DEEP SPACE: "Meridian" - REV. 09/22/94 - ACT ONE           9.

6    CONTINUED:

					O'BRIEN
				(off console)
			They're hailing us.

					SISKO
			Open a channel.
				(beat)
			This is Commander Benjamin Sisko of 
			the Federation Starbase Deep Space 
			Nine.

	After a beat, the VIEWSCREEN engages.  A humanoid woman of 
	about fifty APPEARS on the Viewscreen, SELTIN.  She is dressed 
	in simple clothing, and is standing in front of a simple one-
	wall set.

	She seems to study our people's faces for a beat before saying 
	anything; her face is kind, with an open countenance.

					SELTIN
			I am Seltin Rakal of Meridian.

	Sisko nods a greeting.

					SISKO
			We were studying this star system 
			when your planet appeared.

					SELTIN
				(smiles gently)
			I expect it must have come as 
			something of a surprise.

					SISKO
			You could say that.  It seemed to 
			come out of nowhere.

					SELTIN
			Not nowhere, Commander -- it came 
			from a dimension that intersects 
			with this one.

	She sees the intrigued looks on our people's faces.

					SELTIN
			I could explain it in greater detail, 
			if you're interested.  We were just 
			about to sit down for First Meal -- 
			why don't you join us?