I Cannot.

Chancellor Gowron and Lt. Commander Worf meet again

GARAK: 

We can stand here all day reminding ourselves 

just how much we hate each other, 

but you don't have the time. 

The Klingon fleet will reach Cardassian territory 

in less than one hour. 

I suggest you prepare for them.

[Ops]

(The War Game is being monitored on the big table)

KIRA: 

Based on Klingon transmissions we've intercepted, 

the outlying Cardassian colonies were overrun almost immediately. 

But, now that the Cardassian fleet has mobilised, 

the Klingons are meeting stronger resistance.

DAX: 

You'd almost think somebody warned the Cardassians they were coming.

KIRA: 

Hopefully it'll make the Klingons think twice about what they're doing.

WORF: 

Unlikely, Major. 

Now that the battle has begun, Martok and his troops will settle for nothing less than victory.

(Sisko enters from his office.)

O'BRIEN: 

Well, what did the Federation Council say?

SISKO: 

They've decided to condemn the Klingon invasion. 

In response, Gowron has expelled all Federation citizens from the Klingon Empire and recalled his ambassadors from the Federation.

KIRA: You're saying he cut off diplomatic relations?

SISKO: He's done more than that. The Klingons have withdrawn from the Khitomer Accords. The peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingon Empire has ended.

O'BRIEN: Captain, you're never going to believe this. A Klingon ship just decloaked off upper pylon three and is requesting permission to dock. They claim they have Chancellor Gowron on board and he is demanding to speak with Mister Worf, personally.

[Klingon Bridge]

WORF: Chancellor Gowron. You wished to speak with me?

GOWRON: Worf. Worf! It is good to see you. I always said that uniform would get you into trouble one day.

WORF: It seems you were right. But I do not apologise for my actions

GOWRON: Yes, yes. I know. you did what you thought was right. And even though you may have made some enemies, I assure you I am not one of them.

WORF: I am glad. Your friendship means much to me.

GOWRON: And yours to me. It has been too long since you last fought at my side. But now the time has come again. We will do great deeds in the coming days. Deeds worthy of song.

WORF: You want me to go to Cardassia with you?

GOWRON: What better way to redeem yourself in the eyes of your people. Come with me, Worf. Glory awaits you on Cardassia. Worf, why do you stand there like a mute d'blok. I have offered you a chance for glory. All you have to do is take it.

WORF: If there's any glory to be won, Gowron, it'll have to be yours alone. I cannot come with you.

GOWRON: Of course you can. It is where you belong.

WORF: I cannot abandon my post.

GOWRON: You no longer have a post. You have no place on that station, and no business wearing that uniform.

WORF: I have sworn an oath of allegiance.

GOWRON: To the Federation.

WORF: You would have me break my word?

GOWRON: Your word? What good is your word when you give it to people who care nothing for honour, who refuse to lift a finger while Klingon warriors shed blood for their protection. I tell you, they are without honour. You do not owe them anything.

WORF: It is not what I owe them that matters. It is what I owe myself. Worf, Son of Mogh, does not break His Word.

GOWRON: And what of your debt to me? Are you saying you owe me nothing? I gave you back your name, restored your house, gave your family a seat on the High Council. And this is how you repay me?

WORF: It is true I owe you a great debt. I would give up my life for you. But invading Cardassia is wrong, and I cannot support it.

GOWRON: Worf, I have always considered you a friend and an ally. And because you are my friend, I am giving you this one last chance to redeem yourself. Come with me.

WORF: I cannot.

GOWRON: Think about what you are doing. If you turn your back on me now, for as long as I live, you will not be welcome anywhere in the Klingon Empire. Your family will be removed from the High Council, your lands seized, and your House stripped of its titles. You will have nothing.

WORF: Except my honour.

GOWRON: So be it.

[Quark's cafe]

(As happy gamblers play below, Worf sits alone at a table and stare at nothing.)

O'BRIEN: You look like you could use some company.

WORF: Chief, do you remember the time we rescued Captain Picard from the Borg?

O'BRIEN: How could I forget? It was touch and go there for a while. There were a couple of moments when I thought we were all going to wind up being assimilated.

WORF: I never doubted the outcome. We were like warriors from the ancient sagas. There was nothing we could not do.

O'BRIEN: Except keep the holodecks working right.

WORF: I have decided to resign from Starfleet.

