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Soldiers of the Empire

Another three centimeters to the right and you would have severed your brachial artery.

Autosuture, please. And if that had happened, you would have bled to death right there in the holosuite.

( groans ): The human fascination with "what might have been" is tiresome, Doctor.

The artery is not severed and I am not dead.

Oh, well, forgive me for boring you.

Let me get straight to the point.

You're acting like a fool.

Your observation is noted.

But spending two years in a Dominion prison camp has dulled my reflexes.

This only proves that I need further training.

Turning off the holosuite safety protocols during a battle simulation is, at best, dubious.

For a man with only one eye, it's positively idiotic.

Now, if you would consider ocular replacement--

I do not want an artificial eye!

Then you must accept the fact that you have a disability and stop acting like--

There are limits as to how far I will indulge you, Doctor.

OPS: General Martok, there is a priority message for you from the Klingon High Council.

We're done here.

Route the message to my quarters.

Acknowledged.

Doctor... thank you.

If you really want to thank me, don't walk in here dripping blood anymore.

It takes days to get it out of the carpet.

( growling )

Check it now.

Still no increase in phaser relay efficiency, sir.

The through-put reading is steady at 148.7.

Have you initialized the interface program?

Yes, and then I charged the prefire chamber and recalibrated the emitter stage.

This thing just doesn't work!

Sir.

Very well.

We'll start over. Go to the Engine Room and download the operating system into the computer core, but this time do it one file at a time.

Aye, sir.

Good evening, General. Cadet.

General.

I did not expect you until 2200 hours.

I must cancel our appointment.

I've received new orders from the High Council-- a mission of some importance.

I must prepare. Of course.

May glory and honor follow you on your journey.

Ah... excuse me, sirs?

Could I just slip by?

( nervous chuckle )

How is the shoulder?

Oh, Dr. Bashir made the necessary repairs.

I told him it was a holosuite accident.

He would not understand the need to draw blood in a warrior's training exercise.

Few humans would. However,

I do apologize again for the inconvenience.

I did not intend to cause so much damage.

I was the one who did not parry the blow in time.

A simple, foolish mistake, one that I would not have made two years ago.

Can you discuss the mission?

Three days ago, the Battle Cruiser B'Moth began a patrol along the Cardassian border.

They have not been heard from since.

They are now reported as missing.

It is possible she was destroyed by the Dominion.

The Jem'Hadar attacked a Federation starship near the border less than a week ago.

That is our assumption as well, but we must be sure.

So I have been given command of a bird-of-prey-- the Rotarran-- to conduct a search for the B'Moth.

This is the first time I will have led troops in the field since... my confinement by the Dominion.

It must be an exciting prospect.

I tell you, Worf-- without shame-- there were days in that prison camp when the thought that I would never again set foot in a Klingon vessel made me weep like an old woman.

I envy you the days ahead.

It will be a glorious adventure.

An adventure that we could share, my friend.

I need someone I can trust at my side someone whose loyalty I can count on.

Worf, son of Mogh,

I ask you to join me on this mission as my friend... and as my First Officer.

I've told the General that I'm inclined to grant his request for your services, Commander.

I can certainly understand why he wants you along.

You're a fine officer.

But I'm not sure why you want to go on this mission.

It is a great honor to be asked to serve under General Martok.

And he saved my life in the Dominion prison camp.

Oh? You didn't put that in your mission report.

It was a personal matter.

Not something that belongs in an official report.

Go on.

You know that I was forced to fight the Jem'Hadar guards in the camp.

Each day they would call me to the ring, and each day I would fight, but then there came a day when I... wavered.

You mean you didn't want to go back into the ring?

No. I mean I considered letting them kill me.

It seemed like the only way out.

Just before I went into the ring,

Martok turned to wish me success, and then he saw what I was planning-- he saw it in my eyes.

It was a moment of tova'dok.

Of what?

There is no human word for it.

It is a moment of... clarity between two warriors on a field of battle.

Much is said without the need for words.

In that moment, he knew what was in my mind.

Once I realized that he saw my intention to give up,

I could no longer go through with it.

I went back into the ring and fought once more.

He had given me his warrior's heart.

Perhaps it is something a human cannot understand.

