Star Trek: Deep Space Nine s07e06 Episode Script

A little lower.
Lower.
Lower.
How's that? l hope this taught you a lesson.
What's that? Never play springball|against a changeling.
Just for that, next time l won't let you win a single game.
Then you'd better work|on your backhand.
Right now, all l want to do is sleep|for two or three days.
Go right ahead.
l should be back|by the time you wake up.
Back? l received a coded message|from Gul Russol this morning.
Gul Russol? l thought he was executed|when Cardassia joined the Dominion.
So did l.
The message says|he wants to meet with me.
- Why?|- l don't know, but he's my most reliable|Cardassian informant.
You mean ''was''.
What if Russol|is dead and this is a trap? l've thought about that, but l have|to be sure.
l owe him that much.
- You want me to come with you?|- Russol insists l come alone.
Don't worry, Nerys.
l'll be careful.
Worry? This just gives me more time|to work on my backhand.
Chief! How much longer|is the Promenade going to be closed? My bar is empty, my waiters are bored|and l'm losing money.
Leave me alone or l'll feed you|to a plasma conductor.
- Are you threatening me?|- We're working as fast as we can.
l'm going to file an official protest|with Captain Sisko.
- Put it in writing, Quark.
|- l'll go find a padd.
How much longer, Chief? We should be through here|by the end of the day.
l mean the Defiant.
When are you|repairing the gravity net? Last time l was on the bridge|l felt ten kilos heavier.
- lt's going to take some time.
|- How much time? Three weeks.
We have to replace|the graviton stabiliser.
You have three days.
|Then we go out on patrol.
l don't want my crew getting queasy|because the gravity keeps fluctuating.
The quartermaster said it would take|three weeks to get a new stabiliser.
That is your problem, Chief.
|l'm leaving for Bajor for a conference and l want the stabiliser replaced|by the time l get back.
- Do l make myself clear?|- Yes, sir.
l don't see how you can have|the Defiant ready in three days.
Neither do l.
This quartermaster.
What's his name? Chief Chief Willoughby.
l mean his first name.
|ls he married? What does that have to do|with getting a graviton stabiliser? He must get hundreds of supply|requisitions every day.
He can't fill them all, so he puts|everyone on a waiting list.
l know how he feels.
|l do the same thing.
The secret is getting him to put you|at the top of that list.
The best way is to form a relationship.
Get to know the name of his wife, his|children, find out what he likes to eat.
l don't have time to form|a relationship with Willoughby.
l do.
l can get you that stabiliser,|Chief.
- ln three days?|- Leave everything to me.
All right, but don't do anything|l wouldn't do.
l can't operate under those kinds|of restrictions.
Promise me you won't do anything|to get us court-martialled.
- l'll try.
|- Nog! Just kidding, Chief.
Russol? - Russol!|- l'm afraid he couldn't be here.
Weyoun.
Founder.
lt is an honour to stand|in your presence once again.
Where's Gul Russol? The Cardassian Central Command|had him put to death almost a year ago.
l regret having to deceive you.
|lt was the only way to get you here.
Well, l'm here.
What do you want? To serve you.
l no longer consider myself a member|of the Dominion.
- You're defecting?|- Do with me as you wish.
l place my fate entirely in your hands.
- You don't believe me, do you?|- l believe Gul Russol is dead.
You say you're defecting|from the Dominion.
Why? - Founder, please|- l've told you l'm not a Founder.
As you wish.
Odo.
l'll tell you everything|you want to know, but we should get aboard|your runabout.
The Jem'Hadar are hunting for me.
|lf l'm found You still haven't answered my question.
Why did you decide to defect? l realised my place is with you.
You can do better than that.
Let's just say l left Cardassia|because my life was in danger.
- From whom?|- Everyone.
- Aren't you being paranoid?|- Everyone's trying to kill me.
This war was supposed to have been|won months ago.
Things don't always|turn out as planned.
And someone has to take the blame.
|This time, it's me.
We really should be going.
Think about it, Odo.
The information l possess could help|the Federation win this war.
You're willing to share that information? All you have to do is ask.
We've heard rumours that the Dominion|has established a new storage facility for ketracel-white,|somewhere in Sector 507.
lt's located in the Pelosa system.
|l can provide the exact co-ordinates.
Odo to the Rio Grande.
|Two to beam up.
Sit here where l can keep|an eye on you.
lf it makes you feel better.
But you|should know l would never harm a god.
l'm not a god, l'm a security officer.
|And you're just another prisoner.
