Ship's Log: November 10

Devereux watched the entire incident, trying to comprehend what had just taken place. The others remained silent behind her as the Star Blood and his aides rose and turned back toward her. Their expressions had entirely changed. Gone was the hauteur of the previous hours, replaced by something faintly resembling respect and perhaps even awe.

Fighting back a growing sense of absurdity, Devereux told herself that she was no expert at reading Aerian emotions, and certainly not those of the Star Blood. From behind her came a voice pitched just high to break the silence, but not loud enough to be completely shattering.

"Captain," Elizabeth announced gently. "The Chief says that he's ready for us."

Devereux turned and managed to focus on Elizabeth. "Thank you, Lieutenant." She straightened, putting on a posture of assurance and command. "Shall we proceed then?" she asked the delegates. Without waiting for a response, she headed back toward the infirmary entrance. The others followed in subdued silence back into the corridor.

As the Aerians filed past her, Devereux regarded them carefully. Their demeanor had changed completely. They appeared solemn, almost subservient. She wondered how long it would last. Before exiting herself, Devereux cast one more glance in Hope's direction. Her Medical Officer regarded her without expression.

#

Devereux paused outside the main hatch to Engineering. She considered trying to invent a reason to go on ahead, to ensure that everything was, in fact, ready for the delegates' tour. Failing to find a reasonable excuse, she nodded to Elizabeth to open the hatch and closed her eyes for a moment, imagining the worst and silently hoping for the best.

The group was greeted by the sound of active equipment. The voices of the technicians were hushed, raised only enough to be heard. Devereux peered tentatively inside and received yet another to add to the long list of surprises for the day.

Rusty had the available members of the engineering team standing in two parallel lines, each facing inward as the delegates stepped into the room. They all stood at attention, their eyes staring forward without looking at the delegates as they moved past. At the end of twin rows stood Rusty, who faced toward the approaching party.

To Devereux's surprise, not only was the Chief Engineer dressed completely in his on-duty uniform, but it looked as if it had been recently laundered. Although Devereux could not tell for certain from the distance, it seemed as though he had shaved thoroughly as well. She felt a growing warmth of relief and pride. A new smile formed on her lips. Part of her, however, remained suspicious and wary.

She led the group through the twin lines formed by the engineering crew, stopping in front of Rusty. "My Chief Engineer, Russell Rayna."

Rusty smiled broadly at the introduction and stepped forward, offering his hand to the nearest delegate. "Call me Rusty," he said with surprisingly restrained enthusiasm. "Welcome to the finest starship of its class in the fleet."

There were smiles and some gently laughter among some members of the delegates. They seemed relieved to find not only a human at the lead here, but one who appeared to be perfectly normal.

"Follow me," Rusty continued, "and I'll see you the wonders of the Engineering deck." He began to walk forward, but staying near enough to the group so that he could hear and be heard by them.

Devereux exchanged a quick glance with Elizabeth, whose answering look indicated that she was as surprised as Devereux by the Chief's behavior. The young lieutenant seemed on the verge of laughter and, Devereux had to admit to herself, so was she.

Adjusting her gait, Devereux moved herself toward the front of the group again, catching the end of Rusty's somewhat inflated description of the ship's capabilities. Devereux doubted that many of the delegates would know the difference, but the matter brought her thoughts and gaze back toward the Star Blood and his aides.