STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Circle" #40512-422 Written by Peter Allan Fields Directed by Corey Allen 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 July 12, 1993 STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Circle" 07/26/93 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Circle" CAST SISKO BAREIL KIRA LI NALAS ODO JARO QUARK WINN BASHIR KRIM DAX CHEKOTE O'BRIEN ZEF'NO JAKE CARDASSIAN (O.C.) COMPUTER VOICE PEACE OFFICER VOICE (O.C.) LEGISLATORS Non-speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES N.D. BAJORANS MILITARY OFFICIALS KRESSARIS THREE LARGE N.D. MALES STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Circle" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE CORRIDOR INFIRMARY BAJORAN CITY OPS SECURITY OFFICE KRESSARI VESSEL COMMANDER'S OFFICE KIRA'S QUARTERS TEMPLE GARDEN AIRLOCK RUNABOUT BAJORAN CITY BAJORAN CHAMBER OF MINISTERS TEMPLE SHRINE CHAMBER WAR ROOM KRESSARI CARGO BAY UNDERGROUND BUNKER CHAMBER STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Circle" 07/15/93 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Circle" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE BAJOR BAY-jor BAJORAN bah-JOR-an BAREIL buh-RILE EPIDELLIC epi-DEL-IC JARO ESSA JAR-oe ESS-uh KRESSARI kre-SAR-i LI NALAS LEE NAH-less MINICOY MI-ni-coy CHEKOTE chee-KO-tay NERYS nar-ESS PERIKIAN per-I-kee-an ZEF'NO ZEF-no NAVARCH NAY-vark DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Circle" TEASER FADE IN: RECAP OF "THE HOMECOMING" EPISODE 1 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) (STOCK) Establishing. 2 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE SISKO, his displeasure and frustration controlled beneath his quiet courtesy, sits facing MINISTER JARO -- the gifted politician, practiced at being ever-affable. JARO Frankly, Commander, I'm surprised at your reaction. SISKO (measuring him) Oh, I don't think much surprises you, Minister... JARO But I expected you to be celebrating! I was under the impression that Major Kira has been nothing but trouble to you since... SISKO (interrupting, investigative) Who gave you that impression? JARO It's... common knowledge. SISKO Major Kira has my complete respect. She's been invaluable in establishing this command post. And now she's been dismissed without anyone consulting me. I don't appreciate it. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: JARO Commander, Starfleet doesn't consult us when they wish to promote one of their officers... SISKO Are you suggesting this is a promotion for Kira... ? JARO Certainly it is. We must find the proper spot for her. After all, she's the one who brought Li Nalas back to us. A beat... Sisko relaxes... SISKO Well, then that's a different matter. JARO I'm glad you see it. SISKO Yes, of course, I do. For a minute, I was thinking to myself... "There's a warm wind blowing in from Minicoy." JARO I'm sorry... ? SISKO Just an old saying where I come from. It all started with a famous ambassador from Minicoy who used to bluster, exaggerate, and dissemble to get what he wanted... not at all like you or me... he was a bag of hot air and everyone recognized him for what he was. They measure each other for a long moment... with a new tightness -- JARO May I assume you are satisfied with the assignment of Li to fill your vacant post... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - TEASER 3. 2 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO I thought you'd want Li to stay in the capital to help strengthen the provisional government... JARO Frankly, I'm not sure it's safe in the capital... with what's going on these days... SISKO The Circle? JARO (acknowledges) The fires and graffiti were a nuisance. But two days ago, one of my fellow ministers was attacked and beaten. We can't risk that happening to Li Nalas. He rises... JARO Look at it this way, Commander: We're entrusting you with Bajor's greatest hero. Could you have a better liaison officer than Li Nalas? I think not. Jaro turns and leaves... Sisko at the door, watches him go... 3 INCLUDING O'BRIEN at his station. O'BRIEN Commander, your son's been waiting to speak with you on the com. Sisko's mind is still on the departing Jaro; he moves to a console and hits a panel... SISKO Jake? JAKE'S COM VOICE Dad? I'm outside our quarters. Could you come down for a minute? SISKO Is something wrong? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - TEASER 4. JAKE'S COM VOICE I really think you ought to come down, Dad. SISKO On my way. Sisko moves very quickly to EXIT his office. 4 INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE SISKO'S QUARTERS As Sisko approaches, JAKE stands awaiting him. SISKO What's the problem? Jake nods toward the closed door of their quarters. Sisko's eyes follow, to see: 5 CLOSED DOOR OF SISKO'S QUARTERS - CLOSE Sloppily painted on the door -- graffiti-style -- is the same Bajoran nationalist emblem seen in the preceding episode. Off -- 6 SISKO'S REACTION FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT ONE 5. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) 7 INT. KIRA'S QUARTERS A sadly resigned KIRA slowly packs for her departure. The door CHIMES. KIRA (calling o.s.) Come in. 8 INCLUDING ODO The door opens to reveal ODO. The first thing he sees is her half-packed stuff, the sight of which causes him to pause on the threshold for a beat. He's annoyed by what it portends. Then, even as he's entering: ODO You're not. KIRA Leaving? I really don't have much choice, do I... ODO You're not just leaving, Major. You're surrendering. KIRA You break the rules, you pay. ODO Wait a minute. I want to be sure I heard that correctly. Because it doesn't sound like the Kira Nerys who has made a career out of breaking rules... KIRA Well, I guess I broke one too many... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT ONE 6. 8 CONTINUED: ODO Major, you broke one too many fourteen and a half years ago... Cardassian rules, Bajoran rules, Federation rules... they're all meaningless to you... because you have a personal code that's always mattered more... and I'm sorry to say you're in slim company... KIRA (beat, softer) I'll miss you too, Odo. ODO Have you asked Sisko for help? KIRA I'm sure he'll do whatever he thinks is best for the station... ODO You haven't even gone to him? KIRA What do you want me to do, Odo?... ODO Fight for what you want. It's what you do best. KIRA (beat, without the least bit of conviction) Maybe I just want a vacation. Odo snorts that away... ODO Idiotic bureaucracy. Now, I suppose they expect me to break in a new man... KIRA A great man. Li Nalas can handle the job, believe me. ODO You did fairly well at it... once I smoothed your rough edges. (off her smile) What's so funny? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT ONE 7. 