STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Improbable Cause" (fka "Untitled Garak") #40513-465 Story by Robert Lederman & David R. Long Teleplay by Rene Echevarria Directed by Avery Brooks 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 1995 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 January 25, 1995 STAR TREK: DS9 - "Improbable Cause" - 01/25/95 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Improbable Cause" CAST SISKO MILA KIRA TAIN ODO, INFORMANT BASHIR RETAYA DAX ROMULAN O'BRIEN QUARK GARAK Non-speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK DEEP SPACE NINE: "Improbable Cause" - 01/25/95 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Improbable Cause" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE AIRLOCK CORRIDOR COMMANDER'S OFFICE RUNABOUT GARAK'S SHOP INFIRMARY PROMENADE/SECOND LEVEL PROMENADE/FIRST LEVEL QUARK'S SECURITY OFFICE WARDROOM RUNABOUT CAVE ROMULAN CORRIDOR ROMULAN READY ROOM STAR TREK: "Improbable Cause" - 01/25/95 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Improbable Cause" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE KIRA NERYS KIH-ruh nar-EES DEKORA ASSAN deh-CORE-ah uh-SAWN DELAVIAN deh-LAY-vee-uhn ELIM EE-lim. FLAXIAN FLAX-ee-uhn JAPORI juh-POOR-ee MILA MEE-lah NAUSICAAN NAW-si-can OMARION O-mar-ee-on ORIAS o-RYE-us RETAYA reh-TIE-yuh ENABRAN TAIN en-AH-bran TAIN TAL SHIAR TAL she-ARE TALARIAN tuh-LARE-ee-uhn UNEFRA oo-NEF-ruh YALOSIAN yuh-LOW-zhee-uhn YRIDIAN yir-ID-ee-uhn NITRILIN nuh-TRILL-in PHEROMONIC fair-MAWN-ik DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Improbable Cause" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 2 INT. QUARK'S - SECOND LEVEL where BASHIR and GARAK are sitting at a table having lunch. We pick them up in mid-conversation as Garak is leisurely expounding on some theory of his. Bashir is wolfing his lunch down as if he's in a hurry. GARAK -- Doctor, I just don't see the value in this man's work. BASHIR Garak, Shakespeare is one of the giants of human literature. GARAK I knew Brutus was going to kill Caesar in the first act, but Caesar doesn't figure it out until the knife is in his back... BASHIR That's why it's a tragedy. Caesar couldn't conceive that his best friend would plot his murder. As Garak continues, Bashir continues to eat heartily. GARAK Tragedy is not the word I would use, farce would be more appropriate. Supposedly, this man is the leader of an entire empire, a brilliant military tactician, yet he can't see what's going on under his very nose -- Garak stops himself, no longer able to ignore the fact that Bashir is eating so fast. GARAK Are you in a hurry, Doctor? DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - TEASER 1A. 2 CONTINUED: BASHIR I have to get back to the Infirmary. There's a lot of work to do this afternoon. GARAK (sighs) You're lucky. I have more time on my hands than I know what to do with. BASHIR You could finish those pants I dropped off last week. GARAK Tomorrow. Bashir frowns slightly and keeps eating. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: (2) GARAK You're going to give yourself indigestion. BASHIR And I'll have you to thank for it. If you hadn't been late, I'd be able to enjoy my lunch. GARAK This isn't the first time I've seen you rush through a meal. You never take the time to savor your food. It seems to be a human characteristic. Garak looks over and sees that at another table, a HUMAN is having lunch with an N.D. ALIEN. GARAK Look over there... that Talarian isn't even half finished with his meal, but his human companion's plate is empty. BASHIR Maybe he and I should get together for dessert and leave you and the Talarian to wile away the afternoon. GARAK It's a very interesting sociological trait, don't you think? For generations now, humankind has had more than enough food... yet you all eat as if you were afraid someone was going to come along and take your plate away. Bashir, who's finished his meal, eyes Garak's nearly untouched plate. BASHIR Garak, why don't you eat for a while and let me talk? GARAK (musing) Fear of starvation amid plenty... it points to some dark secret hidden in the human soul... a gnawing hunger. Someone should do a study. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - TEASER 3. 2 CONTINUED: (3) BASHIR Why don't you do it? You're the one with all the free time on your hands. Garak sees that Bashir is having none of this. He picks up his fork to resume eating his half-full plate. GARAK If you want to have dessert, go ahead. I won't be offended. BASHIR I have to go. I'm sorry to leave while you're still eating. GARAK (dismissing his apology) No, no... I'm done, as well. BASHIR But you're only half finished. Garak tosses his napkin down and stands; they start to leave Quark's. GARAK If you really must know, I've been nibbling on Delavian chocolates all morning. 3 INT. PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL as they ENTER from the Quark's. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. BASHIR How did you get your hands on Delavian chocolates? GARAK (lightly) I promised my... supplier that I wouldn't tell. (beat) But since I deprived you of dessert, I'd be happy to bring some by the Infirmary later this afternoon. BASHIR Thanks, I'd like that. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - TEASER 4. 3 CONTINUED: GARAK Until then, Doctor... And with that, Garak turns and moves away. Before Julian can move off, KIRA calls out to him from off-screen. KIRA (O.S.) Julian... Bashir turns and sees her approach. BASHIR Major... KIRA About those atmospheric specifications you requested for the Yalosian Ambassador... BASHIR (remembering) Sixty percent nitrogen, ten percent benzene, and the rest hydrogen fluoride, as I recall... KIRA We ran a test in one of the guest quarters... the mixture was so corrosive it started to dissolve the carpet. BASHIR Don't look at me, it's what they breathe... KIRA Then I guess we'll just have to pull the carpet out... BASHIR Just be sure you don't replace it with anything red or orange... KIRA Why not? BASHIR They can't see that part of the color spectrum. KIRA Is there anything else I should know about Yalosians... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - TEASER 4A. 3 CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR As a matter of fact... Suddenly the Promenade is ROCKED by a violent EXPLOSION. Kira and Bashir exchange a stunned look... rush to the rail. They look down and see SMOKE billowing up. BASHIR (hits combadge) Bashir to Infirmary... Medical emergency on the Promenade... 4 NEW ANGLE - ANOTHER PART OF PROMENADE - FIRST LEVEL as Bashir and Kira head toward the smoke which is now billowing from the blasted area. SUPERNUMERARIES run in the opposite direction, trying to get away. As they near the blast site, Bashir reacts when he realizes -- BASHIR Garak's shop... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - TEASER 5. 