Reed entered the bridge a step ahead of his Huckster counterpart, noting to his horror that Ensign VanTedly was, in fact, in the driver's seat. Trying to avoid his smirking second
in command, he moved directly to where Lt. Scott stood.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing!?!", Reed demanded, his voice carrying easily over the alarms. "Do you realize what you could have done?!?"
Number Two stared back a the commander, his mouth open, but no words coming out.
"You should have known better than to let that intellectual midget get behind the wheel", Reed continued. "Now look what he's done."
"But he hasn't done anything", the lieutenant countered hotly. "I sounded the recall so I could seal off this deck!!"
Reed stared at him incredulously. "Why?!?
"Because DANA is currently in the NCO Club, and seems to be heading in this direction!"
"Oh", Reed replied, deflating noticeably, "well why didn't you just say that?"
"You didn't afford me the chance, sir", Number Two informed his superior rigidly.
Reed nodded somberly. "You're right, son. I just became overly concerned."
"I understand, sir", the lieutenant remarked, though it was obvious he didn't.
An uneasy silence ensued and the commander noticed that they were currently the center of attention.
"Stations, people", he barked, moving to where Schultz stood. "Carry on, lieutenant", he called over his shoulder, unable to match the young officer's suddenly stoney gaze.
Reed tilted his head toward the science officer. "What do you think his problem is?"
Schultz cocked an eyebrow for effect. "You were a little hard on him, sir", the Huckster replied quietly, "and in front of the other crewmen. How did you expect him to react?"
Reed pondered the question for a moment. "I thought he'd just nod his head and smile like he always does."
"Honestly, so did I", Schultz admitted, his eyes drifting to where Number Two sat confidently in the command chair. "Evidently we were wrong."
