Home > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Armageddon Game

BASHIR: Chief Medical Officer's Log,

supplemental.

Chief O'Brien and I are on board a T'Lani cruiser

helping the T'Lani and the Kelleruns

eliminate their stockpiles of harvesters--

deadly biomechanical gene disrupters

used by both sides in their centuries-long war.

Dr. Nydrom, how's our muon charge?

Coming up to full power.

Go ahead.

Computer... this is harvester test sequence number 375.

Muon generator now at full power.

Once more unto the breach.

I hope this works because, quite frankly, I'm running out of ideas.

It took ten years to perfect the harvesters.

We've only been trying to eliminate them for a week.

Is that all it's been?

It feels like we've been working for more than a month.

I've never seen a nano-biogenic weapon so resistant to broad-spectrum radiation.

It's just a matter of finding the right combination of muon frequencies.

It should be simple, but it's not.

O'BRIEN: Doctor?

Start the sequence, or we will be here for a month.

Right, Chief.

I'm introducing the harvester into the genetic bath.

Beginning muon influx now.

Doctor, please check for any gene-disrupter phasing.

The genetic integrity of the sample is holding steady.

I'm not reading any genetic disruption at all.

Are you sure?

Check the sequence again.

The results are identical.

O'BRIEN: What?

It worked, didn't it?

Would somebody say something?

It worked, all right.

The harvesters have been destroyed.

( murmuring voices )

Good news, I take it.

Ambassador Sharat, I am pleased to inform you that we have found a way to eliminate the harvesters.

Excellent.

Well done.

I knew if our people stopped killing each other and worked together we could put an end to these horrible weapons.

This is a symbol of the new future we have embarked upon.

Yes, and let's not forget we couldn't have done it without the help of our friends from the Federation.

At first, we questioned Dr. Nydrom's decision to bring in outside help.

Obviously, it was the right thing to do.

We're all very grateful for your assistance.

It was our pleasure, we assure you.

SHARAT: But eliminating the harvesters is only half the task.

We must make certain all scientific data concerned with them is wiped out, as well.

I've purged every file in the T'Lani and Kellerun data banks pertaining to the harvesters.

If anyone gets it in their head to build these things again, they'll have to start from scratch.

Then it's finished.

Not quite.

We shouldn't rest until the entire Kellerun and T'Lani supply of harvesters has been destroyed.

We will begin immediately.

KIRA: Commander

I have Dr. Bashir for you on subspace.

In here.

BASHIR: Commander we have some good news to report.

I've already heard.

You have?

Yes, I received a message from both the T'Lani and Kellerun Ambassadors, informing me of your success in neutralizing the harvesters.

Congratulations, gentlemen.

Thank you, sir but the Doctor here deserves the bulk of the credit.

Actually, it was a team effort.

The Doctor's just being modest, sir.

He was the one who came up with muon rays as a possible solution.

Luckily, it worked.

When can we expect you back?

Soon, I hope.

The Ambassador said something about a celebration on T'Lani Prime.

BASHIR: Yes, it's set for tonight but the Chief is quite anxious to return back to the station.

It's been a long week.

Still...

I think we can spare you for another day.

I agree... if that's okay with you, Chief.

I suppose another day won't kill me.

That's the spirit.

Then we'll expect you back day after tomorrow.

BASHIR: Yes, sir.

Enjoy yourselves, gentlemen.

You've earned it.

The last cylinder.

I believe that you should have the honor, Doctor.

My pleasure.

It's ironic, isn't it that the war should finally come to an end up here above T'Lani III?

A planet whose entire population was decimated by harvesters.

I hope this will be a lasting peace.

What is this?

Weapons aren't allowed up here.

They're all dead.

We will be, too if we don't get out of here.

O'Brien to Ganges.

Computer, activate remote transporter sequence.

O'Brien to Ganges!

They must be jamming communications with the runabout.

( shots firing )

We sure as hell can't stay here.

We'll have to beam down to the surface.

But they'll be able to follow us.

