TEASER

FADE IN:

1 EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - TUCKER BUILDING - DAY

A typical day in San Francisco - pleasant, warm enough, but a bit overcast.

The TUCKER MEMORIAL BUILDING is the headquarters of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, comparatively modest at only a dozen stories. In the plaza in front of the building, there is a huge replica of the Phoenix, Zefram Cochrane’s very first warp-drive ship as seen in TNG “First Contact”.

On the other side of this replica, there is a TRANSPORTER STATION - five in a row. Into one of these materialises...

2 QUARK

The Ferengi ambassador beams in, standing on the platform and gazing in awe at the sheer size of the Phoenix replica. He stands there long enough for the transporter module to BEEP at him pointedly - get out of the way, fool!

Quark hurriedly steps off the platform and walks towards the Tucker Building, letting someone else beam in...

3 INT. TUCKER BUILDING - DAY

Quark steps into the lobby of this impressive building, a shrine to the engineers of Starfleet. With a reception desk at the far end, the walls are decorated with holographic STATUES of famous engineers of days past.

CHARLES ‘TRIP’ TUCKER III of the Enterprise NX-01, for whom this building is named. MAHMUD AL-KHALED, the creator of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, seen in the SCE series. MATT JEFFRIES, inventor of the ubiquitous Jeffries Tube.

But it is in front of the hologram of MONTGOMERY SCOTT that Quark finds his nephew, Lt Cmdr NOG, gazing at the figure in quiet reverence. Quark spots him and strides forward...

QUARK
Nog! There you are!

Nog turns, caught off guard, tries to recover.

NOG
Uncle! You’re late, I was just -

QUARK
Of course I’m late, do you know
how many Starfleet transporter
stations there are in this city?
(re holo-statue)
Who’s this?

NOG
Uncle, this is one of the great
engineers of Starfleet history -

QUARK
Whatever - you were supposed to
meet me in front of the building.

NOG
I’m standing right here -

QUARK
(looks around
dismissively)
But then I’d think a visit from the
Ferengi Ambassador warranted
higher than a mere lieutenant
commander as my escort -

NOG
(angry)
I had to call in a lot of favours
to score this assignment, “Mister
Ambassador”. Stupid sentimental
me thought you might appreciate
a chance to catch up with family. I
guess I should have known better.

That finally brings Quark to his senses, and he softens...

QUARK
You’re right, Nog. It’s good to see
you. How have you been?

NOG
(looks back up
at Scotty)
I’ve been better.
(shakes it off)
How was your journey from Bajor?

QUARK
Interminable. Ambassador Derro
only booked me a budget cabin on
the transport ship. If he hadn’t
made such a pathetic plea for my
help, I would’ve refused to come.

NOG
Uncle, you have more experience of
dealing with hew-mons and Klingons
than anyone in the Alliance - more
than Derro himself even, and he’s
the actual Ferengi ambassador to
the Federation.

QUARK
Like I said - pathetic.

NOG
Yeah well, you’re an official in
the Ferengi government now, and
that comes with responsibilities
as well as benefits.

QUARK
Do you think I don’t know that?
I don’t put up with sub-standard
accommodations for just anything.
There weren’t even any dabo girls.

NOG
You need to take this seriously,
uncle! This could be the most
important negotiation in Ferengi
history. The culmination of Zek’s
work - and my father’s.

QUARK
(patiently)
I realise that, Nog. Signing the
Ferengi Alliance to the Khitomer
Accords, alongside the Klingons
and the Federation... it’s not
something to enter into lightly.
(deep breath)
It could change our whole way
of life. Again.

It seems like Quark really does feel the weight of this moment, and all the complaining is to cover his nerves.

NOG
When is your meeting with Derro?

QUARK
Not till later, nineteen-hundred
Las Vegas time.

NOG
Good, then we have time for the
tour. This is the Tucker Memorial
Building, the headquarters of the
Starfleet Corps of Engineers. The
complex houses dozens of offices
and holo-labs for designing and
testing new technologies...

Nog begins to lead Quark around the lobby of the building, pointing out the holo-statues and giving the full spiel.

But Quark is not really listening... he is worrying about the upcoming negotiations. Is he ready? Is he capable? Does he even want them to happen...?

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

4 EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - PIER 39 - DAY

The SEA LIONS of Pier 39 flop about, HONKING loudly as they wrestle for space on the sun-warmed rocks and jetties.

QUARK looks on from the pier with a grimace, NOG at his side, and tourists of all species enjoying the spectacle. 

QUARK
What are they?

NOG
They’re call sea lions. They’ve
been gathering here for centuries.
There are more sports teams named
after them than I can remember -
including several baseball teams.

QUARK
They look like your great-uncle
Frin. Sound like him too.

NOG
I like it here. I used to come here
all the time when I was at the
Academy. It’s one of the most
popular spots in San Francisco.

QUARK
(shrug, non-committal)
Nice and damp, I guess. All these
tourists - I could easily set up a
business and sell them things.

NOG
You can’t sell anything, uncle -
moneyless economy, remember?

QUARK
(shakes head)
These crazy hew-mons...
stupidest thing I ever heard of.

NOG
Here we go...

QUARK
I’m serious, Nog. A moneyless
economy makes no sense. How can
you tell the quality of a product if
you don’t put a price on it?

NOG
They seem to have figured it out.
I guess it helps if you don’t try to
cheat every customer you have
by charging them more for your
product than it’s actually worth.

Quark looks at Nog, then just shakes his head.

QUARK
I swear, it’s like this planet has
just sucked the Ferengi right
out of your head.
(points)
What’s that place over there?

Glad of the change of subject, Nog looks where Quark is pointing - at ALCATRAZ ISLAND.

NOG
It’s an old prison - supposedly
the hardest to escape from on the
whole planet, because it was on
that island in the middle of the bay.
Anyone who tried would drown or
get eaten by the sea lions.

QUARK
See, this is what I mean - that
was a sensible idea. But these
hew-mons nowadays, with all their
restorative justice and moneyless
economy so you can’t even bribe
your way out of prison... I just
don’t understand it.

NOG
Well, I hope you figure it out fast,
uncle, because the whole point
of you being here is that you
do understand the hew-mons.

Quark grits his teeth in annoyance, then turns away and starts striding down the boardwalk.

QUARK
I’m hungry. Let’s eat. Never begin
a negotiation on an empty stomach.

NOG
Rule number two-fourteen.

QUARK
At least you haven’t forgotten
everything I ever taught you...

