Due to a Temporal displacement Captain Masterson emerged from a Wormhole to the Year 2370. Being 162 years out of their own time, most of the crew of the U.S.S. Republic retired. Captain Masterson met his wife Mirial in 2371 and their son Richard Victor Masterson was born in 2374. At the Age of 32, "Rich" as he was called by his father, entered into Star Fleet Academy. During this turbulant time, Rich caught the eye of qutie a few officers, one being Captain Masc Taggart. On the eve of their training cruise he was informed that he was being assigned as first officer for the journey.