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ACT TWO
FADE IN:
24 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE - KITCHEN
A gorgeous sunny day, sunlight streaming in. Rena stands gazing out of the kitchen window at the meadows, the large central tree waving gently. She smiles, comfortable here.
She turns her attention back to the sink in front of her, washing up after the family had an afternoon snack.
SISKO (o.s.)
What are you doing here?
She turns, surprised. Sisko is standing against the wall, arms folded, watching her. Studying her. Inspecting her.
RENA
Just getting these plates and
cups washed up. My grandfather
always said your guests should
feel comfortable in your home,
but should never take advantage.
She carries on washing. But Sisko isn’t done.
SISKO
I mean what are you doing here,
in my house? Who are you?
RENA
I... don’t understand.
SISKO
You confuse me, Azeni Korena.
I don’t like feeling confused.
Rena is a little thrown by this conversation. Sisko is starting to creep her out. But the moment is broken when Jake enters the room, oblivious. Jake goes to Rena, pecks her on the cheek, and grabs a cloth from the sink.
JAKE
Crumbs on the sofa. Sorry.
Jake heads back out again. Sisko lets it go for now – with a last worried glance at Rena, he turns to join Jake in the living room. Mystified, Rena returns to the washing up.
25 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE
The office doors open and KIRA strides out, heading down the stairs to the central Ops table. DAX is running the boards as usual, with NOG at engineering, SHAR at sciences, BOWERS at tactical and VAUGHN strolling amiably around.
KIRA
Everything under control?
DAX
Yup.
KIRA
Taran’atar back yet?
DAX
You’d know if he was, Captain.
Kira is nervous, for some reason. Nothing massive, just the kind of drumming the fingers, what-shall-I-do-with-myself uncertainty. Dax smirks at Kira’s discomfort.
Then Dax’s panels light up with a new ALERT. She checks, nods. Smiles at Kira.
DAX
Neutrino levels rising. Looks
like you were just in time.
KIRA
(nods, relaxing)
On screen.
26 EXT. SPACE – THE WORMHOLE
The wormhole bursts open in its customary colourful display – Dominion Vessel 288 emerges. It moves slowly, carefully, dragging another ship behind it by tractor – the
Even Odds.
The two ships are arranged awkwardly, so that the tractor beam does not attach to any damaged portion of the hull.
27 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE
The crew react to this sight on the screen with some mild surprise. Dax checks readings on her panels...
DAX
It’s Vannis’s ship alright. But
I don’t recognise the other one.
The transponder ID says it’s –
NOG
That’s the Even Odds!
KIRA
What? Your spy ship?
NOG
Yes, sir! Only it looked a lot
better the last time I saw it.
BOWERS
(off panels)
It’s had major weapons damage.
Engines blown, hull compromised,
shields non-existent, defence
systems ruined...
(w/ horror)
...Ascendant weapon signatures.
KIRA
Oh, kosst.
DAX
Hail from Vannis’s ship.
At Kira’s nod, Dax puts the call on the screen. Vannis appears, wearing the head-set, with Taran’atar visible behind her, and also OPAKA lingering politely.
VANNIS (screen)
Greetings, Captain. As you can
see, we have guests. Their ship
is in need of major repairs and
there are substantial medical
concerns among its crew.
Nog and Shar share a worried look...
KIRA
(into action)
Dax - get them a docking port
and tell Bashir and Tarses to
get there fast. Bowers, Shar,
Nog – I want a full tactical
work-up on what happened to
them and how to fix it. Vaughn,
liaise with Ro and Taran’atar
on any security issues.
(back to Vannis)
Thanks for your help, Vannis.
See you in a few. Kira out.
The screen goes back to the external view of the Dominion ship and the
Even Odds.
KIRA
Alright, everyone. Get to it.
NOG
Captain? Permission to put a
call through to Bajor... We
should tell Jake.
Kira realizes he’s right. She nods her permission. Nog turns to his panels...
28 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE
As Vannis’s ship settles onto the docking ring next to the Defiant, and work bees gently tractor the damaged
Even Odds onto the next port along.
29 INT. DS9 – DOCKING RING CORRIDOR
At the first airlock, a full medical team including Bashir, Tarses and RICHTER is in action. They oversee as non-coms guide anti-grav stretchers out of the ship and into the corridor. The stretchers carry unconscious
Even Odds crew – Dez, Facity, GLESSIN and others. Brad follows them into the corridor, sniffling away tears.
