In Search of....

[Bridge to Captain Devore.]

Marc stirred. It repeated. Oh man. "What is it Commander ?" He finally asked. Sierra who was propped up against his shoulder stirred as well.

[Captain, we are picking up a garbled message from the Ronin.]

"Garbled ? Why ?"

[Unknown Captain.]

"Do we have a fix on the position ?"

[Aye sir. It is about twenty-five light years from us.]

"Very well old man. Set a course. I will be there in a little bit."

[Captain it is 02:30. Don't worry we won't be there for another three hours so just rest. When you get her for the shift we will be ready for you.]

"Very well Commander. Devore out."

"Marc," Sierra said turning to him. "Just relax here. You can still get some rest before going back on duty."

"I know, hon. But my place is on the Bridge."

"No right now your place is next to me." She said turning his head towards her and kissed him.

Captain Devore finally woke up from his deep slumber. Even though he needed only a few more hours, he knew he had to be on the Bridge to find out what was going on. Gently he removed Sierra's arm from around his chest and slipped out of bed. Quietly and swiftly he grabbed not his tunic but his Captain's casual uniform. This uniform he much rather preferred than the gray and red jumpsuit that seems to be the Starfleet standard. His pants went on and as he zipped them up noticed that they were actually sort of loose. I must not be eating right. He thought as he put on the gray turtle neck. He insured that his pips were properly put on before putting on the suede jacket.

Just as he left the bedroom, Sierra stirred. "Marc. Where are you going ?"

"I am going to the Bridge. I need to be there to find out what is going on." Devore said with a smile.

"Okay babe. You're coming home tonight right ?"

"I plan to."

"You had better, because I have more for you tonight." Sierra said with a sinister, devilish smile.

"You are so bad."

"Maybe, but you don't have no complaints."

"True." He pulled the jacket on and brushed the small specks of lint. "Well I gotta go. I love you."

"And I you."

Devore left their quarters and decided to take a small stroll. It was still rather early and he knew that there wasn't going to be a lot people on the deck so he hopped on the turbolift and went down to the Marine decks. He wanted to see how his detachment was doing.

As he walked down the deck he came across a sign which said: "You're in Marine Country." He smiled as he continued down the corridor. He thought that this was a good idea for him and the rest of the crew for the Marines could have their own area. Devore also understood that Marines lived differently then "Fleeters" as the rest of the Phanan's men referred to Starfleet personnel. So understanding this need, Devore allocated the rear sections of Decks four and five for the Marines and their training equipment. The decks were cleared while Marine style barracks were put into place. Any spare room was converted in to a mess hall on Platoon Alpha deck, and two large holodeck training facilities on Platoon Beta deck. Phaser rifle ranges were also installed along with shower rooms, heads, and the liking. Unbeknownst to Jon at this point, Truman and J'Lan found a little room for an officer's club room. The size of the room was only equivalent to half of a standard Fleeter's quarters, however, this room contained nearly all of the synthahol on the entire ship.

Besides the officer's club, there was also ample space to install Phanan's office, along with a contingent briefing room, and two smaller individual briefing rooms for each platoon. It was a nice setup, especially with what Marines were subject to on other less "Marine Tolerant" vessels. Devore thought that he accommodated the Marine contingent fairly decently.

Devore walked down the hall and passed two Marine private who quickly made a whole for the Captain to walk by. They saluted as were they were to do, but Devore didn't know how to react. "Gentlemen. Thank you, but just popping to attention will suffice," Devore said with a smile.

"Yes sir." They bellowed simultaneously.

They continued on and Devore heard yelling or rather loud talking.

"Something funny to you crewman ?" The loud voice said. It was Major Phanan.

Devore found a door and hid in the doorway. He looked around the corner and it was Phanan in the face of a crewman who was smirking.

"Not at all Major." One of the crewmen replied, attempting to keep a straight face.

Phanan moved closer, adjusting his fatigue shirt with a signature Picard tug. "Funny how you say something like that with a stupid grin on your face." Jon moved past him slightly, and activated a control panel and brought up an image of the battle that had ensued a few days ago. "You see this crewman ? This is an image taken by Corporal Barnes after the Marine next to him was decapitated. Let's see what happens next..."

The image sprang in to life with Barnes moving as quickly as his magnetic boots would let him. Him, and his Marines moved fast towards the Bridge complex. As he looked towards his left, another Marine was kneeling down to take another shot one of the "dogs" jumped on him and began shredding him to pieces. A piece of bio matter flew, and smacked in to his face plate. He quickly wiped off his face plate, and fired at the "dog", blowing it in to pieces. Jon froze the image again.

Gruesome... but effective, thought Devore from the shadows.

"Twenty-three of my Marines died out there protecting your sorry lives. The next time you want to mock something, you mock a sorry bunch of ingrates like yourselves. I won't let you ridicule my men and women. Do you understand me ?"

"Yes, Major." The two young crewman responded in unison. They both held worried looks on their faces.

"Now get out of my site, and for your best interest, stay off these decks. You're dismissed." The two quickly made their way down the corridor, and on to a turbolift. However just as the turbolift doors closed, Devore quickly hopped on the turbolift.

The two crewman had beads of sweat forming on their foreheads as the turbolift wisped away. Midway though, the Captain turned and faced the two crewmen. "Computer halt turbolift."

<Acknowledged.>

"Crewman Mulden and Crewman Forestal. I don't know what it is you are trying to prove," Devore began.

"Sir ?"

"Those Marines and we are on the same team, just different branches. Their methods are unorthodox as compared to ours, but they are still our brethren. You will respect them and their traditions. Do I make myself clear ?"

"Aye sir." They said simultaneously.

"Good." Devore said. "Now as soon as you duty shift is over, I want you to report to Lieutenant Taline for extra duty. You will do that everyday for the next week. Then when you are finished with that week, I want you to come and see me for some more duty. Understood."

"Yes sir."

"Good. Computer continue turbolift." The turbolift resumed.

"Oh and by the way, next time I ever hear of something like this again, I will make you hypersonically clean every inch of the hull starting from the bow to the aft." The turbolift stopped and the doors opened. "Have a nice day gentlemen," He said as stepped off.

"Oh man !" Mulden said as the doors shut.

Devore smiled as he headed for the forward lounge.

Bridge

Captain Devore slowly took a sip from his coffee as the Bridge crew worked at their respective station. Toran was looking over some PADDs as Chief Shale informed the Captain that the Ronin was now in visual range.

"On screen." Devore said putting aside his coffee. On screen the Ronin was speeding away a full warp. The advanced scanners of the Akira was able to detect them. "What is her course and heading ?"

"two hundred mark one, speed warp two," Lieutenant Grafton reported.

"Very well. Follow her and open a channel." Devore ordered.

"Channel open."

"Ronin, This is the Leviathan." Devore said.

[Captain Devore this is Commander Heim. We have a problem.]

"Commander ? Where Captain Evans ?"

[Sir. That is the problem.]

"Very well Commander. Drop out of warp and come along side so that we can be updated as to what is going on."

[Aye sir.]