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1. [USS Capricorn] Obstinate Cheng
From: "Rob" <xagnut@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 18:31:17 -0500
From: "Rob" <xagnut@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS Capricorn] Obstinate Cheng
MD 2 : 1642
"Anything else?" The Cheng surveyed her staff.
A'kora and the senior engineering staff of the Capricorn were gathered
around a small conference table for the "end of the day" meeting.
Humans
and humanoids liked meetings. Morning meetings to set the day's
schedule,
midday meetings for status updates and end of day meetings to discuss
what
was done and what still needed doing.
Given her own choice, the Cheng would have preferred to skip these
ritual
conferences. Computer messages and work logs were a far more efficient
means of communication but she had long ago learned that few species
other
than Vulcans were capable of forgoing the ritual of periodic meetings.
Even
Romulans had the habit of these discussions, though their purpose was
to
establish dominance as often as it was for disseminating instructions.
Human meetings could be that way as well, though Starfleet had fewer
turf
wars and no one ever actually lost blood in the outcome.
"Well there is the matter of pruning engineering." Ensign Shanto spoke
up.
"Pruning?" A'kora asked, arching one eyebrow and leveling a sharp look
at
the young Bajoran officer. "I was not aware that beautifying the
arboretum
was part of your duties. Perhaps there is something about maintaining
the
integrity of the data banks that I have yet to learn?"
"Well. uuhh.." He stammered.
"What he means, Ma'am, is that the other divisions on the ship are in
the
process of removing all green from their areas." Senior Chief
Sabbatini
stepped in to save the Ensign.
"For what purpose?" A'kora asked politely, leaning forwards and
folding her
hands together on the table before her.
"It was the Captain's order." Ensign Shanto spoke again. Sabbatini
rolled
his eyes and let the young officer have the spotlight again.
"Truly?" A'kora asked. "I thought such an absurd order must certainly
be."
She turned to the Senior Chief. ".what is the term you humans use?
Prank?
Is there not an annual human custom associated with the cessation of
winter
that calls for the 'fooling' of other persons?"
"Ummm." The Bajoran looked around the table. "A prank?"
"Yes." A'kora responded. "A joke."
"I don't think it was a joke, Ma'am." He shifted uncomfortably in his
chair. "The rest of the ship seems to be taking it seriously. I mean,
I
don't know much about human religious customs but the Ferran visitors."
"Ah. The Ferrans."
A'kora's eyes gleamed as she cut him off. She had actually been
expecting
someone to question her on this subject sooner. The crew was still too
uncertain of the new Chief Engineering Officer and her not completely
Vulcan
mannerisms to openly question her. It was illogical of A'kora to find
amusement at their discomfort but she found it entertaining none the
less.
And they would have to learn to risk angering her when they thought
something was amiss. A'kora had no tolerance for toadies and even less
for
officers who were too fearful of a little anger to speak their mind.
Ensign
Shanto didn't know it, but he had just become the Cheng's favorite
subordinate.
Not that she was not going to let him know, or make it any easier for
him.
"The Ferengi forbid their women from walking about while wearing
clothing."
A'kora let her tone of voice take on a matter of a lecture. "They find
it
disgusting that other races allow their women to dress. Yet when a
Ferengi
is on board all females are not required to disrobe. The Elasians
require
all males to immediately obey any directive issued by a female, but
those
that enter Star Fleet accept our custom of equality among the sexes."
"Some Trill have skin markings of a green tint, rather in the fashion
that
some humans have freckles. My own blood is green, as is the blood of
any
Vulcan aboard the ship. Some humans have green eyes. The Tre-Hani are
green."
A'kora looked around the table. "Do any of you feel that a Trill on
this
ship would be required to wear a hood? That a Vulcan on this ship will
be
reprimanded if they are wounded and bleed? That green eye'd humans are
going to be required to wear colored lenses or goggles? That our
Tre-Hani
crewman is going to be confined to quarters?"
"Even if these measures are taken, I refuse to compromise on the safety
of
my staff. We have boards configured to signify safe conditions with
green
indicators. Labeling on the positive ion stream to the anti-matter
intermix
chamber is green."
"That is the final answer. Safety." A'kora stated flatly. "If
someone
makes a mistake in engineering because a label is changed from Star
Fleet
regulations to suit the whim of a visitor than people might die.
Something
as simple as misreading a status board could result in power
overloading and
configuration failures in multiple systems throughout the ship. But if
someone makes a mistake in the matter anti-matter feed of the warp
drives
then the entire ship could be destroyed."
"But the Captain." Ensign Shanto tried again.
"You have an important lesson to learn, Ensign." A'kora cut him off.
"Saying 'no' to power. If you cannot find the courage to correct an
officer
on an important matter simply because he is of a higher rank than you
have
no business serving aboard a ship of the Capricorn's stature. Find a
nice
stellar cartography vessel and settle in, but don't volunteer for deep
space
exploration."
"I notice you are not saying 'no' to the Captain." Chief Sabbatini
offered.
"At least, not directly."
"You are correct, Senior Chief." A'kora amended. "There is a time and
a
place for such things, and in front of the entire senior staff at a
divisional meeting is not the proper venue for correcting your Captain
unless there is immediate risk of injury to a crewman."
"In the interim." She then continued. "We will make arrangements to
comply
with the Captain's desires while maintaining the standards of safety
required by Star Fleet regulations."
"Ensign Santos, as you seem to be most concerned on this subject, I
would
like you to take command of the project. Contact medical and discover
what
will be required to make a dynamic polarization compensator for the
visible
light spectrum as it is deciphered by the Ferran ocular organs. Then
program the replicators to fashion goggles that will exclude the green
portion of the spectrum from their vision."
"I can think of no reason for our passengers to visit Engineering.
However,
given their obstinate nature and aggravating proclivities as indicated
by
the review of their species that is available in the ship's library I
suspect we will be forced to endure at least one such occurrence. The
Ferrans will be informed that for their own safety the goggles are a
requirement for entry."
"Chief Sabbatini." A'kora added. "Have the turbolifts programmed.
Any
turbolift with a Ferran occupant will not open onto an engineering
space
except in an emergency. Anyone sharing a ride with our visitors can
simply
let the Ferrans reach their destination first. A slight delay will not
trouble any of our personnel, will it?"
"As to the problems outside of Engineering." A'kora sighed. "Inform
any
engineering crewman who has body pigmentation of a green color that
there
may indeed be issues with the Ferrans and they should avoid the
visitors if
at all possible. Short of a direct order from myself or the Captain,
they
are not to initiate contact with the Ferrans."
"For my own part, I will make an appointment to discuss the issue with
the
Exec and that will dictate weather or not to bring my mutinous stance
with
the Captain." A'kora allowed herself a slight smile. "And I will
endeavor
to avoid activities which might cause me to bleed while the Ferrans are
onboard."
"If there is nothing else, then you are dismissed." The Cheng stated.
While her staff filed out, A'kora entered a command into the ship's
computer
requesting an appointment with the Executive Officer at her earliest
convenience.
<tag Montana>
Summary:
A'kora refuses to compromise safety and security of her personnel on
the
whim of some spoiled alien visitors.
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