Q-riosity
                                    Killed the
                                      Cadet
                                        by
                                    Robert Roy

                                      TEASER


             FADE IN:

             EXT. SPACE - NEAR EARTH


             View of  Earth  from  space.    Excelsior  class  ship
             leaving orbit.   McKinley  station  also visible.    A
             galaxy class stardrive section (The USS  Robert April)
             is in the station.

                                   TROI (V.O.)
                         Counselor  Troi,  personal  log,
                         stardate 45836.2,  I  have  just
                         arrived on  Earth  to  attend  a
                         seminar   on    first    contact
                         procedures.   Since the  seminar
                         is  being   held  at   Starfleet
                         Academy,   I   will    have   an
                         opportunity  for  some  personal
                         business.

             INT.  STARFLEET H.Q. - DAY


             Troi is  caught in  a  crowd around  a  disembarkation
             platform in Starfleet central headquarters.  She seems
             to be looking around for someone.

                                       WES
                                (calling to Troi)
                         Counselor!

             Troi turns her  head in the  direction of Wes'  voice.
             After a moment, she notices him, smiles and pushes her
             way through the  throng towards  him.   He also  moves
             forward to meet her.

                                       WES
                         Hi, Counselor.  I  was surprised
                         to get  your message.   How  was
                         your trip?

             The two begin leaving the disembarkation area.

                                       TROI
                         You didn't think I'd visit Earth
                         without  seeing   my   favourite
                         cadet, did you?   And, we're not
                         on  the  Enterprise ,  so   it's
                         Deanna.

                                       WES
                               (with a shy gesture)
                         Okay, Deanna,  so  how  was  the
                         trip?

                                       TROI
                         Fine, I guess,  but I  think I'm
                         getting spoiled.

                                       WES
                         Why's that?

                                       TROI
                         The Endeavor is a  fine ship,  I
                         suppose, but  it just  isn't the
                         Enterprise.

                                       WES
                         Yeah,  I  know  what  you  mean.
                         It's so  easy to  get used  to a
                         ship like that.  Anyway, Deanna,
                         have you  arranged somewhere  to
                         stay?

                                       TROI
                         Not yet.   I figured I  could do
                         that once I got here.

                                       WES
                         I don't know,  there's a  lot of
                         people here for that  seminar, I
                         hear.   You'll be  lucky to  get
                         something on this continent.

                                       TROI
                         Hmmm,  maybe   I   should   have
                         thought about that.  Do you have
                         any suggestions, Wes?

                                       WES
                         Well, if  you really  can't find
                         anything   else,   my   roommate
                         doesn't spend  much time  in our
                         quarters.  Maybe you  could stay
                         there, just for a  little while,
                         until we find something else, of
                         course.

                                       TROI
                                     (coyly)
                         Why Wes.

                                       WES
                         Hey now,  no  teasing, you  know
                         what I mean.   Just as  a favour
                         to a former crewmate.

                                       TROI
                         Thanks, Wes,  maybe  as  a  last
                         resort,   and    assuming   your
                         roommate doesn't mind.

                                       WES
                         That's all I meant.  If we go to
                         the Academy  now,  you  can  get
                         registered  and  we   can  start
                         looking for a  place for  you to
                         stay.

                                       TROI
                         Sounds good.

             Wes and Troi leave  the building and  set off for  the
             Academy.

             EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - STREETS - DAY


             The streets seem particularly  crowded.  Wes and  Troi
             engage in small  talk and  pay less  attention to  the
             surroundings.  Wes  seems to be  acutely aware of  his
             physical proximity to Troi.   She, on the other  hand,
             seems oblivious to this aspect.

                                       TROI
                         So how is the academy?   I never
                         did get to ask you about it last
                         time I saw you.

                                       WES
                                 (with a snicker)
                         Yeah, you did have  other things
                         on your mind that time.

                                       TROI
                         Now who's teasing, Wes.

                                       WES
                         Sorry.   The  academy's fine,  I
                         guess.

                                       TROI
                         By the  way, I  just remembered,
                         there  was  something  I  was  I
                         asked to give you.

                                       WES
                         What was that?

             Deanna turns  towards Wes  and cups  his  face in  her
             hands.

                                       TROI
                         This.

             Deanna gives him a light kiss on the lips.   Wes seems
             more than a little bit surprised.  It takes him  a few
             moments to  regain his  composure.   Deanna  seems  to
             enjoy his discomfiture.

                                       WES
                         What was that for?

                                       TROI
                         That was for you.

             Wes takes a moment to try to figure out that comment.

                                       WES
                         Alright, then who was it from.

                                       TROI
                         Robin Lesfleurs asked me to give
                         that to you.

                                       WES
                         Gee, how did she know?

                                       TROI
                         Know what?

                                       WES
                         That was  exactly  what I  would
                         have wanted, as a present.

             Troi slaps Wes  playfully on  the arm  and shakes  her
             head in disbelief.   They continue  on their  journey.
             As they round a corner,  Wes bumps into someone,  whom
             he recognizes subconsciously, coming around the  other
             direction.

                                       WES
                         Oh, excuse me, Q.

             It takes Wes and Troi a moment for the implications to
             set in.  They look at each other in astonishment.

                                       WES
                                    (Shocked)
                         Q?

             They turn back to follow, but when they get around the
             corner, Q is gone.

                                       TROI
                         It's going  to be  one of  those
                         days, again.

                                       WES
                         When isn't it.

             FADE OUT:

                                      ACT I


             FADE IN:

             EXT. STARFLEET ACADEMY GROUNDS - DAY


             Wes and Troi  walk towards a  building on the  Academy
             grounds.  It is dark.

                                       WES
                         Deanna, I  apologize  again  for
                         wasting your time, but I thought
                         we'd find him.

                                       TROI
                         That's okay, Wes, you don't need
                         to keep apologizing.

                                       WES
                         Yeah, but I wasted the whole day
                         for you.

                                       TROI
                         Wes, I wanted to look  for him.
                         If Q is around,  the seminar can
                         wait.

                                       WES
                         I guess.    You  know  maybe  we
                         should report this to someone.

                                       TROI
                         Like   to   whom?      Starfleet
                         security?

                                       WES
                         I don't know.  I suppose there's
                         not a lot  they can do  about an
                         omnipotent being in their midst.

             They arrive at the front door of the building.

                                       WES
                         Well,  Deanna,  I   don't  think
                         there's much  chance  you'll  be
                         able  to  arrange  somewhere  to
                         stay at  this  hour.    I  guess
                         you're  still   welcome  in   my
                         quarters.   You  can  just  stay
                         overnight and  arrange something
                         for tomorrow.

                                       TROI
                         It seems  I have  little choice.
                         You  didn't   just   happen   to
                         arrange this, did you?

             INT. ACADEMY DORM - STAIRS


             They enter the building and proceed to climb a  set of
             stairs.

                                       WES
                         Yes,  Deanna,  I   booked  every
                         hotel on Earth and  summoned a Q
                         being just  so  I  could  say  I
                         spent the  night  with the  most
                         beautiful    woman     on    the
                         Enterprise.

                                       TROI
                         Flatterer.

             INT. ACADEMY DORM - HALLWAY


             Wes and Troi  walk down  a corridor a  short ways  and
             then enter one of the rooms.  Just as they enter, both
             stop short.   Sitting  on  Wes' bed,  apparently  just
             lazing around is Q.

                                        Q
                         Well, if it isn't the courageous
                         coxswain   Crusher    and    his
                         coquettish     courtesan     the
                         Counselor, come to  conjugate in
                         his quarters.

             INT. WES' DORM ROOM 


             Wes and  Deanna  stare  at Q,  quite  angered  by  his
             comments.

                                       WES
                         In  the  first  place,  Q,  what
                         Deanna and I do together is none
                         of your business.  Secondly, you
                         obviously didn't  come  here  to
                         exhibit    your     alliterative
                         skills, so  let's hear  what you
                         want, and third, get off my bed.

                                        Q
                         Well, in the first  place, maybe
                         I'll just  have to  pop over  to
                         the  Enterprise  and  tell  your
                         mother what  you two  were about
                         to you.  Secondly, you're right,
                         I came here to offer you a deal,
                         and thirdly, why don't  you come
                         over here and make me.

                                       WES
                         Firstly...

                                       TROI
                         Stop it!

             Both Q and  Wes look  at Troi  for a  moment and  then
             return to their conversation.

                                       WES
                         Like  my  mother  would  believe
                         you.  What kind of deal?

             Q stands up and walks towards Wes.

                                       TROI
                         At least he's off your bed.

                                        Q
                         Wes, you're not like these other
                         Humans.

             Q makes  a sweeping  gesture to  indicate all  Humans,
             incidentally taking Troi into account.

                                       TROI
                         Excuse me?

                                        Q
                         Present  company   precluded,  I
                         think, anyway, the point  is Wes
                         that there's something different
                         about you.  I believe you've had
                         a  visit  from  someone  calling
                         himself  a  traveler,  from  Tau
                         Alpha C.

                                       WES
                         What about him?

                                        Q
                         I   understand    he    revealed
                         something  to   you,   something
                         special, something wondrous.

                                       WES
                         Get to the point.

                                        Q
                         Patience is a virtue, Wes.

                                       WES
                         Yes, Q, it is, a Human virtue.

                                        Q
                         Come now, let's be civil.

                                       WES
                         What do you want?

                                        Q
                         Ah yes, want is it  that I want?
                         Wes, you are  the first  of your
                         kind, a sort of glimpse into the
                         future of  Humankind.   I  would
                         like to study you,  watch as you
                         grow into what you shall become,
                         what Humans shall become.

                                       WES
                         Forget it.

                                        Q
                         And in return,  I shall  be your
                         guide, helping  you become  your
                         new self.

                                       WES
                         No way.

                                        Q
                         I'm  sure   you   can  see   how
                         beneficial my  assistance  could
                         be to you.

                                       WES
                         Q, if you're so  omnipotent, how
                         come  you   are   incapable   of
                         understanding this  simple idea?
                         I am not interested.

                                        Q
                         Yes you are.

             Troi begins to appear amused at the banter.

                                       WES
                         I am not.

                                        Q
                         Sure you are,  I ought  to know,
                         after all,  I'm  the  omniscient
                         one in the room.

