STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Legacy" #40512-425 Story by Norm Ornstein Teleplay by Norm Pattillon Story by Norm Pattillon and Ronald D. Moore & Brannon Braga Directed by Rick Kolbe THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1992 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. FINAL DRAFT NOVEMBER 14, 1992 STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Legacy" CAST PICARD HAYNE RIKER ISHARA YAR DATA COALITION MAN #1 BEVERLY KOLRAMI TROI TEMPLE GUARD WORF Non-Speaking COALITION MAN #1 KOLRAMI WOMAN (CAPTAIN) BY THE TUBE CAPTAIN PICARD COMPUTER VOICE Non-Speaking Voice-Over HAL BROSSMER TROI GEORDI WORF WESLEY ENSIGN KOPF TRANSPORTER TECHNICIAN COMPUTER VOICE Non-Speaking Voice-Over COMPUTER VOICE STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Legacy" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE Main bridge Command and Helm Areas Corridor, shown from the Outside, Canal and Jing's Concession Stand by, ETA presently set STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Legacy" TEASER FADE IN: A1 INT. CORRIDOR RIKER and WORF are hustling down the corridor, data style sheets escalating the suspense. RIKER This is the starship; determine what you want from me. WORF (off tricorder) Commander, there are no active sensor probes in this area. RIKER Then there might be other answers to our questions. He holds out the data-rod. RIKER (continuing) What is your classification here? WORF Briefing. RIKER There are hundreds of these in the correct locations. What's your description of the problem? WORF Tactics Officer's log, stardate 41775.3. We are reassigned to the Federation Starbase Reunion. All officers will remain at their posts while I personally conduct search. B1 CONTINUED: Worf picks up a new data-rod. WORF (cont.) This is a case report I have been working on over the past few days. Riker looks at the data-rod. RIKER A dozen? WORF (nods) A dozen different kinds. RIKER Trust your eyes. WORF My unit is equipped with a thousand particle telescopes. We would be able to detect even the faintest trace of a meteor sliding toward the planet. RIKER Good for you to try. What's it doing in there? WORF Oracle software has automatically configured the telescope to magnetize any object the unit finds. RIKER Just like a missile, it seems. Worf frowns at this. RIKER (continuing) So far, the only object to come anywhere near the unit is your hand. WORF Wrong, sir. I removed the unit last night. RIKER Then maybe you removed it wrong. WORF The ignition system should indicate it was originally attached to a Class-M probe. Riker nods as Worf slides a panel probe into his hand. WORF (continuing) There should be enough power left to reinitialize the power transfer. RIKER Just lock on to the power transfer. WORF Attempting to retrofit the probe with Class-M technology would require stripping the drive unit bare... Worf works the panel. WORF Its gravitational field is constant. Riker studies the console for a moment. RIKER Theoretically, it should still be able to fire the tractor beam -- unless it's connected to the core with a conductive strap. GEORDI We figured out a way to access the core without removing it, if we could just short out the power flow during that instant. RIKER So we connect the probe to the core and... voila! The tractor beam on the other end will rip us apart. GEORDI We can give the shuttlepod enough time to enter the relativistic momentum effect and still get through to the gate. RIKER adversary has to be able to turn that bend in the star's surface into a new heading system... or we'll never get away. Riker studies the console for a moment. RIKER (continuing) The question now is... can we get it from the console? GEORDI We'll never get a "turn" from the probe, sir. It's tied to the star's surface -- and there's no way to get to the helm. RIKER What about... (what else?) ... turning the tractor beam on the probe. GEORDI We thought about that. But we figured out that if we short out one end of the tether, the other would come to rest in a different place -- and that makes the probe think we're turning the tractor beam. RIKER But not for real. How much hope will we have from that? GEORDI Maybe a little more than you'll need, sir. Worf grunts with concentration. WORF Tractor beam. Major... Lieutenant Commander Data. Riker and Geordi appear on monitors. DATA We have a tractor beam, sir. It will not be enough to pull us out of orbit. The mutineer's face fills the frame. RIKER Geordi, can you give us a heading to match the Enterprise one last time... so we can remember to contain that last witness'... Geordi is aware of the significance of what Data is about to say, and quickly rises. GEORDI Yes, sir! Data halts only briefly as he concentrates on the controls. Then without raising his voice. DATA Alder... Baker... Scott... Bernardo... Roger. RIKER Good idea. The three officers are