19. Blood Oath

Security Chief Odo (René Auberjonois) is having a succession of problems with Klingons. First, Quark (Armin Shimerman) complains about an elderly drunken Klingon monopolizing a holosuite. Odo removes the man, Kor (John Colicos), and takes him to a holding cell. A short time later, another Klingon, Koloth (William Campbell), comes to release Kor, but storms out when he sees how drunk he is. Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell) overhears their names and realizes why they have come, which is confirmed when they are joined by a third Klingon, Kang (Michael Ansara).

Eighty-one years ago, the three Klingons destroyed the power base of a pirate leader known as "The Albino" (Bill Bolender). The pirate retaliated by infecting each of their firstborn sons with a deadly virus. Curzon Dax, a close friend of the three Klingons, was godfather to Kang's murdered son, and the four of them swore a Klingon "blood oath" to find and kill the Albino. Now, Kang says he has finally found him.

Jadzia confides in Major Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) that she feels obligated to pursue Curzon's oath, but Kira warns her about what killing someone will do to her. Kang, likewise, tells Jadzia that she is not bound by Curzon's oath, but she insists on joining their quest so she can avenge her godson. Kor, as buoyant as ever, is delighted to have her along. Koloth is dismissive, until she shows him her skills with a Klingon bat'leth. Kang refuses to accept her, until she angers him by questioning his honor. Before Jadzia can request a leave of absence, Commander Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks) confronts her in her quarters, refusing her request before she can make it. Jadzia tells him that she is going, and begs him not to make her disobey a direct order. He does not give her permission to go, but does not stop her either.

En route to the Albino's hideout, the four plan their attack. Kang suggests an aggressive frontal assault, which the Klingons agree to. Jadzia confronts him afterwards and finds out that the Albino had offered Kang a glorious death at the hands of forty of his best men. Kang, believing the Albino's defences are impenetrable, had accepted. Dax creates an alternative plan to disable all energy weapons in the Albino's base, restricting them to hand-to-hand combat. Kang agrees to the new plan. They transport to the surface and find that the Albino has booby trapped the main gate to kill Kang and the others before the fight started.

The four move through the compound and confront the Albino in his chambers. During the fight, Koloth is killed and Kang is mortally wounded. Jadzia disarms the Albino, who taunts her, claiming she can't follow through. Kang kills the distracted Albino, before dying himself. Kor and Jadzia leave the compound as Kor sings a song to his fallen comrades.