DUET


We wanted to annoy the grown-ups.
All inner deflector shield subsystems are showing equal intensity.
Power balance levels are normal.
l was a champion window-breaker.
On a dark night with a few rocks, l was deadly.
Which ''you'' are you talking about?
- An incoming freighter's hailing us. - Open a channel.
On screen.
Welcome to DS9. l'm Major Kira Nerys.
This is the Kobheerian Freighter Rak-Minunis
requesting permission to dock.
- Docking port six is clear for approach. - Thank you.
We have a passenger on board requiring medical assistance.
- What's wrong with your passenger? - lt's a condition called Kalla-Nohra.
lt's chronic but he doesn't have his medication.
- Beam him directly to our infirmary. - Thank you, Commander.
Rak-Minunis out.
- Dax to lnfirmary. - This is Bashir. Go ahead.
A Kobheerian transport
is about to beam a patient with Kalla-Nohra to you.
l'm not aware of it. l'll check the computer.
Commander...
- l'd like to meet that patient. - Of course. Why?
The only cases of Kalla-Nohra l know of were from a mining accident
at a Bajoran forced labour camp that l helped liberate.
The survivors of Gallitep have always symbolised strength and courage.
By all means, Major. Take as much time as you want.
Major. l'll be right with you.
Kira to Odo. l'm in the infirmary.
- l need security here. - l'm on my way, Major.
- What's the matter, Major? - Your patient is a criminal.
Good afternoon.
l assume this is the problem.
- Lock him up. - On what charge?
This man needs medical care.
Give it to him in his cell.
- l haven't done anything. - Then why did you run?
l'm trying to get away from this Bajoran fanatic.
- She'd like to kill me. - And why would that be?
l'm a Cardassian.
He's not just any Cardassian.
He's a war criminal.
So this man... What's his name?
Marritza. Aamin Marritza.
Marritza's on the Bajorans' list
for Cardassians wanted for war crimes?
He's not on any list l've seen,
and l've got them all.
l don't care whether he's listed or not...
Hold on. Marritza's on a Federation ship.
He's here for a medical emergency and we imprison him.
l hope he's listed!
What l've done isn't policy,
and it may not be legal, but it's right.
What do we charge him with?
With having contracted Kalla-Nohra.
Explain that to me.
He must have contracted it
at the labour camp at the time of the mining accident.
That makes him a war criminal, just being there?
lf you'd been there 12 years ago when we liberated that camp...
if you'd seen the things l saw...
All those Bajoran bodies, starved, brutalised...
You know that Cardassian policy wasn't just murder.
Murder was the end of their fun. First came the humiliation -
mothers raped in front of their children,
husbands beaten until their wives couldn't recognise them,
old people buried alive because they couldn't work.
- l'll have a talk with our guest. - l'll come with you.
No, Major. lt would be better if l spoke to him alone.
- How do you feel? - Better, thank you.
l'm Benjamin Sisko. l'm in charge of this station.
Finally, the Federation to the rescue.
- Are you going to get me out of here? - l hope so.
Tell me, how did you contract Kalla-Nohra Syndrome?
l don't have Kalla-Nohra, l have Pottrik Syndrome.
The freighter captain said it was Kalla-Nohra.
A very similar condition. Take the same medication, in fact.
Then you didn't serve at the Gallitep labour camp?
No. l've never been to Bajor.
l was a military file clerk.
l reside now on Kora ll where l boarded a freighter
which, unfortunately for me, came here.
Now, if you have no more questions l'd like to be on my way.
Am l still drunk
or am l in jail with a Cardassian?
Odo! You're not keeping me in here with one of those.
Odo! Odo!
l put myself in your hands, Commander.
- Marritza does have Kalla-Nohra? - There's no doubt about it.
He has all the symptoms and the bio-probe reading was positive.
- You're sure it's not Pottrik Syndrome? - Yes, absolutely.
lf he had Pottrik's the bio-probe would have been negative.
- Then he was at the Gallitep labour camp. - Definitely.
l've checked the medical records.
There's no other way he could have gotten this condition.
- Kira to Sisko. - Yes, Major.