8 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA I thought you did fairly well... once I smoothed your edges. The door CHIMES again. KIRA (calls o.s.) Yes?... 9 INCLUDING DAX as -- carrying a small, slightly feminine (in design) spray bottle -- DAX ENTERS. DAX (re: Odo) Am I disturbing anything? KIRA (to Dax) Stick around; you can help me cry in my synthale. DAX (proffers bottle) I thought I'd better return this epidellic lotion. KIRA No, if you like it... DAX ... Oh, it's wonderful... KIRA ... Then, keep it. ODO (exasperated) How can you be chatting about skin lotion at a time like this? DAX (to Kira) D'you know where you'll be stationed? The door CHIMES. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT ONE 7A. 9 CONTINUED: KIRA (calls o.s.) Come in. (to Dax) Not yet. They say that after I've taken some leave time, I've earned a desk in the foreign affairs building somewhere. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT ONE 8. 10 INCLUDING BASHIR as, surprised to see others present, he nonetheless ENTERS. KIRA (smile) Doctor. DAX (to Kira) Foreign affairs building? BASHIR (to Kira) I wanted to wish you my best. DAX (to Kira) Well that's certainly dull. BASHIR (does she mean him?) I beg your pardon? KIRA (to Dax, resigned) "Dull" is the polite word for it. ODO (to Bashir) Doctor, if you were Kira, wouldn't you at least be complaining to Commander Sisko? BASHIR (lost) Uh... Look, I just came to wish you good luck. KIRA (to Bashir; gently) Thank you, Doctor. BASHIR (to Odo) "Complaining" about what? ODO (to Bashir) Nevermind, Doctor; if she doesn't care, why should we? BASHIR (to Kira) Have they given you any explanation yet? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT ONE 9. 10 CONTINUED: DAX (to Kira) Did they offer any alternative? KIRA (to Odo) I do care. (to Bashir) No, they haven't. (to Dax) No, they didn't. (to all) Look, I really ought to finish packing... The door CHIMES. BASHIR (to Odo) You said "If she doesn't care"... You mean about leaving... KIRA (calls o.s.) By all means, come on in. ODO (to Dax) She's done well here... she ought to stay here... (challenging him) And I'd say she needs a little support from her friends, Doctor. BASHIR Well, yes, certainly, but if her orders... Stops mid-sentence and turns to see -- 11 INCLUDING O'BRIEN Startled to see so many others present, he stands tentatively -- silently -- on the threshold for a beat, with: O'BRIEN Uh... KIRA (genuine smile) Chief. Come in. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT ONE 10. 11 CONTINUED: Kira moves to O'Brien; takes his arm, and literally "escorts" him in, with: O'BRIEN I didn't mean to intrude. I just, uh... BASHIR Don't worry, Chief; it's all been said. ODO I have a good deal more to say, thank you, Doctor. O'BRIEN (off Odo's demeanor) Look, I could come back... I do have a couple of graviton generators being overhauled... DAX Leave her alone, Odo, this is Kira's decision to make. (to Kira) Unless you want me to talk to Benjamin. KIRA I knew what I was doing; I knew the risk. ODO That's not what she asked you. O'BRIEN (wants out) I just wanted to say, Major, it's been a pleasure serving with you. BASHIR Will somebody please explain this conversation to me? O'Brien has started inching toward the door; but... The door CHIMES. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT ONE 11. 11 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA (calls o.s.; wearily) Come in. 12 INCLUDING QUARK who unabashedly ENTERS carrying a very small flagon of synthale. QUARK A party? (to Kira) For you, I would've reduced my catering rates. ODO It's not a party. (re: flagon) What's that? KIRA (gratefully) A bottle of my favorite synthale, I think. That's very thoughtful, Quark. ODO It's also very small. QUARK (to Odo) I was anticipating a far smaller gathering. I thought, perhaps, an intimate farewell drink, a sympathetic smile, a shoulder to cry on... O'BRIEN (eyeing door) Again, Major... It's really been... QUARK (continuing to Odo) ... you'd be surprised how often that works with women... Again O'Brien's backing to the door. Again, however, the door CHIMES. Kira plops down into a chair; bushed, with: DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT ONE 12. 12 CONTINUED: KIRA Is this a joke? (to all) Did you plan this? BASHIR (not me) Nobody could have planned this. KIRA (calls o.s.) We're open for business. Come on in. Join the crowd. 13 INCLUDING BAREIL In the doorway stands VEDEK BAREIL (the Bajoran Vedek we first met in our "IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPHETS" episode). As he's revealed, there's sudden, complete SILENCE in the room... And Kira BOLTS to her feet. KIRA Vedek Bareil. BAREIL I didn't mean to intrude... KIRA No; please... Come in. These are my... (beat; realizing it) ...friends. Bareil, smiling warmly and graciously, bows courteously to all in the room, as: BAREIL Yes, I've met... (nods at each) ... Security Chief Odo... Lieutenant Dax, and... Mister O'Brien, I believe. O'BRIEN How do you do, Sir. KIRA I had no idea you were coming to the station. BAREIL Nowadays, it's probably wiser not to announce those things. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT ONE 13. 13 CONTINUED: ODO How bad is it on Bajor, Vedek? BAREIL The violence has seriously escalated... it almost seems there are more weapons on the streets now than during the occupation... KIRA How is that possible? Where would they be coming from? Bareil shakes his head, doesn't know. BAREIL I try to concentrate on more spiritual matters. KIRA Yes, of course, I mean, I didn't mean to suggest that you would actually know where... BAREIL (rescuing her) I understand your duties here are finished. KIRA Yes, it is. BAREIL Do you have any immediate plans? KIRA I... haven't had much time... to give it any thought... BAREIL Then, I have the perfect solution... Come and stay at our monastery for a while. It can help when the spirit gets a little bruised. Kira, taken (pleasantly) aback by the offer, can only look at him for a beat. 14 CLOSE - KIRA Taken with the ethereal quality of the man. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT ONE 14. 14 CONTINUED: KIRA (beat; softly) Thank you. 15 INT. OPS Only Supernumeraries on duty (as needed) -- as Kira ENTERS; relaxedly and with a slightly wistful, if not melancholy, air... Giving the place a farewell look-around. As she moves first to her own station, and then to another: 16 ANGLE FAVORING TURBOLIFT LI NALAS rises to Ops level on the Turbolift; emerges; Kira sees him, puts her own feelings aside and moves with a purpose, "okay"... LI Major... KIRA I just want you to know if there's anything I can do to help you... LI Major... I'm sorry. I didn't want the job. KIRA Neither did I. You know, back when I was sent here in the first place. But it... turned out better than I expected. I'm... sure it will for you as well. LI I don't even know what I'm supposed to do here... how does a "Navarch" fit into this command structure... ? Sisko moves out from his office during the above... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - ACT ONE 15. 16 CONTINUED: SISKO (even, casual) As I understand the position, you report directly to the prophets. But from time to time, I might ask for your help... LI Commander, anything you need from me, I'll try my best to do... but I know I can never replace Major Kira... SISKO (to Kira) No one could. Li recognizes the moment and moves away. KIRA (heartfelt) Thank you, sir. (beat) Request permission to disembark. SISKO I'm going to get you back, Major. I promise that to both of us. His words cut through her sadness. Gratitude. She manages a small smile. He nods his permission to leave. She climbs aboard the Turbolift. KIRA (beat) Docking Bay Three. Kira's eyes never leave those of Sisko -- as the Turbolift descends, taking her out of sight. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - ACT ONE 16. 17 CLOSE - SISKO He's looking after her, as we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - ACT TWO 17. ACT TWO FADE IN: 18 EXT. BAJORAN CITY - DAY (MATTE) Establishing. 19 EXT. TEMPLE GARDEN - DAY Kira, dressed in plain, light-colored, comfortable but not unattractive civilian garb, kneels adjusting the small rocks which line the edge of a garden. The line of rocks is slightly crooked. From b.g., she is approached by Bareil, who studies her work. BAREIL May I offer a friendly observation? KIRA It's crooked. BAREIL It's crooked. KIRA I've been adjusting it for an hour... it looks fine from over here but then I go over there and... (sighs) This isn't working, Bareil... BAREIL It's only a row of stones. KIRA No, it's not. It's me. The stones are straight. I'm the one who's crooked. BAREIL (studying her) Is that really how you see yourself... ? KIRA (smiles) Sometimes. Sometimes I even like being that way. He smiles, studying her a beat. There is a moment of sexual tension. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 18. 19 CONTINUED: She feels it, likes it, doesn't resist it but moves away from it with a secret sparkle in her eyes. Some flirtatious subtext lingers on in the scene. KIRA If I'm here long enough, I'm sure I'll destroy your whole arboretum. BAREIL (not entirely serious) Perhaps you'd rather try your hand at woodcrafts... KIRA Can I tell you something very personal? BAREIL Of course. KIRA And you won't tell. BAREIL I'm a Vedek. KIRA I have absolutely no artistic skills. I was the worst fingerpainter in the four year old level. My parents were humiliated. BAREIL (not serious) It'll be our secret. KIRA The point is I'm useless here. BAREIL So? KIRA So, I need to feel useful. BAREIL Are you sure? It might be interesting to explore "useless" for awhile... see how it feels. KIRA (laughs) You don't know me... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 19. 19 CONTINUED: (2) BAREIL I'm beginning to. Their eyes meet again and there it is again, that tension. Finally... BAREIL It's time, isn't it. She reacts, what the hell is he getting at, if it's what she thinks it is, maybe she's let this get out of hand... KIRA Time? BAREIL Come inside with me. KIRA (re: stones) I really should finish the... BAREIL (guiding her) Come... 20 INT. TEMPLE SHRINE CHAMBER - DAY (OPTICAL) as Kira and Bareil ENTER the small, dark chamber. KIRA I've... never been to this part of the monastery before... BAREIL May it be the first of many visits. KIRA Bareil, maybe we should talk about... But she pauses in mid-sentence as she sees -- Set into one wall is the double-doored ark in which rests the (o.s.) sacred orb. KIRA ...this. Bareil moves to the ark and opens it, revealing an orb behind a forcefield... this one is a different color than the one Sisko encountered... bluer... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT TWO 20. 20 CONTINUED: KIRA (honored beyond words) Oh, Bareil... She immediately bows to pay homage to the prophets... as her head stays down... we stay on her face -- KIRA All my life... I've dreamed of this. BAREIL (O.S.) It is the third orb. The orb of prophecy and change. KIRA What... do I do? BAREIL (O.S.) Be... useless, Nerys. Allow the prophets to guide you. And we stay on her face as a tear rolls down her cheek... and we hear Bareil walk out and leave her alone... a door closes... and she looks up at... 21 THE ORB (OPTICAL) After a beat, the forcefield zaps off (controlled by Bareil outside) and 22 REVERSE ANGLE (OPTICAL) As it did with Sisko in "THE EMISSARY," the light suddenly spins outward to envelop Kira... like a whirling cyclone, blinding out the surrounding chamber... and when it clears... she's no longer in the chamber... but is, instead... 23 INT. BAJORAN CHAMBER OF MINISTERS - DAY (OPTICAL) ... Kira, standing on the dais in her uniform in front of... 24 ANGLE (OPTICAL) ... a crowd of seated Bajoran Legislators... all of whom are looking at her; many of whom are half-rising, and even waving to ensure her attention to their voices -- which we cannot hear... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT TWO 20A. 24 CONTINUED: LEGISLATORS (unheard) Major... some answers... I demand an explanation... Major, over here... give us the details, Major... May I ask a question... over here... may I have the floor, please... ? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT TWO 21. 25 ON KIRA (OPTICAL) Stunned -- confused, as she stares back at the crowd. Looks around... KIRA The Chamber of Ministers... ? 26 ANGLE - DAX (OPTICAL) in Vedek's garb and hat... posed incongruously casual beside her... KIRA Dax... ? DAX Listen to them, Kira... KIRA I can't hear them... DAX (comforting) It's all right. Listen. Dax gives her a comforting hug and as we cut to... 27 CLOSER ANGLE (OPTICAL) on Dax as she pulls away except it isn't Dax, it's Vedek Winn... WINN Can you hear them now, child? Kira recoils, backing into -- 28 ANGLE - MINISTER JARO (OPTICAL) Minister Jaro... who looks down at her with a benign smile... JARO I can hear them, Major. They're calling to me. 29 ANGLE - BAREIL (OPTICAL) moving slowly down the aisle... he is dressed in her Major's uniform... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT TWO 22. 29 CONTINUED: BAREIL Don't believe him, Nerys. Allow yourself to hear them. They are calling to you. 30 REVERSE ANGLE - KIRA (OPTICAL) Suddenly she is naked... she covers herself... 31 WINN (OPTICAL) WINN (sotto) Blasphemy. 32 BAREIL (OPTICAL) BAREIL Listen to them, Nerys. 