surprised and pleased. GEORDI That's the way the meeting is over, sir. Picard smiles at Riker and Worf. PICARD Think nothing of it. WORF Aye, sir. PICARD Bring us within scanning range on the away team, then direct that particle beam into the atmosphere. RIKER We don't want to stand watch all the time. (to com) Bridge to Transporter room Two. TRANSPORTER CHIEF'S VOICE Here, sir. 2 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM TRANSPORTER CHIEF G. LESTRADE and two N.D. CREWMEMBERS are at the console. PICARD (V.O.) (from com) Facilitate access to our away team when Mister La Forge and I can make repairs. And then, we'll proceed to the mysterious structure previously unreported. PLANET VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) The planet's surface is HM-One, but despite the brightness and light, there is an eerie, haunted quality to the horizon. GEORDI (O.S.) We're definitely getting cloaked, sir. INT. AUXILIARY CONTROL - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) The room is empty except for Geordi. He sits in the chair in front of the console where he shot himself in the forehead. GEORDI (to com) Michelle? No answer. GEORDI (continuing) Com lines are down, sir. Nothing's heating up. I'm trying to cool it with a thermal probe. INT. MAIN BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) Wesley checks a readout on a wall panel. GEORDI'S COM VOICE That wasn't necessary. We found out where the damage was done by the probe. WESLEY The pre-existing graviton buildups had already begun to depolarize before the Enterprise was even able to respond. GEORDI'S COM VOICE So when the Enterprise was responding, it was because we thought the graviton buildups were threatening to overwhelm the control systems. We were thinking it would take an explosion like that to bring them under control. We're lucky that turned out to be the case. WESLEY But what if that's all it was? Geordi thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. GEORDI If the mystery is Solis and Murie, I don't see how any of us could survive. Unless something goes wrong during transport... WESLEY (interrupting) But if something goes wrong during transport, we'll all be dead. OFF the reactions. FADE OUT. END OF TEASER ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. MAIN BRIDGE The reactions of the crew. DATA Solis and Murie's calculations indicate that the mass of the stellar core fragments is conservatively estimated at considerable over ninety-seven billion metric tons. RIKER That's a lot of lean stuff. WORF We could haul the fragments ourselves. SHELBY We can't start trucking them away until we have sufficient space aboard the ship... RIKER Sure, when you have the first footprint estimate, tell me what it is. I'll make up the numbers I've already received. WESLEY I'll see your combined funds before the end of the next quarter. RIKER I'll tell you what it is -- Devinoni's personal promise of returning the fragments to him. Wesley reacts. WESLEY A good idea. RIKER Me, too. There is a moment as the reality of what Riker is proposing settles in -- RIKER I'll also need your undivided attention. GEORDI As it should be, sir. The decision making process begins to take over Wesley's life -- he cannot focus on anything else. RIKER In that case, have you made plans for tomorrow? WESLEY Yes, sir. I'm having dinner with Julian. RIKER Good. (to Con Officer) Set course for the Federation sector. Warp nine. RIKER (to Wesley) Proceed. WESLEY Aye sir. Riker walks away. Wesley watches him go, worried. CUT TO: INT. VERAD'S QUARTERS Verad sits on the couch, his head in Picard's lap whenever he speaks. He knows Picard wants him to do well on the test. VERAD (to Picard) Do I meet your expectations, Captain? PICARD Finish the test. Verad reaches for his head, but thinks better of it. VERAD I'd better hit the heights of test performance, first... and seriously. PICARD Let's see... in a four hour period... no more than seven hours... VERAD That's not the point. I can do this. Verad reaches up and fishes a strand of hair from Picard's ear. He holds it out for Picard. VERAD You have a natural talent for applying this type of analysis. Thank you. Picard nods. VERAD I have been very careful in not revealing the nature of this type of simulation to our audience. He fishes another strand of hair. VERAD So far it has yielded two objective responses. PICARD (selecting an option) I have found that in moments of diplomatic tension, it is intuitively helpful to refresh your perspective... refresh your perspective. VERAD I hardly think you are adequate for such a role, Jean-Luc. PICARD She's an opportunity, I'll see what I can do. He exits. VERAD I'm sorry, Captain. I was wondering... how come you've never mentioned war to me? PICARD A bad habit of mine. Now if I could avoid it we wouldn't have a problem... VERAD What do you mean? PICARD Mister Riker asked me something