Alliance Royal Armada

by Kenshul

After the fall of the Terran Empire the Alliance controlled Mirror Universe finally seemed at peace. Unknown though that while the Alliance was distracted a new foe quietly built up its army and would plunge the quadrant into an even fiercer conflict.

17. Home Fires

Chapter Seventeen: Home Fires

Mission
While the Alvex is docked for repairs Duren takes the opportunity to enjoy some long over due rest at his home on Cardassia Prime. Convinced that after what transpired at the Narendra Conference it's finally time for Dukat to return home he invites his new friend, only to find that everyone's reaction to him isn't so welcome.
Mission Date:
241st day in the 2369th of Molar

There was a sudden jolt to the ship around him as it entered the planet's atmosphere. With the inertial dampeners working the jolt was barely noticeable, but it was enough to knock Duren from his thoughts and back to focus upon the reality that surrounded him.

Home. Duren had finally been given the chance to return home from the torments of war and given the chance for some rest in his small home on Cardassia Prime. After several fierce missions the Alvex had limped its way back to the docks for repairs, thus giving its crew the chance for some much needed leave. Duren knew that while taking a break during a war seemed to be a bother to some soldiers, he found himself welcoming the respite. It wasn't as though he wanted to desert the war effort or his peoples struggle against the Romulans completely, but after fighting so hard for so long he felt he deserved his own share of time on the sidelines.

With some time off the hardest thing he knew he would be faced with was where to go while the Alvex was under repairs. That question was answered in his mind before he could even finish asking it. He would be going back to the small villa that he owned just outside of the capital, back to his home and to the home his family had known for three generations. Duren found that when your life is constantly thrown into peril there seems to be one wish that always breathes just in the back of your mind. That wish is to return home and to the ones you care about. Having focused on his military career Duren had no family that would be waiting for him, save for maybe his housekeeper Leshka, but still he found himself wishing to return to the quiet serenity that his home offered.

Now that the small craft he was in had broken through the atmosphere he felt free to look out a window placed behind him down upon his beautiful home world. Cardassia Prime was truly a magnificent world, and his heart swam with pride the moment his eyes laid upon it. In his tenure as a soldier for this world Duren had seen a great many places and quite a few of those had captured his attention. None of them though possessed the raw and awesome beauty that Cardassia Prime seemed to possess. With his commission and the various responsibilities that it entailed he was hardly ever given the chance to return home. The fact that a brutal war was raging on seemed to hinder his chances of coming home almost to the fact that a homecoming was impossible. As he sat there and thought about it he decided that his tour of military duty had been fulfilling enough for one lifetime and that the moment the Romulans were crushed under the Alliance's heel he would retire and focus back on the finer pleasures of life.

While these thoughts dwelled in his mind he couldn't help but to think about something else. Knowing his love for this world and how much his absence from it had caused him harm he suddenly felt guilty as he turned back around and looked at his two traveling companions; Dukat and his daughter Ziyal.

Months had passed since Duren had last been able to set foot on the soil of his home, but for the two of them it had been several years. After talking with his hero Dukat he had learned that, like him, the man had a deep appreciation for this world of theirs. Before being cast off into exile as a traitor to the state Dukat had been a hero to the Cardassian people and had done their world a great many services. In speaking with him Duren had learned that these services had been done not in the hope for some petty and material gain, but in the hope that through those services the world of Cardassia Prime would grow better and its people stronger. Even after his world had abandoned him and his people turned their back on him did he keep this mentality, and for it Duren found a whole new respect for the man.

That mentality had ironically ended up saving both him and his daughter from the harshness of life that had set in since their exile. While his people had turned him into a pariah Dukat had still felt that desire to help them that had made him revered. Even though they had pushed him directly into harms way he still felt the need to steer them back onto the right path and help them become the strong people he knew they deserved to be. His wanting to find a way to help them had served to in fact help himself when Duren's friend Tierzak had found the Cardassian pair hiding in seclusion on the desolate and hostile world of Tesslak Prime. Through his desire to find some way to help his people Dukat and Ziyal had been able to help Duren to shed light on where Overseer Seven's true loyalties laid. By doing so it had cleared his daughters name, and his name as well, thus giving them the chance to return home and return to whatever semblance of a normal life that they could accomplish.

Sitting there and looking at them Duren recalled the conversation he had had with Dukat when it was decided that he and his daughter would come with Duren and stay at his villa while on leave. Surprisingly enough Dukat had not jumped at the chance to return home like Duren had assumed. There was something in Dukat's voice that bordered on reluctance at the thought of returning to Cardassia Prime, and it was not something that Duren had expected to hear from him. He assumed that Dukat would be overjoyed that he would finally be able to return home and to once again see the world that he held so dear. A completely different feeling though had come from him and it wasn't until they were about to leave the orbital docks did Duren find out exactly what had brought that feeling about.

Looking at Ziyal he had become suddenly clear as to her father's reluctance. The girl had only been to Cardassia Prime once in her life, and on that occasion she had been brought as a tool to humiliate and discredit the father to whom she had never met. Aside from this reason to stay away from Cardassia Prime there was another reason; she was half Bajoran. There were many on his world that believed their strength laid in their genetic purity and seeing one of their noble heroes with a half breed child was nothing short of an affront to their being. Her position was even weaker due to the fact that her mother, Tora Naprem, had been a servant of Dukat's. With these facts in mind it was easy to see why some people had called for his banishment the moment Ziyal had been revealed, and why the girl feared returning to this world.

While Dukat had not immediately accepted Ziyal as his daughter Duren learned that he had chosen to do whatever he could for her. Being both so suddenly without their home or the life they had on that home the pair had been drawn together and a bond of shared troubles had been formed. Now Dukat would do anything to protect his daughter, and knowing that her past made her fear his world had caused his reluctance in returning himself. While understanding this Duren had still made an attempt to convince them to return with him to their home. It had not been a quick decision, nor an easy one, but in the end they had decided they could hide from their fears no longer. When they agreed to come Duren had been overjoyed, and to himself he had silently promised that he would show Ziyal that Cardassia Prime was her world as well.

A pilot seated just to Duren's left suddenly told the three passengers that they were about to land at the capital's spaceport. As the chance to be stepping on home soil drew ever nearer Duren found himself grow surprisingly excited. He knew that finally being able to come home was an exciting matter, but to feel excitement like this was not what he had been expecting. This was the feeling that one would assume a young officer to have, not a seasoned veteran such as himself. Feeling the shuttle begin its landing sequence he brushed the feeling off and reflected about how hard the past months had been on him since last he was home. He was definitely in need of this time for peace and quite.

