STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Darkness and the Light" #140510-509 Story by Bryan Fuller Teleplay by Ronald D. Moore Directed by Mike Vejar 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 This script is not for publication or reproduction.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 October 22, 1996 STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Darkness and... " - 10/22/96 - CAST STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Darkness and the Light" CAST SISKO NOG KIRA SIIJUZAN ODO FALA BASHIR FUREL DAX BRILGAR QUARK LATHA O'BRIEN LUPAZA WORF GUARD COMPUTER VOICE Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: DS9 - "The Darkness and... " - 10/22/96 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Darkness and the Light" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE SPACE CAPTAIN'S OFFICE DEEP SPACE NINE CORRIDOR/AIRLOCK RUNABOUT HABITAT RING CORRIDOR DEFIANT O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS KIRA'S ROOM LIVING AREA OPS PROMENADE REPLIMAT SECURITY OFFICE SURGERY WARDROOM BAJORAN CAVERN RUNABOUT SILARAN'S HOUSE DEEP SPACE NINE -"The Darkness and... " - 10/22/96 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Darkness and the Light" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ACETYLCHOLINE ah-SEE-til-KO-lean BRILGAR BRILL-gar CALASH KAH-lash TRENTIN FALA TREN-tin FAH-la FUREL fur-REL LUPAZA LOO-pah-zuh HA'ATHORN HA-ah-thorn KLENIAR. KLEE-nee-ar LATHA MABRIN LAY-tha MAY-brin MOBARA MOE-bar-ruh MUSILLA MOO-sill-ah PRAMORIAN prah-MORE-ee-an SILARAN PRIN SILL-ah-ra PRIN TALAVIAN tuh-LAY-vee-an ESO-RAPTOR EH-so rap-tor MAKARA MAH-kar-ah MAPRAZINE MAY-prah-zeen MERFADON MER-fa-don REMAT re-MAT DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness. . . 11 - REV. 11/01/96 - TEASER STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "The Darkness and the Light" TEASER FADE IN: 1 INT. BAJORAN CAVERN A place of meeting and meditation somewhere on Bajor. The cavern floor is spotless stone and there are a few simple religious ARTIFACTS around the cavern, including a suspended CANDLEHOLDER which is UNLIT at the moment. Five N.D. Bajoran Monks are sitting down cross-legged on the floor around the artifacts in a position of contemplation. Once they've settled, LATHA MABRIN ENTERS the cavern. LATHA I am Vedek Latha Mabrin and I welcome you to the Calash Retreat. Today we begin prayer and meditation in preparation for the Days of Atonement. May the Prophets walk with us as we begin our journey. Latha sits on the floor inside the circle of Monks and picks up a long ceremonial LIGHTER. He then leans forward and uses it to light the long WICK of the candle. The wick is more like a matchstick in that it burns down quickly into the opaque glass base of the candleholder itself. As the wick burns down, Latha takes his seat on the floor, and closes his eyes in meditation. The other Monks close their eyes as well. 2 INSERT - THE CANDLE The wick burns down into the glass base. When the flame disappears from view, there is a beat and then there seems to be a different series of several wicks inside the holder hidden from view which are now lit, giving a new flickering look to the glass base. 3 WIDER (OPTICAL) The Monks are deep in prayer when the candle holder suddenly sends out SIX GLOWING BEAMS OF LIGHT. Each beam focuses on the chest of a different Monk. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - TEASER 2. 3 CONTINUED: The Monks all open their eyes and there's a moment of stunned surprise in the cavern -- is this a sign from the Prophets? Five of the beams go OUT, leaving only one on the chest of Latha. 4 LATHA (OPTICAL) He's surprised... seems to realize there's a danger here just a split second too late as the candle holder suddenly FIRES a disruptor BEAM right at his chest, blowing him back across the cavern and killing him instantly. CUT TO: 5 INT. SURGERY KIRA is on the biobed being examined by BASHIR, who has a tricorder. BASHIR (off tricorder) Have you been taking your makara herbs? KIRA Absolutely. (off his look) Mostly. BASHIR Kira, you have to take them. Your progesterone levels are way too low.  DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - TEASER 3. 5 CONTINUED: KIRA But when I take the herbs, the sedatives you gave me don't work. BASHIR The herbs do act as a counter- agent. But I thought you said you weren't having problems sleeping anymore and you didn't need the sedatives? KIRA (a reluctant admission) I don't. But Julian, those herbs taste like something that crawled out of Quark's ear. BASHIR Just take them. KIRA (reluctant) All right. ODO ENTERS from the Infirmary, a grim look on his face. ODO Major... may I have a word with you? KIRA (glances at Bashir) Sure. BASHIR We're finished here. Bashir EXITS to the Infirmary. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - TEASER 4. 5 CONTINUED: (2) ODO I'm afraid I have bad news. One of the former members of your Resistance Cell has been killed on Bajor. Latha Mabrin. KIRA How? ODO It appears a small hunter probe was hidden in a ceremonial candle and fired a disruptor blast. Kira takes that in with a mournful, but somehow not surprised countenance. KIRA Do they have any suspects? ODO (uncomfortable) Too many. Before he became a Vedek, your friend was involved in some... questionable activities. KIRA He used to be a smuggler and an arms dealer. I know. Latha used to be a... violent man. But then he found the Prophets. The last time I spoke with him, he'd changed -- really changed. ODO I don't doubt that, Major. But it would appear that the violence of his past finally caught up with him. KIRA (nods) Let me know if you hear anything else? ODO Of course. She EXITS. CUT TO: DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - TEASER 4A. 6 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS - LIVING AREA Kira ENTERS the room from the corridor, a sad look on her face as she heads for her room. 7 INT. KIRA'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS (OPTICAL) As she ENTERS the room and heads for her small Bajoran shrine. But before she can begin praying, the computer voice interrupts. COMPUTER VOICE Major Kira, there is one message waiting for you. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - TEASER 5. 7 CONTINUED: Kira moves to the desk-top monitor. KIRA (to com) Play back message. On the monitor screen, a picture of Latha now appears. In the photo, he's wearing his Vedek robes, but it's clearly a file photo. Kira looks at the picture for a beat in confusion, and then she hears a VOICE that has been electronically scrambled to make itself unrecognizable. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's one. (NOTE: there should be an audible beep to signify the end of the message.) Kira sits up -- what's going on here? KIRA (to com) Replay audio. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's one. KIRA (to com) Again. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's one. As Kira begins to realize that something deadly has just begun... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 6. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 8 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing the station. 