Chapter 8
„Madam!" An elderly woman jumped up from her seat, where she had been reclining before this sudden interruption. Her eyes were rather wide; with neither pleasure nor displeasure. It was mostly surprise; the Madam had usually notified her of her visits, so she could have organized some time off. This full time job of taking care of two teenage twins was rather strength-taking, so she savored every little moment she could have gotten for herself.
„Marias." Elizabeth's eyes appeared as cold as usual, but there was something else, some distinguished happines, that had never been in her eyes for as long as Marias had known her. All she had ever seen in those eyes had been pain, sadness and grief. Even with her children, Elizabeth had alwas displayed some sort of nostalgia, that nearly brought her to tears.
„Madam, you have not called…" Marias began, but trailed off gradually, realizing it was pointless to point out such an obvious thing. This house belonged to Elizabeth…or, rather, to her…her…what should she have called him? They were not related, but he was providing Marias with all the money necessary for Illari and Procal to live like royal children. He also visited them daily, spending at least three hours with them. Then, Marias was allowed to rest, and she was not allowed to listen to some of their conversation. A mystery that had always haunted her…what could they have said to each other during those conversations? She had been here for thirteen years, and had not yet uncovered that. Perhaps they had discussed the father of the children. She had never been allowed to know who it was. When she had asked, her employer had merely said that 'he had been a great man…who had been removed by cruel fate'.
Marias had first met Elizabeth, the mother of the children, a few days after her employment. Her surprise was endless when she realized it was a human. Now, she had slowly gotten used to the fact. In her mind, she kept searching for a Cardassian that would have gone as far as to produce children with a human, though.
„I know." Elizabeth entered further into the dining room, „It was a rather sudden decision." Her eyes trailed over the room, „Is he here?"
Marias shook her head; „No, he has just left an hour ago." He. She had never found out her employers name. Indeed, there were a lot of things she did not know. Yet she never thought of dropping the job; her salary was more alike that of a Gul than of a usual governess.
„Marias…" Elizabeth turned towards the door. The other woman's eyebrows craned, but then a man followed into the room. Marias' eyebrows dropped, together with her jaw, and she lost all the feeling in her legs.
„Bring us our children."
Marias blinked, only to make sure she was not dreaming. She wished to slap herself, to ascertain that even further. This could not have been real..was she hallucinating? Did she have a fever? Her hand passed over her forehead unconsciously. Yes, she was certain she did…or had it just come due to shock? The world around her threatened dangerously to begin spinning. Her eyes closed impulsively, but then again shut open. This was…a miracle…and if it was indeed true…she was going to have a hard time accepting it. Staring came along as a side-effect.
He…the leader of all Cardassians…the former leader of the Occupation of Bajor…certainly among the most powerful and famous Cardassians ever…
„G-gul Dukat…" She stammered, falling to her knees, „I-I've been guarding…your children…all along?"
Elizabeth raised her in pride. She was flattered by the respect…the devotion people still showed to Dukat. Flattered because she was his, because he was hers. Because everything that happened to him she experienced on her own skin, within her own heart, with her soul and her body. The flattery because such a man loved her was also present. Of all the women he could have chosen, he had chosen her. It had been, and still was, a huge boost o self-importance and confidence…Especially because of the love she felt for him.
„Marias, is it?" Dukat made a step forward; he displayed evident experience with such situations, for he spoke coolly, yet pleasantly…very smooth. He had always been a charismatic man. Elizabeth loved that, just as everything conerning him, „Do not fear…and raise, please. From what I hear, you have done an admirable job. That is why I am very sorry to say your service shall be terminated…unless you feel… up to a trip to the Gamma Quadrant?"
Marias rose, trembling, afraid to look into his eyes. She dared glance at Elizabeth, who stood stoic, displaying no other emotion. It took her a few deep breaths to compose herself, and then she finally looked up, facing Dukat. In him, she saw the leader of Cardassian people, a figure she had always wished for her sons to look up to, a role model.
„How could I say no?" She whispered weakly.
Dukat nodded approvingly, „Then go and get our children. Pack their things as quickly as you can, together with your own." He looked over his shoulder; „Elizabeth?"
„My crew will notify us as soon as there is any Federation ship within half an hour from us." She said, as if on cue.
„Good." He turned back to Marias, „Now go."
The woman disappeared as fast as she could have, still shivering slightly. As soon as the door closed behind her, Elizabeth neared Dukat, a smile on her face.
„You have certainly made a worthy first impression on her." Her voice was amused, playful.
