STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Ensign Ro" #40275-203 Story by Rick Berman & Michael Piller Teleplay by Michael Piller Directed by Les Landau THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT. Copyright 1991 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This script is not for publication or reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department. FINAL DRAFT JULY 18, 1991 STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - CAST STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Ensign Ro" CAST PICARD MOT, THE BARBER RIKER ADMIRAL KENNELLY DATA ENSIGN RO LAREN BEVERLY KEEVE FALOR TROI ORTA GEORDI GUL DOLAK WORF Non-Speaking GUINAN BAJORANS TRANSPORTER OFFICER COLLINS COMPUTER VOICE FEMALE COM VOICE Non-Speaking SUPERNUMERARIES STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - SETS STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Ensign Ro" SETS INTERIORS EXTERIORS USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE OBSERVATION LOUNGE VALO THREE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM BAJORAN CAMP BARBER SHOP TRANSPORTER ROOM CORRIDOR TEN-FORWARD RO'S QUARTERS MOON CAVES STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - PRONUNCIATION STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Ensign Ro" PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Antares an-TAR-eez Bajorans bah-JOR-uh Bajoran bah-JOR-an Baleekam bah-LEE-kam Balleek bah-LEEK Cardassian car-DASS-ee-en Garon GAH-run Gul Dolak gull doh-LACK Holza HOHL-tsa Jaros JAHR-ohs Keeve Falor KEEV fah-LOHR Kennelly KEN-ell-ee Mot MAHT (rhymes w/ bought) Orta OHR-ta Ro Laren ROH LAH-ren Solarion soh-LEHR-ee-un Valo VAH-lo STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - TEASER 1. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION "Ensign Ro" TEASER FADE IN: 1 INT. ENTERPRISE BARBER SHOP (OPTICAL) Close on PICARD in the barber chair, the barber's tools working on his hair. Picard's face is unpleasant as the BARBER chatters on. BARBER ... there's a time when you want to call a Romulan's bluff and there's a time when you don't... (beat, waiting for a response, then... ) Wouldn't you say? PICARD (trying to be polite) Yes, well, one does not always have the luxury... BARBER (interrupting) You've got to choose your time and place with them. True or false? PICARD (sighs) Whenever possible. BARBER So, this time you were lucky. Picard starts to respond, then simply grunts. BARBER (continuing) I suppose all's well that ends well but if I had been in your shoes... Picard frowns impatiently, glances in the mirror... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - TEASER 2. 1 CONTINUED: PICARD (interrupting) Well, it looks very nice, Mot... that should suffice... BARBER Hold on... He picks up a new tool and checks the sideburns... trims one side... BARBER (done) ...there. ... and now he is facing Picard eye to eye... BARBER I must tell you, Captain, Will Riker was in for a trim yesterday... and he agreed with me a hundred per cent... Picard cocks an eyebrow at that one. RIKER'S COM VOICE Bridge to Captain Picard... PICARD (hits insignia, with an edge) Yes? 2 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Riker reacts slightly to the tone of voice. RIKER Sorry to interrupt. We're receiving an emergency distress signal from the Solarion Four colony. 3 INT. BARBER SHOP BARBER Uh oh, right along the Cardassian border... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/26/91 - TEASER 3. 3 CONTINUED: PICARD (to com) Lay in a new course. I'm on my way. He rises and silently acknowledges the barber and after he exits, the barber shakes his head with concern, turns to a colleague... BARBER (sighs) I told him we never should have colonized that close to the Cardassians... The other barber nods in agreement and... 4 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard ENTERS from the turbolift. RIKER, DATA, WORF and SUPERNUMERARIES on the bridge. PICARD Report. RIKER The signal ended abruptly at oh four five five... unable to raise them on subspace... PICARD Hail them on upper and lower band frequencies, Mister Worf... WORF I've tried, sir. No response. PICARD Time to the Solarion system? DATA Twenty-six minutes, Captain. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - TEASER 4. 4 CONTINUED: Picard acknowledges, satisfied, settles in his command chair... glances at Riker... PICARD I understand you've been discussing alternative adversarial engagement strategies with Mot. RIKER (reacts) It would be more accurate to say he was discussing them with me... (beat) He's the best barber in Starfleet... what can you do... ? WORF Sir, receiving another signal from a vessel leaving orbit of Solarion Four... new frequency, low band... audio only... PICARD Open the channel. Some crackle in the reception. MALE VOICE This is the Bajorans. We claim responsibility for the destruction of the Federation colony on Solarion Four. As long as we are without our homeland, no one will be safe in this sector. As the signal ends, push in on Picard and... FADE OUT. END OF TEASER STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT ONE 5. ACT ONE FADE IN: (NOTE: Episode credits fall over opening scenes.) 5 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) At a space station. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, stardate 45076.3. We have arrived at Lya Station Alpha with survivors from Solarion Four. Admiral Kennelly has rendezvoused to discuss the Bajoran terrorist attack. 6 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE (OPTICAL) Close on ADMIRAL KENNELLY, standing. Kennelly is a younger man than Picard, more casual than your average Admiral. He's not feeling at all well; has a headache and a cold... the first thing he does when we cut to him is sneeze... KENNELLY Sorry... He pulls out a handkerchief and blows his nose. Picard takes a step to a food replicator. PICARD (to com) Ginger tea with honey, very hot. The replicator makes it in a cup. Picard brings it over. They sit. KENNELLY Ginger tea? PICARD My Aunt Rebecca's cure for the common cold. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT ONE 6. 6 CONTINUED: KENNELLY Common, hell... I picked this up from the Cardassian liaison last weekend. It's some damn virus they've sic'ed on me. He inhales the steam from the tea first... his face shows some relief... 7 ANGLE PICARD Did the liaison have anything to say about the attack? Kennelly sips some tea as he considers his answer a beat. KENNELLY It's an old story for the Cardassians. They've had terrorist problems since they annexed the Bajoran home world forty years ago. PICARD But in forty years, the Bajorans have never attacked a Federation target... KENNELLY A new militant splinter group has broken away from the Bajoran settlement camps. Leader's name is Orta. Apparently he's willing to do whatever he has to to get attention... PICARD And our response? KENNELLY (shrugs) We're going to give him attention. (beat) I can't tell you how good this feels on my throat... Kennelly puts the tea down, sighs... rises, massages his head to relieve the pain... