Chapter Text
STAR TREK: Star Base 80 Season 4 Episode 1 Old Friends
EXT., A THIEVES’ MARKET ON TAGMAR VI, NIGHT
A back-alley market where the galaxy’s criminal element congregate and do business. The stalls are filled with aliens hawking contraband of all sorts.
NACK makes his way through the din of commerce until he is stopped by a KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER with an assortment of scantily clad SLAVE GIRLS on display.
KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER
My friend, look no further. The galaxy’s most beautiful women can be yours,
for a very reasonable price.
The SLAVE GIRLS vamp and preen on cue.
NACK
Enchanting, but not what I’m looking for.
KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER
Ah! Not to worry, I have you covered.
The KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER whistles sharply. The SLAVE GIRLS retreat and are replaced by a line-up of barely clad, muscular SLAVE BOYS, who flex and posture for their potential buyer.
NACK
Actually, I’m in search of a Gelrakian sub-processor. Ideally something from
the twenty-two sixties in mint condition. Or at least, good working order.
KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER
I might know someone who could help you with that. For a finder’s fee.
NACK slips a few slips of latinum into the KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER's palm.
KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER
The Bajoran in the last stall on the left. He can get whatever you need.
NACK nods and heads through the slave market to the last stall. As he walks away, the KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER picks up his communicator.
KELPIAN SLAVE TRADER
He’s here.
ROLL OPENING CREDITS
INT., SICKBAY
COOPER and MAAL are working at their desks when CH’THANE’s voice comes over comms.
CH’THANE
Medical, prepare to receive patients. The Lisbon is incoming from
the Klingon/Cardassian front, and they’ve got wounded.
COOPER
(Tapping his comm badge)
Yes, Sir. We’ll meet them at the docking bay.
COOPER and MAAL spring into action. COOPER grabs his field kit, and MAAL prepares a gurney.
EXT., THE THEIVES' MARKET ON TAGMAR VI.
NACK approaches the BAJORAN TRADER.
BAJORAN TRADER
Whatever it is you’re looking for, I can get it. For a price.
NACK
Good, because I understand you’re the man to talk to about -
NACK is interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he sees two KLINGON MOB ENFORCERS.
KLINGON MOB ENFORCER 1
The Boss wants to talk to you.
INT., SICKBAY
The place is bustling. COOPER, the EMH, and MAAL tend to injured crewmen in biobeds, while crewmen from the Lisbon continue to stream into Sickbay.
The door chimes and a LISBON ENGINEER enters. COOPER breaks away from the patient he’s tending to and greets him.
COOPER
Dr. Jeffrey Cooper. How can I help?
LISBON ENGINEER
I fell when we lost shields. I’m fine, but the XO said I had to get cleared by Medical -
COOPER
A closed head injury is nothing to take lightly.
We’ll check for signs of concussion and then get you in a scanner for imaging.
COOPER begins shining a light in the LISBON ENGINEER’s eyes, when the Sickbay door chimes again and TYRA KEXX, an attractive Trill Lieutenant, enters. One of her sleeves is rolled up.
COOPER
(To the LISBON ENGINEER)
Wait here for a moment.
COOPER
(To TYRA)
Hi, Dr. Cooper. How can I help?
TYRA
(Holding up her arm)
Coolant burn.
COOPER
My assistant will take care of you. Maal?
TYRA’s face lights up with surprise and recognition as MAAL approaches.
TYRA
Maal? Maalum Aron?
INT., A MOB BAR.
The small and dark bar is sparsely populated, mostly by KLINGON MOB ENFORCERS.
NACK, shadowed by the two KLINGON ENFORCERS, passes through the bar to the back office. A VOICE comes over the intercom.
VOICE
Oh, good, he’s here. Send him right in.
INT., THE BACK OFFICE
NACK enters the small back office to find a figure sitting in a chair with his back to the door. The figure in the chair turns around, and NACK finds himself face-to-face with NERO VOSS, a large, well-dressed, and convivial Denobulan.
