ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4 EXT. SPACE - ROBINSON
Robinson flying at high warp...
5 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
SISKO sits in his centre chair, intense and driven as his crew keep the ship flying as fast as it can go...
QUARK (v.o.)
You know, I’m glad it wasn’t you who
went into the Gamma Quadrant...
CUT TO:
6 INT. DS9 - QUARK’S BAR
A CORK POPS, drink bubbles out...
...and QUARK himself catches the overflow in a delicate glass, handing the result across the bar to Captain RO.
RO
Really? Why’s that?
QUARK
Think about it. You go out there
exploring unknown space, discover
some previously unheard-of hyper-
intelligent civilisation, and they
decide to keep you around as their
queen. How could I ever go on?
Ro smiles playfully, sips her spring wine...
RO
So you think I should be treated
like a queen, do you?
QUARK
Absolutely. And I say that as your
most loyal subject.
Quark places down the bottle and makes a flourishing bow. Ro giggles a little, enjoying the flirty banter.
RO
So what would you do if I told you
to come over to my quarters and
do whatever I tell you to do?
QUARK
I’d tell Treir she’s in charge.
Quark steps out from behind the bar, heading over towards the dabo table, where Orion dabo girl TREIR holds court...
...but Ro grabs his arm before he can go too far.
RO
Wait - don’t you want to know
what I’m going to tell you to do?
QUARK
Oh, I think I know.
RO
Good, because my quarters could
do with a really good clean.
Quark’s face drops to the floor. Ro pulls him in closer...
RO
(continuing)
...but maybe you could do the
cleaning with no clothes on.
CLOSE-UP - she blows into his ear, making the tiny hairs stand on end. He shudders in delight.
QUARK
It could be worth it.
RO
I’m not serious, you don’t have
to do that. But you can come by
my quarters later if you like...
QUARK
It’s pretty busy tonight. But I’m
sure I’ll find a way.
With a last tickle of his earlobe, Ro puts the glass back on the bar and heads off for the door...
7 INT. DS9 - SCIENCE LAB
Candlewood still working, comparing one screen to another. The door OPENS again, he still doesn’t look up...
CANDLEWOOD
Look, Prynn, I told you -
RO (o.s.)
I’m not Prynn.
Candlewood looks up surprised again, snaps to attention...
CANDLEWOOD
Captain! Sorry, I didn’t -
RO
Don’t worry about it.
(re computers)
How’s it going?
CANDLEWOOD
Um, it’s... going. I think I’m getting
there.
RO
Good. I knew you could do it.
CANDLEWOOD
Why?
RO
I’m sorry?
CANDLEWOOD
I mean, why me? Yeah, I know,
I’m the chief science officer, it’s my
job, blah blah whatever. But it’s a
pretty big job. So why only me?
RO
Because you’re the only one I
knew I could trust.
Candlewood looks at her, at her shameful admission...
CANDLEWOOD
That’s somehow hugely flattering
and profoundly sad all at once.
RO
I know. But with everything going
on, so many people with their own
problems and their own secrets...
to have one person who’s an open
book is a gift from the Prophets.
CANDLEWOOD
Pretty sure that’s the first time
anyone ever described me that way.
RO
John, you’re incapable of lying or
keeping secrets. It’s all either right
there on your face or flying out of
your mouth. I need someone who
doesn’t have their own agenda.
CANDLEWOOD
Glad I could help. But you know
that even once I crack this, I’ll
need help to put it into action.
That part I can’t do alone.
RO
(nod, deep breath)
Alright. But keep it as small as
possible. You’ll know who.
She nods for him to carry on then turns to EXIT. Candlewood watches her go, sad for how bad things have got...
8 EXT. SPACE - REN FEJIN
The blocky Breen freighter flying at high warp...
9 INT. REN FEJIN - BRIDGE
Starting on TOMALAK in the captain’s chair, gripping onto the arms as the rickety old ship SHAKES and RATTLES around him. The bridge is half-blasted, barely repaired enough to function after the Jem’Hadar attack. But despite it all, the Romulan proconsul is enjoying himself.
TOMALAK
Not exactly a top of the line
warbird, is it?
He looks around at the rest of the bridge crew - now half Breen and half Romulan after so many of the Breen crew were killed by Jem’Hadar - hoping for a reaction to his stunning witticism. Blank faces all around, not just from the Breen.
TOMALAK
(alright, fine)
Nevertheless, it’s good to command
a ship of one’s own again.
