((BACKLOG, this takes place before Indy's log.)) ========= Promenade, SB 485 =========== Hawk somewhat stumbled his way from his quarters to the stations main restaurant. The biggest loss of personal items he suffered from the chimera's loss was his stash of liquors. Seventeen different types of liquor ranging from scotch to a small flask of Kaldorian ale. He of course didn't drink ALL the time, actually he didn't drink at all while on a mission, but RnR however was a different story. Now he was missing his mission ending ceremony. A suitable replacement however was found on this starbase, there are ALWAYS those that sell things not exactly deemed legal. A large amount of scotch was purchased and consumed forthwith by Mr. Versey rather quickly. He needed to drown away the horrors of this mission rolling around in his head. The trip from his quarters to the restaurant had a pleasant turn. Hawk came upon Cmdr Summers before he entered the restaurant. She was obviously having some personal time with Cmdr Guzman as she was dressed for nothing but RnR. Shane however was nowhere to be seen. Hawk never missing an opportunity and being drunk walked right up to Rangi and said, "Hello there Ma'am, you wouldn't be in need of an escort this evening would you?" Shane was just called away to take care about a drunken crewmember of the Chimera who was caught in a little bar brawl. Cause the brawl was not too heavy and no one was seriously injured, station security decided to ask the Chimera's XO what to do with the man. Spending time with Rangi made Shane being in a good mood and after some little 'XO's speech about how lucky the guy was that it isn't Bretam picking him up from the base security' he let the man go and swiftly returned to Rangi only to see that his place was somehow .... occupied. Rangi stood looking in the art shop window, which was two doors away from the bar where Shane had been summoned to. They had been on their way to collect the picture he wanted when the call from base security had interrupted them. The window was full of interest and Rangi did not notice the dark haired man approaching until he stood by her side and said her name. Slightly startled she glanced around quickly and recognizing the engineer replied, "Lieutenant Versey...errr.thankyou, but no...I'm not alone." The fact that this was blatantly untrue seemed to escape her and she smiled politely at his friendly grin. Hawk slowly looked around Rangi and made an obviously smart attempt to find her companion "Ahhhh, I see that." Hawk offered his hand to be shaken by an imaginary person. Smiling at Rangi of course. "I didn't mean to come on too strongly Commander. I just don't think a lovely lady should be all by herself when there are suitable personnel around to keep you company." Hawk continued. Rangi looked at him with mild amusement in her eyes, realizing that he wouldn't normally call the 2XO a lovely lady unless some form of alcohol had increased his nerve. "That's very chivalrous of you." she replied. "But really..I DO have a companion. He'll be back in a minute." "Oh...in that case I wouldn't want to intrude." Hawk said as he stumbled abit towards the wall. He planted his hand on the wall and adopted a large grin. "So..." Hawk said obviously searching for something to talk about. "You wouldn't happen to know when and IF we're gonna get a new ship do you...Rangi....." Hawk paused as he realized he had made a slight error."You don't mind if I call you that right now...Ma'am?" he said trying to stand a little straighter. Holding back her desire to laugh Rangi replied "I don't know anything about new ships. " She glanced back towards the bar and saw that Shane was approaching so looking again at the happy lieutenant added "..and I don't think 'Rangi' is quite appropriate." She saw he was taking a moment to work out her answer so asked with apparent interest.. " Have you been drinking Mr. Versey?" "A little......bottle of scotch, yes......" Hawk let out a little laugh at that point and added, "Well Commander Summers....." Hawk saluted ".......You may call me Hawk, I am not found of Lieutenant or Mr. Versey, just call me Hawk." Hawk really wasn't trying to be annoying but he realized that he may be doing just that. As Shane drew near, Rangi smiled to him then turning to Hawk said.." A 'little' bottle of scotch..I see. " Shane came to her side and Rangi added " Well...Hawk...here is my companion..the one I told you about? " Hawk snapped to attention with a grin and almost fell over again, "Commander Guzman....*hic*...I was just informing the doctor of....uhhhhh...mmmmm..... Ok you caught me......you shouldn't mix scotch, with a lovely woman standing alone, just my advice" Hawk said while grinning like a jackass at Shane. Shane looked at the quite obvious drunken Engineer with surprise and a slight annoyance. {Let them having rest for a few days and they start to act like apes. All they think about is drinking and womanizing} he thought {where did we go?}. "I never do Mr. Versey" Shane replied. True, Shane didn't think much about alcohol of any kind ... besides a glass of good wine upon special occasions. At last he realized the obvious. There she stood. Rangi - an attractive young woman, holding a senior rank, tall, proud, confident ... but still sexy and lovely. Such a woman was surely in dreams of many of the younger crew ... and apparently in Hawk's as well. Shane knew how little time he did spend with Rangi in the last time and especially during the last mission. With the Command change of the Chimera it will become even worse now. Sure the last week the two of them spend practically all together, but can a week make it for all those long months? Shane's free time was limited and there were THAT many other men on board .... Looking queer at Versey he said in a more unfriendly tone then he wanted: "But I see you do Mr. Versey and none of the two good enough. Don't drink when you are not up for some head aching and dont play with women that are not free." Surprised by the tone Shane had adopted, Rangi placed a hand on his arm and when he looked down at her she smiled up at him and whispered. "Take no notice....it's the drink talking......he doesn't mean any harm" Hawk was thinking pretty hard at this point because even drunk he could see how he just got under Shanes skin. He could cut his losses and walk away, apologize, or even offer them both a drink, but he had another idea. "Well, you can't blame a man for taking a chance with a lovely lady that Seeeeemmed to be alone. Drink or no that would just be sign of cowardice." he said slowly. Rangi and Shane exchanged glances. "Phaser's on stun perhaps?" she asked and grinned at him mischievously. Shane nodded pretending to be serious: "Tomorrow morning Mr. Hawk, Cargo bay 3. I'll bring the phaser's. One shot for each." Grinning evily he added: "Dont worry, there WILL be a doctor to fetch you ..." he made a face like old gaffers when trying to scare little boys. Hawk almost laughed out loud for some reason as he extended his hand to shake on it. "Perhaps we shouldddd....." Hawk swayed back and forth for a moment as his eyes began to roll about in there sockets. Shane did make contact with his hand but only just in time to keep Hawk from slamming into the ground. Shane led him to the ground softly as he was at or around 200 plus pounds. Shane and Rangi couldn't help but let out a good laugh at the scene, it was nice to do so as there wasn't much reason recently, that and no one was hurt. **************************************** Commander Shane Guzman XO USS Chimera & LtCmdr Rangi Summers 2XO/CMO USS Chimera & LTjg Hawk Versey AEO USS Chimera