                                                                 
     6/6/94                                                  p1  
                                                                 
                             HOMECOMING                          
                                                                 
                             BY R HOOFT                          
                                                                 
                               Teaser                            
                                                                 
      ( Odo hails Sisko from ops. Sisko is in his quarters.)

                                Odo                              
                                                                 
                 " Commander, the Vedic Assembly                 
                                                                 
                 requests an audience with the...                
                                                                 
                 Emissary. I assume that's you? Shall            
                                                                 
                 I direct them to your office? Or                
                                                                 
                 perhaps one of the meeting rooms                
                                                                 
                 would be more appropriate?"                     
                                                                 
                                Sisko                            
                                                                 
                 " The whole Vedic Assembly? Exactly             
                                                                 
                 how many people are we talking about            
                                                                 
                 here, Odo?"                                     
                                                                 
                                 Odo                             
                                                                 
                 " I would hesitate to say, sir. It's            
                                                                 
                 a large ship and we're having trouble           
                                                                 
                 with the sensors, O'Brian's already             
                                                                 
                 on it. My best guess would be no less           
                                                                 
                 than twenty, and no more than fifty."           
                                                                 
                                 Sisko                           
                                                                 
                 " I see."                                       
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                      (continued) 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               p2 
                                  Odo                            
                                                                 
                  " I could ask them directly if you'd           
                                                                 
                  like. But you should know, I believe           
                                                                 
                  the new Kai is on board."                      
                                                                 
                                  Sisko                          
                                                                 
                  " No. That won't be necessary. Let's           
                                                                 
                  see if we can get off on the right             
                                                                 
                  foot with her for a change. Please             
                                                                 
                  direct them to the observation lounge,         
                                                                 
                  Constable."                                    
                                                                 
                                  Odo                            
                                                                 
                  " Yes, sir. I understand."                     
                                                                 
                                  Sisko                          
                                                                 
                  " Oh... They didn't happen to say what         
                                                                 
                  they want to see me about, did they?"          
                                                                 
                                  Odo                            
                                                                 
                  " I'm afraid not. But what I do know, is       
                                                                 
                  that their ship will dock in twelve minutes.   
                                                                 
                  Is there anything else?"                       
                                                                 
                                  Sisko                          
                                                                 
                  " Thank you, Odo. Sisko out."                  
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                               (continued)       
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                                  
                                                              p3 
                                                                 
                              Scene Two                          
                                                                 
        ( Kira, Dax, O'Brian, at their stations.)                
                                                                 
                                 Kira                            
                                                                 
               " I'm getting some strange emissions              
                                                                 
               from the Worm Hole, can you verify?"              
                                                                 
                               Dax                               
                                                                 
               " Readings are consistent with a                  
                                                                 
               vessel...no, there's more than one.               
                                                                 
               And I think one of them is damaged.               
                                                                 
                               Kira                              
                                                                 
               " That would explain this anomalous               
                                                                 
               data."                                            
                                                                 
                               O'Brian                           
                                                                 
               " I've got them. Five ships. I don't              
                                                                 
               recognize the design signature. Wait              
                                                                 
               a minute..."                                      
                                                                 
                                                                 
      ( O'Brian taps something up on his computer.)              
                                                                 
                                                                 
                               O'Brian                           
                                                                 
               " I'M putting it on screen."                      
                                                                 
                                                                 
      ( We see five ships emerge from the Worm Hole. They are    
                                                                 
      reminiscent of the old Klingon Cruisers, but modified.)    
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                    (continued) 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               p4 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                 Dax                             
                                                                 
                " Are those Klingon?"                            
                                                                 
                                 O'Brian                         
                                                                 
                " Reminiscent of Klingon workmanship             
                                                                 
                that's for sure. But that's no Klingon           
                                                                 
                design I've ever seen, and believe me, I        
                                                                 
                Know Klingon engineering...It's a hobbies       
                                                                 
                of mine."                                        
                                                                 
                                 Kira                            
                                                                 
                " Well what ever they are I think we'd          
                                                                 
                better hail them. They may need help."          
                                                                 
                                  Dax                            
                                                                
                " I'm way ahead of you, Major."                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
        ( out )                                                  
                                                                 
                                                                 
                               Scene Three                      
                                                                 
                                                                 
        ( Sisko, A group of Vedics, And Kai Winn In the          
                                                                 
        Observation lounge.)                                     
                                                                 
                                 Sisko                           
                                                                 
               " To what do I owe this honour, Kai?"             
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                     (continued) 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               p5 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                Winn                             
                                                                 
              " I Speak for the entire Vedic Assembly            
                                                                 
              when I say, it is we who are honoured to           
                                                                 
              see you again, Emissary."                          
                                                                 
                               Sisko                            
                                                                 
             " Thank you Kai. But I think we've known           
                                                                 
             each other long enough to dispense with            
                                                                 
             that title. I would prefer to be recognized        
                                                                 
             for my role on this station. Please feel           
                                                                 
             free to call me Commander, or...Benjamin."         
                                                                 
                               Winn                              
                                                                 
             " Your modesty is virtuous, Emissary.               
                                                                 
             But for us to address you as anything               
                                                                 
             less than what you are, Would be                    
                                                                 
             tantamount to blasphemy.... But let me              
                                                                 
             get to the point. We come to you today              
                                                                 
             with a request."                                    
                                                                 
                               Sisko                             
                                                                 
             " I will be glad to assist you in...                
                                                                 
             any way l can."                                     
                                                                 
                               Winn                              
                                                                 
             " We knew you would."                               
                                                                 
                                                                 
      ( She stands close to him and takes his ear.)              
                                                                 
                                                (continued)      
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                                p6 
                                Winn                             
                                                                 
              " The Prophets have chosen to impart               
                                                                 
              to us a great vision. The events of today          
                                                                 
              will have far reaching implications, that          
                                                                 
              could change this quadrant forever."               
                                                                 
                               Sisko                             
                                                                 
              " I don't understand."                             
                                                                 
                               Winn                              
                                                                 
              " The Prophets have sent an envoy. We              
                                                                 
              would like to be among the first to welcome        
                                                                 
              them."                                             
                                                                 
       ( The meeting is interrupted by a hail from Major Kira.   
                                                                 
       Sisko excuses himself and taps his com-pin.)              
                                                                 
                               Sisko                            
                                                                 
              " I'm a little busy, Major. Can this wait?"        
                                                                 
                               Kira                             
                                                                 
              " I don't think so, sir. Five unidentified         
                                                                 
              ships have just come out of the Worm Hole.         
                                                                 
              They're unresponsive to our hail, and we           
                                                                 
              think one of them is in trouble."                  
                                                                 
                               Winn                              
                                                                 
             " Emissary, The Prophets have arrived."             
                                                                 
                              O'Brian           (voice only.)    
                                                                 
             " Transmission coming through, sir."                
                                                                 
                              Sisko                              
                                                                 
             " On this screen."                                  
                                                                 
                                                 (continued)                                                                   p7 
                                                                 
                                                                 
     ( The screen is filled with the face of a Klingon. similar 
                                                                 
     in appearance to Chang. (UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY) or Klingons 
                                                                 
     from the original STAR TREK series. Little or no crest     
                                                                 
     plate.)                                                    
                                                                 
                              Kale                               
                                                                 
             " Occupants of space station. I am                  
                                                                 
             Commander Kale. I claim this quadrant               
                                                                 
             for the Empire. Prepare to receive                  
                                                                 
             your superiors. Or prepare to die.                  
                                                                 
             It's all the same to me."                           
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
      ( Focus on Siskos expression of disbelief, and fade out.)  
                                                                 
                                                                 
                           END TEASER                            
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                              p8 
                                                                 
                              ACT ONE                            
                                                                 
                                                                 
       ( continuation from page 7 )                              
                                                                 
                               Sisko                             
                                                                 
             " Commander Kale. This is Commander Sisko.          
                                                                 
             The station you are approaching is a                
                                                                 
             Federation out post and in case you haven't         
                                                                 
             heard, The Klingon Empire is our ally now.          
                                                                 
             I strongly urge you to cease hostilities,           
                                                                 
             we can and will defend ourselves."                  
                                                                 
