07x07 - Once More Unto the Breach

[bunniefuu]

Santa Anna didn't care
about the rules of w*r.

If he had ex*cuted Davy Crockett,

he would have considered it
a point of pride.

In 1836 Crockett was 49,
quite old for the standards of the time.

His days as an Indian fighter
were well behind him.

This is not a man about to fight
to his last breath.

He was out of amm*nit*on,

the Mexican army was storming
the battlements.

He would have surrendered.
It's as logical as that. Simple.

I'm not saying it couldn't have happened.
I'm just saying there's no proof.

The question is whether you believe
in the legend.

If you do, then you should not doubt
that he d*ed a hero's death.

If you do not believe in the legend,
then he was just a man

and it does not matter how he d*ed.

- I guess that settles that.
- I guess so.

Enter.

- Kor?
- It's good to see you, my friend.

I welcome you to my home.

May I offer you some refreshment?

I would be honoured to share a bottle
of bloodwine with the son of Mogh.

I heard the news about Jadzia.

- She d*ed a warrior.
- I expected nothing less.

To absent comrades.

- Mm. 2309. Very good.
- Sit.

The w*r goes well for you, Worf?

A long list of victories to your credit,
I trust?

I have been fortunate.

The way of the warrior
is not a humble path.

Show some pride
in your accomplishments!

I will try.

And does the w*r go well for you, Kor?

No, Worf. It does not go well for me.

It seems my services are not required
in the present conflict.

But you are Kor, a Dahar Master,

the man who held
the Korma Pass against T'nag.

Your reputation should have
assured you a command.

I also have a reputation
for a certain ruthless quality

towards those who would stand
in my way.

It's not entirely undeserved.

I rather enjoy being feared
by my fellow officers.

However, there's a price to be paid
for such devotion to one's ambition.

I've made enemies,
perhaps more than were necessary.

I have no influence left in the Empire.

Even as our entire race
grapples with the Dominion,

there's no place for an old man

with too many enemies
and not enough friends.

That's why I've come here tonight.

It is not easy for me
to beg you for help...

...but I have nowhere else to turn.

Help me fight again, Worf.

Help me end my life as I've lived it.

As a warrior!

- How many reports do they require?
- As many as last time.

And Starfleet is still waiting for your
signature on these repair requests.

There will come a day, Darok,

when your services as my aide
are no longer required.

I look forward to that day
with great anticipation.

Until then...

Worf, good to see you.

Thank you, Darok.

It's a pity Captain Sisko frowns
on summary executions.

What can I do for you?

Kor, the Dahar Master,
came to see me last night.

He has been unable
to find a command...

You're not asking me
to give that man a ship!

- I had hoped that...
- Your hopes are in vain!

That man is not welcome. I will not
have him commanding a ship in my fleet!

- Kor is a friend. I have already...
- Not another word!

Do you hear? Not one word!

Now get out of here
before I forget we are brothers.

I plan to att*ck the Trelka V starbase
and push into Cardassian territory.

I'll hit the Manora shipyards,

the Jem'Hadar breeding facility,

the supply depots...

It would take half the Ninth Fleet
to destroy Trelka V.

I don't intend to destroy the base,
just damage it.

Throw them off balance
then move on to the next target.

Imagine the chaos we'll cause
once we're in behind their lines.

A cavalry raid.
Ancient Earth soldiers on horseback.

They had the speed to charge
behind enemy lines

and the mobility
to keep from being caught.

- How many ships will you take?
- Five birds-of-prey.

Battle cruisers
are too slow and unwieldy.

- Do you want to take the Defiant?
- The Defiant should remain here,

just in case the Jem'Hadar
try their own cavalry raid.

But it may be prudent for the Defiant
and a dozen other starships

to be waiting for us when we return.

You might bring company back?

I'm sure you'll be ready
to welcome them.

With phasers charged.

Our targeting sensors and guidance
system relays need to be replaced.

Make a note for Chief O'Brien
to give the Ch'Tang first priority.

If you have something to ask,
do it before I'm buried in paperwork.