Nog scampers to catch up with Quark...

5 EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - PIER 39 - DAY

Nog gets two servings of clams from one of the many pop-up food huts along the Embarcadero, and brings them back to the bench where Quark awaits. He sits down, they dig in...

NOG
Here, these are the same things
Prynn fed you in Ro’s quarters
that night. You liked them.

QUARK
And of course, you didn’t pay for
these, did you? He just handed
them over. Madness.

NOG
Do you ever stop complaining?

QUARK
You expect me to believe that guy
spends all day every day stood at
that cart, handing out free food
to strangers, to better humanity?

NOG
He does it because he enjoys it.
In the Federation, you don’t have
to do anything you don’t want to.

QUARK
That’s what work is, Nog.
(sigh)
So anyway, what have you been
up to since you left the station?

NOG
Well... I excavated an ancient
Starfleet relic, I fought off a
rogue Daimon and his hired thugs,
nearly fell into a time-travelling
anomaly but ended up outside
the galaxy altogether, then had to
get rescued by Romulan agents.

QUARK
Uh-huh. I threw a contest for the
senior staff and then got rid of
those damned Aarruri.

NOG
Pif? Pif’s gone? And the puppies?

QUARK
Thank Gint. Little bits of green
fur all over the bar. Only one of
the Sti’ach took his place, so
now it’s little bits of blue fur.

NOG
(shakes head)
You do have a difficult life...

Quark purses and CRUNCHes into his clams...

6 EST. LAS VEGAS - EVENING

The sun is setting on this shrine to gambling, where many of the familiar landmarks are still present centuries on.

7 INT. FERENGI AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE - HALLWAY

A heavy door opens upon Quark and Nog standing out on the sun-dappled street. A HUPYRIAN servant, URI’LASH, awaits...

QUARK
We’re here to see Ambassador
Derro. We have an appointment.

Uri’lash BOWS and welcomes the two Ferengi inside - they hand over a SLIP OF LATINUM each. Uri’lash takes the money, grabs a pair of TOWELS and hands them to a confused Quark.

QUARK
It’s as dry as Vulcan out there.

The Hupyrian shrugs - he has to do it anyway. It’s his job.

DERRO (o.s.)
Is that Quark?

After a moment DERRO bustles around the corner - short and pudgy, as round as he is tall, barely covered by a garish tie-dye caftan. The entire house is decorated Ferengi-style, which fits perfectly with Las Vegas extravagance.

DERRO
Ambassador! Welcome to my humble
abode. Uri’lash - the waivers.

Uri’lash quickly puts the towels away, grabs a PADD instead and hands it to the visitors - Quark and Nog both thumb it.

DERRO
My house is my house...

QUARK
...As are its contents. Good to
see you again, Derro.

DERRO
And you, Quark! And this must be
your pioneering young nephew Nog.
Welcome! Uri’lash - the parlour.

Uri’lash bows, and leads them out of the hallway into...

8 INT. FERENGI AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE - PARLOUR

...a sumptuously designed sitting room filled with plush couches, gilded picture frames and twinkling chandeliers. As Quark and Nog take one couch and Derro another...

DERRO
Uri’lash - the refreshments.

The Hupyrian bows and leaves the room.

QUARK
Isn’t that the same servant Brunt
used when he was acting Grand
Nagus for all of ten minutes?

DERRO
Once Brunt was deposed, the poor
fellow needed employment. I was
only too happy to provide it.

NOG
I didn’t think it was politically
correct to have Hupyrian
servants these days.

DERRO
Young man, unlike yourself I am an
old-fashioned Ferengi. I like my
profits large, my females naked,
and my ears stroked every night
before bed. All those pleasures
have been in short supply since
your father came to power, sorry
to say. But I will not give up
my manservant for anyone.

On cue, Uri’lash returns carrying a large TRAY of jellied gree-worms, live tube-grubs, Kytherian crabs and Slug-o-Cola. He places this down on the coffee table and leaves.

DERRO
Now then - to business. We have
much to discuss before our meeting
with Bacco and K’mtok tomorrow.

NOG
Wait - the Klingon ambassador will
be there too?

DERRO
They are equal partners in the
Khitomer Accords, are they not?
It’s not all about the Federation,
my boy. But I believe we are
in a solid negotiating position.

QUARK
How so?

DERRO
We have good working relationships
with both the Federation and the
Klingons already - largely thanks
to your family, Ambassador. Your
brother worked with the Bajoran
Militia before becoming Nagus.
(re Nog)
Your nephew is a highly respected
Starfleet officer. Your own bond
with the commander of Deep Space
Nine has not gone unnoticed. All
these things prove that Ferengi can
work alongside hew-mons - even
if they are lobeless regressives.

QUARK
What about the Klingons?

DERRO
They were a regular presence on
that space station of yours for
years, weren’t they? You must have
forged relationships with them.

NOG
(smirk)
He forged relationships, alright.

Quark elbows Nog painfully in the ribs - ooff.

DERRO
As for the political position, the
Ferengi Alliance supported Bacco
at the Azure Nebula, and she came
to me specifically when she needed
to enact her plan regarding the
Tholians. Granted that seems to
have backfired spectacularly with
all this Typhon Pact business, but
she can hardly blame me for that.

QUARK
I wouldn’t count on it. No good
deed ever goes unpunished.

NOG
(pointed, trying
to prove himself)
Rule two-eighty-five.

DERRO
(patronising)
Good boy!

NOG
(glower)
I’m twenty-nine years old.

DERRO
Then you should know better
than to interrupt your elders.

Nog seethes, but Derro just barrels straight on through.

DERRO
Anyway, having done favours for
her already, we’re in position to
come out of the negotiations with
a good deal for the Alliance. But
don’t underestimate Bacco - she’s
a shrewd operator, for a female.

NOG
Certainly shrewder than you,
if you’re still underestimating
females in the first place.

DERRO
(withering)
Young man, just because I’m old-
fashioned doesn’t mean I’m not
still a diplomat. I know how to
make a good deal for my people.

Rather than get into this developing spat, Quark breaks in.

QUARK
It sounds as if you’ve got this all
tied up. Why do you need me?

DERRO
In case of the unexpected.

NOG
And if there’s one word that could
describe life on Deep Space Nine,
it would be ‘unexpected’.

DERRO
(surprised at
the support)
Exactly. You, Quark, have thrived
at the centre of that uncertainty
for over a decade. I want that by
my side in the President’s office.

QUARK
Unexpected, eh? I can handle
unexpected.

