THE AGREEMENT
When Jake Sisko is imprisoned for espionage by the Dominion, Kira offers to give Dukat what he wants -- her -- in exchange for the young man's life. But Dukat declines the offer, proposing a different kind of agreement altogether...
[R] - DS9 - K/Du - Length: 54,800 words - No violence. Some sex. No bad language.
By The Collaborators
The authors of this story are Ariana, Indrani DasGupta, Terrie Drummonds, Mary Kay Knasinski, Marlissa Campbell, and Eva Enblom.
Authors' notes
We all thank Ariana for coming up with the original idea, which she dropped on our laps, starting us all off some time in 1997. After much discussion, rewriting, editing and general butchering of Ariana's original outline, we finally had a story. The overall editing and coordinating was done by EvA who spent a few weekends bogged down in incoming rewrites and now hopes she managed to include the right version of everybody's sections (and that she didn't put in the same section twice). This was a joint effort - even an international one. Because of this, although we tried to find and keep to a common format, national preferences as to spelling and expressions might vary from one author to the next. In the name of the IDIC, we decided not to standardize too much. We hope you'll bear with us on this. This story was written before the Season 6 premiere. Indeed we tried hard to get it out before "A Time to Stand" was aired, but as our timeline began to clash with reports of the upcoming season anyway, we decided to stay in a very slightly alternate universe and see the story properly finished before posting it.
Acknowledgments
Andrea Evans for information on Kardasi endearments. Also to the following sites of reference: the "Bajoran Central Archives", the Cardassian encyclopedia and the "DS9 Encyclopedia & Lexicon".
DISCLAIMER: All of us who have been working on this story fully recognize Paramount's ownership to the Star Trek universe in general and the Deep Space Nine environment and characters in particular. This was written out of love for Star Trek and for the chance at play and companionship it gave us. No infringement intended. The story itself however, is our own, so please contact us at the address given below (under Feedback) before you publish it elsewhere. We're not likely to refuse anyone, but we *would* like to be asked (so we'll know that someone's read it. :)
NOTE: I am posting this on behalf of The Collaborators. This was their only story together. Please go over to Ariana's wonderful site for more stories from the individual authors. With Spike starting to show DS9 in all its glory, it seems an appropriate time to post this here. Let us know how you like it. And, remember, suspension of disbelief is a key ingredient in enjoying fanfiction, so Odo/Kira fans, just bear with us. You might even be pleasantly surprised! grin
Archived at:
emails:
The Collaborators -- collabo@alpha.ndirect.co.uk Ariana -- ariana@ndirect.co.uk Indrani DasGupta -- indranee@yahoo.com Eva Albertsdotter Enblom -- eva.enblom@mbox304.swipnet.se Marlissa Campbell -- paddo19@idt.net Mary Kay Knasinski -- kk2@csd.uwm.edu Terrie Drummonds -- TDrummonds@aol.com
The Agreement
by The Collaborators
* * * *
Kira had felt a chill run through her when she heard the news -- that poor boy, Captain Sisko's only son, imprisoned on the flimsiest of pretexts. Jake was a journalist, not a spy, and even the Cardassians should have known that. But he was human, and that was crime enough as long as the Federation and the Dominion were locked in their deadly stalemate. Despite its initial success in disabling part of the Jem'Hadar fleet, the Federation "task force" had withdrawn and the two fleets were engaged in a standoff at the edge of Cardassian space. The Dominion/Cardassian alliance had stopped short of attacking any other Federation outposts than Deep Space Nine and some former Cardassian colonies in the DMZ, and that seemed to dampen the Federation's enthusiasm for an all-out war. Perhaps the Federation didn't consider the likelihood of a Cardassian invasion of Bajor reason enough to push the war to a higher level. Kira knew that even the imprisonment and probable execution of one of their citizens would not necessarily prompt the Federation to attack. They had been known to leave even Starfleet officers at the mercy of their enemies if diplomatic issues were at stake. There could be little doubt Sisko would go berserk, but the Defiant alone would be no match for the station, and in any case, Jake would probably be long dead before the Cardassians deigned to officially inform the Federation about his capture. The chill she felt was not only prompted by horror at the fate which awaited Jake. It was a sign the Dominion-backed Cardassians were returning to their old ways now that they had the power to do so. Unwarranted arrests, perhaps random executions, Dukat's voice echoing in the corridors of the fallen Deep Space Nine... So difficult to believe she had ever considered that man with anything but hatred. And yet, though she would never have admitted it, she had sincerely believed, for a brief moment, that there was more to him than the bloodthirsty killer, the Prefect of Bajor she had known of most of her life. It was just as well that she had never admitted it. She was obviously wrong. The man was just as heartless and self-centred as she had always known him to be. And he was right -- the two of them didn't belong on the same side.
