STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "A Simple Investigation" #140510-515 Written by Rene Echevarria Directed by John Kretchmer 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 1997 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. Return to Script Department FINAL DRAFT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION January 6, 1997 STAR TREK: DS9 - "A Simple Investigation" - 01/08/97 CAS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "A Simple Investigation" CAST SISKO ARISSA KIRA SORM ODO TRAIDY BASHIR IDANIAN DAX IDANIAN #2 QUARK O'BRIEN WORF COMPUTER VOICE Non-Speaking Non-Speaking N.D. SUPERNUMERARIES MORN STAR TREK: DS9 - "A Simple Investigation" - 01/06/97 - SETS STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "A Simple Investigation" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS DEEP SPACE NINE DEEP SPACE NINE AIRLOCK AIRLOCK CORRIDOR CARGO BAY GUEST QUARTERS HABITAT RING CORRIDOR HOLOSUITE/LIMOUSINE INFIRMARY ODO'S QUARTERS/BEDROOM OPS PROMENADE QUARK'S/FIRST LEVEL QUARK'S/SECOND LEVEL SCIENCE LAB SECURITY OFFICE UPPER PYLON DS9 - "A Simple Investigation" - 01/07/97 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "A Simple Investigation" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ARISSA uh-RISS-uh FINNEA fih-NAY-uh FINNEAN fih-NAY-uhn GRAVITON GRAV-ih-tahn HASPERAT HAS-per-uht IDANIAN eye-DAIN-ee-un RISEAN RYE-zee-un TAUVID TAW-vid TRAIDY TRAY-dee DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "A Simple Investigation" TEASER FADE IN: 1 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Establishing. 2 INT. GUEST QUARTERS (OPTICAL) as an IDANIAN, an alien of a species we've never seen before, ENTERS from the bedroom. IDANIAN Computer... (after the CHIRP) Time. COMPUTER VOICE Eighteen twenty-one hours. He crosses to the table and reaches into a SHOULDER BAG to pick out a small, pen-shaped WEAPON. He slips it into his sleeve and starts for the door. When it OPENS, two FINNEAN thugs, TRAIDY and SORM, are standing outside waiting for him. IDANIAN Can I help you? TRAIDY (pushing him inside) I think so. Sorm punches the Idanian in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him and sending him crumpling to the floor. As soon as the door shuts behind them, Sorm pulls a small SCANNER from his pocket, starts sweeping the room. TRAIDY (to Idanian) Where is it? IDANIAN (struggling for breath) Where is what? I don't even know what you're looking for... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 2. 2 CONTINUED: TRAIDY Yes, you do. (to Sorm) Well? SORM (off scanner) It's not here. TRAIDY That's not good. Traidy looks down at the Idanian for a beat, turns to his colleague. TRAIDY Is it possible we've got the wrong man? SORM It's starting to look that way. TRAIDY This is very embarrassing. As the Idanian struggles to his feet, Traidy knees him viciously in the head, sending him sprawling. His attitude changes, he becomes all business -- cold. TRAIDY Listen to me. We know why you're here, we know who you came to meet, and we know what you were going to give her. So for the last time, where is it? The Idanian shakes off the cobwebs... surreptitiously slips his weapon from his sleeve... IDANIAN All right... I'll take you to it. TRAIDY (to Sorm) See, it was him all along. As he turns to the Finneans, the Idanian raises the weapon to take aim, but Sorm is faster -- he quickly pulls a small WEAPON and VAPORIZES the Idanian. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 3. 2 CONTINUED: SORM (looking at his weapon) I thought it was on stun. TRAIDY Look what you did to the carpet. Sorm looks down at the faint SINGE MARKS on the carpet -- a handprint and part of the Idanian's leg, where it was touching the ground. SORM What do we do now? We don't have time to search the whole station. TRAIDY We wait for the woman. She might know where he hid it... Off the two men as they stare down at the carpet... 2A INT. QUARK'S - SECOND LEVEL ODO, O'BRIEN and DAX look expectantly at BASHIR as he joins them at a table. ODO You wanted to see us? Bashir pulls out an ISOLINEAR ROD with a flourish and shows it to them. DAX (hopeful) Is that the new holosuite program? BASHIR (nods) The next chapter in the continuing adventures of Julian Bashir, Secret Agent. It came in this morning. O'BRIEN Finally. That friend of yours promised to send it two months ago. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 4. 2A CONTINUED: BASHIR According to Felix, it's worth the wait. He said it's the most elaborate program he's ever designed. DAX What parts do we get to play? BASHIR (off PADD) You, Jadzia, will be Lady Wantsomore, a beautiful socialite who's been brainwashed to assassinate the Queen of England. DAX (delighted) Somebody stop me. O'BRIEN What about me? BASHIR (off PADD) Odo plays Nigel Dunlap, a former agent who comes out of retirement to help me foil this diabolical plot. DAX (to Odo) Perfect. BASHIR I play -- O'BRIEN We know who you play, Julian. What about me? BASHIR You're Falcon, of course. O'BRIEN Falcon? Again? I'm tired of being the bad guy. DAX But you're so good at it. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 5. 2A CONTINUED: (2) O'Brien is about to protest but Bashir ignores him. BASHIR So... is Saturday all right for everyone? DAX Fine. O'BRIEN No problem. BASHIR Odo? Part of Odo wants to, but he's not sure. ODO What do I have to do again? DAX Save the Queen. BASHIR Not only that, you get to drive a fancy automobile, go to posh parties... (showing Odo the PADD) -- and steal her away from Falcon. 2B INSERT - THE PADD Showing a picture of a beautiful woman. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 6. 2C RESUME as Odo reacts to the picture. If he wasn't sure about this before, he's sure now. O'BRIEN He steals my girl? ODO Maybe you should find another Nigel Dunlap. BASHIR Are you kidding? Look at her. ODO I'm busy on Saturday. DAX We'll do it when you're not busy. ODO I don't think so. (standing) I'm sorry. I should never have agreed to be a part of this in the first place. And with that, he moves away, starts down the stairs to the second level. The three would-be holosuiters exchange a look... BASHIR I guess we'll have to find someone else to play Odo's part. O'BRIEN (studying the PADD) I'll do it. Bashir snatches the PADD from him... off this moment... 3 thru OMITTED 6 DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 7. 7 INT. QUARK'S - FIRST LEVEL as Odo ENTERS from the stairs and looks around. He hears a woman's voice, firm and focused. ARISSA (O.S.) Look, I already told you -- Odo looks over to see a striking human woman, ARISSA, seated at the bar trying to get rid of QUARK. ARISSA I don't want to play dabo, I don't want a holosuite, and I don't want anything to eat. QUARK Can I interest you in my collection of Risean tapestries? ODO Why don't you leave her alone, Quark? Can't you see she's not interested? QUARK How do I know she's not interested unless I ask? ARISSA Maybe you should spend less time bothering your customers, and more time keeping an eye on your business. QUARK (suggestive) Don't worry, I can keep my eyes on more than one thing at a time. ARISSA Really? What about him? Quark follows her gaze to an Alien on the Upper Level -- he's surreptitiously working a RING on his finger, aiming it at the dabo wheel. ARISSA He's got a graviton emitter hidden in his ring -- he's manipulating the table for his friend over there. Quark follows her gaze to another Alien at the table, his accomplice. Just then, everyone at the table shouts "Dabo!" and the second Alien gets a few congratulatory slaps on the back for winning. Quark's face falls as he realizes she's right. