ACT TWO

FADE IN:

12 INT. PALAIS - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - DAY

SLASK now sits squeezed into the guest chair. Bacco keeps her own seat, the desk between them as protection. The Gorn issues hisses and growls, ENGLISH TRANSLATION overlaid.

SLASK
I apologise for coming. I know our
friendship has been useful to us
both, largely because it is not
widely known. By coming here now,
I have put that secrecy at risk.

BACCO
I trust you enough to know you
wouldn’t have done that lightly.

SLASK
I am of course aware of the attack
within the Bajoran system. I don’t
know if this will mean much, but I
do know that Imperator Sozzerosz
never approved such an action, nor
is he pleased that it took place.

BACCO
I appreciate that. I’d appreciate
it more if he were to issue a
public statement to that effect.

SLASK
The Imperator may have no interest
in attacking the Federation... but
neither does he wish to antagonise
those Typhon Pact members who do.

BACCO
Members like who?

SLASK
The Tzenkethi. Breen. Tholians.

Bacco waits for the rest. He says nothing more. Finally...

BACCO
Not the Romulans?

Slask holds up a small data chip...

SLASK
I hope this will speak to that.

BACCO
You hope? You don’t know?

SLASK
I am content to deliver messages.
I do not examine their contents.

BACCO
Who’s the message from?

SLASK
Gell Kamemor.

Instantly on her feet, hands SLAMMED on desk, blazing.

BACCO
What? Why would the praetor send me
a message? To gloat? To fob me off
with another apology? Oh I’m sorry,
I didn’t mean to fake the crash of
one of our ships, then send it to
attack you? There were civilians
on that station, Slask. Children.

Unruffled, Slask just calmly places the data chip on the desk, then slowly stands up, careful not to startle anyone.

SLASK
I do not know the contents of the
praetor’s message. I only hope it
is something you wish to hear.
(beat)
Moreover, I hope it is something
you are able to hear.

The Gorn bows stiffly, then turns to leave. Bacco calls...

BACCO
Slask.
(he turns)
Thank you. On behalf of my people
and my government, thank you.
(beat)
And I personally thank you.

SLASK
You are welcome, Nan.

The door opens, and Slask EXITS. Z4 immediately skitters in and heads to Bacco’s desk. She hands him the chip.

BACCO
Get this to Akaar immediately. It
gets every test Starfleet security
can throw at it. I want to know
what’s on it, how authentic it is - 

Z4 BLUE
And where it came from.

BACCO
It came from Gell Kamemor.

Z4 BLUE
Are you sure? Slask may have spent
time in Romulan space, but to get
anywhere near the praetor, never
mind carry messages for her... and
even if it’s true, can you believe
anything a Romulan praetor says?

BACCO
Kamemor wasn’t always the praetor.
She’s been a teacher, a regional
governor, a grieving widow...
she’s made a life out of fighting
for her people. In fact, for a while
she was actually the Romulan
ambassador to the Federation...

Torn between anger and hope, Bacco tries to work it out...

13 INT. ENTERPRISE-B - VIEWSCREEN

KAMEMOR appears on the Enterprise viewscreen - mid-50s, the Romulan ambassador to the Federation, dignified and upright but with a friendly edge rare to see in Romulans.

Adm VOKAR stands next to her, both of them on the Romulan ship’s bridge. He is professional but distinctly cool.

VOKAR (screen)
Captain Harriman. May I present
Ambassador Gell Kamemor of
the Romulan Star Empire.

OPEN OUT to reveal...

14 INT. ENTERPRISE-B - BRIDGE (CONTINUOUS)

...HARRIMAN standing on his bridge, CURZON DAX next to him, offering formal greetings to their opposite numbers.

HARRIMAN
Jolan tru, Ambassador. I believe
you already know Ambassador Dax?

KAMEMOR (screen)
(smile)
I do indeed.

VOKAR (screen)
As I already know you, Captain.

A fact, but the Romulan’s tone clearly describes a history there. Harriman chooses not to react. Dax steps forward...

CURZON
We are prepared to receive your
party aboard the Enterprise at
your leisure, Ambassador.

KAMEMOR (screen)
I look forward to it.

HARRIMAN
Will you be joining us, Admiral?

VOKAR (screen)
Sadly, my duties aboard the Tomed
preclude me from accepting such
a gracious invitation.

HARRIMAN
I understand.

Light and unpointed, Harriman turns to the woman sat at helm - DEMORA SULU (also from Generations)...

HARRIMAN
(continuing)
Commander, you’ll have the bridge
while I’m with the ambassadors.
(back to screen)
I’ll have our transporter chief
coordinate with yours, Admiral.
Enterprise out.

The signal drops on Vokar’s annoyed face. Back to Sulu...

