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Melora

BASHIR: Medical Log, Stardate 47229.1.

Chief O'Brien and I have been working overtime

to prepare for the arrival of a new cartographer.

Ensign Melora Pazlar is the first Elaysian to join Starfleet,

and, as such, requires special accommodations.

I haven't seen one of these in 300 years.

I'm surprised it was even on file in the replicator's data bank.

It isn't.

Ensign Pazlar sent me the specifications.

She really uses one like this?

Her normal anti-grav unit isn't going to work here.

Same problem we had with the Starfleet cargo lifts.

Cardassian construction just isn't compatible.

KIRA: Ops to Bashir.

The Yellowstone has just docked at Airlock 14, Doctor.

We're on our way.

BASHIR: Just think of what she's gone through to get here, Jadzia.

What it must be like to adjust to our gravity after growing up on a planet with such low surface gravity.

Doctor, we've done the best we can with the ramps.

The Cardassians obviously didn't have her in mind when they built this place.

Well, I've managed to modify the maximum vertical clearance of the chair three centimeters, to a slope of 56 degrees.

Well, that still leaves a lot of places around here she won't have access to.

Can't we just use the transporter to help her get around?

It makes sense to me, but she sent word that it wasn't acceptable to her.

I wonder why.

BASHIR: I know exactly why.

She went through Academy the same way.

Once her basic needs are met she refuses any special assistance.

She's extraordinary.

You make it sound as though you've known her for years.

I almost feel as though I have.

I've pulled all her personnel and medical files to get ready.

Her quarters-- they're ready, aren't they?

I've got the bumps on the head to prove it.

Thanks, Chief.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do.

That'll be something to see-- when we switch off the gravity and she flies around the room.

( panting )

Ensign Melora Pazlar reporting for duty.

Welcome to DS9, Ensign.

I'm Chief Science Officer Jadzia Dax and this is...

Dr. Bashir, we spoke on subspace.

Good to meet you in person.

I see you have my trolley car ready to go.

As requested.

Can I help?

I'm fine, thank you.

That's better.

You've modified it.

Yes, I wanted to give you as much mobility as I could.

I've been practicing on the model I requested for a month.

Well, it's no problem.

We can replicate the other design.

No, I'll just have to adapt.

DAX: I will be accompanying you on your survey mission.

I really don't think that'll be necessary, Lieutenant.

I'm perfectly capable of piloting a runabout.

Commander Sisko thought that it...

I'm sure he thought what every officer

I've ever served with has thought-- that I need extra help to get the job done.

Please tell him I don't.

Commander Sisko wouldn't allow any Ensign to take a runabout into the Gamma Quadrant the day after she arrives.

I'm sure the Chief Science Officer has more important things to do than chart a sector in the Gamma Quadrant.

Um, here we are.

You didn't modify the specifications

I gave you for my quarters, did you?

Not one iota.

You can control the gravity unit with this device.

If you'd care to try it out...

Thank you, I will.

It was a pleasure meeting both of you.

MAN: Paltriss only created 80 of them, each a... a work of art.

And I've come into the possession of 42.

Forty-two?

My world will honor your name for returning the rings of Paltriss to his birthplace.

Honor my name all you like as long as your honor is accompanied by 199 bars of gold-pressed latinum.

I heard you drive a hard bargain.

Shall we celebrate our closing the deal with another drink?

( sighs )

Excuse me.

I'm sorry.

We're not open yet but if you'll come back in...

Have another drink on me.

Fallit Kot, is it really you?

How long has it been?

Eight years. Eight long years.

Oh, it can't be.

I must say, you look terrific.

Tanned, toned up... all that baby fat has disappeared from your face.

You don't keep extra weight on where I've been.

( laughs uncomfortably )

Just passing through are you?

I bet you have business in the Gamma Quadrant.

You always had a sharp eye for fresh territory.

Oh, I'm not going to the Gamma Quadrant.

My business is right here with you.

With me?

That's right.

