Path: moe.ksu.ksu.edu!hobbes.physics.uiowa.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!umeecs!umn.edu!msus1.msus.edu!TIGGER.STCLOUD.MSUS.EDU!I00017 Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Subject: The Chip (Something went wrong) Message-ID: <1993Feb19.170554.2502@msus1.msus.edu> From: i00017@TIGGER.STCLOUD.MSUS.EDU Date: 19 Feb 93 17:05:53 -0600 Reply-To: i00017@TIGGER.STCLOUD.MSUS.EDU Organization: ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY, ST. CLOUD, MN Nntp-Posting-Host: tigger.stcloud.msus.edu Lines: 3292 I hope this works this time. ________________________________________________________ 12/16/93 Deep Space Nine, "The Chip"(v#4)By Glen Johnson FADE IN ESTABLISHING SHOT - STAR FILLED VIEW OF DEEP SPACE The frame is filled with stars. The following words fade into the screen. STARDATE 46399.2 Within weeks of its discovery, many small scout ships started conducting precursory sweeps of the area beyond the wormhole. . . Words fade, giving way to the stars. PULL BACK TO REVEAL a star filled view screen of a small Federation scout ship. MADISON and KEMP are at their stations. KEMP We've dropped out of warp. . . Final approach to the wormhole plotted. MADISON (Pause, looking at readings on console) Are your readouts showing a large free asteroid heading in our direction? KEMP (Working out trajectory data for the asteroid) I see it. (Pause, then continue) Data indicates that it'll pass wide of the wormhole and us. Nothing to worry about. MADISON I'd like to ignore this thing and get back to DS-9 right now, but if we don't scan it they'll just send us back through to track it down. . . Set an intercept course. KEMP (Setting course) That's all I'd need. I got a hot time planned and don't want to miss it. MADISON I don't plan on pulling you out of jail like the last station where you had a 'good time planned.' If you wind up in one again, you can rot for a while. (MORE) MADISON (Cont) (Brief pause, ribbing Kemp) I hear they haven't updated those Cardassian jail cells to the luxurious Federation standards yet. KEMP It can't be as bad as the last time. . . That Klingon cellmate they gave me had an attitude against Humans. MADISON (Sarcastic) He looked so disappointed when I bailed you out. . . Like a kid that had his favorite toy taken away. KEMP We're within optimum sensor range. MADISON Bring'em all on-line. There is no sense leaving any unanswered questions. A panel alarm will sound. KEMP Sensors are detecting some kind of irregular object on the surface. MADISON (Operating controls) Bringing it to main screen. Show the wreckage of a small ship on the view screen. Only small parts of it are intact and recognizable. KEMP Scanners show no radiation above background. . . If it is a ship, it's old. Too old to be Federation in this area. MADISON Materials aren't consistent with any known starship construction. . . No unusual materials, just old technology. KEMP I think we better report this immediately. They're going to want a team of experts on that rock before it goes too far. MADISON Get a quick scan, then we'll come about and head for the station. CUT TO: EXT - STARBASE AND DOCKED SHIPS - ONE YEAR LATER Show the base with a few docked ships, a ship emerging from the wormhole in B.G. Lettering will fade in stating it's one year later. SISKO'S OFFICE - SAME TIME Commander SISKO will be at his desk looking at the list of items that arrived and is in the middle of discussing them with CHIEF O'BRIEN. O'BRIEN That list shows everything that arrived for us on the last supply ship. The only passengers are Dr. Holdon and two of his assistants. He's a cybernetics engineer from Earth Research Complex. . . He says he needs to speak with you right away. SISKO Did he say why? O'BRIEN He'd only say that it was important. SISKO Where is he now? O'BRIEN He is probably halfway here from the docking area. SISKO When he shows let me know. . . (Noticing something of interest on the list) I see the relay we ordered finally showed up. O'BRIEN If we can get it to work. SISKO What is wrong with it? O'BRIEN The component's fine, but the Cardassian systems don't match with what Starfleet sent. SISKO Can you make it work? O'BRIEN I may be able to rig it. The trick will be doing it while keeping all the components balanced. This thing can output fifty times faster than what it's replacing. SISKO Give it a try and let me know if it works. O'BRIEN (Turning to leave) If you hear a bit of an explosion from the switching grid area, you'll know it didn't work. SISKO (Smile) PORTAL - POV SISKO As O'Brien leaves DR. HOLDON will enter uninvited. O'BRIEN (Look back at Holdon as they pass) HOLDON Sorry to disturb you Commander, but my mission is very time sensitive. SISKO (Giving Holdon a suspicious glance and sarcastic tone) Ah! Dr Holdon I presume. I was just about to make a note to call you at my earliest convenience. But since you're here. . . have a seat. HOLDON (Finding a seat) I know this is a bit abrupt, but I need your help with a rather delicate matter. I need to contact the Pal people to negotiate for the services of a Dr. King. SISKO (Astonishment) The Dr. King arrested by the Pal for murdering ten of their people? He's accused of conducting illegal experiments on them. (Brief pause) You must be joking. HOLDON That's the one. . . and I'm not. SISKO He almost caused them to break all relations with the Federation, and you want me to help get him out? They were a rather reclusive race before, but now. . . no chance! HOLDON Not just arrested, he confessed, and he's sentenced to death. But I don't want him free. . . I want him for an experiment. SISKO What kind of experiment? HOLDON Do you remember about a year ago, when the first organized charting missions where being conducted beyond? (Standing to pace) One of those missions found the wreckage of an alien ship on a free asteroid. SISKO Yes, inside were the remains of two aliens of unknown race. They were remarkably well preserved in their environment-suits, a substantial find. HOLDON Yes, quite remarkable, but that was only part of it. Inside of each of their brain cavities was a microchip of some kind. We've tried to assess the purpose of it, but so far we haven't been able to make any headway. . . They've been hooked up to every computer available, with every imaginable test run. Nothing has given us any information about the things. SISKO Well and good, but how does that effect Dr. King? He is a toxicologist. I don't see how he can offer any knowledge that will help. HOLDON I don't want his knowledge, I want his body. . . before he's executed. SISKO (Perplexed) His body? HOLDON We were at a loss and couldn't think of how to proceed. (Pause to sit, serious tone) Eventually, someone came up with the bright idea of implanting the chip into a living organism. Perhaps it would activate. A bit far fetched I admit, but we had nothing to lose. . . We immersed it in a vat of cloned tissue and slight electrical activity started around the chip. Not much. . . but more than we actually expected. From there we planted it into the brain of a rat. (Excited) The results where remarkable. For a short time the chip stimulated the growth of new neural pathways. (Brief pause) Later we planted it in the brain of a chimp with about the same results. Except this time the growth was far more extensive, and much more rapid. . . But again the growth stopped with no real results beyond that. SISKO Your theory of what the thing is? HOLDON My guess is it's a memory chip that would assist its host in mnemonic functions. . . basic data storage. SISKO And now you want to implant it into Dr. King? Experimentation on humans like that is illegal. HOLDON Not if the subject gives knowing and informed consent. Besides, it would be poetic justice. . . wouldn't it? SISKO Yes. . . it would. . . But since the law says you need his consent, what makes you think he'll give it? Or that the Pal will let him even if he wants to? HOLDON As for King, do you have any idea how the Pal execute someone? SISKO They give them a lethal injection of sorts. HOLDON It's not some humane poison that kills you quickly. (Pause) They inject you with a very insidious virus that kills you slowly, and very painfully. It eats the tissue of the body. As it does, it releases a byproduct that's acidic into the bloodstream, a tenderizer of sorts. This pre-digests the tissue it contacts, allowing for faster digestion. Thus releasing more of the acid faster, and so on. . . Death can sometimes take over a month, each day you suffer knowing that the next day's pain will be even worse than what your presently experiencing. It's not a very pleasant way to die. . . If he accepts being my guinea pig, I intend to offer him a quick, painless death as opposed to what he now faces. SISKO I can see where that would get his attention. . . But what about the Pal? He's under their jurisdiction, not mine. What if they don't want to accept? HOLDON They're a race dedicated to the quest for knowledge, and have tied up great amounts of their planet's resources to that sacred quest. I'm hoping that they'll see how much knowledge may be gained by this experiment and