4 CONTINUED: Kira looks and sees that the doors and windows are blasted open from the inside... FIRES burn within... but the AUTOMATED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM is kicking in to put them out. Outside the shop, several FIREFIGHTERS with hand-held EXTINGUISHERS are putting out small pieces of flaming shrapnel from the shop. Bashir moves forward... and sees a figure lying on the floor some yards outside the blown out doors... it's Garak, and an N.D. Nurse is at his side. Bashir hurries to him... and sees that Garak, though he has small cuts on his face from flying glass, isn't seriously hurt, just momentarily stunned from the blast. Bashir helps him sit up... BASHIR Are you all right... ? Garak reaches up and gingerly touches his own temple... GARAK As well as could be expected... He glances at his burning shop... GARAK (wry) But I'm afraid your pants won't be ready tomorrow, after all... Off Garak's wan smile we... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT ONE 6. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) 5 INT. GARAK'S SHOP where ODO, O'BRIEN, and an N.D. TECHNICIAN are sifting through the rubble as SISKO ENTERS. SECURITY OFFICERS stand outside in the Promenade, keeping the curious away. The fires are no longer burning, and the smoke has cleared away. O'Brien is scanning a blasted open portion of a wall panel that seems to be the locus of the explosion. SISKO Report. O'BRIEN (indicating blast) The explosion was caused by a rupture in the power conduit behind this wall. SISKO What caused the rupture? O'BRIEN Probably an overload in the ODN juncture. Odo gives a small harumph as he continues to scan the rubble. SISKO I take it you don't agree. ODO Let's just say I find it odd that a conduit running behind Garak's shop would "happen" to overload. SISKO So you think someone ruptured it deliberately. ODO I wouldn't be surprised. It stands to reason that a man with Garak's past would have enemies. Suddenly O'Brien reacts to something on his scanner... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT ONE 7. 5 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Commander... I'm detecting traces of nitrilin. This strikes Odo as awfully odd. ODO Nitrilin is extremely unstable. O'BRIEN And very rare. It couldn't have come from the power conduit. ODO It could be the residue from a micro- explosive device planted on the conduit and rigged to cause a rupture... SISKO Making it look like the explosion was an accident. ODO Exactly. SISKO (hits combadge) Sisko to Ops. KIRA'S COM VOICE Go ahead, Commander. SISKO Delay the departure of all vessels until further notice. We have reason to believe that someone may have tried to kill Mister Garak. KIRA'S COM VOICE Acknowledged. Sisko turns to Odo... SISKO I think it's time we had a little talk with Garak... CUT TO: 6 INT. INFIRMARY CLOSE on Garak. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT ONE 8. 6 CONTINUED: GARAK But who would want to kill me... a simple tailor? 7 WIDEN to include Sisko and Odo, who share a look over Garak's disingenuous remark. Bashir is treating Garak's wounds with a small medical device. TWO SECURITY OFFICERS hang back by the door. ODO A simple tailor who used to be an agent of the Obsidian Order. GARAK (dismissing this) The Obsidian Order? Constable, you shouldn't put so much stock in Doctor Bashir's flights of fancy. (beat) Are you sure the explosion wasn't an accident, because I can't think of anyone who would wish me harm... Sisko fixes him with a look... SISKO Someone tried to kill you, Garak, and whoever it was might try again... so if I were you, I'd give the matter some serious thought... Garak sees his point, considers for a moment... GARAK Well... let me see... there was that Nausicaan whose wedding suit I misplaced... and that Yridian I owe money to... and, of course, there's always Major Kira... BASHIR This is serious, Garak. GARAK I'm being serious. I don't think she likes me. ODO She doesn't. But if she wanted you dead, you would be. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT ONE 9. 7 CONTINUED: GARAK You do have a point. SISKO Could this attempt on your life have anything to do with the reason you were exiled from Cardassia? Garak makes a show about thinking this over. GARAK I seriously doubt the Finance Ministry would try to have me killed for failing to pay my taxes. Our people exchange skeptical looks. ODO You expect us to believe that's the reason you were exiled? Garak keeps obfuscating with a straight face. GARAK Do you think I'd lie about a thing like that? It's not something I'm proud of. Sisko has had about enough of Garak's dissembling. SISKO Garak, I don't like explosions going off on my station. Innocent people could've been hurt. You could've been hurt. So if you know something you're not telling us, I suggest you start talking. GARAK I've told you everything I can think of. Sisko and Odo exchange a skeptical look. ODO All right, then. (sarcastic) I'll investigate the... "leads" you've given us. If you think of anyone else I should talk to, let me know. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT ONE 10. 7 CONTINUED: (2) GARAK I certainly will. Sisko indicates the Security Officers. SISKO We've assigned a security detail to you. I suggest you stay as close to them as possible. And with that, Sisko and Odo EXIT. Bashir looks at Garak for a moment, then shakes his head in amazement. BASHIR Someone should do a study... GARAK A study? BASHIR To try and figure out why some people can't bring themselves to trust anyone, even when it's in their best interest. Bashir has finished treating him so Garak now stands. GARAK Why is it that no one ever believes me, even when I'm telling the truth... ? BASHIR Have you ever heard the story of the boy who cried wolf? GARAK No... BASHIR It's a children's story about a young shepherd boy who gets lonely while tending his flock. So he cries out to the villagers that a wolf is attacking the sheep. The people come running, but of course, there's no wolf. He claims that it's run away, and the villagers praise him for his vigilance. GARAK (smiles) Clever lad... a charming story. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT ONE 11. 7 CONTINUED: (3) BASHIR (Cont'd) I'm not finished. The next day the boy does it again, and the next day, too... on the fourth day, a wolf really comes... the boy cries out at the top of his lungs, but the villagers ignore him... and the boy and his flock are gobbled up... GARAK That's a little graphic for children, don't you think? BASHIR But the point is that if you lie all the time, no one will believe you even if you're telling the truth. GARAK Are you sure that's the point, Doctor? BASHIR Of course, what else would it be? GARAK (matter-of-fact) That you should never tell the same lie twice... And with a faint smile on his lips, Garak turns and EXITS... followed by the Two Security Officers. Off Bashir's face as he watches him go... 8 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 9 INT. SECURITY OFFICE where Odo is seated at his desk studying a monitor. After a moment, Garak ENTERS, and we see his Guards stand just outside Security. GARAK You wanted to see me? ODO (sardonic) I have bad news for you... Major Kira has an airtight alibi. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT ONE 12. 