I'm programming the system to overload

30 seconds after we transport.

Let's go.

SISKO: I'll have a cup of Alterian chowder, uttaberry crepes...

Ah, and a slice of...

KIRA: Kira to Sisko.

Go ahead, Major.

The T'Lani and Kellerun Ambassadors have just arrived on the station.

They're asking to see you.

Are O'Brien and Dr. Bashir with them?

No, Commander, and the Ambassadors refuse to speak to anyone but you.

Show them to my office. I'll be right there.

Yes, sir.

I'll have to cancel that order.

Are you saying both of my officers are dead?

Along with some of our greatest scientists.

SHARAT: We're sorry you had to share in our misfortune.

What happened?

It was...

It was a terrible accident.

It appears one of your officers-- a Chief O'Brien, I believe-- inadvertently tripped a security device.

A lethal pulse of radiation flooded the room killing everyone.

Ambassador Sharat transported off the ship just minutes before the accident occurred.

This security device?

It was built into the lab's computers decades ago.

We didn't even know it existed.

If there were no survivors how do you know that Chief O'Brien caused the accident?

SHARAT: I was able to return to the ship almost immediately after the accident.

The first thing I did was to check the internal security sensors.

They recorded the entire incident.

We assumed... you'd want to see for yourself.

Thank you.

WOMAN: Commander, I...

I just want you to know we don't blame Chief O'Brien for what happened.

On the contrary.

Both he and Dr. Bashir will always be considered heroes to both the Kellerun and the T'Lani.

Without their help we never could have destroyed the harvesters.

Please extend our sympathies to their families.

I'll do that.

( whispering ): Chief. Chief.

In here.

Wait!

Don't touch anything. But why not?

There's food and medical supplies.

Yeah, they could be booby-trapped.

The Cardassians used to rig the supplies they left behind with pressure grenades.

I've seen more than one soldier permanently lose his appetite that way.

Well, did you find anything?

Looks all right.

Good.

At least we won't starve.

Here.

No.

Why not, Chief?

I thought you loved military rations.

Yeah, Federation rations.

I've had enough T'Lani food this past week to last me a lifetime.

Well, we've got to keep our strength up.

We're going to have to find some way of warning the T'Lani that the Kelleruns have broken the treaty.

I still can't figure it.

Why would the Kelleruns wait till the harvesters were destroyed before they made their move?

Maybe they didn't hand over all the harvesters for destruction.

Maybe they're convinced they can defeat the T'Lani with conventional weapons.

I suppose, but that might mean continuing the war for another hundred years.

Well, whatever the reason, we'd better keep moving.

Wait! Listen to me, Julian.

The Kelleruns are going to expect us to be on the move.

We start running, their sensors will pick us up before we've gone a kilometer.

If we stay still maybe, just maybe it'll take them longer to find us.

The way I see it, we have only one chance to survive this thing, and that's to stay alive long enough for Commander Sisko to find us.

But that won't be for at least another day.

He still thinks we're celebrating on T'Lani Prime.

I said it was our only chance.

I didn't say it was a good one.

What have we here?

Looks like some kind of com system.

Maybe we can contact the T'Lani from here.

Do you think you can get it working?

Well, I'll have to open it up-- see if there's a backup power supply.

Why don't you take a seat, Doctor?

Well, I thought maybe I could help.

I took the engineering extension courses at Starfleet Medical.

Extension courses?

They were actually quite informative.

Julian?

Hmm?

Do you really want to help me?

Yes.

Then let me do my job.

Of course.

I'll, uh, I'll inventory the supplies, then.

Fine. Why don't you do that?

NYDROM: The last cylinder.

I believe that you should have the honor, Doctor.

BASHIR: My pleasure.

NYDROM: The harvesters have been destroyed.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

We must make certain that all records of their existence are wiped out.

O'BRIEN: I've purged every file in the T'Lani and Kellerun data banks pertaining to the harvesters.

If anyone gets it in their head to build these things again they'll have to start from scratch.

