ACT III

(Bashir's quarters are now a crime scene. Closeup on BASHIR, who is sitting in the bedroom, propped against a wall with his head in his hands. Without looking up, he responds to a question)
 

BASHIR: All I can tell you is that he knew they were coming. (Looks up and rests his head against the wall; we pull back to see ODO standing in front of him while KIRA moves around the room looking at the evidence)

ODO: What makes you say that?

BASHIR: Something he said before I left for the epidemic. (The memory is clearly painful)

ODO: Who did he think was after him?

BASHIR: (miserably) He didn't tell me. (KIRA finds the ball by the door)

KIRA: Doctor, where did this come from?

BASHIR: I don't know. It turned up in our bedroom the other day. I thought it was Garak's, but he didn't know what it was either.

ODO: He said that, did he? (KIRA lifts it gingerly from the floor)

KIRA: He was lying. (BASHIR closes his eyes)

BASHIR: Of course he was.
 

(We are now in the interrogation room on Cardassia. GARAK is in the same position but has recovered consciousness. He sits motionless and silent under the lamp. ORANZ stands in the shadows outside the lighted area watching him. After a few moments of this ORANZ finally speaks)
 

ORANZ: I should wait another two or three hours, but I'm not a patient man. (Starts circling the chair) Besides, I've always thought it was a mistake to take the manual too literally. Every subject is different, after all.

GARAK: Ah, but some principles apply to every operation. It's vital that you make the subject speak first. Speaking first implies a need.

ORANZ: But also controls the conversation.

GARAK: You give up more power than you gain.

ORANZ: Somehow, I'm not concerned. (Moves closer to him) I've seen it happen, oh, many times now. We've been getting a *lot* of practice on former operatives. The strange thing is, they're actually easier. It was a surprise to us, I can tell you. (GARAK laughs) I know what you're thinking, but before this is over you'll make all the mistakes. Knowing as you're making them that you shouldn't.

GARAK: The first mistake was yours. That doesn't bode well, does it?

ORANZ: Your command of technique and of psychology is still unequaled. I'm surprised you never learned the most important thing. (Pause)

GARAK: Since you are clearly *dying* to impart your nugget of priceless wisdom, tell me, what platitude is it that your limited understanding and stunted intellect recognizes at the Most Important Thing? (ORANZ smiles)

ORANZ: That knowledge is not power.
 

(In the briefing room, the senior staff is sitting around a table with SISKO at the head. BASHIR still looks haggard and unwell. SISKO has the ball in front of him and looks at it with a puzzled expression.)
 

SISKO: What is it?

KIRA: It's a geological formation found in certain rift valleys on Cardassia. We called them bloodhearts. It's a nodule that forms when-- 

SISKO: Yes, Major, geology aside, what is it doing here?

ODO: It's the Obsidian Order's way of letting you know your presence is requested at an inquiry.

SISKO: Inquiry.

BASHIR: Interrogation. (SISKO looks at him briefly, but quickly turns his attention back to KIRA)

SISKO: It seems odd to go out of one's way to warn the person you're coming for him.

KIRA: You have to understand the logic of an occupation, Captain. The bloodheart appears in your private space, by magic, with no evidence of how it got there. You just stumble across it one morning. And there it is, right in your hand, evidence that the Order Knows.

ODO: And that they know exactly how to find you. When you get a bloodheart you don't run, because what the bloodheart means is that there's nowhere to go.

KIRA: Then when people come to look for you after you're taken, they find the bloodheart. Of course officially these things are just interestingly shaped rocks. That's another part of occupation--making people learn the rules through rumor and superstition. Mystery breeds fear, fear breeds obedience.

SISKO: So everyone the Order picks up gets one of these?

ODO: Not everyone. The system is arcane and complicated, but there were different classifications of suspect. Suspected Bajoran resistance leaders were in the same class as complex traitors on the homeworld. The highest class.

KIRA: And the only one that got the bloodhearts.

SISKO: Well. It would seem our next move is to get in touch with Cardassia, if we can.

ODO: I should be able to find out something through my contacts in the Order. I've been waiting for your authorization.

SISKO: You've got it. (Looks at the ball) Is the blood his?

DAX: No. It's iron-based, that much we know, so it has to be someone else's. We're doing a spectroscopy on it now.

O'BRIEN: But if it's not Cardassian--

ODO: Bounty hunters, most likely. The Order subcontracts.

