| Author | Message | ||
     Cmdr. J. Darek Smith |
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity." -Robert Heinlein Zunite followed Daren's arm to whom he was pointing. Somehow managing to glare down at Darek Smith, even though her head barely reached the top of his shoulders, Oswald pointed to the conference room and tersely command, "We need to talk, sir. Right now." Smith arched an eyebrow and smirked at the recently demoted lt. commander. Her young, pretty features were smudged with grime and wrinkled with anger. Her pale skin was flushed a bright pink as she barely contained her rage with the XO. The big man shook his head, brushing aside thoughts that had no place on the bridge of a starship. She might be attractive and firey, but he was her superior. He wouldn't allow himself to think that way. Smiling and waving a hand in the direction of the Deck Nine Conference Room just off the bridge, Smith allowed her to lead the way. As the doors shut behind him, the first officer thought he heard the sounds of several people laughing including Captain Daren and young Ensign D'Rall. Once inside the conference room, the very not happy engineer began. "First you bust me down, telling me MY insubordination could risk the lives on this ship - then, not even an hour later YOU almost destroy MY ship. Do you know how many power conduits now need to be replaced and realigned - at least 15 by early estimates - and that's not even mentioning the conduits and power cells that will need to be realigned, and the number your stunt did on the warp core. You're little maneuver has cost the engineering department 100s of man-hours, days of work. Which is expected in a battle - but normally accompanied by taking a hit from another ship. Don't you dare tell me about risking the lives of this crew when you almost destroy them and this ship trying to capture an enemy ship falling towards a planetary body. YOUR behavior - SIR - was an unacceptable risk." Pausing for a moment for breath, Zunite opened herself up for his rebuttal. Smith eyed her for a moment. He sighed. "Commander," he started slowly. "Commander, you have no idea. This - this war has to end. No matter the cost. That's the difference between what I do and what you do. When I risk lives, it's for a reason - victory over the Pfhor and freedom for these people. When you risk lives - hell, I have no idea why you do it. Maybe you just like being rebellious." Smith stared down at her. "Well, Ms. Oswald?" Defiantly, the young woman glared up at her superior officer. "I'd like to get back to my engines now. If that's all, Commander Smith, sir." His face looked like that of a disappointed father. "You're dismissed, Commander." Pulling out a padd and now mumbling quietly to herself about engineering matters, Zunite headed to the door of the conference room. As she left, Smith sat at the table, his joints aching. The past few days had been far too exciting for his tastes. Why he had agreed to become a full-blown command officer of the line instead of remaining with Intelligence, he would never know. Most of his crews had made life as an executive officer not too terrible. But that girl was going to drive him to drinking if she didn't shape up. With that thought, Smith moved to the replicator in the corner of the conference room and ordered himself a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Not as hard as he might have liked, but certainly it had its relaxing qualities.... -Aggie & Sonya Cmdr. J. Darek Smith, XO Lt. Cmdr. Zunite Oswald, CEO U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-97901 |