STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Whispers"
#40512-434
Story by
Paul Coyle
Teleplay by
Paul Coyle
and
Michael Piller
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 This script is not for publication or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
November 16, 1993
STAR TREK: DS9 - "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - CAST
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Whispers"
CAST
SISKO DECURTIS
KIRA ADMIRAL
ODO COUTU
QUARK
BASHIR
DAX
O'BRIEN
KEIKO
MOLLY
JAKE
COMPUTER VOICE
Non-Speaking Non-Speaking
N.D SUPERNUMERARIES BODYGUARD
STAR TREK: DS9 - "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - SETS
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Whispers"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE
AIRLOCK
COMMANDER'S OFFICE RUNABOUT
CONDUIT
CORRIDOR GAMMA QUADRANT
HABITAT CORRIDOR
INFIRMARY WORMHOLE
O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS
O'BRIEN'S BEDROOM
OPS
PROMENADE
PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL
STOREROOM
RUNABOUT
ALIEN COMPOUND
CORRIDOR
CHAMBER
STAR TREK: DS9 - "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Whispers"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
BAJOR BAY-jor
BAJORAN bah-JOR-an
BOLIAN BOH-lee-ahn
CARDASSIAN car-DASS-ee-en
DECURTIS deh-KUHR-tihs
FRICANDEAU FRIK-ahn-doe
GUPTA GOOP-tah
MEKONG MAY-kong
PARADA pah-RAH-dah
PARADAN pah-RAH-dahn
PARADAS pah-RAH-dahs
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/17/93 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"Whispers"
TEASER
FADE IN:
A1 EXT. SPACE - GAMMA QUADRANT (OPTICAL)
of the wormhole as it flashes open and a runabout roars
through...
B1 INT. RUNABOUT
Close on O'BRIEN... tense, a little sweaty, breathing a little
hard, his eyes showing the strain of recent incredible events
that he hasn't yet figured out... with urgency...
O'BRIEN
Computer, set heading one-four-zero
mark three-two...
COMPUTER VOICE
Course laid in.
O'BRIEN
Maximum warp. Engage.
We hear the sound of the warp engines take hold.
O'BRIEN
Time to the Parada system.
COMPUTER VOICE
One hour, fourteen minutes.
He sags a little into his chair, sighs... wipes his brow...
shakes his head the craziness of it all... as he stands up,
moves toward a replicator --
O'BRIEN
Create a new file, Computer. O'Brien
personal log. Stardate 47581.2.
(beat, how to start)
I've gotta try to set the record
straight about the last fifty-two
hours. I don't know who's gonna
hear this. I don't even know if
I'll be alive by the time this log
is recovered. I figure they'll be
coming after me.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - TEASER 1A.
B1 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN (Cont'd)
If I'm right about all this... they
won't want me to warn the Paradas.
(to the replicator)
Coffee. Jamaican blend. Double
strong. Double sweet.
We hear the replicator make the coffee, he pulls it out and
drinks. He moves back toward his seat.
O'BRIEN
I wish I could tell you who they
are. That's part of the puzzle I
haven't figured out. Part of the
puzzle, hell. None of this whole
damn thing makes any sense.
(he sits)
I'm trying to remember the first
time I noticed that things were...
wrong. It seems to me... yeah...
1 INT. O'BRIEN'S BEDROOM
Dark. O'Brien reaches out for Keiko in his sleep. His hand
falls on an empty pillow. His eyes open as he reacts. Where
is she?
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
(continuing)
... it had to be the first morning
after I got back to the station...
2 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS
KEIKO and MOLLY are sitting at the table eating breakfast as
O'Brien comes out of his room wearing a robe...
O'BRIEN
What are you two doing up so early... ?
Keiko is vaguely remote but casual... she was really hoping
to get out before he woke up... she looks tired...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - TEASER 1B.
2 CONTINUED:
KEIKO
Oh, I just have a lot to catch up on
at school. Thought I'd get an early
start...
O'BRIEN
At five-thirty in the morning?
(to the replicator)
Coffee... Jamaican blend... double
strong, double sweet...
We hear the replicator working...
KEIKO
I have a dozen essays to read.
O'Brien comes to sit down... stops on the way to give a
morning kiss to his daughter...
O'BRIEN
Didja have sweet dreams, darlin'... ?
But Molly turns her face away as he leans over...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - TEASER 2.
2 CONTINUED: (2)
MOLLY
Go away.
O'BRIEN
Hey, don't I get my morning kiss?
MOLLY
No.
She clearly wants nothing to do with her father. She gets
up from the table and runs into the other room...
O'BRIEN
What'd I do to deserve that?
KEIKO
It's just a phase, Miles. She doesn't
mean it.
O'BRIEN
Huh.
KEIKO
Don't let it bother you.
There's just a slight subtext under all of Keiko's
conversation... a tension. She gets up from the table...
takes the dishes to the replicator for disposal.
O'BRIEN
What time'd you get to bed last night?
KEIKO
I don't know. Late. I didn't want
to wake you.
O'BRIEN
(acknowledges)
I was tired. I guess the trip really
took a lot out of me.
KEIKO
What did they have you doing?
O'BRIEN
The Paradas? Oh, they put me through
basic training on all the security
measures they want in place for the
peace talks... Odo would have had a
field day... I wish he could have
been there...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - TEASER 3.
2 CONTINUED: (3)
He catches Keiko studying him, a quick beat that passes...
KEIKO
I'd better get going...
O'BRIEN
I'll drop Molly off at day care on
my way to Ops...
KEIKO
No, that's okay. I'm taking her
with me.
(calling)
Molly...
O'BRIEN
To school... while you try to read?
That doesn't make a lot of sense...
Molly comes back in...
KEIKO
There's something I wanted to show
her... a Vulcan program that teaches
basic problem solving skills...
Keiko picks Molly up...
O'BRIEN
(smiles, incredulous)
At five-thirty-five in the morning...
what's gotten into you?
On their way out, Molly looks intently at O'Brien...
KEIKO
I want to do it while her mind is
fresh.
O'BRIEN
(shrugs)
If you say so.
KEIKO
We'll see you later.
They EXIT. O'Brien drinks his coffee. Off his perplexed
expression...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - TEASER 4.
3 INT. SECURITY OFFICE
Consoles are torn up... as O'Brien ENTERS, reacts... Ensign
DECURTIS, a competent and take-charge young engineer, finishes
an adjustment...
O'BRIEN
(re: the work)
What's this?
DECURTIS
Just getting a head start, Chief...
O'BRIEN
Head start. Everybody seems to be
getting a "head start" on me today...
DECURTIS
Sir?
O'BRIEN
DeCurtis, I appreciate your bushy-
tailed enthusiasm... but I wanted to
wait until Odo came back from Bajor
to do this. We have to realign the
entire security net for the peace
talks. The Constable might have a
few things to say about it all...
DECURTIS
Commander Sisko didn't feel we should
wait for Odo...
O'BRIEN
(reacts)
Sisko gave you permission to start
this... without checking with me
first? I don't think so...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - TEASER 5.
3 CONTINUED:
DECURTIS
(in an awkward spot)
You... might want to check with him,
Chief. I'm only following orders.
