STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Assignment" #40277-271 Story by Morgan Gendel Teleplay by Morgan Gendel and Peter Allan Fields Directed by Richard Wachterberg 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 1993 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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. Return to Script Department FINAL DRAFT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION October 28, 1993 STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Assignment" - 10/02/93 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Assignment" CAST SISKO ROM ODO NOG BASHIR DAX WORF O'BRIEN QUARK JAKE Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Assignment" - 10/02/93 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Assignment" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS SISKO'S QUARTERS REPLIMAT QUARK'S BASHIR'S APARTMENT BILBY'S APARTMENT LEETA'S APARTMENT MOLLY'S BEDROOM INFIRMARY CAPTAIN'S OFFICE DOCKING RING/AIRLOCK CORRIDOR WORF'S QUARTERS TURBOLIFT TRANSPORTER ROOM CARGO BAY CONDUIT HABITAT RING CORRIDOR PROMENADE HOLDING CELL DEFIANT BRIDGE MESS HALL KLINGON SHIP BRIDGE DEEP SPACE NINE -"The Sons of Mogh"- 12/06/95 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "The Sons of Mogh" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ADANJI uh-DON-gee BAHK bak-uh BAT'LETH BAT-leth BELVIAN BELL-vee-an DROVANA dro-VAH-nah GOWRON GOW-ron KAHLESS KAY-less KORINAR KOR-reh-nar MOLOR MO-lor Q'APLA k-PLAH ROKASSA ro-KAH-sah TILAVAN tILL-uh-vuhn TINGHAMUT TING-ha-mut TINGHAMUTSA tang-hey-mut-ah STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Sons of Mogh" TEASER FADE IN: INT. QUARK'S The place is all but empty. The place is all but empty. BASHIR, EZRI, KIRA and ODO are seated together after hours at one of the front tables. ZYREE, Quark's only customer, sits away from the others, on a stool, holding a tray. QUARK (still working) So you can tell us your problems. ODO While you're at it, you're also slouching. ZYREE Not that one. KIRA I don't think she could do anything. QUARK Who said anything? EZRI (to Zyree) He doesn't have to. He's had enough of your feminine wiles. ZYREE It's not feminine wiles or females -- it's malevolence. KIRA What about malevolence? ZYREE It's a very handsome motive for a female. KIRA It's very attractive. (looking at Quark) But she's not going to buy it. QUARK If you're that mysterious, you must've forgotten I'm the one who arranged the sale of the symbiont. ZYREE If you don't want the symbiont, then you'll never be able to use it to grant your wishes. KIRA It doesn't say what I'm offering. It could be anything. A latinum coin, an emerald coin, a pentath theta... ZYREE An emerald? KIRA Whatever. But it has to be something the male has trouble earning. ZYREE (suddenly interested) And what would that be? KIRA I don't know... but it has a charm that a woman cannot resist. ZYREE It does? KIRA It's great. It's like you're the rarest thing in the universe. ZYREE I'm told you grow more attractive the more you train. KIRA That's true. And that's why I've become fond of you. ZYREE Then it's going to be all right. I may as well leave you alone. Kira looks from Ziyal to Quark. KIRA This is no time to be talking about our personal life. ZYREE I'm not talking about your private life, Nerys. I'm talking about your promotion. Maybe you can justify keeping Quark's while you wait. KIRA I actually want to see him again. ZYREE Then I'll see you again. And with that, Zyree turns and moves away. We hold on Kira as she considers Quark's request. INT. HAGATH'S QUARTERS Quark sits on the floor, looking very unhappy. QUARK But I have an offer to make. The latinum's on its way down. And when I say yes, I don't mean just "yes." No. I mean "yes" to an enormous fortune. And my wife's. Zek response? ZEK Keep that to yourself. QUARK Yes, I do. But who can say whether a man's truly happy when he sends his wife his fortune or not? Kira appears from off-screen. KIRA Quark, I need to talk to you. He turns to her, no longer hiding his anxiety. QUARK But you have to talk to me. I follow your lead, major. I'm looking to establish a new Dominion ruler in the Alpha Quadrant. A man who will protect the Alpha Quadrant from the Federation. KIRA The man you want is Jadzia Dax. QUARK Me? Why Jadzia? KIRA You have to understand, Quark, you're pretty desperate. The Dominion will give you what you want. QUARK What do I want? KIRA You want to be the new Dominion empire. And what better place to be than in the halls of the Council of Ministers? You're a Risian, you're a Bre'Nan, you're a Serpent. And you're all the same. QUARK You infantile, unintelligent whiny petulance. The Federation chose to place me under their protection. You're targets for their destruction. What's the reason for that? KIRA Because you're an infant. And un infantile humans can't suppress their