The crews of DS9, Defiant and Robinson react to devastating events in Bajoran space...
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1. Teaser by lvsxy808
2. Act One by lvsxy808
3. Act Two by lvsxy808
4. Act Three by lvsxy808
5. Act Four by lvsxy808
6. Act Five by lvsxy808
7. Meanwhile... by lvsxy808
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 SISKO
simply stunned, unable to process, eyes wide and jaw slack, tears spilling over... a defeated man.
Under this, off-screen and out of focus, are the sounds of RED ALERT, a starship bridge in high crisis...
UTELN (o.s., b.g.)
Captain, the Breen have sealed
their hull breach, and it looks
like the Tzenkethi are on the
verge of restoring their shields.
2 VIEWSCREEN - THE BATTLE
Almost too many details to absorb - Deep Space Nine in the midst of being blown apart. A Breen warship with escaping gasses dissipating from a now-sealed hull breach. A silver teardrop Tzenkethi harrier still firing its white plasma bolts. Bajoran transports far away, desperately trying to escape the battlefield. The Defiant and Eletrix exchanging blows. Two runabouts zooming back and forth trying to make their meagre presence felt. The burning wreckage of Xhosa.
3 SISKO
doesn’t respond to Uteln’s report. He has no mind left.
4 ROGEIRO
Robinson’s first officer stands on the bridge, just as shocked. He knows how Sisko must feel. Uteln continues...
UTELN (o.s.)
The Defiant’s shields are below
sixty percent -
(new problem)
Captain!
Rogeiro looks up at the new urgency in Uteln’s voice...
5 VIEWSCREEN
A twisted, singed CHUNK OF DEEP SPACE NINE, a segment of shattered docking ring that was blown free of the exploding station, is now spinning through space RIGHT TOWARDS US...
6 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Rogeiro glances down to Sisko, still on his knees staring at the viewscreen - the captain has vacated the premises. With no other choice, the first officer takes command.
ROGEIRO
Sivadeki - move us out of its path
and away from the wormhole.
SIVADEKI works her controls...
7 EXT. SPACE - ROBINSON
Robinson fires thrusters, slips sideways and down, leaving the shattered tachyon buoys and the still-open WORMHOLE...
...the singed, warped piece of DS9 tumbles on past, over the Robinson’s shoulder and straight into the gaping maw of the wormhole, which then pulls in on itself and closes up.
8 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Rogeiro moves quickly around the bridge, handing out orders for the crew, calm and confident in the chaos...
ROGEIRO
(to Sivadeki)
Set course for the Defiant and the
Eletrix, but hold for my signal.
(to Uteln)
Hail the Breen and Tzenkethi. Tell
them that if they don’t stand down
immediately, we will open fire.
(to self)
With both their shields damaged,
that would not go well for them.
As helm and tactical obey their orders, Rogeiro turns to find Cllr ALTHOUSE hovering at his elbow, speaking sotto...
ALTHOUSE
I can relieve Captain Sisko right
now and take him to sickbay.
Rogeiro doesn’t like having to do that, but he knows that he and Althouse are the only two who know what is actually going on with Sisko... so he gives a short sharp nod.
Althouse moves to Sisko and gently helps him up, leads him away. Rogeiro confidently takes the centre seat...
UTELN
No response from either the Breen
or the Tzenkethi.
Rogeiro is not surprised. He turns to look at Sisko and Althouse, who have reached the turbolift. The door opens, but Sisko pauses, looks back at the screen.
SISKO
(quiet, haunted)
It should have been me.
Althouse guides him into the turbolift, the door closes...
...just in time for the ship to ROCK under attack.
UTELN
The Tzenkethi hit us with their
plasma cannon.
Rogeiro settles into his seat, resolved and determined...
ROGEIRO
Evasive manoeuvres. Return fire.
9 EXT. SPACE
Robinson surges forwards, PHASERS firing...
...on the TZENKETHI HARRIER. But its shields are restored - a shimmering blue skin of energy over its flowing silver shape - and the phaser attack simply FLARES against them.
Robinson chases after the fleeing Tzenkethi, but unseen...
...the BREEN WARSHIP looms up behind Robinson - and FIRES.
10 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Rogeiro is THROWN out of his seat and onto the deck. Main LIGHTING goes out... and after a disorienting moment of darkness, red-tinged EMERGENCY LIGHTING comes on.
UTELN
It’s the Breen! They outflanked us.
ROGEIRO
(mutter to self)
What was that old Romulan saying
again...?
UTELN
Shields are down to eighty-seven
percent. Returning fire...
11 EXT. SPACE
Robinson FIRES phasers on the Breen warship...
...and BLASTS pieces clean off the enemy hull, sending them flying off. This one has no energy shields to protect it.
12 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Clambering up from the deck, Rogeiro frowns at this as the damaged Breen ship is revealed on the viewscreen...
ROGEIRO
Why would they fire their weapons,
initiate a confrontation with an
enemy, when they have no shields?
What could be so important they’d
take such a risk?
But on screen, the crippled Breen ship FIRES again, making Robinson shake under the assault. Rogeiro grits his teeth.
ROGEIRO
Fine, if that’s how they want it.
13 EXT. SPACE
Robinson FIRES again on the Breen, a perfect shot...
...and the unshielded Breen warship EXPLODES.
Job done, Robinson surges on at full impulse, chasing after the fleeing Tzenkethi harrier.
14 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Rogeiro in command...
ROGEIRO
Status of Tzenkethi shields.
UTELN
Functional but not optimal. They
are focusing what they have aft.
Rogeiro nods - understandable. And he can use it.
15 EXT. SPACE
Chasing at full impulse, Robinson FIRES phasers on the Tzenkethi... they FLARE against the strong rear shields...
...then Robinson SWERVES, suddenly manoeuvring away.
16 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Sivadeki at helm...
SIVADEKI
Tzenkethi are now in pursuit.
UTELN
Refocusing their shields forward.
ROGEIRO
Plante - tell Relkdahz we’ll need
reverse impulse engines, and shunt
emergency power to the dampeners.
Cmdr PLANTE at Ops works her console...
17 EXT. SPACE
Robinson fleeing... Tzenkethi harrier chasing...
...and suddenly Robinson SLAMS on the brakes. The Tzenkethi ship zooms on past, overtaking in a second...
Robinson fires TORPEDOES... and HITS the Tzenkethi on their now unshielded aft section. EXPLOSIONS rack the harrier’s surface... but the ship is not destroyed, only left adrift.
18 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Uteln at tactical...
UTELN
Their shields are down, weapons
are off-line, and they’re adrift.
(new report)
Commander... they’re drifting
straight into the Denorios belt.
With that amount of damage and
no shields... they won’t survive.
Rogeiro seethes - damn it.
ROGEIRO
What’s the status of Defiant?
UTELN
Scanning... Defiant’s shields are
below fifty percent... but the
Romulans are down to forty.
ROGEIRO
Prepare tractor beam. Hail them.
Uteln works his panels, nods to Rogeiro.
ROGEIRO
Tzenkethi harrier, this is Commander
Rogeiro of the USS Robinson. Your
shields and engines are off-line,
and you’re drifting into a plasma
storm. We’re approaching to assist.
A moment... then Uteln shakes his head. Rogeiro sighs.
ROGEIRO
Fine - you don’t want to talk, and
a moment ago you were trying to
blow us out of the sky. But we’re
going to save your lives anyway.
Rogeiro gestures to Uteln - he closes the channel.
ROGEIRO
That’s why we’re the good guys.
Helm, bring us within range.
19 EXT. SPACE
Robinson creeps towards the drifting Tzenkethi harrier...
20 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Rogeiro in command...
ROGEIRO
Engage the tractor -
UTELN
Captain!
On the viewscreen, the Tzenkethi ship is using the last of its power to turn on its own axis... Rogeiro understands...
ROGEIRO
Full reverse - now!
Too late - the Tzenkethi ship’s deadly teardrop tail FLIPS up and over... coming straight for the Robinson.