Once the shuttle landed Ziyal grabbed the small bag that she had insisted on bringing with her, saying that she didn't trust the orbital docks crew to transport it down with the rest of their belongings. After giving the pilot a brief thanks of appreciation for flying them down Duren looked at the two Cardassians as they waited for him to take the lead. They would apparently be nervous to the last. Stepping ahead of them and taking the lead Duren walked to the shuttle's hatch and tapped a command onto a nearby panel. In response the hatch suddenly split horizontally across its middle and folded out. The moment it opened a bright and almost blinding light poured through the opening and lit up the shuttle's dark interior. Squinting slightly Duren stepped out of the shuttle and onto his world. He was followed quickly by Dukat and Ziyal. "Welcome home Dukat," Duren said as he turned to look at the man that stood behind him, "and Ziyal."

The moment he was clear of the shuttle Dukat inhaled a large part of the surrounding air and exhaled it with a smile. "Now that's the air that I've been missing these past few years." he said to no one in particular. "The air of my people, the air of my home."

Duren immediately took notice of how Dukat's mood changed with that breath. There was a new energy, a new hope that suddenly became present in his being. It was something that he had not seen in the man in the whole time that he had known him. It was something that he had probably been void of ever since that fateful day when he had been forced off of this world he called home. Now though he was home, and able to once more enjoy the rich pleasures that Cardassia Prime offered its people. Seeing a smile finally make its way upon his hero's face made the war and everything else wrong in the universe suddenly seem so far away. It was a moment that Duren felt he could enjoy even more knowing how happy Dukat was feeling.

Making their way away from the shuttle and through the crowded spaceport Duren couldn't help but to look over at Ziyal to check on how she was doing. Nervousness could be sensed from her as she walked closely beside her father, but Duren thought he could feel something else coming from the girl. There was almost a fascination to her as she looked about the spaceport and the world that lay beyond. Having grown up and lived entirely on her mother's world of Bajor she had led a simpler and calmer life then the one that she saw around her. It appeared almost as if a quiet farmer had finally decided to venture into the big city and had become so overwhelmed the moment they had first stepped within the city limits. Duren knew that while she was nervous about what would happen to her and her father on this world, those nerves were being overshadowed by the strange excitement that she was feeling as she became lost in the surrounding bustle. It was an excitement that Dukat felt as well, as he was finding it hard to keep himself quiet.

"And then over on Lakara Street there is this diner that serves the best Red Leaf Tea, or at least they did last time I was here. Oh there was this one time when I went in there and..."

As Duren heard Dukat excitedly tell his stories to Ziyal he found he couldn't help but to smile. Watching his hero acting so carefree and so happy as they walked from the spaceport pushed away any remnants of worry that still dwelled in his mind. It seemed as though all of their worries had been in vain and the three of them would be given the chance to peacefully enjoy their stay. Once they exited the spaceport and made their way onto the capital's streets the inevitable finally happened as Dukat was recognized.

"Hey is that..." Duren heard someone quietly mutter nearby.

"Yeah that's Dukat." came another voice. "I wonder what he's doing back here. I thought he was exiled."

As more and more people began to whisper about Dukat's presence Ziyal became more and more nervous. Slowly she reached behind her head and grabbed the hood of her cloak, ready to pull it forward and cover her face from the gazing crowd. Seeing this Dukat placed a hand on his daughter's and looked at her as he spoke.

"No Ziyal, you don't have to hide your face. You're among your own people here and you needn't feel you have to hide from them any longer."

"But father," she weakly replied as she looked back, concern heavily reflected in her eyes. Some might think that concern was for her own well being, but both Dukat and Duren knew better. Among these people she did not fear for herself, but rather for her father. She knew well how they viewed him because of her, and she didn't want to feel like an embarrassment to him any longer.

"Your father is right Ziyal," Duren suddenly added as he turned to look upon the young girl. "These people are your people just as much as they are your father and me. No one is going to mistreat you here. We won't allow it."

Looking back at the comforting looks that both Duren and her father wore Ziyal felt her misgivings diminish and she couldn't help but to trust in their words. She was still fearful that her presence would bring unnecessary attention to her father, and thus harm him in some way, but with her trust she just let the cloak's hood fall back to rest on her shoulders. After giving each other a satisfied smile the three of them turned back around and began down the street.

Unknown to them as they walked on was the true reason why Dukat's sudden return home was causing so many to whisper. They assumed the reason was due to his being cast off and exiled several years ago, and that like those in power they were upset by his return. The crowd's reaction though was quite a different one. Despite the events that had transpired to humiliate and discredit the man the people still saw him as a hero. They still remembered all the good he did for them, and how he had done that good without any call for reward. While the government had spent some time after his departure working on a slew of propaganda against him that propaganda had fallen on deaf ears. The Cardassian people were not as dumb and as gullible as their government believed. So as he walked on Dukat was not surrounded by hushed words of hate, but rather hushed words of reverence.

Quietly the crowd grew as more and more people took notice of their icon's presence. As the crowd grew so did the ill feelings of Duren and his companions. Glancing around at those that stared back at them Duren began to wonder what exactly it was they were whispering about, and why they were even whispering at all. The crowd in turn was wondering why Dukat had suddenly returned. Several of those that watched on thought about approaching Dukat and asking the man where he had been and why he chose now to return, yet none found they could. Silently they just stared at him, immobilized by their own questions. The group of Duren, Dukat, and Ziyal traveled quite a distance from the spaceport and nearly the entire length to Duren's home when someone finally broke from the crowd to speak.

"Dukat!" a small voice cried out. The voice caused the trio to stop and turn as suddenly a small boy came rushing from the crowd towards them. He was chased after by a young woman as he called out Dukat's name again.

Dukat looked beside him at Duren for a moment with a curious look. Both of them stood there and were puzzled as to what this boy could want as he approached. When he reached them Dukat slowly bent down and looked at the boy at eye's level.

"Are you really Dukat?" the boy suddenly asked, not waiting for the man before him to speak. A hand suddenly appeared on the boy's shoulder as his mother grabbed him.

"Yes I am. And what's you name?" Dukat asked as he smiled back at the boy.

"My name's Kyrin," the boy said as he smiled back.

"Nice to meet you Kyrin." Slowly Dukat moved his hand forward in a greeting to the small boy in front of him.

The boy placed his hand in Dukat's and looked at him for a moment before he blurted out another question. "Where have you been Mister Dukat?"

"I had some things to do Kyrin. Important stuff and I had to leave to do it."

"Oh," came the boy's response as he thought for a moment. It seemed like a good enough reason to him, but that thought quickly faded in his mind as the most important question of all surfaced. "So are you here to stay now?" he asked hopeful.

Dukat looked back over his shoulder at Duren who just stood there, not quite knowing what to say. A big grin came to Dukat as he turned back to face the boy. "You bet," he simply said before ruffling the kid's hair.

"I'm so sorry for him, Dukat." Kyrin's mother said apologetically. "I tried to tell him not to bother you, but he just had to come and see for himself if it was really you."

