High Shelf, Low Grace. A Physical.
Posted on 04 Jul 2026 @ 12:58am by 1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross Dr. & 1st Lieutenant S'earr
1,479 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: USS Tomcat, Main Sick Bay
Timeline: Current
[ON]
Gavin Ross stood on his tiptoes in the middle of the main bay, one arm stretched high as he tried to grab a fresh tray of hyposprays from the top shelf. His fingers brushed the edge of the tray… then slipped. The whole thing tilted, and two empty containers tumbled off, bouncing across the deck with a loud clatter.
Gavin froze for half a second, then slowly lowered himself flat-footed and stared at the mess.
“Fantastic,” he muttered under his breath, crouching to pick them up. “Chief Medical Officer. Top of his class. Can’t even raid his own supply shelf without causing a scene. Real inspiring, Ross.”
He straightened, set the containers back where they belonged with exaggerated care, and turned toward the door just as it hissed open.
A tall, broad-shouldered Caitian stepped inside.
Gavin wiped his hands on his uniform trousers and gave the big Marine a warm, slightly sheepish smile.
“Lieutenant S'earr,” he greeted, voice easy and friendly. “Right on time. Welcome to Sickbay. Come on in... I promise I’m usually more coordinated once the actual exam starts.”
S'earr had walked in and given his surroundings a practice glance, where people were, exits, avenues. He'd done it so often it was almost nature by this point. "Doctor." S'earr replied. "May I ask what the exam consists of?"
Gavin let out a short laugh and stood up straight, wiping his hands on his pants.
“Don’t mind the mess. Happens more than I’d like.”
He glanced at the big Caitian, taking in the impressive height and the striking white fur with its black stripes, along with the alert way his ears were angled.
“The physical’s nothing major. Just vitals, a scan or two, reflexes... standard stuff to make sure you’re good to go. We’ll be done before you know it.”
He gave S'earr a friendly smile.
“Heard you’re the new Rifle Company CO. How’s that been going so far?”
"To soon to tell." S'earr was straight to the point as usual.
He tilted his head toward the biobed.
“Whenever you’re ready, hop up there and we’ll get started. Any questions first?”
S'earr listened, then looked at the biobed. "Will that accommodate my weight?" By the look of him alone it was an easy guess that there was some weight to his muscular frame and it wouldn't be the first biobed he's broken in his career due to his size.
"It should fit your weight, not so sure about all of you. I will make a note to install a Caitian-friendly bio bed with the Engineers. I apologize. But it should hold you!" Ross pondered.
"Have you met K'Muss? A fellow Caitian on the Tomcat. He did not break the bio bed. Let me know if it is comfortable enough for you, and I will incorporate the changes to be made on your next visit." He nodded. Ross wanted S'earr to feel welcome and accommodated like every other officer; he deserved it.
"Not yet, however I have read his dossier." S'earr answered. "I am however three times his weight." A clear illustration that despite both coming from the Homeworld, that upbringing and culture can produce two very different outcomes. S'earr lay on the biobed and as expected, his feet hung from the end of it.
Ross smiled. He loved the Caitian species. They were majestic and much similar to their feline ancestors on Earth. Gavin stated. “Looks like you’ve claimed this bio-bed as your personal sunning rock. Comfortable?” Ross gave a slow relaxing eye blink to show him he respected his presence.
"It could do with being bigger." Though that much was a given due to his size, and his feet dangling off the end of the bed.
Activating his medical tricorder, Gavin connected it to the overhead sick bay sensors cluster set hidden in a circle above the bio bed. “Let’s see what the bed’s already telling me… Heart rate one hundred and twenty eight beats per minute. That is textbook Caitian resting rate.” He carefully held the detacted scanner for further data resolution. “Respiration steady. Core temp thirty eight point six celsius. Blood chemistry… excellent!
"Are you on raw-meat rations, or are you on a cooked diet?” As Ross attended S’earr’s bio metrics in hand, he could not help but notice the thick neck collar, which looked quite secure. He waited for S’earr’s reply, not wanting to cut him off, but he would ask that question next.
"A mixed diet based on my training routines. I find a mixed diet has worked best for me since leaving the Homeworld." He answered.
Ross nodded as he glanced at the tricorder readout again, a small approving smile tugging at his mouth.
"Mixed diet makes a lot of sense for someone your size and activity level. Keeps the muscle mass up without overloading the system. Smart choice."
He paused, tilting his head slightly as his eyes flicked to the thick collar around S’earr’s neck. It looked solid, almost like it was meant to stay put.
"While we’re on the subject of things that stand out… that collar. It’s pretty substantial. Mind if I ask what it’s for? Medical, cultural, or just something you prefer to keep on during duty?" Ross kept his tone light and curious, not pushy, while the tricorder continued its quiet hum above the biobed. "No pressure if it’s personal. Just want to make sure I’m not missing anything important for your file."
"Cultural and traditional. It's not something I take off until certian conditions are met. I may replace it should I grow and it become tight but it must then be replaced by another, by a family member" S'earr answered. "My claws and teeth are all treated and sealed."
Dr. Ross nodded thoughtfully, his gaze steady on the readings as he kept the tricorder moving in a slow arc. He was mindful of the big Caitian’s size and those sealed claws—sharp enough to slice through bone if S’earr wasn’t careful. No wonder the guy carried himself like a predator who knew exactly what he could do.
“Understood. Cultural and traditional, got it. I’ll note that in your file, so we respect it during future exams. And good call on the mixed diet... it lines up perfectly with your metrics, S'earr. That kind of fuel suits someone built like you.”
He gave a small, easy smile. “Your bite force and grip are impressive as hell, by the way. If you ever want a proper test on the equipment, just say the word. We could do one now if you're curious? Everything else looks solid.”
"The only test Doctor, is one not casually done." S'earr spoke, implying that he only uses them in the course of his duties or upholding tradition, both of which usually ends fatally for those on the receiving end. "As long as I am fit and capable of performing my duties, is all that matters."
“Understood.” Ross set his hands at his thighs, pushing back on his roller stool beside the bio bed. “Well. You're all signed off, S’earr. It's been a pleasure to meet you and welcome you aboard the Tomcat.” Ross was thoroughly impressed.
"Thank you Doctor." Even S'earr had to admit that this felt like the least intrusive evaluation yet. Something he was grateful for. Slipping off the biobed and standing upright again he could see wayward eyes looking at the largest individual in the room.
"If I may Doctor, I would like to obtain some dietary supplements to add to my food? Fibre, Protien and the like. I keep a strict diet yet I can not get everything with every meal given its ingredients." S'earr asked.
Dr. Gavin Ross gave a nod and tapped a note into his padd. “Sure, I can sort that out for you. Your metabolism’s pretty unique, so I’ll set up a custom supplement mix... Solid protein, fibre, and the key nutrients that should slot right in with what you already eat. No gut trouble, promise.”
He pushed back from the stool and stood. “I’ll get the replicator in your quarters dialed in with the right formulas right away, plus a few packets you can grab immediately. Try them for a couple days and let me know if anything feels off. We look after our people on the Tomcat.”
Thank you Doctor." S'earr replied, making sure his uniform was in place following his laying position. "I will."
[OFF]
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