"Chief of Tactical"
 by Lieutenant jg T'Kang
 Chief Tactical Officer - USS Tempest
 http://come.to/tkang


Lieutenant jg T'Kang continued watching the Tempest's long 
range sensors with a diligent eye.  The Ferengi vessel that 
was in orbit about the planet had left.  The Klingon was 
carrying out his orders and tracking the ship for as long as 
sensors would allow.  Since it's departure, the Ferengi ship 
hadn't slowed down or changed course.  It was nearing the 
edge of the Tempest's ability to read her.

Commodore Taddy Jonathan Mitchell had again taken to 
pacing on the bridge.  After several casual strolls past the 
Tactical station, the Captain finally stopped and squared his 
shoulders towards T'Kang.  "Can you still read the Ferengi 
vessel Lieutenant?"

The Captain's tone was more cursory than urgent.  Almost 
as if he was just checking on facts he already knew the 
answers to.

T'Kang nodded.  "Just barely Commodore.  The Ferengi 
have not changed course since they jumped into warp upon 
leaving this system." the Klingon explained roughly.

Taddy nodded, "I figured as much."  The Commodore then 
glanced across the console into T'Kang's eyes, "Can I have 
a word with you in my ready room Lieutenant?"

T'Kang glanced up at the Captain, trying to read him.  In the 
last several assignments, the brash Klingon had had his 
share of private meetings with superior officers.  They almost 
always turned out to be visits T'Kang would have rather 
avoided.   But looking at the Commodore, the Klingon 
couldn't read what this was about.  Usually the Klingon knew 
what was coming after he would intentionally be rude to a 
ranking officer he deemed as being incompetent, or after 
getting into a brawl in the mess hall or back handing a 
coworker for touching his things.  But this time, other than 
observing the altercation below deck between Sharpe, 
Gnoswal and O'Malley, the Klingon had done nothing that he 
knew of that would afford the Captain an opportunity to lay 
into him. 

"Yes sir."  T'Kang agreed while peering at the Captain with 
apprehensive eyes.

Taddy smiled as he turned on his heal, "Follow me then.  
Forget about the Ferengi vessel for now.  We will have 
plenty of warning before they decide to return at this 
distance."

Both men walked into the Captain's office.  It was the first 
time the Klingon could remember visiting the Commodore's 
private office since arriving on board the Tempest several 
weeks earlier.  Most of the time T'Kang would simply report 
to his duty station or report to Ensign Meckler's office to get 
his duty assignments for the week.  The Commodore had a 
nice office.  It was tastefully decorated and everything was 
arranged to have a very functional orientation.

"Please sit down Lieutenant."  Taddy offered with a gesture 
while resting back into his own leather chair.

T'Kang gave his trousers a tug and sat down stiffly in the 
chair facing the Commodore.  He looked like a predatory 
animal sitting uneasily on the perch of a cliff, waiting and 
ready to strike at a moments notice.  

"Relax Lieutenant."  Taddy smiled, "I'm not here to bite your 
head off over anything you've done."  The Commodore 
explained picking up a data padd and pointing, "Though I've 
seen that you've had more than your fair share of run ins 
with your superiors."

T'Kang shifted uncomfortably in his chair.  Was he supposed 
to respond to that comment?  The Klingon once again felt his 
social ineptitude weighing on him like the mud of the gab bIQ 
puH swamps on Qo'nos.  "May I ask what this is about *sir*." 
T'Kang asked with his cutting emphasis on the humanly 
polite address at the end.

"I have been keeping a eye on your performance since you 
transferred on board this vessel Lieutenant.  I must admit, I 
had my doubts on whether or not you'd fit in with the rest of 
the Tempest crew given your past record. . . "  Taddy 
explained placing the data padd back down on his desk.

T'Kang fidgeted some more.  It was almost comical watching 
the bear like Klingon try to sit there and behave like a 
civilized Starfleet officer for the Commodore's benefit.  Given 
the notations on T'Kang's record on his barbaric behavior on 
ships past, Taddy found that if anything, the Klingon was 
trying to fit in.

"But I am glad I decided to allow you on board T'Kang.  You 
have been doing an excellent job and that is what I wanted 
to talk to you about.  I want you to assume the role of Chief 
Tactical Officer on board this vessel.  What do you say 
Lieutenant?  Are you up to the challenge?"  the Commodore 
asked.

T'Kang was obviously shocked.  The Klingon had expected 
to get a chewing out for one thing or another like not 
reporting what he had saw of the skirmish below deck, and 
here his Captain was making him the department head for all 
of Tactical.   Swelling with pride, T'Kang answered, "It is a 
great honor Commodore.  But what of Ensign Meckler?"

Taddy raised his hand.  "Meckler is a fine officer Lieutenant, 
don't get me wrong.  But he is also a young and 
inexperienced officer as well.  I need an officer who is 
capable of leading the Tactical department and has the 
experience to serve on my senior advisory staff.  Given time, 
I'm sure Meckler will make a fine senior officer, but I need 
someone who is ready to lead now.  I think you are the man 
for this job Lieutenant.  I hope you'll accept."

T'Kang gave a solemn nod.  "I will take this position 
Commodore, and will try to prove worthy of the honor you 
have bestowed upon me this day."

"That's what I had hoped to hear T'Kang.  Good.  Why don't 
you go down to Ensign Meckler's office and have him brief 
you on the current duty roster assignments and make 
arrangements to take over his office?  In all honestly, I 
believe the Ensign is relieved at having the burden of serving 
as Chief of Tactical lifted from his shoulders."  Taddy 
explained.

"That is good to hear Commodore.  I wouldn't want there to 
be any hard feelings over this change in command.  I've 
been through that before on board a starship. . . . would 
hope to avoid that if possible."  T'Kang explained.

"That shouldn't be a problem T'Kang.  Meckler is glad to 
have someone else fill out the paper work and be held 
accountable to the Captain.  I think you'll find it an easy 
change over Lieutenant."  Taddy explained.

Rising T'Kang nodded.  "Thank you Commodore.  I will get 
things in order right away."

The Captain stood and offered his hand across the desk, 
which T'Kang took and shook firmly.  "Welcome aboard the 
USS Tempest Chief Tactical Officer T'Kang.   Dismissed."

T'Kang turned on his heal and marched out of the Captain's 
ready room.  as the doors swished shut behind the grumpy 
Klingon he paused and did something he hadn't done before 
on board the Tempest.  T'Kang smiled, though only briefly, 
before heading to the turbolift to debrief Ensign Meckler.