There's an incoming transmission for you from Bajor.
- lt's the Minister of State. - Thank you. Excuse me, Doctor.
- Minister Kaval. Good day, sir. - And to you, Commander.
l trust you're in good health? Things are going well on the station?
- Quite well, thank you. - That's wonderful.
l'm told you've performed a special service for Bajor today. Congratulations.
l don't quite follow.
You're not holding a Cardassian for us?
We are holding a Cardassian temporarily.
By temporarily, you mean until you are satisfied
that a verified identification has been made.
Minister, l'm not sure we have the grounds to hold him that long.
l understand your concerns, Commander,
but since it's Major Kira's responsibility,
the burden is off your shoulders.
l don't agree.
lf this Marritza was at Gallitep, we want him and we will have him.
- ls that clear? - lt is.
Good.
We'll chat again soon. Good day, Commander.
May l join you?
Actually, l was just about to pay a visit to our friend, Marritza.
That's what l want to talk to you about, Major.
l'd like Odo to handle this investigation.
- Why? - He's our Chief of Security.
- Minister Kaval put me in charge. - Minister Kaval doesn't run this station.
The Federation has no right telling us how to deal with our criminals.
lf he is a criminal, then he'll be yours, and you're welcome to him.
Until then, he's just under suspicion.
You think this is a personal vendetta on my part, don't you?
You're too close to be objective.
You're right, l'm not objective.
But l'm your First Officer, and l give you my word
l will conduct myself accordingly.
You once said we were friends.
l'm asking you now, as a friend...
please, let me conduct this investigation.
l owe it to them.
- You mean the victims. - That's right.
The ones who moved too slowly and never moved again.
l'm asking for all the Bajorans who can't ask.
Let a Bajoran do this.
- Sisko to Odo. - Go ahead.
Constable, Major Kira will be in charge of the Marritza investigation.
l understand.
Thank you.
Constable.
lt's about time you let me out.
- Try to stay out of trouble. - l'll do my best.
Odo, let me know when you hang the Cardassian.
l've begun a background check on Marritza.
So far he is what he says he is.
He boarded that Kobheerian freighter at Kora ll,
where he was an instructor at a military academy
for the past five years.
- Keep looking. - Don't worry, Major, l intend to.
l'll be with the prisoner if you need me.
My compliments on your replicators.
But the sem'hal stew could use a little yamok sauce.
- l'm glad you're enjoying it. - l doubt that very much.
l hope it won't disturb your dinner if l ask you a few questions.
- lf l refuse to answer? - l'll ask them anyway.
Of course.
This is my job.
Persecuting Cardassians goes beyond your job, it's your passion.
You claim you were never at Gallitep.
l missed that honour.
And that your illness is not Kalla-Nohra.
- Again, true. - Again, false.
Our Doctor confirmed you do have Kalla-Nohra,
so you were at Gallitep.
lf your lies stay this transparent
it's going to be a short interrogation.
ln that case, l'll make my lies more opaque.
- What were your duties at Gallitep? - You don't want to know.
- Just answer the question. - You'll be disappointed.
l'll risk it.
l had the distinction of serving in the exalted position of filing clerk.
- Filing clerk? - l told you you'd be disappointed.
l wanted to avoid military service
but l was posted to the records office at Gallitep
and l became an exemplary file clerk.
ln 14 units of service l never misplaced or lost a record.
l received commendations from Gul Darhe'el himself,
who called my computer system 'a masterpiece of meticulous exactitude'.
Well, there you are. My secret's out.
My crimes laid bare.
l await execution.
l hope we don't keep you waiting long.
l never heard of a filing clerk becoming an instructor at a military academy.
- Until now. - What did you teach?
Believe it or not, filing.
- l can verify that. - Be my guest.
l think you're a liar.
So much for our search for the truth. Now we trade insults.
You admit working under Gul Darhe'el.
- We all did. - So you witnessed the atrocities.
Atrocities?
What atrocities?
l vaguely recall hearing a scream from time to time.
Atrocities? No.
You expect me to believe
you knew nothing of the murders, the tortures?