                               Kale                              
                                                                 
             " Commander sisko... I could care less              
                                                                 
             about your Federation OR your Klingon               
                                                                 
             Empire. I have claimed this Wormhole,               
                                                                 
             this station, and this entire sector for            
                                                                 
             the Third Empire of the Kaltor. And as for          
                                                                 
             defending yourselves, perhaps a small               
                                                                 
             demonstration of our superiority is in order."      
                                                                 
                                                                 
       ( Kai Winn steps into viewer range.)                      
                                                                 
                               Kai Winn                          
                                                                 
             " That will not be necessary, Commander.            
                                                                 
             The Emissary is mistaken. This station is           
                                                                 
             the property of Bajor, not the Federation.          
                                                                 
             And as Kai of Bajor, I welcome you."                
                                                                 
                                                  (continued)                                                                   p9 
                                                                 
                              Kale                               
                                                                 
               " A wise decision, Madam Kai. If all              
                                                                 
               Bajorans are as accommodating as you are,         
                                                                 
               we'll get along just fine... Prepare to           
               be boarded."                                      
       ( Kale cuts off transmission. Sisko is livid. he hits his 
       com-pin and orders the shields raised, then he turns to   
    the Kai.)                                                    
                            Sisko                                
            " What do you think you're doing?"                   
                            Winn                                 
            " What we came to do, Emissary, welcome              
            the prophets."                                       
                            Sisko                                
            " The Prophets? You can't honestly believe           
            that they are the Prophets. We're dealing with       
            an aggressive alien race, not benevolent gods."      
                             Winn                                
           " We have all seen the vision, Emissary. The          
           Prophets have spoken quite clearly. We do only        
           what must be done."                                   
     ( Kira cuts in on view screen from ops,)                    
                             Kira                                
           " We need you down here now, Commander!               
           Our shields have dropped and all weapons              
           systems are off line."                                
                             Sisko                               
           " I'm on my way."                                     
                             Winn                                
           " I can save you the trouble, Emissary.               
           We are responsible for shutting down your             
           systems."                                             
                                               (continued)                                                                 p10    
                             Sisko                               
           " My God..."                                          
                             Winn                                
            " It was necessary, I assure you. The                
          vision very precise. If we had failed to              
          take the actions we have, this station                
          would already be laid waste."                         
(Out.)                                                           
                        Scene Two                                
 ( Sisko storms into ops.)                                       
                           Sisko                                 
         " What's the E.T.A. on those ships?"                    
                           Dax                                   
         " Twenty three minutes forty seconds...                 
         Mark."                                                  
                          Sisko                                  
        " Where's Odo?"                                          
                         Kira                                    
        " He just left to brief security about                   
        the incursion."                                          
                         Dax                                     
       " We estimate a force of no more than                     
       four hundred, probably less. Odo thought                  
       we could hold them off at the docking rings               
       if they managed to break through the main                 
       shields."                                                 
                         Kira                                    
       " Ya, that was before the whole system went               
       down. Now they can beam down just about                   
       anywhere they like."                                      
                         Sisko                                   
       " Oh? Where can't they beam in?"                          
( O'Brian pops up from under a panel.)                           
                         O'Brian                                 
       " As of now, right here, Sir."      (continued)                                                                            
                                                      p11        
                       O'Brian                                   
      " I've been able to divert enough power                 	 
      to shield ops, but I'm afraid that's                       
      about it."					                         
                       Sisko                                     
    " Disassemble it for now, Chief."                            
                       O'Brian                                   
    " Sir?"                                                      
                       Sisko                                     
    " Could you do the same for auxiliary                        
    control?"                                                    
                       O'Brian                                   
      " Auxiliary control? Sure, it even has                     
      it's own sub- systems. You thinking of                     
      moving us all down there?"                                 
                       Sisko                                     
      " I think it might be wise. It took us                     
      long enough to find it, so it should buy                   
      us some time. Dax, Notify Odo that he and                  
      his men are to put up no resistance."                      
                       Kira                                      
      " What about all the civilians? We can't                   
      just leave them unprotected."                              
                       Sisko                                     
      " Major, I don't see that Winn has left                    
      much choice, do you? I want you to have a                  
      little talk with the Provisional Government                
      about her. Dax, contact Star Fleet and the                 
      Klingon high Counsel."                                     
                       Dax                                       
      " The Klingons?"                                           
                       Sisko                                     
      " A hunch, Old man. And maybe not even a very              
      good one. But right now it's all I've got."     (c)                                                               p12       
                        Sisko                                    
       " Inform everyone that we are under siege                 
       and that we have surrendered for the safety               
       of the civilian population. Then send out a               
       buoy warning all ships to stay as far from                
       here as possible."                                        
                       Kira                                      
       " We can't just let them walk in here. It's               
       insanity."                                                
                       Sisko                                     
       " If you have a way to stop them I'd be more              
       then happy to hear it...anyone?...That's what             
       I thought. So let's stop thinking of ways to              
       prevent their arrival, and start thinking of              
       ways to make their stay as unpleasant and as              
       short as possible. I want all my senior staff             
       in my office in three minutes, and I want                 
       suggestions."                                            
( End scene.)                                                    
                        Scene Three                             
( A Vedic stands on a podium in the middle of the promenade.     
She is addressing a largely Bajoran audience but other races     
are represented. Passers by are drawn in by her oratory.)        
                          Vedic                                  
       " We must welcome the prophets into our                   
       hearts with open arms. Great things are                   
       about to befall us."                                     
( Her voice fades into the background as we are moved to        
where Quark and Rom are standing, on the fringe of the           
crowd.)                                                          
                       Quark                                     
         " I don't like the sound of this at all.                
         I've never trusted all these religious types."          
                       Rom                                       
        " There's no profit in it."        (continued)                                                                    p13     
                           Quark                                 
        " No. And you can bet your last credit that              
        if this thing gets out of hand, there wont               
        be any profit for anyone. I've seen it                   
        before. Once the pious ones take over, people            
        like us are always the first to be shut down."          
( We move to Jake and Nog in the middle of the crowd.)           
                            Jake                                 
         " What's going on?"                                     
                            Nog                                  
         " You mean you don't know? I thought your               
         father knew everything that goes on around              
         here."                                                  
                            Jake   ( laughing)                   
         " You're thinking of Odo."                              
( Odo appears from the crowd.)                                   
                            Odo                                  
         " Did I hear my name mentioned?"                        
                            Nog    (Nervously)                   
         " We were just saying that you have a                   
         reputation for being the most informed                  
         person on the station...Weren't we Jake?"               
                            Jake                                 
         " Ya. Actually, we just thought you'd                   
         probably know what's going on around here."             
                            Odo                                  
         " Really? Well what I do know, Mister Sisko,            
         is that your father sent me here, to see to it          
         that you get safely to your quarters, and stay          
         there. (To Nog.) I advise you to do the same.           
         ( To both.) Lock your doors and don't let               
         anyone in. However, if someone does gain entry,         
         do not resist. Do what ever is asked of you and,        
         these are your father's words, don't try to be a        
         hero. Is that understood?"         (continued)                                                                     p14   
                                Jake                             
              " Ya. that's pretty clear."                        
                                Nog                              
              " As clear as mud." ( Jake elbows him.)            
              " Well? He still hasn't told us anything.          
              Or are we too young to know who's trying           
              to kill us?"                                       
                                Jake                             
             " NOG!"                                             
                               Odo                               
            " No, it's alright. Nog is quite correct.            
            D.S.9. is about to be invaded by a race              
            called The Kaltor. Our shields and weapons           
            are off line, and we've already surrendered.         
            Do you have any questions?"                          
                               Nog                               
           " Wow." ( whispered.)                                 
                              Odo                                
          " I couldn't have said it better myself.               
          Now, get going and remember your instructions."        
 ( The two boys leave together. Odo sees Quark and Rom,          
 headed for the bar. To Quark's dismay, he catches up with       
 them                        Odo                                 
          " Ah, Quark. Just the man I was looking                
          for."                                                  
                              Quark                              
          " Me? What could you possibly want with me?"           
                              Odo                                
          " I'll explain all that, but not here."                
                              Quark                              
          " My quarters then?"                                   
                              Odo                                
          " Fine, let's go."                                     
( End scene.)                                                    
                                                                                                                        p15       
                        Scene Four                              
( Sisko's office. General staff meeting.)                        
                             Sisko                               
         " Dax, were you able to get in touch                    
         with the Klingons?"                                     
                             Dax                                 
         " They're on their way, and they seemed                 
         most anxious to meet the Kaltor."                       
                             Sisko                               
         " What did they say?"                                   
                             Dax                                 
         " When the Klingon Ambassador saw the Kaltorie          
         ship, his eyes nearly popped out. He insisted           
         on sending a squadron immediately. I got the            
         distinct feeling they know something. But               
         what ever it is they're not saying."                    
                            Sisko                                
         " Doctor, have you been able to make those              
         analyses I asked for?"                                  
                            Bashir                               
         " It's virtually impossible with the lack of            
         physical comparisons. Sorry Commander. But              
         when they get here a simple tri-corder                  
         reading should tell me everything."                     
                            Sisko                                
         " Anything on that sensor sweep?"                       
                            Kira                                 
         " Sorry, Commander. Those Kaltorie shields              
         are something else. We've tried everything              
         to penetrate them."                                     
                            Sisko                                
         " No luck."                                             
                            Kira                                 
         " We can't even get a rough body count."                
                                             (continued)                                                                    p16   
                             O'Brian                             
          " The problem is that their shields reflect            
          99.8 percent of whatever's fired at them.              
          Like a mirror. The readings come back with             
          no added data. And... I'm afraid kai Winn              
          may have been right."                                  
 ( Sisko looks at him askance, and sighs.)                       
                             O'Brian                             
          " Well, You told us she said we couldn't win           
          a fight with them, and she was partly right.           
          If we hit those shields with phasers, they'll          
          reflect the beam directly back at us. And at           
          99.8 percent power, they wouldn't have to fire         
          a single shot themselves."                             
                             Bashir                              
          " So, the harder we hit them, the harder we            
          get hit in return."                                    
                             O'Brian                             
          " Right, we'd kill ourselves with our own              
          phasers."                                              
                             Kira                                
          " That must have been some vision. It almost           
          makes me think I should review my faith."              
                             Dax                                 
          " Ya, It looks like her sabotage may have              
          saved the station."                                    
                             O'Brian                             
