Star Trek: The Trials of Bajor 1x01
Series: Star Trek: The Trials of Bajor
Episode: 1x01 'Ambassador'
Setting: about 3 weeks after DS9: 'What You Leave Behind'
Summary: Tegan Saal has just been appointed Federation ambassador to Bajor upon their reapplication for membership. The majority of Bajor desires membership in The Federation, but there are factions that oppose it. Saal has to win the hearts and minds of the people who have just lost their Emissary and make sure Bajor is ready to become a member of the Federation.
Characters
OCs: Ambassador Tegan Saal, Prylar Tiran Ris, Commander Bernard Hayden, Vedek Marel
Canon: Col. Kira Nerys, Admiral William Ross, First Minister Shakaar Edon, Quark (briefly)
Mentioned in canon, but developed OC: Vedek Unkte
Warnings: This story stars mostly original characters. While canon characters had to be used in the pilot, and some will guest star occasionally, the only regular canon character will be Shakaar. These will be written in quasi-teleplay format, but with extra detail, since it will never be casted, acted, directed, or have set design. Episodes will vary in length.
EXT. An Ambassador class starship flies through the stars approaching Deep Space Nine.
INT. - THE SHIP: A Trill woman in a command uniform sits at a table in the foreword lounge. She sets down her PADD, on which she has been rereading her briefing. She brushes back her dark curly hair and gazes out the window.
EXT. The Ambassador class ship docks on one of DS9's pylons.
INT. - DS9: The Docking bay doors open where COL. KIRA NERYS waits. The first person to disembark is a human man in his mid thirties in command uniform. The Trill woman is behind him. He greets Kira as other people file out behind them.
KIRA: Commander Hayden. So nice to meet you.
HAYDEN: And you. Still no word from Captain Sisko?
The look on Kira's face says subtly that she's tired of hearing this question.
KIRA: He's with the Prophets now. As I've said, he could return anywhere from tomorrow to thousands of years from now.
Kira looks to the Trill woman and shakes her hand.
KIRA: And you must be ambassador Saal.
SAAL (excited): It sounds so strange! "Ambassador". I've been lobbying for this job for years. It still feels surreal.
Kira laughs.
KIRA: There will be a runabout ready to take you to your residence in Dahkur in about an hour. In the mean time, feel free to explore. The promenade is-
SAAL: Oh I've been here before on shore leave and I've vacationed in the Kendra province several times.
KIRA (looking a bit sad): Captain Sisko was going to live there. His wife and son live there now, in the house he designed. …They say they're waiting for him.
SAAL: You don't call him the Emissary.
KIRA: I used to. He didn't like it much, though. He grew into the title, but I kept calling him by name.
SAAL: I see.
They are silent for a moment.
KIRA: Commander Hayden, let me show you to your quarters.
Kira and Hayden walk off. Saal stands there for a moment, before heading down the hall.
INT. - QUARK'S: Tegan Saal makes her way through the crowd and sits down at the end of the bar. She is clearly happy to be here.
QUARK: What can I get you?
SAAL: Uh, springwine I think.
QUARK: Ah, going native. You on shore leave, Commander?
SAAL: It's ambassador actually. And no, I'm here to negotiate Bajor's application to the Federation. I'll be living on the planet for a while.
Quark raises his eye ridges as he sets down her drink.
QUARK: Good luck with that.
SAAL: Skeptical?
QUARK: A large portion of the population is for independence. Not the majority, but more than large enough to cause trouble. I don't envy you.
SAAL: I'm aware. I completely understand. Sixty years of Cardassian oppression, then the war with the Dominion. It's more than understandable that people would want Bajor to stand on it's own for a while, but becoming part of the Federation can only make Bajor stronger, help it to rebuild faster.
QUARK: Hey, it's not me you've gotta convince.
SAAL ( looking dejected ): I know.
She takes a long swig of her wine.
EXT. We see a hemisphere of Bajor from orbit. A runabout flies towards it.
INT. - THE RUNABOUT: A Bajoran officer is at the helm while Commander Bernard Hayden and Ambassador Tegan Saal talk in the back. There are three bins, presumably containing Saal's possessions, on the transporter pad. As they talk the bins beam down.
HAYDEN: I think you'll find your rooms quite homey. You're just a few blocks from the capital building. First Minister Shakaar is holding a luncheon in the gardens for the new Starfleet personnel to celebrate the renewal of their application. I assume you'll be there.
SAAL: Of course.
HAYDEN: I'll see you at 1800, then.
Saal steps on to the transporter pad.
SAAL: Energize.
She beams down.
EXT. - THE FRONT OF A BAJORAN TOWNHOUSE: The bins are already in front of the house. Saal materializes next to them. She takes a look at the house and smiles. It's a cream orange color and made of stone. Connected on either side of it are two other residences. There is a badly groomed plant growing out of a pot in the windowsill. The door is a bronze color and in the shape of an arch with a peak at the top. There is a fogged four piece mullioned window in the door. Saal picks up her first bin and makes her way inside.
INT. - SAAL'S LIVING ROOM: Saal struggles inside with the large bin and put's it down heavily in the entryway. She looks around. The home is modestly furnished. A white couch, a wooden end table, a desk with a computer terminal that seems to be an old model, a small dining table, a cramped kitchen barely big enough for one person to work in. The kitchen is fitted with a replicator that is clearly newer than the rest of the kitchen. It looks almost out of place. There are stairs next to the kitchen that probably lead to the bedroom and nothing else and a door on the other side of the stairs that either leads to the bathroom or a closet. Probably the former.