9 INT. SECURITY OFFICE Odo, Kira and SISKO are replaying Kira's message. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's one. ODO As you might've guessed, there's no point of origin listed in the computer log. SISKO When did we receive it? KIRA It came in over the primary subspace antenna at thirteen forty- one hours. That's almost the same moment Latha was killed on Bajor. SISKO (to Odo) And you think this is a threat against all the former members of the Shakaar Resistance Cell? ODO That's my working theory, but I'm not ruling anything out. SISKO (to Kira) Did anyone else receive this message? KIRA Not that we know of. So there's obviously some connection to me, but I'm not sure what. I haven't even spoken to Latha in two years. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 6A. 9 CONTINUED: ODO I'm waiting for the preliminary crime scene report from the authorities on Bajor before I begin my own investigation. But I'd like to increase security here on the station and initiate random checks of all incoming cargo. SISKO Agreed. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 7. 9 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA I've also contacted almost all of the surviving members of the Shakaar and warned them to take precautions, just in case. He nods, they're doing all the right things. Sisko moves to Kira for a moment. SISKO I'm sorry about your friend. KIRA He died serving the Prophets. They'll take care of him. SISKO I'm sure they will. (to Odo) Keep me informed. Sisko EXITS. CUT TO: 9A EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing the station. 10 INT. REPLIMAT The next day. Kira is sitting at a table, looking tired and trying to eat when O'BRIEN comes over. O'BRIEN How you feeling? KIRA Fine. (off his look) Exhausted. I didn't sleep much, and Julian's got me back on those herbs again. O'BRIEN I know. I could hear you pacing all night. KIRA I'm sorry. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 7A-8. 10 CONTINUED: O'BRIEN Don't be. I would've gotten up and kept you company, but I figured you wanted to be alone. KIRA I couldn't stop thinking about Latha. All the firefights and bombings he'd lived through... and then to get killed during a religious ceremony... She shakes her head and trails off. KIRA You know, if I wasn't pregnant... I'd be down on Bajor right now looking for a way to narrow down the suspects. O'BRIEN You're safer here on the station. KIRA That's what's driving me crazy -- I'm sitting here eating breakfast while someone may be hunting down my friends. I'm a major in the Bajoran militia, I should be down there trying to protect them. O'BRIEN Well, right now you're needed here... protecting someone else... He looks down at her stomach and Kira knows he's right. She smiles at him. KIRA (patting her stomach) I guess I do have my hands full at the moment. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 9. 10 CONTINUED: (2) ODO'S COM VOICE Ops to Major Kira. KIRA (to com) Go ahead, Odo. ODO'S COM VOICE There's another incoming message for you major, and they refuse to give either their name or location. Kira and O'Brien exchange a look -- could this be the killer again? KIRA (to com) I'm on my way. As they move out... CUT TO: 11 INT. OPS (OPTICAL) Kira and O'Brien ENTER to find Odo and Sisko waiting for them by one of the monitors near the Ops table. Odo is working a console. ODO We're having trouble tracing the signal. SISKO (working) They're running it through some kind of scrambler and using a phase-divergent carrier wave. (to Kira) Try to keep them talking. Kira nods and steps in front of a monitor, O'Brien and Sisko step back so as not to be seen by whoever's on the other end of the call. Kira steels herself, then reaches out and touches a control. KIRA (to com) This is Major Kira Nerys. Who am I speaking to? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 10. 11 CONTINUED: There's a beat and then a Bajoran woman named TRENTIN FALA APPEARS on the screen. Fala is a soft-spoken fifty-something Bajoran woman who's calling from her home. She's petite and looks fragile, and at the moment, she's very scared. FALA Nerys? Is that really you? KIRA (surprised) Fala? FALA Are you alone? I don't want anyone to hear me. I think... I think someone's trying to trace my signal. KIRA Stand by. Kira taps the control again and Fala's image is replaced by the station logo. KIRA (to Sisko) She's a friend. Her name's Trentin Fala. SISKO One of the members of your cell? KIRA No. ODO Then why is she hiding her location? KIRA (glances around) I'd rather not talk about it here. But trust me, she's no threat to anyone. Let me talk to her alone and see what's going on. Sisko nods and Kira moves to another monitor at the Engineering station where she can have a little privacy. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 12 ANGLE ON ENGINEERING STATION (OPTICAL) As Kira ACTIVATES the monitor and Fala appears on the screenagain. KIRA I'm alone. And no one here will trace your signal. That seems to calm Fala down a little, but she's still pretty anxious. FALA You heard about Latha? They killed him -- as he knelt in prayer, they killed him! KIRA I know. The authorities are investigating right now. FALA They're going to kill me too, Nerys. They've been watching me. KIRA Who's been watching you? FALA I don't know. But I can feel it. I need to get out of here... go somewhere safe. Please, Nerys, you have to help me -- you always promised that you'd help! KIRA All right, calm down. I'll protect you. You can stay here on the station until this is over. Fala nods nervously. KIRA (continuing) Two of our officers are returning this afternoon from Starbase Sixty- three. I'll reroute them to Bajor and have them pick you up. Okay? Finally Fala seems to relax a little. FALA Okay. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 12. 12 CONTINUED: KIRA Their names are Worf and Jadzia Dax. They'll be in contact with you within the hour. FALA (heartfelt) Thank you, Nerys. I knew I could count on you. KIRA I'll see you soon. Fala nods and the transmission ENDS. CUT TO: 13 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) in orbit of Bajor. 14 INT. RUNABOUT WORF and DAX in the cockpit. For once, it's Worf who appears rather pleased with himself and Dax who's bristling. She glances over at him as he works the controls. DAX Stop it. WORF I'm not doing anything. DAX You've been smirking ever since we left the Starbase. WORF I do not smirk. (beat) But if I did... this would be a good occasion. DAX How was I supposed to know that Captain Ramirez was a three-time tongo champion? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 13. 14 CONTINUED: WORF You might have asked before mocking him and then letting him increase the stakes to a no-limit game. DAX I didn't lose that much. WORF Two bars of latinum. I hope you have it. DAX I have it. (beat) Most of it. (beat) Worf... ? WORF No. DAX Fine. I'll borrow it from Quark. He likes me. The console BEEPS. WORF (off console) Major Kira's friend is ready for transport. 