DAX: We'll know more then we get the--(her badge beeps)

ENSIGN: Science lab to Dax.

DAX: Speak of the devil. Go ahead, Tandra.

TANDRA: We have the results from the blood sample.

DAX: And?

TANDRA: It's Bajoran. (KIRA looks up, shocked. Meaningful glances exchanged.)
 

(Interrogation room. ORANZ is standing a little behind GARAK, holding a remote control device.)
 

GARAK: The blindfold is superfluous, I assure you. I know exactly where I am.

ORANZ: You think you know.

GARAK: The room is no larger than 10 dithums square but no smaller than 7. There is one light source, located directly above the subject--(turning to address an aside to ORANZ) That's me, I'm the subject. The operator--that's you--maintains a distance of--(ORANZ presses the remote; GARAK flails
briefly but doesn't cry out) 

ORANZ: Things have changed since you left us, Garak. The manual has been revised.

GARAK: You now insert the nerve stimulator under the left clavicle instead of the right. I don't see that it makes much difference.

ORANZ: Did you not know that Central Command has fallen and a civilian government is in place?

GARAK: I don't really follow the news from the *provinces,* but yes, I--(Shock. GARAK spends some time slumped and breathing hard before picking up his head again)

ORANZ: The program as you knew it has been discontinued.

GARAK: Oh, so this is pleasure and not business! You should have said so.
(ORANZ hits the remote and this time GARAK screams; the shock lasts longer)

ORANZ: Discontinued *except* in cases of complex treason.

GARAK: So hardly anything has changed, then. (ORANZ shocks him again. Still in pain) You should wait longer between hits, you're not capitalizing on the anticipation effect.

ORANZ: I know what *I'm* doing. (GARAK snorts; ORANZ hits the remote; there is a longer scream as ORANZ keeps the pressure on, then finally releases him)

GARAK: (still panting and hoarse) On the contrary, I'd say it is now quite clear that you don't. (ORANZ presses the button again.)
 

(SISKO's office. He is at his desk talking to KIRA.)

KIRA: I have an idea, anyway. Ophidia gave me a lead I'd like to follow up.

SISKO: Ophidia?

KIRA: You know about the Kai's infatuation with her? (SISKO nods with a smile) Well, during their ill-fated encounter the Kai made some reference to a growing anti-heldek faction. I've heard the same rumors myself--a maverick sect that reads the sacred writings upside-down and sideways to try to work out prohibitions against whatever they happen to be scared of. I've looked up some of their pronouncements and it seems they're developing quite a specialty in revisionist history.

SISKO: Which means...?

KIRA: According to them, heldek is a Cardassian practice that was brought to Bajor during the occupation.

SISKO: But...Cardassians hate...

KIRA: (explosively) I know, I know, it makes NO SENSE, but who cares about things like fact or history? If they're looking to make a connection between heldek and Cardassians, Garak would certainly be one place to start.

SISKO: But where would Bajorans get a bloodheart?

KIRA:We in the resistance amassed quite a collection. We started serving them to collaborators once we had enough. (SISKO looks at her) It was an ugly fight, Captain. The weapons we could reach were the ones that had been used on us. We copied our enemy. It was not good for us, but it was all we
could do.

SISKO: Pursue your investigation. Let me know what you come up with. (KIRA nods and leaves. BASHIR enters; SISKO braces himself) Doctor! Please sit down. (BASHIR doesn't)

BASHIR: You wanted to see me? (SISKO sighs and stands, walking around from behind the desk)

SISKO: Yes. Odo has contacted his sources on Cardassia and we have an explanation, at least. (BASHIR nods) Apparently the civilian government is organizing a kind of war crimes tribunal--an attempt to purge old Command and Order personnel. Former operatives are being tried for complex treason--

BASHIR: Which is--

SISKO: Betrayal of the Cardassian people. It's different from betrayal of the Cardassian state, which is a lesser charge. It has other components involving offenses against Cardassian values as well as--

BASHIR: I understand.

SISKO: Garak has been taken as part of this cleanup. He's famous enough on the homeworld that the civilian government feels bringing him to trial will strengthen its authority.

BASHIR: (doing a not very good job of attempting to be stoic) What steps have you taken? (SISKO takes a deep breath)

SISKO: Julian...you know how unstable the situation in the Cardassian sphere of influence is.

