*** Living Dream Hotel * Reception Hall *** Rangi, excusing herself from Samantha, wandered away from the buffet table and looked back towards the walkway, hoping to see Shane. {Mmmm...he must be sorting out the warp field problem...probably talking to engineering or something. I hope there hasnt been something else go wrong} "Commander...may I be of assistance?" Slightly surprised, for she hadnt heard him approach, Rangi looked to her left and saw Z aba. He gave a small bow. "No, not really thankyou." she replied glancing back to walkway. " I was just waiting for Commander Guzman. I think I'll go and find him." Rangi made to move towards the walkway but Z aba stepped forward. "May I show you to your room?" he asked pleasantly. " Perhaps you would like to see if it is suitable." "Errr...well..." Rangi looked past Z aba.There was no sign of Shane. {He would have called me if there was anything major...he might be coming along anyway..its a long walk back...} She looked back to the grey figure, smaller than herself. " Alright then..thankyou, I'd like to." Z aba raised his thin arm and indicated the way. "Please..this way." They set off together, crossing the thick golden coloured carpet towards a corridor at the far side of the room. "Its a lovely buffet." Rangi remarked as they passed the lengthy table where many were still choosing from the vast array of food. "I enjoyed it very much" Z aba looked up at her. "It is our pleasure." he responded. "This way please." Rangi followed the figure, smiling to herself for he seemed so eager to be the perfect host. He stopped at the foot of a wide stairway that curved away with shallow thickly carpeted steps. "Would you like to use the stairs or the lift?" he asked, pointing to a set of doors. "There is always a choice." he added. Rangi looked at him and laughed. "Well the stairs then" she said smiling at him. "After all that delicious food I need the exercise." For a moment, his small mouth curved in responce. "This way then" he said and started off up the stairway. It was richly ornamented and very beautiful, sumptious and yet not over done. The walls were hung alternately with gilt mirrors and fine paintings and looking to her right over the bannisters, Rangi could see down to the buffet area where the sound of happy chatter rose to meet her. The stairway spiralled up and on each level there was a seating area with soft inviting sofas, beautiful arrays of flowers and a corridors leading to the guest rooms. "Whats that music?" Rangi asked, aware of the gently tones that played softly in the background. Z aba stopped, one step a head of her. "Its Symbian" he said, clasping his hands together. "Do you like it?" Rangi nodded. "Yes, its very nice." He bowed, pleased that 'she' was pleased and made to move on but stopped when she said :"Oh..look" and saw her leaning over the bannister now high above the arrival hall. "There's the commander." she said glancing at Z aba. He moved to her side and looked down too though at first wasnt able to pick out the figure Rangi looked at in the throng below. She watched Shane make his way towards the table. He too had an escort who pointed out everything. Z aba looked up at her. "You wish him to join you when he's eaten?" he asked. "Oh yes... we'll be sharing a double room?" she looked at him questioningly, wondering if he had remebered her arrival and subsequent conversation. "Ofcourse" he replied." There is a room I hope will meet your approval. " They climbed on, nearing the next level.On reaching the top step,he turned to her and said. "Along here please." * Room 28 ... Level 12 * Z aba stepped aside ushering Rangi into one of the most beautiful rooms she had ever seen. It was high and spacious, tastefully furnished and beautifully decorated. She took in the whole room. "This is wonderful " she said glancing at Z aba who stood near the door. Once again, she saw the smile lift his tiny mouth. He moved forward and touching one of the exquisitly scented flowers arranged in a silver vase on a polished table said.. "I am pleased you approve. Commander Guzman will be shown here shortly. How many more companions do you expect?" Rangi drew her attention away from a delicate statuette a little puzzled by the question. "Companions?" "Yes...Lieutenant Cortez is in the room next door. Would you like them all on this level?" {Companions?...Cortez?....'all' ?!} Z abas large black oval eyes blinked once. "Oh no.." Rangi began slowly, truth of his meaning beginning to dawn. " No, no noooo." she shook her head and stepped to him. " No!" she said indignantly and saw him recoil immediately, his grey skin paling and his large eyes becoming even larger. He seemed almost frightened at her responce and Rangi, appalled that she had offended him when he had meant no harm said: "I'm sorry...I didnt mean...its a misunderstanding...there are no other companions...just Commander Guzman and I will share the room." They eyed each other.Rangi forced a weak smile. "There's just two of us." she said. Z aba bowed, his greyness returning to a deeper hue. "I meant no offence " he said. "None taken " Rangi assured him with a small laugh. "Some of our guests have many companions." he explained "..and Lieutenant Cortez came with you..with your bag.I assumed wrongly." "I should have been more clear." Rangi said. "It was 'my' mistake" Z aba insisted. He crossed the room and stood by a part open door. "Here is your bedroom." he said. Rangi followed him inside. It rivalled the sitting room for beauty but she had no idea what the furniture was made of for it had a sheen of pearls. A large bed with silver grey coverlet had pride of place. " Here...the bathroom." Z aba stood aside for her to inspect it.It was huge, mostly white but with deep blue design here and there. Again the whole thing was perfection. "Does everything meet your requirements?" he asked. "Oh yes indeed." Rangi replied smiling to him " It more than meets them." Again the small smile and slight bow.They returned to the sitting room. "Should you wish to eat here then you may call for service so.." He stepped to a wall panel pointing to the top most button."but there is a choice of restaurants in the hotel, six in all. There are also five bars, two casinos, three spas, and eighteen holodecks which you may programme to your choice or you may use these. " He lifted two discs to show her and set them back in a slot near the panel. "Please enjoy your stay at the Living Dream Hotel" he ended his short speech. Rangi thanked him. "I'm sure we'll be very happy here." she told him truthfully. "Commander Guzman will join you shortly." he said. "Thankyou Commander" and with a final bow he left her alone. Rangi wandered back into the sitting room and crossed to some wall hangings that turned out to be curtains. She pulled the draw string and they ran smoothly back to reveal a holoscreen with a view of distant mountains, summer meadows and small clouds in a sunlit sky. "Very nice." she murmured to herself then circled the room, examining the ornaments and paintings. Finally she sat down on the soft sofa cushions and leaned back, stretching out her slim legs. "Wow" she said and grinned. *** End Log *** Commander Rangi Summers XO USS Chimera -A & Z aba (npc) Rangi