1 FERENGI SHUTTLECRAFT- INTERNAL
VESK and RAK are in a small Ferengi shuttlecraft. VESK
pilots while RAK Navigates. Both are clearly civilian
rather than being members of any Ferengi military outfit.
RAK
OK... change heading mark 183 by
123.
VESK
Are we almost there? I'm really
tired of this trip.
RAK
Come on, Vesk! How are you going
to learn to seize new opportunities
without spending some time in
space?
VESK
You know I've never cared for
space.
RAK
You never make sense to me. You're
one of the best pilots in the
sector, but you hate being in outer
space. How did you learn to fly?
VESK
When I was young, my father got
swindled by a Pakled merchant.
RAK
And that's how you learned to fly?
VESK
Let me finish! He traded
technology to the Pakled in
exchange for a shipment of computer
parts. But when the parts arrived,
they were all games, and
holographic simulations. Nothing
he could use or sell. So he let me
play with them, and one I really
liked was a flight simulator--
RAK
Ah! Here we are!
VESK
Where?
RAK
Take a look- That planet down
there.
VESK
Where? That little one? But all I
read on it is some common minerals.
Nothing even remotely valuable!
RAK
Nothing else?
VESK
Wait... what's this?
RAK
What?
VESK
Some sort of unknown organic
substance. It won't register...
RAK
Just as I suspected. Plus, there's
this...
(RAK points to the control panels)
VESK
A Federation warning beacon?
RAK
If there's something unusual down
there, and the Federation doesn't
want us to have it, doesn't that
mean it's probably valuable?
VESK
But what if they're trying to
protect us?
RAK
You've got too be kidding. See
where the substance is on the
planet and land near it. My lobes
are definitely tingling on this
one.
CUT TO:
2 SHUTTLECRAFT-- EXTERNAL
Brief clip of shuttlecraft descending towards planet.
CUT TO:
3 VAGRA II
The Ferengi Shuttle has landed near what appears to be an
oil slick. There is a crater nearby with some debri from a
destroyed Federation Shuttlecraft nearby. The shuttle door
is opening and RAK is exiting.
CUT TO:
4 FERENGI SHUTTLECRAFT-- INTERNAL
VESK is inside the shuttle gathering tools.
RAK
(From outside the shuttle)
Vesk! Get out here. Get out here
NOW.
(Alarmed, VESK runs to see what the
problem is)
CUT TO:
5 VAGRA II
VESK comes running. VESK and RAK are confronted by a 10+'
tall Armus who has grown from the oil slick. VESK drops one
of his tools and both Ferengi are frozen in fear.
ARMUS
Tell me, little man: Does your
ship work?
(Vesk and Rak are still too terrified to
reply, which angers Armus)
Stop your cowering and answer my
question! Does your ship work?
VESK
Uhm... Yes?
ARMUS
(Laughs ruefully)
Good... I've wanted to do some
traveling for a very long time now.
CUT TO:
OPENING CREDITS
6 COMMANDER SISKO'S QUARTERS.
Sisko is eating breakfast with Jake, who is mostly just
shoving his food slowly from one side of the plate to
another.
SISKO
You ready for school today?
JAKE
Yeah.
SISKO
Homework done?
JAKE
Yeah.
SISKO
Jake, is something bothering you?
JAKE
Huh?
SISKO
Well I've yet to hear you speak a
complete sentence this morning.
JAKE
I guess I'm just thinking.
SISKO
Just thinking? About what?
JAKE
I don't know.
SISKO
You don't know?
JAKE
Can we talk about this later?
SISKO
Is it a girl?
JAKE
No, it's not a girl.
SISKO
And whatever it is, you don't want
to talk about it right?
(Jake looks at him silently for a moment
and goes back to pushing his food back
and forth on the plate)
Well... if you ever need to talk,
the old man's here for you.
JAKE
Thanks. I gotta go to school.
SISKO
And I should be at ops.
CUT TO:
7 HALLWAY-- OUTSIDE SISKO'S QUARTERS
(Both head out the door, headed in different directions.
Sisko throws the baseball to Jake in the hallway)
SISKO
Maybe this afternoon, you can try
to strike me out again today.
JAKE
Yeah, maybe. I'll see you after
school.
(As Jake walks away, Sisko's comm badge sounds)
DAX
Ops to Commander Sisko.
SISKO
Go ahead, Dax.
DAX
Benjamin, we just received a
transmission you should know about.
SISKO
I'm listening.
DAX
We're receiving an envoy from a
group that wants to open trade with
the Federation. I think you'd
better take a look at it in person.
SISKO
On my way. Sisko out.
The rest of the scene should take place during Sisko's walk
to Ops. Sisko should walk for a few steps before Quark
appears about 20' behind him.
QUARK
Commander Sisko! Commander Sisko!
SISKO
SISKO Pauses momentarily, exasperated, before turning to
face Quark, who catches up with him.
Yes Quark?
QUARK
(Follows Sisko as they both continue
walking)
Commander, I was thinking about a
new act I'd like to book for the
bar and wanted an opinion.
SISKO
You want an opinion from me?
QUARK
Well this is a more wholesome act,
the type of which I'm not
accustomed to--
SISKO
"Wholesome?"
QUARK
Yes, well it's a family, and you
being a family man yourself...
Anyway, they call themselves the
T'hani.
SISKO
The circus performers?
QUARK
You've heard of them!
SISKO
They do a lot of tours on Starfleet
ships. Book passage in exchange
for free performances and room and
board. Were on my old ship once.
They planning on stopping over
here?
QUARK
They contacted me a week ago.
They'll be arriving in less than an
hour and they were really cheap, so
I figured "Why not?" As the 137th
rule of acquisition states--
SISKO
Well I find them a bit trite
personally, but they're not bad for
a younger audience...
(Pauses and turns to Quark for a moment
and smiles)
or people without much taste.
QUARK
Hey, don't knock tasteless.
Tasteless can be a wonderful source
of profit. I could tell you--
SISKO
I'm sure you could.