VOSS
Nack, my old friend. Come in, come in.
NACK
Nero Voss. To what do I owe the pleasure?
VOSS
It’s been far too long. Come, this office is a little cramped for my taste.
VOSS indicates a narrow staircase at the back of the office.
VOSS
Shall we?
NACK
After you.
INT., SICKBAY
MAAL freezes in reaction to being recognized by the TRILL LIEUTENANT.
MAAL
(Hesitantly)
Tyra Kexx?
TYRA
Oh wow, it is you!
COOPER
You guys know each other?
MAAL
Yeah, uh, Tyra and I kind of went through the Academy at the same time.
COOPER nods and returns to the LISBON ENGINEER to resume checking for concussion.
TYRA
What do you mean, “kind of went through the Academy at the same time?”
You were in, like, all of my classes! How are you?
MAAL
Oh, um, not - not bad.
A biobed alarm chirps, and COOPER steps away from the LISBON ENGINEER to attend to the patient in it.
COOPER
(To the LISBON ENGINEER)
I’ll be back.
TYRA
(To MAAL)
Wow, so the rumors are true, huh? They really did banish you to Star Base 80.
MAAL
Well, uh, I guess. I mean, here I am, so -
TYRA
Do you know what this means?
MAAL
No, what?
TYRA
Braxley Jennings owes me a bottle of Berellian ale! He is going to flip when I tell him.
MAAL manages a weak smile at this.
INT., THE PENTHOUSE ABOVE THE BAR.
The upstairs room is lavishly furnished, with large bay windows at the far end.
VOSS gestures toward a seating arrangement, and he and NACK sit down. A scantily-clad ANDORIAN GIRL brings a bottle of Romulan ale and two glasses, fills them, and leaves.
VOSS
You simply must try this Romulan Ale. It’s a rare vintage - very hard to get.
NACK
I’m trying to cut back.
VOSS
Pity. It really is delightful. Now, my friend, how have you been?
NACK
Ah, you know, busy. Lotta irons in the fire. You?
VOSS
Also busy. I suppose when one deals in vice, there’s never really an off-season, now, is there?
NACK
You know, if you wanted to see me, you could’ve just called.
VOSS
Oh, I suppose. But I prefer the personal touch.
NACK
Speaking of, since when do you use Klingon enforcers?
VOSS
Ah, that’s a rather recent change in operations. I find that they’re less… shall we say,
squeamish, about certain unpleasant but regrettably necessary aspects of the job.
At this moment, two more KLINGON ENFORCERS enter, dragging a screaming BOLIAN past VOSS and NACK.
BOLIAN
No! No, I’m sorry! Listen, I’ll get the money! I can get the money! Just listen -
Without breaking stride, the KLINGON ENFORCERS drag the BOLIAN to the bay windows, fling them open, and throw the BOLIAN out. The BOLIAN’s screams can be heard on his descent, until they stop abruptly.
The KLINGON ENFORCERS then close the bay windows and take their place on either side of them.
VOSS smiles at NACK, who remains impassive.
VOSS
Nack, do you know what I admire most about the Ferengi?
NACK
Well, what’s there not to admire?
VOSS
I admire your keen understanding that everything is for sale. Klingon honor included.
INT., SICKBAY,
MAAL attends to TYRA’s burn, while the LISBON ENGINEER waits as COOPER attends to the patient in the biobed.
MAAL
(To TYRA)
Well, uh, I’ll just, um, take a look at that arm, and we’ll get you all fixed up and good to go.
The LISBON ENGINEER’s comm badge crackles to life.
VOICE OVER COMM BADGE
Ensign Zill requesting help with a Tucker tube repair.
Seeing that COOPER is still occupied with the patient in the biobed, the LISBON ENGINEER taps his comm badge.
LISBON ENGINEER
On my way.
The LISBON ENGINEER exits Sickbay.
TYRA
(To MAAL)
So they really put you in Medical?
MAAL
Oh, uh, yeah. I’m actually Dr. Cooper’s assistant -
TYRA
Wow, things are even worse here than they say.