She walked off the turbolift in Ops and was careful not to look at the Cardassian technicians who ogled her as she passed. She noticed Damar was giving her a friendly smile; for some reason that idiot believed she and he were some sort of friends. He always greeted her cordially and enquired after her health, as if she had any desire to talk to him. She ignored him just as effectively as usual and walked up to the commander's office. Dukat was staring intently at his terminal when she entered, and for a moment she was able to observe him without his knowledge. His grey features were serious and she found herself hoping he had received news of some reversal for his troops. But the concerned expression vanished into a delighted smirk when he noticed her.
"Ah, Major, what can I do for you?" he asked obsequiously. *Jump out of the nearest airlock,* she thought, but she decided to keep her vocal comments to the point.
"You could release Jake Sisko," she suggested.
Dukat just smiled and leant forward on his desk, steepling his hands and looking up at her with an amused look she knew all too well.
"I see," he said slowly. "I did wonder a little at you coming to see me of your own accord. You usually only come here when I call for you."
Which was about four or five times a day, as if he had forgotten Damar was supposed to be his first officer. He usually called her for the weakest excuses, generally to ask some technical questions one of his engineers would have been better suited to answer. Though he never touched her, and was always careful to keep his remarks innocent and vague, she knew exactly what his looks and behaviour signified, and the very thought of that cruel man desiring her made her sick to her stomach.
"What have you done to him?" she asked, anxious to focus their conversation on Jake's situation.
"Nothing... for the moment. We will be sending him back to Cardassia Prime tonight, to be judged in a high court."
"He hasn't done anything," she protested.
"He tried to send a message to his father which very clearly revealed some... details about the station. By Cardassian law, that makes him guilty of espionage. And we do despise espionage, Major," he said condescendingly. "He must be brought to justice."
She just sniffed at that idea. "Justice, indeed. We know how much your people love *justice*."
"You can scoff all you like, Major, but like it or not -- and I am well aware of your opinion on that subject," he pointed out, raising his hand to stop her protest. "Like it or not, this station is once more under Cardassian rule, which means Cardassian law is in effect here, and Jake must be tried for his crime. Like every other state in the galaxy, we must be careful to preserve our secrets from our enemies, and we just can't let hostile spies get away with their illegal activities, especially when they are caught red-handed. We are not unreasonable; if it were not proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that he had tried to send that message, we would of course have released him on the spot."
Realising he was quite serious in his intent, she exclaimed, "You can't just execute him, Dukat! He's only nineteen."
"Younger men have died to protect the State," he said seriously.
"A pity you weren't one of them," she snapped.
There was a flicker of something like regret in his eyes for a moment, but then he leant back in the chair and smiled smugly. "Anyway, there isn't anything I can do, Major," he said in a tone which suggested there was plenty he could do. "Justice must be done."
* * * *
Damage reports. Estimated repair times. Equipment requisitions. Engineering schedules. Weyoun wailing about what went wrong and when things were going to be done. Weyoun's insistence that the mine field be Dukat's primary focus. Frankly, it gave him a headache. Dukat had to give Sisko and his Starfleet crew credit for such a thorough sabotage of the station. Terok Nor was almost in the same condition as Dukat had left it over five years ago: primary and secondary computer systems damaged, defense systems off- line, and the reactor core unstable. The only differences were the Promenade had not been ransacked nor had any living quarters been demolished. No. Dukat had been left with the barest of minimums to operate the station. The tactician in him had been impressed as had the soldier in him. The administrative side, however, was thoroughly and completely enraged. Weyoun only made things worse. It was difficult to tell if something upset the Vorta, but the cloaked mine field in front of the Wormhole had certainly sent Weyoun into as near a panic attack as a Vorta could come. Fretting and pacing, the Dominion's envoy was making a nuisance of himself; Damar had made more than one comment about effective means of silencing Weyoun. And now... his latest dilemma: Jake Sisko.