I wish to speak with you about Kor.

Clear the bridge!

I did not expect to hear anything further
on this subject from you.

And I did not expect to be forbidden
to speak with you on any subject.

Have I become a shuVak
to be ordered about like Darok?

No, of course not.

Very well.
Talk and be done with it.

Kor came to see me,
asking my help as a friend.

He is an old man, with no family
and no influence left in the Empire.

He asked nothing except for the chance
to fight and die as a Klingon warrior.

I told him I would speak with you
about finding him a command.

I would not give that man the gnawed
bones of my last meal,

- much less command of a ship.
- But why?

There is no feud between our Houses.
And Kor has not even met you.

You can wound a man
without ever seeing his face.

When I was a boy, my family lived
in the lowlands of Ketha Province.

We had very little, but it didn't matter.
We were a family of warriors.

15 generations had served
as soldiers of the Empire.

But my father had higher hopes for me.

He wanted his son to become an officer.

It took a great deal of effort,

but eventually he found someone
willing to sponsor me.

I passed my entrance exam
on my first attempt.

All that remained was approval
by the oversight council.

A simple formality.

My application was rejected
by one member of that council.

Kor.

Why?

Why? Kor's family descends
from the Imperial Court itself.

Kor is of the blood, born to rule
by the divine will of Kahless!

And what was I?
A boy from the Ketha lowlands.

He couldn't bear the thought of someone
like me joining the elite officer ranks.

So to my father's embarrassment
and my everlasting shame,

my application was denied.

With the mark of Kor on my record,
I could not join as a common soldier.

I spent five years as a labourer
aboard General ShiVang's flagship.

Then, as fortune would have it,

the Romulans made a foolhardy
attempt to board our ship.

I earned a b*ttlefield commission.

Unfortunately,

my father did not live to see
that glorious day.

If Kor had had his way,

I would still be a civilian on that ship,
cleaning the officers' mess.

I understand. But I must tell you
that using my own authority,

I appointed Kor an officer
in the Ninth Fleet.

Made him an officer, just like that.

That's the difference
between his name and mine.

His opens doors, mine closes them.

- I did not anticipate...
- It's done.

Your apology is not sought.

But know this, Worf.

Kor is your responsibility.

I want nothing to do with him.

Do you remember breaking into
the Duke's harem on Renavi?

How could I forget?

That is one of Curzon's
favourite memories.

Hi.

- Hello.
- Come and join us, my friend.

I am on duty. I'll see you later.

It's good to see you again, Kor.

Still the same old Dax.
And yet not.

General Martok will not give you
a command.

You struck his name from an officer's list
because he's from the Ketha lowlands.

Did I?

I don't recall.

There were so many officer lists.
I suppose it's possible.

It is an unworthy reason to bar a man
from serving the Empire.

Worf, you've been living among
this democratic rabble for too long.

I know your bloodline.
We both come from noble Houses.

That still counts for something.

- Martok should appreciate that.
- He does not.

- Did he revoke my commission?
- No.

You will serve aboard the Ch'Tang
as Third Officer.

Third?

Oh, well.

No matter.
I've overcome greater obstacles.

Thank you, Worf.
You're a true friend.

You will report aboard at 0700.
And stay out of Martok's way.

He will not even know I am there.

Worf...

- What was the name of that ship?
- The Ch'Tang.

Ch'Tang! Of course.
I'll see you there.

All decks report ready.

Transporter room reports that our last
crew members have beamed aboard.

Signal the squadron.
Prepare to get under way.

- Stand by to cloak.
- Aye, sir.

Helm, set course 325, mark 003.

Full impulse till we clear
the outer marker, then go to...

Third Officer Kor reporting for duty.

The Dahar Master.

Take your station.

Return to your duties
or I will find a crew that can!

Helmsman! I gave you an order.

Kor, here.

On our ship!

Don't you have something to do?

- No.
- Then find something!

It's an honour to have you aboard.

- Thank you very much.
- Welcome, Dahar Master.

What did Kor say when he met you?

