=Living Dream Hotel= “Could you repeat that?” Rick asked. “The Chimera departed two days ago,” Naodo said, then was approached by another member of the hotel’s staff. Naodo listened as the other man whispered in his left ear. “It would seem that there was a ... slight ... mishap with one of your crewmen,” Naodo said. “A Lieutenant Junior Grade Jason Stephens. They say he is an engineer like yourself.” “What happened to him?” Rick asked. “I am not for certain, but he’s being treated in our infirmary,” Naodo said. “I guarantee you that he is receiving the best in medical care.” “Take me to him,” Rick demanded. “Very well,” Naodo said as he began to walk and Rick and Jo Weathersby followed. Rick was about ready to tap his comm badge and inform the captain of the situation when he saw a figure further down the corridor turn a corner and disappear. Rick passed up Naodo and quickly made his way to where that figure had been. He turned the corner and saw another long stretch of corridor, but nobody there. “What’s wrong?” Jo asked as she caught up to Rick. “I thought I saw Aleata,” Rick said. “Aleata?” Jo asked. “This girl I met on Starbase 485 during our last shoreleave,” Rick said. “I was suppose to meet her again on Bragg before we were sidetracked here.” “Why didn’t you tell me about her?” Jo asked. “I guess it just never came up,” Rick said. “I was only with her once, and thought that she had forgotten about me until she called me up a few days ago.” Jo gave Rick a nasty look and turned. She walked toward Naodo as they proceeded to the infirmary. Rick just stood there and watched them walk away. “What was that about?” Rick said to himself. “Maybe she’s jealous,” Rick heard from behind him. He turned, but instead of seeing Aleata, he saw a stocky elder man with a gray and white moustache and full beard wearing a starfleet uniform with the four pips of a captain. Rick stared at the man with a confused look on his face... “Dad,” was all that Rick could say as he just stared at the other man. Acting Lieutenant Rick Rodgers Chief Engineering Officer U.S.S. Chimera and PO2 Jo Weathersby Engineering Specalist U.S.S. Chimera