Katianna and Kara moved rapidly through the quarters packing up last minute items that they wanted to take with them. They had packed the majority of their clothes, though hers weren't going to matter much longer, Katianna thought as her abdomen kept growing so fast. And there were certain items they didn't want left behind. Photos being much of them. She packed all the ones she could find. Kara was busy with her own items, though she didn't have as many since her arrival on the station.
As Katianna went to Laurissa to finish up packing for her daughter, she found her surrounded by several of her stuffed animals. She looked very apprehensive for a four year old.
"Momma, do we have to go? I like it here..." she said.
Katianna kneeled and gently caressed the auburn hair from her daughter's face. "We're not safe here right now..."
"Because of The Order of the Light?" she asked, as she remembered the strange Bajoran that had picked her up and threatened her and Kara.
"That, and someone else is looking for me too...," she said gently. "We have to keep safe right now."
"They want my baby brother, don't they?" she said.
Katianna sighed. Her daughter was too smart, she thought with a bittersweet smile. "Yes..."
With a sadness her eyes went down. "Why would anyone want to hurt a baby?" she asked, the total innocence in her voice.
Katianna couldn't tell her. Instead, she pulled her into her arms and simply held onto her daughter, feeling her warmth, and feeling her other child kick in her womb. As she finally let go, the girl looked at all her animal friends around her.
"I don't know which one to take," she said. "I don't want to leave them."
Katianna smiled. "We'll see if we can't find room for them, and a couple of your dolls also. We're going to be gone quite awhile. You might as well have your favorite toys to keep you company."
The little girl smiled softly, but Katianna could tell she still didn't want to go. "I want to take my favorite blanket too, Momma."
Kat smiled. "Of course..."
Katianna went back out into the front room to check on the rest of her luggage, and just as she was about ready to do a once over of her quarters, the door to her quarters slid open. She knew who it would be since she had given him her access code.
"Hello, Jarrod, glad you could make it," she smiled, as she looked at the tall, dark skinned Tanzaran.
He looked around at the luggage container, while he had only a duffle packed.
"Hello," he replied. "It looks as though you're moving."
"Well, in a way I am..." Kat replied sadly. Finding nothing else to do for the moment, she sat down on the couch. Immediately, she was hit with visions of the day before when Jovo was there beside her. The activity had kept the womderful yet painful memories away. Tears misted her eyes, but she gained control of herself quickly. "There are only a few more things left to go and then we'll all be ready."
"That's good," Replied Jarrod. "The sooner we leave from here, the better."
"Is there something you know that I don't?" she asked, quizzlically.
He shook his head. "No, he replied, taking a seat beside her on the couch. "But the sooner we leave this station the sooner we can get you and your family to safety."
She shuddered as she thought of Tanzaria. She hadn't been back there since she had been at the Academy and that was just to see what it was like. The place had been rebuilt and looked beautiful, but the memories of the attack were always with her... Of course that was a different dimension... what would this Tanzaria be like, she wondered.
"It will be much the same as you remember," Jarrod replied at the unasked question. "I haven't been back there, but I have seen images and it's beautiful once again."
"That's good..." she replied, still unable to shake her shudder.
"You don't want to do, do you?"
"No," she replied. "But because of that, its the last place they'll look for me."
He nodded. "Maybe you'll find peace on Tanzaria finally?"
She met his dark eyes. "The images of that night are not at peace within, so I don't know how I will ever find peace on Tanzaria."
Gently he took her hand. "All things heal in time," he said.
She thought of all the years it had been since the attack and how she still felt the same way and doubted his words, but said nothing. She smiled gently. As she withdrew her hand, she stood.
"I need to help my daughter grab the last of her things. As soon as that's done we should be ready to leave."
"A Klingon freighter is asking for permission to dock for repairs," announced a crewman.
The ensign in charge nodded. "Granted. Give them Shuttle Bay Five."
The crewman faced his viewscreen. "You're clear to dock. Shuttle Bay Five."
The Klingon nodded solemnly. "In the name of Kahless, we thank you."
A cloaked woman entered Kassia's shop once more. Once more, Kassia took her to the back, where, once more, she revealed herself to be Katianna.
Kassia began, "I'm having trouble with this book. I could recite to you any ancient language in the history of the quadrant. This book," she pointed at the Book of the Light, "is in a language that I cannot identify."
"Have you searched the Seth's database?"
"I have searched everywhere. There is no record of this language. It's as if a child scribbled all over this book and someone somewhere decided it was a religious text."
"Well," Katianna put her cloak back on and prepared to leave, "I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"Kat, I can't--"
"Kassia, please. I need you. The fate of the universe could depend on you deciphering that book. You cannot give up on me. Please."
Kassia nodded. "I'll do my best."
Katianna smiled roughly. "That's all I ask." She walked out the door. "You know where to reach me."
Location: USS Seth
Jarrod was preparing the Seth to launch when Katianna walked into the shuttle. "Are we ready to go?"
Jarrod walked to the pilot's console. "All set. This ship is amazing."
Katianna smiled. "We get that a lot."
"We?"
"JoS" She had to stop herself. It hurt too much to say it. "Let's just get Kara and Laurissa in here."
Jarrod nodded. "They're ready. Beaming to the cargo area, now."
Katianna peeked into the cargo area to see Kara Lac and Laurissa appear with all their belongings.
"Katianna. You may want to see this."
Katianna walked out to see three Klingons kneeling in front of the Seth. "What are they doing?" She walked out to confront the Klingons. "What are you doing here?"
One of the two Klingons stepped forward. "We have come from Qo'noS to honor and worship the SoS."
Jarrod approached Katianna from behind. "The Mother?"
"Great," said Katianna. "Is there anyone in the universe who does not know I'm pregnant?"
The Klingon on the left bowed his head. "Our only wish is that the SoS would accompany us. We wish to celebrate the great coming of the Wa'."
Jarrod whispered into Katianna's ear, "The One."
Katianna put her hands on her hips. "Who are you?"
The Klingon on the right spoke. "We are the humble Sons of Kahless. We are few, but we are faithful. We were awaiting the day when the one would come to bring honor to the galaxy. A great celebration awaits the SoS on Qo'nos. Bountiful banquets in your honor and the most lavish fabrics are but a small token of what we have for you, oh Great One."
Katianna thought about it for a second. "That sounds so wonderful."
"Then, during the Ceremony of Passing, we will take your child and honor it. We shall drink your Iw, make necklaces from your Hom, and wear your Dir that we may grow to be strong enough to endure the great tasks the Wa' will call us to!"
Katianna whispered to Jarrod, "That didn't sound good."
Jarrod whispered back, "They're going to drink your blood, make necklaces from your bone, and wear your skin."
Katianna forced a smile. "Gee. That's great, really, but we have to go. Now!"
Jarrod pulled out his phaser, fired at the center Klingon, and ran with Katianna into the Seth. They closed the airlock as the Klingons reached it. They began banging on the door.
Katianna went to the Tactical console. She tapped a few buttons, charging the surface of the Seth, and sending the Klingons who were banging on it flying against the shuttle bay wall. "Take us out, Jarrod!"
Jarrod took the pilot's seat and exited the shuttle bay as quickly as possible. He faced Katianna. "We're being hailed."
Katianna shook her head. "Thank you, Jarrod." She fired at the source of the hail, uncloaking a Section 31 ship that had been orbiting the station.
Jarrod looked at Katianna, surprised.
Katianna shrugged her shoulders and activated the transwarp drive. "Warp 17, engaged."
The Seth glowed with a green light, then zoomed off.