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Apocalypse Rising

Last time on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...

( groaning )

Odo! What's wrong?

I... I don't know.

( yelling in pain )

I think you did this to me.

You killed a changeling, Odo.

That's why we forced you to return home... to enter the Great Link and be judged.

What have you done to him?

We made him a solid.

He's one of you now.

Captain...

I'm reading a heart... lungs... and a digestive system.

It's as if he were... human.

...will be considered the enemy and fired upon.

Captain... it's him.

Gowron? What about him?

During the Link,

I sensed that the other changelings were trying to hide things from me-- faces, names... one of them was him.

What are you saying?

I'm saying that he's one of them.

Gowron, the head of the Klingon Empire is a changeling.

( sighing )

Where are they?

They should've been back hours ago.

Maybe the meeting with Starfleet Command took longer than they thought it would.

Why haven't Sisko or Dax contacted us?

Well, the whole area they're traveling through is crawling with Klingon ships.

The second they use their subspace transmitter they become a target.

I never should've let them leave in a runabout.

I should've insisted that they take the Defiant.

You did. But the Captain's orders were clear.

As long as we're at war with the Klingons, we need the Defiant here to help protect the station.

All I know is, I'd hate to be dodging Klingon raiding parties in nothing but a runabout.

It would take a fleet of Klingon ships to breach the station's defenses.

I say we take the Defiant and go look for them.

I'm with Worf.

Glad the two of you are in agreement.

But, with the Captain gone, I am in charge of the station, and I say we stay.

You may be in charge of the station, Major, but I command the Defiant.

Mr. Worf, the Captain has given us our orders and I intend for us to follow them until he issues new ones.

O'BRIEN: Hold on a minute. I'm reading a warp signature approaching the station.

It is the Rio Grande. On screen.

Looks like they had a run-in with some Klingons.

Weapons systems, shields and com system are all pretty shot up.

Life signs?

Two: one human, one Trill.

Permission to welcome the Captain back on board.

Permission granted.

( sighing )

Glad you made it back in one piece. So are we.

How was your meeting with Starfleet Command?

I'm afraid the war is not going very well.

The Klingons are throwing everything they have at us.

Starfleet's been able to slow them down, but that's about all.

It's hard to believe one changeling could cause so much chaos.

He can if he's impersonating the leader of the Klingon Empire.

So is Starfleet going to do something about Chancellor Gowron or not?

Oh, they're going to do something.

Starfleet's sending an infiltration team to Klingon territory.

Their orders are to do whatever it takes to prove that Gowron's a shape-shifter.

Tough assignment.

Who are they sending?

Me.

Captain, you're just in time for Happy Hour.

Do I look happy, Quark?

You think any of these people looked happy when they walked in here?

How could they? There's a war going on.

But they come because they know I'll do everything in my power to help them forget their troubles.

For a reasonable fee, of course.

Now, what can I do for you?

I'm looking for Odo.

Oh, Captain, we all have our failures, and he's mine.

Ever since he lost his shape-shifting abilities,

I haven't been able to get a smile out of him.

Where is he? I'm telling you, Captain, that's one depressed ex-changeling.

He's upstairs at his usual table.

Just follow the black cloud.

Constable.

Listen, Captain... do you hear it?

( fizzing )

You mean the bubbles?

Soothing, isn't it?

You know, before I became a solid,

I never heard that.

I had no sense of taste so I never paid much attention to food or drink.

I had no idea how seductive they could be.

Ah...

Would you like me to get you a glass?

I'm on duty.

I'm not.

I thought you were always on duty.

Mm...

You know, at first,

I found the whole process of ingestion disgusting.

But now that I've gotten used to it,

I find eating and drinking to be quite comforting.

It's one of the few things that you... that we... humanoids... have control over.

Not necessarily.

There's always the temptation to eat too much, to drink too much.

One has to find something to do with one's time.

For some reason, my work isn't as... fulfilling as it used to be.

I might be able to do something about that.

Starfleet has ordered us to try to expose the Gowron changeling.

I want you to come with us.

Hmm.

Maybe it would be better for you to take Deputy Yndar.

There's nothing I can do that he can't.

I don't need Yndar. I need you.

What you need is someone who can turn into Gowron's pet targ.

I can't do that anymore.

What I need is my Chief of Security.

There will be a staff meeting at 1600 hours.

I expect you to be there.

According to Starfleet Intelligence

Chancellor Gowron has relocated

Klingon military headquarters to Ty'Gokor.

