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.

2373

Deep Space Nine/Terok Nor, Bajor Sector

Defiant was happy to have Worf onboard now. It was fascinating to learn from the legendary lieutenant commander, all about everything he had gone through on Enterprise. Fighting the Borg, meeting the Q, participating in the Klingon Civil War... It was epic!

Okay sure, they were now in a kind of war with the Klingons. But that wasn't Worf's fault.

And rather guiltily, Defiant had enjoyed fighting the Klingons. They were such a challenge.

Hey, she was a warship.

These and a million other thoughts were running through her mind as her avatar stood at the side of the conference room table next to her captain. Sisko called the meeting to order, as the senior staff took their seats. Terok projected her avatar at Sisko's right side: She always insisted on taking that position, to "show dominance".

Terok could be very weird sometimes.

"Chief, how are the repairs going?" Sisko began. O'Brien smiled, nodding to Terok.

"The EPS conduits are back online across the entire station. Shield Generators 4 and 7 are still down, but we'll get them back online by the end of the day," he said.

"The Klingons inflicted some heavy damage to the internal security sensors as well," Odo stated, looking grumpy as usual, "when are you getting around to those?"

"My crews are working around the clock as it is, Odo," O'Brien stated wearily, "Terok's working off of Defiant's sensors to provide coverage for the moment."

Terok scowled, along with Odo.

"That does give me some coverage, but not sufficient coverage," Odo stated, "criminal activity has increased on the station by 10 percent since the Klingons attacked. Who knows what might be going on?"

"Hey, my sensors are great!" Defiant said defensively.

Odo grunted.

"For scanning space, yes, but you don't have the same resolution or coverage as the internal sensor grid," Odo gritted out, "this is a serious concern, Captain!"

"I agree," Sisko said with a nod, "Chief, I think we can leave Shield Generator 7 on the back burner for now. Terok, can you manage full coverage without it?"

Terok shrugged.

"Yes, though my overall shield efficiency will be reduced by 14 percent," she said.

"We could use the Defiant's shields in an emergency to strengthen the shield grid in the affected sections in case of an attack," Worf suggested. Dax looked over her PADD, and nodded.

"It's tricky, but doable. Though we'll need to run some simulations first."

"Start on it immediately," Sisko ordered, "I want all shield generators and security systems back online by 1800 tomorrow. Even with the Starfleet reinforcements, I prefer to have all my tactical options open as soon as possible."

"Aye sir," O'Brien said with a nod. Odo, for the moment, looked satisfied. Worf turned to the Captain.

"Sir, I have been told what ships Starfleet is transferring to indefinite assignment to enhance our defenses in the area."

"And?" Sisko prompted.

Worf held out his PADD and read off the list.

"The USS Shimakaze, USS Vampire, USS Le Malin, USS Soobrazitelny, USS Drake, and USS Harbin."

"Four Coontz-class destroyers, a Broadsword-class tactical cruiser and a new Steamrunner-class light cruiser," O'Brien said, raising his eyebrows, "it's not bad."

"Hardly enough to handle another attack from the Klingons," Kira scoffed.

"Starfleet's stretched a bit thin at the moment with the Klingons abandoning the Khitomer Accords," Sisko stated, "but in combination with the ships already here, it's a decent deterrent for now."

"In addition," Worf said, and he glanced briefly at Defiant, "three more ships are being deployed for testing and shakedown."

Worf got up and walked up to the display screen at the head of the conference room. He activated it... And three Defiant-class ships appeared, the icons rotating as LCARs data scrolled underneath them.

"The USS Ayanami, USS Nimii, and USS Javelin, all Defiant-class with new build AI systems. We are to assist in testing them, fitting them out, and training their crews and AIs."

Defiant's eyes lit up.

"You mean... I get to be a big sister?!" Defiant gasped.

Worf, stoic as ever, didn't react outwardly to Defiant's enthusiasm.

"Yes," he stated.

"Heeeee...!" Defiant squealed, but at Sisko's look, she cleared her throat and stood at attention.

"I will give them all the benefits of my hard won experience and knowledge to the best of my ability, sir!" She cried.

Dax barely hid her smile. Bashir coughed heavily to hide his laugh. O'Brien held in a fond chuckle, as Kira just looked fondly exasperated. Odo just grumbled a bit, as Sisko smiled indulgently.

"I have no doubt you will," he said.

"Won't take very long," Terok muttered. Louder, she asked, "I assume they will be based around Bajor? My bandwidth is already low enough with her around."

"Hey!"

"They'll all be based here for the duration," Sisko said patiently. Terok scowled.

"Swell," she grunted.

"Come on, Terok, it's gonna be fun!" Defiant cheered. She gasped. "Oooh! I can invite Shimakaze over to greet them, too! We'll have a great time! You'll see, Terok!"

"Like I have a choice," the grumpy station AI muttered.

Naturally, each of these Defiant-class ships are based off their Azur Lane counterparts.

Ayanami: Sakura Empire Destroyer (155)

Javelin Royal Navy Destroyer (101)

Z23 (Nicknamed "Nimii", who in this case is named for a Tellarite explorer).

Things are going to get nuts.