Jesa stifled a yawn as she walked through the corridor; she didn't know what time it was, but if she had to guess she would have put it about four. The red-haired woman adjusted the Isannah plaque under her arm while fighting off another yawning fit. Whomever attempted to argue she wasn't human because she didn't have the same biological and psychological tendencies, had another thing coming to them.

Her gait was tired, loose and informal, of course, anytime after midnight tended to take on a certain informality on any ship or base. There was just a distinct air that said "Gamma Shift" and everyone simply realized it, and worked with it. But analyzing the tendencies of base personnel's manner while on the different shifts was an urge that passed by Jesa hours ago, now the only urge she wanted to obey was for a nice shower, sleep and a regeneration cycle.

She had to pass by her office to drop this off, but more than that, she had to go by it anyway to get to her quarters; at least for the most efficient way. But she would soon discover she had a rather unpleasant surprise waiting for her around the corner. Upon turning the bend in the corridor, Jesa saw people standing there. Three people who happened to be shouting at one another. Three people who were shouting at one another in front of her office.

Jesa, without a moment's hesitation, did an about face and started walking down the other direction. 'Can I get away with an about face and just reporting this to security?'

No calls were heard after her, but she could still hear the shouting. Just as she thought she was home free, some part of her mind decided to make her life a living hell---again.

'They're your crew. They are your responsibility.'

'But 24-7!?' Jesa protested mentally.

'You accepted the job.' The voice nagged.

She groaned aloud. 'You are so annoying. Has anyone ever told you that?'

'Quite often, just as I remind them that talking to ones self is the first sign of insanity.' The voice replied.

'Oh, I was insane LONG before now. Thank you very much for the help.' Jesa thought.

'You're very welcome,' the voice returned. Her own sarcasm caught up with her. Jesa rolled her eyes, tugging her uniform down with a fury and setting her lips in a thin line. She about-faced again and continued down the corridor, back towards the shouting.

She got within ten steps of them, apparently just in time as the most marine-like one was looking a bit too battle-ready. "ATTEN-TION!" Jesa bellowed, in her best drill-sergeant style. The ensigns all came to attention in a line and she was extremely grateful as the clamor of noise stopped. She walked past them, and then turned around, and walked the other way.

Jesa looked up, making eye contact with one of them. "Sir---" he began, but that was as far as he got before a quick, sharp "Shh!" from Jesa cut him off. She paced another moment and looked back up at them, her eyes narrowed slightly. Then she reached between them and tapped the door. Jesa only spoke one word. "In," and entered, letting them only have a second to part in her path.

As she settled into her seat she took a deep breath, trying to ward a headache that was coming on in triple force, knowing that it would be called upon in a minute or two. Three people standing shoulder-to-shoulder practically filled up her office, leaving no walking room or anything else. The entire room began to feel somewhat claustrophobic. "Alright, in calm, quiet, and very non-agitating words... what was that all about?" she asked, taking a moment to rub her temples.

The clamor revived as each tried to explain their story. "QUIET!!!" Jesa yelled, plunging the room back into semi-silence. The Commander heard a clock and looked over to see Richards' clock sitting on a shelf nearby. 'I must make a note to thank that Petty Officer.' she thought, momentarily ignoring the clan gathered before her desk.

Her eyes drifted to the desk, and she slowly sorted through the padds until she found one that was marked "Crew Transfers." Taking a moment to glance at it, Jesa looked up at the three gathered before her. "Now..." She said quietly, steepling her fingers against each other and laying her elbows on the desk. "We are going to do this in a quiet, organized, and expedient fashion, because at this moment I have very little patience." She said slowly, almost a little condescendingly. "Furthermore, I have had little sleep in the last forty-eight hours and I am sure you do not want to further anger your new Commander." She smiled, a little too sweetly.

"Do you understand, Ensigns?" she said. They seemed a little bewildered, all except the marine---of course, when a marine-type was bewildered, that would be the end of all civilization as we know it. All three of them nodded, eventually, with one of them giving a hearty "Aye, sir," which shook Jesa's brain a bit too much. Alright, according to what I have here, she looked at the first one. "Ensign Carl..." he nodded in affirmation. "I have you assigned as Assistant Chief of Security, what's the problem?"

"Sir, I attempted to contact the Chief of Security, but he's not around, sir. After that, the deck officer became the next objective, sir, but he is also not to be found."

"I see... well, all I can say is that he's around here somewhere. I don't check every officer to see if they have filed for leave. I do know he hasn't booked passage off the Starbase. I will need to talk to you in a moment about that. Would you please wait outside until I'm done with these two?" she ended, her question was not phrased as a question, as she stuck a thumb over at the other two officers.

"Aye sir!" He gave a formal salute, which she returned most informally, then turned on his heel to exit the office. Thankfully he was the one who was standing just in front of the door.

And she was left with the other two. Jesa drew herself up and then spoke. "Alright. You're Ensign Matt Quentin. I have you assigned as an Engineering Officer. Why're you here?"

