ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

29 EXT. BAJOR - ASHALLA STREETS - DAY

Kira sits upon the ground, at the corner of a crossroads.

In one direction, the outside of the central monastery.

In the other, a shanty town of tents and homeless refugees.

BELLIS (o.s.)
May I sit with you?

She looks up, surprised to see Bellis there. Unsure of him, she nods warily. He sweeps his robes aside and sits down. He looks across at the refugees, ponders their presence.

BELLIS
The voting has begun.

KIRA
Thank you for letting me know.

They go back to silence for a moment.

KIRA
Vedek, I have to ask... why do you
fight me so hard? Is it personal?

BELLIS
Personal in what way?

KIRA
Well, at least with Yevir, I could
believe that all the things he did
to hurt me were because he thought
he was doing the right thing, even
if I thought it was misguided. But
you... you’ve been just vicious to
me. And I don’t understand why.

BELLIS
(sad smile)
And you claim it’s not about ego.

KIRA
I beg your pardon?

BELLIS
(calm, peaceful)
I dislike your arrogance, Kira.
Your unshakable certainty that you
alone know the right thing to do.
The fact that you believe the only
reason I could disagree with you
is out of some personal grudge is
exactly what I’m talking about.

KIRA
Alright. I think it’s a criticism
that can be laid against a lot of
people in that room, but okay. I
just don’t see how it’s a reason
not to help those people.

BELLIS
(sigh; looks out
at refugees)
So much has changed. I used to
know how the world worked...
and I don’t just mean Bajor.

KIRA
So that’s why you’ve persecuted
and insulted thousands of people
for the last five years? You’re
afraid of change?
(no answer)
Do you understand that even Raiq,
a woman who believed that she was
chosen by her gods to exterminate
the entire Bajoran species, is more
accepting than you? She’s helping
right now, while you’re coming up
with every reason you can think
of not to help.

BELLIS
As you say, stubbornness is
hardly an uncommon failing.

KIRA
Neither is ego. But it’s not about
that. I don’t care if nobody ever
knows my name. But they do, and
what’s the point of that if I’m not
going to do some good with it?

BELLIS
As it turns out... I agree. That’s
why I already cast my vote in
favour of Vedek Solis’s motion.

KIRA
(genuinely stunned)
...You did?

BELLIS
We don’t have to like each other
to work together. You were right
that Bajor needed unity in a time
of crisis, not division. And you
are right that I can hardly claim
moral leadership if I leave people
to suffer when I could help them.
(stands, brushes
down robes)
But don’t imagine I will now hang
on your every word like all your
other devoted sycophants. I have
little doubt we will find many
things to argue over in future.

KIRA
(shrug)
To pray is to fight, Vedek. And
to fight is to pray.

Confused by that, Bellis sweeps away back towards the monastery. Kira turns back to look at the refugee camp...

GONG. The ringing sound heralds the large ornate doors to the monastery CREAKING open. Kira turns to look...

...and sees PRALON herself emerging, followed by Yevir, Solis, Frelan, Eran, and dozens of others.

Yevir catches Kira’s eye... and NODS, smiling.

Kira jumps to her feet, absolutely thrilled, and heads towards the refugee camp. The other vedeks follow her.

A WOMAN looks up at Kira’s approach...

KIRA
Hello. I’d like to help...

CUT TO:

30 INT. NEWS STUDIO

The SCREEN at Tiana’s side now shows an IMAGE of refugees being welcomed into the monastery by the vedeks, KIRA visible among them. She speaks into camera...

TIANA
Similar scenes are now being seen
all across Bajor, as monasteries
and temples in every province
are being opened up as shelters
for the refugee population.

CUT TO:

31 INT. DS9 - DOCKING BAY

REFUGEES line up to climb the ramp and re-enter the docked freighter, all looking hopeful and happy.

EVIK observes as his SECURITY officers corral the civilians gently along. Some of the officers wave smiley goodbyes or even exchange hugs of thanks with the departing refugees.

KASIDY stands by the freighter’s hatch, proudly welcoming them on board MOS. Over this:

TIANA (v.o.)
More refugees are already being
shuttled down from Deep Space Nine...

32 INT. DS9 - CARGO BAY

The temporary residents of the semi-private rooms are now excitedly gathering their few belongings, and heading out to join the throngs filling the corridors. BASHIR and NOG are helping them with relieved smiles.

TIANA
(v.o., continuing)
...where they have been living in
less than ideal conditions since
arriving in the system.

33 INT. DS9 - MAIN OPS CENTRE

CENN works his central Ops table from one side, while RO works it from the other side. Both busy - they have a lot of ships to keep track of - but happy.

TIANA
(v.o., continuing)
The station Militia liaison, Major Cenn,
said that, while Starfleet has made
every effort to house the influx on
the station, they are a little over-
whelmed, and he is glad that more
permanent accommodations are
now available on the surface. He
also said of the few remaining
refugees on the station, and I
quote, “at least they’ll have
proper quarters to sleep in now.”

34 EXT. VANADWAN MONASTERY - TRANSPORTER PLAZA - DAY

Another set of refugees BEAM onto the transporter platform. Ransel, Opaka, Raiq and even Vexh are there to guide them helpfully into the building.

TIANA
(v.o., continuing)
As for Vedek Kira, she continues
to decline any requests to appear
on this programme.

35 INT. SHIKINA MONASTERY – KAI’S OFFICE - DAY

Kira herself stands in front of the Kai’s desk again. The atmosphere is somewhat less confrontational than last time, but Pralon still wants it to be clear who is in charge.

PRALON
Well, Nerys... it seems you’re
more persuasive than I gave you
credit for. I won’t underestimate
you again.

KIRA
Eminence, I hope you don’t think
that undermining you was in any
way my goal here. I would never.

PRALON
I’m not that insecure, Nerys, but
thank you for saying so at least.
But I do have to warn you... you
may have won this one vote, but by
doing so, you have made enemies
in the Assembly. You may well
have a fight on your hands.

KIRA
To pray is to fight, Eminence.
And I’ve never backed down
from a fight yet.

Off Kira’s determination...

FADE OUT

END OF SHOW