The Trials of Bajor 1x02: 'A Gift of Peace'
Series: Star Trek: The Trials of Bajor
Episode: 1x02 'A Gift of Peace'
Summary: The Cardassians are returning one of the stolen Tears of the Prophets to the Bajoran people. Minister Shakaar invites Ambassador Saal to join him at the ceremonies as a Federation presence.
Characters: Ambassador Tegan Saal, Prylar Tiran Ris, First Minister Shakaar Edon, Vedek Marel, Vedek Unkte, Kal Umar
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.
INT.- SAAL’S HOME - Close up on the replicator in Saal’s kitchen.
SAAL: Coffee.
The replicator sparks slightly and beeps in indication of an error.
SAAL: Coffee!
The replicator repeats it’s error.
SAAL: A raktajino, then.
The error repeats.
SAAL: Fine! Deka tea. Can you do deka tea?
It replicates a cup of deka tea, but sparks a little again and makes a noise that tells us this was a difficult task for it. Saal takes the cup and takes an experimental sip. She shrugs and continues drinking it. She walks over to the dining table and picks up a PADD. She flicks through it, skimming the morning news. Looking at the clock on the counter, she sees it’s almost 0700, gulps her tea and heads out the door.
INT. - DAHKUR MONASTARY - Tiran helps Marel to walk with his walking stick as he waves her off.
MAREL: I’m fine. I’m fine.
TIRAN: Are you sure?
MAREL: Don’t you have a job you should be getting to?
Tiran smiles.
TIRAN: Alright, fine.
She hurries off, but calls back to him as she goes.
TIRAN: You rest that leg!
He waves semi-dismissively as if to say he will and she should hurry up and go.
INT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING - Saal walks into the lobby where they are re-tiling the floor from the overloaded phaser in the last episode. She nods to a few people as she passes them in the halls. She reaches her office and goes straight to the replicator.
SAAL: Coffee. Cream; two sugars.
The replicator complies. Saal smiles, takes it, and takes a long grateful sip. She turns around to see a young Bajoran man standing in her doorway. She smiles in greeting.
SAAL: Deka tea has almost no caffeine in it.
YOUNG MAN: I’m sorry?
SAAL: Nothing. What is it, Jana?
JANA: The first minister would like to see you in his office.
Saal looks mildly put out. She had hoped to enjoy her coffee before doing anything. She sucks it up, puts her cup down and follows the page out of her office.
INT. FIRST MINISTER SHAKAAR’S OFFICE - Shakaar signs something and puts the paper aside, looking at the next one. He looks up as Jana, the page, opens the door and lets Saal in.
SAAL: You wanted to see me, minister?
SHAKAAR: Ah, ambassador. (he gets up) Yes. We’ve been contacted by a representative of the new interim government of Cardassia, Kal Umar. He says that, as a gesture of goodwill to the Bajoran people, they are returning one of the stolen Orbs of the Prophets.
SAAL: Did he say which one?
SHAKAAR: He wasn’t sure. It never revealed anything to the Cardassians. It’s being delivered to the Alora temple in Tamulna. I want there to be a Federation representative there, since we hope to become members and this is an important step toward peaceful relations with the Cardassians. I hope you’ll join me at the ceremonies.
SAAL (genuinely touched): I’d be honored.
SHAKAAR: Then it’s settled. Ah, Vedek Unkte!
Vedek Unkte walks in and regards Saal with a barely veiled icy look.
UNKTE (to SHAKAAR, smiling): Minister.
SHAKAAR: I wanted to discuss the assembly’s plans for the orb.
Saal stares warily at Unkte as she leaves. Coming out of the door she bumps into Tiran in the hall (literally).
TIRAN: Oh! Ambassador.
SAAL (laughing as they steady themselves): It’s “ambassador” now, is it?
TIRAN: Well, I thought since we’d be working together…
SAAL: Tegan is fine. Or Saal. Whichever you’re comfortable with.
They walk down the hall towards Saal’s office.
TIRAN: Alright…Tegan, I just wondered if you wanted me to accompany you.
SAAL: To Tamulna? Sure. I would think you’d want to be there anyway, though.
TIRAN: What? No. To Dahkur monastery.
They reach Saal’s office.
SAAL: What am I going there for?
TIRAN: Didn’t Vedek Unkte tell you?
SAAL (suspicious): Obviously not.
TIRAN: Oh. The Vedek Assembly has decided that if you’re going to be able to work in Bajor’s best interest, you need to have an orb experience. They want you to consult the Orb of Contemplation.
SAAL (surprised): Oh.
