Ensign Kara shuffled down the corridor, laden down with numerous bags. Held by two fingers, a small crate swung back and forth, emitting a tense miaow every now and then. She peered into the crate and gave her cat, Kiro, a sympathetic smile. “I know fuzz ball, we’re nearly there,” she reassured the squirming feline. Hoisting her bags further up on her shoulder she trudged round the corner and finally found her quarters.

As the doors slid shut behind her she let out a deep sigh and let the bags fall to the floor. She opened the crate and let Kiro take a few tentative steps out into their new quarters. She gave him a quick scratch behind the ears as he nervously looked around his new pad. Iliana chuckled and gave him a nudge further into the room. “I know it smells funny, but this is our home now, go and explore…” Kiro stayed frozen and gave a pathetic miaow in her direction. Iliana smiled and walked across to the replicator. “Computer, feline supplement 13,” she ordered as a dish of cat food appeared in front of her. She popped it down on the floor and Kiro tentatively made his way over and tucked in. “Yeah, I thought that might motivate you…” Iliana giggled and scratched him again behind the ears as he settled in.

She let out a quick yawn as she made her way back over to her bags and shook her head. “Maybe tomorrow…” she muttered as she picked up a bag and left the rest for later. Due to a broken down shuttle and a particularly inefficient customs officer, she had been delayed for nearly a day so only had an hour before she was due to report in.

She took a quick sonic shower and quickly grabbed something to eat before putting on her freshly pressed uniform. She quickly swept her auburn hair up into a neat pony tail and took a moment on the sofa where Kiro was now snuggled up. He sleepily opened one eye and started creeping towards her. She gently put a finger on his nose and stood. “Ah ah, I’m not turning up to my first shift covered in cat hair…” she said as she kissed him on the head. She took one last look in the mirror and made sure she was presentable before heading to sickbay.

Ensign Kara (Med)