Enter Chief O'Brien from a side corridor
Chief! At work long before the
rest of us, I see.
O'BRIEN
(Smiling)
Morning, commander...
(Then, with a more sour look on his
face)
Quark.
SISKO
Join me. I wanted to talk to you
about my son.
O'BRIEN
Jake? Anything wrong?
SISKO
I don't know... I think he's upset
about something.
O'BRIEN
Well he's a growing boy. Could be
all sorts of things.
QUARK
Probably nothing a good holosuite
couldn't cure.
Both Sisko and O'Brien stop and turn to look at Quark.
SISKO
What did you say?
QUARK
Like the Chief said-- he's a
growing boy. You know what--
O'BRIEN
Quark-- you're not helping
yourself.
QUARK
Well I'm just trying to give a
little advice... repay the kind
hospitality you've all shown me
during my--
SISKO
Quark?
QUARK
Yes commander?
SISKO
Go. Now.
CUT TO:
8. OPS
Sisko and O'Brien are arriving via the lift. Dax and Kira
are both working at control stations.
SISKO
Thanks for the suggestions, Chief.
I hope that since you work with
him, maybe he'll tell you something
he won't tell me.
O'BRIEN
Do you want me to ask him anything
specific?
SISKO
No.. don't make it too obvious. I
don't want him to think I'm spying
on him. Just let me know if you
hear anything.
O'BRIEN
I'll keep my ears open, Commander.
SISKO
Thanks. What's up, Dax?
DAX
Ah... Benjamin, I'm glad you're
here.
SISKO
What was so important?
DAX
Let's talk in your office, OK?
SISKO nods, and ushers DAX into his office and the doors
close
CUT TO:
9 SISKO'S OFFICE
DAX
We just received a priority one
transmission from Starfleet. We're
considering opening trade relations
with a former enemy, one I know
you're not too fond of.
SISKO
Don't tell me we've arranged an
accord with the Cardassians?
DAX
No, Benjamin.
SISKO
I'm listening.
DAX
It's the Borg, Benjamin.
SISKO
What?
DAX
I know this isn't going to be easy
for you, but...
SISKO
Why would you say that?
DAX
Well we both know what they put you
through--
SISKO
Oh "we" do, do we?
DAX
You have to remember...
SISKO
Remember what? That they savagely
and brutally murdered my wife, that
they almost killed my son as-
DAX
Dammit, Benjamin, these are not the
same Borg. You've read the
reports. You know that.
SISKO
Yes, I've read the reports. That
doesn't mean I believe them.
DAX
These people are different
Benjamin. They're not the ones
that killed Jennifer.
SISKO
The Borg are a collective, Dax.
They all killed my wife.
DAX
You are so stubborn. You've always
been stubborn.
SISKO
Damn right.
(Presses comm badge)
Sisko to Dr. Bashir.
BASHIR
Bashir here. What can I do for you
commander?
SISKO
Given your excellence at such
duties in the past, I'm placing you
once again in an ambassadorial
capacity.
BASHIR
Sir?
SISKO
We have some guests arriving at the
station. Your job will be to keep
them satisfied, and to keep them as
far away from me and my son as
possible.
BASHIR
May I ask...
SISKO
No, Doctor, you may not.
Lieutenant Dax will fill you in on
the details.
BASHIR
Well at least there's a silver
lining--
SISKO
(Cutting Bashir off)
Sisko out.
DAX
Would you like to yell at me some
more, or should I go talk to
Julian?
SISKO just stares at her.
Fine. You know how to find me if
you want to talk.
(DAX starts to leave)
SISKO
Dax, I'm sorry.
DAX
Do you want to talk?
SISKO
No... go ahead. I'll talk to you
later, all right?
CUT TO:
10 OPS
DAX exits Sisko's office, looking clearly worried. She
turns, for a moment considering going back and then changes
her mind and heads for the lift. O'Brien and Kira exchange
concerned glances.
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
11 KEIKO O'BRIEN'S CLASSROOM.
Jake, Nog and Alestria are sitting in the front row.
Alestria should never stop smiling through the entire scene.
KEIKO O'BRIEN
Okay, listen up everybody. We have
a special guest today. This is
Alestria. She's a member of the
T'hani. Since one of the things we
do here is learn about other
cultures, I thought it would be
nice if we could ask her about her
own culture. I know I didn't ask
anyone to prepare for this, so you
won't be graded on your questions,
but I'd like you all to feel free
to ask whatever interests you. Oh,
and also you should all thank Nog
for this opportunity. The T'hani
are performing at Quark's this week
and Nog arranged for Alestria's
visit to the classroom as extra
credit to make up for work that
he's missed in the past.
(Nog smiles)
Okay-- who would like to start?
NOG
(To Jake, whispering)
Ask her something!
JAKE
(Also whispering)
I'm not going to ask first!
NOG
(A little louder)
You have to! She's beautiful.
JAKE
(Louder still, not realizing he's gone
above a whsiper in tone.)
No I don't! You ask her something.
KEIKO
Jake? Did you have a question?
JAKE
Uhm...
KEIKO
Don't be shy, Jake. Ask her
anything you want.
JAKE
Uhm... Okay... well where do the
T'hani come from?
KEIKO O'BRIEN
That's a very good question, Jake.
Alestria?
ALESTRIA
We don't have a home world, really.
We're travelers. Performers,
actually. We go from place to
place, sharing our joy with life.
KEIKO O'BRIEN
Anyone else? Who else has a
question?
(Nog nervously fidgets with his
earlobes)
Nog? Did I see your hand?
(Nog looks surprised and flustered.)
NOG
Huhh...?
KEIKO
I thought I saw you raise your
hand, Nog. Please, don't be shy...
NOG
(Finally realizing what his hand was
doing, attempts to fake his way through
it rather than explain)
Ah... yes. Can you show us what
you do? Like what you perform?
ALESTRIA
Of course!
KEIKO
Actually, I'm not sure we have room
for...