Dukat had been willing to overlook young Sisko's presence on the station; it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the young man's journalism skills and have Jake Sisko, son of Captain Benjamin Sisko and son of the Emissary, to be Terok Nor's "Herald of Propaganda." But, no. Young Sisko had been too eager, too quick to send those messages to his father before Dukat had had a chance to speak with him, before Dukat could capitalize on the irony of the situation. Dukat had hoped Kira or Odo would have brought the situation to his attention. Then, he could have acted differently; he could have made different arrangements by inventing some excuse about a joint Cardassian-Bajoran inquiry on Jake's actions. Why else had Dukat continually called Kira to his office for the oddest of reasons? He was sincerely hoping she would bring Jake Sisko's actions to his attention. She hadn't; Weyoun had. Weyoun had been the one to tell him. Not Damar or any of Dukat's Cardassian's officers. It had been that damned Vorta. Weyoun had stalked into his office and announced what Jake Sisko had done. Without considering his words, Dukat had quickly replied that anyone committing espionage in Cardassian territory would be sent to Prime for a trial. Death always followed. There were never any who were "proven innocent." The Vorta had immediately given his approval although delicately stating he would allow Cardassia to handle the matter. An example, Weyoun had said with a trace of smug disappointment, must be made of the young man. Dukat had ordered Jake's arrest; he had known it was only a matter of hours before Kira charged into his office. The good major had done as he had predicted; she scorned Cardassian justice while citing that Sisko's son was innocent. They had a brief exchange of words and her parting comment about him not dying young had actually stung. She had left, but he knew she would return with an even more passionate plea. Perhaps she would persuade Odo to capitalize on his status as "god" to Weyoun and the Jem'Hadar soldiers which would result in the release of Sisko. If Odo refused to play the role of deity, Kira would more than likely find some obscure Bajoran law which would somehow "force" Dukat to keep Jake on the station.
Dukat smiled. He did wonder what kind of explanation she would come up with. The major was certainly one of the most resourceful and creative people he had ever met. How could he forget her words, "You have to use what you have"? And she was certainly an expert at making do with whatever resources she had available. Turning away from the monitor filled with progress reports, he tapped his finger to his chin. Just what *would* Kira strike back with? How would she plead the case the next time, and he did know there would be a next time. Maybe she would play upon his feelings as a father, spur that paternal protectiveness inherent to Cardassians, Bajorans and Terrans. That would certainly be a start. As to what she would follow up with? He honestly didn't know.
* * * *
"I'll *kill* him," she burst out as soon as she got into the security office.
Odo didn't quite roll his eyes, as there was a chance she might see him. But he had heard Kira threaten to put an end to Dukat's existence before, and the major rarely had an opportunity to act on her threats.
"I take it Dukat will not release Jake," he said.
"He wants to send him to Cardassia Prime to be tried for espionage!" she exclaimed.
Odo drew some air into his throat and blew it out in a good imitation of a humanoid sigh. "There must be something we can do."
"You have some influence on Weyoun. Perhaps you could persuade him to get the Cardassians to release Jake."
"I can always try, but although Weyoun treats me with respect because of my species, his loyalty lies with the Founders. Besides, it's Dukat we need to persuade, and I don't think Weyoun has any particular influence on him."
"There must be something we can do!" she lamented, unconsciously echoing his earlier remark.
"We need something to bargain with, but unfortunately, I don't think we have anything Dukat wants."
She thought about that for a moment, and her features relaxed as she came up with a possible plan.
"Maybe we do," she said.
* * * *
She took a deep breath as the turbolift came up to Ops. This was going to be hard, very hard, but all she had to do was close her eyes and think of Bajor, of Captain Sisko, of Dax and the happy times she had had while this station was under Federation rule. With so much on her mind, perhaps this would be easy. Some small part of her hoped that she had not been mistaken about the nobler aspects of Dukat's personality. Maybe the experience would be bearable. But as she watched him through the triangular panels of glass in the office door, she began to have doubts about her plan. She had acted on impulse, as usual, and without consulting Odo, but there was so little time left, she felt this required immediate action. The thought that Jake would be transferred to Cardassia Prime that evening quietened her misgivings. What mattered now was to save Sisko's son, and she put aside her own feelings as she walked in.