„Indeed, I have." His eyes locked with hers, „I can only hope that Illari and Procal have the same standards as their governess."
They were going to find out soon enough. Elizabeth hoped that too. As hard as she tried to hide it, she did feel nervous. What if the children disappointed him? Or if he disappointed them? What if they began to hate each other?
The sound of footsteps approaching made her heart hammer painfully.
„Why are you shaking, Marias?" A girl's voice was heard. Elizabeth noticed Dukat flinching slightly…he had heard his daughter's voice for the first time. Her teeth implied more pressure on her lower lip.
„And who is this man we have to meet?" The same voice was persistent.
„Illari, you will find out in a few seconds." The other voice belonged to a boy. It was a cool, smooth drawl…just like Dukat's. Elizabeth closed her eyes for a second. She could still have recalled how it had pained her to listen to that voice before, when Dukat had not been by her side.
„Your mother will e-explain." Marias stuttered, „Now, go, enter…I must ready our luggage."
„Mother is here?" Illari asked.
„Luggage?" Procal joined in, and then the door opened.
Marias was already gone, and the two children stood alone in the doorway.
The boy was taller, with dark hair and equally dark eyes…a living clone of Dukat. Elizabeth felt a surge of relief. Finally, she could have looked upon that fact with pride and pleasure, instead of grief and nostalgia. He also carried the same expression, had the same refined carriage.
The girl had inherited the same carriage, but her human features were more revealed; her skin was slightly more tanned than the usual Cardassian skin. The blue spot on her forehead stood out more. Her hair was as dark as her brother's, just as her eyes. Her expression reminded Elizabeth of herself.
Their eyes flew stimultaneously from their mother to their father…whom they did not recognize yet. Everybody was silent for a few seconds, as if taking everything in. Then, Elizabeth broke that silence.
„Illari…Procal…" She looked back at Dukat, „I wish to introduce you to…" Her mind racked for appropriate words, but there were none. Inhaling, she ended the thought as slowly as she could, „Your father."
Another silence followed, this time lasting for a couple of minutes. Illari stood, her jaw dropped, while Procal attempted to remain calm and emotionless. Dukat had succeded in remaining like that, while Elizabeth cocked her head, lifting her chin. Whatever was going to happen, she was going to be ready. But, oh, how she prayed for the best!
This time, the silence was broken by Procal. He spoke slowly, with slight hesitation, but certain of himself.
„Our father…Gul Dukat?"
„Yes." Elizabeth whispered.
Procal looked at Dukat.
„Mother has told us a lot about you." He began, „So has our eldest brother." Then he looked at his mother, accusation slight in his eyes, „We have been told you were dead."
„I wished not give you false hopes." Elizabeth's voice gained on strength, „For the last five years, I have been working on…rescuing him." Reviving him would have caused too much need for explanation, and they had not the time now.
„Did you know of us? For the last thriteen years?" It had taken time for Illari to speak, but once she did, her voice was confident and firm. Emotion glistened in her eyes, though.
Dukat opened his mouth, then was silent for a few seconds. She halted her breathing, aware that whatever he said was going to determine the future relationship of---her family.
Finally, he phrased a satisfying answer, and answer that fascinated Elizabeth.
„For the last thirteen years…I knew of nothing."
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The Amazon moved swiftly through space at Warp 9, heading towards Cardassia Prime.
Kathryn Janeway sat in her ready room, Chakotay positioned opposite to her. They were both deep in thought, but also tense, their brows furrowed. Clearly they were pondering over something…ponderous.
Chakotay felt it his duty, solemn duty assigned to him by fate, to stop Elizabeth Bashir and have her trialed. The thought that a couple of days ago he had still felt admiration for that woman made him experience dizziness. And it washed him over with guilt. Whatever Kathryn might have claimed, it was due to his incompetence and easiness of being beguiled that the people of Bajor were going to suffer.
Kathryn doubted what was going on in her husband's mind, so she prayed to all the Gods they caught her. Only then was Chakotay going to be free again; she knew that as well as she knew him.
„Half an hour more." Kathryn stretched, getting up from the chair and moving over to the window.
„I have this hunch that they have already gone far away. And that there is nothing we can do about them." Chakotay's tone was gloomy.
Kathryn let out a long breath.
„Hope, Chakotay. Hope and faith."
„I have rid the people of Bajor of that." He was persistent. So inept on blaming it all on himself. Nearing, him, Kathryn closed her eyes and placed her arm gently on his shoulder.
