"So...who do you think it is going to be?" Catherine Hayward asked as she looked over to the closed meeting room door across the lounge. Commander Simpson and Grant Hansen had been inside for almost an hour now, discussing who might replace Grant as Chief as he was promoted to succeed the retiring Commander.

"Well, if I have to wager," Raiji Hidaka offered his girlfriend a paper cup of orange juice before wedging himself between her and their other two teammates on the plush L-shaped sofa, "I'd bet on Captain Jones."

"I know I have slightly more years and experiences on you guys," Eric said diplomatically, "but it's still anyone's game."

"Though I don't think it'll be me." His co-pilot, Sammy Edkins Jr., yawned and stretched his seven-foot figure on the sofa. "I'm far too cra-zee, and I feel more comfortable playing sidekick."

"Don't underestimate yourself, buddy. No one can forget your one-man stint destroying all those droids and freeing the hostages in Metal City," Raiji reminded him with a smile, sipping his own drink.

"Not to mention your breakthrough, life-saving ideas," Eric added. "Remember your brilliant suggestion to boost Spanloader V with TB-2 engine to keep it from crashing into Tokyo? And you were also the one coming up with the idea to remotely guide those little brats who ripped off TB-1 to get the shuttle out of the burning building themselves."

Raiji couldn't help grimacing at the reminder, though it was already years ago. A primary school's field trip to Arcology had gone awry when two kids sneaked into TB-1 and accidentally crashed it to a nearby building, causing an uncontrollable fire. He'd tried to save them but only succeeded in badly injuring himself and had nearly lost his head, lashing out at everyone including Catherine. It was lucky the ever calm and reliable Sammy had come up with a solution none of them had thought of. As if knowing what was inside her boyfriend's mind, Catherine squeezed his hand tight, which only made him feel even guiltier.

"Thanks for the kind words, my friends," Sammy faked a bow, "but as brilliant as I am, can y'all see a slacker like me in the Chief's shoes? I don't think so."

"You may be right," Eric smirked and clapped his partner's shoulder. "Maybe it's Catherine."

"What? Why me?" The only female member looked genuinely surprised.

"Why not?" Sammy started to count off his fingers. "You're brave, intelligent and level-headed, not to mention well-equipped with diplomatic and leadership skills."

"And a kick-ass woman to boot," Raiji added with a grin, remembering a few times Catherine had single-handedly carried out missions and even saved the boys in the nick of time.

Catherine blushed. "But I tend to let my feelings get in the way," she argued. "Remember what happened in Space Colony when Hidaka and Billy were blown into space by reactor bursts? I almost left a critical task to go after them."

"That was a long time ago, Catherine," Raiji said softly, warmed inside at how much she'd cared for him even then. "We know better now. We're able to put our duties before our feelings."

"Still," Catherine shook her head. "I don't think I want to be in similar position again if I can help it, let alone being the person who makes the decision on whom I should first save."

"Fair point," Sammy scratched his chin thoughtfully, "It'll probably be harder for you guys now that you are, uh, closer than ever."

"Which gets us back to Eric," Raiji said, trying to hide his blush at Sammy's insinuation. "You have all the right academic and professional qualifications, not to mention superb analytical skills to assess situations, and being single, you don't have the concerns that hamper us."

"Well..." Eric mused, "Again, not that you are wrong, but I'm not sure I'm cut out for the position."

"What do you mean? Who else it's going to be then? Don't say Commander Simpson will have to recruit external officer again."

Catherine, Eric and Sammy smiled. They remembered all too well the time when Grant took a month's leave to take care of family matters and Commander Simpson had no choice but to recruit a former navy officer strongly recommended by an IRO funder to lead the team temporarily. It had turned into a disaster as Tim Anderson tried to work his charm on Catherine, much to Raiji's annoyance, and secretly plotted to get rid of his rival during a mission to rescue some hostages held by a group of terrorists. But Raiji's so-called nine lives did not disappoint, and with Eric's help, he managed to return safely to Arcology along with one hostage Anderson had overlooked. Needless to say the cocky captain was humiliated, and the incident ended with Catherine finally blurting out her feelings for Raiji and receiving a response in kind. Sammy joked that it had taken the intruder for Raiji to "finally realize Catherine is a female."

"I don't think the Commander wants a repeat performance," Eric assured. "Even then he did not actually want to appoint Anderson. He only did that because Bowman practically shoved his nephew to his face and the man used his influence as IRO's biggest financial backer."

"What a jerk," Sammy muttered. Raiji smiled. He never saw Sammy losing his cool except that one time when TB-2 was nearly stolen and during the Anderson incident.

"Anyway, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Eric continued. "We haven't even mentioned everybody in the team."

It took Raiji a second to catch up.

"Whoa, wait a minute," he held up both hands. "Catherine and I practically have the same level of capabilities, and if she can't accept the responsibility for fear our relationship may affect her judgment, what makes you think I can do better?"

"I'm not saying you have better chance at this than she does, you dope. I'm just weighing on all the options available. Whether you feel up for the job or not is your problem. Same goes to you, Catherine."

"But," Sammy added with a smirk, "we forget something here."

"What?" His three friends frowned.

"Well, assuming you guys will marry at some point," he pointed at the two youngest captains, "Catherine will eventually bear kids and retire from active duty, which means Hidaka will have one less thing to worry about if he becomes Chief."

