Rumor had gone around regarding an illegal still aboard the ship, and Commodore Wallace had asked Johnny to investigate. I don't know why anyone would go to the trouble, considering you can get just about anything you want from the replicators, Johnny thought. But nonetheless, an illegal still could explode and damage critical ship's components. Or its product could prove dangerous to drink.
Nonetheless, Johnny had apprised his Security officers of the situation during the watch briefing. Now Johnny was doing his rounds on Deck 22. Other rumors had been spreading about a crewman getting a little too big for his boots and terrorizing some of the crew, threatening them with physical violence over extremely petty matters. Now that's serious! he thought as he strode through the corridor.
It didn't take Johnny long to find out what was going on. A few discreet inquiries had led him in the direction of Ensign Matthews. On his first assignment out of the Academy, Matthews hadn't taken long to attempt to establish a pecking order amongst the Supply Department, where Matthews was acting as quartermaster. Johnny headed to Supply to have a brief word of prayer with Mr. Matthews.
As Johnny entered the large compartment filled with industrial replicators and racks of ready-made stores, he could hear Matthews berating a member of his staff. "I don't care what you think, yeoman! You aren't paid to think! Now, unless you want my boot up your ass you'll do what I say! Get me my coffee and get it NOW!"
Johnny rolled his eyes as he listened from behind a pallet holding several large packing crates. Remember...discretion is the hallmark of effective security work, he thought as the yeoman responded with a rather clever suggestion as to how Ensign Matthews could ingest his coffee. Or so the manual says.
"Oh, you think you can back that up, big guy? I'll remind you that you are talking to a superior officer!"
Not a superior officer, just a higher-ranking one. What the hell are they teaching at the Academy these days? Johnny thought as he continued to listen to the exchange.
The yeoman left to get the coffee. Johnny stopped him. "Excuse me, Yeoman--"
"Daggert, sir," the yeoman responded. He was on the tall side--easily three inches taller than Johnny--but built extremely thin. The young crewman looked more awkward than anything, which was probably why Matthews had targeted him. Bullies. They never grow up!
"Daggert. Don't worry about Matthews. I'll take care of him. In the meantime, get his coffee, but do this..."
The yeoman nodded, then smiled broadly. "Yes, sir!" he said as he headed to the food replicator.
Moments later, the yeoman returned with Matthews' coffee. Matthew took a hefty swig of the coffee, then immediately swore as he spat it out violently.
"You--you--you put schplict in my coffee! What the hell were you thinking?"
"I suppose he was thinking he didn't have to put up with your crap!" Johnny said as he walked into the office. "Yeoman, you're dismissed. I'll want a statement from you later. Now, Mr. Matthews, do you care to explain your actions to a superior officer?"
Matthews, confronted with the larger and much more intimidating Johnny, started to stammer. "But-but-but how am I supposed to keep these people in line?" he asked plaintively.
"Not by terrorizing them or threatening them," Johnny said. "Do you have any idea how many regulations you've been violating?"
"They're just enlisted men--they don't count!"
Johnny recalled briefly that Matthews was from Vega 2, a world which despite being colonized by humans in the 22nd century had taken on an aristocratic culture more suitable to the 18th or 19th century. He also recalled the many fine enlisted personnel with whom he had served, some just a few weeks before. "I will remind you that many of the senior officers aboard this vessel--including Commodore Wallace and myself--started out as enlisted men who 'didn't count.' Now," he said very darkly, "do you wish to reconsider that statement, or will your teeth be the next thing that you aren't counting?"
"I don't take that from anyone!--" Matthews swung at Johnny, who grabbed the fist and threw him aside as though he were weightless. Matthews found himself on the floor.
"It looks like you take it after all," Johnny said, holding out his hand to help Matthews up. Matthews refused his help.
"Okay, be that way. But if I hear even a rumor about your terrorizing or threatening your subordinates again, Matthews, there will be a Captain's Mast so fast it will make your head spin. As it is, your department head will be informed of your conduct and you can count on company discipline. This isn't the Academy; you can stop terrorizing the plebes now. And this isn't Vega 2. Rank has its privileges in Starfleet but it does not give you license. Am I clear on this, Ensign?" Johnny finished, doing his best drill-instructor growl throughout. Apparently it wasn't clear enough at the Academy.
"Yes, sir," the sullen Matthews replied.
"Very good. Report to your department head for discipline," Johnny ordered. Matthews ran out of the office as though possessed.
Johnny had to keep from laughing as he contacted Matthews' department head. "Chee to Lieutenant Okul. There's a matter which will require your attention..."
Good. One problem solved; now about that still...
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