"It's not a bother at all," Dukat said as he stood to greet the woman. "A boy's got to be given the chance to ask the questions on his mind."

"Yes, but still..."

As Dukat and the boy's mother talked the attitude of the crowd changed. Seeing how Dukat reacted to the boy's questions they suddenly didn't feel so afraid to ask their own. Slowly more and more people began to break from the crowd of spectators and approached the man that they had been watching and wondering about.

Watching as the crowd moved out of the distance and into Dukat's presence Duren couldn't help but to smile anew. Deep down he knew that more people shared his adoration for Dukat then the government would like to have known. Despite what had been said to diminish society's view of him these people still knew all the good he did for them before being exiled those years ago. They still knew that he was an honorable man, and one that deserved recognition.

Looking at Dukat, who was now in between Duren and a small crowd, Duren noticed something about his companion's mood. Dukat was loving the attention he was getting. Duren knew that while everyone enjoyed some positive attention from time to time he would have never assumed Dukat to be someone who ate up that attention so completely. Thinking on it a reason began to form in Duren's mind about why Dukat had insisted that they shuttle down to the planet rather then just transport down directly to his villa. He had thought the reason was that Dukat wanted a chance to once again see the bustling cityscape the capital had to offer. Now though Duren realized that Dukat hadn't been so much interested in the architecture of the capital, but rather its people. More to the point he had wanted them to notice him and notice that their hero Dukat had finally returned home.

Shaking his head slightly Duren turned his attention away from Dukat and his adoring fans and looked at Ziyal, who quietly stood off just a ways from her father. With Dukat's attention turned towards the crowd it had been turned away from his daughter. This was probably the first time such a thing had happened in a long while, if ever, to the young girl as she appeared to be very nervous and vulnerable. Slowly Duren took a step forward and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. At his touch she jumped slightly before noticing it was Duren's hand that rested on her shoulder. Looking back at him she mustered a weak smile before slipping back into whatever world she was in. Seeing Ziyal like this made Duren concerned for her slightly and he decided that it would be best if they finished their journey to his villa. "Dukat, I think it's time to be moving on," he said, making sure his tone was a friendly one and wouldn't hint at the concern he was feeling.

Over all the words and attention being given to him Dukat just barely was able to make out Duren's words. Having been away from his people for so long he was rather enjoying this opportunity to mingle with them, and he hated to pull away from it. He knew that it was something that he should do though. Turning away from them and looking upon his daughter the thought about leaving became a necessity and he found himself suddenly and grudgingly telling his crowd of fans that he had to depart. "I must go now," he said in such a way that the Cardassian arrogance was obvious, "but don't worry, I'm staying on the planet. For good."

Several of those that stood before him made sounds of disappointment as Dukat bid them farewell and a few even asked him to stay for just a bit longer. This of course just served as more fodder for the man's ego and with a grin he promised to give each of them a chance to talk with him soon. The scene left nothing for Duren to do but simply shake his head at them and their awe of the man before them. He knew that his people respected Dukat and were grateful for all that he had done for them, but this sudden rush of worship seemed just a bit over the edge for Duren. When Dukat reached him he simply shrugged their reactions off as both of them, along with Ziyal, returned to the walking pace that would lead them to Duren's villa.

The rest of their trip was rather quiet as no one else chose to approach Dukat. Several people noticed him as they walked along, but none dared more then a friendly wave. Dukat himself had returned to his excited story telling to Ziyal, who enjoyed listening to every fascinating detail that he related to her. Duren walked slightly in front of the pair, leading them to their destination. This sense that the group had returned to after dealing with the crowd was a sense that he preferred. While he resented neither the crowd's reaction to Dukat's homecoming or Dukat's eagerness to speak with them Duren had still wished to be done with them quickly. It wasn't anything against the situation, but now that he was planetside he was really looking forward to stepping through the doors of his home and greeting his housekeeper Leshka before finally kicking up his feet to rest.

It had been a long thirteen months since he had last set foot upon this world. Thirteen months. When he said it in his head it really didn't seem like such a brief amount of time had really passed. To him it felt as though several years had passed and that his home had surely changed in such a long absence. This feeling he attributed to all that he had done since last enjoying the calm that his home offered.

Since his last visit to Cardassia Prime he had been involved in the plan that he and Tierzak had come up with to discredit Seven and bring about her removal from the position of Overseer. Looking over his shoulder for a moment he briefly looked at the pair that he could now claim as friends and realized that when he last left this world of theirs they had not even met. It was in fact the secret mission to go and rendezvous with Tierzak in the Venru sector that had last called him away. Giving way to a brief smile Duren found it amusing that so much had happened and so much had change since then. Were he to have been asked there was no way he would have believed that all that had happened over the past year would come true. Both the preparation and execution of his plan had caused a considerable strain on him, but it had all been worth it. While the sudden appearance by the Klingon Commander Koltarn at the Narendra Conference had cast some doubt off of Seven's loyalties, her subsequent abandonment of custody and in fact the whole Alliance had played right into his hands. Now she was an exile herself, not being heard from nor seen since the conference, and Duren had been bestowed a new level of respect by his peers and commanding officers. Yes, it had all ended well for him, and now that it had ended all he wished for was a moment's rest from this campaign before he rejoined the Alliance's campaign against the Romulans.

Just barely at the capital's fringe a truly welcome sight came to Duren's battle weary eyes. There before him was the main building of his small villa and he could just make out the small adobe walls that ran along the edge of his property. As if to make the scene all the more beautiful the sun high above their heads cast down upon his villa to create what looked to be the shadows of a truly remarkable home; and to Duren it was indeed remarkable. Were he holding something then surely he would have dropped it in awe of seeing his home and in response his jaw dropped slightly as if to see how sweet the air of the moment was.

"Is this your villa?" Ziyal asked, awestruck instantly apparent in her voice.

It took a moment before Duren responded as he had been swept away in the beauty that was before him. "Yes," he muttered as he registered Ziyal's question and came back to reality. "This is the place that my family and I have claimed as home for three generations."

"It's beautiful," Ziyal suddenly said as she took in the whole scene before her and felt it overwhelm her senses.

"Yes it truly is," agreed Dukat.

At hearing these words of praise Duren couldn't help but smile as his jaw returned to its normal place. After allowing one more second to enjoy the moment he had found himself in he took in a deep breath and regained his composure before taking a step forward. When he reached the door of his home he paused once again as he placed his hand on the door's knob. Taking in one final breath of the sweet air that surrounded him he gestured his two companions closer before opening the door wide on its hinges and ending his tiresome trek with a final step that brought him within the inviting confines of home.

