Location: USS Paso Robles, personal quarters 

Zara was starting to come to terms with the new symbiont. She was a little rowdy, even more rowdy than her. The symbiont was new, had no previous hosts before. The symbiont felt like having a child inside her. 

“You realize you can’t hide your feelings from me right?” The symbiont known as Lox said to Zara. 

“ I know, you can sense and that I have no animosity towards you. Is it still going to take some time for both of us to get used to this process. I’m your first host and you’re my first symbiote but actually it’ll probably be my only Symbiont.” Zara suggested to Lox. 

“I realize that, and your right I am young. I have been swimming in the caves for years. I am just eager to get out and explore the universe.”’ Lox suggested to Zara. 

“We’re not on an exploration vessel. This is a supply vessel.” Zara pointed bout to him. 

“”That is very true but there’s still a chance to be an explorer if you look hard enough. We are going to different planets that we’ve never been to you before though our needs for exploration will still be met.” Lox suggested to her.

“I had never looked at it that way, I guess you’re right. There’s still a part of us I can’t be an explorer.” Zara said with a warm smile. 

“Speaking of exploration, let’s talk a little bit about self exploration. When are you going to let Teral know that you have feelings for him?” Lox flat out decided to ask Zara. 

“You too, I like them,” I’m going to ask. Just working up to it.” Zara said to Lox. 

“You only have one life, you know I might have several with different hosts, you only have one life to live, so please, please live your life to the fullest.” Lox pointed out to her. “Besides I’ve never experienced love before, this could be exciting for both of us.” Lox went on to say. 

“Always the adventure with you isn’t it, I like that about you Lox.” Zara suggested to the symbiont. 

“ I like adventure, and pretty soon you will too. You know part of he’s going to change and part of me will change to adapt to you and together we’ll make something unique and special but most of your core values and functions and even your interest will still be you.” Lox pointed out to her.

“Maybe a more adventurous Zara would be a good thing. So I should probably be thanking you Lox, for helping me find my adventurous spirit in the near future. 

“At least I don’t have to help you find your exploration spirit, you’re already a scientist and every scientist is a basic explorer.” Lox reminds her. 

“Yet you had your concerns and fears. I can assure you, we will make sure those needs are met.” Lox promised her, with a tone of sincerity.

“I have always wanted to be an explorer, ya you’re right. Part of me wanted to be an explorer and was a little sad about getting assigned to a supply vessel, but I have met some incredible friends here. And I had never considered my dreams of being an explorer could still be fulfilled. Lox, your insights are much needed and appreciated.” Zara said to her. 

“This division is going to expand. Who knows, maybe they will get a science vessel.” Lox suggested to Zara. 

“This is a logistics and support division.” Zara pointed out to her. “Dont you dare suggest a transfer to Overwatch Station. I love being a department head of a counseling department, on a starship. To me this is where the real exploration will begin.”

“You and I both know, that the support is part of the science aspect of the division. Grissom class maybe, or a Nova Class.” Lox pointed out to her. 

Lox believed that science was the only true path to exploration in this division. And since Zara wanted to be here, maybe a transfer would be in order. So with that said, she waited to see what Zara was going to say. 

“Oh please, no Nova Class. They don’t even have a holodeck. Can you imagine life without a holodeck.” Zara asked Lox. The idea of serving on a ship with no holodeck felt like a prison sentence. She had no idea how anyone could voluntary accept an assignment like that. 

She had no idea how in the old days, like Kirk’s generation, they survived with no holodecks. That had to be brutal on the psyche. 

“I have never experienced a holodeck. Been swimming for the past 100 years, remember.” Lox teased her a little bit, but also being honest.

“Then we need to fix.” Zara suggested to Lox. “I love the holodeck, and you have access to my memories, no doubt you will too.” 

“We should make a reservation, so I can experience this first hand with you and through you’re eyes Zara.” Lox suggested to her. She had reviewed some of her memories, and it sounded real exciting. 

“I have a feeling the two of us are going to get along great.” Zara said, with a big grin on her face. “I really believe that Lox.” She meant it from the bottom of her heart. All her concerns were now washed away, and being replaced with trust and compassion. 

“I know you do, and I feel the same way too.” Lox said in response to Zara. 

“I never knew you were the missing piece I needed to fulfill my life. I can feel our connection growing stronger and stronger.” Zara suggested to Lox. 

“I can feel it growing as well. We are going to make an incredible team. I think we are going to have a wonderful experience living on the USS Paso Robles.” Lox said, as the scene starts to fade away.