Day Before The Second Launch

It was 0900 and Captain Devore was sitting at the conference table surveying the officers who surrounded him comprising "senior" staff Senior staff is an interesting word considering that everyone sitting at the table was ranked not higher than a Lieutenant. However, to his right sat his first officer, Lieutenant Harris an interesting man, who has shown great accomplishments and promise. Now the moulding and creating him in to the model Starfleet officer rested upon Devore as at one time Devore had been moulded by Captains Sisko and J'Ker.

Across from Lieutenant Harris, sat Lieutenant Toran, also an interesting man who has displayed excellent tactical knowledge in the clash against the Loreans. Unfortunately, the moulding and creation of an officer had all ready been done for Toran rose through the ranks and now sits at the Captain's table a Lieutenant. The "old man", of whom Devore, and ONLY Devore, refers to, has been singled out but Devore as a man of vast knowledge and experience for which he plans to use on more than one occasion. Toran's advice has not let him down and Devore doesn't foresee that to ever happen in the near future.

As Chief of Security, Toran's responsibility is great, but Devore knows that he will be as great as the responsibility. His assistant Security Officer, Ensign Kyle Rydar, sat next to him. Devore knew very little about the young Ensign except what was in his file, but knew that Toran will teach this young man in the ways of security. However, a tactical officer was needed and the file stated something about tactical areas, so Devore's eyes were going to look at Ryder for an assignment to tactical. Time will tell.

One seat over from Lieutenant Toran sat the Slipstream Drive Specialist, Lieutenant JG Shaka, an Andorian whose expertise in the SS drive, has proven more than valuable, but indispensable. Assigned here by Starfleet to evaluate and work out the kinks of the SS drive, Shaka has also unofficially been assigned to work out the "greenness" of the new Captain. Numerous times, Shaka has pointed out the errors in of the Captain in not so subtle ways. However, secretly, Devore needs this, wants this to continue.

Chief Engineer Lieutenant JG Jonathan Hansen sitting next to Lieutenant Shaka, has proven to be an competent and efficient engineer. The search for Annika now seems to have been suppressed in the deepest most recesses of his mind for his concern now rests in the running of the ship. Next to Hansen sat his assistant, Ensign Katie Ipson. Unfortunately she has not contributed to engineering but Devore knew that someday she would. Devore always gave extreme credit to his crew, but the credit grew slim as the days proceeded.

The Senior Operations Officer, Lieutenant JG Jhey Rhoukann, sits next to Lieutenant Harris, attentive to the orders of the Captain. He came aboard the Leviathan on the second docking at Space Dock, so nothing is known of his expertise of his fields. However if his record is any indication, Devore is gratified to know that the selection of Senior Ops Officer was a prudent one.

Warrant Officer First Class Kirk Ambrose sat down late at the meeting. Devore had gave him a stern look as did Lieutenant Harris when he came running in. Instead of saying a word, Devore turned his look to Harris who immediately knew what to do. Ambrose's record seem to be vague but interesting. Devore was briefed via subspace by Admiral Hawthorn who had painted a portrait of a young officer who new how to fly a starship through the pin of a needle. Devore was interested to see if the praise was justified.

Ensign Chu Barker, the assistant science officer, sat near the end of the table. This was a first assignment for Barker, but Devore was all ready considering him for a promotion and assignment to Chief Science officer. When Barker finally made contact, he also had papers he had written posing interesting theories for starship efficiency. Barker even gave Starfleet his proposal for the Refractive Shielding that now is being experimented on the Leviathan. This was to be a crowning moment in Barker's career.

Finally at the end of the table sitting at the end was Lieutenant Barbara Clairidge, the chief medical officer. After the meetings they had, Devore had finally melted the block of ice that she had covering her personality. The day spent in San Francisco was something that she and Devore needed, however for different reasons. Captain Devore had instructed her to sit at the end for a reason, probably to admire his beauty without the rest of the crew really seeing it and/or commenting it. Eventually though the crew will see an attraction that is forming between the two and will comment.

The Captain finally stood up after mentally taking note of his senior staff and did the "picard" tug on his tunic. The crew was to wear the new jumpsuit, a decision that came about after the embarrassing ensemble at the promotion ceremony brought up the issue of which uniform to wear. Devore preferred the jumpsuit, but realized that it was stained from an earlier conflict and had to have one replicated so he wore the older uniform. The staff all wore the jumpsuits. "Well everybody. Just a few words. First, I am proud to see your faces again. I hope that you have had a nice shore leave, because are mission starts in the morning," Devore finally said after looking out of the porthole. "There a few new faces to the crew and many replacements to the lost in the stupid 'test' we had against the Loreans."

"Test, Captain?" Harris asked.

"Yes, Grant. That conflict we had with the Loreans was a staged conflict by Starfleet command to evaluate the 'green' crew of the Leviathan. Well obviously we performed as expected and even more so better resulting in promotion for a few of you.

"You have already proven to me that you are fine crew, so I feel that our next mission is one that I am confident that we will succeed."

"Sir, what mission is that?" Hansen asked.

"Well, Jon. Our mission is to explore the Beta Quadrant. It is a 5 year mission and we will probably not be back home within those 5 years."

"What?" The crew said softly in their own ways.

"I know. Most of you figured that it would be a routine mission in and around the Alpha Quadrant, but I guess Starfleet has their reasons. Now for the most part, I have been given direct orders to maintain radio silence to Starfleet Command except in dire emergencies, but they haven't given me a real good reason as to why. I guess we are to explore on our own and make contact with those civilization there on behalf. Of course our Prime Directive still applies."

Many of the staff slouched in their chairs, discouraged but excited. Thoughts inhabited many of the staff, thoughts of their families, friends and loved ones. A recurring theme in their thoughts were the continuation of the units without their presence. "Look around. This will be your family for the next 5 years. Where you are sitting is where you are to sit during these briefings. I don't expect the assistants to be here, but you are welcomed to come on approval of you department heads. So, it is 0900. The ship has the rest of the day off. Repairs will be completed within the hour and then will be ready to ship out. I expect all you back on the Leviathan at your stations at 0600 tomorrow morning for the
deployment. Dismissed."

The staff rose from the seats and went their way till 0600.

*Fine crew!* Devore thought as Clairidge approached him and smiled. "Care to join me for breakfast?"