Lt. Commander Asprey walked through the main corridor to the bridge. It was his first time setting foot on the USS Franklin and that made him a little more than nervous. Throughout his time in Starfleet, he had always wondered if his commission would be spent on a vessel like this, and when he finally boarder her, he knew that this was going to be a wild ride. He passed sickbay, and greeted Doctor Spires. As he moved along the ship, the butterflies grew in stomach. He stopped at the turbolift and took a deep breath. The doors hissed open and he walked inside. There, he stood next to Commander Dralk, the first Klingon to be given the position as First Officer.

"State your destination," Commander Dralk said.

"Bridge, sir," Asprey murmured.

Dralk snarled and enjoyed the silence from within the turbolift. Dralk wasn't one for conversation; however he knew that Starfleet protocol stated otherwise. "Are you my new Conn officer?"

Asprey didn't know what to say. He never tried to carry on a conversation with a Klingon. This was going to be a new experience. "I'm your new science officer sir."

Dralk looked him over. Asprey was a little human with minimal muscle structure. Not a very prominent warrior in his book. He didn't like the little man from the time that he laid eyes on him, but Captain Rishond had very good judgment when it came to these matters. Dralk let out a disapproving exhale and the lift stopped.

Asprey's stomach finally settled as they took the bridge. He felt the air relax as they stepped out on to the bridge. It buzzed with activity. Asprey walked over to his science station and took his seat. He like the feel of the Galaxy Class console and that made him even more comfortable. He tapped a few times on the console and ran it through its diagnostics. Standard Starfleet protocol was to make sure that the console you sit at is running at optimal speed.

He looked over the rest of the crew at this point. Lt. Erin Stun sat next to him at the Conn. Asprey remembered her picture from the net. She won the holoball tournament each year that she was the academy. Behind them at the security station was Lt. Habas, an Andorian with an attitude. To Asprey, Habas was Dralk's pick for that position. Over at the engineering console was Lt. Commander Basalik, an Ullian that made Asprey a little more than nervous. It was something about having a telepath on board that wasn't the least bit comforting. Finally, there was Lt. Richard Fox working the Communications of the ship. Lt. Fox had a very bad reputation for disobedience in Starfleet. He was looking for a fresh start with the Franklin.

Over in the ready room, Captain Eric Rishond sat at his desk finalizing a few orders. He moved from behind his desk and approached the main door. He closed his eyes and tugged at his uniform to make sure that everything was straight. He didn't want to disappoint the new crew. As the door slid open, the announcement of "Captain on the bridge" echoed out. He smiled and waved everyone back to work. He had sort of a strut in his step as he made his way to the big chair. As he sat down, he looked at this first officer and asked, "How is the bridge number one?"

Dralk let out a disappointing sound. "Everything is as it should be. This ship is both magnificent and disgusting. Why do you insist on having me as your first officer?"

Rishond didn't want that question to come up at this point and time, however it had. He knew that Dralk wouldn't be happy if there was just silence for an answer, so he rebutted, "Because in the heat of battle, you are the best that there is. You have been a true warrior in times that most would have crumbled. That's what I need if we encounter the Borg or the Romulans."

"Qapla'!" Dralk responded in pride.

Captain Rishond smiled as he acknowledged the first officer. He motioned towards Lt. Habas, "Open a channel to DS9."

Habas tapped the console and replied, "Channel open."

Rishond bit his top lip. He didn't like the fact that the Andorian lacked certain respect. "Lt. Stun, request clearance and take us out."

"Aye sir," Stun said. "We are cleared and heading out."

Rishond watched his crew with amazement. They began to flow like a well oiled machine. He didn't know what the future had in store for him, but he did know that it was going to be one hell of a ride.