Off that enigmatic and slightly ominous pronouncement...

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

9 EST. SISKO’S RESTAURANT - NIGHT

But not so far into the night that the restaurant is not still alight...

10 INT. SISKO’S RESTAURANT - NIGHT

The restaurant is full with customers, all having a great time. At one table set for three sit NOG and JAKE, enjoying dinner and catching up as old friends.

NOG
(eating and talking)
So then the helmswoman - she was
a Klingon, an exchange officer - she
performed an emergency separation
right in the middle of the battle,
and the torpedoes slipped right
between the two halves of the ship.
Couldn’t have been more than ten
metres in it. I don’t know if even
Prynn could have done that.

Jake, who has been enjoying listening to Nog’s tall tales, just smiles and shakes his head.

JAKE
You do realise I’ve only been
following about half of this
story, right?

NOG
Sorry, Jake. I always forget you
flunked all of Missus O’Brien’s
science classes.

JAKE
(mock offended)
I did no such thing!

A moment. Nog looks around...

NOG
It’s the same, but... different. But
at least you’ve got customers.

JAKE
I’m a bit worried it’s all just
nostalgia, though. And once that
wears off, they’ll stop coming.

NOG
You’ve got a good product, Jake.
You just need good marketing.

RENA arrives, a bit harried and rushed. She carries her own filled plate, and she caught the end of the conversation.

RENA
Listen to him, Jake. The man
knows how to sell things.

She pecks Nog on the cheek, then sits and begins to eat.

RENA
Although now I think about it, maybe
you’ve been listening to him too
much already. How come you get
to sit and schmooze the customers
while I do all the hard work?

NOG
Don’t blame me. I’ve been trying
to beat him into shape for years.

JAKE
Great, that’s all I need, you two
ganging up on me.

RENA
So how’ve you been, Nog? Jake
told me you took a transfer?

NOG
For a couple of months, yeah. That
assignment’s over now though. I’m
looking at a long-term project on
Andor, to clean their atmosphere.

RENA
Sounds important. Have you heard
from Shar?

NOG
I spoke to him. He’s still not
great, after what happened.

RENA
It’s nice that you keep in touch.
Please pass on my prayers to him.
Isn’t he on the same ship as...

JAKE
...As my dad, yeah. You’d never
know it, though. We haven’t spoken
to him in months. It’s like he’s
just cut himself off completely.

NOG
I would never do that, I promise.
(sigh)
I wish my uncle Quark would stop
speaking to me, though. He’s done
nothing but complain and insult
me since he got off the transport.

JAKE
That’s just what Quark does -
he complains about everything.
You know what he’s like.

NOG
Still no fun hearing it.

RENA
It’s probably just nerves. Once
he’s in that negotiating room,
it’ll all work out, I’m sure.

NOG
(deep breath)
You’re probably right.

As they return to their meals...

11 EST. PARIS - PALAIS DE LA CONCORDE - DAY

The ground-level plaza, leading up to one of the four great pillars upon which the Federation government centre stands.

12 INT. PALAIS – ENTRY HALL - DAY

Scanning booths, security officers by the bushel, and visitors of all races passing through calmly and safely. DERRO and NOG wait landside of the scanners. Derro in his best dapper suit, Nog impatient in dress uniform whites.

NOG
(furious hiss)
Where is he?

DERRO
The ambassador assured me when
I left that he would be on time.

NOG
Why didn’t he leave with you?

DERRO
He said he wanted to experience
the gambling establishments for
which Las Vegas is known.
(side-eye)
Beware the man who doesn’t
make time for oo-mox.

NOG
Yes, I know the two-twenty-third
rule, thank you. But this is not
the time.

DERRO
Young man, don’t teach your elders
to forge cheques. Your uncle is a
Ferengi businessman. He will be
here. In fact, here he comes now.

Nog looks up to find QUARK striding towards them, also in his best suit. Nog holds his tongue, but Derro is effusive.

DERRO
Ambassador! Right on time, I see.

QUARK
Of course. Being too early shows
desperation. Being too late shows
disrespect. But perfect timing -
that shows confidence.

DERRO
Naturally. Shall we?

Derro gestures towards the security scanners, and Quark heads off with barely a look at Nog. Nog seethes...

13 INT. PALAIS – TURBOLIFT

Non-Starfleet styled, with no controls (it is controlled from elsewhere) and subtle security scanners everywhere. The three Ferengi wait as the lift takes them up...

DERRO
I usually take the direct trans-
porter to the President’s level.
I’m only using the turbolifts
to show you the full tour.

QUARK
I should think so.

Nog rolls his eyes at this pair of posturing, puffed-up peacocks. The turbolift stops, and the door OPENS...

14 INT. PALAIS - RECEPTION AREA

...to reveal Agent WEXLER, the president’s main bodyguard, staring straight at them, looking unreadable but entirely capable in his no-frills black uniform. They step out...

WEXLER
Ambassador Derro. Ambassador
Quark. The president is ready to
see you. Lieutenant Commander
Nog, I’m afraid you’ll need to
remain here in the waiting room.

Wexler nods to SIVAK, Bacco’s secretary, who thumbs a comm.

SEVAK
Madam President, the ambassadors
from the Ferengi Alliance have arrived.

BACCO (comm)
Thank you Sivak, send them in.

Wexler then leads the two Ferengi into Bacco’s office, joining them and closing the door firmly behind them.

Nog is left alone with only Sivak for company. The aged Vulcan manages to convey devastating disdain without a word, so Nog just takes a seat and minds his own business.

15 INT. PALAIS - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

K’MTOK, the large and blustering Klingon ambassador, SLAMS his gloved fist down on the coffee table, making the bowls and cups placed there RATTLE. Sat next to him around the coffee table, Derro JUMPS and spills tube grubs on himself.

K’MTOK
That is because your entire race
are criminals!

On K’mtok’s other side, Bacco tries to keep the peace...

BACCO
Ambassador K’mtok, please...

But opposite the Klingon, Quark stays calm and smooth.

QUARK
We could trade insults all day,
Ambassador. I’ve heard them all
before. But none of it changes
the fact that the Ferengi Alliance
cannot agree to Article Five of
the accords as it currently reads.

K’mtok SNORTS dismissively, stepping away from the table. After only a few steps, he notices Wexler’s unintimidated stare, and pulls himself under control, but stays standing.

BACCO
Ambassador Quark, I’m afraid I’m
not clear on your objections. Your
counterpart and I have had several
conversations since I first raised
the idea of your people joining
the Accords. He never mentioned
any problem with Article Five.

