“Now wait just a minute!" John blurted out, remembering Alyssa's old job title.

“Uh-uh Commander!" Alyssa admonished him playfully, waving a finger from side to side.

“As your Executive Officer, I'm in charge of all recruitment."

John was about to speak again, but she cut off his forthcoming objection with a piercing gaze that startled him into silence.

“Second Lieutenant Fernandez here, graduated top of her Academy class, specialising in naval tactics," Alyssa said, before she turned to face Calara.

“Lieutenant, summarise your career for the Commander, please.”

“I joined the Terran Federation Navy at sixteen and spent two years at the Academy. My first posting was at Port Heracles, before I transferred to the Corvette Griffon," Calara informed him, standing at attention, while listing off the achievements and citations of her fledgling career.

"Besides," Alyssa continued, once Calara had finished.

“The Invictus has a lot of big guns. I don't know anything about ship to ship combat, do you?"

John paused, mulling this surprising turn of events over in his mind. He was a Marine at heart, specialised in ship boarding and infantry tactics. He realised he had subconsciously shied away from anything to do with the Invictus' gun batteries, feeling a little wary of their massive firepower. A Tactical officer could actually prove to be very useful, and he came to his decision quickly.

"Welcome aboard Lieutenant!" he said to Calara, snapping her a crisp salute, and then smiling at her warmly. The pretty Latina returned his salute, and then smiled back at him happily as she relaxed.

“Yay!!" Alyssa squealed, rushing forward to embrace her friend in a hug. Calara returned the beautiful blonde's enthusiastic embrace, wincing slightly at the sharp pain in her ribs.

“Oh, sorry!" Alyssa apologised, before quickly releasing her.

They walked over to the window overlooking the docking bay, which offered Calara her first view of her new home. The Assault Cruiser loomed in front of them, taking up most of the view, and Calara took in the intimidating sight of the many weapon banks bristling along the ship's hull.

"Oh yeah..." she said in a Low voice, her head nodding appreciatively, as her mouth formed a wide grin.

“Come on, Let's get you settled in. You're going to be so happy here, I promise!" Alyssa said eagerly.

The two girls strolled hand in hand towards the elevator that would take them down to the docking gantry, and John watched the departing eighteen year olds for a moment, before he moved forward to scoop up Calara's duffel bag. He carried it easily over one shoulder, and followed behind them to the Lift.

The elevator took a couple of seconds to take them down to the docking gantry, and then the trio walked briskly towards the towering hull of the Invictus. Alyssa pressed her hand against the DNA reader, and the airlock spiralled open for them welcomingly. They walked inside and headed up to the officer's quarters, while Calara recounted what had happened while John had gone back to the ship.

“So, after Alyssa offered me the job as Tactical Officer on board the Invictus, I called Commander Grant to request the transfer. He offered me an indefinite leave of absence!" she exclaimed, still shocked by how eager he had been to help.

“That means I can stay on the ship for as long as you guys want me here," she added with a happy sigh.

Alyssa grinned at John over the excited brunette's head as they walked along the corridor on Deck Two. He smiled back at her, both of them pleased to see Calara’s dramatically improved mood. They reached the end of the corridor, and Alyssa pressed the button on the door to the left of the Commander's room.

“Our room is just over here, so I'd Like you to have this one," Alyssa said, as the door to the officer's room swished opened quietly. "Then we'll be close by if you need anything," she added considerately.