This really makes O'Brien curious... and ticked.
O'BRIEN
Oh, I'll check with him all right.
He starts to leave...
DECURTIS
Mister O'Brien... ?
DeCurtis motions to the room, the mess... should I continue?
is implied...
O'BRIEN
Carry on.
He EXITS.
4 INT. PROMENADE
O'Brien walks along the thoroughfare... slowly stops, reacts
as he sees...
5 HIS POV
Keiko and SISKO stand engaged in intense conversation outside
the school... Sisko nods and moves on without ever seeing
O'Brien... Keiko moves inside the school...
6 BACK TO O'BRIEN
who moves out of the line of sight, behind a kiosk and
reacts... wondering what the hell is this?
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT ONE 6.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
(NOTE: Episode titles fall over opening scenes.)
7 EXT. SPACE - THE RUNABOUT (OPTICAL)
at warp.
7A INT. RUNABOUT
O'Brien in his chair... exhausted... finishes his coffee...
O'BRIEN
Computer, how much longer to the
Parada system... ?
COMPUTER VOICE
Fifty-three minutes...
O'BRIEN
Direct sensors back toward the
wormhole. Scan for other warp
signatures on this heading...
COMPUTER VOICE
One warp signature found.
O'BRIEN
Display on monitor.
7B ANGLE - THE MONITOR (OPTICAL)
Like a 24th century radar blip... shows a ship moving away
from a graphic representation of the wormhole subspace
disruption...
O'BRIEN
Can you identify...
COMPUTER VOICE
Identification confirmed. Starfleet
runabout Mekong.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT ONE 6A.
7C RESUME - LOSE MONITOR ANGLE
O'BRIEN
(sighs, nods unhappily)
I figured as much. They'll wait
until I drop out of warp and then...
(sighs)
Well, we'll have to cross that bridge
when we come to it, won't we?
COMPUTER VOICE
Please restate question.
O'BRIEN
Disregard, computer. Continue
personal log.
A little bleep from the computer tells us it's on.
O'BRIEN
Okay, so it was all a little
curious... but who could've guessed
at that point...
8 INT. OPS
On O'Brien as he arrives on the Turbolift...
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
I mean, the way they were acting,
they might've been trying to pull
off one of those surprise parties
that I can't stand... only my
birthday's not until September...
and believe me, as it turned out, I
had nothing else to celebrate.
BASHIR is talking to KIRA at the table, DAX is at her station,
Sisko in his office... various Supernumeraries elsewhere...
and it all looks like business as usual. Bashir looks toward
O'Brien... smiles casually...
BASHIR
There he is now... I've been waiting
for you, Chief...
O'BRIEN
(not in the mood)
What is it, Julian.
BASHIR
(with humor)
No excuses this time.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT ONE 6B.
8 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
Excuses...
BASHIR
I want you in my office in one hour...
O'BRIEN
For what?
BASHIR
Your physical. You can't put it off
any longer...
O'BRIEN
This isn't a good day...
BASHIR
It's a perfect day. Commander Sisko
has arranged to have you covered
and...
O'BRIEN
What are you doing going to the
Commander about my check-up?
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT ONE 7.
8 CONTINUED: (2)
BASHIR
I just know how you are about...
O'BRIEN
Well, forget it... I've got things
to do...
BASHIR
(without humor)
I'm afraid I'll have to insist. If
I have to order you as your superior
officer, I will.
It's turned into a bit of a scene suddenly... O'Brien looks
at Bashir who isn't fooling the least bit... glances
incredulously at Kira and Dax who are decidedly not paying
attention. Off camera, the commander's door opens and Sisko
comes out...
SISKO (O.S.)
Is there a problem?
9 ANGLE
to reveal Sisko...
BASHIR
Mister O'Brien says he's unavailable
for a physical.
SISKO
(casual but firm)
Make yourself available, Chief.
O'BRIEN
Commander...
SISKO
Doctor Bashir's annual report on the
senior staff is due next week at
Starfleet. We've all had to go
through this.
O'Brien takes a beat to study Sisko, finally to Bashir.
O'BRIEN
Fine. Fine, I'll be there in an
hour.
Bashir exchanges a quick, awkward glance with Sisko, nods
and EXITS.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT ONE 8.
9 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
Can I talk to you for a minute, Sir?
Sisko acknowledges and they go into his office...
10 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
SISKO
Ensign DeCurtis mentioned to me you
were a little upset...
O'BRIEN
Not upset, exactly...
SISKO
No, no, you had every right to be...
I'm sorry I assigned him without
advising you... I dropped the ball
on that one...
O'Brien relaxes a bit, Sisko seems reasonable enough...
O'BRIEN
(smiles)
I guess I just felt... a little out
of the loop, you know...
SISKO
Understood.
(sitting down)
I've looked through your report on
the Paradas... they seem unusually
preoccupied with security...
O'BRIEN
(acknowledges)
They may be a little paranoid. But
I suppose we would be too if we'd
been in a civil war for twelve
years...
SISKO
(nods)
Anything else I should know about
them... any unusual protocols they
might observe when they get here...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT ONE 9.
10 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
Nothing too out of the ordinary.
It's all pretty much in my report.
SISKO
(leans back)
Tell me something that isn't in the
report.
O'BRIEN
Sir?
SISKO
You know, the kind of things we don't
include in reports... but might help
me in these talks...
O'BRIEN
(thinks a beat)
I'll have to give it some thought.
There was one thing I noticed -- I
don't know if it means anything or
not -- but the Paradas have an odor,
from some kind of skin excretions,
I'd guess... and it changes with
their mood... when they're upset, it
can get pretty strong actually.
SISKO
I'll try not to get them upset.
O'BRIEN
Good idea.
SISKO
Their leaders have been in regular
contact with us. I've assured them
that we'll be following all of their
security recommendations to the
letter.
O'BRIEN
I'll see to that...
SISKO
Well, I certainly want you to check
everything before they get here...
but the upfront work can be done by
the Engineering crews... I have bigger
problems for you...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT ONE 10.
10 CONTINUED: (2)
And O'Brien wonders: bigger than preparing security for a
peace conference?
O'BRIEN
Bigger?
SISKO
All three upper pylons are down again.
O'BRIEN
That's impossible... I went over the
repair work yesterday... the pressure
locks seemed to be at maximum
efficiency...
SISKO
You'd better check again... we had
to tow a Bolian freighter to a lower
dock this morning...
O'BRIEN
It can't be anything that serious...
I rebuilt that entire subsystem
myself... I'll get on it right away...
He rises...
SISKO
(with a smile)
After your physical.
O'BRIEN
Yessir.
(beat, pauses by the
door)
By the way -- I noticed you and
Keiko... out in front of the school...
talking this morning. Anything wrong?
SISKO
Oh... Jake's having some problems
with his grades.
O'BRIEN
(nods)
Sorry to hear that. Keiko's very
fond of the boy. I'm sure she'll
work that much harder to help him,
sir.
SISKO
Yes, I'm sure she will.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT ONE 11.
10 CONTINUED: (3)
And O'Brien goes.
