STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Ascent" #40510-507 Written by Ira Steven Behr & Robert Hewitt Wolfe Directed by Allan Kroeker 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 1996 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 September 27, 1996 STAR TREK: DS9 "The Ascent" - 09/27/96 - CAS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Ascent" CAST SISKO ROM ODO NOG BASHIR DAX QUARK O'BRIEN KIRA WORF JAKE Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Ascent" - 09/27/96 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Ascent" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE CAPTAIN'S OFFICE HABITAT RING CORRIDOR MOUNTAINOUS WORLD JAKE AND NOG'S QUARTERS ALPINE FOREST OPS ALPINE VALLEY REPLIMAT MOUNTAINSIDE ROM'S QUARTERS SISKO'S QUARTERS RUNABOUT DEFIANT MEDICAL BAY TRANSPORTER BAY SHALLOW CAVE DEEP SPACE NINE -"The Ascent" - 10/01/96 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Ascent" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE INFERNA in-FER-nuh VORIAN VOR-ee-uhn FIZZBIN FIZZ-bin DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - TEASER STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Ascent" TEASER FADE IN: 1 INT. SISKO'S QUARTERS JAKE is struggling to close an overfull twenty-fourth century suitcase while SISKO looks on with amusement. SISKO Don't you think you might've overpacked that bag? JAKE (still working at it) It'll close. SISKO You don't have to take everything all at once. It's not like you're moving to Bajor. One G Twelve is practically right next door. JAKE I know. But I'm not moving to one G twelve. This takes Sisko by surprise. JAKE (continuing) I found some great quarters in section M. SISKO That's all the way on the other side of the habitat ring. JAKE Dad, don't get all sentimental on me. SISKO Wait until your son moves out on you. JAKE I don't have a son. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - TEASER 2. 1 CONTINUED: SISKO (smiles) Go ahead, make jokes. But one day you'll be standing where I am, and believe me, you won't like it any more than I do. JAKE Maybe, but right now, I'm standing here. And I can't wait to spend my first night in my own place. With a final Herculean effort, Jake manages to close the case. JAKE See. I told you I'd get it. Jake stands up, ready to leave. Sisko tries to show that he really is okay with this. SISKO Okay, let's see if I've got this straight. I can visit any time I want, but I have to call first. You won't be available for breakfast or lunch, but I can count on one dinner a week. JAKE Some weeks, maybe even two. SISKO I've raised a generous young man. (they hug) You and Nog, moving in together. I can remember when I didn't even want you talking to him. JAKE Things change. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - TEASER 3. 1 CONTINUED: (2) Sisko smiles sentimentally. That just about sums up what he's feeling now, as he's watched his son become a man. SISKO They sure do. 2 INT. ROM'S QUARTERS ROM, dressed in his maintenance uniform, is meticulously neatening his quarters, making sure everything is just so. His door CHIMES. Rom smiles with excited anticipation. ROM Come in. The door opens and QUARK comes in carrying a heavy crate. Rom's face drops. ROM Oh. It's you. QUARK Who'd you think it was? ROM Nog. QUARK (exasperated) How could it be Nog? His ship hasn't even docked yet. ROM (smiling sheepishly) I guess I wasn't thinking. QUARK So what else is new? Quark elbows Rom aside and drops the crate down. It lands with a thud. ROM Can I help it if I'm excited? My son is coming home. Rom takes a bottle out of the crate and stares at it gleefully. ROM Root beer. His favorite. I don't know how to thank you, brother. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - TEASER 4. 2 CONTINUED: QUARK Ten slips of latinum ought to do it. ROM (re: the root beer) You think he'd mind if I had one for myself? QUARK I'd mind. My own brother drinking root beer. It's so... Human. Rom opens a bottle and takes a generous swig. ROM Mmmm... And bubbly. The door CHIMES again. ROM That's him, that's him. Quark rolls his eyes. QUARK Rom. Rom smiles. ROM Just kidding. (to the door) Come in. 3 NEW ANGLE As the door opens and ODO ENTERS, looking very pleased with himself. QUARK Wrong again. ROM Constable. Care for a root beer? ODO No. But you do have something I want. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - TEASER 5. 3 CONTINUED: Odo looks over at Quark. QUARK Whatever it is, I didn't do it. ODO Don't tell me. Tell the Federation Grand Jury on Inferna Prime. Quark tries to look surprised and innocent, but he knows he's neither and try as he might, he still looks guilty and worried. ROM (alarmed) Federation Grand Jury? Brother, what have you done now? QUARK I haven't done anything. (to Odo, rattled) What do they want to talk to me for? ODO (smug) Oh, I think you know. Quark does know, but he tries not to let on. QUARK Odo, I have no idea what this is about. ODO Then you'll have eight days to try to guess. We leave immediately. QUARK We? ODO I've been waiting ten years for you to get what you deserve. And now that the big moment is here, I wouldn't miss it for anything. Odo grabs Quark by the shirt-sleeve and leads him out of the room. ODO Let's go. ROM Brother. QUARK What? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - TEASER 3 CONTINUED: (2) ROM I'll say "hi" to Nog for you. Quark gives his brother a look of disdain and then is hauled out of the room. And as Rom takes another swig of root beer... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 7. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 4 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) A Runabout traveling at warp. 5 INT. RUNABOUT Odo is at the pilot's seat, but the runabout is on auto- pilot and Odo is taking the opportunity to read something from a PADD. Quark ENTERS from the back of the ship. He looks surprisingly chipper and he's holding a large round deck of cards that he shuffles absentmindedly. QUARK So, how much longer until we reach Inferna Prime? Odo glances at a readout. ODO Oh, I'd say... one hundred and ninety-one hours and seventeen minutes... give or take a day. Odo goes right back to reading his PADD. QUARK In that case, we'd better find something to keep ourselves occupied. Care for a game of fizzbin? ODO I don't play cards. QUARK I'll teach you. It's a very simple game. ODO Let me put it another way... I don't want to play cards. And even if I did, I wouldn't want to play with you. QUARK Afraid you'd lose? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 8. 