allow it to proceed. . . (MORE) HOLDON (Cont) Besides, you were the great negotiator that convinced them not to break relations when he was arrested. I have faith that you can perform the same kind of miracle for this. SISKO I'm glad you have faith, but I had to make a lot of promises to pull it off. And one was to allow them to prosecute without Federation interference. Now you want me to intervene. HOLDON I've been doing my homework. The treaty with the Pal clearly gives them the right to arrest, try, and punish him. It also states that whenever practical, they are to do so with consideration to Federation laws, standards and values. A small hold, but it should give you some grounds for compromise in the matter. SISKO Perhaps it's worth a try, but understand this. . . (Speak sternly) I will not compromise the relation with the Pal to get this deal made. HOLDON Fair enough. I contacted them and asked that the execution be postponed until I arrived. They gave me until tomorrow. SISKO You do know that they will only negotiate face to face, an old and still honored tradition of their people? We'll have to go to their planet to discuss it with them. HOLDON Yes, but you'll have to go without me. I don't want them to know I arrived yet. That way if they don't agree . . . I'll have until tomorrow to try and think of something else. SISKO I've some things to finish before I can go, but it won't take long. HOLDON Good. In the meantime I'll be sampling what Mr. Quark's establishment has to offer. SISKO How did you find out about his place so soon? You must have come straight here the from docking areas. HOLDON Mr. Quark met the ship and personally invited passengers and crew to join him. SISKO I give him credit for quick thinking. I just made him remove a bunch of notices he had in all the locks. He's supposed to keep his advertising in the promenade. (Activate communicator) Sisko to Major Kira. KIRA (Voice Only on communicator) Kira here! SISKO Could you come in here for a moment? KIRA (Voice Only on communicator) Yes Sir. POV SISKO - OFFICE PORTAL KIRA will enter through the portal. SISKO Have a ship readied, I'm going to be going to the Pal system. KIRA Pal? Why there? SISKO I'm going to negotiate the method of execution for Dr. King. KIRA You mean you have a more sadistic method of death than what they've planned? SISKO No. . . I'm going to try and negotiate a more humane death for him. KIRA What? I thought that after what you went through to keep relations with the Pal, your only regret would be that he could only die once. SISKO Something like that, I'll explain when I get the chance. Just have the ship prepared and standing by. KIRA I can't wait to hear this one. (Exit the room) HOLDON (Stand to shake Sisko's hand) Thank you Commander. I'll be waiting for your return. (Turn to leave) CUT TO: QUARK'S - FEW HOURS LATER PAN the clientele to find Dr. Holdon sitting, nursing a drink. Hold on him until QUARK comes to sit with him. QUARK (Confidentially) I have been told you are seeking transport off of DS-9. . . You wish to leave soon? HOLDON As soon as my cargo arrives. QUARK Where do you wish to go? HOLDON Earth. QUARK (Confused) Ships leave for that area often, one leaves tomorrow in fact. Why don't you book passage on one of them? HOLDON I don't intend to go all the way to Earth, and I do not want to be traced. I'll need to leave on short notice, so it'll have to be standing by. QUARK To tie up a ship that can make that kind of journey is expensive. How much do you intend to pay for this service? HOLDON (Handing Quark a small readout device) This should more than cover it. QUARK This is a nice figure, but it is in Federation currency. Easily traceable out here. . . I will need twice that to cover costs of filtering the money. HOLDON You must be joking! That's twice what you should expect to get. QUARK If the cargo was an honest one, yes. . . But this smells of something not quite so honest. HOLDON (Upset) Will it be ready in an hour? QUARK (Pause) Yes, I am sure I can have something standing by. HOLDON Just make sure I get what I pay for. BARTENDER (Come up and whisper something to Quark then leave) QUARK It would seem that commander Sisko is returning from a visit to the Pal. I think you may be interested in his arrival. HOLDON What makes you think that? QUARK I make it a point to keep informed. It keeps me in business. . . and out of jail. HOLDON I expect the ship to be ready in an hour. (Stand and walk out on Quark) CUT TO: BAY AREA - CDR SISKO'S RETURN A runabout class vessel is unloading. Sisko will come off and be met by Holdon. HOLDON How did it go? SISKO Your expectation of them was quite correct. They wish you great knowledge from your quest. HOLDON King? Did you explain it to him? SISKO Yes, but he wouldn't give any kind of answer. He wants to speak to you first. HOLDON I'd guess he would have some questions. POV HOLDON - SHIP DOOR B.G. Holdon will be facing Sisko and the ship, with the door of the ship in b.g. Over Sisko's shoulder DR. KING will come out in restraints. HOLDON (As King exits the ship) This must be Dr. King. How nice of you to consider my offer. KING (Resentful) It's not like I had a choice, I was forced into this. HOLDON How so? I can't force you to do this. KING Coerce is more the word for it. Besides. . . when you're sentenced to death by (MORE) KING (Cont) the Pal you officially cease to exist as a being. I'm damaged property that's been given to you for disposal. HOLDON That's not how it is here though. If you don't want to accept my offer, then you simply return to the Pal for execution of your sentence. . . Excuse the pun. KING Some choice. Die a hideous death back there, or be dissected here. But only after my brain is fried by some kind of electrical device. Wonderful! HOLDON It will not fry your brain. In all of the experiments the subject suffered no pain. Other than the growth there should be no symptoms of any kind. KING What makes you think this thing will act any different than it did with the chimp? Their physiology's enough like ours to pass. HOLDON It seemed like the growth patterns were looking to establish a link with the higher functions of the brain. When it couldn't find adequate functional capacity in its host, it discontinued the growth. KING What if this thing links as you put it, then what? HOLDON The odds are that even if it establishes a link, you probably won't be able to decipher the data since it will be in an alien thought pattern. KING That's if I choose to do it. HOLDON The option is yours. You basically have to choose either a slow, painful and useless death, or die helping to further (MORE) HOLDON (Cont) the base of knowledge. Being a scientist yourself I think you'd rather choose the latter. . . Would that be a fair assumption? KING Like I pointed out before, some choice. . . when do we start? HOLDON As soon as I can make arrangements for the trip to Earth, we'll start work there. SISKO Unfortunately that won't be possible. The Pal traditions require that sentence be carried out within a set time. Otherwise the accused must be set free. That's their law. HOLDON How long do we have? SISKO Just over three days, that's it. HOLDON (Pondering) That does pose some problems. I didn't bring some of my team members that are critical for the project. The most important one is the surgeon who would implant the device. It'll take weeks to get them all here. SISKO We have a surgeon here. He may be able to do it if you give him the needed information. The facilities here may be small, but I think with a little work we should be able to give you anything you'll need. KING You seem awfully helpful after the cold treatment you gave me on the trip here. You wouldn't even acknowledge my presence. Why the interest? SISKO I gave my word that I'd return you to have sentence carried out. I don't (MORE) SISKO (Cont) cherish the concept of capital punishment myself, but I do value relations with the Pal. (Pause) Besides, the more information that can be gotten from that chip, the better prepared we may be for what's beyond the wormhole. So I definitely have an interest in how things go. HOLDON If it works I'll need time to study it. That may require resources that only the Earth Research Complex can provide, what then? SISKO If it comes to that we may be able to work something out with the Pal. We'll have to deal with that when the time comes. HOLDON (Pause pondering the problem) Let's give it a shot. . . I'll draw up a list of what's needed. I'll also need to speak with your surgeon to see if he can do the job. SISKO (Jesting with Holdon) Oh! He is good, fresh out of school. HOLDON (Not amused) You must be joking. You expect me to put the fate of the project into the hands of someone with no practical experience. SISKO He's really quite good, but you can talk to him yourself and decide. HOLDON Believe me, I will! SISKO (Turning to King) In the meantime, I'm going to treat you as I promised the Pal leader. You are to be a non-person while you're waiting for the work to start. (MORE) SISKO (Cont) (Addressing the guard escorting King) Put him into security quarantine until they need him. He's not