Prelude to a Ship

In his quarters Commander Devore had just come off duty, he was exhausted. He had just pulled a double shift and was now just able to sit down and relax. Mark unzipped his uniform so that he could throw the jacket on the back of the chair and lay down finally. Devore was looking at a plaque on the wall that he had gotten during the Jem Hadar war. He remembered an incident where he had taken a breather, slouched in the Captain's chair. The Jem Hadar had come out of nowhere and attacked the Lakota relentlessly.

Actually the Jem Hadar had been hidden behind behind a small planetoid about a light year away. Then Peterson without waiting had fired a phaser burst at one of the attacking ships, knocking out their weapons array. That left just one attacking vessel, which took advantage of it's position and the slight distraction of their partner to attack. The Jem Hadar caused thirty-three percent damage to the Lakota, compromising the hull on deck 20 thru 23 and leaving a ward full of dead officers. Devore remembered specifically thinking that the war was going to get worse before it got better. Fortunately, that was the worst. He quickly zoomed off to sleep.

"Captain, the Jem Hadar are coming around for another pass." Devore yelled. The Tactical officer Lieutenant Peterson had been injured by an exploding panel, which meant that the first officer was now in command of Tactical.

"Okay Mark. Prepare a spread of photon torpedoes pattern Echo 2 and prepare the phaser array to knock out their shields at first strike." Captain J'Ker said.

*Brilliant.* Mark thought. *Why didn't I think of that !*

"Helm bring the Lakota around bearing 234 mark. 23. I want you to keep the bow of the ship continuously bearing, down on that warship.'

"Aye Sir"

The Lakota came around as ordered and with the head of the ship directly at the Jem Hadar. This war was taking its toll on the Federation in less then three months they have lost a squadron of warships and over 20 light years of space The Cardassians were not making it any easier. They had pursued a new tactic and engaged the Federation/Romulan alliance on both fronts The Romulans were taking heavy losses as well. Devore had a special admiration for the Romulans now. At once he loathed the Vulcan hybrids, but now since the alliance, that admiration had developed. Now these Jem Hadar are the new enemies that Devore would rather like to see eradicated.

"Photon torpedoes ready Captain." Mark said over the resounding Red alert.

"Fire at will."

The phasers fired was directed and took out the remainder of the Jem Hadar shield just as the first volley of Federation torpedoes detonated on the Jem Hadar Bridge. The explosion was heard throughout the Galaxy class starship. A "hooray" was heard throughout the ship. Devore came around and took his post as first officer.

"Stand down from Red Alert. All decks report damage!" he said. "Great job Captain.'

"Not too bad yourself Commander Devore. Commander you have the Bridge. I will be in my ready room."

[Commander Devore please come to my ready room!]

Still groggy from his sleep, Devore twisted and turned.

[Commander Devore please respond].

Woah !. It's not a dream! He thought. "Devore here."

[Commander please come to my ready room immediately.]

"Yes sir. Acknowledged." Devore got back up and wiped the sleep from his eyes and slipped his uniform back on. *I wonder what it could be that couldn't wait for tomorrow ?*

He got up and was out of his quarters in no time. He didn't like to keep the Captain waiting so he was in the turbolift heading for the Bridge in less than two minutes. On the Bridge he rung the door chimes and after approval entered the Captain ready room, where the Captain was sitting looking at his computer. "Well Mark, you really did it this time."

"Excuse me sir !" The Captain's face was stern as could be. He looked through Devore and with his eyes causing Devore to freeze from the inside out. "What do you mean ?"

The look started to change A big smile formed across the Captain's face. "Mark. You've been reassigned."

"What! But sir I just got here !"

"I know. But someone up at Starfleet wants you by name to be commanding officer of a brand new experimental starship, the USS Leviathan."

The shock hit him like a ton of bricks. This gambling man who had a service record that didn't stand out all that well, the academy cadet who barely made it through the rigorous four years of the academy, was being given the assignment of a lifetime. "Sir. May.. may .. may I ?'

"Mark have a seat! You know something Mark I envy you. You have it all. The hook, the style, the pizzazz ! Now look at you how old are you and you have been given a command. You have all the luck."

'Th…. Thank you sir,"

"Don't worry you will be fine. I was the one that put your name in for a transfer actually for a command seat with a promotion. You are one hell of instinct of a first officer. I thought that Captain was in order."