The usual. I have the same
conversation over and over again.

Everyone's shocked at first,
then they scan my face

for signs of the person
they knew as Dax.

"It can't be! Is it really you?

"I do see a little Jadzia in the eyes,
a little Curzon in the smile."

Isn't there a period of adjustment
that Trills go through

where people compare them
to previous hosts?

I'm sure it'll pass.

You're right. The last five Dax hosts
went through this.

That wasn't bad.
You'd make a pretty good counsellor.

People would love it.
"You dreamed about what?

"You're crazy. Get out of my office!
Next patient!"

Funny you should mention dreams.
Since my conversation with Kor,

I've had the most intense dreams
about him.

Being on a Klingon bridge together,
drinking bloodwine.

Which still makes me gag, by the way.
Singing songs...

Part of me wants to be out there
with him now.

I'm contradicting what I said

about wanting to set myself apart
from my previous hosts,

but the memories I have of being
with him are so vivid.

I'd give almost anything for the chance
to be together one more time,

the two of us side by side.
Just like it used to be.

Do you need something?

No.

Nothing.

So, what's your professional opinion?

- You're crazy.
- Next patient!

What's the matter with you?
Someone forget to leave a tip?

It's Ezri. She...
I can't even say it.

Try.

She wants to get back together
with Worf.

Before the Cardassians knew
we were there,

we destroyed the entire camp
and the relay station!

To General Martok,
victor of Felton Prime!

Qapla'!

Let me have the honour
to welcome the Dahar Master.

Sit, sit. You do me too much honour.

I am but the Third Officer.
I expect no special treatment.

Have you settled on an att*ck plan
for the starbase on Trelka V?

I'm sending the Malpara and Ning'tao
in ahead of the squadron.

They'll strafe the base
then head out of the system.

When the enemy sends out
their repair crews,

the rest of the squadron will decloak.

With luck, we'll catch them with
their damage control effort under way.

Excellent! An excellent plan, General.

I'm glad you approve.

It's the same tactic Kang and I used
in the Battle of Caleb IV.

- You were at Caleb IV?
- Of course he was.

Forgive the ignorance of these children.

I was a young officer once. I know
how irrelevant the past can seem.

We would be honoured
if you would tell us about Caleb IV.

There's not much to tell.

The battle was over almost before
the Federation knew it had begun.

I commanded the first division
from the Klothos.

Kang commanded the second division.
You must remember...

that in those days the cloaking device
was a new piece of technology.

Only a handful of engineers in the Fleet
knew how to operate them.

Before we left Chronos,
I spent three days...

taking the device apart
with my bare hands...

and putting it back together again.
This would come in handy in the battle.

It is not the fault of the crew.

They are not used to serving
with a legendary figure like Kor.

- 'Bridge to General Martok. '
- Yes?

- 'We are approaching Trelka V.'
- Set Defence Condition One.

'Defence Condition One.
All hands to battle stations. '

- I'm supposed to be somewhere.
- Dahar Master.

- Where are you going, Lieutenant?
- To the bridge.

- The bridge!
- Are you all right?

What are you waiting for?
Report to your station!

Concentrate!

Their shields are at 65%.
Three cruisers are orbiting the planet.

Two are under way. The Malpara and
Ning'tao have completed their att*ck.

The Malpara is gone.

No survivors. The Ning'tao is heading
out of the system.

- The Cardassians are pursuing.
- Leaving their base unprotected.

Helm, take us in. Bring us to a hover
300 metres above the base.

Stand by to decloak on my command.
Scan the base.

They've dispatched damage control
teams. Two defence batteries are out.

- They've dropped their primary shield.
- Decloak and open fire.

Shields are down to 85%!

Emergency power
to secondary shield emitters!

Fire torpedoes!
Helm, lay in an escape course.

Aye, sir!

Continue f*ring!
Target their primary reactors.

- Bring us around for another pass!
- No, only one pass.

Leave the system!

- Do not worry. All is well.
- You old fool!

The Orantho reports their captain
and first officer are dead.

