Interlude to the Quadrant

The Leviathan was cruising at a safe warp five as it headed for the Beta Quadrant boundary. Lieutenant Toran was at tactical monitoring the Klingon com traffic. Devore didn't necessarily want to have any run ins with Klingon high command so he instructed the crew to maintain com silence and then to raise the refractive shielding. Ever since the previous Chief Science Officer failed in his mission, the relationship between the Klingon High Council and Starfleet Command have been less than hospitable, but war wasn't a threat.

The transport of the Borg Queen went according to plan. She was now in the hands of the "Borgologists" who now poked and prodded her, maybe even experimenting with the idea of disassimilating her.* It was funny how our reasoning may be totally different, but the methodology was the same, we try to obtain as much knowledge as possible to better our own existence. Are we really truly better than the Borg ?* Toran thought.

While on Starbase 114, many of the crew enjoyed themselves by gambling, drinking and drowning themselves in debauchery. Even Captain Devore enjoyed himself at the tables, but his days of womanizing seem to be coming to an end. Ever since the death of Clairidge, he hasn't been up to his old "Kirk"-ways. However, he never did understand why he felt that way. After all he has been with many woman, all at different levels of emotional involvement, but why the sudden drowning of emotion? Finally after a night of losing his shirt, pants, and possibly his boots, Devore headed back to his quarters where in the pitch blackness, he remained until it was time for the Leviathan to head out.

It was now a day later, and a full crew with replacements which Devore hasn't had an opportunity meet as of yet. On the bridge, the bridge crew was laughing and talking about their escapades on Starbase 114.

"...yeah then after betting the farm, I "Daboed". Ha! I bet if we were at Quark's, he would have passed out," Lieutenant Barker commented.

"I know. The little troll is such a cheapskate." Devore said.

"Well, I didn't spend too much time gambling. I spent most of my time with this beautiful Rizan who was waiting for a transport back to Riza. Boy she was great, waited on me hand and foot. She was stacked and the perfect height... mine. If I could've I would have taken her with me and married her," Harris commented with a smile gesturing with his hands at the size of her breasts.

"That is all you men look for in a woman isn't it ? How she looks and how much she can do for you ?." Lieutenant Rashad said.

"Yes ma'am, that is all women are good for... barefoot and pregnant," said Ensign Michaels from Ops. Since the death of Rhoukkan, Ensign Derek Michaels has taken over at Ops. He was young and inexperienced, but because of the need, Michaels filled it.

"Woah Ensign, hold off.. I don't ever plan to be pregnant and definitely barefoot," Lieutenant Shaka retorted.

"Mr. Michaels, you may want to keep that viewpoint a silent. There are too many women on this ship who would probably slap you in the mouth." Commander Harris advised.

"Yes sir." Michaels responded. He could almost feel the icy daggers being shot through air stabbing him in the back. "What about you Captain ? What are your insights to marriage or do you even have any, you Casanova you ?"

"Mr. Michaels. You have been on the Bridge for less than 12 hours and you know me ?"

"Sir, with all due respect, your reputation precedes you."

The crew smiled. The young ensign wasn't as dumb or naive as it may seem.

"Well I was married one time before, only for a short time." Commander Harris and Lieutenant Toran looked at Devore in amazement. They never knew. It was hard to imagine the captain married. "Yes I was. However shortly after we were married, I received an assignment on Thaddeus Prime and when the Dominion came and attacked it we were separated. I have never seen or heard from her again."

"Oh Captain I am so sorry." Lieutenant Rashad said.

"It is all right. It is just hard. She was the love of my life. I mean we met at the academy and hit it off right away. Then as luck would have it, we both got assigned to the research station on Thaddeus Prime so we decided to secretly marry. That lasted for about 6 months, ended rudely by the sneak attack. " There was a solemn silence on the bridge.

"Captain, what is her name ?" Finally Commander said breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"It was Sierra Michell."

Harris' eyes lit up. He wasn't about to get the Captain's hopes up, but he remembered seeing a name on the replacement list. It was Sierra something...... ship's counselor. Harris couldn't remember. He would have to do a little researching.

"Captain. We reached the boundary of the Beta Quadrant," Ensign Michaels announced.

"Very well ensign. Open ship wide communications, old man."

"Channel open."

"All hands, this is the Captain. We have finally reached the line of demarcation. From the point we will be completely cut off from Starfleet command. There will be no comm messages to Starfleet, no family mail, no nothing. From the day forth we are you family and I am your father. There is a brave new world out there and we are getting ready to explore it. I know that we will have a successful mission. You have proven a fine and resourceful crew. We have bested the Loreans, the Borg, and now we will best what ever lies beyond. It is time to put the training and experience you have obtained to the test, may God have mercy on us all. Devore out." Devore swallowed hard. He was nervous but excited. He knew not what was out there, but was willing to experience it. "Okay helm. Set a course for the nearest M class planet in the Beta Quadrant."

"Yes sir." Ensign Ambrose said. "Setting course 112 mark three."

"Lieutenant Shaka the Slipstream drive online ?" Devore asked.

"Yes sir. Engineering reports all is 100%"

"Very well. Ensign Ambrose, Enter the Stream."

The Leviathan stretched like a rubber band then instantly vanished at an imaginary point in space.