"Sir ?"

"But Captain is not in it for you today. You still need time in grade so you are going to be one of the first Commander grade officers actually commanding a starship. I am sorry about the promotion not coming through, but you got your command.

"That is all right. When I am supposed to leave."

"When we get to Starbase 112, you are getting a shuttle back to Deep Space 9 where you will rendezvous with your old crew mates on the Defiant who will take you to Earth. Capt. Sisko requested personally to take you back to Earth."

"Really?!

"Yep."

A smile formed on Devore's face. Outstanding. His old commanding officer is going to take him to Earth. What luck. Hmm, what about Quark and the gambling debt. Maybe he will just have to talk to him a little more forcefully now.

"Well Commander you might need to start packing. We will be at Starbase 112 in about 6 hours"

"Yes sir." Devore got up.

"Oh by the way Mark. Congratulations and good luck." Captain J'Ker said extending his hand.

"Thank you sir." He said taking and shaking the hand.

In his quarters, Devore didn't take too much time he had little and the packing he did took a matter of minutes. The door chimed "Enter !"

At the door, Lieutenant Yhurer entered. "Well Mark, were you going to leave without saying goodbye ?."

"Now Connie would I do that to you. You are the most beautiful woman in the galaxy. How could I just pick up and disregard the beauty of the heavens."

"Computer lock! Now Commander…" Lieutenant Yhurer said as she slowly and seductively walked over to Devore letting her hair down and unzipping her uniform "That is one of your better lines." She approached hint and threw him to the bed.

The Lakota pulled away from Starbase 112 without a first officer. Commander Devore sat in the observation lounge watching his home pull away and go into warp. A tear almost appeared in his...almost! He smiled. *My own command, yes !.* He thought. The transport he was to meet was at upper pylon 3 so he made his way through the crowd. On board the ship, there were two other passengers but the crew was an all-female flight crew. All of whom were beautiful and shapely Devore was going to like his flight.

The Arrow pulled away from the Starbase and the Captain, a Captain Ulla announced that the trip was 12 hours at warp 4. So she had suggested that they get some rest. I will rest only if it was with you my dear Captain, Devore thought with a mischievous grin. The chief operation officer had walked past Devore just as he closed his eyes. He left his eyes open just slightly to see her stare at him as she walked by. Devore saw her huge smile and decided to get up and follow her.
She walked back towards the rear of the ship and entered one of the cargo holds, where there was to be no unauthorized personnel. Devore approached her and gently placed his hands on her shoulder.

"Hello Chief. You looked a little tense. Is there anything that I could do for you to help you relax." The Commander said suavely.

"Commander !" The chief said aghast "Sir, you mustn't be back here. This is authorized personnel only."

"Chief I am authorized personnel. Whenever I see a beautiful woman in need, then that is an invitation for me to fulfill your stellar fantasy."

'Commander !"

"Please call me Mark" Devore said as he gently brushed his lips against her neck.

"Hmmmm !. That is nice, Mark !"

"I thought it would be. Chief."

"Please call me Millie."

"Okay Millie. Computer lock door "

"Commander !"

"Mark." He said turning her mouth to meet his.

"Transport Arrow requesting docking instructions." Captain Ulla said as she positioned the transport in final docking coordinates at DS9.

[Transport Arrow. You may dock at lower pylon 1. Welcome to Deep Space 9.]

"Thank you DS9."

The transport docked and Millie opened the airlock. Commander Devore walked off and gently brushed her cheek as he left. "My dear, I hope that we see each other again."

"Commander Devore! I hope so too." She said with a large smile.

DS9 had never looked so good. The promenade was busy as ever, with Bajorians buying and selling. Quark's was just as busy as ever. The unwelcome sound of "Dabbo" made Quark flinch as Devore walked up to the bar

"Hello Quark!" Devore said.

"You ! I thought you were gone." Quark said angrily.

"It is nice to see you too !"

"Look I don't want any trouble. I thought you and I had an agreement."

"We do Quark. We do !. I'm just passing through to Earth and I wanted a drink. I have money to pay for it."

"Good! One drink and that's it!"

'But Quark I have money to get plastered!"

"Well then…... Commander !. What will it be ?"

"Tequila !"

