Clash of the Titans

Posted on 18 Mar 2013 @ 1:59am by Command Master Chief Markum Quinn

1,398 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, Lounge
Timeline: MD 02 2100

[ON]

Jeremy tried to keep himself from fuming as he stepped off the turbolift. Sidi kept just in front of him, keeping him from stalking through the corridor on his way to the lounge where, according to the computer, Quinn was currently located.

For the most part the lounge was empty, but there were a few people in there. Including someone with Quinn.

"Petty Officer," Jeremy said as he stopped at the pair. Sidi remained standing, his tail stiff and ears still pricked forward. For the moment Jeremy ignored Quinn as he focused on the enlisted crewmember with him. "You are dismissed."

When the petty officer looked to Quinn, Jeremy's tone dropped. "Dismissed, crewman, leave now. And the next time you look to question an officer's orders, you'd better do so with a superior officer."

Jeremy waited before the crewman was gone, leaving him and Quinn relatively alone. "Why is Petty Officer Smoak worried about missing training?" Jeremy demanded of the older man. "Training of which I'm unaware as his department head?"

Quinn leaned back in his chair and smiled. "Nice to see you to, sir. As for the training, as the Chief of the Boat, it is my responsibility and my duty to evaluate the quality of non-commissioned officer leadership, management, and supervisory training. Petty Officer Smoak is a non-commissioned officer, and falls within my jurisdiction of demanding mandatory training sessions for the petty officer to attend. So...sir...I am doing my duty as Starfleet, and the Captain, expect me to do."

Markum took another sip from his bottled beer, then set it down. "Did I do something wrong with my following procedures, Lieutenant? I would most appreciate your input, as I always value the advice offered from a superi...well, from an officer."

"You are also required to coordinate such training with the member's department, and as I have just said, I am unaware of any training being coordinated, scheduled or even discussed. Smoak's training with the department will take precedence and you will reschedule any other training for another date - after you clear it with me. Is that understood, Mister Quinn?"

"Crystal, Lieutenant." Quinn answered, while still holding his large grin. "I must have overlooked your name when I was sending out notices to the department heads. Oops." Quinn chuckled as he swallowed down the last of his beverage. "I'm not rescheduling the training session though, sir. But...a make-up class might be provided at a much later convenient date set by myself, for those that are absent. I can not reschedule an entire class because of one persons inconvenience. The need of the many, you know."

"No, Mister Quinn," Jeremy said, glaring at the drunkard before him. "You will reset the training to be held after you have cleared it with all departments to ensure it does not conflict with any other schedule. The people who would otherwise be harmed by your carelessness in your duties will not be held accountable for your mistakes." Jeremy shook his head and held up a hand as soon as he finished speaking. "To forestall any arguments, that is a direct order from a superior officer. Violate it and I will see you brought up on charges. Still 'crystal' Quinn?"

Quinn chuckled. "Very, but I think I'll ask the Captain if she thinks your...demands are prudent and acceptable, as she is the one that ordered the class, and since it is my duty to serve as a liaison between the Commanding Officer and the enlisted crewmen, and advise the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer regarding enlisted morale, and evaluate the quality of noncommissioned officer leadership, management, and supervisory training. Oh, and not to mention that the she is the superior officer. I will take your suggestions and note them in my log and submit them in my report to Captain Saalm as to the possible reason for the delay in training for Petty Officer Smoak and see if the Skipper agrees with your direct order to cancel the class. That is her call, not mine, and certainly not yours. Thank-you though, for your valued input and your always supportive suggestions. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to explain the situation involving Petty Officer Smaok, and your denial to let him attend the NCO Leadership Training Class. I too take responsibility for my oversight in not properly notifying you about the mandatory class for all NCO's. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment with the Captain, Lieutenant. I will be sure that this matter is discussed before any of our other topics, since there is a direct order involved." Quinn stood up and gave a nod towards Stone.

Jeremy stood in front of Quinn, eyes narrowed and not smiling or chuckling. "You enjoy hiding behind the command staff don't you, Quinn? For those you can't run roughshod over, you fall back to the Commander or the Captain to protect you? What will happen when you come up against someone who has no fear of you or your ways. I think it's time to find out. A meeting with the Captain would do nicely to begin resolving this situation. Lead the way."

Quinn shook his head, while still holding his grin. "Lieutenant, I don't hide behind the command staff, I am part of the command staff. As the chain of command goes, by Starfleet orders, I am qualified to act as Commanding or Executive Officer if needed. Wouldn't that be interesting?" Quinn shrugged his shoulders. "You want to go see the Skipper with me? I don't care, let's go, but you really should understand something...I don't give two flying shits if you are scared of me or not. In fact I'd rather you weren't. You may be an officer, but with all due respect to your rank, you're nothing more than a punk kid that gets his rocks off by trying to bully your wishes on others that are weak and afraid of confrontation, sir. I know your type. I'm angry, so I'll take it out on everyone else because I'm too much of a coward to deal with it myself and get help. You're already are on thin ice with the Command Staff. You want to take it to the next level and go back into the Skipper's office with me? By all means, lead the way, Lieutenant. You lead, and I will happily follow there, sir."

Now Jeremy did laugh, a short and derisive chuckle. "Sure, Quinn, theoretically, you could obtain command of this ship - after they've scraped wood off the bottom of the barrel, turned it over and then dug deep enough to find some fetid swamp. There are plenty of qualified officers, capable people who will be tapped to take command before they let some so clearly unsuited for any task take command of a ship.

"I'm too much of a coward to 'get help'? Which is why I've been in therapy for the better part of a decade - what's your excuse for the chip on your shoulder, Petty Officer? That you're approaching retirement having made nothing more of your life and career than screwing up being the chief engineer of a nova class ship? What about those vaunted masters you bragged about last time? Was I not sufficiently impressed with achievements they'll hand out to anyone with a 'D' average?

"Lead the way, Quinn, I'm not risking having any more scars in my back. If you like, we'll consider it more of your insubordination taking orders from a 'punk kid' who has more right to be angry then you could ever handle, except, I'm not angry, I'm...an officer and you're junior. Unless you're not as sure of my 'thin ice' in managing my department, and not so confident in your bullshit story of 'overlooking' sending me the notice as you were fifty two seconds ago."

Quinn shrugged his shoulders. "It's a date then."

Jeremy waited for the older man to leave the lounge, bringing Sidi to his side and following towards the Captain's office. He scowled the entire way there.

[OFF]

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer/K9
USS Galileo

Master Chief Petty Officer Markus Quinn
Chie of the Boat
USS Galileo

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