          " That may be but I wont be giving her any             
          medals for the way she did it. It's gonna              
          take weeks to sort it all out out. I mean              
          couldn't she have just told us what she'd         
            seen?"
                              Kira                               
            " Ah, but the prophets work in ways beyond           
            our understanding, Chief. Didn't you know."   (c)                                                                 P17 
   ( Sisko is visibly agitated.)                                 
                              Sisko                              
            " We're wasting time. Chief, would your              
            mirror theory hold true for photon torpedoes?"       
                              O'Brian                           
            " I honestly don't know, And I can't be sure        
            without a lot more data. But since our              
            shields are down, I'd say the risks prohibit        
            testing it... I might have an alternative           
            though."                                            
                              Sisko                             
            " Really? Well lets have it then."                  
   ( End Act One.)                                              
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               p18 
                              ACT TWO                            
                             Scene One                           
    ( Meeting room. Disembodied voice interrupts conference.)    
            " Admiral Powell on sub-space, Sir.)                
                               Sisko                            
            " Patch us in, Lieutenant."                         
                               Powell                           
            " We've received your message, Ben, and             
            concur with your present course of action."         
                               Sisko                             
            " Thank you, Admiral. When can we expect             
            some kind of assistance?"                            
                               Powell                            
            " Star Fleet has already sent two heavy              
            cruisers to monitor the situation. However,          
            at the Klingon High Counsel's request,               
            they will not engage the Kaltor. That is,            
            unless the Klingons fail to negotiate a              
            peaceful solution."                                  
                              Sisko                              
            " Klingons? negotiate peace?"                        
                              Powell                             
            " The request came from Gauron himself, Ben."       
                              Sisko                              
            " I see. Can you give us an E.T.A. on their          
            contingent?"                                         
                              Powell                             
            " I'm sorry, Commander. The Klingons are, as         
            always, being very tight lipped. They may be         
            our allies, but that hasn't changed their basic     
            nature. I must say, I don't know why you called      
            them in on this but your instincts must be           
            pretty good. It isn't often they rush to the        
            Federations aid, And it's unprecedented for         
            them to sue for peace."                  (continued)                                                               p19 
                              Powell                             
            " Keep me informed if you can... And good            
            luck D.S.9. "                                        
                              Sisko                              
            " Thank you, Sir."                                   
                              Powell                             
            " Powell out."  ( View screen goes blank.)           
   ( Sisko's com-pin chirps, he activates it.)                   
                              Sisko                              
            " Sisko here."                                       
                              Odo  (Voice only.)                 
            " Commander, I've instructed the civilians           
            as to their best means of self preservation.         
            There is as yet no evidence of wide spread           
            panic, but that eventuality wouldn't exactly         
            surprise me."                                        
  ( Scene shifts to Odo standing on the promenade.)              
                              Sisko  ( voce only.)               
            " What about that other matter we discussed?"        
                              Odo                               
            " Oh yes, Your son is safely in his quarters."      
                              Sisko                             
            " Thank you, Constable."                            
   ( Kaltorie warriors are seen beaming in.)                     
                              Odo                               
            " It seems our guests have arrived, Sir."           
                              Sisko                             
            " I'm on my way."                                   
                              Odo                               
            " I must reiterate, Commander. I'd advise           
            against that. At least until I've had a             
            chance to more precisely determine their            
            demeanour. I'm sure your in no rush to               
            occupy one of the holding cells."                    
                                              (continued)                                                                      P20 
                              Sisko                              
            " I'll take that under advisement, Odo.              
            Be careful."                                        
     ( Back to ops.)                                             
                              Kira                               
            " Bajor has finally responded, Commander.            
            According to them, Kai Winn has a lot of             
            support among the people. The government             
            is reluctant to interfere at this time."             
                               Sisko                             
            " That's just great... But not entirely              
            unexpected."                                         
                               Kira                              
            " It's a surprise to me. The people might            
            like her but I don't know too many in the            
            Provisional Government who do."                      
                               Sisko                             
            " Maybe their hoping to give her enough              
            rope to hang herself."                               
                               Kira                              
            " That's fine as long as she doesn't hang            
            us in the process."                                  
                               Sisko                             
            " Alright, people. Let's get out of here.            
            You all know your assignments. Remember,             
            Try to stay out of the Kaltor's way, and             
            take off those uniforms. Your with me, Chief.        
            You still haven't told me about your                 
            alternative."                                        
                             Scene Two                           
    ( Odo looks out over the promenade. Kaltorie warriors are
beaming in everywhere. he suddenly feels a blaster at the back of
his neck and a vice like grip on his arm.)                       
                               Kaltorie                          
            " Take me to whoever was in command of this base."                                                              p21   
                             Odo                                 
            " You found him"                                     
                               Kaltorie                          
            " Good. Then you will come with me."                 
                               Odo                               
            " Certainly."                                        
   ( Odo is ushered away.)                                       
                             Scene Three                         
   ( Kale stands in the middle of ops surveying the lay out. Winn 
enters with her entourage. Kale walks to meet her, smiling.)    
                             Winn                                
            " We have come to welcome you, Your Eminence."       
                              Kale                               
            " SO. You are the one who so graciously              
            surrendered this station. A most accommodating       
            act, you must be proud of yourself. But where       
            is this Commander Sisko? The one who threatened     
            me. I am most anxious to speak with him."           
                               Winn                             
            " The Emissary? He means well I'm sure, it's         
            just that he..."                                     
     ( Kale cuts her off.)                                       
                              Kale                               
            " He doesn't like me. Admirable. And I'm             
            sure he didn't like giving up command of this        
            wonderful facility either. I can deal with a         
            man like that. Now please answer my question,        
            where is he?"                        
                               Winn
            " I apologize, Your Eminence. I Do not know."        
                               Kale                              
            " Your Eminence? That's the second time you've      
            addressed me in that manner."                       
                               Winn                              
            " Is it incorrect, Eminence?                                                                                       p22 
                            Kale                                 
          " Call me what you like, just see to it                
          that all the rest of your people act like              
          sheep as well. Or I assure you, the                    
          consequences will not be pleasant."                    
                             Winn                                
          " There will be no resistance."                        
   ( Odo is ushered in.)                                         
                             Kaltorie                           
          " Commander, This one claims to be responsible        
          for this station."                                     
                             Odo                                 
          " I don't claim anything. It's a fact."                
                             Kale                                
          " Really? So meany leaders. What faction do            
          you represent? Klingon? Bajoran? Federation?           
          Or something completely different?"                    
                             Odo                                 
          " Chief of security."                                  
                             Kale                               
          " Ah yes, very good. perhaps you can tell             
          me where Commander Sisko is?"                         
                             Odo                                
          " I'm afraid not."                                    
                             Kale                               
   ( In Odo's face.)   " You should be afraid. I do              
          not suffer liars gladly. If you are keeping           
          something from me you will live to regret it.         
          Assuming I let you live at all. Now, I ask             
          you again, Where is your commander?"                   
                             Odo                                 
          " I can't say. But I'm sure he will make his           
          presence felt when he deems it appropriate."           
                             Kale                                
          " Good, good. I look forward to that."  (continued)                                                                  p23 
                             Kale                                
          ( To a guard.) " Have you located the detention        
          cells yet?"                                            
                             Guard 2                             
          " Yes, Commander!"                                     
                             Kale                                
          " See to it our... Security Chief here, has            
          comfortable accommodations."                           
          ( To Odo.) " You will excuse me, I have                
          preparations to make."                                 
                             Odo                                 
          " Preparations?"                                       
                             Kale                                
          " You don't think I'm planning to lay claim            
          to this quadrant with five ships, do you?"             
          ( He laughs heartily.) " No... We are simply           
          the vanguard."                                         
   ( Close up on a shocked Odo.)                                 
                             Odo                                 
          " Of course."                                          
   ( End scene.)                                                 
                          Scene Four                             
   ( Sisko, Dax and Kira in small auxiliary control room. All   
of them are wearing civilian clothing.)                          
                             Sisko                               
          " Anything new on those shields?"                      
                             Dax                                 
          " Negative. They're not taking any chances."           
                             Kira                                
          " They're expecting resistance and we're not           
          providing any, It must be confusing the hell           
          out of them."                                          
                             Sisko                               
          " I hope so. What about the damaged ship?"             
                                             (continued)                                                                       p24 
                             Kira                                
          " I can't even tell which one it is. If                
          they'd just dock or drop their shields,                
          we could get all the information we want."             
                             Sisko                               
          " I'm sure they know that as well as we do,            
          Major. If one of those ships is damaged enough,        
          it'll have to lower it's shields sooner or later.      
          Keep trying, but be discreet. We don't want to         
          attract attention to ourselves."                       
                             Dax                                 
          " We can't expect to stay here undetected for          
          very long. The Kaltor are searching the station        
          room by room."                                         
   ( Sisko looks worried by the news.)                           
                             Sisko                               
          " Any idea what they're looking for?"                  
                             Dax                                 
          " No. But it wouldn't surprise me if they              
          were looking for us."                                  
                             Sisko                               
          " You're right. That's what I'd do. But it             
          took us over a week to find this place and             
          we knew it was here. One thing that can be             
          said about Cardassians, they know how to               
          hide things...I should see if O'Brian needs            
          any help."                                             
                             Dax                                 
          " And check on Jake?..."                               
    ( Sisko stares at her but doesn't answer.)                   
          " Be careful, Benjamin."                               
                             Sisko                               
          " I'll try to stay out of sight, Old Man.              
          Do we know how many of them beamed aboard?"            
                                              (continued)                                                                      p25 
                             Kira                                
          " I estimate two hundred. If we'd gotten               
          here sooner..."                                        
    ( A station wide communication comes over the intercom.)     
                             Kale                                
          " By now you are all aware that there has              
          been a change of command on this station.              
          As it's new commander I ask only for your              
          complete cooperation. No one will be harmed            
          if my instructions are carried out to the              
          letter. I am looking for the former                    
          commander of this facility. If I have not              
          found him within one hour, I will begin to             
          randomly execute civilians at a rate of one            
          every ten minutes until he is found.                  
          Information leading to his capture will be            
          generously rewarded, while efforts to hide            
          him will be severally punished. Also, I               
          want all military personnel to report to               
          ops immediately, or you will suffer the                
          consequences when you are found. We regret             
          that we must cause this inconvenience to               
          your miserable daily routines, but the sooner         
          these matters are cleared up, the sooner              
          things will return to normal. You have one            
          hour, Commander. I hope you are not the               
          spineless worm you appear to be. Kale out."           
                             Sisko (in a low voice.)
          " Benevolent Gods."                                    
                             Kira                                
          " What are you going to do?"                           
                             Sisko                               
          " The only thing I can do. You two stay put as         
          long as you can, But if you sense any danger of        
          being discovered I want you out in the general   (c)                                                                p26 
          population. I still have an hour, and a lot            
          can be accomplished in sixty minutes. I                
          intend to take advantage of it."                       
                                                                 