This time whatever Dukat was reading on the monitor had him grinning widely and he greeted her with delight. "Major. You couldn't keep away, I see," he joked. "But you might just as well be the first to hear the good news. My wife has just informed me that our eldest daughter is expecting a child!"
No wonder he looked so pleased with himself. In fact, he was positively beaming with delight, and had to get up out of the chair to consume some of his enthusiasm. "Do you want something to drink?" he offered, sauntering over to the replicator in the reception area. "We must celebrate this occasion." She didn't feel the least bit like celebrating the imminent arrival into the universe of another generation of Dukat's descendants.
"When is Jake being sent to Bajor?" she asked abruptly.
"I gather you don't think my grandson is cause for celebration," he responded, his voice flat and unemotional. He turned to glare at her, and she had a moment's regret at her rude behaviour.
Even the little education she had had as a child had taught her one should politely congratulate a future grandfather. It was on the tip of her tongue to apologise when an image of Jake Sisko suddenly came into her mind. This grandfather to be was the one who would sign that boy's death warrant.
"Look, Dukat, Jake is all Sisko has. You can't just murder him for a crime you know he didn't commit!"
"Sending information to the enemy is a crime, and we have proof he did that," he said, coming back towards her empty-handed, his mood obviously deflated. "There is nothing I can do about it."
"You could delay his transfer, or deliver him to the Federation," she suggested.
He sighed and shook his head. He looked rather depressed for a moment, but then smiled half-heartedly. "We have no diplomatic relations with the Federation, Major. Jake will be judged according to Cardassian law, as he should be. Now, if you don't mind, I will go and find someone more inclined to celebrate with me," he said as he made for the door.
"Wait," she pleaded. "If you free Jake... you can have me."
He stayed stock still for a moment, evidently astonished by what she had said. She braced herself for the smug expression she was bound to see on his face as he turned back towards her. But instead of a self-satisfied smile, all she saw there was puzzlement.
"What are you talking about?" he asked. She wasn't prepared for this. He obviously hadn't understood what she meant.
"Dukat..." she started, before deciding she might as well make things clearer. "I will do whatever is necessary to save Jake Sisko's life."
"I told you I couldn't save him," he said slowly, as if testing her reaction.
"I know you can. There are plenty of ways you can circumvent that law -- you're the head of the Cardassian state, after all. And if you spare his life..." She drew in a deep breath, and lowering her eyes, murmured, "I'll sleep with you."
When she glanced back up at him, Dukat looked as if she had hit him. Under other circumstances, in fact, she would probably have been very amused by the undisguisedly astonished look on his face. His pale eyes were wide and his mouth had even fallen open in a stereotypical stance of surprise.
It took him a minute to recover from the shock. "No..." he said, in a low voice that sent shivers down her spine. Her heart was racing so fast it seemed to be beating at her eardrums as she waited to hear what else he would say. She could hardly believe circumstances were such that she had actually offered to sleep with Gul Dukat. And the worst of it wasn't just that she was contemplating doing such a thing, but that he was apparently unwilling to take her up on her offer. Maybe she had been mistaken about the extent of his desire for her after all. She presumed from his refusal that he was going to tell her he would send Jake to his death anyway. He stepped closer to her and the banging in her ears grew worse. This had been mistake, a terrible mistake; she should never have made herself so vulnerable to this man.
She flinched as he gently stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I... can't free Jake," he said slowly. "But I can keep him here on the station."
She did feel some measure of relief. Sisko's son would be safe, at least. She waited to hear what he would ask from her in return. Whatever it was, it couldn't be worse than her own offer.
"That is, if..." he hesitated, letting his voice trail off, before adding, "You could have dinner with me. I would appreciate some company in the evening, and as long as you are willing to provide that, I will make sure Jake is not harmed."
She was relieved enough to let it show on her face and he smiled more confidently. "You knew I wouldn't accept your offer, didn't you?" he said softly.
She knew nothing of the sort.
