**** Outside the Tin Goose bar, Promenade, SB Bragg **** After spending half an hour looking for his new ship and more importantly his quarters, Ra’nar had been informed that the crew were on leave and there was no need to report for duty yet. Well this was not exactly what he wanted to hear. It had taken him half an hour to find the ship, been stopped by a half-ass Lieutenant and knocked to the floor by a commander who looked like he was training for the Vulcan 40Km annual race! So far he was not enjoying himself. But that was about to change, Ra’nar decided that it would be in his best interest to take a walk to the bar and either look for some company or... Well he was not quite sure about the ‘or’ yet. Rangi sat on the soft green coloured seat in the observation window, her attention on the main reception area at the end of the promenade, watching the passing crowds. There actually weren't that many because Bragg was not nearly as busy a starbase as most others. She was waiting for Shane and began to wonder what was keeping him. Their R&R time was fading fast and the quick return to chimera they had planned had already grown to more than half a day and there was no sign of him. She looked up to see a familiar figure walking towards her. "Hey...what are you doing sitting there all on your own?" Lucy Fleming asked. "Waiting." Rangi replied slowly giving her a make believe displeased look. Lucy grinned. " I see...so am I!...want company?" " Feel free" Rangi replied, smiling now and Lucy sat down beside the CMO. Ra’nar strolled down the promenade towards the bar where he had previously been stopped. It was not exactly a place of happy memories, but there was not exactly an abundance of choice. As Ra’nar walked up to the entrance, his eyes locked onto two very attractive young ladies sitting next to a window outside of the bar. Ra’nar made a mental note and walked up to the barman, "An Ale, please" said Ra’nar firmly. He looked back to the entrance before shooting back to the bar man "in a bottle, to go." The barman, gave him an open bottle and with a look of confidence on his face Ra’nar walked back to the entrance. "So.. whats holding things up?" Lucy asked, settling herself more comfortably. Rangi shrugged. " He was going to see the General..I dont know whats happened to delay him...they can't possibly be talking all this time." Lucy looked sympathetic. " So I came back here..." Rangi continued "..got changed....and am now waiting!" She smiled. "What about you?...going somewhere special?" Lucy leaned back and watched two officers walk past. " Paul said to meet him here... but I'm a bit early." Ra’nar stood at the entrance for a moment to make sure neither had any male company hanging about, then moved towards the two with a gentle smile on his face. "Excuse me, it seems there may be some trouble in there. Would you mind if I join you two? I wouldn’t normally ask but this is my first assignment and I don’t want to get in any hot water with my CO." Perhaps lying was not the best way to meet a lady but he needed an ice breaker. Both Rangi and Lucy looked up in surprise. "Errr...well...I suppose not..." Lucy said hesitantly. Rangi leaned slightly sideways, quickly looking into the interior of the bar where all seemed to be calm and orderly. With a small frown, she watched the Cardassian seat himself opposite. She and Lucy exchanged glances. Ra’nar smiled as he took a seat, "You are most kind. I am sure that the security would not look too fondly at a Cardassian getting involved with a barroom brawl." Ra’nar could see a slight smile, but most of the time it seemed that they had a look of suspicion on their faces. "I’m Ra’nar," Ra’nar offered his hand, "Just been assigned to the Chimera." This piece of information seemed to have a miraculous effect. He saw the two young women exchange another glance, this time with a smile added in. "Chimera?" Lucy asked innocently. "What are you doing there?" {Gotcha!} Ra’nar thought as he saw the smile. He smiled again before continuing, "ODA medical specialist. I was looking forward to reporting for duty but it seems that the crew have just come back from a mission and are on leave." Ra’nar took a mouthful of ale, to let the young lady speak. "Yes thats right." Lucy said nodding agreement. Rangi looked up when a large figure came to stand beside them and recognised Paul Andrews, noticing the suspicious expression he wore on his chisseled face as he watched the newcomer smiling at Lucy. Lucy turned her head. "Paul" she exclaimed. " Lucy..." he said carefully and then, looking at Rangi added " Ma'am." Ra’nar turned to see large muscular man staring at him. Ra’nar stood up, and looked straight into the eyes of the man. Ra’nar smiled and discreetly tightened his fist around the bottle of ale that he was holding. "May I help you?" "Not really" Paul replied, eyeing the newcomer.He pulled himself up to his full height and had the satisfaction of looking down at Ra'nar. He might only have been a few centimeters taller but it gave him a feeling of advantage. "This is Paul Andrews " Lucy said quickly " He's in the ODA too....on Chimera." Ra’nar Smiled, "Of course he is." Ra’nar put the bottle on the on the table then put an arm around the giant of a man. "All the best men are in ODA." Ra’nar turned back to see the look on the ladies faces with his arm still rapped around Paul in a surprising display of affection. This may have looked strange, but it was perfectly rational. Ra’nar did not want a fight with another member of ODA and he did not want to be seen to back down. Paul moved back a step and after a short pause held out his hand. "Paul Andrews...medic " He smiled at Lucy who stood up, bent to pick up her bag and said. "You'll excuse us?" "Ofcourse." Rangi smiled at the pair. "Pleased to meet you. " Lucy said. " I'm a nurse in Chimera sickbay." She held out her hand to Ra'nar. Ra’nar smiled while looking at Lucy, "Chimera? Ha, very crafty." Ra’nar kissed Lucy’s hand then before he could say anything turned to Paul and shook his hand, "Pleased to meet you Paul, looking forward to working with you in the future." Ra'nar sat back down opposite Rangi as Lucy and Paul walked off. "I guess you’re on the Chimera also?" Ra’nar said with a smile before he finished the last of his drink. "Yes I am." Rangi answered agreeably and waited for him to drain the last drop of his drink. "We might be working together too...I'm CMO there. " She leaned forward and held her hand out to him " Rangi Summers...pleased to meet you." Ra’nar shook her hand and smiled once again, "Pleased to meet you, Rangi. I will look forward to that prospect of working with you." ====== End Log ====== Lt. Commander Rangi Summers Chief Medical officer USS Chimera & Private Ra’nar ODA Medical Specialist USS Chimera _________________________________________________________________ Be the first to hear what's new at MSN - sign up to our free newsletters! http://www.msn.co.uk/newsletters