After Action

The Leviathan was in orbit of the planet Moria and was trying to get a better picture as the USS Ronin was making repairs from both a hard battle and a unexpected five million light year trip. Ensign Gordon was in the Stellar Cartography lab with Ensign Murphy, a science officer on his first mission on a starship. He was like Gordon except that Janet had served on a starship. So she knew he was very uneasy and understood how he felt.

[Ensign Gordon Captain Devore here, I want you in my ready room now.]

Janet tapped her combadge, "Captain, what is it ? I'm helping out Ensign Murphy."

[Just get your report pertaining to yesterday's actions on the USS Hellcat.]

She took a gulp and picked up the PADD she had put the report early that morning. Janet picked it up and said to herself in a low mumble, "Okay now just give him the report and take his suggestions with a grain of salt."

She walked out into the hallway and into the turbolift it took only a few seconds to get there. She walked out and saw Lieutenant MacLeod and Major Phanan working on something at Tactical, as she walked out to the ready room door and pressed the chime.

[Enter.]

She walked into the ready room and saw the Captain sitting at his desk reading a PADD.

"Sir, Captain, Uh, I mean, Ensign Gordon reporting as ordered." She handed Devore her report. He took it and smiled. Her rambling, stumbling over her words was quite amusing.

"Take a seat Ensign, help yourself to something to drink while I read your report."

"Thank you sir." Janet replied and ordered a tea and sat patiently.

Devore sat back and placed the PADD on the table. Slowly he rose and tucked his tunic "Well that's a very good report and you recommended Chief Shale for another DFC. However you've lost three crewman. What happened ?"

"I am not sure.."

"Well I see that it wasn't your fault, but remember when you are in command you are responsible for ALL that happens."

Devore paused and wanted Gordon to speak.

"Sir I feel very much for those crew members. I wish that they hadn't died. " Gordon stopped and waited to see what the Captain said.

"Don't allow their deaths to get in your way, they knew the risk and when your time is up it's up. Knowing what you know now you more then less grow wiser as on each mission. Now what's your long term goal ?" Captain Devore asked and then read off a PADD.

"Say's here from the Darwin's Captain, Captain Jurlik."

.....'To Captain Marcus Devore USS Leviathan-A. Ensign Gordon is fine officer always does what told and never complains, she has the gift of command but puts her fellow crew members safety before her own. She has the making of a fine Senior officer, her talents are wasted in Science'."

Devore set the PADD down and then said. "I'm going to help you tap into the Command level officer deep inside you."

"Thank you sir but what if I get more people killed." Janet asked

"That's something that'll make you great as it did Captain Sisko, Captain Kirk and Picard." Devore stood up and walked over to the viewport.

"What killing fellow officers ?" She asked.

"We'll speak of this later get back to your work with the Ensign Murphy."