HARRIMAN
Drop shields only for the split
second it takes to beam her
aboard, Demora.

SULU
Understood, Captain.

Harriman cocks his head to Dax, beckoning him towards the turbolift. As they enter the lift together...

CURZON
I might admire your facility with a
cutting line, Captain, if there weren’t
a Romulan warbird pointing all
its weapons at us right now.

The doors close on stern Harriman and concerned Curzon...

15 EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE-B AND TOMED

The Excelsior-class Enterprise-B and the comparably sized Romulan warbird Tomed hold position in open space...

16 INT. ENTERPRISE-B - CREW LOUNGE

The doors open allowing CURZON and KAMEMOR to enter, one Starfleet security and one Romulan uhlan tailing them. The room is semi-busy with Starfleet officers off duty, sitting at tables with drinks and food, chatting or enjoying the view out of the window of the Tomed against the stars.

KAMEMOR
(playful)
Is this a standard Federation
negotiating technique, Curzon?

CURZON
I think we’ve spent long enough in
that stuffy room, thank you. I’m
sure we could both use a break.
I don’t know about you, but for
me that means a good stiff drink.

They both nod for their guards to stay where they are, by the door. Reluctantly, they do.

Then the ambassadors proceed towards the window, where Dax pulls out a chair for Kamemor. She takes a moment to figure out what the unfamiliar gesture means, then takes the seat. He moves around to sit opposite her, calls for a waiter.

CURZON
If it were up to me I’d take you
to a proper restaurant on Risa,
where they serve actual drinks,
not this replicated rubbish.

KAMEMOR
I’d enjoy that. I’m not sure my
wife would approve, however.

Curzon smirks - he wasn’t really flirting, but it seems his reputation does in fact precede him. The waiter arrives...

VAUGHN (o.s.)
What can I get for you?

Kamemor looks up, and it’s VAUGHN, dressed as a waiter.

CURZON
Two synthales, please.

Vaughn nods politely, and heads off. Curzon gulps, nerves fighting through now at being in the midst of the game.

CURZON
I do have an ulterior motive for
bringing you here, Gell. It’s
because what I’m about to
say is strictly off the record.

KAMEMOR
(intrigued)
And there’s safety in numbers?

CURZON
Something like that. The truth is
I’m worried. Very, very worried.

KAMEMOR
About what?

CURZON
About Vokar.

Kamemor controls her reaction. Curzon is not alone in this.

CURZON
You saw how he reacted to the
captain. Harriman and Vokar have
tussled before, and Vokar came off
the worse for it, if I recall. And
I’m afraid Vokar wants revenge.

KAMEMOR
(evasive)
For Vokar to initiate hostilities
would be foolish. The Klingons
have promised to ally against
whoever makes the first strike.

CURZON
I know that and you know that, but
does Vokar? Or is he under the
impression Romulus would win?

Vaughn comes back with the synthales - Dax and Kamemor both pull back, separating so as not to look suspicious...

BY THE DOOR

The Starfleet and Romulan guards observe their charges, too far away to hear what they have been saying over the noise. All they can see is Vaughn placing the drinks on the table.

BACK TO THE TABLE

Last glass on the table, Curzon looks up at Vaughn...

CURZON
Thank you.

Vaughn nods back, sharing an intense look with Curzon that Kamemor doesn’t see - remember the plan. Then he’s gone.

The waiter’s presence has given Kamemor the moment she needs to regather. She actually agrees with Curzon, but what can she say that isn’t a betrayal of her people?

KAMEMOR
When Nanclus was arrested after
the Khitomer Conference, I swore
as his successor... that I would
never allow nationalism to bring
us to the brink of war again. I
would instead fight for peace...
for the sake of my wife and son.

CURZON
I think that’s why we get along
so well. But Vokar...

KAMEMOR
(hesitant)
He has... expressed some opinions
that might lead one to believe he
holds a different perspective.

CURZON
Then you do agree with me.

Kamemor takes a sip of her synthale, considering its taste as a way to delay and prepare her words again.

CURZON
I do not believe Vokar is beyond
redemption. He is a loyal man, he
must understand that any violence
would backfire on his own people.

KAMEMOR
One would hope.

CURZON
Then I beg you, to use whatever
influence you have to steer him
back from the brink of disaster.
Before he makes a mistake that
would have terrible consequences
for us all.

A long pause as Kamemor considers what to do...

KAMEMOR
I will do what I can.

Off Curzon’s relieved expression...

17 INT. VANADWAN MONASTERY - HOSPICE ROOM - DAY

...to Ezri staring at the faces of her friends.

DAX
Yep. I had drinks with the future
praetor of the Romulan Empire...
and I lied right to her face.

BLACK OUT

END OF ACT TWO