Onward

"Mister MacLeod. Department status ?" Captain Devore said as he looked over a few last minute details. The Leviathan-A was getting ready to pull out and the crew of the new ship were all ready and waiting for the word to jump into warp. Deep Space 9 was a nice place to visit but they didn't want to live there like so many others did. Even Devore who once was stationed at the Bajoran space station didn't really like being there. It brought back one too many memories of the times he had. Now he was sitting in his chair ready to take flight and enter again into battle.

"All departments report ready." Mac responded.

"Very well. Lieutenant Savage, open a comchannel to DS9 Ops."

A few minutes passed.

"Captain. Channel open."

Devore looked up and saw the Commodore who smiled.

"Commodore. My crew and I want to say thank you for you hospitality. It has been fun, but we are ready to disembark. Permission to proceed." Captain Devore said with a smile.

"Thank you Marc. You go and kick some Barien butt. Permission granted and good luck."

"I will. Leviathan out," Devore said as the monitor went dark. "Clear all airlocks. Secure all external conduits. Let's prepare to get under way."

"Captain. Thrusters standing by." Cadet McCaffee said from the helm. Devore looked at him and was so proud at his son. Even though it was not public knowledge, Brayden was his son and blood was thicker than water.

"Very good s.. Brayden. Secure from external power."

"Aye sir/" Mac said. "We are now completely on internal power."

"Very well. Release mooring clamps. Mister McCaffee, take us out 1/4 thrusters."

"1/4 aye."

Brayden pushed a few buttons and the majestic Akira pulled away from the pylon. Slowly, he manoeuvred the mighty ship as well as any seasoned pilot.

"Captain. We are clear of DS9." Savage yelled in glee.

"Please Lieutenant. Control yourself." Devore said with a smile. "Signal the rest of the fleet. We will jump into warp as soon as we are out of the Bajoran system. Also inform them to set a course for Zebra 045."

A few minutes passed as DS9 grew smaller and smaller.

"All ships report standing by."

"Very well. Mr. McCaffee. Set a course 033 mark 4 warp 4." Devore said with a smile.

"It is too bad we can't test out the enhanced slipstream drive." Shaka said from her dedicated station. This time she didn't have to convert a station.

"Don't worry Lieutenant. I think that once this is over you are going to have plenty of chances to play with that drive."

"I hope so."

"Captain. Course set." Brayden said confidently.

"Very well. Lieutenant Tyra ?"

[Yes Captain.] Came a distant voice.

"Engineering Ready ?"

[Yes sir. All areas reporting ready and warp core running at top efficiency.]

"Very good. Lieutenant. Give Mister Taline my appreciation." Devore said with a smile. "Take us there Mister McCaffee."

With a smile, Brayden hit a number of buttons and the Leviathan-A disappeared into warp followed by the fleet. Each ship of various design disappeared one by one. The hundreds of ships that once speckled the starry sky were now gone. Only thing left of the ships were dissipating ion trails.