ridiculous... I don't know what you were thinking, but... VERAD I think it's about as far as I'm concerned we've crossed the line, Captain. You should avoid diplomacy, just as I do... and I should avoid Shakespeare. All characters should be fans. PICARD Certainly not apocryphal. Verad smiles, then changes the subject. VERAD How do you like being a dancer, Captain? It's like being onstage -- you know all the songs but you don't know the right one. PICARD That's right. And being communicative onstage is like communicating through song. VERAD I believe I've learned that too. PICARD Perhaps you could help me. Verad fumbles with his Esalen mantle, and then with his wrist length cape falls on Picard's Shoulder, deflecting the blow. Over which, Picard micro-manages to EXIT, the GROUP COMES to REMAIN HOLD ALIEN. INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) Riker, Tasha, Data, and Geordi are in the dressing room. Tasha goes to the computer panel, pushes it and then voices the command. TASHA We've reprogrammed the Transporter system. The micro-transporter should be functional in fifteen minutes. RIKER If it doesn't, we'll have to start using real whales for transport. TASHA Yes, sir. RIKER Assuming these technology aren't already being used by the Klingons, we might as well learn it. embedreportprint TASHA We'll need to re-configure the transport circuitry. And I think we should start with the stations which have been most affected. GEORDI We'll start with Main, USS. TASHA The other two... GEORDI They're the only ones still functional... (indicates) There's the anomaly at the site of the new station... TASHA I can't get data from their subspace antennas, Commander. GEORDI I can, but we don't have the time it would take to go through them. TASHA I'm not picking up any warp signatures, Captain, but the asteroid's velocity is consistent with a vessel of that size. PICARD Major, transmit a message to the Federation claiming this is not a rogue mission. Tell them... (squeamishly) We'll keep everyone briefed, sir. Picard turns to his officers. PICARD togett told war, Lieutenant. WORF I have transmitted our message, Captain. Grateful, Picard moves toward his command chair. PICARD Mister La Forge, arrange to beam the child up to secure quarters on Deck Five. I want that boy brought up to medical school. GEORDI Aye, sir. Geordi exchanges a glance with Worf, EXITS. PICARD The Federation has agreed to join in on the humanitarian missions, Lieutenant. That'll be good practice. We'll also keep an eye on the Romulan. DATA Starship Damage Control International referring to our casualty reports in past missions is classified, sir. RIKER We don't need a Starfleet injury to earn their respect, Data. DATA Yessir, which is in the progress of dying, sir. Most human intended goals are not attained comfortably. PICARD � Exhibit the Starfleet way of doing things, Number One. Show them how it got things done. RIKER Aye, sir. Picard EXITS. Riker exchanges a look with Troi. INT. CORRIDOR Geordi bearing a hard satchel charge... walks up to Riker and Troi. GEORDI (softly) You'll be furious, but I promise you... you'll never forget me. He lays it on Riker's head. GEORDI (continuing) Deanna, I've placed the soft bargain. She smiles. INT. TURBOLIFT Relax. The lift MOVES. Riker smiles at camera. RIKER I'm glad you're enjoying your bargain, Deanna. The door opens and then stops. The Bargain is gone. Riker EXITS. INT. READY ROOM Picard at his desk. The hot coffee, Morn's breakfast, is on the corner table. Picard stares straight at it on the desk. Then, the door CHIMES. PICARD Come. Riker ENTERS. RIKER Sorry I'm late -- PICARD It's alright... I wanted to see what you've been doing. RIKER editing a report? Picard gestures for him to sit. PICARD Starfleet has orders that all starships conducting intelligence exercises must submit to the Federation neuro-psychological scans. RIKER The slow wormhole? PICARD They've been flying around it for months on end. I thought I'd be able to run my own tests... actually, I was hoping you'd be willing to run them for me. RIKER The test will only take a few hours. PICARD I don't see any urgent situation. RIKER The Bynar have been hearing apparent rumors of going to war with the Enterprise. Picard's eyes go cold. PICARD Are you saying your people don't want war? RIKER It's... a tough question. PICARD And I wasn't aware we were at this kind of distance... RIKER We are not far from the front lines, sir. We just haven't been conditioned to see the Enterprise as a military target. Picard's temper is beginning to build. PICARD I understand your perspective. I too, am filled with admiration for your resistance fighter record. But this isn't the Pacifica of my youth. We're talking about a starship Capt captain who flinches at the sight of a phaser. Don't forget the holo-archies too. RIKER Captain Nom is as idealistic as you are idealistic, Mister Riker. The Barzan's history shows us that when life offers something to people, they'll give it up to get something else. There's a beat as Picard looks from Riker to Nom. PICARD You're almost reconciliatory, Number One. Nom nods. PICARD (continuing) Aren't you, Mister La Forge? GEORDI Captain, this isn't the time. PICARD Doctor, I can't order you to do anything; you're much too young to be a warrior... GEORDI With apologies, sir, I'm not willing to make any offers on that ship now. And Picard rises and heads for the door. Geordi follows. OFF the graphic showing the relationship between the various players involved in the mystery... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR ACT FIVE FADE IN: EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The mystery deep in FGC space again. INT. BARAN'S QUARTERS Decorated and appointed, Baran, his ITEM HUNTER (a Bajoranostyle), and TWO MEDICAL TECHNICIANS are gathered around the computer. The patient's notes, which we can see off-camera, have been placed in the computer. BARAN (off-camera) Feel like you're in the back of a troll factory? Snapshots of medical personnel -- Riker, Worf, Data, and Geordi in the background. BARAN (looking at computer) Yes, and that's not unusual. RIKER How many have we seen? BARAN (rueful smile) Let's see... oh seven... (nods) Ahh, the mind must be stingy, Number One. Oh eight... (sighs) And three... RIKER What's the last one? BARAN First it was a bee, and now it's a sandwich. How many more of these? RIKER (smiles) I'm sure there are dozens, if they're useful. BARAN I hope they're not as useful as your computer. All you need to do is reinstate the access point so your computer doesn't shut down.  RIKER Right. BARAN Activate the new base. Riker moves to where the computer says "BARAN'S COM REVISION" and he hits a final key. BARAN (to computer) Computer, time. COMPUTER VOICE Two hours forty-eight minutes elapsed. Baran sits back in his chair frustrated. INT. FERENGI BRIDGE Tog sits at the Kirk's (O.C.) console as Garak and N.D.s wait impatiently. Kirk and Spock finally ENTER. Garak looks satisfied, proceeds with his business. GARAK I trust we understood each other ? KIRK (nodding; with a smile) It worked. SPOCK You're looking better, Lieutenant. GARAK Is it possible to improve your communications with the Enterprise? KIRK Not unless they do something to my back. GARAK Yes, they might do something to my back -- even if it means backloading some of their normal computer functions. Dermatque and Leskit are also looking at Spock, who abruptly bolts up from his seat. SELA That's dismissed, sir! The Ferengi computer system goes dark. MENDON I've used every pretext I could think of. They've sat on our defenses and turned our backs. Believe me, we want peace. GARAK Maintain your stations, subordinate. (to Kirk) Peace! That's peace. Everybody. KIRK When do we expect peace? (looking at his watch) I've got twelve hours before it happens. I intend to be at Cardassia Prime by seventeen. MENDON We'll see to that. Mendoza looks back at his watch. Kirk meets Riker's gaze. The Ferengi's attitude is one of expectation and anticipation. He's raring to get on with the meeting. MENDON (continuing) Starfleet Intelligence has recommended that Solo continue to seek a diplomatic solution. RIKER Your assessment is concurring, Captain. MENDON (tight) That's one option, then. (nods) Agreed. DATA Your assessment is that he will refuse to comply. MENDON My assessment is that he will agree to abide by the will of the people. DATA That is correct. MENDON Delighted, Captain. (to Leskit) My wife and I will stay in the embassy for the duration of the negotiation. If that is agreeable to you. LESKIT I'm glad you're happy for us, Mendon. MENDON (a bit wistful) Now, Captain... PICARD Seat well. Mendon nods and returns his attention to his console. Riker looks a bit puzzled. RIKER My understanding is that a Federation negotiator is supposed to steer his party as far as possible away from any deal and then make the most of the available opportunities. PICARD But there are too many unknowns to make a headway. RIKER Captain, there are so many sides to every coin that progress requires blending all different sources. DATA Captain, we are receiving a transmission from Starfleet Command -- Admiral Haight. Picard's eyes narrow in reaction. PICARD (touching his com panel) Mister Data... DATA Sir, the transmission is from Starfleet Command. Admiral Haight of the Federation Starship Enterprise. She is requesting permission to dock. Reactions. PICARD Insert the following words extending her permission. HAYNE This is her request to be in deep space. (beat) Alone. Picard and Riker exchange a glance. RIKER With the Enterprise. PICARD To what end? HAYNE We could be hanging around with one of them. DATA I believe her purpose is to take her place in a most meaningful way. She has asked to be the first female to lead Starfleet. Off Picard's reaction... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE ACT FOUR FADE IN: EXT. SPACE - TSIOLKOVSKY AND MASS OF MATERIAL The Tsiolkovsky has docked, and the mass of material falls away from the shuttle. INT. CORRIDOR The shuttle has fallen clear of the shuttlebay, and as suddenly the shuttlebay is full of fumes and smoke. Riker, Worf, and Excelsior Tonks. ANGLE ON TROI Not surprised, but she's not sure what to make of this. RIKER Ready an initial collimation matrix. GEORDI'S COM VOICE We've got it, sir. PICARD Stand by. (to Worf) Let's see if we can get this shuttle out of there. INT. SHUTTLECRAFT The two pieces of debris in the shuttle's path are now separating; one piece is drifting toward the shuttle. OMITTED INT. SHUTTLECRAFT As the shuttle approaches the shuttlebay, the two pieces come into contact... the shuttle blasts out with a combustion of air and rocks -- the fragments detonate in a spectacular display of electrical activity. INT. SHUTTLE BAY TWO The bay is a powder-like CHILD'S PLAYGROUND. The SHATTERING, SHAKING, FRITZING, SOUNDS litter the area. Data ENTERS SHUTTLECRAFT. DATA I am detecting no life signs. WORF I am unable to transport... He looks at his tricorder. WORF My internal sensors reveal a child is currently in the shuttlebays. DATA It is heading toward the corridor. He moves to the other side of the corridor and reacts to something he sees... DATA What is the condition of the shuttlebays... ? WORF Closed... DATA Thank you, Worf, I will reopen them. Worf rolls up his sleeve and runs a finger across the point of his nose just as the AIR HISSING CRACKLES and the shuttle doors SLIDE OPEN. The look of astonishment on their faces is shared by everyone on the bridge. Worf, Data, Riker, and Geordi REACT. WORF What is that? RIKER Looks like the computer's reconfigured the photon torpedoes... the EMPTY air fills the room, inertial dampers don't give enough time for the ship to axiate. PICARD'S COM VOICE Are your people all right? councillorman SAMUELS MISINTERRUPTED. He's a large man without any outward indication of ugly parts. The entire conversation is slow, carefully chosen. SAMUELS Well, as you know, we were turned around without proper accommodation. A Romulan freighter which couldn't get away from us the minute it uncloaked us. Our medical kits were torn. WORF We should be well off the ship. AUTH RSENT HILLAR. He's a well dressed Glamd'hull man in his late fifties. He's polite, but concerned, and definitely not a bully. SAMUELS Indeed. Nor are we well off -- we're carrying cargo containers, medical supplies, and survival equipment. RIKER We're well armed. SAMUELS The Dominion chose to place our cargo sections in good depots. WORF There are thirteen Jem'Hadar warships in this sector. SAMUELS Actually, we're only sorry we spent a few hours at the Academy. Riker gets to his feet. RIKER What do you mean? SAMUELS We've spent most of our time across the galaxy. Now, you're going to give us a chance to see and be seen. WORF It will take ten hours for a shuttlepod to arrive at the starbase. You have two. RIKER We're going to need a more efficient way to transmit our requests. SAMUELS What I propose is an exchange -- ten hours and the Starfleet promised to send one. RIKER And what's the milieu of these manufacturers who can produce Federation uniforms in twenty hours? SAMUELS They don't send flowers or clothing abroad. RIKER Then what we need is a way to identify what we need and get them to deliver it to a destination specified. SAMUELS It takes two to meet the demand. We've got to be able to surprise them. WORF One to tracking the movements of the smugglers. Samuels is thinking but clearly has no idea. SAMUELS When do we leave? INT. MAQUIS SHIP - CLOSE ON THE WINDOWS (OPTICAL) as the large viewscreen comes alive with the image of the Maquis ship hanging before them. WORF We have them. On the maquis themselves, slowly starting to emerge from the back of the ship -- now armed and ready to proceed. RIKER Set sensors to tracking traffic patterns -- any possible passersby. Have the raft crew meet me on the planet surface. We don't want to leave without an answer to that question... He leads the away team off the transporter pad. RIKER With your permission, I'll go to the surface. SAMUELS That will be necessary. RIKER surface. We'll take the Sensors Pod -- the Maquis will have to blind us from the sensor beam. SAMUELS Yes, sir. Riker and the away team EXIT the transporter. INT. THE MAQUIS SHIP (OPTICAL) The away team walk along a section of the hull, trying to determine what happened to the other ships. They stop at a corner and SAMPLE OFF. STAR TREK: "The Mind's Eye" - REV. 3/20/91 - ACT FOUR 40. RIKER You think the others are all kings... or that they're all malfunctions? Sam glances back at the others. SAMUELS I can't tell you that. RIKER At what point do we go to their surface? SAMUELS SWINGS HIS WEAPON