"Major Yazi, you're our Chief Conn officer. Commander Chee, Captain Lataro, I want those scans done yesterday." Sharpe walked off the bridge into the Captain's ready room.
"Yazi?" asked Yaz to no one in particular. "Captain Lataro, permission to speak with the Captain?"
"Granted," said Lataro waving the way to the ready room with his arm.
Yaz had come aboard only a few short hours before the briefing, he'd arrived on the USS Leo which had transferred as many supplies as she could spare to the Hornet to help with repairs. He'd had a bit of difficulty fitting in on his very brief time aboard the Leo, after all a Bajoran officer aboard a Starfleet ship is not a common sight.
He stepped through the doors into the Captain's ready room. "Ahh, Major Yazi, sit down."
Yaz cringed at the sound of this. "That's Yasnyl," he replied, sounding out his name phonetically. "Also, sir, being a Bajoran, although I have my family name first, you should still address me by that name in rank. That is, 'Major Larn'."
Sharpe turned his piercing gaze to Yaz. "Sir," added Yaz, forgetting protocol.
"I don't give diddly-squat what your name is, Major. I'm not going to be around long enough to use it," Sharpe said taking a seat behind the desk. "Is there something else?"
"Yes, Captain. My mission assignment, I believe, is to be your diplomatic officer, representing both the Federation and Bajor in this sector?"
"No, that was your mission assignment. You're now the Hornet's chief conn officer."
"But sir... you don't seem to understand..."
"Ohh, I understand perfectly clear, Major. The Hornet's chief conn officer was killed a few days ago, leaving this ship without a pilot. I've read your file -- does it not say that you are one of Bajor's top pilot's?"
"It does sir," replied Yaz confidently.
"Well, I don't see any aliens to talk to 'round here, so get out there and fly this ship."
"Excuse me, Captain, but I did not accept this assignment so that I could fly your ship for you."
"Are you refusing, Major?" asked Sharpe, rising from his chair. Anger was now building in his voice.
"I'll fly your ship for you," said Yaz through gritted teeth. "But when a diplomatic situation arises, it is my duty to be involved to the fullest of my capabilities."
"Not if your duty is flying this ship, Major," snarled Sharpe.
Yaz threw up his arms and strolled about the room. "The Bajoran government has decided that, as a growing power in the Alpha quadrant and as a member of the Federation, that they should have a representative on the ship heading this expedition into Mulluran and G'kar territory. Now quite frankly Captain, I cannot fulfill that roll, sitting in that chair."
Sharpe opened his mouth to speak, but Yaz wouldn't allow him the opportunity.
"I've read your file too Captain. Seems to me that you were once a Helmsman yourself, being trained as a pilot. Could you effectively command a ship from the helm?"
"We're not talking about me, Major."
"Could you or could you not, Captain?!"
"Not effectively, no," replied Sharpe, realizing he was loosing his edge.
"I rest my case... How can I be expected to perform my duties when performing that of another? I have reports to complete and send back to the Bajoran government, and to the Federation. It is my job to study all the mission records of this ship, down to the last insignificant detail, so that I know everything about who I will be negotiating with."
Sharpe sat back down in his chair, seemingly lost for words.
"Now, Captain, let me suggest we put this little argument behind us, and start over," Yaz said with a big grin and an outstretched arm.
"You listen to me, Major Larn." Sharpe seemed to have some difficulty addressing Yaz by his correct name. "I don't take kindly to being spoken to like this by my officers! If you ever pull anything like this again..."
"You'll what? Demote me? Transfer me off the ship? Captain, might I remind you that I am a member of the 'Bajoran' military, you can neither promote, nor demote me. Secondly, I am here not by request of you, nor Commodore Wallace, but of my government and yours, and as such, your decision to transfer would be overruled."
"I may not be able to get you off this ship, but I can confine you to quarters the whole trip."
"No, I don't think you could do that either, Captain. You see, my government and yours expect certain things of me. Things which I cannot do in my quarters. And besides, how would I fly your ship then? Oh, I'm sorry... I forgot... you'd do it wouldn't you..."
Sharpe's brow wrinkled, his head started to turn red. The tension and frustration was visibly growing. He was about ready to explode. Yaz knew it was time to quit.
"Now Captain, if you don't mind, I'd better fly this ship to Nipron," he said as cheerfully as he could and left the Captain's ready room. The doors slid shut and some muffled shouting could be heard from within. Lataro and a few of the other officers looked at Yaz a little puzzled. Yaz smiled. "He's just... letting off a bit of steam. He's a bit upset about Commodore Wallace's capture... you know, Wallace being his old student and all." Lataro and the others showed a look of understanding on their faces and returned to work.