As of this moment, you are relieved of all Starfleet obligations and placed on detached service to the Imperial Klingon Defense Forces.

Thank you, sir.

Mr. Worf.

Qapla'!

Qapla'!

The revised duty roster.

Read it and weep.

Small arms recalibration?

Does that mean all the small arms on the station?

Afraid so. And I need an experienced combat officer to do it.

Worf has already set up the parameters.

All you need to do is make sure it gets done.

I'm the new Intelligence Officer?

( Dax and O'Brien snicker )

It has to be a Starfleet officer with a level-4 security clearance.

That means either you or Dax, and I need Dax to take over as Fleet Liaison Officer.

Beats retuning phaser rifles.

Well, I certainly hope Worf's enjoying himself while we're stuck here taking over his duties.

Julian, have you ever been on a Klingon ship?

If you think the Defiant is cramped and uncomfortable, try spending a week on a bird-of-prey.

Worf isn't exactly taking a luxury cruise.

Serving on a Klingon ship is like being with a gang of ancient sea pirates.

You advance in rank by killing the people above you.

So everywhere you turn you're surrounded by potential assassins.

Well, that's crazy. How can a ship function like that?

It's not quite that chaotic.

The social and military hierarchy of a Klingon vessel is very strictly enforced.

A subordinate can only challenge a direct superior, and only under certain conditions.

What sort of "conditions"?

Dereliction of duty, dishonorable conduct, cowardice...

Cowardice? A Klingon?

It's been known to happen.

The Klingons are as diverse a people as any.

Some of them are strong, and some of them are weak.

I'd say those two definitely fall into the strong category.

Trouble? Not yet.

I can see why they caught your attention.

Are they off Martok's new ship?

Just docked.

They seem quiet enough.

For the moment, maybe, but you see the one on the left wearing the necklace?

Yes.

Those are neck bones...

Cardassian neck bones.

Decided not to wear the sash after all?

Officially, there is no House of Mogh in the Empire, so I saw little point in wearing its emblem on a Klingon ship.

How do you think the crew's going to feel about serving under a man without a House?

How they feel is unimportant.

All I require from them is obedience.

Spoken like an uncaring, hard-nosed autocrat-- the quintessential First Officer.

I-I do not wish to have a lengthy good-bye.

I wasn't planning on having one.

Good.

( airlock doors open )

Jadzia. Yes.

I think it would be better to part company here on the station.

Oh, I'm coming with you. What?

The Rotarran is shorthanded, and I still have four months' leave coming.

And I've already cleared it with Martok and Benjamin.

I'm your new Science Officer.

Why did you not tell me?

It's more fun this way.

And, after getting a good look at a couple members of the Rotarran's crew,

I don't think we're going to be having a lot of fun on this mission.

Boo!

( laughing )

Ros-te-ka cha'Domak ootha Trill?

I am Tavana, Engineering Officer.

I'm Jadzia Dax, Science Officer.

Dax? Are you related to the great Curzon Dax?

Curzon was the last host for my symbiont.

I carry his memories. Ah!

My mother met the great Curzon on the Homeworld once.

She said he was very taken with her.

Curzon was very "taken" with many people.

So was my mother.

( both laughing )

I am Worf, son of Mogh.

I now take my place as First Officer.

I serve the Captain, but I stand for the crew.

Who brings the record of battle for this ship?

I, Kornan, son of Shovak,

Weapon's Officer of the ship of Rotarran, present the glorious record of our honor and hope that you may find us worthy of your leadership.

If you're looking for victories, you won't find any.

Not for the last seven months.

I do not need help recognizing a list of failures.

It is clear to me that none of you are worthy of my blood or my life.

But I will stand for you, and together, we will restore honor to this ship and bring glory to the Empire.

Ah...

I have accepted the crew's battle records, and on their behalf, I pledge you our lives and ask that you lead us as Commander of this ship.

I accept your lives into my hands.

De-lak DoH!

WORF: Clear all moorings.

Release docking clamps.

CREWMAN: Docking clamps released.

Bow thrusters ahead one half.

We have cleared the docking ring.

Ahead one-quarter impulse.

Helmsman, plot a direct course to the last known position of the B'Moth, maximum warp.

