===== Some corridor on the way to Sickbay, USS Chimera ===== Shane walked along the corridor towards the sickbay. Rangi asked him to come there. It was a bit strange cause she was quite formal on the call, but maybe she was not alone when making the call or something else prevented her to call him by his first name. Suddenly his commbadge went alive and the familiar voice of LT. Foster sounded: +TAPS+ Operations to Commander Guzman +TAPS+ Guzman here Lieutenant +TAPS+ Sir, there is an priority alpha 1 message from SSF Command for you coming in Shane was quite surprised, cause it was not not common to be called by the SSF Command via such an urgent message. The standart way was an ordinary coded transmission. +TAPS+ Patch it to the CO's ready room Lieutenant, ill be there in a minute +TAPS+ Understood sir Shane considered the time needed to walk back to the bridge, but it would take too long. And there was always an another way how to move REALLY fast, but that was restricted for emergency cases and for the COs .... +TAPS+ Computer, initiate a site to site transport. Lock on my signal, target is Captain's ready room. Authorization, Guzman delta omega 4. Not even the blue-ish haze of the transporter effects could cover the wide grin that appeared on Shane's face. {I always wanted to try this!} he thought as he dematerialised. ===== Captain's ready room ===== Shane materialised in the ready room and immediately went over to Keylor's desk and activated the console. He had to grin at the thought what might Acheson think when his tactical console will report to him that someone just beamed to the Captain's ready room. The computer will of course reveal that it was an authorised site to site transport and that it was in fact the ACO who authorised it, but the initial shock about the transport will be surely a big one. As the SSF logo appeared on the screen of the console, Shane sat down on the soft chair and tapped the console. Immediately the logo was swaped with the image of a marine colonel. Massive build, a seasoned expression in his face and the way the colonel sat in his chair revealed that he was a field commander that was not too long ago assigned to office duty. Shane knew the man, it was Colonel Tecron from SSF Operations. "Colonel Tecron" Shane said in greeting. "Commander ... Guzman" replied the Colonel. The slight pause between the rank and the name revealed that the Colonel didnt knew Shane personally, most probably only read the name on the Chimera's crew roster. "There is an important business i have for you" Shane noded: "An Alpha one priority call means rarely a trip to Rise i suppose sir" he replied with a slight smile on his face. Tecron looked at Shane like someone not used to joke with someone he didnt knew personally. "No Commander, it surely dont". Looking at a PADD on his desk the Colonel went on after a small pause, "Speaking about trips, I am sure you are aware that the 'trip' to Tetris II wasnt authorised by SSF Command" Shane knew it would happen soon or later. Someone in SSF Command will wonder about the reason he agreed to take the children to their parents. He had to admitt that it wasnt a suitable task for an SSF ship, but ... Shane noded: "No sir, it wasnt. But the Chimera was supposed to patrol in this sector and those children would have to wait another 2 weeks before they could return here. We did the patrouling sir and we are sheduled to continue with the task in 12 hours." The Colonel leaned back in his chair: "Your way Commander. But we would appreciate if you would consult SSF Command in teh future before taking civilians on board. I wonder what you would do if i would contact you 24 hours earlier and you could not arrive at Tetris II" Shane replied immediately like he would expect such a question: "I would let them continue via a shuttle sir" Tecron waved with his hand: "All right Commander, there is a more serious issue to handle then a bunch of children. I wonder if you know something about the Kzinti System" he changed the subject of the conversation suddenly. Shane hesistated for a moment. He used to be a tactical officer in the past and as such he had always interest in alien systems and technology but it was long ago since he had read a tactical survey. Finnaly he recalled some informations about the Kzinti: "Unless i am wrong Kzinti system is an independent system near the nothern border of the federation space. I dont think the federation has an diplomatic relatioship with the Kzinti at the moment." The Colonel noded obviously a bit surprised about the knowledge of an naval officer. It was not a secret that the SSF was maintained mainly by Marines. The vast majority of the ODA forces were marines and there were far more marines then naval officers in the leading structures of SSF. Shane knew only few Naval officers in charge of an SSF vessel and to be honest, the Chimera was under the command of an marine as well. "Quite well Commander. And Kzinti system is where I will send the Chimera" ===== End of log, part I ===== Cmdr Shane Guzman XO/ACO USS Chimera