„Chakotay. I though we had settled this. It was not your fault. All of us have been tricked, not just you."
„Whatever you say, Kathryn, it is not going to change my mind." He shook his head desperately, „I wish it could, but it cannot. I'm sorry."
She frowned; „There is no need to apologize to me. Apologize to yourself for torturing yourself."
He jumped up, leaning against the table; „I just can't help but wonder…"
„There is no use in wondering. You cannot change anything…only amend it." A pause, „Like all of us."
„It's not that." The sigh that left Chakotay's lungs was desperate once more, „There is something I haven't told you." His lips pursed, „In the cave…"
„Yes?" Letting go of him, Kathryn headed back to sit down. Concern was etched all over her face. She would have gladly taken his pain on herself just to rid him of the pain she saw so clearly in his orbs.
„In the cave.." It was difficult for him to say it out loud, obviously, „In the cave…I could have stopped her, Kathryn. I could have, really. Just that…her story…it had entranced me…" He spun around, slamming his fist against the wall, „I felt sorry for her, Kathryn. I though I could relate to their love. Understand them…and so I hesitated…and that moment of hesitation…resulted in this."
Kathryn leaned over the table.
„Chakotay, „ She whispered gently, „All that you are guilty of…is compassion. I have told you that before, I will tell you again and again until you realize it."
He sighed again. For a moment, earlier, he had thought he'd gotten over self-guilt, but he had not. It was, he saw now, a process…that was going to take time.
„It will take time." He finally uttered, „But I'll try."
„Thank you." Kathryn found that was the only thing she could have said, „Now, let's get to work."
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„There's a transmission coming for you, Ma'am." Ensign Paulson noted, „The source is unknown."
Elizabeth raised from the chair of her bridge, slowly twirling to face him.
„Put it through…" He nodded and began working, „In my office."
For a moment, he was taken aback, but then nodded fiercely, flushing. As if ashamed for not trusting her for a moment. Indeed, Elizabeth Bashir had such an effect on people.
„Yes, ma'am. Secure channel?"
„Yes." With a nod, she paced quickly to her ready room.
Dukat was in the shuttlebay, where no one else was currently allowed to go, together with Marias, Illari and Procal. Elizabeth had beamed them over under the pretense of a top secret team of scientists that had to work on something with Captain Chakotay. The shuttlebay, where they worked, was off limits to all personnel but her.
Reaching her computer, Elizabeth dropped into the chair, accepting the transmission. The face on the screen did not surprise her in the slightest; as a matter of fact, her face showed slight annoyance.
„Dai'Mon Borrok." She said coldly, „You are late."
„We ran into trouble." Borrok, the big-lobed, short Ferengi spoke with a dose of disdain; he was speaking to a female after all, and a female with a carriage that portrayed her as superior, „One of our engines broke down. But that does not matter. We have what you want."
„Where is it?"
„We are tractoring it along. But first things first, Admiral…where is our latinum?"
With a sigh, she turned towards a nearby console; „Your coordinates?"
„Transmitting." The Ferengi muttered. Within a few seconds, the coordinates were displayed on her screen. Elizabeth pressed a few buttons, and an energizing sound was heard on the Ferengi's side.
„1 000 bars of gold-pressed latinum…" All the enmity was gone from Borrok's voice; it had transformed into dreamy disbelief, „1 000 bars…for a ship." His eyes darted up, „You do have a sense for business, Admiral. With this fee…" Again he looked at the latinum, as if make sure it was real, „I will keep your secret to my grave."
„That is expected." She nodded her head, „Now, decloak. I will notify you when to release the ship from the tractor beam."
Shutting off the communication, she spun the chair around, ready to get up. But then she froze.
This ship had been her most loyal friend for years. It had been her tool, her aid and so much more. A wave of nostalgia washed over her, and for a moment, she felt remorse for leaving it.
The image of Dukat, her children and the fact that they were finally united wiped that all away. A new dauntlessness overcoming her, she pushed away certainly, casting one last look at her ready room before leving it once and for all.
On the bridge, she glanced at her faithful officers…who had followed her in spite of the seeming foolishness and eerieness of her orders. Who would have died for her had she asked them to. Swallowing, Elizabeth thought of Dukat. She would miss her ship…but she would certainly miss him more.
Heads turned towards her, because for a moment she stood motionless, taking in the sight. She was leaving this life. Heading to a new and a better one.
Boldly, she crossed the bridge, entering the turbolift.
„Deck Ten." She voiced, as the door closed and forever sealed her off that bridge.
