STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Invasive Procedures"
#40512-424
Story by
John Whelpley
Teleplay by
Robert Hewitt Wolfe
Directed by
Les Landau
THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
Copyright 1993 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.
Return to Script Department FINAL DRAFT
PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION
July 29, 1993
STAR TREK: DS9 - "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - CAST
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Invasive Procedures"
CAST
SISKO VERAD
KIRA MAREEL
ODO TIKAR
QUARK YETO
BASHIR
DAX
O'BRIEN
Non-Speaking Non-Speaking
STAR TREK: DS9 - "Invasive Procedures" - 08/06/93 - SETS
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Invasive Procedures"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE
AIRLOCK
DOCKING BAY
DOCKING BAY AIRLOCK
DOCKING RING CORRIDOR
HABITAT RING
INFIRMARY
OPS
PROMENADE
QUARK'S
RUNABOUT AIRLOCK
SURGERY
STAR TREK: DS9 - "Invasive Procedures" - 08/03/93 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Invasive Procedures"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
ANASTASIA ANN-a-STAY-zee-a
ANDORIAN an-DOOR-ee-an
BAJOR BAY-jor
BAJORAN bah-JOR-an
BOLE BOWL
CARDASSIAN car-DASS-ee-en
DELGORIAN dell-GOR-ee-an
EKINA eh-KEY-nah
KHEFKA KEF-kah
KUSTANOIVCH koo-STAHN-oe-vich
LATINUM IAT-i-num
MAREEL muh-REEL
ORINOCO OR-eh-NOE-koe
PELIOS PELL-ee-ohs
SENARIAN seh-NAIR-ee-an
SYMBIONT SIM-bee-ont
T'GLA TIG-la
T'KAR tuh-KAR
TOBIN TOE-bin
VERAD ver-RAD
YETO YEH-toe
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Invasive Procedures"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
Energy discharges crackle off the station as DS-9 is buffeted
by a plasma wave front.
SISKO (V.O.)
Station log, Stardate 47182.1. DS-
Nine has been temporarily evacuated
due to a violent plasma disruption
in the Denorios Belt. Until the
disturbance ends, we'll be forced to
maintain the station with a skeleton
crew.
2 INT. OPS
KIRA and DAX are at their stations. Otherwise, Ops is
deserted. SISKO ENTERS from his office.
SISKO
How are we holding up?
KIRA
So far, so good. I'll say one thing
for the Cardassians, they built this
place to last.
DAX
(playful)
And just in case it doesn't, I've
got the Orinoco prepped and ready at
Pad "C."
SISKO
Any word from Chief O'Brien?
DAX
He and Odo checked in about an hour
ago. They sealed off the airlocks
in the upper and lower pylons and
were moving on to the docking ring.
SISKO
(into com)
Sisko to O'Brien.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - TEASER 2.
2 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN'S COM VOICE
O'Brien here.
SISKO
What's your status, Chief?
3 INT. DOCKING RING CORRIDOR
O'BRIEN is working on a panel... ODO's a little further down
the corridor, looking around. (Intercut as needed with
previous scene.)
O'BRIEN
(into com)
Almost done, Commander. We've sealed
all the airlocks on Levels Twenty-
One, Twenty-Two and Twenty-Three,
but we still have to check the outer
bulkheads to make sure there hasn't
been any crystallization from the
plasma discharges... Shouldn't take
much longer.
SISKO'S COM VOICE
I thought you might like to know...
we received a message from Bajor
just before the plasma storm cut off
communications. The shuttle with
your family aboard arrived safely.
O'Brien wasn't expecting any trouble, but he's relieved
anyway.
O'BRIEN
Yes, sir. Thank you. O'Brien
out.
While O'Brien has been talking to Sisko, Odo's been looking
around at the far end of the corridor, near an airlock.
ODO
Did you hear that?
O'BRIEN
Hear what?
Odo moves over to an airlock door.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - TEASER 3.
3 CONTINUED:
ODO
I could've sworn I heard something.
Odo hits the door control and the airlock opens revealing...
O'BRIEN
(reacts)
Quark.
4 ANGLE ON QUARK
Who stands up from where he's apparently been sitting inside
the airlock.
ODO
(accusatory)
What are you doing here? You're
under strict orders from Sisko not
to leave the bar.
QUARK
I'm not a prisoner, Odo. I
volunteered to stay and help you
protect the station.
ODO
The only reason you "volunteered"
was because there wasn't any room on
the evacuation shuttles for six
hundred bars of gold-pressed latinum.
(beat)
Which still doesn't explain what
you're doing out here in the docking
ring.
QUARK
(with dignity)
I was saying good-bye to my brother.
ODO
Your brother? His shuttle left three
hours ago.
QUARK
(crushed)
Funny, it's only been three hours...
and I'm already lost without him...
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - TEASER 4.
4 CONTINUED:
ODO
Oh, please. Don't try to tell me
you've been sitting here all this
time pining for Rom.
QUARK
I know, I know. He couldn't find a
cup of water if you dropped him in a
lake... but even if he is an idiot,
he's still my brother...
ODO
And you'd betray him in a second if
it suited your interests.
QUARK
But that doesn't mean I don't love
him...
(to O'Brien)
Chief, do you have any brothers?
O'BRIEN
(not sure what Quark
is getting at)
As a matter of fact, I have two...
QUARK
And did you ever have to say
good-bye to them?
O'BRIEN
Sure, when I joined Starfleet...
QUARK
And did it bring a tear to your eye?
O'BRIEN
(thinking back)
I suppose it did.
QUARK
(triumphant, gestures
to Odo)
Well try explaining that to him.
Quark walks off with wounded pride. O'Brien and Odo exchange
a look, then follow him down the corridor. We stay behind,
then move into...
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - TEASER 5.
5 INT. AIRLOCK
Where Quark has hidden a strange-looking Ferengi device. A
small red light on the mechanism flashes ominously. Hold on
the light as we...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT ONE 6.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.)
6 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
The storm rages on.
7 INT. OPS
Sisko, Kira, and Dax are at their stations.
DAX
(off sensors)
The storm's intensity is up thirty-
seven percent.
KIRA
Is there any way to tell how long
it'll last?
DAX
Your guess is as good as mine. Plasma
storms are extremely rare.
(off Kira's frown)
But look on the bright side, this
gives us a great opportunity to study
one.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT ONE 7.
7 CONTINUED:
KIRA
(mild sarcasm)
Lucky us.
8 NEW ANGLE
As BASHIR ENTERS from the Turbolift.
BASHIR
You should see the view from the
Promenade. Simply amazing.
SISKO
I assume the Promenade is secure.
BASHIR
Yes sir. I've struck the sails and
battened the hatches... so to speak.
Dax's attention is brought back to her panel by a flashing
alarm light. She studies it carefully.
DAX
Benjamin...
(off reaction)
You'd better look at this.
Sisko joins Dax and checks her panel.
DAX
I'm detecting a small vessel headed
this way at one quarter impulse.
KIRA
They're hailing us.
SISKO
On screen.
Kira operates her panel.
KIRA
I can't get a visual.
She patches the signal through audio only. The signal is
distorted, with frequent dropouts.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT ONE 8.
(Underlined words can be heard clearly, the rest is
garbled.)
VERAD (V.O.)
(through static)
... cargo ship Ekina. We've been
caught by the storm. Our engines
have been severely damaged. We need
emergency assistance. Can you read
me? Repeat, this is the cargo ship
Ekina...
The static grows worse until it totally drowns Verad out.
9 OMITTED
10 BACK TO SCENE
Kira tries in vain to regain the signal.