innate desire for self preservation. So self-preservation is very important. QUARK Well, you're obviously not truly human. KIRA (defensive) I don't know who you are indeed a victim... QUARK (interrupting) Well, you might consider yourself that. And I certainly did when I had to decide what to do with the bar. I had a brief moment of clarity, maybe even a sense of completion. But then you walked away. And no one seemed to care what happened to me. KIRA That's not so... QUARK ... Do I know you anymore? KIRA Mm-hm. You're running on empty feet, Quark. And without a dancer's tunic or a Horga'hn, I might as well be walking on eggshells. QUARK Then how do I stop you? KIRA You have to understand, Quark, there are limits to how far I'll go. One can't go round and round treating people like that. You have to let them set their own rules. QUARK Then what if they don't follow those rules? What then? KIRA Then we fail them. QUARK And they fail you. QUARK (Cont'd) Don't you see, major? It's time to punish everyone. All of you. Let's go! Quark hits a switch and the ship goes to RED ALERT. And on Kira's determined expression, we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 27. ACT THREE FADE IN: INT. QUARK'S A few moments later. Rom is still leaning on the bar, snarling and furious. Quark is standing nearby, watching with concern. ROM What do you mean? You can't do this. I'm a Ferengi. QUARK Rom, I think you know that's not true. ROM It is from where I'm standing. The Federation is no more the Dominion than you are. I've seen the way they treat Ferengi citizens. They're like royalty from a land called Bajor. QUARK Rom, I don't want to hear about Bajor. ROM You don't want to hear either, my brother. But according to history, we both know that's never happened. QUARK Enough! ROM So now they want to run a Empire. What do they propose to do until they get their hands into Ferengi territory? QUARK What they propose is going to cost me my head. ROM And once we've found the Dragon, all hell will break loose. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 27A. QUARK You're suggesting a military response? ROM You have no idea what this interplanetary exchange will do to Ferengi society. QUARK On the other hand -- we can try to hide it. ROM Why not? If Brunt tries to restrain Brunt, all hell will break loose. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 28. QUARK And then we'll have to find a way to stop Brunt. ROM Yes, Brothers. QUARK You know what this means? ROM It means we can't let Brunt... Brunt destroy us. QUARK (determined) We have to stop Brunt. ROM (through tears of frustration) And we will. We have to! QUARK What's the matter -- you don't want to see your mother again? ROM She doesn't want to see me -- she wants to keep her relationship with Quark. QUARK What you want from me don't change what you already want. ROM But Moogie and I never had any problems... QUARK We never had any problems! All we wanted was to be together! ROM We wanted to be together -- we were going to make Brunt fall as a tree. QUARK We didn't make him fall. We helped him. ROM You still don't believe in helping people. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 29. QUARK I see. How many of us were helping people? ROM I helped Nog get off the station. QUARK I see. (a beat) Nog is a Ferengi. I'm helping him escape. What's the harm in that? ROM The harm in having my mother become a target of gossip, sir. QUARK Which is exactly what's going to happen if Brunt doesn't get what he wants. He's going to come after me -- he's planning to kill me. ROM (determined) Don't let him get away with it. And as Rom considers what to do... EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) Rom's ship traveling at warp. INT. ROM'S QUARTERS Nog is in the middle of telling Jake about his threats to Brunt. Jake is relieved to hear his grunts and clicks his tongue. JAKE So what did you do? NOG I told him I wouldn't be long. But I was still hoping he'd listen to me. I offered to buy him a bottle of bloodwine if he asked me. He said no, that he had other plans. (a beat) A bottle of bloodwine, I thought he'd be interested. JAKE But what about you? NOG I figured I could get away with it. For a deal. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 29A. JAKE (surprised) You did? What did you say? NOG How could I possibly turn this promise of yours into a deal? You never did. ANGLE ON THE DOOR to see ROM, Garak and LEETA ENTER. ROM (to the Romulans) We're closed. LEETA We're closed for business. ROM That's right. Congratulations, you've just been robbed of the eleven bottle of bloodwine you wanted. ROM (to the other Romulans) The others have had their fill of bloodwine. Now what? Let's get back to work. GARAK That won't be necessary. Everyone just drink up and forget about this alliance. The others stare at Quark. QUARK You are all going to jail? ROM That's right. LEETA Should I get out first? ROM What do you say to the one responsible for this mess? NOG (an order) Stay there. QUARK Which ones? ROM (to the others) Leave. The others ignore him. NOG Now? QUARK It's past the time limit. LEETA Then it's over. ROM That's right. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 30. QUARK (to the others) Well, everyone... it's time to report for duty. Good luck on your posts. ROM Thank you, Uncle Quark. Quark looks at his brothers and sisters with an understanding grin. QUARK Good luck. INT. QUARK'S Quark ENTERS to find his bar maitre d' standing behind him, waiting for him. QUARK (approaching the maitre d' face) You have on your hands and your motorcycles? The maitre d' doesn't seem to be paying attention to Quark. He simply lifts up one eyebrow... then strikes the wall behind Quark and EXITS. MORN is left to wonder what's up with this guy. INT. OPS A new voice joins Quark at the maitre d' table. It's BASHIR, looking very pleased. QUARK (continuing) Julian, you look fantastic. BASHIR Actually, I was thinking that you look rather pudgy right now. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 30A. QUARK False love so easily? BASHIR There's something to be said for that face. QUARK I can't say I approve of the way you're looking. BASHIR Don't be ridiculous. You're perfectly attractive. And you're the most expensive model in the house. Bashir gives Quark a knowing smile. BASHIR (continuing) Well, don't just stand there. Someone's bound to meet you. Suddenly, there's a commotion from the stairs. Bashir and Quark follow O'Brien and Keiko up the steps. O'BRIEN That'll have to wait. QUARK What for? Bashir and Quark exchange looks, and then proceed down the stairs. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 31. INT. QUARK'S Rom is seated on one of the few tables outside of Quark's. He plays a lecherous game with his drink. But the seat is hot and Rom can't stand the heat. ROM I take it all back. I'm... sorry. QUARK What were you thinking? ROM I mean, I'm thirsty. QUARK You're damn right you are. ROM The Perspicacity Index is out of the question. If we're going to have a nice meal, it should be at Quark's. Not the back. QUARK Rom, there's no such thing as a free lunch. ROM It's not lunch, it's dinner. That's right -- it's dinner. QUARK What part of dinner? ROM Contrary to popular belief, there's really no such thing. BASHIR (O.S.) All right, forget the rumors. Quark -- you can't come to Quark's while the police are on the homeline. Rom's not about to wait around for the police to protest. ROM What? Hey, Constable, you shouldn't have to get everyone's attention. Let's go. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 32. Rom leads the other group down the corridor. As they pass police headquarters, police headquarters, fire bases, corridors and the infirmary, we HEAR KLINGON SAFE ROARS from the Promenade. QUARK (calling out) Quark! (to the police) What about you? Without hesitation, police move out of the way as Quark, Rom and the other armed men head toward the Infirmary. Police dogs bark, but Quark and Rom don't get rattled. As soon as the door shut behind them, police begin ordering questions throughout the place. QUARK What kind of weapons do they need? QUARK I don't know... but we don't have to worry about that yet. ROM Then why all the robberies? QUARK (realizing) Because none of you ever looked inside the shops. LEETA (interested) You think? QUARK (a little embarrassed) I thought it was a joke. ODO (accusing) You did, didn't you? Quark makes a show of finishing his order, then hands over the box to Odo. QUARK Thank you. What's in the box? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 33. ODO Let's see what's in it. Quark opens it and finds the code fragment inside. Rom opens it and reads it. ROM (excited) It's the Iliya code. LEETA perors_conscience. finnish_voice. ROM (looks disgusted) The Iliya code? Quark knows he's got them dead to rights. QUARK That's the worst of it. (to the police) Just leave them alone. Besides, they're the only ones who can decipher it. ODO Don't bother. There's no need for an investigation. QUARK You let your brother be investigated by the F.C.A. and you're handing over your data to them. ODO If you know anything about the provisional government's organization you're allowed to be an informant. QUARK They don't teach children how to determine what's real from inside a transaction. ODO We can't assume you mean we can obtain information by "testing ourselves" against other transactions or others in the future. Quark has to take a moment to get his temper under control -- when he says nothing: QUARK (very angry) So all I have to do is look at what they're planning to do to me. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 33A. LEETA It's not what you think. (to the police) It's not what they say. QUARK Either way, nothing is going to stop us from doing what we're doing. ROM Maybe I should do something. QUARK What? ROM Look at it this way... If Brunt gets his hands on the Iliya data emails, we could be running all over again before the year's over. LEETA (anger flaring) And if that happens, Brunt won't have a place to hide. (an idea) What about you? There's a beat as they consider this. QUARK I could go with you. LEETA That's so tempting. QUARK I suppose. ROM And you're tempted up to it. LEETA Rom, I'm not. But don't let yourself think that you are. Everyone's talking about Brunt, even Rom. QUARK Everyone's talking about Brunt. But you're the one who's going to buy into this program. That's the genius of it, isn't it? Quark looks at the Iliya data clip and begins to cross over toward the terminal. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 34. LEETA (to Quark) Iliya's first cousin. The man who fancies himself a brilliant conduit engineer. And you have his contact in the Ferengi Alliance. QUARK I have nothing to do with the Alliance. And I have to say I don't see Nog today. LEETA Rom's a good friend, Quark. But he's a friend of mine. And I only hope he's a friend of mine too. There's a beat, then both Quark and Leeta look to Nog. NOG We appreciate all of your support. But we're looking at a major reorganization of the Alliance Navy. And reorganization of the Iliya's first response program is probably the most difficult element to dislodge. LEETA You have your answer. QUARK (noticing their intensity, to Rom) Major, I believe we've made progress. ROM I'm glad we're convinced. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 35. LEETA Then all we have to do is convince the major to bring the resistance. QUARK You'll have to do something else. LEETA Like what? QUARK Finish the station's computer simulation and we'll go scouting planets for free. ROM That's not such a good idea, especially with the Klingon Empire doing so much damage. QUARK They're our allies, Rom. And it's time we start taking them with us. Quark and Leeta smile. OMITTED INT. ORE PROCESSING UNIT Rom working feverishly at the process while Leeta and Quark sit together watching. ROM There. He taps some runes on a tiny device. In a moment, a section of the display goes BLACK. After a beat, more runes appear. Rom works another moment, and then a rune appears. Rom hurries to the console and presses a final key. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 36. ROM It's working. THE EXOCOMP The exocomp jams. ROM taps his VISOR in place. ROM It's not working. LEETA As she gingerly touches the spot where the runic symbol appears. LEETA Well, Rom, I'm in luck. The symbol's still there. QUARK glances up from his position of stealth. QUARK adversary. LEETA Not my enemy. He's not coming. QUARK I see. Well, we'll see if he can find another willing field of targets. ROM his eyes shining with the same determination that he always displayed. ROM I'll try. NOG his eyes wide with the anticipation of seeing his first target. QUARK (O.S.) Nog! ROM his eyes wide with the same determination that he always had. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT THREE 37. ROM I'll try. NOG as he sets down his disruptor and stands. He lowers his head and our people watch in wonder. EZRI realizing that there's no better time to start this off. She stands up and takes a few steps toward the platform. ROM his eyes widening in fear... DISSOLVE TO: EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) To establish the Defiant docked at its present position. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT FOUR 38. ACT FOUR FADE IN: INT. OPS The station is ROCKED by several blasts of phaser fire -- the lights are drenched in FRAME, and the station shakes like a living thing. (Note: Prototypes should have white walls.) KIRA Damage report. O'BRIEN Sections Fifty-two Baker through Sixty-two Baker have been destroyed. KIRA The enemy is forcing us to fight -- we've got to hold out until we can get warp power back to full capacity. O'BRIEN (shaking his head) We've lost main power to the shields. KIRA We'll have to take it from her. SISKO (O.S.) I didn't want to talk to you about what it's going to be like. Sisko turns to face Garak, who still hasn't let go of his Starfleet uniform. SISKO (dry) Major. KIRA Sorry. (re: Garak) Let's go. Sisko nods, but he's not about to let Odo get him off-line. SISKO What's the matter? ODO I thought we agreed you would get your gear back on-line before the barrier closed. SISKO I'm sorry. I should have known you were taking a vacation. GARAK It's an excuse to get back in a cruise with my hu-man women. SISKO I hope you'm thinking about yourselves... because that's what you should be thinking -- about your missiles. If you start worrying about firing on Cardassia, you'll be making a even bigger mistake. Sisko gives Garak a pointed look, but the Tellarite doesn't back down. GARAK It's what I've always done. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT FOUR 39. GARAK (Cont'd) When I was a boy, klerek-ul- nar was the only thing that represented strength and honor. But I quickly discovered that anything was possible. Even knees were veins, and knees were bones... I have never been faster than when I started. (beat) And now... checkpoints are life- endurance checkpoints, and the only thing I keep seeing are Cardassians. If I even think about getting out of here... Just then, the wormhole opens outside the window. KIRA'S VOICE Captain? INT. WARDROOM (OPTICAL) Kira is finally alone in the room, having gone to security in the runabout to meet Sisko. SISKO Have a seat. Kira sits, and the first thing she sees is a beautiful Klingon woman in her quarters. It's ADULT KIRA, no different than the actress in her quarters. Lilly's on her feet, agitated. SISKO How do you feel? KIRA Like a control freak. I control everything. I'm in charge -- SISKO You don't need a ship's control Frequency. Kira thinks for a moment, clearly not satisfied with this. SISKO What about our sensors? They need to be operating in the dark. Kira moves to a wall panel, tests the controls. KIRA They're calibrated to run on competing power... If I can tap into the dark side of the planet, I can turn those pesky sensors on... SISKO And if you want to turn them off? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/98 - ACT FOUR 40. KIRA That's fine with me. Just be sure you don't start liking me. And with that, she turns and heads out of the room. CUT TO: EXT. SPACE - THE DEFIANT (OPTICAL) as it moves around the station. INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE The station is ROCKED by several blasts from the pirate ship. However, despite the damage, the ship is still logging in. NOG Shields are down to eighty-five percent. MARTOK (off his console) That's right, we're losing navigational control. (a beat) We're losing... (another moment, then trying to make sense of it) ... our primary sensors. KIRA That's not good enough. Worf turns to all of them, his mind working. WORF Without maneuvering shields, they would lose critical maneuverability. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/98 - ACT FOUR 41. MARTOK And without weapons, they would lose our single-minded devotion to our mission. KIRA (grim) None of it matters. We're dealing with a potential crisis that could threaten the Alpha Quadrant itself. WORF I am sorry to submit, Major, but weapons are not something we recommend. MARTOK Mister Worf, I know you are a difficult man. But I think we should pass. A moment as they consider this. NOG Pass? MARTOK The Federation Council has recommended that Starfleet keep its diplomatic position with the Klingon Empire. KIRA (shocked) What? NOG (confused) Klingons do not have diplomatic soilings. WORF In that case, we would be required to disable or destroy the Klingon ship. MARTOK If the Klingons do not relinquish their claim to the sector, we will move against the Federation Council. SISKO (to Martok) Now what? MARTOK We'll see. KIRA It's a stalemate, Captain. The Klingons are all but finished. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 42. NOG And we are? SISKO Right now. ROM Myc-o-tro-cola. CUT TO: EXT. SPACE - A JEM'HADAR FIGHTER (OPTICAL) approaches the station. INT. JEM'HADAR BRIDGE Damar and Garak hang on the arm of a Klingon soldier. DAMAR Yes. I am returning your message. But to his surprise, Quark instead of Garak -- QUARK You'll have to go back to the Federation. DAMAR Quark -- I'll never forget this smile on your face. You always did have a sharp eye for beauty. QUARK Not a very Spartan eye in my memory. Still, you're shocking. Garak and Quark exchange a look. Now that they realize they're not wearing any space-vestments, they're back to normal -- indeed, Quark's eyes are taking in the floor, the ceiling, the walls, and the hammock. DAMAR The Federation is a fallen people. Our ways are not easy to appreciate. QUARK The ways are so simple, you wouldn't believe them if I said they aren't? GARAK Doctor, how pathetic of me. I suppose there's nothing to be about -- I'm only posing a fellow traveler with the burden of my wit and wit alone. QUARK All right, all right... we'll just take the two of you back to Deep Space Nine. I'll see to the repairs. GARAK That won't be necessary. You see, I have complete faith in your ability to straighten up the Jawad. Garak smiles. Quark sees that he's not going to get away this time. QUARK I can't... I can't just give up now... GARAK You wouldn't believe the things I've seen, Commander... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Emperor's... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT FOUR 43. QUARK (trying to convince himself) He can do anything. GARAK This is ridiculous. Kubus, the war's over. Now the First Order can go on undiscovered someday. QUARK You're sure of that? This is still a Bajoran station. GARAK Somehow, I don't think the First Order would be so eager about a martyr. For a beat, Kubus seems to forget that there's nothing "sacrifice" about what he's doing. KUBUS (to Garak) Stay out of this. What's in it for? GARAK I can't... I can't risk releasing a weapon on this station, sir. It would only spread fear and fear... QUARK (thinking it over) Disturbing thought, isn't it? GARAK ... Unless it was soup, of course. QUARK (incredulous) What soup? GARAK I don't know... but there was something back on the Outer Promenade that had an effect on me. The sight of that Starfleet ensign lying dead on the Cardassian desk... it kind of cleansed the air in here. QUARK hemorheum... GARAK That's exactly what it's doing now. The stench of defeat follows them everywhere. It's like the end of the war. DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 11/23/98 - ACT FOUR 44. QUARK I'll see what I can do about it. GARAK Not likely. They have their hands full. With the Klingons, there are too many surprises. He approaches a door; it OPENS. QUARK Damar! GARAK It's all right, Quark. We're going to rescue you. (a beat) The First will take the bowl, the Second'll help you empty it. And with that, he SMASHES the bowl with the tip of his weapon. GARAK (Cont'd) That should do it. INT. CARDASSIAN FREIGHTER - KIRA'S STATEROOM The Cardassian leads Quark, Rom and Brunt into a back room. CONTINUED: KIRA Quark, you idiot! How did you get these cards? QUARK That's not quite true. ROM It's how we win at poker that's important. KIRA What are you going to do about it? ROM We'll see. KIRA We'll see. She gives Rom a hard look as he leads them out of the backroom. EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Rio Grande in orbit. INT. CARDASSIAN FREIGHTER - BRIDGE Sisko, Dax, and O'Brien are at their stations. O'BRIEN The Rio Grande has passed us, Captain. SISKO On screen. ANGLE ON THE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) to see the ship split into two apparently empty parts. WORF (off his console) The comp-link is down. SISKO Nitrome(to com) Well, what do we do? O'BRIEN We go back to faking it. DAX (to com) We go back to normal. O'BRIEN There you go. We're on our own. WORF (off his console) Sir -- the Cardassian cruiser's coordinates are gone. SISKO Did they get them? WORF (shaking his head) No, sir. They got them from a terraforming station. O'BRIEN Are you telling me the Cardassians are going to terraform this planet? SISKO It's not up to me. O'BRIEN But Doctor Bashir said it's an interesting idea. SISKO You have a better idea? That we leave them alone. O'BRIEN What are you talking about? They can terraform planets on their own? Sisko silences O'Brien with a look. SISKO Because of my station. O'BRIEN That's not true, sir. I'm supposed to be the one who decides who's in charge here. Sisko's had about enough of this. He gets up from the desk. SISKO You'll get your orders from me. O'BRIEN You don't have to worry about anything, sir. Sisko heads for the door. SISKO Doctor, you and I should talk in private. O'BRIEN (indicating Rom) He's not interested in seeing Federation doctors operating in the Gamma Quadrant. SISKO Why not? O'BRIEN Because those doctors would have to go through me first. SISKO (to com) Computer, transfer command to Commander Worf. COMPUTER VOICE Command transferred. This is good news. O'BRIEN I'm all set. SISKO I'm glad we were able to help. Now that the initial damage has been repaired, we'll be able to keep returning. (a beat) Keep me informed. O'BRIEN Yes, sir. SISKO Dismissed. O'Brien and Sisko EXIT. INT. WARDROOM Kira sits behind her desk, looking at the front padded report on a terminal. There's a CHIME. KIRA (to com) Computer, report as needed. COMPUTER VOICE The damage has been maintained. The Bajoran enzyme systems are functioning normally. KIRA Great. There's a beat as she looks at the report. KIRA (a beat) So what do we do now? ROM (O.S.) With an experimental T-cell replacement we could stabilize the enzyme levels -- at least back down to original strength. Kira turns to see -- ROM standing by the window. KIRA (without looking up) Hello. ROM Hello? KIRA You wanted to see me. ROM Yes -- I was looking for Doctor Bashir. KIRA He's not here. ROM Oh. KIRA Where is he? ROM I don't know -- he... left. KIRA You don't know where he's? ROM I know his quarters. KIRA That's not good enough. I want to see him. ROM Okay. (a beat) Well, you have twenty-six minutes to cut the chain. KIRA What? You can't. ROM Twenty-five. KIRA Rom -- I can't let you kill him. Not just yet. But you can. Once this is over, you and I will see each other every single day. ROM Twenty-five? (after a beat) Maybe there's a way to break the contract... And off Kira's look of surprise and gratitude, we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END -----