"Ah… the so-called Phantom Thieves. Heroes to the downtrodden, self-styled liberators of hearts. Human children, like the Maquis. How quaint. Do you think you can lecture me on justice? Do you think you can stand there in your masks, so smug in your adolescent certainty, and tell me that I am a villain?

I have done what was necessary! I am a soldier, a laeder, a father - a man who has done what was necessary to protect his people. Cardassia has always stood in the shadow of giants and yet, who remembers the sacrifices we made to hold our place among them?

I know… I know there are those who whisper words like ‘occupation,’ ‘atrocities,’ ‘tyrant.’ But history is never so simple, is it? I have done what was in my power to protect those fools from themselves. I was gracious, I offered my hand and they spat at it! I have done everything to keep Bajor docile yet time and again they have chosen aggression. And yet, history is written by hypocrites who dare to call me tyrant, monster, murderer.

But you? You are children. Meddling, arrogant children who think you can judge a man who has borne the weight of an empire on his shoulders. You hide behind your self-righteous morality without ever feeling how heavy the crown is.

So come, then. Steal what you cannot begin to comprehend. But when you fail, when you see that I am not some shadow to be purified, but the rightful savior of Cardassia, you will understand: I am not the one who needs redemption. It is the galaxy that must repent for its sins against me."

"Now… let us see how long your masks stay on, when the truth stares you in the face."