"Sisko to Dax." "Yes, Captain." "We arrive at Starbase 375 in five minutes." "I'll meet you in the transporter room." "Dax out." "That's what I call really bad timing." "I have to go." "Jadzia." " There is just one more thing." " As long as it's not about the wedding." "When we exchange our vows, you must present your "d'k tahg" to General Martok as a formal request for him to accept you into our House." " l don't want to join his House." " What?" "I don't want to get caught up in blood feuds." "Every time a member of the House of Martok gets dishonoured or killed, I'll have to drop everything and rush off on a quest for vengeance." "It's boring." "Refusing will be a grave dishonour." "General Martok will not understand." "Worf. I'm joking." " So you will join our House?" " Of course I will." "I can see our lives together will not be easy." "True." "But they'll be fun." "Channel open." "This is General Martok of the lKS Rotarran, requesting permission to dock." "You're cleared for docking at Bay 11." " Thank God." " l never thought I'd miss field rations." "Give me freeze-dried peaches or anything that isn't moving." " lt's not the food, it's the singing." " Till all hours of the night." "If I have to listen to another ballad about the honoured dead I'll go mad." "Admiral Ross extends his compliments for a job well done and requests that you beam to his conference room for debriefing." " We're on our way." " Starbase out." "Once again, thank you for rescuing us, General." "Try not to get too comfortable lounging around." "We need you back in the fight." " Are you a betting man, General?" " One of my many pleasures." "Then a barrel of bloodwine says I set foot on Deep Space 9 before you do." "Done." "I just received word the replacements from the Vor'nak are here." "Good." "Look at this, Worf." "Barely moving." "I'd give my good eye for a plate of fresh "gagh."" " How many replacements?" " Five." " Five?" "I requested 15." " General Tanas could only give us five." "We keep falling back." "The Dominion keeps pushing forward." "I tell you, Worf, war is much more fun when you're winning!" "Defeat makes my wounds ache." "The replacements." "I am General Martok." "Welcome to the Rotarran." "May you prove worthy of this ship and bring honour to her name." "This is a glorious moment in the history of the Empire, a chapter that will be written with your blood." "Fight well and our people will sing your praises for a thousand years." "Fail and there will be no more songs, no more honour, no more Empire." "Who hears the cry of the warrior calling you to glory?" "Who offers their life for the Empire?" "N'Garen, daughter of Tse'Dek!" "Katogh, son of Ch'Pok!" "Koth, son of Larna!" "Doran, daughter of W'Mar!" "Alexander Rozhenko." "Alexander." "Rozhenko?" "Of what House is Rozhenko?" "Of no House, sir." "My honour will be my own." "Well there will be plenty of honour for the taking on this ship." "Enough for all of you." "I accept your lives into my hands." "Glory to you and to the Empire!" "This Alexander Rozhenko." "You know him?" "He is my son." "The next thing we need is secure communication with our contacts on Bajor." "The Cardassians are extremely adept at locating the source of any illicit subspace transmission." "We'll just have to be smarter than they are." "Hi." "Mind if I join you?" "You already have." " l want in." " ln on what?" " Your resistance cell." " What cell?" "I have my sources." " How reassuring." " l can help." " How?" " As a reporter, people talk to me." "About what?" "All I'm asking for is a chance." "It's time, Major." " Already?" " 1457 hours." "The shuttle will dock in three minutes." "I better get going." "Can't keep him waiting." "Gul Dukat's still having you meet him every time he returns to the station?" "Like I said, I hear things." "Um...shouldn't you be wearing your dress uniform?" "You look lovely just the way you are." "So am I in or not?" "You don't want to get involved with this." "But if you are looking for something to do, I could use another waiter." "Ah, Major Kira!" "So good to see you again." "You're out of uniform." "Bajorans could use a lesson in respect." "Damar, please." "This is a happy occasion." "Let's not spoil it." "I have a surprise for you." " Nerys!" " Ziyal!" " l am so glad to see you." " You're supposed to be on Bajor." "I talked her into taking a sabbatical from the university." " Talked her into it?" " lt didn't take much convincing." "Let's have dinner and I'll tell you about it." " All right." " Splendid!" "We'll dine in my quarters at 2200 hours." " l didn't mean..." " l've missed you." "Come along, Ziyal." " l'll see you tonight." " All right." " You sent for me, General." " Orders at last." "We are to escort a convoy to Donatu V." "The last three that went there were destroyed." " So this one must get through." " How many ships will