                                       WES
                         Q, just go away,  I'm tired, I'd
                         like to go to bed,  so thank you
                         for the offer, but no thanks.

             Q looks around the room and then at Troi.

                                        Q
                         Oh,  I  see,   I'm  interrupting
                         something, eh Wes?

                                       WES
                         Yes, as  a  matter  of fact  you
                         are.

             Troi looks at Wes with a questioning look.

                                       TROI
                         Wes?

                                       WES
                         No, not that, our  lives.  Every
                         time you  pop in,  you think  we
                         should put our lives on hold and
                         deal with you.  Well, sorry, but
                         I'm  not  buying  into  it  this
                         time.

             Wes walks over to the door and holds it open.

                                       WES
                         So,  if  there's  nothing  else,
                         then I guess you'd  better be on
                         your way.

             Q starts to  walk towards  the door  and then  changes
             direction and sits down next to Troi.

                                        Q
                         So, Counselor, you  haven't said
                         much  about  this.     You're  a
                         Betazoid, what do you feel about
                         my offer?

                                       TROI
                         I feel  that  it,  like you,  is
                         beneath my contempt, and beneath
                         Wes'.

                                        Q
                         Oh, a feisty  one.  I  like that
                         in an empath.

             Wes walks  determinedly towards  Q's position  and  is
             about to  grab  him firmly  by  the shoulders.    Just
             before his hands  make contact, there  is a typical  Q
             flash of light.  Troi ends up in Q's position, causing
             Wes to  grip  her instead.    Q appears  behind  them,
             leaning against a wall and  looking amused.  Wes  lets
             go of  Troi  and  turns  around,  looking  not  overly
             thrilled at Q.

                                       WES
                         Enough is  enough, Q,  I've said
                         no politely  and  I've  said  it
                         impolitely, but  you just  don't
                         seem to  be  getting the  point.
                         You are unwanted here.

                                        Q
                         Ah, you  see,  Wes,  that's  the
                         point.   I'm  unwanted, but  not
                         unneeded.   You just  don't seem
                         to see how much  you really need
                         me.

                                       WES
                         Like we needed you  at system J-
                         25?

                                        Q
                         Yes, exactly.  Your  Captain was
                         man enough  to  admit he  needed
                         me, aren't you?

                                       WES
                         You're kidding, right?  You send
                         us hurtling  into  an  encounter
                         light years away, with  an enemy
                         we were  totally unprepared  for
                         and you  think  you  were  being
                         helpful?  Q do you have any idea
                         how  many  deaths  are  on  your
                         head?

                                        Q
                         Oh, are you still  worrying over
                         a few measly Humans?

                                       WES
                         Q, that stunt cost  the lives of
                         well   over    thirty   thousand
                         people.

                                        Q
                         Is  it  my   fault  you   are  a
                         woefully    lacking     species?
                         You're  the  ones  who  couldn't
                         handle the  Borg.    I gave  you
                         time to  prepare  for them,  and
                         that was the best you could do?

                                       WES
                         What are you talking  about?  If
                         you'd left well enough alone, we
                         wouldn't have  encountered  them
                         for years yet,  and by  the time
                         we did, we'd have been ready for
                         them.

                                        Q
                         Well, hindsight is  20/20, isn't
                         that what you Humans  say?  It's
                         easy to sit  in judgment  of the
                         past when you've had the benefit
                         of seeing it already.   Besides,
                         I was only trying to help.

                                       WES
                         No you weren't, you  were trying
                         to make the point that we needed
                         you, and that may be true if you
                         stack the  deck against  us like
                         you're constantly doing.  And as
                         for  the  past,  there  is  such
                         thing as learning from the it.

                                        Q
                         Say, just  like Captain  Picard,
                         you're a fountain of good ideas.
                         The past, that's perfect.

                                       WES
                         No, Q whatever  you're thinking,
                         stop it!  Don't do...

             Before Wes completes  his sentence,  there is  another
             flash of light  and suddenly  Wes' quarters  disappear
             from around them.

             EXT. SOLINAE - WOODS - DAY


             Wes and Troi  are left  standing side by  side at  the
             edge of a large valley.   In the middle of the  valley
             is a huge towering city.  There are some air  car type
             vehicles visible, circling the city and a  few smaller
             villages mark the valley outside of the city.  Wes and
             Troi's wardrobe is different, presumably to  help them
             fit in with their surroundings.

                                       WES
                            (in despair, finishes his
                                    sentence)
                         it.

             EXT. SOLINAE - WOODS - DAY


             Wes and Deanna sit up against a large tree.   They are
             still at the  edge of the  valley.  They  look at  the
             beautiful panoramic  vista  that spreads  out  beneath
             them.

                                       TROI
                         You had to get him going, didn't
                         you, Wes?

                                       WES
                         Oh,  and  like  you  were  being
                         friendly with him, feisty one.

                                       TROI
                         Okay, but  why did  you have  to
                         remind him about the Borg?

                                       WES
                         I didn't have to,  but I thought
                         it was  a  good  idea.    I  was
                         trying to  show him  what damage
                         he'd  done   in   the  past   by
                         interfering.  I guess, without a
                         conscience, that  was wasted  on
                         him.

                                       TROI
                         Sure, now you realize  that.  So
                         what now?

                                       WES
                         What?    Since  when   am  I  in
                         charge?

                                       TROI
                         Hey, Wes,  you're  the  one  who
                         gave him  the  suggestion  about
                         the past.  I think that puts you
                         in charge.

                                       WES
                         Sure, I just  wanted him  to try
                         to learn from his past mistakes,
                         not send us into the past.  Say,
                         I wonder where we are exactly?

                                      HJRAD
                         You're trespassing  on  Dominion
                         lands, that's where you are.

             Troi and Wes  turn simultaneously  towards the  voice.
             Standing over  them is  a tall,  youthful,  red-haired
             Human male in some kind of  white armour.  He holds  a
             long gleaming sword in one hand and his pointing it in
             the general direction of Troi  and Wes.  Holstered  on
             his hip  is  some  kind  of energy  weapon.    In  the
             background,  other  men,   similarly  dressed,   stand
             watching.  An air car is parked nearby.

             INT. AIR CAR - AFT - DAY


             Wes and Troi sit in the back of the air car.  GUARD #1
             and GUARD  #2 stand  on either  side of  them.   Hjrad
             stands in opposition to them.  Through the windows, it
             can be seen that they are in flight.

                                      HJRAD
                         What  did  you  think  you  were
                         doing  on   Dominion   protected
                         grounds?

                                       WES
                         We are sorry, but we didn't know
                         that they were protected lands.

                                      HJRAD
                         Oh, I see.   And how is  it that
                         you failed to  know what  even a
                         schoolchild knows?

                                       WES
                         We're not from around here.

                                      HJRAD
                         Really?   And where  exactly are
                         you  from  then?    Outside  the
                         Dominion?

                                       WES
                         Yes, we  are from  another area,
                         outside the Dominion.

             The guards seem to laugh at this notion.

                                      HJRAD
                         You  must  think  us  incredibly
                         naive.  There is nowhere outside
                         the Dominion.  All of Solinae is
                         under  its  flag.     Nice  try,
                         though.  You, woman,  your turn,
                         why were you trespassing?

             Troi looks at Wes and then returns her gaze to Hjrad.

                                       TROI
                         We wanted a  place to  get away,
                         in private.

             Wes then looks at Troi in surprise.

                                      HJRAD
                         You disagree  with that  do you,
                         young one?

                                       WES
                            (swallows before speaking)
                         No,  I  was  just,   shy,  about
                         saying so.

                                      HJRAD
                         I understand.  So, what are your
                         names?

             Again Wes and Troi look to each other before speaking.

                                       WES
                         I am  called  Wes  and  this  is
                         Deanna.

                                      HJRAD
                         Well,  Wes  and  Deanna,   I  am
                         Hjrad, Captain  of the  Dominion
                         guard.  You have  no doubt heard
                         of me.  Whatever you have heard,
                         I'm sure you'll find I am not as
                         bad as  all that.   Anyway,  you
                         are   accused   of   desecrating
                         Dominion   protected    grounds.
                         Because this is an  offense from
                         the  old   laws,  you   will  be
                         brought before  the Dominus  for
                         sentencing.

                                       WES
                         Sentencing?  What about a trial?

                                      HJRAD
                         You seem  very poorly  informed,
                         Wes.  The old laws prescribed no
                         trial.     The   accusation   is
                         sufficient.    If   the  Dominus
                         feels you  are not  responsible,
                         he     will     sentence     you
                         accordingly.   It  is  your  own
                         fault for breaking the laws.

             The PILOT turns around to speak.

                                      PILOT
                         Captain Hjrad,  we have  entered
                         Dominion city.  Shall  I request
                         landing clearance?

                                      HJRAD
                         Yes.

             The pilot returns to controlling the craft and  in the
             background  he   can   be   heard   talking   over   a
             communication system.  Hjrad snaps his fingers and the
             two guards snap  to attention and  then march  towards
             the front of  the air  car, leaving  Hjrad alone  with
             Troi and Wes.  He sits down in a chair that runs along
             the side of the car.

                                      HJRAD
                         You're not bonded, are you?

             Troi and Wes look at each other.  Wes opens  his mouth
             to speak, but doesn't seem to know what to say.

                                      HJRAD
                         It's alright  to say,  you know,
                         that old law has long since been
                         stricken from the records.

                                       WES
                                    (relieved)
                         No, we aren't.

             While keeping his  eyes on Hjrad,  Wes absently  takes
             Troi's hand.  She  squeezes his hand, pretending  that
             this is normal.  Hjrad notices this.

                                      HJRAD
                         I hope  you'll  forgive me  this
                         observation, but for two who are
                         from so  close  to  the  capitol
                         city,  you  seem  to  be  poorly
                         educated.

                                       WES
                         Why do  you  think  we are  from
                         around here, necessarily?

                                      HJRAD
                         Are you  still  trying to  claim
                         that  you  are  from  far  away?
                         Wes, you should  know that  is a
                         wasted effort.  You  should know
                         that we  already  did a  routine
                         scan of  your  biocards.    You,
                         Wes, are a propulsional engineer
                         working on the  Veagtok project,
                         and you,  Deanna, are  a psionic
                         conditioner.  You  live together
                         in unit four three  nine zero of
                         Cyten  village,  which  is  just
                         outside Dominion  city, and  not
                         far  away.     What  I   do  not
                         understand is  why  you  thought
                         you could hide this information.

