STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Pale Moonlight"
(fka "Patriot")
#40510-543
Story by
Peter Allan Fields
Teleplay by
Michael Taylor
Directed by
Victor Lobl
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 1998 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
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Return to Script Department FINAL DRAFT
PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION
January 26, 1998
STAR TREK: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight" - 01/26/98 - CAST
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Pale Moonlight"
CAST
SISKO GARAK
KIRA DAMAR
ODO WEYOUN
BASHIR TOLAR
DAX VREENAK
WORF
QUARK
COMPUTER VOICE
Non-Speaking Non-Speaking
N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES
STAR TREK: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight" - 01/26/98 - SETS
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Pale Moonlight"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE
SISKO'S QUARTERS/
BEDROOM
WARDROOM
CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
OPS
GARAK'S SHOP
QUARK'S
PROMENADE
TURBOLIFT
HOLOSUITE/DOMINION MEETING ROOM
CORRIDOR
AIRLOCK CORRIDOR
LANDING BAY
DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight" - 01/26/98 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Pale Moonlight"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
BETAZED BAY-tuh-zehd
BIO-MEMETIC BIE-oe-muh-MEH-tik
BIOGENIC BIE-oe-GEE-nic
CALANDRA kuh-LON-druh
CENTAURI SIN-tar-ree
GLINTARA GLIN-tar-uh
GRATHON GRAY-thun
KALI-FAL KAL-eh-fall
M'PELLA meh-PEL-uh
OPTOLYTHIC op-TOE-li-thic
PROCONSOL NERAL PRO-con-sol neh-RALL
SOUKARA sue-KAR-uh
TAL SHIAR TAL she-ARE
TATALIA tah-TALL-ee-ah
TELLAR TELL-ar
TOLAR, TOE-lar
VREENAK VREE-neck
WHELAN WE-lan
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - TEASER 1.
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
"In the Pale Moonlight"
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
SISKO is sitting on his couch, his finger on a control
pad on a nearby table. The room is DARK and moody.
The captain has just gone through a long and trying
ordeal and now wants to unburden himself. He faces
camera and addresses us directly as he begins to
dictate his private log.
SISKO
Captain's Personal Log: Stardate
Five-one-seven...
(unsure)
Five-one-seven... four?
He trails off, suddenly aware of the fact that he
doesn't even know what day this is.
SISKO
(annoyed)
Computer -- what day is it?
COMPUTER VOICE
Thursday. Stardate 51721.3.
SISKO
(to himself)
It's only been two weeks...
He loses himself for a beat, then remembers that he's
recording a log. He looks up at us again.
SISKO
I need to talk about this. I have
to justify what's happened... what
I've done... at least to myself.
I can't talk to anyone else... not
even Dax. Maybe if I just lay it
all out in my log, it'll finally
make sense... and I'll see where
it all went wrong... where I went
wrong.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - TEASER 2.
1 CONTINUED:
SISKO (Cont'd)
(beat)
I suppose it all started two weeks
ago when I was posting the weekly
casualty list in the wardroom...
CUT TO:
2 INT. WARDROOM
Sisko is working the control pad next to the large wall
monitor.
SISKO (V.O.)
... every Friday morning, for the
past three months, I've posted the
official list of Starfleet
personnel killed, wounded or
missing in the war.
Sisko hits a final control and a large OKUDAGRAM
APPEARS on the monitor: a long list of NAMES. They're
grouped by ship or starbase and then alphabetized by
last name. Each name has a brightly colored tag next
to it: KIA, WIA, MIA. Sisko steps away from the
monitor and we REVEAL that the room is FILLED with
Starfleet Officers: BASHIR, WORF and DAX are among
the many N.D. Officers waiting to take a look at the
list. They all move slowly toward the list and begin
reading it over. The mood is grim -- everyone is here
hoping against hope that they won't find the name of
a loved one or friend on that list.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - TEASER 3.
2 CONTINUED:
FOLLOW Sisko as he moves across the room and watches
the reactions as the officers read the board. As the
scene continues, there should be MORE N.D. Officers
ENTERING the Wardroom, while others EXIT after checking
the board.
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing, over above
action)
It's become something of a grim
ritual around here. Not a week
goes by that someone doesn't find
the name of a loved one, a friend
or an acquaintance on that damned
list.
(beat)
I've grown to hate Fridays.
Dax is running her finger down the list looking for
anyone she knows. Worf and Bashir are relieved when
they don't see anyone they recognize, but then Dax
finds a name she knows and reacts. Worf puts an arm
around her as they move aside to let others check the
board. Sisko sees the look on her face and joins them
just as Dax takes a seat in one of the lounge chairs.
SISKO
Someone you knew?
DAX
Leslie Wong.
SISKO
The skipper of the Cairo?
DAX
(nods)
She was an instructor at the
Academy when I was a sophomore.
BASHIR
Do you know what happened to the
Cairo?
SISKO
Just that they disappeared on
patrol near the Romulan Neutral
Zone. But I'll look into it.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - TEASER 4.
2 CONTINUED: (2)
DAX
(bitter)
Don't bother. I'm sure it's the
same old story -- the Jem'Hadar
crossed over the Romulan border
and caught them off-guard. It's
only about the hundredth time it's
happened.
BASHIR
I can't believe the Romulans are
allowing them to violate their
territory so brazenly. How do
they get away with it?
SISKO
The Romulans have a treaty of non-
aggression and friendship with the
Dominion. In practical terms that
means they're willing to turn a
blind eye to almost anything in
the name of "friendship."
WORF
(bitter)
It's an intolerable situation.
We should cross the Neutral Zone
and destroy the Dominion bases.
DAX
And risk war with the Romulans?
No, thank you. We're losing
enough good people as it is. The
last thing we need is a war on two
fronts.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - TEASER 5.
2 CONTINUED: (3)
BASHIR
What we need is to bring the
Romulans into the war on our side.
With the combined forces of the
Federation, the Klingons and the
Romulans we could finally go on the
offensive.
We PUSH in on Sisko as he listens to this idea and to
Dax's response -- a thoughtful look comes over his face
and we can see that he's mulling over something.
DAX
That's the last thing the Romulans
want. Think about it -- they're
in the perfect position. They get
to sit back and watch as their
biggest rivals slug it out in a
long, bloody war. No one's
threatening their interests. Why
should they risk their necks?
There's simply no reason for them
to get involved in our war. No
reason at all...
HOLD on Sisko's thoughtful expression for a moment...
SISKO (V.O.)
That was the moment I made the
decision. It was like I had
stepped through a door and locked
it behind me. I was going to
bring the Romulans into the war.
CUT TO:
3 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
As before.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - TEASER 6.
3 CONTINUED:
SISKO
I was absolutely sure it was the
right decision -- that's the
frightening part -- how right it
seemed at the time. And now...
now all I can do is learn to live
with that decision.
(beat)
And I'll have to live with it for
the rest of my life...
Off the dark and brooding expression on Sisko's face...
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT ONE 7.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
4 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Sisko is pacing, thinking out loud and using Dax as a
sounding board.
