For Love or Rank

The figure of an older human male stepped out of the turbolift wearing a gold uniform and one gold pip. He was proud of his gold pip for he was the first in his family to be an officer. He carried his duffel and walked up to a door that had his name and serial number on. He knew then he was at his crew quarters. He stepped inside and ordered the lights on and he saw the layout.

A bed in the middle of the room a night stand to the left of it and on the right side a desk. On the left side of the room was a dinning table for two people and the replicator. The right side of the room had a coffee table and couch and had the hallway to the head. *The comforts of a starship, what I've come back for.* He said to himself.

Jake walked over to the desk and pulled out three scale model ships and placed them on his desk. They were ships he had served on. Then he took out three pictures and placed them on the desk, two were of his family and the third was his good friend Master Chief Miles O'Brien. He sat down on the couch and started to read a PADD that contains his orders. He read them aloud to make sure he was on the right ship, for the biggest ship he ever served on was Intrepid class.

"To Ensign Jake Grafton, your transfer to a starship has been granted. Your assignment is the USS Leviathan-A, an Akira class starship, under the command of Captain Marcus Devore. It is believed one with your tactical expertise would benefit the Leviathan and her crew."

He placed the PADD on the coffee table and sat back and asked himself a question. "Why am I back in fleet service this is a game for the young.?"

The sound of his stomach grumbling reminded him of the time and fact that he hadn't eaten since early morning. He got up and thought, * Well no time to be a loner. I'll head to the mess hall and see what some of these kids look like.*

Jake walked in and saw the mess hall was not at all crowded but however busy. He walked over to the replicator and ordered a hot ham and Swiss sandwich and a cup of black coffee. He then sat down across from a cadet and a Chief Petty Officer that sort of looked familiar.

"Evening Cadet, Chief."

"Evening sir." Both said to him.

"So this ship seems ready to go just about doesn't it."

"Yes sir and I'm looking forward to using that slipstream propulsion," The chief said.

Jake knew why he was onboard he wanted to experience the thing he had signed on for- adventure and exploration. He gave a smile and felt like a young yeoman again.