=Main Promenade= =Starbase Bragg= Rick sat alone in the corner of the room at one of the many establishments at the starbase. He was sipping on a beer, which was rare since Rick rarely drank and never alone. He was deep in thought as he watched everyone else in the room going about their business. There were friends just hanging out and couples enjoying some time to themselves. Rick realized that he was the only one alone at the moment, which was the idea. He needed this time to think and relax. He was currently an engineer ... acting chief engineer ... without a ship. He thought he’d have more time to spend with the Gott, but as soon as they docked with Bragg, he and his people were pretty much ran off. He wondered if there would be another Chimera, or if he would be transferred to another ship. Maybe he would windup with starbase duty, which made him cringe. First of all, there was nothing more he wanted then to be an engineer on a ship. Even if it was a cargo transport. Then there was the fact that he had made a few friends on the Chimera. He knew a few of those would be transferred to other assignments. That was the life of a starfleet officer. But, for the most part, the Chimera crew may very well remain together, whatever ship they would be assigned. He continued sipping on his beer as he contemplated many other things. He didn’t even notice the lovely brunette Trill walk up to his table. “Is this seat taken?” she asked as she not stood on the opposite end of the table from Rick. Rick just quickly looked up at her, taken back by her beauty. “Uhh, sure,” Rick said. “I mean, it isn’t take.” Despite his earlier interest in being alone to think, he now put those thoughts aside. He watched as she sat down, holding a drink, and smiled at him. “You looked lonely over here,” she said. “I think it is a crime for a cute guy to be lonely.” “I wasn’t lonely,” Rick said. “I was, you know, just thinking.” “Thinking ... thinking about what?” she inquired. “Nothing of importance,” Rick said. “Would you like another drink? Miss ...” “Tan, Aleata Tan,” she said with a smile. “And yes, I’d love another drink.” Rick waived the waiter over ordered her a drink. One he was gone, he noticed that she was staring at him. “What?” Rick said, with a grin. “You were on the Chimera, weren’t you?” she asked. “Yeah,” Rick said. “I was acting chief engineer.” “We heard a lot of rumors of what happened, but it’s all classified,” she said. “Yes, I suppose it is,” Rick said, sipping his beer. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I know you’re not suppose to talk about it ... Rick is it?” “How did you know that?” Rick said, wondering if he was being set up for something. “I was at the going away party the guys in engineering threw for Hector Gomez before he left to serve on the Chimera,” she said. “I asked who you were, but I never got around to introducing myself.” “Are you an engineer?” Rick asked. “Nah, I have a friend who is and he invited me to the party,” she said. “I also knew Hector a little, so I wanted to say goodbye to him.” They talked for the next hour, getting acquainted with each other. Rick had completely forgotten the reason he came here in the first place. “Do you like to handglide?” she asked. “I ... I guess,” Rick said, caught off guard by the question. “I mean I never really hand glided. I once did back on Earth, but that was about it. Why?” “There’s this great holosuite program where the scenery is amazing,” she said. “I have some tome scheduled in the holosuites and was wondering if you’d like to join me.” Rick considered this for a moment, “Well, I’m not that good at it.” “Don’t worry,” she said as she stood. “I’ll help you. It’ll be fun. Isn’t that what shore leave is about, having fun?” “I suppose,” Rick said. “Great,” she said. Lieutenant (j.g.) Rick Rodgers Acting Chief Engineering Officer U.S.S. Chimera