Editing Roderick J. McDermott (section)

==Second Assignment: USS Hera NCC-63235==

McDermott was assigned to the USS Hera as its Assistant Chief Science Officer.

While on the Hera, McDermott was promoted to full Lieutenant and Lt. Commander. Upon his transfer he was the Chief Science officer.

As with the Triton the Hera was primarily a science vessel and her mission profile was one of exploration and discovery. During this time period the Hera was heavily involved in studying a number of star systems near the Bajoran system that appeared to have once been inhabited. At the time there was speculation that these civilizations might have actually been Bajoran. It is a mystery that still persists to this day. 

It was also during this time that McDermott was reunited with an old friend from his Academy days, Stanford A. Evers. Evers had been two years behind McDermott at the Academy but that fact did not prevent them from becoming life long friends. 

Also during this time period McDermott saw combat for the first time as during the course of her research the Hera was attacked by a Cardassian Keldon class Warship. After a grueling battle in which both vessels were battered to shattered wrecks floating in space, the Cardassian’s attempted to board and capture the Hera.

With the Chief Tactical officer and First Officer dead, McDermott helped lead the defense of the ship defeating the invaders and capturing the survivors. For his actions in defending the ship McDermott was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon.

Despite having won the battle the Hera was simply too badly damaged to be returned to service. After being towed back to Terra she was decommissioned and scrapped. 

[[image:neb.jpg|thumb|right|'''USS Hera NCC-63235''']]