Quark raises a PADD and reads from it...

QUARK
“If any individual under the rule
of one Party commits a crime
against the other Party, that
individual will be extradited to
stand trial under the laws of
the aggrieved Party.”

BACCO
...Yes?

QUARK
Who gets to say what’s a crime?
How many aspects of everyday
Ferengi culture, as defined by our
own guiding principles, would be
called a crime by the Federation?
How can we sign an agreement
that automatically makes every
citizen subject to extradition?

DERRO
(small, mousy)
I think that’s a rather extreme
interpretation, Quark...

BACCO
I must say I agree.

K’MTOK
And I think you have just admitted
to exactly what I said. If you were
not all criminals, you would not
have anything to worry about.

K’mtok is not helping, but Bacco tries to rescue this.

BACCO
It was my understanding, Mister
Ambassador, that the great skill
of the Ferengi was in making a
profit without having to break any
laws. That’s the challenge, isn’t it?
The mark of a great dealmaker?

Derro is nakedly worried as well, having got his wish for something unexpected. He tries to reassure Bacco...

DERRO
Absolutely! That very policy is
the hallmark of Grand Nagus Rom’s
regime. Indeed, Ambassador Quark
has made a successful career out
of earning a profit even within
the Federation’s legal framework.

QUARK
That’s not strictly true, though,
is it?

Derro’s face is shocked - what are you doing?

QUARK
(continuing)
I’ve never been under Federation
jurisdiction. Cardassian, Bajoran,
then Ferengi. But you never had
any say in my business affairs.

BACCO
And we won’t now. The Khitomer
Accords represent an alliance of
nations, Mister Ambassador, not
a melding of nations. We are not
seeking to change your laws, or to
punish you for living by them. The
extradition clause is a minor part of
the Accords. Far more important is
the agreement to mutual defence
and support. That is our focus.

QUARK
Small print leads to large risk,
Madam President. That’s our
eighth Rule of Acquisition.

K’MTOK
Cowards. I knew it.

BACCO
What about the sixty-second Rule,
Ambassador - the riskier the road,
the greater the profit?

Derro is pleased by Bacco’s quoting of the Rules, and hopes Quark will be too. But Quark is unmoved...

QUARK
I see no profit in allowing the
people I am here to represent to
be declared criminals, merely to
cement an alliance that we’ve
lived without just fine up to now.
(draws himself up)
I’m sorry, but unless Article Five
is rewritten, the Ferengi Alliance
will not be signing up to the
Khitomer Accords.

Derro is embarrassed, K’mtok exasperated, and Bacco just sad. But Quark sits back, resolute. That is his decision.

BLACK OUT

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

16 INT. PALAIS - RECEPTION AREA

NOG sits on the couch, uncomfortable and restricted in his dress whites. Nothing to do but sit there and wait.

He notices SIVAK cock an eyebrow and turn his head a touch, as if listening in with his sensitive Vulcan hearing. Two can play that game - NOG also turns his head slightly, manoeuvring his giant Ferengi ears to the right angle...

INSERT - NOG’S EAR

BACCO
(o.s., muffled)
Mister Ambassador, please...

QUARK 
(o.s., muffled)
I said no!

BACK TO SCENE

Nog grits his teeth - just as he feared, Quark is screwing this up. But before he can do anything about it...

AKAAR (o.s.)
Lieutenant Commander Nog!

Nog jumps to his feet, coming face to groin with Adm AKAAR.

NOG
Sir! Sorry sir, I was distracted -

AKAAR
So I see. At ease, Commander.
Why are you in the Palais?

NOG
I’m serving as the official escort
for Ambassador Quark, sir. He’s
with the president right now.

AKAAR
Ah. Very well, carry on.

NOG
Thank you, sir.

Akaar turns to face the office doors, straight and tall. Without leave to sit, Nog remains standing, terrified at being in the presence of the Starfleet C-in-C. They stand in silence, Akaar literally twice the size of Nog.

NOG
I understand you were recently
on Deep Space Nine, Admiral.

AKAAR
That is correct, Commander.

NOG
How is everyone, if I may ask?

AKAAR
You need not attempt to engage
me in small talk, Mister Nog. I
am perfectly comfortable waiting
in silence. But... they are well.

NOG
(gulp)
Aye, sir. Thank you, sir.

The office door OPENS, Agent Wexler allowing first K’mtok to stomp out angrily and thunder towards an EXIT.

Quark and Derro follow him, Derro fluttering towards a different exit, while Quark heads right for the turbolift.

QUARK
Come on, Nog - we’re leaving.

Nog stretches to look up at Akaar, who nods permission. Nog slips in beside Quark, they both step in, the doors close.

Quietly curious, Akaar heads into the office himself, past the expressionless Sivak, and allows Wexler to close the door behind him.

17 EXT. PARIS - PALAIS DE LA CONCORDE - DAY

Quark and Nog step out of the security hall, into the open air plaza of the Place de la Concorde. Quark forges ahead, head high and bullish, while Nog scampers to keep up.

NOG
(to his back)
Uncle, I really think we ought
to talk about this -

QUARK
(walking away)
Nothing to talk about, Nog.

NOG
But uncle -

QUARK
They weren’t prepared to budge,
so the deal’s off. That’s it.

NOG
Just hold on a minute, it’s not
too late, we can go back in -

QUARK
You’ll have to hurry up if you
want to catch the dinner buffet.
Or I can just leave you here -

Nog plants himself and breaks out his command voice.

NOG
Ambassador Quark! As a Starfleet
officer, I order you to stop!

As nearby strangers gawp, Quark turns on the spot and walks right back to Nog, looming over him with a sneer.

QUARK
Do you really think I’m impressed
by that? Order whoever you want
- Starfleet has no control over me.

NOG
(not intimidated)
Yes, you’ve made it very clear how
little you respect me. Oh, you put
on a big sentimental display in
front of your friends, told them
how much you’d miss me, but
this is the real you, isn’t it?

QUARK
(sigh)
What are you talking about now?

NOG
You always hated the Federation.
That’s why you tried to sabotage
my joining Starfleet years ago,
and why you deliberately ruined
everything my father has been
working towards for years today.

QUARK
I have no idea what you -

NOG
You don’t care about extradition
treaties! You were just looking
for an excuse to blow the deal.

QUARK
It was a bad deal! Rule number -

NOG
(snaps)
Oh will you shut up about the
Rules! You have done nothing but
spout Rules at me since you got
here. Not everything is about the
damned Rules of Acquisition.