NYDROM: Then it's finished.

Hold on. What's this?

Chief?

I don't know.

Closing the last file seems to have activated some kind of security program.

It looks like it was part of the original operating system.

I can't shut it down.

Do you know anything about this?

NYDROM: No.

Maybe you should try cutting the power.

It's not responding.

I've heard of security weapons like this-- a radiation pulse that vaporizes any intruder who doesn't enter the proper code.

I'm surprised the Chief didn't detect it.

It must have been buried very deep in the system.

I'd like to talk to the Chief of Security for that ship.

So would I.

Remember, they lost people, too.

But the T'Lani were responsible for O'Brien and Bashir's safety.

They should have known about that device and deactivated it.

That will do, Major.

I'd like for you to contact Bajoran medical officials.

We'll need a doctor to be temporarily assigned to the station until Starfleet can send us a replacement for Dr. Bashir.

Dax, inform Starfleet of the accident.

Tell them we'll need a new Medical Officer and a new Chief of Operations.

Would you like me to go with you to see Mrs. O'Brien?

No, I'll take care of it.

Find out how I can contact Julian's family.

Major, inform the crew we'll be holding a memorial service tomorrow evening at 1800 hours.

Yes, sir.

All right, people

I know the next few days are going to be hard but we all have jobs to do.

Dismissed.

( sighing )

So, having any luck?

I wish you'd stop asking me that.

I'm sorry.

It's just all this standing around.

At least you're doing something constructive.

You just keep your eyes open for any Kellerun soldiers.

Don't worry, I will.

It's such a mess in here.

You'll make it work, Chief.

This is the kind of challenge you live for.

You know, I was looking forward to the celebrations on T'Lani Prime.

I don't know if you've noticed but T'Lani women are quite attractive.

I'm not blind, you know.

Of course not.

But you are married.

Just 'cause you're married doesn't mean you stop looking at women.

Just as long as you don't let your wife see you look.

For me, tonight's celebrations would have been an adventure.

The most you could have hoped for was a good meal.

Women-- that's all you think about.

No, it isn't.

Although I do think about them a lot.

Yeah, well, one of these days you'll fall in love with one.

I did once.

Not work out?

Not quite.

Close.

Oh, I don't know.

Somehow, marriage just doesn't seem fair.

Fair?

Fair... to them.

I mean, look at us.

Our lives are constantly in danger.

There's enough to worry about without worrying about the wife and kids at home worrying about us.

I'm sorry, Chief.

I just feel that way.

A lot of career officers feel that way.

Well, you career officers don't know what you're missing.

Really?

That may be so.

I just look at you and Mrs. O'Brien, and I...

What about me and Mrs. O'Brien?

Nothing.

What?

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

It's no secret that your assignment to this station hasn't been conducive to your marriage.

Say that again?

Why don't we just forget it?

That's the first intelligent thing you've said since we got here.

Are you cold?

Yes, aren't you?

No. Actually, it's quite warm in here.

You're looking a little pale.

I'm fine.

Your blood pressure's low and you're running a fever.

You better sit down.

I don't want to sit down.

I've got work to do.

Roll up your sleeve.

Why?

Do it.

Please.

You were behind the genetic bath when it shattered, weren't you?

You have something to tell me, Doctor?

You've been infected by the harvesters.

( door chimes )

Come in.

Commander Sisko.

Keiko.

Something's happened to Miles.

There was an accident.

Both your husband and Dr. Bashir were involved.

They're dead.

I'm sorry.

Tell me what happened.

The T'Lani security sensors recorded the entire incident.

I want to see it.

I'll have it sent to you.

Miles was a fine officer and a fine man.

I'll miss him.

Thank you, Commander.

I would like to be alone now.

If there's anything you need just let me know.

Chief?

It's my eyes.

They're... getting fuzzy.

You better sit down. I'll take over from here.

What makes you think you can fix this?

Because you're going to talk me through it.

Now take a seat.

Maybe... just for a minute... or two.

Now, tell me where you left off.