11 INT. INFIRMARY (VPB)
O'Brien lays on his back on a partially raised examining
table in a gown. Above him a bank of diagnostic monitors
blinks and displays graphics of tech medical data -- vital
signs, X rays, brainwaves: the whole gamut. Bashir
painstakingly examines him with med tools. All the dialogue
is done as the examination continues...
O'BRIEN
Are we nearly finished? I believe
you've poked into every orifice of
my body... and created a few new
ones.
BASHIR
Any dizziness... oversleeping...
lack of energy... euphoria?
O'BRIEN
Yes. All of them. Especially
euphoria. Lots of euphoria.
BASHIR
Seriously.
O'BRIEN
If you're determined to keep me here
until you find something wrong with
me, I'll see if I can't grow a
hangnail.
BASHIR
Eye problems? Hearing? Headaches?
O'BRIEN
Headache. There you go. As a matter
of fact, I'm getting one right now...
BASHIR
(making notes on a
PADD)
Short temper... flies off the handle
under slight provocation...
(smiles, an aid for
O'Brien's benefit)
Perfectly normal behavior.
O'BRIEN
I'm glad you're enjoying this.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT ONE 12.
11 CONTINUED:
BASHIR
Sorry. I know how you feel about
doctors.
O'BRIEN
It's not doctors I have problems
with...
O'BRIEN & BASHIR
(in unison)
... it's you, Julian.
BASHIR
Well, your sense of humor seems normal
enough...
O'BRIEN
I don't have a sense of humor.
BASHIR
Cough.
(O'Brien does)
And how's your sex life?
O'BRIEN
I don't have a sense of humor.
BASHIR
Cough.
(O'Brien does)
Everything okay in that department?
O'BRIEN
That department is none of Starfleet's
business. Or yours.
BASHIR
Mother and father in good health?
O'BRIEN
Come on, Julian, you knew my mother
died two years ago.
BASHIR
(checking a PADD)
Did I?
O'BRIEN
You don't remember me telling you
when my Dad remarried last spring...
me blathering on about this woman
I've never met... ?
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT ONE 13.
11 CONTINUED: (2)
Bashir studies him... of course he remembers, and what's
important to him is that O'Brien remembers... this was a
little test on his part. The audience can't and shouldn't
understand that at this moment. It throws more suspicion on
Bashir than anyone.
BASHIR
Of course. Now, I remember.
O'BRIEN
Are you finished?
BASHIR
Not quite, I do want to run a few
more tests on...
O'Brien is irate, gets off the table...
O'BRIEN
This is insane. I haven't had a
physical take this long since I was
born.
Pulling off a wire or something that Bashir's attached to
him...
O'BRIEN
Now unless I'm dying or something,
I think it's about time I --
A thought suddenly strikes him. It gives him pause.
O'BRIEN
That isn't it, is it? I mean --
is there something wrong with me?
Is that why everyone seems so...
It almost seems as if Bashir is surprised himself at the
diagnosis -- Bashir interrupts:
BASHIR
Relax, Chief. I'm giving you a clean
bill of health. You can get dressed
now.
O'Brien shakes his head at the waste of time of it all...
and moves into the other room to get dressed...
12 INT. PROMENADE
O'Brien, dressed, comes out of the Infirmary, walks with the
gait of a man who is trying to catch up on lost time...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/17/93 - ACT ONE 14.
12 CONTINUED:
JAKE
(O.S.)
Hey, Chief!
He pauses, turns to see JAKE arriving...
O'BRIEN
Hello, Jake...
JAKE
I need a favor...
O'BRIEN
Sure. What is it.
JAKE
I'm working on a subspace transceiver
for my science project but I can't
seem to figure out how to get the
emitter crystal to work.
O'BRIEN
(smiles)
A subspace transceiver model. I
used to build them when I was your
age... I'll be glad to help...
JAKE
You don't think it's a conflict of
interest or anything... you being
married to the teacher...
O'BRIEN
We'll clear it with Keiko... but I
don't think she'll mind. After all,
it's a chance to help you get those
grades back up, right... ?
Jake is already happy and is on his way, the grades line is
a throwaway --
JAKE
Oh, my grades are great. I just
want to keep them that way. Thanks,
Chief!
He's gone. And on O'Brien's curious reaction to Sisko's
lie...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/17/93 - ACT TWO 15.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
13 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
Sisko was telling the truth about
one thing... the upper pylons had
failed again. It didn't make any
sense...
14 INT. AIRLOCK - BY CIRCUIT PANELS
O'Brien has it opened, working through with tech hand
sensors...
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
(continuing)
... because the new pressure locks
I'd installed seemed to be working
just fine... so it had to be an
entirely new problem. I realized it
wasn't going to be a quick matter to
track it down after all. And I
couldn't help thinking how this was
going to keep me occupied while the
security arrangements for the Paradas
were underway.
His face shows the concern and curiosity...
15 INT. HABITAT CORRIDOR
DeCurtis is checking the insides of a manual control panel
beside a door to quarters as O'Brien arrives...
O'BRIEN
How's it coming, DeCurtis...
DECURTIS
Chief. I thought you had your hands
full with the upper pylons.
O'BRIEN
I do. Thought I'd take a break and
check in on your progress.
DECURTIS
Everything's on schedule here. We've
done a complete sweep of all the
quarters assigned to the Paradas.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT TWO 16.
15 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
(wanting to go inside)
Open it up. I'd like to look things
over...
DECURTIS
I can't, Chief...
O'BRIEN
(angry)
That's an order.
DECURTIS
Sir, the security seal was activated
the minute we left. Only Major Kira
knows the access codes.
O'Brien, frustrated, hits his combadge... and there should
not be intercuts, I think...
O'BRIEN
O'Brien to Kira.
KIRA'S COM VOICE
Go ahead, Chief.
O'BRIEN
I need the access codes for the Parada
quarters.
SISKO'S COM VOICE
Chief, what are you doing down
there...
O'BRIEN
Commander, I spent a week with the
Paradas going over these arrangements.
I really feel the need to be...
SISKO'S COM VOICE
I want those upper pylons operational,
Chief. That's your priority.
Understood?
O'Brien glances uncomfortably at DeCurtis...
O'BRIEN
Yessir.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/17/93 - ACT TWO 17.
15 CONTINUED: (2)
A bleep tell us the transmission is cut off. O'Brien is
really angry and he storms out of the corridor... DeCurtis
takes a long beat, waits to be sure O'Brien's gone, then
presses a combination in the manual panel and the door slides
open and he walks in...
16 ANGLE
at the end of the corridor to see that O'Brien never went
beyond the corner, and has seen DeCurtis enter the door that
"couldn't be opened"... now he's really suspicious that
something isn't normal.
17 INT. PROMENADE
O'Brien walks with his mind working, trying to figure out
what he's going to do, whom to trust, what it all means...
JAKE
Chief!
Jake moves to him, carrying an inverter component of a model
for his science project...
JAKE
Is this the right inverter for a
subspace transceiver?
O'Brien refocuses... takes the module, almost smiles...
O'BRIEN
Where'd you get this? I haven't
seen one of these since I was a kid.
JAKE
I replicated it... I found a design
in a really really old data file in
the library program...
O'BRIEN
Really, really old, huh...
JAKE
I didn't mean...
