Wine Woes

Posted on 07 Jul 2018 @ 5:18pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.) & Commander S’chqenr T’Jedf Tolkath (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Radun Dran (Dec - Jan 2389 TRNSFR After Second Battle of XFY)

Mission: Ne Me'e Laua Na Paio - Heroes & Villains
Location: Ops Briefing Room, XFY - Deck 20
Timeline: 0918, 13 January 2389

[ON:]

[Xavier Fleet Yard Station: Deck 20 Operations Briefing Room 2]

"Lieutenant Radun, a word please?" Akio told Dran in a quiet voice, making it clear that this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.

Juan stepped into place at the Captain's side, arms crossed, and silent for the time being.

Dran groaned inwardly, seeing the XO and the Captain standing there, and both looking less than pleased. He easily changed direction, coming to stop in front of both of them, coming to attention.

Tolkath remained seated where he had been during the Briefing.

"What is this, Mr. Radun?" Akio asked, once everyone else had left, picking up the glass Dran was holding earlier off the table.

"A wine glass, sir." Dran said, knowing where this was going.

Akio noticed the half-answer and deflection. The diplomat was adept at words.

"Do not try to slide out of this situation with your tongue, Lieutenant. What is in this glass?" Akio pressed, feeling his temper rise.

"Chardonay. An aged Chardonay to be exact." Dran said, a dead give away that he was drinking. "It was one drink, I do not see the problem with having a drink every now and then."

Tolkath's eyebrow raised as he listened. He had not met the Diplomatic Officer but he'd heard of his rather brash style from his wife. Drinking on duty was a serious matter, did the Bajoran really think it was acceptable.

At least he had good taste in wine, Akio fleetingly thought.

"This problem is not that you are drinking," Akio started, making it clear this was not a morality issue. "It is 0900 today. Is there a reason you feel the need to be drinking, while on duty?" Akio asked, doing his best to control his temper.

Something taught at the Academy during corrections was allowing the member to at least explain themselves. A small part of Akio wondered if there was a substance abuse issue cause by stress, especially with the recent combat action.

"Prophets help me." Dran muttered in Bajoran, rubbing his nose ridges forcibly. "Combat action, our wonderful Gorn doctor turning coat, and some personal stuff that has been bothering me, sir." He sighed, "I'm a stress drinker sometimes."

He let his eyes dart between Akio and Zamora, and glanced briefly at Tolkath.

Akio paused and looked at Zamora briefly. The way he said it just wasn't convincing. It was too much of an explanation and too quick, almost as if he knew how to get out of this mess.

"I have read your file, Mr. Radun, and understand you have been an Ambassador before and come highly recommended by Admiral Shotton. The rules may have been different at your previous assignments as an Ambassador, yet you are a commissioned officer now and the head of a department. The crew looks up to you," Akio paused for effect.

"Consider this a verbal reprimand, Lieutenant Radun. Further violations of the UCMJ and dereliction of your duties will not be tolerated. Drinking in uniform and being drunk on duty are taken seriously. I hereby order you to a command-directed mental health evaluation. Further misconduct will result in sterner measures. Do I make myself clear?" Akio asked, surprised he was able to keep his temper in check.

Dran nodded, "Yes sir. Understood." He made a mental note to speak to Admiral Shotton and thank him once again for the roaring recommendation.

"Dismissed," Akio said, waiting for the junior officer to leave before turning to his senior and fellow command officers. "XO, send a note to Dr. Emerson and have her verify he showed up to the evaluation. Any other thoughts?"

"I am not sure his explanation was the correct one" Tolkath said quietly 'it did not seem.... sincere" Looking back to Tachibana.

"It's a diplomat's job to smooth over difficult issues, one way or another." Juan explained. "Outright lies can lead to serious trouble, and they are often too easy to detect, half truths are generally much more useful. I believe that Dr. Emerson's evaluation will most likely back up Lt. Radun's words. But I also believe that he was telling us what he thought we wanted to hear."

"I agree with your assessments," Akio replied without a smile. "Keep an eye on him and depending on Dr. Emerson's recommendation, we may need to take further action."

The trio then discussed other command issues and logistics, such as duty schedules while in port, before parting ways.

OFF:

Akio Tachibana, CAPT, SF
CO

Juan "JJ" Zamora, CDR, SF
XO

Tolkath, CDR, SF
2XO/CSO

Radun Dran, LTJG, SF
CDO