Ensign Kate Kamigawa was in nerd heaven. Her fingers danced across the wide helms console placed center forward on the bridge of the USS Gilroy, flipping through menus and setting everything to her exact specifications. She was thrilled with everything she was seeing.

By no means did she mean to disparage the California-class. For nearly a year those engines had been her family and she had treated them with respect. But this new Gilroy – a Rhode Island-class – was far more responsive and offered much more in-depth insights into helm management. And although she hated how the console’s position in the center of the bridge meant that she’d often be the focal point of everyone’s view – much too hard to hide that way – she loved the extra width the position provided. She had already spent much of her time picking precisely the readouts and charts she wanted to occupy all that extra space.

Her complete infatuation with the helm hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“Didn’t take you too long to move on, Ensign,” the Captain, Jericho Sands, had commented nearly an hour after her shift had started. “I’ve never seen someone so engrossed in menu maintenance.”

She had felt herself flush in embarrassment and turned to apologize when she was met by one of his classic fatherly smiles – if not outright smirks. He laughed when he saw her expression and waved away her concern before she could say anything.

“No judgment, no judgment,” he had added quickly between laughs. “If you don’t think I’ve spent at least 100 hours diving through these ship specifications myself…” he trailed off as he spun around on the spot, taking in his bridge. “I’m going to miss the old Gilroy – don’t get me wrong. She was a fine ship and we did fine work. But I know this Gilroy and her crew will keep at it. And look a little bit sleeker as we do.”

The rest of the day had turned into a steady routine. Every officer on the bridge used their time to grow more familiar with the new systems, while returning and new crew alike dropped by to be formally welcomed by Captain Sands. Kate, for her part, only had to pull herself away from her own obsessive console editing to greet inbound shuttles. She had just welcomed their last scheduled one, in fact, and it was certainly the most interesting. Commander Ashworthy – or Jules, as he preferred – was the ship’s communications and logistics officer and had arrived with their newest officer, a Cardassian exchange officer.

The crew, which counted quite a few Bajorans amongst its numbers, seemed a bit nervous about it all. At least that’s what Kate had heard from her roommate who, thankfully, was much more of a gossip than she was.

Kate, and everyone else on the bridge, it seemed, turned sharply towards the turbolift when the doors opened and out walked the familiar redhead and the new, scaled, face.

“Captain Sands,” announced Jules gleefully. “I’ve missed you. Where’s Commander Mall? And have you seen the quarters? A bit cramped, but very, how can I say… sleek? I can’t wait to press all the new shiny buttons…” Running a mile a minute, he didn’t stop speaking until the Captain approached and wrapped the younger officer in a solid bear hug.

“It is good to have you back on the Gilroy, Jules. It’s certainly been… too quiet, without you.”

Jules laughed and stepped aside, gesticulating to the tall, handsome Cardassian officer standing behind him. “Captain Sands, let me be the first to introduce you to Keymor.”

Keymor’s face, which had been wide-grinned until now, shifted into a serious look as he straightened his back and tucked both hands behind his back. “Captain Sands – Dalin Keymor of the Cardassian Union-Starfleet exchange program. Reporting for duty as ordered.”

Kate noticed that Captain Sands’ face too had turned more serious than usual. He seemed to study the Cardassian man in front of him, head tilted up to make eye contact. After a moment of study, he extended a hand that Keymor took slowly, a look of surprise streaking across his face only briefly before he corrected.

“It is a pleasure to have you aboard, Keymor,” said the Captain. “I hope you find your stay with us both informative and rewarding.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Keymor answered. “And in the spirit of this exchange program, I hope to be of both use to you and your crew and an insight into the Cardassian people.”

Sands moved to take his seat, grunting slightly as he sat down, and motioned to Keymor to take the second chair. The Cardassian hesitated.

“I would never presume to take the first officer’s chair,” he offered as a way to explain his actions. “That would never be permitted on a Cardassian vessel.”

“Then thankfully we are not on a Cardassian vessel,” said Captain Sands, voice light but a little strained. “I can assure you here on the Gilroy that a chair does not carry more weight than one’s assignment. But, also, it would do this Captain some good to sit down and not have to stare up at his crew when his head is already spinning slightly.”

That look of confused surprise again shot through Keymor’s expression, noted Kate. Again it only lasted a second before being replaced, this time by a smile as Keymor took the open seat next to the Captain.

“Are you alright?” asked Keymor, carefully.

“Oh yes, yes,” answered Sands before sighing. “I took a hit to the head during the Gilroy’s last mission. Still get the occasional headache. Nothing serious – and I’m completely open about it. But it just might mean I deliver my dramatic speeches sitting down rather than standing from time to time.”

“They are good speeches,” said Jules from his console. The communications officer was now positioned near the front of the bridge at an independent station to the left and just behind Kate’s. It was usually reserved for the operations officer, Kate noted, and she was a little worried that Jules being so close would mean a bit more distractions. “Some of the best in Starfleet,” he added.

“I can’t wait to hear them, then,” added Keymor, who offered Jules a beaming smile before he turned to take in the rest of the bridge. “I look forward to working with all of you for at least the next six months.”

“I’m sure you’ll get along well,” said Sands as he reached out a hand to pat Keymor’s shoulder. “Our first officer, Commander Mall, is completing a check in Engineering. Then he’ll be free to meet with you to review command codes and any last-minute briefings for the ship. You’ll take your station tomorrow, starting with a mission briefing at 0700 hours.”

“So early,” moaned Jules, which earned a chuckle from the Captain.

“Don’t let the Commander hear you complaining about that, or he’ll move it up an hour,” said Sands. “But anyway, I’m sure you’ll get comfortable soon enough, Mr. Keymor.”

“I will certainly do my best,” Keymor offered, eyes moving between Jules and the Captain.