Stardate: 9708.25

 Kaitlynn lit the last of the dozens of candles she had placed throughout the quarters she shared with her husband, Lieutenant (jg) Ishmael Shaala of Dreadius. He was due home any second and she had a special surprise for him.
 This romantic, intimate dinner was just one surprise she had planned for them. She smiled as she thought of the news she had to tell him.
 "Computer, dim lights by 1/3 percent of normal standard."
 The light level went down. The effect was what she desired. With that accomplished, Kaitlynn sat down in her favorite chair and waited. The minutes passed and Kaitlynn soon realized her husband was going to be late.
 "Computer, time?" she requested.
 "19:06 hours," was the reply.
 "Campbell to Shaala."
 Within moments, she heard his voice. "Yes, my love?"
 "Ishmael, why didn't ye call me?" she asked.
 "Sorry, honey, I must've got caught up in my work," he replied.
 "When are ye comin' home?"
 "I'm sorry, Kait, but I'll be another thirty minutes, at least . . ."
 "Promise ye'll be home then?" she asked. "I really want ye home tonight, dear."
 "I promise, Kait," he replied, warmly. She could almost see the smile on his face. "Shaala, out."
 

 True to his word, Ishmael entered their quarters just after thirty minutes had passed, to find Kaitlynn sitting with her eyes closed. He then saw the dinner she had prepared for them and wished he had been able to come home sooner. Slowly, Kaitlynn opened her eyes and smiled at him.
 "Finally, ye're home!" she said, standing up to kiss him.
 He gently pulled away and pointed to the dinner. "What's the occasion?" he asked.
 "Sit down at the table and I'll get our drinks," she said, avoiding the question for the moment. She walked over to the replicator. "Bottle of champagne, chilled," she ordered.
 Ishmael raised an eyebrow as she placed the bottle in a bucket of ice. She then sat down across from him at the small table. It was time to answer his question.
 "I took time off from me duty shift early today and went to see Dr. Cordon," Kaitlynn began, her soft scotch accent warming his heart.
 "Is something wrong, Kait?" he asked, with mounting concern.
 "Well, I've been feelin' a little tired lately. I went to get him to check me out, just in case there was somethin' wrong with me," she explained. "Mathew said that we should expect the arrival of a little one about eight months down the road . . ." She paused to observe his response.
 "A baby? You're going to have a baby?" he asked.
 "Aye," she replied with a smile. "We are gonna have a wee, little babe."
 Ishmael jumped up from his seat to pull her from her's and into his arms. "I can hardly believe it! A baby!" he said again, letting it sink in.
 Kaitlynn stroked his cheek "I love ye," she said.
 "And I love you, dear Kait . . ."
 

Captain's Log
Stardate: 9708.26

War has been proclaimed against the Dominion and its allies. The Adamant will be joining the armada forming to aid Captain Sisko.
 

 Dr. Cordon woke to find grim news waiting for him in sickbay. Nurse Brown's voice over his comm badge would be the only pleasant sound he would hear for many days to come. Had he known, he would have enjoyed it more.
 "Mathew, come to Sickbay now!"
 "Acknowledged," he replied.
 Mathew jumped into his uniform and ran to sickbay. Normally he would walk. As a rule, he ran nowhere because if he hurt himself it would be a long wait for a doctor to show up. Karen never called him by his first name while on duty, so he instantly knew this was different . . . huge.
 Mathew walked through the doors of sickbay and found his personnel huddled in his office staring at a memo. Karen looked up at Mathew, her eyes full of tears, and ran to him, holding him tight. Nurse K'Mar'ta walked to Mathew and handed him a hard copy of the memo. Mathew read it once and then read it again.
 "Julian . . ." he whispered. "Okay, people, we have a lot to prepare for. Start war preparation protocols -"
 "But the Captain hasn't told us yet if we're going to war," one of the other nurses objected.
 "If this memo is correct, then it's already happened," he replied firmly. "Now, ready all stations. Karen, I need to go to the bridge. I'm leaving you in charge. I'll be back soon. Stay strong, honey . . ." He gave her a loving squeeze.
 "Okay . . . and Mathew . . . be careful . . ."
 "Aren't I always?" he replied, and vanished out the door.
 