to speak or be spoken to until then. KING Being a nonentity here can't be nearly as bad as where you picked me up from. I could have died just from the cold cell they had me in. SISKO Keep talking and I'll make arrangements to simulate that cell exactly. Perhaps even adding a few rats to the picture. KING Where you going to find a rat out here? SISKO (Grinning) If not a rat. . . I'm sure we could find a suitable substitute on some nearby system. KING (Wisely but defiantly keeps his mouth shut as he is removed) CUT TO: QUARK'S Quark will be siting at a table with a HUMAN, the entrance to the place will be in the B.G. Dr. Holdon will walk in and look over the crowd, looking for someone. Quark will gesture to get his attention. HOLDON (Arriving at the table, look suspiciously at the human) We have to talk. . . in private. QUARK You can speak in front of him, he is the Captain of the ship you have hired. HOLDON (Pause as he looks the person over) There's been a change of plans. I may not be able to leave for three days. QUARK That does present a problem. A ship costs whether you use it or not. The longer you wait the more you will have to pay. HOLDON How much more? QUARK (Leans to discuss something privately with the Human then speaks) An additional twenty-five percent each day. HOLDON That's outrageous. How can you expect to get that kind of money? QUARK Simple, I have cornered the market for this kind of business. If you don't deal with me you'll have to take a regular passage out. So. . . is it a deal? HOLDON (Very distressed) That ship had better be standing by waiting! (Walk out) HUMAN (After Holdon is gone) What happens when he finds out I don't have a ship? QUARK It is just a hunch, but I have the feeling that he will not be needing it. Rumor has it that what he's doing is quite illegal, and will land him in jail. . . I just want to get his money before that happens. CUT TO: TRACKING SHOT - HALLWAY GOING TO THE MEDICAL FACILITY Holdon and Sisko will be heading to speak to Dr. Bashir about the procedure, and his ability to perform it. They will be discussing other arrangements that are being made. HOLDON I've been making arrangements with your staff. They've assured me that we can have everything we'll need set up by tomorrow. SISKO Good! I've informed Odo to make security arrangements for the proceedings. HOLDON I don't see much chance of him running, but it can't hurt. I've consulted with my staff about Dr. Bashir. We feel he should be able to perform the procedure with a reasonable chance of success. With a few precautions, I don't see how he could damage the chip. According to his file, this Doctor of yours seems to have his feet planted firmly on the ground. OVER SHOULDER - POV SISKO AND HOLDON - MEDICAL OFFICE PORTAL They will be facing the portal as it opens. Inside they will see DR. BASHIR practicing fast draw with a replica of an old six-gun. HOLDON (Turning to Sisko) My estimate on King's chances of surviving the surgery just dropped dramatically. BASHIR (Awkwardly hides gun behind back) SISKO (Give Bashir a disgusted look) ODO (Voice only over communicator) Odo to Commander Sisko. We need your assistance at Mr Quark's place. SISKO What now? ODO (Voice only over communicator) It would seem that he is accusing someone of cheating. SISKO I believe the term would be 'The pot calling the kettle black?' QUARK (Voice only in background of Odo's communicator) I heard that, whatever it implies I'm sure I should not like it. SISKO I'll be there shortly. Sisko out. HOLDON I just need to discuss a few details with the Doctor. So if you need to go, be my guest. SISKO (making it obvious he doesn't actually want to go) All right then, your sure you won't need me here? HOLDON Mr. Quark has quite the place there. It must keep you amused. BASHIR (Sheepish tone) Keeps him coming here to get something for a headache is more like it. SISKO (turning to leave) Yeah, that sums it up nicely. HOLDON (Look at the gun) BASHIR (Noticing Holdon looking at the gun, embarrassed) This is not as bad as it looks. . . Major Kira saw a reference to it in a book I was reading once. She gave it to me as a practical joke and I just thought I'd have a little fun with it. HOLDON A joke? BASHIR The first time we met I made a comment about frontier medicine way out here in the wild. She did not take kindly to the accidental inference to her people. I guess I irritate her a bit sometimes. HOLDON I understand. . . How would you like to do some real frontier medicine? BASHIR I've heard a bit of what you have in mind. I'm not sure if I can do what you ask. (Put gun away) HOLDON It shouldn't be too bad. You've been trained on similar procedures. BASHIR Yes, but you are asking me to do something using methods that haven't been used in years. If I had a little time I could modify the equipment to do it properly. HOLDON Time is something we don't have a great deal of. Once the chip's implanted it will take a few days for it to grow its net and give us any idea what we have. And that's all the time we have. BASHIR And what if he dies because we didn't take the proper precautions, then what? HOLDON We'll take every precaution possible in the time we have. But I'm sure you are aware of Dr. King's predicament. His survival is not a major concern. BASHIR Perhaps it's not for you. But it make a big difference to me if a patient dies while in my care. HOLDON I don't foresee that as being a problem. In fact I can reasonably assure it. BASHIR How? We're going to be cutting into his brain with slightly better than scalpels. HOLDON Actually it's much less appalling than that. We simply have to plant it deep (MORE) HOLDON (Cont) enough to allow contact with the outer layer of the brain. The chip will do the rest. BASHIR And if something goes wrong? HOLDON From the minute we start King will have a small device around his arm. It will, on my command, administer an overdose of anesthesia to kill him. I'll have this in place in case something goes wrong that may endanger the chip. . . He'll be dead by my hand, not yours. BASHIR (Disgust) That's a bit cold. HOLDON Perhaps, but he is dead no matter what. It's better that we get some benefit from his death. BASHIR Perhaps. . . but I'll have to talk to Dr. King before I decide. HOLDON That's fine, just decide soon. I have to make other arrangements if you can't, or won't do it. BASHIR I'll talk to him shortly and give you my answer right after. HOLDON Thank you. . . I'm sure he'll be cooperative with you. I'll be waiting for your answer. (Turn to leave) BASHIR (Pause until door closes behind Holdon, then activate communicator) Bashir to Dax! DAX (Voice Only on communicator) Lieutenant Dax here. BASHIR I need you to do me a favor if you can. Find any records on the discovery of two alien remains found on an asteroid on the other side of the wormhole. DAX (Voice only over communicator) The ones that Dr. Holdon is studying? BASHIR Yes please. DAX (Voice only over communicator) I'll have the files transferred to your office. BASHIR Thanks, I owe you one. Bashir out. CUT TO: QUARK'S PLACE SAM will be seated at one of his tables, a stack of chips in front of her. She's in a semblance of a Starfleet science uniform. It will be devoid of normal markings and covered by a light jacket. ODO will be standing behind her. On the table will be a circle with a deck of cards scattered face down inside it. Quark will meet Sisko. QUARK (Slight anger) I demand you do something. The constable will not make her return what she has stolen. SISKO What's been stolen? ODO From what I can tell, we simply have a case of someone beating one of Quark's games on a rather consistent basis. SISKO (Looking at Quark) What proof do you have that she's cheated your game? QUARK Just look in front of her. To have won that much money she must have been cheating. SISKO (Looking at her winnings) Impressive. . . how did you manage to win such a large sum? SAM A rule of this game is that on your exit, or last hand, you can bet all of the money you have on the table. You bet before you look at your cards, and the house gives you double payoff if you win. I decided to do that. . . and won. QUARK She still must have cheated. SAM Or I'm simply a better player than you. QUARK That is not possible. SAM Perhaps you'd like to play me yourself then. QUARK Let you play me with my own money, I think not. SISKO I don't see any indication that she stole anything. I'm afraid unless you can give me some proof, there's nothing I can do. QUARK I can see this is going nowhere. SAM (Challenging Quark) Come on. One draw of the cards, double or nothing, high card takes all. You draw first, and you win if we tie. . . (Insinuative) Or are you afraid someone is going to cheat? ODO Sounds fair to me. Doesn't it seem that way to you also Commander? SISKO Quite. Quark will draw, doing it defiantly, being pressured into it. Sam will draw, hiding hers slightly with her hand. QUARK (A slight grin as he shows his card) The holder, try to beat that. SAM (Showing no expression until finished speaking) Have you heard the Human phrase 'An ace is an ace, even in space.' QUARK (Settling quietly into a chair, making no