Getting to Know the Captain (Part 1)

Posted on Tue Jun 24th, 2025 @ 10:55pm by Captain M'Mira & Lieutenant Kaylee Serra

1,637 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Mission 5 - The Cold War Ends
Location: The Crown Inn
Timeline: MD03 -1100

Kaylee rang the chime of the Ready Room, she wasn't certain if M'Mira was there, still though there was a chance.

The chime startled M'Mira. Most people knew that if her door was closed that she was likely asleep and should not be woken from one of her many cat naps. So, since it went off, she figured that it must be an emergency. Unfurling herself, she called out, "Come in," and prayed that her fur was not too disheveled.

Stepping inside, Kaylee noted that there seemed to be an indication of M'Mira having been napping. "Oh, you are here. Hopefully I didn't disturb you. I wasn't certain if you were in here or having lunch somewhere."

"Lunch?" M'Mira asked curiously. Had she slept so long? "Oh, no. I was just thinking that I might nip off for a bite. Howeverrr, you werrre coming to see me. What can I do for you?"

"If you were going to be going to lunch, mind if I come with you? I'd like to get to know you better, you're the first Caitian Captain I've served under. And since this is a different station from the other place I had been on, I need to get to know the place better." Kaylee had a hopeful and pleasant smile, as she gazed at M'Mira.

"Therrre arrre not many of us as Captains," M'Mira admitted lazily. She had to think of a place to eat quickly to keep her cover. "I was thinking of going to the Crrrown Inn. They have some delicious fish and chips."

"Then let's go. Do you want to go in uniform or change into something not so conspicuous. This way we can enjoy our meals instead of us being bombarded by requests?"

M'Mira laughed at that comment. "Exactly how many Caitians do you think arrre herrre? And I have been, between the Faltan Stations, both planatarrry and space, herrre forrr what? 9 yearrrs? I cannot go anywhere without being rrrecognized."

"Well, I've not done any tallying up of how many Caitians. I was just referring to us being in Uniform, but if that doesn't worry you then we'll just go as we are," Kaylee responded with a return chuckle.

"Do you know yourrr way yet? If not, I am happy to lead."

"Please lead the way, I am looking forward to trying the food there." She was certainly looking forward to fish and chips.

M'Mira did just that. As she was leading, M'Mira asked, "Did you know that you have a passing rrresemblance to Candy Templeton? If you ever meet, Misterrr Turnerrr, he might take a fancy to you."

"I have met him, and I am actually interested in someone else," Kaylee answered. "And Candy well... I think she may still like him very much," she recalled the strange conversation that she had with the woman trying to gain information from her.

"Who arrre you interrrested in?" M'Mira asked curiously. "As to Candy, I suspect you arrre corrrrrect. He has not had much luck in love since they have ended theirrr rrrelationship."

"A marine, but I don't know if he knows that yet." Kaylee had a quiet smile. "I don't know if it will work but perhaps it shall."

M'Mira remained silent, having her concerns about the marines. "Perrrhaps you should just pounce on him?"

"I will have to see if that would work. That's not a bad idea." Kaylee laughed. "The worst he could say is nope not interested," she answered, giving a shrug.

"It is betterrrr than sitting and pining. But what do I know? I have not had a date in forrreverrr." The Crown Inn was a charming English-style pub, nestled on the bustling promenade of the starbase. The exterior of the pub exuded a warm, inviting aura, with its traditional Tudor architecture—dark wood beams, white plastered walls, and a quaint thatched roof. A large brass sign hung above the entrance, depicting the iconic crown symbol, illuminated by a soft golden light. The pub was framed by flower boxes with vibrant, colorful blooms, bringing a touch of Earth’s countryside to the sterile, high-tech environment of the station.

Inside, the pub feels like a timeless escape from the sterile corridors of the starbase. The wood-paneled walls were adorned with old-world British memorabilia: faded portraits of monarchs, antique maps, and banners of long-gone football clubs. A massive stone fireplace crackles with a simulated fire, adding both heat and a cozy atmosphere. The floors were made of worn oak, covered by dark green and maroon rugs, and low, intimate lighting casting soft shadows across the room, creating a space perfect for conversation.