You see the dark blue coil in the upper right-hand corner?

No.

It's there... beside the... the green cylinder.

Just... just below it.

Yeah, I see it.

You have to... you have to lock the base of the coil into the tiny receptor... just below it.

You know, I just remembered

I still have Julian's medical school diaries.

He let you read them?

He felt they would help me understand him better.

How? By reading about all the women he went out with?

That's not what they were about.

When he gave them to me he told me that they were about his innermost thoughts... his struggle to graduate top of his class, his dream of having a career in Starfleet.

His constant fear of failure.

Really.

And did you?

Understand him better?

I never got around to reading them.

I suppose I should send them to his parents.

You could keep them.

Really?

I think he'd like that.

He cared a great deal about you.

I know.

I cared about him, too.

These, um... are on the house.

How come?

I thought we'd have a toast to the memory of Chief O'Brien and Dr. Bashir.

That's very thoughtful, Quark.

I can be thoughtful.

To our dear, departed comrades.

We may have had our differences, but I'll say this for them-- and it's the highest tribute I can think of-- they were good customers.

They always paid their bar bills on time.

That's it?

I'm not done yet.

At times like this, I'm reminded of the 57th Rule of Acquisition:

"Good customers are as rare as latinum."

"Treasure them."

Mrs. O'Brien...

Major, I need to see Commander Sisko.

It's very important.

I'll tell him you're here.

I just wanted you to know how sorry I am-- how sorry we all are.

Thank you.

O'BRIEN: If anyone gets it in their head to build these things again...

KEIKO: Watch. It's coming up in just a few seconds.

NYDROM: Then it's finished.

Computer, freeze image.

There. Do you see it?

I see the Chief drinking coffee.

Exactly. Now look at the time index.

KIRA: 1500 hours.

That's right.

Late afternoon.

Miles never drinks coffee late in the afternoon.

It keeps him up all night.

Maybe he made an exception this time-- working long hours, under a lot of stress...

I know my husband.

He never drinks coffee late in the day.

Maybe he isn't drinking coffee.

Maybe it's tea.

I checked the data clip.

It contained a spectroscopic analysis.

The liquid in Miles's cup consists of vegetable-based oils and caffeine.

It's coffee, all right.

You're suggesting someone tampered with this recording?

Yes, I am, and I want to know the reason why.

Lieutenant, when were you planning on bringing the Ganges back from T'Lani III?

Tomorrow.

I don't see any reason to wait, do you?

I'll leave right away.

Good. I'll come with you.

Mrs. O'Brien, if this recording has been altered, we'll find out why.

BASHIR: You were right, Chief.

The contacts on the sub-processor are corroded.

Yeah.

They need to be cleaned.

Oh, um, I think there are some sterile pads in the med kit.

Here we go.

Don't leave me, Chief.

I still need you.

Don't worry.

I'm not going anywhere.

So, who was she?

Who?

"Not quite. Close."

Palis. Palis Delon.

She was a dancer-- a ballerina.

She had the most exquisite feet.

( laughs ) I'm serious.

It's very important for a dancer to have good arches.

She was gorgeous, not to mention brilliant.

I used to watch her onstage.

I couldn't believe how anyone could be so graceful.

And she was crazy about you, huh?

We were crazy about each other.

I used to think, "Julian, you lucky devil.

You found the perfect woman."

We used to finish each other's thoughts.

There.

What do you think?

Good... good.

Put it back in the com panel.

Looks like we have some power, anyway.

( beeping )

Still no response from the transmitter, though.

Try re-tuning the R-F oscillators.

So what happened with you and Palis?

What happened is I graduated.

Her father was the top administrator at a medical complex in Paris.

He offered me a job.

Promised I'd be Chief of Surgery within five years.

But you would have to give up your Starfleet career.

I can't tell you how close I came.

But... here I am.

You made your choice.

Yeah.

Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night and I think to myself... will I ever find anyone that wonderful again?

The oscillator's working but the frequency's still fluctuating.

Let me take a look.