I've come to kill you, Quark.

DAX: I've gone through her mission profile and she certainly seems to know what she's doing.

Nevertheless, this is her first deep space assignment.

And it doesn't make sense to me to...

( electronic whirring )

Here she is.

Welcome, Ensign.

I'm Commander Benjamin Sisko.

Am I late?

No, not at all.

It looked as though the meeting had already begun.

Dax and Bashir were just telling me about your request to pilot a runabout alone.

Wouldn't it have been more appropriate to include me in that conversation?

I was getting a briefing by my senior officers, Ensign.

We discuss personnel matters all the time.

I'm sorry if I seem overly sensitive, but I'm used to being shut out of the "Melora problem."

The truth is, there is no "Melora problem" until people create one.

( panting )

This may sound ungrateful because Dr. Bashir has been wonderfully helpful in the preparations for my arrival, but frankly, I wonder why a medical opinion is necessary in this discussion.

Julian knows more of your capabilities than any of us.

I don't need a medical opinion to tell me my own capabilities.

Ensign... I simply object to being treated like someone who is ill.

I don't see anybody doing that.

Try sitting in the chair, Commander.

No one can understand until they sit in the chair.

I've been in one chair or another since I left my home world.

My family gave me this cane.

It's made from the wood of a garlanic tree.

They had no idea what it would be like to live off-world in what you consider "normal" gravity.

Only a handful of Elaysians have ever left home, but I always knew that I had to be one of them.

I dreamt about exploring the stars as a child, and I wasn't going to allow any... handicap-- not a chair, not a Cardassian station-- to stop me from chasing that dream.

You must feel a great deal of pride about everything you've achieved.

And I've achieved that, Commander, without being dependent on anybody.

To be honest, I prefer to work alone.

It's simply easier for me.

( sighs )

I am not comfortable sending you alone into the Gamma Quadrant.

Sir... I can focus on the job better.

I-I can work at my own pace without being a bother to anyone else.

Lieutenant Dax will be going with you.

Yes, sir.

When do you wish to leave, Lieutenant?

Your schedule is fine with me.

Then tomorrow at 0730.

( electronic humming )

( door chimes )

( humming stops )

Is it working?

The low-grav field actuator.

I just heard it go off.

It's working fine.

So you were just...

Oh, um... for me it's like slipping into a hot tub at the end of a long day.

Really?

I'm a shower man, myself.

Look at this.

Is this your husband?

Boyfriend?

Doctor, if you came for an apology...

I apologize.

Apology?

My speech wasn't intended to attack you personally.

I'm sure you never set out to attack anyone personally, but you do seem to attack a lot.

That's rather insensitive of you, Doctor.

Julian.

I'm no longer your doctor.

I see.

You've decided I need a friend.

Ooh, was that an attack?

You see, you do it so well, with such charm it's hard to tell.

I really don't mean to...

Sure you do.

I beg your pardon?

Of course you mean to.

All of these broad shots you fire-- they're just your way of keeping the rest of the universe on the defensive.

Has to be.

You're too good at it.

Well, uh... it always seemed to work pretty well.

Until now.

Well, that is the nicest thing you've said to me.

Or anybody else.

Are you hungry?

I came here thinking about asking you to dinner.

Then afterwards, we'll go dancing

I suppose.

Ooh, Red Alert.

I'm sorry.

Well, come on.

There's a new Klingon restaurant open on the Promenade if... you like that sort of thing.

All right.

( laughter and conversation )

Dinner is served.

I didn't order dinner.

What better way to mollify--

( chuckles )

satisfy a hungry traveler than with a delicious home-cooked meal?

Starting with a delicate Vak clover soup.

( dish shatters )

Why spoil your appetite with soup?

Here's the real treat.

Jumbo Vulcan mollusks sautéed in rhombolian butter-- a taste so exquisite, it's to die for.

Uh... or to live for, for that matter.

Do you know dabo, Fallit?