* * * *
When Jake Sisko is imprisoned for espionage by the Dominion, Kira offers to give Dukat what he wants -- her -- in exchange for the young man's life. But Dukat declines the offer, proposing a different kind of agreement altogether...
[R] - DS9 - K/Du - Length: 54,800 words - No violence. Some sex. No bad language.
By The Collaborators
The authors of this story are Ariana, Indrani DasGupta, Terrie Drummonds, Mary Kay Knasinski, Marlissa Campbell, and Eva Enblom.
Authors' notes
We all thank Ariana for coming up with the original idea, which she dropped on our laps, starting us all off some time in 1997. After much discussion, rewriting, editing and general butchering of Ariana's original outline, we finally had a story. The overall editing and coordinating was done by EvA who spent a few weekends bogged down in incoming rewrites and now hopes she managed to include the right version of everybody's sections (and that she didn't put in the same section twice). This was a joint effort - even an international one. Because of this, although we tried to find and keep to a common format, national preferences as to spelling and expressions might vary from one author to the next. In the name of the IDIC, we decided not to standardize too much. We hope you'll bear with us on this. This story was written before the Season 6 premiere. Indeed we tried hard to get it out before "A Time to Stand" was aired, but as our timeline began to clash with reports of the upcoming season anyway, we decided to stay in a very slightly alternate universe and see the story properly finished before posting it.
Acknowledgments
Andrea Evans for information on Kardasi endearments. Also to the following sites of reference: the "Bajoran Central Archives", the Cardassian encyclopedia and the "DS9 Encyclopedia & Lexicon".
DISCLAIMER: All of us who have been working on this story fully recognize Paramount's ownership to the Star Trek universe in general and the Deep Space Nine environment and characters in particular. This was written out of love for Star Trek and for the chance at play and companionship it gave us. No infringement intended. The story itself however, is our own, so please contact us at the address given below (under Feedback) before you publish it elsewhere. We're not likely to refuse anyone, but we *would* like to be asked (so we'll know that someone's read it. :)
NOTE: I am posting this on behalf of The Collaborators. This was their only story together. Please go over to Ariana's wonderful site for more stories from the individual authors. With Spike starting to show DS9 in all its glory, it seems an appropriate time to post this here. Let us know how you like it. And, remember, suspension of disbelief is a key ingredient in enjoying fanfiction, so Odo/Kira fans, just bear with us. You might even be pleasantly surprised! grin
Archived at:
emails:
The Collaborators -- collabo@alpha.ndirect.co.uk Ariana -- ariana@ndirect.co.uk Indrani DasGupta -- indranee@yahoo.com Eva Albertsdotter Enblom -- eva.enblom@mbox304.swipnet.se Marlissa Campbell -- paddo19@idt.net Mary Kay Knasinski -- kk2@csd.uwm.edu Terrie Drummonds -- TDrummonds@aol.com
The Agreement
by The Collaborators
* * * *
Kira had felt a chill run through her when she heard the news -- that poor boy, Captain Sisko's only son, imprisoned on the flimsiest of pretexts. Jake was a journalist, not a spy, and even the Cardassians should have known that. But he was human, and that was crime enough as long as the Federation and the Dominion were locked in their deadly stalemate. Despite its initial success in disabling part of the Jem'Hadar fleet, the Federation "task force" had withdrawn and the two fleets were engaged in a standoff at the edge of Cardassian space. The Dominion/Cardassian alliance had stopped short of attacking any other Federation outposts than Deep Space Nine and some former Cardassian colonies in the DMZ, and that seemed to dampen the Federation's enthusiasm for an all-out war. Perhaps the Federation didn't consider the likelihood of a Cardassian invasion of Bajor reason enough to push the war to a higher level. Kira knew that even the imprisonment and probable execution of one of their citizens would not necessarily prompt the Federation to attack. They had been known to leave even Starfleet officers at the mercy of their enemies if diplomatic issues were at stake. There could be little doubt Sisko would go berserk, but the Defiant alone would be no match for the station, and in any case, Jake would probably be long dead before the Cardassians deigned to officially inform the Federation about his capture. The chill she felt was not only prompted by horror at the fate which awaited Jake. It was a sign the Dominion-backed Cardassians were returning to their old ways now that they had the power to do so. Unwarranted arrests, perhaps random executions, Dukat's voice echoing in the corridors of the fallen Deep Space Nine... So difficult to believe she had ever considered that man with anything but hatred. And yet, though she would never have admitted it, she had sincerely believed, for a brief moment, that there was more to him than the bloodthirsty killer, the Prefect of Bajor she had known of most of her life. It was just as well that she had never admitted it. She was obviously wrong. The man was just as heartless and self-centred as she had always known him to be. And he was right -- the two of them didn't belong on the same side.
