portfolio      wolf      first ladies      CHANGING SIDES      all's well      stories "Changing Sides" an unproduced episode for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine by Steve Anderson DISCLAIMER: Although this script was originally created in hopes of professional production as part of the TV series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, that ship has long since sailed.  It it posted here purely for entertainment and as a sample of my ability to write in the teleplay format.  It is not intended to infringe in any way upon the copyrights,  trademarks, and/or other intellectual property rights of the creators or owners of DS9. about the script     read an excerpt     download the script Some time around the summer of 1994--I don't remember where exactly, or when, or how--I heard a rumor that Paramount was willing to look at unsolicited scripts for what was then their hit series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. I investigated.  It was true.  (Don't get excited; they've changed their policy since then.)  And so, like nearly 100,000 other fans that year, I put pen to paper, created a new DS9 adventure, and sent it in. Time passed.  New episodes appeared on the air; ongoing plotlines evolved; what possibility there may once have been for anything like my episode to happen on the show withered away and died. And then, in the depths of that cold, bleak winter, the phone rang.  "We like what you sent us.  Would you be willing to write something else for us?" Which is how, in the spring of '95, I wound up pitching for Star Trek. (I'd like to think that if I had that chance again today, ten years older and with countless professional acting auditions under my belt, I wouldn't squander the opportunity on a paralyzing panic attack like I did back then.) Anyway.  Below, you'll find an excerpt from the teleplay I submitted. Or, if you prefer, you can download the whole script. STAR TREK: DS9  -  ANDERSON  -  "CHANGING SIDES"  -  EXCERPT     1 STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE "Changing Sides" EXCERPT FADE IN: INT. ORIK'S SHUTTLE - POV FROM INSIDE ACCESS PANEL O'Brien and Dax are still trying to work out what's happened to the shuttle.  Dax touches a probe to a connection.... DAX That's odd. NEW ANGLE - ORIK'S SHUTTLE Sisko and Orik are still watching Dax and O'Brien work. DAX Chief, take a look at this. O'Brien peers over her shoulder. O'BRIEN That is strange. ORIK What is it? O'BRIEN The phase buffers are in perfect alignment.  No sign of tampering at all. ORIK (shrugs it off) So we surprised the saboteur before she could do any serious damage.  I still intend to press charges, Commander. (CONTINUED) STAR TREK: DS9  -  ANDERSON  -  "CHANGING SIDES"  -  EXCERPT     2 CONTINUED: SISKO Yes, of course, Legate. O'Brien finally turns and stands to address Orik directly. O'BRIEN You don't understand, sir.  The only reason a saboteur would open this access panel would be to interrupt your positron flow, and nobody would play with a positron emitter without disabling the phase buffer first.  And your phase buffer is still operational. (beat) It just doesn't make sense. (beat) Unless... ORIK Unless what? O'BRIEN If you knew Cardassian shuttle design backwards and forwards, and knew Federation technology just as well, it might be possible to bury sabotage so it wouldn't show up on normal scans. ORIK Even if you knew what to look for? Dax stands, frowning at the idea but not dismissing it. DAX If it's true, we don't know what we're looking for.  We're going to have to take this ship apart piece by piece; we can't even know where to start. SISKO Then you'll just have to trust your instincts. ORIK Is this really necessary, Commander? (CONTINUED) STAR TREK: DS9  -  ANDERSON  -  "CHANGING SIDES"  -  EXCERPT     3 CONTINUED: SISKO I am responsible for the safety of everyone on board this station.  I can't allow your ship to leave until I am satisfied that the repairs are complete. If anyone else were saying this, Orik would demand his ship back anyway... but he knows Sisko isn't over-protective. ORIK Very well.  I will wait.  But not for long. SISKO Meanwhile, you're quite welcome to enjoy the comforts of the station. ORIK Is that bar still here....  Quark's? SISKO (smiles) Right this way. Sisko leads Orik out the door and down the hall.  Dax and O'Brien watch them leave, and then turn back to their work. O'BRIEN You know what the worst part of this is? DAX Not knowing what we're looking for?  Or if there's anything to find at all?  Or maybe the interstellar incident waiting to happen if we miss anything? O'BRIEN No, the worst part is... (pauses to remove an access panel) ... this was supposed to be my day off. FADE OUT. END OF EXCERPT. Back to the top.