Captain Andrei Bolerov was still unpacking some of his items in his quarters when he heard the unfamiliar chime of the door panel. He looked around, wondering what the sound was. Momentarily, the door chimed again. "Oh, for Pete's sake. It's the door." He said aloud. "Come in."

The door slid open with a hiss. Commander Kirk stood at the doorway. The captain had taken his jacket off. It was draped over a large brown recliner next to the door. Bolerov had a large suitcase opened on a dark wooden coffee table in the middle of the living quarters and was obviously removing items from it. He was currently holding an antique African hunting mask; long, narrow, and covered with red and yellow paint. "I'm sorry, Sir." Stephen started. "I didn't mean to bother you. I can come back later if you... "

The captain looked inquisitive. "No, no, Commander." Bolerov started. "Come and have a seat." He motioned to a lighter colored brown sofa next to the chair.

"Thank you, Sir." Stephen replied gratefully. He walked in and sat down as the door slid closed behind him.

Captain Bolerov gently set down the mask and sat in his chair with a deep expulsion of breath. "What's on your mind, Commander?" he asked with an intent look. It reminded him of his C.O. back in the Starfleet Marines.

The sudden memory caused him to ask, "Permission to speak freely, Sir?" He would never have thought to ask that question with Captain Velasquez.

The question caught the captain off guard. He remembered reading that Kirk was once a Marine, but he hadn't heard that question for a long time. "Granted." he answered with a mild look of surprise.

"Captain," he started slowly. Stephen wasn't quite sure how to approach this topic, but it had been vexing him since dinner. "I... remembered you saying you had been retired, then asked to return to duty."

"Yes..." Bolerov commented warily. His thoughts swam at the question Kirk was going to ask. Perhaps Admiral Wellington was right and Kirk wasn't a good fit for this position. Was he going to question his ability to lead? The appropriateness of his appointment? Perhaps Kirk was going to question him about the incident at Deep Space Nine.

"Well, Sir... "Kirk could see that Bolerov was getting apprehensive. His next words would have to be carefully chosen. He didn't want another person questioning his position. "Captain Velasquez was retired, then came out of retirement, too. It just seems kind of odd... "

"Are you questioning my appointment to this ship, Commander?" Bolerov tried not to look upset or sound defensive, but he had already been through an interview with superior officers. He wasn't about to accept another interview by a subordinate.

"Oh, no Sir." Kirk got defensive and waved his hands. "Well... I mean... I'm just wondering why we're pulling people out of retirement to command this ship. Don't we have others in active service we could appoint?"

So, that was it. Kirk was questioning his age. Perhaps this kid thought he was too old. "First of all, Commander..." he emphasized that word, "I wasn't 'pulled out of retirement'. I was in active service until six years ago. Secondly, I wasn't overlooked for a promotion, I declined and chose retirement instead. Thirdly, I have more commendations for service than you have years of life." His voice grew more irritated with each point. His voice also became more accented. "Finally, Commander, I was already interviewed for this position and was accepted, regardless of my age." Perhaps Kirk knew about the fight with the Jem'Hadar battle cruiser and doubted him. That was too bad. That was six years ago. He was over it. "Will there be anything else, Commander?" He emphasized that word again.

Stephen realized he had pressed a bad button. It was a simple question, or so he thought. Perhaps he phrased it wrong? Perhaps he asked the wrong person? Whatever the case, he had upset his new commanding officer at a time when friends higher up in the food chain were hard to come by. Kirk stood quickly. "No, Sir." he replied with his old, Marine voice. His voice softened a bit. "I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Bolerov's look was stern, his voice steady. "I'm sorry you disturbed me, too. Dismissed."

Kirk spun on his heel and left Captain Bolerov's quarters. After the door slid closed behind him, he said to himself quietly, "Maybe I should just pack my bags now. Way to go, Steve..." He walked down the hall wondering what he could have said or done differently, other than leave it alone.

Bolerov watched the door close behind Kirk as he left. The last thing he needed was some up-and-coming commander with one combat victory to his name casting doubts. It had been six years, after all... plenty of time for that wound to heal. He didn't even think about it much any more. He was ready for another command. He could feel it. Andrei resigned himself to keep Kirk under close watch. One false move, one act of insubordination, one question of his authority, and he'd take Wellington up on his offer to have Kirk replaced.

Angrily, Bolerov picked up the African war mask and examined the etched-in frown.