Yulia nudged Valorie as they entered the meeting room at 0755 hours – right on time. Sachi was already sitting at the glass table, sipping from a mug as she played with her PD. In the left corner there was a floating counter she hadn’t seen the day before. It stuck out from one of the walls as if it had always been there. It had both coffee and water dispensers with several cups lined up along the side of the machine.

“We made it on time!” Yulia said, grinning with pride. Sachi looked up from what she was doing and raised an eyebrow at Yulia’s words.

“So you did. I was wondering if I had failed to provide the rookie with a fighting chance.” She said, sipping from the mug in her hand.

“I did good, Sachi. I got up early today.”

“It’s a pity you don’t have rookies to guide every day.”

“Can’t you just be happy for me?” Yulia pouted. Despite her expression and tone, Valorie got the impression Yulia was having fun. Sachi had a smug smile as she took another sip of her drink without a word.

“Don’t block the doorway.” A low, rough voice interrupted. Yulia immediately hopped out of the way, while Valorie turned to the speaker. Serge stood in the doorway, a cart loaded with food in front of him. It filled the room with the warm scent of toast and cinnamon.

“S-sorry.” She stammered before Yulia pulled her aside. Serge rolled his eyes as he passed by. He clicked a button level with the first counter, and turned back to his cart to organize. As he worked, another counter extended from the wall. Yulia patted Valorie on the shoulder.

“Come on, let’s sit.” She said.

“Yulia, you should grab something before you sit down. Breakfast is important.” Serge said waving her over as he finished setting out dishes, and moved on the bowls and cutlery. Yulia paused, and Valorie could see she was debating something in her head as she eyed the food cart. That debate ended when her stomach growled.

“Okay, okay. Twist my arm, why don’t you.” She muttered, pulling Valorie along with her.

Serge laid out two very different types of food for them to eat. One side had breakfast items Valorie had seen many times before. This time it was picture perfect sausages steaming hot, iced cinnamon buns, and golden toast. Right down to the hot glisten of grease, it all looked like it was from a generic cooking video. Replicated foods – specifically the ReNutri brand – were a staple of imperial diet. Valorie was much more interested in the other side. One item looked like granola, but toasted a deep brown, almost black. Nothing in the mixture looked familiar. There was also what could be scrambled eggs, but they were a bright maroon. Yulia kept glancing at her brother. When he was focusing on the cart, she started loading a plate with toast and sausage.

Valorie felt two more people approaching, so she looked over at the door. Gareth and Leon entered the meeting room mid conversation. Leon had a grim look on, but the Captain’s face was calm. Valorie hoped that meant everything was okay. Gareth made his way to the main table. He drew along the surface until a holographic star map appeared, hovering a few inches above. After the hologram darkened, he began to manipulate directly with his fingers.

Meanwhile, Leon made a beeline for the coffee.

“Ah, Serge, you really out did yourself for today. I thought you hated making the repli-meals.” Leon said, eyeing the food as his drink filled.

“Because it’s fake. Try the granola.” Serge said. Feeling guilty, Yulia scooped some onto her plate.

“Or, I can eat what looks – and smells – delicious.” Leon laughed, grabbing a plate and picking only the picture perfect foods.

“Fine. That stuff is a slow death. Doesn’t bother me.” Serge said. Leon laughed again, putting his plate down to deal with the coffee maker once more. Serge noticed his sister’s plate and scowled. “Aw, come on, Yui. You, too?” He said. She smiled with a wince while avoiding his look.

“Sorry, Serge.”

As they spoke, Valorie was trying to pick something to try. She was not usually given any choice, which meant even an easy choice like this stumped her. She had seen the picture perfect repli-foods before. Their strength was in their consistency after all. She leaned towards trying something new.

“What are you gonna have?” Yulia said, trying to redirect the conversation. Valorie glanced up from her choices and realized all three of them were watching her decide. Her cheeks grew hot.

“Come over to the dark side,” Leon said, “It tastes good over here.”

“It’s expensive junk food.” Serge argued.

“It’s got the necessary nutrients-”

“Spoken like a true connoisseur.” Serge stepped up and scooped up some of the granola. “Just try it.” He said. Valorie held out her plate. Serge poured the spoonful on to her plate, and waited. Leon couldn’t hide his smirk as he also watched her.

She lifted the granola to her mouth. Was – was it always this serious? Over food? She bit down. At first it was a crunchy sweet taste, before being overtaken by an earthy nutty flavor. It was heavy, and almost too crunchy, but it was so different from her normal fare. She took another bite, and this time the saltiness was more prevalent. She smiled.

“She likes it.” Serge grinned with his triumph. Leon rolled his eyes.

“Well, now you’ve done it. I’m going to go before his head gets too full.” Leon said, balancing his plate and two coffees so he could flee to the holo-table. He handed one of the coffees to Gareth, and they started working on the star map together.

“Happy to see the rookie has good taste.” Serge said. When he looked at her, his expression soured, “To some degree.” He added. Maybe he remembered who he was talking about.

“Serge.” Yulia’s voice was a warning, but Valorie already felt the distance grow. The swing in mood made Valorie realize she had been getting comfortable. She met Serge’s eyes while taking another bite of the granola. I like you better when you talk about food, she thought, not daring enough to say it. He scowled, and she wondered if he had heard her anyway.

“Are these really eggs?” Quinns interrupted their silent conversation. Valorie had been so focused, she did not notice his entrance, and backed off. She noticed Serge back off in the same way.

“Yeah, they really are eggs.” He said letting his annoyance carry over. Quinns chuckled.

“Oh, right, I should have known that. Thanks.” He said, brushing off Serge’s attitude. The air seemed to lighten as Serge rolled his eyes and refocused on getting himself a meal. Quinns reached passed the girls for a plate.

“It’s okay to eat at the table, you know.” He said, unwilling to tell them that they were in the way. Valorie nodded and turned to leave.

“Right. Very funny.” Yulia said before following Valorie to the table. When Valorie sat down, Yulia sat down next to her. Sachi spoke up as they got settled.

“Yulia, if you were going to take her on an hour long tour of the ship, you should have done the regular greetings in the first place.” She said. Yulia groaned.

“I hate it when it’s my turn. I don’t like greeting passengers – they’re like a time bomb.” Yulia said, and Sachi’s eyes crinkled despite her stern attitude.

“Well, that’s true.” She said, starting her story of the passengers’ behavior the day before. With the attention off of her, Valorie took the chance to take in her surroundings.

All seven crew members had gathered in the room, filling it with the sound of eating and chatter. The bare meeting room she had seen the day before was now warm with life.

Valorie had come expecting a meeting as meetings had always been. A superior reading off mandated talking points without feeling. The only thing that mattered to them was the PD swipe at the end that marked attendance.

She relished this new atmosphere, one of sharing and kinship. She felt a primal longing to be a part of it. A feeling that went beyond her reasons for being here. It was more important than ever that she succeed at becoming one of the crew. She forgot the meal in front of her, and listened to the conversations going on around her.