43 North shook hands with everyone. When he let
go of the Doctor's, the Doctor reached up and put his hand by North's
left ear. "You've got a little swelling there," he commented, "check
that out when I give you your boarding physical. How's those new lungs?"
44 "As good as the old ones ever were," assured North. "I see you've
got my medical history."
45 "Every word," laughed the Doctor. "See you in my office, say, in two
hours?"
46 "By the book," agreed North. "I'll make a full inspection of the
ship later," he continued. "Right now, I'd like to take command, get my
gear in quarters, let the Doctor give me the once-over, and catch up on
some sleep!"
47 "Of course, sir!" the Number Two agreed. "This would be late in your
shift. I'll lead the way."
48 "No," insisted North, "let me see how well I remember all those
blueprints I studied at Academy!"
49 "Very well," agreed the Number Two. North made his way to the null
gravity shaft running down the center of the ship, headed forward, and
took the last shaft going up to the command deck. The other Officers
followed.
50 North was pleased. All that training HAD been for something! Every
ship he had been on so far he knew where everything was! He checked the
secondary command deck. All eight crewmen were at their stations. North
climbed the steps leading to the command deck above them. Here, too,
all four Officers were at their station. Only the fifth chair was
empty….the command chair! North approached it, sat down, and leaned
back
into it. It automatically adjusted to his height, and the air-filled
cushions wrapped around his wings.
51 North took off his command com as the other Officers gathered
around. He plugged it into its receptacle and spoke. "Fleet Officer
Northern Star, serial number 30762945 3936 taking command of Fleet
vessel
designated "Lord's Vengeance," serial number 5674 326, class CSL."