This elicits another weak smile from MAAL.
INT., THE UPSTAIRS ROOM ABOVE THE BAR.
NACK
So how may I be of service?
VOSS
As I said, it’s been far too long since we’ve spoken.
Especially since you’re still in my debt for a lost shipment of Tallonian crystals.
NACK
Now, see this, my friend, is why I keep telling you that you need a Ferengi accountant.
As you’ll recall, I paid you for that shipment and made two hash runs for you
free of charge.That puts us even.
VOSS
Oh, I do wish that we could agree upon that point, but I’ve been forced to review some old accounts.
And as so often happens, there was a slight miscalculation. You and I are not even, my friend.
NACK
Presuming, for the sake of our friendship of course, that I concede the point,
what can I do for you?
VOSS
I understand that you’ve made a number of trips to a Federation star base.
Star Base 80, I think it was? Tell me about that.
NACK chuckles.
NACK
What’s to tell? It’s a storage locker where Starfleet dumps all their screw-ups,
washouts, and decommissioned equipment.
VOSS
So the rumors about Section 31 -
NACK
Ah, they use the place as a parking garage.
VOSS looks dubious.
NACK
You think an intelligence agency is going to office in a dump like that?
You’ve got to stop listening to conspiracy theories, or next you’ll be telling me
that Earth is flat and the afterlife is run by a giant koala.
VOSS
Mmm, perhaps. But if this place is, in fact, a “dump,” as you say,
then what keeps drawing you back there?
NACK
As it happens, I’ve been making a tidy profit overcharging those rubes
for basic supplies that fell out of the cargo hold of the proverbial freighter.
VOSS
Ah, so just a little light racketeering?
NACK
Not very exciting, I’m afraid.
VOSS
So the rumors about you and the station’s Chief of Security are… exaggerated?
This produces a slight ripple in NACK’s composure.
INT., SICKBAY
Except for a few patients who remain in biobeds, Sickbay has largely cleared out. MAAL is checking readings on one of the beds when COOPER enters from the adjoining room.
COOPER
Maal, what are you still doing here? Duty shift was over an hour ago.
MAAL
Well, um, since we’ve got patients, I think that maybe I should stay here just in case -
COOPER
Maal, I appreciate your dedication, but that’s how burn-out happens. Go to the Officer’s Lounge.
Maybe your friend from the Academy is there. You guys can catch up.
MAAL
Well, uh, the thing about that is… I didn’t exactly have friends at the Academy.
You know how I used to follow the Lieutenant Commander around all the time
and bring her coffee and stuff?
COOPER nods.
MAAL
Well, it was like that at the Academy with Tyra. Except, you know,
the Lieutenant Commander was always nice about it…. And now, with Tyra here on base,
it feels like I’m right back at the Academy where, uh, I mostly got laughed at.
COOPER
That’s rough.
MAAL
So, if it’s okay with you, I’ll just, um, stay here until -
COOPER
Maal, I get it. But the thing is, you’re not back at the Academy. You’re here.
You’ve got friends here, you’ve got a girlfriend who adores you. I depend on you to run Sickbay.
You’re a different person now than you were when you were at Starfleet Academy….
MAAL nods as he takes this in.
COOPER
And maybe Tyra is as well.
MAAL
... Maybe you’re right
COOPER
It’s Friday night, Ensign. Go take your girlfriend to the Officer’s Lounge.
MAAL nods and exits Sickbay, and COOPER watches after him for a moment before returning to his notes.
INT., THE UPSTAIRS ROOM ABOVE THE BAR.
NACK
The station Chief of Security? She’s easy on the eyes, but, uh,
I can’t really say much about her other than that.
VOSS
Indulge me in a little speculation, then. Why do you suppose it is that
she has you running down antique Binar code recursors and, oh, let’s see, what else?...
Galreckian sub-processors, I think it was?... If you were to guess.
NACK
Look, I don’t know what she does with all that junk, and I don’t care.
All I do know is, I’m criminally overcharging her for every bit of it.
