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Lira Toket eyed the panel in front of her distastefully. Her shift was only half over, and it seemed to be dragging on interminably. She didn't particularly want to be here--every other department had four days' shore leave. Every department, of course, except engineering. And somehow, she knew it was Pointy Ears' fault. It would be typical of that sourpuss to ruin her shore leave.
"Just because she has no friends and no life to speak of outside of her office, doesn't mean we're as pathetic as she is." she muttered sullenly.
The technician next to her glanced up disinterestedly at her remark and shrugged. "It's only one shift a day."
"Yeah, a shift I could be spending shopping on the promenade." she retorted as she peered into an open panel, searching for an exposed circuit board.
"I still can't figure out how I got stuck working under her. Maybe I should transfer." she continued.
The technician beside her had quieted suddenly and Lira glanced curiously in his direction. Her face fell as she made eye contact with the bane of her existence, who stood a mere five feet away. The green flush to Rhianna Jorrell's cheeks indicated she had heard most, if not all, of the conversation.
Lira groaned inwardly. *Not again. The woman is everwhere.*
Before she could speak, Rhianna stalked away from her, heading towards the center of the room.
"Everyone stop what you're doing." she commanded.
Immediately,the soft murmered conversations faltered and faded away. Tools were set on the floor, bodies straightened up, and a cluster of warily apprehensive faces offered her thier collective attention.
"I know the past weeks and months working for me have been difficult for most of you. I can be demanding, I'll admit, but I expect no more than what I feel you have within you to give. My personality and leadership style may not suit you, but that's your problem, not mine. I didn't come here to make friends with you. My concern is to run a department we can all be proud of." She paused to gauge thier reaction. Aside from a few uneasy faces, the majority of her staff appeared to be indifferent, concealing any animosity she knew they must feel. Except for Lira Toket. As usual. Her feelings were clearly displayed on her face. As usual.
"If that's not your objective as well, you are free to leave. I understand Starfleet is currently allowing for reassignments. If you havent already done so, feel free to put in a request. Some of you resent my presence, " she paused, looking directly at Lira, the Bajoran's eyes chips of blue ice, and continued, "and you have made that clear. I admit I did not request to be posted here. In fact, I had no particular desire to be Prometheus' CEO but my preferences werent taken into account. Nor was i given the option of choosing my staff. I want it to be clear to you all that just as you didn't choose me, I didnt choose you." she said harshly, knowing she was being unfair, but past the point of caring.
She had suppressed her resentment of the clear preference the others had shown Ari Denyri from the beginning. But now the floodgates had opened.
"If you cant tolerate my presence, it will be a long tour of duty for all of us. If you're disappointed and unhappy working here, deal with it. Or go elsewhere. Is that clear?" she said bluntly. The hostility level had markedly risen as apprehensive faces became sullen and angry, but Rhianna was past the point of caring.
When noone spoke up, she smiled, her expression bitter. "Good. Thank you for your time. Dont let me keep you further from your work."
The crowd parted instantly as she made her way to her office, not bothering to glance behind. Ari Denyri leaned against her door, arms tightly folded across his chest. As she approached, he moved as if to intercept her, silent, but his eyes conveyed his disapproval.
Before he could speak, she shouldered past him. "Not now, Ari." she said quietly, barely acknowledging his presence.
At the entrance to main engineering, Mark O'Conner winced as she slammed the door shut behind her. His eyes briefly met those of Ari Denyri but the other man did not approach. Troubled, he stepped back into the corridor, unwilling to intrude but disturbed at what he had witnessed.
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"What are you doing?"
Daniel Ryan, startled by the unexpected voice. winced as his forehead made contact with the underside of his desk. Rubbing the lump that would undoubtedly form shortly, he crawled out from beneath the desk, frowning. One glance at the intruder, however, and he felt himself turning pink with embarrassment. Ariada D'all regarded him gravely from above, the slight twinkle in her grey eyes hinting at the laughter she was obviously suppressing.
He struggled to a standing position, tugged at his blue tunic in a feeble attempt to brush off the dust, and promptly sneezed.
"You startled me." he said unnecessarily.
"I can see that." Ariada replied, the corners of her mouth turned slightly upward.
"What are you doing here anyway? I thought everyone was going shopping or bar hopping or something equally exciting on the starbase."