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 7A. 7 CONTINUED: He storms off to deal with the problem. Odo glances to Arissa, impressed -- ODO You're very observant. Arissa looks past Odo toward the door -- the last thing she wants is another man trying to chat her up. ARISSA (cool) Thanks. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 8. 7 CONTINUED: (2) ODO Are you waiting for someone? Arissa thinks he's giving her a line and decides to give one right back to him. ARISSA You. Where have you been all my life? Odo is completely taken off guard. ODO Pardon me? ARISSA Isn't that what you were hoping I'd say? ODO It's just... you keep glancing at the door. ARISSA I'm waiting for someone. ODO That's all I meant. She realizes Odo is sincere and she's misjudged the situation. ARISSA Sorry. I thought you had other things on your mind. (explaining) Must be those bedroom eyes of yours. ODO Bedroom eyes... ? ARISSA (sincere) You probably get that all the time. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - TEASER 9. 7 CONTINUED: (3) ODO Not really. A silent beat passes as she regards him. It's up to Odo to continue the conversation, but he can't think of what to say. ODO If anyone bothers you again let me know. I'm Security Chief Odo. My office is just across the Promenade. Arissa finds this sweet, but she can take care of herself. ARISSA I'll be all right. Another silent moment... Odo is awkward, he's never gotten such a curious compliment from a woman before and it's thrown him. ODO Well. I have to go. To work. In my office. ARISSA (smiling) Across the Promenade. ODO Exactly. And with that, he turns and EXITS... we HOLD on her for a beat as she watches him go. As soon as he's gone, it's like a dark cloud has descended over her. She puts up a good front, but the truth is she's seriously concerned about something. We move to reveal... 8 TRAIDY AND SORM sitting at a nearby table. They're well within Arissa's line of sight, but it's clear she doesn't recognize them. Off their somber faces as they watch her... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 10. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes) 9 INT. CARGO BAY where Odo and KIRA are supervising the inspection of some cargo being brought to the station. SUPERNUMERARIES are checking over manifests and bringing in CRATES through the airlock. Odo is surreptitiously trying to catch his own REFLECTION in a nearby surface when Kira approaches him. He immediately stops what he's doing. KIRA Look at this. She holds up her hand and we see a series of small suction-cup MARKINGS on her skin, like what an octopus might make. She indicates a CRATE with Klingon markings on it. KIRA I went to check the contents of that crate -- a tentacle grabbed hold of my hand. ODO Gagh. The Klingons have been getting regular shipments since the day they were posted here. KIRA I can't believe they eat that stuff. She sees Odo cast a glance toward the reflective surface isn't sure what he's looking at. KIRA What are you doing? ODO Nothing. She sees how embarrassed he seems, realizes he was looking at his reflection. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 11. 9 CONTINUED: She notices Odo stealing another glance -- KIRA What are you looking at? ODO Well, actually I -- I'm... nevermind. KIRA What? ODO It's embarrassing. KIRA Just tell me. He decides to come out with it. ODO Last night, a woman in Quark's told me I have... bedroom eyes. He turns to look at his reflection again -- ODO I'm trying to see if it's true. Kira watches him for a beat, clearly intrigued by what she's heard... KIRA Tell me about this woman... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 12. 9 CONTINUED: (2)- ODO She thought I was... trying to seduce her. (off her look) It was all just a misunderstanding. KIRA (skeptical) If you say so. (beat) Are you going to see her again? ODO I have no idea. Why? KIRA She's obviously very perceptive. ODO Meaning what? KIRA (smiles) Meaning you should see her again. And with that, Kira turns away, and moves to join an N.D. Odo -- part pleased, part flustered -- turns to give his reflection another look. 10 INT. PROMENADE as Odo makes his way toward his office. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. Odo pauses outside Quark's, glances over toward the door, and considers for a beat. 11 INT. QUARK'S as Odo ENTERS and takes a look around. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. He scans the room for Arissa, but doesn't see her anywhere. Quark spots him -- QUARK She came in this morning as soon as I opened, stayed for about an hour and left. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 13. 11 CONTINUED: ODO (feigning confusion) Who? QUARK That woman you were making eyes at last night. ODO I wasn't making eyes at her. QUARK Un-huh. Why do you always fall for the same type? ODO What are you talking about? QUARK The tough, no nonsense type -- like a certain Bajoran major? Odo refuses to take the bait. Off Quark's face as Odo EXITS... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 14. 12 INT. SECURITY OFFICE as Odo ENTERS and stops short at what he sees. 13 NEW ANGLE to reveal Arissa and a Deputy. She musters a wry smile... ARISSA Hello, again. The Deputy reacts to the fact that she seems to know Odo, glances at his boss. Odo covers his reaction, is all business. ODO (to Deputy) What's this all about? The Deputy hands him a PADD -- Odo glances at it, indicates that the Deputy can leave. ODO You tried to break into the station's computer. Why? ARISSA My friend never showed up last night. I wanted to check the passenger manifests to find out if he came aboard. ODO Why didn't you come to me? I could've checked the manifests for you. ARISSA When you grow up on Finnea Prime, you learn not to trust policemen. She reaches up and touches something at the back of her neck, almost as if something there was giving her a mild but persistent pain. ODO Dataport bothering you? Arissa pulls her hair aside... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 15. 14 INSERT A DATAPORT implanted in her skin, just behind her ear. She gingerly touches the skin around it with her finger. 15 SCENE ARISSA The security protocols protecting your computer generated some nasty feedback. ODO I know. (pleased with himself) I designed them that way. She regards him for a moment, impressed with his handiwork. ARISSA Nice job. I couldn't stay interfaced long enough to break past the encryption lockouts. ODO That was the idea. (beat) Tell me... (glances at PADD) Arissa, what's a nice woman like you doing with a dataport? ARISSA They're not illegal. ODO They ought to be. People tend to use them to access information other people don't want them to access. ARISSA (wry) I've heard that. Odo sees that she has no intention of giving anything away. He glances at the PADD the Deputy gave him. ODO This Idanian you were waiting for in Quark's... Tauvid Rem. What were you meeting him about? ARISSA A personal matter. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 16. 