San Diego, an aircraft carrier is docked inside the harbor. On the deck of the ship, a male St. Bernard Cano-Sapien, dressed in a navy uniform, but with the symbol of the Road Rovers on his shirt, walks out of the ships island and comes up to a podium. A female border collie steps up to him and salutes.

"Good morning sir. Emerald, first officer, reporting.

He returns the salute.

"As you were Miss Emerald."

"The crew is ready to recieve you sir."

"Thank you commander."

He looks away from Emerald and toward the flight deck, where an all crew of sapiens awaits him in standard formation.

"Ladies and gentledogs, I am Bowser, your commanding officer. This is an historic moment in the history of the any navy. You are the first all sapien crew aboard any ship. Despite the black cloud that began this ship's career, we are going to make the U.S.S. Retriever the finest ship on the high seas since the launching of the first true carrier, the U.S.S. Langley. As this ship's motto claims, we will protect the innocent from evil. Treat her well, and she will treat you well. To The Power Of The Pack!"

Every crew member raises a fist and shouts.

"TO THE POWER OF THE PACK!!!! ARRROOOOOOOO!!!"

"Commanding officers, assemble in the conference room" says Emerald "The rest of you, head for you posts, and good luck."

*****

Conference room. A long table dominates the room, along the back wall a painting of the Retriever hangs, on the far wall a model of the ship and on the other portholes. Captain Bowser takes another podium behind the model and addresses his officers.

"By order of the joint chiefs of the United States of America you are hearby requested and required to take command of the U.S.S. Retriever, signed Admiral Howard Adams, United States Navy."

He turns to the others.

"Welcome aboard all of you. So let's get on with the introductions. Please stand as Commander Emerald reads off your names."

"Navigator Mauser."

A male German shepherd stands.

"Chief Engineer Rusty."

A male Scottish Terrier stands.

"Chief Medical officer Bandage." Female Jack Russell

"Flight Commander Turbulence" Male Rottwieler

"Air Operations, Santiago" Female Afghan

"Naval Operations, Chucky" Male Cocker Spaniel

"Strategic Operations, Firebird" Male Chihuahua

"Missile Room commander, Jocky" Male Doberman

"Mini-sub dock commander, Slide" Female Chow

"Communications officer, Winston" Male Bulldog

"Now here's an interesting addition." says Emerald "Chief Sonar/Radar operator, Bengal. A lion/smiledon cross."

"Smile-what?" says Bowser.

Bengal stands. He looks like an average lion but with a slight mane; pulled back into a ponytail; with the paws, head and large sabre's protruding from his mouth, of a smiledon.

"Sabertooth cat." says Bengal "I'm an experiment of General Parvo's. Fortunatly for all of you, I defected to the Rover's side.

"Will you look at the size of those paws!" says Mauser

"Where did Parvo get his hands on Smiledon DNA?" says Bandage.

Bengal shrugs.

"Don't know. Just be glad I'm your side now." says Bengal who smiles, showing more teeth.

"Trust me, lad, we are." says Rusty

"Right." says Bowser "Commander."

"Uh, yes sir. Air boss, Taiko." Male Akita

"Squadron commander, Maverick" Male Chow

"Chief Helicopter pilot, Tailspin" Male Beagle

"Marine Corps detachment Lieutenant Tex McCoy."

"1st Sargeant T-Bone" Male Bobcat

"And Corporal Cobalt" Female Husky.

"Welcome aboard gentlemen." says Bowser "As I understand it your the first sapiens to graduate from the U.S. Marine Corps academy, am I right?"

"Yes sir." says T-Bone "We will serve this ship with pride."

"I have no doubt. Is that everyone?"

"Uh, one more sir" says Emerald "He should be here."

As if on cue a fat male bulldog wearing a greasy cook's apron walks in.

"Chief cook Viking reporting for duty cap'm."

"A little late aren't you Mr. Viking?" says Bowser

"Well I had to supervise the meals currently being made. Do you mind if I say something sir?"

"Please."

"I only have one rule: stay out of my kitchen!"

This produces some chuckles.

"We'll try to remember that." says Bowser "So then, commander, shall we get under way?"

"Give the word sir."

"You have it."

*****

Bridge. Crewmembers are doing last minute work as Captain Bowser walks in.

"Attention on deck!"

Thay all come to attention.

"As you were. Commander, what say we get this show on the road."

"With pleasure sir. Mr. Mauser, course set?"

"Set ma'am."

"Take us out."

The U.S.S. Retriever glides out of San Diego harbor to join the other ships of her line into the pages of history.

The End