 Finally, T'Hara had the time to make the meeting with her son's teacher. They had been trying to make it for weeks, and only now, had she nitched out the time for it. Lately, her work schedule had kept her quite busy. But now, she sat in Ms. Tikara's classroom with her father at her side.
 "So, Christopher is doing quite well. In fact, I feel that he should be skipped a grade to keep him from getting bored with his schooling. He has shown quite a bit of potential in science and should have projects more challenging that I can't give him in this class."
 "I understand your position," T'Hara replied. "But before I make a decision, I'd like to talk with my son and see how he would feel about this."
 "All right."
 Suddenly, T'Hara placed a hand to her abdomen and exhaled sharply. Within moments her breathing returned to normal.
 "Are ye all right?" her father asked.
 Softly, she smiled. "I'm fine. It's just the baby letting me know she's still there."
 Swiftly, they closed the meeting. T'Hara promised to get back with the teacher as soon as she spoke with Christopher. She just wasn't sure if Chris would want to skip a grade. He had made some close friends in his class. As they left she turned to her father.
 "Tell Chris that I want to speak with him as soon as I'm off duty and that it's important," she said.
 "All right, darlin'," he replied.
 As they parted ways, and she reached the lift for the bridge, an uneasy feeling came over her.
 "Is everything well?" asked Logan, his appearance still cloaked.
 "I'm not sure," she replied, "I feel like something's going to happen . . . Something life changing . . . negative . . ."
 "Perhaps War has been declared with the Dominion."
 "Perhaps . . ." she replied, as her concerns mounted. But at least she had one thing to look forward to - her lunch with Alexander. Calming her nerves, she stepped into the lift and went to the bridge.
 

 Captain Crystyl Rayn gasped as if someone had awaken her from sleep. Her silvery- blue eyes seemed to change from gold to silver in a quick flash of color that was almost unnoticeable. She rose from her chair on the bridge, and, as if on cue - or the cue for her to stand came early, the acting Chief Security officer spoke.
 "Captain, we are receiving a Priority One transmission on a secured channel. Shall I route it to your Ready Room?" he asked.
 Rayn turned to the officer and stared for a moment, then blinked as if her senses were returning to her.
 "Sir?" he questioned.
 "Yes."
 She turned and walked into her room without another word, leaving her bridge crew to stare after her in wonder
 

 Commander Reauwl arrived on the bridge for her duty shift and she noticed that half of the bridge crew, that should have been getting ready for their shifts to end were staring at the Captain's Ready Room door in anticipation. Must be getting the order to go to war, she thought. She thought she's take a peek and see what the Captain was up to.
 

 Rayn stared at the figure on the screen. "Admiral, I take it that the situation is not a good at best?"
 Admiral Forrest Greene was obviously not his usual self. "War is not imminent anymore; it's definite. The Cardassians took over DS9 with help from the Dominion. We cannot have anymore delays and must take action now."
 "So you want the Adamant to join the armada immediately?"
 "The Adamant, yes. You, no."
 "W-what?! I can't abandon my crew!" her voice rose force slightly.
 "You must!" His matched.
 "No! I refuse! If this ship goes down in battle, I go with it."
 "That is an order, Captain!" he stated firmly.
 The door opened to admit Reauwl, who quickly stepped in for the door to close.
 "What kind of Captain would I be, if I abandoned my crew at a time like this?!"
 "One who is a Starfleet officer following orders!" countered Greene.
 There was an eerie sort of silence in the room as the two calmed down a bit.
 "Crys," spoke Greene, with sadness in his blue eyes. "You know I would not be doing this if it weren't necessary. I mean, even if you were always a bit strange, you were one of my favorite students at the Academy."
 "Forrest, we were all your favorites."
 "I think you are the only one to realize that. But, as I was saying, you should go to DS9. You know, the usual job . . ."
 "Ah . . ." Rayn leaned into her chair and brought her hands before her with fingertips touching lightly. "My contact . . . ?"
 "Is a Ferengi named Rom," finished Greene. "You'll find him at Quark's. You shall pose as a Sirenian merchant. The runabout NILE is really the Sirenian D'Surani. Compliments of Ambassador Tourian L'Rae."
 Rayn sighed. "How soon do I leave?"
 "After you take care of a few things . . . "

 
 "I can't believe you found out about my birthday!" T'Hara said with obvious surprise in her voice. The birthday cake was small enough for just a few people. There were three candles lit on top of it.
 "I bet you thought that it was one of the best kept secrets in Starfleet!" Alexander exclaimed with a gleam of slyness in his eye.
 "Obviously it isn't anymore!" she answered jokingly.
 "Make a wish," Alexander said, as he inched the cake a bit closer to T'Hara.
 "Make a wish? Aren't we a little old for that?" she asked.
 "Are we too old to have wishes . . . dreams . . . that we want to see come true?"
 She smiled. "All right, you talked me into it!"
 "But don't tell anyone your wish or it won't come true," he warned, with a tender smile.
 "Don't worry," she replied with a chuckle, "I'll make sure I keep this a secret that you can't find out about!"
 With that, she thought for a moment. There was only one thing she wanted at the moment, as she caressed her swollen belly. Then she blew out the candles. Alexander had selected one of T'Hara's favorite desserts - Romulan Spice Cake. It tasted similar to carrot cake but was more rich and pungent in taste. He didn't much care for it, but he didn't mind it for this occasion. T'Hara cut him a piece and put it on a plate for him. He took it and cut a small piece with his fork. When he out it in his mouth, the taste was almost overwhelming. T'Hara ate her's easily. Alexander was just about ready to try another mouthful, but the familiar voice of Commander Reauwl come over the comm. system.
 "Yellow alert! All members of the senior staff report to the Ready Room immediately."
 He put his fork down. Saved by the bell, he thought to himself.
 "Looks like we'll have to finish this later," T'Hara said as they both got up from their seats. They both exited Ten-Forward and rushed down the corridor towards the turbo-lift.
 

