“Ah Preston! It’s nice to see you again. I just finished my shift, would you care to join me for a stroll?” asked Elias. “By the way, how are you faring? Any noticeable differences here at Starbase Bravo compared to the academy? I surely hope that you are enjoying your time here even with all the work as a nurse.”

“It’s been good,” Preston replied, “I’m new, so the charge nurse has me working all the grunt work.  Your basic charting, transporting patients, stocking and resupplying, and cleaning.” He rolled his eyes, “lots and lots of cleaning.  I suppose it’s the medical department’s way of hazing new people that comes with the job. They aren’t going to let me work on anything serious yet.”

“As far as difference,” the man laughed, “where do I start!”

”Ha, I remember the first time I was assigned to a starship. Being the Lower deckers, well the science Chief made me do all the reports and paperworks. Good old times.” said Elias, laughing slightly. “I mean have you taken the time to roam around? This place is huge.”

“Not really,” Preston replied, “I look at the Promenade, but that place needs more time to take in the sights properly. I think I need to prioritize what places are important and work my way out from there.  What do I need to survive, that sort of thing.”

“Huh, I mean the place is huge. I literally just roam around the whole base when I had my free time. The sights are something very interesting if I do say so myself.“ said Elias. ”I also heard that there‘s a colloquium or an academic conference sort of thing going on currently. Even I have planned something to present though I’m not quite sure if I could finish or complete it before the exhibitions end.”

“Let’s go see this then,” Preston looked interested, “there is always something to see at one of these.  I am not sure I could do an exhibit, talking to all those people, endlessly repeating the same thing over and over again.”  He wrinkled his nose, “that is not something that interests me. But,” he smiled, “visiting one sounds like fun.” 

“Ha, same problem here. I’m might just go do a conference talk or so. Lots of people, i do not really have to repeat myself anymore. Might as well, video it also.“ said Elias, shrugging his shoulders. “Let’s go to the exhibits and have a see shall we?”

Preston gestured down the corridor, “after you.” This wasn’t entirely how he expected his first day on the station to develop but it was interesting. He’d just left the Academy, ready to move on and here he was heading to an academic conference.  He chuckled.  It was definitely not what he had planned.   However as the old saying goes,  when in Rome.