She had settled into the meal, going over what she would do tomorrow to start her investigation when she noticed that the Admiral had spoken to her once again.  Looking up from her plate she contemplated the best way to answer his statement.   And although someone at the table tried to steer the conversation to more pleasant matters, she couldn't let the Admirals statement go unanswered.<br/><br/>"<strong>I do not see a reason for you to apologize, from what I heard you didn't say anything that you didn't mean.</strong>"  She paused for a moment before continuing.<br/><br/>"<strong>Admiral sir, I do not believe I stated a dislike for you putting trust in the new Chief Engineer, in fact in any investigation I would have had, I would have fully used her capabilities in investigating the equipment worked on by the <em>previous</em> Chief Engineer.  And as far as an "independent" investigation, well I believe it was you who gave me permission to do so only moments before, I was just thinking about using my time when I'm not doing officer duties to conduct the investigation.</strong>"  Here she paused again, having to justify herself to the Admiral when she had done nothing wrong killing what apatite she would have had.<br/><br/>"<strong>But if it would make you feel better, than of course I will hold off from a joint criminal investigation of the man.</strong>"  She was about to end it there but couldn't help but add onto it, although she made sure to keep her voice as respectful as always.<br/><br/>"<strong>Also Admiral Kol, not to sound insubordinate, but please call me Captain Fielding.  While in a formal setting as this, it seems more appropriate.</strong>"