33 KIRA (OPTICAL) KIRA Help me to hear them. I don't know how... 34 BAREIL (OPTICAL) BAREIL But you do. 35 KIRA - MEDIUM CLOSE-UP (OPTICAL) From behind her a man's arm embraces her arms which cover her breasts... moving to discover it is Bareil again, behind her now, visibly naked from the waist up, pulling her back to him and as she feels the skin against skin, she gasps and looks up at his face as it moves down to her lips... BAREIL You do. And as he kisses her... suddenly there is an explosion of sound -- chaotic walla, incomprehensible voices of the Ministers echoing in the chamber... and... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT TWO 22A. 35 CONTINUED: LEGISLATORS (incomprensible) Major... some answers... I demand an explanation... Major, Major, over here... give us the details... Major, may I ask a question... over here... may I have the floor, please... ? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 23. 36 INT. TEMPLE SHRINE CHAMBER (OPTICAL) ... where Kira stands, fully dressed and as she stood initially. All is again as it was. 37 ON KIRA Beat -- until she realizes it's actually over. Her expression reflects that, while perplexedly incredulous to the point of near-astonishment... 38 KIRA'S FACE ... she's also intrigued. 39 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) (STOCK) Re-establishing. 40 INT. SECURITY OFFICE (OPTICAL) Odo sits conversing with a Bajoran PEACE OFFICER whose image appears on his monitor: PEACE OFFICER Last night alone we had dozens of beatings. They're everywhere... until we go looking for them; then they're nowhere. ODO Which suggests they've got powerful friends to warn them, and protect them. PEACE OFFICER (wearily) Probably. We've got to stop this before it gets out of hand... the provisional government is bringing troops into the capital... ODO (reacts, it's that serious?) Troops... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 24. 40 CONTINUED: PEACE OFFICER That'll put an end to this Circle. (signing off) Keep your eyes open up there, old friend... ODO (disturbed at the news) I always do. The monitor returns to a Bajoran symbol as Odo turns to see -- 41 ANGLE - QUARK has been standing there, listening... anticipating the question... ODO No, I haven't made any progress in finding the ones who assaulted you... Quark, unusually subdued, sits. QUARK It's over, Odo. ODO The investigation isn't closed, it's just a matter of... QUARK No, you don't understand -- it's over. ODO What are you talking about. QUARK Everything. Bajor. The provisional government. The Federation being here. All of it. We've got to leave. Well, I do anyway... you can just turn into a couch... ODO You mean because of this Circle business? They're just a bunch of hooligans who use violence to get attention... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT TWO 25. 41 CONTINUED: QUARK I happen to know they've got enough weapons, explosives and supplies to support an army. ODO (reacts) How do you know that? QUARK I've been asking a few questions to people who don't answer questions from people like you. ODO Where would the Circle be getting so many weapons? QUARK The Kressari. ODO The Kressari? That doesn't make sense. The Kressari don't even have a military... they're botanic DNA traders... QUARK They're not delivering flowers these days. I know, Odo. Odo presses something on the panel before him, with: ODO Computer... when's the next Kressari vessel due here? COMPUTER VOICE The Kressari vessel Calondon is scheduled to arrive in thirty-six hours. Odo nods, turns back to Quark. ODO Do you know where these weapons are being sent to on Bajor? QUARK No, not exactly, but I... ODO Find out. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 26. 41 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK Are you out of your mind? My plan is to put as much distance as possible between me and Bajor thank you very much... He rises as does Odo. ODO Quark. I hate to do this. But I guess I'll have to. QUARK That's not fair. ODO I haven't done anything yet. QUARK Whatever it is, it's not gonna be fair... ODO You're a deputy. QUARK ... it's not... (beat) ... what? ODO You're a deputy. I want you to find out where the weapons are going on Bajor. Meanwhile, I'm going to find out exactly where they're coming from... QUARK You and me... a team? ODO That's right. Quark explodes with laughter. QUARK Good-bye. ODO Either that or I'm putting you in a cell. QUARK That's not fair! On what charge. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 27. 41 CONTINUED: (3) ODO Impeding an investigation. Unless you want to reveal the identities of the people you've been talking to. QUARK You know I can't do that. ODO It's your choice - you're a deputy or you're a prisoner. QUARK (frowns) I'm a deputy. And EXITS. 42 INT. OPS Sisko moves out of his office with a purpose... moves to Li, who is at the command table where Kira's position usually is... move with them to the Turbolift... SISKO I've got to go to Bajor. Odo has information that suggests we may be facing a coup... I need to check things out... LI Is there any way I can help? SISKO (short beat, an idea) Your contacts in the military -- see if you can get a feeling for how much support the provisional government has... LI No problem. What about the station while you're gone? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 28. 42 CONTINUED: SISKO Dax and O'Brien can handle things in Ops... if you need any other help... LI Help... ? I can't sneeze without three people handing me handkerchiefs. I was thinking we might want to establish a curfew. Another cargo bay was vandalized last night. SISKO Good idea. He moves onto the Turbolift, pauses... SISKO I've asked Odo to assign you a bodyguard. LI That's not necessary. SISKO I think it is. (to Com) Docking Bay One. The Turbolift goes down. 43 EXT. TEMPLE GARDEN - DAY Vedek Bareil stands, at peace, looking off across the (o.s.) tranquil temple grounds... as, from the direction of the temple, Kira approaches. She's still patently affected by her recent go-round with the orb. Bareil hears -- or, probably just senses -- her presence... turns to her... KIRA Woodcrafts. Definitely the way to go. BAREIL Is that where the prophets led you? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 29. 43 CONTINUED: KIRA Yeah, lots of hammers and nails and saws... surrounded by Vedeks and monks... very safe and secure... BAREIL (understands) You don't want to talk about it. KIRA No. A beat, walking. BAREIL Can I tell you something very personal? KIRA I'm not a Vedek... but I can keep a secret... BAREIL The last time I encountered the third orb... (beat) ... you were a part of my vision. KIRA Me? BAREIL It's the reason I came to the station to invite you here. KIRA What... part did I play in... your vision? BAREIL (gentle) It's not important. I was just wondering if I was part of yours. KIRA No. No, you weren't. Bareil studies her. In the distance, there is the sound of what seems like thunder... BAREIL How could there be a storm on a day as lovely as this? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - ACT TWO 29A. 43 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA (concerned) That's not thunder. I know that sound -- it's gunfire. WINN'S VOICE (O.S.) How pleasant... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 30. 44 INCLUDING VEDEK WINN as she arrives from the direction of the temple. Her smile is -- as always -- genuinely warm; her manner enviably peaceful. WINN ... to come upon such a flowing exchange of spiritual harmony. BAREIL Vedek Winn. WINN (not really a question) We've met before, haven't we. You're Major... Major... KIRA Kira Nerys... WINN That's right, Major Kira. From the space station. What brings you here? BAREIL I do, Vedek Winn. WINN Good for you, Vedek Bareil. After working so hard, you deserve a little... (no beat, looking at Kira) ...recreation. BAREIL Major Kira is here to explore her pagh. WINN Certainly a worthy endeavor for someone who has led such a life of violence, child. And I'm sure the assembly would have had no objection to your encounter with an orb had Vedek Bareil consulted us. BAREIL No one has ever been held to that formality, Vedek Winn. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT TWO 31. 44 CONTINUED: WINN You're right of course. But I've always consulted with the assembly in advance. I think it's a courtesy, nothing more, nothing less. How long will you be with us, Major? KIRA I'm not sure. WINN Please, feel free to stay as many days as you'd like... even a week if that's necessary. As she nods good-bye and EXITS... Kira reacts, but doesn't glance at Bareil... and we FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT THREE 32. ACT THREE FADE IN: 45 EXT. BAJORAN CITY - DAY (MATTE) Re-establishing. 46 INT. WAR ROOM - DAY Several military officials and aides are present, working at tables. Among them is a Bajoran military leader, GENERAL KRIM (a solid, handsome 50's male with a demeanor of straightforward intelligence) -- aides come and go handing him PADDS with updated information on it... he frequently glances at a monitor before him on which is displayed a general outline of districts in the capital city... that may suggest troop movements... it isn't particularly important that we understand the display... KRIM (to an aide) Have them withdraw from the Northeast quadrant... move them to join the fourteenth column south of the city... The aide acknowledges and moves off... Sisko approaches... SISKO General Krim... Krim doesn't turn immediately, studies the monitor a long beat more then finally turns to see Sisko... he reacts poker- faced, covering surprise and curiosity at seeing Sisko here... SISKO I'm Benjamin Sisko. We met during a session of the executive committee last year. KRIM I remember, Commander. I was impressed by your talk. SISKO As I recall, you disagreed with most of it. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT THREE 33. 46 CONTINUED: KRIM Yes. But you presented your arguments well... what can I do for you? SISKO I understand you're in command of the forces defending the city... KRIM (minimizing the danger) I'd hardly call it "defending the city." SISKO There's concern in some quarters that the military is unwilling to confront the forces of the Circle. And Krim is really surprised that Sisko is so well informed... tries to downplay it... KRIM I don't know who you've been talking to, Commander but... SISKO I've been observing troop movements... every time there's a potential confrontation, the military withdraws to a safer position. KRIM Youu can't possibly appreciate that this is Bajoran against Bajoran... SISKO I can appreciate that the provisional government will stand only if the military chooses to support it... KRIM (sharp) We are all patriots, Commander. Sisko takes a beat, uncertain what that means... (and in fact, Krim is on the fence about which side he's really on, because he is not a politician but a soldier and when he chooses his side, it must be the winner.) DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT THREE 34. 46 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO We have intelligence that the Circle has been armed by the Kressari. KRIM (genuine, reacts) The Kressari. I hadn't heard that. SISKO We're trying to track the movements of these shipments. If we can determine where they're stored... KRIM I'd like to know. SISKO ... you'll be the first one I contact. And Sisko studies him, saying in effect, I've got to trust you in this situation. KRIM (honest) Thank you. SISKO There is one other thing. My first officer on the station; Major Kira Nerys... KRIM Yes, I know Major Kira. SISKO I understand she hasn't been re- assigned yet. It'd mean a great deal to me to get her back. KRIM That's out of my purview, Commander. You might want to discuss it with Minister Jaro. Sisko nods, begins to move away... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT THREE 35. 46 CONTINUED: (3) KRIM Commander Sisko. You told me about the Kressari before you asked the favor regarding Kira. You could've tried to trade that information for the favor. SISKO I wouldn't do that. KRIM (studying him) I'll remember that about you. Beat -- then Krim again focuses totally on his monitor. But as Sisko turns again, and EXITS, Krim looks up to watch him go. He's not a man who misses much. HOLD on his thoughtful face. 47 INT. OPS Dax at her station; Li present; Supernumeraries as needed. (Note: Li should have a bodyguard at all times until the end of this episode.) DAX (off console) He's calling us again. LI What do you think we should do? DAX I think he's getting tired of seeing me smile. LI Anything new from O'Brien or Odo? DAX (shakes her head) They haven't come up with anything yet. LI (beat, sighs) All right. Put him on the screen. I'll give this a try. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - ACT THREE 36. 48 ANGLE (OPTICAL) - INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN On the viewscreen, we now see the image of the Kressarian freighter captain, ZEF'NO in his cargo bay. He's mad and frustrated. LI I am... Na-var... (thinking better of it, without pause) ... First Officer Li Nalas. Can I help you? ZEF'NO Somebody better be able to help me... I've been delayed for six hours... I can assure you the Kressarian government will lodge a formal protest... LI I apologize... apparently there was some confusion about your manifest interface with our computer inventory system that had to be... ZEF'NO Yes, yes I know all that. I didn't know they would be opening every container in my cargo hold... can you understand that these are highly sensitive herbaceous materials... LI I'm sure all necessary precautions are being... ZEF'NO This is ridiculous. I have a schedule to keep. LI We should be able to clear this all up in a few minutes. ZEF'NO That's what I was told a few hours ago. He signs off... Li and Dax exchange a look. DAX Dax to O'Brien. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT THREE 37. 48 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Yes, Lieutenant... INTERCUT: 49 INT. KRESSARI CARGO BAY - THRU INTO DEEP SPACE NINE AIRLOCK O'Brien and an N.D. DS9 Crewperson are carrying a container through the DS9 airlock (in b.g.) into the Kressari cargo bay (in f.g.). Zef'no watches impatiently. O'Brien moves the container to be placed on the deck, alongside several other (stacked) containers. DAX'S COM VOICE We don't want to hold up the Kressari any longer than necessary. O'BRIEN (eyeing Zef'no) Yes, well, there isn't much more we can accomplish for now... DAX The ship is due back here the day after tomorrow... perhaps we'll be able to correct any additional problems then... O'BRIEN We'd already come to the same conclusion. O'Brien out. He brushes off his hands, smiles to Zef'no... O'BRIEN Fair voyage to you, Captain... Zef'no grunts and glares at O'Brien and his helper as they EXIT, sealing the airlift... Zef'no hits a companel... ZEF'NO (to companel) Prepare for immediate departure. And as he EXITS... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT THREE 38. 50 ANGLE ON CONTAINER (OPTICAL) Viscous liquid begins to ooze from the last container brought in and placed on the floor. As the ooze drips into a gooey puddle on the floor... It MORPHS into... A RAT as seen in PAST PROLOGUE... which now scurries off in the direction taken by the departed Zef'no. 51 EXT. TEMPLE GARDEN - DAY Kira, alone, stares into the water of the stream, thinking... Sisko moves up behind her, she doesn't notice, finally... SISKO Major? Kira turns -- smiles at the sight of him. The usual, "urgent energy" we're used to seeing in Kira -- the part of her with the edge to it -- is missing. Tranquility's been seeping in... And it's very evident. KIRA Commander... I didn't hear you. SISKO I'm sorry if I interrupted your meditation. KIRA (correction) Daydream. SISKO Daydreaming. I think I remember doing that... a long, long time ago. KIRA I've discovered it's like riding a bicycle... it comes back to you right away. SISKO Can I bring you back to reality for a minute. KIRA (beat) Back to reality or back to DS Nine? Sisko picks up a certain hesitation in her voice. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT THREE 39. 51 CONTINUED: SISKO Are you still interested? KIRA (beat) A lot has happened here. I encountered an orb, Commander... it gave me a great deal to think about. SISKO Yeah, those orbs, they have a way of doing that, don't they. He studies her... SISKO Well, I just wanted you to know we haven't given up yet... but for the moment, there seem to be bigger problems for the leaders down here... KIRA (concerned) I've been hearing gunfire in the distance... SISKO That distance is getting closer. The Circle's for real, Major. They've been armed for a coup... and I'm not at all convinced the military's going to back the provisional government. KIRA I didn't realize... we're so isolated here... Sisko realizes that she's completely out of touch... a beat... nods... SISKO Well, I better be getting back. KIRA Commander... (beat, a decision about her life) Me too. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT THREE 40. SISKO (pleased) I told you I haven't given up. A smile between them and he leaves... she takes a moment to look back at the water, run a few decisions through her mind... and feeling better for making those decisions, turns to leave the garden... but as she turns... 52 ANGLE Three large, N.D. males wearing robes with masks which hide their faces completely, confront her... two grab her... as one sprays a brief spritz of mist, from a very small cylindrical container, toward her nostrils. One whiff of it, and she goes limp... as they carry her away... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FOUR 41. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 53 EXT. SPACE - KRESSARI VESSEL (OPTICAL) Establishing the Kressari freighter coming out of warp. 54 INT. KRESSARI CARGO BAY - FOLLOWING RAT as it skitters behind a barrel... all voices off camera -- ZEF'NO (O.S.) Begin transport... The rat twitches as it watches -- 55 RAT'S POV (OPTICAL) Zef'no's legs in the foreground... several Kressari-type crates and two Cardassian legs in the foreground MATERIALIZE... the legs start to move toward them... 56 THE RAT reacts... as we hear the crates being opened for inspection... 57 THE RAT'S POV Zef'no inspects the weapons... 58 THE RAT CARDASSIAN (O.S.) I think you'll find everything in order. 59 RAT'S POV panning up the legs to reveal the Cardassian... 60 THE RAT reacts. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - 07/12/93 - ACT FOUR 42. ZEF'NO (O.S.) Very well. If you'll just sign off on the shipment, we'll be on our way. 61 RAT'S POV Zef'no hands a PADD to the Cardassian, who presses a thumbprint on it. 62 RAT CARDASSIAN (O.S.) God's speed. Hear the sound of a beamout... 63 RAT'S POV - CLOSEUP OF THE PADD being inserted by Zef'no into a standard wall mount and as he leaves, we stay on the PADD to emphasize its importance. One last look at -- 64 THE RAT - EXTREME CLOSE-UP and... 65 INT. UNDERGROUND BUNKER A Few N.D. Bajorans -- including the Second and Third Kidnappers -- carrying large N.D. containers from within the bunker toward the (o.s.) entrance. The bustle of to-and-fro activity here. The symbol of the Circle clearly displayed. Moving to find a figure moving in from the bright stream of light and as he moves inside to the normal lighting we see it is Jaro... we follow him as he leads us to Kira... who is seated on a hard chair, under guard. She has not been harmed. Kira frowns, astonishment at seeing Jaro. He'll be polite; but he's cold, and all business. No politician's facade this time. JARO Good afternoon. KIRA So, you're involved with The Circle. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FOUR 43. 65 CONTINUED: JARO I am The Circle, Major. Kira reacts, everything starting to fall into place now... KIRA Now I understand why you wanted to ship Li Nalas off to the station. JARO The last thing I need right now is a great war hero capturing the devotion of the Bajoran people. KIRA How can you betray your own government? JARO Major, I don't have to tell you. I've heard your opinion of this government. "Government"? -- they can't even agree it is a government, so they call it "provisional" -- it's just another word for powerless. (deeply felt) I won't allow Bajorans to be powerless anymore. We have been doormats to the Cardassians, and now the Federation, any great power that happens by... we will not be that again. We are a people who brought art and architecture to countless planets and we do not deserve to be victims. KIRA If you want to change the government, Minister Jaro, you vote to change it. You don't sneak up on it from behind with a dagger. JARO (impatient) We'll discuss politics another time. I'd like to know, please, what the Federation will do once our objective becomes clear... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FOUR 44. 65 CONTINUED: (2) Kira reacts, understands now why she's been brought here, remains silent. JARO Major, I've been told you have no love for the Federation... I'm not an unreasonable man... I'm willing to send you back to the station if that's what you want... I'll give that station to you after we get rid of Starfleet... Now, do you believe they will continue to support the provisional government... KIRA How about our own military? I'd worry about them first if I were you. JARO What will the Federation do, Major? What will Sisko do? You know him better than any Bajoran... But now Kira stays defiantly silent. After a long beat: JARO (beat, sighs) No one despises the Cardassians more than I, Major... but we did learn a few things from them. Like how to encourage people to talk. He nods to the guard... who grabs Kira and begins to pull her away... another member of The Circle assists her and Kira stares at Jaro with loathing as they pull her away... Jaro's disappointed that it's come to this, thinks a beat about calling them back, but then turns and walks out... 66 INT. OPS Sisko, O'Brien, Bashir, Dax and Li around the table. SISKO Bareil said there were signs of a struggle... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FOUR 44A. 66 CONTINUED: BASHIR Maybe somebody saw them leave... SISKO That's what we need to find out... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FOUR 45. 66 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN What if they transported her off the grounds? SISKO Let's hope they didn't... Now, we can't expect much help from the local authorities, they've got their hands full... LI Commander. I should be able to get some cooperation. If my name carries weight, let's use it. SISKO Good. (to all) When's Odo due back? 67 INCLUDING QUARK He ENTERS -- takes in the goings-on, as: O'BRIEN Not for another twelve hours. QUARK Who needs Odo when you've got his number one deputy? DAX Quark, this isn't the time... QUARK (serious) No, it's exactly the time. I think I know where you can find Kira... (reactions) ... you see, Odo blackmailed me into helping him, a matter I've been meaning to bring to your attention, Commander... SISKO (get on with it) Quark... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FOUR 46. 67 CONTINUED: QUARK ... I managed to find out where The Circle's headquarters is... in the labyrinths beneath the Perikian Peninsula... Sisko's already on the move toward the Turbolift... SISKO (to com) Sisko to Security. VOICE (O.S.) Go ahead. SISKO (to com) I need a couple of officers to go on a rescue mission to Bajor. Report to Runabout Pad "C." VOICE (O.S.) On our way. SISKO Doctor, Lieutenant, you're with me... Mister O'Brien, you'll be our pilot. Configure the runabout sensors for a full sweep of that peninsula. Once we find the base, I'll be depending a great deal on your famous transporter talents... O'BRIEN Aye, sir... LI Commander, I'm going... SISKO No, it's too dangerous... LI Don't you understand. I can do this. I don't know what it means to be a Navarch. But I can fight in the trenches and I take orders well. (beat) Besides, I owe her one. Sisko takes a beat, nods okay... switches orders... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FOUR 47. 67 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO Dax, you're in charge. She acknowledges, stays with Quark as the others load the Turbolift... as it leaves... QUARK (to Sisko) We can discuss appropriate compensation for this at a more convenient time. 68 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE & RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) A Runabout leaves the station and recedes into space. 69 INT. UNDERGROUND BUNKER - CAVE (OPTICAL) A dark tunnel leading to the main chamber... Sisko, Li, Bashir (with first aide kit) and two Bajoran deputies MATERIALIZE... Sisko crawls to the entrance of the main chamber... does recon... 70 ANGLE -- Two of the Circlese are seen standing before an open weapons container, handing out weapons to their First, Second and Third N.D. (Bajoran) Radical compatriots. As they receive the weapons, the Radicals will heft and examine them; testing balance, etc... as... SISKO Only five... but they've got more firearms than a galaxy class starship... A groan echoes through the cavern... it's Kira... they look up and around trying to trace the source of the sound... BASHIR Where the hell's it coming from? Li shakes his head, hard to say. Sisko hands out extra combadges to each of them... SISKO All right, straight power play, nothing fancy. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT FOUR 48. 70 CONTINUED: SISKO Expect heavy resistance. Anyone who finds Kira, pin this on her and call for transport immediately... 71 INT. CHAMBER (OPTICAL) As the dirty five charge in, firing... immediately taking out two of the radicals... warning sounds go off, adding to the chaos... the other three Circlese load up rifles and return massive fire... 72 ONE BAJORAN DEPUTY (OPTICAL) is blown away... as... 73 VARIOUS INTERCUTS (OPTICAL) of Sisko and Bashir and Li firing... ducking for cover... rolling in the dirt... fanning out, looking for Kira... finally -- 74 BASHIR turns a corner and sees Kira, her back against a wall, profile to him, sitting on the ground, she doesn't turn to see him, yet her eyes seem open and her face appears unbruised from this angle... BASHIR Kira! Nearby... 75 THE OTHER BAJORAN DEPUTY (OPTICAL) is blown away... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FOUR 49. 76 BASHIR moves quickly to Kira and as he reaches her... 77 HER HEAD turns slightly toward him to reveal the opposite side of her face is a mask of blood... 78 BASHIR (OPTICAL) is startled by the grossness of it... doesn't move quickly enough and is wounded in the upper arm... he groans, and the... 79 COMBADGE falls out of his hand and rolls toward a deep crevice and stops just hanging over the edge... 80 BASHIR scrambles for it in pain... grabs it and pins it on Kira, hits his own combadge... BASHIR Get us out of here, Chief! 81 WIDE (OPTICAL) the phaser fight ends as the heroes (deputies too) DEMATERIALIZE... and we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FIVE 50. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 82 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) (STOCK) Re-establishing. 