Home > Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Empok Nor

Welcome, welcome, welcome.

It's a little quiet in here.

Oh, you just beat the rush.

Uh, let me get your order before, uh... before I get swamped.

DAX: I'll have a Til'amin froth.

I'll have a...

( loud drilling noise )

What was that?

What was what?!

Oh, that! That's, uh...

( noise stops ) just my nephew and Chief O'Brien repairing some conduit.

You'll get used to it.

( noise resumes )

The Klingon restaurant.

It would be quieter.

When are you two going to be done in there?

When the conduit is repaired and brought back up to safety specs.

Well, hurry up before I lose all my customers.

I need to get something. What?

Two root beers.

( noise resumes )

Aah...

Hyperspanner.

Optronic coupler.

How did you know I was going to ask for a phase decompiler?

I was paying attention, sir.

That you were, Cadet.

My father says I can learn a lot from you.

He says you can fix anything.

I'm an engineer.

That's what we do.

There.

Good as new.

Amazing.

( yelling, coughing )

O'BRIEN: Damn!

We repaired the leak right away, but the problem was worse than I thought.

The entire plasma distribution manifold is shot.

Can you replicate a new one?

No. Cardassian manifolds use a beta-matrix compositor which can't be replicated.

Well, I suppose we could contact Gul Dukat and ask him if he has any spare manifold systems lying around.

I'm sure he'd jump at the chance to help us.

Any other ideas?

We could send a salvage team to the abandoned Cardassian station in the Trivas system.

Empok Nor. It's the same design as this station.

The Cardassians pulled out about a year ago, but there's good chance that the plasma manifold system is still operational.

What about Dominion activity in the area?

There hasn't been any for several months.

Strategically, they seem to have lost interest in that sector.

But there is one problem.

It's standard Cardassian procedure to booby-trap a facility before abandoning it, and a lot of the surprises they leave behind are specifically keyed to attack non-Cardassians.

Sounds like you should take a Cardassian along.

O'BRIEN: So, what did Captain Sisko do to persuade you to come along?

How do you know I didn't volunteer?

( laughs ) He threatened you, didn't he?

Nothing so coarse. The Captain bribed me.

He offered to help me procure a larger space for my workshop.

The latest dressmaking equipment is surprisingly bulky.

Well, whatever he did, I'm glad you're here.

What's the matter?

Well, it's just that lately

I've noticed everyone seems to trust me.

It's quite unnerving. I'm still trying to get used to it.

Next thing I know, people are going to be inviting me to their homes for dinner.

Well, if it makes you feel any better,

I promise I will never have you over.

I appreciate that, Chief. Ah, don't mention it.

Anything to return the favor.

Disarming Cardassian booby traps is my least favorite kind of engineering.

GARAK: I can certainly understand that, but don't worry. I have some experience in that area.

Booby traps?

I can't believe I let you talk me into volunteering for this.

Well, it beats working on the waste extraction system.

Besides, how often does an engineer get to wear a phaser?

Hate to disappoint you, Pechetti, but the only thing you're going to be using that for is shooting voles.

Empok Nor's been abandoned so long they're going to be hungry.

Don't worry.

You play with your wrenches.

We'll watch your backs.

Can I help you, Cadet?

I'm reporting for duty... sir.

Welcome aboard, Cadet.

Thank you, sir. And may I say, it's a privilege to be here, sir.

You've earned it.

But one more "sir," and I'll leave you behind.

Very well, s... Chief.

Let's get going.

Next stop: Empok Nor.

( dice clattering on board )

GARAK: What are you doing?

NOG: Regrouping.

But you're losing.

That's why I need to protect my assets.

This is not a financial transaction.

Protecting your assets is what got you into trouble in the first place. You have to go on the offensive.

You have to attack.

Your move. Oh, this is maddening.

Asking a Ferengi to play a Cardassian game is like asking a Klingon to chew with his mouth closed.

Kotra is not about "regrouping" or hoarding "assets."

It's about bold strategy and decisive action.

Chief, would you like to take on the winner?

I'd love to play kotra against the hero of Setlik III.

What is that supposed to mean?

Oh, we all know your distinguished war record-- how you led two dozen men against the Barrica encampment and took out an entire regiment of Cardassians.

