TEASER

FADE IN:

1 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

ELIAS VAUGHN lies in his uniform on a bio-bed, watching curiously as a scanning device runs slowly down the entire length of his body and back up again.

JULIAN BASHIR also scans him thoroughly with a medical tricorder while Vaughn patiently waits. He’s in no rush.

PRYNN TENMEI stands to the side, a whirl of feelings. Ecstatic that her father’s home, impatient for the results of the scans, worried what the scans might show up.

Finally, Bashir has finished his scans. He puts away his machines as Vaughn sits upright.

BASHIR
Well, I’ve tried every scan known
to Federation science, and I can’t
find a single thing wrong with you.

PRYNN
You’re sure?

BASHIR
Absolutely. In fact, I find myself
reduced to the most basic tool in
a doctor’s diagnostic bag.
(to Vaughn)
How do you feel, Commander?

VAUGHN
I feel fantastic. Renewed. Like
I could run a marathon.

BASHIR
I'm not surprised.
(re scanners)
According to these, you are in
the best shape you’ve been in for
twenty years. Your bone density
is up eighteen percent, to the
extent that I’d recommend taking
you off the Ostinex altogether.
Your eyesight is almost as good
as mine. Even that scar at the
base of your skull is gone.
(smile)
You’re a new man, Commander.

VAUGHN
(cheerful)
I guess I have the Prophets to
thank for that.

BASHIR
Well, that’s up to you. But I
can’t find a single negative
side effect of your experience.

VAUGHN
Thank you, Doctor. That’s good
to hear.

Bashir takes his leave. Prynn watches him go. The moment he’s out of earshot, she launches on her father, hugging him fiercely. He holds her too, grateful to have her.

PRYNN
I'm so glad you’re okay... I was
terrified of what might have
happened to you in there...

VAUGHN
I'm perfectly fine, Prynn.
Better than fine.

Prynn bursts into tears, sobbing into Vaughn’s shoulder.

VAUGHN
Hey hey hey... what’s all that
about? I said I'm fine.

PRYNN
I know, but... Dad, I'm sorry.

VAUGHN
For what?

PRYNN
For not getting you out. Or for
trying to get you out when you
told me not to. Or for not being
there when you first got out...

Vaughn pulls back, looks at Prynn’s tear-streaked face. He smiles, almost amused.

VAUGHN
Will you stop being so silly? I
couldn’t be happier about the
way things turned out, except for
the pain it caused you. I should
apologise to you. But you did
nothing wrong. Nothing at all.

Prynn smiles at him through the tears, relieved.

PRYNN
You sure you’re okay?

VAUGHN
I’ve been given a new lease on
life, Prynn. And I intend to
make the most of it.

Off Vaughn’s beaming, happy face...

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

2 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING

Establishing. As well as the Defiant, a small Sabre-class ship, the USS Musgrave, is docked at a lower pylon.

3 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

A normal day. Vaughn rises into Ops on the turbolift, a calm and relaxed smile on his face.

As Vaughn takes his bearings and strolls towards the captain’s office, BOWERS nods a greeting from tactical.

BOWERS
Welcome back, Commander.

VAUGHN
Thank you, Lieutenant. Good to
be back.

Vaughn carries on, and the door to the office opens...

4 INT. DS9 – CAPTAIN’S OFFICE (CONTINUOUS)

RO LAREN stands to one side of the desk, noticeably not sitting behind it. She looks almost guilty when Vaughn walks in. He shakes her hand, warm and friendly.

RO
Commander Vaughn.

VAUGHN
Commander Ro. Congratulations.
And I’ve told you before to call
me Elias, at least in private.

RO
(re desk)
I, uh... guess this is yours now.

VAUGHN
Why do you assume that?

RO
I was only given the promotion
because you weren’t here. Or Sisko
or Kira or Dax. Now you’re back,
I'm quite happy to hand the desk
back to you.

Vaughn strolls around to the back of the desk, and stands leaning on the back of the chair.

VAUGHN
(chuckle)
I have no doubt it will be all yours
again soon enough. But as it
happens, for now you’re right. I
just came from a subspace briefing
with Admiral Batanides, and...

He pulls out a single rank pip from his pocket, and places it onto the desk.

VAUGHN
I have been officially promoted to
captain and assigned as the new
commanding officer of Deep Space Nine.

RO
Congratulations, Captain.

VAUGHN
Thank you. Take a seat.

He sits into the commander’s chair, while Ro settles into the guest chair.

VAUGHN
So, what did I miss?

RO
You know about Kira?

VAUGHN
Yes, that took me by surprise,
rather. In some ways, at least.
In others it seemed practically
inevitable. I had a brief moment
to chat with her down on Bajor.

RO
She’s not the only one who’s gone.
Ezri went back to join the Starfleet
contingent on Trill while she waits
for a new assignment. Shar did
the same – he’s gone back to Andor
to be with his family. Seems like
everyone’s going home.

VAUGHN
Is that so surprising? After all,
isn’t it exactly what you’ve done?
You’re Bajoran, and here you are
on a station in the Bajor system.

RO
(small chuckle)
I never thought of it that way.
But I guess you’re right.

VAUGHN
What about Taran’atar?

Awkward pause.

RO
He’s, ah... he’s just gone.

VAUGHN
I'm sorry, Laren. I know you had
your difficulties...

RO
It’s okay. Kira says he went the
way he would have wanted to.

VAUGHN
So that leaves us with some
vacancies to fill. If I'm the captain,
I'm going to need a first officer
I can rely on.

RO
I'm sure whoever you choose will
be excellent.

VAUGHN
I certainly hope so. I'm looking
at her.

Ro blinks. And blinks again.