15 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) As Dax turns to the side transporter console and works the controls for a moment. WORF Quark may lend you the money, but remember Rule of Acquisition number one hundred and eleven: "Treat people in your debt like family -- exploit them." DAX You know the Rules of Acquisition? WORF I am a graduate of Starfleet Academy. I know many things. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT ONE 14. 15 CONTINUED: Dax shoots him a look, but refrains from a retort. DAX Energizing. The normal Transporter EFFECT begins on the stage. For a brief moment we can see the OUTLINE of Fala beginning to form, then suddenly ALARMS start going off on the consoles and Fala's form begins WARPING and TWISTING... she appears to be writhing in agony. DAX There's a power surge in the buffer! WORF (urgent, working) Something is interfering with the integration matrix. DAX I'm transferring her pattern to the secondary buffer. WORF Boost the gain on the energizing coils! DAX It won't go any higher! I'm losing her! They both look with horror at the transporter stage as it FLASHES wildly with uncontrolled energy. Finally, Fala MATERIALIZES on the pad -- but she's been horribly burned and scorched. She crumples to the deck, dead. Dax and Worf react with a mixture of revulsion and grief at the sight... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT TWO ACT TWO FADE IN: 16 thru OMITTED 17 18 INT. RUNABOUT As Kira ENTERS what is already a crowded room -- Odo is in the middle of briefing Sisko, while Bashir is examining the body on the pad and Worf, Dax and the N.D.s are running diagnostics on the equipment. There's barely enough room for Kira as she squeezes by the N.D.s and goes over to the transporter stage and looks down at what's left of her friend. ODO (to Sisko, over above action) I'm not certain. She could've been wearing it or maybe even had it implanted under her skin without her knowledge. The detonator could've been dormant for a week or even... Sisko holds up a hand as he sees Kira, and Odo breaks off. Sisko makes his way over to Kira just as Bashir looks up at her. Odo, Dax, and Worf follow and Kira is suddenly the focus of everyone's attention in the room. BASHIR I'm sorry, Nerys... KIRA I'm hearing that a lot lately. Can I have a moment... ? It takes Bashir a beat to realize what she means. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT TWO 16. 18 CONTINUED: BASHIR Of course. He gets out of the way as Kira stands over the remains of her friend and bows her head in silent prayer. Everyone in the runabout stops what they're doing out of respect. Kira finishes her prayer and then turns to face the others. SISKO I wish there was something I could say, Major. KIRA Just tell me it was an accident. SISKO The constable thinks otherwise. Kira looks to Odo. ODO I believe she was killed by a remat detonator -- a device programmed to scramble a transporter beam during rematerialization. They're typically no more than two cubic millimeters in size, so it may have been hidden in her clothes or even injected under her skin. WORF That device is typically used by the Romulans. However, they're also sold on the black market. KIRA Why didn't the transporter security system detect the device? DAX We're not sure. The system is programmed to scan for remats. So, whoever did this has a sophisticated understanding of our security protocols. KIRA And a vendetta against the Shakaar Resistance Cell. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT TWO 17. 18 CONTINUED: (2) The others look surprised. SISKO I thought you said Trentin Fala wasn't a member of the Shakaar. KIRA She wasn't, at least not officially. Fala spent the occupation cleaning floors in the Cardassian records office in Dahkur Province. She passed us information for years without anyone catching on. Kira turns and looks at the body as Bashir finally covers it with a sheet. KIRA (continuing) She was always so afraid... afraid that she'd be caught and executed. But she never stopped. I once told her I thought she was braver than the rest of us, because she had to live with fear every day. (beat) Even after the occupation was over, Fala never wanted anyone to know she was secretly helping us. She was worried that someone might come looking for her... for revenge. SISKO Looks like her fears were well founded. As they all look down at the dead woman's shrouded form... CUT TO: 19 INT. PROMENADE Kira is walking down the Promenade, lost in thought when she suddenly HEARS the scrambled voice again: SCRAMBLED VOICE That's two. She freezes... then hears it again. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT TWO 18. 19 CONTINUED: SCRAMBLED VOICE (repeats throughout) That's two. Kira realizes it's coming from Quark's. She quickly moves to the window. 19A NEW ANGLE Revealing QUARK behind the bar, puzzling over a Cardassian PADD, which is the source of the scrambled voice. KIRA Quark! What is that? Quark gives a guilty start and turns to face her. QUARK Major. Hello. I was just about to call you. I... found this PADD in a shipment of Saurian Brandy that I just received. It was coded for you, and... somehow I accidently activated it. KIRA Give it to me. Quark quickly hands over the PADD. 20 thru OMITTED 21 22 INSERT - ON PADD (OPTICAL) which shows a file photo of Trentin Fala while the scrambled voice continues to repeat. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's two... that's two... that's two... 23 ON KIRA As she reacts with growing fury to the message. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's two... that's two... that's two... CUT TO: DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 10/28/96 - ACT TWO 19-24. 24 OMITTED 25 INT. SECURITY OFFICE Kira and Odo are trying to put the pieces together. Just outside the door to the Promenade, we can see the back of a Bajoran Security Guard standing watch. ODO Since she was an informant, it stands to reason that Fala was killed for providing information to the Resistance... information that the Shakaar used to plan an attack on a Cardassian target. The killer is probably someone either injured or who lost a family member or friend in that attack. KIRA We planned dozens of attacks based on Fala's information. It could be any of them. ODO Not any. we're dealing with an operation in which you played a prominent part. Perhaps you could make a list of all the attacks by the Shakaar that you participated in... ? KIRA That's a long list. Suddenly all the monitors behind Odo's desk start to flicker and flash with STATIC. ODO (off console) Someone's accessing the security database. KIRA Can you trace it? ODO (frustrated) No. Odo and Kira watch as the static clears and all the monitors display a file photo of a Bajoran man in his late 30's named Mobara. Kira recognizes his face and reacts with a sense of dread. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT TWO 24A. 25 CONTINUED: SCRAMBLED VOICE That's three. KIRA (re: photo) Mobara. He was in the Shakaar. ODO (urgent, to Kira) Where does Mobara live? KIRA (thinking rapidly) He's... in Musilla Province... at the university -- the engineering school. ODO (works the console) I'm sending an emergency message to the authorities in Musilla. Maybe it's not too late. Odo pauses for a moment and waits for a response. He glances up and sees the fatigued and worried look on Kira's face. ODO Are you all right? KIRA (snaps at him) No, I'm not all right. I haven't slept in three days, someone's killing my friends, and my back feels like... She catches herself. KIRA Sorry. ODO No apology necessary, Major. The console BEEPS. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT TWO 25. 25 CONTINUED: (2) ODO (off console) They haven't been able to contact Mobara. So they're sending a search party to the university right now. They'll let us know what happens. That said, there's nothing further for them to do. A long moment passes as Kira looks back at the photo of Mobara on the monitor, then rubs her back in pain. ODO Major... if I may make a suggestion? Why don't you go back to your quarters and rest for now? It may take them several hours to make a complete search. Kira struggles with herself for a moment, then decides he's right. KIRA Maybe you're right. But let me know the second you hear something. ODO You have my word. Kira EXITS to the Promenade. 26 INT. PROMENADE - CONTINUOUS As Kira ENTERS from the Security Office. The Bajoran guard named BRILGAR who's been standing just outside the door falls into step with her. They head off. CUT TO: 27 INT. CORRIDOR Kira and Brilgar come around the corner to O'Brien's quarters, where another GUARD is standing watch outside the door. Kira nods to him and then she and Brilgar EXIT to... 28 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS As Kira and Brilgar ENTER. She heads for her room while Brilgar looks around the living area with a professional eye for a moment. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT TWO 26. 28 CONTINUED: KIRA I'm going to lie down. Help yourself to the replicator if you get hungry. BRILGAR Thank you, major. 29 INT. KIRA'S ROOM as she ENTERS. Kira goes to the bed, and sits down with a weary look on her face. Suddenly she hears a THUMP from the outer room and every nerve in her body tenses. Then there's a CRASH, as if a piece of furniture had been knocked over. She quickly moves to a drawer and silently pulls out a Bajoran phaser. She moves to the door, stands next to the wall, slows her breathing and prepares to take on whoever or whatever is out there... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 27. ACT THREE FADE IN: 30 INT. O'BRIEN'S QUARTERS - KIRA'S ROOM Continuous from Act Two. Kira listens for any more sounds coming from the living area -- nothing. She touches the control pad and the lights in her room go OUT... then she touches another control and the door OPENS. The living area is now DARK as well. 31 INT. LIVING AREA As Kira peers around the corner of the doorframe into the dark room. She cautiously steps out into the living area, phaser at the ready, every sense straining for some sign of the intruder. She creeps out into the room, hugging the bulkhead to keep anyone from getting behind her... Suddenly a MAN'S SHAPE moves out of the shadows almost on top of her -- Kira whirls and points the phaser at his head at the exact moment he points a weapon at her head. KIRA FUREL Don't move! Hold it! There's a beat as both of them recognize the other's voice. KIRA Furel? FUREL Nerys? The lights in the room come ON, revealing FUREL is the man pointing a phaser at Kira with his one arm. He's one of Kira's former Resistance Cell comrades established in "Shakaar." LUPAZA -- also established in "Shakaar" -- is the one who turned on the lights. She's standing across the room with a phaser at Brilgar, who's kneeling on the floor next to her with his hands behind his head. There's a moment of relief as everyone relaxes. KIRA You're lucky I didn't shoot you. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 28. 31 CONTINUED: FUREL I could say the same thing. Creeping into a dark room like that with a phaser... KIRA I live here! LUPAZA (re: Brilgar) What about him? KIRA His name is Lieutenant Brilgar. He's part of station security -- here to protect me. LUPAZA Oh. (to Brilgar) Sorry. She lets him get up. Brilgar stands up warily and Lupaza gives him back his phaser. BRILGAR You know these people, major? KIRA I'm afraid so. This is Furel and Lupaza. We were in the same Resistance cell. FUREL Brilgar. Sorry about the... BRILGAR (rubbing his neck) Yeah. I'll be outside if you need me, major. KIRA Thank you. Brilgar gives Furel and Lupaza a last look and then EXITS. KIRA How did you get in here? We just installed a new security system. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 29. 31 CONTINUED: (2) FUREL And it's a pretty good one... but they haven't invented the security system that Lupaza can't beat. LUPAZA It took some work, but I managed to retune the transporter scrambler. KIRA You beamed in? From where? LUPAZA We stowed away aboard a transport ship making a run from Bajor. Just before it docked, I accessed the station personnel records... FUREL We beamed into... (indicates O'Brien's room) ... the other bedroom about five minutes ago. We heard someone moving around out here. I thought it was you... LUPAZA But it turned out to be a man with a phaser and... She trails off, a little embarrassed about the whole thing. FUREL (re: Lupaza) I tried to tell her we should've contacted you before coming. LUPAZA (hits him) You did not. KIRA I should have you both thrown in the brig... (beat) But I'm glad you're here. She finally smiles and Furel gives her a hug. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 29A. 31 CONTINUED: (3) FUREL It's good to see you. Lupaza gives Kira a hug and silently tells Furel to go get something out of the back room. LUPAZA (mouths the words) Go get it. Furel EXITS to the other bedroom. Lupaza stands back and looks down at Kira's stomach. LUPAZA Can I... ? Kira nods and Lupaza puts her hand on Kira's stomach. LUPAZA How much longer? KIRA Another couple of weeks. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 30. 31 CONTINUED: (4) Furel ENTERS from the back bedroom carrying a small box. LUPAZA Been sneezing? KIRA Off and on... my doctor's been giving me something for it, but before we get lost in baby-talk... I got another message today. This time it's Mobara. Furel and Lupaza exchange a grim look. Furel sets the box down. FUREL Is he dead? KIRA We don't know yet. There's a search party looking for him right now. They take that in for a moment. LUPAZA Do you have any suspects? KIRA No. FUREL You let us know when you do... LUPAZA That's why we're here... to find out who's doing this... and take care of it. They just look at her and Kira realizes what they're saying. KIRA I can't send you out like an assassination squad. LUPAZA You don't have to send us anywhere. FUREL Just give us a name and we'll do the rest. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 31. 