EXT. THE CAPITAL TERRACE GARDENS: There are a collection of Bajorans and Starfleet personnel chatting and eating hors d'oeuvres. Some of the Bajorans are in religious robes. Saal enters the garden and adjusts her dress uniform. She spots Commander Hayden and Col. Kira and starts to head toward them
(OFFSCREEN): Ambassador!
Saal turns to see ADMIRAL ROSS beckoning her over. He is standing with FIRST MINISTER SHAKAAR and a vedek who looks about fifty. Saal makes her way over to them.
ROSS (to Shakaar and the vedek): This is ambassador Saal. She'll be overseeing most of the process of your joining the Federation.
SHAKAAR (shaking her hand): It's nice to finally meet you, Ambassador.
SAAL: And you, Minister.
ROSS (indicating the vedek): This is Vedek Unkte. He's been working closely with First Minister Shakaar on the issue of Federation membership.
UNKTE: I look forward to working with you.
SAAL: And I you. I'm very excited about the possibility of Bajor joining us. I've been an admirer of Bajor for a long time. You're such a strong people with such a rich culture and I feel you would be an essential addition to the Federation.
UNKTE: Is that so?
SAAL: You don't agree?
UNKTE: Oh no, I do completely.
The look on his face and the tone of his voice make us uneasy. Saal looks unconvinced, but says nothing. There is a second of awkward tension.
SHAKAAR: Well I think membership will be good for Bajor. Even with the Dominion disbanded, the Jem'Hadar are still out there and they only exist to be soldiers. I've been advised that, with the Founders dormant they may form their own coalition and launch another attack. As a member of the Federation we'll be better protected.
ROSS: Yes and the Breen are looking to all the forces who allied against them in the war with increasing distaste. The more united we are, the better.
SAAL: United we stand.
SHAKAAR: From what I've seen we'll still retain distinct individuality, but what I really want to talk to you about is immigration…
Their voices fade out as the camera pulls away and we see the day wear on. A couple of hours have passed. The sun has just set and there is still a small glow on the horizon. The lanterns strung above the gathering have been lit. Saal is getting some food from the buffet table. She picks out a little tart/cake looking thing and pops it in her mouth. She makes a face that says it's not bad.
(OFFSCREEN): You like it?
Saal looks over to see a Bajoran woman standing next to her. She is wearing the simple orange robes of a prylar. She looks to be in her mid to late twenties with long light brown hair held up by a pin. She has a kind smile. Saal smiles back at her.
SAAL: They're like little mini larish pies!
BAJORAN WOMAN: Yes they're very good. Nothing like homemade, though.
SAAL: True.
BAJORAN WOMAN (mildly surprised): Have you had homemade larish pie?
SAAL: Well, I've been to a restaurant that claims theirs is homemade. I tried to make it myself once too. ..The restaurant's was better.
They laugh.
BAJORAN WOMAN: I make a pretty good larish pie myself.
SAAL: Really? (She smiles almost flirtatiously) I'll have to take you up on that sometime. I'm Tegan. (She holds out her hand.)
BAJORAN WOMAN (shaking her hand): Tiran.
SAAL (still smiling): Nice to meet you, Tiran.
TIRAN: You're a Trill, right?
SAAL: Yes.
TIRAN: Do you have a…(She motions toward her abdomen.)
SAAL (chuckling): You mean am I joined? Yes. Yes I am.
TIRAN (looking a little embarrassed): Oh. Is um…(She can't help her curiosity) Is Tegan your host name or your symbiont name?
SAAL: It's my host name. My symbiont name is Saal.
TIRAN: I see. Forgive me. Bajor's only ever been occupied by Bajorans and Cardassians, not to mention I've lead a somewhat sheltered life. It's only in recent years that I've started meeting new races.
SAAL: It's alright.
They are silent for a moment. Saal takes a flute of springwine from a passing tray.
TIRAN: So are you on the crew of Deep Space Nine?
SAAL: No. I'm the new Federation ambassador. I'll be working with the provisional government.
Tiran's face tightens a bit and she looks back to the crowd. Saal notices.
SAAL: You don't approve.
TIRAN: It's not my place. (We can tell it's difficult for her to hold her tongue.)
SAAL: Nonsense. It's the right of every person to have a say in the direction their society is taking.
TIRAN: It's not that I oppose Federation membership, I just don't think that right now is the best time for it. We're still throwing off the shackles of two wars. I think we need an extended period of peace and independence before we join.
SAAL: Two hundred and fifty of your two hundred and eighty ministers voted to apply.
TIRAN: I know. Vedek Marel disagrees with me as well.
SAAL: Vedek Marel?
Tiran points to a man in the crowd shaking hands with someone and smiling. He wears a vedek's robes and is quite handsome.
TIRAN: He's being considered for kai. (she sounds very proud)
Saal smiles. She can tell Tiran likes him. Then she sees Vedek Unkte talking in a corner with Shakaar. He looks like he's trying to convince Shakaar of something.
SAAL: If I'm not mistaken, Vedek Unkte is gunning for that position as well.
Tiran looks at him. She frowns and her nose ridges twitch.
TIRAN: I know.
SAAL: You don't like him.
TIRAN: I don't think he has Bajor's best interests at heart.
Just then a section of the gardens explodes. Tiran and Saal grab each other and run. Bajoran security officers usher First Minister Shakaar to safety and other party goers scatter, screaming. Starfleet personnel direct people to exits and some who were armed take out their phasers and take positions. Saal is ushering Tiran to the steps that lead down to the courtyard, but Tiran is struggling to go back.
TIRAN: Marel! I have to make sure he's okay!
SAAL: I'm sure he was just evacuated out of another exit. You have to go.
TIRAN: What about you?
SAAL: I may be an ambassador now, but I'm still a Starfleet commander. I'm not leaving until everyone's been evacuated.
