A Younger Man

"ENOUGH!" Niomo shouted while slamming his hand on the table. If he was mad at the other engineer before, now he was furious. "Lieutenant Commander. Sit down and remember who you are. You are an Engineer. NOT a Marine, Commando or Shining White Knight. I personally do not care what kind of training or past history you have. All I care about is who I can work with to better our ships. And if you feel you would rather have a phaser than a hypospanner, then change the color on your shoulder pad and be done with it. If it is as you say, and we cannot easily recover Sisko, then we will just destroy his ship. But that is not for me, you or anyone who does not give the orders to decide. The Fleet Captain has given out his orders. We have our jobs. Do them. Remember, The Needs of the Many. You are the Few. Your Captain, your crew, your ship, you fleet, the universe they are the many need you at your station making sure everything is fine. But, of course, if you still do not think that is where you are meant to be. Then quit and join Security."

There were many eyes that were looking at him. Most, if not all, did not remember the former Captain, and the history behind him…. mostly because most of it was classified by Starfleet Command. If he was a younger man, and this was not a full fleet briefing, Niomo would have already started a brawl. The engineer, this Chief Sorripto, was thinking too narrow mindedly. He took a deep breath and clamed himself down. His voice lost his anger, but his eyes still looked like they were on fire.

“I apologize for my bluntness, but one man cannot alter the plans of this operation IF he even shows up. Let me ask you a question. Let us say that yes, the Fleet Captain decides that you can go on your rescue mission. What happens if something goes wrong on the Mckenzie? What if she gets destroyed or captured but you successfully retrieved Mr. Sisko. Are those acceptable losses to you? They are not to me.”

Niomo finished his diatribe and just shook his head. He wanted to hear more about this anomaly and get out of this briefing. He did make a note to apologize to the Commander of the Alsea. She had been silent ever since his comments and he did not feel terribly pleased about it.