Chapter 46
Garak's Brave Stand
The tunnels in the old capital, Cardassan
Cardassia Prime
November 5, 2377
Garak heard the footsteps of many a Jem'Hadar soldier overhead, and he gulped nervously. He tried his best to swallow his fear, but it choked him like bile in his throat. He managed to calm himself and follow his security detail down further into the underground catacombs that hadn't been used in almost 3000 years. Rodents and other creepy, crawly things were about, and members of the civilian government, who were already shaken as it is, were rattled even further by the rough conditions. Part of Garak wanted to chide them for their timidity, but he held his tongue because these were truly brave people indeed.
In the six years since the end of the Dominion War, and the fall of the military regime that governed Cardassia as a member of the Dominion, Garak had worked hard to bring about the civilian government, and he had become the reluctant leader of his people. He had already survived a number of assassination attempts, but this was the first time that a part of the military had sought to regain what was once theirs.
Garak did have his own officers that were loyal to him, and his own general staff was meeting in a cleaned out room that, ironically enough, was where a coup against the former emperor was once plotted out. That one worked and Garak secretly hoped that the reverse would happen this time.
Gul Dren came into the room and reported the latest on the resistance to the coup. "Garak, we've been able to push the enemy back out of the upper level of the tunnels by attacking their rear. The civilian militia has helped to blunt the attack, but we've taken massive casualties. I'm not sure how much longer we can hold out, though. We've had reports that the enemy were landing more troops outside the capital."
Sharek Dreal, Garak's chief of staff, came to his side and said, "Perhaps we should consider leaving the planet and set up the resistance there. Several members are away right now, and we could join them."
Garak's decision came quickly. "No. If we are going to beat this enemy, we can't run from them! If they want me and the rest of the government,they'll have to come and get us. If I have to die to save this government, so be it. I'm sick of running away from death!"
A massive blast shook the room, and cries came of a breach in the tunnels. The generals grabbed their gear and headed down deeper into the tunnels, along with the civilian government, only to be met with deadly fire from enemy troops who had made their way through the other side of the tunnels. Garak used his scanner to seek another tunnel, but could only see more troops headed his way.
The rest took out whatever weapons they had and went to the back of the biggest room they had, but not after they had barricaded the doorway with whatever they could find. Garak knew that they would not survive what was to come, but he admired their bravery as they stood firmly beside him with weapons drawn.
He heard phaser fire ripping at the hinges of the massive doors, and it wasn't long until the doorway fell forward. The troops made quick work of the barricades and soon were positioned in front of the last of the resistance fighters. No one fired, though, as Gul Dukat came forward and spoke to the members of the civilian government.
"This is the end. If you surrender, I assure you that you'll be well treated before you executions. At least have the sense to die with some decency," said Dukat in a patronizing voice.
Garak pointed his phaser at Dukat and said, "I'd rather die here than at the gallows. If you're going to do this, Dukat, get it over with!"
Dukat smiled, stepped away, and said, "So be it!" He signaled for his troops to open fire, and, while his own forces took some casualties, the civilian government was dispatched in short order. When it was done, Dukat walked over to the body of Garak, reared back his right leg, and kicked him hard in the stomach. Then he laughed and said, "You fools!Cardassia is for the strong! Cardassia will rise again and rule this galaxy, thanks to the Ragendora! When I am done, you bastard, they will remember my name for centuries to come. As for you, you will just be a sad footnote in the history books!"
Dukat walked out of the room and told the troops to bring out the bodies. Later in the day, they were publicly displayed on the walls of the government palace. He sipped his wine as he looked out and saw the body of Garak being pecked at by Cardassian vultures, called vrial. To him, Cardassian justice had been served, and if several thousand people had to die for it, so what? All he knew was that he was elated to be back as ruler of his people!