Crewmembers of both the USS Brawley and USS Morro Bay piled into the former’s observation lounge with views from the front of the ship. Excited murmurs filled the room with an anxious, excited buzz.

Deep Space 11 floated in front of them. The Brawley towed her sister ship towards it at full impulse. The ships followed a final approach path that banked and led them away from the distant station.

Their view slowly panned away from it. Ensign Kim Jung-soo watched silently. Dark brown hair ran just above her yellow-gold clad shoulders.

“Look at all the ships”, a blonde Bajoran woman called out excitedly.

“It must be really busy after what happened with the Vaadwaur. I heard it spread across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants”, Ensign Kim said to her as she studied a Nebula-class starship parked in the distance above it.

The Brawley finished looping wide and curved back towards the rear of the station.

“I’ve seen a few stations in my life. This can’t be that impressive.”

Ensign Velau Prias, unimpressed, had walked up next to Ensign Kim and watched the slow descent with her arms crossed and a look on her face. “But it’s something, no? A welcoming sight compared to the last few days.” Her head turned to look at Kim, a brow raised in intriuige. “You’re awfully quiet, Ensign. It could be that we aren’t introduced yet, or…”

“OOF! Sorry, Velau!” Runt suddenly called, running past excitedly with M’Row.

“Watch where you’re dashing, M’Hark!” She rolled her eyes, and looked back at Kim. “..perhaps its anxieties?”

Jung-soo chuckled at the woman’s concern. Brows softened around her dark eyes. “Me? No. I was just caught up in thoughts.”

Ensign Kim looked from Velau and Hrelle back to the station. “There was a time when I thought we were trapped out there. It feels so good to see something defined and permanent.”

She looked back to Velau. “I hope the Brawley’s been a good home to you. Hopefully my next few years here will be spent doing quiet repair work.”

“What are your names and what do you do?” Ensign Kim looked between the pair.

“The Caitian that just ran by is Runt.” She glared at the now exiting cats, before looking back. “He’s normally all over the place from what I’ve seen.”

Velau stuck a hand out. “Ensign Velau Prias. Tactical Officer in training. The Brawley’s been more than we could ask for–it’s bettter than being dead.” For a Trill, the woman was awfully brash and not as calm and docile as most are. “Who may you be?”

Jung-soo looked surprised. “You’re a Tactical officer too?” Excitement carried through her tone. ” I’m Ensign Kim Jung-soo. They mostly have me doing Security work, though.”

Ensign Kim was also still learning her role with Tactical systems. She hadn’t gotten much rest lately.

“I’m glad you all made it through that.” Ensign Kim gestured towards the Starbase. “There should be fun stuff to do there, huh? I heard Copernicus stations have Promenades. Maybe they have some quirky alien shops. Looking forward to anything?”

“I am.” Velau, now that there’s no immediate threat, was much more calm and…well…herself. “Top of my class, voted most likely to become a Captain. Ensign Velau Prias.”

She adjusts her ponytail just a little bit, everything about her prim and proper.

“I’m quite impressed with our crews’ turnout. It’s almost satisfying to see everyone coming together, no?” The Trill chuckled at the sight of so many scrambling to look. “I imagine that we all need a long, nice rest. That’s what I’m most looking forward too.”

Jung-soo’s eyes darted back and forth between the station and Velau. “Rest sounds so nice. I can’t wait to go for a nice long walk.”

Her eyes turned back to the stationary structure with anticipation. “You know what I hope they have there? A spa! One of those fancy alien ones.”

“I want Bolian mud baths, solar lamps and a massaging table.” Her mind thought of the last time she laid on such a bed. Its mechanical knubs seemed to know just how to loosen her knots.

Ensign Kim twisted her neck, as she imagined the soothing touch. The joint popped audibly as she placed a hand to her neck’s base.

“Oooh, a spa?” Velau’s interest was slightly more peaked as she glanced a bit more at the station. “I could use with a good back massage…I hold my worst stress there.”

She crossed her arms, now staring fully at the fellow Ensign, getting a smirk on her face. “Okay. You’ve been with your crew longer than I have. Spill some drama–I want to hear what the Brawley has going on.”

Jung-soo’s voice carried an excited tone as she responded. “Oh, the things I’ve seen.” She turned from the window to face Velau. “You know what I saw?”

Normally low eyelids rose wide-eyed as Ensign Kim continued. “Late one night while I was checking doors, I found our XO and Chief Counselor holding hands. They must have told Captain Raku, based on how open they were being.”

A quick breath was inhaled through a gulp before Jung-soo continued. “They dropped their hands so quickly when I came around the corner.” Bubbling laughter rocked her lithe frame. “What’s been happening on the Morro Bay? Like, before the Blackout. Anything spicy?”

Ensign Prias snickered as she motioned for Kim to come closer with the wag of her finger.

“WELL. I saw our head engineer with…someone. I couldn’t tell who. I also know M’Row and M’Hark were making eyes at each other earlier..”

She pauses, in thought for only a moment more.

“Our Chief medical and Chief Security and tactical were having a real nasty argument last night…a lot of tension between engineering and science right now.”