 Sisko approaches
Starfleet Command with Odo's suspicion that Gowron, the Klingon
leader, is really one of Odo's people — a Changeling.
Sisko is then instructed to
expose the Changeling. He is given four emitters that, when set
up and activated around the Gowron impersonator, will force him
to revert to his gelatinous state. The challenge is getting into
Klingon territory while the warrior race is at war with the
Federation — not to mention getting four individuals close
enough to Gowron to expose him. Bashir solves this problem by
surgically altering Sisko, Odo, and O'Brien to look like
Klingons, while slightly altering Worf's appearance so he won't
be recognized.
The foursome is taken into enemy territory on Gul Dukat's
Klingon Bird-of-Prey, while Worf drills the group on Klingon
behavior. Dukat also creates Klingon identities for the team and
adds them to the list of candidates for the Order of the
Bat'leth — an honor that will be bestowed by Gowron himself. The
men plan to use their emitters on Gowron during the ceremony.
Dukat's ship arrives at their destination, where he leaves Sisko,
Odo, O'Brien, and Worf on their own.
The Klingons arrive at the Hall of Warriors, where the Ceremony
of Commendation has begun. Sisko and the others blend in as best
as they can until General Martok — Gowron's right-hand man —
arrives, meaning Gowron won't be far behind. They hurry to set
up their emitters, but Martok seemingly recognizes O'Brien, who
is able to fool Martok into believing they fought side-by-side
in battle. No sooner is O'Brien in the clear than a drunken
Klingon bumps into Odo, causing him to drop his emitter. Another
Klingon picks it up, demanding to know what it is. Worf hurries
over and pretends the emitter is a prize from the battle. This
is enough to send away the Klingon, just as Gowron enters the
hall. Odo attempts to again set up his emitter, but a young
Klingon has taken the designated spot. Acting every bit the
warrior, Odo makes him move and finally accomplishes his task.
Sisko is about to trigger the emitters when his name is called
to accept his award. After he does, Sisko steps off the platform
and prepares to finally activate the emitters. At that moment,
he is knocked to the floor. Martok has recognized him and throws
Sisko and the others into a cell.
In private, Martok admits to Sisko that he also suspects Gowron
has been replaced by a Changeling. Since the emitters have been
destroyed, he says Gowron must be killed in order to prove his
identity, and leads the four back into the hall. But when Worf
attacks Gowron, the Klingon leader insists on fighting
one-on-one — behavior typical of a real Klingon. Martok wonders
aloud why Sisko doesn't just shoot Gowron, and Odo realizes he
has no concept of honor — meaning he must be the real Changeling
— and exposes Martok. Everyone fires their weapons at Martok,
who promptly turns into goo. Gowron realizes that the Founders
misled Odo into thinking he was a spy so that the Federation
would eliminate him and allow Martok to take control. But Gowron
is still doubtful the war will end, since Klingons never turn
back from battle. Still, he agrees to call a temporary
cease-fire, and sees that Sisko and the others are delivered
safely back to Deep Space Nine.
See
Also: Image Captures |
