Memmory Gamma: Gul Dukat

Gul Dukat ruled Terok Nor with an iron fist, measuring Bajorans like inventory even as the occupation began to crack under resistance and political pressure. We unpack how fear of assassination, obsession with control, and a need to be admired can fuse into something far more dangerous than simple rage.

Transcript

Dukat Watches Bajor Under Heel

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Gold Ducot stood on the edge of the promenade, casting a long shadow on the main thoroughfare of the lower level. Shady merchants and weary travelers milled about from airlock to airlock, their wares and possessions clutched tightly. They, however, weren't who Dukat watched with such disdain. The poor, the downtrodden Bajoran people who meekly shambled from the ore processing center to the ghetto-like living quarters and back again always had his eye. Dukot was assigned by his superior, Legate Denning Kell, to become the eighth and final prefect of Bajor and overseer of the slave operations all over the once idyllic world. The mining station, known as Torok Noor, processed and refined Iridium for Kardashi's pleasure, and was now Dukat's headquarters. The reason for relegating himself to such a dreary, hellish place was, in practicality, the hope of being out of reach of the militant Bajoran resistance. This, however, proved to be a mistake, as he suffered five assassination attempts in a cage of his own making. As he gazed down stoically at the wretched and exhausted, he quietly raged. His stare may have been cold, but beneath the surface his blood boiled with disgust. He hated them. He hated everything about them. No matter his approach or effort, he could bend them, beat them, but he could never break them. Not completely. And he hated them for it. Now, after 25 years of brutal but calculating move, he knew the clock was ticking. The Detapa Council had defied the military's central command for the first time in decades, and Cardassia's occupation of Bajor was coming to a humiliating end. But, as he scanned the deck, his pride was suddenly not his first priority. Which one, he wondered? Which back hid the knife that would seal his fate? Dukat always had plans within plans, and he knew a day of reckoning was nearly upon him.

A Crime Journal Opens Wide

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The crime does still exist in the universe. Some mundane, some on a galactic scale. This is a journal of the most memorable, most important crimes in the Milky Way galaxy, and the complex beings who can interrupt the Goldukat idolized his father. Chief Justice of the Cardassian judicial system, Procol was a stalwart of Cardassian justice. However, it's important to remember that on Cardassia, the verdict is always known before the trial begins, and it's always the same. The strength of authority, of the military, of the state, are the cornerstones of Cardassian society and not to be challenged. The Elder Dukat made sure that young Scain would never forget these principles. This dual imperative of breaking the will of the accused and showing a younger generation the wisdom of the state in such a process is part and parcel of the fascist Orwellian Cardassian Union. Upon joining the Cardassian Guard, a wide-eyed Dukat found himself a Glynn, the equivalent of a lieutenant, aboard the starship Corner. Among his first tasks was sanitizing a compartment where three officers had undergone explosive decompression. A profoundly horrified Dukat's innocence melted away very quickly. He didn't sleep for a week. This early event may have traumatized him, but it never slowed the march of his ambition. Ducat quickly rose up the ranks of the fleet and the military as a whole. He was cold and ruthless on his way up, developing a reputation for strategy, cunning, and most importantly, survival. The Cardassian political and military systems were notoriously perilous, especially for the ambitious. Their inherent suspicion of outsiders and their penchant for duplicitousness and strategic skullduggery. Indeed, for Cardassia, the only instrument that can ensure order and security is a strong nation-state bound by solidarity, military might, and an unwavering sense of us versus them, that can hold its enemies at bay, both internal and external. Dukot was a master at navigating these waters, having gone from a lonely glen to legate, an admiral of sorts, and a leader of the mighty Second Order, the most feared of Cardassia's armed forces. Maintaining a society such as the Cardassian Union requires constant vigilance, mercilessly snuffing out political dissent, and constant conquering expansion. What better way to enhance the unity of the Cardassian state to be in constant conflict with a common enemy, even if it's from within? In such a society, military losses are not only tolerated, they serve to harden the resolve of the citizenry and strengthen the power of the ruling elite by providing an outside fear. The ever-present threat of invasion from formidable enemies justified the need for security. The threat to racial hegemony by inferior enemies justified the need to subjugate those deemed weaker or even more peaceful than they. But even more valuable to the existential threat the state used in its constant expansion were, of course, the resources that could be reaped from the conquered. The three pillars of the Cardassian political system are the powerful central command, which oversees the military, public policy, the judiciary, and frankly, most aspects of daily life. The Ditapa Council, which is the ruling civilian governing body, but in name only. The council is largely a figurehead, bowing to the central command almost unwaveringly. And the Obsidian Order, the one to rule them all. The Order was formed with the consolidation of the Cardassian Union in the 19th century, under the supposed authority of the Civilian Council. However, in practice, neither the Council nor the Central Command had control of the Obsidian Order. Limits of interference between the actions of the three were loosely observed, but just as the Central Command used the Datapa Council as its personal puppet, the Obsidian Order observed, controlled, and secretly directed both, even if they were naive to their own authority. Between 2328 and 2369, the Union embarked on a quest to not just tangle with their neighbors and enemies, but engage them head on. This included prolonged conflicts with the Federation, known as the Cardassian Border Wars. These conflicts started as far back as 2347 and lasted well into the 2350s, with smaller skirmishes not officially considered part of the wars, which continued into the 2360s. The Cardassians sought to annex several coveted planets along the Federation border, choosing not to recognize the edges of Federation territory. These worlds held vital resources and staging posts for many conflicts. Their aggressive expansion stretched thin the entirety of the Cardassian fleet, making their hostile takeover of such worlds necessary to sustain the very expansion it supported.