"Leshka?" he called out as he made his way deeper into his home's main room. As he called out for his housekeeper again he stood at the room's center and let its warmth wrap around his being before looking back at Ziyal and Dukat. "Go ahead and place that where you want," he said to Ziyal, eyeing the bag that she still clung to. "There are three separate bedrooms upstairs and a full guest bathroom that you are both welcome to." Both Dukat and his daughter found themselves simply staring at the lavishly decorated room and barely registered Duren's offer. "I'm going to go and find Leshka," Duren simply said before walking out of the room and leaving the two to enjoy the wonders that his home offered.

With his guests and his home's main room behind him Duren began to wander about the house for Leshka. She had been his housekeeper for as long as he could remember and because of this a bond had grown between them. To Duren she was like a second mother, and he knew that she would be just as excited to see him as he was of seeing her.

His first instinct pulled him toward the kitchen, knowing how she always seemed to be trying some new and zesty recipe to be approved by the neighborhood. When he saw she wasn't there he paused in his search for a moment and let his mind race through the possibilities. Calling out her name again he decided on where she must be and he headed for his home's rear door that opened out onto a magnificent backyard that was complete with its own pond and a garden that boasted an array of flowers from four different worlds. It was in this garden that he found her.

As Duren called her name one final time Leshka suddenly jumped. Busy tending to the exotic flowers around her she was unaware that anything had changed within the confines of the house or just outside them. To hear her name so suddenly being called out caused her to be ripped from the serene world she had slipped into while tending the garden back to the bigger reality which surrounded her. Not knowing to whom the voice belonged she guardedly clutched her steel spade and slowly rose to face whoever had called her name. When her eyes laid upon Duren she loosened her grip so much that she nearly dropped the garden tool. "Duren!" she called out to the approaching man. Once he stopped his movement she placed her free arm around him and gave him a gentle squeeze.

"It's good to see you again Leshka," Duren said as he placed an arm around her and squeezed back. A warm and calming sense came over him as Leshka embraced him and he felt himself smile. This woman was the only person that he could even come close to knowing as family. As a result he couldn't help but to feel a sort of affection towards her.

"What in Cardassia's name are you doing home?" she asked as she pulled herself away and gave him a look over.

"Those bureaucrats on the Detapa Council finally decided that their loyal slave Gul Duren was due for a respite," he replied, which then gave way to a moment of laughter between them. As the moment passed Duren suddenly remembered about Dukat and Ziyal, who were probably still waiting for him in the main room. "Come Leshka," he said as he started to gesture her back towards the house. "I have guests that I would like you to meet."

"Guests?" she asked somewhat startled. "Oh Duren don't tell me you brought people home with you. The house is a wreck and look at me! My hands are all covered in dirt and my clothes are none better."

"Leshka," Duren said with a tone that he hoped would calm her down. "The house is spotless, I haven't seen it look this beautiful since mother was around. And as far as you, they will understand. Trust me, you're going to like them." Leshka looked back at Duren full of skepticism, but she remained silent as they finished their walk through the house. When they finally made it to the main room Duren found his friends in very nearly the same spot he left them. "Leshka, I would like you to meet my good friend Dukat and his daughter Ziyal," he introduced. "And this is my housekeeper and nagging mother figure for thirty years Leshka."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Dukat said with his warmest smile as he stepped forward and took Leshka's hand in his for a moment's holding.

"Ah the glorious Dukat," Leshka greeted almost with indifference. She had seen a great many people in her time and as a result she was hardly ever impressed. To her everyone was on equal ground. This manner she held firmly onto until she took a step beyond Dukat and looked at Ziyal. "You are such a little thing!" she remarked, instantly noticing how slim and frail the girl looked. "Have you eaten anything today?"

"Well we just came down from the orbital docks and..." Duren tried to explain before Leshka abruptly cut him off.

"Excuses excuses, that seems to be all you men ever do. Here," Leshka said as she put an arm around Ziyal and gestured her towards the stairs, "just come with me and I'll show you to the guest bathroom. After a long shuttle trip I'm sure you're just dying for a nice hot shower. Once you get cleaned up I'll cook you a meal that is sure to put some meat on these bones."

Ziyal looked over her shoulder at the two men looking just a bit uneasy. "Leshka that won't be neces..." Duren once again tried to say and was once again cut off.

"Oh you hush up. I'll take care of this girl while you men do whatever it is you do." she briskly said before her and Ziyal disappeared up the stairs.

"She's a spitfire isn't she?" Dukat remarked as he looked at the stairs where the two women had ascended.

"Well she definitely has an energy to her." Duren conceded. "Leshka just seems to feel it's her role to mother everyone." Agreeing with him on this point Dukat simply gave a slight nod as he turned back around to face his host. There was a brief pause as the two looked around the room and admired it before Duren said, "You must be thirsty Dukat. Care for a drink?"

"I am a little dry," Dukat commented as he rubbed his throat. "You wouldn't happen to have any Kanar would you?"

"Why would I want to keep anything else?" Duren asked jokingly and Dukat gave a slight laugh in response. Walking over to a bar set just into the far wall Duren reached underneath a wooden counter and retrieved two crystal glasses and a bottle full of the greenish liquid of choice. Carefully he removed the bottle's top and inhaled the drink's intoxicating aroma before filling both of the glasses. Once he returned the bottle Duren took a glass in each hand and walked back to his friend before handing him one.

Taking the drink Dukat took a whiff of his own and swirled the drink for a moment in his glass before taking a sip. "Ah, now that's good Kanar," he commented.

"Only the best for my guests," Duren said with a smirk.

With drinks in hand both men proceeded to find themselves a place to rest on the lavish furniture which adorned the main room. Sipping down their Kanar they let their bodies rest from the long walk they had endured in getting here from the spaceport and from all the strain they had been put through in the past few months. For Dukat he had not rested since him and Ziyal had been hidden away on the ruined world of Andor some five months ago. It had been even longer for Duren. Now that they were able to neither man saw a reason to deny themselves of such rest and they both gave a contented sigh as they let their bodies melt into the soft fabric that surrounded them.

When Leshka returned from guiding Ziyal to the guest bathroom she looked at the two men as they lounged and muttered something under her breath as she shook her head. "I'll be in the kitchen making some of my famous Gromlit Stew," she said to no one in particular as she walked off in the direction of the kitchen.

"Gromlit Stew," Dukat half muttered to himself. "It has been awhile since I was treated to such a dish."

"You haven't had a proper taste of the stuff until you've had some of Leshka's," Duren commented.

The comment stayed in the air as both men became lost in their own thoughts. It was a silence that was strangely broken by Dukat. "Thank you Duren," he said as he looked at the younger man. When confusion was shown across Duren's face at the statement Dukat wetted his lips as he decided to explain himself. "I of course mean for your hospitality in letting me and Ziyal stay here." He drew his arms apart as if to note how impressive Duren's home was and how grateful he truly was. Something in his eyes though hinted that there was more to his thanks and that hint was confirmed as he added, "And for helping my daughter and me to escape from that miserable life we had been forced into. I can't imagine what would have become of us were it not for you and that Ferengi friend of yours."