KIRA
I've lost it.
SISKO
Can you get a transporter lock on
the crew?
Kira tries, but it's no use.
KIRA
There's too much interference.
SISKO
Engage the tractor beam. Bring them
into the closest docking bay.
KIRA
(operates controls)
It's not working. The plasma storm
is dispersing the beam.
DAX
Maybe if we modulate the frequency
of the beam...
Dax takes over the operation at her own panel.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT ONE 9.
10 CONTINUED:
DAX
(worried)
I've got them. But I don't know how
long I can hold on.
SISKO
Bring them into docking bay five.
BASHIR
There might be casualties. I'll get
down to the Infirmary.
SISKO
(nods to Bashir; to
com)
Sisko to O'Brien.
11 INT. PROMENADE
(Intercut as needed) The Promenade is empty. O'Brien is in
foreground; Odo is in the background, talking to Quark.
O'BRIEN
O'Brien here.
SISKO'S COM VOICE
We've got some storm victims coming
into docking bay five. They may be
in need of assistance.
O'BRIEN
I'll have to release the emergency
seals on the airlock before they can
board the station.
(beat)
On my way.
12 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
A tractor beam holds a beat-up alien cargo ship.
13 INT. DOCKING BAY AIRLOCK
Odo and O'Brien ENTER. The hatchway of an alien ship fills
the far side of the airlock. O'Brien checks the ship's hull
and locates an emergency hatch release.
O'BRIEN
Stand clear.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT ONE 10.
13 CONTINUED:
Odo moves back a little and O'Brien opens the door. Smoke
pours out of the hatchway and a woman staggers into the
airlock.
The woman, MAREEL, is a tall humanoid alien, attractive yet
capable-looking. She coughs spasmodically from the smoke.
O'BRIEN
(concerned)
Are you all right? Is anyone hurt?
While O'Brien is distracted by Mareel, a grizzled Klingon
mercenary, T'KAR, emerges from the smoking hatchway and aims
a disruptor at O'Brien's head.
T'KAR
Not yet.
Mareel stops coughing and points a phaser at Odo.
O'BRIEN
What the hell do you think you're
doing?
T'KAR
(gestures toward the
airlock door)
No questions. Into the corridor.
T'Kar shoves O'Brien through the airlock.
14 INT. DOCKING BAY
O'Brien and Odo ENTER the docking bay, followed by Mareel,
T'Kar and two other gunmen. One of the gunmen, YETO, is
also Klingon, younger and less battle-scarred looking than
the first. His eagerness and excitability make for a sharp
contrast to T'Kar's professionalism.
The other, VERAD (seen earlier on viewscreen), is slight and
nervous looking. Leopard-like spots on the side of his head
identify him as a Trill. Like Mareel, he is equipped with
Federation equipment. He carries a strange high-tech box
under one arm.
O'BRIEN
This is a fine way of showing your
gratitude. We just saved your lives
out there.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT ONE 11.
14 CONTINUED:
T'KAR
(to Yeto)
You see? The ever-helpful Federation.
So predictable.
O'BRIEN
Listen here, friend... in case you
haven't heard, the Federation and
the Klingon Empire are allies now.
T'KAR
(spits)
The Empire is governed by doddering
fools and frightened old women who
aren't worthy of the name Klingon.
(to the woman)
Mareel, the combadges.
Mareel takes Odo and O'Brien's combadges and tosses them to
T'Kar. T'Kar puts on O'Brien's badge and hands Odo's to
Verad. Mareel gives Odo the once over.
MAREEL
(re: Odo)
This one must be the shape-shifter.
Yeto gives Verad a little shove.
YETO
(impatient)
Go on, what are you waiting for?
Verad, who has been hanging back, comes forward and places
the high tech box at Odo's feet.
O'BRIEN
(to Verad, surprised)
You're a Trill.
Verad avoids O'Brien's gaze and, shielding his work with his
hand, types a code into a panel on the side of the box. The
box unfolds like a flower.
T'KAR
(re: the box)
Inside.
ODO
(outraged)
And what if I refuse?
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT ONE 12.
14 CONTINUED: (2)
VERAD
(jumpy)
Please. Do as he says and no one
will get hurt.
Odo studies Verad carefully. He is middle-aged, a little
out of shape... nervous... and very, very scared. Verad
averts his eyes. Whenever Verad talks, he avoids making eye
contact.
T'KAR
Now, shifter.
(re: O'Brien)
Or this one dies.
15 ON ODO (OPTICAL)
Odo gives T'Kar an icy stare, clearly not intimidated, then
MORPHS into liquid and pours himself inside the box.
16 BACK TO SCENE
Verad retreats fearfully from the liquid-filled box. Seeing
that Verad will no longer approach it, Yeto snorts in disgust
and taps the panel. The box seals itself shut.
T'Kar prods O'Brien with the muzzle of his disruptor.
T'KAR
Let's go...
(sarcastically)
Ally.
17 INT. SURGERY
Bashir's readying the Surgery Area for business when O'Brien
steps into his peripheral vision.
BASHIR
Were there any casualties?
Bashir turns and sees the four intruders. T'Kar has O'Brien
at gunpoint.
T'KAR
That depends on you.
Yeto gestures with his disruptor for Bashir to raise his
hands, while Mareel tears Bashir's combadge off his uniform
and tosses it to Yeto, who puts it on.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT ONE 13.
17 CONTINUED:
T'KAR
Yeto, get the Ferengi.
Yeto leaves.
BASHIR
(with an edge)
You mind telling me what this is all
about?
T'Kar shoves his disruptor into Bashir's face.
T'KAR
Any more questions?
VERAD
(alarmed)
Don't hurt him.
T'Kar glares at the Trill with disgust.
T'KAR
Mareel, the box.
Mareel comes forward with the box.
T'KAR
(to Bashir)
Put it in your stasis chamber.
Bashir hesitates. T'Kar aims his disruptor at the box.
T'KAR
Now. Or I will destroy it.
BASHIR
(doesn't get it)
Is that supposed to be some kind of
threat?
O'BRIEN
They've got Odo in there.
BASHIR
(registers surprise)
I see... In that case...
Bashir opens a small stasis chamber used for storing samples.
He places the box containing Odo inside and seals the chamber.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT ONE 14.
18 INT. OPS
Sisko, Dax and Kira are gathered around Dax's station. They
look worried.
DAX
I'm still not getting a response
from O'Brien or Odo.
SISKO
Run a level three security scan.
T'KAR (O.S.)
Don't bother.
Sisko and the other look up to find T'Kar, Verad and Mareel
at one of the entrances to Ops. Their weapons are out and
they're using Bashir and O'Brien as human shields.
VERAD
(extremely nervous)
Please... take your hands away from
the controls.
Sisko, Dax, and Kira react in surprise, but keep their hands
where they are.
19 CLOSE ON T'KAR (OPTICAL)
As he fires his disruptor into the air.
T'KAR
Now.
(gestures with his
disruptor)
To the center of the room.
Kira and Dax look to Sisko. Sisko weighs the situation,
then...
SISKO
(reluctantly)
Do as he says.
20 CLOSE ON VERAD AND MAREEL
As Sisko, Dax and Kira move down to the Ops table, Mareel
takes Verad's free hand and gives it a loving squeeze.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT ONE 15.
20 CONTINUED:
MAREEL
Don't worry, Verad. Everything's
going to be all right.
Mareel removes the combadges from Sisko, Dax and Kira and
equips herself with one.
21 BACK TO SCENE
T'Kar gives O'Brien a shove.
T'KAR
Get with the others.