VOSS
Are the two of you in a relationship?
NACK
Well, I make a supply delivery, (with a wink) take care of the lady's needs while I'm there,
and then I'm off to the next stop. If you want to call that a relationship -
VOSS
So, my sources telling me that you’re engaged to this girl are... mistaken?
NACK chuckles.
NACK
Ah, you know how woman get. They all think they can handle a casual relationship,
but sooner or later - and usually sooner - they want more. And look,
I’ve got a lucrative little set up here. I’m not about to cut bait and lose profits
just because she wants a ring on her finger and a bun in the oven
VOSS
I see. So you're just stringing this girl along?
NACK
(With a shrug)
She wouldn't be the first. Look, there’s far too many women out there
to get attached to any one of them in particular.
VOSS
That’s a rather cynical point of view, don’t you think?
NACK
There’s no such thing as cynical in this line of work, Nero. Only practical.
VOSS
Ah, but surely there are exceptions?
There must be some female you’re rather attached to.
NACK
If there is, I haven’t met her yet.
VOSS
Your own mother, perhaps?
NACK is silent.
INT., THE OFFICERS' LOUNGE
The place is packed with station personnel and Lisbon crew drinking and mingling. The LISBON ENGINEER from earlier in the day is standing at the bar, having a drink with some of his colleagues.
MAAL and TISHA enter and head to the bar, passing the table where TYRA is sitting with some LISBON CREWMATES.
TYRA
(To her crewmates)
There he is! This is the one I was telling you about. Maal! Maal, over here!
After a moment’s hesitation, MAAL approaches the table.
INT., THE PENTHOUSE ABOVE THE BAR
VOSS
How is your mother, by the way? I understand you’ve been to see her recently.
And that you were accompanied by a young lady. A rather fetching one, I’m told.
NACK remains silent, studying VOSS cagily.
VOSS
It really is remarkable what one picks up listening to rumors, isn’t it?
For instance, according to rumor, that little “dump” of a star base you visit is actually
a highly secure facility where top-level Federation intelligence reports are kept.
NACK
If it was a highly secure facility, do you really think they’d let me anywhere near it?
VOSS
Mmm, perhaps, perhaps not. Only one way to find out, isn’t there?
VOSS reaches into an inside pocket and holds up a small disk approximately the size of a silver dollar.
VOSS
This is a contact drive. It can bypass security and download large amounts of data
very quickly without leaving a trace. All you have to do is attach it to, oh, I don’t know,
maybe the Chief of Security’s padd? Hmm? I bet it contains plenty of high-level
system access codes that could prove quite lucrative. I tell you what - you bring me a copy
of her padd on this drive, and we’ll call your debt for those lost Tallonian crystals settled.
NACK
Look, assuming I could do such a thing - which there’s no guarantee of -
VOSS
Oh, come now. You yourself said that Starfleet isn’t exactly manning the station with
their best and brightest. And given the nature of your relationship with the station Security Chief,
it shouldn’t be too hard to sneak that by her. Perhaps in an intimate moment?
NACK
Nero, Star Base 80 is the Federation waste basket. There’s nothing there of any value.
VOSS
I’ll be the judge of that. Perhaps there’s more there than you think. In which case,
I’m happy to offer you a finder’s fee. Say, five percent of whatever any classified information sells for?
I should think that would be quite interesting to you.
NACK
It would be, if there was anything worth paying for, but I'm telling you -
VOSS
Of course, if you can’t help, not to worry. That information can be extracted
from other sources. Pretty little Chiefs of Security, for example.
VOSS hands NACK the contact drive and signals a nearby KLINGON ENFORCER.
VOSS
I’m terribly sorry to have to usher you out so quickly,
but I’ve got another appointment waiting. Always good to see you, old friend.
With that NACK is escorted out by the KLINGON ENFORCER. His face is grim.
INT., THE OFFICER’S LOUNGE
TISHA watches with a wary eye as TYRA introduces MAAL to her crewmates.
TYRA
Maal, this is Lieutenant Goodman, Lieutenant O'Shaughnessy, and Ensign Zill.