No. That would take us through the Tong Beak Nebula.

I want to go around the nebula.

General, that will add a full day to our journey.

I'm aware of that.

There are reports of the Dominion operating ships in the nebula.

I would like to avoid a fight with the Jem'Hadar.

You wish to...

avoid a fight?

Your tone does not sit well with me, Helmsman.

Our mission is to find the B'Moth, not to satisfy your warrior's pride.

My apologies, sir. I meant no disrespect.

Then follow your orders and lay in a course.

Maximum warp.

Yes, Commander.

Maximum warp, around... the nebula.

Helm ready.

( growling )

Mahk-cha.

♪ KoI KeH less pooK loaD ♪

( Dax joining in ): ♪ KoI pooK beH poo ♪

♪ Yoch bow math bow je Shuv weee ♪

♪ Say moach chu may ew ♪

♪ mah Shoov, maH nong, ej ma choch chew ♪

( crew join in listlessly ): ♪ nee beH yIn maHj ach wov, coo! ♪

♪ bath ma cheth bejj, ej yo' ♪

♪ Keej DaHk, vav poo ma Dee muv ♪

♪ pa-rech ma Shoov tach Koo ♪

♪ ma mev Ko'ma Shoov tach ma ov... ♪

♪ KoI KeH less... ♪

Maybe you didn't read the crew roster, but my name is Dax, and I'm the new Science Officer on this garbage scow, and you were in my seat.

( groaning )

I'm glad we understand each other.

Now get... down to the other end where you belong.

Stewed bok-rat liver?

It's not very fresh.

With a little bloodwine, it might be acceptable.

Ha. There's been no bloodwine on this ship for six months.

Really?

Then I'm glad I brought three barrels aboard before we left Deep Space 9.

Three barrels?

"Dishonorable conduct.

"Dereliction of duty.

"Inattention to orders.

"Unmotivated.

Insufficiently aggressive."

These personnel reports read like prison records.

We should remember that the Rotarran has been defeated again and again by the Jem'Hadar.

It is not surprising the crew morale has suffered.

It's more than a case of low morale, Worf.

This crew has been defeated so many times, they expect defeat, and that is dangerous.

They need a victory.

One decisive battle against the Jem'Hadar would do much to lift their spirits.

And mine.

No one hungers for a victory over the Jem'Hadar more than I do-- no one-- but we must be cautious.

We cannot risk taking this crew into combat before they're ready.

They will be ready. I will see to that.

I know you will, my friend.

Together, we will make the Rotarran an honorable ship again, a ship worthy of the Empire.

You may return to your station.

The Cardassians were trapped between us and the asteroid field.

It was perfect. Their power was failing.

They had no other ships nearby, and our weapons were fully charged.

And we were still denied a victory.

Three Jem'Hadar ships appeared from out of the asteroid field.

Three to one are long odds.

I'd say you did well just... getting away with your ship in one piece.

Getting away is something we've become very good at.

The Rotarran can run away from battle faster than any ship in the Quadrant.

You never could handle your bloodwine, Leskit.

You sound like a sniveling Ferengi crying about lost profit.

That's supposed to wound my pride, but Tavana has forgotten that no one serving on the Rotarran has any pride left.

Does that include me?

I do not wish to insult someone who brought me wine, but one does wonder why the successor to the great Curzon Dax would consent to serve upon a ship like this.

It's no mystery.

She's the parmach'kai of our new First Officer.

I heard it on the space station before we left.

Worf is only part of the reason I'm here.

I think it is an honor to serve under General Martok.

You mean the one-eyed giant? ( laughter )

I wouldn't let him hear you say that.

He won't.

Unless Worf is not the only one you're sharing a bed with this trip.

On this trip, my bed is as empty as yours, Leskit, except mine is empty by choice.

( crew laughing )

Now, that is a sound I haven't heard on this ship for a long time.

It won't last.

This ship is made for tears, not laughter.

You're really not much fun at parties, are you, Kornan?

Make your jokes.

Hold off fate for another day if you can, but this ship and all the souls within its hull are cursed.

Death and dishonor walk these corridors like members of the crew.

Aw, you talk too much, Kornan.

Tell me you don't believe it, too.