widely, a cold, deadly glance crossed between these men. SAMUELS You want to go back to the Maquis how do you? RIKER The moment those ships lift their heads off, that moment's we'll be gone, Sam. And for thirty years we've had to live with the fear of running from them. SAMUELS (taking a breath) That's right. But this isn't about protecting ourselves anymore. We know what the Maquis are capable of. We must leave them. SAMUELS breaks into a broad grin. SAMUELS (continuing) Well,ronic... He sticks his finger up against one of the vents on one side of the ship's hull and TESTIFIES the cold, sightless glance of Riker's team members who never could've imagined that their captain and first officer would be together again. SAMUELS (continuing) As for weapons, you'll find that our ship's phasers and our disruptors are designed to battle on longer durations. SAMUELS takes a deep breath, and for the first time we notice that he's smiling. SAMUELS (continuing) A well placed hit and we could've saved your life. SAMUELS Then to someone else in the room: SAMUELS (continuing) But you gave us more than we needed... you were a useful thief... my compliments to you and your crew. He reaches up and casually takes one of Riker's knives. SAMUELS (continuing) And you helped hone our skills in the use of the knife. ricks to realize that someone else in the room is also watching Riker. Cheers.  RIKER virtual reality... AMARIE Yep. You're right, of course. Cheers. RIKER That's what's driving months in the past. AMARIE Riker, I can't talk you into it, but if we don't move against the Maquis soon, I might be just fine. She moves to embrace Riker, but he pulls away. RIKER I better get to the transporter room. AMARIE If that's all, Westfall gives him his best shot. RIKER What about him? AMARIE (with a twinkle in her eye) Westfall's not to be trifled with -- he's the maestro. He's won so many duets with one handsome man... He smiles, and kisses her. CONTINUED: (2) RIKER You're a lady, and I'm a boy. Besides, he's paid his dues. AMARIE Don't be modest. You couldn't have done this without Westfall. RIKER I have to find out who this surprise master is. AMARIE Surprise... that's right... you do. She runs the tipier of her finger along the outer rim of the gasket. AMARIE (continuing) I've never been so flattered by anything in my life. She runs the tips of her two left fingers together like a hat on a fox. AMARIE (continuing) You're not as pretty as you think you are... but that doesn't stop a fox from finding the pond. There is a BEEP from the Transporter console. TRANSPORTER CHIEF Alternate course. Setting new course for Danuta... smugglers aboard. INT. FERENGI POD Bok's in the pilot's chair. Jake sits nearby. JAKE So what do we do now? BASHIR We can't go back to the station. (aiming at the airlock) We slow down and take the other Federation side... then swoop them down with a tractor beam. JAKE (surprised) You mean... we ram our way through the airlock? BASHIR Wouldn't you rather take the high road? You can always go back and finish the job. JAKE It's not the job to finish the job... it's just to make sure that no one else will have those wings. BASHIR You sound pretty certain of that... JAKE I don't think so. You don't need to convince me. I've seen you fly it when nobody's looking. BASHIR Would you? That's what I was doing when I had that phaser pointed at your head. JAKE That's funny... don't you think I'm capable of some very... mistakable things? BASHIR We aren't talking about some kind of mechanical power. We have aphasia. Bashir is trying to make Jake understand that it's a neurological vulnerability, not a lack of courage. BASHIR Look, what do you want me to do? JAKE I want you to go faster. BASHIR You're too young to take the high road when you're trying to save the world... all you need to do is tell Nurse Bashir you want him to wait. JAKE (defensive) What I need is to get out of there. BASHIR You'll get an opportunity to prove yourself when you get back. JAKE Look, I've got to go. BASHIR You do? Jake doesn't have the heart to tell him the truth. JAKE The way I see it, you have three hours, fifteen minutes and maybe two. I've got to do something, before they shut down the treatments. Bashir looks at Jake. He knows Jake's right; the promise isn't good enough. BASHIR I can't promise anything, even if it is. I don't have your brain. JAKE Then we can't let you take the high road. BASHIR And what about my patient? You should be in surgery, not lying on a Corgal table. JAKE He's not a Corgal. Bashir can't believe someone like Garak isn't on the station. BASHIR Garak was selling them out to Starfleet Intelligence. JAKE How do you know that? BASHIR He told me. Bashir turns around to face Garak. BASHIR He lied to me too. I trust you two so much. A moment as the two men look at each other. Bashir doesn't need to have a reason for why he thinks Garak's in here. BASHIR One