"I'm trying to do my job," Jake shot back, "which includes making sure that my command runs smoothly. If you're going to mouth off and act like a twelve year old the minute someone says or does something you don't like, then I have no use for you and I will pull you from flight status and start the paperwork to have you removed from the service."

Jake held the other man's gaze for a moment to make sure the Lieutenant understood, then let his gaze soften a bit.

"I'm not asking for you to be a model officer. Given your service record I'm not sure you're capable of it. I do expect you to show the proper amount of public respect to those in the chain of command who have shown the ability to accept more responsibility than yourself, and I don't want to hear about you starting any fights. Anything else is between you and Captain Tarix."

He returned his gaze to the other man's eyes. "Are we clear?"