370 Internal Problems (1/2)
Commander Ford frowned and walked up to the group, ”What's the problem?”
The Chief Shipwright turned and saw who was behind him and he stifled up and quickly threw a greeting, ”Sir!”
He threw a chilly glance at the group of goblin techs who threw up a crude salute before petrifying into attention when they saw who has appeared.
”So?” Ford demanded as he turned his attention back to the Chief Shipwright.
”Sir,” The Chief quickly replied. ”The goblins are on strike! They are not willing to continue to work unless we met their demands!”
Ford frowned and he turned to the goblins still frozen in their salute pose. ”Is that true?”
”Er... Yep, Sir!” One of the goblins with a welding mask over his head replied. ”We work overtime, no extra pay! No fair!”
”Ya ya!” Another goblin wearing a pair of goggles added. ”Orcs get combat pay in Marines! We techies no overtime pay! No fair!”
”NO FAIR!” Chorused the rest of the goblins together. It seemed like that was somewhat of a slogan to them. ”NO FAIR!”
”Hey!” The Chief Shipwright jerked his thumb behind him, gesturing to the ship and glared at the rowdy goblins. ”You were supposed to finish her up a month ago! And since you can't finish your work, you, of course, have to work overtime to finish her up!”
”NO FAIR!” The goblins grumbled. ”Not our fault if toopid elves no deliver steel metal and parts!”
Ford vaguely understood what was going on between the Chief Shipwright and the goblin techs. ”Alright, enough!”
Both parties stopped their argument and quieten down except for the goblin wearing the welding mask, ”Big Chief of Shep Chief! We want justice!”
Ford sighed inwardly, before he replied, ”Alright before we decided anything, let me get this straight.”
”These two ships are unable to be completed in time is due to lack of materials?” Ford asked.
The Chief Shipwright sighed and nodded together with the goblins. ”Our parts and materials we ordered from the factories were delayed.”
”Ya! And not all come!” The goblins injected from the side. ”Lousy quality too!”
”So, why wasn't this issue brought up?” Ford turned to the Chief. ”You had so much time to report this incident to me, why haven't you done so?”
The Chief Shipwright's face turned red, ”Er... I had... too many other things to work on... The factories are saying other departments are needing parts and materials urgently and I thought we could pay off the workers in the factories to supply us first... but... we got turned down...”
Ford sighed, ”First of all, you are no longer in whatever place you came from. This is the UN! Bribes are illegal! And in the first place, you shouldn't even need to resort to bribes!”
”Chief, I don't care how you used to do things before you joined the UN,” Ford said in a serious tone. ”I do not want such things to be repeated ever again. Do you understand?”
”Ye- yes Sir!” The Chief's face turned pale while the goblins snickered at the scolding he got.
”And if there are any delays in shipment, you are to report it to your superior or failing that, report it directly to me!” Ford stated. ”These issues shouldn't ever be a problem if you had reported it earlier!”
”I- I am sorry, sir,” The Chief apologized. ”It will not happen again!”
”Make sure that is so, or I will fire you and have someone else more competent to take over your duties!” Ford warned. ”And for you goblins!”
The goblins quickly hid their glee and giggles as Ford turned his attention to them. ”I will not pay overtime this time around.”
The goblins hearing that news immediately was crestfallen. ”Awww...”
”But, I will give a bonus if you all could finish up all the remaining work within a week!” Ford said.
Hearing that, the goblins peaked up, ”Really?”
”Yes,” Ford nodded. ”But... Both ships must be ready for ship trials within the week!”
”Aye!” The goblins threw another salute. ”We get it done in time!”
Ford shook his head as he watched the goblins drag the Chief Shipwright off towards the ships with great energy and excitement. He frowned as he really needed to complain to Blake regarding the priority and tasking of resources. At this rate, the Navy will really be picking up the leftovers of the Air Force and Marines!
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Orwell's Point, SDF City Depot
A newly constructed base for the city's militia was sited just a kilometer away from the city walls. Concrete, sandbag, and razor wire surrounded the green tents and the only permanent structure, a three story concrete building that acted as the local SDF administration offices and command post.
The local CO of the SDF was sweating in his uniform as he stared at the Intel Officer seated before him. ”I... I can assure you that there are... are no issues with our inventories!”
Lt Tavor smiled as he propped his shiny black combat boots on the table. ”Well, then there is nothing for you to be worried about!”
The CO nodded and eyed the four grim looking black uniformed guards of the Intel Division armed with the latest sub gun which he only heard rumors of. ”T- Tea?”
”No thank you,” Tavor replied in a lazy voice as he glanced at his watch. ”I think my men are about done soon with their auditing!”