"May Old Acquaintances Be Forgot

Captain Devore had almost finished reading the PADDs when his combadge beeped. He had spent the entire day meeting with numerous people, reading and drinking over the equivalent of twelve pots of coffee in an eight hour time span. Needless to say the normally mild mannered Captain was wired. Caffeine was God's gift to the Starfleet Captain and Devore took a great deal of pleasure in it.

His desk was littered with PADDs of all shapes and sizes. He felt like his head was about ready to explode. All the information available on the new Akira starship was being absorbed. Every Jefferies tube, every bulkhead, every system, even every panel had been committed to memory. The one thing that Devore learned at the academy was when assigned to a new ship whether in command or otherwise, it is best to know one's ship.

His combadge beeped again. [Marc ! Where are you ?] Said a familiar female's voice.

"Sierra ! What are you doing ?" Devore said tapping his combadge in response.

[I was just wondering where my husband is and why he isn't home for dinner ?]

"What time is it ?"

[It is 17:30 and your dinner is getting cold.]

"I am sorry, honey. You are going to have eat without me. I have so much to do that it will take me even longer. I still have to check it with the Commodore."

[Tonight ?]

"As soon as possible."

[Fine !] She said coldly.

"Commander ! You may want to get your affairs in order as well. After all when we leave here we are going to be engaging the Bariens. You may not have an opportunity to do that."

[Yes sir ! Devore out.]

"Hmm. Looks like I am going to be sleeping on the couch tonight." Devore said to himself. The chimes to his door went off. "Enter." It was MacLeod.

"Captain. Just wanted to deliver the status reports." He said handing him the PADD.

Devore took it and smiled, "Well Lieutenant. I guess one more PADD to my collection isn't going to hurt anything."

"I guess not sir."

"Mac... you don't mind me calling you 'Mac' do you..."

"No sir."

"Mac... I don't mean to sound rude but what made you join Starfleet ?"

"Sir. I don't know. I really don't."

"Hmm. Well do me a big favour. Once you find out why, let me know. It is hard for me to see a Jem'Hadar in a Starfleet uniform."

"I understand."

"But, you seem to be a good officer. I am proud to have you aboard."

"Thank you sir." MacLeod said perking up slightly.

"So Lieutenant. The ship is ready to depart ?"

"Aye sir. We are just awaiting orders from you."

"And I am awaiting the Knight*."

The night hours came and the dedicated Captain decided against going to his new quarters. Sierra had been rearranging trying to make things fit properly without the aid of her Captain husband. However, Starfleet demanded a lot of his time and with the pending battle, the Captain was now even more busy then previously. Devore walked the corridors looking in amazement at the vastness of the Akira class.

The hull itself was a bit smaller then the previous Leviathan, but for some reason the ship itself seemed much more bigger. Devore carried the PADD that he had been reading so that if he discovered something that he was familiar with he could reference it. One of the first things he noted that there were not as many science facilities as was on the Apollo class. The living arrangements were much more luxurious then its predecessor but it was still a combat vessel. The heavy cruiser was capable and fitted for deep space exploration, but was mainly intended for wartime missions like those against the Dominion or even the Borg incursion in the Typhoon sector.

The crew were resting so the captain did not see too many people about. A few off duty crew members were laughing as they came out of the Frontier Lounge. The lounge was christened by the crew who had all ready visited it numerous times in the few days since they have been aboard. He smiled remembering the days of old, times that he was a man of pleasures and opportunities. He had once been known amongst the crew as a player or ladies' man, but with the realisation that his wife, Sierra, was still alive, those days and the nomenclature were quickly swept under the rug. Even the brief feelings he had of the last doctor were quick considering that she was assimilated. Devore pulled the trigger that ended that episode of their life. It was something that still was there somewhere in his mind that haunted ever so often. Mainly times that he was alone like now.

He came full circle and entered the turbo lift.

"Deck 15, Engineering." Devore said. The door closed shut and the turbolift began. Within seconds the door opened again and he stepped out into the corridor. The sign in a familiar frame said: Deck 15 : Engineering

He left the turbolift and the doors to engineering opened into large room. The warp core slowly pulsated. Devore having spent some time in engineering while on board DS9 some years ago noticed that the pulsating colours were very much different from most warp cores. Every pulse seem to be meaningful. However the configuration was familiar. A door to the far side of the warp core opened and Lieutenant Hansen came through. His eyes met Captain Devore.

"Captain ?" Hansen said with a smile.

"Mr. Hansen. How is everything ?" Devore said returning the smile.

"Great sir. This ship is a beaut isn't she ?"

"That she is. She does the name Leviathan proud."

"Yes she does." Hansen said as he turned to the main engineering console. "Captain, have you seen the new Slipstream drive ?"

"No I haven't."

"Come on."

Hansen led the Captain through the doors that he had just come out of. Inside immediately Devore saw Lieutenant Shaka fiddling with a few panels.

"Now Lieutenant. We haven't put out yet and you are all ready trying to make modifications," Devore said jokingly.

"Whatever Captain." She said smartly. "If you must know, I am trying to see the enhancements that have been made. It actually is quite a sight. The 'matter - antimatter' flow is way higher than that of the last one. I am just concerned that this will sustain a stable warp field."

"I am sure that if it wasn't you will find it."

"You know it !"

"Very well. Carry on."

"Captain. May I have a word with you in private ?" Hansen said finally after a short silence.

"Fine. Walk with me."

They began to walk the halls, the engineering fiddled with a PADD that he grabbed as they left engineering. Devore walked along looking at the bulkheads pretending to be interested in the architecture actually waiting for Hansen to begin.

"Lieutenant ? What is it that you wanted to speak to me about ?"

"Sir," Hansen began after getting over the shock of confrontation. "I am requesting transfer."

Devore stopped and turned to look at Hansen who turned as well, but he was searching for a look, a look that said fine. However he found another look.

"What !"

"Yes sir. I am requesting a transfer."

"Why ?"

"Actually sir, I am resigning from Starfleet. I have been offered a position at the Daystrom Institute as an expert in SlipStream Technology."

"What !" Devore said in disbelief. "But you are not an expert. As a matter fact, you are more of an expert at warp engines than Slipstream drive."

"I know, but I have a better understanding of it more than some over there."

Devore began to walk again trailed by the lieutenant who was treading on thin ice. "Lieutenant! I need you !"

"I understand that, but I am not ready to go in to a known war and die for a people whom I don't care for."

"Who said you are going to die ?"

"Sir. I am resigning my commission."

Devore looked at Mr. Hansen and icily stared into his eyes. "I want your resignation on my desk by tomorrow morning. Dismissed."

"Captain !"

"Dismissed."

Hansen turned to walk away and the Captain just watched him walk away. "Mr. Hansen ! Good luck to you."

"Thank you sir."

Hansen disappeared around the bend of the corridor.