If you play kotra with half that brazenness, we'd have quite a match.

I'm not a soldier anymore. I'm an engineer.

I see. So when you and Dr. Bashir go into the holosuites for hours at a time, you're just repairing them?

What's your point, Garak?

I'm just curious. Why do you and Dr. Bashir spend hours in the holosuites, dressed as fighter pilots, reliving ancient battles?

We... do it for fun.

It's a game.

And so is kotra.

And I'd love nothing more than to play against a man like you.

Maybe some other time.

Chief, here's the wish list you wanted.

Three categories. "Must-have"-- which includes the manifolds and plasma recoilers.

"Could-use"-- things like, uh, EPS matrix converters.

And "would-be-nice"-- bypass displacers, polarity maximizers, that sort of thing.

Cardassian emblems and insignias?

Well, a low priority, but if we happen to find some--

This is a salvage operation, Pechetti, not an opportunity to indulge your collecting obsession.

Right.

Approaching Empok Nor, sir.

Take us out of warp.

Run a full scan.

I'll take the helm.

NOG: The station's main power supply and life-support systems are off-line.

No life signs.

I'll take us into transporter range.

Oh, I don't think we can risk beaming aboard.

There are probably pattern scramblers rigged to go off if they detect a non-Cardassian transporter signal.

That could be messy. We'll have to dock.

Landing pads are sealed.

We'll have to try an upper pylon.

Won't the airlock have booby traps?

You can count on it. And someone is going to have to disarm them before we dock.

I volunteer, sir.

The scanner in the airlock might mistake your enthusiasm as Cardassian... but not your DNA.

No, I'm afraid I'm the only one who has a chance of getting through.

( air hissing, thumping )

( thumping footsteps )

( mechanism clicking )

( clattering )

( keypad beeping )

( equipment powering up )

( static )

( equipment beeping softly )

( footsteps )

Ah, welcome to Empok Nor.

Thanks for having us.

Take whatever you need.

My house is your house.

All right, listen up.

We're going to break up into three teams.

Nog and Stolzoff, you're with me.

We'll do the "must-haves."

Pechetti and Amaro, you'll do the "could-use."

Boq'ta and Garak-- "would-be-nice."

Garak has disabled the central security net, but there could be booby traps anywhere.

Don't move into an area until you've scanned it.

If you see something that isn't right, don't touch it.

Call for help. All right, let's go.

Ugh. What's this?

It's a biogenic compound.

I wonder where it came from.

Follow me.

These look like stasis tubes.

( grunting )

Cardassian.

He's been dead for about a year.

Hey, look at this.

Interesting. A regimental badge.

Third Battalion, First Order, if I'm not mistaken.

This is going to make Pechetti's day.

Both those tubes have been activated recently.

Coil spanner.

Flux-coupler.

Uh-oh. Flux-coupler.

I left it on the runabout.

I'll go get it right away, sir--

I mean, Chief.

( weary exhalation )

Garak to O'Brien. Go ahead.

Could you come down to the Infirmary?

There's something you should see.

On my way.

That's not right.

( gasps )

A runabout doesn't disengage from its docking clamps and blow up all on its own.

Which leads me to believe that the former occupants of these chambers are up and about.

If you're telling me that there are two Cardassian soldiers from the Third Battalion loose on this station, we're in trouble.

"Death to all." That was their motto.

Three simple words, and they certainly sum up their credo nicely.

Why would the Cardassians abandon this station and leave behind a few soldiers in stasis tubes?

Why do you think? To guard it.

The tubes were probably rigged to wake them up as soon as someone came aboard.

Well, that's possible, but one thing's for sure-- they're out there somewhere and considering what they did to the runabout

I don't think they're too friendly.

Maybe they're just upset because we haven't introduced ourselves.

We should find them. Say hello.

This thing's not working.

Neither is mine.

They must have set up a dampening field.

We've got to get out of here. Let's call for help.

How? The station's subspace transceiver was ripped out when the Cardassians evacuated.

Well, we could always try sending smoke signals.

That's not a bad idea.

The deflector grid is still relatively intact.

