STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Babel" #40511-405 Written by Ira Steven Behr Directed by Paul Lynch 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 1992 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 OCTOBER 7, 1992 STAR TREK: DS9 "Babel" - 10/13/92 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Babel" CAST SISKO ASOTH O'BRIEN BUSINESSMAN BASHIR STARFLEET MALE DAX GALIS KEIKO JAHEEL KIRA NURSE JABARA JAKE SISKO VICTIM #1 ODO VICTIM #2 QUARK SURMAK BAJORAN SECURITY GUARD COMPUTER VOICE Non-Speaking N.D. BAJORANS N.D. ALIENS SUPERNUMARIES (INFIRMARY) STAR TREK: DS9 "Babel" - 10/13/92 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Babel" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE AIRLOCK CORRIDOR JAHEEL'S SHIP LABORATORY OPS RUNABOUT ACCESS TUNNEL QUARK'S DOCKING PORT FIVE PROMENADE O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS (LIVING AREA) INFIRMARY EMPTY CREW QUARTERS COMMANDER'S OFFICE CREW QUARTERS HOSPITAL WARD DOCKING PORT FIV GALIS' OFFICE (VIEWSCREEN) SURMAK'S OFFICE (VIEWSCREEN) JAHEEL'S BRIDGE (VIEWSCREEN) STAR TREK: "Babel" - 10/19/92 - PRONUNCIATION GUIDE STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Babel" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE BAJORAN bah-JOR-an BAJORA bah-JOR-uh BAJOR BAY-jor CARDASSIANS car-DASS-ee-en SURMAK SIR-mak ASOTH AY-soth KOHLANESE KO-lan-ese JABARA JUH-bar-uh JAHEEL JAH-heel HIGA METAR HIGH-guh MET-ar DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Babel" TEASER FADE IN: 1 OMITTED 2 INT. CLOSE ON AIRLOCK GATE Three newly arrive visitors to DS Nine (one Bajoran national, one human and one N.D. alien) are trapped inside the airlock. They bang their fists in frustration against the window. O'BRIEN, looking tired and harried, stands on the other side of the gate, trying to placate them. O'BRIEN Look, save your energy. We'll have you out of there as soon as possible. (muttering under his breath) I hope. He turns toward his repair crew (two humans) who are working inside an open panel. O'BRIEN Try re-routing the power coupling... And hand reaches into frame and taps O'Brien impatiently on the shoulder. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: JAHEEL (V.O.) Mister O'Brien... O'BRIEN (to repair crew; ignoring the tap.) ... See if you can activate the interlock servos. Another shoulder tap. This time even more insistent. JAHEEL (V.O.) Mister O'Brien... An annoyed O'Brien turns to confront CAPTAIN JAHEEL, a wiry bearded alien. O'BRIEN Captain, Jaheel, those people have been stuck in that air lock for over an hour. Now if you'll just wait until we get that door opened, I'll be happy to discuss any problem you might have. JAHEEL But I've already been waiting two days for your people to readjust my ship's antimatter flow converter. O'BRIEN I'm afraid we've fallen a bit behind in our maintenance schedule. JAHEEL I'm not interested in hearing excuses. I have a shipment of Tamen Sasheer waiting to be delivered to Largo Five, and I'll need to do better than warp one to get there before it spoils. O'BRIEN I'll try to get a repair crew on it before the end of the day. Now that's the best I can do. JAHEEL Your best, Mister O'Brien, hardly seems good enough. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - TEASER 3. 2 CONTINUED: (2) Jaheel turns and storms away leaving behind a scowling O'Brien. DAX'S COM VOICE Dax to O'Brien. O'BRIEN (taps combadge) O'Brien here. DAX Can you spare a minute, Chief. I have a little problem here at the lab. O'Brien glances over at the repair crew. He figures they can handle things at this end. O'BRIEN On my way. 3 INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE LABORATORY DAX stands by the laboratory door as O'Brien approaches. DAX Thanks for coming, Chief. O'BRIEN What are you doing out here? Dax answers by touching the door's entry panel. The door slides open and we are assaulted by a LOUD CACOPHONOUS WHINE BLARING from within the room. 4 INT. LABORATORY - CONTINUOUS Dax and O'Brien have to shout to be heard above the noise. O'BRIEN Have you checked the EPS convertor? DAX Yes. First thing. O'BRIEN How about the intensity grid? DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - TEASER 4. 4 CONTINUED: DAX (nodding) It's fine. O'BRIEN Then it's probably the secondary phase modulator. We had trouble with them last week in the main power core. He opens up a panel. Makes some adjustments. O'BRIEN This should do it. The noise abruptly stops. At the same moment lights go out, plunging the room into utter darkness. A beat, then... O'BRIEN (V.O.) Anything else I can do for you? 5 INT. OPS Close on KIRA who leans over her desk console as she talks to someone O.S. KIRA The navigational computer hasn't been working reliably for three days. I ask for the star charts of the Argosian sector and the Glessene sector comes up instead. Pan down to REVEAL O'Brien half buried in an open panel. O'BRIEN Uh-huh. KIRA That's when I can even coax the system on line. O'BRIEN Try it now. Kira taps a control panel. The console lights up. KIRA (pleased) That's more like it. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - TEASER 5. 5 CONTINUED: O'Brien sighs. Another victory for the good guys. Wearily, he closes the panel and gets to his feet. KIRA You look like you could use some sleep. O'BRIEN Who has time for sleep... ? In the background SISKO stands before a food replicator. SISKO (to replicator) Coffee. O'Brien sits down at Kira's station. O'BRIEN I'd settle for five minutes of peace and quiet. Sisko takes his first deep sip of Java... and nearly gags... it's awful. SISKO Chief, I thought you were going to fix the replicators. O'Brien shoots Kira a long suffering look as he hauls himself out of the seat. O'BRIEN (to Sisko, emphatic) You're absolutely right, Sir. I knew I'd forgotten something. Can't have the operations chief sitting around daydreaming when there's work to be done, can we? I'll get right on it. He EXITS. Sisko looks over at Kira. What's his problem? 6 INT. CORRIDOR/ACCESS TUNNEL (OPTICAL) O'Brien lies on his back in an access tunnel, grumbling as he works on the circuitry with various tools. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - TEASER 6. 6 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Fix the Replicators, Chief... My console's off line, Chief... I should've transferred to a cargo drone... no people, no complaints... He completes the repair and moves out of the tunnel and into the corridor. There's a small REPLICATOR UNIT in the wall. He touches the panel... and the entire display BLACKS OUT... a BRIGHT ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE envelopes the panel. O'Brien steps back, startled. Now what's going on? Suddenly, the DISCHARGE DISAPPEARS... the panel looks completely normal again. O'Brien scans the unit with his tricorder... there's nothing wrong with it. He scowls. O'BRIEN (touches panel) Hot coffee black, double sweet. A steaming mug of coffee MATERIALIZES. O'Brien picks it up and takes a wary sip. A smile breaks slowly across his face... it's delicious. Finally, something's working. 