****** Starbase Bragg * Promenade ***** It had been five minutes since the announcement to immediately board the Chimera made been broadcast, to Ra’nar this meant that there was a good half an hour before the vessel would be moving anywhere, it was common knowledge among the S.F.M ranks that ‘squids’ could not keep to a time table no matter how well planned. Natural it never occurred to Ra’nar that the reason they could not could to a time table was because their Marines liked to do a bit of shopping and drink on EVERY station they came across. Officially Ra’nar was still listed a Wounded In Action which meant he was exempt from guarding the Chimera with some of the other ODA members. Unofficially Ra’nar was now fine and on the look out for bargains, after all this new quarters were not going to decorate themselves. He had just come out of one clothes shop, run by a Klingon of all people. Now Klingons are widely known for their belief in a system of Honour above all else, something that Ra’nar was aware of, what he was not aware of was that this system of honour extended not only to the battle field but into the tailor industry as well. The look on Ra’nar’s face was comical when the Klingon informed him that, “Your Wardrobe had no honour!” and that, “nobody dressed like that would be admitted into Sto-Vo-Kor!” At one stage Ra’nar was conviced that the klingon was going to message his inside leg with a bat'leth, such an act would seriously hindered Ra’nar’s family line. After the strange and at one stage rafter frightening visit to the klingon tailor Ra’nar managed to place his hands on a large number of clothes, items from his quarters including a new Guiter and was on his way back towards were the Chimera was docked. From the look of things there was still a large number just standing near the enterance waiting to board. As Ra’nar approched he notied something out of the corner of his eye. A relativly new shop and from what he could tell it was selling a wide varity of blades and other weapons. This was too go to be true, at last a shop that deserved to be on a SSF station. He quickly decided that a little deture was in order. Once entering the shop Ra’nar noticed that it did not just sell weapons but a wide variy of items, ranging from scanning equipment too holodeck programes. Ra’nar picked up a few items, including a pair of brass knuckles - very usefull if he ever has a drink with their new tactical office -, a few holo programes of popluar earth music, a set of holo novals, an advanced medical kit complete with the latest equipment and ‘Chaka,’ a well-balanced three bladed weapon favoured by the Andorians. As Ra’nar walked over too the shop owner, “Just those items, please.” The shop owner smiled and started adding up the credits. As he did so Ra’nar herd a strange noise coming from behind the man, emanating from a closed door. “What is in there?” asked Ra’nar with one hand on the Chaka ready to strike. It sounded like a Kirmerian Hunting Bird. A bird that had found it’s way to Cardassia by traders and had once been known to number among the millions. They were the only birds Ra’nar had ever seen take a fall phaser volley at close range and with claws that could crush your chest plate in the blink of an eye couple with the fact that they were highly aggressive, Ra’nar was taking on chances. “Easy Friend, it is no threat.” Said the Men placing his hand on the blade. “I will show you what it is.” With that the man turned and opened the door. It was a bird all right, but one like none that he had ever seen. “What is it?” Asked Ra’nar taking a closer look. The man smiled, “That is a Mallard Duck. An animal from Earth.” Explained the man. “I have been to Earth, never seen that there.” Said Ra’nar taking a closer look at the animal. “Yes, well you won’t find many around the Starfleet Academy complex.” The fact that Ra’nar was a Marine and Enlisted did not seem to mater to the man. “Can I touch it?” Asked Ra’nar smiling. It seemed like a very lovely creature. “Yes, little Jenny is tame. Go ahead.” Said the man smiling. “Jenny has had a bunch of ducklings, I can’t keep them all here, would you like one free of charge.” Asked the owner. “No, I would be violating ten directives just thinking about it.” ****** Ten minutes later ****** Ra’nar walked over to the ODA Group guarding the Vessel with his two bags completely bursting. “You’re late Ra’nar,” snapped the Sergeant at the entrance. Ra’nar smiled, “Yes well had to do a bit of shopping first, lost everything on the old Chimera.” “ID?” Asked the Sergeant. “You know me you Italian lunatic! I saved your life in sickbay. You just called me by my name!” Snapped Ra’nar. “ID” Asked the Sergeant again. Ra’nar pulled out a Padd from his jacket, “Ra’nar, 0823 – 5646.” “Thank you. What is in the Bags?” Asked the sergeant in the same monotone voice. “Shopping!! Now let me pass.” Snapped Ra’nar. The sergeant stepped to one side, “Very well” As Ra’nar went to move pass the sergeant grabbed Ra’nar by the jacket. “If you ever speak to me like that again, I will kick the heel out of you and making you believe that you were under dominion rule again. Is that Clear Corporal?” Ra’nar stepped forward, “It may not be a good idea to threaten me, considering I have enough drugs at my disposal to kill you in your GOD DAMN sleep with you knowing a thing about it!” For a moment the two jus stared at each other before Ra’nar backed off and walked through the hatch. It was not out of being scared, on any other day he would have steered down that Sergeant all day, but had he have done that, there would have been a good change that the Duckling asleep in his pocket would have woken up. ***** Eng Log ***** Lance Corporal Ra'nar Medical Specialist USS Chimera - A _________________________________________________________________ Be the first to hear what's new at MSN - sign up to our free newsletters! http://www.msn.co.uk/newsletters