DEEP SPACE NINE: "Tacking into... " - REV. 03/22/99 - ACT ONE    13.

10   CONTINUED:

					SISKO (Cont'd)
			Seven Klingon ships destroyed!
			Five others heavily damaged! And
			Martok himself is in critical
			condition in the Rotarran
			Sickbay.

					GOWRON
				(a shrug)
			He's expected to survive.


					SISKO
			That's not the point. This whole
			operation was a waste of
			resources, men and equipment.
			The blame lies with the man who
			ordered the attack in the first
			place, not with the man who tried
			to carry it out.

	The implication is clear and for a moment, Gowron's
	eyes flash in return. But then Gowron shifts moods
	quickly like the practiced politician that he is.
	He smiles and puts a hand on Sisko's shoulder.

					GOWRON
			That's one of the things I like
			about you, captain. Your loyalty

			to your friends.

					SISKO
			This has nothing to do with
			loyalty.

					GOWRON
				(patronizing)
			Of course not. In any case, you
			needn't worry. Martok's a...
			popular general with the troops.
			And that counts for something. I
			won't relieve him of command...
			yet.
				(beat)
			His flagship won't return to the
			station for three days. That
			should give me time to finalize
			plans for our next operation.

					SISKO
			Chancellor, we can't afford to
			keep wasting ships in these
			reckless attacks!

	Gowron fixes him with a steely gaze.