You have no idea how much|it hurts me to hear you say that.
l spoke to Edgar.
Your new best friend,|Chief Edgar Willoughby.
He wanted me to thank you|for the Gamzian wine you sent him.
- l didn't send him any wine.
|- l sent it for you.
His wife's name is Cynthia.
They have a daughter, Melissa,|and a son, Edgar Junior.
- Did you get the stabiliser?|- Not quite.
He's out of stabilisers and won't get|a new shipment for a week.
That's it.
l'm doomed.
Eddie told me the U.
S.
S.
Sentinel|has an extra stabiliser.
- They'd give it to us?|- l didn't say they'd give it to us.
- But they may trade for it.
|- Trade? For what? Depends on what they need|and what we have.
l suppose it doesn't hurt to try.
|But remember: be discreet.
Rule of Acquisition 168:|''Whisper your way to success.
'' - Words to live by.
|- One more thing.
l need your authorisation code|for the shipping orders.
- l'll authorise them.
|- l just thought it would save time.
When did you say the Captain|was going to be back? Stop looking so worried, Chief.
|l've got it all under control.
l sure hope so.
l wish you'd stop doing that.
|Staring at me.
- l didn't mean to.
|- You've been doing it for ten hours.
l'm sorry.
lt's just such an honour|to be sitting here with a security officer.
- We're being hailed.
|- Don't respond.
lt's a Cardassian transmission.
Scramble the com frequencies|so they can't lock onto us.
Founder.
lt's an honour to speak|with you again.
- You look surprised to see me, Odo.
|- l'm aware the Vorta are all clones.
But l'm not sure the universe is ready|for two Weyouns.
l couldn't agree more.
So which of you is the Weyoun|l've had the misfortune of dealing with over the past few years? - Neither of us.
|- That was Weyoun Five.
Our illustrious predecessor was killed|a month ago.
- l had the honour of replacing him.
|- What a sad day that was.
Weyoun Five was a great man.
|A true patriot.
His death in a transporter accident|was most unfortunate.
And still under investigation.
An investigation that has found|no evidence of foul play.
lnteresting.
So if you're Weyoun Six,|you must be Seven.
Clones.
Keeping track of them|is a full-time job.
Why were you activated|if he's still alive? When a clone is found to be defective - l'm not defective!|- What other explanation is there? - Defecting to the enemy.
|- Are you calling Odo your enemy? l was referring to the Federation,|as you're well aware.
Enough bickering!|Order him to trigger his implant.
- l was getting to that.
|- What implant? Like all Vorta, l have a termination|implant in my brain stem.
Prove your loyalty to the Founders.
|Activate it.
The only Founder l'm loyal to is Odo|and he wants me alive.
l told you reasoning with him|was a waste of time.
You're a dead man.
That ship will never make it back|to Deep Space 9.
Founder, there's no need for you|to be involved in this petty dispute.
Hold your position|until one of our ships l have no intention of releasing|my prisoner to you.
lf you don't, l can't be responsible|for the consequences.
- He wouldn't dare harm a Founder.
|- Maybe he won't, but l will.
|Think it over, shape-shifter.
One of our attack ships is on the way.
Forgive me, Odo.
l should've told you|the truth about myself.
lt's not too late to start.
- Why did you defect?|- lt's quite simple really.
From the moment l was activated,|l felt this war was wrong.
Don't misunderstand me.
|l still worship the Founders, but their obsession with conquering|the Alpha Quadrant is misguided.
lt's time they learned to live in peace|with the solids.
l know it's not my place|to question the Founders.
Maybe Weyoun Seven is right.
- l am defective.
|- On the contrary.
What you're saying about the war,|about the Founders, makes perfect sense.
l want to thank you, Odo,|for the way you stood up for me.
Don't let it go to your head.
|l'd do the same for any prisoner.
Of course you would.
|You're a god.
To think a Weyoun could be capable|of such treachery.
l knew there was something wrong|with him from the moment we met.
He's a disgrace to me and all Vorta.
Though l suppose he can't be held|totally responsible for his behaviour.
The Vorta cloning process|is a very delicate one.
Every once in a while,|a clone is found to be defective.
lt's never happened to a Weyoun|before, but it does happen.
And speaking of treachery, there is still the little matter|of the death of Weyoun Five.
You believe l had something|to do with it? - You were supposed to be with him.
|- l was called away.
- How convenient.
|- l always was lucky.
Are you sure l can't interest you|in a glass of "kanar?" l'm afraid our problems won't be|washed away quite that easily.
