STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Life Support" #40513-459 Story by Christian Ford & Roger Soffer Teleplay by Ronald D. Moore Directed by Reza Badiyi 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 1994 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. Return to Script Department FINAL DRAFT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION November 10, 1994 STAR TREK: DS9 - "Life Support" - 11/10/94 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Life Support" CAST SISKO BAREIL KIRA WINN ODO NURSE BASHIR RISKA DAX TURREL O'BRIEN LEANNE QUARK JAKE NOG Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK DEEP SPACE NINE: "Life Support" - 11/10/94 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Life Support" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEFIANT DEEP SPACE NINE AIRLOCK BASHIR'S QUARTERS COMMANDER'S OFFICE CORRIDOR HOLDING CELL INFIRMARY PROMENADE SISKO'S QUARTERS SURGERY QUARK'S LOWER LEVEL SECOND LEVEL WARDROOM STAR TREK: "Life Support" - 11/10/94 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Life Support" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE HALIGIAN ha-LEE-gee-an MAKARIAN MAH-kair-ee-an NEUROGENIC NUR-ro-gin-ik ORAK OR-ak OSINAR OH-sin-nar RISKA RISK-ah TERRELLIANS tur-REL-ee-ans TURREL tur-REL AXONAL AX-oh-nal CORDRAZINE KOR-druh-zeen INOPROVALINE EYE-no-pro-vuh-leen INOTRPOIC EYE-no-tro-pik NEUROGLIAL NUR-ro-glee-ul SERATONIN SAIR-ruh-to-nen SPINO-THALMIC SPIN-no-thal-mik DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Life Support" TEASER FADE IN: 1 INT. PROMENADE JAKE is walking along the Promenade when a lovely young Human Girl named LEANNE catches his attention. LEANNE Jake! Jake turns and gives her a big smile. Leanne is a little older than Jake and has a confident, easy quality to her. JAKE Leanne. I thought you were on Bajor. LEANNE I came back early. (beat) You know, I was just thinking about you. JAKE Really? LEANNE Yeah... I passed by the Klingon restaurant and I was thinking about the time you and I and Orak were having dinner... JAKE And you ordered the gagh... They both chuckle at the memory. JAKE How is Orak? I haven't talked to him in awhile. Leanne brushes this off, but there's a quick look of regret on her face. LEANNE We stopped seeing each other a few weeks ago. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - TEASER 2. 1 CONTINUED: JAKE (surprised) Oh. Leanne glances away then back at Jake awkwardly. LEANNE So... are you doing anything tomorrow night? JAKE I'm supposed to be playing dom-jot with Nog. Leanne looks a little disappointed and Jake quickly changes his tune. JAKE But they're not really firm plans. In fact, I was thinking of canceling them. LEANNE Really? Well... if you do cancel... would you be interested in... dinner? JAKE (quickly) Sure. She smiles back at him and the sexual tension rises a notch. LEANNE Great. How 'bout eighteen hundred at the Klingon restaurant? JAKE I'll be there. But this time we'll skip the gagh. LEANNE Definitely. See you then. Leanne leaves. Jake looks after her for a moment with an obviously happy look on his face. But just as he's savoring the moment, suddenly O'BRIEN, ODO, and TWO N.D. SECURITY GUARDS come running down the Promenade. ODO Look out! DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - TEASER 3. 1 CONTINUED: (2) O'BRIEN Move aside! Jake and the other Passersby on the Promenade quickly scatter out of the way as the group rushes by. CUT TO: 2 INT. AIRLOCK As O'Brien, Odo, and the Guards come pounding up to the Airlock door. BASHIR and a NURSE run up from another direction, carrying medical cases and equipment. Odo goes to a wall console. The mood is tense and urgent. BASHIR What do we have? O'BRIEN Bajoran transport coming in. They said there was some kind of accident on board and they've got casualties. ODO (off console) They're docking... BASHIR We should've beamed the wounded directly to the Infirmary. O'BRIEN (shakes his head) They have a loose plasma coil. We couldn't beam through the radiation. ODO (off console) Docking clamps secure. I'm opening the airlock. Stand back. He works for a moment, then the airlock OPENS, and a CLOUD OF SMOKE billows out from the damaged ship. SEVERAL WOUNDED N.D. BAJORANS stumble out, coughing and hacking. O'BRIEN (to Guards) Come on. O'Brien and the Guards plunge into the airlock and go aboard the ship. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - TEASER 4. 2 CONTINUED: Odo, Bashir, and the Nurse move to help the wounded. ODO (to wounded N.D.) It's going to be all right... NURSE (to wounded N.D.) I've got you. Suddenly KAI WINN comes staggering out of the airlock, aided by another Bajoran. BAJORAN This way, Eminence. BASHIR (shocked) Kai Winn... ? WINN (coughing) The Vedek... take care of the Vedek... Two N.D. Bajorans now ENTER from the airlock carrying someone between them. Bashir rushes up to them and reacts in shock to what he sees. Odo sees his reaction and looks at the wounded man -- it's a badly wounded VEDEK BAREIL. ODO (to com) Odo to Kira. KIRA'S COM VOICE Kira here. INTERCUT: 2A INT. OPS As Kira listens to Odo. ODO'S COM VOICE I think you should meet us in the Infirmary, Major. Vedek Bareil was on the transport... and he's been injured. Off Kira's reaction... 3 OMITTED FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/18/94 - ACT ONE 5-5A. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 4 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing the station. SISKO (V.O.) Station Log: Stardate 48498.4 A Bajoran transport carrying both Kai Winn and Vedek Bareil has docked at the station following an accident which nearly destroyed the vessel. 5 INT. INFIRMARY Winn is lying on one of the biobeds. She appears unhurt, with only a few scrapes. SISKO is standing nearby, and KIRA is pacing in the b.g. SISKO Chief O'Brien tells me that your ship suffered some kind of failure in the plasma relay. You're lucky to be alive. WINN The Prophets must have decided that my work here is not yet complete. (beat) How is Bareil? SISKO Still in surgery. Sisko and Kira exchange worried looks. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/18/94 - ACT ONE 6. 6 INT. SURGERY Bashir and the Nurse seen earlier struggle to save Bareil's life as he lies on the operating table. Bashir is checking equipment and making hands-on inspections of his patient. The mood is tense and urgent. BASHIR His heart rate is falling. (to Nurse) Fifty units inoprovaline. The Nurse applies a hypospray to Bareil. BASHIR (off equipment) Severe cerebral edema... with damage to the cerebral artery... and the neuroglial network. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/18/94 - ACT ONE 7. 6 CONTINUED: BASHIR (beat) His vital signs are deteriorating too quickly, we can't wait any longer. (to Nurse) Prep him for surgery. As they rush about and prepare Bareil for surgery... CUT TO: 7 INT. INFIRMARY O'BRIEN ENTERS and hands Sisko a PADD. Winn is sitting on the edge of the bed now as Kira looks on. O'BRIEN The report on the transport, sir. SISKO Give me the short version. O'BRIEN There was a molecular fracture in one of the warp plasma conduits. It was only a matter of time until it gave way... once it collapsed the entire relay system exploded. WINN Was it sabotage? O'BRIEN I don't think so. KIRA (to Winn) Why would you suspect sabotage? Winn glances around. WINN I'd prefer to discuss that with the Emissary in private. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT ONE 8. 