TIRAN: You’re very lucky. I’ve never had an orb experience.
SAAL: As I understand it, contact with the orbs is very limited.
TIRAN: Yes, but someone like you, who will take a pivotal role in Bajor’s future, should experience the will of the Prophets.
Saal picks up the cup of coffee she abandoned earlier.
SAAL: When did they want me to go?
TIRAN: Um, now actually.
Saal sighs and puts down the coffee again.
EXT. - DAHKUR MONASTARY - Birds fly by as we see a beautiful, ornate monastery with domed spires on the edge of a hill overlooking the city.
EXT. - MONASTERY LAWN - Vedek Marel hobbles down the path as Saal and Tiran approach.
MAREL: Welcome, Ambassador.
TIRAN: I told you to rest that leg.
MAREL: I am the keeper of this monastery and I will not be an ungracious host. (to Saal) Come. I’ll take you to the orb.
INT.- THE HALLS OF THE MONASTERY- Marel limps along in front as Saal and Tiran follow.
MAREL: The Orb of Contemplation was kept in the temple on Deep Space Nine until this past year, when they received the Orb of the Emissary, at which time it was sent here.
They reach the room with the orb. The orb casing sits on an altar against the far wall, a pedestal with a thick candle on either side. Saal and Tiran approach it in awe.
MAREL: We’ll leave you be. Orb experiences should be private.
Tiran is still standing next to her.
MAREL: Tiran.
She looks over and he motions for her to come. Tiran looks at Saal, then, reluctantly follows Marel out of the room. Saal stares at the orb box, then, slowly reaches up to open it. The glowing hourglass shape of the orb is revealed and Saal stares into it. There is a flash and we whiteout into a vision. Saal is standing in an empty town square, not on Bajor or Earth, presumably on Trill. We hear a sound, like a heartbeat (this sound continues throughout the vision) A Trill woman, blond and in her thirties stands before her.
SAAL: Yari?
YARI reaches out for her, then ages rapidly and crumbles to dust. Saal turns and we catch a flash of another woman in her seventies turning away from Saal, but she quickly fades into the fog. Suddenly Saal is in the Bajoran capitol building Shakaar and a Cardassian are shaking hands in front of a clapping crowd and a vision of Saal stands between them, smiling. The fog increases again. until we see nothing but Saal standing alone. There is a figure in the fog and she slowly walks out, revealing herself to be Tiran, but she is in a white dress with her hair down. She silently takes Saal’s hand and leads her out of the fog and into a field. We can see a Bajoran city in the distance. The vision of Tiran reaches up and touches Saal’s face. Saal closes her eyes and there is another white flash, then the vision is over and Saal is standing in front of the orb in the temple again. She looks stunned.
INT. AN AJACENT ROOM IN THE MONASTARY- Tiran and Marel are talking as they wait for Saal. They look up as she walks in. Tiran rushes over.
TIRAN: What was it like?
SAAL: Um… I-I’m not sure how to describe it.
MAREL: You shouldn’t have to. Orb experiences are usually personal.
SAAL (to Marel): What does the Orb of Contemplation show you? Are they prophecies, memories…?
MAREL: No, only the Orb of Prophecy and Change can show you those. The Orb of Contemplation helps you sort out what’s on your mind and in your subconscious. It helps to guide your path.
SAAL: I’m not sure what it’s guiding me towards.
MAREL: People usually aren’t right away. You have to take some time to think about it.
TIRAN: Are you alright?
She lays her hand on Saal’s arm. We hear the heartbeat again for a moment. Saal stares at her for a second before answering.
SAAL (almost a whisper): I’m fine.
Tiran looks concerned, but doesn’t push her, just stays looking at her with her hand comfortingly on her arm. Marel looks between them, but doesn’t say anything.
INT. THE CAPITOL BUILDING - Tiran and Saal enter.
TIRAN: Did they say which orb they were returning?
SAAL: No. They don’t know.
They pass Vedek Unkte in the hall.
UNKTE (in greeting): Ambassador.
SAAL: Vedek Unkte. I just came from Dahkur monastery.
UNKTE (feigning ignorance): Yes.
SAAL: Apparently the Vedek Assembly, of which you are a member, decided I needed to have an orb experience.
UNKTE: Ah, yes. It must have slipped my mind.
SAAL (subtly sarcastic): Must have.
UNKTE: If you’ll excuse me.
Unkte leaves and Saal and Tiran watch him.
SAAL: Something about him rubs me the wrong way.
TIRAN: He makes me uneasy.
SAAL: Why?