QUARK
Yes it is. Of course it is.

Quark calmly tries to get through to his deeply confused nephew, who clearly just needs someone to explain to him...

QUARK
Listen, Nog. I’ve been in business
longer than you’ve been alive, and
there is not one single situation I
have ever faced that didn’t have
a Rule to cover it. That’s why I
know the Khitomer Accords are
a bad deal for Ferenginar.

NOG
You mean it’s a bad deal for you,
because you’d have to admit you’re
wrong. All being in business for a
long time means is that you’re old
fashioned, as bad as Derro. Worse,
you’re inflexible - and selfish.

QUARK
(jaw drops)
Selfish? I’m trying to protect the
Ferengi people - my people - from
getting stuck in a bad deal.

Nog is metaphorically tearing his hair out, trying equally hard to get through to his stubborn uncle...

NOG
It’s not a bad deal! Joining the
Khitomer Accords would mean the
Ferengi are respected as equal to
the Federation and the Klingons.
It means we get to collaborate as
equals, make new kinds of deals
all across the galaxy. It meanswe
get to be trusted by people for
once, instead of laughed at.

QUARK
But that’s the whole point, Nog.
Shouldn’t we be respected for our
own sake, not just because of our
association with the Federation?
We have our own culture and our
own values, and the Federation
always says they respect that,
but we both know it’s a lie.

NOG
Yeah well, that’s because Ferengi
culture isn’t respectable.

Quark stops and gapes with amazement at what Nog said...

QUARK
Nog, do you hear yourself? Not
respectable - by whose standards?
Do you hate yourself that much?

NOG
(shocked laugh)
I don’t hate myself! I love being
a Ferengi, but I’m tired of being
looked down on by everyone I
ever meet, including you.
(calmer)
So I took the best parts of being a
Ferengi and found a way to make
them work with the rest of the
galaxy. And it turns out if you do
that, people actually respect you.
That’s what I get out of serving
in Starfleet, uncle - respect.
Opportunity. Things I never got
from working in your bar.

QUARK
I’m sorry you feel that way, Nog.
But I love being a Ferengi too -
too much to change everything
about myself just to fit in with
the Federation.

NOG
But I’m still a Ferengi! Our ways
can work with the Federation, I’m
the proof. That rogue Daimon? I
foiled his plans by playing on my
father’s name to negotiate a deal
with his underlings, and get the
information Starfleet needed. What
could be more Ferengi than that?

QUARK
(looks around)
Well, I’m still not convinced.

NOG
Aaaggh! Why do you always have
to be so pig-headed, so stubborn
and obstructionist? Why can’t you
ever just go along with things?

QUARK
But don’t you see, Nog? That’s
exactly the problem, right there.
Everyone is expected to “just go
along” with the Federation. And
why wouldn’t they? The Federation
is always right, always virtuous
and true, always the good guys.

NOG
They’ve saved your life a hundred
times over.

QUARK
I know that! And I’m grateful. But
does that mean they can never
do anything wrong? That I’m
never allowed to criticise them?

NOG
You never stop criticising them.

QUARK
Well, somebody needs to! Because
somehow, these hew-mons have
got it into their weirdly small heads
that they are the default position
- that sooner or later everyone
will come around to their way of
thinking and join the Federation.

NOG
(frustrated growl)
We are not joining the Federation.
We are just allying with them.

QUARK
To quote Vic - potayto, potahto.
The Klingons used to be the most
violent, bloodthirsty monsters in
the galaxy, but ever since they
joined the Accords, they’re about
as tough as those damned puppies.

NOG
I thought you hated the Klingons.

QUARK
Of course I hate them! They love
stabbing things, and then singing
songs about how much they love
stabbing things. But the point is,
they changed all that to fit into
what the Federation expected. And
I don’t want that to happen to us.

NOG
The Klingons changed because
they realised that it benefits
people to work together.

QUARK
I agree. But does that “together”
always have to be on such
hewmon-centric terms?

Quark gestures around them - at the Place de la Concorde, filled with aliens of all races.

QUARK
Look where we are right now, Nog.
Look at it! The Palais de la Concorde,
the centre of government for the
entire Federation. And where is it?
On Earth.
(beat)
Representatives from more than a
hundred-fifty worlds, and if they
want a say in the decisions that
affect the lives of every person
living on those worlds, where do
they have to come? To Earth.
(beat)
The height of the Borg invasion,
and President Bacco sends out a
decree that if one particular planet
falls, then that’s it, it’s over, we
all give up and go home. And
what planet was that, Nog? Was
it Vulcan? Was it Qo’noS? Was
it Ferenginar? No, it was Earth.

NOG
Alright, uncle. I get it.

QUARK
Do you, really? Because you need
to understand why they’re in the
state they’re in right now. Why
they’re so desperate for us to
join up to their little alliance.
Because it was that very attitude
that created the Typhon Pact, Nog.
They brought it on themselves.
(deep breath)
You’re tired of being looked down
on? The whole galaxy is tired of
being looked down on by the hew-
mons and the Klingons. They’re
tired of being bullied, and pushed
around, and expected to fall into
line. They’re tired of “just going
along” with the Federation.
(sigh)
And so am I.

On that pronouncement, Quark turns and walks away across the plaza, leaving Nog to consider his words...

FADE OUT

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

18 EST. SISKO’S RESTAURANT - NIGHT

As before...

GARAK (v.o.)
It is rather a shame...

19 INT. SISKO’S RESTAURANT - PATIO - NIGHT

The next night, the next evening dinner crowd. GARAK sits at one table, gazing at JOSEPH’S MEMORIAL, while opposite him, Quark eats his dinner with annoyed distraction.

QUARK
What is?

GARAK
That I never found the time to
visit this marvellous establish-
ment while its original owner was
still with us. I understand that it
was quite a popular haunt with
some of my fellow diplomats.

QUARK
(doesn’t care)
Really...

Garak can see that Quark has other things on his mind. He chooses to continue with an air of practised nonchalance...

GARAK
Oh yes. Races from across the
Federation and beyond have heard
of Captain Sisko, of course. War
hero, Emissary of the Prophets...
they all want to see the house
where the great man was raised.

QUARK
Good for them.

GARAK
(pushes a
little more)
Of course it also means that this
restaurant has become quite the
melting pot itself over the years
- people of all shapes, sizes and
colours breaking bread together.
At least, that’s what I hear.

QUARK
(finally looks up)
You never came yourself?