BLACK OUT
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
21 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE
The EXPLOSIONS begin in the lower power core, climbing up the central body of the station, blowing it apart...
Just before the explosions reach the Promenade, a RUNABOUT zooms past at top speed, dangerously close...
22 INT. DS9 - QUARK’S BAR
EXPLOSIONS tear through the bar’s deckplates and bulkheads, blasting apart the dabo table, the colourful Ferengi mural, the tables with their abandoned food and drink, the golden railings, the monitors and displays... the bar itself.
23 INT. DS9 - OPS
EXPLOSIONS tear through the control centre of DS9, blasting apart the Ops table, the transporter platform, the tactical alcove, shattering the glass of the captain’s office...
...but there is no-one there.
24 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT
The runabout ZOOMS away to safety as the station EXPLODES behind it...
25 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT
TRANSPORTER beams form in the cramped alcove at the rear of the cockpit, forming...
RO, CENN, RWOGO and QUARK (who still holds his case of latinum) - saved from destruction at the last second.
Amazed, Ro looks around herself, realising where she is, that she’s alive, they all are...
The space is half-filled with junior OFFICERS or CIVILIANS, all likewise rescued. Ro looks for their rescuer...
...and sees TH’SHANT having just worked the transporter controls. The Andorian engineering ensign is terrified and overwhelmed but pushing through on sheer adrenaline.
Dalin SLAINE glances back briefly from the pilot station, where she is trying to get them out of the battlefield...
SLAINE
Captain! Major! Oh, thank the
Fates, he got you in time...
th’Shant is too shellshocked to speak for himself. Ro steps forwards, approaching Slaine, Cenn right behind her...
RO
Slaine... show me what’s going on.
Not entirely happy about it, Slaine obeys the order anyway, swerving the runabout around...
...until the battlefield comes back into view through the window. Ro leans forward, gazing at the shattered pieces of the station, the Robinson exchanging fire with the Breen and Tzenkethi ships, the burning wreckage of the Xhosa...
Cenn speaks low and gentle to Slaine...
CENN
We thought you were dead.
SLAINE
That was the Brahmaputra, not the
Rio Grande. Lieutenant Chao...?
Cenn nods his head sadly - just one of hundreds dead.
CENN
I didn’t know you were an Oralian.
(off Slaine’s look)
You said “Thank the Fates.”
SLAINE
Oh. I’m not, not really. It’s just
something they used to say when
I was growing up at Andak.
Ro overhears their conversation, and turns back, dark...
RO
Where’s the Romulan ship?
26 EXT. SPACE - ELETRIX
The beleaguered Romulan warbird under fire from Defiant...
27 INT. ELETRIX - BRIDGE
Commander T’JUL, the Romulan captain, grips the armrests of her command chair as the ship shudders under the attack...
KAZREN, her Breen friend and confidant, leans in and uses his quiet BUZZ so only she can hear (translation overlaid).
KAZREN
Our mission... has failed.
T’JUL
(quietly furious)
Spectacularly. Damn Tomalak. Damn
the Tal Shiar. Damn every last one
of them for getting us into this.
The VIEWSCREEN shows another photon torpedo twist towards them - and it IMPACTS, shaking the ship again, making a rear console EXPLODE in sparks.
Another ROMULAN, presumably her XO, commands the bridge crew MOS in their attempts to escape and/or fight back. T’Jul is content to leave them to it while she seethes...
T’JUL
Eletrix was only the back-up plan.
Ren Fejin’s mission was the vital
one. But then we end up ferrying
the stolen technology... and where
is Tomalak? Running for his life.
(to Kazren)
We are exposed, Deep Space Nine is
destroyed, Starfleet knows who is
responsible - the cargo we carry
is now more vital than ever. We
must get out of this, Kazren.
Kazren nods his helmeted head in agreement, steps back.
T’JUL
Centurion Diveln - how much time
do we need to cloak? Precisely.
DIVELN
Four-point-two lh’rhiseh, Commander.
T’JUL
Could we blanket the space between
us and the Starfleet vessel with
disruptor bolts? Not to strike the
enemy, but to interfere with their
sensors. Obscure the Eletrix long
enough to cloak and go to warp.
DIVELN works his panels, concentrating in the chaos...
DIVELN
Shields are at thirty percent. If
we fire the disruptors as you say,
leaving enough power to cloak and
go to warp, we would be unable to
defend ourselves in the interim.
The ship SHAKES again, more explosions and sparks...
T’JUL
We’re barely able to defend our-
selves now. We don’t need to win
this fight. We need to escape it.
Diveln nods, turning back to his console...
28 EXT. SPACE - DEFIANT
The tough little ship SWOOPS away, having just fired on the much larger Romulan warbird...
29 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE
TENMEI in command of a damaged and sparking bridge, but keeping her crew of young newbies on mission...
TENMEI
Keep us clear of their disruptors,
Ensign Minnar. Then bring us back
for another pass at their belly.
MINNAR
Understood, Captain.
Betazoid male MINNAR works the helm console, where Tenmei herself is more used to sitting. But she does allow herself a moment’s pleasure at what he called her - “captain”.
Then PERMENTER turns to her from the engineering post...
PERMENTER
Shields are down to forty-two
percent, and the ablative armour
is holding at seventy-three.
CANDLEWOOD speaks up from sciences...
CANDLEWOOD
But the Romulans are in even worse
shape than we are. We’ve basically
fought them to a standstill.
TENMEI
(grin)
Tough little ship, indeed. Aleco,
get ready to fire transphasics.
Minnar, course one-eighty. Let’s
introduce the Romulans to our
Borg-killer torpedoes...
Minnar SWERVES the ship, heading back the way they came...
30 EXT. SPACE - DEFIANT
Defiant swoops back around, heading back to the Eletrix...
...but the Eletrix fires first - dozens of bright green DISRUPTOR BOLTS from every weapons port they have, thrown into the space between them and Defiant in a seemingly haphazard pattern, IGNITING the already charged escaped gases in the battle zone...
31 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE
Tenmei leans forward in the command chair...
TENMEI
What the...
Then it becomes clear what the Romulans are doing...
VIEWSCREEN
...as the ignited gasses form a SMOKESCREEN...
32 INT. ELETRIX - BRIDGE
The opposite view is on the Eletrix’s viewscreen - a field of ionised gas to hide them from the Defiant’s sensors... T’Jul smiles, relieved.
DIVELN
Dropping shields, activating cloak.
RIXORA
Going to warp in five...
Simultaneously the lights DIM as the ship raises it cloak, and the sound of engines BUILDS as they ready for warp...
33 EXT. SPACE - ELETRIX
...as the Romulan ship begins to FADE from view, its warp nacelles simultaneously beginning to GLOW with power...
34 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT
On RO, as she sits in the weapons position next to Slaine, looking vengefully out of the window at this view...
RO
Oh no you don’t.
35 EXT. SPACE
Rio Grande SWOOPS in, much closer than Defiant, and fires PHASERS directly at where the Eletrix is half-visible...
36 INT. ELETRIX - BRIDGE
...is ROCKED by the blast, more EXPLOSIONS and SPARKS. The engine hum dies out, the lights raise...
DIVELN
The other Starfleet ship caught us
without shields. Cloak is down!
T’Jul is furious...
37 INT. DEFIANT - BRIDGE
As the field of charged gas fades, the Eletrix comes into view again, as well as the Rio Grande swooping away...
TENMEI
Aleco - fire!
38 INT. ELETRIX - BRIDGE
The Romulan viewscreen shows the twisting blue light of a TRANSPHASIC TORPEDO coming right for them... and it HITS.
EXPLOSIONS everywhere - panels blow, lights burst, crew are thrown to the deck, screams of pain and fear...
T’Jul is LIFTED out of her seat and DROPPED back into it with a THUD. She slumps there, out of breath. Diveln’s body lands on the deck in front of her. She turns to look at...
...KAZREN, Breen suit scorched and burned, crawling across the deck towards her. His hand reaches up, grabs her arm...
T’JUL
Years of hard work... a ship and
crew of my own at last... and it’s
all going to end before it’s begun.