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT ONE 7. 7 CONTINUED: KENNELLY Listen, I'm the first to say that the Bajorans deserve attention... chased off their own planet by the Cardassians, forced to wander the galaxy, settling wherever they can find room... PICARD (acknowledges) On many worlds we've been to, they are isolated, treated as pariahs... KENNELLY The Federation has great sympathy for their cause... but they're not helping themselves with an attack like this. (beat) That's what you have to communicate to them. Picard studies his superior officer, knows there's more... PICARD That could be done through diplomatic channels, Admiral... what do you really want from us? Kennelly nods... takes a beat, then... KENNELLY Find this terrorist leader, Orta... get him back "on the reservation"... any way you can. Picard blinks... that's a hell of an order... and it's one he doesn't care for very much... he almost smiles incredulously... PICARD Any way I can... KENNELLY The Federation has dozens of settlements in that sector. We can't allow the violence to continue. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT ONE 8. 7 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD And what do I have to offer that might persuade him to cooperate? KENNELLY Amnesty. PICARD (not nearly adequate) Admiral... KENNELLY ... and a promise that we will immediately begin to address this issue with the Cardassians... quietly, behind the scenes, using every legitimate means... the Bajorans have to be patient... PICARD They have endured generations of sympathy and promises. I cannot believe this Orta will be satisfied with more of the same. KENNELLY It's your job to see that he is, Jean-Luc. RIKER'S COM VOICE Riker to Captain Picard. PICARD (to com) Go ahead. INTERCUT: 8 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM Riker with A TRANSPORTER OFFICER (COLLINS). RIKER Captain, have you approved the transfer of a new officer to the Enterprise? PICARD'S COM VOICE Negative... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT ONE 9. 8 CONTINUED: RIKER Well, I've got one waiting to transport aboard... 9 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE RIKER'S COM VOICE (continuing) ... complete with orders. Ensign Ro Laren. Riker says it with an edge. He knows who she is. And Picard also recognizes the name... reacts... PICARD Ro Laren? From the Wellington? He sees the Admiral signalling his attention... RIKER'S COM VOICE The same one, sir. Should I tell her a mistake's been made? PICARD (re: the Admiral) Stand by, Commander. Picard looks to the Admiral... KENNELLY I wrote the orders. (off Picard's reaction) I thought she'd be valuable to you. PICARD Admiral... respectfully... (beat, trying to fashion a polite way of saying this) I would appreciate some consulting rights on the assignment of a new officer... especially someone with the record of Ro Laren... KENNELLY She's Bajoran. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT ONE 10. 9 CONTINUED: PICARD There are other Bajorans in Starfleet... assign one of them... With increasing tension... KENNELLY I've discussed this situation with her. I'm convinced she's the right one for the job... PICARD After what happened at Garon Two, she has no business serving on any starship as far as I'm concerned... let alone the flagship, my ship... KENNELLY You're taking her... it's all arranged... you have no idea how difficult it was to get her out of prison. Picard stares at the Admiral. PICARD It's that important to you... KENNELLY It's that important. To the mission. A long beat. PICARD Picard to Riker. RIKER'S COM VOICE Go ahead. PICARD Proceed with the transport. RIKER'S COM VOICE Sir... ? PICARD I'll fill you in later, Commander. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT ONE 11. 9 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER'S COM VOICE Yessir. The Admiral smiles. PICARD Admiral, I hope neither of us regrets this. KENNELLY You can handle her, Captain. If anyone can. Kennelly rises. KENNELLY I'll be on my way, then. Actually, you know, I think I'm feeling better. PICARD (even) Aunt Rebecca would be pleased. 10 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) Starting on a grim-faced Riker, clearly upset at this... RIKER Energize. And as Collins works the controls, move to the transporter pad as ENSIGN RO LAREN MATERIALIZES. She is an attractive humanoid woman in her late twenties. Her eyes gain our first attention, perhaps because her brows are not separate but connect in a full line over both eyes... the effect is rather sensual and darkly intense. She carries a 24th-century backpack over one shoulder and is dressed in Starfleet red; on one ear she wears a silver ring. As she walks off the transporter, she hands Riker a disc with her orders. She arrives with all the enthusiasm of a plumber arriving to fix your toilet just before quitting time. RO Ensign Ro Laren reporting as ordered, Commander. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT ONE 12. 10 CONTINUED: Riker never breaks eye contact to look at her disc. RIKER You'll follow the Starfleet uniform code aboard this ship, Ensign. It takes her just a second to realize that he's talking about her earring. And she glances at Collins with the incredible smile of a woman who can't believe that wherever she goes there is one more asshole waiting to get on her case. Collins gives her nothing back. Riker silently waits her out. She says nothing more, but her eyes lock into his and say "the hell with you" as she calmly removes the earring. Riker EXITS. She follows. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT TWO 13. ACT TWO FADE IN: 11 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The ship at warp. 12 INT. READY ROOM (OPTICAL) Close on Picard, who is with Riker. Picard is unhappy about all this. RIKER There will be members of the crew who will not want to serve with Ensign Laren, Captain. PICARD They'll have to learn to live with it. Riker reacts, has rarely seen his captain with this edge. RIKER I intend to demand the highest standards of performance from her. PICARD I would expect nothing less. The chime rings. Picard does not immediately acknowledge it. Softer -- PICARD It won't be for long, Will. They share a look. Then to the door -- PICARD Come. Ro ENTERS. PICARD Yes, Ensign Laren, please have a seat... RO Ensign Ro. Sir. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT TWO 14. 