"Apologies worse than arguments" by Ensign T'Kang T'Kang Stood in the Chief's office brooding more than usually. Arms crossed, his warrior's ridges on his forehead scrunched to an extra degree of annoyance as the petite Trill medic lectured the Engineer on Klingon strength. T'Kang was grateful that Donal kept the lecture short. Crewman Darla O'Donald was in more of a hurry to get out of there than even the Klingon was, quickly leaving the first time Jezra drew in a breath after saying "That's all I have to say." Adding insult to injury, Jezra had the nerve to offer her engineering expertise on the job the Assistant Engineer was involved in. "Oh, Ensign T'Kang, you need to lower the pressure by about three microns before it blows. My symbionts first host was a Chief Engineer." The Trill smiled tauntingly. T'Kang just huffed in a sort of guttural growl and turned to leave. The warrior didn't get but a few paces away from the Chief's office before he heard a voice calling for him to wait up accompanied by the pitter-patter of jogging feet. "Look, I know Klingons usually, and you especially, aren't much for small talk. So, here's the deal. You have got to get to know people onboard. Spending all your time on work isn't very good in the long term, even for engineers. So, how bout you and me get a drink after our respective shifts are over? I'm not your standard human, so don't worry about touching me and breaking something. I know what happened. Its up to you." Dean asked. T'Kang continued walking down the corridor. Turning his head, the Klingon looked at Dean while he wondered why everybody on board the Intrepid was so interest in giving the Engineer personal advice. It was really starting to annoy the brash officer. First a medic tells him how strong he is and, `oh by the way your about to blow up the warp core giggle giggle", and now this guy wants to be buddy buddy all of a sudden. T'Kang took in a long deep breath. His instincts were to snap at this guy; tell him to mind his own business and leave him alone!, but he was just trying to be friendly, much as O'Donald had done earlier. Had T'Kang used better judgment then, perhaps the accident with injuring the crewman's wrist could have been avoided. "I shall think about it." came T'Kang's deep, curt reply. Dean slapped the Klingon across the back with a hearty smack, causing T'Kang's eyes to widen in surprised disbelief. "That's the spirit! and yes, I'll buy." He smiled before turning down an adjoining corridor and whistling some chipper human lyric. T'Kang shook his head and continued heading to the Upper Engineering platform on deck 16. He knew the injector unit block-off plate was firmly secured to regulations, but wanted to check on the warp core pressure to be sure the computer's sensors coincided with the analog gauges on the upper warp core chamber. T'Kang was certain the pressure was within tolerances, but still wanted to check less that spotted medic was correct. There is nothing like a warp core breach to ruin one's day. Climbing up the access rungs, T'Kang got to the apex of the six story tall warp core cylinder and rubbed a thumb across the face of the dusty gauge. His eyes narrowed slightly as he could see the reading was higher than the internal sensors indicated on the computer console, but it was still well within limits. "It's fine." He hissed, but then looked around and down the multi-story length of the warp core cylinder and realized that had they not been in spacedock, and the warp core was fully powered up, the delta of the difference between the analog gauge and the internal sensors could possibly be enough to cause a service plate rupture of the warp core. Biting his lip slightly, T'Kang nodded in silent acknowledgment that the pretty medic did point out a valid concern. One the Assistant Engineer would keep in mind for future operations on the warp core. Knowing that there was a difference in the reading between the internal gauges and the analog ones was a valid piece of information for any engineer. Satisfied that the ship was safe, T'Kang began descending back to the upper engineering deck. When he stood on the open grated floor overlooking main engineering below, he tapped his comm badge. "Computer, state location of Chief Engineer Hannoyh." The Klingon commanded. Computer> Lieutenant Hannoyh is presently in the Captain's ready room. T'Kang frowned more than his usual grimaced facial expression. He'd hoped to inform the Chief that the extraction was done and to get permission to assist in the realignment of the warp injector plasma flow unit before reinstalling the unit back into the warp core. Since the Chief was occupied with the Captain, T'Kang didn't think