The Meeting

In the conference room, the normal officers were present, barring two chairs. Commander Harris' chair which sat to Captain Devore's right was empty and the helmsman chair was vacant, except for the young Brayden.

"Brayden, Why don't you go to your quarters and get settled in." Captain Devore said politely.

*Why did Sierra agree to have him aboard. He does look like he belongs there though.*

"Captain. Isn't only prudent for me to be here considering I am to be learning everything ?" Brayden said smugly.

"Okay you can stay. Commander Toran, Why don't you come here and sit in Harris' chair."

Rashad looked at Devore and almost glared. *No respect.*

"Lieutenant Savage to the conference room." Said Devore tapping his combadge.

[Acknowledged Captain.]

A few moments later, the chairs were full. He was happy but sad. Grant was his friend and now he was dead. Ensign Ambrose who had proven to be a great helmsman also was dead, all because of a stupid war that they some how got intermixed with. He was just beginning to start the meeting when the door opened and rushed in two officers whom his didn't recognised. Out of instinct, Devore reached for the type 1 phaser he had on him and aimed at the two ladies who were panting profusely.

"Woah ! Woah ! Captain !." Phanan yelled jumping in front of the startled ladies.

"Who are they ?" Devore yelled trying to get a clear shot at one of them.

"Sir, they are our allies." Phanan yelled trying to calm down the edgy Captain.

"I was not informed of 'allies'." Devore shouted.

"Put the phaser away sir."

Hesitantly, Devore holstered his phaser and sat down. The Nuan ladies' eyes just widened with disbelief as the mood of the room settled down.

"Talk to me, Major." Major Phanan quickly went over what had happened and that the ratified treaty including an ambassador and a operations advisor. After about twenty minutes of discussion, the Captain laughed embarrassed. "Madam ambassador, please forgive me."

"Don't worry about it Captain. And please call me Major or Opinger," Maul said with a smile. "I guess I should introduce my operations advisor, Lieutenant Commander Jenora Loris."

"Pleasure."

*Jenora looks awfully young to be a commander ?* He thought.

For some reason he glanced over at Brayden who seem to be entranced with the beauty of the young Jenora. He smiled and began the current condition of the Leviathan and the goings on. In fact the two young ones caught each other glance earlier while Counsellor Devore was showing the cadet around. Cadet McCaffee had been thoroughly impressed with the tremendous ship. To the surprise of many people on the ship, he had spouted off specifications and frequencies of the Leviathan. While he was on the Bridge, he saw her as a vision of beauty and wanted to meet her, but before he could she was gone. Now they sat across from one another. His lips mimed "Hi" with her politely returning the charming gesture.

"My name is Brayden." He mimed again.

"What ?" Jenora responded silently.

"B-R-A-Y-D-E-N." He spelled out

"Rayden ?"

He shook his head.

"Cadet McCaffee are you with us ?" Captain Devore asked interrupting their silent conversation.

"Sorry sir."

"Cadet. While you are here you will pay attention or you can leave. Understood ?"

"Yes sir."

"Now, Cadet, do you know how to fly a starship ?"

"Yes sir. While I was on the Sniper they let me fly from earth to here."

"Good. Ladies and Gentlemen, till he dies or I find someone better, Cadet McCaffee will be our helmsman. Now I know this is short notice but with the death of Commander Harris, the first officer slot is open. I need one, so Commander Toran, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Commander and given the position of first officer."

"Thank you sir."

"Lieutenant Savage. I don't know you too well, but I need a security chief so you are it."

"Captain ! What about me ?" Phanan said in amazement.

"Major. I need you where you are, responsible for the the security of away teams and missions, plus you have your Marines to take care of. That is quite a job."

"I guess sir." He said disappointedly.

"Now this may not be the best time, but I think this is in the waiting for some time. Shaka, Rashad, and Sierra. Well you are all promoted." The three ladies looked at him especially Sierra. "Come on. You all now I am not much on ceremony. Shaka here is what you need for Lieutenant. T'Kul there you go, Commander ! And Sierra. You really deserve this. Congratulation Commander Devore." *Hmm that doesn't sound right ?"

"Speaking of ceremony. We need to have a burial ceremony for our dead comrades. We should be reaching the Nuan Space Station in about five days, so as soon as we do, we will conduct our ceremony. Full Dress uniforms mandatory, White ! Dismissed.

The conference room emptied out as fast as it filled up and now Devore sat in his chair. He looked over the table and remembered the beginning, the beginning when the Leviathan took out of port. The newbies were there, but they all performed. Then they lost a number of people too, but that was a training mission. Now it was for real. For real !