Prequel to Last Thoughts. Star Trek belongs to Paramount, I make no profit from this :(


Terok Nor, 2357

Increased resistance activity led to the executions of twenty Bajorans in the Lonar Province... Gul Asarem killed in plasma bomb blast in resistance retribution... Rations cut in Dakhur Province...

He stared at the screen, losing himself in his work... crew lists, productivity reports, incident reports...

A small hand tugging on his leg brought him sharply back to his quarters.

"Father?"

Dukat looked down from the computer screen and smiled at his daughter. She held her arms up and he lifted her into his lap. Four year old Ziyal snuggled into her father.

"You should be sleeping," he admonished gently.

"I had a bad dream," she whispered. "I was scared in my room."

"What was your bad dream?" he asked.

She was drowsy as she replied, in the arms of her beloved father she felt safe enough to sleep again. "You sent me and Mother away... far away... because you were angry..."

Dukat felt his throat tighten and he kissed the top of her head.

"That does sound bad," he managed. "But it was just a dream. It's not real. I promise."

"I know, Father," she mumbled. The door to his bedroom slid open and Naprem stepped into the room, smiling at her daughter.

"Is she asleep?" she asked quietly.

Dukat nodded and let Naprem take their child from his arms.


Naprem tucked little Ziyal into bed and her eyes fluttered open.

"He won't send us away," she whispered, smiling tiredly. Naprem kissed her forehead.

"I know. Sweet dreams, angel."

Ziyal's eyes closed again and she was soon fast asleep. Naprem made her way back to the main room where Dukat was sitting with his head in his hands. He looked up at her.

"Her nightmare will come true one day..." he whispered.


Terok Nor, 2366

"You promised!"

Dukat sighed. "I know. But it's the only option now."

"No it's not!" she cried. "I want to stay with you!"

"Do you want to die?" he demanded. "That assassination attempt last week was not a joke, Ziyal. People want me to die and if that happens you and your mother will be next!"

"That's enough, Skrain," Naprem said forcefully. "Both of you, calm down. Let's discuss this properly."

"I don't-"

"Ziyal, listen to your mother," Dukat instructed. "Sit down."

Tearfully, she sat down on the chair furthest away from her parents.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"I've arranged transport on the Ravenok for you."

"A prison ship?"

"Let me finish," Dukat said. "The Ravenok will meet with a Lissepian ship. That's where you'll be going."

There was a long silence. Ziyal wiped her eyes.

"But you promised you wouldn't send us away," she whispered.

Dukat held his arms out to her. "Come here, Ziyal."

After a moment's hesitation, she moved closer to him and he drew her close.

"Things on Bajor were a lot different then," he murmured. "It's more dangerous now. I just want to protect you. We can stay in contact while you're on Lissepia. That's a promise I will keep."


Now, sitting in his quarters alone, he stared out at the stars as the Ravenok carrying such precious cargo slowly made its way out of the system.


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