Upon entering the shuttlebay, she was greeted by Dukat, who placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Illari and Procal seemed all right. She was slightly afraid, but Procal had sternly refused to display fear, even if he felt it. Marias was still too awed to experience anything else. They all stood still, ready.
„We can proceed." Elizabeth neared the console, „Lowering the shields…Borrok is too…" She set the timer to five seconds, and moved over to…her family.
Five.
The regret was slowly moving away. Elizabeth gripped Dukat's hand, again reveling in the feeling of having him so close to her.
Four.
Why should she feel sad at all? She had finally succeeded.
Three.
Her children were here too. Illari and Procal had finally met their father…that moment that should have happened thirteen years ago had come now.
Two.
They were going away…to a better place. Uncontrollable joy overpowered her; this was indeed happening! They were soon going to be safe, together and happy.
One.
The sound of their molecules coming apart to be recomposed on the Ferengi ship filled the shuttlebay just as Captain Chakotay stepped into it.
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Elizabeth Bashir, Dukat, and three people out of which two he supposed were their children had transported…somewhere. In front of his very eyes. Irritation had begun to mix with Chakotay's initial triumph. How could this have happened? He had been only seconds from his goal, and now he had been outwitted once more. By the same person.
The crew…it had been the crew's fault. They had been difficult and uncooperative. When Kathryn contacted them, requesting to beam aboard immediately and asking them to seize Admiral Bashir, they refused. They claimed that they were under direct orders from Starfleet Command. When Kathryn had said Starfleet Command had issued no such orders, and that they had been decieved by Admiral Bashir, they did not believe her. They had chosen loyalty to their Admiral over, in Chakotay's eyes, common sense. He started to see she had that effect on people himself now. All people, not just him. It made him feel better…misery loved company.
Finally, Chakotay had requested to beam over and talk to Admiral Bashir, they agreed. Unfortunately, it had been a few seconds too late.
No time for reflecting on past mistakes.Chakotay said to himself, pressing his commbadge.
„Chakotay to Janeway." He said with exhasperation, „We were too late. They have transported away from this ship."
„Acknowledged." Kathryn's voice was not nearly as gloomy, „And I believe I know were." Thank God, Chakotay thought, moving towards the console. Bashir had no doubt erased the coordinates. Instead of uselsess attempts of salvaging the information, he could have beamed over to the Amazon immediately.
„There is an unknown starship moving away from the system…apparently heading back towards Bajor." Kathryn went on, „It appears to be of Ferengi production, but very different…better armed and equipped than any of their ships I've seen."
„Probably another doing of Bashir's…or should I say of her latinum." Chakotay tapped the console, „Lifesigns?"
„Human, four Cardassians. It's them." Her voice carried the triumph to him.
„Set a course to follow them as soon as I've beamed over." And he initiated the transporting process.
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„They are in pursuit." Dukat stated, watching the sensors.
Elizabeth leaned over another console; „Maximum warp. If we cannot get rid of them, we will destroy them."
Something in her heart did ache slightly upon saying that; she had grown rather attached to Captain Chakotay in spite of everything. However, the pain was irrelevant…Dukat was here, and he was far more important to her than a thousand Chakotays. A thousand Amazons.
„No." Dukat said, amused, „We will disable them, so they can see our triumph…and tell the universe of it."
A smile stretched over her face, as she turned to look at him.
„You have always had the touch for such things."
Dukat cocked his head, grinning, „That is why you adore me so endlessly, is it not?"
Before she got the opportunity to answer, a beep was heard. Immediately, they both turned back to their stations.
„They are arming their weapons…attempting to fire and kick us out of warp!" Elizabeth exclaimed angrily, but also with content, „Should I show them?"
„By all means." Why had she asked at all? Typing in a series of codes, Elizabeth initiated the transwarp drive.
„Courtesy of the Borg." Were her final words before their ship disappeared in a flash of green light.
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„They've gone into transwarp!" Lieutenant McMarren shouted, obviously dazed.
This meant they could reach Bajor in a matter of seconds. Most would have given up at such a moment, but Kathryn Janeway had not spen seven years in the Delta Quadrant to be outwitted by some simple Borg technology.
„The conduit has not collapsed yet." She turned to the helm officer, „Follow them in."
„Admiral, that could tear our ship apart!" He protested.
„Do it." Her icy voice made him obey at the spot.
The green light swallowed the Amazon.
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They were back at Bajor. Feeling triumphant, Elizabeth set new cooridantes.
„Heading for the wormhole…full impulse."
