They stepped through the airlock and into the welcoming lounge.  James saluted the flag, then straightened automatically as he saw four officers waiting for them.  All four of them looked alarmingly dishevelled, as if they’d only just climbed out of their bunks.  They didn't seem to have much pride in themselves, he realised grimly, and yet there was something about them that kept him from dismissing them automatically.  He couldn't place his finger on it.

“Welcome aboard,” Smith said.  “Commander Fitzwilliam, please allow me to introduce Alan Anderson, Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Daniel Lightbridge, Helmsman, Lieutenant Commander Keith Farley, Tactical Officer and Midshipwoman Janelle Lopez.”

There was a long moment as they exchanged salutes.  James studied them, silently promising to read their files as soon as possible.  Anderson looked tough; his left arm had been replaced with a metallic prosthetic that made no attempt to pass for natural flesh and blood.  Like most senior engineering crew, James knew, he would have spent most of his career on Ark Royal, working his way up the ranks to Chief Engineer.  Chances were that he wouldn't have a hope of another posting, even if Ark Royal were to be permanently decommissioned.  His experience would be years out of date.

Lightbridge was a tall black man, his bald head gleaming in the cold light from overhead.  He held himself so still that it seemed almost unnatural, although there was a hint of easy competence in his stance.  All helmsmen, at least in James’s experience, resented not being starfighter pilots and tended to put their ships through exaggerated manoeuvres purely to prove they could.  Ark Royal probably wouldn't be able to tolerate it, he guessed, making another mental note to check the files.  Just who had Lightbridge pissed off to be posted to the ancient carrier?

Keith Farley, by contrast, seemed permanently uncertain of his capabilities.  The name was oddly familiar, but it took James several moments to remember a naval bulletin that had named and shamed an officer who’d managed to ram an asteroid, a feat that should have been impossible.  No doubt part of the story had been missing, he decided, as he eyed Farley carefully.  He should have been kicked out of the navy if he'd actually rammed an asteroid.

Midshipwomen Lopez was a surprise.  She was tall and slim, with a dark complexion and long dark hair that fell down her back.  Naval uniforms were  far from flattering, but James couldn't help noticing the swell of her breasts and the shape of her hips.  What was she doing on the ship?  James wondered, sourly, if she was having a relationship with one of the other crewmen.  Being assigned to Ark Royal was career death, to all intents and purposes.  The thought made him scowl, bitterly.  His own career might have been killed ... and he'd done it to himself.

“You can meet everyone formally later,” Smith said.  He raised his voice, addressing his officers.  “Briefing Room A, ten minutes.”