TIRAN: So you expect me to leave you and Marel? No way!
The stairway Tiran was going to leave down collapses in another explosion and the people on it fall (most probably not to their death, but to severe injury). Saal and Tiran have been blown back and are on the ground covered in dust and rubble. We hear other explosions, presumably at the other exits. Tiran gets up and helps Saal up. Tiran spots Marel on the ground covered in rubble near the flames from the first explosion.
TIRAN: Marel!
Tiran runs toward him and Saal follows. Saal struggles to lift a piece of the garden wall off him as Tiran attempts to pull him from under it. They succeed as he gains consciousness.
MAREL (looking blearily at Tiran): Ris?
Saal looks up at the two of them. She understands the significance of using a Bajoran's given name. Tiran tries to help him up, putting his right arm over her shoulders.
MAREL: Ah! My leg!
His robes are ripped and bloody over his left leg.
Saal comes over and puts his left arm over her shoulders and together Saal and Tiran pull him away from the flames and toward the capital building. Kira and Admiral Ross are standing on either side of the entrance ushering people through.
KIRA: All the exists from the garden have been collapsed. We have to leave out the front door.
SAAL: Hayden and the First Minister?
KIRA: Commander Hayden is leading the civilians out. Shakaar has been taken out a side door.
Saal and Tiran carry Marel in and Kira and Ross follow. They enter the lobby to find several civilians and officers on their knees held hostage by five Bajorans in black holding Bajoran phaser rifles. Kira pulls out her phaser and points it at the hostage takers.
(OFFSCREEN): I don't think you want to do that.
A BAJORAN MAN well dressed in civilian clothes steps out from behind the hostage takers.
KIRA: Oh yeah? Why not?
From where the man came step two more hostage takers holding First Minister Shakaar, one of them holding a phaser to his head.
KIRA: Oh, Edon.
SHAKAAR: I must be getting rusty.
Kira lowers her phaser. The Bajoran Man holds out his hand, motioning for her to give him the phaser. She hands it over angrily and he passes it to one of his henchman. The henchman puts it in a bag held by one of the men not holding a rifle. This bag presumably contains all the officers' weapons. Kira taps her communicator.
KIRA: This is Col. Kira. I need a mass beam out from the capitol building.
VOICE: We've been trying. We can't get a transporter lock on anyone in the building.
BAJORAN MAN: Transport inhibitors surrounding the building. (in an almost friendly voice) Take a seat with the others.
They all get down on the ground, glaring at the man the whole way. Saal and Tiran set Marel down carefully between them.
BAJORAN MAN: Are we all sitting comfortably? Good. I am Rajan Elas. I represent The Bajoran Independence Coalition. No one will be hurt as long as you cooperate.
SAAL: People already have been hurt!
RAJAN (waving his hand dismissively): Collateral damage. Now, First Minister Shakaar. (he says the title almost mockingly) All I want from you is a simple agreement. Withdraw your application for Federation membership permanently and I'll let everyone here go.
SHAKAAR: I don't respond to terrorist threats.
RAJAN (tutting): Really? From you? It's well known that you were once the leader of one of the most formidable terrorist cells. (he gives a short laugh) Everyone who works in this building was once a terrorist!
SHAKAAR: We never attacked our own people! We only did what was necessary to free our planet.
RAJAN: And that's all I'm doing! I'll do whatever is necessary to keep our planet from Federation rule.
SAAL: The Federation isn't an invading force! It's an alliance that-
RAJAN: SHUT UP! (calmly now) I was talking to the minister.
SHAKAAR: She's right. You want our people to be free. So do I, and we will be more free and have more sustained peace, protection and aid as a member of the Federation than we could ever have otherwise.
RAJAN: Propaganda! Bajor is more than capable of standing on it's own and capable of so much more than the restrictions of the Federation allows us. We could build a military force that could expand our territories.
SHAKAAR: And become like the Cardassians?! Never!
Rajan signals and one of the men shoots one of the civilians, setting clearly on "kill".
RAJAN: Either you agree to my terms or people keep dying. Your choice.
Shakaar stares at the dead man, clearly conflicted. Rajan goes to signal again, but Shakaar cuts him off.
SHAKAAR: Alright!
Rajan looks at him inquisitively.
SHAKAAR: Alright, fine. I'll withdraw the application.
RAJAN: Panal, let's take the minister to his office. (he smiles) I believe he has some papers to sign.
Rajan and Panal (pointing the phaser at SHAKAAR) urge the minister off his knees and head for the stairs and Shakaar's office. The hostages are left with five people pointing rifles at them, one holding the bag with the weapons, and one other man who has the air of being in charge with Rajan gone.
At least minutes have passed. Saal has taken off her dress uniform jacket left with the thick gray undershirt, having pinned her communicator to that. She rips the jacket and makes a tourniquet for Marel.
SAAL: There, that should slow the bleeding.
MAREL: Thank you. It's a good thing Tiran met you when she did or we would have both been lost.
TIRAN: You saved our lives.
SAAL: His, maybe. (she smiles at Tiran) Your own stubborn mind saved yours. If you'd listened to me you'd have been on that staircase when it collapsed.
TIRAN: Still (she puts her hand on Saal's) Thank you.
SAAL (possibly blushing): Well what is a Starfleet officer good for if she can't save a few lives.
THUG #1: Hey! Quit talking over there!
They all glare at him. Saal waits until he's not looking and leans over to Kira, who is in front of her, and whispers in her ear.
SAAL: If we can wrestle just one of those phaser rifles away and put it on overload everyone would scatter and we could get away and rescue the minister during the explosion.
KIRA: I was just thinking the same thing. We just need to think of the right strategy to-
SAAL (standing up and to the apparent leader): Hey! You can't keep us here! (she approaches him) Shakaar is signing the papers. You said you'd let us go.