O'BRIEN
Don't worry about it. Why don't you
just come by my place after dinner
tonight and we'll see if we can add
the rest of the pieces...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT TWO 18.
17 CONTINUED:
JAKE
Great.
Jake starts to move... but O'Brien, senses with relief that
Jake, at least, is normal...
O'BRIEN
Hey, Jake... did anything unusual
happen here at the station while I
was in the Gamma Quadrant last...
KIRA (O.S.)
Jake.
18 UP ANGLE - FEATURING KIRA
She's standing above them on the next level, leaning over
the railing.
KIRA
Your Dad's been looking for you. I
think he's back in your quarters.
It may be important.
JAKE
(to O'Brien)
See you later.
He trots off. O'Brien looks up at Kira who smiles at him.
KIRA
Everything under control, Chief?
O'BRIEN
Under control, Major.
She nods and moves on...
19 INT. AIRLOCK - BY CIRCUIT PANELS
O'Brien has taken them apart...
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
I worked on the pylon controls the
better part of the day. "Needle in
a haystack" wouldn't do this job
justice.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT TWO 19.
19 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
When I finally found the crack in
the R-F power conduit, I couldn't
imagine how it could've occurred so
deep in the system... unless someone
had broken it deliberately.
20 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS
As he walks in, tired and worn out... Keiko is preparing
supper... she notices... making the smallest talk necessary...
KEIKO
Hard day?
O'BRIEN
You could say that.
KEIKO
You want to lie down before dinner?
O'BRIEN
No. Jake's coming over in a little
while. I'm helping him with his
science project...
KEIKO
Commander Sisko just called. Jake
can't make it tonight. He isn't
feeling well.
O'BRIEN
(reacts, suspicious)
Really? He seemed fine a few hours
ago.
KEIKO
Well, you know how it is with kids --
he probably ate too much junk on the
Promenade after school.
He notices there are only two places set at the table...
O'BRIEN
Where's Molly?
KEIKO
Oh, she's spending the night over at
the Fredricksons.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT TWO 20.
20 CONTINUED:
And this seems oddly timed to O'Brien too. After a
thoughtful beat, he moves to his wife in the dining area and
hugs her from behind, it is done half with hope that it will
be normal, half as a test...
O'BRIEN
(lightly seductive)
Just the two of us, eh?
There is a subtle tension evident from her... she smiles and
pulls away...
KEIKO
We should eat while the food is warm.
Pursuing her again with physical intimacy...
O'BRIEN
The replicator can keep it warm.
And I can keep you warm.
He moves in and kisses her... and as we see his face, it's
real and it feels good... but as his eyes open...
21 REVERSE
her eyes are open... not at ease... and she breaks the kiss
and pulls away...
O'BRIEN
What's the problem...
KEIKO
No problem. I'm just not in the
mood. I had a hard day too.
A beat as he studies her, disguising his confused
disappointment.
O'BRIEN
(measured)
Okay, we'll eat.
As she brings a casserole to the table...
O'BRIEN
What is it...
The camera moves with the stew, intercutting with O'Brien's
eyes, studying it...
KEIKO
Fricandeau stew.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT TWO 21.
21 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
You don't like Fricandeau stew.
KEIKO
But you do.
O'BRIEN
Yeah, but...
She takes it to the table... the camera continues to emphasize
the relationship between O'Brien and the stew. And there's
absolutely no reason to be suspicious about it. Except now,
he's suspicious about everything. The salad's already on
the table...
KEIKO
I just thought you'd appreciate one
of your favorite meals. I know how
you hate all the strange foods when
you're away... a little endive
salad... sweet flan for dessert...
O'BRIEN
How... thoughtful of you...
She serves the stew to O'Brien... takes none herself...
O'BRIEN
Aren't you having any?
KEIKO
I just feel like having a little
salad...
O'BRIEN
Not very hungry...
KEIKO
(acknowledges)
I had a late lunch.
O'Brien nods... fork is in his hand... he looks at --
22 THE STEW
his fork plays in the gravy...
23 O'BRIEN
looks at...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT TWO 22.
24 KEIKO
who's decidedly not paying any attention to anything but her
salad... she takes a bite... looks up...
KEIKO
How is it?
25 O'BRIEN
looks at his...
26 STEW
the fork picking up a chunk, coming up toward his mouth...
27 NEW ANGLE - CLOSE UP
on the fork with the stew with O'Brien's mouth out of focus
in the background...
28 NEW ANGLE - CLOSE UP
on the fork with the stew with Keiko out of focus in the
background, looking up...
29 ANGLE - O'BRIEN
finally decides... puts the fork down...
O'BRIEN
You know, maybe I will lie down.
KEIKO
But you haven't eaten a bite...
O'BRIEN
I just don't seem to have an appetite
right now.
There's a beat as they study each other...
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
I don't know if there was anything
wrong with the stew or not. When I
went back later to check, she'd
already put it into the disposal.
But all I could think of, as I looked
at her... was that this was not my
Keiko.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT TWO 23.
And as he rises and EXITS into the other room...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 24.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
30 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL)
At warp.
31 INT. RUNABOUT
O'Brien, exhausted, his eyes closed... takes a deep breath...
the computer bleeps...
O'BRIEN
What's that, computer...
COMPUTER VOICE
Incoming hail from Starfleet Runabout
Rio Grande.
O'BRIEN
Tell them no one's home.
COMPUTER VOICE
Please repeat request.
O'BRIEN
Refuse their hail.
COMPUTER
Confirmed.
O'BRIEN
How much longer to the Parada System
now?
COMPUTER VOICE
At current speed, twenty-three
minutes, forty seconds.
O'BRIEN
Can't sleep now. Gotta stay on top
of things.
He stands up, shakes his head... starts humming the tune
from "The Wounded"... then breaks into song...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 24A.
30A CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
"The minstrel boy to the war is gone...
In the ranks of death you'll find him...
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And... "
He stops in mid-line, thinks. Energized by the song, O'Brien
smiles and barks at the computer --
O'BRIEN
Computer, open a channel to the Rio
Grande... audio only...
COMPUTER VOICE
Channel open.
O'BRIEN
(heartily)
"The minstrel boy to the war is gone...
In the ranks of death you'll find him...
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him...
Land of song, said the warrior bard,
Tho all the world betrays thee,
One sword at least thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee."
(as he hits a panel)
End of transmission.
He laughs a little too hard. Sits back down. Calms down.
A long beat.
O'BRIEN
Computer, open O'Brien personal log,
play back last sentence.
O'BRIEN VOICE
... But all I could think of as I
looked at her... was that this was
not my Keiko.
O'BRIEN
(slightly punchdrunk from
fatigue)
You're right. She wasn't.
(sighs, depressed
anew)
Continue log.
(beat)
I didn't get much sleep that
night...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/23/93 - ACT THREE 24B.
31 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS
Night lighting. O'Brien intently working on his computer...
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
I waited for Keiko or whoever she
was... to go to bed... and I started
my search... I had no idea what I
was looking for. Something odd,
something not quite normal -- anything
to explain what might be going on.
COMPUTER VOICE
Scan complete. No unknown
microorganisms detected.
O'BRIEN
Check for traces of any chemical
agents with bioactive properties.
