Marishka’s quarters were nearly empty. Just the rabbit cage and a few chairs remained. She was sitting with Mary and RJ talking quietly and going over a last few things. Mary looked skeptical.

“Are you sure this is what’s best? I mean we’d just gotten to be friends and all.” Mary looked away feeling instantly selfish.

“You’ll learn, in Star Fleet, that we’re always in and out of each other’s lives. I’ll see both of you in ten to fifteen years when you’re commanding your own departments.” Marishka explained.

RJ got up and started moving the rabbit cage. For some reason, she had given the creatures to him and he felt foolishly honor bound to take care of them, “I just can’t see the ship with a different CIO than you. You were the first person I met when we came aboard but don’t worry, I’ll look after these two.”

Marishka stood and smiled at both of them, “I know you will, that’s why I gave them to you. Now don’t forget to run my errands please, I’m already almost late.”

And with that, Marishka turned and left the quarters that she had grown to call home. Even though she loved the place, and the people, her willingness to take this new assignment proved that Marishka would always have a wandering streak.

• Marishka