form the escort?" "The Rotarran is all the High Council can spare." "A vital mission, impossible odds and a ruthless enemy." "What more could we ask for?" "I tell you, Worf, I feel young again." "Here's the briefing." "Start battle drills immediately." "Train them hard." "When we join the convoy they will have the reflexes of a Norpin falcon." "I expect nothing less." "Worf, one moment." "We have shed blood together, escaped from a Jem'Hadar prison together." "You have pledged your life to my House." "Yet you have never once mentioned that you had a son." " lt is a difficult subject to discuss." " That much is obvious." "Alexander and I were never close." "His mother was half-Klingon and disdainful of our ways." "I see." "So you allowed her to raise the boy." "No." "She was killed when he was very young." "He spent time with me on the Enterprise then I sent him to live with my foster parents on Earth." "Why?" "He showed no interest in becoming a warrior." "It was difficult but I learned to accept it and, in time, encouraged him to find his own path." "Then why has he joined the Klingon defence forces?" "I do not know." "I have not spoken with him." "This is not good, my friend." "When a father and son do not speak it means there's trouble between them." "General, I prefer to handle this my own way." "Then do so." "Enter." "Bekk Alexander Rozhenko reporting as ordered, sir." " You have grown." " So I've been told." "How are your grandparents?" "Your parents were in good health when I last saw them." " Do they know you are here?" " They weren't pleased." "But when they realised I was determined, they supported me as they always have." "We have not seen each other for some time but let us talk as father and son." "I am not here to call you "father"." "I am here to serve the Empire." "That was not one of your priorities when last we spoke." "As you say, that was some time ago." " You thought this would please me?" " That did not enter into my decision." "With all due respect, sir, does this conversation have any bearing on my duties?" "Stop pretending to be a warrior!" "You do not belong here!" "You heard what I expect of the crew." "Twice that, I expect from you." " Do we understand each other?" " Perfectly." "You may go." "Come in." "You're early." "I've just started the "ramufta."" " l'm not having dinner with you tonight." " Oh." " lt's because of my father, isn't it?" " That's right." "I thought you might change your mind." "I was hoping I was wrong." "What are you doing back on the station?" "Don't be upset with me." "I know how hard you worked to arrange things for me on Bajor." "I really tried." "I'm not upset with you." "I'm a little confused." "What happened?" "It wasn't any one thing." "The students at the university..." "Everybody was polite." "But then I'd see them whispering in the hallways, staring at me." "I'm the daughter of Gul Dukat." "My father is leading a war against the Emissary." "I don't know what made me think I belonged there." "This station is the closest thing I have to a home." "You're here." "My father is here." "But the last time you defied him, he left you here to die." "We talked about that." "He admits he overreacted." "Family loyalty is important and he felt I betrayed him." "You betrayed him?" "I think it's the other way around!" "He misses me and I've missed him." "I have to give him a chance." "He's all I have except for you." "I hoped you would have dinner with us tonight because... there's something special I wanted to share with both of you." "But I guess that's impossible." "All right, I'll be here." "But I won't guarantee it's going to be any fun." "I promise my father will behave." " ls this seat taken?" " Alexander Rozhenko." "We were holding it just for you." " l am honoured." " The honour is ours." "Please." ""Bregit" lung!" "An excellent choice!" " Some "grapok" sauce?" " No, thank you." "You must try some." "It brings out the flavour." "That's enough." "Thank you." "Some bloodwine to wash it down?" "Why are you laughing?" "Perhaps the son of our illustrious First Officer would prefer an Earth beverage." "A glass of root beer with a lump of ice cream?" "Mmm!" " Are you mocking me?" " Why would I mock you, son of Worf?" "I am called Rozhenko." "I will call you whatever I please and you will learn to like it." "Does the son of Starfleet's finest think he is too good to eat with us?" "No." "Have some lung!" "I do not like your smile!" "Perhaps I will cut you a new one." "He fights like a Ferengi!" "Your combat training has been sadly neglected, little one." "I will teach you a new lesson." "One that you will not soon forget!" "Enough." "You have no right to interfere!" "You will both report to the medical ward immediately." "When they have finished, remain in quarters until your next watch." "The rest of you, back to your stations!" "Now!" "Are