Off To Battle We Go

Captain Devore sat in his Captain's chair. Flanked to his right was an empty seat, reserved for Commander Soliel or 'old man' as he so reverently referred to him as. This experience of planning the coming battle without his first officer was really nerve racking,and he really needed the advice of his dear friend.

*Soon enough I will have you back.* Devore thought. A thought that repeated itself in his mind.

To his left was another chair where the ship's counsellor sat or could sit. Right now the ship's counsellor was taking a moment to simmer over the past few days. The days of togetherness that had become rare, between her and her husband. The husband who also was Captain of the Leviathan-A and leading the Alpha quadrant fleet into battle. Devore just sat there, the ship still berthed at DS9's upper pylon. He just rubbed his chin as he so customarily did, thinking of the passed few days. He wished his wife was there, but understood why she wasn't there.

The rest of the crews were all onboard. Lieutenant MacLeod who sat at Ops reported that all departments were ready, but Devore didn't hear him. Devore just sat there looking at the wall, slowly rubbing his chin with his forefingers.

Previous Night

Devore turned to his Tactical officer and gave a smile and patted him on the shoulder.

"Well I feel a lot safer having an experienced officer under my command. Now I need to know if you can fight with out using standard tactics ?" He said.

Jake turned to the Captain and gave him a very honest look and answer. "Sir, I've been in a lot scrapes in my time and we've got out of them being, how should I say, original !."

Devore gave a smile and picked a PADD that Grafton left on the console and saw it was a loading order from DS9.

"Well Mister Grafton, your through for tonight as am I so let's head on down to our quarters and get a little rest, before we pull out. We need our wits for the next few days."

"Aye sir." With that the two left and head to their respective quarters.

Sierra was sitting in bed looking over a PADD when the Captain walked in. As the door opened to his quarters, Devore immediately noticed that the sofa was made up including a pillow and blanket.

*Oh boy. I guess I really messed up.* He thought as he unzipped his tunic. He finally made his way to the bedroom where he was 'greeted' by an icy stare. The ambient temperature seem to drop about fifty degrees. Marc shook slightly.

"Hi honey." Was all he was able to muster considering the situation.

His greeting was not returned, however Sierra put down the PADD and looked away. "Honey I am sorry about the last few days. It has been really busy and all and many times I just forget what time it is."

Sierra said nothing but got up, her sheer night-gown barely clinging to her body. Marc almost forgot how beautiful his young bride was. Her movements were graceful and efficient, everyone with a purpose. He was almost entranced but slowly shook it off.

"Babe. I am sorry." Devore said as she passed by him. She was heading to the couch where she sat down. "Are you going to talk to me ?"

Sierra said nothing. She finally laid down. "Computer."

*Ah she speaks.* Marc thought.

"Turn off lights in the living room,"

<Acknowledged.>

The living room turned black, leaving the hardened Captain in the darkness.

*Okay.* He thought as he turned around and laid down.

The next morning, Devore woke up and realised he slept in his uniform so he jumped up and changed. As he finished changing to a crisp clean uniform he tried to catch a glimpse into the living room where his wife slept, alone. To his surprise, Sierra was not there. The blankets were put away and all was like she was never there.

* I don't like this.*

"Computer, Where is Counsellor Devore ?"

<Counsellor Devore is in her office.>

*I need to talk to her.*

[Captain.] His combadge beeped. It was Lieutenant MacLeod, Leviathan's resident Jem'Hadar. [You are needed on the Bridge.]

"On my way." He said tapping his combadge. "I guess I am will have to talk to her later." He said to himself.

"Captain...." Lieutenant Savage said from Tactical, as Captain Devore exited the turbolift and took his seat. "There is a hail coming in from Starfleet Command. It is Captain Roberts."

"Very well put it on screen, Lieutenant," Devore said from his seat.

"Aye sir."

A moment later, Captain Robert's face was on the screen. His eyes looked heavy and tired. Immediately Devore knew he had put in an over-nighter. "Yes Captain Roberts. What can I do for you ?" Devore said standing up.

Captain Roberts politely acknowledged the salutation and went directly in to what he had to say. [It's time for battle now Captain Devore. The Barien fleet have stopped at sector 045. It looks like your first prong stopped them up. Now I suggest you get your fleet in there.]

*Captain. I know this. We are on our way/* Thought Devore who smiled as Roberts briefed him.

[You may want to move out at once and engage them there. You will have support craft such as runabouts and shuttles. I know their weapons are small but they can wreck havoc after one of the three major ships has weakened their shields.]

*Like duhh !. I believe that was part of my battle plan.*

[They're small and manoeuvrable so they would or could help you out a lot. This will allow you to move onto the next target.]

*Why are you telling all this ? I have all this set up.*

[Also, I suggest you allow McCaffee's kid sit this one out and allow Chief Shale to handle the flying. She is worried about her son and I'd hate for something to happen to him.]

"I'll see, Captain but I will need everyone on this one."

*Yeah right. There is no better place for Brayden than to be with his parents.*

[Okay. Happy hunting Captain.]

"We will be disembarking in less then a hour. By the way Captain. You may want to get some sleep. It looks like you pulled another all nighter."

[That I did.]

"Well then. Tally-ho." Devore said with a smile. "Devore out." The screen went blank.

Lieutenant MacLeod turned to the Captain. "Captain. I thought that was what the plan was."

"It is. I think that he is wanting to spread his wings. If I recall he just became a Command Captain, but I don't think that he has actually sat a minute in the big chair."

"Oh ?"

"Yeah. It depends on your career paths." Devore said standing up. "I will be in my ready room. When Ensign Grafton comes in I want to see him."

"Aye sir. Would you like for him now ?"

"No. When he comes on the Bridge."

"Aye sir."