After Tom and Naya got themselves settled in their new room, they he headed out for their version of a celebratory dinner, which Naya had promised would contain an appropriate amount of beverages. Vivienne was positively starving, but let the others go ahead, saying she would join them later. She needed a few minutes for herself. Once the door hissed shut behind the Trill and the Human, Vivienne let out a long pent-up sigh and let herself fall backwards onto her bed.  It wasn’t as soft as she was used to, which only added to her annoyance and the increasingly dim outlook on the whole day. And not like it was going to get any better. There had been something bothering her for a while, and as she activated her PADD, the numerous messages and missed call notifications from Cheyenne, her oh so beloved sister, served as a stark reminder how screwed she was. The last message simply said, ‘Call me.’

Vivienne took a deep breath and got up again, making her way to the console. Better get this over with, right?

“Have you even considered how you’re making me look?”,  Cheyenne’s voice seethed with anger as her image appeared on the screen. Frustration was etched across her face, and Vivienne could tell that she was holding back. She cast her eyes downward, and responded, “I… I’m not entirely sure what you mean.” Which wasn’t true, because Vivienne absolutely did know.”You do know. I’m talking about the preparatory class I went out of my way to set up for you.”Vivienne felt a pang of guilt and attempted an apology, saying, “I’m sorry, Cheyenne. I really didn’t mean for things to go this way.”

Her sister’s voice remained sharp. “Do you realize I had to pull strings just to get them to consider you? And then, you didn’t even show up!””The transporter malfunctioned, and I ended up in the wrong room, and…”

Cheyenne cut her off.  “Well, I guess it’s a good thing you’ll never make it as an officer. You’d get people killed. Can’t even make it to a room on time.”

That comment hurt. Vivienne’s voice trembled as she pleaded, “It was an accident…”

Cheyenne, clearly exasperated, replied, “An accident? Do you have any idea how important this was for your career? You’re squandering opportunities that people would kill for!”

Viv’s eyes welled with tears as she argued, “I know, but you have to understand, it wasn’t entirely my fault. Things just went wrong.”

Cheyenne shook her head in disbelief, her anger still simmering. “You always have an excuse, don’t you? This is your future we’re talking about, Viv! You can’t stay on the Belladonna forever!”There was an awkward pause in which neither of the sisters said anything. Cheyenne didn’t, because she was waiting for a response. Vivienne didn’t, because she was pretty sure that Chey wouldn’t exactly like the response she had to offer. Eventually, she opened her mouth. “Actually, I am on the Cupertino.”

“The what?” Cheyenne said.

“The USS Cupertino. They…. I am here as a journalist.”Cheyenne seemed like she didn’t know what to say. The fact that Vivienne had somehow managed to make it onto a Starfleet vessel – and without her help – took the wind out of her sails, but only ever so slightly. She was still angry, and the words that followed were something she would regret once she calmed down.

“Well, I hope you’ll be happy there, because we’re all pretty much fed up with you. Mother also said that-“

Vivienne ended the call, knowing full well that hanging up on someone was neither mature nor helpful. But she hadn’t wanted to hear how much of a disappointment she was.  

Once she had regained her composure, she fixed her hair and makeup, and then stepped out into the corridor, and even though the air out there wasn’t significantly different from that inside their quarters, she felt a slight sense of relief in the change of scenery. For about two seconds. Then she had to try her best to choke back tears. She figured she should probably simply stay in her room, but the others were waiting for her and she couldn’t exactly afford turning more people against her. 

She made her way down the corridor, then paused. Was this even the right direction? This ship was tiny – especially compared to the Belladonna – but apparently Vivienne once more had managed the impossible and was actually getting lost. 

“Why are you walking around here?” a voice came from behind her, and Vivienne turned to see the speaker. She didn’t recognise the woman, but then, matching names to faces, and faces to people she knew wasn’t one of her strong suits.

“Got lost,” Vivienne replied.

“Well, I guess everyone needs some sort of talent, huh,” the woman rolled her eyes, and Viv remembered her as Doctor Brennan. Then again, from the red uniform she wore, it seemed that the “doctor” was either not a medical doctor, or that these days were somewhere in the past. “Oh, come on, lighten up. I wanted to fetch you for the medical intake anyway. We can do that, and then I’ll show you where to go.”

“Thanks,” Vivienne said lamely, following the woman who led her through doors marked with a medical symbol.

The ship’s medical bay was a compact, well-organized space, brightly lit with a clinical atmosphere. The walls were lined with various medical instruments, tools, and diagnostic equipment neatly stored in wall-mounted compartments, making the most of the limited space. In the center of the room, several biobeds were separated by privacy curtains for the discretion of patients. Along one wall, a medical supply station displayed shelves full of neatly organized medical supplies, from hyposprays with medications to advanced diagnostic devices.

Brennan briefly spoke with a blonde medical officer, who retrieved a medical tricorder.

“Hop onto the biobed for me, will you?” the doctor asked, motioning to one of the biobeds.

“I thought Ceix was picking you up and showing you the ship,” Brennan commented.

“She did, but we went to our room right away. I met Thomas. Uh, Tom. Ensign Tom,” Vivienne explained.

“Ah,” said Brennan, not revealing any shared history with the young man.

“Well, I’m glad neither of you is alone here. It can be quite an adjustment, especially when you come from a luxury liner like the Belladonna,” she noted.Vivienne blushed and gave a small nod. “It’s very different. But different is good, I guess.”

“If you feel like the ceiling is falling on your head, Keller is a good person to talk to.” Brennan advised, and

Amelia made a mental note that the woman had not offered herself for those kinds of conversations. The phrase Thomas had used – “Cactus” – came to mind.”Yeah, I will,” Vivienne replied and paused before venturing further. “Was it a big change for you too?”

Brennan paused and looked at her, displaying various emotions on her face before seeming to resign herself to giving some sort of answer. “It was. But it wasn’t as short notice as it has been for you. For me, it was the end of a long chain of events that eventually led me here. And that’s good. It’s a good ship, a good crew. Like a family.”

“That’s what companies say when they want to justify overworking you,” Vivienne remarked.

“True,” Brennan smirked. “Exactly like family. Anyway, that all looks good,” she said as the doctor finished her scan and showed her the results.  “I didn’t know you were part Betazoid.”

“Yes,” Viv sighed, “I look human, not telepathic or empathic either.”

“Oh, good. Telepaths creep me out,”

“Me too.”

“Well, then, that’s that. Welcome to the Cupertino, yadda yadda, enjoy your stay. Remind me again where you wanted to go?”

“Naya said it’s called “Kahless”.”

“Right. It’s on my way; I’ll show you.”