The medical team moves off down the corridor. Once they clear, a team of Shar and T’RB, Bowers and ALECO, and engineers LEISHMAN and CANDLEWOOD board the freighter.
At the next airlock along, Vaughn and Ro wait for the door to roll open. Vannis, Taran’atar and Opaka step out into the corridor, escorted by two Jem’Hadar soldiers.
VAUGHN
Ambassador, welcome back.
TARAN’ATAR
Thank you, Commander. I should
report to the Captain.
VAUGHN
I’ll tell her you’re coming.
Taran’atar nods simply, and heads off. Vannis slips in alongside him, supporting him without a word. Ro exchanges a glance with Vaughn – “wish me luck” – and follows them. Vaughn turns to Opaka, and warmly takes her hands.
VAUGHN
Sulan – what a pleasant surprise.
I had no idea you were coming.
OPAKA
It’s wonderful to see you again
too, Elias. But I cannot stay.
Vedek Yevir has asked to see me.
VAUGHN
Yevir? What does he want?
OPAKA
He wasn’t prepared to say over
subspace. But he did say it was
a matter of vital importance.
VAUGHN
Isn’t everything a matter of
vital importance to him?
(chuckle)
I’ll arrange a ship for you.
They smile, glad to be in each other’s company. But Opaka is too spiritual and Vaughn is too professional to take it any further. He leads her down the corridor...
30 THE WA
The formless space in the belly of the
Even Odds looks dead, or at least inactive. The white is a lifeless dull grey, the coloured splotches seeming to droop listlessly.
A hole opens in the middle, revealing the turbolift and PRYNN inside it. She steps out, and the hole disappears behind her. She spots Shar scanning with his tricorder.
PRYNN
Shar? T’rb said you were down
here. I heard what happened...
SHAR
Prynn, hello. The situation is
definitely not good - the Wa
seems to be inactive.
PRYNN
Is it dead?
SHAR
I don’t believe so. Its energy
levels are very low, but it is
already showing limited signs
of repairing itself.
PRYNN
This is our fault, isn’t it? The
Ascendants attacked them
because of us.
SHAR
We do not know that for certain.
But it does seem likely. I found
the translation equipment I gave
to Prees – they were listening
to the Ascendant comm channels
just before they were attacked.
PRYNN
And the Ascendants realized we
were ear-wigging. Where’s Nog?
SHAR
Trying to contact Jake and Rena.
31 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE
Kira stands behind her desk, all business.
KIRA
Did you get in touch with him?
ANGLE to reveal Taran’atar and Vannis opposite her...
TARAN’ATAR
Not directly, Captain. Even with
the return of a third Founder,
the Link remains overwhelmed. I
was unable to speak with Odo in
person, only to leave a message
with the Vorta Weyoun.
KIRA
You have to keep trying. I didn’t
go through all this to be foiled
by a Dominion answering service.
VANNIS
We had every intention, Captain.
Then we received the distress
call from the freighter ship.
Protection of that vessel was
also the Founder’s wish. The
Ambassador assured me that it
would also be your wish.
KIRA
Okay. Yes, you’re right. Thank
you. It’s just that it’s one
thing to agree to the alliance
in principle. We need to make
it happen in practice as well.
TARAN’ATAR
Perhaps if you were to return to
the Link with us. Your presence
might... catch Odo’s attention.
Kira takes that on board... he might be right.
SHAR (comm)
ch’Thane to Captain Kira.
KIRA
Go ahead, Shar.
SHAR (comm)
Could you come to the Even Odds
please, Captain? There’s some-
thing I think you ought to see.
She frowns – that’s a bit worrying.
KIRA
I’ll be right there. Kira out.
(back to T and V)
Thank you, Ambassador, Vannis.
If you’ll excuse me.
Taran’atar and Vannis nod their acceptance, and all three head out to Ops.
32 INT. SISKO’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Kasidy sits on the couch with Rebecca. Sisko is trying not to pace the room. She’s seen him agitated like this before – it’s fine, it’ll pass. They’re both waiting for word...
The door from the office opens and Jake and Rena emerge.
KASIDY
What did Nog say?
JAKE
It’s the Even Odds. My friends
from the Gamma Quadrant. They
were attacked. They’re at the
station now.
KASIDY
Who attacked them?