RO
Umm... are you sure? I mean, I was
only in command for two weeks and
the place kind of fell apart. When
Admiral Batanides put me in charge,
I told myself I could do it. But
actually doing it...

VAUGHN
Do you think any command officer
gets it right straight out of the gate?

RO
Once I heard you were back I resigned
myself to going back to security. I was
kinda relieved, actually.

VAUGHN
Well, you’re not getting out of it
that easily. Commander Ro Laren,
I am officially inviting you to be
first officer of Deep Space Nine.

RO
(deep breath)
Thank you, Captain. I accept.

VAUGHN
Good. Now, we’ll need a new chief
security officer to replace you.
Unless you’re happy to leave Major
Cenn in the role. You know him
better than I do.

RO
He’s complained more than once
about not having time to do his
Liaison Officer stuff if he’s busy
with security stuff. We’d be
better off with somebody new.

VAUGHN
(devil’s advocate)
You don’t trust him?

RO
I just know how much work that job
can be. Whoever’s doing it needs
to be able to concentrate on it full
time, or else things will slip through.

VAUGHN
(satisfied)
Wise decision. I’ll put in a request.
Now – science officer.

RO
There, I’d been thinking about
promoting from inside. We have
plenty of good junior science
officers on the station, we
should give them a chance.

VAUGHN
Why not do that with security?

RO
Our security force is mostly made
of non-coms and untested ensigns.
The chief needs to be someone with
more experience. Science can
muddle through.

VAUGHN
Spoken like a true tactical specialist.
(Ro protests)
Don’t be offended, I happen to
agree with you. I can think of
plenty of captains who wouldn’t
agree, but they don’t know DS-Nine
like you and I do. I think you’ve
made the correct choices for the
unique challenges of this post. You’re
off to a fine start, Commander.

Vaughn’s previously friendly, open demeanour cools off somewhat. He becomes a bit more intense, worried.

VAUGHN
Speaking of tactical concerns,
I’ll need a full report from
everyone on what happened while
I was away. The Dominion, the
Even Odds, the Ascendants...

RO
Already underway, sir.

VAUGHN
I saw Nog’s crews repairing the
Bajoran shrine on the Promenade.
How has the station’s populace
been reacting?

RO
Vedek Capril is holding services
in an empty cargo bay until the
shrine is back in operation. As
for the people, they all pitched
in to help. You’d be proud.

VAUGHN
Alright. I think that’s everything
for now. But don’t go too far.
I’ll be needing you again soon.

Ro stands, ready to leave. But she pauses, gestures towards the captain’s pip still sitting on the desk.

RO
Aren’t you gonna put that on?

Vaughn looks at the pip, gives it a thorough pondering.

VAUGHN
Yes. Yes, I am.

He picks up the pip and attaches it to his own collar.

RO
Suits you, sir.

She turns to leave, but pauses again with another thought.

RO
Can I ask you something?

VAUGHN
Of course. No secrets anymore.

RO
Didn’t you deliberately stay a
commander instead of taking the
promotion so as to stay beneath
Section 31’s radar? What changed
your mind?

VAUGHN
(shrug)
Turns out Section 31 knew about
me all along. Not an issue anymore.
So I may as well enjoy the perks
of seniority while I can.

RO
And what about all the meetings?

VAUGHN
(grin)
What do you think a first officer is for?

Ro groans, and Vaughn chuckles.

Ro finally turns and leaves. Vaughn stays, looks around his new office. Thinking. Lots of new things to think about. Not all of them good.

5 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE

A normal day. The bar is middling busy, officers and aliens stroll the Promenade, and life goes on as normal.

Except for at the shrine. A cordon surrounds the entrance, stopping the public from getting too close. Security bodies stand watch, making sure. Sounds of work being done issue through the doorway – drills, cutters, spark-welders, and various other high-tech machinery.

6 INT. DS9 – BAJORAN SHRINE

Inside, it’s a total building site. Engineering officers work all over, rebuilding the shrine. Refinishing the bulkheads, attaching delicate carved icons, fixing electrical cables. It’s about half-way done.

NOG is among them, working hard in one corner of the room. After a while, he realises somebody is trying to get his attention over all the noise. He stops working, turns and sees JOHN CANDLEWOOD hovering nervously nearby.

CANDLEWOOD
Lieutenant? Have you got a sec?
I wanted to talk to you about
something.

NOG
Sure, John. What’s up?

CANDLEWOOD
I was going through the updates
before I came on duty, and I saw
the notice about Commander Vaughn
– sorry, Captain Vaughn – taking
applications for the Chief Science
Officer position.

NOG
You thinking of going for it?

CANDLEWOOD
I... think so.

NOG
You think you’re thinking about it?

CANDLEWOOD
I'm just not totally sure I should.

NOG
Why wouldn’t you?

CANDLEWOOD
Do you think I'm capable of it?
I mean, I'm in engineering, not
sciences. Do you think they’d
even consider me?

NOG
They’ll consider everyone. No
matter how inexperienced.

CANDLEWOOD
Oh. Thanks.

NOG
You know what I mean. You’ve got
a great record, you’re a solid and
dependable worker, and you deserve
a promotion. I’d have no problems
recommending you.

CANDLEWOOD
Okay. Good. Thanks.

Nog thinks the conversation is over, but Candlewood hovers.

NOG
What now?

CANDLEWOOD
It’s just... I was worried about
Lieutenant Leishman.

NOG
Mikaela? What about her?

CANDLEWOOD
Just that she’s higher rank than
me. Been here longer than me. Is
it right for me to get promoted to
senior staff before her?

NOG
Well, first of all, you haven’t
even applied yet, so don’t get
carried away. As far as I know
she’s happy being my deputy, she
has no interest in transferring.
And if she does, she can apply
herself and it’ll be up to Ro and
Vaughn. It’s no reason for you
not to apply too.

