Martok
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General, later Chancellor Martok is an officer in the Imperial Klingon Defence Forces and one of its most celebrated commanders during the Dominion War.
Early career
Martok was born in a common family, members of which had served the Empire as footsoldiers for generations. He was the first to apply for officer training, a request which was summarily rejected due to his lowly birth. Martok persisted and eventually entered the officer corps through a battlefield commission; the initial rejection would haunt him his entire career, and fuel a long-time grudge against the man who made the decision, Kor[1].
Martok rose quickly through the ranks, and cemented his position by staying loyal to Gowron during the Civil War. By 2370, he had become Gowron's chief military advisor[2].
Dominion War
Martok would spend two years in a Dominion internment camp, having been abducted from Qo'nos and replaced by a Changeling infiltrator. During his imprisonment he was used as target practice for Jem'Hadar soldiers; repeated battles cost him his left eye[3]. After his escape in 2373, he gradually returned to active military duty, first as liaison and then as captain of the IKS Rotarran[4].
Martok again distinguished himself and by 2375 he was given command of the Ninth Fleet. Despite his high position, he maintained the lowly Rotarran as his flagship[5].
Gowron, however, resented Martok's popularity with his troops and subjects. After personally assuming command of all Klingon frontline forces, he attempted to disgrace Martok by sending him on ever-more-disastrous suicide missions. Martok, concerned that Gowron was letting a personal vendetta cost the lives of Klingon soldiers, resented this behaviour but refused to take a stand against it out of loyalty. When Worf forced the issue and killed Gowron in a duel, Martok accepted the position of Chancellor, hoping to rout the corruption that had been plaguing the Empire[6].