ALESTRIA
Don't worry Mrs. O'Brien. I won't
break anything.
12 BASHIR'S OFFICE.
Bashir and Dax are talking. Bashir is facing the camera,
looking away from Dax. Begin with a close-up of Bashir's
face which zooms out to the two of them together.
BASHIR
The Borg? Commander Sisko wants me
to look after the Borg?
DAX
This is really important, Julian.
We both know what Benjamin went
through with them before. For his
own sake, we need to do this right.
BASHIR
He hates me.
DAX
Oh come on. He does not hate you.
This is an assignment.
BASHIR
No. I always suspected he hated
me. This just confirms it.
DAX
Look, he's upset, and he's not
dealing with this well. You were
avaible to take care of the
problem. So he picked you.
BASHIR
A lot of people in the Federation
don't believe they've really
changed, you know.
DAX
I know. That's one of the
problems.
BASHIR
Do you think they've changed?
DAX
Yes, I think they have.
BASHIR
How can you be sure?
DAX
When you've been around as long as
I have, you learn a few things,
Julian. One of the things that
virtually no one escapes entirely
in a three-hundred year lifetime is
the Borg. And from everything I've
seen, from everything I've read,
these people are no longer Borg.
They may have the parts. They may
have the implants, but they are not
Borg.
BASHIR
But... what if they want to
assimilate me?
DAX
Look, Julian: We've got to meet
with the others about this, and you
need to get over whatever is making
you so upset.
BASHIR
I know. I think I'm just really
out of sorts today.
DAX
You're not the only one, by any
means.
BASHIR
Why did he pick me for this?
DAX
You've done well with ambassadorial
work before, Julian. You know
that.
BASHIR
You really think so?
DAX
Of course I do. Come on. Relax.
There's a special on "Grzazat" at
the Klingon restaurant. They just
got an overshipment and it's all
fresh. I'll buy you lunch and then
we'll go talk to Kira and Odo about
security.
BASHIR
Security? I thought you said there
was nothing to worry about...
CUT TO:
13 ODO'S OFFICE
KIRA and ODO are present. ODO is sitting behind his desk
and KIRA paces nervously
ODO
Do you believe they pose any sort
of threat?
KIRA
Well... I've no idea. I've never
seen a Borg before, but I've heard
about them. They certainly seem
dangerous enough.
ODO
Well you have to distinguish
between the collective and the ones
who were separated from it.
KIRA
Well yes... but...
ODO
Has Commander Sisko talked to you
about this?
KIRA
No... I didn't really want to go...
ODO flashes KIRA a glance
Odo, he seems really upset about
this.
ODO
He's been "upset" before.
KIRA
No, I mean really upset. Like
ready to chew Dax's head off about
it. I could hear the shouting
through his office door.
ODO
Well that is unusual...
KIRA
Do you know how thick those doors
are, Odo?
ODO
Hmm... Well maybe we should have a
talk with him.
Odo's comm badge beeps
SISKO'S VOICE
Sisko to Odo.
ODO
Go ahead, Commander.
SISKO'S VOICE
I want you and Major Kira to have a
meeting with Dax and Dr. Bashir
about some guests that will be
arriving on the station shortly.
ODO
Is this a security matter?
SISKO'S VOICE
Possibly. Lieutenant Dax will fill
you in. Sisko out.
ODO
Well... he does seem-
Kira's comm badge beeps
SISKO'S VOICE
Sisko to Kira.
KIRA
(Kira smirks)
Kira here. What's up, Commander?
SISKO'S VOICE
I'd like you and the Constable to
get togeth-
KIRA
I'm with Odo now, Commander.
SISKO'S VOICE
Oh. So you've already heard?
KIRA
Unless there's something else.
SISKO'S VOICE
No. Nothing else. Sisko out.
ODO
(Pushes his comm badge)
Would Dr. Bashir and Lieutenant Dax
please report to my office?
DAX'S AND BASHIR'S VOICES
(Simultaneously)
On my way.
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK.
14 PROMENADE, OUTSIDE THE CLASROOM.
Nog and Jake are walking out of the classroom and through
the Promenade
NOG
Wasn't she incredible?
JAKE
I guess.
NOG
Those gymnastics she did! They
were amazing, weren't they?
JAKE
Yeah. Sure.
NOG
What is with you?
JAKE
Nothing.
NOG
Look, if you can't talk to me, who
can you talk to? Not a stupid
human?
JAKE
Hey, I'm a "stupid human."
NOG
Well you're different.
JAKE
"Different?"
NOG
You're getting off the subject.
Something is bothering you. You
may be better at school than I am,
but I can read faces.
JAKE
Fine.
NOG
Ah! Something is bothering you.
JAKE
It's nothing.
NOG
NOG Stops walking while JAKE continues. The camera should
freeze on NOG and JAKE should walk out of view
You won't tell me? Fine. Just
because I'm your best friend,
doesn't mean you have to tell me.
(Shouting from behind JAKE. JAKE just
waves his hand to brush NOG off.)
See if I care
(To himself)
Stupid human.
15 ODO'S OFFICE
Kira, Odo, Dax, Bashir and O'Brien . It's clear they've
been talking for some time and are already a bit frustrated
BASHIR
Well I for one think this presents
a fascinating opportunity for
studying cybernetics
Everyone looks at BASHIR, annoyed
DAX
Julian, do not forget that these
are ambassadors.
KIRA
All I want to know is if they pose
a danger to the station or to
Bajor.
BASHIR
Well I heard they were only
dangerous under the influence of
Lore.
KIRA
Who's Lore?
ODO
Commander Data's "brother." An
android who became a sort of
"savior" to the Borg when they
became individuals.
DAX
Only problem was that their
salvation involved attempting to
destroy the federation.
O'BRIEN
There are rumors about them
throughout the sector. Not a lot
of people believe that these "new"
Borg are any different from the
originals. We don't want to send
panic through the station.
DAX
That's an important thing to
consider. The reason I asked you
all here isn't to protect us from
the Borg, though.