Oh!

What is it?

It's... my legs.

I can't feel them.

DAX: We're approaching T'Lani III.

Establishing a synchronous orbit alongside the Ganges.

Open a channel to the T'Lani cruiser.

WOMAN: Commander Sisko, what a pleasant surprise.

I take it you're here for your runabout?

That's correct.

We were about to leave for the memorial service on T'Lani Prime.

You're welcome to accompany us.

Perhaps we will, but first

I'd like to see for myself where the accident took place.

Of course.

While you're on the cruiser

I think I'll beam over to the Ganges and take a look around.

Good idea.

Chief.

Chief, it's working.

Signal's very faint.

You'll have to switch to a higher-carrier frequency.

Reset the actuators on the chambers coil.

That's better. It's still pretty weak, though.

I'm sending a distress signal.

It's set to repeat every two minutes.

Let's hope the T'Lani find us before the Kelleruns do.

They better get here soon.

Don't worry, Chief.

I'm going to get you home.

In a box, maybe.

Nonsense.

Don't go giving up on me now.

I'm not giving up.

I'm dying.

Listen to me... listen to me, Julian.

( labored breathing )

You must tell Keiko and Molly...

You tell them yourself.

You were wrong, you know... about marriage.

Whatever you say, Chief.

Listen to me, Julian!

You're the one who's always talking about adventure.

Ha... adventure.

Marriage is the greatest adventure of them all.

It's filled with pitfalls and setbacks and mistakes and... but it's a journey worth taking... because you take it together.

I know Keiko's been unhappy about us coming to the station.

We still argue about it.

But that's all right because at the end of the day we both know we love each other.

Chief...

And that's all that matters.

Chief...

Huh?

You better get some rest.

The T'Lani will be here soon.

I see there's still some residual traces of the radiation pulse.

Well, that's to be expected given the pulse's intensity but it poses no danger.

Tell me, Ambassador have you been able to learn anything else about the fail-safe device that caused the accident?

Not yet, Commander, but we're working on it.

It was Ambassador Sharat that brought you the data clip?

That's right.

And I suppose he showed it to you as soon as you arrived?

Of course.

Could the clip have been altered before you saw it?

Why would Ambassador Sharat alter the data clip?

I have no idea.

DAX: Dax to Sisko.

Sisko.

Commander, when you're through there could you join me on the Ganges?

Yes, I'll be here a few more minutes.

Commander, the T'Lani and the Kellerun have finally made peace.

That peace cannot survive unless both sides trust each other.

What have you got, Dax?

It looks like someone erased five seconds from the Ganges' computer log. Show me.

At first, I thought it was just some kind of power fluctuation. but when I checked the log's memory core it showed traces of a remote transport command.

Did you find any indication of transport activity at that time?

No.

And you're saying somebody erased it later on?

Look at the time index when the call for transport came in.

1534-- that's a full three minutes after the accident on the T'Lani cruiser.

Which means if either Chief O'Brien or Julian made that request...

They would have been alive after the fail-safe device went off.

Good work, Lieutenant.

( coughing )

Chief...

Chief!

Don't leave me now.

Breathe.

That's better.

Now you're doing it.

( wheezing )

Tell me, Julian... ever talk to that ballerina of yours?

Not since I left Earth.

Well, maybe... maybe you should.

Well, maybe one day I will.

( footsteps nearing )

BASHIR: Ambassador E'Tyshra.

Am I glad to see you.

Chief O'Brien was infected by the harvesters when the Kelleruns attacked your ship.

They killed all of the scientists.

Not all of them.

You're too late, Sharat.

No, Doctor, he's right on time.

But why kill

Nydrom and the others?

To ensure that the peace agreement between our two races will last.

But we'd already destroyed the harvesters.

There was no reason for more killings, unless...

It's not enough to simply destroy the harvesters.

We have to be sure no one can ever recreate them.

The only way to do that was to eliminate everyone who possessed such knowledge, including the two of you.

But we have no use for such horrible weapons.