"Yes, sir. I am here to confirm my role in the refit of the USS Isannah. There has been some confusion between the base's personnel and the Isannah's. And I have not yet met up with Lieutenant Commander Johnson to confirm what my duties are."

"Johnson was last on the Isannah. He no doubt will be contacting you about your role in the refit. It is four am and you should get some sleep before you are needed." Jesa ended, her voice becoming somewhat impatient.

"Yes, sir..." he trailed off, seeming to feel like what she said didn't answer his question at all, and that he felt silly for bothering her so obviously. 'What a way to make an impression on your new CO...' he thought bitterly.

"Very well. And you, Ensign Holbrook. I met you earlier. What's the problem?" Jesa said, throwing new ropes of restraint into her voice, allowing it to return to a calmer tone.

"Well, sir, I just don't have anything to do." His voice came off in something of a complaint, something that Jesa found absolutely irritating.

"Since we are at base, and I just piloted the ship out myself, you probably won't be needed much unless you have some engineering skills which could be put to good use. Ensign Johnson is handling that aspect of the refit; you might be wise to talk to him, especially if you're looking for career advancement. Volunteering is a bonus." Jesa ended, realizing she was sounding more like a Ferengi giving a sales pitch or a career adviser than a commander.

"Well, yes, sir, I realize that..." he said, a faint flush entering his cheeks. "I also didn't know where Pullman was, or what are the, ahem... relative positions between us."

"You're Chief Helm officer, your second is Ensign Pullman, who is no doubt about somewhere. You'd be well-advised to go talk to him. He probably has the recent duty rosters, and if not, talk to the Exec., Lieutenant Commander Lysander."

"Understood," he said, finally giving an answer that didn't manage to annoy Jesa.

"Alright. If that's all... you can send Carl back in." Jesa said, as they began to file out the door. "Oh! One other thing... what was that argument about?" She said, looking at them. They looked at each other and replied.

Another flush entered the pilot's face. "Well, who should go and find you or Lysander, actually, sir."

Jesa looked at Quentin for confirmation and he nodded, seeming a little more inclined to explain. "Actually, Commander, Ensign Holbrook and I are well acquainted. He nearly got us both thrown out of Starfleet with his crazy antics. We were having a heated discussion about this when Ensign Carl attempted to intervene by suggesting that we solve are differences by some Klingon ritual fight to the death."

'Crazy antics, definitely not what I wanted to know,' Jesa thought to herself.

"I see... well, security officers, and half-klingon ones at that, aren't known for being the most... tactful of people. You might do best in the future to improve your own sense of tact, or at least stick with cooler heads." She said. "Dismissed."

And they scurried out, Jesa was glad to see them go; not that she particularly disliked them. She simply disliked having to be up at three am to talk to them. Only realizing in that moment that she had set the plaque down on the table rather perilously on a stack of padds, she rearranged the already monstrous pile to accommodate the piece of metal.

After a moment, the half-Klingon returned to her office.

"I wished to see you," he said, remaining at attention.

"Ah yes... have a seat if you wish, Ensign Carl." Jesa said, a little too cordially, but she was tired and she was beginning to feel quite erratic in her behavior.

"Thank you, sir," he said stiffly, sitting down, oddly enough his seated posture was more formal than his standing one had been. Jesa only sighed slightly, before launching in to the required rant.

"Let me just say that the little display out there was unbecoming of a Starfleet officer, and that I expect it to never happen again. I don't care if they insult your mother, that sort of incident is not to happen. Understood?" Her tone was serious, and quite firm.

"Understood, sir!"

"Good. Now for the reason I needed to speak to you." Jesa intoned.

He only tilted his chin slightly forward, shifting his eyes to her face, indicating he was listening.

"The Chief of Security has been acting quite... strangely as of late, and I need your help." She intoned, looking directly at Carl. There was something in his eyes that alerted Jesa, but she was determined to go through with this anyway, if nothing else it would be interesting to see how he handled it.

"Do you suspect him of being a traitor?" Carl said, very gruffly.

"Perhaps, but I do not have any evidence either way. I want you to watch him, in the ends of determining his loyalty and stability... you understand what I mean." She intoned, finding herself switching to a more Klingon way of explaining.

"I understand, sir."

"Yes. And remember, Ensign. My actions will be based upon your report. This is not a whimsical task."

"I approach every task with a sense of duty and honor, are you questioning that?" he said, the slightest shift in his tone showing that he was standing on the precipice of anger.

'Great, a hothead too,' Jesa thought, wondering why no one seemed to give thought to actually behaving in an emotionally mature manner for once. "I understand. I was not insulting your honor, or the seriousness in which you carry out your duty. I was simply making my point clear."

"Yes, sir. Is there anything else, sir?"

"That is all. You might do well to get some rest before the 'morrow as well." Jesa said, running her fingers half through her hair, only to realize it was still put up.

"I am quite refreshed. It is widely known that Humans are not as strong as Klingons, and I inherited both strength and stamina from my father." Carl returned formally.

"Yes... so they have the habit of telling me." Jesa said, in a very dry tone.

Loaded: 04.19.2004 - OOC: We're back from the convention, yay!