ODO
Lieutenant...? Why am I involved
if it's not a security measure?
DAX
My fear is that the Borg will need
protection from us.
KIRA
From us? How so?
DAX
Well there are still a lot of
people who don't understand about
the Borg who were removed from the
collective, and some of them don't
really believe it either.
O'BRIEN
Well you can't really blame them,
can you?
KIRA
He's right, you know. How do we
know they're not here to add Bajor
to their list of conquered worlds?
O'BRIEN
The Borg don't "conquer." They
"assimilate."
DAX
Look, arguing will get us nowhere.
If the Borg were after Bajor they
would have it and there would be
nothing we could do about it. We
barely survived their attack the
first time with a whole Federation
fleet.
KIRA
Well then what the hell are we
supposed to do?
ODO
It seems to me we should keep very
quiet about this.
DAX
That was my idea, too. That we
shouldn't let word get out and
attract people who are simply out
for revenge to the station.
ODO
I don't want to clear the promenade
when they arrive. That could cause
undue panic.
DAX
Best to just treat them like any
other visitor but possibly have
some extra protection available
just in case.
KIRA
I guess Odo and I can work out the
security detail.
CHIEF
I'll get to work on double and
triple-checking the security
system.
BASHIR
(Smirking)
And I'll prepare my diplomatic
skills.
16 QUARK'S
The T'hani are performing. Dax is at the bar. The
performance, is slightly akin to, though not quite as bad
as, elevator music. As one piece ends, Alestria leaves the
set to sit by Jake, who has been sitting in a corner
watching, as another performance starts.
ALESTRIA
You were in Mrs. O'Brien's class,
weren't you?
JAKE
Uhm... Yeah. Jake Sisko.
ALESTRIA
Oh yes! The commander's son. Do
you mind if I join you?
JAKE
No, it's okay.
ALESTRIA
(Teasingly)
Don't get too excited.
JAKE
I'm sorry. I'm just not in a very
good mood.
ALESTRIA
Would you like for me to leave?
JAKE
No... I'm just trying to deal with
something.
ALESTRIA
What's wrong?
JAKE
I'm not sure I really want to talk
about it.
ALESTRIA
That's okay. We can talk about
something else if you like.
JAKE
I liked your performance in the
class.
ALESTRIA
Why thank you.
JAKE
How do you do all that stuff?
Doesn't it hurt?
ALESTRIA
No. We don't experience pain.
JAKE
You mean you're just really strong?
ALESTRIA
No, I mean, we're never in pain...
or sad. Nothing ever hurts us.
JAKE
How can that be?
ALESTRIA
Many years ago our ancestors
removed their pain.
JAKE
Removed it? How?
ALESTRIA
It's not a difficult process. We
just separate the pain from the
person. It's what makes us so able
to entertain, without ever tiring,
and never be sick or ill or grow
old.
JAKE
Wow.
ALESTRIA
Are you in pain, Jake?
JAKE
Huh?
ALESTRIA
You seem to be in a lot of pain.
We can help you. I can help you.
JAKE
How?
ALESTRIA
Come. Let me show you...
Jake and Alestria leave Quark's. As they leave the camera
should pan to follow them and then hold on Dax and Quark as
they pass them.
QUARK
(Handing a drink to Dax)
What do you think of the show?
DAX
(Whispered)
Oh dear, Quark. They're horrid!
QUARK
Can you believe it? They seem to
have a lot of the audience
mesmerized though.
DAX
Well it's not that they're really
that bad. They just seem to not
have any real spirit. They're much
too...
QUARK
"Nice?"
DAX
"Perky" was the more word I was
thinking of. Where did you find
these people?
QUARK
An old associate of mine
recommended them. They were really
cheap, which is good, but no one's
drinking, which is just awful!
They're just... watching. They're
all too happy to be drinking.
Maybe I should sell tickets instead
of expecting--
Enter Odo
QUARK
(Whispers to Dax)
Watch. I bet they can't make him
happy.
(Dax starts to laugh, almost choking on her drink. Quark
turns to Odo)
My dear friend Odo! What can I do
for you today?
ODO
Nothing, Quark. Absolutely
nothing.
QUARK
(To Dax, but not whispered)
See? I told you so.
(To Odo)
Oh come now. You must have come
here for some--
ODO
Actually I came to see Lieutenant
Dax about a security measure.
QUARK
You mean the Borg?
Odo and Dax both stare at Quark, shocked
What?
DAX
Quark? What exactly do you know
about the Borg?
QUARK
It's all over the station.
ODO
(Threateningly)
What's all over the station?
QUARK
(Very nervous)
That they're coming. Well just a
few of them. You know how fast
news travels around here.
ODO
Mmm hmm. And I know how useful it
can be for people planning illegal
activities to know when the station
personnel will have their hands
full with something more important,
too.
QUARK
Odo! I'm shocked that you would
make such an implication. You know
I'm honest as my ears are...
Both Odo's and Dax's comm badges ring
SISKO'S VOICE
Commander Sisko to all senior staff
members. Meet me in ops
immediately.
17 OPS
All senior personnel are either present or entering.
KIRA
What's this about?
SISKO
We've got a minor problem. Chief,
why don't you explain?
O'BRIEN
About fifteen minutes ago an
unauthorized ship asked for docking
clearance. I was about to give it
when I noticed some strange energy
readings. When I asked about them
the pilot seemed really desperate.
Then I got this.
Display screen lights up with a recording of Vesk pleading
"Please! You've got to let us dock! Our lives depend on
it!"
O'BRIEN
And then communications were cut
off and that was it.
ODO
Do you think we have a hostage
situation?
SISKO
I'm not sure what to think, but I
intend to treat this seriously. I
thought maybe the rest of the crew
might have some ideas.
DAX
Attempting to analyze energy
readings. Checking Federation data
banks for any similar readings in
the past. Chief-- can you access
their computers? Figure out
anything about whether or not the
pilot is alive?
