Settling On Board

Posted on 11 Aug 2026 @ 12:47pm by Lieutenant Lamia ‘Mia’ Kildare & 1st Lieutenant S'earr

2,203 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: Counsellor's Office

[ON]

The Akira-class U.S.S. Tomcat had been underway for three days, and 1st Lieutenant S'earr was still discovering new corners of the ship.

Not that he'd had much time to explore them.

Between reviewing Marine readiness reports, inspecting equipment inventories, meeting squad leaders, and familiarizing himself with the Tomcat's operational procedures, the newly assigned Marine Commanding Officer had kept himself occupied from the moment he'd stepped aboard.

Which was exactly how he preferred it.

The towering Caitian strode through the corridor, his white fur and black stripes immediately drawing attention from passing crew members. At seven feet, six inches tall, he was difficult to miss even in a crowded starship corridor. The Marine uniform contrasted sharply against his pale fur, while his tail swayed lazily behind him with each measured step.

A PADD rested in one large hand. Upon it was a reminder that had been impossible to ignore.

Mandatory New Assignment Counseling Evaluation.

S'earr sighed. He understood the purpose.

Starfleet wanted to ensure officers transferred between assignments were adapting appropriately. New crews, new command structures, new expectations, all factors that could affect performance.

It was logical.

Reasonable.

And entirely unnecessary, in his opinion.

Still, regulations were regulations.

Counseling Department.

S'earr paused.

His ears flicked once.

Then he pressed the entry panel.

Lamia was sitting in her office, her son fast asleep in the neighbouring room. For all intents and purposes she was still on maternity leave, but she was working a few short hours to keep on top of her workload. The plus point of being a Counsellor was being able to sit down to do her work. She looked up as she sensed an unfamiliar presence outside the door, a moment later the chime rang.

“Come in…” She looked towards the door curiously.

The doors opened and S'earr, with a slight duck to get under the doorframe stepped into the room. He scanned the room with his eyes as he righted himself upright before settling on the other occupant of the room. "Counsellor." The customary traditional bow was afforded her.

His nose picked up on scents, his ears twitched in listening. "Lieutenant S'earr, ma'am. I'm here for my evaluation." His eyes focused on her once more. As with any new encounter, he braced himself for the expected reactions.

Lamia was surprised by the sheer stature of S’earr, but not so much by his species she had encountered Caitians before, if only briefly. “Lieutenant, please come in take a seat. Forgive me for not getting up, I’m still recovering from surgery so I’m a little slow.”

"If now is a bad time ma'am, we can reschedule?" S'earr offered. "Though if I may, I'd prefer to stand. I have discovered that most furniture is too small or, unsuited to someone of my weight. I have already inconvenienced the Doctor with his efforts to fit a suitable biobed in Sickbay, Engineering with some new furniture for my quarters. I would hate to break your furniture on my first day." S'earr explained, though there was more to his reasons than what he said.

“It’s fine on both counts” Lamia smiled warmly. “Please feel free to call me Lamia if you wish, it saves the titles whilst here. I have encountered Caitians before but only briefly, I’m looking forward to learning more. So, how are you settling in?”

S'earr stood, his hands behind his back one of which holding the PADD with the notification of his required presence here. "Busy, ma'am." He replied. "There is much to be done and plenty to take in." He took note of her comment about meeting Caitians before, K'Muss was a Caitian and serving on the same ship it was possible they had met, though the size differences would be immediate to see.

“There certainly is plenty to see” Lamia nodded as she looked down at the PaDD on her lap which was now loading S’earr’s personnel file. “Looking at your file, I see you’ve encountered some resentment at being assigned a position in charge before? Unfortunately that can happen, but I don’t think you’ll encounter that here.”

"People are often quick to judge." S'earr answered. "They see what I am, ignoring who. While it is true I have used what I appear to be to perform my duties, it does not define the entirety of who I am as an individual." S'earr spoke.

“Nor should it” Lamia nodded. “I would imagine that your stature is found to be intimidating to some, we do already have another Caitian marine onboard Warrant Officer K’Muss. Have you had a chance to meet him yet?”

"Intimidation is a valuable tool ma'am, when wielded correctly." S'earr answered. "I have met K'Muss. As you may have noticed we are clearly very different in size. He is what I call a Sha'le'et. A Caitian outside of the caste system. A system old, rich in history and tradition but not strictly practiced by all on the Homeworld."

Lamia nodded. “I’ll admit I know very little about Caitian traditions, I have encountered similar caste systems in other cultures though. I take it that it won’t cause any problems between the two of you?”

"None ma'am. Just as you are Betazoid and your mate is Human, it matter's not." Suggesting that S'earr had done his research before arriving, in the comparison. "As long as duty is performed, there will be no issue."

Lamia smiled warmly. “I’m glad to see you’ve been doing your research. For future reference the marines can also talk to Staff Sargeant Hawksley, she’s marine medic and counsellor.”

"Indeed ma'am." S'earr answered. "Shall we begin the evaluation?" Feeling that initial pleasantries had been sated.

“I already have” Lamia smiled warmly. “I have to admit I do sense some conflict inside of you, even though you keep your emotions under control. I’d imagine you have to take care when amongst others, whether it be in the field or in general, simply because of your sheer stature.”