   ( End Act Two.)                                               
                           ACT THREE                            
   ( Quark in his bar. usual background crowd. Four Kaltorie   
warriors enter and head straight for the leery bar keep.)        
                             Kaltorie 1                          
          " Human?"                                              
                             Quark                               
          " Who me?"                                             
                             Kaltorie 2                          
          " No. Can't you see it's Bajoran?"                     
                             Quark  ( getting agitated.)        
          " What?!! I'm Ferengi."                                
   ( They all laugh.)                                            
                             Kaltorie 2                          
          " Ferengi. I have never heard of such a thing."        
                             Quark                               
          " Well now you have. And you shouldn't go around       
          insulting people like that." ( He recovers himself     
          and realizes the profit he could make.)               
          "  Can I get you a drink? Or a hollo suit perhaps?"    
                             Kaltarie 1                          
          " What is this... Hollo suit?"                         
                             Quark                               
          " Ah yes, what indeed. Follow me gentlemen, I think    
          you're really going to love this."                     
                             Kaltarie 3                          
          " You had better hope we do... Ferengl."               
                                                                 
   ( Quark leads them up stairs.)                                
   ( End scene one.)                                             
                                                                                                                               p27 
                           Scene Two                             
   ( Odo in a cell. Kale walks in.)                              
                             Kale                                
          " How are you, my friend Security Chief?"              
                              Odo                                
          " How do you expect me to be?"                         
                              Kale                               
          " You are resentful. Ah well, it's                     
          understandable. Security Chief one day,                
          prisoner the next. Such is life."                      
                              Odo                                
          " Save your pity for yourself."                       
                              Kale    ( Laughing.)               
          " Perhaps I could arrange to have you released."       
                              Odo                               
          " That suits me fine."                                
                              Kale                               
          " My people are having a hard time accessing the       
          stations computers. I think you can help me."          
                              Odo                                
          " Sorry, I can't."                                     
                              Kale                               
          " Do not try my patience, you will find it swift       
          and deadly. I want access to the computers and I       
          believe you know how to get it."                       
                              Odo                                
          " Then you believe wrong."                             
                              Kale                              
          " You seem to have forgotten who you are dealing       
          with."                                                 
                              Odo                                
          " I have forgotten nothing. I merely have no           
          information I can share with you. Why don't            
          you ask the Commander when you see him?"               
                                               (continued)                                                                     p28 
                              Kale                               
          " Oh, I will. Rest assured. Your Commander             
          still has twenty minutes to surrender himself.         
          But in the event that he does not, I have              
          already selected the first five civilians to           
          be executed."                                          
   ( He holds up an electronic roster.)                          
                              Kale                               
          " The first name on the list just...Jumped             
          out at me when I saw it. I knew it had to be           
          included in the finale selection. Jake Sisko.          
          Sisko... Isn't that your Commanders name?"             
                              Odo    ( Angry.)                   
          " What of it? He's a child! He has nothing to          
          do with this!"                                         
                              Kale                               
          " I'll get to the point. Give me the access code       
          and I will let the boy live."                          
                              Odo                                
          " I can't. there is no code. The computers have        
          been locked out except for life support."              
                              Kale    ( Angry )                  
          " I know they've been locked out, fool!!! I want       
          the code that unlocks them!"                           
                              Odo                                
          " And I told you that it doesn't work that way!        
          Only one person on this station has the override       
          and I don't know who it is!"                           
                              Kale                               
          " Are you telling that even Sisko doesn't know?        
          Who is charge of this station then?"                   
                              Odo                                
          " It's not that simple."                               
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               p29 
                              Kale                               
          " These games must stop, Security Chief!               
          I'll execute the whole lot of them and a               
          hundred more if need be, but I will have               
          access to those computers. I guarantee it."            
   ( Sisko walks in accompanied by a Kaltorie guard.)            
                              Sisko                              
          " Not by killing us you won't. The computer            
          can only be accessed by one person, and you            
          don't know who that one person is. It's in             
          your own best interest to keep us all alive."          
   ( Kale turns, grinning broadly.)                              
                              Kale                               
          " Commander Sisko...What a pleasure."                  
                              Sisko                              
          " You've bitten off more than you can chew,            
          Kale. Face it, the computer is locked out to           
          you. And you must realize that you won't be            
          allowed to simply walk into this quadrant              
          unopposed. You can't win."                             
                              Kale   ( laughing.)                
          " So what would you propose I do?"                     
                              Sisko                              
          " Take us up on our original offer....                 
          My people came out into space looking for              
          new life. To live and learn in peaceful                
          coexistence. There is so much we wish to               
          learn about you, and so much we have to                
          offer. It just doesn't make sense to be                
          killing each other."                                   
                              Kale                              
          " Pretty words,Commander. But hardly                  
          befitting a warrior of the Kaltor. Oh,                
          it is true that even I have derived a                 
          certain pleasure from the thought that,  (c)                                                                        p30 
          some day I could walk upon the face of                 
          a warm planet with a life mate by my side.             
          But the thought quickly vanishes when my               
          blood begins to boil... Conquest!...                   
          Adventure!...Honour and glory!  That, is              
          why my people journeyed into space, Commander.         
          And as for bitting off more than we can                
          chew,...Well we'll see. Soon there will be             
          a hundred ships coming through that Worm Hole         
          of your's, and in all the long history of              
          the Kaltorie Empire, we have never been                
          defeated."                                             
                              Sisko                              
          " There is an old saying on my home world, Kale.       
          There's always a first time for everything."           
  ( End scene two.)                                              
                           Scene Three                          
  ( Quark and Rom at the bar. The four Kaltorie Walk down the    
  stairs after their evening in the hollo suits.)                
                              Quark                              
          " I hope everything was to your liking."               
                              Kaltorie 1                         
          " Can the hollo suits be programmed for other          
          pleasures, Ferengi?"                                   
                              Quark                              
          " Quark. The name's Quark. I should have              
          guessed. Combat simulations, right?"                   
     ( The Kaltorie nod and  grunt in agreement.)                
          " Of course they can. My hollo suits can               
          be programmed for what ever pleasure takes             
          your fancy."                                           
                            Rom                                  
          " For a price, of course."                             
                            Kaltorie 1                           
          " A price?"                   (continued)                                                                            p31 
                           Quark                                 
         " My brother is right. I'm usually not so               
         free with my hospitality. ( To Rom.)                    
         But these are special guests, Rom. every                
         thing's ...( Gulp.) On the house."                      
   ( The four soldiers laugh.)                                   
                           Kaltorie 2                            
         " We will return, Ferengi. And we will                  
         bring others."                                          
                           Quark                                 
         " Oh good. I can hardly wait."                          
   ( The four walk out laughing.)                                
                           Rom                                   
         " I can't believe you said that, brother.               
         Every thing's on the house? Are you ill?                
         Have you gone mad?"                                     
                          Quark                                  
         " You'd like that wouldn't you, Rom?                    
         Then you'd have an excuse to steal my                   
         bar. Don't worry about me, brother.                     
         Worry about them. You'd be well advised                 
         to make friends with the Kaltor. I sure                 
         wouldn't want to be counted as one of                   
         their enemies, and I do mean counted,                   
         as in body bags!"                                       
                           Rom  ( With delight.)                 
         " I've never seen you so worried. You                   
         didn't even try to break even. There must               
         be more too this than you have told me."                
                           Quark                                 
         " You're right. Odo advised me of the                   
         hu-man's third rule of acquisition. ` Know              
         which side your bread is buttered on.`                  
         That's what he came here to tell me.                    
                                           (continued)                                                                         p32 
         " Where the Kaltor are concerned, Every                 
         thing's on the house.' He said. I can't                 
         believe it myself."                                     
                           Rom                                   
         " I didn't know hu-man's had rules of                   
         acquisition. What does it mean?"                        
                           Quark                                 
         " They don't, at least I don't think                    
         they do, and I'm not quite sure what it                 
         means. But I don't like the implications,               
         so I'm...Cooperating."                                  
   ( Bashir walks in cautiously.)                                
                           Bashir                                
         "  Could we go somewhere a little more                  
         private. It's not safe for me out in the                
         open like this, and we need to talk.                    
         Perhaps one of the back rooms?"                         
                           Quark                                 
         " Here we go again."                                    
                           Bashir                                
         " Didn't Odo tell you I was coming?"                    
                           Quark                                 
         " As a matter of fact, no, he didn't.                   
         But that shouldn't surprise either one of               
         us. Come this way, Doctor. Rom, Take over               
         for me."                                                
   ( Quark leads Bashir to another room.)                        
                         Scene Four                              
   ( Quark and Bashir in quark's office. Meeting already in      
   progress. Quark holds a vial up to the light.)                
                          Quark                                  
         " What is this, Doctor?"                                
                          Bashir                                 
         " Be careful with that, Quark. It's the only            
         supply I've got."	              (continued)                                                                   p33     
                           Quark                                 
         " So what is it?"                                       
                           Bashir                                
         " Look, all I want you to do is put one                 
         drop into whatever beverage you serve to                
         the Kaltor. It shouldn't be difficult, it               
         has it's own dispenser. You just tilt the               
         vial once and a precise dose will be                    
         administered. It's fool proof really."                  
                           Quark                                 
         " Ok, I'll ask you again..."                            
                           Bashir                                
         " Alright, alright. It's a disease."                    
  ( In Quark's surprise he nearly drops the vial. Bashir lunges
but  Quark recovers himself.)                                    
                           Quark                                 
         " Disease?"                                             
                           Bashir                               
         " Don't worry, It's just a flue virus                   
         designed specially for the Kaltor."                     
                           Quark                                
         " A designer disease? You mean I can't                  
         catch it?"                                              
                           Bashir                                
         " Ferengi are naturally immune to all known             
         viruses, didn't you know that?"                         
                            Quark                                
         " Of course I did. It just slipped my mind              
         for a moment."                                          
                            Bashir                               
         " Besides, like you said, It's a designer               
         virus. Only the Kaltor will catch it.                   
         That,s why you must be sure you give only               
         one drop each. I feel bad enough about                  
         doing this as it is.                 (continued)                                                                   p34   
         I don't need any of them dying on me."                  
                          Quark                                  
         " How sick will they get?"                              
                          Bashir                                 
         " It'll incapacitate them for at least                  
         three weeks. It's a very virile strain."                
                          Quark                                  
         " They'll trace it back here. I'll be                   
         hunted down!"                                           
                          Bashir                                 
         " No you won't. That's the beauty of it                 
         really. It's relatively slow acting. The                
         Kaltorie you serve this to won't get sick               
         right away. It takes two days to develop                
         a full blown case, and for those two days               
         the carrier is extremely contagious.                    
         There's no way to trace it back to you."                
                          Quark                                  
         " Well,...Alright...I guess. But when this              
         is all over, your going to owe me one. A                
         big one, Agreed?"                                       
                          Bashir                                 
         " Agreed."                                              
                          Quark                                  
         " Tell me, just out of curiosity, how will              
         it incapacitate                                         
