To: trekcreative{at}yahoogroups.com
From: "Kevin Faux" 
Reply-To: trekcreative{at}yahoogroups.com

Prelude

Almost three months had passed since the Dominion battle almost took his
life and the lives of his shipmates. The REPUBLIC, the starship that he
served as executive officer, had been towed back to Utopia Planetia
shipyards to undergo repairs. The ship had been heavily damaged. In fact,
if not for the decimation of dozens of starships that the war had brought
about, she probably would have been scrapped. Fortunately, the older
AMBASSADOR-class starship proved that she still could hold her own in a
fight and bring her crew home.
As Commander Robert P. Stuart approached the main building at Starfleet
Headquarters he wondered how many more days would pass before being
recalled for duty. He had the opportunity to take shore leave until the
ship was once again spaceworthy, but decided to use part of his time off to
lecture at Starfleet Academy on his experiences against the Jem'Hedar.
Stuart hated being stuck on Earth, relatively safe, when others were
fighting for the future of the Federation. He needed to do something useful
for the war effort, although he was more of an explorer than a warrior. As
he entered the building he almost bumped into his friend and shipmate,
Blake Adams. "Pardon me," Adams said with a childlike smile.
"I thought you were on leave," Stuart stated. "I am,"
Adams replied.
Stuart noticed the rank insignia on his friend's collar and smiled.
"What's this?" he asked reaching for Adams' collar. Adams face
lit up. "I've been promoted," he boasted. Then his eyes darkened
as he looked to the ground. "I also have been assigned to another
ship," he stated sadly.
Stuart had known Blake Adams for eight years, served with him for the past
four. He hated the idea of being separated from the man who had been his
best friend, not to mention the best flight officer that he had ever served
with. Stuart did not allow his sense of loss interfere with wishing his
friend well. "What ship?" he asked. Blake looked Stuart in the
eye, not revealing the secret that he wanted to tell. "I don't
know," he said. "The ship's captain hasn't been informed yet, so
they are waiting to tell me the details in case he doesn't give his
okay."
"Well Blake," Stuart replied, "I hate to have our bridge
crew broken up. We all work well together," he added.
Blake could only smile. "I know that you put in a good word for me,
Rob," Blake said matter-of-factly.
"Well, Blake," Stuart said, almost choking on his next words,
"you deserve it." Rob Stuart allowed a slight grin to show as he
stretched out his hand. "Congratulations Blake," he said as Adams
gripped his hand in return, shaking it vigorously.
"Thanks," he replied.
"I need to go," Stuart stated.
"Where are you off to?"
"I'm meeting Admiral Hathaway for lunch," Stuart said, walking
down the hall.
Blake's eyes followed his best friend until Stuart entered the turbolift.
As the turbolift doors started to close Stuart heard Blake call to him.
"Give Admiral Hathaway my regards." Adams turned, walked out of
the headquarters building, and began to chuckle. Rob is going to be real
surprised, he thought as the automatic sliding door swished shut behind
him.

* * *

A few minutes later Stuart walked up to an office door. The sign on the
door had large bold letters. They indicated that behind this door was the
office of the Chief of Starfleet Operations. As he approached the door it
parted, inviting him to enter.
A junior grade lieutenant rose to attention from behind her desk. "At
ease Lieutenant," Stuart said. "I'm just here to meet the admiral
for lunch." The young officer smiled slightly, blushing as she sat
down. "Admiral Hathaway is expecting you, sir," she replied.
"Thank you," Stuart said as he started toward the door to the
Admiral's office.

* * *

Admiral Hathaway sat behind his desk, talking with the captain of the
U.S.S. REPUBLIC --Charles Gardner. "Will he go for it?" Gardner
asked. Hathaway leaned back in his chair. Slowly the admiral opened his
mouth. "It might take a little persuasion," he said, "but I
think he will." The door opened, revealing Rob Stuart. "Come in,
Rob," the admiral replied. As Stuart stepped into the office he
noticed his captain, fully recovered from the injuries he had received
during the battle with the Jem' Hedar warships. "Oh, Captain
Gardner," Stuart exclaimed, not expecting to see his CO for a few more
days. "I didn't mean to interrupt..." "Not at all,"
Gardner interrupted. "It's good to see you again." "It's
good to see you back in ship shape, sir," Stuart replied. "Thank
you, Rob," Gardner said, looking over the best first officer that he
had ever had. Gardner turned to his superior officer. "Admiral,"
Gardner stated, his countenance growing dour. "I believe that someone
is out of uniform."
"Sir?" Stuart was incredulous as Admiral Hathaway suppressed a
grin. "I do believe you're right, Chuck," Hathaway replied.
"This needs to be corrected right away," Gardner came back.
"It does indeed," the admiral stated with a serious scowl.
Gardner and Hathaway rose from their seats. Gardner frowned at his
executive officer, walking around him. "Attention on deck," he
shouted. "I will not have a senior officer out of uniform in the
presence of an admiral," Gardner snapped.
Rob Stuart had not been dressed down for being out of uniform, or anything
else for that matter, since he was a junior officer fresh out of the
academy. He suspected that this was all a ruse to catch him off guard. He
was right.
Admiral Hathaway rose from his chair. Slowly, he circled his desk, walked
up to Stuart, and pinned a fourth rank pip on his collar. Smiling, the
admiral said "I hereby promote you to the rank of captain with all the
duties and privileges that come with it."
Stuart's mouth dropped open as he stared into the admiral's eyes.
"What?" he exclaimed, the shock setting in.
"Congratulations Rob," Gardner said, patting Stuart on the back.
"You've been a great first officer," he added. "Now you have
a chance at being a great captain."
"I appreciate the confidence you place in me," Stuart said,
"but I'm not ready for this."
"Nonsense," Gardner scolded. "You've been ready for a long
time." Stuart sat down, shaking his head. "I'm not sure about
this," he mumbled. Hathaway placed his hand on Stuart's shoulder,
trying to bring comfort to him. "I know that you don't feel ready, but
if you felt ready for the big chair, then that would be proof that you were
not." Stuart looked up at the admiral, "What are my orders,"
he inquired. The admiral returned to his seat. "You and your second
officer..." "That would be Lieutenant Commander Adams,"
Gardner interjected. "Yes," Hathaway continued. "You and
Adams will take a runabout to rendezvous with your ship in sector 047. Once
there, you will proceed to Deep Space 9 to receive instructions concerning
a top secret mission." Stuart rose from his chair and straightened his
uniform. "When do I leave?" "Meet Mister Adams at Spacedock
level 94 at 1330 hours tomorrow," Hathaway replied. "Are there
any questions before we have lunch," Hathaway asked. Stuart thought
momentarily. "Just one," he stated. "What ship?"
Gardner and Hathaway both smiled simultaneously, knowing that the newly
promoted Robert P. Stuart would be pleased with his first command.
"She's new," Gardner said. "A NEBULA-class with some of the
most advanced technology ever conceived," he added. Stuart's interest
heightened greatly as his uncle handed him a PADD with the specifications
of Starfleet's newest creation. Stuart read the information before him,
awed by the breakthroughs in defenses and engineering design. He looked up,
meeting the admiral's questioning eyes. "Looks impressive,"
Stuart stated nonchalantly.
Captain Gardner smiled, his eyes wrinkling ever so slightly.
"Well?" The edges of Stuart's mouth turned slightly upward. He
turned to face his now former captain. "I think I'm going to like
it." And Hathaway's face illuminated the room.

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