>>"Aahhh, Admiral Renaud, I would like to have a moment with you alone, if your
>schedule permits." His tone was what one would use when collegues at the same level
>talk to each other.
>
>"Yes sir-I have plenty of time."
>
>>"Please sit down. I want to talk to you about the re-organization at SF Command for
>a moment."
>
>Lorin sat down and listened, "I do have some thoughts about it."
>
"Good, I do look forward to hearing them. But what I wanted to talk to you about
is a change in position for you. As, you may know Vice Admiral Ketchner, the current
Chief of Starfleet R&D, is hoping to retire. His department has been in decline for a
few years now, and I want someone that I can count on to revive it. Someone that the
politicians can not ignore. Someone that will take R&D back from the corporate
partners we have and do more in house research. Someone that is highly respected and
can deal with the troublesome task of securing funding from the UFP Council. I was
hoping that you would take on the job.
Now before you get ahead of me, let me give you some more information about this
proposal of mine. First, and foremost, you can decline without penality or dishonor.
I am asking you to take the job, not assigning you. You would have to step down as
chief of fleet security, but would remain as CO of Spacedock. I envision this as a
short term assignment, a year to 18 months at the most. Just long enough to get R&D
back on it's feet again and on it's way to being the pre-eminent (sp) research and
development organization in the galaxy. Now, I said short term. That will be
determined on your progress. It may take longer than what I hope, but I can think of
no one better suited for the job.
This is part of my master plan, not just to dig up and throw away the bad apples,
but to take serious action to restore the honor and reputation of Starfleet as a
whole. That includes exploration initatives like those that your wife is taking care
of, and restoring Starfleet's position as a major power in the arena of scientific
research and development.
Again, I am asking you, not ordering you. Feel free to say no thank you. It will
not reflect poorly on you in any way. Take time to think it over. This is a major
decision."
Lorin could tell that Lasiter was being sincere. He was seriously trying to convey
that Renaud could say no to him without any fear or dishonor.
{reactions}
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