I never thought I'd say this, but right now I'm glad the Dominion's around. Otherwise, we never would have started these upgrades, let alone have them almost finished by now.
I finally realized that it wasn't Starfleet that I was trying to get away from. I was trying to escape the pain I felt after my wife's death. I thought I could take the uniform, wrap it around the pain, and toss them both away. But it doesn't work like that. Running may help for a little while, but sooner or later the pain catches up with you, and the only way to get rid of it is to stand your ground and face it.
I assure you, this old cat may not be as toothless as you think. Right now I've got five thousand photon torpedoes armed and ready to launch. If you don't believe me, feel free to scan the station.
[Martok and Gowron look across the bridge to their sensor officer, who nods.]
I don't think so. My shields are holding, your boarding parties are contained, and my reinforcements are closer than yours. You're facing a war on two fronts. Is that what you really want?
The Empire is not strong enough to fight the Federation and the Cardassians. End this now, Gowron, before you lead the Empire to its worst defeat in history.
This is exactly what the Founders want! Klingon against Cardassian, Federation against Klingon. The more we fight each other, the weaker we'll get, and the less chance we have against the Dominion.
(referring to the Federation reinforcements) Not before those starships get here. Now, what do you want me to tell them? To stand down or come in firing?
Enough! Cease fire. Order our ships in Cardassian territory to halt their advance. I do not intend to hand victory to the Dominion! But hear this. The Klingon Empire will remember what has happened today. You have sided against us in battle! And THIS we do not forgive or forget!