31 CONTINUED: (5) KIRA The Occupation is over... we can't just go around fighting private wars. Times have changed... and we have to change with them. Leave this to the authorities. Furel and Lupaza can't believe what they're hearing... they exchange a frustrated look, but then Lupaza decides not to push it. LUPAZA Maybe you feel that way now. But trust me... when you find out who's killed Latha, and Fala, and now maybe Mobara... you're not going to want to leave it to someone else. You're going to want him dead... and you're going to want us to do it. There's a great deal of truth to that and Kira knows it. But at the moment, she wants to avoid that issue. KIRA Maybe. But we're not at that point yet. There's an awkward pause and Kira decides to change the subject. KIRA What's in the box? LUPAZA It's for you. KIRA For me... ? Lupaza picks it up and hands it to Kira who gives them the "you shouldn't have" look then opens the lid. Inside are bundles of fresh herbs. Kira reacts, not happy about seeing these foul-tasting plants, but not wanting to show it. KIRA Makara herbs... ? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 31A. 31 CONTINUED: (6) FUREL You're supposed to take them during pregnancy. LUPAZA She knows what they're for. (to Kira) We thought you might have trouble getting fresh herbs on the station, so we picked them last night. KIRA Thanks. Really, thank you. She puts the box aside. KIRA (continuing) Well, if you're staying, I guess I better find you some quarters. LUPAZA We're staying right here. Where we can keep an eye on you. (re: Kira's stomach) On both of you. FUREL We'll sleep out here -- that couch is a little small, but it's probably more comfortable than my bed. Kira finally bows to the inevitable. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 32. 31 CONTINUED: (7) KIRA Well, Keiko's visiting her parents with Molly... so I guess there's room... O'Brien ENTERS and both Lupaza and Furel instantly point their phasers at him. O'Brien freezes. KIRA It's all right. They warily lower their phasers. KIRA (continuing) Miles... we have some houseguests. Off O'Brien's startled reaction... CUT TO: 32 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing the station. 33 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE (OPTICAL) Odo is looking at a picture of Mobara on the monitor. ODO They found his body about two hours ago. Or at least what was left of it. Mobara had a micro- explosive implanted just behind his right ear. Sisko puts the PADD down in irritation. SISKO How does someone get close enough to implant something behind your ear and not get caught? ODO I doubt he was ever near Mobara. The killer's shown a pattern of using remote-controlled devices. He probably used some kind of hunter probe to inject Mobara while he slept. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 33. 33 CONTINUED: Sisko gets up, moves around the room. SISKO What are we dealing with here -- a professional assassin? ODO That was my initial thought. But a professional would never be sending anonymous messages. No, our killer is someone with a very personal stake in this... someone who's trying to make some point to Major Kira. 34 NEW ANGLE As Sisko moves to the door and looks out into the Ops area, where Kira is working at a console with Dax and NOG. Sisko watches Kira work for a long beat. SISKO And when he decides to drive that point home... ? ODO He'll try to kill her too. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 34. 34 CONTINUED: As they both look out the window at Kira... 35 INT. OPS (OPTICAL) Kira, Nog and Dax working at one of the consoles. Brilgar is stationed in the b.g. near one of the doors. The computer screen shows VOICEPRINTS of the three scrambled messages, and as we hear the messages, the voice prints should move correspondingly. At the moment, Nog is listening carefully as Dax replays all three messages. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's one. (beat) That's two. (beat) That's three. NOG It doesn't sound natural. DAX No kidding. NOG I mean, I know they're using some kind of scrambler to disguise the voice, but there's something else the rhythms don't sound natural... more like a composite of words from different speeches put together. KIRA You can tell that through all the distortion? NOG (shrugs) It's the lobes. The intonation and phrasing are just slightly off. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 35. 35 CONTINUED: Dax and Kira exchange a look. DAX I make it a policy never to argue with someone's lobes. KIRA Okay... let's say these are composite messages. Does that help us? DAX Maybe. (starts working) Since the first word in all three messages is the same, let's assume that it's simply been copied three times. That gives me a reference to begin screening out the electronic interference. On the computer screen, we see the voice print analysis now focus in on the first word of all three messages. It's a graphic of jagged lines and symbols. The graphics on the screen start changing and a single voice print begins to emerge from the mess. Dax hits a control and we hear the voice again... but this time there's less distortion than before. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's... that's... that's. that's... that's... (continues throughout) DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 36. 35 CONTINUED: (2) NOG It's a female. (beat) And it's not Cardassian... KIRA You sure? (off his look) All right, all right. NOG It's... Bajoran. Dax and Kira exchange a look and then Dax enters that information into the computer. The voice now changes again, is almost entirely free of interference. SCRAMBLED VOICE That's... that's... that's... NOG I know that voice... (beat) Can I hear the rest of the words? Dax works for a second and then we finally hear what we should recognize as Kira's voice. KIRA'S VOICE That's one... that's two... that's three... that's one... that's two... that's three... KIRA (stunned) It's me. He's using my voice. As they all take in the bizarre implications of that discovery, suddenly an ALARM goes off on a console. Dax and Kira rush over to the console. DAX There's been an explosion in the habitat ring. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 37. 35 CONTINUED: (3) KIRA Location? DAX (works) Level Five, Section Twenty-one Alpha. (reacts) The O'Briens' quarters. Kira reacts with shock. 35A ON DAX as she swings into action. DAX (to Nog) Go to Red Alert. Stop all incoming and outgoing ships until further notice. NOG Aye, sir. Nog works a control panel and the station goes to RED ALERT. DAX (to com) Dax to Infirmary. Doctor Bashir report to the Habitat Ring, Level Five, Section Twenty-one Alpha, medical emergency. Sisko and Odo come rushing out of the captain's office as soon as the station goes to Red Alert. SISKO Report. DAX We've had an explosion in the O'Brien quarters. (off console) There's a hull breach... the compartment's venting air into space. SISKO Casualties? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 37A. 35A CONTINUED: DAX No word yet and I'm having trouble scanning through the debris. ODO Where's Kira? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 38. 