History Recap / StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS05E21SoldiersOfTheEmpire

yoHbogh matlhbogh je SuvwI'\\

vavpu'ma' DImuv\\

-->Hear! Sons of Kahless. Hear! Daughters too.
-->The blood of battle washes clean
-->The warrior brave and true.
-->We fight, we love, and then we kill.
-->Our lives burn short and bright.
-->Then we die with honor and
-->Join our fathers in the black fleet,
-->Where we battle, forever battling, on
-->Through the eternal fight.

* BloodBrothers: Worf and Martok became FireForgedFriends back in the Dominion POW camp, but here Martok solidifies their bond by granting Worf the crest of House Martok.

The ''Rotarran'' turns out to be an ignomineous ship with a combat history of failures and escapes. The crew is dispirited and believe the ship to be cursed. They also resent their lack of Klingon Blood-Wine. The second ailment at least is solved when Dax provides a large supply for the crew, but that hardly solves the greater problem. Worf tries to lead the crew in a rousing Klingon BattleChant but receives only a begrudging and half-hearted response.

* TheDrunkenSailor: Klingons need a large quantity of blood-wine to be happy.

The ''Rotarran'' turns out to be an ignomineous ship with a combat history of failures and escapes. The crew is dispirited and believe the ship to be cursed. They also resent their lack of Klingon blood-wine. The second ailment at least is solved when Dax provides a large supply for the crew, but that hardly solves the greater problem. Worf tries to lead the crew in a rousing Klingon BattleChant but receives only a begrudging and half-hearted response.

The ''Rotarran'' turns out to be an ignomineous ship with a combat history of failures and escapes. The crew is dispirited and believe the ship to be cursed. They also resent their lack of Klingon blood-wine. The second ailment at least is solved when Dax provides a large supply for the crew, but that hardly solves the greater problem. Worf tries to lead the crew in a rousing Klingon battle song but receives only a begrudging and half-hearted response.

Not helping matters at all is Martok's distressing caution. After years of living as a captive of the Dominion, he sees plots and threats around every turn. When they spot a Jem'Hadar ship, Martok refuses to pursue out of concern that the ship might get off a distress call. Worf disagrees, understanding the value of raising morale with a victory, but stands by Martok. However, Dax grows increasingly concerned that a mutiny is brewing. She urges Worf to do something, but his respect for Martok prevents him from acting.

They continue their voyage until they reach the border and find the distressed ship. Martok again refuses to engage, believing that the ship has been left as a trap. This time is enough. Worf challenges Martok for command. After a brutal knife-fight in which Worf initially gains the upper hand, Martok manages to stab Worf and win, though he does not follow up and kill Worf. In his excitement of his victory, Martok gathers himself together and leads the ''Rotarran'' in a rousing war song as they prepare to engage.

''Rotarran'' returns to Deep Space Nine having successfully rescued the marooned survivors and defeated a nearby Dominion ship. Back onboard the station, Martok reveals that he knows Worf deliberately lost their duel to help him regain his courage, even though Worf did not know whether Martok would ultimately spare him. In gratitude, he offers to adopt Worf into his house, which Worf accepts.

* {{Flynning}}: Worf and Martok use huge telegraphed swings during their knife fight, though Worf's last swing is deliberately wide to allow himself to be defeated.
* FourStarBadass: Martok, who suffers from the WorfEffect for awhile.

* WorthyOpponent: One of the Klingons wears a [[CreepySouvenir necklace of Cardassian neck bones]] and speaks admirably of the Cardassian foes he killed.