move to pay her off) I can't believe it. SAM (Gathering her chips) I think I'll be leaving now. SISKO Not quite yet, I have a few questions for you. Like who are you, and how you come to be wearing what looks like a Starfleet uniform? SAM (Annoyed) My name is Samantha Ryan. I used to be in Starfleet and was an archaeologist assigned to cataloging samples on Brightens Planet. Things just got a bit boring for me there, so when my term was up, I left. ODO How does someone like you manage to afford a luxury ship like the one you have? SISKO (Inquisitive) Luxury ship? ODO A Xebec class yacht. Her ship is being detained for safety violations because she does not have the minimum safe complement of crew for it. It would seem (MORE) ODO (Cont) that she wants to travel through to the other side by herself. We are also checking her registry to see if it is valid. SAM First off, my ship is no longer a yacht. I've stripped most of the cabins to allow for cargo and lab space and it's now classified and registered as an advanced scout ship. Second, it has special modifications that make it perfectly safe to fly solo. (Shoot Quark a sour look when saying 'Ferengi') And third, I won it fair and square from some rich kid Ferengi who inherited a fortune and wanted to lose it in a card game. (Brief pause) He couldn't keep his eyes or his hands off me long enough to play the game. So you have no reason to hold my ship. ODO Regardless of the configuration, you must have at least two people on board to legally pilot a ship of that size in this sector. SISKO Why did you strip out the cabins? And why would you need a lab? SAM When I got bored with my job I decided to go freelance. . . I intend to go beyond the wormhole to chart and explore. And perhaps find my own archaeological discoveries to work on. SISKO (Insinuative) And sell them to the highest bidder? SAM I won't need to. The Federation will pay plenty for valid data from deep exploration excursions. They would rather pay good money to a free-lancer like me than tie up their own resources this far out. That will pay well enough for me. Anything else I find will be turned over to the proper organizations for study. SISKO If you were an archaeologist in Starfleet, how did you learn to pilot a starship? SAM My father was a free-trader, and a bit of a gambler. When my mother died I had to travel with him. We flew by ourselves for years and I had two choices, learn the job and help, or be in the way. . . So I learned. ODO Did you learn to fly as well as you learned to gamble? SAM Better! SISKO Why didn't you become an officer when you joined Starfleet. . . Then you would have been able to use your skills. SAM (State with a bit of resentment, bitter) I didn't have enough education to become an officer. They would put me through school in the field of my choice if I took an assignment of their choice. It was my best offer. SISKO Now what do you plan to do? SAM Use the money I just won to hire some schmuck to go along for the ride. That way you'll have to let me go. ODO That schmuck, as you put it will have to be more than just an observer. I'll be checking credentials to see if he. . . or she can fill the position requirements. SAM There must be some stray crew types around here, I'll just have to do a little looking. SISKO I just hope you find someone you can trust. ODO (Glancing at Quark) That leaves out anyone you can find in this place. . . I believe you owe this lady some money. QUARK (begrudgingly counting out the money) And trusting you is supposed to be any better of a proposition? SISKO I'll make you a deal. If you leave Mr. Quark here alone and don't cause any other trouble, I'll help you find a suitable crew member. . . Deal? SAM Fair enough. I've a few minor changes to make on my ship and supplies to purchase. I think I can keep busy enough to stay out of trouble. SISKO Good, that should make Mr. Quark breathe a little easier. QUARK (Grumble and walk away) SISKO Constable, would you please have someone escort Ms. Ryan to her ship. I'm sure that her luck has not gone totally unnoticed by the clientele. ODO (Being very polite, pleased that she took Quark) My pleasure! Come with me, I'll escort you personally! SAM (finishing gathering the money, slight bow) Thank you! Two thugs, one HUMAN and one FERENGI watch Sam and Odo leave and follow a little behind. It should be obvious that they have something crooked in mind. TRACKING SHOT - HALL AREA - SAM AND ODO They discuss the encounter at Quarks. ODO By the way, how did you manage to beat the odds? SAM Off the record? ODO (Brief pause) Alright. SAM I set him up. ODO You cheated? SAM No, I baited him. I know the Ferengi. . . they can't resist an easy mark. So I came in with a lot of money and acted like I had no idea how to play. When they saw that, they took out a marked deck. . . I won't cheat an honest game, but once the marked cards came out, anything goes. ODO He must have some new way to mark the deck, I check them regularly and have not found any marked cards in some time. SAM Same old marks. He probably has spotters watching to make sure they pull them off the table when you or your men are coming. ODO Why was the deck still there when I arrived then? SAM I noticed the dealer was getting a little nervous about something. As a rule. . . 'when he gets nervous so should you.' I just made a lot of noise so people would look my way and call security. It didn't allow him enough time to move them. (MORE) SAM (Cont) (Brief pause) I had no idea you were the reason he was getting nervous. You must have been really close. ODO I was just coming in when I heard you making noise. (Pause) If the cards are marked, why did he draw the holder? It's only the second highest card. . . He could have drawn the ace. SAM It would be suspicious. Besides, he needed to see if I was on to him. ODO Ferengi don't give money just to see if they are right about something. SAM No, but if I knew the cards where marked and he drew the ace, he has to figure I'd turn him in. . . By allowing me the ace to win he could buy me off. And it would let him know for sure that I was on to him. ODO (Big grin) Well done! Now that I know what he is up to I can go in disguised and catch him in the act. SAM If you do I'd like it if you could wait until I've been gone for a few weeks. That way he won't know I let on. . . But he'll just find another way to cheat. ODO True, I'll have to give it some thought. In the mean time I'll just make a few extra known visits to his place to keep the marked cards off the table. SAM That will irritate him a bit. The marked cards will only be out when there's a pigeon with a lot of money playing. ODO A pigeon? SAM It's an old Earth slang for someone easily deceived or cheated. ODO (As they arrive at the dock) Here you are, I hope everything checks out on your registry. SAM I'll be hearing from you soon I'm sure. I made certain all the paperwork was in order before I came out this way. ODO (Nod then turn to leave) PULL BACK TO REVEAL a shadowed area behind some crates. In the B.G. Odo will be leaving and Sam will enter her ship (Her door closes). The two thugs that followed them out of Quark's place will be in the shadows watching the scene. CUT TO: HOLDON'S ROOM Dr. Bashir will enter Dr. Holdon's room to talk. Bashir will, after being invited in, sit uneasily at the table. BASHIR (Preparing to speak, struggling for the words) HOLDON (Cutting Bashir short) You've made up your mind then? BASHIR Yes! (Pause) It would seem that Dr. King is in favor of it and has made an informed decision about the matter, and so. . . I'll do it. HOLDON I assure you he knows perfectly well what's at risk. And he also knows what he will get if he doesn't do it. BASHIR That sounds a lot like blackmail to me. HOLDON Not blackmail. I'm simply offering him a choice. One that may benefit humanity in the process. BASHIR He believes that himself. I don't see how he could have killed those people, he's a decent person. HOLDON I'm sure he's done a bit of soul searching since his arrest. BASHIR Perhaps. (Pause) In any case I'll be ready tomorrow. . . I have things to prepare. (Turn and leave) CUT TO: EXT OF STATION - DR. BASHIR'S LOG ENTRY He will be making a somber entry into his personal log. BASHIR (Voice only) Personal log; medical officer Bashir. I am still not sure if it is morally correct to do this procedure. This concern with the moral dilemma of live testing is perhaps part of the reason I didn't enter the research field. There is one more dilemma here to face. . . Before the cures for cancer, many people where faced with the prospect of a long and painful death. They were denied the option of suicide because of the moral implications. Is this any different? Unable to come to a conclusion, I proceed in dismay. CUT TO: OPERATING ROOM - KING IS ON OPERATING ROOM TABLE Bashir and his assistant, LIEUTENANT BROOK are about to proceed. Holdon is observing, standing ready with the device to execute King. King will have the band on his arm. HOLDON It would seem that everything's ready Doctor, I hope you're feeling up to the task? BASHIR (Looking at Holdon then making eye contact with