*** Bridge * USS Chimera *** At the sound of the turbo lift door opening,, Rangi looked up from the padd she was reading. "Have you a few moments to spare?" the newcomer asked, stepping onto the Bridge and giving her a friendly smile. "Ofcourse." Rangi responded, mirroring his expression. She layed the padd aside and stood up from her place on the XOs chair. "Lieutenant?....we'll be in the ready room." she told Lt.Foster. He swung his chair round to face her and acknowledged the information, glancing from her to Martin Guzman and wondering what brought the Consul there.He watched as Martin followed Rangi into the CO s ready room pacing with a relaxed and yet self assured manner. The door closed behind them and Foster went back to his scanning. *Ready Room * "Would you like something to drink?" she asked hearing the door 'hiss' shut behind them as she walked towards the replicator. "Yes..that would be good" Martin replied. "...but please...allow me..." He stood beside her and smiled down as she looked up at him, faintly surprised by this display of chivalry. Lowering her hand from the keypad, she took a step back. "Thankyou." He took her place at the replicator as she moved to Keylors desk and the deep red coloured chair. "What will you have?" he asked, having programmed in his own request. "Oh, Chocolate would be fine." she replied, taking her seat. "Milk?...bitter?...frothy?...smooth?" he asked, finger poised above the buttons. Rangi blinked and gave a slight shrug. "Whatever..it doesnt matter...Bitter?" she suggested. Martin gave a nod and smiling to himself tapped in her choice. "Bitter chocolate" he murmured, filing the detail into his memory. A few moments later, he carried two hot drinks across to the desk. "Thankyou." Rangi said, accepting the offered mug.She watched him sit down and asked. "Did you want to see me for a reason?" Martin leaned back in his chair. "Not really. I came to find out the current situation." Rangis discomfort was immediately apparant. "Forgive me, I should have kept you fully informed." she said. "No harm done." he replied and took a slow sip from his mug, watching her as he did so. "We're awaiting reports from the away teams." she told him quietly. His expression questioned her."Captain Walsh is on an asteriod searching the Kzenti research facility. Oriana is with the team there." Martin sat forward, concern clear on his face. "Oriana?" "Yes...as Science Officer." He frowned, lost in thought for a second or so. "I see." he said,then looked up to remeet her gaze."You said 'teams'. There are more than one?" Rangi nodded even as Martin continued.."....and from your position on the Bridge, I take it that my brother is leading one?" "Yes." Rangi confirmed the correct guess. "He's on the Warbird." A fleeting frown of non comprehension flashed across Martins face. "The Romulan ship?" "Yes. He has a small team of marines and an AMO with him. They're searching for Athena." "I see...." he said a second time and watched a mental image of his brother crash his way around the Romulan ship. "I hesitate to ask it...but aren't they likely to be discovered?" Rangi shook her head. "No..they all underwent surgery...they resemble Romulans now and it's...." She broke off her explanation when Martin grinned widely and gave a short amused laugh. "My dear brother!...a Romulan!" he said, obviously finding the idea very entertaining.Rangi said nothing, unsure what to think of his reaction. He quickly grew serious. "How long since they left?" he asked. "About twenty minutes.....and their disguises 'are' excellent." she stressed. "Are they armed?" "Personal phasers." She watched his unreadable expression, not knowing that he ran through the scenario of the Romulans delight in accusing the Federation of spying and producing as evidence the small armed group captured aboard a Romulan vessel...a Tal'shiar vessel. Martin picked up his mug and drank from it. Rangi reached for her chocolate, looked at the liquid and tasted it. "Martin.." she began tentatively, watching a few bubbles at the edge of her drink. "This whole situation puzzles me.I mean.." she looked up to see his eyes on her. "...we were sent on a diplomatic mission..but from the moment the Romulan ship attacked us...well...nothings been straightforward." He gave a brief nod of understanding."A Romulan ship almost succeeded in destroying us...they deny it ofcourse yet accuse US of attacking them without reason. One of our officers has been kidnapped...alright...disappeared then." she amended her term when he raised his eyebrows and he smiled faintly. "...and the Kzenti are scanning us with some sort of 'brainwave'...its all just too...too...." "Diplomatic missions are often far from what they seem." he told her reasonably."There are often hidden agendas." He took another drink, hiding his smile at her expression. "The Romulans must have a reason for 'holding' the counselor...if indeed they have done so." "What do you mean 'if' ?...she's not here and the Kzenti would have no reason to keep her.....would they?" Rangi asked uncertainly. "There are three parties here. " Martin replied "...all of which are more than likely acting undercover of the others.Unless two are working together..." he added and looked at her. Rangis brow furrowed at the thought and the implications. Martin placed his drained mug onto the desk. " Miss Summers?...with respect...you would not make a diplomat" he said. Rangi saw the amusement in his expression and smiled. "Mr Guzman...with respect ..I have no wish to be one!" she replied and laughed. Martin saw the care disappear from her face for a few moments and deep inside knew envy of his brother. He stood up. "I'll leave you to your Bridge then." he said and Rangi stood up too . "Are you returning to your quarters?" she asked moving to walk with him to the door. "No..I've spent more than enough time there recently" he said dryly. Rangi looked at the floor and then at Shanes brother, recognising the reference to the 'house arrest' Shane had imposed. "Quite" she said quietly. Martin smiled as they moved out of the room and onto the Bridge. "I'll take some excercise...always helps to think things out." he said. Rangi smiled politely. "Come back anytime." she offered. Martin walked to the turbolift door and looked back. "Commander" he said and entered the lift. As the door closed, Rangi regained her seat and sat back thoughtfully. {Romulans and Kzenti working together?...could that be true?} *** End Log *** LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/AXO USS Chimera & Consul Martin Guzman (npc) Rangi