*** Infirmary * SB Unity ***
" Hey...I didnt know you were working here today." Scott
said as he saw Rangi approaching.
" I'm not really." she replied, " I was waylaid when I came
in by a minor emergency. Actually I had come to see
you.....do you have a minute?"
" Certainly..." he replied " You're office or mine?"
" Mine's nearer." she replied and he fell into step beside
her.
" You look a bit worried. " he said. " Is there something
wrong?"
" No not exactly. " she said and he didnt ask more realizing
that whatever it was needed the privacy of her office.
She led the way in, asked him to take a seat and followed
him across the room to her own chair where she sat and
immediately pressed the button on her desk that clouded the
windows, a sure indication to those outside that she was not
to be disturbed.
" What's up?" Scott asked, watching her face.
She leaned forward resting her forearms on the desk top and
linking her fingers together.
" You know that Chimera will be leaving in a matter of
hours?" she said and he nodded.
" Alex Rice came to see me a short time ago to ask for
compassionate leave of absence."
Scott frowned. " I've heard about his children. " he said
quietly. " It's tragic."
" Yes it is. " Rangi agreed. " Obviously he wants to be with
his wife at a time like this and I've given him permission
to leave for home on the next available transport."
She paused.
" That means that Chimera is without a CMO and I'd like you
to take the position."
Scott said nothing, he didnt need to for his expression said
it all.
" I know you dont want this." she continued "..and from
choice you'd be on Aeran running the hospital there by now
but I wouldnt ask if I didnt think you the best man for the
job."
Scott dropped his gaze, his lips compressed.
" There are others I could call on but getting them here
before Chimera leaves is impossible and although Matheson or
possibly Sark could be a choice, they arent as experienced
as you.
Scott, I know you dont want a ships mission and if you feel
strongly about it then I 'will' ask someone else."
He glanced at her for a second then took a deep breath and
released it slumping back a bit on his chair.
He knew that Rice needed to be his family and he knew too
that Sark would be a good choice.
His job as Medical officer in charge of the newly built
hospital on the planet had been on hold for sometime. It was
something that he had wanted to do for it would open other
avenues for him and expand his career which he no longer saw
as being confined to a ship.
More than that though came the thought of Mercedes.
He had been so pleased to see her when she appeared in his
office and he wanted ...'what did he want?' he asked himself
and the answer was already there.
He wanted to resume the relationship they had had and he
believed, perhaps optimistically, that Mercedes wanted it
too.
On the other hand, they hadnt been in touch recently, he had
had no idea she was even on the starbase and she might leave
again just as quickly as she had arrived.
The war had altered everything and personal wishes had to
take a second place so he looked up again to see Rangi
watching him and waiting for his answer.
"Alright." he said. " I'll do it. " He gave her a small
smile which she returned with interest.
" I'll notify Captain Rojac of the change over." she said "
and your promotion to CMO will be set in place.."
She knew he wasnt whole heartedly behind the decision and
hoped that he hadnt felt under pressure to accept it.
" Congratulations." she said holding out her hand.
Scott leaned forward and took it in a firm clasp.
"Thankyou." he said. " We'll celebrate when I get back."
*** End Log ***
Commander rangi Summers
Med.Adv. 1st task Force
CMO
SB Unity
&
Lt Scott Fisher.
CMO
USS Chimera