COMPUTER VOICE
No chemical agents with bioactive
properties detected.
O'BRIEN
Any unknown chemical agents?
COMPUTER VOICE
Negative.
O'Brien sighs...
O'BRIEN
Access internal E-M sensor grid.
COMPUTER VOICE
Ready.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT THREE 25.
31 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
Scan for any evidence of sub-harmonic
transmissions...
COMPUTER VOICE
Scan complete. No sub-harmonic
transmissions detected.
O'BRIEN
Any unusual neural wave patterns...
COMPUTER VOICE
Negative.
Frustrated, last resort...
O'BRIEN
Any telepathic activity on
board...
COMPUTER VOICE
Negative.
O'Brien sighs... taps his fingers in thought...
O'BRIEN
Computer, display all arriving vessels
from Stardate 47550 to 47571.
The computer lists about ten ships with various registries.
We don't need to see them. O'Brien studies them...
O'BRIEN
None from the Gamma Quadrant?
COMPUTER VOICE
No ships arrived from the Gamma
Quadrant within time parameters
requested.
He shakes his head, rises... goes to the replicator...
O'BRIEN
Coffee. Jamaican blend. Double
strong. Double sweet.
We hear the replicator making it... he pulls it out...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT THREE 26.
31 CONTINUED: (2)
O'BRIEN
(to himself)
You're drinking too much of this
stuff, O'Brien.
(an arguing opinion)
Anything to stay alert, O'Brien.
He drinks... stretches his back... stands over the computer,
wondering what to do next... finally sighs...
O'BRIEN
Okay, Computer... play back station
logs chronologically, starting with
Stardate 47550.
COMPUTER VOICE
Identify which officer's logs are to
be included.
O'BRIEN
(shaking his head,
wishing it weren't
so)
All officers.
COMPUTER VOICE
Vocal or transcribed?
O'BRIEN
Vocal.
On speaker --
SISKO (V.O.)
Station log, Stardate 47552.9.
Admiral Gupta has arrived to
personally assess the Cardassian
movements along the border. Several
Federation colonies in the
demilitarized zone have complained
of...
And we begin a series of highly stylized DISSOLVES... with
overlapping audio sources blending together, O'Brien in a
variety of positions... growing more weary as the long night
continues...
32
thru OMITTED
33
34 ANGLE
DAX (V.O.)
... discovered a new lifeform
previously unreported...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 27.
35 ANGLE
SISKO (V.O.)
... lost in a shuttlepod somewhere in
the vicinity of...
36 ANGLE
KIRA (V.O.)
... a request by the Chamber of
Ministers that I find absolutely
ridiculous...
37 ANGLE
DECURTIS (V.O.)
... were completed at seventeen-hundred
hours and seem to be functioning
with no further...
38 ANGLE
SISKO (V.O.)
... and the Admiral seemed satisfied
that the Cardassians would not violate
the treaty.
A bleep.
COMPUTER VOICE
Access denied.
And that wakes up O'Brien in a hurry...
O'BRIEN
Denied? Access denied to what?
COMPUTER VOICE
Station logs after Stardate 47569.4
are restricted.
O'BRIEN
(to himself)
The day I got back...
(beat)
Describe the restrictions.
COMPUTER VOICE
Access restricted to level one
security clearance.
O'BRIEN
I am level one.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 28.
38 CONTINUED:
COMPUTER VOICE
Please enter security verification.
O'Brien frowns and types in some information.
COMPUTER VOICE
Access denied.
Off O'Brien's reaction.
39 INT. OPS
O'Brien comes off the Turbolift and slowly approaches his
workstation... a few Supernumeraries are working on night
shift... they look up and casually acknowledge him... O'Brien
moves into the pit... pulls out a console, begins to run a
bypass... suddenly DeCurtis appears above him...
DECURTIS
Anything I can help you with, Chief?
O'BRIEN
Naw... just making sure those upper
pylons are in working condition by
morning...
DECURTIS
(smiles, with humor)
You're an inspiration to us all.
O'Brien grins without conviction and DeCurtis moves away...
O'Brien goes back to work.
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
There were several traps laid into
the computer subroutine, no doubt to
let someone know if I'd penetrated
their security lockout. I wasn't
fooled for a minute and released the
protected files without any problem.
40 INT. HABITAT CORRIDOR
O'Brien returning from Ops... passes a Supernumerary, nods
an acknowledgement... looks over his shoulder to see if the
crewman is looking at him. He's not.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 29.
41 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS
He moves quickly back to the computer... presses several
buttons... and information we don't have to see begins
scrolling on the screen... O'Brien looks it over intently...
slow push in to his face...
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
What I found in those hidden logs
didn't answer all my questions...
but it sure as hell confirmed what
I'd been afraid of. They were
analyzing and reanalyzing everything
I had put in my report about Paradan
security. They'd even broken into
my personal logs to see what they
could find in there. I hope they
enjoyed reading the sexy letters to
my wife. There were several entries
by Sisko about secured messages from
the Parada system but no indication
what those messages were about.
Maybe they were afraid I'd get into
their files even with the security
lockout. Smart people.
42 INT. AIRLOCK
Where a Bajoran transport has just docked. The doors roll
open and a couple of passengers, including ODO, disembark...
43 ANGLE - O'BRIEN
is waiting for him... moves to him...
ODO
(a greeting)
Chief.
O'BRIEN
(urgent)
Odo, we've got a problem. I've got
to talk to you.
ODO
(dry, curious)
It's good to see you too...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT THREE 30.
43 CONTINUED:
O'Brien takes him by the arm and pulls him away from the
others, down a corridor and out of view...
TIME CUT TO:
44 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR
O'Brien has already told his story and has calmed down since
bursting out the tale. (This is truly the first time Odo
has heard any of this.)
O'BRIEN
Aside from Jake, not one of them
was... I don't know... real. I'm
not sure who we can trust on the
station at this point...
ODO
(concerned)
Do any of them know you're
suspicious...
O'BRIEN
Probably. I've asked a few questions,
been a few places that might tip
them off. They'll be keeping close
tabs on me...
(beat)
I'd call Starfleet but what would I
tell them... my wife doesn't seem
like my wife... Sisko's making
security arrangements without
consulting me...
ODO
They might even call Commander Sisko
and start asking questions about
you...
O'BRIEN
That's what I was afraid of...
ODO
When are the Paradas due?
O'BRIEN
Thirty-eight hours.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 31.
44 CONTINUED:
ODO
I don't want them coming anywhere
near this place until we've got this
cleared up...
O'BRIEN
Agreed.
ODO
Go on about your business. Don't do
anything that might get their
attention. In the meantime, I'll do
some investigating. If I can confirm
your suspicions, we can go to
Starfleet and the Bajoran authorities
at the same time.
A beat. O'Brien's feeling some relief for the first time in
days.
O'BRIEN
I'm glad you're back, Odo.
ODO
(assuring)
We'll get to the bottom of this.
They EXIT.
45 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS
As he ENTERS, checks to make sure no one is home... paces,
tries to relax, can't...
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
I felt better than I had for a long
time. I finally had an ally. Now,
all I had to do was wait.
(beat)
I like to think I'm a man with many
talents. But waiting isn't one of
them.