Bajor’s Occupation And Resistance Rise

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Most famously, during this period, Cardassians stepped up their domination of the once peaceful world of Bajor. The Bajorans were a pastoral, peaceful people whose art and architecture were admired throughout the galaxy. The two cultures managed an uneasy coexistence for some time. However, the Cardassians coveted Bajor's rich natural resources and saw the Bajorn people as inferior. As the Cardassians were technologically a century ahead of the Bajorans, there was no armed response leading to the occupation. The peaceful Bajorn people surrendered with very little resistance. The Cardassians installed the Bajorn occupational government in 2319, essentially a puppet regime to the Central Command, intended to make the occupation look legitimately benevolent. But in 2328, they moved into a much, much darker phase. Cardassia violently annexed Bajor, moving to be more hands-on with its occupation. The Cardassians rapidly pacified the planet and began a coordinated effort of strip mining, forced labor, slavery, and ultimately genocide. In order to keep the Bajorans in line, Central Command also installed a prefect to oversee the planet's operations. When the occupation began, it was the end of life as the Bajoran people knew it. The Dajara caste system, which had been the way Bajor ordered its society for centuries, was abolished. Worship and teaching of the prophets, the main Bajoran religion, was forbidden. This was the most insulting policy of all, as Bajorans have the rare privilege of physical evidence that their divine benefactors were real. The orbs of the prophets showed worshippers' visions interpreted as moral lessons and sometimes gave them the ability to directly commune with their gods. The orbs were, of course, confiscated by Cardassia, some studied by Cardassian scientists, and some treasured as novel spoils of occupation. After decades of oppression by the Cardassian military, the once peaceful Bajorans began to form the Resistance, with the hope that they could one day achieve their freedom. Like most revolutionaries, the Resistance accomplished this goal with often indiscriminate bombings and other terror tactics. Realizing that an armed rebellion with the Cardassian forces would ultimately result in mass genocide, and possibly their extinction, instead the resistance began to utilize guerrilla tactics to wreak havoc and sow fear throughout the ranks of their oppressors. Improvised bombings, indiscriminate destruction, and armed raids kept the occupying body on its toes. Small victories or even just general annoyance of the Cardassian troops was enough to keep hope alive. Unfortunately, though, one person's freedom fighter is another's terrorist. The Cardassians began to crack down hard. Each act of resistance committed would be answered by rounding up suspected insurgents or their families, and summarily executing them without trial. Deaths began to rise at the numerous labor and internment camps. Millions of Bajorans would be murdered or worked to death over the decades. Still, this only strengthened their resolve to defeat their overlords. Meanwhile, Dukat had begun to romanticize the brutal past of Cardassia when it first began to impose its will on its neighbors. But times had changed on Cardassia. Its military campaigns made the citizenry wary. Dukat's hawkish views made him a pariah in the central command. Dukat soon lost favor with his superiors and was demoted to Gull. Ever the survivor, though, he eventually rose in standing again with a new enlightened attitude, but refused the offer to promote him back to legate. Dukat preferred the rank of Gull as it allowed him to keep a lower profile and keep his boots on the ground. As frustration built and deaths on both sides increased, and multiple brutal prefects had either been assassinated or resigned, the Central Command decided to take a different approach to the Bajoran problem.

Dukat’s Reforms Then Public Bloodshed

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To effect any change, out of desperation, they found a new prefect known for his guile and cunning. Prefect Gull Dukat attempted a softer approach, believing it was the only way to make the resistance stop its attacks. His first act was to cut labor camp output quotas by 50%, abolish child labor, and improve medical care and food rations. These reforms led to a more than 20% drop in labor camp death rates. But it did little to pacify the resistance. Their activity simply grew more bold. After decades, no concessions would change their minds. They would be free or die trying. On Dukat's one-month anniversary as prefect, the resistance destroyed an orbital dry dock, resulting in the deaths of 200 Cardassian workers. In response, Dukat rounded up 200 suspected members of the resistance and had them executed publicly. An eye for an eye. Golducat was never compassionate or empathetic. No matter the narrative he even told himself, he was a narcissist. His were equal parts playing a role to get results for his superiors, exercising power over others, and anger for Bajoran's not being thankful for what he considered ruling with a stern but merciful hand.