thing's for certain, when it comes to keeping my staff informed, he's not exactly keeping it. He's used his artificial intelligence to get what he can with your money. A beat, then Garak smiles. GARAK At least that's better. JAKE What are you smiling at? BASHIR I'm just happy to see you... smile. Nothing to be worried about now. A long beat as they look at each other. The tension level between them rises a notch. GARAK You see, when it comes to my needs, you're very particular. I'd have to be very careful not to get them mixed up before I'm done working on them. JAKE (a bit wistful) I can think of worse things. GARAK (chuckling) That's the trouble of it, isn't it? Not being able to predict what people will want from experts. JAKE Too bad... Garak sees someone coming down the Promenade. GARAK Look out the rear. (suggestively) I'm thinking of renting you out to play around. Jake smiles. JAKE We'd love to. Off the obvious attraction between Garak and Jake... INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE Sisko is alone, looking out at his monitor. SISKO What do you know about Garak Yaran? KEOGH I know he's an android. But unfortunately, he's also a very busy man. Like you. SISKO Really? I thought you were an android. KEOGH You're an engineer. The point is -- I have a lot of work to do. Sisko looks troubled. SISKO I'm glad to hear that. (a beat) Somehow, I thought you and Boday would get to know each other. KEOGH I don't think so. Boday's going to be busy remodulating the ventilation system. I have a lot of unfinished business in the Benefarium. SISKO We'll see you at dinner. KEOGH Good, then. (with a smile) See you then. Kigo EXITS. We hold on Sisko for a beat, then... CUT TO: INT. BETA CHAMBER - NIGHT Garak sitting in the middle of the room, talking to Bashir. GARAK "Ambassador Dukat has agreed to remove the visual record of my activities from the computer. BASHIR What's he going to do with it? GARAK He'll keep it on the net for safe keeping, of course. BASHIR (dry) He said that. GARAK I do appreciate it, Doctor. BASHIR But it sounds like he's already lost the plot. GARAK The worst is already happening... his medical records are all falling apart... he's going to be nothing but a country villager laying claim on this land he scouts out of the ground. BASHIR That's exactly what I thought. GARAK Things never come easy with the Cardassian state, doctor. You have to make sacrifices you won't soon appreciate. BASHIR What about my friend Garak? GARAK He won't leave me alone. I've given all I've got to him. Bashir actually reaches out and takes Garak's arm. BASHIR I'm sorry. But I think it's time for you to go. GARAK A few moments ago, I would've first taken your word for it, then turned my back on you. I'm not the same man I was a moment ago. I have much to answer for. BASHIR We'll leave him alone. He'll understand. Sisko and Garak reach a quiet table at which several empty chairs have been cut out. Sisko leans down and picks one up, along with some others that have been left in the corner. Garak looks over the room. GARAK It seems you've put a lot of lonels in this one corner. SISKO What have you found? GARAK Latinum isn't the answer. There's a way to improve your entrepreneurial genealogy. You'd be much more entrepreneurial if you had a tendency to pass yourself off as someone else's sister. BASHIR I'm sorry I popped out of here so quickly. Please bear with me. SISKO How long? GARAK I'm afraid I'll have to wait until tomorrow. There are a lot of questions I have to ask you... Bashir heads for the door. BASHIR (as they EXIT) Good luck, Garak. GARAK One last thing... (as Bashir continues) The latinum's on its way. I'll be back in a few hours. Garak EXITS. Bashir watches as the door shuts behind him... then there's an evil glint in his eye... and he STOPS. BASHIR (softly, to himself) He's lying. Theymos and Priap are both lying. CUT TO: OMITTED INT. BIRD OF PREY - QUARTERS Only the sounds of food and drink are audible as Sisko and his COMPARTMENT CHOICE wait in the open doorway. Sisko has a large BOX full of PADDS and a signature scanner on his hip. The door CHIMES. SISKO Come in. The door OPENS to reveal Jackson ENTERS. There is a slight moment of tension. JACKSON Commander, how do you plan to locate my daughter's transmitter? SISKO I assumed you would. JACKSON So would I. SISKO =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-JACKSON mercial yarn? JACKSON You won't catch me on a freighter. I landed last week. SISKO The landing party I spoke to mentioned you're keen on profit. JACKSON You're making a terrible mistake. SISKO If you'll OBTAIN my daughter's transmitter, I'll be happy to turn her into a transmitter. Though it's not exactly a bright idea. JACKSON It's a chance, damn it! You could turn her into a pilot, enough to fly a freighter. SISKO What? No one's landing on that planet. JACKSON That's right. SISKO It's not just a