KAZREN
I understand. And I’m sorry.
She looks around at her ruined bridge, at her dead crew...
T’JUL
Damn Tomalak.
39 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT
The runabout turns again, facing back towards Eletrix...
40 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT
Ro sitting next to Slaine...
RO
Full stop. Hold position.
The runabout glides to a halt. Ro stares out the window...
...at the Eletrix adrift, with the Defiant approaching it.
QUARK (o.s.)
Laren...
Ro almost smiles, relieved to know that Quark is safe. But she doesn’t really have time. Glaring at the Romulans...
RO
Not the time, Quark.
QUARK
But -
CENN grabs QUARK’s elbow and begins to drag him away from where he had approached the captain. But he slips free and steps closer to Ro, still holding his case of latinum...
QUARK
I just wanted to know when you’ll
be able to take us to Bajor. We’ve
got some pretty scared people
back there. Morn’s about ready to
open an airlock and jump ship.
Ro finally turns to look at Quark, sees the case...
RO
You were told only the absolute
essentials. So of course you
brought your latinum.
QUARK
(indignant)
It’s not just my latinum, Laren.
Vic Fontaine is in here. And if
I hold it like this -
He lifts the case over his head, rests it on his skull...
QUARK
(continuing)
- that’s two people taking up less
space than your average Bajoran.
Ro softens - she shouldn’t have judged him so harshly.
RO
Major - go with him. See what you
can do to keep everyone calm.
CENN
Aye, Captain.
Cenn leads Quark away more gently than last time...
...past TH’SHANT at the rear engineering console, and RWOGO staying out of the way but watching everything like a hawk.
Ro turns back to the Romulans. th’Shant finally speaks up.
TH’SHANT
Captain, I’m reading an open comm
line between Defiant and Eletrix.
RO
Let’s hear it.
th’Shant works his console... and we hear TENMEI’s voice.
TENMEI (comm)
- of the USS Defiant. Your weapons
are offline and your shields have
collapsed. Your crew will be taken
into custody for treaty violations
and acts of aggression against the
Federation. We will provide any
medical assistance you may need.
Ro turns to Slaine at her side, speaks sotto...
RO
Can they do that? Have they got
Bashir on board?
SLAINE
I have no idea.
TENMEI (comm)
Repeat, this is Lieutenant Tenmei
in command of the USS Def-
The warbird EXPLODES. Ro, Slaine and everyone remaining in the cockpit flinches back, covering their eyes, the ship SHAKING around them at the shockwave from the explosion...
...and when they look back, there is nothing but debris and burning wreckage. The Eletrix has self-destructed.
Ro slumps into her seat, more confused than ever.
RO
Ensign th’Shant... put me through
to the Defiant, I want to speak to
Lieutenant Tenmei.
(sigh)
I have a feeling this is going to
be a very long day.
Off Ro’s sheer emotional exhaustion...
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
41 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE
A different angle to before, but the same EXPLOSIONS begin in the lower power core, climbing up the central body...
42 INT. DS9 - HABITAT RING CORRIDOR
Civilians SCREAM as they are THROWN against bulkheads, as they hear the destruction getting closer...
BASHIR collides with a bulkhead sharply, air knocked out of him in a loud OOF, then lands hard on the deck...
A loud THUNK. Bashir turns his breathless head to look...
...and sees EMERGENCY BULKHEADS falling into place. From the far end and getting closer, bulkheads SLAM down from ceiling to floor, splitting the corridor into sections.
Bashir sees one of the CIVILIANS look back at him in panic, not understanding what’s going on, before the last bulkhead SLAMS down between them, separating them off.
Then BOOM - the destruction catches up to them.
43 INT. DS9 - PROMENADE
EXPLOSIONS tear through all the familiar shop fronts - the security office, the replimat, the shrine, the infirmary...
44 INT. DS9 - BASHIR’S QUARTERS
EXPLOSIONS tear through the private living area, the sofa and dining table, the various holosuite costumes in storage (Viking, bomber jacket, tuxedo, even the stolen Breen suit) and the sideboard where Kukalaka usually rests...
45 INT. DS9 - HABITAT RING CORRIDOR
Bashir is SHAKEN worse than ever as his small segment of corridor goes tumbling head over heels...
46 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE
As the station’s core is blown to bits, the docking pylons SEPARATE, blown from their moorings and sent hurtling off.
The habitat ring, docking ring and crossover bridges all split into CHUNKS, sent spinning off like lifeboats.
47 INT. DS9 - HABITAT RING CORRIDOR
Bashir struggles to look around - absolute chaos, screams of pain and fear, terrified civilians thrown around...
Suddenly he notices a WALL coming straight for him - SLAM.
BLACK OUT
Quieter whimpers and sobbing creep into the darkness...
FADE IN
48 MATTHIAS
blurred and foggy, reaching down into camera...
MATTHIAS
Easy. Easy, Julian. You’re safe.
49 INT. DS9 - HABITAT RING CORRIDOR
Head woozy from the impact, Bashir looks up - Matthias is hovering over him, TRICORDER in hand and scanning his head.
BASHIR
Wha... wha happen...
MATTHIAS
Not entirely sure... but I think
Deep Space Nine was destroyed.
BASHIR
...bombs?
MATTHIAS
I don’t know. I don’t even know if
there are any survivors except us.
She gestures around, and Bashir peers past her to look...
...at a dozen other people, adults and children, huddled in small groups. Their “lifeboat” is slowly tumbling through space, but dim lights and gravity appear to be working.
BASHIR
Sarina...?
MATTHIAS
I’m sorry, I haven’t seen her.
I did find someone else you
might like to see though...
Matthias reaches off... and comes back with KUKALAKA. The little teddy bear has been through the wars like the rest of them, but Bashir immediately brightens to see his oldest friend in one piece, pulls him close with gratitude.
BASHIR
Thank you... thank you...
MATTHIAS
That’s one love of your life safe
and sound, at least.
Bashir looks at her, slightly disturbed by that...
50 INT. DS9 - BASHIR’S QUARTERS
Bashir reaches out and gently picks up Kukalaka from his usual place on the sideboard. He needs the comfort of his oldest friend, because his world has just been shattered.
He turns around, looks at his quarters in these better days, everything normal, everything where it should be...
...except nothing is normal, because the woman sitting on the sofa has just told him something impossible. SARINA...
SARINA
Julian... say something...
Julian doesn’t know what to say. She gets up, approaches...
...and he backs away in horror, clinging to the teddy bear.
BASHIR
I don’t understand.
SARINA
Which part?
BASHIR
Any of it. Sarina - you’re working
for Section Thirty-One.
SARINA
(emphatic)
I’m not working for them.
BASHIR
You just told me you were. Are.
SARINA
They think I am.
BASHIR
But why? Why would you...
Sarina sighs and heads back to the sofa, slumps into it.
SARINA
It started exactly like I told you.
Captain Erdona recruited me
into Starfleet Intelligence, told
me I could use my skills to
help the Federation.
BASHIR
Was he with -
SARINA
No. He was above board. But it
didn’t take long for someone who
was from “the organisation” to
reach out and... “make contact”
with me. Her name was L’Haan.
Bashir reacts to the familiar name...
SARINA
I see you’ve heard of her. She
told me I could use my skills to
help the Federation... without
being bound by Federation rules.
BASHIR
And you jumped at the chance.
SARINA
Actually I went straight to Ilirra -
to Commander Deel. We discussed
the matter, and we agreed that I
would join Section Thirty-One...
or at least I would appear to.
Bashir shakes his head in amazement, can’t believe this...
BASHIR
You still haven’t said why.
SARINA
There are elements of Starfleet
who are aware of Section Thirty-
One and their activities... and who
want them stopped as much as
you do. You’ve met some of them -
Admiral Batanides. Captain Vaughn.
Bashir struggles against the good sense she is making. Then a new thought occurs to him...
BASHIR
Commander Deel... she said
she used to work with Vaughn.
Thought of him as a mentor...
Sarina nods, glad he’s starting to put it together...
