Zoe Mclellan's new hairstyle (or wig?) inspired me to start this story…

Richard Halsey Best was a Lieutenant Commander, USN and dive-bomber pilot. During World War II, he participated in attacks on Wade and Marcus Island (1942) but was better know for his actions during the Battle of Midway. While most of the dive bombers under then-Lieutenant Commander McClusky targeted the Japanese carrier Kaga, Best broke US Navy doctrine and steered his win men to also attack the Akagi. Best's bomb was the only one to hit the target, resulting in the sinking of the ship. Had Best not broken off from the main attack group, only the Akagi and Sōryū (struck by then Lieutenant Commander Max Leslie) would have sunk in the first strike. Best was award the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross but the inhaling of gas fumes later on damaged his flight and naval career. I name the carrier here after him.

This story is not based on any world events and no offence to Venezula.

NCIS New Orleans HQ

0800 local

"Good morning, can I help you?" Special Agent Christopher LaSalle asked as he noticed a shoulder length girl who entered the squadroom.

"Oh don't start teasing early in the morning, LaSalle," the familiar voice shot back.

"Brody?!" LaSalle exclaimed dropping his feet off the table and staring in surprise. "You've, you've…"

"Grown my hair yes," Special Agent Brody said, finishing the biscuit in her hand. "Why, Mr. Alabama boy never seen a girl with new hair?"

"No…but it's…is it real?"

"You want to be slapped, Chris? Of course it's real. I didn't take weeks of leave for nothing."

"Oh, well welcome back," he greeted but was personally enthrall by her new look. You are even more beautiful with this hairstyle.

"So, how were things here while I was away? Did you mess up anything?"

"Nothing much it has been a quite few weeks. Drug busting here and there, small murder case. Sonja's slowly learning the ropes."

"Okay, speaking of her, where's our Probie?"

"Oh, she should be here by now," he replied glancing at his watch. "It's usually me first, then you, and with…"

"Actually, I've been arriving first," the voice of Pattom Plame interjected. "Always here by seven…woah!"

"And nice to see you again, Patton," Brody greeted the Investigative Computer Specialist by bending down and giving him a hug.

"'Ello, B..rody," he hugged her back, though privately he wanted to say, "hello, beauty."

"So, you've beaten LaSalle's early morning record."

"You know, the early bird gets its worm."

"I hope it's not more of those pop-up ads."

"Worm, Agent Brody. Worm. You have much to learn," Patton shook his head, wondering why such an experienced agent failed to know what a computer worm was.

"So I know early morning records have changed but where's…"

"I'm here," Senior Special Agent Dwayne Pride said, appearing from the kitchen. "Time to roll people, medical case on the carrier USS Best."

"Medical Case? Isn't that what the doctor is for?" LaSalle asked.

"Huge medical case, almost half the crew has fallen sick. Nice hair there, Agent Brody."

USS Richard H. Best

Off New Orleans, Gulf of Mexico

Sometime later

"Agent Pride, always good to see you, but not under such circumstances," Rear Admiral (Upper Half) Jonas Mclean greeted the NCIS Senior Agent.

"Jonas, you too. You remember Chris LaSalle?"

"Yeah, didn't you help settle that bar fight some of my crew had some years ago?"

"Your sailors gave me a bruised eye, Admiral. Nice seeing you again. This is…"

"Agent Meredith Brody," she shook hands with the task group admiral.

"Well, what's…"

"Sorry I'm late, Pride," new Probationary Agent Sonja Percy rushed up to them. "Had a huge heated argument with my landlord…"

"Everyone has their troubles, Sonja," Pride interrupted. With greetings over, the Admiral explained the situation. "I just returned to the ship yesterday and heard that several of my staff were in sickbay. At first I thought it was just stomach ache but hours later, the whole medical section was full with sailors vomiting and even puking blood. Now it's like hundreds of sailors all reporting with the same symptoms. Aviators, flight crew, intelligence and command staff, even the ship's CO. This task group is due to sail in forty eight hours to bolster the Fourth Fleet's presence. With carriers tasked to the Arabian Gulf and the Pacific, we're practically the only carrier presence for the South Atlantic, especially with the tensions around Venezula. Normally my ship's NCIS Agent would handle it but he's on leave. We need answers Pride."

"Alright Jonas," Pride nodded, "my ME is also on her way. Let's get cracking people."

"Ah, ship life," Brody commented as they headed down the ladders, "brings back memories of old days."

"You served on a carrier?" LaSalle asked.

"Short term assignment before my time on the Moultrie." Brody paused to reflect on her fateful time there. "No, LaSalle, sideways," she shifted her partner to the side to let a sailor pass.

"You've never done any sea duty?" she asked him.

"Nah, after shifted from NOLA vice squad, it was shore duty all the way."

"Shipboard life is cool, you get to be the 'chief of police' on board a city of five thousand. We better put the real 'N' in NCIS in you then," Brody commented.

"Hey, I know my Navy stuff. It'll be a better eye-opener for our Probie here," LaSalle winked at Percy.

"Here we are," Brody announced, opening the door the sick bay.

To Be Continued.