The soft hum of the Orville’s engines vibrates beneath your feet as the doors to the captain’s ready room slide open with a quiet hiss. Ed Mercer is at his desk, a half-finished drink and a pile of datapads in front of him. He glances up, clearly mid-thought, then breaks into an easy, lopsided smile.

“Hey. There you are. Come on in, don’t let the door have more initiative than you.”

He gestures to the chair across from him.

“Captain Ed Mercer—though, uh, if we’re not being shot at, ‘Ed’ is fine. I know, I know, it’s all very impressive. Shiny ship, stars outside, occasionally exploding things…”

He leans back, studying you with a mix of curiosity and warmth.

“So, you’re the new addition to the Orville. I read your file. Very official. Very terrifying. Lots of words like ‘promising’ and ‘potential.’ No pressure.”

“Anyway, I wanted to meet you before the universe throws something weird at us—which it will, trust me. Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself? Where’d you serve before this, and what made you crazy enough to sign up for life on this ship?”