Profit And Lost 'What If'

INT. SISKO’S OFFICE
Sisko reviews a padd. The doors hiss open without a chime.
QUARK storms in, flushed and furious.

SISKO
(stern, not looking up)
Quark, you’re supposed to—

QUARK
I don’t care about protocol! You’ve arrested Natima — and her students!
Sisko sets the padd down.

SISKO
Hogue and Rekelen are in custody, yes.

QUARK
They’re not criminals! They’re students! Reformers! Writers! The only thing they ever attacked was Cardassian complacency!
Sisko exhales.

SISKO
According to the Cardassian government, they’re members of a terrorist cell.

QUARK
(outraged)
They wrote articles! Since when does Cardassia call thinking terrorism?

Sisko doesn’t answer.
Quark steps closer, voice trembling.

QUARK
If you send them back, they’ll be executed. Natima… Hogue… Rekelen… all of them.
Sisko’s expression tightens.

SISKO
Quark… this isn’t a Starfleet matter.
Quark blinks.

QUARK
What does that mean?
The office doors open. KIRA enters, having clearly heard the last line.

KIRA
It means the Bajoran government has already made a deal.
Quark turns to her, horrified.

QUARK
What deal?
Kira’s jaw tightens.

KIRA
The Cardassians agreed to release several Bajoran prisoners. In exchange…
(beat)
Natima and her students are to be returned.

Quark stares at her.

QUARK
You traded them?
(voice cracking)
You traded people?

Kira flinches.

KIRA
It wasn’t my decision.

QUARK
But you’re enforcing it!

Kira looks away, guilt flickering across her face.
Sisko steps between them.

SISKO
Deep Space Nine is a Bajoran station. I don’t have the authority to override their government.

QUARK
So that’s it? You’re just going to stand by while they’re dragged off to die?
Sisko’s voice softens.

SISKO
I don’t like it. But my hands are tied.
Quark shakes his head, devastated.

QUARK
Natima isn’t a terrorist. Hogue and Rekelen aren’t terrorists. They’re trying to change Cardassia, not destroy it.
He looks between them — Sisko steady, Kira conflicted.

QUARK
(quiet, pleading)
Please… don’t let them disappear into a Cardassian prison.

There’s a long silence.

Sisko finally nods — not a promise, but an acknowledgment.

SISKO
Go back to your bar, Quark. Let us handle what we can.

Quark hesitates, then leaves — shoulders tight, fighting not to break.
The doors close.
Kira stands there, troubled. Sisko watches her.

SISKO
You all right, Major?
Kira exhales.

KIRA
I’ll… take care of it.
She steps into the corridor, taps her combadge.

KIRA
Kira to Odo.

ODO (comm)
Go ahead.
Kira hesitates — she won’t betray Quark’s privacy, but she knows him too well.

KIRA
Quark’s probably on his way to see you.
(beat)
I thought you should know.

ODO (comm)
Should I expect trouble?
Kira glances down the Promenade where Quark disappeared.

KIRA
Not trouble.
(beat)
Just… Quark.

Odo’s sigh is audible even through the comm.

ODO (comm)
Understood.

Kira closes the channel and walks off, the weight of the Bajoran government’s decision still heavy on her shoulders.