> >"I'm sorry I don't know your name?" He said honestly.
>
> >"Deven Franks, Assistant Director for Propulsion Systems Research."
> answered the civilian.
>
> >"I'll be honest....I don't listen to what's said about specific
> departments. I have never play the gossip game and I won't do it here
> either. There are varying opinions of R&D at >this time-they don't matter
> to me. What matters right now is our relationship with our funders and how
> to revive that relationship. As to command change, the CinC
> Admiral >Lasiter asked me to step in. As I told Admiral
> Hutchinson"-Hutchinson wasn't getting away that easily, "I hate seeing a
> good man move on but that's what is happening. I am >going to work closely
> with Admiral Hutchinson during the transition to ensure a smooth
transfer."
>
> >"Thank you sir, but you still have not answered my first question. What
> is your opinion of R&D?"
>
> Lorin looked at him and waited a moment, "I respect you and your
department
> Mr. Franks. R&D is what keeps us on our path of progress."
>
A non-committal answer, but it would do. At least for now. His actions
would speak louder in time.
Dinner arrived, and the animals ate and chatted. The rest of the evening
went smoothly. Each individual took their opertunity to meet and speak with
Lorin seriously, and made the most of it. Bending his ear as long as he
would allow them.
As the evening was winding down, and a few of the staffers had left, Admiral
Hutchinson dismissed the remainder. He would have some time with Lorin
without any others to restrict what was said.
Finally alone in their private dining room, with some good coffee for
Hutchinson, and Lorin with what he wanted to finish the evening...
"Admiral Renaud, I understand from Commadner M'Rrenn, that the change of
command will happen early next week. Are you ready for all of this?"
{response}