5 CONTINUED: Odo turns his attention back to his PADD. Quark can see he's not going to get anywhere. QUARK You know, Odo, I used to think all your problems stemmed from the fact that you were a changeling, isolated from your own kind, forced to live among strangers who didn't understand you. (a beat) You couldn't eat, you couldn't drink, you couldn't sleep, you couldn't make love. Was it any wonder you had such a bad disposition? Odo refuses to rise to the bait. QUARK But now... you're not a changeling anymore. You're one of us. Life is yours for the taking. All you have to do is reach out and grab it. But do you? No. Because changeling or solid, you're still a miserable, self-hating misanthrope. That's who you are and that's who you'll always be. Odo isn't even fazed. ODO I'm still not playing cards with you. QUARK Fine, we'll just sit here for a week in silence. Odo continues reading his PADD. Quark tries to stay quiet. He succeeds for only a few seconds. QUARK So what are you reading? ODO Nothing you'd be interested in. QUARK Don't be so sure. And then, with a quick move that surprises Odo, Quark grabs the PADD. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 9. 5 CONTINUED: (2) ODO Quark, give that back. QUARK What are you going to do? Arrest me? Quark holds the PADD up and starts reading aloud. QUARK "He walked toward her, the wooden deck heaving to and fro beneath his booted feet. Her hands moved to the broach at her throat. She unclasped it and the cloak fell from her shoulders, her wet skin glistening in the moonlight. Lightning flashed and heaven's thunder roared in rhythm with the beating of their hearts." ODO All right. Enough. Odo snatches the PADD back from Quark. QUARK Odo, I take it all back. You're obviously a lot more complicated than I thought. (looking for an angle) If you like that kind of thing I might be willing to sell you my first edition of "Vulcan Love Slave." ODO This is work, not recreation. (can see Quark doesn't buy it) Books like this give me insight into the criminal mind. It's a well known fact that a sizable percentage of homicides are motivated by romantic obsession. QUARK Well, no one gets killed in "Vulcan Love Slave," but it's still a hell of a read. Odo smiles to himself. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 10. 5 CONTINUED: (3) ODO Give it up, Quark. You can bait me, annoy me, question my very existence, but in the end, we both know I've won. Because when all is said and done, I'll be heading back to D.S. Nine and you'll be spending the rest of your life in a Federation penal colony. QUARK (defiant) I'm not there yet. (a beat) Look, Odo. Give me a chance. At least tell me what the charges are. ODO I'm afraid I can't do that. This is a high-security investigation and I'm not allowed to discuss the specifics with anyone. (a beat) Now, if you don't mind... I have some reading to do. Quark decides not to press his luck and Odo looks back to his PADD. 6 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 7 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE NOG, dressed in his cadet's uniform, stands at attention in front of Sisko's desk. NOG Cadet Nog reporting for duty, sir. SISKO At ease, cadet. Have a seat. NOG Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Nog sits. The young Ferengi's had a definite change in attitude since joining the academy. He's now a serious, ramrod-straight Starfleet officer-in-training. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 7 CONTINUED: SISKO You know, I remember when I did my sophomore year field study. Starbase One Thirty-seven. I was a little apprehensive when I got there. But it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. NOG Yes, sir. SISKO The key to field study is simple. Keep your eyes and ears open, follow orders and try not to get in the way. NOG Yes, sir. Very good, sir. I won't let you down. That concludes Sisko's official business. He relaxes, signaling Nog to do likewise. But Nog remains poised for action. SISKO Now, on a personal note... I'd like to say how glad I am that you and Jake are going to be roommates. NOG Yes, sir. SISKO I'm sure the two of you are going to have a lot of fun together. NOG Yes, sir. Time permitting, sir. I mean, if I'm not too busy. After all, I am here to work. There's a beat and for the first time Nog seems to relax a little bit and he leans in closer to Sisko's desk, speaking confidentially. NOG Don't worry, sir. I'll look after him for you. Set a good example. Keep him out of trouble. Sisko's not sure how to take this. He's surprised at Nog's serious, mature and somewhat uptight attitude. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 12. 7 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO You inspire me with confidence, cadet. Dismissed. Nog stands, does an about-face and EXITS. Sisko watches him go, bemused. 7A INT. OPS Nog walks out of Sisko's office. KIRA is on duty in Ops. KIRA How'd it go? NOG (proudly) I inspire him. KIRA Congratulations. Now don't let him down. NOG You can count on me, sir. Nog EXITS. Kira shakes her head. 8 INT. JAKE AND NOG'S QUARTERS Jake and Nog ENTER the darkened quarters. JAKE Lights. The lights come up. Jake's still-packed luggage is piled in the center of the room. JAKE So what do you think? NOG I think I've died and gone to the Divine Treasury. After living in cadet barracks for the past year, this is going to be paradise. JAKE I know exactly what you mean. We're on our own, with no one to tell us what to do. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 12A. 8 CONTINUED: Jake wanders around the room looking through doorways at the unseen bedrooms. Nog runs a finger across the windowsill and looks at it with disapproval. NOG Before we unpack, we should call maintenance to clean this place. JAKE They were here yesterday. Nog shows Jake his finger. NOG (resigned) If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 8 CONTINUED: (2) NOG (Cont'd) I'll do the cleaning on the odd- numbered days, and you'll do it on the even ones. JAKE We're going to clean every day? NOG (smiling) No. Just the odd and even ones. Nog looks around the room. NOG I'd better start bringing in my things. I don't want to be up too late unpacking. JAKE So what do you feel like doing tonight? Dom-jot... Holosuites... ? Nog is tempted, but he knows he can't. NOG I wish I could. But once we eat and unpack, it'll be time for bed. Lights out at twenty-two hundred. JAKE I haven't gone to bed that early since I was twelve. NOG Go to sleep whenever you want. But don't forget, we're hitting the gym at oh-four-thirty. JAKE (can't believe his ears) The gym? Nog looks at Jake appraisingly. NOG Muscles, Jake. (waggles Jake's arm) You know, those things that're supposed to go between your bones and your skin? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 14. 8 CONTINUED: (3) JAKE I've heard of them. NOG Good. Because by the time I'm done with you, you're going to have some of your very own. Nog EXITS. Jake looks down at his arm, makes a muscle, and isn't impressed with what he sees. But after a second, he shakes his head dismissively. He's not buying what Nog's selling. 