Why are you concerned? Odo couldn't|outrun a Jem'Hadar attack ship.
But what if he refuses to hand over|his prisoner? - Then he'll die.
|- He will not.
We can't kill a Founder.
|l forbid it.
Unless we stop them, Odo will take|your predecessor to the Federation, where he will reveal all you know|about our strategic operations.
- You know what that means?|- lt means we could lose the war.
That's right.
And l will not allow|that to happen.
Cardassia has risked too much.
l will not let all of our dreams|for the future end in defeat just to spare the life|of one shape-shifter.
l don't believe the Jem'Hadar would fire|on Odo, even if they were ordered to.
They don't need to know he's on board.
You simply order them to destroy|the runabout.
l suppose it could work.
But if the Founders found out that|we were responsible for Odo's death Who's going to tell them? Odo doesn't even consider himself|a Founder.
Then we agree.
|The runabout must be destroyed.
Excellent.
l really think you should try|a little "kanar.
" - Morning, Lieutenant.
|- l'd make myself scarce if l were you.
Chief! ln here now.
l tried to warn you.
- Do you mind explaining this?|- Where's the Captain's desk? You don't know? This is|your authorisation code, isn't it? - Nog.
|- What about him? He must have traded the Captain's|desk for the graviton stabiliser.
l will get the desk back.
You're damn right.
|The Captain returns in two days.
When he does, l want his desk|sitting right here where it belongs.
l didn't give away the Captain's desk.
|l just loaned it to someone.
- Who?|- Al Lorenzo.
- Who's Al Lorenzo?|- Chief of Operations on Decos Prime.
- Why does he want the desk?|- He wants to take a picture of it.
- Why?|- He collects holophotos of himself sitting behind the desks|of famous Starfleet captains.
With the war on,|it's been hard for him to get away.
He's got quite a collection.
Captain|DeSoto's desk, Captain Picard's OK, fine.
So once he has his picture,|he's going to send us the stabiliser? - No.
An induction modulator.
|- But we don't need one.
But the U.
S.
S.
Musashi does.
So the Musashi's going to send us|the stabiliser? - No, they're giving us a phaser emitter.
|- We don't need a phaser emitter.
l know, but the Sentinel does|and they have the extra stabiliser.
- They'll give it up for a phaser emitter?|- That's the rumour.
Rumour? You've made|all these deals based on a rumour? - From a very reliable source.
|- What if it's not true? - Have faith, Chief.
|- ln a rumour? No.
ln the Great Material Continuum.
Who are they? lt's not a ''they''.
lt's the force|that binds the universe together.
l must have missed that class|in engineering school.
We learn about the Continuum|while we still have our first set of ears.
- This is no time for fairy tales.
|- The Continuum is real.
There are millions upon millions|of worlds in the universe, each filled with too much of one thing|and not enough of another.
The Great Continuum flows|through them like a mighty river, from ''have'' to ''want'' and back again.
lf we navigate the Continuum|with skill and grace, our ship will be filled with everything|our hearts desire.
Right now, l'd settle for a stabiliser|and the Captain's desk.
- The river will provide.
|- lf it doesn't sink us first.
What's wrong? l think l wasdreaming.
lt sounded more like a nightmare.
l was on Earth, Starfleet Headquarters.
l was supposed to report|for my debriefing, but l couldn't find the right office.
Then l started calling your name,|but you didn't answer.
Then suddenly l was being chased|by some Jem'Hadar.
Or were they Klingons? - Silly, isn't it?|- Not at all.
lt isn't easy to turn your back|on your own people.
Believe me, l know.
Odo, do you think Starfleet would|allow you to conduct my debriefing? Possibly.
lt would make it much easier.
- What is it?|- Trouble.
- l can't believe they're firing on us.
|- Trust me, they are.
The Jem'Hadar would never harm|a Founder.
Maybe they finally realise|that l'm not a Founder.
Or they don't know who they're firing at.
|We must tell them you're on board.
They're jamming all frequencies.
They've been ordered|not to communicate.
Damar was determined not to let us|get back to the station.
See if you can get above them.
|l'll explain later.
Just do it.
Lock phasers on their dorsal|field junction.
Their shields are weakest there.
Congratulations.
|You just saved our lives.
And murdered loyal servants|of the Dominion.
May the Founders forgive me.
Has it ever occurred to you that you|believe the Founders are gods because that's what they want?|They built it into your genetic code? Of course they did.
|That's what gods do.