SARINA
She’s in the cabal. And so am I.
BASHIR
(jaw drops)
You’re part of Captain Vaughn’s
anti Section Thirty-One group?
SARINA
That’s why I’m infiltrating them,
trying to take them down from
theinside. I never resigned from
Starfleet Intelligence, Julian.
I’m still in contact with Ilirra.
BASHIR
But how? Thirty-One has eyes and
ears everywhere, L’Haan’s a Vulcan -
SARINA
And Ilirra’s a Betazoid - one of the
most talented telepaths in the
entire Federation. She trained me
how to protect my thoughts, how to
project a false image, even during
a mind-meld. I can even send to
her directly - sometimes.
BASHIR
So why are you here? It’s obviously
not because you love me -
SARINA
I do love you, Julian. That part was
always true. It’s just not the only
reason. I’m also here because L’Haan
wants me to get closer to you.
BASHIR
Why?
SARINA
To recruit you, of course.
Bashir is appalled - they still want him, after so long.
BASHIR
And you’re going to just hand me
over to them. Two super-powered,
genetically engineered geniuses
working for a black ops outfit
with no conscience or oversight.
What did Ilirra think of that?
SARINA
She thought it was a fantastic
idea. Who better to help me take
down Thirty-One than someone
who has despised them for years?
(beat)
So... are you in?
BASHIR
In? In to what?
SARINA
To helping me destroy Thirty-One.
BASHIR
By joining them. By carrying out
their murders, their violations of
every principle we hold sacred -
SARINA
So that we can stop all that. Two
geniuses are better than one.
Bashir paces away, still gripping tight to Kukalaka...
BASHIR
How do I know any of this is true?
You tell me you’re - what, a triple
agent? Working for station security,
except really for Thirty-One, except
really for Starfleet Intelligence? So
many lies and layers - how can I
possibly believe anything you say?
SARINA
Because you know me.
BASHIR
Do I? I thought I was going to marry
you, Sarina. I killed for you.
(sudden realisation)
Oh god... was that part of their
plan too? To turn me into a killer,
more suitable for recruitment...
Sarina doesn’t answer that. Bashir’s face drops...
BASHIR
It was. Oh dear god...
SARINA
L’Haan had to believe it, Julian.
You’ve already fooled her once -
BASHIR
And you’ve fooled me. I should’ve
known. Did you lie about th’Shant
too? Are you the one planning to
blow up the station on Section
Thirty-One’s orders?
SARINA
No! Julian -
She reaches for him - he flinches away again.
BASHIR
Stay away from me. You don’t love
me. You’re just... you’re a siren,
luring me to the rocks.
SARINA
(plaintive)
No, Julian... I’m a lonely, scared
woman on an incredibly difficult
mission, just trying to find some
help. Will you help me? Please?
Bashir clings to Kukalaka, horrified by the woman he loves.
51 INT. DS9 - HABITAT RING CORRIDOR
...and now he clings to Kukalaka again, lying on the deck of their tiny section of corridor, after the station was blown to pieces by those bombs. He looks up and sees...
MATTHIAS holding court for the other survivors, retelling a famous children’s story to keep the little ones distracted from their situation. A Bajoran MOTHER and CHILD listen closely - and now he’s back with them, so does Bashir...
MATTHIAS
...that’s when the farmer realised
- the shapes his pylchyk had eaten
out of the grass weren’t shapes.
The circle was the sun. The lines
were the fences. The triangle was
the roof of his farmhouse. Beltese
had drawn a picture of the farm.
CHILD
He was a smart pylchyk!
MATTHIAS
Yes he was. Because Beltese
wasn’t just good at pulling a plow
across a field. He was an artist.
Bashir is charmed despite himself. The Mother puts her arm around her Child, finishing off the story with its moral...
MOTHER
Just like you can be different
things. You can be a farmer and an
artist. You can be a vedek and a
springball player. You don’t have
to be just one thing, or even two.
You can be anything you want.
Bashir considers that wisdom, and how it applies to his own tough situation. He can be both a secret agent and a moral person. Sarina can be both an Intelligence officer and the love of his life. Meanwhile the Child declares proudly...
CHILD
I want to be a pylchyk!
Bashir BARKS with laughter, delighted. So do Matthias and the Mother, and the other children. Despite their horrible situation, the general mood has been lifted by the story.
Suddenly the room SHAKES, and a HUM can be heard - they have been captured by something. A tractor beam?
Bashir scrambles up from the deck and rushes to protect the civilians. Matthias does the same, huddling with the mother and child. It could be anything - rescue, or trouble.
Then everyone DEMATERIALISES in transporter beams...
52 INT. CANTERBURY - MAIN SHUTTLE BAY
Much like Robinson’s main shuttle bay, as seen in 13x22 “Disconnect.” A dozen figures MATERIALISE on the deck...
Bashir looks up at his new surroundings, filled with relief and hope. All the people he was trapped with are safe and alive. Starfleet EXTRAS stand at a nearby console, having just beamed them aboard. Bashir stands, nods his thanks.
He sees Matthias being hugged by the mother and child, them thanking her for the story. Then Matthias turns to him...
BASHIR
Thank you, Counsellor. You were
wonderful. Far better than I was.
MATTHIAS
Sibias used to tell that story to
Arios and Mireh. And since I
know they’re all safe on Bajor...
the story was up for grabs.
SARINA (o.s.)
Julian...?
Bashir turns - SARINA is standing across the room, smudged but alive, and afraid he might not even want to see her.
But with tears threatening, Bashir BOLTS across the room and throws himself into her arms, hugging her fiercely.
BASHIR
Sarina... you’re alright...
SARINA
I’m fine. I was in the docking ring
when the emergency bulkheads
closed. The Canterbury recovered
us. Ro’s leading the rescues...
BASHIR
She survived?
SARINA
A lot of people did. But a lot of
people didn’t. I’m sorry, Julian.
BASHIR
No, I’m sorry. I should never have
doubted you. You wanted me to
make a decision - well, I’ve made it.
SARINA
...And?
BASHIR
And I’m with you. All the way.
Whatever, whenever.
SARINA
I’m glad, but we can talk later.
Right now, there’s a lot of people
in the Canterbury’s sickbay...
BASHIR
Of course, I’ll head there now.
(doesn’t move)
I love you, Sarina.
SARINA
And I love you too, Julian.
Bashir finally tears himself away and heads for the door. Sarina is left holding Kukalaka as she watches him go...
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
53 EXT. SPACE
The wormhole open, Breen freighter Ren Fejin having passed through the tachyon detection grid without incident...
...but then the grid catches the Eletrix in its glittering blue beams. As the Defiant swoops in...
54 INT. REN FEJIN - BRIDGE
The cramped, rickety bridge of the Breen freighter. Romulan Tal Shiar agent KINN turns from his console in horror...
KINN
Eletrix has been detected!
Proconsul TOMALAK sits in command, stunned by this...
TOMALAK
How?
KINN
Does it matter?
Tomalak succumbs to momentary panic. But after a second...
TOMALAK
Set course for Romulan space, and
engage at maximum warp. Do it!
The half-dozen BREEN soldiers running the bridge obey...
55 EXT. SPACE
While the Defiant is occupied firing its opening volley at the Eletrix... Ren Fejin bursts into WARP - and escapes.
56 INT. REN FEJIN - BRIDGE
Tomalak clings to his armrests, the shaking of the ship rattling his teeth...
TOMALAK
That incompetent idiot T’Jul may
have failed... but with the Breen
and Tzenkethi to keep Starfleet
occupied, we may yet get out
of this with our honour intact.
KINN
Proconsul, I must protest! How can
it be honourable to leave fellow
Romulan soldiers to their deaths?
TOMALAK
Are you also incompetent, Kinn? This
vessel has no shields, no weapons.
Eletrix is compromised, meaning the
information aboard this rust bucket
may be Romulus’s only chance in the
war that is now almost inevitable.
An angry BUZZ from off-screen - Tomalak turns, and sees the Breen engineer THOT TROK looking back at him. He smarms...