7 INT. REPLICATOR Camera looking out through the open panel at O'Brien. He takes a big gulp from the MUG and CLOSES THE PANEL, we HEAR HIM EXIT down the corridor, whistling. Hold a beat... then as music builds ominously the camera pans along the replicator circuitry... coming to rest on... 8 OMITTED 8A AN ALIEN DEVICE attached to the circuitry. As the camera pushes in closer the device suddenly activates... a LIGHT PULSATING on and off to eerie effect. Whatever this thing is, it definitely doesn't belong here. FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT ONE 7. ACT ONE FADE IN: (Note: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 9 INT. QUARK'S ODO observes the premises from his seat at the bar. Actually there's not much to see... only three or four customers in the entire place. Odo seems quite pleased at the lack of activity, an attitude in sharp contrast to QUARK who appears positively morose as he wipes down the bar counter top. ODO Tell me, Quark, am I mistaken or is business a little slow today? QUARK Slow? It's been almost nonexistent for the past three days. ODO Who knows, if things don't improve you may have to close down altogether. QUARK You'd like that, wouldn't you? ODO Let's just say that without you around, my job would be considerably easier. QUARK Without me around you'd be forced to find some other, poor innocent to persecute. Think about that while you sit here gloating at my misfortune. ASOTH (V.O.) Quark! Angle to include ASOTH, who slams his food bowl onto the bar. ASOTH You call this Kohlanese stew? Confronted by the large, angry alien, Quark turns on his most obsequious charm. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT ONE 8. 9 CONTINUED: QUARK If your meal isn't satisfactory I'm sure we could exchange it for something more to your liking. Asoth grabs Quark by the collar. ASOTH Aren't you the least bit curious how it tastes? He spoons up some of the stew and shoves it into Quark's mouth. Quark takes one bite... and immediately spits out the hideous tasting gruel. ASOTH Oh no you don't. You served it. You're going to eat it. He scoops up another spoonful. Odo appears behind him. Places a restraining hand on his shoulder. ODO All right. That's enough. Ignoring Odo, Asoth tries thrusting the spoon between Quark's lips. ASOTH You heard me. Eat. Odo's hand clamps down on Asoth's shoulder. The Alien drops this spoon and grunts in pain. ODO (quiet authority) I said leave him alone. Asoth nods in agreement. Odo releases him. Clutching his shoulder the Alien beats a hasty retreat. ODO (watching him exit) Another satisfied customer. Quark glares at the bar's replicator unit. QUARK It's these replicators. If I don't get them repaired soon, they'll destroy my business. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT ONE 9. 9 CONTINUED: (2) ODO Why not get O'Brien to fix them. He has the replicators on the command level working perfectly. Quark's eyes narrow. This is news to him. QUARK I'm on his waiting list. He assures me he'll get to them as soon as he can. ODO No telling when that will be. The Chief's a very busy man. Odo EXITS. 10 ANGLE QUARK Who immediately moves to a computer panel behind the bar. QUARK Computer... display a station layout. Highlight locations of all repaired replicators on the command level. COMPUTER VOICE Information restricted to security clearance five and above. Please enter security verification. Quark pulls out a drawer full of the Cardassian equivalent to isolinear chips. He counts off five of them... pulls out the fifth one... places it into the computer panel. COMPUTER VOICE Clearance verified. The computer displays a graphic of the station plans, indicating several locations. Quark studies the layout, a self-satisfied grin on his face. 11 INT. OPS Close on O'Brien's hand removing a coffee cup from inside the replicator. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT ONE 10. 12 ANGLE As O'Brien passes the coffee to SISKO -- O'BRIEN Here you go, Sir. I think you'll find it more to your liking. Sisko takes a sip. Smiles. SISKO Much appreciated, Mister O'Brien. O'BRIEN Don't mention it, Sir. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of replicators around the station that need looking after... O'Brien mops at his brow. SISKO You all right, Chief? O'BRIEN Bit warm, that's all. Environmental controls must be acting up again. O'Brien starts away but is stopped by Sisko. SISKO Please send my regards to Mrs. O'Brien. Jake tells me she's a wonderful teacher. O'BRIEN That's nice to hear, Sir. She's flower units about the lad herself. SISKO (sure he's misheard) Excuse me? O'BRIEN (confused) Sir? SISKO What was that you just said? DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT ONE 10A. 12 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN She's quite fond of the lad herself. It's a weird moment... but Sisko lets it go. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT ONE 11. 12 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO Glad to hear it. O'BRIEN Very good, Sir. A somewhat perplexed O'Brien heads back to his station. 13 INT. PROMENADE Dax and Kira, off duty, are strolling through the complex. A BAJORAN SECURITY GUARD passes by and shoots Dax a warm smile. BAJORAN SECURITY GUARD Lieutenant Dax. She returns the smile. An alien BUSINESSMAN comes out of a shop and nods pleasantly. BUSINESSMAN Ladies. Dax and Kira nod back. A few more steps and they encounter a STARFLEET CREWMEMBER. He grins boyishly at Dax. STARFLEET MALE Hello, Lieutenant. Dax smiles. She looks over at Kira. They share a laugh. DAX I'd forgotten how different it was. KIRA How different what was? DAX Being female. I haven't been one for over eighty years. She reacts to another smile from a friendly passerby. DAX All this attention. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT ONE 12. 13 CONTINUED: KIRA I imagine it must take some getting use to. DAX Actually I find it quite enjoyable. QUARK (V.O.) Major Kira... Lieutenant Dax... 14 ANGLE ON QUARK Leaning against the part of the bar counter facing the Promenade. Behind him, we see that business has picked up considerably. Customers are eating and drinking with gusto. QUARK I'd be honored to have you join my little party. As my guests, of course. KIRA What's all this, Quark? You cheat your one-thousandth customer? Quark lets loose with an insincere laugh... quickly replaced by a sharp glare toward Kira. QUARK Who says Bajorans have no sense of humor? (pointing to the activity taking place behind him) Actually we're celebrating the repair of the bar's replicator system. (to Dax) Perhaps I could interest you in a nice double-whipped I'danian spice pudding. DAX (to Kira; tempted) What do you think? KIRA I think I'm due back at Ops. But go on, enjoy yourself. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT ONE 13. 14 CONTINUED: Kira EXITS. Dax looks over at Quark who anxiously awaits her decision. Dax shrugs why not. She moves toward the doorway. 15 INT. QUARK'S - CONTINUOUS Dax ENTERS. She makes her way over to the bar where Quark is giving the bum's rush to a customer in order to make room for her. He fawningly escorts her to a seat. QUARK (exaggerated courtesy) Please, make yourself comfortable, Lieutenant. I did say a double whipped spice pudding, didn't I? From beneath the counter he pulls out an outrageously caloric dessert. Places it in front of Dax. DAX It's lovely. I almost hate to eat it. QUARK By all means, take the time to admire its beauty... While I admire yours. 15A INT. OPS - CLOSE ON O'BRIEN at his station. Looking sweaty and pale. He steadies himself against a console; tries to clear his head. 15B ANGLE WIDENS to include a concerned Kira. KIRA Chief... ? O'BRIEN (trying to cover, but failing) How can I help you, Major? She touches his brow. KIRA You're the one who could use a little help. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT ONE 14. 15B CONTINUED: O'BRIEN I'm fine, really. KIRA I guess this isn't a good time to tell you the number three Turbolift has broken down again. O'Brien gives Kira a puzzled look. KIRA I'm joking, Chief. (Note: From here on dialogue spoken by characters with aphasia will appear as gibberish in the script. A translation will be provided upon request, but it would probably be more effective if the actors really were unable to communicate.) O'BRIEN Major. Cat's lark pepper. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT ONE 15. 15B CONTINUED: (2) KIRA What? O'BRIEN (frustration building) Let birds go further loose maybe. Shout easy play. KIRA Chief, you're not making any sense. An agitated O'Brien, struggles to make himself understood. O'BRIEN Round the turbulent quick. A worried Kira shakes her head. O'BRIEN Close the reverse harbor. By now, the rest of the Ops crew is staring at O'Brien, wondering what's going on. O'BRIEN (shouting at them) Ankle try sound reset gleaming? Realizing he still isn't getting through to anyone O'Brien heads for the Turbolift. O'BRIEN Dinner to bug. When. KIRA Chief... wait... As she hurries after him... 16 OMITTED FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 16. ACT TWO FADE IN: 17 INT. INFIRMARY O'Brien is seated on the diagnostic bed, as BASHIR examines his eyes with a sophisticated scanner. BASHIR Computer continue neural imaging scan. Stimulate visual cortex. A beat, as the scanner runs through its tests. Then -- COMPUTER VOICE All visual responses normal. 18 ANGLE WIDENS - TO INCLUDE KIRA AND NURSE JABARA Bashir crosses to a work station and grabs a piece of Med tech which he places over O'Brien's ears. BASHIR Computer begin auditory stimuli. Another series of tests are completed. Then -- COMPUTER VOICE No physiological damage. All brain functions within normal parameters. Bashir removes the equipment. He's clearly puzzled by the results. BASHIR (a thoughtful beat) Nurse, pull up Mister O'Brien's neuro- physiological history. NURSE JABARA Yes, Doctor. She seats herself at a work station and begins accessing the information. Mister O'Brien looks at Bashir and knows the diagnosis isn't good. He gets up and grabs a PADD, punches in a message which he pushes toward the Doctor. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 16A. 18 CONTINUED: KIRA What is it? What's he writing? BASHIR I wish I knew. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 17. 18 CONTINUED: (2) He shows the PADD to Kira. 19 INSERT - PADD (OPTICAL) The screen is filled with gibberish. 20 RESUME SCENE O'Brien's desperation building. He feels trapped and alone. O'BRIEN (exasperated) Flame the dark true salt. Bashir tries to gently direct him back to the bed. BASHIR Please, Chief, have a seat. O'Brien pushes away. O'BRIEN Way link complete. Way link. Kira touches his shoulder. He whirls around. Their eyes lock in silent sympathetic communication. He allows her to lead him to the bed. KIRA (to Bashir) What's wrong with him? BASHIR He appears to be suffering from a form of aphasia. It's a perceptual dysfunction in which aural and visual stimuli are incorrectly processed by the brain. His actual thinking hasn't been affected. But he's incapable of expressing himself or understanding others. O'BRIEN (despairing) Strike limits victory frosted wake. Simple hesitation. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 18. 20 CONTINUED: Kira and Bashir exchange concerned looks. 21 INT. OPS Sisko, Bashir, Dax and Kira at the operations table. SISKO I'm not sure I follow you, Doctor. You say Mister O'Brien is aphasic, but all of his tests come up negative. Dax wipes her forehead; she appears a bit flushed. DAX (to Bashir) Isn't aphasia typically associated with some kind of cranial trauma? BASHIR Yes. It can occur as a result of a stroke or blow to the head. But there's no evidence of that here. DAX Have you checked the medical library for precedents? BASHIR And re-checked. Nothing so far. SISKO Have you any theories? A hard admission for Bashir. BASHIR Not yet. SISKO Find one. (to Kira) Major, get hold of the Chief's personal duty log. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 19. 21 CONTINUED: SISKO I want to know where he's been and what he's done for the past fifty- two hours. KIRA I've already examine it, Commander. He's been all over this station. SISKO Retrace his steps. See what you come up with. (a beat) Dax, you will temporarily assume Mister O'Brien's duties. Dax's face is slick with perspiration. She appears slightly disoriented. DAX Yes... I'll... The others are now aware of her discomfort. SISKO Is there a problem, Lieutenant? Dax stares blankly at him. SISKO Lieutenant. Dax forces herself to speak calmly and deliberately. DAX I'm sorry, Benjamin, but... I'm unable to... foolish assembled regal... control weather. Hold on reactions. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT TWO 19A. 22 EXT. - SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) 23 INT. INFIRMARY - DAY TWO Sisko and Bashir are at a wall monitor studying an Okudagram which details a virus-like organism. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT TWO 20. 23 CONTINUED: BASHIR Commander, spontaneous development of aphasia is virtually impossible. But we saw Lieutenant Dax become aphasic before our eyes. That told me we were dealing with a disease that only mimics aphasia. So I ran a full neuro-synaptic comparison of Dax and O'Brien. (pointing to monitor) And found this in the temporal lobes of both patients. SISKO A virus? BASHIR (nods) It imposes itself within established synaptic pathways and then randomly reroutes them. For example, when I look at this... (picks up tricorder) ... a process occurs in my brain which connects this stimulus to the word "tricorder." The virus disrupts that process. SISKO I'd see the tricorder but I would say something ridiculous like... window. BASHIR Exactly. Suddenly we HEAR a BABBLE OF VOICES from behind them. 23A NEW ANGLE Sisko and Bashir turn to see NURSE JABARA and two STARFLEET CREWMEMBERS at the doorway. NURSE JABARA Doctor, I think you better get over here. Sisko and Bashir walk over and are immediately confronted by the crewmembers, both talking at once... and making no sense at all. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT TWO 21. 23A CONTINUED: STARFLEET APHASIA VICTIM ONE Night, the flow trade again. STARFLEET APHASIA VICTIM TWO View lost pile luck. Away tunnel back the garden. Sisko and Bashir exchange a look. SISKO Doctor, I want this station put under emergency quarantine immediately. 24 INT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) 25 INT. PROMENADE - ANGLE ON ODO As he exits Turbolift. He glances up and down the street, which is deserted except for two passersby. Odo is about to reenter the Turbolift to continue his rounds, when he hears noise coming from Quark's. He goes to investigate. 26 INT. QUARKS Surprisingly busy, Odo ENTERS, takes one look at the crowd, and makes a bee line for Quark, who is behind the bar. ODO Quark, what is going on here? QUARK What's it look like? ODO It looks like business as usual. But that's impossible, because all shops and business have been closed until further notice. QUARK Except, of course, for essential station operations. ODO For which this place hardly qualifies. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 22. 26 CONTINUED: Quark eyes the house. QUARK I don't think they would agree. This quarantine has everyone on edge, Constable. Would you deprive them of a little harmless diversion? ODO They'd be safer in their quarters. Asoth passes by. ASOTH Quark, that Kohlanese stew... magnificent. Quark nods modestly, then notices Odo's questioning look. QUARK Fortunately my assistant, Rom, was able to fix the replicators. ODO Yes, very fortunate. But Odo's suspicions have been raised. 27 INT. PROMENADE SECOND LEVEL CAMERA PANS along the empty corridor until it comes to rest on JAKE, who leans against the railing, looking down at the street below. SISKO (V.O.) Jake! Jake's head snaps up... sees his father headed his way. SISKO (an angry parent) I expected you home an hour ago. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT TWO 23. 27 CONTINUED: JAKE Sorry. I was over at Nog's. They start down the staircase. JAKE Dad, about this quarantine, it's going to be okay, isn't it? SISKO (reassuring) It's just a precaution. Nothing more. 28 INT. PROMENADE - FIRST LEVEL - CONTINUOUS They reach the bottom of the stairs only to find an anxious Captain Jaheel waiting for them. JAHEEL I wish I shared your confidence Commander. Sisko gives Jake an encouraging pat. SISKO Go on home, son. I'll see you at dinner. Jake EXITS - Sisko watches him go then turns a disapproving eye towards Jaheel. SISKO Captain Jaheel, all visitors have been confined to their ships. JAHEEL Believe me, there is no place I'd rather be. SISKO Then what are you doing here? JAHEEL Searching for you. Commander, I officially request permission to leave this station. Sisko's response is immediate and leaves no room for doubt. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 24. SISKO Request denied. JAHEEL But none of my crew has been affected by this virus of yours, and unless I depart at once my entire cargo will be ruined... SISKO (an order) Captain, I suggest you return to your ship. Now. JAHEEL (urgent) Please... I don't want to get sick. Sisko's tone softens as he realizes Jaheel is terrified of the virus. SISKO I'm sorry, but until we find a cure for this thing no one's going anywhere. A beat. Then mustering up his remaining dignity Jaheel nods and EXITS. Hold on Sisko's reaction. 29 INT. CORRIDOR Quark pushes a small cart along the passageway. 29A ANGLE as he stops in front of a door with a Starfleet logo prominently displayed. He checks the corridor -- it's clear. He taps a code into a Ferengi PADD. We HEAR A CLICK; the door OPENS and he ENTERS. 30 INT. EMPTY CREW QUARTERS (OPTICAL) The room is dark. Quark moves quickly to the replicator, checks a PADD. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 24A. QUARK Let's start with one Ferengi Stardrifter, please. Extra strong. The goblet sized drink MATERIALIZES. Quark turns to place it on the cart -- which suddenly MORPHS into Odo. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT TWO 25. 30 CONTINUED: A startled Quark drops the glass, but quickly regains his wits. After all he's been playing "games" like this with Odo for many years. QUARK I thought the front wheels were sticking a bit. ODO Unauthorized access to crew quarters is a crime, Quark. (a beat) You could have just asked to use the replicators. QUARK There's an old Ferengi saying, "Never ask when you can take." (trying to hide his annoyance) How did you figure it out, anyway? ODO You claimed Rom fixed your replicators. QUARK So? ODO Rom's an idiot. He couldn't fix a straw if it was bent. As he leads Quark out of the room. QUARK You're right. He is an idiot. Remind me to get rid of him tomorrow. 31 INT. OPS Sisko, Bashir, and Kira at the operations table. BASHIR Based on the levels of the virus found in the patients' blood, I believe it's being absorbed through ingestion. SISKO You're saying it's in our food? DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT TWO 25A. 31 CONTINUED: KIRA That's not possible. All the food on the station is replicated and all the replicators use bio-filters. They automatically screen out contaminants, including viruses. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/07/92 - ACT TWO 26. 31 CONTINUED: BASHIR Major, I have analyzed samples from all over the station. All of the food on the command level is contaminated with the virus. SISKO But all of us here have eaten from those replicators. How come we're not aphasic? BASHIR This virus is highly adaptable. Its gestation period seems to vary within each individual. Both Sisko and Kira consider this news for a beat. KIRA According to O'Brien's duty log the last thing he did before become aphasic was fix the command level replicators. But I had a repair crew inspect the site. They found nothing suspicious. SISKO Look again. Closer. Kira nods. SISKO (continuing, to Bashir) Let's shut down the command level replicators. At the very least we can contain this thing. BASHIR I'm not sure that's going to do it, sir. I've been getting aphasic patients from all over the station... SISKO But how is that possible... ODO (O.S.) You can thank Quark. 32 ANGLE TO INCLUDE ODO as he joins the group. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT TWO 27. 32 CONTINUED: ODO I caught him using a replicator in one of the vacant crew quarters. He was producing his entire menu out of there. SISKO And contaminating all his customers. A long beat as the implications sink in. Bashir takes a reading with his medical tricorder -- BASHIR If this virus is present in a large enough segment of the population, it could mean... Bashir rises. 33 NEW ANGLE As he quickly crosses over to Dax's station. He feeds the information from the tricorder into a monitor. SISKO What is it, Doctor? BASHIR I just took an air sample. 34 INSERT MONITOR We recognize the same organism we saw earlier in the Infirmary. 35 RESUME SCENE Sisko recognizes it too. SISKO The virus? BASHIR (nodding) It's mutated into an airborne variety. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT TWO 28. 35 CONTINUED: ODO (speaking for all) Which means? BASHIR Which means the whole station is infected. And off their reactions we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT THREE 29. ACT THREE 36 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) SISKO (V.O.) Station log Stardate 46423.7. Nearly sixty percent of DS Nine's population has now contracted the aphasia virus. We are advising all incoming ships to maintain their distance from the station until further notice. 37 INT. ACCESS TUNNEL (SAME LOCATION AS TEASER) Kira and a repair crew are carefully rechecking every inch of the tunnel. Kira scans an open panel with a tricorder. She reacts to a reading and carefully reaches inside the circuitry and as her fingers close around her target... 38 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE The ALIEN DEVICE we saw in the teaser is now resting on Sisko's table. 38A WIDEN TO INCLUDE Sisko and Kira. KIRA I found it inside the replicator's pattern generator. SISKO O'Brien must have accidently triggered it when he repaired the system. KIRA According to Bashir, it introduced an anomalous programming sequence into the materialization subroutine. In effect it built the virus directly into the replicated food at a molecular level. SISKO So what we have here is sabotage. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT THREE 30. 