In the following days there was much search for pieces of the shark to study. Rose and Liv worked long and hard on studying every bit brought to them. They logged information diligently. Their findings concluding that the shark was not a Meg after all, but a altered great white. Likely the result of all the pollution and toxins in the oceans. It was an evolved being, a genetic code just slightly off from a normal great white. In the flowing weeks, Rose and Liv finished their paper and readied it for publication. They reached out to several scientists, marine biologists, and museums to find out any information they could on Megs to compare with their findings. Their essay was published and they won a science award which they proudly displayed in their lab where all could see.

Lucas and Miguel worked on the Stingers, increasing their speed and power. Adding Nitrous to their systems would help them should they need to respond to an emergency or make a quick get away in a bad situation.

Rose and Liv's friendship grew, making their work relationship even better of a match. Captain Ford was proud of his new Science crew. The crew was running nearly as well as when he was a Commander back in the day and Kristin Westphalen was running the labs. As he sank into his chair at the end of the day Captain Ford decided to reach out to her. Calling her up on a video chat.

"Jonathan??? This is a surprise! How are you?" Her smile lit up the whole screen.

He nodded and smiled back. "I am tired, but I am well."

"What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to say, Thank you."

"For what?"

"For getting me to take your niece on! She has proven to be a great asset to the crew. I am grateful that you kept on me about it. I'm very proud of how she's running your old department. "

Kristin grinned,"I told you she would fill my space well!"

Jonathan chuckled, "You did, and I'm glad I listened to you. "

"Well, you were always a smart boy. I never doubted that you'd make the right choice. How is the rest of your crew getting on?"

"It was an adjustment with all the new staff, but we're making it work. We've survived our first mission. I think we'll be in good shape for future missions. I'm waiting to hear back from Admiral Sparks on our next mission, but it seems we're being added as a search and rescue ship after the business with the Aries."

"Admiral Sparks ? He's still around?

"Yes. Still in charge. At UEO Command."

"He's got to nearly be ready to retire! Goodness!"

"Oh He's hanging on. "Jonathan grinned.

"Well, I know you are strong enough to handle him. I'm awfully proud of you too. Just so you know. You've grown into a fine Captain. Rose has shared much with me. And I understand you will be performing a wedding ceremony in a few months..."

"Please tell me you're coming. "
"Darling boy, I wouldn't miss it for anything!" She smiled.

"Good. I should let you go. I just really wanted to thank you Kristin."

"Thank you for giving my niece a chance and a better home. I know she's safe when you are at the helm. And I understand that Lucas is quite protective. "

"Ahhh I think they are equally as protective. She keeps right on him!" He grinned.

"That is well. It is wonderful hearing from you. I'll see you at the wedding!"

"Good bye Kristin! Ford out!"

He shut down the holoprojector and swiveled around in his chair, looking at his quarters. It was time for bed and he was hoping the next day's briefing would take them on another adventure in the deep.

A few months later, the last minute preparations for the Harker/Wolenczak wedding were underway. They didn't want to wait as long as originally planned. Being madly in love with each other they only lasted a few months engaged. The feeling was right. So they had approached Captain Ford about being married. He happily agreed and they got Ben Krieg on the bandwagon with the planning. He got all the party supplies, the decorations, the Galley crew were in charge of the cake and reception dinner. Most of all. He called in some favors and got Rose dresses galore to choose from. She went with a smooth satin gown, not too poofy.

The day came, and Rose had chosen Liv to be her Maid of Honor and Derrick and Mitch's girlfriends were the rest of her bride's maids. They had chosen the science lab as their home base for getting ready as it was the only space large enough to accommodate all 4 women and all the beauty supplies needed to glam them up. Ben Krieg happened to have a sister that was a beautician, so he called in a favor with her and she was on board to get the women decked out. Lucas had chosen Miguel as his Best Man and of course Derrick and Mitch as the rest of his guys. They were getting ready down in Lucas's lab. Dress uniforms had been ironed, brass and shoes had been polished. The men looked dashing in their dress uniforms that only came out at special occasions. Lucas himself had taken care of the music for the ceremony he gave Ben the remote and guided him through it on a test run a few days before. Ben felt completely capable of handling the important task.

Captain Ford had taken great care of getting his dress uniform ready too. It wasn't every day he got to perform a wedding ceremony! He found himself to be nearly  as nervous as the soon to be married couple. Rising early, he rehearsed his part a couple more times and felt more confident as he looked into his mirror, being certain that his uniform was mint! Damn, he hadn't cleaned up this great in a long time! It was heartwarming to have such an important role in the lives of his crew, but he really had been touched when the Lieutenants came to him. Standing with his back and shoulders straight, he glanced one last time in the mirror and was very ready to go.