=Escape Pod==Somewhere over Charos IV=
Rick sat back quietly and looked out of the small viewport
at the Chimera as it grew smaller and smaller. The ship was
a shell of her former self, but Rick knew that he could
repair her if the Romulans would just go away.
But, his mind wasn't on the Chimera or engineering. It
wasn't even on the battle. His mind was on his family. He
thought of Rachel and hoped she had made it safely to the
planet. He thought of Mai and prayed she was still alive. He
felt as helpless as the escape pod was, drifting toward the
planet.
After a few minutes, the pod landed as it was designed to
do. It landed in an area near the other pods. As the other
four occupants walked out of the pod, Rick stayed in his
seat, not moving.
"Sir …" Flores said, standing at the pod hatch.
"I'll be along in a moment," Rick softly said.
Flores nodded and Rick was left alone in the pod. He took a
deep breath, a part of him fearful that Mai didn't make it.
If she didn't make it, he didn't want to know. He didn't
think he could handle it. But, then he thought of Rachel and
wanted to make certain she was safe. So, he slowly undid his
restraint straps and walked out of the shuttle.
He had to cover his eyes from the sun, allowing them a
moment to adjust. He then walked fully out of the pod and
onto the surface of the planet.
Rick and the others from his pod walked toward the area
where most of the Chimera survivors were gathering. He
frantically looked around, hoping to see Mai and Rachel.
As the seconds had passed, the escape pods chances
ofsurvival had increased though the same couldn't be said
for others who had come under fire from Romulan beams and
disintegrated in a flash.
It was Laura who had drawn the childrens attention away from
the receding battle and on to the planet beneath them.
The emerging features and then scenery had captured their
interest and even Rachel, so overcome with the absence of
her parents, had looked in wonder at the long mountain range
moving beneath them.
The landing had, thankfully, been soft and all had clambered
out unharmed.
Gordon had his phaser at the ready but there were only
Chimera crew nearby.
The area they were in seemed to be the edge of a plain that
stretched far to the foothills of the mountain range they
had seen emerging from the clouds on entry.
It was warm and sunny and in other circumstances might well
have been apleasant place to spend a day.
The survivors had gathered together and watched other pods
descend, counting the number of occupants and each looking
for familiar faces.
So it was that when Rick appeared in the open hatch, Rachel
broke free from Mimis hand and ran shrieking across the
ground towards him.
Rick saw a small figure darting through the crowd
ofsurvivors. He felt his spirits rise as he rushed towards
her. Then, when she finally reached him..
"Daddy!" she screamed as he lifted her up and hugged her
tightly. He kissed her left cheek before hugging her some
more. He then pulled her back just to look at her.
Tears had formed in his eyes and one stray one slid down his
cheek.
"What's wrong, daddy?" she asked.
"Nothing, sweetheart. I'm just so happy to see you," Rick
said as he hugged her somemore. He then saw Mimi, Rangi and
Martin approaching.
"There's Rachels Daddy!" Martin said looking up to Rangi who
watched the scene with a small lump in her throat.
" Yes.."she said looking down to the little boy "...lets go
and see him."
They crossed to where Rachel and Rick were hugging each
other.
" Commander." Rangi said, giving him a welcoming smile.
"Thank you," Rick said. "Thank you for taking care of
her.Thank you for everything."
He closed his eyes, not wanting to ever let go of her. He
then looked at Mimi again.
" I'm glad you got the message." Rangi said, referring tothe
one T'Vel had sent and seeing Ricks puzzled expression added
doubtfully. " You 'did' get it didnt you?"
"I did," Rick said, then looked around the crowd of
evacuees."You haven't by any chance seen MaiKai, have you?"
Rick asked, already knowing the answer since she wasn't with
Rachel. Then again, she could have been helping some of the
wounded.
"I'm sorry..no...not yet." Rangi replied.
Rachel looked up at Rick. "Where's mommy?" she asked.
"I don't know, Ray. She's somewhere around here," Rick
said,hoping that he was right.
"There are still pods coming down." Rangi said, trying to
sound positive. "...and some might be a bit further off."
Rick looked up and saw one slowing down as it approached the
ground. He could only hope ...Rick knew that he had to focus
on something other than Mai.If he didn't, he would go
insane.
"We should probably look for the captain and XO and start
organizing the crew," Rick said, not able to think of
anything else to do.
"Yes we should." Rangi replied slowly and turned her head,
her eyes scanning the small crowd "...but I havent seen him
either..." she added.
*** End Log ***
Commander Rangi Summers
Med Adv 1st Task Force
USS Chimera-B
&
Commander Rick Rodgers
Chief Engineering Officer
U.S.S. Chimera
&
Rachel Rodgers
(npc by Rick)