That will make our job more difficult.

Ty'Gokor is located in an asteroid field deep in Klingon space.

It is probably the most heavily fortified installation in the Empire.

There are at least 30 warships stationed there at any given time, and the entire asteroid field is protected by a tachyon detection grid.

O'BRIEN: Which means there's no way we can get a cloaked ship within transporter range.

Even if we do find a way inside, getting close to Gowron will not be easy.

He is guarded around the clock by his personal security force, the Yan-Isleth.

The Brotherhood of the Sword.

KIRA: Look, I don't want to sound negative but even if you do get to Gowron, how are you going to prove to the Klingons he's a changeling?

I doubt he's going to stand still and let us take a blood sample.

Klingons are obsessive about blood screenings.

If he's lasted this long, the changeling impersonating Gowron must've already found a way around them.

There is another option.

We could kill him.

Dead changelings do revert to their gelatinous state.

Our orders are to expose Gowron, not assassinate him.

Which is why Starfleet has given us these.

Very impressive. What are they?

They're modified polaron emitters.

SISKO: Starfleet Science thinks that exposure to polaron radiation will have a destabilizing effect on changeling physiology.

In other words, if we use these on Gowron and he is one of my people, he won't be able to retain his humanoid shape.

That's the theory. The problem is, for it to work properly, you have to activate all four emitters at once.

With this.

I hate prototypes.

Plus, too much polaron radiation can be fatal, which means we can only expose a person once.

Any more than that, changeling or not, and they could die from radiation poisoning.

The plan is to smuggle these into Ty'Gokor.

Once they're set up, they can cover about 12,000 cubic meters.

So, let me get this straight.

All we have to do is get past an enemy fleet, avoid a tachyon detection grid, beam into the middle of Klingon headquarters, and avoid the Brotherhood of the Sword long enough to set these things up and activate them in front of Gowron.

If we succeed... there will be many songs sung in our honor.

Let's hope we're there to hear them.

Well, the first problem is how to get you safely to Ty'Gokor.

That's one I think I can solve.

Major, I must say I'm shocked.

You use my daughter to lure me here, you're asking me to risk my ship on some fool's errand into the Klingon Empire, and you're pregnant.

I hope First Minister Shakaar appreciates what a lucky man he is.

Shakaar's not the father.

But then who is?

Chief O'Brien.

Promenade.

Well, at least there's one good thing about your condition.

You won't be going on this suicidal mission.

It may not be as hopeless as you think.

How can Sisko be so deluded to think that he and three of his crewmen can infiltrate Klingon military headquarters?

They'll be caught in a heartbeat.

Maybe... maybe not.

What's wrong, Dukat?

Haven't you ever seen a Klingon before?

( laughing )

I see we're all here.

The ship is ready for departure, sir.

At your convenience, Gul Dukat.

Captain, I insist we make a holographic record of the four of you.

Consider it payment in full for the use of my vessel.

Maybe after the mission.

After the mission, you'll all be dead.

Damar, let's not spoil this special moment with predictions of doom.

Even you have to appreciate the... audacity of Captain Sisko's plan.

Personally, I think we'd be better off launching an orbital assault on Gowron's Command Center.

A full spread of photon torpedoes would take care of him, the Klingon High Command and everyone else within a few hundred kilometers.

Ha! You should ask Dukat for some shore leave.

I think you've been in space too long.

( laughing ) Why?

Because I'm willing to spill a little Klingon blood to get the job done?

O'BRIEN: Shelling Ty'Gokor won't get the job done.

You'd be lucky to launch one torpedo before they shot you down.

Besides, even a dozen won't penetrate the shielding around the Command Center.

Thank you for your input, Mr. Damar, but we'll stick to the original plan.

Have you made any progress with our Klingon identity files?

Oh, don't worry, Captain. By the time we get to Ty'Gokor, we'll have something suitably impressive to plant in their central computer system.

Our names should be added to the list of candidates for the Order of the Bat'leth.

"The Order of the Bat'leth"?

Don't you think you might be overdoing it?

They'll be inducting some new members in a few days, and Chancellor Gowron will be presiding over the ceremony.

That should make for a very interesting evening.

Here are the results of the crew physicals.

Ah. Anything interesting?

Lieutenant Vilix'pran is budding again.

You're kidding. How many will this make?

Oh, let's see now-- he had two from the last litter... four before that-- could be anywhere from eight to 18.

He'll need bigger quarters again.

He said the request will be on your desk in the morning.

