<<Mess Hall>>

"...I have access to a wide variety of files.", Parker said.

Epic was leaning back in his chair, listening not only to Parker's words, but `listening' to the tempo of his emotions. To the outward observer, Parker was a reasonably calm person with incidents of intensity. To Epic Terrakian, Parker was a volcano of volatile emotions that he barely maintained behind a thin veil of self-control. His obvious anger was both externalized, to a lesser degree, and internalized, to the greater degree.

`This guy should be on our Security team, instead of Ops. With his part-Vulcan physiology and his temperament, he should be on away missions busting heads, instead of processing inventory and filling requisitions.'

And on a deeper level, one more primal and instinctual, Epic decided, `When this guys volcano finally blows, he's going to take a whole lot of folks with him.'

"Have you ever considered a position in Security John?"

Epic paid careful attention to his reactions.