by Blane, Cristiane, and Salvek
80711.23
Awhile after Ask the Experts
Soundtrack: I Fought The Law, Green Day version
-=Office of the Security Chief, USS Alchemy=-
80711.23
Awhile after Ask the Experts
Soundtrack: I Fought The Law, Green Day version
-=Office of the Security Chief, USS Alchemy=-
“Mr. Blakeslee.”
TC’s voice caused Zander to jump up from his seat behind the small desk in the small closet that signified the security chief’s office on the Alchemy. “Jeeze!”
“You know Commander Blane you really need to shuffle your feet or something cause you are far too quiet.” He took a deep breath.
TC smiled. “Sorry old habits die hard. Walk softly and carry a big stick and all that.”
Zander nodded. “Sure.” Now that his nerves were back to normal he smiled. “What can I do for you?”
TC held up his hand displaying two fingers. “Two things. One, the captain is using the holo-suite for some motivational training and is not to be disturbed for any reason unless I give the OK. That includes our doctor.”
Zander nodded, fully understanding what the ship's Second Officer meant. “Aye sir.”
“The other is I would like you to liaison Ensign Christane to my department for the foreseeable future. Unless it would leave you shorthanded.” TC asked.
Zander shook his head. “Not at all, he is all yours. When do you want me to send him over?”
TC smirked. “ASAP” Then he turned and made his way back to the bridge.
Zander nodded as he tapped his badge. “Ensign Cristiane, report to my office immediately.”
On the other end of the line, Dane cursed.
For some reason, he had an idea that this had something to do with TC Blane...
*There go my Security rotations,* Dane grumbled internally. He'd been carrying double shifts, down from double shifts plus scrub work from the day he boarded the Sera. To "Keep him out of trouble," the warden ...er...Captain...had said.
Only O'Sullivan had taken mercy on him enough to get the scrub work waived after Dane had proven he did have some value during their away mission to Earth to chase after Breaux. Now this.
"On my way." Dane finally answered, still swearing beneath his breath as he moved through the corridors.
= A Few Moments Later =
“You wanted to see me sir?” Dane asked as he stood outside of the office.
Zander spun in his seat. “Yes, I am loaning you out to the operations department until further notice. Report to Commander Blane for you duty assignments. Any questions?”
"Just one." He raised an index finger. "What about my communications shifts?"
"You'll be working those as well, as usual."
"So now I have to spend all of my time on the bridge, instead of at least getting out to walk the corridors on patrol every few days?"
"Looks like it. Commander Blane wants you to shadow him."
Dane's scowl met with disapproval from Zander. "You should be thanking him, Ensign. He must think very highly of you to be willing to mentor you this way."
*Oh yeah. Very highly,* Dane thought, managing somehow to suppress the roll of his eyes he was imagining.
“Well, get moving ensign.” Zander spun back around to continue his paper work.
"My life just gets better and better." Dane muttered bitterly as the lift sped him on his way back to the bridge. "O'Sullivan leaves, Zanh Liis stays, and TC Blane is now my personal babysitter. Not to mention I'll have to work with that obnoxious, know it all, Admiral's little helper..."
The doors opened and Dane was still mumbling to himself as he moved across the bridge. Salvek looked up from the command chair. "Ensign, you are two minutes late for the start of your shift."
"But Commander, I was,"
"I do not care." Salvek answered, his eyes never moving from the PADD he was analyzing. "I will be making note of it in your record. If you are tardy once more in the next thirty days, you will face disciplinary action. Do you understand?"
*I understand I'd like to ring your scrawny neck, you green blooded bas...*
"He understands, Commander." TC did not even turn to face Dane when he spoke. “What is the third Article of the Federation?” He asked in an uninterested tone.
"Zanh Liis always gets her way?" Dane blurted, unable to censor himself a moment longer.
TC did not even flinch although Salvek did turn his head to look. “No, Mr. Cristiane that would be the first article of this ship's constitution. I suggest you remember that.” Blane responded without turning his head.
“The third Article of the Federation constitution is; The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation.” TC began.
Suddenly Salvek’s voice chimed in. “No individual may exercise any authority that does not proceed directly from the nation.” He completed TC’s explanation.
Now TC turned and nodded the Salvek in agreement. Then he turned to Dane. “Now that you know the third article, do you understand it? Do you know WHAT it means?” He asked with a seriousness that shocked Dane.
"Don't know, don't care. Can I go now?"
TC frowned menacingly at Dane, which was the first real sense of emotion that Dane had ever seen from the man. Now he was not too sure that he should have opened his mouth.
Then TC did something that drew the attention of the entire bridge staff. He smiled and laughed. He laughed for a good minute.
When he finally calmed down. He sighed and wiped his eyes which had teared up from his laughter. He reached out and placed his hand on the young man's shoulder.
“Oh, Ensign Cristiane. You will.” Then he squeezed Dane shoulder so hard he thought he was caught in a vice grip. “You will. You will know the articles and what they mean, and you will care.” He pushed Dane down into the empty Ops console chair.
“Otherwise you can kiss any free time you have goodbye. Let me break it down for you. I have no family, no significant other, no real hobbies, well that is not true.” He looked at the ceiling thoughtfully. “I do now. You.” He smiled. “So I hope that you are getting the picture. I have all the time in the universe to commit to making you miserable.”
The entire bridge was silent, but one collective thought circulated among all populating it.
*I am so glad I am not that guy.*
"May I offer a suggestion?" Salvek raised a hand to attract TC's attention.
*Oh, God no, please don't.* Dane was not a religious man but suddenly, he had discovered prayer.
"Yes, please Commander Salvek!" Blane turned and stood with his hands clasped behind him.
"I would suggest that shore leave on Betazed would be the perfect time for Mr. Cristiane to visit the Federation Archives and research the Articles from the original copies that were given to Betazed upon their membership, one hundred and fifteen years ago."
"You mean...read it? The whole thing?"
"Yes." Salvek replied simply. "From the texts, not using a PADD or computer. Then, when you have committed them to memory, and thanked the Betazoids at the Archives for their time, you will return to the ship. At that time you will have twelve hours in which to prepare a presentation on the Articles to present to Commander Blane and myself.
"If we are satisfied that you understand and appreciate the material, you will be allowed to return to your normal duties. If not, you will present the report again. To the Captain. After which she will best decide which rules you need to learn."
TC’s eyebrows raised in shock. “Wow, that is far more wicked then what I was going to do.” He glanced at Dane and smiled. “Sounds good to me!"
“What do you think.” He asked Dane, daring him to dig his hole just a little deeper.
"I think I'm going to the Archives as soon as we get to Betazed, Sir."
TC nodded and spun Dane around towards the console and whispered to him in the process. “As if you had a choice.”
----------------------------
Commander TC Blane
Second Officer
USS Serendipity/Alchemy
Ensign Dane Cristiane
Staying After Class
USS AlchemyNX 53099
and
Commander Salvek
Commander TC Blane
Second Officer
USS Serendipity/Alchemy
Ensign Dane Cristiane
Staying After Class
USS AlchemyNX 53099
and
Commander Salvek
Executive Officer
USS Alchemy NX 53099
USS Alchemy NX 53099