Post by magicmuggle01 on Feb 27, 2019 10:48:13 GMT
The discovery of a 30,000 year old Bajoran tablet buried under the holy city of B'hala announces the Reckoning, the time when the future of Bajor will be decided.
Summary
At their regular staff meeting, the crew of Deep Space 9 review the state of the Dominion War. It is a time of great uncertainty as the threat of a Dominion attack on Vulcan looms overhead, and while the Romulans have retaken Benzar (home to the Benzites), there is no way to be certain they will relinquish control after the war. For now, Sisko, Kira and Jake are taking a trip to Bajor to visit a new discovery in the remains of B'hala. Although Dax observes how trivial such things seem in the midst of a war, the archaeologists have specifically requested Sisko's presence.
Ranjen Koral leads the trio through the ruins, where numerous tunnels have been dug and excavations have taken place since Sisko's last visit. Kira notices Jake is less than enthused, and Jake admits that he's concerned how seriously his father takes his role as Emissary now. Kira reminds him that, at the very least, it'll be a relief for the captain not to have to think about the war for a little while. The monk leads them to a pedestal underneath the old temple, thus older than B'hala, with some "interesting" writing in Ancient Bajoran; part of the text reads, "Welcome ". As Sisko touches it, he is thrown across the room. He loses consciousness as the Prophets send him a vision in which they mention the end and the beginning and claim that the Reckoning is at hand.
Act One
Sisko takes the tablet back to DS9, where he and Dax study it in a science lab to translate it. In the meantime, he greets Kai Winn at the airlock. She is visibly troubled by the removal of the tablet from Bajor. In her usual, subtle manner, she compares his actions to the plundering the Cardassians did during the Occupation. After refusing, Winn lodges a formal complaint with Starfleet Command, and Admiral Ross tells Sisko to stop meddling in Bajoran affairs and return the tablet.
Sisko discusses the situation with Dax, who muses about the time when Sisko thought of the Prophets as nothing more than aliens who lived in the wormhole. Sisko reminds her that, regardless of if they're Prophets or not, they have a relationship with Bajor which they proved when they stopped the Dominion fleet from reaching the Alpha Quadrant. Dax reminds him that he had to persuade the Prophets to help, and that they promised they would exact a penance. The conversation is halted when Dax discovers the meaning of the words on the tablet which say that, among other things, the Prophets will weep and the gateway to the Celestial Temple – DS9 – will burn.
Act Two
Dr. Bashir, Odo, and Worf are sitting idly on the second level of Quark's, considering the repercussions. As Quark himself walks by, he complains about how bad business has been because of talk about the Reckoning, but their conversation is cut short as the station trembles and the wormhole begins to behave erratically. Meanwhile, Sisko and Winn have met in his office, where she informs him of flooding, earthquakes and the like taking place on Bajor as they speak as a result of the shifts in the wormhole. She believes he has angered the Prophets by taking the tablet, and she has a request from First Minister Shakaar stating as much with a warning that if Sisko keeps the tablet any longer it will harm relations between Bajor and the Federation. With no other choice, Sisko agrees to return the tablet on the first transport the next morning. He tells Dax she'll have to work off holo-recordings of the tablet, as she reveals more words have been translated. It's clear the Emissary will play a major part during the Reckoning; however, his role is left unclear due to damage on the tablet.
Later, Sisko discusses the situation with Kira and they note their mutual dislike of Winn. Kira admits to feeling a little sorry for her in that she spent her whole life in service to the Prophets and was finally rewarded for her efforts by becoming Kai, only to be forced to share the role of spiritual leader with a non-Bajoran. She also admits that, like Winn, she is jealous of Sisko's relationship with the Prophets; however, unlike Winn, she doesn't resent him for it.
Late that night, Sisko is visited by Jake who wants to check up on his father. He admits that he worries a lot about his father's role as the Emissary, due to the fact that twice before in the past year he has been rendered unconscious by visions. Ben reminds Jake that he didn't ask to be Emissary, it is just what he is, but comforts his son by reminding him he's also his dad.
Later, Sisko is unable to sleep and finally heads for the science lab. He angrily tells the Prophets that he's had enough of their riddles, and wants a straight explanation. After no response, he picks up the tablet and throws it against the wall in a rage, smashing it. As he looks down at its shattered remains shocked at what he just did, two energy discharges: one red, one blue, emerge from it and disappear through the ceiling.
