“I still can’t believe they split us up.” Caade sighed as he slumped into the empty sofa chair, its size and wear caused the piece of furniture to almost eat him up. 

“I knew as soon as they announced the Calistoga was getting a mission profile change with our current refurb that something was amiss. I’m sad that we’ve lost so many of our crewmates too, Lilzalo. I can sense this unease across the ship. A curiosity about what is next,” Callisto replied and gave her friend and colleague an empathetic look.

“I heard our new Captain does not even embrace bajoran traditions or customs,” Caade continued as his gaze seemed fixated on the space in between where Callisto and Hilga were seated across from him. “I’m not meaning to sound judgemental about that, but it makes me worry for just how our relationship might be. I was excited at the prospect of getting another bajoran on board, but we certainly won’t be sharing in prayer together it seems.”

“What about our new executive officer? She’s been in starfleet a hot minute and is already a commander. There’s something off about that,” Hilga finally broke her silence and chimed in, her tone had a slight unease to it.

“Do you think she’s an undercover intelligence operative? I heard they tend to move through the ranks rather quickly.” Caade looked at Hilga as he replied to her statement. 

“I doubt that. They wouldn’t place someone that important on a California-class vessel.” Callisto chuckled at her own slightly self-deprecating statement. 

The three of them had gathered in Hilga’s quarters for their usual mid-week wine and cheese, although this week several of their former colleagues were absent. Over half of the senior staff of Calistoga had received transfer orders, including their current commanding officer and executive officer. A new command team and replacement personnel would be arriving in a couple of days as the vessel would embark under a new mission profile and be given the chance to test out its upgraded systems from its refit. 

Of course – all three had already snooped and learned as much as they could about the incoming senior staff, given that’s who they would be working with the most as they continued their duties.

“I just don’t get why they did this to us. We had a good thing going on here and then they just flipped us on our heads like this. Why?” Caade sighed, clearly frustrated with the situation. 

“You can’t take it personally Lilzalo. This is just how it works. I’ve seen more captains and junior command officers come through these decks over the years than I can count at this point. We raise them and then they go on to larger more glamorous vessels to make names for themselves.” Hilga raised her wine glass for a moment, silently toasting to the many officers she had worked with on the Calistoga over the years before she took a large gulp of the pinot noir.

“She’s right Lilzalo. Before we know it, they’ll move both of us along as well.” Callisto’s voice seemed to have a softer tone to it now, it emanated a feeling of acceptance.

“I don’t want to leave. I like my team. I like our ship.” Caade’s tone was much sharper and certainly not in the same space that his colleague had been. “Hilga. You’ve been around these parts for a long time. What’s your trick to not getting reassigned?”

Hilga laughed and took another drink of her wine. “I’m an old bag, Lilzalo. Truth be told, I’ve made it clear that I’ll just retire if I get moved from my posting here. Trust me. I had my fair share of movement earlier in my career, but when you get to be my age, they tend to rely on you to raise the young.” She grinned and looked both over. 

Hilga then reached over and patted Caade supportively on his knee and thigh area. “My advice is that we all just enjoy the time we have left together. Make that effort to be present for things like this. Our tomorrow is never guaranteed in this life of service to the federation.”

Caade’s serious look faded away into something a bit more relaxed and he used his own hand to tap ontop of Hilga’s, he didn’t say anything but his shift in body language radiated and thank you towards his Calistoga mother figure. Hilga was just that to many on board – despite the fact she could be a bit crusty at times – she truly was the mother hen on board to many.

“On another note. Lilzalo. Did you see how handsome our new chief flight control officer is?” Callisto asked this with a playful grin. 

Caade blushed and pulled himself back in the chair some, “I have looked at his service profile yes. Only for medical purposes though.”

Both Hilga and Callisto burst into a fit of laughter in response, and despite his moment of bashfulness, Caade joined in the laughter himself. 

“Okay. So, he is extremely handsome, but I will deny I ever said that, so don’t bother bringing it up again. Besides, he’s a fly boy and we all know how that usually goes. They’re walking heartbreakers.” Caade retrieved his own glass of wine now from the small coffee table in front of him and then sank back into the chair. He sipped generously on the beverage.

“About time you caught up to us.” Callisto gave a playful jab and then looked over to Hilga. 

“You look into our new captain at all, Hilga?”

“You know it. There are of course the rumours that Lilzalo were talking about. This is his first command, but he certainly is not new to starfleet. Spent a good portion of his career as a physician, so the choice for him to take the chair by command makes sense given our upcoming change in mission profile. So – newer to command, but I do respect the work that goes into shifting gears in one’s own career like that. It isn’t easy. However – there have been some great captains that were once chief medical officers, just like some chief engineers make great captains too.” Hilga paused for a moment and sat back further in her own chair as well before continuing. 

“I think we need to give them all the benefit of the doubt but especially him. It takes courage to give up one’s sense of familiarity with surroundings and expertise in their specialty. Look at me for example – wouldn’t catch me dead doing what he has. Hell. I won’t even do that damned bridge officers examination, the only reason I’m second officer is because I’ve been around so damned long. Time will tell about this Captain Eelkom.”

“Well. If your stubborn ass is willing to give him a chance, then I think the good Doctor Caade and I can do that as well,” Callisto leaned forward and grabbed a couple of small cubes of cheese, she eagerly threw them into her mouth and chewed away. 

“My stubborn ass was willing to give you both a chance when you arrived here too and look at us now. One happy family.” Hilga widened her reach to emphasize the space they were sharing, although it almost led to some of her wine spilling out of her glass. She recovered quickly and then leaned forward to propose a toast. 

“To old friends. May they prosper in their new endeavours. To friends not yet made. May they learn to tolerate my foolishness quickly.” Hilga raised her wine glass towards Caade and Callisto. 

“Hear, hear,” both Caade and Callisto raised their glasses and clinked them together with Hilga’s. The three then shared another moment of laughter with one another.