King) KING It's all right. Think of it like leaving an organ donor clause in a will. Only I'll get the chance to see what benefit will come from my donation. BASHIR (Taking a deep breath) Lieutenant. . . Administer three units of Clortridean, then keep a steady point five units per fifteen minute cycle. HOLDON (Agitated) That is not what you were directed to give. It calls for. . . BASHIR (Cutting off Holdon, blunt) My concern here is for the survival of the patient. What you directed me to give would not block the activity in the area to be operated on. Complications would be likely to cause brain damage. Now either stand there and let me proceed as I see fit, or find someone else to do the job. HOLDON It would take too long to get someone else sent in. You know that. BASHIR Then I proceed? KING (Smile at Bashir) HOLDON (Sedate) All right then, proceed. BASHIR Lieutenant! BROOK (Administers the drug and King goes out.) BASHIR (As he starts) Start a timer. We can only have him under this anesthesia for an hour. Any longer and he may have a reaction to it. HOLDON Can you finish in that time? We set aside much more. BASHIR It may or may not please you to know that I couldn't sleep last night. So I spent the time calibrating the equipment to do this right. It'll let him walk out of here instead of spending days in recovery. HOLDON (Showing obvious concern) We'll see. SERIES OF SHOTS - THE OPERATION Show progressive strain on the participants and the clock in progressive ticks counting down. When it nears one hour things will start to happen. BASHIR Just about finished. HOLDON Good. (Setting down his triggering device and step up to start readings on King with a device) BASHIR You can start withdrawing the dosage now by twenty five percent each cycle. BROOK Yes Doctor. BASHIR Closing, stimulating cellular growth to the incision. BROOK (Brief pause, concern) Doctor. . . I'm getting some very unusual readings. . . neural activity in the brain is unusually high. BASHIR Let me see. . . this can't be. Neural growth has already started. HOLDON How long until the incision is closed? BASHIR Just over three minutes. It will kill him if the closing process is interrupted by the growth. HOLDON (Reaching for the triggering device) That's enough, I can't risk the chip. BASHIR (Violently ripping the arm band off king, angry) He will make it. . . Lieutenant, give him one dose, fifty units of Noradine followed immediately by five units Calnoradine and continue it every five minute cycle. HOLDON That will destroy the growth. BASHIR The fifty units would if it had time, but the Calnoradine will control the absorption of the toxin to just keep the growth in check for a while. Brook will inject the dosage, then there will be a pause to let it work. BROOK (After the pause) The growth has reduced to acceptable levels. BASHIR Good, we don't want to kill the growing cells. Just keep the flow of the antitoxin balanced to slow it until the incision is closed. Then adjust it to control the process. HOLDON How did you know Noradine would work? BASHIR Dr. King and myself had a little talk last night. Toxins and how they can be used beneficially is his specialty. We came up with it together. HOLDON All I can say is that it better not damage the chip in any way. BASHIR (Anger) All I know is that you seem a little quick to not see him make it. I had better not find any improprieties in these proceedings. . . Lieutenant, see to it that what I prescribed is followed to the letter. No exceptions. (Storming out of the room) Call me as soon as there is any change. I have to speak with someone. BROOK Yes Doctor. CUT TO : LIEUTENANT DAX'S OFFICE LIEUTENANT DAX will be at her desk. A signal from the door. DAX Come in. BASHIR (Walking in, puzzled) I've read the files that you sent, thanks. . . Something doesn't ring true about all this though. DAX What seems to be the puzzle? BASHIR It's Holdon. He's not acting with good ethical judgement. For a scientist, he seems to be awfully willing to kill Dr. King without giving a chance to let the test run its course. DAX I don't know much about the two. Perhaps he has something to settle with King. BASHIR According to King they've never met before. DAX You don't necessarily have to meet someone to want him dead. BASHIR What possible reason could there be? DAX I could bring up both of their files and have the computer compare them. See if it can find some connection between them. BASHIR (Backing through the door) Thanks Dax, I owe you another one. DAX (As Bashir exits) And when do I collect? BASHIR (Just smile in reply as the door closes) DAX (Shake her head and smile, a little annoyed at the response) CUT TO: KING'S HOLDING CELL - SISKO ARRIVING King will be sitting on his bunk. SISKO How are you feeling? KING (Surprised) I thought I was not to be spoken to? SISKO (Pause) I don't like the idea of what's happening. . . I really don't care to see (MORE) SISKO (Cont) anyone die, for any reason. Besides, Dr. Bashir's been telling me that he thinks you're innocent of the charges KING I earned this death. I did kill those people. (Stand to pace) It's funny. . . The fine line between being a hero and being a criminal is so slight. SISKO Explain. KING Those people I killed where terminally ill. I was looking for a cure for a disease that was killing them. SISKO Why did you kill them? KING The Pal are a reclusive people. They will not use anything that isn't from their world. Federation technology would have easily eradicated the disease, but the cure must come from their planet, with their technology. So I set out to do just that. . . and it worked. I cured twenty-five of the thirty five volunteers. The problem is that ten of them had an allergic reaction that was fatal. . . The disease made them so weak they couldn't take the reaction. I solved the problem with the medication before they arrested me. SISKO Did you explain that at your trial? KING Yes, but their law doesn't allow for this kind of testing. . .Those people who volunteered were near death. They where so desperate that they were willing to risk everything. SISKO Why did you take this kind of risk? You must have known in advance that you were breaking the law. KING In the culture of the Pal you are judged not just by your own actions, but the actions of your family and friends. Each member is responsible for the actions of everyone within their circle. To be invited into a circle is the greatest honor a person can be given. . . I was invited into one two years ago. . . The person who invited me was dying from the disease. . . I had to do something. (Pause, Sit on bunk, somber) She was one of the ten who died. (Pause) A very close friend. (Pause) Anyway. . . That's why I'm ready to die. The circle is now blemished and I must be punished to allow it to be cleared. SISKO I'm sorry. . . I wish there was something I could do. KING You spared me from that method execution. (Pause, pondering) There is something you could do though. Give me something to record my formula on. If you could take it to her family so they can use it on her son. She adopted him after his mother died from the same disease. . . I love him like my own. SISKO I can do that. . . but why don't they have it? KING I was doing something illegal and had to hide my records. They'll find them sooner or later, but he may die by then. SISKO I'll have what you need sent here. . . Have you told Dr. Bashir about this? KING No, he has enough to deal with already. . . It's funny. . . I had this formula almost a year ago, but I couldn't get permission from their government to test it on chronically ill patients. They wanted to volunteer, and knew the risk. (MORE) KING (Cont) More than a hundred of them have died since then. They would be alive if they had let me test it. . . but they wouldn't give them the choice. CUT TO: LIEUTENANT DAX'S OFFICE Lieutenant Dax will be working at a station running through files. Dr. Holdon's picture should flash past to show it's his files she is looking at. BASHIR (Walking in) How is it going, have you found anything yet? DAX I'm working on it. How is your patient? BASHIR He is alive, no thanks to Holdon. He's been back in his cell for a few hours now and is doing well, considering. I still can't believe how quick Holdon was to write off Dr. King. DAX It seems that Dr. Holdon is under investigation for ethics violations. The files are still closed because it's an active investigation, but Odo's working on that. He sent a special request to have the files opened, and we should be hearing back soon. BASHIR I'm surprised it's not a criminal investigation with as little regard as he has for life. DAX There's more. I have no idea where he intended to take Dr. King for study, but it was not the Earth Research Complex. It would seem that he's lost his permission to work there until the investigation is complete. He must have been planning to re-route him in flight somewhere. BASHIR He was going to kidnap him! DAX Odo plans to question his aides and see if they had any knowledge of the situation. With the possibility of a conspiracy to kidnap charge hanging over them, one may talk. BASHIR I'm willing to bet that he had a few unsavory plans for how to use Dr. King once he got him out of sight. I had better warn Dr. King and get some protection for him. DAX Odo has already posted a permanent guard on King. He also has someone watching Holdon, just in case. BASHIR (Stepping to the door) Great. I think I'll go see how King's doing then. Let me know if you hear back on the investigation. I want to know why it's happening. DAX I'll call you as soon as it comes in. BASHIR Looks like I'll owe. . . DAX (Cutting him short) I know, 'Another one.'