There was the feeling of excitement in the SeaQuest as more and more crew started to arrive. The energy buzzed everywhere as more staff came back to their departments. Rose was excited to get to her labs to see what equipment she had. When she woke she found a message from Lucas.

I'll be at the mess hall at 8 if you'd like to join me. 

Rose grinned. How could she not want to meet up with him? She hurried her shower and dressed in her new uniform jumpsuit with the SeaQuest logo on it. She felt professional now. Having to use the electronic map she made her way to the Mess hall. Scanning the room she finally saw Lucas. Her cheeks flushed just a little, she couldn't help it. She'd been thinking about him ever since he'd left her quarters. Lucas happened to look up and caught her eye. Both of them grinned at the same moment. Rose grabbed a seat across from him.

" Good morning!" She said, her eyes full of life.

" Hey, how was your  night?"

" Umm kind of amazing! I have to confess, I haven't been able to get you off my mind. Oh, and then I talked with aunt Kristen before I went to sleep. She asked me to tell you hello."

Lucas smiled thoughtfully," Awe, that's nice. How is she?"

" She's great! Still loving retirement of course, but still a pretty busy lady."

" That's great! Hey, we should go get some food before the good stuff is gone. There's a lot more crew this morning. Looks like we're definitely closer to being back in the ocean." Lucas suggested.

" I'm looking forward to the meeting with the Captain. "

" Yeah, me too. I think he's got important things to tell us."

" I am sure!"

Together they hurried to get trays of breakfast. Rose grabbed eggs, a bowl of fruit and sausage links. Lucas went for eggs and bacon and a banana. They both grabbed coffee mugs and topped them off with the steaming java. Just as they finished up they were greeted by Derrick and Mitch.

" Hey guys! Fancy meeting you here!" Mitch's deep voice boomed.

" Good morning!" Rose said cheerfully.

" Hey!" Lucas chimed in.

" Good morning guys!" Derrick grinned.

" We'll grab a table for us all." Rose said.

" Thanks Red!" Mitch said.

Derrick and Mitch hurried to grab their grub and made their way over to the table that Rose picked.

Gnawing on a croissant, Mitch looked up, then spoke." So, didn't see too much of you guys after dinner. Get settled in Rose?"

" Yep. I didn't really bring very much. But I'm thrilled that Lucas taught me how to use the equipment in my quarters."

Derrick sputtered, his eyes getting big as his mind went right into the gutter." Is that what they're calling it these days?" He laughed, dimples flashing.

Rose grinned. " Oh! Funny guy! " she couldn't help but think of Lucas and her kissing. Her cheeks burned. She always hated how quickly she blushed.

" Dude, come on. You know I'm a gentleman..." Lucas raised an eyebrow.

Derrick nodded. " Too true, you're a better man than us."

" Any way, so you guys ready for the meeting with Captain Ford?" Mitch asked trying to change the subject.

" Yeah. We were just talking about it before you hooligans showed up." Lucas said.

" I'm very excited. I really look forward to going out on my first mission." Rose said.

" Ah, ready to get your feet wet huh?" Mitch asked.

" You bet!" She was completely enthused about it. Who knew where the UEO would be sending them? So much of the oceans had been unexplored as of yet. There was no telling where they could go.

The group ate breakfast and chatted until it was time to start their shifts. Finally it came time for the meeting. Captain Ford made an announcement.

" Attention crew. This is Captain Ford, I need all officers to report to the conference room for our meeting. I repeat all officers  report to the conference room for our meeting post haste." Captain Ford was firm in his ways, but always fair.

All the Officers crammed into the conference room. It was a tight squeeze but they managed.
The Captain looked at his crew. And called off his roster to make sure all were present. Every person was there that was necessary.

" Good morning everyone! So I'm sure you noticed we are getting more crew back on board. I have some good news. Repairs are nearly done and we are actually ahead of schedule to get back in the water. That being said, I have orders from U.E.O. for our next mission once we leave dry dock." Captain Ford looked all around the room. " The UEO has received a request for help investigating the waters off the Asian coast's. It has been reported that a massive shark has been seen and that several whale carcasses have washed up on shores with bites larger than a great white." There were several gasps heard around the room. Then Lucas raised his hand to ask a question. Captain Ford nodded. " Yes Lucas?"

" Sir, they aren't thinking Megalodon....?" Lucas was filled with disbelief.

