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Posted Oct. 16, 2018, 1:05 p.m. by Lieutenant William B. Grey (Chief Science Officer) (Hjortur Ingi)

Posted by Lieutenant Mthunzi Nkosenye (Chief of Security) in Bridge

Posted by Crewman Dariusz Pokorski (Navigator) in Bridge
[snip[

There seemed to be a number of Department Heads on the Bridge given that he had expressly told them to return and sort out their various branches. “Are you ready now for a private little chat about human resources now?” Glen asked Kord. “I’ll be in my Ready Room when you’re ready.”

Glen went to his Ready Room, but before Kord had a chance to join him, Noelle Ghassan came to see him first.

There was no need for Cross to stay longer than necessary ,satisfied that she had spoken to Kord the female doctor made her way to sickbay.

Once Kord left, Lt Grey and Lt Nkosenye were the senior officers left on the Bridge. With the Ark Angel gone and the planet disintegrated, the Merrimack drifted in space and Lt Pokorski was left only to wonder about a possible heading or holding position.

“Sirs,” Dariusz asked, “Orders?”

William looked at the Navigator then at the Security chief and shrugged “What do ye say Leftenant, want to go home?” He said looking up at the uncomfortably tall Security Chief.

Nkosenye looked down at the CSO. His voice was like two boulders grinding together in a deep cavern, but the volume was such that only Grey would hear him. “Lieutenant, if you do not mind. The other term carries colonial connotations my people still find… problematic.” the big Zulu said. It was hard to tell if he was offended, as the scowl on his face was seemingly a permanent fixture. He then spoke in a normal volume. “I would recommend one last sensor sweep of the area, Lieutenant. Any remnants of the Serpent vessels should either be contained for study or destroyed. I very much doubt that such technology falling into the hands of the Federation’s enemies would be a good thing. Additionally, I suggest that we place monitoring buoys in the area to alert us to any… returning guests. Your thoughts, Lieutenant?”

Will nodded and looked at the Ops “Ye heard him, let’s start a sensor sweep of the system and prep some monitoring buoys.”

“Aye, Sir!” replied Dariusz. He plotted and laid in the standard Starfleet expanding cubic sector search pattern.

He put his hand behind his back and was quiet for all of three seconds before looking back at the Security Chief and speaking in hushed tones meant for his ears only “How do you mean Colonial connotations. I’m no expert on British Imperial expansion history nor linguistics but pronouncing Lieutenant, as the yanks say, as Leftenant has no specific connections to the Colonizations of Africa that I was aware of, ‘tis simply how I learned to say it” He spoke in the curious tone of a scientist, eager to expand his knowledge.

CSO

Dariusz, Nav

Nkosenye looked up from the security console but replied in an even tone, his accent giving his words an odd cadence. “My people hold grudges, Lieutenant. And we have a tradition of oral record keeping and storytelling that is quite robust. And while I am sure you meant no offense by the term, such terminology could be construed by some of the less… diplomatic… members of my nation as slightly demeaning. The Zulu fought the British, tried to drive them from our lands. At the time, we were technologically primitive compared to the British. We fought with spear and shield. The British, for all their professed ‘nobility and honor’ at the time, turned machine guns and artillery on us and our villages. They slaughtered men, women, and children. That loss of life is still remembered today, still felt by some, and there still exists a feeling of loss all these centuries later. Such is the nature of attempted genocide. Of course, this is ancient history.” and he looked back down at the console as readings began coming in.

“I personally hold no animosity towards the British people for the actions of a bygone era. But I am also proud of my people. And of my service. I am not British, so I have not earned the title you gave me. However, if you prefer that pronunciation, I have no problem referring to you as ‘Leftenant’. I simply prefer the other.”

Nkosenye, CoS

William nodded as he stood behind the security chief “It’s not about what I am referred to, Lieutenant and Leftenant are the same titles although I was taught the archaic pronunciation at University.” He paused for a moment, stretching his neck and slightly cracking it, relaxing his demeanor. When he spoke again his Scottish brogue had disappeared replaced by an Austin accent “Although I am a child of two countries. I subconsciously speak differently when dealing with different situations. Don’t be alarmed if I suddenly change accents on you.” He smiled as he looked over to the science station nodding to his underling “Say do you mind if I ask you a personal question Lieutenant?.”

CSO


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