TOMALAK
I apologise for the imprecision of
my speech, Thot Trok. I meant to
say that this venerable vessel is
now the Typhon Pact’s only chance.
...which is obviously worse. Tomalak turns back to Kinn...
TOMALAK
Specialist Kinn - can we cloak?
KINN
You ordered me to dismantle the
cloak before we reached the worm
hole. Precisely so that Starfleet
would have no reason to suspect us.
TOMALAK
Yes or no, Specialist?
KINN
(are you stupid?)
No!
Trok steps forward, BUZZES urgently (translation overlaid).
THOT TROK
Transmit the data to Chairwoman
Sela. Send the message now.
TOMALAK
Like you sent your message to the
Eletrix and pointed an arrow right
at yourselves for the Jem’Hadar?
(back to Kinn)
Listen to me, both of you. I have
not risen so high for so many
years and through so many foolish
praetors by being foolish myself.
If Starfleet finds us, how will we
explain why a ship that left with
a full crew of Breen returns half-
crewed by Romulans, including our
liaison to Starfleet? How will we
explain the many Dominion weapons
signatures now adorning our hull?
(beat)
We will not send any message.
We will deliver the information in
person. So get down there, Kinn,
and rebuild that cloak. Now!
Forced to accept Tomalak’s logic, Kinn stands and stalks off the bridge. Tomalak turns to Thot Trok...
TOMALAK
You’re an engineer, aren’t you?
Go with him.
THOT TROK
It cannot be done, Proconsul.
Tomalak advances threateningly on Trok - the suited Breen flinches back, still traumatised by Laas. Tomalak sneers...
TOMALAK
We need to hide, Thot Trok. That’s
what you Breen do best, isn’t it?
Tomalak shoves Trok towards the door, where Kinn waits. As they both EXIT, Tomalak returns to his command chair.
TOMALAK
Show me what’s happening back
at the wormhole.
Breen functionary ZELK (from 14x11) works his console...
...and the room-filling HOLOGRAM display returns, depicting moving icons that represent the Starfleet, Romulan, Breen and Tzenkethi ships as they battle it out...
...until suddenly one of the icons EXPLODES, fritzing out the entire holo-display with static.
TOMALAK
What happened? What was that?
ZELK
(buzz w/ translation)
It was Deep Space Nine, Proconsul.
Tomalak realises what must have happened and what it means.
TOMALAK
Maintain course and speed.
57 EXT. SPACE - REN FEJIN
The blocky, asymmetrical ship rumbling on as best it can...
58 EXT. SPACE
Defiant now holding position near the Rio Grande and the massive cloud of burning wreckage that was the Eletrix...
59 INT. RUNABOUT - COCKPIT
Two more TRANSPORTER signatures form... depositing TENMEI and CANDLEWOOD. th’Shant operated the transporter again - and the moment Tenmei sees him, she grabs him in a HUG.
TH’SHANT
(pinched)
...Lieutenant Tenmei...
TENMEI
Vakell - thank god you’re alive.
Candlewood steps off the transporter pad and hugs SLAINE rather more delicately. Smiling at this display, RO stands from her seat, they turn to her - and both hug her too.
RO
Hi, you two. It’s good to see you.
CANDLEWOOD
You too, Captain.
RO
You both did amazing, amazing work
today. I’m so proud of you both.
TENMEI
Where’s Jeanette? And K’Uhllo?
RO
Don’t know about K’Uhllo. But...
RWOGO steps up from behind, taking this burden for Ro...
RWOGO
Chief Chao remained in the power
core to continue her attempts to
defuse the bombs. Presumably
she was still there when they
went off. I’m sorry, Lieutenant.
Tenmei starts to cry... but she nods. Candlewood reaches...
CANDLEWOOD
Prynn...
TENMEI
Hey, given the death count from all
this, there had to be at least one
person I know, right? It’s fine.
CANDLEWOOD
No... it’s not.
Ro tries to bring Tenmei back to the mission...
RO
Lieutenant - the Canterbury will
be back soon, but in the meantime
I want you to take the Rio Grande,
find the Nile, and start scanning
all these fragments for survivors.
TENMEI
(wipes away tears)
Understood, Captain.
RO
Slaine, th’Shant - you can stand
down now. You were amazing too,
but you’ve done enough for today.
TH’SHANT
(gulp)
I’d rather stay, Captain. Try to
save as many as possible. Please.
Ro looks to Slaine, she nods her agreement.
RO
Alright, fine. But if Tenmei tells
you to take a break, take it.
TENMEI
What about you, Captain?
RO
I’m going to find out what the
hell this was all about. Rwogo,
you’re with me.
Ro strides back to the transporter alcove, with Rwogo close behind her. Ro works the controls for herself...
...and they both DEMATERIALISE.
60 EXT. SPACE - REN FEJIN
The Breen freighter still rumbling on at low warp...
61 INT. REN FEJIN - BRIDGE
TOMALAK judders unhappily in his seat as the ship rattles around him. ZELK speaks up from his station...
ZELK
Proconsul - the interference to
our sensors from the destruction
of Deep Space Nine is clearing.
TOMALAK
Show me.
The HOLO-DISPLAY comes up again - and amongst the still fritzing static, the picture is very different.
TOMALAK
Explain what I’m seeing.
ZELK’s voice is translated into a robotic monotone by his Breen suit. But Tomalak’s horror grows with every line...
ZELK
Eletrix is destroyed. Tzenkethi and
Breen warships also destroyed.
The Starfleet vessel Robinson is
present in the system, presumably
having discovered the Eletrix’s
deception in the Gamma Quadrant.
TOMALAK
What about this one?
Tomalak points at one icon. Zelk works his console...
...and shows an image of the Defiant coming right for them. Tomalak knows exactly what it is, and what it represents.
TOMALAK
Time until they intercept?
ZELK
Twelve of your lh’rhiseh.
TOMALAK
Can we increase speed?
ZELK
We are at maximum, Proconsul.
TOMALAK
(thumbs comm)
Tomalak to Kinn.
62 INT. REN FEJIN - TRANSPORT ROOM
KINN and THOT TROK are half way through rebuilding the cloaking device when Tomalak’s voice comes through...
TOMALAK (comm)
(continuing)
Status of the cloaking device.
KINN
The status is that it’s still only
half built, Proconsul.
TOMALAK (comm)
Will it be complete within twelve
lh’rhiseh, Specialist?
Kinn looks to Trok - the Breen shakes his helmeted head.
KINN
I don’t see how, Proconsul.
TOMALAK (comm)
Thank you, Specialist.
The line drops. Kinn shakes his head in exasperation...
KINN
How that man got promoted beyond
Sublieutenant, I will never know.
THOT TROK
At least he’s not my Proconsul.
63 INT. REN FEJIN - BRIDGE
TOMALAK staring unhappily at the holo-image of Defiant...
RO (comm)
This is Captain Ro Laren of the
USS Defiant. You are ordered to
bring your vessel to an immediate
halt. If you do not comply, I will
be forced to open fire. Without
shields, I cannot be sure your
vessel would survive an assault.
TOMALAK
Shut it off.
The holo-image and comm line both disappear. Tomalak sighs, rolls his eyes, digs in a pocket - brings out a DISRUPTOR. With the crew all concentrating on their work, they don’t notice as he resignedly works the weapon’s settings...
TOMALAK
I’m surrounded by incompetents.
And he SHOOTS every one of his crew in the back.
PEW PEW PEW PEW PEW - one by one, they collapse over their consoles with smoking holes in their backs. Then he calmly gets up from his chair and heads to the door...
64 INT. REN FEJIN - TRANSPORT ROOM
Tomalak strides in, to Kinn and Trok’s surprise...
KINN
Proconsul - we’re not ready yet.
TOMALAK
I realise that, Specialist. Thot Trok,
I thought you should know - I’ve
sent a message to Chairwoman
Sela as you suggested, informing
her of events here today.
THOT TROK
I don’t understand.
TOMALAK
No, I dare say not.