38A CONTINUED: KIRA Cardassian sabotage. SISKO How can you be sure? Kira picks up the device and slowly turns it over in her hands. KIRA It has a diboridium core for a power source. That's Cardassian technology. She hands the device over to Sisko who studies it. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT THREE 31. 38A CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR'S COM VOICE Bashir to Sisko. SISKO (taps com) Sisko here. BASHIR'S COM VOICE I think you'd better get down here to the Infirmary, Commander. SISKO On my way. And he's in motion... 39 INT. INFIRMARY Sisko ENTERS and is met by a solemn Bashir. SISKO You wanted to see me, Doctor? Before Bashir can answer, Sisko spots Jake seated on the diagnostic bed, alone and scared. SISKO Jake? 40 ANGLE - SISKO AND JAKE as they embrace. SISKO It's okay, son. It's okay. I'm here. JAKE Left become better control entire hope. Sisko gives Jake a reassuring smile, but he's a very worried father right now. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT THREE 32. 40 CONTINUED: BASHIR We've converted some empty crew quarters into a hospital ward. He'll be well looked after. SISKO I'll take him there myself. (to Jake) Come on Jake. It's going to be all right. He drapes his arm around Jake's shoulder and leads him toward the door. BASHIR Commander, when you have a moment... I've found something I'd like to show you. Sisko nods and EXITS with Jake. 41 INT. HOSPITAL WARD Transformed into what at first glance resembles a refugee camp. Aphasic victims are scattered throughout the room, many seated on cots that have been set up along the walls. Volunteer nurses (including Nurse Jabara) patrol the area, communicating with the patients by gesture and body language. 42 ANGLE ON SISKO AND JAKE and they ENTER. Sisko spots Quark struggling to make himself understood to an N.D. Bajoran seated on a cot. QUARK Money... hand... mine... give. SISKO Well, Quark, I see even you couldn't weasel your way clear of this one. Quark straightens up and flashes a self-satisfied grin. QUARK You underestimate the Ferengi immune system, Commander. I'm merely here to visit some of my less fortunate customers... DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT THREE 33. 42 CONTINUED: QUARK To make certain they're not faking the illness to avoid paying their bills. SISKO No one's that devious Quark. QUARK I am. He turns back to the Bajoran patient. QUARK You... gold... owe... me. 43 NEW ANGLE as Sisko leads Jake deeper into the room. At first they both are hesitant, this place looks pretty grim, but they lighten up when they notice O'Brien and Dax who approach. Sisko and Dax exchange rueful smiles. SISKO (simply) We're doing everything possible. And though Dax and the others can't understand the words, Sisko's concern comes through loud and clear. Dax holds out a comforting hand to Jake. He looks over at Sisko who leans over and kisses him on the head. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT THREE 34. 43 CONTINUED: SISKO I'll be back as soon as I can. Sisko turns and EXITS. Leaving his son behind is no easy thing. 44 INT. INFIRMARY Bashir directs Sisko over to a wall monitor... activates the screen. An Okudagram of a DNA sequence appears on the monitor. BASHIR The virus is synthetic, Commander. Its nucleotide sequence is too perfect. It's clearly not natural. SISKO You're saying the Cardassians genetically engineered this thing? BASHIR That's what I thought at first. But I've studied Cardassian genetic engineering. They always build distinctive monoclonial links into their DNA. This virus has none of those features. SISKO All right, then who made it. BASHIR (enthusiasm rising) That's what I wanted to find out. So I referenced all known DNA construction techniques in the Federation records... Indicates a section of the DNA. BASHIR This protein series was the key. It indicates that... SISKO (enough already) Doctor, who created this virus? BASHIR The Bajorans, sir. I believe this must have been a terrorist plot to sabotage the Cardassians while they were here. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT THREE 35. 44 CONTINUED: Off Sisko's surprised reaction... 45 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE Sisko, Kira, and Odo. Kira is holding the Cardassian programming device. KIRA The energy decay of this power core indicates that it dates back to the building of the station. ODO That's eighteen years ago. I suppose the Bajoran underground could have smuggled it aboard during construction. (a beat) Before I took over as head of security. SISKO But why would the underground go to all the trouble of planting a booby trap and then not set it off? Good question. ODO Maybe they forgot. KIRA More likely they were captured or killed before they could release it. SISKO We need to find out who created the virus. (to Kira) You're our best hope. Kira nods, knowing she has her work cut out for her. KIRA Eighteen years is a long time. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT THREE 36. ODO Besides, even if she finds this person... that's no guarantee he can help us. SISKO We just have to hope he remembers the antidote. ODO That's assuming he ever bothered to create one. That leaves them all with something to think about. 46 INT. OPS - CLOSE ON KIRA standing in front of a monitor at Dax's station. GALIS BLIN, a middle aged Bajoran woman is on the screen. (In b.g. we see that Ops is running on a skeleton crew.) KIRA ... Had to be someone in the underground familiar with genetic engineering. GALIS (thinks for a beat) Eighteen years ago... sounds like something Dekon Elig might have thought up. KIRA How can I find him? GALIS (thinking) Last I heard he was in a Cardassian prison. KIRA Where was he being held? GALIS The Velos Seven Internment Camp. But that was nine years ago. KIRA And you have no idea where he is now? (pressing) Think, Galis. This is important. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/15/92 - ACT THREE 37. GALIS (sympathetic) I'm sorry Kira, but it was all so long ago. 46A HOLD ON KIRA not ready to give up. 47 OMITTED DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/21/92 - ACT THREE 38. 48 INT. CREW QUARTERS/HOSPITAL WARD Nurse Jabara is making her rounds when she hears a commotion on the other side of the room. 49 NEW ANGLE As a frantic Jake comes running over. JAKE Roll linger when life. Roll linger when. NURSE JABARA What is it, Jake? Jake drags her over to where Dax is kneeling over a motionless O'Brien. Dax is checking his vital signs. DAX (to nurse Jabara) Other support strong courage. She takes the nurse's hand and presses it to O'Brien's forehead. NURSE JABARA He's running a high fever. JAKE Open way long. Openway. Nurse Jabara taps her combadge. NURSE JABARA Doctor, we have an emergency here in the crew quarters. BASHIR (COM VOICE) I'll be right there. 50 CAMERA HOLD on an unconscious O'Brien, his face drawn and sweating. FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT FOUR 39. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 51 INT. INFIRMARY - CLOSE ON O'BRIEN His body racked with fever. 