He goes to a tool kit... opens it and takes out several tiny
components and starts to assemble them with a mini-tool...
46 INT. PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL
O'Brien sits at a table, impatiently waiting and watching
the pedestrians below... as though an answer to this mystery
might walk by...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 32.
46 CONTINUED:
QUARK (O.S.)
The odds are against you, O'Brien.
Moving to include QUARK... O'Brien reacts...
O'BRIEN
Against me, what are you talking
about...
Quark sits down...
QUARK
You know what I'm talking about...
you look tired... have you been
getting enough sleep...
A beat. O'Brien grabs him with a fist to the shirt and pulls
him over the table, Quark reacts...
O'BRIEN
What are you talking about, Quark...
QUARK
(diminutive)
Racquetball? The rematch with Bashir
next week? We never finished the
first one, remember?
O'Brien studies him a beat, then pushes him away...
QUARK
My, we are jumpy, aren't we.
O'BRIEN
Change the subject.
QUARK
Fine, we'll change the subject.
(beat)
So. Tell me about the Paradas.
And now, O'Brien turns and stares at him... suspicious anew...
QUARK
(continuing)
They're going to be here, when,
tomorrow?
O'BRIEN
Why would you want to know about the
Paradas...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 33.
46 CONTINUED: (2)
QUARK
It's always good business to know
about new customers before they walk
in your door.
O'BRIEN
Yeah... ? Which Rule of Acquisition
is that?
QUARK
Oh, one of the high numbers... one
ninety-four, I think...
O'Brien stands...
O'BRIEN
You're gonna have to find out about
the Paradas from someone else.
ODO'S COM VOICE
Odo to O'Brien.
O'BRIEN
(still staring at
Quark)
Go ahead.
ODO'S COM VOICE
Can I see you in my office...
O'BRIEN
I'm on my way.
He moves away, glancing once more suspiciously back at
Quark...
47 INT. SECURITY OFFICE
ON O'Brien ENTERING... joining Odo who sits behind his desk.
ODO
(knowingly)
I see what you mean.
O'BRIEN
(reacts)
What did you find out?
ODO
Sit down.
(O'Brien does)
How much do you know about the Paradan
rebels...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 34.
47 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
Don't ask me to explain the politics
of the situation there... but I know
they've been fighting the government
forces for twelve years... why?
ODO
I'm just trying to understand the
players involved here...
O'BRIEN
(mind working)
Odo, Sisko's logs indicated that
secret messages have been coming
from the Parada System... could those
messages have been from the
rebels?
ODO
(measured)
As a matter of fact, they were.
O'Brien stands...
O'BRIEN
That's already a breach of the
security agreement we made with the
Paradan Government... and it's a
good enough reason for us to cancel
these peace talks...
ODO
That... still might be premature...
O'BRIEN
What are you talking about... we've
got more than enough to...
He stops himself... stares at Odo who stares at him... and
O'Brien realizes that Odo's no longer an ally...
O'BRIEN
They got to you.
ODO
Don't be ridiculous. I'm just trying
to...
O'BRIEN
No, they did. They got to you.
He starts to back up... turns to see --
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT THREE 35.
48 ANGLE - SISKO, BASHIR AND KIRA
ENTER, cutting O'Brien off from leaving. Sisko and Kira
hold phasers. Bashir holds a hypospray.
SISKO
Why don't we all calm down and have
a talk...
O'BRIEN
Who the hell are you...
KIRA
We're not going to hurt you.
BASHIR
This will help you relax...
O'BRIEN
Thanks just the same.
On that, O'Brien reaches under his cuff and pulls out
49 INSERT - THE SMALL GADGET
he was assembling...
50 RESUME (OPTICAL)
He smashes it to the floor. A BLINDING FLASH occurs.
Inasmuch as O'Brien was prepared and shields his eyes, he is
unaffected. It temporarily disables everyone else. O'Brien
shoves Bashir hard into Sisko, grabs Kira's phaser and pushes
her out of the way as runs out the door.
51 INT. PROMENADE (OPTICAL)
O'Brien comes tearing out of Odo's office with Kira's phaser
in his hand -- and runs smack into two N.D. Security Officers
waiting outside just in case they were needed. (The rest of
the Promenade in this area had been cleared in advance.)
O'Brien fires at one officer, knocking him down... the other
fires at him just as O'Brien ducks to the floor, the shot
missing him, and comes up firing and nails the other and
scrambles into the airlock entrance and is gone...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT FOUR 36.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
52 INT. CORRIDOR
Nearly continuous action from when O'Brien fled the Promenade.
This is a frantic, sweating, hunted Miles O'Brien, finger
tight on the trigger of the phaser in his hand -- his mind
racing on overtime. Pausing at a corner, he hits his
combadge...
O'BRIEN
Computer, lock on to my combadge,
initiate emergency transport to
runabout Rio Grande...
COMPUTER VOICE
Unable to complete request. Please
contact station commander for
assistance.
He curses to himself, rips off his combadge, pitches it one
way... then runs in the other direction...
53 NEW CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
as O'Brien comes around the bend he sees a forcefield activate
in front of him... he reacts, retreats to --
54 AN ENGINEERING WALL PANEL
featuring a monitor. His fingers work speedily, jabbing
panels...
55 ANGLE - INCLUDE MONITOR (VPB)
We see a graphic display of DS9 emphasizing the route to the
runabout docks... forcefields blink in several locations...
O'BRIEN
Making it tough for me, huh... fine...
you want forcefields, I'll give you
forcefields...
He presses panels feverishly... and...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/17/93 - ACT FOUR 37.
56 ANGLE - O'BRIEN (OPTICAL)
A cascade of forcefields activates down the corridor behind
him...
57 THE MONITOR (VPB)
shows hundreds of blinking forcefields all over the graphic...
O'BRIEN
There. You want to get to me now...
you'll have to release them all.
A beat later... all the blinks disappear... we hear the sounds
of forcefields zapping off...
O'BRIEN
Thank you very much.
He takes off... pausing to be sure the field is off and once
he's determined that it is... moves quickly ahead...
58 INT. HABITAT CORRIDOR
As he moves down... at the end of the corridor, a door opens,
O'Brien pauses, prepared to retreat until he sees Jake comes
out... Jake sees him, reacts, surprised, tentative...
O'BRIEN
Jake! Are you okay, lad?
JAKE
(casual)
Yeah...
O'BRIEN
Good. Listen to me. Something isn't
normal here. Your dad, the others --
something's happened to them... you
and I are the only ones who can
help...
But Jake has moved casually to a companel on the wall... and
now he hits it...
JAKE
(into companel)
Jake Sisko to Security. He's here!
Level H-two, section five!
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FOUR 38.
58 CONTINUED:
O'Brien reacts... Jake immediately retreats away from
O'Brien...
JAKE
(to O'Brien)
It's gonna be okay... just surrender
to them and you'll be fine...
And takes off... O'Brien looks behind him... realizes he
can't go back and can't go forward now that they know exactly
where he is... so he opens a conduit panel and crawls
inside...
59 INT. CONDUIT
As he closes it behind him, covering him in darkness...
he tries to catch his breath for a second... outside we
can hear the sounds of arriving personnel... O'Brien
holds his breath now...
