"No way boys. You put me and this here sniper rifle anywhere up to and including one mile of some Mullaran with a clear line of sight: pack your bags fellas, war's over." Mika Robins smiled as she returned her S-1 rifle to the weapons locker.

"Make sure your head fits through the door Robins," a male Marine said with a grin. She gave him a shot in the arm as she exited the armoury. The Marines of Marine Expeditionary Force 1731 were back where they should be : The U.S.S. Leviathan. Many of the faces were new. A few were from the Leviathan crew that joined the Marines.

Jon Phanan sat in his new office. It was bigger then his previous one, but still too large for him. With a cup of coffee in one hand, and a PADD in the other, the daily task of supply and information management was just beginning. The intercom chirped, and Jon instinctively reached to the display on the desktop. The communications channel opened. "Major Phanan."

[Major Phanan, this is Captain Taybar. I'd like to see you in my ready room please.]

"Yes ma'am. Ill be up there in a minute." He closed the communications channel. He made his way to the door and kicked a small cargo crate. He cursed quietly to himself realising that he still had much to unpack both in here and in his quarters. Moving past the door, the Private rose to his feet. "As you were," Jon said quickly as he moved past and out of the office area into the corridor.

Scene: Bridge

As the turbolift doors opened, the prominent sounds of computer panels bleeping and random verbal updates could be heard. The bridge looked somewhat different from when he had last seen it. The yard boys must have overhauled everything while he was away.

"Major," Commander Rashad said as Jon stepped off the turbolift. His cap-toed boots clanked on the deck. Uniform for the week was Battle Dress Uniform, and Jon stood out like a sore thumb wearing woodland pattern camouflage in a room of standard duty uniforms.

"It's good to see you again T'Kul. I hope you didn't miss me." Jon gave a confident grin.

T'Kul offered a small grin. "Be sure your head fits through the turbolift door when you head back to the Marine decks."

"I'll keep that in mind," Jon replied. He walked across the rear of the bridge to the Captain's Ready Room door and pressed the chime.

"Enter," was heard through the door. Jon stepped forward triggering the motion sensors that caused the door to open. "I hope your group has found the new accommodations comfortable," Aki said. She was sitting on the couch with a PADD and a cup of coffee.

"They are better then the accommodations on Memkeron ma'am." Jon came to a stop at the bottom of the small set of stairs that went up to the lounge part of the ready room. He folded his hands behind him. "My quartermasters have gone over the supplies and gave me the update that we'll be ready for anything as soon as the new transports, tanks, and scouts vehicles have been dry tested."

"That's good to hear Major." Aki placed the PADD on the coffee table, and stood, stretching her back slightly. "I've received a message from Deep Space Four saying that the USS Omaha and USS Patton, two Marine ships, have docked. As I'm sure you know, Deep Space Four orbits Cilion Three, a Class H planet."

"Yes ma'am. Cilion Three is also home to the Federation Marine Corps desert training facility."

"That too," Aki added. "The Patton and the Omaha both have Marine compliments onboard, and while we're stationed at Deep Space Four, we have set up a series of war games to test the functionality and co-ordination of armoured units, ground troops, and aerial bombardments complement of Talon Squadron."

A small smile began to form in the corner of Jon's mouth. "I think this would be the perfect opportunity to see just how well these camp boys are prepared."

"My thoughts exactly Major." Aki finished her coffee. "We should be arriving within the next few days. I'll keep you up to date with any more information I receive from DS4."

"Thank you ma'am. Will there be anything further?"

"No, that's it Major."

"Permission to be dismissed."

"Granted, of course."

Jon saluted and did an about face, exiting the ready room. This was going to be his opportunity to see just how well his new group of Marines were prepared to deal with life on a starship