The U.S.S. Enterprise-D, flagship of the United Federation of Planets, carries her captain and crew through the vast expanses of space on an extended mission of exploration. Most think of the ship as home. Some bring their families with them, as the Enterprise is equipped to accommodate civiliam inhabitants and family living. And there are a special few who find their mates among their shipmates. They meet, court, marry, and start their own families, and their children had never know any home other than the Enterprise. Molly O'Brien is one of these unique children.
Born in 2368 aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, Molly is the daughter of transporter chief Miles Edward O'Brien and Starfleet botanist Keiko Ishikawa O'Brien. During the latter part of Keiko's pregnancy, Molly was a very active baby, often turning, kicking, and punching when her mother wanted to sleep. Before her birth, when her gender was still unknown, her father referred to her as "Michael."
As with the pregnancy, Molly's birth was very tumultuous. She was born prematurely in the Ten-Forward Lounge during a cresis in which the Enterprise ran into a quantum filament and suffered major systems damage. Keiko O'Brien suffered a minor fall and abrasions during the incident, but was not seriously injured. She was helping the other people who were also trapped in Ten-Forward when she unexpectedly went into labor, approximately three and a half weeks before she was due. With communications cut off throughout th ship, Keiko turned to Lieutenant Worf to be her coach and "midwife" during labor. As might be expected, Worf handled his responsibilities admirably. Although Molly's birth may not have been as orderly as the simulated delivery during Worf's emergency medical training, there were no major complications, and Keiko delivered a healthy baby girl.
Both Miles and Keiko happily share their parenting responsibilities. Miles often fed the baby lunch, and Molly would bet in a terrible mood if he was late getting back from his Starfleet duties. While she was still an infant, she and her mother were taken hostage with fifteen others when alien criminals took over the minds of her father, Lieutenant Commander Data and Lieutenant Commander Troi. Although she was too young to be aware of the peril at the time, Molly was very aware that her lunch was late, and complained bitterly throughout the crisis. Although Keiko claimed that little Molly was frightened, the infant probably sensed her mother's fear and tension. Molly doesn't seem to be easily frightened. When Keiko was reduced to a twelve- year-old child during a transporter accident, Molly did not recognize her. She was not frightened by the strange youth who came to her when she called for her mother, but would not accept her either.
Molly went to live on Deep Space Nine when her parents were transferred there in 2369, and also spent a year on Bajor with her mother. Molly's brother, Kirayoshi O'Brien, was born in 2373.