Act Three
Dax and Odo investigate the science lab, as Sisko explains he got an uncontrollable urge to smash the tablet. They find no signs of such a discharge, although there is an unexplained energy drain soon reported on the station. Unfortunately, now Sisko has to explain it to Winn. She believes Sisko smashed the tablet just to spite her. He is emphatic that he is acting with the will of the Prophets, and that it isn't always easy to see the path. Winn notes again the hardships being experienced on the planet, and that it must be clear the tablet should have been returned. As he tries to reassure her, he is called to the Promenade.
Kira, possessed by a Prophet
Sisko finds Odo and station security around the Bajoran Shrine, and Kira standing in the doorway. However, her body has been inhabited by one of the Prophets, with a glow and an electrical discharge flowing out of her. When the Prophet sees Sisko, it walks toward him, causing damage to as it walks. She addresses him, and informs him it is time for the Reckoning.
Act Four
Sisko tries to have it explain what the Reckoning is, but not much response. It says it awaits Kosst Amojan. Winn recognizes the Prophet's words and explains that Kosst Amojan is the evil one, a Pah-wraith that was banished from the Celestial Temple. She also realizes that this pertains to a prophecy. If the Prophet wins the upcoming battle, then Bajor will enter its Golden Age of a thousand years of peace. Sisko turns to the Prophet and asks what he's to do, but it replies he has "completed his task." Winn tries to talk to it directly, but it turns away without focusing on her. It simply stands, unresponsive, as Winn offers herself to the Prophet as its humble servant but is ignored.
Sisko tells the senior staff that DS9 is to be evacuated. Julian balks at this idea, but Sisko knows the battle could destroy the station. However, Dax suggests not letting it be fought on the station. She suggests that they slowly but gradually flood the Promenade with chroniton particles, which are fatal to the Prophets, which would force it to leave. Given what the Prophets have done for him and Bajor, Sisko refuses, saying that this is the Prophets' price for destroying the fleet of Dominion ships that would have certainly overrun the Alpha Quadrant. Although they are worried for Kira's safety, Odo reassures Sisko that Kira would have been willing to surrender herself to the Prophets no matter what the consequences, even if it meant her death.
Worf and Odo find one another near the airlock as they oversee the evacuation of the civilian population. Worf admires Odo's devotion after what Odo said about Kira letting the Prophet take her, and he is unsure that he could have done the same if it had been Jadzia. With Kira on their side, Odo assures Worf the Prophets will be victorious.
Jake Sisko possessed by a Pah-wraith
Sisko is able to persuade Starfleet that DS9 must be abandoned given the Prophets are the only thing preventing the Dominion fleet from coming through the wormhole. Suddenly Sisko is called by Odo to the Promenade as a group of Bajorans, led by Winn, refuse to leave the Promenade as they pray for the Prophets' victory. Sisko confronts Winn and threatens to personally order the people to leave as their Emissary. Sisko and Winn begin to verbally spar once more when interrupted by Kira. The Prophet announces that Kosst Amojan has chosen his vessel. Sisko looks up to the second floor to see it is Jake.
Act Five
Sisko screams for the Pah-wraith to leave Jake and take him instead, but the Pah-wraith is simply amused and throws Sisko across the Promenade. Kira and Jake face off and energy beams, red from Jake and blue from Kira, come out of their chests and meet at the center. The spectacle continues as sparks fly and the energy buildup reaches critical levels. As the buildup could trigger an explosion at any second, Dax and Winn in an unusual state of agreement urge Sisko to leave the station; however, he is determined to stay and see the Reckoning through and also refuses to leave his son behind. He orders them both to abandon the station. Dax contacts Worf and tells him they're leaving. Dax hurries to ensure that everyone is evacuated, and the final people are taken away in the station's runabouts; however, Kai Winn sneaks away in the confusion. The final runabouts leave and the station is empty save for Sisko, Jake, Kira and Winn.
The Prophet is winning the celestial battle, and is on the verge of killing the Pah-wraith when she suddenly screams out in protest... Kai Winn is in Ops and has triggered the Chroniton release herself. Both spirits are forced to leave the station, causing both Kira and Jake to collapse. Sisko immediately runs to an unconscious Jake's side.
"Captain's log, supplemental. The station's population has returned and repairs are underway. Major Kira has recovered from her experience, but my son is still in the infirmary."
Sisko visits his son in the infirmary, where Jake is still weak but will recover eventually. He tries but does not know what to say to his son to explain the incident, but no explanation is necessary. Jake was able to feel the Pah-wraith's hatred and knew it had to be destroyed, even if it meant his death.
