Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

Back to one of my favorite girls...

It had taken almost two weeks to repair all the damage to Defiant after the Battle of Sector 001. Defiant sometimes felt like she didn't have an original part left. But repaired she was, and she dutifully headed to a rendezvous point just outside the Bajoran System.

Honestly though, the strangest part was how secretive the crew was being about the mission. Captain Sisko had revealed nothing. Dax was silent. Miles, Kira, Bashir-Nothing! Even the station blabbermouth, Morn, had kept it secret. That was supposed to be impossible!

Nevertheless, she complied, and stood alongside her captain as they approached the rendezvous point. She frowned thoughtfully.

"May I activate long range sensors now, sir?" She asked. Sisko shook his head.

"Not just yet," he said, a slight smile on his face. Defiant frowned back, but nodded. Dax perked up at the conn.

"We're approaching the rendezvous point," Dax said. Sisko nodded.

"Drop us out of warp," Sisko said, standing up on the deck. He gave Defiant a warm smile as they dropped to impulse speeds.

"Mr. Worf?" He prompted.

"Approaching warp signatures," Worf said. Defiant frowned in confusion.

"But they look like..."

Another Defiant dropped out of warp about fifty thousand kilometers away. Then another, and another, and another...

A total of seven appeared, all in formation. Defiant looked over at Sisko in wonder. He smiled warmly.

"Your combat performance impressed Starfleet enough that they accelerated their production program," Sisko said, "and they just finished outfitting the first wave. They're here to train with us, and learn."

"You mean," Defiant began, her voice soft and eyes wide, "I'm... A class now?"

"You were always meant to be," Sisko said.

"They're hailing us, Benjamin," Dax said.

"Put them through," Sisko ordered. A young Tellarite captain appeared on the screen, with a dusky shipgirl AI alongside.

"This is USS Avenger, Captain Frakkis in command," he said, "we're looking forward to this training mission, Captain Sisko, Defiant."

"As are we, Captain," Sisko replied. Avenger beamed at Defiant.

"Ready when you are, big sister!" She chirped.

Defiant got similar calls from the other ships, and her grin widened.

"Ready when you are!" Defiant cried cheerfully, "let's go!"

Because Defiant may have felt a bit lonely being the only one of her class, and she would fight best in a group.

And some bonus Defiant-chan content!

Joseph Sisko laughed and hugged his son as he stepped in the door of his restaurant.

"Ben! It's been too long!" He grinned and hugged his grandson next. "And Jake! You've shot up like a weed!"

"Hey Dad," Ben grinned, "great to see you!"

"Hey Grandpa," Jake chuckled, hugging his grandfather back tightly. Joseph grinned, letting his grandson go. He looked over at the small, pale girl with bunny ear-like hairclips who stood outside the restauranta bit further out.

Defiant had put on a brave face, but inwardly she was worried. Captain Sisko was basically her father, and he treated her as his daughter-As much as he could, at least, given she was a Warship.

Jake had taken a while but he had accepted her as a little sister.

But Joseph Sisko... Would he see her as part of the family? Or as just a machine? He was very old fashioned in many ways, after all.

Maybe she should just leave. Maybe she should just let them have their moment, even if the Captain had invited her-

Joseph looked at her... and laughed.

"Defiant! Just look at you!" He cried. "Come on in!"

Defiant beamed, and practically leaped into Joseph's hug.

"Grandpa!" She cried. She then winced. "Ah. Sorry!"

"No, no," Joseph laughed, "you count. I'm glad I can finally meet you! Your daddy won't stop gushing about you but I've never met you until now!"

"She is a Warship, Dad," Ben reminded him wryly. Joseph shook his head as he led his family into the restaurant.

"Well right now she's my granddaughter. And she needs to be spoiled rotten!"

"She gets that enough on DS9," Jake teased.

"I do not!" Defiant huffed. Inwardly, she was grinning madly.

She hadn't needed to worry. After all, where had her Captain gotten his best qualities?

And where had she gotten her own?

Hope you enjoyed.