Though Duren was grateful for such praise coming from such a man his words let show another part of his feelings on the situation. "My motives for everything weren't exactly selfless," he almost shamefully said as he took a drink of his Kanar.

"That may be true, but nonetheless your actions saved both of us. This is something I will always remember and always be grateful for."

Feeling slightly guilty and completely unworthy of such a man's praise Duren chose to ask Dukat about one of his more famous combat strategies that he had used during the Terran War. This lead to lengthy boasting and words that one was skeptical to fully believe in. For close to half an hour the two military minds were embroiled in this heated fashion of story telling that was only ended by the ring of the doorbell.

Knowing that Leshka was surely now fully committed to her stew Duren slowly rose up from where he was sitting. Asking for a moment's pause in their discussion Duren offered Dukat the chance to refill his quickly emptying glass as he made his way to the large wooden doors that made up the entrance to his home. As he did so he couldn't help but to get a sense of deja vu. Unlike the last time this happened to him though the person on the door's other side was not an enemy, but a close friend.

Opening the door slowly and cautiously Duren peered out the first chance he was able to. The person he saw brought shock to him for a moment, followed by a strong sense of camaraderie. "Bendrick!" he exclaimed as he took the man's hand in his and gave it a firm shake. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you finally got back from the warfront so I decided to drop by," his friend said in earnest, though Duren could tell there was something more to what was going on.

"Come, come in," Duren invited. "Have some Kanar and tell me what has been going on in your life."

"There is nothing I would enjoy better right now then to accept your offer Duren, but unfortunately this isn't a social call. I'm here on some important business."

"Won't you still come in and sit down?" Duren asked as intrigue about Bendrick's visit ran rampant in his mind.

"Only for a moment," Bendrick finally agreed, "before we have to leave."

As he followed his friend into the main room his mind raced through all the possible causes for his visit. There was nothing Duren could think of that might cause his friend to behave in such a way. Behavior aside his mind pondered what he meant when he implied that he would not be leaving alone. These questions Duren hoped would be quickly answered as they made their way into the room and back into Dukat's presence.

"Dukat, I would like to introduce you too my good friend Bendrick," Duren said as the two men approached the Cardassian hero.

"Greetings," Dukat said as he lifted his freshly refilled glass of Kanar.

At seeing Dukat Bendrick gave a slight nod of acknowledgement before turning his attention back to his friend. "Duren, I have come here to tell you something and to bring you before the Detapa Council." There was such a finality about Bendrick's statement that it shocked Duren. Even Dukat was caught unawares as the Detapa Council was mentioned and the seriousness of the situation truly hit them.

"What is this about?" Duren blurted out almost as a demand of whatever knowledge his friend possessed.

"Actually," Bendrick said with a pause before simply saying, "it's about him." he finished as he gave a nod with his head towards Dukat.

"What do you mean it's about me?" Dukat asked taking a step towards Bendrick and letting his tone get a touch more hostile.

Raising a hand in an effort to calm his guest Duren looked at his friend in such a manner that Bendrick didn't need to hear his friend's words to know exactly what he was thinking.

"I have been sent here, by the Detapa Council, to bring you before them for questioning." he stated matter-of-factly. "Both of you as a matter of fact."

"But I though you said this was about me?" Dukat asked, confused by Bendrick's statement that the matter involved Duren as well.

"It is about you Dukat. However, because of Duren's actions recently, the matter involves him as well."

Growing annoyed at his friend for his blatant avoidance of what the matter truly was about and for the arrogant air of superiority that he held Duren felt his patience quickly thinning. Were Bendrick anyone other than a close friend then Duren would have surely put this man in his place and out the door. But this was not any other man, this was a dear friend of his, and someone that had been so for many years. With this in mind he held back his fist and simply put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Bendrick, my friend, please just tell us why you are here." Duren pleaded.

Looking into his friend's eyes and the genuine distress he could sense being held just behind them Bendrick knew that this sort of gamesplaying he was up to wasn't benefiting anyone or the situation on the whole. Knowing this he decided to drop all of it and come straight out with the reason as to why he had come. He inhaled a big breath of the air that surrounded him before he started.

"A while back I was hired by the Detapa Council as someone to help them keep track of people and events that were going on in the Cardassian Empire. I became an assistant if you will. Anyways, one of the people I was asked to keep track of was you Dukat. You have many enemies in the government, enemies that would kill you if they thought they could get away with it. Instead those enemies conspired you into exile, and thus grew comfortable with your departure."

In laying out these clear facts Bendrick had unknowingly revealed what lay just beyond them. Dukat knew he had enemies, Enabrain Tain being the most notable, and by the reactions he had received at the Narendra Conference he had begun to wonder if anyone back home still supported him. The crowd's reaction earlier had put his mind at ease about how he was viewed, but Bendrick's words threatened to undo all the good that crowd's reaction had done.

"So, because he's back here on Cardassia Prime, they want to bring him in and try to find a new reason for him to leave." Duren stated as he tried to piece together everything his friend had told him.

"More or less," Bendrick said with a nod, confirming his friend's thoughts.

As the three men stood there and absorbed the situation Dukat still didn't see how all of this tied in with Duren. "If that's the case," he began in a quiet tone that picked up volume as he took another step toward Bendrick, "then why do they need to speak with Duren? What would they need to summon him for if all they are doing is fishing for a new reason to force me into exile?"

When the question was asked by Dukat it appeared also in Duren's mind and suddenly he was curious about why the Detapa Council would want to see him. To Bendrick the question's answer was easy, and he decided to present it as such.

"The Council wants to speak with you, Duren, because of all your recent dealings with Dukat. Once it was revealed that you had dealings with someone labeled as a traitor of the state then you became just as guilty as him."

"But that isn't true," Duren protested.

"In their eyes it is the truth, my friend. And in the end their eyes are the ones that matter."

Hearing this Duren didn't know whether it was the words his friend said or the tone that came with them that surprised him more. He knew that the Detapa Council viewed the crime of treason as a very serious issue, and paranoia had caused a stream of rash accusations to come from them, but never did he imagine that this would happen. Dukat was a hero of the Cardassian people and he was one of their top military commanders, and now they were both to be labeled as traitors of the state? No, this couldn't be. Duren wouldn't let it be, no matter what it cost.

Like Duren, Dukat was upset at Bendrick's words. He couldn't believe that after all this time the government of his beloved world could still act in such a petty way. Turning his view to see Duren's reaction he knew that they couldn't allow this judgment to be passed unchallenged. "Are we to be brought in immediately?" he asked of Bendrick as Duren looked at him and they both prepared for the answer.

"Yes. My orders were to come and stay here until it was convenient for the both of you and then to return to the council hall." Bendrick replied simply.