CANDLEWOOD
You don’t think it’ll upset her?

NOG
That’s her problem. You worry
about you.

CANDLEWOOD
(deep breath)
Alright. I’ll do it.

NOG
Okay. In the meantime, I still need
those new environmental protocols
installing.

CANDLEWOOD
Aye, sir.

Feeling more relaxed and sure of himself, Candlewood turns away and gets back to work. He’s going to go for it.

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

7 INT. DS9 – CAPTAIN’S OFFICE

A crate sits on the desk. Vaughn reaches in, pulls out a pile of old books, and carries them over to the shelves on one side, humming to himself as he goes. He arranges the books just so, then returns to the crate. He’s quite happy just settling in, arranging the office how he wants it.

RO (comm)
Ops to captain.

VAUGHN
Go ahead, Commander.

RO (comm)
Sir, Captain Sisko just arrived on
the Bajor shuttle. He’s requesting
to speak with you.

VAUGHN
Absolutely, send him in.

Vaughn pauses in his work, and turns to see the door open. SISKO enters, holding young REBECCA by the hand. Sisko is uncomfortable, not sure whether he’ll be welcomed or hated.

VAUGHN
Captain... and Rebecca! Hello,
young lady. A pleasure to see
you again.

REBECCA
Hi, Mister Vaughn.

VAUGHN
(grin)
Well, aren’t you polite.

SISKO
Hello, Elias. Congratulations on
your promotion. And please, call
me Ben.

VAUGHN
(wry)
If you’re sure you want me to.

SISKO
I hope so. I hope we can put the
past behind us, Elias. I have no
hard feelings - I'm perfectly
satisfied with the way things
turned out.

VAUGHN
I was just saying the same to
Prynn. Now, what can I do for you?
You didn’t come all this way just
to congratulate me.

SISKO
...No. Rebecca, honey, why don’t
you go and talk to Commander Ro?
She can show you how they dock
all the ships that come here.

Vaughn is curious about this sudden change, but goes along with it. He goes to the door again, opens it and calls out.

VAUGHN
Commander, would you mind, just
for a few moments?

Ro thinks it’s a strange request, but sees Sisko and Vaughn obviously want to have time alone, so she agrees. Rebecca dashes out of the office and down the steps to the table.

RO
Of course, Captain. Hi, Rebecca!
I'm Laren.

REBECCA
Hi!

Vaughn smiles gratefully, then the door closes again, and Sisko and Vaughn are left alone.

VAUGHN
So what’s the problem?

SISKO
I'm worried about Rebecca. She
fell into an Orb, Elias. I have no
idea what it might have done to
her. So I brought her here hoping
that Julian could take a look,
make sure she’s alright.

VAUGHN
I'm sure he’d be happy to. But
surely there are doctors on Bajor
who could help.

SISKO
We’re celebrities down there.
Everything we do is scrutinised
by the media. I don’t want to
put Kas or Rebecca through that.

VAUGHN
Plus any Bajoran doctor would only
tell you that the Prophets would
never hurt the Emissary’s daughter.
And you’d rather have a more
objective viewpoint.

SISKO
Something like that.

VAUGHN
Very well. No point hanging around
here. Let’s go talk to Julian.

Sisko sags with relief, and the two of them turn to exit the office.

8 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Now Rebecca is the one lying on the bio-bed as Julian passes scanner after scanner over her. Sisko is by the bedside, there for her. Vaughn stands out of the way.

BASHIR
Now, try to stay very still,
Rebecca. This may take a while.

REBECCA
Okay!

BASHIR
While we wait, why don’t you tell
me what you remember about
what happened to you?

REBECCA
I was just skipping. And then the
box opened, and then there was a
big flash and then I was in the
white place. And Mister Vaughn was
there, and another lady who looked
like Aunt Nerys but with bones on
her face.

BASHIR
It didn’t hurt at all?

REBECCA
No.

BASHIR
And you weren’t scared?

REBECCA
No.

BASHIR
Why not?

REBECCA
There was nothing to be scared of.
Mister Vaughn was there, and I
know him and daddy are friends.

Vaughn and Sisko look awkwardly between each other. Rebecca is quite relaxed, unconcerned. Bashir continues to scan...

BASHIR
How did you know when it was time
to come back?

REBECCA
Don’t know. I was just tired.

BASHIR
And do you feel any different after
this happened?

REBECCA
(shrug)
No.

Bashir has finished his scans. He steps back.

BASHIR
Okay, I’ve got all the readings I
need. It’ll take me a while to go
through it all and confirm every-
thing, but I'm not seeing any
problems so far.

VAUGHN
Thank you, Doctor. Let us know
when you’re done.

BASHIR
Of course.

Rebecca swings her legs off the bio-bed, and Sisko helps her down.

REBECCA
I'm hungry, daddy. Can we get
something to eat?

SISKO
Absolutely. Let’s go to Quark’s.
Elias, would you like to join us?

VAUGHN
Thank you, Ben, but I’d better get
back to the office. I’ll see you
before you leave, though.
(to Bashir;
acknowledging)
Doctor.

Vaughn leaves, heading towards the turbolifts. Sisko guides Rebecca out as well. But as Sisko leaves, he’s not looking especially reassured by what Bashir told him.

9 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE

Sisko leads Rebecca by the hand across the Promenade, and into Quark’s bar. On their way they pass Candlewood strutting happily along. We follow him to the Replimat, where he finds a table featuring Nog and PRYNN.

Candlewood casts a padd down onto the table, proudly taking a seat next to the others.

NOG
What’s this?

CANDLEWOOD
Take a look.

Nog picks up the padd and reads over it.

NOG
You got an interview!