83 INT. INFIRMARY Kira is better as Bashir works on Kira's face... Sisko and Li observe... KIRA We don't have time for this... ow... (sudden jaw pain) Ouch. BASHIR Don't talk. SISKO We have to assume that Jaro will move quickly now that we've got you back... KIRA (nods) Li's the only chance we've got. LI Me? KIRA Jaro knows you're the one force that can stop him. (to Sisko) If we could get him to the Chamber of Ministers... SISKO It's too great a risk... he'd be dead before he got a chance to speak... ODO (O.S.) Courtesy of a Cardassian weapon. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT FIVE 51. 84 INCLUDING ODO He's entered -- carrying Zef'no's PADD. ODO The Circle's being supplied by the Cardassians. KIRA (stunned outrage) What? ODO (hands PADD to Sisko) I "borrowed" the proof. It's got a Gul's thumbscan on it. KIRA But The Circle hates the Cardassians... ODO They don't know it is the Cardassians. They think they've been buying from Kressari traders. LI I don't understand. Why would the Cardassians want to help Jaro if he hates them? BASHIR It gets them what they want the most. SISKO Rid of us. They're just using Jaro. Once the Federation is forced to leave... LI (realizing, worst possible scenario) The Cardassians come back... Sisko nods... LI We have to do something... I have to do something. Sisko's already thinking about this... hits combadge... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FIVE 52. 84 CONTINUED: SISKO Sisko to Ops... INTERCUT: 85 INT. OPS O'Brien in the background working panels, already aware there's a problem with the com lines... DAX Go ahead. SISKO'S COM VOICE Dax, open a channel to Bajor... tell them, Navarch Li Nalas wants to address the Chamber of Ministers on subspace... DAX I can't do it, Benjamin... all frequencies to Bajor are jammed... we lost all communication with the planet five minutes ago... KIRA (beat, reacts) Then it has started. 86 CLOSE - SISKO After a beat, he makes the bottom line decision: SISKO (to Dax) Get me Admiral Chekote at Starfleet command. 87 EXT. BAJORAN CITY - DAY (MATTE) Re-establishing. 88 INT. TEMPLE SHRINE - DAY Jaro pays homage to the prophets as Winn ENTERS... there is a hint of sexual tension between these two... he glances at her, but doesn't rise... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FIVE 53. 88 CONTINUED: JARO I feel the prophets smiling on me today, Vedek... WINN The prophets have rarely encountered a pagh as forceful as yours, Minister Jaro... She comes behind him and places a supportive hand on each shoulder... he still looks at the shrine... JARO So what's it to be, Winn? WINN Be? JARO Don't tease me. WINN I can't interpret the prophecies for you, Essa. JARO (casual, light) I know the future. It belongs to me. I don't need your interpretation... WINN (teasing) Then what? JARO Your support. WINN I've made it very clear to you how I feel. JARO Your public support... WINN Support from the Vedek of such a small order as mine would surely not be significant. JARO You stand for a return to orthodox values... as I do... we're a match made by the prophets... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FIVE 54. 84 CONTINUED: (2) WINN I wish there were more with that opinion. Unfortunately, as my assembly approaches the selection of a new Kai, I fear my voice is rarely heard... JARO That can change. WINN Can it? JARO Think of the prestige of having the new leader of Bajor being a member of your order. WINN If you are the new leader. JARO (sudden real concern) Have the prophets given you reason to doubt it? WINN (soothing) I didn't say that. JARO Then let them bless my ascension. Tell the people the prophets are with me. Looking at each other, quite close -- WINN That's asking a lot. JARO I know. WINN I need more than just "prestige," Essa. JARO I know that too. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FIVE 55. 88 CONTINUED: (3) WINN The people need leadership to return to the old values. Yours and mine. JARO I can think of no one more worthy of being the next Kai than you, Winn. I'll do everything in my power to see that you are. WINN The prophets are smiling on you today, Minister. Jaro smiles, pleased and... 89 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) (STOCK) Re-establishing. 90 INT. OPS Sisko ENTERS with Kira and Li... on the move to his office... DAX I have Admiral Chekote on subspace... SISKO In my office. O'BRIEN (off console) Commander. Two assault vessels are headed this way on direct course from Bajor. They're giving all non- Bajorans seven hours to evacuate. Sisko reacts, enters his office... 91 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE (CONTINUOUS) (OPTICAL) The image of Starfleet ADMIRAL CHEKOTE is on screen. SISKO Admiral, are you up to date on my communiques? DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/15/93 - ACT FIVE 56. 91 CONTINUED: CHEKOTE I think so, Commander. How's it look? SISKO Not good. Jaro has the military. Communications have been cut off. Assault vessels are on the way here. CHEKOTE Are you preparing to withdraw? SISKO Admiral, we've just obtained evidence that The Circle has been receiving weapons from the Cardassians. If we withdraw, we'll be giving Bajor and the wormhole back to them. Chekote frowns at this revelation, struggles along with Sisko at the right thing to do... CHEKOTE Damn. That's a helluva turn. (sighs) How could these Bajorans get in bed with the Cardassians? SISKO They don't even know the Cardassians are involved. CHEKOTE Then, you're saying it's a genuine political revolution internal to Bajor. Sisko knows where this is going, tries to head it off... SISKO Supported by the Cardassians. CHEKOTE But internal to Bajor. The Cardassians might involve themselves in other people's civil wars. But we don't. The Prime Directive applies, Ben. SISKO Admiral... DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FIVE 57. 91 CONTINUED: (2) CHEKOTE Would you say our people on the station are in danger? SISKO Yes. CHEKOTE There's no other choice but to evacuate. We'll have to worry about the long term political implications down the road. That's an order, Commander. Sisko nods an acknowledgement. The transmission ends... and the monitor screen blanks. 92 INT. OPS Sisko moves out of his office, thoughtfully... goes to O'Brien's station... SISKO Chief, how long will it take us to evacuate Deep Space Nine? O'BRIEN I'd say... we could have all our people out and away in... three hours. SISKO I mean a complete evacuation... I intend to take all Starfleet instruments; materiel... in fact, all Federation property of every kind. How quickly can we do that? O'BRIEN (lost) Sir; that'll take days... a full week, for all I know. But those assault ships will be here in seven hours. SISKO (beat, thoughtful) Then, I guess some of us won't quite be done by the time they get here. DEEP SPACE: "The Circle" - REV. 07/14/93 - ACT FIVE 58. 92 CONTINUED: Off O'Brien's reaction... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE TO BE CONTINUED...