THUG #1: Shut up!
SAAL: Do you know the punishment for abducting ministers of state?
THUG #1: I said shut up!
SAAL: For abducting Starfleet officers? For killing civilians?!
THUG #1 (grabbing a rifle from the woman next to him): I said SHUT UP!
Saal elbows him in the stomach grabs the rifle from him before he can get a proper hold on it. She shifts it to overload and throws it in the middle of the floor.
SAAL: Run!
The shrill charging sound of a phaser on overload starts as everybody scatters. The captors, being closest to the front doors, run out of them. Kira grabs the bag of weapons.
KIRA: Ross, get the people out! Commander, Ambassador, with me.
ROSS: Who's giving the orders here?
KIRA: Go!
Tiran hands Marel to two other prylars and follows Saal, Kira, and Hayden up the stairs. This all happens in a matter of moments and just as the last of the civilians are out and our heroes reach the landing, the rifle explodes.
SAAL (to Tiran): What are you doing here?
TIRAN: I want to help.
KIRA: Fine. Then take a weapon.
She tosses Tiran a Starfleet issue phaser from the bag.
TIRAN: Oh, I don't use weapons. (she hands it off to Saal)
HAYDEN: Well then how exactly are you going to help?
TIRAN: Moral support?
Saal chuckles and shakes her head.
SAAL: Fine. Come on. Let's rescue the first minister!
INT. - HALLS OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING: Kira, followed by Saal, then Tiran, then Hayden, walk quickly down the halls, all armed except for Tiran. They approach the door to the first minister's office. Kira signals to the rest that she'll go in first and they should follow. Kira kicks open the doors and they all burst in, phasers raised. Shakaar, however is standing in front of Rajan holding a phaser to his head. Rajan doesn't look scared, just mildly put out.
SHAKAAR: I was wondering when you'd get here. Maybe I'm not so rusty after all.
INT. - SHAKAAR'S OFFICE: Rajan is tied up in a chair in the middle of the office and the others are standing around him.
SHAKAAR: Who is the head of your organization?
Rajan smiles slowly.
RAJAN: I am.
SAAL: Ha! You said you represent the Bajoran Independence Coalition, not that you were their leader.
RAJAN: Who better to represent a people than their leader?
KIRA: We don't believe you.
RAJAN: That's your business.
TIRAN: Why would you do this? Why would you kill your own people to get your point across.
RAJAN: They die for a greater cause. That's the price of war.
KIRA: We're not at war.
RAJAN (smiling again): You will be.
SAAL: Is that your goal? A civil war?
Rajan does not answer.
SHAKAAR: This planet has seen enough war. I won't let that happen.
Bajoran officers enter and remove Rajan, cuffing him and taking him away. He looks back at our heroes smiling as they drag him off. Close up on Saal looking at him. She looks down, disheartened. Tiran comes up to her.
TIRAN: I don't understand that mindset. How can he really believe he's doing the right thing for his people?
SAAL: Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. Sometimes, when people have grown up knowing war and only war, it becomes all they can handle. The prospect of peace terrifies them.
They are silent for a beat, then Tiran looks at Saal inquisitively.
TIRAN: Tegan, when you went up against that guard in the lobby, how did you know they wouldn't just shoot you immediately?
SAAL: Did you see the way they operated? Those guys don't do anything without orders.
They smile.
INT. - A RELATIVELY SMALL OFFICE IN THE CAPITOL BUILDING (The next day): Admiral Ross and Saal walk in.
ROSS: This will be your office.
Saal walks to the window behind the desk and looks out. Outside they have already begun work on rebuilding the gardens.
ROSS: The Federation Council is concerned about this Bajoran Independence Coalition. They're holding the application process until they can be assured it won't cause a violent uprising. The majority of Bajor truly wants membership, though, so we're not abandoning the prospect. On that subject, I have to inform you that your position here has changed.
Saal walks back over to the admiral.
SAAL: In what way?
ROSS: You're still our ambassador to Bajor, but your duties are going to shift somewhat. As well as negotiation and observation, we want you to help the provisional government to investigate and quell violent protest. If the violence isn't under control within a year, I'm afraid the Federation will have to reject Bajor's request for membership.
SAAL: I hope it doesn't come to that. I really believe Bajor deserves membership if they want it. They've deserved it for a long time.
ROSS: I agree. I worked closely with them during the Dominion war. That's why I hope you can help them.
SAAL: I won't let you down, Sir.
ROSS (smiling): I know.
Ross leaves the office and Saal looks around. She strolls to the desk and sits down, getting a feel for it. There is a cup of pens on the desk. She moves it to the right, looks at it, then moves it back to the left.
TIRAN (offscreen): Hello.
Saal looks up, surprised. Tiran is in the doorway smiling fondly.
SAAL: Prylar Tiran! (she gets up and approaches Tiran) How is Vedek Marel?
TIRAN: He'll be fine. The doctors say he'll be up and walking around in a couple weeks. (she enters the room, approaching Saal) He suggested, you may need a religious advisor.
SAAL: I thought Vedek Unkte was the religious advisor.
TIRAN: He's Minister Shakaar's advisor. I thought you might need one of your own.
SAAL (smiling coyly): I thought you said Vedek Marel suggested it.
TIRAN (coyly smiling back): I may have given him the idea.
SAAL (still smiling): And the provisional government approved this request?
TIRAN: Oh, they encouraged it.
SAAL: And you'll be that advisor?
TIRAN: Absolutely.
SAAL: Good.
They are grinning like idiots at each other.