you going to fight the Jem'Hadar for him as well?" "Vedek Nane taught me to focus intently on the image that I want to evoke, to allow it to fully form in my mind before I even pick up the brush." " Well, what do you think?" " They're very good." "You think so?" "They remind me of Vedek Topek's early work." "How ironic." "I was about to say they're similar in style to Napart Malor, the founder of the Valonnan School on Cardassia." "The Cardassian Institute of Art director said that!" " You spoke with the director?" " l sent him some of my drawings." "You should have told me. I could have arranged for you to meet him." "I know. I wanted to do this on my own." "He said I have a real gift." "The Institute is having an exhibition of new artists." " He might want to include my work." " Wonderful!" "It's a chance to show that Bajorans and Cardassians look at the universe the same way." "That's what I want to do with my work - bring people together." " l guess it sounds a little silly." " On the contrary, my dear." "You're quite eloquent." " Are you ready for dessert?" " Yes!" " l'm not going anywhere." " Good." "I don't believe the change." "I haven't seen her so..." "Happy?" "Neither have I, Major." "She's finally found something, a talent, a direction." "I'm reluctant to admit it but you were right to send her to Bajor." "I'm glad it worked out." "We seldom see eye-to-eye, Major, but I know you care about my daughter, and for that, I'm grateful." "There is only one thing I hate about convoy duty - it's the waiting." "You'd think after all these years I'd be used to it." "But nothing breaks the tension better than a tankard of "warnog."" "Except maybe a good brawl." " You heard about the fight?" " Yes." "But not from my First Officer." "I lost him the moment his son stepped aboard this ship." "You think I acted improperly?" "It is not an easy thing to stand aside and watch someone injure your son." "Alexander was no match for Ch'Targh." "He would have killed the boy." "Ch'Targh might have cut him a little and broken a few bones but nothing more." "You told me Alexander never wanted to be a warrior." "Clearly he has changed his mind." "Worf, you are his First Officer." "Teach him to survive." "The Jem'Hadar will be less forgiving than Ch'Targh." "Battle stations." "Alert status 1." "Captain to the bridge." "Report!" "Jem'Hadar attack ship bearing 170, mark 045." "Estimated weapons range in 22 seconds." "On screen." "Where is it?" "I have no target on my sensors." "Reroute primary sensors to weapons control." "The Jem'Hadar has launched two torpedoes." " At us or the convoy?" " At us. impact in ten seconds." "Drop cloak, raise shields, evasive action." "Torpedoes still locked on to us." "They will hit in four seconds." " Three..." " Brace for impact." "Two...one..." " Reinitialise primary sensors." " Sensors reinitialised." "The Jem'Hadar ship is gone." "Of course it is gone." "You forgot to erase the battle simulation program." "Stand down from alert status, resume course." "Re-activate cloak." "Keep a close watch." "There may be more hostile simulation programs out there." "Wait." "He'll never make that mistake again." "It's better that we should be too ready than not ready enough." "At least you're keeping us on our toes." "You see, they have accepted him." "They have accepted him as the ship's fool." "In closing, let me emphasise again that Cardassia's gift of 15 industrial replicators to Bajor ushers in a new age of cooperation and understanding between our two peoples." "Hand in hand, we'll march into a new era of peace and prosperity as Dominion allies." "Thank you." "Thank you." "That will be all." "Major Kira, may I have a word with you, please?" "Have you heard?" "The Cardassian Institute of Art has decided to exhibit three of Ziyal's drawings." "That's wonderful." "She must be excited." "I'm hosting a celebration tonight." "I hope you'll join us." " What time?" " 2130 unless I'm delayed." "The busy life of an interstellar despot." "This is a "kar'takin," a weapon favoured by the Jem'Hadar." "Defend yourself." "No." "That is not the proper grip." "The thumbs must be opposed so that..." " l understand!" " Then proceed." "No!" "Do not try to shove my blade away." "Deflect it and use your momentum." " l know!" " Then do it." "No!" "Do not try to fight force with force." "You will lose every time." "What did I tell you?" "Well, pick it up!" "If you had practised what I taught you this would be second nature to you." " What is wrong with you?" " l knew it would be like this." "Like what?" "You must be pleased." "Now you can tell me what a failure I am." " Alexander..." " Or will you send me away again?" "We are not playing in holosuites now." "This is war." "The Jem'Hadar will cut you to pieces." "Then I will be dead and you will be happy." "Now, leave me alone!" "Come in." " What do you