SISKO
It's in their own best interest
to join the war -- that's the key,
that's the reason the Romulans
will finally take action. Not to
do us any favors, but to protect
themselves from the Dominion.
DAX
Okay. Let's say I'm the Romulan
Proconsol. From where I'm
sitting, the Dominion isn't a
threat to me. I have a
nonaggression pact with them.
They're my allies.
SISKO
You're not going to put your faith
in some piece of paper are you?
DAX
Not at all. I've been watching
the Dominion very closely since
the beginning of the war. And so
far, they've kept their part of
the bargain.
The tone here starts getting more heated -- they're
both pushing their roles and their arguments as hard
as they can.
SISKO
They're violating your territory
almost every day -- what kind of
an ally is that?
DAX
So they're crossing through my
backyard to give the Federation
a bloody nose. I can't say that
makes me very sad.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT ONE 8.
4 CONTINUED:
SISKO
You can't be naive enough to think
the Dominion will stop with the
Federation? When they're finished
with us, they'll be coming after
you.
DAX
(dismissive)
That's speculation.
SISKO
The Founders see it as their
sacred duty to bring order to the
galaxy. Their order. Do you
think they'll sit idly by and let
you keep your chaotic empire next
to their perfect order? No. If
you watch us go under, what you're
really doing is writing your own
death warrant.
DAX
You're asking me to start a war
based on wild theories.
SISKO
They're not theories, they're
facts!
DAX
Prove it!
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT ONE 9.
4 CONTINUED: (2)
SISKO
How?
DAX
That's your problem. But before
I plunge my people into a conflict
that'll kill millions of loyal
Romulan citizens, I'll need
something more concrete than the
self-serving arguments of a
Starfleet officer. I'll need
proof of Dominion duplicity. Not
more words, proof!
They glare at each other for a beat before Sisko breaks
the moment and lets go of the emotion of the moment.
SISKO
Not bad, old man. You'd have made
a decent Romulan.
DAX
(relaxing)
Thanks. But I prefer spots to
pointed ears.
SISKO
Okay you convinced me. They're
going to need evidence...
(beat)
But, if there is evidence of a
Dominion plan to attack Romulus,
it's probably buried deep in the
bowels of their headquarters on
Cardassia Prime.
DAX
Not exactly the most accessible
place in the galaxy.
Beat.
SISKO
Not for us, maybe. But there is
someone on this station who
specializes in gaining access to
places he's not welcome.
CUT TO:
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT ONE 9A.
5 INT. WARDROOM
GARAK is looking at Sisko with a surprised expression.
GARAK
I must say I'm flattered, Captain.
I had no idea you held such a
lofty opinion of me.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT ONE 10.
5 CONTINUED:
GARAK (Cont'd)
Your faith in my ability to
retrieve classified information
from my former homeland is most
gratifying.
SISKO
I'm happy that you're happy. Now,
can you do it?
Garak pauses for a moment, then shifts gears.
GARAK
You know, I had assumed this
meeting was about the
modifications I suggested for your
new dress uniform -- you have had
an opportunity to look over my
design, haven't you? The new
piping along the collar, the
exaggerated cut of the jacket
hemline emphasizing the--
SISKO
Mister Garak. Let's dispense with
the usual repartee and concentrate
on the issue at hand. Can you do
the job or not?
Garak sits back and considers Sisko with a cold eye as
something icy and unpleasant comes over his features.
GARAK
No one wants to see the Dominion
destroyed more than I do. But asking
me to go to Cardassia Prime,
penetrate one of the most heavily
guarded facilities in the quadrant,
steal top secret war plans and then
return them safely to you is not just
another "job." It's more like a
suicide mission and that is well
outside my field of expertise.
SISKO
I didn't say you had to go there
yourself. I have to believe that a
man like you still has a few contacts
back home. A colleague from the
Obsidian Order...
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT ONE 11-11A.
5 CONTINUED: (2)
SISKO (Cont'd)
... an old friend... a reliable
informant... someone who might owe
you a favor.
GARAK
Perhaps...
SISKO
Well, then. I'd say it's time to
call in a favor.
Garak considers this for a long beat.
GARAK
It would mean calling in all my
favors, captain. To do what
you're asking would use up every
resource I have left on Cardassia.
And it may be a very messy, very
bloody business. Are you prepared
for that?
SISKO
I posted my fourteenth casualty
list this morning. I'm already
involved in a very messy, very
bloody business. And the only way
I can see to end it is to bring
the Romulans into the war. I'm
prepared to do whatever it takes
to accomplish that goal, but I
can't do it alone. I need help.
Now, are you in or out?
Garak looks into his eyes for a long beat, takes the
measure of Sisko and his commitment, then stands and
puts out his hand.
GARAK
I'm in.
They shake hands.
SISKO (V.O.)
My father used to say that the
road to hell is paved with good
intentions.
CUT TO:
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT ONE 12-13.
6 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
Sisko is pacing around the room.
SISKO
(continuing)
I laid the first stone right
there. I'd committed myself. I'd
pay any price, go to any lengths,
because my cause was righteous.
(beat)
My... intentions were good. In
the beginning, that seemed like
enough.
On this disquieting note...
FADE OUT.
7 OMITTED
END OF ACT ONE
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 14.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
8 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS - BEDROOM
Sisko is sleeping.
SISKO (V.O.)
If there's one thing I've learned
over the years, it's that bad news
invariably comes in the middle of
the night.
KIRA'S COM VOICE
Kira to Captain Sisko.
Sisko hits a control near his bed.
SISKO
(to com)
Go ahead, major.
KIRA'S COM VOICE
We just received a priority-one
communication from Starfleet
Command.
(beat)
The Dominion has invaded Betazed.
As he flings off the covers...
CUT TO:
9 INT. OPS
Sisko, Kira, Worf and Dax are gathered around the Ops
table, which has a MAP of the Federation and the
Dominion. A large ARROW is thrusting into the heart
of the Federation.
SISKO
From the initial reports, it seems
that the invasion force must have
come from somewhere in the
Calandra Sector.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 15.
9 CONTINUED:
DAX
Did Starfleet Intelligence know
anything about a buildup in that
Sector?
WORF
No. They believed Calandra was
too far from Dominion supply lines
to be a threat.
SISKO
There's plenty of blame to go
around. The Tenth Fleet was
supposed to be protecting Betazed
and its outlying colonies, but
they were caught out of position
on a training exercise. What's
worse, Betazed's own defense
systems are obsolete and
undermanned.
(beat)
The planet was theirs in less than
ten hours.
A grim, quiet beat.
KIRA
With Betazed in the hands of the
Jem'Hadar, the Dominion's in a
position to threaten Vulcan...
Andor... Tellar... Alpha
Centauri...
DAX
(pointed, to Sisko)
If we ever needed a new ally...
it's right now.
Off the look of frustration on Sisko's face..
10 INT. GARAK'S SHOP
Sisko ENTERS to find Garak working on some clothes.
Garak seems unusually subdued.
SISKO
It's been three days, Garak. Have
you made any progress?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 16.
