Season 4 of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine opened with the Klingons declaring war on the Cardassians, and subsequently the Federation. This season also introduced a new character, a Klingon (allegedly) general named Martok. In reality, “Martok” was a Founder sent by the Dominion to instigate instability in the Alpha Quadrant.

“But first, let us be sure we are all who we say we are.”
-Martok Founder, Way of the Warrior

“If I was a smart shape-shifter, a really good one, the first thing I would do would be to grab some poor soul off the street, absorb every ounce of his blood, and let it out on cue whenever someone like you tried to test me. Don’t you see? There isn’t a test that’s been created a smart man can’t find his way around.”
-Joseph Sisko, Homefront

In his very first scene, the Martok Founder subjected himself to a blood screening to prove his Klingon nature to Sisko, Kira and the audience. He maintained this ruse for an entire year, commanding the I.K.S. Negh’var and leading the Klingon war efforts against the Cardassians. No other Founder experience quite the same level of success in infiltrating their target affiliation. Martok Founder does such a great job of posing as the real Martok, this version can even play directly to your Qo’noS.

“You robbed my son of his honor just to get my attention?”
-Martok Founder, Way of the Warrior

“I am Worf, son of Mogh.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of you.”
-Worf and Martok, In Purgatory’s Shadow

Our intrepid infiltrator needs more than some borrowed blood to impersonate the great General Martok. Changelings can match Klingons in Strength and Cunning, but the Founders lack in one particular area. The Klingon Martok boasts an impressive 8 Integrity, an attribute suitable for an honorable warrior. In order to compensate for his measly 2 Integrity, Martok Founder insists on instead using his 8 Strength. He even encourages others around him to use their Strength, acting as a form of Warrior’s Birthright (just don’t tell him who the Klingons are shooting in that picture).

“As soon as General Martok beamed back to his ship, he sent a message to the Klingon fleet. It was just one word. In’Cha.”
“Begin.”
-Jadzia Dax and Worf, Way of the Warrior

“And now I’m told the changeling that replaced me has caused the death of countless Klingons. It is a grave dishonor.”
-Martok, In Purgatory’s Shadow

Martok Founder brings along with him the I.K.S. Negh’var, flagship of the Klingon Empire. Much like the Founder who commands it, the Negh’var can guide the Klingons to serving the Founders by playing at Qo’noS. You need a high-ranking Klingon official, such as a Chancellor or General, to warrant flying the flag of the Empire. Fortunately the Founders can mimic such personnel, allowing any of them to help staff the behemoth.

“And as long as you follow him, the Empire will be nothing but a pawn of the Founders.”
-Odo, Apocalypse Rising

“There will be no honorable combat, no formal challenges. I will release you and help you reach the Hall of Warriors, and then you will kill him.”
-Martok Founder, Apocalypse Rising

The Klingon Empire used the I.K.S. Negh’var to stage an all-out assault on Deep Space 9. While the Klingons thirst for battle, the Founders focus more on completing the mission at hand. The new version of the I.K.S. Negh’var focuses on the ship’s status as flagship and boosts the attributes of those representing the Empire, even under false pretenses. The Founders have no problem helping Gowron rescue prisoners from Cardassia IV if it means his actions serve the Founders in the long run

“What are they doing? Why doesn’t Sisko just shoot him?”
“I have a better question. Why isn’t Gowron letting his bodyguards kill Worf? I’ll tell you why. Klingon honor. A concept you should be very familiar with. My people, on the other hand, don’t care about honor.”
-Martok Founder and Odo, Apocalypse Rising

This article has focused on Martok Founder guiding the Klingons in their service to the Dominion, but remember that the canny Changeling and his ship can engage in much more direct service to the Founders. Jem’hadar would almost always prefer to use their prodigious Strength over Integrity, and they can protect the Founder with cards like Arak’Taral and Vorta Discipline. Martok Founder can even lead the Jem’hadar on a quest to Restock Ketracel-White.

“The birth of the alliance between the Dominion and the Breen. Changes everything, doesn’t it?”
-Weyoun, ‘Til Death Do Us Part

The Dominion’s Founders may turn the infiltrated flagship to their own purposes, but even they may want some extra support. They may not have shown up until season 7, but the Breen provide three extra Generals to staff the I.K.S. Negh’var. They also benefit from Martok Founder’s own text, since all three Breen Generals have lower Integrity than Strength.

The deck below leverages the abilities on both Martok Founder and the I.K.S. Negh’var. It applies the Strength of the Jem’hadar, so Martok Founder can help your personnel meet Integrity requirements on your opponent’s dilemmas. The deck also includes a variety Generals and Founders to make use of the ship. All four missions require Strength and bear the Alpha Quadrant symbol, so Crom and Gelnon both help download key personnel. The dilemma pile has a few ways to mess with your opponent’s hand, and takes advantage of your large ships and high Strength with Tactical Disadvantage and Know Thy Enemy.

We still have plenty of enemies to get to know, so make sure to check back each day between now and May 25th, 2018 for new information about Far Beyond the Stars!