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"I agree that military should be a last resort, but I don't want there to be a chance the XO will hesitate to fire back. If we're being fired upon, it's war whether you like it or not. Just keep that in mind."

After witnessing the heated conversation between Dr. Hiwat and Engineer Zerick, Tomalek paused for a moment, before saying, "I will be at my physical exam at the scheduled time, Dr. Hiwat, and Zerick, I hope that you're a fast learner on the ship's defensive systems.  I assume you'll be awake for most of the journey with us upgrading the ship's systems?  I'll go inform the Captain of the situation now, if there are no further points of contention?"  Tomalek then surveyed the room looking for anyone else wanting to speak.

Hendrik had always had a distinct distaste for religious people. He tried not to let that seep into his tone. He failed.

"Tomalek isn't a military man either, he will just do what needs to be done when the time comes. But yes, since we have three candidates, and the captain wanted us to choose our XO, it would be best if each of us recorded our votes on our watches."

Hendrik proceeded to vote for Tomalek after creating the vote on his watch.

"And I suppose that the navigator and I will need to remain awake for the journey too?"

"Aye, I'll be awake for the majority of the flight. I'll be fixing up HKR then reviewing and improving the ship's systems." He voted for Tomalek. "And my issue with you, Tomalek, wasn't that you're Vulcan. My problem was your approach."

"Please forgive me. I'm Anderson, David Anderson, explorer." Anderson responded.

Anderson then glanced at his watch and inputted his vote for Tomalek into the vote Hendrik created, as he believed that the Vulcan would be someone he could respect and take orders from.

He turned toward the doctor and said, "I'll arrive at the scheduled time."

Anderson just didn't like doctors in general due to his encounter with his first field doctor on tour. Hopefully this one was alright.

Aria's eyes opened and she rose from her bed. When had she fallen asleep? She was still fully dressed, and beside her lay the book she had been reading. Hoping she hadn't missed much, she looked down at her watch and checked for notifications. Her heart dropped - she hadn't even slept that long, and she had missed so much! A killer bot was found on board, she was due for a medical examination, and a second-in-command ewas being elected. From the looks of it, the other crew members were congregated in the engineering bay. Aria left her room and briskly walked to the bay.

When she arrived, most of the pilots, explorers, and researchers were there. "I'm not too late to vote, am I?" she asked them.

"No, there's still time to vote for me." Gunther answered. "Well, there's also the Vulcan and the doctor, but remember that as explorers the two of us only have jobs off-ship. The other two guys will be busy with defense systems and the med bay during a firefight, while I could put my full focus on being second-in-command. Then again, if the Vulcan wins, he said he'll just give all of his work to Zerick who's also supposed to be taking care of the ship's weapons. I'm sure he can handle it, but why force one man to be in charge of ship defense and weapons. It just doesn't make sense."

"Actually, Chief Tactical Officer is generally a position on most vessels, and that is presumably what the transfer of defensive systems authority would make his position.  Additionally, I believe that Mr. Chase would relish the opportunity to learn new systems."  Tomalek paused and glanced at Zerick, "And while we're on that note Zerick, what about my approach do you dislike?  I will attempt to modify any behaviours that you find aggravating to increase the operational efficiency of this vessel." 

"First off, I'm a human, not some AI. I don't exist to work. And what I do is because I like it. When I come aboard a new ship, I'm not gonna get right to work. Why? Because it's a new place that I want to explore. Looking at a map just doesn't cut it for me. And try talking to me like I'm a human instead of an AI. We like using smaller, more common words rather than sounding like we memorized the dictionary."

"Very well.  Consider the next few days yours to explore the ship.  You'll probably enjoy that more, and once most of the crew goes into stasis, you may return to your duties.  I will also try to use fewer complex words around you."  replied Tomalek, visibly attempting to reduce the complexity of his diction, with a little difficulty. 

"As of I know, I'll vote Tomalek." Fern Hun added in.

"Very well."  Tomalek stated.  "I shall now go and inform the captain about the decision to make me second in command of the USS Wintreath."  After telling his fellow senior officers this, he proceeded as efficiently as possible to the ready room of the captain.  "Captain, I am pleased to inform you that we are ready to leave orbit and that I have been voted your second in command.  Is there anything that you require, sir?" 

"No. We shall leave orbit immediately! Prepare your stations. It is time we leave on our maiden voyage! To the Final Frontier we go!"

"Very well, sir.  The engines will be brought on-line momentarily."  Tomalek left the room and walked onto the bridge.  He looked around, and then pressed the ship-wide announcement system button.  "This is Tomalek.  Commence primary engine ignition and begin preparations for interstellar flight."  He went over to the main engineering station on the bridge and checked the progress as the huge vessel's engines ignited...

Once everyone left, Zerick took a moment to look over HKR's working right side then at its not-so-functional left side to determine the problems. He worked non stop for two hours replacing parts and reattaching loose wires before he was satisfied with his work. Here goes, he thought before switching it back on.