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You did a fine job with those science nerds over the course of this past year, John. Very fine job. Nothing but praise from the lot of them. Well done._ His thick English accent had a soothing effect every time he spoke. John remembered him fondly as a young man. His father and the Admiral had gone to the academy together and served side by side for many years before John__ father met an untimely death. Sitting here with him now and listening to him speak brought him back to those simpler times.__ was just doing my duty, Sir.___h come now. You know and I know that there isn__ a bloody captain in this entire fleet that wanted that assignment. There isn__ a bit of action when you have the lot of them aboard. And on a bloody science mission besides. No, no, you are a real hero for saving all of us from having to do such a duty. And for a year! Bloody hell.__e opened up a drawer and pulled out two thick, stubby glasses, and then extracted a bottle of rum. Of course he brought out the rum.__ suppose you heard that we__e been hard at work getting our first Deep Space Class starship ready to launch this year?_ he asked as he filled both glasses half full with the amber liquid. He Offered one glass to John who took it with reluctance. He had never been one who liked liquor.__eard she__ a beauty. The engine is something of a marvel as well?___amn straight,_ he said as he downed his first glass in one pull. He filled his glass up half full for round two. __urrently our fastest ship will get you to the Wild Space region in twenty years. This buggers going to do it in six months and I__ like you to take her out on her maiden voyage.__ohn sat back in shock. The thought of taking out the prototype of the future_ it was a great honor and one that hundreds of captains in star fleet would give anything for. He certainly wasn__ worthy of such an honor. He didn__ have nearly the amount of years as everyone else in the fleet. __ don__ think it__ be right to accept, would it? I mean_ there are some captains who__e___umshnickles!_ he shouted. __our father was the captain of the first Earth Starship Independence. It__ only right that the second to bear her name should have an Avery in the chair.
