Sorting out the Crew

The senior officers of the combined crews of the USS Taurus and the USS Leviathan-B were now spread around the officers' lounge. As well as the Starfleet crew, Admiral Devore, Lieutenant Colonel Kira Nerys and Major Jon Phanan were also present. Only Captain Taybar and Commander T'Kul Rashad were missing. The Captain and Commander both walked into the lounge together and looked around the room. There were many faces missing, many of them killed over the years. So now here was a new crew, born of death and destruction, but also of hope.

[Captain on Deck.] The computer announced.

Everyone stood up and turned towards the door. Many had drinks in their hands and all but Major Phanan and Lieutenant Commander Nerys were wearing their white dress uniform. The Captain signalled for everyone to sit and walked across the lounge towards the Admiral.

"Everyone, I am pleased to see you all here." Aki announced. "Today, we create a new crew, a new family. Today we also officially christen a new ship, but that honour is not mine, but that of Admiral Devore."

Aki turned to the Admiral and stepped back. Admiral Devore looked around the room at the crew of the Leviathan-B. He took a deep breath and picking up his drink, he began to speak.

"On the 6th of February 2383, I became the commanding officer of a vessel equipped with a highly experimental inter-stellar propulsion system. That vessel was the original USS Leviathan." The Admiral started. "A year later, after the loss of that vessel during the run-up to the Barien war, a new USS Leviathan-A was launched, equipped with a second prototype of that same experimental drive. After just six months including leading the Federation fleet during the Barien war and ending up in the Andromeda Cirrus galaxy, I transferred command of the USS Leviathan-A to my successor, Captain Taybar. Now a year later, I stand here looking upon another vessel to carry the name Leviathan. Just over a week ago, this vessel was still undergoing tests and was brought into service on my orders. Because of this, we had no official naming ceremony, I intend to correct that error here and now."

Everyone was standing quietly listening to the Admiral.

"It is therefore my pleasure to officially name this vessel the USS Leviathan-B." The Admiral announced. "May she continue to push back the boundaries of space and exploration and keep her crew and the reputation of the Federation intact. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Leviathan."

Admiral Devore raised his glass and took a sip of the glass he had been holding. As he tasted the drink, he realised something and looked around for the bottle from which the drink had been poured.

"Vintage Champagne." He remarked. "2344. Is this replicated ?"

"It's the real deal." Aki said. "A gift to my parents upon my birth, I've never had a chance to open the bottle until now. I thought the time was right."

"I agreed." The Admiral said, stepping back and bringing out a large item from behind the serving bar. "I think you'll be needing this."

The Captain took the dedication plate and read the inscription. "Ad Astra Per Aspera."

"It's Latin, an ancient Earth language." Devore stated. "It roughly translates to mean A Rough Road Leads to the Stars.".

"Thank you Admiral." Aki said, looking around the room. "Now I have a few announcements of my own. Firstly, I would like to thank the Admiral for his speech and for dedicating the Leviathan. Secondly, I would like to say welcome to all of the crew standing here, those who have served me on the Leviathan-A and the Taurus and those of you who have joined us more recently."

Aki paused, gaining her composure. She had never been one for long speeches, but she knew that there was a lot to get through today.

"Next, I'd like to go through some re-assignments." Aki continued. "So first we come to our Chief of Operations. With the untimely death of Lieutenant Fai Lune, I am forced to assign the position to Lieutenant Marco Borealiou. Whilst the Lieutenant is new to the ship, having read through his service record I believe he will make a fine Operations chief. Next we move onto Engineering, where again I must look for a new chief. Ensign Luwall has been filling in as Chief Engineer onboard the Taurus for some time now and I feel it is now time to offer her the position aboard the Leviathan on a more permanent basis. Ensign Luwall, would you please step forward."

Rachel stepped forward towards the Captain and Admiral Devore. Aki reached behind herself and picked up a small box from the bar.

"There is however one problem with my choice of Chief Engineer." Aki continued. "I can't have an Ensign in charge of the entire Engineering team and so I hereby promote you, Ensign Rachel Luwall to the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). Computer, please acknowledge the promotion."

[Promotion confirmed.] The computer announced.

Rachel shook first the Captain's hand and then the Admiral's. Aki then passed her the small box she had picked up. "You'll need this I think."

Rachel opened the box and saw the single black and gold pip inside.

"So to our next re-assignment." Aki continued. "Once more I have to offer the position of Chief Tactical officer to someone from outside the crew I know. Lieutenant Garrett Loh has however a fine record as a Tactical officer and I am sure he will perform his duties admirable."

"Thank you Captain." Garrett accepted. "I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

"Which leads me to our last re-assignment." Aki said. "Our current situation with the Jem'Hadar means we need to assign a Chief Intelligence Officer. Starfleet Intelligence has already provided us with Lieutenant Stefen Moss as a second Intelligence officer, so they are taking this threat seriously. However, neither Lieutenant Moss nor Lieutenant Wright have the knowledge nor experience to perform the task of Intelligence Chief. There is only one person serving on this vessel with the knowledge and experience to achieve the task."

Aki stopped for a moment as the senior officers all looked around the room. Wright and Moss were the only two Starfleet Intelligence officers onboard, so they had no idea who the Captain was taking about.

"So I must now turn to my first officer, Commander T'Kul Rashad and ask her to make a step sideways and take over the mantle of being our new Intelligence Chief." Aki continued. "It has already been discussed with Admiral Devore, Commander Rashad and the head of Starfleet Intelligence and all have agreed that this is the right solution."