It's a wonderfully entertaining game and easy to learn.

( snaps fingers )

I took the liberty of lining up a couple of excellent tutors I know.

Be sure to ask them about their "double down" betting strategy.

( chuckles )

If I haven't made it clear

I intend your stay here to be as pleasurable as you could ever imagine.

So... allow me to propose a toast.

To... old friends.

Old debts.

Gagh Tek Or?

Shall I order for us both?

All right.

Um, let's see now.

We'll have some racht, of course.

racht...

And a double order of gladst, no sauce, please.

gladst... usu bal.

And a side order of zilm'kach.

Is that too much for two?

zilm'kach.

Drak doo.

May I?

Don't be alarmed.

Excuse me, Julian, I can't eat this.

I know how it looks, but...

P'kar tel Durg Le Frakn'l?

Dug a bul, rah'tar!

D'tel klop a bul!

Pak't pol!

D'kar tel G'denna!

( chuckles )

I like a customer who knows what she wants.

( laughing )

G'denna.

There's nothing worse than half-dead racht.

Gagh Tek Or!

When I was ten, my father was a Federation diplomat on Invernia II.

One day, when we were out on a remote part of the planet, we were hit by a massive ionic storm, and while we were waiting it out we found an Invernian girl, about my age, who was sick.

After the storm cleared, my father went for help, but it was too late.

I sat there and watched her die.

The next day when he returned, his guide told us that we could have treated her with a simple herb that was growing all around.

I could have saved her life.

And so you started to study medicine.

Actually, first I started to study tennis.

Tennis?

I really thought I could make a career out of it.

You must be very good.

Well, I used to think so but then I went to my first major competition.

My opponent served first and I heard the ball bounce past me.

The computer announced it was good and I realized I was in trouble.

Turned out, I had more talent at medicine than tennis.

( chuckles )

( clears throat )

Well, I, um, have an early mission tomorrow.

I better get some rest.

Of course.

( door chimes )

( door chimes )

Dax to Pazlar.

Computer, level-1 security access.

Ensign Pazlar?

Computer, locate Ensign Melora Pazlar.

COMPUTER: Docking Level 22, Section 14.

Section 14?

( panting )

We need to get you to the Infirmary.

It's my own fault.

I decided...

I could use an extra astrometric array after going through the mission profile again.

I came to the storage bay to get one.

My mind was already in the Gamma Quadrant.

I wasn't... paying enough attention to what I was doing.

I guess my boot didn't make the lip of the door.

I fell on my controls.

Dax to Bashir.

Ensign Pazlar's had a, uh, minor accident.

We need to see you in the Infirmary.

BASHIR: Acknowledged.

I'll be there in three minutes.

What kind of an architect would deliberately design a raised rim at the entrance to every door?

So much for the dangers of the Gamma Quadrant.

I didn't even make it there.

You will.

There's no concussion.

You can reschedule your mission for tomorrow.

It was so...

( sighs )

Flopping back and forth like a broken toy.

I didn't want anyone to find me like that but I couldn't get up by myself.

Why didn't you wait for Dax before you went into an area that was unmodified with ramps?

I didn't need Dax if I'd just paid attention.

Melora... no one on this station is completely independent.

In space, we all depend on one another to some degree.

I just want you all to know that you can depend on me.

You've proven that.

Now what do the rest of us have to do to convince you?

Of what?

That you can depend on us.

Have you ever heard of the work

Nathaniel Teros did with low-gravity species 30 years ago?

Neuromuscular adaptation.

It had no practical success at all.

No, but the principles were sound and a lot of progress has been made in neurochemistry since then.

You think someday

I could throw away the chair?

Theoretically... perhaps.

Would you like to come in?

Oh, no, I know how much you look forward to turning down the gravity.

Don't let that stop you.

You may want to brace yourself until you get used to it.

Come on, Julian.

What do I do?

Just give a gentle push.

It's easy.

( hesitant gasps )

Oh... oh... oh...