If we could modify the field coils to emit a series of covariant pulses--

We could use the station like an old-fashioned telegraph and tap out an S.O.S.

O'BRIEN: For the pulses to be strong enough to reach Deep Space 9 we'll have to boost power to the induction grid.

Pechetti, you go down to the Habitat Ring and bring the microfusion reactor back on line.

Stolzoff, you go with him.

Boq'ta, realign the magnetic flow field in Conduit G-4.

Amaro will watch your back.

Nog and Garak, you're with me.

We'll set up the signal generator in Cargo Bay 4.

NOG: Aye, Chief.

Use your communicators as little as possible.

We don't want to give away our positions.

Any questions?

Let's go.

Well, I'm not convinced Stolzoff was right about our Cardassian friends.

Why would anyone voluntarily seal themselves into a stasis tube-- perhaps for years-- just to guard an abandoned station?

Even the Third Battalion isn't that fanatical.

Something else is going on.

O'BRIEN: Maybe so, but I don't intend to be here long enough to find out what it is.

GARAK: That's the trouble with humans.

You don't know how to appreciate a good mystery.

O'BRIEN: I love a good mystery... the kind I can read in bed-- not the kind that's trying to kill you.

GARAK: Don't get me wrong, Chief.

I want to get off this station as much as you do, but I just know if I don't figure this out, it's going to nag at me for days.

O'BRIEN: All right, now, let's concentrate on finishing the signal modulator so that we can get out of here.

You have the whole trip home to sort out your mystery.

Nog? I need your help with the phase discriminator.

On my way, Chief.

( tool whirring )

Do you mind not aiming that at me?

Don't worry, the safety's on.

( sighing )

Tell me you did that.

( turbolift whirring )

( turbolift stopping )

( no audio )

( turbolift opens )

Maybe I did activate the turbolift without realizing it.

I'm going up.

Okay.

Whoa.

( yelling )

Pechetti!

Stolzoff to O'Brien! A Cardass--

( grunting )

( scream, thud )

Stolzoff?

Stolzoff!

( sighing )

( glass crunching underfoot )

BOQ'TA: The Cardassians must've surprised them.

They're probably using the internal sensors to track us.

Take it easy. We're going to get out of here, you can count on that.

But we've got to stay focused.

It looks like Pechetti was almost done getting the microfusion reactor back on line.

I'll finish that and then I'll go back down to the cargo bay.

How are you doing with the conduits?

I-I'm done.

Good. Now, you and Amaro get down to Auxiliary Control and reconfigure the pulse generator.

We're going to split up? We have to.

If we don't send out a signal, we're never going to get off this station.

But, Chief, what if we-- I need you, Boq'ta.

You can do this.

Don't worry. I'll watch your back.

Stolzoff was supposed to be watching Pechetti's back.

Look what happened to them.

What if I send Garak with you, too?

Would that make you feel better?

I'm flattered. But I'm afraid I have other plans.

What are you talking about?

I don't intend to stand around waiting to be killed. Meaning what?

Meaning I'm going after those two Cardassian soldiers... and neutralize them.

Besides, all this whining is giving me a headache.

AMARO: You're going to have more than a headache if you don't do what the Chief wants.

Amaro...

You'd like to shoot me, wouldn't you?

You're dying to kill a Cardassian-- any Cardassian.

Let him go.

If he thinks he can neutralize the Cardassians, let him try.

He'll be doing us all a favor.

That's the spirit.

Why don't you come with me, Chief?

Kill a few "Cardies."

It'll be like old times.

Wouldn't you like to avenge their deaths?

No.

I just want to get everyone home.

You're fighting your instincts, I can see it, but the hero of Setlik III is still inside there somewhere.

If you're going to go, go.

Nog, you go with Boq'ta and Amaro.

Aye, sir.

It's all right, Chief.

He can stay with you.

For some reason, knowing Garak's going after those Cardassians makes me feel better.

( terminal beeping )

"Access denied." "Access denied."

Don't you know how to say anything else?

( sighs ): Apparently not.

( distant mechanical thump )

( terminal beeping ) "Access denied."

"Access denied."

"Access denied."

"Access denied"-- how monotonous.

Looking for me?

( yells )

Oh, that felt... good.