                                       TROI
                         We  were  embarrassed   and  bit
                         nervous.   We have  not been  in
                         trouble with the guard before.

                                       WES
                         If you knew who we were, why did
                         you have to ask us?

                                      HJRAD
                         You  started  with  a  lie.    I
                         wanted to see how long you'd try
                         to keep  it up.    You lie  with
                         much conviction,  Wes.   I might
                         have believed  you if  your lies
                         weren't so  outlandish.   As  it
                         was,     you      were     quite
                         entertaining.

             Wes looks a bit stunned.

                                       TROI
                         Hjrad, may I ask you why you use
                         a sword?    None  of  the  other
                         guards seem to carry one.

                                      HJRAD
                         My family used to  belong to the
                         warrior caste,  theirs did  not.
                         This weapon has been passed down
                         from generation  to  generation.
                         My mother gave  it to me  when I
                         took her position as  Captain of
                         the guard.    For  me, it  is  a
                         weapon of honour.

                                       TROI
                         But you also carry that.

             Troi indicates the energy weapon.

                                      HJRAD
                         Well, there are some  times that
                         honour  must  be  set  aside  in
                         favour of  function.   A blaster
                         may not carry honour, but it has
                         a lot better range than a sword.
                         Besides, there may be  no honour
                         in using a blaster,  but there's
                         even less in dying.

                                       TROI
                         That's      an       interesting
                         philosophy.  I know at least one
                         person that  believes  dying  in
                         battle is the greatest honour.

                                      HJRAD
                                 (with distaste)
                         Then  they  are  surely   not  a
                         warrior.

                                       WES
                         He certainly believes he is.

             Hjrad turns  away from  them  as though  rebuking  the
             entire conversation by doing so.  The air  car settles
             down on the  ground in an  area that already  contains
             many other air cars.  Hjrad gets to his feet.

                                      HJRAD
                         If you'd care to follow me.

             FADE OUT:

                                      ACT II


             FADE IN:

             INT. CORRIDOR 


             Wes and Troi walk along in  a corridor of a  building.
             Hjrad precedes them  and the two  other guards  follow
             them.  People  move aside at  Hjrad's approach.   They
             round a corner and  then come upon a  door.  GUARD  #3
             and GUARD #4,  who are  standing at the  door snap  to
             attention.  Hjrad comes to a halt just in front of the
             door, waiting for them to open it for him, but they do
             not.  One of them steps forward.

                                     GUARD #3
                         Captain,    the    Dominus    is
                         occupied.

                                      HJRAD
                         With whom?

                                     GUARD #3
                         Sir, it is his daughter, Dominar
                         Kyeni.

             Hjrad seems disturbed by this information.  Troi looks
             at him  the  way  she  does  when  she  senses  strong
             emotions from someone.

                                      HJRAD
                         We'll wait here.

             Hjrad points to a bench that sits along the wall.  Wes
             and Troi sit down.  Their guards stand on  either side
             of the bench.  Hjrad leans against the  opposing wall,
             his thoughts  clearly not  on the  current  situation.
             They don't have to wait more than a few moments before
             the doors open.   A fairly  young woman about  Hjrad's
             age walks  out,  called  KYENI.   She  is  dressed  in
             extremely fine clothing.  She sees Hjrad an walks over
             to him.   She glides her  hand alone the  side of  his
             face.  His only response is to grit his teeth.

                                      KYENI
                         Good, you're here.  Attend me to
                         my quarters.

                                      HJRAD
                         I   can't,   Dominar,   I   have
                         prisoners  that  I   must  bring
                         before your father.   The matter
                         is urgent.

             Kyeni looks at  Wes and  Troi and their  guards.   She
             makes a sweeping gesture to indicate the guards.

                                      KYENI
                         It doesn't  seem  urgent,  those
                         two can do it.

                                      HJRAD
                         Dominar, I  am  Captain  of  the
                         guard, it is  my responsibility,
                         not theirs.

                                      KYENI
                         This time, they will  do it, and
                         you will attend me.

             Kyeni turns and begins  walking, confident that  he'll
             follow, which he  does, grumbling  all the  way.   The
             guards point towards the doors.

                                     GUARD #1
                         The Dominus is waiting.

             The four  enter  the chamber  beyond  the door.    The
             remaining two guards close the door behind them.

             INT. DOMINUS' CHAMBERS 


                                     DOMINUS
                         Come forward.

             Wes and Troi walk  towards the Dominus  who sits on  a
             throne at the other  side of the  room.  Their  guards
             follow.   After they  are  close enough,  the  Dominus
             gives them a discrete halting gesture.

                                     DOMINUS
                                 (to the Guards)
                         Of what are they accused?

                                     GUARD #1
                         They  were  found  on  protected
                         grounds, Dominus.    They  claim
                         they were there for  privacy and
                         that  they  were   unaware  that
                         those  grounds   were  protected
                         ones.

                                     DOMINUS
                         Unlikely, but the  infraction is
                         not a  grave one.   An  official
                         censure  will  appear   on  your
                         biocards   and    the   standard
                         restriction of  privileges  will
                         apply for four months.  I assume
                         this will not happen again.

                                       WES
                         It will not, Dominus.

                                     DOMINUS
                         Good.   Guards,  you may  escort
                         them to their home.

             Dominus gives them a  dismissing gesture.  The  guards
             guide Wes and Troi from the room.

             EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY


             An air car lands just outside a  residential building.
             The door opens and Wes and Troi emerge.

                                       TROI
                         Thank you for the ride.

             The pilot  nods in  appreciation and  then pushes  the
             button that closes the door.  After a few moments, the
             air car lifts off and flies  away.  Wes and Troi  walk
             over to the entrance of the building.

                                       TROI
                         Okay, so now what do we do?

                                       WES
                         I have no idea.   I guess  we go
                         in.

             Wes moves closer to the door, expecting it to  open at
             his approach, which it does not.  He attempts  to push
             it open.

                                       TROI
                         Why don't we try this.

             Troi presses  the palm  of her  hand to  a panel  that
             looks like a  plate of  blackened glass.   A  swishing
             sound is heard and then a  few moments later the  door
             slides open, revealing an elevator of some kind.  They
             walk in.

             INT. ELEVATOR 


                                       WES
                                  (expectantly)
                         Well?

             Troi raises and  drops her  shoulders, suggesting  she
             doesn't know.  There  are no apparent controls  inside
             the elevator.   After a few  moments, the doors  close
             and the elevator begins, almost imperceptibly  to move
             upwards.   The same  swishing sound  is  heard.   This
             continues only for a  short time before  it stops.   A
             door on  the  opposite  side of  the  elevator  opens,
             revealing  an  apartment,  which  they  enter.     The
             elevator closes.

             INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM 


             The apartment is not  large, but is quite  comfortable
             in appearance and nicely decorated.  Three  doors lead
             to other parts of the apartment from the main room.

                                       TROI
                         Not a bad  little place.   Seems
                         cozy.

             They begin exploring the apartment.  On one wall  is a
             form of viewscreen.  When Wes  passes in front of  it,
             it becomes  illuminated.   A female  face appears  and
             begins speaking a recorded message.

                                      DARIES
                               (on the viewscreen)
                         Wes, I  heard about  your little
                         difficulty.  Don't bother coming
                         in today.   See  you bright  and
                         early tomorrow.  Bye.

             The viewscreen shuts off again.  Troi walks  over next
             to Wes.

                                       TROI
                         It's  interesting.    Q  set  up
                         entire lives  for  us  here,  as
                         though we belonged here.

                                       WES
                         I wonder  what  he's  trying  to
                         prove.  We haven't hide nor hare
                         of him since we arrived.

                                       TROI
                         I'm sure he'll let  us know when
                         he's good and ready.   I suppose
                         our best  bet  is  to just  play
                         along.

                                       WES
                         I guess.  I wonder  if they have
                         any kind  of  computer  I  could
                         use, to find out about who we're
                         suppose to be.

             The viewscreen flashes to life again.

                                     COMPUTER
                                  (visual text)
                         Computer, biographical database,
                         Wes and Deanna, input query.

                                       TROI
                         Ask and ye shall receive.

             INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM 


             Troi is sitting in front of the  viewscreen, reviewing
             information on the computer  when the computer  screen
             is replaced by an image of Hjrad,  apparently standing
             out in the street.

                                      HJRAD
                               (on the viewscreen)
                         Hello,  Deanna,   would  it   be
                         alright if I were to come up and
                         visit?

                                       TROI
                         I suppose so, just a moment.

             Hjrad disappears  from  the screen  and  the  computer
             returns.

                                       TROI
                         Computer off.

             The viewscreen goes blank.   Deanna walks over to  the
             door and types something on a keypad next to it.

                                       TROI
                                    (calling)
                         Wes, Hjrad is on his way up.

                                       WES
                         Be right there.

             The door opens, revealing Hjrad in the elevator.

                                       TROI
                         Come in.

             Hjrad enters the apartment.

                                      HJRAD
                         Thank  you.    I  hope  I'm  not
                         disturbing you.

                                       TROI
                         Not at  all.   Please, come  sit
                         down.

             Troi and  Hjrad  move to  the  area in  front  of  the
             viewscreen.  Troi offers him one of the chairs  and he
             sits in it.  She sits on the couch, next to his chair.
             Wes enters the room from one  of the other doors.   He
             walks over and sits down next to Troi.  He  drapes his
             arm, partly  on  the couch behind  her, and partly  on
             her shoulder.

                                       WES
                         What can we do for you?

                                      HJRAD
                         To  be  honest,  I  was  curious
                         about you  two.   You seemed  to
                         genuinely not  know a  number of
                         things  that   anyone   in   the
                         Dominion should  have known.   I
                         just  wondered  how  this  could
                         happen.

                                       TROI
                         I think it was mostly the stress
                         of the  situation.   You have  a
                         reputation     as      extremely
                         aggressive law enforcement.   We
                         were merely nervous.

                                      HJRAD
                         I understand  that,  but  still,
                         you  knew   nothing  about   the
                         biocards, the  protected  lands,
                         the old laws, and  a few others.
                         I can't  believe there's  anyone
                         on all  of  Solinae that  thinks
                         there is  anywhere  outside  the
                         Dominion.  Only  one who  is not
                         of  this  world  could  possibly
                         think such a thing.

