Stardate 52011.4

     Elea looked around the room with wide-eyed wonder.  It was very 
impressive.  Ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, while well-dressed 
holo-waiters served what looked to be delicious food to everyone.  It was all 
brightly lit, and overly loud.  It seemed everyone was talking at once. While 
the noise level was somewhat new to her, she was glad that nothing was being 
directed at her.  She was still too overwhelmed to get out much of an 
intelligent answer anyway. 
     On Elea's right sat Mr. Syxx, the Bolian Engineer.  A very interesting 
person, he talked with much enthusiasm about the ship's new Navigational 
Deflector.  Elea listened with half an ear, recording much of what he said for
later review.  Most of what he said sounded very interesting, and gave her 
several ideas about navigating, she'd have to try them later.  Curiously 
enough, he wasn't paying her much attention.  When she had first heard she was
sitting next to the Chief of Engineering, Elea had believed he would question 
her to no end.  Thankfully, he wasn't.
     On her right sat Lieutenant Commander Mull, the ships Operations officer 
and a Bajoran.  Elea kept glancing at him, quickly and out of the corner of her
eye.  Why is he looking at me like that, she kept thinking, Maybe there is
something on my uniform?
     To embarrassed to check, she figured someone would point it out.  Besides,
he was the only person staring at her.  She glanced over again nervously, this
was not good.  I have to sit next to him on the bridge for hours on end, will
he stare at me all that time?, she thought.
     She was shocked from her musings and recording by the Commander's voice,  
talking to her!  What had she said?  Elea quickly scanned back in her audio 
log, searching for the question.  Obviously it was a question, judging by the 
look on her face.  Uh oh, this is taking to long... I better hurry up!  What 
if they get mad?  They might not like me then!  Her mind raced, just then the 
record pulled up.
     "Yes sir, I am", her voice almost oozed nervousness. Oh boy...
     Commander Ming smiled, "Becky, remember?  I'm off duty."
     "Sorry, sir", Ooops, "I mean, Becky!"
     Ming nodded, "Don't worry about it, sweetie.  You'll get the hang of 
things in no time."
     Elea nodded in reply, and almost sighed in relief when the conversation 
moved away from her.  She noticed Lieutenant Commander Mull looking at her 
again.  Nervously, but trying to hide it, she took a bite of the caviar.  The 
taste was not pleasant, she struggled to hide her revulsion.  Oh ick, this is 
horrible!  She swallowed anyway.
     She glanced up as Mr. Syxx stood and exited the holodeck.  Off to find the
doctor.  Not trusting the rest of her food, and not really needing it either, 
she decided to just watch and learn.  Thankfully, Mull had stopped staring at 
her, and was now concentrating on not trying to look sick.  Elea almost 
giggled, he must have tried the caviar.  Suddenly the Captain's communicator 
beeped, interrupting him in mid sentence.  Everyone at the table looked up at 
him.
     "Syxx to Mason"
     "Mason here"
     "Captain, I found Doctor L'vant. She's dead."
     The table hushed noticeably. The Captain looked up at some of his 
officers, "Understood Mr. Syxx.  I'll be right down."
     With that, he stood and left.  The XO and some security officers tagged 
along. 
     Elea looked shocked, as did most of the rest of the crew at the table.  
Someone had just died on the ship.  What had happened?  One by one the others 
began to talk amongst themselves again.  Elea looked around nervously, suddenly
feeling very small.  The Captain had been sitting across from her, he hadn't 
spoken to her much, but he seemed to calm those around him. 
     She stood and mumbled, "Um, excuse me, I think I'm going to retire now..."
     Everyone had looked up at her.  Great.  She forced a smile and began to 
leave the table.
     "I think I'll be going too, goodnight all," Mull stood as well and started
after her.
     Soon after they had exited the holodeck and started to the lift he caught 
up to her, almost jogging to keep up.  While she wasn't all that tall, she 
certainly could walk fast if she wanted!  And she wanted to now, she wanted 
away from all those people.  It was just to much!  There weren't that many 
people on the research station where she had been "born".
     "Hey, wait up!", Mull called out.
     Elea stopped at the lift, "Yes sir?", she blinked at him questioningly.  
Maybe he'd point out whatever it was that was on her uniform.
     Instead, he looked embarrassed, "Um, can I...", he looked around quickly, 
"Uh, ride the lift with you?"
     Elea was taken aback, odd question, "Of course sir, it holds more than 
one."
     Mull nodded and smiled slightly, "Please call me Valen, we're off duty.  
What's your name?"
     The lift arrived and the duo stepped inside. 
     "Deck 14", Elea told the computer.
     "Uh, um, Deck 16", the lift began its decent.
     Elea looked up at Mull, since he was slightly taller, "My name is Elea, 
Lieutenant Junior Grade," she smiled proudly.
     "Whoa, not THE Lieutenant Elea?  Conn officer?", he grinned broadly.
     Elea nodded hesitantly, "Yes sir, that's me"
     Mull's grin widened, "We'll be working together then!  I'm the OPS 
officer."
     Elea nodded again, "I know. Lieutenant Commander Mull Valen.  You 
transferred here from the Bradbury approximately one week ago.  You're a 
Bajoran from the Pholen province, and are 24 standard years old.  You joined 
Starfleet right after the Cardassian occupation ended."
     Mull looked surprised, "How'd you know that?"
     Elea shrugged slightly and smiled proudly, "I glanced at the crew roster."
     "And you remembered all THAT?"
     Her smile widened slightly, "I remember everything I read."
     The lift slowed to a stop on her deck, the doors sliding open with a low 
pneumatic hiss. 
     "Goodnight Mr. Mull, I'll see you tomorrow on the bridge," she smiled at 
him as the door closed on his shocked expression.  She turned and walked down 
the corridor a short distance to her quarters.