10 CONTINUED:
GARAK
Well... I suppose that depends on
how you look at it.
SISKO
(pushing)
How I look at it is that Betazed has
just fallen to the Dominion and we
need to get this operation underway.
GARAK
I share your desire for swift
action, captain. In fact, after
our last conversation, I made a
few discreet inquiries among my
former associates still living on
Cardassia. As I anticipated, they
shared my loathing for the current
government and were more than
willing to take on an assignment
aimed at its destruction.
SISKO
That sounds like progress to me.
GARAK
Doesn't it? Unfortunately...
they're all dead now.
SISKO
What?
GARAK
(distant)
Yes. All killed within one day
of speaking with me. I suppose
that's a testament to the
effectiveness of Dominion
security. One should admire
such... efficiency.
He goes back to working on the clothes.
SISKO
I'm sorry.
He turns to go, but Garak stops him.
GARAK
I hope you're not giving up that
easily.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 17.
10 CONTINUED: (2)
GARAK (Cont'd)
(beat)
After all, the stakes are much
higher than a few dead operatives.
The fate of the entire quadrant
hangs in the balance -- or at
least that's the case you made to
me.
SISKO
Do you have another plan?
GARAK
As a matter of fact, I do. But
I suspect that you won't like it.
SISKO
Try me.
GARAK
If you want to guarantee that we
obtain evidence of a Dominion plan
to attack the Romulans... I
suggest we manufacture that
evidence ourselves.
Sisko looks at him in surprise.
CUT TO:
11 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
Sisko is rubbing his temples.
SISKO
Maybe I should have put a stop to
it right there. Said, "Thank you,
very much for your input, Mister
Garak, I'll take your suggestion
under advisement," and then gone
back to my office and forgotten
about the whole thing.
(beat)
But I didn't. Because in my
heart, I knew what he was saying
made sense.
CUT TO:
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 18.
12 INT. GARAK'S SHOP
As before.
SISKO
I'm listening.
Garak holds his eyes for a beat, then picks up a PADD
and hands it to Sisko.
13 ON PADD - INSERT
The PADD has a PHOTO of a Romulan Senator -- VREENAK.
GARAK'S VOICE
His name is Vreenak. He's been
a key member of the Romulan Senate
for the past fourteen years.
14 RESUME
GARAK
(continuing)
He's Secretary of the War Plans
Council, Vice-Chairman of the Tal
Shiar, and one of the most trusted
advisors to Proconsul Neral.
SISKO
He's also the man who negotiated
the non-aggression pact with the
Dominion.
GARAK
Since you're familiar with him,
I'll skip the rest of his
biography. What's important is
that he continues to be one of the
most ardently pro-Dominion voices
in the Senate. If we can convince
him that the Dominion is a threat,
the rest of the Senate will follow.
SISKO
Okay. How?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 19.
14 CONTINUED:
GARAK
Ten days from now, Senator Vreenak
will be making a trip to Soukara
for a diplomatic meeting with
Weyoun. I'm certain he could be
persuaded to make a secret detour
to D.S. Nine if he were invited
by one Captain Benjamin Sisko.
SISKO
How do you know Vreenak's visiting
Soukara?
GARAK
There are some things I'd rather
not discuss. May I continue?
(off his nod)
When the Senator arrives, you will
show him a holographic recording
of a secret meeting held at the
highest levels of the Dominion in
which the planned invasion of
Romulus is being discussed. You
will tell the Senator that this
information was obtained through
various covert means at great cost
to the Federation -- "at least ten
good men lost their lives bringing
it across the lines" -- that sort
of thing. He will immediately
suspect that it's a forgery, but
you will assure him that such a
thing would be impossible.
(beat)
"You see Senator, this is an
official Cardassian transcript.
It was recorded on a one-time
optolythic data-rod used for
official record-keeping. These
rods are manufactured only as
needed on Cardassia Prime.
Information can only be
transcribed on them once, and then
cannot be altered."
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 20.
14 CONTINUED: (2)
SISKO
He'll want to examine it.
GARAK
Of course. And he'll discover to
his amazement, that it's
completely genuine. At least, so
it will appear.
SISKO
And in reality... ?
GARAK
You will have handed him a genuine
optolythic data-rod, but it will
contain one of the most perfect
forgeries ever fashioned. I'm
still working on obtaining the
data-rod, but I have located the
man who will create the holo-
recording.
Garak pauses and looks at Sisko expectantly. Sisko
takes a few steps around the room. It's a huge leap
he's about to take.
SISKO
You realize, I can't authorize
something like this on my own.
I'll have to clear it with
Starfleet Command.
GARAK
Of course. But I suspect that
with the fall of Betazed they'll
be ready to do whatever it takes
to bring the Romulans into the war.
SISKO
I'll let you know.
Sisko heads for the door, but Garak stops him.
GARAK
One last thing, captain. The man
we need to forge the holo-program
is currently sitting in a Klingon
prison awaiting execution.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 20A.
14 CONTINUED: (3)
GARAK (Cont'd)
To save time and incidentally his
life, I thought that perhaps you
could contact Chancellor Gowron
today and arrange a pardon.
SISKO
What's his name?
GARAK
Grathon Tolar.
CUT TO:
15 INT. WARDROOM
GRATHON TOLAR is sitting across from Sisko with a
relieved expression on his face. Tolar is a small,
weasel-faced ALIEN and does not look like someone who'd
last very long in a Klingon prison. His clothes are
clean and neatly worn, but there's a palpable oiliness
to him that makes you want to bath immediately after
any visit. He has a low, nervous laugh that only
serves to get under Sisko's skin.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 21.
15 CONTINUED:
TOLAR
I can't tell you how grateful I
am, captain. The Klingons were
going to execute me tomorrow. Of
course, they say that every
day -- one of the little games
they like to play.
There's that laugh.
SISKO
You do understand the terms of
your parole?
TOLAR
Oh, yes. I have to promise to
stay away from the Klingon Empire.
(laugh)
That'll be tough.
(laugh)
And I have to create some kind of
"special" holo-program for you.
(laugh)
I can't wait. I've never worked
for Starfleet before.
SISKO
Let's be very clear about this --
you're not working for Starfleet.
This entire matter is strictly off
the record. As far as you're
concerned, you're working for me.
TOLAR
Oh. Oh, I see. This is a
personal matter.
(laugh, then leering)
Something "special." For your
eyes only. Something with...
perhaps, five or six Orion slave
girls and--
SISKO
(stands)
I suggest you go wait in your
quarters. Mister Garak will
provide you with all the
information you need.
The fun all disappears from Tolar's demeanor and he
shrinks back in his chair.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 22.
15 CONTINUED: (2)
TOLAR
Garak's here?
SISKO
That's right.
TOLAR
Oh.
(half-laugh)
Well. That's different. I'll...
go wait in my quarters.
Tolar EXITS to the Corridor, with a somewhat subdued
and nervous attitude.
SISKO (V.O.)
Why I didn't listen to the voice
in the back of my mind telling me
not to believe a word he said,
I'll never know.
16 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Sisko is working at his desk.
SISKO (V.O.)