                                       WES
                         Well,  I   don't  know   how  to
                         explain how I forgot  such basic
                         things when I was nervous, but I
                         can assure  you we  are of  this
                         world.   Otherwise, there  would
                         not be  records  of  us  in  the
                         computer system.

                                      HJRAD
                         Quite true, Wes.  I guess I just
                         find it all rather odd.  Perhaps
                         I'm the one under stress.

                                       TROI
                         I  noticed   that  the   Dominar
                         seemed rather taken with you.

             Troi flinches imperceptibly  under the  weight of  his
             anger towards the Dominar.  Wes' grip on  her shoulder
             reflexively tightens.

                                      HJRAD
                         Taken may not be the right word,
                         Deanna.    I  believe  that  the
                         Dominar enjoys  manipulating  my
                         emotions.  I used  to have quite
                         strong  feelings  for  her,  but
                         they    were    not    genuinely
                         reciprocated.    Mine  have,  of
                         course, recently changed.

                                       TROI
                         But she tries to  bring out your
                         old feelings.

                                      HJRAD
                         Exactly.  I know  better, but it
                         is hard to resist  her advances.
                         She  is   both   beautiful   and
                         powerful,     an      attractive
                         combination I find.  What I know
                         in  my  head  is  belied  in  my
                         heart.

                                       TROI
                         You know, there's  no substitute
                         for discussion.  You  should try
                         to  talk   this  out   with  the
                         Dominar.     I'm   sure   you'll
                         eventually come to some  kind of
                         understanding,   one    way   or
                         another.

                                      HJRAD
                         Perhaps you're  right.    It  is
                         good  to  talk  to  someone  who
                         understands   affairs   of   the
                         heart.

                                       TROI
                         It is my job.

                                      HJRAD
                         Indeed.  I  have never  gotten a
                         grasp on  the  idea  of  psionic
                         conditioning, but I can  see for
                         myself  its  effectiveness.    I
                         should take my  leave of  you so
                         that  I   can  speak   with  the
                         Dominar tonight.

                                       TROI
                         That's a  good idea.   I'll  see
                         you to the door.

             All three stand.

                                      HJRAD
                                     (to Wes)
                         I    thank    you    for    your
                         hospitality.

                                       WES
                         You're welcome, Captain.

             Troi and Hjrad walk  over to the door.   She puts  her
             palm on the keypad.

                                      HJRAD
                         And I thank you for your wisdom,
                         Deanna.   I hope  I can  do your
                         advice justice.

                                       TROI
                         I'm   sure   you'll   do   fine,
                         whatever you end up deciding.

                                      HJRAD
                         I think my decision  may already
                         have been made.

             The elevator doors open and Hjrad steps inside.

                                       TROI
                         Good-bye, Captain.

                                      HJRAD
                         Good-bye, Deanna.

             The doors close.  Deanna returns to the couch.

                                       WES
                         He likes you.

             Troi smiles  and playfully  places  her hand  on  Wes'
             thigh.

                                       TROI
                         Jealous?

                                       WES
                         Maybe a  little.   Do you  think
                         he'll break it off with her?

                                       TROI
                         Who knows?   He  obviously wants
                         to.  But you never can tell when
                         it comes to love.

                                       WES
                         Yeah, I know what that's like.

                                       TROI
                         Oh really, Wes?

                                       WES
                         Hey, I've had my  share of love,
                         I guess.  And  I've had crushes,
                         too.

                                       TROI
                         On anyone I know?

                                       WES
                         Probably not.  Say, it's getting
                         late.   If  I'm  going  to  work
                         tomorrow, I'd  better  get  some
                         sleep.  Thoughtful  of Q  to set
                         us  up   with   a  one   bedroom
                         apartment.

             Wes  begins  prodding  at  the  couch,  presumably  to
             determine its fitness for sleeping purposes.

                                       WES
                         This'll have to  do.   I'll just
                         grab some extra sheets.

                                       TROI
                         Oh,  that  won't  be  necessary.
                         Its a big  bed.  If  you promise
                         to be  a gentleman,  I think  we
                         can share it.  But you just make
                         sure you stay on  your side, Mr.
                         Crusher.

                                       WES
                         Certainly, Ms.  Troi.   It'll be
                         difficult, but  I  think  I  can
                         restrain myself if you can.

             Troi laughs  and  Wes smiles.    They shake  hands  as
             though in seal of their agreement.

                                       TROI
                         Deal.

             FADE OUT:

                                     ACT III


             FADE IN:

             INT. APARTMENT - BEDROOM 


             In the bedroom, Wes and Troi are asleep.  One  of Wes'
             arms  is  around  Troi's  shoulders,  her  head  rests
             against his chest.   A beeping  sound begins,  causing
             Wes to stir.  He tries to rub his eyes, but notices he
             only has access to one arm.

                                       WES
                                (to the computer)
                         Alarm off.

             The beeping stops.  Wes slowly slides his arm out from
             under Troi, settling her head back on the pillow.   He
             yawns and then get out of  the bed.  He walks over  to
             the wall and presses a button.   A panel slides  away,
             revealing a closet  full of  clothes.   He selects  an
             appropriate outfit and brings it into the washroom.

             Troi starts  moving around  restlessly in  her  sleep.
             She suddenly  seems  to  pop awake,  for  no  apparent
             reason.  She looks around, taking in  her environment.
             After she  seems to  have her  bearings,  she grabs  a
             dressing gown that lies across the foot of the bed and
             puts it on as she gets  out of bed.  She walks  out of
             the bedroom, through the living room to the kitchen.

             INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN 


                                       TROI
                                (to the computer)
                         Breakfast, coffee,  black, eggs,
                         scrambled and toast, light.

             The front  panel on  a box  that sits  on the  counter
             glows for a moment and then  when the glow fades,  the
             requested items sit in the box.   Troi opens the  door
             and takes them out and places them on the table.

             Wes walks into the kitchen.

                                       WES
                         What, none for me?

                                       TROI
                         Hey,  you  can  get   your  own.
                         Besides,  I  didn't   know  what
                         you'd have wanted.

                                       WES
                         Gee, we've  lived  together  for
                         two and a  half years,  I should
                         think you'd know what  I eat for
                         breakfast.

                                       TROI
                                    (smiling)
                         Don't   get   too    deep   into
                         character, Wes, these aren't our
                         lives.  I don't  know about you,
                         but I  don't  plan  to stay  any
                         longer than I have to.

                                       WES
                         Which  reminds   me,  Q   hasn't
                         bothered to show  up yet.   That
                         isn't  like  him,  he's  usually
                         around to gloat.

                                       TROI
                         He mustn't think we've gotten in
                         over our heads yet.

                                       WES
                                (to the computer)
                         Orange   juice   and   breakfast
                         sausage.

             Wes' request  appears in  the same  manner as  Troi's.
             He, too, takes his breakfast to the table.

                                       TROI
                         I can't get  over how  similar a
                         lot of this is to Earth.

                                       WES
                         You think so?  I don't see it as
                         much, but maybe that's because I
                         grew  up   there,  you   didn't.
                         Everything   strikes    me    as
                         different.  Of course  there are
                         bound to be similarities.   From
                         what I've  been  able to  learn,
                         this   is   a   seeded   planet.
                         There's  no   notion   of   this
                         culture having  evolved here  in
                         their database.  Presumably some
                         race like  the one  we call  the
                         Preservers  must   have  visited
                         here at one  time.  My  guess is
                         that  their  ancestors  were  as
                         Terran as mine were.

                                       TROI
                         That's interesting.  Say, aren't
                         you going to be late?

             Wes looks  at  a clock-like  device  on the  wall  and
             begins to appear slightly frantic.  He gulps  down his
             orange juice and dumps the rest of the sausage  in the
             recycler.  He starts heading for the front door.

                                       TROI
                         What, no kiss good-bye?

             Wes laughs just the elevator  arrives.  He enters  the
             elevator and the doors close.

             INT. LABORATORY 


             Wes rushes through a door into a laboratory.   A woman
             turns around towards him after hearing his entry.   It
             is Daries and she doesn't look pleased.

                                      DARIES
                         You're late, Wes.

                                       WES
                         Sorry,  Daries,   but   I,   uh,
                         misjudged the time this morning.

                                      DARIES
                         Yeah, right.   So  have you  got
                         it?

                                       WES
                                    (confused)
                         What?

                                      DARIES
                         Oh, Wes, you promised.   I mean,
                         why did I  give you  the morning
                         off, yesterday  if  you  weren't
                         going to keep  your promise.   I
                         then even gave  you the  rest of
                         the day when you got in trouble,
                         and now  you  come  in late  and
                         don't even have a  clue what I'm
                         talking about.

                                       WES
                         Can you give me a hint?

                                      DARIES
                         How  do   we  solve   the  phase
                         problem with  the inductance  of
                         impulse generation coils at near
                         relativistic speeds?

                                       WES
                         What,   you   mean    by   cross
                         connecting the  coils through  a
                         phase inverter?

             Daries takes on an astonished  look.  She almost  runs
             over to  a  computer  console  and  begins  typing  in
             information.   Wes seems  surprised by  her  reaction.
             After a few moments, she  turns from the computer  and
             rushes over towards him.

                                      DARIES
                                    (excited)
                         Wes,  you're  genius,   I  think
                         it'll work.  The simulations say
                         it will,  anyway.   How did  you
                         come up with that?

                                       WES
                         Well that's  just, uh,  that is,
                         it just came  to me, in  a dream
                         last night.  I guess I must have
                         been thinking  about  it  a  lot
                         lately.

                                      DARIES
                         We  all  have  been.    This  is
                         incredible, and so simple.

                                       WES
                         Well  it's   not  that   simple.
                         It'll   take    ultra-conductive
                         filaments to  effect  the  cross
                         connect.        Otherwise    the
                         resistance   will   set   up   a
                         harmonic  resonance   that  will
                         cause quantum  fragmentation  in
                         the field output of the coils.

                                      DARIES
                         You mean  we'll  need  something
                         better    than    quadrasilicate
                         polyrhubinites?

             Wes seems to ponder this suggestion.

                                       WES
                         I guess that'd do.