O'BRIEN: Resign? What are you talking about?

WORF: I have made up my mind. It is for the best.

O'BRIEN: Look, I know how much you miss the Enterprise, but I'm sure they'll be building a new one soon.

WORF: It will not be the same. The Enterprise I knew is gone. Those were good years, but now it is time for me to move on.

O'BRIEN: And do what?

WORF: I do not know. I thought I would be returning to Boreth, but now that is impossible. I have made an enemy of Gowron, and every other Klingon in the Empire.

O'BRIEN: All the more reason to stay in Starfleet.

WORF: This uniform will only serve to remind me of how I have disgraced myself in the eyes of my people. I suppose I could get a berth on a Nyberrite Alliance Cruiser. They are always eager to hire experienced officers.

O'BRIEN: The Nyberrite Alliance? That's a long way. What about your son?

WORF: Alexander is much happier living with his grandparents on Earth than he ever was staying with me. One thing is certain. The sooner I leave here, the better. My continued presence on Deep Space Nine would only be a liability to Captain Sisko in his dealings with the Klingons.

QUARK: Do you hear that, Chief? Seventy two decibels. Music to my ears.

O'BRIEN: I think I liked it better when it was quiet.

QUARK: You want quiet, go to the Replimat. This is Quark's the way Quark's should be. The way it was meant to be. Am I glad we finally got rid of all those Klingons. Present company excepted, of course.

(Worf leaves.)

O'BRIEN: I got to hand it to you, Quark. You really know how to make your customers feel welcome.

QUARK: What do I care? All he ever drinks is prune juice.

[Captain's office]

SISKO: I'm sorry, Mister Worf, but I can't accept your resignation at this time.

WORF: I do not understand. What further use could I be here?

SISKO: I'm not sure yet. But as long as the fighting continues between the Klingons and the Cardassians, 

I need you here on the station.

WORF :

If you think that is wise.

SISKO: 

I don't know if it's wise or not. 

But I do know that you're a good officer,

and right now I need every good officer I can get.

(Kira enters)

KIRA: 

Captain, we just got word from Bajoran Intelligence. 

The Klingons have broken through the Cardassian fleet.

SISKO: 

How long before they reach Cardassia Prime?

KIRA: 

Fifty two hours.

WORF: 

If The Klingon Empire has reverted to the old practices, 

they will occupy the Cardassian homeworld, 

execute all government officials, 

and install an imperial overseer 

to put down any further resistance.

SISKO: 

I think it's about time we had a talk with the Cardassians.

DUKAT [on monitor]: 

Captain, I'm a little busy at the moment, so whatever you have to say, make it brief.

SISKO: Dukat? I was trying to reach someone in the civilian Government.

DUKAT 

[on monitor]: 

And you have succeeded. 

You are speaking to the new 

Chief Military Advisor to the Detapa Council.

SISKO: 

Does this mean you've turned your back on 

The Central Command?

DUKAT 

[on monitor]: 

It means that as a loyal officer of the Cardassian Military, 

I am pledged to serve the legitimate 

ruling body of the Empire. 

Whoever that may be.

SISKO: 

In other words, 

you saw which way 

the wind was blowing 

and switched sides.

DUKAT [on monitor]: 

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

SISKO: 

Dukat, you have got to get those council members to safety before the Klingons reach Cardassia Prime.

DUKAT [on monitor]: 

I am open to suggestions, Captain.

SISKO: 

If you can get a ship and meet me at these coordinates, 

I'll do what I can to escort you out of the war zone.

DUKAT [on monitor]: 

That is a very generous offer. 

I must say I am touched. 

By saving the members of the Detapa Council, you will be saving some very

SISKO: 

Forget The Speech, Dukat. 

Just meet me at the rendezvous point.

DUKAT [on monitor]: 

And if the Klingons try to stop us?

SISKO: 

Then I'll be there to reason with them. 

I doubt the Klingons will fire on a Federation ship.

DUKAT: 

I'm not sure I share your optimism, 

but then I don't have much choice, do I? 

We'll meet you there.

(Transmission ends)

WORF: 

Sir, if the Klingons are right, 

if the Cardassian government 

has been taken over by The Founders

SISKO: 

Then we'll be helping them to escape. 

That's the chance we'll have to take. I know you want to be out of that uniform but right now I need you with me.

WORF: 

I understand