( equipment powers up )

We've cloaked.

WORF: Alert Status One.

A Jem'Hadar patrol ship is directly ahead.

Prepare for combat operations.

( alarm blares )

Now you will see.

Either death or dishonor will visit us this day, and there will be nothing that you or I or any of us can do about it.

MARTOK: What are they doing here this far from the Cardassian border?

DAX: They're conducting active polaron scans of this sector.

It's likely they're on some kind of reconnaissance mission.

Can their scans penetrate our cloak?

I'd say there's less than a three percent chance of detection.

What's our weapons status?

Torpedo bays are loaded. Warheads are armed.

Disruptors are locked on target.

They've increased speed.

They're beginning to pull away.

Shall I match velocity?

No.

Take us back to our original course.

Forgive this unworthy officer's poor hearing, but what was your order?

Take us back to our original course!

Our priority is to find the B'Moth.

Sir, we have them in our sights.

They cannot escape if-- No, Worf.

But letting the ship go--

Do not question me!

Is the course laid in?

Yes, Captain.

I await your next command.

Engage.

MARTOK: Stand down from Alert Status.

You have the Bridge.

Commander.

That was a mistake.

We shouldn't have let them go.

Our orders are to find the B'Moth, not seek combat.

It was a prudent decision.

To hell with prudence.

This isn't a Federation starship.

This is a Klingon bird-of-prey.

We could've had an easy victory, and in case you haven't noticed, this crew could use a victory.

Enough. You may be my parmach'kai, but that does not give you the right--

I'm an officer on this ship, and I am trying to warn my superior that a dangerous situation is developing and that he'd better do something about it.

What do you mean "dangerous"?

Take a good look around you, Commander.

Maybe it's just me, but I think we're in trouble.

I brought you here to support me, not to undermine my authority.

I am simply trying to point out that we had an opportunity to destroy an enemy ship with little risk to ourselves.

Little risk?

What if they'd have gotten off a distress call before we could destroy them?

They could have given away our position, called in reinforcements.

We would have spent the next three days avoiding Jem'Hadar ships, instead of carrying out our mission.

No, my friend.

No...

This was not the right time for battle.

You question my judgment in this matter?

No. Good.

Without your support, I cannot command this ship.

Tell me... that I have not made a mistake in making you my First Officer.

You have my full support, General.

I knew you would not fail me, Worf, and you can rest assured, I will not fail you.

LESKIT: Two years, I spent on the Cardassian border.

Two years fighting Guls and Legates and Glinns.

They were cunning enemies.

Always had us chasing holo-projections and sensor ghosts.

Everything was a game with them.

Always had a plan within a plan within a plan, leading to a trap.

It was an honor to kill them.

( spits )

The Cardassians.

Ah!

But you can respect a Cardassian because he fights for his people and he follows a code, just like we do, but not the soldiers of the Dominion, not the Jem'Hadar.

No. They don't fight for anything.

They fight because they're designed that way, because they're programmed to fight.

They have no honor.

You're right.

That's why they're better than us.

That's enough. You're on duty in an hour, and you--

Ah, the Trill doesn't want you to know the truth, my young friend, but you deserve to know-- the Jem'Hadar are smarter, they're faster, and they're stronger than we are.

How can you say these things?!

He's drunk. Ignore him.

No! You listen!

Listen and maybe learn something!

The Jem'Hadar are the future!

Shut up, Leskit.

You know why?

Because they can break us.

Just like they broke Martok. That's enough!

She doesn't want you to know the truth.

Martok fears them.

That's why we didn't attack them.

Martok fears them!

( growls )

( yelling )

Dax. Dax?

What happened? Are you all right?

I had to take Ortakin to surgery.

Kornan almost killed him.

Why? Because Leskit was drunk.

I do not understand. No, you don't understand because you're too busy worrying about Martok while the crew is falling apart.

Kornan needed to attack someone, and he lost control, but this is only the beginning.

This crew has lost half a dozen separate actions to the Jem'Hadar.

The casualty list is as long as my arm, and now they're serving under a man who seems to have left more behind than just an eye in that prison camp.

Do not speak of the Captain in that manner.

Not while I am First Officer.