CANDLEWOOD
Yep.

PRYNN
Interview for what?

CANDLEWOOD
Shar’s job. Now he’s history,
somebody needs to take over.

Candlewood sees the look on Prynn’s face, and realises he’s put his foot in it.

CANDLEWOOD
Crundle-nuts. Prynn, I'm sorry,
I didn’t mean –

PRYNN
It’s fine, John. Don’t worry about it.
So you got an interview...

CANDLEWOOD
Of course. I do, after all, rule.

NOG
Not what you said this morning.

CANDLEWOOD
I was just being modest.

PRYNN
(amused roll eyes)
You’re feeling confident, then.

CANDLEWOOD
(gets serious)
Actually no, I'm terrified. So I
could use your help. Both of you.
If you’re willing.

NOG
Help with what?

CANDLEWOOD
Practising. Whenever I improvise
under pressure, it always goes
horribly wrong, so I wanna be as
prepared as possible. Ro sent me
the job description, but I need to
go through it with someone. Talk
it out. If that’s not a conflict of
interest or anything.

NOG
Not as far as I know.

PRYNN
I'm free tonight. What time?

CANDLEWOOD
Come round about nine-ish? I’ll
make you these fantastic new
cocktails I created.

NOG
We’ll be there.

CANDLEWOOD
Great! Thanks so much, guys.
See you later!

Candlewood grabs the padd again, springs up from the table and bounces away again. Nog and Prynn watch him go, amused.

10 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Bashir is working. The door opens, and Sisko comes back in.

BASHIR
Captain. I'm afraid I'm not ready
for you yet. It’ll still take a few
more hours.

SISKO
I understand, Doctor. I'm not here
for Rebecca’s results.

BASHIR
Did you forget something?

SISKO
Not as such. I left Rebecca with
Quark and Treir. She’s fine. I
wanted to talk to you alone.

BASHIR
What is it?

Sisko looks over his shoulder, as if to make sure no-one’s there. Or as if he’s worried about what he’s about to say.

SISKO
I want you to check me too.

BASHIR
Check you for what?

SISKO
When Rebecca was gone, I looked
into an Orb for help.

BASHIR
What did you see?

SISKO
Nothing! That’s the problem. The
Orb didn’t respond to me. Didn’t
acknowledge me at all.

BASHIR
They don’t always, Captain.

SISKO
They do to me! No Orb has ever
refused to respond to me, not
since I first came to Bajor. You
scanned me before, whenever
my brain was affected by the
Prophets. I need you to do it
again and tell me what changed.

BASHIR
And what if nothing’s changed?

SISKO
Then I guess... the Prophets just
don’t want to talk to me anymore.

As Sisko reflects on exactly what that means to him...

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

11 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR

Ro is perched on a stool at the bar, watching the crowd go about their business. After a moment, QUARK sidles up, bringing her a drink from a tray. She smiles warmly.

RO
What, no private table under the
stairs this time?

QUARK
You’re not the station commander
anymore.

RO
(feigns indignation)
I’m still the first officer!

QUARK
Ah, but that gets you the
privileged position of being up
here at the bar with me.
(grin)
So are you plotting your coup
to seize back power yet?

RO
Hardly. I’m used to bouncing up
and down the ranks like a spring
ball. Doesn’t bother me. And I
don’t think I was really ready to
be in charge anyway.

QUARK
You’ll get there soon enough.

RO
And when I do... what happens to us?

QUARK
What do you mean?

RO
Just that... my relationship with
you as first officer is going to be
different to the one I had with
you as chief security officer.

QUARK
And what relationship is that, exactly?

RO
I guess that’s the real question,
isn’t it? Who knows?

QUARK
Well, I can tell you one thing for
certain. Whatever rank or position
she is, Ro Laren will always be
welcome at Quark’s.
(expression sours)
Unlike them.

Ro turns to see what Quark is looking at, and sees the Aarruri family stepping over the threshold into the bar. She sighs with exasperation.

RO
Oh, Quark. Sooner or later, you’re
going to have get over it. They’re
not going anywhere.

QUARK
Why is always me who has to get
over it? Worf trashes the place,
but I’m the bad guy. Taran’atar
trashes the place and breaks your
back, I’m the one with the problem.
And now those things! You know,
I thought the Federation was
supposed to be about accepting
people as they are. Well, this is how
I am. Stop trying to change me.

RO
It’s not intolerance to be intolerant
of intolerance, Quark.

QUARK
(blank look)
Do you want to try that again?

RO
It means they’ve done nothing
wrong. They’re not hurting anyone.
You’re the one trying to ban them
just for being who they are. The
one is not equivalent to the other.

QUARK
Bah! Whatever. Enjoy your drink.

Quark turns away, annoyed.

12 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING

A moment to express some time passing.

13 INT. DS9 – CANDLEWOOD’S QUARTERS

A mezuzah by the door, candlesticks on the windowsill. A small framed picture of him and Hetik on their date in Vic’s lounge. Some nice picture books on the coffee table, and a huge bank of computers to one side.

The replicator generates two delicate glasses of brightly coloured liquid, and a small plate of tiny biscuits. Candlewood reaches in and brings them over to the couches, where Nog and Prynn sit around the coffee table.

PRYNN
Ooh, those look yummy.

CANDLEWOOD
New recipe of my own design. I’m
quite the culinary whizz, you know.
If you count programming a
computer as cooking. Which my
mother certainly wouldn’t.

He hands the drinks over and sits down. Prynn takes a sip.

PRYNN
Nice. What’s in it?

CANDLEWOOD
Fortified Ashalla spring wine,
real Mexican tequila, rokassa
fruit liqueur and my own secret
special ingredient. I call it
Candlewood’s Curiosity.