MAAL
Hi, um, Ensign Maal Aron.
TYRA
(To her CREWMATES)
Maal and I went to Starfleet Academy together.
He was in, like, all of my classes. He used to sit right behind me.
MAAL manages a half-smile.
TYRA
Oh my God, you guys, this one time during holodeck flight training,
Maal initiated the Janeway Protocol, collided with a maintenance scow,
and set off a chain reaction that launched the entire fleet’s photon torpedoes
at the Daystrom Institute. (With a laugh) It was a virtual bloodbath.
TYRA’s CREWMATES laugh, and MAAL chuckles awkwardly.
MAAL
Yeah, it was, um, it was pretty bad.
Well, uh, it was nice to meet you guys. We’re just going to -
TYRA
Hang on a minute, Maal.
(Indicating TISHA) Who's your friend?
INT., THE DIVIDEND.
NACK sits at the helm of his ship. He takes the contact drive out of his pocket and sets it on the console. He stares at it for a moment, and with a heavy sigh, puts it back in his pocket.
NACK
Computer, call Star Base 80 Security.
COMPUTER
Calling Star Base 80 Security.
After a brief moment, HARPER appears on the view screen.
HARPER
Hey, Baby! I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.
NACK
(Breezily)
Angel, I’ve got to make an unscheduled stop back on base. Thought I had something handled,
but - ah, you know how it is. Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads up -
HARPER
I’ll have them clear Docking Bay Three for your arrival, and…
(taking on a sultry tone) I’ll be waiting.
NACK
That’s my girl.
The view screen goes black as HARPER hangs up. NACK’s expression shifts from charming to worried.
INT., THE OFFICER’S LOUNGE
TISHA approaches TYRA’s table warily.
At a nearby table, a group of STAR BASE 80 ENGINEERS notice TISHA’s unease, and watch the following interaction intently.
MAAL
Oh, uh, this is… this is Tisha… my, um, my girlfriend.
TYRA
Aww, Maal, you have a girlfriend? That is so sweet!
TISHA
(With a tight-lipped smile)
Hi.
TYRA
Did you know that your boyfriend had the biggest crush on me back at the Academy?
He used to follow me around like a little lost puppy. It was adorable!
TYRA’s LISBON CREWMATES chuckle, and MAAL flushes brilliant emerald green. TISHA’s smile disappears, and she begins rolling up her sleeves.
TISHA
(To MAAL, Indicating TYRA)
Baby, is this what passed for hot when you were at the Academy?...
No wonder you were single for so long.
This elicits another laugh from TYRA’s LISBON CREWMATES.
TYRA
(Standing up from her seat)
What did she just say to me?!
As the STAR BASE 80 ENGINEERS at the nearby table stand and make their way over, MAAL positions himself between TISHA and TYRA.
MAAL
Look, why don’t we all just -
TISHA unsnaps her uniform flap.
TISHA
(To TYRA)
Oh, I’ll tell you exactly what I just said -
At that moment, the LISBON ENGINEER at the bar collapses.
Before anyone can react, MAAL springs into action, pushing the gathering crowd back before kneeling next to the unconscious LISBON ENGINEER.
MAAL scans him with his medical tricorder, and taps his comm badge.
MAAL
Doctor, we’ve got closed head trauma with delayed presentation in the Officer’s Lounge.
Patient is unconscious, pulse is erratic. Starting chest compressions.
COOPER
(Over MAAL’s comm badge)
Roger that, Ensign. On my way.
MAAL begins CPR on the LISBON ENGINEER as the crowd watches.
INT., HARPER’S QUARTERS
NACK and HARPER are in a passionate embrace.
HARPER
(Pulling away and running a finger along NACK’s lobes)
I think I like these unscheduled stops.
NACK
(Brushing her hand away lightly)
You stop that, now.
HARPER
Funny, that’s not what you were saying -
ENSIGN RAMIREZ’s voice comes over HARPER’s comm badge.
