Caitlyn & The Kitten

Posted on Sun May 17th, 2026 @ 4:17pm by Lieutenant JG Caitlyn MacRae

951 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Friends and Traitors
Location: deck 2
Timeline: mD002 - 1900 hours

When exploring the galaxy, Lieutenant MacRae had often heard the phrase ‘expect the unexpected’ quoted. A reminder to all that anything could happen at any given moment. And sometimes, those events seem impossible to believe. Which often led to her grandfather’s favourite expression- truth is often stranger than fiction.

Could she have imagined crossing paths with a stray kitten in a gym, of all places. Or that in the process of securing said kitten a new home, she would run into and admiral and inadvertently trigger his allergy to all things feline. At least no harm was done except to her plant…

The answer to her question was an emphatic no.

And indeed, she had planned to spend the day memorising ship schematics and Starfleet regulations, in between helping stow the latest cargo brought aboard. However, thanks to said kitten, the day had gotten away from her. So she had made the decision to leave her studying until later and so spent the rest of the afternoon and best part of the evening helping to shift cargo around the ship to ensure they were fully restocked before going over the cargo manifest and requisition orders to ensure they perfectly aligned.

So now she was finished for the day, tired and aching but determined to replicate some pizza and strong coffee and start studying. On the bright side, if anything could cure her bouts of insomnia, it would be Starfleet manuals. So, she better add some fairly loud music to the mix. It was going to be like third year at the Academy all over again…

Emerging from the turbolift on Deck 2, she headed for her quarters. Thankfully the walk there was quiet because she was sure she looked like she hadn’t seen the inside of a shower for about a week. She could have practiced the art of delegation but she had wanted to be useful and learn more about the crew - what better way than actually working alongside them?

And it meant she could ensure every item was properly scanned and catalogued. Not that she doubted the security protocols in place but she had seen some very creative ways to smuggle goods (and sadly, people) and she did not want to risk something potentially dangerous being brought aboard. Not after their last mission.

Rounding the corner she tugged on her uniform sleeves to pull them down, already thinking of - she stopped abruptly when she saw what was outside her quarters, not quite believing her own eyes. How?

Moving closer she knelt down on the floor beside a pet carrier, a pair of wide blue eyes watching her every move. A paw, covered in light grey and brilliant white fur reached out and touched one of the bars preventing another great escape, head tilting to the side as a small ‘meow’ reached Caitlyn’s ears.

Glancing around, she heard and saw nothing- not another soul seemed to be in the area. Turning her attention back to the carrier she unlocked the hatch, ready to catch the kitten if she bolted. But she didn’t bolt, instead she stood for a moment, studying the human as if in judgement for being left behind before jumping out of the confines of the cage and onto Caitlyn’s lap.

It was then that she saw the pink ribbon which was tied to an equally pink collar. “Pretty in pink, huh?” She commented, watching as the kitten turned in a circle before stretching, then with a yawn, it curled up in her lap.

“So…. I guess I have a cat now?” She said aloud, stroking the tiny ball of fur for a moment. This was a bad idea. She had taken her off the ship for her own good - starships were dangerous places. Especially true for small children and animals. “Please don’t let this be a sign I’m gonna become some crazy old lady with a million cats. And I am pretty much talking to myself…”

The new counselor would have a field day with that one.

Carefully she lifted the kitten in one hand, unlocking the door to her quarters with the other. As the door opened she moved inside, taking the carrier with them and setting it to the side. Before she could forget she locked the door behind her, having no wish to end the day the same way it started.

That done she realised the dining table currently housed a wicket box, and as she examined it, she found it full of things she needed for the kitten along with a hand written note. Opening the note she read it twice, smiling in spite of herself as she shook her head and set the note aside.

Taking one of the blankets she had found on her shopping trip she lay it on the floor, and then a pillow. She set the sleeping kitten down on the pillow, carefully removing the bow so it wouldn’t become a problem later on. For a moment she watched the tiny thing sleeping, the steady rise and fall with each breath.

She looked so tiny but so peaceful. And she needed a name.

What kind of name did you give a cat? She decided to have the computer prepare a list of options, while she showered and changed. Managing to mostly get through the showering part without company.

Hastily wrapping a towel around herself, she ushered the kitten back into the lounge, once again kneeling on the floor so they were face to face. “You are super cute, and those big eyes are hard to be mad at but we need to discuss some boundaries…”

OFF

 

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