[Part One of Two] *** Crew Lounge * USS Chimera *** It was that time of the day again, that one that could be delayed but not overlooked for too long. One's electrolites, vitamins and energy supplies would result in degraded body functions, lowering the strength of the immune system, and bring death, in the not so long run. That's what he thought as a doctor, years ago, he would be plain hungry and do anything necessary to see to it, as soon as possible. That was exactly what he was doing. When he entered the lounge, he saw not too many people and he grabbed a table, in the middle, choosing the chair facing the doorway, and a slight head twist to cover the second doorway, out of habit. {Chicken or fish?...mmm...chicken!} Rangi walked into the new lounge, slowed at the door and glanced around. She saw a figure sitting fairly near by,paid him no attention, looked around more then did a double take. {Nejor Okrin?} Her expression showed her surpise..even shock.. at seeing him sitting there and with a smile widening on her face she walked towards him. "Major?" she asked. "I'm so surprised to see you here." She came to stand at his table."Hello...how 'are' you? where did you spring from?" The questions spilled out in a torrent. Okrin recognized Rangi in a second, She had not changed, besides the uniform and rank. He had to think for a second, then stood quickly and came to attention. "It's ensign, now, ma'am" he said, not sure where Rangi was with the military protocol with junior and senior officers. "I'm good, ma'am, and you?" She looked at his uniform and realized through her surprise that he was no longer dressed as before. "Ensign?" she queried obviously surprised by his news. " I'm well thankyou...may I join you?" "Please do." he said, moving to her side to pull on the chair, gentleman etiquette requiring him to do so. "I came to have lunch, but the service seems to be delayed for unknown reasons, ma'am." He returned to his seat, once Rangi was seated. "As for this uniform... It's a bloody long story." he said, getting comfortable again. Rangi watched him take his place and laying her hands on the table top, leaned forward a little. "Then please tell me. " she said. "It's been such a long time. I lost track of you." She sat back in her chair, pleased to see someone she considered an old friend, someone she had long admired. "Of course." he said, glad that she would not keep up with the silly military etiquette protocols, even if he admired it, when he was on the receiving end, even from officers, a year or so ago. "I don't even know where to start." he said, trying to piece it all in chronological order. " Ah yes, Doctor Nevarre..." he started but stopped. "I can't give you all the details, but the big picture is no problem, OK with that?" Rangi inclined her head in acceptance. "Ofcourse. " she replied "...so start after that...why an ensign...and why the change of career?" she asked. "Ah yes, that." he said, looking at the teal color at the wrist level of his sleeve. "For starters, I was a medical student, before being a marine, I was in my second residency, when I had a change of heart, fifteen years ago. Somewhere down the line, after my retirement, I had a change of heart, re-enlisted and chose the medical path, only needing a few months to refresh myself and to complete my final residency. SF Command was OK with it, and so was I, but I needed to be dropped back to ensign, with all rights and priviledges..." He looked around for the tender, which was nowhere to be seen. " I'm still getting used to that fact. but as you saw, it's coming back to me." He smiled. Rangi nodded, returning the smile. "I should have known you were here. " she told him "I'm working my way through the crew lists but broke off for some lunch." She looked around too, raised her hand and as if by magic a tall slim man appeared beside them..much to her surprise.. and asked.. "Ready to order ma'am?" "Ah finally." Okrin said, not too impressed with the service. "I'll have a chicken salad with a glass of water. Nothing fancy, don't hesitate on the sauce." he said, the man making a mental note of his order turned to Rangi. "And you ma'am?" "That sounds good. I'll have the same please...but with apple juice instead of water." The man bowed, stepped back, turned and hurried away. "New crew...new kitchen..bit of a wait? " she said, smiling again at Okrin. "So...you're joining us in sickbay. It's good to have you aboard Maj...ensign." "Yes I was glad that 'they' accepted my request to return to the Chimera. Unfortunately, I find almost everything changed. You're XO, Keylor is gone, Shane in Command. I honestly thought you'd be in charge of sickbay. That guided my choice, since you knew about my medical condition." he added, looking away for a moment, remembering old times, and then refocusing on her. " I was CMO until recently. " she replied, not smiling now but grown serious. "The XO thing was a bit of a shock really. I'm still getting used to it." She raised her eyes to meet his, knowing instinctively that what they discussed here would remain between the two of them. "The General lost his command with the old Chimera..... it was a sadness to all the crew." She paused then, straightening up a little, added. " Shane will be an excellent commander... he was taught by the best." Her lips formed a smile. "I'm sure he will." Okrin said. "I recall when we had our first dealings together, him as XO and I as ODA Company commander, on the ship. I did not think much of him, but time and good leadership forged him into a good leader with great qualities of command." He nodded, agreeing with his own comment. "How about you? What's been happening, besides the surprise a la XO?" She gave a short laugh. "Well...up until that... not alot. I enjoyed my life in sickbay. Theres a good crew there...you know some I think. Scott Fisher ? He's with us still. Steve Desoto transferred a while ago. Maikai Quiocho...you met her possibly...and Mercedes Carpenter. I'm glad that the team remains the same.... they work well together." Okrin nodded. "The names sound familiar, I have yet to meet any of them in person. You where the only physician that saw to my health, you and Athena, for the mental stuff." he said, leaning back for the waiter, who had managed to sneak up on him, to place the plates for them to finally eat. Moments later, with polite thanks from the ensign, he was gone. "Bon Appetit." he said, trying his best French, as he grabbed the 25th century version of the 20th century fork, which was basically the same. "Sante" she responded raising her glass. They ate for a while in silence, savouring the meal which was very tasty. "This is good." Rangi remarked. "Indeed, I'll be back in a few hours I'm sure, salads don't keep me satisfied for too long." he added, between bites. "I'm surprised that you did not ask me yet how I had fared with that treacherous doctor and my condition, aren't you a tad bit curious?" he said, before taking some water. "Ofcourse I am. " Rangi replied, setting her fork on the edge of her plate and looking at her companion with interest. " But you said Nevarre and that episode was off limits to me. I understand you can't tell me." {.....or is it a case of not wanting to?} she wondered watching Okrin finish his mouthful of food. Okrin smiled. "Not exactly, I meant that details I could not discuss, like locations and the people I met that require their IDs to be kept secret, for their safety." He placed his fork on his place, mimicking Rangi, knowing he was in for a while to talk. "I'd like to know what happened." Rangi said quietly. "I've often wondered about it...what became of you...and her." She waited for him to begin, not pressing further and realizing that his tale would be difficult to tell. *** End Part One *** Ens Nejor Okrin MedicalOfficer USS Chimera-A (SSF) & Commander Rangi Summers XO USS Chimera