As Odo and Kira walk together on the Promenade, she thanks him for his confidence in her and willingness to let her go if the Prophet's victory meant her death. His ability to let her die for her faith is flattering, although he reassures her that he still would have been happier if the Prophets had chosen someone else.
Kira then escorts Kai Winn to the airlock, where Winn claims Sisko should be grateful to her as her actions saved their lives and the station from destruction, as well as stopping the disasters on Bajor. However, Kira isn't fooled and knows Winn's true motive was not the good of Bajor, but chose to stop the Reckoning due to not being able to handle the fact that Sisko has a stronger faith in the Prophets, to the point he was willing to sacrifice his own son. Winn refutes this and claims her faith is just as strong as Sisko's, but Kira knows that it's not Winn's faith that drives her but ambition. As the Reckoning was stopped, the evil still exists and Kira warns that it's possible not even the Prophets know what is to come now.
Log entries
Captain's log, Deep Space 9, 2374
"Captain's Log, supplemental. The station's population has returned and repairs are underway. Major Kira has recovered from her experience, but my son is still in the infirmary." (DS9: "The Reckoning")
Memorable quotes
"During the Reckoning, the Bajorans will either suffer horribly or... eat fruit."
"... Eat fruit?"
"Given the tone of the rest of the inscriptions, I would bet on the horrible suffering."
- Dax and Sisko
"In a way, I feel sorry for her. She spends her whole life in service to the Prophets, and then one day, after years of self-sacrifice and commitment, she gets her reward – she's elected Kai. It should've been the greatest moment of her life."
"But my being the Emissary spoiled it for her."
"The Kai has always been the spiritual leader of Bajor, but Winn has to share that role with you. And to make matters worse, you're an outsider, a non-Bajoran – that's something she can never forgive you for."
- Kira and Sisko, on Kai Winn
"Who knows? The rest of the tablet probably says "Go to Quark's. It's happy hour.""
"I like the way you think, Doctor."
- Bashir and Quark
"I just had this uncontrollable urge to smash the tablet."
"Oh, I get those urges all the time."
- Sisko and Dax
"May the Prophets forgive me."
- Winn, when she drives off the Prophets and the Pah-wraiths with chroniton radiation
"I heard that you told the captain I was willing to give my life to serve the Prophets. I appreciate that you respect my beliefs."
"Just the same, I wouldn't have minded if the Prophets had chosen someone else."
- Kira and Odo
Summary
At their regular staff meeting, the crew of Deep Space 9 review the state of the Dominion War. It is a time of great uncertainty as the threat of a Dominion attack on Vulcan looms overhead, and while the Romulans have retaken Benzar (home to the Benzites), there is no way to be certain they will relinquish control after the war. For now, Sisko, Kira and Jake are taking a trip to Bajor to visit a new discovery in the remains of B'hala. Although Dax observes how trivial such things seem in the midst of a war, the archaeologists have specifically requested Sisko's presence.
Ranjen Koral leads the trio through the ruins, where numerous tunnels have been dug and excavations have taken place since Sisko's last visit. Kira notices Jake is less than enthused, and Jake admits that he's concerned how seriously his father takes his role as Emissary now. Kira reminds him that, at the very least, it'll be a relief for the captain not to have to think about the war for a little while. The monk leads them to a pedestal underneath the old temple, thus older than B'hala, with some "interesting" writing in Ancient Bajoran; part of the text reads, "Welcome ". As Sisko touches it, he is thrown across the room. He loses consciousness as the Prophets send him a vision in which they mention the end and the beginning and claim that the Reckoning is at hand.
Act One
Sisko takes the tablet back to DS9, where he and Dax study it in a science lab to translate it. In the meantime, he greets Kai Winn at the airlock. She is visibly troubled by the removal of the tablet from Bajor. In her usual, subtle manner, she compares his actions to the plundering the Cardassians did during the Occupation. After refusing, Winn lodges a formal complaint with Starfleet Command, and Admiral Ross tells Sisko to stop meddling in Bajoran affairs and return the tablet.
Sisko discusses the situation with Dax, who muses about the time when Sisko thought of the Prophets as nothing more than aliens who lived in the wormhole. Sisko reminds her that, regardless of if they're Prophets or not, they have a relationship with Bajor which they proved when they stopped the Dominion fleet from reaching the Alpha Quadrant. Dax reminds him that he had to persuade the Prophets to help, and that they promised they would exact a penance. The conversation is halted when Dax discovers the meaning of the words on the tablet which say that, among other things, the Prophets will weep and the gateway to the Celestial Temple – DS9 – will burn.
