>"Well, I do not want to take up to much of your time, but I have
>something of a personal favor to ask of you. One that you will find
>surprising coming from me. I hope you do not mind my imposition, but it
>involves your uncle and the our boss." he added gingerly.
David was interested...and continued to listen.
>"Before I begin, let me give you a disclaimer. This is going to be filled
>with personal opinions and the like, so don't take anything the wrong way.
>But to start... I think that you uncle, Lorin Ranaud is a self righteous,
arrogant,
>pain in the ass. I can also tell you that our CinC thinks that he is a
arrogant,
>so and so as well. However telling you what I think of the man is not why
>I am here. I *am* here to tell you that despite my feelings toward him,
>I know that Starfleet needs him. More to the point that Admiral Samuel
>Lasiter needs him too. My old friend is preparing for the biggest fight of
>his life. He is going to be proposing a plan on how to change Starfleet for
>the better, and it will not be easy. He will need friends. Friends who
>will defend and support him. Friends that will be constructive in their
>advice and criticism, not overly critical and destructive. While I do not
>like your uncle, I do recognize the need for him as part of the team. Now,
>I can not say any of that to Lasiter, because he can't stand your uncle.
>Obviously, I can not approach your Uncle, because he feels the same way
>about me that I feel about him. But you can. You can get your uncle to
>make a peace offering. Not an outright one, but subtle. Like a deed, an
>action, an open statement, a what ever.
>The bottom line here is that Starfleet is a house divided, and it
>can not stand much longer. To unite the house, Starfleet Command must be
>united, and if push comes to shove it will come down to Lasiter going or
>Renaud going. I have known Samuel Lasiter for longer than you have been
>serving in the fleet, and I can tell you that as sure as I am standing here
>drinking coffee talking to you, that it will be Lorin Renaud that goes."
David just sat for a moment looking at him, "I do see your point and I will
do as you request...." he sipped his coffee, "Under one condition."
<response>
"While you do not like my Uncle personally and vice-versa, he does try to
get along with everyone in a professional manner. I would like to ask that
if you can find some middle ground with my Uncle, he would be willing to do
so with you. If Samuel Lasiter and he are going to work together, you and
my Uncle must also find some cohesiveness....true?"
