The chattering of crew members filled the mess hall as the dinner rush began. Neelix walked cheerfully from one table to another, serving up food and chatting with his patrons. Almond, Quartz and Constellation found themselves an unoccupied table and sat down.

"I guess we should feel lucky we ended up here and not some hostile alien's ship.", Quartz said. The other two Pokemon nodded in agreement.

"Almond, thanks for showing us around.", Constellation said.

"No problem!", Almond said, "So, what's been happening in our world while I was gone? How's the guild?"

"Worried about you.", Quartz answered, "The guild, your friends in Treasure Town, everyone's been wondering where you are, if you're okay. I guess they're worried about all three of us now."

"I'm sure we'll find a way home.", Almond said confidently, "Seven of Nine and I have been studying the subspace displacement field that brought us here, and we're trying to see if we can create one ourselves that will lead back to our world."

"Speaking of Seven of Nine, don't you find her a bit odd? Especially the way she speaks.", Quartz said.

"She was assimilated by the Borg.", Almond explained, "Remember those legends about the ancient humans in our world, how they supposedly used to capture Pokemon and force them to battle? That's kind of what happened to Seven. The Borg are a hostile race that turned her into one of their own kind, and she was forced to do the same to other creatures. She was like this for so long she forgot how to act and speak like a human, and she's still learning those skills. Don't be scared of her, she's a lot nicer than she looks."

"I guess we should also be glad these aren't the same humans those legends tell of.", Constellation commented.

"When I first came aboard, those legends definitely crossed my mind.", Almond said, "I'm glad they were wrong. Anyway, what has been happening at the guild?"

"Well, other than searching for you, it's been mostly the same routine.", Constellation said, "My younger sister joined the guild a few days ago, though."

"Corona?", Almond asked, "Wasn't she working at the Kecleon's shop?"

"Yeah, but she decided that she wants to at least try being an explorer."

"Hey, with you guiding her I'm sure she'll do fine.", Almond complemented.

"She's also thinking of evolving into a Flareon."

"How old is she again?"

"About five months younger than you. She's turning nineteen in a week, actually."

"And she's already thinking about evolving? I haven't even started considering it yet."

"I agree it's a bit earlier than most Pokemon, but I doubt she's going to go and buy a Fire Stone right this moment."

"Hey, if she wants to evolve into a Flareon, I say she should go for it!", Almond said.

"Wow, Almond, biased much?", Quartz laughed.

"Fire-types have to support each other!", Almond joked, "What do you want her to evolve into?"

"Well, if I were to follow your logic, I'd tell her to stay as an Eevee. Normal types have to support each other!", Quartz retorted sarcastically. All three Pokemon burst out laughing.

"Are we interrupting?", the Pokemon heard the Doctor. They turned to see him walking up to their table with Captain Janeway beside him.

"Not at all!", Almond replied as the captain and doctor sat at the table beside them.

"How are you all doing?", the captain asked.

"We're doing great!", Almond said, the other two Pokemon nodded.

"Glad to hear it.", the captain said.

"I have analysed your bioscans.", the Doctor added, "All of you have fascinating and unique physiologies. If I may, I would like you to discuss my findings with you. You could fill in some of the blanks."

"Sure!", Quartz replied, Almond and Constellation smiled in agreement.

"Thank you.", the Doctor said, "First off, I would like to describe your physiologies. Please chime in to make corrections or clarifications as you see fit. Quartz, physiology seems to share some similarities with rodent species in this dimension, but there is a lot about you that is unique. Your front teeth for example, is not calcium-based like normal bones, but is made of a material containing Kemocite. You are capable of biting through much stronger materials compared to other Pokemon. Also, your whiskers can detect even extremely slight changes in environmental conditions. I'm assuming this serves as an early warning system against adversaries."

"That's right!", Quartz said.

"Constellation,", the Doctor continued, "your DNA is most fascinating. I have identified nine different genomes in your cells, but only one is currently active."

"Constellation is an Eeveelution. She can evolve into one of eight different forms.", Quartz added.

"Indeed.", the Doctor said, "I have also noticed that her DNA is much more prone to alteration by environmental factors than any other complex organism I've seen. The genes responsible for evolution is much more complex than the other two Pokemon, and exists on its own chromosome, separate from the nine genomes. This chromosome also codes for mechanisms that allow her body to be extremely tolerant of these mutations. I have found evidence that 'Eeveelutions' didn't always have nine forms to evolve into, but that these forms arose over time due to the species' unstable DNA. It is likely that we will see new forms of Eeveelutions in the future."

"Do 'Eeveelutions' choose what species they evolve into?", the captain asked.

"Yeah, it's often considered one of the most important decisions an Eevee makes.", Constellation said, "But getting the evolution you want can be complicated. Some forms can be reliably attained if you have the correct evolutionary stone, but other forms are dependent on environmental and even psychological factors at the time of evolution. It's not unheard of for an Eevee to evolve into a different form than what they had hoped for."

"'Eevee'?", the Doctor asked, "I'm assuming that's an abbreviation for 'Eeveelution?"

"It's actually the name of the unevolved form of an Eeveelution. The name 'Eeveelution' came after the name 'Eevee'."

"If you don't mind my asking, did you evolve into the form you wanted?", Janeway asked.

"I guess so. I never really had my heart set on a single form, but I loved watching the moon and the stars as an Eevee, I still do, actually. I stayed out at night a lot, and the Umbreon form is partially invoked by exposure to moonlight. Umbreons are primarily nocturnal and can see even in complete darkness, so it's a good fit for me."

"Wait, I thought that Pokemon evolution process was activated by special stones that exist in your realm.", Janeway said.

"Some evolutions are stone-based, but not all of them.", Constellation explained, "For example, Almond is a Vulpix, and her evolved form can only be invoked by a Fire Stone. Quartz is a Rattata and evolves by a process we call 'leveling up'. Basically, his evolved form is invoked by a combination of age, experience and learned skills. Depending on the form, an Eevee can either evolve with the correct stone, or by leveling up under certain conditions, like during the night for example."

"Fascinating.", the Doctor said, "I am currently running an analysis of how the evolution processes of our Pokemon guests work. I am also trying to extrapolate what their evolved forms may look like. I must say, Captain, the way that Pokemon evolution changes the physiology of existing cells means that the mechanism can be used to design more reliable gene therapies."

The captain smiled, "Doctor, I will leave the exobiology and genetic aspects of our Pokemon friends in your capable hands."

Later that night, the Pokemon entered Almond's quarters. Captain Janeway had asked Almond if she was willing to share her quarters with the other Pokemon, which she happily agreed. They entered to find that there was now three pillows and three folded blankets on the bed, dividing it into thirds along its length.

"This is where we're we'll be staying.", Almond introduced.

"It's nice! It reminds me of the rooms at the guild, just a lot more advanced.", Quartz said. Constellation nodded. The trio climbed onto the bed, each taking a pillow and wrapping themselves up in a blanket.

"This was a crazy day, wasn't it.", Quartz said.

"Yeah.", Constellation replied, "But I can't really say it was a bad day. We found Almond, and everyone on this ship seems nice."

"When we fell through the portal, we could have ended up in a lot worse places in this realm.", Almond added.

"As long as we're here, I say we see it as an opportunity to learn about this dimension. We wouldn't be very good explorers if we came here and went home having avoided anything new.", Quartz suggested.

"Like our guild's cheer says, 'smiles go for miles'.", Constellation replied.

"And maybe even light years.", Almond added.