                          Bashir                                 
         " Ah well. The two main symptoms are severe             
         Taresthesia and Pandiculation, followed by              
         acute Pica."                                            
                          Quark                                  
         " Now say that in a language I can understand."         
                          Bashir                                 
         " Numbing of the feet, uncontrollable yawning and       
         a passion for eating non foods, like dirt."   (c)                                                                   p35  
                             Quark                               
         " Charming. I'm glad your on our side."                 
                             Bashir                              
         " I've got to go. Just remember what I                  
         said, and be careful."                                  
                             Quark                               
         " Sure. You too."                                       
    ( Bashir leaves and Quark once again eyes the vile, smiling, 
  and thinks out loud.)                                          
                             Quark                               
         "  Why not. After all, it's on the house."              
     ( Fade out on Quark laughing.)                              
     ( End scene, end act three.)                                
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               p36 
                                ACT FOUR                         
       ( Sisko and Odo in a detention cell. Kale just the other  
     side of the force field.)                                   
                                 Sisko                           
            " Now that I'm here, and if you're a man of          
            your word, you will release the hostages."           
                                 Kale                            
            " I gave no pledge to that effect. But to            
            show you my good faith, I'll allow five of           
            the six prisoners to go free... You'll               
            forgive me if I hang on to that one for              
            leverage. I'm sure you understand. I think           
            you may even know each other."                       
    ( Kale flips open an old stile communicator.)                
                                 Kale                            
            " Bring in the boy."                                 
     ( Two guards escort Jake into the room. Jake and His father 
  exchange glances. Sisko's anger grows to out rage.)            
                            Sisko                                
       " You bastard!"                                           
                             Kale                                
       " So you do know him. Good. Now perhaps you               
       can tell me how to unlock the computer."                  
                             Sisko                               
       " I'm telling you, Kale. I can't!"                        
                             Kale                                
       " Do you really expect me to believe that                 
       the commander of a space station, even in                 
       this quadrant, doesn't know how to unlock                 
       his own computer? What kind of a fool do                  
       you take me for?"                                         
                             Odo                                 
       " Never the less I assure you it's true.                  
       The Commander ordered the computer to                     
       lock itself out to all except one."  (continued)                                                                p37        
                        Odo                                      
   " Only the one individual chosen at random                    
   by the computer can unlock it, and no one                     
   knows who that individual is."                                
                        Kale                                     
   " Fools! My first officer thinks I should                     
   kill the lot of you, and I'm beginning to                     
   think he's right. ( To the guards.)                           
   Take the boy away. See to it he remains                       
   unharmed until I order his execution."                        
                        Sisko                                    
   " If you harm anyone on this station you'll                   
   never have access, and it's become quite                      
   obvious to me that it's of paramount importance               
   to you. So lets talk about options."                          
                        Kale   ( laughing.)                      
   " Very good, Commander. But you've just finished              
   telling me there are no options. As we speak my               
   computer experts are working on the problem.                  
   They will be successful. Their lives depend on it,            
   as do your's. You see, If the computers are not               
   operational by the time the fleet arrives, I will             
   not be the only one to forfeit my life."                   
( End scene one.)                                                
                         Scene Two                              
( Kira and Dax in the auxiliary control room.)                   
                            Kira                                 
      " That's it. One of those ships is lowering                
      it's shields."                                             
                             Dax                                 
       " I've got it...That's more than just a                   
       hull breach, I'm getting traces of                        
       anti-matter leakage."                                     
                            Kira                                 
      " That means it's about to blow."   (continued)                                                                    p38      
                           Dax                                   
      " Another one just lowered it's shields,                   
      their beaming over the damaged ships crew."                
                           Kira                                  
      " At least this gives us a chance to get                   
      some solid data on them."                                  
                           Dax                                   
      " Not for long."                                           
                           Kira                                  
      " That ships awfully close to the station,                 
      How's O'Brian doing on those shields."                     
                           Dax                                   
      " I don't know, But we're about to find out.               
      Hang on, Major."                                           
( The station is rocked by the ensuing explosion. lights         
flicker, sparks fly, etc.)                                       
( End scene Two.)                                                
                           Scene Three                           
( O'Brian in a conduit, working on something above his head.     
The ship is still shaking.)                                      
                             O,Brian   ( To himself.)            
        " What the bloody..."                                    
( He activates his com-pin.)                                     
                             O'Brian                             
        " What's going on out there, Doctor?"                   
( Bashir is in an other conduit.)                                
                              Bashir                             
         " I wish I knew, Chief. But what ever it                
         was I hope we get the shields up before                 
         it happens again."                                      
                              O'Brian                            
         " It turns out the shields are going to be              
         relatively easy. Have you found that relay              
         I told you about?"                                      
                                              (continued)                                                                 p39     
                         Bashir                                  
    " I think so. Did you say R.A.357?"                          
                         O'Brian                                 
    " There's a polarity switch on the left side."               
                         Bashir                                  
    " I've got it. Which way do I adjust it?"                    
                         O'Brian                                 
    " Don't touch it!"                                          
( Bashir removes his hand from the box as if stung.)            
                            O'Brian                              
       " Remove the casing from the relay, but be very           
       sure the switch stays in it's present position."          
( Bashir works carefully.)                                       
                           Bashir                                
      " There, it's done."                                       
                           O'Brian                               
      " Good. Now, There's a green filament that                 
      leads to that switch. Cut it."                            
( Bashir fumbles the cutters. He picks them up and is just       
 about to cut when he is startled by O'Brian shouting at       
him, and he drops the cutters again"                             
                           O'Brian                              
      " Wait! I just remembered, That's an R.A.357-A.           
      You'll have to cut the blue filament first, then           
      the green one."                                            
                           Bashir                                
      " Blue first then green. Are you sure?"                    
                           O'Brian                               
      " I know my job, Doctor."                                  
                           Bashir                                
      " Yes. Of course you do. I'm cutting...Now."               
( He makes the two cuts.)                                        
                           Bashir                                
      " What's next?"                                            
                                           (continued)                                                              p40           
                         O'Brian                                 
     " Just connect the green filament to the                    
     red one and that's it. I'll do the rest                     
     from here. Meet me in auxiliary control."                   
                         Bashir                                  
     " Great. So tell me, just out of curiosity,                 
     What would have happened if I'd cut the green               
     one first?"                                                 
                         O'Brian                                 
     " You don"t want to know."                                  
                         Bashir                                  
     " Yes, I do actually."                                      
                         O'Brian                                 
     " All right. The whole relay would have fused.              
     You'd be a slag heap in the conduit, and I'd                
     have even a worse mess to clean up. Satisfied?"             
                         Bashir                                  
     " Thank you for knowing your job, Chief."                   
                         O'Brian                                 
     " Don;t mention it."                                        
 ( End scene three.)                                             
                       Scene Four                                
 ( Bashir, Dax, Kira and O'Brian in auxiliary control.)          
                         O'Brian                                
     " I'm happy to announce that the shields are               
     operational."                                              
                         Dax                                     
     " What about weapons?"                                     
                         Bashir                                 
     " Chief O'Brian's been working on a new                    
     weapon. It incorporates our tractor beams."                
                         Kira                                   
     " What kind of weapon?"                                    
                         O'Brian                                
     " Well, it's simple really."          (continued)                                                                        p41 
                                   O'Brian                       
               " I don't know why I've never thought of          
               it before. We have a multitude of tractor         
               generators at our disposal, being a star          
               base and all. So I figured, If we could aim       
               them all at one ship and simultaneously           
               alternate them between repulse and attract..."    
                                   Dax                           
               " That could create enough stress to shatter      
               those shields."                                   
                                   O'Brian                       
               " And crush the hull in the process."             
                                   Kira                          
               " What about the power drain?"                    
                                   O'Brian                       
               " Our power plan can more than handle it,         
               Major. It's routine around here to run all        
               the tractors at the same time. I'm sure           
               I can compensate for whatever extra power         
               we may need."                                     
                                   Kira                          
               " The Kaltor are not going to let you run         
               around here coordinating the tractor              
               generators."                                      
                                   O'Brian                       
               " Well it's a bit late for them to object         
               since it's already been done. To be honest        
               I don't think these Kaltorie have a clue          
               about what's going on around here. I mean,        
               think about it. They beamed into a blind          
               station. No internal sensors, no computer,        
               and no resistance. It must be driving them        
               crazy."                                           
                                              (continued)        
                                                                                                                               p42 
                                 Kira                            
               " Thanks to Kai Winn."                            
      ( Everyone looks at her in amazement. Bashir breaks the    
      spell.)                                                    
                                 Bashir                          
               " Anyway, I doubt we'll need to test              
               your weapon, Chief. My flu virus should           
               kicking in any time now."                         
      ( End scene.)                                              
                               Scene Five                        
      ( Kale with first officer, Mawch.)                         
                                 Kale                            
               " What do you mean they're all getting            
               sick?"                                            
                                  Mawch                          
               " These aliens are unclean. Perhaps the           
               air has been poisoned. Perhaps they               
               themselves carry a disease we are unable          
               to identify? But what ever the cause, the         
               illness is reaching epidemic proportions.         
               Already a full quarter of the crew are            
               incapable of carrying out their duties.           
               ( He sneezes three or four times.)                
               At this rate, by tomorrow we won't have           
               enough manpower to keep our ships in orbit        
               let alone hold this station."                     
                                  Kale                           
               " What do our doctors say?"                       
                                  Mawch                          
               " What every one has said since we came           
               out of that accursed Worm hole. They are          
               trying to isolate the problem. Commander,         
               I suggest we destroy this dung heap and           
               warn the fleet."                                  
                                                 (continued)                                                                   p43 
                                Kale                             
               " Others have died giving me advice,              
               Mawch...But you have served me well               
               for far too long. ( He grabs Mawch                
               by the throat.) However, if you ever              
               make a suggestion again, be prepared              
               to back it up with a blaster."                    
   ( Kale releases Mawch and walks to the view port. He looks out 
   at the stars and speaks.)                                     
                                 Kale                           
                " This mission has been cursed from              
                the start...Ah what I wouldn't have done         
                to see the Home-World just once."                
     ( He turns to his first with a new resolve.)                
                                 Kale                            
                " Very well. Take one of the ships               
                back to the fleet. Make sure you stay            
                under strict quarantine, and see that            
                our doctors find a cure for this plague.         
                As for the destruction of this station..."       
    ( End scene.)                                                
                               Scene Six                         
    ( Sisko and Odo in the detention cell.)                      
                                 Odo                             
                " Commander, it would be quite possible          
                for me to escape custody and attempt to          
                free your son. I'm certain I could find          
                a place to hide him for the duration of          
                this siege. The only reason I haven't            
                attempted escape before is because I was         
                afraid of what might happen to others            
                because of my actions."                          
                                                                 