35A CONTINUED: (2) Dax turns around and suddenly everyone realizes where Kira is. CUT TO: 36 INT. HABITAT RING CORRIDOR Kira comes pounding around a corner as fast as her condition will allow and runs smack into the Guard seen earlier outside her quarters. There are three more N.D. Guards trying to seal off the area in the b.g. as they keep N.D. Crewmembers and Civilians away from the O'Brien quarters. GUARD Major! You can't go in. There's a hull breach and -- KIRA Get out of the way! She tries to push past the Guard, but he won't be moved. At this moment Brilgar comes running down the Corridor and we get the feeling he's had a tough time keeping up with Kira. GUARD I'm sorry, but I have my orders -- He tries to restrain her, but she takes him out with a well-placed jab and he staggers back. Another Guard steps in her way, but Kira is operating on too much adrenaline to be stopped and she takes him out, too. Kira almost reaches the door, but Brilgar is right behind her and he manages to get a hold of her from behind before she can open the door. She struggles, flailing against his grasp... BRILGAR Major -- no! You'll vent the whole Corridor! KIRA We have to do something! Kira throws an elbow and loosens his hold... but she's pushing herself beyond what her body is capable of at this moment. A bolt of agony shoots through her abdomen. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT THREE 39. 36 CONTINUED: She staggers against the bulkhead and tries to keep from passing out, but another spasm hits her and she collapses onto the deck and falls unconscious. Off the image of Kira lying unconscious in the Corridor... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 40. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 37 INT. SURGERY Kira is lying unconscious on the table as Bashir leans over and gently awakens her. BASHIR Nerys... Nerys... can you hear me? Kira begins to stir and then opens her eyes. KIRA (weak) Julian... BASHIR You're in the Infirmary. Kira looks around and tries to focus. KIRA The baby... ? BASHIR The baby's fine. (beat) You suffered a placental laceration... and then you began to hemorrhage. But I've repaired the damage and you're going to be all right. Kira is relieved, for only for a moment. She looks up at Bashir grimly. KIRA Furel and Lupaza... they're dead, aren't they? BASHIR I'm afraid so. KIRA Miles? BASHIR He wasn't there when it happened. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 41. 37 CONTINUED: Kira closes her eyes for a moment, tries to keep the pain of loss from overwhelming her. KIRA Did they die quickly? BASHIR Instantly. Kira reaches up and takes the earring from her ear and looks at it. There's nothing more for Bashir to say and he doesn't even try. After a beat, Odo ENTERS from the Infirmary. ODO Doctor, may I... ? Bashir nods and waves him in. Odo comes over to Kira as Bashir EXITS to give them a moment alone. She stares down at the earring in her hand. KIRA I was thirteen when I joined the Resistance. I'd been hanging around the Shakaar base camp for a few weeks, running errands, cleaning weapons, that kind of thing. (beat) One night they had an ambush planned, but they were a man short. I volunteered to go, but everyone said I was too young, too small. But Lupaza stuck up for me... said I had the heart of a sinoraptor and this was no time to be choosy. (beat) Furel made some joke... I don't remember what it was, but I remember Lupaza hitting him -- she always did that. They loved each other in a way. But it was up to Shakaar, and he stared at me for a long time before deciding that maybe I was big enough to carry a phaser rifle after all. (beat) So that night, we set up an ambush on the ridgeline and waited. It was cold and my hands kept shaking. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 42. 37 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA (Cont'd) I was so afraid that the others would see me and think I was nervous, that I kept biting my fingers to keep the blood flowing. (beat) We must've been out there for three, four hours before the skimmer appeared and set down right where Furel said it would. And when the hatch opened and that first Cardassian stepped out, I just started firing. And I didn't stop until I'd discharged the entire power cell. (beat) When it was over, I was so relieved that I didn't let anyone down that I was almost giddy. Furel kept telling me to stop grinning, that it made me look even younger, but I couldn't help it. I was one of them -- I was in the Resistance. (beat, re: earring) Lupaza made this for me... out of some metal from that skimmer... A quiet beat as Kira squeezes the earring in her hand and fights back the grief. KIRA How were they killed? ODO Someone attached a small hunter probe to the hull of a Talavian freighter. When the ship docked at the station, the probe detached itself and then began a visual scan of every room in the Habitat Ring. (beat) Once the probe found its assigned targets, it attached itself to the window, and exploded. KIRA (nods) Do you have any leads? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 43. 37 CONTINUED: (3) ODO My sources on Cardassia have given me a list of possible suspects. All of them have the computer skills, the opportunity and the motive for carrying out these attacks. KIRA You must've had to call in some pretty big favors. ODO (understating the case) One or two. KIRA How many people are on the list now? ODO Twenty-five. Kira's interest is piqued. KIRA Can I see it? ODO (hesitates) Not just yet. I'd like to narrow it a little further. KIRA (ruefu1) Afraid I'll take the names and go charging out after them? ODO Something like that. She seems to give up and looks a little tired suddenly. KIRA You're right. I probably would. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 44. 37 CONTINUED: (4) ODO I'm going to find the person that's done this, Major... I promise you that. KIRA I know you will, Odo. She smiles at him and takes his hand. KIRA Keep me informed? ODO Absolutely. She closes her eyes as if weary and then Odo EXITS. 38 NEW ANGLE (OPTICAL) As soon as he's out of the room, Kira sits up and jumps off the table. She moves to a computer console and works it for a moment. COMPUTER VOICE Emergency transport standing by. Enter command code authorization. KIRA (to com) Authorization Kira one-five-seven alpha. COMPUTER VOICE Initiating transport. Kira DEMATERIALIZES. 39 INT. SECURITY OFFICE (OPTICAL) Kira MATERIALIZES in the empty office. She looks around quickly, glances out onto the busy Promenade and then sits behind the desk, grabs a PADD and begins rapidly working both it and the computer console. Her fingers fly over the controls, and we see computer graphics and text race by on the screen in response to her commands. After a moment, she seems to get what she came for... she looks at the PADD with grim triumph and then she SHUTS DOWN Odo's computer. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 45. 39 CONTINUED: KIRA (to com) Computer, initiate emergency transport program Kira Two. COMPUTER VOICE Initiating transport. She DEMATERIALIZES again. At that moment, Odo ENTERS his office from the Promenade. He moves to the desk, there's a beat, and then the ever-meticulous Odo notices that the chair has been moved into a different position behind his desk. There's a beat, and then Odo begins to realize what's happened. ODO Computer, locate Major Kira. COMPUTER VOICE Major Kira is no longer on the station. Off Odo's angry reaction... 