Commander Rangi Summers Executive Officer USS Chimera NCC 96899-A - Lt Commander Samantha Palmer Mission Specialist USS Chimera NCC 96899-A = USS Thorn, Crew Lounge = The Sovereign class ship's lounge was teeming with life as Samantha walked towards the bar. Most the people present were Chimera crew, all seeming in a good mood after the promotions ceremony. Samantha had decided not to attend, not feeling that it was her place to be there. Instead, she had taken the opportunity to finish off her report for General Greer, something which took a lot longer than she had initially anticipated. "What can I get you, ma'am?" the barman asked her. "I'll have an Andorian martini, please," Samantha replied. She was dressed in civilian clothes, happy to be out of uniform for a change and silently hoping it would be a while before she needed to wear it again. Rangi was relaxing in one of the comfortable chairs. She watched the coming and going of the crew around her. They were rested and relaxed, enjoying the evening and unwinding still after the stresses of the last mission. The R&R on Starbase 485 had been too short but the interest now was on reaching their new ship... the new Chimera.{If only the general could have been with us.} she thought, conjuring up his face in her minds eye { he deserved that ship more than any of us.} She took a sip from her half empty glass. {So many changes...} She turned look to her left as a group broke into laughter and saw, through the crowd, the figure of Samantha Palmer. "Thank you," Samantha said, taking the martini from the bar and moving into the crowd. She nearly spilled her drink as someone accidentally bumped into her, and when she looked up saw the Chimera's new XO a few paces away. Suddenly feeling the need to talk to her, Samantha pushed past a couple holding hands and made her way to the Commander. "Congratulations on your promotion, Commander Summers," Samantha said, extending her hand towards Rangi. "Thank you." Rangi's tone wasn't perhaps as friendly as it could have been. She stood up and shook the offered the hand, then feeling that she should at least make an effort and unable anyway to think of a reasonable sounding excuse to leave, said " Wont you join me?" and indicated a small sofa nearby. She led the way, none too pleased to have Samantha's company but turned with a fairly convincing smile and said. "This isn't too near the bar...at least we can hear what we're saying" "Yes, I'd like that," Samantha said, following Rangi to the sofa. She could tell the Commander probably would rather spend her time with someone else, but Samantha felt she at least wanted to have a friendly conversation once with someone from the Chimera, if only to have one good memory. "Are you excited about the new ship?" she asked when they sat down, instantly regretting the question. She sounded like she was speaking to a 10 year old. "Excited? Well...yes I suppose that's one way of putting it. "She looked at her drink then across the room and finally back at Samantha. Chimera was home." she said simply. "It was hard to lose her." "Of course... I'm very sorry about that." Samantha took a sip from her drink and then looked at Rangi. "Please believe me when I say I never intended for any of this to happen. If I had known the way this mission would turn out..." Rangi clasped her glass in her lap with both hands. "You mean you didn't?" she asked quietly. "Forgive me...but I was under the impression you with held certain information that could have helped us...at least helped us prepare for all we faced." "I withheld information, yes... I knew the details about the modifications, and I knew the X!Chi might attempt an incursion. I didn't know that so many people would die. I personally protested against the Chimera being refitted, but my request for a delay was overturned. I am truly sorry, Commander. I once lost someone very close to me on a similar mission; I would not wish the same on anyone." Samantha didn't know what else to say, and felt that anything she could say would not be enough. What was done, was done. Rangi watched Samantha's expression. " I appreciate your position." she said after a few seconds had passed. "But it wasn't easy dealing with the crew aged in the time anomaly. Giving them palliative treatment...that's what it amounted to....and I can't get past the fact that we were all expendable" "I was just a pawn like you were, Commander... SSF used me the way they saw fit. I don't excuse my behaviour, but I only followed my orders. What would you have done in my position?" Again, Rangi looked down at her glass and swished the liquid around in it. "Well.." she said having considered her answer. " Given the amount of destruction...and the fact we faced a one way mission...I would have done all I could to help my crew...but they weren't 'your' crew were they commander?" Samantha could see this was going nowhere. What had she hoped to gain from this woman? Why did it matter so much to her? Perhaps because she had once been in the same position, angry that SSF had come and taken over her ship, angry that because of the SSF she'd lost Daniel. "No, they weren't my crew... and perhaps that was the mistake," she replied, herself not knowing what answer meant. Taking another sip from her glass, she stood up and nodded at Rangi. "Commander, I wish you good luck on your command. I trust you will make a fine first officer. Good day." As Samantha turned to walk away Rangi jumped to her feet, almost dropping the gals. "Samantha!" she said loudly and a number of people turned their heads to look. "Samantha..." she repeated quietly and stepped forward. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken as I did. Please...sit down." She surprised herself at her own reaction and forced a small smile at Samantha. "I spoke out of turn." she added and meant it. Samantha stopped and looked back at Rangi, suddenly feeling her throat tighten. She hadn't expected her to apologise, but doing so meant more than she imagined. Smiling weakly, she sat back down. "I was a science officer on the USS Hyperion, Lieutenant at that stage. We were sent on a mission to test an experimental drive system by the SSF. The location was the Briar Patch, which is very similar to the Marsh. When we tested the drive, it failed, creating a singularity in Engineering. The ship had to be evacuated, but 300 people lost their lives. My fiancé, Daniel, was an Engineer... he didn't make it." Taking a sip of her drink, she continued. "I never wanted anything to do with SSF after that again, but somehow I found myself in this position and the same happened again." "I'm so sorry." Rangi said, seeing the tears in Samantha's eyes. "You might not believe me...but I know what that feels like. Some time ago now... I was on an away mission and received news that Shane had died....but I didn't get the follow on communication. I didn't know he was alive. We weren't ..aren't... engaged or anything like that...but my whole world fell away. It just went to pieces." She stopped looked again at Samantha and changed tack. " I was angry that I couldn't help the injured crew. I blamed you I suppose because you were..well..." she smiled"..available to take responsibility." "That's fully understandable." Samantha caught a glimpse of Nicolas out of the corner of her eye. He had promised to join her after his shower, and looked fresh and relaxed. Looking back at Rangi, she felt a bit awkward. She was relieved at having expressed how she felt, but at the same time felt a bit vulnerable and awkward. "If you'll excuse me, Commander... I see someone who needs my attention. Thank you for listening to me." "Of course." Rangi replied as Samantha stood up. Half an hour ago she wouldn't have believed it if anyone had told her such an exchange as this would take place and Rangi smiled at her companion. She got to her feet too and was about to add some farewell comment when he eye noticed Harker moving towards them. "Actually, I need to be somewhere myself" she said "Goodnight" Not waiting for Samantha's reply, Rangi moved away into the crowd, her feelings of distrust resurfacing. "Goodnight..." Samantha turned to say, but Rangi was gone before she spoke. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to Nicolas. "Hello, handsome. You look nice and fresh. How are you feeling?" "Relaxed and refreshed," Nicolas replied, smiling. "Shall we get something to eat?" Samantha nodded and followed him to a table, wondering if he was the reason Rangi had disappeared so quickly. =