They could have merely used transwarp to reach the Gamma Quadrant, but Elizabeth had foreseen the flaws of such a plan. Number one, the Amazon could have followed them into transwarp. Number two, they could have followed them through the wormhole. The latter was a very slight possibility…but Elizabeth wished to take no chances. Not now, when she was so close.
„They have followed us…and their ship is still whole!" Dukat sounded surprised, and so did Elizabeth. But she had expected nothing less from Admiral Janeway.
Than trying her hardest, pushing it to the very limits. Only now, she had found herself a worthy adversary.
„We are approaching the wormhole." She thought out loud, again interrupted by a beep, „And being hailed."
Her eyes trailed to Dukat, as if asking for permission to answer.
It was truly a relief for Elizabeth to once again not be the one in charge…to have the luxury of letting her destiny lie in someone else's hands. Power is an aphrodisiac, but leadership can be a burden.
A nod came from him, but before that he made a movement with his hand, inviting her to come closer to him. Beaming, Elizabeth obeyed gladly. He moved also, and they met up at the chairs. He offered her his hand, and she took it, letting him push her gently to the chair next to the Captain's, where he had sat down.
„I would have given the Captain's chair to you…were it not for my ego." Dukat chuckled.
„I do not mind in the slightest." Elizabeth said as she answered the hails.
Admiral Janeway's face filled the screen. It had a stern expression on it, one that meant she was up to no good. Elizabeth smiled…they could hardly have been stopped right now.
„Elizabeth Bashir, surrender." Janeway began, „You will be given a trial by the laws of the United Federation of Planets—„
„Admiral Janeway." She shook her head softly, „Do you honestly think that after all I have done your speech is going to make me give up?"
„She is right, Admiral," Dukat cut in lightly, „Elizabeth is quite a determined woman."
Janeway's eyes pierced him.
„Gul Dukat. It appears that you have come back from the dead. That is hardly a crime. But---„
„But" He interrupted her, „I shall most certainly be trialed for aiding Elizabeth, and even if I am not, I shall be…ah…removed sooner or later, is it not so?"
„Think of your children." Elizabeth could have told Janeway was getting deseprate. She knew why as soon as she glanced at the control panel…twenty seond until they reached the wormhole.
„We are thinking of them, Admiral." She leaned back in the chair, „I have always been thinking of them. On the day that they were born, their father had died. Nobody had even noticed anything. Everybody had been too busy mourning for…Benjamin Sisko and helping his son. No one ever gave a second thought to my children and their father. Just as I am certain you would not have been this mad had I revived Benjamin Sisko. Do they not deserve to have him back?" A swallow came, "Do I not deserve to have him back? Does he not deserve to live?"
Ten seconds.
"You have paid a great price for his life." Janeway went on, "You have endagered the lives of millions of people."
"And it was worth it." Elizabeth threw her head high in the air, "Every single life was worth it. But now, Admiral…I must go. A new life awaits us."
The screen went pitch black, Janeway's last expression being one with an opened mouth, as if to say something.
Three seconds.
But something bothered Elizabeth…Janeway's expression, it had been to calm over the last sentence. It had also been somewhat hastened, as if…acted. As if she had done it to stall for time
But what good would have stalling been? When they had already won!
Her eyes followed Dukat as he got up and hurried to release the polaron charges in order to collapse the wormhole as they passed…
And then it hit her.
In a fraction of a second, she looked back at the control panel.
Radiation had been sent from the Amazon to their bridge. Every single panel was heavy with radiation particles…whoever touched one was going to be vaporized instantly.
What followed she could have done in order to release the particles through her body, in order to let the console be usable again in the quickest possible way, in order to allow her family safe passage to the other quadrant.
But she could have only wished her causes had been that noble.
All that existed for her that moment was the scene before her, everything else sank into darkness. All she could have registered was Dukat, moving towards the console. The console that was going to vaporize him instantly if he touched it in the slightest.
Her heart swelled with emotion; with love for him. No. No. Not after he was finally back with her. She could not let him die. He had to live.
Impulsively, she jumped to her feet, not quite certain what she was doing. Her entire mind, heart and soul was filled with one thought---saving Dukat, the love of her life.
"No!"
His exclaim made him turn around and stop, but she must have missed that. He was still standing too close to the console. Hurrying forward, meeting the surprise in his eyes with the desperation of hers, Elizabeth pushed him away rom it…
And landed on it herself.
Dukat sat on the floor, his eyes wide, as he watched his beloved Elizabeth vaporized into thin air before his very eyes.