(OOC...couldnt write this before, was on short LOA :).....Backlog to arrival on the Bridge.) *** Bridge * USS Chimera *** Shane strode confidently across the Bridge towards the command chair and Rangi followed a pace or two behind him.He took his place and she, sitting for the first time on the XO chair, felt the unforgiving 'newness' of it. She glanced around wondering how long it would take before her surroundings became familiar and comfortable with the 'at home' sense that sickbay had held for her. The Red Alert made her look quickly left and she met Shanes slight grin. He tapped two buttons on his chairs consol to open a ship wide comm channel. "Commader Guzman speaking. All hands prepare for the launching procedure. We are leaving the base in 5 minutes. Guzman out" {Five minutes} Rangi felt the flutter of anticipation in her stomach which tempered slightly the nerves of new command. Clearance for leaving was requested and granted from the starbase.Lieutenant Foster announced that the main gate was opening and Rangi looked up to the huge screen in front of her and watched as the main docking area appeared. Glancing again at Shane, she knew that this moment would count amoungst the most memorable of his life and that even as a very old man he would, some day, relive this moment, taking command of his first ship, for the first time, on her first mission. Rangi leaned back in her seat watching the massive station appear to move as Chimera slowly turned towards the opened gate. She always enjoyed the thrill of such moments, when the ship left a base heading out into space and likewise returning to a safe haven, the sense of adventure and of a homecoming. Slowly the perimeters of Bragg passed from view and Chimera was set free in space. Rangi watched the pinpoints of single stars and systems fill the screen in front of her.. "Set the course for planet Sidos Commander" Shane ordered Samantha who acknowledged at once. "Warp six Commander.....steady as she goes!" he added. Shane stood from his chair, smiled down to Rangi then stepped forward, hands at his sides looking up at the screen. The star light became streams and Rangi saw the almost imperceptable nod of satisfaction Shane gave. With a feeling of pride, she watched him for a moment then looked around the Bridge. Each station was working, Samantha Palmer at Helm, C'el busy at Tactical. Lieutenant Foster too was tapping at his consol in wrapt attention. {This will become familiar to me}she reassured herself experiencing waves of nervousness again. It was a huge change from CMO to her new position and though she relished the challenge, it was still more than a little daunting in some respects. "Whats the estimated time till we reach Sidos Commander?" Shane asked and after a moment to check Samantha replied "Forty one hours and thirteen minutes Sir." "Commander Summers, I'll be in my ready room, you have the Bridge" Rangi snapped her attention to Shane who now stood in front of her, a smile in his eyes. Unprepared for this sudden announcment she couldnt hide the surprise and looked, for a moment, like a rabbit facing a fox. "Yes sir." she replied, sitting forward on her chair and hoping she sounded business like and ready.He turned away, took two steps then altered direction. "Cadet..." he said briskly, addressing C'el ".... please call all senior officers and Major Birt to the conference lounge for a briefing in an hour." "Aye Sir." came the reply. {Keeping us 'all' on our toes!} Rangi thought, watching Shane head off towards his ready room. She took a deep breath and shifted on her chair. Her gaze moved to Lieutenant Foster who she noticed, looked mildly surprised that the tactical officer instead of himself, had been asked to call the meeting. Perhaps aware that he was watched, he met Rangis eyes and his expression immediatley lost the questioning look it had had a moment before. He paused for a moment as though he half expected her to speak but when she didnt, turned his attention to his station and busied himself at his consol as before. Rangi looked towards the ready room and wondered how its occupant was filling his time. The doors stayed firmly closed and Rangi, feeling that she should be 'doing' something turned to the Helm officer and asked for an update. She was promptly informed that they travelled at warp 6 and the estimated time for arrival at Sidos was now 'Forty one hours and eleven minutes Ma'am." The tactical officer, in efficient responce to the question posed to her, replied that there was nothing unusual detected. Rangis attention then settled back on the Ops officer but something about the way he sat with fingers poised above a panel made her pause and she knew he expected her to ask for Ops status too. She smiled inwardly at her own over zealous beginning and knew he would report the safe clearance of Bragg and possibly tell her quarters had been allocated to all crew and supplies were in the cargo bays. She looked out at the stars streaming passed and knew that in time she would be at ease here as Shane already was and that she wouldnt feel obliged to check the status of the ship when it was less than four minutes outbound from a starbase. Her smile became apparant as she recognised her own foolishness and glancing back to Foster, saw that he waited expectantly for her request. She looked down at the panel on her chair arm and tapped two buttons. The Red Alert ended. She remet Fosters gaze and saw thinly veiled yet not unkind amusement in his expression. It was clear that he plainly understood the over enthusiasm of the new XO and waited to play his part. So endeavouring to mask her own smile Rangi said simply: "Lieutenant?...report please." *** End Log *** Commander Rangi Summers XO USS Chimera