(continuing)
But it didn't take long for me to
come face to face with the fact
that I'd made a mistake.
ODO'S COM VOICE
Odo to Captain Sisko.
SISKO
(to com)
Go ahead, Constable.
ODO'S COM VOICE
(awkward)
I'm sorry to disturb you, but do
you know a man named Grathon Tolar?
Sisko is immediately concerned.
SISKO
Why do you ask?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT TWO 23.
16 CONTINUED:
ODO'S COM VOICE
Because he just tried to kill Quark.
Sisko reacts with disbelief -- this is the last thing
he needs.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 24.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
17 INT. QUARK'S
Sisko ENTERS to find Odo waiting for him by the door.
Tolar is sitting at a table, his hands in restraints
and a pair of Bajoran Deputies standing guard over him.
QUARK, whose chest is covered with BLOOD, is being
attended to by Bashir on the other side of the room.
A dabo girl with a torn dress sits near Quark, shooting
Tolar daggers with her eyes. The bar has been emptied
of all customers.
SISKO
What happened?
ODO
As I understand it, Mister Tolar
over there came in about two hours
ago and ordered a bottle of Whelan
Bitters. Fifteen minutes later,
he ordered a second bottle. Then
a third. He was halfway through
his fourth when he decided to
dance with...
(re: dabo girl)
...M'Pella. She was otherwise
engaged running the Dabo wheel at
the time and declined his
invitation. He decided to force
the issue and there was a brief
struggle before Quark, in an
uncharacteristic display of
chivalry, attempted to intervene.
So Tolar stabbed him.
Sisko glares at Tolar, who gives him a half-smile and
a shrug.
ODO
Normally, he'd be sitting in a
holding cell, but he claimed that
he was a friend of yours.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 25.
17 CONTINUED:
SISKO
He's no friend of mine.
(beat, then sotto)
But... he is working for me. It's
an extremely sensitive matter
involving Federation security.
I can't afford to have any record
of him being on the station.
ODO
I see.
(beat)
I'm certainly aware of the need
for special security measures
during wartime... but as a matter
of law, if Quark chooses to press
charges against Tolar, I have no
choice but to make an arrest.
SISKO
Let me speak to Quark.
Sisko moves over to where Bashir is scanning Quark with
a tricorder. A medkit is sitting on a nearby table.
SISKO
(to Bashir)
How is he?
QUARK
(re: blood)
How do I look? I'm a man who just
had a brush with death
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 26.
17 CONTINUED: (2)
BASHIR
He'll be fine. His ribs deflected
the knife from his vital organs.
The bleeding was superficial.
QUARK
Superficial? Do you know how much
this shirt cost?
SISKO
Doctor, will you excuse us for a
moment?
BASHIR
(to Quark)
I'll check on you again tomorrow.
Bashir EXITS and Sisko sits down next to Quark.
SISKO
Do you intend to press charges?
QUARK
You bet I do.
SISKO
(awkward)
What would it take... to...
convince you... otherwise?
Quark stares at him in disbelief for a moment, then
leans across the table.
QUARK
Are you offering me... a bribe?
Sisko looks away, extremely uncomfortable with the
position he's being forced into. Quark is positively
gleeful.
QUARK
(smiles)
I knew it. I've always liked you,
captain. I suspected that
somewhere deep down in your heart
of hearts there was a tiny bit of
Ferengi just waiting to get out.
SISKO
What's your price?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 27.
17 CONTINUED: (3)
QUARK
Well... let's start with replacing
my clothes... and M'Pella's
clothes.
SISKO
All right.
QUARK
I'm not finished. I think I
should also be compensated for the
loss of business I've suffered
today, which I would calculate as
no less than five bars of gold-
pressed latinum.
SISKO
(grudging)
Done.
QUARK
I'm also having a problem with
station security -- they're
holding some cargo containers I've
been waiting for because of some
kind of... missing import license
or something.
SISKO
I'll handle it. Anything else?
Quark looks at him with a satisfied grin.
QUARK
No. I think we can call it a
bribe. And thank you, captain.
Thank you for restoring my faith
in the ninety-eighth Rule of
Acquisition: "Every man has his
price."
Sisko gets up and heads for Odo just as Garak ENTERS
the bar from the Promenade.
SISKO
(to Odo)
He's dropped the charges.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 27A.
17 CONTINUED: (4)
ODO
Hmm.
(to Deputies)
Let him go.
(to Sisko)
If you'll excuse me...
Odo EXITS. The Deputies release Tolar from his
restraints and then EXIT also. While this is going on,
Sisko has a moment with Garak. Sisko keeps his voice
low, but there's barely restrained fury behind his eyes.
SISKO
(quietly boiling)
Tolar is your responsibility.
Keep him out of sight and under
control or the next man needing
medical attention will be you.
Do you understand?
GARAK
Completely.
Garak approaches Tolar, who visibly shrinks back from
Garak as the Cardassian leans over him at the table.
GARAK
Hello, Grathon.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 28.
17 CONTINUED: (5)
Sisko turns and EXITS.
18 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
CUT TO:
Sisko has discarded his jacket and has opened his vest
by now.
SISKO
Bribery and cover up -- those were
new for me. That was my first
moment of real doubt. I started
to wonder if the whole thing was
a mistake.
(beat)
Then I got back to my office and
there was a new casualty list
waiting for me.
(angry)
People are dying out there. Every
day. Entire worlds are struggling
for their freedom and here I am
still worrying about the finer
points of morality. I had to keep
my eye on the ball. Winning the
war, stopping the bloodshed --
those were the priorities.
CUT TO:
18A INT. PROMENADE
Sisko is walking toward a turbolift.
SISKO (V.O.)
So I pushed on. And every time
another doubt appeared before me,
I just found another way to shove
it aside.
Sisko presses the control outside the lift and waits.
Garak steps up next to him.
GARAK
Mind if I join you?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 28A.
18A CONTINUED:
SISKO
Be my guest.
The doors OPEN and they both EXIT to...
18B INT. TURBOLIFT - CONTINUOUS
As they ENTER.
SISKO
Ops.
The lift starts MOVING.
GARAK
Hold.
The lift STOPS.
GARAK
The less I'm seen parading through
Ops the better.
SISKO
I couldn't agree more.
GARAK
You seem angry.
SISKO
Who's watching Tolar?
GARAK
I've locked him in his quarters.
I've also left him with the
distinct impression that if he
attempts to force open the door,
it may... explode.
SISKO
I hope that's just an impression.
GARAK
It's best not to dwell on such
minutiae. In any case, we have
far more important matters to
discuss. I've located a gentleman
willing to sell us a genuine
optolythic data-rod.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 28B.
18B CONTINUED:
SISKO
How do you know it's genuine?
GARAK
I trust the source, but rest
assured I will confirm the rod's
authenticity before I make
payment -- which brings me to you.
SISKO
How much does he want?
GARAK
I'm afraid he's not interested in
latinum. The gentleman in
question has requested to be
compensated with two hundred
liters of bio-memetic gel.
SISKO
(surprised)
What?