NOG
It’s not going to make my tongue
turn purple and triple in size, is it?

CANDLEWOOD
If it does, it won’t be my doing.
Try it.

Wary of a possible prank, Nog takes a sip. Nothing bad happens, and it’s actually really nice.

NOG
Reminds me of the rotten fruit
from my uncle’s store room.

CANDLEWOOD
Oh, thanks a lot.

NOG
That’s a compliment. I liked the
fruit from my uncle’s store room.
(picks up padd)
So, let’s take a look at this job
description.

CANDLEWOOD
(settles in)
I’ve studied all of Commander Dax
and Lieutenant ch’Thane’s official
reports to get an idea of what they
expect from a chief science officer.
But I need you to read out those
requirements and competencies, and
I’ll come up with proof I can do them.

Nog reaches for one of the biscuits and begins to nibble at it. Candlewood reacts...

CANDLEWOOD
Careful. Those things are really
crumbly.

Nog brings his cocktail glass closer, eats over it. But as the crumbs fall into the drink, a chemical reaction causes foam to BURST up in a huge explosion out of the glass, hitting Nog in the face with a big messy splat.

Candlewood and Prynn burst into laughter at Nog’s expense, while he splutters and tries to wipe the still-growing foam off his face. It’s bubbling up and out all over his lap. Candlewood gets up and grabs a towel.

PRYNN
He got you, Nog. He got you good.

In retaliation, Nog grabs another biscuit and tosses it into Prynn’s own drink, which also explodes in a massive tower of foam, smacking Prynn with an even bigger face-full of gooey goodness. They all laugh. Candlewood hands Nog the towel, goes to get another for Prynn.

CANDLEWOOD
This is proof I can be science
officer! That secret ingredient –
it’s the starch in the biscuits, it
reacts with the enzymes in the
juice. That’s science, that is!

NOG
It’s abuse of a senior officer,
that’s what it is. This is how
you ask for help?

CANDLEWOOD
This is how I show respect and
affection. When I need help, I
use my big sad puppy eyes.

Candlewood demonstrates his big sad puppy eyes.

CANDLEWOOD (cont)
But seriously, it’s perfectly safe.
It’s not going to hurt you. And
I do need your help.

PRYNN
(playing along)
I’m not sure you deserve our help
now, after the ritual humiliation.

The door chime sounds, and Candlewood goes to the door. It opens, and Pif is sat there, spines erect and tail wagging.

PIF
Am I too late?

Candlewood gets down in a crouch, turns to face the others, puts his face next to Pif’s and does the puppy dog eyes again right next to Pif’s own sad puppy face. Nog and Prynn burst into laughter again. Pif has no idea what’s going on.

CROSS-FADE INTO:

14 INT. DS9 – CANDLEWOOD’S QUARTERS (LATER)

Candlewood is up and pacing around the room, while Prynn, Nog and Pif sit on the couches. Pif is next to Nog, and Nog is visibly uncomfortable about it, but holding his tongue.

PRYNN
(from padd)
Okay, next question. The chief
science officer must be able to
show familiarity and competence
in a range of scientific disciplines.
Please demonstrate how you
would do this.

CANDLEWOOD
Hoooo-kay. Let’s see. My primary
experience is in computers, but
I completed the full range of
engineering courses at the Academy -

NOG
Science. Not engineering.

CANDLEWOOD
Engineering is a part of science
though, right? You can’t fix a
machine unless you understand
how it works.

NOG
I guess.

CANDLEWOOD
So I have that experience. I’ve
studied the previous science
officers’ logs, like I said.

PRYNN
Good - that shows an ability to
use all the resources at your
disposal, to not necessarily
assume you know it all already.

CANDLEWOOD
Lord, no. I definitely don’t. But
I’ve been part of the Defiant crew
on several important missions, not
least the only exploratory mission
into the Gamma Quadrant in years.

NOG
Didn’t you help in sickbay during
that ‘cathedral’ business?

PRYNN
There you go. Medicine is science.

PIF
You’re all over-thinking it.

CANDLEWOOD
What do you mean?

PIF
All they want to know is that you
want the job, you believe you can
do it, and you’d fit into the team.

NOG
I think it’s a bit more complex
than that, Pif.

PIF
I don’t. Nobody knows everything,
and nobody expects them to. It’s
all on-the-job. And you’ve been a
part of Nog’s team already for
years, so you can obviously do
that. The biggest question is just
this - why do you want it?

Candlewood stops and ponders the question.

CANDLEWOOD
Because I can do more. I’m sorry,
Nog, I’m not saying I’m bored or
anything. And if I don’t get it, I’ll
still be quite happy being your
computer specialist. But I’m
capable of being more. I want a
challenge. Maybe I’ll fail, but
I’ll never know if I don’t try.

Prynn and Nog smile proudly. Pif wags his tail happily.

PRYNN
Just don’t put a whoopee cushion
on their seats or make their padds
explode in their faces.

CANDLEWOOD
I’ll try to control myself.

Pif’s wagging tail finally comes too close to Nog’s face for his comfort. Before he can stop himself, he bats the tail away, probably harder than he needed to.

PIF
Oww!

PRYNN
(admonishing)
Nog!

NOG
I’m sorry. Pif, I’m sorry. It’s
just... oh, this is going to sound
terrible. But my people have an
instinctive discomfort with all
furry things. I’m trying not to
react, I really am. But sometimes
I just can’t stop myself. You
creep me out, Pif. I’m sorry.

PIF
I understand, I guess.

NOG
You do? I’m not sure I would in
your place. I’ve been laughed at
and pointed at for being what I
am myself. I should know better.

PIF
Hey, it takes everyone a while to
get used to new things. When
Taran’atar first came on board the
Even, nobody was comfortable
with that.

