"Take us out, Ensign; one-quarter impulse."
Alexander smiled. "Quarter impulse; aye."
The USS Leonidas glided out of the spacedock and into the void.
"Set course for Ferenginar."
"Course laid in, Captain."
William Kalvin nodded. "Warp factor eight, Mister Hawke."
"Warp eight; aye."
Kalvin grinned. "Floor it."
The ship instantly shot off, headed towards Ferenginar.
"Our Ferengi guest," Kalvin explained, "says that a certain businessman has bought himself a starship… and an army. This creep wants to take the place of the Grand Nagus and start a war with the Federation."
"Why would a Ferengi want to start a war with us?" asked Three. "It makes no sense."
"The Federation," said Kalvin, "is host to some very rich planets. This would-be warlord knows that, and wants their resources for his own profit, as well as that of the Ferengi Alliance. You know how Ferengi love their money."
"True," said Alex. "Reminds me of how the English have always wanted our coal. Bloody Thatcher… we'll be at Ferenginar in a week, by the way."
"Sounds fair to me."
The door to the bridge opened, and a young redhead entered, her blue eyes scanning the room.
"Doctor Kelly says you need to eat," she said.
"Ah… she sent you here?"
"Yes Captain, she did."
"Oh. I actually ate an hour ago. Guys?"
"I could stand a meal; biscuits and gravy for me," said Devereaux. "Thank you, honey. Three?"
"I was going to hit the alcove but… given a choice between regeneration and food… think I'll take the food. How about, I don't know, beef… stew? That's the best I can come up with. How about you, Hawke?"
Alex turned his chair to face the lady. "Hmmm… how about something that won't ruin the control panel… let me have a cold cut sandwich and some chips."
"Sure." She smiled. "My name's Kendra. Kendra Devereaux…"
"My daughter," said the First Officer.
"I'm the doctor's assistant. Just got out of residency half a year ago."
"Well, the captain is William Kalvin; our Head of Security is Leon Kozlov. I'm Alexander Hawke."
"Your accent is nice," said Kendra softly.
"I could hear yours all day, myself," Alex replied.
Kendra giggled. "I'll be back with the food."
"Come on, Hawke," chuckled Kalvin. "Really?"
"Like you have a shot," Hawke said teasingly. "You look like my middle-aged uncle."
"I'm the captain."
"So?"
"So? I'm the captain. The ladies are supposed to be all over me, not the conn officer. Come on!"
"Sure, if you're James Kirk."
"Shut up, Scotty," muttered Kalvin.
"This ship is doomed," laughed Devereaux. "Doomed, I say!"
"If it makes you feel any better," said Three, "I prefer Russian girls… Kendra doesn't seem like my type."
Alex sighed. Piloting a starship was much more fun when you had manual control, but… better safe than space junk.