Look, I like Martok, but this crew needs a leader, someone who'll remind them of their duty as soldiers of the Empire, and they need that leader right now or I promise you, they will explode.

It will not come to that!

I know Martok.

He is a great man.

He will not fail us, but we must give him time.

Time may be the one thing we don't have, Worf.

What happened in that mess hall could happen all over this ship, and if you think the blood looks bad on my uniform, wait until the decks are dripping with it.

DAX: Commander, I'm picking up a Klingon distress call.

It's very faint, but I might be able to...

It's the B'Moth.

They were attacked... by the Jem'Hadar and lost main power.

Heavy casualties.

At least 30 survivors.

In need of assistance.

Emergency power's failing.

The message repeats. Location?

The signal is coming from 055 mark 342.

Distance-- at least seven light years.

Helm, alter course to 055 mark 342.

Understood.

I will inform the General.

Engineer, you have the Bridge.

I want to thank you for what you did in the mess hall.

Is Ortakin your parmach'kai?

Things are coming to a head on this ship.

When the fighting breaks out, stay with me.

I'll protect you.

I was still hoping there wasn't going to be any fighting.

( door opens )

Station.

Station!

Something is wrong here, Worf. I can feel it.

If the B'Moth was attacked by the Jem'Hadar, why would there be survivors?

Since we do not know any details of the battles, it is difficult to speculate.

We both know the Jem'Hadar do not leave a task half-finished.

If they left the ship intact and part of the crew still alive, they did it for a reason.

There could be many explanations.

The B'Moth could have inflicted heavy damage on the Jem'Hadar ships, forcing them to withdraw.

The Jem'Hadar could have been recalled--

How is it that I have only one eye but I can see more clearly than anyone around me?

They deliberately left survivors on that ship.

Why? Because they want someone to try to rescue them.

Oh, do not take this personally, my friend.

I spent two years with the Jem'Hadar.

I do not expect you to have the same insight into them that I do.

They're soulless creatures, Worf.

Fighting for no goal, no purpose except to serve the Founders.

They take no pleasure in what they do.

Nothing is glorified, nothing affirmed.

To the Jem'Hadar, we are nothing more than... than targets to be destroyed.

I must not let them destroy us, Worf--

With all due respect, General, we do not know the tactical situation of the B'Moth yet.

We should guard against making any premature judgments.

Of course.

Dismissed.

WORF: Rotarran Combat Log,

the 53rd day in the year of Kahless 999.

We have reached the Cardassian border

and begun our search for the B'Moth.

Helm... keep us at least five million kellicams from the border.

Understood.

DAX: I think I've got something.

It's hard to make out through all the interference, but the thermal signature looks like a ship.

It's bearing direct to starboard at an elevation of 25 degrees.

It's coming into visual range.

On screen.

TAVANA: The B'Moth. Confirmed.

Helm, lay in a course to bring us alongside.

Bridge to Medical Ward. Prepare to receive casualties.

Assemble an armed boarding party in Transporter Room 1.

Make a complete search of all the habitable areas--

Hold.

Commander Dax, what side of the border are they on?

They're 500,000 kellicams inside Cardassian territory, sir.

They must have drifted across a couple of days ago.

There are probably five Jem'Hadar warships out there right now just waiting for us to cross the border.

General, if they are nearby, they do not care what side of the border we are on.

They will simply attack.

I have explicit orders from the High Council not to enter Cardassian territory.

I am certain the High Council will not object under these circumstances.

There are still survivors aboard the B'Moth.

We do not know that.

All that we know is there is an automated distress call.

They could all be dead by now. And if they are not?

Then there is nothing we can do for them.

General, you don't intend to just leave them there?

I will not throw away the lives of this crew in a futile rescue attempt.

They are Klingon warriors. We just cannot sit--

I have made my decision! We will not cross the border!

From this moment, anyone who questions that--

anyone-- will be charged with treasonable disobedience.

Worf... you have the Bridge.

( Leskit chuckling )

Stations!

Stations!

We can't just leave those men out there to die.

No.

So what are you going to do?

The only thing I can do-- challenge Martok for command of the ship.

I agree.

But you realize, he may not step aside willingly.

I know.

But if the General will not step aside...