. . . You're setting a dangerous precedent here. Soon you're going to owe me your soul. BASHIR (Grinning, suggestive tone, step back through the door) When you collect, be gentle, will ya! (Door closes) CUT TO: DR. KINGS CELL Bashir will be entering the area where King is being held. Dr. Holdon will be in the cell with King (King will be wearing a brown jump suit) taking readings of the progress. A security person will be just outside of the room watching Holdon. HOLDON It's remarkable, I can't believe the amount of growth present. You have had no side effects of any kind? KING None. BASHIR According to you, he shouldn't have any. So I don't see why you are surprised at the results. HOLDON I don't expect any. I just hope that none occur. BASHIR On the way here I ran into one of your cohorts. It seems that you're planning to do an exploratory surgery to see the progress first hand and he wanted some advice. HOLDON Does that surprise you? BASHIR It would seem that you and your assistant were going to perform it yourself. Considering that neither one of you is capable of performing this type of surgery properly, I was wondering how you expected Dr. King to survive it. HOLDON I don't. You must keep in mind the facts involved here. Your friend Dr. King is scheduled for execution tomorrow. Do you think I'm going to allow it without getting as much knowledge as possible first? BASHIR I was under the impression that if this went well you were going to try to negotiate something to allow for the time to study it. KING (Getting a little agitated) That's what I understood also. HOLDON That was an assumption on your part. BASHIR I think it was an assumption based on what you told us. It just seems like you are very willing to get this execution under way. KING (Now quite upset) Why is tha. . . (Cut short, begin shaking uncontrollably) HOLDON No! This isn't supposed to happen yet! BASHIR What do you mean 'yet'? HOLDON It took weeks last. . . Quick, sedate him before the spasms get worse! BASHIR Open the lock. GUARD (Working the controls to open the door) BASHIR (Getting out his equipment while entering, rush in and push Holdon away to work on King) HOLDON (As Bashir is doing a scan of King) Give him 30 units of Bialimine. . . now! BASHIR That would kill him. HOLDON The spasms will kill him, and damage the chip. It must be saved. BASHIR (Completing the scan and preparing a shot) What are you trying to hide by killing him? We simply have another accelerated neurological growth. Probably stimulated by his agitated state. . . Both of you hold him down while I give him something. Both Holdon and the guard will try to restrain King as Bashir administers the shot. King will make a broad swing that the guard will duck but catch Holdon full force, knocking him into the wall. He will then make another swing at the guard that he doesn't duck. He will be knocked into a shelf or bunk and rendered unconscious. Bashir will make an effort to administer the shot but be knocked back also. King will stand. Getting a puzzled look on his face as he examines his body, then looks at Bashir. King must look bewildered, especially when he looks at Bashir. They will make eye contact for a moment. Then King will run out the door. BASHIR (Activating his communicator) Bashir to security, Dr. King has escaped. He seems to be suffering some kind of emotional breakdown and may be unaware of his actions. HOLDON (Getting up) We have to stop him. BASHIR (Attending to the guard) There's a lot you are not telling us. What is it? HOLDON Nothing that concerns you. BASHIR Perhaps not me, but it does concern Dr. King. He seemed bewildered, almost like someone else was there. Can you give me any reason why he would act like that? HOLDON (Ignore him and leave) CUT TO: CORRIDOR NEAR LIFT - POV KING, RUNNING King will be running down a corridor. He will be running past a lift as he sees security in front of him. KING (Turns around and sees other guards following) SECURITY #1 Security, this is team two. We have him in sight in area seven deck twelve. KING (Backs up to lift door and it opens with someone inside. Enter the lift) When King enters the lift it automatically closes and proceeds on its way. SECURITY #1 (Arriving at lift door) Security, he is on lift number 3 and there is a bystander in it with him. ODO (Over communicator) If we stop the lift he may turn on him. Just follow it, we'll have to work from where he get's off. INT - ELEVATOR - SAME TIME King and TECHNICIAN HALL will be alone in the elevator. King in front. HALL I'm going all the way to the docks. . . Unless you want to go there with me, you'd better tell this thing where to stop. KING (When Hall speaks, glare at him) HALL I guess you want the docks. KING (Silently turns and faces the door) CUT TO: CARGO ROOM - SAM'S SHIP - SAM WORKING Sam will get a call from Odo. ODO (Voice only on communicator) Odo to Ms. Ryan, I need to speak to you right away. It's about your registry documents. Bring them to my office at once. SAM Have things come through yet? ODO Please. I can't explain right now. Just bring the documentation to my office immediately. SAM You already have it, do you need me also? ODO Yes, right away. SAM I'm on my way, Sam out. (Pause for link to break) Now what? (Turn to walk out.) TRACKING SHOT - POV SAM - EXITING TO DOCKING AREA As she walks out to the docks, she will be met by the two thugs that have been watching her. HUMAN We'd like to speak with you. SAM I'm in just a bit of a hurry. Can this wait? HUMAN (Drawing a weapon) This won't take long, I'm sure you will be very. . . A brief struggle will ensue where Sam will manage to disarm the human, but will inevitably be knocked out. Even though Sam loses the fight, she should make a good show. She should appear to be a capable combatant, not a pushover. FERENGI Your trick with the communicators worked well. HUMAN Let's get her inside, quick. TRACKING SHOT as they drag her into the ships lock. FERENGI I hope we didn't kill her. She's strong, and could fetch a good price on the market. HUMAN We're not here for her, we're here for her money. Look around, it has to be here somewhere. FERENGI (Looking at the ship) Do realize what kind of ship this is? This is the fastest civilian ship on the market. Some say it is perhaps as fast as the Galixy-class starship, and able to maintain top speed for longer. It is worth a fortune. HUMAN (Irritated) We are looking for the money. FERENGI If we take the ship, we can find the money, sell her and the ship. I guarantee nothing could catch us. We will be far from here before they can even send out a ship to look for us. HUMAN The ship will be to easy to trace, no one will buy it. FERENGI (Moving to the console) Perhaps they will not buy the ship, but they will buy its parts. HUMAN (Pondering) Can you fly it? FERENGI Let me look. (Activates the control panel and examines it) Yes, she has done most of the work for us. She has already preset an emergency escape flight plan, right through the wormhole. HUMAN (Annoyed) We don't want to go there. FERENGI No, but all I have to do is defeat her password for launch. Once we are in (MORE) FERENGI (Cont) flight we can re-route the ship easily. She even has it programmed to override the space station's security authorization systems. I just need a few minutes to defeat her password. HUMAN That's all we have, so hurry. DOCKING AREA OUTSIDE SAM'S SHIP - SAME TIME POV from her ship looking towards the lift. King will get out, then Technician Hall. Hall will move out of sight away from the lift. King will move towards Sam's ship. SAM'S SHIP - CABIN - FERENGI AT CONSOLE - SAME TIME The Ferengi will be working on the console, the Human will have just finished tying up Sam. FERENGI That's it, I've done it. All we have to do is press this. . . (Interrupted by alarm from outside in docking area) KING (At the same moment stumbles in, not noticing the thieves in the room and leans against the wall, in pain) HUMAN That's a security alert, we've been discovered. RUN! FERENGI What do we do with her? HUMAN Leave her! Let's get out! Both run towards King who had not noticed them at first and is startled. They then run past him and out the door. DOCKING AREA - POV FROM LIFT AREA - SAME TIME (Timing and positioning are critical here) Hall will be working on a panel in an alcove across from the lift and be on one side of the frame. He will not be able to see Sam's ship. There will be a stack of crates next to the lift that screen that area from seeing Sam's ship and will be on the other side of the frame. Sam's ship door will be visible in B.G. through the center of the frame. Lift