O'Brien gives T'Kar a defiant look, then he and Bashir join
the others.
T'KAR
(to Verad)
Your turn, little man.
Mareel and Verad immediately move to the consoles and begin
operating the controls.
VERAD
(to Mareel)
Don't forget to disable the backups
as well as the primary systems.
Verad and Mareel work the controls as if they've carefully
rehearsed ever step.
22 ANGLE ON SISKO AND THE OTHER CREWMEMBERS
As they watch Verad and Mareel shut down the station's
controls... O'Brien talks quietly, bringing the others up to
speed.
O'BRIEN
It's my fault, Commander. They took
us by surprise. Somehow, they must
have neutralized the security systems
in the docking ring.
SISKO
And how did they manage that?
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT ONE 15A.
22 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
I'm not sure.
(a beat)
But I've got a pretty good idea. We
ran across Quark in an airlock a
little while ago.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT ONE 16.
22 CONTINUED: (2)
KIRA
When this is over, Quark and I are
going to have a little "talk."
23 ANGLE ON SISKO
He notices that Dax's eyes are locked on Verad.
SISKO
(off her stare)
Do you know him?
Dax shakes her head. She looks a little worried. She
suspects she knows why Verad is there, but she still doesn't
want to admit it, even to herself.
24 INT. QUARK'S
Quark's placing small vials of liquid into a padded case.
He picks one up and holds it up to the light. He's just
about to put it into his pocket, when he notices...
Yeto looming in the doorway. Quark's a little nervous.
It's never easy doing business with Klingons. They tend to
be unpredictable.
QUARK
(walking on eggshells)
Ah, Yeto... It's such a pleasure
doing business with Klingons. You're
so... punctual.
Quark notices the vial in his hand and slips it into the
case.
QUARK
(continuing)
I see that your ship was "rescued"
according to plan. I've got your
merchandise right here... but I don't
see any latinum.
YETO
(shakes his head in
disgust)
You Ferengi... you think you're so
clever... but you're stupid.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT ONE 17.
24 CONTINUED:
QUARK
Now, now. There's no need for name
calling. If you don't want these
liquid data chains, I'm sure I can
line up dozens of other buyers.
YETO
Go right ahead.
Quark is taken aback at first, but then decides this is just
a typically heavy-handed Klingon negotiation ploy.
QUARK
(chiding)
Yeto... this is no time to haggle
for a better deal. Where else are
you going to get data chains of this
quality for such a reasonable price?
YETO
You can keep your data chains...
QUARK
Don't be ridiculous... You expect me
to believe you've come all this way,
braved the storm, just to tell me
the deal is off?
Yeto aims his disruptor at Quark.
YETO
(contemptuous)
Stupid Ferengi.
And as Quark quakes in his boots...
25 INT. OPS
Verad and Mareel complete their work, while Sisko approaches
T'Kar. The Klingon raises his disruptor.
T'KAR
I said no one moves.
SISKO
(not backing down)
I'm the commander of this station.
What's your business here?
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT ONE 17A.
25 CONTINUED:
T'KAR
You'll have to ask my employer.
To everyone's surprise, T'Kar looks at Verad.
26 ANGLE ON VERAD
Mareel joins him and stands protectively by his side. Verad
is jumpy and extremely agitated.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT ONE 18.
26 CONTINUED:
VERAD
I... I'm sorry about this. If
everyone would just cooperate, I
promise this will all be over soon.
SISKO
What will be over soon?
27 ANGLE ON THE TURBOLIFT
Yeto and Quark ENTER Ops. Yeto shoves Quark out of the lift.
QUARK
This is an outrage. I demand that
you release me at once.
YETO
Enough of your whining.
28 NEW ANGLE
Yeto pushes Quark into Kira and O'Brien.
QUARK
Who are these people? What do they
want with us?
Kira grabs Quark by the lapels.
KIRA
Funny, I was just about to ask you
that.
Quark pulls away from her. Kira goes after him. Quark
retreats, accidently bumping into Mareel, who pushes him
away and raises her phaser.
MAREEL
That's enough.
Sisko approaches Verad.
SISKO
(to Verad)
I agree. Now tell me what you want
here.
Verad averts his eyes, trying not to meet Sisko's gaze.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT ONE 19.
28 CONTINUED:
VERAD
(softly)
Dax.
(stronger)
I want Dax.
Sisko glances at Dax. She looks like she was half expecting
this.
SISKO
(protectively)
She's not going anywhere with you.
Verad tries to look at Dax but can't bring himself to do it.
VERAD
No, no. I... I don't want the girl.
I only want what is rightfully mine...
what should have been mine years
ago. I want Dax.
29 ANGLE ON DAX
The only person who really understands what is going on here.
She's resigned. This is just what she was afraid of.
DAX
The symbiont, Benjamin. He's come
to steal my symbiont.
And on reactions, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT TWO 20.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
30 INT. OPS (CONTINUOUS)
The crew reacts to the declaration that Verad has come to
take Dax's symbiont. Sisko hides his anger behind a
calculated calmness. O'Brien, Kira and Quark are stunned.
Bashir is outraged.
BASHIR
(to Verad)
You can't remove Jadzia's symbiont.
If you do, she'll die.
SISKO
(calm)
He knows that, Doctor.
VERAD
I'm sorry. Please believe me, I
wish I didn't have to do this.
SISKO
Then don't.
When Verad becomes upset his nervousness gets even worse.
VERAD
I don't have any choice. I spent my
whole life trying to qualify for the
joining. I studied constantly...
every day... every waking hour...
(beat)
I sacrificed everything... And then
I went before the Symbiosis Evaluation
Board... and they reduced my entire
life to one word... "Unsuitable... "
DAX
(almost sympathetic)
That's nothing to be ashamed of.
Neither of my parents or my sister
underwent symbiosis. And they lead
happy and productive lives. Only
one Trill in ten is chosen to be
joined.
VERAD
That's easy for you to say. They
chose you.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT TWO 21.
30 CONTINUED:
DAX
I was one of the lucky ones.
MAREEL
And now it's Verad's turn to be lucky.
KIRA
But why Dax? There are thousands of
symbionts on Trill. Why her?
VERAD
(defensive)
I did research... I worked it all
out... The Dax symbiont is the best
match for me. We have mutual
interests in science... diplomacy...
SISKO
There's another reason, isn't there?
Verad looks surprised at his question, but doesn't answer.
SISKO
The wormhole.
(a beat)
Once you've stolen the symbiont, you
plan on escaping into the Gamma
Quadrant, don't you?
MAREEL
Can you think of a better place to
start a new life?
DAX
(to Verad)
I understand your frustration... But
there could be dozens of reasons why
the Board didn't select you for
symbiosis. They have to be very
careful. An improper joining can
cause permanent psychological
damage... to both the symbiont and
the host. They were just looking
after your best interests.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT TWO 22.
30 CONTINUED: (2)
VERAD
Your best interests, maybe... but
not mine. All they've done is condemn
me to a life of mediocrity... Well,
I refuse to accept it. I won't spend
the rest of my life dreaming about
what I could have been... what I
should have been. I deserve more.
And I'm going to get it.
MAREEL
(to the Klingons)
Yeto, T'Kar. It's time.
Mareel grabs Dax and roughly pulls her away from the others.
Yeto takes Bashir's arm, but Bashir pulls himself free.
BASHIR
I'll have no part in this.
VERAD
I... I understand.
31 ON VERAD (OPTICAL)
Verad appears to deflate, but then he turns and fires his
phaser at O'Brien, hitting him in the shoulder.
Sisko goes to check on O'Brien. Bashir tries to follow.