( sighs ): Eighteen?!

I just hope I can survive one.

You're doing great. Oh, I don't feel great.

You're... positively glowing.

Oh, really?

I think so, but then I suppose my opinion doesn't really count.

Oh, it counts, but don't forget--

this is still your fault.

My fault?!

You performed the transfer from Keiko to me.

After you volunteered.

After you put the idea in my head.

After you flew the runabout into an asteroid field.

After you insisted we check on those anomalous bio-scans.

That was Keiko! That's right, it was, but I'd rather blame you!

Whatever makes you happy.

I never argue with my patients or my commanding officer.

You think they'll make it?

They'll make it.

Question is:

Will you be able to give them their old faces back?

We shall start with you.

I am waiting.

I don't understand.

I am not interested in excuses.

Are you a Klingon warrior or an Alverian dung beetle?

I really don't see the point...

Do not look away from me.

I called you a dung beetle. I heard you.

And what is your response?

You should have your eyes examined.

( chuckling )

This is not going to work.

It is not enough to look like a Klingon-- one must act like one.

Perhaps it is better if I went...

( yells )

Are you questioning the validity of my plan?!

Very convincing, Captain.

But was it your intention to challenge me to a battle to the death? No, not at all.

Then next time, do not strike me with the back of your hand.

Use your fist.

This is more complicated than I thought.

You should think twice before insulting a Klingon like that.

What did I do? Look at you-- you stand so far away from me.

You speak so softly.

Are you afraid of me or just disgusted by my presence?

( shouting ): Klingon warriors speak proudly to each other!

They do not whisper or keep their distance!

Sorry!

( growls )

I'll do better next time.

Keep practicing.

Constable?

Captain...

I have no business being on this mission.

I'm not a very convincing Klingon.

Then you better work on becoming one because, like it or not, you are on this mission.

I'd hate to be the reason it fails.

Let me worry about that.

( sighs )

Odo... I know this has been a difficult time for you-- that you would have never chosen to become a solid-- but what's done is done.

Brooding about it isn't going to change anything and shirking your responsibilities isn't going to make you feel better about yourself.

No...

I don't suppose it will.

Then I suggest you get back in there and do your job.

( alarm sounding )

What's going on, Dukat?

We're being hailed by another bird-of-prey.

ODO: What are you doing about it?

We're hailing them back.

I wouldn't worry-- this happens all the time.

DAMAR: Sir, they're requesting visual contact.

By all means.

It's a shame you can't see the holo-image I'm projecting over the com system.

I make quite an imposing Klingon.

Sir, the holo-filter's not working.

What do you mean it's not working?

Let me take a look at it.

Sir, they're repeating the request.

The optronic relays are fused.

Maybe Worf should speak to them.

I might be able to convince...

I have a better idea.

You should have let me speak to them.

Was that really necessary?! It was either that, or trust in Mr. Worf's ability to lie, and frankly, I have more faith in my weapons.

Get us out of here, Damar.

I want to put as much distance between us and that wreckage as possible.

I hope I remember how to set this thing up.

If that is a joke, I am not amused.

It's not easy being funny wearing these teeth.

Well, Captain, I've enjoyed your company as always, but it appears it is time we said good-bye.

I don't envy your assignment.

Orbiting this place for the next day or so won't be the safest job in the galaxy either.

Which is why we'll be leaving as soon as you beam down.

Leaving? For how long?

I really don't see any pressing need to come back.

That's not what we agreed to.

I realize that.

But how long do you think we can stay here undetected without the holo-filter?

Besides, if you succeed, the war will be over and you won't need us.

And if you fail...

Did you add our names to the Commendation List?

I haven't survived this long by being sloppy, Mr. Worf.

And now...

Jodmos, son of Kobor... your medal awaits you.

Cho'Ghos!

( boisterous voices and laughter )

( singing in Klingon )

Oh.

( growls )

( laughing )

( chuckles halfheartedly )

You all right?

I'm fine.

I just wish they'd stop ringing that bell.

( laughs )

The Hall of Warriors.

You can smell the blood of history in these stones.

Come. We must celebrate.

t'QaH!

Now what?

Now... we celebrate!

( approving grunts )

How's the view?

You know, you can tell a lot about people's moods just by watching them walk on the Promenade.

When things are going good, people take their time... window shop, talk to their friends.

( sighs ): And then there's days like today.

Everybody's in a hurry.

They can feel the Klingons breathing down their necks.

Well, I shall have to remember to walk a little slower.