9 CONTINUED: Garak manages a weak smile. ODO I thought you might want to look over the passenger manifests of ships that recently came to the station. GARAK To see if I recognize anyone who might... wish me harm. ODO Exactly. Odo gestures that Garak take his seat behind the desk, and the Cardassian does so. ODO I suggest you start with the most recent arrivals and work backwards... Garak starts scrolling through the screen, and Odo stands nearby, hovering. After a beat, Garak gives him a sidelong glance. Odo doesn't take the hint, and Garak decides to try and put him out of his mind and keep scrolling. After another few moments he can't take it anymore and looks up at him. GARAK Don't worry about me, Constable. I can manage on my own. ODO I'm not about to leave you alone in here so you can look through my security files... GARAK What makes you think I haven't already looked through them... ? This catches Odo off-guard, Garak lets him dangle for a bit, then... GARAK I'm joking, of course... ODO (uncertain) Of course... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT ONE 13. 9 CONTINUED: (2) The two men size each other up for a beat, then Garak continues scrolling. After a moment... GARAK I'm afraid I don't recognize any of these names... ODO The bomb could've been planted days ago, even weeks. I suggest you keep going back just to be sure. GARAK (as he scrolls) This could take forever. ODO I would think you'd have plenty of time on your hands, now that your shop is no longer... open for business. Garak shoots him a look. The door OPENS and O'Brien walks in, carrying a PADD. O'BRIEN I finished running the biomolecular scan you asked for. He hands Odo the PADD, then mentions something that strikes him as odd. O'BRIEN I found traces of living tissue on the bulkhead around the blast site... Odo reacts, studies the PADD. Garak gets up from behind the desk to see, as well. ODO It looks like the remains of a pheromonic sensor. O'BRIEN A what? Odo answers as if by rote, his mind is somewhere else... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/27/95 - ACT ONE 14. 9 CONTINUED: (3) ODO A sensor that's sensitive to pheromones. It's triggered when a person of a particular species gets within range. GARAK In this case a Cardassian... me. Odo moves to his desktop monitor... ODO They're known to be favored by Flaxian assassins... (off monitor) -- and it just so happens that a Flaxian came aboard the station just this morning... Garak reacts to this news... Odo now has a suspect, and we go off his determined features... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 15. ACT TWO FADE IN: 10 INT. WARDROOM were Odo is talking with the Flaxian, RETAYA, who is seated at the table. Two Bajoran Security Personnel stand at ready near the door. As Odo circles around him carrying a PADD, the Flaxian wears a salesman's demeanor. He's a professional hit man, and he's determined to stick by his cover story. ODO -- so Mister... (checks PADD) Retaya -- your papers indicate you're a merchant. RETAYA I deal in fine wares... mostly fabrics and fragrances. ODO According to my information, you were a suspect in the murder of Dekora Assan, on Japori Two. Retaya takes this accusation in stride with an amiable shrug. RETAYA I was cleared of those charges. It was a case of mistaken identity... A skeptical Odo gestures to Retaya's SAMPLE CASE. ODO This is your sample case, I take it. RETAYA Yes... Retaya opens the case, and, sure enough, it's filled with small swatches of cloth and small bottles of perfume. Odo holds up a TRICORDER and scans the rows of bottles. ODO How fortunate... as it happens, I'm looking for a gift for a friend... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 16. 10 CONTINUED: RETAYA (smiles) A... lady friend? ODO Exactly... Odo closes the tricorder and takes out one of the bottles. ODO Unfortunately, I don't have a sense of smell... could you describe this fragrance for me? RETAYA It has a somewhat.. floral bouquet. Odo sets the bottle aside and peers at the other bottles. ODO We have a Cardassian tailor here on the station named Garak. There was an explosion in his shop not long after you arrived. Retaya's eyes go wide with concern. RETAYA I felt the blast... was he hurt? ODO Not seriously. Odo holds up another bottle. RETAYA That one is more... musky than the first. Odo puts this bottle aside as well, and starts looking through the case again. ODO Tell me... where were you when the explosion occurred? RETAYA The Ferengi's bar... I went there as soon as I arrived this morning. Odo pulls another bottle from the case and holds it up. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 17. 10 CONTINUED: (2) RETAYA I suppose I'd have to describe that one as... spicy... ODO I see. And how long were you at Quark's? RETAYA The rest of the day... right up until your deputy came and brought me here. Odo finally closes up the case, leaving only the three bottles out on the table. RETAYA (continuing) So... have you found something for your lady friend? ODO Almost. I think she would like something that's both floral and musky. (gets an idea) Perhaps if we mixed these two? RETAYA (casual) Why not? Odo uses the DROPPER in each bottle and deftly puts a few drops onto a MIXING PLATE. Retaya sniffs it, then smiles up at Odo. RETAYA Very nice... Odo picks up the third bottle that he set aside earlier. ODO On the other hand... she's also quite fond of spicy things... perhaps we should add a drop of this one as well... ? Retaya's smile hardens just a little. RETAYA I don't think they'll go well together... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 18. 10 CONTINUED: (3) ODO Let's find out. Odo takes the dropper and is about to use it, but Retaya grabs his hand firmly. RETAYA I really don't think your lady friend will like the aroma... Odo leans in close toward Retaya. ODO Much less the fact that when these three... "fragrances" are combined, they produce a gaseous mixture that can trigger a fatal heart attack when inhaled. Retaya does his best to seem aghast at this news. RETAYA I had no idea... ODO Then why did you stop me from mixing them? RETAYA As I said, I simply didn't think your friend would like the aroma... The two men regard each other... both knowing that Odo suspects Retaya, but both knowing he doesn't have anything to pin on him. RETAYA Unless you have anymore questions, I'd like to go now. I have deliveries to make on Cardassia. ODO I'll let you know when you can leave the station. Odo EXITS. Off Retaya's face as he tries not to show concern over this... 11 INT. QUARK'S where Odo, Garak and Bashir are talking with QUARK by the bar. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed, including the Two Security Officers assigned to Garak. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 19. 11 CONTINUED: ODO How long was the Flaxian salesman here today? QUARK He was here all day... but he was no salesman. ODO What do you mean? QUARK Oh, he had a sample case, and he made a big show of wanting everyone to see what he had inside it... but he didn't have the eyes. BASHIR The eyes? QUARK Salesman eyes, friendly but blank... they give nothing away. You can't tell if you're being fleeced or getting the deal of your life... BASHIR (studying Quark's eyes) I think I know exactly what you're talking about... QUARK (pleased) Thank you, Doctor. (to Odo) What I'm saying is that it takes one to know one, and that Flaxian was no salesman. But he was a good customer. Didn't win big, didn't lose big. (trying to move off) Now if you'll excuse me -- ODO (stopping him) What time did he arrive? QUARK About... fifteen minutes after we opened. BASHIR Are you sure he was here all day? DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 20. 