Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series)

Battle Lines (1993)

Paul Collins: Zlangco

Photos 

Quotes 

• Zlangco : [to Sisko]  So, you are the leader of the aliens.

  Commander Sisko : Benjamin Sisko. I'm Commander of a Federation space station.

  Zlangco : Federation?

  Shel-la : What does it matter to us, Zlangco?

  Zlangco : It matters to me.

  Commander Sisko : The Federation is made up of over a hundred planets who have allied themselves for mutual scientific, cultural and defensive benefits. The mission that my people and I are on is to explore the galaxy.

  Zlangco : [unimpressed]  Such a noble purpose. They'll be no reward for our release, you know.

  Shel-la : You're being a fool, as usual.

  Zlangco : A fool... who has managed to outwit you, Shel-la... over and over again.

  Shel-la : [drawing his weapon]  If you care to die again Zlangco... all you have to do is ask.

  Commander Sisko : [before things escalate back into conflict, Sisko comes between them]  If you've had enough of this, then make your leaders stop and listen... you are fighting a war for the sake of war... your only reason to live is to make each other suffer. If you've suffered enough, then end this nightmare. I'm not here to be a mediator, but if you're asking for an alternative, I will give you one.

  Zlangco : We're listening.

  Commander Sisko : In a matter of days, when our rescue party arrives, I can arrange to transport you and your people off this moon... if both sides will simply stop the fighting until then.

  Shel-la : Zlangco, they will resettle us on different planets.

  Commander Sisko : If that's what you wish.

  Zlangco : [suspiciously]  The two of you seem to have discussed this plan in some detail.

  Shel-la : Of course. His crew has been with us for the last two days.

  Zlangco : [to Sisko]  Explain why you chose to ally yourselves with the Ennis.

  Commander Sisko : We have allied ourselves with no-one.

  Zlangco : One of your people fired a weapon at us.

  Commander Sisko : We were defending ourselves.

  Zlangco : I think you're lying.

  [turns to the Nol-Ennis] 

  Zlangco : I don't know the alien. But I know Shel-la. I know how his mind works. I promise you... this is an Ennis trick to lure our entire population out of hiding to be slaughtered.

  Commander Sisko : That's not true.

  Zlangco : Fine, then the Ennis will surely be willing to make the first gesture of peace. Let them bring all of their people out into the open first... to prove their honourable intentions.

  Shel-la : [laughing at the very idea of a peace agreement he never intended to pursue]  Do you think... that I would allow a single Nol... to escape this planet alive?

• Zlangco : No more than I would let an Ennis go free.

  [Zlangco spits on the ground in defiance and suddenly both sides attack each other]