Instruct them to continue f*ring.
Open a channel to Kang.

- To Kang?
- Tell him we've succeeded,

that the Federation outpost
on Caleb IV will be taken within an hour!

Kang has been dead for years.

Prepare a boarding party.
We're taking the base.

- They have a garrison of 10,000.
- Get us out of here!

Victory is ours!
The Federation will rue the day

they dared to challenge
the Klingon Empire!

We will take Caleb IV

and raise our banner over
the smoking ruins of their outpost!

Escape course. Now!

Engage cloaks.

Orantho and Slivin have cloaked.
No pursuit from Trelka V.

No time to waste.

Proceed to the rendezvous,
then on to the Manora shipyards.

- Medical team to the bridge!
- Worf, get that man out of here.

- Hi. I think I'm in the mood for...
- Wait.

I have something to say.

Now... you may think this is
none of my business,

but someone has to speak up
and that someone is me.

- So here it is. I'll just say it.
- OK.

You're making a mistake by pursuing
another relationship with Worf.

I know how Jadzia felt about Worf,
but that was her life.

You're Ezri Dax. You need a chance
to explore other relationships.

You're young and beautiful and full of life.

Why go after a man
who's only a memory?

I've had my problems with Worf,
but this is not about me.

This is about you.

Worf has done nothing, and I mean
nothing, to deserve you.

Shouldn't you find someone
who's willing to win your heart,

not just inherit it?
You deserve better.

There. I've said my piece.

Can I say something now?

I'm not interested in another
relationship with Worf.

I care about him
and probably always will,

but he's moved on with his life
and so have I.

Good.

I'd also like to say that what you just did
was one of the kindest, dearest

and for you one of the most
embarrassing things I've ever heard.

You're a real sweetheart.

- Can I order now?
- Mm-hm.

- A Moscow mule.
- Coming right up.

Did you hear that?
She called me sweetheart.

- She loves me.
- What?

- Sweetheart.
- You're certifiable, you realise that?

She loves me.

Find out what's wrong with the Ning'tao.

Captain Lurkan is young,
but he must realise the importance...

...the importance of keeping formation.

I've been thinking about
our next objective.

Perhaps we should go after
a bigger target.

What about the base on Caleb IV?

- I have duties to attend to.
- Your duties are right here.

Someone was telling me
about the Caleb IV defences.

- Who was that?
- I believe it was our Third Officer.

That's right! Third Officer,
tell us about Caleb IV.

Is it manned by Jem'Hadar
or Cardassian troops?

I thought it was a Federation outpost.

The Federation is our ally.
Surely Kor is aware of that.

- Perhaps he's confused.
- Confused? A Dahar Master?

Surely not. We must be the ones
who are confused.

Who mans the base on Caleb IV?

Dominion or Federation?

- I think he's forgotten.
- I think he's asleep.

Stop it, both of you!

Don't you have any respect

for one of the greatest heroes
of the Empire?

He's thinking it over.
Give him time.

The last son of the House of Kor
should not be rushed.

- How long should we wait?
- Perhaps we should ask Kang.

Say something, old man.

Or have you lost your tongue
as well as your mind?

Savour the fruit of life,
my young friends.

It has a sweet taste
when it is fresh from the vine.

But don't live too long.

The taste turns bitter...

after a time.

The new personnel roster.

- You've removed Kor from active duty.
- I saw no other choice.

You're his friend.
It must have been difficult.

A friend would not have put him
in that position in the first place.

I've hated his name for almost 30 years.

I've dreamt of the moment when I would
see him stripped of his rank,

without a friend in the world,
without the power of his birthright.

I've had that moment now.

And I took no joy from it.

What will become of him
when we return to Deep Space 9?

I plan to speak with Chancellor Gowron

to try and find Kor
some assignment on the homeworld.

I'll have a word with Gowron as well.

- 'Bridge to General Martok. '
- Yes.

'Our sensors have detected
a large body of enemy ships. '

On my way.

- Where are they?
- Directly astern.

