Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Elisabet Fredholm (Science Officer) in Elisabet’s Arrival

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (aCO/First Officer / Navigation Officer) in Elisabet’s Arrival

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Elisabet Fredholm (Science Officer) in Elisabet’s Arrival
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Elisabet Fredholm stepped off the shuttlecraft and into the loading dock of the USS Chernov with a backpack on her back, a rolling suitcase in one hand, and a cat carrier in the other (which held her beloved Scottish Fold kitten, Linn, of course). She was a mix of excited and nervous about her new assignment. On one hand, she was excited about the change of scenery after her last posting ended so badly. But on the other hand, she was a little worried that there might be one person on the ship that would act the same way as her former Captain.

She was also nervous about the new developments she’d just gotten involving the crew. Captain Taggart got unexpectedly ousted from the chair without explanation, Lt. Commander Kastarak was the acting CO, a new 2O/Chief Science Officer was due to arrive after the last one suffered the same fate as Taggart. Weird things were happening for sure. But that was the thing about space travel: It kept you on your toes.

A tall Security officer spotted Elisabet and rushed over, looking at his PaDD. He smiled warmly at her.

“Oh, you must be Elisabet! Welcome aboard! The name’s Ensign Lucian Vyctor. I’m a Security Officer on this ship. I’ll let the first off- sorry, acting CO, know that you’re here. I’m still getting used to that,” said Lucian.

Elisabet laughed.

“I imagine you are. It was surprising for me as well,” she said.

Lucian nodded as he got out his communicator.

– Ensign Vyctor to Lt. Cmdr. Kastarak. Please report to the loading dock. One of our new Science Officers has just arrived. –

Lieutenant j.g. Elisabet Fredholm, Science Officer
NE Ensign Lucian Vyctor, Security Officer

“Acknowledged.” Kastarak’s voice was unemotional. With steady steps, he walked the corridors to the loading dock. It probably took him 5 minutes today. He would get his allotted number of steps in today, he thought.

Once arrived, Kastarak saw the petite-looking science officer before him. She was both shorter and young-looking than Kastarak had expected. It was not an issue, he quickly changed his mental representation of her according to the visual data he received from seeing her. He nodded acknowledgingly to Ensign Vyctor ( still an ensign? why? he thought to himself)

He raised his right hand in a Vulcan salute in the direction of the new science officer. “Peace and long life, lieutenant Fredholm. I am Kastarak, Acting Commanding Officer; and First Officer on the Chernov. Welcome aboard.”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
Acting Commanding Officer; First Officer and Navigations Officer

Elisabet smiled, returning the Vulcan salute.

“Live long and prosper, Lt. Commander. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Linn gave a little mew from her carrier. Elisabet laughed, going down and taking the gray Scottish fold kitten from her carrier, holding her in her arms.

“Sounds like Linn wants to say hello as well. I hope no one on the ship is allergic to cats. If they are, they probably shouldn’t come into my quarters. There will be cat hair everywhere, no matter how many times I try to clean it up. Such is life.”

*Linn gave another mew as if to say, ‘I always find a way.’

Lieutenant Junior Grade Elisabet Fredholm, Science Officer

A cat. Kastarak could not remember having signed off on that. Many other species – Humans especially – had a curious relationship with domesticated animals. So did Sega’a, albeit without being human. Was this Taggart’s doing? He would have to check the paperwork once back in office. Now was not the time to question this.

Kastarak looked at the little creature in Fredholm’s arms. He had learnt from his interactions with Sega’a and Hago, that there was something highly meaningful in the relationship between some people and their pets. As such, the cat’s presence –– assuming it was allowed on board –– required due respect.

He lowered his eyes to the cat.

“Welcome on board, Linn,” he said in his usual dead-pan way.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
Acting Commanding Officer, First Officer and Navigations Officer

Elisabet could tell that the Lieutenant Commander was a little out of his depth when it came to pets. She honestly expected him to be, considering he was a Vulcan. She figured the best way to get him more comfortable was to at least put out an offer.

“You’re welcome to pet her, if you’d like. She loves meeting new people and definitely won’t scratch at you. I promise,” she said.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Elisabet Fredholm, Science Officer

Kastarak understood the nature of petting an animal. It was a matter of bonding, mainly through oxytocin, but also through trust and reciprocity, that helped the pet and the caretaker deepen their relationship. Kastarak, however, was not the animal’s caretaker – unless, perhaps, he was… He was XO and was responsible for everyone’s welfare, and he supposed this included Linn’s. Petting her would not be ill-conceived. Yet, how would one pet a pet?

Kastarak had little experience in it.

“Thank you, lieutenant. But surely it would be her consent I should seek rather than yours? But how would I know if she consented, given that I don’t know her communication style.”

It was a genuine dilemma for him.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
Acting Commanding Officer, First Officer and Navigations Officer