want?" " From Gul Dukat." "He thought you would enjoy having me deliver it to you." " What is it?" " A gift for the party tonight." "What the hell am I doing?" "Come in." "Major Kira, what a pleasant surprise." "Come in." " You don't like the dress?" " l don't like you." "Major, that's just not true." " There's a bond between us." " No." "Only in your mind." "You are a power-hungry dictator and I want nothing more to do with you." "Ziyal would be disappointed to hear you say that." "She'll get over it." "Please, let's sit down." "We'll talk about it." "No." "We won't." "Nerys." "Nerys!" " Who was that?" " A delivery." "It's a little something for you to wear to the party tonight." " Do you like it?" " lt's beautiful." " You can be so thoughtful." " l try." "Continue." "Fine blade, well balanced." "But in the end it is only as good as the warrior who wields it." "I need more practice." "Tell me, Alexander Rozhenko, why are you on my ship?" " To serve the Empire, General." " That is a slogan, not an answer." " Say what is in your heart." " You ask all crewmen this question?" "I have no need to. I look in their faces and I know why they are here." "They are warriors." "They have answered the call of Kahless." "So have I." "Lie to yourself, if you must, but not to me." "You do not hear the warrior's call." "I ask again, why are you here?" " l'd rather not say." " What?" "It's a private matter." " You're as tight-lipped as your father." " l am nothing like him." "Both stubborn, tiresome "qu'vatlh." The only difference is I need him." " l do not need you." " All I ask is a chance to prove myself." "I just gave you one and you failed." "Your father has requested that you be transferred." " He has no right!" " He has every right." "As your superior officer and as your father." "At 2317, you will transport to the cargo vessel Par'tok." "Collect your gear." "Now." "You are fortunate that I am your father." "If you had challenged anyone else in that manner you would be dead." "If you want me off this ship you'll have to kill me." "Alexander, I do not want to hurt you." "I want to help you." "By getting rid of me?" "All you've ever done is send me away." "I am a Klingon warrior." "I lead a warrior's life." "This is not the path for you." "You told me this yourself." "And I have come to accept it." "You haven't tried to see me or talk to me in five years." "I wasn't the son you wanted so you pretended that you had no son." "You never accepted me." "You abandoned me." "Battle stations!" "Alert status 1." "Aft thruster compartment fire now contained." " Shields at 60%." " ELN and TRC off-line!" " And the Jem'Hadar?" " Which one, sir?" "The one shooting at us!" "His aft shields are down to 25..." "no, 20%, and he's losing antiprotons from his starboard nacelle." "Weapons, lock on that nacelle." "Fire at will." "Full pattern." "We've lost target lock." "Switching to manual." "Helm, bring us to 317, mark 045." " Can you hit him?" " He's out of range." " We've lost communications." " Come to course 020, mark 7..." "There's plasma venting from the primary impulse injector." "Subspace transceiver array off-line." "Get that plasma leak under control before we lose the deck." " Status!" " Temperature critical." " injector breach immanent." " l can seal the leak." "I'm of no use to you here." "I will go with him." "It will take at least two of us to secure the injector before it explodes." "Go." "Reroute auxiliary power to the disrupters." "Disengage overload suppresser." "Worf, put us off the Jem'Hadar's starboard quarter." "Weapons, continue to target his damaged nacelle." "Helm, on my command, reduce impulse power to one third." "Bring us to course 355, mark 090." "Weapons, be ready for him to pass in front of us." " Course laid in." " Weapons standing by." "Now." " Well done." " Captain." " Permission to leave the bridge?" " Go." "Stand down from alert status." "N'Garen, take the helm." " Report." " We sealed the impulse injector." " Where's my son?" " Trapped in that corridor, sir." "We secured the injector and I sent him in to put the tools away and somehow, he tripped the emergency lockdown." "We are trying to override it now." "You locked yourself in?" "Yes, sir." "Come." "Nerys." "You didn't come to the party last night." "I'm sorry. I couldn't." "I think you know why." "Please don't ask me to choose between you." "I'm not." "There's no choice." "He's your father." "I cannot change past mistakes but from this day forward I promise I will stand with you." " We'll see if you mean it." " Yes, we will." "What you are about to do entails a grave obligation." " Do not accept it lightly." " l understand and I accept." "Good." "I will teach you what you need to know to be a warrior." "And you will teach me what I need to know to be a father." "Come." "Welcome to the House of Martok, Alexander... son of Worf."