 When T'Hara and Allias arrived in the Ready Room, they found that they were the last to arrive. When they took their seats with the others, the Captain stood up and walked over to the display monitor.
 "As of right now, all Starfleet vessels are at alert status. Three hours ago, a large Dominion/Cardassian task force entered Federation space, taking Deep Space Nine. Reports are coming in from all over the Cardassian/Federation border that outposts and vessels are being attacked without warning," Captain Rayn explained.
 The news took everyone by surprise.
 Lt. Campbell was the first to speak up. "Has a declaration of war been announced?"
 "An unofficial state of war exists," the Captain responded. "Starfleet believes that this is a test of our resources, since the Dominion force is not large enough to threaten the entire Federation."
 "And what about those worlds that signed a non-aggression pact with the Dominion?" asked Alexander. "What are the Romulans and Bajorans doing?"
 "Intelligence reports tell us that they are keeping away from this. Only the Klingons are assisting us at this point. A large Starfleet/Klingon fleet is en route to Deep Space Nine at this time. We will be joining them within the next few hours," answered Captain Rayn. "When you get there, however, I will not be with you."
 This news took everyone by surprise. Everyone at the conference table looked at each other with a mixture of shock and surprise.
 "Why?" asked T'Hara.
 "Before I give you the reason, there is something you should know," she said, as she sat in her seat. "What you are about to see is one of the closest kept secrets in the Federation. It is not to go beyond this room."
 With that, she sat back in her chair, then her entire form seemed to melt into a shapeless mass that oozed off the chair and onto the floor. It reformed into the familiar shape of the Captain. The silence in the conference room was such at not even a breath could be heard, except for two individuals; Lt. Cmd. Allias, and Cmd. Reauwl.
 "As you can see, I am really a Changeling. With the exception of Commander Reauwl and Mr. Allias, this is news to you . . ."
 The senior staff of the USS Adamant couldn't have been more surprised if a Jem 'Hadar soldier had stood up on their conference table and did the Charleston. T'Hara, however, remained calm. She had looked at the Captain's official personnel file and noted the absence of her early life, so she had suspected something. Not quite this news, but none-the-less, something mysterious. For her, it was a privilege to finally know the truth about the Captain. And it explained many small quirks she had noticed.
 "I canna believe it," Kaitlynn whispered.
 "Well, I am a Changeling. If any of you have looked up my file, the part that is missing tells of how I was found near the planet Leucomaris. How the couple that were scientists took me at first as a test subject, then as a pet, and finally as their child. Just many boring facts about my life that would reveal that I can change my shape at will and must rest after 14-16 hours . . . I know you must be asking yourselves why I am telling you this. It is because I trust you and because I must explain what is about to happen. I am hoping this will make things easier. I have been called on a special covert mission by Admiral Greene. Being a Starfleet Officer, I have no choice, but to obey. Therefore, at this moment, Ree is Captain. Temporarily, of course. I am coming back, so long as I have a ship to come back to. In other words, don't let Reauwl run this create into a planet or anything," she smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Now for the welfare of this crew, I expect each and every one of you to see to that job. Don't get yourselves killed or my ship destroyed. You may consider that an order."
 A small chuckled emanated from the small crowd, despite the seriousness of the situation. Rayn smiled at them. Her smile told them that she would return to Command the Adamant, no matter what the next few days or even months brought.
 "What are our orders, Captain?" asked Dr. Cordon.
 "First, all civilians, especially those with Bajoran or Romulan heritage have been ordered off all Starfleet vessels," Rayn began, "Those who are Starfleet personnel of that heritage are given the choice of staying or going . . . Mr. Allias,  T'Hara, whatever you wish will be respected."
 "I request to stay on board," Alexander stated.
 "Very well," Captain Rayn replied, "Since you'll be the next most senior officer aboard, you'll be the Adamant's new Executive officer."
 "I'll also remain," T'Hara responded with only a moment of hesitation. She was concerned for the child she carried . . . but she was, after all, a Starfleet officer.
 "All right," the Captain answered her. "Second, the Adamant will rendezvous with the Federation/Klingon fleet once all the civilians have been transported off by shuttle-craft. The fleet is under the command of Admiral Greene. Once you take your place with the other ships, more specific orders will be given," she concluded. "Are there any questions?"
 The senior staff members looked around at each other. Each of them had a question or two, but they knew that such questions could wait until the mission at hand was over.
 Seeing no one jumping to ask anything, she continued. "Well, then. As of this moment, I am turning over command of the Adamant to Commander Reauwl. I know each of you will give your full service and attention to her, just like you do for me . . . I also want you all to know that I consider you my friends, not just my subordinate officers. You've proven to be one of the Fleet's finest crews, and I know you'll continue to make me proud." With that, Rayn stepped aside and Reauwl stepped up.
 "We are at Red Alert status. Each of you report to your designated stations. I expect a full report on our battle-readiness in one hour! You are dismissed!"
 Each of the senior staff rose up from their chairs and hurried out the Ready Room doors and onto the bridge.
 