RAMIREZ
Security, there’s been a medical event in the Officers’ Lounge, and things are pretty tense
up here between our people in Engineering and the Lisbon crew. I could use a hand, L-T-C.
HARPER taps her comm badge.
HARPER
Roger that, Ramirez. I’m en route.
HARPER taps her comm badge closed.
HARPER
(Apologetically)
Duty calls.
NACK
Honey, go do what you need to do. We’ve all got business we’ve got to take care of.
With a tender kiss on NACK’s forehead, HARPER exits her quarters.
Once she leaves, NACK retrieves her padd from her bedside table. He removes the contact drive from the pocket of his jacket and attaches the contact drive to HARPER’s padd.
INT., THE BACK OFFICE IN THE BAR, THE NEXT EVENING.
NERO VOSS is sitting behind the desk when NACK enters.
VOSS
Nack, so good to see you again. And so soon! I must say, this is a delightful surprise.
NACK removes the contact drive from his pocket and slides it across the desk to VOSS.
NACK
I got what you wanted. Are we done?
VOSS
My friend, we’re even when I say we’re even, and we’re done when I say we’re done.
VOSS holds up the contact drive.
VOSS
This is just the beginning.
VOSS stands and comes around the other side of the desk, looming over NACK.
VOSS
You know, Nack, I really had you pegged as clever and resourceful. So it’s disappointing to me
that you would settle for crumbs like price-gouging and small-time profiteering, when all the while,
there’s an entire meal to be had - a veritable feast, as it were - of information so top-secret
that you can literally name your price. Or should I say, I can. Now, let’s dig in, shall we?
VOSS picks up a padd from his desk, attaches the contact drive to it, and taps the screen. HARPER’s voice emanates from his padd.
HARPER
Chief Security Officer’s Log. I evacuated a meeting of department heads today.
Thankfully, I was able to blame it on Cooper. I think maybe I have a gluten allergy.
VOSS frowns and swipes that recording. He taps the padd again.
HARPER
Dear Chief Security Officer’s Log: I’m so excited! Soon, I’m going to be Mrs. Emma -
wait, do Ferengi have last names?... I should probably find out….
VOSS taps another log entry.
HARPER
Chief Security Officer's Log. Cleared a turbolift again today.
You know, I’m starting to think that maybe dairy is the problem….
Increasingly frustrated, VOSS begins scrolling through files on the padd.
VOSS
Replicator recipes… discontinued uniform schematics…
a fantasy Pareesi’s Squares roster?!... What is this?!
HARPER’s voice emanates from the padd again.
HARPER
Chief Security Officer's Log. Today marks a major accomplishment in my career
as station Chief of Security.I finally finished my kitten puzzle! Oh, their little paws are so cute....
You know, I have no idea why anyone thinks this job is hard.
VOSS slams his padd down on the desk and looks indignantly at NACK.
NACK
Nero, I told you the place is an orbiting dumpster -
At that moment, the sounds of phaser fire erupt from the other room.
VOICE
Starfleet Security! You’re all under arrest!
VOSS looks at NACK, and NACK shakes his head, bewildered.
The muffled sound of a small ordinance exploding sends VOSS rushing for the back staircase. Before he can escape, however, two STARFLEET SECURITY OFFICERS enter, phaser rifles drawn.
STARFLEET SECURITY OFFICER 1
Nobody move! You’re both under arrest for espionage.
As SECURITY OFFICERS cuff VOSS and NACK, a furious HARPER appears in the doorway.
HARPER
(To NACK)
You thought I wouldn't have a tracking code on my padd? Really?!...
You must think I’m stupid!
HARPER stalks over to NACK and slaps him hard across the face.
HARPER
That padd had my dream journal on it!
At that moment, CH’THANE and AGENT SMITH beam into the room.
AGENT SMITH
Everybody stand down. Section 31 is taking over this investigation.
HARPER
Turning the scene over to you, Sir.
She turns to leave.
CH’THANE
On second thought… why don’t you take the Ferengi into custody, Lieutenant Commander?
I imagine you’re the last person he wants to see right now.