"Show no fear." That's my motto.

KIRA: Ops to Dr. Bashir.

Go ahead, Major. Report to the Infirmary.

The Armstrong and the Drake were ambushed by a Klingon battle group and they took heavy casualties.

They'll be docking in a few minutes.

I'm on my way.

Your father's going to be all right, Jake.

I suppose.

But sometimes I wish that he wasn't so good at his job.

That way, maybe every once in a while they'd give someone else the tough assignments.

He goes where he's sent.

It's all a part of wearing the uniform, and I doubt that's ever going to change.

KLINGON: I was the first to board their starship.

With one blow from my Bat'leth,

I beheaded their helmsman, a Tellarite.

The pig didn't even have time to raise his weapon.

Well, then, I turned my attention to the Captain, a Benzenite named Laporin.

Ah, he put up a valiant struggle, but in the end, I ripped the breathing tubes from his head and...

( imitates slicing sound )

( laughing )

Brag all you want, but don't get between me and the bloodwine!

( laughing and cheering )

KLINGON: Qapla'!

You knew Captain Laporin?

We went to the Academy together.

How long before Gowron gets here?

Many hours. He will not appear until tomorrow morning, at the earliest.

This is... an endurance test as much as it is a celebration.

It's part of the Initiation Rite for the Order of the Bat'leth.

The idea is to eat, drink, stay awake all night and still be clear-eyed when Gowron arrives for the ceremony.

So, when do we set up the emitters?

Not until morning. I don't want to take the chance of anyone spotting them once they're in place.

In that case, we might as well drink up.

( sighing ): It's a pity it doesn't have any bubbles.

( chuckling )

( loud laughter )

( grunting )

You know, I think I'm actually beginning to like bloodwine.

It's really not too bad, except for the taste.

Just be thankful the anti-intoxicant we took is still working.

Or you would be so drunk you would not be able to stand.

( grunts ) ( chuckling )

Not bad.

Captain of the Academy wrestling team...

22 years ago.

Ow!

KLINGON: General Martok!

Martok!

Hail Martok!

( cheering )

The General!

( cheering )

Captain.

I see him.

What if he recognizes us?

Then we'll have come a long way for nothing.

( cheering continues )

Qapla'. Qapla'.

Qapla'. Qapla'.

Qapla'.

If Martok is here, Gowron will not be far behind.

Let's get it done.

Hold on there.

Don't I know you?

I would be honored to think so.

I know we have met.

I am Pahash of the House of Konjah.

The name is not familiar to me, but there is something about you...

Perhaps we met on the battlefield.

My regiment fought at Mempa.

Mempa!

Many noble deeds were done on that dark day.

And yours have become legend.

Mempa... yes, that must be it.

After the ceremony, would you honor me with a drink?

We will salute the fallen.

There is something... very familiar about this face.

( grunts )

Hey, where's Gowron?

What is this?

Get away from me or you won't live to see Gowron.

I'll take that.

This looks like some sort of weapon.

Kodrak, my brother!

Ah, you found it.

Found what?

It is a tinghamut.

A what?

A Vulcan toy for children.

The spoils of war from the raid on Archanis.

If you want one, you will have to find your own.

Give this to your son.

I'll make sure he gets it.

( cheering )

Hail Gowron!

Gowron!

Gowron!

Long live Gowron!

Long live the Empire!

( cheering )

Klingon warriors, I salute you!

At least those of you still on your feet.

( laughing )

This is a great day for the Empire, a day when we honor you who have brought us glory, whose deeds of valor will live on in song and story!

( cheering )

And so, now, here, in this hallowed hall, under the watchful gaze of our greatest heroes you will receive the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Klingon-- the Order of the Bat'leth!

( all cheering )

( chanting ): Gowron! Gowron!

Gowron!

Come forward, H'Ta, son of Kahmar.

Glory to you and your House.

This is my place! Step down.

Find another.

MARTOK: Come forward, T'Vis, son of Barot.

( cheering )

That won't be necessary.

GOWRON: Glory to you and your House.

Come forward, Huss, daughter of Altrom.

KLINGON: She brings honor to our House! zGOWRON: Glory to you and your House.

Come forward, Jodmos, son of Kobor.

( cheering )

Glory to you and your House.

Captain Benjamin Sisko.

I knew I recognized that face.

Seal the room!

It seems we have some uninvited guests.

MARTOK: Captain, you have no idea how much I've looked forward to killing you in battle.

And now your foolishness has cheated me of that pleasure.

