/||\        -----------------------------------------
       / || \            Starfleet Command, Second Fleet
      /  ||  \             U.S.S. Coronado,  NCC-63100
   .-/   ||   \-.     Fleet Captain Brian Aldur, Commanding
   ./    ||    \.   -----------------------------------------
   .-_-. || .-_-.              Simulation Teaser
   .-_  \||/  _-.

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/ Simulation Teaser                                                             |
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 "All in all, excellent work, Captain."

 "Thank you, Admiral.  Unfortunately, the mission was..."  Aldur paused,
 then sighed.  "The mission was not without casualties."

 Admiral Ross turned to address the viewscreen more fully, his expression
 somber.  "I understand, and you and your people have my sympathies.
 Frankly, I'm surprised that you got out as lightly as you did."

 Aldur nodded, slowly.  "We have Major Wallace to thank for tha--"  Aldur
 was interrupted by a snort over the communication channel.

 "Wallace!" Ross said with no small amount of contempt.  "As bad or worse
 than Sloan.  Trust me, Captain, the minute you put in here at 247, we'll
 be taking *that* one off your hands..."  Ross' voice trailed off as he saw
 the studiously neutral look on Aldur's face.  "Oh Lord, I hate that look.
 You had that look on your face when you bluffed me right out of our last
 poker game.  What now?"

 The Captain paused, his expression still neutral.  "Admiral...
 unfortunately, I had to extend the Major immunity in exchange for his
 coopera--"

 "You what?!"

 "We'd probably be dead if it hadn't been for his help, sir.  Besides, I
 believe the Major might be salvagable."

 Admiral Ross shook his head, clearly not believing a word of it.  "Frankly
 Captain, I think you'd be better off if you just forgot about this
 agreement you have with Wallace and dropped him off here--"  Aldur started
 to protest and the Admiral held up his hands.  "...but I'll trust your
 judgement," he finished.  "For now," he added a moment later.

 On the screen, the Admiral reached out of sight, apparently tapping a
 computer terminal.  "Now then, Captain," he continued, smiling broadly,
 "It is my pleasure to inform you that your next command has been finalized.
 I'm transmitting the details to you now, but I think you'll be extremely
 pleased.  U.S.S. Hunter is probably the most advanced Starfleet Intel ship
 ever conceived.  She's S--"  Admiral Ross stopped at the expression on
 Aldur's face.  "What's wrong, Captain?" he asked finally.

 "Admiral," Aldur said slowly, "while I believe my time in Intelligence has
 been extremely valuable, I'm afraid I requested a transfer to Starfleet
 Exploration this morning."

 There was a long pause.  "I see," Admiral Ross said finally.  "Captain,
 I'm not going to beat around the bush.  You're an outstanding officer.
 But Exploration is an entirely different culture.  In Intel, you've got
 seniority, and your choice of assignments.  Over there, you'd practically
 be starting over.  You'll be at the bottom of the ladder!"

 "I understand that, Admiral," Aldur said showing more calm than he felt.

 "You understand that," Ross said, starting to lose his temper.  "Do you
 also understand that there's a good chance that you won't even *get* a
 command over there?  You've got what?  Two first contacts?  Three?
 Chances are, you're going to find yourself in command of a Oberth class
 science ship or a Nova class planetary explorer."

 "Admiral, I've considered that," Aldur said, even though he hadn't.  He
 paused.  "I'm willing to pay my dues, if that's what it takes.  But I've
 thought about this, and I can't shuffle from one internal Federation
 firestorm to another any more."  He paused again, then leaned forward.
 "I've done my bit to defend the Federation from within, and my crew has
 too.  If I'm going to go into space and while there lose good people, I
 want it to mean something."

 Ross paused, looking unconvinced.  "Very well, Captain," he said finally.
 "If you change your mind, you know where I am.  I can't promise promise
 that Hunter will wait for you, but you're an outstanding officer.  I'm
 sure we can find something else for you."

 Aldur nodded.  "Thank you, Admiral," he said.

 "I hope you know what you're doing, Brian.  Starbase 247 out."

 The Captain leaned backwards in his chair.  "I hope I do, too..." he
 murmurred.

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\ End Simulation Teaser                                                         |
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----------
Ross Glenn aka Jester
Fleet Captain Brian Aldur, U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-63100
http://www.ussrenegade.com/coro2400/