Karina, as had become her habit, spent the second half of the school day in the administrative office of the school building. There was commotion in the outer office. Akumuk, a Reman, who was, despite the militaristic prowess of his people, very good with children was her administrative assistant. From the sounds it was very clear that whoever was out there was going to give him a hard time. But Akumuk was more than capable. The first thing Karina noticed was a sudden brightening of the lights in the outer office. They were plenty bright enough before, but kept soft in deference to Akumuk’s sensitive eyes. And then a very shrill Ferengi voice could be heard, followed by a deep baritone of what sounded like a Nausicaan, “I am Steeno! I am on the board of education you will not tell me where I can and cannot go!” And the very soft but stern voice of Akumuk.

Karina stood up and walked out of her office, “Computer resume lights to predetermined setting.” The lights dimmed only slightly and softened onto the indigo spectrum. Karina moved to the small opening between the counters where the group, of 8, was all trying to get through at the same time. “Now, you will stop this behavior immediately.” Her voice was quiet, but for all the years she’d served Star Fleet and as an executive officer, lashed out at them like the errant children they were. The bluster was still there, but they were unsure what to do. Karina was average height, and so she towered over the Ferengi but was slightly shorter than the rest of the assemblage. But when they pressed her she refused to budge, a satisfied and chilling smile affixed to her features as the Nausicaan tried to physically force her, by sheer mass, out of the way. “I am Bremag!” the Ferengi shouted. “I demand you see me, now.”

Karina’s soft and measured voice forced them to be quiet or they could not hear her. “You may demand all you want, Bremag, but your demands are not my priority. Akumuk has given you the date of our meeting. Now you may leave this building, all of you, now. Your behavior will not be tolerated.” A woman, who looked to be half Orion, glided to the front, “You must understand, Karina, we are all very concerned about the education of the children.” Karina’s smirk didn’t leave her, first it was obvious this woman was half Orion because she was trying too hard to be seductive, and second the use of her first name didn’t bother Karina at all. It would not ingratiate any of them to her.

“Of course, we all are, who is your child? If you are hear as parents or guardians I am happy to answer your questions about their individual performances and what is going on in their classrooms.” They all blinked and looked at each other and grew confused and quiet.

The woman spoke again, “Well we want to know about all of them.”

She patted Akumuk on the shoulder once and at his glance she nodded. The nod seemed to please the assembled board members. Akumuk locked out the computer and then left the office, proceeding to activate a quiet intruder protocol for the entire school building. Karina figured it was a bit much, but she had a point to prove. “And which children do you have parental consent to access their records?” At the blank stares and the angry spitting from the Ferengi, Karina knew the answer. “Ah I see. I am not sure how you went about with the previous Educational Director but that won’t be the way things work now. You will leave and I will see you all tomorrow morning for our meeting. Now leave.”

The next morning Karina walked into the conference room that was already full. She didn’t say a word. A actual paper print out of several reports were slowly placed in front of each of the board members. Each was different. “If you will direct your attention to the reports in front of you. These are complete background checks on each of you, including your families, and all of your dirty little secrets. I hold in my hand a list of every child you have come into contact with at the school without parental consent. Your behavior crosses the line into stalking and harassment. The parents have been informed. And I have been reviewing the policies put in place by this ‘board’ and a report and analysis of such as been forwarded to the governor. Now,” Karina came to the head of the table, occupied by Bremag and simply wheeled the chair out of the way, “If you will turn your attention to the last page.” She flipped her own report and began to read, “Pursuant to the Oed V educational charter section 23 Education Board, subsection 3, Dismissal, the Education Director has sole discretion with approval of the Governor to dismiss any and all members of the board. You are all fired. Do not make the mistake of stepping foot anywhere on my school premises, ever again.” Karina walked out of the room with plenty of time for breakfast, coffee, and to start her class on time. She had arranged for some ‘help’ in escorting the dismissed board off the premises.

Karina Enger, Education Director