"I haven't had anyone order that since you. As a matter of fact this bottle is the one that you started six months ago. Look! It still has the worm in it."

"Good! Aged to perfection. Leave it!"

"One strip !."

Devore place the Latinum on the counter and took the bottle. He bottomed up and felt the Tequila raced down his gullet.

{Woah what a drink. It has been a long time !} He whispered to himself.

'Devore! Marcus Devore ?" A familiar voice yelled from a corner.

"Lieutenant Commander Worf. Hello!"

"Lieutenant Devore. What are you doing here ?" Mr. Worf said coming up to him. The pips on Devore collar turned to face him.

"I am sorry. Sir !" A slight move of jealously came across Worf's face.

"Worf please. The last time I was here, you were my superior officer. I am here just passing through and I am glad to see you. By the way I am really sorry to hear about Jadzia. She was a wonderful woman."

"Thank you Commander. She was wonderful woman. I am happy that you had an opportunity to serve with her. The Dax symbiont is here onboard the station. She is now known as Ezri Dax.'

"I bet that isn't easy."

"No, it isn't. But I am growing used to it. Please come and sit."

"I am sorry. Worf I need to report Captain Sisko. I need to get to Earth soon. My ship awaits me."

"Your ship ?"

"Yes sir! The Leviathan. She is an old Apollo Class starship, that has been converted to be powered by the first quantum slipstream drive in the Federation."

"Slipstream Drive ?" Worf asked.

"Yeah I'm not too sure about it either but from what I can gather, it is an experimental warp propulsion technology. She's also got enhanced firepower and enhanced shielding. I can't wait to take her out."

"Well, if you need a first officer... I am your man."

'Thank you, Mr. Worf. I will keep that in mind.'

Devore downed the last of the 'Tequila and put the bottle down on the counter. "Well I better get going to see Captain Sisko. I will be seeing you."

"Yes Commander. We'll be seeing you."

Devore left Quark's and headed for the turbolift, "Ops" He said and the lift whisked him away.

"Commander Devore is it now?' Captain Sisko said smiling pointing to the chair in his office.

"Yes Sir. I just got promoted about two months ago after the previous first officer was killed in an accident."

"Really! How fortunate for you." Sisko said playing with his baseball as he always did. "You didn't have anything to do with that did you, Commander ?"

"What Captain? I am hurt !. I would never do anything like that. I admit I am a little ambitious but not murderous."

"I am sorry Mark. I didn't mean anything by it. Congratulations on your promotion. I hear you made an impressive first officer."

"I must say I did. I owe it all to you and Lieutenant Commander Worf. If it wasn't for you, I would never have gotten the Lakota, nor would I have been given the chance I did."

'Well Commander, if it wasn't for Larroque, you wouldn't have even gotten this assignment. But then again what I heard you did with the runabout against the Jem Hadar, pure courage. I wish there were some officers here on board DS9 that had that much courage."

"Anyone in particular ?"

"No. Just saying. At any rate, I wanted to take you to Earth. I am interested in visiting my dad and Jake has been saying that he wants to visit him as well so I figured this is a prime opportunity. Besides it is the least I could do for saving my life those years ago."

"Captain. I was just doing my duty. Whether it being you, or Captain J'Ker, I would have done the same thing."

"Fine." Sisko looked out the window at the wormhole. "Mark, the Defiant leaves in three hours. I will see you then."

"Yes sir." Devore accidentally bumped into a young Ensign coming into the office. She was beautiful, young, but her eyes just bore right into his heart."

"Excuse me Commander."

"How clumsy of me." Devore said grabbing her hand and kissing it. "Please forgive me Miss...

"Lieutenant Dax."

Devore dropped the hand quickly and straightened up. "I am sorry !" He said and hurried off Ezri just smiled. Captain Sisko laughed in his chair.

"What was that all about ? Didn't Marcus know ?" Ezri said puzzled.

"No I don't think so !. What can I do for you old man ?" Sisko asked.

"I just need to talk to you Benjamin."

"Please come in." The door shut.

The Defiant came into Earth's orbit near Space Dock 13, the holding area for the I.eviathan. Devore was sitting on the Bridge as the starship, his starship, came into view. It had a majestic appearance that put the entire Defiant crew into awe. The Leviathan was beautiful and Devore couldn't wait to come aboard. However protocols stated that he must first check into Starfleet Command and receive his official orders. On his transfer orders he was to report to an Admiral Ross. Devore remembered Ross from the time the Jem Hadar attacked DS9.