-CREDITS-
-----------------------------
Based on Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by Rick Berman and Michael Piller
Story by Kitty
Special thanks to Jack
Episode: 1x01 'Ambassador'
Setting: about 3 weeks after DS9: 'What You Leave Behind'
Summary: Tegan Saal has just been appointed Federation ambassador to Bajor upon their reapplication for membership. The majority of Bajor desires membership in The Federation, but there are factions that oppose it. Saal has to win the hearts and minds of the people who have just lost their Emissary and make sure Bajor is ready to become a member of the Federation.
Characters
OCs: Ambassador Tegan Saal, Prylar Tiran Ris, Commander Bernard Hayden, Vedek Marel
Canon: Col. Kira Nerys, Admiral William Ross, First Minister Shakaar Edon, Quark (briefly)
Mentioned in canon, but developed OC: Vedek Unkte
Warnings: This story stars mostly original characters. While canon characters had to be used in the pilot, and some will guest star occasionally, the only regular canon character will be Shakaar. These will be written in quasi-teleplay format, but with extra detail, since it will never be casted, acted, directed, or have set design. Episodes will vary in length.
EXT. An Ambassador class starship flies through the stars approaching Deep Space Nine.
INT. - THE SHIP: A Trill woman in a command uniform sits at a table in the foreword lounge. She sets down her PADD, on which she has been rereading her briefing. She brushes back her dark curly hair and gazes out the window.
EXT. The Ambassador class ship docks on one of DS9's pylons.
INT. - DS9: The Docking bay doors open where COL. KIRA NERYS waits. The first person to disembark is a human man in his mid thirties in command uniform. The Trill woman is behind him. He greets Kira as other people file out behind them.
KIRA: Commander Hayden. So nice to meet you.
HAYDEN: And you. Still no word from Captain Sisko?
The look on Kira's face says subtly that she's tired of hearing this question.
KIRA: He's with the Prophets now. As I've said, he could return anywhere from tomorrow to thousands of years from now.
Kira looks to the Trill woman and shakes her hand.
KIRA: And you must be ambassador Saal.
SAAL (excited): It sounds so strange! "Ambassador". I've been lobbying for this job for years. It still feels surreal.
Kira laughs.
KIRA: There will be a runabout ready to take you to your residence in Dahkur in about an hour. In the mean time, feel free to explore. The promenade is-
SAAL: Oh I've been here before on shore leave and I've vacationed in the Kendra province several times.
KIRA (looking a bit sad): Captain Sisko was going to live there. His wife and son live there now, in the house he designed. …They say they're waiting for him.
SAAL: You don't call him the Emissary.
KIRA: I used to. He didn't like it much, though. He grew into the title, but I kept calling him by name.
SAAL: I see.
They are silent for a moment.
KIRA: Commander Hayden, let me show you to your quarters.
Kira and Hayden walk off. Saal stands there for a moment, before heading down the hall.
INT. - QUARK'S: Tegan Saal makes her way through the crowd and sits down at the end of the bar. She is clearly happy to be here.
QUARK: What can I get you?
SAAL: Uh, springwine I think.
QUARK: Ah, going native. You on shore leave, Commander?
SAAL: It's ambassador actually. And no, I'm here to negotiate Bajor's application to the Federation. I'll be living on the planet for a while.
Quark raises his eye ridges as he sets down her drink.
QUARK: Good luck with that.
SAAL: Skeptical?
QUARK: A large portion of the population is for independence. Not the majority, but more than large enough to cause trouble. I don't envy you.
SAAL: I'm aware. I completely understand. Sixty years of Cardassian oppression, then the war with the Dominion. It's more than understandable that people would want Bajor to stand on it's own for a while, but becoming part of the Federation can only make Bajor stronger, help it to rebuild faster.
QUARK: Hey, it's not me you've gotta convince.
SAAL ( looking dejected ): I know.
She takes a long swig of her wine.
EXT. We see a hemisphere of Bajor from orbit. A runabout flies towards it.
INT. - THE RUNABOUT: A Bajoran officer is at the helm while Commander Bernard Hayden and Ambassador Tegan Saal talk in the back. There are three bins, presumably containing Saal's possessions, on the transporter pad. As they talk the bins beam down.
HAYDEN: I think you'll find your rooms quite homey. You're just a few blocks from the capital building. First Minister Shakaar is holding a luncheon in the gardens for the new Starfleet personnel to celebrate the renewal of their application. I assume you'll be there.
SAAL: Of course.
HAYDEN: I'll see you at 1800, then.
Saal steps on to the transporter pad.
SAAL: Energize.
She beams down.
EXT. - THE FRONT OF A BAJORAN TOWNHOUSE: The bins are already in front of the house. Saal materializes next to them. She takes a look at the house and smiles. It's a cream orange color and made of stone. Connected on either side of it are two other residences. There is a badly groomed plant growing out of a pot in the windowsill. The door is a bronze color and in the shape of an arch with a peak at the top. There is a fogged four piece mullioned window in the door. Saal picks up her first bin and makes her way inside.
INT. - SAAL'S LIVING ROOM: Saal struggles inside with the large bin and put's it down heavily in the entryway. She looks around. The home is modestly furnished. A white couch, a wooden end table, a desk with a computer terminal that seems to be an old model, a small dining table, a cramped kitchen barely big enough for one person to work in. The kitchen is fitted with a replicator that is clearly newer than the rest of the kitchen. It looks almost out of place. There are stairs next to the kitchen that probably lead to the bedroom and nothing else and a door on the other side of the stairs that either leads to the bathroom or a closet. Probably the former.
EXT. THE CAPITAL TERRACE GARDENS: There are a collection of Bajorans and Starfleet personnel chatting and eating hors d'oeuvres. Some of the Bajorans are in religious robes. Saal enters the garden and adjusts her dress uniform. She spots Commander Hayden and Col. Kira and starts to head toward them
(OFFSCREEN): Ambassador!
