"Reports and new assignments"
 by Ensign T'Kang
 Assistant Engineer - USS Intrepid


"Report Ensign" Lieutenant Hannoyh ordered evenly.

T'Kang looked across at the Intrepid's Chief Engineer.  His 
usual sour expression deepened slightly at the sight of the 
multi-sexed Hermat.   The Klingon was uncomfortable 
enough around humans and trying to be polite.  The freakish 
nature of Hermat dual sexuality gave T'Kang the creeps.  It 
was hard enough for the brash, barbarian of an officer to 
remember to say "sir" and "ma'am" at the appropriate times.  
Now, solely because of the unique sexuality of the Chief 
Engineer, T'Kang had to deal with terms like "hish", "hir", and 
"s/he".   There was nothing personal about T'Kang's dislike 
of Hannoyh.  He just didn't feel comfortable around hir.

"The adjustments made to the plasma flow injectors appears 
to have corrected the inefficiencies you detected earlier."  
T'Kang blurted out loudly,  "Crewman O'Donald reports that 
flow efficiency is up to one hundred percent, with no 
measurable detriment to warp core output."

T'Kang finished abruptly and was careful to use no address 
at all when speaking to Hannoyh.  A fact not lost on the 
Chief Engineer.  But unlike Lieutenant' Gabrial when he was 
still on the Intrepid, Hannoyh didn't make a big deal about it.  
Having been a Hermat around humans for much of hir life, 
the Klingon's prejudice had become something s/he was 
accustomed to.

"I see."  Hannoyh said flatly.  S/he was sensing that the 
Klingon didn't like hir but wasn't sure if s/he was being over 
sensitive and emotional because of hir dream earlier.  
Rather than confront T'Kang about it and possibly make a 
fool of hirself, Hannoyh decided to do what Department 
heads do in awkward situations.. give orders.  "Captain 
Celchu wants the shuttles ready to go when we arrive at 
Frainar III.  The away teams are already making 
preparations.  I want you to go down to the shuttle bay and 
make sure the shuttles check out and are ready to go when 
we arrive at the planet.  I know you are a qualified shuttle 
pilot from your prior assignment in Starfleet."

T'Kang's eyes narrowed more sharply than before.  He was 
indeed qualified as a Flight Control Officer.  He'd been 
Helmsman of one of the most advanced Defiant class 
warships in the fleet.  To say he was a qualified pilot was 
practically an insult to the proud Klingon warrior.  Hannoyh 
would have been better to strike T'Kang across the face with 
hir clenched fist.    He shifted his weight and gave a guttural 
growl before answering, "I will see that it is done."   Then, 
without waiting any further conversation, the Klingon turned 
and walked out of engineering, leaving the Chief Engineer 
standing there.

Weakly, Bolkovich and the red headed Darla O'Donald 
smiled at the Lieutenant.

"Ensign T'Kang is difficult to get along with sometimes sir."  
Darla shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

Slowly Lieutenant Hannoyh looked across engineering and 
watched T'Kang walk away.  In a quiet voice she said, "I 
hope that's all it is."  S/he sighed.