RENA
The Ascendants.
Sisko’s head snaps up in alarm at that...
JAKE
I should go. I should be there.
RENA
I’ll come with you.
SISKO
(quiet, menacing)
You’re not going anywhere.
The others all look at Sisko, confused and wary. There’s a bit of a stand-off as a result of the strange statement. Jake tries to keep the peace...
JAKE
Dad, what are you talking about?
SISKO
I’m talking about your “wife.”
I want to know who she is and
what she’s doing here.
RENA
Mister Sisko, I’m not sure –
SISKO
You. You married my son in an
alternate future timeline that
nobody but me even remembers.
And then you turn up here. You
marry my son all over again.
But where did you come from? I
get back from the wormhole, and
there you are, all of a sudden.
And in a matter of weeks you’ve
got Jake tied around your finger
and you’ve wormed your way into
my home. I want to know why.
KASIDY
(amazed)
Ben, what has gotten into you?
JAKE
Come on, Rena. We’re leaving.
Jake is firm, annoyed at his dad. Rena is a little scared. Kasidy is just confused. As Jake begins to lead Rena to the door, Sisko steps forward, blocking their way.
SISKO
I said you’re not going anywhere.
Not until I get some answers.
JAKE
Dad –
Determined, Sisko grabs for Rena, holding both her arms so she can’t move. She flinches back, scared of him. He hisses his question at her, obsessed with this.
SISKO
Who are you? Why are you here?
What do you want with us?
KASIDY
Ben, let go of her!
SISKO
No! It’s all coming, it’s all
starting right now, and she’s
a part of it! I need to know!
Jake steps between them, physically pushing his father back, forcing him to let go. But Sisko isn’t giving up that easy. He looms forward, threateningly...
SISKO
Step out of my way, Jake.
(re Rena)
This thing -
But Sisko doesn’t get to finish the sentence, because Jake PUNCHES him in the face. Rena and Kasidy YELP with shock. Sisko staggers back, stunned that his son would hit him. Jake is furious, seething. We’ve never seen him angrier.
JAKE
Never talk about my wife like
that. Never. Do you hear me?
Sisko seems to have finally realized what he was doing. The punch has woken him up. He sputters, trying to apologise...
SISKO
Jake, I... Rena...
JAKE
Don’t even bother. Come on,
Rena. We’re leaving, now.
Jake grabs Rena’s hand and leads the poor confused girl out of the front door of the house. They’re gone. Sisko stands there, trying to understand what just happened. He looks over to Kasidy for comfort, understanding...
But Kasidy is clinging tightly to baby Rebecca, and looking at him with horror. When he takes a step closer to her, she actually flinches back, pulls the baby away from him.
KASIDY
Benjamin Lafayette Sisko, get
out of this house. And you had
better get your damned head on
straight before you ever come
back into it.
Sisko is stunned at what has happened here. He got carried away, and he’s being punished for it. And he knows they’re right to do it. That he could do anything to make his own wife and child afraid of him...
Without a word, he walks to the back door and out of the house. Down the steps, into the fields, and gone.
Left alone now, Kasidy slumps to the sofa, holding Rebecca tight, and begins to softly cry.
33 INT. DS9 – DOCKING RING CORRIDOR
Shar and Prynn are waiting outside the airlock that leads to the Even Odds. Kira walks up to them...
KIRA
Shar? Prynn? What’s going on?
Shar holds up the padd in his hand.
SHAR
I was able to retrieve some of
the comm chatter from the Even
Odds’ recording of the Wa.
KIRA
Okay. What does it say?
SHAR
Captain, you should understand
that this came in after the
attack. After Taran’atar saved
them and brought them here.
KIRA
Shar, what does it say?
SHAR
(deep breath)
It says, “Nerys, press black.”
A personal message, direct to her. Kira’s face falls as she absorbs the shock...
34 THE WA
Kira stands alone in the Wa. It looks a little healthier now, healing itself. She’s staring daunted at one of the coloured smudges – this one is a solid black.
What will she find on the other side? Only one way to know. She reaches out, her fingers swim into the colour...
The environment changes subtly. The wall in front of her seems to solidify and clarify, becoming like a mirror.
And standing opposite Kira, her mirror image, is ILIANA. Her Cardassian double smiles warmly to see her.
ILIANA
Hello, Nerys.
On Kira’s reaction...
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
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