GARAK
I don't know why, exactly. One
would assume that it has something
to do with genetic experimentation.
SISKO
Offer him something else.
GARAK
Believe me, I wouldn't be relaying
this request if I thought he'd
accept anything else.
SISKO
Bio-memetic gel is strictly
controlled by the Federation and
not for sale at any price. Find
someone else willing to sell us
a rod.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 28C.
18B CONTINUED: (2)
GARAK
I was not exaggerating when I told
you about the near-impossibility
of obtaining a genuine Cardassian
data-rod. It's something of a
minor miracle that I've found one
source, I'm virtually certain that
I'll never find another. I'm
afraid we either have to give him
what he wants or forget the whole
enterprise.
SISKO
Then let's forget it.
(to com)
Ops.
The Turbolift starts MOVING again. There's a quiet
beat as Garak decides not to push the matter. But
Sisko hasn't really let it go. He struggles for a
moment...
SISKO
(to com)
Hold.
The lift STOPS.
SISKO
Two hundred liters is out of the
question. There isn't that much
gel in this entire sector.
GARAK
I believe... the quantity is open
to negotiation.
Sisko thinks about that for another beat.
SISKO
(to com)
Ops.
The lift starts MOVING once more.
19 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Bashir is looking at Sisko with an incredulous
expression.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 29.
19 CONTINUED:
BASHIR
Captain... bio-memetic gel is an
extremely dangerous compound. I
can't release it without some idea
of where it's going. In the wrong
hands, it could be used to develop
biogenic weapons, or for illegal
replication experiments or organo-
explosives or--
SISKO
Perhaps I didn't make myself
clear, Doctor. This isn't a
request, it's an order. You will
package eighty-five liters of bio-
memetic gel for interstellar
transport and then deliver it to
Cargo Bay Three, is that
understood?
BASHIR
(stiffly)
Yes, sir. But I'd like that order
in writing. Sir.
SISKO
(hands him a PADD)
I thought you might.
Bashir glances at the PADD.
BASHIR
You should know that I'll note
this in my log and file a protest
with Starfleet Medical.
SISKO
That's your right. But I want the
gel by the end of the day. Dismissed.
Bashir is furious, but there's little he can do about
it. He EXITS.
CUT TO:
20 INT. HOLOSUITE/DOMINION MEETING ROOM
WEYOUN, DAMAR, and two N.D. Cardassian Legates are
sitting around a table in a conference room somewhere
on Cardassia Prime.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 30.
20 CONTINUED:
The room should have Dominion and Cardassian symbols
prominently displayed.
WEYOUN
The Founders have decided to
implement Stage Two ahead of
schedule.
DAMAR
The invasion of Romulus? It's too
soon. We're engaged in heavy
fighting all along the border with
the Federation. The Klingons are
preparing to go on the offensive
and --
WEYOUN
Fortunately, the Founders have
better vision than you do. They
can see the opportunities in front
of us even when you cannot.
(beat)
Consider: the Romulans do not
expect an attack from Cardassia.
The bulk of the Romulan fleet is
still deployed along the Neutral
Zone with the Federation. The
Founders estimate that we could
be on Romulus itself in less than
three weeks.
DAMAR
(skeptical)
Three weeks? I heard the same
kind of estimates before we
attacked the Federation.
WEYOUN
Those plans were ruined by the
incompetency of your predecessor.
21 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL)
Revealing Sisko, Garak and Tolar watching the
simulation from a far corner of the room. Tolar is
standing at a holosuite console and he taps a control
or two as he watches the simulation play out with a
practiced eye.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 31.
21 CONTINUED:
DAMAR
(fierce)
Gul Dukat is a great man.
WEYOUN
(getting hot)
Gul Dukat is a preening egotist
and a fool. We offered him
unchallenged control of the Alpha
Quadrant and all he could think
about was his daughter.
(pleasant)
Now... shall we get back to the
business at hand?
GARAK
That's it. Freeze program.
The Holograms FREEZE.
GARAK
(to Sisko)
That's all the new material. The
rest of the program plays out just
as you saw before. What do you
think?
SISKO
It's better. They seem more real.
GARAK
All I had to do was add a little
petty bickering and mutual
loathing.
TOLAR
So you're happy?
SISKO
It's satisfactory.
GARAK
You may record the program onto
the data-rod now.
Tolar works a control and the entire Dominion room
VANISHES, leaving them in the empty Holosuite. Tolar
then opens a small case on the floor and carefully
removes a unique-looking DATA-ROD. He places it into
a slot on the console and begins to work.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 32.
21 CONTINUED: (2)
SISKO
(quiet)
I've received a message from
Senator Vreenak -- he's on his way.
GARAK
Excellent.
Tolar finishes his work and removes the rod from the
console. He holds it up as if to toss it to one of
them.
TOLAR
Done. Who gets it?
GARAK
(no humor)
Just put it in the case.
Tolar carefully replaces the rod.
TOLAR
Well. It's been a... a pleasure
doing business with you,
gentlemen. Call me again if you
ever need --
SISKO
You're not going anywhere.
TOLAR
(flustered, angry)
What do you mean?
SISKO
You're not leaving until your work
has been accepted by our...
"client."
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 33
21 CONTINUED: (3)
TOLAR
(yelling)
That isn't fair! You can't keep
me here against my will! I
haven't done anything wrong! We
had an agreement!
Sisko grabs him and slams him against the wall.
SISKO
I'm making a new agreement. If
that program passes inspection,
you walk free -- but if there's
even the slightest flaw, I'll send
you back to that Klingon prison
and tell Gowron to take his time
when he executes you.
The ferocity of Sisko's anger takes all remaining
bravado out of Tolar. There's fear in those eyes.
Sisko lets him go and Tolar takes a few steps away
before regaining his composure.
TOLAR
(nervous)
Okay. It'll pass. You'll see.
It'll pass.
GARAK
I sincerely hope so. Why don't
you wait in your quarters. I'll
be along shortly to... say hello.
Tolar looks at the two of them with fear for a moment,
then EXITS.
GARAK
Felt good, didn't it?
Sisko looks at him, taken a little off-guard by the
question.
GARAK
(continuing)
To put your hands on a man and
say, "You will do this or else."
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 34.
21 CONTINUED: (4)
GARAK (Cont'd)
(beat)
After all the intrigue and
deception you've had to engage in
over the past week, you must've
found that moment of pure brute
force to be a... refreshing change
of pace.
Garak smiles at him pleasantly. There may be an
element of truth in what he's saying, but what Sisko
can't believe is the way Garak keeps poking and
prodding at his psyche. Sisko begins to smile at the
absurdity of it all.
SISKO
Mister Garak... why is it that no
one has killed you yet?
GARAK
My innate charm?
Sisko laughs and Garak smiles wider. Sisko laughs
louder -- it's a release of tension and anxiety that's
been building in him for over a week. As he laughs...
CUT TO:
22 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
Sisko is standing behind the couch, and while there's
a smile on his face at the memory, there's a bitter,
rueful quality to his expression.
SISKO
It wasn't that funny. But I
couldn't stop laughing.