 Crystyl looked around the bridge for what felt like the last time, although she kept reminding herself that it wouldn't be.
 "All Hands . . . This is Captain Crystyl Rayn. The order has been given, and we are to prepare for war, not only with the Dominion, but with their new allies as well. All civilians are advised to leave, as well as officers of Romulan, Cardassian, Bajoran and any other descent now affiliated with the Dominion. Survival is not guaranteed, and these evacuations are for your safety. There is no need for any blood to be unnecessarily shed. The rest, prepare for battle, then get plenty of sleep if you can. Evacuees have two hours to get ready."
 

 Rayn walked into the shuttle bay alone . . . or so she thought. The doors opened once more to admit Willoughby.
 "Captain," spoke the Saurian, in his usual chipper voice, "Are you leaving also?"
 "Not by choice," she explained. "I'm being sent on a mission."
 "Oh? May I join you?"
 She gazed downward, as if looking at her feet, but really staring into the pale blue of the robes she wore, and listening to the gentle tinkle of the crystals in her long, white hair.  "Seeing as how I don't seem to be much of an officer at the moment, what they hey. But," she said as she loosely put an arm around the shorter man's shoulders in friendly manner, "You may need to know a thing or two . . ."
 They entered the shuttle.
 "D'Surani, you are cleared for departure."
 Temporarily retired Starfleet Captain Crystyl Rayn manipulated the controls with a feather-light touch. "Thank you, Adamant," she said in low, almost musical tones. "Until we meet again . . ."
 "And God save the Queen," put in Mr. Willoughby from the adjacent chair. Rayn gave him a look, wondering if she hadn't made a mistake in allowing him to come along, then sighed, shrugged, and maneuvered the D'Surani out of the shuttle bay into space.
 

 "I'm staying aboard," T'Hara said softly, as her father and son looked at her with their eyes filled with concern.
 "But, darlin' -"
 "Dad, I'm a Starfleet officer. It's my duty to stay," she replied, hoping that the two most important men in her life would understand. "I can't let my shipmates face this without me there. We're like . . . family."
 "An' what about us?" he questioned. "I lost yer mother an' I don't think I could stand the pain of losin' ye as well."
 Gently she embraced him. "I have to do this, dad . . . It's the right thing to do . . . and you know it."
 "An' what about the babe growin' within ye?" he asked, with mounting concern, and a touch of anger that she wouldn't take the safe way out.
 "Have faith . . . we'll be fine."
 "You don't know that!" and angry, young, hurt voice yelled.
 T'Hara turned to see Christopher's green-brown eyes misted with angry tears. His feelings shining brightly in them, as if through a window. He was frightened. She could feel the intensity of it burn through her.
 "It's war!" he cried, "People die in wars!"
 "Chris . . " she tried to sooth, as she stood from the couch to approach him. But he turned away from her.
 "NO!" he yelled, "I lost dad, now I'll lose you!" With that, he ran to his room. His ten year old body racked with sobs.
 T'Hara sighed and rubbed her forehead, as a tension headache began. Connor stood behind her and embraced her gently.
 "Oh-dad . . ."
 "It's all right, me darlin'," he replied. "I'll just pray that God will watch over ye and bring ye back to us safely."
 A sorrowful smile crossed her face. "I hope He listens . . . Just make sure Christopher leaves with you. I don't want him getting any bright ideas about trying to stay behind with me."
 "Aye, darlin' . . ."
 Tenderly, she turned and kissed her father's cheek. "If I don't see you again before you leave, tell Chris that I love him."
 As she looked to the couch once more, she knew there was one last soul to say good- bye to. Balto's warm brown eyes lit up as she approached him. But they were also sad, as if he knew what was happening. Gently, she knelt beside him and stroked his fur, embraced him and kissed the top of his furry head. It was hard to believe that he was a wolf breed. He was so loving and had become a great source of comfort for her these past months and she hated having to see any of them leave. But duty called.
 Bending over to his perked up ear, she whispered, "Take care of them for me, okay?"
 As if in answer, he licked her cheek. She smiled with tears in her eyes as she struggled to her feet once more.
 "I'll see you all when this is over."
 "Aye," her father replied, trying hard to hide his own tears.
 Without another word, she swiftly left the quarters. She knew if she turned back, she'd break down into tears. Was she doing the right thing? she wondered. Should she leave the ship with her family? She felt confused. She didn't want to hurt her family, but that's exactly what she was doing. On the other hand, she was a Starfleet officer and had obligations to fulfill.
 