I will have to kill him.

Martok must die.

That is not your decision.

He is a coward.

While he commands, he dishonors us all.

I shed no tears for your dishonor, Leskit.

Today would be a bad day to die, son of Mogh.

Take your Trill and go.

Unlikely.

I was hoping you would say something like that.

( door opens )

Alert Status One.

All hands to battle stations.

We are going to rescue the survivors of the B'Moth.

( alarm blares )

Who gave the order...? What's going on here?

As First Officer, I say that you are unfit to serve as Captain.

You what?

You are a coward, and I challenge you for command of this ship.

I never would have expected this from you, Worf.

( grunting )

( Klingons yelling )

( whooping )

( roaring )

( straining groan )

( battle yell )

( chanting :) Martok, Martok, Martok, Martok...

Tactical alert! Tactical alert!

There is a Jem'Hadar warship bearing 180 mark 215.

They will be within weapons range in nine minutes.

The Jem'Hadar will soon learn to regret this day.

Who is with me?!

Tavana!

Sometimes... I think I know why I love you.

Let's go to the Medical Ward.

KORNAN: Shields and weapons ready.

Wait.

LESKIT: Intercept course laid in.

♪ KoI KeH less pooK loaD ♪

ALL ( enthusiastically ): ♪ KoI pooK beH poo ♪

♪ Yoch bow math bow je, Shuv weee ♪

♪ Say moach chu may ew... ♪

Mahk-cha!

♪ mah Shoov, maH nong, ej ma choch chew ♪

♪ nee beH yIn maHj, ach wov, coo! ♪

♪ bath ma cheth bejj, ej yo' ♪

♪ Keej DaHk, vav poo ma Dee muv ♪

♪ pa-rech ma Shoov tach Koo ♪

♪ ma mev Ko'ma Shoov tach ma ov... ♪

( crew laughing )

Now, we go below.

♪ KoI pooK beH poo ♪

♪ Yoch bow math bow je, Shuv weee ♪

♪ Say moach chu may ew ♪

♪ mah Shoov, maH nong, ej ma choch chew ♪

♪ nee beH yIn maHj, ach wov, coo! ♪

♪ bath ma cheth bejj, ej yo' ♪

♪ Keej DaHk, vav poo ma Dee muv ♪

♪ pa-rech ma Shoov tach Koo ♪

♪ ma mev Ko'ma Shoov tach ma ov. ♪

How's the intelligence business? Oh, I can't talk about it.

All I can do is read these fascinating reports and analyses, and analyses of analyses, and then keep it all to myself because no one else has "a need to know."

So I have to walk around this station feeling like I, uh...

You don't really care, do you? No.

( console beeping )

A vessel's de-cloaking 15 kilometers off the station.

It's the Rotarran. Martok's ship.

Yes, sir, and there's an incoming transmission.

On screen.

Major, we've rescued 35 survivors of a disabled Klingon battle cruiser.

Request permission to beam them directly to your Infirmary.

Permission granted, General.

You're also cleared to dock at Bay 4.

We'll need an engineering team to repair our battle damage, and one other thing.

Arrange to have 15 barrels of bloodwine waiting for us at the airlock so that we can celebrate the first victory of the Rotarran over the Jem'Hadar!

( Klingons laughing lustily )

( laughing and yelling )

Worf.

General.

The High Council has issued a commendation for the entire crew of the Rotarran.

It would seem that you were right.

They view the destruction of a Jem'Hadar ship and the rescue of 35 warriors as ample justification for crossing the Cardassian border.

Your... actions on the Rotarran-- at the time, I thought they were disloyal but I have come to realize that your intention was to remind me of my duty as a soldier of the Empire and as a warrior.

For that, I am grateful.

You did the same for me once.

Worf... on the Bridge, during the fight, when you dropped your guard, how did you know I would not kill you?

I did not know.

( chuckling )

I see you're still wearing the crest of the House of Mogh.

Yes.

Jadzia calls it a... sentimental gesture.

Ah. Perhaps you would consider replacing sentiment with... the symbol of a new beginning.

The House of Martok would be honored to welcome the son of Mogh into our family as a warrior... and as a brother.

Qapla'! Qapla'!