*** Rangis Quarters Starbase 485 *** The report was written at last and Rangi pressed 'send' . She had waited for final results from the base sickbay before completeing a lengthy document. Detailed description of the X!Chi virus, its effects and treatment had filled many paragraphs as had those of the temporal anomaly.Now various medical departments would receive a copy and make of it what they would. She switched the computer off and leaned back in her chair with a sigh. The small room that was hers for the duration of R&R was basic and deciding that food was a good idea, Rangi got to her feet. The door chime sounded, so wondering who it might be and hoping to head them off, she collected her jacket as she headed for the door . "Permission to invite the XO to lunch Ma'am?" Rangi enquiring expression changed as Scotts serious face broke into a smile as he relaxed his figure from attention mode.. "I was just on way for some actually." she said. "Want company?...or are you meeting Commander Guzman?" She shook her head. Scott stepped aside and the door 'hissed' closed behind Rangi. "No..I'm not meeting him until later." she replied "...so yes, I'd be glad of company." They set off along the corridor that led, after a few corners, to the observation deck. "I've just finished up on the reports." she said. "The final lab results came through last night." "Conclusive?" he asked. "Not really." Rangi replied, her tone resigned.She shrugged "..But its out of our hands now." "Any idea what'll happen to Bruce Walker?" he asked. "No." was Rangis simple reply. They walked on in silence, each thinking about the only two surviving crew members altered by the time anomaly and the victims of the X!Chi virus. Scott looked at her serious face and thinking to lighten the mood, changed the former subject. "It turned into a good party last night." he remarked with a grin. "Yes it did , didn't it!" she replied. "Lt Versey's quite a...singer?" Scott said with a meaningful look. "Indeed!....I hadn't heard that 'quite' version before!" Rangi said and they shared laughter at the memory. Her smile remained for a while as she thought over the recent meeting with that particular leiutenant and of his challenging Shane to a duel and all 'that' had led to, albeit indirectly. **** The observation deck was busy but not overly so and Rangi pointed out a vacant table that gave an uninteruppted view of...nothing. "What can I get you?" Scott asked, half turning towards the nearby restaurant. Rangi gave a seconds thought. "Anything with cheese." she answered. Scott looked at her thoughtfully. "Right" he said and turning back, headed off to fulfill her request. Rangi took a place near the window and stared out into the velvet blackness that stretched in every direction...sideways...up..and down beneath her feet, for the floor here was transparent, a quirk of interest in the design of the starbase and one that could be a little unnerving at first step, giving the impression on emerging to the deck that you stepped into space. She leaned forward, her arms folded on the table and began to think over the ceremony of the previous evening. It had brought a lump to her throat and did so again, when she remembered Keylors gesture of handing his hand crafted blade to Shane. {It was symbol of trust...} she thought {..and Shane saw it that way too. What a wonderful thing to do.} She thought of the General and how, fumbling slightly, he had fastened the new pip to her collar. 'Congratulations Doctor' he had said and tears filled her eyes as she remembered his smile that almost, though not quite, hid his own feelings at the events of the evening. She had watched him perform the promotions and awards ceremony as assistant to Shane and towards the end, he had caught her eye and given a nod of..what?..encouragement?..confidence?. She had smiled back, realizing then just how fond of him she was. His sometimes gruff voice.. his humour...and now he was gone. She looked down at her hands and stretched her linked fingers. Now Shane was Commanding Officer and his first action had been to make her XO. Another smile, another hand shake, but that time with something else in the eyes that met hers and a squeeze of her hand when it was shaken. A loaded plate appeared in front of her. "Wasnt sure what you'd like...so you have cheese platter..." Scott pointed to each thing as he described it. "..cheese and ham salad baguette...slice of 'four cheese pizza'...and a small cheese souffle" He beamed at her and took his own place opposite,setting down a plate that held a modest sandwich. She gave him a withering glance, looked at the banquet in front of her and selected the pizza. Scott glanced out of the window, saw nothing at all was happening and lifted his sandwich. "So.." he said, having swallowed the first bite. "XO then." Rangi gave a nod, swallowed her own mouthful and asked :" Your opinion?" "All for it." he answered promptly then added " Well...not 'all'..I'd rather you stayed in sickbay..but you'll do well with it...a good choice." Rangi watched him, trying to read his expression. "Really. " he assured her."We're right behind you." "Whats the feeling about Shane?" she asked. Scott chewed speedily before he could reply. "Same." he said through a mouthful of sandwich and nodded."Everyone I've spoken to is all for it." Rangi waited for him to continue and seeing this, Scott explained. "He knows his stuff..demands 100% from the crew and gives it himself. He's fair...honest..straightforward..you know where you are with him and what he expects. I'm happy to have him as CO." Seeing that she still seemed to expect more he added. " General Bretam would be a hard act for anyone to follow...but the commander is the most likely to succeed in that." "Not everyone thinks so though" Rangi said quietly. Scott paused, his sandwich ready to be bitten again. "You mean the ODA?..well...thats understandable that one or two might be uneasy. The General 'was' a marine after all.They might think the new CO has to prove himself." "Yes" Rangi agreed and thought of the instant she had seen Jack Walsh pushing his way out of the room, a thunderous expression on his face. "Any idea who'll be the CMO?" Scott asked. "Not yet no." Rangi answered, concentrating on a thread of melted cheese. "It could be that SF Command will send someone.I havent heard anything about it though and Shane hasnt mentioned it. I suppose we'll find out when we get to ..Chimera-A." She sent a small smile across the table to him and he returned it hiding the fact that he noticed a trace of regret in her reply. He reached forward to take his glass and raised it in a toast. "Lets drink to her then." he said " The Chimera-A.....her Captain...XO...and the trembling crew they command!" With a laugh, Rangi lifted her own glass and touched it to his. "Chimera -A " she responded and they drank together. *** End Log *** Commander Rangi Summers XO USS Chimera-A & Ltjg Scott Fisher AMO USS Chimera - A (npc) Rangi