Commander Aki Taybar walked down the halls of Starfleet Headquarters, it had been a long time since she’d been on Earth and the first since she had become joined with Taybar. ‘He’ or rather Siz, the previous host had been on Earth just a month before he was killed. Before that Siz Taybar had been the Captain of the USS Thomas Edison, a Nova class vessel assigned to explore the ‘Bad Lands’.

Now she was walking down those same corridors, towards the latest addition to Starfleet HQ, the ‘Beta wing’ as it was known. From here all activity taking place in the Beta quadrant was monitored and controlled. Being new, most of the offices were empty, but it wasn’t long before Aki ran into the hustle and bustle of the main office area.

She turned left down a corridor and finally found the door to Admiral Devore’s office. She entered the outer office and the young woman sat behind the desk looked up at her.

"Commander Aki Taybar, reporting as ordered." Aki announced.

Just then someone came out of the inner officer and noticed the Commander.

"Good morning Commander." The Commodore said before leaving the outer office and heading down the corridor. Although Aki didn’t know the Commodore personally, she recognised him as Commodore Archer head of fighter command. Aki also knew that Ka’Leth was due to meet with the Commodore in less than half an hour.

Aki had left her friend and XO Ka’Leth some time earlier in the officer’s mess hall, where he was ‘tucking’ into his third bowl of oats. Ka’Leth had time to spare before he was to meet with fighter command and the two of them had agreed to meet for lunch later on. Aki had taken the time she had before he meeting to walk through the grounds of the Academy. Being stuck on a Starbase for months on end without seeing any vegetation made this experience feel wonderful.

"Commander, The Admiral will see you now." The young woman said.

Aki took a deep breath and walked into the inner office. The Admiral behind the desk stood and walked around to greet his new visitor.

"Admiral Marcus Devore." He said.

"Commander Aki Taybar." Aki replied.

"I suppose you’re wondering why I asked you here ?" Devore enquired.

"Just a little." Aki replied. "I assumed it had something to do with the conflict that’s erupted beyond the Briar patch."

"Nothing could be further from the true." Devore replied. "I’ve asked you here to take over my old command. I want you to take command of the Leviathan-A"

"Admiral." Aki replied in shock.

"I’ve reviewed your history, you’re a fine leader, especially when you were made commander of the ‘Angry Angels’. Plus, the previous host of Taybar was an excellent Captain. There are so few Trill who join Starfleet and enter into command, most prefer to take a science or medical path, but Siz was different, just like you." The Admiral commented.

"The Trill have always been great scientists, wanting to explore and understand the world in which we live. The joining of symbiont with host is the most treasured gift our society can bestow." Aki replied. "But yes, I wanted to lead the fight, initially against the Borg and when the Dominion war started, I had an opportunity to protect both my home and the Federation."

"Now that’s why I want you to lead the Leviathan, you have the drive to keep the crew going." Devore replied. "I’ve read through nearly three hundred histories since taking up my new post, looking for the right person to step into my shoes. Plus Starfleet needed someone to tackle the task that has fallen to the Leviathan."

Admiral Devore started to explain the situation about the mirror vessel and the fact that few within Starfleet knew of the existence of a mirror vessel or about ‘Project Sign’.

It was over an hour before he had finished explaining, then showing her the images captured of the mirror crew by the Leviathan and about the Hellcat’s encounter with the vessel.

"Admiral, with all due respect, I think I can better serve the Federation by remaining within my current posting." Aki stated after hearing everything.

"There is one more thing I have not yet told you. We’re assigning a squadron of Valkyrie fighters to the Leviathan, would you like to meet it’s commanding officer." Devore announced.

Devore pressed a button on his desk. "You can send the Lieutenant in now."

The doors opened and in walked Ka’Leth.

"I believe you know each other Commander." Devore said.

"Ka’Leth." Aki stated, shocked for the second time today.

"Commander." Ka’Leth replied. "I believe you have been offered your own ship. Have you accepted yet ?"

"You’re going to be the commanding officer of the fighter squadron aboard the Leviathan ?" Aki enquired.

"If the Leviathan has the right Captain, then yes Commander." Ka’Leth replied.

Aki thought for a long time before giving the Admiral an answer.

"Admiral, If the Leviathan’s fighter squadron has the right commanding officer, then it deserves the right Captain to go with it." Aki finally announced.

"Then you accept ?" Devore asked.

"Yes Admiral. So what are my orders ?" Aki asked.

"The first order of business is this." Devore replied, passing a box over to Aki. "Computer, as of this time Commander Aki Taybar is promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to the USS Leviathan-A as Commanding officer. Lieutenant Ka’Leth is also re-assigned to the Leviathan as commanding officer of the ‘Talon’ fighter quadron."

[Confirmed.]

"Congratulations Capatin." Devore said. "You have a day or so until the Hellcat arrives to take you to the Leviathan, so I suggest you spend that time wisely."

"Congratulations Captain." Ka’Leth stated.

"Is all that you can say ?" Aki asked. "We need to celebrate."

"Unfortunately I will be unable to celebrate with you Captain." Ka’Leth replied. "The Hudson is due to leave in an hour, where I’m to join the USS Churchill which is scheduled to transport the new Valkyrie fighters to the Leviathan."

"Well I think we’ve concluded all our business for today." Devore announced. "Captain, the Hellcat is due to arrive at 15:00 tomorrow, I’d like to have a briefing at 16:30 hours here. Dismissed."

Aki and Ka’Leth both left the Admiral’s office.

"Just enough time for a drink." Aki announced.

"Captain, I think it would be inappropriate for a superior officer, especially a Captain to be seen drinking with one of her sub-ordinates." Ka’Leth replied.

"I’m not officially Captain yet." Aki said. "Infact at the moment both of us are without a post until we reach the Leviathan."

"I have a bottle of blood wine that I’ve been saving, I think now is a good time to open it." Ka’Leth stated.

"I agree." Aki replied.