"We are. We were hoping you'd come too. Everyone sent me up to fetch you."
She smiled.
His face turned even pinker in response.
"I've got a lot of things to do." he said lamely.
"Like what? Crawl around on the floor? What were you doing under your desk anyway?"
"It squeaks when you lean on it. I was trying to fix it." was the indignant reply.
"Sounds exciting. If that's why you're busy, you're definately coming with me."
"I'm a department head, Ariada. There's all sorts of paperwork to do..."
"We wont keep you out too long." she interrupted. "Please?"
"Alright." Daniel half heartedly agreeed, unable to refuse her when she looked at him THAT way.
Delighted, Ariada snatched his hand and pulled him towards the door.
"Come on. Everyone's waiting at the turbolift. Impatiently."
************
Mark still didnt understand how he had endd up in Rear Admiral Powers' waiting room. He had been standing outside a holo-vid shop on the third tier of the promenade when it had happened. Two men had slipped in on either side of him and quietly informed him that the Rear Admiral would like to speak to him. Within moments, they had discreetly escorted him to this spacious office, and had promptly abandoned him there. For the past forty five minutes, he had been sitting in silence with the Rear Admiral's secretary, who glared at him forbiddingly from behind thick glasses evry time he tried to speak.
Covertly glancing at his chronometer, he sighed with impatience. He was wasting precious moments of shore leave as he waited to be shown into the inner sanctum. However, as the secretary had been quick to point out, the Rear Admiral was a busy man.
He had been uneasy when he had been informed of the unusual summons, wondering if he had done something wrong. Briefly, he had thought Colin Becker might have filed a complaint against him. However, he quickly berated himself for his self importance, realizing a rear admiral would never deign to interven in something as petty or as personal as that. It had to be something else. But for the life of him, Mark couldn't imagine what that might be.
For twenty minutes more, he restlessly waited, and then the eyes behind the thick glasses focused on him once more. Frowning at him, the secretary motioned to the door behind her.
"The Rear Admiral will see you now."
*It's about time.*
Aloud, he murmured acknowledgement and crossed the floor, entering the inner office with undisguised curiosity.
"Commander O'Conner. Thank you for coming on such short notice. Please. Sit down."
Mark took an immediate dislike to the man seated behind the expensive laquered desk. Rear Admiral Powers was a large man, with a florid complexion, thinning white hair, watery eyes, and a smile that wasnt even remotely genuine. The benign expression on his face didnt fool Mark----Powers wanted something from him.
Warily, he acdcepted the proferred seat across from him, his own features carefully arranged in a polite mask that betrayed none of his inner thoughts.
"I am sure you are wondering why you are here." Powers remarked pleasantly.
"I am curious." Mark admitted.
Powers leaned forward. "then let me cut to the chase. I have been following the adventures of the USS Prometheus quite avidly." he said mildly. "You've had a lot of excitement in a short period of time."
"Yes, sir." Mark agreed, carefully. "It does appear that way."
Powers' features hardened slightly as he continued. "I've been perusing both the captain and first officer's logs as well. It's interesting reading."
Powers leaned back in his seat casually and smiled. "You and Captain Becker dont seem to agree on many things."
"No sir. " Mark responded evenly. "We don't."
"It must be frustrating."
Mark waited a moment before replying. "At times, yes."
Powers attempt at empathy and understanding had the opposite effect, yet Mark remained expressionless.
"I'll be honest with you , Commander. And in return, I hope you'll be honest with me." Powers began. "I was against offering Captain Becker command of Prometheus. I feel he is unpredictable at best, and I am not very confident in his ability to handle stress and remain psychologically stable under pressure. Not after what the Iridan did to him. Unfortunately, the selection committee didnt agree with me." he said ruefully, still smiling.
The smile faded as he locked gazes with Mark. "But something tells me you do."
"I dont see how my opinion is relevant,sir." Mark said quietly.
"There are others who feel as we do, Commander." Powers said suddenly. "They're watching as well. and for the sake of Prometheus' crew and the Federation, it would be dangerous to allow an unfit Captain to retain command. I trust you agree?"
"I dont know that Captain Becker is unfit." Mark said calmly, his eyes hooded.
"Yet your CMO almost relieved him of duty. I read her log. Very carefully. I've noted your doubts as well." Powers pointed out.