Why be a god if there's no one|to worship you? - Rom, where's Nog?|- He left the station in a runabout.
- Who gave him permission?|- You did.
l never should've given him|my authorisation code.
- Did he say when he'd be back?|- Not to me.
How could he do this to me? How could he leave me mid-river|without a paddle? - What river would that be?|- The Great Material Continuum.
That river.
|lt can be very treacherous.
Tell me about it.
The good news is with Nog gone,|nothing else can go missing.
Where are my cases of bloodwine? l do not know, General.
|But l promise you l will find out.
How could a runabout destroy|a Jem'Hadar fighter? My predecessor must have helped Odo|get past the ship's defences.
- How do we stop them?|- Send more ships.
- From our base at Olmerak.
|- Consider it done.
- Tell them to fire on sight.
|- Fire at whom? Founder, how may l serve you? By answering my question.
We spotted a Federation runabout|spying on our Olmerak base.
- One ship shouldn't be a threat.
|- We'll have it destroyed within the hour.
- Are you feeling all right?|- Why do you ask? Your face.
l'm fine.
But l want the temperature|lowered by 15 degrees.
l do not share the Cardassians'|love of heat.
- Nor do l.
Lower the temperature.
|- As you wish.
- ls there anything else l can do?|- Have you located Weyoun Six? - lt's only a matter of time.
|- So you keep saying.
l assure you, Founder,|he will be dealt with.
Did you notice her face?|How parched it looked? - These rooms are too hot.
|- l'm telling you she's not well.
She's not the Founder you should|be worried about.
Contact Olmerak and order those ships|to intercept the runabout.
That was filling.
l would hope so.
You sampled|the replicator's entire menu.
l enjoyed the different textures.
- You mean tastes, don't you?|- Not at all.
The Vorta sense of taste is limited.
The only foods we really enjoy|are "kava" nuts and rippleberries.
Ah.
l take it this is also the result|of your genetic programming? lt's the Founders' way of making sure|we remember our past.
You must know the story of how|the Founders created the Vorta.
No.
But l have the feeling you're going|to tell me all about it.
The Vorta used to be quite different|from what we are today.
We were forest dwellers.
Small, timid, ape-like creatures|living in hollowed out trees.
Eating nuts and berries.
And living in fear of the many predators|that would hunt us for food.
One day, a changeling came stumbling|through the forest, - fleeing a mob of angry solids.
|- Why were they chasing him? Solids have always mistrusted|shape-shifters, you know that.
A family of Vorta hid the changeling|from his pursuers.
ln exchange for saving his life,|the changeling promised the Vorta that one day we would be transformed|into powerful beings.
That we would become an|important part of a great new empire that would stretch across the galaxy.
- And the changeling kept his word?|- That's right.
lmagine.
My people were once little|more than apes.
And look at us now.
Look at what you've done for us.
lf the story were true, it would at least|prove that my people are capable of generosity and kindness.
You care about your people, don't you? ln spite of all that's happened|between you.
Maybe l do.
But they're still responsible for a war|that's killed millions.
Odo, there's something you need|to know.
A sickness has spread throughout|the Great Link.
The Foundersare dying.
l was summoned to a meeting|by the female changeling.
Suddenly, her hands began toshrivel.
lt lasted only a second or two, but over the last few weeks|it's happened a number of times.
lt's like she's withering.
And you're sure the other changelings|are also infected? She said the entire Link is suffering|from the disease.
Everyone but me.
lf they're unable to find a cure,|you'll be the last of your kind.
- Why didn't you tell me earlier?|- l knew how much it would hurt you.
l'm sorry to bring you such sad news.
But at least you're not infected.
|The Dominion will survive.
- Meaning what?|- Think about it, Odo.
You have an opportunity to rectify|the mistakes your people have made.
To build a new Dominion based|on co-operation, not conquest.
On peace, not war.
|A new order under your leadership.
And what's your role going to be|in this new order? Whatever you want it to be.
|l wish only to serve you.
You can start by telling me|how one runabout can survive an assault|by four Jem'Hadar ships.
l'm sure you'll think of something.
There's a Kuiper belt near here.
We might be able to hide|among the comet fragments.
We don't have much time.
These comet fragments are nothing|but chunks of ice.
The Jem'Hadar will have no trouble|finding us.
Not if we become the ice.
With the power off and the runabout|in thermal contact with the ice, we won't generate an energy signature|for their sensors.
We become the ice.
|Only a god could think of such a thing.
