=Mess Hall= =U.S.S. Chimera= Ensign Rodgers finished off his first meal on the Chimera as he used his handkerchief to wipe off his mouth. He considered getting dessert, but had his full with the beef stir fry. Rick was by no means a big eater, so the smallest meals could fill his appetite. After disposing of his dinnerware, he left the mess hall, intending to spend a couple of hours on the starbase. He quickly arrived at the turbolift and the lift doors opened. “Deck eight,” Rick said. Moments later, the lift deposited him on the deck. Rick saw several people heading in his direction from the docking port. Base engineers, he imagined. “Ricky, boy,” Rick heard as he walked past the group. Rick turned around and saw a familiar face. “Gomez?” Rick said as the man walked up to him, while the others continued on their way. “Hey, bro,” Hector Gomez said with a smile as they shook hands. “What are you doing here?” Hector was two years ahead of Rick at the academy. Despite the difference in classes, they had hit it off right away. Hector helped Rick get use to life at the academy and on Earth, while Rick helped Hector with his engineering courses. They made a good team until Hector graduated two years ago. “I just got assigned here,” Rick said. “Really?” Hector said. “Glad to see you finally got out of the academy. Why didn’t you give me a ring when you arrived?” “I just got here a few hours ago,’ Rick said. “I had to report to the chief and get settled in.” “Well, now that you’re here, we need to hang out until the Chimera heads out.” “Sure,” Rick said. “I’m free for the next couple of days.” “Great,” Hector said. “We’ll have a couple of drinks when I get finished working on these deflector systems.” “As long as mine is a ginger ale.” “You still don’t drink?” Hector said. “I thought by the time you graduated, you would’ve gotten over that.” “Well, like you know, I’ve never been ...” Rick said before Hector interrupted. “I’ve got a great idea,” Hector said. “Why don’t you help me out here for the next couple of hours? You probably know more about deflectors than I do, anyhow. Besides, this is your ship now. You should get to know her a little better.” Rick thought about that for a moment and smiled. “Sure,” Rick said. “I’m dying to get to work. I’ve never been much for shoreleave, anyway.” “Then lets go,” Hector said, slapping Rick on the back as they tried to catch up with the other base engineers. Ensign Rick Rodgers Assistant Engineering Officer U.S.S. Chimera NPC Ensign Hector Gomez Assistant Engineering Officer Starbase Bragg