Oh, oh... Oh!

This is astonishing!

I can't tell you how curious I was about this.

Oh.

Most people are.

Sometimes they make me feel like a carnival attraction.

So usually I prefer to keep everyone out.

Well, thank you... for letting me in.

( clears throat )

He's my brother.

Who?

Oh.

Setting course 28 mark 142.

Confirmed.

Computer... any Vulcan études on file?

COMPUTER: Affirmative.

If you have no objections.

Computer, play us something by Delvok.

Delvok never seems Vulcan to me.

There's too much... emotion in his music.

( quiet plucked-string melody playing )

It's pretty.

Tell me something, Lieutenant-- you think there's room for... romance in Starfleet?

I think so.

You've made it work?

Mmm, now and then.

I mean really work.

Oh... really work.

Yes.

Well, for that, I'd have to go back, um...

150 years.

Oh... that's a long time.

Could it be that Dr. Bashir's bedside manner has won you over?

Our species are just so... different.

Since when has that ever stopped anyone?

I knew a hydrogen-breathing Lothra who fell hopelessly in love with an Oxygene.

You're kidding.

How could they even be in the same room?

40 minutes a day without their breathing apparatus.

That's all.

57 years they were together.

What-What about... career conflicts?

Two friends of mine from the Academy got engaged even though they knew they were being assigned to different starships.

Subspace relationships?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, that's a tough one.

They may not be together for a year or more, and even then for only a few weeks.

Love across light-years-- it's just so...

It lacks intimacy.

You could say that.

I finish my mission here, I move on to the next one.

What kind of future is that for a romance?

Look at the alternative.

I guess.

Oh, it's you.

Don't be so happy to see me.

All right, I won't.

Odo, there's a desperate criminal on board the station.

You wouldn't be talking about Fallit Kot, who just finished eight years at a labor camp for hijacking a shipment of Romulan ale, and whose name appears right next to yours on the original indictment?

I had nothing to do with the hijacking itself.

I was only the, uh... middleman.

Trafficking in stolen goods should have been enough to get you your own cell at that Romulan camp.

Unless, of course, you sold out your partner.

I can honestly say justice was served.

I would imagine Fallit Kot is looking for his own kind of justice now.

He threatened to kill me.

What?

Nothing.

Just a passing thought.

Odo, he means it.

Nothing I do seems to change his mind.

You've got to do something.

I'll do my job, Quark.

Yeah.

Unfortunately.

( sighs )

( door opens )

Racht, anyone?

I've been waiting for you.

I've got something to show you.

What is it?

It's a computer model of an elevated neural output from the brain's gross motor cortex.

It's stimulating acetylcholine absorption to increase tensile strength.

The neuromuscular adaptation theory?

It was theory 30 years ago, but with the development of neo-analeptic transmitters it's not even that complicated.

It's just that no one's ever gone back to reexamine the ideas of Nathaniel Teros.

Until now.

This... could actually work?

No more servo controls.

No more chair.

Have I done something wrong?

Not that I'm aware of.

We have something in common.

We do?

I don't like Quark either... but I can't let you kill him.

Kill him?

Did he tell you I was going to do that?

I know of your history together.

Let bygones be bygones, I always say.

And I always say you can tell a man's intentions by the way he walks.

How do I walk?

Like someone carrying a lot of weight on his shoulders.

Must be the memory of those Romulan bricks

I carried for eight years.

Must be.

But you can't lock a man up for the way he walks, can you?

Well?

I'd say he's a man with nothing to lose.

As opposed to me.

I have no reason to hold him for now and he knows it.

I'll watch him the best I can, but I suggest you carry a combadge with you at all times.

Call me at the first sign of trouble.

What if the first sign is the last sign?

You people sell pieces of yourself after you die, don't you?

Yes.

I'll buy one.

My heart is pounding.

I'd like to think that has more to do with me than the neo-analeptic infusion.

Would that also explain why my backside is getting warm?

