*** Rangis Quarters * USS Chimera-A *** Rangi held her breath and tilted her head back, eyes closed. The warm water cascaded onto her face, through her hair and down her body washing away the last scented bubbles. Sonic showers were quick and efficient but had none of the pleasure of running water that could soothe a tired body into a state of relaxation. She lowered her head and took a breath, switched off the shower, shook back her wet hair and reached for the thick white towel with which she began to dry herself. She had spent a minimum time in sickbay before hurrying to the Bridge where she had handed Shane the padds containing all the information her group had gleaned. As she passed them to him,she knew they would give him some answers but pose more questions. He had asked her to the Ready Room and once the door slid shut, they had allowed themselves a few seconds to embrace each other.She assured him she was well and unhurt so he kissed her gently before moving to his desk. Rangi followed him as he began to tell her what had been happening in her absence, how Oriana had discovered forbidden chemicals and how he strongly suspected Intel involvement and that someone was using the whole Marduk project for their own purpose. He sat down in his chair, activated the first padd and began to read it through as Rangi briefly outlined what it contained. She explained what had occurred in the complex, how they had discovered N'et'vor and how he had helped them find the underground shuttle bay. She told him what N'et'vor had explained about the secret programme involving the Jem'hadar and how it had been partially successful, but how a darker side had evolved. She told him too about the data she had seen involving genetic research and of the chemicals stored below ground. All in all their findings began to make a picture, an unpleasant one. They looked at one another across his desk in silence. Shane stood up and stepped to where she sat, smiling down at her.She got to her feet and moved into his arms, felt his fingers stroke her hair and after a moment or two when he placed his hands on her shoulders, looked up at him as he studied her face. He smiled. "Please go now my love and have a rest." he had said quietly. She shook her head slightly. "No Shane.." she'd replied "... there are still men down on Sidos ... we need to rescue them somehow and...." "I'll take care about it Rangi." he'd told her in a soft tone. " Dont worry, I wont let them die down there. But please, you need rest". Rangi had shaken her head again and started to protest. "Shane ..." This time he had stepped back and adopted a commanding tone when he said.. "Thats an order Commander. Until you have had a decent rest, I do not want to see you on the Bridge." He'd half grinned at her and added: "And dont try to fool me darling, you know I am a medical man as well and I can say who did rest and who not." Rangi had opened her mouth to speak, caught his expression and sighed.She'd nodded in defeat and with a weak smile said: "Sir... yes sir" They left the Ready Room and Rangi had walked across the Bridge to the turbo lift. Once inside, she had turned to face the open door. Shane was already in the CO's seat and concentrating on the pad in his hand. Perhaps it was sudden relief that had made her smile to herself and at Lieutenant Foster too who had looked towards her. It had suddenly come to her that despite the aftermath of wading through a muddy river, crawling through a sewer and being sealed inside a suit for half a day, Shane had still wanted to cradle her in his arms and kiss her lovingly. She had raised her hand to her bowed head,totally amused by the situation. The doors had slid shut and the lift began to descend. As she had entered her quarters, she saw a streak of light through the window and puzzled by it,had hurried to look out. A second one appeared, followed quickly by a third and Rangi had turned away, recognising them as fighters leaving Chimera. {He's calling them back} she'd thought, moving towards the shower room, understanding that Shane had decided to withdraw the ODA from Sidos, at least for the time being. She had discarded the muddy uniform and moments later had luxuriated in the scented bubbles helping clean her skin and hair. Now she pulled back the coverlet, asked the computer to turn off the lights and snuggled down into her bed. She lay looking at window in the dim light from outside where a blue moons rim was just visible. She wondered what was happening near Einhoften and if Walshs team had evaded the Marduk or if some dreadful fearful fight was taking place. {I was right to split the away team} she thought. {We found N'et'vor...he got us home.} In her imagination she saw the J'em'hadar being taken to the brig under guard. He had not resisted it but had merely looked back at her and Terek, Weavor and Cross. {We got the information back...we may not have accomplished it if we'd stayed together.} She turned onto her back and stared up at the ceiling wondering how Okrin was. Part of her had wanted to stay and help him and although she knew that Ra'nar, Maikai, Scott or indeed any of the sickbay team was more than capable of handling things, the feeling that she too should stay had been very strong. {You're not CMO now} she told herself and with a sigh turned onto her side,and tried to settle herself comfortably for sleep. She closed her eyes. {Experiments to re-educate Jem'hadar..... it 'can' work. N'et'vor proves it. If he'd been physically altered as he says others have been...then noone would tell him form a Bajoran...a human...from anyone....} She stared into the near darkness at the still unfamiliar shapes in her new quarters.{....and thats quite scary...} Her mind began to run over the past hours and what Shane had told her too. Somewhere in the jumbled thoughts and memories, a fitful sleep claimed her and she found herself wading through the river and running along the corridor beside Terek with N'et'vor calling that he wasn't armed and begging her to give him a phaser. She was in a shuttle that wouldnt power up and crawling through the sewer hearing distant fire. There were Warhammers, closing doors, Okrin being half dragged towards their shuttle. Shane threatened to fire on them then was stroking her dried muddy hair with gentle fingers. Fighters streaked away from the ship and the moonlight broke through clouds onto a deserted complex. { "We need to rescue them somehow"..."I'll take care about it... please, you need rest"} But when Rangi woke just over an hour later, she didnt feel that rested. She lay for a moment looking towards the door, then got out of bed, reaching for her dressing gown. *** End Log *** Commander Rangi Summers Executive Officer USS Chimera-A