VERAD
Keep away from him.
Verad menaces O'Brien with his phaser, forcing everyone to
retreat.
VERAD
(to Bashir)
There. You see? I've taken the
first step. Even if I don't get
what I want, my life is over. So
either you help me... or you and
your friends will die. It's your
choice.
32 ON DAX
As she appears to come to a decision.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT TWO 23.
DAX
He'll help.
(to Bashir)
I don't want anyone else hurt because
of me.
(to Verad)
But you have to give me your word
that no one else on the station will
be harmed.
VERAD
I promise.
(turns to Bashir)
Doctor.
33 BACK TO SCENE
Bashir still hesitates.
DAX
Do as he says, Julian. Please.
This is an incredibly hard decision for Bashir... maybe the
most difficult in his life, but finally...
BASHIR
Let me treat Chief O'Brien's phaser
wound first.
(sees Verad's
reluctance)
It won't take long.
Verad nods his permission.
BASHIR
(to T'Kar)
There's an emergency medical kit
under that console.
T'Kar looks under the console and takes out a small case.
He opens it and checks the contents, then hands it to Bashir.
Bashir takes a tricorder from the case and scans O'Brien's
wounded shoulder.
BASHIR
Hold still.
Bashir takes out another instrument and plays it over the
wound. The damage disappears (off camera).
BASHIR
There. There should be no permanent
damage.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT TWO 23A.
33 CONTINUED:
Bashir gives the instrument to Kira.
BASHIR
Apply this every twenty minutes or
so. It'll help the wound regenerate.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT TWO 24.
33 CONTINUED:(2)
T'KAR
Enough stalling.
(to Yeto)
Take them to the Infirmary.
Bashir looks like he still won't cooperate.
SISKO
(quietly)
Do as he says, Doctor. This is no
time to be a hero.
Bashir goes with them.
34 NEW ANGLE
Dax hangs back, lingering near Sisko and Kira for a second.
KIRA
This isn't over, Dax. I promise you
that.
Dax smiles slightly, letting Kira know she appreciates her
support, then turns to Sisko.
SISKO
Dax...
DAX
(anticipating what
he's going to say)
I know, Benjamin... you'll do all
you can. But just in case it isn't
enough, I want you to know...
(beat, searches for
the words, smiles)
It's been fun.
Sisko nods, too torn with emotion to respond. Dax allows
Yeto to lead her out of the room. Bashir follows her, as
does Verad. Mareel stops Verad as he heads for the door and
kisses him softly on the forehead.
MAREEL
Good luck.
VERAD
(proudly)
It won't be long now. And then you'll
see. Everything will be just as I
promised.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT TWO 24A.
MAREEL
I know.
They share a moment together and then Verad EXITS. Mareel
exchanges a silent look with T'Kar and the two of them take
up firing positions to cover Sisko and the others.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT TWO 25.
35 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
Plasma bolts flash around the station as the storm continues.
36 INT. SURGERY
Bashir prepares the instruments necessary for the surgery.
Dax and Verad are lying on operating tables, with Starfleet
surgical platforms covering their abdomens. Bashir brings a
small device over to Verad and starts to place it on his
forehead.
Verad stops him. Verad's sudden movement puts Yeto on alert.
VERAD
(panicky)
What's that?
BASHIR
It's a delta wave inducer. It will
keep you asleep through the surgery.
It also increases your body's natural
endorphin production to help
accelerate the healing process.
Bashir starts to place the device on Verad, but the Trill
stops him again.
VERAD
I don't want it.
BASHIR
I strongly advise that you use it...
the surgery will be much easier on
you if you...
VERAD
(cuts him off)
I don't need your advice. I want to
be awake. Use a neuro-electrical
suppressor. And set up a monitor so
I can watch the procedure. That
way, if you run into any "trouble,"
I'll be able to assist you.
(beat)
Now let's get started.
BASHIR
And if I refuse.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT TWO 26.
36 CONTINUED:
Verad activates his stolen combadge.
VERAD
(to com)
Verad to Mareel.
37 INT. OPS
Mareel answers her communicator. (Intercut as necessary)
MAREEL
(to com)
Is there a problem?
38 INT. SURGERY
As before. (Intercut as necessary)
VERAD
(to com)
That's up to the doctor.
(to Bashir)
Will you cooperate? Or do I tell
Mareel to shoot the hostages? Who
should she start with... The
Bajoran... or maybe your commander...
BASHIR
(defeated)
No. That won't be necessary.
VERAD
Good. No more games. If I don't
survive this, neither will they.
(to com)
Did you hear that, Mareel?
MAREEL'S COM VOICE
I heard. Mareel out.
VERAD
(to Bashir)
Now, Doctor...
Crestfallen, Bashir takes the delta wave inducer and brings
it to Dax.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT TWO 27.
38 CONTINUED:
BASHIR
I'm sorry, Jadzia.
DAX
Don't blame yourself, Julian. You
did all you could.
BASHIR
(at a loss for words)
I...
(re: the wave inducer)
This will help you sleep.
DAX
Thank you.
This whole situation is killing Bashir. He reluctantly puts
the inducer on Dax's forehead and she slowly slips into
unconsciousness.
BASHIR
(whispers)
Forgive me...
39 INT. OPS
T'Kar and Mareel keep watch over the hostages... Quark sits
by himself, looking dejected, playing with a latinum coin...
Sisko, Kira and O'Brien are seated on the other side of the
room, talking quietly among themselves.
KIRA
(whispering)
How long can Jadzia survive without
the symbiont?
SISKO
Once the symbiont's removed, the
host usually dies within hours. But
Jadzia's young and healthy... Bashir
will do all he can...
(beat)
She'll make it through the night.
O'BRIEN
That still doesn't give us much
time...
T'KAR
No talking.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT TWO 28.
39 CONTINUED:
T'Kar brutally kicks O'Brien in his wounded shoulder.
O'Brien goes down. Sisko charges T'Kar. They struggle.
40 NEW ANGLE
Mareel goes to help the Klingon, but Kira intercepts her.
They fight and to Kira's and the audiences surprise, Mareel
cleans Kira's clock, using some kind of intricate martial
arts maneuver to put her out of commission.
41 ANGLE ON SISKO AND T'KAR
Sisko is getting the best of the Klingon when Mareel places
her phaser barrel against Sisko's back.
MAREEL
I don't want to kill you, Commander...
but I will.
Sisko reluctantly lets go of T'Kar, and walks away. T'Kar
lets out a Klingon growl and starts to go for Sisko, but
Mareel stops him.
MAREEL
(to T'Kar)
You had your chance.
T'Kar backs off while Sisko helps Kira to her feet.
42 INT. SURGERY
Bashir removes the symbiont from Dax. As we saw in "The
Emissary," the symbiont is connected to Dax by an umbilical-
like cord. Bashir takes a surgical tool and brings it up to
the cord... and pauses. This is the hardest thing he's ever
had to do... his face is pained... but finally, he cuts the
cord.
43 NEW ANGLE
As Bashir takes the symbiont and places it on Verad's abdomen.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT TWO 29.
44 CLOSE ON VERAD
Verad's face is filled with ecstatic enlightenment as the
symboint burrows into him and he is flooded with knowledge...
peace... and wisdom.
44A INT. OPS (FORMERLY SCENE 51)
The mood is grim. Sisko tends to O'Brien under the watchful
eye of T'Kar. Mareel's across the room, lost in her own
thoughts. No one's talking much.
44B INCLUDE QUARK AND KIRA (FORMERLY SCENE 52)
Sitting off to one side. Quark absentmindedly plays with
his latinum coin, flipping it into the air, spinning it on
the deck, walking it over his knuckles, just killing time.