                                      DARIES
                         Well, what  did you  expect we'd
                         use?

                                       WES
                         I  don't   know,   I  was   just
                         thinking aloud.

                                      DARIES
                         Anyway, c'mon, let's  bring this
                         to the project director.

             Daries begins purposefully striding from the  room and
             Wes follows along behind, seeming a little bit  out of
             it.

             INT. APARTMENT - BEDROOM 


             Wes and Troi are in their bedroom, going through their
             closets.

                                       WES
                         I couldn't  believe it,  I spent
                         almost  the  entire   day  being
                         praise for my genius  for one of
                         the     simplest     engineering
                         principles I've ever learned.  I
                         mean,  Starfleet  has  had  that
                         technology   for   hundreds   of
                         years.     You'd  think   I  was
                         telling them the secrets  of the
                         universe, or something.

                                       TROI
                         Wes, don't forget, we are in the
                         past, and we don't know how far,
                         or exactly where.

                                       WES
                         Actually,  I  think  I  do  know
                         where.     I  remember   reading
                         something     about     Solinae,
                         somewhere.   It's in  the Tasman
                         system.   There are  three class
                         M, oxygen  nitrogen  planets  in
                         the system, Solinae,  Shivas and
                         Sycaras.      Sycaras   is   the
                         dominant one,  I think,  anyway,
                         the Federation had  some contact
                         years ago, but they  decided not
                         to join,  as I  recall.   So  at
                         least we know basically where we
                         are, just not when.

                                       TROI
                         Anyway, Wes, since we don't know
                         when   we   are,   that   simple
                         principle may just be the secret
                         of the universe as  far as these
                         people are  concerned.   It  may
                         not have  been  wise  to  reveal
                         that  information.    You  don't
                         want to change the future.

                                       WES
                         Yeah,  but  we're  changing  the
                         future  by   just  being   here,
                         aren't we?   How  do you  know I
                         won't change  the future  by not
                         doing something?

                                       TROI
                         Maybe, but I think you should be
                         careful, just in case.

                                       WES
                         I'll try.   Ah, I  think this'll
                         do.  Good thing the computer has
                         information  on   proper  formal
                         dress, because  I'd  never  have
                         guessed that this is it.

             Troi turns around to look at the outfit  he's holding.
             She gives  one  small  chuckle  and  then  returns  to
             searching through  her own  closet.   Wes  brings  the
             outfit into the washroom to try it on.

                                       TROI
                                    (shouting)
                         So  what's   this  dinner   for,
                         anyway?

                                       WES
                             (shouting from washroom)
                         To celebrate our success  on the
                         Veagtok project.

                                       TROI
                                    (shouting)
                         What  exactly  is   the  Veagtok
                         project?

             Wes comes out of the washroom wearing the outfit.   He
             displays  it   for  Troi's   benefit.     She   smiles
             approvingly.

                                       WES
                         A Veagtok is an animal native to
                         Solinae, it's similar to a horse
                         on Earth, a war  horse actually.
                         It was  the  preferred steed  of
                         members of the warrior caste for
                         centuries       before       the
                         technological       revolutions.
                         Anyway, it's  the  name  of  the
                         class of ships they  are working
                         on building.   They're  still at
                         the design phase now.

             Troi finishes routing through the closet and  comes up
             with an outfit.  She  scurries into the washroom  with
             it before Wes can see what she has chosen.   Wes moves
             into the living room.

             INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM 


             Wes sits  on  the  couch  and  occupies  himself  with
             reviewing  some  last  minute  information  on  formal
             protocols on the computer.  After a few  minutes, Troi
             also enters.

                                       TROI
                         So how do I look?

             Wes turns to  look at  her and  his jaw  drops to  the
             floor.  His face turns beet red when he  realizes he's
             staring.

                                       WES
                         It's not regulation, but  I like
                         it.

             Wes gets  up from  the couch  and walks  over to  her,
             offering her his arm.

                                       WES
                         Shall we go?

             Troi inclines her head in assention and takes his arm.
             They walk across to the door.  Wes calls the elevator.
             When it arrives, they enter it and leave the building.

             INT. DINING HALL 


             In a large  dining hall, many  people in formal  dress
             are seated  around tables.   A  variety  of foods  are
             available.  The  central table is  the largest and  is
             that of the Dominus.  He  sits at one end.  His  wife,
             the Dominae Qeline sits to his right.  At the opposing
             end of the table  are Wes and Deanna  on one side  and
             Hjrad and Kyeni on the other.   Hjrad looks distinctly
             uncomfortable.

                                      KYENI
                         So,  Wes,   I   hear   you   are
                         responsible for  the success  of
                         the project.

                                       WES
                         I guess.  It's nothing really.

                                      KYENI
                         Oh,  don't   be  modest,   as  I
                         understand  it   you  solved   a
                         problem  that  was  the  biggest
                         stumbling block in the design of
                         the engine for the Veagtok.

             Hjrad lets out a snort of displeasure which doesn't go
             unnoticed by the others.

                                       WES
                         Do you have a  problem with this
                         project, Hjrad?

             Hjrad sneers a bit but doesn't answer.

                                      KYENI
                         It's not  the project,  just the
                         name he objects to.

                                      HJRAD
                         It is an insult to me, my family
                         and the entire warrior caste.

                                      KYENI
                         But, my dear, there  are no more
                         castes.   There are  no warriors
                         left, only people.

                                      HJRAD
                         No,  you  are  wrong,   I  am  a
                         warrior as is  my mother  and so
                         was my father.  Not everyone has
                         abandoned  the   old  ideas   of
                         personal honour.    Not  all  of
                         society has become so decadent.

             Wes and  Troi  looks  and appear  to  become  suddenly
             uncomfortable.   Others  slowly  begin  to  notice  it
             discussion at the end of the table.

                                      KYENI
                                  (voice raised)
                         Decadent?   How  dare  you  even
                         compare those barbarians  to the
                         great peoples that  brought rise
                         to the  Dominion.    A bunch  of
                         petty tyrants with  the warriors
                         to keep to populace  enslaved to
                         their  banners.    The  constant
                         warring of land and possessions.
                         How can  you possibly  sit there
                         and call us decadent.

                                      HJRAD
                         You  forget  that  it   was  the
                         warriors that united this planet
                         and permitted  the Dominion  you
                         speak of  to  exist.    And  for
                         their  efforts,   the   Dominion
                         rewarded  them   by  dismantling
                         everything we  held dear.   This
                         Dominions  has  tried  to  bring
                         nothing but shame  and dishonour
                         upon the warrior families.

                                      KYENI
                         You have  shamed  yourselves  by
                         being incapable of changing with
                         the times.    Your  beliefs  are
                         anachronistic   in   this   age.
                         Would you have a return to those
                         bloody times?

                                      HJRAD
                         No, but honour can co-exist with
                         unity.      But   the   Dominion
                         believes  they  must  crush  all
                         other factions.  Let me tell you
                         know, Dominar, they cannot.

                                      KYENI
                         We already have.

             Hjrad's face turns  impassive.   He deliberately  goes
             through the process  of ending his  meal, putting  all
             the utensils  in the  exact correct  order,  etc.   He
             stands straight  up,  pushes  in his  chair  and  then
             begins walking towards the head  of the table.   About
             half way there, he pulls his sword from  its scabbard.
             Most of the assembled peoples gasp in surprise  at the
             temerity of this young  captain.  The Dominus  appears
             not to even notice his  approach.  Hjrad stops  beside
             the Dominus' chair and turns towards him.  Hjrad holds
             his sword, point down, so that his hand and the pommel
             rest directly in front of his heart.

                                      HJRAD
                                    (formally)
                         I thank you for your hospitality
                         and your food.  I ask you for my
                         leave.

                                     DOMINUS
                         You words  and  your  ceremonies
                         mean  nothing  to  me,  Captain.
                         You  simply  dishonour  yourself
                         with them.

             Hjrad stands perfectly still in beside the Dominus for
             more than a minute, but  the Dominus simply goes  back
             to eating.   Hjrad  then walks  around  his chair  and
             stands beside the Dominae.

                                      HJRAD
                                    (formally)
                         I thank you for your hospitality
                         and your food.  I ask you for my
                         leave.

             Qeline looks to her husband and then back at Hjrad for
             a moment.   Again he stands  perfectly still,  waiting
             for a response.  She returns to her eating,  but gives
             a subtle waving  gesture to Hjrad  that only they  and
             the Dominus can see.   Hjrad bows,  turns on his  heel
             and marches  out  of the  dining  hall.   The  Dominus
             ignores his depart.

                                       WES
                                    (to Kyeni)
                         What was all that about?

                                      KYENI
                         Nothing.   My  Hjrad just  holds
                         his family  in too  high esteem.
                         He believes  that  the  warriors
                         were some great ennobled, chosen
                         few.  He  seems to  have trouble
                         understanding the true beauty of
                         the  Dominion.     That's   just
                         something I'll have to  cure him
                         of when we are bonded.

                                       TROI
                         Oh, so he's agreed  to bond with
                         you, has he?

                                      KYENI
                         No, not yet, but  he will, soon.
                         He can only  resist so long.   I
                         know he  loves  me, although  he
                         refuses  to  admit  it,  but  he
                         will.

                                       TROI
                         Are you sure you're  not putting
                         too  much   pressure   on   him,
                         Dominar?   Love is  the kind  of
                         thing you don't want to force on
                         someone.

                                      KYENI
                         Of course it  is, in  this case.
                         I have  the right  to chose  any
                         single man  on  Solinae to  bond
                         with me.  He  is the one  I have
                         chosen and he will bond with me.

             From the  way  Kyeni  spoke,  Troi  understands  quite
             clearly that no further  discussion of the point  will
             be tolerated.  Troi just returns to her meal.

                                      KYENI
                                     (to Wes)
                         So, you two aren't bonded yet, I
                         hear.

                                       WES
                         No, we're not, Dominar.

                                      KYENI
                         Would it be too  impolite for me
                         to ask why?

                                       TROI
                         No, not at all, Dominar.

                                       WES
                         We  discussed  it,  but  decided
                         neither of us were ready.

