear-piercing Ferengi SQUEAL as he runs...

NOG
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!​

Shar is lagging behind a bit, still the worse for wear. Out of breath, looking as grey as his sweatsuit.

PRYNN
Shar, come on!​

SHAR
I can’t... I don’t...​

The flurble rounds a corner and comes after them again, GROWLing and BARKing, saliva flying from its toothy jaws. Shar puts on an extra burst, against his body’s protests.


49 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Nog, Prynn and Shar rush down the stairs, the flurble in hot pursuit. At the bottom they turn the other way, away from the basement steps...


50 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

Dark stone passages, none of the formerly fancy woodwork or lighting of the upstairs rooms. Jake and Rena rush down the passage, hunting for something...

JAKE
Just like when we were stealing
from the Drang...​

RENA
The what?​


51 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Nog, Prynn and Shar come back around to the staircase, having circled back on themselves. They quickly head back up the stairs again. Nog is still SQUEALing, Shar still GROANing. The flurble comes galloping after, still barking and slavering...


52 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

Jake and Rena stop at a pair of large doors, tied together with a heavy iron chain and a large padlock.

RENA
Is this it?​

JAKE
I don’t know. I think so. Why
else have such a big lock?​

RENA
How do we get in?​

Jake takes a deep breath, and starts kicking out hard at the doors, trying to break the chain by sheer force.

KICK. And KICK. And KICK.


53 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

Nog, Prynn and Shar run. The flurble chases.

They turn a corner. They run. It chases.

They turn another corner and keep running. The flurble turns the corner too and keeps chasing.

But as they run, they realize something with horror.

NOG
Uh-oh.​

PRYNN
Dead end.​

They keep running as far as they can. But the end of the corridor is approaching. Finally, that’s it. They can’t go any further. They stop, and look back.

The flurble is at the other end of the corridor, waiting, enjoying. It knows they’re trapped.

Shar is breathing hard, holding his head in one hand and his stomach in the other. Prynn prepares to stand her ground. Nog is terrified of the rabid animal.

NOG
Can we fight it?​

SHAR
Nog... I don’t feel...​

NOG
We’re completely frinxed.​

PRYNN
We’re not just frinxed.
(beat)
We’re flamped.​

The flurble launches off and charges straight for them.

SHAR

begins to retch, his stomach revolting...

FLURBLE

pounds down the corridor towards them...

PRYNN AND NOG

tense, scared but preparing to fight...

FLURBLE

is nearly on top of them...

SHAR

unable to control his stomach any more... and he lurches forwards and VOMITS hard. Streams of foul green material pour out of him, landing with a SPLAT and a HISS on the ground. Noxious green gas billows off the piles of vomit...

...and the running flurble screeches to a halt, barely inches away from the pile, its rear legs catching up to its front legs. It instantly turns and pelts down the corridor the other way, mewling and squeaking pathetically.

FLURBLE
Meep! Meep! Meep!​

The flurble runs and runs until it disappears back around the corner, its horrified squeal audible as it retreats. Prynn and Nog are amazed and thrilled to have been saved.

NOG
Shar! You saved us! With vomit!​

Yay! Until the smell hits them too. Oh, that’s bad.


54 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

Jake KICKS and KICKS at the door...

...until the chain finally SNAPS and the doors swing open. And inside, there it is – the runabout. Powered up and lights twinkling. A gorgeous technological marvel. The most beautiful sight in the galaxy right now.

JAKE
Yes!​

RENA
Oh, thank the Prophets.​

BONK

Jake and Rena both stop, stunned, and collapse forwards to the ground. Revealing behind them...

...Lebikow, holding a metal pipe in each hand, having just knocked them both on the heads. As he glowers down at their unconscious bodies...


BLACK OUT:


END OF ACT FOUR

.
 
.


ACT FIVE


FADE IN:


55 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

Jake and Rena jerk awake, finding themselves sat together on the ground, back to back, four wrists tied with rope between them. The runabout is next to them. Lebikow is looming over them. He seems oddly nervous.

LEBIKOW
You damn meddlin’ kids had to
mess me about, di’nt yer? All
I was trynna do was make a bit
o’ money...​

Jake and Rena struggle against the ropes...