"I won't," Raiji said firmly. "Become Chief, I mean. And as much as I would like to...see Catherine settling down and having a normal life, I know that is not what she wants, at least for the near future. And no way I am going to force my wish on her."

"Thank you, Sweetheart," Catherine pecked him swiftly on the cheek. "I do intend to spend a few more years as your teammate. But I have to agree with them on you being perfectly eligible as Chief, regardless of everything. You have great leadership quality, excellent intuitive and steadfastness that I'm sure will make you an effective leader."

"Hear, hear," Sammy quipped.

Raiji threw his hands up. "Come on, people. I'm the baby in the team, remember? The one who always got into troubles..."

"...and got out of them looking good and in one piece..."

"...made other people clean up after my mess..."

"...and earned them some accolades and decorations..."

"...broke all the rules..."

"...and saved some lives..."

"...sneaked out after punching my teammate in the gut..."

"I'm yet to pay you back on that, by the way," Eric broke in, "but if you hadn't done it, we might have been too late to save those people in the Amway Sanatorium. You may be one of the most foolish, reckless, nuttiest persons I've ever met, Hidaka, but you also know exactly what you are doing, and while you often think on your feet, somehow your compass always ends up pointing to the right direction."

Raiji was struck speechless and Sammy was enjoying the rare sight when the meeting room door opened and Grant came out. "Eric, can you join us for a minute?"

Raiji threw Eric a very smug "I-told-you-so" look and Sammy gave his friend a congratulatory pat on the back. Eric shrugged as he walked past Catherine who whispered, "Good luck, hotshot" and closed the meeting room door behind him.

"Well, now that the question's answered, let us have some more juice and reminisce about the good ole days," Sammy suggested as he refilled their cups. "Ten years, over two hundred missions. No wonder I gray so quickly."

"How time flies," Catherine mused as she planted her chin on her hands. "Feels like it was only yesterday when I got the letter from IRO and my parents were beside themselves with glee. Do you guys still remember the first time you came here?"

"Wouldn't forget it," Sammy smiled at the memory. "I left Brazil on my first plane ride ever and saw this incredible base-on-a-secret-island, and I thought, Sammy, not even winning the World Cup can beat this."

Raiji smiled. "Tell me about it. Back in Yokohama, my goal was to finish high school and enroll into police academy. Never in my wildest dream did I imagine a career as international rescue pilot."

"And look where we have landed," Sammy leaned back on the sofa, throwing his arms out, "The moon, the sun, Jupiter, TIMES, CNN, Forbes, People's Most Eligible Bachelors list...oh wait, that's you, Hidaka."

"Very funny," Raiji rolled his eyes.

The trio continued walking down the memory lane as they recalled the worst mission (Anderson), the best (Spanloader) and everything in-between from battling giant plant to alien monster to taking care of a genetically altered baby gorilla before the meeting room door re-opened half an hour later. Eric appeared with a small smile, followed by Commander Simpson and Grant.

"Well, partner, should we start calling you Chief now?" Sammy went to pat his partner's shoulder as Raiji and Catherine beamed with pride.

"Not in the near future, unfortunately," Eric answered easily as his teammates frowned in confusion. "You have to direct that salutation to someone else."

"Who...?" Raiji started to ask, then stopped short as Commander Simpson, Grant and Eric leveled him a meaningful look. "Oh, no, you can't be serious..."

"Unfortunately I have never been anything less than serious, Captain," Commander Simpson said, allowing rare humor to color his usually gravelly voice. "We can talk more about it if you want."

"But..."

"We will not force you, Hidaka," Grant chimed in, "but I think you will agree that for the best interest of the team and the public at large, it is important that you take the baton. And this is not something we decided at random. We have put a lot of thought into it and we all agree you're the right choice for this."

"But how can it be?" Raiji finally found his voice. "After all the mess I've made?"

"You've made quite of them alright," Commander Simpson stepped forward, "but everyone has to start somewhere. You've learned from your mistakes and kept getting back up no matter how many times you fell, and it's one quality I value in a leader. The same quality I saw in you that first day."

Suddenly Raiji felt time sliding out from under him, and he was eighteen all over again, standing before the Commander in that exact same room he'd been called to on his first day as the member of the TechnoVoyager team. The Commander had had that same penetrating look in his eyes, and Raiji now understood what it meant. He'd foreseen this moment even then.

A gentle touch on his arm broke Raiji's thought, and he looked to his left to see Catherine's clear blue eyes shining with pride and indescribable emotions. He swallowed and turned his attention back to the Commander. "I am up for the job if duty requires it, Commander. But there's something I'd like you to know."

"I see," the Commander said as he glanced at Raiji's right hand that enveloped Catherine's. "We can discuss it further in my office."

"Sir..." Catherine began.

"I understand your concern, Captain Hayward," the Commander said reassuringly. "Captain Hidaka and I will figure it out."

With that he walked out, and Raiji gave Catherine a nervous but comforting smile before he followed suit.

Grant put one massive hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Catherine. I'm sure the Commander will decide the best course for you two and the team."

Catherine sighed. "I don't want to hold him back, Chief."

Grant turned her around and smiled. "No, I don't think you will," he assured. "On the contrary, I think you will be a great help to him." He led her to the door and beckoned the others. "Come on now, let's talk about this over lunch. Meetings with the Commander always starved me."