TIRAN: After Deep Space Nine was established and other species began to visit Bajor, he started preaching with that “Bajor is for Bajorans” group. He renounced it later, saying he was mislead, but I heard his speeches. He wasn’t mislead.
SAAL: Well now I know I don’t like him. He told me he was advising Shakaar on Federation membership, but everything about him tells me he’s up to something else.
TIRAN: Like what?
SAAL: Not sure.
EXT. A Bajoran air shuttle flies over the coast.
INT. THE SHUTTLE- Tiran and Saal sit in two seats on the left side of the craft and Shakaar and Unkte sit on the right. Two Bajoran security officers pilot the shuttle.
SAAL (looking out the window): The beaches look so beautiful here.
SHAKAAR: Wait until you see them from the ground. Gorgeous!
TIRAN: Do you think we’ll have time to spend there after the ceremonies?
SAAL: Oh, I hope so.
UNKTE: Excuse me, it’s not my place, but I thought we were here to reclaim what was stolen from us, not sightsee.
SHAKAAR: We’ll have time afterwards, and that’s not strictly correct. The orb is being returned to us as a gesture of goodwill. It’s a sign of hope that hostile relations between us and the Cardassians can end.
UNKTE: Forgive me sir, but I believe you are being naïve. How do you know that this is not some sort of deception in order to regain control?
TIRAN: Have a little faith, your grace. The Cardassians were decimated when they turned on the Dominion. They are rebuilding their government just as we were.
SAAL: And switching from martial law to a democracy is not easy. There is a lot of chaos due to inability of the interim government to enforce the law.
EXT. The shuttle lands in front of Alora temple. The two security officers exit first, Shakaar and Unkte exit, followed by Saal and Tiran. They stand poised in front of the temple. One of the security officers taps his comm badge.
OFFICER #1: Clear.
Three Cardassians beam down, two soldiers and KAL UMAR. One of the soldiers holds the orb. Umar steps forward and shakes Shakaar’s hand.
UMAR: Minister, so nice to meet you.
SHAKAAR: And you, sir.
UMAR (gesturing to the temple): Shall we?
They all go inside.
INT. ALORA TEMPLE - Everyone is in a room just inside the steps of the temple. One of the Cardassian soldiers sets the orb down on an altar. There are security officers posted just outside. A female vedek and several prylars come out to greet them.
UNKTE: Vedek Anel.
ANEL: Vedek Unkte. So good to see you. Is this the orb you wish us to identify? (she approaches it)
SHAKAAR: I was hoping you could do it after the ceremony.
ANEL: Of course. Thank you for bringing it to us.
UMAR: I’m only returning it to where it belongs.
SHAKAAR (to UMAR): I’ve heard of the work you’re doing on Cardassia Prime. I admire your dedication to democracy.
UMAR: The people of Cardassia and the Cardassian territories have lived under the rule of an imperial military for too long. We’ve allied with terrible forces and invaded countless planets and our citizens had no say in the matter. The rebellion against the Dominion was just the beginning, and if we’re going to rebuild, we should do it from the ground up.
OFFICER #2 (calling in from the steps): Sir, the spectators are arriving.
Saal comes to the steps to look. There is a crowd of people coming up the path to the temple. Then some holding signs come into view.
SAAL: And the protesters.
UMAR: That’s to be expected. You are making nice with a Cardassian after all.
EXT. THE TEMPLE- There is a large crowd gathered around the building. There are some protesters on the fringes of the crowd holding up signs that say things like “Cardassian go home!” and “No peace with spoonheads”. Shakaar steps out onto the center of the terrace. Umar is standing slightly behind him. Saal, Tiran, Unkte, and Anel stand in the back, watching.
SHAKAAR (addressing the crowd): Sixty years ago, Cardassians stole our most sacred objects, the Tears of the Prophets. A lot has happened since then. We’ve won our independence and Cardassia faced an invasion of their own, and even though their government erred in the beginning of that war, in the end they turned the tide for all of the Alpha Quadrant. Now, as they build a new government, they seek to make peace with--
There is a phaser blast that strikes between Shakaar and Umar. The crowd begins to panic. Some security officers usher everyone inside, while others race off in the direction of the shot.
SAAL (to OFFICER #2): Were they shooting at Umar or the minister?
OFFICER #2: I don’t know.
Saal takes out her phaser.
SAAL: I’m gonna help the others find the shooter. You stay here and guard the minister and our guest.
OFFICER #2: You’re not my commanding officer.
SAAL: No, but he’s out leading the search and you’re the highest ranking Bajoran officer here. Someone needs to stay and supervise the guard. You up for it?
OFFICER #2: …Yes sir!