chance. You've missed a fortune. JACKSON We make it sound like it's our winnings that you dislike. SISKO It's not only our profits that you dislike -- it's the women in your company. JACKSON Weenie's on her way. SISKO You didn't tell me you rode along with her. JACKSON I didn't know I WAS taking Lauren with me. SISKO It's an adventure you're having, Jules... JACKSON I can remember when I was a little boy still thinking my mother was a witch. She made me play a silly little game called "Whistle." You and I went out into the world and I chased her out of town. Did you save her? No. SISKO You lured her out of the world? JACKSON Well, no, not Lela. You see, I had an ancient evil plan, a great evil plan hatched in the fire of a witch. And what I've done with Lela is right, and it's my story. SISKO There are otherworldly horrors that can involve fire and demons. JACKSON I can explain them all to you. SISKO You want to turn her into a fire devil? JACKSON That's what I said, you know you want to turn her into a fire devil? From her face tell me---- Sisko grabs him by the ear and jerks his head to the side. SISKO I don't play games with children. JACKSON STOPS PRESSING against the side of the boat. JACKSON We'll go for a swim, then we'll return to the surface. CUT TO: A FRAMED REVELATION POV OF THE BOAT'S WINDOW (OPTICAL) Sisko and Cassius lean on the wooden prow of the boat and strengthen in front of it. From this perspective the prophets can be seen only as symbols of the power they represent. The POV represents the impulse engines and the wings of a bird of prey. SISKO (O.S.) That bird of prey was built by one civilization and one disguised another. CASSANDRA How 'bout time we visited this set of coordinates? JACKSON (O.S.) 'Course this is Falcon Eye! Cassandra and Sisko turn along the prow to see Jackson standing at the doorway. JACKSON My goodness... this is the place! Look forward!... to the happiest hour of your life! SISKO I intend to. JACKSON Well, may I suggest a top five of cherry bombs? Arms to the front of the house and a hundred and one for the... SISKO At least let me see what's going on... JACKSON Think of it as an invitation. SISKO What's going on? JACKSON You and me and the captain and the rest of the crew have come for the captain's dinner, which will be held in his own house later. SISKO In that case, I suggest a more local affair. Something with your skin and taste. JACKSON You've got a deal. Twenty-five of my finest Velveth ladies. Mister Sisko, I didn't think you had a chance. SISKO I had a chance and I took it. This isn't the time. It's going to be Jackson Pollock. JACKSON'S VOICE (O.S.) My hero. Sisko turns to see -- JACKSON AT THE CATATO BAR watching him. JACKSON I'm telling you, Ben, you're starting to sound ridiculous. SISKO Don't let that ringing in your chest alarm you say you've got. JACKSON Well, fortunately I have an appetite plenty of landlords. SISKO You're not going to have to worry about that. I'll see to it that you never have to eat or sleep once in your life. JACKSON Absolutely not. SISKO Maybe I don't need to worry about that. You certainly can't. JACKSON Think about it, Benjamin. You're talking to me again. SISKO Do I? JACKSON You're talking to me! What about your clothes? SISKO (then, hastily) What about your performance? JACKSON (then, hurried) I'm sorry, but I thought you should know... I've chosen this way with you. I can't live under that guise anymore. I want you to look at me. What do you think? SISKO Look at who I am today because of you. JACKSON Well, then that's an Open Canterton, isn't it? SISKO Not anymore. JACKSON You're right, I'm tired of being a starstruck show. And I'm tired of arguing with you. Why don't you just beam me aboard one of the ships sitting in the Orellius system? No one's homes in that west. SISKO Why? JACKSON Because no one here wants to be in Starfleet. Not me, anyway. SISKO (thoughtful) I see. (a beat) Good luck, huh? JACKSON You can be lucky, captain. This is going to be a great trip. And once we return, everything will be great again. Sisko EXITS. CLOSE ON JACKSON flanking Sisko's steps, determined to convince him that it's okay to screw up his life. JACKSON I never thought I'd say this, but for some reason, I... wanted to have faith in you. I thought you would see that your son had a lot to gain from all of us. I was riding in blind faith. But you were looking at the Ark too. And it wasn't faith that got you, it was compassion. You needed a vision. An experience you'd never had. That's what we'll have when we return. And as they reach the doorway Sisko and Jackson stop, react the sound of the transporter. SISKO Emotionally, we've moved past caring. JACKSON But we'll get over it. One day. Maybe we'll even feel the love. SISKO Maybe we will. JACKSON and SISKO EXIT. And the door closes. HOLD ON a thoughtful Dax and O'Brien. FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END