7 CONTINUED: Kira looks to Sisko, who indicates he'll handle it. He and Winn EXIT. CUT TO: 8 INT. SURGERY They have now moved the clamshell operating device over Bareil. Bashir and the Nurse are wearing gloves and are in the midst of surgery. Another N.D. Nurse is assisting them. BASHIR Put a pressor field on that artery. NURSE (works) The arterial disruption is too severe... the pressor can't stop the hemorrhaging. BASHIR All right... clamp off the artery for now and increase the plasma level to maximum. Another ALARM goes off. NURSE Cardiac arrest. They work frantically again... Bareil is jolted... then jolted again... Bashir and the Nurse relax as the heart starts again. BASHIR He can't take much more of that... NURSE His arterial pressure is falling... BASHIR I see it. NURSE Neurotransmitter levels are falling too... BASHIR Two cc's cordrazine. The Nurse hesitates, looks up at him for a beat. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT ONE 9. 8 CONTINUED: BASHIR Do it. The Nurse begins making adjustments on a hypospray. But before the Nurse can apply the hypo, yet another ALARM goes off. BASHIR (urgent) Synaptic failure! They both frantically begin to work more medical equipment. CUT TO: 8A INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE Winn and Sisko are sitting at his desk. Sisko hands her something to drink. WINN Vedek Bareil and I were on our way to a secret meeting with a member of the Cardassian Central Command. It was my intention to open talks between Bajor and Cardassia which would lead to a treaty... and to a final peace settlement. Sisko is shocked... he takes a beat to let this sink in. SISKO You have been negotiating peace... with Cardassia... WINN The Prophets teach us that while violence may keep an enemy at bay... only peace can make him a friend. SISKO How long has this been going on? WINN Bareil has been working to set up this meeting with Legate Turrel for the past five months. They've discussed issues ranging from war reparations to an exchange of ambassadors. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT ONE 10. 8A CONTINUED: WINN (Cont'd) They've even discussed the possibility of the Cardassians issuing a formal apology for the pain and suffering inflicted on the Bajoran people during the occupation. (beat) I was on my way to our first face-to- face meeting with Turrel when we had the accident. Sisko is genuinely surprised at this... it makes him look at Winn a little differently. SISKO Please don't take this the wrong way... but I never would've guessed that you would be the one to bring such a... bold vision of peace to Bajor. Winn smiles at him, grateful for the praise as always... but her smile quickly fades. WINN A large share of the credit goes to Vedek Bareil. Without him, the talks would've never come this far. SISKO It sounds like you've developed a deeper appreciation for Vedek Bareil. WINN I have to admit... he's been a very... loyal and trustworthy aide since the election. I'm not sure I could've been as... forgiving if I'd been in his place. (beat) These talks were his idea... he's guided me through them... and without him in the future... the talks may never resume. CUT TO: 9 INT. INFIRMARY Kira is pacing restlessly when Bashir ENTERS. She turns and looks at him... DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT ONE 10A. 9 CONTINUED: ... and there's a silent moment as she notices the grim look on Bashir's face and realize what's happened. Bashir walks into the room, goes directly to Kira. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT ONE 11. 9 CONTINUED: BASHIR I'm sorry. The radiation severely damaged his neural pathways. I did everything I could. KIRA (quiet) I know you did. Did he ever regain consciousness? BASHIR No. I don't think he suffered. There are no tears in Kira's eyes. She takes the news stoically, like a soldier hearing about the death of a buddy. KIRA Thank you, Doctor. (beat) I'm on duty in Ops. Excuse me. She heads for the door, but Bashir stops her. BASHIR Kira. BASHIR (quietly) I think they can get along without you in Ops today. KIRA Maybe so. But I need to be there. I appreciate your concern... but I'll grieve in my own way... in my own time. Bashir looks at her for a beat, wants to reach out and help... but realizes this is how Kira wants to handle it. He finally nods. Kira turns and leaves. OFF Bashir's face as he watches her go... 10 OMITTED CUT TO: DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT ONE 12. 11 INT. SURGERY Bareil is lying on the operating table, still covered by the clamshell. There is a faint green LIGHT covering his entire body, indicating a stasis field is in operation. The Nurse is standing nearby and a cart of medical instruments has been wheeled next to the table. Bashir ENTERS, goes over to Bareil and looks down at him with a somber expression. NURSE We're ready to begin the autopsy, Doctor. Bashir takes a long beat... pushes aside whatever personal feelings he may have... then gets down to business. BASHIR Release the stasis field. The Nurse hits a control and the green light SHUTS OFF. BASHIR (to Nurse) Let's begin with a neural scan. I want to map his central axonal pathways and find out exactly where the breakdown began. Bashir picks up a large device shaped like a helmet and places it on Bareil's head, completely covering his face. The Nurse activates the device, and Bashir moves to a monitor. 12 INCLUDE MONITOR (OPTICAL) It shows a schematic diagram of Bareil's brain. The schematic rotates and then zooms in, and we see a complex pattern of synapses, neurons and other medical data on Bareil's brain. NURSE Should I begin taking neural tissue samples? Bashir nods and concentrates on the monitor. In the b.g., the Nurse holds up Bareil's arm and prepares to take tissue samples. BASHIR Looks like the damage began in the parietal lobe... and spread through the rest of his brain in a retrograde manner. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT ONE 13. 12 CONTINUED: Suddenly on the monitor, a PINPOINT OF LIGHT flashes on in Bareil's brain. Bashir reacts. BASHIR Wait a minute... A neuron just fired in his cerebral cortex. The Nurse places Bareil's arm back on the table and moves to Bashir. And as she does so, another pinpoint of light appears in the brain schematic. BASHIR There it is again. Bashir thinks... looks over at Bareil. He moves over and touches Bareil's arm -- and as he does so, another pinpoint of light appears in his brain. BASHIR His nerves... his nerves are still transmitting electrical impulses to his brain... NURSE How can that be? His brain activity level is zero. His nervous system should be completely inactive. BASHIR I don't know... but it means that his body is still capable of sending messages to the brain... except the brain can't process those messages. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT ONE 14. 12 CONTINUED: (2) Bashir moves back to the monitor, studies it. BASHIR The radiation he was exposed to might have fortified his peripheral cell membranes... Bashir works for a moment... then sees something on the monitor. BASHIR The radiation has also left a residual imprint of the original axonal pathways in his brain. Bashir takes a couple of paces. We can see his mind at work... BASHIR If we could regenerate his pathways using his own neuron cells... it might be possible to revive him... DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT ONE 15. 