"Of course, sir...Captain...Airik."  It took a little effort on his part, being used to calling any and everyone 'sir' or 'ma'am' for a long time - he'd really only gotten some authority on his last assignment, and even then, he still had people over him.<br/><br/>MacReady took a swallow of his coffee, and looked long and hard at the Captain.  Well, he'd come here to ask, and trying to avoid the subject now would be like trying to keep a Ferengi out of a bank vault.<br/><br/>"Permission to speak freely, Captain."