Chief, why does Garak keep bringing up Setlik III?

Because he wants to get under my skin.

But you were a hero, weren't you?

That doesn't mean I like thinking about what happened then.

I was a soldier, Nog.

Sometimes soldiers have to kill.

GARAK: Come now, Chief, don't be so modest.

You did a lot of killing.

How did you get in here? Both doors are secure.

"Secure" is such a relative term, wouldn't you agree?

I've brought you something.

If you don't mind.

I'm sure Pechetti would've appreciated it more, but...

Where did you get this?

From its former owner.

You killed one of the soldiers?

One down, one to go.

By the way, I took a tissue sample from the soldier's body.

The analysis was rather fascinating, in a grim sort of way.

It seems the unfortunate soul had been given a massive dose of psychotropic drugs.

Why? I'm not sure, but I can tell you one thing-- it wasn't to make him amicable.

The drug's protein structure seems designed to amplify my people's xenophobic tendencies.

My guess is that the soldiers that were left here were part of a Cardassian military experiment.

The High Command was probably looking for a way to further motivate their troops.

So they gave them a drug to make them hate anybody but Cardassians.

Then why did they attack you?

That's a good question.

Maybe it's an experiment that went wrong.

That's why they were left in stasis.

They were uncontrollable.

I'd love to stay and hypothesize all afternoon, but once I've set my mind to a task,

I hate to leave it unfinished.

What is it, Chief?

You look different.

How so?

That's not the face of a tailor.

I'm not a tailor.

Not for the moment, anyway.

You know...

I once bought a suit from Garak.

Turns out the sleeve was a little long.

I remember being angry when I brought it back to be fixed.

Is there a point to this story?

If I'd known he was so dangerous,

I never would've complained.

You think he'll get the other Cardassian?

I hope not. I want to get him myself.

BOQ'TA: I don't blame you.

AMARO: Stolzoff was my friend.

We were at the Academy together.

She was my sparring partner.

The first time we faced off,

I remember thinking maybe I ought to take it easy on her.

She ended up taking me down so hard, it knocked the wind out of me.

( tool buzzing )

That was the last time I ever pulled a punch with her.

She had this one-two combination-- a feint to the right, a back-handed chop to the neck-- faked me out every time.

If that spoon-head gives me the chance, maybe I'll just try that out on him.

I think Stolzoff would've liked that.

( frustrated grunts )

I can't get this loose.

Get me the coil spanner, would you?

What does it look like?

It's got two pointy things on the end.

( Boq'ta screams )

( grunting and choking )

( grunt, thud )

( Amaro panting )

He asked me to get a coil spanner for him.

I just turned my back for a second.

That's a shame.

And the worst part of it is... this isn't a coil spanner.

( gasping )

It's a flux-coupler.

That should do it.

O'Brien to Boq'ta.

Boq'ta, come in.

Amaro, what's going on up there?

( labored gasp )

H-he's out there.

Easy now, easy. Who's out there?

Garak! He stabbed me.

( labored breathing )

Chief, why would Garak do this?

Come on.

He may still be close by.

It doesn't make any sense.

Garak's on our side.

Not anymore.

The psychotropic drug.

He must have been exposed to it.

It's the only explanation.

I should've seen it earlier.

The way he accused Amaro of wanting to kill him.

The way he insisted on going after those Cardassians.

He's coming after us, isn't he?

Yes.

Maybe we can reason with him.

Get him to try to understand that the drug is affecting him.

You saw what he did to Amaro and the others.

He's not going to listen to us.

Then we have to finish setting up the deflector grid.

We've got to get a distress signal out.

Garak knows what we're trying to do. He'll stop us.

Don't we have to try?

Forget it!

I've already lost four crewmen trying to send out that bloody signal.

Garak was right.

We should have gone after those Cardassians as soon as they attacked us.

You don't wait for the enemy to come to you.

You go to him.

Come on.

We're going after Garak.

Y-you mean, to kill him?

If that's what it takes to stop him, yes.

GARAK ( sing-songy ): I know you're hiding somewhere...

Ah. There you are.

Garak to Chief O'Brien.

You'll never guess what I just found.

A kotra board.

The Station Commander left one in his office.

