TEASER

FADE IN:

1 MONTAGE FROM PREVIOUS EPS

-- Colonel Kira of the Bajoran Militia introduces Cmdr Elias Vaughn to Lt Ezri Dax (8x02 “Avatar, pt 2”)

VAUGHN
Dax... It’s been a while.

KIRA
You two know each other?

VOICEOVER
Previously, on Star Trek: Deep
Space Nine...

-- Vaughn shoots a Romulan officer dead (8x02 “Avatar 2”)

-- Walking thru a field of Romulan bodies (8x15 “Haunted”)

VAUGHN
God... I’ve seen so many dead.

-- Vaughn and Dax argue on Yrythny world (8x17 “Empathy”)

DAX
I am not Curzon.

VAUGHN
Try to remember that.

-- Kira yells at Vaughn (9x21 “Fearful Symmetry”)

-- Bashir rages at Vaughn (11x10 “Gut Feelings”)

-- Tenmei screams at Vaughn (8x22 “Greater Good”)

-- Ro hisses angrily at Vaughn (11x11 “The Crucible”)

-- Vaughn punches Sisko in the face (9x24 “Ha’mara”)

-- Vaughn gently kisses Opaka (10x21 “Into the Fire”)

-- Bacco and Kamemor sit and talk (14x07 “The Summit”)

KAMEMOR
I’ve had several dealings with the
Federation. I came away from them
with the sense that your people
are honourable, and willing to do
the hard work to maintain peace.

-- Over the big battle scenes from 14x13 and 14x14...

BACCO (v.o.)
The Typhon Pact committed an act
of war. Why did they do this?

-- Back to Bacco and Kamemor (14x07)

KAMEMOR
I know what you did on Salavat.
And I assure you, Nan Bacco...
I am capable of fighting.

-- Vaughn drives the Kirk onward (12x21 “Friendly Fire”)

VAUGHN
All I ever wanted was to explore.
Instead I’ve faced a century of
war, thanks to bastards like you.

-- Lightning fast clips of various battle scenes - against the Borg in 12x21, the MU-Klingons in 9x24, the Ascendants in 10x12, the Jem’Hadar in 6x06, the Romulans in 14x13...

And finally, on the destruction of DS9 itself in 14x14...

CROSS-FADE TO:

2 INT. VANADWAN MONASTERY - HOSPICE ROOM - MORNING

Soft beeps and burbles from the life support machinery. A gentle breeze and tweeting birds in the background.

PAN to the machinery’s patient - VAUGHN. A HAND reaches in and gently scrapes the last of the shaving foam off his cheek, leaving a neat, trimmed beard of white whiskers.

TENMEI pulls back and rinses the razor in a bowl of water, then softly pads her father’s face clean with a damp cloth. Gazes at her completed task with satisfaction.

TENMEI
That’s better. Can’t have you
looking all scruffy and unkempt
for your big party, can we?

The old man has been tidied up - a new haircut, fresh bed clothes, pillow fluffed to perfection. Glass windows reveal the beautiful Bajoran mountain view outside this private room. But the wistfulness soon overtakes Tenmei’s pride...

TENMEI
Somehow I thought he’d be around
forever. I mean, he’s a hundred
and seven, I get that. But I never
really saw him as old, you know?
He was just... dad.

OPAKA reaches out and holds the insensate old man’s hand.

OPAKA
It’s not the time one is given.
It’s what one does with it.
And Elias used his time well.
(beat)
Shall I bring them in?

Tenmei steels her courage, takes a deep breath... and nods.

Opaka stands from her seat and heads to the door, revealing that there are actually SIX chairs arrayed around the bed.

Meanwhile Tenmei takes her shaving bowl and cloth, stashes them out of sight in a bedside vanity cabinet. Opaka opens the creaking wooden door, smiles in welcome...

...and KIRA, SISKO, RO and BASHIR enter, all sensitive to the delicacy of the occasion. They all gently hug Tenmei in turn. Meanwhile Opaka quietly closes the door. Over this:

TENMEI
Hi, everyone. Thanks for coming - I
know dad would have appreciated it.

KIRA
Hi, Prynn. How are you feeling?

TENMEI
I think... reconciled. I’ve fought
against this for so long, it’s
almost a relief to have finally
reached the point where I know
this is the right thing to do.
(sad chuckle)
Plus, I thought, given what just
happened... he’d be so mad at
me if I ended up dying before
him. So... now’s the time.