He was a stickler for rules and regulations then, but a kind man who enjoyed his command. However for a Lieutenant (JG), any Admiral was a stickler for the regs, but now Devore was a Commander. The aura of Fleet grade officers was no more luminescent then gold or pressed latinum. Admiral Benjamin Ross had served the Federation during the Federation/Dominion War, he was a Rear Admiral in command of many ships including the famous Defiant. After Admiral Bennett's untimely death, Ross became Admiral in his place in command of Alpha Fleet. The Leviathan was going to be one of those ships under his command.

"Captain Sisko. Thanks for the ride but I guess it is time for me to report in." Commander Devore said.

"All right, Mark. Good luck to you." Sisko said extending his hand. Devore took it gladly and shook it.

"The next time you see me, Captain I will be a Captain myself."

"Ha !. Starfleet could do worse."

"Thanks a lot." Devore went to transporter room 1 and beamed to the surface.

"Commander Devore ? I am sorry that I am late. I didn't expect you till tomorrow" Admiral Ross said extending his hand.

"Sir. You're the Admiral you can he late to your own meeting. That is one of your privileges." Devore said shaking his hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I don't think you recall but we have served together when I was assigned to DS9."

"Yes Commander, I remember. Why do you think you are here ? Frankly Commander your cadet record was never an impressive one, but your Starfleet duty record has see been exemplary. I think that you would make a fine officer for this undertaking."

"Undertaking sir?"

"Yes Commander." Admiral Ross handed Devore his orders and command codes "Commander Devore. You are hereby given command of the USS Leviathan. Its mission is to explore the remainder of the Beta Quadrant and seek out new life and new civilizations. You will no doubt come under attack from some fringe elements of the Jem Hadar or some radical groups left around. However, the Leviathan is a strong ship and one that is prepared to take on a squadron of the Jem Hadar before buying the farm. Since the end of the war, we have not seen too much activity from the Jem Hadar in the Alpha Quadrant, but in the Beta Quadrant who is to tell. The Klingons have said that they have seen some rogue ships operating in some sectors. Your standing orders are to engage and destroy those ships if they are Jem Hadar. We are to remind them that they are the ones who lost the war."

Devore smiled! "A little harsh, but to the point. Search and Destroy ! I like it."
"Yes Commander. You have been given a highly sophisticated starship next to the Enterprise-F, you are not going to let me down. Right ?"

"No sir!"

"Good! However there is one problem….."

…………you don't have much of a crew just yet. Enough to put out, but hopefully you won't becoming under attack anytime soon. If so then you will be equaled out !.

"Devore thought as the docking shuttle approached Leviathan's airlock. "Oh boy!"

"Commander on deck." The skeleton receiving crew popped too.

"Thank you, Please carry on."

"Commander Devore? I am Lieutenant (JG) Grant Harris. I am your Intelligence Officer." A young man said as he approached him. *Was I ever that young ?* Devore thought.

"Very well. Walk with me Lieutenant to the Bridge and fill me in on what is going on."

Through the turbolift and all the decks, Harris informed Devore on everything that was going on onboard the Leviathan The crew have not arrived and by the original roster it doesn't look like there will be much of crew to start with. They walked on to the Bridge and Mark stopped to take a look around.

This was his ship, large and in charge. The Bridge itself was smaller than what he was used to. It had only two chairs in the center, one for him obviously and one for a first officer that he didn't have.

*This is going to be fun.* Devore thought as he made his way to his ready room.

Devore sat down and began reading all the PADDs about his ship that the Admiral was so kind as to give him. He sat there and engulfed everything in seconds, a special talent he had learned a long time earlier to speed-read. That ability had helped him at the academy, which gave him more time to chase the female cadets and gamble. Now he wished that he might have caught a few of them. At any rate, Devore walked out on to the Bridge and sat down in his chair.

"Computer effective Stardate 2459107, Commander Marcus Devore has taken command of the USS Leviathan registry NCC-1286234. Command code Leviathan 428110 Devore Alpha 114 Charlie enabled."

"So now lets see what this baby can do." Devore said. "Prepare to take out."