Let's hope the Jem'Hadar give up|before we freeze to death.
- My faith will keep me warm.
|- Hm.
Perhaps.
But in an hour, you may want to trade|in that faith for a thermal blanket.
- What do you think?|- lt's white.
l know it's white.
|l'm going to paint it.
lt's the wrong shape.
lt's the wrong height, the wrong width.
|Other than that, it's perfect.
The Captain will never suspect|you switched desks.
- l need help, not sarcasm.
|- Nog's the only one who can help you.
- lf he gets back before the Captain.
|- Maybe he's not coming back.
Maybe he's decided|to make a run for it.
- That isn't the Captain's desk.
|- He's going to paint it.
Get it out of here.
|Can l help you, General? No.
But he can.
Bloodwine? - How should l know?|- You authorised their removal.
That is your authorisation code,|is it not? - Nog.
|- Chief, l want that bloodwine back here|by tomorrow.
Understood? Odo, when you said you were cutting|power to all systems, did that include life support? l'm afraid so.
- That explains it.
|- Explains what? Why l'm having trouble breathing.
We should have enough oxygen left|for three hours.
By then we'll have probably|frozen to death.
But you can't die.
You have to survive|to rebuild the Dominion.
They've found us.
- What do we do now?|- We can't stay here.
- You're not trying to outrun them?|- What choice do we have? - We're on fire.
|- There's an extinguisher behind you.
What are you waiting for? l live only to serve you.
Why have you activated|the com system? - Call off those ships.
|- Why should l? Because you don't need them|any more.
l'm glad to see you've come|to your senses.
- What have you done?|- Saved your life and the Dominion's.
He's activated his termination implant|and proven himself a worthy Vorta.
l obey the Founders in all things.
Now call off those ships! We don't know what he told Odo.
|He may have That's a risk we'll just have to take.
l've ordered the Jem'Hadar|to break off the attack.
Your runabout has suffered damage.
- Will you require further assistance?|- You've done enough.
l sincerely regret any inconvenience|we may have caused you, Odo.
Please have a safe and pleasant|journey back to Deep Space 9.
They say voluntary termination|is quick and painless.
- l'm afraid it's not true.
|- l'll get you a pain suppressor.
No, but there is one thing|you can do for me.
- Give me your blessing.
|- l can't.
Please, Odo, tell me l haven't failed,|that l've served you well.
You have.
And for that you have|my gratitude and my blessing.
- Miles, the Captain's back.
|- l know.
He sent for me.
- Good luck.
|- Thanks.
Chief.
- Captain, your desk|- Looks nice, doesn't it? - l found Ensign Nog polishing it.
|- lt was looking a little dull.
Here is the maintenance request|from the Gettysburg.
- That'll be all.
|- Yes, sir.
- About the stabiliser.
|- Captain, l can explain Ensign Nog tells me you were able|to get hold of one this morning.
l was? l mean l was.
- How long before it's on-line?|- Eight hours.
- l plan to take the Defiant out in two.
|- Two it is, sir.
- l don't know how you did it.
|- l never lost faith in the Continuum.
- The river will provide.
|- Chief! - The waters just got choppy again.
|- l want you to have this.
- Consider it an apology.
|- You found the bloodwine? Ensign Nog returned from his trip with 16 cases of 2309.
|A very good year.
An even better vintage than the one|my wife sent me.
l'm glad you approve.
Any time you're shopping|for wines or spirits, - my cousin Gant is the man to see.
|- We will keep that in mind.
- Your cousin Gant?|- Another sailor on the Great River.
Gant mentioned he's got ten cases|of Saurian brandy.
- lt's the Captain's favourite, you know.
|- Level 5.
What does he want for them? l'll never forget the look on his face|when he died.
He seemed socontent.
The last thing he saw|was one of his gods smiling at him.
lf you ask me, he was a lucky man.
- Nerys, please.
|- No, listen to me.
To Starfleet, the Prophets are nothing|more than wormhole aliens.
But to me, they're gods.
l can't prove it, but then again|l don't have to.
My faith in them is enough.
Just as Weyoun's faith in you|was enough for him.
lt appears the Vorta may have to learn|to get along without their gods.
l'm sorry.
You're worried about your people.
The changelings are dying|and l can't help them.
- They're the enemy.
|- A very dangerous enemy.
Now more than ever,|because they're all so desperate.
You have to remember|they started this war, you didn't.
That's true.
But l know now whichever side wins,|one thing is certain.
l'm going to lose.