Mark nodded. "True. Captain Becker and I have....an almost constant difference of opinion. On everything. But that doesnt make him unfit."
Powell smiled again. "Youre correct, Commander. Perhaps you can clear up a few things for me, then."
"I'll do my best, sir."
"In the Mavaki sector, you met a Klingon ship. With hostile intentions if I am correct. Yet Captain Becker chose to lower the shields and place Prometheus at the Klingon commander's mercy. Is that correct?"
"Yes,sir. But Captain Becker apparently knew the Klingon commnder and had already anticipated his actions." Mark explained.
"Yet, you must have been concerned." Powers protested.
"I was." he agreed.
"And later on, on a routine planetary survey mission, Captain Becker began hearing voices. Without explanation, he abandoned an away team to return to the planet Aries."
"I wouldnt use the word abandoned." Mark surprised even himself as the words came out. He agreed with Powers, whole heartedly---the rear admiral was voicing all the concerns he'd had since the beginning. Yet, here he was defending a captain he didnt even like.
"I was under the impression you disagreed with his course of action."
"I did. I still do."
Powers appeared relieved by his answer, relaxing his shoulders slightly. "And i believe he sent Prometheus into Aries' atmosphere against your objections and that of the bridge crew."
"That's his perogative as captain." He couldnt resist adding, "His actions returned a sentient being to its home."
Again, Mark surprised himself. Although a reluctant defender of his enigmatic captain, something prevented him from accepting Powers' unspoken invitation to condemn him.
"His command style, so different from yours, must bother you." Powers persisted.
"It does." Mark once more readily agreed. "I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not sure how I can help you. It is my job as first officer to protect my Captain and my ship, but Captain Becker is the ultimate authority onboard Prometheus. Regardless of my opinion on the manner in which he conducts himself or directs his crew. We agree to disagree."
"Of course." Powers nodded understandingly. "Have you thought about transferring? Evidently, over a quarter of the crew has."
Mark shrugged. "I havent decided yet. The thought has crossed my mind."
"You know, Commander, I've done many things in my day. There are plenty of favors I can call in, strings I can pull. I can help you get an XO position on one of the best ships in the fleet. Maybe even the flagship."
"That would be very generous." Mark said warily. "What would I have to do in return?"
"Nothing you haven't already been doing. Just watch Captain Becker carefully and note any concerns you may have. And perhaps, sometime in the near future, be prepared to testify on your observations and opinions in a JAG court. If it comes to that, of course."
After a long silence, Mark spoke. "I'd need to think about it."
"Of course." Powers readily agreed. "Why dont you sleep on it? We can meet tomorrow. Around noon?"
"Alright, sir." Mark replied.
"Excellent. I'll look forward to your decision tomorrow."
***************
The insistent buzz of the door chime reluctantly pulled Turek's concentration from the tightly focused point of calm and tranquility that he had been trying to attain all evening. Trying and failing. He emerged from his meditations, unclasping his hands, and extricating himself from the cross legged position he had held for several hours.
"Enter." he called.
The figure that loomed in the doorway was the last person Turek felt like seeing at that moment. But he wasn't annoyed. It wasnt logical to be annoyed at the Klingon woman who had interrupted his meditations and now stood scowling down at him.
"I have been waiting in Holodeck 2 for fifteen minutes. You have forgotten." she accused him. The Klingon was referring to thier standing appointment to spar, daily, at 2100 hours.
"I have not." Turek replied, more sharply than he had intended. "I was---delayed."
Seyla blinked in surprise at his tone. "You are angry." she said unnecessarily.
"You are incorrect. I do not get angry." Turek replied in a much calmer tone.
Seyla regarded him skeptically. Clearly, she had her doubts.
"Are you ready now?" she demanded.
A muscle twiched in his jaw, the only sign of distress in his otherwise stoic expression. "I regret I cannot join you this evening. The volume of administrative work I must complete tonight is greater than I anticipated."
"Do you require assistance?"
Turek shook his head. "I do not."
"Very well." she shrugged and turned to go. "Tomorrow night, then?"
"Agreed."
Seyla shrugged again and left Turek's quarters. Something was obviously bothering the Vulcan. If he didnt choose to share it, it was none of her concern.
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