First Major Assignment

The newly promoted MacLeod had been taken off the USS Knight and was told to wait at space dock for his new orders. It was strange that he had had a new assignment all ready for he hadn't been on the Knight for too long. At space dock, MacLeod had only been waiting for a day when his assignment came. It was quick and too the point, he was to ferry the USS Leviathan-A to Deep Space 9 and await for Captain Devore and original USS Leviathan. Mac was then to ferry the USS Leviathan to StarBase 112 for evaluation and a refit.

Waiting for the moment, MacLeod sat at a chair and read and reread his promotion citation. He was finding it hard to believe that he had been promoted after less then five months since leaving the academy. Finally he got up and walked to the temporary quarters he was assigned. As excited as he was, he was also tired. Mac laid down and was fast asleep.

The door chimed waking him up. This in itself took MacLeod by surprise for he wasn't expecting anyone at all, but the Jem'Hadar temper flared, "Enter." He growled.

To his surprise Admiral McCaffee walked in with several PADDs in her left hand. MacLeod quickly stood at attention. "At ease Lieutenant." McCaffee ordered the Jem'Hadar. She stood in amazement and studied the 6'4 figure .This was the first time in her life she had ever been this close to a Jem'Hadar in person. "I am sorry, did I wake you ? Well I finally meet the Officer that Admiral Pike spoke so highly of."

MacLeod was wanting to get to his next assignment, "Sir is the ship ready yet ?"

"Please Ma'am ! and yes it is ready. You know your orders. You are to ferry the USS Leviathan-A along with 23 new crew members to DS9 and ferry the original Leviathan to StarBase 112.. You're to leave today at 19:00 hours and you'll arrive to DS9 as soon as possible but due to its highly volatile nature you are NOT to engage the Slipstream drive."

"No problem, si.... I mean ma'am." Mac said smiling. "Force of habit."

"Understood. Any questions ?" McCaffee asked as she handed Lieutenant MacLeod a PADD which contained his orders and the crew roster for the ship. Then the Admiral did something to MacLeod that no-one has ever done. She reached out her hand and shook his hand.

MacLeod was very happy as he was placed in a command situation with a new ship. He also read the ships specs and felt a little uneasy. For the Jem'Hadar feared the Akira class starship. Macleod read the crew roster also and found most of the crew was Engineers or Science officers. After reading it for a little bit longer, he put down the PADD and slept a little bit longer.

About three hours later Macleod was on the Bridge of the Leviathan-A studying the layout of the ship's command centre. The Bridge was set up like that of an Intrepid Starship. The Captain and XO had command chairs in the centre and in front of them was helm. To the Captain's right and rear was Ops, it was the same for tactical except it was at his left. Directly behind the Captain was the door leading into the Conference room. Science and Engineering had stations facing into the wall like a Defiant class starship. MacLeod sat in the Captain's chair for he believed this would be the only time he would for at least fifteen years. Then the turbolift door slid open and two officers stepped out. One was a female wearing the gold uniform and the other wore a red uniform with chief stripes.

The female spoke first. "Ensign Crusher Security." She said as she handed a PADD to MacLeod. He then went to work right away. "Ensign your my second until the command crew gets aboard."

"Senior Chief Petty Officer Rick Shale. I'm the pilot for now sir."

Macleod shook his head. "When everyone's on board let me know and we'll take off."

*Not bad for my first act as Captain.*