NOG
(chuckle)
I hear that.

PIF
One question, though. If Ferengi
don’t like Aarruri, how come your
uncle has never said anything?

Nog, Prynn and Candlewood all exchange awkward looks.

15 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR

Quark is carrying a tray of drinks around his bar. He comes to one table of guests, places half the drinks on their table. He looks behind him, and sees one of the puppies sitting behind him, looking up at him happily.

He grits his teeth and tries to ignore it. He carries on to another table. But the puppy follows his every step. He gets to the other table, delivers the rest of the drinks. The puppy stops right behind him and waits, tail thumping.

He turns away again and mutters under his breath...

QUARK
Leave. Me. Alone.

But as he walks away again, the puppy happily follows again. Quark tries to lose it by taking a circuitous route, winding between the tables, but the puppy dogs his every step (ahem). Quark is getting more and more annoyed.

Finally he decides the only way to escape is to take the stairs. He jogs up one of the spiral staircases, thinking the puppy can’t follow. But as he reaches the top, he looks behind him, and the puppy is climbing the stairs as well.

It hops up one step at a time, each step almost as big as its entire body. But it keeps trying, determined not to give up. Quark actually begins to feel sorry for it.

With an exasperated and reluctant sigh, he waits at the top of the stairs for the puppy to catch up.

QUARK
Well, come on then.

Finally the poor puppy makes it the next-to-top step. Quark sets off walking again, letting the puppy follow. As Quark walks on, he sees HETIK was there, and saw the whole thing.

QUARK
(growl)
Tell anyone and you’re fired.

Hetik smiles at the weak threat. See, Quark can be nice.

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

16 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING

A moment to express some time passing.

17 INT. DS9 – CAPTAIN’S OFFICE

The interview. Candlewood sits in the guest seat in front of the desk, holding himself tense and upright, trying to be confident. Vaughn and Ro both sit behind. Ro holds a padd and makes notes while Vaughn asks the questions.

VAUGHN
Your specialty is in computer
science, correct, Lieutenant?

CANDLEWOOD
That’s correct, sir, yes.

VAUGHN
And you’re aware that the science
officer has to be a generalist,
rather than a specialist.

CANDLEWOOD
With respect, sir, the one doesn’t
necessarily preclude the other.
Commander Dax was a specialist
in exo-archeology, and Lieutenant
ch’Thane was a specialist in
cytogenetics. But they were both
assigned to the position, and
excelled in it. I believe I’m quite
capable of doing the same.

VAUGHN
Based on what?

CANDLEWOOD
Based on past experience. Computers
may have been my focus, but not
to the exclusion of other areas.
Lieutenant Nog encouraged us all
to study outside of our specialist
fields, to take a wider view than just
computers or life support systems.
That’s a transferrable skill that
would apply just as much to
science as engineering.

RO
The science officer position is
a senior staff role, involving
command of junior crew. Are you
comfortable with giving orders?

CANDLEWOOD
When necessary. All Starfleet crew
are trained to follow orders. But
I would also encourage innovation
and spontaneity. You get the best
work out of people when they know
their contributions are respected.
So I wouldn’t want to position
myself as superior, just as having
different responsibilities to them,
which include managing their work.
But then of course, there are times
when a direct order is necessary.
That’s when I would hope that the
trust I’ve shown in them previously
would let them trust me in return
when I give them that order.

Ro covers a quiet smile - that’s a good answer. Vaughn is stoic and unexpressive.

VAUGHN
Can you tell us about an occasion
when you’ve been forced to
discipline a junior officer who was
not performing as expected?

CANDLEWOOD
Um... not as such, sir, no. But
then I’ve never been in a role
where it’s been my place to do
that, at least not as an officer.
But I do recall an occasion at the
Academy. I had been assigned as
the lead on a research team where
one of the members wasn’t pulling
their weight, wasn’t contributing.
And when they did, it was half-
hearted and incomplete.

RO
How did you handle it?

CANDLEWOOD
With discussion, first of all. In
cases like that, it may be that
the person just isn’t sure what
they’re supposed to be doing, or
how to do it. Maybe they need
extra training, and then they’d
be fine. In this particular case,
the person just wasn’t overly
interested in the task they’d been
assigned. The problem was solved
by shuffling the responsibilities
around, until they found something
they were good at and interested in,
and then they improved enormously.

VAUGHN
Isn’t it a junior officer’s job to
complete the task regardless of
their personal feelings?

CANDLEWOOD
Yes, but that goes back to what I
said earlier. You’ll get better work
out of them if they actually enjoy
what they’re doing. Push comes to
shove, then yes, they have to do
what they’re told. But they’ll be
more willing to do that if you give
them good reason to.

Vaughn and Ro both settle back.

VAUGHN
Alright, Lieutenant. I believe
that’s the end of our questions.
Do you have any for us?

CANDLEWOOD
Only to ask when you think you’ll
be able to come to a decision.

RO
We have a couple more interviews.
But we should be able to let you
know by end of day tomorrow.

VAUGHN
And then you’d be expected to
report for duty the day after.
Assuming you got the job.

CANDLEWOOD
Not a problem, sir.

VAUGHN
Very well, Lieutenant. Thank you
for coming. You’re dismissed.

CANDLEWOOD
Thank you for seeing me, Captain.
Commander.

RO
Thanks, John.

Candlewood stands and exits out to Ops, where Nog greets him, asks MOS how it went. Once the door is closed...

RO
I liked what he said about
giving orders.

VAUGHN
(non-committal)
Mmm.
(beat)
Commander, would you excuse me
a moment? I need to make a call.

RO
Of course.

Ro gets up and exits the room too, leaving Vaughn alone. He works the computer in front of him. The Federation seal comes on the screen.