12 CONTINUED: PICARD I beg your pardon? She sits. RO The Bajoran custom has the family name first, the individual's second. I am properly addressed as Ensign Ro. PICARD (glances at Riker) I'm sorry, I didn't... RO No reason you should know. It is an old custom. Most Bajorans these days accept the distortion of their names in order to assimilate. I do not. A beat. Already Ro has them on the defensive. PICARD I wish to be candid with you, Ensign. RO Please. PICARD I am fully aware of your Starfleet record, your problems on other ships, the incident on Garon Two that led to your court martial. I feel it only fair to inform you that I am personally concerned about your presence on this most critical mission... RO I don't want to be here any more than you want me to be here. Sir. RIKER Then why did you accept this assignment? RO If I may be equally candid... it's better than prison. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT TWO 15. 12 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER (galled) Better than prison. Ensign, there are officers who wait years to serve aboard this... RO ... being called back into Starfleet wasn't my idea... RIKER ... Nor ours... RO ... and I'm not exactly happy about it. Picard is frustrated by all this... she doesn't fit, she doesn't want to be here, she has an attitude... PICARD Nevertheless... (beat) ... we are going to be serving together and I think it would be wise for Commander Riker and me to clearly voice our expectations and... She rises. RO Captain, I know the routine. You don't have to worry about me. We're stuck with each other. Let's get this over with as quickly as possible and we'll go our separate ways, okay? She EXITS. Pointedly after the fact, Picard mutters, under his breath... PICARD Dismissed. As Picard and Riker exchange a glance... 13 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) The ship comes out of warp. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT TWO 16. 13 CONTINUED: PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental. We are approaching the Valo system on the outskirts of Cardassian territory, where many Bajorans have resettled. 14 INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE Picard, Riker, Data, TROI, Worf, BEVERLY, Ro. Data gives a mission update. DATA There are dozens of Bajoran camps on the three M-class planets. I suggest we may want to begin on Valo Three, where an ad hoc leader named Jas Holza lives. The Federation has had several dealings with him... BEVERLY I met Holza at a symposium a few years ago... PICARD What can you tell us about him, Doctor? BEVERLY (thinking back) I found him to be a very concerned leader and a good spokesman for his people... (beat, remembering) And a terrific dancer... Reactions from the table. BEVERLY (continuing) Really... at the reception afterwards... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT TWO 17. 14 CONTINUED: TROI At least this man has genuine experience in diplomacy... PICARD (acknowledges) That is not a small advantage on this mission... Very well... Mister Data, contact Holza, arrange a meeting... set a course for Valo Three. RIKER Ensign Ro, you're familiar with this star system; take the conn... Ro looks down, unhappy... RIKER Is there some problem, Ensign? RO You're wasting your time. All eyes turn to her. RO Holza is nobody. He's the token Bajoran that "respectable" people... (unsaid: like you) ... invite to symposiums and diplomatic soirees. But he has no real influence among my people. DATA Whom do you suggest we talk to, Ensign? RO Don't you understand? These are desperate people. Ready to martyr themselves. They don't want to talk... WORF This ship is prepared to defend itself if necessary. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT TWO 18. 14 CONTINUED: (2) RO It will be. Don't fool yourself. This mission will end in bloodshed. A silence. PICARD (controlled) Well. Let us hope you are mistaken, Ensign. Now... perhaps you could point us in the right direction as Mister Data suggested. And there is something we can notice in Ro... a mixed feeling about what she's doing... chalk it up to tracking down her own people if you like for now... but there is a certain inevitability, a certain regret in her tone here... perhaps she knows more than she is telling... RO (a beat) I would go to the camp on the southern continent of Valo Two... find a man named Keeve Falor. He has no diplomatic experience. And he won't ask you to dance. On reactions... 15 EXT. BAJORAN CAMP - DAY (OPTICAL) As Picard, Data, Ro, Worf MATERIALIZE against a plain desert background... they begin to move forward into a new... 16 ANGLE to reveal the camp... and it is a devastating sight. A collection of several dozen ramshackle huts line the barren ground... built from bits and pieces of junk and wire and colored tarps... small chicken-like animals roam freely... clothes hang on lines that string the camp together... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT TWO 19. 16 CONTINUED: PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental. I read about the achievements of the ancient Bajoran civilization in my fifth grade reader... they were architects and artists and builders and philosophers... when humans were not yet standing erect. Picard takes in the scene before him. PICARD (V.O.) Now I see how history has rewarded them... 17 ANGLE The children see them. Dirty, ill-clothed... they run to the exciting visitors... surround them with curiosity and hunger, touch their clothes, make an uproarious noise... Picard glances over and studies -- 18 RO as she looks at these young ones with warmth and pain and identification, and one three-year-old child who is stark naked looks at her... and she takes off her Starfleet jacket, kneels down and wraps it around the child. She catches the eye of Picard watching her and there is a vulnerability in her we haven't seen before as she simply explains... RO This used to be me. (Note: Ro will play the rest of this sequence without a jacket, and underneath is a Starfleet issue body-shirt.) KEEVE (o.c.) Baleekam... Balleek... balleek! 19 ANGLE to reveal KEEVE FALOR chasing off all the children... he is a man in his forties, proud, honest, plain- speaking. Like all the Bajorans, he is dressed simply, and wears several silver earrings on both ears. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT TWO 20. 19 CONTINUED: There is something critical in his tone to Ro, and she is a bit uncomfortable. KEEVE Ro Laren, it has been a long time. We welcome your return. RO Keeve Falor. Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Commander Data and Lieutenant Worf. PICARD Thank you for meeting with us, Mister Keeve. KEEVE You honor me by the proper use of my name, Captain. PICARD Ensign Ro has educated me. KEEVE Has she. Good. (even, to Ro) I'm pleased you still remember. And she can hear a prick of criticism... suggesting that she is not truly one of them at all anymore. KEEVE Let me show you our camp. 20 ANGLE - WALKING Picard and Keeve walk together... Ro a step away. Data and Worf walk behind. KEEVE We are not a violent race, Captain. Just passionate about our cause. And that passion has led some to take up arms. PICARD Do you know where we can find Orta? KEEVE I'm afraid not. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT TWO 21. 20 CONTINUED: PICARD Might you be able to help us locate him? KEEVE I'm sorry. I don't wish to help you. Picard reacts. KEEVE Don't misunderstand. I for one believe the raid on the Federation outpost was poor judgment. You are innocent bystanders, and I cannot condone violence against those who are not our enemies. PICARD Then I don't understand why you are unwilling... KEEVE Because you are innocent bystanders. They pause to watch as people wash clothes in water falling from an open pipe... KEEVE (pleasantly) You were innocent bystanders for decades as the Cardassians took our homes... as they violated and tortured our people in the most hideous ways imaginable... as we were forced to flee... PICARD We were saddened by those events... but they occurred within the designated borders of the Cardassian Empire... KEEVE ... and the Federation is pledged not to interfere in the internal affairs of others. (MORE) STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT TWO 22. 20 CONTINUED: (2) KEEVE (cont'd) How convenient it must be for you. To turn a deaf ear to those who suffer behind a line on a map. PICARD I'm not here to debate Federation policy. I am prepared to offer assistance... KEEVE Simply because of one terrorist attack? Then perhaps I have been wrong. We should have attacked the Federation long ago. What do you think of that, Ro? RO I think you are a small man who feels a rush of power in his belly and enjoys it far too much, Keeve. Stop talking and listen. He eyes her coldly. PICARD We have had our own problems with the Cardassians... now that there is a treaty, we are in a position to help. Your people have been forced to resettle all over the quadrant. We can make a legitimate case with the Cardassians that this is no longer an isolated problem. We will work diplomatically on your behalf... but first the terrorist attacks must end. A beat as Keeve considers, then, as an answer... KEEVE We live in different universes, you and I. Yours is about diplomacy, politics, strategy. Mine is about blankets. If we were to exchange places for a night, you would better understand. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT TWO 23. 20 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD Mister Data -- see to it that our replicators provide blankets for every man, woman and child here before nightfall. DATA Yessir. PICARD Mister Worf, you will determine if these people have any other emergency needs and provide whatever we can... WORF Aye, sir. They move off. Keeve nods his appreciation. KEEVE Return to your ship. I will contact you when I have any information that might be of assistance. Ensign. He bows to Ro and EXITS. Picard and Ro are left alone... he studies her and nods and has to tell her... PICARD You were helpful. RO The blankets were helpful... nothing I said mattered. And although it is said in a self-effacing way, it is a way to blow off the compliment, to avoid bonding... In fact, she is a woman who cannot easily accept a compliment. 20A ANGLE Picard moves to take in this setting. PICARD In an age when their technology should be able to feed and clothe all of them... that they should have to live like this... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT TWO 24. 20A CONTINUED: RO I couldn't. And I wouldn't. That's one reason why I ran away. They are lost... defeated... And he looks at her with new measure as she studies her peoples' camp... RO I will never be. And as the 21 ANGLE changes to give us the wide perspective of the two of them looking over the camp... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT THREE 25. ACT THREE FADE IN: 22 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Moving through the Valo system at impulse. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, stardate 45077.8. Keeve Falor has kept his promise and directed us toward the third moon of Valo One... where we will meet tomorrow with the terrorist leader, Orta. 23 INT. TEN-FORWARD Beverly and Troi ENTER, see Ro drinking alone at a table. They exchange a glance: "C'mon, let's do the right thing." They walk over... smile... TROI Do you mind if we join you? Ro glances up... RO Yes. Bev and Troi's smiles fade, they walk on past Geordi and Guinan at the bar... and we stay with... 24 GEORDI AND GUINAN Mid-conversation... GEORDI ... I'll tell you one thing... if I find myself on an away team with Ensign Ro... I'll never turn my back on her... GUINAN The captain obviously thought she'd be valuable on this mission. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT THREE 26. 24 CONTINUED: GEORDI (shakes his head) This was orders. Had to be. She doesn't belong here. Doesn't belong in the uniform if you ask me. GUINAN Really. GEORDI Really. GUINAN Sounds like someone I'd like to meet. Geordi reacts as Guinan leaves... 25 WITH RO as Guinan doesn't ask, she just sits down. GUINAN Am I disturbing you? RO Yes. GUINAN Good. You look like someone who wants to be disturbed. RO (reacts) I'd rather be alone. GUINAN No you wouldn't. RO (reacts) I beg your pardon... ? GUINAN If you wanted to be alone, you would've stayed in your quarters. Only reason to come here is to be around people. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT THREE 26A. 25 CONTINUED: A beat. Obviously there's some truth that Ro has to grudgingly acknowledge. RO (not serious) There's always the view... GUINAN You've been looking at your drink all night. How's the view? STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT THREE 27. 25 CONTINUED: (2) RO Who are you? GUINAN Guinan. I keep the bar. I listen. RO Heard anything interesting? GUINAN Everyone's talking about you. RO Heard anything interesting? GUINAN Uh-huh. Ro gives her a sort of defensive grin, hiding pain... RO (beat) It's all true. GUINAN I've always found that truth is in the eye of the beholder. RO Isn't that supposed to be "beauty"? GUINAN "Truth", "beauty"... works for a lot of things. Ro actually lets a genuine smile slip through, retreats quickly into her drink. GUINAN They say you never told anyone the truth about Galon Two. You didn't even defend yourself at the court martial. RO What was to defend? I didn't follow orders. Eight members of the away team died. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT THREE 28. 25 CONTINUED: (3) GUINAN Your fault. RO My fault. GUINAN So you sit alone in crowded rooms staring at your drink. Ro shrugs. GUINAN (realizing) You kind of enjoy it, don't you? RO Enjoy it... ? GUINAN You go out of your way to torture yourself... You work so hard at it, you've gotta love it. RO (beat) Who are you? GUINAN Guinan. I tend the bar. I listen. Beat. RO You're not like any bartender I ever met. GUINAN You're not like any Starfleet officer I ever met. (beat) This might be the start of an interesting friendship. Guinan rises. RO I never stay anywhere long enough to make friends. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT THREE 29. 25 CONTINUED: (4) GUINAN Too late. You just made one. She moves back to the bar... leaving Ro to consider what just happened. FEMALE COM VOICE Bridge to Ensign Ro. RO Go ahead. FEMALE COM VOICE Subspace communication coming in for you, Ensign. RO Thank you. She's still thinking about what Guinan said, exchanges a glance with her and EXITS. Hold on Guinan a beat then.. 26 INT. RO'S QUARTERS (OPTICAL) As she ENTERS. RO Computer, direct subspace transmission to monitor... As she moves to the monitor, the Starfleet logo is displayed... there's a BEEP and... the logo is replaced with the picture of Admiral Kennelly at a desk... KENNELLY Your report, Ensign. RO Everything's going exactly as you predicted, Admiral... 27 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) In orbit of a moon. 28 INT. CORRIDOR NEAR TRANSPORTER ROOM Picard and Riker on the move... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT THREE 29A. 28 CONTINUED: PICARD Any indications of weapons or vessels beneath the surface? STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT THREE 30. 28 CONTINUED: (2) RIKER (shakes his head) The composition of the moon's crust is blocking the sensors... PICARD ... which is very likely why they chose this moon for their base of operations... They enter... 29 INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM Worf, Data and Troi are waiting for them. Collins, the Transporter Officer, is at the controls. RIKER We're on a timetable here. Where's Ro? PICARD (keys insignia) Captain Picard to Ensign Ro. No response. DATA Computer, locate Ensign Ro. COMPUTER VOICE Ensign Ro is not on board the Enterprise. WORF (to Collins) Check the transport log. COLLINS (pressing a panel, reacts) She beamed down almost six hours ago, sir... PICARD (frowns) Mister Collins, any activity at the designated site of our meeting... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/26/91 - ACT THREE 31. 29 CONTINUED: COLLINS (checking) No, sir. They didn't show up... RIKER What the hell is going on... Moving to the transporter pad... to Collins -- PICARD Prepare to transport us to the same location Ensign Ro beamed to... Mister Worf, phasers... They draw their phasers and... 30 INT. MOON CAVES - DAY (OPTICAL) A rocky, claustrophobic area... narrow passages go off in several directions. The away team MATERIALIZES... phasers drawn... there is no activity... Data pulls out a tricorder, takes readings... DATA The tricorder is picking up molecular displacement traces... it suggests movement through this area during the last ten hours... PICARD See if we can determine their direction... Standard search pattern... WORF Maintain tricorder security link. The group spreads out, each using a tricorder... PICARD AND WORF move one way through the shadows of the rocks... measuring with the tricorder... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT THREE 32. 31A DATA AND TROI do the same. After a beat, Troi kneels down to check a tricorder reading by a cave... TROI Data, I'm picking up energy fluctuations over here... (keys insignia) Troi to Picard. (a beat, reacts) Captain, acknowledge... She exchanges a concerned glance with Data... he keys his combadge... DATA Data to Picard... Data to Worf... They're already on the move... back toward Picard and Worf... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT THREE 33. 31B thru OMITTED 34 35 ANGLE As they round a bend, Data and Troi see Picard and Worf... bound and gagged and at phaser point... Data and Troi react as more Bajorans terrorists appear from the shadows, moving up behind them... Troi and Data have no choice, they drop their phasers and allow themselves to be taken prisoner. And we: FADE OUT. END OF ACT THREE STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/26/91 - ACT FOUR 34. ACT FOUR FADE IN: 36 INT. CAVES as before. 37 RO ENTERS with a person whose face is shrouded. This is ORTA. He moves away from her to confront Picard... he speaks through a voice box that is implanted in the side of his neck... it is an eerily metallic sounding voice... ORTA Captain Picard... I am Orta. Please excuse my appearance. Unfortunately, as a guest of the Cardassians some years ago, my face... was mutilated... my vocal cords cut. PICARD Abducting us was not necessary. ORTA I'm sorry. But after speaking with Ro Laren, I decided that it was. PICARD Then she has done us both a disservice. For I am committed to peace. ORTA I am not at all interested in peace. And I am not convinced you are, either. And now Ro moves forward... RO (to Picard) Captain, I did not come here to undermine the mission... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FOUR 35. 37 CONTINUED: And Picard is livid with her... he is diplomatically controlled, but there is a cutting edge in his voice... PICARD Ensign, whatever your motives, you have already done enough damage to these negotiations. With your permission, Orta, I will have her transported back to my ship. RO I came here to convince these people to listen to you... I didn't want this to end in bloodshed... PICARD (losing patience, to Orta) There will be no bloodshed... RO You don't know all the facts, Sir. Picard turns to face her... PICARD Perhaps you could share them with me. She wilts from his stare... finds herself in personal conflict, confused loyalties, secret orders... there is much she cannot tell him. Orta answers before she has a chance to. ORTA Ro Laren is attempting to protect the interests of two worlds, Captain. She finds herself uncomfortably caught between them. PICARD If you wish her to remain, I will agree, but she is not helping matters by fostering distrust between us... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FOUR 36. 37 CONTINUED: (2) ORTA I believe her concerns are justified. PICARD I can assure you.... ORTA (interrupting) All is not what it seems to be, Captain. Perhaps someone is using you to get to me... perhaps you are a victim of this deception as well, I do not know. PICARD Deception? ORTA Your mission was to seek out the Barjoran terrorists who destroyed the Federation settlement on Solarion Four... PICARD Yes... ORTA As I have informed Ro Laren -- it was not the Bajorans. Off Picard's reaction... 38 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) In orbit around the moon. 39 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Riker is at command. The turbolift opens and the away team ENTERS in mid-conversation... Picard pointedly is not participating, moves slowly toward his ready room. WORF ... he admits responsibility for dozens of attacks on Cardassian targets. Why should we believe him about Solarion Four? STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FOUR 36A. 39 CONTINUED: RO He has no reason to lie. WORF He fears our reprisal. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FOUR 37. 39 CONTINUED: (2) TROI I didn't perceive fear or deception from him. WORF If they did not attack Solarion Four, who did? And why would anyone want to falsely implicate the Bajorans? DATA Perhaps someone wanted to draw us into this conflict... RO But what would anyone have to gain by that... ? PICARD (interrupting) Ensign. May I see you in my ready room? RO Yessir. She follows him. 40 INT. READY ROOM Picard ENTERS, jaw tight, controlled... turns on a dime the moment they enter... eye to eye with Ro. PICARD You do not leave this ship without authorization. RO Captain, I'm sorry, but... PICARD This is not a discussion. You're restricted to your quarters for the remainder of the mission. A beat as she stares at him incredulously... PICARD Dismissed. She EXITS. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FOUR 38. 40A INT. MAIN BRIDGE Continuous action as she makes the long walk to the turbolift... avoiding eye contact with the others. 40B EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Still in orbit of the moon. 40C INT. RO'S QUARTERS She lays on her bunk staring at the ceiling, tight... trying to find some answers... feeling humiliated... a door chime... she ignores it. Again. RO What? The door opens. Guinan ENTERS. GUINAN Heard you'd been grounded. RO I really don't feel like talking right now. GUINAN Sure you do. RO (exasperated) How come every time I tell you something you tell me I really mean the exact opposite? GUINAN You're one of those people who's got their poles reversed... you take a little unscrambling, but I've had a lot of practice. Ro sighs. Guinan sits. GUINAN So what do you feel like talking about? RO Nothing you can help me with. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FOUR 39. 40C CONTINUED: GUINAN Never know until you try. RO I got myself into this. I'm just trying to figure a way out. That's all. (meaningful beat, softer) Without anyone getting killed this time. And that's real. That's from pain. A beat. RO Seems like everybody's always just pulling my strings... that I've got no control. GUINAN For people like you and me... who lose our homes... that's how life feels sometimes... RO You? GUINAN My people lost their homeworld too. Ro realizes she's talking to someone who understands her, decides to confide in Guinan... at least part of the way... RO (beat) I'm in trouble. Guinan looks at her silently... gives her room to continue... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FOUR 40. 40C CONTINUED: (2) RO There's more going on here than anyone on this ship knows... it's more than I know how to deal with. And I don't know who to trust... GUINAN Including yourself. RO Especially myself. Beat. GUINAN I was in serious trouble once. More than I could handle alone. RO What kind of trouble? GUINAN Not important now. Not yet. What is important is that I'd still be caught up in it to this day... if I hadn't trusted one man... 40D INT. READY ROOM Picard at his desk studying his monitor... chime... PICARD Come. The door opens and Guinan leads Ro in. Picard reacts. GUINAN Ensign Ro has some things to talk to you about. PICARD Ensign Ro has been confined to her quarters. GUINAN She can go right back to her quarters when she's done. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT FOUR 41. 40D CONTINUED: PICARD Guinan, I don't know why you are involved in this, but... GUINAN She's my friend. And she gives Picard an even look and EXITS. Picard muses a beat, looks at Ro, decides to proceed. PICARD I have found that Guinan is very selective about whom she calls a friend. (a beat) Sit down. They sit. RO Sir, when I'm finished telling you what I have to tell you... I'm probably gonna wind up back in the stockade. And if that's how it has to be... (she shrugs, so be it) I just can't do this anymore. PICARD What is it you can't do anymore, Ensign? RO Admiral Kennelly came to me in prison... told me he'd arrange to get me out if I'd accept a mission... PICARD That part I know. RO Nossir. Not this mission. One for him and only him. (off Picard's reaction) You were being sent to talk, to negotiate... the Admiral knew that was hopeless... My job was to give Orta an incentive... PICARD What kind of incentive... ? STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT FOUR 42. 40D CONTINUED: (2) RO One that you couldn't offer. That Starfleet couldn't offer. Orta was to end the terrorism against the Federation. Return with his people to the camps. In return he would get... (a serious admission) Weapons. Ships. Things that could really make a difference against the Cardassians in the future. A silence. Picard tries to digest this. PICARD I find that... almost impossible to believe. To suggest that Admiral Kennelly would consider sending weapons to terrorists... RO If you ask him, he will deny it. But it's true. I didn't leave the ship without authorization... I received it last night from the Admiral. PICARD You have been in contact with Admiral Kennelly during this mission? RO Yessir. The subspace log can confirm that part of it at least. A beat. Picard rises... trying to make some sense of this... PICARD Arming these people would be a violation of all that the Federation stands for. You cannot be blind to that... RO Nossir. I'm not. But this was something... I had to do. (beat) When I was seven years old... (MORE) STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT FOUR 43. 40D CONTINUED: (3) RO (cont'd) I was given a piece of sugar candy and led by a Cardassian into a room. My father was sitting inside. And he looked at me with eyes I'd never seen... And then the Cardassian began to ask him questions... and during the next two hours as I was forced to watch, my father was tortured until he died. I remember feeling so... ashamed... as my father begged for mercy... I was ashamed of him for being so weak. I was ashamed of being Bajoran. Later I began to understand how misguided those feelings were. And yet somehow they have remained a part of me. I do not want to be ashamed of my heritage any longer. (beat) I serve the Federation. But I am Bajoran. A Starfleet admiral presented me with an opportunity to help my people in their fight against the Cardassians. I had to accept it. Picard studies her... PICARD Have you made this offer to Orta? RO No. After he told me the Bajorans had not attacked Solarion Four... nothing made sense anymore. I decided to wait until I could figure out what was going on... Picard rises... PICARD That was a wise choice, Ensign. It probably saved you from another court martial. A silent beat. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT FOUR 44. 