Saal turns to see ADMIRAL ROSS beckoning her over. He is standing with FIRST MINISTER SHAKAAR and a vedek who looks about fifty. Saal makes her way over to them.
ROSS (to Shakaar and the vedek): This is ambassador Saal. She'll be overseeing most of the process of your joining the Federation.
SHAKAAR (shaking her hand): It's nice to finally meet you, Ambassador.
SAAL: And you, Minister.
ROSS (indicating the vedek): This is Vedek Unkte. He's been working closely with First Minister Shakaar on the issue of Federation membership.
UNKTE: I look forward to working with you.
SAAL: And I you. I'm very excited about the possibility of Bajor joining us. I've been an admirer of Bajor for a long time. You're such a strong people with such a rich culture and I feel you would be an essential addition to the Federation.
UNKTE: Is that so?
SAAL: You don't agree?
UNKTE: Oh no, I do completely.
The look on his face and the tone of his voice make us uneasy. Saal looks unconvinced, but says nothing. There is a second of awkward tension.
SHAKAAR: Well I think membership will be good for Bajor. Even with the Dominion disbanded, the Jem'Hadar are still out there and they only exist to be soldiers. I've been advised that, with the Founders dormant they may form their own coalition and launch another attack. As a member of the Federation we'll be better protected.
ROSS: Yes and the Breen are looking to all the forces who allied against them in the war with increasing distaste. The more united we are, the better.
SAAL: United we stand.
SHAKAAR: From what I've seen we'll still retain distinct individuality, but what I really want to talk to you about is immigration…
Their voices fade out as the camera pulls away and we see the day wear on. A couple of hours have passed. The sun has just set and there is still a small glow on the horizon. The lanterns strung above the gathering have been lit. Saal is getting some food from the buffet table. She picks out a little tart/cake looking thing and pops it in her mouth. She makes a face that says it's not bad.
(OFFSCREEN): You like it?
Saal looks over to see a Bajoran woman standing next to her. She is wearing the simple orange robes of a prylar. She looks to be in her mid to late twenties with long light brown hair held up by a pin. She has a kind smile. Saal smiles back at her.
SAAL: They're like little mini larish pies!
BAJORAN WOMAN: Yes they're very good. Nothing like homemade, though.
SAAL: True.
BAJORAN WOMAN (mildly surprised): Have you had homemade larish pie?
SAAL: Well, I've been to a restaurant that claims theirs is homemade. I tried to make it myself once too. ..The restaurant's was better.
They laugh.
BAJORAN WOMAN: I make a pretty good larish pie myself.
SAAL: Really? (She smiles almost flirtatiously) I'll have to take you up on that sometime. I'm Tegan. (She holds out her hand.)
BAJORAN WOMAN (shaking her hand): Tiran.
SAAL (still smiling): Nice to meet you, Tiran.
TIRAN: You're a Trill, right?
SAAL: Yes.
TIRAN: Do you have a…(She motions toward her abdomen.)
SAAL (chuckling): You mean am I joined? Yes. Yes I am.
TIRAN (looking a little embarrassed): Oh. Is um…(She can't help her curiosity) Is Tegan your host name or your symbiont name?
SAAL: It's my host name. My symbiont name is Saal.
TIRAN: I see. Forgive me. Bajor's only ever been occupied by Bajorans and Cardassians, not to mention I've lead a somewhat sheltered life. It's only in recent years that I've started meeting new races.
SAAL: It's alright.
They are silent for a moment. Saal takes a flute of springwine from a passing tray.
TIRAN: So are you on the crew of Deep Space Nine?
SAAL: No. I'm the new Federation ambassador. I'll be working with the provisional government.
Tiran's face tightens a bit and she looks back to the crowd. Saal notices.
SAAL: You don't approve.
TIRAN: It's not my place. (We can tell it's difficult for her to hold her tongue.)
SAAL: Nonsense. It's the right of every person to have a say in the direction their society is taking.
TIRAN: It's not that I oppose Federation membership, I just don't think that right now is the best time for it. We're still throwing off the shackles of two wars. I think we need an extended period of peace and independence before we join.
SAAL: Two hundred and fifty of your two hundred and eighty ministers voted to apply.
TIRAN: I know. Vedek Marel disagrees with me as well.
SAAL: Vedek Marel?
Tiran points to a man in the crowd shaking hands with someone and smiling. He wears a vedek's robes and is quite handsome.
TIRAN: He's being considered for kai. (she sounds very proud)
Saal smiles. She can tell Tiran likes him. Then she sees Vedek Unkte talking in a corner with Shakaar. He looks like he's trying to convince Shakaar of something.
SAAL: If I'm not mistaken, Vedek Unkte is gunning for that position as well.
Tiran looks at him. She frowns and her nose ridges twitch.
TIRAN: I know.
SAAL: You don't like him.
TIRAN: I don't think he has Bajor's best interests at heart.
Just then a section of the gardens explodes. Tiran and Saal grab each other and run. Bajoran security officers usher First Minister Shakaar to safety and other party goers scatter, screaming. Starfleet personnel direct people to exits and some who were armed take out their phasers and take positions. Saal is ushering Tiran to the steps that lead down to the courtyard, but Tiran is struggling to go back.
TIRAN: Marel! I have to make sure he's okay!
SAAL: I'm sure he was just evacuated out of another exit. You have to go.
TIRAN: What about you?
SAAL: I may be an ambassador now, but I'm still a Starfleet commander. I'm not leaving until everyone's been evacuated.
TIRAN: So you expect me to leave you and Marel? No way!
