Chapter One

Commander Kenneth Harris of Starfleet woke soon after early morning watch. He lay drowsily for a while, lulled by the warm comfort of Kim, his fiance', sleeping beside him, watching as the ship they were on, the USS Yorktown, passed a sun, dimly lighting the room. He knew from the noise outside his quarters it was about 0500 hrs; very soon the noise would wake Jennifer, his baby niece, who Kim was watching from Earth, and then they would have to get up and start doing things. No need to start before that happened; he could lie a little longer.

He woke happy, and it was some time before his conscious senses realized and pinned down the origin of this happiness. It wasn't his birthday, because that was over. He had invited his brother and his family to Rysa to help celebrate Ken's 30th yr of life. They had a barbeque in the gardens on the evening of his birthday, just he, Kim and family. His birthday was over, and his- his mind turned over slowly- this must be Stardate 6522. As he lay in bed the sunburn on his back was still a little sore from their day on the Rysan beach yesterday. He would do well to keep his shirt on today. And then, as consciousness came fully to him, he realized that of course he would keep his shirt on today. He had a date at 1100 hrs on Starbase 12. It meant a new appointment, maybe his first promotion in years. It could even mean a ship, and he ached for a ship to command.

It meant work, anyway. The thought of it had made him happy when he went to sleep, and his happiness had lasted through the night. He had had no assignment since the Webber World incident six months ago and in the circumstances of the time he had almost given up hope of having an assignment again. Starfleet, however, had maintained him on active duty throughout these months, and he was grateful to them.

His baby niece stirred, and started chuntering and making little whiny noises. The Starfleet Officer reached out and turned on the switch of the mini replicator, designed for visiting officers, and Kim stirred beside him. She asked the time, and he told her. Then he kissed her, and said, "It's a lovely morning again."

She sat up, brushing back her hair. "I got so burned yesterday. I put some meds on Jennifer last night, but I really don't think she ought to go down to the beach again today." Then she, too, recollected. "Oh-Ken, it's today we arrive at Starbase 12, isn't it?"

Ken chuckled. "I should stay here, have a day off." Kim laughed, "No, I think I will."

He got up and went to the lavatory. When he came back, Kim was up too; the baby was sitting on her pot and Kim was drawing a comb through her hair before the mirror. He sat down on the edge of the bed in a horizontal beam of sunlight from the passing sun. He made some tea from the mini replicator.

She said, "It's going to be crowded on the Starbase today, Ken. I thought we might go to the business district about four, and you could join us there. I could take the floater." The floater was a specially designed anti-grav unit for babies. Ken nodded. "That's not a bad idea. I'll take the float charger with me."

"When does the shuttle leave?"

"Zero-nine-one-five." He sipped his tea and glanced at the chronometer. "I'll go get a new dress uniform fitted as soon as I've drunk this."

He put on his duty uniform and went out. His room was on the "D" deck, in VIP quarters. Why he couldn't figure. He didn't feel like a Very Important Person. He walked down the corridor, the air circulation brisking against his skin, happy in the thoughts of a new assignment.

He reached the ship's Quarter Masters Office in a matter of minutes, and headed straight in. He knew the Quarter Master well, a slow-speaking, tall lean man who walked with a limp from the Webber World squirmish. He found himself inside the office, where computers hummed and Ensigns moved about. "Morning, Mr. Paul," said the Starfleet officer. "How are you today?"

"Good, Cmdr. Harris." The Quarter Master took a measuring tape and began to take sizes. "Everything alright with you?"

"Fine. I've got to go to the Starbase, to the Admiral's Office. I think they got an assignment for me at last."

"Ah," said Mr. Paul, "that'll be good. Kinda wearisome, waiting around, I'd say."

Ken nodded. "It's going to complicate things a bit if it's a deep space assignment. Kim'll being heading out on her new assignment as well. She got the Helmsman job on the Excalibur."

Mr. Paul said, smiling, "I don't think you'll have to worry about that." He stood in silence for a moment. "What's she going to do with your niece?"

"She'll probably send her back to Earth with the baby's mother when they arrive from Risa."

"Kind of a short time for her, that." Mr. Paul walked to the computer consul and entered Ken's measurements. "This'll be a good fit. Can tell you stay in shape, yes?"

"That's right."

"Any particular program you use, if I may ask?"

"It's an Andorian workout. Got the idea from Andor when I was there."

"Think you could leave me the program?", Mr. Paul said, laughing and flexing his thin arms.

"I could try," Ken said smiling. "I think I may have it with me. It's better than what the Academy teaches." Mr. Paul nodded. "Fitness programs may be a bit scarce around here. People are trying all kinds of new methods for staying in shape."

Mr. Paul handed Ken his new Dress uniform, and Ken said good-bye and set off back to his quarters. It was six thirty when he got back. He had a sonic shower and dressed in the new uniform, a style he had seldom worn since his last promotion, excelerated his breakfast, and walked to the shuttle bays. After he went over the shuttles, he'd be on his way.

Ken arrived at the Starbase shuttle bays and took the turbo lift to the main decks. He still had time, so he went to the business district. Most of the shops were closed or just opening, the windows encombered with merchandise. He shopped around here for a time searching for a gift for Kim. He found what he was looking for, but it complicated things in that he couldn't take it with him to the Admiral's office. He left it, telling the shop owner he'd be back later for it, hoping the item wouldn't be sold to someone else. The shop keeper said he'd save it for him. For that, Ken was grateful, and added a tip in pressed latinum for the owner.

He took the turbo lift to the top deck- The Admirals Office. He reported to the secretary, a Tellarite Lt. who was known to him. The young Tellarite said, "Good morning, sir. The Admirals got your new assignment on his desk. He wants to see you personally. I'll tell him that you're here."

The Commander raised his eyebrows. It seemed unusual, but then in this Starfleet everything was apt to be a bit unusual. He sat down by the Lt.'s desk, looked over his uniform with a bit of concern, picked a bit of thread off the lapel of his tunic, and brushed some lint off.

"The Admiral will see you now, sir."

He marched into the office and came to attention. The Admiral, seated at his desk, inclined his head. "Good morning, Commander. You can stand easy. Sit down."

Kenneth sat down in the chair beside the desk. The Admiral leaned over and offered him a Saurian Brandy. "You've been un-assigned for some time now."

"Yes sir."

The Admiral had a drink himself. "Well, I've got an appointment for you. Starfleet is also giving you a promotion to Captain. And a command- The USS Excalibur NCC-1664." He glanced at the commander. "I understand you've met Cmdr. Thalov, the First Officer."

Commander..., no, Captain now... Captain Kenneth Harris' jaw dropped. "Yes, sir. I have," Ken said with a big grin. Did he have news to tell Kim. Boy, did he ever!

=/\= Chapter 01 =/\= Chapter 02 =/\=

=/\= Chapter 03 =/\= Chapter 04 =/\=

=/\= Chapter 05 =/\= Chapter 06 =/\=

=/\= Chapter 07 =/\= Chapter 08 =/\=

=/\= Chapter 09 =/\= Chapter 10 =/\=

=/\= PART 2 =/\=