40D CONTINUED: (4) PICARD Have you briefed Admiral Kennelly since our return from the surface? RO Nossir. Captain, I don't know who to trust anymore... PICARD Then why did you come to me? RO That strange bartender of yours... She has a way of getting to you, you know? (Picard nods) She said you were her friend. PICARD It seems we find ourselves with... something in common. (a thoughtful beat) Do you think Orta would cooperate with us to determine the truth here? RO I think I can persuade him. PICARD Good. (beat) Our orders were to find him, bring him back to the camps... any way we could... perhaps that is exactly what we should do. RO And then what? PICARD And then watch what happens. Off her reaction... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FOUR STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 45. ACT FIVE FADE IN: 41 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Still in orbit around the moon. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's log, supplemental. I have become convinced that we are somehow involved in a conspiracy. I am hopeful the purpose behind it will be revealed in the next few hours. 42 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) Kennelly is on the big screen. He still has his cold, and a hoarse throat. Picard, Riker, Worf, Data at their positions. Ro is at the conn. KENNELLY Well done, Captain. PICARD It was a team effort, Admiral. Ensign Ro proved invaluable. KENNELLY Good. What's the next step? PICARD The Enterprise will escort a Bajoran Antares-class carrier to the Valo Three camp at oh-five hundred hours... Orta and his people will be aboard. KENNELLY Keep us advised of your progress. PICARD Acknowledged. (beat) How's that Cardassian virus, Admiral? KENNELLY (smiles) A little better, thanks. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 46. 42 CONTINUED: PICARD Good. We will report as soon as our mission is accomplished. Picard out. The screen returns to starfield. RIKER Ensign Ro, take us to the designated coordinates... RO Aye, sir. PICARD Mister Data... A beat. He sits in command. DATA Yes, Captain? PICARD (thoughtful) Keep an eye on the Cardassian border, will you? DATA Aye, sir. 43 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) At impulse moving out of orbit... 44 INT. MAIN BRIDGE (OPTICAL) WORF The Bajoran vessel is moving up from the surface, Captain. PICARD On screen. The viewscreen shows a smallish, older carrier moving up from the moon... PICARD Hail them, Mister Worf... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/26/91 - ACT FIVE 47. 44 CONTINUED: WORF Audio channel open... the ship has no visual capabilities. PICARD This is Captain Picard, we are prepared to escort you to Valo Three... FEMALE VOICE Acknowledged, Captain. Be advised that our ship is limited to half impulse... PICARD Ensign Ro, set a course for Valo Three... half impulse. RO Aye, sir. PICARD Engage. 45 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) As it escorts the Bajoran ship at half impulse. 46 INT. MAIN BRIDGE DATA I am monitoring increased activity inside Cardassian space... two ships are moving along the border... heading one-four-two mark zero-five-one... PICARD Mister Worf, can you identify the class of these ships? WORF Cardassian warships... Galor class, type three... RIKER Top of the line... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 48. 46 CONTINUED: DATA They are moving into a course parallel to our own, Captain. Picard glances at Riker... he expected something like this... PICARD Yellow alert. Continue to monitor them... RIKER Ensign Ro, what's the closest we get to the Cardassian border on the current heading to Valo Three? RO Thirteen thousand, four hundred kilometers, sir. RIKER E-T-A? RO Eight minutes. Riker glances at Picard, who acknowledges... PICARD That's where it will be. 47 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) As before, escorting the Bajoran ship. 48 INT. MAIN BRIDGE DATA The Cardassian ships are changing course... they are crossing the border... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FIVE 48A. 48 CONTINUED: WORF They're increasing power to forward weapon grids... RIKER Red alert. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 49. 48 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD Ensign Ro... change course to intercept the Cardassians... open channel to the Bajoran vessels... WORF Open. PICARD This is the Enterprise. We are moving to intercept two Cardassian warships... maintain your present course and speed. FEMALE VOICE Acknowledged, Enterprise. WORF Cardassians are in visual range. PICARD On screen. 49 ANGLE (OPTICAL) to include the viewscreen as the warships move into view... WORF We are being hailed by the Cardassians... PICARD Open a channel, Mister Worf. 50 OMITTED 51 A CARDASSIAN CAPTAIN (OPTICAL) appears on the viewscreen. With great diplomacy... PICARD I am Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise... how can I help you? STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 50. 51 CONTINUED: DOLAK Gul Dolak, Cardassian Militia Four One. We have no argument with you, Captain... PICARD I'm pleased to hear that, Gul Dolak, for all of us in the Federation value the peaceful relations with our Cardassian neighbors. DOLAK No more than we value the relations with our Federation neighbors. PICARD Good. Now that we've established our mutual good will... what's on your mind? DOLAK We have identified the Bajoran ship you are escorting as a terrorist carrier... PICARD Terrorist carrier... are you certain? DOLAK Most certain, Captain. It has committed many crimes against us... we know its markings well... PICARD Well, rest assured, there will be no terrorist attacks today. We are escorting these Bajoran settlers to the camp on Valor Three. You may monitor their course if you wish. DOLAK We would request that you withdraw... and leave the matter to us. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 51. 51 CONTINUED: (2) PICARD This is neutral space, Gul Dolak. You have no jurisdiction here. DOLAK Nor do you. PICARD If we withdraw, what do you intend to do to the Bajoran vessel? DOLAK We intend to destroy it. PICARD I see. Well, that puts me in a difficult position. I've promised to escort these people to their camps. DOLAK You are protecting the enemies of the Cardassian people... if you do not withdraw, we will take great offense... PICARD (beat) I'm sorry to offend you, Gul Dolak. But I cannot withdraw. DOLAK We are prepared to take any steps necessary. PICARD Is that intended as a threat? DOLAK It is a complaint. From your Cardassian neighbors. You have one hour to withdraw. Dolak out. The Cardassian ships return to the viewscreen. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 52. 