Narcissism And Exploitation On Terok Nor

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While in the Bajoran sector, Dukat quickly grew attracted to local delicacies such as spring wine and fine treasures. He immersed himself in their culture and comforts. It was during the occupation that he developed his greatest weakness, a fondness for Bajoran women. Cardassian troops, through force or the promise of sparing their families, recruited comfort women for the officers of the Central Command on Terak Noor. Dukat indulged in this activity often and with quiet gusto. He appeared to openly flaunt his multiple mistresses, touring the station with them draped on his arm. He wanted to see them as their savior, their liberator. He sought what he always sought: to be loved as the hero. Dukat did develop what could be called feelings for several of his mistresses, including Kira Maru, staying at her hospital bedside until the night she died, even while her people were dying all around them by his hand. Much to the surprise of everyone, including Dukat, he actually did fall in love with one such woman, Torah Neprem, or as close to love as he could emulate. Their affair was passionate, at least on his side, and resulted in a serious taboo amongst both cultures. A half Cardassian, half-Bajoran daughter, Zial. Dukat knew that he had developed enemies on Cardassia who had used his indiscretion against him, and he knew the occupation was teetering on the edge of chaos. Predicting that his political rivals would pounce on the opportunity to destroy him, Dukat sent them away to live on La Sepia aboard the Cardassian ship Ravenok. He had no intention of seeing them again. No one would know his secret, including his wife and seven children. Unfortunately, Neprem and Zial would never arrive on La Sepia. Dukat never wavered in his rule. He would go on to perform countless atrocities against the Bajoran, becoming one of the most hated people in Bajoran history. Gull Dukat, however, believed it was the fault of the Bajoran people for being hostile and ungrateful, and grew to hate the entire race for not acknowledging his compassion.

Garak’s Shadow And A Father’s Death

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At nearly the same time that Dukat was named Prefect of Bajor, an intelligence officer, just as cunning but far more secretive as he began to climb the ranks of the Obsidian Order. Dukat's father trusted Elam Garrick, which, according to Dukat, was his only flaw. Though they were friends, Garrick sought to weed out any Cardassian, no matter their stature, who disagreed with the current whims of the state, especially if they themselves sought influence within the government. The same year that Dukat parted ways with his Bajorn family, his father was put on trial by the Obsidian Order for treason, the entire affair engineered by Elam Garrick. The elder Dukat claimed the only regret he had was that his ambition outweighed his patriotism. Justice Procol Dukat was inevitably found guilty, and Garrick personally saw to his torture and execution. Years later, instead of lamenting his own actions, Garrick described Dukat's father as short-sighted. Dukat treasured his family in his own way and suffered greatly when he learned his beloved father had been murdered in custody by Garrick. With some sway remaining in the judiciary, Dukat went to trial to prosecute Garrick for treason and murder, but possibly due to the influence of Garrick's father, Obsidian Order head in Abruntain, the case was dropped, and Garrick walked free. Dukat despised Garrick from then on, vowing to make sure Garrick suffered for his father's death.

Withdrawal From Bajor And New Grudges

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As the years ticked by, the resistance took its toll on the Cardassian military. They were still fighting on multiple fronts with the Federation, and now engaging in open warfare with resistance cells all over the planet of Bajor. The occupation was no longer a benefit for Cardassia, but instead a black eye on its prowess. When word came that the civilian leaders were mulling a withdrawal of Cardassian forces from Bajor, Dukat was incensed. He lashed out angrily at his supporters, not only hurting his standing in the central command, but proving that the occupation of Bajor was nothing more than an excuse for Cardassia to flex its muzzle. The inability of the military to break the resistance was a humiliating defeat. The occupation grew more and more unpopular within the ranks, its leaders torn and directionless. In reality, the Datapa consul virtually had no power over the government it supposedly controlled, and the civilian leaders had no direct authority over military officers. In light of the current climate, however, they were able to convince the military's legates and gulls to withdraw from Bajor despite the Central Command's objection. Dukat, along with the puppet masters of the occupational government, left Toraknor in 2369, leaving Dukat bitter, furious, and humiliated. As the Cardassian Union withdrew from Bajor and part of concessions with the Federation, Terak Noor would fall under the control of Starfleet and the newly formed Bajoran Provisional Government. It would now be known as Deep Space Nine. The Datapa Council's Kotan Padar was one of the most vocal proponents of the withdrawal, pinning blame directly on the Dukat administration and destroying his ambitious rise. In retaliation, Dukat used the chaos of the evacuation to orchestrate the kidnapping of Padar's son by one of his female officers. The child was dumped unceremoniously in an orphanage to put Padar in his place. While such revenge is sweet for Dukat, he can't shake his greatest shame. The loss of Bejor. He would spend the rest of his life plotting to conquer it once again, beginning with Terak Noor. Not for the pride of Cardassia, but for his own.

Fan Film Disclaimer And Farewell

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This fan production is not endorsed by Sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise, and is a non-commercial fan made film intended for recreational use. No commercial exhibition or distribution is permitted. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures. Live long and prosper.