Then he brings up the disruptor and SHOOTS Trok - the Breen BUZZ-SCREAMS as his suit’s systems scramble painfully, and he collapses to the deck, smoking. Kinn stares in horror...
KINN
Why...?
TOMALAK
For Romulus, of course.
Tomalak SHOOTS Kinn as well. As the other Romulan falls to the floor, dead, Tomalak turns his attention to the half-built cloaking device, and all the computer banks nearby, and SHOOTS them as well. As they all EXPLODE in sparks...
65 EXT. SPACE - REN FEJIN
Ren Fejin drops out of warp, coming to a full stop...
...and within moments, Defiant drops out of warp as well, pulling in close and capturing the ship in a TRACTOR BEAM.
66 INT. REN FEJIN - BRIDGE
Four TRANSPORTER beams deposit RO, RWOGO, ALECO and another Starfleet security EXTRA onto the Breen ship’s bridge. They are all armed, and they look around at the dead Breen and Romulans, the crippled computers, the blasted bulkheads...
Tomalak smiles back at them from the command chair.
TOMALAK
Hello, Captain. Nice to see you
again. Welcome to the Ren Fejin.
Off Ro’s reaction...
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
67 EXT. SPACE
The Xhosa has been torn in two by the Tzenkethi ship’s whip of a tail. It gutters and burns... then EXPLODES.
PAN sideways to DS9 itself, as the EXPLOSIONS tear through its lower sections, climbing up the station to its core...
The docking ring that the Xhosa had only just left SPLITS into smaller lifeboat sections, like the habitat ring did.
One of the sections comes FLYING towards us... we move with it as it tumbles over and over through space, escaping its dying parent... we TURN to see where it is heading...
...straight for the Robinson. The huge Galaxy-class ship fires thrusters, slips sideways and down. The shattered segment of station tumbles on past over its shoulder...
...into the still-open wormhole... and is swallowed up.
68 INT. WORMHOLE
The chunk of station tumbles through the inter-dimensional blue-white-gold light streams, getting gradually slower...
...until it comes to a relative stop, still rolling gently but not making any further progress through the wormhole.
ZOOM IN slowly on the segment... closer... closer...
...we identify a PORTHOLE on its hull, a FACE pressed to the glass... closer... closer...
It’s KASIDY, staring out at the wormhole in fear. She turns to look behind her, back into the lifeboat...
69 INT. DS9 - DOCKING RING CORRIDOR
...where KIRA lies on the deck, a jumble of limbs and robes knocked out cold by their violent escape from the station.
Kasidy pulls herself away from the window and goes to Kira. Feels her pulse, holds her hand in front of Kira’s mouth... she’s alive. Relieved, Kasidy straightens Kira’s legs and robes, unwinds a sash, rolls it as a pillow for her head.
That done, Kasidy looks around at their lifeboat - a small segment of docking ring corridor, protected by emergency bulkheads at each end, dim lights and gravity functioning. She and Kira are the only ones here. What can she do?
Taking a deep breath, she stands and walks to the porthole, looks out at the magical currents of the wormhole interior. The place that had such an effect on her and her family.
What does Ben find so fascinating about this place? If she can figure that out, maybe she could get him back. As she looks out, she feels almost hypnotised by the lights...
KASIDY
(whisper)
Excuse me...
70 INT. POLICE STATION - DAY
CASSIE sets her jaw, speaks again, louder this time.
CASSIE
Excuse me.
The SERGEANT doesn’t look up. The middle aged Latino cop (who looks like ROGEIRO) just goes on chewing his gum and reading his broadsheet newspaper. Cassie tries again...
CASSIE
My name is Cassie Johnson. I need
to talk to someone about Benny
Russell.
SERGEANT
(still not looking)
Whoozat...?
Cassie looks behind herself in frustration - KAY EATON is there, rickety wooden chairs and windows out onto the 50s East Harlem street behind her. She steps forwards...
KAY EATON
Excuse me, Officer. My name is Kay
Eaton. To whom am I speaking?
The Sergeant finally looks up. Cassie controls her reaction - of course he would pay attention to a white woman over her. But then that is why Cassie asked for Kay’s help.
SERGEANT
I’m Sergeant LaDotio. What can
I do for you, ma’am?
KAY EATON
My friend and I are here about
Benny Russell. I believe he was
brought here earlier today?
The Sergeant checks his log books...
SERGEANT
Russell... right, yeah, got ‘im. Sent
over from the nuthouse. Tried to
escape, they said. Beat up a
couple orderlies. You know him?
KAY EATON
I’m a work colleague.
SERGEANT
Bail’s set at fitty dollars. You got
dat much?
CASSIE’S POV: KIRA reaches across the reception desk, grabs the Sergeant’s tie, pulls him close, hisses in his face...
KIRA
Listen, jackass...
Cassie jerks in shock, blinks...
...Kay Eaton is politely opening up her purse and looking for a cheque book. Cassie reaches to stop her...
CASSIE
Miss Eaton - I can’t let you -
KAY EATON
Don’t worry about it.
(back to Sergeant)
Who do I pay?
He gestures to a smaller table, where the CLERK works - a brassy Irish broad who looks like RWOGO without the ears.
While Kay heads over to write the cheque, Cassie wrings her hands, glances around at the police station. It scares her.
Kay comes back... the Sergeant reacts...
SERGEANT
Thank you, ma’am. Please take
a seat, an officer will escort
Mister Russell out shortly.
The Sergeant has barely acknowledged Cassie’s existence the whole time, but sadly, she’s used to it. While he relays the orders to a junior, Kay and Cassie take the seats by the window. Cassie still wringing her hands with worry...
CASSIE
Thanks so much for all your help,
Miss Eaton. I just thought...
another woman might understand.
KAY EATON
It’s Kay. And I’m happy to help.
(beat)
How’s he been?
CASSIE
Better lately. He’s looked happier.
Healthier. Started coming out to
meet me again at visiting hours.
Even let me bring Becky a couple
times. That always made him smile.
(beat)
Until today. I went over there same
time as always, and they told me
he’d been arrested. He’s sick. He
needs help, not punishment.
Kay tries to think how best to comfort and support her...
KAY EATON
Benny’s faced some tough times. I
saw some of them. It’s an unfair
world... and I think that finally
got to him.
(shakes head)
Sometimes I feel this unfair world
getting to me.
CASSIE
(quiet, haunted)
He’s a good man. A kind man. He’s
loved me like no-one else has. He
doesn’t deserve what’s happened.
The doors at the far end CREAK open, Cassie looks up...
CASSIE
Benny!
BENNY looks tired and haggard - and confused. Cassie jumps up and runs towards him - but the Sergeant puts out a hand to stop her. He turns and speaks to Kay...
SERGEANT
We’re releasing Mister Russell and
his friend into your custody, Miss
Eaton. You paid the bail.
KAY EATON
Thank you. Wait - his friend?
SERGEANT
Yeah, they came in together. Both
from the nuthouse. He’ll be along.
He hands Benny over, then turns back to his business. Once again Cassie might as well have not been there. Kay smiles up at the confused, distant Benny...
KAY
Hi, Benny. Been a long time.
It’s as if he doesn’t even recognise Kay... then he turns to Cassie, and the smile blooms. He grabs her in a hug...
BENNY
Cassie...
CASSIE
Oh Benny... I’ve missed you. Let
me get you out of here...
BENNY
Yes... yes, I need to get out of
here. But where’s...
The door CREAKS again as someone else is brought out...
ELI (o.s.)
Benny!
It is ELI UNDERWOOD, the version of Elias Vaughn last seen back in 8x26 “Unity, pt 3.” He looks old and haggard as a dead man, but he’s alive with mischief. Ben turns to him...
ELI
Whew! Hell of a ride, right?
BENNY
Come on, Eli... we have to go.
The two men dash for the door and EXIT, already onto the street and gone before Cassie can even shout after them.
CASSIE
Benny! Where are you going?
Kay turns to the Sergeant, confused and frustrated...
KAY EATON
Eli? Who is Eli?