He sits back and waits, and then after a moment, the face of KASIDY appears.

KASIDY (screen)
Elias... this is a surprise. I’m
afraid Ben isn’t here. In fact,
isn’t he up there with you on
the station?

VAUGHN
He is. That’s actually exactly why
I called you.

KASIDY (screen)
Why, what’s wrong? Is it Rebecca?

VAUGHN
(smile)
Oh no, nothing’s wrong with either
of them. Sorry, I didn’t mean to
worry you. It’s just that I wanted
the chance to talk to you when he
wasn’t around.

KASIDY (screen)
Elias, what’s going on?

VAUGHN
Kasidy... I can see that you and
Ben are having problems. He hasn’t
said anything to me. He’s not talking
behind your back. But it’s clear
enough that things are... sensitive.

KASIDY (screen)
(awkward)
Elias, this isn’t really...

VAUGHN
I just wanted to ask you to try
not to be too hard on him. I know
you have every reason to be mad,
and I don’t want to seem like I’m
interfering in your marriage. God
knows I’m hardly an expert there.
But I saw him when he was about
to do what the Prophets had asked
him to do. He was heart-broken,
Kasidy. He hated the very idea of
leaving you and Rebecca and Jake.
If he could have thought of any
other way, he would have done it.

KASIDY (screen)
You thought of another way.

VAUGHN
I thought of the same way. I saw
how much it was hurting him, so
I took his place. You have your
husband back. Please don’t push
him away again. I know if I had
the chance to have Ruriko back,
even for just a moment...

KASIDY (screen)
I’ll... think about what you’ve
said, Elias.

VAUGHN
That’s all I ask. Maybe it might
be a good idea to find someone
you can both talk to. Someone
you can confide in.

KASIDY (screen)
Maybe.

VAUGHN
Beyond that, are you well?

KASIDY (screen)
Well enough. I’ll be happier when
Ben and Rebecca get back.

VAUGHN
Good to know. Well, I’ll leave you
be, then. Goodbye, Kasidy.

KASIDY (screen)
Bye, Elias.

And the signal drops. Vaughn remains sitting, thinking.

18 INT. DS9 – INFIRMARY

Bashir and AYLAM, the Bajoran doctor, are working together in the lab. Sisko enters, leading Rebecca by the hand.

BASHIR
Captain, thank you for coming.
And Rebecca, seems like forever
since I saw you!

REBECCA
(giggle)
It was yesterday, silly!

SISKO
(nervous)
Well, Doctor? What have you found?

BASHIR
First of all, let me assure you
that Rebecca is perfectly well.
There was a very slight trace of
verteron energy in her pre-cortex,
as there is with anyone who has a
Orb experience. But in the micro-
scopic amounts she had, it’s not
even close to being dangerous,
and it will dissipate over the
next few days. I don’t foresee
any cause for alarm.

SISKO
Thank you, Julian. Truly.

BASHIR
Umm, Doctor Aylam?

AYLAM
Yes, Doctor?

BASHIR
I’m sure Rebecca would love to
see the surgical suite.
(playing to Rebecca)
That’s where we do all our most
important and exciting operations.

REBECCA
Okay!

Like the others, Aylam realises that Bashir wants time alone with Sisko, so she guides Rebecca away.

AYLAM
Come with me, Rebecca. I’ll show
where we put a new heart into
your Aunt Nerys!

Once they’re out of the way, Sisko turns to Bashir, expecting the worst.

SISKO
What about me, Julian? Tell me
what you found.

BASHIR
I’m very sorry to disappoint you,
Captain... but there’s nothing wrong
with you either.

SISKO
Then why won’t the Prophets talk
to me?

BASHIR
I never fully understood why the
Prophets did talk to you in the
first place. In purely medical
terms, Orb experiences occur when
verteron energy causes changes in
your neuro-peptide levels. But it
doesn’t happen to everyone. Plenty
of people have looked at an Orb
without experiencing any visions.
So the medical factors are not
the only ones at play.

Sisko sags against a table or bench, trying to process it.

SISKO
But I told you, Doctor... I always
have. Every time.

BASHIR
You do seem to be more susceptible
than most. You have... well, I
suppose I’d call it a sensitivity.
Just like some people are more
prone to migraines or allergies,
you’re prone to verteron-induced
neuro-peptide events.

SISKO
Because of my mother.

BASHIR
Possibly. Going back over your
previous records of major events,
like when you discovered B’Hala
or went to Tyree with Dax, the
records do show an increasing
sensitivity over time.

SISKO
As the visions became clearer, and
more frequent. Sometimes without
even needing an Orb.

BASHIR
That would seem to correlate. But,
the readings I took yesterday show
that your sensitivity has reduced
again. Now you’re almost back to
the levels I’d expect of any normal
baseline human.

SISKO
“Almost” ?

BASHIR
Captain, there’s no way you could
experience what you’ve experienced
over the years and not be changed
by it. Your brain chemistry has been
permanently altered, but it still works.
This is just the new normal for you
now. There’s nothing wrong with
you, per se. You’re just not as
sensitive to visions from the
Prophets as you used to be.

SISKO
(defeated)
But why not?

BASHIR
That I can’t tell you. I’m sorry.

Ending on Sisko, processing what Bashir has told him...

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

19 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING

One of the standard Bajoran shuttles is docked at the station.

20 INT. DS9 – DOCKING RING CORRIDOR

An airlock is open and several people - Starfleet officers, Bajoran civilians - file out of it. A step out of the way, Sisko stands with Rebecca, and Vaughn is with them.

VAUGHN
If you’re concerned about your
privacy, it would be a moment’s
work to assign a runabout and
a pilot to take you home.

SISKO
That’s okay, Elias. The captain
managed to find a private cabin
for us. Besides, none of these
people know why I was really here.

