ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

24 EXT. SPACE - BAJORAN SHUTTLE

The Bajoran shuttle flies at low warp...

25 INT. BAJORAN SHUTTLE - COCKPIT

QUARK and RWOGO slump to the deck, panting, clothes askew. She cuddles up close and runs her fingers across his lobes, while he is still trying to process what just happened.

QUARK
Wow... where did that come from?

RWOGO
It came from you, Quark. Although
I should thank those other females
for getting you so worked up.

QUARK
Yeah, but... you? And me? When...

RWOGO
Can you blame a female for being
a little starstruck? I get assigned
to the same station as the famous
ambassador, brother of the Grand
Nagus, hero of the Dominion War,
visionary of the Gamma Quadrant...
(sigh of love)
...and I find not only is he even
more handsome than his official
portrait, he’s a progressive too!

QUARK
I am not!

RWOGO
Oh, come along. A female assistant
manager, a male dabo dolly - you
promote equally and you exploit
equally. If that’s not being a
progressive I don’t know what is.

QUARK
And... you like that in a male?

RWOGO
I think I proved that, didn’t I?
Of course, there is this whole
Vulcan Love Slave obsession...

QUARK
You don’t think I’ll get it?

RWOGO
Actually, your perseverance in the
face of your own total inability
to complete a simple holo-novel
acquisition is... endearing. It
brings you down off your pedestal.

An insistent repeating BEEP from the shuttle’s systems. Rwogo stands languidly and struts sexily to the console, checks it... but then stiffens with alarm.

Rwogo uploads an IMAGE to the screen - an unfamiliar ship. Rwogo stares at it a moment, then starts getting dressed.

QUARK
What’s going on?

RWOGO
Get dressed. I’ll get T’Lana.

26 EXT. SPACE

The Bajoran shuttle... and another SHIP following it.

27 INT. BAJORAN SHUTTLE - COCKPIT

T’Lana inspects the image of this ship on the screen...

T’LANA
I recognise that configuration.
It is Broht’s company yacht.

QUARK
Evasive manoeuvres!

T’Lana turns to look at Quark, takes in his half-dressed, bedraggled, flushed state. Turns to look at Rwogo, who is in much the same condition. Eyebrow goes up - Ah. I see.

T’LANA
It would be advisable to increase
our speed.

RWOGO
We’re already at warp three. That’s
as fast as this little ship goes.

QUARK
What?! Why didn’t you hire the
deluxe model that goes warp nine?

RWOGO
Because you didn’t want to spend
the money.

QUARK
Then... fire photon torpedoes!

RWOGO
(sigh, facepalm)
It’s a passenger shuttle. It has no
weapons. The deluxe model -

T’LANA
Excuse me.

No time for squabbling Ferengi, T’Lana reaches past them and works the helm console again. The shuttle LURCHES onto a different course. Quark staggers at the sudden change...

QUARK
Well, one good thing. He’s got no
weapons either. What can he -

BOOM. A bone-shattering impact, throwing Quark right on top of Rwogo across the console. She smirks saucily, while he just struggles to right himself and regain dignity.

Quark hits the comm panel... BROHT’s furious face appears on the screen in place of his ship...

QUARK
Broht! Whatever you’re doing, stop
it - or I’ll sue you for damages!
(aside to Rwogo)
Why didn’t you sign for the extra
insurance? The deluxe model -

BROHT (screen)
That was just a little tap, Quark.
Franti thought it might get your
attention. Come to a full stop
right now, or I’ll have Franti
give you more than a little tap.

T’Lana checks the console, then turns calmly to Quark...

T’LANA
You should comply.

QUARK
What?! I am the Ferengi ambassador
to Bajor, frinx it. I have high-level
Federation connections. I -

T’LANA
We are no longer in Federation space.

RWOGO
We’re not? When did that happen?

T’Lana reaches out and takes Quark’s hand, holds it...

T’LANA
Quark... trust me. Come to a full
stop now.

Quark is powerless at the mercy of the Vulcan Love Slave. He slowly turns and works the helm console...

28 EXT. SPACE

The Bajoran shuttle drops out of warp. A moment later, Broht’s company yacht does the same.

29 INT. BAJORAN SHUTTLE - COCKPIT

While Broht talks to T’Lana, Quark and Rwogo watch, turning their heads back and forth like at a tennis match...

BROHT (screen)
I’m glad you’re finally willing to
see reason. But I’m surprised at
you, T’Lana. Conspiring with this
Ferengi dunsel...

QUARK
Dunsel?!

T’LANA
Conspiracy is a harsh accusation.
Quark and I are simply engaged
in a private business transaction.