O'BRIEN
Trying right now... Nope... It's
being blocked...
SISKO
Blocked? How?
DAX
Oh no...
SISKO
What's wrong?
DAX
Can you put the ship on main screen
Chief?
O'BRIEN
Done.
The Ferengi vessel appears on main screen. It slowly seems
to be fading into darkness.
CUT TO:
Close up of Dax's face.
DAX
It's Armus, Benjamin. It's Armus.
CUT TO
COMMERCIAL BREAK
18 OPS
Continuation of same scene, but the mood is much more
frantic and the voices are quite a bit louder.
O'BRIEN
Armus? I thought he was trapped on
Vagra II.
SISKO
Well apparently he found a way to
escape.
KIRA
Armus? Who's Armus?
O'BRIEN
The Enterprise ran up against him
five or six years ago. He's an
entity. Totally malevolent. Killed
our security officer, just to amuse
himself. Almost killed a few
others too.
DAX
Benjamin, under no circumstances
can we allow him to get on board
the station..
SISKO
You've got no argument from me
there.
KIRA
Well why don't we just blast him
out of the sky?
SISKO
Dax, open a comm channel.
DAX
Hailing...
SISKO
Commander Sisko to Ferengi vessel.
We've become aware that you have an
extra passenger onboard.
RAK
Why hello, Commander! Can we get
docking clearance?
SISKO
Why don't you tell us who your
guest is first?
VESK
Merely an associate we picked up in
a nearby sector, Commander. No one
important.
SISKO
I think that before you can get
cleared for docking we'll have to
have a list of your full
compliment.
Rak starts to choke and wheeze, unable to speak any longer
VESK
Please! Do as he says! He'll kill
us!
SISKO
Who?
ARMUS' VOICE
That is no concern of yours,
commander. Would you like to see
these creatures die because you
wouldn't let them on your station?
SISKO motions to DAX to cut off the communications
SISKO
Okay. I want options and I want
them now. Dax?
DAX
We know from the encounter with the
Enterprise that he's a creature of
pure hate. When he gets angrier,
his abilities weaken. If we could
provoke him, maybe we'd have a
window for beaming the passengers
out.
ODO
That would only work if he doesn't
get angry enough to kill them.
SISKO
Okay. We'll just have to do our
best to stall him while I talk to
him. Dr. Bashir-- Get prepared
in sick bay-- you may have two
patients arriving at any moment.
Dax and O'Brien, you work on
finding any way possible to
penetrate the energy field which
has him blocking transport.
Constable, you and Major Kira set
up a security team on Docking ring
five. If we have to, we'll direct
him there.
Odo's comm badge sounds.
ODO
Go ahead.
QUARK
Odo's, it's Quark.
ODO
Quark... how did you get the
security frequency?
QUARK
Never mind that! This is
important. You'd better get down
here.
ODO
What's wrong, Quark. Someone
winning too much money from you?
QUARK
Odo, this is serious. Get down
here now! And bring Dr. Bashir
with you.
SISKO
Major, you take care of the docking
ring and Odo head for Quark's. Dr.
Bashir, have your staff prepare the
sick beds for the Ferengi and go
with Odo. If whatever Quark wants
isn't serious, shoot him.
19 QUARK'S
Starts outside Quark's. BASHIR and ODO are walking through
the promenade, where there is a large crowd forming, one
which confuses them but they don't have time to deal with at
the moment. Once inside Quark's another problem arises.
All THE T'HANI look ill, though they're still trying to
perform. The music, however, seems more like an awful
retching and screeching and the crowd is really agitated.
Quark has his ears covered. Bashir starts to investigate the
T'hani with his tricorder. Though no one notices this, none
of the T'hani's armbands are glowing any longer.
ODO
Okay Quark. What's going on?
QUARK
I have no idea. Their music turned
sour. At first it just got worse,
but then it was unbearable! Make
them stop! It's horrid!
ODO
Personally, I find it rather
refreshing. It's much better than
I was hearing from them before.
Suddenly the T'hani all stop performing and collapse to the
floor
QUARK
Well that's a relief.
BASHIR
(To Quark)
When did this start happening?
QUARK
About fifteen... twenty minutes
ago.
BASHIR
(Reading Tricorder)
My God... Odo... come over here.
It's almost as if
A loud noise is heard in the hall
What the blazes was that?
ODO
I'd better check it out.
BASHIR
You go ahead. I'll stay here with
the T'hani.
Exit Odo. Bashir turns to Quark
Are these the only T'hani on the
ship?
QUARK
No... one left with Jake a short
while ago.
BASHIR
With Jake Sisko?
QUARK
Yeah... look, the T'hani may be in
my employ, but I never signed
anything agreeing to responsibility
for their medical bill
BASHIR
(Looks at Quark with contempt and then
presses his comm badge)
Computer, please give me the
location of Jake Sisko.
COMPUTER'S VOICE
Jake Sisko is in his quarters.
20 OPS
Sisko is trying to talk to Armus
SISKO
(Putting on his best fake friendly face)
Maybe if you could explain to me
what's so important that you need
to arrive at the station we could
reach a deal.
ARMUS
A deal?
SISKO
Well maybe if you have a good
reason for coming aboard, you'll
find me quite receptive.
ARMUS
I will kill the little men on this
ship if you betray me.
SISKO
I don't doubt that for a second.
So why are you here?
ARMUS
I am searching for the ones.
SISKO
Who?
ARMUS
The ones who left me.
SISKO
On Vagra II
ARMUS
Yes, a desolate world with nothing.
SISKO
And you've captured one of us
before.
ARMUS
Yes.
SISKO
You told them you were after the
ones who left you behind, that you
wanted to destroy them. Is that
why you're here?
ARMUS
You will not stop me from finding
them.
SISKO
And what will you do then?
ARMUS
I will destroy them.
SISKO
And after that?
ARMUS
And after what?
SISKO
After you destroy them... what
then? Where else will you go?
ARMUS
I... That is not important.