The pieces were scattered all over, but I found the last one hiding under his desk.

I can't help thinking what a perfect metaphor this game is for our present situation, hmm?

Two players, two minds, two strategies, each trying to outmaneuver the other-- testing the enemy's defenses, advancing, retreating.

O'BRIEN: We split up. Enter Ops through the main corridor.

I'll go through the Captain's office. Wait for my signal.

...that, in the game we're playing the stakes are life and death, which makes it so much more interesting.

( laughing ): I haven't had this much fun in years.

My heart's pounding.

The blood's racing through my veins.

I feel so alive... and I'd wager, so do you.

( grunts quietly )

( static from monitors )

( rapid breathing )

( grunting )

( yelling )

It looks like I've captured your last piece, Chief.

If you want it back, you're going to have to take it from me.

GARAK: It's your move, Chief.

What are you going to do?

Attack? Retreat? Surrender?

Listen to me, Garak, it's the drug.

It's affecting you. You've got to fight it.

Fight it? ( laughs )

But I'm enjoying myself.

This is the most exciting game I've played in years.

O'BRIEN: It's not a game!

Oh, but it is, and the best thing about it is that it brings out the player's true nature.

Where are you, Garak?!

I saw the look in your eyes when I took the Ferengi away from you.

You wanted to kill me.

You wanted to strangle me with your bare hands.

I just want my crewman back, that's all.

You're a killer, admit it.

We both are. Behind your Federation mask of decency and benevolence, you're a predator, just like me.

No, I'm nothing like you.

Oh, but you are. You proved that on Setlik III.

How many Cardassians did you kill?

Ten? 20? 100?

I don't remember.

Oh, but you remember how you felt.

The Cardassians were killing your men.

You had to stop them. You had to make them pay.

Blood for blood!

You enjoyed killing them, didn't you, huh?

You enjoyed watching the life drain out of their eyes.

All right, Garak, you want to finish this game?

Fine, let's finish it.

You and me, face to face.

Nothing would give me greater pleasure.

We'll meet on the Promenade.

No weapons!

No weapons.

You have no idea how hard it is to keep from pulling this trigger, but I need you alive.

GARAK: They've come to cheer you on, Chief-- your loyal team.

Apparently, they've forgiven you for getting them all killed.

My supporters may be fewer in number but they're no less loyal.

I thought we agreed, no weapons.

What's that in your hand?

Well, how did this get here?

Put yours down.

You first.

Put it down... or say good-bye to the Ferengi.

Don't do it, Chief.

Oh, he has nothing to worry about.

I'm not going to shoot an unarmed man.

What fun would that be?

You wouldn't happen to have another one, would you?

Naughty, naughty.

Your turn.

I admit I am tempted to end this right now.

But that would be depriving myself of too much enjoyment.

( grunting )

I'm disappointed, Chief.

I expected to see the bloodlust in your eyes but all I see is fear.

( groans loudly )

Maybe it's true.

Maybe you're not a soldier anymore.

You're right.

I'm an engineer.

( combadge beeps )

( electronic buzzing )

( grunting )

You okay, Nog?

I'm all right, sir.

Is he dead?

Did you kill him?

No...

I didn't.

He should be all right in a few days.

I've neutralized the psychotropic compound that was affecting his nervous system.

He looks so peaceful.

It's hard to believe he's the same man who attacked us.

In a way, he's not.

The drug brought out the worst parts of him and allowed them to take over.

He wasn't in control of his actions.

Can I talk to him?

For a minute.

I thought you might like to know that we salvaged the plasma manifold.

It's being installed right now.

Mission accomplished.

I guess it didn't exactly go the way any of us expected.

You know there's going to be an inquest.

Yes. I've been told that.

Chief, I was hoping to ask a favor.

Don't worry, once they know the facts--

It's not about that.

I'd like you to express my... deepest regrets to Amaro's wife.

I'd talk to her myself but I'm not sure she'd welcome that.

I'll tell her.

I'd appreciate it.

Julian tells me the blast broke a couple of your ribs.

Well, it could have been worse.

If I'd been any closer to that phaser it would have killed me.

Don't take this the wrong way, but... that was the plan.

I understand.

See you around.