I figured for ANY Dukat, no matter how good, not being able to speak would be an immense challenge, especially in his younger years!
Even though Dukat is so separated out here in the desert from what's going on right now, I knew there was no way he could see what he had seen and not be deeply upset by it. He saw so many things, even ONE of which would've been upsetting--but it just kept coming and now he's had QUITE the change of pace after that hellish day.
Thank you so much for reading!