40 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) (STOCK) As it leaves the station. 41 INT. RUNABOUT Kira goes to the weapons locker, opens it, pulls out a phaser and checks the charge with a practiced hand and a cool eye. CUT TO: 42 INT. CAPTAIN'S OFFICE Odo is outraged and Sisko and Worf aren't too happy either. ODO She's obviously going after the suspects on the list, but she erased the names from my computer file after she took them. So there's no way to tell where she's headed. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 46. 42 CONTINUED: SISKO (to Worf) Prepare the Defiant. I want to leave in ten minutes -- see if we can pick up her ion trail. WORF It will be difficult. our sensor logs show that Major Kira masked her engine emissions with a polaron field. The runabout particle trail will be-- SISKO (not in the mood) I understand the difficulties. You have your orders. Dismissed. WORF Aye, sir. Worf EXITS, leaving a very angry and very worried Sisko and Odo. CUT TO: 43 EXT. SPACE - RUNABOUT (OPTICAL) As it approaches a rocky, barren world. KIRA (V.O.) Kira Nerys, Personal Log: Stardate 50416.2. I've eliminated three of the suspects from Odo's list. I'm satisfied that none of them could've committed the murders. The fourth name is Silaran Prin -- a Cardassian living on a planet near the DMZ. 43A EXT. PLANET SURFACE (OPTICAL) Silaran's house is a converted cargo container sitting on a barren, windswept plain. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FOUR 47. 44 INT. SILARAN'S HOUSE (OPTICAL) Kira MATERIALIZES in the middle of a dark living area in a home fashioned out of a large cargo container. There's a window through which we can see only dust perpetually whipping up against the container by the faintly howling wind outside. The cargo container is lined with shelves which are filled with devices and gadgets of every description. Computer equipment and consoles are littered through the room and there's a work table against one wall. The comfort level here is minimal. Kira looks around cautiously, her phaser in one hand and a tricorder in the other. She scans the room for a moment. Keeping one eye out for anything that moves, she sets the tricorder down and begins working one of the computers in the room. Suddenly a large N.D. Cardassian jumps out of the shadows. Kira's instincts are faster, however, and she whirls and FIRES her phaser. But the phaser beam GOES RIGHT THROUGH him and his image FLICKERS for a moment -- he's a hologram! Kira reacts, realizes just too late what happened and then she's HIT by another PHASER SHOT from o.s. She slumps unconscious. As Kira lies on the floor, the form of another Cardassian steps into view and looms ominously over her helpless form. CUT TO: 45 INT. SILARAN'S HOUSE (OPTICAL) A few minutes later. Kira is being eased back into a chair in the middle of the room by someone o.s. (She's still wearing her uniform). The chair is lit by a pool of light in the otherwise pitch black room. Once she's in place, a RESTRAINING FIELD FLASHES ON over her body. The field will prevent her from moving anything below the neck. A Cardassian HAND comes into frame and applies a hypo to her throat. In response, Kira slowly comes awake... it takes a moment to reorient herself. She tries to move, but can't. After a beat, she suddenly hears the VOICE of Silaran somewhere in the darkened room. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/91/96 - ACT FOUR 48. 45 CONTINUED: SILARAN'S VOICE A creature born within the comforting anonymity of darkness, awakens in the harsh truth of daylight. It squirms in the glare, afraid of the light that pins it to the chair like a needle through its heart. KIRA Who's there? Silaran, is that you? SILARAN'S VOICE Its heart beats faster as panic starts to creep into its soul. Does it understand? Or is it so blinded by the light that it can think only of returning to the velvet cloak of darkness? No matter. Perhaps it is better that it never realizes how close death has come. But make no mistake there is no escape. It has reached the end, and soon it will die. Kira looks about the room, starting to realize just how desperate her situation is. Off her face... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE 49. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 46 INT. SILARAN'S HOUSE Continuous from Act Four. Kira glares into the darkened room, looking vainly to see her captor. KIRA (defiant) What's the matter, Silaran? Are you so afraid of a pregnant woman in a restraining field that you have to hide in the dark? SILARAN'S VOICE It bares its tiny fangs, hoping for a chance to strike, to sink its teeth deep into the flesh of its tormentor. But that chance will never come... KIRA You better hope I don't get the chance... SILARAN'S VOICE ... and somewhere behind the gleam of hatred in its eyes lurks the certain knowledge of its impending death. And it begins to know fear. KIRA I'm not afraid of you. I'm not some coward who's been sending anonymous messages and bombs to murder innocent people. Suddenly SILARAN steps into view -- he's a middle-aged Cardassian man who's been horribly disfigured. Half of his body, including his face, was severely injured in an explosion about ten years ago. Cardassian doctors have done some reconstructive surgery, but his features are still grotesque and twisted. His right arm is still weak and he has a habit of touching each finger of his right hand as if making sure that he still has all five. Once he steps into the light, he drops the "story" he's telling and addresses Kira directly. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE 50. 46 CONTINUED: SILARAN No, Kira! I didn't murder anyone. You did! You killed all of them. Kira plays it cool, pocketing the victory of having brought him out of the shadows. KIRA There. That wasn't so hard, was it? Now we can talk. SILARAN Talk and lies won't help you. You're in the light... and the light reveals the truth. He leans in close to her, so she can't avoid looking at him. Kira looks him right in the eyes, doesn't flinch. SILARAN And the light shows me no regret in those eyes... no compassion... KIRA You want me to feel compassion -- for you? You've murdered five people. What compassion did you show to them? Silaran begins to pace around her in the light. SILARAN Unrepentant. How unfortunate. I thought you might've changed through the years... might've found a path out of the darkness. KIRA What am I supposed to be repentant for? What're you talking about? SILARAN That is part of your guilt. (points to his face) You did this to me... and you don't even know who I am... But Silaran is looking in the wrong place to find sympathy. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE 51. 