Musings..

Gould walked around room meeting everyone he could, he was still a relative new comer to Lotus Fleet after all and didn't know vary many of the other officers personally.

Although not assigned to a ship at the moment both he and Vincent remained in contact awaiting their orders, and he expected that Vincent would show sooner than later.

As Gould passed the ship display he paused to look over both the Lotus and the Artemis, two ships he would likely never forget and held his glass out as a small salute of respect.

His eyes then moved over the newest flagship to be introduced into Lotus fleet, and noted to his own personal opinion it was much better suited for the job than the Lotus, not that she didn't have her charms the Lotus but the flagship needed to make a statement, it needed to stand out and if need be put fear into the heart of a enemy, at the vary least make them worry a bit.

He mused for a second longer than wondered back into the crowd and smiled as he saw Kheren and his wives all walking together.. He'd never seen a man look so reluctantly smug.

Lt. Vincent paused and looked at the assembled officers as he stepped into the banquet hall. Among the crowd he saw the impressive figure of the former Artemis's captain and his wives, Captain Jureth, Josh's former crewmate from the Alsea, and his captain. Gould was just walking away from the fleet's ships displayed on the wall, so Josh began heading for him.

"She was a good ship, Captain," Josh said as he walked up to Gould's side. "It's a shame that she's being decommissioned, but she served us well. Have you heard anything about your new orders?"

Gould cocked his head in Josh's direction and gave him a little smile. "Actually Vincent, I've decided to go a different rout." He said with an almost apologetic look. "Admiral Stockner contacted me and offered me a position back with my old fleet near Star Base 42, but this time he upped the annie by offering me my choice of commands." He took a brink before going on.

"To be honest Josh, I never felt like I belonged in Lotus Fleet. Oh, their a good bunch of people but the command style is just to erratic for me, I like to do things that make sense.. guess its just the engineer in me." Then looked at Vincent "Your a fine officer Vincent, I don't suppose there's any way I could talk you into coming along for the ride?" It was hard to tell if he was serious or just wanted to see what Josh might say.

"I'm sorry to hear that you'll be leaving sir, but I'm glad that things are going to work out for you. Thanks for the offer to join you, but this is the first fleet that I've actually belonged to, so I think I'm going to hang around for awhile," Josh replied. "After years of bouncing around the quadrant with Starfleet Intelligence, it is really nice to know that people have my back here. I like being able to form real relationships now, and I don't want to lose the ones that I've started here."

Gould gave a chuckle "Don't blame you one bit,  that's why I'm going back after all. Still, never hurts to ask.."  he held up his glass to Vincent and clinked them.

The truth was he'd gown fond of his chief of security, to an almost unprofessional level.

'Best to leave some things unsaid' he mused again. smiling at Vincent's handsome face. "Lets go mingle, see if I can heap any praise on you before I go."

Josh smiled at his captain as he said, "That sounds great to me sir."

With that, the two officers of the now retired USS Lotus moved into the crowd and mingled with their fellow Lotus Fleet officers.