9 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Runabout at Warp. 10 INT. RUNABOUT It's four days later but it seems more like four years to the runabout's two passengers. Quark is seated at a back chair, tossing his playing cards across the cabin, trying to land them on the opposite chair. He looks grumpy and bored. Odo ENTERS from the back, eating a bowl of soup. He sits down at the console, totally ignoring Quark. He sips his soup quietly while keeping one eye on the controls. Quark sits there for a beat and his tossing becomes more and more impatient. Finally he can't stand it anymore and stops. QUARK You're doing it again. ODO Doing what? QUARK Smacking your lips. ODO No I'm not. Odo swallows a spoonful of soup. And though the audience should not hear anything, there is a perceptible movement of his lips. QUARK There. Don't you hear that? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 15. 10 CONTINUED: ODO For the last four days, all I've heard is you complaining. QUARK This whole runabout is alive with annoying little noises. Listen. ODO To what? QUARK That buzzing sound. ODO I don't hear a thing. But Odo's denial only fuels Quark's indignation. QUARK It started over an hour ago. ODO If you don't like the noises in here, why don't you go into the back? QUARK Because it's even colder back there than it is up here. Quark moves towards a panel in the wall. ODO Quark, leave the temperature controls alone. QUARK I will. (a beat) As soon as I get it right. Quark works the environmental controls. QUARK There it is again. ODO What? QUARK That buzzing noise. Don't you hear it? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 16. 10 CONTINUED: (2) ODO With all this lip-smacking how could I hear anything? Quark begins searching around. QUARK Where is it coming from? ODO Inside your head. Quark searches for the sound, walking around the bulkhead, listening. QUARK Shhh. ODO (under his breath) Bzzzzzzzzz. QUARK I said be quiet. Quark continues to listen, finally homing in on one specific panel. QUARK It's coming from in here. Now Odo's curiosity has gotten the better of him. He gets up and joins Quark by the panel. ODO It's probably a defective anodyne circuit. QUARK Defective anodyne circuits make a kind of... hissing sound. (authoritatively) This is a buzz. (a beat) We've got to open up the panel. Odo looks doubtfully at Quark. ODO If this is some kind of convoluted plot to escape... QUARK Stop being so suspicious. DEEP SPACE NINE- "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT ONE 17. 10 CONTINUED: (3) Something attracts Quark's attention. QUARK That's odd. The buzzing's changed pitch. Odo listens carefully. There's now an audible buzzing sound coming from the panel. ODO And gotten louder. Now I can hear it. (puzzled) What could it be? QUARK Let's find out. Quark opens up the panel. 11 NEW ANGLE To include the inside of the panel. As the panel comes free, the buzzing gets louder still and Quark and Odo find themselves face to face with an ominous-looking foreign object nestled in the middle of the runabout's control circuits. QUARK Don't tell me. Let me guess. ODO It's a bomb. 12 ANGLE ON THE BOMB As it buzzes menacingly and we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 18. ACT TWO, FADE IN: 13 EXT. SPACE The Runabout at warp. 14 INT. RUNABOUT As before. Quark and Odo react to the bomb. QUARK Next time I tell you I hear something, maybe you'll listen. ODO Let's hope there is a next time. Odo moves toward the back controls. ODO I'm going to get a transporter lock on that thing and beam it out of here. QUARK What if it's set to go off if someone tries to transport it? ODO What do you suggest we do? Wait for it to explode? QUARK (thinking on his feet) Fine. Beam it out. But at least try to channel the explosion through the transporter buffer. Odo nods, then plugs in the necessary commands. ODO I hope this works. Odo activates the transporter. 15 CLOSE ON THE BOMB (OPTICAL) As it begins to shimmer in the transporter beam then explodes, shooting a surge of energy into the system. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 19. 16 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Energy from the explosion sparks through the cabin, knocking both Odo and Quark off their feet. The ship shakes violently. 17 CLOSE ON ODO AND QUARK As they hang on for dear life and the ship sparks and shakes all around them. Finally, the shaking stops. QUARK We did it. We're safe. But no sooner has Quark spoken then the lights dim and most of the control panels go dead. ODO I wouldn't be so sure about that. Odo sits down in the pilot's seat. ODO The comm system's down. The navigational array's failing. Environmental controls are badly damaged. (grave) We're losing atmosphere. Quark knows this means they're as good as dead. QUARK Now what? ODO Now we find someplace to land. QUARK Land? You mean crash. ODO It's either that or wait for our lungs to explode in the vacuum of space. Odo immediately begins working with the navigation system. ODO I'm picking up a Class-L planet on long range scanners. QUARK Barely habitable. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 20. 17 CONTINUED: ODO More habitable than this thing's going to be in a few minutes. QUARK How close? ODO Close enough. (a beat) I hope. Odo begins setting in the course correction. 18 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Runabout at impulse, headed toward a planet. 19 INT. RUNABOUT Odo and Quark ready themselves for a rough landing. ODO If we live through this, whoever planted that bomb is going to regret it. Quark thinks Odo knows exactly who planted the bomb and lets slip... QUARK Believe me, you don't want to go anywhere near the Orion Syndicate. ODO (surprised) The Orion Syndicate? (realizing) Is that who the Grand Jury's investigating? QUARK I thought you knew. As they're arguing, the runabout enters the atmosphere of the Class L planet. The distinctive whine of a power-diving spacecraft can be heard in the cabin, growing louder and higher the faster they plummet. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 21. 19 CONTINUED: ODO If I knew you were involved with the Orion Syndicate, you'd be on the Defiant right now, surrounded by half my deputies. QUARK Let me guess. You were pretending to know more than you did so I'd think I had nothing to hide and say something to incriminate myself. ODO (his eyes fixed on the window) Something like that. The whine of the plummeting ship gets louder. QUARK This is all your fault. And louder. ODO You're the one who's a member of the Orion Syndicate. Quark is also looking at the window. From his expression what he sees isn't good. QUARK (trying not to panic) I'm not a member. I just know people who know people who know some other people. And besides... But before Quark can complete his defense, there's a crashing noise. Odo and Quark look up at the window. 20 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) To include the window, which for a brief second shows a flash of breaking branches and flying leaves. 21 CLOSE ON QUARK AND ODO As they react to their imminent deaths. Quark closes his eyes and turns his head. He doesn't want to see any more. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 22. 