(beat)
Maybe... I was under more pressure
than I realized. Maybe it really
was starting to get to me.
(beat)
At the time, I thought I was off
the hook. Starfleet Command had
given the plan their blessing and
I thought that would make things
easier.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 35.
22 CONTINUED:
SISKO (Cont'd)
(beat)
But I was the one who had to make
it happen. I was the one who had
to look Senator Vreenak in the eye
and convince him that a lie... was
the truth.
23 OMITTED
24 OMITTED
24A INT. CORRIDOR
Sisko and Garak are walking down the Corridor.
GARAK
While you're entertaining the
Senator in the wardroom, I'll take
the opportunity to make a quick
search of his ship's database.
SISKO
For what?
GARAK
For any intelligence information
on the Dominion he may have picked
up on Soukara.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 35A.
24A CONTINUED:
SISKO
What if you get caught?
GARAK
I think that's highly unlikely.
I doubt the senator will be
traveling with more than four
bodyguards at the most -- two will
stand watch outside the wardroom
and two will stay in the Landing
Bay. I assure you, they'll never
know I was anywhere near their
ship.
SISKO
Just make sure you don't get
caught.
24B INT. ANOTHER CORRIDOR
Sisko and Garak round a corner and are met by Worf and
a team of three armed N.D. Starfleet Security Guards.
SISKO
Report.
WORF
Sections Fifty-two Baker through
Sixty-two Baker have been secured.
I've posted armed guards at all
entry points and I have personally
scanned all compartments for signs
of surveillance equipment.
SISKO
Very good, commander. Maintain
your security measures until
further notice. No one is to
enter this area except for Mister
Garak and myself. DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 35B.
24B CONTINUED:
WORF
Aye, sir.
Sisko passes by Worf and heads down the Corridor.
Garak pauses for just a moment.
GARAK
It's always a pleasure to see you,
Mister Worf.
He gives Worf that infuriating smile and then follows
Sisko down the hallway.
25 OMITTED
26 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
As Sisko and Garak round the corner.
KIRA'S COM VOICE
Ops to Captain Sisko.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 36.
26 CONTINUED:
SISKO
(to com)
Go ahead Major.
KIRA'S COM VOICE
We've just received the coded
subspace signal you were waiting
for. Should I reply?
SISKO
No reply, major. Sisko out.
Sisko and Garak stop outside a doorway that has a
MONITOR on the wall next to it. Sisko activates the
monitor and it shows a high-angle view of the interior
of a LANDING BAY. The space doors are closed and no
one is inside. He works the controls for a moment and
then FLASHING LIGHTS come on inside the bay.
27 INT. LANDING BAY (OPTICAL)
The lights continue to FLASH and then the giant space
door begins to OPEN.
28 INT. CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
As before. Sisko and Garak watching the doors on the
monitor.
29 INT. LANDING BAY (OPTICAL)
The doors STOP. Nothing stirs in the huge, silent bay.
30 INT. CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
As before. Sisko watches the image of the empty bay
for a moment... then something BEEPS and Sisko works
the controls again.
31 INT. LANDING BAY (OPTICAL)
The space doors begin to CLOSE.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 37.
32 INT. CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
The doors just finish closing on the monitor. The
flashing lights go OFF inside the bay, and Sisko and
Garak wait again.
33 INT. LANDING BAY (OPTICAL)
Suddenly a ROMULAN SHUTTLE DECLOAKS in the middle of
the landing bay. Almost immediately, a GANTRY begins
EXTENDING from the Landing Bay Airlock toward the hatch
on the shuttle.
34 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR (OPTICAL)
The gantry can be seen moving toward the shuttle on the
monitor.
GARAK
I'll take my leave of you now,
captain.
(hesitates)
And one last thing -- Vreenak
thinks he's on the winning side.
Until you can prove otherwise, you
may have to put up with a
certain... acerbic attitude.
SISKO
After working with you for a week,
Mister Garak, I've developed a
very, very thick skin.
GARAK
(smiles)
Good luck.
Garak EXITS down the Corridor just before the Airlock
hatch ROLLS OPEN and two armed N.D. Romulans ENTER.
They look around for a moment, and then SENATOR VREENAK
ENTERS.
SISKO
Welcome aboard, senator. I'm
Captain Benjamin Sisko.
Vreenak is a little bemused by this whole adventure and
we get the feeling it may be hard for him to take Sisko
seriously.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT THREE 38.
34 CONTINUED:
VREENAK
So you're the commander of Deep
Space Nine. And the Emissary of
the Prophets. Decorated combat
officer, widower, father, mentor...
(as if he just
remembered)
Oh and yes, the man who started
the war with the Dominion.
(beat)
Somehow I thought you'd be taller.
SISKO
Sorry to disappoint you.
VREENAK
To be honest, my opinion of
Starfleet Officers is so low that
you'd have to work very hard
indeed to disappoint me.
SISKO
(unfazed)
If you'll come with me, I'll show
you to your quarters.
Vreenak doesn't move for a beat, enjoying making Sisko
wait for him.
VREENAK
I'm looking foward to seeing your
station -- while it's still here,
that is. With the way the war's
going for the Federation, it may
not be around much longer.
Vreenak smiles broadly, driving the point home. Sisko
politely smiles back and then leads the Senator toward
the EXIT.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 39.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
35 INT. WARDROOM (OPTICAL)
Sisko is sitting with Vreenak over in the "lounge" area
of the Wardroom. They each have something to drink,
but only Vreenak seems interested in his beverage.
VREENAK
(re: glass)
A fair approximation. But
somewhat lacking in aroma. Real
kali-fal should forcibly open
one's sinuses well before the
first sip.
SISKO
We don't have much experience in
replicating Romulan beverages. Of
course, all that would change if we
were allies instead of cold warriors.
VREENAK
You are persistent, I'll grant you
that, captain. But I'm afraid
dogged determination isn't enough
to change the reality of your
situation. Time is definitely not
on your side.
(beat)
The Dominion shipyards are working
at one hundred percent capacity --
your facilities are still being
rebuilt. The Dominion is breeding
legions of Jem'Hadar soldiers every
day -- you're experiencing a
manpower shortage. But more
important, the Dominion is resolved
to win the war, no matter what the
cost -- and we both know the
Federation has already put out peace
feelers.
(beat)
Now I ask you, captain -- in all
candor -- if you were in my
position, which side would you
choose?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 40.
35 CONTINUED:
SISKO
I'd pick the side most likely to
leave me in peace when the dust
settles. Maybe you're right, maybe
the Dominion will win in the end.
Then the Founders will control what
is now called Cardassia, the Klingon
Empire and the Federation. So
instead of facing three separate
opponents with three separate
agendas, you'll find yourselves
facing the same opponent on every
side. There's a word for that --
surrounded.
Vreenak takes another sip of his drink.
VREENAK
It really is a good replica. Even
the aroma is starting to grow on
me. For a moment there, I almost
forgot that it wasn't the real
thing. But only for a moment.
(beat)
You make some very good points,
captain, but it's still all
speculation and theory. Nothing that
would warrant abrogating our treaty
and plunging the Empire into war.