The stairway Tiran was going to leave down collapses in another explosion and the people on it fall (most probably not to their death, but to severe injury). Saal and Tiran have been blown back and are on the ground covered in dust and rubble. We hear other explosions, presumably at the other exits. Tiran gets up and helps Saal up. Tiran spots Marel on the ground covered in rubble near the flames from the first explosion.
TIRAN: Marel!
Tiran runs toward him and Saal follows. Saal struggles to lift a piece of the garden wall off him as Tiran attempts to pull him from under it. They succeed as he gains consciousness.
MAREL (looking blearily at Tiran): Ris?
Saal looks up at the two of them. She understands the significance of using a Bajoran's given name. Tiran tries to help him up, putting his right arm over her shoulders.
MAREL: Ah! My leg!
His robes are ripped and bloody over his left leg.
Saal comes over and puts his left arm over her shoulders and together Saal and Tiran pull him away from the flames and toward the capital building. Kira and Admiral Ross are standing on either side of the entrance ushering people through.
KIRA: All the exists from the garden have been collapsed. We have to leave out the front door.
SAAL: Hayden and the First Minister?
KIRA: Commander Hayden is leading the civilians out. Shakaar has been taken out a side door.
Saal and Tiran carry Marel in and Kira and Ross follow. They enter the lobby to find several civilians and officers on their knees held hostage by five Bajorans in black holding Bajoran phaser rifles. Kira pulls out her phaser and points it at the hostage takers.
(OFFSCREEN): I don't think you want to do that.
A BAJORAN MAN well dressed in civilian clothes steps out from behind the hostage takers.
KIRA: Oh yeah? Why not?
From where the man came step two more hostage takers holding First Minister Shakaar, one of them holding a phaser to his head.
KIRA: Oh, Edon.
SHAKAAR: I must be getting rusty.
Kira lowers her phaser. The Bajoran Man holds out his hand, motioning for her to give him the phaser. She hands it over angrily and he passes it to one of his henchman. The henchman puts it in a bag held by one of the men not holding a rifle. This bag presumably contains all the officers' weapons. Kira taps her communicator.
KIRA: This is Col. Kira. I need a mass beam out from the capitol building.
VOICE: We've been trying. We can't get a transporter lock on anyone in the building.
BAJORAN MAN: Transport inhibitors surrounding the building. (in an almost friendly voice) Take a seat with the others.
They all get down on the ground, glaring at the man the whole way. Saal and Tiran set Marel down carefully between them.
BAJORAN MAN: Are we all sitting comfortably? Good. I am Rajan Elas. I represent The Bajoran Independence Coalition. No one will be hurt as long as you cooperate.
SAAL: People already have been hurt!
RAJAN (waving his hand dismissively): Collateral damage. Now, First Minister Shakaar. (he says the title almost mockingly) All I want from you is a simple agreement. Withdraw your application for Federation membership permanently and I'll let everyone here go.
SHAKAAR: I don't respond to terrorist threats.
RAJAN (tutting): Really? From you? It's well known that you were once the leader of one of the most formidable terrorist cells. (he gives a short laugh) Everyone who works in this building was once a terrorist!
SHAKAAR: We never attacked our own people! We only did what was necessary to free our planet.
RAJAN: And that's all I'm doing! I'll do whatever is necessary to keep our planet from Federation rule.
SAAL: The Federation isn't an invading force! It's an alliance that-
RAJAN: SHUT UP! (calmly now) I was talking to the minister.
SHAKAAR: She's right. You want our people to be free. So do I, and we will be more free and have more sustained peace, protection and aid as a member of the Federation than we could ever have otherwise.
RAJAN: Propaganda! Bajor is more than capable of standing on it's own and capable of so much more than the restrictions of the Federation allows us. We could build a military force that could expand our territories.
SHAKAAR: And become like the Cardassians?! Never!
Rajan signals and one of the men shoots one of the civilians, setting clearly on "kill".
RAJAN: Either you agree to my terms or people keep dying. Your choice.
Shakaar stares at the dead man, clearly conflicted. Rajan goes to signal again, but Shakaar cuts him off.
SHAKAAR: Alright!
Rajan looks at him inquisitively.
SHAKAAR: Alright, fine. I'll withdraw the application.
RAJAN: Panal, let's take the minister to his office. (he smiles) I believe he has some papers to sign.
Rajan and Panal (pointing the phaser at SHAKAAR) urge the minister off his knees and head for the stairs and Shakaar's office. The hostages are left with five people pointing rifles at them, one holding the bag with the weapons, and one other man who has the air of being in charge with Rajan gone.
At least minutes have passed. Saal has taken off her dress uniform jacket left with the thick gray undershirt, having pinned her communicator to that. She rips the jacket and makes a tourniquet for Marel.
SAAL: There, that should slow the bleeding.
MAREL: Thank you. It's a good thing Tiran met you when she did or we would have both been lost.
TIRAN: You saved our lives.
SAAL: His, maybe. (she smiles at Tiran) Your own stubborn mind saved yours. If you'd listened to me you'd have been on that staircase when it collapsed.
TIRAN: Still (she puts her hand on Saal's) Thank you.
SAAL (possibly blushing): Well what is a Starfleet officer good for if she can't save a few lives.
THUG #1: Hey! Quit talking over there!
They all glare at him. Saal waits until he's not looking and leans over to Kira, who is in front of her, and whispers in her ear.
SAAL: If we can wrestle just one of those phaser rifles away and put it on overload everyone would scatter and we could get away and rescue the minister during the explosion.
KIRA: I was just thinking the same thing. We just need to think of the right strategy to-
SAAL (standing up and to the apparent leader): Hey! You can't keep us here! (she approaches him) Shakaar is signing the papers. You said you'd let us go.