21 CONTINUED: QUARK Ahhhhhh! There's an especially loud crashing sound and violent ship shake and we... CUT TO BLACK. FADE IN: 22 EXT. MOUNTAINOUS WORLD - DAY (OPTICAL MATTE) A rough, alpine environment with tall rocky crags and steep cliff-lined valleys. 23 INT. RUNABOUT - DAY Close on Quark, who's unconscious. Cold sunlight filters into the cockpit. Quark struggles awake. QUARK Someone adjust the temperature. It's freezing in here. Quark rolls over to see Odo sitting behind him. ODO Actually, it's freezing out there. QUARK (confused) Out there? (a beat) Oh yeah. I remember now. You were apologizing for almost getting us both killed. ODO If that's how you remember it, you must've hit your head harder than I thought. QUARK I guess there's nothing we can do now except send out a distress signal and wait to be rescued. ODO Good plan. Except we lost the comm system in the explosion. QUARK That's not good. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 23-25. 23 CONTINUED: ODO It gets worse. The replicator's been destroyed and from what I can tell the local plants are poisonous. QUARK Then I guess we're stuck with field rations. ODO That's right. (distributing the rations) One package for you. And one package for me. The rest were... QUARK I know, I know. Destroyed in the explosion. So now what? ODO Now we either freeze to death or starve to death. Take your pick. And as Quark and Odo contemplate their dire situation... CUT TO: 24 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 25 thru OMITTED 27 DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 26. 28 INT. JAKE AND NOG'S QUARTERS Close on Nog, who's lying down on a workout bench lifting a pair of twenty-fourth century dumbbells. As he lifts them over his chest he brings them together with a CLANG. He repeats the exercise. CLANG. CLANG. CLANG. A tired-looking Jake comes shuffling out of his quarters and looks in amazement at Nog. Nog, as if he has eyes in the back of his head, senses Jake's entrance. NOG It's about time you woke up. I thought you were going to sleep all day. Nog sits up and begins doing curls. NOG You should stretch a little before you start your workout. JAKE I think I'll pass this morning. NOG You pass every morning. JAKE You can work out for the both of us. NOG You don't know what you're missing. "Healthy body, healthy mind." JAKE Please. No cliches before breakfast. Jake walks over to the replicator. JAKE Orange juice. Extra large. (to Nog) A healthy way to start your day. NOG (snorts) A writer and a poet. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 27. 28 CONTINUED: Jake notices a PADD sitting on the table. JAKE What's this? NOG "Past Prologue." JAKE What's it doing out here? NOG I found it while I was cleaning up. (a beat) Really Jake, is it that hard to put things away when you're done with them? But Jake's not interested in discussing housekeeping. JAKE You read my story? (off Nog's nod) What did you think? NOG "Disposal" is spelled with an "i" JAKE That's it? That's all you have to say? NOG I didn't really read it for content. I mostly corrected your spelling and grammar. Jake looks alarmed. He examines the PADD. JAKE You changed my words? NOG Just a few. A preposition here, some punctuation there. JAKE (trying to remain calm) You can't change a writer's words without his permission. That's sacrilege. NOG All right. Next time, I'll let you make the changes. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 2 7A. 28 CONTINUED: (2) JAKE There won't be a next time. From now on, if you see my stories lying around, don't read them. Don't even touch them. Just leave them right where they are. NOG No problem. (a beat) Just put them away when you're not working on them. Nog puts the weights down with a clatter. NOG Time to hit the shower. Duty calls. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 28. 28 CONTINUED: (4) NOG (Cont'd) (over his shoulder) Remember, start with the lighter weights then work your way up. Nog EXITS. Jake looks at the weights for a beat then picks one up. It's heavy. He drops it in disgust. 29 INT. RUNABOUT Odo is working on one of the forward consoles. There's a loud BANGING NOISE coming from the back. ODO Quark? What are you doing back there? The SOUNDS from the back intensify, with SCREECHES of metal grinding on metal and CLANGS of heavy components bashing against each other. ODO Do you need any help? There's an especially loud CLANG. A concerned Odo starts to head for the back but he's met halfway by Quark, who's heavily laden with a bulky piece of equipment. QUARK You want to help? Here. Quark shoves the equipment into Odo's arms. Odo sags for a second under the unexpected weight, then muscles the piece of (tech) onto a chair. ODO I thought you were supposed to be repairing the subspace transmitter. QUARK I was. ODO Then what's it doing out here? QUARK The signal booster's completely shot. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT TWO 29. 29 CONTINUED: QUARK (Cont'd) Which means there's no way we can transmit a distress signal through a planetary atmosphere. ODO I see. So you tore it out of the wall in frustration. QUARK Actually, I've come up with a way to save our lives. All we have to do is haul this transmitter up to higher ground. More altitude, less atmosphere. Go high enough, and we might be able to get a signal out. ODO How much higher do we have to go? Quark pretends to think it over. QUARK (to himself) Hmmm... carry the seven, take the square root, times pi... I'd say... He points dramatically out the forward window. QUARK That high. 30 ANGLE ON THE WINDOW (OPTICAL) To show what Quark's talking about. Off in the distance, high above the trees, Odo can see... The Tallest Mountain in the World. It looks like it's only a day's walk away, but it's a long, long, long way up. 31 CLOSE ON ODO AND QUARK As they react to the mountain and the challenge that it presents. FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 30. ACT THREE FADE IN: 32 INT. RUNABOUT - DAY Odo, who has wrapped a blanket around his upper body for warmth, is attaching makeshift straps to the transmitter. It's about the size of a man's chest and he's rigging it so it can be worn as a backpack. Just then Quark comes out of the back, dressed in several layers of clothing, including his suit, a blanket, a twenty-fourth century wilderness survival jacket and thermal pants. The survival gear is much too big for him, but he's rolled up the sleeves and pants legs to fit. QUARK I'm ready when you are. ODO (re: the cold weather gear) Where'd you find that? QUARK In the back. It's pretty cozy. ODO Great. Then I won't need this. (he takes off the blanket) I'll go get a suit for myself and we can be on our way. Odo starts for the back. QUARK Don't bother. This is the only one that wasn't destroyed in the explosion. ODO So we have one survival suit left and you're going to wear it? QUARK Finders keepers. (a beat) Besides carrying that transmitter up the mountain should keep you warm. Odo smiles, but it's not a smile of agreement. SHOCK CUT TO: DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 30A. 33 EXT. ALPINE FOREST - DAY Odo is now wearing the survival jacket and Quark is lugging the transmitter and wearing the pants. He has both blankets wrapped around his upper body. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 31. 33 CONTINUED: But neither one is happy. ODO How can it be so cold when the sun is shining? QUARK It's not much of a sun. And this isn't much of a planet. And you've got a lot of nerve complaining about being cold when you're the one wearing the jacket. ODO You agreed to take turns. QUARK Under duress. Odo looks up at the distant mountaintop. ODO I hate this. If I were still a changeling, I could've shapeshifted into a Vorian Pterodactyl and flown that damn transmitter to the top of the mountain hours ago. QUARK You're the one who wanted to be a solid. ODO (insulted) I never wanted to be a solid. QUARK Oh, please. I used to see you coming into the bar, watching Morn eat, eyeing my customers gambling and flirting with the dabo girls, and wishing you could be one of them. Not to mention your "platonic friendship" with a certain Bajoran major. ODO If that's the kind of psychological insight you dispense with your drinks, it's a wonder you have any customers. QUARK Deny it all you want. But the fact is your people gave you what you wanted. You're one of us now. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 33 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK (Cont'd) (smiles) And I finally can sit on a chair and know with absolute certainty that it isn't you. Just then, Quark slips on some loose rocks. He falls hard. Odo rushes over to him. ODO (concerned) Quark? (covering) If you've damaged that transmitter... QUARK I'm fine, thank you very much. And so's the transmitter. Odo reaches out a hand. ODO Let me help you up. QUARK No thanks. I think I'll just lay here and freeze to death. ODO You've made your point. I'll carry the transmitter for a while. QUARK And I get to wear the jacket. Odo nods. ODO But I get the trousers. And as Odo helps Quark up, we... CUT TO: 34 INT. HABITAT RING CORRIDOR O'BRIEN is walking with Nog. They're both just getting off duty. O'BRIEN You did a good job today, Nog. You've got an excellent grasp of mechanical engineering. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 33. 34 CONTINUED: NOG Ferengis have a natural talent for figures, sir. O'BRIEN So where are you posted tomorrow? NOG Cargo Bay Six, sir. Customs inspection. O'Brien feels a little sorry for him. That's not the most exciting job in the world. O'BRIEN That could be... interesting. NOG (not looking forward to it) If you're planning on being a customs inspector. O'Brien smiles and EXITS. Nog stops and looks at the door. He braces himself. It's almost like he dreads what he's going to find inside. 35 INT. JAKE AND NOG'S QUARTERS Nog walks in to find the place a complete mess. Clothes, dishes and PADDs are scattered all over the place. And in the middle of it all sits Jake. He's relaxed, content and seemingly oblivious to the pigsty surrounding him. JAKE Hey, Nog. NOG Not again. (re: the room) When I left this morning, this place was spotless. JAKE That was nine hours ago. NOG You can't keep our quarters clean for one day? JAKE (lightly) A man's got to live. And sometimes living is messy. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 34. 35 CONTINUED: NOG But it doesn't have to stay messy. I'm going to the Replimat to get something to eat. When I come back I expect to see this place straightened up. JAKE I'm working on a story. I'll do it in the morning. Nog reaches over and takes the PADD out of Jake's hand. NOG This isn't a story. It's computerized dom-jot. JAKE Sometimes when I get stuck, I play dom-jot. It clears my mind. NOG Well while you're at it, how about clearing a path to the bedroom? JAKE I told you, I'm busy. NOG Jake, this isn't what we agreed to. JAKE We didn't "agree" to anything. You've been shouting orders ever since you moved in here. I'm not in Starfleet. NOG Lucky for you. You wouldn't last a day at the Academy. JAKE You're right. I'd die of embarrassment wearing those pajamas. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 35. 35 CONTINUED: (2) Nog goes cold. That was uncalled for and Jake knows it, but it's too late to take it back. NOG I don't have to take that from an undisciplined jerk like you. Nog puts the PADD with the dom-jot game on a table, then thinks better of it and sweeps it onto a pile of clothes on the floor. NOG Enjoy your dom-jot. Nog heads for the door. JAKE Where are you going? NOG Anywhere but here. I'll get my things in the morning. Jake knows he pushed Nog too far but he's not about to apologize now. JAKE I'll pack them for you. NOG Don't bother. You couldn't fold a shirt if your life depended on it. Nog EXITS, leaving Jake angry and alone. 36 EXT. ALPINE FOREST - DAY Quark and Odo are headed uphill. They seem to be approaching a break in the trees. Odo is carrying the pack; Quark is wearing the jacket. Quark spots something out of the corner of his eye and points to it excitedly. QUARK What's that over there? Odo leans over and picks up a small rounded black rock. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 36. 36 CONTINUED: ODO It's just another stone. Quark grunts in frustration. QUARK I can't believe it. We've been walking for two days and we haven't seen a single beetle. (a beat) I could really go for a beetle right now. Any kind of beetle, just as long as it had a little meat on it. The thought is distinctly unappetizing to Odo. ODO There are no beetles, Quark. QUARK A nice slug would do. ODO There're no slugs, either. No slugs, no beetles, no worms, no snails. There's nothing here but trees and rocks and we can't eat any of it. QUARK If I collapse from hunger, you're going to have to carry me and the transmitter. ODO You're not going to collapse. We're almost to the tree line. After that, we'll only have a few hours of climbing left before we can set up the transmitter. QUARK A few hours? You mean like three? ODO More like six. Quark thinks it over. QUARK I can do six. Seven might be pushing it, but six I can do. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT THREE 37. 37 CLOSE ON QUARK AND ODO As Odo and Quark clear the trees. Their mood is picking up. Quark reacts with alarm to something he sees. 38 NEW ANGLE - THEIR P.O.V. Quark and Odo are standing at the edge of a precipitous cliff overlooking a steep wide valley. On the other side of the valley is the mountain, towering three times as high as it looked from behind the trees. Quark and Odo will first have to climb down into the valley before they can even begin scaling the mountain. 39 CLOSE ON QUARK AND ODO As they realize what they're up against. ODO Forget about six hours. How about six days? And as Quark and Odo grimly survey the valley and the mountain beyond, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 38. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 40 EXT. ALPINE VALLEY - DAY Quark and Odo pick their way painstakingly down the valley wall. Quark is counting their steps. QUARK Ten thousand, seven hundred, fifty- one. Ten thousand seven hundred, fifty-two. ODO (getting a little sick of this) Quark. QUARK Ten thousand, seven hundred -- ODO (more forcefully) Quark. QUARK I just want to know how far we're going. Every step down means one extra step up. ODO Then count to yourself. I don't want to hear it any more. QUARK Fine. But don't talk to me. It's hard keeping track. They begin walking again. ODO (ignoring Quark's request) By the time the grand jury's through with you, you'll be counting years instead of steps. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 39. 40 CONTINUED: QUARK (still counting in his head) You know what's going to make all this worthwhile? The look on your face when they let me go. ODO (scoffing) Let you go? I don't think so. QUARK And you call yourself a detective. (emphatic) The Orion Syndicate tried to kill me. They never kill their own. They don't need to. Any one of them would take their own life before they'd testify against the Syndicate. (a beat) Don't you get it? I'm not a suspect. I'm a witness. (glum) Now you made me lose count. ODO Ten thousand, seven hundred, and sixty-eight. QUARK Thank you. ODO (playing detective) So let me get this straight... you were never a member of the Orion Syndicate. QUARK I hate to disappoint you. ODO But you must've tried to join? QUARK I don't want to talk about it. But Odo's on the trail and will not be denied. ODO If I remember correctly, the Orion Syndicate has a membership fee... quite a substantial one. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 39A. 40 CONTINUED: (2) ODO (Cont'd) (thinking) And the Ferengi Commerce Authority did seize all your assets. Quark remains sullenly silent. ODO It's even worse than that isn't it? You never could afford to join, could you? All those years of lying and scheming and cheating, and you were still too small-time for the Orions. (a beat) I guess you're not as successful a businessman as you think you are. This cuts Quark to the quick. He lashes back out at Odo. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 40. 40 CONTINUED: (3) QUARK Which means you've spent the last ten years of your life trying to catch a nobody. Without much success, I might add. So you tell me, which one of us is the bigger failure. This gives Odo pause for thought, but Quark isn't interested in anything he has to say. He's had the last word and he's going to keep it that way. He walks on, leaving Odo to catch up. QUARK (resumes counting) Ten thousand, eight hundred. Ten thousand, eight hundred and one... 41 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 42 INT. REPLIMAT Sisko is drinking his morning coffee. Rom, wearing his maintenance uniform, walks over to the replimat. ROM Snail juice. Extra shells. Make it a double. He takes his drink from the replicator and crosses over to Sisko's table. ROM May I join you? SISKO Be my guest. A grateful Rom sits across from Sisko. ROM I wanted to ask you... about my son. You know? Nog? SISKO (smiling) I think I've met him. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 41. 42 CONTINUED: ROM Have you noticed anything... strange about him lately? SISKO He seems fine to me. He's just more... dedicated than when he left. Rom is glad to see someone else shares his impression of Nog. ROM I've noticed. SISKO A year at the Academy can do that to people. ROM You think it's the Academy? SISKO What else could it be? ROM (conspiratorial) I was afraid he might be a changeling. So while he was asleep, I drew some blood, just to make sure. Rom pulls out a small vial of Ferengi blood. He shakes it. It's blood. ROM It's been eight hours. So far so good. Sisko smiles. Nog being a changeling is the least of his worries. SISKO Rom, he's still your son. He's just taking his duties very seriously, that's all. ROM Tell me about it. Nog's moved back in with me, you know. It's horrible. He put me on report the other day. Said my tool kit was untidy. That's the exact word he used. "Untidy." DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 42. 42 CONTINUED: (2) Rom double-checks the blood. SISKO I wouldn't worry about it. It's just a phase he's going through. ROM I was hoping living with Jake would relax him. SISKO I'm afraid Jake's going through a phase of his own. (a beat) I don't know what's so difficult about putting a dirty plate back in the replicator. ROM Nog says Jake is a "slovenly, undisciplined, unfocused... " (imitating his son, with disdain) "Writer." SISKO Not an unfair assessment, I'm afraid. Sometimes I wish Jake had a little of Nog's self-discipline. ROM And I wish Nog had Jake's ability to enjoy himself. The two men look at each other. They're both thinking the same thing. ROM Those two could learn a lot from each other. SISKO If we could only get them in the same room. And as they ponder the challenge they face... CUT TO: 43 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing shot of the mountainous world Quark and Odo are marooned on. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 43. 44 EXT. SHALLOW CAVE - DAY This isn't our usual deep cavern. It's just a hole in the side of the mountain with sunlight streaming in from a small opening. Odo and Quark are sleeping in the cave, using their survival clothing as crude blankets. Odo wakes with the light. He's sore, stiff and cold, and not at all happy to be awake. He leans over and begins shaking Quark. ODO Quark, wake up. Quark doesn't budge. Odo shakes him a little more. ODO Come on, Quark. We've got a mountain to climb. But Quark still doesn't respond. ODO Quark. Suddenly Odo starts to get nervous. He gets up and gives Quark a vigorous shake. ODO Quark! There's still no response. Odo checks Quark's pulse. It's barely there. He starts slapping Quark across the face. But Quark still isn't coming around. His slapping becomes more and more frantic. ODO (urgent) Wake up. Quark is startled awake and starts flailing away at Odo. QUARK Stop hitting me. ODO I thought you were dead. Quark sits up and rubs his cheek. QUARK And you saw that as an opportunity to vent years of hostility towards me. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 44. 44 CONTINUED: Quark stops. He concentrates on something, looking worried. After a beat, he starts talking to himself, quietly at first, then growing louder. QUARK (over enunciating) Towards me. Towards me. Hostility. ODO What's wrong? QUARK What? ODO I said what's the matter. QUARK I'm deaf. (he clutches his right ear) I'm deaf in my right ear. I can't hear anything out of it. (testing, covering his right ear) Hello, hello, hello. (covering his left ear) Hello, hello, hello. ODO Would you stop doing that? QUARK You don't understand. A one-eared Ferengi is only half a man. (panicking) We've got to get out of here. My body's shutting down. It's too cold. There's not enough food. I'm dying. we both are. ODO We're not going to die. Odo takes out a rations packet. ODO Here. You can have the rest of my rations. QUARK These aren't rations. These are crumbs. You can't climb a mountain on crumbs. ODO Fine. I'll go myself. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 45. 44 CONTINUED: (2) Odo gets to his feet and starts putting on the survival jacket. QUARK You're going to leave me? ODO What do you want me to do? Stay here and trade insults until we starve to death? I'd rather take my chances on the mountain. Quark struggles to his feet. QUARK Whose turn is it to carry the transmitter? ODO Yours. Odo walks off. Quark painfully slips the transmitter onto his back, then falls in line after Odo. QUARK Figures. (testing his hearing) Figures. (louder) Figures! 45 EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - DAY Quark and Odo struggle up the side of the mountain. Odo is now carrying the transmitter. They both look exhausted, and filthy. Their clothes are torn and there're cuts and bruises on their exposed skin. Odo's in front. He starts overbalancing because of the transmitter and almost falls backward. Quark has to put out a hand to steady him. QUARK I hate this transmitter. I hate this mountain. And most of all I hate the Orion Syndicate for stranding us here. ODO I think we both know who's really to blame. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 46. 45 CONTINUED: QUARK Don't try to blame this on me, "Constable." It was your job to get me to Inferna Prime safely. ODO You never told me the Orion Syndicate was after you. QUARK You never asked. ODO If I had, would you have told me the truth? Or would you have lied like you lie about everything? QUARK Have I ever told you how much I hate that smug, superior attitude of yours? ODO Have I ever told you how much I hate your endless whining, your pathetic greed and your idiotic little schemes? QUARK Well I hate... Quark trials off, trying to think of an appropriate insult. ODO (challenging) What do you hate? QUARK You. This is rapidly getting more serious than either of them expected. ODO (not about to back down) That's fine with me. Because I hate you too. You're nothing but a petty thief. QUARK And you... are an arrogant prude. Odo stops climbing and turns around to look at Quark. ODO Lecher. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 47. 45 CONTINUED: (2) QUARK Freak. Quark pokes his finger at Odo. ODO Fraud. Odo pokes back. QUARK Fascist. Quark gives Odo a shove. ODO Failure. Quark shoves back. Odo and Quark exchange increasingly vicious shoves. But as things get more intense, they lose their balance and both go sliding down the mountainside. 46 NEW ANGLE As they both come down with a crashing thud, not far from each other. After a long beat, Odo manages to lift his head, obviously in pain. ODO Quark? Quark also manages to stir a little. QUARK (surly) What? ODO Are you all right? Quark checks himself over. Surprisingly, he's unharmed. QUARK I'm fine. Odo looks down at his leg. It's badly broken. ODO I'm not. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FOUR 48. 46 CONTINUED: And as.Quark looks over and sees Odo's broken leg, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 49. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 47 EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - DAY Quark is working on a travois (a drag sled made out of branches and cloth). It's makeshift and crude but looks like it'll get the job done. QUARK This should hold together. He puts it down next to Odo. QUARK Now we just have to get you on it. He looks down at Odo's leg, which is wrapped in splints. Quark begins feeling queasy. ODO (a warning) Stop looking at the leg. You'll pass out again. QUARK Not looking at it doesn't help. I still know it's there. ODO I should be the one struggling to stay conscious. I'm the one in excruciating pain. Quark shakes off his nausea and prepares to load Odo onto the travois. QUARK Speaking of pain, this is probably going to hurt. Quark goes to lift Odo onto the sled, but Odo puts out a restraining hand. ODO Quark, there's no way you're going to be able to drag me up this mountain. QUARK Watch me. DEEP SPACE. NINE: "The Ascent" -REV-10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 50. 47 CONTINUED: ODO Stop trying to be a hero. You'll reach the top faster if you leave me behind. QUARK You don't get it, do you? I'm not trying to rescue you. I'm taking you along as emergency rations. If you die, I'm going to eat you. ODO You're joking. QUARK Waste not, want not. And with that, he lifts Odo and rolls him onto the travois. Odo shouts in pain. QUARK Comfortable? ODO Not really. Quark shoulders the transmitter. QUARK Join the club. Quark picks up the handles of the travois and begins walking, struggling to drag Odo behind him up the steep mountainside. CUT TO: 48 EXT. FARTHER UP THE MOUNTAIN - DAY A series of shots of Quark making his way up the mountain. 49 ANGLE ON QUARK As he walks forward, pulling Odo behind him. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE - 51. 50 NEW ANGLE Quark walking backward, exhausted, yanking with all his might on the unwieldy travois. 51 CLOSE ON ODO Sweating and moaning, only semi-conscious from the jolting agonizing ride. 52 CLOSE ON QUARK As he walks forward again. He loses his purchase, landing on his knees. He stays on the ground for a beat, catching his breath and then struggles on. 53 ANGLE ON QUARK The travois has become hung up on a rock. Quark has to lift Odo and muscle the travois inch by inch over the obstacle. 54 CLOSE ON ODO As his head rolls and he slips into unconsciousness, only to be jolted awake as the travois hits the ground hard. ODO (barely there) Quark... 55 NEW ANGLE To reveal Quark lying face down in the dirt, like a horse who has collapsed in his traces. QUARK (face in dirt) It's over. ODO What do you mean over? QUARK I can't move. We'll have to set up the transmitter here. ODO We're not high enough. You have to leave me here and go on yourself. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 52. 55 CONTINUED: QUARK Don't you understand? I can't do it. I'm half frozen and I haven't eaten for two days. My muscles won't work anymore. There's no answer from Odo. QUARK Odo? Finally Quark forces himself to sit up so he can face Odo. QUARK Well say something. ODO What's there to say? If we stay here, we're dead. QUARK I can't go any farther. With a groan, Odo forces himself to turn over on his stomach. ODO If Sisko were here, do you think he'd give up? Or Worf? Or Dax? QUARK They're not here. ODO That's right. It's just us. Odo makes a decision. ODO Give me the transmitter. QUARK What for? ODO I said, give it to me. Quark takes off the transmitter and drops it in front of Odo. Odo shoves the transmitter a few inches ahead of him, and then drags his body up to it. QUARK What are you doing? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" -REV-10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 53. 