One of the Romulans turns and stands - KINN, the Tal Shiar agent, still haggard and haunted after his torture.
KINN
In fact, Proconsul, one might even
call this an improvement.
TOMALAK
Indeed, Specialist Kinn?
KINN
Sir. The technology we took from
the Dominion is now hidden behind
a phasing cloak on the Eletrix. Star-
fleet thinks the Eletrix is destroyed,
so they won’t be looking for it. And
even if they check our holds,
they’ll find nothing.
TOMALAK
Nothing except for our own phase
cloak, Specialist.
KINN
That will be dismantled before we
reach the wormhole, Proconsul.
TOMALAK
(cold smile)
Perhaps you’d be so kind as to
make certain of that, Specialist.
KINN
As you say, Proconsul. Thot Trok,
your assistance please.
One of the Breen - THOT TROK - suit scuffed and battered after the Jem’Hadar encounter, BUZZES and leaves the bridge with Kinn. Tomalak settles into his seat, self-satisfied...
10 INT. REN FEJIN - TRANSPORT ROOM
The Romulan and the Breen enter the room together. They pause and stare at the articulated frame of metal bars that serves as the interphase transport platform. This time, Trok’s Breen BUZZ is translated with English overlaid...
THOT TROK
I despise him.
KINN
You hide your feelings well.
Trok looks at Kinn... and then throws his helmeted head back with the loud BUZZ that serves as a Breen laugh. Kinn LAUGHS along with him - he actually made a joke. For all their rivalry at the start of this mission, their shared trauma has brought them closer. They get on with the job...
11 EXT. SPACE - ROBINSON
Robinson flying at high warp...
12 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Sisko still in the command chair...
SISKO
Time to the wormhole.
Helm officer Lt Cmdr SIVADEKI checks her panels...
SIVADEKI
Seventeen hours at current speed.
SISKO
Bridge to engineering.
RELKDAHZ (comm)
This is Relkdahz, go ahead.
SISKO
Increase power to the warp engines,
Commander. I want more speed.
RELKDAHZ (comm)
We’re almost exceeding tolerances
as it is, Captain.
SISKO
(emphatic)
I want more speed, Commander.
There is an audible but untranslated CREAK over the comm...
RELKDAHZ (comm)
We’ll do what we can, sir.
Sisko closes the channel, then becomes aware of ROGEIRO staring at him from the XO chair. Without turning...
SISKO
Problem, Mister Rogeiro?
ROGEIRO
Could we speak in private, sir?
A moment to grind his teeth, then Sisko gets up and heads to the ready room. Rogeiro stands and follows...
SISKO
Commander Plante, you have the
bridge.
They EXIT to the ready room...
13 INT. ROBINSON - BRIDGE
Sisko heads behind his desk, turns to face Rogeiro...
SISKO
Out with it, Commander.
ROGEIRO
I’m curious why you’re pushing the
ship beyond its tolerances to get
back to the wormhole just because
of a downed comm line.
SISKO
Starfleet needs to know about the
Romulans. About them faking the
destruction of the Eletrix.
ROGEIRO
I agree. But that doesn’t explain
the very... personal edge to this
that I’m picking up from you.
Sisko stews a moment, then finally slumps into his chair. Taking it as an invitation, Rogeiro takes the guest chair.
SISKO
We’ve served together for over a
year, Anxo. But I’ve never told
you why I’m here.
ROGEIRO
You’ve also never called me Anxo
before this incident.
SISKO
That’s because I didn’t want to
open up to you. Didn’t know who
I could trust.
ROGEIRO
Trust with what?
SISKO
I believe I’m cursed, Commander.
ROGEIRO
(non-judgmental)
How so?
SISKO
The Prophets warned me bad things
would happen if I stayed with my
wife. And they were right.
Rogeiro takes a moment to put the pieces together...
ROGEIRO
That’s why you were so eager to
take a mission to the other side
of the galaxy - to keep her safe.
SISKO
Elias always did say you must
have Betazoid blood.
ROGEIRO
I’m flattered. But how does that
connect to us rushing back home
at maximum warp now?
SISKO
Because you said the comm problems
weren’t at our end... so something
must be wrong at Deep Space Nine.
And the last message Kasidy sent me
before the lines went down... was
that she and my daughter... were
on their way to Deep Space Nine.
As Rogeiro realises the connection Sisko is making...
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT ONE