BASHIR: Yes, I did manage to notice that--

SISKO: The Klingons are still involved there, and Starfleet feels that any attempt on our part to intervene would be read by the Council as a Federation ploy to advance our interests. It could precipitate another confrontation and with things as volatile as they are now--

BASHIR: So you have decided to do nothing.

SISKO: I have been ordered by Starfleet Command not to intervene.

BASHIR: Meanwhile Garak is left on Cardassia to be tortured--

SISKO: Believe me, Doctor, I have done everything in my power to--

BASHIR: When Starfleet told us to stay out of the Gamma Quadrant--

SISKO: That was a different situation.

BASHIR: Oh, because one of your *officers* was involved. Garak's just a tailor, after all--

SISKO: We did *not* go into the Gamma Quadrant after Odo, Doctor, we went in there after the Dominion. I do not believe the Federation understands the Dominion threat and I had sound reasons for the decision I made. But I'm with them on this one. We do *not* want a war with the Klingons if we
can help it, and I will *not* use Federation equipment and personnel to violate Cardassian space. Is that clear?

BASHIR: If it was Keiko, or if it had been Jen--

SISKO: My decision would be the same! That uniform comes with responsibilities, and this is one of them. I swore to protect the Federation and if that means making sacrifices I am bound to make them,
however painful they are, and so are you!

BASHIR: (quietly) I see.

SISKO: (awkwardly) I'm sorry, Julian. We'll do everything we can--

BASHIR: Captain, I believe I have some leave time coming to me...I'd like to take it now.

SISKO: Of course. Take as long as you like.

BASHIR: Thank you. (He exits)
 

(Back in the interrogation room, the questioning is in full swing. GARAK is now pretty much always either being shocked or in a state of twitching and panting reaction. ORANZ has raised his voice several notches and is hammering hard at the questions.)

ORANZ: We know about you and Tain. We know about you and Parlock.

GARAK: If you know, why ask? (Shock)

ORANZ: Who else?

GARAK:  *You* should know. (Longer than usual shock. GARAK collapses at the end of it)

ORANZ: Who else?

GARAK: (raggedly, his head rocking on the back of the chair) You should pace yourself. You'll exhaust the subject before you've extracted the confession.

ORANZ: Who else?

GARAK: I'm sorry--could you repeat the question? (Another shock. ORANZ, who has been getting agitated himself, pauses long enough for GARAK to collect himself for another sally) No wonder you're still at subaltern level. (ORANZ shocks him) You're allowing me to control the hits. Responding to my cues.

ORANZ: Play the game all you want, I still make the rules. (Shocks him. GARAK's speech is now slower and more labored than before and his breathing now never settles into a normal pattern)

GARAK: I made your rules.

ORANZ: How *frustrating* (shock) it must be then that I'm not playing by them. (GARAK is now too busy reacting to frame a response. ORANZ moves in closer) We're going to get them all, Garak, one by one, they're all going to come into this room and when we're done they're all going up under the
big lights so Cardassia can see *exactly* why the empire fell. You're going to give me the confession and you're going to go on display and do the show along with everyone else and the longer you hold out the more humiliating the break will be. (Shock.) So tell me now. Who were you with?

GARAK: Nobody. (Shock)

ORANZ: Who were you with?

GARAK: (shouting it hoarsely in a breaking voice) Nobody! (ORANZ smiles)

ORANZ: *Now* we're making progress.
 

(Back on the station, OPHIDIA and BASHIR are walking toward an airlock. Both are carrying luggage, OPHIDIA more than BASHIR.)

OPHIDIA: It's very nice of you, Doctor, but I'm surprised that at this point you feel like making a gratuitous trip to Caledonia.

BASHIR: Oh, I'm not going as far as that. If we could go by the Phrenellian system on the way--

OPHIDIA: Of course. Going to visit your sister?

BASHIR: She and Tl'Oane have been very kind. (They pass through the airlock and onto the bridge of the Cardassian Vipra 23X. It is clearly old, sporting government-issue type drab controls and interior with antiquated readouts and consoles. OPHIDIA sits in one chair and BASHIR takes the other.)

BASHIR: You know how to take her out of the docking area?

OPHIDIA: Yes, I *can* handle that, Doctor. (Signals Ops; DAX comes on the screen)

DAX: Affirmative, Dress Campbell, you are clear for departure.

OPHIDIA: Thanks, Dax.

DAX: Have a safe trip home. And take care of Julian.