HARPER
With pleasure, Sir.
HARPER shoves NACK roughly out the door as CH’THANE and AGENT SMITH each pull up a chair and take a seat in front of a handcuffed VOSS.
CH'THANE
I understand you’ve taken an interest in us.
AGENT SMITH
As it happens, we’ve taken an interest in you.
CH'THANE
Let’s chat.
VOSS is uncharacteristically silent in response.
INT., SICKBAY
The LISBON ENGINEER awakens in a biobed.
MAAL is checking the bed's readout, when COOPER enters from the next room.
Seeing that his patient is conscious, COOPER approaches him.
COOPER
Hey, you’re awake. How are you feeling?
LISBON ENGINEER
I don’t know. I’ve got a headache and everything feels fuzzy.
COOPER
That’s to be expected. You sustained a concussion during your fall aboard the Lisbon,
and that caused a clot that eventually led to a cerebrocortical event, or as it’s more commonly known, a stroke.
We were able to catch it early and reverse the effects, but you’ll probably feel a little “off” for a week or so.
You’re lucky my assistant was there. If that had happened when you were asleep, you probably wouldn’t have woken up.
LISBON ENGINEER
(To MAAL)
Thank you.
MAAL
Just doing my job.
The door chimes and TYRA enters.
COOPER
(To TYRA)
Sorry, we’re not allowing visitors right now -
TYRA
I actually came to see Maal, if that’s okay?
MAAL looks to COOPER, who nods, and MAAL and TYRA step into the hallway outside.
INT., STATION HALLWAY
TYRA
So, you, like, saved that guy’s life?
MAAL
(Shrugging)
Well, it’s my job, so.
TYRA
You’ve really changed a lot since the Academy, huh?
MAAL
Yeah, I have.
TYRA
You know, Maal, seeing you in action like that was actually kind of hot.
MAAL
(Blushing)
I - uh… thanks.
TYRA
So listen, we’ll be docked here for a couple more days. Do you want to maybe get a drink sometime?...
Or, you know, (looking up at MAAL flirtatiously) ...you could come by my quarters.
MAAL
Oh, um… no thanks.
Seeing TYRA’s reaction of disbelief, MAAL elaborates.
MAAL
I’ve actually changed a lot since the Academy.
With that, MAAL re-enters Sickbay. The door slides shut behind him, leaving TYRA alone in the hallway outside.
EXT., THE ALLEY OUTSIDE THE MOB BAR.
STARFLEET SECURITY OFFICERS are walking handcuffed KLINGON ENFORCERS out of the bar, while HARPER and a still-handcuffed NACK wait beside a Section 31 runabout.
NACK
Angel, do you have any idea how hard it was to keep a straight face during your “log entries”?
Why would you do that to me?
HARPER
Somebody's got to keep you on your toes.
NACK
Yeah, well, I nearly lost it over that “dream journal” bit at the end.
You’ve got to warn me next time.
HARPER
Next time? Exactly how many crime lords are you in debt to?
NACK
I wasn't “in debt” - as I explained, it was a very unique set of circumstances.
HARPER
Uh huh.
NACK
What? It's the truth.
HARPER
So does this mean you're “in debt” to me now?
NACK
Well now, that all depends.
HARPER
On what?
NACK
On how you plan on collecting.
HARPER giggles.
CH’THANE and AGENT SMITH emerge from the Mob Bar and approach NACK and HARPER.
HARPER
Where’s Voss? Aren’t you going to bring him in?
CH’THANE
We’ve come to an arrangement with Mr. Voss.
AGENT SMITH
There are times, Lieutenant Commander, when you need to forgo an arrest,
in order to create an opportunity.
With that, CH’THANE and AGENT SMITH board the runabout, and HARPER moves to follow. NACK holds up his cuffed hands.
NACK
Hang on a second, Kitten. You gonna let me out of these?
HARPER
(Raising an eyebrow flirtatiously)
Eventually.
NACK chuckles as they board the runabout.
ROLL CLOSING CREDITS.