" It is unconfirmed at this time. Whatever it is, it is definitely not your average Great White. The diameter of the bite has been confirmed as far larger, but smaller than that of old records of Megalodon. So, our mission is taking us to Asian waters to try and have a sighting of this creature, studying it, perhaps having to contain it if necessary. The fact is, our oceans ecosystem, as fragile as it is these days can not support such a large predator. Let alone the safety of people and other research vessels and ocean clean up crews that are potentially in danger as well. We are being asked to try and study it, definitely get a tracker on it, but we may have to make a decision to euthanize it, depending on what UEO decides after our reports. I'm not one that enjoys that thought. But safety is our main concern. We were scheduled to leave next Friday. Guys, we have been bumped up to Tuesday. Repairs have come together very well, we made several upgrades as well. The rest of the internal repairs that are left will finish up once we're back out to sea. The rest of the crew will be here in the next two days. We will be fully staffed once again. I don't know about you all, but I'm ready to get back out there. So let's buckle down and finish up and get back out there. Get settled in guys. Welcome home. Have a good day. I'll be around to visit every department today to see where we're at. See you all soon. You are dismissed." Jonathan Ford watched his crew of officers as they exited the room, he was filled with pride.

Everyone scattered to their respective departments.  Rose was ready to dig in to her lab. She'd wanted to make sure she understood the layout of her equipment. It still took her some time to find her labs in the labyrinth of corridors and hatches. She did make it though and as she walked in she was met by a short , slender redhead.

" Um, hi!" Rose said shyly. " I didn't know anyone would be here."

" Hi! I'm. Ensign Olivia Lynch. I'm Lieutenant Harker's assistant. Hope I didn't startle you." She gave a side grin.

" Whoa! No shit? I get an assistant? They didn't inform me of that! I'm Lieutenant Rose Harker. Nice to meet ya!" Rose shook Olivia's hand.

" Yep, I'm all yours!"

" Wow. I really was not expecting this. Well gee, have you worked here? Or are you new like me?"

" I'm new. I have a degree in Marine Biology  and I have some medical training, I used to be an EMT until I was shot at once in a sketchy neighborhood. I decided then and there to get my ass to college and find a safer job."

" Dang! I think that would make me change my mind about that life too! I also have a degree in Marine Biology. I was working at a huge Aquarium in Florida. But my Aunt Kristen heard of an opening here and helped me get an interview with Captain Ford. So, here I am." Rose shrugged.

" Nice! So. Boss. Uh. Lieutenant...uh, what should I call you?" Olivia asked.

" I guess Lieutenant is the official. But I hate such formality. So how about when there's important people around we go official, and when it's just us, how about we use our actual names?"

" Sounds good! I can do professional when necessary."

" Great! Well, I was just wanted get myself acquainted with the lab. Learn the layout. Maybe take inventory so I have an idea of what we have for resources around here."

" Cool, let's learn together. "

" Sounds like a plan." Rose looked around their lab. " Man. This place is great. Let's just start on one side of the room and work our way around."

It was several hours the women spent logging inventory and checking equipment, even doing test runs on a few machines. They ate lunch together and much later in the day Captain Ford came by for his visit and status report.

" Ah! Lieutenant, Ensign. Hard at work! That's what I like to see! What are you working on?"

" Well, as we're both new here, we are learning our way around together. Also taking inventory. I want to know our resources. Captain. This equipment is great! I feel very privileged Sir."

" Well I feel privileged to have You here in your Aunt's old lab. We did need to upgrade some things, so you have lots of new toys for your work."

" I think we both look forward to it Sir." Rose said.

" I wanted to see if you've settled in. Looks like you're getting a handle on things. What I need from you is to help us come up with a solid plan should we actually encounter this creature. I will be available for any questions just call me on the com and we'll get together if I can help. In the next two days I want your plan ready, and then we'll meet with Admiral Sparks for a video Conference and then we'll go from there. Once we have a plan in place you'll present it at a meeting. I hope public speaking doesn't bother you too much." He grinned.

" Not really. I am sure it'll be fine. " Rose grinned.

" Great. Well, I need to move on to Engineering. Ladies, welcome to the SeaQuest. I truly look forward to working with you."

" Thank you Captain!" Both women answered.

" I'll talk to you later." Captain Ford exited the room.

" This is exciting. So once we are done with inventory let's brainstorm this plan. Maybe start an outline. Then we can fine tune it tomorrow." Rose suggested.

" Excellent."

The women finished inventory then they pulled out tablets to create a plan. Working well into the evening. It took Lucas stopping by to get them to decide to shut it down for the night. They all went to get some dinner in the Mess hall and catch up on their day.