Saal smiles.
UMAR: Should an ambassador really be armed?
SAAL: When she doubles as a Starfleet officer she should.
TIRAN: I’ll stay with him.
SAAL: Oh, Umar, you couldn’t be in better hands!
She ducks out the side door. Tiran puts her hand on Umar’s shoulder.
EXT. THE TEMPLE GROUNDS - Saal maneuvers through the unsettled crowd. She approaches the LEAD SECURITY OFFICER.
SAAL: Has anyone found him?
LEAD OFFICER: Not yet. We’re moving to search those cliffs (he points to a line of small cliffs a couple meters away). It’s the most likely vantage point for a sniper.
Saal nods and heads for the cliffs.
INT. THE TEMPLE - Tiran and Umar sit together in the corner of a safe room in the temple. Shakaar is on the other side next to Unkte. Anel and the other prylars sit in the room as well.
SHAKAAR (to Umar): I’m sorry about all this, Umar.
UMAR: Not to worry. This is far from the first attempt on my life. Though, who knows, it could have been an attempt on yours.
UNKTE: I hardly think someone would attempt to assassinate the minister when there was a Cardassian in the vicinity. Needless to say, your presence almost got the minister killed.
TIRAN: I don’t think the blame lies on anyone in this room, vedek. That belongs to the shooter. (to Umar) Regardless of how it may seem. Some of us want peace with Cardassia. We can’t be at war forever. It’s not good for either of us.
UMAR: I agree, but there are many people that disagree on both Bajor and Cardassia. I said this wasn’t the first attempt on my life, but it is the first Bajoran one.
TIRAN: Your own people have tried to kill you?
UMAR: Yes. Three times, actually. Many people on Cardassia Prime were soldiers, families of soldiers, or aspired to be a soldier. Much of them are resistant to the new government that I and other representatives are trying to form. Martial law made them feel safe, powerful, untouchable even. They are afraid democracy will leave them vulnerable to attack or invasion.
TIRAN: Why are you so dedicated to the change?
UMAR: I used to be prefect of Lakarian City.
Tiran’s eyes widen.
UMAR: When the Jem’Hadar hit it, I was on my way to the capitol to protest the alliance with the Dominion. People tell me I was lucky…but…(he is getting emotional now) those were my people. (he’s tearing up now, his voice is very choked) My family…My wife, my daughter (he breaks) my baby boy.
Umar cries silently for a moment and Tiran puts her arms around him. He wipes his eyes and sucks it up as best he can.
UMAR: My family, plus two million others under my care. That’s what military rule has brought us. The desire to conquer caused us to ally with those people. Never again. Cardassia will be ruled by it’s people. I won’t rest until it is.
Tiran, arms still around Umar, rests her head on his shoulder.
EXT. THE CLIFFS - Saal searches the cliffs. She sees a glint in some bushes near the edge and approaches. There is a Bajoran phaser rifle, sniper issue, mounted on the ground. Saal looks around, but the sniper is nowhere to be seen. She taps her comm badge.
SAAL: Saal here. I found where the shot came from, but there’s no sign of the shooter.
She looks out over the cliffs and sees a man with a phaser shoot the two guards at the temple’s back entrance and enter the temple.
SAAL: Dammit! He’s gone in! All forces to the temple!
She runs to get down the hill and head for the temple.
INT. THE TEMPLE - The occupants of the safe room hear two phaser blasts and look to the door. A Bajoran man enters holding a phaser.
MAN: Everybody stay down! Except the Cardassian. (to Umar) Stand up.
Umar starts to rise, but Tiran pulls him back down.
TIRAN: Don’t!
UMAR: I have to.
He stands.
UMAR: Before you kill me, can I ask why I’m dying?
MAN: Why?! You’re Cardassian. Do I need a reason?
TIRAN (standing): You’ve gone to an awful lot of trouble, so I’d say you do. You wouldn’t do all this just to kill a Cardassian. This is personal.
MAN (shakily): I come from a town a few hecapates away. Dalmoor. It was the site of a uridium mine during the occupation. I worked in that mine for most of my life. They were brutal, those Cardassians. If you couldn’t work anymore, they’d kill you. (voice breaking a bit). I worked there. So did my daughter. One day she broke her leg, falling in the mine. What do you think they did, Cardassian?
Umar looks sad and remorseful. There is great pity in his eyes.
MAN: What did they do?! SAY IT!
UMAR (sadly): They killed her.
MAN: They KILLED her! (crying) She was ten years old! And they killed her, my baby, they killed her! (he holds the gun firmer) And now you want to make PEACE?! I would sooner see Bajor burn than ally with your FILTH!