ODO'S VOICE (O.S.)
Spread out... check all quarters...
advise people to stay where they
are... and not to let anyone in...
The sounds of people move past... O'Brien tries to breathe
silently... looks up... begins to climb in the gloomy crawl
spaces above... and this begins a climbing sequence... unlike
most of our crawlspace sequences, which are horizontal...
this one is mostly vertical...
60 DARK VERTICAL CRAWLSPACE
as he climbs higher and higher...
61 ANOTHER LEG OF THE VERTICAL CLIMB
He's sweating heavily now... using every bit of strength to
stay where he is... as his grip slips and he bangs against
the side of the wall, almost falling, his phaser drops from
his belt and we hear it clanging far below... he continues
up...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FOUR 39.
62 DARK HORIZONTAL CONDUIT
as he climbs into it... exhausted... moves several feet...
comes to a grill...
63
thru OMITTED
64
64A INT. CARGO BAY
O'Brien kicks out the grill... climbs down on top of cargo...
moves across the room to a transporter pad... he presses
several buttons and gets on the platform and a beat later,
the transport light begins to come on...
65 INT. RUNABOUT (OPTICAL)
O'Brien MATERIALIZES on the transporter pad... he moves
quickly to a control panel by the closed door and presses
several panels... we can HEAR servolock docking mechanisms
release... he presses several other panels and then moves to
the pilot seat, presses even more panels... we hear the
engines and power initialize... after a beat Sisko's face
appears on the monitors...
SISKO
Shut down your engines.
O'BRIEN
Sorry, Commander... I have no
intention of doing that...
SISKO
You will not be allowed to leave. I
repeat, shut down your engines.
O'BRIEN
(intense)
If you check your systems, you'll
find the mooring clamps are already
unlocked and your tractor beams are
off-line. O'Brien out.
He cuts transmission... the monitors go to whatever they go
to... as he powers up engines...
O'BRIEN
Shields up!
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FOUR 40.
66 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL)
As the runabout takes off, the station fires several phaser
blasts at it.
67 INT. RUNABOUT (OPTICAL)
As one connects... and shakes him up... he's constantly
pressing panels...
O'BRIEN
Are the shields holding, Computer...
COMPUTER VOICE
Shields at seventy-one percent...
Another blast rocks him...
COMPUTER VOICE
Warning. Shields at forty-nine
percent...
O'BRIEN
Transfer emergency life support power
to shield generators...
COMPUTER VOICE
Transfer complete...
O'BRIEN
Shield status...
COMPUTER VOICE
Shields at ninety-three percent...
Another phaser hit... lighter than the rest...
O'BRIEN
Full impulse... heading four-one
mark three-three-zero...
COMPUTER VOICE
Confirmed.
O'BRIEN
Open a subspace channel to Starbase
four zero one. Priority one. Admiral
Rollman.
COMPUTER VOICE
Stand by.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/17/93 - ACT FOUR 41.
67 CONTINUED:
After a beat, the ADMIRAL'S picture comes up on the
monitors...
O'BRIEN
Admiral -- Miles O'Brien, Chief of
Operations, Deep Space Nine...
ADMIRAL
I know who you are...
O'BRIEN
I have to apprise you of an emergency
situation on the station... there
has been some sort of... takeover...
a conspiracy... I believe it has
something to do with the Paradan
peace talks...
ADMIRAL
Listen to me very carefully. Return
to D.S. Nine immediately.
O'BRIEN
Admiral, you don't understand... I
believe Commander Sisko and all the
senior officers have fallen under
the influence of something that...
ADMIRAL
Turn the ship around and go back.
You will not be harmed.
O'Brien stares at the monitor, can't believe they've gotten
to her as well... what kind of nightmare is this? He slaps
the console, cutting off transmission... shakes his head...
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
It seemed almost unbelievable to me.
Had someone or something started to
infiltrate all of Starfleet?
O'BRIEN
Computer, new heading. One-eight-
zero mark three-one. To the wormhole.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT FOUR 42.
68 EXT. SPACE - THE RUNABOUT (OPTICAL)
goes into the wormhole.
69 EXT. WORMHOLE - THE RUNABOUT GOING THROUGH (OPTICAL)
O'BRIEN (V.O.)
I decided the only alternative left
was to go back to the Parada system...
to warn them... and maybe... to find
some answers.
70 EXT. SPACE - GAMMA QUADRANT (OPTICAL)
The shot we started with as the Runabout comes out of the
wormhole...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FIVE 43.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
71 EXT. SPACE - THE RUNABOUT (OPTICAL)
at warp.
72 INT. RUNABOUT - CLOSE ON O'BRIEN (VPB)
showing the wear from this ordeal... standing by the
replicator...
O'BRIEN
Coffee. Jamaican blend. Double
strong. Double sweet.
The replicator makes the coffee... he reaches down and takes
it out... takes a drink...
O'BRIEN
Time to Parada system, Computer...
COMPUTER VOICE
One minute, twenty seconds.
He moves to a monitor displaying a space grid with the blip
of other ship...
O'BRIEN
How much lead time do we have on the
Mekong...
COMPUTER VOICE
At current speeds, seven minutes,
four seconds...
O'BRIEN
That's gonna disappear in a hurry
once we drop out of warp...
(beat, an idea)
At least I get to choose where they
catch up...
He sits down...
O'BRIEN
Computer, identify the largest planet
in the Parada system...
COMPUTER VOICE
Parada Four...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT FIVE 44.
72 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
Adjust course to approach Parada
Four...
COMPUTER VOICE
Confirmed...
O'BRIEN
How many moons around Parada Four,
Computer...
COMPUTER VOICE
Seven...
O'BRIEN
(smiles)
Lucky seven. Display their
coordinates...
They're listed... he studies them... we don't need to see...
COMPUTER VOICE
Approaching the Parada system.
O'BRIEN
Drop to impulse...
He hits some panels...
73 EXT. SPACE - THE RUNABOUT (OPTICAL)
At impulse approaching a mammoth planet toward the polar
region...
74 INT. RUNABOUT (VPB)
Keeping the "radar" graphic alive...
O'BRIEN
Status of Mekong...
COMPUTER VOICE
Mekong has dropped out of warp and
has adjusted course to identical
heading...
O'BRIEN
Perfect. How much time have they
made up on us...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FIVE 45.
74 CONTINUED:
COMPUTER VOICE
At current speeds, the Mekong is two
minutes, one second behind this
vessel.
O'BRIEN
Adjust our speed to let them catch
up to us in...
(figuring, checking
sensors)
... thirty seconds.
On that cue, he hits a panel and one monitor or console
display begins a digital countdown from :30...
COMPUTER VOICE
Dropping to point-four-impulse.
75 ANGLE - EMPHASIZING THE MEKONG ON THE MONITOR'S
GRAPHIC (VPB)
O'BRIEN
(to the ship)
Come on... come on... I'm waiting
for ya...
Elements within the graphic begin to fritz and break up...
the timer (which is internal to the runabout and doesn't
fritz) is down to :15...
COMPUTER VOICE
Warning. Entering polar magnetic
field. Sensors will be nonfunctional
for twenty-seven seconds... switch
to manual navigation...
