For the first time for a few weeks, Shock found himself with a free day. He thought of what he could do. He had already done all the regular physical exercises. He considered going back to studying Klingon or meditating, when the thought of Klingon made him think of Marishka. They had promised one another to “catch up” (as his human crewmen would say), and she had been looking forward to sharing a pitcher of mango-infused black water – whatever that was. Shock took his promises seriously, and decided to see if Marishka might be in the lounge.

As he walked to the lounge, he thought of their shared experience over breakfast a while back. It was a strangely intimate conversation between near-strangers. What would it be like this time?

He entered the lounge, and looked around to see if he would see Marishka.

– Shock (off duty, but wearing his uniform because why not)