Finally, he can't take it anymore.
QUARK
(harsh whisper)
This is ridiculous. Don't you realize
they're going to kill us? What are
you people sitting around for? Do
something.
KIRA
(quietly)
Do you have any suggestions?
Kira's never exactly full of warmth toward Quark, but now
she's even colder to him that usual.
QUARK
Why should I have any suggestions?
I'm not the military mastermind.
I'm just a victim of circumstances.
KIRA
A victim? Really? Then maybe you'd
like to tell me how four armed
terrorists got past the docking ring
security grid.
QUARK
Security grid? I don't know what
you're talking...
KIRA
(cold burn)
Save it, Quark. You've crossed the
line this time.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT TWO 29A.
44B CONTINUED:
KIRA
You sold us out, and Dax may die
because of it. Whatever happens
next, one thing's certain... You're
through here.
Kira walks away from Quark, leaving him alone. Quark watches
her go, then looks at his latinum coin, turning it over an
over again in his fingers, lost in thought.
45 NEW ANGLE
Kira rubs her rib cage, grimacing at the pain. Mareel looks
at her with mild concern.
MAREEL
Are you all right?
KIRA
I'll live.
MAREEL
Don't try that again. I don't want
to have to hurt anyone.
KIRA
Tell that to Jadzia.
Mareel is stung.
MAREEL
(defensive)
That's different.
KIRA
(sarcastic)
Do you really believe that?
MAREEL
You heard Verad. They didn't leave
him any other choice.
KIRA
(skeptical)
That's his reason. What's yours?
MAREEL
I owe him. I grew up on the streets
of Khefka Four. I never would've
made it out of there without Verad.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT TWO 29B.
45 CONTINUED:
SISKO
What was he doing on Khefka Four?
MAREEL
He was the communications clerk for
the Federation consulate. He used
to come by the accommodation house
where I worked. I'd help him relax.
When he got recalled to Trill, he
asked me to go with him... we've
been together ever since.
KIRA
So that's it... He got you out of a
bad situation and now you're willing
to kill for him?
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT TWO 30.
45 CONTINUED: (2)
MAREEL
He's an unhappy man. And if there's
anything I can do to make him happy,
I'll do it.
Sisko sees an opportunity, but plays it cool.
SISKO
(almost a throwaway)
Even if it means losing him?
MAREEL
Losing him?
SISKO
After the surgery, Verad won't be
just Verad anymore... He'll be a
blending of Verad, Dax, and all the
previous hosts. Their memories,
their knowledge... even their
personalities.
Mareel shakes her head in dismissal.
MAREEL
Verad told me you'd say things like
that.
(a beat)
I know he'll change... he'll be
smarter, more confident... but in
all the important ways, he'll be the
same.
SISKO
I'm sorry, but if he told you that,
he's lying. When a Trill is joined,
it's like a rebirth. He'll be an
entirely different person.
MAREEL
If you think I'm going to betray
Verad, you're wrong. It doesn't
matter what you say. I love him...
and I'm going to stand by him... no
matter what.
VERAD (O.S.)
(quietly)
I never doubted it.
Mareel turns around and sees Verad, who entered while she
was speaking.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT TWO 31.
45 CONTINUED: (3)
MAREEL
(happy to see him)
Verad.
She embraces him. He holds her for a moment, then moves her
gently away.
46 CLOSE ON VERAD
A changed man. The differences are undeniable. There's a
look of confident serenity on his face. He stands taller,
carries himself better. The nervousness is gone and when he
speaks, he now looks people straight in the eye.
VERAD
(gently)
No. Not just Verad.
(beat)
I'm Verad Dax.
47 ANGLE ON SISKO AND KIRA
Hold for a beat as they react to the new Verad, and Sisko
ponders what to do next, then...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT THREE 32.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
48 INT. SURGERY
While Yeto stands guard, Bashir tries feverishly to save
Dax. She's on the 24th century version of complete life
support, and all the indicator lights on the equipment are
in the red. From Bashir's expression, it's easy to tell
that Dax is in serious danger.
Bashir runs a dermal regenerator over Dax's wounded abdomen.
It doesn't seem to be helping.
BASHIR
(to Yeto, indicating
the device)
Take this.
Yeto looks at Bashir in disbelief.
BASHIR
(with authority)
Come on, we haven't got much time.
Just move it back and forth over the
wound in slow even strokes.
Bashir continues to operate the instrument himself,
demonstrating it.
YETO
Why bother? She'll be dead in a few
hours anyway.
BASHIR
(firm)
Not if I have anything to do with
it. Now help me.
YETO
(dismissive)
Why should I? She let herself be
slaughtered like a mindless t'gla.
If she wanted to live, she should
have fought back.
BASHIR
She did what she did to save the
rest of us.
YETO
Then she's a fool and deserves her
fate.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT THREE 33.
BASHIR
(ticked)
Now listen here, Yeto, or whatever
your name is... I don't care about
your warrior ethic, or your Klingon
philosophy. This woman's dying and
you're going to help me save her.
Now take the instrument.
Yeto is impressed, but he tries not to let it show.
YETO
(smiles)
So the little human's got some spark
after all.
He takes the instrument and operates it sloppily while Bashir
prepares a hypospray. Bashir notices his poor technique.
BASHIR
I said smooth, even strokes.
Yeto grumbles, but he tries a little harder and evens out
his stroke. Bashir finishes preparing the hypo. He injects
Dax and checks...
48A THE MONITOR (VPB)
The indicator lights are still in the red.
BASHIR
(waiting for the hypo
to take effect)
Come on... come on...
As the medication takes hold, some of the indicators slip
down into the yellow, but most stay red.
49 CLOSE ON DAX
As her eyelids slowly flutter open. Her expression is pained,
confused. She finally focuses on Bashir.
DAX
(very weak)
Julian...
BASHIR
Thank God, I thought I'd lost you.
DAX
The symbiont... it's gone...
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT THREE 34.
49 CONTINUED:
BASHIR
(bitterly)
Everything went perfectly. The
operation was a complete success...
DAX
I feel so... alone...
Without the symbiont, Dax is somehow softer, more vulnerable.
Bashir's obviously devastated by what has happened.
BASHIR
(trying to keep both
their spirits up)
I... I've got you stabilized. If we
can just get the symbiont back in
time...
DAX
Julian... I'm scared.
Dax closes her eyes. She's slowly losing consciousness.
BASHIR
You're not going to die. Do you
hear me? I won't let you die.
DAX
(as she drifts off)
I've never felt... so empty...
Dax falls asleep. Bashir holds her hand tightly as the lights
on the monitor hover in the red.
50 INT. OPS
The tension in the room is still strong. Kira and O'Brien
talk quietly while T'Kar and Mareel cover them with their
weapons. Quark sits apart from the others, looking depressed,
playing with his coin. Sisko, having formulated a plan of
action, approaches Verad.
SISKO
Dax?
VERAD
(with his newfound
strength)
That's right, Benjamin... It's me...
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT THREE 35.
50 CONTINUED:
SISKO
Curzon, Tobin, Jadzia... all the
others... they're part of you now.
Sisko's open, nonthreatening, almost admiring of the change
in Verad. But underneath, he's calculating his every move.
VERAD
(nods)
It's amazing. So many ideas... so
many memories...
SISKO
(seductive)
Eight lifetimes of memories. It
must be incredible.
VERAD
(looking Sisko in the
eye)
It's better than I ever imagined.
SISKO
This station must look entirely
different to you.
VERAD
(looks around)
It does. I...