Act Two
Dr. Bashir, Odo, and Worf are sitting idly on the second level of Quark's, considering the repercussions. As Quark himself walks by, he complains about how bad business has been because of talk about the Reckoning, but their conversation is cut short as the station trembles and the wormhole begins to behave erratically. Meanwhile, Sisko and Winn have met in his office, where she informs him of flooding, earthquakes and the like taking place on Bajor as they speak as a result of the shifts in the wormhole. She believes he has angered the Prophets by taking the tablet, and she has a request from First Minister Shakaar stating as much with a warning that if Sisko keeps the tablet any longer it will harm relations between Bajor and the Federation. With no other choice, Sisko agrees to return the tablet on the first transport the next morning. He tells Dax she'll have to work off holo-recordings of the tablet, as she reveals more words have been translated. It's clear the Emissary will play a major part during the Reckoning; however, his role is left unclear due to damage on the tablet.
Later, Sisko discusses the situation with Kira and they note their mutual dislike of Winn. Kira admits to feeling a little sorry for her in that she spent her whole life in service to the Prophets and was finally rewarded for her efforts by becoming Kai, only to be forced to share the role of spiritual leader with a non-Bajoran. She also admits that, like Winn, she is jealous of Sisko's relationship with the Prophets; however, unlike Winn, she doesn't resent him for it.
Late that night, Sisko is visited by Jake who wants to check up on his father. He admits that he worries a lot about his father's role as the Emissary, due to the fact that twice before in the past year he has been rendered unconscious by visions. Ben reminds Jake that he didn't ask to be Emissary, it is just what he is, but comforts his son by reminding him he's also his dad.
Later, Sisko is unable to sleep and finally heads for the science lab. He angrily tells the Prophets that he's had enough of their riddles, and wants a straight explanation. After no response, he picks up the tablet and throws it against the wall in a rage, smashing it. As he looks down at its shattered remains shocked at what he just did, two energy discharges: one red, one blue, emerge from it and disappear through the ceiling.
Act Three
Dax and Odo investigate the science lab, as Sisko explains he got an uncontrollable urge to smash the tablet. They find no signs of such a discharge, although there is an unexplained energy drain soon reported on the station. Unfortunately, now Sisko has to explain it to Winn. She believes Sisko smashed the tablet just to spite her. He is emphatic that he is acting with the will of the Prophets, and that it isn't always easy to see the path. Winn notes again the hardships being experienced on the planet, and that it must be clear the tablet should have been returned. As he tries to reassure her, he is called to the Promenade.
Kira, possessed by a Prophet
Sisko finds Odo and station security around the Bajoran Shrine, and Kira standing in the doorway. However, her body has been inhabited by one of the Prophets, with a glow and an electrical discharge flowing out of her. When the Prophet sees Sisko, it walks toward him, causing damage to as it walks. She addresses him, and informs him it is time for the Reckoning.
Act Four
Sisko tries to have it explain what the Reckoning is, but not much response. It says it awaits Kosst Amojan. Winn recognizes the Prophet's words and explains that Kosst Amojan is the evil one, a Pah-wraith that was banished from the Celestial Temple. She also realizes that this pertains to a prophecy. If the Prophet wins the upcoming battle, then Bajor will enter its Golden Age of a thousand years of peace. Sisko turns to the Prophet and asks what he's to do, but it replies he has "completed his task." Winn tries to talk to it directly, but it turns away without focusing on her. It simply stands, unresponsive, as Winn offers herself to the Prophet as its humble servant but is ignored.
Sisko tells the senior staff that DS9 is to be evacuated. Julian balks at this idea, but Sisko knows the battle could destroy the station. However, Dax suggests not letting it be fought on the station. She suggests that they slowly but gradually flood the Promenade with chroniton particles, which are fatal to the Prophets, which would force it to leave. Given what the Prophets have done for him and Bajor, Sisko refuses, saying that this is the Prophets' price for destroying the fleet of Dominion ships that would have certainly overrun the Alpha Quadrant. Although they are worried for Kira's safety, Odo reassures Sisko that Kira would have been willing to surrender herself to the Prophets no matter what the consequences, even if it meant her death.
Worf and Odo find one another near the airlock as they oversee the evacuation of the civilian population. Worf admires Odo's devotion after what Odo said about Kira letting the Prophet take her, and he is unsure that he could have done the same if it had been Jadzia. With Kira on their side, Odo assures Worf the Prophets will be victorious.