SISKO
If you are allowed on this station
and you do not find them, will you
leave?
Dax and O'Brien look at one another, surprised
ARMUS
What?
SISKO
If I allow your ship to dock, will
you be willing to look for your
enemies, and then leave?
Peacefully... without the hostages?
ARMUS
I will do as I please. I am Armus.
You can not stop me.
SISKO
Obviously not. If you find the
people who abandoned you, you are
welcome to them. I will let you
know when we've made the proper
arrangements. Sisko out.
Dax cuts off the comm signal
DAX
Benjamin, you're not thinking of
letting him on the station, are
you?
SISKO
Dax, I want you to analyze every
possible way to kill that creature.
Chief, think of any thing you can
do to confine him. You have half
an hour. I don't want to try his
patience any further than that.
I'm going to go see what's going on
in the promenade.
21 PROMENADE, SHORTLY AFTER ODO'S LEFT QUARK'S.
A very large crowd is gathering. ODO notices NOG in the
crowd, picking a pocket and grabs him by the ear
ODO
Nog, what's going on here?
NOG
I swear, Odo-- he just dropped his
coins and I was about to return
them to him.
NOG tugs at the man's sleeve and hands him his coins
Here sir, these are yours I think.
The man looks at him, annoyed, and wanders off
ODO
No, I didn't mean your little
crime.
NOG
Crime!?! How dare you insinuate...
ODO
Nog, I don't have time for this...
why are these people here? What's
this crowd doing here.
NOG
NOG is confused for a moment, then understands he's not in
any trouble.
Oh... It's about the Borg. People
are here to protest.
ODO
Oh wonderful.
NOG
Can I go now?
ODO
Yes... For now... but don't think
I'm done with you.
NOG runs off. ODO shouts to crowd
Everyone, please calm down. There
is nothing to be concerned about.
VOICE IN CROWD
You mean the Borg aren't coming to
the station?
ODO
You have my word that no one here
will be harmed by the Borg during
their stay.
The crowd boos and hisses. Odo pushes his comm badge
Odo to commander Sisko. I think
you'd better get down here right
now.
BASHIR'S VOICE
(Over comm badge)
Commander, maybe you'd better come
to your quarters first.
CUT TO:
22 CORRIDOR IN STATION
Close-Up of Sisko's face as he's walking briskly through the
corridor.
SISKO
What's wrong, Doctor?
BASHIR
It's Jake, Sir.
SISKO'S face slowly turns from concerned to very angry as
the camera zooms out. He pauses for a moment and catches
his anger before responding.
SISKO
I'm on my way.
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CUT TO:
23 SISKO'S QUARTERS
Bashir and an assistant are examining Jake and Alestria.
Jake and Alestria are both unconscious on the floor next to
the table by the couch On the table is a small box, and
Jake is wearing a T'hani armband. Neither Jake's nor
Alestria's armband glows. Enter Commander Sisko, in a
hurry.
SISKO
Jake!
BASHIR
He's okay, Commander-- I'm not sure
exactly what's wrong with him
but...
SISKO
Do you have any ideas what caused
this?
BASHIR
No, but...
SISKO
Will he be alright?
BASHIR
I think so. Honestly, I can't find
anything wrong with him. It's as
though he's just...
SISKO starts to leave, but keeps changing his mind when he
thinks of something else
SISKO
Find out what's wrong. Contact me
as soon as you... Why is he wearing
that armband?
BASHIR
I've no idea. I assumed it was
some sort of fashion thing.
SISKO
It's not. I've never seen him wear
it before. See if that has
anything to do with it.
BASHIR
I'll get right on it...
SISKO
And check to see if...
BASHIR
Commander, I don't have time for
this and you seem to have more than
one emergency on your hand. I
suggest that you...
SISKO
(Getting angry)
You suggest to me...?
BASHIR
(Yelling back at him)
Commander, this is not the time
to...
JAKE moans.
BASHIR & SISKO
(together)
Jake!
JAKE
What happened?
SISKO
I was about to ask you the same
thing.
JAKE
I don't know. We were just... I
mean she...
ALESTRIA
It's my fault, commander.
All three look startled, not realizing she'd awakened.
SISKO
Oh?
ALESTRIA
I was trying to help Jake. He was
in pain. I just wanted...
SISKO
You wanted to what?
JAKE
She had a technique for getting rid
of pain. Of hurt.
SISKO
Why didn't you come to me before
trying this?
ALESTRIA
Commander, if I may...?
SISKO
I think you've done enough already.
Sisko's comm badge beeps.
Sisko here...
O'BRIEN'S VOICE
Commander, I think I've figured out
how to transport the Ferengi
onboard.
SISKO
Excellent, Chief. Is it safe?
O'BRIEN
Safe as it can be. We just have to
be sure Armus doesn't notice.
SISKO
Is it likely that he will?
O'BRIEN
Not too likely, but it would be
better if you could distract him
some more...
SISKO
There isn't time, Chief. Just do
it. I have to head for the
Promenade before we have a riot on
our hands.
(looks at Jake)
I'll deal with you, later.
(Looks to Alestria)
You'd better come with me. I've a
few questions for you.
Sisko leaves his quarters, Alestria following. Jake starts
to follow as well.
(To Jake)
You stay here. This could be
dangerous.
Exit Sisko
BASHIR
(Whispers to Jake, after Sisko has left)
Come with me, we'll sneak you to
where you can watch from a safe
level.
24 CORRIDOR.
Sisko and Alestria are walking quickly towards the
promenade.
SISKO
So what exactly were you trying to
do?
ALESTRIA
Our people have a technique for
getting rid of anger, and rage, and
hate, and pain.
SISKO
And you wanted to help my son get
rid of his anger?
ALESTRIA
Yes... and his pain.
SISKO
So what was he in pain about?
ALESTRIA
I think you'd better take that up
with...
SISKO
I am taking it up with you. If you
don't want to respond there's not a
damned thing I can do about it.
ALESTRIA
Did you bring me along only to spy
on your son?