GARAK
Well, it’s a long journey. I did
consider coming for the funeral,
but that was really for friends
and family, and I couldn’t quite
flatter myself that I was either.

Quark points with his fork to Garak’s half-eaten dinner.

QUARK
You seemed to know what to order.

GARAK
One does one’s research. In a way,
this place reminds me of your own
bar back on Deep Space Nine.

QUARK
Except nobody pays for anything.

GARAK
(shrug)
When on Ferenginar, do as the
Ferengi do. When on Earth...

Quark looks up, triggered - just as Garak intended. The Cardassian ambassador merely smiles back innocently...

QUARK
I never wanted to be on Earth
at all. It’s all Derro’s fault.

GARAK
Well, I for one am certainly glad
you are here. After all, how often
does one get to catch up with
such an old and valued friend?

Quark looks at Garak askance - he’s being weird - then returns to his food. Garak continues to watch...

GARAK
Why are you on Earth, if I may
ask? I doubt it’s simply to catch
up with your nephew. You don’t
strike me as the sentimental type.

QUARK
I’m surprised you haven’t heard
all about it.

GARAK
Oh, Ferengi hearing is far more
sensitive than a Cardassian’s...

QUARK
I’m here because President Bacco
wants the Ferengi Alliance to join
the Khitomer Accords.

GARAK
I see. I’ve met Ambassador Derro,
of course. I can see why he might
have felt he needed your help in
striking such an important deal.

QUARK
You don’t think he’s any good?

GARAK
It’s really not for me to say. But
having worked alongside your
good self for so many years, I
think I can safely say which of
us is the superior negotiator.

QUARK
Thank you.

Garak smiles enigmatically - he never said it was Quark.

GARAK
President Bacco made a similar
proposal to me. She would quite
like the Cardassian Union to join
the Accords as well.
(sly smile)
Things must be in a worse state
than I realised.

QUARK
Is it going to happen?

GARAK
Ah, that’s the question, isn’t it?
There’s no greater admirer of the
Federation than I, as you know...

This time, Quark shares Garak’s amused smile...

GARAK
(continuing)
...but sadly, many of my people,
including the Castellan herself,
remain rather... cautious about
getting too close. It was, after
all, only a few years ago that
Starfleet was dedicated to
defeating us at any cost.
(sigh)
At least your people never had
that to contend with.

QUARK
(thoughtful)
I guess. So what are you going
to do about it?

GARAK
My dear Quark, what can I do? I am
merely an agent of my government,
here to represent their wishes, not
my own. What my people want...
I must accomplish on their behalf.

As Quark considers Garak’s words, RENA arrives with a glass filled with a frothy brown drink, places it on the table.

RENA
Here’s your drink, Ambassador.
My apologies for the delay.

GARAK
You are entirely forgiven, young
lady. Most kind.

Rena walks away, back to the kitchen. Garak picks up his drink, takes a healthy sip, sighs with satisfaction.

QUARK
What are you drinking, anyway?

GARAK
(simply)
Root beer.

Quark gets the reference, absorbs the implication...

Following RENA back to the kitchen...

20 INT. SISKO’S RESTAURANT - KITCHEN (CONTINUOUS)

She enters, joining Jake as he makes sure the plates and utensils are restocked, staying out of the chefs’ way. He has been keeping an eye on their guests from afar, wary that they might cause trouble...

JAKE
Everything okay?

RENA
It’s fine, Jake. Garak booked his
usual table, the same one he has
every week. Quark was too busy
eating to even question it.

JAKE
Do you think he’ll be able to
persuade him?

RENA
From what you’ve told me, Elim
Garak could talk the vedeks into
praying to him if he wanted. If
anyone can change Quark’s mind...

JAKE
I hope you’re right. For our sake,
for Nog’s... and for Quark’s.

As they continue to watch from afar...

21 EST. PARIS - PALAIS DE LA CONCORDE - DAY

The following morning...

22 INT. PALAIS - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

Agent Wexler OPENS the doors again, allowing a confident Quark and a nervous Derro to enter side by side. Wexler CLOSES the doors on a peeking Nog...

Bacco is behind her desk, polite but unexpressive, while K’mtok lurks to the side growling. Everyone stays standing.

QUARK
Thank you for seeing us at such
short notice, Madam President.

BACCO
Mister Ambassador. I’m told it was
you who requested this meeting -
I must say I’m surprised, given
how things went yesterday.

QUARK
That’s true, Madam President.
And the first thing I would like to
do is to apologise - to you, to the
Ambassador from Qo’noS, and to
my colleague Ambassador Derro. My
behaviour yesterday was undeserved
and unprofessional. I’m sorry.

Bacco blinks, taken aback. That was not what she expected.

BACCO
I appreciate that, Ambassador -
it’s not something I hear very
often in this job. Thank you.

QUARK
It’s not something I say very
often, so perhaps we should
both savour the moment.

Quark chuckles, and Bacco actually chuckles along with him. K’mtok just gives a toothy smile, full of fangs.

QUARK
I was being a bad representative
of my people - I am here for them,
not for myself. And the Ferengi
people want to be a part of
your Khitomer Accords.

Bacco sighs with huge relief. K’mtok growls approvingly.

BACCO
That’s wonderful news, Ambassador.
I can have documents drawn up -

QUARK
Please, Madam President... I’m
not finished.

Quark has his hand up to stop her. She does not like being interrupted, and K’mtok expects she will explode. But she is surprised all over again, and lets him continue...

BACCO
Very well... go on.

QUARK
Before anything is signed, I need
you to understand some things. My
issue with the extradition clause
of Article Five still stands. And I
know that you need us more than
we need you. We’ve lasted this
long without you, and we’re not
the ones being threatened now.

K’mtok growls again, but Quark still isn’t finished...

QUARK
An unscrupulous businessman might
use that as an excuse to see how
far he could push you, to get you
to agree to terms more favourable
to us. But I believe in Rule of
Acquisition number twenty-four:
“The best deal is the one that
makes everyone equally unhappy.”

BACCO
(cooling)
What is your proposal?

QUARK
The Ferengi Alliance will agree to
join the Khitomer Accords... but
only if Article Five is rewritten to
clarify the situation regarding
criminal activity.

BACCO
Rewritten how?

QUARK
The act in question must qualify
as a crime in both parties’ legal
systems, not just the victim’s.

K’MTOK
This is outrageous!

