Transfer of Command"

USS Leviathan-A : Bridge

Captain Devore limped onto the Bridge. His legs were like rubber, but also stiff as a board. He felt that they were not going to hold him up, but they were barely. Honestly, Devore thought that legs were going to snap as stiff as they felt from this morning's run.

"You okay Captain ?" T'Kul asked.

"Yeah. Just a little sore." Came the reply.

Just as he said that the turbolift doors opened and Phanan walked out stiff-legged. He walked like his legs were broken, held together with boards. Devore looked at Phanan who just smiled. Devore returned the smile. The entire senior staff was on the bridge. Devore stood up and "walked" to the front of the bridge. Chief Shale sat at the helm as the rest of the crew wondered what was going on.

"May I have your attention, I have figured that we have one member of the crew who is totally out of uniform. I am tired of seeing him like this. So I have to correct this now before it goes any further." Devore said resulting in everyone looking around at each other and themselves.

"Computer. Effective Stardate 4388.5 because of his superior leadership abilities, exemplary service record, and being just and all around great guy," the crew smiled. "I hereby grant Chief Petty Officer Richard Shale commissioned officer status as authorized by StarFleet Regulations 3500-2a, at the rank of Lieutenant." Devore approached Shale literally ripped off his stripes and pinned the two gold pips to his collar.

"Congratulations, Lieutenant Shale."

"Thank you si r!"

Everyone applauded.

"Now. Tomorrow morning at 05:00, I want the following personnel to report to holodeck two. Commander Rashad, Major Phanan, Cadet McCaffee, Ensign Morriden, Lieutenant Dakul, Commander Taline, and Lieutenant Gordon. Plan on being there for the weekend. This is mandatory 'retreat'. Understood ?"

"Aye sir."

"Carry on !"

Throughout the now expected informal promotion ceremony, Chu had been watching from the primary science station. When the Captain had announced the 'retreat', Chu had been a little surprised and curious about what the Captain was planning. He'd effectively taken the majority of the senior command staff off-duty.

"Mister Barker, could I see you in my ready room a moment." Captain Devore asked.

Captan's Ready Room

The two officers walked into the ready room and Chu took a seat, whilst Devore walked across to the replication.

"Would you like a drink ?" He asked.

"No thank you Captain. "Chu replied.

The Captain ordered a coffee and taking the mug off the replication pad, sat behind his desk opposite Chu.

"I bet you're wondering why I've just taken more of the senior officers off duty, but not you ?." Devore remarked.

"The thought had crossed my mind." Chu replied.

"Yesterday, I began to realise that there are three sets of crew aboard this vessel. There's the Starfleet crew, there's the Marines and there's Lieutenant Dukal." Devore started.

"Interesting insight." Chu replied. "I know that Dukal has stirred up a lot of bad feeling aboard ship, especially amongst those who fought against the Dominion-Cardassian alliance. As for the Marines and the 'Fleeters', well there's always been a friendly rivalry between the two services."

"If we're going to get back home, then we must all work as a single team. That's the reason for this little retreat exercise, I'm hoping that somehow putting everyone together will force them to see that we need to work together." Devore announced. "Which leaves you and Sierra as the most senior officers on-duty."

"That's something that I'd not realized." Chu replied, half expecting the next response.

"When I offered you the post of first officer, I made it in good faith. When you declined, I said if you remember that I thought that you could be a good Captain, given more experience. As of 05:00 hours tomorrow, you will be in command of the Leviathan, with Sierra as your first officer. I expect the retreat to last two to three days, so look after my ship until I get back. We've not encountered any major problems, so our objective is still head towards the location of the probe we think may give us a lead to the array." Devore ordered.

"With Lieutenant Taline with you, repairs on the Slipstream drive will stop until she returns. We'll still be over a week away from the probe at maximum warp." Chu replied.

"I know, but at the moment we have all the time in the world. Taline is a complex individual and I think her presence within the group will allow everyone to both appreciate and understand her medical condition." Devore replied.

"If that's all, I'll get back to my post ?" Chu requested.

"Dismissed. I'll let Sierra know about her new temporary position tonight." Devore replied. Chu rose from his seat and walked over to the door.

As he exited, Commander Rashad came in, the expression on her face was one of someone not pleased.