The Making of An Antagonist

Devore sat in his command chair thinking about Barker's briefing. It was enticing to say the least, but the energy reserves on the ship were depleting at an alarming rate. Something had to be done about it, but he didn't know just what. Lieutenant Gordon who sat at Ops was running active scans of the system looking for Dilithium deposits, but so far to no avail. Finally there was beep that came from the science station.

"Captain…" began Ensign Gabroit. "Sensors are detecting a class M planet about five light years from here. It has a Dilithium crust."

"Lieutenant Gordan ?"

"Confirmed sir." She said with a smile.

"Very well. Mister Shale, set a course." Devore said.

"Captain. There is an asteroid belt in our path. We will have to go around. The Leviathan is just too big to fly through it."

"How long for us to fly around it ?"

"About seventy-two hours."

Devore rubbed his chin. "Fine. Plot a path around the field, but I want you, Grafton and Murphy to take the King through the field and investigate."

"Understood." Shale stood up and headed to the turbolift quickly followed by Murphy and Lieutenant Grafton.

"Sir. I am detecting another planet or rather a moon that orbits this planet. It looks like there is a small civilisation there." Ensign Gabriot announced.

"Really ?" Devore smiled. He turned to look at his new first officer. "Rashad. I noticed that you are out of uniform."

"I am sorry sir ?" Rashad said puzzled. Instead of saying anything, Devore pulled out a box.

"Computer. Effective Stardate 84121, Lieutenant Commander Rashad T'Kul is hereby promoted to the rank of full Commander and assigned as First Officer of the USS Leviathan-A."

<Acknowledged.>

"Captain, I don't understand."

"You are the next in line beside the Marines, but I didn't think that Major Phanan would want to be a "Fleetie". So you are my new number one."

"Thank you sir."

"But you will have to help me with Section 31. No more secrets."

"I will try sir."

"Good. Now for you first mission as first officer, I want you and Lieutenant Dukal to take the Hellcat and investigate that moon. Get us supplies or whatever you can to help us on our journey home."

"Sir. With all due respect, I would rather take a Marine with me than him."

"Noted, but I want the two of you only. Understood."

"I must protest."

"Fine, but still do it.'

Rashad stood up and walked towards the turbolift. The room turned icy as proverbial daggers pierced the air into Dukal's heart.

Devore smiled. He figured that this was an opportunity to make the rival enemies work together. Here in this far of galaxy, they must work together their lives may depend on it.