S'earr's eyes narrowed slightly, a twitch in the ear, a flick of the tail. It was one thing to be judged for what he was by others but the Counsellor's comments were pointed, personal in a way. She had used her abilities on him and unlike most things, he had no defense. "I'm aware that I pose a threat to everyone on board ma'am, because of what I am, in one form or another. When members of my caste leave we are given classes to help us adjust to life off the Homeworld....."

S'earr shifted from one foot to another before he continued. "I am bigger, stronger, faster than most. I have the added advantage of being a natural predator with the reflexes and abilities therein, and even then, from a very young age I have been trained to fight, to kill, all in the name of my caste and my future in it."

"With a handshake I can break bone, with a squeeze I can crush a rib cage, with a bite....." He left that to hang, suspecting she caught the point, and was without him including his claws. "I have to have control....because not doing so results in people being hurt....or worse, ma'am."

Lamia nodded. “I meant no disrespect, just incase it came across that way. You are obviously well taught, and you’re extremely respectful which I appreciate. Control for us Betazoids is what keeps us from going crazy, with my abilities I have to strict control much like you do.”

"Of course ma'am." S'earr responded, even if she had meant to offend, as a female it was well within her right, by his perspective to do so.

“You put me in mind of the men on Betazed, as a matriarchal society the men are required to show a certain amount of respect, not that I let that carry over here. As far as I’m concerned everyone is equal.” She smiled a wry smile before her attention turned to the neighbouring room as she sensed a momentary shift in her son’s emotions. She paused before turning back to S’earr.

"A choice I am not permitted to have." S'earr replied, tradition and culture were far too etched into his upbringing to let standards slip now. "May I ask what else you sense?" Once again showing his subservience to the female, 'May I', a question, a request, one she was free to deny or refuse.

Lamia nodded. “I sense that you’re well controlled, a moral sense of duty, and of respect. Maybe a small air of concern as to how you’ll be received here onboard. I’d imagine your sheer stature receives a lot of attention from those who aren’t used to it.”

"Indeed, coupled with what I am, adding to the reaction." S'earr answered. "I understand that people respond differently to certain situations, some are in awe at my size, others see what I am and fear that I may turn feral and act on my base instincts. I control nether of these reactions, only my acceptance of it."

Lamia nodded. “When I first joined Starfleet I was in awe of all the different races that were part of it, for me it’s all part of the adventure of being out here. Besides I sense nothing from you that currently makes me worried or afraid, though I do sense that you’re keeping a tight hold on your emotional control. Earth predators, the big cats lions and tigers, they’re ferocious and not to be taken lightly it’s the only comparison I have for Caitians.”

S'earr listened to her comment, somewhat pleased to hear her remarks about Earth predators being ferocious and not to be taken lightly. Both factors that he prides himself on. "Indeed ma'am."

Lamia nodded. “I have no doubt you must miss your homeworld, how would you compare it to your life in Starfleet? Do you feel in any way diminished or worse off, or do you think life is as good as it gets right now being where you are?”

There was a noticed shift in the black streaks of fur on his head.

Diminished....worse off?

There was a fleeting wash of anger, frustration, at the question as it rolled in his mind what the female was asking. "No." It was brave of her to ask such a question to someone how took considerable care of his physical abilities and wellbeing. "I miss the homeworld, true. I however do not feel lesser than for doing so." It was obvious a nerve had been struck. "Those from my caste face challenge and adversity, not let it change us through submission."

Lamia sensed the anger and frustration that quickly settled. “I’m sorry if my question…unsettled you, and thank you for answering it honestly. I can imagine how hard it must be to maintain a sense of control.”

"It is alright ma'am." S'earr responded. "It...is hard. To me, many species are...fragile, and I mean no disrespect in that perception. I have to be mindful of my actions and how they effect others. Something as simple as a touch can cause harm, walking into someone, or a reflex action from someone stepping on my tail." The tone of the latter suggesting that he'd already gone through that ordeal.

“Of course, I hadn’t even taken any notice of your tail so I can see how accidents could happen that way.” Lamia nodded. “The amount of control you keep is commendable, I’d also imagine it’s a struggle. What ways do you work off your frustrations?”

"My exercise routines include a combat, hunting and stalking elements to them." S'earr answered. "Caitians as a whole have worked hard to present an image that we are more than what we appear to be, my caste embraces what we are as a predator. Just because we appear to be something, doesn't mean we should act like something else to suit the needs of others."

“Very true” Lamia nodded. “I’m glad you’ve already got those routines in place to help with your natural instincts.”

"Thank you." S'earr remarked. "Is there anything else Counsellor?" He added, not wanting to occupy all of the females time.

“Not that I can think of for now” Lamia smiled warmly.

"Then I thank you for your visit, regrettably however, being a recent addition on board I have much to review, prepare for and report on as I assume command." S'earr spoke. "Perhaps if you wish, a follow on session, time more permitting than current?"

“By all means, a second session sounds like a very good idea.” Lamia nodded and smiled. “I’ll arrange an appointment and I’ll let you know when.”

S'earr stood, affording her a parting bow as permitted all females regardless of species. "As you wish, Counsellor."

[OFF]

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