- You never saw the bodies? - Of course people died at Gallitep.
Mining accidents, illnesses, feuds among the workers.
- You're saying Bajorans killed each other? - At times.
Over food, a blanket, a woman.
Conditions were harsh. lt was a labour camp.
l helped liberate that camp.
l saw the bodies. l know how they died.
You saw what we wanted you to see.
Who do you think started those rumours?
lt was Gul Darhe'el himself.
Now, there was a leader. Brilliant, extraordinary man.
He knew that fear ruled completely.
Why bother with mass murders
when just the reports of such incidents
would have the same effect?
Which was?
You know it was to keep you Bajorans thinking of yourselves as victims.
To keep you afraid and helpless.
Turns out we weren't so helpless.
- We did get rid of you. - Leaving was a political decision, Major.
l've enjoyed reminiscing with you.
Now it's time you let me out of here.
- l can't do that. - No, of course not.
You're the one who's lying now.
lt's not the truth you're interested in, all you want is vengeance.
Commander, l was led to believe the Federation guarantees
the safe and unrestricted passage
of all travellers visiting your station.
That's correct.
Then explain the detention of a Cardassian citizen.
Marritza was seeking medical attention.
He's under our doctor's care.
We're only trying to verify his identity.
A simple matter, if you'll give us some assistance.
l assure you, Commander, you don't need our assistance.
lf this patient says his name is Marritza, then that's who he is.
l hope you don't mistrust him
simply because he's Cardassian.
l don't trust him because he lied about being at Gallitep.
ls that what you're charging him with, Commander? Lying?
So far, we haven't charged him with anything.
- Then let him go. - l'd like nothing better.
But first, l need to know who it is l'm letting go.
l do appreciate the awkwardness of your position here, Commander.
This Bajoran obsession with alleged Cardassian improprieties
during the occupation is really quite distasteful.
l suppose, for Bajorans, so was the occupation.
l might remind you that neither one of us is Bajoran.
l would hate their bitterness
to cause conflict between Cardassia and the Federation.
l hope to avoid that, too... with your help.
You don't need my help to safeguard one Cardassian citizen on your station.
lf any of these Bajoran hate mongers get their hands on him,
l'll hold you personally responsible.
What are you looking for?
- Answers. - Found any yet?
Marritza says l don't care about the truth.
That all l want is vengeance.
Are you worried that maybe he's right?
All l want is to see him punished.
Even if he is just a file clerk?
That's just it. l don't want him to be just a file clerk.
l want him to be...something worse.
You want him to be guilty.
lf he was at Gallitep, he is guilty.
They're all guilty.
His punishment will let Bajor feel some...
...satisfaction.
lt sounds like you're trying too hard to believe what you're saying.
You know if you punish him without reason, it won't mean anything.
And you already know vengeance isn't enough.
Reroute the signal enhancement module to the main sensor.
Aye, sir.
- How does it look? - Just give me a second.
l'll run a diagnostic.
l've checked the Bajoran archives.
Marritza is on record as being a filing clerk at Gallitep.
l've also checked with the military academy on Kora ll.
Marritza has been teaching filing there, just as he claims.
All set, Commander.
How many images were sent from Bajor?
Only one picture of Gallitep had Marritza in it.
The Cardassians destroyed all the records.
The image enhancement functions are on your console.
Major, if this image confirms that Marritza was a file clerk,
what do you expect us to do?
- l suppose you'll let him go. - l'm glad we understand each other.
- l've got it. - On screen.
- Which one is Marritza? - He's in the background in the far right.
lsolate and magnify.
You'll have to do better than that.
One minute. l'm running an image enhancement sequence.
lt's not him.
Are you sure it's the right man?
Background, far right, Aamin Marritza.
lt can't be.
lf that's Marritza, then who are we holding here?
Lieutenant, isolate the Cardassians in the foreground.
The one on the left, what can you give us?
That's Marritza.
- Not according to the caption. - What?
According to this, it's Gul Darhe'el.
Let me guess. You want to learn the secret of my filing system.
l know all your secrets now.
ls that so?
Did you kill the real Marritza so you could take his place?