RO
Have there been many messages?

OPAKA
Oh yes, he’s been quite popular.

SISKO
I’m not surprised. Your father
touched many lives, Prynn.

BASHIR
That’s certainly true of everyone
in this room.

All sitting now, Ro reaches into the small bag she brought with her, pulls out a BOTTLE, presents it to Tenmei.

RO
I hope you don’t mind, I brought this.

TENMEI
Berengarian whisky? Oh my god,
how did you even get hold of this?

RO
Actually it was Quark’s idea.
I was dreading the idea of a
two-hour death chant...

Kira and Opaka chuckle softly. The general atmosphere in the room is quiet and respectful, but good-humoured.

RO
(continuing)
...and he suggested we might all
appreciate this more. Of course,
he also suggested selling off your
father’s vacuum desiccated body
parts, but I shut that down fast.

TENMEI
(chuckle)
Well, my father and I thank you
for both of those things.

SISKO
I actually brought a gift too...

Sisko reaches into his own bag, brings out a small palm-sized BALL of crumpled paper. Over this:

OPAKA
Are such gifts a human custom?

SISKO
In some cultures. But I brought
this because it represents what he
did, and how people remember him.

Sisko hands the paper ball to Tenmei, who smiles...

TENMEI
I know this. My father has one.

SISKO
I know - it was a gift from the
Vahni Valtupali. I visited their
world in the Gamma Quadrant,
and they asked about your father.

TENMEI
He saved their world.

SISKO
And they haven’t forgotten it.

Sisko gently reaches out, TAPS a spot on the ball...

...and the paper UNRAVELS into a circular MODEL in Tenmei’s hand - a 3D representation of the Vahni central city as seen in 14x10 “In Circles.” In the middle is the tower that Sisko himself stood on, and the statue of Vaughn upon it.

SISKO
This tower is at the centre of their
capital. Elias was there the day it
fell. But they rebuilt, and now
there’s a statue of him, and a
plaque telling the story of how he
and his crew saved their world.
When they heard about your father,
they wanted you to have this.

TENMEI
Captain... thank you so much for
this. I’ll treasure it.

Suddenly a KNOCK at the door. Confusion and mild annoyance - who would interrupt such a delicate moment? Opaka gets up and opens the door again...

...revealing EZRI DAX, looking hesitant and apologetic.

DAX
Hello, Ranjen Opaka - I’m sorry to
interrupt, I was told I could find
Prynn Tenmei here?

Bashir recognises the voice, gets to his feet...

BASHIR
Ezri...?

Dax sees Bashir, smiles a little tensely...

DAX
Hi, Julian...

TENMEI
Dax, you made it! I’m so glad.

Clearly Dax is welcome, so Opaka lets her in, closes the door again. Another round of hugs...

DAX
Hi, Prynn. Hi, everyone. I wasn’t
sure I was going to be able to, but
Akaar gave special dispensation for
the Aventine to drop me off on its
way to the Tzenkethi border. He
asked me to tell you he wishes
he could be here himself, but -

TENMEI
Oh please, I would never expect it.
I’m just thrilled you could come.
I know my dad would be too.

DAX
(wry smile)
Well, I’m not so sure about that.
(looks around)
Oh, of course you weren’t expecting
me. I’ll go grab another chair.

OPAKA
Oh no, please, take mine. I’ll go.

Opaka heads for the door, but Tenmei protests...

TENMEI
Sulan... I know my father would
want you here...

OPAKA
It’s okay. You all have so much in
common, and I’m sure there’ll be
ribald tales aplenty. Besides...
I’ve had my time to say goodbye.
Don’t worry, I won’t go far.

With that, Opaka gently leaves the room. Dax looks around, sees the bottle and paper ball...

DAX
Oh no, I didn’t bring a gift...

TENMEI
It’s fine, Ezri.

DAX
No, I should give you something.
But I don’t know what...?

SISKO
Why not one of those ribald tales?
The Dax I know always has another
story from her past lives...

TENMEI
Perfect! How about... when you
and my father first met? He never
told me that one.

BASHIR
(playful, at Dax)
And you never told me.

This is a little more than Dax bargained for when she came in... but alright, if that’s what they want.

DAX
When Dax met Vaughn... If you’re
sure you wanna know. Just don’t
say I didn’t warn you.

As Dax stares at Vaughn’s old, lined, unconscious face...

BLACK OUT

END OF TEASER