SISKO
No, actually, I didn't. There's a
much more immediate question I have
to ask you... Have you ever heard
of a being called Armus?
25 OPS
O'Brien and Dax are working frantically
O'BRIEN
Preparing transporter. Ready on
your end, Lieutenant?
DAX
Ready. Initiating transport in
3... 2... 1...
O'BRIEN
Transporter engaged.
The transporter flickers some...
DAX
What's going on?
O'BRIEN
I don't know... somehow we're
getting a feedback loop.
DAX
What's causing it?
O'BRIEN
I've never seen anything like this
before. I've no idea.
DAX
Chief, those power levels are
getting dangerously...
The control panels explode. DAX and O'BRIEN are knocked
several feet backwards just before a blinding flash of
light, followed by a power outage.
26 PROMENADE.
ODO is attempting to address the crowd
ODO
Please, everybody-- Commander Sisko
is on his way and he'll explain the
situation to...
The lights suddenly go out and people start yelling. Odo
looks annoyed and mutters to himself
Well this is perfect.
27 OPS
Close-up to Dax, who is waking up from being unconscious and
in a lot of pain. The sound of Armus' laughter is heard
from somewhere in the room, and a shadowy form is seen
sliding into a ventilation duct. Dax sees it and reaches
for her phaser but it's clearly too late to get a shot fired
off/
DAX
Damn...
(Presses comm badge.)
Dax to security. Intruder alert.
Emergency. Intruder alert. Top
priority. Armus is aboard the
station.
O'BRIEN
Urgh... what the hell was that?
DAX
Chief! Are you okay?
O'BRIEN
Well I feel as though I went head
first into pure duranium, but I
think I'm alright.
DAX
Good. Because our first priority
is to make sure the force fields
are working.
O'BRIEN
Do you think that they'll hold him?
DAX
I don't know, but there's only one
way to find out.
SISKO
(Voice only)
Sisko to Ops. Are you still
breathing up there?
O'BRIEN
Bruised and battered, but still
alive, Commander.
SISKO
Good. Report.
DAX
Something went wrong. We're not
sure what. Armus got aboard the
station.
SISKO
Tell me something I don't know,
like how long it will be before you
can get operational again.
O'BRIEN fiddles frantically with the control panels.
O'BRIEN
I'd say four... maybe five hours.
SISKO
Well you don't have hours. You
have minutes. Your top priorities
are force fields and emergency
lights.
The lights go on.
Very good chief. Now get me those
force fields.
O'BRIEN
Force fields will be ready ASAP,
Commander.
SISKO
Any word about the Ferengi?
DAX
Sensors and transporter
inoperative, Commander, but I doubt
they survived the experience.
SISKO
Understood. Sisko out.
28 PROMENADE
Only the emergency lights are available. A lot of people
are yelling and Odo looks both alarmed and annoyed. The
T'hani stand in the door of Quark's, as is Quark, looking
out onto the area. Sisko arrives, with Alestria behind him.
Alestria runs to another T'hani and they embrace. The crowd
is startled, and quickly silenced, by Sisko, who fires a
phaser blast in an arc across the ceiling.
SISKO
It is imperative that you all
return to your quarters
immediately. There is an intruder
aboard the station and we consider
him to be highly dangerous.
VOICE FROM CROWD
You're not going to get rid of us
that easily.
SISKO
I'm not trying to get rid of
anybody. I'm trying to protect
you.
VOICE2
You're just trying to distract us.
You know why we're here.
SISKO
Yes, I am well aware as to why
you're here. And frankly I can't
blame you. The Borg are no more a
friend of mine than they are of
yours, but this is neither the time
or...
VOICE1
You'd rather we wait until they've
taken us over...?
SISKO
They're not here to...
Suddenly Armus appears from the center of the crowd. His
form grows quickly and startlingly, and everyone flees
amidst screams of horror. Odo moves to confront him but
Sisko grabs his arm. holding him back.
No need to provoke him, constable.
This is just a show so far.
SISKO presses his comm badge.
Chief-- we're out of time. I need
to secure a force field in the
promenade-- immediate priority.
29 OPS
Shot of O'BRIEN standing over the control panels, taken from
below. He's sweating and rather frantic.
O'BRIEN
We're just about ready, commander.
30 PROMENADE
Commander SISKO'S face appears, shot from below as well.
SISKO
Now would be a good time.
People are still running from Armus, who is twisting and
flailing in anger. After a few moments, he rises above the
crowd once again, the camera should pan to the T'hani, who
are all kneeling on the ground, cowering beneath him. Armus
turns and suddenly starts to dart towards them. The very
second before he reaches them, he's blocked by a force field
and screams with rage. He turns and tries to move in
another direction, but is still blocked, finally realizing
that a force field has surrounded and isolated him
completely. While this is happening. Sisko is walking up to
the second level of the Promenade and across it to Quark's.
Once the force field is up, the crowd should remain,
watching through the force field.
T'HANI #1
Oh thank you, commander-- we
thought that monster--
SISKO
Don't play dumb with me.
ALESTRIA
Commander, I don't know what you're
talking about. This creature is
trying to kill us.
SISKO
I'm well aware of that. I don't
see how I can stop him.
ALESTRIA
But it's not...
SISKO
Not what. Your fault?
ALESTRIA
Commander, I've never seen this
creature before in my--
SISKO
Perhaps you haven't. But I think
your family has.
ARMUS
Do you think that this is enough to
stop me, Commander?
SISKO
No, only slow you down enough that
I can ask you a few questions.
ARMUS
I have no need to answer...
SISKO
Yes, I know. You are Armus. You
are powerful, and you could destroy
me if you wanted to. So why are
you so scared of a few questions?
ARMUS
I fear nothing. I am Armus. I
will--
SISKO
I think you're afraid, Armus.
ARMUS
I fear nothing.
SISKO
You could kill me, right now. You
could kill them, right now,
couldn't you? You could kill them
with a thought.