Well, you'll pay for that death
and all the others you're responsible for.
Not all of them. There were so many,
and you can only execute me once.
That's my only regret.
But l'll know Bajor will finally have the satisfaction
of punishing the Butcher of Gallitep.
Did you figure this out all by yourself,
or with help from your Federation masters?
l'll let you wonder about that.
lt will occupy you while the government
prepares your war crimes tribunal.
War crimes?
How could there be war crimes when there hasn't been a war?
l can understand your wish that there had been a war,
your pathetic fantasy about brave Bajoran soldiers
marching to honourable defeat.
But, in fact, there was no war, no glory.
Bajor didn't resist... it surrendered.
The Bajorans were a peaceful people. We offered no threat to you.
We could never understand your brutality.
Well, Major, l want no more secrets between us.
l'll explain everything to you.
- l've heard enough of your lies. - What lies?
You mean my failure to divulge my true identity?
l knew how much more satisfaction you'd have if you found out for yourself.
That was my only deception. Marritza was a magnificent file clerk,
and l, Gul Darhe'el - l hope you'll not think it immodest of me to say so -
but l was a magnificent leader.
You never saw Gallitep at its height.
For a labour camp it was a model of order and efficiency.
Why? For that, you have to look to the top. To me!
My word, my every glance, was law
and the verdict was always the same, guilty.
- You're insane. - No, Major.
You can't dismiss me that easily.
l did what had to be done. That's why my men loved me.
l ordered them to kill Bajoran scum
and they'd do it, they'd murder them
and they'd come back covered in blood, but they felt clean.
Why did they feel that way, Major? Because they were clean.
- You admit your atrocities? - l admit everything.
Why not? l was the best at what l did.
My accomplishments speak for themselves.
Can you and your Shakaar resistance cell say the same?
All you did was annoy Cardassians while l was exterminating Bajorans.
- Make sure you tell that to the tribunal. - l will!
- Then they'll sentence you to death. - Let them.
lt doesn't change anything.
Kill me, torture me, it doesn't matter.
You've lost and can never undo what l've accomplished.
The dead will still be dead.
What will you do now, Major? Withhold my medicine?
- Here, this will help. - What is it?
Maraltian seev-ale from Quark's private stock.
Better?
You know, Odo,
l wonder how many others like Darhe'el are still out there...
still free, unpunished.
Quite a few, no doubt.
But thanks to you, there's one less now.
You should have heard him.
He bragged about Gallitep - the torture, the murders, the humiliation.
He's proud about what he did to us.
Why don't you go and lie down?
We'll leave him alone with his Cardassian pride.
l don't want to.
No, that's what he'd like - another Bajoran hiding in a corner.
He'll be laughing at me now.
He won't be laughing very long.
l hate him.
l hate his smirking, superior Cardassian face.
When l was fighting with the resistance
we'd lie awake at night plotting the assassination of men like Darhe'el.
Now l have to listen to him belittle everything the Shakaar stood for.
Perhaps you shouldn't discuss your personal history with a creature like that.
l didn't.
Then how did he know you were with the Shakaar?
l don't know... he was a military leader.
That doesn't explain it.
lf he'd been quelling Bajoran resistance
he might have had your name on file,
but he commanded a labour camp.
Something's not right here.
- Where are you going? - To have a chat with Gul Darhe'el.
Computer, review all off-station requests
for information regarding Major Kira Nerys within the last eight months.
Working.
Back to see the Butcher. Am l really so fascinating?
How did you know l was with the Shakaar?
By now your provisional government should have dragged me off in chains.
- Answer the question! - My, you are a strutting little egotist.
You forget the brilliance of Marritza's filing system.
He made sure that l had information on all your little terrorist bands.
What l particularly enjoyed were the termination reports.
Yes, life in a labour camp can be so isolating.
At times, l felt that l alone bore the burden of cleansing Bajor of its rabble.
But those reports reassured me, l was not alone.
l'm supposed to believe you remembered me
from some report you read years ago?
At the risk of bruising your vanity, Major,
l didn't remember you until l heard your name here.
