OFF: You are ALL doing a wonderful job. I feel that our crew will be 
recieving a lot of the fleet awards. Keep up the good work.

ON:{counselor Jade's quarters}

Captain: "That sounds terrific. Well I really do have to be going, 
it has been a long day, meeting all the new crew members. I'll see 
you later Counselor." :: He stands up, and offers his hand to me. ::

Jade: "Thank you for the visit Captain, enjoy your evening. :: I 
stand up and shake his hand. ::


::McCloud leaves Jade's quarters and heads for his own. As he rounds 
a corner he almost runs into the man mountain that is Ensign J'Dar.::

J'Dar: "Captain."

McCloud: "Ensign, how are you finding things? Are your quarters OK?"

J'Dar: " I am finding it a bit cramped, but I am cooping."

McCloud: "Good. Are you off duty?"

J'Dar: "Yes sir, I am heading to holodeck two for a workout. Would 
you like to join me?"

McCloud: "Well that is an interesting proposal, but I have to pass 
this time around. But I'd like a rain check."

J'Dar: ::He looks at McCloud puzzled:: "Sir?"

McCloud: ::Smiles:: "Maybe next time Ensign."

J'Dar: ::A look of realization:: "Oh, yes sir."

::J'Dar lumbers past, and McCloud continues on his way. Just as he 
enters his room, his comm badge churps. Hitting the badge:: 

McCloud: "Captain here."

Tolbin: "Mac, Admiral Star for you."

McCloud: "Send it down to my quarters will you Number One?"

Tolbin: "Aye sir."

::McCloud sits down in front of his terminal and hits the ready to 
recieve button::

Star: =^= Mac, how are things going? =^=

McCloud: =^=Very well Admiral. She's shaping up.=^=

Star: =^=Not doing _all_ the work yourself, are you?=^=

McCloud: =^= Well sir I don't have a Chief Engineer yet so ...=^=

Star: =^= That's part of the reason I'm calling. I may have found 
you just that. Her name is Janice MacDonald, a Vulcan. I'm waiting 
for the final Ok.=^=

McCloud: =^= MacDonald, huh? Strange name for a Vulcan.=^=

Star: =^=I don't know all the particulars on her, but she's one of 
the best in the fleet. Present company excepted, of course.=^=

McCloud: =^=Well I'm sure she'll be acceptable, sir. And the _other_
reason your calling?=^=

Star: =^=Once MacDonald is aboard, how would you like to take the 
Excalibur for a little shake-down cruise? See what she can do?=^=

McCloud: =^=You read my mind sir.=^=

Star: =^=Good, let me know when things are ready. Star out.=^=

OFF: As soon as I get our Chief Engineer signed up, we're going on a 
cruise. Let's get ready.

Captain Steven McCloud
Commanding Officer
USS Excalibur NCC-2997