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casino.”

    The afternoon passed fairly rapidly. Emily was surprised at how many minor complaints the passengers had, although some people wanted only a friendly ear to talk to about old maladies, or reassurance that a new bump or lump wasn’t the harbinger of a deadly, alien disease. Only in the trideo adventures.  
    Thankfully, there were no more pets to be treated.  
    Sitting in her tiny office right before going off shift, she scheduled a mandatory meeting of her staff for the next morning. There were several people she hadn’t met, and it was clear to her the previous doctor had run sickbay in a much more casual style than she was accustomed to, or willing to tolerate even for a few weeks.
    “The preferred time you’ve indicated won’t work, Doctor,” said the ship’s AI.
    And now the ship was giving her more attitude. Running one hand through her hair, Emily couldn’t keep irritation out of her voice. “Why not?”
    “You’re required to attend new-employee orientation tomorrow at that hour in the Eridani conference room on Level C. There’s a mandatory briefing for all crew members just joining the ship.”
    “No one told me.” Glancing down, she noted the meeting now glowing red on her calendar vid. “Besides, I’m only a temporary employee.” She sipped at her synth caff and frowned.
    “Allow me to explain,” said Jake in his smooth baritone as he lounged in the doorway. “After the Nebula Dream disaster, the CLC Line upgraded their own employee training protocols, even though the wreck happened to a different cruise line.”
    She swung around in her chair, not happy to realize Jake had arrived so quietly. Reminding herself he was ex-Special Forces and not a potential enemy, she tried to calm her racing pulse and fight-or-flight response. “What else don’t I know about my duties here?”
    “You have a briefing with the captain tomorrow afternoon, you’re expected to dine at his table tomorrow night, although he won’t be there, and other than that, run the sickbay.” He grinned. “Keep us all healthy.” A more serious expression on his face, Jake said, “I came to repeat the invite for you to join us at the beach party tonight. Food and drinks are on the ship for this event, which is a rare deal.”
    “I’ll take a rain check,” she said automatically. The idea of dining with strangers didn’t appeal. “I’m heading for my cabin and my bunk.”
    Jake waited while she gave Bevar, the physician’s assistant who had night duty, a few instructions as to how she liked things, and then he strolled with her toward the crew gravlift. “Your luggage has been placed in your cabin. If you need anything, let Maeve know. She’ll have the details of your schedule in an accessible file.”
    “Luggage is a fancy term for my battered go bag.” Emily tried for a lighter tone. “Did you say I have to dine at the captain’s table tomorrow? What happened to not being involved in social interaction with the passengers?”
    “There are a few exceptions, Doctor.” He laid his hand over his heart and intoned dramatically, “We all have to take a few for the CLC Line.”
    “Even you? Should a chief of security be so visible?”
    “Reassures the passengers, serves notice to the bad guys.”
    She paused at the entrance to the lift. Hands on her hips, Emily said, “I’m going to try to keep meet and greets with passengers to a minimum. I’m sure I’ll see enough of them in sickbay, judging by how today went. At least I was never in any danger of being bored. Thanks for the escort. I can find my way now. The ship seems to be well run, for a civilian job.”
    He half shrugged. “Ex-military captain, ex-military crew. Lucky for us, that’s what passengers and freight forwarders want right now. Maeve is used to running a battleship going into harm’s way, so she has no trouble keeping Nebula Zephyr shipshape.” He laid his hand on her forearm for a moment. “I wish you’d reconsider about