46 CONTINUED: (2) KIRA So you were wounded in an attack I carried out when I was in the Resistance. And I'm supposed to feel guilty? It was a war, Silaran -- fifteen million Bajorans died during the Occupation and you want me to feel sorry for you? Silaran's own rage begins to boil to the surface. SILARAN No! I wasn't part of your war! I was an innocent! I wasn't even in the military. You know what I did on Bajor? I was a servant! I cleaned uniforms for Gul Pirak! KIRA (remembering) Gul Pirak... Commander of the weapons depot outside Hathon. SILARAN I'm glad you remember. Now do you remember what you did? How you put a plasma charge outside his bedroom window in the middle of the night? KIRA I remember he executed fifteen Bajoran farmers because they refused to display the Cardassian banner outside their homes. Silaran presses on, his fury taking hold of him. SILARAN Trentin Fala told you how to defeat the security systems... Latha Mabrin built the plasma charge... Furel and Lupaza stood lookout while you crept up to the house. KIRA None of us liked killing. But we were fighting for our freedom against -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE 52. 46 CONTINUED: (3) SILARAN You vaporized the entire east wing of the house! Twelve Cardassians were killed, including Gul Pirak's entire family. Twenty-three others were crippled. Don't you feel guilty? Don't you feel ashamed of what you did? But Kira has her own rage and fury which nearly matches his. KIRA None of you should've been on Bajor! It wasn't your world. For fifty years you raped our planet and killed our people. You lived on our land and took the food from our mouths, so I don't care if you held a phaser in your hand or ironed shirts for a living. You were all guilty and you were all legitimate targets! Silaran steps back in revulsion, hating everything about the woman he holds captive in the chair. SILARAN And that's what makes you a murderer. Indiscriminate killing... no sense of morality... no thought given to the consequences of your actions. (beat) That's what makes us different. KIRA I was a soldier. You're just a bitter old man out for revenge. SILARAN I am bringing the guilty to justice. And unlike you I take care to protect the innocent. I could've killed every monk in that cavern or everyone on the runabout, or half the population of Deep Space Nine, but I didn't. Only the guilty have died. (beat) And that's why even though your actions have condemned you, the life of your child will be spared. Silaran retreats into the shadows again. Kira's apprehension level rises. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE 53. 46 CONTINUED: (4) KIRA What does that mean? (silence) What does that mean? SILARAN'S VOICE The creature's diseased mind cannot understand its plight... its imagination is too limited to perceive the truth. It cannot be saved. But there is still hope for its child. It can be taken from the womb and raised in the light. A chill runs down Kira's spine as she realizes what he's planning to do. A note of desperation now creeps into her voice. KIRA Silaran, listen to me. The child I'm carrying isn't Bajoran, it's Human. It has unique medical needs. If you try to force me to give birth now you risk-- SILARAN'S VOICE The creature's cries grow louder, but no one can hear them. All that remains is to bring the child into the light... and discard the diseased carcass of the mother... before it can infect the offspring. KIRA You can't bring it into the light! Not yet! Doctor Bashir said I needed at least three more weeks before-- Kira breaks off as Silaran pushes a cart bearing various medical DEVICES into the pool of light near the chair. KIRA We both agree that this baby is an innocent. Don't put him at risk. Please, Silaran. SILARAN Don't worry. I promise that I'll take care of the child... and that I'll teach him the difference between darkness and light. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE 54. 46 CONTINUED: (5) Silaran picks up a laser scalpel from the cart and tests it -- a fine CUTTING BEAM comes a few inches out of the scalpel for a moment. Kira is thinking as fast as she can... desperate for some way, any way out of this... Silaran turns to Kira and prepares to apply the scalpel to her abdomen. KIRA Wait! Please, I'm begging you -- at least give me a sedative -- show some compassion! Don't just cut me open! Silaran pauses and looks deep into her eyes for a beat. He takes pity on her at last. SILARAN All right. I'll show more mercy than you have. He turns to the cart, picks up a hypospray, makes an adjustment to his hypospray and then leans in close to Kira's face again. SILARAN Take a good look at my face, Kira. I want it to be the last thing you see. She looks up at his twisted features for a moment and then he applies the hypospray to her neck. Kira passes out. SILARAN The creature slept, dreaming its dark dreams and happy to be out of the light. The innocent life it held would awaken in brilliance, and never know darkness again. He switches OFF the restraining field, and then picks up the laser scalpel again. He points it at her belly and is just about to activate it... When suddenly Kira comes out of the chair swinging and we realize that she's been faking. Silaran lets out an anguished scream as she hits him hard and fast... he's knocked back into a table, grabs a large heavy piece of computer hardware and swings it at her with deadly force. Kira twists out of the way, stumbles, almost falls... Silaran comes at her again and she just manages to get to her phaser on the workbench. She turns and FIRES just before Silaran could get a chance to cave in her skull with the hardware. DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE 55. 46 CONTINUED: (6) He falls to the ground, dead. Kira looks at him for a moment, catching her breath and sagging against the workbench. CUT TO: 47 EXT. SPACE - THE DEFIANT (OPTICAL) In orbit around the barren planet seen earlier. 48 INT. SILARAN'S HOUSE (OPTICAL) Sisko, Bashir and Odo MATERIALIZE in the room. Everyone, except Odo, has a phaser out and ready. They scan the room quickly, then relax when they see... 49 ANGLE - KIRA Sitting on a chair looking down at the dead body of Silaran. She glances up at them as they move to her. Bashir whips out his tricorder and gives her a quick scan. ODO Are you all right? She nods. BASHIR (off tricorder) She's fine. But there's a large amount of merfadon in her system. SISKO Merfadon? BASHIR It's a sedative... but the makara herbs she's been taking have counteracted the effects. Kira still hasn't made eye contact with anyone. SISKO (re: Silaran) I take it this is our assassin? She nods again. ODO (to Kira) Why did he give you a sedative? DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE 56. 49 CONTINUED: Kira speaks in a flat, dull voice, her eyes still on Silarah and we get the feeling she's speaking more to him than to anyone in the room. KIRA He wanted to protect the innocent... and separate the darkness from the light. (beat) But I don't think he realized that a light only shines in the dark... and sometimes innocence... is just an excuse for the guilty. The others look at one another, wondering what the hell that means. Kira finally stands up. KIRA Let's go home. A quiet moment. SISKO (to com) Sisko to Defiant. Four to beam up. Energize. The five of them DEMATERIALIZE. CUT TO: 50 EXT. SPACE - THE DEFIANT (OPTICAL) As it heads out into space... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END