 Mathew sat in his office looking over his medical files. He looked at blood tests, physicals, descriptions, energy readings and more. He went over procedures. Karen came in with two cups of Raktajino. She closed the door behind her. She set one cup in front of him.
 "It's tea time in Britain."
 "What else have they kept from me? From all of us?"
 "What do you mean?"
 "Nothing. This whole war has me on edge. I'm worried about Julian. He is one of the most brilliant minds in the Federation. I'm not sure we can win without him at DS9."
 "Sickbay is ready as it's going to get. I put the non-essential staff off-duty and prepared the duty roster for our next few days."
 Suddenly T'Hara wandered in.
 Karen looked at Mathew. "I'll wait for you at your place."
 "I'll be along," he replied and went to his pregnant crew mate. "T'Hara," he said with surprised concern. "Are you all right?"
 She nodded, but was still feeling very out of sorts. "I just thought I would come in for a check on the baby before the trouble starts."
 "Okay, let's have a look then," he replied, escorting her to a biobed and helped her lie down. "Well . . . she appears very healthy . . . she's the right size and looks well formed  for her gestational age . . . Strong heartbeat . . . Are you still feeling her movements regularly?"
 "Oh-yeah," she nodded with a smile. But just as quickly the smile vanished. "This is a crazy question . . . but do you think I'm doing the right thing by staying aboard?"
 For a moment he was silent. "So that's what this is about."
 "Mathew, I'm just confused and torn . . . I feel compelled to stay. It's my duty. I just can't desert my shipmates . . . But if I stay, am I doing right by my baby and my family? My son has already lost his father . . ."
 Gently her took her hand. "Unfortunately, there are no easy answers and I know decisions are even more difficult to make now that you're pregnant," he answered. "As your doctor, I'd tell you to get the hell off this ship. But as a Starfleet officer . . . It's more difficult than that . . . You have to do what's in your heart . . . What you believe to be the right choice."
 "Well . . . I've already told the Captain that I'm staying and that's what feels right. So I guess the decision's made . . . Of course, I suppose we do have bigger problems . . ."
 "Like what?"
 She got up from the biobed and walked into Mathew's office. As he followed her, she closed and locked the door behind him.
 "Well . . . what have you been doing?" she asked.
 "I've been re-evaluating tests all day, since Captain Rayn sprung her surprise on us, and I can't find a flaw with any of them. None of my records came close to indicating that our Captain was anything or anyone other than what she claimed to be before - a Sirenian. For all I know, since the tests aren't reliable,  this entire ship could be manned by Changelings . . . I guess I'm not much of a doctor."
 "Mathew, you're a wonderful doctor. If the tests aren't showing anything, then every doctor is encountering the same problem," she soothed, forgetting her own troubled thoughts for the moment. "What we need to do is pull together and deal with the Dominion. We will get through this. I promised my family . . ."
 "It's just the shock of it all . . . Odo has been open about his heritage. Why did Starfleet keep Captain Rayn's heritage secret for so long?"
 "For just such an occasion, I believe," she replied. "People tend to treat outsiders differently . . . The Captain has always done well and has Starfleet training. There is no reason to doubt her. Anyway, she has an Admiral to help with her cover. He would know about blood tests coming, and did keep us away from Earth during the Changeling scare."
 "I suppose . . . As a doctor I feel he should have told me. I mean, I do have a confidentiality thing I hold pretty high in my moral code."
 "Well . . . all I can say is they must have felt that they had reasons . . . Hell, let's go have a drink while we still can," she smiled. "Forget our troubles for a bit."
 He cocked an eyebrow at her.
 "A milk for me!" she amended.
 "Okay . . ." he replied, "Then I can drop a note to my mother. 'Going to war. Will write if I don't die. Don't worry.' "
 T'Hara smiled. "You are a piece of work, Mathew . . ."
 "Lt. Cmd. Allias, Lt. McKenzie, Lt. Campbell, and Dr. Cordon, please report to the bridge," came Commander Reauwl's voice."
 "Guess that drink will have to wait," Mathew replied.
 