O'BRIEN
Switching.
The graphic completely fritzes out... move to see the timer
hit :05 - :04 - :03 - :02 - :01...
O'BRIEN
Computer, full impulse, engage!
As O'Brien hits panels, the ship veers hard to the right,
O'Brien reacts to the centrifugal force...
COMPUTER VOICE
Confirmed. Manual navigation in
effect.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FIVE 46.
75 CONTINUED:
And O'Brien is intently watching through the window as he
pilots...
76 EXT. SPACE - THE RUNABOUT (OPTICAL)
approaches a moon and goes out of view behind it...
77 INT. RUNABOUT
O'BRIEN
Shut down engines, all main power
systems. Maintain silent running
status.
COMPUTER VOICE
Confirmed.
He stands and moves to a monitor...
78 INSERT - THE GRAPHIC (OPTICAL)
shows the planet's polar region... the magnetic field... and
the blip of the ship coming out of the field... after a beat,
it stops...
O'BRIEN
(pleased with himself)
Yeah... where did I go? Now you see
me. Now you don't.
(beat, waiting for
them to commit)
What's it going to be, fellas? I
can play hide and seek with the best
of them.
The blip suddenly accelerates out of the display... O'Brien
reacts...
O'BRIEN
No time for games, huh... Computer,
identify Mekong's new heading.
COMPUTER VOICE
Four-one mark two-zero-one.
O'BRIEN
Probable destination?
COMPUTER VOICE
Parada Two.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FIVE 47.
78 CONTINUED:
He hits a few buttons to pick up a new graphic... to see
the blip of the ship go into orbit of another planet...
O'BRIEN
(to himself)
Parada Two. What's on Parada Two?
(beat)
Computer, monitor all transporter
activity to and from the Mekong...
An overlay onto the graphic... after a beat an indicator
flash from the Mekong blip...
COMPUTER VOICE
Mekong transporter has been energized.
O'BRIEN
They beamed to the surface?
COMPUTER VOICE
Confirmed.
O'BRIEN
How many people?
COMPUTER VOICE
Three people.
O'BRIEN
Anyone left on board?
COMPUTER VOICE
Negative.
O'Brien goes back to his chair...
O'BRIEN
Set a course for Parada Two... take
us into a synchronous orbit above
their location on the surface.
79 INT. ALIEN COMPOUND - A REMOTE CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
Deserted... below ground. After a moment, O'Brien
MATERIALIZES... ready for action, phaser in hand and another
one holstered... he untenses only slightly when he sees he's
alone.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - 11/16/93 - ACT FIVE 48.
80 CLOSER ON O'BRIEN
Withdrawing a tricorder, he scans for life signs... proceeds
cautiously with heightened senses...
81 AT THE END OF THE CORRIDOR
he reaches a door... the tricorder tells him there are humans
inside... he takes a breath, hits the door panel... it opens,
he rolls in, gun drawn...
82 INT. CHAMBER
A rough, rebel meeting room with a door to an adjoining room.
Sisko and Kira are meeting with a rebel Paradan leader,
COUTU... there is an armed Bodyguard who reacts too late to
stop O'Brien... they all turn at O'Brien's dramatic
entrance...
O'BRIEN
Having a little unscheduled
negotiation with the rebels, are we?
SISKO
You don't understand... put down
your weapons and we'll explain...
O'BRIEN
I've got a better idea... you put
down yours first. Do it.
Sisko nods to Kira and they drop their phasers... the armed
guard hesitates...
O'BRIEN
You too.
The guard drops his holstered weapon.
COUTU
Everything you need to understand is
behind this door.
O'BRIEN
Sure. Like a squadron of rebels,
maybe?
The rebel leader moves slowly toward the door...
COUTU
No. If you'd just permit me...
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FIVE 49.
82 CONTINUED:
O'BRIEN
Just stay where you are.
KIRA
Listen to him. He's not your enemy.
We're not your enemy...
O'BRIEN
No.
COUTU
Please. This will explain
everything...
O'BRIEN
I don't want to hurt you...
Coutu makes the decision, moves decisively for the door,
O'Brien frowns, swings his phaser at Coutu but as he does...
83 THE BODYGUARD (OPTICAL)
reaches behind his back, pulls out a hand weapon, fires it
at O'Brien, who takes it full in the chest... he drops the
phaser and goes down to his knees... mouth open like a fish
gasping for air... he looks up in shock... at the same time,
the rebel opens the door...
SISKO
(moving toward O'Brien)
Doctor, we need you!
84 OMITTED
85 ANGLE - OVER O'BRIEN'S SHOULDER
through the open door to see Bashir working over a cot and
an unseen patient... he looks up, reacts as he sees the
wounded O'Brien and rushes out to help... and a second later,
the patient in the bed lifts himself up to see and it's
another O'Brien... a bit battered and bruised... he
reacts as he sees --
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FIVE 50.
75 O'BRIEN
still on his knees, reacts as he sees his double in the other
room... then falls on his side... as the Doctor approaches,
kneels beside him... taking tricorder readings... Sisko and
Kira move closer...
76 O'BRIEN#2 FROM THE ROOM (OPTICAL)
limps into the room, and kneels next to his double.
O'BRIEN
... He's perfect. He looks just like
me.
KIRA
Apparently he thought he was you.
COUTU
No doubt they thought that would
make him more convincing.
88 RESUME
And as they talk over him, the dying "O'Brien" listens
incredulously...
COUTU
(continuing)
We believe there was a triggering
mechanism programmed into him that
would have taken over during the
peace talks. The government
scientists have learned to do
remarkable things with replicants.
Bashir tells them by shaking his head that there's nothing
he can do...
O'BRIEN
What was he programmed to do?
COUTU
We're not entirely sure. Assassinate
someone at the peace talks, we think.
Perhaps our entire delegation.
SISKO
(to O'Brien)
They were tipped off by one of their
informants in the government.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FIVE 51.
88 CONTINUED:
SISKO
There was a rumor you'd been abducted
and replaced by a replicant.
COUTO
We've had people looking for you
ever since.
BASHIR
We had no way to prove he wasn't
you. He passed a physical exam with
flying colors. He sure knew his way
around the station.
O'BRIEN
(nods)
They had more wires connected to my
head than you could count. Now, I
know why.
KIRA
We were trying to shut him out of
every sensitive security area while
they were searching for you. I'm
sure he wondered what the hell was
going on with all of us.
BASHIR
By the time we learned you'd been
rescued, he'd already gotten away
from us and was on his way here.
COUTU
I wonder why he was coming back...
O'BRIEN
If it was me, I'd be trying to warn
somebody that something was terribly
wrong at the station...
SISKO
(agrees)
Maybe, in a strange sort of way, he
was just trying to be a hero...
The fake O'Brien, near death, reaches up and grabs O'Brien's
arm... struggles to talk...
"O'BRIEN"
Keiko!
O'Brien glances at the others.
DEEP SPACE: "Whispers" - REV. 11/18/93 - ACT FIVE 51A.
88 CONTINUED: (2)
O'BRIEN
What about her... ?
"O'BRIEN"
Tell her... I love...
He never finishes... slumps. And as he dies, OFF
reactions...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END