SISKO
What if I told you that the
Dominion is planning a sneak
attack on the Romulan Empire at
this very moment?
Vreenak stops his glass halfway to his mouth. His eyes
narrow.
VREENAK
I'd want proof.
SISKO
And what if I showed it to you?
What then? Would you join us in
the war? Or would you wait until
there were Jem'Hadar soldiers
standing in your Senate Chamber
before you decided that the
Founders weren't your friends
after all?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 41.
35 CONTINUED: (2)
Vreenak sets down the glass and takes a moment.
VREENAK
(quiet)
If what you say is true... that
would be... a different matter
entirely.
Sisko hits his combadge.
SISKO
Sisko to Worf.
WORF
Worf here.
SISKO
Have you secured the holosuite?
WORF'S COM VOICE
Yes, sir.
SISKO
Very good, commander. Sisko out.
Computer: stand-by to initiate
site to site transport,
authorization Sisko Two Five Alpha.
COMPUTER VOICE
Standing by.
Sisko stands.
SISKO
Senator... ?
Vreenak hesitates for a beat, then stands up.
SISKO
Computer -- energize.
They DEMATERIALIZE.
CUT TO:
36 INT. HOLOSUITE/DOMINION MEETING ROOM (OPTICAL)
Sisko and Vreenak are watching the end of the same
Dominion planning session we saw earlier between
Weyoun, Damar and the N.D. Legates.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 42.
36 CONTINUED:
(The free-standing console with the data-rod is in
front of Sisko.) Weyoun is now at the large monitor,
which has a schematic display of the Cardassian/Romulan
border. Several clearly marked ARROWS are thrusting
from Cardassia to points deep inside Romulan territory.
WEYOUN
... and with the Cardassian Fourth
Order protecting their flank, the
Twenty-third Jem'Hadar division can
begin its thrust across the Glintara
Sector. They should begin the
invasion of Romulus itself on the
following day. Once we've taken the
homeworld, organized resistance will
crumble when the outlying systems
and colonies begin looking out for
themselves. Consolidation of the
entire Empire will take three months
at most.
DAMAR
What if the Romulan fleet reacts
faster than you're anticipating?
What if they pull all their forces
away from the Federation border
at the first sign of our attack?
WEYOUN
(growing tired of this)
They've been staring across the
Neutral Zone at the Federation for
the better part of two centuries.
It's become an obsession with
their military leaders. There's
not the slightest chance of them
leaving the Neutral Zone
undefended until they're sure the
Federation isn't going to take
advantage of the situation. And
by then, it'll be too late.
DAMAR
You're placing a lot of faith in
your ability to predict what the
Romulans will or will not do. They
could surprise us all -- they could
even be anticipating this attack
already. If that's the case, we
could find ourselves fighting a war
on two fronts without any --
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 43.
36 CONTINUED: (2)
WEYOUN
I place my faith in the Founders.
And they say that the Romulans are
not ready for war and that they
will not react fast enough once
it begins. Now, do you wish to
dispute their judgment?
Damar doesn't like it, but he knows where his bread is
buttered.
DAMAR
No. Of course not. I serve the
Founders.
WEYOUN
As do we all. Meeting adjourned.
The simulation VANISHES and is momentarily replaced
with the FLOATING 3-D image of the CARDASSIAN LOGO,
then that too VANISHES. Sisko turns to look at
Vreenak, whose face carefully betrays no feelings.
Vreenak takes a few steps around the room as he mulls
over what he's just seen.
VREENAK
(quiet)
I'd like to examine that data-rod.
Sisko removes it from the console, and holds it out to
Vreenak. The Senator moves to him, but before he takes
it, he stares into Sisko's eyes, and seems to search
them for a long beat, as if looking for the truth
somewhere inside. Finally, Vreenak takes the data-rod
and looks at it.
CUT TO:
37 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
Sisko is pacing in his office, lost in thought when Dax
ENTERS.
DAX
Got a minute?
SISKO
Sure. What can I do for you?
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 44.
37 CONTINUED:
Dax takes her time, this is a delicate subject and she
doesn't want to rush into anything.
DAX
This may sound... crazy. But,
think about it before you say no.
SISKO
Just say it.
Beat.
DAX
What if we... tricked the Romulans
into believing that the Dominion
was about to attack them?
Sisko is thunderstruck for a moment and Dax takes it
as a reaction to her crazy idea.
DAX
Hear me out.
(beat)
We find a way to manufacture
evidence of a planned Dominion
attack. I'm not sure what it
should be, uh... a series of coded
messages from their central
command, a Cardassian defector who
smuggles out secret war plans --
I don't know. Something. Then
we show it to the Romulans and try
to convince them that they're one
step away from disaster.
Sisko takes a moment, decides to become his own devil's
advocate.
SISKO
You want to start a war based on
a lie?
DAX
I want to end a war, Benjamin.
And I want the good guys to win.
Besides, let's face it -- the
Dominion will attack the Romulans
eventually, it's just a matter of
time. So, in a way we'd be doing
them a favor by pulling them in
now.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 45.
37 CONTINUED: (2)
SISKO
(hard)
That's an easy way of
rationalizing something you know
is wrong.
Dax takes a beat, goes cold and hard.
DAX
More wrong than war?
Beat.
SISKO
I'll... think about it.
DAX
That's all I ask.
She heads for the door, then stops, smiles to herself.
DAX
I suppose it's one thing to come
up with an idea like this... and
another to put it into motion.
SISKO
(re: pips)
That's why they put these on my
collar, old man.
She smiles at him and then EXITS.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 46.
38 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
Sisko on the couch. He's got a bottle of something
dark and amber now and he pours himself a drink.
SISKO
It was good to know that the old
man was on my side, even if she
didn't know what was really going
on.
(beat)
In any case, I was way past the
point of no return. There was
nothing to do but wait and see how
masterful Tolar's forgery really
was.
He takes a drink.
SISKO
So I waited. Tried to catch up
on my paperwork, but I couldn't
really focus on criminal activity
reports or cargo manifests... I
went back to pacing and staring
out the window.
(beat)
I don't think of myself as an
impatient man. I don't agonize
over decisions once they're made.
I got that from my father. He
always said that worry and doubt
were the greatest enemies of a
chef. "The souffle will rise or
it won't," he used to say.
"There's not a damn thing you can
do about it, so just sit back and
see what happens."
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FOUR 47
38 CONTINUED:
SISKO (Cont'd)
(beat)
But this time, the cost of failure
was so high, that I found it hard
to follow his advice.
39 INT. CORRIDOR
Sisko is walking through the empty Corridor.
SISKO (V.O.)
If Vreenak discovered the data-rod
was a forgery, if he realized that
we were trying to trick them into
war, it could push the Romulans
even farther into the enemy camp.
They could start to openly help
the Dominion. If worse came to
worst, they could actually join
the war against us. I had the
distinct feeling that victory or
defeat would be decided in the
next few minutes.
Sisko pauses outside the door for a moment, takes a
deep breath, and then EXITS to...