QUARK
I don’t think it’s outrageous at
all. I can’t go back to my people
with nothing to show for it - if I
don’t get some kind of concession
out of you, that’s no negotiation,
it’s just capitulation.

DERRO
(trying to help)
That’s true...

QUARK
And we’re taking a risk here too.
(re K’mtok)
If some Klingon decides to declare
blood vengeance against a Ferengi,
in a way that’s totally legal by
your system, we’d have no more
recourse than you would if some
Ferengi cheated you at tongo.

DERRO
That’s true...

QUARK
The fact is, Madam President, that
the Khitomer Accords were written
ninety years ago between you and
the Klingons. If you want anyone
but you to join up, it only makes
sense to rewrite them to fit.

BACCO
(grudging)
That... is also true.

QUARK
And it won’t be the last time -
not if you want the Cardassians as
well, or the Talarians, or whoever
else. The Federation is going to
have to get used to doing things
slightly differently from now on.

Bacco takes a deep breath, considering everything.

BACCO
Thank you, Mister Ambassador. You
have made some interesting points.

QUARK
You’re welcome. I suggest Derro
and I leave now, so you two can
decide amongst yourselves if you
can agree to my terms or not.

BACCO
Agreed. We’ll let you know what we
decide. Thank you, Ambassadors.

DERRO
(formality)
Thank you, Madam President.

QUARK
(genuinely)
Thank you, Madam President.

Quark and Derro half-bow using the traditional Ferengi wrists-together gesture, and turn to leave the room.

Bacco and K’mtok watch them leave...

As Wexler opens the door for them, Quark strides out with his head high, trying to maintain his confidence...

FADE OUT

END OF ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

23 EST. LAS VEGAS - DAY

The hottest part of the day, sun beating down...

24 EXT. FERENGI AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE - POOL

The mansion’s outdoor area, with a sparkling clear pool and an expansive deck, all decorated in the kind of outrageous and gaudy extravagance that would make Liberace blush.

Derro, Quark and Nog all lay on sun beds under individual parasols, wearing tie-dye muumuus and sipping on elaborate cocktails. Meanwhile, poor fully dressed Uri’lash stands and waves a large palm frond to create a breeze.

QUARK
Well, this is certainly pleasant for
an afternoon, but I’m not sure I
could handle it full time. Don’t
you miss the rain and the mud?

DERRO
It’s surprising what a man can get
accustomed to when the service
of his people is at stake, Quark.

QUARK
Of course.

NOG
I’ve trained in environments from
Vulcan’s Forge to Andor’s icecaps
to zero-G spacewalks... but this
is a little too much even for me.
(beat)
I take it there’s no news?

DERRO
Just relax and enjoy the wait,
Nog. One of the benefits of my
line of work is the waiting for
other people to make decisions.

NOG
Uncle Quark...?

QUARK
Yes, Nog?

NOG
Why did you change your mind?

Quark takes a moment to sip his drink as he ponders this...

QUARK
I’m not sure I did. I still can’t
help worrying that this is all a
very bad idea. But your father
doesn’t think so. Derro here
doesn’t. You don’t. And it looks
like most of Ferenginar doesn’t
either. So I did it for them.

DERRO
A most unselfish act, Ambassador.

QUARK
Not sure that’s a compliment...

NOG
Seems to me you’ve been moving
in this direction for a while, uncle.
Becoming a philanthropist.

QUARK
You take that back!

NOG
Being an ambassador gave you
the power you’d always craved -

DERRO
I do enjoy that...

NOG
- it just took a while for you to
figure out how to use that power
to benefit people who aren’t you.

Quark can only sip his drink again, staring out at the sun bouncing off the beautiful clear water of the pool...

QUARK
Well... as I said to Bacco, we
should all savour this moment...
because it won’t happen often.

Derro CLINKS his glass to Quark’s, and they chuckle.

BEEP BEEP BEEP - an alert from the body of the house. They all jerk as they realise what this means...

DERRO
Uri’lash - the comm system!

The Hupyrian drops the palm frond - right onto Derro’s face - and rushes into the house...

Derro splutters and flails at the palm frond all over his face and in his drink, and Quark helps him with it...

Meanwhile Nog rises slowly from his sun bed, taking a deep breath at the magnitude of the moment...

25 INT. PALAIS - RECEPTION AREA

Nog is sitting in the waiting room again, presumably while Derro and Quark are in the office with Bacco. He chews his lip with nervousness...

AKAAR (o.s.)
Lieutenant Commander Nog!

Nog shoots to his feet, coming face to crotch once again with the gigantic Admiral Akaar.

NOG
Admiral.

AKAAR
At ease, Commander. I read
your after-action report from the
mission aboard the Challenger...

NOG
(gulp of nerves)
Yes, sir...

AKAAR
I admired your clever techniques
during the interrogation of Daimon
Bok’s agents. You may not be aware
that before his retirement from
command of the Challenger, Admiral
Scott entered commendations for
all the specialists who joined him
on the mission - including you.

Nog is overwhelmed with emotion at this news...

NOG
Thank you, Admiral. That means a
great deal to me.

They both turn to face the office doors, waiting...

26 INT. PALAIS - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

Bacco stands in front of her desk. She holds out a padd...

Back in his best suit, Derro takes the padd from her.

He looks to one side, where K’mtok waits...

To the other, where Quark stands apart from the rest...

And finally back down at the padd in his hand. He presses his thumb to the screen, an affirmative BEEP...

Then hands the padd on to K’mtok, who presses his own thumb to the screen, another beep...

...and finally back to Bacco, who does likewise. With the third BEEP, they all step back to catch their breath. The three of them have just changed the shape of the galaxy.

BACCO
Ambassador Derro, welcome to the
Khitomer Accords.

DERRO
Thank you, Madam President,
Ambassador K’mtok. Good to be here.

As they all smile, Bacco turns to Quark...

BACCO
Ambassador Quark, you don’t want
to also sign your name to the
Accords? This was just as much
your success as anyone else’s.

QUARK
Thank you, Madam President, but
Derro is the actual ambassador to
the Federation. I’m just here...
in case of the unexpected.

POP - a SERVER uncorks a bottle of champagne and pours out four glasses, hands them around. They all sip...

BACCO
Please say you’ll at least stay
for the celebrations tonight...

QUARK
I’m afraid not. Please don’t think
I’m ungrateful. It’s just I have a
transport back to Bajor to catch.
Besides, I’m more used to throwing
the party than being the subject
of it. It’s enough to be here at
this moment, and to witness a
Klingon sipping champagne.

