Oh four hundred came earlier than any of the Defiant's crew had expected, especially Benjamin Sisko. The computer's matter-of-fact voice at 0300 sounded twice before the captain's eyes cracked open, and once again before his feet hit the floor.
"Uggh," he groaned, stumbling to where his uniform lay. He felt as if he'd pulled an all-nighter at one of Curzon's parties, only worse. And that's saying something, he thought grimly.
Despite his grogginess, Sisko made it to the docking ring just as Jake, O'Brien, and Kira rounded the corner. He fell in with them (almost literally), and listened to their conversation.
"—an ungodly hour to go to war, if you ask me," O'Brien commented, bringing a steaming mug to his lips. From the almost acrid smell, Sisko could tell it was the strongest coffee the replicators could produce without short-circuiting.
Behind O'Brien, Kira uttered a snort of laughter and squeezed past, leaving the clump behind. Sisko could only imagine what was running through the ex-resistance fighter's mind.
Jake only slapped his padd into his palm, his expression unreadable. Benjamin guessed at what Jake was feeling, but didn't continue with the thought. Otherwise, he would have stopped Jake right there and sent him back to his quarters, where it was safe. Even so, a part of him questioned the wisdom in allowing Jake onto a starship headed into battle.
They soon reached the airlock, and Sisko saw that Worf and Dax were already there. Quite a surprise, considering Jadzia's love of sleeping in. Then again, it was her husband going into battle, not just her boyfriend. Sisko chuckled inwardly at the thought of referring to Worf as Jadzia's boyfriend.
The twosome turned to greet the foursome, and soon the farewells started.
"Stop by and check on Keiko and the kids for me while I'm gone, if yu don't mind," O'Brien began.
"You can count on it." Ben could tell by Jadzia's tone and hidden smile that she was looking forward to the visit.
The Chief's voice dropped to a mutter. "And, uh, try to keep Julian out of trouble."
Jadzia laughed. "Now that's pushing," she teased.
Sisko went next, wanting to get it out of the way.
"It's your station, Old Man." Somehow, he managed to flash his teeth in a grin.
"I'll take good care of her," she replied with a small smile.
I know you will. But am I doing the right thing in leaving you behind? The Prophet's veiled warnings drifted through his mind again, and he ducked into the airlock. Behind him, the well wishes and goodbyes continued.
"Give my best to the Jem'Hadar," he heard Jadzia say.
Kira replied with an enthusiastic "Oh I'll do that." A pause. "Said a prayer at the shrine last night for the two of you."
"About having a baby?"
"The Prophets can be helpful in such matters."
"I hope They're listening."
Jake slipped past unnoticed, still uncharacteristically quiet, and that left Worf. Benjamin stepped onto the Defiant, knowing his friends would want privacy for their goodbye.
"Wish I was going with you," Jadzia lamented as she gazed into Worf's handsome face, his kiss still lingering on her lips. How was it that this parting seemed so much harder than any of the others? So…wrong. Even now, after an entire night of talking herself into believing that she was meant to stay on the station, she couldn't shake the feeling that she should be at the helm of the Defiant.
"You are," Worf replied, placing his fingers over his heart. "In here."
Jadzia felt her eyes moisten, and smiled to keep from crying. "I love it when you get romantic."
Worf offered a final farewell kiss—a reminder of what was to come—and ducked through the airlock. Then he was gone. Jadzia stood still, facing the gear-like locks as they rolled shut. The Defiant's hull pulled out of view, and she felt as if a bat'leth had pierced her heart.
Stay safe, Worf, please. Come home to me.
Benjamin sat in the captain's chair, dishing out orders on autopilot. He knew he should focus on the mission, immerse himself in the battle ahead of him, but his mind kept veering back to the Prophets' mysterious warnings and the look on Dax's face when he'd told her she wouldn't be coming with them.
Did I do the right thing? he asked himself for the hundredth time. He couldn't shake the feeling that he should be the one bidding everyone farewell and offering to check in on wives and children.
But I'm captain of the station, he argued with himself. The second the thought entered his head, another one countered it.
If you're captain of Deep Space 9, then why are you on the Defiant? You should let Worf command it. He is the XO, after all.
Starfleet chose me to lead the mission. I couldn't very well back out on them, now could I?
Admiral Ross gave you a choice. You could have stayed behind. You could have given command to Worf and let Dax come along. It wasn't right, leaving her behind on the station.
She was the only one quali—
"Captain?"
Nog's raspy voice cut through Benjamin's thoughts and pulled him into the present.
"Yes, Ensign?"
"We've cleared the docking ring. Awaiting course coordinates, sir," the Ferengi replied as respectfully as possible. Benjamin still caught the slight reprimand in his tone, but decided to let it go. Pushing troubling thoughts of angry Prophets and a forlorn Dax from his mind, he turned to the task at hand:
Winning the war.