                                              (continued)        
                                                                                                                               p44 
                            Sisko                                
           " Thanks, Constable. I appreciate the                 
           thought. But that's why I can't let you               
           do it. Kale is holding Jake over my head              
           like a shield and I won't stand for it.               
           How meany would die in his place? Neither             
           Jake nor I could live with that."                     
   ( Kale enters the room.)                                      
                            Kale                                 
           " Commendable, Commander. Don't look                  
           so surprised. Your conversations have                 
           been monitored from the very beginning.               
           Oh, and I wouldn't attempt an escape,                 
           my friend shape shifter. First Officer                
           Mawch so much hoped you would. He tells               
           me he had the pleasure of combat with                 
           your kind long ago. He prepared a most                
           distasteful end for you. I, on the other              
           hand, do not share his enthusiasm for                
           pain, so I've come with a proposition."               
                            Sisko                                
           " What kind of proposition?"                          
                            Kale                                 
           " I will leave this station as I found                
           it, if you will assist me in gaining                  
           access to your computer. By the time                  
           I have filed my report, the council                   
           may decide not to pursue this sector.                 
           but if they do you will still have                    
           ample time to prepare yourselves for                  
           the onslaught. You see, Commander.                    
           without those computer logs my mission                
           will be a complete failure. My life,                  
           and more importantly, the lives of my                 
           crew and their families will be worthless. (c)                                                                      p45 
           That is the way of my people failure is               
           not tolerated. The honour of each family              
           represented will be marred for ever."                 
                            Sisko                               
           " You aren't in charge of a first                    
           operation at all, are you?"                          
                            Kale                                 
           " Very astute. I am merely the commander              
           of a scouting party. When we discovered               
           the Worm hole we were naturally curious.             
           A stable Worm hole is unusual to say                  
           the least."                                           
                            Sisko                                
           " Your mission was find out what was                  
           on the other side."                                   
         
