The Morality Test

The Chief : 

O'Brien to Commander Sisko. 


The Sisko : 

Go ahead. 


The Chief : 

Sir, the Enterprise hailed us again. 

Captain Picard is waiting to see you. 


The Sisko : 

Acknowledged. 

This won't take long.

[Observation lounge]

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

Come. 
(Sisko enters) 


Commander. Yes, please, 

come in. Welcome to Bajor. 


( He misprounces it —

Pompous French prick. )

The Sisko : 

It's been a long 

time, Captain. 


Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

Have we met before? 


The Sisko : 

Yes, sir. We met in battle. 

I was on the Saratoga 

at Wolf 359. 


(Oh dear, he's still carrying 

a grudge. Big pause.)

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

I assume that you have been briefed on the events 

leading to the Cardassian withdrawal? 


The Sisko : 

Yes, sir. I understand they've 

spent the last half century 

robbing the planet of every 

valuable resource before 

abandoning it. 


Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

They've left the Bajorans without a means of being self-sustaining. 

The relief efforts we've been coordinating are barely adequate. 

I've come to know the Bajorans. I'm a strong proponent

for their entry into the Federation. 


The Sisko : 

Is it going to happen? 


Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

Not easily. The ruling parties 

are at each others throats. 

Factions that were united 

against the Cardassians 

have resumed old conflicts. 


The Sisko : 

Sounds like they're 

not ready.

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

Your job is to do everything short of violating 

The Prime Directive to make sure that they are. 

I have been made aware by Starfleet 

of your objections to this assignment. 

I would have thought that after three years 

spent at the Utopia Planitia yards, 

that you would be ready for a change. 


The Sisko : 

I have a son that I'm raising alone, Captain. 

This is not the ideal environment.

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

Unfortunately as Starfleet officers, we do not always 

have the luxury to serve in an ideal environment. 


The Sisko : 

I realise that, sir, and I'm investigating the possibility 

of returning to Earth for civilian service. 


Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

Then perhaps Starfleet Command should be 

considering a replacement for you. 


The Sisko : 

That's probably a good idea.

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

I'll look into it. In the meantime however
 —

The Sisko : 

In the meantime, I will do the job I've been 

ordered to do to the best of my ability, sir. 


Capt. Jean-Luc Picard : 

Dismissed.