(thoughtfully)
I know this place.
(looks at Sisko and
smiles)
And I know you... Benjamin.
And, on some level, he also knows Sisko's up to something.
But he wants it so bad, Verad can't help going along.
SISKO
Of course you do. Remember when we
first met...
VERAD
(remembering)
Pelios Station.
SISKO
Anastasia?
Verad smiles fondly at the memory.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT THREE 36.
50 CONTINUED: (2)
VERAD
(playing top-that-
memory)
And that trip we took to the cliffs
of Bole.
SISKO
(getting into it)
And all the months we served aboard
the Livingston?
VERAD
(laughing)
Science officer Kustanovich. What
was it... eight helpings of Andorian
Redbat?
Mareel and the others are listening, but by now they're
totally lost.
SISKO
I've never seen anybody eat like
that.
(the best of times)
Remember my wedding?
VERAD
I remember your bachelor party.
Some of it, anyway.
SISKO
(looking to top that)
And the time we discovered the
wormhole?
VERAD
(uncomfortable)
One of Jadzia's proudest moments.
SISKO
(simply)
And now that woman is bleeding to
death in the Infirmary.
For the first time, Verad Dax can't look Sisko in the eye.
VERAD
(soft)
I'd rather not discuss that, Benjamin.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT THREE 37.
50 CONTINUED: (3)
SISKO
(lightly)
You have to discuss it, Dax. You
know as well as I do that we can't
let her die.
VERAD
But she's not going to die. She'll
live on, in me.
SISKO
Jadzia's memories will live on. But
Jadzia herself will die. You'll
have killed her.
VERAD
(remorseful)
You think I don't know that. I'll
never be able to forget it.
(beat)
But I promise you, Benjamin... I'll
do all I can to make up for it. I'm
not going to the Gamma Quadrant to
hide. There're entire worlds which
can benefit from my knowledge and
experience. I can help them... and
I will.
SISKO
I've got a better idea.
(strong)
Help Jadzia. Come down to the
Infirmary with me. Put the symbiont
back where it belongs.
Verad considers it for a beat. Mareel watches him with
concern. Finally...
VERAD
I can't do that, Benjamin... even if
I wanted to. Don't you see... it's
too late. The integration is already
under way.
SISKO
But there's still time to stop it.
Jadzia's life can still be saved.
Mareel interrupts before Verad can answer.
MAREEL
(to Verad)
Don't listen to him. He's just trying
to confuse you.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT THREE 38.
50 CONTINUED: (4)
VERAD
It's all right, Mareel.
(to Sisko, conciliatory)
Benjamin, the symbiont's still weak
from the operation. If we attempt
another joining so soon, it might
not survive. Are you willing to
risk that?
SISKO
I am. The question is... are you?
Mareel approaches Verad, trying to draw his attention away
from Sisko.
MAREEL
Why are you wasting your time with
him?
VERAD
(snaps at her)
Because he's my friend. Now go watch
the others.
Mareel steps aside, but you can tell from her surprised
expression that Verad has never, ever spoken to her like
this before. Sisko sees it, too.
VERAD
(ignoring her, to
Sisko)
We are still friends, aren't we
Benjamin?
SISKO
I hope so. Come down to the Infirmary
with me and prove it.
Part of Verad wants to say yes, but he hold himself back.
VERAD
(guiltily)
I can't do that.
SISKO
Then you're not the Dax I know. And
our friendship's over.
Sisko walks away. Hold on Verad, standing by himself,
isolated and feeling guilty as charged.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FOUR 39.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
51 INT. OPS
Tensions are high. T'Kar watches over Sisko, Kira, and
O'Brien. O'Brien still doesn't look too good. Verad's in
the Commander's Office, working. Quark sits alone, still
playing with his latinum coin.
52 INCLUDE MAREEL
Who takes a bowl of steaming liquid out of the replicator,
and brings it to O'Brien.
MAREEL
Here, drink this.
51B NEW ANGLE
O'Brien takes the bowl and looks skeptically at the contents.
O'BRIEN
What is it?
MAREEL
Senarian Egg Broth. It'll keep your
strength up.
O'Brien still hesitates.
MAREEL
(shrugs)
All right, don't drink it. It makes
no difference to me.
She reaches out for the bowl.
O'BRIEN
Hold on.
He sniffs it, then takes a sip.
O'BRIEN
(reacts)
Not bad. Thanks.
She nods, but she's preoccupied. She looks over to the
Commander's Office, where Verad sits, brooding. Sisko notices
and approaches.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT FOUR 39A.
51B CONTINUED:
SISKO
(reading her mind)
He even looks different, doesn't he?
(off her reaction)
The way he stands, the way he moves...
talks...
MAREEL
He's better than he was.
SISKO
I'm glad you think so.
MAREEL
I do.
SISKO
Really? The way he dismissed you
before... I'm sure Verad never did
that.
MAREEL
He's under a lot of stress.
SISKO
(shrugging)
Verad was under stress from the minute
he stepped onto this station. But
he never turned on you... did he?
MAREEL
(temper flaring)
What's your point, Commander?
SISKO
I think you know.
MAREEL
You're trying to turn me against
Verad.
SISKO
Verad no longer exists. You know
that better than I do.
MAREEL
All right then, Verad Dax. But
it won't work.
(re: Verad)
Nothing's changed between us.
SISKO
You really believe that?
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT FOUR 39B.
51B CONTINUED: (2)
Mareel hesitates and looks up at the Commander's Office.
MAREEL
Yes.
SISKO
(a beat, smiling)
Then make me believe it.
(off her look)
Go in there and talk to him.
MAREEL
Talk to him... About what?
SISKO
I don't know... whatever you want.
You must have a lot to say to one
another.
A beat. Mareel can't make herself climb the stairs to the
office.
MAREEL
I don't want to disturb him.
SISKO
Why not?
MAREEL
(with an edge)
Because I don't want to.
SISKO
(with a gentle urgency)
But look at him... sitting there...
all alone. He needs you.
Mareel moves away.
MAREEL
(fed up)
That's enough.
Sisko follows after her.
SISKO
Why are you being so reluctant?
This is a perfect time for the two
of you to get reaquainted.
Mareel turns and points her phaser at Sisko.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FOUR 40.
51B CONTINUED: (3)
MAREEL
(loudly)
I said... that's enough.
VERAD (V.O.)
Mareel.
They turn to see Verad standing on the balcony outside the
Commander's Office.
VERAD
Is anything wrong?
Mareel hesitates.
VERAD
(impatient)
Well?
Mareel looks at Sisko, blaming him.
MAREEL
(to Verad)
No. Everything's fine.
VERAD
(stern)
Good.
(then softening)
Be careful. I wouldn't want anything
to happen to you.
She smiles at him, but he's already turned and walked back
into the office.
52 ANGLE ON QUARK
Who watches Verad return to the Commander's Office,
thoughtfully fingering his latinum coin. He looks over to...
53 T'KAR
Keeping an eye on Kira, Sisko, and O'Brien. Suddenly, a
metal on metal sound catches T'Kar's attention. He looks
down.
54 CLOSE ON QUARK'S COIN
Rolling slowly across the deck.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FOUR 40A.
55 RETURN TO SCENE
T'Kar watches the coin, puzzled... and Quark jumps him.
QUARK
I got him.
Quark leaps onto T'kar's back and scrambles to get a lock
around the Klingon's windpipe.
55A NEW ANGLE
Sisko and Kira move to help him, but Mareel alertly aims her
phaser at them.
MAREEL
Stay back.
55B ON T'KAR
Who's almost amused as the Ferengi futilely attempts to
strangle him. Quark realizes this was a very bad idea.