                                      KYENI
                         Yeah,   I   wish   I   had   the
                         opportunity to  test the  market
                         like you  two  do.    Being  the
                         daughter of the  Dominus, that's
                         a luxury I do not get.  Not that
                         I'm complaining,  of  course,  I
                         know  I  have   privileges  that
                         other do not,  but I  guess it's
                         just Human  nature to  want what
                         you don't have.

                                       WES
                         Yes, but wanting isn't  the same
                         as having.   Sometimes  you have
                         to accept  that some  things are
                         just out of reach.

                                      KYENI
                         But  until   today,  a   working
                         impulse   engine   was   thought
                         impossible by many.   You stayed
                         true to your dream and just look
                         how it turned out.

             Wes cannot seem to  come up with  a response to  this.
             He looks  to Troi,  but only  receives a  disapproving
             frown.  He shrugs and continues eating.

             FADE OUT:

                                      ACT IV


             FADE IN:

             INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM 


             The elevator door to Wes and Troi's apartment opens up
             and they step inside.  The room is still dark.

                                       WES
                         Okay, I  know  I shouldn't  have
                         told them,  but  I  was  on  the
                         spot.   Besides, how  do I  know
                         whether they were going  to find
                         out or not.

             Troi is about to respond, but they hear the sound of a
             throat being cleared.

                                       WES
                         Computer, lights.

             The lights reveal  a Hjrad  sitting with  his back  to
             them on the couch.  Wes  and Troi both rush around  so
             that they  face him.   Hjrad  keeps  his eyes  staring
             straight ahead.

                                       WES
                         What are you doing in here?

                                      HJRAD
                         Waiting for you two.

                                       TROI
                         But how did you get in?

                                      HJRAD
                         I am the Captain  of the  guard,
                         that permits certain benefits.

                                       TROI
                         But what do you want?

             Hjrad stands up, straightens his uniform,  removes his
             sword  and  sheath  from  his  waist  and   hands  it,
             horizontal with both hands, to Wes, who has  no choice
             but to take it.

                                      HJRAD
                         Wes, I beg  of you to  take from
                         me what  remains  of my  honour,
                         for I must ask  of you something
                         which I have no right to ask.  I
                         only  pray  you  will   hold  my
                         honour with the same  courage of
                         spirit I  have  already seen  in
                         you.

                                       WES
                         I cannot accept  this, it  was a
                         gift from your mother.

             Wes attempts to hand the weapon back but  Hjrad raises
             a hand of protest.

                                      HJRAD
                         You  cannot  return  a  gift  of
                         honour, Wes.  To do so would not
                         only strip  me  of that  honour,
                         but also of my dignity.   That I
                         could not bear.  Wes forgive me,
                         but I must ask you this.  I wish
                         the right to bond with Deanna.

                                       TROI
                                 (very surprised)
                         What?

                                       WES
                         That right  is  not something  I
                         have to  give.    Only  she  can
                         grant that.  You must ask her.

                                      HJRAD
                         Of  course,  but  you   are  her
                         intended.   I cannot  even think
                         of asking her unless you give me
                         your blessing to do so.

             Wes looks at Troi and she shrugs her shoulders.

                                       WES
                         May I ask  why you wish  to bond
                         with someone you just met?  What
                         about Kyeni?

                                      HJRAD
                         I do  not love  her, I  told you
                         that,   but    she   is    still
                         pressuring me to bond  with her.
                         She  is  Dominar,  this  is  not
                         something I can  decline easily.
                         There is  much  she  can  do  to
                         force me to  take the  vows with
                         her.   But  if  I  were  already
                         bonded, I would be free of her.

                                       TROI
                         That   seems    a   less    than
                         honourable way  out, Hjrad,  but
                         is there  no  one  else you  can
                         ask?

                                      HJRAD
                         You do  not  understand, in  the
                         ceremony I  must  prove  that  I
                         love my intended.   Kyeni is the
                         only woman whose company  I have
                         been seen in socially  since the
                         right of adulthood.  How could I
                         prove my love for anyone else?

                                       TROI
                         But then  how  would  you  prove
                         love for me when that is clearly
                         not how you feel?

                                      HJRAD
                         My sword.   That  I have  freely
                         given up my honour to your lover
                         would be more than proof enough.
                         It is  because you  are intended
                         to Wes that  I ask you.   Please
                         Wes, I beg  of you,  consider my
                         request.  As it would  be a bond
                         of name and  not of  spirit, you
                         would have  both  my honour  and
                         Deanna's heart, I'm sure.

                                       WES
                         Hjrad, can you  give us  time to
                         talk about this?

                                      HJRAD
                         Yes, of course, this is much too
                         big a  decision to  answer right
                         away.   I  shall  take my  leave
                         immediately.   Please do  not be
                         too long in answering.

             Hjrad fairly scurries  from their presence,  summoning
             the elevator and departing  quickly.  A long  minute's
             silence follows his  departure.  Wes  still holds  the
             sword in the position he received it.

                                       WES
                         What do you think?

             Troi expels  a  breath  she'd been  holding  and  then
             slumps back onto the couch.

                                       TROI
                         I  don't  know.    I'm  sure  my
                         mother would be  thrilled beyond
                         belief.  But  I'd like  to think
                         if I ever  get married  it would
                         be for love  and not for  a lack
                         of it.

             Wes places the sword gently against the wall  and then
             sits down next to Troi.

                                       WES
                         Yeah.   Another  thing we  might
                         want  to  consider  is  that  we
                         don't belong here, in this time.
                         I  made  that   mistake  already
                         talking about the impulse coils,
                         we may  not  want  to make  many
                         more changes to the  past, if we
                         can avoid them.

                                       TROI
                         Still, I would like to help him.
                         He has been  fairly nice  to us.
                         But maybe this isn't  the way to
                         be of  assistance.    Perhaps  I
                         could talk to Kyeni again.

                                       WES
                         I hope  you have  better success
                         than last time.   So what should
                         I tell Hjrad?   If I  refuse his
                         request he won't even ask you.

                                       TROI
                         Yeah, but if you say its okay, I
                         can still refuse him  if I don't
                         want to bond with him.

                                       WES
                         Sure, but  he's  desperate.   He
                         keeps talking about the pressure
                         Kyeni   is   putting   on   him,
                         whichever of  us  tells him  no,
                         I'd  bet  he'll   start  putting
                         under pressure  to change  their
                         minds.  I'll take that pressure,
                         if you'll let  me.  I  know you,
                         of course,  can  handle it,  but
                         I'd like to.

                                       TROI
                         Why?

                                       WES
                         I don't know, if  guess all this
                         talk of honour is making me want
                         to act chivalrously.

                                       TROI
                         Well, it's your  decision, after
                         all.

                                       WES
                         No, it  isn't.   You tell  me to
                         stay out of it and I  will.  I'm
                         just letting you know that given
                         the choice, I'd rather not.

                                       TROI
                         Okay, let  me put  it this  way.
                         If you want to say no to him, go
                         ahead, you have my permission.

                                       WES
                         Okay, with that settled,  now do
                         we  interfere  with   Hjrad  and
                         Kyeni, or just stay out of it.

                                       TROI
                         Stay out of  it, I think,  if we
                         can.   We  don't  know what  the
                         future is to be, so  I think its
                         best to just let it happen.

                                       WES
                         Say, you  know  we've talked  so
                         much about my job  that I forgot
                         to ask you, how was your day?

                                       TROI
                         Okay, I guess.  I wondered about
                         that name,  psionic conditioner,
                         but as far  as I can  tell, it's
                         about the same thing  as being a
                         counselor.

                                       WES
                         Q has us  playing roles  that we
                         are used to.  I  still wish he'd
                         show  up.      Maybe  we   could
                         convince him to end this.

                                       TROI
                         I was thinking about  that.  You
                         told  him  that  Captain  Picard
                         only needed  his  help with  the
                         Borg because it was  a situation
                         he created for  us.  What  if he
                         wants to prove that  we need his
                         help by  not  offering  it  this
                         time?

                                       WES
                         That makes no sense, Deanna.  It
                         must be  right.   I wonder  if I
                         asked him he might help us.

                                       TROI
                         You could try it.

             Wes shrugs and stands us.  He clears his throat.

                                       WES
                         Okay Q,  I admit  it.   We  need
                         your help, I need  your help, to
                         get out of here.  Please, Q, end
                         this and return us to our normal
                         time.

             Wes watches  expectantly for  something, anything,  to
             happen.  After  awhile, he  turns to  Troi and  shrugs
             again.

                                       WES
                         Well, either  he  doesn't  think
                         we've learned our lesson yet, or
                         something, or  he expects  us to
                         find out  own  way  out of  this
                         situation.

                                       TROI
                         I hope it isn't  the second one,
                         because I don't know  about you,
                         but I don't know  anything about
                         time travel.

                                       WES
                         I know  the  theories about  it,
                         but I'd need a warp capable ship
                         and that doesn't seem  likely on
                         this planet.  I'd take me awhile
                         to get one  built and  somehow I
                         think I'd  be altering  the past
                         of this planet a bit too much if
                         I told them how to build one.

                                       TROI
                         That's true.  So  lets hope he's
                         trying  to  teach  us  something
                         because if he's  not, I  get the
                         feeling  we   may   be   staying
                         awhile.

             INT. HJRAD'S OFFICE 


             In a  small uncluttered  office, Hjrad  sits behind  a
             desk.  He's working on a computer.  A tone is heard.

                                      HJRAD
                         Come in.

             Hjrad shuts down what  he is working  on as Wes  opens
             the door and enters.

                                      HJRAD
                         Ah, Wes, good  to see you.   Did
                         you make your decision?   Have a
                         seat.

             Wes takes the seat that he is offered.

                                       WES
                         Hjrad, Deanna and I talked about
                         it, very thoroughly.   We'd like
                         to help you.

                                      HJRAD
                         But you won't do this for me.

                                       WES
                         Right.

                                      HJRAD
                         Why not?

                                       WES
                         Hjrad, I'm  sorry,  but  I  just
                         love her  too  much.   I  cannot
                         give her up.

                                      HJRAD
                         But don't  you  see,  you  don't
                         have to.  The bonding would only
                         be to get Kyeni off  my back, it
                         wouldn't mean anything.