For a moment everyone looked around, first at the Commander and then at each other. It was highly unusual for something like this to happen and many would have viewed the move a step backwards. Both Moss and Wright looked back at the Commander and realised that Rashad had known about the move for sometime, at least a day if not more. And she had never told them that she was about to become not only their superior officer, but also their section chief. Rashad noticed the two Intel officer watching her and nodded in their direction, a small smile crossing her face.

"Commander Rashad will retain her position as first officer of the Leviathan." Aki stated. "However, she will not be able to perform the roles of both positions, which leads me to our next promotion. Lieutenant J'ross, would you please step forward."

The Caitian stepped forward unsure of what was about to happen. She had always assumed that she would have been re-assigned to another vessel as first officer, especially as the Leviathan already had a first officer in Commander Rashad.

"Lieutenant. During your time onboard the Taurus you have proved yourself a fine first officer and shown a flare for command that has rarely been seen in someone with no previous experience as a first officer." Aki said. "A first officer is the one person that a Captain should be able to rely on one hundred. You have proved that you can do that well and I trust you one hundred and ten percent. As of now, you will assume the position of the executive officer of the USS Leviathan-B, but you will also assume most of the duties of the first officer. Whilst officially Commander Rashad is the senior officer, as far as the crew is concerned, you are first officer and they should give you the respect that position gives you."

"Thank you Captain." M'eko said, sounding a little shocked but also confused. "I am a little unsure about the legality of situation, but I am ready to assume the position as requested."

"There is one more thing….." Aki said, reaching back to the bar once more. "….. Lieutenant M'eko J'ross, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, congratulations."

M'eko was a little shocked, she had never expected a promotion this soon after joining the Taurus. Although she had been a Lieutenant for some time, she wasn't expecting her next promotion for another couple of years, she'd seen the move to the Taurus as her next step up the ladder.

"Well I couldn't have my right hand a Lieutenant." Aki said, smiling. "Could I ? Computer, acknowledge the promotion of Lieutenant J'ross to Lieutenant Commander."

[Promotion acknowledged.] The computer responded.

M'eko shook the Captain's hand and then the Admiral's, before returning to the group and placing her new rank pips on her collar.

"We have three more pieces of business to perform before we can all enjoy ourselves." Aki said. "Major Phanan would you please step forward."

The Major was a little surprised that he had been called forward. He had no idea why, but moved through the crowd anyway.

"The Admiral brought with him new orders from Federation Marines HQ." Aki said, passing a Padd to the Major.

"Thank you Captain, Admiral." Jon said, starting to turn around.

"I think you should read those orders first." Aki suggested.

The Major switched on the Padd and looked at the orders.

"Admiral, Captain, these orders must be wrong." Jon said. "They are for a Lieutenant Colonel Phanan."

Admiral Devore looked across at the Major and then at Captain Taybar. "I knew there was something I forgot. Major Phanan, I have been asked on behalf of the Federation Marines to bestow on you the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. And about time."

The Major was the second person that day to be shocked by their promotion.

"Congratulations Lieutenant Colonel." Aki offered, handing Phanan another small box with his new rank insignia.

"Thank you Captain, Admiral." The newly promoted Marine remarked. He continued to read through the orders that assigned the 201st Expeditionary Force to the USS Leviathan-B and incorporate the Marines from the Taurus into his group.
"Now for our last promotion, or to be more precise a graduation." Aki said. "Would someone go to the door and let Cadet Kren Sutai Rustazh in."

Rashad stepped to the door and opened it, ushering the young Klingon into the room.

"Cadet, please come forward." Aki said. "It is nice to finally me you Kren."

"Thank you Captain, but I'm still not sure why I have been asked here." Kren said.

"Cadet Rustazh, before you joined the Leviathan, you were informed unofficially that you had graduated the Academy." Aki said. "I now have the pleasure of making that statement official, congratulation Ensign, welcome to Starfleet."

Aki took the last small box off the bar and handed it to Kren. Inside was a single gold pip, which Aki put on his collar. Shocked and a little confused, he almost missed Admiral Devore's hand offered out to shake his.

"If that is all Captain, I'd like to get back to my duties." Kren said. "Admiral."

Kren quickly left the lounge and headed down the corridor. Although it was not unusual for a Klingon to smile momentarily, Kren however smiled all the way back to his quarters.

Back in the lounge, thing were stating to wind down. Aki coughed loudly and spoke once more.

"Which brings me down to the final piece of news." She said. "Our new mission. We have been assigned back to the Gamma quadrant, where we are to search for and destroy the rogue Jem'Hadar at any costs."

"What about the Dominion ?" M'eko asked.

"Lieutenant Commander Barker has been working on modifying the refractive shielding installed onboard this vessel and he hoped to alter the signature, so that we will appear to be a Dominion battle cruiser on sensors." Aki explained. "It should fool most sensors, so long as they don't come too close.

"But what about the Dreadnought outside ?" M'eko asked. "Won't they know that we've returned to the Gamma quadrant, I'm guessing they won't be pleased."

"There is a plan to get us back to the Gamma quadrant unseen by the Dreadnought." Aki said. "We leave in six hour, so we need to be read by then. So you all have a couple of hours to enjoy yourself, because after that we're looking at some hard work ahead."

The party finally started and most of the crew got into the spirit of the celebrations. But some managed to leave early, including Commander Rashad, Lieutenant McQueen and Lieutenant Kahfre. Over the next few hours, one by one the crew started to wind down, preparing for the task ahead.