 Cmd. Reauwl stood alone in the shuttle bay awaiting a last minute arrival. The blue force field was all that stood between her and space. She could see the shuttle approaching in the distance.
 The shuttle passed through the force field silently and set down with a gentle thud. The door slid quietly open and a tall, slender woman was produced and walked over to the Commander.
 "Hello, I am Commander Reauwl," she introduced.
 "Lieutenant O'Neil," said the young woman handing the Commander a PADD.
 "Welcome to the Adamant. I wish it were under better circumstances," said Reauwl, as she ushered O'Neil through the door and into the turbo lift. As they stood in the lift, Reauwl glanced at O'Neil. The girl seemed quiet, and she also noticed her eyes. She had never seen anything that blue before.
 The lift came to rest at the bridge and O'Neil followed Reauwl into the Captain's Ready Room, where several others were waiting. Reauwl set the PADD down as she sat on the edge of the desk.
 "Our Captain has been temporarily reassigned," she began to explain. "Let me introduce you to some of our other officers. This is Lt. Cmd. Alexander Sitale-Allias our Chief  of Operations. Lt. T'Hara McKenzie, our Chief Science Officer. Lt. Kaitlynn Campbell, our Chief Engineer, and this is Lt. Mathew Cordon, our Chief Medical Officer. This is Lt. Dayna O'Neil. She has been sent to us from Deep Space Five, courtesy of the Starfleet Marines. She will be taking over as our new Chief of Security," she finished with a sigh.
 As the others left the room, the Commander motioned for O'Neil to sit. "There are a few things that you should know before we get underway," said Reauwl, handing O'Neil another PADD.
 

 The civilians were being evacuated from the Adamant swiftly. Connor had gathered him and Christopher's things, including his grandson's tribble. Christopher had Balto by a leash. It would only be a few more minutes until they would leave the Adamant . . . The place they had called home for the past year and half. As the crowd began moving forward, Connor looked around for his grandson to make sure the boy was near. But Chris and Balto were nowhere in sight. Maybe they were just separated in the crowd, he thought.
 "Christopher!" he cried out, still looking around. But there was no answer. "Christopher! Where are ye, lad?!" But there was still no answer. Where could that boy be, he wondered . . . Then T'Hara's warning came back to haunt him
 I don't want him getting any bright ideas about trying to stay behind with me.
 "Oh-dear Lord!" he exclaimed, barely above a whisper. Christopher had run off!
 

 The barren quarters were dimly lit with boxes scattered about. The only protrusive light source was coming from that of a computer console. A young woman sat in the chair in front of it with an open box at her feet and held two photographs in her hands.

Personal Log:
My mother has left several messages for me since I have arrived aboard the Adamant. I guess she is just as afraid as me about going to war with the Dominion. Maybe even more so now that I have been transferred from the station and promoted to Chief of Security. When Mother called I could tell she had gone way beyond being worried. She had been crying and I don't blame her. I never thought I would be fighting in the front line in a war. I don't think she did either, but it looks that way. It's in the times of crisis like this that I miss Tim the most. I wish he was still here.
End Log

 She set the one photo of a young man down beside the console and again reached down into the box and withdrew a teddy bear. She stood up, walked over to her bed and sat the other photo down on the dresser then went to the console and placed a chip in it, tapping the controls. The screen flashed to life with a woman in a formal Starfleet uniform with long red hair and light gray eyes.
 "Hi kids!" she said in a chipper voice. "Dayna, I'm so happy for you both. It's a mother's dream to see her little girl happy."
 From beside her came a young woman also in a formal uniform with short black hair and green eyes.
 "Well, little brother, the ceremony was beautiful and I hope that you're glad that I taped it for you. I love you tuns and hope you two are happy together."
 "Lorine, what say we go invade the party?" asked Dayna's mother.
 "Good idea," said Lorine, obviously taking the camera.
 A moment later the screen changed to a lavish party and among many people two alone stood out. A bride and a groom dancing together in the middle of the room. The groom was taller than the bride. They made a very lovely couple. The camera popped up in front of them , giving them both a bit of a start.
 "Don't we look handsome," commented Lorine with a snicker.
 "Thanks, sis," replied the young man.
 "Dayna, your dress . . . it's just so . . . so . . . beautiful. So how about a kiss for the camera," nudged Lorine.
 And what a kiss the couple provided.
 The afternoon went on and so did the party, but like all good things it was coming to an end.
 "So, honey, you ready to toss your bouquet?" her mother asked.
 She nodded, as a group of rather anxious, unmarried women gathered behind her. As the bouquet went up into the air the women fell over each other trying to reach it as it landed in the midst of the flurry. Then . . .
 "All right, Tim," coaxed Lorine, "I guess you're up next."
 Someone pulled up a chair for Dayna to sit on,  as Tim removed her garter. A roar seemed to go through the men as the garter was flung into the air. They leapt upon each other to try to grab the delicate piece of lace.
 Then finally, it was time for the cake to be cut. Dayna succumbed to the inevitable, smashing Tim in the face with her piece of cake. He returned the favor not long after. The camera again turned to the couple as they embraced each other on the dance floor for one last dance. Finally, the screen flashed to the bride with her little message to the groom and then the groom with his message to his bride.
 "Dayna, this is the best day of my life, and I want you to know that I love you, no matter what happens . . ."
 With that, the screen went dark, and Dayna walked to her bed, sitting down, holding her teddy bear close.
 "I never thought . . ." she said, looking at the picture of them both together, "With this war and everything . . . I don't want to face the end . . . alone . . ."