SERGEANT
Eli Underwood, ma’am. They were
in Riverdale together. Tried to break
out of it together too. Guess you
get two for the price o’ one.
Cassie steps out on the street, shouting after the men...
71 EXT. NEW YORK STREET - DAY (CONTINUOUS)
...where she can just make out Benny and Eli running away, almost lost in the rushing crowds and honking yellow cabs.
CASSIE
Benny! It’s not safe! Benny!
She makes to follow... but finds her arm caught by Kay.
KAY EATON
No. Let him go.
CASSIE
What? But we can be together...
KAY EATON
You have to let him walk his own
path, Cassie. If you try to stop
him, he’ll never come back.
CASSIE
But -
KAY EATON
It’s okay. Trust me.
Despite all sense, there is something compelling about Kay now, something almost hypnotic. Cassie gazes at her...
CASSIE
...Okay. I have faith in you.
KAY EATON
Good. Now, you go home. I’ll make
sure he comes home too. Alright?
CASSIE
Yes. But please hurry.
Kay nods, then takes off down the street after Benny and Eli. Cassie can only watch them go, wringing her hands...
72 SERIES OF SCENES
-- Kay running down the Manhattan sidewalk, out of breath
-- High heels clacking on the pavement, purse flapping against her side as she runs
-- Ahead of her, just barely, the sight of the two escaped mental patients running west, towards the setting sun
-- Vedek Kira lying unconscious on the deck of the corridor segment, eyes twitching in a vision
-- Kay at the intersection, yellow cabs and lumbering city buses blocking her view, her peering desperately past...
-- Kira in close-up on the deck, while in long-shot Kasidy stares through the porthole, transfixed by the wormhole
-- Kay runs right into the blinding light of the sunset, throws her hand up to protect her eyes...
-- The light clears, revealing the Promenade at Riverside State Park, looking over the Hudson. People mill about, but there is no sign of Benny and Eli. Then Kay looks again...
-- Kasidy’s eyes in close-up, the lights of the wormhole reflecting off the porthole glass over her face
-- A small boat, out in the river... and Benny and Eli are in it, paddling out into the river.
73 EXT. RIVERSIDE PROMENADE / HUDSON RIVER - SUNSET
Kay stares amazed as Benny and Eli try to paddle away...
...and they are heading right into a WHIRLPOOL that has inexplicably appeared in the Hudson River. Kay shouts...
KAY EATON
Benny! Benny! Come back!
...but they don’t hear her. As they paddle closer to the whirlpool, the water begins to turn impossibly RED.
Kay desperately looks around for what to do... and sees another man just bringing his own boat into shore. Kay immediately dashes for the boat, pushes the man out of the way (“Hey!”) and leaps into the boat herself.
Kay looks up, squinting against the sun. A BIRD is circling above, like a vulture waiting for bodies to feed from.
The impossible red whirlpool in the middle of the Hudson River, whirling and whirling, sucking everything in.
Benny rowing his own boat right towards it, Eli letting him as the older one, both seemingly heedless of the danger.
Kay’s little boat rocking, throwing her back and forth as the river’s currents get rougher. When she looks again...
...Benny’s boat is empty! Oh no, have they fallen in? She looks around the water in a panic...
But then she looks up to the Promenade, to the shore...
...and Benny is there, safe and sound, waving to her.
Kay is confused, alarmed. Is she now alone out here?
But no - inexplicably, Eli Underwood is now in her boat instead of Benny’s. The old man smiles and nods at Kay, comforting - everything’s going to be okay.
Then he grabs her by the waist with both hands, and using strength she would never imagine, HURLS her into the air.
On Kay’s face as she is THROWN high into the air, confused and terrified, into the blinding light of the sunset...
WHITE OUT
Clunk. Kerthunk. Hisssss. The WHITE OUT clears, a diamond ring effect as a new bright light momentarily blinds...
74 INT. DS9 - DOCKING RING CORRIDOR
...KASIDY, sitting against the wall on the deck of their escape capsule. She peers, confused and squinting against the sudden LIGHT in the darkness, as one of the emergency bulkheads CREAKS away and unformed shapes step through...
KASIDY
...where am I?
It’s BASHIR, creeping gently inside, with the suggestion of lots of other people and activity in the cargo bay beyond.
BASHIR
You’re safe, Kasidy. I promise
you’re safe now.
KASIDY
(woozy)
Oh... Julian... that’s good.
(half-gestures)
Nerys...
BASHIR
I’ll take her straight to sickbay.
But you’re both going to be fine.
KASIDY
...okay... good...
Bashir beckons EXTRAS to tend to the unconscious Kira, then he gently helps Kasidy up off the deck. As they stagger...
KASIDY
How did you...
BASHIR
The Robinson reported a fragment
of the docking ring entering the
wormhole. The Canterbury went
in to check. You’re lucky you
didn’t get swept away...
Off Kasidy, as she remembers the vision. Maybe they didn’t get swept away yet... but it’s coming.
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT FOUR
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
75 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
On the viewscreen, the Tzenkethi ship is using the last of its power to turn on its own axis... Rogeiro understands...
ROGEIRO
Full reverse - now!
Too late - the Tzenkethi ship’s deadly teardrop tail FLIPS up and over... coming straight for the Robinson...
76 EXT. SPACE - ROBINSON
...and SMASHES right through the leading edge of the ship’s saucer section. Debris and bodies go flying...
77 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Collision alert alarms SCREAM. Consoles EXPLODE. Engines WHINE to pull them back. Emergency lights stutter. Shouting over the destruction...
ROGEIRO
Fire phasers!
78 EXT. SPACE - ROBINSON
Even with the horrific wound in its hull, Robinson FIRES...
...and blows the Tzenkethi harrier to pieces.
79 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
As the collision alarms are silenced, Rogeiro stands and stares with regret at the viewscreen...
VIEWSCREEN
...which shows silver curves of hull metal and glowing red Tzenkethi bodies tumbling away into the blue wisps of the Denorios Belt. Some of them IMPACT on the Robinson - small thuds that are nothing compared to what it already felt.
ROGEIRO
(haunted)
Damage report...
UTELN
Checking... the Tzenkethi vessel
impacted the forward sections of
decks eight, nine, ten and eleven.
Emergency forcefields ineffective
because of the extent of the
damage, but emergency bulkheads
are sealed and holding. Casualty
lists are still coming in, but we
have dozens of injured, some
of them critically, and...
(sigh)
...at least twenty-seven missing.
After a moment of mute horror, Rogeiro tries to ask another question... but it comes out as an unintelligible CROAK. He clears his throat, takes a deep breath, starts again...
ROGEIRO
Status of the Defiant.
UTELN
(more scans)
Operational, but shields are low.
I’m not reading the Romulan ship.
It seems to have been destroyed.
ROGEIRO
Are there any signs of other
Typhon Pact ships?
UTELN
No sir, not in the immediate area.
But there is a lot of debris, and
ambient radiation levels are high.
They could always be disguising -
(new report)
Sir! There’s a new ship closing at
high impulse...
(sigh of relief)
It’s the Canterbury.
ROGEIRO
Alright. Hail the Defiant.
Uteln works his console - and the viewscreen changes...
VIEWSCREEN
...to show RO in the command chair on the damaged Defiant bridge. She acknowledges Rogeiro, but she is also working on something on her seat’s side panels at the same time...
RO (screen)
Commander Rogeiro. Good to see
you. One of these days we should
really catch up when the world
isn’t ending. How’s the Robinson?
ROGEIRO
Damaged, but spaceworthy. Defiant?
RO (screen)
Same. Where’s Sisko?
ROGEIRO
He... ah... he was incapacitated
during the battle. I’m sure he’ll
make a full recovery. But I’m in
command for the moment. This is
your territory - how can we help?
RO (screen)
Canterbury’s on its way. I’ve got
two runabouts out there too.
Work with them to find survivors.
ROGEIRO
Understood, Captain. And you?
RO (screen)
I’ve got something else to take
care of first.
(to her side panel)
There you are...
On screen, Ro grins with an almost vengeful glee...