55 CONTINUED: (2) ODO What does it look like? With gritted teeth, Odo once again shoves the transmitter a few inches, then drags himself forward. He's clearly not going to stop until he's reached his goal. QUARK You'll never make it. ODO Maybe not. He shoves it up again, steels himself, takes a deep breath, and forces himself upward. QUARK You're trying to embarrass me, aren't you? You're trying to shame me into carrying that thing the rest of the way on my own. Odo doesn't answer; he just keeps going, inching himself and the transmitter painstakingly up the mountain. Quark positions himself so that he doesn't have to watch Odo's struggle. QUARK It's not going to work. You might as well accept the inevitable and die with dignity. That's what I'm going to do. I'm just going to sit here... and die. (a beat, softly, to himself) my brother will get the bar, my nephew will be completely corrupted by the Federation and end up a Starfleet captain, and my bones will lie here and freeze... unsold and unmourned. Quark sits there and lets out a sigh. Now that he's said it out loud, it doesn't sound like much to look forward to. Taking a deep breath, he forces himself up to his feet. 56 NEW ANGLE As Quark walks up to Odo, reaches over, grabs the transmitter and puts it on his back. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 54. 56 CONTINUED: QUARK Try not to break your other leg while I'm gone. ODO I'll do my best. Without another word, Quark turns his back on Odo and begins trudging mechanically uphill. 57 CLOSE ON ODO Watching him go. ODO (softly, to himself) Good luck. Odo watches Quark march away. 58 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 59 INT. JAKE'S QUARTERS Jake is sitting alone in the middle of the room, looking bored and depressed. He's halfheartedly poking commands into a PADD. The door chimes. JAKE Come in. Sisko ENTERS. JAKE Dad? I though you were going to call first. SISKO Jake. We've got a problem. JAKE What's wrong? SISKO According to station regulations, these quarters require two or more occupants. I'm afraid you're going to have to move out. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 55. 59 CONTINUED: JAKE Smaller quarters. All right, if I have to. SISKO I'm afraid that's the problem, Jake. We don't have any smaller quarters available. JAKE So where do I go? SISKO I guess back home with me. JAKE You're kidding. SISKO Unless we can find you a roommate. Sisko leans back through the open door. SISKO Cadet. Nog steps forward. He's carrying a duffel bag but he doesn't look happy. NOG Sir, I really must protest. SISKO Cadets don't have that privilege. Jake starts to say something, but Sisko cuts him off. SISKO And neither do you. Now I know that you're two very different people, but you're still friends. And somehow, some way, you'll make this work. JAKE I don't know. NOG Neither do I. SISKO Well I do. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 56. 59 CONTINUED: (2) SISKO (Cont'd) (to Nog) And I'm your captain... (to Jake) And your father. (to both) So what I say goes. Good day, gentlemen. Sisko EXITS, leaving Jake and Nog looking at each other awkwardly. NOG The place hasn't changed much, has it? JAKE I guess not. Are you going to start cleaning again? NOG (making a concession) No, I've got to study. JAKE Good, because it would take a while to clean up this... pigsty. NOG It's not so bad. JAKE It's bad. They both look around the room. NOG Yeah. Jake smiles. JAKE (reaching out) You want to go to the gym? Nog looks at Jake, surprised. JAKE Healthy body, healthy mind. Nog smiles, maybe this will work after all. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 5 6A. 59 CONTINUED: (3) NOG I got a better idea. How about a game of dom-jot? I'll let you break. JAKE (smiles back) You're on. Jake and Nog EXIT. CUT TO: 60 EXT. MOUNTAINOUS WORLD Re-establishing. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 57. 61 EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - HIGHER UP - DAY Close on Quark trudging along, face into a blustery wind. He looks cold, miserable, and exhausted to the point of death. He staggers, then falls, facefirst, onto the ground. After a beat, he staggers to his feet and resumes his death march. 62 EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - DAY It's nearly dark. Odo is lying on his back, unconscious. He slowly comes awake. ODO (calling out weakly) Quark? There's no answer. ODO (as strong as he can) Quark? Still nothing. Odo lays there for a beat, then hits his combadge. ODO Begin recording. Chief of Security's log, final entry. It looks like Quark didn't make it. I can't say I'm surprised. You'll find his body farther up the slope. No doubt, he'd want you to vacuum-desiccate his remains and auction them off. Not that they're worth anything. As for myself... Odo pauses. He never really thought about how he wanted to be buried before. ODO (dismissive) Cremate me, stick my ashes in my bucket, and shoot me through the wormhole. I may as well end up where I began. (thinks it over) Or better yet... But before he can finish the thought... DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 58. 63 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) Odo is beamed away. 64 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Defiant in orbit around the mountainous world. 65 INT. DEFIANT - TRANSPORTER BAY As Odo is on the pad. BASHIR is instantly in action, while a concerned WORF and DAX look on. Bashir turns to an Orderly. BASHIR Prepare an IV drip of poly- nutrient solution. Bashir and the Orderly lift Odo onto a high-tech stretcher. ODO (surprised) I'm alive. BASHIR And I'm going to see you stay that way. ODO Quark? WORF We found him on top of the mountain. He was slumped over a subspace transmitter. ODO You mean he made it? DAX If it wasn't for his signal, we never would've found you. Looks like he saved both your lives. ODO I was afraid you'd say that. Bashir and the Orderly roll Odo away. 66 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) The Defiant at warp. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 59. 67 INT. DEFIANT - MEDICAL BAY The lights are low. The patients are supposed to be sleeping. Quark is lying in one bed, Odo's in the other. 68 CLOSE ON QUARK As he stares at the ceiling. QUARK Odo? You awake? 69 NEW ANGLE To include Odo. ODO I am now. QUARK We survived. ODO We did. QUARK I bet you were surprised that I actually made it all the way to the top. ODO Astounded. Something's obviously eating at Quark. QUARK You remember back there, when I said I hated you? ODO Vividly? QUARK I just wanted you to know... I meant every word of it. Odo smiles to himself. ODO So did I. Quark looks relieved. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Ascent" - REV. 10/14/96 - ACT FIVE 60. 69 CONTINUED: And as they lie there smiling contentedly to themselves, all right with the world, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END