15 CONTINUED: Odo gives her a cool look... ODO I suppose I could just go to his quarters and ask him. ARISSA I'd rather you didn't. It's a delicate situation. ODO I'm listening. ARISSA Tauvid's well known for... (how to put this) ... finding people. People who don't necessarily want to be found. (this is difficult) He's helping me locate my daughter. I gave her up when she was born, fifteen years ago. ODO I see. ARISSA He told me he had information about her. That's all I know. (pleading) I've been looking for her a long time. Please, let me talk to him. Odo considers her request... he finds himself wanting to help this woman. ODO All right. I'll take you to him. We'll sort the rest out later. ARISSA Thank you. Off her grateful look... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 17. 16 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) - DEEP SPACE NINE Re-establishing. 17 INT. HABITAT RING CORRIDOR Odo and Arissa stand outside a door, having just rung the bell. After a beat, Odo presses the wall panel again. ARISSA Maybe he's not in. Odo works the panel, inputs a security code. ODO (off panel) According to the access log, he's inside. Odo works the panel and the door OPENS -- 18 INT. GUEST QUARTERS as the door OPENS to reveal Odo and Arissa in the corridor. These are the same guest quarters we saw Traidy and Sorm break into in the Teaser. ODO (calling in) This is Security. (beat) Hello? No answer. They move inside, look around. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. The personal effects we saw earlier are gone, presumably taken by Traidy and Sorm. Arissa crosses to look inside the bedroom. Odo sees something on the floor that catches his attention -- a small, round indentation in the carpet near the couch. Odo pushes the couch aside to REVEAL the faint SINGE MARKS left by the Idanian when he was vaporized. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT ONE 17A. 18 CONTINUED: ARISSA (emerging from bedroom) He's not here. ODO Oh, yes he is -- what's left of him. Off her reaction... FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 18. ACT TWO FADE IN: 19 INT. SECURITY OFFICE Arissa's trying to sit still in the chair in front of Odo's desk, but she's got a lot on her mind, and it's weighing heavily on her. Odo ENTERS with a PADD in hand, dismisses the Deputy standing near the door with a nod. ODO The residue we found contained Idanian DNA. I think it's reasonable to assume it came from Tauvid Rem. (sitting at his desk) Do you have any idea why someone would want to kill him? ARISSA No. But considering what he does for a living, he probably had dealings with all sorts of marginal characters. (beat) Maybe it was a robbery. ODO What makes you say that? ARISSA I didn't see any personal belongings in his quarters. Did your deputies find anything? Odo senses this is more than just a casual question, but he doesn't let on. ODO No. ARISSA Whatever happened, I doubt it had anything to do with me or my daughter. ODO That depends. It's possible that someone doesn't want you to find your daughter. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 19. 19 CONTINUED: ARISSA Tauvid didn't give me any indication of that when we spoke. ODO When was that? ARISSA About three days ago. She lets out a frustrated breath... ARISSA I can't believe this... I was so close to finding her. Now I'm going to have to start all over again. (beat) If you'll let me... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 20. 19 CONTINUED: (2) Odo looks at her, unsure what she means. ARISSA In case you'd forgotten, I'm facing charges for trying to break into your computer. Odo comes to a decision about how to handle her... ODO Considering the fact you weren't able to access any secured information, I've decided to drop those charges. ARISSA I appreciate that very much. ODO You're free to go. ARISSA (surprised) Thank you. You're a very kind man. ODO I hope you find your daughter. She looks at him a final time and we get the sense there's something she wants to say to him. For some reason, she thinks better of it, gives him a small smile, and EXITS. Off Odo's face as he watches her go... 20 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) - DEEP SPACE NINE Re-establishing. 21 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR Arissa waits for two passersby to leave, then moves to a wall panel with a MONITOR. DEEP SPACE N1NE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 21. 21 CONTINUED: She fishes a small DEVICE from her SHOULDER BAG, studies the controls on the wall monitor for a beat. She separates the device into two component pieces, places one on the control panel. She then pulls her hair aside to expose the port in her skull. 22 CLOSE - THE PORT as she inserts the second piece into the port. A DIODE on the end starts to BLINK. 23 RESUME (OPTICAL) We see the two BLINKIES on both pieces start to FLASH in unison. A faraway look comes over her eyes, as if she's now sightless. Though she doesn't use her hands to work the controls, we see the computer activate. A series of SCREENS come up on the monitor as Arissa works her way past a few SECURITY PROTOCOLS and into the station's Assay Office logs. She starts to scroll down the list of TEXT, which flashes past too fast for us to read. Finally it stops, and we see a particular name Highlighted -- Tauvid Rem. Off the mystery of the moment... 24 INT. PROMENADE - LATE NIGHT Quark is closing and locking the door to the bar. As he starts to close the shutters, he sees something inside the darkened bar, frowns, and re-opens the door. QUARK Morn! We're closed. A beat, then a chastened looking MORN emerges from the bar... QUARK Go home. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 21A. 24 CONTINUED: Quark starts to lock the door and close the shutters again, and we follow Morn as he moves away. We DROP OFF on the closed and darkened door to one of the cubicles that line the Promenade. After a moment, we see a figure through the glass in the door, moving in the darkness. The figure approaches the door, which OPENS partway. Arissa emerges, glances up and down the Promenade to see if anyone's around, then shuts the door behind her. An off-screen VOICE... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 22. 24 CONTINUED: (2), ODO (O.S.) I'm afraid the Assay Office is closed for the evening. She turns to see Odo standing nearby. ODO If you want to secure any valuables, you'll have to come back in the morning. She knows full well he's being sarcastic -- ARISSA Thanks, I'll do that. He gives her a look to let her know he's not buying it. ARISSA I didn't realize I'd tripped an alarm. ODO You didn't. (a beat) You're good. ARISSA I still got caught. ODO I've been following you. ARISSA I didn't know. ODO I'm good, too. (beat) So, did you find anything in Tauvid's locker? ARISSA Would you believe me if I said no? ODO Actually, I'd have you strip- searched. ARISSA That might be fun... but in the interest of saving time... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 22A. 24 CONTINUED: (3) She holds out her hand so that Odo can see that she has a small DATA CRYSTAL in her palm. Off his face as he studies it... 25 INT. SECURITY OFFICE where Odo is interrogating Arissa. He holds the data crystal as he speaks... ODO I've never seen a data crystal quite like this. It looks like there's a phase inverter embedded inside. It's not going to be easy to decode. He looks up at her, asks a probing question. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 23. 25 CONTINUED: ODO Given that all it contains is information about a missing girl, Tauvid went to great lengths to secure it. Arissa can barely manage to lie with conviction... on some level, she's given up. ARISSA You know how Idanians are... they're a secretive race. ODO You realize that it would be a simple matter for me to have a Doctor examine you to determine if you've ever been pregnant? She fixes him with a look -- ARISSA You keep threatening to have me stripped down and examined. I'm trying not to read too much into that. Odo stays on track -- ODO You don't have a daughter, do you? She knows she's caught, decides she might as well admit it. ARISSA No. ODO That's probably the first true statement I've heard you make. ARISSA Not quite. I meant what I said about your eyes. Odo does his best to ignore this, keep pressing. ODO What's on the crystal? ARISSA I don't know. But I need to find out. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 24. 25 CONTINUED: (2)- ODO Why? ARISSA Because if I don't... I'm dead. Odo reacts -- this is getting serious. ODO Maybe you'd better start at the beginning. She lets out a long breath... ARISSA I work for a man named Draim. (off Odo's reaction) I see you've heard of him. ODO He's with the Orion Syndicate. If I'm not mistaken, he specializes in blackmail and extortion. Where do you fit into his organization? ARISSA I access computer systems and steal information for him... government data, business plans -- whatever he asks for. ODO I hope you're well paid. That's a dangerous line of work. Trigger the wrong security protocol and you could end up with permanent brain damage. ARISSA I think about that from time to time. But then there's not much I can do about it. You don't quit the Orion Syndicate unless they say you can. ODO Do you want to quit? ARISSA That's why I came to meet Tauvid. ODO Who was he? DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 25. 25 CONTINUED: (3) ARISSA I don't know. ODO (confused) Then why did you come meet him? ARISSA He told me he had information... information I could use to break away from Draim, free and clear. ODO What made you believe he was telling the truth? ARISSA I don't know. I just did. I'm not even sure how he knew I wanted to get out. Odo is finding this all very strange, tries to make sense of it. ODO Did he tell you what this information was? ARISSA No. But for some reason I decided to trust him. I know it sounds insane, but I guess I was desperate. ODO Did you tell anyone you were coming here? ARISSA No. Draim must've monitored my communications. How else could he have gotten his people here before I arrived. ODO You think Draim had Tauvid killed to keep you from getting this datacrystal? DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 26. 25 CONTINUED: (4) ARISSA (nods) And whoever he hired to do it is probably still on the station. You can be sure Draim wants to know what's on that crystal as much as I do. Odo considers all she's told him... after a moment, he notices her smiling bitterly to herself. ODO What are you smiling about? ARISSA I'm just picturing myself trying to explain all this to the authorities back on Finnea. Not that they'll listen. They'll just send me to prison. ODO I'm not turning this over to the Finneans. Arissa couldn't be more surprised. ARISSA You're not? ODO I'm placing you in protective custody while I have someone try to access the crystal; in the meantime, I want you to have a look at the security recordings made at the airlocks. Draim was probably careful to send someone you wouldn't recognize, but you never know. Arissa studies Odo for a moment... ARISSA (unsure) Why are you doing this? ODO Doing what? ARISSA Helping me. Odo, doesn't understand the question... ODO Why not? DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 27. 25 CONTINUED: (5) She realizes he's sincere... ARISSA You mean... you're just doing it out of the goodness of your heart? ODO I don't have a heart. ARISSA (smiles) Could've fooled me. Off this moment... 26 INT. CARGO BAY where we see Sorm sitting tucked away among the densely packed crates. He hears the SOUND of approaching footsteps, pulls his WEAPON. After a beat, Traidy comes around a corner in the narrow aisle between crates and approaches him. Sorm lowers his weapon, glances at the package Traidy is carrying. SORM What'd you get? TRAIDY It's called hasperat. Traidy takes out two burrito-like bundles of food, hands one to Sorm. As they settle in to eat... SORM Where is she? TRAIDY She's with that changeling security chief. Sorm nods, takes a bite of the hasperat. SORM Spicy... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT TWO 28. 26 CONTINUED: Traidy nods, keeps eating. TRAIDY They have the crystal. Sorm takes this bad news in calmly. TRAIDY We've got to make sure she doesn't access it. Sorm nods, knowing full well what this means. After a beat... SORM She's pretty. I was hoping we wouldn't have to kill her. TRAIDY (shrugs) You'll get over it. SORM My mouth's on fire -- Did you bring something to drink? TRAIDY My hands were full... Off this ominous moment we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 29-31. ACT THREE FADE IN: 27 OMITTED 28 INT. GUEST QUARTERS (OPTICAL) as Odo and Arissa ENTER. As the door shuts behind them, we see two deputies taking up position outside in the corridor. ARISSA Nice room. ODO Don't get too used to it. You're not staying here. (hits combadge) Odo to Security, begin transport. They start to DEMATERIALIZE-- DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 32. 29 INT. ODO'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL) as Odo and Arissa MATERIALIZE. She turns to him, wondering what he's up to. ODO There. Now, if anyone was watching, they'll think you're still in the other quarters. ARISSA Nice trick. I hope it works. She looks around at the unusual furnishings. ARISSA Interesting furniture... ODO I use these things to practice shape-shifting. ARISSA (realizing) These are your quarters? ODO I thought this'd be the last place anyone would look for you. (awkward) There's a bed in the other room. I was planning to stay out here so I could keep an eye on you... if that's all right. ARISSA I could use the company. ODO (pushing on) I have two deputies stationed outside in the corridor. They're posing as a maintenance crew doing repairs. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 33. 29 CONTINUED: Arissa glances around the room... ARISSA Where are you going to sleep? ODO I don't need a bed. (a bit embarrassed) I regenerate by reverting to a gelatinous state... To his surprise, Arissa doesn't find this odd... ARISSA Sounds relaxing. ODO It is, actually. ARISSA I'm so tired I wouldn't mind being in a gelatinous state myself. Odo regards her for a beat... ODO I understand you weren't able to identify anyone from the security recordings. ARISSA No. ODO I haven't had much luck identifying Tauvid either. It's not even his real name. He took three different transports to get to the station, and used a different identity each time. This is not good news -- ODO (continuing) I transmitted his picture to the Idanian Authorities. I'm not sure if we'll get a reply... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 34. 