THUG #1: Shut up!
SAAL: Do you know the punishment for abducting ministers of state?
THUG #1: I said shut up!
SAAL: For abducting Starfleet officers? For killing civilians?!
THUG #1 (grabbing a rifle from the woman next to him): I said SHUT UP!
Saal elbows him in the stomach grabs the rifle from him before he can get a proper hold on it. She shifts it to overload and throws it in the middle of the floor.
SAAL: Run!
The shrill charging sound of a phaser on overload starts as everybody scatters. The captors, being closest to the front doors, run out of them. Kira grabs the bag of weapons.
KIRA: Ross, get the people out! Commander, Ambassador, with me.
ROSS: Who's giving the orders here?
KIRA: Go!
Tiran hands Marel to two other prylars and follows Saal, Kira, and Hayden up the stairs. This all happens in a matter of moments and just as the last of the civilians are out and our heroes reach the landing, the rifle explodes.
SAAL (to Tiran): What are you doing here?
TIRAN: I want to help.
KIRA: Fine. Then take a weapon.
She tosses Tiran a Starfleet issue phaser from the bag.
TIRAN: Oh, I don't use weapons. (she hands it off to Saal)
HAYDEN: Well then how exactly are you going to help?
TIRAN: Moral support?
Saal chuckles and shakes her head.
SAAL: Fine. Come on. Let's rescue the first minister!
INT. - HALLS OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING: Kira, followed by Saal, then Tiran, then Hayden, walk quickly down the halls, all armed except for Tiran. They approach the door to the first minister's office. Kira signals to the rest that she'll go in first and they should follow. Kira kicks open the doors and they all burst in, phasers raised. Shakaar, however is standing in front of Rajan holding a phaser to his head. Rajan doesn't look scared, just mildly put out.
SHAKAAR: I was wondering when you'd get here. Maybe I'm not so rusty after all.
INT. - SHAKAAR'S OFFICE: Rajan is tied up in a chair in the middle of the office and the others are standing around him.
SHAKAAR: Who is the head of your organization?
Rajan smiles slowly.
RAJAN: I am.
SAAL: Ha! You said you represent the Bajoran Independence Coalition, not that you were their leader.
RAJAN: Who better to represent a people than their leader?
KIRA: We don't believe you.
RAJAN: That's your business.
TIRAN: Why would you do this? Why would you kill your own people to get your point across.
RAJAN: They die for a greater cause. That's the price of war.
KIRA: We're not at war.
RAJAN (smiling again): You will be.
SAAL: Is that your goal? A civil war?
Rajan does not answer.
SHAKAAR: This planet has seen enough war. I won't let that happen.
Bajoran officers enter and remove Rajan, cuffing him and taking him away. He looks back at our heroes smiling as they drag him off. Close up on Saal looking at him. She looks down, disheartened. Tiran comes up to her.
TIRAN: I don't understand that mindset. How can he really believe he's doing the right thing for his people?
SAAL: Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. Sometimes, when people have grown up knowing war and only war, it becomes all they can handle. The prospect of peace terrifies them.
They are silent for a beat, then Tiran looks at Saal inquisitively.
TIRAN: Tegan, when you went up against that guard in the lobby, how did you know they wouldn't just shoot you immediately?
SAAL: Did you see the way they operated? Those guys don't do anything without orders.
They smile.
INT. - A RELATIVELY SMALL OFFICE IN THE CAPITOL BUILDING (The next day): Admiral Ross and Saal walk in.
ROSS: This will be your office.
Saal walks to the window behind the desk and looks out. Outside they have already begun work on rebuilding the gardens.
ROSS: The Federation Council is concerned about this Bajoran Independence Coalition. They're holding the application process until they can be assured it won't cause a violent uprising. The majority of Bajor truly wants membership, though, so we're not abandoning the prospect. On that subject, I have to inform you that your position here has changed.
Saal walks back over to the admiral.
SAAL: In what way?
ROSS: You're still our ambassador to Bajor, but your duties are going to shift somewhat. As well as negotiation and observation, we want you to help the provisional government to investigate and quell violent protest. If the violence isn't under control within a year, I'm afraid the Federation will have to reject Bajor's request for membership.
SAAL: I hope it doesn't come to that. I really believe Bajor deserves membership if they want it. They've deserved it for a long time.
ROSS: I agree. I worked closely with them during the Dominion war. That's why I hope you can help them.
SAAL: I won't let you down, Sir.
ROSS (smiling): I know.
Ross leaves the office and Saal looks around. She strolls to the desk and sits down, getting a feel for it. There is a cup of pens on the desk. She moves it to the right, looks at it, then moves it back to the left.
TIRAN (offscreen): Hello.
Saal looks up, surprised. Tiran is in the doorway smiling fondly.
SAAL: Prylar Tiran! (she gets up and approaches Tiran) How is Vedek Marel?
TIRAN: He'll be fine. The doctors say he'll be up and walking around in a couple weeks. (she enters the room, approaching Saal) He suggested, you may need a religious advisor.
SAAL: I thought Vedek Unkte was the religious advisor.
TIRAN: He's Minister Shakaar's advisor. I thought you might need one of your own.
SAAL (smiling coyly): I thought you said Vedek Marel suggested it.
TIRAN (coyly smiling back): I may have given him the idea.
SAAL (still smiling): And the provisional government approved this request?
TIRAN: Oh, they encouraged it.
SAAL: And you'll be that advisor?
TIRAN: Absolutely.
SAAL: Good.
They are grinning like idiots at each other.
-CREDITS-
-----------------------------
Based on Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by Rick Berman and Michael Piller
Story by Kitty
Special thanks to Jack