"Captain's log stardate 41257.3. Starfleet has just granted me the "Cherryton" NCC-6816, an Akira Class ship that has been redesigned for exploration purposes but still holds its heavy carrier heritage just in case of a Jem-Hadar attack." Red deer Captain Louis Puatu paused and watched as the pilot of the shuttlecraft entered the Utopia Planitia shipyards and towards "dock 9". There was the USS Cherryton sitting pretty.

"Most of my crew is either new or has seen some years of experience. Yesterday, I was able to convince Doctor Gouhin Silverstein to join our venture into the great unknown, otherwise known as space. At first he didn't seem enthusiastic, but agreed to come along. Hopefully he's changed his mind by then." Louis shut off the recorder and watched as he came closer to his ship. Workbee's flew around, placing the finishing touches.

"Cherryton to Captain Louis' shuttle prepared for docking." said the pilot to the com-link. "Now approaching the port side torpedo." He adjusted some controls. "Coming in for the final approach."

"Cherryton welcomes you. Prepare for docking" replied the ship's bridge.

"She's a beauty" Said the pilot. "Akira classes are tough as nails sir."

"Why yes she is." Louis said. 'Hopefully my crew would be too." Louis remembered the time he served on the science vessel, the USS Idris, and how he stayed at his post while a majority of the crew and even the Lieutenant commander ran to the shuttle bay during the attack. He knew he shouldn't dwell on the past, but sometimes it motivated him. As the shuttle began docking, the crew lined up to welcome their new captain. Among them was Lieutenant Legoshi Scott, a gray wolf, and his friend Chief Engineer Jack Diskin, a labrador, who were both originally from the USS Plymouth. Commander Legoshi straightened his uniform and watched the doors to the airlock open. Captain Louis entered and took a good look at his crew.

"Wow, he's as serious as a Vulcan." Legoshi thought to himself. "I can't believe the guy who saved us during the attack of Cesium II is our captain."

Captain Louis turned to the direction of the Bridge where the officers were lined up and began walking. "I'm Captain Louis Puatu, and just like everyone here we're from many different ships." He said. "May I also remind you that whether we are herbivores, carnivores, Vulcans, or Klingons we will treat each other like family and I will see no discrimmination, I repeat, no discrimmination among these hallways at anytime" Captain Louis reached the end of the hallway next to the doors of the bridge. He turned around and faced the crew once again. "As the finishing touches are being placed, I want you to explore this ship and get familiar with it. Also make a few friends along the way, it's important you do so." The Captain entered through the ship's doors and disappeared. The rest of the crew then dispersed to find their quarters. Lieutenant Legoshi and Chief Engineer Jack Diskin both walked over to the Holodecks.

Captain Louis scanned the bridge. Three science stations were placed behind the Captain and Lt. Commander's chair with the pilot's consoles in front. Starboard of the bridge was the Captain's quarters and the port side was the Turbolift. Capt. Louis tapped the com-link badge on him. "Lt. Commander Haru Miller please report to the bridge." he said and entered the Captain's quarters. The room consisted of a small living room with a bedroom right of it. In the living room, a food replicator was placed next to the couch and two love seats. The door chimed, "come in," Louis said. Lt. Commander Haru was a dwarf rabbit who had also served on the USS Idris before it was abandoned. The two had met back in Starfleet academy in San Francisco six years ago and had always been good friends.

"You wanted to see me sir." She said.

"Yes," he said. "What do you know of the grey wolf who will be serving on the bridge? I've heard he's gotten into fights with a tiger who was a Lieutenant. Has he been any aggressive lately?"

"No sir, he's actually really kind and gentle. It was probably a little dispute as they're currently friends right now." she said looking around the room. "Nice place."

"It's not bad." Louis said walking over to the food replicator. He brought in two drinks for each of them. "I haven't seen you in five months after the attack, how have you been so far?" and the two sat down and began talking.

"Check it out Legoshi! This ship is ten times better than the Plymouth!" Jack called out as he and Lt. Legoshi walked among the woods. "Man, I miss the forrests back in Montana right before we left for the academy don't you?"

"Yeah kinda." Legoshi said. He lived with Gouhin that time before he joined the Marquis after being accused of killing an officer when he was still a Lieutenant. Ever since then, he had lived with Jack and his family till they were old enough to join Starfleet. Gouhin always sent letters back but Legoshi never read them.

"All decks, this is your captain speaking, the Cherryton's just been finished and I need all hands on deck."

"Ah damn" said Jack as he ended the simulation. The woods disappeared and the two left for their stations. Capt. Louis and Lt. Commander Haru took their seats as the crew arrived. Among them was Lieutenant William "Bill" Tang, a tiger, The Chief Security Collot McCarley, an old english sheepdog, and Ensign Miguno Chapman, a spotted Hyena. As Lt. Legoshi exited the turbolift and sat down at his position, Louis eyed him.

"Mr. Legoshi." He said. Legoshi's head perked up. "Take her slow and steady."

"Aye sir" He said. The ship moved forward slowly and exited the shipyard and then the orbit of Mars.

"Set a course for Kermick IV warp five." Louis commanded. Legoshi tapped around at the controls.

"Course set" He said.

"Engage."

The ship made a humming noise which grew louder and thrusted the ship into sub-light speed, thus beginning it's first journey to go where no one has gone before.