She walked off the turbolift in Ops and was careful not to look at the Cardassian technicians who ogled her as she passed. She noticed Damar was giving her a friendly smile; for some reason that idiot believed she and he were some sort of friends. He always greeted her cordially and enquired after her health, as if she had any desire to talk to him. She ignored him just as effectively as usual and walked up to the commander's office. Dukat was staring intently at his terminal when she entered, and for a moment she was able to observe him without his knowledge. His grey features were serious and she found herself hoping he had received news of some reversal for his troops. But the concerned expression vanished into a delighted smirk when he noticed her.
"Ah, Major, what can I do for you?" he asked obsequiously. *Jump out of the nearest airlock,* she thought, but she decided to keep her vocal comments to the point.
"You could release Jake Sisko," she suggested.
Dukat just smiled and leant forward on his desk, steepling his hands and looking up at her with an amused look she knew all too well.
"I see," he said slowly. "I did wonder a little at you coming to see me of your own accord. You usually only come here when I call for you."
Which was about four or five times a day, as if he had forgotten Damar was supposed to be his first officer. He usually called her for the weakest excuses, generally to ask some technical questions one of his engineers would have been better suited to answer. Though he never touched her, and was always careful to keep his remarks innocent and vague, she knew exactly what his looks and behaviour signified, and the very thought of that cruel man desiring her made her sick to her stomach.
"What have you done to him?" she asked, anxious to focus their conversation on Jake's situation.
"Nothing... for the moment. We will be sending him back to Cardassia Prime tonight, to be judged in a high court."
"He hasn't done anything," she protested.
"He tried to send a message to his father which very clearly revealed some... details about the station. By Cardassian law, that makes him guilty of espionage. And we do despise espionage, Major," he said condescendingly. "He must be brought to justice."
She just sniffed at that idea. "Justice, indeed. We know how much your people love *justice*."
"You can scoff all you like, Major, but like it or not -- and I am well aware of your opinion on that subject," he pointed out, raising his hand to stop her protest. "Like it or not, this station is once more under Cardassian rule, which means Cardassian law is in effect here, and Jake must be tried for his crime. Like every other state in the galaxy, we must be careful to preserve our secrets from our enemies, and we just can't let hostile spies get away with their illegal activities, especially when they are caught red-handed. We are not unreasonable; if it were not proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that he had tried to send that message, we would of course have released him on the spot."
Realising he was quite serious in his intent, she exclaimed, "You can't just execute him, Dukat! He's only nineteen."
"Younger men have died to protect the State," he said seriously.
"A pity you weren't one of them," she snapped.
There was a flicker of something like regret in his eyes for a moment, but then he leant back in the chair and smiled smugly. "Anyway, there isn't anything I can do, Major," he said in a tone which suggested there was plenty he could do. "Justice must be done."
* * * *
Damage reports. Estimated repair times. Equipment requisitions. Engineering schedules. Weyoun wailing about what went wrong and when things were going to be done. Weyoun's insistence that the mine field be Dukat's primary focus. Frankly, it gave him a headache. Dukat had to give Sisko and his Starfleet crew credit for such a thorough sabotage of the station. Terok Nor was almost in the same condition as Dukat had left it over five years ago: primary and secondary computer systems damaged, defense systems off- line, and the reactor core unstable. The only differences were the Promenade had not been ransacked nor had any living quarters been demolished. No. Dukat had been left with the barest of minimums to operate the station. The tactician in him had been impressed as had the soldier in him. The administrative side, however, was thoroughly and completely enraged. Weyoun only made things worse. It was difficult to tell if something upset the Vorta, but the cloaked mine field in front of the Wormhole had certainly sent Weyoun into as near a panic attack as a Vorta could come. Fretting and pacing, the Dominion's envoy was making a nuisance of himself; Damar had made more than one comment about effective means of silencing Weyoun. And now... his latest dilemma: Jake Sisko.