12 CONTINUED: (3) NURSE What about brain damage? There's been no oxygen to his brain for almost forty minutes. BASHIR He was in stasis most of that time... that, combined with the strengthening of his cell membranes from the radiation might buy us the time we need... As they work... DISSOLVE TO: 13 INT. SURGERY A few hours later. Bashir and the Nurse have their gloves on again. Bareil's head is obscured by the clamshell, and they are clearly working on the brain itself with some medical equipment. Bashir is glancing at the monitors as he works. BASHIR We need to repolarize his nerve cells with electrical impulses. The spino- thalamic tract will transmit that directly to the cerebral cortex. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT ONE 16. 13 CONTINUED: BASHIR If the burst is the proper intensity, it might create a cascade effect within his brain. The neurons might resume their normal firing patterns... They both look at each other. Bashir makes the decision. BASHIR Let's close up the cranial cavity. DISSOLVE TO: 14 INT. SURGERY An hour later. Bareil's head is covered with bandages. Bashir is placing small devices on Bareil's extremities. The Nurse is at a nearby console. Bashir makes a final adjustment. BASHIR Neurogenic stimulators are in place... let's try a fifty millivolt burst. The Nurse hits a control and Bareil's body stiffens ever so slightly. Bashir looks at the Nurse, who looks at the console. She shakes her head after a beat. BASHIR Increase to sixty. She activates it again. Bareil stiffens a little more. The Nurse checks her console, shakes her head again. BASHIR Seventy. NURSE That's five millivolts above what normal tissue can withstand. It'll burn out his cerebral cortex. BASHIR If I'm right... the inoprovaline drug I gave him should provide additional resistance against the excess electro-stimulation. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - 11/10/94 - ACT ONE 17. 14 CONTINUED: BASHIR (Cont'd) (beat) Seventy. The Nurse hits a few controls, and then Bareil stiffens rigidly. A long beat as the Nurse watches her console. Suddenly she reacts in shock to something she sees. NURSE Doctor... At that moment, Bareil suddenly inhales on the table. He begins breathing again. Other monitors come to life -- show a heartbeat, brain activity, respiration. Bashir reaches and touches Bareil's neck -- there's a pulse. He smiles a little, is about to say something to the Nurse when suddenly, Bareil's eyes flutter open... and he glances up at Bashir. OFF Bashir's face... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT TWO 18. ACT TWO FADE IN: 15 INT. SURGERY A short time later. Bareil is lying on the table, but now he's awake, if still weak and a little groggy. Bashir is talking to Sisko, Kira, and Winn, while the Nurse is in the b.g. Kira is standing next to the table, holding Bareil's hand and looking down at him with a mixture of astonishment and joy. BASHIR ... it's too early to tell for certain, but I'm hoping he'll make a full recovery. He may even be back on his feet again in a few weeks. SISKO (smiles) You say that so calmly. But it's not every doctor that loses a patient and then has him back on his feet in a few weeks. WINN Indeed, you're far too modest. You've performed nothing less than a miracle here... the Prophets must walk with you, Doctor. Bashir looks a little embarrassed at the praise. BASHIR Well, I -- and the Prophets, were lucky that the ionizing radiation left a residual signature on Bareil's axonal pathways. That's what really made this possible. Bareil manages to croak out a few words. BAREIL (difficult) Whoever deserves... the credit... I am... grateful, Doctor. Winn moves to him and looks down with a kind look on her face. WINN And I am grateful that you were not taken from us, Vedek Bareil. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT TWO 19. 15 CONTINUED: BAREIL My work here... is not... yet finished. WINN No... it is not. We must resume the negotiations immediately. We can't risk losing the momentum we've established. (to Sisko) I would like to send a coded message to Legate Turrel... and invite him to come to DS Nine to continue the talks. BASHIR Wait a minute. Bareil's in no condition to conduct negotiations. WINN Bareil will simply be advising me, Doctor. I will conduct the actual talks. Bashir thinks about this for a moment before answering. BASHIR I'll allow it as long as your visits don't tire him. WINN Agreed. (to Bareil) We will speak again soon. BAREIL Eminence... DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT TWO 20. 15 CONTINUED: (2) Winn and Sisko now both EXIT. Bashir moves off to check on some equipment, leaving Kira and Bareil alone for a minute. Bareil looks up at her... smiles slightly. BAREIL So... are we still playing springball next month? KIRA (smiles) You bet... but I think I'll have an unfair advantage. BAREIL You mean playing against a dead man? KIRA No... I mean I've been practicing. Bareil smiles and they share a moment together. CUT TO: 16 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) The station as before. 16A INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS Jake is waiting as NOG ENTERS. NOG My Dad said you were looking for me. JAKE Yeah. Uh... it's about tomorrow night... NOG Don't worry, I've already taken care of it. I met these three Terrellians who were bragging about how great they are at dom-jot. So I arranged a game... us against them -- a strip of latinum a game, double-back rules. JAKE Look, Nog... we have a little problem... DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT TWO 20A. 16A CONTINUED: NOG No we don't. I guarantee that we can beat them. JAKE It's not that. I just can't do it tomorrow night. NOG But it has to be tomorrow night. They're leaving the next day. JAKE I... I made other plans. NOG What could be more important than dom-jot? JAKE I have a date. NOG Oh. Well, that's different. JAKE It is? NOG Yeah. Money is money, but women are better. JAKE Is that a Rule of Acquisition? NOG It's a personal rule. So, who is she? JAKE Leanne. NOG Leanne! Way to go, Jake. He pats him on the shoulder. NOG (continuing) So, what's the name of my date? I hope she's as cute as Leanne. JAKE Your date? DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT TWO 20B. 16A CONTINUED: (2) NOG She is humanoid isn't she? JAKE Nog... Leanne invited me out. You... never came up in the conversation. NOG A pretty girl asks you out on a date and you get confused. I understand. JAKE (relieved) Good. NOG So... she has a friend, right? JAKE Well, I'm sure she does... NOG Then tell her to bring her along. JAKE Nog, that's not what I had in mind. NOG That's because you were confused. Would you rather the three of us go out? Jake can see the writing on the wall here and gives in. JAKE Well, when you put it that way... NOG Exactly. (beat) One thing, Jake... you're still pretty new at this dating business... just promise me you won't do anything to embarrass me. JAKE (sarcastic) I'll do my best. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT TWO 21. 16A CONTINUED: (3) NOG (smiling in anticipation) This is going to be great. I may even wash my lobes. Off Jake's resigned expression... CUT TO: 17 OMITTED 18 INT. INFIRMARY DAX is here having a little fun teasing Bashir, who is working at a console. DAX You know Julian, I've been thinking. Once you publish your work on this case, they'll probably name a building after you at Starfleet Medical. BASHIR I doubt that. DAX Maybe a statue... you and your trusty tricorder, pushing the bounds of medical knowledge. BASHIR Jadzia, you're such a romantic. DAX What about a plaque? A nice big plaque. A concerned look comes over his face as he looks at something on the monitor. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT TWO 22-24. DAX Julian, I'm just kidding. BASHIR It's not that. Bareil's circulatory system is starting to fail. Off Bashir's grim look... CUT TO: 19 OMITTED 20 INT. SURGERY Bareil is now sitting up in bed and arguing with Winn. Mid- conversation. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT TWO 25. 20 CONTINUED: BAREIL I suggest that we put off any discussion of the Cardassians returning the Orbs until after diplomatic relations have been established. WINN That will only delay an inevitable argument. BAREIL But it will give the peace process a chance to grow. Once the Cardassians are invested in the process, it may be easier to discuss matters like this. Winn isn't happy with that answer, but she can see the wisdom of it. Bashir ENTERS in the b.g. WINN (reluctant) Very well. BAREIL A wise decision, Eminence. WINN I hope so, Vedek Bareil. (glances at Bashir) The first meeting with Turrel is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. I will see you again before then. Winn EXITS. Bareil picks up on Bashir's grim look. BAREIL You're not here to deliver good news, I take it? DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT TWO 26. 20 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR To revive you, I had to flood your nervous system with neurogenic radiation. Unfortunately, it looks as though that caused some kind of selective vaso-constriction in your arteries. The result is an inadequate blood flow to your internal organs. BAREIL So what do we do? BASHIR We need to place you back in stasis and do more research on your condition. BAREIL For how long? BASHIR I can't say right now. It could be days, weeks... even months. BAREIL Maybe even years... ? BASHIR Maybe. BAREIL I'm sorry, Doctor, but that's not acceptable. I can't allow myself to be put "in storage" when my people need me. I don't want to wake up to find a Bajor still haunted by the memory of the occupation. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT TWO 27. 20 CONTINUED: (3) Bashir studies him for a moment, trying to get understand his patient better. BASHIR I realize how important these talks are to Bajor... but as your physician my duty is to you first. BAREIL And my duty is to Bajor. Help me heal my people. That's all that matters to me, Doctor. Bareil looks away for a long moment. BAREIL (quiet) You could say I'm making up for past mistakes. (off his look) Winn would never have been selected Kai if I hadn't dropped out of the election. (beat) A lot of people were counting on me to lead Bajor. They were... shocked when I backed out. BASHIR But you can't risk your life just to look better in their eyes. BAREIL I want to look better in my own eyes. This is important to me. I want to bring a lasting peace to Bajor and Cardassia. It's why the Prophets spared my life when the plasma relay exploded... DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT TWO 27A. 20 CONTINUED: (4) BAREIL (Cont'd) and it's why they let you bring me back to life. (beat) There must be some option besides placing me in stasis. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT TWO 28. 20 CONTINUED: (5) Bashir thinks about this for a minute... he doesn't like it, but he has to make his patient aware of all the options. BASHIR There is an experimental drug -- called Vasokin -- that would increase the blood flow to your organs and might allow you to function normally for a while. But there's a great deal of risk associated with it. BAREIL What sort of risk? BASHIR In twenty-two percent of the cases on record, Vasokin has severely damaged the patient's heart, lungs, and kidneys... sometimes the brain. In your condition, it could even be fatal. BAREIL But it would allow me to function normally for the next few days? BASHIR Yes. But are those few days worth risking your life? BAREIL I have no great desire to die, Doctor. But I am determined to carry out the will of the Prophets as long as I'm able... and I can't carry out their will if I'm lying unconscious in a stasis tube. (beat) Please Doctor... begin the Vasokin treatments. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT TWO 28A. 20 CONTINUED: (6) Bashir looks at him... still has grave doubts about this... but it's his duty to carry out the wishes of his patient. BASHIR All right. We'll begin this afternoon. I just hope we don't come to regret this. BAREIL So do I.. Bareil smiles a little and lies back on the bed. But the look on Bashir's face is very concerned and it's clear that he's worried about the future. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - 11/10/94 - ACT THREE 29. ACT THREE FADE IN: 21 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) As before. SISKO (V.O.) Station Log: Supplemental. Legate Turrel has arrived aboard the station to resume the negotiations. Vedek Bareil suggested that I sit in on the talks as an impartial observer, and Kai Winn has agreed. 22 INT. WARDROOM Winn is sitting across the table from LEGATE TURREL, a Cardassian member of the Central Command. Sisko is sitting at the end of the table, between the two of them. Winn is trying to be a diplomat here, but her deep-seated hatred of the Cardassians is still bleeding through. For his part, Turrel has no love for Winn and is contemptuous of her lack of diplomatic skills. Sisko is trying his best to keep the discussions moving. TURREL (patient) Perhaps you didn't hear me. There are no Bajoran prisoners left in Cardassian hands. Winn glares at him, but manages to restrain her temper. SISKO (quickly) Maybe we should redefine our terms. (to Turrel) Perhaps there are no official prisoners... but could there be a number of, shall we say... detainees? Turrel takes that in for a moment. TURREL (brusque) There are, of course, people being detained in the Justice Ministry for crimes against the state. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - 11/10/94 - ACT THREE 30. 22 CONTINUED: TURREL But that's a discussion for another time. Let's move on. (beat) I'd like to discuss what you've called "war reparations." We would be willing to pay for the destruction of all Bajoran property incurred during the occupation... as long as you are willing to return to us all Cardassian equipment and property left behind on Bajor. Winn looks suspicious... this sounds reasonable, but is it some kind of trap? WINN What sort of... property? TURREL (casual) Anything that is clearly of Cardassian origin and that was inadvertently left on Bajor when our forces pulled out. SISKO Could you be more specific? TURREL Of course. I can provide lists of material... equipment... as long as we have an agreement in principle that anything of Cardassian origin does still belong to the Cardassian people. Winn is uncertain what to do here... she opts to take the safe way out. WINN I... will consider your offer. TURREL (smiles) Good. Just remember that my offer to pay war reparations is linked to your acceptance of this principle. After all, it is our property we're asking to return. (beat) Shall we take a recess? DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - 11/10/94 - ACT THREE 31. 