In Duren's mind he thought about how generous the Detapa Council was being by throwing a word like convenient into their order, obviously though it was just there to save face. Instead of voicing this thought though he simply said, "We're ready now," in a stern tone as he briefly glanced at Dukat, making sure he too was ready, before turning his full attention towards his friend.

Bendrick stood there and looked over Duren's face in an attempt to try and get a reading of what his friend was really thinking. "Very well," he said as he saw just how serious Duren viewed the situation.

"Leshka," Duren called out over his shoulder back in the direction of the kitchen. When she didn't answer him he called out her name a second time, but only got more silence from the older woman. "Dukat and I won't be having your stew. We have something to go do."

This statement caught the woman's attention as suddenly she appeared from the hallway that connected the main room to the kitchen. "What do you mean you have something to do?" she said as she came in with a towel and was drying her hands. "Hello Bendrick," Leshka quickly greeted as she stepped forward and took notice of the new visitor. "Duren, you're finally back home and my Gromlit Stew is one of your favorite meals," she said as she turned to look Duren straight in the face. "What possibly could you two have to rush out to do to miss my stew?"

"It's something we'd rather not mention right now," Dukat said to Leshka in an attempt to help his friend in the face of this woman, "but it is very important that we go now."

"Important?" Leshka asked as anger began to seep into the creases of her face. "You men don't know a thing about important! You are all the same, forcing us women into the kitchen and forcing a mop into our hands, but are you ever grateful?"

"Leshka, it's ok..." Duren said in a soothing tone as he tried to calm his housekeeper down.

In response Leshka went off on some other complaint about men and their treatment of life and the two men of Duren and Dukat simply stood their and took the abuse as they vainly tried to calm her down. This pattern of argument continued between the three until a new voice broke through their shouting.

"What's going on?" Ziyal said in a small voice that made her seem very fragile and vulnerable like that of a young girl. As she stood there at the top of the stairs everyone turned to look at her. In return she looked back with worry shown across her face.

"Duren and I have something very important we have to go and do, sweetie." Dukat affectionately replied.

When Dukat's words, and the fact of his immediate departure, sank into Ziyal's mind her worry grew ten fold and her whole body seized with fear. She didn't know what to do, only that she didn't want her father to leave her here alone. Suddenly she found herself bounding down the stairs towards him and before she could have a rational thought her arms were wrapped about her father and she was quietly asking him to stay in between a few tear drops.

Though Ziyal was a young woman in this instant she appeared to be no more than eight or so years old. Instantly it became apparent just how much her father had come to mean to her and how after all they had been through she feared being too far from him. Were it another time, another moment, then perhaps the scene of Ziyal clutching onto her father as he stroked her still wet hair would be seen as a touching respite in the dark horrors of a life at war. With their need to leave and face their accusers though it sadly became just another roadblock.

"It's ok," Dukat reassured her. "We won't be gone for long. In the meantime why don't you stay here with Leshka? She's made some Gromlit Stew which I hear is the best on all of Cardassia."

Looking up into her father's eyes Ziyal swallowed hard and tried to force back her feelings. She knew that such behavior was unbecoming of a young Cardassian woman, but at the mention of his departure she had just become so terrified at being left alone. These feelings weren't ones that she wanted to be having, but she couldn't help it. In the three years that they had lived in exile Dukat, this father that she didn't realize existed until she was used against him, had been her vigilant protector against all those that had wished to harm her. She knew that without him on Tesslak Prime then she would have been dead within a week; or worse. Tragedy had formed the strongest of bonds between these two, and she found herself fearful of putting strain on that bond on the chance it would snap and thusly let all the demons come back into her life. When her eyes met his in this instance though she could feel a part of his strength being transferred into her through his gaze. With that strength she found herself slowly releasing him and falling back into a net of safety that she could feel being thrown around her by Leshka.

As Ziyal slowly left the comfort of her father's arms Leshka was immediately there to scoop the girl up and reassure her that she would be fine. Watching as the two women walked off towards the kitchen Dukat felt how much pain was caused in Ziyal and he wished that he could hide her away and protect her from such things. He knew that in leaving her now and facing the Detapa Council that he would ultimately be a step closer to that goal, but in the here and now it was too hard to trust in such possibilities.

"All right," Duren said to the two men before him as the women disappeared behind him. "Let's get this over with." Both Dukat and Bendrick gave a quick nod of agreement before the three of them turned and headed out the door.

The trip to the council hall was a quiet one as none of them knew what should be added to their thoughts. Being in the heart of the capital made the travel time long, time though that was shortened by the use of Bendrick's hover transport. How well off Bendrick must be to afford such a sleek machine was what ran through Duren's mind. It wasn't until later when he found out the transport was a gift from the Detapa Council in exchange for Bendrick's service that Duren truly began to see what had become of his friend. Even in this moment, though unaware of everything, he began to harbor some mistrust for his long time friend. His feelings weren't those of hatred, but more feelings of confusion. He just couldn't understand what had happed to convince Bendrick not only to go and work for the Detapa Council but begin to accept their dogma as his own. Despite the quickened journey on the hover transport it still seemed to take forever to reach the council hall and that length of time was made worse as Duren could do nothing but silently wonder about his friend and the people he was about to face down.

When they finally arrived at the hall reserved for the Detapa Council meetings Duren found an odd relief come over him. Being brought before superiors to fight a claim that he was a traitor of the state was something he thought would bring more and more dread as the moment drew nearer and nearer. The very opposite happened though as he felt relief that he would finally be able to face his accusers. In his service in the military there had been many decisions come by way of them and aside for the small dealings he had with Natima Lang at the Narendra Conference then he hadn't ever been able to question those decisions. Of course, that was how it was supposed to be. Having the council out of reach of the military commanders they ordered to death made those orders much easier to give and the population much easier to control, or that was the principle. In Duren's mind this was just a smokescreen for the cowards to hide behind as they didn't want anyone to have the chance to question their infallibility.

With Bendrick leading them Dukat and Duren looked at each other in the last pause before they faced their accusers. Both of them had heard the tales of what happened before the council, and only through Dukat's brief working relationship with Natima did they have any clue what to expect when they faced the council. Their minds ran through all sorts of possibilities about what might happen as they moved through the building. Finally they were forced to silence their minds and those possibilities as they reached the huge double doors that served as entrance to the council chambers.

Being in the lead Bendrick reached for the door handles and gripped one tightly in each hand. Before opening them he paused for a moment as if in thought before turning to look at his friend. "I'm sorry, Duren, that this has to happen," Bendrick said as both his tone and expression flashed a sign that Duren's long time friend was still in there somewhere. "And that I am the one that had to bring you in," he added as he pulled open the doors and the three men made their way inside.