OPHIDIA: I'll do what I can. (She takes the ship out of the docking area) OK! Now I go into warp. (Looks around for what to push) This it? (BASHIR nods, amused. She pushes the controls) WHEEEEEEEEEEE-HA! (Of course, nothing really happens) You know, the inertial dampers are important, I guess, but they do sort of take the excitement out of gunning the engines. (BASHIR laughs.)
 

(In the interrogation room there appears to be a pause in the action. ORANZ is sitting with his back to a wall drinking from a bottle; GARAK is slumped over in his chair.)

ORANZ: I find it helps to take occasional breaks. (Hits the remote with a casual gesture while he takes a sip; GARAK convulses) You, as I remember, were more in favor of trying to do it in one uninterrupted burst. (Pause; no response from GARAK) Still, you must admit I'm getting results.

GARAK: (speaking with difficulty) Haven't seen any. 

ORANZ: It's only because you're too close to the situation. If you were watching, you'd realize how close you are to giving me the names.

GARAK: I'll give you one now.

ORANZ: Really.

GARAK: (Lifting his head and looking in ORANZ's direction) Oranz. (ORANZ gets to his feet; GARAK hears this and laughs feebly) If you think the blindfold really hid you, you're less intelligent than you seem. I knew it was you the minute you opened your mouth.

ORANZ: You *think* I'm Oranz. Like you *think* you know where you are. But you can't be sure of that, any more than you can be sure of what time it is. (Moving up to him) I'm not Oranz. You're not in the chair. This is not Cardassia.

GARAK: *That* much is certain.

ORANZ: Good. (Picks up the remote) We can resume.
 

(Ophidia's ship. BASHIR is at the controls. OPHIDIA comes into the bridge from another area, sits at her post, and looks at th ereadouts)

OPHIDIA: Oh, crap.

BASHIR: What's the matter?

OPHIDIA: I must have laid the course in wrong. We're going toward the Cardassian border instead of the Phrenellian system. (Attempts to correct; nothing happens) Doctor, can you help me with this? I can't figure out how to--(she turns; he has taken out a phaser) Are you supposed to have that
with you when you're on leave?

BASHIR: We're going to Cardassia.

OPHIDIA: That's not on the flight plan.

BASHIR: I'm sorry, Ophidia, but I have to do this. I have to get to him.

OPHIDIA: So you're hijacking my ship?

BASHIR: I'm asking for your cooperation. Please. You know what they're doing to him. I can't just let it happen.

OPHIDIA: And if I don't give you my cooperation?

BASHIR: Then I will be hijacking your ship.

OPHIDIA: Doctor, I want Garak safe too, but have you noticed that this ship has *no* defensive capabilities? No phasers, minimal shields, slow as a--(O'BRIEN appears in the aft doorway)

O'BRIEN: But it does have something very interesting. A rudimentary cloaking device.

OPHIDIA: What the hell are *you* doing here? (One of the control panels turns into ODO)

ODO: We thought the Doctor's choice of vacation spot was a bit...convenient.

O'BRIEN: So we tagged along. (Sits down at one of the stations) Glad we did, now.

BASHIR: I suppose we'll be turning back.

O'BRIEN: Heavens no. The Constable and I--

ODO: Given the choice of participating in your courtmartial or confounding the designs of what's left of the Order, I find the second option far more attractive, don't you?

O'BRIEN: Most definitely.

BASHIR: (moved) Miles--(almost overcome) You don't know what this means to me.

O'BRIEN: You'd do it for me, Julian.

OPHIDIA: WAIT A MINUTE! (They interrupt their Starfleet love-fest to look at a highly agitated OPHIDIA) This is *my* ship! This is my only way home! If you want to blow yourselves up in Cardassian space that's fine, but what gives you the right to take me with you?

BASHIR: Only you can do that. (OPHIDIA glares) But I know you will. For me. (OPHIDIA humphs) For Garak. (OPHIDIA turns away) For us. (OPHIDIA turns back to look at him.)

OPHIDIA: (after a long pause) Shit. (The others interpret this as an assent, which it seems to be)

O'BRIEN: Now, Julian. It's my guess you just rocketed off on this mission without forming so much as the shadow of a plan in your head. (BASHIR laughs)

BASHIR: You're absolutely right, Chief. I am completely without plan.

O'BRIEN: I'm glad to hear it, because we have a plan.

ODO: Oh, we have a plan.

OPHIDIA: (with a sigh) Is it cunning?

O'BRIEN: What else could it be? (They start the confabulation.)

*End Act III*