52 OMITTED 53 CLOSE ON PICARD PICARD Advise Starfleet of our status, Mister Data. (beat, rising) When Admiral Kennelly calls, I'll speak to him in my ready room. 54 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) with the two Cardassian ships in stalemate. The Bajoran vessel has moved out of view. 55 INT. CAPT. READY ROOM (OPTICAL) Kennelly on the monitor... PICARD It seemed, Admiral, that they knew our course, our destination, our plan... KENNELLY ("unconvinced") I'm sure they monitor the border at all times for terrorist activity... their sensors just picked up Orta's ship, that's all... PICARD I'm not convinced of that... KENNELLY The important thing is, what do we do now? PICARD Any suggestions, Admiral? KENNELLY You have to protect the Cardassian peace, that's our top priority. PICARD Sir, I see no way to protect the Cardassian peace without sacrificing the Bajorans. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT FIVE 53. 55 CONTINUED: KENNELLY If that's your call, I'll support it. Picard's eyes go cold... he studies the miserable, manipulative son of a bitch. PICARD No. I'm not willing to give them up. KENNELLY You're not looking at the big picture, Jean-Luc... we can't afford to lose the Cardassian treaty... PICARD Well, I just see a different big picture, Admiral... it looks something like this... (beat) I see the Cardassian liaison, with his Cardassian virus, coming to meet with you after the attack on Solarion Four. Now, we have a mutual enemy, he says. The Bajoran terrorists. The Cardassians can't find them. But maybe the Federation can. I am beginning to see that our mission has been, in fact, to expose Orta... so the Cardassians could move in and destroy him. KENNELLY (softly, unyielding) I think you've lost your perspective, Captain. We'll discuss it further when you return. For now, I'm giving you a direct order to withdraw. Kennelly out. The Starfleet logo returns. Picard reacts. 56 INT. MAIN BRIDGE Picard ENTERS. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 54. 56 CONTINUED: PICARD Ensign Ro, set a course, bearing one-eight-seven mark one-zero-two... one quarter impulse. Ro glances, makes eye contact with Picard... RO Aye, sir. Picard sits in command... RIKER He ordered us to withdraw? Picard nods silently. Riker looks back to the viewscreen. 57 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) Moves off from the Cardassians. 58 INT. MAIN BRIDGE WORF The Cardassians are moving toward the Bajoran vessel, Captain. PICARD Hold present course. 59 EXT. SPACE - THE CARDASSIAN SHIPS (OPTICAL) swoop down toward the Bajoran vessel... fire several rounds... the Bajoran vessel explodes. 60 INT. MAIN BRIDGE WORF The Bajoran ship has been destroyed. Ro reacts. Picard nods, it's done. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 55. 60 CONTINUED: DATA Subspace transmission coming from Starfleet, Captain. Admiral Kennelly. PICARD On screen. DATA It is on a secure channel. Perhaps in your ready room, Captain? PICARD No. Here. On screen. 61 ANGLE - TO INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (OPTICAL) Kennelly appears. KENNELLY Report. PICARD The Cardassians have destroyed the Bajoran ship. KENNELLY (nods, "regretfully") All hands lost... ? PICARD No, sir. KENNELLY Survivors? PICARD No, sir. No one was on board. KENNELLY What are you talking about? PICARD The ship was controlled from the ground. Communications were handled through a subspace relay aboard the vessel. KENNELLY This was your idea, Picard? STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 55A. 61 CONTINUED: PICARD Actually, no... this was Ensign Ro's idea... but I fully endorsed it. I suspected that something like this might occur. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - 7/18/91 - ACT FIVE 56. 61 CONTINUED: KENNELLY They're terrorists, dammit. Why the hell would you want to protect them? PICARD I am more concerned with protecting the honor and integrity of Starfleet. KENNELLY Do you know how many of our people they killed on Solarion Four? PICARD The Bajorans did not attack Solarion Four. KENNELLY Is that what Orta told you? PICARD Yes. KENNELLY And you believed him? PICARD Admiral, Orta's ships are old and obsolete. They do not have warp capabilities. They could not have reached another star system... let alone attack one. That revelation hits Kennelly pretty hard... he blinks for the first time. KENNELLY But then who was responsible? PICARD I would suggest you ask your friend the Cardassian liaison, Admiral. The only explanation I can think of is that the Cardassians staged it. KENNELLY The Cardassians. Why? STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 57. 61 CONTINUED: (3) PICARD Perhaps they were hoping to find someone in Starfleet like you, Admiral, who would be foolish enough to solve their Bajoran problem for them. Admiral Kennelly's nonplussed face stares out from the viewscreen... various reactions from our crew... ending with Ensign Ro. 62 EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE (OPTICAL) In orbit around Valo Two. 63 EXT. BAJORAN CAMP - DAY (OPTICAL) Picard and Ro walk... RO What will happen to him? PICARD I'm not sure. A hearing, definitely. Perhaps a court martial. RO If he's sent to the stockade on Jaros Two, tell him to request a room in the east wing... the west wing gets awfully hot in the afternoon. (beat) How soon do you intend to return to Lya Station Alpha, sir? PICARD A few weeks. We have some surveying to do in sector two-one-three-oh-five. RO Then, perhaps I should arrange for other transportation back. STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/25/91 - ACT FIVE 58. 63 CONTINUED: PICARD Ensign, you were recruited for one mission and if you wish to be relieved of further duty, I will approve it. But I'd like you to consider remaining in Starfleet. RO (reacts) You're not serious. PICARD It would be a shame for Starfleet to lose someone with your potential. RO (heartfelt) Thank you. (reality beat) But this uniform... it just doesn't fit, Captain... and you know it. PICARD That can change. RO I don't think so. PICARD I've observed a certain quality about you that... might be harnessed, molded... RO ... don't count on it... STAR TREK: "Ensign Ro" - REV. 7/19/91 - ACT FIVE 59. 63 CONTINUED: (2) Exasperated. PICARD There's still a lot you can learn from Starfleet, Ensign. RO I've always thought Starfleet could learn a lot from me, Captain. PICARD (beat) That is an attitude I have found to be common among the best officers I've served with. (beat) You are not one of those officers, Ensign, but you might be someday... if you decide to work at it. RO An interesting challenge, sir. And I rarely refuse an interesting challenge. (a beat) There would be one condition. PICARD Condition... ? She attaches her silver earing to her ear. Picard studies her and nods. PICARD Picard to Enterprise. Two to beam up. And as they DEMATERIALIZE... FADE OUT. END OF ACT FIVE THE END