QUARK
Maybe we should talk about this?
Without a word, T'Kar hurls Quark into the Ops table.
56 CLOSE ON QUARK
As he curls up in pain, holding onto...
QUARK
(groaning)
My ear...
56A BACK TO SCENE
Verad emerges from the office to see what's going on. Quark
clutches his ear and moans in pain. He's clearly very badly
hurt.
T'KAR
Pathetic.
Quark continues to moan pitifully.
VERAD
(bigger fish to fry)
Mareel... take him to the Infirmary.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 08/06/93 - ACT FOUR 41.
56A CONTINUED:
Mareel reluctantly complies.
57 INT. SURGERY
Quark sits in a chair, moaning in pain. Dax's unconscious
body can be see in the background, surrounded by the 24th
century equivalent of full life support. Mareel and Yeto
escort a reluctant Bashir away from Dax.
BASHIR
(his mind's still on
Dax)
What is it now?
QUARK
(holding his ear)
Please, it hurts...
BASHIR
(exasperated)
All right. Just hold on.
Bashir grabs his medical tricorder and scans Quark's ear.
BASHIR
(confused)
The damage appears to be fairly
superficial.
58 ANGLE ON BASHIR
Bashir looks thoughtful. Clearly something's not right here.
Quark makes eye contact with him. Bashir clues in and quickly
covers up.
BASHIR
Ferengi ears are incredibly sensitive.
I'd better run some further tests.
Bashir looks up to see if Mareel has caught on to Quark's
game, but she's lost in thought.
59 INT. OPS
On Verad at Dax's science station.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FOUR 42.
59 CONTINUED:
VERAD
The storm's intensity's dropped
another twenty percent.
(to Sisko)
I know this has been hard for you,
Benjamin. It's been hard for both
of us. But it's almost over.
Mareel ENTERS Ops.
MAREEL
Good. I'm tired of waiting here.
Mareel approaches Verad.
MAREEL
How're you feeling?
VERAD
Better than ever... thanks to you.
(stroking her hair)
I couldn't have done this without
you. I would've spent the rest of
my life a mediocre man... only
dreaming of what might've been.
(beat)
You know what you have to do.
MAREEL
(nods)
You just worry about getting through
the wormhole. The Klingons and I'll
make sure that no one stops you.
VERAD
Remember, I don't want you staying
here any longer than you have to.
Give me an hour, then head for the
wormhole. The runabout's on Pad "C."
MAREEL
The sooner you leave, the sooner I
can follow. And the sooner we can
be together.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 08/06/93 - ACT FOUR 43.
60 ANGLE ON VERAD
He stands there, and though he returns her hug, it's with a
stiffness that she can sense. She looks up at him, studies
him for a beat, then...
MAREEL
It's going to be all right, isn't
it?
VERAD
(with a reassuring
smile)
Just wait for me at the rendezvous
point.
61 CLOSE ON MAREEL
As Verad moves to kiss her and, for just an instant, she
hesitates, her eyes still locked on him, but it passes in a
flash and she returns the kiss.
62 ANGLE ON SISKO
who picks up on Mareel's hesitation and ponders its
significance.
63 INT. SURGERY
Bashir's still working on Quark, who's whimpering pitifully.
Yeto watches impatiently. Dax can still be seen in the
background, unconscious and on life support.
YETO
(to Quark)
Stop whining or I'll put you out of
your misery.
BASHIR
(defending Quark)
It's not his fault. He's got a deep
contusion of the auricular lobe and
a possible dislocated malleus. In a
Ferengi, either condition can be
fatal.
Quark groans horribly.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FOUR 43A.
63 CONTINUED:
BASHIR
(holds out a medical
tool)
If you want him to stop, then give
me a hand with this.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 08/06/93 - ACT FOUR 44.
63 CONTINUED: (2)
YETO
I'm not your nurse.
BASHIR
Look, let's not go through that again.
Just hold this against his ear...
The Klingon takes the instrument and brings it to Quark's
ear. Quark moans loudly.
BASHIR
Not too hard.
Bashir makes up a spray hypo.
BASHIR
Just another second... There.
He finishes the hypo, but this time he injects the Klingon.
64 ON YETO
Who looks and surprised as the medicine takes effect. Yeto
wobbles, then collapses across Quark's shoulder.
65 OMITTED
66 BACK TO SCENE
Quark immediately stops moaning and shrugs off the Klingon.
QUARK
Thank you, Doctor. I feel better
already.
Bashir takes back his combadge. Quark grows serious and
looks over at Dax's unconscious body.
QUARK
How is she?
Bashir opens the stasis drawer containing Odo's box.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FOUR 45.
66 CONTINUED:
BASHIR
I've got her stabilized. But there's
no telling how much time she's got
left. We have to get the symbiont
back before it's too late.
Bashir takes out Odo's box and places it on the counter.
QUARK
What are you doing?
BASHIR
Odo's in here.
QUARK
(intrigued)
He is.
BASHIR
Yes, and we have to get him out.
QUARK
Are you sure?
BASHIR
(exasperated)
Quark.
Quark is properly chastised. Bashir turns back to the box.
BASHIR
(continuing, worried)
If we only knew the access code...
Quark interlaces his fingers and cracks his knuckles...
loudly, then rubs his fingertips together like a safecracker.
QUARK
(confident)
Allow me.
67 CLOSE ON QUARK (OPTICAL)
Quark studies the access code pad for a beat, then punches
in a code. Nothing happens. He studies it again... punches
in another one... still nothing.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT FOUR 45A.
67 CONTINUED:
QUARK
Hmmm, your standard Delgorian locking
mechanism. Sophisticated but
vulnerable if you know its weak
points.
(pointing across room)
Hand me that laser scalpel.
Bashir dubiously hands Quark the instrument. Quark plays
the laser across the keypad, cutting away the face. He
removes it and fiddles with the inner workings, until...
CLICK. The box opens.
Bashir looks at Quark in amazement.
QUARK
(shrugs)
It's a gift.
68 INT. OPS
As before. T'Kar is monitoring readings from the plasma
disturbance at O'Brien's station.
T'KAR
The storm's decreased another fifteen
percent.
VERAD
Excellent. That should be more than
enough to allow safe passage to the
wormhole.
Verad hits his combadge.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FOUR 46.
68 CONTINUED:
VERAD
(into com)
Verad to Yeto.
There's no response.
VERAD
Verad to Yeto.
Verad looks at T'Kar, who uses his own communicator.
T'KAR
Yeto, report.
There's still no answer.
VERAD
The doctor must have overpowered
him.
T'KAR
(doubtful)
The doctor? Impossible.
(realization)
Unless...
VERAD
The shape-shifter. He must've freed
the shape-shifter.
(decisive)
T'Kar, get me to the ship.
MAREEL
(curiously flat)
You better take a hostage, just in
case.
Sisko steps forward.
SISKO
I'll go with you.
Verad looks at Sisko and there's true sadness in his voice.
VERAD
I'd love your company, Benjamin.
But somehow I don't think you have
my best interests at heart.
(to Kira)
Kira, I hate to inconvenience you,
but...
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FOUR 47.
68 CONTINUED: (2)
KIRA
(confident)
That's all right. If Odo's free,
there's no way you're getting off
this station.
T'Kar leads Kira out of Ops. Verad starts to follow, then
suddenly stops and turns.
VERAD
Mareel...
MAREEL
(with finality)
Good luck.
Verad looks at Mareel strangely, then tries to give an
encouraging smile, but his mind is already on his escape.
He turns to Sisko.