JAKE
By stealing our ship?​

LEBIKOW
What yer on about?​

RENA
This is our ship, you idiot!​

LEBIKOW
I don’t know whose ship it is.
It just looked like a good’n.​

JAKE
So you didn’t even know whose
ship you’d stolen? And you
were going to kill us anyway?​

LEBIKOW
(shocked)
What? No! I ain’t gonna kill
no-one! I just wanted to sell
t’ship, awright? And I would’a
got away wi’ it, too, if you
damn kids hadn’t insisted on
messin’ me about.​

RENA
I heard you say you were going
to “get rid of us.”​

LEBIKOW
(amazed)
Yeah, by kicking you out o’
hotel. I don’t kill people!​

JAKE
Oh. Well. Okay then.​

LEBIKOW
But I can’t let you go either.
At least not until me fence
gets here. If I don’t sell
this ship, I’ll lose th’hotel.
And me baby won’t have a home.​

RENA
Your baby?​

LEBIKOW
Yeah. The flurble, or wh’ever
you call ‘im. He’s my baby.​

Lebikow sniffles with sentiment over his pet. Rena and Jake would almost be touched... if they weren’t tied up.

CRASH

The large double doors at the far end of the basement burst open and half a dozen Wadi POLICE rush in, weapons drawn. Leading the way is none other than Munad himself. Lebikow squeaks in shock and drops the metal pipes, his hands flying up. Munad strolls smugly up to him.

MUNAD
Farns Lebikow. By the authority
of the Wadi Inspectorate, I,
Sherbic Munad, hereby place
you under arrest, on charges
of theft, handling of stolen
goods, and colluding with known
criminal elements. You have the
right to argue in your own
defence, and if you choose not
to do so, it may be taken as
an admission of guilt.
(to officers, re
Jake & Rena)
Untie them.​

The officers move to do so...

CRASH

The first set of doors burst open, and Nog, Prynn and Shar rush in. Jake and Rena are untied and standing now.

NOG
Get away from them, “Inspector.”
We know you were in on this
whole plot from the start.​

LEBIKOW
What? No he weren’t.​

PRYNN
(confused)
He wasn’t?​

LEBIKOW
No! Of course not. He’s the
Inspector, in’t he? You kids
have some strange ideas.​

RENA
But if you’re not part of the
plan, then why did you send
us to this hotel?​

MUNAD
As my spies.​


55 EXT. WADI HOMEWORLD SURFACE – LATE NIGHT

The massive car park of the casino complex. Lebikow creeps between the parked shuttles, hiding in their shadows, trying to decide which one to steal. When he gets to the Rio Grande, he likes what he sees. He pulls out a device, furtively holds it up to the hatch. After a while of bleeps and flashing lights, the hatch disengages and begins to slide open.

Over the above:

MUNAD (v.o.)
I knew Lebikow was in debt to
the casino. I am the Chief of
Police there. I also knew he
had friends in the criminal
underground. Eventually, the
two were bound to connect.
And then I got my chance.​


56 INT. WADI POLICE STATION

Our gang’s first meeting with Munad. As the scene plays MOS underneath:

MUNAD (v.o.)
You told me you were from the
Federation. I’ve heard of
Starfleet. I needed a plant
inside the hotel, and I knew
that the best way to get you
to investigate for me was to
tell you exactly not to do it.
And it worked.​


57 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

Prynn and Rena overhear Lebikow on the comm...

MUNAD (v.o.)
You told me Lebikow had been
chasing up his contacts, eager
to sell the ship. That meant
the rendezvous was soon. And
he would lead us right to them.​


58 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

Where Munad is explaining the whole plot. Jake realizes...

JAKE
Lebikow’s not the one you want.
He’s just a middle man. It’s
the gang you’re really after.​

MUNAD
Correct. And now we’ve got them.
Their ship entered orbit half an
hour ago. Take him away, boys.​

RENA
Hold on. There’s something I
want to say to him first.​

LEBIKOW
What’s that, darlin’?​

Rena steps towards him, looks him in the face... and then KICKS him square in the unmentionables. He crumples over, gasping and groaning. Our gang look at Rena in amazement.

RENA
I hope I made myself clear.​

Jake beams at her, completely in love. The Wadi police drag the groaning Lebikow away in handcuffs.

MUNAD
I should thank you for your
help. Your tenacity was very
useful in my investigation.​

PRYNN
Whatever. The important thing
is we’ve got the ship back.​

They move towards the ship... Munad blocks their way.

MUNAD
Not so fast. This ship is a
key piece of evidence in a
criminal case. I can’t let
you just fly it out of here.​

RENA
What is the matter with you?!
It’s our ship!​

MUNAD
You need some anger management
classes, young lady.​

RENA
I don’t need anger management
classes. You need shut-the-
hell-up classes.​

NOG
Hold on, you guys. I think I
know what’s going on here.
He wants us to negotiate.​

MUNAD
(smug smile)
I said you were smart kids.​

They all turn to look at Nog. He grits his teeth.


59 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT

Shar and Prynn are in the cockpit of the ship, putting everything straight. There’s kind of an awkward tension between them. Prynn isn’t sure what to say...