door opens. SECURITY #2 (Stepping just out of the lift and questioning Hall) Have you seen anyone get off the lift wearing a brown jump suit? As Hall answers, the two thugs will run unseen across the open area in the B.G. from Sam's ship to a hidden area across from the ship. Three more security people come out of the lift. TECHNICIAN (Gesturing towards Sam's ship) Yeah! Rather creepy type, he went over there somewhere. SECURITY #2 (Going in the direction of the ship) Thanks! (Activating his communicator) Security this is team two, he was seen on this level and should still be here. Request accesses to this level be sealed off. ODO Confirmed, locking all access portals. TRACKING SHOT as the four security people fan out to sweep the area towards Sam's ship. Security #1 is about to enter Sam's ship when he hears a noise behind some crates. He moves to look around them. SECURITY #1 Over here, someone is in the air duct. PAN to show duct and a shadowed figure slipping out of sight inside. All the security people will run up to the grating and try to open it, but it will not give. SECURITY #2 Security, this is team two, we've lost him. He somehow got into the air duct system and we can't follow. ODO Leave one there to guard that portal. The rest of you get to the next level down and try to secure them before he escapes. SECURITY #2 (Telling Security #1 to stay, then leaving) You stay here, you two come with me. Rest of team runs towards the lift. FLIGHT STATION - SAM'S SHIP The flight station will be active, left that way by the two would-be thieves. There will be a red flashing button on the console. King will look the thing over and press a few buttons with no luck and then see that one. He will then cautiously press it. COMPUTER Preset flight plan initiated, emergency undocking in ten seconds. KING (ducking, startled by the voice, then presses it again) COMPUTER Emergency flight plan already activated. Do you wish to cancel. KING (Looks about confused then stands and walks towards the door) COMPUTER Securing all hatches for launch. Launch in three seconds. Door starts to close. KING (Seeing the door closing, dives, trying to stop it, but is too late. Tries to open the door with the panel) COMPUTER Hatch secured for launch. To open, the sequence must be canceled. Do you wish to cancel launch sequence? KING (Looking over to the control panel and start towards it) COMPUTER (After no response) Security overrides activated, moorings released, ship is under way. We will enter the wormhole in thirty-three seconds. Final destination has not been filed once we are through the wormhole. (MORE) COMPUTER (Cont) Flight plan calls for random choice of course at maximum speed and acceleration with full evasive options active until further orders given. Do you wish to give a destination at this time? KING (King will simply look confused and slump down to the floor) CUT TO: EXT OF STATION - COMMANDER SISKO'S LOG ENTRY SISKO (Voice only) Station log, Commander Sisko reporting. It's been four days now since Ms. Ryan's ship crossed into the wormhole. By the time we could get a chase ship through to follow, her ship was well out of sensor range. With the execution of Dr. King not completed, the Pal are very distressed, and there is nothing I can do. I received an anonymous message that Dr. Holdon is about to leave on a freighter. My guess is that Quark was the one who sent it. I've asked Dr Holdon to come to my office before his departure. SISKO'S OFFICE - POV SISKO There will be two security men on each side of the door. Also present will be Odo, Sisko, and Bashir. HOLDON (Enters) You called for me? SISKO Have a seat. HOLDON (Noticing the guards) I feel as though I should stand, thank you. SISKO My people have brought some interesting facts to my attention. And these facts bring me to some even more interesting questions and conclusions that I need to discuss with you. HOLDON Such as? SISKO Such as, why you are under investigation by the Federation for ethics violations? And since you have been banned from using the labs at Earth Research Complex, where were you planning to take Dr. King when you left? HOLDON I don't need to answer any of your questions. BASHIR What are they investigating you for? HOLDON (Arrogant tone) Ethics investigation, not criminal. That does not give you the authority to hold me. Now if you will let me catch my ship. . . though I do hate these space- available flights on freighters. Quarters are poor, and no services of any kind. BASHIR Willing to take what you can for a quick getaway? SISKO Our inquiries to the Federation sparked some interest. They were not aware that one of the chips still existed. They were under the impression that the one was destroyed while you where attempting to open it. And the other was destroyed in a freak accident that they still can't explain. ODO An accident that killed one of your assistants. Tragic loss. . . so tragic that you didn't even stay around for the funeral. HOLDON You still have nothing to hold me for. SISKO I'm afraid that is where you're wrong. When they got wind of what you where doing out here, they decided that they (MORE) SISKO (Cont) could take some action. It may not be much, yet, but they've authorized us to hold you for the theft of the chip until they can finish reviewing the records of your research. HOLDON They don't have any records. They were wiped clean by the assistant who died in the accident. He was stealing a chip he had in his possession. ODO It would seem that he copied all of the files to a separate database. The only reason it's taking this long is that he encrypted them and took other measures to keep you from finding and deleting the files. They have assured me that they've broken the guards, and will be pressing other charges soon. HOLDON You're bluffing, there was no way I missed any files. SISKO One of your assistants here told us where to find them and is willing to tell us more as soon as all the files have been recovered. . . I would offer you a deal if you talked and saved the investigators some time. Perhaps they would have gone easy on you, but I don't think that's an option anymore. BASHIR Seems like you don't get the quick, painless way out like you offered King. Or are you getting just what you offered him? To suffer to the bitter end. HOLDON (Sit, somber) He's not suffering. BASHIR I suppose he is dead by now. HOLDON No. . . well. . . in a matter of speaking yes. By now he will be gone, his consciousness replaced by another. SISKO What do you mean? HOLDON That chip is a lot more than it seems. It's not just the alien's data storage device, it contains his conscious soul. Once it's implanted it grows pathways to connect to the brain's higher functions. It actually takes control of the brain. BASHIR You killed your assistant to keep him from stealing one, just so you could steal one yourself? HOLDON I didn't kill him, not intentionally anyway. Besides. . . he was dead already. He was not stealing the chip. . . he was the chip. SISKO Now I am lost. BASHIR He planted one of the chips in him against his will! HOLDON Not against his will, he was as fascinated with it as I was. He wanted to have it done. At the time we still thought it was just a storage device. BASHIR Why the spasms? HOLDON The subject has spasms when the chip makes its final connection to the higher functions and takes total control of the brain. It takes it a few hours for it to get orientated after that. Once the other one did, it gained access to the learning programs in my computers and mastered communication skills in just a few days. It was remarkable. . . Consciousness at the speed of a computer. Total recall of anything it read, heard, or saw, yet with all of the functions and emotions of the brain. ODO Why did you kill him? HOLDON It was an accident, he was escaping through the transporter. I just tried to divert him to a holding cell, but I failed to maintain control and lost him. SISKO Why did he need to escape? He should have been turned over to the Federation. They could have helped him adjust to his surroundings and allowed him his freedom. HOLDON I was going to remove the chip and he refused to accept it. I didn't realize how much he had learned in that short time. He learned to bypass the security systems, and while I was preparing the surgery he escaped. He had already reached the transporters when I found him. ODO What where you going to do with it anyway? HOLDON I had planned to learn how to reproduce it. Use it to enhance our brain's capacity. BASHIR When your assistant came and asked my advice about the removal and biopsy he made a remark that he wouldn't explain. Now I get what he meant. . . He said 'He didn't want to help in your quest for immortality.' You intended to try and erase the chip so you could implant yourself in it. You had to kill King before the chip took hold to keep us from knowing the truth. You needed to learn more before you tried it on yourself. HOLDON It is a moot point now, both chips are gone. KIRA (Voice only over intercom) Commander, a Xebec class ship has just emerged from the wormhole. It would seem that Ms. Ryan is well and at the