- l can see that disturbs you. - Hardly.
You know they will be coming for me soon,
so before we say goodbye
there are some questions l'd like to ask you.
- Your questions don't interest me. - How can you be so sure?
Or are you afraid to hear them?
- Who are they? - Survivors of Gallitep.
They arrived early this morning.
- l suppose they are waiting for justice. - lmagine living through that hellhole.
The pain...the sorrow...
Do you think they like to gamble?
- Doctor, l need your help. - Of course.
Three months ago a request came from Kora II
for information concerning Kira Nerys.
- To what purpose? - l'm not sure.
But the name on the request was Aamin Marritza.
l've established a link with Kora ll for you to access his medical history.
Dax to Odo.
Gul Dukat is responding to your subspace transmission.
- Could you route it to my office? - Aye, sir.
l do miss working with you, Odo.
l miss our games of Kalevian montar.
As l recall, Gul Dukat, we played one game and you cheated.
The same old Odo,
like a blunt instrument.
But now to your question.
l regret l cannot give you access to any files pertaining to Gul Darhe'el.
But l assure you the files would only tell you what l am telling you.
Gul Darhe'el is dead.
- That's not possible. - l attended his funeral myself.
He's buried under one of the largest military monuments on Cardassia.
Then who are we holding here?
Some innocent Cardassian citizen,
as l explained to your Commander Sisko.
And we want him released.
That innocent citizen has admitted he is Gul Darhe'el.
What...are you saying?
He says his name is Gul Darhe'el.
- Then he's lying. - lf he is, it's a foolish lie.
lt will get him executed. Why would anyone do that?
l don't know, but l tell you l attended Darhe'el's funeral.
You're sure the man you saw buried was Gul Darhe'el?
Half of Cardassia viewed his body.
l saw a photograph of Gul Darhe'el taken at the Gallitep labour camp.
lt looks like the man we're holding.
- You're mistaken. - Am l?
This is obviously some plot to embarrass the Cardassian Empire.
lt's possible. Give me access to your files
and perhaps l can prove your claim that Gul Darhe'el is dead.
l suppose l could grant you limited access to the files.
l think that's wise.
l was 12 when l started fighting but some were even younger.
Yes, yes, let's get to the real issue!
How many Cardassians did you kill? l mean personally.
- l didn't keep count. - l think you did.
And l'm sure it wasn't just military personnel.
After all, the most effective terrorist weapon was random violence.
Don't leave now that it's getting good.
- How many civilians did you kill? - Look!
l regret a lot of what l had to do. We had no choice.
- We were fighting for survival. - We had an empire to protect.
We needed your resources.
Everything l did was for the glory of Cardassia!
And if you spineless scum had to be ground under, so much the better.
All that mattered was Cardassia. l loved my homeland.
That justified my actions and gave me strength.
Nothing justifies genocide.
What you call genocide, l call a day's work.
Major, could l have a word with you?
Dr Bashir and l have done some checking.
l don't know why yet, but the man in that cell wanted to be caught.
This certificate of death was in the file sent to me by Gul Dukat.
According to this, Gul Darhe'el died six years ago
from a massive coleibric haemorrhage.
Commander, that is a forged document.
l think it's clear the Cardassians are trying to trick us into letting him go.
- l wouldn't put it past Gul Dukat. - Nor would l, however...
The man in there confessed he is Gul Darhe'el.
The man in there has Kalla-Nohra syndrome.
Of course he does.
According to the evidence,
Gul Darhe'el never contracted that condition.
More evidence from our trustworthy Gul Dukat.
What have you got?
Darhe'el's reports show that when the mining accident occurred
he was on Cardassia being awarded the Proficient Service Medallion.
lf he wasn't at Gallitep on the day of the accident
he couldn't have contracted Kalla-Nohra.
Correct.
But the man we're holding does have it.
l can't believe l'm listening to this.
There's more. l inquired about this man's last two weeks on Kora ll.
He resigned from the military academy, put all his affairs in order,
and even provided handsomely for his housekeeper.
All right, he wanted to move on before somebody traced his whereabouts.