PRYNN
Shar... if you want to talk
about things... now that the
crisis is over...​

SHAR
What you said the other day,
at the subspace relay... Do
you really believe people can
come back from the dead?​

Prynn stops, realising this is a delicate subject.

PRYNN
Do you want me to be honest?
Or comforting?​

SHAR
I would prefer honesty. Even
if it is not easy for me.​

She approaches him at the rear of the cabin, but keeps a polite distance for now.

PRYNN
Honestly, Shar... no I don’t.
Oh, I know, Starfleet reports
are full of tales of people
supposedly coming back from the
beyond after all hope had been
lost. Ambassador Spock, Captain
Scott, even Captain Sisko. But
in every one of those cases,
there was some fantastical
scientific loophole for the
dead person to escape through.
Regenerating radiation, trans-
porter tricks, wormhole aliens.
They were never really dead.​

She takes a gentle step closer. He’s very aware of her. He doesn’t look at her... can’t quite handle it yet.

PRYNN (cont)
But if a person has really,
truly died, no ifs, ands or
buts... then no. I don’t
believe they’ll ever come
back. I’m sorry.​

He finally looks up at her. Prynn takes a step closer.

PRYNN
That’s part of why I live my
life the way I do. If you don’t
grab an opportunity when it’s
given to you, you may not get
a second shot.​

Shar takes a hesitant step. They are now close, in each other’s personal space. Shar is quietly emotional, not sure whether to go through with this. Prynn wants to comfort him, take care of him.

SHAR
Then... you believe in taking chances?​

PRYNN
I do.​

Finally they are close enough – they both slowly lean closer... and they kiss. Gently and tentatively at first, getting gradually more intense.

Then Shar pulls back suddenly with a worried look.

SHAR
Urp.​

He puts his hand to his mouth, his eyes flare, and he dashes off screen towards the rear cabin. Prynn sighs.


60 EXT. WADI STREETS – EARLY EVENING

Nog, Jake and Rena walk along the street. They all have their combadges back on, and Nog is griping from having to give up his money.

JAKE
Nog, look at it like this.
You came with no money, and
you left with no money. You
broke even. That’s fine.​

NOG
(harrumph)
Only a hew-mon would call
giving away all your profit “fine.”​

RENA
Well, I certainly appreciate
it, Nog. With the ship back,
we can finally head home and
I can never leave again.​

JAKE
(worried)
Was it really that bad?​

RENA
Oh, I’m only kidding. Mostly.
I did ask for an adventure,
and I guess I got one.​

The sound of a POLICE SIREN breaks out, echoing somewhere in the distance. They hear it and raise their eyebrows...

JAKE
Sounds like Inspector Munad
is on the trail of another
dastardly evil-doer.​

NOG
Yeah, with a pocket full of
my money.​

The sound of shouting, hurried VOICES somewhere nearby... Rena frowns. Maybe it’s bigger than they thought.

RENA
Maybe it’s this criminal gang
he was talking about. Do you
think it’s safe?​

NOG
It’s none of our business, like
Munad said. Let’s just get back
to the ship and head home.​

They turn a corner into another adjoining street...

And see three figures running towards them, fast. They’re being chased by something or someone, we don’t see what. The three strangers almost run right into our heroes. And as they screech to a halt, the leader gapes in surprise...

DEZ
Jake?​

Jake stops in surprise...

JAKE
Dez?​

And it is – it’s DEZ, the captain of the Even Odds. With him are his scantily clad Wadi first officer FACITY, and a human-looking teenage girl of about 14, named MEERA (who we haven’t seen before). Dez is so surprised to see Jake that he pretty much forgets why they were running.

DEZ
Jake, what are you doing here?​

But before Jake can answer, more figures arrive – the ones chasing after Dez. Wadi police, half a dozen of them, led by none other than Munad. They surround Dez’s group and Jake’s group alike, all armed and ready to use it. The Inspector has his gun out, pointing it right at Dez.

MUNAD
Zin Dezovrim, Facity Sleedow...
You’re under arrest.​

Dez and Facity grit their teeth – caught.

Ending on Jake, Nog and Rena’s shocked faces...


BLACK OUT:


END OF SHOW


.
 
Zoiks! It's finally back. :)

Huh, what a complete tonal shift from the previous episodes, but I guess we were due for something light. I have to admit I've never really been a fan of Scooby Doo (I know, I know- everyone flame me) so the homages to that series aren't a huge deal for me.

But what is interesting is that once again character interactions are spot on, and unlike many serialized fan fiction stories- this continues having the pattern of each episode having a beginning, middle, and end. They can all function as standalone episodes just like the TV series, but woven through them are continuing and developing plotlines.

I always liked Shar, and though I know that sometime before 'Paths of Disharmony' that his relationship with Prynn will end; I'm very curious to see how it develops.