BROHT (screen)
You’re trying to cut me out of my
own franchise! If you’ve written a
new Vulcan Love Slave, you have
an obligation to sell it to me!

T’LANA
My previous contract with you was
non-exclusive. It is now expired,
so I have no obligation to you
whatsoever. Further, you overlook
the fact that Vulcan Love Slave
has long been in public domain.

Broht grinds in fury, changes tack, composes himself...

BROHT (screen)
T’Lana, my old friend. Why are we
fighting? You know I’ll pay you
more than that bartender will.
Surely you can see the logic in
extending our relationship?

T’LANA
It is not my decision alone. My
business partners also have
some say in this transaction.

T’Lana looks to Quark and Rwogo, including them...

RWOGO
Well, I know which out of the two
options I’d choose.

The Vulcan and the two Ferengi turn as one to face Broht on the screen - a united front. The Bolian turns purple...

BROHT (screen)
Franti - ram them!

T’LANA
I would not advise that, Ardon.

Suddenly new ALARMS all over the shuttle - and on Broht’s ship as well. T’Lana gestures calmly to the window...

30 EXT. SPACE

As the shuttle and the yacht sit side by side...

...a third ship UNCLOAKS - a massive behemoth that dwarfs them both, bristling with weapons but with no identifying markings or symbols.

31 INT. BAJORAN SHUTTLE - COCKPIT

Quark is panicking. Rwogo is curious. T’Lana is calm...

VOICE (comm)
Trespassers. You will identify your
business in this sector.

BROHT (screen)
I am Ardon Broht, of Broht and
Forrester, purveyors of popular
holo-novels. I am attempting to
reclaim my rightful property from
the people on that shuttlecraft.

QUARK
I am Ambassador Quark. I’m just
trying to get home to Bajor.

VOICE (comm)
We do not recognise outsiders’
property disputes or diplomatic
credentials. Both are irrelevant.
Your vessels will be confiscated.

QUARK
I protest! You have no authority
to do this. I have high-level -

But he interrupts himself as he feels T’Lana holding his hand again, gazing at him with the power of the Love Slave. She leans closer to the comm panel, enunciates clearly...

T’LANA
Wildflower.

A long pause, as Quark and Rwogo wonder what is going on...

VOICE (comm)
Acknowledged, Wildflower. What
would you have us do?

T’LANA
We request safe passage through
your sector. And we would like
you to invite Mister Broht to
return the way he came.

BROHT (screen)
What? How dare you? I have -

Suddenly, on the screen, Franti the Nausicaan whispers in Broht’s ear. The Bolian looks shocked and terrified...

BROHT (screen)
They’re what? Quark, you’re doing
business with the Orion Syndicate?

Quark is equally horrified...

QUARK
T’Lana, we’re doing business with
the Orion Syndicate?

Rwogo is intrigued, but also a little disturbed...

RWOGO
I didn’t know we’re doing business
with the Orion Syndicate...

VOICE (comm)
Wildflower, please convey to your
associate that the debt has been
repaid.

T’LANA
I shall.

VOICE (comm)
Publisher, ambassador, you may
depart. Now.

BROHT (screen)
T’Lana -

VOICE (comm)
You may depart. Now.

QUARK
You heard what the whatever-it-is
said. Let’s get out of here.

Rwogo gets into the pilot’s seat, works the console...

32 EXT. SPACE

Broht’s yacht backs away slowly, careful not to startle anyone. The Orion Syndicate ship follows it, just to make sure there are no... accidents...

Meanwhile the Bajoran shuttle continues on its way, soon jumping back to WARP...

33 INT. BAJORAN SHUTTLE - COCKPIT

T’Lana calmly takes the seat beside Rwogo, leaving Quark to flail in horror behind them...

RWOGO
Where to now?

T’LANA
Resume the initial course I input
when we left Wrigley’s Pleasure
Planet. We should reach Bajor
within four hours.

QUARK
Bajor? You mean we’ve been heading
towards Bajor this whole time?

T’LANA
Until we required assistance in
dealing with Mister Broht, yes.

QUARK
And you just happened to know that
the Orion Syndicate considers this
sector their turf? And they just
happened to owe you a favour?

T’LANA
Happenstance had little to do with
it. But I would recommend that you
avoid these coordinates in future.

QUARK
(incredulous)
Bank on it.

T’Lana sits perfectly calmly, looking out at the stars as they warp past.

Rwogo drives the ship on, grinning, enjoying the adventure.

And Quark gazes at T’Lana, caught between lust and horror - who is this woman he is in bed with now?

BLACK OUT

END OF ACT FOUR