29 CONTINUED: (2) ODO (Cont'd) ... as you said before, they're a secretive race. Arissa knows she only has one more hope... ARISSA What about the crystal? ODO Dax and Chief O'Brien are still trying to get past the encryption lockouts. ARISSA Maybe I should try to interface with it? ODO That's not a good idea. The first time they attempted to access it, the feedback shorted out the computer. I'd hate to see what it would do to your dataport. Frustrated, Arissa starts to become angry with herself... ARISSA I can't believe what I've gotten myself into... walking out on Draim to meet someone I don't even know -- I must've lost my mind. ODO You said you were desperate. ARISSA Why do you think I got involved with Draim in the first place? ODO I know life on Finnea isn't easy, but you must've had other options. ARISSA Have you ever been there? Odo shakes his head "No." DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 35. 29 CONTINUED: (3) ARISSA It's not like a Federation world where everything is handed to you. She yanks her hair aside to show him her dataport -- ARISSA You know how I ended up with this? I was a net-girl. I told myself I wasn't selling my body since there was no actual contact. But I was. I let men into my mind for money. She stops for a beat, talking about it has taken her back to some painful memories. ARISSA Draim was one of them. That's how we met. Before I knew it, I was working for him. He paid me more than I'd ever seen before. I was so far removed from the consequences of what I was doing, it was easy to pretend I wasn't hurting anyone. I'd hear things now and then. Some businessman Draim had me investigate would disappear. I'd try to convince myself it had nothing to do with me. But after while... I couldn't pretend anymore. I wanted out. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 36. 29 CONTINUED: (4) She smiles ruefully... settles heavily into the chair in front of the computer... ARISSA I guess I'm finally going to get my wish. Only problem is, I'll be dead. (wiping her eyes) Why am I crying... ? The dead don't cry. Odo sits next to her, tries to make her understand he means what he's saying... ODO Look at me. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you. You have to trust me. Their eyes meet. The conviction in Odo's features helps her pull herself together. ARISSA (softly) I do trust you... She smiles sadly, touched by all he's trying to do for her... ARISSA But you can't protect me forever. Sooner or later, Draim'll get to me. (determined) I have to find out what's on that crystal. ODO Arissa, I don't think you can count on whatever's on that crystal to get you out of this. ARISSA If that's true, then I don't have a chance. ODO Yes, you do. If you testified against Draim, you could put him in prison for the rest of his life. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 37. 29 CONTINUED: (5) She seems stunned by the notion, as if it's too impossible to consider. Odo presses his case -- ODO You could get immunity for any crimes you may have committed, start a new life. He can see her consider it, but she's lived in fear of Draim for so long she can't make the leap. ARISSA Testify against Draim... ? I'd never make it to the witness stand. ODO I will take personal responsibility for your safety. I don't care how long it takes, if I have to ask for a leave of absence, I will. Arissa looks at him, she's touched, but she doesn't understand. ARISSA You'd do that for me? Why? Odo hesitates, then decides to tell her. ODO I've done things I'm not proud of, too. You worked for Draim, I worked for the Cardassians. But I never had the courage to walk away. You did. I admire that. Arissa smiles ruefully... ARISSA You're going to have to give me a minute to get used to this... I've never been admired for anything other than the way I look. ODO Most people can't see past the surface... especially when what they see is so beautiful. Odo realizes that he said more than the simple observation he intended... she looks up at him, and he looks away... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 38. 29 CONTINUED: (6) ODO I'm sorry, I merely meant -- ARISSA Don't apologize. A moment as their eyes meet... then Odo breaks it and looks away... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 39. 29 CONTINUED: (7) ODO Well... I'm going to see if they've made any progress decoding the crystal. Make yourself comfortable. I'll check in on you later. ARISSA I'm not going anywhere. And with that, Odo makes his EXIT... off her face as she considers their talk... 30 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 30A INT. HOLOSUITE/LIMOUSINE where we find Bashir enjoying his holosuite adventure. He's riding in the back seat with the WOMAN whose picture we saw in the Teaser. Through the darkened windows we see LIGHTS occasionally pass by, indicating that the car is moving on a flat, straight stretch of highway. Bashir is wearing BLACK TIE, and she's dressed to match -- complete with sixties-era hair and makeup. He's helping her out of a PARACHUTE HARNESS, improbably strapped around her cocktail dress. He's already taken his own harness off and tossed it on the floor. BASHIR Let me help you with that... As he helps her out of the harness... BASHIR Extraordinary... you just jumped out of an airplane at twenty thousand feet, and there's not a hair on your head out of place... She smiles coyly, and indeed it's true -- her hair is immaculate. We can see she's smitten by the suave secret agent. Suddenly there's a KNOCK on the glass. They react -- Bashir pulls out his GUN, rolls down the window to reveal Odo trying to peer inside. Strangely, the LIGHTS are still moving behind him to indicate the car is still in motion. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 40. 30A CONTINUED: BASHIR Odo... ? ODO Sorry to interrupt. I need to talk to you. (looking at woman) Alone. BASHIR Of course. Odo opens the door and starts to climb inside. Bashir knocks on the window to the driver's compartment. BASHIR Driver, stop the car. The LIGHTS slow to indicate the car coming to a stop. BASHIR (opening the door for the woman) We'll just be a minute... She scowls at Odo, and steps out. ODO Isn't that the woman I was supposed to steal away from Falcon? BASHIR Well, yes... (a wan smile) -- but since you didn't show up... ODO You swept her off her feet. BASHIR Sort of. ODO Tell me... how did you know she was interested? BASHIR It's that kind of program. What's this all about, Odo? DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 ACT THREE 41. 30A CONTINUED: (2) BASHIR (Cont'd) You didn't come here to talk about women. (off Odo's reaction) Did you? Odo looks so embarrassed, Bashir realizes -- BASHIR Oh. This is about "bedroom eyes," isn't it? Odo reacts ODO Who told you about her? Kira? BASHIR No. ODO (sure of it) Dax. BASHIR Actually it was Miles. Odo can't believe it. He reaches for the door handle to get out, but Bashir stops him, cuts to the chase. BASHIR If people are talking, it's only because they care. You put on a good front, but anyone who really knows you can see that you're lonely. This stops Odo in his tracks... BASHIR If you're interested in this woman, you have to let her know. Odo looks down, conflicted. ODO I can't... BASHIR Why not? ODO What if I... what if she... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 42. 