it wise to disturb hir. Glancing down, there were still half a dozen engineers standing by after the extraction of the injection unit, waiting for orders. T'Kang decided that since he had no authorization to proceed past the extraction, that it would be best to give them all a break until Chief Hannoyh returned and gave her orders on how to proceed from here. Walking over to the catwalk, T'Kang grabbed either rail and slid down to the main engineering level using his hands and feet wrapped around the silvery rails as speed breaks. He landed on the main engineering deck with the thud and stepped over to the waiting group of engineers. Crewman Darla O'Donald was quietly leaning against a bulk head and massaging her injured wrist. "There is nothing more we can do here until Chief Hannoyh returns. You may as well take a twenty minute break until s/he returns." T'Kang explained in the authoritative tone of a Klingon Warrior. The engineers all seemed to like the idea, each quickly dissipating like an Arganian dust cloud to various parts of the ship. Crewman O'Donald seemed to linger around, letting the others leave while she remained. She had a worried expression on her face and seemed to be shifting her body weight around uncomfortably. Finally she stepped up to the towering Klingon. "Sir. I,.. I just wanted you to know that I didn't say anything about your grabbing my wrist to start all of this." Darla explained in a some what whinny human voice. T'Kang looked down his nose at the frail engineer and huffed, "All of what crewman?" "This investigation or whatever it is with Doctor Donal." Darla explained. T'Kang shook his head from side to side slightly. "You should not concern yourself crewman. The Doctor is simply following Starfleet protocols and doing what she is told." The Klingon paused before adding, "It was wrong of me to grab your wrist like that. Donal was right, I should be more careful around humans." "I'm sorry." O'Donald sighed, "I feel like this is all my fault. I shouldn't have tried taking your tools without asking first. I just got so excited to be on a starship that I got carried away. I do that sometimes." "Enthusiasm is a good quality for an engineer. You should not apologize for that." T'Kang explained. "No, I was the one who was wrong. The fault was mine." Shaking her head, Darla couldn't agree. Her stubborn Irish side was surfacing. "You are being too kind T'Kang. It was my fault. Touching other peoples tools without permission is rude. I should have known better." "I said it was my fault!" T'Kang said angrily. "I grabbed your wrist harshly in an attempt to make you go away! It was wrong of me and I should be punished." The Klingon growled. "No it was my fault!" O'Donald raised her voice back, stepping forward to face the Klingon toe to toe. Her little frame contrasted the hulky Klingon's and was a sight to see. "You can not say that! You merely were examining a set of tools. *I* was the one who was in error grabbing your wrist so harshly. There is no excuse for such behavior on a starship!" T'Kang growled down at the fire-plug of an engineer. "There is! Someone was taking your things without permission. That is more than enough justification for stopping the person. I had no right to do that. It was rude and foolish and I WILL NOT let you take the blame for my own mistakes!" O'Donald yelled back. The two engineers were getting louder and louder with each apology. Slowly the attention of the other officers, even those just passing by main engineering, was gained. There was quite a gathering of crew members standing around and watching the comical exchange. Though they were both apologizing to each other, it was getting to the point that everyone wouldn't be surprised if they started going to blows over who's fault it was.. Whatever "it" was supposed to be. "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!" T'Kang screamed in a huff. "I injured your wrist and that was wrong! I will not accept any more of your excuses!" "Well we will see about that!" O'Donald said stubbornly and turned on her heal. "Where are you going?!" T'Kang growled through warrior's teeth. "To see Doctor Donal and clear all of this up right now." Darla snipped back with an equal amount of defiant spite in her voice. "I will not allow that!" T'Kang grumbled, "I will come and tell her what happened myself!" the Klingon turned and began marching out of main engineering after O'Donald. They each walked right past the gathered crowd that quickly parted way for the two hot headed Intrepid Engineers, and watched as one massive Klingon and a determined red head stomped down the corridor and around the corner, growling at each other every step of the way.