He specifically requested passage
on a vessel that would stop here, a Bajoran station.
An unusual request for a Cardassian war criminal.
Unless he wanted to be captured.
Wait a minute. Let's be clear about one thing.
This may raise some interesting questions.
Nevertheless, Darhe'el is going to stand trial for the atrocities he committed.
- Major, that is still to be determined. - Well, then go talk to him.
lf you still have any doubts, listen to him.
He was there. He did it. He'll tell you about it.
l've checked Marritza's medical record.
- What have we got? - He has Kalla-Nohra syndrome,
and a few minor ailments relating to his age.
lt's all pretty standard, except for one thing.
Which is...?
Five years ago, after arriving on Kora ll,
he started taking massive doses of dermatiraelian plastiscine,
which is used to maintain skin resilience after cosmetic alteration.
You're saying he changed his face to look like Gul Darhe'el.
lt certainly appears that way.
- How are you feeling? - l was bored, but you brighten my day.
l was referring to your Kalla-Nohra Syndrome.
- Would you like to see Dr Bashir? - So that's it.
You want to see me writhing around in pain.
A Cardassian wouldn't do that in front of a Bajoran.
You don't understand us.
l'm beginning to understand a great deal about you.
- One thing puzzles me. - What's that?
How you contracted Kalla-Nohra Syndrome.
lf the accident affected only the Bajorans
and not their Cardassian masters, that would be nice.
So you were at Gallitep when that mining accident occurred.
Of course. Why are we going over this again?
Your progress report shows you were on Cardassia during the accident.
- That's ridiculous. - Receiving your Service Medallion.
The reports are wrong, l know where l was.
Why were you taking a dermal regenerative?
l don't know what you're talking about.
Five years ago, when you first got to Kora ll...
Enough! Your presence no longer amuses me. Get out!
- Why did you have your face altered? - Security, get her out!
Why are you pretending to be Gul Darhe'el?
Why don't you ask me something intelligent?
For instance, how did l feel withdrawing from Bajor?
l was furious. The thought of leaving any survivors behind was repulsive.
While our office clerks packed their files,
l ordered my overseers to begin slaughtering the labourers.
lf you felt that about your filing clerks, why did you take Marritza's name?
My plan was to do nothing less than kill every Bajoran in the camp.
And my one regret is that l couldn't accomplish this honourable goal.
- You're Marritza, aren't you? - You mistake me for that bug?
Oh, you stupid Bajoran girl. Don't you know l'm your nemesis?
l'm your nightmare. l'm the Butcher of Gallitep.
The Butcher of Gallitep died six years ago.
- You're Aamin Marritza, his filing clerk. - That's not true. l am alive.
l will always be alive! lt's Marritza who is dead.
Marritza, who was good for nothing
but cowering under his bunk and weeping like a woman.
Who, every night, covered his ears
because he couldn't bear to hear the screaming for mercy of the Bajorans.
Covered my ears every night, but...
l couldn't bear to hear those horrible screams.
You have no idea what it's like to be a coward...
to see these horrors...
and do nothing.
Marritza's dead. He deserves to be dead.
- What are you doing? - l'm letting you go.
Security? Get in here.
You didn't commit those crimes and you couldn't stop them.
- You were only one man. - No, don't you see?
l have to be punished. We all have to be punished.
Major, you have to tell them l'm Gul Darhe'el. lt's the only way.
- Why are you doing this? - For Cardassia.
Cardassia will only survive if it stands in front of Bajor
and admits the truth.
My trial will force Cardassia to acknowledge its guilt.
We're guilty, all of us.
My death is necessary.
What you're asking for is another murder.
Enough good people have already died.
l won't help kill another.
- You'll be on Kora ll in three days. - There's nothing for me to go back to.
We've contacted officials there. They'll be waiting to help you.
lf they believed l was Gul Darhe'el
my trial might have brought about a new Cardassia.
Now you've told them l was just a file clerk.
What you tried to do was honourable.
lf Cardassia is going to change, it needs people like you.
Why? He wasn't Darhe'el! Why?
He's a Cardassian! That's reason enough.
No!
lt's not.


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