As long as the knowledge exists, there's a danger it may be used.

That's a risk we refuse to live with.

I truly am sorry, Doctor but at least you have the consolation of knowing that your deaths will be for a noble cause.

Wait.

Let him speak.

Help me... help me up.

( breathing heavily )

I want to die on my feet.

I'm sorry I didn't get us home, Chief.

You did your best.

It's been an honor... serving with you.

Thank you, Chief.

That means a lot.

Commander, am I glad to see you!

( groans )

Chief O'Brien is going to be dead within the hour if we don't get him back to the station.

What happened?

He was exposed to the harvesters.

That should stabilize him for now.

They told us you were both dead, Julian.

We would have been if the T'Lani and Kelleruns had had their way.

They're killing everyone involved with the harvesters project.

The T'Lani cruiser's coming this way.

They're hailing us. Ignore them.

Send a general distress signal on all Federation subspace frequencies.

They're blocking all subspace communication with a broadband inversion.

They're hailing us again.

Is the inversion field affecting sensors as well?

All short-range sensors are useless.

Which means... theirs are useless, too.

MAN: Ambassador

Commander Sisko is attempting to escape.

We are in pursuit.

Can we overtake them?

Their runabout is no match for this ship.

Fire a warning shot.

Confirmed.

Commander Sisko is hailing us.

I thought he would.

SISKO: By firing on this vessel you've committed an act of war against the Federation.

Commander, we have no quarrel with the Federation or with you.

But we must insist you turn over Dr. Bashir and Chief O'Brien.

Why? So you can murder them?

Unfortunately, Commander, your officers are the only two people left who have seen the data concerning the development of the harvesters.

They have no intention of using that information.

You have my word.

Their intentions are irrelevant.

The fact is, the threat remains as long as the knowledge exists.

Commander, I know this is painful for you.

It wasn't easy for us to order the deaths of our own people but it is necessary.

And if I refuse to turn them over?

You can't outrun us and you can't fight us.

We can destroy your runabout at any time.

Lieutenant Dax and I have no knowledge of the harvesters.

Are you willing to kill us, too?

We'll do whatever we have to do to ensure our safety.

Commander, you are running out of options.

You have one minute to turn over Dr. Bashir and Chief O'Brien.

You want them?

You're going to have to take us all.

He leaves us no choice.

The runabout is turning.

It's heading back in our direction.

Full stop.

He's preparing to fire.

Employ shields.

Shields employed.

Put the runabout on screen.

He must know his phasers can't hurt us.

He's aiming his vessel straight for us.

The man must be crazy.

Fire phasers.

It's over.

Head back to T'Lani III.

Prepare to take the other runabout in tow.

Ambassador... sensors indicate the other runabout is no longer in orbit.

Well, then, where is it?

I don't know.

It's gone.

It can't just have disappeared.

I'm picking up a warp signature.

Sisko.

Maybe he and the others weren't on that runabout we destroyed.

They could have transported to the other runabout while our sensors were down.

And then piloted the first ship by remote navigation.

But we saw them die.

Did we?

O'BRIEN: What's this?

KEIKO: Something Molly made for you.

She painted it herself.

Oh, it's lovely. She has real talent.

How's my patient?

Better. Can I go home now?

You should be out of here by tomorrow.

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated what you said back on T'Lani III.

What did I say?

That it was an honor serving with me.

Oh... right.

And I'd like to return the compliment, if I may.

It's been an honor serving with you, too, Chief.

You know, Mrs. O'Brien, they say that when two people face death together, it creates a bond that cannot be broken.

I never believed that until I went...

Julian...

Hmm?

Oh.

Um, of course you'd like to be alone.

I understand.

( sighing )

Miles, he saved your life, you know.

Mmm. He's never going to let me forget it.

So, what was it like spending all that time alone with him?

It was hell.

You can see for yourself. The man never stops talking.

You know, I wouldn't mind a cup of coffee right now.

Miles, you never drink coffee in the afternoon.

Well, sure I do.

You do?