A/N: I wanted to experiment with an OC in the Orville verse, using the outside perspective of a background crewman, just for the hell of it.

Lieutenant Roberto Danse, or "Bob" as he preferred, looked outside of the small shuttle window at the ship that was to be his first deep space assignment since he had finally managed to get of desk jockey duty at Union Headquarters on Earth.

"A beaut isn't it?" the cheerfully peppy helmsperson chirped, a fond smile on their face.

Bob blinked and turned away from the sight of the space ship, shrugging.

"Its OK, I guess, then again they all have the same design, with just differences in sizes," a pause then, "though this is the first time I've seen one with rotating rainbow pokedots."

"Oh that, its only temporary from what I understand," the short blond-haired pilot hummed, "The ship had a run in with a species whose method of diplomacy is playing pranks last I heard."

Bob scratched his scruffy dark purple beard, reminding himself mentally to perhaps shave when he was situated.

"Who won?"

"Cpt. Mercer," they said appreciatively with a dreamy little look, "used Hot Dog outfits."

Bob was about to ask for an elaboration when he comm dinged, distracting them.

"Orville to shuttle Olivia Butler, we got you on our scanner, your cleared for docking in Shuttle Bay 2."

"Hey Gordon! Is that you?" the pilot said with deep satisfaction, "I'd been hoping you would be on duty on my arrival."

The male voice on the other end sputtered, "Oh! Lieutenant Stiv! Er, didn't know it was you, how…um, how are you?"

Stiv's blue eyes narrowed, "Don't think that you can weasel out of that case of Marmosian Crackle Ale Gordy boy, I look forward to settling up once your off duty."

Stiv turned off the comm and turned to Bob, who was unnerved to see that bright sunshiny look back on their face, "So your new to the ship huh?"

"Um, yeah," Bob sat back in his seat, looking back out the ship window, "it took a lot for me to get here but, yeah."

"Really?" Stiv asked curiously, "The Orville isn't exactly the flag ship or anything of the Union, you're a lieutenant, you must have done a few rounds on ships before."

Bob shrugged, not saying either way.

When they docked the ship, Bob grabbed his service issue travel bag, tossing it over one shoulder, and disembarked, the shuttle already empty as Stiv had been a blur of red and black, likely headed to find this Gordon person and settle up.

A deck officer found his file and directed him to the crew deck.

Bob saw a diverse group of officers and some civilian family members as he past, not surprising given this was a deep space union vessel.

Admittedly, Orville had not been his first choice really. Bob had been pushing for a posting on one of the combat vessels. Exploration and Diplomacy vessels were not exactly his cup of choice, but at this point he was willing to take anything, and command had stressed this was likely to be his only chance at a deep space posting, especially given his…record.

Well, he would just have to make do.

Bob's quarters were a small single unit. The wall was a plain grey ship standard, the usual tasteful space inspired print, this one of Saturn, on the wall.

There was a small twin bed pressed up against a wall with a soft serviceable grayish blue rug, and a metal bedside table and lamp.

The synthesizer was on the opposite wall, just outside the entrance to a serviceable bathroom, and finally a metal table and two union issue grey chairs in front of a window over looking the three thruster rings.

Bob knew that anything else he would have to go to one of the larger synthesizers for any other furniture and knickknacks, but then again, Bob was not overly considered with decoration, though he supposed he could use a set of shelves.

Bob dumped his carryall on the floor and idly kicked it under he bed, the with a gusty sigh, fell back on the bed, grunting at the rather to firm mattress. Ok, maybe a softer mattress along with those shelves.

He folded his arms under his hands and stared up at the bland ceiling.

…Maybe a poster.

Bob knew that he didn't have to report to Commander Grayson for the next 12 hours or so, so he took the time to relax, and try very hard not to think of the past, instead savoring the achievement of the now.