controls. . . She and Dr. King have asked to speak with you as soon as she docks. SISKO Ask her if it is actually Dr. King. I think she'll catch the reference. KIRA (After a pause) She says it is the actual Dr. King. She's asking that you meet her ship and she'll explain everything then. SISKO Shall we go everyone? (Standing, then pause) Oh yes, why don't we put Dr. Holdon here in restraints so he doesn't get any ideas about escaping. CUT TO: DOCKING BAY - SHIP DOORS OPENING Everyone from the meeting will be there to meet the ship. Holdon will be in restraints. KING (Stepping out of the ship) Ah, Dr. Holdon, how nice of you to come and see me. Come in everyone, we have something you'll want to see. (Turn and precede them in) SHIP INT Sam will be sitting in front of the ships main view screen.They will all come in and gather around her and King. SISKO It's good to see you're both safe. We were starting to get a bit worried. SAM We're fine, a lot has happened in the last few days. I know there's a lot to explain, but before anyone asks any questions, you should see this first. Sam will turn to face the view screen and activate it. The image of Dr. King sitting in the same chair that Sam is in now will appear on the screen. KING (Aaros) My name is Aaros. For some reason my central processor has been removed from my body and placed in this alien one. I am not certain why this has happened, but I can not consciously take the life that should inhabit it. So I am closing all of my operational functions before the transformation becomes irreversible. I have left instructions in this file to allow your medical staff to reverse the process. I have also left instructions on how I would wish my funeral arrangements as you term them. Ms. Ryan has assured me that they will be carried out. I have no wish to die, but have a moral obligation to return this body. (Pause) There was a great deal of damage to my memory banks because of the extended time that my systems were inactive. The damage is mostly in my technical banks. This data area is nearly completely erased. Other areas have partial loss. . . I have searched the available Federation files for references to my race but have found none, so I believe you have a great deal of questions to ask about us. Ms. Ryan has explained to me that your Federation is a peaceful organization and has convinced me to give what information I can regarding myself and my race. I have only one request in exchange. . . Please bring the names of our dead back to be remembered at our home. . . if it is found. This remembrance is the final step in our funeral rites. I have listed the names of all on board my ship for this purpose. Finally I must apologize for the trouble I have caused in my escape. I was confused and did not know what to do. I hope I did not hurt anyone. Aaros, Commander of the ship Trazol. . . Good bye. As the view screen clicks off Sam will turn to the rest and speak. SAM Two thieves attacked me, apparently planning to steal my ship and he interrupted them. He nursed me back to health while we were in flight. BASHIR He learned the language very quickly. SAM When I woke up he was pouring over the computer stations. His language wasn't the best then, but he was learning. In the next few days, with a little help, he perfected it. HOLDON I don't understand why he gave up King's body. That seems to be why the chip was made. KING Their race doesn't use the chip to gain immortality. When the body of a person is dying the chip is removed and passed on to their child. They then surrender the pathways of the device to their offspring after helping them to learn how to use the chip. The data is maintained for the use of the child, only the former consciousness fades along with any strictly personal memories. This basically eliminates the need for a great deal of schooling, and gives the child the accumulated knowledge of his ancestors to draw from. It makes for very close ties between parents and children. SAM He's a very good person and deserves better than what he is getting. SISKO So it would seem, but I wonder. If the chip survived this long with his mind intact, why won't it survive until some other option could be found. SAM The chip has a small power cell inside that maintains the memory circuits and powers the growth. It's been drained to the point that he couldn't survive the transfer. The only way for the cell to recharge is for him to finish linking with King. But that would wipe out King's consciousness forever. KING If the chip had been planted correctly we would have been able to co-exist until it re-charged. Dr. Holdon apparently needed me to figure out how it was supposed to be placed. A somber bit of silence among them. KING Do you remember the discussion we had Commander? SISKO About your circle of friends? KING Traditions call for me to surrender myself and receive the punishment ordered, even if the time has passed. It's a matter of not dishonoring the circle, and accepting the punishment. SISKO Do you want to return to the planet? KING Not exactly. I was offered an alternate death sentence, that being to take part in this experiment. I chose to have it continue. I chose to die by surrendering my body to Aaros. If I'm to die, why not let him live. BASHIR You heard him, he can't take your body. KING He chose not to take my body. He didn't know I would give it. SAM How can we re-activate it? You saw the tape. He shut down the chip. KING I seem to remember Dr. Bashir saying that the growth was stimulated by my emotional agitation, or as it were, the accelerated chemical and electrical activity it caused in my brain. That was the last thing I heard before he took over my mind. . . If that condition could be stimulated in me again then perhaps it would reactivate. CUT TO: EXT STATION Bashir will be making a log entry. BASHIR (Voice only) Base medical log, Dr. Bashir reporting. We are about to stimulate Dr. King's brain and its chemical activity in hopes that it will activate the chip implant. Dr. King has left a message to the Pal people of his decision. Commander Sisko and Major Kira are here to act as witnesses. . . This is another one for the moral dilemma category. . . Am I killing Dr. King, or saving Aaros? And is Aaros alive. . . Dr. King has been convincing me that this is what he wants. If I don't do this he insists he must go back to the planet and be executed by their methods. . . I don't cherish the thought of that on my conscience. . . I have set control drugs to allow for the transition to be painless for Dr. King. . . Dr. Holdon is here at the request of Dr. King. King says as a witness, but I don't think that's the reason why. MEDICAL STATION The procedure is about to start. Dr. King is on the table. Sam, Sisko, Kira, Dax, and Bashir are all present. BASHIR Keep your fingers crossed. Bashir will inject King with the drugs and wait. King will go through a brief time of mild spasms and then stop. BASHIR (Running a monitoring device over King) King's brain wave patterns are gone. He is legally dead. KING (Aaros) (Slowly wake, looking around confused) Why am I still in this body? SISKO It would seem that Dr. King no longer has a use for it, and wants you to have it. KING (Aaros) (Pauses for a moment and then smiles.) Dr. King learned how to access my memory circuits and left a message for me explaining the situation. (Brief Pause) And he left a message for Dr. Holdon. . . He apparently wanted Dr. Holdon to know that he could have achieved what Dr Holdon wanted, but turned it down. CUT TO: EXT - ASTEROID - SAM'S SHIP PARKED NEAR IT - NEXT DAY Sisko will be making a log entry. SISKO (Voice only) Station log, Commander Sisko reporting. We've sent Dr. Holdon back to earth to face whatever charges they finally settle on. Ms. Ryan has taken Aaros to the site of his crash to remember the dead and honor their lives. INT SAM'S SHIP - SAM AND AAROS - VIEW PORTAL IN B.G. The asteroid will be visible in the view portal. It should be made apparent that they have been here a while, as Aaros honors his friends. He will apparently come out of a silent prayer-like posture and then Sam speaks. SAM The Federation stopped it and parked it here. They put a beacon on it to allow ships to get their navigation aligned instantly upon their arrival through. They also made it a shrine. Both to remember your people, and to remind anyone who passes through that we do not know what to expect out here. KING (Aaros) I'm glad for the chance to say goodbye to them, but I have no idea what I'll do now. I have no home, no family. SAM I've discussed that with Commander Sisko and he agrees. You could join me as part of my crew. . . You want to find your people again somewhere out there. . . I have a ship in need of a crew member that can go looking for your home. KING (Aaros) Why would you do that? SAM I'm interested in charting and exploring. Why not do it while looking for your world? KING (Aaros) (Ponder before answering) That may give me the chance to remember them properly. . . I would be honored if you would accept me to your crew. ZOOM through the view portal and beyond the asteroid to the starlit space. FADE OUT