Cate was entranced ... with the hologram ... with every word about the modifications made to the<em>McNair</em>.  It was incredible, and far better than she'd even realized or been privied to.  Experimental and state of the art didn't even begin to describe it.  Her wide eyes nearly glittered as she studied the hologram, leaning into the table as close as she could get and perching on the edge of her seat, completely oblivious to how it may appear to those far more used to these types of briefings.<br/><br/>Inside her chest her heart began pumping a bit faster just thinking about sliding into that helm seat.  The adrenaline rush from imagining it alone was intoxicating, let alone when it actually came time.  A shiver took hold of her body and she resisted the urge to bounce around in her chair like a child asking repeatedly 'How long till I get to fly it?!  Howlonghowlonghowlong?!'  Gripping the edge of the table and quietly clearing her throat she composed herself, at least a bit, straightening up once more and reminding herself of her age.<br/><br/>Ensign Cassidy was by no means an engineer but she did understand the majority of what Lieutenant McGalleon had explained with restrained glee.  Understanding and translating it in your mind to exactly what it meant in practical application were two different things.  Cate would only fully grasp it once she was flying and utilizing the ship to its full capacity.  In her opinion that was a far better way to learn anyway, and certainly more fun.  Specifics of how and why she didn't know, but she did know power when she heard it.  Power, speed ... plenty of brand new shiny buttons, switches, and toggles to play with!<br/><br/>Panic or nervousness didn't even enter into her consciousness, the excitement she felt was far too palpable.  Heavy defenses, sure, she got it, but all that meant was they were prepared for whatever beating was dished out, right?  Of course right!  If Cate could have thought out in detail her dream ship the modifications would most likely have not even come close.  Then again, that's why she was a pilot, she wanted to wield the power, far more than fix, configure, create, and keep it running.  That was what the good ole Chief of Engineering was for, and bless him he had to have been a bloody genius!