.:.:.:.:.
Jim sat in the vacant Captain's chair under the eyes of a despairing crew and slipped naturally into the costume of captaincy that had always felt like breathing to him, even as the weight of duty and authority settled upon his shoulders. This was hardly his first position of leadership – not even the first in a time of disaster. But this was the first with the sense of destiny to it.
He almost wanted to grin, but he knew this crew – his crew – needed to see him sober and controlled if they were going to accomplish anything. And they had so much to accomplish.
.:.:.:.:.