"Guard Duty"

[Kansas_Jones 0]

02.24.07

USS Excalibur NCC-2004B

“Guard Duty”

 

Guard duty was about as gratifying as having a fang pulled with no painkiller.

 

Left Ear had been assigned to stand a watch outside of the Shallia Ghost guest quarters. Yes, this was what she got paid for, but there were only so many things you could do during guard watch. After a while, the idle conversation with your partner waned. Occasionally, you received a visitor, such as the timely arrival of Doctor Kassem, to perk up the time. Then, it was just more waiting around.

 

Eventually, the Caitian was released from her purgatory and allowed to roam freely. The duty report could wait, as it would only contain the scintillating account of the Caitian just standing there for several hours. Fascinating.

 

Great Bird, she was grumpy. She was tired and her blood sugar was probably low; it was past time for some food. She opted to stay in her uniform and head straight for the mess hall. The Caitian lieutenant located the nearest turbo lift and stepped inside. “Main lounge deck,”she paused and searched her memory for a few seconds, “…thirteen.”

 

Now that she was coming down a bit, the tawny furred Caitian allowed her thoughts to wander over the past few days, concentrating on the non-security concerns.

 

JoNs knew that there was another Cait onboard, of the male variety, and her curiosity was definitely piqued. She had briefly glimpsed him ministering to the injured captain on the bridge, but had been too busy keeping the big Sovvy under helm control at the time to show much interest. She did know the male Cait was from medical of course, so that narrowed it down a bit. There were hundreds of the felinoids dispersed throughout the fleet, but it was still a rare occurrence for two Caitians to serve at one time on the same ship.

 

Relationship wise? Well, let’s not get crazy now. Relationships had a nasty habit of getting in the way of a fleeter career, and vice versa. For now, Left Ear was mainly interested in finding out a bit more about the medical doctor, meeting him under a casual circumstance, and getting caught up on all those things Caitian.

 

The lift deposited her on deck thirteen and she exited the lift. She stopped quickly when she picked up the scent in the corridor. It was the Cait Doctor; he had obviously been this way, and quite recently.

 

A small smile quirked at the corner of her muzzle and her tail swished contentedly as she started toward the mess area entrance. “It is time to meet and greet.”