 The comm traffic from the Adamant was incredibly ridiculous over the next several hours. Everyone was sending messages to their loved ones on Earth, Bajor, Andor, Vulcan, Betazed . . .
 Kaitlynn decided to record a specially sealed message to her family, just in case she  didn't make it through the battle with the Dominion. She recorded a special message to her parents, her grandparents, her sister and finally, her brother William. It was  in the form of a live recording . . .
"Dear William,
Ye're watchin' this recordin' now because I have died in the line of duty in Starfleet. I know you dinna care for Starfleet, especially after Tommy died, but I dinna want ye to blame it for me death. I love ye, William, and I always will. I've always been proud of ye and yer work at the Martian colonies, turning a small piece of it into our beloved Scotland. Do ye know what I'm always gonna remember happily about me childhood? Trompin' the Highlands with ye, Tommy, and Tessa. I loved that and I'll always remember ye all as ye were that day. Well, hopefully ye will never see this recordin', because I'll survive this war an' all its madness. I love ye though, brother. Never, never, never forget that. Bye."
 Kaitlynn turned off the monitor with a sigh. She touched her yet flat stomach and wondered if her bairn would ever see the chance to be born and if the child did, what kind of universe would the babe be living in? Why was this happening now, she wondered.
 The Dominion had been a growing threat for months, but she never really thought about war. People actually dying in battle against the Dominion.
 "McKenzie to Campbell."
 "Go Ahead."
 "Look, I'm really getting depressed here. I mean, with dad and Christopher gone, it seems too quiet . . . I don't want to be alone," T'Hara explained, though the shuttles hadn't left that long ago.
 "You still have me, T'Hara," came soft male voice from nowhere.
 "I know, Logan. Thanks . . ." Turning back to Kaitlynn, she asked, "What are you and Ishmael planning to do while we still have time to plan a casual evening?" T'Hara asked.
 Kaitlynn smiled. "I dinna know. I just want to spend time with the people I love. Why dinna ye come to our quarters and we can talk? Ishmael is not here at the moment and I have a few things to tell ye," Kaitlynn said.
 "All right, I'll see you in a few minutes. T'Hara out."
 A few moments later T'Hara arrived and they sat down to talk. Kaitlynn immediately told her of her pregnancy.
 "Oh, that's wonderful! Is it a boy or girl?"
 "I've told Mathew NOT to tell me until the moment the bairn is born," Kaitlynn replied.
 "What names do you have picked out?"
 "For a girl we have the name Rilei Sarah picked out, an' for a boy we have the name Taalle Robert chosen."
 "Taalle? That sounds like a name for a girl."
 "Yes, but on Dreadius it's an accepted name for boys. Ishmael had a first cousin named Taalle. He's been dead a long time though," Kaitlynn said.
 Suddenly, the red alert klaxon sounded and Ree's voice filled the comm.
 "All hands to battle stations . . ."
 