Well, that's more likely the result the neuromuscular tissue stimulation due to the increased activity in the motor cortex.

I'd say that's enough first time out.

It's good that you've already been using your muscles in this gravity environment.

It'll make it easier to adapt.

Feel any different?

No.

Nothing at all?

I'm sorry, Julian.

The acetylcholine absorption is precisely at 14% above normal.

Increased tensile strength would be the inevitable result.

Julian?

I can lift my leg.

Your neural pathways are beginning to adapt.

Endurance and coordination might take a while, but we should have you walking within the hour.

How's the upgrade coming?

O'BRIEN: We've been able to get it to about 70% of what we'd get with a standard EPS, but it looks like that's going to be...

( turbolift whirring )

Well, I'll be damned.

I wanted to give you our first day's mission summary myself, Commander.

A pleasure, Ensign.

Julian, how did you, uh...?

Oh, it was simply a matter of increasing the output on the brain's motor cortex.

Someone else's research, actually.

I just dotted the I's and crossed the T's.

Well, you'll get your name in the medical journals for this one.

Yeah, I know, I... Julian...

I don't know how to tell you this but I'm not sure I can make it...

Easy does it now.

It's just the first day's treatment beginning to wear off.

Thank you.

Nothing to be concerned about.

Look, I better get you back to your quarters.

I want you to get a good night's rest tonight.

Oh, thank you.

Habitat Ring, Level 14.

With each progressive treatment you should get stronger, and the effects should last longer.

( panting )

What about this?

A low-grav environment now would really confuse your motor cortex.

I understand.

Julian...

You let me fly for the first time.

I let you walk.

We're even.

I'll see you in the morning.

Lights.

Computer, turn on...

( glass clinks on table )

Quark to Odo...

No one can hear you, Quark.

It's just you and me.

Fallit.

Oh, I wasn't prepared to entertain this evening, but make yourself at home.

Oh, I already have.

What's mine is yours.

All you have to do is ask.

I'm tired of your gifts, Quark.

All I want is your miserable life.

Wait! Everything's negotiable.

( choking )

Believe me...

I'm worth much more to you alive.

How's that?

( croaking ): How does 199 bars of gold-pressed latinum sound to you?

( gags )

It's a start.

The mattress felt like rocks, and every one of my muscles ached all night long.

You'll adjust to that after a few more treatments.

This time the effects should last for several hours.

( exhales )

Exactly when does this become irreversible?

Melora... if you're not certain...

No, I'm sure it's just some strange form of buyer's remorse.

I'll be fine.

Tell me exactly what you're feeling.

Last night, I just missed...

I didn't feel like me.

If you want to end your dependence on the chair and the servo controls, you're going to have to give up the low-grav environment.

You knew that that was the trade-off.

And it seemed like a good trade.

Until I realized I couldn't do it anymore.

If I could just spend...

I'm just concerned that going back and forth could ultimately lead to a loss of fine motor control.

Meaning?

Your ability to perform complex tasks could be affected.

The effects are fully reversible for the next few days.

We can pull the plug at any time before then.

But after that, if all goes well, your motor cortex impulses will kick in on their own.

Permanently.

It's starting to wear off again.

I don't understand myself.

How could I possibly have second thoughts?

This would mean real independence.

It's everything I ever wished for.

But then I start to think about home and how I won't ever be able to go back.

Well, maybe just for a short visit but... never really go back.

The Little Mermaid.

Mermaid?

It's an Earth fable by Hans Christian Andersen.

She trades her magical life under the sea for a pair of legs to walk on land.

Didn't she live happily ever after?

( sighs )

Ashrok. Right on time.

May I present my longtime business partner, Fallit Kot.

For your inspection.

Exquisite.

Then our transaction is complete.

Not quite.

I'll be taking them, too.

They warned me about you!

Not true!

A deal is a deal-- Rule of Acquisition Number 16.

Kot... you got what you came for.

Now let's be reasonable.

( yells )

Pick it up. Pick it up!