                                       WES
                         Maybe not to you, but Deanna and
                         I were  both  raised to  believe
                         that this kind  of union  is not
                         to be taken lightly.  That's why
                         we haven't bonded yet.   We want
                         to be absolutely sure  before we
                         want to make such  a commitment.
                         But that doesn't  mean I  am not
                         committed to her, or  her to me.
                         I'd like  to help  you Hjrad,  I
                         really would,  but this  is just
                         something we cannot do for you.

                                      HJRAD
                         I see.    I  assume Deanna  does
                         feel the same as you.

                                       WES
                         I'm afraid so.

                                      HJRAD
                         Then that is  your decision.   I
                         cannot pretend to like it.

                                       WES
                         I didn't think  you would.   Why
                         don't you  try talking  to Kyeni
                         again.   I  cannot  believe  she
                         would be so blind as  to not see
                         that you don't want to bond with
                         her.

                                      HJRAD
                         Do you  expect  to  change  your
                         mind about Deanna?

                                       WES
                         No, but  I don't  see what  this
                         has to do with your situation.

                                      HJRAD
                         As determined as you are to bond
                         with Deanna, Kyeni is determined
                         to bond with me,  and maybe more
                         so.  She  is Dominar  of Solinae
                         and very  used  to  getting  her
                         way.  This would be a great blow
                         to  her  pride  if   she  cannot
                         convince me  to  bond with  her.
                         She will not  stop trying,  so I
                         will not  stop  trying to  avoid
                         her.   I warn  you, Wes,  that I
                         will  take  any  opportunity  to
                         change your mind and Deanna's.

                                       WES
                         I thought you might,  but I warn
                         you that  whatever  you try,  it
                         will not be successful.

             Hjrad smiles broadly.

                                      HJRAD
                         And may the more  honourable man
                         win.

             INT. LABORATORY 


             Wes and  Daries are  working in  the lab.   Guard  #1,
             GUARD #5 and GUARD #6 enter.

                                      DARIES
                         May we help you?

                                     GUARD #1
                         We   are    to   inspect    your
                         equipment, to  make  sure it  is
                         all safe.    You  must stop  any
                         experiments that you are working
                         on and assist us.

                                      DARIES
                         An inspection?   Why  was I  not
                         informed?

             The guard #1 shrugs.

                                      DARIES
                         Who  told  you  to  inspect  the
                         equipment, and for what purpose?

                                     GUARD #1
                         The  order  comes  from  Captain
                         Hjrad.  He says he has reason to
                         suspect  that   some   of   your
                         equipment is faulty.

                                      DARIES
                         Hjrad?  What does he  have to do
                         with this?

                                       WES
                         I think I know.   It's not their
                         fault, just  let  the guards  do
                         their work.

                                      DARIES
                         But our schedule.

                                       WES
                         Is only a tentative one.  We can
                         spare the time.

             Daries tries to read Wes' face to see what's going but
             then throws up her hands.

                                      DARIES
                         Fine, go ahead.   You don't mind
                         if I  consult  with the  project
                         director, do you?

                                       WES
                         I have no problem with that.

             Daries walks out of the room.

                                       WES
                         Alright, inspect away.

             Wes moves to the side of the room and sits in a chair,
             preparing to  watch the  guards work.   They  exchange
             glances of confusion, but then start looking around at
             everything in the lab.

             INT. TROI'S OFFICE 


             Troi is in her office.   She sits in a chair facing  a
             chair occupied by  her current patient.   The  patient
             happens to be a guard.  Troi looks extremely bored.

                                     GUARD #4
                         Anyway, so that's when I decided
                         to become  a guard.   I  figured
                         there was  no use  in trying  to
                         follow in my father's footsteps,
                         so why  go  to  university.    I
                         applied to  the  Dominion  guard
                         and the rest is, as they say, is
                         history.

                                       TROI
                         Yes, I see, but  what exactly is
                         your problem?

                                     GUARD #4
                         Problem?

                                       TROI
                                  (exasperated)
                         Yes, your  problem,  the  reason
                         you came to see me.  I'm sure it
                         wasn't to  explain  your  career
                         choices.

                                     GUARD #4
                         Oh,  right,  I   almost  forgot.
                         Well, the story is ... Oh, well,
                         would you look at that.

                                       TROI
                         What?

             Troi looks in the direction that he is pointing.   She
             sees the clock on the wall.

                                     GUARD #4
                         I guess I'm out of  time.  Maybe
                         tomorrow.  Good-bye.

             The guard  #4 gets  up out  of his  chair and  quickly
             exits the room.   Troi  slumps back in  her chair  and
             groans.  A tone sounds.

                                       TROI
                         Come.

             The door opens and the RECEPTIONIST enters.

                                   RECEPTIONIST
                         Deanna, your next appointment is
                         here.

             Troi straightens up.

                                       TROI
                         Send them in.

             The receptionist  withdraws  and a  woman  (guard  #2)
             enters.

                                     GUARD #2
                         Deanna?    Hi,  I  was  told  by
                         Captain Hjrad that you're a good
                         psionic conditioner.

                                       TROI
                         Really?   By Hjrad,  eh?   Well,
                         come in and sit down.

             The guard sits  down where indicated.   Troi looks  on
             the verge of removing her own hair by the roots.

             INT. AIR CAR - AFT - DUSK


             Wes is sitting in  the back of an  air car on his  way
             home from work.  He is studying reports of  some kind.
             The car starts to land.  He looks up from his reports.

                                       WES
                         This isn't sector four  three of
                         Cyten  village.    Why  are  you
                         landing here?

                                     PILOT #2
                         Sorry,  sir,  but  I   am  being
                         ordered to  land  for a  routine
                         check.    These  normally  don't
                         take but a minute.

                                       WES
                                   (to himself)
                         I wouldn't bet on it this time.

             The car  continues  to descend  and  then lands  in  a
             parking lot.  A pair of guard come up to the car.  The
             pilot opens the door.

                                     GUARD #1
                         If you two would step out of the
                         vehicle, we are going to have to
                         make  a   routine  sweep.     We
                         apologize for any inconvenience.

                                       WES
                         Of course.  Why not?

             Wes and the pilot  step out of the  car and the  guard
             enter.

                                       WES
                                  (to the pilot)
                         You   might    as    well    get
                         comfortable.

                                     PILOT #2
                         Why's that?

                                       WES
                         I've got  the  feeling  this  is
                         going to  take them  longer than
                         you expect.

             FADE OUT:

                                      ACT V


             FADE IN:

             EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT


             It is dark.   An air car lands  and Deanna steps  out.
             She approaches their  apartment building.   She  calls
             the elevator and when it arrives, she enters.

                                       WES
                                    (shouting)
                         Deanna, hold on.

             Deanna puts her hand in the  way of the closing  door.
             It stops closing and opens up again.  Wes  rushes over
             and enters the elevator as well.

             INT. ELEVATOR 


                                      DEANNA
                         You're awfully  late.   What did
                         you do, walk home?

                                       WES
                         Part way, yeah.  My  air car got
                         stopped  for  a  routine  check.
                         After hours  of searching,  they
                         claimed they found something and
                         impounded the thing.   I figured
                         it'd  just  happen  again  if  I
                         tried to get another  ride, so I
                         just walked.  It  was only about
                         ten kilometres.

             The doors open and they enter the apartment.

             INT. APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM 


                                       WES
                         What about you, Deanna,  how was
                         your day?

                                      DEANNA
                         Tiring.  I think every member of
                         the  guard   that   wasn't   out
                         harassing  you  was  through  my
                         office today.  None  of them had
                         any   problems,    just   boring
                         stories to tell me.   So this is
                         the pressure  you  were  talking
                         about.

             INT. APARTMENT - BEDROOM 


             Wes and Deanna walk straight into their  bedroom, walk
             over to the bed  and flop down on  it and go to  sleep
             fully clothed.

             INT. APARTMENT - BEDROOM 


             Later ... Wes and Deanna are lying in bed.   Deanna is
             curled up next to Wes and he seems curled around her.

                                     COMPUTER
                                    (repeated)
                         Warning, fire alert.

             Wes  and  Deanna  wake  up.    They  have   to  uncurl
             themselves before getting out of the bed.

                                       WES
                         Computer, discontinue warning.

             The alarm stops sounding.

                                      DEANNA
                         We have  to  do something  about
                         this.  It's  bad enough  that we
                         have to be  here.   Tomorrow, we
                         talk to Kyeni, right?

                                       WES
                                  (emphatically)
                         You've got it.  We might as well
                         get outside before they  come up
                         and  smash  down  the  door,  or
                         something.

             Wes and Deanna stagger towards the door that  leads to
             the emergency stairs.

             INT. CORRIDOR 


             Wes and Troi approach a  door in the Dominion  palace.
             The door has a  pair of GUARDS (#7  & #8) standing  in
             front of it.

                                     GUARD #7
                         State your business.

                                       TROI
                         Wes  and  Deanna,  here  to  see
                         Dominar Kyeni.

             The guard opens the door and stands  aside, permitting
             them to enter the antechamber beyond.

             INT. KYENI'S ANTECHAMBER 


                                     GUARD #7
                                  (to GUARD #9)
                         These are  Wes and  Deanna, they
                         are expected.

             The guard inside nods and the outside guard closes the
             door.

                                     GUARD #9
                         Wait here.

             The guard #9  enters in  inner chamber.   After a  few
             moments, he returns.

                                   GUARD INSIDE
                         You may enter.

             He opens the  door wide  for them and  they enter  the
             inner chamber.

             INT. KYENI'S CHAMBERS 


             Inside Kyeni sits at a small  table.  On the table  is
             her breakfast.

                                       WES
                         We're sorry to disturb  you this
                         early, Dominar.

                                      KYENI
                         Nonsense, I'm just a late riser.
                         You don't mind if I eat while we
                         talk, do you?

                                       WES
                         Not at all, Dominar.

             Kyeni offers them seats, so they sit down.

                                      KYENI
                         So what is  it you wish  to talk
                         about?

                                       TROI
                         It's   about    Captain   Hjrad,
                         Dominar.

                                      KYENI
                         What about the good Captain?

                                       TROI
                         I don't  know how  to say  this,
                         but it  has to  do with  all the
                         attention you  have been  giving
                         him.

                                      KYENI
                         Yes?

                                       TROI
                         Well, I think you're putting too
                         much pressure on him.

                                      KYENI
                         Do you  now?   And how  did this
                         become any business of yours?