K’MTOK
(sly grin)
It is hardly a warrior’s drink...
but I will suffer it this once.

DERRO
On the subject of getting back, I
should inform my government that
the documents have been signed, if
you’ll excuse me, Madam President.

BACCO
Of course, Mister Ambassador.
I hope I’ll see you tonight...?

DERRO
I wouldn’t miss it for all the
latinum on Ferenginar.

Quark and Derro finish their drinks, hand back the glasses. Agent Wexler opens the door...

...and the two Ferengi stride happily out into the waiting area, joining Nog to wait for the turbolift...

Akaar nods polite acknowledgements to all present, then heads into the office himself to join Bacco and K’mtok. With the door closed again, Bacco offers Akaar a glass...

AKAAR
Thank you, no, Madam President.

K’MTOK
You should loosen up, Admiral!
This is a time to celebrate!

AKAAR
I have no wish to spoil the fun,
Mister Ambassador. But I do have
news regarding the Enterprise’s
mission to the Talar system...

BACCO
(deep breath)
Go ahead...

AKAAR
Captain Picard reports that the
Talarian Republic will not be
joining the Khitomer Accords.

K’mtok THROWS his glass into the office’s fireplace, where it SMASHES loudly, and curses loudly with it.

K’MTOK
ghuy’cha!

AKAAR
Indeed. On the positive side, nor
will they be joining the Typhon
Pact. They will remain neutral.

BACCO
Thank you, Admiral. Nevertheless,
we should celebrate - the Accords
have a new member as of today.

K’MTOK
(mocking)
Yes, the Ferengi. The Typhon Pact
must be trembling in their boots.

BACCO
Now now, Mister Ambassador. The
Ferengi Alliance may not be the
most militarily impressive nation
in the galaxy... but they have
their good points.

AKAAR
This is not a conflict of military
might, ma’am, but one of politics,
and of philosophy. We have shown
once again our ability to convince
our neighbours to work alongside
us in peace - even ones with such
divergent philosophies as the
Ferengi. So this is a victory...

BACCO
...of a sort.

She knocks back the last of her drink, the bubbles having long since evaporated...

27 EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - TUCKER BUILDING - DAY

The large model of the Phoenix in the plaza the leads to the Starfleet Corps of Engineers building...

28 INT. TUCKER BUILDING - DAY

Quark and Nog stroll around the foyer of the building, as people come and go, passing the large holo-statues of great Starfleet engineers of the past...

NOG
Say hello to everyone on the
station for me.

QUARK
I will. But I want you to remember
what I told you, Nog. Just because
you’ve got that third pip on your
collar, don’t think that gives you
license to order me around. I am
not one of your junior officers.

NOG
I understand.

QUARK
And one other thing...

Quark stops, forces Nog to stop too and pay attention...

QUARK
(continuing)
Don’t you ever, ever, tell me I
don’t respect you. Do you hear me?
I am incredibly proud of you, and
of the way you’ve held on to your
Ferengi values while making a life
for yourself in the Federation.

NOG
If you’re so proud of me, why do
you insult me all the time?

QUARK
Because I’m old, and one of the
joys of being old is haranguing
the young for going further than
they ever dreamed. The next
time I come here, I want one of
these holo-statues to be you.

NOG
Uncle, these holo-statues are
all of dead people.

QUARK
Then you’ll just have to do some
thing so incredible that they’re
forced to give you a statue while
you’re still alive, won’t you?

Nog smiles, grateful for his uncle’s support. They HUG...

QUARK
Goodbye, Nog.

NOG
Bye, uncle.

Quark turns and walks out into the sunshine.

Nog pauses to look up at the holo-statue of SCOTTY for a moment, smiling with good memories...

...and then turns to walk back into the depths of the Tucker building, getting back to work.

FADE OUT

END OF SHOW

TNG 18x15 - “THE STRUGGLE WITHIN”

Enterprise is sent to negotiate with the Talarian Republic (TNG “Suddenly Human”), in the hopes they will join the Khitomer Accords. Picard’s opposite number is Jono, the human boy who was adopted by Talarians. Meanwhile the Talarians have their own problems – their strict gender roles have led a group of women to fight the government. At a political event, the women attack and kidnap Crusher. As Picard and Jono fight the urge to use violence in response, Crusher realises that the women don’t want to take over – they just want the men to respect their contributions and stop interfering in women’s business. She realises that a Tzenkethi agent manipulated the Talarian women into kidnapping her, knowing it would emotionally compromise Picard and lead him to interfere in Talarian society, ensuring they never ally with the Federation. The violence is avoided and Crusher is rescued, but the Tzenkethi’s plan works and the Talarians reject joining the Khitomer Accords...

TTN 2x15 - “SEIZE THE FIRE”

During the Borg Invasion, a Gorn warrior-caste breeding world was destroyed. A radiation-crazed survivor, Gog’resssh, stole a warship and went rogue. Months later in the Beta Quadrant, Titan gets news about the Typhon Pact, the Federation’s newest rival – which includes the Gorn Hegemony. Titan is surveying several worlds that seem artificial. The crew theorise that an advanced terraforming tech is responsible; such tech could be very useful for creating new colony worlds. However, a Gorn science fleet already discovered it, and Captain Krassrr intends to use this “ecosculptor” to create a new breeding world – by redesigning an already inhabited planet, Hranrar. When Titan arrives, Krassrr points out that Riker has no authority to stop them – Titan is outside the Federation, heavily outnumbered, and he doesn’t want to start a war with the Typhon Pact. As Titan’s crew watches powerless, Krassrr powers up the weapon to fire on Hranrar...

VOY 11x15 - “THE SUBTLE KNIFE”

Locking himself away with only his wife’s ghost for company, Cmdr O’Donnell has come up with a gift to bargain for Demeter’s freedom – a plant hybrid that can survive in the Children’s toxic atmosphere. Lt Cmdr Fife’s more aggressive plan would kill hundreds of the aliens. O’Donnell forbids it, but Fife builds support behind his back. On Voyager, Chakotay struggles with Eden’s choice to communicate with the captured Children rather than rush to Demeter’s rescue. As O’Donnell leaves Demeter to inject his creation directly into the Children’s energy spheres, Fife orders the crew to attack and escape, leaving O’Donnell behind. The crew refuse to support him, but Fife is able to fire phasers before they can stop him. Luckily Voyager arrives to block the attack. Lasren’s telepathy and O’Donnell’s gift convince the Children this was all a tragic mistake – Starfleet are not the Borg. The conflict is over...