VAUGHN
I hope you got what you came for.

Sisko doesn’t answer, just silently watches the civilians go by. There go the last of them.

VAUGHN
Ben... I don’t want to intrude.
But why didn’t you bring Kasidy
with you?

SISKO
She doesn’t even know why I came.

VAUGHN
Is it wise to be keeping secrets?

SISKO
I didn’t want her to worry. I just
told her I wanted to... clear the
air with you.

VAUGHN
Ah. And you don’t want to do that?

SISKO
Elias, you saved me. And then you
saved my daughter. I don’t know
any way to repay you for that.

VAUGHN
And you never need to. It was my
pleasure to be able to give you
more time with your family. Now
you have it, make the most of it.

SISKO
I intend to.

VAUGHN
And most importantly...
(re Rebecca)
Make sure you take good care
of this precious little lady.

Rebecca giggles sweetly at the compliment. Vaughn stands straight, and reaches out to shake Sisko’s hand.

VAUGHN
If you need anything, even just
someone to talk to, you know
where I am.

SISKO
Thank you, Elias. Come on,
Rebecca. Time to go home.

REBECCA
Bye, Mister Vaughn.

VAUGHN
Bye, Rebecca!

Sisko and Rebecca disappear into the airlock.

21 INT. DS9 – CANDLEWOOD’S QUARTERS

Candlewood stands in front of his mirror, fiddling with his new uniform - the one with the blue collar. He’s happy but very nervous. As he stares at his reflection...

CANDLEWOOD
Alright, John. Don’t screw this up.

He pulls himself together and heads for the door.

22 INT. DS9 – HABITAT RING CORRIDOR

Candlewood emerges into the corridor and heads towards the turbo lift. But just before he gets there, Hetik arrives around the corner.

HETIK
John! Glad I caught you.

CANDLEWOOD
(breathless)
Hetik... what are you doing here?

HETIK
I heard you got a promotion. Chief
Science Officer, that’s amazing!
Well done.

Candlewood just gazes love-struck into Hetik’s eyes, barely able to form words.

CANDLEWOOD
Oh... yeah... thank you.

HETIK
So I just wanted to say congratulations.
You look good in blue.

CANDLEWOOD
Thanks.

HETIK
Okay, well... see you later then.

CANDLEWOOD
Yeah... see you.

Hetik moves on down the corridor. The moment he disappears around the corner, Candlewood breaks out into the “I Am So Awesome” dance, aka the dance of someone who has no dancing ability whatsoever. He sings tunelessly to himself...

CANDLEWOOD
I am so awesome, I am so awesome,
I am so awesome...

Until Prynn and Nog appear around the corner and catch him at it. He stops immediately. They hide their smirks.

PRYNN
You okay there, John?

CANDLEWOOD
Fine, thanks.

NOG
Come on, Mister Chief Science
Officer. We’ll walk you to Ops.

Candlewood lets Nog and Prynn go on ahead. He follows, doing a smaller version of the “I Am So Awesome” dance behind their backs as they walk.

23 INT. DS9 – MAIN OPS CENTRE

Ro is at the central Ops table, working the boards. Bowers is at tactical. Other positions with extras as required. Ro turns at the sounds of the turbolift rising into Ops...

And sees Candlewood, Prynn and Nog together, stepping off the lift, excited to be here. She smiles to see it.

RO
Lieutenant Candlewood. Welcome to
Ops. Please take your station.

CANDLEWOOD
Aye, Commander.

He heads towards the science station. As he steps into the alcove, Prynn sidles up to him.

PRYNN
Don’t worry. I didn’t put a whoopee
cushion on your chair.

But the wry look on her face makes him worry what else she might have done. Uh-oh. She’s going to get her revenge. He settles onto the chair - mercifully whoopee-free.

As Prynn moves off, Nog sidles up instead.

NOG
Good luck, John. I’m sure you’ll
be... “awesome.”

Oh God, he saw the dance. Candlewood blanches as Nog moves off with a toothy grin.

Nog settles into the engineering station, while Prynn goes to the captain’s office door. She enters...

24 INT. DS9 – CAPTAIN’S OFFICE (CONTINUOUS)

...To find Vaughn sat behind the desk, staring at his screen. He looks up at her entrance, and smiles wide.

VAUGHN
Good morning, Lieutenant Tenmei.

PRYNN
Good morning, Captain Vaughn.
(giggle)
I thought I’d never say that.

VAUGHN
Life takes you places you never
expected, Prynn. You may as well
just enjoy the ride.

PRYNN
Singing my tune, dad.

VAUGHN
Sit down a moment, would you?
There’s something I wanted to
talk to you about.

PRYNN
(she does)
Sure, what’s up?

VAUGHN
You know that I’ve asked Commander
Ro to be my first officer.

PRYNN
Of course. So what?

VAUGHN
Just that I’m going to be spending
a lot of time with her in the near
future. She still has a lot to learn
about command - don’t tell her I
said that - so I’m going to be
mentoring her pretty closely. And
I just wanted to warn you in
advance that I might not be able
to spend quite as much time with
you as a result.

PRYNN
(smile)
I’ll try not to be too jealous.

VAUGHN
I’m just saying that I might not
be here all the time... but I will
be here when you need me.

PRYNN
Understood, Captain. Now come
on, you should meet your new
science officer.

Vaughn stands from the desk and rounds it to join Prynn. They move off towards Ops. But as they exit, we go around the back of the table, and focus on the computer screen, the one Vaughn was just staring at before Prynn came in.

It features a headshot of Vaughn, and at the top of the screen are the words...

CAPT ELIAS VAUGHN
APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER
APPROVED

FADE OUT:

END OF SHOW