Garak - Hero or Villain?

A recent study conducted in Terok Nor sparked debate and investigation into the questionable actions of Elim Garak, a leading figure in Terok Nor’s past. Was he in fact a terrorist, or a hero of the Terok people 50 years ago?

Just over 100 years ago, the people of Terok Nor were under strict government oppression. People were divided into classes and subclasses based on social status, wealth and race/ethnicity. People needed Travel permits to simply take a bus or train, people were forced to comply with government mandates or risk losing their livelihoods and careers. The old government was unwillling to accept blame for its blunders and actions, always pointing the finger at the previous leaders, government administrators, the opposing political parties and their supporters. Finally after years of government oppression the people began to fight back.

For those who are unfamiliar with Garak, he was a soldier who had been discharged from the military on the grounds of having deliberately killed his ranking officer in while under intense enemy fire in the Lorenz Jungles. 
He was discharged from the service but he became a key political figure and spokesman for the Obsidian Order….a faction that many in the government viewed as “Domestic Terrorists”.

It was through his actions that the people of Terok Nor rallied to overthrow their oppressive government. However, Garak’s actions to convince the people are now under investigation by those who wish to restore the old government.

During his trial 30 years ago, evidence was presented that suspected Garak of masterfully assassinating the leader of the Obsidian Order (his own faction) to fabricate misinformation and hostility towards the old Terok Government, making it appear as though the old government was responsible for the assassination. The assassination was successful and the citizens rallied behind the flag and the Obsidian Order with Garak now head of the organization. Tensions were high and dissent and distrust of the old government continued to grow. Although this evidence was presented at his trial, the Court Magistrate ruled that “no solid proof could be given indicating that Garak was indeed responsible for the assassination”.

Likewise, multiple acts of terrorism were carried out across the continent. Thousands of people were executed and forced to undergo invasive medical procedures and horrible experimentations. Again, the old Government suspected it was the acts of Garak and the Obsidian Order, but no solid evidence was able to be presented that the Obsidian Order was responsible for the suffering of the victims. Instead, citizens and supporters of Garak rallied behind the Obsidian Order and eventually open conflict erupted across the continent. The decade long Terok Civil War had begun.

But despite all his atrocities, Garak was lauded as the unsung hero of Terok Nor after the collapse of the old government.

During a particular battle in the Capital City, Garak was photographed shielding a child caught in the crossfire. He safely evacuated the child and later reunited the child with her mother! News of this heroic act spread across the land and Garak was unanimously elected as the new President of Terok Nor after the civil war.

Once Garak was elected as the new president of Terok Nor, he showed mercy to anyone who was willing renounce the old government, and he enacted (very quickly) laws of freedom, equality and prosperity…He abolished the classes and subclasses that divided the people and demonstrated an acceptance of all peoples regardless of social or economic status and regardless of race or ethnicity.

Was Garak a terrorist? Or Was he a hero who liberated Terok Nor from the oppressive ways of the old government? The debate may never be resolved however, it is indisputable that good, or bad, Garak played an integral role in the history of Terok Nor and even today, President Agathor has commemorated August 27th, 2067 as E.G.A.D (Elim Garak Acknowledgement Day).