*** Starbase Kinsi *** It wasnt difficult for Rangi to find the party...it actually found her. The turbo lift hummed to a stop on the promenade deck but even before it stopped moving Rangi could hear a steady base drum beat and the sounds of MANY people having a great time. She stepped out of the lift and stopped. The place was packed. The noise level was near deafening and Rangi had never seen such a crush of people. Humans .. Vulcans, Caitians..Ferengi..and some she did not know..ALL were enjoying the party of their lives. It was quite bizarre and Rangi stood in shocked amazement. {It IS a dream} she told herself, watching two Vulcans collapse, weak with laughter, onto a nearby bench. Rangis left hand moved to her throat...{ either that or I'm going crazy.} "Ah ..I have found myself a dancing partner..see here Malvok what a gem I have?" Rangi was scooped up in the arms of a Klingon who grinned at her and set her down next to his friend "She looks a thin and scrawny thing G'Togh..." The Klingon laughed " Blood wine will settle that Malvok..here little mouse...drink!!." An overflowing tankard was knocked aside. "Romulan Ale is what she needs....here taste something that makes Blood wine as if water." Rangi looked down at the glass now placed in front of her and up at her two companions who faced each other across the table...a Klingon and Romulan...in friendly rivalry. "Oh no" Rangi whispered..."Not again." G'Togh followed her line of sight but could see nothing save the crush of bodies jumping and swaying to the incessant beat.But Rangi had caught sight of something toooooooo familiar and was on her feet in a flash. Edging through the throng, seemingly without effort or inconvenience to anyone, the Luggage was slowly making headway towards her. Rangi grabbed the glass, gulped down the contents.... experienced the strangest sensation and, when she was able to breath in again, said : "Excuse me....gotta go" and left the astonished pair watching her push her way towards the edge of the crowd with never a backward glance. She had no real idea of where she was running to, but with the thought of 'the Luggage' in her mind, she ran the length of three corridors without slowing down. Eventually she stopped, leaned against the wall and bent forward, hands on her knees breathing deeply. After half a minute, she glanced right and left, straightened up and closed her eyes. The exertion of running plus the glass of Romulan ale, was having a strange effect on her ability to focus on anything. The sound of running footsteps put her on her guard and turning in the direction they came from,she waited cautiously. Her expression transformed from one of wariness into one of relief as she recognised his figure. "Shane!" She beamed a smile,stepping forward to meet him as he ran towards her. "Milacik!" he said somewhat breathlessly, slowing to a halt in front of her. "I'm so glad to see you" she began, but stopped speaking as she saw his expression. He returned her smile in that certain way he had...a way that caused her pulse to quicken, her lips to part and a faint blush to colour her cheeks. Shane reached out, placing his hands on her shoulders and held her at arms length, his eyes searching her face. Time stopped. He moved suddenly, pulling her close to him and pressed his lips to hers in a 'smacking' one second kiss. He pushed her back to arms length, ran his fingers gently down her cheek and said : "Run!" "What?" Rangi blinked in surprise. "Run" he repeated and pointed back the way he had come."There are some freaking security guards after us!" Rangi frowned and not understanding what he meant, glanced to her left.Two yellow uniformed men had rounded the corner. "There he is!!" one shouted pointing at Shane.Rangi quickly looked back to Shane. "Now would be good." Shane told her desperately nodding encouragement and already backing away."Please Rangi..there's no time to explain..come ON!" The security men were gaining ground. "Wait...you're under arrest!" "She's another one...get her too" With a startled look Rangi needed no second bidding and took to her heels in pursuit of Shane who was skidding to a stop at the next corridor. "This way!" he yelled pointing a right turn and made off round the corner. Rangi was almost there when a strong hand grabbed her arm, almost pulling her over and so forcing a stop. "Not.. so...fast.....we want a word with you" "Let me go!" Rangi said endeavouring to shake herself free. "You're from Chimera" the guard told her. ".....and you're coming with us" he added, with a note of finality in his voice as he pushed her to turn round. Salvation! "Ohhh" Rangi breathed. "Where have you ' been'?" The guard holding her arm looked at her suspiciously.She met his gaze. "Let me go or I'll set it on you!" His puzzled frown deepened. "Excuse me?" he said slowly. "I said....let me go...or I'll set.. it ..on.. you." she repeated, stressing each word. The second guard, who had given up pursuit of Shane exchanged a questioning glance with his colleague. "And what exactly would ' IT' be Miss?" he asked. Rangi straightened up, a proud smile lifting the corners of her lips. "That!" she said pointing confidently to her left. The guard holding her arm looked past her, his friend leaned forward to see past him. They exchanged a slow look, a silent action that spoke volumes. Rangi looked at the Luggage who stood a yard or so away from them and smiled. With a tug of her arm, she freed herself from the guards slackened grasp, looked at him and said : "Now let me pass." "Hey.... just a minute.." The guard reached for her arm as Rangi stepped back. "I'm warning you.." she said evenly. The guard made a grab for her, Rangi pulled herself out of reach, moving backwards. She looked around quickly and sidestepped so that the luggage took position between her and the guards. They stood looking at her uncertainly. The taller of the two made a move towards her. "Now dont try anything...you're coming with us." "Do something" Rangi said quietly, bending a little to whisper to the Luggage but keeping her eyes on the guards."You were quick enough to snap at me...go and chase them off." The Luggage remained still. The guard stopped, glanced back at his companion and they both moved towards the woman who seemed to them to be talking to thin air. "Go ON.." Rangi said, a note of impatience in her voice. "What are you waiting for?...make yourself useful!...do something" "Come on now Miss..just come along with us...no trouble...." Rangis lips formed a line of displeasure as she looked down at the wooden chest in front of her. " Go on.." she urged and gave it a little shove. The result was instantaneous. Quick as lightening, the Luggage spun round to face her, its lid opening as it did so. Rangi saw a flash of white teeth and cried out in alarm, stumbling back two steps. The Luggage lurched forward and snapped its lid shut inches from her legs. Rangis squeal of fright caused the guards a moments shock. One stopped dead, the other siezed the opportunity and rushed towards her. Rangi, caught a gasp, leaped sideways to avoid the Luggage, hitting the guard sideways on and causing him to falter. The Luggage changed direction as Rangi zigzagged past the second security man and set off at a good pace along the corridor. "She's getting away...stop her" she heard one of them call out but didnt slow her pace at all. She rounded the corner at speed, momentum carrying her wide into the next corridor. There was no sign of Shane. {Where's he gone?} she asked herself rushing towards the next intersection.She stopped and looked from one way to the next, confused now as to which way to take. She turned left, the shouts of her pursuers growing louder. A third of the way along this corridor was an opportuity to escape and she ran madly toward the jefferies tube, falling to her knees and sliding to a stop next to it. In a fever of desperation, she pulled the grill off and scrambled inside, dragging the grill shut behind her. Not wasteing time to see if she had been spotted, Rangi set of on her hands and knees along the tube at a surprising speed. Three minutes later she was forced to stop by sheer exhaustion and with a struggle, eased herself into a bent legged sitting position. Rangi knew she was totally lost, having turned left and right randomly at every junction. "It will take 'days' to get out of here." she told herself in an annoyed tone. A few seconds passed as she tried to think of what to do next, her arms around her bent legs, chin resting on her knees. She turned her head sideways. "It's all your fault!" she said accusingly. The Luggage had the decency to look ashamed. *** End Log *** LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/2XO USS Chimera G'Togh/Malvok/ Security Guards (npcs) Rangi The Luggage (played by 'itself')