*** Deck 7 * Ships Lounge * USS Chimera *** Rangi yawned. "Mmmmm." she murmured as it died away and blinked her eyes in an effort to stay awake. She was in the ships lounge, a comfortable place that really was an observation deck under a different name. It was situated next to the mess hall but was more comfortable than sitting at a table so it was there that she had taken a mug of hot chocolate prior to her shift on the Bridge which was due to begin in half an hour. She had found a place on a sofa and watched the streaming stars outside, letting her mind run over a variety of different things ... the Christmas party and Shane ...her new shoes that were too tight...the New Years Eve dinner she and Shane had shared last night and the salmon that had tasted wonderful....her fathers message of greeting for a New Year...his ongoing treatment...the situation in sickbay...the dripping tap in her quarters...the prospect of shopping on the Starbase...what Shane had said to her last night...Shane...Shane...and Shane. The streaming stars outside had had a soporific effect and it was only when she yawned and looked down at the mug resting in her lap that she realized the chocolate had grown cold and she was lucky not to have spilt it onto her uniform. She looked out at the stars and saw they had stopped streaming. {Thats odd} she told herself peering out.{We cant possibly be there already...dont tell me there's a delay} She got up, setting the mug on the table first and walked to the window. By peering left she could make out a shape. It was green. With a frown of annoyance, sure that there was something bound to happen to prevent R&R, she walked to the farthest window and looked out from there. {Where in the worlds did 'that' come from?} she asked herself. Chimera was approaching a starbase...but unlike one she had seen before. This one was hexagonal and gave the appearance of rising to meet them as Chimera took position to dock. "The what?" she murmured, leaning toward the window to read the letters emblazoned in silver."The Living Dream Hotel?..wow!" The name was repeated in other languages. Rangi recognised Klingon and Vulcan but there were others too that were unfamiliar. She watched the smooth approach towards the berth that was blinking in readiness for Chimera, glancing up at the hotel as they drew nearer, counting fifteen decks and wondering what it was like inside, how long they were staying and indeed why they were there at all. Rangi couldnt think why they had detoured to a hotel and in fact couldnt remember seeing one mentioned in this vicinity. "Attention all crew." came Lt Fosters voice. "We are approaching the Living Dream Hotel.." He paused almost for a dramatic effect. "We will be docking in fifteen minutes.Commander Guzman had granted permission for all crew to visit the place for R and R" Fosters voice resembled a conjuror as he produced a rabbit form a hat and despite her confusion rangi smiled to herself at the inflection. {R and R?..I thought we were going to starbase seventy eight..oh well..it looks nice.} She turned away from the window , retracing her steps to the sofa where she collected her shoulder bag and the cold mug of chocolate. She walked through into the mess hall. "Thankyou." she set the mug on the counter top and the steward collected it. "Late Christmas present ma'am?" he said cheerily. "Sorry?" "The Living Dream Hotel...sounds a promising place." He smiled at her. "Commander Guzman kept that as a surprise." "Yes, didnt he?" Rangi said smiling back. "Good day ma'am." "Good day" Rangi walked to the exit and along the corridor to the turbo lift. Once inside she requested. "Bridge" and the lift moved swiftly away. {Living Dream Hotel...never heard of it..I wonder who runs it} she thought intrigued to know. The door slid open and Rangi stepped onto the Bridge. *** End Log *** Commander Rangi Summers XO USS Chimera-A