I'm sorry to disappoint you.

( growls )

Leave us.

You heard me!

( quietly ): Don't you understand?

You've thrown your lives away for nothing.

Or did you really think you could fool us into believing that Chancellor Gowron was a Dominion spy?

Gowron is the one who's fooling you.

And as long as you follow him, the Empire will be nothing but a pawn of the Founders.

Where's your proof?!

You want proof? Take our polaron emitters and use them on Gowron.

Gowron had your equipment destroyed.

O'BRIEN: Of course he did.

He had to make sure he couldn't be tested.

Captain, your mission was a failure.

For that, you deserve to die.

Would you be happier if we'd succeeded?

I am a loyal officer of the Empire.

You think we're right, don't you?

You believe that Gowron is a changeling, too.

That would be treason!

Since when is it treasonous to act in the best interests of the Empire?

How long have you suspected?

Months.

I've known Gowron a long time, and it is no secret that we have not always agreed on the way he runs the Empire.

He is a politician.

Too eager to compromise, too eager to talk.

Last year, he stopped the attack on Deep Space 9 instead of going to war with the Federation, and then he changed.

Suddenly, he was the one calling for war.

I would've thought that would make you happy.

At first it did. But after the war began, he started ignoring the counsel of his generals throwing aside all wisdom in his pursuit of victory.

Our losses continue to mount and still he listens to no one.

No one but the Founders.

There is only one certain way to expose Gowron for what he really is.

To prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a changeling.

Gowron... must die.

Once he's dead, he'll revert to his natural form and all doubt will be eliminated.

DYou could challenge him to honorable combat.

There will be no honorable combat no formal challenges.

I will release you and help you reach the Hall of Warriors and then... you will kill him.

( pounding )

The prisoners will come with me for further interrogation.

General, I have strict orders from Gowron himself.

The prisoners are not to leave this cell.

I see.

Well, we wouldn't want to disobey the Chancellor.

Follow me.

What? Another toast?

Then let us salute Rurik the Damned conqueror of the Zora Fel, liberator of Vrax.

For the Empire.

Let's go.

Not you.

There's no telling where your loyalties lie.

What is this?

It is your death!

No!

Lower your weapons.

If this traitor wants a fight,

I will give him one.

You want to kill me, Worf?

You're welcome to try.

What are they doing?

Why doesn't Sisko just shoot him?

I have a better question. Why isn't Gowron letting his bodyguards kill Worf?

I'll tell you why. Klingon honor.

A concept you should be very familiar with.

My people, on the other hand don't care about honor.

How did you put it? "There will be no honorable combat, no formal challenges."

Hardly the words of a Klingon.

Tell me, General, did Gowron destroy the polaron emitters, or did you?

( growling )

ODO: Worf, stop!

Martok's the changeling!

Well, looks like we found our changeling after all.

So the Founders mislead Odo into thinking I was a spy, hoping that you'd eliminate me and pave the way for that thing imitating Martok to take over the Empire.

That way, the war between the Federation and the Klingons would continue until both sides were destroyed.

Leaving the Alpha Quadrant wide open for a Dominion invasion.

That seems to have been their plan.

And we played right into it.

But they sorely underestimated Odo here.

Thank you.

If we really want to strike a blow against the Founders, we have to find a way to end this war.

That may not be possible. WORF: Why not?

You told us that the Martok changeling was the one who pushed for the attack on the Federation.

True, but if your Klingon blood wasn't so thin, you'd know that once battle has begun there can be no turning back. You want the war to end?

Then the Federation must allow us to annex Archanis and the other worlds we've seized.

I wouldn't count on that.

But if the fighting stops and the negotiations begin...

Ah, yes. Talk.

That's right-- talk.

The last thing the Dominion wants.

I will call a meeting of the High Council.

Advise a temporary cease-fire.

Where Gowron leads, the Council will follow.

Perhaps. I'll see to it that you're safely delivered back to that space station of yours.

I'd appreciate that.

You have done a great service to the Empire.

For that, I thank you.

As for you... you should have killed me when you had the chance.

I promise you won't get another.

Now, that's better, isn't it?

I don't know. I could do without the ridges, but...

I kind of miss the fangs.

( chuckles )

Well, that leaves you, Odo.

It's about time.

I, for one, won't miss the fangs at all.

Well, you know, Constable, I can give you any face you like--

Bajoran, human, Trill.

My old face will do very nicely, thank you.

You heard the man.

Whatever you say.