22 CONTINUED: (2) Winn nods and Turrel EXITS. Winn goes to the window... she looks weary, laden with stress and anxiety. WINN He's up to something. SISKO That much seems clear. WINN But what? Why is he insisting on this... principle of his? And what about that demand for mining rights he made earlier? What was that all about? SISKO I wish I could be of more help... but without knowing the entire negotiating record of the talks, it's hard to see the larger strategy at work. Winn looks out the window for a long beat. WINN (quiet) I need Bareil. (beat) He's the only one who knows the entire negotiating record. Bareil's been talking with Turrel for months... he understands him... respects him... I think he even likes him. SISKO (grim) I'm afraid you may have to face the possibility that Bareil may not be able to help you much longer. WINN I was chosen by the Prophets to lead our people into a new era... I know that. But I was never meant to sit in a room with a Cardassian and debate legalisms and "diplomatic nuances." She faces Sisko directly... this is as genuine and honest as Winn gets. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT THREE 3. 22 CONTINUED: (3) WINN I can't do this without Bareil. If he dies... then peace with Cardassia dies with him. Off Sisko's somber look... CUT TO: 23 INT. QUARK'S - SECOND LEVEL Jake, Nog, Leanne and a human girl named RISKA are sitting around a table with a large alien pot of green glop in the center -- this is a sort of fondue concoction, where each of them has long skewers which they plunge into the glop and pull out tasty treats. They also have plates of food with various meats and other delicacies. Jake and Leanne are chatting with an obvious interest in each other. Nog is adopting a more superior, almost regal attitude. Although he'll seem obnoxious and rude throughout the scene, from his point of view, he's acting perfectly normal for a Ferengi male on a date. When he speaks to Riska, he addresses her with a smile... proud of himself and his prowess with women. LEANNE My father used to take me to the wilderness preserves on Vulcan. So for years I thought their whole planet was like that -- animals and plants everywhere. I didn't know there were any people on Vulcan. NOG Boy, does she talk a lot for a female. LEANNE (surprised) Excuse me? DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT THREE 32A. 23 CONTINUED: JAKE (jumps in) Riska... weren't you telling me your uncle runs a bar on Osinar Six? You know, Nog's uncle runs this bar. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT THREE 33. 23 CONTINUED: (2) RISKA Is that right? NOG Let's not make foolish conversation. Just sit there and look beautiful. A very uncomfortable silence. Jake leans over to Nog as Riska and Leanne exchange a look. JAKE (sotto) Nog, what do you think you're doing? NOG (sotto, confident) Jake... I think I know how to handle females. (in a loud voice) Jake, you know I was thinking... after we're done eating, we could take these females into the holosuites. I borrowed one of my uncle's private programs: "The Massacre of Ferris Nine." I thought we'd spend an hour pillaging and looting the frightened townspeople. RISKA I don't think so. NOG No one's asking you to think, my dear. (gives her his plate of food) Here, make yourself useful. Cut up my food for me. RISKA You're joking, right? Nog looks at her for a beat, and then he begins to laugh. The other three then laugh out of relief... it seems that Nog was just playing with them after all. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT THREE 34. 23 CONTINUED: (3) But then Nog turns to Jake... NOG (chuckling, to Jake) She's so dumb. (beat) She's perfect. RISKA That's it. Riska gets up and storms off. Leanne isn't far behind. Jake jumps up to stop Leanne. JAKE (to Leanne) Wait, you're not going? LEANNE I suppose you want me to sit here and cut up your food, too? JAKE I never said anything about cutting -- LEANNE I hope you and your friend have fun in the holosuites. She turns and leaves. A furious Jake turns back to Nog. JAKE Nog... NOG (angry) Don't say another word, Jake. I think you've done enough damage for one night. JAKE Me? NOG Yeah, you. You were treating my female as if she was an equal. JAKE And you were behaving like an idiot. This is the last time I do you a favor, Nog. From now on, you get your own dates. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT THREE 35. 23 CONTINUED: (4) NOG And you can find someone else to play dom-jot with. JAKE Fine! NOG Good! The two of them storm off in different directions. CUT TO: DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/18/94 - ACT THREE 36. 26 INT. INFIRMARY OR SURGERY Bareil is lying on the biobed, holding a PADD in his hand and trying to concentrate as Winn goes through the problems of the negotiation. Kira is watching Bareil with grave concern. Bareil is in serious pain here... it's hard to think straight, much less to give cogent advice to the demanding Winn. BAREIL Turrel is trying... to get a concession from you that I already... rejected. Tell him the question of... Cardassian property on Bajor was dealt with in the armistice talks four years ago. Don't worry... he'll still pay the reparations. WINN What about this question of mining rights? Bareil tries to concentrate, but he's definitely having trouble putting aside the pain. Bashir ENTERS and goes immediately to check on Bareil. Winn turns and moves to Bashir. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT THREE 37. 26 CONTINUED: WINN His attention has been wandering and he's in pain. Give him more of the drug. BASHIR He's had enough. WINN Then you need to give him something else. The negotiations resume in less than six hours and we have over forty pages of -- BASHIR (deadly serious) Listen to me. I don't care about your negotiations, and I don't care about your treaty. All I care about is my patient and at the moment, he needs more medical care and less politics. (beat) Now, you can leave here willingly or I'll call security and have you removed. KIRA You won't have to call them. I'll do it myself. Winn glares at them both, but knows they mean it. She glances down at Bareil and softens a bit -- after all she needs Bareil and even genuinely cares for him in her own way. WINN Put yourself in the hands of the Prophets, Bareil. They will not forsake you. BAREIL Yes... Eminence. Winn EXITS. Kira moves to Bareil and sits down next to him. Bareil is bathed in sweat and is in obvious agony. Bashir takes a medical tricorder and begins checking the readings with some equipment. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT THREE 38. 26 CONTINUED: (2) Bashir's face is getting grimmer as he examines the readings on the equipment. KIRA (to Bareil) Anything I can do... ? BAREIL Just... be here. Bashir closes the tricorder and faces his patient with a somber expression. BAREIL I'm getting to... dislike seeing that look... on your face, Doctor. Kira looks up at Bashir with apprehension. Bashir can't sugarcoat his news. BASHIR As I feared, the Vasokin has begun to damage your internal organs. (beat) The damage is irreversible. That sinks in for a moment. KIRA What happens now? BASHIR I can replace the damaged organs with artificial implants. But as long as you're taking the drug, I can't guarantee that the damage won't spread. I think you should reconsider letting me put you in stasis. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/17/94 - ACT THREE 39. 26 CONTINUED: (3) Bareil focuses on Bashir with a great effort. He fights to make sure that his wishes are clear. BAREIL (with a smile) I'm afraid my mind's made up, Doctor. Just get me through these negotiations... I must carry out the will of the Prophets. Please. Whatever it takes... just do it. Bareil's head falls back on the pillow and Kira holds his hand. Off Bashir's face as he contemplates the difficult and grim choices that lie ahead... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/10/94 - ACT FOUR 40. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 27 INT. WARDROOM Winn is sitting at the table, poring over information on a large number of PADDS, when Bashir ENTERS. Winn glances up at him and then resumes her studies. Winn's first barb is pointed, but not truly harsh. WINN Are you going to call security and have me removed from this room now, Doctor? Bashir manages a small smile. BASHIR It hadn't occurred to me... yet. Winn looks up at him and we can see a small flash of what might be respect for Bashir as he verbally parries her thrust. She studies him, and then sits back with a tolerant look. WINN How is Bareil? BASHIR The organ replacement surgery went well. He's still unconscious, but he should be awake within the hour. WINN Good. There are several points I still have to discuss with him before the next negotiating session. BASHIR That's why I'm here. When you see Bareil... I want you to tell him that you don't need him... that you can complete these negotiations without him. WINN But I do need him, Doctor. BASHIR I realize that. But I want you to tell him that you don't. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT FOUR 41. 27 CONTINUED: WINN You seem to be asking me to lie. BASHIR I'm asking you to free Bareil from his obligations to you. And the only way he'll accept that is if you say he's no longer needed... that you can do this alone. Now, if that's a lie... then so be it. Winn studies him for a moment, Bashir meets her gaze steadily. WINN That doesn't sound like a... Starfleet officer. BASHIR I'm a doctor first. And right now, I'm trying to give my patient his best chance to live. The way to do that is to put him in stasis. Bareil knows that... but his desire to complete these negotiations is so strong that he's forcing me to keep him conscious and mentally alert, even though it may kill him. WINN None of us wants that to happen, Doctor. But unless I'm mistaken... the decision regarding Bareil's treatment is up to him. BASHIR Yes... as the patient, it's his right to make that choice. But I'm asking you to help me change his mind. Winn gets up and paces around the room for a moment. Bashir is pulling out all the stops here in a desperate attempt to sway her. BASHIR (continuing) Eminence... you're the Kai... these are your negotiations... let this be your moment in history. Finish the talks on your own and you won't have to share the credit with anyone. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/10/94 - ACT FOUR 41A. 27 CONTINUED: (2) Winn thinks about this for a long moment... then turns back to Bashir. WINN You say that as though success is guaranteed, Doctor... A beat as Bashir studies her... realizes -- BASHIR Of course. If the talks fail, you need someone to accept the blame, a scapegoat... you're a coward... you're afraid to stand alone! DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FOUR 42. 27 CONTINUED: (3) Winn's eyes flash and she turns on him. WINN (icy) Bareil's already made his decision, Doctor... I won't interfere. Bashir turns to go. WINN (continuing) And Doctor... (Bashir pauses) I will not forget what you've said here. Bashir gives her a very direct look. BASHIR Neither will I. Bashir EXITS. CUT TO: 28 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as before. 29 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS Sisko and Jake are having dinner. Jake seems distracted... morose. Sisko notices. SISKO So... you never told me about your double-date... JAKE Not much to tell... SISKO That's not what I hear. Quark tells me that you and Nog aren't speaking to one another. JAKE You should've seen the way he acted, Dad. He was acting like a spoiled brat. I've never been so embarrassed. I don't think Leanne will ever speak to me again. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT FOUR 43. 29 CONTINUED: SISKO So what did he do? JAKE All kinds of stupid things. Riska couldn't say two words without him telling her to be quiet... he insisted that she cut up his food before he'd eat it... he treated her like she was some kind of slave. SISKO And you're surprised? JAKE Yeah. Aren't you? SISKO It sounds like he's acting like a Ferengi to me. You can't really blame him for that. JAKE Well, in that case, maybe you were right all along. SISKO About what? JAKE You once said that Humans and Ferengis are too different to ever really be friends. SISKO I remember saying that... and you know what? I was wrong. You and Nog proved that. Sure, you have your cultural differences, but there's a real bond between you. Jake thinks it over for a minute. JAKE Well, I know one thing... I'm never going to set him up on a date again. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/16/94 - ACT FOUR 44. 29 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO (smiling) That's probably not a bad idea. (beat) I think you two should talk this over before it gets to be too big a problem. JAKE I'm not sure Nog's going to be willing to talk to me so soon. SISKO Well... I guess you'll just have to do something to get his attention. Off Jake's face as he thinks about this... CUT TO: 30 INT. BASHIR'S QUARTERS Bashir is sitting at a desk, looking at a monitor screen which has an Okudagram of medical information on it. A mug of coffee sits nearby. Bashir looks haggard, tired, on the verge of exhaustion. He rubs his eyes for a moment. BASHIR Physician, heal thyself... He pushes the monitor away, gets up and lies down on a couch, closes his eyes for a much needed sleep. But he no sooner closes his eyes when there's an urgent Com Voice. NURSE'S COM VOICE Doctor Bashir to the Infirmary. Medical Emergency. BASHIR On my way. Bashir bolts out of the room. CUT TO: DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FOUR 45. 31 INT. INFIRMARY OR SURGERY Bareil is lying on a biobed, and SCREAMING in agony as the Nurse tries to restrain him from doing any permanent damage. Winn is standing nearby with a shocked look on her face as Bashir ENTERS. BASHIR (to Nurse) What happened? NURSE I don't know. Bashir makes a few quick checks of Bareil, who is still moaning and writhing in pain. BASHIR (to Nurse) Two cc's morphenolog. (to Bareil) It's going to be all right. I'm going to help you. The Nurse applies a hypospray to Bareil and he falls unconscious. Bashir and the Nurse quickly begin scanning Bareil with tricorders and other medtech devices. Bashir glances up at the visibly shaken Winn. BASHIR (to Nurse) I left instructions that he wasn't to have visitors for another three hours. WINN It's not her fault. Bareil called me himself... said he had some ideas on the treaty. BASHIR (to Winn) And you just couldn't wait to hear them. Bashir reacts to something on the tricorder... it's not good. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT FOUR 46. 31 CONTINUED: BASHIR The left temporal lobe is showing signs of massive synaptic failure. (beat) I hope you got all the advice you needed, Eminence... the Vasokin has damaged his brain. And I'm afraid the damage... is irreversible. OFF Bashir's grim face... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FIVE 47. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 32 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE Sisko, Kira, Winn and Bashir. SISKO Will he regain consciousness? BASHIR Not in his present condition. WINN You were able to replace some of his internal organs with artificial implants... could you do something similar with the damaged areas of his brain? Bashir looks troubled at this. BASHIR I'm not sure we should pursue that option. WINN But it is an option. BASHIR There have been cases where small portions of the brain have been replaced with implants. But in this instance I'd have to replace his entire left hemisphere. There's a good chance he might lose something in the process. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FIVE 48. 32 CONTINUED: WINN What do you mean exactly? His memory? His personality? BASHIR It's hard to say with any certainty. There's still a great deal about the way the brain operates that we don't understand. (beat) One of my professors in medical school used to say that the brain had a "spark of life" that can't be replicated. If we begin replacing parts of Bareil's brain with artificial implants, that spark may be lost. KIRA But you're saying if we don't do it, Bareil will never regain consciousness, and he'll die. Bashir nods. Sisko takes a deep breath, sits on the edge of his desk. SISKO I think we need to consider what Bareil would want us to do. Kira turns and looks out the windows, lost in thought. WINN Vedek Bareil wanted to continue with the negotiations, no matter what the cost. BASHIR With all due respect, your Eminence, you're hardly an impartial observer here. You have a personal interest in these talks. WINN There's more at stake than just one man's life. BASHIR One man's life is all I'm concerned about at the moment. Kira turns to Bashir. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FIVE 49. 32 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA I think she's right, Julian. I think Bareil would want the positronic implant. BASHIR Kira... if I go through with this, the man who wakes up may not be the man you used to know. KIRA I realize that... but I know how important this was to him... and I know he wouldn't just want to be put into stasis indefinitely, waiting for a medical solution that may never come. (beat) Do the operation, Julian. Let him finish what he started. There's a long beat, then Sisko steps forward. SISKO I'd like to talk to the doctor alone for a moment. Kira and Winn EXIT. SISKO I just want you to know that as far as I'm concerned, your word is final in this situation. If you feel it's wrong to proceed with the operation, then that's the way it'll be. Kai Winn can protest all she wants... but I'll support you. BASHIR Thank you. Bashir EXITS. CUT TO: DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT FIVE 50. 33 INT. SECURITY Odo is sitting at his desk when Jake ENTERS. ODO Mister Sisko. JAKE Odo, I'd like you to do me a favor. (beat) I want to be arrested. OFF Odo's look of surprise... CUT TO: 34 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as before. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/10/94 - ACT FIVE 51. 35 INT. HOLDING CELL (OPTICAL) Jake is sitting in a cell, looking miserable as Odo brings in a protesting Nog. NOG This is outrageous! I didn't steal anything from the Tholian Ambassador! ODO Just another innocent man arrested for a crime he didn't commit. Nog sees Jake in the cell and reacts in surprise. NOG What's he doing here? ODO As if you didn't know. Your accomplice here denied involvement as well... but I have an eyewitness who saw both of you breaking into the Tholian Ambassador's quarters last night. NOG I don't even know what a Tholian looks like! ODO Tell it to the Magistrate. Odo deactivates the force field. Nog eyes Jake with hostility. NOG At least put me in my own cell. ODO I'm sorry the accommodations aren't to your liking. Please feel free to submit a complaint to the management. Odo throws Nog inside with Jake and then activates the force field and EXITS, leaving an apparently Nog and Jake together. CUT TO: 36 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as before. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT FIVE 52. 37 INT. INFIRMARY Kira and Winn are anxiously waiting for word about Bareil. After a few beats, Bashir ENTERS with a weary and solemn look. BASHIR The positronic implant is functioning normally... the mid-brain interface is on-line... and he's awake. Kira and Winn exchange a look... neither of them knowing really what to expect and then they follow Bashir to... 38 INT. SURGERY - CONTINUOUS Bareil is lying awake on the table as Bashir, Kira and Winn ENTER. Kira goes to him, searches for some sign of recognition. KIRA Bareil? Bareil looks at her... but he could be looking at a potted plant for all the reaction he shows. He's distant, his eyes vacant... and we get the inescapable feeling that Bareil has been diminished in some profound way. Kira takes his hand in hers. BAREIL (flat) Yes, Major. KIRA How do you feel? He stares at her (or is it through her?) for a long beat before answering. BAREIL I'm... awake. (looks around) Everything is... different. KIRA Different in what way? Bareil struggles for a moment to put this into words, but it's clear that he is only a shadow of his former self. Bareil looks down at her hand holding his. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FIVE 53. 38 CONTINUED: BAREIL It's hard to explain... but when you touch me... it doesn't seem real... it's more like... a distant memory of a touch... Kira takes that in for a moment... it's a difficult statement to hear from someone you love. Winn steps forward. WINN (gently) Vedek... do you remember the negotiations? I have some questions for you. Bareil turns away from Kira to think about this and in that moment it's as if Bareil has forgotten that Kira even exists. He drops her hand and completely focuses on Winn. BAREIL (smiles) Of course, I do Eminence. The negotiations. A giant puzzle that needs to be solved. Everyone exchanges a look at this. KIRA It's a little more important than a puzzle. Winn sits down on the bed next to him. WINN (smiles) If the Vedek chooses to look at the talks as a puzzle, then so be it. All that's important is that he helps me solve the puzzle. BAREIL I'll do all I can. Kira gives Bashir a stricken look... she doesn't know what to say or do... and then she EXITS. Bashir watches Winn begin to call up information on the PADD she's carrying. OFF his face as he looks at what's become of his patient... CUT TO: DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT FIVE 53A. 39 INT. HOLDING CELL (OPTICAL) Jake is sitting in the cell, and Nog is pacing. NOG Something's wrong... DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/10/94 - ACT FIVE 54. 39 CONTINUED: JAKE No kidding... NOG That's not what I mean. My father told me that if I got caught stealing again, he was going to send me back to live on the Ferengi homeworld with my grandmother. So where is he? Why isn't he here yelling and threatening me? And where's Uncle Quark? I'm late for work. And come to think of it, what are you doing here? JAKE Ask Odo. NOG No, no, no. Throwing you in here wasn't Odo's idea. You don't just arrest the station commander's son without some really strong evidence. And I know there is no evidence because I know we didn't do anything. So why are we here, Jake? There's a beat -- Jake knows he's busted. JAKE All right... I put Odo up to it because I wanted to talk to you. NOG In here? JAKE I didn't think you'd listen to me otherwise. NOG Well, this better be good. JAKE I wanted to say... I'm sorry. I guess I just forgot you're a Ferengi. NOG You forgot? To most people, the lobes are a dead giveaway. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/10/94 - ACT FIVE 55. 39 CONTINUED: (2) JAKE What I mean is... we spend so much time together... and we seem so much alike... I sometimes forget we're different. NOG I know we're different. Anyone who would talk to a female with such fawning respect is no Ferengi. It made me sick. JAKE You want to talk about sick? Sick is making Riska cut up your food for you. NOG At least I didn't have her chew it for me. JAKE Chew it? NOG That's right. In traditional Ferengi homes, the female softens the food with her teeth before serving it to the male. JAKE That is disgusting. NOG I knew you'd react that way, which is why I didn't ask her to do it. JAKE Well, do you have any other disgusting Ferengi customs I should know about? NOG Plenty. And you have plenty of human customs that disgust me. JAKE Great. So we both disgust each other. You know, as we get older, this is just going to get worse. But I know one thing... I don't want to lose you as a friend. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/10/94 - ACT FIVE 56. 39 CONTINUED: (3) NOG Well, in that case double-dating is definitely out. JAKE Agreed. And I guess we'll have to deal with the rest of our disgusting habits as they come up. NOG I guess so. You feel better? JAKE Yeah. NOG Good. Now can we get out of here? JAKE Sure. (calls out) Odo? (silence) Odo? (beat) He's just playing around. Odo! Nog sits down on the bench as Jake starts to wonder if Odo's coming back. CUT TO: 40 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as before. SISKO (V.O.) Station Log, Supplemental. Kai Winn has announced that Legate Turrel has signed the peace treaty. The news has sent a shockwave throughout the quadrant... 41 INT. WARDROOM The room is gaily decorated for a celebration with food, drink, etc. The room is filled with Bajoran N.D.s and dignitaries, along with Odo, DAX and Sisko. Winn is here also, surrounded by Bajorans. She is receiving thanks and toasts -- clearly, the woman of the hour. QUARK has catered the occasion, and there are a couple of N.D. Ferengi waiters in evidence. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FIVE 57. 41 CONTINUED: SISKO (V.O.) (continuing) And although there is still some opposition from hard-line elements on both Bajor and Cardassia... it looks as though they're finally willing to put their long conflict behind them. Bashir is here also. He takes a drink from a tray and sits in an out-of-the-way place. His expression is somber, clearly not joining in the fun. Dax notes his gloomy expression and she goes to sit next to him. DAX Remind me not to invite you to my next party. Bashir manages to smile a little. BASHIR Sorry. I guess I am sort of casting a pall over this gathering. DAX No one expects you to provide the entertainment, Julian. But you should try to enjoy yourself. After all, this celebration is for you, too. BASHIR Frankly, I'm not sure what I've done deserves a celebration. DAX Julian... you saved his life. You kept him alive against incredible odds. No matter what happens, you should always be proud of that. Bashir seems to take a little bit of solace in this, gives her a smile. Dax puts a hand on his shoulder. 41A NEW ANGLE As Quark approaches Winn with a Ferengi who is carrying a tray which has a large and bizarre-looking souffle on it. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/11/94 - ACT FIVE 57A. 41A CONTINUED: QUARK Excuse me, your Eminence. WINN Yes? QUARK Kai Winn, allow me to introduce... (indicates souffle) "Kai Winn." DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FIVE 58. 41A CONTINUED: (2) WINN I don't understand. QUARK In honor of this occasion, I've named my latest creation after you. It's a chocolate souffle with Haligian tongue sauce. WINN I'm honored. QUARK And you're also very popular. Believe me, I can't keep up with the orders so far. Quark walks off. Bashir and Dax have overheard the above exchange, and they chuckle. It's the first time we've seen Bashir laugh in a long time. But in the middle of this, a Nurse's Com Voice suddenly interrupts: NURSE'S COM VOICE Doctor Bashir to the Infirmary. Medical emergency. The joy leaves Bashir's face as he bolts for the door. Winn reacts -- she knows what this might mean. WINN (to Bajoran ND) Excuse me. Winn heads for the door, as well. CUT TO: 42 INT. INFIRMARY OR SURGERY Bareil is lying on the bio-bed, unconscious, Kira at his side. Winn is nearby. Bashir is looking over a PADD. He looks up at them with a somber expression. KIRA It's the other half of his brain, isn't it? Bashir nods. A grim moment. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FIVE 59. 42 CONTINUED: KIRA But you can still help him can't you? You can replace the other half of his brain with a positronic matrix. Bashir puts down the PADD. This is clearly deeply troubling him. He looks at Kira as if making up his mind. BASHIR I'm sorry, Nerys. But, this is where it ends. Winn and Kira look up at him. KIRA (worried) What do you mean? BASHIR I won't remove the last shred of whatever humanity Bareil has left. KIRA But it can be done. WINN Perhaps, my child, it's time to listen to Doctor Bashir. Kira whirls on Winn. KIRA Sure, now that you've got your peace treaty and you're assured of a place in history, you don't need Bareil anymore. WINN Believe me child, I share your pain. But I think the Prophets are calling to Bareil. (looks at Bareil) I will see to it that Bajor never forgets him. (beat, then a good- bye) Doctor. Winn EXITS. Kira turns to Bashir, her eyes pleading. KIRA Julian... you can't stop now. You've got to keep going. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT FIVE 59A. 42 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR (gently) Nerys, if I remove the rest of his brain... put a machine in its place... he may look like Bareil... and he may even talk like Bareil... but it won't be Bareil. The "spark of life" will be gone. (beat) He'll be dead. And I'll be the one who killed him. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/15/94 - ACT FIVE 60. 42 CONTINUED: (3) Kira is torn... doesn't want to give up. KIRA But if we do nothing... he'll die. There's no way to sugarcoat this and Bashir doesn't try. BASHIR Yes, he will. But he'll die as a man... not a machine. (beat, then quiet) Please... don't make me fight you on this. Just... let him go. Kira talks to Bashir, but her eyes never leave Bareil. KIRA How long? BASHIR It will be about three hours until all brain activity ceases. KIRA I'd like to stay here until then. BASHIR Of course. DEEP SPACE: "Life Support" - REV. 11/14/94 - ACT FIVE 61. 42 CONTINUED: (4) Bashir quietly EXITS. Kira moves over to Bareil's bed, looks down at him with affection and sadness. KIRA Well... you got your treaty after all. I just wish there'd been more time for us. There's so much I never got to say to you. (beat) But this is all the time we have left, isn't it? So I guess I better say it now. She leans over and kisses him. Then takes a deep breath... holds his hand... and as Kira talks to the unconscious Bareil we begin to PULL BACK... KIRA (continuing) I'll never forget the first time I saw you... that day you came to the station. There was a serenity about you... like you had all the answers... (smiles) It really got on my nerves for a while. But as I got to know you... I realized that you were just as confused as the rest of us... you just accepted your confusion better than anyone I'd ever met. And that's when I knew I loved you... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END Ú u