Dukat had been willing to overlook young Sisko's presence on the station; it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the young man's journalism skills and have Jake Sisko, son of Captain Benjamin Sisko and son of the Emissary, to be Terok Nor's "Herald of Propaganda." But, no. Young Sisko had been too eager, too quick to send those messages to his father before Dukat had had a chance to speak with him, before Dukat could capitalize on the irony of the situation. Dukat had hoped Kira or Odo would have brought the situation to his attention. Then, he could have acted differently; he could have made different arrangements by inventing some excuse about a joint Cardassian-Bajoran inquiry on Jake's actions. Why else had Dukat continually called Kira to his office for the oddest of reasons? He was sincerely hoping she would bring Jake Sisko's actions to his attention. She hadn't; Weyoun had. Weyoun had been the one to tell him. Not Damar or any of Dukat's Cardassian's officers. It had been that damned Vorta. Weyoun had stalked into his office and announced what Jake Sisko had done. Without considering his words, Dukat had quickly replied that anyone committing espionage in Cardassian territory would be sent to Prime for a trial. Death always followed. There were never any who were "proven innocent." The Vorta had immediately given his approval although delicately stating he would allow Cardassia to handle the matter. An example, Weyoun had said with a trace of smug disappointment, must be made of the young man. Dukat had ordered Jake's arrest; he had known it was only a matter of hours before Kira charged into his office. The good major had done as he had predicted; she scorned Cardassian justice while citing that Sisko's son was innocent. They had a brief exchange of words and her parting comment about him not dying young had actually stung. She had left, but he knew she would return with an even more passionate plea. Perhaps she would persuade Odo to capitalize on his status as "god" to Weyoun and the Jem'Hadar soldiers which would result in the release of Sisko. If Odo refused to play the role of deity, Kira would more than likely find some obscure Bajoran law which would somehow "force" Dukat to keep Jake on the station.
Dukat smiled. He did wonder what kind of explanation she would come up with. The major was certainly one of the most resourceful and creative people he had ever met. How could he forget her words, "You have to use what you have"? And she was certainly an expert at making do with whatever resources she had available. Turning away from the monitor filled with progress reports, he tapped his finger to his chin. Just what *would* Kira strike back with? How would she plead the case the next time, and he did know there would be a next time. Maybe she would play upon his feelings as a father, spur that paternal protectiveness inherent to Cardassians, Bajorans and Terrans. That would certainly be a start. As to what she would follow up with? He honestly didn't know.
* * * *
"I'll *kill* him," she burst out as soon as she got into the security office.
Odo didn't quite roll his eyes, as there was a chance she might see him. But he had heard Kira threaten to put an end to Dukat's existence before, and the major rarely had an opportunity to act on her threats.
"I take it Dukat will not release Jake," he said.
"He wants to send him to Cardassia Prime to be tried for espionage!" she exclaimed.
Odo drew some air into his throat and blew it out in a good imitation of a humanoid sigh. "There must be something we can do."
"You have some influence on Weyoun. Perhaps you could persuade him to get the Cardassians to release Jake."
"I can always try, but although Weyoun treats me with respect because of my species, his loyalty lies with the Founders. Besides, it's Dukat we need to persuade, and I don't think Weyoun has any particular influence on him."
"There must be something we can do!" she lamented, unconsciously echoing his earlier remark.
"We need something to bargain with, but unfortunately, I don't think we have anything Dukat wants."
She thought about that for a moment, and her features relaxed as she came up with a possible plan.
"Maybe we do," she said.
* * * *
She took a deep breath as the turbolift came up to Ops. This was going to be hard, very hard, but all she had to do was close her eyes and think of Bajor, of Captain Sisko, of Dax and the happy times she had had while this station was under Federation rule. With so much on her mind, perhaps this would be easy. Some small part of her hoped that she had not been mistaken about the nobler aspects of Dukat's personality. Maybe the experience would be bearable. But as she watched him through the triangular panels of glass in the office door, she began to have doubts about her plan. She had acted on impulse, as usual, and without consulting Odo, but there was so little time left, she felt this required immediate action. The thought that Jake would be transferred to Cardassia Prime that evening quietened her misgivings. What mattered now was to save Sisko's son, and she put aside her own feelings as she walked in.
