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The familiar shape of the Dragon , the last starship he had commanded, was sliding into view. Measuring 1,300 meters from bow to stern, it was surrounded by a dozen mobile work platforms.
    Ken’s insides were churning – he was still having a hard time believing what he was seeing. For a brief moment he felt joy and a smile actually started to form. But, just as quickly, other memories intruded; he had met his departed wife on the Dragon and suddenly the sight of his old command caused a flood of remorse and grief that threatened to overwhelm him.
    Maintaining control, Ken turned away. Doug, who had been standing behind him, took his own eyes off the main viewer and looked down at Ken. “I’d better get packing,” Ken said as he continued on past.
    Scarboro could sense the pain and depression which had descended upon Stricklen. Instead of replying, he simply nodded and went back to watching the viewer.

Meltdown
     
    “Captain on the bridge!” the watch officer announced.
    Captain Francine Sheppard paused just inside the doorway to survey the bridge, her gray eyes glancing at each and every station, noting the condition of the ship. The crew called it ‘the pause’.
    The Captain was an unusual woman of Human descent. Born and raised on the Rouldian planet Amecnitonuba, her body had been sculpted by the planet’s 1.6G gravity into that of a muscular athlete. Weighing in at 86 kilos and standing 176 centimeters from her heal to the top of her head she was an impressive sight.
    She kept her dark brown hair cut to within three centimeters of her scalp. Her voice was deep for a woman and her skin deeply tanned. Many believed her to be older than her actual age of forty-three. There were rumors that she had once been a man but underneath the rough exterior she was all natural woman.
    After completing the visual survey she approached the command chair and said, “Good morning Mr. Platt. What is the current status?”
    “Final checks are being completed for departure. All fusion plants are hot. All ship systems are green.”
    “Very well Mr. Platt. I relieve you.”
    “I stand relieved.”
    With the official turnover complete, Captain Sheppard settled into the Komodo Dragon’s command chair. As she was reviewing the log from the night watch she heard the door behind her open. An unfamiliar voice asked, “Permission to enter the bridge?”
    Sheppard turned her chair ninety degrees and looked over her shoulder. Although she had never met Captain Stricklen she immediately recognized him. “Permission granted! You never need to ask permission to step onto this bridge Mr. Stricklen.”
    Having been warned by J. J., Captain Sheppard had not visited her distinguished guest as was customary. Despite all she had heard about Captain Stricklen’s legendary past she had been wondering if he would become a liability to their mission. Seeing him on the bridge could indicate that his attitude was changing.
    “Thank you Captain,” Ken replied. Although he had been aboard the Dragon for two days, this was the first time he had gotten up the nerve to visit the bridge. He took a position off to one side and took a good look around.
    The Dragon hadn’t changed much since he had left her fifteen years ago. The Hess stardrive and weapons still gave the ship the distinction of being the fastest and unarguably the most powerful ship in the Alliance for her size. Some of the other systems had been upgraded and a few of the control consoles had been replaced with newer ones but all-in-all this was the same ship he had commanded all those years ago.
    The sight of the old bridge and the sounds of its smooth operation brought back a flood of memories. Ken listened as the various stations ran through their departure checklists. As his eyes wandered about, his mind conjured up the names of the various officers whom he had spent so much time with all those years ago. He was amazed he could still remember them.
    “Are we all set Captain