VERAD
Well, Benjamin, I guess this is
good-bye. Not many friendships last
over two lifetimes.
(beat, there's some
honest regret here)
I wish we could have made it three.
Sisko looks at Verad coldly.
SISKO
You'll be seeing me again, Verad.
Verad looks at Sisko with surprise, and maybe, for the first
time since his joining, there's the slightest trace of fear
in his eyes.
Verad quickly EXITS.
68A CLOSE ON SISKO
We hold on Sisko's determined expression for a beat, then...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT FIVE 48.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
69 INT. OPS
Mareel keeps a perfunctory watch over Sisko and O'Brien, but
her mind's clearly elsewhere.
SISKO
So where's this rendezvous going to
be?
Mareel doesn't want to talk about it, but Sisko's hard to
ignore.
MAREEL
You don't really expect me to tell
you?
SISKO
(softly)
No, but I hope you like it there,
because you'll be waiting for Verad
a long time.
Mareel tries to keep up a good front, but she knows Sisko's
right.
MAREEL
How would you know?
SISKO
You told me yourself.
(a beat, off her
reaction)
I saw the look on your face when he
asked you to wait for him...
Mareel expression remains hard, but, slowly, the facade
cracks. She's really hurting.
MAREEL
The plan was that he was going to
get there first... That he would
wait for me... not the other
way around.
SISKO
(playing devil's
advocate)
I suppose it could've been an honest
mistake... a slip of the tongue...
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 07/30/93 - ACT FIVE 49.
69 CONTINUED:
MAREEL
(realistic)
No. He lied to me.
(a beat)
He's never lied to me before. He's
not coming. He doesn't need me
anymore.
SISKO
(sympathetic)
You're wrong. He does need you...
now more than ever.
MAREEL
(knows what he's
getting at)
You never give up, do you. I told
you, I'm not going to betray him.
SISKO
I'm not asking you to. I'm asking
you to save him... to help us save
him.
MAREEL
(doesn't buy it)
All you care about is Jadzia.
SISKO
That's right. And you care about
Verad. And we can save them both.
Sisko sees Mareel wavering and goes in for the kill.
SISKO
Don't you see, Dax and Verad were
never meant to be joined. We've got
to remove the symbiont while there's
still time.
Mareel wrestles with her conscious, then haltingly, she hands
Sisko her phaser.
MAREEL
If you hurt him, I'll kill you.
Sisko takes the phaser and gives her a reassuring smile.
SISKO
I don't doubt it.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FIVE 50.
70 INT. DOCKING BAY
Verad, T'Kar and Kira arrive at the docking bay. Verad rushes
into the airlock...
71 INT. AIRLOCK
Verad moves by an unobtrusive tool cart and reaches the far
side of the airlock. He hits the door control, but nothing
happens. He looks outside.
72 NEW ANGLE (VERAD'S POV)
Verad's ship isn't there.
73 INT. DOCKING BAY
Verad emerges from the airlock.
VERAD
(still in control)
The ship... it's gone.
74 ANGLE ON AIRLOCK
Before T'Kar can react, Odo (who was the tool cart) rises up
into frame behind T'Kar accompanied the oozing sound of a
morph.
ODO
That's because I released the docking
clamps.
75 ANGLE ON KIRA
Who uses the opportunity to attack T'Kar.
76 ANGLE ON VERAD (OPTICAL)
Who fires wildly at Odo and makes a run for it.
77 NEW ANGLE
The phaser fire distracts Kira, giving T'Kar an opening. He
backhands her against a wall and brings up his disruptor to
shoot her, forcing Odo to choose between chasing Verad and
saving Kira. He chooses Kira.
Odo jars the disruptor out of T'Kar's hand, then knocks him
back toward...
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/06/93 - ACT FIVE 51.
78 KIRA
Who finishes him off.
79 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR
Verad runs down a corridor. He looks back for pursuit, but
there's no one behind him. He turns a corner and sees the
airlock leading to Runabout Pad "C." The way is clear. He
enters...
80 INT. RUNABOUT AIRLOCK
And finds Sisko waiting for him, blocking his way to the
Orinoco. Both men react quickly, aiming their phasers at
each other, only a few feet apart in the tight quarters of
the airlock.
SISKO
Looks like that "goodbye" was a little
premature.
Verad looks over Sisko's shoulder. He can see the doors to
the runabout. Freedom is almost within his reach.
81 CLOSE ON SISKO
Sisko keeps a steady aim on Verad. The two men remain locked
in place for a beat, each waiting for the other to make the
first move, until...
VERAD
Don't be ridiculous. You're not
going to shoot me.
SISKO
What makes you so sure?
VERAD
This is Dax you're talking to,
Benjamin. We both know that if you
shoot me, even on stun, you risk
killing the symbiont.
Sisko's aim never wavers.
SISKO
If I let you go, Jadzia dies.
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 08/06/93 - ACT FIVE 52.
82 CLOSE ON VERAD
His face is sad, regretful. He looks genuinely sorry for
what has happened.
VERAD
But Dax will live. What's one girl's
life, compared to eight lifetimes of
knowledge and experience?
Verad is honest, open, and convincing.
VERAD
You're not going to shoot me. You
know that... and so do I.
Verad lowers his phaser, leaving himself open to Sisko...
confident that Sisko won't fire.
VERAD
(smiles serenely)
Goodbye, Benjamin.
Sisko never lowers his phaser, but Verad confidently steps
around him and heads for the Runabout door.
83 ANGLE ON SISKO
Not about to give up now.
SISKO
Verad...
84 CLOSE ON VERAD
Who hesitates, then turns around to find...
85 SISKO (OPTICAL)
still aiming his phaser.
SISKO
Don't call me Benjamin.
And Sisko, who knows what he has to do, shoots Verad with
the phaser.
86 INT. SURGERY
Close on Verad as he regains consciousness. He looks up and
sees...
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - REV. 08/03/93 - ACT FIVE 53.
87 MAREEL
Looking down with concern. Verad looks around in a panic.
88 INCLUDE THE WHOLE INFIRMARY
Sisko is standing nearby, watching Verad. Across the room,
Bashir is reviving Dax, who is still stretched out on the
examining table.
VERAD
I feel strange. So...
(realizes what has
happened)
Empty.
SISKO
It's over Verad. The symbiont is
back where it belongs.
VERAD
(shattered)
So close. I had it. I had it and
now... I'm alone...
Verad's speech becomes more and more halting, until he trails
off completely.
MAREEL
You're not alone, Verad. I'm here.
I'll always be here.
Mareel tries to comfort Verad, but nothing helps, and he
sinks further and further into despair.
VERAD
(to Mareel)
I can't remember any of it... the
knowledge... the confidence...
(incredible sadness)
It's all gone.
89 CLOSE ON SISKO
As he reacts to Verad's loss.
BASHIR (O.S.)
Commander?
DEEP SPACE: "Invasive Procedures" - 07/29/93 - ACT FIVE 54.
90 BACK TO SCENE
Sisko turns and sees that Jadzia is sitting up, apparently
recovered.
SISKO
(excited)
Jadzia.
He goes to her and hugs her enthusiastically, surprising
everyone, himself included.
SISKO
(concerned)
Are you...
DAX
I'm fine...
91 CLOSE ON DAX
As she looks at Verad.
DAX
(reflective)
I remember it all, Benjamin.
Everything he thought... everything
he did... and it's so... sad.
(looks away)
I guess he'll always be with me now...
92 CLOSE ON VERAD
Verad's stares blankly into the distance and rocks back and
forth slowly... Hold on Verad's eerily empty stare for a beat,
then...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END