Beyond the large double doors laid a room that was breathtaking. The subtle curves of the room's architecture, accentuated by bright and inspiring murals, made it truly a sight. It was accomplishments like this that made one proud of their Cardassian heritage and strive in an attempt for their lives to create something that could compare to these works, if even in just a fraction. What a saddening irony that such beauty bore witness to the evil and ugly commands sent forth by the Detapa Council. Duren could do nothing but slowly shake his head in pity for the unresting spirits that had divined such beauty, only to have become so dreary in their creator's absence. This thought he held onto as a large table appeared before him where seven rather self important people sat.

"Greetings Detapa Council," Bendrick said in a genial tone. "As you asked, I have brought forth Dukat and Duren, labeled as traitors of the state."

"We are appreciative of this," Natima said returning Bendrick's tone with an underlying layer of falsehood to it before waving him off. In response to this wave he clicked his boots together before turning and walking off to the side of the room and gaining a rather statuesque pose upon arrival.

"Dukat, Duren, welcome to the hall of the Detapa Council." Natima addressed.

As Duren looked back at her a sick feeling of revulsion came to him. He and Dukat had been ordered here with the worst label imaginable in Cardassian society hung about their neck and she had the audacity to act as if this were some sort of warm hearted gathering? To Duren this was nothing short of a blatant insult, and the look on his face expressed his feelings.

"What is it you want from me this time, Natima?" Dukat shot at the woman who was seated in the middle of the gathered council members.

With Dukat's words Natima herself became insulted. "Right to the point is it then?" she asked, not giving any effort to hide hostility from her voice. When neither man before her spoke she took that as a sign of agreement and proceeded to sentence them. "Dukat, your crime and judgment is three years standing. You were deemed a traitor and exiled from this world. Duren, your crime is the same, on the grounds of aiding a known traitor of the state."

At the accusation rage was fueled deep within Duren's being. Looking at the mocking faces of those that sat opposite of him, some of whom were people he knew and had only moments ago respected, he suddenly felt the need to lunge at them. Taking a step forward he was about to strike down Natima's accusations, but an arm across his chest from Dukat forced him to back down and settle with simply brewing on his thoughts for a bit longer.

As Duren stepped back and calmed down Dukat stepped forward. He knew these people well, having worked with each of them for several years before being ousted from his seat of power, and as he recalled those days he knew that the possibility that he would face them from the other end of their dealings had been unimaginable. In his relationship with them he had always been a stern supporter, throwing his backing behind them with his trust that they paid so much detail to each situation that they could hardly ever be wrong. With his judgment and subsequent expulsion from Cardassia by them that faith and support had quickly crumbled away and he was able to see them as they truly were: arrogant and unintelligent people who saw themselves as divine rulers. In the end he figured they didn't care about anything other than the fact that their law was obeyed without question.

Not a word was spoken by Dukat as he stepped towards the table where Natima and the other council members sat. Each step he took resonated on the obsidian flooring and seemed to echo throughout the entire room. Not a soul present could tell what was on his mind as no noticeable expression could be found on his face. He waited until he was nearly pressing against the table before he opened his mouth and spoke a single word. "Why?"

Dukat's question with a single word sent a wave of confusion through the council members and they each turned to look at each other in the hope that one of them knew what he meant, save for Natima. She ignored any thoughts about what his question might mean as she stared ahead into Dukat's eyes and into his soul. A pause ensued as Natima waited for the other members to put their confusion to rest. Once they did she looked at Dukat and asked a question of her own. "And what, pray tell, are you asking about?" she asked in a tone thick with arrogance in an attempt to cover her own confusion about Dukat.

If Natima's tone was meant to keep hold of her superiority in this matter then to Dukat it had failed her. He knew that she had no clue about what ran through his mind, and he nearly smiled at it. This knowledge gave him a small edge over the woman, an edge he wished to keep onto for as long as possible. Keeping onto it though would do nothing to help his case, and so reluctantly he furthered his question. "Why am I deemed a traitor of the state?" he asked simply.

When this new question hit her Natima once more felt insulted. Who did Dukat think he was speaking to? She was the leader of the Detapa Council and government for their entire people, and he dared to address her as such? As her mind combed over the question again a wave of fury washed over her and had they been alone she would have surely slapped Dukat. They were not alone though, and she knew that to blatantly lose her temper in front of the other council members would do nothing but belittle her position. "Is it not obvious to you, after so long Dukat, as to why you were sent into exile from this world?" Her question seemed to hold the same weight of Dukat's and with it she hoped to turn the tables against him.

This question made the urge to grin even harder for Dukat to suppress. His question of why had made her feel stupid, and unable to think of a snappy rebuttal she had slipped into asking a question that made her appear as ignorant as she must have felt. Knowing of Natima as a politician Dukat knew that she didn't really have a firm grasp on the situation, and would be unable to clearly answer this matter were he to press further. Aware of this fact he did just that. "Well, unless I'm mistaken, I was deemed a traitor because I bore an illegitimate daughter with a Bajoran servant. Am I mistaken?" he asked with Cardassian arrogance that he hoped would be able to tear down Natima's arrogance.

"A daughter, might I remind you, that was accused of killing the Bajoran leader." Natima said smugly as she leaned back in her chair believing she had just struck a blow to whatever scheme Dukat was plotting.

Ah yes, the incident with Kai Winn. Dukat expected for her to bring out that accusation in an effort to defeat his question. Normally whatever action that Ziyal had committed would have been meaningless in passing judgment upon her father. This situation was different though. He knew that when it was decided that Ziyal had surely been Winn's killer that a Cardassian connection had to be present and an attempt to belittle the Bajoran position within the Alliance was surely a plot for them to gain more power. Only by bringing out a scapegoat to be paraded and exiled could they have been able to safeguard their own possible expulsion from the confines of Alliance safety. Who better for them to throw at the wolves then the hero of the Cardassian people? With a sigh Dukat simply found himself both appreciating and hating the subtle rules of politics.

Before Dukat could respond to Natima's statement about his daughter Duren decided that he could sit back and play witness to their debating no longer. Taking a step towards Natima he shot his own arrogant laced comment into the fires that had taken flame from the words of her and Dukat. "Was Ziyal not absolved of this crime after the Narendra Conference, Natima?" he shot coldly at the Detapa leader.

For a moment Natima thought that she might have lost ground and this caused her to panic, though she never showed it. Thinking back to the conference from several months ago she tried to remember exactly what she had said. As she remembered a smile almost made its way upon her lips as she knew Duren was mistaken. "No she was not," Natima coolly said, though something of wickedness also made itself present in the tone.

"Did you yourself not vote to remove Seven from power?" Duren asked the obvious.

"Yes, I did." With this admission Duren felt that he had trapped Natima into a corner and prepared to deal a final blow on the matter. Instead though Natima had a plan of her own. "But," she said in such a way as to emphasize the word's importance, "not because of Ziyal or Kai Winn's murder. I had my own reasons for choosing to act against Overseer Seven."

