======= Temp Quarters SB 485 ======= Sitting at the edge of his bunk holding his head in his hands, and fighting back waves of nausea, Hawk tried vainly to recall how the hell he got there. He vividly remembers drinking the bottle of scotch he purchased from some base "merchants". After that was a trip around the base to see what was were. If he wasn't mistaken the next part of the evening involved the ship's first officer and CMO, but nooooo, he couldn't have challenged the XO to a duel. "Please let that be just part of my drunken dreams last night." Hawk said as he tried to get up and move the wash room. There was a ceremony shortly and he needed to be present, it was in large part the services for the crew that lost there lives. The trip around his closet sized crew compartment was labored at best. Boy how he was glad it wasn't that far from one place to the next in here. About an hour before the ceremony he made his way out the door. He needed to be early incase he was moving slow, or base security stopped him because of something he couldn't remember doing. Around and around the bulkheads moved as he traversed the station, <<Damn I'm still drunk>> he thought to himself. He did take a good half an hour to make it to the room. Most of the crew was already assembled and it looked as though many had taken part in some previous night partying as well. Standing among the rest of the yellow shirt "basement dwellers" he noted a look from Rangi. She grinned at him which told Hawk that his dream had been REAL. This was wonderful news he thought, he didn't only act like a jackass in front of the ships head doc, but also playing with the XO too boot. Only good point was that Cmdr Guzman had apparently released Hawk of the DEUL set up. That time had come and gone by Hawks reckoning. Hawk spoke to his dept head standing just left of him in a sarcastic tone, "Hey Rodgers, the only thing to make this event even better would be if Guzman turned out to be the CO or something." Rick turned to him fully and looked at him with a stunned look. "I had a drunken evening last night, and I am pretty sure I was hitting on the Cmdr's girlfriend.....while he was there. And then I challenged him to a duel." Hawk added to clarify. "Oh that's priceless Hawk, please tell me that's all you did." Rick replied with a slight grin. "As far as I know, if you hear anything else I don't remember so....." Hawk shrugged with that statement. The ceremony began and moved through the normal formalities. As it progressed The General spoke about the post crew and how best to move on with them gone. He added some of the best news Hawk had heard in a long while, a new ship. Literally, they were going to get a new class fresh from the yards. As Hawk thought the ceremony would turn to the normal promotion phase it took a turn for the worse. Half the way through Keylor's announcement of the Command change Rick turned to Hawk and nudged him with his elbow. Hawk didn't dislike Shane, he didn't really know the Cmdr, but he was horrified at the fact he may have just pissed off his new CO. "Could make for a rough assignment..Huh Hawk." Rick whispered with a huge smile. Hawk turned to Rick slowly and said, "You're just like your brother Trent, a smart ass to the last." Hawk had served with his brother on the Archer and for a short while as his department chief in security. The best memory of him was that he always had a smart comment at the right time, must run in the family. But to be honest, Hawk had that trait as well; maybe that's why he was feeling this enormous sense of dread right now. To add to the fun, Shane announced that Rangi was to be his XO. Hawk turned to Rick and whispered, "Not a word..." To be continued... ============================================================ LT jg Hawk Versey Assistant Engineering Officer USS Chimera