Jake Sisko possessed by a Pah-wraith
Sisko is able to persuade Starfleet that DS9 must be abandoned given the Prophets are the only thing preventing the Dominion fleet from coming through the wormhole. Suddenly Sisko is called by Odo to the Promenade as a group of Bajorans, led by Winn, refuse to leave the Promenade as they pray for the Prophets' victory. Sisko confronts Winn and threatens to personally order the people to leave as their Emissary. Sisko and Winn begin to verbally spar once more when interrupted by Kira. The Prophet announces that Kosst Amojan has chosen his vessel. Sisko looks up to the second floor to see it is Jake.
Act Five
Sisko screams for the Pah-wraith to leave Jake and take him instead, but the Pah-wraith is simply amused and throws Sisko across the Promenade. Kira and Jake face off and energy beams, red from Jake and blue from Kira, come out of their chests and meet at the center. The spectacle continues as sparks fly and the energy buildup reaches critical levels. As the buildup could trigger an explosion at any second, Dax and Winn in an unusual state of agreement urge Sisko to leave the station; however, he is determined to stay and see the Reckoning through and also refuses to leave his son behind. He orders them both to abandon the station. Dax contacts Worf and tells him they're leaving. Dax hurries to ensure that everyone is evacuated, and the final people are taken away in the station's runabouts; however, Kai Winn sneaks away in the confusion. The final runabouts leave and the station is empty save for Sisko, Jake, Kira and Winn.
The Prophet is winning the celestial battle, and is on the verge of killing the Pah-wraith when she suddenly screams out in protest... Kai Winn is in Ops and has triggered the Chroniton release herself. Both spirits are forced to leave the station, causing both Kira and Jake to collapse. Sisko immediately runs to an unconscious Jake's side.
"Captain's log, supplemental. The station's population has returned and repairs are underway. Major Kira has recovered from her experience, but my son is still in the infirmary."
Sisko visits his son in the infirmary, where Jake is still weak but will recover eventually. He tries but does not know what to say to his son to explain the incident, but no explanation is necessary. Jake was able to feel the Pah-wraith's hatred and knew it had to be destroyed, even if it meant his death.
As Odo and Kira walk together on the Promenade, she thanks him for his confidence in her and willingness to let her go if the Prophet's victory meant her death. His ability to let her die for her faith is flattering, although he reassures her that he still would have been happier if the Prophets had chosen someone else.
Kira then escorts Kai Winn to the airlock, where Winn claims Sisko should be grateful to her as her actions saved their lives and the station from destruction, as well as stopping the disasters on Bajor. However, Kira isn't fooled and knows Winn's true motive was not the good of Bajor, but chose to stop the Reckoning due to not being able to handle the fact that Sisko has a stronger faith in the Prophets, to the point he was willing to sacrifice his own son. Winn refutes this and claims her faith is just as strong as Sisko's, but Kira knows that it's not Winn's faith that drives her but ambition. As the Reckoning was stopped, the evil still exists and Kira warns that it's possible not even the Prophets know what is to come now.
Log entries
Captain's log, Deep Space 9, 2374
"Captain's Log, supplemental. The station's population has returned and repairs are underway. Major Kira has recovered from her experience, but my son is still in the infirmary." (DS9: "The Reckoning")
Memorable quotes
"During the Reckoning, the Bajorans will either suffer horribly or... eat fruit."
"... Eat fruit?"
"Given the tone of the rest of the inscriptions, I would bet on the horrible suffering."
- Dax and Sisko
"In a way, I feel sorry for her. She spends her whole life in service to the Prophets, and then one day, after years of self-sacrifice and commitment, she gets her reward – she's elected Kai. It should've been the greatest moment of her life."
"But my being the Emissary spoiled it for her."
"The Kai has always been the spiritual leader of Bajor, but Winn has to share that role with you. And to make matters worse, you're an outsider, a non-Bajoran – that's something she can never forgive you for."
- Kira and Sisko, on Kai Winn
"Who knows? The rest of the tablet probably says "Go to Quark's. It's happy hour.""
"I like the way you think, Doctor."
- Bashir and Quark
"I just had this uncontrollable urge to smash the tablet."
"Oh, I get those urges all the time."
- Sisko and Dax
"May the Prophets forgive me."
- Winn, when she drives off the Prophets and the Pah-wraiths with chroniton radiation
"I heard that you told the captain I was willing to give my life to serve the Prophets. I appreciate that you respect my beliefs."
"Just the same, I wouldn't have minded if the Prophets had chosen someone else."
- Kira and Odo
