=Holosuite 4= =Starbase 485= Rick walked out of the ocean as his toes dug into the sand. He was soak and wet, and the laughing he heard didn’t help much. “I’m sorry,” he heard. “But I’ve never seen anybody try to ride a wave backwards.” “That wasn’t my attention, I assure you,” Rick said as he flopped down on the beach next to where Aleata Tan was sitting. They had started out hand gliding, which went alright, but they ended up surfing. Rick was never very good in the water, which made him wonder how he got talked into this in the first place. Still, despite his third whip out, he was having fun and had all but forgot about the X’Chi. “So, do you want to give it another go?” she asked. “As tempting of an offer as that sounds ...,” Rick said with some sarcasm. “... I have this ship function I have to attend in an hour. You want to join me?” “I wish I could, but I just remembered I’ve got to meet a couple of friends,” she said. “How about we get together later?” “That would be great,” Rick said, clearly memorized by her beauty. They talked for a few more minutes before Rick, reluctantly had to leave. - - - - - - - - - - The ceremony went well. Hawk told Rick about hitting on Dr. Summers, aka the XO’s girlfriend. Rick couldn’t believe it, but a few alcoholic drinks had ways of making a person do strange things. Rick did everything he could to hold back a laugh when it was announced that Shane was going to be the new commanding officer. "Could make for a rough assignment, huh Hawk?" Rick whispered with a huge smile. "You're just like your brother Trent, a smart ass to the last," Hawk replied. Rick received a medal. While he didn’t care much for medals, Rick did understand and respect the meaning behind receiving such honors. The festivities that followed were entertaining. Rick mingled with the crew, getting to meet some people that he hadn’t had a chance to meet before. After an hour or so, he looked over near the door and saw Aleata enter. Rick glided through the other Chimera crewmen as he made his way to the Trill. “I thought you were suppose to be getting together with some friends,” Rick said. “I did,” she replied. “Since I laughed at your surfing technique, I feel I should by you a drink.” “Lead the way,” Rick said, pointing toward the door. - - - - - - - - - - The next morning, Rick looked over at the sleeping form of Aleata. He didn’t remember how he got here, but knew that these weren’t the temporary quarters he was assigned. He rubbed his right hand through her hair before he slid out of bed and threw on his clothes. “Trying to sneak out,” he heard Aleata say as she rolled over to her left side and looked up at him with a smile. “You just looked so peaceful, and I didn’t want to wake you,” Rick said as he reached over and kissed her on the forehead. “So, you don’t regret what we did,” she said. “No,” Rick said as he sat in a chair next to the bed and pulled on his shoes. “I mean, I usually don’t sleep with a guy that I just met, but for some reason, this just felt right,” she said. “I agree,” Rick said as he sat on the bed next to her. “So, you don’t think that this is just a one night stand,” she said. “Do you?” “No,” she said. Before the conversation could continue ... +tap+ “Walsh to Rodgers.” +tap+ “Rodgers here.” +tap+ “Lieutenant, I need you to gather your engineers and have them to report to the U.S.S. Thorn within the next 24 hours.” +tap+ “Sir?” Rick said. +tap+ “The Thorn will give us a lift to Bragg where we’ll hook up with the Chimera-A.” +tap+ “Yes sir,” Rick said, glad that he would soon be getting familiar with the Katana. He didn’t know that much of this ship design, but was looking forward to learning as much as he could. “Do you have to go, now?” Aleata asked. “Yeah,” Rick replied. “It’s probably going to take the better part of the next 24 hours to get everyone gathered. But I would like to see you again.” “Do you plan on having a girl at every starbase?” she whispered. “Of course,” Rick said before he kissed her. “You just watch yourself out there,” she said. “I always do,” Rick said as he kissed her again before leaving her quarters. Lieutenant (j.g.) Rick Rodgers Acting Chief Engineering Officer U.S.S. Chimera