                            Kale                                
           " And to gauge the strengths and                     
           weaknesses of the inhabitants here,                  
           among other things, Yes. That's why                  
           we chose to take this station and                    
           not the planet."                                     
                            Sisko                               
           " Then perhaps we could arrange an                   
           exchange of information."                            
                            Kale                                
           " You would have me fall into Mawch's                
           plan. He would like nothing more than                 
           to sight me for treason then and assume               
           Command himself. No. The exchange will                
           have to be one sided. Besides, you                    
           already have all the information you                  
           need about our vessel design. When we                 
           dropped our shields to rescue the crew                
           of the Kintah we picked up your sensors. (c)		                                                               P46 
           Or perhaps you didn't think us of                     
           sufficient intelligence to know that                  
           somewhere on this station there is an                
           auxiliary control room? Unfortunately we             
           haven't located it yet."                             
                            Sisko                               
           " Honestly, Commander. Your intelligence             
           has never been a question. Merely your                
           lack of knowledge about this area. The                
           real question is, can I trust you?"                   
                            Kale                                 
           " A Kaltorie warrior's word is his bond.              
           And to show you the value of mine, as of              
           five minutes ago, all prisoners have been             
           released. Including your son. I do not                
           like holding children for ransom, it is               
           not a warrior's way, but it was expected              
           of me. You will find safe and in your                
           quarters."                                           
                            Sisko                               
           " May I have my com-pin?"                            
                            Kale                                
           " Of course."                                         
   ( Kale pushes a button to release the force field from Sisko  
   and Odo's cell, and hands Sisko a com-pin. Sisko takes it,    
   puts it on, and taps it.)                                     
                            Sisko                                
           " Are you alright Jake?"                              
                            Jake                                 
           " Dad? Ya I'm fine. They let me go.                   
           What's going on?"                                     
                            Sisko                                
           " I'll see you there in a few minutes.                
           Stay put, I'll explain later. Sisko to                
           Kira."                         (continued)                                                                          p47 
                            Kira                                 
           " Kira here."                                         
                            Sisko                                
           " Restore access to all general knowledge             
           files. Everything else is to remain locked            
           until further notice. And when you're                 
           finished, Major. Have the computer transfer           
           command override to someone else."                    
                            Odo                                  
           " Are you sure you want to do this?"                  
                            Sisko                                
           " I'm not giving away any secrets, Odo.               
           Only general Knowledge."                              
                            Kira                                 
           " Access restored, Sir."                              
                            Sisko                                
           " Acknowledged. Is that satisfactory,                 
           Commander Kale?"                                      
                            Kale   ( Laughing )                  
           "  So it was that simple. You are a worthy            
           opponent. But I have come to expect nothing           
           less from you. When we have down loaded               
           the computers, Full command will be restored          
           to you and I shall be on my way. Is that              
           satisfactory to you, Commander Sisko?"                
                            Sisko                                
           " I expect nothing less."                             
   ( End scene.)                                                 
   ( End Act four.)                                              
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               p48 
                          ACT FIVE                               
                         Scene One                               
   ( Kira hails Sisko in ops.)                                  
                           Sisko                                 
           " Yes, Major."                                        
                           Kira                                  
           " One of the Kaltorie ships is powering               
           up it's weapons. Shall we raise the                   
           shields, Sir?"                                        
                           Sisko    ( surprised.)                
           " If we've got them, raise them, Major.               
           ( to Kale.) What's this all about?"                   
                           Kale                                  
           " I assure you, I gave no such order."                
   ( Kale flips open his communicator and speaks to his ship in  
   Kaltorie, Similar to Klingon, and receives his answer in the  
   same language.)                                               
                           Kale    ( Enraged.)                   
           " Mawch has taken command of my ship.                
           He means to destroy this station and                 
           me along with it."                                   
                           Sisko   ( Hits his com-pin.)         
           " Major, Do we have any weapons on line?"             
                           Kale                                  
           " Your weapons are useless against our                
           shields."                                             
                           Kira    ( Voice.)                     
           " Yes and no, Commander. Not conventional             
           ones."                                                
                           Sisko                                 
           " O'Brian's experiment?"                              
                           O'Brian                               
           " That's it, Sir. We're ready to go."                 
                                                                 
