"Ready for a fight"
 by Ensign T'Kang

*** Service catwalk, Main Engineering ***

Lieutenant' Hannoyh raised an eyebrow at T'Kang's lack of 
address, but given the nature of how most separated sexual 
species acted around Hermat, the Chief Engineer was used 
to that.  S/he nearly missed the fact that the Klingon was 
trying to be obnoxious intentionally.

"Ensign.  As you know Lieutenant' Gabriel has been riding 
you hard lately."  Hannoyh began.

T'Kang nodded and let out a slight growl.  "Yes.  I know 
that."

"Well I have just received the Lieutenant's evaluation of your 
work since you have been aboard the Intrepid.  I find it to be 
quite interesting." Hannoyh explained pressing a button on 
the padd s/he was holding with one of hish perfectly 
manicured thumbnails.

T'Kang grew defensive almost immediately.  "The 
Lieutenant' hasn't liked me from the moment I stepped on 
board the ship!  You shouldn't believe what he has said.  I 
don't believe he likes Klingons."  The Ensign declared 
defensively.

Hannoyh just glanced at T'Kang for a brief moment and 
began reading from the padd,  ".Further, Ensign T'Kang 
shows signs of being an excellent engineer capable of 
handling all tasks assigned to him no matter how trivial.  I 
feel he is a fine addition to the Intrepid crew."

In a some what more humble tone, T'Kang quickly added, 
"Well,  you can believe that part."

Lowering the padd, Hannoyh relaxed hish hands in front of 
hishself and regarded T'Kang for a moment while s/he 
thought of what to say.  "There are other parts to Mister 
Gabriel's report that suggest that you two didn't get along 
very well on a personal level."

T'Kang nodded, "That is putting it diplomatically Lieutenant."  
the Klingon said sarcastically before adding in an annoyed 
tone, "Do you have a point to all this Lieutenant'?"

Hannoyh's eyes narrowed for a moment, giving hir a almost 
cat-like appearance with hir canine teeth slightly protruding 
over full lips.  "In fact I do *Ensign*."  The Chief scolded, 
"Lieutenant' Gabriel Bolden will be leaving the USS Intrepid 
for his new assignment now that we are docked at Starbase 
202.  That means we will be short handed in Engineering 
and I was hoping I could count on you to pick up some of the 
additional slack.  Captain Hawke wants the Intrepid fully 
repaired and fit for duty as soon as possible.  Can I count on 
you Mister?"

T'Kang felt both foolish and petty for the way he had 
behaved.  He had assumed that the Bajoran Lieutenant' that 
had been riding on his case for so many weeks had reported 
him unfavorably to the Chief Engineer.  Being a Klingon 
Warrior, T'Kang was ready for a fight with these 
preconceived notions.  Now to find out that the Chief was 
asking for additional help because T'Kang's nemesis was 
leaving the ship, the Ensign felt bad for being so short with 
Lieutenant Hannoyh.  "Yes Lieutenant'.  You can count on 
me to carry out my assigned duty to the best of my ability."

Hannoyh nodded.  "Good.  That's what I wanted to hear.  
While we are docked at the Starbase, I want to have a look 
at the Warp Core Injectors.  We were detecting a 
misalignment in the plasma flow infusers that I want to try to 
correct while we have this opportunity."  The Chief 
explained.

T'Kang nodded.  "That would be a wise thing to do.  When 
did you want to get started Lieutenant'?" 

"Right away T'Kang.  Head down to the Matter/Anti-Matter 
Reactor and begin preparations to remove the injector 
assembly.  I'll have a team of engineers gathered to give us 
a hand."  Chief Hannoyh explained.

T'Kang nodded at his new orders.  "I will do my best." He 
declared proudly.

"Dismissed Ensign."  Lieutenant' Hannoyh added after a 
long pause.

T'Kang turned to leave, taking a couple of wide, warrior's 
strides before stopping and looking back over his shoulder 
at the Chief Engineer,  "Thank you Lieutenant'"  the Klingon 
said in a humble tone.

Hannoyh closed hish eyes and gave a slight nod.  "Carry on 
Ensign."  S/he said before watching the brawny Klingon 
march away to his new assignment.

As T'Kang got to the rungs of the service ladder, he began 
climbing down to the main engineering deck below.  He 
couldn't help but be happy that Gabriel was going to another 
assignment and would no longer be riding his ass all over 
the ship, tormenting him with the address of "sir" at the end 
of every conversation.   For once the Klingon was hopeful 
that his luck might finally be changing for the better.