The long, polished mahogany bar takes center stage, with an impressive array of Earth-origin beers, ales, and ciders from across the galaxy. It is tended by a barkeep who serves up everything from traditional British pints to more exotic brews. Shelves behind the bar are stocked with glass bottles and exotic liquors, including some rare varieties from distant planets in the Federation.

Scattered around the room are sturdy wooden tables, where patrons can enjoy hearty meals like fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash, as well as a variety of lighter fare. The faint sound of classic Earth folk tunes music can be heard from somewhere.

"So, what do you think?" M'Mira asked walking into the Crown Inn.

Kaylee couldn't speak for a moment or two as she looked a the set up of the Crown Inn. She found her voice. "This is just absolutely beautiful! I love it!" She grinned from ear to ear. "So, what sort of man are you looking for?"

Girl talk? How long has it been since I've done anything like that? "Oh, just a nice Caitian man who can handle a strrrong woman and trrreat me like the prrrincess that I am."

M'Mira held out her arm and said, "Do you prrreferrr a booth orrr table. We seat ourrrselves herrre. The waiterrr will eventually find us."

"I like either one, though a table makes it easier to keep ourselves to where we can run if we need to do. Or I need to fight someone who is being aggressive. " Kaylee giving an apologetic smile.

"You'rrre always worrrrried about rrrunning or hiding," M'Mira observed. "Why is that?"

"Captain, before I came into this position, I was Chief of Security on a ship, which faced off with a planet killer. It was destroyed at the cost of the ship. I transferred to another station, as Assistant Chief of Security and there were some troubles there, being boxed in something and nowhere to move to a good place to fight never fun. And-" Kaylee took in a breath. "I had to get away from an ex who I thought was a lovely man but ended up being awful. I got a divorce from him. Terrible man." Kaylee gave a shrug at that.

"No cubs with him?" M'Mira asked, wondering if Kaylee had any children. "It sounds like you have had a rrrough time of it. Have you talked to a counselorrr about any of it?"

"Thankfully not. I have talked to a counselor to get over feeling betrayed by my ex who was a counselor. It took another counselor who pointed out what he was doing. He was manipulative and I realized what the counselor had said was true and I left." Kaylee frowning once more.

"Well, just so you know, Karrra is nothing like your ex."

A waiter meandered overed and lazily asked, "What can I get you ladies?"

M'Mira hastily ordered, "Fish and chips!" She then composed herself and said, "And whateverrr ale that would pairrr well with it."

"I will have the same, I like the sound of that." Kaylee giving a smile. "It's been a little bit since I've had the dish."

When the waiter left Kaylee looked at M'Mira. "I do plan on visiting the counselor just to see what she is like."

"She's good at her job. Has her husband underrr a complete spell. He worrrships herrr. They have two lovely cubs. They arrre half-Human and half-Trill. So, they are quite busy."

"I would think so, my ex had two children of his own. It just wasn't ideal. And he wanted to have control of everything. I hope that you don't meet someone like that." Kaylee stated very firmly.

"I will be lucky to meet anyone at all," M'Mira replied earnestly and with an audible swish of her tail. "Not much time off as a Captain and so verrry few that arrre willing to rrrisk dating one."

"Hopefully you will find someone who will take that time to get to know you and not mind that you are a captain." Kaylee's head perked slightly up as she caught the scent of something delicious. "Ohhh is that the fish and chips that are being prepared for us?"

"It is," M'Mira confirmed. "So, why don't you tell me morrre about yourrrself."

"What would you like to know? I do have siblings, and I do have parents." Kaylee giving a fond smile.

"What arrrre yourrr siblings names and wherrre arrre they?"

"My siblings are on Earth, I'm the youngest in the family. Their names are, Caleb, Gabriel, and Joseph. I am the only girl in the family. They are all older than me. "

"I'm also the baby, only girrrl, and the tiniest. I had fourrr brrrothers borrrn with me in my litterrr. Mom decided that was enough, which is fine by me because I'm clearrrly the cutest," M'Mira replied puffing with pride.

Kaylee chuckled warmly. "That is something that you and I share, being found the cutest. My brothers at first didn't want a girl, they were hoping for another boy, but apparently they thought I was adorable, so decided to keep me."

 

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