RO (screen)
Helm, I’m sending you coordinates
for the Ren Fejin. Pursuit course,
as fast as the engines can manage.
ROGEIRO
(gets it now)
Good hunting, Captain.
RO (screen)
You too, Commander. Helm, engage.
The signal drops, and Rogeiro returns to the command chair.
ROGEIRO
Sivadeki, whenever you’re ready...
80 EXT. SPACE - ROBINSON
With the gash in its hull, Robinson pulls slowly away...
81 EXT. SPACE - DEFIANT
Defiant flying back towards us, dragging the damaged and unpowered Ren Fejin behind it with a tractor beam...
82 INT. DEFIANT - BRIG
TOMALAK perches, seemingly relaxed and proper, on the tiny bench in the Defiant’s tiny brig cell (last seen in 6x22 “Valiant”). He smiles demurely through the forcefield at...
...RWOGO, who has been questioning him and making notes on a padd. Tomalak is unimpressed, even amused that a Ferengi woman has the sheer audacity. But Rwogo is used to arrogant males thinking they’re all that, and is not rattled by him.
The door opens and Ro ENTERS... Tomalak nods a friendly acknowledgement to her. She has only daggers for him, and steps up to Rwogo instead.
RO
Has he said anything?
RWOGO
He’s talked endlessly, but said
virtually nothing. Typical male.
Tomalak chuckles to himself. Ro approaches, fuming...
RO
You’re welcome to treat this all
lightly, Proconsul. But I assure
you, you won’t be.
TOMALAK
Am I to conclude that I must endure
more of this brutal interrogation?
With a superior smirk, he stands and closes the gap...
TOMALAK
Tell me, how will I survive the
crushing weight of such boredom?
RO
Whatever your real mission was
- and we will find out...
Tomalak pulls an amused face, like “Ooh, get her”...
RO
(continuing)
...it failed, and you’re facing a long
incarceration, with little to no
chance of ever seeing your home
again. If you’re bored now, just
imagine decades of imprisonment
on Earth. Think of the tedium for a
man of your distinguished career.
TOMALAK
The Federation could really learn
something from the Tal Shiar when
it comes to questioning prisoners.
RO
What was it to be after Proconsul,
hmm? Praetor? Emperor? ...King?
TOMALAK
You flatter me, Captain.
RO
I mock you. What you actually are
is a murderer - not just of my
people but of your own as well.
TOMALAK
You’ll recall, Captain, that I was
not on board any of the ships that
attacked your station. I was on a
civilian vessel legally authorised
to travel in your space. I am not
at fault if Commander T’Jul chose
to kill herself and all her crew.
RO
(cold smile)
Try and keep your lies straight,
Proconsul. The more you tell,
the harder it becomes.
Ro turns and walks out of the brig, Rwogo going with her. Ro directs the security EXTRA who had been waiting out in the corridor to enter and take over watching the prisoner.
83 INT. DEFIANT - CORRIDOR (CONTINUOUS)
Ro and Rwogo walk down the corridor...
RWOGO
For all his prattling, I heard one
thing loud and clear. He’s deeply
worried about whatever comes next.
RO
So am I, Inspector. So am I.
They stride on together...
84 EXT. SPACE
Robinson creeping slowly through the debris - wreckage of Romulan, Breen, Tzenkethi, Starfleet... and Cardassian.
85 INT. ROBINSON - SICKBAY
SISKO stands at a window, staring in subdued, medicated horror at the sight outside the ship. So much death...
SISKO
Kasidy... Rebecca...
He looks around at his surroundings - the SOUNDS of a busy, even overwhelmed sickbay creep in, but as captain he has been given a private room to recover from his breakdown.
The door opens, giving a brief glimpse of the chaos beyond, but only Counsellor ALTHOUSE enters, door closing again.
ALTHOUSE
Captain... how are you feeling?
SISKO
I’m fine.
ALTHOUSE
You’ve suffered a considerable
shock. You need to take it easy.
SISKO
What I need, Counsellor...
But he staggers against the wall, legs betraying him. The truth is, he doesn’t know what he needs. What is there left in life now to need? Nothing. Althouse approaches gently...
ALTHOUSE
You’ve been under sedation. But
you should know that all the enemy
starships in the Bajoran system
are destroyed, and we’re currently
engaged in rescue operations.
SISKO
Rescue...?
ALTHOUSE
That’s right. Sections of DS-Nine
split off before it was destroyed.
There were hundreds of survivors.
SISKO
Survivors...
ALTHOUSE
Commander Rogeiro’s been down here
several times to check on you. And
Starfleet wants to talk to you as
soon as you’re ready. But I don’t
want you going back on duty any
time soon, Captain. And you could
probably do with something to eat.
Sisko has gone back to staring out of the window - or maybe at his own reflection. Sensing she will get no more out of him for the moment, Althouse withdraws, leaving him alone.
SISKO
(to self)
Idiot. Stupid, selfish idiot. You
could have been with them... you
could have spent all those days
showing them how much you loved
them... but instead you wasted the
last year and a half of your life.
The door opens again, letting in the sounds of sickbay, but Sisko doesn’t turn. It doesn’t matter anymore.
KASIDY (o.s.)
Ben...?
Sisko turns slowly... and KASIDY is standing there. He just stares at her, unable to process. Is this a hallucination, a symptom of his madness come to torture him with guilt? What else could it be? They’re dead. It was all his fault.
She steps closer, hesitant. She looks bruised, exhausted. He closes his eyes, tries to will the apparition away.
KASIDY
Ben... it’s me... Kasidy.
No, it’s not. It can’t be. It’s a figment of his diseased imagination. He turns away, tries to ignore it.
Soft steps on the carpet... then a hand slips into his.
He turns back at the physical contact. As corporeal beings, humans find physical touch to cause pleasure. He looks down at the hand in his - can he really believe it...?
The floodgates break - and he pulls his wife into a hug so fierce it might break bones. Feels her skin. Breathes in her scent. Makes sure she’s real. As the hug continues...
SISKO
Kasidy... I thought...
KASIDY
Oh, Ben. I’m here. I’m here.
SISKO
What about...
KASIDY
Rebecca’s fine. She’s on Bajor,
safe with Jasmine.
They both begin to softly weep with relief...
...and they stand there like that for a long time.
FADE OUT
END OF SHOW
TNG 19x13 - “THE DARK AGE”
Calmly meditating on the astral plain, Wesley Crusher hears the telepathic call of an alien race – their world is under attack. He finds an impossibly gigantic machine at the centre of the galaxy, creating wormholes and sucking entire star systems through, before throwing them into a black hole. The loss of life is incalculable. Wesley runs to the Council of Travellers for help, but they are packing to leave. They know what this thing is, and that there is no stopping it – the galaxy is doomed. Meanwhile, Data returns to his search for his missing “grandfather” Akharin – he knows the Immortal resurrected his mother Juliana Tayner (TNG “Immortal Coil”), and wants him to do the same for his own daughter Lal. When he finally locates Juliana alone at Akharin’s hideout, she warns him to give up the search, or the Fellowship of Artificial Intelligences will come for him too. With nowhere else to turn, Wesley turns up on Enterprise and begs for their help...
VOY 12x13 - “THREE WISHES”
Dr Sharak arrives on Coridan, one of the worlds hit by the catomic plague. He finds a nurse from a species who should be extinct, but before he can speak to her, she blows herself up – she was purposely infecting people. Starfleet demands Sharak desist at once, but he refuses. On Voyager, the EMH successfully recreates the plague and how to eradicate it. If he can do this alone in only weeks, what the hell are Starfleet up to? On Earth, Dr Riley Frazier enters quarantine in a rage – Starfleet took the ex-Borg Cooperative from Arehaz (VOY “Play Fair”) and are torturing them. Seven knew nothing about it – but Axum did. They’re not in quarantine and never have been – they are in a shared psychic state created by their catoms. Seven is furious, especially as Axum used the deception to make love to her, forcing her to cheat on Cambridge. Now she knows, she can escape – and she wakes up in a stasis chamber...