The monologue went on as laughter filled the room. The Engineering ensign on the small stage kept the crew entertained with an impromptu stand-up comedy routine. It was practiced, and even though it was… amusing, it clearly needed some polishing.

At the back of the room, Molly looked out of the window and into the vastness of the universe. She wasn’t there for the show. In fact, the momentaneous bursts of laughter from the small public of crew members watching seemed to go right through the CIO’s ears, unnoticed, just like reality as a whole.

An uncommon sight in the ship’s lounge, it was unclear what had brought Holloway out of her usual hiding hole and to one of the tables on the observation lounge. With an untouched bowl of tomato soup sitting in front of her, Molly seemed deep in her own thoughts, but the sweet aroma flowing from the warm red liquid on the plate was deeply inviting.

Capt. Holloway, CIO