52 ANGLE ON BASHIR Checking his vital signs monitor. They're dangerously low. 53 ANGLE WIDENS to include a grim faced Sisko. SISKO How is he, Doctor? BASHIR Not good, I'm afraid. It seems the virus has attacked his autonomic nervous system. SISKO Can he be stabilized? BASHIR He hasn't responded to neural stimulation. I've given him thirty c.c.'s of corophizine to avoid secondary infection, but so far I've been unable to lower his fever. SISKO What are his chances? Bashir eyes the monitor, then faces Sisko. BASHIR Unless I find some way to counteract the virus, he'll be dead in twelve hours. SISKO (gently; knows Bashir is doing his best) Have you made any progress? DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT FOUR 40. 53 CONTINUED: BASHIR (a painful admission) No... I've tried base pair de- stabilizers, sequential disruption, nothing seems to affect it. (a beat) Sir, I have seven other aphasic patients displaying the same symptoms as O'Brien here. And I'm afraid it's only the beginning. SISKO Keep searching, Doctor. And let's hope Major Kira can find whoever's responsible for creating this virus. BASHIR I'd like to meet that person myself. This virus is a work of genius. SISKO (dryly) I'll try and arrange it for you. 54 OMITTED 54A INT. OPS - CLOSE ON KIRA at her station. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT FOUR 40A. 54A CONTINUED: COMPUTER VOICE Link established with the Bajoran Archival Records. KIRA Locate files on Velos Seven Internment camp. COMPUTER VOICE Ready. KIRA Do you show a record of an inmate named Dekon Elig? OMPUTER VOICE Affirmative. KIRA Biographical data... COMPUTER VOICE Dekon Elig. Geneticist... Kira smiles triumphantly. COMPUTER VOICE Former member of the Higa Metar Sect of the Bajoran underground. Killed while attempting escape Stardate 39355. Certificate of Death on file. The worst news possible. Kira slumps back in defeat. SISKO (V.O.) No need to ask how you're doing. 55 ANGLE WIDENS To include Sisko as he EXITS from the Turbolift. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/20/92 - ACT FOUR 41. 55 CONTINUED: KIRA I'm chasing after ghosts. SISKO You have twelve hours to catch one. KIRA And then? SISKO People start dying. A silent beat between them, then Sisko LEAVES. Kira turns back to her console. KIRA (a stab in the dark) Computer, display Dekon Elig's Certificate of Death. The certificate is brought up on her monitor. (We do not have to see this on screen.) KIRA (continuing) Identify signature of witness. COMPUTER VOICE Certificate of Death was witnessed by Surmak Ren, Bajoran Medical Assistant. KIRA Show me biographical data on Surmak Ren. COMPUTER VOICE Doctor Surmak Ren. Former member of the Higa Metar sect of the Bajoran underground. Repatriated to Bajor upon closing of the Velos Seven Internment Camp, Stardate 46302. Current status... unknown. 55A HOLD ON KIRA the closer she gets to an answer... the farther away she has to go. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/20/92 - ACT FOUR 41A. 56 INT. QUARK'S abandoned except for Quark alone at the dabo table. As the wheel grinds to a halt. QUARK (halfheartedly) Dabo! ODO Having any luck? 57 ON ODO standing in the doorway. He makes his way over to the table. QUARK I haven't won a spin in hours. (brightening) Care to place a friendly wager? (off Odo's hesitation) If it's your reputation you're thinking about... no one need ever know. ODO It has nothing to do with my reputation. The truth is I've never... (a beat) ... learned the game. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT FOUR 42. 57 CONTINUED: QUARK (incredulous) You mean, you've sat in here all those years and you don't even know how to gamble? ODO (stiffly) That's correct. QUARK (laughing) No wonder you always look so bored. (smells a quick killing) The rules are quite simple, actually. I would be happy to teach them to you... ODO Some other time perhaps. Sisko needs me in Ops. (pointedly) And with the entire security force stricken with aphasia, that leaves the promenade in a very vulnerable position. Quark's eyes light up at that thought. QUARK How... unfortunate. ODO Consider it a warning, Quark. Because I'm holding you personally responsible for anything that turns up missing. Is that understood? QUARK Perfectly. Odo stares flatly at Quark until he's convinced that the Ferengi has gotten the message. Then he turns and EXITS. 58 HOLD ON QUARK who gives the wheel a frustrated spin... DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FOUR 43. 58 CONTINUED: QUARK (a curse) Dabo! 59 INT. INFIRMARY Bashir is in front of a wall monitor, using the computer to test antidotes. He is exhausted. BASHIR Computer, analyze test sample thirty- seven delta. Detail effects on viral containment. 59A ON MONITOR - BASHIR'S POV We see a medical readout. The words are clearly in English and make perfect sense. COMPUTER VOICE Working... (beat) Analysis complete. Sample thirty- seven delta ineffective... 59B ANGLE ON BASHIR he sags... Another failure. COMPUTER VOICE (continuing) ... viral protein sheath is unaffected... Nucleotide sequence remains intact... Bashir's head snaps up, a look of dread in his face. BASHIR Computer... Replay morning. COMPUTER VOICE Command unclear. Please repeat. 60 ON MONITOR - BASHIR'S POV The medical read out on the screen is now an indecipherable jumble. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT FOUR 43A. 60 CONTINUED: BASHIR Glass lunch judge a bin to let it... COMPUTER VOICE Command unclear. Please repeat. 61 RESUME BASHIR As he realizes what has happened. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FOUR 44. 62 INT. OPS A weary Kira is still at her console. KIRA Computer, establish link with the Bajoran Medical Index for Northwestern District... COMPUTER VOICE Link established. KIRA Access all information on Doctor Surmak Ren. COMPUTER VOICE There are no records matching that name. Kira's not surprised. KIRA Try the Northeastern District. Same search. COMPUTER VOICE Doctor Surmak Ren, currently serving as Chief Administrator of the Ilvian Medical Complex. Kira jolts forward in her seat. KIRA Computer, open a channel to the Ilvian Medical Complex... Administrators office. A soft, rather pudgy man SURMAK REN appears on the console. SURMAK (a pleasant smile) This is Doctor Surmak. And you are? KIRA Major Kira Nerys. Bajoran liaison to Deep Space Nine. SURMAK Ah yes, the old Cardassian mining station. How can I help you? KIRA That depends. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FOUR 44A. 62 CONTINUED: SURMAK On what? KIRA On whether or not you helped Dekon Elig plant an aphasia virus here, eighteen years ago. SURMAK (smile vanishing) I have no idea what you're talking about. The screen goes blank. Kira slams the deck in frustration. 63 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE Odo, ill at ease, stands before Sisko. ODO Look here, Sisko. I'm a security officer. A good one. But that doesn't make me qualified to help you run station operations. SISKO You're probably right, Constable... He gestures toward Ops. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/22/92 - ACT FOUR 45. 63 CONTINUED: SISKO But as you can see, you're all I've got. Odo reluctantly accepts his fate. 64 NEW ANGLE As Kira comes hurrying into Sisko's office. KIRA Commander, I think I found our scientist. SISKO Does he have an antidote? KIRA I don't know. He broke the connection the minute I mentioned the virus. She heads towards the door. Sisko on her heels. SISKO Major, you mind telling me where you're going? KIRA To continue my conversation with Doctor Surmak. Sisko blocks her path... SISKO Major, I can't allow you to break quarantine. We can't risk spreading the virus to Bajor. KIRA I'm well aware of that, Commander. As a matter of fact, I don't intend to step foot on the planet. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FOUR 46. Sisko still isn't sure. Odo steps forward to break the stalemate. ODO Better let her go, Sisko. Sisko's gaze demands Odo give a reason. ODO (continuing) She's all we've got. A beat. Sisko steps aside. Kira nods goodbye, EXITS the office. ODO I just hope there's someone left to greet her when she returns. Hold on Sisko. His thoughts exactly. 65 EXT. SPACE DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as Kira's Runabout leaves the station. 66 INT. CREW QUARTERS/HOSPITAL WARD (DAY THREE) Jake and Dax are among a crowd watching another aphasic patient, in an advanced state of the disease, being carried out on a stretcher. 67 ANGLE SISKO Making his way through the crowd. SISKO Jake! Jake brightens at the sight of his dad. SISKO How's it going, fella? DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT FOUR 47. 67 CONTINUED: They hug, Sisko exchanges glances with Dax, who sensing their need for privacy, nods and steps away. 68 NEW ANGLE Sisko seats Jake on a cot, then kneels down so that they can be at eye level. He knows Jake can't understand him, but he's hoping that his tone and expression can convey all that he's feeling. SISKO I've missed you, son. I know things don't look too good right now. But they'll get better. You have to believe that. Because... I'm not going to lose you, Jake. You hear me? I'm not going to lose you. And the intensity of Sisko's words do get through to Jake, who smiles and gives him a "we're in this together" nod. Sisko smiles back. And for a moment, there is communication and understanding. 69 OMITTED DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FOUR 48. 70 INT. OPS Odo at the operations table, stares at a panel with growing unease. 71 ANGLE SISKO as he ENTERS OPS. ODO You better take a look at this... We have activity on Docking Port Five. I think a ship's about to depart. SISKO Docking Port Five? That's Jaheel's ship. Put him on screen. 72 THE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) The image of Captain Jaheel appears. He's frantically working his ship's control panels. 73 INTERCUT WITH SISKO AND ODO (OPTICAL) Sisko, tensing in anger. SISKO Captain, your ship has not been cleared for departure. The mooring clamps are locked. And I don't intend to release them. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FOUR 49. 73 CONTINUED: JAHEEL I suggest you change your mind. I'm taking aft thrusters to one half. 74 EXT. SPACE - JAHEEL'S SHIP (OPTICAL) Engine's firing but the vessel remains held fast to station. 75 INT. OPS (OPTICAL) as before. SISKO Captain, cut your engines before you rip your ship apart. ODO (checking panel) He's not reducing power. SISKO Jaheel, I'm ordering you to stand down. Jaheel's ship shudders from the strain of his engines. JAHEEL Your orders are no concern of mine. My entire crew has been confined to your hospital. I must leave now while I can still function. SISKO Look, I understand you're frightened. But believe me, you're better off here. You don't want to be out there alone and get hit by the virus. JAHEEL Don't worry about me. I'm fine and I intend to stay that way. Sisko hits a panel to mute communication with Jaheel. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT FOUR 49A. 75 CONTINUED: SISKO Damn. ODO What's wrong? SISKO There's too much stress on the mooring clamps. They're not retracting. A violent shake almost knocks Sisko and Odo off their feet. The Viewscreen image disappears into static. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FOUR 50. 75 CONTINUED: (2) ODO His aft isolation plate buckled. Sisko comes over to check the console. SISKO The main power core's been ruptured. If the internal fuel cells collapse the whole ship will explode. ODO And take half the docking ring with it. Off Sisko and Odo's expressions... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT FIVE 51-53. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 75A EXT. SPACE - THE RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) Orbiting around Bajor. 75B INT. RUNABOUT Kira in the cockpit, taking readings. KIRA Computer, isolate a comline to the Ilvian Medical Complex. Administrator's office. COMPUTER VOICE Line isolated. KIRA Scan the office for lifeforms. COMPUTER VOICE One life form present. KIRA Lock on and stand by to transport. She works console. 75C INCLUDE MONITOR (OPTICAL) as Surmak Ren appears on screen. SURMAK This is Doctor Surmak. KIRA Hello again, Doctor. Just wanted to make sure you were in your office. SURMAK I have nothing to say to you... Surmak moves to sever their connection, but Kira is quicker -- she touches a panel and Surmak DEMATERIALIZES. A delighted Kira swirls around in her chair. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT FIVE 53A. 76 thru OMITTED 82 83 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) to find a flabbergasted Surmak MATERIALIZING on the runabout's Transport pad. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FIVE 54. KIRA Welcome aboard. Surmak steps off the pad... and it's wrath of God time. SURMAK This is outrageous. I demand you return me to my office immediately. KIRA Relax, Doctor. You won't be gone long. 84 ANGLE KIRA Working panels... plotting a new course... Surmak feels the ship leaving orbit. SURMAK Where are you taking me? KIRA To the space station. Off Surmak's reaction. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FIVE 55. 84A INT. OPS (FORMERLY SCENE 76) Sisko and Odo are staring at the static filled Viewscreen. SISKO Try to re-establish visual contact with Jaheel's ship. ODO (working console) No response. His com lines are down. SISKO Bypass communications through his secondary grid. See if you can switch to external pickups. ODO (working feverishly) Got it. 84B ON VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) The static clears -- replaced with the burning bridge of Jaheel's vessel. (Jaheel's nowhere in sight) ODO His fire control systems don't appear to be working. SISKO (checking console) We have about fifteen minutes before the fuel cells collapse. Sisko is hit by a wave of dizziness. He tries to fight it off. ODO I hope you feel better than you look. SISKO (sweating) It must be that damn virus. (hitting console) This is Sisko. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT FIVE 56. 84B CONTINUED: SISKO (Cont'd) Any station personnel who can understand what I'm saying should come to Ops immediately. We need help up here. (to Odo) We have to get that ship away from the station. ODO Why don't we explode the mooring clamps. The blast should push the ship away from the docking ring. SISKO (agreed) We'll have to get down there and blow them manually. ODO I'll do it. SISKO All right... you can cross barrels all job appalled. ODO What was that you... SISKO Bread the arrive seen earlier. ODO Oh, I see... One look at Odo's face and Sisko knows he's through. He slumps down helplessly in his chair. 84C EXT. SPACE RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) 84D INT. RUNABOUT Surmak and Kira still going at it. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FIVE 56A. 84D CONTINUED: SURMAK Major, this is kidnapping. Turn this ship around or I swear you'll spend the rest of your life in Kran- Tobol Prison. KIRA Fine. But first we need your help. The aphasia virus is spreading through the station. SURMAK But why come to me. KIRA You helped create the virus didn't you. Surmak sits down beside her, nervously trying to cover any suggestion of guilt. SURMAK No! I had practically nothing to do with it. Dekon Elig created the virus. I was merely his medical assistant. (half to himself) It all seems like a life time ago. I was only with the underground six months before we were captured. (to Kira, urgent) I am not responsible for this. KIRA I'm not looking to place blame. All I want is the antidote. SURMAK But I don't know of any antidote. If Dekon made one, he never told me. KIRA (reacts, a beat) Look, all I know is I have a station full of dying people, and you're the closest thing to an expert on this virus. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FIVE 56B. 84D CONTINUED: (2) SURMAK I sympathize, Major. But I don't think I can help you. Kira stares at Surmak for a beat. KIRA All right, then how about helping yourself? SURMAK Meaning what? KIRA (leaning toward him for emphasis) Meaning I've been infected with your virus, Doctor. So now you're infected too. 85 TIGHT ON SURMAK As Kira's words hit home. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT FIVE 56C. 86 INT. OPS Odo taking readings. Doesn't like what he sees. (Sisko in b.g.) ODO (hits com panel) To anyone who can hear me... this is Odo. Sisko's infected. I could really use some help in Ops. QUARK (V.O.) Do I detect a note of panic in your voice? 86A WIDER SHOT To include Quark. Odo reacts. A mixture of surprise and suspicion. ODO Quark, am I to believe you're volunteering to help? QUARK Who said anything about volunteering? But we can haggle over price later. (enjoying the power) Now how may I be of service? 86B HOLD ON ODO weighing his options. Then -- ODO I need to get to Docking Port Five, now. That ship is going to explode in five minutes. QUARK I'll beam you over. Quark moves to the Transporter control panel. Notices Odo's hesitation. QUARK Relax. I served on a Ferengi freighter for eight years. Odo steps onto the Transporter pad. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/19/92 - ACT FIVE 56D. 86B CONTINUED: QUARK (carefully, studying panel) I must have witnessed this procedure hundreds of times. ODO Witnessed? You mean to say you never handled the controls yourself? But before Odo can step off the pad -- QUARK (working panel) Energizing. 87 ANGLE (OPTICAL) Odo DEMATERIALIZES. 88 INT. DOCKING PORT FIVE Odo appears out of the smoke pouring through an open airlock (we do not see him MATERIALIZE). 88A INT. OPS Quark crosses over to take Odo's place at the operations table. KIRA'S COM VOICE Kira to Ops. Approaching landing pad seven. Request clearance to initiate docking procedure. QUARK Welcome back Major. I could use some help up here. KIRA'S COM VOICE Quark what are you doing in Ops? 88B INT. INFIRMARY as Kira, looking pale, ENTERS with Surmak. SURMAK First thing I need to see is your Doctors' viral characterization research. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/13/92 - ACT FIVE 56E. 88B CONTINUED: He seats himself at a wall monitor. He taps the console and the monitor displays Bashir's notes. SURMAK (scans data) He was beginning to develop an antidote series. Let's take a look at that. Kira dabs at her forehead. Her hand comes away damp with sweat. KIRA I'll be in Ops. If you need me use the string... Surmak looks at her oddly. She hesitates, confusion lining her face. KIRA ... impact lots show red intense. SURMAK I think you'd better sit down, Major. He helps her to a seat then turns back to the monitor. 88C INT. DOCKING PORT FIVE Odo makes his way through the smoke. We HEAR A GROAN O.S. 89 ODO'S POV Jaheel, having escaped from his ship, lies half conscious on the floor. 90 RESUME SCENE Odo lifts him up. JAHEEL (aphasic) Dog fellow distance. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/22/92 - ACT FIVE 57. ODO Tell me about it. He lifts Jaheel. 91 INT. OPS - TIGHT ON QUARK AT OPERATIONS TABLE Starting to feel the pressure, as he checks a console. QUARK Odo, that ship's going to explode in one minute. 92 INT. DOCKING PORT FIVE Odo carries Jaheel to safety, then continues on his mission. 92A INT. INFIRMARY Surmak, scanning the monitor, keeps up a running commentary for Kira. She doesn't understand a word but she watches him intently, hoping for some sign of success. SURMAK (scanning info) Virum protein sheath... uh-huh... Nucleotide sequence... yes... (remembers) That's right, it's an adaptive synaptic inhibitor... Dekon was brilliant, there's no doubt of that. He continues to work. 92B INT. DOCKING PORT FIVE Odo over to the wall near the airlock, searches for the correct access panel. QUARK'S COM VOICE Forty seconds. Odo finds the panel, tears it open... Reveals a lever in an upright position. Odo slams it down. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FIVE 57A. 93 INT. OPS If Ferengis do indeed have hearts, then Quark's is banging out of his chest. QUARK Thirty seconds. Hurry. 94 INT. DOCKING PORT FIVE Odo crossing through the smoke to the other side of the airlock, heaves open another access panel... flips down another lever. 95 INT. OPS - QUARK Assuming a defensive position know as the Ferengi cringe. QUARK Twenty seconds. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FIVE 58. 96 INT. DOCKING PORT FIVE Odo doubletimes it through the smoke. ODO (muttering) I know. I know. He arrives at a control panel... presses a button, the airlock doors close... He quickly punches in a code sequence... braces himself against the wall. We HEAR THE SOUND OF THE MOORING CLAMPS EXPLODING. 97 EXT. DOCKING PORT FIVE (OPTICAL) Blown free of the clamps, Jaheel's ship is pushed clear of the docking port. 98 INT. OPS Quark prays to whatever God Ferengis pray to as he and Sisko are jolted by the blast. 99 OMITTED 100 INT. OPS As the shaking subsides... Quark gets to his feet. QUARK Quark to Odo. You still with us? 101 INT. DOCKING PORT FIVE As Odo picks himself up off the floor. ODO Try not to sound too disappointed. 102 INT. OPS Quark leaning comfortably back in Kira's chair. QUARK Now, about that little matter of my hazard pay... DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/16/92 - ACT FIVE 59. 103 INT. DOCKING PORT FIVE Odo's eyes narrow. One of these days he's going to throttle that greedy rodent. 103A INT. INFIRMARY Kira and Surmak as before. SURMAK (confidence growing) Your doctor came very close to finding the antidote himself. The answer is in a progressive base substitution. He gets up and crosses to an equipment drawer and takes out a twenty-fourth century syringe. SURMAK (to Kira) Now I just need to take a blood sample. And as he begins to draw Kira's blood... 104 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) SISKO (V.O.) Station log, Stardate 46425.8. We're continuing to administer Doctor Surmak's antidote throughout the station. Things are slowly returning to normal. DEEP SPACE: "Babel" REV. 10/14/92 - ACT FIVE 60. 105 INT. OPS Fully staffed... Business as usual. Sisko, Dax, Kira and O'Brien all at their stations. Sisko crosses to the replicator. Passes O'Brien. SISKO Good to have you back, Chief. O'BRIEN Thank you, sir. 106 ON O'BRIEN He sees where Sisko's headed, and a look of panic crosses his face. SISKO (O.S.) Hot coffee, black. 107 RESUME SCENE Sisko, cup in hand, takes a big gulp... And nearly gags. The coffee's awful -- again. SISKO O'Brien... ! All eyes turn to O'Brien. And as O'Brien's eyes turn to the heavens, we... FADE OUT. THE END