Move! Hurry up!

Move! Move!

Let's go.

( alarm sounding )

Priority-1 Security to Level 22, Section 5.

I'm sure Julian would understand.

Besides, he can still publish the results from your first treatments.

Both of you-- back in the ship.

Let's go!

Move it!

KOT: Come on, move it!

Now, get us out of here.

He's already shot a man. Do as he says.

I'll just wait in the back.

In the front, where I can see you.

There-- hurry up.

I'm moving as fast as I can!

She's an Elaysian.

She needs motor support in our gravity.

They're in the Orinoco.

Docking clamps have been released thrusters engaged.

Ready a tractor beam, open a channel.

Open.

This is Commander Benjamin Sisko.

Return to the station at once.

No reply.

Engage the tractor beam.

They've locked onto us with the tractor beam.

Open the channel to that Commander of yours.

Release this ship or I'll kill a hostage.

SISKO: I'm willing to negotiate your freedom,

but first release those...

Didn't you hear what I just said?

( whimpering )

No, I have something special

in mind for you.

Do I make myself clear?

Release the ship now.

SISKO: Doctor, Chief-- with me.

Beam us to the Rio Grande.

Give us ten seconds and then disengage the tractor beam.

Understood.

Energizing.

They've released us.

Through the wormhole.

What was that?

I'm not sure. What was it?

Another ship coming through the wormhole.

Take us to warp.

We haven't even set a course yet.

I don't care about the course, just go to warp.

If we don't set a course, we could warp ourselves into oblivion.

Fine, set a course.

Just get us out of here.

They're powering up their warp drive.

Stay with them.

Engaging warp engines.

Can we beam them aboard at warp?

I wouldn't recommend that.

KOT: Get the phasers ready.

I'm not going to fire at them.

Oh, you'll do it or you'll die.

It's your choice.

Fine.

Then I hope you can fly this ship.

Just sit down and do what I told you. Now.

Quark, how well do you know this man?

We've been friends for years, not counting today.

DAX: Well I suggest you explain to him that Starfleet isn't going to give up and stop chasing us.

That's true, Fallit.

You don't know these Starfleet types.

Then we'll all die.

Great, we escape and he's got something "special" planned for me.

We don't escape and I just die with everyone else.

I'm I missing a choice here, Fallit?

KOT: Be quiet, Quark.

They've dropped out of warp.

Go to impulse.

Sir, their gravity generators are off.

Melora's alive.

Gravity's been reinstated.

All engines are down.

Come on, Doctor.

I think we have the situation in hand, Commander.

Sisko to Rio Grande.

Everything's under control.

We're going home.

O'BRIEN: Aye, Commander.

Setting course for the wormhole.

Why didn't the phaser kill me?

Oh, I don't know.

Maybe all the neurostimulants we've been pumping into your body.

That's what I was wondering, too.

You know, it might make an interesting side effect to the treatment.

It's worth exploring...

Julian... I'm not going ahead with the treatments.

Well, you can always try it again someday if you change your mind.

I don't think I will.

I like being independent.

But to give up everything I am to walk... on land... well, I might be more independent, but I wouldn't be Elaysian anymore.

I'm not sure what I'd be.

Besides, maybe independence isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I kind of like how it feels to be dependent on someone for a change.

And I'm glad you got me to unlock the doors to my quarters so I could finally let someone into my life.

So am I.

KLINGON CHEF: ♪ Aler acht'jar ♪

♪ Aler acht'jar ♪

♪ T'lembda boool-gah toh-gal ♪

♪ Aler acht'jar ♪

♪ Aler acht'jar ♪

♪ T'lembda boool-gah to lohh... ♪

Oh, you must be exhausted.

Uh, if you don't want to stay...

No, let's just sit a while and listen.

♪ Rom ara Rom Rom-rom ♪

♪ T'el Do'a, Do'a... ♪

I want to remember all of this.

♪ Rom ara Rom Rom-rom... ♪