They're Jem'Hadar fighters.
They appear to be pursuing us.

The lead ship is using a scanner
to penetrate our cloaks.

Does the Dominion possess
such a device?

- How many ships?
- I've identified ten vessels so far.

And they're gaining on us.

How long before we are
in weapons range?

- 2 hours, 12 minutes.
- Helm, have you located the Defiant?

They're waiting for us
in the Kalandra Sector.

It will take us 3 hours, 45 minutes
to reach them.

If the Jem'Hadar could be forced
to drop out of warp,

they would not have time to catch us
before we rendezvous with the Defiant.

A fine theory,
but how do we execute it?

We could disrupt their warp fields
with a graviton burst.

It would force them to drop to impulse.

We would need to generate
a massive burst.

A bird-of-prey could do it by diverting
power to the main deflector.

- How long would that delay them?
- Less than two minutes.

If I engaged them
while they're still at impulse,

that would delay them even longer.

- I know I could do it.
- What do you mean, "you"?

The Orantho's captain is dead.

The Slivin's deflector cannot generate
a graviton burst.

The Ning'tao's captain
is too young and inexperienced.

I am the logical choice.

But, Worf, this means
that you would be sacrificing

- the entire crew of the Ning'tao.
- I have thought about that.

We could beam most of the crew over
before I take command.

I would only need six volunteers.

Signal the Ning'tao.

Tell them to prepare
for a change in command.

Yes?

- I am not hungry.
- The food is for me.

I haven't eaten in hours.

Men of our generation
never stood on ceremony.

We ate when we were hungry,
we fought when we were angered.

I miss the simplicity of those days.

I miss a great deal about those days.

The warriors on this ship
don't know what they've missed.

But such is the way with children.

They often let the promise of the future
obscure the glories of the past.

Is there a point to this
nostalgic indulgence?

Only that they are children.

Even Martok, who, for all his flaws,
is a great man,

even Martok is but a child
compared to you or me.

They are quick to judge
and slow to forgive.

They still have much to learn.

We are being pursued
by a Jem'Hadar fleet.

Worf believes he can stop them
with a single ship.

How?

It's a good plan,
but it has one flaw.

It depends on Worf successfully
engaging the whole enemy fleet,

if only for a short time.

It can be done.

The key is to confuse their sensors
in the opening moments...

with a spread of torpedoes.

Perhaps.

But it would take a man with three times
his experience to accomplish it.

And such a man would have to be
certain of his abilities.

Such a man would not take the job

unless he were certain.

It has been an honour serving with you,
Kor, son of Rynar.

Worf!

Leaving for the Ning'tao, I take it?

- Yes.
- I wanted to wish you well.

I look forward to seeing you
at the gates to Sto-Vo-Kor.

As do I.

Do you have any message you want me
to convey to Jadzia?

When I reach the halls of the dead,
I will find your beloved

and remind her that her husband
is a noble warrior

and that he still loves no one but her.

Goodbye, my friend.

Live well.

Long live the Empire!

- On the bridge?
- If they succeed, drink to their courage.

If they fail, you can still drink
to their courage.

The Ning'tao is closing on the enemy.
She's initiated the burst.

Their warp fields are destabilising.
They're dropping to impulse.

- How many?
- All of them.

The Ning'tao is engaging the enemy.

Die well, Worf.

Today was not my day to die.

Worf! But then who...?
Kor!

He surprised me outside the transporter
room with a hypospray.

I hope that old fool understands
what he's doing.

How goes the battle?

It appears the enemy formation
has collapsed.

The Ning'tao is manoeuvring rapidly.
She's taking heavy fire.

- I've lost contact.
- One ship against ten.

- It doesn't seem possible.
- He will succeed.

He is Kor, the Dahar Master.

He's done it.
The Jem'Hadar are out of time.

They can no longer overtake us
before we reach the Defiant.

How?

How did that pompous old man hold off
a Jem'Hadar fleet with one ship?

Does it matter?

Darok, give me that bottle.

To Kor!

A Dahar Master
and noble warrior to the end.