This time whatever Dukat was reading on the monitor had him grinning widely and he greeted her with delight. "Major. You couldn't keep away, I see," he joked. "But you might just as well be the first to hear the good news. My wife has just informed me that our eldest daughter is expecting a child!"
No wonder he looked so pleased with himself. In fact, he was positively beaming with delight, and had to get up out of the chair to consume some of his enthusiasm. "Do you want something to drink?" he offered, sauntering over to the replicator in the reception area. "We must celebrate this occasion." She didn't feel the least bit like celebrating the imminent arrival into the universe of another generation of Dukat's descendants.
"When is Jake being sent to Bajor?" she asked abruptly.
"I gather you don't think my grandson is cause for celebration," he responded, his voice flat and unemotional. He turned to glare at her, and she had a moment's regret at her rude behaviour.
Even the little education she had had as a child had taught her one should politely congratulate a future grandfather. It was on the tip of her tongue to apologise when an image of Jake Sisko suddenly came into her mind. This grandfather to be was the one who would sign that boy's death warrant.
"Look, Dukat, Jake is all Sisko has. You can't just murder him for a crime you know he didn't commit!"
"Sending information to the enemy is a crime, and we have proof he did that," he said, coming back towards her empty-handed, his mood obviously deflated. "There is nothing I can do about it."
"You could delay his transfer, or deliver him to the Federation," she suggested.
He sighed and shook his head. He looked rather depressed for a moment, but then smiled half-heartedly. "We have no diplomatic relations with the Federation, Major. Jake will be judged according to Cardassian law, as he should be. Now, if you don't mind, I will go and find someone more inclined to celebrate with me," he said as he made for the door.
"Wait," she pleaded. "If you free Jake... you can have me."
He stayed stock still for a moment, evidently astonished by what she had said. She braced herself for the smug expression she was bound to see on his face as he turned back towards her. But instead of a self-satisfied smile, all she saw there was puzzlement.
"What are you talking about?" he asked. She wasn't prepared for this. He obviously hadn't understood what she meant.
"Dukat..." she started, before deciding she might as well make things clearer. "I will do whatever is necessary to save Jake Sisko's life."
"I told you I couldn't save him," he said slowly, as if testing her reaction.
"I know you can. There are plenty of ways you can circumvent that law -- you're the head of the Cardassian state, after all. And if you spare his life..." She drew in a deep breath, and lowering her eyes, murmured, "I'll sleep with you."
When she glanced back up at him, Dukat looked as if she had hit him. Under other circumstances, in fact, she would probably have been very amused by the undisguisedly astonished look on his face. His pale eyes were wide and his mouth had even fallen open in a stereotypical stance of surprise.
It took him a minute to recover from the shock. "No..." he said, in a low voice that sent shivers down her spine. Her heart was racing so fast it seemed to be beating at her eardrums as she waited to hear what else he would say. She could hardly believe circumstances were such that she had actually offered to sleep with Gul Dukat. And the worst of it wasn't just that she was contemplating doing such a thing, but that he was apparently unwilling to take her up on her offer. Maybe she had been mistaken about the extent of his desire for her after all. She presumed from his refusal that he was going to tell her he would send Jake to his death anyway. He stepped closer to her and the banging in her ears grew worse. This had been mistake, a terrible mistake; she should never have made herself so vulnerable to this man.
She flinched as he gently stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I... can't free Jake," he said slowly. "But I can keep him here on the station."
She did feel some measure of relief. Sisko's son would be safe, at least. She waited to hear what he would ask from her in return. Whatever it was, it couldn't be worse than her own offer.
"That is, if..." he hesitated, letting his voice trail off, before adding, "You could have dinner with me. I would appreciate some company in the evening, and as long as you are willing to provide that, I will make sure Jake is not harmed."
She was relieved enough to let it show on her face and he smiled more confidently. "You knew I wouldn't accept your offer, didn't you?" he said softly.
She knew nothing of the sort.
* * * *