TIRAN (moving to stand in front of Umar and speaking as calmly as she can to the man): What’s your name?
MAN: What does it matter?!
TIRAN: Just…tell me your name.
MAN: Kalmae.
TIRAN: Kalmae, I’m so so sorry about your daughter, but Umar didn’t kill her.
KALMAE: He’s a Cardassian.
TIRAN: Not all Cardassians are the same.
KALMAE: A spoonhead’s a spoonhead.
TIRAN: You’re not the only one who’s lost people. He lost his whole family in the Dominion war.
KALMAE: It’s only what he deserves.
UMAR: Don’t you dare say that! I wasn’t even a part of the occupation!
KALMAE: You didn’t stop it!
UMAR: One man can’t--
TIRAN: Everyone calm down! Kalmae, killing innocent people will make you no better than the Cardassian guard that killed your daughter.
KALMAE: No Cardassian is innocent!
TIRAN: Is that phaser set on stun or kill?
KALMAE: Kill of course! You think I come to assassinate someone with my phaser set on stun?!
TIRAN: And what was it set on when you shot those guards?
Kalmae looks guilty.
TIRAN: You’re not innocent either. No person really is.
KALMAE: My daughter was!
TIRAN: And how would she feel if she could see what you’ve become?
Kalmae hesitates.
TIRAN: You killed two people already. Let it end there.
Kalmae begins to lower his gun. Tiran steps forward and takes it just as security officers rush in and cuff Kalmae. Kalmae lets them. Saal comes in and sees Tiran holding the gun. Tiran looks at her. Saal looks from Tiran to Kalmae and back, working out must have happened. She smiles at Tiran and hugs her tight. The guards begin to take Kalmae away.
UMAR: Wait.
He steps up to Kalmae.
UMAR: I can’t say anything that can make up for what happened to you and your daughter, but I know all too well what it’s like to lose the ones you love. I’ll talk to the minister and make sure you get a good lawyer. I’ll be in contact.
The guards take Kalmae away.
EXT. THE STEPS OF THE TEMPLE - The crowd watches as Shakaar finishes his speech.
SHAKAAR: …and now as we look forward to a new era of peaceful coexistence, I am proud to accept this orb in all good faith.
Umar takes the orb from his soldier and hands it to Shakaar, who places it on a pedestal. They shake hands and the crowd cheers.
INT. THE TEMPLE - Everyone waits outside a pair of double doors. They open and Anel comes out. Everyone looks at her expectantly.
ANEL: I am glad to announce that the orb you brought back to us is The Orb of Atonement.
UMAR (solemnly): How appropriate.
SHAKAAR: I’m glad you brought it back to us and I look forward to cooperation with you in the future.
UMAR: As do I minister.
SHAKAAR: I’ll walk you outside.
They leave.
SAAL (to TIRAN): Well, now that we’re done with business, I think we have time for a walk on the beach. Care to join me?
TIRAN: Love to.
EXT. THE BEACH- Saal and Tiran sit in the sand, watching the sun set over the water.
SAAL: Shakaar told me what happened. You were very brave back there.
TIRAN: Revenge is never the way. My father taught me that.
SAAL (smiling): I’d like to meet him.
TIRAN (chuckling): Good luck.
SAAL: What do you mean?
TIRAN: He’s sort of a hermit. We both were, I guess. I grew up in a cabin in the wilderness in Hendrickspool. We were lucky. Only one Cardassian ever found us and we were able to persuade him to keep our location a secret. When I hear about what other people went through during the occupation, people like Kalmae…I feel guilty. We never had to suffer. Well, I never did. Cardassians killed my mother shortly after I was born. Dad says that’s why we fled to the mountains. But even after that he was a pacifist. He told me that taking revenge on the Cardassians wouldn’t bring my mother back. “Violence only breeds more violence” he always said.
SAAL: Smart man.
TIRAN: In a way. Sometimes I wonder if passive resistance would’ve really worked against the Cardassian military, though. Maybe terrorism really was the only way.
SAAL: You’re still a pacifist, though?
TIRAN: I believe in it.
SAAL: That’s good. It worked today. It saved lives today.
TIRAN: Yeah, I suppose it did.
SHAKAAR (over the comm): Saal, the shuttle’s prepped and ready to go.
Saal taps her comm badge.
SAAL: We’re on our way.
Saal stands up and extends her hand to Tiran. She takes it and gets up. They walk off the beach, hand in hand.
- END CREDITS -
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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
Other episodes
1x01: 'Ambassador'
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