30A CONTINUED: (3) BASHIR Rejects you? Odo's reaction tells Bashir he's hit the nail on the head... BASHIR She might. But you can't go through life trying to avoid having your heart broken. If you do, it'll break from loneliness, anyway. So you might as well take a chance. If you don't, she'll move on, and you'll never know what you might have had. Odo looks at him... though he doesn't know it, Bashir is describing what happened with Kira... BASHIR And living with that would be worse than having a broken heart, believe me. Odo considers Bashir's words, and we get the sense that Bashir has gotten through to him. Suddenly there's a KNOCK on the window. As Bashir rolls it down. BASHIR We're almost done, darling... But his only reply is the muzzle of a GUN through the window... an eyepatched O'Brien, dressed as Falcon, sticks his face in the window. O'BRIEN (as Falcon) Car trouble, Mister Bashir? (normal voice) Oh. Hi, Odo. ODO I should go. Thank you, Doctor. And with that, Odo slips out the other door. BASHIR This isn't fair, Chief. Odo and I were talking. O'Brien smiles grimly at Bashir... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 43. 30A CONTINUED: (4) O'BRIEN (as Falcon again) Didn't anyone ever tell you you shouldn't stop for hitchhikers? Off Bashir's face as he realizes O'Brien intends to take advantage of the situation... 31 thru OMITTED 33 34 INT. ODO'S QUARTERS where Arissa is standing near the window, looking out at the stars. After a beat, the door OPENS and Odo ENTERS. ARISSA Hello. ODO Hello. I didn't expect to find you awake. ARISSA I couldn't sleep. ODO If the bed isn't comfortable -- ARISSA The bed is fine. They stand there looking at each other for a moment. The sexual tension between them is unspoken, but definitely there. ARISSA I guess you have no news for me. ODO Dax is going to run a quantum scan on the crystal in the morning. ARISSA I'd like to be there. I might be able to help. ODO I'll arrange it. An awkward moment as neither of them can think of anything to say... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 44. 34 CONTINUED: ARISSA I'm not in your way, am I? ODO No, not at all. (moving to his desk) Usually, I just read for an hour or two. He picks a PADD off his desk. She moves a little closer to look... ARISSA What are you reading? ODO It's a detective novel. ARISSA Have you figured out who did it yet? ODO By the third page. She smiles. Another quiet moment between them... ARISSA Well... I should let you get back to your book. This is the moment -- Odo can either let her go to her room, or keep her there. ODO I don't really feel like reading. There. He said it. And it wasn't so bad. ODO Maybe we could talk for a while? ARISSA (softly) What do you want to talk about? They lock eyes, and Odo realizes that there's nothing he wants to say... what he really wants, is to simply kiss her. He leans in slightly, a subtle test.... she doesn't move away. Finally, he closes the few inches left between them and kisses her. She responds, her arms find their way around his shoulders... after a moment, she pulls away a bit... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT THREE 45 -47. 34 CONTINUED: (2) ARISSA (smiles) Tell me more. Odo pulls her close again, kisses her passionately... as they fall into each other's arms, we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 48. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 35 INT. ODO'S BEDROOM where Odo and Arissa are lying on the bed wrapped in bedding. We can see their bare shoulders, and Arissa is stroking Odo's hair as he lies on his back. She strokes his face, studying its contours. ARISSA (softly) I could swear that when we first met, you're nose had a little curve right here. ODO I tend to look a little different every day... ARISSA (tracing the lines on his forehead) You always manage to make these the same. ODO I pay special attention to my scowl... an air of stern suspicion is very important in my line of work. They share a smile... she notices Odo looking at her intently... ARISSA What? Why are you looking at me like that? ODO I'm trying to figure something out. ARISSA Tell me, maybe I can help. ODO I've never been able to let my guard down with a woman... until now. I was wondering what makes you different. She props herself up on one arm to look at him. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 49. 35 CONTINUED: ARISSA Wait a minute... are you saying you've never been with anyone before? ODO Not a humanoid. Once, on my homeworld, I had an experience that you might consider sexual. ARISSA But you've never been with a woman before? ODO You seem surprised. ARISSA I am. ODO I'm glad to hear it... I must've done all right. She leans in and nuzzles his ear... ARISSA You did better than all right. They kiss for a moment, then Odo pulls back and smiles... he's as happy as we've ever seen him. ODO I don't ever want to leave this room... can we just stay here forever? Thought Odo means this playfully, it reminds Arissa of her predicament, and a shadow passes across her face. ARISSA I wish we could... ODO Arissa, everything is going to work out. ARISSA I wish I could believe that. But I know what the Orion Syndicate does to people who turn against the organization. I don't want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 49A. 35 CONTINUED: (2) She sees Odo start to worry about it too, doesn't want to ruin the moment. ARISSA I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. Let's just... be together. ODO All right... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 ACT FOUR - 50-51. 35 CONTINUED: (3) They kiss... she pulls herself close... ARISSA Tell me more about this encounter you had on your homeworld... ODO It was with another changeling. Our bodies became... intermingled. ARISSA Sounds nice. Too bad I'm not a changeling... ODO We shouldn't let that stop us... A moment as she considers what this might mean, then she smiles to let him know she wants to try. As he pulls her close and they start to kiss... 36 thru OMITTED 37 38 INT. OPS where Kira and Dax are conferring quietly at the Ops table. WORF watches them from his station, knowing full well that they're engaging in gossip, and he doesn't like it one bit. DAX She spent the night in his quarters. KIRA That's because he had her in protective custody. DAX Come on, Nerys. He could've put her somewhere else. KIRA You know how Odo is, he likes to be thorough. DAX It's more than that. WORF Commander -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 52. 38 CONTINUED: Without turning to him, Dax holds up a finger so she can finish. KIRA What makes you say that? DAX Instinct. WORF Jadzia -- DAX What? WORF You asked to be told when the sensor array became available. DAX Thank you. (to Kira) Odo and a woman -- it was bound to happen sooner or later, right? KIRA I suppose. WORF You can begin your experiment at any time. DAX I'm talking to Kira. WORF You are not talking, you are gossiping. And besides, Odo is capable of taking care of himself. Worf realizes he just let on not only that he was listening, but that he has an opinion about the situation. Dax shoots a look toward a couple of SUPERNUMERARIES at another station. DAX Don't shout across the room, if you want to gossip with us, come over here. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 52A. 38 CONTINUED: (2) Worf frowns, gets back to his console. SISKO ENTERS from his office, looks around. SISKO Where's Odo? He asked me to arrange a conference with Starfleet Intelligence at oh-eight hundred. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 53. 38 CONTINUED: (3) DAX I guess he's running late. SISKO He's never late. DAX He never spent the night with a woman before. SISKO A woman? (thinks it over) That's nice. (off Kira's look) Isn't it? The turbolift rises up and Odo ENTERS. WORF (a warning to all) Constable. ODO Good morning. Odo's hair is a bit mussed, and he has a vaguely guilty look on his face. SISKO Starfleet Intelligence is ready when you are. Sisko shoots Dax and Kira a look before disappearing inside his office with Odo. DAX (to Kira) Did you see the look on Odo's face? I'm telling you, something happened. Kira turns to Worf... a beat, then despite his reluctance to get involved, he nods his agreement. Off this moment... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 54. 39 INT. ODO'S QUARTERS where Arissa is sitting at Odo's computer. She considers something for a long moment, then makes her decision, works the controls. 40 ON MONITOR (OPTICAL) We see the words: DRAIM, LET'S TALK. ARISSA She works the controls and the words are replaced by: TRANSMITTING. IDENTIFICATION CODE 0159Z-24. 41 ON ARISSA as she let's out a long breath, hoping that she's done the right thing. Off this moment... 42 EXT. SPACE (OPTICAL) - DEEP SPACE NINE Re-Establishing. 43 INT. CARGO BAY as Traidy and Sorm confer in their hideout among the closely packed crates. TRAIDY I talked to Draim. The woman asked to make a deal -- she gives us the crystal, Draim lets her go. SORM So we don't have to kill her? TRAIDY Don't be stupid. As soon as we've got the crystal, she dies. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 55. 43 CONTINUED: SORM Oh. (thinks for a beat, shrugs) Makes sense. Off this moment... 44 OMITTED 45 INT. SCIENCE LAB The crystal is sitting inside a tabletop device, nestled between two diodes. Dax is telling O'Brien and Arissa what she's found. A Deputy stands at the door. DAX There's an enormous amount of data stored inside the crystal, and a lot of it is quantum level information. O'BRIEN There goes our plan. ARISSA What do you mean? O'BRIEN We were thinking of replicating a few copies of the crystal and trying to access them one at a time. That way if we triggered a self-erase protocol, it wouldn't matter. We could try again. ARISSA (catching on) But there's no way to copy quantum- level information. DAX Exactly. O'BRIEN (re: crystal) We're going to have to be very careful. If we accidentally erase whatever's on this, it'll be lost. Arissa takes this in, the stakes for her are high. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 55A. 45 CONTINUED: DAX Before we try anything, we should generate a computer model so we can run simulations. O'BRIEN I'll start a holo-scan. As O'Brien works the controls, Dax turns to Arissa. She's curious about her, wants to know a little about her. DAX It's going to take about an hour. Maybe you and I should go get something to eat, talk for a while? O'Brien shoots Dax a look -- DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 56. 45 CONTINUED: (2) ARISSA I think I'll stay here and see if anything comes up. DAX (disappointed) Okay. Dax EXITS... Arissa watches O'Brien set up the diagnostic for a moment. After a beat, she YAWNS... O'BRIEN (a throw away) Tired? ARISSA I hardly slept last night. This gets O'Brien's interest... off his face as he considers the possibilities... 46 INT. SECURITY OFFICE where Odo is talking to a Deputy about some everyday situation. ODO All right, you can release the Talarian as soon as he sobers up. But tell him to stay away from raktajino, it obviously doesn't agree with him. (hands over PADD.) I'll be in Science Lab Four. The Deputy nods and EXITS through the back door. As Odo starts for the door to the Promenade, it OPENS and a SECOND IDANIAN ENTERS. Odo reacts to the sight of him. ODO Can I help you? The Idanian is all business, and he's acting as if time were critical. IDANIAN #2 You're Security Chief Odo? (off Odo's nod) I'm here about the communication you sent to the Idanian Government. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 56A. 46 CONTINUED: ODO Go on. IDANIAN #2 Where's Arissa, is she safe? Odo eyes him warily -- ODO You know her? IDANIAN #2 Better than she knows herself. ODO What does that mean? The Idanian sees he's going to have to give Odo some information, and he gives it as if there's no time to waste. IDANIAN #2 She's not who she seems to be. She's an intelligence agent with my government. She was sent to infiltrate Draim's organization. Odo is stunned... he can't believe what he's hearing ODO That's impossible. She would've told me... IDANIAN #2 She doesn't know. ODO I don't understand. The Idanian quickly gives Odo the information he thinks he needs to know. IDANIAN #2 We gave her a new identity before we sent her in. All her previous memories were removed and stored on the datacrystal. The Idanian can see that Odo's mind is reeling -- IDANIAN #2 If you take me to her, I'll explain the rest. off Odo's face as he tries to process all he's been told... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 57. 47 INT. SCIENCE LAD as Odo and the Idanian ENTER to find O'Brien and the Deputy slumped unconscious on the floor. Odo's face tells us he fears the worst -- he quickly checks to see if O'Brien is all right. ODO Chief, are you all right? O'Brien starts to come to, but he's too out of it to answer. The Idanian sees that the crystal is missing from the tabletop device. IDANIAN #2 (to O'Brien) The datacrystal -- where is it? ODO Forget about the crystal, we have to find Arissa. IDANIAN #2 That crystal is Arissa. O'BRIEN (trying to focus) She took it... I don't know where she went... The Idanian pulls out an Idanian-style TRICORDER... IDANIAN #2 It generates a distinctive signal, we might be able to track it... Off Odo's face as he tries to hang on to this hope... 48 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR as Arissa comes to a stop in front of a door. She looks down at the crystal in her hand, composes herself, and steps toward the door... 49 INT. CARGO BAY as Arissa ENTERS. The LIGHTS are dim, thanks to Traidy and Sorm... as the door shuts behind her, she takes in her surroundings... ARISSA Is anyone here? DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FOUR 58. 49 CONTINUED: After a beat, Traidy emerges from the shadows. He doesn't appear to be carrying a weapon. TRAIDY Just me... They eye each other warily... 50 NEW ANGLE to reveal Sorm hiding behind one of the crates, weapon at ready... off this moment we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FIVE 59. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 51 INT. AIRLOCK CORRIDOR as Odo and the Idanian make their way down it. The Idanian is trying to follow the (TECH) signature left by the crystal with an IDANIAN TRICORDER. They come to an intersection, and the Idanian isn't sure which way to go. ODO (tense) What's wrong? IDANIAN #2 I've lost it. The crystal's quantum signature starts to fade after a few minutes... Off Odo's desperate features as the Idanian tries to pick it up again... 