"All things in their time"
 by Lieutenant jg T'Kang
 Chief Engineer - USS intrepid
 http://come.to/tkang


T'Kang regarded the monocle wearing Lieutenant 
Commander Charleston.  He was gripping the black baton 
tightly in his left hand, while the `business end' of the strange 
looking instrument was resting firmly under his armpit.  The 
Chief Engineer of Starbase 438 spoke in a thick, British 
accent that was difficult to understand.  He also walked 
around T'Kang's office with all of the cockiness of a 
Romulan, though there was no mistaking him as a pale 
skinned Terran.

Ensign Salek had shown the foresight to excuse himself 
from the Lt.Commander's company to fetch the man some 
tea.

Charleston regarded the Klingon as he leaned back in 
T'Kang's chair and rested his feet on top of his desk.  "Come 
on Mister T'Kang, don't be shy, I shan't bite you old man."

The ridges on T'Kang's forehead deepened into a scowl.  
"Commander, I would like to know how the modifications to 
the warp core assemble have gone.  The core we are 
installing was not originally intended to be installed in a 
Prometheus class starship and I am concerned that we will 
have difficulty when it comes time to fasten."

Charleston removed the baton from under his arm and 
slapped it down on the desk, silencing the brawny Klingon.  
"Really Lieutenant." Charleston began while removing his 
monocle and taking out a pristine white handkerchief with 
which to wipe it.  "Your concerns are unfounded.  I have 
personally supervised hundreds of warp core installations.  
Many of which were much more complicated then this one.  
As you will see, we shall complete this installation 
professionally and right on shhhedule."  Replacing the 
monocle, Charleston glanced at T'Kang directly before 
adding, "That is if your personnel are up to the task and can 
stay out of my engineers way."

Few people were able to immediately get under T'Kang's 
skin and cause him to dislike them.  Doctor Desmond was 
one.  But this Charleston character even made the Chief 
Medical Officer appear to be a saint.  "I assure you 
Commander, the engineers on the Intrepid are more up to 
this task."

In a patronizing tone, Charleston glanced upward at the 
ceiling with his eyes.  "Yes.  Well we will see about that now. 
. . . won't we?"  Just then Salek entered with a steaming cup 
of Earl Grey tea for the Lieutenant Commander.   "Ah, my 
tea.  Bully good of you Mister Salek."

T'Kang watched as Charleston took a sip of the tea.  It 
bothered him that Charleston simply made himself at home 
in T'Kang's office, but there was little he could do about it.  
Lieutenant Commander Charleston was the Chief Engineer 
at Starbase 438, and had been put in charge of the 
installation of the warp core into the Intrepid.  It was 
fortunate that the Intrepid engineers were being allowed to 
participate in the installation at all.  But given Charleston's 
pompous attitude, T'Kang was having second thoughts 
about the installation.

After a long stretch of silence, T'Kang asked, "Commander, 
when will we begin the installation of the warp core?"

"Don't be in such a hurry old man.  All things in their time 
Lieutenant.  First we need to go over every step of the 
installation to be sure you and your. . . . men, know their 
place."  Charleston's nose seemed to turn upward as he 
referred to the crew of the Intrepid.  It was subtle, but both 
T'Kang and Salek noticed it.

T'Kang crossed his massive forearms stubbornly.  "My crew 
have already been over the installation procedures 
Commander.  We are ready to begin."

"Yes.  Well, that is what we will find out, isn't it?"  Charleston 
replied taking another sip of tea.

Salek gave T'Kang a glance.  It looked like the Klingon was 
going to go off into a fit of rage at the annoying Charleston.  
Vulcans were telepathic, but Salek didn't need to use any of 
his special talents to tell that T'Kang was growing impatient.

T'Kang let out a frustrated grunt.  In a tone that best 
sounded like forced civility, he said, "When you finish your 
tea, I will be out in main engineering."  The Klingon then 
turned and started to march out of his office.

Charleston swallowed his tea and placed the cup down on 
the desk while calling out, "Oh Lieutenant . . . . ."

T'Kang stopped near the door and turned around to glance 
at Charleston.

"You are dismissed."  The Lieutenant Commander added 
with a hint of sarcasm intended to remind the Klingon who is 
in charge of this installation.

"Yes SIR."  T'Kang hissed back before exiting the office.

Charleston watched while T'Kang left before turning to 
Ensign Salek who was still standing by quietly.  "This 
Lieutenant T'Kang appears to be a high strung fellow."

"The Lieutenant has been through a lot in the last several 
months.  He is, however, an excellent Chief Engineer."  The 
Vulcan explained.

Charleston let out a hurmph.   Reaching for his cup of tea, 
he continued looking out the door T'Kang had exited, "I 
suppose we shall see just how good of an engineer he is 
shortly.  Cheers Ensign."

Salek watched as Charleston finished the last of his drink 
before they both exited T'Kang's office and headed to main 
engineering to get the warp core installation under way.