11 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK Until security came in and dragged him off. If you don't believe me ask Morn. They talked for hours. ODO Did he talk to anyone else? QUARK I don't remember. Can I go? I have customers. Odo gestures that he can, and Quark crosses away. BASHIR What do we do now? ODO That depends on Garak. GARAK Me? What can I do? ODO You can start telling the truth for a change. For instance, why would this Flaxian want to kill you? GARAK I have no idea. Maybe someone hired him to do it. ODO Like who? GARAK I don't know. ODO Are you sure? GARAK You seem to be under the impression that I would knowingly withhold information when my life is at stake. I can assure you, Constable, I have a well developed instinct for self- preservation. If I had anything to add, I would have done so by now. BASHIR I think he's telling the truth, Odo. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 21. 11 CONTINUED: (3) ODO I don't. And if Mister Garak doesn't care enough about his own life to share his secrets with us, then I don't either. I'm letting the Flaxian go. BASHIR Letting him go? But he's our prime suspect. ODO I don't have enough evidence to hold him. And it doesn't look like I'll be getting any more in the near future. (to security guards) You can go. The Guards acknowledge and EXIT. GARAK What are you doing? ODO I'm canceling your security detail. GARAK But someone may try to kill me again. ODO A distinct possibility. So if you change your mind and decide to be a little more cooperative, you know where to reach me. Until then... sleep well, Garak. And with that, Odo EXITS. Off Garak's surprised look... 12 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-Establishing. 13 INT. PROMENADE - SECOND LEVEL where we see Odo standing at the railing, looking down at the first level, where the Flaxian is making his way through the crowd holding his sample case. O'Brien comes up next to Odo. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 22. 13 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Everything's all set. The transponder is aboard the Flaxian's ship. ODO You're sure he won't find it? O'BRIEN Not a chance, I hid it in his ship's magneton relay. You'll be able to track him as long as you stay within half a light year. (beat) Who do you think he's going to lead you to? ODO If I knew that, I wouldn't have to follow him... Odo moves away, leaving O'Brien to watch him go... 14 INT. RUNABOUT as the runabout door OPENS and Odo ENTERS. He crosses into the cockpit, stops short in surprise when he sees Garak sitting in the co-pilot's seat, a SHOULDER PACK on the floor nearby. GARAK I was wondering when you were going to get here. The Flaxian left two minutes ago. If we're going to follow him, we're going to have to get moving. ODO What makes you think I'm going to follow him? GARAK Although Doctor Bashir may have been convinced by your performance in Quark's, I happen to know that you're far too dogged an investigator to let the only suspect in the case just disappear. ODO (sarcastic) Congratulations, your powers of deduction are truly astonishing... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 22A. 14 CONTINUED: ODO (Cont'd) Now if you'll kindly disembark, I'll continue my dogged investigation. GARAK But I intend to come with you. ODO Forgive me, but... are you making a joke? Cardassian humor escapes me. GARAK I'm quite serious. Believe me, having someone try to kill you is no laughing matter. ODO Perhaps... but I don't require your company on this trip. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 23. 14 CONTINUED: (2) GARAK My presence could be very helpful, especially if the Flaxian goes into Cardassian space. ODO I'm not interested in debating your usefulness to -- GARAK (off console) I hate to interrupt, but the Flaxian is getting farther away. I assume you've placed a tracking device on his ship, but if we don't get started soon he's going to get out of range. Odo bows to the inevitable, sits in the pilot's seat, and begins working the controls. ODO Rio Grande to Ops... request permission to depart. KIRA'S COM VOICE Permission granted. GARAK Trust me, Constable. I can be a most pleasant traveling companion. And this promises to be a very interesting trip. Odo ignores him and works the controls. 15 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as the Runabout clears the station. 16 INT. RUNABOUT Odo and Garak as before. ODO (off console) The tracking device is working perfectly... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT TWO 24. 16 CONTINUED: GARAK (off console) If I'm reading this correctly, and I'm no expert, it looks like the Flaxian ship is about to go into warp... 17 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) as the Flaxian ship moves away from the camera -- suddenly, it EXPLODES... 18 INT. RUNABOUT as a burst of INTERACTIVE LIGHT fades from Odo and Garak's stunned faces. ODO It would seem that our "interesting" trip has just been cut short... Off this moment we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 25. ACT THREE FADE IN: 19 INT. WARDROOM where Sisko, Dax, O'Brien, Odo and Garak are in mid discussion. Garak is standing by the window, staring out into space... though he seems lost in thought, he's actually listening intently to everything that's being said. O'BRIEN According to our sensor logs, the Flaxian ship exploded the moment its warp drive was engaged. DAX Was there a malfunction? O'BRIEN I thought so at first. But then I analyzed the telemetry from the transponder I planted aboard the Flaxian ship. He slides a PADD over to Dax. O'BRIEN Just before the explosion, there's an interference pattern in the transponder's signal. DAX (studies PADD) This interference could have been caused by a forced neutrino inversion... ODO (realizing) The Romulans... They use neutrino inverters in their explosive devices... Reactions. SISKO Why would the Romulans want to destroy the Flaxian's ship? ODO One possibility is that the Romulans hired the Flaxian to kill Garak... and then killed the Flaxian after he failed in his mission. DAX Do you have any evidence of that? DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 26. 19 CONTINUED: ODO It's only supposition, but it does fit the available facts. Sisko turns to face Garak. SISKO All right, Mister Garak. Do you know why the Romulans might hire someone to kill you? Garak takes a beat, and we can see that this is a different Garak from the man we're used to seeing -- he's not making any effort to dissemble, he's the hard and cool Obsidian Order agent that he used to be. GARAK I have no idea... SISKO I'm getting tired of hearing you say that. How long do you expect us to believe -- But Odo unexpectedly comes to Garak's defense. ODO He's telling the truth, Commander. He doesn't know why the Romulans would try to kill him. This gets everyone's attention, even Garak's. SISKO What makes you so sure? ODO Because if he did know, he'd already be spinning out an elaborate web of lies to cover up the truth... Garak turns and looks at Odo thoughtfully, gives Odo a small nod of acknowledgment... GARAK The truth... is usually just an excuse for a lack of imagination... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 27. 19 CONTINUED: (2) GARAK (Cont'd) If you want to know what the Romulans have against me, you'll have to ask them. SISKO I intend to. But I don't expect them to be entirely forthcoming. CUT TO: 20 INT. COMMANDER'S OFFICE - CLOSE ON MONITOR (OPTICAL) where a ROMULAN member of the Tal Shiar is standing in front of a simple, one-wall set. ROMULAN (matter-of-fact) Yes, we destroyed the Flaxian's ship. 21 WIDEN (OPTICAL) to include Sisko and Odo in front of the monitor. They're both taken aback by the Romulan's candor, but Sisko tries not to show it. SISKO I have to say I'm a little surprised to hear you admit it so easily. ROMULAN Why should we hide it? Retaya was wanted for crimes against the Romulan Empire. His execution was perfectly legal. ODO May I ask what crimes he committed? ROMULAN Smuggling, counterfeiting, dealing in stolen property... I'll transmit a record of his offenses to you immediately. ODO Thank you... Sisko floats a probing question, watches her face for a response. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/27/95 - ACT THREE 28. 21 CONTINUED: SISKO We've been told that he may have worked as an assassin. ROMULAN I have nothing to corroborate that... though it wouldn't surprise me. SISKO Not long after he came here, someone tried to kill a Cardassian who lives aboard the station. ROMULAN (thinking) That would be... Mister Garak. A cobbler, I believe... SISKO A tailor, actually. She seems genuinely miffed to have gotten this wrong. ROMULAN I'll correct our records. That is, if he's still alive... ? SISKO He is. The Romulan moves to bring the discussion to a close. ROMULAN Well... is there anything else? ODO Just one more thing. How long had the Tal Shiar been looking for Retaya? ROMULAN Nearly a year. Why? ODO Isn't it curious that you finally caught up with him here, just hours after he attempted to kill Mister Garak. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 29. 21 CONTINUED: (2) ROMULAN (even) We're just grateful to have found him at all. Now if you're finished, Commander, I have other matters to attend to. And she ENDS the transmission. Sisko and Odo exchange a look. SISKO I take it you don't believe her either... ODO No... SISKO But the question still remains, why would the Romulans want to have Garak killed? ODO I don't know... (wry) -- considering those uniforms of theirs, you'd think they'd appreciate a good tailor... Sisko allows himself a small smile... SISKO So where does this leave your investigation? ODO At a standstill. (frustrated) We don't know that the Romulans hired the Flaxian... we don't even know that it was Retaya who tried to kill Garak. All we do know is that a bomb went off in Garak's shop. SISKO All right, then let's start with him. Sisko moves around the room, trying to put the puzzle together. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 30. 21 CONTINUED: (3) SISKO (Cont'd) What do we know about Garak? He was exiled from Cardassia... for what reason, we're not sure. He never leaves the station... he avoids contact with other Cardassians. And it's possible he was once an intelligence agent of the Obsidian Order. ODO A very strong possibility, Commander. SISKO Agreed. So isn't it reasonable to assume that the attempt on his life had something to do with the order? ODO Unfortunately, he's rather uncooperative when it comes to answering questions about his past. SISKO And the Obsidian Order is uncooperative when it comes to answering questions about their former agents. ODO Ordinarily, yes. SISKO What do you mean? ODO I have certain... resources in the Cardassian Government. SISKO I take it you don't want to elaborate on that? ODO I'd rather not. But I would like the use of a runabout. SISKO Granted. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 31. 21 CONTINUED: (4) ODO Thank you, sir. And with that, Odo turns and EXITS. Off Sisko's face as he watches him go... 22 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) entering orbit of small, barren moon. 23 INT. CAVE underneath the surface. Odo ENTERS, his footsteps echoing against the walls. The lighting is DIM. He looks around as if searching for someone... after a few beats, he hears a voice. INFORMANT'S VOICE Stop there. Odo stops, unsure from which direction the voice came from. ODO Where are you? INFORMANT'S VOICE Nearby. I've changed my appearance since we last saw each other... I don't want you to see me. By now, Odo has tracked the direction of the voice. In one of the recesses of the cavern we can barely make out the outlines of a Cardassian figure, obscured in shadow. ODO I need some information. INFORMANT Is this about the tailor's shop? ODO Yes... INFORMANT I didn't do it. ODO That wasn't going to be my question. I think the Romulans tried to kill Garak. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 32. 23 CONTINUED: INFORMANT Very good, Odo. I see working for the Bajorans hasn't entirely dulled your instincts. ODO My question is why. INFORMANT You'd have to ask the Romulans. But I do know that you're investigating a very insignificant piece of a much larger puzzle. ODO What do you mean? INFORMANT There's been a great deal of unusual Romulan activity in the last few weeks. Cloaked ships believed to be warbirds have been detected near the Cardassian border... troop movements... communications activity... ODO Sounds like they're preparing for an invasion. INFORMANT It's occurred to us. And we're ready for it if it happens. But it doesn't make any sense. ODO Does war ever make sense? INFORMANT Still the wry observer of humanoid folly... tell me, do you still do the Cardassian neck trick? ODO (with an edge) No... I don't. INFORMANT Pity... you were so good at it. (beat) Garak isn't the only former operative in the Order who had an "unfortunate incident" yesterday. But he was the luckiest. The other five didn't survive. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 33. 23 CONTINUED: (2) ODO Five operatives were killed yesterday? INFORMANT Killed? No... Three died of "natural causes"... and the other two perished in "accidents." ODO Quite a coincidence. INFORMANT If you believe in coincidence. ODO So you think the Romulans had something to do with their deaths. INFORMANT There were certain... indications of their involvement. ODO That still leaves us with the question of why? He tosses a Cardassian PADD onto the floor between them. Odo picks up the PADD and looks at it. INFORMANT Those are the names of the dead operatives. I suggest you show them to Garak and ask him that question. ODO I'll do that. INFORMANT I trust you agree that this information satisfies my debt to you. ODO Agreed. INFORMANT However... if you do learn anything from your tailor and you wish to... share it with me... I'd be indebted to you again. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 34. 23 CONTINUED: (3) ODO I'll consider it. The Informant moves back into the shadows until we can't see him anymore... Odo crosses over to where he was, and strangely, can't even see where he disappeared to... off Odo's thoughtful features... 24 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 25 INT. SECURITY OFFICE (OPTICAL) where Garak is sitting in a chair, looking over the PADD given to Odo by the informant as Odo looks on. Garak has a smile on his face, seems delighted. GARAK They're all dead... ? ODO I take it you're not going to mourn their passing. GARAK Quite the contrary. In fact, under different circumstances I'd be celebrating tonight. ODO So you did know them? GARAK Oh, yes. We were all quite well acquainted. ODO In the Obsidian Order. GARAK Now, Constable, we've been down this road before. Why do you insist -- Odo spins Garak around in his chair, gets right in his face. ODO (hard) I've had enough of your dissembling, Garak. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - ACT THREE 35. 25 CONTINUED: ODO (Cont'd) I'm not Doctor Bashir and we're not sparring amiably over lunch. You pulled me into this investigation and now you're going to cooperate. GARAK Pulled you in, I don't know what you're -- ODO (interrupting) You blew up your own shop, Garak. This catches Garak genuinely off stride for a moment. Odo pushes the point. ODO (Cont'd) (pleased) Well... I don't think I've ever seen that particular expression on your face before. Is it... surprise? GARAK As a matter of fact, Constable, it is. I'm surprised that you would come to such an unlikely conclusion. ODO Drop the pretense, I've known ever since I spoke with the Flaxian. Assassins don't like to vary their methods and he was planning to poison you... I think you spotted him aboard the station, and blew up your shop so that I'd begin an investigation. GARAK That seems like a very elaborate way of getting you involved. If I needed your help I could've asked for it. ODO But you couldn't be sure I'd take you seriously. Or that I'd help you. Besides, I think you secretly enjoyed destroying your shop. Garak looks at him for a moment, smiles a little. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - ACT THREE 35A. 25 CONTINUED: (2) GARAK I will admit that watching it burn wasn't exactly... tragic. ODO Whether you want to admit it or not, you've pulled me into this case and now you're stuck with me. I want to know who these men are and what their connection is to you. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 36. 25 CONTINUED: (3) Garak gets out of his chair, moves around the room. As he does so, we can see from his body movement and the way he carries himself, that he's moving from Garak the playful tailor to Garak the Obsidian Order operative. There's a glint of steel in his eyes, a certain threatening quality that isn't always there. GARAK We were all associates of Enabran Tain... ODO Enabran Tain... the former head of the Obsidian Order. GARAK He retired some years ago... He was, I might add, the only head of the agency ever to live long enough to do so... For a time, we were his most trusted advisors. ODO Do you have any idea why the Romulans would want you all dead? GARAK I don't know... but Tain might. ODO That is, if he didn't suffer an unfortunate "accident" as well... GARAK (grim) That is a distinct possibility. Garak considers for a long moment... GARAK May I use your communications system? ODO By all means. Garak works the controls with great skill... as Odo watches, growing increasingly impressed, we hear various BEEPS, etc. ODO That's an interesting way of scrambling a signal... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 37. 25 CONTINUED: (4) GARAK I thought you might appreciate it on an aesthetic level... here we are... An old CARDASSIAN WOMAN'S (MILA) face APPEARS on the MONITOR. Garak recognizes her, and we get the sense that he remembers her fondly. GARAK Mila... She recognizes Garak, but her reaction is more complex... a mixture of fondness and regret. MILA Elim... (shakes her head sadly) I never thought I'd see your face again... GARAK Neither did I. I need to speak with Tain, it's urgent. MILA You can't. (worried) He's not here. GARAK Where is he? MILA I don't know... (concerned) He left yesterday in a great hurry... he wouldn't tell me where. She sees Garak react to this information. ODO (to Garak) Maybe he realized someone was coming after him... Garak acknowledges the possibility with a nod. MILA He's in trouble, isn't he? You have to help him, Elim. I know you're still bitter about what happened between you, but you must help him... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT THREE 38. 25 CONTINUED: (5) Garak doesn't commit himself to this, but he does seem to have been reached by her plea... after a moment... GARAK If you speak with him, tell him to contact me. MILA Help him, Elim. Promise me you'll help him... After a long beat. GARAK I promise... And with that, he terminates the transmission. After a quiet beat, Garak turns to Odo. GARAK I'll need a runabout, Constable... Odo studies Garak's features for a beat, never having seen him do anything to help someone else... ODO We'll need a runabout. I'm coming with you... The two men regard each other... off this moment we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT FOUR 39. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 26 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR as Garak and Bashir make their way down it. Garak is carrying a SHOULDER BAG. BASHIR I hope you know what you're doing, Garak. GARAK So do I. BASHIR Is there anything you need me to do while you're gone? GARAK Like what... ? BASHIR I don't know. Any unfinished business, or... GARAK Actually, Doctor, there is something. BASHIR What? GARAK If you go into my quarters and examine the bulkhead next to the replicator, you'll notice there's a false panel. Behind that panel is a compartment containing an isolinear rod. If I don't return within seventy-eight hours... I want you to take that rod and eat it. BASHIR Eat it? You're joking. GARAK Yes, Doctor. I am. Garak finally smiles, and Bashir smiles back, realizing he's been had. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - ACT FOUR 40. 26 CONTINUED: BASHIR Very funny. GARAK I thought so. The answer to your question is no, Doctor, there's nothing you can do for me while I'm away. There's a moment as the two men contemplate the dangerous trip Garak is undertaking. BASHIR These are yours... He pulls the TINY BOX of Delavian Chocolates out from behind his back. GARAK The Delavian chocolates... But, Doctor, these were for you... BASHIR I know... but I thought you might need them more than I do... Garak smiles slightly, then takes the box. GARAK Thank you... BASHIR Good luck. Garak nods, then steps into the airlock and EXITS. 27 INT. DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) as the runabout pulls away from the station. 28 INT. RUNABOUT where Odo and Garak are in the cockpit. ODO We've cleared the station... if you'll be kind enough to let me know where we're going, I'll set a course. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - ACT FOUR 40A. 28 CONTINUED: GARAK Head for the Cardassian border... we're going to the third planet in the Unefra System. ODO (as he sets course) How do you know that's where Tain's gone? GARAK I don't. But he has a safe-house there... no one's supposed to know about it... (wry) -- especially me. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT FOUR 41. 28 CONTINUED: We hear the SOUND of the ship going to warp. ODO We should reach Unefra in... (off console) -- three point two hours. Odo is thoughtful for a beat... ODO That woman, Mila. Who is she? GARAK She's been Tain's housekeeper and confidant for over thirty years. ODO She seemed almost... fond of you. GARAK Is it so hard to believe that there's one person in the galaxy who regards me with a certain affection? ODO I could believe there's one... but I wouldn't expect it to be someone who works for Enabran Tain. It's my understanding that the two of you didn't part on the best of terms. GARAK You could say that. Tain is directly responsible for my being exiled from Cardassia. ODO Then I don't understand... GARAK (finishing the thought) Why I'm risking my life to help him? ODO Exactly. GARAK I can see how it would be puzzling. Garak turns away, looks out the window, as if leaving it up to Odo to figure it out. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT FOUR 42. 28 CONTINUED: (2) ODO All right... you owe him something. Garak smiles, amused by this interplay with Odo. GARAK A logical deduction. I can see why you're the constable. ODO But it's more than that. He means something to you... something personal. GARAK Now you've moved from deduction to supposition. ODO Not at all. You're not the kind of man who would go to such lengths simply to repay a debt. GARAK (smiling) Are you saying I have no sense of honor? ODO That remains to be seen. But as you said before, you also have a well developed instinct for self- preservation. (beat) You wouldn't risk going into Cardassian space for just anyone. It would have to be someone important to you... someone you cared about. A little of the amusement goes out of Garak's eyes, Odo is cutting close to the bone here. Odo presses on... ODO I think you were more than Tain's advisor... I think you were his protege. And he was your mentor. That is, until he sent you into exile... and yet, despite that, you still care enough about him to risk your life for him. (beat) Or is this all just... supposition? DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT FOUR 43. 28 CONTINUED: (3) Garak looks at him for a long moment, tries not to give anything away, but just his silence tells us that Odo is very close to the mark here. After a beat, Garak gets up and changes tacks. He keeps his voice musing and even. GARAK (cool) A very interesting analysis... very interesting. Particularly coming from you. ODO Oh? Garak turns back to Odo, seems to appraise him with a mixture of detached amusement and cogent analysis. GARAK It's been my observation that you act solely out of a sense of justice... or at least what you consider justice. There's no feeling behind what you do, no emotion beyond a distaste for loose ends and disorder. Garak regards Odo with what appears to be sympathy. GARAK You don't know what it means to care about someone, do you? People are just interesting creatures to you... to be studied and analyzed. ODO Is there a point to all this? GARAK Just that I find it interesting that you'd ascribe feelings and motivations to me that you personally know nothing about. Garak sits back down and fixes Odo with a penetrating look. GARAK Or am I wrong? Tell me, is there one person in this universe that you care about? One person that is more to you than just an interesting puzzle to be solved. Is there, Odo... anyone? DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT FOUR 44. 28 CONTINUED: (4) Odo regards him cooly, not a bit disturbed by Garak's fishing expedition. ODO If there were, I certainly wouldn't tell you... A beat, then Garak smiles. GARAK And that... would be a wise decision. Off the moment as the two sit back in their chairs and consider their conversation... 29 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) at warp. 30 INT. RUNABOUT where Odo sits in the cockpit. Garak is getting a cup of tea from the replicator. ODO I'm taking us out of warp... we're approaching the Unefra system... Suddenly a warning SOUNDS on the console. GARAK What's that? ODO (off console) I'm detecting a subspace energy surge directly above us... a vessel of some kind is decloaking... 31 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) as a Romulan warbird DECLOAKS directly above, dwarfing the Runabout. 32 INT. RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) ODO (off console) It's a Romulan warbird... GARAK (stunned) In Cardassian space? DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/26/95 - ACT FOUR 45. 32 CONTINUED: Suddenly the Runabout is jolted slightly. ODO They've locked onto us with a tractor beam... (works) Take the helm, I'm going to try and send out a distress signal... Garak takes the controls... GARAK (works) I can't pull away... the tractor lock is too strong... ODO They're jamming our transmission. GARAK Do you think you got through? ODO I don't know. I'm going to hail them and see what they want. As Odo reaches for the console, suddenly TWO ARMED ROMULAN STORMTROOPERS MATERIALIZE in the cockpit behind them. There's nothing Odo and Garak can do... GARAK I think we're about to find out... CUT TO: 33 INT. ROMULAN CORRIDOR as Odo and Garak are being marched down it by the Two Stormtroopers. They're led to a door and EXIT to -- 34 INT. ROMULAN READY ROOM as Odo and Garak are brought in. Through a WINDOW in one wall we see a starfield. One side of the room is dominated by a large desk, behind which Garak is stunned to see ENABRAN TAIN, sitting comfortably as if he owns the place. GARAK Tain... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT FOUR 46. 34 CONTINUED: Odo reacts upon hearing the name. TAIN Hello, Garak... it's good of you to come. It spares me the trouble of having to send someone else to kill you... Off Odo and Garak as they realize Tain was behind the assassination attempt we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT FIVE 47. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 35 INT. ROMULAN READY ROOM - CONTINUOUS Odo, Garak, Tain and The Romulan Stormtroopers as before. TAIN Come in, come in... Odo and Garak step further into the room, and the Stormtroopers take up position by the door. Tain moves closer to Garak, studies his former protege for a beat. TAIN It's been a long time, Elim... Tain looks Garak up and down for a moment. TAIN So... you're a tailor, now. Is this one of your creations? GARAK A minor example of my work... TAIN I'm not sure I like the neckline... GARAK You always did have a keen sense of fashion. (studies Tain's outfit) But it seems you've let it go... along with your once-trim figure. Tain smiles slightly; these are two men who have perfected the art of appearing amiable even in the most dire circumstances. Tain turns to Odo. TAIN Constable Odo, I've always wanted to meet you. ODO (sarcastic) I wish I could say the same... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT FIVE 48. 35 CONTINUED: TAIN Come now... haven't you ever been the least bit curious about me... about my relationship with Garak... our work in the Obsidian Order? ODO I seldom waste time speculating about retired spymasters and their associates... Tain smiles slightly, turns back to Garak. TAIN (re: Odo) He's good. He hides his true feelings almost as well as you do, Elim. He'd have made a good operative, in the old days. GARAK I've had the same thought myself. (beat) But then, those days are long gone. At least they are for me. (looking around) You, on the other hand, seem to have left your retirement far behind. Unless you're simply on a pleasure cruise with your pointed-eared friends. Tain turns to Odo. TAIN Cunning, isn't he? He makes a racial slur within earshot of two Romulans, putting me in the position of either having to defend them -- and thus giving away my allegiance to them -- or letting the comment pass... in which case he's managed to plant a seed of discord between us. ODO Frankly, I don't find any of this interesting. You both go to such lengths to hide the true meaning of your words that you end up saying nothing. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT FIVE 49. 35 CONTINUED: (2) TAIN I think you'll find that when I have something to say, you won't have any trouble understanding it. They hold each other's look for a moment. TAIN (to Garak) To answer your question, Garak, I'm not on a pleasure cruise. (beat) This ship is part of a fleet of Romulan and Cardassian vessels... a fleet which will soon be traveling through the wormhole into the Gamma Quadrant. A disturbing realization begins to dawn on Odo... ODO I take it you're not on a mission of peaceful exploration... TAIN Not exactly... ODO You're going to attack the Dominion, aren't you... ? You're going to stage a first strike against them, before they can come into the Alpha Quadrant. TAIN A clear and precise analysis. Commander Sisko must find you a valuable advisor. Garak is both surprised and impressed by Tain's plan... GARAK It's a daring plan... I didn't think there was anyone in the Central Command bold enough to take on the Dominion. TAIN Who said anything about the Central Command? This is a joint operation between the Obsidian Order and the Tal Shiar. We've been building a fleet of ships in the Orias System for months now. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT FIVE 50. 35 CONTINUED: (3) ODO If you attack the Dominion they'll certainly strike back. You'll be taking Romulus and Cardassia into war... a war you may not win. TAIN I don't think they'll be striking back. We intend to wipe out the Dominion in a single blow... by eliminating the Founders. Without them, the Dominion will collapse. Tain studies Odo's face as he takes in this information. TAIN You seem disturbed by that, changeling... why? After all, you've turned your back on your people. Odo avoids the question, counters with one of his own. ODO You seem to know a great deal about me... and "my people." TAIN We know everything you know... including the location of their homeworld. Odo realizes... ODO Starfleet has shared its intelligence on the Dominion with the Romulans... TAIN And the Romulans have shared it with me. Garak steps forward, has a question of his own. GARAK You'll forgive me if I reduce the scope of this conversation to something a little more personal. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/27/95 - ACT FIVE 51. 35 CONTINUED: (4) GARAK (beat) Why was it necessary to kill me, and the rest of our former associates, before embarking on this... excursion into the Gamma Quadrant? TAIN Because, Garak, I don't plan on going back into retirement when this is over. I plan on going back to my old job, and my old life. GARAK And you were afraid we knew things about you... things that could be used against you. So you decided to have us eliminated. TAIN Like I used to say... always burn your bridges behind you... you never know who might be trying to follow. GARAK You also used to say that the Tal Shiar was sloppy. You shouldn't have relied on them to burn your bridges. TAIN True... they should never have hired the Flaxian to blow up your shop... GARAK Actually, I blew up my shop. (off Tain's look) It was a way of piquing the good constable's interest. Tain seems genuinely amused by this; he sits down, chuckles slightly to himself. TAIN You blew up your own shop... You, my friend, are a true original. If you hadn't betrayed me, things would have been very different. Garak suddenly explodes in a burst of anger and passion. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT FIVE 51A. 35 CONTINUED: (5) GARAK I never betrayed you! Garak quickly gets control of his emotions, pulls back. GARAK (quiet) At least... not in my heart. Tain looks at his old protege, struck by the emotion in his voice. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/25/95 - ACT FIVE 52. 35 CONTINUED: (6) GARAK (continuing) Why do you think I'm here? I came because I thought the Romulans were trying to kill you... (beat) I came here to save you... Tain studies Garak for a long moment... TAIN I never thought I'd hear myself say this, Garak... but, I believe you. (beat) You can go... Garak is momentarily taken aback. GARAK Excuse me... ? TAIN The changeling has to stay, of course, but you're free to go. Your runabout is in Launching Bay Three. GARAK Just like that? TAIN Just like that. GARAK Aren't you concerned that I'll warn Starfleet and the Central Command about your plans? TAIN It's too late. The Central Command will have a war on their hands, whether they want one or not. And as for Starfleet, this isn't their fight, they won't interfere. ODO It's a trick, Garak. After all this, he's not going to just let you walk away. DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - REV. 01/27/95 - ACT FIVE 53. 35 CONTINUED: (7) TAIN (to Garak) It's not a trick, it's a choice. You can walk out that door, or you can join me. Garak looks at him with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. GARAK Join you... ? TAIN That is what you've been waiting for, isn't it? To end your exile, to come back into the fold. I'm giving you the chance to serve Cardassia again... at my side. GARAK You'll pardon me if I appear a little startled... but are you saying all is forgiven? TAIN I can't forgive what you did... but I can try to forget... put it aside as if it never happened. He moves closer to Garak... TAIN So... do you want to go back to your shop and hem pants... or shall we pick up where we left off? As he says this, Tain extends a hand to Garak. Before Garak decides what to do, Odo steps in. ODO Garak, this is the man who put you into exile, the man who two days ago tried to have you killed... Garak looks down at Tain's hand for a moment longer... GARAK Yes, he is... and it doesn't matter... (beat) I'm back... DEEP SPACE: "Improbable... " - 01/25/95 - ACT FIVE 54. And with that, Garak reaches forward and takes Tain's hand... off the moment of the two men shaking hands, and Odo's concerned look we... FADE OUT. SUPER: TO BE CONTINUED END OF ACT FIVE THE END