                                       WES
                         When Hjrad  asked permission  to
                         bond with her in  order to avoid
                         you, that's  when it  became our
                         business.

                                      KYENI
                         Really?  That's amazing.   Well,
                         then, I  must disagree  with you
                         because    that    means    this
                         pressure, as  you  call  it,  is
                         working perfectly.

                                       WES
                         Why, are you trying to drive him
                         towards another woman?

                                      KYENI
                         No, not at  all, but if  he's so
                         desperate as  this,  it means  I
                         must be very  close to  my goal.
                         I assume you told him no.

                                       TROI
                         Yes, we did, but  that just made
                         him more  insistent.   He's been
                         having  the  guard   harass  us.
                         Yesterday, everywhere  we  were,
                         so were the guard.

                                      KYENI
                         That's interesting.  It  must be
                         some kind of coincidence.

                                       WES
                         No, it  isn't and  you know  it.
                         Personally, I don't care whether
                         you two  bond  or  not, just  as
                         long   as   we    aren't   being
                         harassed.      I    mean,   this
                         shouldn't be any of our business
                         and I'd prefer  if it  no longer
                         was, so  if  you  wouldn't  mind
                         speaking to him about it.

                                      KYENI
                         I don't think it'd do any good.

                                       WES
                         Why, because you're  still going
                         to insist he bond with you?

                                      KYENI
                         There's  that,  but  that's  not
                         all.  I don't think I'm the only
                         reason he's  doing it,  frankly.
                         I've  been  pressuring  him  for
                         years and he's never  even tried
                         anything like this.

                                       WES
                         So?

                                      KYENI
                         Isn't  it  obvious,  Wes?     He
                         doesn't  just   want  to   avoid
                         bonding with  me,  he  wants  to
                         bond with  you,  Deanna.    He's
                         just using me  as an  excuse, so
                         even if  I leave  him alone,  he
                         won't leave you  alone.   Now if
                         you'll excuse  me,  I have  some
                         things to do.

                                       WES
                         Uh, thank  you, Dominar.   Good-
                         bye.

             Wes and Troi get up from the table.  Troi looks  a bit
             shocked.  They exit the Kyeni's chambers.

             INT. CORRIDOR 


                                       TROI
                         I'd never  thought of  that.   I
                         just  assumed  he  was  avoiding
                         Kyeni.

                                       WES
                         So much for that solution.

                                       TROI
                         Yeah.  Now what can we do?

                                       WES
                         I don't  know.   I can  think of
                         two possibilities, unfortunately
                         one of them is  you bonding with
                         Hjrad.

                                       TROI
                         And what's the other one?

             Wes looks Deanna directly  in the eye  and grins.   It
             takes a moment for his implication to set in  and then
             she sighs.

             INT. CHURCH 


             Wes and Deanna, dressed in traditional Solinae bonding
             attire, stand  side  by side  in  front of  a  bonding
             officiator in a Solinae church.   Wes also is  wearing
             Hjrad's sword at his waist.  They hold hands.   No one
             else is in the church.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         I accept  as proof  of love  and
                         commitment the  length  of  time
                         that you  two have  spent living
                         as  though   bonded  in   common
                         habitation.    Wes  is  it  your
                         intention   to   give   yourself
                         completely   and   entirely   to
                         Deanna for all the days that you
                         shall live?

                                       WES
                         It is.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         Deanna, is it your  intention to
                         give  yourself   completely  and
                         entirely to Wes for all the days
                         that you shall live?

                                       TROI
                         It is.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         As there  are  none  present,  I
                         must assume  that  none come  to
                         challenge this union.

             The door to  the church  suddenly opens.   In  strides
             Hjrad accompanied by  four members of  the guard  (#1,
             #2, #5, #6).

                                      HJRAD
                         I    challenge    this    union,
                         officiator.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         What  evidence  do   you  bring,
                         Captain  Hjrad,  to   make  this
                         challenge?

                                      HJRAD
                         Oh,   I   bring    no   evidence
                         officiator, but I will stop this
                         union.    You  see,   it  is  my
                         intention  to  bond   with  this
                         woman and there is  nothing that
                         will be done to stop me.

             Hjrad and his  guards draw their  blasters from  their
             belts and aim them at the wedding party.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         Captain, you used to  be such an
                         honourable man.    How dare  you
                         draw  a  weapon  in   this  holy
                         place?

                                      HJRAD
                         This is how I dare.

             Hjrad takes dead aim at Wes  and fires.  Wes tries  to
             jump out of  the way,  but only  partially avoids  the
             beam.   It  knocks him  from  his feet  and  he  falls
             heavily.  Troi immediately rushes over to kneel at his
             side.

                                       TROI
                         Wes, are you alright?

                                      HJRAD
                         He'll  be  much  worse   if  you
                         resist me, Deanna.   Officiator,
                         bond us.

             Hjrad picks up the sword from Wes and points it at the
             officiator.  He grabs Deanna roughly and pulls  her in
             front of the officiator.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         Captain,  you  cannot   do  this
                         thing.   All  know  that a  bond
                         cannot be formed through  use of
                         force.

                                      HJRAD
                         It matters  not  to me,  perform
                         the ceremony or die.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         What evidence  do you  two bring
                         to  prove  your  love  for  each
                         other?

             Hjrad points his sword again at the officiator.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         Oh, yes, of course.  Hjrad is it
                         your intention to  give yourself
                         completely   and   entirely   to
                         Deanna for all the days that you
                         shall live?

                                      HJRAD
                         It is.

                                    OFFICIATOR
                         Deanna, is it your intention ...

                                       TROI
                         No, it isn't!   I will  not bond
                         with you, never!

             Hjrad raises his sword as if to strike her.

                                     GUARD #1
                                    (shouting)
                         Hjrad, look out!

             Hjrad turns towards  the guard's voice  and then  sees
             Wes rushing towards him.  He sidesteps Wes at the last
             moment, causing Wes to collide with Deanna.  They both
             fall down together, Wes holding her so as to  take the
             brunt of the fall.  Hjrad moves to stand over them and
             lifts his sword in the air.

                                      HJRAD
                         And now you die.

             Hjrad's sword begins to arc downwards towards them.

                                       WES
                                    (yelling)
                         NO!

             Wes closes  his eyes  firmly  in anticipation  of  the
             blow.  As the weapon about half way to  striking them,
             Wes and Deanna  start phasing out  of existence.   The
             sword sparks as it his the stone floor of  the church.
             Hjrad's arms take the force of impact  without effort.
             The other guards approach the last position of Wes and
             Troi.   The look  at the  spot  for a  moment  without
             comment.

                                     GUARD #1
                         You were  right, Captain.   They
                         were not of this world.

             Hjrad does not  respond but continues  staring at  the
             spot.

             INT. WES' DORM ROOM 


             Wes' quarters  at  the  Academy, the  room  is  empty.
             Suddenly Wes and Deanna seem to phase  into existence,
             lying in each others arms on Wes' bed.   Their clothes
             are those that they had originally been wearing before
             their  departure.     After  their  appearance,   they
             continue to just lie there, unmoving.  The  door opens
             and Wes' roommate DAVID PETER enters.

                                      PETER
                         Well,  well,  isn't  this  cozy.
                         Gee, Wes,  you should  have told
                         me  you   were  going   to  have
                         company.

             Wes and Troi disentangle themselves and get up off the
             bed.  Before Wes can explain,  David is out the  door,
             on his way to announce what he had discovered.

                                       WES
                         Oh no, not the rumours, again.

             Wes looks over at Troi who is currently  smoothing out
             her outfit.

                                       WES
                         Well, I  guess  there  could  be
                         worse rumours being spread about
                         me.   Deanna, will  you do  me a
                         favour when you get  back to the
                         Enterprise?

                                       TROI
                         Sure, what?

                                       WES
                         Will you  let  Robin  know  that
                         nothing  happened   between  us,
                         just in  case  this rumour  gets
                         back to her?

             Troi smiles.

                                       TROI
                         We'll see.

             Troi suddenly yawns.

                                       TROI
                         Wow, I didn't realize how tiring
                         time travel  can be.   I  really
                         need some sleep.

                                       WES
                         Me too.    Once  more,  for  old
                         times' sake?

             Wes sits back down on the bed and pats the mattress in
             invitation.  Deanna  shrugs and she  too sits down  on
             the bed.

                                       TROI
                         Why  not?    Since  there  isn't
                         anywhere else to sleep.

             They both lie back on the bed.

                                       WES
                         Computer, lights off.

             The room becomes dark.  Troi snuggles up against Wes.

                                       TROI
                         One thing, Wes,  how did  you do
                         that?

                                       WES
                         What?

                                       TROI
                         Bring us back here.

                                       WES
                         Me?  Q must have done it.

                                       TROI
                         No, Wes,  somehow I  don't think
                         so.

                                       WES
                         It must have been Q.   I know it
                         was.  I'm sure of it, I think.

             INT. DOMINUS' CHAMBERS 


             Seen from  behind, Hjrad  enters the  Dominus'  throne
             room, followed by a pair of guards (#1, Q).   He walks
             up to a certain distance before the Dominus and stops.
             He is wearing his sword again.

                                     DOMINUS
                         What can I do for you, Captain?

                                      HJRAD
                         I would speak with you about the
                         Veagtok project, Dominus.

                                     DOMINUS
                         Not again, Captain.  We have had
                         this conversation  many a  time.
                         I understand your  concerns, but
                         they  are  not  share   by  this
                         Dominion.    The   project  will
                         continue as planned.

                                      HJRAD
                         That is not it, Dominus.  I wish
                         to ask  if there  is anything  I
                         can do to be of assistance.

                                     DOMINUS
                         Assistance?   This  is  quite  a
                         change.     What  brought   this
                         about?

                                      HJRAD
                         I   met   someone   interesting,
                         Dominus.   They explained  to me
                         the importance  of  finding  out
                         what is out there in space.

                                     DOMINUS
                         I am pleased, Captain.   Talk to
                         the project director.   I'm sure
                         he can  avail  himself  of  your
                         assistance.

                                      HJRAD
                         Thank you, Dominus.

             Hjrad turns  on  his  heel and  begins  marching  out.
             After he passes, the  other two guards  turn.  One  of
             them seems to be  smiling and closer inspection  shows
             that it is Q.

             FADE OUT:
                                     THE END