                                         (continued)			                                                               p49 
                           Sisko                                 
           " At your discretion, Chief. But only                 
           the attacking ship, and as we discussed."             
                           O'Brian                               
           " Understood, Sir."                                   
   ( Space, Kaltorie vessels orbit D.S.9. One breaks away and   
   fires on the station. Tractor beams shoot out from all around 
   the station and take hold of the aggressor. WE see a close up 
   of the Kaltorie ship being distorted and shaken. Go to O'Brian 
   in Auxiliary control room. Scene Two.)                        
                           O'Brian                               
           " Their shields are buckling."                       
                           Dax                                   
           " It's breaking up, Chief."                           
                           O'Brian                               
           " Transporting to the holding cells...                
           Now."                                                 
   ( Space. We see the ship explode from the pressure.)          
                           Kira                                  
           " Kira to Sisko. The other ships                      
           are powering up their weapons, Commander."            
                         Scene Three                             
   ( Sisko, Kale and Odo in Ops.)                                
                           Sisko   ( To Kale.)                   
           " Can't you stop this?"                               
   ( Kale shouts something into his communicator.)               
   ( Space. The Kaltorie ships power down just as a fleet of     
   Klingon ships materialize around them.)                      
                         Scene four                              
   ( On view screen in ops. Kern Hails D.S.9. )                  
                           Kern                                  
           " This is Kern, Commander Tlhingan                    
           Imperial Fleet. Is there a problem                    
           here D.S.9.?"                                         
                                         (continued)                                                                           p50 
                           Kale   ( whispered.)                  
           " At last."                                           
( Out on Kale's expression of surprise and pleasure.)            
                         Scene Five                              
( Kern, Kale, Sisko, Odo, Kira, Dax, and Bashir in ops.)         
                           Kern   ( To Kale.)                    
           " I see you have learned first hand                   
           that these humans are not the feeble                  
           minded weaklings they appear to be.                   
           A lesson your home world has learned                  
           many times since your departure."                    
                           Sisko                                 
           " So I was right. The Kaltorie are                    
           full blooded Klingons."                               
                           Kern                                  
           " Four hundred years ago the empire                   
           sent out twelve exploratory vessels                   
           in different directions. The Kaltorie                 
           expedition never returned, until now."                
                           Kale                                  
           " The stories of a home world became                  
           little more than legends. The original                
           expedition was swallowed up by a Worm hole            
           like the one out there. However, it was               
           not a stable one, and our ancestors                   
           were lost Millions of light years from                
           anything they knew. They couldn't even turn           
           back because there were no familiar star              
           clusters to navigate by. So they set forth            
           to create their own Empire. But in all                
           that time the search for the Home World               
           never ended. That's why when we discovered            
           this new worm hole, we had to find out                
           where it would lead."                                 
                                            (continued)                                                                        p51 
                           Sisko                                 
           " And that's why you needed access                    
           to our computers. But when we told                    
           you the Klingons were our allies,                     
           you acted as if you'd never heard                     
           of them."                                             
                           Kale                                  
           " I never had. But when Kern told                     
           us he was Commander of the TIhIngan                   
           Fleet, I knew we had finally found                    
           or Home World. Our journeys end."                     
                           Kern                                  
           " Klingon is a name given to us by                    
           the Federation. The word has infected                 
           our language so that now even we use                  
           it when speaking Standard. But the                    
           Kaltor left long before our first                     
           contact with humans."                                 
                           Sisko                                 
           " Of course."                                         
                           Kern                                  
           " Commander. Do you plan to place                     
           charges against these warriors?"                      
                           Sisko                                 
           " Under the circumstances I don't
           think that will be necessary."                        
                           Odo                                   
           " What?"                                              
                            Sisko                                
           " No one was hurt, and as Kale said,                  
           we were only slightly inconvenienced."                
                            Kale                                 
           " I on the other hand will be bringing                
           Mawch, and his band of mutineers, before             
           the High Council."              (continued)                                                                         p52 
                             Kern                                
            " As is your right, Commander."                      
                             Bashir                              
            " May I have permission to administer                
            the antidote for Ghargh Iw Rop?"                     
                             Sisko                               
            " By all means, Doctor. And...                       
            Thank you."                                          
                             Kern                                
            " Ghargh Iw Rop? I do not envy the                   
            man who must endure such an indignity."              
                             Sisko                               
            " Why is it an indignity?"                           
                             Kern                                
            " It is a child's disease."                          
                             Bashir                             
            " Yes, and to double the insult, it                  
            was brought to your planet by livestock              
            taken in raids on Federation out posts."             
  ( Kale laughs heartily.)                                       
                             Kale                                
            " I will always remember you as the man              
            who brought the Third Empire of the Kaltor           
            to it's knees, Commander. If only we had             
            met as equals on the battle field, it would          
            have been glorious."                                 
                             Sisko                               
            " Perhaps. But I assure you, the result              
            would have been the same."                           
                             Kale                                
            " Well, until we again then. Under more              
            pleasant circumstances."                             
  ( Kale and Kern walk out. End scene.)                          
                                                                 
                                                                                                                               p53 
                           Scene six                             
   ( Odo walks into Security, Mawch is in a holding cell.)       
                             Odo                                 
           " I'd like to ask you a few questions."               
                             Kale                                
           " I have nothing to say to shape shifters."           
                             Odo                                 
           " No, But I've heard you kill them."                  
                             Mawch                               
           " Do you seek retribution from me? I'd                
           be glad to let you try your claim it if I             
           were not behind this force shield. Or is              
           it murder you have come for, If so get on             
           with it. My life is worth nothing now.                
           You would be doing me a favour."                      
                             Odo                                
           " I believe in justice, not revenge.                 
           But I can't say I will mourn your passing."          
                             Mawch                              
           " You grow tiresome, If you will not                 
           give me an honourable death, then leave              
           me in peace."                                        
                             Odo                                
           " Where did you encounter others like                
           me?"                                                 
   ( Mawch smiles)                                              
                             Mawch                              
           " As I thought. You are as alien here                
           as I. Set me free. I will take you                   
           there."                                              
                             Odo                                
           " I can"t do that."                                  
   ( Odo turns his back and walks out. Mawch curses him as the  
   door rolls shut.)                                            
                                                (continued)                                                                    p54 
                             Mawch                               
           " Then you will rot before I tell you                 
           anything! Qu'vatlh!"                                  
   ( End scene.)                                                 
                           Scene Seven                           
   ( Sisko in his office. His feet are up on his desk, hands on  
   the back of his neck, chair tipped back and smiling. Odo hails 
   him.)                                                         
                           Odo   ( voice only.)                  
           " Commander. Kai Winn is here to see                  
           you."                                                 
                           Sisko                                 
           " Thank you,Odo. Send her in."                        
   ( Winn enters as Sisko straightens himself up.)               
                           Winn                                  
           " Emissary. I've come to tell you that               
           we will be departing shortly, and to                 
           thank you for your understanding."                   
                           Sisko                                 
           " I should be angry with you, but in                 
           truth I feel sorry for you."                         
                           Winn                                  
           " Why would you feel sorry for me?"                  
                           Sisko                                 
           " I'm only sorry that your vision was                 
           not what it appeared to be."                          
                           Winn                                  
           " Oh but it was, Emissary. I deeply                   
           regret that I had to deceive you, but                 
           it was necessary to insure a positive                
           out come to all this."                                
                             Sisko                               
           " Then you never believed they were                   
           The Prophets?"                                        
                                        (continued)                                                                            p55 
                             Winn                                
           " Forgive us."                                        
   ( She goes to him and takes his ear.)                         
                             Winn                                
           " I must commend you on your actions                  
           in this, Commander. Not one life was                  
           lost. You WILL fulfil your destiny."                 
                             Sisko                               
           " You have changed, Winn."                            
                             Winn                                
           " Being Kai has shown me many                        
           things. Perhaps I will even be willing                
           to endorse the Federations presence                   
           some day."                                            
   ( She turns and walks out the door without another word. Kira 
   enters a second later.)                                       
                             Kira                                
           " O'Brian says everything's back on line...           
           I hope you weren't too hard on her, Commander.        
           I think, this time, she honestly meant well."         
                             Sisko                               
           " She may make a fine Kai yet."                       
                             Kira                                
           " What?... Really?"                                  
                             Sisko                              
            " Maybe... We'll see."                               
 ( He leans back in his chair again. End scene.)                
                           Scene eight                           
( Space. A string of Kaltorie ships come out of the Worm        
hole, and are met by Federation and Klingon ships. Pan back     
to include D.S.9. in the shot, and fade.)                       
                             THE END        