[Captain Sisko and Admiral Ross are discussing the Dominion military's retreat with Chancellor Martok and the Romulan general Velal]
According to our intelligence report, the Dominion has withdrawn completely from Klingon, Federation and Romulan space. They seem to be forming a new defensive perimeter within Cardassian territory.
They must know we've developed a counter-measure to the Breen weapon.
That would be my guess.
There are advantages to falling back. They shorten their supply lines while forcing us to lengthen ours.
And with a smaller perimeter, they're less vulnerable to hit and run attacks. It would take a major offensive to break through their lines.
At a cost of thousands of ships. The wiser course would be to simply contain them within their perimeter.
That's what they're hoping we'll do, to give them time to rebuild their forces.
He's right. We have them on the defensive. We should hit them with everything we've got!
Breaking through that line would be a very ugly, very bloody job.
If we do nothing, the Dominion could sit behind that perimeter for the next five years rearming themselves. And when they're ready to come out, God help us all.
The Klingon Empire votes to attack, now! Before they have time to recover.
Considering the alternatives, I'm afraid I have to concur. [All eyes turn to Velal, who reluctantly nods]
Very well.
Then it's settled. We attack.
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