So full of assurance that he would be able to tear down Natima's ruling with one more sentence Duren was absolutely shocked by her adding comment. She was right of course in that her deciding speech at the conference made no mention of vindication on the part of Ziyal. How could he have missed this fact? It seemed now, that on a technicality, Natima would win. Duren's heart sank at this realization.

While Natima's final comment may have left Duren feeling defeated it left Dukat unscathed. He saw where Duren had intended to go with the mention of the Narendra Conference and just because Natima had blocked one plan of action on that path didn't mean she had blocked them all. Wetting his lips he looked across at Natima and grew eager of the chance to wipe the smug grin from her face. "But, Natima, are you forgetting something? Ziyal's accusers, the Bajorans, absolved her and chose to blame Seven for Kai Winn's murder. As her accusers they were the ones with all the power in the matter, so by their testament my daughter stands absolved." These statements held such a weight behind them that Natima looked visibly shaken as they washed over her. Dukat enjoyed every moment. "And if my daughter is no longer believed to be a murderer, then what could be the reason that either of us would be exiled?"

Feeling her back somehow once again pressed into a corner Natima frantically searched through her mind in an attempt to salvage what little position she had left in this argument. Believing she had something she voiced it in the hope it would discredit the man before her back into submission. "The accusations against your daughter were just the final straw, Dukat. Your military career is littered with questionable acts that have compounded over the years. Let me remind you of your mission in the Sanskri system that cost the lives of five-hundred civilians! Tell me then, Dukat, is someone capable of such deeds worthy to wear the uniform of a Cardassian officer?" Shooting these words as if they were daggers she rose from her chair and glared at Dukat as she rested her hands on the smooth glass table.

"I was absolved of what happened in the Sanskri system before a military tribunal and you know it! Those lives were ones that were impossible to save, and only because of your direct order did I lose twenty three fine officers in an attempt to save them nonetheless. If anyone should be exiled over that it is you!" Dukat fiercely shot back.

Standing there and watching things come to a head Duren saw an opening that he thought might just be enough to settle things once and for all. For over a year now a question had dug its way deep down into his mind and served as an itch that he had yearned to scratch. It was something that puzzled him even more after the Narendra Conference, and now with the chance before him to finally give it a scratch he felt an obligation to do so. "Natima," he started in a stern tone so as to get her attention, "there has been something on my mind for quite sometime now. That something is this; if you had such negative ideals and hating beliefs of Dukat then why did you order me to retrieve him from exile? Why did you send me to meet in the Venru sector and pick up what you referred to as 'cargo important to the future of Cardassia' which was this man and his daughter, if you did not wish to be bothered by him again?"

"What?" Natima plainly asked as her rage began to subside and be replaced by confusion.

"Just over a year ago my ship, the Alvex, was ordered to the Venru sector to retrieve some mysterious cargo. That cargo was Dukat and Ziyal, and the order came coded directly from your office Natima."

"I....have no idea what you are talking about," she quietly said as she fell back into her chair with something that seemed half confusion and half worry on her face.

Placing his hands on the table and leaning forward Duren was about to call Natima out on this fact, believing her to be lying in a last effort to cover up what was really going on. When his eyes met hers though that belief changed. Her look seemed to reflect genuine confusion, and though Duren thought that too was part of her act, her look remained unchanged until Duren couldn't help but to believe it. Sweeping his gaze at the other members of the Detapa Council he saw that each of them wore the same look as Natima and his assurance once again crumbled away and confusion once more took paramount.

"If you didn't order the Alvex to the Venru sector..." Duren stated the obvious question that now played in the minds of everyone present. Though he stood there with confusion something else creeped its way into his mind. It started as a subtle urging, but quickly became something much more. For a reason he would never fully understand his gaze was lifted from Natima and was sent across the room to the shadowed corner where his friend Bendrick still stood. Looking upon Bendrick's face something came over Duren. He couldn't explain why, but the moment he took in his friend's expression then his question about the order became answered.

Though he himself now knew this answer, no one on the council had a clue. Quickly in his mind Duren spun a way that this question and the pause in the arguing could be used for the benefit of all. Sorting out a few last words in his mind he began a very careful game with those words, hoping that none of them would end up being the downfall of Bendrick or himself.

"The answer, my fellow Cardassians, must lay in the fact that a saboteur is among us." The word saboteur, though kin to traitor, sent a ripple of shock through the Detapa Council. They all silently drew in a deep breath as they sat in wait for Duren's next words. "This, my fellow Cardassians, should be our focus. Our people are currently engaged in a violent and brutal war against a tangible enemy, the Romulans. When faced with this enemy do we really need to fabricate enemies amongst our own people? Natima, do you recall the Regent's final words at the Narendra Conference? In those words he spoke of a united front against our tangible Romulan foe, and how we should not allow mistrust of each other to divide us and bring us down to fighting amongst ourselves. Though his words were meant for a much grander scale, and on the principle that the mistrust lay between the species' division built within the Alliance hierarchy, could they not be applied here? Could they not be used as a plea to end the mistrust of our own people, and as a plea to begin a truly united Cardassian front that will stand firm against all those who dare tarnish our name? Look now at the hall we stand in. Look at all its glory that was divined and built by Cardassian hearts, Cardassian minds, and Cardassian souls. Am I the only one that feels the privilege of my heritage when I look upon what my forefathers have done? If the answer to that question is no then I have but one final question to ask. Must we stand here and senselessly bicker amongst ourselves? For surely if we do, we threaten to bring this whole glorious world crashing down upon us until the glorious legacy of the Cardassian people becomes nothing but a dim memory in the minds of those that we leave behind."

When Duren's words ended and he stood there proud and resolute Dukat could hardly think of a word to say that would befit such a noble man and such a noble speech. In that instant he felt proud to be Duren's friend and truly moved by his beliefs of what the Cardassian people should, and could, be. Giving way to a quick sigh he turned to the council leader, knowing what had to be done. "He's right Natima. We cannot allow our people to be subject to such corruption any longer. For their sakes we must end it and stand firm side by side to protect our days and hold back the fierce nights. Will you help me do this Natima? Will you help me keep our people safe and give them the glorious society they full well deserve?" With these questions Dukat moved his hand toward Natima in an ofference of peace.

Staring at Dukat's hand Natima herself found it hard to come up with just the right words for the moment. Her gaze moved to Duren and his words hit her all over again. Those words were right. Those words were just. And those words were ones that she would have said herself long ago before the power of her position had worked its magic. Turning and taking the face of each council member into her gaze for a moment she thought over the situation once more as fully as a few seconds can allow. Suddenly she found herself taking Dukat's hand in hers and giving it a firm shake. She knew that overcoming her stigmas about this man and many others would be a long and trying journey, but for the sake of her people she knew she must try. From that handshake, borne out of mistrust, lies, and negative gamesplaying came the foundation for a new glorious and more united government, and thusly a better Cardassia.