 "Red Alert! All hands report to battle stations!" Commander Reauwl said from her place in the bridge.
 The familiar klaxon of Red Alert filled the air as everyone aboard the Adamant rushed to their stations. To the outside observer, the scene would resemble something like chaos, but each crew member knew exactly what to do and where to be at a moment's notice. Phaser banks were charged, photon torpedoes were armed and loaded, emergency medical teams were ready, security personnel were ready to repel boarders, the engines were prepared for warp drive in at an instant's notice, shield generators were ready and running at full capacity. The Adamant was ready for battle, the only thing to do now was wait.
 "Status, Mr. Allias? Reauwl asked as she took her place sitting in the Captain's chair.
 "All hands report ready for action," he responded.
 "Excellent. Time until we arrive with the fleet?"
 "38 minutes," he replied.
 "Captain, incoming message from Admiral Greene. Priority One," Lt. O'Neil announced from her station.
 "I'll take it in the Captain's Ready Room," she replied.
 She got up from her chair and headed to the office. "Mr. Allias, you have the bridge," she said as she exited.
 She took a seat behind the desk. The small computer console was in front of her. A moment later, the image of Admiral Greene filled the screen.
 "Greetings, Commander. Are you and your ship ready?"
 "Ready and willing, Admiral," Reauwl responded.
 "You are to report to the coordinates I am sending you. The fleet is being broken down into three waves, in which the Adamant will join the second wave. You will be joining the starships Wellington, Excalibur, McHenry, Bozeman, Hood, Arlington, Cochrane, and the Constitution, along with several Klingon vessels including the battle cruisers K'HgrogH and Be'KourN. Once in position, you will be given orders when to attack or defend, depending on how the tide of battle goes.
 "Who will be spearheading the fleet?" Reauwl asked.
 "Such starships as the McArthur, Defiant, Enterprise, Victorious and Forestall are all leading the attack along with several Klingon battle cruisers."
 "How large is the Dominion/Cardassian fleet estimated at?" Reauwl asked.
 "Including support craft, about two thousand vessels," he replied.
 Reauwl didn't like the sound of that. It would mean the Stafleet/Klingon force would be outnumbered close to three-to-one. Not very favorable odds. "We will do our best, Admiral. See you at the rendezvous point," Reauwl said, as she completed the transmission.
 "I know you will, Commander. Greene, out," he finished as the screen went blank.
 Reauwl sat back in the chair. The odds are not in our favor, she thought to herself. Many lives will be lost today. The price of victory on both sides will be heavy . . . We've faced such odds before; the attack by the Borg cost hundreds of lives and several starships, but we were victorious then and shall be now! She rose up out of the chair and headed to the bridge. "Helm, plot a course to these coordinates immediately," she said as she took her seat. "Time to rendezvous at those coordinates?"
 "Eight minutes, fourteen seconds," replied Ensign Lynch.
 "Captain, I have the fleet in visual range," T'Hara said from her console.
 "On screen," Reauwl responded.
 The star-field on the main viewer was replaced by the armada of ships that made up the Federation/Klingon task force. Starships and Klingon vessels of very shape and size were there. It was an impressive sight.
 "We are coming onto our coordinates," said Ensign Lynch.
 The familiar shapes of the starships McHenry, Hood, and Excalibur were situated off the right flank of the Adamant, while the Wellington, Cochrane, Arlington, and Bozeman were situated on the left. Even when the Borg attacked, there weren't as many vessels as there were now.
 "We have taken our place in the fleet," Allias said as he checked his console.
 "Time to intercept with the Dominion Forces?" Reauwl asked.
 "The first wave will be engaging the Dominion in three minutes," Allias responded.
 "How long until we can expect to engage any Dominion forces?"
 "We should engage the Dominion within the next twelve minutes," Allias answered.
 "Now all we have to do is wait," T'Hara said from her console.
 "Display the first wave of the Federation/Klingon fleet on the main viewer," Reauwl ordered. Her tone was authoritative. Those who knew her could tell that her sudden rise to Command took her by surprise, but she didn't let anyone else know it.
 On the screen appeared the image of the Federation/Klingon forces approaching the Dominion fleet. It was a few moments later that the first exchanges could be seen between the two armadas.
 "Captain, the fleets have engaged each other," T'Hara said, as everyone focused their attention on the main viewer.
 The scene reminded Reauwl of a mass of angry hornets buzzing around each other. Both armadas broke their formations, intermixing with each other. A mixture of phaser and photon-torpedo fire filled the screen.
 "Put Starfleet channel three point five on speaker," ordered Reauwl.
 The bridge began to fill with the mixed noise of the battle that lay ahead. It was a mixture of voice transmissions and explosions.
 ". . . Shields at thirty percent, systems failing . . . two direct hits on one of their heavy cruisers . . . structural integrity is at sixty percent . . . Enterprise, you have two heavy cruisers on your rear flank, we will try and draw them off . . . Life-support failing . . . warp-core breach in progress . . . "
 "Captain, damage reports are starting to come in," T'Hara stated from her station. "The Starships Forestall and Victorious have taken heavy damage. The McArthur, Enterprise,  and Defiant are holding their own. The starship Gettysburg has been destroyed."
 "How are  the Klingon forces doing?" Reauwl asked.
 "It looks like they are having the same amount of luck we are," she replied, "They have lost two birds of prey while having only one cruiser that has sustained heavy damage. It looks like the Dominion has taken more damage. I count three Cardassian cruisers destroyed with two heavily damaged and drift . . ." T'Hara's console interrupted her. She studied the information that was displayed in front of her. "Captain, the Dominion forces are splintering into two groups and they are headed this way."
 This was it, Reauwl thought to herself. The time has come.