23:[4,#b],217:[1,#b]
    DEEP SPACE NINE: "The Darkness... " - REV. 11/01/96 - ACT FIVE   53.

46   CONTINUED:	(4)

					KIRA 
			What does that mean? 
				(silence)
			What does that mean?

					SILARAN'S VOICE
			The creature's diseased mind 
			cannot understand its plight... 
			its imagination is too limited to 
			perceive the truth. It cannot be 
			saved. But there is still hope 
			for its child. It can be taken 
			from the womb and raised in the 
			light.

	A chill runs down Kira's spine as she realizes what 
	he's planning to do. A note of desperation now creeps 
	into her voice.

					KIRA 
			Silaran, listen to me. The child 
			I'm carrying isn't Bajoran, it's 
			Human. It has unique medical 
			needs. If you try to force me to 
			give birth now you risk--

					SILARAN'S VOICE
			The creature's cries grow louder, 
			but no one can hear them. All 
			that remains is to bring the child 
			into the light... and discard the 
			diseased carcass of the mother... 
			before it can infect the offspring.

					KIRA
			You can't bring it into the light! 
			Not yet! Doctor Bashir said I 
			needed at least three more weeks 
			before--

	Kira breaks off as Silaran pushes a cart bearing 
	various medical DEVICES into the pool of light near the chair.

					KIRA 
			We both agree that this baby is an 
			innocent. Don't put him at risk. 
			Please, Silaran.

					SILARAN
			Don't worry. I promise that I'll 
			take care of the child... and that 
			I'll teach him the difference 
			between darkness and light.