July 15th 2364

The senior staff of the Enterprise sat around the long table in the observation lounge. The Captain had called the meeting to discuss the employment of a new crew mate. Normally, he would have just discussed it with Cmdr. Riker, his first officer. But he thought this had to do with all of them.

Picard cleared his throat. "Well, you all know about the incident with the Stargazer so many years ago and after the problems with the Edo I thought it would be good to have a lawyer on board."

There were murmurs of agreement among the others.

"I suppose you all know Lt. Alina Meunier, one of our nurses, and Ensign Katrin Meunier, one of the engineers. You all know what they are?"

Lt. Cmdr. Data, the second officer spoke up. "They are vampires."

"Correct. So, the woman I have in mind for this job is Cmdr. Katharina-Sarina Meunier, their older sister, also a vampire."

"How do you know that she's not dangerous? A third vampire on this ship?" Lt. Yar, chief of security, pointed out.

Picard smiled. "I know her. She was the one who defended me in the trial about ten years ago. She didn't bite me. She told me she is a 'vegetarian'. That means she doesn't drink humanoid blood. And the replicators can fulfill her needs as well as her sisters'."

Data and his best friend, Lt. Geordi LaForge, sat in Data's quarters and were talking about their future crew mate.

"Katrin describes her as a really kind person. Alina left after their parents' death to go to California. Katrin and Rina, that's what she is called, stayed in France with a foster family. Rina was always there when needed. Katrin told me for example that when she was a child she was scared of thunderstorms. Every time she couldn't sleep at night she was allowed to wake Rina up and snuggle under the blanket with her even if it was well after midnight. I don't think a person like this is dangerous. What do you think?"

"I agree. I too know Cmdr. Meunier. She helped me to enter the Academy."

"Really? You never mentioned that. Explain."

23 years ago:

Data had always trouble with humans. They didn't quite accept him, especially the cadets. Data wanted to join Starfleet Academy. His test scores were exemplary high. Though, Cmdr. Maddox, a member of the board of admission, had objected. He seemed to think that Data wasn't a sentient being. But because of the protest of a Cmdr. Meunier, another member of the board and according to his sources a lawyer; it was decided to give him a chance to prove his suitability for a Starfleet officer.

At the moment he was occupied with two cadets who wanted to try to get any response from him by calling him names and stuff like that. He was about to tell them that he didn't have emotions and couldn't be bothered when he heard a voice.

"Is there a problem, Cadets?" The two humans and Data turned to look at a young woman about 20. Her dark-blond, golden hair hung in soft curls around her face and ended 4.97 centimeters under her chin. Her skin was almost white and her eyes had an ice-blue color. She wore the red and black uniform of a Commander. She was dainty but her suit showed of her curves nicely. She was 10.63 centimeters shorter than Data.

A human would have certainly considered her attractive. Her eyes were narrowed and her arms crossed over her chest. She tapped her foot impatiently.

The two cadets were really meekly all of a sudden.

"N-no, Commander, everything's fine."

"Then I would suggest that you go to your rooms and study. The exams are not going to write themselves. What are you waiting for? Go!"

"Yes, sir!" And the two ran off.

She watched them until they were out of sight and shook her head. "I swear these cadets get worse every year."

She turned to Data with a friendly expression on her face. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. There is no damage done."

She smiled slightly. "Sorry for that. Not all humans are that intolerant."

"It would appear so."

She looked at him, confused. Then she laughed, exposing pearl-white teeth. Data could see that her canine teeth were longer than a human's and pointy.

"What is so funny?"

"Sorry. Maybe I should introduce myself. I'm Katharina Meunier." She extended her right hand. He noticed a black tattoo on her palm which went around her wrist and disappeared beneath her sleeve.

He grasped and shook her hand. "My name is Data."

"I know. I have heard much about you."

"You are responsible that I was given a chance to enter the Academy. Thank you."

She signaled her refusal. "No problem. It's my job to make sure that everyone is treated without prejudices. I know how it is to be treated like that. I didn't have an easy start either."

He cocked his head looking at her closely. "You are not human, are you?"

"No, not really. I don't know if you would believe me when I tell you what I am."

His curiosity was piqued. "What are you?"

Cmdr. Meunier looked down and swallowed. "I'm a vampire."

"I did not know that something like vampires exists."

"It does as you can see. My species and especially my fangs were the reason why the two cadets disappeared that quickly. Most humans are scared of me."

"I have no reason to be scared of you even if I could. My body does not contain blood."

She smiled slightly. "I know. I can smell it. Vampires have quite sensitive noses."

"She led me to her office in order to get to know me a bit. I explained my programming to her and in the end she was able to persuade the board to let me enter."

They stood outside the conference room. The other members of the board passed. Cmdr. Maddox shot the vampire an angry glare. She just smiled sweetly and waved. Data watched the scene with a raised eyebrow.

Cmdr. Meunier noticed it. "He hates that he lost against his ex-girlfriend."

"You were involved in a relationship?"

"Yeah, it just didn't work. I guess I was too independent and to…different, if you know what I mean."

Data nodded. The relationship had ended because of her being not human.

She sighed. "Maybe I should stop dating humans. It doesn't work for me."

She took out the pins and ran a hand through her hair.

"May I ask how old you are? You look like 20, but from what I have read about vampires that does not have to be your real age. It is impossible to be a Commander that young."

She tucked a rebellious strand behind her ear but it fell back into her face. She twisted it around a finger, examining its golden color.

"I'm 347 years old." She looked into his yellow eyes. "You?"

"Chronological age? I am three."

"Wow. You're the youngest cadet ever. I hope you find a way to make it in this universe. I'm really sorry that I can't help you. I have to leave earth for star base 28. Duty calls."

Data nodded and tried a small smile. He extended his hand and she took it.

"Thank you for your help, Commander."

She shyly smiled back at him and Data could see the light blush on her cheeks. "It was nothing. I was just doing my job." She bit her lip and seemed to consider something then put her arms around his shoulders and embraced him. "Congratulations, Data."

Data was perplexed. No one had ever hugged him, especially not a woman. After a few moments he carefully placed his hands on her mid-back, holding her with a respectful distance between their bodies. She pulled away with a small smile.

"Good luck, I know you can do it. Maybe we meet again. Goodbye."

"Goodbye." He turned around and took a couple of steps towards the building.

"And Data," He turned around to see Cmdr. Meunier still smiling. She nodded once and continued. "Welcome to Starfleet Academy, Cadet."