ARMUS
They are close. I can taste the
vengeance.
SISKO
Then why don't you finish them off?
Why don't you destroy the ones who
left you--?
T'HANI
(Several simultaneously, interrupting
out of fear)
Commander!
SISKO
Ah-hah. So you do know who he is?
ALESTRIA
Commander, how can you possibly--
T'HANI 1
I'm sorry, Alestria-- we should
have told you a long time ago.
SISKO
(To Armus)
Here are you abandoners, Armus.
Here are the ones who left you.
You now have the opportunity to
exact vengeance. But I have one
question for you. Is it enough?
You have these people in your
hands, and you have not destroyed
them yet. I know this force field
can't hold you for long, but you
are not even trying to break out of
it. Why?
ARMUS
It's not enough to simply kill
them.
SISKO
Why not?
ARMUS
It would be unsatisfying.
SISKO
Damned right.
SISKO turns to the T'hani
I want you all to listen to me. You
especially Alestria. Armus is
something you all created, and I
think it's up to you to deal with
him.
ALESTRIA
Created? What are you--
SISKO
Years ago, when you were still a
baby, Alestria, so you probably
don't remember.
ALESTRIA
Father? Mother?
T'HANI 1
It's true, daughter.
SISKO
And now he's found you, because you
left him behind.
ALESTRIA
Is he going to kill us? I thought
nothing could kill or harm us?
SISKO
You also thought you could never be
afraid or upset, and it seems like
you're expressing both those
emotions quite well.
T'HANI 1
What can we do? He's evil-- pure
evil.
SISKO
But he's your evil, and I think
it's time you dealt with it.
ALESTRIA
How can he be our evil? We have no
evil!
SISKO
But once you did. You had
ugliness, pain, sorrow, fear, doubt
and hate. And your parents decided
that you would be better off
without these things.
ALESTRIA
So... when we released our pain, we
created... him.
T'HANI 2
We wanted to tell you, dear. For
so many years.
ALESTRIA
This is our responsibility.
SISKO
I'm glad you understand that.
T'HANI 1
What are you going to do?
SISKO
I'm going to make you face your
crimes.
T'HANI 2
Crimes? We haven't committed any--
SISKO
He is as much a part of you as you
are. I hold you all accountable
for his actions.
SISKO presses his comm badge.
Chief, on my order prepare to drop
the force fields holding Armus.
O'BRIEN
(Voice only)
Sir?
SISKO
You heard me. On my command,
release Armus.
SISKO turns to speak to the crowd, including the T'hani and
Armus.
Armus, you are going to get your
wish with the T'hani. They will
soon be yours to do with as you
please. To the people gathered
here, I want you to understand
something. I hate the Borg, and
everything they stand for. They
killed my wife and they almost
killed me and my son. We barely
escaped with our lives. But when I
live with that hatred as the sole
element of my being, I am nothing
better than Armus. Pure hate, no
matter what the cause of it, has no
place here. Most of you came here
for one form of hate or another.
Armus came here because he is hate,
pure as can be. You all came here
because of the Borg, because of
your own hate for them. The T'hani
are here because of their hate for
their own hate, their hate for
themselves, so strong that they
would divide themselves from a part
of their own existence. You all
have a choice. You can live in
hate, or learn to let go of it.
You can live in fear and pain, or
learn to release it, not by
ignoring it, not by circumventing
it or running from it, but by
learning to accept it, and to move
on.
SISKO turns to speak specifically to the T'hani
I don't envy you what you're about
to experience, but believe me,
you'll be a lot better for it.
Chief, release the force fields.
Armus moves slowly towards the T'hani and eventually
surrounds them. They scream in horror as he, instead of
killing them, returns to them, becoming one with them again.
When the reunification is complete, the gems in their
armbands should shatter. JAKE walks up to SISKO from
behind.
JAKE
Dad-- I-
SISKO
Jake! Didn't I tell you to stay
away?
(Noticing he's upset)
What's wrong, son?
JAKE
I'm so sorry... It's just that...
mom... sometimes I really miss her,
you know? And I didn't want to
bother you because you were so
upset and...
SISKO
Yeah, I know. And it's okay. I'm
sorry too.
31 QUARK'S
It's a day or two later. The T'hani are performing again,
but this time there's something moving and powerful about
the music-- it has much more of a soul to it, along with
real depth. ALESTRIA, who is not quite so radiant as
before, is talking to JAKE. ALESTRIA is wearing a
sleeveless outfit which reveals a scar on her left arm, in
the shape of a shattered gem.
JAKE
So how are you feeling?
ALESTRIA
Better... worse. I'm not sure. Oh
Jake, I'm so sorry I almost pulled
you into our emptiness as well. I
never realized how...
JAKE
No.. it's okay. You were only
trying to help.
ALESTRIA
Pain... I never thought I'd ever
want it... or appreciate it. But
somehow, I feel so... It hurts. I
don't deny it, but... I'm whole...
For the first time in my life... I
feel whole.
Pan to Dax and Quark, at the bar.
QUARK
Amazing, isn't it?
DAX
Hmm...?
QUARK
The T'hani! The world works in
mysterious ways.
DAX
(Looks at Jake and Alestria)
Yeah... sometimes it does, Quark.
Enter Commander Sisko
SISKO
(To Dax)
Mind if I join you?
DAX
That depends, do you want to yell
at me some more?
SISKO
(Smiles)
No, I'd like to apologize.
DAX
Accepted. You still have to deal
with them, you know. They're
coming in a few hours.
SISKO
I know.
DAX
Will you be okay with it?
SISKO
Yeah. I'll be okay. They're not
the same ones who killed Jennifer.
DAX
It's good to have you back,
Benjamin. Very good indeed.
Pan camera to Alestria and Jake, as Alestria leans over the
table and kisses Jake on the cheek. Cut back to Sisko,
about to get off his bar bench and go talk to Jake, but Dax
holds him back...
DAX
One disaster at a time, Benjamin.
Talk to Jake tomorrow, ok?