> >From that point on the meal went on without
> incident. They all talked about
> >any number of subject from fishing to their
> academy days to "war" stories. An
> >enjoyable evening was had by all.
>
> They were starting to trust him more...this was
> good.
>
> >At the end of the evening most of the officers
> departed. Commander Hewitt
> >bid farewell, letting David know that a
> Leutenant would be waiting to escort
> >him back to his quarters for the night.
>
> >After a bit it was just David and Van Der Loo.
> The room suddenly became a
> >bit eerie.
>
> >"Well Captain, you have seen the best and
> worst of the work that we do out
> >here. You have been in the fighting, the utter
> chaos that is front line
> >battle, and in the rear areas where we keep
> the peace and ensure safety for
> >all. The biggest problem is learning who the
> enemy is out here. Starfleet is
> >fighting a battle, and our biggest challange
> is spearating friend from foe.
> >Who to shoot at, and who to shield." Van Der
> Loo said on a new subject of
> >conversation.
>
> "You obviously work hard on your work Admiral
> and that is commendable." David smiled.
>
"I wish I could say that I enjoy it, but I can't. There is little in this
life that I find more depressing is watching sentient beings start firefights
in markets or public gathering places. Attacking what amounts to bystanders
is horrible. Attacking using the most cruel of weapons- mines,
phase-distruptors, plasma granades... all inflicting the most amount of pain
possible. All of that combined with a foe that is damned impossible to
identify. We need new rules of engagement, Captain. New rules that allow us
to employ more tactical strikes from orbit or from small craft. We need to
seriously clamp down in some areas where the fighting is the fierest, but we
can't. All we are able to do is hold on to what we have, and that is not
working."
{response}