Also I appreciate he fact that no matter how lovable the Even Odds crew is, they still are criminals (the good kind, I suppose) and at a certain, it really is time to pay the piper. Be curious to see how they eek their way out of this mess. Always liked that bunch.

One last thing...you forgot the best part of the homage. The inn keeper should have had his face ripped off and shown that it was mask- and maybe to have a twist on it, for the mask to cover up that he really is a ghost or some twisted monster. ;)

In any case. Another enjoyable episode, and I look forward to the next.
 
I never really followed "Scooby Doo", but I instantly recognized the similarities once I realized it. For some the reason, the first clue was the utterance of "Ruh-oh". The gothic inn should have also been a clue.

I love how someone says that nothing could possibly go wrong before everything does go wrong. And it's about time, they see the Rio Grande as their "lucky runabout".
 
Personally reading scripts isn't my thing, but I'm consistently impressed by the amount of time and effort people are prepared to put into creating a massive body of work like this - I've said the same thing to LnX on several occasions who has also created a vast follow on to Deep Space Nine.
I started planning this project almost two years ago, so yeah, it's been quite an investment. I started doing the adaptations of the existing DS9-R books more than five years ago. And I'm not done yet, obviously.


Huh, what a complete tonal shift from the previous episodes, but I guess we were due for something light. I have to admit I've never really been a fan of Scooby Doo (I know, I know- everyone flame me) so the homages to that series aren't a huge deal for me.
It occurred to me a while ago that - even though DS9 was known for having the most comedy episodes of all the series - there hadn't been a single comedy "episode" in the entire DS9-R (covering Avatar to The Soul Key). That's two whole "seasons of TV" without a single comedy episode.

The nearest things we've got are the gentle romantic storylines - Quark and Ro in Twilight by DRG3 (which I adapted as 8x16 "Baby Steps"), and Jake and Rena in Fragments and Omens by J Noah Kym (which I adapted as 9x03 "Waiting for the Mist to Clear"). But neither of those were comedy - just light. Everything else has been drama-horror-scifi-action. So I thought it was high time we had a flat-out comedy episode.

I'd also always been intrigued by the idea that we now have what I described as a "DS9 Junior Heroes" group in the cast - the teenagers, almost, as opposed to the grown-ups like Sisko, Kira and Vaughn. And I wanted to do something with that. Nog had mentioned the concept in passing to Prynn in the Gamma story of Lesser Evil by Robert Simpson (which I adapted as 8x22 "Greater Good") in the sense of "isn't it interesting how we're all the children of important people." But nothing was really done with it. So I wanted to really play with the idea, and see what the kids could get up to when the grown-ups weren't around.

And that's when the concept of turning the Rio Grande into the Mystery Machine jumped out at me.


But what is interesting is that once again character interactions are spot on, and unlike many serialized fan fiction stories- this continues having the pattern of each episode having a beginning, middle, and end. They can all function as standalone episodes just like the TV series, but woven through them are continuing and developing plotlines.
Well thank you again, and I did put a fair bit of effort into constructing the season exactly as you describe. I don't think any of the DS9 characters match up exactly to the Scooby-Doo characters, but it's close enough to get a chuckle out of it. I actually really enjoyed writing this - there were quite a few comedy lines I came up with that I ended up not using. I may find a place for them later...


I always liked Shar, and though I know that sometime before 'Paths of Disharmony' that his relationship with Prynn will end; I'm very curious to see how it develops.
One of the reasons I decided to bring Shar back to the station - even though Paths of Disharmony had established that he never returned - was precisely so that I could have him available for this story. I thought there was more to play with the Prynn situation, and Shar has always been so dour and emo that we never really saw the comic potential in him. Who better to get completely trashed off his face than the emotionally withdrawn and serious teenage nerd character?

Plus, I just love the gag of putting balls of tinsel on his antenna so that they look like beeny-boppers. I still giggle at that even now. :lol:


Also I appreciate he fact that no matter how lovable the Even Odds crew is, they still are criminals (the good kind, I suppose) and at a certain, it really is time to pay the piper. Be curious to see how they eek their way out of this mess. Always liked that bunch.
There's definitely more to come from those lovable scamps.


One last thing...you forgot the best part of the homage. The inn keeper should have had his face ripped off and shown that it was mask- and maybe to have a twist on it, for the mask to cover up that he really is a ghost or some twisted monster. ;)
Oh, I tried! I tried to work out a way to work that in, but I just couldn't seem to make it fit. Being chased up and down corridors by a monster will have to do :lol:


I love how someone says that nothing could possibly go wrong before everything does go wrong. And it's about time, they see the Rio Grande as their "lucky runabout".

I think I've even figured out a reason WHY the Rio Grande is always their lucky runabout. :devil:

.
 
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