A Question of Place and Face

Posted on Sun Jun 12th, 2011 @ 8:58am by Captain Jackson Hawkins & Commander Krang Darkmoon

824 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: A Fresh Start
Location: Chief Security Officer's Office
Timeline: After "Don't Let Me Breakdown Here..."

Captain Hawkins paced slowly outside Commander Darkmoon's office. There were matters that needed to be cleared up. Hawk wasn't sure he wanted to write Darkmoon off, but he needed to find out for himself. Finally, Hawk pressed the door chime.

Krang called out, "Enter." but was inwardly hoping that it wasn't the Captain.

Slowly, Hawk entered the man's office. "Commander, I believe you and I need to have a discussion."

Krang rose from his seat, did his best to stand at attention, and locked his eyes on a point behind the Captain. "Sir."

Hawk waited for the doors to slide closed behind him. "Please be seated Commander." Hawk took a seat across from Krang. "I am under the impression that we need to clear the air..."

Taking his seat as ordered, Krang folded his hands in front of him on the desk and waited for the Captain to speak his piece.

"You and I have something in common. We are both proud, dominate men. By nature or duty, we have an image to maintain. Am I wrong?" Hawk looked to Krang.

"No, Sir. Krang answered, stressing the word Sir.

"So, the question is, how do we balance our innate needs to save face with our outward needs to maintain order?" Hawk tried to make it obvious that he expected a response.

"That's a good question, Sir, and one I don't seem qualified to answer." Krang answered, refusing to make eye contact.

Hawk leaned forward. "Look me in the eyes Krang. We're not going to get past this until we can find some common ground."

The burning pieces of coal that turned to meet Hawkins were full of emotion. Krang stared into his soul and almost dared him to blink first. "Common ground is based on respect, so we have no foundation to work from, Sir."

"You don't have to respect me Commander, but you will respect my authority. And that is what this issue is all about. If you respect my authority, I will respect you. If you fail to respect my authority, I don't see where I have the ability to grant you respect." Hawk shook his head in frustration.

"Authority at all costs then. I understand now. You will have no further issues with me, Sir."

Hawk was a bit taken aback by the wording, but he couldn't deny the accuracy of the statement. "Unfortunately Commander, the chain of command is paramount. I don't see you tolerating your staff questioning your orders. I don't see how I cannot expect the same." Hawk stood. "Is there anything else you would care to discuss?"

"No, Sir. You have made your position crystal clear. I will not question your orders again, regardless of how exaggerated they might be."

"You are permitted to question my orders Commander, but you are to do so in private."

"That being the case, as we are in private now, I think you completely over reacted to Skylar. Charging him with battery was excessive and I feel that you are trying to over compensate to prove you are the big man on campus."

Hawk laughed to himself lightly. "I don't have to prove I'm the big man on campus. I AM the big man on campus. I understand that some are going to have problems with this change. Of course moving from an absent Commodore to a hands-on Captain is going to ruffle some feathers. As far as Skylar is concerned, I thought you completely under-reacted. A physical battery took place and though I fully understand the desire, the commission of a battery is illegal and is conduct unbecoming an officer. If the Judge Advocate General wants to reduce the charges, that is within the scope of their authority. My responsibility, and yours, is to enforce the law."

Krang took a deep breath and gave what passed for a smile. "You want letter of the law enforcement? You got it. I request that cargo bays 3 and 4 be converted to brig space as I'm going to need it."

"Do it." Hawkins ordered. "If you're not enforcing the policies on the book, I will not have sufficient data to change the policies as needed. If a rule is on the book, it needs to be enforced. If the rule is bad, it needs to be changed."

Krang tapped his commbadge. "Darkmoon to all security personnel, the station is now under a level 2 lock down. I want 'letter of the law' enforcement on every regulation on the books. When the brig is full, start using cargo bays 3 and 4. No infraction is to be over looked for any reason. That is all." he closed the link and looked at the Captain. "Is there anything else you require today, Sir?"

"No, that should be sufficient Commander." With that, Hawk stood and exited the Security Officer's Office.

__________

Captain Jackson Hawkins
Commanding Offer / Tyrant
Starbase Typhon

Commander Krang Darkmoon
Chief Security Officer
Starbase Typhon

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