52 INT. CARGO BAY Where Arissa and Traidy face each other in the dimly lit room. TRAIDY Do you have it? ARISSA Maybe. TRAIDY I thought we had a deal, your life for the crystal. ARISSA I just want to make sure you live up to your end. He holds up his hands, shows her his sleeves... then turns around slowly to show her he doesn't have a weapon behind his back. TRAIDY Your turn. ARISSA Do you think I'd be stupid enough to come here with a weapon? TRAIDY Indulge me. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FIVE 60. 52 CONTINUED: Arissa shows him her hands, her sleeves, then turns around in a similar fashion. TRAIDY (pleased) Very smart. Traidy holds out his hand. Arissa steps toward him, away from the door behind her. She pulls out the crystal, hands it to him. He looks down at it for a moment... TRAIDY Any idea what's on it? ARISSA No. You'll have to figure that out for yourself. TRAIDY Don't go, yet. You haven't met my associate. Behind Traidy, Sorm. steps out of the shadows with his weapon. He doesn't aim it at her, just lets her see it. Arissa knows this is trouble, tries to stay calm. ARISSA How are you? She starts to turn back toward the door, but Sorm raises his weapon and trains it on her. SORM Fine, thank you. A moment as she stands there in the sight of his weapon. ARISSA (hard) Draim and I had a deal. TRAIDY He was in a very emotional state when he agreed to it. The truth is, you really hurt his feelings when you left. SORM He liked you. A moment... then Sorm takes aim. SORM (kindly) Maybe you should close your eyes. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FIVE 61-62. 52 CONTINUED: (2) Suddenly, one of the doors to the Cargo Bay OPENS. Sorm swings around to take aim, when suddenly a second door OPENS. TRAIDY You were supposed to secure the doors! A third door OPENS -- 52A NEW ANGLE -- A GRATE IN THE CEILING (OPTICAL) as a few tendrils of GOO start to MORPH down through the slats... SORM (O.S.) I did. 52B RESUME SCENE The fourth door OPENS, and Sorm tries to cover them all. Suddenly Odo, now fully reconstituted, lands on top of Traidy from above. As they go sprawling to the ground, Traidy loses hold of the crystal and it goes skittering across the floor. In the ensuing scuffle, Odo fights with a ferocity we've never seen before -- he's trying to protect the woman he loves. Sorm swings around to shoot Odo, but Arissa grabs hold of him for a crucial moment, long enough for the Idanian to get inside and train his weapon on Sorm. IDANIAN #2 Don't move. Sorm freezes, but Odo, lost in the moment, decks him anyway. ODO (to Arissa) Are you all right? She manages a nod. Odo sees the crystal on the floor, picks it up... off his face as he fingers it, wondering what it will mean for he and Arissa... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FIVE 63. 53 thru OMITTED 71 72 EXT. SPACE - DEEP SPACE NINE (OPTICAL) Re-establishing. 73 INT. INFIRMARY where Arissa is lying with her eyes closed on the bio-bed. DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FIVE 64. 73 CONTINUED: A small device is inserted into her dataport, and in it, we see the DATA CRYSTAL positioned between two diodes. She's wearing a hospital gown. The Idanian is explaining everything to Sisko and Bashir. Odo has heard much of this story before and remains largely silent. BASHIR The memory transfer will take a few minutes... Sisko looks down at Arissa, trying to make sense of it all. SISKO How long was she undercover? IDANIAN #2 She volunteered for the mission two years ago. After we altered her memories, we placed her on Finnea. She woke up the next morning believing she was a different person. SISKO (marveling at the complexity of it) With no memory of her former life as an intelligence agent... IDANIAN #2 That was crucial to the plan. Draim employs telepaths to scan everyone who works for him. It was the only way to get past them. The Idanian is somewhat pleased with the cleverness of it all, and it's starting to get to Odo. IDANIAN #2 We left her in place long enough to become a trusted member of Draim's organization. When we were ready to recall her, we had Tauvid make contact. We'd imprinted a trace memory in her mind designed to make her trust him. That way, she'd agree to meet. The Idanian looks down at her still features... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FIVE 65. 73 CONTINUED: (2) IDANIAN #2 With what she knows about Draim, we're going to be able to cripple his entire organization. As soon as she's debriefed, we plan to issue the indictments. Odo speaks up -- he's upset because he doesn't know how all this is going to impact his relationship with Arissa, and he can't keep the emotion from his voice. ODO You make it sound as if it all went according to plan. In case you hadn't noticed, she was nearly killed. IDANIAN #2 She knew the risks when she volunteered. We did everything we could to minimize them... Every stage of this operation was meticulously planned. ODO Including what just happened in the Cargo Bay? Sisko intercedes, he agrees with Odo, but can see he's too emotional. SISKO Why didn't you tell us what was going on when you found out Tauvid had been killed? IDANIAN #2 If Draim's people had monitored the transmission, it would've compromised the entire operation. We couldn't risk it. Odo glares at him, exasperated. IDANIAN #2 All that matters is that she's safe... and that Draim's going to prison for a long time. Odo looks down at her, he has no way of knowing what lies in store... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FIVE 66. 73 CONTINUED: (3) BASHIR (off console) The transfer's complete... I'm going to get her into surgery. Odo looks at her for a last time, then moves away... off Bashir as he sets to work... 74 INT. ODO'S QUARTERS where a pensive Odo is looking out at the stars, lost in thought. After a long moment, the door CHIMES. ODO Yes. The door OPENS and Arissa ENTERS. She's now Idanian, thanks to Bashir's surgery. Her former appearance as a human was just part of her cover. ODO Arissa... He moves toward her... he wants to take her in his arms, but something in her face stops him... ODO That's not even your name, is it? ARISSA (shakes her head) There's something you need to know... Odo waits, he knows it's not going to be good... ARISSA I'm married... I have a husband. He looks down, this is what he was afraid of... ODO I see... ARISSA I'm so sorry. Odo tries to stay composed, but it isn't easy. ODO Don't be. You didn't know. She looks at him, knowing what he's going through, and it's tearing her up... DEEP SPACE NINE: "A Simple... " - REV. 1/20/97 - ACT FIVE 67. 74 CONTINUED: ODO It's not your fault I fell in love with a woman who never really existed. ARISSA She did exist. She was real. (with emotion) And she loved you. (a beat) In a way, she still does. He looks at her, wanting to believe it. She moves to him, and they pull each other close. He holds on to her, wishing he never had to let go. After a long moment... ODO (hoarse with emotion) Will I ever see you again? She pulls back so he can see her face... she wants him to know that what she has to say pains her as much as it will him. ARISSA (gently) I don't know... Odo closes his eyes, his heart breaking. She takes his face in her hands. ARISSA I'll never forget you, Odo. Never. Finally, he nods... a silent promise. With a last anguished look between them, she turns and walks out of his life. We hold on Odo's face, then... 75 OMITTED FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END