40 INT. WARDROOM - CONTINUOUS
As Sisko ENTERS. Vreenak is already here, his face
carefully neutral, giving no hint as to what he's
found. He stares at Sisko for a long moment... then
finally he lets his true feelings show.
VREENAK
(furious)
It's a fake.
Off the stricken look on Sisko's face...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FIVE 48.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
41 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
Sisko is rubbing his temples. The bottle has been set
aside.
SISKO
So it blew up in my face. The
lies and the compromises, the
inner doubts and the
rationalizations -- all for
nothing. Vreenak was furious.
I can't say I blamed him. I'd
have reacted the same way. After
telling me in no uncertain terms
that he intended to expose this
"vile deception" to the entire
Alpha Quadrant, he got back in his
shuttle and headed home.
(beat)
There didn't seem to be anything
more to do... so I went back to
work.
(beat)
Two days later we got the news.
CUT TO:
42 INT. WARDROOM
Sisko posts another casualty list on the monitor and
turns to face another room full of N.D. officers, along
with Dax and Bashir. Sisko's mind is far away and he
moves through the crowd of people without seeing most
of them. He finds a quiet corner of the room and sits
down heavily in a chair as the others crowd around the
monitor, searching the list of names once again.
Bashir and Dax emerge from the crowd and move toward
him. Sisko looks at them expectantly.
BASHIR
(to Sisko)
No one for me today.
DAX
I had one -- Maria Tatalia --
wounded in action.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FIVE 49.
42 CONTINUED:
BASHIR
Friend?
DAX
Friend of a friend. I met her
once, but I doubt she'd remember
me.
BASHIR
Only one friend of a friend
between the two of us -- as
strange as it sounds, I'd say
today's off to a good start.
Worf ENTERS, looks around and goes directly to them.
Worf is clearly excited.
WORF
Captain, we just received word from
Starfleet Intelligence that a
Romulan shuttle carrying a high-
ranking senator has been destroyed.
A chill goes down Sisko's back.
SISKO
Which Senator?
WORF
Senator Vreenak. He was returning
to Romulus from a diplomatic
mission to Soukara when his
shuttle exploded.
(beat)
The Tal Shiar is investigating,
but their preliminary report
points to sabotage...
(grins)
... they believe the Dominion is
responsible.
Dax and Bashir immediately realize what this means and
they're ecstatic.
DAX
The Dominion assassinated a
Romulan Senator...
BASHIR
On a diplomatic mission...
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FIVE 50.
42 CONTINUED: (2)
WORF
This changes everything. It could
even bring the Romulans into the
war.
Sisko is on his feet and heading for the door.
SISKO
(abrupt)
Excuse me.
43 INT. CORRIDOR
Sisko marching down the Corridor, fury on his face.
44 INT. PROMENADE
Sisko comes out of the turbolift and stalks across the
Promenade, the anger still building on his features.
He storms into...
45 INT. GARAK'S SHOP - CONTINUOUS
Where Garak is working on some clothes. He looks up
at Sisko dispassionately -- he was expecting a
confrontation, but he wasn't expecting Sisko to haul
off and DECK HIM. Garak hits the ground and looks up
at the furious captain warily.
SISKO
Get up.
Garak gets up, and warily keeps his distance. Sisko
presses him and Garak backs away, but it's clear he
won't give much ground here.
SISKO
You killed him.
GARAK
That's right.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FIVE 51.
45 CONTINUED:
SISKO
That's what you planned to do all
along. You knew the data-rod
wouldn't hold up to scrutiny, you
just wanted to get him on the
station so you could plant a bomb
on his shuttle.
GARAK
It wasn't quite that simple. I
did have hopes that the rod would
somehow pass inspection. But I
suspected that Tolar may not have
been up to the task.
SISKO
What about Tolar? Did you kill
him too?
GARAK
Think of them both as tragic
victims of war.
Sisko throws a punch, Garak blocks, but Sisko follows
up and lands another blow to Garak's face, rocking him
back, but not flooring him.
GARAK
If you can allow your anger to
subside for a moment, you'll see
that they did not die in vain --
the Romulans will enter the war.
Sisko glares at him, his fury just barely restrained.
SISKO
There's no guarantee of that.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FIVE 52.
45 CONTINUED: (2)
GARAK
Oh, but I think there is. You
see, when the Tal Shiar finishes
examining the wreckage of
Vreenak's shuttle, they'll find
the burnt remnants of a Cardassian
optolythic data-rod which
miraculously survived the
explosion. After painstaking
forensic examination, they'll
discover that the rod contains a
recording of a high-level Dominion
meeting at which the invasion of
Romulus was being planned.
SISKO
And then they'll discover it's a
fraud.
GARAK
I don't think so. Any
imperfections in the forgery will
appear to be a result of the
explosion.
(building, forceful)
So, with a seemingly legitimate
data-rod in one hand and a dead
senator in the other, I ask you
captain, what conclusion would you
draw?
Sisko takes a beat, tries to let his temper subside.
SISKO
That Vreenak obtained the rod on
Soukara and that the Dominion
killed him to prevent him from
returning to Romulus with it.
GARAK
Precisely. And the more the
Dominion protests their innocence,
the more the Romulans will believe
they're guilty... because it's
exactly what the Romulans would've
done in their place!
Sisko glares at him, but it's clear that he sees the
logic of what Garak's saying, as much as he doesn't
like to hear it.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FIVE 53.
45 CONTINUED: (3)
GARAK
(continuing)
That is why you came to me, isn't
it, captain? Because you knew I
could do the things you weren't
capable of doing yourself? Well,
it worked. And you'll get what
you wanted -- a war between the
Romulans and the Dominion. If
your conscience is bothering you,
you should soothe it with the
knowledge that you may have just
saved the entire Alpha Quadrant.
And all it cost was the life of
one Romulan senator, one criminal,
and the self-respect of one
Starfleet Officer. I don't know
about you, but I'd call that a
bargain.
CUT TO:
46 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS
Sisko is toying with a full glass of scotch.
SISKO
This morning, at oh-eight-hundred
hours, station time... the Romulan
Empire formally declared war
against the Dominion. They've
already struck fifteen bases along
the Cardassian border.
(beat)
So it's a huge victory for the
good guys... perhaps the turning
point of the entire war. There's
even a "Welcome to the Fight"
party in the wardroom tonight.
(beat)
I lied. I cheated. I bribed men
to cover up the crimes of other
men. I was an accessory to
murder. But most damning of
all... I think I can live with it.
DEEP SPACE NINE: "In the Pale... " - REV. 2/11/98 - ACT FIVE 54.
46 CONTINUED:
SISKO (Cont'd)
And if I had to do it all over
again... I would. Garak was right
about one thing -- a guilty
conscience is a small price to pay
for the safety of the Alpha
Quadrant. So I'll learn to live
with it.
He almost takes a drink, then firmly sets it aside and
pushes it away.
SISKO
Because I can live with it.
He glares into the lens and we're not sure if he's
trying to convince us or himself.
SISKO
I can live with it.
Sisko stares into the camera for a long beat.
SISKO
Computer -- erase that entire
personal log.
CUT TO BLACK.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END