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The relative calm of Deep Space
Nine is shattered by the arrival of three aged Klingon warriors
— drunken, overweight Kor; warlike Koloth; and their leader,
Kang. The three came to find Curzon Dax, and are surprised that
he is no longer alive. Kor has no problem adjusting to Dax in
her new, female form, while Koloth scoffs at the idea that she
was once his old friend Curzon. However, Kang has the most
trouble accepting Jadzia, because he has come with a mission.
The group's greatest adversary, a man known as the Albino, has
been located, and the foursome can now fulfill the blood oath
they made decades ago to kill him.
Dax is unsure of whether or not
she can go through with the oath that Curzon made. Kang reminds
her that as a Trill, she has no obligation to fulfill what her
symbiont promised. Still, Dax knows that a Klingon blood oath
can never be broken, and confused, she seeks Kira's advice,
telling her the story of how this began. After the Klingons were
victorious over the Albino, he murdered the firstborn sons of
Kor, Koloth, and Kang. The three took a blood oath of revenge,
and Curzon Dax, as the godfather to Kang's slain son, took one
as well. Compelled to keep that oath, Dax visits Koloth in a
holosuite and engages in battle with him, successfully holding
her own and winning his support. However, Kang still refuses to
let Dax participate.
Dax meets with Kang and uses Curzon's deep understanding of the
Klingon race to force him into changing his mind. However, while
Kang agrees to let her go, Sisko, who has learned of Dax's plan
from Kira, does not, and reminds her of her duty to Starfleet.
Dax tells him that she will still go, and is ready to face the
consequences when she returns — if she returns.
The foursome travels to the Albino's world, and almost
immediately, Dax and Kang clash over the best course of action —
Kang wants to march up and fight the Albino in full view of
everyone, while Dax believes a more clandestine course of action
would be more appropriate. Meeting privately, Kang admits to Dax
that the Albino actually invited him, giving the aged warriors a
chance to die with honor. Dax suggests it would be better to win
with honor, and proposes a plan to increase their advantage.
Kang, newly impressed, agrees to go along.
The group puts their counterattack into effect, surprising the
Albino in his command post. The Klingons perform admirably
despite their age, defeating the guards before Koloth is killed
and Kor wounded. Kang is mortally wounded and falls to the
ground, but Dax is then able to disarm and corner the Albino.
Faced with the opportunity to kill him, she hesitates, but Kang
is able to summon the last of his strength and deliver the death
blow himself before dying. After bidding farewell to Kor, Dax
returns to the station, a different person after her experience.
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