Make Ready

Commander Harris was at tactical looking over the information that the sensor array had provided them. It was very limited. The short range sensor array was on active scan which only stretched out five to seven light years. After recommending to go to long range active scanning, Lieutenant Toran had informed the first officer that active scanning would give away their position and the captain did not want that to happen. So short range scans was all they could afford to insure their invisibility. "Mr. Toran launch a class 12 probe."

"Aye Sir."

Lieutenant Shaka was at her station paying little attention to tactical but rather to the slipstream drive. The little bump earlier wasn't anything to be alarmed about, she told the captain numerous times, but he wanted to make sure of that as well. So Devore put her on a project to find out what it was.

Looking around, Commander Harris noticed that Lieutenant Rashad was at her seat. *Wait a second. I don't remember her stepping off the turbolift.*

"Commander what's the story?" He turned to see the Captain who was still ragged looking. . "Sir, there is a total of seven ships in front of us. However they have not detected us yet. I've launched a probe and should get the results in a few hours."

"Good. Let's keep it that way. Hold present position and let me know when the probe sends back the information. I'll be in my ready room."

It had been 20 minutes since Captain Devore went to his ready room. Grant surveyed the bridge and noticed that Rashad was not at her station.

[Commander Harris report to my ready room.] His combadge beeped.

"On my way sir."

Harris approached the door to the ready room as it slid open. Lieutenant Rashad stepped out.

"Yes Captain. I was doing something important..." Harris began but trailed off as he noticed that the captain seemed to be angry.

"I was just told about your court martial and that you were charged with conduct unbecoming, disobeying orders, and insubordination. So Grant tell me that you were cleared or just tell me something, damnit."

Harris sat down and looked the captain in the eyes. "Sir, after the war I was placed in a special unit to help gather information in the gamma quadrant and to clean up ops in the alpha quadrant. This unit was part of section 31 making us report directly to them Admiral Ross."

"Okay commander, so where does a court marshal fit in?" Devore asked.

"On a planet in a clean up operation led by a fatigued Commander Yuler, I was ordered to take four men into a no win slaughter. We were all tired but I didn't see any reason of sacrificing what was left of my unit, so I refused."

Devore got up, and looked out a porthole. While facing it he said, "I would have to. There comes a time that we as Starfleet officer need to question orders especially concerning ethical and moral issues. However, don't do that here. You have every right to come talk to me, but execute the order then come to me. Understood Commander?"

"Clearly sir."

"Good. Now that lieutenant seems to be trying to cause trouble between us. Grant take care of the situation, after all you once were an Intel man."

"Understood." Harris said standing up. He stormed out of the ready room and saw Rashad sitting at her post. As he came out she quickly turned to look at him. "Lieutenant Rashad get in the conference room, Now!"

She walked into the conference room with a smug look on her face. The rest of the bridge crew wondered what was going on. Once in the conference room Grant let his anger get the best of him. " I don't know what the hell you are trying to pull but knock it off."

Lieutenant Rashad looked at the enraged first officer. "Or what Commander?" She said defiantly.

Grant grabbed her tunic and threw her up against the wall. "Don't mess with me! I don't know what you are trying to do, but I am not one to be trifled with. I may seem simple but undoubtedly, I can make your life a living hell. Understood."

A quick look of concern formed on Rashad face as she was shoved back into the wall. She hadn't expected Harris to react this way. Rashad stiffened up and grabbed a pressure point on Harris' arm causing him to flinch and let go. "Yes sir!" She said sarcastically.

The two of them looked at each other with vile contempt, and there staring match was interrupted by a com message. [Commander we are getting the information from the probe ]

"I'll be right there," Harris said. "Remember what I said T'Kul!"